A Molecular Dynamics Study of the Structure of an LiCl • 3 H2O Solution

The structure of an 18.5 molal aqueous LiCl solution has been investigated by MD simulation. The total radial distribution function from the simulation agrees reasonably well with that of an X-ray diffraction measurement. In the average each Li+ is in contact with one Cl-. Additionally, there are four water molecules in the first coordination sphere of Li+ which occupy preferentially octahedral positions. The hydration shell of Cl- is strongly disturbed by the formation of the contact ion pair. There is an almost complete breakdown of the water structure although the number of nearest neighbours is still four at the normal O - O distance in water. For the C1--C1- radial distribution a strong discrepancy exists between a neutron diffraction study with chloride isotope substitution and the simulation. All results are compared in detail whit recently published data from a simulation of a 13.9 molal LiCl solution.

Complex Formation in an Aqueous ZnBr2 Solution Based on Electron Diffraction, X-ray Scattering and Raman Spectra

Electron and X-ray scattering as well as Raman spectra of as aqueous solution of ZnBr2 with a Br-/Zn++ ratio of 3:1 have been studied. The existence of hexaaquo, di-, tri-and tetra-bromo complexes in solution has been established by all three methods. Octahedral hexaaquo and tetrahedral Zn(H2O)4-n Brn complexes with n=2, 3, 4 are consistent with electron and X-ray structure functions. The inner sphere type complexes have interatomic distances of 2.2 Å for Zn++ -H2O, 2.4 Å for Zn++ -Br-, 3.93 Å for Br--Br- and 2.91 Å for W-W interactions with average numbers of contacts 2.4, 2.22, 1.33 and 1.1 respectively.

Pharmacological brain cooling with indomethacin in acute hemorrhagic stroke: antiinflammatory cytokines and antioxidative effects

We evaluated the effects of a novel pharmacological brain cooling (PBC) method with indomethacin (IND), a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, without the use of cooling blankets in patients with hemorrhagic stroke. Forty-six patients with hemorrhagic stroke (subarachnoid hemorrhage; n = 35, intracerebral hemorrhage; n = 11) were enrolled in this study. Brain temperature was measured directly with a temperature sensor. Patients were cooled by administering transrectal IND (100 mg) and a modified nasopharyngeal cooling method (positive selective brain cooling) initially. Brain temperature was controlled with IND 6 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of interleukin-1beta (CSF IL-1beta) and serum bilirubin levels were measured at 1, 2, 4, and 7 days. The incidence of complicating symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage was lower than in non-PBC patients. CSF IL-1beta and serum bilirubin levels were suppressed in treated patients. IND has several beneficial effects on damaged brain tissues (anticytokine, free radical scavenger, antiprostaglandin effects, etc.) and prevents initial and secondary brain damage. PBC treatment for hemorrhagic stroke in patients appears to yield favorable results by acting as an antiinflammatory cytokine and reducing oxidative stress.

Progressive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis after chronic ischemic hypoperfusion in rat

Cerebrovascular stenosis caused by arteriosclerosis induces failure of the cerebral circulation. Even if chronic cerebral hypoperfusion does not induce acute neuronal cell death, cerebral hypoperfusion may be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine if vasodilation, expression of VEGF, and neovascularization are homeostatic signs of cerebral circulation failure after permanent common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) in the rat. Neuronal cell death in neocortex was observed 2 weeks after CCAO and gradually increased in a time-dependent manner. The diameter of capillaries and expression of VEGF also increased progressively after CCAO. Moreover, we observed unusual irregular angiogenic vasculature at 4 weeks. In conclusion, chronic hypoperfusion results in mechanisms to compensate for insufficiency in blood flow including vasodilation, VEGF expression, and neovascularization in the ischemic region. These results suggest that angiogenesis might be induced in adult brain through the support of growth factors and transplantation of vascular progenitor cells, and that neovascularization might be a therapeutic strategy for children and adults with diseases such as vascular dementia.

Controlled normothermia during ischemia is important for the induction of neuronal cell death after global ischemia in mouse

A stable model of neuronal damage after ischemia is needed in mice to enable progression of transgenic strategies. We performed transient global ischemia induced by common carotid artery occlusions with and without maintaining normal rectal temperature (Trec) in order to determine the importance of body temperature control during ischemia. We measured brain temperature (Tb) during ischemia/reperfusion. Mice with normothermia (Trec within +/- 1 degrees C) had increased mortality and neuronal cell death in the CA1 region of hippocampus, which did not occur in hypothermic animals. If the Trec was kept within +/- 1 degrees C, the Tb decreased during ischemia. After reperfusion, Tb in the normothermia group developed hyperthermia, which reached > 40 degrees C and was > 2 degrees C higher than Trec. We suggest that tightly controlled normothermia and prevention of hypothermia (Trec) during ischemia are important factors in the development of a stable neuronal damage model in mice.

CSF hypocretin-1/orexin-A concentrations in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)

The aim of this study was to examine the role of the hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin system in complications of delayed ischemic neuronal deficit (DIND) resulting from symptomatic vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CSF hypocretin-1/orexin-A levels were measured in 15 SAH patients. DIND complications occurred in seven patients with symptomatic vasospasm. Hypocretin-1/orexin-A levels were low in SAH patients during the 10 days following the SAH event. CSF hypocretin-1/orexin-A levels were lower in patients with DIND complications than in those who did not develop DIND. A significant transient decline in CSF hypocretin-1/orexin-A levels was also observed at the onset of DIND in all patients with symptomatic vasospasm. The reduced hypocretin/orexin production observed in SAH patients may reflect reduced brain function due to the decrease in cerebral blood flow. These results, taken together with recent experimental findings in rats that indicate hypocretin receptor 1 (orexin 1 receptor) mRNA and protein are elevated following middle cerebral artery occlusion, suggest that a reduction in hypocretin/orexin production in SAH and DIND patients is associated with alterations in brain hypocretin/orexin signaling in response to ischemia.

Peroxynitrite and caspase-3 expression after ischemia/reperfusion in mouse cardiac arrest model

NO is a putative neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the brain. NO is not functioning as a direct neurotoxin. NO with the superoxide radical product peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is much more cytotoxic under tissue impairment conditions. Caspase-3, a potent effector of apoptosis that is triggered via several different signaling pathways, may play a very important role in neuronal cell death caused by various brain injuries. The relationship between mouse caspase-3 and peroxynitrite remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the in vivo expression of 3-nitrotyrosine (a metabolite of peroxinitrite) and caspase-3 after cerebral ischemia produced in a global ischemia model using mice (i.e., a cardiac arrest model). 3-nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was detected in neuronal cells in the hippocampal dentate nucleus, and cortical regions starting at 12 hrs after ischemia. In particular, numerous neuronal cells were highly immunoreactive for 3-nitrotyrosine in the cortical regions. In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, 3-nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was detected from 24 hrs. Caspase-3 immunopositive cells were observed in approximately the same area in which the positive reaction to the anti-nitrotyrosine antibody was observed. These results provide direct evidence for the induction of 3-nitrotyrosine and caspase-3 expression in vivo in an ischemia model using mice. The present findings suggest that peroxynitrite generated by cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion was strongly cytotoxic and induced neuronal cell death (apoptosis) mediated by caspase-3.

Suppression of oxidative stress after transient focal ischemia in interleukin-1 knock out mice

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) contributes to ischemic neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms regulating action of IL-1 are still poorly understood. In order to clarify this central issue, mice that were gene deficient both IL-1alpha and beta (IL-1 KO) and wild-type mice were subjected to 1 hour transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). The concentration of 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) which is considered to be a reliable oxidative DNA damage by superoxide anion, in brain and of total nitric oxide (NO) in plasma were determined by use of HPLC. Twenty-four hours after tMCAO, the ratio of 8OHdG to dG in the ipsilateral hemisphere of wild-type mice were 2.24 x 10(-3) and 4.41 x 10(-3) in the neocortex and striatum, respectively. The concentration of 8OHdG in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the wild-type mice was higher than that of the IL-1 KO mice. The concentration of total NO in the plasma of IL-1 KO mice was also lower than that of the wild-type 24 hours after tMCAO. These results strongly suggest that IL-1 is participated in generating reactive oxygen spices and it aggravates and induces the ischemic neuronal cell death.(183 words).

Evaluation of neuronal cell death after a new global ischemia model in infant mice

For the first time we set up a new model for global ischemia in the infant mice, and time-dependent changes of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuronal cell death were investigated in detail. Infant C57/B16 mice (postnatal 13 days) were anesthetized with inhalation of sevoflurane in N2O/O2 (70/30%) and were subjected to global ischemia by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) for 25 minutes. Disruption of BBB was noted at 4 hours and increased up to 24 hours after the injection of 2% Evan's Blue in the transient CCAO (tCCAO) model. Evaluation of neuronal cell death was determined with toluidine blue staining. Morphological changes of neurons after tCCAO were clearly observed in the hippocampal CA1 region but were slightly detected in the CA3 region. However, there were no morphological changes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, the neocortex, the striatum and the hypothalamus. The number of survival neurons in the CA1 was significantly decreased at 2 days and sustained up to 4 days after tCCAO. These data indicate that this method is very useful to induce selective vulnerability in mouse hippocampus, and it provides a reliable ischemic model in infant mice.

Application of a compact synchrotron radiation facility to studies on the structure of solvated chloride and iodide ions in various solvents

A beamline equipped on the compact superconductive synchrotron radiation (SR) facility at Ritsumeikan University was designed for performing extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses of solutions and solids. The introduction of three different crystals, Si(220), Ge(220), and InSb(111), as the monochromator of the EXAFS spectrometer covers the K-edge absorption energy range of elements with low atomic numbers from silicon (atomic number 14) through zinc (30). The LIII-edge of the iodide ion could be measured by Si(220) and Ge(220). It is, however, not possible to measure the absorption of the bromide ion with this equipment. Using this spectrometer, the solvation structure of Cl- and I- ions was investigated in water, methanol, and ethanol under atmospheric pressure.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) following transient cerebral ischemia

It has been considered that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is participated in the Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases, brain injury and brain ischemia. However, expression of TNFalpha after brain ischemia has not been demonstrated in detail. Therefore we examined the cellular expression of TNFalpha during and after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice by use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical technique. TNFalpha mRNA expression was gradually increased in the neocortex of the ipsilateral hemisphere during ischemia and peaked at 1 hour after reperfusion. Then, the mRNA expression decreased and peaked again at 24 hours after reperfusion. TNFalpha-like immunoreactivities were observed in the process such as dendrite of neuron slightly before ischemia, and markedly increased in neurons in addition to the process of the ipsilateral hemisphere at 1 and 24 hours after ischemia. The results suggest that the expression of TNFalpha is up-regulated in the neurons after tMCAO. TNFalpha may induce ischemic neuronal cell death during ischemic insult.

Neuroprotective effect from ischemia and direct free radical scavenging activity of Choto-san (kampo medicine)

Choto-san is a kampo medicine that is widely used in patients with cerebral infarction, but the details of its mechanism of action remain unclear. We examined the neuroprotective effects of Choto-san using an experimental cerebral ischemia model (i.e., a rat cardiac arrest model). We also investigated the ability of Choto-san to eliminate or inhibit the activity of free radicals. It was found that Choto-san significantly prevents delayed neuronal cell death after ischemic reperfusion. Electron spin resonance demonstrated that the formation of hydroxyl- and superoxide-DMPO spin adducts were inhibited by Choto-san. The results of this study indicated that Choto-san prevents delayed neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region after ischemia. Direct free radical scavenging activity is among the pharmacological effects of Choto-san.

Hippocampal heme oxigenase-1 in a murine cardiac arrest model

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a member of the heat shock protein family (HSP-32). It responds to thermal stress in cultured glial cells. To our knowledge. nothing is known about the expression and response of the HO-1 in cerebral ischemia. Therefore, we show here the induction of HO-1 in the brain of mice after global cerebral ischemia. HO-1-like immunoreactivity was detected at 12, 24, and 48 hours after ischemia recirculation. The HO-1-like immunoreactive cells were observed in astrocytes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1. The peak level of HO-1-like immunoreactivity was found 48 hours after the recirculation. HO-1-like immunoreactivity was observed in GFAP-positive astrocytes by use of a double immunostaining method. These results provide direct evidence for the induction and localization of HO-1 immunoreactivity in vivo in a mouse cerebral ischemia. We suggest that HO-1, produced in astrocytes after ischemia-recirculation, may directly affect neurons to protect from cell death.

Functional significance of colocalization of PACAP and catecholamine in nerve terminals

Medullary neurons containing pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and noradrenalin (NA) project to the hypothalamus and they are involved in the regulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurons. At the ultrastructural level, PACAP immunoreactivity was detected in the granular vesicles in catecholaminergic nerve terminals that made synaptic contact with AVP neurons. Both PACAP (at least 1 nM) and NA (at least 1 microM) induced large increases in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated AVP cells. PACAP at 0.1 nM and NA at 0.1 microM had little effects, if any, on [Ca2+]i. However, when 0.1 nM PACAP and 0.1 microM NA were combined, they evoked large increase in [Ca2+]i in AVP neurons. An inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA) completely inhibited the PACAP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, but only partly inhibited the NA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. In AVP cells that were prelabeled with quinacrine, PACAP and NA acted synergistically to induce a loss of quinacrine fluorescence, indicating secretion of neurosecretory granules in AVP neurons. The results suggest that PACAP and NA, coreleased from the same nerve terminals, act in synergy to evoke calcium signaling and secretion in AVP neurons, and that the synergism is mediated by the interaction between cAMP-PKA pathway an as yet unidentified factor "X" linked to L-type Ca2+ channels. The synergism between PACAP and NA may contribute to the regulation of AVP secretion under physiological conditions.

Usefulness of a toothbrush as a source of evidential DNA for typing

We investigated the usefulness of a toothbrush as a source of DNA for an unidentified cadaver. Ten toothbrushes were obtained from ten individuals along with their peripheral blood. We recovered from 10 to 430 ng of DNA from all but one of the toothbrushes. All ten toothbrushes, including the one containing no detectable DNA by fluorometry, were typed correctly at all of the loci tested, including nine STRs. Three toothbrushes obtained in two actual deaths also identified two victims and one suspect. Therefore, toothbrushes seem to be useful as a source of evidential DNA for personal identification.

Tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) system D15S233 (wg1d1): sequencing and frequency data in the japanese and Chinese populations

We evaluated the forensic usefulness of D15S233 (wg1d1), a tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) locus, in the Japanese and Chinese populations. Typing was performed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. Nine different alleles were found in 472 Japanese chromosomes and seven in 186 Chinese chromosomes. 102 alleles sequenced were composed of two kinds of repeats (AGGA and GGGA). All alleles differed in size by one tetranucleotide repeat unit, and no insertion or deletion was found. The expected unbiased heterozygosities in Japanese and Chinese were 0.766 and 0.785, respectively. No significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found in either population. We retyped all samples using an alternative pair of flanking primers in order to detect any spurious appearances of homozygotes due to sequence variation at the primer annealing site. One heterozygous sample had unbalanced density bands when the original primer set was used, but equal density bands when our newly designed primer set was used. Sequencing analysis revealed that the sparser allele had one nucleotide substitution near the 5' end of the annealing site of the original primer region. Thus, all apparently homo/heterozygous samples were thought to be truly homo/heterozygous. We also applied the D15S233 locus to paternity testing and forensic identification. Our results suggest that this locus should be a very useful STR locus for forensic practice in Japanese and Chinese.

[Quantification of cerebral blood flow with 99mTc-ECD SPECT based on a 3-compartment model]

In the present study we developed a method for quantifying regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using 99mTc-ECD SPECT based on a 3-compartment model. The dynamic SPECT scanning and sequential sampling of arterial blood were performed on 12 subjects with cerebrovascular diseases and etc. We defined brain fractionation index (BFI) as a parameter of rCBF, which was obtained from a single SPECT data and arterial input. The relationship between the values of BFI and rCBF obtained by the 133Xe inhalation method was analyzed by approximation with exponential function. In this method, rCBF was calculated from the values of BFI using the inverse function of the exponential function as a regression curve. The method was applied seven other patients with cerebrovascular diseases and the values of rCBF were compared with those obtained by the 133Xe inhalation method. We observed a good correlation (r = 0.854), and the inclination was approximately 1. This method can be applied to not only large field SPECT cameras but also conventional SPECT cameras.

[A study on accuracy of rCBF measurements loaded with acetazolamide based on the microsphere model using iodine-123-IMP SPECT]

We studied the accuracy of the method for measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) loaded with acetazolamide based on the microsphere model using iodine-123-IMP (IMP) SPECT. Two methods were examined, the super-early microsphere method with continuous withdrawal of arterial blood using the SPECT image obtained 5 min after tracer injection and the early microsphere method with one-point arterial sampling using the SPECT image obtained 30 min postinjection. On five subjects, after acetazolamide administration we measured rCBF by the analysis based on the two-compartment model using the data derived from dynamic SPECT scans and the sequential arterial blood sampling after IMP injection. Values of rCBF obtained by both super-early microsphere method and early microsphere method were significantly correlated with those obtained by the two-compartment model analysis (r = 0.982, 0.930, respectively). We conclude that it is possible to use the method based on the microsphere model in measuring rCBF loaded with acetazolamide. The early microsphere method with one-point sampling should be used clinically because of its simplicity and less-invasiveness.

[Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow at the control state and loaded with diamox using split-dose 99mTc-ECD SPECT and venous blood samples]

The purpose of the study is to develop a simple and less invasive method for quantifying regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at pre- and post Diamox test using split-dose 99mTc-ECD and SPECT. By employing a microsphere model, integral of input function was calculated by the one-point venous sampling method previously reported. The study was performed on 5 subjects with cerebrovascular diseases. A split dose of 99mTc-ECD was injected pre- and post Diamox injection, and rCBF was measured by two SPECT scans and single venous samples, respectively. Mean CBF obtained by the present method was 0.47 +/- 0.07 ml/g/min at the control state, and 0.63 +/- 0.12 ml/g/min loaded with Diamox (mean % increase; 35%), showing good agreement with those obtained by the 133Xe-inhalation method. Since the present method does not require arterial blood sampling, dynamic data acquisition and dose corrections, it is simple, less invasive and useful in clinical SPECT studies.

[Quantification of cerebral blood flow with 99mTc-ECD SPECT by a single arterial or venous blood sample]

The purpose of the study is to develop a simple and less invasive method for quantifying regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using 99mTc-ECD and SPECT. By employing a microsphere model, a new method to measure rCBF was developed, which required a single arterial or venous sample instead of continuous withdrawal of arterial blood. Using a regression line, the integral of input function of arterial blood from 0 to 30 min was inferred by activity of arterial blood sampled at time t; A(t), by activity multiplied by its octanol extraction rate; AN(t), by activity of venous blood at time t; V(t), and by activity multiplied by its octanol extraction rate; VN(t). The optimum sampling time of arterial or venous blood was examined when mean % error for inference became minimum. Consequently, minimum error of AN(6 min) was 5.5%, A(3 min) was 8.9%, VN(6 min) was 5.9%, and V(20 min) was 10.0%. Quantitative measurement of rCBF using the value of VN(6 min) was performed on other 6 subjects with dementia etc. To validate the method, 133Xe inhalation SPECT studies were also performed on the same subjects. We found a good agreement between them (r = 0.851). The presented one-point sampling methods were simple and less invasive for quantifying rCBF.

A rapid typing system at three STR loci from bloodstains using a simple DNA extraction kit and capillary electrophoresis

A rapid typing method for STR analysis from bloodstains was devised. DNA from three-year-old bloodstains of six individuals was extracted with a cationic detergent in a newly-released kit. Amounts of DNA extracted by the kit were 16.2 +/- 1.8 ng from 10 microliters of fresh blood samples. DNA was also extracted from bloodstains of three months and three years left at room temperature, and amounts of extracted DNA were estimated at 2.2 +/- 1.0 ng and 0.1 +/- 0.1 ng, respectively. The PCR mixture supplied with the kit, plus three sets of fluorescently labeled primers, were directly added to the tube used for DNA extraction. The amplified products were then analyzed by capillary electrophoresis, and the obtained data were automatically sized and typed using computer software. Three genotypes of all bloodstains except one sample at a single locus were determined correctly as those of freshly collected blood from the same individuals although some stains contained no more than 0.1 ng. Using this typing system, we were able to type three STR loci, HUMTH01, HUMF13A1 and HUMFES/FPS, from a single bloodstain within five hours. This typing is particularly useful for forensic practice.

In vitro effects of sho-saiko-to on production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor by mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C

During the past 2 years, drug-induced interstitial pneumonia was reported in 66 Japanese patients, mainly among chronic hepatitis C patients, undergoing treatment with the Japanese herbal medicine "Sho-saiko-to" (TJ-9). As interstitial pneumonia is also induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), we examined the effects of TJ-9 on G-CSF production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In patients with hepatitis B or C, G-CSF production in the absence of any stimulation was significantly lower than healthy controls (p < 0.01). G-CSF production increased along with the increase of TJ-9 levels, and this could induce excessive production of G-CSF in hepatitis C patients, and this may be a cause of interstitial pneumonia.

[A limitation of the split-dose method for evaluating rCBF changes using 99mTc-ECD and SPECT]

The purpose of the study is to validate the split-dose method corrected with dose ratio of 99mTc-ECD for brain perfusion scan. A dose of 600 MBq of 99mTc-ECD was divided into two with various dose ratios from 1:1 to 1:4, and injected to eleven patients with various cerebral diseases. A lesser dose of 99mTc-ECD was injected under a control state for the first SPECT scan, and 15 min SPECT scan was performed 10 min after injection with a triple-head high resolution gamma camera. After the scan, the other dose of 99mTc-ECD was injected under the same control state and the second SPECT scan was performed as same as above. A ratio of the activity of the first scan to the net activity of the second scan corrected by dose ratio, defined as K, was measured in brain regions of each subject. Expected value of K was 1, but the value was distributed with large variations in each subject. The mean % error of the K value was 10.4 +/- 4.9%. Hence it is considered that activity changes by more than 20% from the control values should be required to detect a significant rCBF change in an activation SPECT study. Then, we proposed a new method in which the activity of both two SPECT scans was normalized by cerebellar or occipital activity and compared. The ratio obtained by the proposed method came closer to 1 with less variations and with less mean % error in comparison with those of K value obtained by the dose-correction method. Although the proposed method has a limitation in the use of an activation study loaded with Diamox, it may be useful to evaluate an alteration of rCBF in the study such as postural testing or finger-moving test.

[A comparative study of the quality of SPECT images obtained by 123I-IMP, 99mTc-HMPAO and 99mTc-ECD]

The purpose of this study was to comparatively evaluate the quality of SPECT images for the mapping of rCBF using three tracers, 123I-IMP, 99mTc-HMPAO and 99mTc-ECD. We performed three SPECT studies on seven patients with various cerebral diseases under the same conditions. An effect of Lassen's correction on SPECT images obtained by HMPAO was also evaluated. The same irregular regions of interest were placed on the four transaxial SPECT images. To quantitatively evaluate the pattern of tracer uptake and image contrast, the uptake ratio, regional count/mean count of the cerebrum, and its coefficient variations (CV) were defined, respectively. The order of the value of CV was HMPAO with correction > IMP > ECD > HMPAO without correction. HMPAO with correction showed the best image contrast, but HMPAO without correction was the worst. Uptake ratios of ECD and HMPAO with correction were decreased in the brain stem and thalamus in comparison with those of IMP. Both uptake ratios of ECD and HMPAO without correction were increased in the occipital cortex. IMP provides high quality SPECT images. Images obtained by HMPAO should be modified by Lassen's correction to increase image contrast. ECD or HMPAO should not be used to evaluate patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.

Hydrogen peroxide-mediated degradation of protein: different oxidation modes of copper- and iron-dependent hydroxyl radicals on the degradation of albumin

Cupric ions (Cu2+) added to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were found to generate hydroxyl radicals (HO) capable of benzoate hydroxylation. Although ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) ions, when added to H2O2, resulted in very little production of HO, the addition of EDTA to the reaction mixture markedly increased their catalytic activity. In the absence of albumin, catalase (a H2O2 scavenger) and mannitol (an HO radical scavenger) effectively inhibited the formation of HO in H2O2/Cu2+ and H2O2/Fe2+/EDTA oxidation systems. On analysis using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, catalase was shown to prevent the degradation of albumin by both oxidation systems, whereas mannitol was an effective scavenger of the H2O2/Fe2+/EDTA oxidation system but not of the H2O2/Cu2+ oxidation system. Furthermore, the effect of alteration of benzoate hydroxylation and H2O2 consumption on the H2O2/Cu2+ and H2O2/Fe2+/EDTA oxidation systems resulted in opposite behavior that was dependent upon the presence or absence of albumin. These observations suggest that copper ions bind to albumin and induce site-specific degradation by HO generated at the copper-binding site, whereas the Fe2+/EDTA-catalyzed oxidation system induces non-specific degradation of albumin by HO generated by the Fenton reaction between H2O2 and free Fe2+/EDTA in solution.

[A functional diagnostic method by measuring of distribution volume of 123I-IMP with SPECT]

To measure distribution volume of 123I-IMP with one-point sampling of arterial blood and 2 times SPECT scans using the Magic square method (Rate constant square method), we introduced a program on a SPECT computer system. In this program four functional images; distribution volume, CBF (K1), k2 and delayed/early ratio, and absolute values with S.D. are obtained on the computer. We have been using the program on daily SPECT studies. In this study we discussed the usefulness of the method. Redistribution phenomenon of 123I-IMP, which is not exactly enough investigated, can be transformed into a functional parameter, distribution volume. Since distribution volume represents an extent of retention of 123I-IMP in brain tissue, it can play an important role to evaluate functional activity in the brain and to diagnose cerebral diseases.

[Validation study in quantitative measurement of regional cerebral blood flow using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and SPECT]

We validated following five methods to quantitate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using 123I-IMP and SPECT; 1) microsphere method, which is based on a microsphere model using the SPECT image at five minutes after 123I-IMP injection with continuous withdrawal of arterial blood, 2) microsphere+ one-point sampling method, which is the same as the microsphere method except for using one-point sampling instead of continuous withdrawal, 3) conventional microsphere + one-point sampling method, which is the same as the microsphere + one-point sampling method except for using a later SPECT image corrected with the ratio of alteration of measured entire brain activity, 4) Table look-up method, which is based on a two-compartment model (influx; K1 and outflux; k2) using one arterial blood sample taken at 10 min and two SPECT images at 30 min and 180 min post-injection, and 5) functional IMP SPECT, which is based on the two-compartment model using one arterial blood sample taken at 5 min and two SPECT images at 30 min and 60 min post-injection. Those methods were applied to six patients with cerebral infarction and degenerative diseases, and rCBF results were compared with those estimated by non-linear least squares fitting (NLLSF) analysis based on the two-compartment model. The rCBF values obtained by the microsphere method was best correlated with those by NLLSF analysis (r = 0.940), followed by the microsphere+one-point sampling method (r = 0.885) and the functional IMP SPECT (r = 0.882). The table look-up method underestimated rCBF especially at the high flow level, however showed good correlation (r = 0.859). The conventional microsphere + one-point sampling method overestimated rCBF, however showed good correlation (r = 0.849). Distribution volume (Vd = K1/k2) was also estimated by both the table look-up method and the functional IMP SPECT. While values of Vd by the functional IMP SPECT were significantly correlated with those by NLLSF analysis (r = 0.785), the table look-up method overestimated Vd (43.4 +/- 6.6 ml/g) and showed not good correlation (r = 0.287).

[A new method for measurement of both regional cerebral blood flow and distribution volume using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and SPECT]

We developed a new method (functional IMP SPECT) to quantitate both regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and distribution volume (Vd) using 123I-IMP and SPECT based on a 2- compartment model (influx; K1 =rCBF and outflux; k2). This method requires one arterial blood sampling at 5 min after injection of the tracer and two SPECT scans at 30 min and 60 min. It takes approximately 60 min for total measurements. The integration of arterial input function is estimated by one blood sample taken at 5 min after injection of the tracer without octanol treatment, by using the correlation between one blood sample and the integration, which was obtained from studies on 25 subjects. With the value of integration, K1 and Vd are calculated from the data of two SPECT scans by using the mathematical functions based on the 2-compartment model, which were obtained from studies on 12 subjects. In the practical range of K1 (0.3-0.7 ml/g/min) and Vd (15-35 ml/g) given in the 2-compartment model, statistical errors of K1 and Vd obtained by the functional IMP SPECT were evaluated at approximately 14.0% and 17.2%, respectively. In clinical studies for eight subjects including two healthy volunteers, three patients with cerebral infarction and three patients with degenerative disease, K1 and Vd values estimated by the functional IMP SPECT were significantly correlated with those estimated by non-linear least squares fitting analysis based on the 2-compartment model, and the mean errors of K1 and Vd estimated by the functional IMP SPECT were approximately 8.0% and 11.2% respectively, suggesting the validity of the new method. We conclude that the functional IMP SPECT is clinically useful because of the accuracy, less-invasiveness and convenience.

[A study on accuracy of rCBF measurements using the conventional microsphere method with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine and SPECT]

To evaluate the accuracy of conventional microsphere method for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) based on the microsphere model with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and SPECT, we performed simulation analysis and clinical studies. Although the microsphere method requires early SPECT scan at a few minutes after injection of the tracer for the accurate measurement of rCBF, the conventional microsphere method, which is generally used, requires more delayed SPECT scan with long scan-duration. In the conventional microsphere method, the delayed SPECT image is corrected to the image at a few minutes after injection of the tracer by using the monitored entire brain activity. By the simulation analysis based on the 2-compartment model (influx; K1 and outflux; k2) using the input function and the entire brain activity obtained from eight subjects respectively, it was found that the conventional microsphere method overestimated the rCBF in the practical range of rCBF and Vd (= K1/k2) given in the 2-compartment model. When the values of rCBF and Vd in the 2-compartment model were given at 0.5 (ml/g/min) and 30 (ml/g) respectively, the rate of overestimation of rCBF by the conventional microsphere method was determined to be 17.3 +/- 0.7% (mean +/- S.D.). Also in clinical studies for eight subjects, the conventional microsphere method overestimated the rCBF compared with those evaluated by non-linear least squares fitting (NLLSF) analysis based on the 2-compartment model. Those results agreed well with the simulation analysis, suggesting the validity of the simulation. The rCBF values clinically estimated by the conventional method were, however, significantly correlated with those calculated by NLLSF analysis, and there were not so much difference between the two quantitative rCBF images obtained by the conventional microsphere method and the microsphere method. Therefore, we conclude that the conventional microsphere method is clinically useful in spite of the overestimation of rCBF.

Effects of ebelactone B, a lipase inhibitor, on intestinal fat absorption in the rat

Ebelactones A and B, natural products from Streptomyces aburaviensis are potent inhibitors of pancreatic lipase. Lipase is the key enzyme required for the absorption of dietary triglycerides (TG). Ebelactone B inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the intestinal absorption of fat after fat-feeding in the rat. The most effective inhibition was observed when the inhibitor was administered at 60 min prior to fat-feeding. When ebelactone B (10 mg/kg) was administered, the serum levels of TG (58%) and cholesterol (36%) were decreased. Since ebelactone B effectively inhibitors absorption of dietary fat, if may provide a promising means for prophylaxis or therapeutics of hyperlipidemia and obesity.

[Quantifying regional cerebral blood flow with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine and SPECT by one-point sampling method]

We developed a new non-invasive technique; one-point sampling method, for quantitative measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine and SPECT. Although the continuous withdrawal of arterial blood and octanol treatment of the blood are required in the conventional microsphere method, the new technique does not require these two procedures. The total activity of 123I-IMP obtained by the continuous withdrawal of arterial blood is inferred by the activity of 123I-IMP obtained by the one point arterial sample using a regression line. To determine when one point sampling time was optimum for inferring integral input function of the continuous withdrawal and whether the treatment of sampled blood for octanol fraction was required, we examined a correlation between the total activity of arterial blood withdrawn from 0 to 5 min after the injection and the activity of one point sample obtained at time t, and calculated a regression line. As the results, the minimum % error for the inference using the regression line was obtained at 6 min after the 123I-IMP injection, moreover, the octanol treatment was not required. Then examining an effect on the values of rCBF when the sampling time was deviated from 6 min, we could correct the values in approximately 3% error when the sample was obtained at 6 +/- 1 min after the injection. The one-point sampling method provides accurate and relatively non-invasive measurement of rCBF without octanol extraction of arterial blood.

[A problem of quantitative measurement of regional cerebral blood flow using microsphere model and N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP): comparison with 133Xe SPECT and sequential dynamic 123I-IMP SPECT]

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in 13 patients with various cerebral disease by N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP) SPECT with the microsphere model (rCBF (CbST)), which was compared with 133Xe inhalation SPECT (rCBFXe). Continuous withdrawal of arterial blood was performed for 5 minutes and SPECT image was obtained from 25 min to 55 min after the tracer injection. The reconstructed counts at 5 min was corrected using entire cerebral counts collected at 5 min, 20 min, and 60 min after the tracer injection. As compared with rCBFXe, rCBF (CbST) was underestimated in high flow areas and overestimated in low flow areas. Regional CBF was also measured using one minute short time SPECT images at 5 min (rCBF (Cb5)), 20 min (rCBF (Cb20)), and 60 min (rCBF (Cb60)) after the injection. Regional CBF tended to be underestimated with time from the tracer injection due to the wash-out from brain tissue to blood. In comparison with rCBF (Cb5), rCBF (CbST) was underestimated in high flow areas and overestimated in low flow areas. This error was considered to be due to the correction of reconstruct counts using entire cerebral counts, because of the kinetic behavior of 123I-IMP was different in each region of the brain.

[A study on evaluation of CBF measurement based on microsphere model with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP) and SPECT--its correction with the value of PaCO2]

To evaluate the regional cerebral blood flow measurement with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP), we performed 123I-IMP SPECT and 133Xe inhalation method on 9 patients with mild cerebrovascular diseases and so on. A tracer dose of 123I-IMP (111 MBq) was injected i.v. and the data were obtained 15 min later. Regional CBF was measured by the microsphere model and arterial blood sampling method. However, mean cerebral blood flow values was not in agreement with both methods. We supposed the reason of the disagreement was due to the difference of PaCO2 when the studies were performed. Hence, CBF measurement with 123I-IMP was performed on the other patient's population with loading of hyperventilation before the IMP injection. Comparing with the control state with normal breathing, we calculated the rate of change of mean CBF between the state with normal breathing and the state with hyperventilation that was 1.02 ml/100 g/min/mmHg PaCO2. After the correction with the rate, we observed a much significant relation between the mean CBF measured with 123I-IMP SPECT and 133Xe inhalation method. When compared CBF values with loading studies or certain therapies, the correction of CBF with the rate of change of PaCO2 is one of the very important factors to be considered. Moreover, 133Xe inhalation method without the correction of PaCO2 can not be a golden standard method for rCBF measurement.

[A new graphic method for evaluation of distribution volume on N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP) SPECT]

We developed a new graphic method using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (IMP) and SPECT of the brain, the graph on which all three parameters, cerebral blood flow, distribution volume (Vd) and delayed count to early count ratio (Delayed/Early ratio), were able to be evaluated simultaneously. The kinetics of 123I-IMP in the brain was analyzed by a 2-compartment model, and a standard input function was prepared by averaging the time activity curves of 123I-IMP in arterial blood on 6 patients with small cerebral infarction etc. including 2 normal controls. Being applied this method to the differential diagnosis between Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, we were able to differentiate both with a glance, because the distribution volume of the frontal lobe significantly decreased in Parkinson's disease (Mean +/- SD; 26 +/- 6 ml/g). This method was clinically useful. We think that the distribution volume of 123I-IMP may reflect its retention mechanism in the brain, and the values are related to amine, especially to dopamine receptors and its metabolism.

Rat hepatocytes generate peptide leukotrienes from leukotriene A4

The biosynthetic mechanism of peptide leukotrienes was studied in rat liver. A catalytic activity to synthesize leukotriene (LT) C4 from LTA4 (LTC4 synthesis activity) was shown to be associated mainly with the microsomal fraction of hepatocytes, but also to a small extent with nonparenchymal cells including Kupffer cells, suggesting that the hepatocytes have an ability to generate peptide LTs. Stimulation of the isolated hepatocytes with calcium ionophore (A23187) did not cause any significant production of peptide LTs, whereas addition of LTA4 induced a remarkable generation of peptide LTs in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of LTA4 also augmented the peptide LT production by Kupffer cells, but its amount was much smaller than that by the hepatocytes under the same culture conditions. Coincubation of the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, following A23187 stimulation, elicited a markedly enhanced production of peptide LTs even without any addition of LTA4, whereas the LT production in the coincubation system was suppressed almost completely by treating the Kupffer cells with a specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, AA861 (10 microM). An enzymatic cooperation between the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells may play an important role in generating peptide LTs in the liver.

Intramolecular and Liquid Structures of Tetramethylurea Studied by Means of X-Ray Diffraction

The intramolecular and liquid structures of tetramethylurea (TMU) were investigated by the liquid x-ray diffraction method. It is confirmed that in the liquid state the four methyl groups are out of the plane which is constructed by the O, C, and the two N atoms, the molecular structure being similar to what had been found in the gas phase. All structural parameters are in good agreement with those of TMU determined in the gas phase and with those of amide derivatives in the liquid phase. The liquid is characterized by a random distribution of molecules as predominant, but a weak molecular ordering characterized by approximately two intermolecular nonbonding Me ··· O distances at 340 pm is proposed

An MD Simulation of Concentrated Aqueous Solutions of Caesium Iodide

Molecular dynamics simulations of concentrated aqueous Csl solutions have been performed for Csl: H2O = 1:20 (2.78 molal) at 298 K and 341 K and 1:10 (5.56 molal) at 349 K. Effects of temperature and concentration on the structures of the hydrated ions, the ion pairs, and ionic aggregates are discussed by comparing the results with X-ray diffraction data obtained under similar conditions [1]

Dissolution of Alkali Fluoride and Chloride Crystals in Water Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The dissolution of cubic crystals of NaF, KF, CsF, LiCl, NaCl, and KCl consisting of 32 cations and 32 anions in an isolated box containing 216 water molecules was studied at 298 K by molecular dynamics simulations. The ion-ion, ion-water and water-water interactions were described in terms of the Tosi-Fumi, Kistenmacher-Popkie-Clementi, and Matsuoka-Clementi-Yoshimine potentials, respectively. During the simulation periods of 12 ps for NaF, CsF and LiCl and 20 ps for KF, NaCl and KCl cations did not dissolve, while anions dissolved from the CsF, LiCl and NaCl crystals but not from the NaF, KF and KCl crystals. The mass effect in the dissolution of CsF was examined by giving the ceasium ions the atomic weight of the fluoride ion (18.998). In case of the "light" caesium ions in the crystal fluctuated less far and again fluoride ions but no caesium ions were dissolved.

A case of lymphoma-type alpha-chain disease

A 69-year-old man with a rare case of lymphoma-type alpha-chain disease was admitted to the hospital with marked cervical and inguinal lymph node swelling. Lymph node biopsy showed marked infiltration of plasma cells, plasmacytoid cells and immunoblastoid cells, alone or in combination. Immunoelectrophoresis and immunoselection identified alpha-chain in the serum and urine. The site of alpha-chain synthesis was extensively studied in the whole body, and the immunoperoxidase technique eventually demonstrated the presence of alpha-chains in the cytoplasm of infiltrating malignant cells in the lymph nodes. No infiltrating malignant cells were found in other organs or tissues, including those of the digestive and respiratory tracts.