Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Structure of BaF2-BaO-La2O3-B2O3 Glasses

The structure of the BaF₂-BaO-La₂O₃-B₂O₃ glasses was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The total correlation functions calculated from the prepared structural models using the MD simulation successfully reproduced the XRD measurements. In the structural models, the fraction of BO₄ units increased with the increased fluorine (F) concentration. Furthermore, the introduced F atom is found to bond with Ba and La atoms but barely bonded with boron atoms, as confirmed through boron-11 and fluorine-19 NMR spectroscopy experiments. Furthermore, the structural models showed that an increase in F atoms increased the heterogeneity of the glass structure.

Evaluation of Drug-Loading Ability of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Hydroxyapatite Core-Shell Particles

Poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite (PLA/HAp) core-shell particles are prepared using the emulsification method. These particles are safe for living organisms because they are composed of biodegradable polymers and biocompatible ceramics. These particles are approximately 50-100 nm in size, and their hydrophobic substance loading can be controlled. Hence, PLA/HAp core-shell particles are expected to be used as drug delivery carriers for hydrophobic drugs. In this work, PLA/HAp core-shell particles with a loading of vitamin K1 were prepared, and their drug-loading ability was evaluated. The particles were 40-80 nm in diameter with a PLA core and a HAp shell. The particle size increased with an increase in the vitamin K1 loading. The drug-loading capacity (LC) value of the particles, an indicator of their drug-loading ability, was approximately 250%, which is higher than the previously reported values. The amount of vitamin K1 released from the particles increased as the pH of the soaking solution decreased because the HAp shell easily dissolved under the acidic conditions. The PLA/HAp particles prepared in this work were found to be promising candidates for drug delivery carriers because of their excellent drug-loading ability and pH sensitivity.

Development of paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite core-shell nanoparticles as a stimuli-responsive drug delivery system

Biodegradable nanoparticles have been well studied as biocompatible delivery systems. Nanoparticles of less than 200 nm in size can facilitate the passive targeting of drugs to tumour tissues and their accumulation therein via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Recent studies have focused on stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (DDS) for improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy; for example, pH-sensitive DDS depend on the weakly acidic and neutral extracellular pH of tumour and normal tissues, respectively. In our previous work, core-shell nanoparticles composed of the biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and the widely used inorganic biomaterial hydroxyapatite (HAp, which exhibits pH sensitivity) were prepared using a surfactant-free method. These PLA/HAp core-shell nanoparticles could load 750 wt% of a hydrophobic model drug. In this work, the properties of the PLA/HAp core-shell nanoparticles loaded with the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) were thoroughly investigated in vitro. Because the PTX-containing nanoparticles were approximately 80 nm in size, they can be expected to facilitate efficient drug delivery via the EPR effect. The core-shell nanoparticles were cytotoxic towards cancer cells (4T1). This was due to the pH sensitivity of the HAp shell, which is stable in neutral conditions and dissolves in acidic conditions. The cytotoxic activity of the PTX-loaded nanoparticles was sustained for up to 48 h, which was suitable for tumour growth inhibition. These results suggest that the core-shell nanoparticles can be suitable drug carriers for various water-insoluble drugs.

CBETA: First Multipass Superconducting Linear Accelerator with Energy Recovery

Energy recovery has been achieved in a multipass linear accelerator, demonstrating a technology for more compact particle accelerators operating at higher currents and reduced energy consumption. Energy delivered to the beam during the first four passes through the accelerating structure was recovered during four subsequent decelerating passes. High-energy efficiency was achieved by the use of superconducting accelerating cavities and permanent magnets. The fixed-field alternating-gradient optical system used for the return loop successfully transported electron bunches of 42, 78, 114, and 150 MeV in a common vacuum chamber. This new kind of accelerator, an eight-pass energy recovery linac, has the potential to accelerate much higher current than existing linear accelerators while maintaining small beam dimensions and consuming much less energy per electron.

Understanding the Effect of Hydration on the Bio-inert Properties of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymers with Small Amounts of Amino- or/and Fluorine-Containing Monomers

Materials exhibiting "bio-inert properties" are essential for developing medical devices because they are less recognized as foreign substances by proteins and cells in the living body. We have reported that the presence of intermediate water (IW) with the water molecules loosely bound to a polymer is a useful index of the bio-inertness of materials. Here, we analyzed the hydration state and the responses to biomolecules of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) copolymers including small amounts of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) (N-series) or/and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) (F-series). The hydration structure was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the molecular mobility of the produced copolymers by temperature derivative of DSC (DDSC), and the water mobility by solid ¹H pulse nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Although the homopolymers did not show bio-inert properties, the binary and ternary PHEMA copolymers with low comonomer contents showed higher bio-inert properties than those of PHEMA homopolymers. The hydration state of PHEMA was changed by introducing a small amount of comonomers. The mobility of both water molecules and hydrated polymers was changed in the N-series nonfreezing water (NFW) with the water molecules tightly bound to a polymer and was shifted to high-mobility IW and free water (FW) with the water molecules scarcely bound to a polymer. On the other hand, in the F-series, FW turned to IW and NFW. Additionally, a synergetic effect was postulated when both comonomers coexist in the copolymers of HEMA, which was expressed by widening the temperature range of cold crystallization, contributing to further improvement of the bio-inert properties.

Controlling the Hydration Structure with a Small Amount of Fluorine To Produce Blood Compatible Fluorinated Poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate)

Poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) shows excellent blood compatibility because of the existence of intermediate water. Various modifications of PMEA by changing its main or side chain's chemical structure allowed tuning of the water content and the blood compatibility of numerous novel polymers. Here, we exploit a possibility of manipulating the surface hydration structure of PMEA by incorporation of small amounts of hydrophobic fluorine groups in MEA polymers using atom-transfer radical polymerization and the (macro) initiator concept. Two kinds of fluorinated MEA polymers with similar molecular weights and the same 5.5 mol % of fluorine content were synthesized using the bromoester of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8-pentadecafluoro-1-octanol (F15) and poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (PTFEMA) as (macro) initiators, appearing liquid and solid at room temperature, respectively. The fibrinogen adsorption of the two varieties of fluorinated MEA polymers was different, which could not be explained only by the bulk hydration structure. Both polymers show a nanostructured morphology in the hydrated state with different sizes of the features. The measured elastic modulus of the domains appearing in atomic force microscopy and the intermediate water content shed light on the distinct mechanism of blood compatibility. Contact angle measurements reveal the surface hydration dynamics-while in the hydrated state, F15- b-PMEA reorients easily to the surface exposing its PMEA part to the water, the small solid PTFEMA block with high glass-transition temperature suppresses the movement of PTFEMA- b-PMEA and its reconstruction on the surface. These findings illustrate that in order to make a better blood compatible polymer, the chains containing sufficient intermediate water need to be mobile and efficiently oriented to the water surface.

Prediction of low-frequency structure-borne sound in concrete structures using the finite-difference time-domain method

Due to limitations of computers, prediction of structure-borne sound remains difficult for large-scale problems. Herein a prediction method for low-frequency structure-borne sound transmissions on concrete structures using the finite-difference time-domain scheme is proposed. The target structure is modeled as a composition of multiple plate elements to reduce the dimensions of the simulated vibration field from three-dimensional discretization by solid elements to two-dimensional discretization. This scheme reduces both the calculation time and the amount of required memory. To validate the proposed method, the vibration characteristics using the numerical results of the proposed scheme are compared to those measured for a two-level concrete structure. Comparison of the measured and simulated results suggests that the proposed method can be used to simulate real-scale structures.

Spatial distribution of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorines in bivalves from Japanese coastal waters

In order to elucidate the spatial distribution of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the Japanese coastal environment, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorines (OCs: PCBs, DDTs, CHLs, HCHs, HCB) were determined in bivalves (oysters and mussels) collected from Japanese coastal waters. HBCDs and PBDEs were detected in all samples analyzed. Concentration ranges of HBCDs were 12-5200 ng g(-1) lipid wt., followed by PCBs (20-3100 ng g(-1))>PBDEs (3.1-86 ng g(-1) lipid wt.). The highest concentration of HBCDs was found in the Osaka region. This result indicates that HBCDs are ubiquitous and predominant compounds in bivalves from the Japanese coastal waters. Since no species differences between oysters and mussels were observed for the bioaccumulation properties of HBCDs and PBDEs, oysters could be utilized for BFR contamination monitoring worldwide as an alternative to mussels. Global comparisons between oysters and mussels showed that HBCD concentrations in Japan are among the highest levels reported from Asia and Europe. Estimated dietary exposures of HBCDs and PBDEs through seafood were 0.45-34 ng kg body weight(-1)d(-1), and 0.054-6.8 ng kg body weight(-1)d(-1), respectively. These exposure levels were more than 1000 times lower than the lowest observable effects or no observable adverse effects levels for HBCDs and PBDEs, respectively.

Fluorescence studies on binding of pyrene and its derivatives to humic acid

Binding of pyrene (PyH) and its derivatives to humic acid (HA) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The nature of the interaction between HA and pyrene derivatives are extensively investigated by employing three derivatives ranging from anionic to cationic compounds: 1-pyrenebutylic acid (PyA), 1-pyrenemethanol (PyM), and 1-pyrenebutyltrimethylammonium bromide (PyB). Binding constants between HA and PyX (X=H, A, M, B) are obtained by steady-state fluorescence quenching techniques, and it is found that PyB has a markedly large binding constant among the pyrene family. This is attributed to a strong electrostatic interaction between cationic PyB and anionic HA. The result suggests that an electrostatic interaction plays a dominant role in binding of pyrenes to humic acid. The importance of electrostatic interaction was also confirmed by a salt effect on the binding constant. Influence of collisional quenching on the binding constant, which causes overestimation of the binding constant, was examined by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as well as temperature effect in steady-state fluorescence measurements. It is elucidated that collisional quenching does not much bring overestimation into the binding constants.

WT1 expression level and clinical factors in multiple myeloma

Although Wilm's Tuomor gene (WT1) was first identified as a tumor suppressor gene for Wilm's tumor, WT1 overexpression has been detected in different malignant cell types including leukemia. Increased expression of WT1 in acute leukemia is potentially used as a marker of minimal residual disease. However, the significance of the gene for multiple myeloma is still not clear. To determine the clinical relevance of WT1 expression in multiple myeloma, we examined the association of clinical parameters and WT1 expression in bone marrow for 17 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. WT1 was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) and calculated standardized WT1 expression level per 100 plasma cells in the bone marrow specimen as "corrected WT1". The expression of standardized WT1 and corrected WT1 in myeloma was 59 to 1,600 copies/microg RNA and 0.05 to 406.3 copies/microg RNA/100 plasma cells, respectively, lower than in leukemia. WT1 transcripts increased when clinical factors worsen, including the stage, amount of M protein, Hb, platelet count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, beta2-microglobulin, thymidine kinase activity (TK), and C-reactive protein (CRP). In conclusion, the expression level of WT1 could be an additional marker to the standard parameters considered in risk assessment for multiple myeloma.

Effect of localization of missense mutations in SCN1A on epilepsy phenotype severity

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Many missense mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel subunit gene SCN1A were identified in patients with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) and severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), although GEFS+ is distinct from SMEI in terms of clinical symptoms, severity, prognosis, and responses to antiepileptic drugs. The authors analyzed the localization of missense mutations in SCN1A identified in patients with GEFS+ and SMEI to clarify the phenotype-genotype relationships.

RESULTS

Mutations in SMEI occurred more frequently in the "pore" regions of SCN1A than did those in GEFS+. These SMEI mutations in the "pore" regions were more strongly associated than mutations in other regions with the presence of ataxia and tendency to early onset of disease. The possibility of participation of ion selectivity dysfunction of the channel in the pathogenesis of SMEI was suggested by a mutation in the pore region (R946C) identified in a SMEI patient.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant phenotype-genotype relationship in generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus and severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy with SCN1A missense mutations. More severe sodium channel dysfunctions including abnormal ion selectivity that are caused by mutations in the pore regions may be involved in the pathogenesis of SMEI.

Autoantibodies to NMDA receptor in patients with chronic forms of epilepsia partialis continua

BACKGROUND

Antibody-mediated and cytotoxic T cell-mediated pathogenicity have been implicated as the autoimmune pathophysiologic mechanisms in Rasmussen's encephalitis.

METHODS

The authors investigated autoantibodies against the NMDA glutamate receptor (GluR) epsilon2 subunit and their epitopes in serum and CSF samples from 15 patients with chronic epilepsia partialis continua (EPC), 17 with West syndrome, 10 with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and 11 control subjects.

RESULTS

In 15 patients with chronic EPC, we detected NMDA-type GluR epsilon2 autoantibodies in histologically proven Rasmussen's encephalitis (3/3 patients), clinical Rasmussen's encephalitis (6/7 patients), acute encephalitis/encephalopathy (2/3 patients), and nonprogressive EPC (2/2 patients). Serum IgM autoantibodies were found in the early phase of EPC and became negative later in four patients. The autoantibodies were not detected in West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or controls. Among 10 patients with histologically proven or clinical Rasmussen's encephalitis, epitope analyses showed that the autoantibodies were predominantly against C-terminal epitopes and rarely against N-terminal epitope, with inconsistency in profile during the courses of disease. Epitope recognition spectrum of autoantibodies was broader in CSF than in serum, and the serum or CSF profile showed an increase in number of epitopes as disease progressed in some patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of autoantibodies against NMDA GluR epsilon2 suggests autoimmune pathologic mechanisms but is not a hallmark of Rasmussen's encephalitis. Patients with Rasmussen's encephalitis may have autoantibodies against several neural molecules, and these autoantibodies may be produced in the CNS after cytotoxic T cell-mediated neuronal damage.

Enhanced oxidative damage induced by total body irradiation in mice fed a low protein diet

PURPOSE

To examine the influence of the level of dietary protein on oxidative damage to lipid and protein in the liver and on chromosomal damage in the bone marrow after total body irradiation (TBI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male mice were fed a low (7%), basal (20%) or high (33%) protein diet for 3 weeks, and then received TBI at a dose of 0, 0.5 or 1 Gy. Chromosomal damage in the bone marrow was evaluated by determining the proportion of micronucleated reticulocytes in peripheral blood. Oxidative damage in the liver and plasma, and chromosomal damage in the bone marrow were evaluated on day 2 after TBI.

RESULTS

The levels of lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls in the liver, lipid peroxides in the plasma, and chromosomal damage in the bone marrow, did not differ among the groups that did not receive TBI. However, the oxidative damage to lipid and protein in the liver, and the level of lipid peroxides in the plasma were increased by TBI only in the low protein group. Chromosomal damage in the bone marrow was increased by TBI in a dose-dependent manner, and the damage was consistently higher in the low protein group than in the basal and high protein groups. In the low protein group, a greater decrease of the relative spleen weight by TBI was also observed. The concentrations of antioxidants (vitamin C, E and GSH) in the liver were lower, and the concentration of non-heme iron in the liver was higher in the low protein group than in the basal and high protein groups. The TBI-induced increase in the level of plasma iron was greater in the low protein group.

CONCLUSIONS

Mice fed a low protein diet became susceptible to TBI-induced oxidative damage, and a decrease in antioxidants and an increase in iron are involved in the mechanism of this susceptibility.

Low-dose ACTH therapy for West syndrome: initial effects and long-term outcome

BACKGROUND

Most Japanese pediatric neurologists attempt other treatments before using adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for West syndrome (WS), and even then, they use only a low-dose synthetic ACTH to avoid serious adverse effects. In this multi-institutional study, the authors analyzed the initial effects, adverse effects, and long-term outcome in patients treated with low-dose synthetic ACTH in Japan.

METHODS

The medical records of 138 patients with WS, who were treated with low-dose synthetic ACTH therapy for the first time at the authors' institutions between 1989 and 1998, were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the end of ACTH therapy, excellent effect on seizures was noted in 106 of 138 (76%) patients, good effect in 23 (17%), and poor effect in 9 (7%). Initial effects on EEG were excellent in 53 of 138 (38%) patients, good in 76 (55%), and poor in 9 (7%). As for seizure prognosis at the time of follow-up, 51 of 99 (52%) patients were seizure-free, whereas 48 (48%) patients had seizures. Mental outcome was normal in 6 of 98 (6%) patients, mild mental retardation in 16 (16%), moderate mental retardation in 26 (27%), and severe mental retardation in 50 (51%). The initial effects of ACTH on seizures and long-term outcome were not dose dependent (daily dosage 0.005 to 0.032 mg/kg, 0.2 to 1.28 IU/kg; total dosage 0.1 to 0.87 mg/kg, 4 to 34.8 IU/kg). The severity of adverse effects correlated with total dosage of ACTH, and the severity of brain volume loss due to ACTH correlated well with the daily dosage and total dosage of ACTH.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose synthetic ACTH therapy is as effective for the treatment of WS as the higher doses used in previous studies. The dosage of synthetic ACTH used in the treatment of WS can be decreased as much as possible to avoid serious adverse effects.

[Relationship between the fecal mutagenicity and metal content, smoking habit and dietary intake]

OBJECTIVE

The study was carried out to collect basic data on exposure of mucous cells of the large intestine to mutagens by investigating the genotoxicity of fecal samples from the urban population. Simultaneously, relations with food intake (food groups and nutritive components), lifestyle factors and fecal metal content was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 199 self-collected fecal samples from middle aged healthy volunteer living in urban areas of Osaka city were freeze-dried and ground in a mill. The mutagenicity of aqueous extracts of the ground samples was measured by the umu-test. Metal content of the feces was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometlly. On the day previous to the feces collection, the contents of meals were recorded and confirmed by interview with a dietitian. Quantification of nutritive components was carried out using the 4th edition of the Japan Food Standard Vomposition Table.

RESULTS

Mutagenicity of feces was higher in males than in females, and in those aged 40-49 years than 50-69 years in males but not females. Large differences were found for content of 8 metals in the feces; concentrations were in the decreasing order of calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, the highest being 20.4 mg for calcium and the lowest was 53.5 micrograms for copper. Between the metal contents and mutagenicity, values for zinc and iron showed positive correlations and for sodium a negative correlation under S9(+) conditions. A weak but significant correlation was observed between the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day and S9 (+) mutagenicity. However we could not find any relation with food groups or nutritive components.

CONCLUSION

It is well known that human feces contain many mutagens and carcinogens and that these can act directly on the mucous membrane of large intestine. Therefore, it is very important to estimate exposure levels. From the present data we can conclude that relations between mutation-activity of the feces and diet are complex. Their elucidation will require a large number of volunteers who have similar living conditions to obtain appropriate data.

[Seizure and developmental prognosis of West syndrome--combination therapy with high-dose vitamin B6, valproate and low-dose ACTH]

Twenty patients with West syndrome were initially treated with high-dose vitamin B6 (40 to 50 mg/kg/day) and valproate (40 to 50 mg/kg/day). Three became seizure free. For the remaining 17 patients, low-dose synthetic ACTH (0.01 mg [0.4 IU]/kg/day) was added to the regimen. One month after the end of ACTH therapy, 13 patients were seizure free. Thus 16 patients in total(80%) were free of seizures(group A). The treatment was ineffective for the remaining 4 patients (20%; group B). During the following for a mean period of 64 months (range, 48 to 83 months), 9 in group A had a relapse of epileptic seizures. However, only 4 in this group had epileptic seizures at the end of the study (5-7 years of age), all of which were partial and infrequent. In group B, two had frequent intractable seizures, and one was seizure free at the end of the study. One died at the age of 1 year. In group A, 2 patients showed normal or subnormal mental development. Mild, moderate and severe mental retardation were seen in 3, 4 and 7 patients respectively. In group B, all patients showed severe mental retardation. In this study, the rate of evolution into intractable epilepsy was low, but long-term mental development was poor. Seizure control by itself seemed to be insufficient to improve long developmental prognosis of West syndrome.

Different effects between 7-nitroindazole and L-NAME on cerebral hemodynamics and hippocampal lesions during kainic acid-induced seizures in newborn rabbits

We examined the effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production in vivo, cerebral hemodynamics, and hippocampal lesions to investigate the different roles between endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) during kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in newborn rabbits. After a pre-treatment with 7-NI (50 mg/kg, i.p.), L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.v.) or saline (1 ml, i.v.), KA (12 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered. NO production in the brain, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), cerebral oxygenation (concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), deoxyhemoglobin (HbR), and total hemoglobin (tHb) in the brain tissue), and electroencephalography (EEG) were continuously monitored throughout the experiment lasting at least 60 min after the KA administration. There was a significant increase in NO generation in the brain during KA-induced seizures, which was inhibited by a pre-treatment with 7-NI or L-NAME. KA-induced seizures also increased rCBF significantly, which was inhibited not by 7-NI but by L-NAME. L-NAME pre-treatment caused a significant decrease in HbO2 and a significant increase in HbR during KA-induced seizures, compared with 7-NI and saline pre-treatment. EEG abnormalities and Neuronal damages in the hippocampus were significantly lower in 7-NI- and L-NAME-treated animals respectively, than in saline-treated animals. The present data demonstrated that the selective nNOS inhibitor, 7-NI, attenuated neither rCBF nor cerebral oxygenation during the seizures, while the non-selective NOS (nNOS and eNOS) inhibitor, L-NAME, attenuated both. These findings suggest that NO, probably originating from eNOS, may play an important role in the cerebral circulation. Both 7-NI and L-NAME inhibited the NO production and EEG abnormalities during the seizures that led to less damage to the hippocampus.

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on blood pressure, cell membrane fatty acids, and intracellular sodium concentration in essential hypertension

This study was designed to clarify the effects of orally administered eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on blood pressure, intracellular sodium content, and cell membrane fatty acid composition in patients with essential hypertension. After a 4-week run-in period, a study group of 17 male patients was assigned to an 8-week treatment with EPA (2.7 g/day) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion with a crossover at week 4. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower after treatment with EPA than after treatment with placebo (152.9+/-17.3 vs. 162.6+/-20.6 mmHg; p<0.01), while diastolic blood pressure was not statistically different. Compared with the placebo treatment, EPA supplementation resulted in a decrease in intraerythrocyte sodium content (R-Na; 11.17+/-0.63 vs. 10.44+/-1.28 nmol/l cells; p<0.05) accompanied by an increase (p<0.001) in erythrocyte membrane EPA content. The increase in membrane EPA content was related to the decrease in SBP (r=-0.52, p<0.05) and the decrease in R-Na (r=-0.57, p<0.02) during EPA treatment. The decrease in R-Na correlated positively with the decrease in SBP (r=0.54, p<0.05), and correlated negatively with the change in Na+-K+ ATPase activity (r= -0.59, p<0.02). However, the change in Na+-K+ ATPase activity did not directly correlate with the change in membrane EPA content. In conclusion, oral EPA supplementation increased membrane EPA content and reduced SBP in patients with essential hypertension. Based on the association between the increase in membrane EPA content and the decrease in intracellular sodium concentration, EPA may lower blood pressure by altering the activities of the membrane sodium transport systems.

An accurate three-dimensional cephalometric system: a solution for the correction of cephalic malpositioning

In recent years, methods have been developed that calculate three-dimensional (3D) co-ordinates of orthodontic landmarks from lateral and frontal cephalograms. However, precise measurement has been impossible with these methods because, although they corrected the magnification of the image, they did not correct 3D cephalic malpositioning that occurs during the measurement of human subjects. In this study, we developed a 3D cephalometric system that corrected not only for magnification of the image, but also 3D cephalic malpositioning during cephalogram exposure. Magnification of the image was corrected for first. Cephalic revolution was then sequentially corrected and divided into elements of x-, y-, and z-axes. The origin was parallelly translated to the mid-point of bilateral porion. In order to examine the accuracy of this system, seven human dry skulls were measured. The accuracy unaffected by the cephalic revolution in any direction and standard errors was within 0.8 mm in any orthodontic landmarks. It was suggested that this measurement system would have sufficient accuracy for clinical application. The results indicated that precise cephalometric measurement was possible with this system and it was suggested that its clinical application would be possible.

Diagnosis of horizontal enterovirus infections in neonates by nested PCR and direct sequence analysis

A hospital-acquired outbreak with febrile illness and/or rash occurred in our neonatal special care nursery (SCN) from September 1995 to September 1996. A total of 23 infants developed symptoms. We could not detect the etiological agents by routine virus isolation. In a retrospective study, however, enterovirus RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from four out of six cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and from two of 12 sera. Thus six out of 16 patients from whom samples were obtained were diagnosed retrospectively as having enterovirus infection. Furthermore, we detected the enterovirus genome from four of 20 serum samples obtained from patients who had other clinical symptoms, and from infants hospitalized without noticeable clinical illness during the same periods. This outbreak was caused by two different enteroviruses, which we assumed were echovirus type 7 (Echo 7) and coxsackievirus B3 (Cox B3), because of the sequence results. We demonstrated the clinical advantage of the analysis of nucleotide sequencing as supportive evidence of transmission.

[Evaluation of hematopoiesis by granulocyte elastase after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

To evaluate hematopoietic restoration after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we sequentially monitored the post-HSCT level of granulocyte elastase (GE), a sensitive parameter of qualitative and quantitative changes in granulopoiesis. We compared it with routinely used hematopoietic recovery indices, such as leukocyte and reticulocyte count. We also compared levels of GE in the clinical administration of different colony stimulating factors (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) versus macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and in different types of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) versus autologus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)). Days to first increase of GE after HSCT were 3.0 and 2.3 days earlier than increase of leukocytes in allo-BMT and auto-PBSCT, respectively. Recovery of highly fluorescent reticulocytes and monocytes were later than recovery of GE. These results indicated that granulopoiesis after transplantation started before the increase in peripheral leucocyte count, and that GE was the earliest indicator of hematopoietic recovery. On the basis of GE level, M-CSF had the same stimulating effect on granulopoiesis as G-CSF. The nadir of GE in PBSCT was significantly higher than that in BMT, indicating continuous granulopoiesis in PBSCT. From these results, we concluded that measurements of GE can be used for the clinical evaluation of myelosuppression by different conditioning regimens as well as of granulopoiesis induced by various cytokines.

[Analysis of pulmonary function in leukemia patients after bone marrow transplantation: effects of prior chemotherapy]

To evaluate the effects of prior chemotherapy on pulmonary function after bone marrow transplantation(BMT), pulmonary function tests were performed prior to and after BMT on 7 acute leukemia (AL) and 13 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients given with CY (60 mg/kg x 2 days), total body irradiation (3 Gy x 4 days, 10 cGy/min), and CyA plus short-term MTX. No patient had graft-versus-host disease or lung complications. Pulmonary function after BMT did not deteriorate in the AL patients; however, both %Vital Capacity(%VC) and DL/VA decreased significantly in the CML patients (%VC before BMT: 112.1 +/- 11.5%, after BMT: 93.7 +/- 9.4%; DL/VA before BMT: 79.2 +/- 14.6%, after BMT: 54.1 +/- 10.6%). Although prior regimens of busulfan (BU) or interferon (IFN) were equal risk factors for decreased %VC after BMT, decreases in DV/VA were more significant in CML patients who received IFN. CML patients, especially those who have received BU or IFN, should be carefully monitored for pulmonary function to prevent respiratory failure after BMT.

[Utility and intricacy of molecular diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy]

To diagnose spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), we examined the deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene and exon 5 of the neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene in 7 patients from 6 unrelated families, using the polymerase chain reaction method. Two patients with type I and two with type II SMA had the deletion in SMN, whereas 2 of the 3 patients with type III had no deletion in these genes. Thus, the method was not as useful in type III as in type I and II for making a diagnosis of SMA. Together with the data previously reported by others, our data indicated the possibility that the deletion frequency in type III SMA is lower in Japanese patients (< 40%) than in non-Japanese patients (> 80%). Two siblings had SMA of different severity; the older brother having type III and the younger brother type II. Both had the same deletion in the SMN gene. The different phenotypes in these siblings with the same genotype indicated that caution is required when utilizing molecular data for genetic counseling or prenatal diagnosis of SMA.

Successful management of intractable epilepsy with intravenous lidocain and lidocain tapes

The authors report on the successful management of a 6-year-old male with intractable epilepsy using intravenous lidocaine and lidocaine tapes. At 4 years of age, he developed psychomotor deterioration and intractable epilepsy associated with leukoencephalopathy secondary to the treatment of central nervous system leukemia. His seizures were refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs. The adjunct treatment with intravenous lidocaine and lidocaine tapes proved effective in controlling the intractable seizures. Mental state and motor activity subsequently began to improve after the reduction of the seizures.

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on the cerebral circulation and brain damage during kainic acid-induced seizures in newborn rabbits

The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), was used to investigate the effect of endogenous NO on the cerebral circulation and brain damage during kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in newborn rabbits. The cerebral blood flow (CBF), by laser doppler flowmetry, cerebral oxygenation (concentrations of oxy-(HbO2), deoxy-(HbR) and total hemoglobin (tHb) in brain tissue), by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), electroencephalography (EEG), and hippocampal neuronal damage were evaluated. Pretreatment with L-NAME caused significant decreases in CBF, HbO2, and tHb, and a significant increase in HbR during KA-induced seizures, compared with pretreatment with saline (P < 0.05), without a significant difference in MABP. Our study also demonstrated that pretreatment with L-NAME reduced the seizure activity and neuronal cell death in the hippocampus elicited by the systemic administration of KA in the neonatal brain. These results suggest that NO is of major importance in the neurodestructive process in spite of its roles in maintaining both the CBF and cerebral oxygenation during KA-induced seizures in the neonatal brain.

Characteristics of the production of active oxygen species from adherent and non-adherent neutrophils

Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics of the production of AOS from the neutrophils that had adhered to the endothelial cells, fibronectin or polystyrene, using the method of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping. Neutrophils and endothelial cells were isolated from human venous blood and umbilical veins, respectively. AOS production from neutrophils was not elicited only by adhesion. The stimulation of adherent neutrophils with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced the production of AOS. The production of AOS from adherent neutrophils to endothelial cells, but not to fibronectin or polystyrene, decreased with the interval time between the adhesion and the stimulation by PMA. The amount of AOS produced by the neutrophils adherent to fibronectin or polystyrene was maintained for one hour after stimulation with PMA, whereas that by suspended neutrophils gradually decreased with the time after stimulation. Results indicate that adherent and non-adherent neutrophils exhibit differing time course of AOS production.

Inhibition of NF-kappaB, iNOS mRNA, COX2 mRNA, and COX catalytic activity by phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN)

Previously, the spin trapping agent phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) has been shown to decrease the level of nitric oxide synthase mRNA in vivo. This inhibition is suggested to be an underlying mechanism for PBN's wide variety of pharmacological actions in animal models. However, the determination of PBN's cellular pharmacological activities has not been carried out, but is necessary for the understanding of the effects in vivo. Since the known pharmacological effects of PBN are primarily anti-inflammatory in nature, in this study we determined the inhibitory activities of PBN against two inflammatory factors: inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and inducible cyclooxygenase (COX2). We show here that PBN decreases steady state COX2 mRNA level and COX2 catalytic activity in macrophage cell culture at supra-pharmacological concentrations. While PBN decreases iNOS mRNA, it does not inhibit iNOS catalytic activity, which is consistent with previous in vivo studies. We also studied nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor that can rapidly activate the expression of genes involved in inflammatory, immune and acute phase responses. The binding of NF-kappaB to iNOS gene has been shown to be critical for iNOS gene expression, and the promoter region of COX2 gene contains NF-kappaB consensus sequence. We show that PBN inhibits lipopolysaccharide-mediated increase of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity with a lower concentration than that for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), salicylate. Furthermore, we show that PBN inhibits COX2 catalytic activity, suggesting that PBN has an NSAID-like function.