Sensitivity of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of acute lacunar infarcts

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Heightened interest in the early diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke challenges neuroimaging specialists to optimize available modalities and to develop new techniques for the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting early small infarcts and in differentiating acute from nonacute small infarcts when conventional MR imaging demonstrates multiple small infarcts.

METHODS

Thirty-eight consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of lacunar infarcts (20 men and 18 women, aged 50-79 yr) who underwent DW MR imaging within 3 days of symptom onset were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent both conventional fast spin-echo (FSE) MR imaging and DW MR imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were also acquired. All patients had at least one of the following classic lacunar syndromes: pure motor hemiparesis, ataxic hemiparesis, dysarthria-clumsy hand, pure sensory stroke, and sensorimotor stroke.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients (40 acute lesions) had focal areas of high intensity on DW MR imaging associated with their clinical symptoms. Acute lacunar infarcts were seen on DW MR imaging as bright areas of decreased ADC ratio (range 0.31-0.85, mean 0.64). Lesion conspicuity with DW MR imaging was superior to that with FSE in 33 acute lesions. In four patients with small hyperacute (within 6 hours) infarcts, DW MR imaging was particularly sensitive for infarcts that were not visible on FSE sequences. The sensitivity of DW MR imaging and ADC map for acute lacunar infarcts was 95%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 97%, negative predictive value 90%, and accuracy 95%. In 15 patients with both acute and nonacute old small infarcts, DW MR imaging and ADC map could easily distinguish the new infarct from adjacent old ones, although this distinction was difficult to make with FSE.

CONCLUSIONS

DW MR imaging accompanied by ADC map is a sensitive diagnostic modality for hyperacute and acute lacunar infarcts. It is also sensitive in distinguishing fresh small infarcts from adjacent multiple old infarcts.

[The distribution and homology of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs in different cucumber varieties]

Four kinds of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA, designated pC1, pC2, pC3 and pC4, have been found in cucumber (Jinyan No. 4). Their distribution in 14 Cucumber varieties was analyzed. Plasmid-like DNAs were detected in Jinchun No. 2, Jinchun No. 5, Jinxinmici, Jinlu No. 4 and Jinyan No. 4, and the rest 9 varieties contained no plasmid-like DNAs, suggesting that their distribution is irregular. There was homology among the same plasmid-like DNA family in different varieties. pC4 showed homology to the nuclear DNA of Jinyan No. 4, in addition to the nuclear genomes of other 7 varieties either with plasmid-like DNAs or without. The homologous sequences of pC4 in the cucumber nuclear DNA were repetitive. Sequences homologous to pC4 were also found in the nuclear genomes of towel gourd and pumpkin (other cucurbitaceous plant). Therefore, we propose that mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA occurred before cucumber diverged from cucurbit and had integrated into the nuclear DNA. The varieties without plasmid-like DNAs might lost them during evolution.

Jesterone and hydroxy-jesterone antioomycete cyclohexenone epoxides from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis jesteri

Jesterone and hydroxy-jesterone are novel highly functionalized cyclohexenone epoxides isolated from a newly described endophytic fungal species--Pestalotiopsis jesteri. They were purified from cultures of the fungus by bioassay guided fractionation using Pythium ultimum as the indicator organism. Jesterone, in particular, displays selective antimycotic activity against the oomycetous fungi which are some of the most plant pathogenic of all disease causing fungi. The possible importance of these cyclohexenones to the biology of the endophytic fungus-host plant relationship is also discussed.

Mycoplasma infections and different human carcinomas

AIM: To explore relationships between human carcinomas and mycoplasma infection.

METHODS: Monoclonal antibody PD4, which specifically recognizes a distinct protein from mycoplasma hyorhinis, was used to detect mycoplasma infection in different paraffin embedded carcinoma tissues with immunohistochemistry. PCR was applied to amplify the mycoplasma DNA from the positive samples for confirming immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Fifty of 90 cases (56%) of gastric carcinoma were positive for mycoplasma hyorhinis. In other gastric diseases, the mycoplasma infection ratio was 28% (18/49) in chronic superficial gastritis, 30% (14/46) in gastric ulcer and 37% (18/49) in intestinal metaplasia. The difference is significant with gastric cancer (χ² = 12.06, P < 0.05). In colon carcinoma, the mycoplasma infection ratio was 55.1% (32/58),but it was 20.9% (10/ 49) in adenomarous polyp (χ² = 13.46, P < 0.005). Gastric and colon cancers with high differentiation had a higher mycoplasma infection ratio than those with low differentiation (P < 0.05). Mycoplasma infection in esophageal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and glioma was 50.9% (27/53), 52.6% (31/ 59), 39.7% (25/63)and 41% (38/91), respectively. The mycoplasma DNA was successfully amplified with the DNA extracted from the cancer tissues that were positive for mycoplasma infection (detected with antibody PD4).

CONCLUSION: There was high correlation between mycoplasma infection and different cancers, which suggests the possibility of an association between the two. The mechanism involved in oncogenesis by mycoplasma remains unknown.

Agouti-related protein is a mediator of diabetic hyperphagia

To explore the role of agouti-related protein (AGRP) in diabetic hyperphagia changes in hypothalamic AGRP mRNA levels were examined in diabetic rats. Rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin displayed marked hyperglycemia (blood glucose 456.0+/-8.4 mg/dl versus 71.8+/-1.9 mg/dl) and hyperphagia (36.9+/-1.0 g/day versus 22.0+/-0.4 g/day), that was associated with a 286.6+/-4.4% increase in hypothalamic AGRP mRNA and a 178.9+/-13.5% increase in hypothalamic NPY mRNA. Insulin treatment of diabetic rats partially corrected blood glucose (147.4+/-13.1 mg/dl) and ameliorated hyperphagia (26.6+/-2.0 g/day). Insulin replacement was also associated with a return of hypothalamic AGRP mRNA (111.7+/-8.3% of controls) and NPY mRNA (125.0+/-8.9% of controls) from the elevated levels that were observed in untreated diabetic rats. In contrast to insulin treated rats, sodium orthovanadate treated diabetic rats remained significantly hyperglycemic (361.5+/-12.5 mg/dl). However, despite their persistent hyperglycemia, orthovanadate treated diabetic rats were still observed to have a significant reduction of hypothalamic AGRP mRNA (138.7+/-11.4%) and NPY mRNA (129.9+/-9.8%). Simultaneous measurement of serum leptin revealed suppressed levels in both untreated diabetic (0.5+/-0.1 ng/ml) and sodium orthovanadate treated rats (0.5+/-0.1 ng/ml) compared to non-diabetic controls (2.1+/-0.1 ng/ml). These data indicate that AGRP is a mediator of diabetic hyperhpagia and suggest that insulin can directly influence hypothalamic AGRP and NPY mRNA expression.

Nonaspiration puncture biopsy for suspected thoracic cavum tumor: experience of 2,010 clinical cases

In our hospital from October 1980 to February 2000, 2,010 patients with suspected thoracic cavum cancer were diagnosed by nonaspiration puncture with multiple-hole type and surface trough-type biopsy needles. The positive rate of cytology or pathology examination for lesions in pleura, mediastinum, and lung tissue were 88.6% (148/167), 83% (297/358), and 80.2% (1,191/1,485), respectively. The mean positive rate in all cases was 81.4% (1,636/2,010). Complications rates for pneumothorax or hemoptysis were 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively, in this group. Such revised puncture needles have been used by us in various organs, such as brain tumors, metastatic lymph nodes of head and neck cancers, malignant disease of breast, liver, kidney, prostate, rectum and bone, etc. The use of such nonaspiration puncture needles is very simple, safe, and effective; even for beginners with this technique, the rate of successful diagnoses is fairly high.

[Properties and nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA pC1 of cucumber]

Four kinds of plasmid-like DNA, designated pC1, pC2, pC3 and pC4 were found in the mitochondrion of cucumber Jinyan No. 4. The circle plasmid-like DNA pC1 was cloned into the EcoR I site of pUC19 using E. coli JM109 as host. The cloned pC1 DNA was isolated and used as probes in Southern analyses of total mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA and chloroplast DNA. Evidences were obtained that the pC1 did not show any homology with nuclear, chloroplast, main mitochondrial genomes and the other plasmid-like DNAs. Sequence analysis revealed that pC1 was 2,889 bp long. It contained many forward and reverse repeat sequences. Three main open reading frames in pC1 were longer than 800 bp. Computer-assisted searching the nucleotide sequence in GenBank database revealed pC1 had no significant homology with known sequences of mitochondrial and plasmid-like DNA, but had homology with the E. coli, Mycobaterium tuberculosis and Anacystis nidulans genomes. The predicted proteins of pC1 main ORFs show homology with the sulfate transport system in bacteria, alga and liverwort. It suggested that pC1 may encode functional proteins.

Ambuic acid, a highly functionalized cyclohexenone with antifungal activity from Pestalotiopsis spp. and Monochaetia sp

Ambuic acid, a highly functionalized cyclohexenone, was isolated and characterized from Pestalotiopsis spp. and Monochaetia sp. these being biologically related endophytic fungi associated with many tropical plant species. This compound was found in representative isolates of these fungal species obtained from rainforest plants located on several continents. The relevance of ambuic acid to the biology of the association of these fungi to their host plants is also discussed.

Carbachol induces homologous steroidogenic refractoriness of bovine fasciculata-reticularis cells

Recently it was shown that the cholinergic agonist carbachol stimulates cortisol production in bovine ZFR cells via muscarinic receptor M(3). In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic cholinergic stimulation on steroidogenic response and muscarinic receptor regulation in ZFR cells. Cortisol secretion of ZFR cells treated with 10(-4) M of carbachol decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The carbachol-elicited loss of response was associated with a decrease in M(3) receptor number, which was also time- and dose-dependent. The down-regulation of the receptors was not associated with the decrease of M(3) receptor mRNA level. The marked steroidogenic desensitization caused by pretreatment of carbachol did not alter ACTH or angiotensin II activated steroid response. Northern blot analysis showed that carbachol pretreatment did not change the gene expression of P450scc, P450cl7, 3betaHSD and StAR mRNAs. These results suggest that carbachol induces homologous steroidogenic refractoriness of ZFR cells.

Blood-brain barrier genomics

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by the brain microvascular endothelium, and the unique transport properties of the BBB are derived from tissue-specific gene expression within this cell. The current studies developed a gene microarray approach specific for the BBB by purifying the initial mRNA from isolated rat brain capillaries to generate tester cDNA. A polymerase chain reaction-based subtraction cloning method, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), was used, and the BBB cDNA was subtracted with driver cDNA produced from mRNA isolated from rat liver and kidney. Screening 5% of the subtracted tester cDNA resulted in identification of 50 gene products and more than 80% of those were selectively expressed at the BBB; these included novel gene sequences not found in existing databases, ESTs, and known genes that were not known to be selectively expressed at the BBB. Genes in the latter category include tissue plasminogen activator, insulin-like growth factor-2, PC-3 gene product, myelin basic protein, regulator of G protein signaling 5, utrophin, IkappaB, connexin-45, the class I major histocompatibility complex, the rat homologue of the transcription factors hbrm or EZH1, and organic anion transporting polypeptide type 2. Knowledge of tissue-specific gene expression at the BBB could lead to new targets for brain drug delivery and could elucidate mechanisms of brain pathology at the microvascular level.

Molecular determinants of ligand binding to the human melanocortin-4 receptor

To elucidate the molecular basis for the interaction of ligands with the human melanocortin-4 receptor (hMC4R), agonist structure-activity studies and receptor point mutagenesis were performed. Structure-activity studies of [Nle(4), D-Phe(7)]-alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH) identified D-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9 as the minimal NDP-MSH fragment that possesses full agonist efficacy at the hMC4R. In an effort to identify receptor residues that might interact with amino acids in this tripeptide sequence 24 hMC4R transmembrane (TM) residues were mutated (the rationale for choosing specific receptor residues for mutation is outlined in the Results section). Mutation of TM3 residues D122 and D126 and TM6 residues F261 and H264 decreased the binding affinity of NDP-MSH 5-fold or greater, thereby identifying these receptor residues as sites potentially involved in the sought after ligand-receptor interactions. By examination of the binding affinities and potencies of substituted NDP-MSH peptides at receptor mutants, evidence was found that core melanocortin peptide residue Arg8 interacts at a molecular level with hMC4R TM3 residue D122. TM3 mutations were also observed to decrease the binding of hMC4R antagonists. Notably, mutation of TM3 residue D126 to alanine decreased the binding affinity of AGRP (87-132), a C-terminal derivative of the endogenous melanocortin antagonist, 8-fold, and simultaneous mutations D122A/D126A completely abolished AGRP (87-132) binding. In addition, mutation of TM3 residue D122 or D126 decreased the binding affinity of hMC4R antagonist SHU 9119. These results provide further insight into the molecular determinants of hMC4R ligand binding.

[Bacteriological study of single nasal sinusitis and sensitivity of antibiotics]

OBJECTIVE

To properly understand the bacterial distribution and susceptibility to antibiotics in the sinus of nasal sinusitis.

METHOD

The mucosal and secretion in sinus were taken from 135 patients who suffered with single nasal sinusitis, by functional endoscopic sinus surgery, were cultured for bacteria. Meanwhile the antimicrobial susceptibility was determined for ordinary antibiotics.

RESULT

The bacterial growth was present in 88.15% of cases, mixed bacterial growth was present in 52.10% of all bacterial, anaerobe growth was present in 39.06% of all bacteria, the susceptibility to penicillin was in 53.12% of all bacteria and cefaolin was in 87.50%. The susceptibility to metronidazole was in 94.67% of all anaerobes.

CONCLUSION

We think the method that penicillin in combination with streptomycin and metronidazole, sufameth oxazole united with metronidazole, cefaolin added metronidazole were effective in nasal sinusitis treatment before the antimicrobial susceptive examination had been done.

Gastric dysplasia and gastric cancer: Helicobacter pylori, serum vitamin C, and other risk factors

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is generally thought to arise through a series of gastric mucosal changes, but the determinants of the precancerous lesions are not well understood. To identify such determinants, we launched a follow-up study in 1989-1990 among 3433 adults in Linqu County, China, a region with very high rates of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Data on cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and other characteristics of the participants were obtained by interview in 1989-1990, when an initial endoscopy was taken. At study entry, antibodies to Helicobacter pylori were assayed in 2646 adults (77% of people screened), and levels of serum micronutrients were measured in approximately 450 adults. Follow-up endoscopic and histopathologic examinations were conducted in 1994. Antibodies to H. pylori, levels of serum micronutrients, and other baseline characteristics were compared between subjects whose condition showed progression to dysplasia or gastric cancer from study entry to 1994 and subjects with no change or with regression of their lesions over the same time frame. All P: values are two-sided.

RESULTS

The presence of H. pylori at baseline was associated with an increased risk of progression to dysplasia or gastric cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-2.6). The risk of progression to dysplasia or gastric cancer also was moderately increased with the number of years of cigarette smoking. In contrast, the risk of progression was decreased by 80% (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.7) among subjects with baseline ascorbic acid levels in the highest tertile compared with those in the lowest tertile, and there was a slightly elevated risk in those individuals with higher levels of alpha-tocopherol.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori infection, cigarette smoking, and low levels of dietary vitamin C may contribute to the progression of precancerous lesions to gastric cancer in this high-risk population.

Postanoxic parkinsonism: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlation

The authors report a 72-year-old patient who presented with parkinsonism after hypoxic-ischemic insult. T1-weighted MRI revealed high signal intensity lesions in the basal ganglia. Pathologic study of the brain disclosed multiple foci of old infarcts with gliosis and lipid-laden and hemosiderin-laden macrophages, indicating a previous minor hemorrhage after infarction. This observation provided pathologic correlation with the patient's clinical symptoms and MRI.

Effect of extrusion on isoflavone content and antiproliferative bioactivity of soy/corn mixtures

The present studies were conducted to determine changes in the quantities of select isoflavones and in the bioactivity (ability to inhibit proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines) of extracts from blends of soy protein and cornmeal during extrusion processing. The extrusion of samples resulted in an average 24% decrease in the concentration of total isoflavones for all samples. Although the amounts of specific genistein-derived and daidzein-derived forms changed following extrusion, the content of the aglycones genistein and daidzein per g sample generally did not change. The extrusion of samples generally resulted in decreased antiproliferative action toward breast cancer cells, although antiproliferative activity was not eliminated. Therefore, extrusion of soy protein/cornmeal-containing foods are likely to retain a considerable portion of their isoflavone content and some of the health benefits associated with soy.

[Genetical effect of different rye chromosomes on the acid phosphatase (Acph) secretion of common wheat roots under phosphorus starvation conditions]

The effects of different rye chromosomes on Acph secretion of common wheat roots under P starvation conditions were studied by using a set of Chinese Spring-Imperial (CS-IMP) alien addition lines as materials. The Acph activity measurement results showed that P starvation is an induction factor for Acph gene expression; Different chromosomes of Imperial rye in Chinese Spring background has different effects on the secretion of Acph by corresponding addition line roots. Among them, chromosome 1R had the strongest promoting effect; The IEF diagram of Acph isozymes clearly demonstrated that chromosome 1R in rye genome carries P starvation inducible Acph gene(s).

Cytoplasmic dynein conversion at a crush injury in rat peripheral axons

Cytoplasmic dynein is a motor for retrograde axonal transport for movement of membranous organelles toward the neuronal cell body. However, cytoplasmic dynein is synthesized in the cell body and conveyed along the axon to nerve terminals. To characterize the axonal transport of cytoplasmic dynein in relation to synaptic vesicles and other membrane compartments, immunocytochemical and cytofluorimetric scanning analyses of crush-operated rat sciatic nerves were performed. Distal to the crush, the kinetics of dynein accumulation were consistent with its role in the retrograde transport of membranous organelles. During the initial 3 hr after crush, only small amounts of dynein-immunoreactive material accumulated proximal to the crush. This is consistent with metabolic labeling studies showing that most of the dynein moving in the anterograde direction is in the slow component of axonal transport. Thereafter, the rate of proximal accumulation of dynein increased, and by 8 hr postcrush a large amount of dynein immunoreactivity was observed. This accelerated accumulation may be due to recruitment of dynein from slow component b onto organelles proximal to the crush. Double labeling demonstrated that dynein immunoreactivity colocalized with synaptophysin, a transmembrane protein found in small, clear synaptic vesicles. In contrast, dynein immunoreactivity did not colocalize well with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a peptide matrix marker for some large dense-cored vesicles. Finally, dynein immunoreactivity colocalized with the anterograde transport motor kinesin both proximal and distal to a crush, suggesting that kinesin may carry some dynein-containing membrane compartments during fast anterograde axonal transport.

Selective Lutheran glycoprotein gene expression at the blood-brain barrier in normal brain and in human brain tumors

The Lutheran (LU) glycoprotein was shown to be a specific marker of brain capillary endothelium, which forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. A 1.5 kb partial cDNA encoding the bovine LU was isolated from a bovine brain capillary cDNA library. Sequence analysis showed that the bovine and human LU had a 75% and 79% identity in the amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a very high level of gene expression of the LU transcript in freshly isolated bovine brain capillaries, but no measurable LU mRNA in whole bovine brain. The high level of LU gene expression was maintained when bovine brain capillary endothelium was grown in tissue culture. Because many BBB specific genes are downregulated in tissue culture and in brain tumors, the expression of the LU mRNA and immunoactive LU protein was investigated in primary and metastatic human brain tumors. Immunocytochemistry of fresh frozen human brain and human brain tumors showed abundant immunostaining of brain capillary endothelium. Northern blot analysis showed the presence of LU transcripts in a panel of primary and metastatic human brain tumors. These studies demonstrated that the LU glycoprotein was a novel new marker of the BBB, and unlike other BBB specific genes, there was a persistent gene expression of the LU glycoprotein both in brain capillary endothelial cells grown in culture and in the endothelium of capillaries perfusing human brain cancer.

Molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissues showing granulomatous inflammation without demonstrable acid-fast bacilli

Early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is important for early medical intervention and prevention of spread of the bacteria. It is not uncommon to observe granulomatous inflammation but without demonstrable acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining in tissues sent for histologic examination, and the definitive diagnosis of TB cannot be made because no concurrent tissue is sent for TB culture. In this study, the authors explored the feasibility of using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for early detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues where a definite diagnosis of TB cannot be made. One hundred fifteen patients (131 paraffin blocks of biopsy specimens) with granulomatous inflammation but ZN-negative for AFB were studied. DNA was extracted from paraffin sections and amplified by PCR with the IS6110 primers (specific for the Mtb complex) and the specific 122-base pairs (bp) PCR product was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Sixty-eight of the 115 (59%) patients were TB-PCR positive, thus enabling definite diagnosis of TB in significant numbers of these patients in 3 days. The authors conclude that molecular diagnosis by PCR is useful for early detection of TB in histologic material where morphologic features are suggestive but not confirmatory because of negative staining for AFB.

Complete myocardial revascularization using only pedicled arterial conduits in Kawasaki disease

A 16-year-old boy with Kawasaki disease suffered from progressive angina and exercise intolerance for 1 year. Coronary angiography showed 60% stenosis of the left main coronary artery, a calcified aneurysm with total occlusion at the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), and another aneurysm with total occlusion at the middle portion of the right coronary artery. Aortocoronary bypass was done with the left internal mammary artery (IMA) anastomosed to the first obtuse marginal branch, the right IMA to the distal LAD, and the right gastroepiploic artery to the posterior descending artery. Graft patency was documented by follow-up coronary angiography 1 month after surgery. During follow-up, his rapid improvement led to an upgrade from New York Heart Association functional class III to class I. The results of the present case suggest that complete myocardial revascularization using arterial conduits in patients with Kawasaki disease with coronary artery occlusion is safe and effective.

Agouti-related protein-like immunoreactivity: characterization of release from hypothalamic tissue and presence in serum

A novel RIA was used to examine the release of agouti-related protein-like immunoreactivity (AGRP-LI) from perfused rat hypothalamic tissue slices and to characterize AGRP-LI in rat serum. A continuous low level basal AGRP-LI release was observed from hypothalami of rats fed ad libitum before the rats were killed. Basal AGRP-LI release was 3-fold greater in rats fasted 48 h. In fasted animals leptin dose-dependently suppressed basal AGRP-LI release. In fed animals no change in basal AGRP-LI release was detected in response to 10(-6) M alpha-MSH, orexin B, melanin-concentrating hormone, or serotonin. HPLC analysis of AGRP-LI in rat serum identified a single peak that eluted in close proximity to synthetic AGRP (87-132) and mouse [Leu127Pro]AGRP and that was identical to the peak seen in hypothalamic and adrenal tissue extracts. The serum concentration of AGRP-LI in rats fed ad libitum was 0.865+/-0.323 nmol/liter (mean +/- SE). Food deprivation resulted in a slow, but statistically significant rise in serum immunoreactivity at 48 h [1.174+/-0.118 nmol/liter (mean +/- SE)]. Bilateral adrenalectomy did not change serum levels of AGRP-LI. These studies demonstrate that in the rat there are different levels of basal hypothalamic AGRP-LI release in fed and fasted states and that in the fasted rat this release can be profoundly suppressed by leptin. These studies also suggest that AGRP is present in the systemic circulation of rats.

Regulation by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), angiotensin II, transforming growth factor-beta, and insulin-like growth factor I of bovine adrenal cell steroidogenic capacity and expression of ACTH receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450c17, and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time-course effect of a 36-h treatment with ACTH (10(-8) M), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1; 10(-10) M), angiotensin II (AngII; 10 (-7) M), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; 10(-8) M) on the steroidogenic capacity of bovine adrenocortical cells (BAC) and on messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of ACTH receptor, cytochrome P450c17, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and StAR protein. ACTH and IGF-I enhanced, in a time-dependent manner, the acute 2-h ACTH-induced cortisol production, whereas TGFbeta 1 and AngII markedly reduced it. ACTH, IGF-I, and AngII increased ACTH receptor mRNA, but the opposite was observed after TGFbeta1 treatment. ACTH and IGF-I increased P450c17 and 3betaHSD mRNAs, whereas AngII and TGFbeta1 had the opposite effects. However, the effects of the four peptides on ACTH-induced cortisol production appeared before any significant alterations of the mRNA levels occurred. The most marked and rapid effect of the four peptides was on StAR mRNA. The stimulatory effect of ACTH was seen within 1.5 h, peaked at 4-6 h, and declined thereafter, but at the end of the 36-h pretreatment, the levels of StAR mRNA and protein were higher than those in control cells. IGF-I also enhanced StAR mRNA levels within 1.5 h, and these levels remained fairly constant. The effects of AngII on StAR mRNA expression were biphasic, with a peak within 1.5-3 h, followed by a rapid decline to almost undetectable levels of both mRNA and protein. TGFbeta1 had no significant effect during the first 3 h, but thereafter StAR mRNA declined, and at the end of the experiment the StAR mRNA and protein were almost undetectable. Similar results were observed when cells were treated with ACTH plus TGFbeta1. A 2-h acute ACTH stimulation at the end of the 36-h pretreatment caused a higher increase in StAR mRNA and protein in ACTH- or IGF-I-pretreated cells than in control cells, which, in turn, had higher levels than cells pretreated with TGFbeta1, ACTH plus TGFbeta1, or AngII. These results and the fact that the stimulatory (IGF-I) or inhibitory (AngII and TGFbeta1) effects on ACTH-induced cortisol production were more pronounced than those on the ability of cells to transform pregnenolone into cortisol strongly suggest that regulation of StAR expression is one of the main factors, but not the only one, involved in the positive (IGF-I) or negative (TGFbeta1 and AngII) regulation of BAC for ACTH steroidogenic responsiveness. A high correlation between steady state mRNA level and acute ACTH-induced cortisol production favors this conclusion.

The first organo-templated cobalt phosphate with a zeolite topology

An organic molecule containing cobalt phosphate (denoted CoPO-GIS) which is isostructural with the zeolite gismondine has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions by using [Co(en)3]Cl3 and phosphoric acid as the reactants and ethylene glycol as the solvent. CoPO-GIS ((H3NCH2CH2NH3)0.5.CoPO4) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 14.744(3) A, b = 8.850(3) A, c = 10.062(3) A, beta = 131.609(19) degrees, and Z = 8. The structure consists of a 3-D network of strictly alternating CoO4 and PO4 tetrahedra interconnected by oxygen bridges, and the charge-balancing diprotonated ethylenediamine cations are highly ordered in the cages of the CoPO4 framework. CoPO-GIS is the only amine-containing cobalt phosphate with a known zeolite topology.

Increased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in bladder tissue from patients with classic and nonulcer interstitial cystitis

PURPOSE

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic debilitating condition which mainly affects women. Accumulated evidence indicates that interstitial cystitis is a heterogeneous syndrome. The nonulcer subtype appears different than classic interstitial cystitis in regard to symptoms, and endoscopic and histological findings as well as response to various treatments. We further explore the neurogenic nature of this disease using indirect immunofluorescence to evaluate the presence and density of various autonomic and sensory nerve fibers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Specimens from the bladder wall of 6 patients with classic interstitial cystitis, 7 with nonulcer interstitial cystitis and 6 controls were evaluated to determine the presence and density of nerve fibers containing tyrosine hydroxylase, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neuropeptide Y and substance P using specific antibodies, and the general presence of nerve fibers using a mixture of antibodies against nerve filament, neuron specific enolase and S-100 protein.

RESULTS

Increased density and number of nerve fibers immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase were noted in interstitial cystitis cases compared to controls. Furthermore, there was a difference between classic and nonulcer disease in the overall density of nerves using the antibody mixture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate an altered peripheral sympathetic innervation in interstitial cystitis cases, which may be an indication of primary neurogenic etiology. The difference in nerve density observed after incubation with the antibody mixture between classic and nonulcer interstitial cystitis supports the hypothesis that the 2 forms represent separate entities.

Cryptocin, a potent tetramic acid antimycotic from the endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. quercina

[formula: see text] The endophytic fungus Cryptosporiopsis cf. quercina produces cryptocin in culture. Among other fungi, this unique tetramic acid displays antimycotic activity against Pyricularia oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease. Cryptocin also possesses activity against a wide variety of plant pathogenic but not human pathogenic fungi. The fine rhomboid-like crystals of cryptocin allowed structural elucidation by X-ray crystallography. The importance of cryptocin to the symbiotic relationship of C. quercina to its hosts is briefly discussed.