The Effect of Feeding with Central European Local Mulberry Genotypes on the Development and Health Status of Silkworms and Quality Parameters of Raw Silk

Silkworm rearing activities ceased in the 1970's in several European countries. Attempts on the re-establishment of ecological and sustainable sericulture in Slovenia and Hungary are ongoing. The aim of the study was to assess the usability of locally adapted mulberry genotypes for sericulture and to estimate connections between leaf compound and silkworm performance parameters. A controlled feeding experiment of silkworms was performed to test the influence of leaves from selected trees on the growth of larvae, the health and microbiological status of larvae (e.g., gut bacterial microbiome, Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection), weight of cocoons and raw silk parameters. The Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry genotypes had significantly higher total protein contents, and lower total phenolic contents and differed significantly in some individual phenolics compared to the reference sericultural and fruit varieties. Significant differences were found in the contents of the macro- and microelements, namely S, Mn, Fe, and Sr. Based on correlative statistics and multivariate analysis, a combined positive influence of proteins, specific phenolics, and microelements on larval growth and silk thread parameters was predicted. The results of the study indicate that selected local Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry varieties are suitable for high-quality silk cocoon and raw silk production.

Regression plane concept for analysing continuous cellular processes with machine learning

Biological processes are inherently continuous, and the chance of phenotypic discovery is significantly restricted by discretising them. Using multi-parametric active regression we introduce the Regression Plane (RP), a user-friendly discovery tool enabling class-free phenotypic supervised machine learning, to describe and explore biological data in a continuous manner. First, we compare traditional classification with regression in a simulated experimental setup. Second, we use our framework to identify genes involved in regulating triglyceride levels in human cells. Subsequently, we analyse a time-lapse dataset on mitosis to demonstrate that the proposed methodology is capable of modelling complex processes at infinite resolution. Finally, we show that hemocyte differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster has continuous characteristics.

JTK-853, a novel non-nucleoside hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitor, demonstrates a high genetic barrier to resistance in vitro

JTK-853 is a novel, non-nucleoside, palm site-binding hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor that has demonstrated antiviral activity in HCV-infected patients during 3 days of treatment. To estimate the genetic barrier of JTK-853 to resistance in vitro, colony formation assays were conducted using HCV replicon cells (genotypes 1a and 1b). The colony formation assays revealed that the numbers of resistant colonies for JTK-853 were much lower than those for other direct-acting antivirals, including palm site- or thumb pocket-binding non-nucleoside HCV polymerase inhibitors (NNIs), an NS5A inhibitor (NS5Ai), and a protease inhibitor (PI). Furthermore, the numbers of resistant colonies for JTK-853 in combination with the NS5Ai or PI were lower than those for other combinations of NS5Ai + NNI, and NS5Ai + PI. Our findings demonstrate that JTK-853 has a high genetic barrier to resistance, and suggest that its combination therapies will be potent in suppressing the emergence of drug resistance in HCV-infected patients.

Drosophila melanogaster Rac2 is necessary for a proper cellular immune response

It has been reported that during Drosophila embryonic development, and in cell culture, that the Rac GTPases are redundant. To better elucidate Rac function in Drosophila, we decided to study the role of Rac2 in larval cellular defense reactions against the parasitiod Leptopilina boulardi. Here we show a dramatic effect in the context of cellular immunity where, unlike embryonic development, Rac2 appears to have a non-redundant function. When an invading parasitoid is recognized as foreign, circulating hemocytes (blood cells) should recognize and attach to the egg chorion. After attachment the hemocytes should then spread to form a multilayered capsule surrounding the invader. In Rac2 mutants this process is disrupted. Immune surveillance cells, known as plasmatocytes, adhere to the parasitoid egg but fail to spread, and septate junctions do not assemble, possibly due to mislocalization of the Protein 4.1 homolog Coracle. Finally, larger cells known as lamellocytes attach to the capsule but also fail to spread, and there is a lack of melanization. From these results it appears that Rac2 is necessary for the larval cellular immune response.

Yantar, a conserved arginine-rich protein is involved in Drosophila hemocyte development

To identify novel factors involved in Drosophila hematopoiesis, we screened a collection of lethal recessive mutations that also affected normal hemocyte composition in larvae. We present the characterization of the gene yantar (ytr) for which we isolated null and hypomorphic mutations that were associated with severe defects in hemocyte differentiation and proliferation; ytr is predominantly expressed in the hematopoietic tissue during larval development and encodes an evolutionary conserved protein which is predominantly localized in the nucleus. The hematopoietic phenotype in ytr mutants is consistent with a defect or block in differentiation of precursor hemocytes: mutant larvae have enlarged lymph glands (LGs) and have an excess of circulating hemocytes. In addition, many cells exhibit both lamellocyte and crystal cell markers. Ytr function has been preserved in evolution as hematopoietic specific expression of the Drosophila or mouse Ytr proteins rescue the differentiation defects in mutant hemocytes.

A directed screen for genes involved in Drosophila blood cell activation

An attack by a parasitic wasp activates a vigorous cellular immune response in Drosophila larvae. This response is manifested by an increased number of circulating cells, the hemocytes, and by the appearance of a specialized class of hemocyte, the lamellocytes, which participate in the encapsulation and killing of the parasite. To study the molecular mechanisms of this response, we have overexpressed different genes in the hemocytes, by using the GAL4-upstream activating sequence system and a hemocyte-specific Hemese-GAL4 driver. Multiple transgenes were tested, representing several important signaling pathways. We found that the proliferation response and the activation of lamellocyte formation are independent phenomena. A drastic increase in the number of circulating hemocytes is caused by receptor tyrosine kinases, such as Egfr, Pvr, and Alk, as well as by the downstream signaling components Ras85D and pointed, supporting the notion that the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway regulates hemocyte numbers. In the case of Pvr and Alk, this phenotype also is accompanied by lamellocyte formation. By contrast, constitutively active hopscotch and hemipterous give massive activation of lamellocyte formation with little or no increase in total hemocyte numbers. This finding indicates that both the Jak/Stat and the Jun kinase pathways affect lamellocyte formation. Still other signals, mediated by aop(ACT), Toll(10b), and Rac1 expression, cause a simultaneous increase in lamellocyte and total cell numbers, and the same effect is seen when WNT signaling is suppressed. We conclude that the activation of a cellular response is complex and affected by multiple signaling pathways.

Hemese, a hemocyte-specific transmembrane protein, affects the cellular immune response in Drosophila

We have identified a previously undescribed transmembrane protein, Hemese, from Drosophila melanogaster blood cells (hemocytes), by using a monoclonal pan-hemocyte antibody. Heavy glycosylation is suggested by the heterogeneous size distribution, ranging between 37 and 70 kDa. Hemese expression is restricted to the cell surfaces of hemocytes of all classes, and to the hematopoietic organs. The sequence of the corresponding gene, Hemese (He), predicts a glycophorin-like protein of 15 kDa, excluding an N-terminal signal peptide, with a single hydrophobic transmembrane region. The extracellular region consists mainly of Ser/Thr-rich sequence of low complexity, with several potential O-glycosylation sites. Hemese contains phosphotyrosine and the cytoplasmic region has potential phosphorylation sites, suggesting an involvement in signal transduction. Depletion of Hemese by RNA interference has no obvious effect under normal conditions, but the cellular response to parasitic wasps is much enhanced. This finding indicates that Hemese plays a modulatory role in the activation or recruitment of the hemocytes.

Analysis of Ras-induced overproliferation in Drosophila hemocytes

We use the Drosophila melanogaster larval hematopoietic system as an in vivo model for the genetic and functional genomic analysis of oncogenic cell overproliferation. Ras regulates cell proliferation and differentiation in multicellular eukaryotes. To further elucidate the role of activated Ras in cell overproliferation, we generated a collagen promoter-Gal4 strain to overexpress Ras(V12) in Drosophila hemocytes. Activated Ras causes a dramatic increase in the number of circulating larval hemocytes (blood cells), which is caused by cellular overproliferation. This phenotype is mediated by the Raf/MAPK pathway. The mutant hemocytes retain the ability to phagocytose bacteria as well as to differentiate into lamellocytes. Microarray analysis of hemocytes overexpressing Ras(V12) vs. Ras(+) identified 279 transcripts that are differentially expressed threefold or more in hemocytes expressing activated Ras. This work demonstrates that it will be feasible to combine genetic and functional genomic approaches in the Drosophila hematopoietic system to systematically identify oncogene-specific downstream targets.

Degradation of bisphenol A in water by TiO2 photocatalyst

The photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA), a representative endocrine disruptor, was carried out in TiO2 aqueous suspension. The main purposes were to confirm the total mineralization of BPA and to evaluate the estrogenic activity in the treated water during the photocatalytic reaction. An initial BPA concentration of 175 microM in water was totally degraded to carbon dioxide by TiO2-photocatalyzed reactions under UV irradiation of 10 mW cm-2 for 20 h. Four HPLC peaks indicating intermediate products appeared in chromatograms monitored at 275 nm, but the heights relative to that of the initial BPA were very low, at most 0.04 in the time period 5-10 h after the start of UV irradiation. All of the peaks finally disappeared after 20 h. For the treated water, the transcriptional estrogenic activity in response to human estrogen receptor in a yeast hybrid assay decreased drastically to less than 1% of the initial BPA's activity within 4 h. On the basis of these results, we conclude that TiO2 photocatalysis could be a useful technology for the purification of water containing BPA without generating any serious secondary pollution.

Generalized hyperpigmentation of the skin due to vitamin B12 deficiency

A 49-year-old man presented with neurosis, hyperpigmentation of the skin, and depigmentation of the hair. On examination, hyperpigmentation was observed on the oral mucosa and the skin of the forearms, elbows, palmar creases and periunguinal area, knees, and feet. He had megaloblastic anemia with a low serum level of vitamin B12 due to malabsorption resulting from a gastrectomy 10 years previously. His hyperpigmentation was resolved with vitamin B12 supplementation. Histology showed an increase of melanin in the basal layer. In electron microscopic study, many melanosomes were observed in melanocytes and surrounding keratinocytes. We consider that the dominant mechanism of hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency is not a defect in melanin transport but is rather an increase in melanin synthesis.

Activation of the Drosophila NF-kappaB factor Relish by rapid endoproteolytic cleavage

The Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factor Relish plays a key role in the humoral immune response in Drosophila. We now find that activation of this innate immune response is preceded by rapid proteolytic cleavage of Relish into two parts. An N-terminal fragment, containing the DNA-binding Rel homology domain, translocates to the nucleus where it binds to the promoter of the Cecropin A1 gene and probably to the promoters of other antimicrobial peptide genes. The C-terminal IkappaB-like fragment remains in the cytoplasm. This endoproteolytic cleavage does not involve the proteasome, requires the DREDD caspase, and is different from previously described mechanisms for Rel factor activation.

[Effect of paclitaxel on cisplatin resistant head and neck squamous multicellular tumor spheroids]

Paclitaxel has been reported to be effective for the treatment of CDDP resistant tumors. Thus, the efficacy of paclitaxel on CDDP resistant HEp-2 and KB head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines was evaluated in monolayer and multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS). Cell lines with a tenfold resistance to CDDP were used in this study (Tanaka, K. et al, Keio J Med, 70. 1993). MTS were developed using the liquid overlay culture technique. After exposure to graded concentrations of drugs and different exposure time, the cells were subjected to a clonogenic assay. The effect of paclitaxel on both monolayer and MTS was dependent on the drug concentration and related to the exposure time. For HEp-2 MTS, 10(-7) M/L of paclitaxel resulted in a cell death rate of approximately 90% in both parent and resistant cells. For KB MTS, the cells were more resistant to paclitaxel than the HEp-2 cells, and a 72 hour exposure time was needed to achieve a cell death rate of approximately 90%. These data suggest that paclitaxel may be effective for treating CDDP resistant head and neck cancer.

A study of conformational stability of polyglycine and poly(L-alanine), and polyglycine/poly(L-alanine) blends in the solid state by (13)C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning NMR

13C Cross-Polarization/Magic Angle Spinning nmr and T(1rhoH) experiments of polyglycine (PG), poly(L-alanine) (PLA), and PG/PLA blends prepared from dichloroacetic acid solution have been carried out, in order to elucidate the conformational stability of these polypeptides in the solid state. From these experimental results, it was clarified that the conformations of PG and PLA in their blends are strongly influenced by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions that cause their miscibility at the molecular level.

Production of 105Rh-EDTMP and its bone accumulation

105Rh has favorable physical characteristics as a radiotherapeutic nuclide. Carrier-free 105Rh can be produced by the neutron activation of 104Ru followed by beta decay of 105Ru. It was clarified that carrier-free 105Rh can be produced in quantities and the purity necessary for chemical and clinical investigations of its use as a nuclide for radiotherapy. 105Rh-EDTMP was simply obtained from 105Rh3+ and EDTMP by heating for 30 min in boiling water, giving a radiochemical yield of > 99%. Dissociation of radioactivity assessed by paperchromatography was negligible for up to 5 days after its preparation. In animals, 105Rh-EDTMP showed rapid blood clearance and selective uptake in the bone. Hence, 105Rh-EDTMP is thought to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of pain due to bone metastases.

Relish, a central factor in the control of humoral but not cellular immunity in Drosophila

The NF-kappa B-like Relish gene is complex, with four transcripts that are all located within an intron of the Nmdmc gene. Using deletion mutants, we show that Relish is specifically required for the induction of the humoral immune response, including both antibacterial and antifungal peptides. As a result, the Relish mutants are very sensitive to infection. A single cell of E. cloacae is sufficient to kill a mutant fly, and the mutants show increased susceptibility to fungal infection. In contrast, the blood cell population, the hematopoietic organs, and the phagocytic, encapsulation, and melanization responses are normal. Our results illustrate the importance of the humoral response in Drosophila immunity and demonstrate that Relish plays a key role in this response.

Fibrous membrane formation at the capsular margin in capsule contraction syndrome

PURPOSE

To determine whether the pathogenesis of capsule contraction syndrome involves the outgrowth of the fibrous membrane from the anterior capsule margin.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, and the Ando Eye Clinic, Kanagawa, Japan.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records and slitlamp photographs was conducted in 12 eyes (10 patients) that had required treatment for a narrowed anterior capsule opening after cataract surgery. All patients had had continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification with implantation of an intraocular lens in the capsular bag. Specimens of surgically removed fibrous membrane were examined by histopathological methods.

RESULTS

Fibrous membrane on the inner surface of the anterior capsule and the linear folds of the anterior capsule were present in each eye. In 10 eyes of 8 patients, the fibrous membrane was on the outer surface of the anterior capsule and covered the capsular folds at its margin. Pathological study showed that this fibrous membrane consisted of the flattened lens epithelial cells that proliferated on the inner and outer surfaces of the shrunken anterior capsule. The outgrowth of this membrane from the margin of the anterior capsule to the center of the opening of the anterior capsule was noted.

CONCLUSION

In this study, capsule contraction syndrome involved contraction of the fibrous membrane as well as its outgrowth from the capsule margin.

Equivalent dipoles for middle latency auditory evoked potentials using the dipole tracing method

During the last decade, new dipole localization techniques have prompted the search for the neuronal generators of evoked potentials. In this study we have reported the equivalent dipoles for the middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MAEPs) by the mean of these localization using the dipole tracing method. MAEPs that were recorded from 19 normal human subjects attending to random binaural clicks were analyzed using the dipole tracing method. Equivalent dipoles (EDs) were found, using both the single-dipole model and the two-dipole model, for components occurring from 0 to 60 ms after stimulus onset. The dipole analysis accounted for the real head geometry based on three-dimensional digitization of measured head shape, and the results were experimentally correlated to those of magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of ED localization. For components in the first 15 ms latency (P0 and Na), neither model provided EDs with reproducible high dipolality. Na was particularly difficult to analyze, as this component was often contaminated by myogenic potentials. The results provided by the two-dipole model for the Pa component (20-30 ms) showed three variations: in three subjects, one ED was located in each supratemporal cortex; in another three, one ED was located in the right temporal cortex and the other in the midbrain; and in the remaining thirteen subjects, both EDs were in the midbrain. The single-dipole model and the two-dipole model both found EDs in the midbrain for Nb. Further study is necessary to determine the cause or causes of the variety in our results. And it is also necessary to try the study using unilateral ear stimulation with/without contralateral masking noise for understanding the mechanism of the binaural interaction.

Relationship between the biodistributions of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and the physicochemical properties of these metal ions

This study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between the biodistribution of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and its physicochemical properties. Potassium analogs (86Rb, 134Cs, 201Tl) were taken up into viable tumor tissue, although 22Na concentrated in necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga and 111In were more predominant in inflammatory tissue than in the viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 169Yb and 167Tm accumulated in viable tumor tissue and tissue containing viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga, 111In, 169Yb and 167Tm were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharide with a mol. wt. of about 10,000 daltons in the tumor tissue. 46Sc, 51Cr, 95Zr, 181Hf, 95Nb, 182Ta, and 103Ru were highly concentrated in inflammatory tissue and were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharides with a mol. wt. exceeding 40,000 daltons. 65Zn and 103Pd concentrated in viable tumor tissue and were bound to the protein in the tissue. The results suggest that the difference in intra-tumor distribution of these elements is caused by a difference in the binding substances (or status) of these elements in the tissues, and the binding substance is determined by physicochemical properties of the elements. We therefore conclude that the biodistribution of radioactive metal ions in tumor tissue is determined by its own physicochemical properties.

Identification of a new resistance gene to a chinese blast fungus isolate in the Japanese rice cultivar aichi asahi

ABSTRACT Genetic analysis of the rice cultivar Aichi Asahi and some other Japanese cultivars for the high resistance to the blast fungus isolate CHNOS58-3-1 from China was performed. All the Japanese differential cultivars were resistant to the isolate except for 'Pi No. 4', which showed moderate resistance. Analysis of the F(2) population of a cross of the susceptible cultivar Reiho and the resistant cultivar Aichi Asahi indicated that the resistance of 'Aichi Asahi' to the isolate was conferred by one dominant gene. To identify the gene in other Japanese differential cultivars, AK lines, which were derived from a cross of 'Aichi Asahi' x 'K59' and assumed to harbor no known genes except for the new one, were used for the allelism tests. The new, completely dominant resistance gene was detected in 14 differential cultivars, but not in 'Pi No. 4', 'Yashiro-mochi', and 'K1', and was designated as Pi19(t). Pi19(t) was allelic or closely linked to Pita(2) on chromosome 12. Pi19(t) was extensively distributed among Japanese traditional local cultivars.

Cellulitis of the eyelids associated with sinusitis and brain abscess

Erythema in the orbital area can indicate systemic and life-threatening diseases. We experienced an unusual and serious case of orbital cellulitis that was difficult to distinguish from a case with good prognosis. A 21-year-old man developed an erythema around his eyes. He exhibited no symptoms that would suggest lesions in deep tissues, but his condition turned out to be cellulitis retrogradely metastasized from an odontogenic sinusitis traced to a dental treatment problem. Computed tomography revealed complication of a large abscess in the frontal lobe. Cellulitis of the orbital area requires particular clinical discretion.

177Lu-EDTMP: a potential therapeutic bone agent

Lutetium-177 (177Lu) has both beta particle emissions for a therapeutic effect and gamma emissions for imaging. This study was undertaken to synthesize and evaluate 177Lu-EDTMP (ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonic acid) as a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical for the palliation of pain from bone metastases. Chelation of 177Lu to EDTMP was obtained by heating for 30 min in boiling water at pH 8.8, resulting in a radiochemical yield of over 99%. The compound was stable for 20 days without any appreciable dissociation. Biodistribution studies in normal rats indicated selective bone accumulation, showing faster blood clearance, higher bone uptake and higher bone-to-soft tissue ratios than 99Tcm-MDP. In conclusion, 177Lu-EDTMP has favourable biological and physical characteristics for the palliative treatment of painful bone metastases.

A large number of tandem repeats in the polymorphic epithelial mucin gene is associated with severe acne

Polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) or MUC1 is a glycoprotein secreted from various epithelial gland tissues. In skin, PEM is detected in sweat glands and sebaceous glands by the DF3 monoclonal antibody. The gene of PEM includes an allele exhibiting length polymorphism due to a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR); this is expressed co-dominantly, which may influence the microenvironment of the skin. The allelic size variation of the PEM gene was investigated in Japanese acne patients, atopic dermatitis patients, and healthy controls. The frequency of longer length alleles was significantly higher in severe acne patients.

Inhibition of HIV-1 infection in vitro by monoclonal antibodies to the complement receptor type 3 (CR3): an accessory role for CR3 during virus entry?

Adhesion molecules are known to contribute to infectivity of HIV-1. Here we tested whether the complement receptor type 3 (CR3, CD11b), an alpha(m)beta2 integrin, plays an accessory role in the infection process of HIV-1, because ICAM-1, a ligand of CR3, is present on the envelope of HIV-1. In addition, the viral transmembrane protein gp41 shares four regions of homology with the complement component C3, a further CR3 ligand. Infection of PBMCs with HIV-IIIB and primary isolates was partially inhibited by anti-CR3 antibodies. A peptide derived from the complement component C3, covering the CR3-binding site of C3 and sharing strong similarity to the immunosuppressive region of gp41, significantly reduced the HIV-1 titer in infection assays. Recombinant soluble gp41 (rsgp41) and the peptide covering the immunosuppressive domain of gp41 inhibited the rosetting of iC3b-coated sheep erythrocytes with U937 via complement receptors (CRs) with an efficiency comparable to monoclonal anti-CR antibodies. In addition, sub-populations of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells isolated from HIV-infected individuals were found to upregulate CR3 as determined by FACS analysis and on the mRNA level. Since gp41 has been implicated in viral fusion, an interaction of its C3-homology region in gp41 or an interaction of ICAM on the surface of free virus with CRs might contribute to facilitate viral entry.

Functional activation of cerebral blood flow abolished by scopolamine is reversed by cognitive enhancers associated with cholinesterase inhibition: a positron emission tomography study in unanesthetized monkeys

The effects of somatosensory stimulation on the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) response were studied in unanesthetized monkeys before and after treatment with scopolamine and three cognitive enhancers (physostigmine, E2020 and tacrine) that inhibit cholinesterase, using 15O-labeled water and high-resolution positron emission tomography. Under control conditions, somatosensory stimulation induced a significant increase in the rCBF response in the contralateral somatosensory cortex of monkey brain. Intravenous administration of scopolamine (50 microg/kg) resulted in abolishment of the rCBF response to stimulation. The rCBF response abolished by pretreatment with scopolamine was recovered by administration of physostigmine (1 or 10 microg/kg), E2020 (10 or 100 microg/kg) or tacrine (100 or 1000 microg/kg), in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of E2020 (100 microg/kg) on the rCBF response lasted for >4 hr, whereas the effects of physostigmine and tacrine were of shorter duration. These findings suggest that these compounds reversed the scopolamine-abolished rCBF response to somatosensory stimulation via enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission, which was mainly induced by cholinesterase inhibition.

Regulation of cerebral blood flow response to somatosensory stimulation through the cholinergic system: a positron emission tomography study in unanesthetized monkeys

The effects of scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist and physostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) response to vibrotactile stimulation of the forepaw were studied in the brain of unanesthetized monkeys using 15O-labeled water and high resolution positron emission tomography. Before scopolamine administration, vibrotactile stimulation produced a significant increase in the rCBF response in the contralateral somatosensory cortex of the monkey brain. Intravenous administration of scopolamine at doses ranging from 1 to 500 microg/kg resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of the rCBF response. The rCBF response abolished by scopolamine (50 microg/kg) was recovered by administration of physostigmine (10 microg/kg). On the other hand, the regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc) response, measured with [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose, to the same stimulation was unchanged by administration of either scopolamine and/or physostigmine. These results suggested that cholinergic mechanisms might be involved in regulation of the coupling between neuronal activity and rCBF response, not between the activity and rCMRglc response.

Solid-state variable-temperature 1H MAS NMR studies on deuterated polyethylene

Solid-state variable-temperature/magic angle spinning (VT/MAS) 1H NMR measurements were carried out on deuterated polyethylene. From these experimental results it was found that the 1H chemical shift induced by conformational and morphological changes of the polyethylene sample is within the linewidth of approximately 0.5 ppm. Furthermore, from MAS/dipolar decoupling experiments it was found that the resonance frequency of the proton varies linearly with the inverse square of the deuterium decoupling power. This experimental finding is discussed theoretically.

Assignment of genes coding for leukocyte surface molecules to river buffalo chromosomes

A panel of 35 somatic cell hybrids between river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) and Chinese hamster was used in combination with 40 monoclonal antibodies to find synteny among leukocyte antigens and between already established synteny groups and leukocyte antigens. Six synteny groups were identified and three sets of markers were related to already existing synteny groups. Antibody IL-A165 detected CD71, which is syntenic with synteny groups U10 and U25, confirming that U10 and U25 are both are on a biarmed river buffalo chromosome. This would imply that U25 could be assigned to the short arm of the river buffalo chromosome 1 (BBU 1p), as U10 has previously been assigned to this chromosome. Antibodies Buf 32, Buf 24 and BAGB27 detected an antigen syntenic with U1 and U7. This finding suggests that U1, which is assigned to cattle chromosome 16, which corresponds to river buffalo chromosome 5q, is syntenic with U7, and that U7 is located on the short arm of buffalo chromosome 5. Furthermore, the gene coding for CD14 is assigned to U16, which is on cattle chromosome 11 and expected to be on river buffalo chromosome 12.

Alteration of human melanoma gangliosides by IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4

In lesions of malignant melanoma, melanoma cells are exposed to various cytokines produced by inflammatory reactions. As a result, transformation of melanoma cells is expected to occur. We studied alterations in human melanoma cell line ganglioside composition after exposing melanoma cell lines to interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-4 by biochemical methods. IFN-gamma increases the ratio of a-series gangliosides and the ratio of GM3/GD3. This suggests an alteration of immunoreactivity, a decrease in ganglioside sialyltransferase II activity, and an decrease in the malignant character of these cells. The alteration of the ganglioside profile varied among cytokines and cell lines. The progression of malignant melanoma may be influenced by reciprocal interactions between the melanoma cells and the host immune system.

Effects of glutamate dehydrogenase, choline oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphatase on 67Ga accumulation in lysosome

AIM

To clarify the effects of the activities of hepatic enzymes in liver, hepatoma, and malignant tumor on 67Ga accumulation in lysosome.

METHODS

67Ga-citrate solution was prepared from carrier-free 67Ga-citrate solution 0.08 mol.L-1 and sodium citrate solution 0.08 mol.L-1, and was injected iv 0.4 ml to the rats. Subcellular fractions of the liver were measured for radioactivity of 67Ga by a well-type scintillation counter (Aloka JDC-701). Glutamate dehydrogenase, choline oxidase, and G-6-P activities were calculated as described by Shimizu H, Ikuta S, and Baginski E, respectivily.

RESULTS

67Ga radioactivity in normal liver lysosome (55%) was significantly higher than those in hepatoma AH 109A (32%) and Yoshida sarcoma (18%). Glutamate dehydrogenase activities were 1830 +/- s 320 U.L-1 in normal liver while 23 +/- s 6 U.L-1 in hepatoma AH 109A, and 7 +/- s 2 U.L-1 in Yoshida sarcoma. Choline oxidase activities were 46 +/- s 10 U.L-1 for normal, 25.0 +/- s 0.4 U.L-1 for hepatoma AH 109A, and 2.0 +/- s 0.4 U.L-1 for Yoshida sarcoma. G-6-P activities were 2550 +/- s 180 U.L-1 in normal, 84 +/- s 14 U.L-1 in hepatoma AH 109A, and 78 +/- s 13 U.L-1 in Yoshida sarcoma.

CONCLUSION

Lysosome of normal rat liver in which hepatic enzymes work actively played a major role in the tissue concentration of 67Ga, but the role diminishes with the neoplastic transformation into hepatoma. The lysosome of Yoshida sarcoma does not play any role in 67Ga accumulation because it does not possess any features of liver.

Effect of phytohaemagglutinin on CD45 in T cells

In this study the effect of PHA activation on the phosphatase activity of CD45 has been investigated in human leukemic T-cell lines. It has been found that in vivo activation of the cells with PHA resulted in 2-4-fold increase in enzyme activity. Addition of PHA to the postnuclear supernatant of cell lysates also resulted in elevation of phosphatase activity. Elevation of enzyme activity resulted from an increase in the amount of antigen in the immunoprecipitates. Elevation of the quantity was not the result of a de novo protein synthesis since the presence of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, did not modulate the effect of PHA. The effect of PHA was specific since ConA, that also bound to the CD45 molecules, or crosslinking of the antigen by antibody did not affect CD45. Since direct binding of PHA to CD45 molecules was shown in immunoblotting analysis, we suggest that the effect of PHA is a consequence of a PHA-induced conformational change of CD45 that results in up-regulation of the analyzed CD45 epitopes.

Perforating lichen nitidus

A 32-year-old man with no particular family history nor past history visited our clinic in September 1992, with papules that he claimed had developed approximately 3 years earlier. No subjective symptoms accompanied then. On examination, numerous, discrete, pinhead-sized or half-ricecorn-sized, flesh-colored papules were observed on the dorsolateral side of his left hand and fingers. No central dimple or scaling were noticed clinically (Fig. 1). Laboratory tests revealed no abnormal findings. The histopathology of the biopsied specimen showed a circumscribed nest of infiltrating cells closely attached to the epidermis (Fig. 2). These infiltrating cells consisted of mononuclear lymphoid cells and histiocytes. The overlying epidermis was stretched and atrophic. A transepithelial perforation channel existed in direct contact with the surface. Amorphous debris containing cell nuclei lay within the channel (Fig. 2). Lymphoid cells were also observed above the keratin layer overlying the channel. At the lateral margin of the infiltrate, rete ridges extended downward in the manner of a claw clutching a ball. In a periodic-acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained section, a basement defect was observed around the channel.

Biodistributions of radioactive bipositive metal ions in tumor-bearing animals

Distributions of the nuclides 65ZnCl2, 85SrCl2, 58CoCl2 and 103PdCl2 in tumor-bearing animals were determined, and, in addition, the distributions of these nuclides in tumor tissues were observed. Their subcellular distribution in tumor and liver was also examined. Generally speaking, retention values of these bipositive metal ions in tumor were smaller than those of tri-, quadri- and pentavalent metal ions. In the case of 85SrCl2, a large amount of this nuclide was taken up by the bone and remained there for a long time. In the case of 103PdCl2, 103Pd was avidly taken up by the kidney and liver. Very little of the 103Pd taken up into the kidney and liver was excreted. 65Zn and 103Pd were concentrated in the viable tumor tissue and were not seen in necrotic tumor tissue. In the case of 58Co, lysosome played an important role in liver accumulation and played a minor role in tumor accumulation. The distribution of 58Co in tumor and liver was fairly similar to that of 67Ga, 111In, 169Yb, 46Sc, 51Cr, 95Zr, 181Hf, 95Nb and 182Ta which were reported previously. Lysosome did not play an important role in the accumulation of 65Zn, 85Sr and 103Pd into tumor and liver.

DF3 (CA15-3) antibody as a marker of cutaneous adnexal tumors

DF3(CA15-3) monoclonal antibody detects the 20 amino acid sequence of epithelial mucin. In normal cutaneous tissue DF3 antibody exhibits strong and constant positive reactivity with sebaceous and secretory segments of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. All epidermal tumors are DF3 negative but poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Various adnexal tumors such as eccrine hidrocystoma, tubular apocrine adenoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, eccrine poroma, eccrine spiradenoma, clear cell hidradenoma, mixed cell tumor, eccrine porocarcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease and adenoid cystic carcinoma are DF3 positive, which indicates epithelial mucin production by these tumors.

Tumour affinity of 203Pb-chloride: comparison with 67Ga-citrate and 201Tl-chloride

The radionuclide 203Pb decays completely by electron capture to stable 203Tl with a half-life of 52 h. The primary radiation from the decay is gamma-ray radiation 280 keV (80%). 203Pb is produced easily from the natural metal thallium by the method described below. 203Pb-chloride is a promising imaging agent for tumour scanning because of the large retention value for tumour tissue and the small value for normal organs, but the large value for the kidney and bone is a shortcoming when considering it as an imaging agent. The retention value of 203Pb in tumour tissue is larger than that of 201Tl and smaller than that of 67Ga. The tumour/inflammatory lesion retention ratio for 203Pb is very large in comparison with those for 67Ga and 201Tl. 203Pb accumulates to a large extent in viable tumour tissue, and less in necrotic tumour tissue and in inflammatory lesion. Therefore, 203Pb-chloride is far better for visualization of viable tumour tissue than 67Ga and 201Tl if the large retention values for the kidney and bone were reduced.

Difference in clinical features and HLA antigens between familial and non-familial vitiligo of non-segmental type

Of 131 patients with non-segmental vitiligo studied, 29 (22%) had a family history of this disorder. The clinical features and HLA antigens were assessed, and a comparison made between patients with familial and those with non-familial, non-segmental vitiligo. Familial patients developed skin lesions significantly earlier than non-familial patients. There was a significant association between HLA-B46 and familial non-segmental vitiligo, whereas HLA-A31 and CW4 were found in non-familial patients. The differences in clinical features and HLA phenotypes suggest heterogeneity in the pathogenic process between familial and non-familial vitiligo patients.