Primary amyloidosis with multiple pulmonary nodular lesions and IgA nephropathy-like renal involvement

A 66-year-old woman demonstrated multiple nodular lesions in the lungs without symptoms, and laboratory tests and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) had been negative for malignancy, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis 15 years ago. She developed proteinuria and hematuria 10 years later. Renal biopsy revealed focal segmental mesangial proliferation with predominant IgA deposition in the paramesangium, suggesting IgA nephropathy. However, electron-microscopic observation revealed 8-12 nm fibril deposits in the interstitium and few in the mesangium that were positively stained with amyloid P protein and negative for amyloid A protein. Re-evaluation of previous TBLB samples showed apple-green birefringence with Congo-red staining that was resistant to potassium permanganate reaction. Electron-microscopic observation with high magnification and immunostaining for amyloid components led to a diagnosis of AL amyloidosis in this patient with predominant mesangial IgA deposition and slowly progressive nodular lesions in the lungs.

Characterization of JNK-like protein derived from a mosquito cell line, C6/36

When Western blot analysis of heat-killed bacteria- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line C6/36 was performed using antiphospholyrated c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) antibodies, approximately 46 kDa protein was clearly detected with a peak around 30 min. After the C6/36 cells were incubated at 45 degrees C in order to induce apoptosis, the 46 kDa protein continued to be detected for at least 3 h. The internalization of fluorescein-labelled bacteria was inhibited by a JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125, suggesting that phagocytosis involves the JNK signalling pathway in mosquito cells. Based on these results, we found one candidate for the nucleotide sequence of JNK (Ae-JNK) from the C6/36 cells. This study is the first report regarding the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of mosquito.

Concentration of 17beta-estradiol using an immunoaffinity porous hollow-fiber membrane

We describe attempts to achieve high throughput of 17beta-estradiol (E2) analysis, including the development of an immunocleanup membrane using polyclonal antibodies and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies. An epoxy-group-containing monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was graft-polymerized onto a porous hollow-fiber membrane. Subsequently, anti-estrogen (ES) antibody, as a ligand, was coupled with the epoxy group. The ligand density ranged from 3.1 to 5.8 mg/g of the GMA-grafted porous hollow-fiber membrane. A 1.0 microg/L E2 solution was forced to permeate through pores rimmed by the anti-ES-antibody-immobilized polymer chains, at a constant permeation rate. A breakthrough curve, that is, the change in the E2 concentration of the effluent penetrating the outside of the hollow fiber with a change of the effluent volume, was determined. Bound E2 in amounts ranging from 0.42 to 0.80 microg was quantitatively eluted with 3-5 mL of methanol in the permeation mode. The higher permeation rate of the E2 solution resulted in the higher overall binding rate of E2 to the anti-ES-antibody-immobilized porous hollow-fiber membrane because of the negligible diffusional mass-transfer resistance of E2 to the antibody.

Usefulness of Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI and serum determination of LDH and its isozymes in the differential diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma from degenerated leiomyoma of the uterus

This prospective study was conducted to identify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of conventional MRI and dynamic MRI with or without serum measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Two hundred ninety-eight consecutive patients were entered in this study. In eligible 227 patients, ten patients with LMS and 130 patients with uterine degenerated leiomyoma (DLM) were included for the present study. Precontrast T1, T2 weighted images were obtained in all patients. Serum LDH and its isozymes were also measured. Dynamic MRI by Gd-DTPA was obtained in all patients with LMS and 32 patients with DLM in whom elevated LDH levels were observed. The contrast enhancement at 60 s after administration of Gd-DTPA was detected in all LMS, but absent in 28 of 32 DLM patients. Concerning serum LDH isozymes, both total LDH and LDH isozyme type 3 were elevated in all 10 patients with LMS. The sensitivity for determination of LMS with MRI alone, dynamic MRI alone, and combined use of MRI (including dynamic MRI) and serum LDH levels was 100% in each group. The specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 93.1%, 52.6%, 100%, and 93.1% with MRI alone, and 93.8%, 83.3%, 100%, and 95.2% with dynamic MRI alone, and 100%, 100%, 100%, 100% with combined use of LDH and MRI, respectively. In conclusion, the combined use of dynamic MRI and serum measurement of LDH (isozymes) seems to be useful in making a differentiated diagnosis of LMS from DLM before treatment.

Clostridial deep neck infection developed after extraction of a tooth: a case report and review of the literature in Japan

A rare case of severe deep neck infection caused by clostridia after extraction of the left lower canine is presented. The patient was a 63-year-old Japanese woman who had a history of diabetes. The pertinent literature in Japan is reviewed and discussed.

Possible contribution of CD44 variant 6 and nuclear beta-catenin expression to the formation of budding tumor cells in patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In an earlier study, the authors demonstrated that tumor budding was useful for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with early invasive (T1) colorectal carcinoma. This study was undertaken to clarify the associations between tumor budding, E-cadherin-catenin complex, and CD44 variant 6 abnormalities.

METHODS

In 51 T1 colorectal carcinomas, tumor budding (the number of dedifferentiation units at the invasive margin) on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides was counted under light microscopy. Immunostaining for E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and CD44 variant 6 was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections. The associations between locoregional failure (lymph node metastasis or local recurrence) and tumor budding and clinicopathologic parameters and immunoreactivity were examined statistically.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, tumor budding and nuclear beta-catenin expression were associated significantly with locoregional failure (P = 0.004, 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor budding alone was associated significantly with locoregional failure (P = 0.02), and the association between nuclear beta-catenin expression and locoregional failure was marginally significant (P = 0.07). Analysis of variance showed that lymphatic invasion alone was associated significantly with tumor budding (P = 0.02), and there was a significant interaction effect for tumor budding between CD44 variant 6 expression and nuclear beta-catenin expression (P = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between expression patterns of these two molecules and locoregional failure (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that the up-regulation of CD44 variant 6 through nuclear beta-catenin activation may contribute to the formation of tumor budding, and immunostaining of these two adhesion molecules may be useful in identifying those at high-risk for locoregional failure among patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma.

Recovery of 18F from [18O] water by electrochemical method

An electrochemical method for producing 18F sources for the slow positron beam was applied to the recovery of 18F from H2(18)O water. The 18F of activities 150-227 mCi (5.55-8.40 GBq) was electro-deposited on a graphite rod and then emitted into pure water. The best result of the efficiency for the electro-deposition for 5 min was 97% and that for the electro-emission for 5 min was 89%. The H2(18)O water is expected to be reused much more easily by this method than by the ion exchange resin method. The metal impurities contained in the 18F solution were considerably reduced by using this method.

alpha-, beta- or gamma-chain-specific RNA interference of laminin assembly in Drosophila Kc167 cells

Drosophila laminin alphabetagamma trimer assembly in Kc167 cells was perturbed by chain-specific RNA interference (RNAi). The intracellular pool of alpha and gamma chains remained unchanged under beta-chain RNAi by lipofection of double-stranded RNA encoding a beta-chain partial sequence. This was also the case for the intracellular pool of alpha and beta chains under gamma-chain-specific RNAi. Nonetheless, the intracellular pool of beta and gamma chains increased markedly under alpha-chain-specific RNAi. Non-reducing SDS/PAGE revealed that some of the increased beta and gamma chains migrated as disulphide-linked betagamma dimers but that the rest migrated as monomers. Since the monomeric beta and gamma bands detected under alpha-chain RNAi were denser than the beta band under gamma-chain RNAi and the gamma band under beta-chain RNAi, respectively, beta and gamma also appeared to accumulate by forming betagamma dimers without the disulphide linkage. We suggest that interconversion of these betagamma dimers is crucial for the replaceable and selective assembly of the alpha chain for alphabetagamma trimer formation.

Possible contribution of CD44 variant 6 and nuclear beta-catenin expression to the formation of budding tumor cells in patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In an earlier study, the authors demonstrated that tumor budding was useful for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with early invasive (T1) colorectal carcinoma. This study was undertaken to clarify the associations between tumor budding, E-cadherin-catenin complex, and CD44 variant 6 abnormalities.

METHODS

In 51 T1 colorectal carcinomas, tumor budding (the number of dedifferentiation units at the invasive margin) on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides was counted under light microscopy. Immunostaining for E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and CD44 variant 6 was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections. The associations between locoregional failure (lymph node metastasis or local recurrence) and tumor budding and clinicopathologic parameters and immunoreactivity were examined statistically.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, tumor budding and nuclear beta-catenin expression were associated significantly with locoregional failure (P = 0.004, 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor budding alone was associated significantly with locoregional failure (P = 0.02), and the association between nuclear beta-catenin expression and locoregional failure was marginally significant (P = 0.07). Analysis of variance showed that lymphatic invasion alone was associated significantly with tumor budding (P = 0.02), and there was a significant interaction effect for tumor budding between CD44 variant 6 expression and nuclear beta-catenin expression (P = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between expression patterns of these two molecules and locoregional failure (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that the up-regulation of CD44 variant 6 through nuclear beta-catenin activation may contribute to the formation of tumor budding, and immunostaining of these two adhesion molecules may be useful in identifying those at high-risk for locoregional failure among patients with T1 colorectal carcinoma.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein and atherosclerosis in Japanese subjects: a study based on coronary angiography

We undertook a cross-sectional analysis on CETP and atherosclerosis among Japanese subjects, by means of CETP mass assay, its gene polymorphism and coronary angiogram. The 110 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled into the study except for those over 70 years and taking lipid-lowering drugs. Association was analyzed among plasma lipid and lipoproteins, CETP mass, its gene polymorphisms and the finding in coronary angiography. Four CETP-deficiency heterozygotes were identified and excluded from the analysis. CETP mass level showed neither significant correlation with the coronary score (CS) (r=0.06, P=0.52) nor the difference between the groups eventually diagnosed as coronary heart disease (CHD) positive and CHD negative (2.36+/-0.57 vs. 2.24+/-0.21, P=0.24). CETP mass correlated with the total and LDL cholesterol (r=0.43, P<0.001; r=0.36, P<0.001, respectively) but not with HDL cholesterol (r=0.08, P=0.40). While I405V polymorphism had no impact on CETP mass, HDL cholesterol or CS, CETP mass was low with TaqIB polymorphism (B1B1>B2B2, P<0.05) only in the low CS group (<4). Among the lipid and lipoprotein, HDL cholesterol had a greater impact than LDL cholesterol on coronary atherosclerosis. We concluded that CETP mass in plasma does not correlate with coronary atherosclerosis as whole in the non-CETP-deficient. However, the B2B2 genotype in CETP TaqIB polymorphism, only when it decreases the CETP level, may act as a protective factor against atherosclerosis. It should also be noted that CETP mass in general correlates to total and LDL cholesterol, so that it would be an indirect atherogenic parameter.

A Drosophila haemocyte-specific protein, hemolectin, similar to human von Willebrand factor

We identified a novel Drosophila protein of approximately 400 kDa, hemolectin (d-Hml), secreted from haemocyte-derived Kc167 cells. Its 11.7 kbp cDNA contains an open reading frame of 3843 amino acid residues, with conserved domains in von Willebrand factor (VWF), coagulation factor V/VIII and complement factors. The d-hml gene is located on the third chromosome (position 70C1-5) and consists of 26 exons. The major part of d-Hml consists of well-known motifs with the organization: CP1-EG1-CP2-EG2-CP3-VD1-VD2-VD'-VD3-VC1-VD"-VD"'-FC1-FC2-VC2-LA1-VD4-VD5-VC3-VB1-VB2-VC4-VC5-CK1 (CP, complement-control protein domain; EG, epidermal-growth-factor-like domain; VB, VC, VD, VWF type B-, C- and D-like domains; VD', VD", VD"', truncated C-terminal VDs; FC, coagulation factor V/VIII type C domain; LA, low-density-lipoprotein-receptor class A domain; CK, cysteine knot domain). The organization of VD1-VD2-VD'-VD3, essential for VWF to be processed by furin, to bind to coagulation factor VIII and to form interchain disulphide linkages, is conserved. The 400 kDa form of d-Hml was sensitive to acidic cleavage near the boundary between VD2 and VD', where the cleavage site of pro-VWF is located. Agarose-gel electrophoresis of metabolically radiolabelled d-Hml suggested that it is secreted from Kc167 cells mainly as dimers. Resembling VWF, 7.9% (305 residues) of cysteine residues on the d-Hml sequence had well-conserved positions in each motif. Coinciding with the development of phagocytic haemocytes, d-hml transcript was detected in late embryos and larvae. Its low-level expression in adult flies was induced by injury at any position on the body.

Evolution of East Asian ninespine sticklebacks as shown by mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

Evolutionary processes in East Asian ninespine sticklebacks (Pungitius spp.), including both extremes of armor morphology in the genus, were demonstrated with mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) phylogeny. Entire CR sequences (830-930 bp long) were determined for three species: the most heavily armored (P. sinensis), the most reduced (P. tymensis), and an intermediate (P. pungitius). The former two species are endemic to East Asia, the latter being circumpolar. Three major lineages (A, B, and C) were revealed, whereas both the phylogenetic trees and the insertion sequence dynamics supported the polyphyly of P. sinensis. Haplotypes of the mainland populations of P. sinensis possessed lineage B, being the sister group of P. tymensis lineage A. Island populations of P. sinensis, however, possessed lineage C, along with all P. pungitius haplotypes. A molecular clock hypothesis was clearly rejected for the CR sequences, significantly slower evolutionary rates being observed in the P. tymensis lineage. The split of mainland P. sinensis and P. tymensis was considered to have preceded that of the lineage C colonization in East Asia. The contrasting morphology is probably attributable to adaptation of P. tymensis to island freshwater environments and an ecological interaction between P. tymensis and lineage C emigrants.

Evaluation of European tick-borne encephalitis virus vaccine against recent Siberian and far-eastern subtype strains

To evaluate the efficacy of the European TBE vaccine in east-Siberian and far-eastern regions of Russia, we examined the immune responses of the vaccine against recent TBE virus Siberian (Irkutsk) and far-eastern (Khabarovsk and Vladivostok) isolates. The sera of vaccinated humans showed efficient neutralizing antibody titers (> or =20) against Siberian and far-eastern strains. To evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in vivo, mice were vaccinated and challenged with lethal doses of the viruses. All vaccinated mice survived each virus challenge. These results suggest that the European vaccine can prevent the TBE virus infection in east-Siberian and far-eastern regions of Russia.

Reduced albumin reabsorption in the proximal tubule of early-stage diabetic rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the proximal tubule in microalbuminuria in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by an injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.). After 2 weeks, albumin delivery in the proximal tubule was measured using micropuncture and the endocytosis process of FITC-labeled albumin was evaluated with immunoelectron microscopy. Albumin was significantly reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of controls (0.39+/-0.05 ng/min at early PCT to 0.17+/-0.08 at late PCT, P<0.05), whereas albumin reabsorption was inhibited in diabetic rats (0.27+/-0.05 to 0.21+/-0.08). Immunogold study revealed that FITC-albumin was significantly less reabsorbed in endosomes and lysosomes of S1 segments in diabetic rats than in controls (endosome: 1.20+/-0.10 vs 2.16+/-0.15 microm-1, P<0.0001; lysosome: 0.26+/-0.03 vs 0.83+/-0.07, P<0.0001). The expression of megalin, an endocytosis receptor, was decreased at the apical membrane of PCT in diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation production in the proximal tubule was significantly increased in diabetic rats. In conclusion, albuminuria in early-stage diabetic rats can be partly explained by a decreased albumin endocytosis with reduced megalin expression and with increased lipid peroxidation in the proximal tubule.

Adrenomedullin induces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt-dependent pathway in rat aorta

To study the mechanisms by which adrenomedullin (AM) induces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, we examined whether AM-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation was mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-dependent pathway in rat aorta, because it was recently reported that PI3K/Akt was implicated in the activation of endothelial NO synthase. AM-induced vasorelaxation in thoracic aorta with intact endothelium was inhibited by pretreatment with PI3K inhibitors to the same level as that in endothelium-denuded aorta. AM elicited Akt phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. AM-induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by pretreatment with a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor as well as with PI3K inhibitors. When an adenovirus construct expressing a dominant-negative Akt mutant (Ad/dnAkt) was injected into abdominal aortas so that the mutant was expressed predominantly in the endothelium layer, AM-induced vasodilation was diminished to the same level as that in endothelium-denuded aortas. Finally, AM-induced cGMP production, which was used as an indicator for NO production, was suppressed by PI3K inhibition or by Ad/dnAkt infection into the endothelium. These results suggested that AM induced Akt activation in the endothelium via the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent pathway and that this was implicated in the production of NO, which in turn induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in rat aorta.

Hypersomnia due to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in a 5-year-old girl

A 5-year-old girl suffering from hypersomnia due to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is reported. Brain CT revealed a large low-density lesion involving the lentiform nucleus, posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, posterior hypothalamus and midbrain in the left side. She was treated with intravenous dexamethazone. After the initial dose of dexamethazone, hypersomnia was dramatically and rapidly improved. A later brain CT study disclosed that the lesion in the brain disappeared. The brain lesion in this case involved the waking center in the brain, which was described by Von Economo. We concluded that hypersomnia in this case was due to ADEM involving the neural mechanism for maintaing wakefulness, probably in the thalamus and posterior hypothalamus. Repeat all night polysomnograpy in this case disclosed prolonged total sleep time and increased amount of stage 3-4 sleep in the hypersomniac state.

Molecular basis of ocular abnormalities associated with proximal renal tubular acidosis

Proximal renal tubular acidosis associated with ocular abnormalities such as band keratopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts is caused by mutations in the Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC-1). However, the mechanism by which NBC-1 inactivation leads to such ocular abnormalities remains to be elucidated. By immunological analysis of human and rat eyes, we demonstrate that both kidney type (kNBC-1) and pancreatic type (pNBC-1) transporters are present in the corneal endothelium, trabecular meshwork, ciliary epithelium, and lens epithelium. In the human lens epithelial (HLE) cells, RT-PCR detected mRNAs of both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1. Although a Na(+)-HCO(3)-cotransport activity has not been detected in mammalian lens epithelia, cell pH (pH(i)) measurements revealed the presence of Cl(-)-independent, electrogenic Na(+)-HCO(3)-cotransport activity in HLE cells. In addition, up to 80% of amiloride-insensitive pH(i) recovery from acid load in the presence of HCO(3)(-)/CO(2) was inhibited by adenovirus-mediated transfer of a specific hammerhead ribozyme against NBC-1, consistent with a major role of NBC-1 in overall HCO(3)-transport by the lens epithelium. These results indicate that the normal transport activity of NBC-1 is indispensable not only for the maintenance of corneal and lenticular transparency but also for the regulation of aqueous humor outflow.

Matrilysin (MMP-7) as a significant determinant of malignant potential of early invasive colorectal carcinomas

Matrix metalloproteinases play a crucial role in tumour invasion and mestasis. Matrilysin (MMP-7) has been shown to correlate with nodal or distant metastasis in colorectal carcinomas; however, its implication in early invasive colorectal carcinomas has not been determined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association of matrilysin expression with clinicopathologic parameters in early invasive colorectal carcinomas. 38 early invasive colorectal carcinomas treated by local excision or radical surgery were examined. Tumour budding was evaluated as the number of dedifferentiation units along the entire invasive margin. Matrilysin protein levels were determined using immunohistochemical study. Univariate analysis showed that matrilysin expression alone was significantly associated with distant metastasis (P= 0.0339), and both tumour budding and matrilysin expression were significantly associated with adverse outcome (P= 0.0005, 0.0341). Histological differentiation, vessel invasion, and depth of invasion were not significantly associated with either distant metastasis or adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis confirmed that tumour budding and matrilysin expression were independently associated with adverse outcome, although the significance of matrilysin expression was marginal (P= 0.0488). Tumour budding at the invasive margin and matrilysin expression are more useful in identifying high-risk groups for adverse outcome in patients with early invasive colorectal carcinomas. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign www.bjcancer.com

Immunohistochemical localization of a 40-kDa catecholamine regulated protein in the nigrostriatal pathway

The 40 kDa catecholamine regulated protein (CRP40) has been shown to covalently bind catcholamines in vitro. In this report we provide evidence for CRP40 localization in the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Using double labeling immunohistochemistry, CRP40 was detected in the majority of substantia nigra pars compacta and striatal neurons. In addition, CRP40 was also present in tyrosine hydroxylase immunonegative neurons. Subcellular localization of CRP40 shows a predominant nuclear presence in striatal neurons while distinct outlining of the nucleus and cell body staining were seen more readily in nigral neurons. These findings suggest that CRP40 may have multiple functions in a variety of neurons in the central nervous system.

Enhancement of endothelial nitric oxide production by chenodeoxycholic acids in patients with hepatobiliary diseases

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether physiological concentrations of bile acids could affect endothelial nitric oxide production. We investigated the relationships between clinical concentrations of individual bile acids observed in patients with hepatobiliary diseases and endothelial nitric oxide production induced by each bile acid. Fifteen serum bile acids were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with enzymatic fluorometry in 8 patients with liver cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, and 8 healthy subjects. The effects of individual bile acids on nitric oxide production were examined in human umbilical endothelial cells by measuring the concentration of NO2- in the cultured medium. NO release in the blood was also determined by measuring the NO2-/NO3- concentration in these patients. In patients with hepatobiliary diseases, the plasma concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid (free acid, taurine and glycine conjugates) were markedly elevated. Incubation of cells with chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid (free acid, taurine and glycine conjugates) enhanced NO2- production in a concentration-dependent manner, while cholic acid (free and its conjugates) did not. The effects of individual bile acids on nitric oxide production were additive. Patients with liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice had higher plasma levels of NO2-/NO3- levels than the control subjects. These results suggest that increased plasma concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid (free, taurine and glycine conjugates) in patients with hepatobiliary diseases may induce endothelial nitric oxide production. Thus, nitric oxide production induced by bile acids may be involved in the pathogenesis of circulatory abnormalities in patients with liver diseases.

Renal cell carcinoma with extension of tumor thrombus into the vena cava: surgical strategy and prognosis

PURPOSE

The outcome of patients who underwent radical resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into the vena cava was retrospectively analyzed, and risk factors for long-term survival were investigated.

METHODS

From 1983 to 1999, 33 patients who had renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval tumor extension underwent 34 surgical procedures. There were 27 men and six women with an average age of 60.1 years. Twenty-two cases (64.7%) were classified as stage III (T1-2 N1 M0 or T3 N0-1 M0), and 12 cases (35.3%) as stage IV (T4 or N2-3 or M1). Coexistent lung metastasis was found in seven cases (20.6%). The tumor thrombi invaded into the inferior vena cava below the hepatic hilum in 19 cases, below the orifice of hepatic veins in 12, and above the diaphragm in 3. Cardiopulmonary bypass graft was applied in 13 cases (38.2%). Inferior vena cava was reconstructed by direct suture (n = 19), polytetrafluoroethylene patch angioplasty (n = 13), or graft replacement (n = 2).

RESULTS

Two patients died during the early postoperative period because of retrohepatic caval injury and intraoperative pulmonary embolism. Late death occurred in 16 patients; the causes of death were tumor recurrence in 15 and acute pulmonary embolism as a result of graft thrombosis in 1. Overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 70%, 44%, and 26.4%, respectively. One- and 5-year survival rates were 81.3% and 52.9% for stage III and 50% and 31.2% for stage IV; a statistically significant correlation was found between surgical staging and survival (P =.049). Patients without lymph node metastasis had a significant survival advantage over those with lymph node metastasis (P =.022). There was no significant difference in survival on the basis of the presence or absence of synchronous lung metastasis (P =.291). The degree of local extension of the tumor or the level of tumor thrombus did not tend to influence survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the vena cava was determined by the staging of the tumor, especially lymph node status, and not by the level of tumor thrombus or the presence of concurrent lung metastasis. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass graft is recommended for the resection of tumor thrombus extending over the diaphragm.

Drosophila mitochondrial transcription factor A (d-TFAM) is dispensable for the transcription of mitochondrial DNA in Kc167 cells

We have cloned cDNA encoding Drosophila mitochondrial (mt) transcription factor A (d-TFAM). RNA interference (RNAi) of d-TFAM by lipofection of haemocyte-derived Kc167 cells with double-stranded RNA reduced d-TFAM to less than 5% of the normal level. Reflecting the ability of TFAM to stabilize mtDNA, RNAi of d-TFAM reduced mtDNA to 40%. Nonetheless, transcription of the ND2 and ND5 genes and their mRNAs remained unchanged for 8 days of the duration of RNAi. We thus show that d-TFAM is not essential for the transcription of Drosophila mtDNA.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with acute intermittent porphyria

Progressive renal impairment associated with acute intermittent porphyria is not well recognized and the mechanism of renal damage remains unclear. We report a case of a 51-year-old female with acute intermittent porphyria and long-term follow-up who developed proteinuria and renal insufficiency. Her biopsy showed marked tubulointerstitial damage with mitochondrial abnormalities. Urinary excretion of lipid peroxidation was increased compared to healthy controls. The porphyrin precursors may increase lipid peroxidation products and damage mitochondria leading to tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and phylogenetic analysis of TBE viruses in Japan and Far Eastern Russia

In Oshima, the southern part of Hokkaido, a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) patient was found in 1993; in addition TBE virus was isolated from the blood samples of sentinel dogs, ticks pools, and rodents spleens in 1995 and 1996 by suckling mice. To identify when these TBE viruses emerged in Hokkaido, the times of divergence of TBE virus strains isolated in Oshima and Far Eastern Russia were estimated. TBE virus was isolated in Khabarovsk in 1998, and the nucleotide sequences of viral envelope protein genes of isolates from Oshima and Khabarovsk were compared. Based on the synonymous substitution rates of these virus E-protein genes, the lineage-divergence times of these TBE virus strains were predicted phylogenetically to be approximately 260-430 years ago. Furthermore, the virulence of TBE virus isolates from Oshima and Khabarovsk were compared in a mouse model. The results showed that the isolates possessed very similar virulence in mice. European TBE vaccine was found to be effective in TBE virus, Hokkaido strain. This review provides evidence that the Oshima strains of TBE virus in Hokkaido emerged from the Far Eastern Russia a few hundred years ago, which explains why the virulence of these strains is similar to that of TBE viruses isolated in Russia. Practical application of the vaccine should be considered in Japan.

Catalytic Activity of Hexokinase in Reversed Micelles

Reversed micelles can control the size of water pools and the physical property of water by changing W(0)(=[water]/[surfactant]). Hexokinase (HK) activity seems to be easily affected by the microenvironment in the neighborhood of the enzyme because it is assumed that HK binds to the outer mitochondrial membrane by insertion of its hydrophobic NH(2) tail. The catalytic activity of HK was examined in reversed micelles in order to study the effect of the microenvironment in the neighborhood of HK on the activity. Sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT), hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (HTAC), and octaoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C(12)E(8)) were used as anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, respectively. HK activity was obtained by measuring ATP and ADP amounts with HPLC. The high electrostatic inner surfaces of AOT and HTAC reversed micelles were not favorable for HK to exhibit the catalytic activity, but the activity in HTAC reversed micelles was 2-3 times higher than that in AOT reversed micelles and the activities in both reversed micelles revealed an optimum at W(0)=10. The phenomenon was discussed in connection with the location of HK, nonuniform distribution of substrates, and the size and physical properties of the water pools. On the other hand, HK activity was much higher in C(12)E(8) reversed micelles than in AOT and HTAC reversed micelles and increased with the concentration of C(12)E(8). This suggests that HK activity is easily revealed in hydrated ethylene oxide chains. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that HK activity depends on the microenvironment such as the electrostatic field, the physical properties of water, and the hydrophobicity. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Transcriptional activation of the cyclin D1 gene is mediated by multiple cis-elements, including SP1 sites and a cAMP-responsive element in vascular endothelial cells

In an attempt to examine the mechanisms by which transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter is regulated in vascular endothelial cells (EC), we examined the cis-elements in the human cyclin D1 promoter, which are required for transcriptional activation of the gene. The results of luciferase assays showed that transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter was largely mediated by SP1 sites and a cAMP-responsive element (CRE). DNA binding activity at the SP1 sites, which was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, was significantly increased in the early to mid G(1) phase, whereas DNA binding activity at CRE did not change significantly. Furthermore, Induction of the cyclin D1 promoter activity in the early to mid G(1) phase depended largely on the promoter fragment containing the SP1 sites, whereas the proximal fragment containing CRE but not the SP1 sites was constitutively active. Finally, the increase in DNA binding and promoter activities via the SP1 sites was mediated by the Ras-dependent pathway. The results suggested that the activation of the cyclin D1 gene in vascular ECs was regulated by a dual system; one was inducible in the G(1) phase, and the other was constitutively active.

Visual symptoms in epilepsy and migraine: localization and patterns

PURPOSE

To clarify differences in the localization of visual symptom patterns in epilepsy and migraine, we analyzed patient-generated illustrations of visual symptoms.

METHODS

Patients were asked to draw their visual symptoms from memory using marker pens of 12 colors. All patients illustrated their symptoms on a template sheet representing the binocular visual field. We analyzed a total of 67 illustrations from 54 patients aged 6-40 years: 28 with epilepsy, 23 with migraine, and 3 with migraine-epilepsy syndrome.

RESULTS

With respect to positive visual manifestations, those of epileptic patients were predominantly centrally localized (20 of 24, 83%), whereas those of migraine patients were predominantly peripherally localized (10 of 13, 77%) (p < 0.0001). With respect to negative visual symptoms, those in epilepsy were commonly diffuse (10 of 14, 71%) compared with those in migraine, which were peripheral (9 of 12, 75%) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that the localization of visual symptoms differs between epilepsy and migraine.

An Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cyclin D1, p53, and p21waf1/cip1 Proteins in Tumors Originating fromthe Follicular Epithelium of the Thyroid Gland*

This study aimed at clarifying the factors closely related to the tumor progression of thyroid neoplasms. We examined the immunoreactivity of cyclin D1, p53, and p21waf1/cip1 proteins in 179 thyroid tumors originating from the follicular epithelium using an immunohistochemical technique. Cyclin D1 positivity was frequent in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (39/122 cases), but it was rarely seen in follicular adenomas (1/33 cases), (p < 0.05). Positivity for p53 was more frequent in poorly differentiated carcinomas (7/19 cases) and undifferentiated carcinomas (4/5 cases) than in well-differentiated carcinomas (14/122 cases) (p < 0,05, respectively). P21waf1/cip1 positivity was more frequent in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (43/122 cases) than in follicular adenomas (4/33 cases) (p < 0.05). Regarding the relationships of these proteins, co-positivity for cyclin D1 and p53 was observed more often in poorly differentiated carcinomas (5/7 cases) than in well-differentiated carcinomas (7/39 cases) (p < 0.05). Most cases with cyclin D1 positivity did not show p21waf1/cip1 expression in poorly differentiated carcinomas (6/7 cases). Three cases examined showed co-positivity of p53 and p21waf1/cip1. Our results suggest that cyclin D1 is invoved in thyroid oncogenesis. Moreover, p53 might be closely related to the development of poorly differentiated carcinomas and undifferentiated carcinomas originating from well-differentiated carcinomas.

Abortion trends in Japan, 1975-95

In this study, recent trends in the incidence of induced abortion are analyzed in order to identify the target population and its requirements for family planning policy in Japan. Abortion statistics from 1975 to 1995 from the Ministry of Health and Welfare are reviewed. The abortion rate (the number of cases of induced abortion per 1,000 women per year) for women younger than 20 increased during the study period. The abortion ratio (number of cases per 1,000 live births) remained the highest among women aged 40-44. An increase in the abortion ratio was seen in the two youngest groups (younger than 20 and 20-24), especially among those who were born after 1955. The proportion of abortions experienced by women younger than 25 increased from 18 percent between 1976 and 1980 to 30 percent between 1991 and 1995, and a slight increase was also observed among women aged 40-44. The proportion of abortions performed after eight weeks of a pregnancy for the two youngest groups remained higher than that for older age groups during 1975-95. The analysis demonstrates that women younger than 25 should be the principal concern of family planning policy in Japan. Further investigations on unintended pregnancy are recommended.

A reproductive health survey on unintended pregnancy in Yamagata, Japan: feasibility of the survey and test-retest reliability and validity of a questionnaire

We have designed a survey to investigate factors related to unintended pregnancy using a newly devised questionnaire. This pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility of the study and the test-retest reliability and the validity of the questionnaire. Samples were 107 cervical and breast cancer screening participants aged 35-49 year-old in 1999 in Yamagata, Japan. The same questionnaires were mailed twice to examine the test-retest reliability. Women's medical records for cancer screening were used to examine the validity of the questionnaire. Ninety-six women agreed to participate in the study and 89.6% of them responded to the first survey. The agreements between two surveys were substantial to perfect for the nominal and ordinal data, and for the continuous data, the standard deviations (SDs) were less than 1 and the correlation coefficients were over 0.6. The comparison between medical record and questionnaire derived data showed perfect agreements for reproductive items except age at last birth (SD: 0.71, correlation coefficient: 0.97), and fair agreements for drinking and smoking habits. Obtaining information on unintended pregnancy by questionnaire is feasible, and the test-retest reliability and the validity of the questionnaire are satisfactory. Currently we are conducting a survey with a larger sample.

Cyclin A downregulation and p21(cip1) upregulation correlate with GATA-6-induced growth arrest in glomerular mesangial cells

The GATA-6 transcription factor is reported to be expressed in vascular myocytes. Because glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and vascular myocytes have similar properties, we examined whether GATA-6 was expressed in cultured GMCs and whether overexpression of GATA-6 induced cell cycle arrest in GMCs, using a recombinant adenovirus that expresses GATA-6 (Ad GATA-6). GATA-6 expression in GMCs was downregulated when quiescent GMCs were stimulated by serum to reenter the cell cycle. [(3)H]thymidine uptake was inhibited in GMCs infected with Ad GATA-6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of cyclin A protein was decreased and that of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(cip1) was increased in GMCs infected with Ad GATA-6. Although the expression of p21(cip1) transcripts did not change remarkably, p21(cip1) protein was stabilized in GMCs infected with Ad GATA-6, suggesting a post-transcriptional regulation of p21(cip1) expression. Northern blot analysis showed that expression of the cyclin A transcript was decreased in Ad GATA-6-infected cells, whereas this decrease of cyclin A was not observed in GMCs derived from p21(cip1) null mice. Our results demonstrate that GATA-6 is endogenously expressed in GMCs and that overexpression of GATA-6 can induce cell cycle arrest. Our results also show that GATA-6-induced cell cycle arrest is associated with inhibition of cyclin A expression and p21(cip1) upregulation. Finally, our results indicate that the GATA-6-induced suppression of cyclin A expression depends on the presence of p21(cip1).

Mesangial expression of a nonmuscle myosin heavy chain, SMemb, is associated with glomerular sclerosis and renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy

To characterize the phenotypic alteration in mesangial cells in human glomerulonephritis, we investigated the expression of nonmuscle-type myosin heavy chain, SMemb, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SM actin) in IgA nephropathy. The expression of SMemb and alpha-SM actin was examined by immunohistochemistry in biopsy specimens from 45 patients with IgA nephropathy. We examined a total of 489 glomeruli representing all patients enrolled, and found that mesangial expression of SMemb and alpha-SM actin was associated with mesangial proliferation. Only mesangial expression of SMemb showed a significant relationship with mesangial matrix accumulation. Semiquantitative evaluation using composite expression scores showed that the expression of SMemb was elevated in the patients with poor renal prognosis. The expression of alpha-SM actin showed no significant relationship with renal prognosis. These results suggest that mesangial expression of SMemb is an important factor in the progression of IgA nephropathy, and that SMemb and alpha-SM actin are associated with the activation of mesangial cells by different mechanisms.

Putative roles of ouabainlike compound in hypertension: revisited

It is clear that defective renal sodium handling plays an important role in the development of hypertension and that this abnormality could be caused by heterogeneous hereditary factors in the kidney. It is likely that sodium pump inhibitors with or without whole-body autoregulation gradually produce a rise in blood pressure in response to retained body sodium. Accumulated evidence has suggested that several sodium pump inhibitors similar to cardiotonic steroids are present in the human body. Ouabainlike compound (OLC) has been found to be increased with high sodium intake and hypervolemia, and in essential hypertension, mineralocorticoid hypertension, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Further, blocking the action of OLC with digibind or a novel anti-ouabain agent has been observed to lower blood pressure in several models of experimental and clinical hypertension. The blockade of OLC action may become the basis of novel rational antihypertensive agents and may help to solve the problems still present in the management of hypertensive patients.

Intracellular pH regulatory mechanism in a human renal proximal cell line (HKC-8): evidence for Na+/H+ exchanger, CI-/HCO3- exchanger and Na+-HCO3- cotransporter

In the present study we investigated whether an immortalized human renal proximal cell line, HKC-8, expresses a recently cloned Na+-HCO3- cotransporter (NBC-1) and, if so, which isoform (kNBC-1 from kidney or pNBC-1 from pancreas) is expressed in this cell line. Cell pH (pHi) measurements using a pH-sensitive fluorescence probe in the absence of HCO3-/CO2 revealed the presence of a Na+/H+ exchanger that required high concentrations of amiloride for full inhibition. In the presence of HCO3-/CO2 another pHi recovery process, dependent on Na+ but independent of Cl-, was identified. This process was electrogenic and was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), being consistent with the Na+-HCO3- cotransporter. In addition, the pHi responses to Cl- removal were compatible with the presence of a Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that was also inhibited by DIDS. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers designed for specific and common regions detected mRNAs of both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1 and Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of NBC-1 protein. These results indicate that HKC-8 has transport activities similar to intact proximal tubules and also suggest that both kNBC-1 and pNBC-1 may contribute to the Na+-HCO3- cotransport activity in this cell line.

Effects of vasodilatory antihypertensive agents on endothelial dysfunction in rats with ischemic acute renal failure

Ischemic acute renal failure is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. We examined whether vasodilatory antihypertensive agents would improve endothelial function in rats with ischemia/reperfusion renal injury. Rat kidneys were isolated and perfused after clipping of the bilateral renal arteries for 45 min and reperfusion for 24 h, and renal perfusion pressure and nitric oxide concentration in the venous effluent (chemiluminescence assay) were monitored. Preischemic administration of celiprolol (a beta-blocker; 100 mg/kg p.o.), benidipine (a calcium channel blocker; 1 mg/kg p.o.), or imidapril (an angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor; 3 mg/kg p.o.) restored endothelial function in rats subjected to acute renal ischemia (deltarenal perfusion pressure [10(-8) M acetylcholine]: sham -42+/-3%, ischemia -31+/-1%, ischemia +celiprolol -39+/-1%*, ischemia+benidipine -38+/-2%*, ischemia+imidapril -42+/-2%*; *p<0.05 vs. ischemia). Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were also lower in the treated groups. Furthermore, ischemia-induced decreases in the response to acetylcholine and renal excretory function were smaller in SHR than in deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertensive rats, in which endothelial damage was marked. These results suggest that preischemic endothelial function may influence the degree of ischemic renal injury. Calcium channel blockers, converting-enzyme inhibitors, and endothelial NO synthase-activating beta-blockers had beneficial effects on renovascular endothelial dysfunction due to ischemia.

[Recurrent tongue biting due to hypnic myoclonia in infancy]

We report a 15-month-old female infant who had recurrent tongue biting due to hypnic myoclonia. She began to bite her tongue and bleed when she was 9 months old. The tongue biting was accompanied by generalized myoclonus and was seen only during drowsiness. On admission at 15 months of age, she was observed by video-EEG monitoring. There were hypnic jerks with powerful closure of the mouth and severe screaming, but no accompanying evidence of epileptic discharges. The tongue biting with hypnic myoclonia disappeared spontaneously at 22 months of age, and was considered to be an age-dependent phenomenon related to the maturation of the brain and to the development of oral functions.

Cloning and characterization of a human brain Na(+)-independent transporter for small neutral amino acids that transports D-serine with high affinity

We isolated a cDNA for the human homologue of system asc transporter Asc-1 from human brain. The encoded protein designated as hAsc-1 (human Asc-1) exhibited 91 % sequence identity to mouse Asc-1. Consistent with mouse Asc-1, hAsc-1 required 4F2 heavy chain for its functional expression in Xenopus oocytes. hAsc-1 exhibited the properties of amino acid transport system asc which transports small neutral amino acids in a Na(+)-independent manner. hAsc-1 transported D-serine at high affinity with a K(m) value of 22.8 microM. In brain, 2.0 kb mRNA was highly expressed. hAsc-1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 19, region q12-q13.1. Because of the high-affinity transport with the K(m) value close to the physiological concentration of D-serine, together with the high levels of expression in brain, hAsc-1 is proposed to play significant roles in the D-serine mobilization in brain.

Development of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy for severely calcified mitral stenosis

We encountered a case of mitral stenosis, complicated with non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, that developed after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). A 71-year-old female Japanese patient had severe congestive heart failure and underwent PTMC for critical and severely calcified mitral stenosis. Four weeks later, the echocardiogram demonstrated a highly echoic protrusion in the postero-medial commissure of the mitral valve. There was little evidence of inflammation at that time. She had been anticoagulated adequately since she was admitted. The patient underwent replacement of the mitral valve. She did not show any evidence of systemic embolization. Microscopic evaluation showed only organized thrombus but no evidence of inflammation in the mitral valve. Silent development of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis after PTMC should be recognized as a rare but potentially lethal complication of PTMC.

Cerebral atrophy in multiple system atrophy by MRI

Cranial magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the cerebral areas of 40 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and of 61 age-matched controls were analyzed. The cerebral area of MSA patients was 131. 95+/-15.89 cm(2) (mean+/-S.D.), which was significantly smaller than that of normal controls at 149.01+/-10.93 cm(2) (P<0.0001). All 23 MSA cases subjected to the MRI study over a 1-year period showed progressive cerebral atrophy, and the atrophy rate was 2.46+/-1. 66%/year. There were no significant differences within the MSA subtypes or between gender. The progression of cerebral atrophy in MSA correlated more with duration (r=-0.634) than age (r=-0.421). We conclude that MRI findings throughout the course of MSA suggest progressive cerebral atrophy, which is common in all subtypes and reflects duration of the disease rather than age.

Reentry into the cell cycle of contact-inhibited vascular endothelial cells by a phosphatase inhibitor. Possible involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

Vascular endothelial cells are unique in that they exit from the cell cycle when they come into contact with each other. Although the phenomenon is called "contact inhibition," little is known about the cellular mechanisms involved. Here we show that the phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate (SOV) induced the reentry of contact-inhibited human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) into the cell cycle and that reentry was associated with activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K)/Akt pathways. SOV stimulated [(3)H]thymidine uptake of contact-inhibited HUVECs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. SOV-induced increase in [(3)H]thymidine uptake was significantly inhibited by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 and by the PI 3-K inhibitor LY294002. SOV also stimulated the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin A, and the activity of CDK2 kinase, whereas it decreased the expression of p27(kip1). In marked contrast, growth media alone did not induce these changes. Furthermore, these SOV-induced changes were abolished by pretreatment with PD98059 and LY294002. SOV stimulated phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in contact-inhibited HUVECs, while growth media alone did not. This phosphorylation was associated with inhibition of phosphatase activity in the cells. Finally, overexpression of high cell density-enhanced protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 inhibited c-fos and cyclin A promoter activity. Taken together, our results suggest that in contact-inhibited HUVECs, increased phosphatase activity suppressed the ERK and PI 3-K/Akt pathways, resulting in exit from the cell cycle by down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin A and by up-regulation of p27(kip1).

Dopamine inhibits renal Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbits and normotensive rats but not in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

Dopamine (DA) is thought to regulate renal proximal transport through the inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase and/or Na+/H+ exchanger. Defects in this dopaminergic system are proposed to be a pathogenic factor of genetic hypertension. However, microperfusion studies have not consistently confirmed direct tubular effects of DA.

METHODS

Isolated proximal straight tubules were perfused peritubularly with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's tissue culture medium (DMEM) containing norepinephrine (NE) to improve incubation conditions. Intracellular Na+ concentrations ([Na+]i) and cell pH (pHi) were measured with fluorescence probes.

RESULTS

When incubated in DMEM plus NE, DA increased [Na+]i in rabbit tubules. Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase could not explain this response, as it was not suppressed by ouabain. An analysis of pHi responses to bath HCO3- reduction revealed that DA, SKF 38393 (a DA1 agonist), and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) inhibited the basolateral Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in rabbit and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY), if its transport stoichiometry was converted to 3 HCO3-:1 Na+ by DMEM plus NE incubation. The inhibitory effect of DA was abolished by SCH 23390, a DA1 antagonist, but not by (-)-sulpiride, a DA2 antagonist. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), however, DA and SKF 38393 failed to inhibit the cotransporter, although the inhibitory effects of cAMP and parathyroid hormone were comparable to those in WKY.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that DA inhibits the Na+:HCO3- cotransporter in renal proximal tubules and also suggest that dysregulation of the cotransporter, possibly through the defect in DA1 receptor signaling, could play an important role in development of hypertension in SHRs.

Screening for Drosophila proteins with distinct expression patterns during development by use of monoclonal antibodies

Kc 167 is a cell line established from Drosophila embryonic hemocytes and has been shown to express many extracellular matrix (ECM) and other proteins important during development. We have screened monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against heparin affinity purified proteins from conditioned medium of Kc 167 cells to identify novel proteins with important roles for development. One mAb recognized a protein expressed with temporary and tissue specific patterns during Drosophila embryogenesis and larval development. This approach is an alternative to screening of Expression Sequence Tag (EST) clones by in situ hybridization to initiate reverse genetics. In addition, a number of mAbs recognizing ECM proteins were also identified. These mAbs will be useful for biochemical and cell biological analyses of Drosophila ECM proteins.

[A case of pericarotid syndrome with retention cyst in ethmoid sinus]

A 42-year-old man noted pain on the left side of his forehead and left ptosis. On examination, he showed conjunctival hyperemia, ptosis and miosis in the left side, as well as hyperesthesia in the first branch of left trigeminal nerve. An MRI of his brain showed a retension cyst in the left ethmoid sinus. There was neither abnormalities in the parasellar lesion nor in the neck. We diagnosed him with pericarotid syndrome rather than cluster headache or Raeder syndrome. Five cases who had paranasal sinus lesions as a cause of cluster headache or Raeder syndrome have been reported. More cases are needed to clarify the association of retension cyst in ethmoid sinus and pericarotid syndrome.

Oral contraceptives and women's health in Japan

Japan approved the use of low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) in June 1999, after more than 35 years of debate. The debate leaves a legacy of misinformation about and various sources of resistance to OCs. Benefits are expected to include greater control for women over their fertility and a reduction in the high rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Successful implementation of the new policy will require a new emphasis on women's health, including the provision of accurate information about OCs and their associated adverse effects, a women-centered approach to gynecological practice, and the promotion of condoms as protection from sexually transmitted diseases, rather than as contraception alone.