The Effect of Dinoprost on Transport of Water and Imipramine Through Rat Small Intestinal Membranes

The relation between transmucosal fluid movement and its effect on absorption and exsorption of imipramine was studied with the in-situ single-pass perfusion technique in rats. Dinoprost (prostaglandin F2α, PGF2α) caused a dose-related inhibition of both absorption and secretion of water across the intestinal membrane. When PGF2α was infused at a rate of 5 μmol kg−1 h−1, the absorption rate of water decreased from 51·7 to 21·5 mL h−1 and the secretion rate decreased from 48·9 to 26·8 mL h−1. Net water flux changed from net water absorption (0·9 mL h−1)tonet water secretion (5·33 mL h−1) by infusion of PGF2α. However, absorption and exsorption of imipramine were little affected by infusion of PGF2α. The absorption rates of imipramine were 3·03 and 2·36 mg h−1 in the absence and presence of PGF2α, respectively. Furthermore, the average amounts of imipramine exsorbed into the intestinal lumen in 2 h were 7·82 and 8·10% in the absence and presence of PGF2α, respectively. Infusion of PGF2α, also enhanced motility of the small intestine compared with the control. From these results, it appears that PGF2α has no effect on the absorption and exsorption of imipramine across the intestinal membrane although it is reasonable to use PGF2α in the case of patients with overdoses of drugs which decrease gastrointestinal motility.

Properties of hollow molecules probed by single-photon double ionization

The formation of hollow molecules (with a completely empty K shell in one constituent atom) through single-photon core double ionization has been demonstrated using a sensitive magnetic bottle experimental technique combined with synchrotron radiation. Detailed properties are presented such as the spectroscopy, formation, and decay dynamics of the N(2)(2+) K(-2) main and satellite states and the strong chemical shifts of double K holes on an oxygen atom in CO, CO2, and O2 molecules.

Antibody formation: stimulation by polyadenylic and polycytidylic acids

Complexes of polyadenylic and polyuridylic acids, or of polycytidylic acid and methylated bovine serum albumin, enhance the early rate of increase in numbers of antibody-forming spleen cells in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells or other particulate antigens. Polyadenylic and polycytidylic acids, respectively, appear to be the source of the critical stimulators which, as demonstrated by others in bacteria, may act by influencing nucleotide kinase activity. The stimulated antibody response, but not the normal response, is antagonized by kinetin riboside and by an adenosine derivative occurring in sRNA.

Myoglobin subfractions: abnormality in duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy

Human metmyoglobin was separated electrophoretically into four subfractions: Mb(1), Mb(2), Mb(3), and Mb(4), which divide into at least two biochemically independent groups: Mb(1) and Mb(2), and Mb(3), and Mb(4). In normal subjects, Mb(1) constituted the predominant component; Mb(2), Mb(3), and Mb(4) were the minor components in this descending order. In the Duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy, on the contrary, a remarkable decrease in Mb(1) and a concomitant increase in Mb(3) were observed. This unique abnormality in the relative distribution of myoglobin subfractions was recognized only in the Duchenne type and not in other types of progressive muscular dystrophy or in other myopathies.

Development of a solid medium for growth and isolation of axenic microcystis strains (cyanobacteria)

Solid media on a base of B-12 or CB medium with agarose or agarose of low melting temperature were developed for the cultivation of Microcystis species. The media with 0.4% gel showed the highest number of CFU, and increasing the gel concentration resulted in a reduction of the number of CFU. There was no difference in the numbers of CFU between pour and spread plates made of the solid media. By using the solid media, 31 clones of Microcystis species were isolated from natural blooms in Lake Kasumigaura, and 5 axenic strains (1 of M. wesenbergii and 4 of M. aeruginosa) were established from the clones.

Chromosome evolution in the lizard genus Gekko (Gekkonidae, Squamata, Reptilia) in the East Asian islands

The lizard genus Gekko consists of over 30 species distributed in Asia and Oceania. From the insular region of East Asia including Japan and Taiwan, 9 species (G. hokouensis, G. japonicus, G. shibatai, G. tawaensis, G. vertebralis,G. yakuensis, and 3 undescribed species) are currently recognized. We made karyological analyses for all these species. Their karyotypes invariably consisted of 2N = 38 chromosomes, but exhibited considerable variation in fundamental number (ranging from 56-62). Substantial chromosomal variation was detected even among populations of a morphologically relatively uniform species, G. hokouensis. Populations of G. hokouensis from the central and northern Ryukyus exhibited prominent female heteromorphic (i.e., ZW type) sex chromosomes. Populations of the southern Ryukyus exclusive of Yonagunijima also had ZW sex chromosomes, whose heteromorphisms were, however, much less prominent. The other G. hokouensis populations including the topotypic continental representatives and the population from Yonagunijima of the southern Ryukyus exhibited no sex chromosome heteromorphism at all. These results strongly suggest that G. hokouensis in the current taxonomic definition actually includes more than 2 species. The process of chromosomal evolution in the East Asian Gekko is hypothesized.

Fabrication of nanostripe surface structure by multilayer film deposition combined with micropatterning

Top-down fabrication processes for nanostructures are superior to bottom-up processes from the aspect of long-range order, but have limitations in their processing time and/or material selection. Here we developed a nanopatterning method for 'nanostripes' that incorporates deposition of a multilayer film on a microscale slope array and mechanical polishing. This method is used to fabricate a nanostripe structure consisting of two kinds of materials to form a stripe array on a silicon substrate. Although this nanopatterning method is categorized as a top-down fabrication process, the fabrication efficiency is quite high, because the number of nanostripes is 'multiplied' by the number of multilayered films. Another feature of the nanostripe is renewability; even if the nanostripe surface is damaged, the underlying nanostructure can be exposed and form a similar nanostripe by polishing. The nanostripe structure can be easily applied to a wide range of fields due to its ease of production.

Myocardial atrial natriuretic factor gene expression after coronary ligation in rats

The atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) messenger RNA (mRNA) content was determined in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. Non-infarcted tissue of left and right ventricles were examined soon after ligation of the left descending anterior coronary artery. In the left ventricles, ANF mRNA/alpha-actin mRNA ratio increased to reach a maximum on day 7 and was sustained while in the right ventricle, the maximum was reached on day 1. The plasma ANF was significantly (p < 0.01) elevated from days 1 to 28 after coronary ligation. The primary compensatory response of ANF within the first 7 days may be attributed not only its synthesis in the left ventricle but also to its generation in the right ventricle in acute heart failure.

Effects of Mandibular Advancement on Growth after Condylectomy

Previous studies have indicated that an injured condyle during adolescence is a causative factor for reduced mandibular growth and resulting asymmetry of the mandible. The aim of this study was to examine the nature of mandibular growth after unilateral condylectomy and to elucidate the effects of mandibular advancement. Sixty growing mice were subjected to unilateral condylectomy, and then one-half of them underwent treatment with a functional appliance. After 4 wks, a unilateral condylectomy produced reduced growth of the mandible and a subsequent lateral shift to the affected side. However, reduced growth and a lateral shift of the mandible were eliminated by a functional appliance, and prominent regeneration of the condyle was also demonstrated. It was shown that mandibular advancement provides for the regeneration of cartilaginous tissues on injured condyles and recovery of reduced mandibular growth, leading to correction of the lateral shift of the mandible.

Monosomy and trisomy of 15q24-qter with cleft lip and palate

Chromosome 15 aberrations clinically present as facial dysmorphisms such as a prominent nose, low-set ears, micrognathia and a short neck; a cleft lip and palate have not been reported. This is the first reported case of de-novo terminal deletion at 15q24 with a cleft lip and palate and low-set ears. The baby boy had a complete cleft lip and palate on the left side and incomplete cleft lip and palate on the right. A chromosomal study revealed partial monosomy and trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 15, with a karyotype of 46,XY,add(15)(24q) de novo. Surgery for lip plasty was performed at 6 months old and for palate plasty at 1 year and 9 months. Both operations were uneventful, although preoperative and postoperative examinations showed high creatinine phosphokinase values. At 3 years old, mild mental retardation was observed, but his physical development was normal.

Effect of upper respiratory tract infection on AIR inhaled insulin pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics in healthy subjects

The suitability of employing AIR Inhaled Insulin (AIR Insulin; AIR is a registered trademark of Alkermes) during acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) has not been determined. Twenty-one healthy, non-diabetic subjects were enrolled in a single-sequence, two-period, euglycemic clamp study. Subjects received a single 12 U-equivalent dose of AIR Insulin before rhinovirus (RV16) inoculation and during symptomatic infection. Spirometry was used to evaluate pulmonary safety. AIR Insulin exposure (the area under the immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentration vs time curve from time zero until the IRI concentrations returned to the predose baseline value (AUC(0-t'))) and glucodynamic response (total amount of glucose infused (G(tot))) were comparable before and during RV infection (AUC(0-t') 46,300 vs 52,600 pmol min/l, P=0.21; G(tot) 61,800 vs 68,700 mg, P=0.42, respectively). Variability of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters did not change during URI; either did the number or intensity of adverse events. No significant change in forced expiratory volume or forced vital capacity was observed following AIR Insulin administration or during URI. The AIR Insulin system provides similar pharmacokinetic and glucodynamic responses under conditions of an experimentally induced RV infection and is regarded as suitable for use in diabetic patients during URIs.

Chromosome aberrations do not persist in the lymphocytes or bone marrow cells of mice irradiated in utero or soon after birth

Mice were exposed at various ages to 1 Gy or 2 Gy of X rays, and translocation frequencies in peripheral blood T cells, spleen cells, and bone marrow cells were determined with FISH painting of chromosomes 1 and 3 when the animals were 20 weeks old. It was found that the mean translocation frequencies were very low (< or =0.8%) in mice exposed in the fetal or early postnatal stages. However, with the increase in animal age at the time of irradiation, the frequency observed at 20 weeks old became progressively higher then reached a plateau (about 5%) when mice were irradiated when > or =6 weeks old. A major role of p53 (Trp53)-dependent apoptosis for elimination of aberrant cells was not suggested because irradiated fetuses, regardless of the p53 gene status, showed low translocation frequencies (1.8% in p53(-/-) mice and 1.4% in p53(+/-) mice) compared to the frequency in the p53(-/-) mother (7.4%). In contrast, various types of aberrations were seen in spleen and liver cells when neonates were examined shortly after irradiation, similar to what was observed in bone marrow cells after irradiation in adults. We interpreted the results as indicating that fetal cells are generally sensitive to induction of chromosome aberrations but that the aberrant cells do not persist because fetal stem cells tend to be free of aberrations and their progeny replace the pre-existing cell populations during the postnatal growth of the animals.

Catecholamine-induced stimulation of growth in Vibrio species

AIMS

To evaluate the effect of norepinephrine (NE) and related compounds on the growth of bacteria, we have examined the effect of the neuroendocrine hormone NE and related compounds on the growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other human-pathogenic Vibrio species (Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio mimicus).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effects on bacterial growth were examined using the serum-based medium and viable cells were counted using agar plates. We have shown that NE and its related compounds stimulate growth of V. parahaemolyticus in serum-based medium. This NE-induced growth stimulation was dependent upon the presence of transferrin. NE also stimulated growth of V. mimicus, but not V. cholerae and V. vulnificus.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the Vibrio species differ in their ability to respond to NE.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

It is possible that NE and related compounds modulate the pathogenicity of V. parahaemolyticus and V. mimicus.

Structural significance of N-glycans of the zona pellucida on species-selective recognition of spermatozoa between pig and cattle

The zona pellucida that surrounds the mammalian oocyte plays a role in species-selective sperm-egg interactions. In the pig and cattle, the zona pellucida consists of ZPA, ZPB and ZPC. Sperm binding activity of porcine zona glycoproteins is conferred by tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type in cattle it is conferred by a high-mannose-type chain o f f ive mannose residues. Non-reducing terminal residues of these N-linked chains, beta-galactosyl residues in pig and alpha-mannosyl residues in cattle, are involved in the binding of zona glycoproteins to respective spermatozoa. The major N-linked chains of recombinant porcine ZPB expressed using the baculovirus-Sf9 cell expression system are pauci- and high-mannose-type chains that are different in structure to the major neutral N-linked chains of the porcine zona but similar to those of the bovine zona. The mixture of porcine ZPB/ZPC co-expressed in Sf9 cells binds to bovine sperm but not to porcine sperm, indicating an essential role of the N-linked chains in species-selective recognition of sperm in pig and cattle. Asn to Asp mutations at either of two of the N-glycosylation sites of ZPB, residue 203 or 220, significantly reduce the sperm-binding activity of the ZPB/ZPC mixture, while a similar mutation at Asn333 has no effect on binding. These results coincide with our previous report that tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type chains are localized at Asn220 in native porcine ZPB and suggest that the N-glycans located in the N-terminal half of the ZP domain of porcine ZPB are involved in sperm-zona binding.

Beneficial effect of interferon-β treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with transient increase in serum IL-6 level in response to interferon-β injection

In order to predict the clinical benefit of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the following markers were investigated; (1) chronological change of cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-beta) after administration of IFN-beta, (2) untoward effects of IFN-beta such as headache and arthralgia, (3) backgrounds of the patients such as age and relapse rate, (4) efficacy of IFN-beta therapy assessed by the change of relapse rate and progression of disability. Chronological blood sampling was performed 0, 10, and 24 h after injection of IFN-beta. The increase of serum IL-6 level in response to IFN-beta administration was associated with headache, arthralgia, relapse rate before treatment, and disability score at the initiation of the therapy. Significant association of change of serum TNF-alpha with age and headache was also observed. The important finding in this study was that patients with a transient increase in IL-6 in response to IFN-beta showed a slow disease progression. This result suggests that this transient increase in the serum IL-6 predicts favorable response to IFN-beta treatment.

Relationship between occlusal tooth contact patterns and tightness of proximal tooth contact

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occlusal tooth contact patterns and the tightness of proximal tooth contact (TPTC) during clenching. Twenty young adult volunteers with healthy dentition participated in the study. TPTC between the left second premolar (P2) and the first molar (M1) was measured during clenching at the 50% maximum voluntary contraction level in the intercuspal position (ICP). A silicone impression material was used to make an interocclusal record at the ICP in each subject, and interocclusal records were analysed using an image-processing system. Subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of each type (A, B or C) of occlusal contact. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The results of this study exhibited a relationship between B-type contact and the TPTC of maxillary teeth. The experimental group with a lack of B-type contact on maxillary P2 and/or M1 showed a statistically greater TPTC than the group with B-type contact on both of these teeth (P < 0.01). These results suggest that occlusal tooth contact patterns have an influence on TPTC during clenching.

Development of a rapid strain differentiation method for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Japan by detecting phage-derived open-reading frames

AIMS

To develop a rapid genotyping method for investigating outbreaks of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Isolates were genotyped by detecting the keeping pattern of 16 open-reading frames (ORFs), a process we call phage ORF typing (POT). Thirteen of the ORFs were selected from phage genomes and one from a genomic island SaGIm in the genome of strain Mu50. The other two ORFs, one from Tn554 and one from staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type II, were used as strain markers. Three hundred and sixty-eight isolates from five hospitals were classified into 133 types by POT, whereas they were classified into 139 types by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtyping. The discriminatory power of POT (D=0.989) was equal to that of PFGE subtyping (D=0.986).

CONCLUSIONS

MRSA isolates collected in Japan can be genotyped by detecting the keeping pattern of phage-derived ORFs with a discriminatory power equal to that of PFGE subtyping.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

MRSA isolates can be genotyped rapidly by detecting phage-derived ORFs. As particular pandemic clones can be found in a specific region, a typing method localized to a pandemic clone may be effective for the rapid genotyping of MRSA during outbreaks.

Admission blood glucose levels and early change of neurological grade in poor-grade patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The neurological grade of poor-grade subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) often changes soon after the patient is admitted to the hospital. It is important to closely monitor for such changes within a short period of time after admission; however, there are other problems that can occur during this time such as rebleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between admission blood glucose levels (ABGL) and early change of neurological grade after admission in patients with poor-grade SAH.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with poor-grade SAH (Hunt & Kosnik Grade IV or V), who were admitted within 3 hrs after SAH onset, and who did not have haematomas causing mass effect, or a history of diabetes mellitus, were included in the study. Patients were pretreated to control blood pressure and intracranial pressure, and they were monitored for early change of grade after admission. Blood glucose level was measured at the time of admission.

FINDINGS

Spontaneous grade improvement was observed in 9 of 17 Grade IV patients and 9 of 29 Grade V patients. The ABGL of the patients with grade improvement were significantly lower than the ABGL of the patients who did not improve or who got worse. ABGL were lower than 180 mg/dl in 15 of 18 patients who showed grade improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that there was a relationship between ABGL and neurological grade changes which were observed after admission in patients with poor-grade SAH. These results suggest that ABGL might be a useful parameter for making therapeutic decisions.