Cloning and identification of the gene gob-5, which is expressed in intestinal goblet cells in mice

By using the large-scale in situ hybridization system (Analytical Biochemistry (1997) 254, 23-30), we isolated the cDNA gob-5, which is expressed in the intestinal goblet cells in mice. The transcript was also found to be abundantly expressed in small intestine, colon, stomach, and uterus and slightly expressed in trachea tissue. The gob-5 cDNA was shown to be 3 kb in size. After screening digestive tract tissues using our in situ hybridization method we demonstrate that gob-5 is expressed in mucous cells. The deduced amino acid sequence is similar to the gene which encodes the epithelial chloride channel in the bovine trachea.

Relation of bimanual coordination to activation in the sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area: analysis using functional magnetic resonance imaging

The aim of this study was to analyze how functional activation in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and sensorimotor cortex (SMC) is related to bimanual coordination using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects included 24 healthy volunteers, 15 of whom were right-handed and 9 left-handed. Three kinds of activation tasks, all of which required the repetitive closing and opening of a fist, were performed: unimanual movement of the nonpreferred hand (task A); simultaneous, agonistic movement of both hands (task B); simultaneous, antagonistic movement of both hands (task C). The SMA activation during task C was more pronounced than that during the other two tasks for right and left handers. The results suggested that the activation of the SMA, at least during a simple motion used in the present study, was little influenced by whether the motion was unimanual or bimanual but instead how the bimanual motion was composed of the motion element of a single hand. The SMC activation during task C was significantly larger than that during task B, whereas hemispheric differences in the activation were not found. This indicated that the complexity of the bimanual movement also affected the SMC activation.

A novel free radical scavenger, nicaraven, inhibits human platelet aggregation in vitro

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether or not radical scavengers can inhibit platelet aggregation in humans. Toward this end, nicaraven was selected for this study because it has been shown to specifically scavenge hydroxyl radicals that are implicated in platelet aggregation. Ten healthy volunteers and 10 patients with cerebral thrombosis were enrolled in this study. The antiplatelet activities in vitro of nicaraven were examined. The concentrations of nicaraven tested were 3.50 x 10(-5) mol/L, 1.75 x 10(-4) mol/L, 3.50 x 10(-4) mol/L, and 1.75 x 10(-3) mol/L, respectively. The maximum aggregation rate induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was significantly inhibited by nicaraven at concentration ranges of 3.50 x 10(-4) mol/L or higher in the healthy volunteer platelets. The maximum aggregation rate induced by collagen was significantly inhibited by 1.75 x 10(-3) mol/L of nicaraven. Using platelets from patients with cerebral thrombosis, the maximum aggregation rate induced by ADP was significantly inhibited by 1.75 x 10(-3) mol/L of nicaraven. Furthermore, the maximum aggregation rate induced by collagen were significantly reduced by 1.75 x 10(-3) mol/L of nicaraven. Nicaraven induces dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation in both healthy volunteers and patients with cerebral thrombosis.

Clinical significance of p53 in non-small-cell lung cancer

p53 abnormalities appear to play critical roles in human carcinogenesis. Many studies have indicated that p53 alteration is responsible for the differences in clinical characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this review is to evaluate and summarize the significance of p53 alteration in the diagnosis and therapy of NSCLC. After assessing the principles of each approach to detecting p53 alteration, we reviewed the literature describing the impact of p53 alteration on clinical modalities such as diagnosis, prediction of prognosis, and response to treatment. We also reviewed p53 gene replacement therapy for NSCLC. Although p53 appears to be the most important gene in the development of NSCLC, it is not known whether p53 abnormalities are useful markers for clinicians. A multicenter, prospective study of p53 immunohistochemistry should therefore be performed. Replacement of the p53 gene has been shown to be effective in a clinical trial for patients with NSCLC. In addition to simple gene replacement, combination treatments of gene transfer and chemotherapy are now being tested in clinical trials.

Honokiol induces apoptosis in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to honokiol led to both growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the cells treated with honokiol. The fragmentation by honokiol of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis was observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by honokiol of Molt 4B cells results from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.

Prognostic significance of CYFRA 21-1 in non-small cell lung cancer

Between July 1991 and February 1993, CYFRA 21-1 levels of 149 newly diagnosed patients with histologically proven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at Osaka Prefectural Habikino Hospital were measured with an enzyme immunoassay method developed by Boeringer Mannheim (Enzymun-Test CYFRA 21-1). NSCLC patients with CYFRA 21-1 serum levels over 3.5 ng/ml had a significantly poorer prognosis than did patients with normal CYFRA 21-1 levels (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that CYFRA 21-1 levels above 3.5 ng/ml, poor PS, advanced stage and serum LDH over 450 U/l strongly correlated with survival period. In multivariate analysis, however, only CYFRA 21-1 was found to be an independent prognostic factor compatible with Stage and PS (P = 0.0040 for CYFRA 21-1, P < 0.001 for PS, P = 0.0052 for Stage).

Cloning of the novel gene intelectin, which is expressed in intestinal paneth cells in mice

Using a large-scale in situ hybridization screening method, we isolated the cDNA gene intelectin, whose mRNA is expressed in small intestinal paneth cells in mice. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNA corresponding to the cDNA was 1.2 kp in length, and expression was specific to the tissue in the small intestine. We termed this gene intelectin because the deduced amino acid sequence is similar to the previously cloned oocyte lectin gene of Xenopus laevis. The function of intelectin may be involved in the defence of microorganisms.

[Blood conservation effect and safety of shed mediastinal blood autotransfusion after cardiac surgery]

Autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood after cardiac surgery has been used to reduce risks related to homologous blood transfusions. To document the efficacy and safety of autotransfusion, we compared clinical findings of 80 patients receiving shed mediastinal blood (autotransfusion group) with those of the control group of 52 patients. The amount of the autotransfusion was limited to 800 ml, given the potentially harmful effects of shed blood transfusion. The mean transfused shed volume was 314 +/- 236 ml (S.D.). The serum levels of FDP-E, D-dimer and TAT after autotransfusion were higher in the autotransfusion group than in the control group (p = 0.01, p = 0.0004, p = 0.001, respectively). However, postoperative blood loss and the rate of reexploration for bleeding were similar in the two groups. The patients receiving blood products were fewer in the autotransfusion group than those in the control group (21% vs 44%; p = 0.005). Autotransfusion did not increase postoperative complications, including infection. Thus, although autotransfusion of mediastinal shed blood has the potential to affect hemostasis, unless the amount of autotransfusion exceeds 800 ml, it appears that this method is clinically safe and effective as a mean of blood conservation.

Characterization of the initial steps of precursor import into rat liver mitoplasts

Mitochondria have two independent protein-import machineries, one in the outer membrane (the Tom system) and the other in the inner membrane (the Tim system). Here, we have characterized the initial steps of precursor import into rat liver mitoplasts. The import reaction was separated into two stages, consisting of precursor binding to the mitoplasts at 0-10 degreesC, and a subsequent chase reaction at 30 degreesC. This assay revealed four distinct precursor-import steps: DeltaPsi-dependent initial binding of the precursor, precursor transfer to the Tim23-Tim17 stage, DeltaPsi-dependent translocation of the presequence across the inner membrane, and the complete translocation of the mature portion of the precursor. Antibodies against the intermembrane space domain of Tim23 inhibited neither the precursor binding nor the subsequent translocation of the presequence across the inner membrane. In contrast, the antibodies inhibited the complete translocation of the mature domain of the precursor across the inner membrane. Immunoprecipitation with anti-Tim23 IgGs revealed that the precursor-Tim23 complex increased with time and temperature after the initial targeting of the precursor to the mitoplasts. These results suggest that the precursor is first targeted to the inner membrane component DeltaPsi-dependently, then transferred to the Tim system consisting of Tim23-Tim17, and finally imported into the matrix.

Minimum structure of diapause hormone required for biological activity

Diapause hormone is a 24-amino acid peptide amide, and its C-terminal penta-peptide amide structure of FGPRL-NH2 is believed to be essential for biological activity. The penta-peptide amide, the shorter peptide amides, and their derivatives and analogs were prepared to determine the minimal structure for biological activity. The C-terminal amide group of penta-peptide amide was not replaced with the other functional groups, but Gly, the 4th amino acid from the C terminal, could be substituted with an other amino acid while maintaining the biological activity. The shorter peptide amide, PRL-NH2, possessed low but significant activity, indicating the minimum structure of diapause hormone. By modifying its N-terminal, the aromatic ring of Phe is shown to enhance the activity of PRL-NH2.

Cochlear neuronal loss are determined by use of a neurofilament protein antibody in cases of bilateral profound deafness

The temporal bones of two patients with profound bilateral deafness from infancy were studied immunohistochemically, using a neurofilament protein antibody to detect the cochlear neuronal elements. One patient exhibited Mondini dysplasia of the inner ear, with the organ of Corti almost completely deteriorated. The other patient is the first reported case involving complete aplasia of the organ of Corti in all turns. In both cases, the immunohistochemical staining clearly revealed a severe reduction in the number of afferent neurons, such as dendrites, spiral ganglion cells and cochlear axons. The number of efferent spiral bundles in the osseous spiral lamina and intraganglionic portion also decreased in parallel with the reduction in the number of cochlear afferent neurons. Our results are inconsistent with previously reported cases of presbycusis and acquired deafness induced by the measles virus, in which efferent neurons were preserved while afferent neurons degenerated. The loss of both the efferent and afferent neurons might be characteristics of congenital deafness.

Interaction of mitochondrial targeting signals with acidic receptor domains along the protein import pathway: evidence for the 'acid chain' hypothesis

Mitochondrial precursor proteins with basic targeting signals may be transported across the outer membrane by sequential binding to acidic receptor sites of increasing affinity. To test this 'acid chain' hypothesis, we assayed the interaction of mitochondrial precursors with three acidic receptor domains: the cytosolic domain of Tom20 and the intermembrane space domain of Tom22 and Tim23. The apparent affinity and salt resistance of precursor binding increased in the order Tom20<Tom22 (internal)<Tim23. Precursor binding to the three acidic receptor domains and to the pure cytosolic domain of Tom70 was inhibited by excess targeting peptide, but not by an equally basic control peptide. In this membrane-free and defined system, a precursor pre-bound to the Tom70 or Tom20 domain was transferred efficiently to the Tim23 domain. Transfer was stimulated by the internal Tom22 domain and was much less efficient in the reverse direction. Precursors destined for the outer membrane bound only to Tom20, but not to the internal Tom22 or the Tim23 domain, and a precursor destined for the inner membrane bound only to the Tom20 and the internal Tom22 domain, but not to the Tim23 domain. These results suggest that specific and sequential binding of a targeting signal to strategically situated acidic receptors delivers a precursor across the outer membrane and contributes to intramitochondrial sorting of imported proteins.

[Emergent operation for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection]

Results of emergent surgery for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection are still poor. We reviewed our cases to find out how we could ameliorate surgical results. In the past five years, 36 patients with type A aortic dissection underwent emergent surgery. The operation was started within six hours from the onset of symptoms in 16 patients. The extent of aortic replacement was just beyond the entry-bearing portion. The operation was performed with the aid of open distal anastomosis and selective cerebral perfusion. Operative death occurred in one patient. Postoperative complications developed frequently. Respiratory failure, renal dysfunction and low cardiac output syndrome were most frequent. Their co-risk factor was perioperative bleeding which was related to young age, long operation time, arch replacement, additional procedure and failure of the entry site resection. Some modification of the suturing method might reduce hemorrhage. Prompt surgery following the diagnosis and appropriate selection of surgical tactics and anastomosis technique in order to reduce bleeding is essential to improve surgical results of acute type A aortic dissection.

Induction of protection against tetanus toxin in mice by tetanus toxoid-liposome conjugate

Tetanus toxoid (Ttd) was coupled to liposomes via glutaraldehyde. Intraperitoneal injection in BALB/c mice with Ttd-liposomes induced a substantial amount of anti-Ttd IgG antibody production and an extremely low level of anti-Ttd IgE antibody production. Mice immunized with Ttd-liposomes were successfully protected against a subsequent challenge with a lethal dose of tetanus toxin (Ttx). On the other hand, aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed Ttd (Ttd-alum) and plain Ttd solution induced the production of both IgG and IgE antibodies against Ttd. Moreover, secondary immunization with Ttd-liposomes in mice, in which anti-Ttd IgE antibody production was induced by Ttd-alum led to enhanced anti-Ttd IgG and a limited anti-Ttd IgE antibody production. When Ttd-liposome preparation was lyophilized, the efficacy of Ttd-liposomes was maintained for 6 months at 37 C, suggesting that this vaccine preparation would be stable without refrigeration. These results demonstrate the potential ability of Ttd-liposome conjugates to produce a tetanus vaccine which provides protection against (Ttx) while inducing the least amount of anti-Ttd IgE antibodies.

Phase II trial of carboplatin plus oral etoposide for elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer

A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the Egorin's carboplatin dosing formula with 14-day oral etoposide in 38 elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The overall response rate was 81%. Median survival times were 15.1 months for 16 limited-disease (LD) and 8.6 months for 22 extensive-disease (ED) patients. Myelosuppression was the principal side-effect. This regimen is an active regimen in the treatment of elderly SCLC patients.

[Prognostic significance of alterations in telomeric repeat length in patients with pathological stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between alteration in telomere length and prognosis in patients with pathological stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer. We measured telomeric repeat length and telomerase activity by use of southern blot analysis of terminal restriction fragments and a non-radioactive ELISA-based assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Alterations in TRF lengths were present in 17(29.8%) of 57 patients. Patients with altered TRF length had significantly shorter survival than did patients without (P = 0.0051). In multivariate analysis, only alteration in TRF length independently correlated with shortened survival (P = 0.0033).

Magnetic resonance cisternography for visualization of intracisternal fine structures

OBJECT

To assess its usefulness in demonstrating cisternal anatomy, the authors investigated magnetic resonance (MR) cisternography in which a heavily T2-weighted turbo spin-echo method was used to visualize normal anatomical fine structures and lesions in the basal cisterns in 20 healthy volunteers and 43 patients. The authors applied peripheral pulse gating, which had been optimized to reduce artifacts in the cisterns attributable to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.

METHODS

The detectability of each cranial nerve was determined in healthy volunteers. The first, second, and third nerves and the seventh-eighth nerve complex were clearly visualized in all participants; the fifth nerve was clearly seen in 80% and the sixth cranial nerve in 50%. The fourth nerve and the ninth through 12th nerves were difficult to identify individually, except in some volunteers. To reduce artifacts caused by fast CSF flow, we determined the delays as a function of the time elapsed between two consecutive peaks of pulse wave in a peripheral pulse gate (P-P interval) at which there was reversal of flow direction to minimize the CSF flow-related artifact. Using peripheral pulse gating and a time delay of 30% of the R-R interval, the authors succeeded in minimizing the CSF flow-related artifacts. Magnetic resonance cisternography appears to be very useful for demonstrating intracisternal fine anatomy and enhancing the contours of the juxtacisternal lesion. A minute amount of CSF interposed between lesions and normal structures such as nerves, vessels, or bone structures can be detected by means of this sequence. In patients with facial spasm, axial images and oblique coronal images obtained in a plane parallel to the seventh-eighth cranial nerve complex demonstrated vascular compression in all 13 patients. The MR cisternography finding of compression was confirmed in all nine patients who underwent microvascular decompression.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance cisternography appears to show great promise for evaluation of patients with neurovascular compression or tumors in and around the basal cisterns; the procedure adds only a small amount of imaging time.

Black tea theaflavins induce programmed cell death in cultured human stomach cancer cells

The exposure of human stomach cancer KATO III cells to black tea theaflavin extract, free theaflavin, and theaflavin digallate that are main components of the extract, led to both growth inhibition and the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morphological changes showing apoptotic bodies were observed in the cells treated with black tea theaflavin extract, theaflavin and theaflavin digallate. The fragmentations by these theaflavin compounds of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis were observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These data suggest that drinking of black tea in large amounts is recommended to protect humans from stomach cancer.

Induction of apoptosis in human stomach cancer cells by green tea catechins

The exposure of human stomach cancer KATO III cells to green tea catechin extract and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a main component of the extract led to both growth inhibition and the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morphological changes showing apoptotic body were observed in the cells treated with green tea catechin extract and EGCG. The fragmentation of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, characteristic of apoptosis was determined to be concentration- and time-dependent. These data suggest that drinking of green tea in large amounts is recommended possibly to protect humans from stomach cancer.

The similarity between parents and offspring in facial soft tissue: a frontal-view study

Similarities between parents and their offspring in facial soft tissue features were investigated. Fifty boys and fifty girls aged 9-10 years, excluding those with congenital anomalies, were selected. Frontal photographs of the family (father, mother and offspring) were taken and twenty-nine landmarks located on each enlarged tracing made from a photograph. Each landmark was digitised into (x, y) co-ordinate values from which the area and linear ratio dimensions were calculated and statistically evaluated. Results indicated that: (1) The nose was the feature that was most significantly correlated between parents and offspring. (2) The similarities between parents and offspring were closer for the relative positions of other features to the eyes than for individual features of the face. In general, the correlations between 'midparents' (the mean value of both parents) and offspring were higher than those between one parent and offspring. (3) The correlations between parents and offspring for size were higher than those for shape. (4) The similarities between mothers and offspring were closer than those between fathers and offspring. Furthermore: among four pairs of father/son, father/daughter, mother/son and mother/daughter, the mother/daughter pair had the highest correlation and the father/son pair had the lowest, which appears to be related to X-chromosome inheritance.

[Hyponatremia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy on mechanical ventilation]

To evaluate the pathomechanism of hyponatremia occasionally seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) on intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), we performed a comparative study on 26 DMD patients, 7 IPPV in trachetomized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (TIPPV), 6 nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), 6 cuirass respirator (CR), and 7 spontaneous breathings (SB). We followed fluctuation of serum sodium levels for several years. Since the serum sodium level was gradually reduced with years on mechanical ventilation, we speculated positive relationship between hyponatremia and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion. Serum sodium levels of 135.6 +/- 2.8 mEq/L in average on IPPV (TIPPV + NIPPV) patients was significantly lower than the levels of 137.8 mEq/L +/- 0.98 on CR patients and 138.8 +/- 0.69 mEq/L on SB patients. Plasma ADH levels in IPPV patients were not reduced when plasma osmolarity was less than 280 mOSm/L. Previous reports showed that ADH was inappropriately secreted only during IPPV with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Ours is the first report of inappropriate secretion of ADH during IPPV without PEEP. It becomes clear that inappropriate ADH secretion is one of the causes of hyponatremia in DMD, though the exact mechanism is not clear. We should bear in mind the change of serum electrolyte level in ventilated DMD patients, especially patients on antidepressant known to release of ADH.

A large-scale in situ hybridization system using an equalized cDNA library

We have developed a large-scale in situ hybridization system in which all the procedures are carried out on a 96-well format: digoxigenin-labeled probes were synthesized from PCR-amplified templates, sections were mounted on 96-well plates, and hybridization and immunohistochemistry protocols were carried out in each well of the plates. This system in combination with equalized (normalized) cDNA library as the source for the probes enables us to identify the cellular distribution of many mRNAs in various tissues rapidly and efficiently. Thus, this system may be a novel cloning method of identify genes differentially expressed in many tissues. In addition, this system has a potential to be automated.

Protection against verocytotoxin in mice induced by liposome-coupled verocytotoxin

Purified verocytotoxins (VTs), VT1 and VT2, were coupled to liposomes via glutaraldehyde. During the coupling procedure, both VT1 and VT2 were detoxified. Intraperitoneal injection in BALB/c mice with either VT1-liposome or VT2-liposome induced a substantial amount of anti-VT1 or anti-VT2 IgG antibody production, respectively. Mice immunized with VT2-liposome were protected against intravenous challenge with a lethal dose of VT2 and the degree of protection correlated well with the amount of IgG induced against VT2. Although VT1-liposome failed to induce protection against VT1, the decrease of the body weight observed after the toxin challenge correlated inversely with the amount of anti-VT1 IgG induced, suggesting that VT1 neutralizing antibody was present in VT1-liposome-immune mice. In addition, VT-liposome conjugate induced no detectable anti-VT IgE antibody production. These results demonstrate the potential ability of VT-liposome conjugates for the production of VT vaccine which induces protection against VTs.