Soluble Fc epsilon RII/CD23 in patients with autoimmune diseases and Epstein-Barr virus-related disorders: analysis by ELISA for soluble Fc epsilon RII/CD23

The low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) and its soluble form (sCD23, IgE-binding factor) have multiple functions, and enhanced levels of these are associated with various immunological diseases. We established two sensitive ELISA systems using enzyme-conjugated mAb and biotinylated mAb. The detection limits of the ELISA systems were 0.03 and 1.0 ng/ml, which showed good correlation in the range 1.0-10 ng/ml. In the ELISA system using enzyme-conjugated mAb, the average sCD23 concentration in 303 normal healthy volunteers was 1.4 +/- 0.3 ng/ml. In the ELISA system using biotinylated mAb, sCD23 levels in normal healthy volunteers showed almost the same values. In patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, progressive systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease, the sCD23 levels were significantly higher than those in normal individuals. Furthermore, in Epstein-Barr virus-related disorders after liver transplantation with immunosuppression, plasma levels of sCD23 rapidly increased to more than 12 ng/ml when clinical symptoms were evident. In addition, the sCD23 values remained high, although elevated GOT levels gradually decreased to standard values and EBV hepatitis improved. These data suggest that sCD23 levels are a sensitive marker of autoimmune diseases and EBV-related disorders in addition to allergic disorders. The ELISA system for sCD23 may be an additional diagnostic tool in estimating the clinical courses of these diseases.

Large left-to-right shunt through a small atrial septal defect produced by progressive aortic stenosis in the elderly--a case report

We present a 74-year-old female who showed a large left-to-right shunt through a small atrial septal defect presumably due to diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle caused by the progression of aortic stenosis. Accordingly, elderly patients with even small atrial septal defect should be followed carefully, since diastolic dysfunction of the acquired left ventricular disorder could increase the left-to-right shunt.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of blue-green alga, ishikurage (Nostoc commune) in rats fed atherogenic diet

Blue-green alga, Nostoc commune is rich in dietary fiber. To examine the hypocholesterolemic effect, the alga or the dietary fibers were given to the rats fed cholesterol diet. Serum cholesterol elevation was significantly depressed in those rats. Cholesterol increased in the liver of rats given the alga and the fiber. The content of fecal cholesterol and bile acid unchanged. Of the dietary fibers, oxalate-oxalic acid soluble substance (OOSS) found abundant in the alga was most effective in lowering cholesterol in the serum. It seems to depress the elevation of LDL-cholesterol. The mechanism of hypocholesterolemic effect by OOSS remains to be unclear. This study indicated that Nostoc commune is expected to be a new dietary fiber source of possible importance in human nutrition.

Effects of 2-mercaptoethanol on survival and differentiation of fetal mouse brain neurons cultured in vitro

Effects of 2-mercaptoethanol on primary cultures of fetal mouse brain neurons have been investigated. The addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the culture medium increased 6- or 200-fold the survival rates of embryonic day-16 murine striatum neurons and day-18 cerebral cortical neurons cultured in serum-free medium, respectively, and also induced neurite outgrowth, particularly being prominent in cortical neurons. Moreover, this drug enhanced trophic activities of the conditioned medium of VR-2g or BIM cells. These findings indicate that 2-mercaptoethanol can support the viability and differentiation of fetal mouse brain neurons.

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

A case of primary carcinoid tumor arising in the liver of a 69 year old woman with no endocrine symptoms is reported. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed initially as a hepatocellular carcinoma in the biopsy specimen, and was shown subsequently to be a carcinoid tumor, demonstrating diffuse positive staining with Grimelius method. Mucin stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian-blue, and mucicarmine, and was shown partially in the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin-A, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense core granules, measuring 40-120 nm in diameter in some of the tumor cells. Intensive and careful searches pre- and post-operatively revealed no other primary source of tumor other than the liver. The patient was reported well with no symptoms 3 1/2 years after the operation. This case is considered to be a primary hepatic carcinoid tumor. The recent literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of hepatic carcinoid tumor is discussed.

Microvascular mechanisms of change in tumor blood flow due to angiotensin II, epinephrine, and methoxamine: a functional morphometric study

To elucidate the microvascular mechanisms of change in tumor blood flow elicited by vasopressors, a functional morphometric study of the s.c. microcirculation within a rat transparent chamber was performed. Arteriolar vessels were classified centripetally (a2-a5) according to Strahler's method. Arteriolar pressure in each segment both under normotension and under hypertension induced by angiotensin II, epinephrine, or methoxamine was measured using a microocclusion technique. Vasoconstriction was estimated by changes in vessel diameters. In addition, tissue blood flow of the subcutis and s.c. tumor (LY80, a variant of Yoshida sarcoma) under the same conditions was measured with the hydrogen clearance method. By comparing the sites of the greatest pressure drop and the vasoconstriction induced by each vasopressor, we assessed the sites of vascular resistance (VR) which showed increases due to these vasopressors. The greatest VR increase elicited by angiotensin II occurred across a2 vessels. On the other hand, the sites of VR increase due to epinephrine were in a3 vessels and larger vessels upstream from a3 arterioles. The VR increase induced by methoxamine was much smaller than that induced by epinephrine. We conclude that the fact that the sites of increased VR differ with each vasopressor is the primary reason that various vasopressors have been found to produce different changes in tumor blood flow.

Regulation of eosinophil migration by adult T cell leukemia-derived factor

Adult T cell leukemia-derived factor (ADF), originally defined as an IL-2 receptor alpha-chain (IL-2R alpha)/p55 (Tac) inducer, is a human thioredoxin homologue and has many cytokine-like activities. In this study, we examined the regulatory effect of ADF on eosinophil migration using human eosinophils and an eosinophilic subline of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, YY-1. rADF induced migration of eosinophils from patients with hypereosinophilia, although rADF exhibited little activity on eosinophils from healthy donors. When human eosinophils were incubated with rADF (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) at 37 degrees C for 24 h, both chemotactic and chemokinetic activity of the complement anaphylatoxin peptide C5a on eosinophil migration was markedly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, this enhancing effect of rADF was observed in the migration assay using YY-1 cells. In contrast, rADF showed no modulation of migratory behavior of human eosinophils and YY-1 cells by IL-3, IL-5, nor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Scatchard analysis of C5a receptors on YY-1 cells using 125I-C5a showed that rADF modulated neither the density nor the affinity of the cell membrane significantly. Furthermore, mutant ADF (mADF), which had no reducing activity, had no enhancing effect on C5a-induced eosinophil migration. These results indicate a possible involvement of ADF in the recruitment of eosinophils through redox regulation by a dithiol reductase activity.

Regulation of eosinophil migration by adult T cell leukemia-derived factor

Adult T cell leukemia-derived factor (ADF), originally defined as an IL-2 receptor alpha-chain (IL-2R alpha)/p55 (Tac) inducer, is a human thioredoxin homologue and has many cytokine-like activities. In this study, we examined the regulatory effect of ADF on eosinophil migration using human eosinophils and an eosinophilic subline of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, YY-1. rADF induced migration of eosinophils from patients with hypereosinophilia, although rADF exhibited little activity on eosinophils from healthy donors. When human eosinophils were incubated with rADF (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) at 37 degrees C for 24 h, both chemotactic and chemokinetic activity of the complement anaphylatoxin peptide C5a on eosinophil migration was markedly enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, this enhancing effect of rADF was observed in the migration assay using YY-1 cells. In contrast, rADF showed no modulation of migratory behavior of human eosinophils and YY-1 cells by IL-3, IL-5, nor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Scatchard analysis of C5a receptors on YY-1 cells using 125I-C5a showed that rADF modulated neither the density nor the affinity of the cell membrane significantly. Furthermore, mutant ADF (mADF), which had no reducing activity, had no enhancing effect on C5a-induced eosinophil migration. These results indicate a possible involvement of ADF in the recruitment of eosinophils through redox regulation by a dithiol reductase activity.

Astroglial expression of ATL-derived factor, a human thioredoxin homologue, in the gerbil brain after transient global ischemia

Distribution of adult T cell leukemia derived factor (ADF/TRX), a human thioredoxin homologue, was studied by immunohistochemistry in gerbil brain during reperfusion after transient cerebral ischemia. In control brains, immunoreactivity was observed widely in the central nervous system, including the ependyma, tanycytes, endothelial cells as well as subcommisural organs, and weakly in the neuronal cell bodies. During reperfusion, ADF/TRX was expressed in glial cells in the CA1 and dentate hilus of the hippocampus, and in a few cases in the lateral portion of the caudateputamen. ADF/TRX positive glias first appeared after reperfusion for 24 h, and the intensity of staining peaked at 72 h and diminished after 7 days of reperfusion. They were concentrated around microvessels and identified to be astroglia by double labeling immunohistochemistry with glial fibrillary acidic protein as marker. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated an increase of ADF/TRX in the postischemic hippocampus. Astroglial expression of ADF/TRX in postischemic injuries suggests a role in neuroprotection by hydrogen peroxide reducing and protein-refolding activities or in modulation of local immune responses.

Studies on the constituents of Turkish plants. I. Flavonol triglycosides from the fruit of Rhamnus thymifolius

Two new flavonol glycosides have been isolated from the fruit of Turkish Rhamnus thymifolius (Rhamnaceae) and their structures were elucidated as kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-(4-O-acetyl)-O-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside and kaempferol-4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->6)-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside based on spectral and chemical evidence.

Effect of single base substitutions at glycine-870 codon of gramicidin S synthetase 2 gene on proline activation

The mutant gene coding for a proline-activating domain (grs2-pro) was cloned and sequenced from Bacillus brevis Nagano, BII-3 strain, which produces gramicidin S synthetase 2 defective in proline-activation. By comparison of the nucleotide sequence with the wild-type sequence, a single point mutation was found at the 2609th guanine, which was replaced with adenine, resulting in the change of the 870th glycine to glutamic acid. Homology search for the deduced amino acid sequence of grs2-pro gene revealed that the 870th glycine was conserved in adenylate-forming enzymes, and its flanking sequence was highly conserved among the aminoacyl adenylate-forming enzymes, such as antibiotic peptide synthetases: gramicidin S synthetase 1 and 2 (GS1, GS2), tyrocidine synthetase 1 (TS1), and delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS); and other aminoacyl adenylation enzymes: alpha-aminoadipate reductase (LYS2), EntF, and AngR. On the other hand, this flanking sequence was not conserved in the other adenylate-forming enzymes lacking amino acid activation, such as acetyl-CoA synthetase, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase, luciferase, and 4-coumarate CoA ligase. Single base substitutions at the 870th GGG codon were carried out by oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis. Four mutagenized clones were isolated, containing grs2-pro genes which exchange 870-Gly for alanine, valine, arginine, and tryptophan. The translated products from these clones could scarcely catalyze proline-dependent ATP-32PPi exchange reaction. The coil structure of 870-Gly region was lost in the mutants. These results suggest that the 870-Gly residue of grs2-pro protein is essential for aminoacyl-adenylation in the antibiotic peptide synthetase family.

Effects of discrimination learning on the rat amygdala dopamine release: a microdialysis study

Extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites were monitored with the in vivo microdialysis method in the amygdala of rats while and after they performed a discrimination learning task or a non-discrimination task. A group of rats was trained to discriminate between lamp-on and lamp-off states under an operant-type learning procedure. After a stable discriminative behavior was established, a dialysis probe was inserted into the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus of each rat. The concentrations of DA and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid significantly increased during the learning sessions as compared to their basal levels. In contrast, another group of rats trained on a similar, but non-discriminative task showed no such increases. These results suggest that the dopaminergic neural systems in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus are activated during ongoing behavior maintained under the discrimination learning situation.

Saponin and sapogenol. L. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer from Xinjiang, China. Chemical structures of licorice-saponin L3 and isoliquiritin apioside

From the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer collected in Xinjiang province, China ("Shinkyo-Kanzo" in Japanese), a new oleanene-type triterpene oligoglycoside named licorice-saponin L3 and a new chalcone oligoglycoside named isoliquiritin apioside were isolated together with glycyrrhizin, 18 alpha-glycyrrhizin, apioglycyrrhizin, araboglycyrrhizin, licorice-saponins A3, E2, G2, and H2, and six known flavonoid glycosides. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of licorice-saponin L3 and isoliquiritin apioside were elucidated as 3 beta-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1--> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy]-22 beta-acetoxy-24-hydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid (1) and 4-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl]isoliquiritigenin (6), respectively.

Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery in a 54-year-old woman presenting ventricular tachycardia from anteroseptal scar

We report a 54-year-old female with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery who came to our hospital complaining of dizziness presumably due to ventricular tachycardia. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy were indistinguishable from anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Only coronary angiography enabled us to differentiate between atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease and anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

Saponin and sapogenol. XLIX. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin from Xinjiang, China. Characterization of two sweet oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin

Two sweet oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides named apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin were isolated from the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin, collected in Xinjiang province (Shinkyo-Kanzo in Japanese), together with glycyrrhizin (3), licorice-saponins A3 (8), G2 (10), and H2 (11) and known flavonoid glycosides. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of apioglycyrrhizin and araboglycyrrhizin have been determined to be expressed as 3-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl]glycyrrhetic acid (1) and 3-O-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]glycyrrhet ic acid (2), respectively. During the course of these studies, it has been found that the hydroxyl groups in the oligosaccharide moiety of the glucuronide saponins may be partially methylated by prolonged treatment with diazomethane in methanol. The sweetness of the saponins hitherto isolated from various Glycyrrhizae Radix has been examined and a structure-sweetness relationship, as compared with glycyrrhizin, has been found.

Saponin and sapogenol. XLVIII. On the constituents of the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer from northeastern China. (2). Licorice-saponins D3, E2, F3, G2, H2, J2, and K2

Following the characterization of licorice-saponins A3 (2), B2 (3), and C2 (4), the chemical structures of licorice-saponins D3 (5), E2 (6), F3 (7), G2 (8), H2 (9), J2 (10), and K2 (11), seven of the ten oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides isolated from the air-dried roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer collected in the northeastern part of China, were investigated. On the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence, the structures of licorice-saponins D3, E2, F3, G2, H2, J2, and K2 have been determined to be expressed as 3 beta-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-- >2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy]-22 beta-acetoxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid (5), 3-O-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl]glabrolide (6), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1--> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-11-deoxoglabrolide (7), 24-hydroxyglycyrrhizin (8), 3-O-[beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta- D-glucuronopyranosyl]liquiritic acid (9), 24-hydroxy-11-deoxoglycyrrhizin (10), and 3 beta-[beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy]-24-+ ++hydroxyoleana- 11,13(18)-dien-30-oic acid (11), respectively.

Tuberculous pericarditis: importance of adenosine deaminase activity in pericardial fluid

We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis that was diagnosed early by a high titer of adenosine deaminase activity in the pericardial fluid and by a strongly positive tuberculin test. Within 2 weeks of initiation of treatment, pericardial effusion gradually decreased while clinical symptoms improved markedly. Culture from sputum, gastric juice, urine, and pericardial fluid were negative for tubercle bacillus. Measurement of adenosine deaminase activity in the pericardial fluid is a supplementary diagnostic test which is as important as for tuberculous pericarditis as it is for tuberculous pleuritis, because negative Ziehl Neelsen staining and culture for tubercle bacillus are common in tuberculous pericarditis.

Reversible left ventricular dysfunction secondary to rapid atrial fibrillation

We present the cases of four patients with reversible left ventricular dysfunction associated with severe congestive heart failure presumably induced by rapid atrial fibrillation. The mean heart rate was 159 beats/min and the mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 58.5 mm with diffusely impaired left ventricular motion. None of the patients had a history of preceding upper respiratory infection before the acute episode and no signs of inflammation at onset, and all patients were New York Heart Association Class I or II before the acute episode. Left ventriculography, done about 1 month when congestive heart failure and ventricular rate were controlled with digitalis and diuretics, still showed diffusely decreased left ventricular motion; the mean end-diastolic volume was 165 ml and the mean ejection fraction was 30%. Coronary angiography was normal in three patients and one showed moderate left anterior descending artery stenosis. Right ventricular biopsy, done in three patients showed no evidence of myocarditis. Left ventricular wall motion normalized in 5-36 months on follow-up echocardiography. These findings suggest that persistent rapid atrial fibrillation can cause reversible left ventricular dysfunction which can take a considerable period of time to normalize.

[Transient "moyamoya" echo in a markedly enlarged pulmonary artery after Waterston operation is an expression of decreased pulmonary blood flow]

A 32-year-old-female with single ventricle, 20 years after the Waterston operation is described. The right pulmonary artery was markedly enlarged and the blood flow across the Waterston shunt was 2 m/sec in systole and 1.5 m/sec in diastole. "Moyamoya" echo developed transiently in the markedly enlarged pulmonary artery when she suffered from bacterial bronchitis and PaO2 decreased. Continuous wave Doppler echocardiography showed decreased blood flow across the Waterston shunt. After the bronchitis was resolved and PaO2 returned to the basal level, "Moyamoya" echo was barely seen. This "Moyamoya" echo can be a reflection of decreased pulmonary blood flow, and was a useful marker in the follow-up of this patient.

Deterioration of congestive heart failure after converting to VOO mode from DDD mode in a dilated cardiomyopathy patient; importance of atrial contribution

We describe a 62-year-old dilated cardiomyopathy patient in whom congestive heart failure progressed shortly after DDD mode was changed to VOO mode because of battery exhaustion. Emergency battery exchange with restoration of DDD mode improved his functional status to the previous level; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased from 28 to 24 mmHg and cardiac output increased from 1.5 to 2.0 L/min associated with widening of the aortic pulse pressure. Maintenance of atrial contraction is therefore important even if left ventricular systolic function is markedly impaired and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is increased.

[Three cases of aspiration caused by cerebrovascular disorder that were managed with total laryngectomy]

Total laryngectomy can be used to prevent aspiration pneumonia in patients with severe dysphagia, though caution is required with regard to the indications. In this paper, we describe 3 patients in whom severe dysphagia developed as a result of cerebrovascular disorders, and who repeatedly developed aspiration pneumonia. We managed them with total laryngectomy, and this has prevented aspiration pneumonia in all three. Oral feeding became possible in two of these patients, and home care became possible for one. This report includes a discussion based on the literature, and includes preoperative evaluation and indications for laryngectomy.

Dehatrine, an antimalarial bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from the Indonesian medicinal plant Beilschmiedia madang, isolated as a mixture of two rotational isomers

Through bioassay-guided separations of the chemical constituents of the Indonesian medicinal plant Beilschmiedia madang BL. a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid was obtained as the major antimalarial principle. The physicochemical properties of the alkaloid were consistent with the proposed structure of dehatrine. However, the alkaloid isolated by us was shown to be a mixture of two rotational isomers. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1 has shown that two rotamers are incorporated in a single crystal in 1:1 ratio. The complex NMR spectrum of 1 has also been defined as a mixture of two rotamers by extensive use of 2D (COSY and COLOC) techniques. Dehatrine has been shown to significantly inhibit the growth of cultured Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain (cholorquine resistant) with similar activity to quinine.

Nucleotide sequences of the helper component-proteinase genes of aphid transmissible and non-transmissible isolates of turnip mosaic virus

We have compared nucleotide sequences of the helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) coding region of aphid transmissible (isolate 1) and non-transmissible (isolate 31) isolates of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). HC-Pro coding regions of both TuMV isolates 1 and 31 were 1,374 nucleotide long. The nucleotide sequence homology between these isolates was 93.5%, with 89 nucleotides substitution. The nucleotides of HC-Pro regions of two isolates of TuMV genomes encoded 458 amino acids of M(r) 51,746 (isolate 1) and M(r) 51,764 (isolate 31). The deduced amino acid sequence homology between these isolates was 98.7% with six different amino acids. These amino acids appeared to regulate the activity of HC-Pro needed for aphid transmissibility of TuMV.