Variant spectrum of PIEZO1 and KCNN4 in Japanese patients with dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis

Hereditary stomatocytosis (HSt) is a type of congenital hemolytic anemia caused by abnormally increased cation permeability of erythrocyte membranes. Dehydrated HSt (DHSt) is the most common subtype of HSt and is diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings related to erythrocytes. PIEZO1 and KCNN4 have been recognized as causative genes, and many related variants have been reported. We analyzed the genomic background of 23 patients from 20 Japanese families suspected of having DHSt using a target capture sequence and identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants of PIEZO1 or KCNN4 in 12 families.

[Insulin-derived amyloidosis (insulin ball) and skin-related complications of insulin therapy]

Skin-related complications of insulin therapy have long been a problem as a factor interfering with insulin therapy. Among the traditional skin-related complications, lipoatrophy and insulin allergy have decreased markedly with the development of insulin preparations, but lipohypertrophy is still common in insulin-treated patients. Recently, there have been more reports of a skin-related complication called insulin-derived amyloidosis or insulin ball. Insulin-derived amyloidosis is a condition in which injected insulin becomes amyloid protein and is deposited at the injection site. Insulin-derived amyloidosis causes poor glycemic control and increased insulin dose requirements, which are caused by decreased insulin absorption. Lipohypertrophy also decreases insulin absorption, but insulin-derived amyloidosis causes a more significant decrease in insulin absorption and has a greater clinical impact. Therefore, it is important to make a differential diagnosis between insulin-derived amyloidosis and lipohypertrophy, but sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the two and imaging studies are required. The diagnosis of insulin-derived amyloidosis is often difficult in the general practice, and its pathogenesis and prevalence have not been fully clarified. Recently, it has been reported that insulin-derived amyloidosis can be toxic, suggesting an association with minocycline use. The treatment of insulin-derived amyloidosis and lipohypertrophy is to avoid the site of amyloidosis or lipohypertrophy and inject insulin, but the dose of insulin injection should be reduced. Prevention of both insulin-derived amyloidosis and lipohypertrophy is important, and for this purpose, observations of the insulin injection site and instruction on appropriate insulin injection techniques are necessary, and multidisciplinary cooperation is extremely important.

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Functional Parathyroid Cysts

A 51-year-old woman was admitted because of hypercalcemia. Neck ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed the presence of parathyroid cysts on both sides. After primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed by technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy, the patient was successfully treated with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation. She also had a non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, prolactinoma, and adrenal tumors with subclinical Cushing's syndrome. Given these clinical features and her family history, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) was suspected, and germline DNA sequencing revealed a missense mutation (c.1013T>C, [corrected] p.Leu338Pro) in exon 7 of MEN1. This case demonstrates the phenotypic and genetic diversity of MEN1.

A case of nonislet cell tumor hypoglycemia associated with malignant mesothelioma requiring a multifaceted approach for optimal glycemic control

Nonislet tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by refractory hypoglycemia, which often requires multifaceted therapy. We reported a case of a patient with pleural malignant mesothelioma and developed NICTH, for which chemotherapy, glucocorticoids, and nutrition were given to achieve optimal glycemic control.

Regulation of Endothelium-Reticulum-Stress-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death by a Polymethoxylated Flavone, Nobiletin, Through the Inhibition of Nuclear Translocation of Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Retinal Müller Cells

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR), subtle biochemical and functional alterations occur in Müller cells, which are one of the components of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB). Müller cells are the principal glia of the retina and have shown a strong involvement in the maintenance of homeostasis and the development of retinal tissue. Their functional abnormalities and eventual loss have been correlated with a decrease in the tight junctions between endothelial cells and a consequent breakdown of the BRB, leading to the development of DR. We demonstrated that the endothelium reticulum (ER) triggers Müller cell death and that nuclear accumulation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is closely associated with ER-induced Müller cell death. In addition, induction of ER stress in Müller cells increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression but decreased pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) expression in Müller cells. We found that nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from citrus explants, exerts protective action against ER-stress-induced Müller cell death. In addition, nobiletin was found to augment PEDF expression in Müller cells, which may lead to the protection of BRB integrity. These results suggest that nobiletin can be an attractive candidate for the protection of the BRB from breakdown in DR.

Insulin-derived amyloidosis without a palpable mass at the insulin injection site: A report of two cases

To date, almost all case reports of insulin-derived amyloidosis described the presence of a subcutaneous mass that was observable on physical examination. This report presents two cases of insulin-derived amyloidosis without palpable masses at insulin injection sites. In both cases, blood glucose concentrations improved, and the insulin dose could be reduced by an average of 45% after changing the insulin injection sites. The insulin absorption at the site was reduced to at most 40% of that at a normal site in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were useful to screen and differentiate insulin-derived amyloidosis without a palpable mass. This report showed that insulin-derived amyloidosis without a palpable mass can be present at the insulin injection site, and has similar clinical effects to insulin-derived amyloidosis with palpable masses.

mDia1/3-dependent actin polymerization spatiotemporally controls LAT phosphorylation by Zap70 at the immune synapse

The mechanism by which the cytosolic protein Zap70 physically interacts with and phosphorylates its substrate, the transmembrane protein LAT, upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation remains largely obscure. In this study, we found that the pharmacological inhibition of formins, a major class of actin nucleators, suppressed LAT phosphorylation by Zap70, despite TCR stimulation-dependent phosphorylation of Zap70 remaining intact. High-resolution imaging and three-dimensional image reconstruction revealed that localization of phosphorylated Zap70 to the immune synapse (IS) and subsequent LAT phosphorylation are critically dependent on formin-mediated actin polymerization. Using knockout mice, we identify mDia1 and mDia3, which are highly expressed in T cells and which localize to the IS upon TCR activation, as the critical formins mediating this process. Our findings therefore describe previously unsuspected roles for mDia1 and mDia3 in the spatiotemporal control of Zap70-dependent LAT phosphorylation at the IS through regulation of filamentous actin, and underscore their physiological importance in TCR signaling.

Toxicity of insulin-derived amyloidosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Insulin-derived amyloidosis is a skin-related complication of insulin therapy that interferes with insulin therapy. Although toxicities of in vitro-formed insulin amyloid fibrils have been well studied, the toxicity of insulin-derived amyloidosis remains to be clarified.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent a lower limb amputation due to diabetic gangrene. Several antibiotics including minocycline were administered for infection and sepsis. A hard mass at the insulin injection sites in the lower abdomen was discovered by chance four months later. Although no abnormal findings in the surface skin of the mass were observed, necrotic tissue was seen around the mass when a biopsy was performed. Histological and toxicity studies were performed for this patient and four other patients with abdominal masses at insulin injection sites. Histological and immunohistochemical studies showed that the masses had typical characteristics of amyloid deposits in all cases, whereas necrotic findings were seen adjacent to the amyloid deposit only in the case presented. Toxicity studies indicated that the amyloid tissue from the present case had significant cell toxicity compared to the control skin tissue or the amyloid tissues from the other four cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This report showed that toxic insulin-derived amyloidosis can occur. In addition, this report suggested that toxic insulin-derived amyloidosis may cause necrosis in the surrounding tissue. Although the toxic amyloid deposit of insulin-derived amyloidosis was found in only one patient, no structural differences between toxic and non-toxic deposits were seen on histological and immunohistochemical studies.

In vitro studies on nobiletin isolated from citrus plants and the bioactive metabolites, inhibitory action against gelatinase enzymatic activity and the molecular mechanisms in human retinal Müller cell line

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus. Despite the presence of effective therapy, DR is still a significant health burden. A recent research suggests that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) could be promising targets, which exert multiple actions on early- and late-stage pathogenesis of DR. Among the MMP family, gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) act as potent proinflammatory, proangiogenic, and pro-apoptotic factors. Therefore, the pharmacological inhibitory effect of gelatinases on retinal MMP-producing cells may be useful in the treatment or prevention of DR. Nobiletin isolated from citrus plants is a multi-functional polymethoxylated flavone, which exerts biological effects including inhibitory action against MMP activity in several cancer cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that nobiletin isolated from citrus plants attenuated MMP-9 enzymatic activity through the suppression of transcription for MMP-9 gene expression and augmentation of TIMP-1 production in retinal Müller cells. Nobiletin regulated MMP-9 gene expression and TIMP-1 by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In addition, we observed the augmentation of inhibitory action against MMP-9 enzymatic activity by 4'-demethylated nobiletin, which is a major metabolite of nobiletin. We believe that the enhancement of inhibitory action against MMP-9 enzymatic activity by 4'-demethylated nobiletin is through the dual inhibition on Erk1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. The structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that, for the enhancement of inhibitory action against MMP-9 enzymatic activity, demethylation at position 4' in B-ring was a key structural modification in Müller cells, which are an important source of MMPs found in vitreous fluid and retinal tissues in retinal proliferative diseases. These results suggested that nobiletin, derived from a natural source, may serve as a novel MMP inhibitor with minimal side effects, and lead compound for the design of more efficacious drugs.

Cell-mediated contraction of vitreous explants from chicken embryo: possibility of screening for therapeutic agents against proliferative vitreoretinal diseases

PURPOSE

We aimed to establish a novel screening system for identifying potential therapeutic agents for treating proliferative vitreoretinal diseases (PVDs). In this study, we focused on vitreous explants from chicken embryos and evaluated the usefulness of quantitatively analyzing the effects of potential candidates on cell-mediated vitreous contraction, which leads to blindness in PVDs.

METHODS

Vitreous explants were extracted from 19-day-old embryonic chickens and then incubated with retinal Müller cells or endothelial cells to permit cell adhesion. After cell adhesion occurred, we examined the effect of the attached cells on the wet weight of vitreous explants as an index of vitreous contraction. We also performed hematoxylin and eosin staining to characterize the cell morphology on the vitreous surface.

RESULTS

Contraction of the vitreous explants was observed after cell adhesion of not only retinal Müller cells but also endothelial cells. We confirmed the adhesion of these cells on vitreous explants and estimated the number of adherent cells with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis. The cells on the vitreous surface presented an elongated fibroblast-like phenotype. Integrin was found to be a receptor involved in cell adhesion on the vitreous surface.

DISCUSSION

Our results suggest that vitreous explants from chicken embryos may be novel useful tools for screening antiadhesion therapeutic agents in PVDs. This preliminary study must be validated with human vitreous and human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Strong coupling superconductivity at 8.4 K in an antiperovskite phosphide SrPt3P

We report the discovery of a family of ternary platinum phosphides APt3P (A = Ca, Sr, and La), which crystallize in an antiperovskite-based structure closely related to that of the heavy fermion superconductor CePt3Si. All three phosphides showed superconductivity at low temperatures and the highest critical temperature T(c) = 8.4  K was observed for SrPt3P. The analysis of specific heat C(T) for SrPt3P shows clear evidence for very strong coupling s-wave superconductivity with a large ratio between superconducting gap Δ0 and T(c), 2Δ0/k(B)T(c) ∼ 5, and the presence of low-energy phonons. The presence of multiple Fermi surface pockets was inferred from the nonlinear magnetic field dependence of Hall resistivity, which we argue might play a role in realizing the strong coupling of charge carriers with the low-lying phonons.

Successful treatment of postsurgical hypoparathyroidism by intramuscular injection of vitamin D3 in a patient associated with malabsorption syndrome due to multiple abdominal surgeries

A 56-year-old patient with postsurgical hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism associated with gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome was prescribed with L: -thyroxine and 1alpha(OH)D(3) at a massive daily dosage of 600 and 39 mug, respectively. Although the patient became nearly euthyroid, she had been hypocalcemic, requiring frequent intravenous injection of calcium gluconate to prevent tetany. Because the serum level of 1,25(OH)(2)D hardly increased after an oral intake of 21 microg 1alpha(OH)D(3), vitamin D(3) was administered intramuscularly. After stoss therapy (600,000 IU), the patient has been receiving 300,000 IU vitamin D(3) at intervals of 2-4 months so that she remained slightly hypocalcemic (7-8 mg/dl). At 1.5 years later, serum levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D were maintained at about 60 ng/ml and 30-50 pg/ml, respectively, and renal function was maintained well. These data suggest that intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU vitamin D(3) at an interval of a few months to maintain a slightly increased serum level of 25(OH)D and a slightly decreased serum level of calcium is a safe and cost-effective treatment in such a parathyroid hormone-deficient hypoparathyroid patient with malabsorption syndrome.

A study of urinary myo-inositol as a sensitive marker of glucose intolerance

BACKGROUND

We assessed the possibility of using myo-inositol as a marker of glucose intolerance.

METHODS

We measured urinary myo-inositol enzymatically before and 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test in 564 volunteers, who were divided into four groups [normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM)]. Furthermore, we classified NGT into NGT-A (2-h blood glucose <120 mg/dl and 2-h glucosuria <50 mg/dl) and NGT-B (remaining NGT subjects). We then compared deltamyo-inositol (myo-inositol/creatinine ratio: 2-h after glucose load--before load) of each group to investigate the relationship between glucose intolerance and deltamyo-inositol.

RESULTS

The glucose tolerance of NGT-B appeared to have deteriorated compared with NGT-A as determined by blood glucose, insulin, and glucosuria. There was very little effect of gender or age on deltamyo-inositol in NGT-A. deltamyo-inositol was significantly higher than that in NGT-A (0.5+/-7.1 mg/g Cr) not only in IFG (8.7+/-19.5 mg/g Cr, P<0.0001), IGT (14.8+/-22.9 mg/g Cr, P<0.0001) and DM (79.5+/-37.1 mg/g Cr, P<0.0001), but in NGT-B (7.4+/-12.7 mg/g Cr, P<0.0001). With 2 mg/g Cr as a tentative cut-off for deltamyo-inositol to detect NGT-A, sensitivity and specificity were 68% and 72%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The deltamyo-inositol can be use of a non-invasive and sensitive marker for glucose intolerance.

A trial to assess the amount of insulin antibodies in diabetic patients by surface plasmon resonance

OBJECTIVE

To measure the amount and affinity of insulin antibodies, we performed a trial to establish a new method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of these antibodies by using surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore system).

METHODS

Real-time detection of insulin antibody interaction and kinetic analysis were performed using the BIAcore system.

PATIENTS OR MATERIALS

Eight diabetic patients with insulin antibodies and whose fasting total immunoreactive insulin levels were more than 100 microU/ml were selected. The patients with and without recurrent hypoglycemia were classified into hypoglycemic episode-positive or hypoglycemic episode-negative groups, respectively. Seven diabetic patients without insulin antibodies were selected as controls.

RESULTS

In the 8 patients, the concentration of insulin antibodies ranged from 2.91 to 16.3 microg/ml and insulin antibodies were not detected in the control group. The apparent KD (dissociation constant) and kd (the dissociation rate constant) values of the patients were much larger than those seen for the anti-human insulin monoclonal antibody. The KD values were significantly higher in the hypoglycemic episode-positive group than in the hypoglycemic episode-negative group (p<0.05). No significant differences in the concentration, the ka (the association rate constant) and the kd values were noted between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The data suggests that insulin antibodies of the patients have an apparently lower affinity status in sera as compared with that for the anti-human insulin monoclonal antibody, and dissociate easily from the immune-complex in the sera, especially in cases where there is recurrent hypoglycemia in the patients. Therefore insulin antibody characteristics are one of the causative factors in hypoglycemic episodes.

Two distinct steps of immigration of hematopoietic progenitors into the early thymus anlage

Thymic epithelial cells, which create a three-dimensionally organized meshwork structure peculiar to the thymus, develop from simple epithelia of the third pharyngeal pouch and cleft during organogenesis. We comparatively investigated the thymus anlages of normal and nude mice by immunohistochemical analysis with regard to epithelial organization and distribution of hematopoietic progenitor cells at early stages of organogenesis. Our results show that development of the mouse thymus anlage at early stages can be subdivided into at least two stages by the differences in epithelial organization, i.e. stratified epithelial stage on embryonic day (Ed) 11 and clustered epithelial stage on Ed12. At the former stage, hematopoietic progenitor cells are accumulated in the mesenchymal layer of the thymus anlage, and at the latter stage progenitor cells enter the epithelial cluster and proliferate. In nude mice, hematopoietic progenitor cells are found in the mesenchymal layer on Ed11.5, but they are not observed among epithelial cells on Ed12, even though epithelial cells form a cluster structure. The present results suggest that aberrant development of the nude mouse thymus anlage occurs at the clustered epithelial stage and that epithelial cells of the nude anlage lack the ability to induce the entrance of hematopoietic progenitor cells into the epithelial cluster.

Expression of alpha(4)beta(7) integrin defines a distinct pathway of lymphoid progenitors committed to T cells, fetal intestinal lymphotoxin producer, NK, and dendritic cells

During embryogenesis, the Peyer's patch anlagen are induced by a cell population that produces lymphotoxin (LT) alpha(1)beta(2) following stimulation of IL-7Ralpha. In this study, we show that the LT-producing cell is localized within the IL-7Ralpha(+) and integrin alpha(4)beta(7) (alpha(4)beta(7))(+) population in the embryonic intestine. Lineage commitment to the LT producer phenotype in the fetal liver coincides with expression of alpha(4)beta(7). Before expression of alpha(4)beta(7), the potential of IL-7Ralpha(+) population to generate B cells is lost. However, the progenitors for T cells and LT producer cells reside in the IL-7Ralpha(+)alpha(4)beta(7)(+) cells, but during subsequent differentiation, the potential to give rise to T cells is lost. This IL-7Ralpha(+)alpha(4)beta(7)(+) population migrates to the intestine, where it induces the Peyer's patch anlagen. When stimulated with IL-15 or IL-3 and TNF, the intestinal IL-7Ralpha(+)alpha(4)beta(7)(+) population can differentiate into fully competent NK1.1(+) NK cells or CD11c(+) APCs. Expression of alpha(4)beta(7) is lost during differentiation of both lineages; IL-7Ralpha expression is lost during NK1.1(+) cells differentiation. A newly discovered lineage(-)IL-7Ralpha(+)c-Kit(+)alpha(4)beta(7)(+) population in the fetal liver is committed to T, NK, dendritic, and fetal intestinal LT producer lineage, the latter being an intermediate stage during differentiation of NK and dendritic cells.

The earliest stages of B cell development require a chemokine stromal cell-derived factor/pre-B cell growth-stimulating factor

Environmental factors essential for the first stages of B lymphopoiesis remain elusive. Here, we report that immediately after commitment to B lineage, precursors become dependent on a chemokine SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 using mutant and radiation chimeric mice. In bone marrow, generation of the earliest identifiable B cell precursor populations requires CXCR4. In fetal liver, we identified Lin(-)CD19(-)c-kit(+)IL-7Ralpha(+)AA4.1(+), the earliest unipotent B cell precursor population, and found that its development was severely affected in SDF-1(-/-) embryos but not in IL-7(-/-) embryos. Lin(-) T cell progenitors appeared normal in SDF-1(-/-) embryos. Moreover, SDF-1 exhibited specific biologic activities on the earliest B cell precursors. SDF-1 provides the first example of a cytokine responsible for the earliest B lineage stages.

Effects of sensory feedback on variations on intertap interval and force in finger-tapping sequences

This study was designed to examine effects of somatosensory feedback on variations of intertap interval and muscle force in finger-tapping sequences over 10 minutes. Although intertap intervals were decreased on the massed task as the time passed, the intervals were constant in the distributed task. In finger-tapping for a long time, impulses perhaps circulate within the loop circuits between the cerebral motor cortex and the peripheral nerve and subsequently increase further the excitability of the circuits. This increase in the excitability within the circuits may shorten the interval and increase variation of the interval. On the other hand, although peak force increased up to the 5-min. mark on the massed task, the force decreased after the 6-min. mark. This increase of force also may be produced by increasing activation of the corticoperipheral loop circuits. Although the decrease of force was perhaps produced by the fatigue of finger muscles for tapping during a few minutes, fatigue appeared more clearly in muscle force than in timing control. However, the force and the variation were constant in the distributed task.

Basic fibroblast growth factor up-regulates the surface expression of complement receptors on human monocytes

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To clarify the possible involvement of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in inflammation, we examined the effect of b-FGF on the surface expression of complement receptors (CR) on human monocytes in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Heparinized venous blood was obtained from healthy adult donors. The surface expression of CR on blood monocytes was determined by two-color immunofluorescent staining using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. A standard whole blood lysis technique was used to avoid any in vitro manipulation that would activate monocytes.

RESULTS

b-FGF increased the expression of CR3 on monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The b-FGF concentrations used were up to 100 ng/ml. The values of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CR3 expression on unstimulated monocytes were 12.6+/-1.3 (n = 3), whereas those on b-FGF-stimulated monocytes were 59.2+/-7.1 (n = 3). b-FGF also up-regulated the expression of CR1 on monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The MFI values of CR1 expression on unstimulated monocytes were 2.5+/-0.1 (n = 3), whereas those on b-FGF-stimulated monocytes were 11.1+/-0.6 (n=3). The magnitude of CR1 expression by monocytes was significantly smaller than that of CR3 expression. The maximal stimulatory effect of b-FGF on monocytes was observed using greater than 25 ng/ml of b-FGF and 90-120 min incubation period.

CONCLUSION

b-FGF may participate in the inflammatory process by modulating the CR expression on blood monocytes.

Commitment to natural killer cells requires the helix-loop-helix inhibitor Id2

We have previously described how T and natural killer (NK) lineage commitment proceeds from common T/NK progenitors (p-T/NK) in the murine fetal thymus (FT), with the use of a clonal assay system capable of discriminating p-T/NK from unipotent T or NK lineage-committed progenitors (p-T and p-NK, respectively). The molecular mechanisms controlling the commitment processes, however, are yet to be defined. In this study, we investigated the progenitor activity of FT cells from Id2-/- mice that exhibit defective NK cell development. In the Id2-/- FT, NK cells were greatly reduced, and a cell population that exclusively contains p-NK in the wild-type thymus was completely missing. Id2-/- FT progenitors were unable to differentiate into NK cells in IL-2-supplemented-FT organ culture. Single progenitor analysis demonstrated that all Id2-/- fetal thymic progenitors are destined for the T cell lineage, whereas progenitors for T/NK, T, and NK cell lineages were found in the control. Interestingly, the total progenitor number was similar between Id2-/- and Id2+/+ embryos analyzed. Expression of Id2 was correlated with p-NK activity. Our results suggest that Id2 is indispensable in thymic NK cell development, where it most probably restricts bipotent T/NK progenitors to the NK cell lineage.

Immature multipotent hemopoietic progenitors lacking long-term bone marrow-reconstituting activity in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of murine day 10 fetuses

Previous studies indicated that multipotent progenitors exist in early fetuses that do not contain long-term reconstituting (LTR) activity. However, it remained unclear whether these multipotent progenitors are committed to the hemopoietic lineage or are immature mesodermal cells or hemangioblasts. In this study, we have succeeded in enriching the multipotent progenitors that are capable of generating myeloid, T, and B cells in the LFA-1(-) subpopulation of TER-119(-)c-kit(+)CD45(+) cells from the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region of day 10 fetuses. We found that these day 10 AGM LFA-1(-) cells do not show the LTR activity, whereas day 11 AGM LFA-1(-) cells do have such an activity. These results strongly suggest that multipotent progenitors lacking LTR activity emerge as CD45(+) hemopoietic progenitor cells in the AGM region on the 10th day of gestation, and such p-Multi mature into hemopoietic stem cells by acquiring LTR activity.

Retention of relative force in the scaling of a serial force pattern with an attenuated-force tap

The present study was designed to examine the retention of relative force in the scaling of a serial force pattern in a finger-tapping sequence using an attenuated tap. On practice trials, 12 undergraduate students tapped a force plate connected to strain gauges that gave them feedback about the force. On test trials, participants recalled the force pattern (200 gm-200 gm-200 gm-100 gm) and the intertap interval (400 msec.) practiced during the practice period without the feedback (recalled task). Then, they adaptively produced a halved (halved task) or doubled force profile (doubled task) at the fixed intertap interval. Analyses showed that mean peak forces at the first three tap positions of the tapping sequence undershot the expected forces across all tasks. Hence, the ratios of the forces in Serial Positions 1:4, 2:4, and 3:4 were considerably lower than 2.0. This is a contextual effect suggesting that the last attenuated tap affected the first three taps of the tapping sequence. Thus, because the relative force of movements appears to be a weaker invariant feature than sequencing and relative timing for generalized motor program theory of Schmidt and Lee, this finding does not support the relative force for a generalized motor program.

Stepwise lineage restriction of progenitors in lympho-myelopoiesis

It has long been controversial whether hematopoiesis progresses through ordered stages of determination as in embryonic development. This is due to the absence of a methodology capable of exactly determining the developmental potential of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. The multilineage progenitor (MLP) assay enabled us to discriminate among seven types of hematopoietic progenitors, which are multipotent progenitor p-MTB (capable of generating myeloid, T and B cells), bipotent progenitors p-MT, p-MB and p-TB, and unipotent progenitors p-M, p-T and p-B. Among these seven types, the p-TB type progenitor was found to be absent. These findings indicate that the process of lineage commitment proceeds through an ordered but not random process. By extending the area of investigation to include the erythroid lineage, more convincing evidence for the ordered process was obtained. Detailed and exact illustration of the process of hematopoiesis will provide an opportunity to revive hematopoiesis as one of the most fascinating targets of research in developmental biology.

Progression of T cell lineage restriction in the earliest subpopulation of murine adult thymus visualized by the expression of lck proximal promoter activity

The proximal promoter of lck directs gene expression exclusively in T cells. To investigate the developmental regulation of the lck proximal promoter activity and its relationship to T cell lineage commitment, a green fluorescence protein (GFP) transgenic (Tg) mouse in which the GFP expression is under the control of the proximal promoter of lck was created. In the adult GFP-Tg mice, >90% of CD4(+)CD8(+) and CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes, and the majority of CD4(-)CD8(+) and CD4(-)CD8(-) [double-negative (DN)] thymocytes were highly positive for GFP. Slightly lower but substantial levels of expression of GFP was also observed in mature splenic T cells. No GFP(+) cells was detected in non-T lineage subsets, including mature and immature B cells, CD5(+) B cells, and NK cells, indicating a preserved tissue specificity of the promoter. The earliest GFP(+) cells detected were found in the CD44(+)CD25(-) DN thymocyte subpopulation. The developmental potential of GFP(-) and GFP(+) cells in the CD44(+)CD25(-) DN fraction was examined using in vitro culture systems. The generation of substantial numbers of alphabeta and gammadelta T cells as well as NK cells was demonstrated from both GFP(-) and GFP(+) cells. However, no development of B cells or dendritic cells was detected from GFP(+) CD44(+)CD25(-) DN thymocytes. These results suggest that the progenitors expressing lck proximal promoter activity in the CD44(+)CD25(-) DN thymocyte subset have lost most of the progenitor potential for the B and dendritic cell lineage. Thus, progression of T cell lineage restriction in the earliest thymic population can be visualized by lck proximal promoter activity, suggesting a potential role of Lck in the T cell lineage commitment.

Retention and adaptive control of force pattern on a finger-tapping sequence with an attenuated force tap

The present study was designed to examine the retention and adaptive control of a force pattern in the scaling of speed profiles in a finger-tapping sequence with an attenuated tap. On practice trials, 11 college students tapped on a force plate connected to strain gauges with feedback. On test trials, participants recalled the force pattern (200 gm-200 gm-200 gm-100 gm) and the intertap interval 1400 msec.) acquired during practice without feedback (recalled task). Then, participants adaptively tapped the acquired force pattern at the half (speeded task) and double (slowed task) the intertap interval acquired during the practice. Analyses showed that mean peak forces increased across tasks as the tapping speed was slowed down. Mean peak forces at the first three tap positions in sequence were smaller than the required forces in both the recall and speeded tasks. So, although the slowed task had the lowest ratio of forces in serial positions 1:4, 2:4, and 3:4, the ratios were less than 2 across tasks. These indicated that changing to a slow pace creates a more difficult adaptive task than changing to a fast pace, and further that a serial force pattern with an attenuated force creates a more difficult motor task for fine control than that with an accentuated force.

Basic fibroblast growth factor modulates the surface expression of effector cell molecules and primes respiratory burst activity in human neutrophils

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) mediates a variety of biological responses such as angiogenesis and hematopoiesis. We examined the effect of b-FGF on human neutrophil functions in vitro. The surface expression of effector cell molecules on neutrophils was determined by flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. b-FGF increased the expression of CD11b leukocyte integrin and complement receptor type 1 on neutrophils and decreased the expression of L-selectin on neutrophils in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also examined the effect of b-FGF on the respiratory burst activity in neutrophils. Although b-FGF alone did not induce intracellular oxidative product formation by neutrophils, it enhanced H(2)O(2) production in neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or phorbol myristate acetate. These findings suggest that b-FGF may participate in the inflammatory process via modulating the surface expression of effector cell molecules and enhancing respiratory burst activity in neutrophils.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori agents. 4. 2-(Substituted guanidino)-4-phenylthiazoles and some structurally rigid derivatives

In order to find a new class of anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) agents, a series of 4-[(3-acetamido)phenyl]-2-(substituted guanidino)thiazoles and some structurally rigid analoges were synthesized and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Among the compounds obtained, high anti-H. pyrori activities were observed in benzyl derivative 34 (MIC = 0.025 microg/mL) and phenethyl derivatives 35 and 36 (MIC = 0.037 microg/mL and 0.017 microg/mL). Though alkyl derivatives generally showed lower activity, the 2-methoxyethyl derivative 28 preserved significant activity (MIC = 0.32 microg/mL) and also exhibited more potent gastric antisecretory activity than ranitidine. Structural restriction by bridging between the thiazole and the phenyl rings with an alkyl chain did not improve the activity in this series.

The monoclonal antibody TER-119 recognizes a molecule associated with glycophorin A and specifically marks the late stages of murine erythroid lineage

The antigen specificity of a rat monoclonal antibody TER-119 was investigated. In adult mice, TER-119 reacted with mature erythrocytes, 20-25% of bone marrow cells and 2-3% of spleen cells but not with thymocytes nor lymph node cells. In fetal haematopoietic tissues, 30-40% of d 10 yolk sac cells, 80-90% of d 14 fetal liver cells and 40-50% of newborn liver cells were reactive with TER-119. TER-119+ cells in adult bone marrow expressed significant levels of CD45 but not myeloid (Mac-1, Gr-1) or B-cell (B220) markers. Morphological examination and haematopoietic colony-forming assays for isolated TER-119+ cells revealed that TER-119 reacts with erythroid cells at differentiation stages from early proerythroblast to mature erythrocyte, but not with cells showing typical erythroid blast-forming unit (BFU-E) and erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E) activities. Erythroleukaemia cell lines do not express the TER-119 antigen even after stimulation with dimethylsulphoxide. TER-119 immunoprecipitated protein bands with molecular masses of 110 kDa, 60 kDa, 52 kDa and 32 kDa from erythrocyte membrane, whereas only a 52-kDa band was detected by TER-119 in Western blot analysis. Further molecular and cellular analyses indicated that the TER-119 antigen is a molecule associated with cell-surface glycophorin A but not with glycophorin A itself.

T cell progenitors emerge earlier than B cell progenitors in the murine fetal liver

The developmental potential of individual cells in the Lin-c-kit+CD45+IL-7R+ (IL-7R+) population from murine fetal liver was investigated using a clonal assay capable of determining the potential of a progenitor to give rise to myeloid, T, and B cells. Unipotent progenitors generating T cells (p-T) or B cells (p-B) but not other types of progenitors were found in the IL-7R+ population. A large proportion of progenitors at day 12 of gestation are p-T, whereas the frequency of p-T dramatically decreases with gestational age. In marked contrast, p-B are very rare by day 12, but they rapidly increase thereafter. These findings strongly suggest that the commitment of multipotent progenitors to T and B cell lineages occurs independently.

Multivariate analysis of prognostic determinants after surgery for renal cell carcinoma at Himeji National Hospital

A clinico-pathological study was performed retrospectively on 62 patients who underwent surgery for renal cell carcinoma between January 1992 and October 1998 at Himeji National Hospital to clarify the prognostic determinants for survival. The median follow-up period was 32 months and the cause-specific survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 86.7, 81.3, 81.3%, respectively. Of the 62 patients, 11 (17.7%) patients died of renal cell carcinoma and 2 (3.2%) patients died of unrelated causes. Of the variables related to survival, presenting symptoms, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tumor size, pathological tumor grade, infiltration pattern, pathological tumor stage, N classification and M classification were significant risk factors for survival by univariate analysis. However, ALP, N classification and M classification were significant for survival as determined by the step-wise procedure and M classification was the most significant factor according to Cox's proportional hazard model analysis.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by treatment with interferon-beta

A 57-year-old man was referred to our outpatient clinic after interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment for 7 weeks. While IFN-beta therapy was continued in our outpatient clinic, his blood glucose level increased gradually, and he was admitted to our hospital for hyperglycemia. The patient was prescribed a 1,600-kcal diet and intensive insulin therapy was performed. GAD antibody became positive 15 months after the start of IFN therapy, and disappeared 27 months after the start of IFN therapy. Insulin secretion was depleted and the patient had HLA-DR4, B54, and DRB1*0405. This appears to be a case of type 1 diabetes mellitus induced by administration of IFN-beta alone.

Emergence of T, B, and myeloid lineage-committed as well as multipotent hemopoietic progenitors in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of day 10 fetuses of the mouse

We investigated the developmental potential of hemopoietic progenitors in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region, where the definitive type hemopoietic progenitors have been shown to emerge before the fetal liver develops. By using an assay system that is able to determine the developmental potential of individual progenitors toward the T, B, and myeloid lineages, we show that not only multipotent progenitors but also progenitors committed to the T, B, or myeloid lineage already exist in this region of day 10 fetuses. Bipotent progenitors generating myeloid and T cells or those generating myeloid and B cells were also detected, suggesting that the commitment to T and B cell lineages is in progress in the AGM region. The numbers of these progenitors, however, were only 1/200-1/1000 of those in fetal liver of day 12 fetuses. Such small numbers of progenitors suggest that hemopoiesis has just started in the AGM region of day 10 fetuses. Although most of T cell lineage-committed progenitors in the AGM region generated only a small number of immature T cells, some were able to generate a large number of mature T cells. The detection of various types of lineage-committed progenitors strongly suggests that the AGM region is not only the site of stem cell emergence, but also the site of hemopoiesis, including lineage commitment. The T cell progenitors found in the AGM region may represent the first immigrants to the thymus anlage.

FR145715, a novel histamine H2 receptor antagonist, with specific anti-Helicobacter pylori activities

The pharmacological profile of N-[3-[2-[N'-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino]thiazol-4yl]benzyl-ace tamide (FR145715), a novel histamine H2 receptor antagonist, was examined in both in vitro and in vivo models using experimental animals in comparison with ranitidine. In isolated guinea-pig atria, FR145715 antagonized the effect of histamine on heart rate with approximately three times more potent activity than ranitidine. In in vivo experiments, intraduodenal FR145715 dose-dependently inhibited spontaneous gastric acid secretion in rats (Shay's rats), with a ED50 value of 18.4 mg/kg, which was comparable to that of ranitidine (30.5 mg/kg). FR145715 also inhibited histamine-stimulated acid secretion in stomach-perfused anaesthetized rats (Schild's rats), when given intravenously and intraduodenally with ED50 values of 0.59 and 2.72 mg/kg, respectively. Ranitidine displayed more potent activity having respective ED50 values of 0.10 and 0.17 mg/kg. In Heidenhain pouch dogs, intravenous and oral FR145715 dose-dependently inhibited gastrin-stimulated acid secretion with respective ED50 values of 0.12 and 0.32 mg/kg, which were similar to those of ranitidine (0.09 and 0.33 mg/kg). In gastric ulcer models, FR145715 dose-dependently inhibited water immersion restraint stress- and acidified aspirin-induced gastric lesions with ED50 values of 3.2 and 15.1 mg/kg (p.o.), respectively. The comparative compound, ranitidine, also showed beneficial effects on stress-induced gastric ulcers with an ED50 value of 1.5 mg/kg (p.o.). However, it failed to inhibit acidified aspirin-induced gastric ulcers. FR145715 inhibited HCl-induced gastric lesions in rats, while pre-treatment with indomethacin abolished its beneficial effects, suggesting that FR145715 has a so-called cytoprotective effect which is dependent on endogenous prostaglandin production. In addition to its atypical profile as a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, FR145715 exhibited strong anti-microbial activities against strains of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with a mean minimal inhibitory concentration value of 0.32 microg/ml. Moreover, FR145715 showed no anti-microbial effects on 25 other bacteria examined. In addition, in vivo experiments using gnotobiotic piglets infected with H. pylori, FR145715 (16 mg/kg, t.i.d.) completely eliminated the organism with reduced intensity of inflammation, when treated orally for 10 days. These data demonstrate that FR145715 is a novel histamine H2 receptor antagonist having potent and selective anti-H. pylori activities as well as cytoprotective properties. The present data suggest that FR145715 might be useful for the patients suffering from ulcer relapse, since the drug might be able to eradicate H. pylori in the stomach, which is considered a key factor to cause ulcer recurrence in humans.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori agents. 3. 2-[(Arylalkyl)guanidino]-4-furylthiazoles

A series of 2-[(arylalkyl)guanidino]-4-[(5-acetamidomethyl)furan-2-yl]thiazole s and some 4-acetamidomethyl positional isomers were synthesized and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori. Among the compounds that had potent antimicrobial activity (MIC < 0. 1 microgram/mL), compounds 31 and 36 additionally possessed H2 antagonist and gastric antisecretory activities. Though compound 51, an analogue incorporating a methyl group onto the furan nucleus of 36, and compound 54, a positional isomer of 51, also showed potent anti-H. pylori activity, the H2 antagonism profile was eliminated from these compounds. Thus, two types of potent anti-H. pylori agents could be derived from the same scaffold.

ProMMP-9 (92 kDa gelatinase) in vitreous fluid of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in tissue destruction during various pathophysiologic conditions. The vitreous body is a gel-like extracellular matrix that undergoes liquefaction during aging and pathological processes. To investigate the pathogenic role of MMPs in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), we studied 73 eyes from PDR patients and 25 eyes from patients with non-diabetic ocular diseases. Vitreous MMPs were measured by zymography. Retinopathy was assessed by ophthalmoscopy and PDR was classified into 3 stages, 'naked', 'active', and 'quiescent'. Although proMMP-9 was expressed in only 8% (2/25) of non-diabetic patients, it was expressed in more than 80% (38/47) of 'active' PDR patients and still expressed in 60% (9/15) of those with 'quiescent' PDR. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitreous fluids was undetectable (<0.16 ng/ml) in most of the non-diabetic patients, and was maximally elevated in the 'active' PDR patients (mean=2.20 ng/ml, range; 0.16-7.61), declining in patients with 'quiescent' PDR (1.04 ng/ml, 0.16-3.77). These results suggest that MMP-9 is one of the noteworthy factors in relation to the progress of PDR, as well as angiogenic cytokines such as VEGF.

Transmission electron microscopic study of interface between bioactive bone cement and bone: comparison of apatite and wollastonite containing glass-ceramic filler with hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate fillers

We developed a bioactive bone cement that consists of apatite and wollastonite containing glass-ceramic (AW-GC) powder and bisphenol-a-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) based resin. In this study, we made three types of cement (designated AWC, HAC, and TCPC) consisting of either AW-GC, hydroxyapatite (HA), or beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) powder as the inorganic filler and Bis-GMA based resin as the organic matrix. These cements were implanted into rat tibiae and cured in situ. Specimens were prepared 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the operation and observed using transmission electron microscopy. Each of the bone cements was in direct contact with the bone. In AWC-implanted tibiae, the uncured surface layer of Bis-GMA based resin was completely filled with newly formed bone-like tissue 2 weeks after implantation. The AW-GC particles were surrounded by bone and were in contact with bone through an apatite layer. No intervening soft tissue was seen. In HAC-implanted tibiae, it took 4 weeks for the uncured layer to completely fill with newly formed bonelike tissue. The HA particles were also in contact with bone through an apatite layer. In TCPC-implanted tibiae, it took 8 weeks for the uncured layer to fill with newly formed bone-like tissue. The new bone that formed on the TCPC was not as dense as that on the AWC or HAC, and an intervening apatite layer was not evident. Results indicated that AWC had higher bioactivity than either HAC or TCPC.

Endorectal ultrasonography for the assessment of rectal wall invasion in intrapelvic tumor: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to determine the usefulness of endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) in assessing rectal wall involvement in intrapelvic tumors.

METHODS

Rectal wall invasion was assessed in 16 patients; 14 with deeply invasive bladder tumors, one with prostatic leiomyosarcoma, and one with prostatic leiomyoma. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and ERUS with a flexible-type radial scanner (7.5 MHz) were used and the results were compared with the histopathologic findings in surgical specimens.

RESULTS

The normal rectum was shown by ERUS to be a five- or seven-layer structure. Characteristic abnormal ERUS findings included disappearance of the perirectal fat tissue layer with or without disruption of the propria muscle layer. Endorectal ultrasonography accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in all four patients who had two bladder tumors, plus the one patient with prostatic leiomyoma and the one with prostatic leiomyosarcoma. However, ERUS overstaged one of 12 bladder tumors with no rectal wall involvement, which was strongly adhesive to the rectum because of an inflammatory change but had no tumor invasion. There were no cases of understaging by ERUS. In comparison, CT accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in two patients, but overstaged in three and understaged in two. Magnetic resonance imaging, which was performed in 14 patients, accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in two patients, but overstaged in three and understaged in one.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study suggests that ERUS more accurately assesses rectal wall involvement in intrapelvic tumor than CT or MRI.

A cell-autonomous requirement for CXCR4 in long-term lymphoid and myeloid reconstitution

Mice lacking the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor/pre-B cell growth stimulating factor or its primary physiological receptor CXCR4 revealed defects in B lymphopoiesis and bone marrow myelopoiesis during embryogenesis. We show here that adoptive transfer experiments reveal a deficiency in long-term lymphoid and myeloid repopulation in adult bone marrow by CXCR4-/- fetal liver cells, although stromal cell-derived factor/pre-B cell growth stimulating factor-/- fetal liver cells yield normal multilineage reconstitution. These findings indicate that CXCR4 is required cell autonomously for lymphoid and myeloid repopulation in bone marrow. In addition, CXCR4-/- fetal liver cells generated much more severely reduced numbers of B cells relative to other lineages in bone marrow. Furthermore, the repopulation of c-kit+ Sca-1(+) linlow/- cells by CXCR4-/- fetal liver cells was less affected compared with c-kit+ Sca-1(-) linlow/- cells. By previous studies, it has been shown that c-kit+ Sca-1(+) linlow/- cells are highly purified primitive hematopoietic progenitors and that c-kit+ Sca-1(-) linlow/- cells are more committed hematopoietic progenitors in mice. Thus, CXCR4 may play an essential role in generation and/or expansion of early hematopoietic progenitors within bone marrow.