The use of periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver protein-physical development (PA-TCH-SP-PD) procedure for the histochemical detection of neutral carbohydrates in the circumventricular organs of the rat

A periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver protein-physical development (PA-TCH-SP-PD) procedure was applied to the rat circumventricular organs (CVOs), which are known to be specialized structures in the brain. In the rat CVOs, vivid PA-TCH-SP-PD reactions were obtained in the apical surface and cytoplasm of the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ (SCO) and the epithelial cells in the choroid plexuses (CPs) examined, and similar positive reactions were detected in the vascular walls and perivascular connective tissues in all the CVOs tested. Further, varying intensities of PA-TCH-SP-PD reactions were noted in the neuronal and glial networks of the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), subfornical organ (SFO) and area postrema (AP). The results obtained in the present study indicate that in the rat CVOs the histologic structures mentioned contain varying amounts of neutral carbohydrates and possible histophysiological significances of these carbohydrates in these organs have been discussed with references to their functions.

Mechanism of cytotoxicity of paraquat. III. The effects of acute paraquat exposure on the electron transport system in rat mitochondria

The effects of acute paraquat exposure on mitochondrial function in rat lung were studied. The paraquat dose-response study and time-effective study were performed to prove our hypothesis, enzyme toxicity especially in electron transport system following lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial inner membrane. In dose-response study, lipid peroxidation was increased by high dose paraquat exposure (40 mg/kg body weight) in rat lung, but not by low dose exposure (10 mg/kg body weight). But paraquat inhibited NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) activities, especially NADH:ubiquinone reaction (NQR), even in low dose exposure. The lipid peroxide concentration did not correspond to the damage of complex I activity. In paraquat time-effective study, both lung and blood lipid peroxides increased after 6 h of paraquat exposure, decreased after 12 and 24 h and increased again after 48 h. After first peak of lipid peroxidation, NQR velocity decreased earlier than NADH:ferricyanide reaction (NFR) velocity. From these results, the cytotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction by acute paraquat exposure might be caused by complex I toxicity following lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial inner membrane.

In vivo induction of the growth associated protein GAP43/B-50 in rat astrocytes following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion

Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the induction of growth-associated protein GAP43/B-50 in the astrocytes of rat cerebrum in vivo following ischemic injury produced by 30 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Three days after operation, GAP43 immunoreactivity first appeared in some astrocytic populations surrounding the infarcted lesion. Induction of GAP43 in those astrocytes persisted for up to 14 days and disappeared at 30 days postoperation. Double-immunofluorescence staining confirmed that the GAP43-immunoreactive astrocytes examined were all positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Our present data suggest that certain astrocytes could be induced to synthesize GAP43 in vivo in response to an ischemic insult in adult rats.

Mechanical detachable coil as a therapeutic alternative for cerebral aneurysm

Endovascular treatment for unruptured cerebral aneurysms has been recognized as a useful alternative. Various types of intravascular materials embolizing aneurysms were classified into one of two groups. One was retrievable after the placement, whereas the other was irretrievable. The former which has involved detachable coils is preferred, because it can be repositioned repeatedly, while it forms the most effective arrangement. In this report, we present a compromised patient who was a 68 year-old female suffering angina pectoris and was treated with an interlocking detachable coil. Technical points are discussed here compared with Guglielmi's detachable coil.

Immunohistochemical study of human advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) in chronic renal failure

In patients with diabetic renal failure plasma advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) levels are reported to be elevated and dialyzer of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is usually used with a high glucose concentration. Here, an immunohistochemical study on human AGE accumulation in vascular beds and peritonea of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) or those on CAPD was undertaken. Further, the influence of aging was studied using AGE-specific monoclonal antibody. 1. AGE accumulation was observed in radial arterial walls (from vascular intima to smooth muscle layer) of diabetic patients with CRF. Even in some non-diabetic patients with CRF (n = 3/6), especially in those with a long history of CRF and dialysis treatment, similar positive staining was seen in vascular walls. No AGE staining was observed in any renal tissue of age-matched control subjects including tissue from patients with acute renal failure. 2. Although AGE accumulation was not seen in the peritonea of CRF patients with no prior CAPD therapy, it was seen in the mesothelial layers and in adjacent coarse connective tissues of peritonea from patients on CAPD (n = 6), even from as early as only 3 months of CAPD therapy. 3. AGE accumulation was observed in the vascular bed of the non-diabetic aged kidney with normal function, but not in that of the young kidney. Thus, AGE accumulation in the vascular bed may depend on the degree and term of renal impairment and on aging in addition to diabetes. AGE accumulation in the peritonea became positive following CAPD treatment, indicating that it might affect the efficiency of CAPD.

Determination of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with suppression of artefact formation

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of urinary tetrahydro-beta-carbolines. When standing tryptamine with formaldehyde and acetaldehyde under extraction conditions, the significant amounts of artefact 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (TBC) and 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (MTBC) were formed in a short time. Urine samples added with 2-ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (an internal standard) were treated with fluorescamine, and then with glycine, followed by serial solvent extractions. Such a pretreatment using two-step reactions removed a precursor (trypamine) by extracting its fluorescamine derivative, and enhanced the detection response by consuming excess fluorescamine. It solved the analytical problem that artefact TBC and MTBC are formed during analysis. Reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography using a C8-column and trifluoroacetic acid as a counter ion completed a base-line separation of three analytes within 10 min. The calibration graphs showed a good linearity in the range 0.1-50.0 ng ml-1 of urine samples spiked with standard TBC and MTBC. In the spike experiment, the recovery and relative standard deviation were almost 100% and less than 3.0%, respectively, for both TBC and MTBC. The proposed method enables the determination of the genuine urinary concentrations of TBC and MTBC without involving their artefacts.

Role of pyruvate in ischaemia-like conditions on cultured neurons

In vitro, it is known that neurons in serum free mediums survive in the absence of glucose if pyruvate is present. We exposed cultured neurons on poly-L-lysine coated dishes to 6 different concentrations of pyruvate ranging from 0 to 1000 microM combined with glucose-supplement and normoxia (controls), glucose-deprivation and normoxia (hypoglycaemia), glucose-supplement and hypoxia (hypoxia), and glucose deprivation and hypoxia (ischaemia-like conditions) for 4 h. In all these conditions, lowering pyruvate below 250 microM led to a significant decrease of neuronal survival. Even in controls, there was no surviving neurons exposed to 0 microM of pyruvate. Glucose deprivation alone did not essentially influence the survival rate. Regardless of glucose deprivation, hypoxia led to an additional 23%-100% decrease of neuronal survival. When neurons were cultured above the astrocyte layers, neurons were much more tolerant with exposure to 0 microM of pyruvate for 4 h as compared to neurons on poly-L-lysine. The results indicate that pyruvate rather than glucose is essential for the energy supply to cultured neurons, probably because these neurons are immature and possess yet little capability to gain energy from glycolysis. Astrocytes may protect neurons from pyruvate deprivation by providing energy to neurons. In neuron rich culture, ischaemia is much better simulated by hypoxia-pyruvate deprivation rather than hypoxia-glucose deprivation.

Effects of iodine pretreatment of sections upon immunogold-silver staining in light microscopic immunohistochemistry

Effects of Lugol's iodine pretreatment upon immunogold-silver staining were examined in terms of the intensification of the reaction products obtained by physical development. Iodine pretreatment has diminished the duration necessary for the development, whereas the staining reaction of an appropriate intensity, could hardly be obtained by the pretreatment. In addition, essential staining reactions tended to be accompanied by marked nonspecific silver precipitations. It is concluded that iodine pretreatment should either be omitted or used with cautions in immunogold-silver staining procedures for the precise detection of antigenic sites.

[Two cases of malignant effusion treated successfully by loco-regional administration of carboplatin]

We encountered two cases of malignant effusion treated successfully by loco-regional administration of carboplatin (CBDCA). One case was a 60-year-old male showing recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) with pericarditis carcinomatosa. A drainage from the pericardial cavity was performed and a total dose of 600 mg (single dose, 300 mg) of CBDCA was administered into the cavity. Malignant effusion disappeared and radiographic improvement was also observed. No pericardial effusion was observed for about 4 months after the loco-regional treatment, till he died of lung cancer. Another case was a 58-year-old male having invasive thymoma (mixed cell type) with pleuritis carcinomatosa. He received palliative radiation therapy and systemic cancer chemotherapy concurrently. As a loco-regional therapy, drainage from the pleural cavity was performed, and 300 mg of CBDCA and 10 KE of OK-432 were administered into the cavity. A remarkable reduction of pleural effusion was observed after the therapy. No increase of pleural effusion has been observed radiographically for about 18 months, and the patient is still alive with the tumor. The side effects due to loco-regional administration of CBDCA were quite tolerable in both cases.

[Clinical trials of TAE using micro-coil coated with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol]

Clinical trials of TAE using microcoils (Target, USA) coated with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol were performed. The procedures were as follows. First, a small amount of lipiodol was injected into a Tracker 18 catheter. Secondly, a microcoil coated with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol was inserted into the microcatheter. Thirdly, a small amount of lipiodol was again administered into the catheter just behind the coil. Finally, the coil was pushed safely out from the catheter with a special guidewire. With this method, excellent occlusion of small arteries was obtained. There were no complications.

Functional and high level expression of human dopamine beta-hydroxylase in transgenic mice

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH; EC 1.14.17.1) catalyzes the production of the neurotransmitter and hormone norepinephrine in the third step of the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway. Transgenic mice were generated with multiple copies of a human DBH minigene construct containing the full-length cDNA connected downstream of the 4-kilobase upstream promoter region to achieve overexpression of DBH. Human DBH mRNA and immunoreactivity were detected tissue-specifically in the brain and adrenal gland of these transgenic mice. The transgene products were correctly processed to a glycosylated mature polypeptide with a molecular mass of 72 kDa and existed in the secretory vesicles as both soluble and membrane-bound forms. We detected a marked increase in DBH activity in various catecholamine-containing tissues of the mice that occurred as a consequence of expression of the catalytically active human DBH enzyme. However, in these transgenics the steady-state levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine were normally maintained without the acceleration of the catecholamine turnover rate, suggesting that there are some regulatory mechanisms to preserve a constant rate of norepinephrine synthesis in spite of the increased amount of DBH protein. These transgenic mice with the minigene construct provide one approach to study the mechanisms underlying biogenesis of the DBH polypeptide and regulation of norepinephrine synthesis.

Sequence homology of Chinese hamster metallothionein genes I and II to those of the mouse and rat, and their amplification in Cd-resistant cells

The metallothionein (MT) I and II genes were isolated from Chinese hamster cells and sequenced. The MT-II gene is located about 6 kb upstream of the MT-I gene and their arrangement is similar to those of the mouse and rat MT genes. The sequence of the Chinese hamster MT-I gene is highly homologous to those of the mouse and rat, particularly in their promoter regions of MT-I. However, the promoter region of MT-II has less homology with those of the mouse and rat due t to insertions and deletions. The MT-I and MT-II genes were equally amplified 4-8-times in the Cd-resistant Chinese hamster cells, suggesting that both genes are included in the same amplification unit. Cytogenetic analysis of Cd-resistant cells by in situ hybridization showed that they are randomly integrated into multiple sites on the chromosomes.

Insulin-induced activation of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase by a chiro-inositol-containing insulin mediator is defective in adipocytes of insulin-resistant, type II diabetic, Goto-Kakizaki rats

Type II diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were insulin-resistant in euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. We therefore examined insulin signaling systems in control Wistar and diabetic GK rats. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (G3PAT), which is activated by headgroup mediators released from glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI), was activated by insulin in intact and cell-free adipocyte preparations of control, but not diabetic, rats. A specific chiro-inositol-containing inositol phosphoglycan (IPG) mediator, prepared from beef liver, bypassed this defect and comparably activated G3PAT in cell-free adipocyte preparations of both diabetic GK and control rats. A myo-inositol-containing IPG mediator did not activate G3PAT. Relative to control adipocytes, labeling of GPI by [3H]glucosamine was diminished by 50% and insulin failed to stimulate GPI hydrolysis in GK adipocytes. In contrast to GPI-dependent G3PAT activation, insulin-stimulated hexose transport was intact in adipocytes and soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the GK rat, as was insulin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C. We conclude that (i) chiro-inositol-containing IPG mediator activates G3PAT during insulin action, (ii) diabetic GK rats have a defect in synthesizing or releasing functional chiro-inositol-containing IPG, and (iii) defective IPG-regulated intracellular glucose metabolism contributes importantly to insulin resistance in diabetic GK rats.

Cloning and expression of cDNA for arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase from chicken bone marrow cells

Two arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase cDNAs (designated AT1 and AT2) were cloned from chicken bone marrow cells. Each cDNA encodes a different peptide of 312 amino acid residues. Homology of deduced amino acid sequences between AT1 and AT2 was 78.3%. We found all six combined peptide sequences of 222 amino acid residues derived from purified chicken heterophil ADP-ribosyltransferase (Mishima, K., Terashima, M., Obara, S., Yamada, K., Imai, K., and Shimoyama, M. (1991) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 110, 388-394) in the deduced amino acid sequence of AT1, with two amino acid mismatches. Arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase activity was detected in culture medium of COS 7 cells transiently transfected with AT1 cDNA, while activity from the cells transfected with AT2 cDNA was found in both culture medium and cell lysate. AT1 transferase required 2-mercaptoethanol for the activity. The activity was inhibited in the presence of NaCl while AT2 enzyme was activated by either agent. On zymographic in situ gel analysis, estimated molecular masses of the AT1, AT2 and purified chicken heterophil transferases were 32, 34, and 27.5 kDa, respectively. Northern blot analysis with specific probes to AT1 or AT2 cDNAs revealed about a 1.5-kilobase message in chicken bone marrow cells but no signals were observed in heterophils, spleen, and liver of chicken or human HL-60 cells. Highly conserved regions were observed among the deduced amino acid sequences of AT1, AT2, rabbit skeletal muscle transferase, and rodent T-cell surface antigen RT6s.

In vivo activity of bleomycin incorporated with biodegradable poly-d,l-lactic acid and implanted in the mediastinum of dogs

The possible usefulness of bleomycin incorporated with biodegradable poly-d, l-lactic acid (BLM-PLA) for targeting chemotherapy for esophageal cancer was studied in vivo. Local levels of BLM after administration were compared with those after injection of BLM-SOL, an aqueous solution of BLM. BLM-PLA or BLM-SOL was administered into the upper mediastinum under a right thoracotomy in 36 mongrel dogs. On days 10, 20, and 30 after administration, connective tissues, lymph nodes, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen were removed, and BLM activity was measured. High activity of BLM was detected for 30 days after BLM-PLA administration in both the connective tissues and the lymph nodes, compared with BLM-SOL administration. BLM activity was low in the other organs after BLM-PLA administration. BLM in the blood was significantly lower after administration of BLM-PLA than BLM-SOL. The results indicate that BLM-PLA may become a useful tool in targeting chemotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Molecular control of melanogenesis in malignant melanoma: functional assessment of tyrosinase and lamp gene families by UV exposure and gene co-transfection, and cloning of a cDNA encoding calnexin, a possible melanogenesis "chaperone"

Melanogenesis is a cascade of events significantly controlled by regulatory genes which are associated with the melanosomal membrane. This report introduces our current research efforts dealing with (a) the gene and protein expressions of tyrosinase and Lamp (lysosome-associated membrane protein) families by human melanoma cells after repeated exposures to UV light, (b) the coordinated alterations in the expression of the Lamp family gene and its encoding product after transfection of two genes of the tyrosinase family in human melanoma cells and (c) cloning and sequencing of a Ca(2+)-binding phosphoprotein, calnexin, which could be a candidate as a chaperone for sorting and maturation of tyrosinase and Lamp family glycoproteins in melanogenesis cascade. Our UV exposure study, as well as gene transfection and antisense hybridization experiments, has clearly indicated a marked and coordinated interaction of the Lamp-1 gene with the tyrosinase and TRP-1 genes in this process. We propose that melanogenesis is controlled at least by two major gene family products, i.e., (a) the tyrosinase family of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2, and the Lamp family of Lamp-1, Lamp-2 and Lamp-3. These two gene families probably derived from primordial melanogenesis-associated genes which are common or closely related to each other.

Role of nuclear histone-H1 kinase in regeneration of rat liver

The activities of nuclear histone-H1 kinase and C-kinase as well as the amount of phosphate bound to histone-H1 following partial hepatectomy were studied in rat. It was found that the nuclear histone-H1 kinase activity increased twice within 80 h, first 20 to 30 h, and second at 50 to 70 h after partial hepatectomy. The timing of increase of the enzyme activity correlated with increased amount of bound phosphate. On the other hand, the increase of the C-kinase activities occurred between 5 and 15 h after partial hepatectomy. Antibodies raised against human cdk2, human cyclin-A and mouse cdc2 kinase showed no detectable effect on the nuclear histone H1 kinase activity. These results suggest that phosphorylation of histone-H1 in liver regeneration may be catalysed by a putative kinase(s).

Mapping of the human C3G gene coding a guanine nucleotide releasing protein for Ras family to 9q34.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

C3G, a human guanine nucleotide releasing protein for Ras protein, was mapped to human chromosome 9q34.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization with R-banded chromosomes. C3G was originally identified as one of the CRK-binding proteins, similar to c-abl (9q34.1). Our result suggests that the downstream factors of Crk are localized in close proximity on chromosome 9.

[Motor developmental screening test for mental retardation: evaluations of sensitivity and specificity]

For the purpose of early detection and early habilitation for developmentally handicapped children, we started medical screening for pediatric neurological diseases among children in Sodegaura City, Chiba prefecture, since 1978. We calculated sensitivity, the rate of judging abnormal children to be abnormal, specificity, the rate of judging normal children to be normal and positive predictive values, the rate of judging abnormal children who have abnormal sign, of sitting alone at nine months of age whether an infant is MR or not. The sensitivity was 70.0%, the specificity was 98.3% and the positive predictive value was 26.5%, all of them were high rates. Therefore we conclude that children who can not sit alone until nine months of age are possibly mentally retarded and the capability of sitting alone or not at nine months of age is an useful screening test for the purpose of early detection of mentally retarded children.

[Distribution of the 70kD stress protein in corneas with alkali burns]

The immunolocalization of 70kD stress-protein (SP 70) was investigated in white rabbit corneas with alkali burns. Corneal alkali burn injuries were induced with 6 mm circular filter paper discs soaked in 1N NaOH. Corneas of 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after alkali injury were immunostained with mouse monoclonal anti-SP 70 antibody. In the control rabbit cornea, immunostaining for SP 70 was observed in the nuclei of the basal cells and of the wing cells. On day 1 after alkali injury, total epithelial defect was observed. Immunostaining for SP 70 was not seen in corneas with total epithelial defect. Three days after injury, epithelial resurfacing with corneal edema was observed. Basal cells showed immunostaining for SP 70 in their nuclei and cytoplasm. Five days after injury, irregular basal cells and a few wing cells with cytoplasmic processes were recognized. Both cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining for SP 70. Seven days after injury, the corneal wound was healed, and SP 70 was observed in the nuclei of the epithelial cells again. It appears that SP 70 has a role in corneal epithelial healing after alkali burn injury.