Amino-terminal fragments of mutant huntingtin show selective accumulation in striatal neurons and synaptic toxicity

Huntington disease (HD) is caused by expansion of a glutamine repeat in the amino-terminal region of huntingtin. Despite its widespread expression, mutant huntingtin induces selective neuronal loss in striatal neurons. Here we report that, in mutant mice expressing HD repeats, the production and aggregation of N-terminal huntingtin fragments preferentially occur in HD-affected neurons and their processes and axonal terminals. N-terminal fragments of mutant huntingtin form aggregates and induce neuritic degeneration in cultured striatal neurons. N-terminal mutant huntingtin also binds to synaptic vesicles and inhibits their glutamate uptake in vitro. The specific processing and accumulation of toxic fragments of N-terminal huntingtin in HD-affected striatal neurons, especially in their neuronal processes and axonal terminals, may contribute to the selective neuropathology of HD.

Study of stabilizing CaF2:Dy ultraviolet sensitivity by double annealing treatment

The intrinsic thermoluminescent response to ultraviolet radiation of CaF2:Dy phosphor is enhanced by pre-irradiation high-temperature annealing treatment. The thermoluminescent response is stabilized by adding a medium temperature annealing treatment after the previous annealing. The experimental results show that the annealing treatment of 1 h 850 degrees C high-temperature annealing followed by 1 h 350 degrees C medium-temperature annealing is the optimum treatment to have high thermoluminescent response and good stability. The results also show that (1) the thermoluminescent response to 253.7 nm ultraviolet radiation is increased and stabilized, (2) the thermoluminescent sensitivity and glow curve distribution to 235.7 nm ultraviolet radiation are retained, and (3) the thermoluminescent response to 253.7 nm ultraviolet is linear from 3 to 1 x 10(3) Jm(-2), but there is no linear response with respect to 365 nm ultraviolet.

Polyphenols from Eriobotrya japonica and their cytotoxicity against human oral tumor cell lines

Three new flavonoid glycosides, together with 15 known flavonoids, have been isolated from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica, and characterized as (2S)- and (2R)-naringenin 8-C-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosides, and cinchonain Id 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, based on spectral analyses including two dimensional (2D) NMR techniques. Higher proanthocyanidin fraction in the water-soluble portion of the extract was characterized as a procyanidin oligomer mixture mainly composed of undecameric procyanidin. These polyphenols have also been assessed for cytotoxic activity against two human oral tumor (human squamous cell carcinoma and human salivary gland tumor) cell lines. Selective cytotoxicity of the procyanidin oligomer between tumor and normal gingival fibroblast cells, and its possible mechanism, were also described.

Long glutamine tracts cause nuclear localization of a novel form of huntingtin in medium spiny striatal neurons in HdhQ92 and HdhQ111 knock-in mice

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expanded N-terminal glutamine tract that endows huntingtin with a striatal-selective structural property ultimately toxic to medium spiny neurons. In precise genetic models of juvenile HD, HdhQ92 and HdhQ111 knock-in mice, long polyglutamine segments change huntingtin's physical properties, producing HD-like in vivo correlates in the striatum, including nuclear localization of a version of the full-length protein predominant in medium spiny neurons, and subsequent formation of N-terminal inclusions and insoluble aggregate. These changes show glutamine length dependence and dominant inheritance with recruitment of wild-type protein, critical features of the altered HD property that strongly implicate them in the HD disease process and that suggest alternative pathogenic scenarios: the effect of the glutamine tract may act by altering interaction with a critical cellular constituent or by depleting a form of huntingtin essential to medium spiny striatal neurons.

Validation of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring the insulin-regulatable glucose transporter

A novel competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring the insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT4) has been developed in our laboratory. The purpose of the present study was to verify the competitive ELISA assay. Towards this goal, a time-course study was conducted in control Wistar rat hearts to determine the points at which insulin stimulated an initial and a maximal GLUT4 translocation. Plasma and intracellular membrane fractions were purified from heart ventricles isolated from rats either in the basal state or injected with insulin. GLUT4 content in the membrane fractions was quantified with both the competitive ELISA method and also with enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) Western blot. It was shown that after insulin injection plasma membrane GLUT4 level increased about 60% at 15 min and intracellular GLUT4 decreased about 40-50% at 5 min and remained at this level throughout the remaining 25 min by both methods. In conclusion, the data from this study demonstrate that the ELISA assay is reliable as verified by the Western blot method.

Huntington aggregates may not predict neuronal death in Huntington's disease

The mechanism by which polyglutamine expansion in Huntington's disease (HD) results in selective neuronal degeneration remains unclear. We previously reported that the immunohistochemical distribution of N-terminal huntingtin in HD does not correspond to the severity of neuropathology, such that significantly greater numbers of huntingtin aggregates are present within the cortex than in the striatum. We now show a dissociation between huntingtin aggregation and the selective pattern of striatal neuron loss observed in HD. Aggregate formation was predominantly observed in spared interneurons, with few or no aggregates found within vulnerable spiny striatal neurons. Multiple perikaryal aggregates were present in almost all cortical NADPH-diaphorase neurons and in approximately 50% of the spared NADPH-diaphorase striatal neurons from early grade HD cases. In severe grade HD patients, aggregates were more prominent as nuclear inclusions in NADPH-diaphorase neurons, with less perikaryal and neuropil aggregation. In contrast, nuclear or perikaryal huntingtin aggregates were present in less than 4% of the vulnerable calbindin striatal neurons in all HD cases. These findings support the hypothesis that polyglutamine aggregation may not be a predictor of cell loss. Rather than a harbinger of neuronal death, mutant huntingtin aggregation may be a cytoprotective mechanism against polyglutamine-induced neurotoxicity.

Cellular defects and altered gene expression in PC12 cells stably expressing mutant huntingtin

Expanded polyglutamine tracts cause huntingtin and other proteins to accumulate and aggregate in neuronal nuclei. Whether the intranuclear aggregation or localization of a polyglutamine protein initiates cellular pathology remains controversial. We established stably transfected pheochromocytoma PC12 cells that express the N-terminal fragment of huntingtin containing 20 (20Q) or 150 (150Q) glutamine residues. The 150Q protein is predominantly present in the nuclei, whereas the 20Q protein is distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Electron microscopic examination confirmed that most of the 150Q protein is diffuse in the nucleus with very few microscopic aggregates observed. Compared with parental PC12 cells and cells expressing 20Q, cells expressing 150Q display abnormal morphology, lack normal neurite development, die more rapidly, and are more susceptible to apoptotic stimulation. The extent of these cellular defects in 150Q cells is correlated with the expression level of the 150Q protein. Differential display PCR and expression studies show that cells expressing 150Q have altered expression of multiple genes, including those that are important for neurite outgrowth. Our study suggests that mutant huntingtin in the nucleus is able to induce multiple cellular defects by interfering with gene expression even in the absence of aggregation.

Ultrastructural localization and progressive formation of neuropil aggregates in Huntington's disease transgenic mice

How aggregates of polyglutamine proteins are involved in the neurological symptoms of glutamine repeat diseases is unknown. We show that huntingtin aggregates are present in the neuronal processes of transgenic mice that express exon 1 of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene. Unlike aggregates in the nucleus, these neuropil aggregates are usually smaller and are not ubiquitinated. Electron microscopy reveals many neuropil aggregates in axons and axon terminals. Huntingtin aggregates in the axon terminal are co-localized with some synaptic vesicles, implying that they may affect synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. The formation of neuropil aggregates is highly correlated with the development of neurological symptoms. The present study raises the possibility that neuropil aggregates may cause a dysfunction in neuronal communication and con-tribute to the neurological symptoms of HD.

Increases in mast cells and chymase in fibroproliferative paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To investigate whether mast cells (MCs) and chymase, the major protease of murine MCs, were involved in a chronic fibroproliferative disorder of the paws associated with type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis.

MATERIALS

Eighteen DBA/1J mice were divided into 3 groups and were used to study fibroproliferative changes in paws elicited by immunization.

TREATMENT

Arthritis was induced by immunization with CII, which was intradermally injected as an emulsion made with adjuvant. A booster shot was done 3 weeks after the initial shot. A group with no treatment and that received adjuvant alone served as control.

METHODS

Twelve weeks after the booster shot, inflammation of the paws was evaluated for pathological and biochemical indices. Chymase activity was determined with a chromogenic peptide substrate.

RESULTS

In CII-immunized group, collagen bundles accumulated around the destructed joints. In accordance with the pathological findings, MC density in the affected paws was increased (154.8+/-13.3/mm2; p<0.05 vs. control) and chymase activity was also increased (29.5+/-2.8 mU/mg protein; p<0.01 vs. control).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results demonstrate increases in MCs and chymase in fibroproliferative paws of collagen-induced arthritic mice.

Anti-inflammatory effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng

AIM

To study the anti-inflammatory effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng (PnS).

METHODS

Rat air-pouch acute inflammatory model was established with s.c. carrageenan (Car, 25 mg.kg-1). The protein content in exudate was measured. Micro-acid titration assay and radioimmunoassay (RIA) were applied respectively to investigate effects of PnS on phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and dinoprostone (Din) content in exudate. Fura-2 fluorescence technique was used to determine the intracellular free calcium concentration in neutrophils (Neu-[Ca2+]i).

RESULTS

At 12 h, PnS 60-240 mg.kg-1 i.p. reduced Neu counts, protein content [(7.7 +/- 1.3) to (4.4 +/- 1.4) g.L-1], and Din content [(1619 +/- 391) to (883 +/- 268) ng.L-1]; inhibited the PLA2 activity in exudate [(248 +/- 42) to (157 +/- 35) kU.L-1] in a dose-dependent manner. PnS 60, 120, and 240 mg.kg-1 lowered the level of Neu-[Ca2+]i with the inhibitory rate of 9.1%, 33.2%, and 39.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

PnS has an obvious anti-inflammatory effect and its mechanisms are related to the inhibition of the Neu-[Ca2+]i level and PLA2 activity, and reduction of Din content.

Long-term trend toward earlier breeding in an American bird: a response to global warming?

In regions with severe winters, global warming may be expected to cause earlier onset of breeding in most animals, yet no documentation of such a trend exists in North America. In a study of marked individuals of the Mexican jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) in southeastern Arizona, from 1971 to 1998, the mean Julian date of first clutch in the population declined significantly by 10.1 days. The date of the first nest in the population also became earlier, by 10.8 days. These changes were associated with significant trends toward increased monthly minimum temperatures on the study area, traits that are associated with the onset of breeding in this population. Significant trends from 1971 to 1997 toward warmer minimum temperatures in the months before and during the initiation of breeding were observed. These trends parallel changes in minimum temperatures and community composition in a recent study of grassland ecology in the western United States. Together, they suggest that more attention should be given to the possible ecological importance of global change in minimum temperatures.

Cloning of novel temperature-related expressed sequence tags in rat testis during spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis needs the relatively cool environment of the scrotum in most mammals, it would be arrested when the testis was exposed to abdominal temperature. In this study, we have used a differential display PCR technique (DD-PCR) to screen temperature-related ESTs during spermatogenesis (TRS) in scrotal testes through a unilateral cryptorchid rat model after in situ analysis of testis cell DNA fragmentation. We reported here the cloning and sequencing of three such ESTs: TRS1, TRS3, and TRS4. Northern blot analysis confirmed that they were expressed specifically in scrotal testes. In situ hybridization showed that TRS1 was mainly expressed in the spermatocytes and the round spermatids in scrotal testis. Homology searches revealed that TRS1 and TRS3 were unknown cDNA sequences, and TRS4 was identical to a known EST whose function had not been reported. TRS1, TRS2, and TRS3 were first found to be temperature-related during spermatogenesis.

Various forms of mouse lactoferrins: purification and characterization

This work was conducted to study the microheterogeneity of mouse lactoferrin (LF). Two forms, LF1 and LF2, could be purified from uterine luminal fluid by ion-exchange HPLC on a Protein PAK SP 5PW column. Another form, LF3, was purified from the epididymis homogenate by affinity chromatography on a column of Protein A-Sepharose coupled with the purified LF2 antibody that was prepared to give no crossreaction with serum albumin. Both LF1 and LF2 showed a Mr 74000 band while LF3 gave a Mr 70000 band on reducing SDS-PAGE. All of them were reduced to a Mr 68000 band after they had been digested with N-glycosidase F. The data from automated Edman degradation confirmed the completely identical 19 amino acid sequences in the N-terminal regions of these three LFs, except the lack of N-terminal Lys-Ala of LF2/LF3 in LF1. LF in tissue homogenates was immunodetected by Western blot procedure using the purified LF2 antibody. Different amounts of LF with a molecular mass of the 70000 or 74000 were distributed in the non-sexual organs such as kidney, spleen, lung, heart and liver and the sexual glands including epididymis, vagina, uterus, ovary and prostate. No LF was detected in stomach, intestine, testis and seminal vesicle.

Nuclear and neuropil aggregates in Huntington's disease: relationship to neuropathology

The data we report in this study concern the types, location, numbers, forms, and composition of microscopic huntingtin aggregates in brain tissues from humans with different grades of Huntington's disease (HD). We have developed a fusion protein antibody against the first 256 amino acids that preferentially recognizes aggregated huntingtin and labels many more aggregates in neuronal nuclei, perikarya, and processes in human brain than have been described previously. Using this antibody and human brain tissue ranging from presymptomatic to grade 4, we have compared the numbers and locations of nuclear and neuropil aggregates with the known patterns of neuronal death in HD. We show that neuropil aggregates are much more common than nuclear aggregates and can be present in large numbers before the onset of clinical symptoms. There are also many more aggregates in cortex than in striatum, where they are actually uncommon. Although the striatum is the most affected region in HD, only 1-4% of striatal neurons in all grades of HD have nuclear aggregates. Neuropil aggregates, which we have identified by electron microscopy to occur in dendrites and dendritic spines, could play a role in the known dendritic pathology that occurs in HD. Aggregates increase in size in advanced grades, suggesting that they may persist in neurons that are more likely to survive. Ubiquitination is apparent in only a subset of aggregates, suggesting that ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of aggregates may be late or variable.

Day treatment versus enhanced standard methadone services for opioid-dependent patients: a comparison of clinical efficacy and cost

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the differential efficacy and relative costs of two intensities of adjunctive psychosocial services--a day treatment program and enhanced standard care--for the treatment of opioid-dependent patients maintained on methadone hydrochloride.

METHOD

A 12-week randomized clinical trial with 6-month follow-up was conducted in a community-based methadone maintenance program. Of the 308 patients who met inclusion criteria, 291 began treatment (day treatment program: N=145; enhanced standard care: N=146), and 237 completed treatment (82% of those assigned to the day treatment program and 81% of those receiving enhanced standard care). Two hundred twenty of the patients participated in the 6-month follow-up (75% of those in the day treatment program and 73% of those in enhanced standard care provided a follow-up urine sample for screening). Both interventions were 12 weeks in duration, manual-guided, and provided by master's-level clinicians. The day treatment was an intensive, 25-hour-per-week program. The enhanced standard care was standard methadone maintenance plus a weekly skills training group and referral to on- and off-site services. Outcome measures included twice weekly urine toxicology screens, severity of addiction-related problems, prevalence of HIV risk behaviors, and program costs.

RESULTS

Although the cost of the day treatment program was significantly higher, there was no significant difference in the two groups' use of either opiates or cocaine. Over the course of treatment, drug use, drug-related problems, and HIV risk behaviors decreased significantly for patients assigned to both treatment intensities. Improvements were maintained at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing an intensive day treatment program to unemployed, inner-city methadone patients was not cost-effective relative to a program of enhanced methadone maintenance services, which produced comparable outcomes at less than half the cost.

Association of HAP1 isoforms with a unique cytoplasmic structure

HAP1 is a neural protein and interacts with the Huntington's disease protein huntingtin. There are at least two HAP1 isoforms, HAP1-A and HAP1-B, which have different C-terminal amino acid sequences. Here we report that both HAP1 isoforms associate with a unique cytoplasmic structure in neurons of rat brain. The HAP1-immunoreactive structure appears as an inclusion that is an oval mass of electron-dense material, 0.5-3 microm in diameter, containing many curvilinear or ring-shaped segments, and often containing electron-lucent cores. This structure is very similar to those previously termed the stigmoid body, nematosome, or botrysome. Transfection of cell lines with cDNA encoding HAP1-A, but not HAP1-B, resulted in similar HAP1-immunoreactive inclusions in the cytoplasm, suggesting that HAP1-A is essential to the formation of this structure. Yeast two-hybrid and transfection studies show that both HAP1-A and HAP1-B can self-associate, implying that native HAP1 in the cytoplasmic inclusion may be a heteromultimer of HAP1-A and HAP1-B. Coexpression of HAP1-A and HAP1-B in human embryonic kidney 293 cells demonstrates that the ratio of the expressed HAP1-A to HAP1-B regulates the formation of HAP1-associated inclusions. We propose that HAP1 isoforms are involved in the formation of HAP1-immunoreactive inclusions in the neuronal cytoplasm.

[Role of paraventricular nucleus in pressor response induced by dorsol part of midbrain periaqeductal gray stimulation]

Experiments were carried out on male SD rats anesthetized with urethane (700 mg/kg) and chloralose (35 mg/kg). The results were as follows: (1) The pressor response could be elicited by electrical stimulation of dorsol part of midbrain periaqueductal gray (dPAG) for 5 s every 5 min. The pressor response for each series of dPAG stimulation within 50 min was constant. This pressor response could be decreased by electrolytic cauterization of paraventricular (PVN) area, but unaffected by electrolytic lesion of fornix, anterior hypothalamic area, nucleus dorsomedialis hypothalami and nucleus ventromedicalis hypothalami. (2) Microinjection of an AVP-V1 receptor antagonist (CH2)5 [Tyr(Me)2AVP] (each side 0.1 nmol/0.1 microliter) into the bilateral rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) partially inhibited the pressor response induced by PVN stimulation or by microinjection of D,L-homocysteric acid (DLH) (0.1 mol/0.2 microliter) into the PVN, but the mean artrtial pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) did not show any change when an AVP-V1 receptor antagonist or DLH was only used. (3) Microinjection of an AVP-V1 receptor antagonist into the bilateral rVLM partially inhibited the pressor response induced by dPAG stimulation. Therefore it is suggested that the effect of vasopression (AVP) released from PVN on the pressor response induced by dPAG stimulation is partly mediated by activation of AVP-V1 receptor in the rVLM.

The cellular and subcellular localization of huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1): comparison with huntingtin in rat and human

The cellular and subcellular distribution of HAP1 was examined in rat brain by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and subcellular fractionation. HAP1 localization was also determined in human postmortem tissue from control and Huntington's disease (HD) cases by light microscopic immunocytochemistry. At the cellular level, the heterogeneity of HAP1 expression was similar to that of huntingtin; however, HAP1 immunoreactivity was more widespread. The subcellular distribution of HAP1 was examined using immunogold electron microscopy. Like huntingtin, HAP1 is a cytoplasmic protein that associates with microtubules and many types of membranous organelles, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, tubulovesicles, endosomal and lysosomal organelles, and synaptic vesicles. A quantitative comparison of the organelle associations of HAP1 and huntingtin showed them to be almost identical. Within HAP1-immunoreactive neurons in rat and human brain, populations of large and small immunoreactive puncta were visible by light microscopy. The large puncta, which were especially evident in the ventral forebrain, were intensely HAP1 immunoreactive. Electron microscopic analysis revealed them to be a type of nucleolus-like body, which has been named a stigmoid body, that may play a role in protein synthesis. The small puncta, less intensely labeled, were primarily mitochondria. These results indicate that the localization of HAP1 and huntingtin is more similar than previously appreciated and provide further evidence that HAP1 and huntingtin have localizations consistent with roles in intracellular transport. Our data also suggest, however, that HAP1 is not present in the abnormal intranuclear and neuritic aggregates containing the N-terminal fragment of mutant huntingtin that are found in HD brains.

Distribution of the B33 CTG repeat polymorphism in a subtype of schizophrenia

Clinical evidence for a dominant mode of inheritance and anticipation in periodic catatonia, a distinct subtype of schizophrenia, suggests that trinucleotide repeat expansions may be involved in the aetiology of this disorder. Since genes with triplet repeats are putative canditates for causing schizophrenia, we have analysed the polymorphic B33 CTG repeat locus on chromosome 3 in 45 patients with periodic catatonia and 43 control subjects. The B33 CTG repeat locus was highly polymorphic, but all alleles in both the patient and control groups had repeat lengths within the normal range. We conclude that susceptibility to periodic catatonia is not influenced by variation at the B33 CTG repeat locus. Nevertheless, that periodic catatonia displays dominant inheritance and anticipation, characteristic of genetic disorders involving trinucleotide repeats, justifies further screening for triplet repeat expansions in this illness.

A human HAP1 homologue. Cloning, expression, and interaction with huntingtin

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by the expansion of a glutamine repeat in the protein huntingtin. The expanded glutamine repeat is thought to mediate a gain of function by causing huntingtin to abnormally interact with other proteins. We previously identified a rat huntingtin-associated protein (HAP1) that binds to huntingtin; HAP1 binds more tightly to huntingtin with an expanded glutamine repeat than to wild type huntingtin. Identification of the human homologue of HAP1 is necessary for investigation of the potential role of HAP1 in HD pathology. Here, we report the cloning of a human HAP1 homologue (hHAP) that shares 62% identity with rat HAP1 over its entire sequence and 82% amino acid identity in the putative huntingtin-binding region. The hHAP gene encodes a 4.1-kilobase transcript and a 75-kDa protein which are specifically expressed in human brain tissues. Its expression in Huntington's disease brains is reduced in parallel with a decreased expression of huntingtin. While two isoforms of rat HAP1 are expressed at similar levels in rat brain, only a single major form of hHAP is found in primate brains. In vitro binding, immunoprecipitation, and coexpression studies confirm the interaction of hHAP with huntingtin. The in vitro binding of hHAP to huntingtin is enhanced by lengthening the glutamine repeat. Despite similar binding properties of rat HAP1 and hHAP, differences in the sequences and expression of hHAP may contribute to a specific role for its interaction with huntingtin in humans.

Aggregation of N-terminal huntingtin is dependent on the length of its glutamine repeats

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by expansion of a glutamine repeat in huntingtin. Mutant huntingtin contains 36-55 repeats in adult HD patients and >60 repeats in juvenile HD patients. An N-terminal fragment of mutant huntingtin forms aggregates in neuronal nuclei in the brains of transgenic mice and HD patients. Aggregation of expanded polyglutamine is thought to be a common pathological mechanism in HD and other glutamine repeat diseases. It is not clear how the length of the repeats is correlated with formation of protein aggregates. By expressing a series of huntingtin constructs encoding various glutamine repeats (23-150 units) in cultured cells we observed N-terminal fragments of huntingtin (amino acids 1-67 and 1-212), but not full-length huntingtins, with glutamine repeats >/=66 units formed protein aggregates. Huntingtin aggregation was not induced when the repeat was </=49 units and was markedly promoted by very long repeats >/=120 units. This study suggests that various N-terminal fragments of mutant huntingtin can form aggregates and that aggregation is prompted by lengthening the glutamine repeat.

Interaction of huntingtin-associated protein with dynactin P150Glued

Huntingtin is the protein product of the gene for Huntington's disease (HD) and carries a polyglutamine repeat that is expanded in HD (>36 units). Huntingtin-associated protein (HAP1) is a neuronal protein and binds to huntingtin in association with the polyglutamine repeat. Like huntingtin, HAP1 has been found to be a cytoplasmic protein associated with membranous organelles, suggesting the existence of a protein complex including HAP1, huntingtin, and other proteins. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we found that HAP1 also binds to dynactin P150(Glued) (P150), an accessory protein for cytoplasmic dynein that participates in microtubule-dependent retrograde transport of membranous organelles. An in vitro binding assay showed that both huntingtin and P150 selectively bound to a glutathione transferase (GST)-HAP1 fusion protein. An immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that P150 and huntingtin coprecipitated with HAP1 from rat brain cytosol. Western blot analysis revealed that HAP1 was enriched in rat brain microtubules and comigrated with P150 and huntingtin in sucrose gradients. Immunofluorescence showed that transfected HAP1 colocalized with P150 and huntingtin in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. We propose that HAP1, P150, and huntingtin are present in a protein complex that may participate in dynein-dynactin-associated intracellular transport.

Steroidal 5-en-3-ones, intermediates of the transformation of steroidal 5-en-3 beta-ols to steroidal 4-en-3,6-diones oxidized by pyridinium dichromate and pyridinium chlorochromate

Oxidation of cholesterol (1a) or pregnenolone (1b) with pyridinium dichromate (PDC) in dimethylformamide (DMF) or in dichloromethane (DCM) and pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) in DCM provided cholest-4-en-3,6-dione (2a) or pregn-4-en-3,6,20-trione (2b). TLC monitoration of the reactions implied that cholest-5-en-3-one (3a) or pregn-5-en-3,20-dione (3b) and cholest-4-en-3-one (4a) or pregn-4-en-3,20-dione (4b) might be intermediates. Individual oxidation of 3a or 3b with PDC and PCC could give 2a or 2b, but 4a or 4b remained unchanged. Further investigation indicated that 4a or 4b was an isomerization product of 3a or 3b on silica gel TLC plate rather than really existence in the reaction mixture. These results shown steroidal 5-en-3-ones were intermediates of the transformation of steroidal 5-en-3 beta-ols to steroidal 4-en-3,6-diones oxidized by PDC and PCC.

[Suppressive effects of a plant-origin polyol, dulcitol on collagen-induced arthritis in mice]

Dulcitol was isolated chemically from Celastrus obiculatus Thumb and determined by HPLC. Effects of dulcitol were examined on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. From 6 weeks after the first immunization with bovine type II collagen, dulcitol (100 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to immunized mice for 9 weeks. Clinical score of CIA was improved significantly by dulcitol intervention compared with the non-treated CIA mice. Radiographic score of phalangeal destruction was also improved by dulcitol treatment. These findings suggest that dulcitol may play a role in regulation of some inflammatory responses in the present arthritis model. Significant reduction of percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in the spleen leucocytes of CIA mice was observed by flow cytometry. Almost normal level of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was observed in dulcitol-treated groups, suggesting T cell-modifying effect of dulcitol in CIA. Weight of spleen was larger in CIA mice and it was not affected by dulcitol. Anti-collagen antibody titer was increased in CIA mice, and it was not affected by dulcitol, either. Improvement of the changes of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen by dulcitol may suggest its modulatory effect on cellular immunity.

cDNAs with long CAG trinucleotide repeats from human brain

Twelve diseases, most with neuropsychiatric features, arise from trinucleotide repeat expansion mutations. Expansion mutations may also cause a number of other disorders, including several additional forms of spinocerebellar ataxia, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. To obtain candiate genes for these disorders, cDNA libraries from adult and fetal human brain were screened at high stringency for clones containing CAG repeats. Nineteen cDNAs were isolated and mapped to chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 16, 19, 20, and X. The clones contain between 4 and 17 consecutive CAG, CTG, TCG, or GCA triplets. Clone H44 encodes 40 consecutive glutamines, more than any other entry in the nonredundant GenBank protein database and well within the range that causes neuronal degeneration in several of the glutamine expansion diseases. Eight cDNAs encode 15 or more consecutive glutamine residues, suggesting that the gene products may function as transcription factors, with a potential role in the regulation of neurodevelopment or neuroplasticity. In particular, the conceptual translation of clone CTG3a contains 18 consecutive glutamines and is 45% identical to the C-terminal 306 residues of the mouse numb gene product. These genes are therefore candidates for diseases featuring anticipation, neurodegeneration, or abnormalities of neurodevelopment.

Calcium phosphate formation induced on silica in bamboo

The effect of in vitro induction of calcium phosphate on bamboo surfaces is reported for the first time. Bamboo is studied for biomaterial application due to its elasticity modulus being closer to human bone than other biomaterials. Following an earlier study of cytotoxicity and precipitation of apatite on ground tissue and vascular bundles of bamboo, the composition and function of the minerals in bamboo, especially silica, are considered in the present work. It is found that in both outer and inner surfaces of bamboo culm, there exists some silica. Bamboo elicits an inert response when soaked directly in calcification solution. After the rind of bamboo is treated with sodium hydroxide solution, the silica underneath can induce precipitation of calcium phosphate in an ambient environment. Furthermore, by subsequent grafting with polyethylene glycol (PEG 1000), calcium phosphate induction of bamboo rind can be improved, depending on the concentration of NaOH solution and treatment time. Heat treatment of bamboo can remove the organic materials around the minerals in bamboo, allowing the calcification behaviour of the silica-containing inorganic phase of bamboo in aqueous solution to be studied.

Acipimox attenuates hypertriglyceridemia in dyslipidemic noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients without perturbation of insulin sensitivity and glycemic control

Hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia in particular, is a common feature in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and may associate with insulin insensitivity. Acipimox, being widely prescribed for treating hypertriglyceridemia, is also used in NIDDM patients for their dyslipidemia. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of acipimox in Chinese NIDDM patients with hypertriglyceridemia. A total of 16 patients enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and two-period crossover study. After an 8 week run-in period, patients were randomly assigned into two groups receiving either acipimox (250 mg, twice daily) or placebo treatment. A total of 12 weeks later, these two groups switched their treatment for an additional 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the run-in period and then at 4-week intervals in the whole study for lipid profile. A modified insulin suppression test was performed at the ends of the run-in period, 12-week and 24-week treatment to assess changes in insulin sensitivity. Our results showed that acipimox significantly lowered serum total triglyceride while compared to those by placebo. However, no difference was observed in serum non-esterified fatty acid, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL-C/ TC ratio between the two groups. Furthermore, glycemic indices and insulin sensitivity were similar during the base-line, placebo or acipimox periods. Taken together, our data suggest that acipimox significantly lowered TG without perturbation of insulin sensitivity in hypertriglyceridemic NIDDM patients.

In vitro calcium phosphate formation on a natural composite material, bamboo

A natural self-reinforced composite material, bamboo, is studied for the first time as a biomedical material. Its anatomical structure was investigated and its mechanical properties were measured and compared with those of some common bone-bonding or bone-repairing biomaterials. It is found that, among all kinds of biomaterials, bamboo has the closest modulus of elasticity to human long bone. The cytotoxicity of bamboo was tested using the agar overlay method before and after heat or chemical treatments. The results reveal that ethanol, methanol and toluene can remove toxic leachable components from bamboo to some extent through extraction. After grafting a polymer whose molecule includes poly(ethylene glycol), alpha,omega-di(aminopropyl)poly(ethylene glycol) 800 on bamboo, bamboo has the ability to form a calcium phosphate coating after being immersed in calcification solution (simulated body fluid and accelerated calcification solution). The characteristics and the morphology of the mineral formed on bamboo were studied by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Avoiding serious complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy--lessons learned from an experience of 2428 cases

Over a three-and-a-half year period, we performed 2428 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and encountered 11 cases of serious procedure-related complications, including bile duct injuries in 4 patients, postoperative bleeding requiring laparotomy and haemostasis in 3 patients, bile leakage from the cystic duct stump, jejunal injury related to puncture, intraoperative injury to the duodenum and subdiaphragmatic abscess in 1 patient each respectively. Six patients required re-hospitalisation including 2 patients with pancreatitis, 1 patient with Ascaris cholangitis, 1 patient with residual stone of the common bile duct (CBD) after laparoscopic CBD exploration, 1 patient with a stone in the CBD after LC, and 1 patient with bile leakage from the cystic duct stump and peritonitis. Of the 2428 patients treated, there was only 1 operative mortality. This patient developed frequent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. She was found to have pnuemonia on the 21st postoperative day and she died. Apart from this, 1 other patient was found to have primary cancer of the liver 1 month after LC. Based on our experience, we think that LC is safe for patients with benign disease of the gallbladder.

Tissue transglutaminase in apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in rat retina

PURPOSE

The possible involvement of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) in apoptosis during photoreceptor degeneration was examined in retinal photic injury in rats and in retinal dystrophy of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.

METHODS

Retinal photic injury was induced in 48 male Lewis albino rats by exposure to green fluorescent light of 300 to 320 foot-candles. The retinal tTG was examined by enzyme assay, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis after 9, 12, or 24 hours of exposure or at 6 or 24 hours of dark adaptation after 24 hours of light exposure. Retinas from RCS rats at various stages of degeneration also were examined with similar methods.

RESULTS

There was a progressive increase in retinal tTG activity after 300 to 320 ft-c of light exposure, reaching a peak after 24 hours of light exposure. In the RCS rats, tTG activity increased with age. Western blot analysis revealed an immunoreactive band at 80 kDa, which increased in accordance with the transglutaminase activity in both models. In normal rat retinas, tTG immunolabeling was present only in the outer segments. There was an increased number of immunolabeled photoreceptor nuclei from 12 hours of light exposure to 24 hours of light exposure. In the RCS rat, increasing numbers of immunopositive photoreceptor nuclei from 20 to 50 days of age were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The data associated increased retinal tTG activity and enzyme levels with photoreceptor cells undergoing apoptosis. The tTG-dependent irreversible cross-linking of intracellular protein may play an important role in causing the structural changes in cells undergoing apoptosis in the retina.

Lymphocyte apoptosis: mediation by increased type 3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

B and T lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis in response to anti-immunoglobulin M antibodies and dexamethasone, respectively, were found to have increased amounts of messenger RNA for the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) and increased amounts of IP3R protein. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the augmented receptor population was localized to the plasma membrane. Type 3 IP3R (IP3R3) was selectively increased during apoptosis, with no enhancement of type 1 IP3R (IP3R1). Expression of IP3R3 antisense constructs in S49 T cells blocked dexamethasone-induced apoptosis, whereas IP3R3 sense, IP3R1 sense, or IP3R1 antisense control constructs did not block cell death. Thus, the increases in IP3R3 may be causally related to apoptosis.

Huntingtin-associated protein (HAP1): discrete neuronal localizations in the brain resemble those of neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Huntington disease stems from a mutation of the protein huntingtin and is characterized by selective loss of discrete neuronal populations in the brain. Despite a massive loss of neurons in the corpus striatum, NO-generating neurons are intact. We recently identified a brain-specific protein that associates with huntingtin and is designated huntingtin-associated protein (HAP1). We now describe selective neuronal localizations of HAP1. In situ hybridization studies reveal a resemblance of HAP1 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA localizations with dramatic enrichment of both in the pedunculopontine nuclei, the accessory olfactory bulb, and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Both nNOS and HAP1 are enriched in subcellular fractions containing synaptic vesicles. Immunocytochemical studies indicate colocalizations of HAP1 and nNOS in some neurons. The possible relationship of HAP1 and nNOS in the brain is reminiscent of the relationship of dystrophin and nNOS in skeletal muscle and suggests a role of NO in Huntington disease, analogous to its postulated role in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Abnormal IL-4 gene expression by atopic dermatitis T lymphocytes is reflected in altered nuclear protein interactions with IL-4 transcriptional regulatory element

Among the atopic disease, atopic dermatitis is characterized by the highest levels of serum IgE and by increased peripheral blood T-cell interleukin-4 (IL-4) production. IL-4 promotes IgE synthesis by B cells and stimulates the growth of IL-4-producing T cells and may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study, in situ hybridization established that atopic dermatitis patients have a higher frequency of IL-4-producing peripheral blood T cell when compared to normal subjects. These in vivo-derived T cells were used to examine the signaling requirements of IL-4 production and the nuclear factors that associate with a critical IL-4 transcriptional regulatory element between -88 and -60 relative to the IL-4 transcription initiation site, the activation responsive element. We demonstrate that, as in T-cell lines, proteins belonging to the NF-AT and AP-1 family of transcription factors are present in stimulated cell extracts and specifically associate with the activation responsive element. Dysregulated IL-4 production is reflected in the nuclear proteins that associated this element. Using gel shift assays, we found that 12 of 12 nuclear extracts from stimulated atopic T cells formed the activation-dependent protein-DNA complex, compared to only 2 of 12 normal T-cell extracts. Activation complex formation correlated with the relative level of IL-4 mRNA and protein produced in stimulated T cells, suggesting that abnormal IL-4 gene expression in atopic disease may be linked to alterations in nuclear protein interactions with these promoter elements.

Analysis of thirteen trinucleotide repeat loci as candidate genes for schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder

A group of diseases are due to abnormal expansions of trinucleotide repeats. These diseases all affect the nervous system. In addition, they manifest the phenomenon of anticipation, in which the disease tends to present at an earlier age or with greater severity in successive generations. Many additional genes with trinucleotide repeats are believed to be expressed in the human brain. As anticipation has been reported in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, we have examined allele distributions of 13 trinucleotide repeat-containing genes, many novel and all expressed in the brain, in genomic DNA from schizophrenic (n = 20-97) and bipolar affective disorder patients (23-30) and controls (n = 43-146). No evidence was obtained to implicate expanded alleles in these 13 genes as causal factors in these diseases.

cDNA cloning and characterization of an atrophin-1 (DRPLA disease gene)-related protein

Dentatorubral and pallidoluylsian atrophy (DRPLA) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by neuronal degeneration, especially in the cerebellar dentate nucleus. DRPLA is caused by an unstable expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat coding for glutamine in a gene of unknown function, termed atrophin-1, located on chromosome 12. To gain additional understanding of atrophin-1, we have isolated a second member of the atrophin-1 gene family by screening rat cDNA libraries. The 1006-amino-acid product of this gene, which we have termed rat atrophin related protein(rARP), does not contain a glutamine repeat, but it does contain two regions of alternating acidic and basic amino residues similar to those found in atrophin-1. rARP is widely expressed as both a 7.4- and a 9.4-kb message, with enrichment in cerebellum and testis. Like atrophin-1, the rARP in vitro translation product migrates more slowly on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis than predicted by molecular weight. We conclude that, at least in the rat, polyglutamine is not an essential feature of the atrophin family of genes.

Suppressive effects of a herbal formula, TBL-1, on type II collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice

1. The effects of a formula of traditional Chinese medicine, TBL-1, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were investigated in DBA/1J mice. 2. From 4 weeks after the first immunization with bovine type II collagen (CII), TBL-1 or indomethacin was administered orally for 13 weeks. 3. Clinical scores of CIA were decreased by both TBL-1 and indomethacin intervention compared with the control CII-immunized group. 4. Radiographic scores of phalangeal destruction were markedly improved by TBL-1 intervention (P < 0.001), but indomethacin failed. 5. The suppressive effects of TBL-1, but not indomethacin, were manifested in reduced serum anti-CII antibody titres (P < 0.001). 6. These findings suggest that TBL-1 may play a role in regulating some immune responses in the present arthritis model.

DRPLA gene (atrophin-1) sequence and mRNA expression in human brain

Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA, Smith's disease) is one of five disorders currently known to result from expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat encoding glutamine. The reported full length cDNA sequence encodes a serine repeat and a region of alternating acidic and basic amino acids, as well as the glutamine repeat. We now report the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of the open reading frame of this gene, obtained from a series of independently isolated and sequenced cDNA clones. Eight nucleotide differences from the originally published sequence result in a change of 34 amino acids, most prominently in the region of alternating acidic and basic residues. Northern analysis and in situ hybridization indicate that atrophin-1 mRNA is expressed in multiple brain regions. The level of mRNA expression as determined by in situ hybridization in a DRPLA-diseased brain is indistinguishable from the level observed in a matched control brain. These results indicate that the correlation between atrophin-1 expression and regions of pathology in DRPLA is at best partial, and that the expanded allele does not cause a major loss of mRNA expression. The pathology of the disorder may therefore arise from the altered structure and function of the abnormal protein.

Psychosis and genes with trinucleotide repeat polymorphism

Abnormal expansion of genes with trinucleotide repeat (TNR) polymorphism has been found in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders. These disorders and the major psychoses, schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, appear to share an interesting phenomenon: genetic anticipation. Because TNR expansion correlates with anticipation, these unstable DNA sites are considered important candidate loci for the major psychoses. We investigated genes with TNR polymorphisms, including B1, B33, B37, and the N-cadherin gene, in unrelated Caucasian North American and Italian schizophrenics (n = 53 to 74), and matched controls. Also, unrelated Caucasian North American patients with bipolar I affective disorder were screened for the B33 and N-cadherin genes (n = 49 and 63, respectively). No unusually long alleles that would suggest abnormal expansion of the TNR were observed for any of these genes. Also, no statistically significant results were found in tests for genetic association between any of these genes and schizophrenia. For B37, a trend toward a difference in allele counts between schizophrenics and controls was observed. However, no clear evidence for a role of these TNR-containing genes in schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorders was found.

Prostaglandin E2 control of T cell cytokine production is functionally related to the reduced lymphocyte proliferation in atopic dermatitis

Past studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have demonstrated reduced proliferation. We have studied phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation in the context of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in cultures of PBMC from patients without and with AD. The proliferation index was found to correlate proportionally to IFN-gamma production and inversely to T-cell IL-4 and monocyte PGE2 production. Assays in parallel cultures showed significantly increased PGE2 production by purified AD monocytes. The proliferation index in PBMC from persons with AD was significantly reduced compared with normal PBMC. This difference was normalized in the presence of extrinsic IFN-gamma but exaggerated when IL-4 was added. Increased AD monocyte production of inflammatory factors (e.g., PGE2) and cytokines appears to increase IL-4 production by Th2 while suppressing IFN-gamma production by Th1. Restoration of the normal proliferation of PBMC by the addition of IFN-gamma may represent one mechanism for the clinical efficacy of IFN-gamma treatment of AD.

A multicenter trial of bupropion for cocaine dependence in methadone-maintained patients

We conducted a multi-site, placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing bupropion HCL (300 mg/day) to placebo for the treatment of cocaine dependence in methadone-maintained subjects. A total of 149 subjects at three sites participated in a 12-week study. Outcome measures included cocaine use, level of depression, and psychosocial functioning. Results showed no significant differences between placebo and bupropion. Exploratory analyses suggested a medication effect for the subset of subjects depressed at study entry. The need to target subgroups of cocaine abusers in future pharmacotherapy trials and the possible role of treatment readiness are discussed.

A huntingtin-associated protein enriched in brain with implications for pathology

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanding polyglutamine repeat in the IT15 or huntingtin gene. Although this gene is widely expressed and is required for normal development, the pathology of HD is restricted to the brain, for reasons that remain poorly understood. The huntingtin gene product is expressed at similar levels in patients and controls, and the genetics of the disorder suggest that the expansion of the polyglutamine repeat induces a toxic gain of function, perhaps through interactions with other cellular proteins. Here we report the identification of a protein (huntingtin-associated protein (HAP)-1) that binds to huntingtin. This binding is enhanced by an expanded polyglutamine repeat, the length of which is also known to correlate with the age of disease onset. The HAP-1 protein is enriched in the brain, suggesting a possible basis for the selective brain pathology of HD.

Nutritional adequacy of reported intake of edentulous subjects treated with new conventional or implant-supported mandibular dentures

The nutrient content of the diet of edentulous patients who have various oral prostheses is of concern. This study compared baseline food records to those records kept semiannually for 3 years after treatment to ascertain whether nutrient intake of edentulous patients changed after they received new implant-supported mandibular dentures (n = 41) or new conventional dentures (n = 30). No significant differences in intake of calories or of 27 nutrients were noted between the two groups (p > 0.01). A decline in the percent of calories from fat with a corresponding increase in carbohydrate calories within both groups (p < 0.01) reflected a national trend; a slight decrease in calories was similarly observed (p < 0.02). More than 40% of patients in both groups were found to have inadequate intakes of dietary fiber, calcium, or both, and 25% to 50% had low intakes of vitamins A, E, D, B6 and/or magnesium. Intakes were similar to those reported for two age-matched populations.

Polymorphic (AAT) in trinucleotide repeats derived from a human brain cDNA library

Seven cDNA fragments containing polymorphic (AAT)n trinucleotide repeats were isolated from a human brain cDNA library and mapped by linkage to specific loci. These repeats may serve as gene markers or as candidates for diseases caused by expansion mutation.