Immunological study on circulating murine osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG/OCIF): possible role of OPG/OCIF in the prevention of osteoporosis in pregnancy

Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and plays a crucial role in the negative regulation of osteoclastic bone resorption. We have immunized OPG/OCIF knockout mice with murine rOPG/rOCIF and established a panel of hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to murine rOPG/rOCIF. Utilizing the mAbs, we developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems: one detecting both homodimeric and monomeric forms of murine OPG/OCIF and the other detecting only dimeric form of murine OPG/OCIF. With the aid of these ELISA systems we showed that OPG/OCIF is present mainly as a monomer in murine blood. The concentration of OPG/OCIF in normal mouse sera was approximately 500 pg/ml and there was no statistical difference in the serum concentration of OPG/OCIF among genders, age, and strains. Interestingly, the concentration of circulating OPG/OCIF in mouse markedly increased during pregnancy. The result indicated that circulating OPG/OCIF plays an important role in the protection of bone from excess resorption during pregnancy in mammals.

In vitro antibody response to the tetrapeptide repeats of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein by splenocytes from mice infected with P. yoelii yoelii

The antibody response to the recombinant protein, R32tet32, which contained the repetitive sequence (NANP)n of Plasmodium falciparum CSP was determined in C57BL/6 mice during the course of nonlethal infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17X. Marked suppression of the IgG antibody response to R32tet32 occurred when mice were immunized at peak parasitemia (on day 16). In vitro antibody responses of spleen cells from acutely infected mice to R32tet32 were similarly suppressed. Stimulation of normal spleen cells cultured for 5 days with 100 ng/ml of R32tet32 gave an optimal IgG antibody response, but spleen cells from infected mice obtained at peak parasitemia failed to respond to a broad range of antigen concentrations. Cocultivation studies employing enriched lymphocyte populations from infected and uninfected C57BL/6 mice indicated that both T and B cells from infected mice were defective in their response to R32tet32. The response to the repetitive region was restored by the addition of recombinant mouse interleukin-2 (IL-2) at a dose of 50 U/ml to cultures of spleen cells from infected mice.

Synovial chondromatosis in the temporomandibular joint complicated by displacement and calcification of the articular disk: report of two cases

Two cases of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are presented, including correlation of CT and MR imaging characteristics with surgical and pathologic findings. The usefulness of CT and MR imaging in the diagnosis of TMJ disorders is discussed.

Coordinate-transform technique for closed-fringe analysis by the fourier-transform method

A coordinate-transform technique is proposed that enables the Fourier-transform method to analyze an interferogram that includes a closed-fringe pattern. First, the closed-fringe pattern is converted to an open-fringe pattern by transformation of the Cartesian coordinate system to a polar coordinate system. Then the phase distribution for the open-fringe interferogram is determined by the conventional Fourier-transform method. The phase distribution for the original closed-fringe pattern is obtained by inverse coordinate transformation from the polar coordinate system back to the Cartesian coordinate system. Computer simulation and experiments were performed for a closed-fringe pattern generated by interference of a spherical wave with a reference plane wave, and results are presented that demonstrate the validity of the proposed technique.

Cloning and expression of a down-regulated gene (TrEnodDR1) of white clover responded by the nod genes derived from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain 4S

The nodulation genes of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii 4S (strain 4S) were cloned into cosmid vector pLAFR1 named pC4S8 which was contained nodNMLFEDABCIJ and a part of nodT as an insert. The pC4S8 was transferred to strain H1, Sym plasmid (pRt4Sa) cured strain of strain 4S, and isolated as Tc resistant and nodulation restored mutant, strain H1(pC4S8). During infection process of this strain, visible symbiotic features, such as root hair curling (Hac), root hair deformation (Had) and infection thread formation (Inf) were also restored. The nodule forming ability of strain H1(pC4S8) was increased 3-4 times in nodule number than that of strain 4S. Then, to investigate the effect of Rhizobium nod genes on the host plant (Trifolium repens L.) gene expression, cDNAs which were responded to the inoculation of rhizobia were differentially screened based on the presence or absence of nod genes treated with strains H1(pC4S8) or H1, respectively. The cDNA, TrEnodDR1 (Trifolium repens early nodulin down regulation 1) gene was isolated from cDNA library prepared from white clover seedlings treated with nod- strain H1, but didn't exhibit in nod+ treated cDNA library, as a down-regulated gene. Expression analysis of TrEnodDR1 was performed in various tissues of white clover, it is suppressed in root nodule and also strongly suppressed by the inoculation of rhizobia in the seedlings. It is discussed that TrEnodDR1 gene is suppressed when the white clover comes into symbiosis with rhizobia.

Diclofenac-induced gastric mucosal fluorescence in rats

We previously reported that the gastric mucosa emits fluorescence of porphyrins at the onset of gastric lesions induced by hemorrhagic shock. In this study, we investigated whether the fluorescent substance concerns with the gastric mucosal injuries induced by diflofenac, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). In the gastric mucosa treated with diclofenac, lesions were generated and myeloperoxidase activity increased. Diclofenac administration also increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, a index of tissue peroxidation. After diclofenac treatment, the gastric mucosal fluorescence intensities rose. HPLC analysis demonstrated that the fluorescent substances were mesoporphyrin and protoporphyrin, which were the same as found in hemorrhagic shock. Pretreatment of the tissue with radical scavenging substances, catalase and troxipide, restrained the increase of mucosal fluorescence intensity, tissue peroxidation, and lesion formation. These findings indicate that diclofenac treatment induced the generation of porphyrins as well as tissue peroxidation in gastric mucosal tissue. This study suggests that autofluorescence observation is a useful tool to identify diclofenac-induced gastric injury.

Job strain, social support in the workplace, and haemoglobin A1c in Japanese men

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between job strain (defined in the model of job demands and job control) and social support at the workplace with levels of glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

METHODS

All male employees aged 40-60 in a manufacturing firm, Japan, were invited to take part in the study. A blood sample was taken from the participants and HbA1c (%) was measured. Job strain and social support at the workplace were assessed with the job content questionnaire (JCQ). After excluding those who had a history of diabetes mellitus or other chronic diseases, data from 268 male day workers were analyzed.

RESULTS

Age adjusted average concentrations of HbA1c were significantly higher in the highest quartile group of job strain or the lowest quartile group of social support at the workplace (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that job strain was significantly and positively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), whereas social support at the workplace was significantly and negatively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), both after controlling for other covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater job strain and lower social support at the workplace may be associated with increased concentrations of HbA1c. Increased blood glucose may be a physiological mediator between job strain or social support at the workplace and coronary heart disease.

Helicobacter pylori infection among Japanese children

BACKGROUND

In Japan, there are few reports describing Helicobacter pylori infection among young children. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors associated with H. pylori in school-aged children.

METHODS

Subjects were first-grade students of three elementary schools (n = 310) and second-grade students of a junior high school (n = 300). Personal information, such as student's medical history, parent's history, family size, sibshipsize and household pets, was collected from guardians using a questionnaire. Saliva samples and personal information were collected twice (1995 and 1996). By using the saliva samples, H. pylori IgG antibody was measured using a commercial kit. To analyze the risk factors for H. pylori infection, sex- and age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a multiple logistic model.

RESULTS

Among the children, factors related to Helicobacter antibody in saliva included spending a longer period of time in a nursery school or kindergarten (OR = 4.0) and a maternal history of stomach disease (OR = 2.8). Birth order (OR = 2.2), sleeping situation (OR = 2.3) and sibshipsize (OR = 1.6) were not factors that were significantly related to Helicobacter antibody in the saliva. Chewing food for the infant, family size, rooms in the household, sharing a bedroom during childhood, pets, a past history and a paternal history were not related to positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that transmission is person-to-person, mainly through close contact with other children and intrafamilial infection. Helicobacter pylori infection seems to occur frequently early in life, probably before 6 years of age.

Schistosoma mansoni infection cancels the susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi through induction of type 1 immune responses in A/J mice

Susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi depends on the relative dominance of T(h)1/T(h)2 responses in host mice. A T(h)2-dominant response during the early phase of infection in susceptible A/J mice causes a fatal disease course due to severe malaria. Schistosoma mansoni is a potent inducer of a T(h)2-dominant response not only to the parasite antigens, but also to other antigens concurrently existing in the host animals. In spite of S. mansoni infection, these A/J mice escape death from malaria and showed accompanied enhanced production of IFN-gamma to malaria antigens. Treatment with anti-IFN-gamma mAb in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice abolished the resistance to malaria, indicating that IFN-gamma was responsible for the resistance to P. chabaudi in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice. Results in this study show that under certain circumstances, S. mansoni infection can promote type 1 immune responses in A/J mice that normally develop T(h)2 responses.

Activity of platelet-activating-factor-acetylhydrolase and the nitric oxide metabolite level in the plasma of pregnant women who develop transient hypertension during later pregnancy

It is reported that plasma platelet-activating-factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is elevated in patients with essential hypertension. In this study, plasma PAF-AH activity was measured during pregnancy and after delivery to examine the relationship between plasma PAF-AH activity and the development of transient hypertension (TH) during pregnancy. Moreover, in order to examine the involvement of endothelial injury in TH, the plasma level of nitric oxide metabolite (NOx; NO2+NO3) was measured. The plasma PAF-AH activity in 51 pregnant women was consecutively measured in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of gestation, and after delivery. Forty-one cases were normal pregnancies and 10 cases were complicated by TH later during pregnancy. The PAF-AH activity in the normal pregnancy group decreased in the 2nd trimester of gestation compared with the 1st trimester, but was elevated in the TH group. The incidence of elevation of PAF-AH in the TH group was significantly (7/10; 70.0%; P<0.01, Chi-squared test) higher than in the normal pregnancy group (9/41; 22.0%). The plasma NOx levels in the 2nd trimester were higher than those in the 1st trimester in both the normotensive and TH group (P<0.05 for both comparisons). The 51 patients were classified into two groups according to the change in the PAF-AH in the 2nd trimester: group A consisted of 35 patients whose PAF-AH activity did not increase, and group B consisted of 16 patients whose PAF-AH activity increased. The incidence of development of TH during later pregnancy in group B was significantly (7/16; 43.8%; P<0.01, Chi-squared test) higher than in group A (3/35; 8.6%). Hypertension developed after 36 weeks' gestation in all patients in the TH group. The results of the present study suggest that changes in PAF metabolism may relate to regulation of blood pressure in pregnant women whose pregnancy is complicated with TH, whereas NO metabolism does not differ between women with TH and those having a normal pregnancy.

Effects of aging on cardiovascular responses to gravity-related fluid shift in humans

BACKGROUND

Fluid shift induced by postural change causes autonomic neural responses of the cardiovascular system that buffer blood pressure fluctuation. The aim of the study was to clarify the effects of aging on cardiovascular autonomic functions in response to gravity-related fluid shift that unloads or loads the baroreceptors in human subjects.

METHODS

A chest electrocardiogram, blood pressure by Finapres, and stroke volume by impedance method were measured in healthy young men (23-31 years old) and healthy elderly men (74-80 years old) during supine rest, at 90 degrees head-up tilt and thermoneutral head-out water immersion. Spectral analysis was applied to the time series data of the R-R intervals (heart rate variability [HRV]) and systolic blood pressure (blood pressure variability [BPV]). The arterial baroreflex gain for heart rate was estimated using frequency transfer function analysis.

RESULTS

The young subjects had stable blood pressure, despite the larger amount of fluid shift induced by both tilt and immersion, and had marked changes in HRV and BPV. The elderly subjects failed to maintain stable blood pressure during these perturbations, despite less fluid shift and no significant changes in HRV and BPV. The arterial baroreflex gain for heart rate was not changed in the elderly subjects, whereas the gain decreased with upright in the young subjects and showed an increasing tendency during immersion compared with upright posture.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the adaptivity of the autonomic nervous system to gravity-related fluid shift is reduced in elderly people, and this may cause blood pressure instability.

Effects of in vivo administration of anti-IL-10 or anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody on the host defense mechanism against Plasmodium yoelii yoelii infection

Our previous reports indicated that C57BL/6 mice infected with a lethal variant of Plasmodium yoelii 17X (P. yoelii 17XL) produced high levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) while mice infected with the nonlethal variant of the parasite did not produce detectable levels of IL-10. In the present study, the involvement of IL-10 and IFN-gamma in exacerbation or regulation of blood-stage malaria was investigated by using the lethal variant of P. yoelii 17XL and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the cytokines. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with a neutralizing anti-IL-10 mAb or anti-IFN-gamma mAb after inoculation with P. yoelii 17XL. Treatment of mice with anti-IL-10 mAb resulted in substantial prolongation of survival and 60% of treated mice survived while 100% of control mice died by day 11. On the contrary, treatment of mice with anti-IFN-gamma mAb exacerbated infection and all mice died after an earlier period than those treated with normal rat Ig. No differences in parasitemias were found between treated and untreated mice. To elucidate the involvement of nitric oxide in the host protection or exacerbation, mice were treated with aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthetase, after inoculation of P. yoelii 17XL. Neither mortality nor parasitemia was influenced by the treatment. These results indicate that an IFN-gamma response is associated with protective immunity in mice infected with P. yoelii 17XL, while an IL-10 response is associated with disease exacerbation during the infection.

Troxipide, a novel antiulcer compound, has inhibitory effects on human neutrophil migration and activation induced by various stimulants

BACKGROUND

Neutrophils are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastroduodenal diseases on account of their potent biological functions as effector cells. Troxipide, a new antiulcer compound used for patients with gastric ulcer or gastritis, has been shown to inhibit migration and activation of guinea pig neutrophils, but little is known about the pharmacological effects on human neutrophils.

AIMS

To study the effects of troxipide on chemotactic migration and superoxide generation by human neutrophils.

METHODS

The chemotactic response of neutrophils was determined in a multi-well chamber with a polycarbonate filter and the generation of O2- by neutrophils was measured using a chemiluminescence method. Concentrations of troxipide in gastric mucosa were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Incubation of neutrophils with 10(-6) to 10(4) M troxipide caused inhibition of recombinant interleukin-8-induced migration. These concentrations of troxipide also inhibited superoxide generation by neutrophils stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or platelet activating factor. These phenomena were not simply due to the direct cytotoxic effects since the above concentrations of troxipide did not induce neutrophil apoptosis. The concentrations of troxipide detected in the gastric mucosa after oral administration were in the range able to inhibit chemotactic migration and superoxide generation by neutrophils in vitro.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that troxipide may exert its therapeutic effect in patients with gastric ulcer or gastritis by inhibiting inflammatory responses and mucosal injury mediated by neutrophils in gastric mucosa.

Intelligent Monitoring System for Grinding Process by Recurrent Fuzzy Inference -Evaluation of Inferred Surface Roughness Using Degree of Fuzziness-

Grinding process is frequently used to produce a smooth surface in the manufacturing system. Recently, for using a super-abrasive wheel economically, grinding system needs to measure the surface roughness. However, it is difficult to measure surface roughness in process because it takes a long time to measure it. We have to infer the surface roughness in process by online sensor information and evaluate the reliability of inferred surface roughness. We have proposed Recurrent Fuzzy Inference (RFI) for estimating it. But, RFI cannot evaluate the reliability of inferred surface roughness. In this paper, we evaluate the reliability of inferred surface roughness by the degree of fuzziness that shows the lack of difference between the fuzzy set and the fuzzy complement. We show the experimental result of inferring and evaluating the surface roughness in grinding process.

Detectability of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint on helical computed tomography: the value of open mouth position

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to establish the diagnostic reliability of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint on helical computed tomography.

STUDY DESIGN

Ninety-four consecutive patients were examined through use of both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. On axial computed tomography, anterior disk displacement was defined as the presence of an area of soft tissue density that was semilunar in shape and located in front of the mandibular condyle.

RESULTS

With magnetic resonance imaging taken as the diagnostic gold standard in evaluation of articular disk position, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for computed tomography were 91%, 100%, and 97%, respectively, in the closed mouth position and 96%, 99%, and 98%, respectively, in the open mouth position.

CONCLUSIONS

The detectability on axial helical computed tomography of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint in the open mouth position was almost equal to that on magnetic resonance imaging. It is recommended that the open mouth position be added when helical computed tomography is used to evaluate patients with temporomandibular joint disease.

A case of clitoral metastasis without skin involvement from rectal cancer

An 84-year-old woman visited a private dermatologist and gynecologist due to pain in the external genitals. However, no abnormality was found. She was referred to a surgeon in our hospital to clarify the etiology of the pain. Rectal cancer and liver metastatic tumor were detected, and the rectal cancer was resected. However, the pain increased after the operation and she was referred to our department. No macroscopic abnormalities of the external genitals were found. However, a vaginal examination could not be performed due to severe pain. By local examination under anesthesia, enlargement of the clitoris was detected. A simple clitoridectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed that the clitoral tumor was metastatic cancer originating from rectal cancer.

Current trend in prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Japan, 1964-1992

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Japan was investigated through studying the published reports from 1964 to 1992 by searching the electronic data base and some leading Japanese journals following certain inclusion criteria. Out of total 74 retrieved reports, 14 were found eligible for review, some containing data of multiple community and/or periods and were converted into total of 40 reports following a predetermined criteria. Review analysis of only the prevalence of diabetes was done paying much attention to age range, survey methodology and response rate. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done in 19 (47.5%) with and in 21 (52.5%) reports without initial urine and/or blood sugar screening. OGTT was done using 75, 50, or 100 grams glucose following either Japan Diabetes Society or WHO criteria. The recent prevalence was estimated ranging from 9.6-11.9% in both sexes of 40 years or over, 4.2-13.1% in men and 2.6-12.9% in women. The higher prevalences were found in and around 1990 and the lower values in and around 1970. Regression analysis shows the upward trend of the prevalence of diabetes 2.2% in men (p < 0.01), 1.6% in women (p < 0.01) by 10 years.

Immunological characterization of circulating osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor: increased serum concentrations in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family of proteins and plays an important role in the negative regulation of osteoclastic bone resorption. Whether OPG/OCIF circulates in human blood and how its level changes under pathological conditions is not known. To address these issues, a panel of monoclonal antibodies was generated against recombinant OPG/OCIF and screened for reactivity with solid-phase monomeric and homodimeric forms of the recombinant protein. Antibodies that showed high affinity for both forms of OPG/OCIF and those that selectively recognized the homodimer were identified, enabling development of two types of sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): one that detects both forms of OPG/OCIF equally and one specific for the homodimer. Characterization of circulating OPG/OCIF with these ELISAs revealed that the protein exists in human serum mainly in the monomeric form. The serum concentration of OPG/OCIF increased with age in both healthy Japanese men and women, and was significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis than in age-matched controls. Within the osteoporotic group, serum OPG/OCIF concentrations were higher in patients with low bone mass. Serum OPG/OCIF concentrations were also significantly increased in those postmenopausal women with a high rate of bone turnover, as determined by increased serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and urinary excretion of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. The results suggested that circulating OPG/OCIF levels are regulated by an age-related factor(s) and that the increased serum concentration may reflect a compensative response to enhanced osteoclastic bone resorption and the resultant bone loss rather than a cause of osteoporosis.

Baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity is attenuated in the elderly

To determine whether the baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity is attenuated in the elderly, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) from the tibial nerve was monitored using microneurography, and heart rate and blood pressure were recorded during the depressor (phase II) or pressor (phase IV) period to Valsalva's maneuver in 10 younger subjects and 7 aged subjects. The baroreflex slope for heart rate showed attenuation in the aged subjects during the pressor phase but not during the depressor phase, the baroreflex slope for MSNA was also attenuated in the aged subjects during the pressor and tended to be attenuated during the depressor phases. These data suggest impaired baroreflex function for both heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity in the elderly.

Simple bone cyst: investigation on the presence of gas in the cavity using computed tomography--review of 52 cases

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gas is present in the cavities of simple bone cysts.

STUDY DESIGN

Computed tomographic images of 52 simple bone cyst cases were reviewed and compared with the findings at surgery.

RESULTS

Whereas gas was confirmed at the time of surgery in 28 cases, no computed tomographic images indicated the presence of gas in the cavity. Bone expansion was noted in 13 of these 28 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

From these findings, we concluded that the presence of gas in the simple bone cyst cavity at surgery has been erroneously interpreted.

Gender difference in age-related changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity in healthy subjects

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured directly along with blood pressure at rest in 69 healthy women (20-79 yr old) and 76 age-matched healthy men (16-80 yr old). All were nonobese and normotensive. In the women and men the MSNA was positively correlated with age (women: y = 0.788x - 5.418, r = 0.846, P < 0. 0001; men: y = 0.452x + 12.565, r = 0.751, P < 0.0001). The regression intercept of y was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in the women than in the men, and the regression slope was significantly steeper (P < 0.0001) in the women. The MSNA was lower in women than in men among those <30 (P = 0.0012), 30-39 (P = 0. 0126), and 40-49 yr old (P = 0.0462) but was similar in women and men among those 50-59 (P = 0.1911, NS) and >/=60 yr old (P = 0.1739, NS). The results suggest that MSNA increases with age in women and men and that the activity is markedly lower in young women than in men but is markedly accelerated with age.