[A case of lung cancer combined with ocular myopathy and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which was presumed to be caused by heart catheterization]

A 61-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital because of a chest abnormal shadow. He was suffered from ocular myopathy for more than 4 years. A lab data on the admission showed only a slight thrombocytopenia. After the unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test for the preoperative evaluation of thoracotomy, the hemorrhagic tendency was appeared. A detailed examination proved idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura which was presumed to be caused by the heart catheterization. We employed high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin infusion and concentrated platelet transfusion for 5 days for preventing hemorrhagic complications during the thoracotomy. The partial resection was undergone for the left upper lobe tumor, which was proved as large cell carcinoma. The postoperative hemorrhage was well controlled. We conclude that the high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin infusion and/or concentrated platelets transfusion should be positively employed for the patients with even slight thrombocytopenic purpura.

The complete sequences of African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (vaccine strain) RNA segment 2 and 6 which encode outer capsid protein

The complete sequences of RNA segment 2 and segment 6 of African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV-4) vaccine strain were determined from cDNA clones inserted into pBR 322. The RNAs of segment 2 and 6 are 3229, 1566 bp long respectively and both contain an open reading frame encoding proteins VP2 and VP5 of 1060, 505 amino acid residues. The estimated molecular weight of VP2 was 124,178 dalton and that of VP5 was 56,793 dalton. Their noncoding end sequences were 5'GTTTAA . . . and . . . ACATAC3' (segment 2), 5'GTTTAT . . . and . . . ACTTAC3' (segment 6). They were different from orbivirus characteristic terminal sequences, which were 5'GTTAAA . . . and . . . ACTTAC3'. The comparison of both sequences of AHSV-4 segment 2 and 6 with those of segment 2 and 5 of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 10 revealed 53% nucleotide similarity and 23% amino acid similarity (segment 2), and 58% nucleotide similarity and 46% amino acid similarity (segment 6). In the same way, the comparison of both sequences of the vaccine strain with those of the virulent strain segment 2 and segment 6 of AHSV-4 revealed 91% nucleotide and 96% amino acid similarity (segment 2), and 98% nucleotide and 98% amino acid similarity (segment 6).

Addition of cisapride shortens colonoscopy preparation with lavage in elderly patients

METHODS

The effect of pre-treatment with cisapride on colonoscopy preparation with lavage solution was compared in 120 out-patients less than 60 years and 73 out-patients 60 years or older, who were scheduled for total colonoscopy. By random allocation, patients were assigned to receive cisapride 10 mg or placebo 30 minutes before ingesting the magnesium citrate lavage solution.

RESULTS

The cleansing results and patients' acceptance did not differ significantly in the two treatment groups in either age group. The time from the start of ingesting magnesium citrate until the rectal effluent became clear was significantly shorter in cisapride-treated patients of 60 years or more. Moreover, the residual fluid volume removed by suction during colonoscopy was significantly less in the patients above aged 60 years who received cisapride.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that the combination of cisapride and magnesium citrate is more effective than magnesium citrate alone in cleansing the colon for colonoscopy in elderly patients.

Protective effect of oral administration of killed Haemophilus paragallinarum serotype A on chickens

Orally administered bacterin of killed Haemophilus paragallinarum effectively induced production of serum hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies in chickens, and all immunized chickens were protected from subsequent infection. Although one intramuscular dose of 10(8) cells adjuvanted with aluminium phosphate gel (equivalent to commercial vaccine) induced protective immunity, two oral doses of 10(10) cells each with no adjuvants were required to induce effective immunity.

Detection of African horsesickness virus by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers for segment 5 (NS1 gene)

The reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was applied to the detection of African horsesickness virus (AHSV) using primers specific for attenuated AHSV serotype 4 segment 5 (NS1 gene). Total RNA which contains both messenger RNA and genomic dsRNA was extracted by the acid guanidinium-phenol-chloroform method from the AHSV infected Vero cells and was used as templates to optimize the RT-PCR. A pair of primer (NP2-NP32) amplified the product of the expected size from all serotypes of attenuated AHSV when four pairs of primers were tested. Using this primer pair, no RT-PCR product was detected from the RNA samples extracted from ten other orbiviruses infected cells and their virions. In addition, RT-PCR using a serial dilution of RNA samples suggested that AHSV was efficiently detected from 1 to 2 cells of the cell monolayer infected with 10(6) TCID50 of AHSV. The RT-PCR concerning with total RNAs of AHSV NS1 gene was found to be a specific and sensitive method for the detection of AHSV.

A CMOS integrated circuit for multichannel multiple-subject biotelemetry using bidirectional optical transmissions

A CMOS integrated circuit for a noninvasive biological-signal telemetry system specified for use in medical and physiological studies of the influence of weightlessness in space is presented. The system can monitor multichannel (4 channels maximum) biological signals from multiple subjects (4 subjects maximum) in real time by using time multiplexing. A key technique, so-called synchronized multiple-subject telemetry, to achieve multiple-subject telemetry has been proposed. This technique utilizes bidirectional optical transmissions with direct and scattered infrared lights between an observer and each of the subjects. An experimental CMOS IC to give a small light-weight low-power, and smart telemetry instrument for use on animals has been developed. This IC is for evaluating circuit blocks of the implantable monolithic telemetry instrument. The major circuit blocks include CMOS digital circuits for synchronization, subject selection and time multiplexing, analog circuits for pulse interval modulation (PIM), and other blocks such as a CMOS optical pulse receiver and an LED driver. A preliminary experimental multichannel telemetry from two subjects has been performed with the implemented IC chips, and the principal operation of the multiple-subject optical biotelemetry has been demonstrated.

Voltage- and time-dependent K+ channel currents in the basolateral membrane of villus enterocytes isolated from guinea pig small intestine

Patch-clamp studies were carried out in villus enterocytes isolated from the guinea pig proximal small intestine. In the whole-cell mode, outward K+ currents were found to be activated by depolarizing command pulses to -45 mV. The activation followed fourth order kinetics. The time constant of K+ current activation was voltage-dependent, decreasing from approximately 3 ms at -10 mV to 1 ms at +50 mV. The K+ current inactivated during maintained depolarizations by a voltage-independent, monoexponential process with a time constant of approximately 470 ms. If the interpulse interval was shorter than 30 s, cumulative inactivation was observed upon repeated stimulations. The steady state inactivation was voltage-dependent over the voltage range from -70 to -30 mV with a half inactivation voltage of -46 mV. The steady state activation was also voltage-dependent with a half-activation voltage of -22 mV. The K+ current profiles were not affected by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+. The K+ current induced by a depolarizing pulse was suppressed by extracellular application of TEA+, Ba2+, 4-aminopyridine or quinine with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 8.9 mM, 4.6 mM, 86 microM and 26 microM, respectively. The inactivation time course was accelerated by quinine but decelerated by TEA+, when applied to the extracellular (but not the intracellular) solution. Extracellular (but not intracellular) applications of verapamil and nifedipine also quickened the inactivation time course with 50% effective concentrations of 3 and 17 microM, respectively. Quinine, verapamil and nifedipine shifted the steady state inactivation curve towards more negative potentials. Outward single K+ channel events with a unitary conductance of approximately 8.4 pS were observed in excised inside-out patches of the basolateral membrane, when the patch was depolarized to -40 mV. The ensemble current rapidly activated and thereafter slowly inactivated with similar time constants to those of whole-cell K+ currents. It is concluded that the basolateral membrane of guinea pig villus enterocytes has a voltage-gated, time-dependent, Ca(2+)-insensitive, small-conductance K+ channel. Quinine, verapamil, and nifedipine accelerate the inactivation time course by affecting the inactivation gate from the external side of the cell membrane.

Rapid detection of African horsesickness virus by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the amplimer for segment 3 (VP3 gene)

The complete sequence of the major core protein (VP3) gene of African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV-4; vaccine strain) was determined by analysis of a complete cDNA clone representing segment 3. The RNA was 2,789 bp long and a comparison of its sequence with that of bluetongue virus serotype 10 (BTV-10) revealed 58% nucleotide similarity. Based on these data, the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was applied to the specific detection of AHSV using a pair of primers designed for AHSV-4 VP3 gene. Approximately 230 bp of PCR products were amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA extracts (mRNA and dsRNA) of Vero cells infected with eight serotypes of AHSV. No product was observed analogous to other orbiviruses. The supernatant of the infected cell culture fluid without any RNA purification was also suitable as a template for RT-PCR after being denatured at 94 degrees C for 5 min. The sensitivity of this method was between 10(0) and 10(1) TCID50 when viral RNA from the supernatant of infected cell culture was subjected to RT-PCR. The whole procedure for detecting the virus RNA by RT-PCR could be carried out within 5 h. The RT-PCR with AHSV VP3 gene as a target was found to be a simple, highly specific and sensitive assay for AHSV.

pH-dependent multilamellar structures in fetal mouse bone: possible involvement of fatty acids in bone mineralization

pH-dependent multilamellar structures in fetal mouse bone: possible involvement of fatty acids in bone mineralization. Am. J. Physiol. 266 (Cell Physiol. 35): C590-C600, 1994.--Multilamellar structures (MLS) were found inside and outside osteoblasts in cultured and uncultured fetal mouse parietal bone fixed at pH 7.3 with glutaraldehyde solution containing tannic acid (TA). Electron-lucent areas (up to 1.5 microns in diameter) surrounded by thin lamellar structures were found in place of MLS in bone and bone cell cultures fixed at pH 6.0 in the presence of TA. Large lipid droplets were found, in place of electron-lucent areas and MLS, in specimens fixed at pH 7.4 in the absence of TA and dehydrated with a procedure that did not extract neutral lipid. Freeze-fracture studies showed phosphatidylcholine formed MLS at both pH 8.1 and pH 6.0, whereas oleic acid formed MLS at pH 8.1 and lipid droplets at pH 6.0. Thus fatty acids probably formed the pH-dependent MLS found in bone. The data suggest that osteoblasts synthesize and secrete fatty acids, as droplets, into the extracellular space. The close association of MLS with calcifying osteoid in specimens processed with TA suggests that fatty acids are directly involved in bone mineralization.

Phylogenetic subtypes of human T-lymphotropic virus type I and their relations to the anthropological background

Isolates of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) were phylogenetically analyzed from native inhabitants in India and South America (Colombia and Chile) and from Ainu (regarded as pure Japanese descendants from the preagricultural "Jomon" period). Their genomes were partially sequenced together with isolates from Gabon in central Africa and from Ghana in West Africa. The phylogenetic tree was constructed from the sequence data obtained and those of previously reported HTLV-I isolates and simian T-lymphotropic virus type I (STLV-I) isolates. The heterogeneity of HTLV-I was recently recognized, and one major type, generally called the "cosmopolitan" type, contained Japanese, Caribbean, and West African isolates. The phylogenetic tree constructed in the present study has shown that this cosmopolitan type can be further grouped into three lineages (subtypes A, B, and C). Subtype A consists of some Caribbean, two South American, and some Japanese isolates, including that from the Ainu, in addition to an Indian isolate, and subtype B consists of other Japanese isolates in addition to another Indian isolate, suggesting that there might be at least two ancestral lineages of the Japanese HTLV-I. Subtype A implies a close connection of the Caribbean and South American natives with the Japanese and thereby a possible migration of the lineage to the American continent via Beringia in the Paleolithic era. Subtype C consists of the West African and other Caribbean isolates, indicating that not all but part of the Caribbean strains directly originated from West Africa probably during the period of slave trade. The tree also has shown that the HTLV-I isolate from Gabon in central Africa forms a cluster with STLV-I from a chimpanzee, suggesting a possible interspecies transmission between man and the chimpanzee in the past. No specific clustering was observed in the tree in relation to manifestations of the disease such as adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-I-related neurological disorders. Thus, the topology of the phylogenetic tree reflects the movement of people carrying the virus in the past.

Neuro-glial neurotrophic interaction in the S-100 beta retarded mutant mouse (Polydactyly Nagoya). II. Co-cultures study

The homozygote of a mouse strain with genetic polydactyly (Polydactyly Nagoya, Pdn) shows several brain abnormalities, and significant decrease of S-100 beta in the brain [17]. An accompanying paper [18] demonstrates that the hippocampus and caudo-dorsal cortex of homozygote (Pdn/Pdn) mouse were markedly reduced in S-100 beta positive astrocytes and serotonergic fibers, and the content of 5-HT and 5-HIAA of hippocampus and cortex of Pdn/Pdn mouse was lower than those of heterozygote (Pdn/+) or wild type (+/+) mice. To further clarify the effects of target tissues from different type brains on the development of serotonergic neurons, raphe neurons from Pdn/Pdn or +/+ newborn mice were co-cultured with hippocampus or cortex of +/+ or Pdn/Pdn newborn mice. The growth of the serotonergic neurons in the mesencephalic raphe tissue dissociated cultures was estimated by measuring the specific uptake of [3H]5-HT. The development of both genotypes (Pdn/Pdn and +/+) of serotonergic neurons was enhanced by co-cultures with target tissues (hippocampus and cortex) of +/+ brain. This effect was not observed in the co-cultures with Pdn/Pdn brain as a source of target tissue. The present results support the idea that the developmental defect of serotonergic fibers in the Pdn mutant mouse is caused by the deficiency of S-100 beta in the astrocyte of this mutant, and suggest that S-100 beta is a serotonergic growth factor. This mutant mouse is a useful in vivo model to study neural-glial neurotrophic interactions.

Neuro-glial neurotrophic interaction in the S-100 beta retarded mutant mouse (Polydactyly Nagoya). I. Immunocytochemical and neurochemical studies

The homozygote of a mouse strain with genetic polydactyly (Polydactyly Nagoya; Pdn) shows several brain abnormalities, and significant decrease of S-100 beta in the brain. In order to clarify the effects of the retarded production of S-100 beta on the development of monoaminergic neuronal systems and supporting glial cells, immunocytochemical studies of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin (5-HT), S-100 beta and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In addition, high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) measurements of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) of homozygote (Pdn/Pdn) mouse were examined, and the results were compared with those of other genotypes; heterozygote (Pdn/+) and wild type (+/+) mice. In all types of mice, S-100 beta positive cells and serotonergic fibers were widely distributed throughout the brains and serotonergic cell bodies were located in the brainstem. However, the hippocampus and caudo-dorsal cortex of Pdn/Pdn mouse were markedly reduced in S-100 beta positive cells and in serotonergic fibers. Furthermore, abnormal distribution of GFAP positive cells and fibers were observed in the neocortex and hippocampus of Pdn/Pdn brain. No differences were seen in the distribution of TH neurons or fibers distribution. In the HPLC study, the content of 5-HT and 5-HIAA of the hippocampus and cortex of Pdn/Pdn mouse was lower than those of Pdn/+ and +/+ mice. The present results suggest that the developmental defect of serotonergic fibers in the Pdn mutant mouse is correlate to the deficiency of S-100 beta in the astrocyte of this mutant.

Regional assignment of the human immunoglobulin processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2) to 9p24.2-->p24.1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The human immunoglobulin processed pseudogene C epsilon 3 (IGHEP2), which was assigned to chromosome 9 by somatic cell hybrid analysis, has not been regionally localized as yet. In this study, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with conventional QFQ-, RBG- or GTG-banding, IGHEP2 was assigned to the p terminus region of chromosome 9, at band 9p24.2-->p24.1. This result suggests that the C epsilon 3 gene is a novel telomeric DNA marker useful not only for constructing the physical map of human chromosome 9 but also for cytogenetic analyses such as cryptic translocations. In addition, comparative mapping of this gene in other catarrhine primates would contribute to investigations of human and other primate karyotype evolution.

Development of a novel drug release system, time-controlled explosion system (TES). I. Concept and design

A novel controlled drug release system. Time-Controlled Explosion System (TES) has been developed. TES has a four-layered spherical structure, which consists of core, drug, swelling agent and water insoluble polymer membrane. TES is characterized by a rapid drug release with a precisely programmed lag time; i.e. expansion of the swelling agent by water penetrating through the outer membrane, destruction of the membrane by stress due to swelling force and subsequent rapid drug release. For establishing the concept and development strategy, TES was designed using metoprolol and polystyrene balls (size: 3.2 mm in diameter) as a model drug and core particles. Among the polymers screened, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) and ethylcellulose (EC) were selected for a swelling agent and an outer water insoluble membrane, respectively. The release profiles of metoprolol from the system were not affected by the pH of the dissolution media. Lag time was controlled by the thickness of the outer EC membrane; thus, a combination of TES particles possessing different lag times could offer any desired release profile of the model compound, metoprolol.

A unique VP4 gene allele carried by an unusual bovine rotavirus strain, 993/83

The VP4 protein of an unusual group A calf rotavirus strain, 993/83 (serotype G7 and subgroup non-I and non-II), was determined to contain 770 amino acids, shorter than any other VP4 proteins sequenced to date. The 993/83 VP4 exhibited only 55-62% amino acid identity to the VP4s of the representatives of 12 distinct P serotypes, suggesting that 993/83 VP4 represents a new P serotype.

Protection against the mouse-adapted A/FM/1/47 strain of influenza A virus in mice by a monoclonal antibody with cross-neutralizing activity among H1 and H2 strains

The monoclonal antibody designated C179 was found to neutralize all of the H1 and H2 strains of influenza A virus studied (Y. Okuno, Y. Isegawa, F. Sasao, and S. Ueda, J. Virol. 67:2552-2558, 1993). In the present study, the ability of C179 to protect mice from the lethal effect of the A/FM/1/47 (H1N1) strain was examined. When the mice were injected intraperitoneally with 100 micrograms of C179 per mouse a day before the virus challenge (2.0 x 10(3) focus-forming units per mouse), all of the mice survived. Moreover, significantly higher survival rates were observed in mice receiving 1,000 micrograms of C179 per mouse 2 days after the virus challenge than in those receiving phosphate-buffered saline alone. These results indicate that C179 is effective not only for prevention but also for treatment of mice infected with H1 and H2 strains. The possibility that C179 can be used for passive immunization in humans is discussed.

Development of a novel drug delivery system, time-controlled explosion system (TES). IV. In vivo drug release behavior

Time-Controlled Explosion System (TES) has the time-controlled drug release property with a pre-designed lag time. The drug release from the system is initiated by destruction of the membrane. In this study, metoprolol tartrate was used as a model drug. After five types of TES with different in vitro lag times were orally administrated to dogs, plasma metoprolol concentration was monitored. There existed a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo lag time, while the extent of absorbed metoprolol decreased with prolongation of lag time. Next, the in vivo drug release behavior was directly investigated using five different colored TES with a lag time of two hours. Each TES was consecutively administrated to the fasted dogs at predetermined intervals. The amount of metoprolol released was monitored by recovering the administered TES from the gastrointestinal trace. The in vivo release profile corresponded with the in vitro one. It is demonstrated that TES can release the drug in in vivo conditions similarly to in vitro. Based on these results, the decrease of the absorption is suggested to be caused by increased hepatic first-pass metabolism of the drug due to the retarded release rate with longer lag time.

[Clinical evaluation of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL)]

From August 1992 through February 1993, we treated 21 patients with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). Two patients had a history of the esophageal variceal bleeding, but 19 patients did not have bleeding episodes. To evaluate preventive effect of bleeding, we selected the patients who had grade F2 or red color sign positive varices. We repeated EVL until varices improved into grade F0 or F1 and red color sign negative. The therapeutic goal was sometimes changed according to patient's general condition. No additional therapy was performed to eradicate varices, such as endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. As a result of our therapy, eradication rate was 73.7% and period of hospitalization were 25 +/- 11 days. No major complications were found during and after EVL. EVL affected neither liver function test nor size of gastric varices. Recurrent varices with red color sign were found in 4 patients, but easily controlled by retreatment with EVL. EVL seems to be convenient and effective therapy in our short-term study, and useful for preventive therapy of the esophageal variceal bleeding.

Basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA is expressed strongly at the acute stage of cerebral contusion

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has a neurotrophic effect both in vitro and in vivo, and is considered to play an important role in the maintenance of neuronal functions in the normal brain. Neural damage in brain contusion progresses after the primary injury of trauma because of cerebral hemodynamic and metabolic impairment including intracranial hemorrhage and/or brain swelling. Northern blot analysis of bFGF mRNA was performed in rats after cerebral contusion produced by our modified fluid percussion device. Expression of bFGF mRNA increased significantly on the second day after trauma. A possible role of bFGF is functioning to protect the critical neurons from secondary neural damage in cerebral contusion.

A comparative assessment of the duration of action of amlodipine and nifedipine GITS in normotensive subjects

1 This study in normotensive subjects compared the duration and consistency of action of amlodipine (5 mg) and nifedipine GITS (60 mg) by assessment of the attenuation of pressor responses to noradrenaline and angiotensin II. 2 Both drugs significantly attenuated pressor responses to both vasoconstrictors at 6 and 24 h post-dose with rightward shifts of up to 2.3-fold in the dose-response curves. 3 There was significantly less pharmacokinetic variability with amlodipine: for example, intra-subject variability was 33% with amlodipine and 59% with nifedipine GITS. 4 There were no significant differences in the pressor dose ratios up to 48 h post-dose with amlodipine whereas there was a significant and progressive reduction in the pressor dose ratios with nifedipine. 5 These results suggest that both drugs are broadly comparable as once daily treatments but amlodipine displayed less intra- and inter-subject variability and provided a significantly more sustained effect with a reserve of pharmacological activity up to 48 h post-dose.

A new serotype of the outer capsid protein VP4 shared by an unusual human rotavirus strain Ro1845 and canine rotaviruses

The VP4 protein of human rotavirus (HRV) strain Ro1845 and canine rotavirus strains K9 and CU-1 exhibited greater than 98% amino acid identity within their group, but showed less identity with VP4 proteins of other HRV and animal rotavirus strains, the simian rotavirus strain RRV VP4 being most similar to them (90% amino acid identity). To exclude the possibility that these three strains were members of the RRV VP4 serotype P3, neutralization studies were performed using antisera to reassortant viruses containing the VP4 gene from each of Ro1845, CU-1 and RRV. The result established close antigenic similarity among the VP4 proteins of Ro1845, K9 and CU-1 and revealed only a marginal degree of similarity between the VP4 proteins of these three strains and that of strain RRV. These sequence and serological data suggest that the VP4 proteins of Ro1845, K9 and CU-1 represent a new P serotype which we propose to assign P13.