Identification of the structural gene for glyoxalase I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The structural gene for glyoxalase I (GLO1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified. The GLO1 gene contained an open reading frame with 326 amino acids, and the molecular weight of the gene product (Glo1p) deduced from the DNA sequence was calculated to be 37,207.06. Glyoxalase I activity increased approximately 95-fold when the GLO1 gene was introduced into the yeast cell with a multicopy plasmid, and the resultant transformant showed the increased resistance against methylglyoxal. Since the knockout mutant of the GLO1 gene of haploid strain of S. cerevisiae was still viable, the GLO1 gene was thought to be unnecessary for growth of the yeast. The GLO1 gene was overexpressed in two kinds of glutathione-deficient mutants, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase-deficient (gsh1(-)) and glutathione synthetase-deficient (gsh2(-)), respectively, and the sensitivites to methylglyoxal were compared. The gsh1-deficient mutant, which could not produce glutathione at all, was hypersensitive to methylglyoxal, and overproduction of the Glo1p did not restore the growth arrest caused by exogenously added methylglyoxal. The gsh2-deficient mutant, which accumulates gamma-glutamylcysteine (an intermediate of glutathione biosynthesis), was also sensitive to methylglyoxal compared with the isogenic wild type strain, although the growth arrest caused by methylglyoxal was partially restored by overexpression of the GLO1 gene. Purified glyoxalase I from yeast could use gamma-glutamylcysteine as a substrate (kcat/Km = 1.89 x 10(7) M-1 s-1, glutathione; 3.47 x 10(4) M-1 s-1, gamma-glutamylcysteine).

Multiple integration of input and output in the cortex

We inserted microelectrodes in eye movement-evoking cortices (EMECs) of cats and examined whether neurones in the EMECs received sensory input from guide signals and fired prior to saccades. The five EMECs were the medial wall of the hemisphere under the cruciate sulcus, the medical and lateral bank of the presylvian sulcus, the fundus of the coronal sulcus and ventral bank of the anterior ectosylvian sulcus. Neurones in all EMECs responded to input guide signals and discharged prior to the saccades. The neurones, however, did not always respond to all saccades, but responded cooperatively or alternatively among the EMECs. These results suggest that input information is projected to a broad area of the cortex and is integrated with output signals in the same cortex to which the input information was projected.

Circadian changes in urine volume and frequency in elderly men

PURPOSE

Circadian changes in urinary frequency, diuresis and bladder capacity were evaluated in middle-aged and elderly patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,703 urinations from 50 men (median age 66 years) was recorded with a 24-hour uroflowmetry system.

RESULTS

During a 24-hour period the elderly group showed increased frequency and decreased bladder capacity. No difference was observed in diuresis between the 2 age groups. From midnight to 6 a.m. frequency in the elderly group was significantly greater (p < 0.01) than that in the middle-aged group.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased frequency in the elderly group during these hours was primarily due to an increase in diuresis.

Allele typing of HLA-A10 group by nested-PCR-low ionic strength single stranded conformation polymorphism and a novel A26 allele (A26KY, A*2605)

HLA-A26 is one of the most polymorphic HLA-A locus antigens among the Japanese population. Four HLA-A26 subtypes have so far been defined: A*2601-2604 [1]. We developed a means of typing alleles of the HLA-A10 group by nested PCR low ionic strength single-stranded conformation polymorphism (NPCR-LIS-SSCP) that is simple and cost effective. We used it to type 200 DNA samples from unrelated Japanese individuals who were serologically HLA-A26 positive. We found a novel A26 allele that had been suggested by PCR-SSO. Sequence analysis of A26KY (officially assigned A*2605, Accession No. D50068) revealed that the allele differs from A*2601 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 299, which leads to an amino acid substitution Ala-->Glu at position 76 in the alpha helix loop of the alpha 1 domain. From our results, A*2605 is likely to originate from A*2601 by a single point mutation. HLA-A*2601 showed the highest frequency (61.9%), followed by A*2603 (19.5%), A*2602 (17.6%), A*2604 (0.5%), and A*2605 (0.5%) in Japanese.

Tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta: a case report and literature review of surgically treated cases

Tuberculous aneurysm of the aorta is an extremely rare disease with a high mortality rate. Only 32 patients treated surgically have been reported in the literature. These reports indicate an 84.4% operative survival rate. We present a case of a tuberculous false aneurysm in the descending thoracic aorta that was successfully treated surgically with an extracorporeal circulation. The hole in the aorta within the false aneurysm was closed with a Dacron patch because the aortic wall appeared to be free of active infection as a result of long-term preoperative antituberculous chemotherapy.

Long-term nitrate treatment increases cardiac events in patients with healed myocardial infarction. Secondary Prevention Group

BACKGROUND

Nitrates dilate coronary arteries, ameliorate myocardial ischemia, minimize left ventricular remodeling, and reduce mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, the effects of long-term treatment with nitrates on cardiac events in patients with healed myocardial infarction are not known.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1,002 patients with healed myocardial infarction (789 male and 213 female) were randomly divided into 2 groups: treatment with nitrates or nontreatment. The mean observation period was 18.0 +/- 19.9 months. Primary end points were nonfatal and fatal recurrent myocardial infarction, death from congestive heart failure, and sudden death. Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were also compared to determine any effects on outcome. Among the 621 cases treated with nitrates, 41 cases (6.6%) experienced cardiac events during the observation period, whereas only 12 of the 381 cases that were not treated with nitrates (3.1%) had cardiac events. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05; odds ratio 2.17; 95% confidence interval 1.13-4.19). There were no differences in the incidence of noncardiac death or being lost to follow-up between the 2 groups. Although the precise mechanism of this increase in the occurrence of cardiac events by long-term treatment with nitrates is not clear, nitrate tolerance with possible rebound and neurohormonal effects may be involved.

CONCLUSION

Long-term treatment with nitrates increased cardiac events in patients with healed myocardial infarction.

[A case of embryonal carcinoma successfully treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy: report of a case]

A 20-year-old man was admitted with a complaint of cough and dyspnea. Chest X-ray revealed a large anterior mediastinal tumor. On chest CT scan, the inferior vena cava was found to be enclosed, and tumor invasion to the right pulmonary artery and left atrium was observed. The serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was increased. A diagnosis of primary mediastinal embryonal carcinoma was made by the needle biopsy. After three courses of chemotherapy, consisting of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin, the tumor became smaller and the serum AFP level became normal. Complete resection of the tumor was performed successfully. The resected tumor showed no evidence of active disease. The patient has been free of the disease for 3 years.

HLA-DR8 subtyping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA conformation polymorphism (DCP) analysis: a simple and practical genotyping method

Two hundred Japanese panels were serologically typed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) - DR to assign 65 HLA-DR8 haplotypes, which were then subdivided into two genotypes, i.e., DRB1*0802 and DRB1*0803, by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)--based, simple, and practical method. The panels possessing DR8 specificity were firstly subjected to PCR with a couple of primers specifically to amplify their DR52 associated group--DRB1 genes. PCR products were then denatured in the presence of formamide, electrophoresed in a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel, and visualized by silver staining. The same DRB1 products of these samples were also mixed with the DRB1*1302, and simultaneously analyzed by the same procedure. Electrophoretic mobilities of the samples were compared with those of the typing standards to genotype their DR8--DRB1 alleles by using the characteristic polymorphism in the single-stranded DNAs and the heteroduplexes. This method, designated PCR--DNA conformation polymorphism (DCP) analysis, allowed for genotyping of the DR8-DRB1 alleles without using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP) or restriction endonucleases. The entire process after PCR was completed within a few hours. The tested panels were also genotyped for DRB1 gene by the PCR-SSOP method for comparison with results obtained by the PCR-DCP method. Satisfactory coincidence was achieved and it represented how accurately the new system genotyped DRB1*0802 and DRB1*0803. PCR-DCP analysis was thus shown to be practical and useful for subtyping of serologically defined DR8 specificities.

HLA class II DNA typing in Buerger's disease

To analyze the genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of Buerger's disease, the polymorphisms of HLA class II genes (HLA-DP, -DQ and -DRB) were investigated in 36 patients using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. HLA class I (B54 and B52) and HLA class II (DQ alleles) genes were also typed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR SSOP) method to confirm alleles. PCR-RFLP typing revealed that the frequencies of HLA class II genes, DRB1*0405, DQB1*0401, DQA1*03 and DPB1*0501, were significantly increased in the patients with Buerger's disease compared with the healthy controls. Further, DNA typing confirmed that HLA-B54 was associated with Buerger's disease. These results suggested that the haplotype of HLA-B54-DRB1*0405-DQB1*0401- DQA1*03-DPB1*0501 was associated with Buerger's disease in Japanese population.

HLA-A and -B genotyping in living related one haploidentical kidney

Sixty-five haplo-identical living-related renal transplant pairs were subjected to comparative studies for HLA class-I typing suitability between the DNA and serological methods. Our HLA-A genotyping method was highly resolutive and allowed assigning 33 serologically blank specificities and subdividing some HLA-A serological specificities, of which A2 discrimination was considered to be indispensable for the matching analysis because of its high frequency among Japanese. Our HLA-B genotyping method made it possible to identify the 17 serologically blank specificities despite their "low resolutive" capacities. Analysis of 14 DRB1-compatible pairs suggested that HLA-A and -B compatibilities had beneficial effects on the long term graft survival. It was concluded that HLA-A and -B should be genotyped for the matching analysis of the kidney transplant pairs to obtain satisfactory graft outcome.

Direct enzymatic assay of urinary sulfated bile acids to replace serum bilirubin testing for selective screening of neonatal cholestasis

Direct enzymatic assay of urinary sulfated bile acids is a sensitive, rapid, minimally invasive, and convenient method of detecting cholestasis in young infants. It may replace measurement of serum direct bilirubin for selective screening for biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome at 1 month of age.

Comprehensive analysis of HLA genes in Takayasu arteritis in Japan

To identify an HLA-linked susceptibility gene to Takayasu's arteritis, comprehensive analysis of HLA genes was performed. By serologic HLA typing, positive associations of Takayasu's arteritis with HLA-B52 and B39 were observed. The DNA typing of HLA-B gene and class II genes (DRB1, DQA1, DPB1) showed positive associations of the disease with HLA-B52, B39.2, DRB1 * 1502 and DPB1 * 0901, confirming in part the serologic observations. Comparison of odds ratio for the risk of disease revealed that HLA-B52 and B39.2 were primarily involved in the susceptibility, while the associations with DRB1 * 1502 and DPB1 * 0901 were suggested to reflect a strong linkage disequilibrium of these class II alleles with HLA-B52 in the Japanese population. Sequencing analyses of HLA-B52 and B39.2 from patients confirmed that they were B 5201 and B 3902, respectively. Comparison of amino acid sequences of these disease-associated HLA-B alleles identified critical amino acid residues of the HLA-B molecule, Glu and Ser at 63rd and 67th positions, respectively, which may determine the susceptibility to Takayasu's arteritis via binding and presenting a yet unknown disease-related antigen.

HLA-DP antigens and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis

We have typed 58 Japanese patients with post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) for HLA-DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, and DPB1 genes by the HLA-DNA typing method using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) technique. The control subjects were 317 healthy unrelated individuals. Frequencies of HLA-DPA1 02022 and DPB1 0501, which are in linkage disequilibrium and encode HLA-DP5 antigen, were significantly increased in patients with PSAGN than those in control (pc < 0.0005 and pc < 0.005, respectively). Frequencies of HLA-DPA1*01 and DPA1*0201 were significantly decreased in patients when compared with controls (pc < 0.05, for both). No significant difference in allele frequencies between the two groups was observed in the DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 genes. This is the first report documenting the association of HLA-DP alleles with PSAGN. We speculate that HLA-DP5 antigens may be involved in the development of PSAGN.

A solitary Peutz-Jeghers-type hamartomatous polyp of the rectum: report of a case and review of the literature

A solitary Peutz-Jeghers-type polyp of the rectum in a 64-year-old Japanese man is reported. Barium enema and endoscopic examination revealed a solitary polypoid lesion in the rectum. The polyp was pedunculated, and measured 2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm. The patient had neither mucocutaneous pigmentation nor a family history of gastro-intestinal polyposis. Histopathologically, this polyp had an arborizing muscular network originating from the muscularis mucosa, and was covered by well organized mucosa with epithelial hyperplasia. The smooth muscle bundles in the polyp were thicker than those seen in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, but their network was not as complex.

NAD+ biosynthesis and metabolic fluxes of tryptophan in hepatocytes isolated from rats fed a clofibrate-containing diet

Hepatocytes were isolated from rats fed a diet with or without 0.25% clofibrate, and NAD+ synthesis by the hepatocytes was determined using either [carboxyl-14C]nicotinic acid or [5-3H]tryptophan. NAD+ and total pyridine nucleotides synthesized from [14C]nicotinic acid by the clofibrate-treated cells were not significantly different from those synthesized by the control cells when expressed on the basis of nanomoles per hour per milligram of DNA. On the contrary, NAD+ synthesized from [3H]tryptophan was significantly higher in the clofibrate-treated cells (158% of the control cells) on the basis of nanomoles per hour per milligram of DNA. Clofibrate was inhibitory to tryptophan metabolism as a whole, affecting the glutarate pathway more (decreased to 37% of control) than the kynureninase flux (decreased to 64% of control). As a result, the quinolinate-NAD flux, estimated as the difference in the amounts of tryptophan metabolized by the two metabolic pathways, increased in the clofibrate-treated hepatocytes. The increase in quinolinate during the incubation was 8 times more in the clofibrate-treated cells than in the control cells, which confirmed alteration in the metabolic fluxes of tryptophan in the clofibrate-treated cells. Hepatic quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.19) activity increased with dietary clofibrate and returned to the control level 1 week after removing clofibrate from the diet. Nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.11) and NAD+ glycohydrolase (EC 3.2.2.5) activities remained unchanged with dietary clofibrate.

Oxidative stress response in yeast: purification and characterization of glutathione reductase from Hansenula mrakii

Glutathione reductase was purified from a yeast. Hansenula mrakii IFO 0895, to approximately 3500-fold with 59% activity yield. The enzyme was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 56 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 123 kDa by gel filtration using a calibrated Sephadex G-150 column. The Km values for glutathione disulfide and NADPH were 21.3 microM and 14.3 microM, respectively. The enzyme was most active at pH 7.5, 55 degrees C. The enzyme was stable up to 40 degrees C, and between pHs 4 and 10. The enzyme was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate and metal ions such as Fe3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+.

Two-Dimensional NMR Study of a Liquid-Crystal Solution under Magic-Angle Spinning. Conformation of Carboxylic Ionophore Lasalocid A Dissolved in a Lyotropic Liquid Crystal

The conformation of a carboxylic ionophore, lasalocid A, has been determined in a lyotropic liquid crystal by means of magic-angle spinning (MAS) and two-dimensional NMR experiments. The information extracted from ROESY spectra measured under MAS was analyzed according to the distance-geometry algorithm. The liquid crystal used for the solvent is cesium perfluorooctanoate dissolved in D2O, and the resulting structure of lasalocid A is a cyclic one, indicating cation complexation within a hydrophobic region of the liquid crystal. In this way, the two-dimensional MAS NMR experiment is proved to be a useful technique in conformational studies of complex molecules dissolved in lyotropic liquid crystal which may be regarded as offering a membrane-like environment.

Japanese cedar pollinosis and HLA-DP5

Japanese cedar pollinosis is a type I allergic disease caused by Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen. We investigated the association between the disease and HLA class II alleles by HLA-DNA typing using a PCR-SSOP method and found that the frequency of HLA-DP5 (DPA1*02022 and DPB1*0501) was significantly increased in the patients. To investigate whether the HLA-DP5 molecule is directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, Japanese cedar pollen antigen (CPAg)-specific T cell lines were established from 3 patients who possessed HLA-DP5 (DPA1*02022/ DPB1*0501). By using these CPAg-specific T cell lines and HLA class II-expressing L-cell transfectants, we found that disease-associated HLA-DP5 restricted T cells specific for CPAg existed in the patients. Furthermore, among 38 synthesized overlapping peptides spanning the entire length of one of the major Japanese cedar pollen allergens, Cry j 1, an immunodominant peptide which induced HLA-DP5 restricted Th2 was identified. These observations suggest that the HLA-DP5 may be involved, at least in part, in the pathogenesis, by helping the IgE antibody production against CPAg.

Case report: hepatic adenoma with bone marrow metaplasia in a patient with glycogen storage disease type 1a

A 34 year old man with glycogen storage disease type 1a had two hepatic tumours since 18 years of age. They had continued to grow until he was 24 years old, but showed no further growth since then. He underwent a right hepatic trisegmentectomy with caudate lobectomy under veno-venous bypass. The tumour in the posterior segment showed nodule-within-nodule appearance. Histologically, the inner adenoma with dysplasia, bone marrow metaplasia and lymphocytic infiltration was separated by a fibrous band from the outer adenoma of usual histology.

Metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney discovered by refractory hematuria

A case of metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney is reported. A 34-year-old married woman was referred to our department complaining of gross hematuria, fever and loin pain. Computed tomography revealed a right renal tumor with mixed density and multiple lung metastases. We performed nephrectomy to control refractory hematuria. The histological diagnosis of the tumor was metastatic choriocarcinoma. In young women, with gross hematuria, menstrual irregularity and atypical renal tumor with multiple lung metastases, metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney should be suspected.

DNA typing of HLA class II genes in Japanese patients with rheumatic heart disease

To study further the association between HLA and rheumatic valvular disease, DNA typing HLA class II genes (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and DPB1) was performed in 72 unrelated Japanese patients with predominant mitral stenosis and 525 unrelated Japanese healthy controls, based on the polymerase chain reaction in combination of dot-blot hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. As compared with controls. Patients with mitral stenosis showed increased frequencies of DQA1*0104 (18.1% v 7.2%; RR = 2.82, P = 0.002, Pc = 0.03) and DQB1*05031 (13.9% v 4.8%: RR = 3.23, P = 0.002, Pc = 0.05). In contrast, no significant deviation in the frequencies of DRB1, DPA1 or DPB1 alleles was observed in the patients. These observations suggest that the susceptibility to mitral stenosis is in part controlled by a gene (or genes) in close linkage disequilibrium with HLA-DQA1*0104 and DQB1*05031, i.e. the susceptibility gene may be mapped within the HLA-DQ region.

Single electrical shock of a somatic afferent nerve elicits A- and C-reflex discharges in gastric vagal efferent nerves in anesthetized rats

The possibility that single electrical shock stimulation of somatic afferent nerves could evoke a reflex response in vagal efferent nerves innervating the stomach was examined using anesthetized, artificially-ventilated rats. A single shock to a hindlimb afferent nerve (tibial nerve) produced two distinct reflex components in gastric vagal efferent nerves; namely (1) A-reflex discharges with a latency of about 120 ms and a duration of about 200 ms elicited by stimulation of myelinated A afferent fibers, and (2) C-reflex discharges with a latency of about 360 ms and a duration of about 200 ms elicited by stimulation of unmyelinated C afferent fibers. A single shock to a first lumbar spinal afferent nerve produced only a week reflex component with a latency of about 120 ms and a duration of about 190 ms in gastric vagal efferent nerves. Limb afferents appear to have stronger central pathways functionally connecting to gastric vagal efferent preganglionic neurons in the brainstem, than do abdominal afferents.