Effect of theanine on the hyperexcitability of trigeminal secondary nociceptive neurons following orofacial inflammation in rats

The present in vivo study investigated whether systemic administration of theanine attenuates the inflammation-induced hyperexcitability of trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) neurons associated with hyperalgesia. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected into the whisker pads of 24 rats to induce inflammation, and then mechanical stimulation was applied to the orofacial area to assess the threshold of escape. The mechanical threshold was statistically significantly lower in CFA-inflamed rats compared to uninjected naïve rats, and this lowered threshold returned to control levels after 2 days of theanine administration. The mean discharge frequency of SpVc wide-dynamic range (WDR) neurons to mechanical stimuli in anesthetized CFA-inflamed rats was statistically significantly lower after two days of theanine administration. In addition, the increased mean spontaneous discharge of SpVc WDR neurons in CFA-inflamed rats statistically significantly decreased after theanine administration. Similarly, theanine restored the expanded mean receptive field size in CFA-inflamed rats to control levels. Taken together, these results suggest that administration of theanine attenuates inflammatory hyperalgesia associated with hyperexcitability of nociceptive SpVc WDR neurons. These findings support the potential of theanine as a therapeutic agent in complementary alternative medicine strategies to prevent inflammatory hyperalgesia.

Identification and initial characterization of novel neural immediate early genes possibly differentially contributing to foraging-related learning and memory processes in the honeybee

Despite possessing a limited number of neurones compared to vertebrates, honeybees show remarkable learning and memory performance, an example being 'dance communication'. In this phenomenon, foraging honeybees learn the location of a newly discovered food source and transmit the information to nestmates by symbolic abdomen vibrating behaviour, leading to navigation of nestmates to the new food source. As an initial step toward understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the sophisticated learning and memory performance of the honeybee, we focused on the neural immediate early genes (IEGs), which are specific genes quickly transcribed after neural activity without de novo protein synthesis. Although these have been reported to play an essential role in learning and memory processes in vertebrates, far fewer studies have been performed in insects in this regard. From RNA-sequencing analysis and subsequent assays, we identified three genes, Src homology 3 (SH3) domain binding kinase, family with sequence similarity 46 and GB47136, as novel neural IEGs in the honeybee. Foragers and/or orientating bees, which fly around their hives to memorize the positional information, showed induced expression of these IEGs in the mushroom body, a higher-order centre essential for learning and memory, indicating a possible role for the novel IEGs in foraging-related learning and memory processes in the honeybee.

Surface modification of PEN and PET substrates by plasma treatment and layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films and their application in electroless deposition

Surface modification of PEN and PET substrates by plasma-treatment and LbL assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers and subsequent electroless nickel deposition.

A model of plasma current through a hole of Rogowski probe including sheath effects

In TST-2 Ohmic discharges, local current is measured using a Rogowski probe by changing the angle between the local magnetic field and the direction of the hole of the Rogowski probe. The angular dependence shows a peak when the direction of the hole is almost parallel to the local magnetic field. The obtained width of the peak was broader than that of the theoretical curve expected from the probe geometry. In order to explain this disagreement, we consider the effect of sheath in the vicinity of the Rogowski probe. A sheath model was constructed and electron orbits were numerically calculated. From the calculation, it was found that the electron orbit is affected by E × B drift due to the sheath electric field. Such orbit causes the broadening of the peak in the angular dependence and the dependence agrees with the experimental results. The dependence of the broadening on various plasma parameters was studied numerically and explained qualitatively by a simplified analytical model.

High current DC negative ion source for cyclotron

A filament driven multi-cusp negative ion source has been developed for proton cyclotrons in medical applications. In Cs-free operation, continuous H(-) beam of 10 mA and D(-) beam of 3.3 mA were obtained stably at an arc-discharge power of 3 kW and 2.4 kW, respectively. In Cs-seeded operation, H(-) beam current reached 22 mA at a lower arc power of 2.6 kW with less co-extracted electron current. The optimum gas flow rate, which gives the highest H(-) current, was 15 sccm in the Cs-free operation, while it decreased to 4 sccm in the Cs-seeded operation. The relationship between H(-) production and the design/operating parameters has been also investigated by a numerical study with KEIO-MARC code, which gives a reasonable explanation to the experimental results of the H(-) current dependence on the arc power.

Development of a high current H(-) ion source for cyclotrons

A multi-cusp DC H(-) ion source has been designed and fabricated for medical applications of cyclotrons. Optimization of the ion source is in progress, such as the improvement of the filament configuration, magnetic filter strength, extraction electrode's shape, configuration of electron suppression magnets, and plasma electrode material. A small quantity of Cs has been introduced into the ion source to enhance the negative ion beam current. The ion source produced 16 mA of DC H(-) ion beam with the Cs-seeded operation at a low arc discharge power of 2.8 kW.

Improvement of dose distribution in phantom by using epithermal neutron source based on the Be(p,n) reaction using a 30 MeV proton cyclotron accelerator

In order to generate epithermal neutrons for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), we proposed the method of filtering and moderating fast neutrons, which are emitted from the reaction between a beryllium target and 30 MeV protons accelerated by a cyclotron, using an optimum moderator system composed of iron, lead, aluminum, calcium fluoride, and enriched (6)LiF ceramic filter. At present, the epithermal-neutron source is under construction since June 2008 at Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute. This system consists of a cyclotron to supply a proton beam of about 1 mA at 30 MeV, a beam transport system, a beam scanner system for heat reduction on the beryllium target, a target cooling system, a beam shaping assembly, and an irradiation bed for patients. In this article, an overview of the cyclotron-based neutron source (CBNS) and the properties of the treatment neutron beam optimized by using the MCNPX Monte Carlo code are presented. The distribution of the RBE (relative biological effectiveness) dose in a phantom shows that, assuming a (10)B concentration of 13 ppm for normal tissue, this beam could be employed to treat a patient with an irradiation time less than 30 min and a dose less than 12.5 Gy-eq to normal tissue. The CBNS might be an alternative to the reactor-based neutron sources for BNCT treatments.

Diabetic mastopathy: a case report with reference to the findings of enhanced computed tomography

We report a case of insulin-dependent diabetic fibrous mastopathy with special reference to the findings of computed tomography (CT). The patient was a 27-year-old woman with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus from childhood who presented with a right breast tumor. Physical examination showed a stony-hard, ill-defined but freely movable mass under the nipple of the right breast without nipple discharge. Mammography revealed a high-density mass shadow without microcalcifications or spicular formation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed an irregularly-shaped hypoechoic lesion with marked posterior acoustical shadowing. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed poor early phase contrast enhancement and slight delayed phase heterogeneous enhancement. Since core needle biopsy revealed fibrocystic disease, the lesion was suspicious for diabetic mastopathy. Incisional biopsy of the right breast lump was performed. On histopathological examination, the lesion showed fibrosis with dense lymphocytic infiltration around the lobules. Diabetic fibrous mastopathy was diagnosed. Physicians should be aware of the association of long-standing diabetes mellitus with the development of fibrous mastopathy. CT is considered a useful tool to differentiate diabetic mastopathy from breast cancer.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinomas of the thoracic esophagus treated with three-field lymph node dissection

OBJECTIVE

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival rates of patients with clinical Stage I tumors treated with three-field lymph node dissection have not been well investigated. This report documents the results of a series of cases of clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinomas treated with this surgical procedure in our institute.

METHODS

From January 1988 to March 1997, 326 patients with carcinomas of the thoracic esophagus underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection. Two hundred and ninety-seven (91%) of these had squamous cell carcinomas. Fifty-seven (18%) patients with clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinomas of the thoracic esophagus were retrospectively reviewed here.

RESULTS

Among 57 clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinomas, ten (18%) were diagnosed as T1-mucosal and 47 (83%) as T1-submucosal. Seventy percent of the patients with clinical T1-mucosal tumors had additional primary esophageal lesions. The operative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 63 and 0%, and the overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 95, 86, 78, and 70%, respectively. Of the 57 tumors assessed pathologically, 12 (21%) were T1-mucosal, 42 (74%) were T1-submucosal, and three (5%) were T2. Nineteen (33%) exhibited lymph node metastasis. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates for patients with lymph node metastasis were 90, 79, 73, and 58%, respectively, as compared with 97, 90, 80, and 76, respectively for patients without lymph node metastasis (P=0.24). The accuracy of preoperative staging, based on both wall penetration and the status regarding lymph node metastasis, was 63%. With reference to the 1997 UICC-TNM staging system, 36 (63%) were pStage I, two (4%) were pStage IIA, 18 (28%) were pStage IIB, and three (6%) were pStage IVB. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates for patients with pStage I disease were 97, 92, 85, and 81%, respectively. In those with pStage II or IV disease, the values were 91, 76, 65, and 52%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-field lymph node dissection may be indicated even for patients with clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinoma requiring surgical intervention because this surgical procedure provides for possible cure by removing unsuspected lymph node metastasis.

Synthesis and metal-ion binding properties of monoazathiacrown ethers

Synthetic procedures for monoazathiacrown ethers were explored, and monoazatrithia-12-crown-4, monoazatetrathia-15-crown-5, and monoazapentathia-18-crown-6 were obtained in moderate yields by the reaction of bis(2-chloroethyl)amine with the appropriate dithiols in the presence of lithium hydroxide in THF. To evaluate metal-ion binding properties of the monoazathiacrown ethers by solvent extraction, lipophilic dodecyl and dodecanoyl groups were incorporated onto the monoazathiacrown ethers. The solvent extraction experiments suggested that monoazathiacrown ethers have Ag(+) and Hg(2+) selectivities and that the relative selectivity between Ag(+) and Hg(2+) depends on their nitrogen atom properties and numbers of sulfur atoms reflecting the respective affinities of nitrogen and sulfur atoms to Hg(2+) and Ag(+). An interesting ability to bind Mg(2+) was observed in the case of N-dodecyl monoazatrithia-12-crown-4.

Effectiveness of a community leaders' programme to promote healthy lifestyles in Tokyo, Japan

The aim of this study was to evaluate a community-based health promotion programme in terms of changing: (i) attitudes with respect to a healthy lifestyle; (ii) behaviour with respect to access to health-related information; and (iii) attitudes and health literacy regardless of socio-economic status. In this programme, 20 people are selected every 2 years in each municipality from the lay people of the community, and they are designated as members of a 'community leaders' committee' by the Mayor. They, as a group, have opportunities to gain knowledge about and skills in healthy lifestyles, and undertake voluntary activities to serve the community. A programme intervention sample (INT group) was selected from programme participants from 13 municipalities in the greater Tokyo area. A questionnaire survey was carried out with the INT group and a general population group (REF group). The data obtained for female respondents, aged 30-59 years, in the two sample populations (n = 662 and 1361, respectively) were analysed using the chi(2) test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariate log-linear methods. Another questionnaire was given to female programme participants (n = 200) to identify any changes since the start of their participation. The results showed that the people in the INT group were pursuing healthier lifestyles than those in the REF group; current non-smokers who performed physical exercise and who ate meals regularly paid more attention to a healthy lifestyle and were more interested in the relationship between food and health. From the INT and REF groups, 22 and 4% of people, respectively, frequently obtained information from health professionals, and 29.8 and 10.8%, respectively, were satisfied with their access to health-related information. Results of multivariate log-linear analysis showed that significantly more people in the INT group were doing exercise, eating meals regularly, paying attention to nutritional balance and to food additives, were interested in health, and were satisfied with access to health information, after excluding the effects of age and socio-economic factors (p < 0.05). The results also showed positive changes after the implementation of the programme. These findings indicated that the people in the INT group were significantly more likely to pursue a healthier lifestyle and to have greater health literacy than those in the REF group, regardless of socio-economic status. In conclusion, this community participation approach, employing a committee style, was effective in improving health-related behaviour and in promoting health literacy while overcoming socio-economic variation.

Successful unrelated bone marrow transplantation for a patient with chronic granulomatous disease and associated resistant pneumonitis and Aspergillus osteomyelitis

We describe the successful treatment of a 20-year-old patient with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), by unrelated bone marrow transplantation (UBMT). The patient is relatively old compared to other CGD patients treated with BMT. He had had repeated serious infections from early childhood and was diagnosed as CGD, gp91-phox deficiency. Prolonged antibiotic-resistant pneumonitis worsened when the patient was 18 years old. In addition, he suffered Aspergillus osteomyelitis and acute renal failure due to amphotericin B. He received 94 granulocyte transfusions from 94 adult donors and the infections gradually improved. In September 1998, at 20 years of age, he underwent UBMT from an HLA 6 antigen-matched male donor, with CY and TBI conditioning. He received MTX and CsA as prophylaxis against GVHD. No serious complications occurred and rapid engraftment was achieved. Acute GVHD (grade 2, at day 19) and chronic GVHD (limited, at day 192) occurred. However, both were easily controlled. The patient is alive and well with no late rejection 26 months after UBMT.

Dopamine receptor regulating factor, DRRF: a zinc finger transcription factor

Dopamine receptor genes are under complex transcription control, determining their unique regional distribution in the brain. We describe here a zinc finger type transcription factor, designated dopamine receptor regulating factor (DRRF), which binds to GC and GT boxes in the D1A and D2 dopamine receptor promoters and effectively displaces Sp1 and Sp3 from these sequences. Consequently, DRRF can modulate the activity of these dopamine receptor promoters. Highest DRRF mRNA levels are found in brain with a specific regional distribution including olfactory bulb and tubercle, nucleus accumbens, striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, and frontal cortex. Many of these brain regions also express abundant levels of various dopamine receptors. In vivo, DRRF itself can be regulated by manipulations of dopaminergic transmission. Mice treated with drugs that increase extracellular striatal dopamine levels (cocaine), block dopamine receptors (haloperidol), or destroy dopamine terminals (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) show significant alterations in DRRF mRNA. The latter observations provide a basis for dopamine receptor regulation after these manipulations. We conclude that DRRF is important for modulating dopaminergic transmission in the brain.

The suppression of ornithine decarboxylase expression and cell proliferation at the promotion stage of lung tumorigenesis in mice by alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid

It is known that vitamin E inhibits tumor cell growth in vitro irrespective of its antioxidative effect. However, it is unclear whether the effect in vitro can be applied to the in vivo situation. In order to address this question, we estimated if alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid (TSE), a non-antioxidative vitamin E derivative in vivo, could inhibit cell proliferation during the tumorigenic process of lung in mice treated with 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), the most potent carcinogen among tobacco-specific nitrosamines. TSE administration suppressed the labeling index of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of cell proliferation at a promotion phase of NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Similarly, TSE administration inhibited the elevation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and its mRNA at the promotion phase. Of four transcription factors contributing to ODC induction, the change in the level of the c-Myc/Max-consensus oligonucleotide complex was only proportional to the change in ODC mRNA level. These results suggest that vitamin E can inhibit cell proliferation linked with ODC induction at the promotion phase of lung tumorigenesis irrespective of its antioxidative effect and that modulation of the transactivation of the c-Myc/Max complex for the ODC gene by TSE in part contributes to the suppression of ODC induction.

SoI--gel modification of pH electrode glass membranes for sensing anions and metal ions

To obtain glass membrane electrodes selective for anions and metal ions, pH electrode glass membranes were modified by a sol-gel method using a quaternary ammonium salt and a bis(crown ether). A chloride ion-sensing glass membrane was designed, in which a pH electrode glass membrane was modified chemically by an alkoxysilyl quaternary ammonium chloride. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the chemical bonding of the quaternary ammonium moiety to the starting glass surface, which afforded the first example of glass-based "anion"-sensing membranes. A neutral carrier-type sodium ion-selective glass membrane was also fabricated which encapsulates a bis(12-crown-4) derivative in its sol-gel-derived surface. Both sol-gel-modified anion and metal ion-selective glass electrodes exhibited high sensitivity to their ion activity changes. The present sol-gel modification paves the way for designing glass-based ion sensors with tailor-made ion selectivities toward anions as well as cations.

Long-wavelength red light emission from TV and photosensitive siezures

PURPOSE

We investigated a role of long-wavelength red light emission from TV in the induction of photosensitive seizures by an animated TV program called "Pocket Monsters".

METHODS

The luminance energy of recorded color bar was measured by a spectroradiometer in cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) of photosensitive patients with and without seizures on the program (induced patients and photosensitive controls).

RESULTS

The mean ratio of long-wavelength red light to total visible range was significantly higher in the CRTs of induced patients than in the CRTs of photosensitive controls. The ratio of luminance energy between at turn-on and at 60 min after turn-on of the CRTs indicated that luminance energy in long-wavelength red range from the CRTs of induced patients increased significantly after turn-on of CRTs.

CONCLUSIONS

High amounts of long-wavelength red light emitted from CRTs might play an important role in induction of photosensitive seizures in "Pokemon" incident.

Vitamin E inhibits cell proliferation and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase during the promotion phase of lung tumorigenesis irrespective of antioxidative effect

We have already reported that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) is critical in the stimulation of cell proliferation during the promotion stage of urethane-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Also, we have found that vitamin E suppresses lung tumorigenesis by inhibiting cell proliferation at the promotion stage. However, it is still unclear whether this inhibitory effect at the promotion stage is based on the antioxidative effect of vitamin E or not. In order to address this question, we examined the inhibitory effect of alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid (TSE), an ether derivative of vitamin E that cannot act as an antioxidant in vivo, on cell proliferation and the activation of Erk during promotion of lung tumorigenesis. On day 30 after urethane injection (750 mg/kg, i. p.) in A/J mice, TSE or vitamin E at 100 micromol/kg, p.o. was administered. Twenty-four hours after the final administration, the mice were killed to analyze cell proliferation and related parameters. The labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (a marker of cell proliferation) and ornithine decarboxylase activity (a marker of the promotion stage in lungs) were attenuated by treatment with TSE or vitamin E. TSE or vitamin E treatment also inhibited urethane-induced activation of Erk and suppressed the activation of other essential members of the Erk cascade (Ras, Raf and Mek). These results suggest that vitamin E inhibits cell proliferation and activation of the Erk cascade during promotion of urethane-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice, independent of its antioxidative effect.

The effect of 6-methylthiohexyl isothiocyanate isolated from Wasabia japonica (wasabi) on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-buatnone-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice

The present study was undertaken to estimate the effect of 6-methylthiohexyl isothiocyanate (6MHITC) isolated from Wasabia japonica (wasabi) pretreatment on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone(NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Pretreatment with 6MHITC for 4 consecutive days at a daily dose of 5 micromol significantly inhibited NNK-induced O(6)-methylguanine formation in lungs at 4 h after the injection. In conjugation with this inhibitory effect, 6MHITC suppressed the increase in proliferating nuclear cell antigen level as well as ornithine decarboxylase activity at a promotion stage of NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis. Finally, this treatment of 6MHITC suppressed the NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. These results suggest that 6MHITC inhibits the development of lung tumors in mice treated with NNK, due to the suppression of initiation stage.

Rifampicin-associated pseudomembranous colitis

We report a case of pseudomembranous colitis that developed in a patient with liver cirrhosis during anti-tuberculosis therapy with rifampicin and isoniazid. The association between rifampicin and pseudomembranous colitis has been controversial; this report, however, supports the association. Colonoscopy performed 3 days after the onset of the pseudomembranous colitis revealed only reddish patches and a few aphthoid lesions, but 4 days later pseudomembranes were apparent. The pseudomembranous colitis was successfully controlled by discontinuation of the anti-tuberculosis agents, along with the administration of lactic acid bacteria, without vancomycin or metronidazole. Possible predisposing factors for the development of pseudomembranous colitis in this patient are also discussed.

In vivo regulation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-inducible transcription factor by kainic acid

A putative transcription factor induced in vitro by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and transforming growth factor-beta was recently cloned and characterized [Yajima S. et al. (1997) J. Neurosci. 17, 8657-8666]. The messenger RNA of this protein, termed murine GDNF-inducible transcription factor (mGIF, hereafter referred to as GIF), is localized within cortical and hippocampal regions of brain, suggesting that GIF might be regulated by perturbations of these brain regions. In an effort to learn more about the role of GIF in vivo, we examined GIF messenger RNA in the brains of rats treated with the glutamatergic agonist kainic acid. This treatment is known to induce seizures and alter the messenger RNA expression of several growth factors, including GDNF, in several brain regions. Rats were given intraperitoneal saline (1 ml/kg) or kainic acid (15 mg/kg) and were killed at various time-points for in situ hybridization of brain sections with a GIF messenger RNA riboprobe. In saline-treated rats, GIF messenger RNA was present at low levels in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hippocampal remnants such as the taenia tecta. Kainic acid treatment induced robust increases in GIF messenger RNA in several brain regions, including cerebral cortex, hippocampus, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and several nuclei of the amygdala and hypothalamus. Most brain regions showed the greatest increase in GIF messenger RNA 4-6 h after kainic acid administration and a return towards normal levels at 48 h. The CA3 region of hippocampus, however, showed a more rapid increase in GIF messenger RNA that was also evident 48 h after kainic acid administration. These results demonstrate that GIF messenger RNA can be regulated in vivo, and that this novel factor warrants further study as a central mediator of GDNF and perhaps other neurotrophic factors.

Regulation of striatal dopamine receptors by estrogen

The ability of estrogen to modulate the expression of ventral and dorsal striatal dopamine receptors D(1), D(2,) and D(3) was examined in vivo using semi-quantitative in situ hybridization and ligand binding autoradiography. Two-week treatment with subcutaneous pellets of 17beta-estradiol (25 mg) downregulated D(2) dopamine receptor mRNA in both dorsal and ventral striatum (shell and core regions of nucleus accumbens). No significant changes in D(1) or D(3) mRNA expression were detected. Ligand binding autoradiography did not reveal changes in D(1), D(2,) or D(3) receptor protein expression. We also assessed the ability of 17beta-estradiol to regulate D(2) gene promoter activity in NB41A3 neuroblastoma cells that express this gene endogenously using co-transfections with an estrogen receptor expression vector. While a small fragment of the D(2) promoter could be activated 2.5-fold by estrogen, a larger portion of the D(2) gene was not regulated by this treatment. Estrogens do not appear to have a net effect on striatal dopamine receptor expression. The observed downregulation of D(2) receptor mRNA in the dorsal and ventral striatum in vivo could be secondary to the increased striatal dopamine release induced by estrogen. Synapse 34:222-227, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Biological characteristics and prognostic value of in vitro three-drug resistance to prednisolone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological characteristics and prognostic value of in vitro three-drug resistance to prednisolone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We carried out in vitro tests with a 4-day culture and a methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium assay on bone marrow samples from 209 children newly diagnosed with ALL. After testing the resistance of leukemic cells to 14 drugs, we classified the patients into two groups according to their sensitivity to three drugs (prednisolone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine) used in remission induction therapy. The three-drug resistant group (RR: sensitive to no drugs or to one drug) correlated with both short-term and long-term treatment failure. Three-year event-free survival (95% confidence interval) for the sensitive group (SS: sensitive to two or three drugs) was 0.813 (0.773-0.853) and that of the RR group was 0.616 (0.569-0.669) (P = 0.0001). Univariate analysis showed that Philadelphia-chromosome (Ph1) positivity and immunophenotype of mixed lineage were also prognostic factors in the 209 patients. The prognosis of the SS/RR drug resistance profile within 14 Ph1 patients was marginally significant (P = 0.062). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Ph1 was an overwhelmingly adverse factor in event-free survival, with a relative hazard of 5.37 (2.57-11.21, P < 0.0001), followed by RR, with a relative hazard of 2.98 (1.69-5.25, P = 0.0001). Furthermore, we clarified the characteristics of the RR group by examination of the pattern of drug resistance to other drugs in comparison with the SS group. The leukemic cells of RR patients were more resistant than those of SS patients (P < 0.0001) to all the drugs tested, with resistance ratios of 1.6 to 13.1 (mean 3.4). In conclusion, in vitro three-drug resistance at the initial stage is an important independent predictor of treatment failure for both induction response and long-term outcome in childhood ALL.

Neural cell line-specific regulatory DNA cassettes harboring the murine D1A dopamine receptor promoter

Transcription in the human and rat D1A dopamine receptor genes proceeds from two distinct promoters in neuronal cells while only the downstream intronic promoter is active in renal cells. To investigate the utility of these promoters in the brain cell-specific expression of transgenes, we now studied the 5' flanking region of the murine D1A gene. We confirmed the presence of two functional promoters utilized for the tissue-specific regulation of this gene similar to its human and rat homologues. The cloned 1.4-kb genomic fragment spans nucleotides - 967 to + 384 relative to the first ATG codon and includes intron 1 between bases -534 to -420. Transient expression analyses using various chloramphenicol acetyltransferase constructs revealed that the murine D1A upstream promoter fused with the human D1A gene activator sequence ActAR1 has potent transcriptional activity in a D1A-expressing neuronal cell line but not in other cell lines tested including renal (OK cells), glial (C6) and hepatic (HepG2), suggesting that this hybrid construct harbors neural cell-specific elements. The availability of potent regulatory DNA cassettes harboring the murine D1A gene promoter could aid testing the neuronal-specific expression of transgenes in vivo.

Regulation of striatal dopamine receptors by corticosterone: an in vivo and in vitro study

The effects of chronic corticosterone administration and adrenalectomy on the expression of brain dopamine receptors were studied in rats. In situ hybridization and receptor binding autoradiography were carried out to determine D1, D2 and D3 receptor expression in dorsal and ventral striata. Except for down-regulation of D2 mRNA in dorsal striatum after 2 week corticosterone treatment, no other significant changes were detected. In addition, the transcriptional regulation of D1 and D2 gene promoters by glucocorticoids was studied in neuroblastoma cell lines using transient transfections. While a small segment of the D2-promoter could be activated three-fold by dexamethasone, large fragments of neither D1 or D2 promoters were regulated by this treatment. Glucocorticoids do not appear to have direct overall effects on striatal dopamine receptor expression. The observed down-regulation of D2 receptor mRNA in the dorsal striatum in vivo is likely secondary to increased striatal dopamine release induced by corticosterone.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in lung tissues of mice treated with carcinogen

The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in lung tissues of mice, as determined by the appearance of phosphorylated form, was observed on day 30 after urethane injection, and the activation also occurred in urethane-induced lung tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-phosphorylated ERK antibody indicated that the active form of ERK localized in alveolar epithelial cells. Furthermore, we confirmed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis that other essential components of the ERK cascade, that is, Ras, Raf and MEK (known as ERK kinase) were activated. These results indicate that the activation of the ERK signal in alveolar epithelial cells at the early stage of urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis is an important factor to develop lung tumors.

Neutral carrier-type ion sensors based on sol-gel-derived membranes incorporating a bis(crown ether) derivative by covalent bonding

Sol-gel-derived membranes incorporating crown ether neutral carriers by covalent bonding have been designed for durable, nontoxic neutral carrier-type ion sensors by sol-gel processing using tetraethoxysilane, diethoxydimethylsilane, and their corresponding alkoxysilylated neutral carriers. A tetraphenylborate anion was also bound chemically to the neutral carrier-type sol-gel-derived membranes for suppressing anion interference and membrane impedance. Ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) based on the sol-gel-derived membranes modified chemically by crown ether derivatives, such as 16-crown-5 and bis(12-crown-4) derivatives, showed high performance, high sensitivity in wide cation activity ranges, short response time, and high electrode durability. Specifically, high ion selectivities of practical use in biological systems were attained in the sodium ISFETs based on the chemically modified bis(12-crown-4), which has been successfully applied to sodium assay in blood sera.

The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced DNA injury and the fixation of the DNA injury in mouse lungs

In order to estimate the effect of vitamin E on DNA injury and K-ras point mutation at an early stage of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone(NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice, the present study was carried out. Presupplement with vitamin E about 15 times more than control for a week significantly inhibited NNK-induced O6-methylguanine formation in the lungs of mice at 4 and 168 h after the injection. At 30 days after the NNK injection. the activation of K-ras oncogene with a 12th codon GC-->AT transition was detected in 56% of lung samples tested by mutant-allele-specific amplification. Vitamin E supplement reduced the frequency of the mutation to 30%. These results suggest that vitamin E suppresses NNK-induced DNA injury and subsequent fixation of the injury during the initiation and post-initiation phases of the lung tumorigenesis in mice.

Sp family transcription factors regulate expression of rat D2 dopamine receptor gene

The rat D2 dopamine receptor gene is transcribed from a TATA-less promoter that has an initiator-like sequence and several putative Sp1 binding sites. We previously reported that a negative modulator is located between nucleotides -116 and -76 (D2Neg-B) in this gene and that Sp1 as well as another unknown factor bind to this region (Minowa et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 11656, 1994). In the present investigation employing the in situ filter detection method, we identified this factor as Sp3. Anti-Sp3 antiserum used in gel-shift assays also revealed that Sp3 binds to the D2Neg-B sequence. Cotransfection of Drosophila Schneider's SL2 cells with Sp3 or Sp1 expression plasmids in the presence of CAT reporter plasmids containing D2 promoter regions demonstrated that Sp1 increased CAT activity in a dose-dependent manner, whereas Sp3, either alone or in the presence of Sp1, failed to activate or repress transcription. On the other hand, using the TATA-containing reporter plasmid BCAT-2, Sp3 coexpression significantly repressed Sp1-induced trans-activation, although Sp3 alone was ineffective. Thus, the transcriptional activity of Sp3 is dependent on the promoter context, and the negative regulation of D2 gene expression appears quite complex and may not depend simply on known DNA-protein interactions involving only Sp1 and Sp3.

The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice based on the regulation of polyamine metabolism

The present study was carried out in order to estimate a usefulness of vitamin E against 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Feeding high doses of vitamin E suppressed the NNK-induced elevation of the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, in the lungs of mice at 4 weeks after injection. In contrast, the vitamin elevated the NNK-induced decrease of the activity of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, a key enzyme of polyamine biodegradation. In conjugation with these events, the NNK-increased level of proliferating nuclear cell antigen as a marker of cell proliferation was suppressed by vitamin E treatment. Also, the supply of high doses of vitamin E suppressed NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. These results suggest that vitamin E inhibits the development of lung tumors in mice treated with NNK, partly due to the regulation of polyamine metabolism.

Cloning and characterization of murine glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor inducible transcription factor (MGIF)

The potent neurotrophic factor glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a distant member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of proteins. We report a transcription factor that is the first nuclear protein known to be induced by GDNF, thus designated murine GDNF inducible factor (mGIF). The cDNA was cloned in the course of investigating transcription factors that bind to Sp1 consensus sequences, using the in situ filter detection method, and it was found to encode a protein having the same C2-H2 zinc finger motif as Sp1. Sequence analysis indicated that mGIF is homologous to the human TGF-beta inducible early gene (TIEG) and human early growth response gene-alpha (EGR-alpha). mGIF is widely distributed in the adult mouse with high mRNA levels in kidney, lung, brain, liver, heart, and testis. In the adult brain, mGIF is abundantly expressed in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and amygdala with lower amounts in striatum, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, thalamus, and substantia nigra. During development, mGIF mRNA also has a wide distribution, including in cerebral cortex, cerebellar primordium, kidney, intestine, liver, and lung. GDNF induces the expression of mGIF rapidly and transiently both in a neuroblastoma cell line and in primary cultures of rat embryonic cortical neurons. Co-transfection of the Drosophila SL2 cells using mGIF expression plasmid and reporter constructs having Sp1 binding sites indicated that mGIF represses transcription from a TATA-containing as well as from a TATA-less promoter. These observations suggest that the zinc finger transcription factor mGIF could be important in mediating some of the biological effects of GDNF.

Tissue-specific promoter usage in the D1A dopamine receptor gene in brain and kidney

The D1A dopamine receptor gene consists of a short, noncoding exon 1 separated from a longer coding exon 2 by a small intron. Recently, we found that in addition to its original TATA-less promoter located upstream of exon 1, the human D1A dopamine receptor gene is transcribed in neural cells from a second strong promoter located in its intron. In the present study, we addressed the possibility that these two promoters are used for the tissue-specific regulation of the D1A gene in neuronal and renal cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that D1A transcripts in the kidneys of humans and rats lack exon 1. Transient transfection analysis of these two promoters in D1A-expressing cells indicated that the upstream promoter has no detectable activity in the opossum kidney (OK) cell line, in contrast to its strong activity in two neuronal cell lines, SK-N-MC and NS20Y. On the other hand, the D1A intron promoter showed transcriptional activity both in OK cells and in neuronal cells. The activator sequence AR1, which enhances transcription from the upstream promoter in SK-N-MC and NS20Y cells, could not activate this promoter in OK cells. In addition, no protein binding to AR1 could be detected by gel mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts from either OK cells or from rat kidney tissue. These findings indicate that the differential expression of short and long D1A transcripts is due, at least in part, to the tissue-specific expression of the activator protein binding to AR1 driving transcription from the upstream promoter. Absence of this activator protein accounts for the nonfunctional D1A upstream promoter in the kidney.

In vitro drug sensitivity testing can predict induction failure and early relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

It is vital to develop effective therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in whom no remission occurs or who suffer relapse with current protocols. Cellular drug resistance is thought to be an important cause of induction failure and relapse. We performed in vitro tests of bone marrow samples in 196 children with newly diagnosed ALL with a 4-day culture and a methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium assay. We tested 16 drugs and calculated the 70% lethal dose (LD70) for 14 drugs and the leukemic cell survival (LCS) rate for dexamethasone and prednisolone. For each single drug, patients were classified into two groups, sensitive or resistant, by median concentration of LD70 or LCS. When patients were classified into three groups by sensitivity to four drugs of DPAV (dexamethasone, prednisolone, L-asparaginase, and vincristine), 3-year event-free survival (EFS; 95% confidence intervals) of the super sensitive group (SS; sensitive to all 4 drugs) was 0.833 (0.690 to 0.976), that of the intermediate sensitive group (IS; sensitive to 2 or 3 drugs) was 0.735 (0.609 to 0.863), and that of the relatively resistant group (RR; sensitive to no drugs or to 1 drug) was 0.541 (0.411 to 0.670; P = .0008). We then investigated the relationship between the above four-drug sensitivity and the time of relapse. The SS and IS patients tended to maintain continuous complete remission, and RR patients tended to undergo induction failure and early and late relapse (P = .004). Initial white blood cell count, immunologic classification, and age were also predictive factors, but the patient numbers showed no statistical correlation between these factors and the four-drug sensitivity groups (SS, IS, and RR). When we took three groups SS/IS/RR and investigated the EFS for various clinical groups, DPAV sensitivity strongly influenced EFS in the standard-risk ALL (P = .016). In vitro drug sensitivity testing provides additional prognostic information about childhood ALL, and early detection of drug resistance at the time chemotherapy commences may provide a successful strategy for individualizing treatment, as the results indicate de novo resistance to front-line drugs and suggest alternative, second-line drugs.

Carrier identification of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy by measurement of very long chain fatty acids and lignoceric acid oxidation

Because identification of carriers of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) results in 5-15% false negatives with very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) assay in plasma, and mutation analysis of plasma VLCFA combined with of the ALD gene is not always practical, we studied whether the analysis of plasma VLCFA combined with lignoceric acid oxidation study in fibroblasts could improve the rate of carrier detection. Lignoceric acid oxidation was abnormal in 19 out of 19 patients (ALD or adrenomyeloneuropathy) and in three out of three obligate heterozygous women. Among ten women at risk of being a carrier, three women who had normal plasma VLCFA had abnormal lignoceric acid oxidation in fibroblasts. These data suggest that this combined biochemical procedure may help to improve carrier detection in families when the ALD gene mutation has not been identified.

[A fulminating case of Edwardsiella tarda septicemia with necrotizing fasciitis]

A 67-year-old Japanese male, suffering from liver cirrhosis with hepatoma, was admitted to the Yokohama National Hospital because of ascites retention. On physical examination, his abdomen was massively distended with ascites and his lower extremities were edematous. Laboratory findings on admission revealed hypoalbuminemia, moderate icterus, pancytopenia and hepatitis C virus antibody positivity. After admission, abdominal distention and edema were improved with the use of diuretics. On the 15th day of hospitalization, the patient noted diarrhea and bowel movements that occurred 10 times a day. On the following day, his body temperature rose to over 39 degrees C. On the morning of the 17th day, he complained of severe pain in the right lower extremity. Swelling and erythema over his right lower leg were evident. The skin lesion spread rapidly over the knee and became necrotic. His right leg became increasingly swollen with the development of edema and hemorrhagic bullae. About 4 hrs after the emergence of the skin lesion, his blood pressure fell to less than 60 mmHg. Laboratory findings suggested disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure due to serious bacterial infection. In spite of vigorous treatment including administration of antibiotics, dopamine, gabexate mesilate and plasma, he did not recover from the state of shock and died about 14 hrs after the appearance of leg pain. Bacterial culture of the blood and contents of the bullae grew a gram negative rod identified as Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda). Histological findings showed necrotizing fasciitis. E. tarda has recently become recognized as a pathogenic bacteria, particularly in patients with an underlying illness. This is the first reported case of E. tarda septicemia with necrotizing fasciitis.