Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Aging Among Cognitively Impaired Versus Unimpaired Older Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sleep disorders often predict or co-occur with cognitive decline. Yet, little is known about how the relationship unfolds among older adults at risk for cognitive decline. To examine the associations of sleep disorders with cognitive decline in older adults with unimpaired cognition or impaired cognition (mild cognitive impairment and dementia).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 5,822 participants (Mage = 70) of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database with unimpaired or impaired cognition were followed for 3 subsequent waves. Four types of clinician-diagnosed sleep disorders were reported: sleep apnea, hyposomnia/insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, or "other." Cognition over time was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or an estimate of general cognitive ability (GCA) derived from scores based on 12 neuropsychological tests. Growth curve models were estimated adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

In participants with impaired cognition, baseline sleep apnea was related to better baseline MoCA performance (b = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [0.07, 1.23]) and less decline in GCA over time (b = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.001, 0.12]). Baseline insomnia was related to better baseline MoCA (b = 1.54, 95% CI = [0.88, 2.21]) and less decline in MoCA over time (b = 0.56, 95% CI = [0.20, 0.92]). Furthermore, having more sleep disorders (across the 4 types) at baseline predicted better baseline MoCA and GCA, and less decline in MoCA and GCA over time. These results were only found in those with impaired cognition and generally consistent when using self-reported symptoms of sleep apnea or insomnia.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Participants with sleep disorder diagnoses may have better access to healthcare, which may help maintain cognition through improved sleep.

Nationwide survey on pediatric CT among children of public health and school nurses to examine a possibility for a follow-up study on radiation effects

A nationwide survey was conducted in Japan on paediatric CT among children of public health and school nurses to examine a possibility for a follow-up study on radiation effects. A survey questionnaire was sent out to 3173 public primary and junior high schools and 317 public health centres during October to December in 2009. According to the collected responses, 410 (16.2 %) children received the CT scans and the total number of CT scans was 585. Most of respondents expressed a high interest in radiation health effects and an intent to participate in the epidemiological study that will follow-up the health conditions of children. This study provides information to discuss the feasibility of the epidemiological study on health effects in children who received CT scans.

Strand exchange reaction in vitro and DNA-dependent ATPase activity of recombinant LIM15/DMC1 and RAD51 proteins from Coprinus cinereus

We previously cloned recA-homolog genes from a basidiomycete, Coprinus cinereus, and obtained the recombinant proteins (Nara et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 262, 781-789, 1999, see Ref. 1; Nara and Sakaguchi, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 275, 97-102, 2000, see Ref. 2). The primary purpose of the present study was to characterize the biochemical properties of the recombinant LIM15/DMC1 (CoLIM15) and RAD51 (CoRAD51) proteins. We purified the recombinant proteins, and their molecular masses were 37 and 35 kDa, respectively. Both enzymes showed DNA-dependent ATPase activity and ATP-dependent strand exchange reaction in vitro. CoRad51 was a five- to sixfold stronger DNA-dependent ATPase and showed greater dependency on single-stranded DNA than CoLim15. In meiosis, both enzymes were highly accumulated in the meiotic tissue at leptotene and zygotene stages at which the homologous chromosomes pair, but disappeared just before the pachytene stage at which they recombine. From these and the previously reported results, we discuss here the relationships between the enzymes and meiosis.

Comparison of the spinal anti-nociceptive effects of ES-242-1 and MK-801, two different NMDA antagonists, in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ES-242-1, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist of microbial origin, has anti-nociception at the spinal level and to evaluate how its anti-nociceptive effect differs from that of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Agents were injected intrathecally (0.1, 1.0 and 10 microg) through a previously implanted PE tube in rats. Formalin (2%, 100 microl) was injected subcutaneously into the left hindpaw 15 min after each antagonist administration. Licking time as a nociceptive behavior was measured in three stages after formalin-injection, such as early phase (0-9 min), late first phase (10-29 min) and late second phase (30-60 min). In the early phase, the largest dose of ES-242-1 significantly decreased total licking time, although MK-801 did not show any significant reduction. With the treatment of 1.0 and 10 microg MK-801, total licking time in both late first and second phases was significantly suppressed, although the smallest dose (0.1 microg) of ES-242-1 showed a significant reduction in the late second phase. These results indicate that ES-242-1 is highly effective against tonic pain, such as inflammatory pain.

Fluorescent molecular sensory system based on bis pyrene-modified gamma-cyclodextrin dimer for steroids and endocrine disruptors

A gamma-cyclodextrin dimer modified with two pyrene moieties, 6-(2-pyrenebutylate-aminoethyl)pyrenebutylate-amino-6-deoxy-bis-gamma-cyclodextrin, has been synthesized in the presence of N,N'-dicyclohexycarbodiimide from gamma-cyciodextrin dimer linked with ethylenediamine at an upper rim. The sensing ability and binding property of the titled dimer were investigated for bile acids and endocrine disruptors. This cyclodextrin dimer showed both monomer and excimer fluorescence; the guest-induced emissions were observed as increases or decreases depending on the guest. The values deltaI(m)/I0(m) and deltaI(ex)/I0(ex), where I0(m) and I(m) are fluorescence intensities of monomer emission in the absence and presence of a guest and I0(ex) and I(ex) are those of excimer emission and deltaI(m) and deltaI(ex) were I(m) - I0(m) and I(ex) - I0(ex), respectively, were used as a parameter of sensitivity. This host exhibited highly sensitive molecular recognition ability for bile acids and endocrine disruptors, in which the sensing parameters obtained from monomer emission were plus or minus values, whereas the parameters obtained as excimer emission were minus ones. The behavior of the appended moieties of the host during a host-guest complexation was studied by induced circular dichroism (ICD) and fluorescence spectra. The ICD intensities of the titled dimer were decreased upon an addition of a guest. The guest-induced variations in the fluorescence and ICD intensity suggest that the appended moieties move by altering the spatial relationship in the hydrophobic space between two linked cyclodextrins.

The hDLG-associated protein DAP interacts with dynein light chain and neuronal nitric oxide synthase

BACKGROUND

Postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 interacts with and mediates clustering of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptors (NMDA-R). PSD-95 also interacts with the hDLG-associated protein DAP, which is also called Synapse-associated protein 90-associated protein (SAPAP), and Guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP).

RESULTS

DAP interacted directly with the dynein light chain (DLC) family of proteins. DLC was contained in the NMDA-R-PSD-95-DAP-neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) complex. Furthermore, DAP interacted with nNOS and recruited it into the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of transfected cells.

CONCLUSION

DAP interacts directly with DLC and nNOS, and links these proteins to the NMDA-R-PSD-95 complex.

Down-regulation of beta-catenin by the colorectal tumor suppressor APC requires association with Axin and beta-catenin

The tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is mutated in familial adenomatous polyposis and in sporadic colorectal tumors. APC forms a complex with beta-catenin, Axin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and induces the degradation of beta-catenin. In the present study, we examined whether APC association with Axin is required for degradation of beta-catenin. We found that a fragment of APC that induces beta-catenin degradation was rendered inactive by disruption of its Axin-binding sites. Also, overexpression of an Axin fragment spanning the regulator of the G-protein signaling domain inhibited APC-mediated beta-catenin degradation. An APC fragment with mutated beta-catenin-binding sites but intact Axin-binding sites also failed to induce degradation of beta-catenin. These results suggest that APC requires interaction with Axin and beta-catenin to down-regulate beta-catenin.

Identification and characterization of E-APC, a novel Drosophila homologue of the tumour suppressor APC

BACKGROUND

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour suppressor gene are implicated in the genesis of colorectal cancers. The product of the APC gene forms a complex with beta-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) and Axin/conductin, and induces the degradation of beta-catenin.

RESULTS

We have identified a novel Drosophila homologue of APC, E-APC, which is similar to but differs in several respects from D-APC. The E-APC cDNA encodes a protein of predicted 1067 amino acids, with seven armadillo repeats, two copies of the 15-amino acid repeat, five copies of the 20-amino acid repeat, and one Axin/conductin binding site. E-APC directly interacts with D-Axin and Armadillo (Arm, the Drosophila homologue of beta-catenin) in vitro, destabilizes intracellular beta-catenin, and suppresses beta-catenin/TCF-regulated transcription in APC-/- colon cancer cells. The E-APC mRNA is ubiquitously expressed throughout all developmental stages in Drosophila.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that E-APC may be universally involved in the regulation of the Wingless signalling pathway by down-regulating the level of Arm in Drosophila.

Negative regulation of Wingless signaling by D-axin, a Drosophila homolog of axin

Wnt/Wingless directs many cell fates during development. Wnt/Wingless signaling increases the amount of beta-catenin/Armadillo, which in turn activates gene transcription. Here the Drosophila protein D-Axin was shown to interact with Armadillo and D-APC. Mutation of d-axin resulted in the accumulation of cytoplasmic Armadillo and one of the Wingless target gene products, Distal-less. Ectopic expression of d-axin inhibited Wingless signaling. Hence, D-Axin negatively regulates Wingless signaling by down-regulating the level of Armadillo. These results establish the importance of the Axin family of proteins in Wnt/Wingless signaling in Drosophila.

Studies on the structures and antigenic properties of rabies virus glycoprotein analogues produced in yeast cells

We investigated two forms (designated as yGI and yGII) of rabies virus glycoprotein (G) analogues produced in the G cDNA-transfected yeast cells. Molecular weights of yGI and yGII were estimated as 66 and 56 kDa, respectively, according to their relative mobility in SDS-PAGE. Although being produced in large amounts, yGI was present mostly in insoluble forms and hardly extractable with non-ionic detergents. The yGI reacted with polyclonal anti-G antibodies, but did not react with our conformational epitope-specific anti-G monoclonal antibodies (G-MAbs). No protective immunity was induced by yGI in guinea pigs nor in mice. On the other hand, yGII was Triton-soluble, but was only small in amount (at most 1% of total G proteins) and was shown to lack the cytoplasmic domain. The yGII, however, reacted with the G-MAbs and induced protective immunity in guinea pigs as well. When the G-cDNA was expressed in animal cells in culture, a single form (about 66 kDa) of G protein was produced, which displayed similar behaviors as seen in its reactivity with the MAbs and intracellular distribution as seen in the virus-infected cells. These results suggest that most G protein molecules were not processed normally in yeast cells, resulting in abnormal folding and multimer formation, while only a small fraction were occasionally folded normally to have conformational epitopes but were mostly deprived of the C-terminal portion.

Axin, an inhibitor of the Wnt signalling pathway, interacts with beta-catenin, GSK-3beta and APC and reduces the beta-catenin level

BACKGROUND

The Wnt/Wingless signalling pathway plays an important role in both embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Beta-catenin and Axin are positive and negative effectors of the Wnt signalling pathway, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that Axin interacts with beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). Furthermore, the regulation of the G-protein signalling (RGS) domain of Axin is associated with the colorectal tumour suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). Overexpression of Axin in the human colorectal cancer cell line SW480 induced a drastic reduction in the level of -catenin. Interaction with beta-catenin and GSK-3beta was required for the Axin-mediated beta-catenin reduction.

CONCLUSION

Axin interacts with beta-catenin, GSK-3beta and APC, and negatively regulates the Wnt signalling pathway, presumably by regulating the level of beta-catenin.

Focal pachypolymicrogyria in three siblings

The malformation of focal pachypolymicrogyria might be the manifestation of an X-linked recessive disorder according to the results of this study. Three siblings revealed focal pachypolymicrogyria on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and had a strong family history of epilepsy and mental retardation. All three siblings had the same mother; the father of Patient 1 was not related to the mother, but the father of Patients 2 and 3 was related to her. The MRI of the father of Patients 2 and 3 demonstrated focal pachypolymicrogyria. The mother's MRI was normal. In this family, epilepsy or mental retardation was found mainly in the males (Patient 3 was an exception), and they were all born to female members of this family, not male. Patient 3 was probably a homozygote with an X-linked recessive inheritance, and therefore, she demonstrated the most severe clinical findings.

Enhancement of CD3-mediated thymocyte apoptosis by the cross-linkage of heat-stable antigen

Heat-stable antigen (HSA) is a murine differentiating antigen that is expressed on both CD4-CD8- double-negative and CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes but not CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive thymocytes. Effects of anti-HSA monoclonal antibody, R13, on thymocyte apoptosis induced by various stimulations were investigated by a single-cell suspension culture system. Immobilized R13 enhanced the CD3-mediated DNA fragmentation and killing of thymocytes but not the dexamethasone-induced or phorbol myristate acetate-induced killing of thymocytes. Immobilized R13 by itself could not induce thymocyte apoptosis. Soluble R13 enhanced CD3-mediated apoptosis when HSA and T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 were co-cross-linked by a cross-reactive secondary antibody. Even without the cross-reactive secondary antibody, soluble R13 enhanced CD3-mediated apoptosis, although a greater than 100-fold increase in the amount of R13 was needed to give a similar enhancement compared with immobilized R13. Neither R13 by itself nor R13 plus secondary antibody induced cytosolic calcium influx, whereas R13 enhanced CD3-mediated cytosolic calcium increase. These results suggest a functional role of HSA in promoting the activation-induced apoptosis of thymocytes and the involvement of HSA in negative selection.

Protection of chickens from Newcastle disease by vaccination with a linear plasmid DNA expressing the F protein of Newcastle disease virus

To evaluate the usefulness of a DNA vaccine for chickens, we constructed a plasmid vector expressing the Newcastle disease virus F protein (NDV-F) under the control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer and chicken beta-actin gene promoter. One-week-old chickens injected intramusculary with the circular plasmid DNA did not produce significant levels of antibody against NDV-F. However, two of five birds injected with the linearized plasmid DNA produced high levels of the antibody. Moreover, four of five birds injected with a mixture of the linearized-plasmid and Lipofectin produced the antibody efficiently. At 9 weeks post-injection, chickens were challenged with the velogenic NDV Sato strain. These chickens that had the antibody against NDV-F were protected from lethal NDV challenge. These results demonstrate that the DNA vaccine conferred efficient protection against the disease.

Straight pin aspiration in young women

Straight pins are used extensively for securing facial scarves in women and girls in the Middle East. Accidental aspiration often results in the pin lodging in the segmental bronchus with the sharp end pointing cephalad. Flexible bronchoscopy is superior to rigid bronchoscopy in retrieving these pins. We report on five cases successfully treated by fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia.

The tumor suppressor gene product APC is hyperphosphorylated during the M phase

The APC gene is mutated in familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colorectal tumors. The product of this gene is a 300 kDa cytoplasmic protein and its overexpression results in the block of cell cycle progression from the G0/G1 to the S phase. In the present study, we studied the expression and phosphorylation of the APC protein through the cell cycle. The APC protein was found to be constantly expressed and phosphorylated at serine and threonine residues. Moreover, the APC protein immunoprecipitated from cells arrested in the M phase by nocodazole treatment migrated in SDS-PAGE more slowly than those from the G1 and S phases. Phosphatase treatment abolished this M phase-specific retarded migration, suggesting that APC is transiently hyperphosphorylated in the M phase.

[Clinical and laboratory studies on SY5555 in pediatric infectious diseases]

Clinical effects of SY5555 dry syrup, a new oral penem antibiotic, were analysed in 20 children with various bacterial infections. Ages of the patients varied from 8 months to 14 years. Doses of SY5555 were varied from 12.8 mg/kg/day to 30.5 mg/kg/day, and it was administered in 3 divided dosages. Clinical efficacy rates were as follows; 6/7 in acute bronchitis, 5/5 in pharyngotonsillitis, 3/3 in acute otitis media and 2/2 in cystitis and 3/3 in impetigo contagiosa. The overall rate was 95.0% (19/20). Bacteriologically, eradications were obtained with 1/2 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, 3/3 of Staphylococcus aureus, 1/1 of Haemophilus influenzae, and each of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Serratia marcescens. Diarrhea was observed in 1 patient. And elevated eosinophiles or GPT was observed in one patient each. In vivo pharmacokinetics of SY5555 was examined in 2 cases. Peak plasma levels were observed at 1 hour after dosage in one patient and at 2 hours in another upon oral administration of 8.3 mg/kg of SY5555, and peak levels were 2.44 and 1.38 micrograms/ml respectively. Half-lives of SY5555 were 1.39 and 0.59 hr. Concentrations of SY5555 in urine after administration were 70.2 (2-4 hrs.) to 91.0 (0-5 hrs.) micrograms/ml, respectively. SY5555 dry syrup is considered as an useful and safe antibiotic in treating the infectious diseases in children.

High intensity in the globus pallidus on proton and T2-weighted MRI in a case of dentato-ruburo-pallido-luysian atrophy of myoclonus epilepsy type

Although marked atrophy of the tegmentum of the mid-brain is a known computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature in patients with dentato-ruburo-pallido-luysian atrophy (DRPLA), this is the first report of marked high signal intensity of the globus pallidus on proton and T2-weighted MR images in a patient in the early stage of DRPLA of the myoclonus epilepsy type. We suggest that the globus pallidus may be involved in the early stage of DRPLA of this type. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered to be useful for the early detection of involvement of the globus pallidus and in the clinical diagnosis of DRPLA.

[A clinico-encephalographic study of epileptic children using proposal for revised classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes]

We reported results of a clinico-encephalographic study using proposal for classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes (1989 ILAE). Fifty-three patients belonged to localization-related epilepsies (LE) and syndromes; forty-one patients belonged to generalized epilepsies and syndromes (GE); one patient belonged to epilepsies and syndromes undetermined, focal or generalized; and we could not classify 4 patients. No patients with the onset after 2 years of age belonged to idiopathic LE and no patients with the onset after 10 years of age belonged to symptomatic LE and GE. The rate of patients who had a past history of febrile convulsions was 38% in idiopathic LE and 35% in idiopathic GE. The rate of patients whose epileptic seizures were well controlled by medication was 83%. It was almost 100% in idiopathic LE, cryptogenic LE and idiopathic GE, but it was 60-70% in the other three groups. In seventeen patients their seizures were difficult to control. Six cases in this group had had frontal focus at least once. Although the patients who had had frontal foci at least once were 17 cases seizures could not be controlled in 6 of them. International Classification of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes is convenient to clinicians, but some problems exist. One is unclearness of a definition differentiating cryptogenic from symptomatic LE. The other is the classification of patients with generalized seizures and interictal focal cortical epileptiform EEG activities. An agreement is necessary for these problems.

[Clinical studies of S-1108 fine granules in pediatrics]

We have evaluated S-1108 fine granules for therapeutic effectiveness in children. The results are summarized as follows. 1. A clinical study was performed with 16 children with infections, including 8 with acute tonsillitis, 3 with acute pharyngitis, 2 with scarlet fever, 1 each with acute bronchitis, pertussis and urinary tract infection. Doses ranging from 8.8 to 10.6 mg/kg body weights were given in 3 divided portions. Durations of treatment ranged from 2 to 15 days. The therapeutic responses were considered "excellent" in 1 and "good" in 13, with an efficacy rate of 87.5%, and the bacteriological eradication rate was 91%. 2. No adverse reactions were observed. In laboratory tests, eosinophilia was observed in one patient. It was concluded the S-1108 was promising drug for the treatment of bacterial infections in children.

The human cot proto-oncogene encodes two protein serine/threonine kinases with different transforming activities by alternative initiation of translation

The cot gene is an oncogene encoding serine/threonine kinases isolated by DNA transfection assay. In this study, we isolated cDNA for the human cot protooncogene (proto-cot gene) and examined the structure and function of its gene products. The proto-cot gene has an open reading frame encoding 467 amino acids of which the first 397 amino acids are identical to those in the corresponding part of the cot gene. The protein products of the proto-cot gene were identified as 58- and 52-kDa proteins with intrinsic protein serine/threonine kinase activity. These two protein species were suggested to be generated by alternative initiation from two AUGs. The 58- and 52-kDa proteins are both localized predominantly in the cytosol, but the 58-kDa protein has a shorter half-life than the 52-kDa protein, suggesting the importance of the amino-terminal domain in regulating the stability of the proto-Cot protein. More interestingly, the 58-kDa protein showed stronger transforming activity than the 52-kDa protein, although this activity was much weaker than that of the Cot oncoprotein. Thus, the amino-terminal domain of the Cot protein may be necessary for cellular transformation, whereas the carboxyl-terminal domain may negatively regulate the transforming activity.

Secretion and purification of hepatitis C virus NS1 glycoprotein produced by recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells

Recombinant baculoviruses that produce a putative non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), predicted to be the second envelope glycoprotein, were constructed. The recombinant NS1 protein (re-NS1) produced in infected insect cells was localized on the cell surface and was apparently glycosylated, because it was susceptible to treatment with both tunicamycin and N-glycanase. Furthermore, re-NS1 was effectively secreted into the culture supernatant when the putative NS1 signal peptide (SP) was replaced by the SP of rabies virus G protein, and the C-terminal hydrophobic region was eliminated. The secreted re-NS1 was tagged with six His residues at the C terminus and purified simply by native Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni(2+)-NTA) affinity column chromatography. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the serological diagnosis of HC using purified re-NS1. Anti-NS1 antibody (Ab) was detected in 55 of 60 patients (92%) with chronic HC liver diseases. Thus, this ELISA for Ab directed against HCV re-NS1 produced in insect cells is useful for the detection of chronic HC patients.

Association of immunoglobulin G Fc receptor II with Src-like protein-tyrosine kinase Fgr in neutrophils

The interaction of Fc receptors with antibody-antigen complexes activates multiple biological functions in hematopoietic cells. Recently, protein-tyrosine phosphorylation has been suggested to be involved in Fc receptor-mediated cell signaling. Here we show that the Src-like protein-tyrosine kinase Fgr, which is specifically expressed in mature myelomonocytic cells, coimmunoprecipitates with IgG Fc receptor II (Fc gamma RII), but not with Fc gamma RIII from detergent lysates of human peripheral neutrophils. Crosslinking of Fc gamma RII induced a rapid increase in the tyrosine kinase activity and comodulation of Fgr. These results suggest that Fgr is physically and functionally associated with Fc gamma RII and involved in Fc gamma RII-mediated signal transduction pathways.

Inhibition of homologous complement activation by the heat-stable antigen

The murine heat-stable antigen (HSAg) is of particular interest due to its unique tissue distribution. HSAg is expressed on most thymocytes, bone marrow cells, immature B cells, and erythrocytes, but not on peripheral T and mature B cells. Although HSAg has been thought to be a differentiation antigen, its actual biological significance remains unknown except for the HSAg on antigen presenting cells. Recently, a new rat anti-HSAg mAb, R13, has been developed. Here it has been found that the mouse complement activation on mouse erythrocytes, but not the human, guinea pig or rabbit complement activations, was enhanced in the presence of the Fab fragment of R13. Affinity-purified HSAg derived from mouse erythrocytes could be passively incorporated into rabbit erythrocytes because of its molecular characteristic of glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored protein. Mouse complement activation, but not guinea pig complement activation, was partially suppressed on the HSAg-incorporated rabbit erythrocytes. These findings suggest that HSAg has a homologous complement regulating activity.

[Identical twins with atypical benign partial epilepsy]

Female identical twins with atypical absence in waking state and partial seizures in sleep state were reported. During atypical absence the EEGs of both cases showed bursts in bilateral parietal and temporal regions during waking state and almost continuous diffuse spike-waves during sleep. Phenytoin was effective to discontinue the seizures in both cases. These findings were compatible to atypical benign partial epilepsy first reported by Aicardi et al. A possibility of genetic cause of this disorder may be considered.

T-cell chemotactic activity of cytokine LD78: a comparative study with interleukin-8, a chemotactic factor for the T-cell CD45RA+ phenotype

The recombinant LD78 cytokine (rLD78) promoted migration of human peripheral T lymphocytes at concentrations from 10(-11) M to 10(-7) M, with a peak of activity at 10(-8) M. There was no difference in migration promoting activity between LD78 alpha and its variant LD78 beta. Checkerboard analysis indicated that the migration of T cells attracted by rLD78 was chemotaxis but not chemokinesis. The chemotactic activity of rLD78 was apparently ten-fold lower than that of recombinant inteleukin-8 (rIL-8) when peripheral T cells were used as the indicator cells. Subset analysis on T cells responding to rLD78 or rIL-8 indicated that rIL-8 was more chemotactic for the CD45RA+ T cell subset than the CD45RO+ subset, but did not distinguish between CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. In contrast, rLD78 apparently distinguished neither between CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets nor between CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ subsets.

Recombinant LD78 protein, a member of the small cytokine family, enhances osteoclast differentiation in rat bone marrow culture system

Cytokine LD78 is a member of the small inducible protein family involved in cell growth, wound healing and inflammation. However, its exact function is not known. In this study, we demonstrated that recombinant LD78 alpha and its variant LD78 beta proteins stimulate osteoclast-like cell formation in rat bone marrow cultures in the presence of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. This enhancing activity was independent of prostaglandin synthesis. This is the first report which describes the effect of proteins involved in the small inducible protein family on the differentiation of osteoclasts.

Purification of the murine heat-stable antigen from erythrocytes

The rat anti-mouse erythrocyte (MRBC) monoclonal antibody (mAb), R13, has been developed. The MRBC membrane protein recognized by R13 (R13-Ag) can be purified by loading the butanol-extracted MRBC membrane solution on a R13-conjugated Cellulofine column in the presence of 0.1% CHAPS followed by elution with 1% CHAPS. The amino acid sequence of the affinity-purified R13-Ag corresponded to that predicted from the cDNA for the murine heat-stable antigen. It was revealed that the actual heat-stable antigen was composed of 27 amino acids.

[Clinical studies of panipenem/betamipron in pediatrics]

We conducted clinical studies on panipenem/betamipron (PAPM/BP), a newly developed parenteral carbapenem antibiotic, for its clinical application in the field of pediatrics. 1. A clinical study was performed on 13 children with infections, including 6 with acute bronchopneumonia, 1 each with acute pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, sepsis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, urinary tract infection, subcutaneous abscess and furuncle. PAPM/BP was administered by intravenous drip infusion. Doses varied from 12 to 27 mg/kg body weight were given t.i.d. or q.i.d. Lengths of treatment ranged from 4 to 25 days. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 3 and good in 9 cases, with an efficacy rate of 92%. 2. No adverse reactions were observed. In laboratory tests, elevations of GOT, GPT and urobilinogen were observed in 3 cases. It was concluded that PAPM/BP was a promising drug for the treatment of bacterial infections in children.

[A case of familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency]

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the esterifying reaction of cholesterol in plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL). Deficiency of LCAT is a rare hereditary disease characterized by several clinical symptoms such as proteinuria, corneal opacity, and anemia due to a shortened life span of erythrocytes. In this communication, we report a case of 40 year-old female patient of LCAT deficiency. She visited a hospital for work-up of proteinuria, corneal opacity and anemia. Activity of her serum LCAT was found to be extremely low, and characteristic changes in plasma lipids due to deficiency of LCAT was observed: those were marked decreases in HDL-cholesterol, degree of esterification in serum cholesterol, and apoprotein A-I, A-II, B and C-II levels. The diagnosis of LCAT deficiency was finally made. We studied about histopathological changes in the patient's kidney, and erythrocyte membrane lipid composition and fluidity. Histopathological findings in renal biopsy were follows: a) Light microscopy showed spherical deposits stained with periodic acid-Schiff in mesangial matrix and adjacent capillary loops, and hyaline deposits in arterioles, b) Electron microscopy showed vacuoles in mesangial matrix and along the glomerular basement membranes. In erythrocyte membrane lipids, increase of cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio was evident, being accompanied by changes in phospholipid fractions: increase of phosphatidylcholine, and decreases of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine. In phospholipid acyl chains, increase of C18:2 and decreased of C18:1 were evident in the patient. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was found to be decreased in the patient in a measurement by pyrene, probably being related to the changes in membrane lipid composition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nucleotide sequence of the third cytokine LD78 gene and mapping of all three LD78 gene loci to human chromosome 17

Cytokine LD78 is a member of a newly identified cytokine superfamily. We cloned the third human gene for the LD78, termed LD78 gamma and the sequence analysis showed that it is a 5'-truncated pseudogene. Exons 2 and 3 and the intron between them are highly homologous to those of the LD78 beta gene, hence, the gamma gene was probably derived from the beta gene. Southern blot analysis of human x mouse somatic hybrid cell DNAs and in situ hybridization experiments mapped all the three gene loci on human chromosome 17q21.1-q21.3. Analysis of DNAs from family members supports our previous finding that the beta and gamma genes on each of the paired chromosome 17 vary in copy number and that the LD78 alpha gene is presumably a single copy. In our analyses of cosmid clones, the LD78 beta gene and the second gene for AT744, which is also a member of the superfamily are closely linked in a head-to-head arrangement. The mechanism of generation of the three LD78 genes is discussed.

[Clinical evaluation of intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin sodium in surgical infections]

A multi-center clinical study was carried out at the first Department of Surgery, Okayama University Medical School and its affiliated institutions to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) in surgical infections, which were mainly biliary tract infections and peritonitis. The following results were obtained: 1. The efficacy rate was 72.0% in a total of 25 evaluable patients and 81.8% in patients with cholecystitis. 2. The efficacy rates in patients with and without underlying diseases were 70.0% and 73.3%, respectively, and they were 71.4% in patients with mild or moderate infections and 75.0% in patients with severe infections. 3. Bacteriologically, the eradication rate was 100% for Gram-positive bacteria and 62.5% for Gram-negative bacteria, with an overall eradication rate of 78.6%. The eradication rate for monomicrobial infections was 71.4% and that for polymicrobial infections was 100%. 4. Out of 25 patients, one developed diarrhea as a drug-related adverse reaction, and laboratory abnormalities attributable to the treatment were observed in 5 patients. None of them was serious, however. 5. The overall usefulness rate was 60.0%, and the usefulness for cholecystitis (72.7%) was superior to that for cholangitis (33.3%).

Primary malignant lymphoma of the breast mimicking breast carcinoma: a case report

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the breast in a 52 year old woman is described herein. She presented with a painless tumor of the right breast, which was elastic-hard and measured 2 X 1 cm, although there was no lymphadenopathy noted in the axilla or any other regions. Both the biopsy carried out prior to surgery and frozen sections revealed evidence of malignancy, however, histologically, it was difficult to differentiate between malignant lymphoma and carcinoma until staining with the monoclonal antibody MB1 was performed. This allowed a diagnosis of B cell malignant lymphoma of the diffuse large-cell type to be made. The patient remains alive and well 24 months after her mastectomy.

A yeast system for stable expression of hepatitis B surface antigen

We have constructed a yeast strain that has integrated into its chromosomal ribosomal RNA gene site two copies of Hepatitis B virus surface (HBS) antigen gene under the control of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP) promoter and terminator. The level of expression of HBS gene was low in the strain, but upon chemical and physical mutageneses, in combination with an immunological screening procedure, a mutant clone which expressed HBS protein at a high level was obtained. This mutant strain produces HBS antigen stably under non-selective conditions.

Suppression of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells by immunosuppressive substance

We investigated the effect of immunosuppressive substance (ISS) on the immune responses mediated by interleukin 2 (IL 2). The induction of LAK cells was intensely inhibited by a high concentration of ISS (1000 micrograms/ml), but a low concentration of ISS (250-500 micrograms/ml) had no affect on the generation of LAK cells. ISS had no ability either to neutralize the activity of IL 2, or to compete with IL 2. Endogenous production of IL 2 in PHA response was not reduced by ISS, but the expression of the IL 2 receptor in the PHA response was significantly suppressed by ISS. These results suggest that ISS exerts its inhibitory effect on immune response-mediated IL 2 through modification of the IL 2 receptor.

[Therapeutic effects of cefodizime in the treatment of various infectious diseases in children]

Therapeutic effects of cefodizime (CDZM, THR-221), a new cephalosporin having a methoxyimino group, were examined in various infectious diseases in children. Clinical efficacy rates were 100% (3/3) in pneumonia, 100% (5/5) in acute bronchitis, 75% (3/4) in upper respiratory infections and 100% (1/1) in each of a croup and a mixed infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and staphylococcal impetigo. Hence, the overall efficacy rate was 92.9% (13/14). Adverse effects were observed in 2 cases, i.e. exanthema provably due to drug allergy in 1 case and a slightly elevated GPT in another. Changes in serum concentrations and urinary excretion of CDZM were examined in a child with no infection. T 1/2 values obtained were 124.5 minutes (bioassay) and 143.4 minutes (high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC]. Eight hour recovery rates in urine were 62.9% (bioassay) and 65.4% (HPLC). CDZM was considered to be a safe and useful drug in treating various infectious diseases in children.

[Pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of sultamicillin fine granules in pediatrics]

We have evaluated sultamicillin (SBTPC) fine granules for pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effectiveness in children. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Pharmacokinetic parameters after the oral administration of single dose of 5.0 mg per kg body weight in 1 child were as follows: The peak serum concentrations of ampicillin (ABPC) and sulbactam (SBT) were 1.92 micrograms/ml at 1 hour and 1.85 micrograms/ml at 1 hour, respectively. The half-lives in serum and urinary excretion rate for ABPC and SBT were similar. 2. A clinical study was performed on 15 children with infections, including 4 with tonsillitis, 5 with pharyngitis, 2 each with bronchitis, cystitis, and urinary tract infections. Doses ranging from 6.7 to 18.2 mg/kg body weight were given tid. or qid. Lengths of treatment ranged from 5 to 10 days. The therapeutic responses were considered "excellent" in 6 and "good" in 9, with an effectiveness rate of 100%. 3. As to side effects of the drug, diarrhea was observed in 1 patient. It was concluded that SBTPC was a promising drug for the treatment of bacterial infections in children.

[Favorable response of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to proper hepatic arterial administration of cytokines and the significance of the administration]

The objectives in administering anti-cancer therapeutics to the feeding artery of the tumor are to allow the agent to come in direct contact with the tumor cells, to lower the concentration of the agent in body circulation, to lessen the severity of side effects, and to augment efficacy of the agent. A remarkable partial regression was observed in two patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, both at the stage in which surgical excision was diagnosed impossible; one was given successive and daily bolus administration of OH-1, a anti-tumor agent consisting of natural human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (nHuTNF-alpha) and natural human interferon (nHulFN-alpha), and the other a successive and daily combined bolus administration of OH-1 and 5-FU. On investigating the role of the anti-cancer activity of OH-1 by analyzing the NK activity of rat liver large granular lymphocytes, we found that the NK activity was suppressed dose-dependently by nHuTNF-alpha, but not significantly. Thus, an increase in TNF dose in hepatic artery therapy seems undesirable from the standpoint of NK activity. The authors are presently carrying out investigations to elucidate the effector mechanism of the anticancer activity of OH-1.