Ultrafast electronic state conversion at room temperature utilizing hidden state in cuprate ladder system

Photo-control of material properties on femto- (10(-15)) and pico- (10(-12)) second timescales at room temperature has been a long-sought goal of materials science. Here we demonstrate a unique ultrafast conversion between the metallic and insulating state and the emergence of a hidden insulating state by tuning the carrier coherence in a wide temperature range in the two-leg ladder superconductor Sr(14-x)Ca(x)Cu24O41 through femtosecond time-resolved reflection spectroscopy. We also propose a theoretical scenario that can explain the experimental results. The calculations indicate that the holes injected by the ultrashort light reduce the coherence among the inherent hole pairs and result in suppression of conductivity, which is opposite to the conventional photocarrier-doping mechanism. By using trains of ultrashort laser pulses, we successively tune the carrier coherence to within 1 picosecond. Control of hole-pair coherence is shown to be a realistic strategy for tuning the electronic state on ultrafast timescales at room temperature.

An analysis of functional activity via the three complement pathways during hemodialysis sessions: a new insight into the association between the lectin pathway and C5 activation

Background

We have recently demonstrated that hemodialysis (HD) patients have significantly higher levels of functional complement activity (FCA) in all three pathways, i.e. the classical pathway, alternative pathway and lectin pathway (LP), than in age-matched controls, though the role of FCA during HD still remains unknown.

Methods

Serial plasma or serum samples were obtained from five patients during HD in order to investigate the kinetics of complement components. The levels of the C5b-9 complex, the FCA of the three pathways, a derivative of C3a (C3a desArg) and a derivative of C5a (C5a desArg) in the samples were analyzed.

Results

The levels of the C5b-9 complex at 60 min were significantly increased when compared with those at 0 min. Functional activities for all three pathways showed different patterns so the same tendency between pathways was not observed. The levels of C3a desArg and C5a desArg at 60 min were markedly increased when compared with those at 0 min. A Spearman's rho test showed a strong positive correlation between functional LP activity and C5a desArg.

Conclusions

These findings lead to new insights into the FCA during HD and suggest that functional LP activity has an important role in C5 activation.

Relationship between the Peripheral Lymphocyte Response to Mycophenolic Acid in vitro and the Level of ATP in Peripheral CD4+ Lymphocytes before and after Renal Transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The lymphocyte immunosuppressant sensitivity test has been used to predict the pharmacodynamics of immunosuppressive drugs for the purpose of preventing acute rejection and infection after renal transplantation. On the other hand, measuring the ATP levels in peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes is also able to monitor the risks of rejection and infection in transplant recipients. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the mycophenolic acid pharmacodynamics and the ATP levels in peripheral lymphocytes before and after renal transplantation.

METHODS

We examined both the pharmacological efficacy of mycophenolic acid and the lymphocyte ATP levels before and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the operation in 20 renal transplant recipients. The drug's pharmacological efficacy was evaluated by the 50% inhibitory concentration of the drug against the in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes activated by T cell mitogen. The ATP levels in peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes were measured by the Immuknow assay kit. The relationships between the mycophenolic acid pharmacodynamics and ATP levels in peripheral lymphocytes were examined in these recipients.

RESULTS

The immunosuppressive effects of mycophenolic acid against mitogen-activated lymphocyte proliferation were significantly and positively correlated with the lymphocyte ATP levels, but only at 6 weeks after transplantation. The relationship was not significant before or at 2 or 4 weeks after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Our present data raised the possibility that evaluating the pharmacological efficacy of mycophenolic acid pre-transplantation and monitoring the ATP level 6 weeks after transplantation can predict the risk of rejection and/or infection in renal transplant recipients.

Effects of d-α-tocopherol and dietary energy on growth and health of preruminant dairy calves

To observe the effects of supplemental dietary d-α-tocopherol in relation to dietary energy on growth and immune status in dairy calves, 32 newborn Holstein bull calves were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments for 5 wk in a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized complete block, split-plot design. Calves received moderate growth (MG) or low growth (LG) all-milk dietary treatments, formulated to support daily gains of 0.5 or 0.25 kg/d, respectively, per the dietary energy recommendation for milk-fed calves according to the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. Calves in both groups were either injected i.m. with Vital E-A+D (injectable solution of vitamins E, A, and D) on d 1 and supplemented with Emcelle Tocopherol (micellized vitamin E) via milk daily (MG-S and LG-S), or were not supplemented (MG-C and LG-C) during the study period. Total weight gain of MG calves was greater than that of LG calves and tended to be greater in MG-S calves than in MG-C calves. Calves receiving vitamin supplementation demonstrated greater concentrations of plasma α-tocopherol, retinol, and 25-(OH)-vitamin D than did control calves, whereas MG calves demonstrated a lower concentration of plasma α-tocopherol than did LG calves. The apparent increased utilization of α-tocopherol by MG calves was accompanied by a rise in serum haptoglobin, a positive acute-phase protein and indicator of inflammation, especially in MG-C calves. Serum amyloid A, also a positive acute-phase protein, was not different among groups, but was elevated from baseline in all groups during wk 1 through 3. Plasma IgG1 concentrations were higher in MG-S and LG-S calves than in their nonsupplemented dietary counterparts, whereas plasma IgG2, IgA, and IgM concentrations were not different among groups. In summary, dietary supplementation of d-α-tocopherol improved plasma α-tocopherol status and tended to increase growth in calves fed for 0.5 kg of average daily gain. Vitamin supplementation ameliorated the rise of serum haptoglobin associated with acute inflammation in MG calves, and may have improved passive transfer of maternal antibody. These results indicate a role for α-tocopherol in prevention of proinflammatory state associated with greater dietary energy and onset of infectious disease.

Risk of overestimation of kidney function using GFR-estimating equations in patients with low inulin clearance

BACKGROUND

Accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is very important in clinical practice. Although renal inulin clearance (Cin) is the gold standard for measuring GFR, the procedure for Cin measurement is complicated. Use of GFR-estimating equations has been increasing recently due to their simplicity. The objectives of the present study are to analyze the correlation between Cin and other GFR-estimating parameters and to investigate their clinical usefulness and limitation.

METHODS

Seventy-two Japanese patients were enrolled in this study. Cin was measured by the continuous infusion method. Serum creatinine (s-Cr), cystatin C, uric acid (UA), and hemoglobin (Hb) were measured. The Japanese formula of estimated GFR (eGFR) was as follows: eGFR (ml/min/1.73m(2) ) = 194 × s-Cr(-1.094) × Age(-0.287) × 0.739 (if female). The endogenous creatinine clearance test was also performed.

RESULTS

Levels of Cin were highly correlated with those of endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr) (R(2) = 0.7585) and eGFR (R(2) = 0.5659). However, patients with lower Cin showed unexpectedly elevated levels of endogenous Ccr and eGFR. Moreover, the levels of eGFR tended to be unexpectedly increased in patients with low body surface area.

CONCLUSION

Although GFR-estimating equations are useful for estimating GFR accurately, they pose a risk of overestimation of kidney function in patients with decreased GFRor a poor physique.

Extraglomerular C3 deposition and metabolic impacts in patients with IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to explore the significance of extraglomerular (Bowman's capsule and/or arteriole) C3 (ex-C3) deposits in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

METHODS

One hundred and seventy patients with IgAN were divided into two groups: Group A (n=79), patients who did not have ex-C3 deposits, and Group B (n=91), patients who had ex-C3 deposits.

RESULTS

At the time of renal biopsy, Group B was characterized by a marked increase in diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol compared with those of Group A. After 4 years, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in Group B was significantly worse than that of Group A. Upon examination by electron microscopy, the arteriolar dense deposits in Group B were found to occur in significantly higher amounts than in Group A. One hundred and thirty-four patients underwent a 3-year follow-up study after intervention and were re-divided by therapeutic factors as follows: 'conventional therapy', treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs and/or anti-platelet drugs, and 'aggressive therapy', additional treatment with either tonsillectomy or corticosteroid. Patients treated with conventional therapy in Group B had significantly higher body mass index and levels of C3 and CH50 compared with other Groups. Aggressive therapy was significantly effective in urinary protein reduction in both Group A and Group B. Except for the patients who received aggressive therapy in Group A, the levels of the eGFR gradually declined.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that IgAN patients who have ex-C3 deposits have worse clinical outcomes.

Probing the metal-insulator phase transition in the (DMEDO-EBDT)2PF6 single crystal by optical measurements

The temperature and polarization dependence of the optical reflectivity  spectra of a quasi-one-dimensional 1/4-filled band system, (DMEDO-EBDT)(2)PF(6), have been investigated. We observed clear anisotropy in the electronic structures corresponding to the anisotropic transport properties. The appearance of a charge gap (E(g) > 0.1 eV) and transfer of the spectral weight accompanied by the metal-insulator phase transition were clearly observed. In addition, a split of the intramolecular vibrational modes was observed, which strongly suggested the existence of charge disproportionation in the low temperature phase. We also observed a photoinduced reflectivity change, which implied the occurrence of a photoinduced phase transition from the low temperature insulating phase to the high temperature metallic phase.

Excretion of complement proteins and its activation marker C5b-9 in IgA nephropathy in relation to renal function

Background

Glomerular damage in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is mediated by complement activation via the alternative and lectin pathways. Therefore, we focused on molecules stabilizing and regulating the alternative pathway C3 convertase in urine which might be associated with IgAN pathogenesis.

Methods

Membrane attack complex (MAC), properdin (P), factor H (fH) and Complement receptor type 1 (CR1) were quantified in urine samples from 71 patients with IgAN and 72 healthy controls. Glomerular deposition of C5, fH and P was assessed using an immunofluorescence technique and correlated with histological severity of IgAN and clinical parameters. Fibrotic changes and glomerular sclerosis were evaluated in renal biopsy specimens.

Results

Immunofluorescence studies revealed glomerular depositions of C5, fH and P in patients with IgAN. Urinary MAC, fH and P levels in IgAN patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p < 0.001), but CR1 was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Urinary MAC and fH levels were positively correlated with serum creatinine (sCr), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (u-NAG), urinary β2 microglobulin (u-Bm), urinary protein (p < 0.001), interstitial fibrosis (MAC: p < 0.01, fH: p < 0.05) and the percentage of global glomerular sclerosis (p < 0.01). Urinary P was positively correlated with u-NAG, u-Bm, and urinary protein (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Complement activation occurs in the urinary space in IgAN and the measurement of levels of MAC and fH in the urine could be a useful indicator of renal injury in patients with IgAN.

Serum concentration of complement components of the lectin pathway in maintenance hemodialysis patients, and relatively higher levels of L-Ficolin and MASP-2 in Mannose-binding lectin deficiency

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), L-ficolin and MBL associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) are molecules involved in initiation of the lectin pathway (LP) in the complement system. Although MBL deficiency is observed in almost 10% of healthy people, studies of associations between MBL deficiency and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remain rare. The objective of the present study is to clarify the significance of the LP in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially in terms of MBL levels. Two hundred and forty-four HD patients who had been followed up for 74±84months and 199 healthy controls were included in this study. Measurements of serum concentrations of MBL, L-ficolin, and MASP-2 were performed. Low serum MBL levels (<0.1µg/mL) in the patients were confirmed by examination of a point mutation in the Mbl-2 gene. Seventeen HD patients (7%) and 20 healthy controls (10%) had MBL deficiency. During the follow-up period, 99 patients died. There was no significant difference in the frequency of deaths by infectious diseases between MBL deficient and non-deficient patients. In both patients and healthy controls with MBL deficiency, the serum concentration of L-ficolin tended to be high, and that of MASP-2 was significantly high (P<0.05). MBL deficiency is not a risk factor for HD induction or life-threatening infections. It is postulated that the elevation of concentration of the two components of the LP, L-ficolin and MASP-2, may compensate for the insufficient activity of the LP in MBL deficiency.

Metabolic impact on serum levels of complement component 3 in Japanese patients

The aim of this study was to explore the association between the serum concentration of complement component 3 (C3) and a variety of metabolic parameters. The study involved 125 patients in our outpatient clinic. Anthropometric and clinical laboratory data were collected and statistical associations between the serum concentration of C3 and other parameters were evaluated in a cross-sectional as well as a prospective manner. A group of male patients with metabolic syndrome (Mets, n=35) were characterized by marked increase in serum concentrations of C3, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, uric acid, urinary protein, and Hb. In a one-way analysis of variance of all subjects, the serum concentration of C3 was significantly elevated as the number of items of complying with the Mets diagnostic criteria increased. In 60 of 125 patients who did not have diabetes and were given anti-lipogenetic medication, the serum concentration of C3 showed significant positive associations with serum levels of CH50, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, hematocrit, LDL-c, C4, Hb, triglyceride, BMI, and albumin. In a prospective follow-up evaluation (n=35), there was a significant positive association between DeltaC3 (the second concentration of serum C3 minus the first concentration of serum C3)and DeltaHOMA-IR (the second concentration of HOMA-IR minus the first concentration of HOMA-IR). In conclusion, in Japanese patients, there is evidence implicating C3 concentration as a marker of Mets coinciding with insulin resistance.

A novel measurement method for activation of the lectin complement pathway via both mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and L-ficolin

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), L-ficolin and H-ficolin are human serum lectins, all of which form complexes with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP). The lectin-MASP complexes bind to the surface of microbes, leading to activation of the lectin pathway of complement. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of the lectin pathway activity reported so far determined the activity via either MBL or L-ficolin, but an assay of activity via plural host defense lectins has not been established. To measure the lectin pathway activation mediated by plural lectins simultaneously, we developed an ELISA system in which N-acetylglucosamine-pentamer conjugated to dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (GN5-DPPE) was employed as a ligand for the lectins. In our ELISA system, both purified MBL and L-ficolin isolated from serum diluted in a buffer containing high ionic NaCl bound to GN5-DPPE and activated C4. Purified H-ficolin was not capable of binding to GN5-DPPE. MBL and L-ficolin in MBL-sufficient serum also bound to GN5-DPPE and activated C4. Mannose and N-acetylgalactosamine inhibited binding of MBL and L-ficolin to GN5-DPPE, respectively. MBL-deficient serum that had been depleted of L-ficolin did not exhibit C4 activation, but addition of both or either purified MBL and/or L-ficolin to the serum restored the activation in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, C4 cleaving activity could be evaluated with the co-existence of MBL and L-ficolin in vitro. In conclusion, we propose a novel method using GN5-DPPE for investigating the MBL- and L-ficolin-dependent lectin pathway and anticipate that this method will be useful in innate immunity and clinical research.

Ultrasonic propagation of a metallic domain in Pr0.5Ca0.5CoO3 undergoing a photoinduced insulator-metal transition

Femtosecond optical response was investigated on a perovskite-type cobalt oxide, Pr0.5Ca0.5CoO3 during an insulator-metal (I-M) transition accompanied with the change in spin configuration. After photoirradiation at 30 K, the reflectivity showed a sudden and large increase with subsequent variation depending on the observed photon energy. An exact calculation of Maxwell's equations for the Pr0.5Ca0.5CoO3 after the photoirradiation enabled us to observe the ultrafast dynamics of I-M phase transition and the motion of the photonically created metallic domain at the velocity of ultrasonic wave.

Contact dermatitis in dairy cattle caused by calcium cyanamide

Nine of 250 cows on a dairy farm initially developed severe dermatitis on parts of their bodies that touched the floor, and it then spread over their entire body. The cause was suspected to be calcium cyanamide, which had been added to the material spread on the floor to prevent environmental mastitis. Experimental exposure of the skin of a cow to calcium cyanamide induced the same type of contact dermatitis, and histopathological investigations showed that it caused irritant and allergic reactions. To identify the cause of the dermatitis, a patch test with calcium cyanamide and its breakdown products, cyanamide, urea and ammonium bicarbonate, was carried out on four cows. Three of them had a positive reaction to calcium cyanamide and cyanamide; delayed and amplified reactions suggesting an allergic response were observed.

Hypercomplementemia in adult patients with IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of chronic glomerulonephritis. Although glomerular deposition of complement components is well known, the evidence of serological complement activation in IgAN is inconclusive. We hypothesized that serum levels of complement components and regulatory proteins in patients with IgAN are correlated with its pathogenesis. In the present study we measured complement components in 50 patients with IgAN and 50 healthy volunteers. C5, C1 inhibitor, factor B, C4 binding protein, factor H, and factor I were measured with the use of single radial immunodiffusion. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and properdin (P) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations among complements in the sera of patients with clinical gradings for IgAN (i.e., the good prognosis group, relatively good prognosis group, relatively poor prognosis group, and poor prognosis group) were evaluated. CH50, C4, factor B, P, factor I, and factor H were significantly higher in IgAN patients than in healthy controls. There were significant correlations between C5 and C4 binding protein, between C3 and C5, or between C4 and factor B in patients with IgAN. In the poor prognosis group, C4 binding protein was significantly higher than in the other groups of IgAN patients. hypercomplementemia occurs in IgAN and is associated with an increase in complement regulatory protein (CRP). C4 binding protein analyses can be used to predict disease prognosis.

Comparison of natural estrogen removal efficiency in the conventional activated sludge process and the oxidation ditch process

The presence of natural estrogens, 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and estriol (E3), as well as estrogenic activity in wastewater influents and secondary effluents were investigated in 20 full-scale wastewater treatment plants in Japan. In all of the influent samples, natural estrogens were detected at concentrations above the minimum limits of detection (0.5ng/L). The concentrations of natural estrogens detected in the effluent of oxidation ditch plants were generally lower than previously reported values. On the other hand, in the conventional activated sludge plants, increments of E1 during biological treatment were frequently observed although E2 and E3 were removed effectively in the process. The removal rates of natural estrogens or estrogenic activity show no observed statistical relationship with the solids retention time (SRT) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT). However, the plants with high SRT or HRT generally showed high and stable removal of both natural estrogens and estrogenic activity.

Acquired loss of erythrocyte complement receptor type 1 in patients with diabetic nephropathy undergoing hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Complement receptor type 1 on erythrocytes (E-CR1) plays important roles not only in the regulation of complement activation, but also the clearance of immune complexes. Reduced E-CR1 was previously found in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). We investigated whether the E-CR1level in HD patients with diabetic nephropathy (DMN) is decreased. The levels of decay accelerating factor (DAF) and CD59 on erythrocytes (E) were also determined to ascertain whether the loss of CR1 is a specific phenomenon or other complement regulatory proteins are also affected.

METHODS

The levels of CR1, DAF, and CD59 on E were analyzed in 176 HD patients with DMN, 101 HD patients with non-diabetes mellitus renal diseases (non-DMN), and 108 healthy individuals. Hind III restriction fragment length polymorphism of intron 27 of the CR1 gene was analyzed. The serum-soluble CR1 levelwas measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

The E-CR1 level was significantly lower in the DMN group than the non-DMN group (p < 0.0001) and healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The E-CR1 level was significantly higher in the non-DMN group than in healthy individuals (p < 0.01). The levels of E-DAF and E-CD59 were significantly lower in the DMN group than non-DMN group (DAF, p < 0.01; CD59, p < 0.0001). Within each genotype of the CR1 gene, the E-CR1 level was significantly lower in the DMN group than in the non-DMN group and healthy individuals (non-DMN, p < 0.01; healthy individuals, p < 0.05). The serum-soluble CR1 level was significantly higher in the DMN group than non-DMN group and control group (p < 0.01 each). However, soluble CR1 did not correlate with E-CR1.

CONCLUSION

Acquired loss of E-CR1 was found among HD patients with DMN. From the viewpoint of host defense, it may be a prognostic factor.

Optical control of two-photon excitation efficiency of α-perylene crystal by pulse shaping

Optimized pulse shaping experiments were carried out on the control of two-photon excitation efficiency of an alpha-perylene crystal in the temperature region from 30 to 290 K. It was found that a pulse train with a pulse interval of 90 fs and an alternately reversing phase relation increased the excitation efficiency by a factor of 2 for the whole temperature region. The pulse shape characteristic for effective efficiency increase was reduced by double pulse experiments in which the dependence of the emission intensity on the pulse interval and relative phase between pulses were measured. The mechanism of the efficiency increase is briefly discussed using a sliding-window Fourier transform of the pulse shape.

Multiple basilar artery trunk aneurysms associated with fibromuscular dysplasia

An association between fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and intracranial aneurysms has been proposed but the occurrence of multiple aneurysms on the trunk of basilar artery (BA) associated with FMD has not been previously reported.

The behavior of estrogenic substances in the biological treatment process of sewage

A study was conducted for about one year on the fate and behavior of estrogens, namely 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and estriol (E3) in an activated sludge process of a pilot scale plant supplied with domestic sewage. A simultaneous analytical method for these three substances using LC-MS/MS was developed and applied to sewage samples. The average removal of E2 was 94.7%, while that of E3 was 96.9%. In contrast, the average removal of E1 was relatively low at 69.2% with a maximum concentration of 55.4 ng/L detected in the treated water. The theoretical values of estrogenic activity calculated from the concentrations of each natural estrogen in treated water were found to correlate with the values of estrogenic activity measured by a yeast estrogen screening assay. The effect of E2 on estrogenic activity in influent was found to be high, while that of E1 in treated water was considerably higher. In batch treatment tests on E2, E2 turned into E1 immediately after being charged. After three hours of aeration, the values of both E1 and E2 were around threshold limits. It was determined from this that E1 and E2 were substances that could be degraded by biological treatment. As the removal of E2 was found to be sufficiently high at times, optimization of operational conditions based on E1 removal should be important for reducing estrogenic activity in treated water.

Evaluation of estrogen-like activity on sewage treatment processes using recombinant yeast

Four sewage treatment plants based on an activated sludge process and a pilot scale plant for advanced sewage treatment located in Japan were evaluated for removal of estrogenic substances using in vitro recombinant yeast assay and chemical analysis. The results indicated that 17beta-estradiol (E2) significantly contributed to estrogen-like activity analyzed by yeast assay especially in secondary treated effluents. On the other hand, batch study showed that estrogen-like activity of spiked E2 was easily decreased by an activated sludge treatment. This result suggested that E2 concentrations measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were interpreted as false positives in effluents, and that unknown estrogenic substances other than E2 might have contributed to estrogen-like activity in the secondary treated effluents. Further, in the pilot scale study, advanced sewage treatment processes such as a biological aerated filtration (BAF) process, an advanced oxidation process (AOP), were effective for the removal of those estrogenic activities contributed by unknown estrogenic substances in sewage secondary treated effluent.

[A clinical study of psychopathology in systemic lupus erythematosus]

Thirty patients (24 inpatients and 6 outpatients) with a clinical diagnosis of SLE were examined between September 1, 1998 and August 1, 1999 in the rheumatology clinic of Jichi Medical School Hospital. All of these patients fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria of the American Rheumatism Association for the classification of SLE and had some psychiatric manifestations (psychiatric SLE; P-SLE group). Mean patient age was 38.6 +/- 13.0, and there were 5 males and 25 females. When classified into 5 subgroups according to the most prominent symptoms, the distribution was as follows: consciousness disturbance group: 6 (20%), schizophrenia-like group: 5 (16.7%), mood disorder group: 7 (23.3%), neurosis-like group: 10 (33.3%), and convulsive disorder group: 2 (6.7%). Among all 37 psychiatric episodes, symptoms appeared in 37.8% of cases during the acute phase of SLE (during onset or recurrence) and in 62.9% during the chronic phase (during remission). The profile of the P-SLE group showed that the psychiatric symptoms of the SLE patients were milder and more chronic than those described in previous reports. To begin to comprehend the psychopathology of SLE, we put forward the concept of "Psychiatric basal state" and "psychiatric conjugated state". The former is considered a direct reflection of the acute-phase SLE process on mental condition. It is defined clinically as psychiatric symptoms that parallel the activity of SLE and respond well to steroid therapy. The latter include all other psychiatric problems in which one cannot rule out the effects of pharmacological, somatic, personality, and environmental effects on psychiatric symptoms. Only 3 patients in the P-SLE group fulfilled the criteria for the "psychiatric basal state". All three patients belonged to the consciousness disturbance group, whose clinical features were defined as slight clouding of consciousness, so-called "Amentia" in the sense of the German terminology. The clinical profile of this state is: 1. the patients are young (about 16 years old), 2. the onset of psychiatric symptoms is within 5 years after the onset of SLE, 3. confusion and disorientation are the most characteristic features, and 4. the clinical course of this state is almost 2 months. The experience structure of the "psychiatric basal state" consists of: 1. difficulty in selecting and holding a topic in cognition, 2. confusion and emotional instability as the basal mood, and 3. primitive and floating forms of delusions and hallucinations. Using this concept of the "psychiatric basal state" as a clue, we can hypothesize the continuity of diverse psychiatric symptoms in SLE. The "proper process of SLE (Harada)" has a disintegrating effect on the "ego" and it allows various psychopathological phenomena to emerge in the experience field. Against this background, additional factors, such as secondary organ damage, personality structure, and social environment, induce organization of the "psychiatric conjugated state".

Intracranial malignant lymphomas: clinicopathological study of 26 autopsy cases

We examined 26 autopsy-proven cases of intracranial malignant lymphoma (IML) in immunocompetent patients to determine the extent of neoplastic involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) and to evaluate the effects of radiation on the tumor and brain tissue. All tumors were identified as diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of B-cell origin. In six patients who had not received radiotherapy, the clinical course of the disease was short and extensive infiltration of the tumor was seen. The remaining 20 patients were treated with radiotherapy and had a longer survival time. Leptomeningeal involvement was common, but extensive subarachnoid proliferation of the tumor was seen in only two cases. The posterior, but not anterior, lobe of the pituitary was involved in 5 of 22 cases, and choroid plexus involvement was seen in 4 of 21. Direct invasion of the tumor into the spinal cord, which tended to occur in patients with posterior fossa masses, was observed in 5 of 21 cases. Following irradiation, coagulation necrosis was frequently found in the invading zone as well as in the tumor mass, and degeneration of the white matter was also seen. We suggest that IML can extensively infiltrate into the CNS, including the posterior lobe of the pituitary and spinal cord, and that radiation injury to the brain appears to occur relatively easily in this disease.

Comparison of sub-Tenon's anaesthesia by different delivery techniques in cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To compare the analgesic effects of three different delivery techniques of sub-Tenon's anaesthesia in cataract surgery by assessing patients' response to the visceral stimulus.

METHODS

A prospective, randomised study was conducted on 345 eyes of 345 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. They received anaesthetic infiltration into the sub-Tenon's space through a conjunctival incision (115 eyes), infiltration into the posterior sub-Tenon's space (retrobulbar space) through a conjunctival incision (114 eyes), or injection into the intra-Tenon's space (subconjunctival space) without making a conjunctival incision (116 eyes). Pain scores were recorded when the anterior chamber was irrigated with an acetylcholine chloride solution to achieve miosis after lens implantation.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in pain scores among the three groups (chi-squared test of homogeneity, p = 0.814). Approximately 10-20% of patients reported slight to severe pain at the time of acetylcholine administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The three anaesthetic delivery methods of sub-Tenon's anaesthesia possess similar and reasonable analgesic effects in cataract surgery, but may not block visceral stimuli completely.

Utilization of intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in mammary gland of cows

Elution profiles of total lipoproteins, apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentrations in lipoproteins, and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were examined in early-, late-, and non-lactating cows. Additionally, arteriovenous (A-V) differences were also measured to elucidate the uptake of TG and apoB-containing lipoproteins in mammary gland. Non-lactating cows showed three major peaks corresponding to triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction, whereas both early- and late-lactating cows revealed two peaks corresponding to TRL and HDL. The peak area of TRL in early- and late-lactating cows were significantly (p < 0.05) smaller than that in non-lactating cows. The plasma TG levels and apoB-48 concentrations of TRL in early- and late-lactating cows were also significantly (p < 0.01) lower. Furthermore, early lactating cows showed significantly (p < 0.05) larger A-V differences in both plasma TG and apoB-48 concentration of TRL than those in late- and non-lactating cows. These results suggested that TG in exogenous (intestinal) TRL was utilized for milk fat synthesis in lactating mammary gland of cows by the receptor-mediated uptake.

Rare-type mutations of MMAC1 tumor suppressor gene in human glioma cell lines and their tumors of origin

A total of 10 glioma cell lines were examined to evaluate the status of the MMAC1 gene, a candidate tumor suppressor gene. Six cell lines showed mutations with presumed loss of heterozygosity and 1 cell line showed no mRNA expression. The 6 mutations consisted of 3 3-bp deletions (codons 17, 101 or 199), 1 missense mutation (codon 252) and 2 truncation mutations (1 nonsense mutation at codon 233 and 12-bp insertion at codon 241). Among them, the 3-bp deletions, which are a rare type of mutation in MMAC1 gene, were located in the N-terminal half (codons 1-212) of the coding region, which is considered important in MMAC1 function. The missense mutation was located unusually in the C-terminal half (codons 212-403), but it was in a small region in which some other reported missense mutations are clustered. Thus, these 4 mutations were suggested to have functional effects on the MMAC1 activity, like the other 2 mutations with predicted protein truncations. By sequence analysis of cDNA clones, we confirmed that all the mutations including these 4 rare ones were in the MMAC1 gene, not in the PTH2 pseudogene. In 2 cases, we also examined the primary glioma tissues from which the cell lines had been derived and found the same mutations as in the cell lines in both cases. This suggested that the mutations in these cell lines were derived from the primary glioma tissues, but not from artifacts arising during long-term in vitro cultivation.

Establishment of two glioma cell lines from two surgical specimens obtained at different times from the same individual

We established two glioma cell lines from two surgical specimens obtained at different times from the same patient. One (No. 9R), which was derived from the recurrent tumor (glioblastoma, grade IV), proliferated more rapidly in vitro than the other (No. 9) from the primary tumor (slightly anaplastic astrocytoma, grade II-III). No. 9R showed heterotransplantability in nude mice, whereas No. 9 did not. These findings indicate that No. 9R has a more aggressive or malignant nature than No. 9. Both cell lines showed homozygous deletion of the representative tumor suppressor p16 and p15 genes, but no p53 gene alteration. However, examination of the overall mRNA expression profile using a commercially available cDNA-spotted membrane revealed much higher expression levels of several mRNAs, at least, in No. 9R than in No. 9, although the relationship between these mRNAs and the growth potentials remained unknown. These two cell lines, derived from the same individual, with different proliferating potentials may be useful for studies on the molecular bases of glioma malignancy and progression.

Birth distribution of schizophrenic patients in Japan (Tochigi)

The monthly birth distribution of schizophrenic inpatients was examined in the Tochigi prefecture, Japan. A significant excess (26%) above the expected birth counts was found for patients born in the winter months (December-February). These data are consistent with the previous reports from European and North American countries.

Proliferative potential of recurrent intracranial meningiomas as evaluated by labelling indices of BUdR and Ki-67, and tumour doubling time

This study was designed to provide the reciprocal relationship among labelling indices of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR LI), Ki-67 (Ki-LI), and tumour doubling time (Td) of recurrent meningiomas. In our series of 182 primary intracranial meningiomas, 46 cases recurred. The average of BUdR LI and Ki LI for nonrecurrent meningiomas were 0.77 +/- 0.13% and 4.71 +/- 1.96%, respectively. Recurrent meningiomas had significantly higher LIs at the first operation: BUdR LI was 3.77 +/- 1.22% and Ki LI was 14.78 +/- 3.17%. The recurrent ratio significantly increased with the degrees of each LI. And the linear regression analysis has demonstrated a significant correlation between BUdR and Ki LI. Td was calculated accurately by NIH, a computer software. Td showed a significant inverse correlation with each of the labelling indices. Consequently, BUdR, Ki LIs and Td of individual tumours correlate mutually well. Of the 46 recurrent cases, 4 received radiation after the operation. Td of the irradiated meningiomas tended to be longer than expected for their higher level of BUdR and Ki LIs before radiation therapy. Thus, it was shown that the radiation therapy delays the regrowth of meningiomas.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on maternal and fetal serum amino acid levels in rats

Pregnant rats were subcutaneously administered with mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) at the concentration of 0, 100, or 200 micrograms/kg body weight/day from day 18 to 21 of gestation. The amino acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that the umbilical venous/maternal and fetal/maternal ratio of serum proline concentration increased in EGF dose-dependent manner accompanied by the increase in the ratios of total fetal weight and placental weight to maternal body weight gain. These results suggested that EGF regulates fetal growth by, as one of its possible mechanism, promoting placental proline supply from mother to fetus.

Expression of telomerase RNA, telomerase activity, and telomere length in human gliomas

To understand the mechanisms of telomere maintenance in human gliomas, telomerase activity, telomerase RNA expression and telomere length of surgically excised glioma samples were analyzed. Sixty-five percent of gliomas exhibited telomerase activity, the occurrence of which was not related to their histological malignancy scale. Not only the telomerase-positive gliomas, but also the telomerase-negative gliomas and normal brain expressed telomerase RNA, suggesting that the presence of telomerase RNA component does not indicate the presence of telomerase activity. Compared with telomerase-positive gliomas, telomerase-negative gliomas had long heterogeneous telomeric terminal restriction fragments. These data suggest that in addition to the telomerase-dependent mechanism, a telomerase-independent mechanism for telomere maintenance may be present in human gliomas.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentrations in lipoproteins in cows

The concentrations of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-48 and apoB-100 in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions separated by gel permeation chromatography were determined in Holstein and Japanese black cows by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between apoB-48 in TRL and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels in both Holstein and Japanese black cows. Additionally, apoB-48 in TRL and plasma TG levels in Holstein cows were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those in Japanese black cows. These results suggested that TG derived from intestinal (exogenous) TRL rather than from liver (endogenous) TRL was the major source of milk fat.

A comparative study of glioma cell lines for p16, p15, p53 and p21 gene alterations

A total of 10 glioma cell lines were examined for alterations of the p16, p15, p53 and p21 genes, which are tumor suppressor genes or candidates with direct or indirect CDK-inhibitory functions. Genetic alterations (deletions or mutations) were frequently seen in the p16, p15 and p53 genes in these cell lines, but not in the p21 gene. When the states of the p16, p15 and p53 genes were compared among cell lines, all the cell lines showed abnormalities in at least 1 gene, often in 2 or 3 genes coincidentally, suggesting that dysfunction of these genes is closely related to glioma cell growth. Although alteration of all 3 genes was most frequent, there were cell lines having either p16/p15 or p53 or pl6 and p53 gene alterations, suggesting that the time order of these genetic alterations was variable depending on the cell line. Among cell lines examined, one with homozygous p53 gene deletion seemed of particular practical value, since such a cell line might be useful in various studies, including investigation of the functions of various mutant p53 genes in the absence of heteromeric protein formation. On examination of the primary tumor tissues, the same alterations of the p16/p15 and p53 genes as detected in the cell lines were demonstrated in all 6 cases examined: p16/p15 gene deletion in 1, p16 gene mutation in 1 and p53 gene mutations in 5 cases. This suggested that the p16/p15 and the p53 gene alterations and their combinations in at least some glioma cell lines reflected those in the primary glioma tissues.

Comparison of bromodeoxyuridine uptake and MIB 1 immunoreactivity in medulloblastomas determined with single and double immunohistochemical staining methods

We examined the growth potential of 17 medulloblastomas by single and double immunohistochemical staining with bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and MIB 1, a monoclonal antibody for Ki-67 protein, in serial sections of ethanol-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues; we also assessed the heterogeneity of the immunoreactivity in the tumors. In the most active areas, the BUdR labeling index (LI) was 6.8 to 26.9% (HCl hydrolysis) and 7.5 to 28.8% (microwave heating), and the MIB 1 proliferating cell index (PCl) was 14.9 to 56.5%. Linear regression analysis showed that the BUdR LI correlated with the MIB 1 PCI (p < 0.001). The ratio of MIB 1-positive to BUdR-positive cells was 2.2 +/- 0.4 by both single and double staining. BUdR-positive nuclei were heterogeneously distributed in all cases, especially in areas with scattered foci of necrosis. Three tumors had areas with many MIB 1-positive but few BUdR-positive nuclei; these areas were associated with recent tumor necrosis. However, in most of the tumors, the densities of BUdR-positive and MIB 1-positive cells changed concomitantly from area to area. These changes were clearly shown by double immunostaining. Thus, transcapillary passage of BUdR does not appear to be impeded in most medulloblastomas. This study suggests that MIB 1 immunostaining provides essentially the same data as BUdR labeling for assessing the proliferative potential of medulloblastomas.

T-cell receptor diversity expressed by CD4+ T cells activated by primary allogeneic HLA-DR stimulation: estimation of the degree of CDR3 diversity

In order to analyse the diversity of T-cell receptors (TCRs) expressed by the T-cell population activated by allogeneic HLA-DR stimulation, TCR beta cDNA was synthesized from mRNA of human CD4+ T cells that had been stimulated in a primary mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The TCR beta cDNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), subjected to bacterial cloning, and sequenced from V beta through J beta. Twenty-six different V beta and 10 different J beta segments were detected among 56 randomly selected cDNA clones. Occurrences of V beta 17.1 and J beta 1.5 were higher than those found in the CD4+ T-cell population activated with a CD3-specific antibody. A total of 53 different CDR3 sequences, two of them occurring more than once, were detected among the 56 cDNA clones. In order to estimate the degree of CDR3 diversity, amino acid similarity in the CDR3 region of the cDNA was calculated and compared with those of the anti-CD3-activated T-cell sequences as well as those of various published T-cell clone sequences, each directed to either alloantigens or single antigenic peptides. It was found that the similarity score among CDR3 sequences obtained from the MLR (56.4 +/- 10.3) was comparable to those of anti-CD3-activated T cells (55.7 +/- 10.7) and those of T-cell clones directed toward alloantigens (range, 48.4 +/- 12.4-59.4 +/- 13.1), but significantly smaller than those of T-cell clones directed toward single antigenic peptides such as those derived from myelin basic protein (75.6 +/- 17.9) and cytochrome c (76.9 +/- 20.5). These results provide quantitative proof that TCRs of T cells activated by primary allogeneic HLA-DR stimulation have a larger diversity than those recognizing single antigenic peptides.

Analysis of p53 gene mutations in human glioma cell lines

Seven human glioma cell lines were examined for mutations of the p53 gene and their mRNA and protein expressions. Five cell lines revealed a missense mutation at, codons 237, 245, or 273. Their p53 mRNA expression was variably distinct and not always comparable to p53 protein expression, suggesting difference in the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. One cell line had a splicing mutation in intron 9 and abnormal splicing was actually demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis. The remaining 1 cell line showed no PCR-amplification of the p53 gene sequence. In an examination of the original tumor tissues, the same mutations were demonstrated in the 5 tumors examined, strongly suggesting that the mutations in the glioma cell lines were derived from their original tumor tissues.

Correlation between the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index and the MIB-1 and Ki-67 proliferating cell indices in cerebral gliomas

BACKGROUND

Recently, it has been shown that heating paraffin embedded tumor sections in a microwave oven can reactivate an epitope of Ki-67 protein that is recognized by the monoclonal antibody MIB-1. With this technique, a close correlation was shown between the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (BUdR LI) and the MIB-1 proliferating cell index (PCI) in corresponding regions of glioblastomas.

METHODS

The reliability of the MIB-1 PCI as a marker of proliferation was evaluated in 90 cerebral gliomas. The MIB-1 immunostaining of ethanol-fixed, paraffin embedded sections of 23 moderately anaplastic astrocytomas, 22 highly anaplastic astrocytomas, 30 glioblastomas, and 15 mixed malignant gliomas was compared with the BUdR LI and, in some cases, the Ki-67 PCI.

RESULTS

MIB-1 positive cells were detected easily in the majority of the cases, and the MIB-1 immunostaining was often superior to that of Ki-67 in individual tumors. The MIB-1 PCI was significantly higher than the Ki-67 PCI and the BUdR LI. Linear-regression analysis showed significant correlations among the three indices. The MIB-1 PCI was correlated with the BUdR LI in each group of the astrocytic tumors and mixed malignant gliomas; the MIB-1 PCI was approximately 2.4-2.8 times higher than the BUdR LI.

CONCLUSIONS

The close correlation between the MIB-1 PCI and the in vivo BUdR LI in serial sections of glioma subtypes suggests that MIB-1 immunostaining is a useful technique for analyzing the proliferative potential of individual gliomas.

[Evaluation of local treatment for unresectable primary liver tumor]

To ascertain the effect of local treatment for unresectable primary liver tumor, 59 patients were investigated retrospectively. Patients were classified into four groups; transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) group, intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy group, combined therapy group (TAE+intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy) and a group without adjuvant therapy. The results revealed that TAE and intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy both prolonged the survival period. We found that the survival rate depends largely on the therapeutic method. No correlations were confirmed with the liver function nor stage grouping of the tumor. Therefore, we concluded that intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy is a beneficial treatment, considering its minimal adverse effect, broad indication and the fact that it does not require hospitalization.