Rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products based on DNA sequence homology

The aim of this study was to develop rapid and accurate procedures to identify microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products, based on the identity of the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA coding DNA (rDNA). Five types of microorganisms were isolated from the inner portion of lotion bottle caps, skin care lotions, and cleansing gels. The rDNA ITS region of microorganisms was amplified through the use of colony-direct PCR or ordinal PCR using DNA extracts as templates. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified DNA were determined and subjected to homology search of a publicly available DNA database. Thereby, we obtained DNA sequences possessing high similarity with the query sequences from the databases of all the five organisms analyzed. The traditional identification procedure requires expert skills, and a time period of approximately 1 month to identify the microorganisms. On the contrary, 3-7 days were sufficient to complete all the procedures employed in the current method, including isolation and cultivation of organisms, DNA sequencing, and the database homology search. Moreover, it was possible to develop the skills necessary to perform the molecular techniques required for the identification procedures within 1 week. Consequently, the current method is useful for rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms, contaminating cosmetics.

Role of DNA methylation for expression of novel stem cell marker CDCP1 in hematopoietic cells

CDCP1, a novel stem cell marker, is expressed in hematopoietic cell line K562 but not in Jurkat. When CDCP1 promoter was transfected exogenously, Jurkat showed comparable promoter activity with K562, suggesting that the factor to enhance transcription was present but interfered to function in Jurkat. The reporter assay and si-RNA-mediated knockdown experiment revealed that zfp67, a zinc-finger protein, enhanced CDCP1 transcription. Amount of zfp67 in Jurkat was comparable with K562, but chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that zfp67 bound to CDCP1 promoter in K562 but not in Jurkat. There are CpG sequences around the promoter of CDCP1, which were heavily methylated in Jurkat but not in K562. Addition of demethylating reagent to Jurkat induced CDCP1 expression, and increased the zfp67 binding to CDCP1 promoter. Among normal hematopoietic cells such as CD34+CD38- cells, lymphocytes and granulocytes, inverse correlation between proportion of methylated CpG sequences and CDCP1 expression level was found. Demethylation of CpG sequences in lymphocytes, in which CpG sequences were heavily methylated, induced CDCP1 expression and its expression level further increased through zfp67 overexpression. The methylation of DNA appeared to regulate the cell-type-specific expression of CDCP1 through the control of interaction between chromatin DNA and transcription factors.

A case of clinically and neuropathologically atypical corticobasal degeneration with widespread iron deposition

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for forgetfulness, depression and eccentric behavior that had been first noticed 2 years prior to admission. She showed memory impairment, perseveration and repeated violent actions, but no limb-kinetic apraxia. She died 12 years after the onset of symptoms. At autopsy, the unfixed brain weighed 820 g. Atrophy was circumscribed in the frontal lobe on both sides. The globus pallidus and the caudate nucleus were markedly atrophic and gold yellow in color, and the substantia nigra was strikingly pale. The cortical area showed neuronal loss and status spongiosus of the second and third cortical layers with ballooned neurons. Marked neuronal loss was observed in the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus, Meynert basal nucleus and substantia nigra. With Holzer stain, fibrillary gliosis was found to be severe in the frontal lobe, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, hippocampus, dorsomedial nucleus of thalamus, substantia nigra, pontine tegmentum and inferior olivary nucleus. With Bielschowsky-Hirano stain, neurofibrillary tangles were observed in the cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, dentate nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, pontine nucleus, the inferior olivary nucleus, dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus and, to a lesser extent, the neostriatum. Strikingly numerous argyrophilic and tau-positive threads were present in the cerebral white matter. These neuropathological findings corresponded to corticobasal degeneration, but lesions characteristic of progressive supranuclear palsy were also found. Moreover, widespread iron deposition throughout the central nervous system was the most striking finding of the present case. To our knowledge, such a case has not been reported in the literature to date.

Activation mechanism of brain microglia in patients with diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification: a comparison with Alzheimer disease

Diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification (DNTC) is an atypical dementia and is characterized pathologically by diffuse neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) without senile plaques (SPs). In this study, we investigated the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-positive activated microglia in postmortem brain tissue of six patients with DNTC and six patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). HLA-DR-positive activated microglia were observed to associate with SPs in AD. In the DNTC brain, which lacks SPs, HLA-DR-positive microglia were mainly accumulated around weakly tau-positive NFTs, which were also positive for anti-amyloid-P and anti-C3d antibodies. The results of this study suggest that the complement pathway is also activated in the DNTC brain and that immune and inflammatory responses, including microglia activation, may occur around extracellular NFTs in DNTC patients.

Induction of apoptosis by extracellular ubiquitin in human hematopoietic cells: possible involvement of STAT3 degradation by proteasome pathway in interleukin 6-dependent hematopoietic cells

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is responsible for selective degradation of short-lived cellular proteins and is critical for the regulation of many cellular processes. We previously showed that ubiquitin (Ub) secreted from hairy cell leukemia cells had inhibitory effects on clonogenic growth of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we examined the effects of exogenous Ub on the growth and survival of a series of human hematopoietic cells, including myeloid cell lines (HL-60 and U937), a B-cell line (Daudi), and T-cell lines (KT-3, MT-4, YTC-3, and MOLT-4). Exogenous Ub inhibited the growth of various hematopoietic cell lines tested, especially of KT-3 and HL-60 cells. The growth-suppressive effects of Ub on KT-3 and HL-60 cells were almost completely abrogated by the proteasome inhibitor PSI or MG132, suggesting the involvement of the proteasome pathway in this process. Furthermore, exogenous Ub evoked severe apoptosis of KT-3 and HL-60 cells through the activation of caspase-3. In interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent KT-3 cells, STAT3 was found to be conjugated by exogenous biotinylated Ub and to be degraded in a proteasome-dependent manner, whereas expression levels of STAT1, STAT5, or mitogen-activated protein kinase were not affected. Moreover, IL-6-induced the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and c-myc, and JunB was impaired in Ub-treated KT-3 cells, suggesting that the anti-apoptotic and mitogenic effects of IL-6 were disrupted by Ub. These results suggest that extracellular Ub was incorporated into hematopoietic cells and mediated their growth suppression and apoptosis through proteasome-dependent degradation of selective cellular proteins such as STAT3. (Blood. 2000;95:2577-2585)

An autopsy case with clinically and molecular genetically diagnosed Huntington's disease with only minimal non-specific neuropathological findings

An autopsy case with clinically and molecular genetically diagnosed Huntington's disease (HD) accompanied with minimal non-specific neuropathological features was reported. When the patient was 45 years old, he had faulty memory, mood swing, personality change and agitation. Neurological and psychiatric examinations revealed choreoathetoid movements in limbs and trunk, generalized hyperreflexia and mental deterioration. However, cerebellar ataxia and muscle rigidity were not disclosed. Neuroimaging study did not show a definite atrophy of heads of caudate nuclei. Neuroacanthocytosis and Wilson's disease were ruled out by the peripheral blood examination and serum Cu and ceruloplasmin examination. At the age of 55 he died of pneumonia. Post-mortem examination revealed minimal non-specific neuropathological features for HD (Vonsattel's grade 0), that is, no visible fibrillary gliosis in the striatum, and few neuronal loss and only proliferation of astrocytes (astrocytosis) in the striatum. Molecular-genetic study the patient's brain tissues and his youngest son's blood was performed. These studies revealed 40 CAG repeats in the patient, 56 CAG repeats in his youngest son. These results suggest they may be HD. Vonsattel et al. [ 1998] insist that grade 0 comprises 1% of all HD brains, and grade 1 comprises 4% of all HD brains. But we could not find any reports in which the clinical and neuropathological features were described in detail on the cases with clinically and molecular genetically diagnosed HD without specific pathological findings. Therefore, we present in detail the clinical and neuropathological features of such case.

Modulation of integrin function in hematopoietic progenitor cells by CD43 engagement: possible involvement of protein tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-gamma

Attachment of cells to extracellular matrix components is critical for the regulation of hematopoiesis. CD43 is a mucin-like transmembrane sialoglycoprotein expressed on the surface of almost all hematopoietic cells. A highly extended structure of extracellular mucin with negative charge may function as a repulsive barrier to hematopoietic cells. However, some investigators have shown that CD43 has proadhesive properties, and engagement of CD43 has been reported to upregulate integrin-mediated cell adhesion in T cells. We found that cross-linking of CD43 with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) enhanced integrin alpha4beta1 (very late antigen [VLA]-4) and alpha5 beta1 (VLA-5)-dependent adhesion of human cord blood CD34(+) cells to fibronectin. CD34(+) CD38(hi), but not CD34(+)CD38(-/low) cells responded significantly to the stimulus, suggesting that committed, but not stem and more immature progenitors are sensitive to CD43-mediated activation of integrin. To elucidate the molecular mechanism leading to integrin activation, we used the growth factor-dependent cell line MO7e. Cross-linking of CD43 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular molecules including the protein tyrosine kinase Syk, the proto-oncogene product Cbl, and phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma2 in MO7e cells. Moreover, protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A and PLC inhibitor U73122 both blocked CD43-induced enhancement of adhesion to fibronectin. These results indicate that signals mediated through CD43 may increase integrin affinity to fibronectin via a pathway dependent on protein tyrosine kinase and PLC-gamma activation in hematopoietic progenitors.

H-Ras is involved in the inside-out signaling pathway of interleukin-3-induced integrin activation

The proto-oncogene product, p21(ras), has been implicated in the cellular mechanism of adhesion, although its precise role has been controversial. Numerous cytokines and growth-factors activate Ras, which is an important component of their growth-promoting signaling pathways. On the other hand, the role of Ras in cytokine-induced adhesion has not been elucidated. We therefore investigated the function of H-Ras in the inside-out signaling pathway of interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced integrin activation in the murine Baf3 cell line after transfection of cells with either constitutively active, dominant-negative, or wild-type H-Ras cDNAs. Adhesion of Baf3 cells to fibronectin was induced by IL-3 in a dose-dependent manner via very late antigen-4 (VLA-4; alpha4beta1 integrins) and VLA-5 (alpha5beta1 integrins) activation. On the other hand, IL-4 did not induce the adhesion of Baf3 cells to fibronectin, although IL-4 did stimulate the cell proliferation of Baf3 cells. Constitutively active H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells adhered to fibronectin without IL-3 stimulation through VLA-4 and VLA-5, whereas dominant-negative H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells showed significantly less adhesion induced by IL-3 compared with wild-type and constitutively active H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells. Anti-beta1 integrin antibody (clone; 9EG7), which is known to change integrin conformation and activate integrins, induced the adhesion of dominant-negative H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells as much as the other types of H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells. 8-Br-cAMP, Dibutyryl-cAMP, Ras-Raf-1 pathway inhibitors, and PD98059, a MAPK kinase inhibitor, suppressed proliferation and phosphorylation of MAPK detected by Western blotting with anti-phospho-MAPK antibody, but not adhesion of any type of H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells, whereas U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, suppressed adhesion of these cells completely. These data indicate that H-Ras and PLC, but not Raf-1, MAPK kinase, or the MAPK pathway, are involved in the inside-out signaling pathway of IL-3-induced VLA-4 and VLA-5 activation in Baf3 cells.

Influence of landing on the supination and pronation in the foot joint

The purpose of this study was to measure the changes of supination and pronation in the ankle joint at landing to quantify the influence of shock attenuation during landing. The subjects did two different motions, jumping down on the force platform from posterior and lateral views. The rear view of single foot contact in a jump from height of 30 and 60 cm showed a landing on the inside of the rear part of the foot (pronation) followed after about 0.03 sec by a rolling outward of the foot (supination). The variables describing changes in three angles of the ankle joint indicated that the standing position was more sensitive on the pronation and supination during ground contact.

Natural killer cell-derived large granular lymphocyte lymphoma of lung developed in a patient with hypersensitivity to mosquito bites and reactivated Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 17-year-old female developed natural killer (NK) cell-derived large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma of the lung. She had a past history of hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB). After an eight-year chronic, active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, she developed multiple lung lesions and pleural effusion. In the effusion, 60% of the cells were LGL. They were CD2+, 3-, 16+, 56+, 57+, 45RO+/RA + weak, and possessed strong NK activity. No rearrangement of T-cell-receptor genes was detected. From all these results, a diagnosis of NK-LGL lymphoma of the lung was made. EB virus DNA was detected in cells infiltrating the pleural effusion. The clonality of the LGLs was determined by Southern blot hybridization with the terminal repeat sequence of EB virus as a probe, and by chromosomal abnormalities. The patient died from respiratory failure. Necropsy of the lung revealed diffuse lymphoma composed of polymorphic cells with typical angiocentric lesions. Reportedly, lymphomas of NK lineage show predominantly extranodal involvement, and primary lung lesions are rare. In the pleural effusion of the present case, abnormally high levels of soluble Fas ligand, interleukin-10 and interferon gamma were detected. This hypercytokinemia, reflecting the microenvironment of lymphoma cells, may play a role in the progression of the lymphoma and organ injury in the lung.

Interleukin-3 and Flt3-ligand induce adhesion of Baf3/Flt3 precursor B-lymphoid cells to fibronectin via activation of VLA-4 and VLA-5

Adhesion of hematopoietic cells to extracellular matrix components is important for blood cell development. However, little is known regarding the potential influence of IL-3 on this process for precursor B cells and Flt3-ligand has not yet been implicated in induction of adhesion of any blood cell types to extracellular matrix components. Therefore, we examined the characteristics of cytokine-induced cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN), using as a model the murine precursor B cell line, Baf3, a factor-dependent cell line requiring IL-3 for both growth and survival. Since factor-dependent hematopoietic cell lines expressing Flt3 receptor are extremely rare, we also studied Baf3/Flt3, a subline of Baf3 transduced with the Flt3 receptor gene. IL-3 induced adhesion of Baf3 and Baf3/Flt3 cells to FN, while Flt3-ligand induced adhesion of Baf3/Flt3 cells only. Whereas both Baf3 and Baf3/Flt3 cells expressed VLA-4 and -5 integrins as FN receptors, expression levels of VLA-4 and -5 were not affected by IL-3 or Flt3-ligand treatment. However, blocking experiments using anti-integrin antibodies showed that cytokine-induced adhesion of cells depended on both VLA-4 and -5 suggesting that IL-3 and Flt3-ligand activated these integrins. PI-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin, PKC inhibitor H-7, or PKA inhibitor HA1004 did not suppress adhesion induced by IL-3 or Flt3-ligand; in contrast, PLC inhibitor U-73122 did suppress adhesion, suggesting the possibility that PLC, but not PI-3 kinase, PKC, or PKA, may be involved in this process. Since it is known that IL-3 and Flt3-ligand receptors are expressed on precursor B cells, and these receptors are downregulated during B cell maturation of primary cells, the induction of precursor B cell adhesion to FN by IL-3 and Flt3-ligand may contribute a mechanism by which precursor B cells adhere to bone marrow stroma, thereby influencing their development.

Sleep problems in the aged in relation to senility

As a part of an epidemiologic survey of dementia in a community of aged persons, correlation between sleep complaints and physical illness and senility were studied. A total of 3302 randomly sampled aged individuals(aged > or = 65 years) were studied using a questionnaire. In this sample the prevalence of poor sleep and habitual snoring did not increase with age. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness showed an increase with age. Male predominance of habitual snoring and female predominance of poor sleep were observed. Female predominance of excessive daytime sleepiness was noted among the aged 70 and over. Age-related excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly correlated with senility.

What is the minimum age for applying the forbes equation between body density and body fat to the elderly?

In order to determine the age above which the FORBES equation for calculating percent body fat (%BF) in the elderly is to be applied, 9 persons in their 60s, 7 persons in their 70s and 3 persons older than 80 took part in this study. %BF was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In each subject, body density was measured using densitometry. %BF was then calculated by substituting body density for the Siri or FORBES equation. Based on the value of %BF measured with DEXA, the calculated %BF was criticized for each decade of subjects. It was concluded that the Siri equation should be applied to those who are younger than 80 and that the FORBES equation should be applied to those who are 80 and older.

Establishment of a new cell line from a patient with hairy cell leukemia-Japanese variant

A cell line, JHC-2, was established from the peripheral blood of a patient with hairy cell leukemia (HCL)-Japanese variant. The JHC-2 cells have cytologic features similar to those of the original tumor cells. They displayed hairy cytoplasmic projections by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase reaction was weakly positive. The immunophenotype of the JHC-2 cells was CD5-, CD10-, CD11c+/-, CD19+, CD21+, CD23+, CD24-, CD25+/-, CD38- and FMC-7+. The expression of surface immunoglobulin (IgG, kappa) and the configuration of Ig gene rearrangements in the JHC-2 cells were identical to those in the original leukemic cells, and the JHC-2 cells displayed trisomy 9 on cytogenetic examination. Southern blot analysis for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome showed that the JHC-2 cells contained the EBV genome, although the freshly isolated leukemic cells did not. These results indicate that the JHC-2 cell line is an EBV spontaneously transformed B cell line originating from HCL cells.

[Investigation of bone mineral distribution in Japanese using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry]

To investigate bone mineral distribution in humans, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of, and performed bone-density measurements on, 1,310 healthy Japanese ranging in age 5 to 85 years. Eight hundred fifty-eight of the subjects were female, and 452 were male. Arm, leg, and spine bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the subjects were divided into 5-year age groups. BMD showed increases with skeletal growth until reaching a peak at 15 to 19 years in females, and 25 to 29 for males. For both sexes the fastest growth to maturity in terms of bone mass values was in the late 20s. Females, though, had higher arm, leg, and spine remodeling rates than males. In premenopausal women no changes in arm, leg or spine BMC and BMD were observed. Postmenopausal women showed an overall reduction in bone mass, most noticeably in the spine. After menopause, women had about 10 years of accelerated loss (1.46%/year). Vertebral BMD values were similar for men and women (1.10 +/- 0.20g/cm2 for males vs. 1.09 +/- 0.14g/cm2 for females, p > 0.05). BMC values were significantly higher in males, and males at all times had a higher arm and leg BMD. There were no significant value differences in either sex for left and right leg BMC and BMD; however, from the age of 15, right arm values were significantly higher likely due to right handedness. For both sexes the order of BMC and BMD was leg, spine, and arm.

VLA-5 in the plasma cell line, FR4ds, acts as a common regulator of VLA-4 and VLA-6 in spreading induced by fibronectin and laminin

VLA-5 recognizes the GRGDSP sequence of fibronectin (FN) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). We examined the role of beta1 integrin in the spreading of the human plasma cell line, FR4ds, induced by FN and laminin (LN). We first examined the role of VLA-5 in the spreading induced by FN. Anti-alpha4 antibody induced 46.4% inhibition, whereas anti-alpha5 had no effect. A combination of anti-alpha4 and anti-alpha5 enhanced the inhibition of spreading significantly. Complementary inhibition was also demonstrated using the GRGDSP peptide plus anti-alpha4 and the GRGDNP peptide of LN plus anti-alpha4. The results suggested that VLA-5 is a regulator of VLA-4 and that it is involved in the recognition of GRGDNP. We then examined the role of VLA-5 in the spreading induced by LN. Anti-alpha6 induced 53.1% inhibition. Anti-alpha5 alone had no effect. A combination of alpha5 and anti-alpha6, however, significantly enhanced the inhibition of spreading. The combination of GRGDSP plus anti-alpha6 and GRGDNP plus anti-alpha6 resulted in complete inhibition. These results suggested that VLA-5 participates in the recognition of LN cooperatively with VLA-6 and that VLA-5 is a common regulator of VLA-4 and the LN receptor, VLA-6.

Early age onset of hairy cell leukemia presenting with leukocytosis

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon type of chronic B cell leukemia mainly affecting middle-aged adults. HCL presenting with pancytopenia is rare in Japan and a distinct subtype of HCL termed HCL-Japanese variant is predominantly seen. We describe a HCL patient with unusual presentation. The patient was a 26-year-old male, such early onset of HCL being quite rare. The patient showed leukocytosis with many circulating hairy cells and cellular bone marrow. These findings were preferentially seen in HCL-Japanese variant, but, cytomorphologic, cytochemical and immunophenotypical studies on the pathologic cells were consistent with those of typical HCL seen in Western countries. Interferon-alpha therapy was very effective in this case. Differentiation of the subtype of HCL appears to be important for the choice of the treatment. The cytological findings were useful for the differential diagnosis of HCL presenting with leukocytosis.

Microculture in biphasic medium with silicone-coated slides for isolation of mycobacteria

The study reported here, seeking to develop a simple, practical, sensitive, and inexpensive technique for microbial diagnosis of tuberculosis, used a combination of biphasic media and microculture techniques to augment the sensitivity of traditional culture methods. A total of 540 sputum samples (5 mL each) were obtained from 180 patients with suspected tuberculosis in Mexico City. These samples were treated with Hanks reagent, neutralized with 25% HCl, and centrifuged. In each case the resulting residue was combined with liquid media (Sula medium or a phosphate-buffered control solution) and was inoculated into a bottle containing a solid medium (Löwenstein-Jensen-Holm or Middlebrook). A silicone-coated slide appropriate for culture of hydrophobic mycobacteria was inserted in each bottle, and the cultures (examined weekly) were incubated at 37 degrees C until the first macroscopic bacterial growth was detected or for up to eight weeks if none was detected. When such growth was detected, or at the end of eight weeks, each slide was withdrawn from the bottle, sterilized, stained by Kinyoun's method, and examined microscopically. Following 2-4 weeks of incubation, macroscopic bacterial growth was detected in 71 bottles and was confirmed by microscopic examination of the corresponding slides. No macroscopic bacterial growth was found in any of the remaining 469 bottles, but microscopic growth was observed on 77 of the slides examined after eight weeks. The authors conclude that this method represents a noteworthy improvement over standard culture methods in terms of bacterial isolation and suggest that its case, economy, and practicality make it suitable for application in developing countries.