Long-term prognosis in 990 medically treated Japanese patients with coronary artery disease

We performed a retrospective analysis of the fate of 990 medically treated Japanese patients with coronary artery disease. Patients were enrolled in this study between September 1973 and February 1984. They were confirmed to have significant coronary artery disease by coronary angiography. There were 924 males and 66 females with a mean age of 54.4 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 9.4 years with a range of 6.5 to 17.0 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the entire population were 92.1% and 84.4%. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates in patients with single- (SVD), double- (DVD), and triple-vessel disease (TVD) and left main trunk (LMT) disease were as follows: 96.0% and 91.9% for SVD, 93.8% and 87.5% for DVD, 83.2% and 68.3% for TVD, and 89.3% and 84.6% for LMT disease. This was the first large follow-up study of coronary artery disease in Japan. Its results suggest that the prognosis of Japanese patients with coronary artery disease is more favorable than that of patients in Western countries. In addition, the findings should provide a control data base for future studies in Japan and the West.

Alterations in pharmacokinetics and protein binding behavior of cefazolin in endotoxemic rats

The possible alterations in the pharmacokinetics and protein binding behavior of the beta-lactam antibiotic cefazolin (CEZ) were investigated in endotoxemic rats induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS (250 micrograms/kg of body weight) was infused for 20 to 30 min 2 h before an intravenous administration of CEZ (20 mg/kg). Significant decreases in systemic clearance and renal clearance of CEZ were observed in LPS-treated rats without any changes in fraction of urinary excretion in unchanged CEZ (> 0.8). The volume of distribution at steady state showed a tendency to increase. The protein binding parameters of CEZ, the binding capacity, and number of binding sites on the albumin molecule were decreased by LPS, whereas the dissociation constant did not change. Significant decreases in systemic and renal clearances for unbound CEZ were observed in LPS-treated rats. The glomerular filtration rate estimated as inulin clearance was also decreased by LPS. The ratio of renal clearance of unbound CEZ to glomerular filtration rate (clearance ratio) dropped to 70% of that in control rats, and the net tubular secretion of CEZ was also dramatically reduced. The present study suggests that LPS has an effect on the pharmacokinetics of CEZ by changes which occur in renal handling and protein binding.

Introduction of functional groups onto the surface of polyethylene for protein immobilization

Amino and carboxyl groups could be introduced onto the surface of high-density polyethylene film by utilizing graft polymerization of acrylamide and the subsequent Hofmann degradation and alkaline hydrolysis of grafted polyacrylamide. Graft polymerization was carried out by immersing an argon-plasma treated film in an aqueous solution of the monomer, followed by heating after degassing the monomer/film mixture. The surface density of these functional groups could be increased up to 10(-7) mol/cm2. The surfaces having amino and carboxyl groups exhibited positive and negative zeta potentials, respectively, when contacted with KCl aqueous solution. Both of the functional groups introduced onto the polyethylene surface were found to be utilizable for covalent immobilization of protein using carbodiimide for the carboxylic group or mediators such as glutaraldehyde and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether for the amino group.

The close relationship between DNA replication and the selection of differentiation lineages of human erythroleukemia cell lines K562, HEL, and TF1 into either erythroid or megakaryocytic lineages

The selection of differentiation lineages into either erythroid or megakaryocytic series was analyzed with human erythroleukemia cell lines K562, HEL, and cytokine-dependent TF1. A tumor promoter, TPA, induced a megakaryocyte marker, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) or IIIa (GP IIIa), but suppressed erythroid differentiation. On the other hand, aphidicolin, which is a potent inhibitor of DNA replication, inhibited GP IIb/IIIa or IIIa expression, but induced the expression of erythroid phenotypes. These phenomena were observed in all erythroleukemia cell lines tested. The bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments indicated that de novo DNA synthesis was completely suppressed by aphidicolin treatment but was well preserved in TPA-treated cells. Among these three cell lines, erythropoietin (EPO) treatment induced erythroid differentiation of TF1 cells, which was dependent on GM-CSF or IL-3. In this case, EPO functioned as the survival factor and mild stimulator for cell proliferation as well as the inducer of erythroid differentiation. However, when either GM-CSF or IL-3 was depleted from the culture medium, TF1 ceased cell growth; concomitantly, hemoglobin-positive cells appeared, which is consistent with the results obtained with aphidicolin. The incubation of K562 cells for 48 h with either TPA or aphidicolin induced the irreversible commitment of cells to megakaryocytic and erythroid lineages, respectively. Our results using three different erythroleukemia cell lines suggest that a possible linkage between the DNA replication system and the selection of a differentiation lineage is the common feature of human erythroleukemia cell lines, and that these culture systems provide a suitable model for the analysis of the signal transduction system for differentiation lineage selection.

Nitric oxide inhibitors facilitate the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation by modulating NMDA responses

1. The effects of the competitive nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, L-nitroarginine (L-NOArg), on synaptically activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) currents and the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) were studied in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. 2. Application of 10 microM L-NOArg increased the amplitude of NMDA currents by approximately 50% in the presence of 2 mM extracellular Mg2+. This augmentation occurred within minutes of L-NOArg administration and was readily reversible on removal of the drug. L-arginine (100 microM) overcame the enhancement produced by L-NOArg. 3. At 5-100 microM, 10-25-min applications of L-NOArg facilitated the induction of LTP produced by a single 100 Hz X 300 ms tetanus. In control slices, the 100 Hz X 300 ms tetanus was insufficient to induce LTP. The development of LTP in L-NOArg-treated slices was inhibited by 50 microM D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-APV), and the effects of L-NOArg were overcome by 10-fold higher concentrations of L-arginine but not by D-arginine. 4. Hemoglobin, an agent that binds NO extracellularly, also facilitated NMDA currents and the development of LTP when administered at 10 microM. 5. These results suggest that tonically released NO modulates the threshold for LTP in the CA1 hippocampal region and are consistent with prior studies indicating that untimely activation of NMDA receptors and release of NO inhibit LTP.

Identification of three forms of the gamma subunit of G proteins isolated from bovine spleen

We reported previously that G proteins from bovine spleen contain at least five forms of the gamma subunit (designated S1 through S5), among which S1 and S5 have been identified as novel gamma and gamma 2 subunits, respectively. In this study, we identified the other three forms of the gamma subunit, namely, S2, S3 and S4. Amino acid sequences of proteolytic fragments obtained from S2, S3 and S4 coincided exactly with internal sequences of gamma 7, gamma 5 and gamma 2, respectively. However, sequence analysis of undigested S4 revealed that S4 was an N-terminally truncated form of gamma 2, while analysis of the C-terminal fragment by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry revealed that the C-terminus of S4 seemed to be geranylgeranylated and carboxymethylated as is that of intact gamma 2. Thus, the three types of gamma subunit obtained from bovine spleen were identified as gamma 7, gamma 5, and an N-terminally truncated gamma 2.

13C NMR study of the mode of interaction in solution of the B fragment of staphylococcal protein A and the Fc fragments of mouse immunoglobulin G

The mode of interaction of the B domain (FB) of staphylococcal protein A and the Fc fragments of mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been investigated by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Mouse IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b proteins have been selectively labeled with 13C at the carbonyl carbon of His, Met, Trp or Tyr residue and used to prepare the corresponding Fc fragments by limited proteolysis. Site-specific resonance assignments have been made for each of these Fc analogues. FB was reported to form two contacts (contact 1 and contact 2) with human Fc in the crystal [Biochemistry 20 (1981) 2361-2370]. Comparisons of the chemical shift data of the Fc fragments observed in the absence and presence of FB have led us to conclude that in solution contact 1 is responsible for the formation of the Fc-FB complexes.

Neuron and glial cell marker proteins as indicators of heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines

The sensitive and specific biochemical indicators for assessing chemical-induced neurotoxic insults in cell culture models have not been sufficiently explored. This study was designed to assess the usefulness of glia-specific beta-S100 protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as indices of in vitro neurotoxicity of heavy metals. Glioma C6 and neuroblastoma N18TG-2 cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing various concentrations of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) or cadmium chloride (CdCl2) for 5 days. Toxic response patterns of the neurospecific endpoints (beta-S100 and NSE), which were monitored with enzyme immunoassays, were compared with those of the non-neurospecific endpoints such as cell viability, total cellular protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and cumulative glucose consumption in the two cell lines. Both HgCl2 and CdCl2 produced dose-dependent inhibition of neurospecific endpoints and non-specific endpoints. However, by ranking the EC50 values (effective concentration producing half-maximal inhibition) for various endpoints, the lowest values were found for beta-S100 in C6 cells, and for NSE in N18TG-2 cells. In lower and intermediate concentrations, the inhibitory effects of the heavy metals on the content of beta-S100 and NSE occurred in the absence of any detectable effect on intracellular LDH activity, and independently of total cellular protein inhibition. The sensitive and excess responses of the neurospecific endpoints relative to that of the non-specific endpoints may reflect the specific neurotoxic insults of the heavy metals on the cultured cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The community effect, dorsalization and mesoderm induction

The community effect is an interaction among muscle progenitor cells of amphibian gastrula, and is necessary for the initiation of muscle-specific gene expression. Dorsalization provides a signal that can convert ventral mesoderm cells to a muscle fate. Neither process involves mesoderm-inducing molecules. We suggest that the developmental significance of the community effect is to generate homogeneous but clearly demarcated groups of cells from progenitor cells arranged in a continuous gradient of developmental potential.

Cerebrospinal fluid 28-kDa calbindin-D as a possible marker for Purkinje cell damage

To examine the clinical value of 28-kDa calbindin-D (CaBP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a marker for the damage to Purkinje cells, we measured CSF CaBP levels using an enzyme immunoassay method in 107 patients with cerebellar and other neurological diseases, and 26 controls. The mean CaBP level was markedly elevated in patients with cerebellar diseases, and the elevation of CaBP level was more frequent in the diseases involving Purkinje cells, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) and subacute cerebellar degeneration in association with lung cancer. Further, in MSA patients, the CaBP levels decreased with duration of illness. The mean levels of CaBP were also elevated in some of the other diseases. We conclude that the elevations of CaBP levels are not specific for cerebellar diseases, but CSF CaBP may be a useful marker for examining the Purkinje cell involvement in cerebellar diseases.

Trypsin immobilization on to polymer surface through grafted layer and its reaction with inhibitors

Trypsin was covalently immobilized and physically adsorbed on to the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres using poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) chains grafted on to the ozonized fibres. The covalent immobilization was accomplished through amide formation between amino groups of trypsin and carboxyl groups of grafted PAAc chains, with the use of water-soluble carbodiimide. A set of samples with surface concentrations of grafted polymer ranging from 0.03 to 2.5 micrograms/cm2 was used to study the effects of grafted layer on the enzymatic activity of immobilized trypsin and its inhibition by trypsin inhibitors of different molecular sizes. The amount of immobilized trypsin increased linearly with an increase in graft yield of fibres, but the activity of immobilized enzyme reached saturation at a certain graft yield, probably because of diffusion limitation for the transport of enzyme substrate molecules into the grafted PAAc layer. The reduction of inhibition with an increase in graft yield and in molecular weight of inhibitors was attributed to enhancement of steric hindrance and enzyme inactivation in the dense grafted layer. We also found that the adsorbed trypsin was inhibited more easily than the covalently immobilized at any concentration of the grafted PAAc and for any type of inhibitor used.

Induction and the possible mechanism of ventricular tachycardia after catheter ablation with direct current shocks in dogs

Cathodal DC shocks (150-J) were administered via the His bundle to 20 closed-chest dogs, and in a further three dogs 25-J cathodal shocks were given via the left ventricular endocardium. In 18 dogs, including three that underwent left ventricular ablation, Holter electrocardiograms were recorded from 1 to 7 days after ablation, and 4 weeks after ablation. There were frequent episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) from the first few hours after ablation to 4 days after ablation in all dogs, but both the rate and the coupling interval of VT were variable. In five conscious dogs stimulated 1 day after ablation, it was difficult to induce and terminate VT repeatedly. There was a direct relationship between the paced cycle length and the interval of the last paced beat to the initiating VT beat in three out of four dogs. In the fourth dog there was an inverse relationship. There was no transient entrainment with ventricular burst pacing during VT in any of the four dogs tested. The effects of lidocaine (2-3 mg.kg-1), verapamil (0.2-0.4 mg.kg-1), and propranolol (0.2 mg.kg-1) on VT were tested within 2 days of ablation in 10 conscious dogs. In general, both lidocaine and verapamil terminated VT, and propranolol slowed VT. In conclusion, VT soon after ablation possibly results from triggered activity, although abnormal automaticity cannot be ruled out.

Stimulatory effects of HSR-803 on ileal motor activity

Stimulatory effects of HSR-803 on intestinal motor activity in vitro were studied in guinea pig ileum. HSR-803 (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) M) increased the amplitude of longitudinal muscle contractions and increased the frequency of peristalsis in isolated segments of guinea pig ileum. The stimulatory effect in amplitude and not frequency was abolished by 1 x 10(-6) M atropine. In the Magnus method with ileal segments, HSR-803 (1 x 10(-7) - 1 x 10(-4) M) produced contractions concentration-dependently, which were inhibited by atropine (1 x 10(-8) and 3 x 10(-8) M) and 3 x 10(-7) M tetrodotoxin (TTX). In the [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding experiment with ileal smooth muscle, HSR-803 had low affinity for acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (pKi = 4.47 +/- 0.04). In addition, HSR-803 failed to increase the spontaneous release and the electrical stimulation-induced [3H]ACh release in ileal smooth muscle. On the other hand, HSR-803 (1 x 10(-5) M) enhanced contractions induced by ACh, but had no effect on contractions induced by carbachol, which is not hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In conclusion, HSR-803 stimulated ileal motor activity. However, HSR-803 had low affinity for ACh receptors and had no influence on ACh release. It is likely that HSR-803 stimulated motor activity mainly due to prevention of ACh hydrolysis.

Increased synthesis and specific localization of a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (LGP107) at the ruffled border membrane of active osteoclasts

The immunocytochemical localization was investigated of a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein with a molecular mass of 107 kDa, which was designated as LGP107. The study utilized rat osteoclasts with different bone resorbing activity and osteoclast precursors at various stages of differentiation and maturation together with monospecific antibodies to this protein. Despite its localization primarily in lysosomes and endosomes in the other cell types examined, LGP107 was exclusively confined to the apical plasma membrane at the ruffled border of the active osteoclast, where the osteoclast is in contact with the bone surface. The protein was also concentrated in a number of endocytic vacuoles in the vicinity of the ruffled border membrane. However the labeling was not found in the basolateral membranes of the active osteoclast. The ruffled border membrane detached from the bone surface showed a marked decrease in the extent of the immunolabeling. The post- and/or resting osteoclasts, which were located away from the bone surface, were totally devoid of the membraneous localization of LGP107. No definite immunolabeling was found in the immature preosteoclasts. These results indicate that the protein is largely synthesized in the active osteoclast and rapidly translocated to the ruffled border membrane by vectorial vesicle transport. LGP107 is suggested to contribute to the formation and maintenance of the specialized acidic environment for bone resorption.

Characterization of four new cell lines derived from small-cell gastrointestinal carcinoma

Four human small-cell gastrointestinal carcinoma cell lines were established from tumor tissues of patients with esophageal, gastric or rectal cancer, and were studied morphologically and biochemically in comparison with small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines and common gastric cancer cell lines. Cells from all the small-cell gastrointestinal carcinoma lines were as small as classic SCLC cells and had characteristic neurosecretory granules. Cells from only one line grew as tightly packed spherical aggregates of floating cells, and those of the other 3 grew attached to substrate. Although high levels of creatine kinase brain isoenzyme (CK-BB) were detected in all 4 cell lines, 2 of them showed low levels of aromatic L-amino-acid decarboxylase and 3 had low levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE). None of the lines showed simultaneous elevation of enzymes. C-myc, N-myc, and L-myc were not amplified in any of the cell lines, but c-myc mRNA was expressed in 2 lines. Our findings indicate that all small-cell gastrointestinal carcinoma cells examined belong to the variant type which is used in the classification of SCLC. Furthermore, the ECC18 line, derived from esophageal cancer, seemed to be of true endocrine cell origin, while the 3 other small-cell gastrointestinal carcinoma lines seemed to arise via neoplastic neometaplasia from adenocarcinoma cells to endocrine cells.

Effects of sustained release formulation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on learning impairments caused by scopolamine and AF64A in rodents

The effects of a sustained-release formulation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH-SR) on learning impairments induced by scopolamine and a cholinergic neurotoxin, ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A), were examined in rodents. Subcutaneous injection of TRH-SR (2.8 mg/kg as free TRH) produced a sustained increase in immunoreactive plasma TRH levels up to about 2 weeks after dosing in rats. TRH-SR (0.56 and 2.8 mg/kg) given subcutaneously 7 days before the acquisition trial markedly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice, as evaluated with a passive avoidance task. Repeated administration of TRH for 7 days at doses of 0.2-5 mg/kg s.c. elicited a dose-dependent recovery from amnesia induced by scopolamine, whereas only the group treated with 5 mg/kg/day showed a significant improvement. The rats with bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of AF64A (3.75 nmol/brain) showed a significant impairment in the water maze task 2 weeks after surgery. TRH-SR (0.56 and 2.8 mg/kg) also exhibited a dose-dependent ameliorating action on the deficit. These findings indicate that TRH-SR ameliorates learning impairments produced by scopolamine and AF64A, and suggest that continuous infusion of TRH may have a potent learning and memory improving action at low doses.

[Treatment of aplastic anemia with antithymocyte globulin, Lymphoser Berna]

Twenty-four patients with aplastic anemia (19 severe: 5 moderate) were treated with combined immunosuppression consisting of antithymocyte globulin (ATG: Lymphoser Berna, Swiss Serum and Vaccine Institute Berne) and high-dose methylprednisolone. Danazol or meptiostane was administered concurrently for at least 3 months. Three batches of ATG were used, two were not absorbed with thrombocytes and one was absorbed with thrombocytes for the prevention of thrombocytopenia. Nine of 20 evaluable patient (45%) had sustained improvement in hematopoiesis within 3 months of treatment. Nine of 14 patients (64%) showed a response to ATG without thrombocyte absorption, on the other hand, none of 6 patients responded to ATG with thrombocyte absorption. By life table analysis, the 3 year probability of survival was 81 +/- 27% after the combined immunosuppressive therapy. These results indicated that ATG therapy was very effective in Japanese patients with aplastic anemia.

The disposition and renal handling of enprofylline in endotoxemic rats by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae (O3:K1-), on the pharmacokinetic behavior and renal handling of enprofylline, which is mainly excreted into the urine by an active tubular secretion mechanism, were investigated in rats. LPS (50 and 250 micrograms/kg) was infused for 20 to 30 min 2 hr before an intravenous administration of enprofylline (2.5 mg/kg). LPS induced a decrease in the systemic clearance and an increase in the volume of distribution at the steady state of enprofylline without any histological changes in the kidneys. No changes in the protein-binding parameters of enprofylline were observed between the control and LPS-pretreated groups, although LPS slightly decreased the albumin concentration in plasma. LPS caused decreases in the apparent maximum capacity of transport (Vmax) from 71.24 to 15.02 micrograms/min, in the Michaelis-Menten constant (KM) from 3.04 to 1.42 micrograms/ml, and in the glomerular filtration rate as estimated for inulin clearance from 3.10 to 1.87 ml/min. These results indicate that LPS decreases both the affinity and capacity of the tubular transport system, and in turn decreases the tubular secretory intrinsic clearance of enprofylline as shown by Vmax/KM. The mechanism for inducing changes in the pharmacokinetic behavior and renal handling of enprofylline by LPS may be related to the effects of LPS on tubular secretion of enprofylline and its distribution in the organs and peripheral tissues.

Expression of interleukin 6 and major histocompatibility complex molecules in tubular epithelial cells of diseased human kidneys

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) exerts multiple effects on infiltrated inflammatory cells and on structural cells in tissues. We previously reported that IL-6 expression is increased in the area of glomerular and tubular inflammation and tubular atrophy (Lab Invest 65:61, 1991). In the present study, we investigated the expression of IL-6 and HLA molecules in the tubules of patients with renal diseases, and correlate it with the morphological findings.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Specific monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy were used to identify IL-6, HLA-ABC, and -DR molecules, CD-2+ and CD-8+ lymphocytes and macrophages, in renal tissues obtained by biopsy from 41 patients that were divided into three groups on the basis of clinical, functional, and histologic findings. Group 1 included 12 patients with signs of acute renal disease and prevalent acute tubulointerstitial lesions. Group 2 included 19 patients with signs of chronic renal disease and histologic lesions of glomerulo- and tubulointerstitial nephritis. Group 3 included 10 patients that developed an acute renal disease treated with corticosteroids. When the acute symptoms subsided and the renal biopsy was performed, lesions characteristic of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis were found.

RESULTS

IL-6 was localized in all or in some cells of injured proximal tubules, including atrophic tubules. In one-third of specimens, there was more IL-6 in tubular cells than in infiltrated cells. The strongest expression of IL-6, HLA-ABC, and DR molecules was found in group 1, and the weakest in group 3. In the area with tubulointerstitial lesions, tubular IL-6 colocalized with HLA-ABC. Colocalization of IL-6 and HLA-DR was more evident in tubulointerstitial lesions of patients in group 2. In both groups 1 and 2, the distribution of IL-6 was statistically correlated with that of HLA-ABC and with interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells. In group 2, there was statistical correlation between the expression of IL-6 and HLA-DR. The expression of IL-6 and of HLA molecules decreased in group 3.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that tubular IL-6 may be involved in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Purification and characterization of flavine-adenine dinucleotide phosphohydrolase from rat liver lysosomal membranes

An enzyme hydrolyzing flavine-adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to flavine mononucleotide (FMN) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) was purified about 460-fold over the isolated lysosomal membranes with 9% recovery to apparent homogeneity, as determined from the pattern on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and the absence of SDS. Purification procedures included: preparation of crude lysosomal membranes, solubilization with Triton X-100, WGA-Sepharose, Con A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel filtration with Superdex 200, DEAE ion exchange chromatography, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme, estimated by gel filtration with Superdex 200, was approximately 560 kDa, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the enzyme to be composed of four identical subunits with an apparent molecular weight of 140,000. The pH optimum for FAD hydrolysis was 8.5 with an apparent Km of 0.1 mM and the isoelectric point was pH 7.3. The activity was inhibited by o-phenanthroline, EDTA, DTT, and NEM and was slightly stimulated by Zn ion, but was not affected by Ca or Mg ions. The purified FADase contained N-linked complex type oligosaccharide chains lacking neuraminic acids. The NH2 terminal 21 amino acid residues of the purified FADase were Ser-Pro-Cys-Val-Cys-Asp-Pro-Val-Val-Val-Cys-Lys-Val-Val-Pro-Cys-Thr-Leu- Ala-Leu .

[Corneal curvature of myopia]

We classified myopia by total refractive error, measured the corneal curvature, and analyzed the relationship between the diopter value and corneal curvature in growing teen-agers and in adults in their twenties, whose myopic progress is presumed to have stopped. We adopted as the harmonic average the central 3.0 mm of the cornea. We also examined peripheral corneal curvature in upper side, lower side, temporal side and nasal side at about 4.5 mm and 6.5 mm diameter from the center. There was very little difference in the harmonic average of corneal curvature from -1D to -6D. Similarly, there was very little difference in the peripheral corneal curvature. The corneal curvature was larger from central to periphery in all directions. The upper side was larger than lower side and the nasal side was larger than the temporal side. We concluded that the refractive power did not depend on the corneal refractive power in mild to moderate myopic patients.

Haemodynamic and clinical effects of an intravenous potassium channel opener--a review

Intravenous nicorandil (4-12 mg) produced a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (-5 to -15%), systemic vascular resistance (-8 to -27%), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-15 to -41%) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (-8 to -18%) in patients with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure. Cardiac output was significantly increased (+3 to +19%) in most studies. These haemodynamic effects of intravenous nicorandil (4-8 mg) were comparable to those of nitroglycerin (0.3 mg), although a greater decrease in preload was produced by nitroglycerin. Moreover, no significant haemodynamic tolerance developed over a 12 to 24 h period during continuous infusion of nicorandil (2.4 micrograms.kg-.min-1) in patients with heart failure, in contrast to nitroglycerin infusion (0.65 microgram.kg-1 x min-1). Intravenous nicorandil (4-12 mg) was also shown to produce a slightly smaller increase (8-27%) in the diameter of the large coronary arteries compared to that of sublingual nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) (16-32%) and to cause a significant decrease in coronary vascular resistance (-9 to -53%) and a significant increase in coronary sinus flow (+6 to +81%) in patients with coronary artery disease. The efficacy of intravenous nicorandil (2-6 mg.h-1) in unstable angina pectoris has been compared with that of isosorbide dinitrate (2-5 mg.h-1) in a double-blind, multicentre trial. Over a 3 to 9 day period, nicorandil therapy tended to be more effective in abolishing anginal attacks and decreasing nitroglycerin consumption.

Purification of motility factor (GMF) from human malignant glioma cells and its biological significance in tumor invasion

Two molecular species of glioma-derived motility factor (GMF), GMF-I and GMF-II, have been purified to homogeneity from the serum-free conditioned medium of a highly invasive human glioma cell line, T98G, by gelatin affinity chromatography and heparin affinity-, DEAE-, hydroxyapatite-, gel permeation- and sulfopropyl high performance liquid chromatography. GMF-I and GMF-II showed a single protein band on non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a molecular mass of 145 kDa and 165 kDa, respectively. The physico-chemical characteristics of these two GMFs are similar with respect to amino acid composition. GMF-I and GMF-II both stimulated the migration of T98G cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and the activity of GMF-I was about 5 times as strong as that of GMF-II. Checkerboard analysis demonstrated that the GMFs had not only a chemotactic effect but also a chemokinetic effect on T98G cells. C6 glioma cells and T98G cells, both of which showed high invasiveness in an in vitro invasion assay with reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel, migrated to the GMFs with great intensity, while A172 and 9L glioma cells and normal glial cells, all of which weakly infiltrated the Matrigel barrier, migrated to the GMFs with much less intensity. These results indicate that migratory response of glioma cells to the GMFs correlates well with invasiveness, suggesting an important role(s) of the GMFs in the process of glioma cell invasion.

An acceleration of age-related increases in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor in selected tissues from senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8)

An investigation was made of age-related changes in levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) in selected tissues and of testosterone in serum in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM-P/8) and in the control mice (senesence-resistant mice; SAM-R/1). The concentrations of testosterone in serum were higher in SAM-P/8 than in SAM-R/1 at ages 2 and 4 mo. The level of beta-NGF in the thymus from SAM-R/1 increased with age, resulting in a statistically significant difference in its level between mice at ages 2 and 12 mo. By contrast, there was a transient increase in SAM-P/8 at around age 4 mo with a subsequent decrease. Consequently, significant differences were apparent in levels of beta-NGF between the two types of mouse at ages 2 and 4 mo. Similar results were obtained in the adrenal gland and testis. Compared to SAM-R/1 at age 2 mo, the average concentrations of beta-NGF in the hypophysis were higher in SAM-R/1 at ages 4 and 8 mo and in SAM-P/8 at all ages. In other tissues tested, no remarkable differences were detected. Our present results indicate that, in SAM-P/8, the elevation in levels of beta-NGF in the thymus, adrenal gland, testis, and hypophysis occurs in the early period of life compared to the control mice. Possible dysfunction of the disorder of hypophysis is discussed.