Involvement of M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization in Reparative Dentin Formation

In cases in which dental pulp tissue is accidentally exposed, direct pulp capping is often performed to induce reparative dentin formation. Although macrophages are essential for the inflammatory response and tissue repair, the emergence pattern and the role of macrophages in dental pulp tissue have not been clarified. Here, we investigated the emergence of M1/M2 macrophages in dental pulp tissue after a direct pulp capping and the effects of M2 macrophages on odontoblastic differentiation of the dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) clones. The emergence of macrophages in dental pulp tissue was investigated using a rat direct pulp capping model. Alizarin Red S staining and quantitative RT-PCR was performed to examine the effect of M2 macrophages on the mineralization and odontoblastic differentiation of DPSC clones. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that M1 macrophages were detected in dental pulp tissue after treatment and increased in number at three days after treatment. However, M2 macrophages gradually increased in number in dental pulp tissue after treatment, with the highest level recorded at seven days post-operation. Additionally, conditioned medium from M2 macrophages induced odontoblast-like differentiation of DPSC clones. These results suggest that macrophages play a role in the inflammatory response and reparative dentin formation after dental pulp exposure.

Development of a novel direct dental pulp-capping material using 4-META/MMA-TBB resin with nano hydroxyapatite

In the case of dental pulp exposure, direct pulp capping is often performed to preserve vital dental pulp tissue. Numerous studies regarding the development of direct pulp-capping materials have been conducted, but materials with an appropriate sealing ability, which induce dense reparative dentin formation, have not been developed. Although nano hydroxyapatite (naHAp) is a bone-filling material with bioactivity and biocompatibility, the inductive effects of naHAp on reparative dentin formation remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of dental adhesive material 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate tri-n-butylborane [4-META/MMA-TBB or Super-bond (SB)], which included 10%, 30%, and 50% naHAp (naHAp/SB) on odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and reparative dentin formation were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis were performed to verify the existence of naHAp particles on the surface of naHAp/SB discs. The tensile adhesive strength of naHAp/SB was measured using a universal testing machine. As a result, 10% naHAp/SB and 30% naHAp/SB showed almost the same tensile adhesive strength as SB but 50% naHAp/SB showed significantly lower than the other experimental group. WST-1 proliferation assay and SEM analysis revealed that naHAp/SB did not affect the proliferation of DPSCs. Calcium release assay, quantitative RT-PCR, and western blotting analysis demonstrated that naHAp/SB did not release calcium ion but 30% naHAp/SB increased the expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in DPSCs. Additionally, quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting analysis, Alizarin Red S- and von Kossa staining revealed that 30% naHAp/SB induced odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs, which was inhibited by a MEK/ERK inhibitor and CaSR antagonist. Furthermore, 30% naHAp/SB promoted dense reparative dentin formation in an experimentally-formed rat dental pulp exposure model. These findings suggest that 30% naHAp/SB can be used as an ideal direct pulp capping material.

Abstract P5-12-11: Duration of ovarian function suppression for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Retrospective study

Background: Although tamoxifen (TAM) plus ovarian function suppression (OFS) is one of standard adjuvant treatments in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the optimal duration of OFS has not been clearly established.

Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of premenopausal patients with breast cancer, who received TAM and OFS (goserelin or leuprorelin) as adjuvant therapy between February 2004 and April 2015. The primary analysis was to compare disease-free survival (DFS) between patients who received OFS shorter than 3 years and those who received OFS longer than 3 years. The analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score matching models.

Results: We analyzed 206 premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Median follow-up time was 56 months. Median age was 42 years (range, 24-52 years). Twenty six per cent of the patients had positive axillary nodes and 30% had received neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Median duration of OFS was 26 months. Duration of OFS was shorter than three years (OFS < 3y) in 74% patients, and longer than three years (OFS > 3y) in 26% patients. Patients with node-positive disease were more in OFS > 3y group than in OFS < 3y group, and more patients received chemotherapy in OFS > 3y group than in OFS < 3y group. 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 96.1%. DFS in patients aged ≤ 40 years and aged > 40 years were 91.8% and 99.0%, respectively (p=0.0223). Propensity score matching model showed that DFS was not significantly different between patients in OFS < 3y group and those in OFS > 3y group (97.4%, 91.6%; p=0.2406). In patients aged ≤ 40 years and/or those who received chemotherapy, 5-year DFS was 96.7% in OFS < 3y group, 90.1% in OFS > 3y group (p=0.3011).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that OFS < 3y is not inferior to OFS > 3y for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer as adjuvant endocrine therapy. A randomized trial is needed to establish the optimal OFS duration for these patients.

Citation Format: Ozaki Y, Tamura N, Utiyama M, Masuda J, Koganemaru S, Miura Y, Tanabe Y, Ogura T, Kadowaki M, Miura D, Kawabata H, Takano T. Duration of ovarian function suppression for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Retrospective study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-12-11.

Morphological demonstration of a vagal inhibitory pathway to the lower esophageal sphincter via nitrergic neurons in the rat esophagus

BACKGROUND

The involvement of vagal parasympathetic efferents in esophageal myenteric neurons in vagal inhibitory pathways to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is not clear. Thus, this study was performed to demonstrate morphologically the presence of vagal inhibitory pathways to the LES via esophageal neurons.

METHODS

Fast Blue (FB) was injected into the LES of Wistar rats, and 3 days after injection, the animals were subjected to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. The esophagus was processed for immunohistochemistry for Fos that was an immediate-early gene as a marker of neuronal activity, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The immunoreactivities were then compared with the FB labeling in esophageal neurons.

KEY RESULTS

Fast Blue-labeled neurons were observed within an esophageal area of 30 mm oral to the LES, with the highest frequency in the esophagus just above the LES. Most of the FB-labeled neurons were positive for NOS and VIP, but a few for ChAT. Following vagal-electrical stimulation, one fourth of the FB-labeled neurons presented nuclei expressing Fos and most of these Fos/FB neurons were NOS-positive.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

A majority of the FB-labeled esophageal neurons appeared to be descending motor neurons innervating the LES. Moreover, the colocalization of VIP and NOS in most of the LES-projecting neurons suggests that VIP and NO released from these neurons induce LES relaxation, and the innervation of the vagal efferents to the LES-projecting esophageal neurons in the distal esophagus implies a vagal inhibitory pathway responsible for LES relaxation.

Regulation of taste-active components of meat by dietary leucine

1. Regulation of meat taste is one effective method for improvement of meat quality. In this study, effects of dietary leucine (Leu) content on taste-active components, especially free glutamate (Glu), in meat were investigated. 2. Broiler chickens (28 d old) were fed on diets with graded dietary Leu content (100, 130 or 150% of Leu requirement in NRC, 1994) for 10 d before marketing. Taste-active components of meat (free amino acids and ATP metabolites) and sensory score of meat soup were estimated. 3. Free Glu content, the main taste-active component of meat, was significantly increased by dietary Leu. Compared with the Leu 130% group, free Glu was increased by 17% in the Leu 100% group. Free Glu of meat tended to decrease in the Leu 150% group. In contrast, inosine monophosphate content in meat did not change among all groups. 4. Sensory evaluation of meat soup from the Leu 100 and 150% groups showed that they had different meat tastes. Sensory scores of overall preference, umami taste and chicken-like taste were significantly higher in the Leu 100% group. 5. These results suggest that dietary Leu content is a regulating factor of free Glu in meat. Decreasing dietary Leu induces an increase in the free Glu content of meat and improves meat taste.

Pathologic complete remission of cytologically proven axillary node metastases may be a strong prognostic factor in HER2-positive breast cancer

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Background: Preoperative chemotherapy has become one of the standard modes of treatment in patients with breast cancer, and pathologic complete remission (pCR) thus obtained has become an important prognostic factor. However, the number of cells in the main lesion is enormous and changes over time in a heterogeneous manner. Thus, time and individual differences in sensitivity influence the acquisition of pCR, and questions about the coincidence with the effects of metastatic lesions also remain. On the other hand, although pCR of axillary lymph node metastasis lesions with relatively lower numbers of the cells is considered one of the best surrogate prognostic markers, evaluation criteria have not yet been established because definitive preoperative diagnosis is difficult. In our department, preoperative axillary cytodiagnosis has been conducted in all surgical breast cancer cases. In this study, we investigated pCR of the axillary lymph nodes (ALN- pCR) in cytologically proven axillary node metastasis cases. Subjects and Methods: ALN-pCR, DFS, and OS were investigated in 52 surgical breast cancer cases (observation period: 15–52 months; medial level: 28 months) positive for cytological axillary metastasis and received preoperative chemotherapy (AC-Paclitaxel) during the period from 2002 to 2005. Results: ALN-pCR was found in 21 of 52 cases (40.4%). Rates of disease-free survival (DFS) at 36 months in ALN-pCR and non-ALN-pCR cases were 85.0% and 42.3% (P=0.031) and those of overall survival (OS; 48 months) were 100% and 87.9% (P=0.353), respectively. DFS (36 months) was very favorable 100% in ALN-pCR cases that obtained the effect of 1b or higher on evaluation of the main lesion effect and ALN-pCR cases with Her2-positive results on sub-type analysis. Conclusions: ALN-pCR of cytologically proven axillary node metastasis was indicated to be a prognostic factor in cases of breast cancer. Especially, its importance was demonstrated in HER2-positive breast cancer. From these findings, HER2-positive and cytologically axillary lymph node-positive cases were considered the best indications for preoperative chemotherapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gene expression of myostatin during development and regeneration of skeletal muscle in Japanese Black Cattle1

Myostatin is a specific negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and is regarded as one of the most important factors for myogenesis. The aim of the current study was to analyze the developmental change in the gene expression of myostatin and an adipogenic transcription factor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor lambda2) in the semitendinosus muscle of Japanese Black Cattle throughout the whole life cycle. An additional aim was to compare the temporal expression patterns of myostatin and relevant myogenic regulatory factors (MRF) mRNA during muscle regeneration after frostbite injury at 16 mo of age. The developmental pattern of myostatin gene expression exhibited 2 peaks: the greatest expression occurred in utero (P <0.05) and the second greatest occurred at 16 mo of age (P <0.05). The greatest level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor lambda2 expression was observed at 16 mo of age (P <0.05), which paralleled myostatin expression. During frostbite-induced muscle regeneration, gene expression for myostatin and 4 MRF; i.e., Myf5, MyoD, myogenin and MRF4, showed contrasting responses. Myostatin mRNA dramatically declined by 68.1 and 82.6% at 3 and 5 d after injury (P <0.05), respectively, which paralleled its protein expression, and was restored at 10 d. In contrast, the expressions of all 4 MRF mRNA were low initially but increased by 5 d after injury (P <0.05) and then remained constant or decreased slightly. These results suggest that myostatin may play a role in muscle marbling in the fattening period by decreasing myogenesis and increasing adipogenesis, and that the interaction between myostatin and MRF genes may take place at an early stage of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Rhythmic spontaneous contractions in the rat proximal colon

C-kit immunoreactive cells are known to be interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), and they generate pacemaker activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently a large number of special smooth muscle cells corresponding to c-kit immunoreactive cells were found in the proximal colon of the guinea pig. We learned that the rat proximal colon showed tetrodotoxin-insensitive regular rhythmic spontaneous contractions (RSCs) and hypothesized that RSCs are generated and/or regulated by ICCs. To prove our hypothesis, we investigated whether RSCs are absent in homozygous Ws/Ws mutant rats, since c-kit positive ICCs along the submucosal surface of the circular muscle (ICC(SM)) and myenteric plexus (ICC(MY)) are lacking. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found that RSCs were still present in the proximal colon of the Ws/Ws mutant rats. A recent study has reported that c-kit negative ICC(SM) remains in Ws/Ws mutant rats. Taken together, RSCs may be generated by c-kit negative ICC(SM) in the rat proximal colon. The blockade of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) (10(-6)M) or by thapsigargin (10(-6)M) increased the frequency of RSCs. The increasing effects of CPA on the frequency of RSCs were more prominent in Ws/Ws mutant rats than in +/+ rats. We concluded that the functional coordination between c-kit negative ICC(SM) and other mutationally impaired c-kit positive ICC(MY) and ICC(SM) may be required for moderate regulation in the frequency of spontaneous activity.

Enhanced colonic peristalsis by impairment of nitrergic enteric neurons in spontaneously diabetic rats

Changes in enteric neurons containing various neurotransmitters in the colon have been described in diabetic rats; however, how these changes are related to colonic motility disorders remains unclear. Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the enteric nervous system. In the present study, we investigated the peristaltic reflex using our modified Trendelenburg's method to evaluate the differences in enteric nitrergic neurons of the distal colon between spontaneously diabetic rats and their sibling control rats. We measured maximum intraluminal pressure, threshold pressure and propagation distance of the reflex contraction. These diabetic rats showed a greater maximum intraluminal pressure than that in the control rats. NG nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly increased the maximum pressure in the control rats. Although L-arginine did not change the maximum pressure, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) significantly decreased it in these diabetic rats. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase reactivities in the myenteric plexus were much weaker in the diabetic rats than those in the control rats. These results indicate that the colonic peristaltic reflex is enhanced by impairment of enteric nitrergic inhibitory neurons in spontaneously diabetic rats.

Natto mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid increases soluble calcium in the rat small intestine

We prepared natto (fermented soybeans) mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) from commercial natto. The effect of natto mucilage on calcium (Ca) solubility in vitro and in vivo was investigated. Ca solubility in vitro increased with an increase in the amount of natto mucilage, due to inhibition of the formation of an insoluble complex of Ca with phosphate by natto mucilage. Rats were fed with 5 g of soybean protein isolate, natto, mucilage-free natto, or natto mucilage diet for 1.5 h. Small intestinal contents were collected 2.5 h after ingestion. In the lower half of the small intestine, both the amount and the percentage of soluble Ca of intestinal contents were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in rats fed with natto mucilage diet than in those fed with the other diets. Natto mucilage also increased Ca solubility in vivo. These results suggested that gamma-PGA is responsible for the increasing effect of natto mucilage on Ca solubility.

A remnant tubal pregnancy after cloacal malformation repair

OBJECTIVE

Report of a remnant tubal pregnancy after cloacal malformation repair.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

A university hospital.

PATIENT

A woman with cloacal malformation repair.

INTERVENTION

Laparoscopic surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Remnant tubal pregnancy.

RESULT

Laparoscopic right salpingectomy.

CONCLUSION(S)

In this patient, ectopic pregnancy was caused by contralateral sperm transmigration to the remnant right tube, which was not connected with the left uterus.

Leupeptin-induced appearance of partial fragment of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase during autophagic maturation in rat hepatocytes

A cytosolic enzyme, betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), and its partial fragments were discovered as autolysosomal membrane proteins from rat liver in the presence of leupeptin [Ueno et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 15222-15229]. The present study was undertaken to further characterize the transport and processing of BHMT from cytosol to autolysosome and to test if the fragment can be used as an in vitro probe for the maturation step of macroautophagy. Upon subcellular fractionation, BHMT (p44) was found in all fractions, while its 32-kDa fragment (p32) was found only in the mitochondrial-lysosomal (ML) fraction. Incubation of isolated hepatocytes with leupeptin induced time-dependent accumulation of p32 in the ML fraction from 30 to 90 min after the start of incubation. However, chloroquine completely inhibited the appearance of p32, indicating that the processing from p44 to p32 is lysosomal. Incubation with Bafilomycin A(1), a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase inhibitor, together with leupeptin, led to linear accumulation of p44, but not of p32. The p44 accumulation rate was calculated to be 4.9%/h, which was comparable to autophagic sequestration rate. The distribution of p44 within the ML fraction turned out to be dual, i.e., the membrane-surface attached and luminal/sedimentable forms. Amino acids and 3-methyladenine, both of which specifically suppress macroautophagy, inhibited the accumulation of p32 as well as of p44. Finally, energy-dependent appearance of p32 was demonstrated during incubation of postnucler supernatant fractions, making it possible to establish an in vitro assay system. All the results strongly support the idea that BHMT is taken up and degraded to p32 through the macroautophagic pathway, and that p32 could be a novel probe for the maturation of macroautophagy.

Nociceptin inhibits capsaicin-sensitive contraction to mesenteric nerve stimulation in the guinea-pig isolated ileum

Mesenteric nerve stimulation (MNS) in the presence of guanethidine and hexamethonium antidromically stimulated extrinsic sensory nerve fibers and cholinergic myenteric motor neurons, resulting in longitudinal muscle contraction in the isolated guinea-pig ileum. Nociceptin (NC) is a recently discovered neuropeptide that structurally resembles an opioid peptide. The aim of the current study was to examine how NC affects the contractile responses to MNS in the isolated guinea-pig ileum, in comparison with an opiate, methionine-enkephalin. These contractions were auxotonically recorded and their amplitude was analyzed. NC (1-100 nM) and methionine-enkephalin (0.1-10 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the response to MNS (20 Hz, 0.5 ms, supramaximal currents). Naloxone (10 microM) significantly diminished the inhibitory effect of methionine-enkephalin (0.1-10 microM), but did not antagonize the inhibitory effect of NC (1-100 nM). We conclude that NC receptors, distinct from opioid receptors, exist on the capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve fibers and/or myenteric cholinergic motor neurons in the guinea-pig ileum and that specific antagonists for these NC receptors are not found yet.

Adenosine A1 receptor blockade reverses dysmotility induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rat colon

This study was designed to assess whether adenosine A1 receptor antagonists [(R)-1-[(E)-3-(2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl) acryloyl]-piperidin-2-yl acetic acid (FK352) and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)] reverse dysmotility induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the rat colon. The gene of adenosine A1 receptor was expressed in the colon. Clamping (30 min) of the colonic marginal vessels was followed by reperfusion, and the propulsive colonic motility was evaluated. Propulsion was significantly slowed by ischemia-reperfusion, while FK352 and DPCPX abolished this delay. In contrast, the non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline, failed to affect the dysmotility. Thus, adenosine A1 receptor antagonists have potent therapeutic potential against ischemia-reperfusion-induced dysmotility in the colon.

Postoperative adhesion prevention with an oxidized regenerated cellulose adhesion barrier in infertile women

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of an oxidized regenerated cellulose adhesion barrier as an adjuvant in preventing postoperative adhesions in infertile women undergoing reconstructive surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-eight cases of reconstructive surgery that could be followed up for more than two years (myomectomy 19, cystectomy 5, tuboplasty 10, uteroplasty 4) at the Fujita Health University Hospital were evaluated retrospectively. The barrier (Intercede, Johnson & Johnson) was used to cover the surgical site in 23 of these cases (Intercede group); no adjuvant was used in 15 cases, which represent the surgical control group (Intercede - group), including 23 second-look operation cases (16 in the Intercede and 7 in the control group). Postoperative adhesion prevention and pregnancy rates were estimated.

RESULTS

At the second-look operation, six cases (37.5%) in the Intercede + group and six (85.7%) in the Intercede - group had postoperative adhesions. No significant difference was found in either intensity or area covered with adhesions between the two groups. Eighteen cases (78.3%) in the Intercede and seven (46.7%) in the Intercede - group conceived during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The use of Intercede significantly reduced the rate of postoperative adhesion formation, with a statistically significant increase in the pregnancy rate as compared to the surgical controls.

Molecular identification and pharmacological characterization of adenosine receptors in the guinea-pig colon

The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of adenosine in the motor function of the guinea-pig distal colon.2 To determine whether adenosine A(1) receptors and A(2B) receptors are expressed in the guinea-pig colon, we employed the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT - PCR). The gene expression of A(1) receptor and A(2B) receptor was found for the first time in the guinea-pig proximal and distal colon.3 Adenosine A(1) agonist N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), and A(1)/A(2) agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) concentration-dependently inhibited neurogenic responses to electrical field stimulation (EC(50)=1.07x10(-8) and 2.12x10(-8) M) in the longitudinal muscle, but A(2A) agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino-5'-N-ethycarboxamido-ad enosine (CGS21680) had only a slight inhibitory effect (25.9%, 1 microM). A(1) antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 10 nM: A(1) selective concentration) antagonized responses to CPA and NECA. Furthermore, the affinity order of antagonists at inhibiting the effect NECA was: DPCPX>8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT: A(1)/A(2) antagonist).3 In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 0.3 microM), CPA and NECA relaxed myogenic precontraction induced by KCl (50 mM) (EC(50)=1.26x10(-5) and 1.04x10(-5) M, respectively), but CGS21680 (1 microM) did not cause any relaxation. DPCPX did not affect responses to CPA and NECA at a concentration of 10 nM, but a higher concentration (1 microM) of DPCPX and 10 microM of 8-PT antagonized those responses.5 These data lead us to the hypothesis that adenosine may mediate relaxation through two different inhibitory receptor subtypes; A(1) receptors on the enteric neuron and A(2B) receptor on the smooth muscle in the guinea-pig distal colon.

Effects of gender difference and birth order on perceived parenting styles, measured by the EMBU scale, in Japanese two-sibling subjects

The relationship between Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppforstran (EMBU) scaling and gender, birth order and parents' gender was previously investigated in a large volunteer sample; significant interactions among the variables were found. In the present study, 730 Japanese volunteers with one sibling were used as subjects in order to control the number of siblings: the effect of gender of subjects and siblings and birth order on the perceived parenting style was examined. Based on gender and birth orders, 730 subjects were grouped into the following categories: (i) male with a younger brother; (ii) male with a younger sister; (iii) male with an older brother; (iv) male with an older sister; (v) female with a younger brother; (vi) female with a younger sister; (vii) female with an older brother; and (viii) female with an older sister. One-way ANOVA was performed with each EMBU subscale used as a dependent variable and these eight groups as independent variables. The scores for rejection and emotional warmth of father were influenced significantly by the pattern of siblings (P<0.006 and P<0.0012, respectively), and scores for emotional warmth of mother were influenced significantly by the pattern of siblings (P<0.0012). The elder male children strongly experienced parenting style as more rejecting than others, and female children (elder sisters with brother, or younger sisters with sister) recognized parenting style as more caring and demonstrated more warmth than others. The results confirmed a significant interaction of gender of subjects and siblings and birth order of perceived parental rearing behavior.

New method for evaluating intestinal contractions in guinea pig by curve fitting

Using a "hybrid logistic function," we attempted to develop a new approach for a quantitative and comprehensive evaluation of the force-time curve of guinea pig gut contractions. We recorded ileum twitch and proximal colon spontaneous isometric longitudinal contractions because of their high regularities. We digitized the force-time curves of both contractions and performed curve fitting to them by hybrid logistic functions with a personal computer. We found that the fitness of these functions to both contractions was excellent. The respective best-fit parameters of these functions were closely correlated with the observed mechanical indexes, all of which are physiologically meaningful. This result suggests the possibility that these parameters can characterize the magnitudes and time courses of F(t) curves of the intestinal contractions. Furthermore, it might be able to show an effect of a pharmacological agent specifically either on the contraction phase, the relaxation phase, or other parameters of each. Therefore, we insisted that the present new approach for evaluating gut motility is promising for clinical application.

Involvement of 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors in the motor activity of isolated vascularly perfused rat duodenum

The involvement of serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes in motor activity of the ex vivo vascularly perfused rat duodenum was investigated. Clusters of phasic contractions (CPCs), migrating in an oral to anal direction, were obtained without any stimulation. Drug effects were evaluated by changes in different components of the pressure waves, such as motor index (MI), frequency, amplitude and duration of the CPC. The effect of 5-HT depletion on motor activity was examined in animals treated with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). The MI, frequency and duration of CPC were decreased by PCPA, but the amplitude was not affected, suggesting that endogenous 5-HT may play an important role in regulation of the motor activity of the rat intestine. The importance of the 5-HT receptor subtypes in the regulation of motor activity was examined. Neither the nonselective 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, methysergide, nor the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, affected motor activity. However, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, granisetron and azasetron, decreased percentage MI, frequency, percentage amplitude and percentage duration of CPC. The 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, SB204070, exerted both excitatory and inhibitory actions, with a higher dose (10 nM) stimulating percentage MI, frequency, percentage amplitude and percentage duration, and a lower dose (0.1 nM or 1 nM) decreasing percentage MI and percentage duration of CPC. These results suggest that endogenous 5-HT regulates the motor activity of the rat duodenum through 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors, with the former mediating the stimulatory influence and the latter mediating both stimulatory and inhibitory influences.

Factor analysis of the EMBU scale in a large sample of Japanese volunteers

OBJECTIVE

The EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran; (one's memories of upbringing') is a convenient and reliable instrument for the assessment of parental attitudes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which the factor structure of the EMBU, obtained in previous investigations, could be retrieved in a large Japanese sample.

METHOD

The EMBU scale was administered to 1320 healthy Japanese volunteers. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The first factor in the analysis, accounting for 9.9% (father) and 10.6% (mother) of the variance, consisted of rejection items. The second factor, accounting for 9.1% (father) and 8.6% (mother) of the variance, contained items relating to emotional warmth. The third factor appeared to represent overprotection, and accounted for 7.8% (father) and 7.8% (mother) of the variance. The fourth factor, which accounted for 3.7% (father) and 3.7% (mother) of the variance, included items classified under favouring subjects. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that this four-factor structure fitted our data very well for both the father and the mother. The results of factor analysis for four subscales showed three major factors for the EMBU.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study confirmed that the EMBU yielded a factor structure in Japan similar to that found in European countries. The EMBU is useful for comparison of parenting attitudes in different societies or countries.

Characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan using the EMBU scale

OBJECTIVE

The EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran) is a self-report questionnaire for the assessment of one's memory of parental rearing experiences. We are interested in using this scale to determine the characteristics of perceived parenting styles in Japan.

METHOD

The study subjects consisted of 1320 healthy Japanese volunteers, comprising 687 males (52%) and 633 females (48%). We investigated the relationship between demographics and the EMBU scale.

RESULTS

ANCOVA revealed that the subject's gender had a significant effect on paternal rejection scores (male > female), and both gender and birth-order position had significant effects on emotional warmth scores for both parents (female > male, and only-child > middle or last-born child). Birth-order position had significant effects on maternal over-protection, with the highest score being that of only children, and on the aspect of favouritism (favouring subjects), scores for both parents were highest from the last-born children. Rejection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father from female subjects. Among both male and female subjects, emotional warmth scores and overprotection scores for the mother were significantly higher than those for the father. Among male subjects, scores for the mother on favouritism of the subject were significantly higher than those for the father. On the other hand, among female subjects, scores for the father on favouritism of the subject were higher than scores for the mother.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that parenting styles have significant interrelationships with the gender and birth-order position of the subject.

Morphological relationship between serotonergic neurons and nitrergic neurons for electrolytes secretion in the submucous plexus of the guinea pig distal colon

In the submucous plexus, double immunocytochemistry revealed that nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunoreactivity was found in both numerous nerve fibers and some nerve cell bodies, while 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-immunoreactivity was limited to many nerve fibers, but not any nerve cell bodies. About 30% of the total NOS positive neurons (978) had close or some contact with 5-HT positive nerve fiber, suggesting that NO may participate in the 5-HT-evoked chloride secretion.

Autolysosomal membrane-associated betaine homocysteine methyltransferase. Limited degradation fragment of a sequestered cytosolic enzyme monitoring autophagy

We compared the membrane proteins of autolysosomes isolated from leupeptin-administered rat liver with those of lysosomes. In addition to many polypeptides common to the two membranes, the autolysosomal membranes were found to be more enriched in endoplasmic reticulum lumenal proteins (protein-disulfide isomerase, calreticulin, ER60, BiP) and endosome/Golgi markers (cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, transferrin receptor, Golgi 58-kDa protein) than lysosomal membranes. The autolysosomal membrane proteins include three polypeptides (44, 35, and 32 kDa) whose amino-terminal sequences have not yet been reported. Combining immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses, we identified the 44-kDa peptide as the intact subunit of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase and the 35- and 32-kDa peptides as two proteolytic fragments. Pronase digestion of autolysosomes revealed that the 44-kDa and 32-kDa peptides are present in the lumen, whereas the 35-kDa peptide is not. In primary hepatocyte cultures, the starvation-induced accumulation of the 32-kDa peptide occurs in the presence of E64d, showing that the 32-kDa peptide is formed from the sequestered 44-kDa peptide during autophagy. The accumulation is induced by rapamycin but completely inhibited by wortmannin, 3-methyladenine, and bafilomycin. Thus, detection of the 32-kDa peptide by immunoblotting can be used as a streamlined assay for monitoring autophagy.

Identification of autolysosomes directly associated with proteolysis on the density gradients in isolated rat hepatocytes

Autophagy-related vacuoles, i.e., autophagosomes (AVi), autolysosomes (AVd) and dense bodies (DB), are intracellular organelles within which macroautophagy and bulk proteolysis set out and progress. Separation of these particles in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, monitored by beta-hexosaminidase, a lysosomal marker enzyme, was established by density gradient centrifugation. Percoll density gradients were modified and improved by adding free polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 0.75%) to 60% Percoll, which made it possible to separate AVd (buoyant peak, d = 1.090) and DB (dense peak, d = 1.131) effectively. Addition of graded levels of a regulatory amino acid mixture (Reg AA) to hepatocyte incubation not only suppressed proteolysis, but also lead to a shift of vacuolar profiles on the density gradients from the buoyant to the dense region. Alterations in the vacuolar shift and proteolysis were highly proportional over a full range of regulation by Reg AA. Morphometric analysis of autophagic vacuoles by electron microscopy revealed changes in the aggregate volumes of both AVi and AVd by Reg AA, which enabled us to estimate autophagic subpopulation of the buoyant peak on the gradient profile. All the results demonstrate that AVd shifts on the density gradients in proportion to alterations in proteolysis regulated by amino acids, and thus the gradient profile can be used as a measure of macroautophagy; and in addition that AVd actively involved in proteolysis occupies only a part of the buoyant peak on the gradients.

5-HT activates nitric oxide-generating neurons to stimulate chloride secretion in guinea pig distal colon

The participation of nitric oxide (NO) in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)-evoked chloride secretion in guinea pig distal colon was examined. Submucosal/mucosal segments were mounted in Ussing flux chambers, and an increase in short-circuit current (Isc) was used as an index of secretion. Addition of 5-HT to the serosal side produced a concentration-dependent (10(-7)-10(-5) M) increase in Isc caused by chloride secretion. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) significantly reduced the 5-HT-evoked early (P-1) and late (P-2) responses to 61.1 and 70.6% of control, respectively. Neurally evoked response was also inhibited by L-NNA. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-4) M) increased basal Isc mainly because of chloride secretion. The SNP-evoked response was significantly reduced by tetrodotoxin but was unchanged by atropine or indomethacin. These results suggest that the 5-HT-evoked increase in Isc is associated with an NO-generating mechanism. Atropine significantly reduced the 5-HT (10(-5) M)-evoked P-1 and P-2 responses to 71.8 and 19.7% of control, respectively. Simultaneous application of atropine and L-NNA further decreased the 5-HT-evoked responses more than either drug alone; application of L-NNA and atropine decreased the 5-HT-evoked P-1 and P-2 responses to 68.5 and 39.2% of atropine-treated tissues, respectively. These results suggest that noncholinergic components of P-1 and P-2 responses are 71.8 and 19.7% of control, respectively, and that NO components of P-1 and P-2 responses are 32 and 61%, respectively, of the noncholinergic component of the 5-HT-evoked responses. The results provide evidence that NO may participate as a noncholinergic mediator of 5-HT-evoked chloride secretion in guinea pig distal colon.

Combined blockade of 5-HT3- and 5-HT4-serotonin receptors inhibits colonic functions in conscious rats and mice

We have already reported that 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists failed to modify 5-HT-accelerated colonic transit in conscious rats, but the 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor dual antagonist FK1052 prevented the enhancement. In this study, the inhibitory effect on the stimulated colonic transit was not also observed with 5-HT4 receptor antagonists (SDZ205-557 and SB204070) in freely moving rats with chronic cannulas implanted into the proximal colon. In contrast, combined antagonism by simultaneous administration of ondansetron and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist exerted a drastic inhibitory effect on the propulsive motility. Furthermore, we examined the effect of 5-HT receptor antagonists on 5-HT-induced fluid secretion in mice. Although none of these selective 5-HT receptor antagonists (YM060 and ondansetron as 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, SB204070 as 5-HT4 receptor antagonist) by itself produced a great inhibition of the 5-HT-induced diarrhea, the combination of a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist markedly reduced the diarrhea. These data suggest that 5-HT-accelerated colonic motility and 5-HT-evoked fluid secretion are mediated by both 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors and that the pathways activated by these receptors may collaborate.

Participation of 5-HT3, 5-HT4, and nicotinic receptors in the peristaltic reflex of guinea pig distal colon

The roles of 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3), 5-HT4, and nicotinic receptors in the peristaltic reflex were investigated in isolated segments of guinea pig distal colon. The reflex assessed by measuring the propulsion of solid pellets, was affected neither by 5-HT3-selective antagonists (ondansetron granisetron) nor by 5-HT4-selective antagonists (SDZ-205-557, GR-113808A, SB-204070) applied individually (1.0 microM); nevertheless, the reflex was inhibited by combining these antagonists or by applying a 5-HT3/5-HT4 dual antagonist (FK-1052). Hexamethonium abolished the peristaltic reflex at 100 microM, but not at 10-32 microM. In contrast, the peristaltic reflex was inhibited when hexamethonium (32 microM was combined with either a 5-HT3- or 5-HT4-selective antagonist (1.0 microM). These observations suggest that 5-HT3, 5-HT4, and nicotinic receptors participate in the initiation and/or propagation of the peristaltic reflex. The data are consistent with the idea that these receptors are arranged in parallel in the neural pathways that mediate the peristaltic reflex in the distal colon.

Acute effect of epinephrine on muscle proteolysis in perfused rat hindquarters

An acute and direct effect of epinephrine (Epi) on muscle proteolysis was investigated using a single-pass mode of rat hindquarter perfusion. The rate of tyrosine (Tyr) release at > 30 min with cycloheximide was regarded as the muscle proteolytic rate. Infusion of Epi (500 nM) to the hindquarters of fed rats led to a sharp decrease in the Tyr release to 50% within 5 min, accompanied by an increase in perfusion pressure and edema around the perfused tissues. To clarify the mechanism, alpha- and beta-antagonists were used together with Epi. A mixture of 10 microM prazosin and 10 microM yohimbine (alpha-adrenergic blockade) before or after Epi infusion completely prevented the edema development and resulted in a new steady state to 80% of the initial rate. On the contrary, 100 microM propranolol (a beta-antagonist) with Epi did not abolish the edema and caused fluctuation in Tyr release. Whether the above results are affected by changes in Tyr transport at the plasma membrane was tested by measuring Tyr efflux from the perfused muscle. Only a beta-adrenergic blockade significantly reduced the rate constant of Tyr efflux from the intracellular pool by 13%. These results suggested that the suppression of Tyr release by alpha-adrenergic activity was mainly due to the effect on Tyr efflux, whereas that by beta-adrenergic activity was not at the Tyr transport level but at the proteolysis level, demonstrating that Epi directly inhibits proteolysis of skeletal muscle via the beta-adrenoceptor.

In situ identification of messenger RNA of endothelial type nitric oxide synthase in rat cardiac myocytes

The endothelial type nitric oxide synthase (NOS) termed as NOS-III has been demonstrated in various nonendothelial cells. Although NOS-III was recently found in the cardiac tissues, identification of the cells expressing NOS-III gene in the heart remains unknown. In this study, we compared the expression of NOS-III mRNA in various tissues of rats by Northern blot analysis using a homologous cDNA probe and identified the cell type by in situ hybridization histochemistry with a cRNA probe. NOS-III mRNA was found more abundantly in atria and ventricle than in other various tissues examined. NOS-III mRNA was intensely and specifically visualized in the cardiac myocytes as well as in the endothelial cells of the heart. No staining was seen with a sense cRNA probe. These results provide the first in vivo evidence for NOS-III mRNA in the cardiac myocytes and suggest its role in the regulation of cardiac functions.

Is nitric oxide involved in 5-HT-induced fluid secretion in the gut?

The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that 5-HT stimulates nitric oxide (NO) generating neurons, and that these neurons participate in the mediation of 5-HT-induced fluid secretion. 5-HT induced electrogenic Cl- secretion in guinea-pig distal colon. This response was abolished by tetrodotoxin but not by atropine. The maximum response to 5-HT (10(-5) M) was inhibited by approximately 65% (P < 0.05, n = 6) by the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-4) M). The substrate of NO synthase, L-Arg (10(-3) M) reversed the inhibition of 5-HT-induced secretions by L-NNA. 5-HT-induced diarrhea in fasted mice was reduced by atropine in vivo. NG-Nitro-L-Arg methyl ester (L-NAME, 1-32 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently inhibited 5-HT (1 mg/kg)-induced diarrhea. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME was reversed by L-Arg, but not D-Arg (600 mg/kg, i.p., respectively). Taken together, these data suggest that 5-HT-induced fluid secretion in the gut is partly due to the activation of neurons that generate NO.

Leucine-specific binding of photoreactive Leu7-MAP to a high molecular weight protein on the plasma membrane of the isolated rat hepatocyte

Leu8-MAP (Multiple Antigen Peptide) is an effective inhibitor of macroautophagy and proteolysis in the isolated rat hepatocyte, having an apparent Km (0.1 mM) equaling leucine. Since it is not transported into the cytosolic compartment, it very likely mediates its effect through a plasma membrane site. In an attempt to identify the site we photoreacted intact cells with a biologically active, iodinatable azide derivative of Leu7-MAP. A approximately 340,000 M(r) protein whose labeling was protected 83% with 20 mM Leu was found in plasma membrane fractions when electrophoresed in 7.5-20% gradient gels under nonreducing conditions; addition of 20 mM dithiothreitol generated smaller m.w. products, possibly subunits, of consistent size. No specific labeling was observed with photoreactive derivatives of Ile7-MAP or Val7-MAP.

De novo autophagic vacuole formation in hepatocytes permeabilized by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. Inhibition by nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs

The role of GTP-binding proteins in autophagic vacuole formation was investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes permeabilized by alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus, an agent which creates stable plasma membrane channels allowing exchange of small (< or = 1000 Da) molecules. Vacuole formation was monitored from the uptake of 125I-tyramine-cellobiitol (125ITC) into osmotically sensitive vacuoles isolated on colloidal silica density gradients. Separation was based on an established observation that autophagic vacuoles are retained in a heavy midgradient band when samples are layered, but are selectively shifted to dense fractions when they are previously dispersed in the gradient material. The vacuolar uptake of 125ITC was concentration-dependent and required exogenous ATP: 94% was directly mediated by sequestration; 6% was acquired by fluid-phase endocytosis as monitored by [carboxyl-14C]dextran-carboxyl. Although the amino acid control of proteolysis was lost, addition of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog GTP gamma S (as well as GMP-PNP) decreased fractional rates of direct vacuolar 125ITC uptake and long-lived proteolysis by similar amounts (1.02-1.03% h-1), substantiating the notion that the effects were the direct result of autophagic inhibition. These and associated findings, supported by quantitative electron microscopy, indicate the presence of ongoing macro- and microautophagy in alpha-toxin-permeabilized cells and suggest that one or more GTP-binding proteins is required in macroautophagic vacuole formation.

Pharmacological profile of FK480, a novel cholecystokinin type-A receptor antagonist: comparison to loxiglumide

The pharmacological profile of FK480[(S)-(+)-N-<1-(2)-fluorophenyl)-3,4,6,7-tetra hydro-4-oxo-pyrrolo(3,2,1-jk) (1,4)benzodiaze-pine-3-yl>-1H-indole-2- carboxamide], a novel cholecystokinin type-A (CCK-A) receptor antagonist, was compared with that of the CCK-A receptor antagonist, loxiglumide. Both FK480 and loxiglumide inhibited 125I-labeled CCK-8 (125I-CCK-8) binding to rat pancreatic and guinea-pig gallbladder membranes with IC50 values of 0.40 +/- 0.04 and 0.06 +/- 0.02 nM for FK480 and 330 +/- 66 and 66 +/- 10 nM for loxiglumide, respectively. These two agents also inhibited 125I-CCK-8 binding to guinea-pig brain (cerebral cortex) receptors with respective IC50 values of 72 +/- 11 nM and > 10 microM, indicating less affinity to central receptors. Intravenous administration of FK480 (ED50 = 18 micrograms/kg) was 2800 times more potent than that of loxiglumide (ED50 = 50 mg/kg) in inhibiting CCK-8-induced pancreatic amylase secretion in rats. Furthermore, FK480 had ED50 values of 10 and 8.4 micrograms/kg, respectively, in antagonizing CCK-8-induced inhibition of charcoal meal gastric emptying in mice when administered orally 1 or 5 hr before the CCK-8. Loxiglumide (ED50 = 23.5 mg/kg, when administered orally 1 hr before the CCK-8) also antagonized it, but its activity was 2400 times less than that of FK480. We conclude that FK480 is a potent, orally effective CCK-A receptor antagonist with long duration of action.

Multiphasic control of proteolysis by leucine and alanine in the isolated rat hepatocyte

Autophagically mediated proteolysis in the perfused rat liver is under complex multiphasic control by a small group of amino acids dominated by leucine. Because there have been no prior reports of such regulation in the isolated hepatocyte, our goal was to determine whether it is a manifestation of interactions between diverse cells in the intact liver or, alternatively, the expression of a unique control mechanism within a single population of cells. Hepatocytes were isolated from livers of ad libitum-fed rats and incubated with cycloheximide at low density (approximately 10(6) cells/ml) for the determination of valine release. As in perfusion experiments with synchronously fed rats, proteolytic responses to leucine in cells from fed rats were mediated through two inhibitory mechanisms that alternated randomly on a day-to-day basis. The first (L) represented a typical multiphasic dose-response with low- and high-concentration inhibition separated by a sharp zonal loss of inhibition that could be abolished by alanine. The second (H) mediated inhibition only at high concentrations. It disappeared after 24 h of starvation, leaving L as the prevailing mode. The findings indicate that both macroautophagy and the multiphasic mechanism for regulating it coexist in a single population of hepatocytes, making the cells suitable for studies aimed at defining the putative plasma membrane site of leucine recognition.

A decreased number of primordial germ cells and the small numbers and reduced sizes of germinal granules in the periodic albino mutant of Xenopus laevis

Light and electron microscopy were used to examine the cause of the small number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) that were unexpectedly found in periodic albino (a(p)/a(p)) tadpoles of Xenopus laevis. The observations revealed that the volumes of germ plasm were not significantly different between a(p)/a(p) and wild-type eggs and that the germ plasm of ap/ap eggs contained a smaller number of germinal granules than are present in wild-type eggs and the granules were also smaller than in the wild-type eggs. It was concluded that the number of PGCs might be primarily determined by the number and size of germinal granules.

Effect of FK1052, a potent 5-hydroxytryptamine3 and 5-hydroxytryptamine4 receptor dual antagonist, on colonic function in vivo

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and hormone/paracrine agent mediating various enteric functions. Its precise physiological and pathophysiological role remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of 5-HT on colonic function and the effects of the newly developed 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, FK1052, on colonic responses to 5-HT or stress stimulus in vivo. In conscious rats, both 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine significantly increased fecal pellet output and accelerated colonic transit. In contrast, the effect of 2-methyl-5-HT was slight. Although ondansetron and granisetron slightly reduced 5-HT (1 mg/kg s.c.) stimulated colonic transit, FK1052 [(+)-8,9-dihydro-10-methyl-7-[(5-methyl-4-imidazolyl)methyl]pyrido- [1,2-a]-indole-6(7H)-one hydrochloride], at 0.1 mg/kg p.o., inhibited completely the increases in the colonic transit. Furthermore, FK1052, ondansetron and granisetron significantly depressed the increase in fecal pellet output caused by wrap-restraint stress, with ED50 values of 0.21, 3.0 and 1.1 mg/kg p.o., respectively. Intraperitoneal administration of 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine, but not 2-methyl-5-HT, produced a dose-related increase in the incidence of diarrhea in fasted mice. 5-HT (0.32 mg/kg i.p.)-induced diarrhea was also inhibited by FK1052, ondansetron and granisetron, with ED50 values of 0.09, 2.3 and 0.88 mg/kg p.o., respectively. These findings suggest that 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors may have an important role in colonic function and FK1052 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction such as irritable bowel syndrome.