Another family with tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome type III (Sugio-Kajii syndrome)

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome Type III (TRPS III) is a newly defined genetic entity. Only 9 patients in a family and one sporadic patient have been reported. We add another family in which 4 individuals in 3 generations are affected with this autosomal dominant trait. Although they manifested short stature, sparse hair, "pear-shaped" nose, and cone-shaped epiphyses, sharing these findings with TRPS Type I, the presence of a severe form of generalized shortness of all phalanges and metacarpals, and the absences of mental deficiency and exostoses in this family distinguish the disorder from the TRPS Types I and II. Their manifestations are quite similar to those of the patients reported as TRPS III (Sugio-Kajii syndrome).

Serum concentration of 7S collagen and prognosis in patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND--7S collagen, an N-terminal peptide of type IV collagen, is a primary constituent of the basement membrane. To evaluate whether the serum concentration of 7S collagen reflects the severity of inflammatory lung disease, the serum concentration of 7S collagen was measured in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS--A radioimmunoassay was used for the measurement of 7S collagen. Gas exchange abnormality was expressed as the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) divided by the fractional concentration of inspired oxygen (FiO2). RESULTS--The mean (SD) concentration of 7S collagen was 2.7 (0.9) ng/ml in 10 healthy subjects, 5.0 (1.5) ng/ml in 11 patients with IPF, and 14.8 (9.7) ng/ml in 13 patients with ARDS. Significant differences were observed between the patients with ARDS and both healthy subjects and the patients with IPF. In the patients with ARDS serum concentrations of 7S collagen were strongly related to PaO2/FiO2 (r = -0.61). Moreover, the mean (SD) serum concentration of 7S collagen in the eight patients with ARDS who died (19.5 (10.2) ng/ml) was considerably higher than that of the five who survived (7.1 (2.1) ng/ml). CONCLUSION--These results suggest that serum levels of the 7S fragment of type IV collagen may have some prognostic value in ARDS.

[Comparative trial of granisetron versus granisetron plus methylprednisolone for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy]

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of granisetron in preventing emesis induced by antineoplastic chemotherapy. This comparative study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy and safety of granisetron (40 micrograms/kg) and granisetron plus methylprednisolone (MPL; 10 mg/kg). Sixty-eight patients were given granisetron 170 times and thirty-nine patients were given a combination of granisetron and MPL 81 times. Sixty-one patients received the treatment in crossover fashion during the same chemotherapy regimens. The emetic and nausea episodes were counted during the 24 hours following each chemotherapy treatment. Complete response, no emesis or less than two episodes, were obtained in 75.3% (128/170 times) of patients receiving granisetron alone compared to 85.2% (69/81 times) of patients receiving the combination of granisetron plus MPL. There were no significant differences in complete responses between the two groups, male and female, and each age group. However, 11 of eighteen patients receiving granisetron alone who responded mildly, if at all, with respect to nausea and vomiting, showed a complete or major response when MPL was added to granisetron. There were two patients who developed temporal paresthesia of the both hands as an adverse effect, but there was spontaneous recovery after 3 hours. Our data suggested that granisetron plus MPL was slightly more effective than granisetron alone and a safe antiemetic drug.

Solution structure of HIV-1 protease-allophenylnorstatine derivative inhibitor complex obtained from molecular dynamics simulation

Structures of two enzyme-inhibitor complexes of human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease with allophenylnorstatine derivatives were obtained from molecular dynamics simulation in aqueous solution. The stronger inhibitor gave considerably smaller fluctuation at P3 site, which formed hydrogen bonding with the enzyme flap region.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) concentration and PAF acetylhydrolase activity in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

The authors studied the sequential changes in platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF acetylhydrolase in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Levels of PAF in CSF showed a gradual increase after the onset of SAH, with a subsequent decrease. The PAF concentration between 5 and 9 days after SAH was greater in patients with cerebral infarction due to vasospasm than in patients without infarction. Conversely, PAF acetylhydrolase activity decreased gradually after SAH, then increased. The enzyme activity for the same period was smaller in patients with cerebral infarction than in patients without infarction. The distribution of the days of maximum PAF concentration and minimum PAF acetylhydrolase activity did not differ significantly between the two groups. The CSF as a source of PAF acetylhydrolase activity gave an apparent Michaelis constant value of 90.8 microM and a maximum velocity of 0.2 nmol/min/mg. The optimum pH level for the PAF acetylhydrolase activity obtained from CSF was 6.5. The enzyme activity of CSF increased, depending on the incubation temperature, ranging from 25 degrees to 45 degrees C. Ethylene-glycol tetra-acetic acid (1 mM) was found to inhibit PAF acetylhydrolase activity in CSF obtained from patients with SAH. Unaltered PAF acetylhydrolase activity was inhibited by adding an aliquot of CSF and minimum PAF acetylhydrolase activity decreased following SAH. Two peaks of inhibitory activity were detected on Sephacryl S-200 HR gel filtration: one was eluted in void volume and the other with an apparent molecular mass of 13 kD. The inhibitory activity was very labile and was lost completely within 3 days of incubation at 4 degrees C. The regulation of the PAF concentration in the CSF of SAH patients is discussed.

Isolation and characterization of four cytochrome P450 isozymes from untreated and phenobarbital-treated beagle dogs

Four different forms of cytochrome P450 (P450) were purified from liver microsomes of untreated or phenobarbital (PB)-treated male beagle dogs using HPLC techniques, and designated as DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3, respectively. Specific contents of the purified DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 were 13.3, 9.6, 15.6 and 12.2 nmol/mg protein, respectively. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the monomeric molecular weights of DUT-1, DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 were estimated to be 57.5, 50.0, 47.0 and 50.0 kDa, respectively. The absolute spectra of the oxidized forms indicated that they exist in the low-spin state of heme in their oxidized forms. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of DUT-1 was unique and different from that of any other P450 so far reported. DUT-1 was active in the omega-hydroxylation of lauric acid. The amino-terminal sequences of DPB-1, DPB-2 and DPB-3 suggested that they belong to the P450 3A, 2C and 2B gene families, respectively. DPB-3 was a major form of P450 in PB-treated dog liver microsomes. Purified DPB-1 catalyzed nifedipine and (+)- and (-)-nilvadipine oxidations, as well as testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylation in the reconstituted system. These activities were enhanced 3- to 5-fold by the addition of cytochrome b5. DPB-2 and DPB-3 catalyzed aminopyrine N-demethylation, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, biphenyl 4-hydroxylation and testosterone 16 alpha-hydroxylation. We believe that DUT-1 is a new form not purified previously.

Modulation of ethanol-mediated CYP2E1 induction by clofibrate and L-carnitine in rat liver

To understand the effects of lipid-lowering agents on the ethanol-induction of hepatic CYP2E1, clofibrate and L-carnitine were administered to adult male rats. The administration of ethanol in the diet (containing 21% calories as ethanol, given for 3 weeks) increased levels of hepatic CYP2E1 protein (1.9-fold that of untreated controls) and mRNA (2.1-fold). In contrast, the administration of clofibrate (0.1%v/v) in an ethanol-containing diet did not significantly increase either CYP2E1 protein (1.1-fold) or mRNA (0.8-fold), in spite of the significant increases in blood ketone bodies. Administration of L-carnitine alone had no clear effect on CYP2E1 and blood ketone body levels. Co-administration of L-carnitine, however, increased liver microsomal CYP2E1 protein (2.5-fold) in rats given an ethanol-containing diet. No difference was observed in the mRNA levels in rats receiving ethanol with and without L-carnitine. These results indicate that clofibrate and L-carnitine modulate ethanol-mediated induction of hepatic CYP2E1 independent of blood levels of ketone bodies. It is also suggested that these lipid-lowering agents affected hepatic CYP2E1 through particular mechanisms, suppression of the specific mRNA and post-translation stabilization.

Cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism of diazepam in human and rat: involvement of human CYP2C in N-demethylation in the substrate concentration-dependent manner

Metabolism of diazepam (DZP) was studied in vitro to clarify the involvement of different forms of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) in rats, and humans of Japanese and Caucasian origin. Microsomal 3-hydroxylation was the major pathway of DZP metabolism in rats and was inhibited by anti-CYP3A antibodies. Purified CYP3As and CYP2C11 catalysed 3-hydroxylation and N-demethylation, respectively, in the reconstituted systems. The rates of both reactions in human liver microsomes depended on the substrate concentration: the rate of 3-hydroxylation was 3-4 times higher than N-demethylation at 0.2 mM; the two activities were essentially the same at a lower substrate concentration (0.02 mM). Inhibitions of the N-demethylation by anti-CYP2C antibody and S-mephenytoin also depended on the substrate concentration and was detectable only at a low substrate concentration. Kinetic studies revealed the presence of two distinct catalytic activities for the N-demethylation; low Km and low Vmax, and high Km and high Vmax. The former activity seems to be mediated by a CYP2C P450 form. On the other hand, DZP 3-hydroxylation was rather selectively catalysed by a CYP3A P450 at the low and high substrate concentrations. These results were consistent with the observation in vivo that DZP N-demethylation and S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation are closely correlated in humans. These results also suggest that the apparent discrepancy on the role of CYP forms in DZP metabolism in vitro and in vivo may reside in the difference in substrate concentration.

Bronchoplastic procedures for tuberculous bronchial stenosis

Thirty-six patients underwent tracheobronchoplastic procedures for treatment of tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis. The modes of operations were left upper sleeve lobectomy in 13 patients, sleeve resection of the left main bronchus in 12 patients (two underwent concomitant left upper lobectomy), right upper sleeve lobectomy in five patients, sleeve resection of the right intermediate bronchus in two patients, right sleeve superior segmentectomy of the lower lobe in one patient, sleeve resection of the trachea with concomitant left pneumonectomy in one patient, carinal resection with right upper sleeve lobectomy and middle lobectomy in one patient, and dilatation of the left main bronchus with a free skin graft reinforced with a steel wire in one patient. One patient died of pulmonary edema of unknown cause on the first postoperative day. Anastomotic stenosis occurred in seven patients. One of these patients underwent reoperation and six underwent endoscopic dilatation. One patient died in the hospital of massive bleeding during endoscopic dilatation 4 months after operation. Slight to moderate stenosis resulted in the remaining patients. Although there are some complications, we believe bronchoplastic operation is worthwhile for restoring pulmonary function in patients with tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis.

RecA protein from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8

The recA gene of a thermophilic eubacterial strain, Thermus thermophilus (T.th.) HB8, was cloned from a genomic DNA library by Southern hybridization using a gene-internal fragment amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method as the probe. The gene encoded a 36 kDa polypeptide whose amino acid sequence showed 61% identity with that of the Escherichia coli RecA protein. Characteristic amino acid changes between the two RecA proteins were found. In the amino acid composition of the T.th. RecA protein, the number of Pro residues was increased, the number of Cys residues was decreased, and Lys residues were replaced by Arg, Asp by Glu, Thr by Val, and Ile by Val or Leu. These changes are supposed to stabilize the native protein conformation against heat denaturation. The amino acid residues in the nucleotide binding site of the protein and in the protein-protein interaction site responsible for the oligomer formation were well conserved. The T.th. recA gene has the ability to complement the ultraviolet light (UV) sensitivity of a E. coli recA deletion mutant. Thus, the thermophilic bacterium has a RecA protein whose function will be common to the E. coli RecA protein.

[Multidisciplinary treatment for a patient with recurrent thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), and hypogammaglobulinemia]

The patient is 62-year-old female. When she was 43 years old, MG occurred. At age of 49 years thymoma was found and complete thymectomy (stage III) and postsurgical irradiation were performed. At age of 57 years pleural dissemination of the thymoma was found. Chemotherapy was effective but did not obtain total tumor cell kill. Though chemotherapy has been repeated for each tumor regrowth, the regimen used at first recurrence became ineffective and the interval between tumor regrowth became shorter. This year, when she is 62 years old, PRCA and hypogammaglobulinemia were accompanied with the forth tumor regrowth.

Isolation and expression of a cDNA encoding a male-specific rat sulfotransferase that catalyzes activation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene

A cDNA (ST1C1 cDNA) encoding a N-hydroxyarylamine sulfotransferase (HAST-I) was isolated from a liver cDNA library of a male adult rat and was expressed in COS-1 cells. ST1C1 cDNA (1363 base pairs) encoded a protein of 304 amino acids with a molecular mass of 35,768 daltons, which shared 50.7 and 46.1% sequence identity with rat aryl (ST1A1 (PST-1)) and estrogen (rOST) sulfotransferases, respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequences of three digested polypeptide fragments of HAST-I were completely identical with two portions of the ST1C1 amino acid sequence. The profile of age- and sex-related expression of ST1C1 mRNA was quite consistent with changes in the sulfating activity of N-hydroxyarylamine and HAST contents in rat livers. ST1C1 expressed in COS-1 cells catalyzed a sulfation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) at a rate of 4.98 nmol/mg of protein/min and mediated PAPS (3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate)-dependent DNA binding of N-OH-AAF. Although ASTIV was believed to be responsible for the activation of N-OH-AAF, ST1A1 encoding an arylsulfotransferase ASTIV, showed only a marginal activity in a sulfation and covalent binding of N-OH-AAF. These data clearly indicate that ST1C1 cDNA codes a new form of a male-dominant sulfotransferase (HAST) responsible for the bioactivation of N-hydroxyarylamines in rat livers.

Dexamethasone inhibits nitric oxide synthase mRNA induction by interleukin-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of interleukin-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and dexamethasone on the induction of nitric oxide synthase mRNA in rat aortic smooth muscle cells were studied. Neither interleukin-1 alpha (up to 100 U/ml) nor tumor necrosis factor-alpha (up to 5000 U/ml) was capable of inducing nitrite/nitrate production and nitric oxide synthase mRNA in smooth muscle cells. In contrast, treatment for 12 hr or longer with a combination of the two synergistically induced nitrite/nitrate and cyclic GMP production in cell culture media and nitric oxide synthase mRNA, both of which were prevented by dexamethasone. Contamination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, which may affect the induction of nitric oxide synthase, was below 30 pg/ml in all experiments. Our findings show that dexamethasone and these cytokines regulate the induction of nitric oxide synthase at the mRNA level in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Nitric oxide synthase mRNA in endothelial cells: synergistic induction by interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide and inhibition by dexamethasone

Regulation of nitric oxide synthase mRNA by interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and dexamethasone in rat aortic endothelial cells was examined. The combination of interferon-gamma (100 U/ml) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (5000 U/ml) evoked a time-dependent increase in nitric oxide synthase mRNA and nitrite/nitrate production, both of which were inhibited by dexamethasone. Neither interferon-gamma (100 U/ml), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (5000 U/ml) nor LPS (100 ng/ml) alone was capable of increasing nitric oxide synthase mRNA and nitrite/nitrate production in these cells. However, combinations of two of the three agents synergistically increased both nitric oxide synthase mRNA and nitrite/nitrate production. When the three agents were applied simultaneously, nitric oxide synthase mRNA and nitrite/nitrate production were both markedly increased. LPS contamination, which may affect the induction of nitric oxide synthase, was below 20 pg/ml in all experiments unless LPS was added exogenously, namely, the effects observed were those of the cytokines themselves. Our results suggest that in endothelial cells, these cytokines regulate the production of nitric oxide at the level of nitric oxide synthase mRNA induction.

Immunofluorescent localization of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the rat

An immunofluorescent staining method for detecting platelet-activating factor (PAF) is described. This method employs a polyclonal anti-PAF rabbit antibody. When rat brain, heart, lung, liver or kidney tissue was stained using this method, the heart, lung and kidney exhibited PAF-specific staining. Analysis of the amount of PAF in different organs, either by immunofluorescence or by bioassay, showed that kidney tissue contains the greatest amount of PAF.

[Adult case of aortopulmonary window with aortic regurgitation: a case report]

A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of the evaluation of heart murmur. Her height was 152 cm and body weight was 46 kg. The physical examination showed a grade 4 continuous murmur widely audible on the anterior chest wall. The chest X-ray film was normal. The electrocardiogram showed premature ventricular contractions and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. The two dimensional echocardiogram demonstrated the presence of moderate aortic regurgitation (AR), however, aortopulmonary window could not be detected. The aortic valve showed neither atherosclerotic nor rheumatic changes. At cardiac catheterization, pulmonary artery (PA) pressure was 20/11 mmHg and aortic pressure was 133/60 mmHg, and a step-up of O2 saturation between right ventricule and pulmonary artery (PA) was demonstrated. The aortography revealed an aortopulmonary window between the proximal ascending aorta and the main PA, and grade 2 AR. The pulmonary to systemic flow ratio averaged 1.5:1. The coronary artery and the LV wall motion was normal. Aortopulmonary window is a very rare anomaly and often requires operation in childhood because of its large left-to-right shunt in most cases. Neither an asymptomatic adult case with this anomaly nor a case with AR has not been reported so far.

A new Salmonella tester strain expressing a hamster acetyltransferase shows high sensitivity for arylamines

A hamster acetyltransferase, AT-I, has high activities for N-acetylation of arylamines, O-acetylation of N-hydroxyarylamines and N,O-acetyltransfer of N-hydroxyarylacetamides. In the present study, the cDNA was expressed in Salmonella typhimurium TA1538. The new SAT138 strain expressing high levels of AT-I showed remarkably high sensitivity (> 10,000 fold) for a carcinogenic intermediate, N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, in an Ames mutagenesis test as compared to the parental TA1538 strain. SAT138 had 650-1,600-fold higher sensitivities for mutagenesis induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene and benzidine in the presence of S9 mix. Higher sensitivities (32-560-fold) were also observed with N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene, N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl, N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl, N-hydroxy-4-propionylaminobiphenyl and N-hydroxy-phenacetin in the absence of S9 mix. These high sensitivities to arylamines and the related chemicals are accounted for by the efficient expression of AT-I in the cytosol of this bacterium. The unique characteristics of SAT138 having high N-hydroxyarylacetamide N,O-transacetylating activity, which is defective in Salmonella acetyltransferase, provide broadened and high sensitivities for the detection of mutagenic N-substituted chemicals in the Salmonella mutagenesis test.

Increase in inositol tris-, pentakis- and hexakisphosphates by high K+ stimulation in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells

Effects of high K+ stimulation on inositol polyphosphate accumulations and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. When the [3H]inositol-labelled cells were stimulated with KCl, concentration-dependent accumulations of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, [3H]InsP5 and [3H]InsP6 were observed. Nifedipine (3 microM), a calcium channel antagonist, inhibited the high (KCl, 90 mM) K(+)-induced accumulations of these inositol polyphosphates. In Ca(2+)-depleted and EGTA-containing (0.1 mM) medium, the high K(+)-induced inositol polyphosphate accumulation were completely inhibited. Similar results were also observed in the case of [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the rise in [Ca2+]i caused by activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels plays an important roles in the high K(+)-induced accumulation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, [3H]InsP5 and [3H]InsP6 in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells.

[Role of drug metabolism studies in the development of new drugs]

The efficacy and toxicity of drugs are closely related to the kinetics and metabolism of drugs. The metabolism of drugs is variable depending on individual, age, sex and species differences. Therefore, in this paper, the following strategies of drug metabolism studies on each phase of development of new drugs is discussed: 1. Early selection of drug candidates for the development of new drugs by a preliminary drug metabolism study. 2. Selection of a drug candidate for the repeated administration of drug toxicity study. 3. Drug metabolism studies on sex- and species-related differences in experimental animals. 4. Drug toxicity and metabolic activation of drug candidates. 5. In vitro and in vivo drug metabolism studies in humans. 6. Arrangement of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic profile of drug candidate for the phase I study. 7. Role of pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism studies in the phase I study. 8. Pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies for the development of chiral drugs. 9. Approach to drug design from the viewpoint of drug metabolism studies. In conclusion, performance of drug metabolism studies starting from the early stage of drug development is a powerful and useful tool to increase the efficiency and to minimize the period and cost for the development of new drugs.

Characteristics of inositol polyphosphate metabolism in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells

1. Nicotine, high K+ and maitotoxin caused the inositol polyphosphate accumulation concomitant with 45Ca2+ uptake. 2. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and ATP induced the inositol polyphosphate accumulation without 45Ca2+ uptake. 3. Nifedipine-treatment and Ca(2+)-deprivation inhibited the high K(+)-induced inositol polyphosphate accumulation but failed to inhibit the Ang II-induced inositol polyphosphate accumulation. 4. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate inhibited the Ang II-induced inositol polyphosphate accumulation but failed to inhibit the high K(+)-induced one. 5. These results suggest that the formation of inositol polyphosphates may be regulated by two mechanisms, i.e. Ca2+ uptake-dependent mechanisms represented by high K+, and Ca2+ uptake-independent mechanisms represented by Ang II.