Metabolism of iodine-123-BMIPP in perfused rat hearts.

Unlabelled: Increased clinical use of 123I-labeled 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(R,S)-methyl- pentadecanoic acid ([123I]BMIPP) revealed discordance between BMIPP uptake and that of perfusion agents, which was inexplicable due to the uncertainty of its myocardial metabolism. This study clarifies the metabolic fate of BMIPP and its relation to substrates in isolated rat hearts.

Methods: Rat hearts were perfused with 5 mmole/liter HEPES buffer containing various energy substrates and 1% bovine serum albumin.

Involvement of cell cycle and mitogen-activated pathways in induction of parathyroid hormone-related protein gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is induced in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in association with mitogen-stimulated proliferation. In this study we examined the role of the cell cycle in the control of PTHrP gene expression. In asynchronously cycling cells grown in serum-containing medium, PTHrP-immunoreactive cells were enriched in G2+M, as revealed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting using a specific monoclonal antibody.

Sensitive assay for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma associated gene transcription (alpha-fetoprotein mRNA) in blood.

The sensitivity of RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR for detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma was assessed by demonstrating the tumor cell-associated gene transcription, alpha-fetoprotein mRNA, in the nuclear cells of peripheral blood. When HepG2 cells were mixed in blood, 100-1000 tumor cells/5ml of blood could be detected by RT-PCR, in contrast to 1-10 tumor cells/5ml of blood by nested RT-PCR. In addition, 2 x 10(4) copies of AFP mRNA were found in one HepG2 cell when analyzed by the quantitative nested RT-PCR assay.

Endotoxin induced cellular communication in the liver: murine models for clarification of the role of LPS-responsive macrophages in the pathogenesis of liver diseases.

In several experimental models, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Murine models of C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice have been used to elucidate the role of LPS and its responsive-macrophages in vivo, as C3H/HeN strain mice are known to be LPS-responsive, while C3H/HeJ strain mice are LPS-resistant. Furthermore, release of several kinds of biologically active mediators such as interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, colony stimulating factor and reactive oxygen radical is not enhanced in C3H/HeJ mice even after stimulation with LPS.

Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions induce the proliferation of gastrointestinal mucosal cells in the rat.

We reported recently that ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions increased the synthesis of DNA in the gastrointestinal tract of rats by the firing of vagus nerve activity, mainly via cholinergic receptor mechanisms. In the present study, we examined whether the mitotic response is due to proliferation of a cell population--mucosal, submucosal, or muscular layer. A monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) has previously been shown to be capable of identifying proliferating cells.

Effects of intrathecally injected glutamate and substance P antagonists on repeated cold stress-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

To determine the role of NK-1 substance P receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA glutamate receptors in the spinal dorsal horn in the hyperalgesia induced by repeated cold stress (RCS), we examined the effects of intrathecal injections of antagonists to NK-1, NMDA and non-NMDA receptors on the nociceptive threshold of RCS rats for paw-pressure stimulation. Intrathecal injections of the NK-1 antagonist (2S,3S)-cis-2-(diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2.

Phase I study of E1077, a novel parenteral cephem antibiotic.

The safety and pharmacokinetics of E1077, a new injectable cephem antibiotic, were evaluated in healthy male adult volunteers. In the single-dose studies, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg of E1077 were administered by intravenous infusion at a constant rate for 60 minutes, then 1,000 mg of the drug by intravenous infusion at a constant rate for 5 minutes. The Cmax were 6.

cDNA structure and characterization of a kinesin-like protein from the silkworm Bombyx mori.

We have isolated a 1224 bp cDNA clone from a Bombyx mori embryonic cDNA library which contains sequences homologous to the kinesin-like protein gene, ncd, which is required for distribution of chromosomes at meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster females. This clone includes both a microtubule motor and the ATP-binding domains found in kinesin-like proteins. The motor domain is classified in the group of the BimC and cut7, which have a role in spindle formation during mitosis of Aspergillus nidulans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, respectively.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptor and its messenger ribonucleic acid in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells and UMR osteoblast-like cells: cell-specific regulation by angiotensin-II and PTHrP.

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is produced in vascular smooth muscle, where it is believed to act as a local vasorelaxant by activating either the classical PTH or a unique PTHrP receptor. We used a newly cloned complementary DNA encoding the rat PTH/PTHrP receptor to study the expression of its messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and in UMR-106 osteoblast-like cells under basal conditions and in response to treatment with agonists. Both cell types expressed a 2.

[A clinicobacteriologic study on sultamicillin fine granules in pediatric sinusitis].

We carried out clinical and bacteriological studies on sultamicillin (SBTPC) in pediatric sinusitis at 10 general practice settings. The results are summarized as follows. 1.

A defective non-LTR retrotransposon is dispersed throughout the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

The presence of long repetitive sequences is demonstrated in the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Members of this BMC1 family reveal several features typical of the L1 (long interspersed sequence one) family of mammals, except for species specific elements. The number of BMC1 elements is estimated to be approximately 3500 per haploid genome.

Bile flow in a mutant Sprague-Dawley rat with defective biliary excretion of glutathione.

The Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat is a mutant strain of Sprague-Dawley origin with hereditary defects in the biliary excretion of bilirubin glucuronide, glutathione, and several other organic anions. The correlation between bile flow and bile acid excretion rates during taurocholate infusion revealed that bile acid-independent flow was smaller in the mutant than in intact Sprague-Dawley rats (19.3 vs 56.

Growth regulation of rabbit gastric epithelial cells and protooncogene expression.

We recently developed a primary culture system for gastric epithelial cells from adult rabbits that allows the investigation of growth regulation at the cellular level. In this study, we demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dBcAMP) all stimulated cell proliferation. Insulin and dBcAMP potentiated the stimulation of cell proliferation by EGF, while transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) inhibited it.

Molecular cloning of a novel receptor tyrosine kinase gene, STK, derived from enriched hematopoietic stem cells.

To identify the novel receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) critical to the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, we performed polymerase chain reaction-based cloning from highly purified murine hematopoietic stem cells. Lineage marker-negative, c-KIT-positive, and Ly6A/E- or Sca-1-positive (Lin-c-KIT+Sca-1+) cells were sorted by a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Two sets of degenerate oligonucleotide primers were directed to the conserved sequences of the catalytic domain, and were used to amplify cDNAs that encode protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs).

Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 release from cultured rabbit gastric cells by sodium deoxycholate.

Although bile salts are irritants in the gastric mucosa, their effects on prostaglandin (PG) release have not been well studied. We investigated the effects of bile salts on PGE2 release and the possible mechanisms involved. Cultured rabbit gastric mucous epithelial cells were studied.

[A case of ischemic colitis due to polyarteritis nodosa].

A 78-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with acute abdomen (abdominal pain and bloody stool). Abdominal examination revealed mild rebound tenderness on the right side. The laboratory data revealed severe inflammation (WBC: 33100/microliters, CRP:35.

[The interrelation of serum lysozyme level and cytoplasmic lysozyme level].

By means of the immunocytochemical method, the level of cytoplasmic lysozyme in leukocytes from healthy volunteers (n = 50) and from patients with uremia (n = 50), leukocytosis (n = 50), various forms of leukemia (n = 36) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (n = 7) were analysed, and compared with that of simultaneously assayed serum lysozyme. Both the cytoplasmic and serum levels of lysozyme in uremia and leukocytosis were significantly higher than normal subjects (p < 0.001).

Involvement of substance P and excitatory amino acids in aversive behavior elicited by intrathecal capsaicin.

The rat given an intrathecal injection of capsaicin (0.3-10 nmol/rat) through a lumbar puncture showed biting or licking the tail and hind paws. The substance P antagonist, CP-96,345 (3 nmol/rat), co-administered intrathecally with capsaicin (10 nmol/rat), caused a significant inhibition of the behavioral responses to capsaicin (10 nmol/rat).

[Determination of globin synthesis studies using high performance liquid chromatography technique].

In vitro globin chain synthesis ratios (beta/alpha) were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in twenty-five alpha or beta-thalassemiaes as well as six normal controls. Among thalassemiaes nineteen were Japanese and six Korean. Two kinds of cation exchange columns.

Shame and social phobia: a transcultural viewpoint.

Shame is given different meanings in various cultural contexts. In Japan, shame-prone and self-effacing behavior tends to be given positive functional value and is actively promoted by society. In the United States, society tends to prohibit such shame-prone behavior and the show of one's vulnerability, while encouraging the visible demonstration of one's power and capacity.

DNA sequencing using ultra small amounts of reagents and template.

One of the key points in the genome project is finding ways to reduce the running cost in DNA sequencing. One way is to use a highly-sensitive fluorescent DNA sequencer, where only trace amounts of template DNA and reagents are needed. An experimental protocol optimized for the trace amounts of DNA analysis was established by using the hybridization reaction rate coefficient of primers on template DNA, which was estimated to be 7.

DNA sequencing directly from a mixture using terminal-base-selective primers.

DNA cloning is often used to select and amplify one DNA species from a mixture. However, the cloning process is complex and labor-intensive. We have developed a new two-step method for DNA sequencing directly from a mixture.