Three dimensional architecture of collagen fibrils in the corpus cavernosum of the crab-eating monkey

The three-dimensional architecture of the collagen fibrils in the corpus cavernosum of the crab-eating monkey was studied by scanning electron microscope, after digestion of cellular and some extracellular elements by NaOH. The tunica was made up of undulating bundles of collagen fibrils which were arranged in inner circular, middle intermingled and outer longitudinal layers. The trabecula appeared as numerous cylindrical tubes which had once accommodated individual smooth muscle fibers. The outer surface of the trabecula was covered with a sheath woven from twisting bundles of collagen fibrils. These architectural features of the collagen fibrils seem to be related to fluctuations in the diameter and shape of the corpus during erection and detumescence.

Ultrastructural studies on the anal canal epithelium in the mouse, with special reference to the keratinizing process

The stratified squamous epithelium lining the mouse anal canal revealed various stages of keratinization. Considering the ultrastructural features, it is suggested that the epithelium lining the distal part shows more advanced keratinization than in the proximal part. Further, the width of the microridges in the distal part was about doubled compared to that in the proximal part. The difference in the width of microridges appears to be an important marker of the degree of keratinization.

Long term follow-up for patients with liver cirrhosis after partial splenic embolization

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Fifteen cases of liver cirrhosis (LC) were examined to determine whether the partial splenic embolization (PSE), done to improve hematological disorders, could also improve liver function for at least 12 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood count, serological and coagulatory examination were retrospectively examined before PSE, 6 months and 12 months after PSE.

RESULTS

Hematological disorders were improved (p < 0.01) and persisted at improved levels in all cases. In patients in Child A or Child B classification, the levels of cholinesterase, total cholesterol and prothrombin time were also improved significantly after PSE (p < 0.05). However, those parameters were not improved in Child C classification.

CONCLUSION

PSE may improve not only hematological disorders but also liver functions for at least one year.

Intrabiliary pressure measurement by duodenal pressure loading for the evaluation of duodenal parapapillary diverticulum

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We report a method of intrabiliary pressure measurement by duodenal pressure loading for evaluating the effects of duodenal parapapillary diverticulum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients with primary choledocholithiasis were investigated based on usual intrabiliary pressure measurement developed at our department.

RESULTS

Ten of these patients with parapapillary diverticulum showed higher intrabiliary residual pressure (P) and biliary resistance (R) values than the remaining patients without diverticulum, but the difference were not significant. There were no significant differences in the frequency of patterns of the B zone angulation of the pressure curve between the two groups with and without parapapillary diverticulum. Intrabiliary pressure was measured while maintaining a manometer pressure of 250 mm H2O by infusing or aspirating physiologic saline.

CONCLUSION

From the results of this measurement for 6 patients, when P and R values show increases of 50 mm H2O or more and 3.5 units or more, respectively, additional surgery for parapapillary diverticulum was considered to be indicated.

Kinetic and spectroscopic evidence for active site inhibition of human aldose reductase

Aldose reductase is an NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase that catalyzes the reduction of a variety of aldehydes and carbonyls, including monosaccharides. Intense interest in the discovery and characterization of inhibitors has developed since the action of this enzyme has been linked to the pathogenesis of some diabetic complications. Since past studies indicated that most inhibitors act noncompetitively or uncompetitively versus substrate in the direction of aldehyde reduction, it was assumed that they bind at one or more sites distinct from the active site. However, the crystal structure of aldose reductase complexed with inhibitor [Wilson et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 9847-9851] unambiguously revealed the inhibitor bound at the active site. The present study was undertaken to address this apparent discrepancy. Using a fluorometric assay, it was determined that zopolrestat, an acetic acid-type inhibitor, bound to aldose reductase complexed with either NADPH or NADP+. In contrast, the spirohydantoin-type inhibitor sorbinil demonstrated preferential binding to the binary enzyme.NADPH complex. Prior incubation of the enzyme.NADPH complex with zopolrestat prevented subsequent sorbinil binding. These results, together with the published structure of the ternary enzyme.NADPH.zopolrestat complex, are consistent with the conclusion that both sorbinil and zopolrestat bind at the active site. We propose that mixed inhibition patterns previously observed with sorbinil are due to inhibitor binding to both structural isomers of the enzyme.NADPH complex. Similar patterns for inhibition by zopolrestat are due to tight binding of the inhibitor. Substrate inhibition in the direction of aldehyde reduction occurs as a result of substrate binding to the enzyme.NADP+ complex.

Calcium-dependent potentiation of M-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from cultured bullfrog sympathetic neurons to measure the steady-state activation curve of M-type potassium current. When measured with a calcium-deficient (10 nM) pipette solution M-conductance was 4.8 nS at -35 mV having the 50%-activation voltage at-20 mV. Respective values were 17.2 nS at -35 mV with the 50%-activation voltage at -42 mV when measured with a calcium-rich (1 microM) solution, indicating the hyperpolarizing displacement of the activation curve with high internal calcium. It is suggested that intracellular calcium ions can modulate kinetics of M-current which thereby regulate the number of M-channels being open at given membrane potentials.

Phosphorylation and activation of myosin by Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase)

The small GTPase Rho is implicated in physiological functions associated with actin-myosin filaments such as cytokinesis, cell motility, and smooth muscle contraction. We have recently identified and molecularly cloned Rho-associated serine/threonine kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by GTP Rho (Matsui, T., Amano, M., Yamamoto, T., Chihara, K., Nakafuku, M., Ito, M., Nakano, T., Okawa, K., Iwamatsu, A., and Kaibuchi, K. (1996) EMBO J. 15, 2208-2216). Here we found that Rho-kinase stoichiometrically phosphorylated myosin light chain (MLC). Peptide mapping and phosphoamino acid analyses revealed that the primary phosphorylation site of MLC by Rho-kinase was Ser-19, which is the site phosphorylated by MLC kinase. Rho-kinase phosphorylated recombinant MLC, whereas it failed to phosphorylate recombinant MLC, which contained Ala substituted for both Thr-18 and Ser-19. We also found that the phosphorylation of MLC by Rho-kinase resulted in the facilitation of the actin activation of myosin ATPase. Thus, it is likely that once Rho is activated, then it can interact with Rho-kinase and activate it. The activated Rho-kinase subsequently phosphorylates MLC. This may partly account for the mechanism by which Rho regulates cytokinesis, cell motility, or smooth muscle contraction.

Phylogenetic relationships in A-genome species of rice as revealed by RAPD analysis

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships in A-genome species of rice, RAPD analysis was carried out using 29 accessions (8 Oryza sativa, 6 O. glaberrima, 13 O. perennis, and 2 O. breviligulata). Their total DNA was used as template for PCR with 14 decamer primers. The amplified products were electrophoresed in agarose gel, and the banding patterns were observed. Average number of total amplified bands for each accession using 14 primers was 84.6. By comparing the banding patterns, the proportion of common bands between 29 accessions was calculated and a dendrogram showing genetic relationships was constructed. Most of the accessions formed clusters corresponding to their taxonomic grouping. The Oceanian and African forms of O. perennis were substantially different from all other groups. The Asian form of O. perennis, however, formed a complex with O. sativa while O. breviligulata was clustered with O. glaberrima. This indicates that O. sativa and O. glaberrima have probably originated from the Asian form of O. perennis and from O. breviligulata, respectively.

Changes in the chemical composition of the bovine temporomandibular joint disc with age

The bovine temporomandibular joint disc is a fibrocartilaginous structure composed largely of collagen and proteoglycans. Little is known about changes in its composition accompanying growth and maturation. Discs were collected from immature foetuses (3-5 months), mature foetuses (6-8 months, adolescents (18 months), young adults (2-3 yr) and mature adults (over 4 yr), dissected free of fibrous attachments, and separated into outer and inner tissues. For the outer tissues the major findings were that: (1) water content in postnatal specimens was less than in prenatal specimens: (2) collagen content (relative to tissue dry weight) increased up to adolescence with little change thereafter; (3) total glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid contents decreased during foetal development and then remained relatively constant, and (4) dermatan sulphate (the major glycosaminoglycan at all ages) decreased at maturity while keratan sulphate increased slightly. Results for the inner tissues were similar except that: (1) total glycosaminoglycan content was much higher in postnatal animals; (2) chondroitin sulphate was the major glycosaminoglycan after birth; and (3) keratan sulphate, which was barely detectable in the foetal specimens, increased rapidly after birth. Evidence was also obtained for changes in the copolymeric nature of galactosaminoglycans in the inner tissue. These findings, especially the different pattern of age-related changes in outer (presumably non-compressed) and inner (presumably compressed) tissue, suggest that the disc has the capacity to continually modify its composition in response to the mechanical stresses placed on it.

Regulation of myosin phosphatase by Rho and Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase)

The small guanosine triphosphatase Rho is implicated in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, which results in contraction of smooth muscle and interaction of actin and myosin in nonmuscle cells. The guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound, active form of RhoA (GTP.RhoA) specifically interacted with the myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase, which regulates the extent of phosphorylation of MLC. Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by GTP.RhoA, phosphorylated MBS and consequently inactivated myosin phosphatase. Overexpression of RhoA or activated RhoA in NIH 3T3 cells increased phosphorylation of MBS and MLC. Thus, Rho appears to inhibit myosin phosphatase through the action of Rho-kinase.

Cellular mechanisms for the formation of a soluble form derivative of T-cell receptor alpha chain by suppressor T cells

Upon stimulation with anti-CD3, suppressor T-cell (Ts) hybridomas and homologous transfectants of T-cell receptor a (TCRalpha) cDNA in the T-cell hybridoma formed a 55-kDa TCRalpha chain derivative that bound both the monoclonal anti-TCRalpha chain and polyclonal antibodies against glycosylation inhibiting factor (GIF). The peptide is a subunit of antigen-specific suppressor T-cell factor (TsF), and is considered to be a posttranslationally-formed conjugate of TCRalpha chain with GIF peptide. The TCRalpha derivative is synthesized by the transfectant after stimulation with anti-CD3, and not derived from TCR present on the cell surface. Stimulation of the stable homologous transfectants with anti-CD3 induced translocation of the 13-kDa GIF peptide into endoplasmic reticulum (ER). When a helper Ts hybridoma or a stable transfectant of the same TCRalpha cDNA in a helper cell-derived TCRalpha- clone was stimulated with anti-CD3, translocation of GIF peptide was not detected, and these cells failed to secrete a TCRalpha derivative. However, further transfection of a chimeric cDNA encoding a procalcitonin-GIF fusion protein into the helper cell-derived stable transfectant of TCRalpha cDNA resulted in translocation of the GIF protein and formation of bioactive 55-kDa GIF. The results indicated that translocation of GIF peptide through ER is unique for Ts cells, and that this process is essential for the formation/secretion of the soluble form derivative of TCRalpha chain by T cells.

[Method of calculating TDF biological equivalent for optimal treatment dose in fractionated intracavitary irradiation of carcinoma of the uterine cervix]

Intracavitary irradiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix used with high or low dose rate irradiation is fractionated in Japan. The optimal treatment dose is determined according to the biological effect on both diseased and healthy tissues. The equations of modified NSD and TDF biological equivalents were recalculated from Arai's clinical data, which were used to examine the optimal time-dose-fractionation relationship for high and low dose rate intracavitary irradiation on squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri. The optimal time-dose-fractionation relationship at point A is expressed as follows: D = NSD N0.26 T0.06 where NSD is 17.75 get for high dose rate and 31.78 get for low dose rate. TDF = K n d1.47 x-0.09 where K is 1.46 for high dose rate and 0.62 for low dose rate. The range of the optimal total dose to point A given by one fraction per week was 30.7 Gy for 4 fractions and 38.3 Gy for 8 fractions in high dose rate irradiation. In the case of low dose rate irradiation, the optimal total dose given by one fraction per week and the dose rate of 75.0 cGy/h was 55.0 Gy for 4 fractions. The maximum dose difference between our result and Arai's was about +/- 10%. The dose modification ratio for high dose rate and low dose rate is 1.79.

Differential effects of EMD-53998 on calcium-pressure relationship in normal and ischemic guinea pig heart

We investigated the effects of EMD-53998 and digoxin on Ca2+ transients and left ventricular (LV) function in indo 1-loaded Langendorff guinea pig hearts. EMD-53998 (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and digoxin (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) increased +dP/dt and Ca2+ transients in normal hearts. The relative increase in Ca2+ transients by EMD-53998 was similar to digoxin. At 10(-5) M, EMD-53998 increased LV end-diastolic pressure. Low-flow ischemia decreased +dP/dt by 50%, while indo 1 ratio increased by 10-25%. EMD-53998 (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) effectively restored the depressed +dP/dt with little effect on indo 1 ratio, but at 10(-5) M, it markedly elevated LV end-diastolic pressure and the beneficial effect on contractile dysfunction disappeared. Digoxin (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) failed to improve LV function, but at 10(-6) M, it restored contractile dysfunction with a large increase in indo 1 ratio. The relation between indo 1 ratio and +dP/dt clearly showed that EMD-53998 restored contractile dysfunction by Ca2+ sensitization. These findings suggest that Ca2+ sensitization by EMD-53998 is an advantageous approach for ischemic contractile failure but impairs diastolic function.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia in chronic schizophrenia

Proton spectra in the regions of the right and left basal ganglia were studied in 14 medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). Ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) to choline-containing compounds (Cho) were significantly reduced in the bilateral basal ganglia regions compared to normal subjects. The relative level of Cho was increased in the left basal ganglia region in comparison to normal subjects. This finding suggests the presence of disturbances in phospholipid metabolism in the basal ganglia. The level of NAA was decreased in the bilateral basal ganglia regions, which may indicate neuronal dysfunction. The 1H MRS study demonstrated dysfunctions in the basal ganglia regions in medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia.

p53 accumulation in the organs of low-dose X-ray-irradiated mice

In order to search for the direct evidence of cellular response to low-dose radiation, we investigated wild-type p53 protein accumulation in several organs of mice after exposure to low doses of X-rays. Significant p53 accumulation within 24 h was observed in the mouse adrenal glands and pancreas after X-ray irradiation at 25 cGy and 50 cGy, but not at 100 cGy. In addition, differential p53 accumulation was also observed in the hypophysis, thymus, skin, lung, bone marrow and liver at different doses. In contrast, we observed no accumulation of p53 protein in the spleen, testis or kidney at any dose used in this experiment. The p53 accumulation induced by low-dose X-rays in mice was organ-specific. It is suggested that cell type and interactions with other signal transduction pathways of the hormone system, immune system and/or nervous system may contribute to the variable induction of p53 by low-dose X-ray irradiation. The association of organ-specific p53 response with radiosensitivity and cancer incidence by radiation in each organ was discussed.

Manganese superoxide dismutase expression correlates with p53 status and local recurrence of cervical carcinoma treated with radiation therapy

Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) inactivates the radiation effect by removal of radiation-induced toxic superoxide radicals. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation among Mn-SOD, radiation sensitivity, and prognosis following radiation therapy. The Mn-SOD, p53 oncoprotein, and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expressions in 52 specimens from patients with cervical cancer treated with radiation therapy were investigated immunohistochemically. The frozen sections were stained using antihuman Mn-SOD, anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies, and anti-c-erbB-2 oncoprotein polyclonal antibody followed by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Correlations among Mn-SOD expression, prognosis, and failure patterns were analyzed. Additionally, correlations between p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins and Mn-SOD expression were investigated. Positive expression of Mn-SOD in cervical carcinoma was 48.1%. No significant difference in positivity of Mn-SOD expression was noted according to stage and histological subtypes. The 5-year survival rate of Mn-SOD-positive patients was 42.5 %, significantly poorer than the 77.0% of Mn-SOD-negative patients (P < 0.05). Analysis of the failure patterns revealed that patients with Mn-SOD expression showed a significantly higher incidence of local recurrence than those without. However, there was no difference in distant metastasis between them. Although both p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expressions were significantly associated with the prognosis of the same patients, Mn-SOD expression was associated with p53 oncoprotein expression but not with that of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Our results demonstrate that the Mn-SOD level of cancer cells is correlated with local control and is an important prognostic factor in radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The Mn-SOD level may help explain the intrinsic radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells.

Decrease in oxygen cost of contractility during hypocapnic alkalosis in canine hearts

Ca2+ sensitization of contractile machinery could theoretically enhance the mechanoenergetics of the heart. We studied the effects of alkalosis with Ca2+ sensitization on mechanoenergetics within the framework of the relationships of left ventricular pressure-volume area (PVA; a measure of the total mechanical energy), myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (VO2), and the contractility index [E(max) (slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relation)] in 10 excised, cross-circulated canine hearts. Alkalosis was stably maintained without hypoxia (mean pH 7.66). Alkalosis increased E(max) without changing the slope of the VO2-PVA relation, a reflected contractile efficiency. The incremental ratio of unloaded VO2 to E(max) in alkalosis was significantly lower than that in Ca2+ sensitization (0.0012 +/- 0.0010 vs. 0.0062 +/- 0.0030 ml O2 . mmHg-1 . ml . beat-1 . 100 g LV-2; P < 0.01). Basal metabolism under KCl arrest was unchanged by alkalosis, indicating the decreased energy cost of the excitation-contraction coupling by alkalosis. Compared with the control, alkalosis increased E(max) during the Ca2+ infusion of various concentrations without any further increase in unloaded VO2. Thus we demonstrated a decreased oxygen cost of contractility during alkalosis, presumably due to Ca2+ sensitization.

Rhabdomyolysis following administration of cyclophosphamide: a case report in a BMT recipient

Massive rhabdomyolysis followed by myocardial necrosis was observed in a 14-year-old patient undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia. Rhabdomyolysis was preceded by the administration of cyclophosphamide as part of a preparative regimen for transplantation Although the specific etiology of this rhabdomyolysis is still unknown, an association with high-dose cyclophosphamide should be noted.

The relationship between functional class, pulmonary artery pressure and size in left atrial myxoma

To examine the correlation between the size of left atrial myxoma, the degree of pulmonary hypertension and the patient's New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, the records of 29 surgically treated patients with left atrial myxoma were reviewed. Of 29 patients, 23 were catheterized before surgery. As the preoperative NYHA functional class advanced, the preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg) was seen to increase. Moreover, the weight of the excised myxoma also correlated well with the preoperative pulmonary artery pressure value. In five patients inserted with a Swan-Ganz catheter, the mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased immediately after tumour excision. Postoperatively, the average NYHA class of the 29 patients significantly improved. These results confirmed the positive correlation between the size of the tumour, the pulmonary artery pressure, and NYHA class in patients with left atrial myxoma.

Clinical features of measles in immunocompromised children

Measles is often fatal for immunocompromised hosts. Protective immunity against measles has been studied but is still not completely understood. Recently, five cases of measles were encountered in immunocompromised children. Two of these were allogeneic bone marrow transplanted cases (one common variable immunodeficiency and one severe aplastic anemia) in remission, one Wilms' tumor case in remission, one hepatoblastoma case after cytotoxic therapy at disease onset and one exaggerating hemophagocytic syndrome case with suppressed natural killer cell activity. Clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and the immunologic backgrounds of these five patients were investigated. One of the patients, an 8 year old boy with hemophagocytic syndrome, died of giant cell pneumonia which was confirmed in the section of necropsy lung specimen. Two other patients who received allogeneic bone marrow transplants were not immune to measles, despite their own and their donors' immunizations. Their clinical symptoms were rather severe but both patients recovered and have remained seropositive for as long as 13 months. This fatality from measles is the first reported in a patient with hemophagocytic syndrome. Suppressed natural killer cell activity may be a poor prognostic factor. Also, secondary immunization failure for measles can occur in bone marrow transplanted patients with rather severe clinical symptoms.

Analysis of response to radiation therapy of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma. MIB-1 and PC10 labeling indices

BACKGROUND

The MIB-1 monoclonal antibody is a marker of cycling cells and the PC10 monoclonal antibody is a marker of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in paraffin sections. This study was conducted to elucidate the difference in response to radiotherapy (RT) between cervical adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, focusing on cell proliferation.

METHODS

A total of 196 biopsy specimens taken from the cervical carcinomas of 14 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma and 62 patients with squamous cell carcinoma before and after RT at doses of 9 and 27 Grays (Gy) were investigated for MIB-1 and PC10 immunoreactivities.

RESULTS

In adenocarcinomas, the mean MIB-1 labeling indices before and after RT at 9 and 27 Gy were 28%, 21%, and 26%, respectively, whereas the mean PC10 labeling indices were 15%, 13%, and 14%, respectively. In squamous cell carcinomas, the mean MIB-1 labeling indices before and after RT at 9 and 27 Gy were 38%, 53%, and 26%, respectively, and the mean PC10 labeling indices were 23%, 23%, and 11%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical adenocarcinomas have a lower cycling cell population and their indices show no change during RT. Squamous cell carcinomas have a higher cycling cell population and show a transient increase of the MIB-1 cycling cell population at 9 Gy of RT. These findings suggest a difference in response to RT between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.