A novel DNA polymerase in the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus: gene cloning, expression, and characterization

BACKGROUND

In many respects Archaea are much more like eukaryotes than prokaryotes with respect to the conservation of many of the components involved in transcription, translation and DNA replication. So far, only a few DNA polymerases with structures similar to those of eukaryotic DNA polymerase a have been found in Archaea. The identification and characterization of all the DNA polymerases of one archaeon would add considerably to our knowledge of the basic mechanisms of DNA replication in these organisms.

RESULTS

We have identified a novel DNA polymerase composed of two proteins, DP1 and DP2, with molecular weights of 69294 Da and 143161 Da, respectively, in the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furiosus, and have cloned the corresponding genes which are tandemly arranged on the Pyrococcus genome. No significant sequence homology was found between these two proteins and other known DNA polymerases. The pol genes were transcribed as part of a single operon that additionally contained genes homologous to the cdc18+/CDC6 and Dmc1/Rad51 family of proteins. We purified the Pyrococcus DNA polymerase from Escherichia coli strains expressing the cloned genes and characterized its activity. It possesses strong 3' --> 5' exonucleolytic activity and has a template-primer preference which is characteristic of a replicative DNA polymerase.

CONCLUSION

In P. furiosus, we identified a second DNA polymerase encoded by two genes, neither of which display significant homology to any other known DNA polymerase. Both the enzymatic properties of the enzyme and the gene organization raise the possibility that this enzyme might be the replicative DNA polymerase of P. furiosus.

Long-term effects of water-soluble corn bran hemicellulose on glucose tolerance in obese and non-obese patients: improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in obese subjects

We examined the effect of soluble corn bran hemicellulose (CBH, 10 g/day) on glucose control and serum insulin in three groups: patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) with (20 subjects) or without (8 subjects) obesity and with healthy non-obese controls (10 subjects). Long-term supplementation (6 months) with CBH decreased the post oGTT curve for patients with impaired mild Type II diabetes, but not that for the controls. Hemoglobin A1c decreased significantly during CBH supplementation in the obese patients, while the fasting glucose level decreased in all three groups, although not significantly. A decreased serum insulin response by oGTT was found in those patients with IGT. The improved oGTT result was associated with improved insulin release and perhaps with peripheral insulin sensitivity. These findings suggest that CBH at a low dose might contribute to glycemic control and would play a useful role in treating Type II diabetes patients.

High-energy defibrillation increases the severity of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction

BACKGROUND

The fatal outcome of victims after initially successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest has been attributed both to global myocardial ischemia during the interval of cardiac arrest and to the adverse effects of reperfusion. The present study was prompted by earlier experimental observation that the magnitude of myocardial dysfunction was in part related to the energy delivered during electrical defibrillation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced in 15 Sprague-Dawley rats. Precordial compression was begun together with mechanical ventilation after 4 minutes of untreated VF and continued for 6 minutes. Spontaneous circulation was restored in each animal after external defibrillation with a single stored 2-, 10-, or 20-J countershock. Cardiac index and the rate of left ventricular pressure rise at left ventricular pressure of 40 mm Hg (dP/dt40) and fall (negative dP/dt) during the 240-minute interval after successful resuscitation were decreased, and left ventricular diastolic pressure was increased. These decreases in myocardial function were closely related to the energy of electrical defibrillation. After a 20-J shock, animals survived for only 5+/-3 hours; after a 10-J shock, animals survived for 15+/-4 hours; and after a 2-J shock, all animals survived for >24 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction is related, at least in part, to the magnitude of the electrical energy of the delivered shock.

p53 protein expression as prognostic factor in human pancreatic cancer

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are considered to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer. The present study was designed to assess the clinicopathological significance of the expression of p53 protein in human pancreatic cancer. A total of 64 specimens of pancreatic cancer (44 primary and 20 metastatic lesions) were obtained by surgery in our department between 1982 and 1995, and p53 protein was stained using an immunohistochemical staining method (strepto-avidin-biotin complex method) with 2 kinds of anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies (DO-1 and PAb240). DO-1-p53 was usually stained in the nucleus of cancer cells and was positively expressed in 35 out of 64 specimens (54.7%): 21 out of 44 primary lesions (47.7%), and 14 out of 20 metastatic lesions (70.0%). On the other hand, PAb240-p53 was stained in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in 45 out of 64 specimens (70.3%): 33 out of 44 primary lesions (75.0%) and 12 out of 20 metastatic lesions (60.0%). The survival rate of the patients with DO-1-p53 (+) pancreatic cancer after pancreatectomy was significantly lower than that of patients with DO-1-p53 (-) pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, there were no significant implications of PAb240-p53 protein expression on survival after pancreatectomy. With regard to the clinicopathological characteristics, the rate of DO-1-p53 protein expression was significantly higher in elderly patients (> or = 65 y.o.). As a result, DO-1-p53 protein expression may be a beneficial prognostic factor for patients with pancreatic cancer, and it is a factor independent of the stage and other clinicopathological factors.

Role of cytoprotective mechanisms in the photochemical purging of autologous bone marrow grafts

The molecular basis of the differential sensitivity of normal hematopoietic stem cells and of leukemia, lymphoma, and neuroblastoma cells to merocyanine 540 (MC540)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is not yet completely understood. While the capacity to bind dye molecules appears to be the major determinant of a cell's susceptibility of MC540-mediated PDT, we here present evidence that under certain experimental conditions a cell's capacity to repair MC540-mediated photodynamic damage is also an important factor. Two parameters, temperature and intracellular glutathione (GSH) content, were varied to investigate the role of cellular defense mechanisms in the dye-sensitized photoinactivation of normal murine granulocyte/macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) and K562, L1210, and melphalan-resistant L1210/L-PAM1 leukemia cells. When exposed to MC540 and light at room temperature, the three leukemia cell lines bound similar amounts of dye and accumulated similar amounts of lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) but differed markedly in their sensitivity to MC540-mediated PDT. Performing MC540-mediated PDT at 4 degrees C instead of at room temperature reduced dye binding and LOOH generation and enhanced cytotoxicity in some but not all cell lines. A brief (< or = 120 minutes) incubation at 37 degrees C immediately following MC540-mediated PDT accelerated the decay of LOOH in all leukemic cell lines and reduced cell kill by about 2 log in both CFU-GM and leukemia cells. The effect of post-PDT incubation at 37 degrees C on LOOH decay was most pronounced in K562 and least pronounced in L1210/L-PAM1 cells, whereas its effect on cell survival was less pronounced in L1210 cells than in the remaining cell types. L1210/L-PAM1 cells whose GSH content had been reduced from 8.2 to 1.6 micrograms/mg protein by incubation with buthionine sulfoximine recovered from potentially lethal photodynamic damage as rapidly as untreated L1210/L-PAM1 cells and more rapidly than wild-type L1210 cells with a GSH content of 4.5 micrograms/mg protein. Thus, with regard to capacity of L1210/L-PAM1 cells to recover from photodynamic damage, the cells' enhanced capacity to synthesize GSH appeared more decisive than intracellular GSH levels per se. Taken together, these data suggest that temperature-dependent cellular defense mechanisms are significant determinants of a cell's susceptibility to MC540-mediated PDT. The data emphasize the need for temperature control during and immediately after the photochemical purging of autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells.

Effect of friction coefficient on Akers clasp retention

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Retentive force control of clasp retainers is one of the most essential factors for the successful function of removable partial dentures. However, it is not yet known how the friction coefficients differ among restored abutments and clasp materials, and how the friction coefficients affect the retention of clasps.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to clarify the friction coefficients among restored abutments and clasp materials and to estimate the effect of friction coefficients on the retention of clasps.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The coefficients of static friction between three clasp materials (type IV gold, high Pd, and cobalt-chromium [Co-Cr] alloys) of two surface treatments (polished and sandblasted) and four abutment materials (human enamel, porcelain, type IV gold, and high Pd alloys) were evaluated under three conditions (dry, wet with water, and wet with saliva), and theoretically, the effect of the friction coefficients on clasp retention was estimated.

RESULTS

The friction coefficients under various conditions ranged from 0.08 (polished Co-Cr clasp on type IV abutment in dry condition) to 0.37 (sandblasted Co-Cr clasp on high Pd abutment in dry condition). The theoretical estimation clarified that the retentive force of the clasp was linear to the friction coefficient.

CONCLUSION

The retentive force increased linearly with increasing friction coefficient between abutment material and clasp material according to the newly developed formula. This study suggested that clasp designs should be changed depending on abutment materials.

Spiral computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction for the diagnosis of tracheobronchial stenosis

We report on the usefulness of spiral computed tomography (CT) with 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in the diagnosis of tracheobronchial abnormalities based on three cases of children with congenital tracheobronchial strictures. Images were reconstructed using a curved planar reformat and shaded surface display. The images obtained from our three cases of tracheal stenosis, subglottic stenosis and tracheobronchial strictures were extremely clear. Spiral CT with 3D reconstruction provides excellent anatomic delineation of the tracheobronchial airway, and is safe and less invasive than tracheobronchography.

CP2289, a new 5-HT3 receptor ligand: agonistic activities on gastroenteric motility

A new 5-HT3 receptor ligand, CP2289, was synthesized and pharmacologically tested. Although CP2289 inhibited the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, it contracted the excised ileal muscle of mice, rats and guinea pigs. This response may reflect a partial agonist character of CP2289 in the gut. In vivo antiemetic and gastric emptying tests gave similar results.

Differential contribution of two serine residues of wild type and constitutively active beta2-adrenoceptors to the interaction with beta2-selective agonists

1. We have studied the difference in receptor binding activity between partial and full beta2-adrenoceptor agonists and the abilities of the agonists to interact with Ser204 and Ser207 in the fifth transmembrane region of the beta2-adrenoceptor, amino acid residues that are important for activation of the beta2-adrenoceptor. 2. In the binding study with [125I]-iodocyanopindolol, the Ki values of (+/-)-salbutamol, (+/-)-salmeterol, TA-2005 and (-)-isoprenaline for the beta2-adrenoceptor expressed in COS-7 cell membranes were 3340, 21.0, 12.0 and 904 nM, respectively. The beta1/beta2 selectivity of these agonists was in the order of (+/-)-salmeterol (332 fold) > TA-2005 (52.8) > (+/-)-salbutamol (6.8) > (-)-isoprenaline (1.1), and the beta3-/beta2-adrenoceptor selectivity of these agonists was in the order of TA-2005 (150 fold) > (+/-)-salmeterol (88.6) > (+/-)-salbutamol (10.4) > (-)-isoprenaline (3.2). 3. The maximal activation of adenylyl cyclase by stimulation of the beta1-, beta2- and beta3-adrenoceptors by TA-2005 was 32, 100 and 100% of that by (-)-isoprenaline, respectively, indicating that TA-2005 is a full agonist at the beta2- and beta3-adrenoceptors and a partial agonist at the beta1-adrenoceptor. (+/-)-Salbutamol and (+/-)-salmeterol were partial agonists at both beta1- (8% and 9% of (-)-isoprenaline) and beta2- (83% and 74% of (-)-isoprenaline) adrenoceptors. 4. The affinities of full agonists, TA-2005 and (-)-isoprenaline, were markedly decreased by substitution of Ala for Ser204 (S204A) of the beta2-adrenoceptor, whereas this substitution slightly reduced the affinities of partial agonists, (+/-)-salbutamol and (+/-)-salmeterol. Although the affinities of full agonists for the S207A-beta2-adrenoceptor were decreased, those of partial agonists for the S207A-beta2-adrenoceptor were essentially the same as for the wild type receptor. 5. The constitutively active mutant (L266S, L272A) of the beta2-adrenoceptor had an increased affinity for all four agonists. The affinities of full agonists were decreased by substitution of Ser204 of the constitutively active mutant, whereas the degree of decrease was smaller than that caused by the substitution of the wild type receptor. Although the affinities of (+/-)-salbutamol and (+/-)-salmeterol for the S207A-beta2-adrenoceptor were essentially the same as those for the wild type beta2-adrenoceptor, the affinities of (+/-)-salbutamol and (+/-)-salmeterol for the constitutively active beta2-adrenoceptor were decreased by substitution of Ser207. 6. These results suggest that Ser204 and Ser207 of the wild type and constitutively active beta2-adrenoceptors differentially interacted with beta2-selective agonists.

Neural mechanism of pupillary dilation elicited by electro-acupuncture stimulation in anesthetized rats

The neural mechanisms to reflex dilation elicited by electro-acupuncture stimulation were investigated in anesthetized rats. Two needles, with 160 microns diameter and about 5 mm apart, were inserted into the skin and underlying muscle of a hindpaw. Repetitive 20 Hz, 0.5 ms electrical pulses at various intensities were used for stimulation for 30s. The pupil size was magnified about 44 times via a microscope and was continuously recorded on a videotape. Electro-acupuncture stimulation at more than 0.5 up to 6 mA induced stimulus intensity-dependent pupil dilation. These responses were abolished by the severance of the sciatic and saphenous nerve of the stimulated hindlimb. Compound action potentials were recorded from the distal cut end of the tibial of a saphenous nerve following electro-acupuncture stimulation of the hindpaw. The mean threshold of the compound action potentials of the myelinated fibers in saphenous nerves was 0.18 mA, while that of unmyelinated fibers was 3.0 mA. The mean threshold of the compound action potentials of the myelinated fibers in the tibial nerve was 0.20 mA of unmyelinated fibers was 3.3 mA. Severance of bilateral trunks did not affect the response, while severance of the third cranial nerves abolished the responses. In conclusion, electro-acupuncture stimulation applied to the hindpaws of the anesthetized rats induced excitation of myelinated or of both myelinated and unmyelinated afferent fibers of the tibial and saphenous nerve, and involved a reflex response of pupil dilation through the third cranial parasympathetic efferent nerve.

Affinity for alpha-tocopherol transfer protein as a determinant of the biological activities of vitamin E analogs

alpha-Tocopherol transfer protein (alphaTTP), a product of the gene which causes familial isolated vitamin E deficiency, plays an important role in determining the plasma vitamin E level. We examined the structural characteristics of vitamin E analogs required for recognition by alphaTTP. Ligand specificity was assessed by evaluating the competition of non-labeled vitamin E analogs and alpha-[3H]tocopherol for transfer between membranes in vitro. Relative affinities (RRR-alpha-tocopherol = 100%) calculated from the degree of competition were as follows: beta-tocopherol, 38%; gamma-tocopherol, 9%; delta-tocopherol, 2%; alpha-tocopherol acetate, 2%; alpha-tocopherol quinone, 2%; SRR-alpha-tocopherol, 11%; alpha-tocotrienol, 12%; trolox, 9%. Interestingly, there was a linear relationship between the relative affinity and the known biological activity obtained from the rat resorption-gestation assay. From these observations, we conclude that the affinity of vitamin E analogs for alphaTTP is one of the critical determinants of their biological activity.

Cytotoxicity to tumors by alpha, beta-dihydric long-chain fatty alcohols isolated from esterolysates of uncytotoxic sheep cutaneous wax: the dependence on the molecular hydrophobicity balance of N- or iso-alkyl moiety bulkiness and two hydroxyl groups

Wool fatty alcohols (WF-Alc; C10-C33), separated by esterolysis of wool grease secreted from sheep sebaceous gland, inhibited growth of mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in contrast to no inhibition by unesterolysed wool grease. WF-Alc was fractionated by molecular distillation and subsequent octadecylsilica (ODS) gel liquid chromatography, showing that most of the growth-inhibitory activity was found in the most hydrophilic fraction with the lowest boiling-point (MW 200-300; C12-C20), ODS-HPLC of the fraction showed that most of the activity resided in two homogeneous fractions identified by GC-MS and 13C-/1H-NMR as alpha, beta-dihydric saturated fatty alcohols such as 1,2-hexadecanediol (n-C16(OH)2) and 16-methyl-1,2-heptadecanediol (iso-C18(OH)2), respectively. EAC cells implanted into mice were inhibited markedly by n-C16(OH)2 possessing a cytolysing ability and slightly by iso-C18(OH)2, but hardly by other alkyl-alpha, beta-diols (C12-C24) contained in WF-Alc. Thus, the antitumor activity of WF-Alc was exhibited only after saponification of uncytotoxic wool grease, showing necessity of unesterified hydroxyl groups, and was dependent upon the molecular hydrophobicity balance attributed to both hydroxyl groups and n- or iso-alkyl moiety bulkiness specified out of diverse species of fatty alcohols contained in WF-Alc.

Transmission of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia garinii, between infected and uninfected immature Ixodes persulcatus during cofeeding on mice

The ixodid tick, Ixodes persulcatus, serves as a vector for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia garinii, in Japan. Transmission of the spirochete from infected nymphs to uninfected larvae during their cofeeding on mice was studied under laboratory conditions. Using feeding chambers, infected nymphs and uninfected larvae were allowed to cofeed on heads of normal BALB/c mice. In another group of mice, we separately exposed nymphs to the head and larvae to the back. The resultant engorged larvae were reared and the molted nymphs were examined for spirochetes. Spirochetal infections were found only in ticks that had fed together with infected ticks. The data strongly suggest that spirochetes can migrate from infected feeding ticks to their uninfected neighbors by way of host skin. Moreover, nymphs that had become infected through the cofeeding process could transmit spirochetes to mice.

Traumatic tear of the basilar artery associated with vertebral column injuries

An unusual case of traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a mechanical tear of the basilar artery is reported. A 70-year-old man who had been suffering from cerebrovascular dementia was found dead in a ditch. Externally, subcutaneous hemorrhage with abrasions was observed on the left side of the forehead, face, and lower jaw, together with small contusions in the left superciliary arch. Internally, a 3-mm-long transversal tear of the basilar artery was observed, and dislocations of both C6-C7 and T1-T2 as well as a small fracture of the processus spinosus of C5 were found. No pathological vascular lesions such as aneurysms and vasculitis, other than arteriosclerosis, were observed in the vertebral-basilar system. Ethanol was not detected in the intracardiac blood or in the urine. These findings indicate that when the man fell into the ditch, severe hyperextension occurred as a result of minor blunt forces to the face, and that the traumatic tear of the basilar artery was mechanically caused by overstretching due to hyperextension of the head. It is also suggested that due to his advanced age the muscle tone of the neck might have declined, impairing its defense action, and that head hyperextension might, therefore, occur rather more readily under such conditions.

Traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents: psychiatric disorders in the second three months

Psychiatric disorders may be common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children, yet there is a death of prospective studies examining this problem. Fifty children aged 6 to 14, hospitalized after TBI, were assessed soon after TBI regarding preinjury psychiatric, behavioral, adaptive, and family functioning, family psychiatric history status and injury severity. The outcome measure was the presence of a "novel" psychiatric disorder (not present before the injury) during the second 3 months after the injury. Forty-two subjects were reassessed at 6 months. Severity of injury, family psychiatric history, and family function predicted a novel psychiatric disorder. Among children suffering a mild/moderate injury, those with preinjury lifetime psychiatric disorders were no longer (as they had been in the first 3 months) at higher risk than those without such a lifetime history. Thus, there appeared to be children, identifiable through clinical assessment, at increased risk for novel psychiatric disorders after TBI.

Analysis of relative biological effectiveness of high energy heavy ions in comparison to experimental data

We report that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of accelerated heavy ions for inactivation of cells can be analyzed by using the quadratic dependence on the linear energy transfer (LET) of the cellular effect. For high-LET radiation in low-dose regions, the inactivation cross section (sigma) can be approximately expressed as sigma max [1-exp[-k.(LET/Li)2]; here, k is the number of heavy-ions traversed in a cell nucleus and Li is a geometrical parameter related to the DNA structure, which depends on cell type. This original expression was first presented by Powers et al [Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 14 (1968)]. Using this expression and the Poisson distribution for the stochastic property of particle hitting, the mortality of cell populations was calculated. The numerical results were compared to the RBE values recently obtained with Chinese hamster V79 cells, and an Lt value of 152 keV/micron was found to give the best fit. At LETs of between 30 and 500 keV/micron, the D10 values (10% survival dose) agreed with the experimental data within an error range of -15%-(+8%).

False identification of urinary ephedrine as methamphetamine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a DB-17 column

A 17-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a traffic accident. The urine sample collected at autopsy was screened by the Toxi-Lab system; it showed a possible presence of either methamphetamine (MA) or ephedrine (Eph). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was carried out for a trifluoroacetyl (TFA)-derivatized sample after extraction with an Extrelut column. A peak was detected at the same retention time as that of the authentic Eph by GC-MS with a DB-17 wide-bore column; the mass spectrum of the peak was, however, very similar to that of MA. The presence of Eph and absence of MA were proved by GC-MS using a DB-1 column. The Eph in the urine was further confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-MS using an ODS column. By the REMEDi HS system, Eph and methylephedrine were determined in the urine, and their concentrations (hydrochloride salt) were 0.752 and 2.13 micrograms/ml, respectively. Ethanol was detected as well in the blood (1.55 mg/ml) and urine (2.01 mg/ml) by a pulse heating method. Nicotine, caffeine and dihydrocodeine were also qualitatively detected in the urine by Toxi-Lab, HPLC-MS and REMEDi HS systems. The present case warned that urinary Eph can be misidentified as MA by GC-MS with an intermediately polar column after TFA derivatization.

CHARGE association with congenital glaucoma due to maldevelopment of the anterior chamber angle

PURPOSE

We examined the clinicopathologic features of a male infant with the CHARGE association and bilateral congenital glaucoma.

METHODS

Trabeculectomy specimens were obtained from the anterior chamber angle and examined by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Histopathologic examination of the trabeculectomy specimens showed immature development of the trabecular meshwork that was covered by the ciliary muscles. There were few intertrabecular spaces because the meshwork was almost completely filled with cells and extracellular substances. Deposition of a granular and/or homogeneous substance was observed in the subendothelial area of Schlemm's canal.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient exhibited features typical of the CHARGE association, but also had congenital glaucoma. We hypothesize that these clinical findings are all mediated by a neurocristopathic mechanism. Our findings suggest that the CHARGE association may predispose to anterior chamber angle maldevelopment, which can lead to congenital glaucoma.

[Study of diarrhea-inducing strains of Escherichia coli mainly isolated in Kanto area between June and September 1996]

A total of 21,609 faecal specimens obtained from patients with diarrhea mainly in Kanto area between June and September 1996 were investigated to identify the causative pathogens for diarrhea. One-hundred fifty-seven strains of Escherichia coli of 29 different O-serotypes were isolated as the causative pathogens, which were previously recognized to induce severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Of these, 114 strains, in which the possibility of enterohemorrhagic E. coli due to their O-serotypes was predicted, were examined for the producibility of Vero toxins. Twenty-six (76.5%) of the 34 strains of E. coli O157 produced the Vero toxins, and other 8 strains were the non-producers. Twenty of the 26 producers produced both VT1 and VT2, whereas the other 6 strains produced VT2 only. Furthermore, 4 strains of E. coli O26, and 1 strain each of E. coli O125 and O126 produced Vero toxins. Thirty-two of the 114 strains, isolated from the patients with diarrhea and selected as the enterohemorrhagic E. coli according to the specific O-serotypes, were actually confirmed produce Vero toxins. Thirty-four strains of E. coli O157 tested were susceptible to all antibiotics such as ampicillin, doxycylin, levofloxacin, fosfomycin, chloramphenicol and polymyxin B, and no strains resistant to levofloxacin, polymyxin B and fosfomycin were found.

Determination of the functional domain of a mouse autonomous replicating sequence

We previously isolated from mouse cells an autonomous replicating sequence (ARS) ARS65 (Ariga, Itani and Iguchi-Ariga, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7, 1-6, 1987). Here we report the nucleotide sequence of ARS65. The sequence from BgIII to EcoRI sites cloned as ARS was 2658 bp long. There exist three interesting domains: a TA repeat, a myc like box (essential sequence for c-myc ARS), and a T rich region. Cloned DNAs containing various segments of pARS65 were transfected to rat 3Y1 cells together with the hygromycinB resistance expression vector, and hygromycinB resistant clones were isolated. Established cell lines transfected with plasmids carrying either a myc-like box or a T rich region harbored the replicated plasmids, indicating that these two elements are necessary for the ARS function of pARS65.

An autopsy case of suicidal strangulation with four looped rubber bands

A rare case of suicidal strangulation with four looped rubber bands is reported. A 57-year-old female was found dead in the vestibule of her house, with four looped rubber bands wrapped around her neck. Her face was markedly congestive, and lots of petechial hemorrhages were seen on the face and in the palpebral conjunctive. At the medico-legal autopsy, the ligature mark was 1.7 cm in maximum width at the anterior part of the neck and accompanied by such vital reactions as linear hemorrhage, but there were no other injuries to account for her death. Many petechial hemorrhages were also found in the visceral pleurae and epicardium. There was hemocoagulum in the cardiac blood, and the other organs were as well markedly congestive. Gas-chromatographic analysis revealed ethanol; 0.83 mg/ml in the heart blood and 1.37 mg/ml in the urine. No other drugs or poisons were found with Toxi-Lab and REMEDi-HS systems. In addition, police investigation denied the possibility of homicide and disclosed her living will stating that she had suffered from a chronic heart disease. This case was of suicidal strangulation with looped rubber bands.

[Long-term clinical course of Peyronie's disease treated conservatively]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the natural history of Peyronie's disease and to determine the suitable time for surgical treatment, we investigated changes of clinical findings of the disease over time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated changes of plaque size, penile curvature and erectile dysfunction in 10 patients with Peyronie's disease. The mean follow-up period was 36.8 months.

RESULTS

At the first examination, the mean plaque size of patients with erectile dysfunction was larger than that of those without erectile dysfunction, suggesting a positive association between size and erectile function. There was no significant relationship between plaque size and penile pain or penile curvature. The mean size of plaques decreased significantly compared with that at the first examination (p < 0.05). However, penile curvature, pain and erectile dysfunction persisted during the follow-up period in all but one patient, who showed improvement of penile curvature.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that we may recommend a shorter observation period until surgery that we have done for some patients who want to be surgically treated.

In situ nitric oxide (NO) measurement by modified electrodes: NO labilized by photolysis of metal nitrosyl complexes

Described are studies directed at refining quantitative analysis of nitric oxide in solution using electrochemical techniques. The fabrication and behavior of several sensors based on modified carbon-based electrodes are reported. This technique has been used to resolve the vexing problem of determining the stoichiometry of the photochemical decomposition of the known antihypertension agent sodium nitroprusside, Na2[Fe(CN)5NO], as well as of two other metal nitrosyl complexes of biological interest, Roussin's black salt, NH4[Fe4S3(NO)7], and Roussin's red salt, Na2[Fe2S2(NO)4], in aqueous solutions. In this manner it was shown that the molar ratios of nitric oxide produced per starting complex photochemically decomposed were 0.95 +/- 0.03, 5.9 +/- 0.2, and 0.50 +/- 0.02 for Na2[Fe(C-N)5NO], NH4[Fe4S3(NO)7], and Na2[Fe2S2(NO)4], respectively.