Induction of apoptosis as well as necrosis by hypoxia and predominant prevention of apoptosis by Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL

The molecular mechanism of cell death due to hypoxia has not been elucidated. Our recent observations that overexpression of the anti-apoptotic proto-oncogene bcl-2 and a bcl-2-related gene, bcl-x, prevents hypoxic cell death suggest that hypoxia induces apoptosis. Using electron microscopy and confocal and nonconfocal fluorescence microscopy, we show here that hypoxia does, in fact, induce both necrosis and apoptosis, and that the proportion of these two modes is highly dependent on the cell type. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-Xl blocks hypoxia-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Autonomous transposition of the tobacco retrotransposon Tto1 in rice

The complete nucleotide sequence of the tobacco retrotransposon Tto1, one of the few active retrotransposons of plants, was determined. The sequence analysis suggests that Tto1 carries all functions required for autonomous transposition through reverse transcription. Gene organization and the nature of the transcription product suggest that Tto1 uses a gene expression mechanism different from those employed by retroviruses and most retrotransposons to regulate Gag and Pol stoichiometry. Tto1 was introduced into rice to study its autonomous transposition in heterologous hosts. Transcription and transposition of Tto1 were observed in rice cells. To probe the autonomous transposition through reverse transcription, a modified Tto1 retrotransposon in which part of a reverse transcriptase gene was replaced with an intron-containing hygromycin resistance gene was constructed and introduced into rice cells. Loss of the intron was observed only when intact Tto1 was cotransfected. These results indicate that Tto1 can transpose autonomously through reverse transcription and that the host factors required for transposition are conserved among monocots (class Magnoliopsida; rice) and dicots (class Liliopsida; tobacco), which diverged approximately 200 million years ago. These findings are discussed in relation to the regulation and evolution of retrotransposons and the possible use of Tto1 as a molecular genetic tool.

Molecular cloning of the breakpoint of t(11;22) (q23;q11) chromosome translocation in an adult acute myelomonocytic leukaemia

Southern blot analysis with a cDNA probe of MLL indicated that the breakpoint is in a BamHI 8.3 kb fragment which carries the exon 5-11 of MLL gene in DNA from an adult acute myelomonocytic leukaemia with a t(11;22) (q23;q11) translocation. The structural analysis of the rearranged MLL locus demonstrated that the breakpoint is localized between exon 8 and 9 of MLL locus. The normal counterpart fused to the MLL locus was proved to be derived from chromosome 22q11(AF-22) by somatic cell hybrids analysis and FISH. By FISH, AF-22 was localized to the region more centromeric to the BCR gene.

Population pharmacokinetics of phenytoin in Japanese patients with epilepsy: analysis with a dose-dependent clearance model

The population pharmacokinetic parameters of phenytoin were estimated using routine therapeutic drug monitoring data from 116 epileptic patients. The 531 serum concentration values at steady-state after repetitive oral administration were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed effects model (NONMEM) program designed for estimation of population pharmacokinetic parameters. A one-compartment model with dose-dependent clearance was used for the pharmacokinetic analysis of phenytoin. The volume of distribution (V) was estimated to be 1.231/kg in a typical 42-kg patient, assuming that the bioavailability of orally administered phenytoin is 100%. The maximal elimination rate (V(max)) and the Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) were 9.80 mg/d/kg and 9.19 micrograms/ml, respectively. The parameter of power function of weight to adjust V and V(max) was estimated to be 0.463. In addition, K(m) for phenytoin appeared to be 16% increased in patients receiving zonisamide concurrently. The population pharmacokinetic parameters of phenytoin will be useful for designing dosage regimens in epileptic patients.

Efficient promoter cassettes for enhanced expression of foreign genes in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants

A series of chimeric promoters for higher-level expression of foreign genes in plants was constructed as fusions of a gene for beta-glucuronidase (GUS) with the terminator of a gene for nopaline synthase (nos) or of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S transcript, and the strength of these promoters was assayed in transient and stable expression systems in tobacco and rice. As parts of these promoters, the CaMV 35S core promoter, three different 5'-upstream sequences of the 35S promoter, the first intron of a gene for phaseolin, and a 5'-untranslated sequence (omega sequence) of tobacco mosaic virus were used in various combinations. In tobacco and rice protoplasts, all three fragments of the 35S promoter (-419 to -90, -390 to -90 and -290 to -90, relative to the site of initiation of transcription), the intron, and the omega sequence effectively enhanced GUS activity. Some chimeric promoters allowed levels of GUS activity that were 20- to 70-fold higher than those obtained with the 35S promoter in pBI221. In tobacco protoplasts, the two longer fragments of the 35S promoter were more effective than the shortest fragment. In rice cells, by contrast, the shortest fragment was as effective as the two longer ones. The terminator of the 35S transcript was more effective than that of the nos gene for gene expression. In transgenic tobacco plants, a representative powerful promoter, as compared to the 35S promoter, allowed 10- and 50-fold higher levels of expression on average and at most, respectively, with no clear qualitative differences in tissue- and organ-specific patterns of expression. When the representative promoter was introduced into tobacco with a gene for luciferase, the autofluorescence of detached leaves after a supply of luciferin to petioles was great and was easily detectable by the naked eye in a dark room.

Simulation for population analysis of Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics

A simulation study was conducted to compare the cost and performance of various models for population analysis of the steady state pharmacokinetic data arising from a one-compartment model with Michaelis-Menten elimination. The usual Michaelis-Menten model (MM) and its variants provide no estimate of the volume of distribution, and generally give poor estimates of the maximal elimination rate and the Michaelis-Menten constant. The exact solution to the Michaelis-Menten differential equation (TRUE) requires a precise analysis method designed for estimation of population pharmacokinetic parameters (the first-order conditional estimation method) and also considerable computational time to estimate population mean parameters accurately. The one-compartment model with dose-dependent clearance (DDCL), in conjunction with the first-order conditional estimation or Laplacian method, ran approximately 20-fold faster than TRUE and gave accurate population mean parameters for a drug having a long biological half-life relative to the dosing interval. These findings suggest that the well-known MM and its variants should be used carefully for the analysis of blood concentrations of a drug with Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics, and that TRUE, in conjunction with a precise analysis method, should be considered for estimating population pharmacokinetic parameters. In addition, DDCL is a promising alternative to TRUE with respect to computation time, when the dosing interval is short relative to the biological half-life of a drug.

Cyclic bcl-2 gene expression in human uterine endometrium during menstrual cycle

To investigate an apoptotic role for bcl-2 in menses, we studied bcl-2 protein production throughout the cycle. Bcl-2 protein was observed in endometrial glandular, stromal and myometrial smooth-muscle cells. Glandular cells expressed bcl-2 at proliferative through early secretory phases but not at late secretory through menstrual phases. This cyclic expression of bcl-2 gene was similar to that of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Thus bcl-2 expression in glandular cells may be regulated by ovarian hormones. The disappearance of bcl-2 expression in glandular cells at late secretory phase was consistent with the appearance of apoptotic cells in the same phase.

Transposition of the maize Ds element from a viral vector to the rice genome

The geminivirus miscanthus streak virus (MiSV) was used as a gene vector to study the transposition of the maize Ds element in rice protoplasts. Efficient excision of the Ds from the MiSV vector was observed only when the MiSV vector was allowed to replicate and the plasmid expressing the transposase gene encoded by Ac was co-transfected. Under the same condition, the Ds carrying a hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (Ds::HPT) was also efficiently excised. Hygromycin-resistant calli were obtained by culturing these transfected protoplasts in order to examine the transposition of the excised Ds::HPT into the rice genome. In five out of 16 calli examined, the Ds::HPT, but not the vector sequence, was integrated into the rice genome and 8 bp target site duplication typical of Ac/Ds transposition was generated. These results show that the Ds::HPT inserted in the MiSV vector transposed directly into the rice genome. This demonstrates the direct transposition of a cloned plant transposable element into the plant genome. Implications of these finding are discussed.

Multiple subcellular localization of bcl-2: detection in nuclear outer membrane, endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and mitochondrial membranes

The use of biochemical fractionation, immunofluorescence laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy with mouse anti-human bcl-2 monoclonal antibody to analyze the subcellular localization of the bcl-2 gene product revealed the protein prominently in the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and mitochondrial membranes. Electron microscopy at high magnification more precisely localized bcl-2 to the nuclear outer membrane as confirmed by the biochemical fractionation, as well as to mitochondrial outer and, to a lesser degree, inner membrane. This multisite membrane distribution of bcl-2 suggests an important role for this protein in several different membrane compartments.

Long-range mapping of the 11q23 region involved in chromosome aberrations in human tumors by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with a yeast artificial chromosome

We have previously demonstrated that the RCK gene involved in t(11;14)(q23;q32) and the more centromeric MLL/ALL1 gene involved in t(4;11)(q21;q23) and t(11;19)(q23;p13) are localized on different adjacent NotI fragments by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis with the yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clone yB22B2. The PFGE analysis using the YACs of YTY17 containing the prophobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), CBL2 and THY1 genes and yB22B2 allowed the following ordering of genes and breakpoints from CD3 to THY1 on 11q23: cent-CD3-ALL/MLL1-RCK-PBGD-CBL2-THY1, and the establishment of a long-range restriction map covering these genes. In addition, we showed that the FLI1 region involved in the t(11;22)(q24;q12) in Ewing's sarcoma was more telomeric region that the THY1 gene by analyzing somatic cell hybrids carrying the 11q- and/or 14q+ chromosome of the t(11;14)(q23;q32) translocation, and by PFGE analysis of the YAC clone YTY17.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in mediastinal milky spots of mice: light- and electron-microscopic immunohistochemical observations

The structure and distribution of cellular components in the mediastinal milky spots of C57BL/6 mice were studied by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The mediastinal milky spots were generally covered with plump mesothelial cells with hemidesmosome-like structures in small projections of the cytoplasm, and consisted mainly of clusters of lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts. Macrophages and lymphocytes were often seen passing between mesothelial cells and migrating into the pleural cavity. Neither high endothelial venules (HEV) nor lymphatics were present in the mediastinal milky spots. Thy-1(CD5)-, L3/T4(CD4)- and Lyt-2(CD8)-positive cells were located predominantly at the basal area adjacent to fat cells under the lymphoid tissue. IgG- and Ia-positive cells dominated throughout the lymphoid tissue, whereas IgM-positive cells were observed in the lymphoid tissue other than the basal area. Mediastinal milky spots showed a specific distribution of lymphocyte subsets: the T cell area comprised the basal area, and the B cell area was mainly other areas. The mean percentages of CD4-, CD8-, IgM-, IgG- and IgA-positive cells in the mediastinal milky spots were 16.5%, 20.1%, 28.8%, 37.3% and 2.1%, respectively; the percentage of B cells was higher than that of T cells. IgG- and IgM-positive cells were the main lymphocyte subsets in the mediastinal milky spots. The most characteristic finding was that IgA-positive cells were a very minor cellular component.

Lymphatics and pre-lymphatics of the rabbit pericardium and epicardium with special emphasis on particulate absorption and milky spot-like structures

The lymphatics and pre-lymphatic connective tissue of rabbit pericardium and epicardium were examined by light and electron microscopy under normal conditions and after the injection of India ink and latex particles into the pericardial cavity. A characteristic lattice structure of connective tissue was present between the small mesothelial cells and the submesothelial lymphatic capillaries in the basal region of the pericardium, but not in the epicardium. Milky spot-like structures bulging toward the pericardial cavity were found in the pericardium, similar to those in the omentum and mediastinal pleura. Within 60 minutes after injection, carbon and latex particles were directly absorbed through the intercellular clefts of the adjacent small mesothelial cells into the submesothelial layer particularly at sites of characteristic lattice structure. Carbon particles were already present in the lumens of lymphatic capillaries at this time. Macrophages in the pericardial cavity and submesothelial layers of the pericardium engulfed both carbon and latex particles. Our results suggest two possible routes of drainage of particulate matter from the pericardial cavity into the lymphatics: direct absorption and indirect absorption after phagocytosis by macrophages. Macrophages probably migrate from the milky spot-like structures described in this study. Epicardial lymphatics, in contrast, drain tissue fluid primarily from the myocardium.

Immunoelectron microscopy of cell populations in regional and central lymph of sheep

The immunoreactivity and the ultrastructural localization of monoclonal anti-sheep lymphocyte antibodies conjugated with colloidal gold particles were examined in free-floating cells of sheep central lymph from the thoracic duct, postnodal lymph draining either the popliteal nodes or the mesenteric nodes, and prenodal lymph draining the pregnant uterus. The monoclonal antibodies used in this study were SBU-T1 (CD5), SBU-T4 (CD4), SBU-T8 (CD8), SBU-II (anti DR antibody), and E53 which are reported to be sheep homologues of human T1, T4, T8, HLA-DR, and pan B cell antibodies, respectively. Colloidal gold particles were evenly distributed or segmentally aggregated on the surfaces of lymphocytes and macrophages incubated with monoclonal antibodies and in vesicles in the cytoplasm of anti DR antibody labeled macrophages. Not only did CD5 labeled cells show a high percentage in each regional lymph examined, but the percentage of CD4 labeled cells was consistently higher than that of CD8 labeled cells. Moreover, the immunoreactivity of CD8 labeled cells was specific among lymph from the different regions. The sum of the percentages of CD4 and CD8 labeled cells was less than the percentage of CD5 labeled cells, indicating the presence of a minor T cell subpopulation which was CD5+, CD4-, and CD8-. A characteristic finding was a high percentage of CD8 labeled cells and many abnormal eosinophils in uterine prenodal lymph in pregnant sheep. Taken together the results showed that variously labeled immunoreactive cells are distributed somewhat differently in lymph derived from different organ sites.

Establishment and characterization of a cell line (OMC-3) originating from a human mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary

A new human ovarian carcinoma cell line, designated OMC-3, was established from the mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of a 59-year-old woman. This cell line has grown well for 65 months and has been subcultured more than 50 times. Monolayer-cultured cells are polygonal in shape, showing a pavement-like arrangement and a tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. The chromosomal number shows aneuploidy and the modal chromosomal number is in the hypodiploid range. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced tumors resembling the original tumor. Ten thousand OMC-3 cells produced CA-125 (228-580 U) and CA-19-9 (2900-5640 U) during 17 days in culture media. CA-125 and CA-19-9 were demonstrated immunohistochemically in the original tumor, heterotransplanted tumor, and OMC-3 cells. The cells contain no estrogen or progesterone receptors. OMC-3 cells were sensitive to actinomycin D, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, and mitomycin C in vitro. Three other reports of ovarian mucinous carcinoma cell lines are reviewed.

Lymphatics, intraepithelial lymphocytes and endometrial lymphoid tissues in the rabbit uterus: an electron microscopic and immunohistological study

Rabbit uterine intraepithelial lymphocytes, endometrial lymphoid aggregates and lymphatic capillaries were examined electron-microscopically and immunohistochemically at well-defined intervals after the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Lymphatic capillaries originated near the bases of the glands in the uterine cervix and in the border zone between the lamina propria mucosae and myometrium in the uterine body. The lymphatic capillaries were maximally dilated, and their endothelial cells were thinnest 8 hours after hCG injection. Patent junctions between the adjacent endothelial cells of lymphatics in the uterine body were observed in good accordance with the appearance of stromal edema and lymphatic dilatation. The numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes and macrophages changed cyclically after the induction of ovulation. They were highest 11 hours after hCG injection when lymphocytes were seen occasionally in the lumens of lymphatics located in the lamina propria mucosae of the uterine body. Most of the intraepithelial and interstitial lymphocytes were cells labeled with T cell serum but some were labeled with IgA serum and were occasionally seen beneath the epithelium. Lymphoid aggregates were uniformly present in the stratum basalis and consisted of lymphocytes and macrophages. They had no germinal centers, surrounding lymphatics or high endothelial venules (HEV). The results suggest that lymphatic capillaries are the main route for the removal of edema fluid and for migratory lymphoid cells in the rabbit uterus.

Immunogold-silver staining method for light and electron microscopic detection of lymphocyte cell surface antigens with monoclonal antibodies

We used the immunogold-silver staining method (IGSS) for detection of lymphocyte cell surface antigens with monoclonal antibodies in light and electron microscopy and compared this procedure with the immunogold staining method. Two different sizes of colloidal gold particles (5 nm and 15 nm) were used in this study. Immunolabeling on cell surfaces was visualized as fine granules only by IGSS in light microscopy. The labeling density (silver-gold complexes/cell) and diameters of silver-enhanced gold particles on cell surfaces were examined by electron microscopy. Labeling density was influenced not by the enhancement time of the physical developer but by the size of the gold particles. However, the development of shells of silver-enhanced gold particles correlated with the enhancement time of the physical developer rather than the size of the colloidal gold particles. Five-nm gold particles enhanced with the physical developer for 3 min were considered optimal for this IGSS method because of reduced background staining and high specific staining in the cell suspensions in sheep lymph. Moreover, this method may make it possible to show the ultrastructure of identical positive cells detected in 1-micron sections counterstained with toluidine blue by electron microscopy, in addition to the percentage of positive cells by light microscopy.

Immunohistochemical differentiation between lymphatic vessels and blood vessels--use of anti-basement membrane antibodies and anti-factor VIII-related antigen

Several immunohistochemical methods using Factor VIII-Related antigen (FVIIIR:Ag), laminin, Type IV collagen and fibronectin antisera were applied for the purpose of differentiating rat lymphatics from blood vessels by light and electron microscopy. Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) were demonstrated in both types of vessels by conventional electron microscopy. The immunoreactivity to laminin and Type IV collagen in blood vessels showed a strong, continuous, linear subendothelial staining pattern in contrast to lymphatic vessels in which immunoreactivity was absent or weak in paraffin-embedded sections stained with the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. A positive reaction for fibronectin was observed in all extra-vascular tissue spaces as well as in lymphatics and blood vessels. FVIIIR:Ag and WPB were present in both lymphatic and blood endothelial cells. FVIIIR:Ag antiserum labeled with gold particles was observed only in the vacuoles which were assumed to be identical with WPB as demonstrated by our conventional electron microscopy. We conclude that the immunohistochemical method using laminin and Type IV collagen antisera is a reliable and practical way to differentiate lymphatic vessels from blood vessels by light microscopy.

Scatchard analysis of EGF receptor and effects of EGF on growth and TA-4 production of newly established uterine cervical cancer cell line (OMC-1)

Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on growth and tumor antigen-4 (TA-4) production of newly established uterine cervical cancer cell line (OMC-1) are reported. OMC -1 was established from a metastatic lesion of Virchow's lymph node of a large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and successively subcultured for about 4 years. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding to OMC-1 cells indicated a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 360 pM. The theoretical maximum number of binding sites was 2.4 x 10(4) sites/cell. The growth of OMC-1 cells was stimulated by EGF at 0.01-0.1 nM and inhibited at higher concentrations. The TA-4 production of OMC-1 cells was slightly stimulated by EGF at 0.01-1 nM and significantly stimulated at 10 nM. OMC-1 may serve as one of the available model systems for studies of regulation of proliferation and tumor marker production by EGF, particularly in cervical squamous cell carcinomas.

Establishment and characterization of CA 125 producing cell line (OMC-2) originating from a human endometrial adenocarcinoma

A new human endometrial carcinoma cell line, designated OMC-2, was established from the endometrial adenocarcinoma of a 59-year-old woman. This cell line has grown well for 51 months and has been subcultured more than 50 times. Monolayer cultured cells are polygonal in shape, showing a pavement-like arrangement and a piling up tendency without contact inhibition. The chromosomal number shows aneuploidy and the modal chromosomal number is in the diploid range. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced tumors resembling the original tumor. 1 X 10(5) OMC-2 cells produced CA 125 (184-682 U) during 19 days in culture media. CA 125 was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the original tumor, heterotransplanted tumor, and OMC-2 cells. The cells contain no estrogen or progesterone receptors. Twenty-nine other reports of endometrial carcinoma cell lines are reviewed.

Lymphatics and lymphoid tissue of the fallopian tube: immunoelectronmicroscopic study

Lymphoid tissue of the human fallopian tube consists of follicles, lymphoepithelium, and lymphatic and blood capillaries and is located consistently in the interstitial part of the human fallopian tube. Using an immunoelectronmicroscopic technique, we have elucidated the ultrastructure of the lymphoid tissue of the human fallopian tube and the fine distribution and ultrastructure of the lymphatics associated with the rabbit fallopian tube. Lymphatic capillaries arise in the lamina propria mucosa and the periphery of follicles, where they are sparsely distributed, run through the muscular layer, and form a dense network in the subserosa. Characteristic features of the ultrastructure are aggregations of smooth muscle cells, alternating areas of densely and sparsely distributed collagen fibers, and unmyelinated nerve fibers beneath the lymphatic endothelium. Immunoelectronmicroscopic analysis has demonstrated an obvious difference in the distribution of T- and B-lymphocytes in the lymphoid tissue of the human fallopian tube. Many T-lymphocytes are present in the follicles and epithelium, but B-lymphocytes are either absent or rarely found. T-lymphocytes sometimes infiltrate into the basal lamina of the epithelium lying in close contact with the follicles. We conclude that the lymphoid tissue is constantly located in the interstitial part of the human fallopian tube and that intraepithelial lymphocytes, mainly T-lymphocytes, migrate via the basal lamina of the epithelium from follicles. Lymphatic capillaries in the fallopian tube may be the main migratory route of intraepithelial lymphocytes. The intraepithelial lymphocytes and epithelial cells of the fallopian tube have attracted considerable interest as a result of immunological studies of the recognition of spermatozoal antigens and the fertilized ovum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme immunoassay for oxytocin

A competitive, double antibody enzyme immunoassay for oxytocin in a heterologous system was developed. Horseradish peroxidase was conjugated with oxytocin using N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate, and rabbit anti-oxytocin serum was produced by immunization of oxytocin-bovine serum albumin complex which was prepared by the carbodiimide method. The sensitivity of the assay was 4 microIU/tube, which corresponded to 10 microIU per ml using 400 microliters of the sample which was extracted from the same volume of plasma by means of SEP-PAK C18 cartridges. The coefficients of variation for different levels of oxytocin ranged from 6.8-15.9% and 8.5-16.7%, for intra- and inter-assay. Recovery of oxytocin added to plasma after extraction was 99-117%. No or little cross-reaction with arginine- and lysine-vasopressin was found. Plasma oxytocin concentrations determined by the proposed enzyme immunoassay were well correlated with those determined by radioimmunoassay (r = 0.90).

Immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in human plasma during pregnancy and delivery and postpartum

The activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis was examined, by measuring the levels of immunoreactive (IR) corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol (F) in human plasma during normal pregnancy and after delivery with or without complications and during normal postpartum using a specific RIA. The level of IR-CRH in maternal plasma increased progressively during pregnancy, increased further at delivery and declined rapidly to the non-pregnant level on the 1st day postpartum. The level of IR-F in maternal plasma also increased progressively during pregnancy, increased further at delivery, but decreased slowly postpartum, not returning to the non-pregnant level within 5 days. Significant correlations were found between the level of IR-CRH and IR-ACTH, IR-CRH and IR-F, and IR-ACTH and IRF in maternal plasma both during pregnancy and after delivery. It is noteworthy that the concentration of IR-CRH in the maternal plasma at delivery was higher in multiple pregnancy than in normal pregnancy, and that the level of IR-CRH in the umbilical cord in uncomplicated cases was much lower than that in the maternal plasma, and was significantly lower than those in the umbilical cord plasma in cases of asphyxia, IUGR or premature delivery. The level of IR-F, not IR-CRH and IR-ACTH, at normal vaginal delivery was significantly higher than that at elective cesarean section. On these results, we investigated the feto-maternal-hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis during pregnancy and delivery, in which CRH plays an important role.

Morphology of arachnoid granulations and villi in the region of the human sella turcica--light microscopy and three-dimensional image analysis

The distribution and structure of the arachnoid granulations and villi in the region of the sella turcica in human adult brains were observed under light microscopy. In order to study the interrelationships between the arachnoid projections, hypophysis, cavernous sinus, and sella turcica, we performed a three-dimensional reconstruction and analysis of the region with the use of a digital image-processing method. Arachnoid projections penetrating the dura were villous when they were few in number, but more frequently granular when they were numerous. No relationship was observed between the type of projections and the age or the underlying disease of the subjects. Brains which showed no or few arachnoid granulations or villi had a small and deep hypophyseal fossa with a poorly-developed intercavernous sinus or venous plexus. Three-dimensional image analysis revealed that arachnoid granulations and villi form a maze in the dura or connective tissue between the venous plexuses.

Plasma concentrations of human atrial natriuretic peptide at vaginal delivery and elective cesarean section

The change in plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) at delivery was examined by measuring the concentrations of hANP in plasma samples from 21 subjects after 36 weeks of normal pregnancy, 22 subjects after normal spontaneous delivery and 20 subjects after elective cesarean section. The maternal plasma concentration of hANP after normal delivery (38.0 +/- 8.2 fmol/ml, mean +/- S.E.M.) was significantly higher than that after 36 weeks of normal pregnancy (16.8 +/- 2.3 fmol/ml), but its concentration after cesarean section was not different from that after 36 weeks of pregnancy. After normal delivery, the plasma concentration of hANP in the umbilical artery (66.9 +/- 11.8 fmol/ml) was also significantly higher than that in the umbilical vein (35.1 +/- 7.3 fmol/ml). In contrast, after elective cesarean section, the hANP levels in the umbilical artery and vein were not significantly different. These results suggest that hANP secretion into the maternal and fetal circulation may be stimulated by the dynamic movement of the mother in labour and the stress of the fetus at delivery, respectively.

Angiomyoma of the upper lip: report of a case with electron microscopic and immunohistochemical observation

Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic observations of a vascular leiomyoma of the upper lip are presented. Tumour cells were positive for desmin, vimentin and neuron specific enolase but not for S-100 protein. Factor VIII was detected in the endothelium of blood vessels. Ultramicroscopically, the spindle-shaped tumour cells had elongated nuclei and cytoplasm containing abundant myofilaments and pinocytotic vesicles. Emphasis is placed on the fact that an immunohistochemical approach using appropriate antibodies can be used in identifying this tumour.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in high endothelial venules and lymphatic capillaries of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in the rat

The subpopulations of lymphocytes and non-lymphoid cells in high endothelial venules (HEV) and in lymphatic capillaries surrounding lymphoid follicles in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) were examined by electron microscopy after preembedding the tissue and staining with an immunoperoxidase technique. The results were compared with those obtained in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) reported previously. Monoclonal mouse-anti-rat T cell, IgG, IgM, IgA, and Ia antisera were used. Plasma cells that were reactive to anti-IgG, anti-IgM, and anti-IgA were detected as cells in which the 3',3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydroxychloride reaction product was localized in rough endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear spaces but not on plasma membranes. These plasma cells did not occur in either lymphatic capillaries or HEV in BALT as they did in GALT. Cells with surface Ig (sIg cells), T-cell antigen (T cells), and Ia antigen (Ia cells) were present in BALT. T cells were located predominantly in the follicular area opposite the bronchial epithelium; IgM- and IgG-reactive cells were found in the follicular area adjacent to the bronchial epithelium; and IgA-positive cells were found in the lateral part of the area where the T cells were localized (T-cell area). Ia cells were abundant throughout BALT and in moderate numbers in the epithelium. A striking observation was the presence of "nurse-cell"-like structures in the periphery of BALT. The percentages of T, sIgG, sIgM, and sIgA cells in the HEV were 54.7%, 2.4%, 28.9%, and 27.3%, respectively, and in the lymphatic capillaries, 41.2%, 3.8%, 38.2%, and 21.2%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in concentration of human atrial natriuretic peptide in normal pregnancy and toxaemia

Changes in concentration of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) in normal and toxaemic pregnancy were examined. The maternal plasma concentration of hANP increased gradually during normal pregnancy to a maximum of 20.0 +/- 2.4 pmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) after week 36 of pregnancy. From week 20, the plasma concentrations of hANP were significantly higher than those in non-pregnant women (9.3 +/- 2.0 pmol/l). In toxaemia with hypertension, maternal plasma hANP levels were increased after week 26 of pregnancy (37.7 +/- 6.0 pmol/l) compared with those in normal gravida at the same time (17.1 +/- 1.6 pmol/l). Maternal plasma hANP levels in toxaemia only with oedema were not different from those in normal gravida.

Fine structure and morphometric analysis of lymphatic capillaries in the developing corpus luteum of the rabbit

The fine distribution and ultrastructural changes in the intraovarian lymphatics were studied in the developing corpus luteum of rabbits. Three days after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection, lymphatic capillaries were observed among theca lutein but not granulosa cells. This distribution persisted even on day 14. Edema appeared around the lymphatic capillaries, corresponding to dilatation of blood capillaries surrounding the membrana granulosa. The diameter and perimeter of the latter vessels were about 5 times greater than before HCG injection. Lymphatic capillaries were slightly dilated and about 2 times their original diameter and perimeter. Flocculent material migrated into the lumen of the lymphatics through the open junctions. Lysosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum were increased in number in the lymphatic endothelial cells. Five and 7 days after HCG injection macrophages and sometimes loose, degenerated lutein cells were observed in the lymphatic capillaries. Fourteen days after HCG injection, the dilatation of blood capillaries disappeared, although lymphatic capillaries remained slightly dilated after day 3. Some lymphatic but not blood vascular endothelial cells began to degenerate. The results suggest that lymphatic capillaries function to absorb and transport excess fluid and "hormones" in association with changes in ultrastructure.

[An ultrastructural study of the rabbit intraovarian lymphatic capillaries after ovulatory stimulus]

Fine distribution and ultrastructural changes in intraovarian lymphatics were studied at accurately timed intervals after the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Four and six hours after hCG injection, edema around the lymphatic capillaries in the theca externa followed that around the blood capillaries. The lymphatic capillaries were markedly dilated and displayed wide openings between neighboring endothelial cells in them. At these stages, lysosome disappeared from the lymphatic endothelium, while macrophages with numerous lysosomes appeared around the lymphatic capillaries and some of them entered the lumen. Eight hours after hCG injection, the ultrastructure of the lymphatic capillaries resumed the appearance of their pre-injection stage. Three days after hCG injection, lymphatic capillaries were observed among the theca lutein cells, but not among the granulosa lutein cells. Edema around the lymphatic capillaries and openings between neighboring endothelial cells reappeared as shown 4 and 6 hours after hCG injection. Five and seven days after hCG injection, macrophages and degenerated lutein cells were observed in the lymphatic capillaries. Fourteen days after hCG injection, lymphatic endothelium began to degenerate, but that of the blood capillaries showed no degenerative signs. These results suggest that the functions of the lymphatic capillaries are absorption and transport of excess fluid, waste products and hormones.

[Establishment and characterization of TA-4 producing cell line (OMC-1) originating from a human squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix]

A new human cell line designated OMC-1 was established from a metastatic lesion of Virchow lymph node of a large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. OMC-1 was successively subcultured 30 times in about 15 months. The monolayer cultured cells appeared to be epithelial with a pavement-like arrangement and tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. Electronmicroscopy showed desmosomes and well-developed tonofilaments. The population doubling time was 43-70 hours, the saturation density was 1.3-1.7 X 10(5) cells/cm2, the plating efficiency was 23-25% and the mitotic index was 3.3-4.8%. Chromosome studies showed aneuploidy and a modal number of 45. After subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice, the cells grew into solid large cell non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas. By the flow cytometric analysis, the phase fractions of the cells was G1 + G0 = 40.1%, S = 24.9% and G2 + M = 35.0%. The OMC-1 cells produced TA-4 in culture media. TA-4 was also demonstrated immunohistochemically in the original tumor tissue, cultured cells and tumors in nude mice.

Lymphatic capillaries in rabbit ovaries during ovulation: an ultrastructural study

The fine distribution and ultrastructural changes of rabbit intraovarian lymphatics and blood vessels were compared in specimens obtained at accurately timed intervals after the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). At four and six hours after HCG injection, edema was observed around blood capillaries with a slight increase in the number of small fenestrae in the theca interna. Edema around the lymphatic capillaries in the theca externa occurred a little later. The lymphatic capillaries were markedly dilated with occasional wide openings between adjacent cells. At this stage, lysosome disappeared in the endothelial cells of the lymphatic capillaries, and macrophages with numerous peculiar lysosomes appeared around the lymphatic capillaries and some of them entered into the lumen. By eight hours after HCG injection, the edema around the lymphatic capillaries had disappeared. The form and structure of the lymphatic capillaries resumed their pre-injection appearance, but the blood capillaries showed large gaps or perforations in the endothelium. At 11 and 18 hours after HCG injection, blood capillaries had penetrated into the membrana granulosa, but lymphatic capillaries had not. Thus, the lymphatics appear to be modified at four and six hours after HCG injection and these modifications are consistent with the removal of edematous fluid.

Oxytocin in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of pregnant and nonpregnant subjects

The oxytocin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of pregnant women at term with and without labor pain were measured by radioimmunoassay and compared with those of non-pregnant women of matched age. The oxytocin concentrations in the CSF were 4.9 +/- 4.1 microU/ml (mean +/- S.D.) in pregnant women with labor pain, 4.1 +/- 2.4 microU/ml in those without labor pain and 4.0 +/- 2.8 microU/ml in nonpregnant women, and the oxytocin concentrations in the plasma of these subjects were 45.2 +/- 19.6, 17.1 +/- 22.2 and 7.0 +/- 5.3 microU/ml, respectively. Thus the oxytocin level in the CSF did not change appreciably even when the level in the plasma was raised in the pregnant women with labor pain. These findings suggest that oxytocin does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and that oxytocin in the CFS has little or no central role in parturition in women.

Platelet aggregability in cerebral thrombosis--analyzed for vessel stenosis

Platelet aggregation in the post-acute phase of 48 patients with cerebral thrombosis was measured to see if any specific type of cerebral infarction is associated with enhanced platelet aggregation. All patients were examined with cerebral angiography and computed tomography (CT). Stenotic lesions in major cranial arteries were analyzed by measuring the apparent diameter. Severe stenosis was defined as 75 per cent constriction or more. Enhanced aggregation of platelets (secondary aggregation at 1 microM ADP or less) was present in 5 of 25 patients (20%) who had severe vessel stenosis or occlusion. CT examination frequently revealed both cortical and deep involvement. On the other hand, 13 of 23 patients (57%) with less stenotic lesions showed enhanced aggregation and that was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Many patients of this group had persistent hypertension and small deep infarctions. Platelet aggregation was also measured in 20 hypertensive control subjects without stroke. Four of them (20%) showed enhanced aggregation. These findings suggest that a combination of enhanced platelet aggregation and hypertension increases the risk of small deep infarctions accompanied by mild stenotic changes of the major cranial arteries.

Serial plasma oxytocin levels during pregnancy and labor

Maternal plasma oxytocin levels during pregnancy and labor were measured by a sensitive and specific radio-immunoassay. The mean plasma oxytocin concentration in maternal peripheral plasma showed a gradual rise towards term, reaching 12.5 microU/ml in term subjects without labor contractions. This level was not significantly different from the mean value in the 1st stage of normal spontaneous labor (12.6 microU/ml). Brief fluctuations in plasma oxytocin levels of considerable degree, and sometimes spurt release, were observed in labor and at term, but not in the mid-trimester, in serial samples collected at short intervals (about 10 sec). In normal spontaneous labor, no obvious relation was observed between the plasma oxytocin level and the uterine contraction period, and no significant difference was found between the mean value in uterine contraction periods (12.1 microU/ml) and that in relaxation periods (11.5 microU/ml).

Feto-maternal plasma oxytocin levels in normal and anencephalic pregnancies

In 4 women with anencephalic fetuses, the oxytocin level was measured in the maternal plasma in the second stage of labor and in the umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In these cases, the mean maternal OT level was 13.4 +/- 8.0 microU/ml (mean +/- S.E.), which was not significantly different from the OT levels in cases of normal spontaneous birth and elective cesarean section. The UA and UV plasma OT levels in these cases were below the detectable level (less than 2 microU/ml), whereas in normal spontaneous births, they were 18.2 +/- 4.9 microU/ml and 12.2 +/- 2.3 microU/ml, respectively. The OT level in the UA was higher than that in the UV. There was no difference between the mean OT levels in patients with, versus those without contractions, but the plasma OT levels in the second stage of labor were higher than those in the first stage. In normal pregnancies the plasma OT concentration increased during parturition. These results suggest that placental transfer of maternal plasma OT to the fetal circulation is limited, and that in cases of anencephalic fetuses, maternal labor does not necessarily require fetal OT as a trigger or for its maintenance.

Simultaneous determination of azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine in serum by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The simultaneous determination of azathioprine and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine in serum by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is described. 6-Mercaptopurine was converted to a derivative, 6-mercaptopurine-N-ethylmaleimide, which is stable against autoxidation, on reaction with N-ethylmaleimide. Since the N-ethylmaleimide derivative was more hydrophobic than the parent compound, it could be extracted into ethyl acetate together with azathioprine and the derivative was retained on the reversed-phase column better than 6-mercaptopurine. In addition, 6-mercaptopurine-N-ethylmaleimide absorbed at the same wavelength (280 nm) as azathioprine. Consequently, this derivatization procedure enabled the simultaneous extraction, separation, and detection of these compounds.

[Serum hCG, hPL and progesterone levels in threatened abortions (author's transl)]

Serum hCG, hPL and progesterone levels in women with early pregnancies were measured with radioimmunoassay, simultaneously diagnosed whether the fetus was viable or nonviable by real-time ultrasonography. According to the ultrasonographic diagnosis, combined with subjective or objective signs of abortion, patients were divided into three groups-normal pregnancies, threatened abortions and missed abortions. There was no significant difference between serum hCG levels in women with normal pregnancies and those in women with threatened abortions. Whereas, significant difference was observed about serum progesterone and hPL levels between those two groups, at 12 approximately 13 weeks of pregnancy. Abnormally low serum hCG, hPL and progesterone levels were observed in women with missed abortions. In 8 out of 11 cases of patients with missed abortions, serum hCG or hPL levels have been rising after the fetal death had been identified. Above results suggest that impairment of translocation of production site of progesterone could be a cause of clinical manifestations in threatened abortions, and that the synthesis and secretion of two protein hormones are still taking place in trophoblasts after the fetal death occurred.

An enzyme-immunoassay for estriol

A practical method was developed for enzyme-immunoassay of serum estriol, with alkaline-phosphatase as a marker enzyme. Alkaline-phosphatase was conjugated with estriol-6-(O-carboxymethyl) oxime using water soluble carbodiimide. The estriol-alkaline-phosphatase complex, which has both enzyme activity and capacity to bind anti-estriol serum, was obtained by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. This complex, which was stable for at least 3 months at 4 degrees C, was used as enzyme-labelled estriol. Anti-estriol serum raised against estriol-6-(O-carboxymethyl) oxime bovine serum albumin was employed. "Bound and free" estriol were separated by the double antibody method. A linear relation was obtained between estriol concentration and antibody-bound alkaline-phosphatase activity in the range of 0.2-100 ng estriol/ml. In this assay system, cross-reactivity with other steroids was negligible under physiological conditions, and endogenous alkaline-phosphatase, which increases during the late pregnancy, caused no interference. The coefficients of variation were 3.3-14.2% (within assays), and less than 22% (between assays), and the mean recovery rate was 77.5%. Serum estriol values determined by the present method correlated well with those determined by radioimmunoassay (r=0.90 for total estriol; r=0.98 for free estriol). The present method of enzyme-immunoassay is suitable for measurement of serum estriol during pregnancy.

Anti-nucleoprotein antibody response in influenza A infection

The nucleoprotein (NP) antigen isolated from influenza A virus by solubilization with Triton X-100 (TX-100) and further electrophoresis with SDS-cellulose acetate membrane gave a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Rabbit anti-serum hyperimmunized with the NP reacted only against the NP antigen. Moreover, a well-defined single precipitin line was shown between the NP and human sera. These results suggested that the NP was possible to detect anti-NP antibody in human serum. Immuno double diffusion (IDD) and single radial immunodiffusion (SRD) tests using the NP were established to detect the anti-NP antibody in human sera. During an epidemic caused by antigenic drift strain, anti-NP antibody was detected by the IDD test in the cases which did not show any significant rise in HAI titer. During a mixed epidemic caused by the different strain of HA antigen, the infection ratio in mass population was revealed more convenient and sensitive by SRD than HAI. The anti-NP antibody was detected by IDD for long periods of one year or more after infection. These results suggest that the detection of anti-NP antibody is applicable to serologic studies, particularly serologic diagnosis and serologic surveys of influenza infection in mass population.

Kinetics of biphasic reconstitution of tobacco mosaic virus in vitro

The kinetics of the in vitro reconstitution of tobacco mosaic virus from its RNA and protein were studied by measuring the increase in turbidity, the development of ribonuclease-resistant infectivity, the emcapsidation of the terminal ends of the RNA, and the growth of rod length. The results showed that the reconstitution reaction consists of two processes in which the direction, timing, and rate of assembly are different. Rapid elongation of particles toward the 5' end of the RNA proceeds in the first 5-7 min to give intermediate particles of 260 nm in length in which only the 5' terminus of the RNA is encapsidated. The subsequent process requires 30-50 min, is accompanied by a slow increase in turbidity, and gives rise to rods of the full length, 300 nm. The 3' terminus becomes RNase resistant by this process with concomitant development of ribonuclease-resistant infectivity, showing that the 3'-distal portion of the RNA is encapsidated in the direction of 5' to 3'. The rate of rod elongation by the second process is less than 1/10 of that by the first process.

Reconstitution of tobacco mosaic virus rods occurs bidirectionally from an internal initiation region: demonstration by electron microscopic serology

RNA of a common strain of tobacco mosaic virus was sequentially reconstituted first with protein of the same strain and then with protein of a tomato strain. The reconstituted particles were treated with specific antibodies against the two strain particles and were examined electron microscopically to locate the regions of rods encapsidated with the respective proteins. The results demonstrated that reconstitution starts at an internal region of the RNA about 830 nucleotides from an end that recent studies indicate to be the 3' terminus. Evidence was obtained to show that reconstitution proceeds toward the 5' terminus of the RNA until it is fully encapsidated. Encapsidation of the 3' distal portion of the RNA apparently occurs later and in a direction opposite to that of the encapsidation of the 5' distal portion.