Why Do Carbonate Anions Have Extremely High Stability in the Interlayer Space of Layered Double Hydroxides? Case Study of Layered Double Hydroxide Consisting of Mg and Al (Mg/Al = 2).

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising compounds in a wide range of fields. However, exchange of CO anions with other anions is necessary, because the CO anions are strongly affixed in the LDH interlayer space. To elucidate the reason for the extremely high stability of CO anions intercalated in LDHs, we investigated in detail the chemical states of CO anions and hydrated water molecules in the LDH interlayer space by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

Identification of human autoantibodies to the transcriptional repressor ZF5.

ZF5 was originally cloned as a transcriptional repressor on the mouse c-myc promoter. It contains the Kruppel-type zinc fingers and a conserved POZ domain, which is found in a growing number of zinc finger proteins and mediate protein-protein interactions. Autoantibodies against transcription factors are sometimes found in sera from patients with high levels of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA).

ZF5, which is a Kruppel-type transcriptional repressor, requires the zinc finger domain for self-association.

ZF5, which we have cloned as a transcriptional repressor on the mouse c-myc promoter, has the POZ domain at the amino-terminus and the Kruppel-type zinc finger domain at the carboxy-terminus. In this report, we showed that ZF5 has two contradictory functions in transcription: activation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) promoter and repression of the HSV thymidine kinase (TK) promoter. The POZ domain contributed to the repressor activity, whereas the active function resulted from the DNA-binding ability of the zinc finger domain.

Analysis of the consensus binding sequence and the DNA-binding domain of ZF5.

Murine ZF5 is a transcription factor with five zinc finger motifs that represses the c-myc gene by binding to two GC-rich elements at the promoter region. Because of its ubiquitous expression in a variety of tissues, elucidation of biological functions and cellular target genes of ZF5 is of great interest. As the first step of identifying cellular target genes, we have attempted to determine the consensus binding motif for ZF5.

Genomic cloning and characterization of the mouse POZ/zinc-finger protein ZF5.

We isolated genomic DNA containing the entire sequence of ZF5, which was originally identified by its ability to repress the mouse c-myc promoter and which was characterized as one of the POZ (Poxvirus and zinc finger) proteins. The POZ motif is a protein-protein interaction interface found at the N-terminal region of zinc finger proteins. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the ATG translation initiation codon was separately located from the remainder of the coding sequence.

Detection of mouse skeletal muscle-specific product, which includes ZF5 zinc fingers and a VP16 acidic domain, by reverse transcriptase PCR.

ZF5, which we have cloned as a repressor on the mouse c-myc promoter, is a zinc finger protein containing Kruppel-type zinc finger and ZiN/POZ domains. In a reverse transcriptase PCR assay using mouse skeletal muscle RNA, we identified a 827 bp PCR product including the zinc finger domain of ZF5 and the acidic domain of VP16. The presence of the VP16 acidic domain induced the reduction of DNA-binding activity of the zinc finger domain.

Induction of a germline mutation at a hypervariable mouse minisatellite locus by 252Cf radiation.

Male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to 252Cf radiation and mated with unirradiated C57BL/6N females. F1 mice were analyzed for germline mutation at the paternally derived C3H/HeN allele of a hypervariable minisatellite locus, Ms6hm. This locus exhibited a high frequency of length change mutation spontaneously, and the mutation frequency of the paternally derived C3H/He allele in F1 mice born to unirradiated males was 8.

Genetic status of p53 and induction of apoptosis by radiation or isoflavones in human gastric carcinoma cell lines.

We have shown previously that various human cancer cell lines undergo morphological changes and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis after exposure to ionizing radiation or isoflavones. Here, we assessed the role of p53 gene in cell cycle and apoptosis following treatment of 11 gastric carcinoma cell lines with gamma-rays, genistein, biochanin A, or daidzein. Cell survival was measured by trypan blue staining, and apoptosis was assessed by fluorochrome staining.

Association of minisatellite instability with c-myc amplification and K-ras mutation in methylcholanthrene-induced mouse sarcomas.

Instability of microsatellite sequences are frequently found in human tumors. In addition, minisatellite sequences, another group of highly unstable sequences, serve as sensitive markers of genetic instability. We have studied minisatellite instability in methylcholanthrene-induced mouse sarcomas.

Radiation-induced apoptotic cell death in human gastric epithelial tumour cells; correlation between mitotic death and apoptosis.

The mode of cell death in cells undergoing mitotic death after gamma-irradiation was studied in seven human gastric epithelial tumour cell lines and two strains of normal gastric fibroblasts. Apoptotic cells were frequently observed in all tumour lines after irradiation, whereas the two fibroblast strains were quite low in apoptosis frequency. The advent of apoptosis depended on the radiation doses and incubation time.

A radiation-induced murine ovarian granulosa cell tumor line: introduction of v-ras gene potentiates a high metastatic ability.

A non-metastatic epithelial tumor cell line, OV3121, was established from ovarian granulosa cell tumor in B6C3F1 mouse irradiated with 60Co-gamma rays. OV3121 cells showed an epithelial morphology and grew in monolayer with a population doubling time of 28-30 h. The production of estradiol and the expression of cytokeratin confirmed the epithelial origin of the line.

CSF shunt physics: factors influencing inshunt CSF flow.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a shunt does not have a constant flow rate. The flow fluctuates from 0.01 ml/min to 1.

Over-expressed ZF5 gene product, a c-myc-binding protein related to GL1-Kruppel protein, has a growth-suppressive activity in mouse cell lines.

ZF5 encodes a zinc finger protein, which contains five C2H2-type zinc fingers showing homology with the zinc finger of the Kruppel family, and binds to two sites in the mouse c-myc promoter. We report the effect of over-expression of ZF5 on cell growth. ZnCl2 treatment suppressed the growth of a mouse fibroblast cell line (L cells) transfected with the wild-type ZF5 gene driven by the metallothionein promoter.

Cine magnetic resonance imaging of aqueductal stenosis.

Cerebral aqueductal stenosis is one of the most common causes of congenital and acquired hydrocephalus, but the etiology, pathophysiology and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics of aqueductal stenosis have yet to be clarified. Utilizing cardiac gated cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, we evaluated aqueductal configuration and pulsatile motion of brain and CSF flow stimulated by cardiac pulsation in five patients with non-tumoral aqueductal stenosis. Cine MR of four cases revealed obliteration of the aqueduct by thickening mesencephalic tectum, turbulent CSF flow in the III ventricle, and absence of flow-related signal void, which in all normal cases indicates CSF movement within the aqueduct.

Antiproliferative effects of isoflavones on human cancer cell lines established from the gastrointestinal tract.

Seven isoflavones, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein, genistin, prunectin, puerarin, and pseudobaptigenin were tested for cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on 10 newly established cancer cell lines of the human gastrointestinal origin. Proliferation of HSC-41E6, HSC-45M2, and SH101-P4 stomach cancer cell lines was strongly inhibited by biochanin A and genistein, whereas other stomach, esophageal, and colon cancer lines were moderately suppressed by both compounds. Biochanin A and genistein were cytostatic at low concentrations (< 20 micrograms/ml for biochanin A, < 10 micrograms/ml for genistein) and were cytotoxic at higher concentrations (> 40 micrograms/ml for biochanin A, > 20 micrograms/ml for genistein).

Transcriptional repressor ZF5 identifies a new conserved domain in zinc finger proteins.

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a new murine C2H2 zinc finger protein, ZF5. The 51.3 kD protein contains five GL1-Kruppel type zinc fingers at the C-terminus.

The same external signal differentially induced the c-myc expression in Burkitt lymphoma and B-lymphoblastoid cell lines.

An extracellular signal, such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), was found to reduce the c-myc expression in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells but augment the expression of the same gene in a B-lymphoblastoid cell line (B-LCL). Studies with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-converted BL cells demonstrated that the differential effect of PMA on c-myc expression was not due to alterations in the structure of the translocated c-myc gene, but to the difference in the intracellular milieu of the B cells. Experiments on the degradation rate in c-myc RNA suggested that this phenomenon in c-myc expression was exerted, at least in part, at the transcriptional level.

Necessity for ICP monitoring to supplement GCS in head trauma cases.

The necessity for ICP monitoring together with GCS findings to detect deterioration in head trauma cases and determine the treatment required was studied. There were 18 subjects (14 males, 4 females) aged from 11 to 61. Cases of primary brain stem damage were excluded.

Factors affecting cerebrospinal fluid flow in a shunt.

Nineteen hydrocephalic patients were studied to determine factors affecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through shunts. This study was based on our previously reported method by which fluctuations in CSF flow through a shunt of from 0.01 ml min-1 to 1.

[Cerebrospinal fluid absorption mechanism--based on measurement of CSF flow rate in shunt tube].

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption mechanism in cases of hydrocephalus was investigated on the basis of measurements of CSF flow in a shunt tube after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery, monitoring of intracranial pressure, CT findings, radioisotope cisternography, cerebral blood flow, EEG, PSP tests and changes in neurological findings. The subjects were 6 males and 7 females aged from 18 to 70. CSF flow rates in the shunt tubes were between 0.

A non-invasive CSF flowmeter.

A new non-invasive method for quantitative measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt tubing, used in hydrocephalus, has been developed. It is an implantable device which produces a bubble in the shunt tubing by electrolysis. This bubble is then detected in the tubing by an electrode arrangement using electric impedance or ultrasonically using a Doppler probe.

[CSF dynamics following shunt operation, with special reference to the diurnal changes of CSF circulation].

The purpose of this study is to study the pathophysiology of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formation and circulation after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation. With the CSF flowmeter we developed, the CSF flow rate in the shunt tube has been measured non-traumatically over a 24-hour period in six patients. These include both communicating and noncommunicating hydrocephalus patients with ages ranging from 20 to 70.

A new method for measuring cerebrospinal fluid flow in shunts.

An implantable device for measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a ventriculoperitoneal shunt tube has been developed. The unit is energized by an extracorporeal high-frequency generator (200 KHz), and electrolysis creates bubbles in the shunt tube. Velocity of bubble flow is detected by a pair of ultrasonic Doppler probes placed a certain distance apart on the skin surface and in parallel with the implanted tube.

[A device to measure CSF flow in a shunt tube and its clinical application].

An implantable device for measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a shunt tube has been developed. The unit is energized by an extracorporeal high frequency generator (200 kHz), and electrolysis creates bubbles in the shunt tube. Bubble flow velocity is detected as reflected sound using a pair of ultrasonic Doppler probes (Saneisokkuki Doppler Flowmeter Type 1935) placed apart on the skin surface and in parallel with the tube.