Enhancement of antibody production by growth factor addition in perfusion and hollow-fiber culture systems

The effects of the high-molecular-weight growth factors, transferrin and bovine serum albumin (BSA), on antibody production were analyzed quantitatively in continuous hollow-fiber cultivation over a period of 60 days. Transferrin enhanced cell growth but had no significant effect on the specific antibody production rate, whereas BSA significantly enhanced antibody production. The antibody production rate was increased 4- and 14-fold respectively by feeding BSA at 2 and 5 g L(-1) into the EC side of the system (the side connected to the cell-containing outer part of the hollow-fiber unit) compared with the production achieved without BSA. Addition of 5 g L(1) BSA into the IC side of the system (the side connected to the inner part of the hollow-fiber unit) resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in the antibody production rate. The effect of BSA was also analyzed using the perfusion culture system with a separation unit. When fresh medium containing either 2 or 5 g L(-1) BSA was fed into the reactor, both the specific growth rate and specific death rate increased, while the specific antibody production rate was increased 2- and 25-fold, respectively, by feeding BSA at these two concentrations compared with no addition. Comparing the two systems, the increase in the antibody production rate achieved with the hollow-fiber system was threefold greater than that in the perfusion culture system with the same concentration of BSA feeding. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Nitrous oxide, but not xenon, affects the signaling in the neuronal growth cone

1. Xenon (Xe) is an inert gas with the anesthetic property. To investigate whether Xe affects the neural network formation, the authors examined the biochemical characteristics of growth cones prepared from rat forebrains at different perinatal periods, in comparison with inhalation of N2O. 2. Fetal or neonatal rats were exposed to an atmosphere containing inhalational anesthetics (70% Xe or N2O) or the control atmosphere (30% O2 and 70% N2) for 6 h. After the exposure, isolated growth cone particles (IGCs) were prepared from their forebrains using a subcellular fractionation method. Protein composition, Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation, protein kinase C (PKC) activity, and degradation of PKC in the IGCs were compared among three groups. 3. No apparent change of protein composition in IGCs was observed by electrophoresis. Ca2+dependent phosphorylation of GAP-43 and MARCKS protein, and PKC activity in IGCs significantly decreased after exposure to N20. The degradation of PKC increased significantly after inhalation of N2O. 4. The authors concluded that Xe dose not change the above biochemical characteristic of the growth cones, suggesting that Xe is free from the teratogenic effect on the neuronal network formation and that Xe is a safe anesthetics for the perinatal neuronal development.

GABA(A) receptor in growth cones: the outline of GABA(A) receptor-dependent signaling in growth cones is applicable to a variety of alpha-subunit species

The growth cone is responsible for axonal elongation and pathfinding by responding to various modulators for neurite growth, including neurotransmitters. We demonstrated an outline of the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A)-dependent signaling in growth cones. Here, we examined the effects of the modulators of GABA(A) receptor on the signaling in growth cones. Phenobarbital or propofol, acting on beta-subunit, enhanced the [Cl(-)]infi change and [Ca(2+)](i) elevation by the GABA stimulation to isolated growth cones. Besides, propofol enhanced GABA-dependent phosphorylation of growth-associated protein of 43 kDa (GAP-43) by protein kinase C. In contrast, an alpha-subunit acting agent diazepam did not modulate any of the above signals. Next, we examined the effect of the developmental change of alpha-subunit on the outline of the GABA(A)-dependent signaling in growth cones. We also found that the amounts of several different alpha-subunit isoforms developmentally increased or decreased in growth cone membrane (GCM), but that the affinity and density of the [(3)H]diazepam binding sites were similar to those in adult synaptic membrane. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that each step of GABA(A)-dependent signaling in GCM is not modified by diazepam, indicating that the signaling pathway mediated by GABA(A) receptor in growth cones is applicable to any compositional change of alpha-subunit isoforms.

Nitrous oxide attenuates the protective effect of isoflurane on microtubule-associated protein2 degradation during forebrain ischemia in the rat

Recently, attention has been focused on the degradation of cytoskeletal proteins in animal models of cerebral ischemia, as the collapse of cytoskeletal proteins may be closely related to cytoskeletal disintegration and ultimate neuronal cell death. Among these proteins, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) has been shown to be highly vulnerable to ischemic injuries. To determine the degree of anesthetic effect on the collapse of cytoskeletal proteins, we compared the effect of three inhalation anesthetics; isoflurane, halothane, and nitrous oxide (N2O), on MAP2 degradation during 20 min of forebrain ischemia in the rat. Under equipotent anesthesia, forebrain ischemia was induced by the occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) combined with a lowering of mean arterial pressure (mAP) to 50 mmHg. After 20 min of ischemia, three regions of the brain, the frontoparietal cortex, brainstem, and hippocampus, were removed and separately homogenized. Subsequently, MAP2 of each region was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus, MAP2 was significantly protected from degradation when isoflurane was used combined with nitrogen (N2). However, the protective effects of isoflurane were drastically reduced when N2O was given instead of N2. These results suggest that the use of N2O should be discontinued when severe cerebral ischemia is accidentally incurred during anesthetic management.

Regional cerebral oxygen saturation during electroconvulsive therapy: monitoring by near-infrared spectrophotometry

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) increases neuronal energy consumption and alters systemic hemodynamics. We examined the effects of ECT on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSo2) using a near-infrared spectro-photometer. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and rSo2 were continuously monitored throughout ECT under general anesthesia in 43 patients. In all subjects, rSo2 changed in a consistent pattern during ECT, initially decreasing (-9.4% +/- 0.9%) just after application of the electrical current and subsequent increasing (8.7% +/- 0.9%) beyond the pre-ECT value. A close correlation was demonstrated between the increase in rSo2 and the mean blood pressure after the electrical shock (r2 = 0.832, P < 0.0001). We conclude that ECT initially may increase cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen more than cerebral blood flow and that rapidly increasing blood pressure transiently may overwhelm cerebral pressure autoregulation.

Differential effects of morphine-6-glucuronide, an active metabolite of morphine, and morphine on locomotor activity in mice: involvement of the opioid receptor

Subcutaneous administration of morphine (2.5 to 20 mg/kg) or an active metabolite of morphine, morphine-6-glucuronide (2.5 to 20 mg/kg), increased the locomotor activity of mice in a dose-dependent manner. Fifteen mg/kg of morphine and 20 mg/kg of morphine-6-glucuronide were almost equipotent. Subcutaneous administration of the universal opioid antagonist, naloxone, but not the delta-selective antagonist, naltrindole, significantly suppressed the hyperlocomotion induced by morphine (15 mg kg). On the other hand the subcutaneous administration of relatively higher doses of naloxone or naltrindole significantly reduced the hyperlocomotion induced by morphine-6-glucuronide (20 mg/kg). These findings suggest that agonistic actions at the opioid receptors, especially at the delta- and mu-receptors, contribute to the morphine-6-glucuronide-induced hyperlocomotion.

The cerebral hemodynamic response to electrically induced seizures in man

The hemodynamic response to seizure has long been a topic for discussion in association with the neuronal damage resulting from convulsion. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an appropriate clinical model for the investigation of the cerebral physiology of seizure. In this study, we monitored the oxygenation state of brain tissue using near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometry, and flow velocity at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (tc-Doppler) in ninety cases where flow velocity at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (tc-Doppler) in ninety cases where ECT was prescribed to patients suffering from endogenous depression. Under general anesthesia with thiopental and succinyl choline, an electrical current was applied bilaterally at the minimal energy level. Throughout the therapy, end-tidal CO2 tension was maintained at 30-35 mmHg, and the SpO2 value was maintained above 98% by manual ventilation assistance. The total- and oxy-hemoglobin contents in the brain were reduced during the electrical shock, and then recovered to the pre-shock value (total-hemoglobin; 44.13 +/- 12.88 s after the shock, oxy-hemoglobin; 88.62 +/- 11.69 s after the shock). Subsequently, these values further increased beyond the preshock value. On the other hand, the deoxy-hemoglobin content increased for 90.73 +/- 15.88 s during and after the electrical shock, and decreased afterward. Reduction of cytochrome aa3 began 3.04 +/- 0.51 s after the electrical shock, and this was reoxygenated at 171.88 +/- 12.95 s after the shock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of volatile anesthetics on microtubule-associated protein 2 degradation during forebrain ischemia in the rat]

One of the most prominent phenomena that occurs during the early phase of cerebral ischemia has been shown to be the immunohistochemical collapse of cytoskeletal proteins. Among these, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP 2) has been shown to be vulnerable to ischemic injuries. In order to select a suitable volatile anaesthetic from the standpoint of cytoskeletal protein breakdown during cerebral ischemia, we compared the effect of isoflurane, halothane and sevoflurane on MAP 2 degradation during 20 min of forebrain ischemia in the rat. Under 1 MAC of three volatile anesthetics, forebrain ischemia was induced by the occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery combined with a lowering of mean arterial pressure to 50 mmHg. Immediately after cerebral ischemia, four regions of the brain, the frontoparietal cortex, brainstem, hippocampus and cerebellum, were removed separately and homogenized. Subsequently, MAP 2 from each region was quantitatively measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAP 2 in the frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus was significantly protected from degradation with isoflurane anaesthesia more than with halothane and sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Isoflurane reduces microtubule-associated protein 2 degradation compared with halothane during forebrain ischaemia in the rat

One of the most prominent features of the early phase of cerebral ischaemia is the immunohistochemical collapse of cytoskeletal proteins. Among these proteins, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MtP2) has been shown to be vulnerable to ischaemic injuries. In order to identify a suitable volatile anaesthetic on the basis of cytoskeletal protein breakdown during cerebral ischaemia, we have compared the effects of isoflurane and halothane on MtP2 degradation in rats. Under equipotent isoflurane or halothane anaesthesia, forebrain ischaemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery, combined with a decrease in mean arterial pressure to 50 mm Hg. After 20 min of ischaemia, the frontoparietal cortex, brainstem, hippocampus and cerebellum were removed separately and homogenized. MtP2 from each region was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MtP2 degradation in the frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus was significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) less with isoflurane anaesthesia (75.6 (SD 10.7)% and 72.3 (12.8)%, respectively) than with halothane (65.0 (13.1)% and 54.7 (13.9)%, respectively).

Anorectal anomalies associated with Kabuki make-up syndrome

A case report of a 3-year-old girl with Kabuki make-up syndrome (KMS) associated with anovestibular fistula is presented. To our knowledge, 62 patients with KMS have been reported in the literature, three of whom were described as having an anorectal anomaly. Including the present patient, all four KMS patients were females with anovestibular fistula.

Composition of eukaryotic gene loci regarding gene conversion units and the presence or the absence of intralocus reciprocal recombination

In Sordaria fimicola, the g-locus is composed of a single convertron and does not show intralocus reciprocal recombination. On the contrary, the i-locus is composed of multiple convertrons and shows genuine intralocus reciprocal recombination.

Serum and urine levels of phenol following phenol blocks

In 20 patients with chronic peripheral vascular disease measurement was made of serum and urine phenol concentrations after lumbar or thoracic sympathetic block with 4-10 ml of seven per cent aqueous phenol. Peak concentration times (tmax), peak concentrations (Cmax), lag times (Tlag), apparent elimination half-lives (t1/2el), and areas under the serum concentration curves (AUC) were determined. The values of tmax, Cmax, Tlag, t1/2el, and AUC were 18.8 +/- 2.5 min, 3.01 +/- 0.28 microgram X ml-1, 5.3 +/- 1.6 min, 30.3 +/- 2.8 min, and 365 +/- 41 micrograms X ml-1 X min-1, respectively, for unconjugated phenol. Values for conjugated phenol were 54.9 +/- 4.5 min, 4.15 +/- 0.25 microgram X ml-1, 9.9 +/- 5.9 min, 64.0 +/- 7.3 min, and 838 +/- 95 micrograms X ml-1 X min-1, respectively. The cumulative urinary excretion in the conjugated form within 8 h ranged from 31 to 63 per cent of the dose administered. The results indicate that phenol has a very short half-life and is excreted quickly into the urine, conjugated with sulfate.

The pituitary as a target of antalgic treatment of chronic cancer pain: a possible mechanism of pain relief through pituitary neuroadenolysis

Surgical hypophysectomy performed in 18 cases with hormone-dependent carcinoma resulted in tumour regression in 38.8% of the cases, and pain relief in 88%. Neuroadenolysis performed 170 times on 130 cases resulted in pain relief in 94% with hormone-dependent carcinoma, and 70% with non-dependent carcinoma. The clinical investigations, following performance of neuroadenolysis, indicate suppressed pituitary function, significant increase of ACTH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), delay of long latencies in somatosensory evoked potential and increased pain threshold of C-fibres. Increase of beta-endorphin in CSF was very brief. Though the exact physiological activity in pain sensation of those peptides other than endorphins still remains obscure, increase of the peptides which are mainly synthesized in the hypothalamopituitary axis, along with suppressed pituitary function, is considered to exert a long-lasting suppressive effect on the mediation and perception of cancer pain through C-fibres and the central nervous system.

Influence of blood proteins on biomedical analysis. III. Pharmacokinetics and protein binding of gliclazide

Both pharmacokinetics of total and free gliclazide, a potential hypoglycemic drug, were studied in the healthy (n = 12) and diabetic subjects (n = 11). The blood level of gliclazide was determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography, and the free gliclazide (unbound to proteins) in the serum separated by means of an ultrafiltration. The binding ratio of gliclazide to the blood proteins was about 96% during the periods of 24 hr after administration of the drug. Several pharmacokinetic parameters for the blood gliclazide were derived from the decay curves of the blood drug levels. Each pharmacokinetic parameter was not changed by differences between the healthy and diabetic subjects, the total and free drug levels, and method of administration of the drug; each mean parameter, the elimination rate (ke), the time to peak level (tmax), the elimination half-life (t1/2) and the volume of distribution (Vd beta) was 0.07 hr-1, 2.8 hr, 12.3 hr and 16.4 1 (total level), respectively. The serum from healthy subject receiving orally administered gliclazide was gel-filtered on a Sephadex G-150 column. Each fractionated serum protein of macroglobulin (IgM), gamma-globulin (IgG), albumin (A) and small molecular substances (F), contained gliclazide at average of 3.7, 0.7, 82.3 and 13.2%, respectively, during the periods of 24 hr after administration. In in vitro experiment, it was found that the ratio of gliclazide-albumin binding kept a constant level at 96.5% in the range of normal protein levels (3.3--4.8 g/100 ml). In conclusion, the present result shows that the pharmacokinetics of the total blood level of gliclazide reflect the free gliclazide level, moreover, gliclazide predominantly binds with albumin in the blood and its binding ratio is not constant, but variable according to the dose-relation between the drug and the serum protein.

Hyperbaric oxygen and stellate ganglion blocks for idiopathic sudden hearing loss

Ninety-one patients suffering from idiopathic sudden hearing loss are presented. Twenty-two patients were given medical treatment (vasodilators, steroid hormones and vitamins) alone (group 1). Forty-nine patients were treated with stellate ganglion block (SGB) plus oxygen hyperbaric therapy (OHP) (group 2) and 20 patients were treated with SGB plus OHP along with medical treatment (group 3). The SGB plus OHP treated patients were given bupivacaine, which induced Moor's anterior approach of SGB and then exposed to oxygen at a pressure of 2.4 ATA for 90 min. In group 1, 69% of the patients treated within one week after onset exhibited over 10 dB pure tone average improvement, with only 33% patients treated one to two weeks after onset experiencing over 10 dB. However, 74% of the patients in group 2 and 100% of the patients in group 3 who were treated within two weeks after onset exhibited over 10 dB improvement. More significantly, of the patients which experienced complete loss of hearing, 83% in group 2 and 100% in group 3, exhibited over 10 dB improvement, compared to only 33% in group 1. Moreover, 8 (40%) patients in group 3 recovered to within 20 dB of their normal hearing levels. In group 2, 17 patients were treated two to six weeks after onset and 12 (71%) patients had over 10 dB improvement. SGB plus OHP therapy was shown effective in the treatment of sudden idiopathic hearing loss even when patients were treated more than two weeks after onset.

ABSENCE OF INTERFERENCE IN ASSOCIATION WITH GENE CONVERSION IN SORDARIA FIMICOLA, AND PRESENCE OF INTERFERENCE IN ASSOCIATION WITH ORDINARY RECOMBINATION

From the analysis of large samples of gene conversion asci in the g locus of Sordaria fimicola, it was found that neither the conversion event itself nor conversion-associated recombination of flanking markers cause either chiasma or chromatid interference with crossing over in a neighboring interval. The presence of more than one kind of crossover event, one causing interference the other not, is considered. The existence of two kinds of gene loci, one of single-cistron composition and the other of multiple-cistron composition, is discussed in relation to reciprocal recombination within a locus.

Intracellular electrolytes in erythrocytes during and after shock: relation to impaired consciousness

Of 32 patients in shock and catabolic state following shock with impaired consciousness 31 exhibited raised sodium content in their erythrocytes. On the assumption that the erythrocyte membrane acts the same as nerve cell membrane, the hypofunction of erythrocyte membrane may result in impaired consciousness. The hypofunction of erythrocyte membrane is assumed by its increased permeability in shock. A positive osmotic discrepancy between measured and calculated levels denotes altered membranous permeability. Subjectively, impaired consciousness was evaluated by clinical grading. Meanwhile, as a trial of quantification of conscious levels, we applied a new technique of analysis of power spectrum obtained by computer on the autocorrelogram of the EEG during intermittent photic stimulation. This new analytic method was useful in evaluating objective changes of cerebral function. There was a good correlation between raised sodium content in erythrocytes and depressed power spectrum. The degree of increased sodium in erythrocytes seems to correlate with patients' clinical prognosis.

Effect of chemical sympathectomy on muscle blood flow

Lumbar chemical sympathectomy using 5% phenol in glycerin alleviated intermittent claudication and improved cutaneous blood flow. This technic permits instituting physiotherapy and exercises to improve collateral circulation. The procedure was performed 56 times on 29 cases. No significant complication was observed. Muscle blood flow (MBF) was measured by 133Xe clearance, at rest and following exercise. Total blood flow (TBF) of the leg was measured by the impedance method, and increased cutaneous blood flow was confirmed by thermogram and photoplethysmogram. TBF increased significantly following exercise after sympathectomy. The ratio of MBF at rest and after exercise increased significantly in m. gastrocnemius, a white muscle, but was not significant in m. anterior tibialis, a red muscle. Chemical lumbar sympathectomy also produces preganglionic neurolysis to suppress vascular hypersensitivity after surgical ganglionectomy.

Alteration of gene conversion patterns in Sordaria fimicola by supplementation with DNA bases

Supplementation with DNA bases in crosses of Sordaria fimicola heterozygous for spore color markers (g(1), h(2)) within the gray-spore (g) locus has been found to cause significant alterations in patterns of gene conversion at the two mutant sites. Each base had its own characteristic effect in altering the conversion pattern, and responses of the two mutant sites to the four bases were different in several ways. Also, the responses of the two involved chromatids of the meiotic bivalent were different.