Search for Nucleon and Dinucleon Decays with an Invisible Particle and a Charged Lepton in the Final State at the Super-Kamiokande Experiment

Search results for nucleon decays p→e^{+}X, p→μ^{+}X, n→νγ (where X is an invisible, massless particle) as well as dinucleon decays np→e^{+}ν, np→μ^{+}ν, and np→τ^{+}ν in the Super-Kamiokande experiment are presented. Using single-ring data from an exposure of  273.4  kton·yr, a search for these decays yields a result consistent with no signal. Accordingly, lower limits on the partial lifetimes of τ_{p→e^{+}X}>7.9×10^{32} yr, τ_{p→μ^{+}X}>4.1×10^{32} yr, τ_{n→νγ}>5.5×10^{32} yr, τ_{np→e^{+}ν}>2.6×10^{32}  yr, τ_{np→μ^{+}ν}>2.2×10^{32} yr, and τ_{np→τ^{+}ν}>2.9×10^{31} yr at a 90% confidence level are obtained. Some of these searches are novel.

Luminescence color tuning of Pt(II) complexes and a kinetic study of trimer formation in the photoexcited state

We investigated the luminescence properties and color tuning of [Pt(dpb)Cl] (dpbH=1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene) and its analogues. An almost blue emission was obtained for the complex [Pt(Fmdpb)CN] (FmdpbH=4-fluoro-1,3-di(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)benzene), modified by the introduction of F and CH3 groups to the dpb ligand and the substitution of Cl by CN. As the concentration of the solution was increased, the color of the emission varied from blue to white to orange. The color change resulted from a monomer-excimer equilibrium in the excited state. A broad emission spectrum around 620 nm was clearly detected along with a structured monomer emission around 500 nm. Upon further increases in concentration, another broad peak appeared in the longer wavelength region of the spectrum. We assigned the near-infrared band to the emission from an excited trimer generated by the reaction of the excimer with the ground-state monomer. The emission lifetimes of the monomer, dimer, and trimer were evaluated as τM =12.8 μs, τD =2.13 μs, and τT =0.68 μs, respectively, which were sufficiently long to allow association with another Pt(II) complex and dissociation into a lower order aggregate. Based on equilibrium constants determined from a kinetic study, the formation of the excimer and the excited trimer were concluded to be exothermic processes, with ΔG*D =-24.5 kJ mol(-1) and ΔG*T =-20.4 kJ mol(-1) respectively, at 300 K.

A male and hermaphrodite specific RAPD marker for papaya ( Carica papayaL.)

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to determine the sex of a dioecious species, Carica papayaL., with three sex types, male, female and hermaphrodite. A 450 bp marker fragment, named PSDM(Papaya Sex Determination Marker), exists in all male and hermaphrodite plants but not in the female plants so far analyzed. The DNA sequence of PSDM exhibited no significant similarity to previously reported sequences. A sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, SCARps, was developed from PSDM to determine the sex of papaya. Southern hybridization, using PSDM as a probe, showed that PSDM exists in the male and hermaphrodite genomes, but not in the female genome. This result strongly suggests that PSDM is located on the chromosome region that is specific to the male and the hermaphrodite. SCARps is a suitable marker for the precise and rapid diagnosis of sex in papaya.

Analysis of the antiviral activities of natural IFN-alpha preparations and their subtype compositions

Here we report on the antiviral effects of two commercially available natural interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) preparations, their subtype compositions, and the effects of combinations of pairs of the subtypes on virally infected cells. Our results show that the antiviral effects of these preparations depend on the target cell and on the infecting virus. The component subtypes vary with the preparations, and combinations of pairs of IFN-alpha subtypes may have synergistic or competitive effects. Our results suggest that optimal preparations of synergistically acting subtypes may provide more therapeutic benefit to patients.

Immunohistochemical localization of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily in normal human salivary glands and pleomorphic adenomas

Although pleomorphic adenoma is the most common type of salivary gland epithelial tumor, it frequently contains "mesenchymal"-like components, including myxoid or chondroid tissues. We reported previously that chondroid tissue formation in pleomorphic adenoma was associated with overexpression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) by neoplastic myoepithelial cells. BMPs belong to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily, so we hypothesized that pleomorphic adenoma may express TGF-betas and that these molecules may regulate mesenchymal-like tissue formation. To evaluate this hypothesis, we immunohistochemically examined TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3 expression and localization in normal salivary glands and in 43 cases of pleomorphic adenomas. There was no evidence of TGF-beta1 expression in normal salivary glands or pleomorphic adenomas. Signals for TGF-beta2 in the normal salivary glands were observed in the intercalated ducts, while in pleomorphic adenomas they were observed in the inner ductal cells of the tubulo-glandular structures. Signals for TGF-beta3 in the normal salivary glands were observed in mucous cells, whereas in pleomorphic adenomas they were observed in the solid nests of neoplastic myoepithelial cells, in the portion showing squamous metaplasia, and in the inner ductal cells of tubulo-glandular structures. TGF-betas induce ectopic cartilage formation in vivo, but chondroid tissues in pleomorphic adenomas showed only weak TGF-beta3 expression. TGF-beta may be related to differentiation of the inner ductal cells and the neoplastic myoepithelial cells. In conclusion, pleomorphic adenomas expressed TGF-beta2 and -beta3, which may be associated with differentiation of the inner ductal cells and neoplastic myoepithelial cells.

Cartilage-specific matrix protein chondromodulin-I is associated with chondroid formation in salivary pleomorphic adenomas: immunohistochemical analysis

Chondromodulin-I (ChM-I) is a novel cartilage-specific matrix protein. In the growth plates of the long bones, ChM-I was shown to be expressed in mature to upper hypertrophic chondrocytes, and to be deposited in the cartilage matrix. As ChM-I strongly inhibits angiogenesis, cartilage is avascular. Also, ChM-I has bifunctional activity against chondrocyte proliferation. On the other hand, pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands frequently have chondroid elements. To elucidate the relationship between chondroid formation and hypovascularity in salivary pleomorphic adenomas, we immunohistochemically examined the expression and localization of ChM-I in 35 cases of this tumor. ChM-I was immunolocalized to the lacunae in the chondroid elements of pleomorphic adenomas (100%). Type II collagen and aggrecan were immunolocalized throughout the matrix around lacuna cells of the chondroid element (100%, 91.7%), and ChM-I was infrequently immunolocalized to the spindle-shaped myoepithelial cells in the myxoid element (37.5%). Fibroblast growth factor-2 was strongly immunolocalized to the lacuna cells in the chondroid element (100%), among the neoplastic myoepithelial cells in the myxoid elements (96.9%), and on the basement membranes around the solid nests of neoplastic myoepithelial cells (71.4%). Although CD34 is a marker of endothelial cells, CD34 was expressed in the endothelial cells in only a few areas around the epithelial elements and in the fibrous element of pleomorphic adenomas. No signals for CD34 were observed in chondroid elements in pleomorphic adenomas (P < 0.001), but a few signals were seen in the myxoid elements (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that lacuna cells and neoplastic myoepithelial cells expressed ChM-I, and that this molecule may play an important role in hypovascularity and chondroid differentiation in pleomorphic adenoma. In conclusion, pleomorphic adenoma expressed ChM-I, which is involved in hypovascularity and chondroid formation in this type of tumor.

Expression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene around the shoot apex is related to phase transition in rice

A major catabolic pathway for gibberellin (GA) is initiated by 2beta-hydroxylation, a reaction catalyzed by GA 2-oxidase. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA, designated Oryza sativa GA 2-oxidase 1 (OsGA2ox1) from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Nipponbare) that encodes a GA 2-oxidase. The encoded protein, produced by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, converted GA(1), GA(4), GA(9), GA(20), and GA(44) to the corresponding 2beta-hydroxylated products GA(8), GA(34), GA(51), GA(29), and GA(98), respectively. Ectopic expression of the OsGA2ox1 cDNA in transgenic rice inhibited stem elongation and the development of reproductive organs. These transgenic plants were deficient in endogenous GA(1). These results indicate that OsGA2ox1 encodes a GA 2-oxidase, which is functional not only in vitro but also in vivo. OsGA2ox1 was expressed in shoot apex and roots but not in leaves and stems. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that OsGA2ox1 mRNA was localized in a ring at the basal region of leaf primordia and young leaves. This ring-shaped expression around the shoot apex was drastically decreased after the phase transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. It was absent in the floral meristem, but it was still present in the lateral meristem that remained in the vegetative phase. These observations suggest that OsGA2ox1 controls the level of bioactive GAs in the shoot apical meristem; therefore, reduction in its expression may contribute to the early development of the inflorescence meristem.

Ossification of tracheal cartilage in aged humans: a histological and immunohistochemical analysis

Tracheal cartilage has been considered as permanent cartilage without endochondral ossification. We examined ossification of the tracheal cartilage in 25 adults (mean age 67.8 years; range 20-87 years; male:female = 17:8). Thirteen cases (52%) demonstrated ossification of the tracheal cartilage, accompanied by the formation of lamellar bones with fatty bone marrow. Ossification was observed at the lateral peripheral region of the tracheal cartilage, while vascular invasion into the cartilage was seen even where no ossification was present. Twenty-two cases (88%) showed marked hyalinization in the central region of the tracheal cartilage. Type II collagen was immunolocalized in the cartilage matrix, except for in the central hyalinized area, while type I collagen was immunolocalized around the perichondrium and ossified areas in the tracheal cartilage. Type X collagen immunolocalized on territorial matrices around the lacunae near the ossified regions. These results suggest that tracheal cartilage in aged humans frequently ossifies physiologically, and that aging promotes osteogenesis, even in permanent cartilage.

Proteasome-dependent degradation of cytosolic chaperonin CCT

The chaperonin containing t-complex polypeptide 1 (CCT) is a heterooligomeric molecular chaperone that assists in the folding of actin, tubulin, and other cytosolic proteins. We show here that degradation of CCT in mammalian cells is inhibited by a proteasome-specific inhibitor, lactacystin. When CCT synthesis was inhibited by growth arrest of cells, the decrease in CCT levels was much slower in the presence of lactacystin than in its absence. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that degradation of CCT is inhibited 2- to 2.5-fold by addition of lactacystin. In addition, CCT degradation rate in ts85 cells that produce thermolabile ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 was reduced 3-fold at the nonpermissive temperature compared to the degradation at the permissive temperature. These results indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is involved in CCT degradation.

cDNA cloning and molecular analysis of papaya small GTP-binding protein, pgp1

In the course of papaya EST collection, one clone (pRA4-3) encoding partial sequence of papaya small GTP-binding protein gene, pgp1, was obtained. Based on the sequence information of pRA4-3, the entire coding region of pgp1 was cloned using the 3'RACE PCR technique. ORF of pgp1 is 636bp long and deduced molecular weight of the protein is 23,311. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PGP1 belongs to YPT/RAB group of the small GTP-binding protein and is a homologue of RAB2. Southern analysis showed that there are several pgp1-related genes in papaya genome. Northern analysis showed that pgp1 was expressed equally in stems of seedlings that were grown under light and dark conditions. This result shows that PGP1 is not involved in the phytochrome-mediated signal transduction as an auxin signal transducer in stems of papaya seedlings.

Differential diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition of the temporomandibular joint

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease (pseudogout) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare. It is characterized by the presence of crystal deposits that are birefringent under polarized light. Although these crystals are characteristically weakly birefringent, some other crystals such as those of calcium oxalate, synthetic steroids, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid are also birefringent. The differential diagnosis should therefore be based on a quantitative analysis of crystals or observation of the crystal structure in calcified sections. We present a case of CPPD deposition disease of the TMJ and report on the value of such an analysis to substantiate the diagnosis.

Spinal cord herniation into an extensive extradural meningeal cyst: postoperative analysis of intracystic flow by phase-contrast cine MRI

We report a patient with idiopathic spinal cord herniation who underwent postoperative myelography and phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to clarify the condition of the ventral cystic lesion into which the spinal cord had been herniated. This 58-year-old man showed symptoms and signs compatible with Brown-Séquard syndrome. A myelogram and MRI showed that the spinal cord was incarcerated in a small space, and this finding led to the diagnosis of spinal cord herniation. In the operation, the herniated spinal cord was returned to the initial intradural space, and the dural defect was enlarged to prevent recurrence of the herniation. After the operation, leg muscle strength improved and bladder and bowel dysfunction resolved, but analgesia was unchanged. Postoperative myelography revealed a very large extradural cystic lesion, which extended from C2 to L1 vertebral level. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow study of the intradural space disclosed a near-normal pattern, but the intracystic CSF dynamics were abnormal. In the intracystic space at just the upper level of the lesion, cranial flow (reverse directional flow in comparison with the intradural flow) was seen in the systolic cycle after momentary fast caudal flow, and these CSF dynamics may have been related to the spinal cord herniation.

Dysregulated expression of bcl-2 and bax in oral carcinomas: evidence of post-transcriptional control

A study was conducted to investigate the gene expression of bcl-2 and bax in oral squamous cell carcinomas. We used reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate the expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNAs and the ratio of bcl-2/bax mRNA, and employed immunohistochemistry to investigate the bcl-2- and bax-encoded proteins. It was observed that the expression level of bcl-2 mRNA or bax mRNA was not consistent with their protein level in some cases. Higher expression of bcl-2 mRNA and stronger immunostaining of bcl-2 protein were found in oral squamous cell carcinomas than in the adjacent histologically normal oral epithelium. These findings were more prominent in poorly differentiated carcinomas. No significant differences in bax mRNA and protein were observed between carcinomas and the adjacent histologically normal oral epithelium. However, poorly differentiated carcinomas showed very weak immunostaining for bax. The ratio of bcl-2/bax mRNA was higher in carcinomas than in the adjacent histologically normal oral epithelium, and higher ratios were seen in most of poorly differentiated carcinomas. This study supplies indirect evidence of post-transcriptional control of bcl-2 and bax expression, and suggests that dysregulated expression of bcl-2 and bax may be related to the differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Expression of bone matrix proteins, osteonectin and osteopontin, in salivary pleomorphic adenomas

Osteonectin (OSN) is a glycoprotein involved in the early steps of the mineralization of skeletal tissue, while osteopontin (OPN) is a protein involved in normal and pathological calcifications. OSN and OPN are non-collageneous bone matrix proteins expressed by some epithelial tumor cells in exceptional cases. We immunohistochemically investigated the presence and the distribution of OSN and OPN in 43 pleomorphic adenomas to elucidate the production of their molecules by modified myoepithelial cells. In normal salivary glands, OSN was immunolocalized in the striated ducts, while OPN was not expressed. In pleomorphic adenomas, the inner layer of tubulo-glandular structures and modified myoepithelial cells in the myxoid areas showed moderate positivity for OSN (83.7%). OSN was expressed in all of the lacuna cells in the chondroid areas. OPN was strongly expressed in the stroma of the myxoid and hyaline areas of the pleomorphic adenomas (65.1%), but there was no expression of OPN in the chondroid area. All cases of pleomorphic adenomas expressed type IV collagen. These findings suggested that OSN was related to the production of the type IV collagen by modified myoepithelial cells, whereas OPN was involved in the stromal formation of myxoid or hyaline tissues in pleomorphic adenomas. In summary, pleomorphic adenomas expressed the bone matrix proteins OSN and OPN.

Immunohistochemical localization of the bone morphogenetic protein-6 in salivary pleomorphic adenomas

Salivary pleomorphic adenomas are often associated with chondroid tissue formation. We have found that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), especially BMP-2, may play an important role in ectopic chondrogenesis in this tumor. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 was reported to be related to the osteogenic metastasis of prostatic carcinomas. The relationship between BMP-6 expression and chondroid tissue formation is investigated. Twenty-three pleomorphic adenomas were examined immunohistochemically. The overexpression of BMP-6 was observed in 10 pleomorphic adenomas of the major salivary glands (43. 5%), and no evidence of BMP-6 expression in any of the nine pleomorphic adenomas of the palate. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 was immunolocalized in the lacuna cells of the chondroid tissue, in which type II collagen was localized. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 was expressed in inner ductal cells of the tubulo-glandular structures in the pleomorphic adenomas. This finding indicates that BMP-6 may be associated with the differentiation of inner ductal cells. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 was expressed weakly in neoplastic myoepithelial cells in the myxoid areas, which may be related to the production of extracellular matrices. Bone morphogenetic protein-6 has a role in chondroid formation, and also tubulo-glandular differentiation in pleomorphic adenomas. In conclusion, a large portion of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland origin, but not of palate origin, was shown to overexpress BMP-6 protein.

An inherited prion disease with a PrP P105L mutation: clinicopathologic and PrP heterogeneity

OBJECTIVE

To clarify a clinical and neuropathologic phenotype of an inherited prion disease associated with a missense mutation at codon 105 in the prion protein (PrP) gene that was originally described as a variant of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease demonstrating spastic paraparesis.

METHODS

Two siblings from a Japanese family are described. PrP gene analyses, neuropathologic studies with immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis of the PrP were performed.

RESULTS

Both patients showed a missense (proline-->leucine) mutation at codon 105 and a methionine/valine polymorphism at codon 129 of the PrP gene. Clinically, Patient 1 presented with progressive spastic paraparesis, ataxia, and dementia. Patient 2, the sister of Patient 1, showed prominent action myoclonus and dementia. Neuropathologically, multiple PrP-positive amyloid plaques and diffuse PrP deposition in the deep cortical layers were found in the cerebral cortex with primarily frontal dominant atrophy in both patients. Tau-positive pathologic structures including neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurites around the plaques were abundant in the brain of Patient 2. In contrast, the tau pathology was scarce in Patient 1. Western blot analysis of the brain showed different patterns of detergent-insoluble PrP fragments between the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the identical codon 105 mutation and codon 129 polymorphism of the PrP gene, remarkable clinical and neuropathologic differences, and PrP heterogeneity were present between the affected siblings. The phenotypic variability might be related to PrP heterogeneity.

Comparison of predictive value for colorectal cancer in subjects with and without rectal bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To clarify the association between a sign of rectal bleeding and colorectal cancer, and to reveal the relationship of rectal bleeding to the results of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test.

METHODOLOGY

In a population-based cross sectional study, 30,138 subjects who received immunochemical fecal occult blood screening with a 2-day method were divided into two groups, according to the results of a questionnaire on a sign of rectal bleeding, and the positivity rate of an immunochemical occult blood test as well as the predictive value for colorectal cancer were compared in the two groups.

RESULTS

The fecal occult blood test was positive in 8.8% of subjects with rectal bleeding and in 6.0% of subjects without rectal bleeding, and the predictive value was 6.4% and 3.3% in subjects with and without rectal bleeding, respectively, showing a significant difference in the positivity rate (p<0.001) as well as the predictive value (p<0.05) between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that there are positive relations between the subjects with rectal bleeding presentation and colorectal cancer, and a sign of rectal bleeding and the results of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test.

Evolutionary origin of two genes for chloroplast small heat shock protein of tobacco

Two different cDNA clones for the chloroplast small heat shock protein (smHSP) were isolated from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana SR1). One of the cDNAs (type I) has a full-length open reading frame (ORF) of the smHSP of 26.6 kDa. By contrast, the other one (type II) contains an additional nucleotide that causes the frame shift inside a putative ORF for the smHSP. If this nucleotide is neglected, type II cDNA encodes the smHSP that is 89% identical to that encoded by type I cDNA. Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses with genomic DNA indicated that tobacco has two different smHSP genes while two ancestors of tobacco, N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis, have a single gene that each corresponds to one of the two genes of tobacco. It was also found that one of the tobacco genes has an ORF for the smHSP disrupted by nucleotide insertion in the same way as type II cDNA, while both ancestor genes have a functional ORF. These results suggest that the two smHSP genes of tobacco had been derived from the two ancestor species, and that one of the two genes had been disrupted by nucleotide insertion during the course of the evolution of tobacco. Northern blot and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analyses demonstrated that both the tobacco genes are expressed upon heat stress, exhibiting different dependences on temperature.

Immunohistochemical localization of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and FGF receptor-1 in human normal salivary glands and pleomorphic adenomas

Basic and acidic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF and aFGF) are heparin-binding growth factors, and promote fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of bFGFE, aFGF, and FGF receptor-1 in pleomorphic adenomas. In the normal salivary glands, bFGF was localized in the basement membranes of intercalated ducts, acini and basal cells of the excretory ducts, while aFGF was localized focally in the intercalated ductal cells and basal cells of the excretory ducts. In pleomorphic adenomas, bFGF was immunolocalized in the basement membranes around the solid nests of myoepithelial cells, around the neoplastic myoepithelial cells in the myxoid areas, and in the lacuna cells in the chondroid areas. In contrast, chondroid areas exhibited no immunoreactivity with aFGE. Positive signals for aFGF were localized in luminal cells of the tubuloglandular structures in pleomorphic adenomas. FGF receptor-1 immunolocalized in the lacuna cells and myoepithelial cells in the solid and myxoid areas. These observations suggest that bFGF and FGF receptor-1 produced by myoepithelial cells inhibited terminal differentiation and enchondral ossification in pleomorphic adenomas. These results also suggest important roles for FGFs in the formation of various structures with mesenchymal-like histology.

[Increased incidence of senile dementia in the Hansen's disease sanatoriums of Japan]

In 1973, Narita reported that the rate of demented patients above 65 years was about 2% at the sanatorium--Tama Zenshoen, which was much lower than that of the average aged people (4-5%). The reason for that was thought to be due to the acquirement of strong mind under loneliness and difficulties faced by the patients through social enforcement to live in isolation. From that report on the low percentage of dementia among the Japanese Hansen patients reemed to be widely accepted. Fifteen years later in 1988, Narita reported that the rate of demented patients above 65 years was 3.2% in males and 3.6% in females indicating still a low rate at Tama Zenshoen. In 1994, however, Narita found unexpectedly that the percentage of dementia among patients above 80 at Tama Zenshoen was higher than the average aged population. Therefore in this report, we tried to analyze the reason for this difference. In addition to Tama Zenshoen patients, we also investigated those of another Hansen disease sanatorium namely Nagashima Aiseien which has similar structural organization as Tama Zenshoen. A comparison of dementia between these two was carried out, taking patients above 65 years as the study group (Used GBS scale based on Karasawa's method). In Tama Zenshoen, the rate of patients with dementia was 18.6% in males and 31% in females. Above 80 years those were 54.4% in males and 75.9% in females. The reason for the above high rate of dementia may be probably due to the passage of long years (40 to 50 years) after the enforcement to live in isolation causing the weakening of the spirit. The patients might have got some mental support if they had offspring, but they had no way to have any under the forced contraception. On the contrary, in Nagashima Aiseisen, the percentage of patients with dementia was low, namely 3.6% in males and 9.1% in females. In those patients above 80 years, it was 2.7% in males and 6.8% in females, those were almost similar to the average normal population (6%). Such a big difference was quite surprising. The reason behind this difference, may be due to the construction of the houses for the disabled persons. Both Nagashima Aiseien and Tama Zenshoen, have small individual rooms. In Tama Zenshoen, patients are able to visit their close neighbor, only after changing their shoes or with the aid of wheel chairs, but in Nagashima Aiseien, the corridors connecting quarters allow the patients to move easily to his neighbors with bare feet or even with crawl. Therefore, in Nagashima Aiseien, the number of patients who have social contacts with their neighbors is much greater in number which make them mentally active, thus eliminating the major factors affecting dementia. We can conclude that such communication between friends and co-mates make them alert and keep the spirit in the aged.

Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins in salivary pleomorphic adenomas

Salivary pleomorphic adenomas are often associated with chondroid tissue formation. We investigated the relationship between chondroid tissue formation and the expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which are strong inducers of ectopic bone and cartilage formation. Fifteen pleomorphic adenomas and seven normal salivary glands were examined genetically and immunohistochemically. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, and BMP-7 mRNAs were overexpressed in 10 (66.7%), 9 (60.0%), 1 (6.7%), 8 (53.3%), and 12 (80.0%), respectively, of the 15 pleomorphic adenomas. Overexpression of BMP-2 mRNA was observed in pleomorphic adenomas. Marked chondroid formation or expression of type II collagen was frequently observed in pleomorphic adenomas that overexpressed BMP-2 mRNA. Immunohistochemically, BMP-2 was detected in modified myoepithelial cells aroud chondroid tissue and basement membranes. These results suggest that BMPs, and expecially BMP-2, have a role in chondroid formation in pleomorphic adenomas.

Transgenic cucumber plants harboring a rice chitinase gene exhibit enhanced resistance to gray mold (Botrytis cinerea)

A rice chitinase cDNA (RCC2) driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was introduced into cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through Agrobacterium mediation. More than 200 putative transgenic shoots were regenerated and grown on MS medium supplemented with 100 mg/l kanamycin. Sixty elongated shoots were examined for the presence of the integrated RCC2 gene and subsequently confirmed to have it. Of these, 20 were tested for resistance against gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) by infection with the conidia: 15 strains out of the 20 independent shoots exhibited a higher resistance than the control (non-transgenic plants). Three transgenic cucumber strains (designated CR29, CR32 and CR33) showed the highest resistance against B. cinerea: the spread of disease was inhibited completely in these strains. Chitinase gene expression in highly resistant transgenic strains (CR32 and CR33) was compared to that of a susceptible transgenic strain (CR20) and a control. Different responses for disease resistance were observed among the highly resistant strains. CR33 inhibited appressoria formation and penetration of hyphae. Although CR32 permitted penetration of hyphae, invasion of the infection hyphae was restricted. Furthermore, progenies of CR32 showed a segregation ratio of 3:1 (resistant:susceptible). As the disease resistance against gray mold was confirmed to be inheritable, these highly resistant transgenic cucumber strains would serve as good breeding materials for disease resistance.

Characterization of anti-human interleukin-18 (IL-18)/interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) monoclonal antibodies and their application in the measurement of human IL-18 by ELISA

Interleukin-18 (IL-18)/interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) is a novel cytokine, which is a potent inducer of IFN-gamma production and plays an important role in Th1 responses. In order to develop a specific ELISA for the measurement of human IL-18, we established 13 anti-human IL-18 monoclonal antibodies and characterized them. 7 murine anti-human IL-18 mAbs and 6 rat anti-human IL-18 mAbs were obtained by fusion of splenocytes from mice or rats immunized with human IL-18, with SP2/0 myeloma cells. These antibodies were classified into 4 groups according to competitive binding ELISAs to the human IL-18 molecule. 1 murine mAb and all 6 rat mAbs neutralized IFN-gamma production induced by IL-18. A specific human IL-18 ELISA was developed using two neutralizing mAbs (#125-2H and #159-12B). This ELISA detects human IL-18 with a minimum detection limit of 10 pg/ml, but does not react with heat-denatured human IL-18. The ELISA does not show any cross-reactivity with other cytokines. Using this assay, human IL-18 was measurable in the plasma of leukemia patients. This ELISA would become a powerful tool for investigating the relationship between IL-18 and various diseases or analyzing the control mechanisms of IL-18 production from IL-18 producing cells.

No significant role of Epstein-Barr virus in the tumorigenesis of Warthin tumor

To determine the significance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tumorigenesis of Warthin tumor, formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of 21 tumors from 18 patients were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Southern hybridization, in situ hybridization (ISH), and immunohistochemistry. PCR-Southern hybridization revealed the presence of EBV DNA in 13 of the 21 tumors (61.9%). However, ISH for EBV RNA showed that nuclei of the neoplastic epithelial cells of all tumors were negative. Although ISH for EBV DNA revealed that the nuclei of the neoplastic epithelial cells were positive in 4 of the 21 tumors (19.0%), the positive cells were sparsely distributed and there was no evidence of monoclonal proliferation of EBV positive neoplastic epithelial cells. Moreover, immunohistochemical reactions with antibodies against latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and EBV nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), were negative in all cases. Judging from these findings, we conclude that EBV does not play a major role in the tumorigenesis of Warthin tumor.

Interferon-gamma-inducing factor, a novel cytokine, enhances Fas ligand-mediated cytotoxicity of murine T helper 1 cells

Fas ligand (FasL), expressed on activated T cells, plays a central role in regulating the immune response by inducing apoptosis in activated lymphocytes through binding to its receptor, Fas. We report here that a newly discovered cytokine, interferon-gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) (H. Okamura et al., Nature 378, 88, 1995), selectively enhances the FasL-mediated cytotoxicity of cloned murine Th1 cells, but not Th0 or Th2 cells. Anti-IFN-gamma antibody (Ab) did not block the IGIF-induced cytotoxicity of Th1 cells, nor did IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha augment the cytotoxic activity of Th1, thus indicating that this enhanced cytotoxicity of Th1 cells was mediated by IGIF. In addition, IL-12 was also found to enhance the FasL-mediated cytotoxicity of Th1 cells, suggesting that Th1 cells possesses receptors for both cytokines although these cytokines can act via different pathways. The results thus show that IGIF, recently proposed as IL-18, might play a potential role in immunoregulation or in inflammation by augmenting the functional activity of FasL on Th1 cells.

Two transcripts with different sizes derived from a rice homeobox gene, OSH1

A rice homeobox gene, OSH1, contains two functionally independent promoters which generate a larger transcript and a smaller transcript. In Arabidopsis, each promoter can drive the expression of a reporter gene in a different manner, indicating that the expression of different sized transcripts is independently regulated by each promoter. Over-expression of the larger transcript in transformed plants caused altered morphologies (Matsuoka et al., Plant Cell, 1993, 5, 1039-1048); in contrast, over-expression of the smaller transcript did not cause any morphological changes. The results suggest that the product of the smaller transcript fails to alter the expression of its target gene(s) in the transformants, while that of the larger transcript is capable of altering the expression of its target gene(s).

Differential display identifies developmentally regulated genes during somatic embryogenesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Changes in gene expression patterns during early somatic embryogenesis of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) were characterized by means of differential display. Eight products of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) derived from newly expressed mRNAs after four days of culture were identified and cloned. One clone, pTM002, was found to contain a 416 bp insert and identical to the proximal arbitrary primer at both ends. Based on the terminal sequences, reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was carried out to monitor the expression level of pTM002. The results indicated that the message of pTM002 was increased to correlate with the intensities obtained in the differential display. The significance of this method in investigation of differentially expressed genes is also discussed.

Alternative RNA products from a rice homeobox gene

Three cDNA clones were isolated from rice, OSH42, OSH44 and OSH45, which encode homeodomain sequences in the C-terminal region. The sequences of these cDNAs differ in the N- and C-termini, but they share an identical homeodomain and an acidic amino acid-rich region. The transcripts corresponding to these cDNAs are encoded by a single gene on rice chromosome 8. Differential transcription initiation results in a large transcript comprised of exons 1 and 3-7 and a smaller transcript comprised of exons 2-7. The larger transcript is constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, while the smaller transcript is expressed in leaves, stems and rachis but not in roots, flowers, or suspension callus cells. Alternative splicing also occurs at three different acceptor sites in intron 6 in all tissues tested. The GAL4 DNA-binding domain of yeast was used to study the function of various protein domains. The acidic amino acid-rich region activates the expression of a reporter gene controlled by the GAL4 target sequence, indicating that it functions as a transactivation domain. The larger transcript encodes a unique alanine and glycine-rich region on the N-terminal side of the acidic region, which is not encoded by the smaller transcript. This region completely suppresses the transactivation activity of the acidic region. This suggests that the product of the larger transcript fails to activate the expression of the target gene(s) while the product of the smaller transcript activates the expression of its target gene(s).

Carcinogen daily dose-dependence of the biological features and development rate of hepatocellular carcinomas induced by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in the rat

Differences in biological features and the rate development of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) induced with various daily doses of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene were investigated. Male Donryu rats at 21 days old were fed the carcinogen at concentrations ranging from 50 to 600 ppm in the diet continuously, or 600 ppm for 3 weeks followed by a dietary promoting regimen of 500 ppm phenobarbital. Large (> or = 10 mm) HCCs were monitored and the histological features and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) production analysed. High doses of the carcinogen predominantly induced HCCs of high grade malignancy with AFP production in a short latent period whereas lower doses and the initiation-promotion protocol were primarily associated with low grade HCCs lacking AFP production and developing after long latent periods. Thus the experimental results clearly document that biological features of neoplasms, viewed as a spectrum, may markedly differ according to the daily dose of the carcinogen applied.

Organization of the human GLUT2 (pancreatic beta-cell and hepatocyte) glucose transporter gene

The gene encoding the predominant facilitative glucose transporter expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and hepatocytes, termed GLUT2, has been cloned and characterized. The human GLUT2 gene is composed of 11 exons spanning approximately 30 kilobases. The sequence of the promoter region and all exons and adjacent intron regions has been determined and deposited in the GenBank database. Two highly polymorphic simple tandem repeat DNA polymorphisms useful for linkage studies were localized in introns 1 and 4a. In addition, a 168-base pair insertion/deletion polymorphism was identified in intron 3. The characterization of the human GLUT2 gene will facilitate studies of its role in the development of diabetes mellitus.

Epitopes on Cry j I and Cry j II for the human IgE antibodies cross-reactive between Cupressus sempervirens and Cryptomeria japonica pollen

Forty sea from French patients allergic to Cupressus sempervirens pollen were tested for cross-reactivities against Cry j I, Cry j II (major allergens of Cryptomeria japonica pollen) and other pollen allergens from botanically related plants. Seventy-three per cent of the sera reacted with either Cry j I or Cry j II, or with both of them. These IgE cross-reactions were blocked effectively by mAb 046 (anti-Cry j I) or N26, T27 (anti-Cry j II), and weakly by mAbs 052, 027 and 026 (anti-Cry j I). Furthermore, the IgE antibodies in two sera, #40 and #11, bound to peptide fractions obtained from enzyme-digested Cry j I, and mAb 027 could also bind to the fractions. Analyses of the amino acid sequences of the peptides revealed that reactive peptides contained "NGNATPQLTKNAGVLTCSLSKR" sequence and the third residue N3 was glycosylated, however, when the N3 was not glycosylated, the IgE antibodies did not react, but mAb 027 could. The glycosylation of the N3 might be required for IgE-binding to the peptides. Sugar component on the N3 residue was found to be 0.4 mol galactose, 1.3 mol mannose, 0.8 mol fucose and 2.0 mol N-acetyl-glucosamine. Cross-reactivities against other pollen allergens from botanically related plants were found in most of the sera. However, many of these reactivities were detected by sandwich ELISA but not by an ELISA using allergen-coated plates, indicating that it is important to select an appropriate ELISA procedure in order to detect an allergen or an IgE antibody to an allergen.

Causes of oral tongue cancer treatment failures. Analysis of autopsy cases

Eighty-three autopsy cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue were reviewed to identify retrospectively the causes of treatment failure. The cure rate for the primary cancers at autopsy was 48.2% (40 of 83). Regional lymph node metastases were found in 71.1% (59 of 83). Regional metastases and/or juxtaprimary recurrence frequently spread continuously and diffusely, forming bulky neck tumors in 38.6% (32 of 83). The incidence of distant lymph node metastasis (below the clavicle) and hematogenous metastasis was 35.4% (29 of 82) and 58.5% (48 of 82), respectively. The lung was the most common site of hematogenous metastases (52.4%, 43 of 82). Hematogenous metastasis occurred more frequently in the younger age group (less than 40 years of age; P = 0.03). Distant lymph node metastases were identified in the lung hilar, bifurcation, and paratracheal nodes in 89.7% (26 of 29) and had a statistically significant association with lung hematogenous metastasis. Univariate analysis revealed that gross appearance, tumor stage, clinical stage, presence of cervical lymph node metastasis, and interval from N0 to NX were significant predictors of survival time (duration from initial treatment to death). Rupture of the neck vessels was fatal in eight patients (9.6%), and hypercalcemia was seen in six (7.2%). Pulmonary infection was the direct cause of death in 33.7% of patients (28 of 83). Secondary malignant lesions occurred in 22.9% (19 of 83).

Human facilitative glucose transporters. Isolation, functional characterization, and gene localization of cDNAs encoding an isoform (GLUT5) expressed in small intestine, kidney, muscle, and adipose tissue and an unusual glucose transporter pseudogene-like sequence (GLUT6)

Two novel facilitative glucose transporter-like cDNAs have been isolated from human small intestine and fetal skeletal muscle cDNA libraries by low stringency cross-hybridization with a fragment of the human erythrocyte/GLUT1 facilitative glucose transporter cDNA. One encodes a 501-amino acid facilitative glucose transporter, designated as the small intestine/GLUT5 isoform, having 41.7, 40.0, 38.7, and 41.6% identity with the previously described human erythrocyte/GLUT1, liver/GLUT2, brain/GLUT3, and muscle-fat/GLUT4 isoforms, respectively. GLUT5 mRNA is expressed at highest levels in small intestine and at much lower levels in kidney, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Expression of in vitro synthesized human GLUT5 mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes indicates that the GLUT5 protein is a cytochalasin B-sensitive glucose carrier. The gene encoding the GLUT5 protein is located on the short arm of human chromosome 1. The second facilitative transporter-like cDNA sequence, designated GLUT6, is part of an 11-kilobase transcript that is expressed in all tissues examined. The sequence of a partial-length GLUT6 cDNA having an insert of 3.4 kilobase pairs revealed a region of 1.5 kilobase pairs that has 79.6% identity with the human brain/GLUT3 facilitative glucose transporter cDNA. However, because of the presence of multiple stop codons and frame shifts, this sequence cannot encode a functional glucose transporter protein. The region of facilitative glucose transporter nucleotide sequence homology in the GLUT6 transcript may have arisen by insertion of a reverse-transcribed GLUT3 transcript into the untranslated region of another gene. The GLUT6 gene is located on the long arm of human chromosome 5.

Growth of rat-mouse hybridoma cells in immunosuppressed hamsters. An easy and effective method to prepare monoclonal antibodies from heterohybridoma cell lines

Rat-mouse hybridoma cells producing anti-mouse IgE antibodies were intraperitoneally or subcutaneously inoculated into newborn or suckling hamsters receiving rabbit anti-hamster thymocyte globulin from the day of birth twice a week for at least 3 weeks. The hybridoma cells were found to grow in the abdominal cavity of the hamsters as ascites tumor or in subcutaneous tissue as solid tumor without loss of antibody-secreting activities. For the production of ascites, 2-week-old hamsters were preferable to newborn hamsters. In 3-week-old hamsters, the hybridoma cells could scarcely survive. The antibody titers of the ascites were determined to be 10(5)-10(6) in the ELISA and in the ability to neutralize the skin-sensitizing capacity of mouse IgE antibodies. The rat monoclonal antibodies were easily separated from ascites, serum or cell culture supernatant with affinity chromatography using Affigel protein A-Sepharose and anti-hamster IgG-Sepharose columns. The described method could be efficiently applicable for the proliferation of other hybridomas, such as human-human, human-mouse or hamster-mouse, etc.

Regulation of glucose transporter messenger RNA levels in rat adipose tissue by insulin

Analysis of glucose transporter mRNA levels in adipose tissue from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats demonstrated a specific decrease (10-fold) in adipose tissue GLUT-4 mRNA with no significant effect on GLUT-1 mRNA levels. Treatment of STZ-diabetic rats with twice daily injections of insulin for 1-3 days resulted in a 16-fold increase in the relative amount of GLUT-4 mRNA to levels approximately 2-fold greater than those in control animals. However, after 7 days of insulin therapy the amount of GLUT-4 mRNA decreased approximately 2-fold back to the levels in the control animals. Normalization of the STZ-induced serum hyperglycemia by phlorizin treatment, which inhibits renal tubular reabsorption of glucose, had no effect on GLUT-4 mRNA in the absence of insulin. Similar to STZ-diabetes, fasting for 48 h also reduced adipose GLUT-4 mRNA levels. Parenteral administration of insulin with glucose over 7.5 h, but not glucose alone, increased the levels of the GLUT-4 mRNA 3- to 4-fold. These studies demonstrate that the relative glycemic state does not influence GLUT-4 glucose transporter mRNA expression in vivo and strongly suggests that insulin is a major factor regulating the levels of GLUT-4 mRNA in adipose tissue.

Molecular biology of mammalian glucose transporters

The oxidation of glucose represents a major source of metabolic energy for mammalian cells. However, because the plasma membrane is impermeable to polar molecules such as glucose, the cellular uptake of this important nutrient is accomplished by membrane-associated carrier proteins that bind and transfer it across the lipid bilayer. Two classes of glucose carriers have been described in mammalian cells: the Na(+)-glucose cotransporter and the facilitative glucose transporter. The Na(+)-glucose cotransporter transports glucose against its concentration gradient by coupling its uptake with the uptake of Na+ that is being transported down its concentration gradient. Facilitative glucose carriers accelerate the transport of glucose down its concentration gradient by facilitative diffusion, a form of passive transport. cDNAs have been isolated from human tissues encoding a Na(+)-glucose-cotransporter protein and five functional facilitative glucose-transporter isoforms. The Na(+)-glucose cotransporter is expressed by absorptive epithelial cells of the small intestine and is involved in the dietary uptake of glucose. The same or a related protein may be responsible for the reabsorption of glucose by the kidney. Facilitative glucose carriers are expressed by most if not all cells. The facilitative glucose-transporter isoforms have distinct tissue distributions and biochemical properties and contribute to the precise disposal of glucose under varying physiological conditions. The GLUT1 (erythrocyte) and GLUT3 (brain) facilitative glucose-transporter isoforms may be responsible for basal or constitutive glucose uptake. The GLUT2 (liver) isoform mediates the bidirectional transport of glucose by the hepatocyte and is responsible, at least in part, for the movement of glucose out of absorptive epithelial cells into the circulation in the small intestine and kidney. This isoform may also comprise part of the glucose-sensing mechanism of the insulin-producing beta-cell. The subcellular localization of the GLUT4 (muscle/fat) isoform changes in response to insulin, and this isoform is responsible for most of the insulin-stimulated uptake of glucose that occurs in muscle and adipose tissue. The GLUT5 (small intestine) facilitative glucose-transporter isoform is expressed at highest levels in the small intestine and may be involved in the transcellular transport of glucose by absorptive epithelial cells. The exon-intron organizations of the human GLUT1, GLUT2, and GLUT4 genes have been determined. In addition, the chromosomal locations of the genes encoding the Na(+)-dependent and facilitative glucose carriers have been determined. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms have also been identified at several of these loci.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ameloblastoma with metastasis to the lung and associated hypercalcemia

A case of ameloblastoma with metastasis to the lung is reported. A rare feature of this case was that the metastasized ameloblastoma was associated with hypercalcemia without osteolytic bone metastasis.

Polymorphic human insulin-responsive glucose-transporter gene on chromosome 17p13

Glucose uptake by heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue is acutely regulated by insulin, which stimulates facilitative glucose transport, at least in part, by promoting the translocation of transporters from an intracellular pool to the plasma membrane. cDNAs encoding the major human insulin-responsive glucose transporter have been isolated and indicate that the insulin-responsive glucose transporter expressed by heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue is a 509-amino acid protein having 65.3, 54.3, and 57.5% identity with the erythrocyte/HepG2, liver, and fetal muscle glucose transporters, respectively. The gene encoding the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (designated GLUT4) was mapped to the p11----p13 region of the short arm of human chromosome 17 by analyzing its segregation in a panel of reduced human-mouse somatic cell hybrids. In situ hybridization to prometaphase chromosomes indicated that GLUT4 was in band p13. A common two-allele restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) was identified with Kpn I, and linkage of this RFLP to other polymorphic DNA markers in this region of chromosome 17 provides a set of probes that will be useful for examining the role of this gene in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

Regulation of glucose transporter messenger RNA in insulin-deficient states

Recent studies have indicated that a family of structurally related proteins with distinct but overlapping tissue distributions are responsible for facilitative glucose transport in mammalian tissues. Insulin primarily stimulates glucose transport by inducing the redistribution of a unique glucose transporter protein from an intracellular pool to the plasma membrane. This 509-amino-acid integral membrane protein, termed GLUT-4, is the main insulin-responsive glucose transporter in adipose and muscle tissues. We have observed a dramatic decrease (tenfold) in the steady-state levels of GLUT-4 messenger RNA in adipose tissue from fasted rats or rats made insulin deficient with streptozotocin. Insulin treatment of the streptozotocin-diabetic rats or refeeding the fasted animals causes a rapid recovery of the GLUT-4 mRNA to levels significantly above those observed in untreated control animals. By contrast, the levels of the erythrocyte/HepG2/rat brain-type glucose transporter mRNA remain essentially unchanged under these conditions. These data suggest that the in vivo expression of GLUT-4 mRNA in rat adipose tissue is regulated by insulin.