[Invention of a forced-air-ventilated micro-isolation cage and rack system--environment within cages: temperature and ammonia concentration]

There is little information about microenvironments within laboratory animal cages, although several guidelines on the macroenvironment in laboratory animal rooms have been reported. We have developed a forced-air ventilation system (FVMIS) to improve laboratory animal well-being. In this study, we tested the performance of the FVMIS in terms of temperature and ammonia concentration within cages. Continuous measurement of temperature and ammonia concentration was carried out in FVMIS cages housing 5 rats each. The average temperature within the cages was 22 degrees C to 24 degrees C, and the temperature difference among cages was 0.93 degrees C. The air exchange rate used was 65 changes per hour. FVMIS was capable of controlling the temperature within cages uniformly and accurately with a lower air exchange rate than with the conventional system. The ammonia concentration reached 20 ppm within 9 days in a filtercapped conventional cage, but took 13 to 16 days to reach 20 ppm with FVMIS. It appears that FVMIS is capable of suppressing the ammonia concentration increase in cages, thereby reducing the frequency of cage changes and the stress to laboratory animals when cages are changed. In the present study, it was confirmed that FVMIS contributes not only to microenvironmental control in terms of temperature and ammonia concentration with a lower air exchange rate, but also to animal well-being.

Malignant lymphoma arising in the duodenum combined with gastric lymphoma and early gastric cancer: a case report

We report here a 65-year old man with primary duodenal malignant lymphoma combined with gastric lymphoma and early gastric cancer. Malignant lymphoma in the bulbus of the duodenum was suspected of by endoscopic biopsy during follow up of duodenal ulcer. Preoperative examination revealed an extension of malignant lymphoma from the bulbus to the stomach in combination with early gastric cancer. We performed a pancreaticoduodenectomy because the tumor invaded to the second portion of the duodenum. The postoperative course was uneventful and he received adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery. To our knowledge, this case is the first report of primary duodenal malignant lymphoma combined with gastric lymphoma and early gastric cancer.

Significance of Phe-220 and Gln-221 in the catalytic mechanism of farnesyl diphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase [EC 2.5.1.10] from Bacillus stearothermophilus was specifically altered at two amino acid residues by using site-directed mutagenesis. The highly conserved Phe and Gln residues at the sequential amino acid positions 220-221 in an upstream part of the putative substrate binding site were replaced with Ala and Glu, respectively. These mutageneses (F220A and Q221E) resulted in 10(-5) and 10(-3) decreases in catalytic activity of farnesyl diphosphate synthesis, respectively. Michaelis constants of the Q221E mutant for the allylic substrates (dimethylallyl- and geranyl diphosphates) increased approximately 25- and 2-folds, respectively, compared to wild type, whereas those for the homoallylic substrate (isopentenyl diphosphate) were not altered much. These results suggest that the Phe-Gln motif is involved not only in the binding of allylic substrates but also in the catalysis by farnesyl diphosphate synthase.

Attempt to discriminate between bovine viral-diarrhoea virus strains using polymerase chain reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect bovine viral-diarrhoea mucosal-disease virus (BVDV). By the use of properly prepared primers, cytopathogenic NADL, Oregon C24V, Nose, T-20 and KS86-1(+) strains, and non-cytopathogenic New York-1, No. 12, and KS86-1(-) strains could be detected. The PCR system was applied to field isolates of the viruses. All the viruses were detected by the PCR. Four patterns of the PCR amplification were recognized, and it was possible to discriminate between some strains. These results corresponded with the serotype of BVDV, as determined by the serum-neutralizing test. The BVDV gene was detectable from the leucocytes of infected cattle using the PCR method. Moreover, it was possible to detect and discriminate BVDV strains using one PCR tube that included all primer pairs.

A bioassay for bovine interleukin-1 by the A375 cell growth inhibition

Usefulness of a human melanoma cell line A375 was evaluated for detecting bovine interleukin-1 (IL-1). The A375 cell growth was inhibited by culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (LPSsup) in a dose dependent manner. A mixture of anti-human IL-1 alpha and beta antibodies suppressed 60% of this inhibitory activity and was confirmed to bind to about 23 k dalton peptides in the LPSsup by Western blotting. Although serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a healthy cow showed a low inhibitory activity, those from pneumonic cows showed the higher activities. These activities were also suppressed by anti-human IL-1 antibodies. These findings show the A375 cell growth inhibition assay can be a useful bioassay for bovine IL-1 (like) activity.

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus associated with persistent bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus infection in young cattle

Histologic and immunohistochemical studies were carried out on four young cattle with diabetes mellitus associated with persistent bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus infection. Clinical findings included persistent hyperglycemia, decreased glucose tolerance, glycosuria, polydipsia, and severe emaciation. Macroscopically, multiple erosions and ulcers in the mucosa of upper and lower alimentary tracts and swollen lymph nodes were commonly observed. Erosions and ulcers in the mucosa of tongue, esophagus, and forestomach were represented histologically by necrosis of squamous epithelium with neutrophilic infiltration. In the small and large intestines, villous atrophy and suppurative cryptitis were often observed, along with diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages and fibroplasia in the lamina propria. In the pancreas of all cattle, there was a reduction in the number of islet cells, and most of the residual islet cells had hydropic degeneration and a decreased number of secretory granules. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed that these cells were severely degranulated beta-cells. In addition, many islets containing necrotic islet cells were observed. These islet cells had increased eosinophilia and shrinkage of cytoplasm, as well as pyknotic nuclei. Inflammation of the islets with mild infiltration of lymphocytes was observed in all pancreatic lobes. In addition, bovine IgG-immunoreactive cells were identified immunohistochemically in the affected pancreatic islets. The BVD virus antigen was not identified in the cytoplasm of the islet cells by immunohistochemical study, although it was identified in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. The histologic and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the pancreatic lesions in these animals were similar to those caused by acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in human beings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of a combination treatment using imipenem/cilastatin sodium with G-CSF on infections in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies]

The clinical effectiveness of a combination treatment using imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) with G-CSF was studied in neutropenic patients (< 500/mm3) with hematological malignancies and secondary infections. Thirty seven patients were entered in the trial, and 30 patients were eligible. This combination was effective in 20 patients, thus the overall efficacy rate was 66.7 percent. The combination was effective in all 6 cases with septicemia, in 10 case out of 15 cases with fever after chemotherapy (efficacy rate; 66.7%), in 3 out of 8 cases with respiratory infections including 7 cases with pneumonia (efficacy rate; 37.5%), and a case with laryngopharyngitis. According to the order of the administration, the efficacy rates were 60.0% in 5 cases in whom G-CSF treatment was started before IPM/CS, 66.7% in 21 cases given both G-CSF and IPM/CS simultaneously, and 75.0% in 4 cases in whom IPM/CS was started before G-CSF. The difference was statistically not significant on the efficacy rates in the three groups. The efficacy in 18 cases treated with monotherapy on antibiotic was 72.2% and that in 12 cases treated with IPM/CS in combination with other antibiotics was 58.3%, and the difference in the efficacy rates in these two groups was not statistically significant. According to the neutrophil counts before and after the treatment, high response rate (60.0%) was obtained in cases of severe neutropenia (less than 100/mm3). Bacteriological examinations showed that all of bacteria detected as pathogens (10 strains of Gram-positive bacteria and 6 strains of Gram-negative bacteria) were eradicated, though 3 strains were replaced by other pathogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Occurrence of keratoconjunctivitis apparently caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum in layer chickens

Natural cases of keratoconjunctivitis, apparently caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), in layer chickens are described. The disease occurred in a commercial flock consisting of 36,000 pullets (Babcock), first appearing around 30 days of age. Clinically, affected chickens showed unilateral or bilateral swelling of the facial skin and the eyelids, increased lacrimation, congestion of conjunctival vessels, and respiratory rales. Some of the severely affected chickens closed their eyes. The morbidity reached 27.8%, and it was estimated that approximately 10% died from reduced feed intake due to impaired vision. Ten 70-day-old chickens with clinical diseases were examined for lesions. There was acute to subacute keratoconjunctivitis in all of the chickens, and some exhibited laryngitis. Adherence of mycoplasma organisms to epithelial cells of the conjunctiva, cornea, and larynx was frequently observed. These organisms had an ultrastructure characteristic of MG and showed a positive reaction with rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the S6 strain of MG by immunohistochemical analysis. MG was isolated from tissue homogenates of the eyelids and tracheas of the affected chickens. Many of the chickens had atrophic bursae, and infectious bursal disease virus antigens were detected in necrotic bursal follicles by immunostaining. Therefore, immunosuppression due to infectious bursal disease was implicated in the pathogenesis of keratoconjunctivitis in the present cases.

Serum from Theileria sergenti-infected cattle accelerates the clearance of bovine erythrocytes in SCID mice

Anemia is a major clinical sign of Japanese bovine theileriosis caused by Theileria sergenti. To investigate the possible factors causing anemia in cattle, we developed a clearance test for bovine erythrocytes (Bo-RBC) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Clearance of Bo-RBC in the SCID mice was significantly accelerated when the mice were inoculated with a serum sample obtained from an infected calf during a highly parasitized phase but not when they were injected with a serum sample obtained during the convalescence phase. Acceleration of the clearance of Bo-RBC was also observed in mice treated with merozoite extract. Furthermore, the clearance of Bo-RBC that had been treated with merozoite extract was accelerated. A significant hemolytic activity in infected serum (highly parasitized phase) was observed. Activities sufficient to accelerate the clearance of Bo-RBC in SCID mice and to induce in vitro hemolysis of Bo-RBC were also observed with a merozoite extract from T. sergenti. The results suggest a possible linkage between the in vitro hemolysis of Bo-RBC and the acceleration of Bo-RBC clearance in SCID mice.

Suppressive effect of beta-carotene on the development of pulmonary foam cells in rats with hyper beta-lipoproteinemia

The effect of beta-carotene (BC) on the development of pulmonary foam cells (PFCs) was studied in rats with diet-induced hyper beta-lipoproteinemia. Rats were fed a standard diet; a hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia diet (HB) consisting of the standard diet, 4% cholesterol, and 1% cholic acid; or the standard diet plus 0.1% BC; or the HB diet plus 0.1% BC diet (HBC). Rats in the HB and HBC groups developed hyper-beta-lipoproteinemia, but no significant differences were observed in serum levels of total cholesterol, phospholipid, and beta- lipoprotein (B-LP) between both groups. The percentages of foamy, lipid-ingested monocytes (FMs) to the number of blood monocytes (BMs), the number and size of lipid droplets in FMs, the percentages of PFCs to the number of alveolar macrophages from bronchopulmonary lavage fluid, and the score of PFC development in the lungs of rats in the HBC group were reduced compared to those of rats in the HB group. There were no differences in latex-phagocytotic activity of BMs among rats in the control, HB, BC, and HBC groups. BC suppressed the foamy transformation of BMs and development of PFCs deriving from the influx of FMs into the alveoli of hyper-beta-lipoproteinemic rats. Based on the present results, it is presumed that the antioxidative property of BC may prevent an oxidative modification of B-LP under the hyper-beta-lipoproteinemic condition, leading to a decrease in the uptake of oxidatively modified B-LP by BMs.

[Gene transfer to airway epithelial cells: current status and future direction]

Advances in recombinant DNA technology and molecular and cellular biology have made it feasible to introduce genes into living cells. The most sophisticated gene transduction methods have bee applied to gene therapy strategies for the potential treatment of genetic diseases. In regard to lung diseases, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and cystic fibrosis, the most common hereditary lung disorders in Caucasians, have been targeted for gene therapy. To date, gene therapy studies have been confined to ex vivo strategies for treatment of ADA deficiency with retroviral vectors. However, there are two major obstacles to gene transfer to the bronchial epithelium. First, bronchial epithelium, such as that with ciliated cells, is terminally differentiated, and does not divide rapidly. Second, the complex architecture of the lung precludes replacing the existing bronchial epithelium with cells modified by gene transfer. In the context of these properties of bronchial epithelium, adenovirus vectors have been evaluated for direct introduction of therapeutic genes to bronchial epithelium via the airway in vivo. An in vivo experiment revealed that gene transfer with a replication-deficient adenovirus containing the E. coli lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene driven by cytomegalovirus promoter (AdCMVlacZ) was 10(4) times more efficient than gene transfer with a plasmid containing the same expression cassette (pCMVlacZ). An experiment based on in vitro data was done to evaluate the distribution of the expression of the exogenous genes transferred by adenovirus vectors. Intratracheal administration of AdCMVlacZ into lungs of experimental animals resulted in a high number of beta-gal-positive epithelial cells in bronchiols, rather than in proximal bronchi. Thus, a replication-deficient adenovirus can be used to transfer exogenous genes to airway epithelial cells in vivo. This technique may be useful in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis. Gene transfer can be thought of as the use of genetic information to modity the milieu of the target organ. In addition, gene transfer may allow the introduction of new genes, or the alteration tion of existing genes in intact animals. Gene transfer could them be used to produce animal models of human lung diseases that are particularly difficult to study.

Pathogenesis of highly virulent infectious bursal disease virus infection in intact and bursectomized chickens

The pathogenesis of highly virulent infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus (IBDV) infection was studied using 6-week-old intact and 5-week-old bursectomized chickens inoculated with highly virulent strain 90-11 or reference strain I. Chickens inoculated with 10(0.7) EID50 of strain 90-11 showed neither clinical signs nor lesions during the 4-day observation period. In contrast, birds inoculated with 10(2.7) or 10(4.7) EID50 developed severe clinical IBD, as well as gross and histologic lesions, typical of IBD, and produced IBDV antigen demonstrable by immunostaining in the bursa of Fabricius (BF), thymus, spleen and bone marrow from day 2 post-inoculation (PI) onwards. The antigen was also detected by the agar-gel precipitation and latex microsphere agglutination tests in a bursal suspension of these birds from day 2 or day 3 PI on. Birds inoculated with 10(6.1) EID50 of strain I developed only slight clinical signs at day 4 PI. Their lesion- and antigen-scores in the BF were almost the same as those in virulent strain-infected chickens, but lesion- and antigen-scores in the other organs were negligible. Bursectomized chickens inoculated with strain 90-11 did not develop clinical IBD despite the presence of infection that was evidenced by histologic lesions in the thymus and spleen as well as IBDV antigen demonstrable by immunostaining in these organs.

Enhancement of lipid phagocytosis by cloned cells derived from rat malignant fibrous histiocytoma under hyperlipemic conditions

The histogenesis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) was studied by observing the influence of hyperlipemic (HL) conditions on the behavior of cloned MT-8 cells with an undifferentiated mesenchymal character and MT-9 cells with histiocytic and fibroblastic features, both derived from a spontaneous rat MFH. The cells were grown in medium containing 10% normal rat serum (CSM) or 10% HL rat serum (HSM) for 1, 3, 8 and 24 h. The cells grown in HSM showed a time-dependent, significant increase in numbers of cytoplasmic lipid droplets per cell and cells positive for acid phosphatase (ACP) and non-specific esterase (NSE) compared with cells grown in CSM. The number of cells positive for two different anti-rat monocyte/macrophage monoclonal antibodies (ED-1 and ED-2) also increased significantly in HSM. This histiocytic nature was confirmed by electron microscopy. Tumors were induced by inoculating MT-8 and MT-9 cells into rats on a standard diet and rats on a HL diet. MT-8 and MT-9 tumor cells in HL rats phagocytized lipid droplets and showed stronger positive reactions for ACP and NSE compared with tumors in control rats. These results imply that xanthomatous cells in MFH may be a phenotype of MFH cells expressing an enhanced histiocytic nature. MFH cells seem to alter their behavior depending on cultural or microenvironmental conditions.

Biological behaviour and morphological characteristics of a transplantable tumour (MM-KMY) derived from a malignant meningioma in an F344 rat

A subcutaneously transplantable meningeal tumour (MM-KMY) was derived from a spontaneous malignant meningioma which developed in the cerebellar meninges of a female F344 rat. MM-KMY was subjected to 25 serial passages in syngeneic male and female rats. The transplants grew in 8 weeks into a nodule with an average diameter of 5.7 cm and average weight of 125.2 g. MM-KMY possessed large cysts containing fluid and necrotic tissue. Metastases frequently occurred in the lungs of MM-KMY-bearing rats. Histologically, both the original tumour and MM-KMY consisted of round to fusiform neoplastic cells of varying size, with nuclear pleomorphism. Mitotic figures occurred frequently. MM-KMY cells were positive for vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the cells showed desmosome-like structures, interdigitating processes and cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, suggesting an arachnoid cell origin. Abnormal accumulations of hyaline droplets in renal tubular epithelial cells were frequently observed in MM-KMY-bearing rats, suggesting overload of low molecular proteins in the renal tubules. The droplets gave a faint immunoreaction for lysozyme. The relation between the appearance of renal tubular hyaline droplets and the growth of MM-KMY remains to be determined. MM-KMY may prove useful for studying the biological behaviour and morphogenesis of meningeal tumours.

An outbreak of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in Japan

An emerging swine disease principally involving periweaning piglets was examined. The disease was clinically characterized by lethargy, fever, emaciation, coughing, and severe abdominal breathing, hence colloquially named "Heko-heko" disease. The consistent lesions in affected piglets were diffuse interstitial pneumonia with pronounced type II pneumocytic proliferation, meningoencephalitis, and regression of the lymphoid tissues. The causal virus was isolated in primary porcine lung cell (PLC) cultures from various organs of affected piglets and showed serological relatedness to the European porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. Numerous virus particles, measured about 49 nm in diameter, were detected in the cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary macrophages in PLC cultures infected with the isolate. The condition could be experimentally reproduced in conventional piglets by intranasal inoculation with the isolate and the virus was reisolated from the infected animals.

Morphology of spontaneous Harderian gland tumors in aged B6C3F1 mice

Spontaneous Harderian gland tumors in B6C3F1 mice were found in 18 (3.1%) (one male had bilateral tumors) of 589 males and 18 (3.0%) of 609 females. The tumor-bearing mice ranged in age from 73 to 109 weeks. These tumors comprised 32 adenomas (86.5%), four adenocarcinomas (10.8%) and one pleomorphic tumor (2.7%); the adenomas were classified, based on the growth patterns, into 17 papillary, nine cystic papillary, five acinar and one cystic types. Two adenocarcinomas grew papillary and invaded surrounding tissues, and the other two grew acinously. The pleomorphic tumor consisted of pleomorphic cells some of which had a keratin-positive epithelial feature and acini lined by atypical epithelial cells.

Successful bone marrow transplantation with rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin in aplastic anemia. Report of a case previously treated with equine anti-human lymphocyte globulin

Bone marrow transplantation is widely accepted as the first line therapy for patients with severe aplastic anemia. Patients with less severe forms of aplastic anemia are treated with immunosuppressive agents, hematopoietic growth factors or androgenic steroids. The use of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin allowed us to successfully transplant in a patient with a moderately severe form who once failed to respond to all conservative treatment including equine anti-human lymphocyte globulin. We propose that, given the availability of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin, marrow transplantation should be considered in non-severe aplastic anemia patients who are refractory to equine anti-human lymphocyte globulin.

Phylogenetic comparison between archetypal and disease-associated JC virus isolates in Japan

We examined the phylogenetical correlation between two types of JC virus (JCV) isolates, archetypes derived from the urine of nonimmunocompromised individuals and PML-types derived from the brain of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Japan. A phylogenetic tree was constructed for eight JCV isolates, five PML-types obtained in this and previous studies and three representative archetypes, from DNA sequence data on the VP1 (major capsid protein) gene. The eight isolates were divided into two major groups, named subtypes MY and CY after the representative archetypal isolates. Four of five PML-type isolates belonged to subtype MY, and the other one to subtype CY. Isolates belonging to subtype MY were further divided into two groups; one group containing archetype MY and three PML-types and the other one containing archetype YI and a PML-type. These findings, together with those in our previous study that correlated various JCV isolates in the world provide evidence for the hypothesis that JCVs associated with PML may have been generated from archetypal JCVs persisting in the patients.

Acute ischaemic preconditioning and chronic hypoxia independently increase myocardial tolerance to ischaemia

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial adaptation has been reported to result from mild but chronic ischaemia in the hearts of patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the responses of the chronically hypoxic myocardium to an episode of severe ischaemia, or the effects of acute ischaemic preconditioning on myocardial function after subsequent fatal ischaemia, may differ between the normoxic and the chronically hypoxic myocardium.

METHODS

A rat model of three week hypoxia (10% O2) was used to simulate tissue hypoxia caused by chronic ischaemia. In isolated isovolumetrically contracting hearts perfused with oxygenated erythrocyte-containing Tyrode solution, systolic and diastolic functions during a 15 or 20 min period of ischaemia and reperfusion were measured in the normoxic control and chronically hypoxic groups.

RESULTS

Increases in diastolic pressure during ischaemia were smaller and the recovery of developed pressure during reperfusion was greater in the chronically hypoxic group than in the normoxic group. The hearts of the normoxic group never recovered from ischaemic damage after 20 min ischaemia. The beneficial effects of acute preconditioning with 5 min ischaemia on myocardial function were observed after 15 min ischaemia in the normoxic group, and during and after 20 min ischaemia in the chronically hypoxic group. Changes in lactate production and high energy phosphates could not explain the increased tolerance to ischaemia in the chronically hypoxic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic hypoxia increased myocardial tolerance to ischaemia, and acute ischaemic preconditioning increased the tolerance further. Thus chronic hypoxia and acute ischaemic preconditioning independently activate protective mechanisms against ischaemia; the mechanisms may differ between the two types of insult.

[Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on delayed cerebral vasospasm studied after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits]

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are intrinsic vasodilatory substances contained in perivascular nerve fibers innervating large intracranial arteries. Effects of these substances on delayed cerebral vasospasm were examined using a rabbit model of experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Sixty-one anesthetized rabbits received intrathecal fresh arterial blood on day-1 and intrathecal administration of different doses of CGRP, VIP or distilled water on day-4. Prior to the treatment, caliber of the spastic basilar artery was 73.4 +/- 0.9% of pre-SAH values. Serial angiograms after treatment demonstrated that 10(-10)mol/kg of CGRP dilated the spastic artery to 117.1% of pre-SAH levels and that dilatory effect of CGRP continued up to 6 hours after treatment. VIP injection also brought arterial dilatation up to 114.9% of pre-SAH levels, although the duration of the effect was less than 3 hours. Intrathecal administration of CGRP or VIP showed no adverse effect on the systemic and neurological state of the animals. These results indicate that intrathecal CGRP and VIP have therapeutic potential in treating delayed cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further investigations are expected to extend the effect of CGRP and VIP.

Production of choleretic substances in the capitulum, leaf and stem of Artemisia capillaris during the plant growth cycle

Five Artemisia capillaris plants were selected at random from among a bed of twenty plants cultivated in a field for one year. Several branches were collected from each plant once a month, except in August and October, when two collections were made during budding and flowering. Each organ (leaf, stem, and capitulum) was separated from the branch and dried, and later analyzed for capillarisin and 6,7-dimethylesculetin content by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The capillarisin and 6,7-dimethylesculetin content reached maximum levels in the leaf just before the appearance of flower buds at end of July. About one month later, at the end of August during budding and flowering, capillarisin content in the capitulum reached a peak and then decreased. On the other hand, 6,7-dimethylescuretin content reached a maximum at the beginning of September, two weeks after the capillarisin maximum. The results suggest that the most appropriate time to harvest A. capillaris for use as a crude drug is between the flower bud stage and early flower stage, from late August to early September.

Papovavirus detection by electron microscopy in the brain of an elderly patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Virions resembling papovavirus were demonstrated in glial cells in the brain of an aged patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The patient was not in a severely immunocompromised state. On histological examination, only a few tiny incomplete necrotic foci were found in the subcortical area. These foci were widely dispersed. Rare, swollen oligodendroglial cells and astrocytes in which papovavirus capsid protein (VP-1) was demonstrated immunohistochemically were present around the foci. The two typical types of virus particles i.e. 35 to 40 nm round particles and elongated particles, were observed in the nuclei of the swollen glial cells. The latter were in the minority. Distinct crystals were also found in the nuclei. The centre-to-centre distance of the particles in the crystals, about 40 nm, and the electron-opaque spots of the round-shaped virions and of the elongated particles, were indicative of structural subunits of papovavirus capsids. This case provides further evidence that papovavirus, possibly JC virus, may be reactivated in the brains of aged patients who are not in an immunocompromised state.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicines on DNA-synthesizing enzyme activities in mammary tumors of mice

Sho-saiko-to (SST) and Juzen-taiho-to (JTT), Japanese modified Chinese herbal prescriptions, suppressed the activities of thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase involved in de novo and salvage pathways for pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis, respectively, in mammary tumors of SHN mice with the reduction of serum prolactin level. These results indicate that SST and JTT may have the antitumor effects on mammary tumors.