Molecular mechanisms associated with long-term consolidation of the NMDA signals

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors in the mammalian brain plays a central role in synaptic plasticity underlying refinement of neuronal connections during development, or processes like long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory. On the other hand, over-activation of glutamate receptors leading to neurodegeneration has been implicated in major areas of brain pathology. Any sustained effect of a transient NMDA receptor activation is likely to involve signaling to the nucleus and coordinated changes in gene expression. Classically, a set of immediate-early genes is induced first; some of them are themselves transcription factors that control expression of other target genes. This review deals with the induction of Fos, Jun and Egr (Krox) transcription factors in response to NMDA or non-NMDA (AMPA/kainate) ionotropic receptor agonists in vivo or in neuronal cultures in vitro. In addition, the mechanism of induction of a model immediate-early gene c-fos in response to Ca2+ influx through activated NMDA receptors or voltage-sensitive calcium channels is discussed. Both modes of calcium entry induce c-fos via activation of multiple signaling pathways that converge on constitutive transcription factors cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), serum response factor (SRF) and a ternary complex factor (TCF), such as Elk-1. In contrast to the traditional view of the NMDA receptor as a ligand-gated calcium channel, whose activation leads to calcium influx and activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases, recent evidence highlights involvement of the Ras/ mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the NMDA signaling to the nucleus.

Incidence of adverse drug events and medication errors in Japan: the JADE study

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of adverse drug events (ADEs) and medication errors has received little evaluation outside the U.S. and Europe, and extrapolating from these data might not be valid, especially regarding selecting and prioritizing solutions.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence and preventability of ADEs and medication errors in Japan.

DESIGN

The Japan Adverse Drug Events (JADE) study was a prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

A cohort of 3,459 adults admitted to a stratified random sample of seven medical and eight surgical wards and three intensive care units in three tertiary care hospitals over 6 months.

MAIN MEASURES

We measured ADE and medication error rates from daily reviews of charts, laboratories, incident reports, and prescription queries by on-site reviewers; presence of a signal was considered an incident. Two independent physicians reviewed incidents to determine whether they were ADEs or medication errors and to assess severity and preventability.

KEY RESULTS

We identified 1,010 ADEs and 514 medication errors (incidence: 17.0 and 8.7 per 1,000 patient-days, respectively) during the study period. Among ADEs, 1.6%, 4.9% and 33% were fatal, life-threatening and serious, respectively. Among ADEs, 14% were preventable. The rate per admission was 29 per 100 admissions, higher than in U.S. studies because associated with of the long length of hospital stay in Japan (mean, 17 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiology and nature of ADEs and medication errors in Japan were similar to other countries, although more frequent per admission. Solutions that worked in these countries might thus improve medication safety in Japan, as could shortening hospital length of stay.

Public perception of and willingness to perform bystander CPR in Japan

AIM

Immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most essential factor for life saving in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. We investigated the characteristics associated with willingness to attempt CPR among the Japanese general population.

METHODS

We randomly selected 2400 persons from all over Japan and conducted a questionnaire survey regarding their knowledge, experiences of and attitudes toward CPR. We performed descriptive statistics followed by multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 1132 persons (47%) completed the questionnaire. Only 13% of the subjects were willing to attempt bystander CPR for their families and friends, and 7% were willing to attempt bystander CPR for strangers. Willingness to attempt CPR was independently associated with office workers or skilled workers [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-2.7], having trained in CPR [OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.1-4.6], actual experience with CPR [OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.7-8.3], and having friends with heart diseases [OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.05-3.0]. Having trained in CPR was independently associated with younger age [OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1], office workers or skilled workers [OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0], having driver's license [OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.4] and awareness of AED placement in a public space [OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.1].

CONCLUSION

Experience of CPR training closely associated with willingness to attempt CPR, and awareness of AED in a public space are significant factors in CPR training. AED placement might call attention to CPR training and develops willingness to attempt CPR.

Consolidation of transient ionotropic glutamate signals through nuclear transcription factors in the brain

Long-lasting alterations of neuronal functions could involve mechanisms associated with consolidation of transient extracellular signals through modulation of de novo synthesis of particular functional proteins in the brain. In eukaryotes, protein de novo synthesis is mainly under the control at the level of gene transcription by transcription factors in the cell nucleus. Transcription factors are nuclear proteins with an ability to recognize particular core nucleotides at the upstream and/or downstream of target genes, and thereby to modulate the activity of RNA polymerase II that is responsible for the formation of mRNA from double stranded DNA. Gel retardation electrophoresis is widely employed for conventional detection of DNA binding activities of a variety of transcription factors with different protein motifs. Extracellular ionotropic glutamate (Glu) signals lead to rapid and selective potentiation of DNA binding of the nuclear transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP1) that is a homo- and heterodimeric complex between Jun and Fos family members, in addition to inducing expression of the corresponding proteins, in a manner unique to each Glu signal in murine hippocampus. Therefore, extracellular Glu signals may be differentially transduced into the nucleus to express AP1 with different assemblies between Jun and Fos family members, and thereby to modulate de novo synthesis of the individual target proteins at the level of gene transcription in the hippocampus. Such mechanisms may be operative on synaptic plasticity as well as delayed neuronal death through consolidation of alterations of a variety of cellular functions induced by transient extracellular signals in the brain.

Development of ichthyosiform skin compensates for defective permeability barrier function in mice lacking transglutaminase 1

Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) is one of the genes implicated in autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. Skin from TGase 1(-/-) mice, which die as neonates, lacks the normal insoluble cornified envelope and has impaired barrier function. Characterization of in situ dye permeability and transepidermal water loss revealed defects in the development of the skin permeability barrier in TGase 1(-/-) mice. In the stratum corneum of the skin, tongue, and forestomach, intercellular lipid lamellae were disorganized, and the corneocyte lipid envelope and cornified envelope were lacking. Neonatal TGase 1(-/-) mouse skin was taut and erythrodermic, but transplanted TGase 1(-/-) mouse skin resembled that seen in severe ichthyosis, with epidermal hyperplasia and marked hyperkeratosis. Abnormalities in those barrier structures remained, but transepidermal water loss was improved to control levels in the ichthyosiform skin. From these results, we conclude that TGase 1 is essential to the assembly and organization of the barrier structures in stratified squamous epithelia. We suggest that the ichthyosiform skin phenotype in TGase 1 deficiency develops the massive hyperkeratosis as a physical compensation for the defective cutaneous permeability barrier required for survival in a terrestrial environment.

Predominant expression of nuclear activator protein-1 complex with DNA binding activity following systemic administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate in dentate granule cells of murine hippocampus

The systemic administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (100 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in preferential but transient expression of the transcription factor activator protein-1 in the granule cell layers of the dentate gyrus in the murine hippocampus by maximally 700% 1 h later, without markedly affecting that in the pyramidal cell layers of the CA1 and CA3 subfields for 4 h. The potentiation was completely prevented by prior administration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate channel blocker dizocilpine at 10 mglkg. By contrast, kainate (40 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated activator protein-1 DNA binding in adjacent areas around the pyramidal and granule cell layers, in addition to potentiating that in neuronal cell layers of the CA1 and CA3 subfields and the dentate gyrus. Light microscopic analysis revealed that kainate, but not N-methyl-D-aspartate, induced marked losses of the pyramidal cells in the CAI and CA3 subfields, without affecting the dentate granule cells, for 14 days after administration. Limited proteolysis by V8 protease and supershift, as well as immunoblotting assays using antibodies against c-Fos and c-Jun, invariably gave support for differential expression by N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate of the activator protein-1 complex consisting of different partner proteins. Moreover, two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting analysis revealed the expression of several nuclear proteins immunoreactive with the anti-c-Fos antibody at molecular weights and isoelectric points clearly different from those of c-Fos itself in response to kainate, but not N-methyl-D-aspartate, in the hippocampus. These results suggest that in vivo N-methyl-D-aspartate signals are predominantly transduced into cell nuclei to express activator protein-1 complex through molecular mechanisms different from those for kainate signals in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus in the murine hippocampus.

PUVA-induced lichen planus pemphigoides

A 72-year-old woman had suffered from parapsoriasis en plaque (large plaque type) controlled by topically applied psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy. The parapsoriasis lesions gradually disappeared, but numerous tiny red papules with pruritus appeared over the forearms and lower legs 120 days after starting PUVA therapy. These papules developed to form violaceous plaques. Histological findings demonstrated the characteristics of lichen planus. Two months later, tense bullae developed on the plaques and on uninvolved skin of the limbs. These were subepidermal, with linear deposits of IgG and C3 along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) in immunofluorescence of peribullous skin, and immunodeposits of type IV collagen along the floor of the bullae. We therefore, diagnosed lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP). Using systemic and topical steroid therapy, the lesions rapidly resolved and there has been no recurrence. This case suggests that the combination of basal cell injuries caused by chronic inflammation and PUVA therapy could expose BMZ components to autoreactive lymphocytes and induce LPP.

Facilitated wound healing by activation of the Transglutaminase 1 gene

Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) is a Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme which catalyzes epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-linking of substrate proteins such as involucrin and loricrin to generate the cornified envelope at the cell periphery of the stratum corneum. We have shown that disruption of the TGase 1 gene in mice results in neonatal lethality, absence of the cornified envelope, and impaired skin barrier function. Based on the importance of TGase 1 in epidermal morphogenesis, we have now assessed its role in wound healing. In neonatal mouse skin, TGase 1 mRNA as well as keratin 6alpha was induced in the epidermis at the wound edges as early as 2 hours after injury and that expression continued in the migrating epidermis until completion of re-epithelialization. The TGase 1 enzyme co-localized on the plasma membrane of migrating keratinocytes with involucrin, but not with loricrin, which suggests the premature assembly of the cornified envelope. Similar injuries to TGase 1 knockout mouse skins grafted on athymic nude mice showed substantial delays in wound healing concomitant with sustained K6alpha mRNA induction. From these results, we suggest that activation of the TGase 1gene is essential for facilitated repair of skin injury.

Carbamylated albumin is one of the target antigens of anti-carbamylated protein antibodies

Objectives. Anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies are detected in RA patients. Fetal calf serum is used as an antigen source in anti-CarP ELISA, and the precise target antigens have not been found. We aimed to identify the target antigens of anti-CarP antibodies.

Methods. Western blotting of anti-CarP antibodies was conducted. Anti-carbamylated human albumin (CarALB) antibody was detected by in-house ELISA for 493 RA patients and 144 healthy controls (HCs). An inhibition ELISA of anti-CarP antibodies by CarALB and citrullinated albumin (citALB) was performed using eight RA patients’ sera. Serum CarALB was detected by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS), and the serum MPO concentration was measured by ELISA.

Results. We focused on carbamylated albumin because it corresponded to the size of the thickest band detected by western blotting of anti-CarP antibodies. Anti-CarALB antibody was detected in 31.4% of RA patients, and the correlation of the titres between anti-CarALB and anti-CarP was much closer than that between anti-citALB and anti-CCP antibodies (ρ = 0.59 and ρ = 0.16, respectively). The inhibition ELISA showed that anti-CarP antibodies were inhibited by CarALB, but not by citALB. CarALB was detected in sera from RA patients by LC/MS/MS. The serum MPO concentration was correlated with disease activity and was higher in RA patients with anti-CarALB antibody than in those without.

Conclusion. We found that carbamylated albumin is a novel target antigen of anti-CarP antibodies, and it is the first reported target antigen that has not been reported as the target of ACPA.

Determination of the Avogadro constant by counting the atoms in a 28Si crystal

The Avogadro constant links the atomic and the macroscopic properties of matter. Since the molar Planck constant is well known via the measurement of the Rydberg constant, it is also closely related to the Planck constant. In addition, its accurate determination is of paramount importance for a definition of the kilogram in terms of a fundamental constant. We describe a new approach for its determination by counting the atoms in 1 kg single-crystal spheres, which are highly enriched with the 28Si isotope. It enabled isotope dilution mass spectroscopy to determine the molar mass of the silicon crystal with unprecedented accuracy. The value obtained, NA = 6.022,140,78(18) × 10(23) mol(-1), is the most accurate input datum for a new definition of the kilogram.

Epidemiology of potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly patients in Japanese acute care hospitals

PURPOSE

The elderly receive many medications which may have adverse effects. Little evidence is available about the epidemiology of potentially inappropriate medications being prescribed to the elderly in Japan as defined by the Beers criteria, or whether or not these medications result in harm when used in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted to three acute care hospitals in Japan. Trained research nurses followed up patients from randomly selected wards and collected data about their medications and all potential adverse drug events (ADEs). Two independent reviewers evaluated all the data. The use of potentially inappropriate medications and their effects on patients were identified using the updated Beers criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 2155 elderly patients were eligible; 56.1% received at least one drug listed in the Beers criteria (BL drug). The rates of BL drug prescriptions were 103.8 per 100 admissions and 53.6 [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] per 1000 patient-days, and the incidence rate of ADEs related to BL drugs was 1.7 per 100 BL drug prescriptions. Among patients aged ≥65 years, relatively younger patients (p = 0.0002) and those with less complications (p = 0.04) were likely to be prescribed BL drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Although BL drugs were frequently prescribed to elderly Japanese inpatients, the incidence of related ADEs appeared infrequent. These data suggest that re-evaluation of the appropriateness of the Beers criteria is needed before they are used in Japan and other nations to assess quality or for decision support.

Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis with immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders to regress spontaneously by the withdrawal of methotrexate and their clinical course: A retrospective, multicenter, case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical characteristics and time course of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after methotrexate (MTX) discontinuation, in those who achieved spontaneous regression (SR).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from RA patients with LPDs obtained from eight institutions between 2000 and 2017 and compared clinical and pathological findings between SR and non-SR groups.

RESULTS

Among 232 RA patients with LPDs, 216 were treated with MTX at the onset of LPD and 144 (66.7%) achieved SR after MTX discontinuation. Higher MTX doses, high titers of anti-CCP antibodies (>13.5 U/mL), and lower LDH and soluble IL-2 receptor levels were associated with SR. Lymphocyte count was decreased at LPD onset and increased at 2 weeks after MTX discontinuation in the SR group. Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and unclassifiable B-cell lymphoma, were more frequent in the SR than in the non-SR group. In multivariable analysis, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas was an independent predictive factor for non-SR. In the patients with SR, 73.9% achieved partial or complete regression as early as 2 weeks after MTX discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

SR and non-SR in RA patients with LPDs after MTX discontinuation were associated with certain clinical characteristics.

Expression of human islet amyloid polypeptide/amylin impairs insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic beta cells

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is associated histopathologically with islet amyloid deposits of which a major component is islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)/amylin. We examined whether endogenous IAPP controls insulin secretion via a local effect within pancreatic islets and whether overexpression of this peptide contributes to pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in this disease. Transgenic mice expressing human IAPP in pancreatic beta cell were used in this study. Human IAPP expression did not influence the mouse proinsulin mRNA level and insulin content. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was decreased in the isolated pancreatic islets of transgenic mice. MIN6, a glucose-responsive pancreatic beta-cell line, was transfected with human IAPP cDNA by a lipofectin method. Human IAPP expression was confirmed by RNA blot and immunohistochemical analysis. In two transfectants expressing the largest amount of human IAPP, insulin secretion was increased in response to glucose stimulation; however, the magnitude of the insulin response in cells transfected with human IAPP was smaller than in control clones. Insulin content was not influenced by the expression. We conclude that endogenous IAPP inhibits insulin secretion via an autocrine effect within pancreatic islets, and that the impaired insulin secretion in this disease may be partly caused by overexpression of IAPP.

Possible involvement of activator protein-1 DNA binding in mechanisms underlying ischemic tolerance in the CA1 subfield of gerbil hippocampus

Transcription factors are nuclear proteins with an ability to recognize particular nucleotide sequences on double stranded genomic DNAs and thereby modulate the activity of RNA polymerase II which is responsible for the formation of messenger RNAs in cell nuclei. Gel retardation electrophoresis revealed that transient forebrain ischemia for 5 min led to drastic potentiation of binding of a radiolabelled double-stranded oligonucleotide probe for the transcription factor activator protein-1, in the thalamus as well as the CA1 and CA3 subfields and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of the gerbils previously given ischemia for 2 min two days before, which is known to induce tolerance to subsequent severe ischemia in the CA1 subfield. By contrast, ischemia for 5 min resulted in prolonged potentiation of activator protein-1 binding in the vulnerable CA1 subfield of the gerbils with prior ischemia for 5 min 14 days before, which is shown to induce delayed death of the pyramidal neurons exclusively in this subfield. Similar prolongation was seen with activator protein-1 binding in the vulnerable thalamus but not in the resistant CA3 subfield and dentate gyrus of the gerbils with such repeated ischemia for 5 min. Limited proteolysis by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease as well as supershift assays using antibodies against c-Fos and c-Jun proteins demonstrated the possible difference in constructive partner proteins of activator protein-1 among nuclear extracts of the CA1 subfield obtained from gerbils with single, tolerated and repeated ischemia. These results suggest that de novo protein synthesis may underlie molecular mechanisms associated with acquisition of the ischemic tolerance through modulation at the level of gene transcription by activator protein-1 composed of different constructive partner proteins in the CA1 subfield. Possible participation of glial cells in the modulation is also suggested in particular situations.

A linkage map for sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) based on RFLP, RAPD, and isozyme loci

A linkage map for sugi was constructed on the basis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and isozyme loci using a three-generation pedigree prepared for genetic analysis of heartwood color. A total of 128 RFLP (123 cDNA and 5 genomic probes), 33 RAPD, 2 isozyme, and 1 morphological (dwarf) loci segregated in 73 progeny. Of the 164 segregating loci, 145 loci were distributed in 20 linkage groups. Of these loci, 91 with confirmed map positions were assigned to 13 linkage groups, covering a total of 887.3 cM. A clustering of markers with distorted segregation was observed in 6 linkage groups. In the four clusters, distortions with a reduction in the number of homozygotes from one parent only were found.

Effect of ACE gene on diabetic nephropathy in NIDDM patients with insulin resistance

We investigated the influence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the onset and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy in 62 Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM; type II diabetes). Because a number of factors are believed to be involved in the onset and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy, especially in patients with NIDDM, we selected the patients with well-matched risk factors, duration of disease, glycemic control, blood pressure, and others. All patients had normal renal function and none were receiving ACE inhibitors. Patients were divided into three groups according to albumin excretion rate (AER): group A, patients with an AER less than 15 microg/min (n = 29); group B, patients with an AER between 15 and 70 microg/min (n = 19); and group C, patients with an AER greater than 70 microg/min (n = 14). The glucose disposal rate was estimated using a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. We determined the mean glucose disposal rate in 132 patients with NIDDM (6.49 mg/kg/min). Patients with a glucose disposal rate less than the mean rate were considered to have a high degree of insulin resistance (n = 36). The presence of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene was determined by the polymerase chain reaction method. Among patients with a high degree of insulin resistance, diabetic nephropathy was present in 2 of 11 patients with the II genotype of the ACE gene compared with 19 of 25 patients with the ID or DD genotype (P = 0.0024). The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was greater in patients with both significant insulin resistance and the D allele (19 of 25) than in the remaining patients (14 of 37; odds ratio, 5.20). These results suggest that the ACE gene influences the onset and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with NIDDM with significant insulin resistance.

Effects of hypothalamic lesions on lymphocyte subsets in mice

This study investigated the time course of the dynamics of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of mice, after bilateral lesions were made at anterior, middle and posterior sites in the hypothalamus of the mice, using a stereotaxic technique. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by using monoclonal antibodies specific to cell surface markers and a laser flow cytometry system. The results indicate that the anterior and posterior parts of the hypothalamus seem to play a role in immunomodulation of both helper and suppressor T lymphocytes. The middle part of the hypothalamus is considered to be the site of a control mechanism in the immune regulation of T and B lymphocytes.

Gene transcription through Myc family members in eukaryotic cells

c-Myc family proteins, encoded by c-myc family proto-oncogenes, play critical roles in mechanisms associated with proliferation, differentiation and apoptotic death in eukaryotic cells. These functions are mediated by transcriptional activity of these proteins through binding to the E-box core sequence CACGTG referred to as a Myc core element located at a promoter or enhancer region of the individual target genes in the nucleus. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of novel nuclear proteins that specifically recognize a Myc core element, in addition to c-Myc, Max, Mad and Mxi1. On the other hand, a Myc core element has alternating purine/pyrimidine repeats which could undergo a conformational transition from right-handed (B-DNA) to left-handed (Z-DNA) forms in the presence of a high concentration of salts such as Mg2+ and polyamines. Similarly, a Myc element has a homopurine-homopyrimidine site that may take a triplex configuration in particular situations. We have searched for nuclear proteins that can specifically recognize a Myc core element in different topological variations in murine brain.

Degradation of c-Fos protein expressed by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid in nuclear fractions of murine hippocampus

In both nuclear and cytosolic fractions of murine hippocampus, constitutive expression was seen with Fra-2 protein, but not with other Fos family members tested including c-Fos, Fos-B and Fra-1 proteins. Fos-B protein was only detected in nuclear fractions. The systemic administration of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) induced marked and transient expression of c-Fos protein, but not other family members, in both hippocampal fractions 2 h later. In vitro incubation at 30 degrees C led to more rapid degradation of inducible c-Fos protein than constitutive Fra-2 protein in nuclear fractions obtained 2 h after the administration of NMDA, without significantly affecting that of both member proteins in cytosolic fractions. The addition of phosphatase inhibitors significantly delayed the initial degradation rate of inducible c-Fos protein, with concomitant facilitation of that of constitutive Fra-2 protein, in nuclear fractions. The addition of protease inhibitors also delayed the initial degradation of constitutive Fra-2 protein, without markedly altering that of inducible c-Fos protein, in nuclear fractions. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that NMDA induced phosphorylation of c-Fos protein on tyrosine residues in nuclear fractions to a lesser extent than that on serine residues 2 h after administration. These results suggest that NMDA signals may be propagated to the nucleus to induce both expression and degradation of c-Fos protein through a molecular mechanism associated with phosphorylation on serine and/or tyrosine residues in murine hippocampus.

Anti-carbamylated Protein Antibodies Are Detectable in Various Connective Tissue Diseases

Objective.

Anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies are possible diagnostic biomarkers of anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of anti-CarP antibodies in non-RA connective tissue diseases (CTD) because CTD are important in the differential diagnosis of ACPA-negative RA.

Methods.

The sera from 266 patients with RA and 616 patients with CTD and 80 healthy controls were examined using an in-house anti-CarP ELISA.

Results.

The prevalence and the level of anti-CarP antibodies in several CTD were comparable to those in ACPA-negative RA.

Conclusion.

Anti-CarP antibodies are not useful for differentiating ACPA-negative RA from CTD.

Differences in spatial autocorrelation between four sub-populations of Alnus trabeculosa Hand.-Mazz. (Betulaceae)

To investigate the spatial structure of Alnus trabeculosa Hand.-Mazz, we compared three sub-populations at Imaichi in Tochigi Prefecture and one sub-population at Juo in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. A total of 269 trees, covering 0.71 ha in total, were mapped and genetically analyzed using nine enzyme systems encoding 13 isozyme loci. There were no significant differences between the four sub-populations in terms of Na,Ne, H(o), H(e )and F(IS). However, according to spatial autocorrelation analysis, the Juo sub-population, which is younger than the others, showed an aggregation of multilocus genotypes, especially within 25 m radii. In contrast with the Juo sub-population, those in Imaichi showed no clear spatial structuring. In the three Imaichi sub-populations, gametic phase disequilibrium is attributable to heterogeneity of genotype frequencies, but in the Juo sub-population it seems to be due to other factors, connected with the composition of the trees in the sub-population and/or its founder population, gene flow and asexual propagation. To conserve as much as possible of the genes or genotypes in restricted areas, conservation of populations that do not show clear family structures, such as those in Imaichi, would be most effective.