Stromal-type Nephroblastoma with or without Anaplasia in Two Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

We describe the clinical and histological characteristics of stromal-type nephroblastomas that developed in two hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). In case 1, the tumour was composed of a proliferation of anaplastic stromal cells with ductal structures resembling the epithelium of nephroblastoma. In case 2, spindle-shaped cells that were somewhat larger than nephroblasts were frequently seen surrounding the cell cluster, and there was proliferation of stromal cells with collagen fibres at the periphery. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells labelled weakly to strongly for the nephroblast marker Wilms' tumour-1 and were positive for Ki67 with rates of 5% and 10% for cases 1 and 2, respectively. Based on the above, the diagnosis was of stromal-type nephroblastoma with anaplasia in case 1 and without anaplasia in case 2. Our findings suggest that stromal-type nephroblastomas arise in adult hedgehogs and are clinically benign, and that histological anaplasia does not affect the prognosis.

The prevalence of and factors related to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition in the knee joint

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to reveal the accurate prevalence and related factors to the presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition in cadaveric knee joints.

DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Six hundred and eight knees from 304 cadavers (332 male knees and 276 female knees, formalin fixed, Japanese anatomical specimens) were included in this study. The average age of the cadavers was 78.3 ± 10.7 years. Knees were macroscopically evaluated for the existence of CPPD, and the depth of cartilage degeneration of the femoro-tibial joint following the Outerbridge's classification. CPPD crystal was confirmed under Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis using light microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal the correlation between the occurrence of CPPD deposition in the knee joint and gender, age, and the depth of cartilage degeneration of the femoro-tibial joint.

RESULTS

The prevalence of grossly visible CPPD crystal was 13% (79 knees). In all of these knees, CPPD crystal was confirmed under FTIR analysis. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between the occurrence of CPPD deposition and gender (P < 0.001), and depth of cartilage degeneration in the femoro-tibial joint (P < 0.001). In the cartilage degeneration positive knees (Over grade 3 in Outerbridge's classification), average age of CPPD deposition knee was significantly higher than CPPD negative knees.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the prevalence of CPPD deposition disease was evaluated in a relatively large sample size of cadaveric knees. The prevalence of CPPD deposition disease was 13%, and was significantly correlated with the subject's age, gender, and severity of cartilage degeneration in the femoro-tibial joint.

Raman-scattering measurements and theory of the energy-momentum spectrum for underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCuO(8+δ) superconductors: evidence of an s-wave structure for the pseudogap

We reveal the full energy-momentum structure of the pseudogap of underdoped high-Tc cuprate superconductors. Our combined theoretical and experimental analysis explains the spectral-weight suppression observed in the B2g Raman response at finite energies in terms of a pseudogap appearing in the single-electron excitation spectra above the Fermi level in the nodal direction of momentum space. This result suggests an s-wave pseudogap (which never closes in the energy-momentum space), distinct from the d-wave superconducting gap. Recent tunneling and photoemission experiments on underdoped cuprates also find a natural explanation within the s-wave pseudogap scenario.

Characterization of a novel Entamoeba histolytica strain from Burkina Faso, Africa, possessing a unique hexokinase-2 gene

An Entamoeba histolytica strain (BF-841 cl1) that originated from Burkina Faso, Africa presented with novel, polymorphic genotypes of the serine-rich E. histolytica protein and the anodic hexokinase-2 (HXK-2) isoenzyme band, which showed less electrophoretic mobility than that of an E. histolytica reference strain [HM-1:IMSS cl6 (zymodeme (Z)-II)] by starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing (IEF). The HXK-2 gene of BF-841 cl1 had amino acid variations at four positions compared to the sequence of HM-1: IMSS cl6. These variations were absent from the sequences of four other E. histolytica strains with different zymodemes [KU27 (Z-II), SAW1627 (Z-IIα-), SAW755CR clB (Z-XIV), and KU2 (Z-XIX)]. The results of IEF showed no difference in the substrate specificity of HXK (HXK-1 and HXK-2) between BF-841 cl1 and the three reference E. histolytica strains (HM-1:IMSS cl6, SAW755 clB, and KU27). It was also confirmed that BF-841 cl1 was able to form liver abscesses in Syrian hamsters.

Ab initio studies on the interplay between spin-orbit interaction and Coulomb correlation in Sr2IrO4 and Ba2IrO4

Ab initio analyses of A(2)IrO(4) (A=Sr,Ba) are presented. Effective Hubbard-type models for Ir 5d t(2g) manifolds downfolded from the global band structure are solved based on the dynamical mean-field theory. The results for A=Sr and Ba correctly reproduce paramagnetic metals undergoing continuous transitions to insulators below the Néel temperature T(N). These compounds are classified not into Mott insulators but into Slater insulators. However, the insulating gap opens by a synergy of the Néel order and significant band renormalization, which is also manifested by a 2D bad metallic behavior in the paramagnetic phase near the quantum criticality.

Characteristics and surgical outcomes of paediatric retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To report the clinical features and surgical and visual outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the paediatric population.

METHODS

A retrospective review of children (aged 0-15 years) who underwent primary surgical repair for RRD at the Hiroshima University Hospital between 1988 and 2001.

RESULTS

In all 53 eyes of 49 patients were identified; paediatric RRD accounted for 3.1% of 1779 eyes with RRD operated on during this period. The causes of RRD included blunt trauma (27%), myopia (25%), idiopathic (20%), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (13%), and others. Among 55 eyes, 12 (22%) already had proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) of grade C or D preoperatively. The median initial visual acuity (VA) was 0.3. Retinal reattachment was achieved with a single operation in 78%. Final retinal reattachment was achieved in 87%. Retinal reattachment rates with and without PVR were 42% and 100%, respectively (P<0.01). Median final VA was 0.7. Final VA was > or =0.1 in 73% and > or =0.5 in 53%; four eyes had a final VA of no light perception. The presence of preoperative PVR (P=0.03) and the initial VA (P<0.0001) significantly affected final VA.

CONCLUSIONS

Paediatric RRD is characterised by a delay in diagnosis, as evidenced by the high rate of PVR at presentation. Retinal reattachment was adversely affected by the presence of PVR. Final VA correlated with the initial VA and was significantly affected by preoperative PVR. Early diagnosis may improve the visual prognosis of paediatric retinal detachment.

Utility of urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline ratio for diagnosis of osteoarthritis at temporomandibular joint

BACKGROUND

Pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) collagen cross-links are known markers of bone and cartilage turnover that are found in urine in various diseases. The present study was designed to quantify Pyr and Dpyr levels in urine of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and to evaluate whether their concentrations are related to specific pathologic findings in the TMJ.

METHODS

Urine samples were obtained from 12 patients with OA of the TMJ and 16 asymptomatic controls, and following appropriate preparation, analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and fluorescence spectroscopy for Pyr and Dpyr.

RESULTS

The urinary concentration of Pyr and the Pyr to Dpyr (Pyr/Dpyr) ratio were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in OA patients than in the controls (182.2 +/- 86.5 pmol/ml vs. 115.6 +/- 27.9 pmol/ml and 4.00 +/- 1.53 pmol/ml vs. 2.86 +/- 0.97 pmol/ml, respectively). However, the Pyr/Dpyr ratio was not associated with any specific clinical or radiographic findings.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the level of Pyr and the Pyr/Dpyr ratio in urine may be a useful diagnostic indicator for intra-articular pathologic changes during TMJ OA.

Association between craniofacial growth and urinary bone metabolic markers (pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline) in growing rats

Pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) are intermolecular cross-links of mature collagen and reflect the bone turnover. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between craniofacial growth and urinary Pyr and Dpyr levels. Lateral cephalograms and 24-hour urine were taken for 7 male rats from 5 to 20 wks old. The urinary Pyr and Dpyr were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The neurocranium and upper viscerocranium exhibited significant increases in size, with the maximum rate at around 6 wks old. The mandible presented more substantial growth, with the maximum change at 8 wks old. The urinary Pyr and Dpyr levels gradually increased and reached the maximum at 8 wks old. No prominent association was found between neurocranial growth and urinary levels of pyridinium cross-links, whereas Pyr and Dpyr levels exhibited similar time-dependent metabolic changes to mandibular growth. In conclusion, it is shown that urinary pyridinium cross-links may be useful for the prediction of mandibular growth.

[Efficacy of tonsillectomy on psoriasis and tonsil histology]

Treatment outcomes of tonsillectomy were studied in 7 Japanese patients with psoriasis--3 males and 4 females aged 9 to 46 years (median: 23 years)--followed up 2 to 9 years after tonsillectomy. All skin lesions disappeared in 3 patients, 80% of those in 2, and no change in the remaining 2 during follow-up. Of 5 in whom skin lesions improved, 4 were females and had a history of tonsillitis making skin lesions worse. In quantitative immunohistologic analysis on tonsillar tissues by CD20 and anti-ssDNA antibodies, areas of T cell-nodules were significantly expanded, but those of the B-lymphoid follicles were smaller, and the number of apoptotic cells increased in tonsils from patients with psoriasis and PPP compared to those with recurrent tonsillitis. The area of T cell-nodules and the number of apoptosis cells were significantly larger in tonsils from 4 patients with complete recovery after tonsillectomy compared to the remaining 9 without complete recovery. This suggests that histologic evaluation may be helpful in estimating the effectiveness of tonsillectomy.

The expression of osteopontin with condylar remodeling in growing rats

It is suggested that osteopontin may promote osteoclast binding to resorptive sites by interacting with the alphavbeta3 receptor on osteoclasts. However, the role of osteopontin in functional remodeling of bony structures remains unclear. The present study was conducted to examine the distribution of osteopontin on the condyle and explore the role in condylar remodeling in growing rats using an immunohistochemical method. Twenty Wistar strain male rats aged 7, 14, 28 and 56 days were used. In 7- and 14-day-old rats, no immunoreaction to osteopontin was detected in the cartilage cells. In 28-day-old rats initiating mastication, the thickness of condylar cartilage was decreased abruptly as compared to the younger rats. High immunoreaction to osteopontin was found in the cytoplasm of hypertrophic chondrocytes and on the trabecular bone surfaces of primary spongiosa adjacent to the osteoclasts or chondroclasts. The immunoreactions to osteopontin in the cytoplasm of hypertrophic chondrocytes were less in 56-day-old rats than in 28-day-old rats. It is shown that the alteration in mechanical loading on the mandibular condyle due to functional changes from weaning to mastication correlates with the localization of osteopontin in growing rats. Furthermore, it is suggested that osteopontin may stimulate osteoclastic resorption of calcified matrix by mediating the attachment of osteoclasts and/or chondroclasts during growth-related functional remodeling of the condyle.

Treatment outcome of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment policies of maxillary sinus carcinoma remain to be defined.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with squamous cell carcinoma of maxillary sinus were treated at Department of Otolaryngology, Asahikawa Medical College between 1983 and 1997. The T classification according to the 1997 International Union Against Cancer was as follows: 9 with T2, 35 with T3, and 30 with T4. Eight patients had lymph node metastasis with N1 at diagnosis. Of 62 patients who started multimodality therapy that comprised preoperative radiochemotherapy including local irradiation with total dose of 50 grays along with concomitant intramaxillary arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil with total dose of 5000 mg followed by total or partial maxillectomy, 59 received the complete therapy. Eleven patients had to be treated with radiotherapy alone, and 1 patient received postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up time for surviving patients was 117 months.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival, disease free survival, and local control (LC) rates for all patients were 58.5%, 63.7%, and 73.6%, respectively. The patients who underwent multimodality therapy showed significantly better 5-year overall survival, disease free survival, and LC rates as compared with those who underwent radiotherapy alone (68.5% vs. 9.1%; 73.2% vs. 18.2%; 84.0% vs. 18.2%; P < 0.0001 each). Multivariate analysis revealed that T classification and treatment modality are independent predictors for disease free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' treatment method, which did not include any complicated techniques, produced higher survival and LC rates because of high effectiveness of multimodality therapy. They concluded that their multimodality therapy could offer a better chance for cure from maxillary sinus carcinoma at many institutions.

Polarization mode control of two-dimensional photonic crystal laser by unit cell structure design

We demonstrate polarization mode selection in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal laser by controlling the geometry of the unit cell structure. As the band diagram of the square-lattice photonic crystal is influenced by the unit cell structure, calculations reveal that changing the structure from a circular to an elliptical geometry should result in a strong modification of the electromagnetic field distributions at the band edges. Such a structural modification is expected to provide a mechanism for controlling the polarization modes of the emitted light. A square-lattice photonic crystal with the elliptical unit cell structure has been fabricated and integrated with a gain media. The observed coherent 2D lasing action with a single wavelength and controlled polarization is in good agreement with the predicted behavior.

A Morphological Study of Age Changes in Adult Human Auricular Cartilage With Special Emphasis on Elastic Fibers

OBJECTIVE

It is well known that the size of the human auricle increases after it has finished development. The reason why the size of the human auricle continues to enlarge until advanced age after reaching adulthood was investigated by observation of the ultrastructure of elastic fibers in human auricular cartilage.

METHODS

A total of 1958 subjects (966 males and 992 females) were classified into 18 age groups from 0 to 5 years up to 85 years and above by 5-year intervals. Ear length, ear width, and length of ear attachment were measured with calipers. Human auricular cartilage was obtained from 26 subjects (16 males and 10 females) aged 14 to 79 years, stained by orcein, and examined by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Each item of measurement of human auricular size increased significantly with age in both males and females. On morphological examination by light and electron microscopy after orcein staining, elastic fibers in the cartilage were almost homogeneous in diameter and surrounded the cartilage lacuna in bundle-like fashion in young persons, whereas those in elderly persons were heterogeneous in thickness and had many fragments surrounding the territorial matrix. In elderly persons, collagen-like fibers and small vesicles with heterogeneous electron density were frequently observed near elastic bundles around the territorial matrix.

CONCLUSION

Structural changes of auricular cartilage associated with morphological age changes of elastic fibers may be one of the causes of expansion of the auricle after reaching adulthood.

Characterization of transsulfuration and cysteine biosynthetic pathways in the protozoan hemoflagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi. Isolation and molecular characterization of cystathionine beta-synthase and serine acetyltransferase from Trypanosoma

Sulfur-containing amino acids play an important role in a variety of cellular functions such as protein synthesis, methylation, and polyamine and glutathione synthesis. We cloned and characterized cDNA encoding cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), which is a key enzyme of transsulfuration pathway, from a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi CBS, unlike mammalian CBS, lacks the regulatory carboxyl terminus, does not contain heme, and is not activated by S-adenosylmethionine. T. cruzi CBS mRNA is expressed as at least six independent isotypes with sequence microheterogeneity from tandemly linked multicopy genes. The enzyme forms a homotetramer and, in addition to CBS activity, the enzyme has serine sulfhydrylase and cysteine synthase (CS) activities in vitro. Expression of the T. cruzi CBS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli demonstrates that the CBS and CS activities are functional in vivo. Enzymatic studies on T. cruzi extracts indicate that there is an additional CS enzyme and stage-specific control of CBS and CS expression. We also cloned and characterized cDNA encoding serine acetyltransferase (SAT), a key enzyme in the sulfate assimilatory cysteine biosynthetic pathway. Dissimilar to bacterial and plant SAT, a recombinant T. cruzi SAT showed allosteric inhibition by l-cysteine, l-cystine, and, to a lesser extent, glutathione. Together, these studies demonstrate the T. cruzi is a unique protist in possessing both transsulfuration and sulfur assimilatory pathways.

Expression of mouse osteocalcin transcripts, OG1 and OG2, is differently regulated in bone tissues and osteoblast cultures

Osteocalcin is a noncollagenous protein that is abundant in mineralized bone matrix. Mice have a gene cluster of osteocalcin that consists of OG1, OG2, and ORG. We established a new method to directly analyze the expression levels of OG1, OG2, and ORG mRNAs relative to total osteocalcin mRNA. They were amplified as 371-bp fragments by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the same time using common primers, digested with ApaLI, and separated in a polyacrylamide gel. ApaLI digestion did not affect the mobility of the OG1-derived 371-bp fragment, whereas both 371-bp fragments, derived from OG2 and ORG, were digested into 350 bp. Total RNA prepared from mouse bone was then subjected to RT-PCR followed by ApaLI digestion. OG1 and OG2 mRNAs were found to be expressed at ratios of 80%-86% and 14%-20%, respectively, to the total osteocalcin mRNA in mouse bone. The ratios were almost constant in various bones in vivo, independent of the animal's genetic background, age, or gender, or different parts of bone. RT-PCR using specific primers revealed that mouse bone tissues strongly expressed osteocalcin mRNA derived from OG1 and OG2, but not ORG. In contrast, cells cultured in vitro showed different expression ratios of osteocalcin mRNA: 53%-65% for OG1 and 35%-47% for OG2 to the total osteocalcin mRNA in the osteoblast cell line and primary osteoblasts in culture even though they formed many mineralized bone nodules. Similar results were obtained in both KS483 osteoblasts and C2C12 myoblasts, when they were cultured with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to induce osteocalcin mRNA. Taken together, these findings indicate that OG1 is the predominant transcript among the three osteocalcin genes in mouse bone in vivo. It is also suggested that the expression of OG1 and OG2 is regulated differently in bone tissues and osteoblast cultures.

Reduced nasal nitric oxide in diffuse panbronchiolitis

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a pulmonary disease of unknown origin with inflammation in the respiratory bronchioles, bronchiectasis, and recurrent sinusitis. Patients with DPB suffer from chronic airway infections resulting from mucociliary dysfunction. Whereas a high concentration of nasal nitric oxide (NO) has been documented in healthy subjects, only two diseases are known to reduce nasal NO: primary ciliary dyskinesia syndrome and cystic fibrosis. We hypothesized that patients with DPB have abnormal levels of nasal NO. To test our hypothesis, we measured NO with the chemiluminescence technique. Air was sampled directly from the nose in 15 healthy subjects and eight patients with DPB. Nasal NO was 88% lower in DPB patients than in the age-matched control subjects (69 +/- 70 versus 556 +/- 87 nl/min; p < 0.001). Treatment with erythromycin for 2 wk did not alter the nasal NO in four control subjects. DPB is the third pulmonary disease in which nasal NO is low. The reduced nasal NO may well be involved in the pathogenesis of DPB, and NO measurements may serve as a noninvasive test in the diagnosis of DPB.

Spin-1 chain doped with mobile S = 1/2 fermions

We investigate the doping of a two-orbital chain with mobile S = 1/2 fermions as a valid model for Y2-xCaxBaNiO5. The S = 1 spins are stabilized by strong, ferromagnetic Hund's rule couplings. We calculate correlation functions and thermodynamic quantities by density matrix renormalization group methods and find a new hierarchy of energy scales in the spin sector upon doping. Gapless spin excitations are generated at a lower energy scale by interactions among itinerant polarons created by each hole and coexist with the larger scale of the gapful spin-liquid background of the S = 1 chain accompanied by a finite string order parameter.

Ultrastructural and functional studies of cryopreserved rat lungs for transplantation using a new hyperosmolal solution

One of the most promising approaches for extending the period of tissue or organ preservation is to induce a state of cryopreservation. In this report, to achieve successful lung cryopreservation, we created a new hyperosmolal solution (HOS) containing 10% glycerol and 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). We compared the efficacy of HOS with that of Euro-Collins solution (ECS) in rat lung cryopreservation from an ultrastructural and functional point of view. Using ECS, widespread damage to the air-blood barrier was observed even in the lungs cryopreserved at -10 degrees C. At -196 degrees C, the capillary lumen was obstructed with a mesh-like formation derived from deteriorated endothelial cells. In contrast, using HOS, the cryopreserved lungs at -10 degrees C were characterized by well preserved endothelial cells and basal laminae, despite the existence of focal cytoplasmic swelling of epithelial cells. The endothelial cells and basal laminae were successfully preserved up to -196 degrees C. Considering the survival rates at day 7 after cryopreserved lung transplantation, the grafted left lungs functioned normally only when perfused by and preserved in HOS at -10 degrees C. These findings demonstrate that HOS was effective not only for endothelial cells and basal laminae up to -196 degrees C, but also lung cryopreservation at least up to -10 degrees C.

Superconductivity from flat dispersion designed in doped mott insulators

Routes to enhance superconducting instability are explored for doped Mott insulators. With the help of insight for criticalities of metal-insulator transitions, geometrical design of lattice structure is proposed to control the instability. A guideline is to explicitly make flat band dispersions near the Fermi level without suppressing two-particle channels. In a one-dimensional model, numerical studies show that our prescription with finite-ranged hoppings realizes large enhancement of spin-gap and pairing dominant regions. We also propose several multiband systems, where the pairing is driven by intersite Coulomb repulsion.

Metal-mediated DNA damage induced by diabetogenic alloxan in the presence of NADH

Alloxan is known to induce diabetes in experimental animals through destruction of insulin-producing 3-cells of pancreas. The mechanism of DNA damage induced by alloxan was investigated using 32P-labeled human DNA fragments. Cu(II)-dependent DNA damage increased with the concentration of alloxan and NADH. Alloxan induced DNA cleavage frequently at thymine and cytosine residues in the presence of NADH and Cu(II). Catalase and bathocuproine, a Cu(I)-specific chelator, almost completely inhibited DNA damage, suggesting the involvement of H2O2 and Cu(I). Alloxan induced Cu(II)-dependent production of 8-oxodG in calf thymus DNA in the presence of NADH. UV-visible and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic studies showed that superoxide anion radical and alloxan radical were generated by the reduction of alloxan by NADH, and also by the autoxidation of dialuric acid, the reduced form of alloxan. These results suggest that the copper-oxygen complex derived from the reaction of H2O2 with Cu(I) participates in Cu(II)-dependent DNA damage by alloxan plus NADH and dialuric acid. The mechanism of DNA damage is discussed in relation to diabetogenic action of alloxan.

Fel d 1 peptides: effect on skin tests and cytokine synthesis in cat-allergic human subjects

We tested peptide immunotherapy in cat-allergic humans, using a formation of two synthetic peptides, IPC-1 and IPC-2, each of which is 27 amino acids long and contains T cell-reactive regions of Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. In this exploratory, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, 42 subjects received s.c. injections of treatment peptides 250 micrograms or placebo weekly for four consecutive weeks. Changes in immediate- and late-phase skin test reactivity, and in antigen-driven cytokine synthesis were assessed. Epicutaneous (end-point titration) and intradermal tests were performed with cat extract (ALK SQ Cat Hair) containing Fel d 1, before the first injection, then 2, 6 and 24 weeks after the fourth and last injection of peptides or placebo. IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma expression by circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to cat extract was measured using short-term bulk culture of PBMC and short-term limiting dilution analysis. Subjects who received peptide immunotherapy did not tolerate significantly more cat extract containing Fel d 1 in the skin tests 2, 6 or 24 weeks after the last injection than they did at baseline, and their late-phase responses did not decrease significantly compared to baseline. Substantial IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma responses were observed following primary culture of cat antigen-stimulated PBMC; however, the intensity of cytokine synthesis and the IFN-gamma: IL-4 ratio were unchanged in peptide- and placebo-treated groups 6 and 24 weeks after the last injection. A few hours after the injections, subjects receiving peptides reported more allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms and more pruritus than those receiving placebo. We conclude that under the conditions tested, peptide immunotherapy did not reduce immediate- or late-phase skin reactivity to cat extract containing Fel d 1 or modify cat antigen-specific cytokine production significantly.

Measurement of nitric oxide in human nasal airway

The nasal output of nitric oxide (NO) is known to be high, but there have been varying reports of the exact level. We attempted to establish a quantitative measurement of nasal NO, and looked for a possible relationship with nasal resistance, at rest and during exercise. Nasal airway ventilation was performed by using an air pump at a constant flow rate, whilst the soft palate was elevated voluntarily. In a preliminary study, the flow rate for sampling was changed and concentrations of NO were measured. After determination of flow rate, rhinomanometry for nasal resistance and measurement of nasal NO by chemiluminescence were carried out before and after moderate exercise. The concentration of NO ([NO]) exhibited a hyperbolic relationship with flow rate of ventilation (V'E), indicating [NO] x V'E = net nitric oxide output (V'NO) = constant. Hence, nasal NO was expressed quantitatively as V'NO (nL.min-1). For 1 L.min-1 of ventilation, [NO] varied between 2 and 500 parts per billion (ppb) (mean = 323 ppb). The average nasal V'NO in 12 healthy male subjects was 323 +/- 91 nL.min-1 (mean +/- SD). After exercise on a treadmill (10 degrees, 5 km.h-1) for 4 min, nasal V'NO decreased to 229 +/- 63 nL.min-1. At rest, expiratory and inspiratory nasal resistance was 0.27 +/- 0.04 and 0.27 +/- 0.06 Pa.s.cm-3, respectively. After exercise, expiratory and inspiratory nasal resistance decreased to 0.17 +/- 0.04 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 Pa.s.cm-3, respectively. These data indicate that nasal NO can be measured quantitatively as V'NO and might be involved in the control of nasal resistance.

Allergen-stimulated interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma production in primary culture: responses of subjects with allergic rhinitis and normal controls

The balance of interleukin-4 (IL-4) to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production that is induced following exposure to common environmental antigens is believed to be instrumental in determining whether hypersensitivity or clinical unresponsiveness results to that antigen. To date, evaluation of cytokine (protein) production has been based predominantly on allergen-reactive CD4 T-cell clones or activation of fresh unselected peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations with non-physiological stimuli such as phorbal myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), anti-CD3 or anti-CD2/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Here, ultrasensitive IL-4 and IFN-gamma assays were optimized to allow direct analysis of antigen-stimulated cytokine production by fresh human PBMC. Primary cultures of cells from grass pollen-sensitive allergic rhinitis subjects and non-atopic controls were stimulated using a range of grass pollen allergen concentrations in the absence of exogenous cytokines or polyclonal activators. The majority of subjects (45 of 52) exhibited chloroquine-sensitive, CD4-dependent cytokine production in allergen-stimulated, short-term primary culture. Median IL-4 production was substantially greater among atopics (13.0 pg/ml versus < 1 pg/ml, Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.0000001) and IFN-gamma was lower (P = 0.008), providing direct evidence for an imbalance in both IL-4 and IFN-gamma production among circulating, pollen-reactive cells in individuals with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The distinction in the allergen-driven cytokine responses elicited from normal and atopic donors was underscored by examination of the ratios of IFN-gamma:IL-4 synthesis. Non-atopic individuals exhibited intense IFN-gamma dominance of the T-cell response, in marked contrast to that observed among grass pollen-sensitive individuals (median IFN-gamma:IL-4 ratios of 14.0 versus 0.096, P = 0.000002). The observation that essentially all individuals produced IFN-gamma (+/- IL-4) following antigen stimulation in vitro argues that the most relevant consideration in determining susceptibility to immediate hypersensitivity versus clinical tolerance to environmental allergens is not a genetically defined capacity to recognize the antigen (i.e. if allergen-reactive T cells are present in that individual) but the nature of the cytokine response.

Antigen mediated and polyclonal stimulation of human cytokine production elicit qualitatively different patterns of cytokine gene expression

Polyclonal activators are widely used as surrogate antigens in analysis of human cytokine gene expression. An implicit assumption is that the T cell activation and cytokine production observed in response to polyclonal activation provides a more intense, but qualitatively identical, reflection of results that would be obtained with antigen. Here we demonstrate that stimulation using accessory cell independent (immobilized anti-CD3 mAb) or dependent [phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or soluble anti-CD3 mAb] polyclonal activators yields different conclusions from those that are obtained in response to antigen-specific T cell activation. Cytokine synthesis in 1-5 day bulk cultures of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 52 subjects evenly divided between grass pollen sensitive allergic rhinitis subjects and normal, non-atopic controls were examined. Antigen-specific re-stimulation elicited elevated IL-4 and IL-10 production and lower IFN-gamma synthesis among allergic subjects than normal non-atopic control subjects. This commitment of fresh PBMC towards a Th2-like response in atopics and the dominance of the IFN-gamma response seen in non-allergic subjects was reinforced when the ratio of IFN-gamma:IL-4 production in bulk culture was examined. Atopic individuals exhibited median IFN-gamma:IL-4 values of 0.07, whereas grass pollen stimulated cytokine production by normal subjects yielded a ratio of 4.8. In marked contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma production elicited using polyclonal activators, though much more intense, did not differ between allergic and non-allergic subjects (Wilcoxon rank sum test P > > 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic AMP-mediated augmentation of thrombomodulin gene expression: cell type-dependent usage of control regions

We reported that a cell surface thrombin receptor, thrombomodulin (TM), was regulated by cyclic AMP in fibroblasts and in parietal endoderm-like cells derived from F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. In this paper, the genetic basis for augmentation of TM expression by cyclic AMP was studied in F9 and BALB/3T3 cells. Transient expression assays were performed with plasmid constructs containing various 5' flanking sequences of the TM gene and a reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Two regulatory DNA regions, the proximal (-411 to -50) and the distal (-1026 to -850), were located. Interplay of the two regions was suggested using a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter in differentiated F9 cells. Both proximal and distal regions contributed to cyclic AMP-dependent augmentation of CAT expression in differentiated F9 cells, whereas only the proximal region was functional in BALB/3T3 cells. The two cell types responded differently also to a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, with respect to TM message accumulation. In BALB/3T3 cells TM message accumulation was refractory to the inhibitor in contrast to that of differentiated F9 cells, which was only partially so. We propose that there are at least two separate genomic DNA regions that regulate cyclic AMP-dependent TM gene expression and that their functions are cell type dependent.

Human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) gene: complete genomic structure and localization on the genetic map of chromosome 2q

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a protease inhibitor that circulates in association with plasma lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL), helps to regulate the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade. We have cloned a 125-kb genomic region containing the entire human TFPI gene on six overlapping cosmids and prepared a restriction map of this contig to clarify gene structure. More than half (45 kb) of the 85-kb gene is occupied with 5' noncoding elements: coding begins at exon 3. A HindIII RFLP identified with one cosmid was genotyped in the CEPH panel of 59 reference families. Linkage analysis using markers on human chromosome 2 located the TFPI gene on 2q, 36 cM proximal to D2S43(pYNZ15) and 13 cM distal to the crystalline gamma-polypeptide locus CRYGP1(p5G1).

T cell response to embryonal carcinoma F9 cells: induction and characterization of T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes

We investigated the mechanism of T cell response to murine embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. Thy-1+, CD4-, CD8- (double-negative) cytotoxic effector cells were induced in spleen cells obtained from immune A.BY mice to F9 cells, and the cytotoxic activity was major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells were essential for the induction of double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to F9 cells. Most of the double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines obtained by long-term culture of the effector cells had CD3 molecule and T-cell receptor beta chain on their cell surface, and the CD3 molecule was found to be involved in target cell recognition. The T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocyte line (2A5) also lysed various tumor cells in a non-MHC-restricted manner, but did not lyse concanavalin A-stimulated blasts of 129 strain, from which F9 cells had originated. These results indicate that T cell receptor alpha beta+ double-negative cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by F9 cells recognize a common antigen(s) expressed on F9 cells and other tumor cells but not minor histocompatibility antigens.

Anatomical analysis of the human lacrimal drainage pathway under an operating microscope

Mesoscopic structures of the lacrimal drainage pathway were observed under an operating microscope in six cases of 5 adult cadavers. In all these cases the upper and lower canaliculi fused to form the common canaliculus. Two cases with a large common canaliculus showed large projections of mucosa which reduced the inner space of the common canaliculus. The remaining 4 cases with a small common canaliculus did not show any projections. These findings indicate that the human lacrimal system can function physiologically through a small narrow space of the common canaliculus.

[Morphological and functional features of endodermal cells in rat yolk sac, with special reference to the fetal macrophage differentiation]

Morphological and functional features of the yolk sac endodermal cells with special reference to the fetal macrophage differentiation were investigated morphologically under the light and electron microscopes and immunologically with the antigen phenotypic analysis and the phagocytic activity-test, using the syngeneic DA rat-embryos from 8 to 16 days of gestation. Based on the staining property with toluidin blue and the ultrastructural features, the endodermal layer from day 8 to 16-yolk sacs has been known to consist of two kinds of cell type; 10% "clear" cells with clear cytoplasm and 90% "dark" cells with dark cytoplasm. Numerous primary lysosomes, phagolysosomes, lipid droplets and coated vesicles distributed preferentially in the supranuclear portion of endodermal cells. A broad intercellular space was found between "clear" cells and "dark" cells, indicating the loose intercellular binding. It was often found that "clear" cells tend to migrate from the endodermal layer into the mesenchymal layer, where the poor development of basement membrane was seen between them. Cells phagocytosing red blood cells, that resemble morphologically "clear" cells, were also observed in the fetal liver. At ten hours after latex-injection into the yolk sac cavity of 14 days embryos, some cells which phagocytosed latex beads in their cytoplasm were found in the endodermal layer, and also in the liver tissue and loose connective tissue of fetus. These cells were stained positively with monoclonal antibody Mar3 which recognizes preferentially rat-mononuclear phagocyte system. In vitro-latex uptake of separated endodermal cells was also demonstrated by the culture-study of endodermal cell suspension. The present findings indicate that the yolk sac-endodermal layer derived from the proximal endoderm consists of at least two kinds of cell-population with a great similarity to tissue macrophages in morphological and functional senses, and support the concept that some cell-populations of endodermal layer may migrate into fetal tissue and are closely related to the differentiation of fetal macrophages and their precursors.

Epithelial cell nodules developing in the cecum of irradiated mice. Some comparisons with jejunal nodules

A method for producing macroscopic epithelial nodules was developed in order to investigate the properties of epithelial stem cells in the large intestine of mice. The cecum was exteriorized and exposed to various doses of X-ray radiation. Numbers of nodules subsequently developing were counted and plotted against radiation dose. From the logarithmic regression line, the susceptibility to irradiation of nodule-forming stem cells (NFSC) was determined. The susceptibility of cecal NFSC was comparable to the value reported for jejunal NFSC. Mice of (C57BL/6 x DS) F1-Pgk-1b/Pgk-1a that carried X-chromosome inactivation mosaicism for the phosphoglycerate kinase gene were used for examination of nodule clonality. Most cecal nodules contained only 1 type of phosphoglycerate kinase, suggesting a monoclonal origin of the nodules. Histochemical studies showed the presence of absorptive epithelial, goblet and entero-endocrine cells in 17-day-old nodules, implying multipotentiality of the NFSC. In spite of these similarities between cecal and jejunal NFSC, the macroscopic appearance of cecal nodules was quite different from that of jejunal nodules. Only crypt-like structures were observed in the former, whereas both crypt-like and villus-like structures were present in the latter. A comparison between cecal and jejunal nodules may be useful for understanding the morphogenesis of the intestinal mucosa.

Differential expression of fetomodulin and tissue plasminogen activator to characterize parietal endoderm differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells

Fetomodulin is a surface marker protein of differentiated F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. Gene cloning has recently identified it as thrombomodulin which binds thrombin and proteolytically activates protein C. Activity assays and RNA blotting were adopted to analyze F9 cell differentiation with specific reference to another well-characterized marker, tissue plasminogen activator. Retinoic acid induced primitive endoderm differentiation of F9 cells and simultaneously activated tissue plasminogen activator synthesis. This differentiation, however, did not result in fetomodulin expression. When primitive endoderm cells were exposed to 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP, the tissue plasminogen activator level rose further within 6 hr. In contrast, the cofactor activity of fetomodulin stayed below a detectable level for as long as 15 hr and then increased with time. Expression of the two marker proteins appeared to be regulated differently.

Identification of fetomodulin, a surface marker protein of fetal development, as thrombomodulin by gene cloning and functional assays

Fetomodulin (FM) was previously shown to be a surface marker protein of parietal endoderm by in vitro differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells and by immunohistochemistry of in vivo embryos. BALB/3T3 and sarcoma S180 cells of the mouse were also shown to possess a protein which was indistinguishable from FM by immunological and structural criteria. We now show by protein and DNA sequencing and by functional assays that FM is identical to thrombomodulin, an anticoagulant endothelial thrombin receptor. Partial amino acid sequences of FM from S180 cells suggested homology between FM and thrombomodulin. An FM cDNA fragment was obtained by screening an expression library, which was constructed with restricted BALB/3T3 cDNA, with polyclonal anti-FM antibody. Several longer cDNA clones were than isolated using this fragment as a probe. They elucidated a 3369-bp partial sequence which encompassed 93% of the coding sequence. The remaining structure was determined from a genomic DNA clone. The deduced FM structure proved to be identical to that of thrombomodulin of mouse lung. Affinity-purified FM of BALB/3T3 and differentiated F9 cells was as active as thrombomodulin of the lung in binding thrombin and also as an anticoagulant. Structural and functional identity of the two proteins was thus confirmed. During embryonic development, FM immunoreactivity is localized not only in vasculatures but also at sites of cell-to-cell contact, including lung bud and neural epithelium, which were not expected a priori to possess this endothelial surface protein. FM may be a multifunctional protein with unique roles in embryonic development.

Fibronectin phosphorylation by ecto-protein kinase

The presence of membrane-associated, extracellular protein kinase (ecto-protein kinase) and its substrate proteins was examined with serum-free cultures of Swiss 3T3 fibroblast. When cells were incubated with [gamma-32]ATP for 10 min at 37 degrees C, four proteins with apparent molecular weights between 150 and 220 kDa were prominently phosphorylated. These proteins were also radiolabeled by lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination and were sensitive to mild tryptic digestion, suggesting that they localized on the cell surface or in the extracellular matrix. Phosphorylation of extracellular proteins with [gamma-32P]ATP in intact cell culture is consistent with the existence of ecto-protein kinase. Anti-fibronectin antibody immunoprecipitated one of the phosphoproteins which comigrated with a monomer and a dimer form of fibronectin under reducing and nonreducing conditions of electrophoresis, respectively. The protein had affinity for gelatin as demonstrated by retention with gelatin-conjugated agarose. This protein substrate of ecto-protein kinase was thus concluded to be fibronectin. The sites of phosphorylation by ecto-protein kinase were compared with those of intracellularly phosphorylated fibronectin by the analysis of radiolabeled amino acids and peptides. Ecto-protein kinase phosphorylated fibronectin at serine and threonine residues which were distinct from the sites of intracellular fibronectin phosphorylation.

Macroscopic intestinal colonies of mice as a tool for studying differentiation of multipotential intestinal stem cells

Macroscopic nodules composed of regenerating intestinal epithelium were developed within an area of the murine jejunum ulcerated by X-irradiation (1700 rads). The authors investigated whether such intestinal nodules were clonal and whether this method was useful as a tool for studying differentiation of intestinal stem cells. For examination of the clonality, intestinal nodules were produced in the jejunum of (C57BL/6 X DS)F1-Pgk-1b/Pgk-1a mice that carried X-chromosome inactivation mosaicism for the phosphoglycerate kinase gene. All intestinal nodules contained only 1 type of phosphoglycerate kinase, suggesting the monoclonal origin of nodules. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies showed the presence of absorptive epithelial, goblet, and entero-endocrine cells in most intestinal nodules, suggesting the multipotentiality of the nodule-forming stem cells. Moreover, villi developed on the top of some intestinal nodules, implicating the potential of the multipotential stem cell to construct the highly organized structure. The result indicates that the intestinal nodule method is useful for investigating differentiation potentials of multipotential intestinal stem cells.

Scanning electron microscopy of vascular architecture in the gastric mucosa of the golden hamster

The three-dimensional architectures and the regional differences of the vascular system in the mucosa of the hamster stomach were revealed by scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts. In the forestomach, the vascular network spreads two-dimensionally in a thin lamina propria. In the corpus and the antrum, the capillaries in the thick lamina propria are well developed, extending three-dimensionally along the gastric pits and glands. In the corpus, the submucosal arteries enter the lamina propria to become ascending capillaries, which project toward the top of the lamina propria and anastomose to create a capillary network beneath the mucosal epithelium. A subepithelial capillary is much wider in diameter than an ascending capillary and is, therefore, a sinusoid capillary. Subepithelial capillaries join descending venules, which are less numerous than the ascending capillaries. Near the gastric lumen, the capillaries in the corpus can be classified into two types: arched type in the cephalic (upper) region and honeycomb type in the caudal (lower) region. In the antrum, the submucosal arterial plexus is less well developed than that in the corpus. The mucosal aspect of the corrosion cast shows many clumps, formed by a unit of capillary network. Functional significances of different vascular architectures in the gastric mucosa of the forestomach, corpus, and antrum are discussed.