Clinical and molecular epidemiological features of tuberculosis after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical characteristics and prognosis in tuberculosis (TB) patients and the transmission dynamics of TB after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.

METHOD

This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Data were analyzed among 93 pulmonary TB patients (tsunami-affected areas 25, non-tsunami areas 68) hospitalized during March 2011-March 2012 with 1-year follow-up since treatment commencement. Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) typing was conducted for 38 TB strains (tsunami-affected areas 21, non-tsunami areas 17).

RESULTS

Patients from tsunami-affected areas were significantly more likely to be refugees (OR 12.8, 95%CI 2.45-67.20), receive oxygenation (OR 5.0, 95%CI 1.68-14.85), and have a unique VNTR (OR 4.6, 95%CI 1.14-18.41). Patients who died within 1 year were significantly more likely to be older (OR 9.8, 95%CI 1.85-180.26), partially dependent or dependent (OR 11.9, 95%CI 4.28-37.62), and to require oxygenation (OR 4.3, 95%CI 1.47-12.89), and had lower serum albumin levels (OR 11.1, 95%CI 2.97-72.32).

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for prognosis of TB after the earthquake were associated with advanced age, low serum albumin level, functional status at admission, and oxygen requirement. The VNTR results suggest that most of the cases with pulmonary TB experienced reactivation of latent tuberculous infection, likely due to the impact of the earthquake and tsunami.

Sensitive method for measuring third order nonlinearities in compact dielectric and hybrid plasmonic waveguides

We demonstrate a sensitive method for the nonlinear optical characterization of micrometer long waveguides, and apply it to typical silicon-on-insulator nanowires and to hybrid plasmonic waveguides. We demonstrate that our method can detect extremely small nonlinear phase shifts, as low as 7.5·10<(-4) rad. The high sensitivity achieved imparts an advantage when investigating the nonlinear behavior of metallic structures as their short propagation distances complicates the task for conventional methods. Our results constitute the first experimental observation of χ((3)) nonlinearities in the hybrid plasmonic platform and is important to test claims of hybrid plasmonic structures as candidates for efficient nonlinear optical devices.

Crystallization Behavior of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyamides (I) Dynamic and Isothermal Crystallization

Polyamide (PA) was compounded with carbon fiber (CF) with various contents (0, 5, 15, 20 vol.-%) using an elastic extruder. The effect of both the carbon fiber contents and the compounding method on thermal behavior and characteristics of crystallization are studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarizing optical light microscopy (POL). Thermal investigation was carried out under programmed cooling and isothermal conditions. The following results were obtained: (1) The crystallization temperature became higher with the increase of carbon fiber content, while the melting temperature and enthalpy were scarcely affected by the carbon fiber content. (2) The compounding methods affected the thermal behavior of composite systems. The samples that have been extruded twice have higher crystallization and melting temperatures as well as higher melting enthalpy. (3) Isothermal crystallization was observed using DSC. From the rate constant k and Avrami's index n, it was found that crystallization was accelerated by the presence of carbon fiber without changing the type of nucleation. (4) The polarizing micrographs showed that the nucleation of PA occurred on the surface or close to the CF.

DSC Studies on Fibre-Filled Polyethylene

Four kinds of inorganic fibres: carbon, silica glass, brass and aluminium, were filled in two kinds of low density polyethylenes (PE, Melt Flow Rates (MFR) at 190°C, 2.16 kg; 4 and 8 g/10 min) by extrusion molding. The filling ratio of fibres was varied from 0 to about 20% in volume. The melting and crystallization of the above systems were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The fibre-filled PE was crystallized at a temperature higher than that of the original PE. This phenomenon was observed through a wide range of cooling rate. The temperature of the main melting peak moved slightly to the low temperature side and a broad shoulder peak appeared, as the filling ratio of fibre increased. It was also recognized that the maximum temperature of the molten state affected the crystallization behavior of the system. This was observed for the fibre-filled PE having low melt flow rate. The variation of fibre species scarcely affected the melting and crystallization behavior. The results suggested that the filled fibre accelerated the nucleation process and retarded the crystal growth of PE.

Surgical management of petrous apex cholesteatoma: a therapeutic scheme

From 1969 to 1990, 16 patients were treated for petrous apex cholesteatoma invading or extending beyond the internal auditory canal. This type of cholesteatoma poses various specific surgical problems and various surgical procedures are necessary for treatment. To attain maximal therapeutic effect and ensure postoperatively a satisfactory quality of life, the preoperative therapeutic scheme for each individual patient is very important, as is demonstrated by the case study presented here. The therapeutic scheme includes the following: (1) surgical approach; (2) management of a cavity following removal of the cholesteatoma; (3) handling of problems such as involvement of the dura and internal carotid artery; and (4) management of the facial nerve.

[Benign tracheal stenosis treated by T-tube in a patient with autism; report of a case]

A female with autism, aged over 40 years, who had been hospitalized in a nursing home, developed descending necrotizing mediastinitis requiring tracheostomy. Subsequently, tracheal stenosis was observed. She was referred to our hospital. T-tube therapy was selected, and there has been no recurrence during the 3-year follow-up. We report a patient in whom a T-tube was useful for treating benign tracheal stenosis in the presence of autism.

Comparison of accuracy of physical examination and endoanal ultrasonography for preoperative assessment in patients with acute and chronic anal fistula

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of endoanal ultrasonography for preoperative assessment of anal fistula, with special reference to the difference between acute and chronic fistula.

METHODS

The subjects comprised 401 patients treated for acute or chronic anorectal sepsis of cryptoglandular origin during the period January through December 2005. All patients underwent physical examination and endoanal ultrasonography. Agreement between the physical and endosonographic findings and the definitive surgical findings were evaluated with special reference to classification of the primary tract and horseshoe extension and localization of the internal opening. The difference in accuracy of endosonographic assessment between acute and chronic fistula was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The accuracy of endoanal ultrasonography was significantly higher than that of physical examination in detecting the primary tract (88.8% vs. 85.0%, p=0.0287) and horseshoe extension (85.7% vs. 58.7%, p<0.0001) and in localizing the internal opening (85.5% vs. 69.1%, p<0.0001). Furthermore, localization of the internal opening by endosonography was significantly more accurate in chronic fistula than in acute fistula (89.5 % vs. 76.8%, p<0.0001), although the accuracy in detecting the primary tract and horseshoe extension was not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoanal ultrasonography is reliable and useful for preoperative assessment of anal fistula, particularly for detecting horseshoe extension and localizing the internal opening. Endosonographic assessment provides clearer depiction of the internal opening during periods of quiescence than during the period of abscess formation. For patients with acute anorectal sepsis, initial surgical drainage and subsequent fistula surgery, rather than one-stage fistula surgery, may be advisable to avoid misidentification of the internal opening.

11C-acetate PET in the evaluation of brain glioma: comparison with 11C-methionine and 18F-FDG-PET

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to retrospectively investigate the usefulness of 11C-acetate (ACE)-positron emission tomography (PET) for evaluation of brain glioma, in comparison with 11C-methionine (MET) and 2-deoxy-2-18F-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG).

PROCEDURES

Fifteen patients with brain glioma referred to initial diagnosis were examined with ACE, MET, and FDG-PET. Five patients had low-grade gliomas (grade II), three had anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III), and seven had glioblastomas (grade IV). PET results were evaluated by visual and semiquantitative analysis. For semiquantitative analysis, the standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor to contralateral normal gray matter (T/N) ratio were calculated. The sensitivity for detection of high-grade gliomas was calculated using visual analysis.

RESULTS

Sensitivities of ACE, MET, and FDG were 90%, 100%, and 40%, respectively. ACE and MET T/N ratios were significantly higher than that of FDG. ACE and FDG SUV in high-grade gliomas were significantly higher than that in low-grade gliomas. No significant differences were observed using MET.

CONCLUSIONS

ACE PET is a potentially useful radiotracer for detecting brain gliomas and differentiating high-grade gliomas.

Up-regulated expression of Toll-like receptors mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Recent studies in animal models for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have shown that Toll-like receptors (TLR-7 and TLR-9) and interferon (IFN)-alpha are involved in the pathogenesis of murine lupus. Recent studies using flow cytometry have also shown increased expression of TLR-9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients. In this study, we performed quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses of PBMCs from 21 SLE patients and 21 healthy subjects, to estimate TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, IFN-alpha and LY6E (a type I IFN-inducible gene) mRNA expression levels. Expression levels of TLR2, TLR7, TLR9, IFN-alpha and LY6E mRNAs in SLE patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. Expression levels of TLR7 and TLR9 mRNAs correlated with that of IFN-alpha mRNA in SLE patients. These results suggest that up-regulated expression of TLR7 and TLR9 mRNAs together with increased expression of IFN-alpha mRNA in PBMCs may also contribute to the pathogenesis of human lupus.

Up-regulation of TRAIL mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus

It is recently suggested that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we examined whether expression levels of TRAIL depend on SLE activity. To estimate TRAIL mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we performed quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses of PBMC from 18 SLE patients and 20 healthy subjects. Serum soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean TRAIL mRNA expression level and serum sTRAIL concentration in SLE patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. Expression levels of TRAIL mRNA correlated with the SLE disease activity index and circulating immune complexes levels, while serum sTRAIL concentrations did not. These results indicate that increased expression of TRAIL mRNA in PBMC closely correlates with SLE activity and suggest an important role for TRAIL in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Increased serum levels of S100A12 in patients with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND

Increased serum levels of S100A12, a proinflammatory protein secreted by activated neutrophils, have recently been shown in patients with active inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Kawasaki disease. In this study, we investigated serum levels of S100A 12 in patients with small-vessel vasculitis, myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies- (MPO-ANCA) associated pauci-immune glomerulonephritis.

METHODS

Serum S100A12 concentrations were measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 46 patients with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis and 29 healthy controls. We analyzed correlations between serum S100A12 levels and a clinical index of vasculitis activity, the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), various laboratory parameters, and pathological activity scores in the patients. We also analyzed changes of serum S100A12 levels in 10 patients after treatment.

RESULTS

ELISA showed about 4-fold higher levels of serum S100A12 in patients with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis than healthy controls. Serum S100A12 levels correlated with the BVAS scores, the peripheral white blood cell count, levels of serum C-reactive protein and creatinine, and pathological activity scores in the patients, but did not correlate with serum MPO-ANCA titers. Serum S100A12 levels after treatment decreased in all the 10 patients examined.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that increased serum S100A12 levels correlate with clinical, laboratory and pathological parameters of disease activity in patients with MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. Serum S100A12 level may be one of the useful markers of disease activity in MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.

[Surgical fixation for flail chest]

Flail chest occurs by blunt chest trauma and is associated with pulmonary contusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and respiratory failure. Because of its severity, it may need internal pneumatic stabilization or surgical fixation. Some patients do not need the internal stabilization and are observed conservatively. Some of these patients, however, increase the flail after palliating the pain and getting up. These patients show inefficient ventilation and surgical fixation is needed. The operation should be performed after the improvement of pulmonary contusion. In this paper, we presented 2 patients who showed such course and clarified the surgical methodology.

Hemodynamic influence of peripheral vascular occlusive disease on abdominal aortic aneurysms

AIM

Clinical evidence indicates that hemodynamic conditions such as peripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVOD) influence abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 406 operated cases of AAA at our institute over the last 15 years, and compared 39 patients with PVOD to those without, to examine hemodynamic effects and risk factors. Aneurysm size at operation, rupture, shape, expansion rate and several preoperative risk factors were compared.

RESULTS

Mean aortic diameter in the AAA with PVOD patients (56.8+/-17.8 mm) showed no significant difference to that in the AAA without PVOD group (60.4+/-14.8 mm). However, the subgroup of AAA with PVOD in whom the aneurysm was found prior to PVOD diagnosis (67.8+/-18.1 mm) (n=19) showed a larger mean AAA diameter compared to the AAA (not followed up until operative indication/prior to operation) without PVOD group (60.4+/-14.8 mm), (n=340), (p=0.04). Smoking was the only preoperative risk factor to show a difference between AAA patients with and without PVOD. The aneurysm expansion rate was determined retrospectively in 13 patients with PVOD who had been followed for at least 1 year by CT scan and 17 patients without PVOD. The rate in the PVOD group was 8.1 mm/year, which was significantly faster than that in PVOD-free patients (4.6 mm/year), (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of a large diameter and fast expansion rate in AAA patients with concomitant PVOD suggest that the hemodynamic effects of PVOD have a great influence on AAA development.

Fishing for bioactive substances from scorpionfish and some sea urchins

Venom proteins from the dorsal spine of two scorpionfish, Hypodytes rubripinnis and Synanceia verrucosa were assayed for mitogenicity and cytotoxicity. The two venoms had both mitogenic and cytotoxic activity on murine splenocytes and murine P388 leukemic cells. In H. rubripinnis, the second gel chromatographic fraction showed cytotoxic activity on P388 leukemic cells. On native PAGE, the glycoprotein isolated by concavalin A sepharose chromatography appeared to have a molecular mass of 110 kDa. In addition, two D-galactose-binding lectins (SUL-I and SUL-II) and a heparin-binding lectin (TGL-I) were purified from the globiferous pedicellariae of the toxopneustid sea urchins, Toxopneustes pileolus and Tripneustes gratilla, respectively. SUL-I (Nakagawa et al., 1999a) had mitogenic activity and cytotoxic activity but SUL-II and TGL-I did not. SUL-I did not show sequence homology to SUL-II. A hemolytic lectin with a molecular mass of 29 kDa was isolated from the coelomic fluid of T. gratilla. The hemolytic activity of the lectin was dependent on Ca2+ concentration and inhibited by lactose. The present results suggest that some species of scorpionfish and sea urchins may be novel sources for biologically active substances such as anti-tumor compounds or new lectins.

Regioselective allylzincation of alkenylboronate

[reaction: see text] Boryl substitution on an olefin activates the olefinic double bond toward addition of an organozinc reagent. Addition of an allylic zinc reagent to an alkenylboronate thus takes place smoothly to afford a variety of gem-zincio/boryl species. Theoretical studies with density functional calculations on the reaction pathway revealed that the reaction proceeds via a zincio-ene reaction rather than a bora-Claisen rearrangement.

Salmonella enteritidis FliC (flagella filament protein) induces human beta-defensin-2 mRNA production by Caco-2 cells

Antimicrobial peptides are crucial for host defense at mucosal surfaces. Bacterial factors responsible for induction of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) mRNA expression in Caco-2 human carcinoma cells were determined. Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella dublin, and culture supernatants of these strains induced hBD-2 mRNA expression in Caco-2 human carcinoma cells. Using luciferase as a reporter gene for a approximately 2.1-kilobase pair hBD-2 promoter, the hBD-2-inducing factor in culture supernatant of S. enteritidis was isolated. The supernatant factor was heat-stable and proteinase-sensitive. After purification by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, the hBD-2-inducing factor was identified as a 53-kDa monomeric protein with the amino-terminal sequence AQVINTNSLSLLTQNNLNK, which is identical to that of the flagella filament structural protein (FliC) of S. enteritidis. Consistent with this finding, the 53-kDa protein reacted with anti-FliC antibody, which prevented its induction of hBD-2 mRNA in Caco-2 cells. In agreement, the hBD-2-inducing activity in culture supernatant was completely neutralized by anti-FliC antibody. In gel retardation analyses, FliC increased binding of NF-kappaB (p65 homodimer) to hBD-2 gene promoter sequences. We conclude that S. enteritidis FliC induces hBD-2 expression in Caco-2 cells via NF-kappaB activation and thus plays an important role in up-regulation of the innate immune response.

High efficiency transformation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe pretreated with thiol compounds by electroporation

A highly efficient method for transformation of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe by electroporation has been developed. Significantly higher transformation efficiency was obtained when intact cells grown in SD medium (0.67% Bacto yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 2% glucose) were pretreated with thiol compounds before an electric pulse was applied to the cells. Among the thiol compounds tested, dithiothreitol (DTT) was the most effective for pretreatment. A high transformation efficiency was obtained when the cells were pretreated with 25 mM DTT at 30 degrees C for 15 min in an osmotically adjusted buffer, since the cells were sensitive to osmotic pressure. It was important to exclude glucose from the DTT pretreatment buffer, as it caused a drastic decrease in efficiency. The optimal cell concentration and amount of DNA during the electric pulse were 1x10(9) cells/ml and 10 ng, respectively. The maximum transformation efficiency, 1.2x10(7) transformants/microg plasmid DNA, was obtained when an electric pulse of 11.0 kV/cm was applied for 5 ms. Furthermore, the high competency of cells pretreated with DTT was maintained by freezing them in a non-permeating cryoprotectant such as sorbitol.

Carbohydrate recognition of gramicidin S analogues in aqueous medium

We have designed and synthesized of carbohydrate-binding peptides, gramicidin S analogues. Asn/Asp/Gln and Trp residues in the peptides were employed as the binding sites for carbohydrates by hydrogen-bonding interaction and the creation units for hydrophobic pocket to promote the interaction, respectively. The data of fluorescence spectroscopy and affinity column chromatography indicated that the peptides possessed the binding ability for some carbohydrates in aqueous medium. As a result of 1H NMR study, nuclear Overhauser effects between aromatic side chains of a peptide, [Gln(1,1'),Trp(3,3')]-gramisidin S and mannose were observed, indicating that the interaction of the peptide with the sugar occurred in the hydrophobic environment formed by Trp and Phe residues.

Antibacterial activity of bactenecin 5 fragments and their interaction with phospholipid membranes

Bactenecin 5 (Bac 5) is an antibacterial 43mer peptide isolated from bovine neutrophils. It consists of an Arg-rich N-terminal region and successive repeats of Arg-Pro-Pro-Ile (or Phe). We synthesized Bac 5(1-23) and several related peptides to clarify the roles these regions play in antibacterial activity. An assay of antibacterial activity revealed that such activity requires the presence of Arg residues at or near the N-terminus, as well as a chain length exceeding 15 residues. None of the peptides exhibited haemolytic activity. Polyproline II-like CD curves were observed for most of the peptides. Measurements of the membrane perturbation and fusion indicated that the perturbation and fusogenic activities of the peptides were, generally, parallel to their antibacterial activities. Amino acid substitution in the repeating region had some effect on antibacterial activity.

Risk factors for rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm based on three-dimensional study

PURPOSE

Factors influencing the development or rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have not yet been confirmed. This study delineated the risk factors for rupture of AAAs as evaluated by means of a combination of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and clinical data analysis.

METHODS

The study population comprised Japanese patients in whom an atherosclerotic AAA had been diagnosed between January 1980 and December 1997. We obtained 3D-based data by means of computer-aided 3D reconstruction from computed tomography studies of AAAs. The data included the tortuosity of the aneurysm, maximum transverse diameter, length of the aneurysm, aneurysmal volume, aneurysmal surface area, largest aneurysmal cross-sectional area, ratio of transverse aneurysmal diameter to the length of the aneurysm (T/L), and amount of mural thrombus. Clinical data were collected from patient files. All data were assessed by means of multivariate analysis for their predictive value for expansion or rupture of AAA.

RESULTS

The most efficient predictor of annual expansion rate of maximum transverse diameter (EX-D) was a combination of largest aneurysmal cross-sectional area, tobacco use, and tortuosity. The most efficient predictor of annual expansion rate of aneurysmal volume (EX-V) was a combination of aneurysmal volume and blood urea nitrogen level. The most efficient predictors of aneurysmal rupture was a combination of EX-D, diastolic blood pressure, and T/L.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional-based data on aneurysmal morphology, including T/L, largest aneurysmal crosssectional area, and aneurysmal volume, had strong predictive value for expansion and rupture of AAAs.

Results of surgical treatment for vascular injuries

The purpose of this study was to clarify the current etiology of and prognosis for iatrogenic vascular injuries. The study involved patients who underwent surgery for vascular injury. The patient record was retrospectively reviewed to collect information on the patient profile and type of vascular injury. The surgical techniques used were classified as simple or complex. The outcome was measured as morbidity and 30-day hospital mortality due to vascular injuries. The average age of the group with iatrogenic injury was significantly older than the group without. The number of males and females with iatrogenic injuries were almost equal, whereas males predominated in the group with noniatrogenic injuries. During the first half of the study period, more injuries were noniatrogenic; during the second half, most were iatrogenic. Most injuries due to angiographic procedures could be treated by a simple repair. Injuries due to operative procedures and noniatrogenic traumas had to be repaired by complex techniques. The overall morbidity rate was 3.8%, and the 30-day hospital mortality rate was 1.9%. The recently developed minimally invasive surgical techniques tend to increase the risk of vascular injuries whereas catheterization remains the most important cause of iatrogenic vascular injuries. However, as long as such injuries are treated promptly, the prognosis is good.

Interaction of pleurocidin and its analogs with phospholipid membrane and their antibacterial activity

A 25-mer cationic peptide pleurocidin, isolated from the winter flounder, has broad antibacterial activity. To clarify the structure-activity relationship, its properties and biological activity were examined. CD measurements showed that pleurocidin took an alpha-helical structure in the presence of DOPC/DOPG (3:1, anionic) vesicles. Very weak hemolytic activity of pleurocidin was observed and its antibacterial activity was moderate. Tryptophan fluorescence shift measurements showed that pleurocidin interacted weakly with a neutral phospholipid, but strongly with an acidic phospholipid. The peptide exhibited weak dye-leakage activity for DOPC (neutral) vesicles and moderate activity for acidic vesicles. From experiments on dye-leakage activity and membrane translocation of the peptide, it seemed likely that pleurocidin, like magainin 2, forms pores in the lipid membrane. A study of amino acid substitution in pleurocidin revealed that alpha-helicity, rather than hydrophobicity, affects the properties and activity of the peptide.

Dream-recall frequency and waking imagery

The purpose was to investigate the relationship between dream-recall frequency and waking imagery, so 323 undergraduates completed four imagery tests: (1) Sheehan's modified version of Betts' Questionnaire on Mental Imagery, (2) Marks' Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, (3) the Gordon Test of Visual Imagery Control, (4) Richardson's Verbalizer Visualizer Questionnaire, and a dream-recall questionnaire which contained a question about dream-recall frequency. When scores on the four imagery tests and the seven sensory subscales of the Questionnaire on Mental Imagery were compared for the n = 82 frequent and n = 80 infrequent dream recallers, higher recall was associated with more vivid voluntary images and more frequent use of visual imagery; however, control visual imagery as measured by the Test of Visual Imagery Control was not associated with dream-recall frequency. Scores for frequent use of visual imagery on dream-recall frequency might have been due to the two items of the Verbalizer-Visualizer Questionnaire which asked about dream experiences. The results for the seven sensory subscales of the Betts' questionnaire indicated that the frequency of dream recall was significantly related to scores on visual, cutaneous, and organic but not on auditory, gustatory, kinaesthetic, and olfactory subscales. No significant differences were found between males and females. Present findings indicated that forming vivid mental images in the waking state is related to frequency of dream recall and support Cohen's salience theory of dream recall, i.e., that evoking vivid waking mental images voluntarily may play an important role in retrieving dream images or saving them during wakefulness. All sensory modalities should be considered in study of dream recall.

Huge facial schwannoma extending into the middle cranial fossa and cerebellopontine angle without facial nerve palsy--case report

A 46-year-old male presented with a huge facial schwannoma extending into both the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle but without manifesting facial nerve palsy. Neurological examination on admission revealed no deficits except for speech disturbance. Computed tomography showed a multicystic tumor extending into the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle, with destruction of the petrous bone. The tumor was totally grossly removed. Histological examination identified schwannoma. Total facial nerve palsy appeared postoperatively, but hearing acuity was preserved at a useful level. Facial nerve palsy is one of the most typical symptoms in patients with facial schwannoma, but is not always manifested even if the tumor extends into both the middle cranial fossa and the cerebellopontine angle.

Susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide of cholestatic rat liver produced with bile duct ligation: assessments of the mitochondrial glutathione pool and the effects of N-acetylcysteine

We investigated whether rats with obstructive jaundice produced with bile duct ligation for 2 weeks are more susceptible to the additional stress of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration than sham-operated rats and also examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on LPS stimulation in rats with bile duct ligation. The effects of LPS on the mitochondrial glutathione pool and on oxidative stress of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were investigated in cholestatic rats. Serum concentrations of alpha-glutathione S-transferase showed that lipopolysaccharide stimulation caused more severe hepatocellular injury in cholestatic rats than in sham-operated rats. In addition, concentrations of mitochondrial reduced and oxidized glutathione and hepatic adenosine triphosphate showed that LPS stimulation decreased mitochondrial function more in cholestatic rats than in sham-operated rats. Intraperitoneal administration of NAC for 2 weeks significantly improved mitochondrial function and decreased hepatocellular injury. However, the oxidative stress of polymorphonuclear leukocytes that had infiltrated hepatic tissue was increased by NAC. The present results indicate that the cholestatic liver is susceptible to the additional stress of LPS, that NAC suppresses the adverse effects of LPS in cholestatic livers, and that the oxidative stress of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is not significantly involved in mitochondrial dysfunction or hepatocellular injury in this model.

Cryopreservation of competent intact yeast cells for efficient electroporation

We have developed a simple method for cryopreserving Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae competent intact cells that permits high transformation efficiency and long-term storage for electroporation. Transformation efficiency is significantly decreased if intact cells are frozen in common permeating cryoprotectants such as glycerol or dimethyl sulphoxide. On the other hand, we found that a high transformation efficiency could be maintained if the cells were frozen in a non-permeating cryoprotectant such as sorbitol. The optimum concentration of sorbitol was found in a hypertonic solution of around 2 M. It was also very important to use S. pombe cells grown in minimal medium and S. cerevisiae cells grown in nutrient medium in the exponential growth phase. A slow freezing rate of 10 degrees C/min and a rapid thawing rate of 200 degrees C/min resulted in the highest transformation efficiency. We also found it necessary to wash the thawed cells with 1.0 M of non-electrolyte sorbitol, since the intracellular electrolytes had leaked as a result of cryoinjury. The frozen competent cells stored at -80 degrees C could be used for more than 9 months without any loss of transformation efficiency. This cryopreservation method for electroporation is simple and useful for routine transformations of intact cells. Frozen competent cells offer the advantages of long-term storage with high efficiency and freedom from the preparation of fresh competent cells for each transformation.

Effects of chemical modification of carboxyl groups in the hemolytic lectin CEL-III on its hemolytic and carbohydrate-binding activities

Effects of chemical modification of carboxyl groups in the hemolytic lectin CEL-III on its activities were investigated. When carboxyl groups were modified with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and glycine methyl ester, hemolytic activity of CEL-III decreased as the EDC concentration increased, accompanied by reduction of oligomerization ability and hemagglutinating activity. However, binding ability of CEL-III for immobilized lactose was retained fairly well after modification, suggesting that one of two carbohydrate-binding sites might be responsible for such inactivation of CEL-III.

Identification of the TCL6 genes within the breakpoint cluster region on chromosome 14q32 in T-cell leukemia

A region on chromosome 14q32.1 is often involved in chromosomal translocations and inversions with one of the T-cell receptor loci in T-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. The breakpoints of the different rearrangements segregate into two clusters; a cluster due to inversion on the centromeric side and a cluster due to simple balanced translocations on the telomeric side. If the target gene activated by these different types of chromosomal rearrangements is the same, the gene must be localized between the two clusters of breakpoints in a region of around 160 kb. Within this breakpoint cluster region, we isolated two genes; namely, TCL1 and TML1/TCL1b genes. In the course of characterizing the TML1 gene, we further identified a third novel gene, which we named TCL6 (T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6), from a region 7 kb upstream of the TML1 locus. The TCL6 gene expressed at least 11 isoforms through very complex alternative-splicing, including splicing with the TML1 gene. Those isoforms encode at least five open reading frames (ORFs) with no homology to known sequences. The localization of the proteins corresponding to these ORF was determined by fusing green fluorescence protein at the carboxyl terminal of each ORF. ORF141 and ORF72 were observed in the cytoplasmic region, while ORF105, ORF119, and ORF163 were predominantly localized in the nuclear region. Since the TCL6 gene was expressed in T-cell leukemia carrying a t(14;14)(q11;q32.1) chromosome translocation and was not expressed in normal T-cells (just like the TML1 and TCL1 genes), it is also a candidate gene potentially involved in leukemogenesis. Oncogene (2000).

Improvement of portal flow and hepatic microcirculatory tissue flow with N-acetylcysteine in dogs with obstructive jaundice produced by bile duct ligation

OBJECTIVE

To find out if N-acetylcysteine (NAC) would improve hepatic circulation in dogs with obstructive jaundice.

DESIGN

Open laboratory study.

SETTING

University hospitals, Japan and France.

MATERIALS

14 male beagle dogs and 10 male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Obstructive jaundice was produced by ligation of the common bile duct (CBD) for 7 days in both dogs and rats. Either 5% dextrose (control group, n = 7) or NAC (NAC group, n = 7) was given to dogs. Sinusoidal endothelial cells were obtained from rats after ligation by elutriation, and varying amounts of NAC were given.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The volumes of portal blood flow and hepatic microcirculatory tissue flow were reduced after ligation of the CBD, but those increased after NAC had been given to dogs with obstructive jaundice. NAC increased the concentrations of plasma cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). It also increased concentrations of serum and hepatic-reduced glutathione, and hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cholestatic dogs, and secretion of cGMP from sinusoidal endothelial cells from rats with obstructive jaundice.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that NAC given intravenously effectively improves hepatic circulation and hepatic function in dogs with obstructive jaundice.

Activation of Helicobacter pylori VacA toxin by alkaline or acid conditions increases its binding to a 250-kDa receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase beta

Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative gastric bacterium, secretes VacA, a cytotoxin that causes vacuolar degeneration of susceptible cells. Velocity sedimentation analysis showed that treatment of VacA at alkaline pH led to disassembly of VacA oligomers, an observation reported previously for acid-treated VacA. Exposure of VacA to acid or alkali increased its binding to AZ-521 cells, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Moreover, immunoprecipitates with polyclonal antibodies against VacA from AZ-521 cells previously exposed to acid- or alkali-treated VacA had a 250-kDa glycoprotein containing galactose-beta(1-3)-N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose-beta(1-4)-N-acetylglucosamine. p250, purified by chromatography on peanut agglutinin affinity and Superose 6 columns, contained N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of YRQQRKLVEEIGWSYT and LIIQDHILEATQDDY, respectively. These sequences are identical to those of a receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPbeta/PTPzeta); in agreement, p250 reacted with anti-human RPTPbeta monoclonal antibody. Immunoprecipitation with anti-human RPTPbeta antibody of solubilized membrane preparations previously incubated with VacA or heat-inactivated VacA demonstrated that RPTPbeta bound native, but not denatured, VacA. Acidic and alkaline treatments were associated with activation of VacA and increased binding to the cell surface RPTPbeta.

Prevention of reactive oxygen-induced endothelial cell injury by blocking its process

Endothelial cell (EC) injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated and effects of Ca(2+) channel blockers, agents which elevate intracellular cAMP levels ([cAMP](i)), and protein kinase inhibitors on H(2)O(2)-induced EC injury were analyzed using human umbilical vein EC cultures. Exposure to H(2)O(2) increased intracellular Ca(2+) levels and decreased [cAMP](i). Ca(2+) channel blockers, [cAMP](i)-elevating agents, and protein kinase inhibitors significantly inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced EC injury. Data suggest that H(2)O(2)-induced EC injury is mediated by extracellular Ca(2+) influx, intracellular cAMP efflux, and intracellular signaling, each of which is blocked by Ca(2+) channel blockers, [cAMP](i)-elevating agents, or protein kinase inhibitors. It is suggested that ischemia/reperfusion injury induced by ROS may be prevented by Ca(2+) channel blockers, [cAMP](i)-elevating agents, and protein kinase inhibitors.

Assignment of the human poly(A) polymerase (PAP) gene to chromosome 14q32.1-q32.2 and isolation of a polymorphic CA repeat sequence

We report the chromosomal localization of the gene for human poly(A) polymerase (PAP) and the characterization of a newly isolated CA repeat near the PAP locus. By fluorescence in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis with both a human/rodent monochromosomal hybrid cell panel and a radiation hybrid mapping panel, this gene was mapped on the q32.1-q32.2 region of chromosome 14. From a genomic clone containing the human PAP locus, we have isolated a polymorphic dinucleotide (CA) sequence. High heterozygosity (0.81) makes this polymorphism a useful marker in the genetic study of disorders localized at the 14q32 region, such as autosomal recessive congenital microphthalmia (CMIC).