Tubular invaginations with caveolae and coated pits in the sinus endothelial cells of the rat spleen

The fine structure of plasmalemmal tubular invaginations with caveolae and coated pits in the sinus endothelial cells of the rat spleen has been demonstrated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the three-dimensional structure of the tubular invagination has been revealed by computer-aided reconstruction. The tubular invaginations of the plasma membrane plunged into the cytoplasm everywhere from the apical, lateral, and basal surfaces of the plasma membrane. The invaginations were tubular and branched away, and their plasma membranes were reinvaginated to form numerous caveolae and occasional coated pits. Numerous caveolae were found in clusters that looked similar to a bunch of grapes and the coated pits were present at the base of the clusters. The caveolae and coated pits derived from the tubular invaginations were almost ultrastructurally identical to those derived from the surface plasma membrane. From examination of the fractured surfaces of the endothelial cells treated with the aldehyde prefix osmium-dimethyl sulfoxide-osmium method and of ultrathin sections of those infiltrated by lanthanum nitrate, the tubular invaginations were found to not penetrate any endothelial cells. A computer-aided reconstruction revealed that the caveolae derived from the tubular invaginations were in close apposition to the surface-connected canaliculi. The reaction product of Concanavalin A conjugated to horseradish peroxidase was present on the outer leaflet of the membranes of the coated pits and coated vesicles and also in the contents of the endosomes, but it was absent from any caveolae. Based on our observations, the functional significance of the tubular invaginations in sinus endothelial cells is discussed.

[Clinical evaluation of urinary leukotriene E4 levels in children with atopic dermatitis]

To evaluate the significance of peptide leukotrienes in children with atopic dermatitis, we measured urinary LTE4 levels which are thought to reflect in vivo production of peptide LTs. Urine was collected in the early morning. There was no significant difference in urinary LTE4 levels among atopic children with different severities. On the other hand, urinary LTE4 levels were significantly elevated in the patients who had severe nocturnal itches compared with the patients who had mild nocturnal itches and normal controls. These results suggested that increased production of peptide LTs may be relevant to nocturnal itch of atopic dermatitis.

Structure of the immediate early gene of canine herpesvirus

The nucleotide sequence of the immediate early (IE) gene of canine herpesvirus was determined. This gene was located in the inverted repeat regions, encoding a polypeptide of 1,383 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence was most closely related to that of the feline herpesvirus 1 IE protein among those of other alphaherpesviruses. DNA binding and transcriptional activation domains were found in the IE protein. A spliced region of the IE gene transcript was determined in its 5' non-coding region.

Inhibitory effect of gymnemic acid on intestinal absorption of oleic acid in rats

Gymnemic acid, a mixture of triterpene glycosides extracted from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, is known to inhibit the intestinal absorption of glucose in human and rats. This work examined the effect of gymnemic acid on oleic acid absorption by the method of intestinal perfusion in rats. The results showed the following. (i) Gymnemic acid potently inhibited the absorption of oleic acid in intestine. (ii) This inhibition was dose dependent and reversible. (iii) The extent of inhibition and the recovery progress were extremely similar to that of glucose absorption. (iv) Taurocholate did not affect the inhibitory effect of gymnemic acid on oleic acid absorption, but lowering its concentration facilitated the recovery from the inhibition. (v) The absorption of oleic acid was not affected by other glycosides such as phloridzin, stevioside, and glycyrrhizin. These new findings are important for understanding the roles of gymnemic acid in therapy of diabetes mellitus and obesity.

The surface-connected canalicular system in the sinus endothelial cells of rat spleen

The existence of a surface-connected canalicular system in the splenic sinus endothelial cells of the rat has been demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy with lanthanum nitrate acting as a tracer for the extracellular space. In addition, the three-dimensional arrangement of the canaliculi has been revealed by computer-aided reconstruction. The surface-connected canalicular system of the sinus endothelial cells consists of slender canaliculi that are branched, anastomosed, and that show continuity with the plasma membrane. They twist in and out among the organelles and are often found in close apposition to the spherical invaginations of the plasma membrane and run alongside them. Canaliculi which are not infiltrated by lanthanum nitrate take the form of electron-lucent tubules and are accompanied by numerous spherical invaginations of the plasma membrane. From a computer-aided reconstruction, the canaliculi, which invaginate from various sites of the plasma membrane, have been found to be continuous with each other and to penetrate to the surface of the sinus endothelial cell; they also branch and anastomose to form a complex network in the cytoplasm. Although the surface-connected canalicular system in blood platelets and thrombocytes is believed to function as the main route for the discharge of granules and the uptake of foreign materials and also to take part in the storage and transport of calcium, it is unclear at present whether the network of the surface-connected canalicular system in splenic sinus endothelial cells has any physiological significance.

Detection of canine herpesvirus DNA in the ganglionic neurons and the lymph node lymphocytes of latently infected dogs

To determine the site of latent infection of canine herpesvirus (CHV), tissues from dogs convalescent from acute infection with CHV were examined for the presence of viral genome DNA by the nested polymerase chain reaction. CHV DNA was detected in the trigeminal ganglia and the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. In situ hybridization study of the tissues revealed that CHV genome persisted in the nuclei of ganglionic neurons and lymphocytes.

Characteristics of nitrogen metabolism in rats with thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 0.03% thioacetamide (TAA) in their drinking water daily for 4 or 12 weeks, and were then given normal water for 4 weeks after the end of a 12-week TAA treatment to investigate amino acid metabolism. In the malnourished precirrhotic stage (stage 1) and the malnourished cirrhotic stage (stage 2), the aromatic amino acids (AAA), Glu, Asp, Orn, Arg and Cit increased, and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) decreased slightly. Because these changes normalized in the well-nourished cirrhotic stage (stage 3), they might have resulted from impairment of hepatocytes and malnutrition. The net uptake of BCAA into the liver increased in stage 2, but the AAA uptake did not exceed that in normal controls. Portal venous plasma AAA increased to the same level as arterial plasma AAA. These results suggest that the decrease in BCAA was partially due to liver uptake and that the increase in AAA was induced by reduction of liver uptake and overproduction in extrahepatic tissues. The liver contents of BCAA and AAA were unchanged in all stages, so were fully utilized in the impaired liver. The increases in Glu, Asp, Orn and Cit might have resulted from overproduction in the liver, because these contents of the liver increased in stage 2. In conclusion, the changes in amino acid metabolism in rats with cirrhosis induced by TAA closely resemble those seen in human liver cirrhosis.

Stress fiber networks in sinus endothelial cells in the rat spleen

The wall of the splenic sinus is well known to be a critical site in the control of the blood-cell passage through the splenic cord. However, there is little information on what mechanism controls the blood-cell passage between the sinus endothelial cells adhered with intercellular junctions. Stress fibers of sinus endothelial cells in the rat spleen were examined by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy. After extraction with saponin, the stress fibers were found to be conspicuously electron-dense in the basal portion of the cells and demonstrated two characteristic types and the mixed type of these. One type of the stress fibers was corrugated and formed thick, electron-dense bundles, and the other type had straight bundles with electron-dense areas at intervals. Statistically, the lengths of two types of stress fibers are significantly different. Although most of the stress fibers were segmented by the ring fibers, some of them ran successively beyond the attachment site of the ring fibers and thus stretched longitudinally and tangentially in the basal part of the cell to form a widespread network. The peripheries of the networks were attached to the basal plasma membrane at the ring fibers and the lateral membranes at the focal adhesions and the cell-cell adherens junction, respectively. Phosphotyrosine is localized in the basal part and at the intercellular adhesion site of the endothelial cells. Two types of stress fibers were organized in the sinus endothelial cells, and they form a widespread network. The possibility might be considered that stress fibers play important roles in the signal transduction and the regulation of cellular attachment and detachment.

[Evaluation of theophylline in children hospitalized with asthma attack]

The purpose of this study is to determine whether theophylline provides clinical benefits in the hospitalized children with asthma attack. Aminophylline was intravenously given to the 50 patients (Group A) who were admitted 1994. A small dose of aminophylline compared to that of Group A was given to the 44 patients (Group B1) who were admitted 1998. On the other hand, aminophylline was not given to the 12 patients (Group B2) who were admitted 1998. However, there were no differences among those groups in the duration of admission, in the total dose of intravenously given methylprednisolone, and in the improvement of clinical score of asthma. These results suggested that there was no clinical benefit in using theophylline for treatment to hospitalized children with asthma attack combined high fever.

Clinical features, image analysis, and laparoscopic and histological liver findings in Budd-Chiari syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Clinical manifestations and histological features of the liver in Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), with or without idiopathic membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (MOVC), vary according to whether BCS is acute, subacute or chronic. We clarified the diagnostic features in 6 patients with MOVC and in 1 without MOVC.

METHODOLOGY

Five patients with subacute or chronic type BCS with MOVC complaining of epigastric pain, hematemesis and encephalopathy, and signs of portal hypertension or collateral circulation were seen. There was 1 asymptomatic patient with MOVC. One patient with acute type BCS without MOVC revealed hepatic and multi-organ failure. Liver function tests in BCS with MOVC were similar to those in liver cirrhosis, and laboratory data in acute type without MOVC were quite the same as those seen in fulminant hepatitis. Non-invasive image analysis by US, CT and MRI showed thrombi and obstruction of the IVC, and extrahepatic vasculature or communication between hepatic veins and IVC. Vena cavography showed the length of obstruction in IVC and collateral circulation in the extrahepatic or intrahepatic veins. Liver biopsy demonstrated massive hemorrhagic necrosis in acute type without MOVC, and laparoscopy with liver biopsy in asymptomatic, subacute and chronic type with MOVC showed subcapsular hemorrhage, congestion, fibrosis, and cirrhotic features.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-invasive image analysis was complementary to vena cavography, and liver biopsy with or without laparoscopy was essential not only for diagnosis of acute, subacute, and chronic BCS, but also for therapeutic decision-making.

Inhibitory effect of gymnemic acid on intestinal absorption of oleic acid in rats

Gymnemic acid, a mixture of triterpene glycosides extracted from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, is known to inhibit the intestinal absorption of glucose in human and rats. This work examined the effect of gymnemic acid on oleic acid absorption by the method of intestinal perfusion in rats. The results showed the following. (i) Gymnemic acid potently inhibited the absorption of oleic acid in intestine. (ii) This inhibition was dose dependent and reversible. (iii) The extent of inhibition and the recovery progress were extremely similar to that of glucose absorption. (iv) Taurocholate did not affect the inhibitory effect of gymnemic acid on oleic acid absorption, but lowering its concentration facilitated the recovery from the inhibition. (v) The absorption of oleic acid was not affected by other glycosides such as phloridzin, stevioside, and glycyrrhizin. These new findings are important for understanding the roles of gymnemic acid in therapy of diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Glutathione depletion inhibits oxidant-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, AP-1, and c-Jun/ATF-2 in cultured guinea-pig gastric epithelial cells

The aim of this study was to reveal the role of intracellular glutathione in the oxidative stress responses of gastric epithelial cells. Metabolic radiolabeling with L-[35S]methionine and analysis of synthesized proteins by gel electrophoresis and fluorography showed that upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or diamide, primary cultures of guinea-pig gastric epithelial cells rapidly induced several undefined proteins, as well as heat shock proteins. When intracellular glutathione was depleted to less than 10% of the control value by treatment with buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine, these inductions were completely inhibited. Gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that H2O2 and diamide rapidly activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), and diamide activated activator protein (AP)-1, and c-Jun/activating transcription factor (ATF)-2, suggesting that the response may be coupled to these reduction-oxidation (redox)-sensitive transcription factors, as well as heat shock transcription factor 1. The activations of NF-kappaB, AP-1, and c-Jun/ATF-2 by the oxidants did not occur in glutathione-depleted cells. Northern blot analysis showed that glutathione depletion markedly or completely suppressed the diamide-induced expression of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs. These results suggest that intracellular glutathione redox may participate in the initiation of oxidative stress responses; thereby, it plays an important role in gastric mucosal defense.

[The comparative study of LUMIWARD immunoassay system and CAP RAST system for determination of specific IgE antibody against mite in infantile atopic dermatitis]

We determined the levels of specific IgE antibody against mite in 91 infants with atopic dermatitis by CAP RAST system and LUMIWARD immunoassay system, and observed them for about two years. The correlation between CAP RAST and LUMIWARD was weak. The cut off point was set up at 0.06 IU/ml, most of the patients who had asthma attack or whose atopic dermatitis were poorly controlled during two years judged to be positive. In conclusion, the determination of low levels of specific IgE antibody against mite in infants with atopic dermatitis was reliable to prediction of allergy.

Life-threatening hemorrhage in a patient with gastric cancer and acquired hemophilia

We report a case of a patient with life-threatening hemorrhage caused by the presence of acquired factor VIII inhibitors after gastrectomy for signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach. Acquired factor VIII inhibitors should be taken into consideration as a cause of acquired bleeding tendency among patients with gastrointestinal malignancies especially when the coagulation tests are unusual.

Chemoreceptive epithelioid cells in the chicken aorta. An electron microscopical study

Aggregations of granulated epithelioid cells exist in the chicken aorta. In the present study, the locational characteristics of the epithelioid cells were investigated via an electron microscopic approach. Epithelioid cells were found mainly in two regions; the tunica interna just below the endothelial cell layers, and the intermediate region of the tunica media. In the former, the epithelioid cells were in contact with endothelial cells and sometimes directly exposed to the aortic lumen. No contact between the epithelioid cells and the nerve endings was observed in this region. On the other hand, in the intermediate region of the tunica media, five or more epithelioid cells were aggregated, and the synaptic structures were occasionally observed. Additionally, the epithelioid cells in this region was observed to closely contact smooth muscle cells. In an experiment using horseradish peroxidase injection, reactions were detected in the intercellular spaces between the epithelioid cells and endothelial cells. These results suggest that the epithelioid cells localized in the subendothelial region receive information from the aortic lumen, whereas their aggregations in the tunica media are controlled by the nervous system.

Alkalinizing water-soluble local anesthetic solutions by addition of cyclodextrin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The use of sodium bicarbonate for alkalinization of local anesthetics to improve their efficacy has some disadvantages including decreased stability of the solutions. The present study was performed to evaluate usefulness of cyclodextrins (CDs) in improving the solubility and stability of local anesthetic solutions at near physiologic pH without precipitation.

METHODS

Solubility of local anesthetics with or without CDs in physiologic saline was investigated by monitoring cloudiness or precipitate formation visually and by recording absorbance at 620 nm. Interaction of anesthetic and CD was also studied spectrophotometrically using spectral change of the drugs associated with the inclusion complex formation.

RESULTS

Cyclodextrins improved the solubility and stability of the four local anesthetics studied (dibucaine, tetracaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine). In the neutral pH region, the effects of the CDs were more significant with dibucaine and tetracaine, which are more hydrophobic than the other two. A type of effective CD was different for each anesthetic depending partly on the tendency to form inclusion complex with local anesthetic. The local anesthetic solutions solubilized by CDs were found to remain clear for more than 72 hours without any visible precipitation or turbidity at neutral pHs.

CONCLUSIONS

The improved solubility of local anesthetics by adding CD may be caused by inclusion complex formation of CD with local anesthetics. This new preparation for the alkalinized water-soluble anesthetic solutions may be useful for practical application in the clinical setting, although this awaits further study.

Implications of heat shock/stress proteins for medicine and disease

Heat shock/stress proteins (HSPs) are crucial for maintenance of cellular homeostasis during normal cell growth and for survival during and after various cellular stresses. The HSP70 family functions as molecular chaperones and reduces stress-induced denaturation and aggregation of intracellular proteins. In addition to the chaperoning activities, HSP70 has been suggested to exert its protective action by protecting mitochondria and by interfering with the stress-induced apoptotic program. The biochemical and functional properties of HSPs observed in cultured cells may be relevant to organs and tissues in whole animals. The activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nerve system elicits the stress response in selected peripheral tissues; the HSP70 expression in the vasculature and stomach increases resistance against hemodynamic stress and stress-induced mucosal damage, respectively. Gastric mucosa pretreated with mild irritants acquires a tolerance against subsequent mucosal-damaging insults. This phenomenon is known as "adaptive cytoprotection". Transient ischemia also induces ischemic tolerance in the brain and heart, which is called "ischemic preconditioning". The heat shock response is believed to contribute to the acquisition of the tolerance. The therapeutic applications of chaperone inducers that induce HSPs without any toxic effect are also introduced.

[The comparative study of LUMIWARD immunoassay system and CAP RAST system for determination of food allergy on infantile atopic dermatitis]

The reliability of assay methods was studied between LUMIWARD and CAP RAST due to the removal of some kinds of foods and/or challenge test. In the 45 infants with atopic dermatitis, egg, milk, flour, rice, and soybean were removed from foods and/or challenge test of those foods were carried out by every three months as possible. At the same time, the allergen-specific IgE antibodies were measured with LUMIWARD and CAP RAST. The negative concordance rate of LUMIWARD and CAP RAST. The negative concordance rate of LUMIWARD was elevated more than that of CAP RAST and the positive concordance rate of CAP RAST was elevated more than that of LUMIWARD. These results suggests that CAP RAST is useful for the determination of removal of foods, while LUMIWARD is useful for the determination of foods to challenge. The risk of overlooking the allergen exists, because the positive concordance concordance rates of LUMIWARD were low in the milk and flour. With developing age, the negative concordance rates decreased in CAP RAST, therefore unnecessary removal of foods may continue for a long time. The determination of low concentration with LUMIWARD was unreliable.

Effect of retained placenta on subsequent bacteriological and cytological intrauterine environment and reproduction in holstein dairy cows

To determine the effect of retained placenta on the characteristics of the intrauterine environment in dairy cows, bacteriological and cytological tests were performed on intrauterine perfusion fluid. The rate of cows with more than 70% neutrophils or fewer than 40% lymphocytes in inflammatory cells was 48.0% (12/25), while the rate and with more than 50 bacterial colonies/0.1 ml of perfusate was 96.0% (24/25) at 30 d after parturition. Actinomyces pyogenes was isolated from 56.0% (14/25). At 60 d after parturition, however, these values were significantly improved to 20.0% (5/25), 48.0% (12/25) and 12.0% (3/25), respectively. No significant differences in subsequent reproductive performance were observed between cows with and without retained placenta. The results suggest that injury to the intrauterine environment caused by retained placenta is largely healed by 60 d after parturition.

Oxidant-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in cultured guinea pig gastric epithelial cells

The aim of this study was to reveal oxidant-sensitive components in gastric epithelial cells, which may regulate inflammatory processes in gastric mucosa. Gel mobility shift assay showed that treatment of cultured guinea pig gastric epithelial cells with hydrogen peroxide or diamide produced a KB oligonucleotide-protein complex within 5 min. The binding proteins consisted of a p50/p65 heterodimer, which was identified by immunosupershift, UV cross-linking, and immunoprecipitation analyses. Immunocytochemical study demonstrated that surface epithelial cells and parietal cells expressed p500 and p65 mainly in the cytosol, and the oxidants rapidly initiated the nuclear translocation of the components. The oxidants caused the up-regulation of p105 (a p50 precursor) synthesis and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA. These results suggest that the oxidant-sensitive p50/p65 heterodimer in gastric epithelial cells may play an important role in transcriptional activation of genes involved in inflammatory responses of the stomach.

Maximal stationary metabolic rate in free-moving rats

This paper provides a procedure for estimating the maximal stationary metabolic rate (SMRmax) in free-moving rats. The SMRmax was estimated by simultaneously comparing energy expenditure with motor activity measured at 10 min intervals for 24 h. The SMRmax was close to but naturally higher than the resting metabolic rates determined by other conventional methods. The coefficient of variation for 3 consecutive days was below 3%. The ratio of SMRmax to daily minimum energy expenditure was 1.25 in young rats and 1.19 in adult rats. SMRmax is a useful key parameter for analyzing daily energy expenditure and behavior.

Junctions between the sinus endothelial cells of rat spleen

Junctions between the sinus endothelial cells of rat spleen were examined by electron microscopy, using both freeze-fracture and detergent-extraction techniques. Adherens and tight junctions were observed. Adherens junctions were the predominant junctional structures between endothelial cells and were located on basolateral and lateral surfaces. At the basolateral adherens junctions, actin filaments were associated with the junctional membranes and were continuous with the actin filaments in stress fibers. Cross-bridges were present in the interspaces of the adherens junctions and spacing of the bridges was fairly regular. A form of tight junction, the macula occludens, was also observed between the endothelial cells, but it was not observed at every cellular apposition. Electron-dense material, adjoining the cytoplasmic surfaces of membranes in the tight junctions, separated the junctional membranes from masses of thin filaments. At basolateral tight junctions, the actin filaments were continuous with those in the stress fibers. Based on these observations, the two intercellular junctions were considered to play important roles in sinus functions.

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus

The nucleotide sequences of the genome segments A and B encoding the precursor polyprotein (NH2-VP2-VP4-VP3-COOH) and VP1 were determined for a highly virulent strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). The precursor polyprotein and VP1 coding regions of highly virulent OKYM strain consisted of 3039 nucleotides (1012 deduced amino acids) and 2640 nucleotides (879 deduced amino acids), respectively. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the highly virulent IBDV (HV-IBDV) with other serotype 1 and 2 sequences revealed 17 amino acid residues which were conserved only in the HV-IBDV. Among the 17 unique amino acid differences, 8 were in VP1, 4 were in VP2, 3 were in VP3 and 2 were in VP4. Although it is impossible to predict the effect of the unique amino acid residues without detailed knowledge of the three-dimensional structure and function of the proteins, they could affect the virulence of HV-IBDV. Alignment of the nucleic acid sequences of precursor polyprotein, VP1, VP2, VP3 and VP4 coding regions followed by distance analysis allowed the generation of phylogenetic trees. The same tree topology was obtained for the nucleotide sequence of precursor polyprotein, VP2, VP3 and VP4. On the other hand, the tree topology of VP1 was quite different from that obtained for the nucleotide sequence of precursor polyprotein, VP2, VP3 and VP4. These findings indicate that not a genetic recombination but a genetic reassortment may play an important role in the emergence of HV-IBDV.

Identification of sequence changes responsible for the attenuation of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus

The genetic changes responsible for the attenuation of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) have not been defined at the molecular level, although passage of the virus in cell culture results in the loss of virulence. To understand the molecular basis of IBDV virulence and attenuation, the IBDV genome segment encoding the precursor polyprotein (NH2-VP2-VP4-VP3-COOH) of a cell culture-adapted OKYMT strain derived from highly virulent OKYM was cloned as cDNA, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Comparison of the identified nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the attenuated strain with the parental virulent OKYM strain revealed only five amino acid differences: four in the VP2 variable domain and one in the VP3. Two amino acid substitutions at positions 279 (Asp-->Asn) and 284 (Ala-->Thr) in the VP2 variable domain were commonly predicted in another cell culture-adapted strain. These two amino acid changes resulted in reduced hydrophila of this region and deletion of the alpha-helix which might alter the conformation of the virion surface structures. These results may imply that the amino acid residues at position 279 and 284 in VP2 variable domain contribute to virulence of IBDV.

[Intravitreal injection of ganciclovir in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis]

The therapeutic effects and safety of intravitreal ganciclovir injection were evaluated in 16 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. The induction therapy was done in a total of 23 courses, i.e., in 14 eyes of 10 patients. Active lesions of CMV retinitis were suppressed by 3 to 7 injections over 21 to 42 days after the initiation of the induction therapy. Intravitreal injections once a week for maintenance suppressed the reactivation of the lesions for at least 6 weeks in 9 eyes of 7 patients among 10 eyes of 8 patients. As for the safety of intravitreal ganciclovir injections in the 16 AIDS patients with CMV retinitis, a total of 354 injections were given and two serious complications, that is, endophthalmitis and retinal detachment were observed in one eye each. During the course of intravitreal injection, 3 of 7 patients developed CMV retinitis in the contralateral eye and systemic CMV infections were suspected in 3 of 12 patients. Intravitreal injection of ganciclovir is thought to be effective for the treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients, but careful procedure and examinations are needed.

In vitro attenuation of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus: some characteristics of attenuated strains

Some strains of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus (HV-IBDV) were adapted through serial passage in embryonated eggs. The embryonated egg-adapted HV-IBDV was successfully adapted to grow in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell cultures showing a cytopathic effect by preparing the CEF cells from the virus-infected embryos. The embryonated egg- and cell culture-adapted strains significantly reduced their pathogenicity to, and did not kill any, young chickens in experimental infection. The bursal lesions of the adapted strain-infected chickens were similar to those observed in classical strain-infected chickens. Cross-virus neutralization analysis showed antigenic diversity between the cell culture-adapted HV-IBDV strains and classical strains. In immunization tests, the adapted strain-immunized chickens showed good protection against the fatal infection of HV-IBDV. Especially, in case of challenge at 3 days postimmunization, the adapted strains showed effective immunogenicity. The adapted strains appear to provide a new and effective live vaccine against HV-IBDV infection.

Inhibition of cytotoxic activity of carp lymphocytes (Cyprinus carpio) by anti-thymocyte monoclonal antibodies

A series of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed against carp thymocytes and carp immunoglobulin (IgM). Anti-thymocyte mAbs reacted with thymocytes, head kidney lymphocytes (HKL) as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) at various proportions. Anti-IgM antibody reacted with HKL and PBL but not with thymocytes. PBL from carp immunized with xenogeneic mouse myeloma cells exhibited cytotoxic activity against target cells but PBL from unimmunized fish showed weak cytotoxicity. Treatment of PBL with anti-thymocyte mAbs and guinea pig complement suppressed the cytotoxic activity dose dependently; however, anti-IgM mAb did not. These results indicate the cytotoxic cells in PBL possess cell surface antigens common to thymocytes.

Type D dural carotid-cavernous fistula. Results of combined treatment with irradiation and particulate embolization

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of irradiation combined with particulate embolization for treating type D dural carotid-cavernous fistulas, supplied by the meningeal branches of both external (ECA) and internal carotid arteries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Nine patients were treated by particulate embolization via the ECA branches, followed by radiation therapy with doses of 30 Gy. One of these patients with recurrent symptoms received an additional 30 Gy one year after initial treatment, making a total dose of 60 Gy.

RESULTS

In all cases, symptoms were improved immediately after the particulate embolizations. In 8 cases, complete resolution of symptoms were obtained in 4-19 months and an average of 8 months after treatment. In one case, chemosis was markedly improved and persisted minimally 41 months later.

CONCLUSION

Particulate embolization is effective for immediate symptomatic improvement, and complete resolution of symptoms can usually be achieved by subsequent radiation therapy.

Mutations associated with floral organ number in rice

How floral organ number is specified is an interesting subject and has been intensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana. In rice (Oryza sativa L.), mutations associated with floral organ number have been identified. In three mutants of rice, floral organ number 1 (fon1) and the two alleles, floral organ number 2-1 (fon2-1) and floral organ number 2-2 (fon2-2), the floral organs were increased in number centripetally. Lodicules, homologous to petals, were rarely affected, and stamens were frequently increased from six to seven or eight. Of all the floral organs the number of pistils was the most frequently increased. Among the mutants, fon1 showed a different spectrum of organ number from fon2 -1 and fon2 -2. Lodicules were the most frequently affected in fon1, but pistils of more than half of fon1 flowers were unaffected; in contrast, the pistils of most flowers were increased in fon2 -1 and fon2-2. Homeotic conversion of organ identity was also detected at a low frequency in ectopically formed lodicules and stamens. Lodicules and stamens were partially converted into anthers and stigmas, respectively. Concomitant with the increased number of floral organs, each mutant had an enlarged apical meristem. Although meristem size was comparable among the three mutants and wild type in the early phase of flower development, a significant difference became apparent after the lemma primordium had differentiated. In these mutants, the size of the shoot apical meristem in the embryo and in the vegetative phase was not affected, and no phenotypic abnormalities were detected. These results do not coincide with those for Arabidopsis in which clavatal affects the sizes of both shoot and floral meristems, leading to abnormal phyllotaxis, inflorescence fasciation and increased floral organs. Accordingly, it is considered that FON1 and FON2 function exclusively in the regulation of the floral meristem, not of the vegetative meristem.

[Growth impairment in infants with atopic dermatitis]

The study deals with the physical growth of 38 infants with atopic dermatitis and 11 controls. The SD scores of hight and wight in severe group was significantly lower than those of mild and modelate groups. And serum IGF-1 levels showed lower than those of mild and modelate groups. On the otherhand, the SD scores of weight and serum IGF-1 levels showed no significant difference between the patient with and without avoidance of allergenic foods, though a lot of patients belonged to severe group avoided their allergenic foods. These results suggested that pathogeneses of the impaired physical growth of severe atopic infants due to malnutrition because of their malabsorption. In conclusion, avoidance of allergenic foods may needs to prevent from the growth failure in severe atopic infants.

Size and asymmetry of the planum temporale. A new three-dimensional method for analysis of the supratemporal plane using MR imaging and computer-aided graphics

The planum temporale of the supratemporal plane is important for language function and shows left-right asymmetry in most brains. To estimate the size and allow side comparison of the planum temporale, we developed a new technique for 3-D MR analysis of the supratemporal plane using a personal computer and computer-aided graphics. The temporal lobes of 5 human cadavers were imaged by MR in the sagittal plane, at a slice thickness of 2 mm. The images of the supratemporal plane were entered into a personal computer using the original software to determine the positions of anatomic landmarks and the size of the planum temporale. The data were then transferred to a supercomputer to reconstruct the 3-D surface image of the supratemporal plane. Computer images of the supratemporal plane agreed with macroscopic observations. The positions of anatomic landmarks and the size of the planum temporale also agreed with macroscopic measurements. Thus, the present technique provides valuable anatomic data on the supratemporal plane which should be useful for further clarification of the anatomic basis of language function.

Probing active galactic nuclei with H2O megamasers

We describe the characteristics of the rapidly rotating molecular disk in the nucleus of the mildly active galaxy NGC4258. The morphology and kinematics of the disk are delineated by the point-like watervapor emission sources at 1.35-cm wavelength. High angular resolution [200 microas where as is arcsec, corresponding to 0.006 parsec (pc) at 6.4 million pc] and high spectral resolution (0.2 km.s-1 or nu/Deltanu = 1.4 x 10(6)) with the Very-Long-Baseline Array allow precise definition of the disk. The disk is very thin, but slightly warped, and is viewed nearly edge-on. The masers show that the disk is in nearly perfect Keplerian rotation within the observable range of radii of 0.13-0.26 pc. The approximately random deviations from the Keplerian rotation curve among the high-velocity masers are approximately 3.5 km.s-1 (rms). These deviations may be due to the masers lying off the midline by about +/-4 degrees or variations in the inclination of the disk by +/-4 degrees. Lack of systematic deviations indicates that the disk has a mass of <4 x 10(6) solar mass (M[symbol: see text]). The gravitational binding mass is 3.5 x 10(7) M[symbol: see text], which must lie within the inner radius of the disk and requires that the mass density be >4 x 10(9) M[symbol: see text].pc-3. If the central mass were in the form of a star cluster with a density distribution such as a Plummer model, then the central mass density would be 4 x 10(12) M[symbol: see text].pc-3. The lifetime of such a cluster would be short with respect to the age of the galaxy [Maoz, E. (1995) Astrophys. J. Lett. 447, L91-L94]. Therefore, the central mass may be a black hole. The disk as traced by the systemic velocity features is unresolved in the vertical direction, indicating that its scale height is <0.0003 pc (hence the ratio of thickness to radius, H/R, is <0.0025). For a disk in hydrostatic equilibrium the quadrature sum of the sound speed and Alfven velocity is <2.5 km.s-1, so that the temperature of the disk must be <1000 K and the toroidal magnetic field component must be <250 mG. If the molecular mass density in the disk is 10(10) cm-3, then the disk mass is approximately 10(4) M[symbol: see text], and the disk is marginally stable as defined by the Toomre stability parameter Q (Q = 6 at the inner edge and 1 at the outer edge). The inward drift velocity is predicted to be <0.007 km.s-1, for a viscosity parameter of 0.1, and the accretion rate is <7 x 10(-5) M[symbol: see text].yr-1. At this value the accretion would be sufficient to power the nuclear x-ray source of 4 x 10(40) ergs-1 (1 erg = 0.1 microJ). The volume of individual maser components may be as large as 10(46) cm3, based on the velocity gradients, which is sufficient to supply the observed luminosity. The pump power undoubtedly comes from the nucleus, perhaps in the form of x-rays. The warp may allow the pump radiation to penetrate the disk obliquely [Neufeld, D. A. & Maloney, P. R. (1995) Astrophys. J. Lett. 447, L17-L19]. A total of 15 H2O megamasers have been identified out of >250 galaxies searched. Galaxy NGC4258 may be the only case where conditions are optimal to reveal a well-defined nuclear disk. Future measurement of proper motions and accelerations for NGC4258 will yield an accurate distance and a more precise definition of the dynamics of the disk

[Two cases of micrognathia caused by radiation therapy during infancy: an evaluation of their profilograms]

Two patients with micrognathia of the mandible caused by radiation therapy during infancy are reported herein. The first patient was a 25-year-old man with hemangioma of the tongue. He had previously received radiation therapy totaling 51 Gy at 1 and 2 years of age. The other patient was a 54-year-old woman who had received radiation therapy for an oral tumor during infancy. These two patients demonstrated micrognathia, and the former patient showed developmental anomaly of the teeth. In addition, the latter patient suffered from thyroid cancer at 45 years of age, and this was also thought to be radiation-related. Although reports of micrognathia caused by radiation are rare, such late effects should be taken into account when radiation therapy is planned for head and neck tumors in infants.

Estimation of daily minimum energy expenditure in free-moving rats and mice

In this paper, we presented a new procedure to determine daily minimum energy expenditure (MEE) in free-moving rats and mice kept in a chamber. Energy expenditure was measured for 23 h period and averaged every 10 min. Data were sorted in ascending order. MEE was estimated from the regression line with the smallest slope and the biggest intercept among the regression lines calculated between the sorted energy expenditure and the data ranking. Among three duplicate measurements in individual animals, MEE gave the smallest coefficient of variation (2.2%) as compared with actual measured-values: either the single lowest value (4.0%) or the average of the 6 lowest values (2.5%). Judging from diurnal patterns of energy expenditure and locomotor activity and from video tape observation of the rat's performance, it was confirmed that MEE represented an energy expenditure at rest. MEE decreased with fasting from days 1 to 5. MEE per body weight also declined with age, but stayed around 71-72 kcal/day/kg3/4 at 18 and 34 weeks of age in male Wistar rats. MEE in mice increased at lower ambient temperatures between 16 and 32 degrees C, but stayed fairly constant at the same temperature in repeated experiments. Thus, MEE estimated by the present regression procedure was highly reproducible and valid to determine the fundamental value of daily energy expenditure under free-moving conditions.

Distribution of epithelioid cells in the wall of the chicken aorta and their functional role as chemoreceptors

BACKGROUND

The ultrastructural characteristics of epithelioid cells in the wall of the chicken aorta have been studied by several investigators. Their characteristics were homologous to those of carotid body type I cells and are considered to be one of the peripheral chemoreceptors. However, there are few descriptions about their location, distribution, and how they react to chemical signals, nor have there been many reports about the localization of bioactive substances in the epithelioid cells. Therefore we designed this investigation to address these problems.

METHODS

Wholemount immunohistochemistry using antiserotonin antiserum, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used to observe the epithelioid cells and the lumen of the chicken aorta. The localizations of bioactive substances in the epithelioid cells were immunohistochemically investigated using 11 antisera.

RESULTS

Epithelioid cells were dispersed in the wall of the aorta, forming a band approximately 1 mm in width, located 10 mm proximal to the confluence of the right and left ligamenta arteriosa. Serotonin, chromogranin, and neuron specific enolase immunoreactivities were detected in the epithelioid cells. SEM observations clearly demonstrated intraendothelial fenestrations, 1-3 microns in diameter, on the endothelial surface of the region of the band of epithelioid cells. TEM observations revealed that these fenestrations corresponded to endothelial gaps, directly beneath which epithelioid cells were sometimes located.

CONCLUSIONS

The epithelioid cells are in direct access to the aortic lumen through endothelial fenestrations. Thus they may be able to perceive chemical signals from arterial blood directly.

Phenotypic instability of transgenic tobacco plants and their progenies expressing Arabidopsis thaliana small GTP-binding protein genes

Chimeric genes consisting of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, a cDNA encoding a small GTP-binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana (ara-2 or ara-4) and the terminator of the nopaline synthase gene were cloned into a binary vector. Tobacco leaf tissues were transformed with this plasmid via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants possessing either ara-2 or ara-4 occasionally showed morphological abnormalities in leaves and other organs. However, such alterations were not always associated with co-transferred characters, such as kanamycin tolerance, and they arose in no more than 10% of the transgenic plants. Such phenomena were also observed in the progenies of the primary transgenic plants. Despite such unusual inheritance of the phenotypic abnormalities, GTP-binding activity of the inserted ara gene products was detected in all plants tested.

Coexistence of MALT-type lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

A 66-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed as having a MALT-type lymphoma by histopathological examination. The lesion involved the vocal folds bilaterally, occupying the larynx and extending beyond it, as shown by computed tomography (CT). A course of radiation therapy with moderate doses was given. Six months later, a squamous cell carcinoma was found in the larynx and total laryngectomy was then performed. The patient remained well, without recurrence, 46 months after the operation. thus, MALT-type lymphoma may coexist with a squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

[Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and major basic protein (MBP) levels in patients prepared for asthma attack]

Serum ECP levels, serum MBP levels and blood eosinophil counts (Eo) were studied in patients prepared for asthma attack. Five severely asthmatic children were studied. Samples were taken just before their 33 times of home stay loading test. Serum ECP levels were significantly higher in the patients who suffered asthma attacks during their home-stay period than in those who did not. In addition, serum ECP levels were higher in the patients whose asthma attack started less than 12 hours after they returned home. However, there was no significant correlation either in serum MBP levels or peripheral eosinophil counts between these groups. These findings suggested that serum ECP levels increased in patients prepared for asthma attack.

Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome with reduced cytochrome c oxidase in muscle

The present study deals with the sisters of Marinesco-sjögren syndrome without parental consanguinity. Cranial MRI of sisters in a 0.5T superconducting magnet revealed the cerebellar hypoplasia or atrophy, especially in vermis and tonsils with dilatation of IVth ventricle. Microscopic findings of muscle biopsy indicated moderate variation of fibers with phagocytosis, rimmed vacuoles and no ragged red fibers with markedly decreased cytochrome C oxidase activity. 1H-NMR study of urine indicates the secondary decreased turnover rate in urea cycle due to high concentration of 3-hydroxy-n-butyrate.

Thyroid function in premature infants

The present study was performed using the simultaneous assays of free T4 and TSH levels in dried blood spots of filter paper for mass-screening of inborn errors of metabolism in order to clarify the thyroid function of premature infants. The subjects were divided in three groups: A group infants less than 1500 g at birth (n = 34, 27.4 +/- 2.6 weeks of gestational age), B group infants from 1500 to 2500 g at birth (n = 104, 35.6 +/- 2.4 weeks) and C group infants over 2500 g at birth (n = 490, 39.0 +/- 1.2 weeks). TSH levels were 4.51 +/- 3.03, 2.62 +/- 2.24 and 2.84 +/- 2.06 microU/ml in A, B and C group respectively and significant difference was recognized in group A and C. Free T4 levels were 0.71 +/- 0.42, 1.81 +/- 0.96 and 2.15 +/- 0.67 ng/dl, in group A, B and C respectively, and significant differences were recognized in all three groups. There was positive correlation between free T4 levels and gestational ages (Y = -2.413 +/- 0.11725X, r = 0.206, p less than 0.05).

[Measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in patients with bronchial asthma--analysis according to various clinical backgrounds]

To evaluate the clinical relevance of serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels, we measured serum ECP levels in 126 asthmatic children, and investigated its relationship with some of the clinical backgrounds. Serum was separated at 1 hour after blood was drawn, and ECP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum ECP levels were significantly higher in the patients who had asthma attack within 24 hours than those who did not, and were higher in the patients who had asthma attack almost everyday for the past two weeks than those who had not. In addition, serum ECP levels were correlated with severity of asthma in the previous year, and the patients who had longer history of asthma showed higher levels of ECP. Among the patients who had asthma attacks at the time of blood sampling, serum ECP levels were higher in the patients in whom the attack lasted less than 12 hours than those more than 12 hours. However, no significant correlations were observed between serum ECP levels and the severities of attacks, between serum ECP levels and eosinophil counts. These results suggest that serum ECP level increases during the asthma attack, especially in its chronic active status. Serum ECP may reflect eosinophil activation in vivo and may be a better parameter than eosinophil counts. It is suggested that the measurement of serum ECP level may be useful to evaluate the clinical status of bronchial asthma.

[The management of stage I lymphomas of the B-cell type with special reference to the role of radiation therapy]

Fifty-one patients with clinical stage I B-cell lymphomas were treated between 1980 and 1988. For the entire group, the actuarial 5-year survival rate and 5-year freedom from relapse rate were 78% and 64%, respectively. Primary site, tumor bulk and performance status were the prognostic factors. Twenty-three patients were intensively treated with local radiotherapy alone, because (1) they had histologically low grade (7 patients) or follicular large cell (1 patients) tumors, (2) Waldeyer's ring was the site of the primary (11 patients) or (3) the tumor was less than 4 cm in maximum diameter (4 patients). Among them, only one patient died due to lymphoma (5-year survival rate: 95%), and 19 remained disease free (5-year freedom from relapse rate: 80%). In contrast, of the remaining 23 patients treated with both radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy (VEMP or CHOP), the 5-year survival rate and 5-year freedom from relapse rate were 70% and 54%, respectively. These results suggest that high-risk patients should be treated with more aggressive combination chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. However, low-risk patients with stage I B-cell lymphomas can be treated by local radiotherapy alone.

Purification and characterization of thymidine kinase from regenerating rat liver

Thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21) from regenerating rat liver has been purified 70,000-fold to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography. Molecular weight of the native enzyme was found to be about 54,000, as determined by gel filtration. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate yielded a single band with a molecular weight of 26,000, suggesting that thymidine kinase is a dimer of very similar or identical subunits. The Michaelis constant for thymidine is 2.2 microM. ATP acts as a sigmoidal substrate with a 'Km' of 0.2 mM. Reaction kinetics and product inhibition studies reveal the enzymatic mechanism to be sequential.

Cytoskeleton in microridges of the oral mucosal epithelium in the carp, Cyprinus carpio

Microridges produce a characteristic fingerprint-like pattern on the surface of fish oral mucosa. The cytoskeleton in these microridges was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy after detergent extraction and decoration with myosin subfragment 1. The effect of cytochalasin B on microridges was probed with scanning electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that actin filaments were present throughout the periphery of the epithelial cells and were especially localized beneath the free surface of the epithelium. In thin sections treated with Triton X-100, the majority of filaments in the microridges and their bases were found to be actin filaments and a plexus of keratin filaments that underlay the network of actin filaments. A part of the plexus of keratin filaments entered the microridges. After extraction with Triton X-100 and decoration with myosin subfragment 1, decorated actin filaments were found in the microridge cores, connected to the keratin filaments. The keratin filaments aggregated in the pattern of microridges and a few of them protruded into the microridges. Treatment with cytochalasin B caused microridges to disappear or to become thinner and lower or to change short or microvillus-like microridges. When most microridges disappeared, the surface of the superficial cells was prominently swollen, but the cell boundaries were fastened, and the microridges in the periphery were preserved. On the basis of these observations, the possible roles of actin and keratin filaments in the maintenance and the formation of microridges are discussed.

1H-NMR studies of urine in propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidemia

The present study deals with the usefulness of 1H-NMR spectroscopy in the chemical diagnosis of propionic acidemia and methylmalonic acidemia. A Varian VXR-500 spectrometer was used. 1H-NMR spectra of urine from a patient with propionic acidemia show peaks of 3-hydroxy-n-valerate, methylcitrate, propionyl glycine, 3-hydroxy-n-butyrate, lactate, 3-hydroxypropionate, tiglylglycine and hippurate. The assignment was made possible by the use of 2D COSY. The spectra from a patient with methylmalonic acidemia show methylmalonate and glycine. 1H-NMR spectroscopy has the advantages of requiring a short time for analysis, relatively small amounts of urine and no preliminary extraction.