Peroxisomal metabolic function is required for appressorium-mediated plant infection by Colletotrichum lagenarium

Peroxisomes are organelles that perform a wide range of metabolic functions in eukaryotic cells. However, their role in fungal pathogenesis is poorly understood. Here we report that ClaPEX6, an ortholog of PEX6, is required for the fungus Colletotrichum lagenarium to infect host plants. ClaPEX6 was identified in random insertional mutagenesis experiments aimed at elucidating genes involved in pathogenesis. Functional analysis, using a green fluorescent protein cassette containing the peroxisomal targeting signal1 (PTS1), revealed that import of PTS1-containing proteins is impaired in clapex6 mutants generated by targeted gene disruption. Failure of growth on fatty acids shows an inability of fatty acid beta-oxidation in these mutants. These results indicate that disruption of ClaPEX6 impairs peroxisomal metabolism, even though clapex6 mutants show normal growth and conidiation in nutrient-rich conditions. The clapex6 mutants formed small appressoria with severely reduced melanization that failed to form infectious hyphae. These data indicate that peroxisomes are necessary for appressorium-mediated penetration of host plants. The addition of glucose increased the pathogenicity of clapex6 mutants, suggesting that the glucose metabolic pathway can compensate partially for peroxisomes in phytopathogenicity.

Renal artery aneurysm causing hydronephrosis

A 42-year-old man presented with left hydronephrosis incidentally discovered on abdominal echogram during a routine health examination. Color Doppler ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography and angiography revealed a non-calcified renal artery aneurysm of 30 mm in size compressing the pyeroureteral junction and causing hydronephrosis. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) using spiral CT clearly displayed the aneurysm located at the first bifurcation of the left renal artery and involving the anterior segmental artery. Decompression was successfully obtained via in situ revascularization of the renal artery after aneurysmectomy. A literature search revealed 12 cases of renal artery aneurysm causing hydronephrosis reported in Japan, although only three cases were documented in other countries, and these reports are reviewed. Use of 3-D CT for evaluation of renal artery aneurysm is advocated.

[Importance of a network construction with each division and clinical laboratory in the hospital--from a ground of the infection control nurse]

To reduce the frequency and extent hospital infection, the infection prevention team is required to work properly. Infection control nurses play various roles in the infection prevention team, including surveillance of the occurrence of infection and checking the actual conditions of infection prevention activities, as well as the communication and coordination with other sections. Thus, they take part in almost all the activities of the infection prevention team, except the diagnosis and the medical treatment of infectious diseases; that is to say, they make reports, communicate, consult and cooperate with the staff members of other sections. As for surveillance, the results of microbiological tests by a laboratory are most important. By feedback regarding the results of surveillance measures against infection, infection prevention activities become more effective. The staff members of the microbiological laboratory and the infection control nurses can obtain information about the outbreak of infection at an early stage, which is critical in infection prevention activities. Therefore, good cooperation between nurses and the laboratory staff facilitates prompt and appropriate actions to prevent further spread of infection. The test section, especially the microbiological laboratory, is the most important section with which the infection control nurses should work in close cooperation.

Effects of HSP-117, a novel tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist, on cisplatin-induced pica as a new evaluation of delayed emesis in rats

The effects of a novel tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonist HSP-117 [(2S,3S)-3-[(5-isopropyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-yl)methyl]amino-2-phenylpiperidine dihydrochloride] on cisplatin-induced pica, i.e., the eating of nonnutritive substances such as kaolin were examined in rats. HSP-117 inhibited kaolin intake in a dose-dependent manner for 2 days. The 5-HT3-receptor antagonist ondansetron inhibited only on the first day, but not on the second day. These results indicate that the cisplatin-induced kaolin intake on the first day is related to both 5-HT3- and NK1 receptors, while only the NK1 receptor is involved on the second day. Thus, cisplatin-induced continuous pica in rats represents a useful model of not only acute but also delayed emesis.

Nonoperative treatment of reperforated duodenal ulcer: report of three cases

During the period between 1983 and 1998, a total of 58 patients were admitted to the surgical department of Akita Red Cross Hospital with acute duodenal perforation. Of these 58 patients, 16 were treated operatively and 42 were treated nonoperatively. Among the 38 men and 4 women who received nonoperative treatment, 3 developed reperforation. The incidence of reperforation was 7.1% and the mean average interval from the initial treatment until reperforation was 3.5 years. Endoscopic biopsy and/or serum anti-H. pylori IgG measurement revealed Helicobacter pylori infection in all three patients. No serious complications developed during the nonoperative treatment of reperforation in these three patients, and their recovery was uneventful. The hospital stay ranged from 10 to 18 days, with a mean stay of 12 days after the first perforation and from 14 to 18 days, with a mean stay of 15.6 days after the reperforation. Nonoperative treatment proved successful as a life-saving procedure for reperforation of a duodenal ulcer in all three patients.

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). III. Secular changes in susceptibility]

The bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the susceptibilities of these bacteria to various antimicrobial agents were examined and the results were compared with those obtained between 1991 and 1998. Comparison was made by classifying strains isolated from patients into those with uncomplicated UTIs and those with complicated UTIs (including with or without indwelling catheter). About E. faecalis, increase of low sensitive strains noted in the former year showed a decreasing tendency, however, one strain each with MIC of 4 micrograms/ml to vancomycin (VCM) was detected in patients with both uncomplicated and complicated UTIs. As for S. aureus, many sensitive strains to cephems, imipenem (IPM) and VCM were noted, and each MIC50 was better than that in the former years. S. aureus strains showing low susceptibility to arbekacin (ABK) were detected in patients with complicated UTIs in this year as well as in the former year, and one strain each with MIC of 16 micrograms/ml and 32 micrograms/ml was detected. Susceptibilities of E. coli were effective to all drugs except for penicillins and minocycline (MINO). Decrease of low sensitive strains was also noted in all drugs except for quinolones. Each MIC90 of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) and sparfloxacin (SPFX) in patients with complicated UTIs against E. coli was 3 degrees classes lower than that in patients with uncomplicated UTIs. As for Klebsiella pneumoniae, decrease of low sensitive strains to cephems was noted in patients with uncomplicated UTIs in 1998. In 1999, low sensitive strains decreased also in patients with complicated UTIs, and few were detected. Susceptibilities of K. pneumoniae to quinolones were effective as compared with those in the former years with the MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml or below without detection of low sensitive strains. One low sensitive strain of K. pneumoniae with MIC of 8 micrograms/ml was detected for gentamicin (GM). Susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa to carbapenems were notable. The MIC90 of meropenem (MEPM) and IPM was 4 micrograms/ml each which was 2 degrees better than that in 1998. Resistant P. aeruginosa strains to other drugs except for monobactams decreased in 1999.

[Lack of knowledge about smoking-related risks for diseases in the general public in Japan]

Cigarette smoking is the primary preventable cause of various diseases and death. Smoking has been causally related to lung cancer, other malignancies, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There have been few studies, however, of whether the ordinary citizen in Japan understand the risks of serious diseases caused by smoking. Four hundred and thirty six people attended a seminar of respiratory diseases entitled "Cigarette smoking and lung cancer; prevention and treatment of asthma; senile care and prevention of pneumonia". After the seminar, unsigned questionnaires were filled out by 403 of those in attendance. Three hundred eighty nine (165 males and 224 females) respondents correctly answered the questionnaires, and these were analyzed in the study. Attendants comprised 243 who had never smoked (63%), 99 former smokers (25%), and 39 current smokers (10%). Three hundred forty seven attendants (89%) answered that smoking is harmful to the health, and 371 (95%) that it is causally related to lung cancer. In contrast, lower numbers of attendants answered that smoking is causally related to other diseases: pulmonary emphysema, 65% of the responses; chronic bronchitis, 68%; laryngeal cancer, 77%; myocardial infarction, 53%; and atherosclerosis, 49%. Of the 39 current smokers, 27 answered that they would stop smoking after the seminar. Although many people partly understand the risks of smoking, they do not have a clear knowledge of the risks of diseases besides lung cancer. Education about the risks of smoking and about smoking cessation is required.

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). II. Background of patients]

Five-hundred forty four bacterial strains isolated from 412 patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the clinical background of patients were investigated such as sex, age and type of infections, infections and kind of bacteria, frequency of isolation of bacteria by age and infections, bacteria and infections by timing of administration of antibiotics, and bacteria and infections by surgical procedures. About the relationship between age and sex of patients and type of infections, the number of male patients aged less than 50 years was few, and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was the most frequent. In females, the number of patients aged less than 20 years was few. Complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter was the most frequent among female patients aged between 40 to 59 years, in other age groups, uncomplicated UTIs was most frequent. As for type of infections and kind of bacteria, Escherichia coli decreased when the infections became complicated, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis increased when the infection became complicated. Considering this result by age of patients, isolation frequency of E. coli was gradually decreased with aging in patients aged more than 20 years with uncomplicated UTIs or complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. The isolation frequencies of E. faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were gradually increased with aging in complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. In patients with complicated UTIs with indwelling catheter, there was no difference between age group, and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were frequently isolated. As for type of causative organisms in UTIs before and after the administration of antibiotics, the isolation of bacteria was remarkably decreased after administration in patients with uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs without indwelling catheter. E. coli decreased after administration of antibiotics, and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis increased after administration in patients with all infections. As for type of causative organisms in UTIs and surgical procedures, E. coli were more frequently isolated in patients with uncomplicated UTIs when surgical procedures were experienced. Also, Klebsiella spp. and E. faecalis were more frequently isolated in patients with surgical procedures. However, in complicated UTIs, type of causative organisms had no relationship with surgical procedures.

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1999). I. Susceptibility distribution]

The bacterial strains isolated from patients diagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 institutions in Japan were supplied between the period of August 1999 to July 2000. Then, the susceptibilities of them to many kinds of antimicrobial agents were investigated. The number of them were 499 strains. The breakdown of these strains was Gram-positive bacteria as 31.3% and Gram-negative bacteria as 68.7%. Susceptibilities of these bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as follows; vancomycin (VCM), ampicillin (ABPC) and imipenem (IPM) showed strong activities against Enterococcus faecalis. The increase of low-susceptible strains which was noticed in the former year showed a slight recovery in this year. VCM showed a strong activity against MRSA preventing growth of all strains with 1 microgram/ml. In addition, the activity of arbekacin (ABK) was also strong with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml against MRSA. However, MSSA and MRSA showing low susceptibilities were detected in one strain each (MIC: 16 micrograms/ml and 32 micrograms/ml, respectively). Carbapenems showed high activities against Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli. Meropenem (MEPM) prevented growth of all strains within 0.125 microgram/ml. Quinolone resistant E. coli decreased in this year compared with those in the last year, that percentage was less than 5%. Almost all drugs showed strong activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. MEPM and carumonam (CRMN) prevented growth of all strains within 0.125 microgram/ml. On the other hand, one strain of K. pneumoniae showing resistance to cefaclor (CCL) and one strain of P. mirabilis showing low susceptibility to most of cephems were detected. Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, almost drugs were not so active. The MIC90s of carbapenems were 8 micrograms/ml and those of all other drugs were more than 16 micrograms/ml.

Study on the role of G1 cyclins in Epstein-Barr virus-associated human lymphomas maintained in severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice

Five Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive human lymphoma cell lines maintained in severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice were used to investigate the role of G1 cyclins in EBV-induced lymphomagenesis. All the primary tumors had been negative for EBV but became positive after establishment in SCID mice, with monoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and EBV monoclonality. To compare the expression status of G1 cyclins, these EBV-associated lymphoma lines (6 EBV[-] human SCID mouse lymphoma lines, 13 human B cell lymphomas and 8 samples of human tonsil tissue) were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin D2 (CCND2), cyclin E (CCNE), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and 4 (CDK4) was found in all 3 types of lymphomas. Western blotting demonstrated identical results. Immunohistochemistry revealed CCND1 to be negative in all lymphomas. CCND2 was positive and restricted to the nuclei in all EBV(+) SCID mouse lymphoma lines, whereas it was limited to the cytoplasm in half of the EBV(-) counterparts. CCNE was positive in the nuclei in all EBV(+) but negative in all EBV(-) SCID mouse lymphoma lines. Immunoprecipitation of EBV(+) and (-) SCID mouse lymphomas for CCND1, CCND2 and CCNE vs. p21, PCNA and CDK2 or CDK4 demonstrated that, in EBV(+) SCID lines, CCND2/CDK4 complexes were present without binding to p21, suggesting independence from p21 regulation. In EBV(-) SCID mouse lymphomas, half of the cases showed complex formation of CCND2/CDK4 without binding of p21. In contrast, CCND1/CDK4 and CCNE/CDK2 were under regulation of p21 in both EBV(+) and (-) lymphomas. These results suggest that differential expression of CCNDs, CCNE and CDKs, as well as variation in their subcellular localization and association with CDK-inhibitor protein, could explain differences in cell proliferation between EBV(+) and EBV(-) lymphomas.

Increases of calcium and magnesium and decreases of phosphorus and iron with aging in human uterine tubes

To elucidate compositional changes of the uterine tube by aging, the authors studied age-related changes of elements in human uterine tubes by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The uterine tubes were resected postmortem or surgically removed from patients with uterine myoma. It was found that the contents of calcium and magnesium increased progressively with aging in uterine tubes, whereas the contents of phosphorus and iron decreased gradually with aging. The sulfur content of uterine tubes remained constant and independent of aging. Regarding relationships between elements, significant relationships were found between calcium and magnesium contents, between phosphorus and iron contents, between phosphorus and sulfur contents, and between phosphorus and sodium contents in human uterine tubes.

Types of lumbar herniated disc and clinical course

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of different types of herniated discs and duration of symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and a trial of longer conservative treatment to reduce the number of operations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether noncontained and contained herniated discs have different clinical courses and to evaluate the results of the clinical trial of longer and vigorous conservative treatment.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The possibility of a difference in clinical features between contained and noncontained disc herniation has been suggested previously.

METHODS

In the first study, the medical history and intraoperative findings of 156 patients who had undergone herniotomy were reviewed. In the second study, conservative treatment of at least 2 months' duration was recommended for all patients with lumbar disc herniation.

RESULTS

In the first study, patients with noncontained disc herniation had a shorter preoperative clinical course than those with contained disc herniation. It was rare for noncontained herniation to require surgery 4 months or more after the onset of symptoms. In the second study, the authors' protocol reduced the number of herniotomies required, especially the number of operations for the patients with noncontained disc herniation.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors believe that patients with noncontained lumbar disc herniation can be treated without surgery, if these patients can tolerate the symptoms for the first 2 months.

Lymph node metastasis-related carbohydrate epitopes of gastric cancer with submucosal invasion

This study was conducted to examine the lymph node metastasis-related carbohydrate epitopes of cancer cells in primary lesions of gastric cancer with submucosal invasion (sm gastric cancer). A total of 118 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were studied. Carbohydrate epitopes were detected histochemically using 17 kinds of biotin-labeled lectins and three kinds of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (HB-T1), Tn (HB-Tn1), and sialyl Tn antigens (HB-STn1). The node-positive group showed significantly lower reactivities with Ricinus communis I (RCA-I), Lotus tetragonolobus (Lotus), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Concanavalia ensiformis (ConA), and higher reactivities with HB-STn1. When sm gastric cancer was classified into differentiated and undifferentiated types, lower reactivities with RCA-I and ConA were observed in the differentiated type cancers, whereas lower reactivities with Lotus, WGA, and higher reactivity with HB-STn1 were observed in the undifferentiated type cancers. Nodal status was able to be predicted with high precision by a combination of these carbohydrates and histological subtypes. Since neuraminidase treatment rarely changed the reactivity of cancer cells with these lectins, we conclude that the loss of certain kinds of carbohydrates that are restricted by histological subtypes is related to lymph node metastasis in sm gastric cancer.

Survivin expression in tumor cell nuclei is predictive of a favorable prognosis in gastric cancer patients

One hundred and thirty three gastric cancer cases were investigated immunohistochemically to clarify the biological role of survivin in gastric cancer cells using a commercially available anti-survivin antibody (SURV11A). Five gastric cancer cell lines were employed to assess localization of survivin by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Southern blotting, Western blotting and immunofluorescence, signals being found in both nucleus and cytoplasm. Survivin nuclear staining of gastric cancer cells was evident in 109 of 133 cases (82.0%) and associated with a favorable prognosis, being an independent prognosticator on multivariate analysis. Survivin nuclear positivity also correlated with younger age and lower incidence of vessel cancer invasion. In contrast, survivin cytoplasmic positivity was noted in 117 cases (88.0%) and did not correlate with any factor of progression or prognosis. The results indicate that survivin is present in the majority of gastric cancer cells but a nuclear localization may play an important physiological role in hindering tumor progression.

[A case of metachronous multiple primary lung cancers coexistent with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia]

A seventy-year-old woman was admitted for an abnormal chest shadow on a routine radiograph. She had undergone left upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node resection (R2a) for lung cancer (stage I), eight years before. We diagnosed this cancer as well differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma, and it coexisted with a focus of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) in the resected material. We had been following up this patient with chest radiography, CT scanning, and tumor marker tests, but eight years after her first operation, we found a small nodular lesion in the left upper field (S6). This nodule was not diagnosed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Because we could not exclude primary lung cancer or intrapulmonary metastasis (eight years ago), we performed partial lung resection on the left S6 nodule. Histopathologically, the diagnosis was well differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung, coexisting with a small hyperplastic focus in the resected material. It was very difficult to diagnose whether these two cancers were metachronous multiple primary lung cancers, or one primary and its intrapulmonary metastasis. In a retrospective study, an immunohistochemical examination employing Ki-67, PCNA, p 27 and p 53 was performed in order to differentiate between metachronous multiple primary lung cancer and intrapulmonary metastasis. But we found AAH in the same resected lung eight years ago, and suggested the possibility that another small, atypical focus had developed into a malignancy. We report a case of metachronous multiple primary lung cancers and review the relevant literature.

Age-related changes of bone mineral density in human calcaneus, talus, and scaphoid bone

To examine whether the bone mineral density (BMD) decreases uniformly with aging in any spongy bones, the authors investigated age-related changes of BMD in the calcaneus, talus, and scaphoid bone. After the ordinary dissection by medical students was finished, calcanei, tali, and scaphoid bones were resected from the subjects, and BMDs were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Their BMDs seemed to decrease gradually with aging in the calcanei, tali, and scaphoid bones. It was found that there were statistically significant relationships between age and BMD in the men's and women's scaphoid bones, women's tali, and women's calcanei, but not in the men's tali and calcanei. It should be noted that there were significant relationships between age and BMD in both men's and women's scaphoid bones. In regard to relationship in BMD between the bones of the upper and lower limbs in individuals, it was found that the relationship between the calcaneus and talus was higher than that between the calcaneus and scaphoid bone. This suggests that there is a higher relationship in BMD between the two tarsal bones compared with that between the tarsal and carpal bones.

Parry arc: a polarization lidar, ray-tracing, and aircraft case study

Using simple ray-tracing simulations, the cause of the rare Parry arc has been linked historically to horizontally oriented columns that display the peculiar ability to fall with a pair of prism faces closely parallel to the ground. Although we understand the aerodynamic forces that orient the long-column axis in the horizontal plane, which gives rise to the relatively common tangent arcs of the 22 degrees halo, the mechanism leading to the Parry crystal orientation has never been resolved adequately. On 16 November 1998, at the University of Utah Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing, we studied a cirrus cloud producing a classic upper Parry arc using polarization lidar and an aircraft with a new high-resolution ice crystal imaging probe. Scanning lidar data, which reveal extremely high linear depolarization ratios delta a few degrees off the zenith direction, are simulated with ray-tracing theory to determine the ice crystal properties that reproduce this previously unknown behavior. It is found that a limited range of thick-plate crystal axis (length-to-diameter) ratios from approximately 0.75 to 0.93 generates a maximum delta approximately 2.0-5.0 for vertically polarized 0.532-microm light when the lidar is tilted 1 degrees -2 degrees off the zenith. Halo simulations based on these crystal properties also generate a Parry arc. However, although such particles are abundant in the in situ data in the height interval indicated by the lidar, one still has to invoke an aerodynamic stabilization force to produce properly oriented particles. Although we speculate on a possible mechanism, further research is needed into this new explanation for the Parry arc.

The value of pre-operative diagnostic procedures for cervical involvement in uterine corpus carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of procedures for pre-operative diagnosis of cervical involvement of uterine corpus carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four diagnostic procedures, including cervical cytology, endocervical curettage (ECC), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and hysteroscopy, were performed for diagnosis of cervical involvement in 60 patients with uterine corpus carcinoma. The preoperative diagnosis based on results obtained using by each procedure was retrospectively compared with the diagnosis based on histological examination of surgical specimens. Data were analyzed according to the standard definition of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.

RESULTS

Cervical involvement was confirmed in 18 patients (30%). ECC showed high sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (88.9%). Cervical cytology showed high specificity (88.6%). MRI showed very high specificity (99.2%) and high sensitivity (88.5%) in cases with cervical stromal invasion.

CONCLUSION

Cervical cytology and MRI are useful for excluding cervical involvement. ECC is useful for positive diagnosis. MRI may be useful for cases with stromal invasion. The use of a combination of several procedures is essential for obtaining an accurate diagnosis of cervical involvement in cases of uterine corpus carcinoma.

Myxoid leiomyosarcoma of the uterus

A 70-year-old, menopausal Japanese woman with large uterine tumor underwent total hysterectomy. Microscopic examination revealed a myxoid leiomyosarcoma with 5 to 6 mitoses/10 high power field (HPF). Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells reacted with desmin, suggesting that they are derived from uterine smooth muscle cells. The patient was treated with the combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, and she has been free from disease for 70 months after the operation.

[Does negative priming occur by rotated characters?]

We conducted three experiments in order to investigate the effect of stimulus orientation on negative priming (NP). Using the picture naming task, Murray (1995) reported the occurrence of semantic NP by rotated distractors. As the rotation of picture stimuli seems to have little effect to reduce distractor interference, in the present study we used the character (katakana) identification task to ensure the effect of stimulus rotation. When the distractors were rotated (180 degrees), no NP was observed whether the targets were upright (Experiment 1) or rotated (Experiment 2). On the other hand, significant NP was observed when the distractors were upright and the targets were rotated (Experiment 3). These results suggest that the inhibitory mechanism of attention may not operate on the rotated distractor characters.

Novel fungal transcriptional activators, Cmr1p of Colletotrichum lagenarium and pig1p of Magnaporthe grisea, contain Cys2His2 zinc finger and Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear cluster DNA-binding motifs and regulate transcription of melanin biosynthesis genes in a developmentally specific manner

Colletotrichum lagenarium and Magnaporthe grisea are plant pathogenic fungi that produce melanin during the appressorial differentiation stage of conidial germination and during the late stationary phase of mycelial growth. Here, we report the identification of genes for two unique transcription factors, CMR1 (Colletotrichum melanin regulation) and PIG1 (pigment of Magnaporthe), that are involved in melanin biosynthesis. Both Cmr1p and Pig1p contain two distinct DNA-binding motifs, a Cys2His2 zinc finger motif and a Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear cluster motif. The presence of both these motifs in a single transcriptional regulatory protein is unique among known eukaryotic transcription factors. Deletion of CMR1 in C. lagenarium caused a defect in mycelial melanization, but not in appressorial melanization. Also, cmr1Delta mutants do not express the melanin biosynthetic structural genes SCD1 and THR1 during mycelial melanization, although the expression of these two genes was not affected during appressorial melanization.

Age-dependent changes of elements in human trachea

To elucidate compositional changes of human trachea by aging, element contents in tracheae were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of seven men and seven women, ranging in age from 61 to 97 yr. The sulfur content of the tracheae decreased gradually with aging. In regard to calcium and phosphorus, both the contents increased to about threefold amounts in their seventies compared with those in their sixties, and decreased thereafter. The contents of calcium and phosphorus were the highest in their seventies. Therefore, it is likely that surplus calcium released from bones is deposited temporally in the trachea, and the deposits are released from the trachea at older age. Based on our results of human cartilages, there are two types in regard to calcium accumulation: The first type is that calcium accumulation occurs progressively with aging; the second one is that calcium accumulation becomes the highest in the seventies or eighties, and decreases thereafter. Therefore, the trachea belongs to the second type. Furthermore, the magnesium content remained constant through the age range.

Age-related variations of elements as compared among optic, radial, and sciatic nerves

To elucidate changes of peripheral nerves with aging, the authors studied age-related changes of element contents in the optic, radial, and sciatic nerves by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The subjects consisted of seven men and seven women, ranging in age from 61 to 97 yr. The contents of phosphorus and sulfur remained constant through ages 61 to 97 yr in three nerves, the optic, radial, and sciatic nerves. It was found that there were age-related differences in calcium content among the optic, radial, and sciatic nerves: The calcium content of the optic nerve increased progressively with aging; in the radial nerve, it was hardly changed with aging; in contrast, the calcium content of the sciatic nerve decreased gradually with aging. In addition, it was found that in the radial nerve there were moderate correlations between age and zinc or sodium content, whereas significant correlations between age and the content of silicon or iron were found in the sciatic nerve. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the silicon and iron contents in the sciatic nerves.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in HBs antigen-negative hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese population: involvement of HBx and p53

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome was reported to be detected in serum or liver tissues in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hepatitis B x (HBx) and p53 protein were reported to play an important role in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis. To clarify latent HBV infection in HBsAg- and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)-negative HCC in a Japanese population and involvement of HBx and p53 protein in these patients, we performed the sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. Of 1,024 HCC patients we saw between 1974 and 1998, 66 (6.4%) were negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Serum DNA was amplified by nested PCR by using specific primers of surface (S), core (C) and X regions in 26 patients negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Eighteen (69%) patients were positive for either S, C, or X region and the results of PCR were confirmed by Southern blotting. Of 18 PCR-positive patients, 3 were positive for anti-HBs and 9 were positive for anti-HBc, however, one was negative for any HBV markers. In HBsAg-negative and PCR-positive patients, the positive rates of expression of HBx and p53 were 8/13 (62%) and 7/13 (54%), being comparable to those in HBsAg-positive HCC patients. The results of the present study suggest that high prevalence of HBV infection is observed in HBsAg-negative HCC in a Japanese population and expression of HBx and p53 is consistent with a role, in these patients, for the transforming ability of these proteins.

Development of pyothorax-associated pleural lymphoma in relation to focal cytokinemic condition and Epstein-Barr virus infection

We report an initial case of pyothorax-associated pleural lymphoma (PAPL) in which the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) was remarkably high in the pleural fluid contaminated with tumor cells; at the same time Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) were detected in the lymphoma cells by in situ hybridization. These findings suggest the possibility that EBV-transformed B cells proliferated in the focal cytokinemic condition caused by long-standing chronic inflammation of the pleura and give us a clue to the lymphoma genesis of PAPL.

Prognostic significance of p53 protein overexpression in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

Fifty-three patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter were studied for p53 protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of p53 protein was observed in 19 patients (35.8%). There was a significant correlation between overexpression of p53 protein and histologic grade (p < 0.01). However, there was no correlation found between p53 immunoreactivity and pathologic stage. By univariate survival analysis, a significant difference in cumulative survival was observed between stage pT2 and stage pT3 or pT4 tumors (p < 0.05). The difference in survival between patients with p53-positive and negative tumors did not reach statistical significance (0.05 < p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that pathologic stage had an independent prognostic value (p < 0.05). The independent prognostic value of p53 protein overexpression did not quite reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). p53 protein nuclear overexpression appears to be a relatively weak prognostic indicator for patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.

Differential host susceptibility to pulmonary infections with bacteria and fungi in mice deficient in myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is located within neutrophils capable of producing hypochlorous acid, is active in vitro against bacteria and fungi. However, MPO-deficient persons are usually healthy. To define the in vivo contribution of MPO to early host defense against pulmonary infections, MPO-deficient and control mice were intranasally infected with various fungi and bacteria, and the number of residual microorganisms in lungs was compared 48 h later. MPO-deficient mice showed severely reduced cytotoxicity to Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon asahii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the mutant mice showed a slight but significantly delayed clearance of Aspergillus fumigatus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and had comparable levels of resistance to the wild type against Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These results suggest that the MPO-dependent oxidative system is important for host defense against fungi and bacteria, although the effect varies by pathogen species.

Time-related changes in periodontal mechanoreceptors in rat molars after the loss of occlusal stimuli

The effect of a loss of occlusal stimuli upon the distribution and structure of the periodontal mechanoreceptors of the rat mandibular molar was examined after extracting opposing molars. The hypofunctional periodontal ligament narrowed significantly two weeks after tooth extraction, associated with an altered morphology of the Ruffini endings that showed typical dendritic profiles in normal controls. At four weeks and later periods after extraction, the Ruffini endings-including those without light microscopic changes demonstrated unusual ultrastructural features such as the eccentric localization of mitochondria along the axonal membrane and loss of other cell organelles, unusual elongation of axonal microprojections, or a deep invagination of the Schwann sheath into the axoplasm. Immunoreactivity for the growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in the Ruffini endings was restricted to the Schwann element in both the normal and hypofunctional periodontal ligament, but the reaction was weaker and even negligible in some cases in the latter ligament. The present results suggest that occlusal stimuli are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the periodontal ligament, including that of periodontal mechanoreceptors. A decreased immunoreactivity for GAP-43 in the Schwann sheaths supports the notion of a possible functional alteration in the Ruffini endings that showed no structural abnormality.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in HBs antigen-negative hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese population: involvement of HBx and p53

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome was reported to be detected in serum or liver tissues in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hepatitis B x (HBx) and p53 protein were reported to play an important role in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis. To clarify latent HBV infection in HBsAg- and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)-negative HCC in a Japanese population and involvement of HBx and p53 protein in these patients, we performed the sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis. Of 1,024 HCC patients we saw between 1974 and 1998, 66 (6.4%) were negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Serum DNA was amplified by nested PCR by using specific primers of surface (S), core (C) and X regions in 26 patients negative for HBsAg and anti-HCV. Eighteen (69%) patients were positive for either S, C, or X region and the results of PCR were confirmed by Southern blotting. Of 18 PCR-positive patients, 3 were positive for anti-HBs and 9 were positive for anti-HBc, however, one was negative for any HBV markers. In HBsAg-negative and PCR-positive patients, the positive rates of expression of HBx and p53 were 8/13 (62%) and 7/13 (54%), being comparable to those in HBsAg-positive HCC patients. The results of the present study suggest that high prevalence of HBV infection is observed in HBsAg-negative HCC in a Japanese population and expression of HBx and p53 is consistent with a role, in these patients, for the transforming ability of these proteins.

Laser transmission through thin cirrus clouds

A near-infrared airborne-laser transmission model for thin cirrus clouds has been developed on the basis of the successive-order-of-scattering approach to account for multiple scattering by randomly and horizontally oriented ice crystals associated with an aircraft-target system. Direct transmission and transmission due to multiple scattering are formulated specifically for this geometric system, in which scattering and absorption associated with aerosols, water vapor, and air are accounted for. A number of sensitivity experiments have been performed for investigation of the effect of aircraft-target position, cirrus cloud optical depth, and ice crystal size on laser transmission for tactical applications. We show that transmission contributions produced by orders of scattering higher than 1 are small and can be neglected. The possibility of horizontal orientation of ice crystals can enhance transmission of laser beams in the aircraft-target geometry. Transmitted energy is strongly dependent on the horizontal distance between the aircraft and the target and on the cloud optical depth as well as on whether the cloud is above or below the aircraft.

Intratracheal administration of anaphylatoxin C5a potentiates antigen-induced pulmonary reactions through the prolonged production of cysteinyl-leukotrienes

The effects of intratracheal administration of anaphylatoxin C5a on airway inflammation have been studied using two sources of material, zymosan activated serum (ZAS) and purified rat C5a des Arg, in order to determine the influence of complement activation on allergic airway disorders.The intratracheal administration of ovalbumin (OA) to OA-sensitized rats generated two phases of airway response, an immediate airway response (IAR) occurring within 15 min and a late airway response (LAR) beginning 4-6 h after the allergen challenge. The simultaneous administration of ZAS and OA into the trachea generated a sustained elevation of airway resistance (Raw) following IAR, while that of OA or ZAS alone resulted in Raw returning nearly to the baseline just after the IAR. The elevation of Raw after the combined challenge of OA and ZAS was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a CysLT(1) receptor antagonist, pranlukast 30 mg/kg, but after that OA or ZAS alone was not significantly inhibited by pranlukast. The intratracheal administration of purified C5a produced an airway response that was similar to, but higher than, that evoked by ZAS. Namely, the challenge with OA plus C5a resulted in a higher IAR than OA plus ZAS, and also caused an early animal death up to 6 h, which was prevented by a combined pretreatment with pranlukast and the H(1) receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine.A histological examination at 6 h after the OA challenge identified an infiltration of inflammatory cells into the bronchial submucosal tissue, with a predominance of neutrophils and fewer eosinophils. On the other hand, a histological examination after the OA and ZAS challenge showed more severe infiltration of granulocytes into the bronchial submucosal tissue than that with OA or ZAS alone. The challenge with OA plus C5a was associated with severe perivascular leakage in the lungs and the combined pretreatment with both the antagonists led to a marked reduction in perivascular leakage. The quantitation of N-acetyl-leukotriene E(4) (N-Ac-LTE(4)), a major metabolite of cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cysLTs), in the bile indicated a significantly greater and longer excretion of cysLTs, from 1 to 6 h after the combined challenge, than that after either OA or ZAS alone. This suggested a prolonged generation of cysLTs in the lung by the combined challenge.In conclusion, our findings suggest that anaphylatoxin C5a may mediate the airway inflammatory response induced by a specific antigen challenge partly through a prolonged production of cysLTs and the release of histamine.

Analysis of genomic imprinting of insulin-like growth factor 2 in colorectal cancer

Genomic imprinting of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) has been shown to play an important role in the development of Wilms' tumor and adult cancers including lung and esophageal cancer. Although IGF2 has been reported to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer, the status of this gene has not been fully elucidated. To clarify genomic imprinting of IGF2 in colorectal cancer, we examined loss of imprinting (LOI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in surgically resected tissues by utilizing Apa1 polymorphism. Of 46 patients with colorectal cancer, 2 exhibited (2/15, 13%) LOH among 15 patients who were heterozygous for IGF2 DNA in nontumorous tissues. Four (4/12, 33%) patients showed LOI of IGF2 gene among informative patients. In these patients, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry revealed that IGF2 mRNA is overexpressed in tumorous tissues, compared to nontumorous tissues. Of 15 patients in whom IGF2 was immunohistochemically more highly expressed in tumorous than in normal tissues, there were 2 with LOH and 4 with LOI. The results of the present study suggest that LOI of IGF2 plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Combined medical and surgical treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis

PURPOSE

We report the efficacy of an alternative method of treatment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) that consists of excision of the palpebral conjunctiva followed by supratarsal injection of corticosteroid and five times daily topical application of 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) and cromolyn sodium.

METHODS

We evaluated 10 patients with severe treat-resistant VKC with corneal complications. The patients were evaluated for symptoms and for signs, including conjunctival changes, corneal limbal infiltrates, vascularization, reduction of epitheliopathy, meibomitis, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and pathologic evaluation, before and after treatment.

RESULTS

All patients showed marked improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. The symptoms (P <.01), signs (P <.02), and the visual acuity of all patients (P <.01) had significantly improved following treatment. Histological examination showed significant inflammatory cell decreases 4 weeks after surgery (P <. 05).

CONCLUSION

Surgery plus topical drug therapy may be useful in treating patients with very severe VKC.

High accumulation of plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator at the flow surface of mural fibrin in the human arterial system

PURPOSE

We assessed the fibrinolytic activity of the organized mural thrombus lining of aneurysms and prosthetic grafts.

METHODS

Between May 1995 and April 1998, the full-thickness mural thrombi of aneurysms and the pseudointima lining of vascular grafts were obtained from 12 patients, ranging from 55 to 78 years in age, who underwent elective surgery. These included five aortic arch aneurysms, four abdominal aortic aneurysms, and three patent synthetic vascular grafts. The specimens were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)/immunoblot and immunohistochemistry for human plasmin/plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and fibrin degradation product (D-dimer).

RESULTS

In the SDS-PAGE/immunoblot, 25- and 27-kd bands appeared specifically in experimental fibrin plates after limited digestion by plasmin and were also recognized in the mural thrombi. The presence of bands at 25 and 27 kd, which were most prominent in sections near the flow surface layer, was consistent with the hypothesis that the mural fibrin was digested by the endogenous plasmin. Apparent immunoreactivity was found at the flow surface of the masses at a thickness of 10 to 400 micrometer suggesting the presence of a plasminogen and tPA-rich layer, with D-dimer as a consequential product of fibrinolysis.

CONCLUSION

The hypothesis that fibrin surfaces in the arterial system acquire fibrinolytic activity because of digestion by circulating endogenous plasmin was confirmed; this may contribute to the antithrombogenicity of these flow surfaces.

Elevated levels of macrophage-stimulating protein in induced sputum of patients with bronchiectasis

We recently showed that macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), a serum protein homologous to hepatocyte growth factor, promotes ciliary motility by activating its receptor, RON, on the airway ciliated epithelium. To investigate the functional involvement of MSP and RON in bronchiectasis, in which mucociliary clearance (MCC) is impaired, first we examined RON expression on the bronchial ciliated epithelium of patients with bronchiectasis. We confirmed RON expression at the apical surface of bronchial ciliated epithelium of patients with bronchiectasis as well as those of normal human bronchus. Next, we examined whether MSP is present in sputum of patients with bronchiectasis and normal control subjects. By Western blotting, we found that half of the MSP in sputum is present as a biologically active alpha/beta chain heterodimer (mature MSP). In addition, we found that the MSP concentrations in sputum were significantly elevated in patients with bronchiectasis (n=8; 16.8+/-3.0 ng ml(-1)) compared with normal controls (n=9; 8.4+/-2.4 ng ml(-1); P<0.05). In contrast, the difference in concentrations of serum MSP (pro-MSP) was not significant between the two groups. These results indicate that (i) MSP is supplied to the airways and converted to a biologically active form, (ii) MSP is increased in patients with bronchiectasis compared with normal controls. Taken together, our findings suggest that increased MSP may be involved in compensation for impaired MCC in bronchiectasis.

Experimental and theoretical spectral reflection properties of ice clouds generated in a laboratory chamber

In a preliminary experimental program, the measured bidirectional reflection properties between 1.0 and 3.5 mum from a grating spectrometer with a resolution of approximately 0.1 mum for ice crystal clouds generated in a cold chamber are compared with theoretical results computed from a line-by-line equivalent solar radiative transfer model. The theoretical calculations are based on the measured habits, concentrations, and sizes of the ice particles from replicas of the ice crystals that show a mean maximum size of approximately 7 mum. The experimental design was first tested with transmission measurements in a pure water-vapor environment that compare closely with theoretical expectations. Within the uncertainties and in consideration of the assumptions necessitated by the preliminary nature of this program, there is a close comparison between the experimental and theoretical results.

The low prevalence of high levels of expressed emotion in Bali

The present study contrasts the expressed emotion (EE) status in family members of schizophrenic patients between Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan), the former being a non-industrialized society and the latter an industrialized society in Asia. The EE ratings of each key relative for 62 consecutively hospitalized schizophrenic patients at the Bangli State Mental Hospital (Bali) and 33 consecutively admitted schizophrenics at Komagino Hospital (Tokyo) were obtained using the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) method. A significantly lower prevalence of high EE (12.9%) was observed in Bali compared with Tokyo (36.4%) (P<0.01). This result may explain the better social adjustment of schizophrenics in Bali. In addition, in Bali, to clarify the EE effect in this non-industrialized society, we examined the relationship between each key relative's EE and the patient's psychotic symptoms at admission, as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Moreover, the association between each family member's EE and a patient's rate of re-admission over the 1-year period following discharge was evaluated. The EE value was significantly related to the anxious-depression factor score in the BPRS, but not to either of the other factor scores in the BPRS or SANS subscales. Furthermore, EE status was not a reliable predictor of patient re-admission over the 1-year period following discharge in Bali.

The role of tachykinin NK-1 receptors in the area postrema of ferrets in emesis

The role of tachykinin NK-1 receptors in the area postrema (AP) in emesis was examined in ferrets. Strong c-fos-like immunoreactivity was observed in the AP and nucleus tractus solitalius (NTS) in cisplatin (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-treated animals, but not in control animals. The number of the central emetogen morphine-induced vomits and retches was remarkably reduced (95%) and that of the peripheral emetogen copper sulphate-induced vomits was significantly (54%) reduced by AP lesion. Pretreatment with the tachykinin NK-1 receptor antagonists HSP-117 (1.0 microg) and CP-99,994 (7.5 microg) into the AP decreased the numbers of vomits and retches induced by morphine and copper sulphate. These results suggest that NK-1 receptors in the AP are involved in the mechanism of emesis induced by morphine and copper sulphate.

[Renocolic fistula: a case report]

A 78-year-old woman had disregarded pneumaturia since April 1998. In March 1999, computed tomography and barium enema were done to examine anemia and positive fecal occult blood, revealing a left renocolic fistula and bilateral renal stones. Intravenous pyelography revealed a left staghorn calculus, non-functioning kidney, and right partial staghorn calculus. Urinalysis showed pyuria and the culture grew Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella oxytoca. Smear and culture of the urine were negative for acid-fast bacilli. In consideration of the patient's age and conservation of right renal function, right pyelolithotomy was performed first. Three weeks later, left nephrectomy and partial colectomy were done. The postoperative course was uneventful. A renocolic fistula is relatively rare and to our knowledge there have been 37 cases reported in Japan, including our case. Surgery is the main therapy and was performed in 31 patients. Among them, surgery was not curative in 1 and 5 died of postoperative complications. Thus, surgery is not safe in all cases. However, despite her age and bilateral renal dysfunction, our patient was successfully operated on.

Correlations of calcium accumulations in arteries, veins, cartilages, ligaments, and bones in single humans

To show the relationships of calcium accumulation in the thoracic aorta to the other tissues, calcium contents were determined with a microwave-induced plasma-atomic emission spectrometer on arteries, veins, cartilages, ligaments, and bones. These tissues were resected from 18 individuals, consisting of 11 men and 7 women who died in the age range 59-91 yr. As thoracic and abdominal aortas are routinely used for radiographic examination of arterial calcification, they appear to be standard tissues of the calcium accumulation. The calcium accumulations were determined in the femoral artery, the superior and inferior venae cavae, the internal jugular vein, cartilages of the articular disk of the temporomandibular joint and the intervertebral disk, both the ligaments of the anterior cruciate ligament and the ligamentum capitis femoris, and the calcaneus, in contrast with the thoracic aorta. As calcium increased in the thoracic aorta, it increased in the femoral artery, the articular disk of the temporomandibular joint, the intervertebral disk, both ligaments of the anterior cruciate ligament, and the ligamentum capitis femoris, but it did not increase in veins, such as the superior and inferior venae cavae and the internal jugular vein. In contrast, it decreased in the calcaneus.

Distribution of non-collagenous dentin matrix proteins and proteoglycans, and their relation to calcium accumulation in bisphosphonate-affected rat incisors

It has been reported that multiple injections of 1-hydroxyethylidene- 1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) to rats prevent mineralization of incisor dentin, thereby revealing high concentrations of calcium in the non-mineralized matrix of circumpulpal dentin. To identify the molecules responsible for calcium accumulation in circumpulpal dentin matrix, rats were injected daily with HEBP (8 mg P/kg) for 7 d, and the incisors processed for various histochemical and immunohistochemical staining of non-collagenous matrices of dentin. Cuprolinic blue reactions for proteoglycans (PGs) were equally distributed in non-mineralized matrix of mantle and circumpulpal dentin layers. Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and osteopontin (OPN) immunoreactions were found in non-mineralized circumpulpal dentin matrix, but not in mantle dentin. In normal incisors, however, predentin matrix showing significant DSP immunoreactivity was negative for Ca-GBHA reactions. HEBP-affected, non-mineralized OPN immunopositive bone matrix was also non-reactive for calcium. From these observations, neither PGs, OPN nor DSP appear to be responsible for calcium accumulation in HEBP-affected circumpulpal dentin. Stains-all reactive component, possibly dentin phosphoprotein (DPP), only showed the same distribution as that of Ca-GBHA in both HEBP-affected and normal dentin matrix, implicating a possible contribution of DPP to calcium accumulation in circumpulpal dentin and, hence, to appositional mineralization of dentin.

Characterization of the responsive elements to hormones in the rat aldolase B gene

Transcription of the aldolase B gene, AldB, in the liver is regulated by hormones such as insulin and glucagon. To characterize the elements that are responsive to these hormones in the upstream region of AldB, plasmids carrying various length of the upstream region of this gene were constructed and transfected to primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The promoter activities were gradually increased by progressive deletion of the 5'-upstream region, and high activities were observed for constructs carrying the sequence between -408 and -85 bp, suggesting the presence of suppressive element(s) in the upstream region of -409 bp. The transcription activities of the mutants containing the sequences between -228 and -85 bp were enhanced by insulin, and glucagon suppressed the transcription activities of those containing the sequence between -764 and -85 bp. Two sequence elements similar to the cAMP-responsive element (CRE), one from -89 to -82 bp and another from +13 to +20 bp, were found in the upstream sequence of the gene. The latter element is not functional because its deletion did not affect either the transcription efficiency or glucagon response. However, the deletion of the former element diminished both functions. A gel retardation assay showed that the nuclear factor binds to the former element, which was competitive with authentic CRE oligonucleotide but not with the mutant CRE one. These results suggest that the CRE-like element in the promoter region is prerequisite for both fundamental transcription efficiency of the gene and suppression by glucagon in hepatocytes.

Time-related changes of developing enamel crystals after exposure to the tissue fluid in vivo: analysis of a subcutaneously implanted rat incisor

To investigate the effects of tissue fluid on the growth of enamel crystals, upper and lower incisors extracted from 3-week-old Wistar rats were removed of the enamel organ, implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal portion of animals from the same litter, and harvested at 72 h or 1 week after implantation. The grafts were chemically fixed with surrounding tissues and prepared for light and electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, or for the immunohistochemistry of amelogenin. Mineralization of implanted enamel layers was examined by contact X-ray microradiography. The immunoreactivities for 25 kD amelogenin in immature enamel decreased sequentially, starting from the surface to the deeper layers; by 1 week after implantation, no positive reactivities remained in the entire enamel layers at the stages of matrix formation and early maturation. In accordance with the loss of enamel proteins, immature enamel gained mineral density until it attained higher radio opacity than that of the adjacent dentin by 1 week. In contrast, the radio opacity of the full thickness of the enamel at early maturation remained low except for a superficial thin layer. Electron microscopy revealed no sign of growth of original enamel crystals, but showed heavy precipitation of electron-dense fine granules of calcium phosphate in all layers of the secretory enamel and the superficial layer of enamel at early maturation, which showed high radio opacity. The Ca/P ratio and electron diffraction patterns of the granular materials precipitated between intrinsic enamel crystals indicated the property of hydroxy apatite or octacalcium phosphate though a characteristic ribbon-like profile of enamel crystals was lacking. These data indicate that the enamel organ blocks exogenous mineral precipitates in growing enamel during the stage of matrix formation and plays an essential regulatory role for fine enamel crystallites to grow into large hexagonal crystals.

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1998). III. Secular changes in susceptibility]

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 9 hospitals during June 1998 to May 1999, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period from 1990 to 1997 in uncomplicated UTIs and complicated UTIs. Among E. faecalis strains, those with low susceptibilities to almost drugs have increased in the latest period. All 5 S. aureus strains isolated from uncomplicated UTIs were the most susceptible to gentamicin (GM). Over 50% of S. aureus strains isolated from complicated UTIs were susceptible to GM, and on the contrary the resistant strains have increased with the MIC90 of 256 micrograms/ml or above. Among S. aureus strains isolated from complicated UTIs, those with low susceptibilities to arbekacin (ABK) have increased in the latest period compared to those during period of 1996-1997, and the MIC90s of them have changed into the lower state from 1 microgram/ml in 1996-1997 to 4 micrograms/ml in 1998. S. aureus strains have continued high susceptibilities to vancomycin (VCM). The susceptibilities to minocycline (MINO) of E. coli showed MIC90: 4 micrograms/ml in 1997, but those have returned in the latest period in uncomplicated UTIs. The MIC90s of ofloxacin (OFLX) to E. coli isolated from uncomplicated and complicated UTIs have been lower 2-3 classes in the latest period than those in 1997. Among Klebsiella spp. strains isolated from uncomplicated UTIs, those with low susceptibilities to almost cephems had increased in 1997, but few of them were detected in the latest study. The sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa to almost drugs have increased during the latest period. The MIC50s of cefozopran (CZOP) and OFLX against P. aeruginosa were the best in our history. The sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa to ceftazidime (CAZ) have increased and its percentage was 30%. Piperacilline (PIPC), cefoperazone (CPZ), GM and OFLX resistant P. aeruginosa strains have increased in the latest period.