Immunogold labelling of cytokines in glomeruli in children with various renal diseases

Precise localization of cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 was observed in glomeruli using immunogold electron microscopy in 21 children with various types of renal diseases. The distribution pattern of these cytokines, as well as immunoglobulins, C3c and fibrinogen (Fg), was essentially confined to the electron-dense deposits (EDDs) regardless of their location. Frequency of positive labelling of each cytokine was different among various types of renal disorder, that is, TGF-beta was found mainly in lupus nephritis (LN), membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy, TNF-alpha in LN, and IL-1 in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. IL-6 was detected only in 1 case of LN. TNF-alpha was also found in the cytoplasm of glomerular epithelial cells. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the relation of cytokines to mesangial expansion, extracellular matrix components such as type IV collagen, laminin and fibronectin were stained. The result was that there was no significant correlation between the signal intensity or distribution pattern of cytokines and that of extracellular matrix components. These findings indicate that these cytokines could be associated with the formation of EDDs together with immunoglobulins, C3c and Fg. The involvement of each cytokine in renal pathophysiology might also depend upon the type of renal disease. They also raise the possibility that the glomerular epithelial cells might produce or absorb TNF-alpha. However, these results did not show significant correlation between cytokine involvement and mesangial expansion.

[A case of elderly patient with pulmonary tuberculosis considered to be caused by exogenous reinfection]

A 84-year-old woman presented with chronic febrile illness and anorexia from June 1998. She was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis and was admitted to our hospital in August 1998. Her sputum smear was Gaffky 2, and the type of chest radiograph was b III 3. By family contact examination in August 1998, chest radiological examinations of her husband, a 86-year-old man, showed consolidation in middle lobe, right pleural effusion and two calcified mediastinal lymphnodes. He was diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pleurisy. He had poor controlled diabetes mellitus. Tubercle bacilli isolated from their sputa showed the same pattern in restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Pulmonary tuberculosis of the husband was considered to be caused by exogenous reinfection.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid reciprocally modifies ketogenesis and lipid secretion by the rat liver

The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and linoleic acid (LA) on ketone body production and lipid secretion were compared in isolated perfused rat liver. After feeding the 1% CLA diet for 2 wk, the concentration of post-perfused liver cholesterol was significantly reduced by CLA feeding, whereas that of triacylglycerol remained unchanged. Livers from CLA-fed rats produced significantly more ketone bodies; and the ratio of beta-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate, an index of mitochondrial redox potential, tended to be consistently higher in the liver perfusate. Conversely, cumulative secretions of triacylglycerol and cholesterol were consistently lower in the livers of rats fed CLA, and the reduction in the latter was statistically significant. Thus dietary CLA appeared to exert its hypolipidemic effect at least in part through an enhanced beta-oxidation of fatty acids at the expense of esterification of fatty acid in the liver.

[Therapeutic effects of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 administered alone or in combination with glycyrrhizin against Mycobacterium avium complex infection in mice]

We previously examined the effects of a Chinese medicine "Mao-Bushi-Saishin-To" (MBST) which has anti-inflammatory activity on the therapeutic efficacies of a benzoxazinorifamycin, KRM-1648 (KRM), against, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection induced in mice. MBST potentiated the therapeutic activity of KRM against MAC infection. In the present study, we examined the effects of another anti-inflammatory drug Glycyrrhizin, which is effective for chronic hepatitis, on the therapeutic efficacy of KRM against MAC infection induced in mice. First, KRM significantly inhibited the bacterial growth in the lungs and spleen of MAC-infected mice. Glycyrrhizin exhibited no therapeutic activity against MAC infection and did not affect the expression of the therapeutic efficacy of KRM. Secondly, treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages (M phi s) with Glycyrrhizin caused no significant changes in the M phi anti-MAC activity.

[Multicenter evaluation of broth microdilution test, BrothMIC MTB, to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents for Mycobacterium tuberculosis--evaluation of interlaboratory precision and interpretive compatibility with agar proportion method]

A newly developed microdilution antimycobacterial susceptibility test, BrothMIC MTB (Kyokuto Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was evaluated at multisites. The test method utilizes air-dried microplates containing serially diluted antimicrobial agents and the modified Middlebrook 7H9 broth. The eight antimycobacterial agents tested were rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, streptomycin, kanamycin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The test plates were reconstituted by inoculation of 0.2 ml of cell suspensions (6 x 10(5) cells/ml) and were incubated at 36 degrees C in 5% to 10% CO2. The growth endpoints were visually read after 7-day and 10-day incubations. The reproducibility was evaluated with the four reference strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and were compared with the agar proportion method described in the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M24-T. Of the 1,022 testings of the reference strains, 1,020 (99.8%) of the MICs read after 7-day incubation fell within 3 log2 dilutions. The growth endpoints read after 7-day and 10-day incubations gave equal MIC ranges for the respective agents. The results obtained by the BrothMIC MTB for 93 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis compared well with those determined by the NCCLS method with 98% to 99% agreements, except for ethambutol. According to the comparative analysis with the agar proportion method, the interpretive MIC breakpoints to discriminate between the isolates susceptible and resistant against the respective agents were proposed. In conclusion, this newly developed microdilution test for M. tuberculosis is a practical, rapid, quantitative, nonradiometric alternative for the determination of MICs in clinical mycobacteriology laboratories.

[Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with pulmonary mycobacterial diseases]

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were measured in patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis (24 cases), patients with multidrug-resistant intractable pulmonary tuberculosis (7 cases) and patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (27 cases). Serum sIL-2R levels were elevated in patients with pulmonary mycobacterial diseases and were elevated in untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients than in other patients. In patients with new tuberculosis, serum sIL-2R levels were higher in patients with extensive lesions. Serum sIL-2R level showed significant positive correlation with serum C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and significant negative correlation with serum albumin level. In patients with intractable tuberculosis and patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis, serum sIL-2R levels were lower than in patients with new tuberculosis. Even in patients with extensive lesions, serum sIL-2R levels were not elevated. Lower levels of serum sIL-2R, marker of immunocompetent cell activity, suggested that immunocompetent cell activity was suppressed in intractable tuberculosis and in non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis.

[Effects of corticosteroid on porcine retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture--1. Inhibitory effect on cell proliferation]

PURPOSE

Proliferation is an important function of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The effect of a corticosteroid on the proliferation of cultured porcine RPE cells was investigated.

METHODS

After administration of various concentrations (10-1,000 nM) of betamethasone sodium phosphate (betamethasone), we counted RPE cell numbers at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 14 days.

RESULTS

Betamethasone administration resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in RPE cell proliferation. The proliferation of the cultured RPE cells was significantly inhibited by betamethasone, at a dose of 300 nM in 9 days. Ten-nM betamethasone neither inhibited nor promoted the RPE cell proliferation in culture.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that corticosteroids inhibit proliferation of cultured porcine RPE cells.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid--malonaldehyde adduct in fish meat

The reaction conditions of 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid (DETBA)-malonaldehyde (MA) adduct formation were examined in order to analyze MA in fish tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography. A reaction mixture containing 4 mM butyl hydroxytoluene was heated at 100 degrees C for 150 min and the DETBA-MA adduct formed was separated by a Inertsil ODS column for 20 min. The detection limit was 5 pmol.

Therapeutic effects of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 administered alone or in combination with a half-sized secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor or the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium against Mycobacterium avium complex infection in mice

The effects of half-sized secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor or diclofenac sodium administered alone or in combination with the benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 on the therapeutic efficacy of KRM-1648 against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in mice were studied. Neither of the two anti-inflammatory drugs affected the efficacy of KRM-1648, while they exerted significant modulating effects on tumor necrosis factor alpha production by MAC-infected macrophages.

[Clinical evaluation of new quinolones as antituberculosis drugs]

Compared with the recent rapid advances in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, advances in the treatment of tuberculosis have been quite slow. For example, as long as six months are required for initial treatment, even with addition of pyrazinamide in the first two months to isoniazid, rifampicin, and streptomycin or ethambutol. Moreover, it is not always easy to treat patients who cannot receive standard agents including isoniazid and rifampicin due to adverse effects of these drugs or drug resistance. For these reasons, the development of new agents with potent antituberculosis activities and fewer adverse effects is urgently desired. However, at present, few new antituberculosis agents are being developed, and new quinolones are considered the most promising new antituberculosis agents due to their lack of cross-resistance to previously existing antituberculosis agents, their excellent in vitro and in vivo antituberculous activities, and good pharmacokinetics. We therefore reviewed experimental studies and clinical reports useful for evaluation of potential clinical use of new quinolones as antituberculosis drugs. Our conclusions are summarized below: 1) Of nine new quinolones on the market, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, aparfloxacin and levofloxacin have excellent in vitro and in vivo antituberculous activities without cross-resistance to previously existing antituberculosis agents. 2) Ofloxacin appears to be useful clinically for intractable multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The incidence and severity of adverse effects of ofloxacin were very low on longterm administration. 3) Ofloxacin resistance emerged from two to four months after initiation of administration of ofloxacin, and ofloxacin exhibited cross-resistance to other new quinolones. 4) The usefulness of new quinolones for initial treatment of tuberculosis is unclear. 5) New quinolones should be used to treat patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis and those patients for whom adverse effects have limited the use of standard agents. However, monotherapy with new quinolones is not recommended, due to the significant risk of emergence of quinolone resistance. 6) Not only ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin and levofloxacin, which are on the market, but also gatifloxacin, CS-940, Du-6859a and other newly developed new quinolones are candidates for new antituberculosis agents. However, careful study not only of antituberculous activities and pharmacokinetic but also drug interactions and chronic cumulative toxicities due to long-term administration are needed prior to clinical application of these drugs.

[Chemotherapeutic agents under study]

The development of new drugs with strong antituberculous activity and fewer side effects which are not cross-resistant to conventional antituberculosis drugs is urgently desired now. The chemotherapeutic agents under study which are considered a candidate for a new antituberculosis drug are listed below. 1) Rifamycin derivatives: rifabutin, rifapentin, KRM-1648, FCE-22250, 22807, CGP-7040, 27557, 29035, 29861, P-DEA, SPA-S-565, R-76-1. 2) New quinolones: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, CS-940, Du-6859a. 3) Phenazines: clofazimine, B746, B4101, B4154, B4157. 4) Pyrazinamide derivatives: N-hydroxy pyrazinamide, N-hydroxy pyrazinamide-4-oxide. 5) Nitroimidazole derivatives: metronidazole et al.

[Clinical analysis of foreign patients with tuberculosis found in Chugoku-Shikoku area]

In this study, we investigated 45 foreign patients who had been diagnosed as having tuberculosis in Chugoku-Shikoku area during the past 12 years. Regarding regional characteristics, in Hiroshima prefecture an epidemic of tuberculosis was experienced among patients coming from South America, but antituberculous therapy was performed for 87% of the patients because of the high coverage of the health insurance scheme. But in Okayama prefecture, most of the patients were female and came from Asian countries, such as, the Philippines. Antituberculous therapy was not performed for nine patients because of no coverage of the health insurance scheme. In the other prefectures, only a few cases of tuberculosis were experienced, but in Yamaguchi prefecture two of three foreign patients were multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

Crystallization of cis- and trans-1,4-Polyisoprene Dispersed in SBR

Crystallization of natural rubber (NR) and trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) in blends with styrene—butadiene rubber (SBR) has been studied dilatometrically. For TPI, the melting temperature and Avrami index of crystallization kinetics were unchanged by blending with SBR. However, the rate of crystallization was decreased significantly when only 1 wt % of SBR was added, and much more so for amounts large enough to constitute the continuous phase. These reductions in rate are attributed to two effects: chemical changes in TPI during mechanical mixing, and restricted nucleation in small TPI particles. Similar effects were noted for NR blended with SBR. When solution-blended as a 30/70 mixture with SBR, crystallization of the NR fraction was about 9 times slower than for NR itself, and the rate was reduced still further when mixing was more thorough. However, when NR and SBR were mixed mechanically, the rate of crystallization of the NR fraction was not reduced much although the Avrami index and final degree of crystallinity were significantly lower. These effects suggest that the NR particles are strained during mechanical mixing and do not recover afterwards.

[Severe hemolytic anemia with tear drop red cells as initial manifestation of Wilson's disease]

A 16-year-old girl was admitted for a detailed examination of hemolytic anemia in November 1995. Initial laboratory findings included a total bilirubin concentration of 1.46 mg/dl, hemoglobin of 9.1 g/dl, and a reticulocyte count of 89/1000 percent. The plasma haptoglobin concentration was below 10 mg/dl. A blood smear showed many dacryocytes and a few echinocytes and codocytes. GOT was 71 IU/l; GPT, 44 IU/l; and LDH, 812 IU/l; the results of a hepaplastin test were 45% of normal. On further investigation, the level of serum ceruloplasmin was found to be 4 mg/dl, and of serum copper, 43 micrograms/dl. Urinary copper excretion was markedly increased, at 345 micrograms per day. Slit-lamp examination of both corneas revealed obvious Kayser-Fleischer rings. A liver biopsy sample showed fibrosis histologically and an elevated copper concentration of 535 micrograms/g dry weight and 183 micrograms/g wet weight. In family studies, the patient's asymptomatic 5-year-old sister was observed to have metabolic abnormalities consistent with Wilson's disease. These findings suggested that the patient's hemolytic anemia with red cell deformities was due to abnormal copper metabolism associated with Wilson's disease.

Crystallization and Strength of Natural Rubber and Synthetic cis-1,4-Polyisoprene

Crosslinked samples of natural rubber (NR, SMR-5L) and a synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene (IR, Natsyn 2200, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company) were crystallized at −25 °C at various strains, and then slowly melted. Crystallization was somewhat slower for IR under all conditions, taking two to three times as long as for NR crosslinked to the same degree. The melting temperature was also a few degrees lower. These effects are consistent with the presence of a small fraction of non-cis material in the IR molecule. Measurements of tensile strength and tear strength were made over a wide temperature range. The results were closely similar for the two materials at low rates of stretching although the abrupt fall in tensile strength associated with a failure to crystallize occurred at slightly lower temperatures for IR. Tear strength at low speeds showed a steady fall on raising the temperature, with little difference between the two materials. However, at high rates of strain the IR materials appeared to have significantly lower tensile strength, and at high tear speeds the tear strength was markedly lower, about one-half of that for NR. Thus, the minor structural irregularities in IR appear to be of little consequence at low rates of strain, but cause significant weakening at high rates, when the lower rate of crystallization is inferred to become a critical factor.

[Effects of half-sized secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and Chinese traditional medicines, yokuinin and mao-bushi-saishin-to, on therapeutic efficacies of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 against Mycobacterium avium complex infection induced in mice]

We examined the effects of such drugs having anti-inflammatory activity as half-sized secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (1/2 SLPI) and Chinese traditional medicines, Yokuinin (YOK) and Mao-Bushi-Saishin-To (MBST), on therapeutic efficacies of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection induced in mice, since it is possible that these agents inhibit the increase in tissue levels of immunosuppressive cytokines due to MAC infection. First, Zymosan A-induced murine peritoneal macrophages treated with either 1/2 SLPI, YOK or MBST at 37 degrees C for 2 days were infected with M. avium N-444 and further cultivated in the medium with or without addition of 1/2 SLPI, YOK or MBST at 37 degrees C for up to 7 days. Treatment of macrophages with these drugs caused some decrease in the intracellular growth of the organisms. Secondly, we evaluated effects of 1/2 SLPI, YOK and MBST on the therapeutic efficacy of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 against M. avium infection induced in mice. When MAC-infected mice were given KRM-1648 (20 mg/kg) alone, or in combination with 1/2 SLPI (100 mg/kg), YOK (50 mg/kg), or MBST (50 mg/kg), by gavage, except for 1/2 SLPI which was given via i.p. route, once a week, from day 1 for up to 8 weeks after infection, these drugs did not affect the expression of therapeutic activity of KRM-1648. When MAC-infected mice were given KRM-1648 alone (once a week), or in combination with YOK (five times per week) or MBST (five times per week), MBST increased the expression of therapeutic activity of KRM-1648. These findings indicate that suppression of inflammatory reactions using MBST is capable to improve the therapeutic efficacy of KRM-1648 in MAC infection. Moreover, these results also mean that combined use of these drugs in MAC patients receiving KRM-1648 therapy may not cause any disadvantages to the therapeutic efficacy of KRM-1648.

Detection and imaging of nitric oxide with novel fluorescent indicators: diaminofluoresceins

Nitric oxide is a gaseous, free radical which plays a role as an intracellular second messenger and a diffusable intercellular messenger. To obtain direct evidence for NO functions in vivo, we have designed and synthesized diaminofluoresceins (DAFs) as novel fluorescent indicators for NO. The fluorescent chemical transformation of DAFs is based on the reactivity of the aromatic vicinal diamines with NO in the presence of dioxygen. The N-nitrosation of DAFs, yielding the highly green-fluorescent triazole form, offers the advantages of specificity, sensitivity, and a simple protocol for the direct detection of NO (detection limit 5 nM). The fluorescence quantum efficiencies are increased more than 100 times after the transformation of DAFs by NO. Fluorescence detection with visible light excitation and high sensitivity enabled the practical assay of NO production in living cells. Membrane-permeable DAF-2 diacetate (DAF-2 DA) can be used for real-time bioimaging of NO with fine temporal and spatial resolution. The dye was loaded into activated rat aortic smooth muscle cells, where the ester bonds are hydrolyzed by intracellular esterase, generating DAF-2. The fluorescence in the cells increased in a NO concentration-dependent manner.

Chemical synthesis of H-phosphonate DNA without using N-protecting groups

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides were synthesized by using N-unprotected H-phosphonate monomers. It was found that the amino groups of nucleosides were not modified during condensation where benzotriazolyloxy carbonium and phosphonium types of compounds were employed as condensing reagents. The most effective condensing reagent for rapid internucleotidic bond formation was found to be 2-(benzotriazol-1-yloxy)-1,1-dimethyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1- yl)-1,3,2- diazaphospholidinium hexafluorophosphate (BOMP). In the present H-phosphonate approach, 2-benzenesulfonyl-3-(3-nitrophenyl)oxaziridine (BNO) was successfully employed as a new oxidizing reagent for oxidation of the H-phosphonate linkages under anhydrous conditions.

Synergistic antitumor interaction of human monocyte chemotactant protein-1 gene transfer and modulator for tumor-infiltrating macrophages

PURPOSE

In order to evaluate the possibility of synergistic antitumor gene therapy by the gene delivery of monocyte chemotactant protein-1 (MCP-1/MCAF/IE), the effect of a biological response modulater for macrophages on tumor progression of gene transfected tumor cells was studied.

METHODS

Cachexia-inducing adenocarcinoma cells (cell line colon 26, clone 20) were transfected with either a control plasmid or MCP-1 cDNA.

RESULTS

The production of MCP-1 reached 70-80 ng/ml in vitro when transfectant cells were cultured at a cell density of 1 x 10(5) cells/ml for 3 days. Transfection of MCP-1 cDNA did not affect the growth rate in vitro. Also, MCP-1-transfectants formed tumors after intra-footpad inoculation similar in size to the parental cells. The number of infiltrating macrophages in the primary tumor of the transfectant rapidly increased from the 3rd to 5th day after inoculation as revealed by immunohistochemical staining using an antibody against mouse macrophages. An earlier, greater, but no longer-lasting increase in tumor-infiltrating macrophages was induced in tumors by MCP-1 transfection was compared to that induced by the parent cells. On the 10th day after the inoculation, the tumor-infiltrating macrophages in mice inoculated MCP-1 transfectants were decreased to a level similar to that of the parent cells. Groups of mice were treated intraperitoneally with LPS at different times after the inoculation. Tumor cells producing high levels of MCP-1 were significantly lysed by macrophages treated with LPS, whereas parental or control transfected cells were not. Conclusions. Combination immunotherapy can provide a rationale for the application of MCP-1 treatment to increase immunological responses to cancer.

Evaluation of two commercial diagnostic kits for Mycobacterium tuberculosis completely based on bacterial DNA and rRNA amplification for direct detection of tubercle bacilli in sputum specimens

The Roche Amplicor Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Kit (Amplicor PCR) and Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (MTD) were compared for efficiency in the direct detection of tubercle bacilli in sputum specimens. In total, 72 sputum specimens obtained from patients with active tuberculosis were examined with the Amplicor PCR and MTD kits. Of the 72 test specimens, 45 and 41 samples were positive by the Amplicor PCR and MTD methods, respectively. These values were larger than those obtained by the culture method (Septi-Chek) and acid-fast bacilli-smear test, yielding 37 and 20 positive results, respectively, and the sensitivities were as follows: smear, 39.2%; culture, 72.5%; Amplicor PCR, 88.2%; MTD, 80.4%. Amplicor PCR was similarly or somewhat more sensitive in direct detection of M. tuberculosis in sputum samples from patients with clinically active tuberculosis than was MTD.

Morphological characterization of the bursting and nonbursting neurones in the olfactory centre of the terrestrial slug limax marginatus

We investigated the morphological characteristics of physiologically characterized neurones in the procerebrum (PC) of the terrestrial slug Limax marginatus. The electrophysiological characteristics of the neurones were determined using the perforated patch recording technique. By comparing the shapes and sizes of somata, we found that the somata of bursting neurones were larger and had more oblong shapes than those of nonbursting neurones, indicating that the bursting and nonbursting neurones in the PC could be discriminated on the basis of the sizes and shapes of their soma. Injection of fluorescent dyes into the bursting and nonbursting neurones revealed morphological differences in the neurites. The bursting neurones had extensive projections within the cell body layer, and the major neurites of the bursting neurones were oriented along the dorsal-ventral axis. In contrast, the nonbursting neurones had neurites extending into the neuropile layers, where terminals of both sensory and presumed output neurones exist.

Development of a fluorescent indicator for nitric oxide based on the fluorescein chromophore

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) appears to modulate many physiological and pathophysiological processes. In order to obtain direct evidence for NO functions in vivo, we have developed 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) as a novel fluorescent indicator for NO. Green-fluorescent triazolofluorescein formed by the reaction of NO and DAF-2 affords high sensitivity for NO (detection limit: 5 nM). Membrane-permeable DAF-2 diacetate (DAF-2 DA) was loaded into activated rat aortic smooth muscle cells, where the ester bonds are hydrolyzed by intracellular esterase, generating DAF-2. The fluorescence in the cells increased in a NO concentration-dependent manner. This imaging method should be useful for studies of the dynamic biological actions of NO at the molecular level with fine temporal and spatial resolution.

[Nontuberculous mycobacteriosis; the present status and in the future. 3--(1). The view of development of new drugs against nontuberculous mycobacterial infections]

It is obvious that the number of patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections is increasing gradually in Japan. Of these infections, M. avium complex (MAC) is the most common cause, and is known to be resistant to many antimicrobial drugs. At present, no standard regimen which is able to control MAC infections completely is established. For these reasons, the development of new drugs with strong antimycobacterial activity which are not cross-resistant to conventional antimycobacterial drugs is urgently desired. Thus, we studied in vitro activities of various drugs which are expected to be a new promising drug against nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, and reviewed clinical impact of these drugs. 1) New quinolones New quinolones including ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and sparfloxacin (SPFX), are considered to be active against M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii, M. fortuitum, but are inactive against MAC, M. chelonae, M. abscessus, M. scrofulaceum. Both AM-1155 and Du-6859a, newer quinolones, seemed to be comparable to or more active than SPFX which is considered to be most active now. 2) New macrolides Clarithromycin (CAM) has in vitro activities against various nontuberculous mycobacteria including MAC, and also has proven to have clinical potential not only for disseminated MAC infections in AIDS but also for pulmonary MAC infections. Therefore, CAM seems to be a candidate for one of the key drugs in the treatment of MAC infections. 3)Rifamycins Rifabutin (RBT) and rifapentine exhibited more potent in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activities than rifampicin. RBT has already demonstrated clinical effect against intractable tuberculosis and MAC infections. Thus, RBT is recommended for the prophylaxis of M. tuberculosis and MAC infections in AIDS patients in US. KRM-1648 displayed much more potent in vitro and in vivo activities than rifampicin against both M. tuberculosis and MAC. It is needed an effort to confirm its therapeutic efficacies. Now clinical phase study is going on in US. 4) Phenazines Clofazimine (CFZ), an effective antileprosy drug, is known to be active in vitro against various mycobacteria including MAC, and often used as a component of combination chemotherapy for disseminated MAC infections in AIDS patients in US. Recently, CFZ new analogs have been developed, and it is necessary to evaluate its activities against nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Optical recording analysis of olfactory response of the procerebral lobe in the slug brain

We studied the oscillatory properties and the olfactory responses of the procerebral (PC) lobe of the cerebral ganglion in the terrestrial mollusc Limax marginatus. The PC lobe, a central olfactory organ in Limax, is a highly interconnected network of local interneurons that receives olfactory inputs from the inferior and superior tentacular noses. We used an optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye to record the activity of the PC lobe from either the posterior or the dorsal surface. The recordings revealed that almost all PC interneurons showed spontaneous oscillatory activities that had been entrained with each other. Upon presentation to the nose of odors to which the slugs had been aversively conditioned, the basal level of the oscillation changed biphasically. In the early phase of the response, depolarization in the basal level of the oscillation occurred in one or more belt-shaped regions parallel to the dorsoventral axis. In the late phase of the response, hyperpolarization of basal potential level of the PC lobe oscillations occurred in a wider area. Such spatial and temporal modulation was not observed when the unpaired control odors were presented to the preparation, whereas the same preparations responded to the aversively conditioned stimuli. Thus, it was considered that the spatial and temporal response in the basal level of oscillation was specific to the aversively conditioned odors. Furthermore, the spatial pattern of the depolarization modulation in the early phase was repeatable in multiple trials performed using the same odor, although different odors produced different spatial patterns of the modulation. From these results, we conclude that in the PC lobe learned odors are represented as spatial and temporal activity patterns of oscillators that constitute a coherent network.

The influence of long-term treatment with povidone-iodine on thyroid function

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is generally very safe, but cases of thyroid dysfunction induced by PVP-I have been reported. The effect of long-term treatment with PVP-I on thyroid function was to be assessed. In 40 inpatients of the department of neurology, the status of the use of PVP-I preparations and their effects on serum inorganic iodine levels and thyroid functions were investigated. In 27 patients treated with PVP-I for a long term, inorganic iodine levels were significantly increased as compared to those in 13 patients without PVP-I treatment. Out of 27 patients treated with PVP-I in the long term, subclinical hypothroidism was seen in 3 patients, mild hyperthroidism was seen in 1 patient, and subclinical hyperthyroidism was suspected in 7 patients. Patients treated with PVP-I for a long time should be observed carefully for any manifestation of thyroid dysfunction.

Development of a fluorescent indicator for the bioimaging of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to play various roles as a signal transmitter. However, detailed functions of NO have yet to be clarified. We have developed a fluorescent indicator for NO imaging in living cells. The N-nitrosation of newly designed and synthesized 4-((3-amino-2-naphthyl)aminomethyl)benzoic acid (DAN-1) by NO yielded the highly fluorescent triazole-form. The membrane permeable ester derivative of DAN-1 (DAN-1 EE) was applied to the imaging of NO produced in activated rat aortic smooth muscle cells. After DAN-1 EE has been loaded into cells, the ester bond is hydrolyzed by intracellular esterase, yielding original DAN-1 with less permeability. The fluorescence intensity of the cells loaded with DAN-1 EE increased according to NO production. The imaging method with fluorescent indicators will be significant for the functional clarification of NO in vivo.

Conditioned eyeblink response is impaired in mutant mice lacking NMDA receptor subunit NR2A

NMDA receptor channels, heteromeric assemblies of subunits with diverse subtypes, play critical roles in various kinds of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. To elucidate the roles of subunits NR2A and NR2C in motor learning, we investigated acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink response in a delayed-conditioning paradigm by gene knockout mice. Mutant mice lacking NR2C exhibited no significant defect; however, early acquisition of the task was impaired in mutant mice lacking NR2A or both NR2A and NR2C. Based on the distribution of these subunits in brain, these results indicate that acquisition of the conditioned response does not depend on NMDA receptors in the cerebellar cortex, but that its early acquisition involves the hippocampus and/or cerebellar deep nuclei.

[In vivo activities of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin, or combination of KRM-1648 with diclofenac sodium against Mycobacterium avium infection induced in mice]

We evaluated the in vivo therapeutic activities of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648, clarithromycin (CAM) and levofloxacin (LVFX) against Mycobacterium avium infection induced in mice. Mice infected intravenously with M. avium (1.4 x 10(7)) were given KRM-1648 (20 mg/kg), CAM (10 mg/kg), or LVFX (5 mg/kg) alone, or combination of KRM-1648 with diclofenac sodium (1.25 mg/kg) by gavage, once daily, five times per week, from day 1 for up to 8 weeks. The bacterial loads in the lungs and spleens were determined by counting colony forming units of the organisms in the tissue homogenates of the visceral organs using 7H11 agar plates. Both KRM-1648 and CAM caused significant levels of bacteriological response in mice treated with these drugs, while LVFX exerted no appreciable therapeutic effect. The therapeutic efficacies of test antimicrobials were in the order, KRM-1648 > CAM > > LVFX. The combined use of diclofenac sodium with KRM-1648 did not affect the expression of therapeutic activity of KRM-1648. This excludes the possibility that cyclooxygenase-dependent inflammatory reactions may be involved in the establishment of persistent bacterial growth of M. avium organisms at the sites of infection in mice. Furthermore, the present study showed that the parameters of in vitro antimicrobial activities of drugs such as MIC and MBC values are not useful in predicting their therapeutic outcome in M. avium-infected mice.

Time-resolved imaging of protein kinase C activation during sea urchin egg fertilization

To study protein kinase C (PKC) activation during sea urchin egg fertilization we used three different fluorescent probes specific for PKC, namely, fim-1, which recognizes the catalytic site of the enzyme, and BODIPY- and NBD-phorbol esters interacting with the PKC regulatory domain. We were able to follow PKC activation during the early steps of fertilization, the three different probes giving the same fluorescent pattern. Within 120 s following insemination, the fluorescent signal increased and clustered in the cortical zone of the cell. The process was Ca2+ dependent and was inhibited in the presence of staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor. According to our in vitro probe characterization, this signal increase is due to PKC activation. These findings were further confirmed by Western blot analysis. This initial phase was followed by a rapid decrease which might be attributed to PKC hydrolysis by Ca2(+)-dependent proteases. The kinetics and the site distribution of PKC activation appear in complete agreement with the putative functions previously suggested for PKC during fertilization.

Comparative study on neural oscillation in the procerebrum of the terrestrial slugs Incilaria bilineata and

Coherent oscillatory activities in procerebral neurones have been described in Limax maximus; however, the electrical properties of the procerebrum of other terrestrial molluscs are less well understood. We have examined oscillatory activity in the procerebrum of Incilaria bilineata and Limax marginatus. The local field potential measured in the procerebrum of I. bilineata showed repetitive peaks which had the opposite polarity from those measured in L. marginatus. Optical measurement of membrane potential using a potential-sensitive dye, di-4-ANEPPS, showed that the oscillations in I. bilineata occurred mainly in the internal mass while those in L. marginatus were located in the cell mass. An analysis of the waveform revealed that the depolarizing phase of the oscillations consists of both a slow and a rapid component in both species. The rapid component was most pronounced in the internal mass of I. bilineata but was prominent in the cell mass of L. marginatus. The superior tentacle nerve, which projects to the terminal mass, also showed oscillations in synchrony with those of the procerebrum. These results suggest that oscillations in procerebral interneurones are commonly generated in a region adjacent to the terminal mass and that these oscillations may affect the membrane potential of the neurones constituting the superior tentacle nerve.

Large-restriction-fragment analysis of Mycobacterium kansasii genomic DNA and its application in molecular typing

Large-restriction-fragment (LRF) polymorphisms in Mycobacterium kansasii isolates from 84 patients with bronchopulmonary infections in Japan between the 1960s and 1995 were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Chromosomal fragments digested with VspI were most suitable for PFGE separation of 16 to 21 fragments of between 40 and 550 kbp. All 84 isolates and the type strain M. kansasii ATCC 12478 were successfully typed by LRF analysis with VspI digestion. Twenty-one distinctive LRF types were identified, and the LRF patterns tested over time were reproducible and stable. A computer-assisted dendrogram of the percent similarity demonstrated that isolates of 18 LRF types had relatively close genetic relatedness, while isolates of the remaining 3 types showed divergence. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene in the isolates showing divergent genetic relatedness revealed a sequence identical to that of a previously reported subspecies of M. kansasii. In the Chugoku district of Japan, 11 cases of M. kansasii infection which occurred in workers in a coastal industrial zone between 1982 and 1993 were caused by one particular strain tentatively named LRF type M. When both detailed demographic data for the patients and ecologic data for the M. kansasii isolates are obtained, LRF typing may be of potential use for investigating the source and transmission of M. kansasii infection.

Removal after addition of NO-generating agents and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP causes morphological change of cultured cerebellar astrocytes: a new mode of NO action

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on cell morphology was investigated in primary cultures of cerebellar astrocytes. Although the addition of NO donors to the culture medium did not change glial morphology, their removal did, with the form of astrocytes changing from flat to process bearing. This 'removal effect' may be a new mode of NO action.

Rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by a PCR assay combined with a cultivation system using Middlebrook 7H12 medium

A newly devised 7H12 cultivation method combined with nested PCR assay using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific primers was evaluated for its usefulness to detect and identify tubercle bacilli in 38 sputum samples. This method yielded detection and identification of M. tuberculosis in sputum specimens with excellent sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity, when compared to the cultivation method using Ogawa egg medium or the 7H12 cultivation method in which bacterial growth is monitored by microscopy (7H12-microscopy method) with the same sensitivity as that of the BACTEC 460 TB system.

[The epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases in Hiroshima Prefecture]

The patients of diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) newly diagnosed in 1993 in Hiroshima Prefecture were investigated retrospectively. During 1993, 59 newly diagnosed patients of NTM disease, who were the resident of Hiroshima Prefecture were reported from 6 hospitals. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease was most frequent (53 patients, 90%) and M. kansaii (MK) disease, which accounts for more than 20 percent of all the NTM diseases in the national survey of Japan, was found only in 3%. Other pathogenesis were M. chelonae and M. fortuitum. Incidence rate for all NTM disease per 10(5) population was 2.1. Age-specific incidence rate calculated from the estimated population of Hiroshima Prefecture was; less than 0.4/10(5) under the age 40, 4.0/10(5) in the age group 50 to 59, 4.5/10(5) in the age group 60 to 69 and 9.4/10(5) in the age group over 70. Thirty-one patients (57%) had underlying pulmonary disease such as previous lung tuberculosis (TB) and previous history of TB was found in 41 percent of patients over 60 yr. of age. The data suggest that epidemiological picture of NTM diseases may change in the future. Relative increase of elder population will lead to the increase of NTM diseases as a whole; the incidence rate calculated from the age specific incidence rate and predicted population of Japan in 2025 is 3.1/10(5), which is 1.5 fold higher than the present rate. However, secondary NTM diseases with healed TB will decrease because of the sharp decline of TB morbidity in Japan. Assuming that secondary NTM disease with healed TB decreases to one-fourth, estimated incidence rate will be 2.3. Further, the upward tend of MK disease in Japan should be taken into consideration. Thus, the future trends of NTM diseases will increase fairly due to the increase of elder population as well as the MK disease. It was pointed out that many NTM disease cases had been counted as tuberculosis in the surveillance system of Japan. In our present study, 52 (82%) were registered as tuberculosis in the beginning and only 19 cases were reported later to health centers as NTM disease. As tuberculosis classification and surveillance system in Japan were changed from 1996 to separate NTM disease from TB, NTM disease cases will be counted separately in the tuberculosis statistics. This revision in the management of NTM disease should be taken into account when discussing the trend of tuberculosis statistics in Japan.

[In vitro activities of benzoxazinorifamycin KRM-1648 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis]

In vitro antimicrobial activities of the benzoxazinorifamycin derivative KRM-1648 (KRM) against 50 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients with mainly intractable pulmonary tuberculosis were studied. MIC90 values of KRM, rifabutin (RBT) and rifampicin (RFP) for RFP-sensitive strains (27 strains; defined as those with MICRFP values of < 1.56 micrograms/ml) were 0.013, 0.1 and 0.4 micrograms/ml, respectively, when determined by the agar dilution method using 7H11 medium. MIC90 values of KRM, RBT, and RFP for RFP-resistant strains (23 strains; defined as those having MICRFP values of > or = 1.56 micrograms/ml) were 100, 12.5 and > 100 micrograms/ml, respectively. MICs of KRM against 50 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis distributed over a much lower range than those of RFP. KRM showed more potent antimicrobial activity than RBT against the organisms with low MIC values (< or = 1.56 micrograms/ml), while it was not so active as RBT against the organisms with high MIC values (> or = 3.13 micrograms/ml). Cross-resistance between KRM and RFP or RBT was observed for M. tuberculosis.

[In vitro chemosensitivity test for seven undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma cell lines using MTT assay]

In the current study, we ran a chemosensity test on 7 human undifferentiated carcinoma cell lines against 10 anticancer compounds using MTT assay. Efficacy was estimated by comparing fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) with the peak plasma concentration. The results showed that the 7 cell lines could be divided into two groups which had different (high or low) chemosensitivity, and that in the high sensitivity group, ACD, VCR, and etoposide were indicated as useful drugs. Our results suggest that it may be impossible to rescue all undifferentiated carcinoma patients by chemotherapy alone because the tumor may consist of 2 clones which have a different chemosensitivity.

[Study on purple pigmentation in five cases with purple urine bag syndrome]

We reported five patients with purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS). Four patients had indicanuria, and, in three of them, purple pigmentation was reproduced by inoculating urinary isolates, in the broth with indoxyl sulfate. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus avium were considered to produce the purple pigment in three patients. However, attempts to reproduce the purple pigment failed in two patients, and one of them did not have indicanuria. These results suggest that indicanuria is not necessarily required for the development of PUBS.

[Intratumoral LPD deposition within hepatocellular carcinoma without arterial tumor staining]

The dissociation of intratumoral LPD deposition and arterial tumor staining was investigated in 20 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without arterial tumor staining. The intratumoral deposition of LPD injected from the hepatic artery was observed in nine cases of HCC and coincided with the decrease in tumor vascular bed evaluated by photomicroscopic study and arterial portography. LPD deposition was not observed within the 11 other tumors, which were diagnosed as well differentiated HCC. Infusion angiographic CT revealed that the arterial and portal vascular beds were separated from each other. Therefore, arterial tumor staining was insufficient for accurate evaluation of the tumor vascular bed. The vascular bed in cancerous and noncancerous tissue was accurately evaluated by the addition of the contrast enhancements from the hepatic artery and the portal vein.

Histochemical demonstration of different types of poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures in human thyroid neoplasms using lectins and endo-beta-galactosidase digestion

Blood-group-related antigens expressed in papillary carcinomas and other types of neoplasm of the human thyroid glands have been shown to be carried by poly-N-acetyllactosamines containing a linear domain susceptible to endo-beta-galactosidase digestion. To make clear more precisely the backbone poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures, labelled lectins specific to different types of these structures and specific to core structures with beta 1-6GlcNAc branching of N- and O-linked glycoproteins were employed in conjunction with prior endo-beta-galactosidase digestion on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded neoplasms of the human thyroid glands. In papillary carcinomas, Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA) and succinyl wheat germ agglutinin (Suc-WGA) reacted most consistently and frequently with papillary carcinomas from all the individuals examined. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) likewise stained the cells of papillary carcinomas from all the individuals examined, but in some individuals the number of lectin-reactive cells were very small. Lycoperscion esculentum aggultinin (LEA), Solanum tuberosum agglutinin (STA), Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin L (PHA-L) and Artocarpus integrifolia agglutinin (jacalin) similarly bound to the cancer cells from most of the individuals, and in these cases the number of reactive cells was usually much more restricted than was the case with DSA or PWM. In adenoma and other types of carcinoma, such as follicular carcinomas, these lectins specific to poly-N-acetyllactosamine exhibited slight or no reactivity with the cells, whereas PHA-L and jacalin similarly bound to the cells of adenomas and carcinomas from most of the individuals examined. Prior digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase completely eliminated or markedly reduced the reactivity with PWM and LEA in papillary carcinomas. Reactivity with DSA, Suc-WGA, STA, PHA-L and jacalin was slightly reduced or not at all affected by enzyme digestion. These results confirmed that poly-N-acetyllactosamine species found in papillary carcinomas are quite different from those in other types of thyroid neoplasm, suggesting that at least three different types of poly-N-acetyllactosamine, that is, linear unbranched short and long sequences and highly branched ones are produced in these cells.

[Interferon production in peripheral blood cells of patients with pulmonary mycobacterial disease]

Production of interferon (IFN)-alpha and IFN-gamma were examined in 31 patients with acute tuberculosis, 12 patients with atypical mycobacterial disease. IFN production was examined in cultures of unseparated fresh whole blood. Production of IFN-alpha was induced by hemagglutinating virus of Japan and production of IFN-gamma was induced by PHA. Patients with mycobacterial disease produced significantly less IFN-alpha than healthy subjects. In patients with acute tuberculosis, effective chemotherapy for 2 months restored IFN-alpha production. Patients produced less IFN-gamma than healthy subjects, but the difference was not significant. Patients with high serum CRP levels tended to produce little IFN-alpha. These results suggest that measurement of IFN production is useful for immunological evaluation of patients with mycobacterial disease.

Therapeutic effect of KRM-1648 with various antimicrobials against Mycobacterium avium complex infection in mice

A new benzoxazinorifamycin, KRM-1648 (KRM), was studied for its therapeutic efficacy in combination with other antimicrobials against Mycobacterium avium complex infections in mice. When M. intracellulare-infected (intravenously) mice were given KRM, clarithromycin (CAM), sparfloxacin (SPFX), or ethambutol (EB) each alone or in combination, by gavage, once daily 6 times per week (streptomycin [SM] was given subcutaneously twice per week) from day 1, KRM + CAM exhibited combined efficacy in terms of reducing the incidence of gross lung lesions and the bacterial loads in the lungs and spleens. The addition of either EB or EB + SPFX to KRM + CAM increased the efficacy. Moreover, the multi-drug regimen of KRM + CAM + EB + SPFX or ofloxacin [OFLX]) was more efficacious than rifampicin (RMP) + CAM + EB + SPFX (or OFLX). In M. avium infection, KRM + clofazimine was the most efficacious among two-drug combinations tested followed by KRM + SM. KRM + CAM was considerably less effective against M. avium than against M. intracellulare infection. KRM + EB and KRM+OFLX failed to show such a combined effect.

Ocular absorption, distribution, and systemic absorption of a novel antiglaucoma medication, prostaglandin derivative, in male white rabbits

A prostaglandin derivative, (5Z,9 alpha,11 alpha,13E)-9,11-dihydroxyprosta- 5,13-dienoic acid sodium salt (S-1033), that lowers intraocular pressure with little adverse effect, may have clinical value in the treatment of glaucoma. After [14C]S-1033 (0.2% solution) was instilled into the eye of a white rabbit, radioactivity and S-1033 appeared in systemic plasma so rapidly (tmax, 5 min) and S-1033 was eliminated very rapidly with half-lives of 2.8 and 11.0 min at alpha- and beta-phases, respectively. The metabolite, M-1, [1R-[1 alpha,2 beta-(1E),3 alpha,5 alpha]]-3,5-dihydroxy-2-(1- octenyl)-cyclopentanepropanoic acid (tetranor-S-1033), appeared in plasma very rapidly (tmax, 5 min), suggesting that a fast metabolism was a major factor in the rapid elimination of S-1033 from plasma. The values for the ratios of the area under the curve of ocular instillation to intravenous administration for radioactivity and S-1033 were 1.01 and 0.52, respectively, indicating that more than half of the S-1033 instilled was transported into the systemic circulation. To clarify the contributing pathway of the massive and rapid systemic absorption of S-1033 after topical dosing, plasma levels of S-1033 were investigated after instillation to rabbits in which the nasolacrimal ducts were occluded. Plasma concentrations of S-1033 were slightly higher than those in intact rabbits, suggesting that conjunctiva would be as important as nasal mucosae for the systemic absorption under the physiological condition. As for the intraocular distribution, the highest levels of radioactivity were found in the cornea, conjunctiva, and anterior sclera.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structure of cis-polyisoprene from Lactarius mushrooms

Sporophores from five species of Lactarius mushrooms had a liquid rubber content of 0.1% to 7% based on the dry weight. Rubber from L. volemus, L. chrysorrheus and L. hygrophoroides was found to be a homologue of polyprenol being composed of dimethylallyl group, two trans isoprene units, 160-300 cis isoprene units, and terminal hydroxyl or ester group aligned in that order by 13C-NMR analysis. The ratio of fatty acid ester group to hydroxyl group was about 9/1 to 5/5. The number of both terminal groups and trans units decreased during aging of sporophores. Rubber from L. piperatus, L. vellereus and L. subpiperatus was found to be cis polyisoprene having very small quantities of both terminal groups and trans units. The biosynthesis of cis polyisoprene in Lactarius mushrooms was found to start from trans, trans-farnesyl pyrophosphate. The termination was assumed to occur by esterification of polyisoprenyl pyrophosphate. Occurrence of some chemical modifications on both terminal groups was presumed during aging of sporophores.