C-terminal peptide of preproorexin enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in rat cerebrocortical cells and recognition memory in mice

During the production of orexin A and B from preproorexin, a common precursor protein, in hypothalamic orexin neurons, C-terminal peptide (herein called preproorexin C-peptide) is concomitantly produced via post-translational processing. The predicted three-dimensional structure of preproorexin C-peptide is similar among mammalian species, suggestive of a conserved function in the mammalian brain. However, C-peptide has long been regarded as a non-functional peptide. We herein examined the effects of rat and/or mouse preproorexin C-peptide on gene expression and cell viability in cultured rat cerebrocortical cells and on memory behavior in C57BL/6J mice. Rat and mouse C-peptides both increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) mRNA levels. Moreover, C-peptide enhanced high K+-, glutamate-, and BDNF-induced increases in Bdnf mRNA levels without affecting forskolin-induced Bdnf expression. H-89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, blocked C-peptide-induced Bdnf expression, whereas rolipram, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, enhanced this effect. Intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations were elevated by C-peptide. These results demonstrate that preproorexin C-peptide promoted Bdnf mRNA expression by a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism. Eleven amino acids at the N terminus of rat preproorexin C-peptide exerted similar effects on Bdnf expression as full-length preproorexin C-peptide. Preproorexin C-peptide also exerted protective effects against CoCl2-induced neuronal cell death. An intracerebroventricular injection of mouse preproorexin C-peptide induced c-fos and Bdnf expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and enhanced novel object recognition memory in mice. Collectively, the present results show that preproorexin C-peptide is a functional substance, at least in some pharmacological and neuronal settings.

A nuclear import pathway exploited by pathogenic noncoding RNAs

The prevailing view of intracellular RNA trafficking in eukaryotic cells is that RNAs transcribed in the nucleus either stay in the nucleus or cross the nuclear envelope, entering the cytoplasm for function. However, emerging evidence illustrates that numerous functional RNAs move in the reverse direction, from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The mechanism underlying RNA nuclear import has not been well elucidated. Viroids are single-stranded circular noncoding RNAs that infect plants. Using Nicotiana benthamiana, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and nuclear-replicating viroids as a model, we showed that cellular IMPORTIN ALPHA-4 (IMPa-4) is likely involved in viroid RNA nuclear import, empirically supporting the involvement of Importin-based cellular pathway in RNA nuclear import. We also confirmed the involvement of a cellular protein (viroid RNA-binding protein 1 [VIRP1]) that binds both IMPa-4 and viroids. Moreover, a conserved C-loop in nuclear-replicating viroids serves as a key signal for nuclear import. Disrupting C-loop impairs VIRP1 binding, viroid nuclear accumulation, and infectivity. Further, C-loop exists in a subviral satellite noncoding RNA that relies on VIRP1 for nuclear import. These results advance our understanding of subviral RNA infection and the regulation of RNA nuclear import.

Size-controlled bimodal in vivo nanoprobes as near-infrared phosphors and positive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

Rare-earth-doped nanoparticles (NPs), such as NaGdF₄ nanocrystals doped with light-emitting rare earth ions, are promising bimodal probes that allow the integration of over 1000 nm near-infrared (OTN-NIR; NIR-II/III) fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of live bodies. A precise control of the particle size is the key factor for achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio in both NIR fluorescence and MR images and for regulating their function in the body. In this study, size-controlled NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ NPs prepared by stepwise crystal growth were used for in vivo bimodal imaging. Hexagonal NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ NPs coated with poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer, with hydrodynamic diameters of 15 and 45 nm, were prepared and evaluated as bimodal NPs for OTN-NIR fluorescence imaging and MRI. Their longitudinal (T ₁) and transverse (T ₂) relaxation rates at the static magnetic field strength of 1.0 T, as well as their cytotoxicity towards NIH3T3 cell lines, were evaluated and compared to study the effect of size. Using these particles, blood vessel visualization was achieved by MRI, with the highest relaxometric ratio (r ₁/r ₂) of 0.79 reported to date for NaGdF₄-based nanoprobes (r ₁ = 19.78 mM^-1 s^-1), and by OTN-NIR fluorescence imaging. The results clearly demonstrate the potential of the size-controlled PEG-modified NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ NPs as powerful 'positive' T ₁-weight contrast MRI agents and OTN-NIR fluorophores.

High expression of ABCG2 induced by EZH2 disruption has pivotal roles in MDS pathogenesis

Both proto-oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions have been reported for enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). To investigate the effects of its inactivation, a mutant EZH2 lacking its catalytic domain was prepared (EZH2-dSET). In a mouse bone marrow transplant model, EZH2-dSET expression in bone marrow cells induced a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like disease in transplanted mice. Analysis of these mice identified Abcg2 as a direct target of EZH2. Intriguingly, Abcg2 expression alone induced the same disease in the transplanted mice, where stemness genes were enriched. Interestingly, ABCG2 expression is specifically high in MDS patients. The present results indicate that ABCG2 de-repression induced by EZH2 mutations have crucial roles in MDS pathogenesis.

Removing arsenic from groundwater in Cambodia using high performance iron adsorbent

In Cambodia, groundwater has been contaminated with arsenic, and purification of the water is an urgent issue. From 2010 to 2012, an international collaborative project between Japan and Cambodia for developing arsenic-removing technology from well water was conducted and supported by the foundation of New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan. Quality of well water was surveyed in Kandal, Prey Veng, and Kampong Cham Provinces, and a monitoring trial of the arsenic removal equipment using our patented amorphous iron (hydr)oxide adsorbent was performed. Of the 37 wells surveyed, arsenic concentration of 24 exceeded the Cambodian guideline value (50 μg L(-1)), and those of 27 exceeded the WHO guideline for drinking water (10 μg L(-1)). Levels of arsenic were extremely high in some wells (>1,000-6,000 μg L(-1)), suggesting that arsenic pollution of groundwater is serious in these areas. Based on the survey results, 16 arsenic removal equipments were installed in six schools, three temples, two health centers, four private houses, and one commune office. Over 10 months of monitoring, the average arsenic concentrations of the treated water were between 0 and 10 μg L(-1) at four locations, 10-50 μg L(-1) at eight locations, and >50 μg L(-1) at four locations. The arsenic removal rate ranged in 83.1-99.7%, with an average of 93.8%, indicating that the arsenic removal equipment greatly lower the risk of arsenic exposure to the residents. Results of the field trial showed that As concentration of the treated water could be reduced to <10 µg L(-1) by managing the As removal equipment properly, suggesting that the amorphous iron (hydr)oxide adsorbent has high adsorbing capacity for As not only in the laboratory environment but also in the field condition. This is one of the succeeding As removal techniques that could reduce As concentration of water below the WHO guideline value for As in situ.

Safety and efficacy of water-in-oil-in-water emulsion vaccines containing Newcastle disease virus haemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein

Subunit vaccines containing haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), formulated as water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions, were prepared. First, the suitable constituents of a W/O/W emulsion adjuvant were investigated with polyvalent vaccines using NDV, infectious bronchitis virus and Haemophilus paragallinarum. The W/O/W emulsion adjuvant, composed of the antigen in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), liquid paraffin, squalene, diglyceryl monooleate, polysorbate 80 and PBS in a 30:25:10:5:2:28 ratio, induced a good antibody response with less adverse local reactions. HN protein of NDV was expressed by an improved baculovirus expression vector, a hybrid nucleopolyhedrovirus (HyNPV) between Autographa californica NPV and Bombyx mori NPV,and was prepared from silkworm pupae infected with the recombinant baculovirus, HyNPV-HN. Then, the W/O/W emulsion vaccine containing HN protein was prepared using the aforementioned constituents. Chickens showed 100, 100 and 80% protection against challenge exposure to virulent NDV at 4 weeks after vaccination with W/O/W emulsion vaccines containing 30, 6 and 3% of HyHPV-HN-infected pupae, respectively. The vaccines containing HN protein did not induce adverse local reactions at the site of injection. The subunit vaccine for NDV containing HN protein expressed in the recombinant baculovirus-infected pupae, formulated as a W/O/W emulsion vaccine composed of the antigen in PBS, liquid paraffin, squalene, diglyceryl monooleate, polysorbate 80 and PBS in a 30:25:10:5:2:28 ratio, was therefore found to be safe and effective.

A three-dimensional RNA motif in Potato spindle tuber viroid mediates trafficking from palisade mesophyll to spongy mesophyll in Nicotiana benthamiana

Cell-to-cell trafficking of RNA is an emerging biological principle that integrates systemic gene regulation, viral infection, antiviral response, and cell-to-cell communication. A key mechanistic question is how an RNA is specifically selected for trafficking from one type of cell into another type. Here, we report the identification of an RNA motif in Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) required for trafficking from palisade mesophyll to spongy mesophyll in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. This motif, called loop 6, has the sequence 5'-CGA-3'...5'-GAC-3' flanked on both sides by cis Watson-Crick G/C and G/U wobble base pairs. We present a three-dimensional (3D) structural model of loop 6 that specifies all non-Watson-Crick base pair interactions, derived by isostericity-based sequence comparisons with 3D RNA motifs from the RNA x-ray crystal structure database. The model is supported by available chemical modification patterns, natural sequence conservation/variations in PSTVd isolates and related species, and functional characterization of all possible mutants for each of the loop 6 base pairs. Our findings and approaches have broad implications for studying the 3D RNA structural motifs mediating trafficking of diverse RNA species across specific cellular boundaries and for studying the structure-function relationships of RNA motifs in other biological processes.

Viroid intercellular trafficking: RNA motifs, cellular factors and broad impacts

Viroids are noncoding RNAs that infect plants. In order to establish systemic infection, these RNAs must traffic from an initially infected host cell into neighboring cells and ultimately throughout a whole plant. Recent studies have identified structural motifs in a viroid that are required for trafficking, enabling further studies on the mechanisms of their function. Some cellular proteins interact with viroids in vivo and may play a role in viroid trafficking, which can now be directly tested by using a virus-induced gene silencing system that functions efficiently in plant species from which these factors were identified. This review discusses these recent advances, unanswered questions and the use of viroid infection as an highly productive model to elucidate mechanisms of RNA trafficking that is of broad biological significance.

An incidentally discovered small and asymptomatic para-aortic paraganglioma

Preoperative diagnosis of asymptomatic paraganglioma is difficult due to the lack of specific symptoms. In this report, we present a rare case of a small and asymptomatic para-aortic paraganglioma. A 34-year-old woman who complained of back pain was admitted for further examination. No abnormal findings were observed on physical or laboratory examinations. An abdominal CT scan and an abdominal MRI incidentally noted a mass about 3 cm in diameter adjacent to the right edge of the inferior vena cava. The following aortic angiography showed the tumor with a feeding artery diverting directly from the aorta. The tumor was completely resected by laparotomy. The resected tumor, 3 x 3 x 3 cm in size, was soft, dark-reddish and encapsulated. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that it was positive for neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A and adrenocorticotropin. Under these findings, the diagnosis of para-aortic paraganglioma was determined. Seven years after the operation, she remains asymptomatic and free of disease.

A structured viroid RNA serves as a substrate for dicer-like cleavage to produce biologically active small RNAs but is resistant to RNA-induced silencing complex-mediated degradation

RNA silencing is a potent means of antiviral defense in plants and animals. A hallmark of this defense response is the production of 21- to 24-nucleotide viral small RNAs via mechanisms that remain to be fully understood. Many viruses encode suppressors of RNA silencing, and some viral RNAs function directly as silencing suppressors as counterdefense. The occurrence of viroid-specific small RNAs in infected plants suggests that viroids can trigger RNA silencing in a host, raising the question of how these noncoding and unencapsidated RNAs survive cellular RNA-silencing systems. We address this question by characterizing the production of small RNAs of Potato spindle tuber viroid (srPSTVds) and investigating how PSTVd responds to RNA silencing. Our molecular and biochemical studies provide evidence that srPSTVds were derived mostly from the secondary structure of viroid RNAs. Replication of PSTVd was resistant to RNA silencing, although the srPSTVds were biologically active in guiding RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)-mediated cleavage, as shown with a sensor system. Further analyses showed that without possessing or triggering silencing suppressor activities, the PSTVd secondary structure played a critical role in resistance to RISC-mediated cleavage. These findings support the hypothesis that some infectious RNAs may have evolved specific secondary structures as an effective means to evade RNA silencing in addition to encoding silencing suppressor activities. Our results should have important implications in further studies on RNA-based mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and the biological constraints that shape the evolution of infectious RNA structures.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T is not associated with expression of pyrimidine metabolic enzyme genes in colorectal cancer

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism may influence the chemosensitivity of colorectal cancers to fluorouracil (5-FU) by increasing intracellular 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate. The effect of this polymorphism on the expression of thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) in colorectal cancer was investigated. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism was analysed and TS, DPD, OPRT and TP mRNA expression was measured in tumour and adjacent normal mucosal tissue. In all patients, the genotypes of the tumour and normal tissues were identical. No differences were found in the expression of TS, DPD or TP mRNA by genotype in either tumour or normal tissue. Although the OPRT mRNA level in tumour tissue was not associated with the genotype, normal mucosa with the TT genotype showed a significantly higher OPRT mRNA level than mucosa with other genotypes. The MTHFR C667T polymorphism is not associated with intratumoural expression of TS, DPD, OPRT or TP.

Effects of a kappa-receptor agonist U-50488 on bulbar respiratory neurons and its antagonistic action against the mu receptor-induced respiratory depression in decerebrate cats

The function of kappa receptor-mechanisms in bulbar respiratory network was investigated in decerebrate cats. Intravenous injection of U-50488 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased the phrenic nerve discharge and shortened inspiration and expiration. U-50488 caused hyperpolarization, and decreased input resistance and the action potential discharge in respiratory neurons. The effects of U-50488 were antagonized by nor-binaltorphimine. DAMGO (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased the phrenic discharge and prolonged inspiration and expiration. U-50488 partially reversed the respiratory depression induced by DAMGO. These results suggest that the activation of K receptors by itself depresses the central respiratory activity, while it opposes the mu receptor-mediated respiratory depression.

Treatment of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The problem of whether surgical or conservative treatment is indicated for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been analyzed from the viewpoint of long-term development of hepatitis viral infection from liver fibrosis to liver cirrhosis. Although transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hemostasis followed by two-stage hepatectomy has been established as the best treatment for ruptured HCC, there still remain difficulties in the treatment of some patients.

METHODS

Twelve patients with ruptured HCC who were surgically or conservatively treated were retrospectively analyzed in terms of modality of treatment, liver function, extension of HCC, complications, survival rate, and cause of death.

RESULTS

Tumor rupture can occur either in the early phase or in the terminal phase during the development from liver fibrosis to liver cirrhosis, while tumor rupture occurs at the advanced stage in terms of HCC extension. TAE for emergent hemostasis or prevention of re-bleeding was performed in ten patients, while TAE was contraindicated in one patient and emergent laparotomy for hemostasis was performed in one patient. In four patients, elective extended surgical resection was performed, because liver function was evaluated as clinical stage 1 according to the General rules for the clinical and pathological study of primary liver cancer of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan. In seven patients, conservative or medical treatment was selected, because liver function was evaluated as poor. The surgically treated group, who could tolerate extensive operation, survived longer than the conservatively treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

While TAE remains the best method to employ for hemostasis, it still has limitations. Hence, we should be mindful of other possible modalities for hemostasis and their outcomes. Rupture of HCC at an early phase in the development of liver fibrosis is a good indication for elective surgical treatment and should be distinguished from rupture in the terminal phase of liver cirrhosis, which should be treated conservatively. Although elective surgical treatment can be performed in selected patients, tumor size and location of HCC, in addition to liver function, should be taken into consideration.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase-immunoreactivity of bulbar respiratory neurons identified by intracellular recording and labeling in rats

To distinguish the GABAergic neuron in the ventral respiratory group (VRG) of rats, immunohistochemical staining of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was performed in neurons that had been individually identified by in vivo intracellular recording and labeling with neurobiotin. A total of five types of respiratory neurons were identified and labeled; augmenting inspiratory (aug-I, n=12), decrementing or early inspiratory (early-I, n=3), inspiration-expiration phase spanning or late inspiratory (late-I, n=3), decrementing expiratory or postinspiratory (PI, n=8), and augmenting or stage 2 expiratory (E2, n=3). In addition, expiration-inspiration phase-spanning or pre-inspiratory neurons (pre-I, n=2) were recorded, but not labeled. The membrane potential trajectory of each neuron type resembled that previously described in cat, suggesting a comparable neuronal organization between the two species. According to the axonal arborization, those labeled neurons were further classified as propriobulbar (6 aug-I, all early-I, all late-I, and 3 PI), bulbospinal (2 aug-I and all E2) and cranial-motor neurons (4 aug-I and 5 PI). GAD-immunoreactivity was consistently detected in the propriobulbar neurons, while it was not seen in cranial-motor and bulbospinal neurons. In addition, GAD-immunoreactive varicosities were found surrounding the somatic and dendritic surface of all labeled neurons. The present results illustrate that the propriobulbar types of early-I, aug-I, late-I and PI neurons are GABAergic inhibitory neurons and virtually all types of respiratory neurons receive GABAergic inputs in the rat's VRG.

Extreme discrepancy between macroscopic diagnosis and pathological findings of gallbladder cancer treated by hepatopancreatoduodenectomy

Diagnosis of gallbladder cancer in terms of invasion depth and spread is an important factor in determining cumulative survival after surgical treatment. However, diagnostic methods available at present occasionally fail to judge staging correctly. We report a case of gallbladder cancer which showed extreme discrepancy between the preoperative macroscopic and imaging diagnosis (positive direct invasion to the liver and invasion to the bile duct and duodenum through the serosal layer; S3, Hinf3, Binf2, and stage IV by the Japanese Society of Biliary Surgery classification) and the pathological findings (limited in vasion within the subserosal layer; ss, hinf0. binf0, and stage II). This discrepancy allowed us to perform curative treatment by hepatopancreatoduodenectomy, including extended right lobectomy of the liver, external bile duct resection, resection of the mesocolon, and lymph node dissection. Surgeons should aim for curability of advanced gallbladder cancer by radical resection until accurate methods for the preoperative diagnosis of cancer spread are available, because the clinical picture may be modified by inflammatory changes.

Induction of hepatocellular carcinoma with high metastatic potential in WS/Shi rats: discovery of an inbred strain highly susceptible to the liver carcinogen N-nitrosomorpholine

We investigated the susceptibility of three inbred strains of rats to the hepatocarcinogen, N-nitrosomorpholine (NNM), to establish a spontaneous metastatic model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). WS/Shi. SD/gShi, and F344/DuCrj rats were given 0.02% NNM in drinking water for 8 weeks and thereafter left without any treatment. The experiment ceased at week 20, because mortality markedly increased after this time point in WS/Shi rats. Liver weight was highest in WS/Shi rats among the three strains examined. The incidence of HCC was 15/15 (100%) in WS/Shi rats, 1/16 (6%) in SD/gShi rats, and 13/16 (81%) in F344/DuCrj rats surviving after NNM treatment. Metastasis to the lung was observed in HCC-bearing rats at an incidence of 13/15 (87%) in WS/Shi, 1/1 in SD/gShi, and 6/13 (46%) in F344/DuCrj. Four-week administration of NNM resulted in a significantly higher BrdU-labeling index of hepatocytes in WS/Shi rats than in the other strains. These findings indicated that WS/Shi is the most sensitive strain to NNM and may be the most suitable strain for use as a spontaneous metastatic model of HCC among the strains of rats examined in the present study.

Effect of liquid paraffin on antibody responses and local adverse reactions of bivalent oil adjuvanted vaccines containing newcastle disease virus and infectious bronchitis virus

Effects of liquid paraffin on antibody responses and local adverse reactions after intramuscular injection of oil adjuvanted vaccines containing Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bronchitis (IB) virus were investigated in chickens. Each vaccine was prepared with a liquid paraffin such as Carnation, Crystol 52 and Lytol. These vaccines induced sustained antibody responses against ND and IB. Among local adverse reactions, Lytol induced granulomatous reactions and abscesses, but Carnation and Crystol 52 did not. The residual weight of liquid paraffin at the injection site decreased in the order Carnation, Crystol 52, Lytol. Crystol 52 was composed of relatively few short-chain hydrocarbons (i.e., <n-C16H34) and long-chain hydrocarbons (i.e., >n-C20H42). The vaccine with liquid paraffin mainly composed of n-C16H34-n-C20H42 was suggested to induce fewer adverse reactions.

Local Fibrinolysis for Middle Cerebral Artery Embolism Criteria for the Indication by Evaluation of Residual Cerebral Blood Flow and the Results

We summarize our clinical experience of the local fibrinolysis for the middle cerebral artery (MCA) embolism. We added residual CBF factors of the ischemic territories to the usual criteria for the indication of fibrinolysis by Xe-SPECT CBF measurement. Forty-nine cases of local fibrinolysis for MCA embolism were reviewed and the results were compared with the conservative medical treatment cases.

Angiographical improvements were achieved in 38 cases (76%, full reopening 17/49, partial reopening 21/49) and favorable outcomes (good recovery at GOS) were obtained in 32 cases (65%) at three months follow-up outcome. In comparison with the conservative medical treatment, fibrinolysis was superior at good recovery rate, severe disability rate and the resulted large infarction rate with statistical significance.

We concluded that the local fibrinolysis with evaluation of the residual CBF of the ischemic territories achieved good results and outcomes and superior to the conservative medical treatment at some points. To keep the therapeutic time window, it is necessary to include the CBF factor to the criteria for the indication of this treatment.

Immunoreactivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors of intracellularly labeled respiratory neurons in the cat

In adult cats, immunofluorescence images of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were achieved in the ventral respiratory group (VRG) neurons, which had been individually identified by in vivo intracellular recording and labeling with neurobiotin. Among augmenting inspiratory (aug-I), postinspiratory (post-I), and augmenting expiratory (aug-E) neurons labeled, GAD-immunoreactivity was demonstrated only in those neurons that were not antidromically activated (NAA) by stimulation of the vagus nerve and the C2-C3 spinal cord. Substantial immunoreactivity for NMDA receptors was presented in virtually all types of neurons, but lesser reactivity in aug-E bulbospinal neurons. These results suggest that the aug-I, post-I, and aug-E types of NAA neurons are gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and that NMDA receptors distribute in lesser degree in aug-E bulbospinal neurons than in other types of VRG neurons.

Extrahepatic large hepatocellular carcinoma with peritoneal dissemination: multimodal treatment, including four surgical operations

We report a patient with extrahepatically growing large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with disseminated intraabdominal tumor and spontaneous tumor bleeding who was treated with four operations, transcatheter arterial embolization, systemic chemotherapy, and hyperthermia. It took 12 months for the multimodal treatment to normalize the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and remission continued for 6 months. We performed the fourth surgical treatment for a recurrent abdominal tumor involving the small intestine and mesentery, but the patient died 26 months after the first admission. Multimodal treatment, including repeat surgical treatments, for such advanced HCC should be encouraged, to prolong life and to maintain quality of life.

Severe complications of mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst: report of esophagobronchial fistula and hemothorax

We report two patients with alcoholic pancreatic pseudocyst which communicated to the mediastinal space through the aortic hiatus, in one patient resulting in hypotensive shock due to hemothorax, and in the other, resulting in esophagobronchial fistula via the mediastinal cyst. The first patient was successfully treated by radical resection of the pancreatic body and tail, and the spleen, with an ultrasonic scalpel, although inflammatory changes caused by pancreatitis were so prominent that the splenic vein was occluded. The second patient could not be treated surgically, because the superior mesenteric vein had been occluded by chronic pancreatitis; he died of respiratory failure and sepsis due to aspiration pneumonia, despite receiving medical treatment.

Relationship between antigen release and antibody response of infectious coryza water-in-oil-in-water emulsion vaccines

The relationship between the antigen release from formulations in vitro and the antibody response after administration of water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion vaccines containing Haemophilus paragallinarum (Hpg) was studied in chickens. Increases of sorbitan sesquioleate volume in the formulation led to slower antigen release and tended to induce higher hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titers. In addition, the vaccines prepared with internal aqueous phase:oil phase:external aqueous phase (A:O:A) ratios of 3:4:3 and 3:3:4 also showed slower release of antigen and higher HI antibody titer compared with those of an A:O:A ratio of 3:2:5. Vaccines prepared with polyoxyethylene (POE)(10) hydrogenated castor oil or POE(40) hydrogenated castor oil instead of sorbitan sesquioleate showed higher release and lower antibody HI titers. As a result, HI antibody titers at 6 wk after vaccination were inversely related to antigen release, as determined by the release test. The correlation coefficient was 0.942. In infectious coryza W/O/W emulsion vaccines, the slow release of antigen from the formulation induced and maintained high HI antibody titers of Hpg.

Aldosterone overproduction and CYP11B2 mRNA overexpression in vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Aldosterone is synthesized in extra-adrenal tissues such as blood vessels and brain. Damage to blood vessels could play a crucial role in perpetuating hypertension. In this study, we determined both aldosterone production and aldosterone synthase gene-CYP11B2 mRNA expression in vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The results showed that aldosterone was overproduced in the vasculature of SHR, by means of ex vivo mesenteric artery perfusion, HPLC, and RIA, and that CYP11B2 mRNA expression was upregulated in aortas of SHR, confirmed by RT-PCR and Southern blot.

Adjuvanticity and inflammatory response following administration of water-in-oil emulsions prepared with saturated hydrocarbons in chickens

Water-in-oil emulsions containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model antigen were prepared using aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons with carbon number from 12 to 18, and were tested in chickens. Straight-chain hydrocarbons induced higher antibody titers against BSA after administration than branched-chain hydrocarbons. n-C16H34 and n-C18H38 maintained high antibody titers even at 32 weeks after administration, compared with n-C12H26, n-C14H30 and n-C15H32. n-C12H26 and n-C14H30 raised concentrations of sialic acid and creatine kinase in plasma, both of which are important markers of inflammatory responses, immediately after administration. n-C16H34 and n-C18H38 did not raise the values of these markers. These results indicated that n-C16H34 and n-C18H38 induced elevated and sustained immune responses without severe adverse reactions in chickens.

Relation between antigen release and immune response of oil adjuvanted vaccines in chickens

The relationship between release properties of the model antigen, bovine serum albumin (BSA), from formulations in vitro and immune response after administration of various oil adjuvanted vaccines containing liquid paraffin was examined in chickens. The vaccine prepared at an hydrophile-lipophile-balance (HLB) number of 4.8 showed slower release of BSA and higher immune response on injected chickens than that with an HLB number of 6.0. Decreases of aqueous volume ratio in the formulation also led to slower release of BSA and higher immune response. The slower release rate of BSA showed higher ELISA antibody titer even at 20 weeks after vaccination. The ELISA antibody titer inversely was related to the constant release rate, k, calculated from the in vitro release test. The correlation coefficient was 0.863. The immune response of oil adjuvanted vaccines containing Haemophilus paragallinarum agreed well with these results with BSA. Our results indicated that a stronger and more prolonged immune response of oil adjuvanted vaccines was achieved by slower release rate of antigen from the formulation. In addition, there was a good correlation between immune response and the value of k.

Neuropharmacology of control of respiratory rhythm and pattern in mature mammals

This review summarizes the current understanding of the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that are involved, firstly, in respiratory rhythm and pattern generation, where glutamate plays an essential role in the excitatory mechanisms and glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid mediate inhibitory postsynaptic effects, and secondly, in the transmission of input signals from the central and peripheral chemoreceptors and of motor outputs to respiratory motor neurons. Finally, neuronal mechanisms underlying respiratory modulations caused by respiratory depressants and excitants, such as general anesthetics, benzodiazepines, opioids, and cholinergic agents, are described.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human vascular cells

Aldosterone selectivity in mineralocorticoid target tissues is mainly due to 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD), which converts cortisol to its inactive metabolite cortisone in humans. The defect of dehydrogenase activity would thus allow type 1 mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) to be occupied mostly by cortisol. It has been postulated that 11betaHSD type 2 (11betaHSD2) plays a significant role in conferring ligand specificity on the MR. We have demonstrated the diminished dehydrogenase activity in resistance vessels of genetically hypertensive rats. However, the mechanism that could link impaired vascular 11betaHSD activity and elevated blood pressure has been unclear. In this study, we showed the enzyme activity in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids increase vascular tone by up-regulating the receptors of pressor hormones such as angiotensin II (Ang II). Next, we found that physiological concentrations of a cortisol-induced increase in Ang II binding were significantly enhanced by the inhibition of dehydrogenase activity with an antisense DNA complementary to 11betaHSD2 mRNA, and the enhancement was partially but significantly abolished by a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist. This may indicate that impaired dehydrogenase activity in vascular wall results in increased vascular tone by the contribution of cortisol, which acts as a mineralocorticoid. In congenital 11betaHSD deficiency and after the administration of 11betaHSD inhibitors, suppression of dehydrogenase activity in the kidney has been believed to cause renal mineralocorticoid excess, resulting in sodium retention and hypertension. These results show that vascular 11betaHSD activity could influence blood pressure without invoking renal sodium retention.

Contribution of NMDA receptors to activity of augmenting expiratory neurons in vagotomized cats

To identify the NMDA receptor-mediated mechanism in augmenting expiratory (E2) neurons, the effects of systemic and local application of dizocilpine on spontaneous and evoked postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) were investigated in decerebrate and vagotomized cats. Intravenously applied dizocilpine reduced the inhibitory PSPs during inspiration and stage 1 expiration, but had little effect on the excitatory PSPs during stage 2 expiration. Iontophoresed dizocilpine caused a continuous hyperpolarization throughout the respiratory cycle. Dizocilpine had no effect on vagally evoked PSPs. These results suggest that the NMDA mechanisms are involved presynaptically in periodic postsynaptic inhibitions and postsynaptically in tonic excitation in E2 neurons.

Synaptic interactions between respiratory neurons during inspiratory on-switching evoked by vagal stimulation in decerebrate cats

To elucidate neuronal mechanisms underlying phase-switching from expiration to inspiration, or inspiratory on-switching (IonS), postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) of bulbar respiratory neurons together with phrenic nerve discharges were recorded during IonS evoked by vagal stimulation in decerebrate and vagotomized cats. A single shock stimulation of the vagus nerve applied at late-expiration developed an inspiratory discharge in the phrenic neurogram after a latency of 79+/-11 ms (n = 11). Preceding this evoked inspiratory discharge, a triphasic response was induced, consisting of an early silence (phase 1 silence), a transient burst discharge (phase 2 discharge) and a late pause (phase 3 pause). During phase 1 silence, IPSPs occurred in augmenting inspiratory (aug-I) and expiratory (E2) neurons, and EPSPs in postinspiratory (PI) neurons. During phase 2 discharge, EPSPs arose in aug-I neurons and IPSPs in PI and E2 neurons. These initial biphasic PSPs were comparable with those during inspiratory off-switching evoked by the same stimulation applied at late-inspiration. In both on- and off-switching, phase-transition in respiratory neuronal activities started to arise concomitantly with the phrenic phase 3 pause. These results suggest that vagal inputs initially produce a non-specific, biphasic response in bulbar respiratory neurons, which consecutively activates a more specific process connected to IonS.

alphaPIX nucleotide exchange factor is activated by interaction with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

p21-activated kinase (PAK) is a common effector protein of the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, leading to the activation of downstream mitogen activated protein kinases. PAK also mediates polarized cytoskeletal changes induced by these GTPases. The recently identified PAK-interacting exchange factor (PIX) acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor on Rac, and colocalizes with PAK in a focal complex, but little is known about the associated signaling cascades, including upstream activators of PIX. In this study, we show that one of the isoforms of PIX, alphaPIX, is activated by signaling cascades from the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and EphB2 receptor, and from integrin-induced signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). alphaPIX is activated by forming a complex with these receptors either via association with PAK and Nck, or direct association with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3-kinase. Synthetic phosphoinositide and membrane targeted PI3-kinase augmented the alphaPIX activity in vivo. In Xenopus, aggregates of mesodermal cells derived from embryos microinjected with alphaPIX significantly increased the peripheral spreading on fibronectin substrate in response to PDGF through PI3-kinase. These results indicate that alphaPIX is activated by PI3-kinase, and is involved in the receptor mediated signaling leading to the activation of the kinase activity of PAK, and the migration of mesodermal cells on extracellular matrix.

GABA(A) receptor-mediated inspiratory termination evoked by vagal stimulation in decerebrate cats

To identify the GABAergic inhibitory mechanisms involved in inspiratory termination or off-switching (IOS), the effects of a specific enhancer of GABA(A) receptors, midazolam, and an antagonist, bicuculline, on vagally evoked inspiratory inhibitions and IOS were investigated in decerebrate cats. Stimulation of vagal afferents at late inspiration provoked either reversible inspiratory inhibition or IOS, depending on the stimulus intensity. Each response occurred at a constant latency (phase 1). The reversible response was triphasic, consisting of an early (phase 2) inhibition, a brief (phase 3) excitation and a late (phase 4) inhibition in the phrenic neurogram, and early (phase 2) IPSPs, brief (phase 3) EPSPs and late (phase 4) IPSPs in bulbar inspiratory (I) neurones. With an increasing stimulus intensity, phase 4 inhibitions were increased in amplitude and duration, leading to IOS. Midazolam (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) increased more selectively phase 4 IPSPs than phase 2 IPSPs in I neurones, and decreased the threshold for evoking IOS by producing an earlier and larger phase 4 IPSPs. Bicuculline (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) had an opposite effect. These results suggest that the late inhibitory response evoked by vagal stimulation in the I neuronal pool organizes an initial phase of IOS which is mediated by GABA(A) receptors.

Related changes in sympathetic activity, cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure, and effect of an alpha-blocker in experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage

We investigated the changes in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) with or without increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) in the acute stage of experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). ICP was increased or controlled by rapid or slow injection of blood and saline, and the effect of an alpha-blocker, phentolamine, was also investigated in each condition. Following marked increase in ICP induced by rapid injection of blood or saline, increase in intracranial and general SNA and decrease in CBF were observed. Both changes were significantly decreased in magnitude by prior administration of phentolamine. When increase in ICP was not induced, by slow injection of blood, both SNA and CBF decreased, and these changes were alleviated by phentolamine. However, when increase in ICP was not induced by saline, neither SNA nor CBF significantly changed. These findings suggest that marked increase in ICP is the primary cause of the pathological changes occurring immediately after SAH, and that the decrease in CBF in mild SAH without increase in ICP is caused by blood itself. Administration of an alpha-blocker may be effective in improving the abnormal sympathetic nervous system induced by marked increase in ICP.

NMDA receptor-mediated inspiratory off-switching in pneumotaxic-disconnected cats

The pneumotaxic center is thought to govern inspiratory off-switching (IOS), and blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by dizocilpine impairs IOS causing apneusis. The present study is to examine whether the NMDA receptor-mediated IOS mechanism functions in the medullary respiratory network after disconnecting the pneumotaxic center. In decerebrate and vagotomized cats, the nucleus parabrachialis medialis (NPBM) and vagus nerves were stimulated to evoke IOS and a dorsal pontine transection was performed while the central respiratory activity was recorded in phrenic neurogram. The transection eliminated the NPBM-stimulated IOS but not the vagally evoked IOS, and developed two types of respiration; eupnea in 12 and apneusis in six out of 18 cats. Apneustic respiration was not changed into eupneic one by changing the end-tidal CO2 level. In animals displaying eupnea after the transection, dizocilpine (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) produced apneusis, characterized by a prolonged inspiration, a shortened stage 1 expiration and an unchanged stage 2 expiration. Dizocilpine caused no further change in the apneustic pattern induced by the transection. The present results suggest that the medullary respiratory network is able to generate a eupneic respiration after disconnecting the pontine pneumotaxic center, and the NMDA mechanism plays an important role in the medullary respiratory network.

Lisinopril decreases plasma free testosterone in male hypertensive patients and increases sex hormone binding globulin in female hypertensive patients

The effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, on gonadal hormones was assessed in 20 patients with essential hypertension. A daily dose of 5 to 20 mg of lisinopril was administered for 6 mo. In male patients, the free testosterone (f-T) concentration decreased significantly (before, 13.8+/-2.4 pg/ml; after, 9.9+/-1.5 pg/ml: mean +/- SEM, p < 0.05), whereas the plasma total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were not significantly affected. Lisinopril had no effect on plasma T, f-T, or E2 concentrations in female patients, but significantly increased the plasma SHBG concentration (before, 48.0 6.1 nmol/l; after, 62.7+/-6.7 nmol/l: p < 0.01). The results of this preliminary study suggest that lisinopril affects plasma f-T and SHBG concentrations. The clinical implications of lisinopril-induced changes in plasma f-T and SHBG concentrations remain to be clarified.

Thrombolytic therapy for cerebral embolism

SUMMARY

We summarized our clinical experience of thrombolytic therapy for cerebral embolism to evaluate the relation between the prognosis and the occlusion site, and the role of pre-treatment CBF measurement for supratentorial cerebral embolism. 56 cases of thrombolysis were analyzed and results were compaired with conservative medical therapy group. For ICA embolism, we stopped thrombolysis in the early period because of its poor collateral circulation. MCA embolism seemed to be a good candidate for this treatment and results were significantly better than the conservative medical therapy group in good recovery rate, severe disablity rate and large size infarction rate. In basilar artery embolism, thrombolysis seemed to be the most effective treatment in spite of the high mortality rate. Pre-treatment CBF measurement was important and useful to estimate the severity of ischemia, and it could make it possible to avoid severe hemorrhagic complications.

99mTc-tetrofosmin uptake in bone metastases from breast cancer

99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial imaging was performed in a 62-year-old woman who had undergone standard radical mastectomy for right breast cancer 6 years ago. Although the result was negative for the ischemic heart disease, it showed abnormal accumulation corresponding to the bone metastases in the spine. We believe that 99mTc-tetrofosmin imaging is helpful in detecting bone metastases from breast cancer.

Synaptic potentials in respiratory neurones during evoked phase switching after NMDA receptor blockade in the cat

1. Blockade of NMDA receptors by dizocilpine impairs the inspiratory off-switch (IOS) of central origin but not the IOS evoked by stimulation of sensory afferents. To investigate whether this difference was due to the effects of different patterns of synaptic interactions on respiratory neurones, we stimulated electrically the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or vagus nerve in decerebrate cats before and after i.v. administration of dizocilpine, whilst recording intracellularly. 2. Phrenic nerve responses to ipsilateral SLN or vagal stimulation were: at mid-inspiration, a transient inhibition often followed by a brief burst of activity; at late inspiration, an IOS; and at mid-expiration, a late burst of activity. 3. In all neurones (n = 16), SLN stimulation at mid-inspiration evoked an early EPSP during phase 1 (latency to the arrest of phrenic nerve activity), followed by an IPSP in inspiratory (I) neurones (n = 8) and by a wave of EPSPs in post-inspiratory (PI) neurones (n = 8) during phase 2 (inhibition of phrenic activity). An EPSP in I neurones and an IPSP in PI neurones occurred during phase 3 (brief phrenic burst) following phase 2. 4. Evoked IOS was associated with a fast (phase 1) activation of PI neurones, whereas during spontaneous IOS, a progressive (30-50 ms) depolarization of PI neurones preceded the arrest of phrenic activity. 5. Phase 3 PSPs were similar to those occurring during the burst of activity seen at the start of spontaneous inspiration. 6. Dizocilpine did not suppress the evoked phrenic inhibition and the late burst of activity. The shapes and timing of the evoked PSPs and the changes in membrane potential in I and PI neurones during the phase transition were not altered. 7. We hypothesize that afferent sensory pathways not requiring NMDA receptors (1) terminate inspiration through a premature activation of PI neurones, and (2) evoke a late burst of phrenic activity which might be the first stage of the inspiratory on-switch.

Micacocidin A, B and C, novel antimycoplasma agents from Pseudomonas sp. II. Structure elucidation

Metal-containing novel heterocyclic antibiotics, micacocidin A (1), B (2), and C (3) have been isolated from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas sp. No. 57-250. The structure and absolute configuration of micacocidin A, an octahedral Zn2+ complex, was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. And then, the structures of the two congeners, micacocidin B (Cu2+ complex) and C (Fe3+ complex) were investigated by employing one dimensional and two dimensional homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry.

[Reliability and factorial structure of a rating scale for persistent vegetative state]

We developed a new rating scale, Kohnan Vegetative Score, to measure severity and small clinical changes in vegetative state patients. It has 7 items corresponding to the conditions of vegetative state by Japanese Society of Neurosurgery: motor function, food ingestion, urination and defecation, eye movement, vocalization, communication, and facial expression. Each item is rated in 5 ordinal categories: slight (score = 1), mild(2), moderate(4), and extreme(5). The sum of the scores is used as the summary score, which ranges from 7 to 35, and high score means 'severe'. We examined the reliability and the factorial structure of the Kohnan Vegetative Score. The subjects were 10 patients who met the conditions of vegetative state. Four neurosurgeons rated the subjects, and then 2 of them repeated the rating after one week interval. As a measure of reliability, the (weighted) Kappa coefficient proposed Cohen (1960, 1968) was calculated for each item, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for the summary score. To analyze the factorial structure, the factor analysis was carried out. The minimum and the maximum weighted Kappa values were 0.44 and 0.64 for intra-rater reliability, and 0.37 and 0.69 for inter-rater reliability, respectively. Concerning the factorial structure, the contribution of the first factor was 91.5% which indicated the unidimensionality of the scale. The ICC's estimate for the summary score were 0.90 (95% C.I.: 0.766-0.970). On the basis of these results, the Kohnan Vegetative Score has unidimensionality and high reliability enough for a practical use.

Immunohistochemical and structural characteristics of the reticular framework of the white pulp and marginal zone in the human spleen

BACKGROUND

The reticular framework of the white pulp (WP) and marginal zone (MZ) consists of reticulum cells and reticulin fibers. The antigenic heterogeneity of the reticular framework is well documented in the mouse and rat spleen. The aim of the present study is to characterize the reticular framework of the WP and MZ of the human spleen.

METHODS

Nine surgically resected human spleens were investigated. Five of the nine spleens were perfused. Formalin-fixed materials were embedded in paraffin and serial sections prepared for hematoxylin-eosin, silver staining, and immunohistochemical examination. Electron and immuno-electron microscopy were also applied. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, the reticular framework was analyzed three-dimensionally.

RESULTS

The reticulin fibers of the framework were immunostained for type IV collagen in the WP and MZ. The WP was three-dimensionally delimited by the alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive reticulum cells. In the WP, the distribution of alpha-SMA-positive reticulum cells formed the reticular framework of the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS). They also ensheathed the reticulin fibers. Interdigitating cells (IDCs) were scattered throughout the framework. A few IDCs attached to the framework. In the lymph follicle (LF), reticulum cells were not alpha-SMA-positive. The mesh of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) was found in the germinal center. In places, the reticulin fibers were involved in the mesh of the FDCs and covered by the cytoplasm of FDCs. In the MZ, alpha-SMA-positive reticulum cells were arranged in a mesh pattern and ensheathed the fine reticulin fibers.

CONCLUSION

The reticular framework of the PALS, LF, and MZ is specialized into heterogeneous components in the human spleen. The heterogeneity of the framework may induce the segregation of T and B lymphocytes.