Spontaneous and agonist-induced contractions and endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae from SHRSP and WKY rats under various levels of passive force.

1. The influence of the passive force on the contraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae of normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were compared. 2.

Effects of cyclopiazonic acid and thapsigargin on electromechanical activities and intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle of carotid artery of hypertensive rats.

1. The effects of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and thapsigargin (TG), both of which are known to inhibit sarcoplasmic reticular Ca(2+)-ATPase, on the mechanical activities, intracellular Ca2+ level and electrical activities of smooth muscle of the carotid artery of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were compared. 2.

[Involvement of stimulatory effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on superoxide radical production by macrophages in corpus luteum regression].

The effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on superoxide radical production by macrophages was studied in pseudopregnant rats. Peritoneal macrophages prepared on day 7 or 13 of pseudopregnancy (psp) were incubated with various doses of PGF2 alpha for 90 min, and the production of superoxide radical was measured by the cytochrome C reduction method. PGF2 alpha significantly stimulated superoxide radical production by macrophages on day 13 of psp, but not on day 7 of psp.

In vitro and in vivo anti-tumour effects of a humanised monoclonal antibody against c-erbB-2 product.

The c-erbB-2 product is thought to be a unique and useful target for antibody therapy of cancers overexpressing the c-erbB-2 gene. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumour effects of a humanised antibody against the extracellular domain of the c-erbB-2 gene product, rhu4D5, were examined. Rhu4D5 was less effective than its murine counterpart, mu4D5, for the direct antiproliferative activity against the c-erbB-2-overexpressing SK-BR-3 cell line.

Endothelium-dependent relaxation by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists in spontaneously hypertensive rat aorta.

Differences in alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-induced relaxation of the aorta between stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and control normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were studied. Changes in the tension of ring preparations of the aortas were measured isometrically. Relaxation was observed in the preparations precontracted in the presence of ONO-11113, a thromboxane A(2) analogue.

Changes in activity of superoxide dismutase in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy.

To investigate the possible role of the superoxide radical and its scavenging system in the human endometrium, the immunohistochemical distribution of superoxide dismutase (SOD), activities of SOD and lipid peroxide concentrations were studied in the human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. The endometrial epithelium showed a positive immunostaining for Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD throughout the entire menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. In the stroma, weak immunostaining for Cu,Zn-SOD and moderate immunostaining for Mn-SOD were observed in the predecidual cells in the late secretory phase.

Changes in interleukin-1 production of peritoneal macrophages during estrous cycle in golden hamsters.

The present study demonstrated the change in interleukin-1 (IL-1) production of peritoneal macrophages during the estrous cycle in golden hamsters and discussed its possible roles in ovarian function. Macrophages were collected from the peritoneal cavity at 0900 h on various days of the estrous cycle and incubated for 6 h in the presence of ovine pituitary LH (500 ng/ml). The IL-1 concentration in the media was measured by bioassay with the A375S2 human melanoma cell line.

Progesterone inhibits superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes in pseudopregnant rats.

This study investigated the changes in superoxide radical production by mononuclear phagocytes in the corpus luteum (CL) during pseudopregnancy in rats. Activity of superoxide radical production was determined by the conversion of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) to blue formazan deposit. Rats received 10 mg NBT via the abdominal aorta on day 3, 7, or 13 of pseudopregnancy and were autopsied 1 min later to prepare the histological sections.

Computed tomography-guided bronchoscopy with an ultrathin fiberscope.

Bronchoscopy was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance using an ultrathin fiberscope in a patient with a fluoroscopically invisible lesion that was visualized by CT in the right S(8) and with poor pulmonary function. Under local anesthesia, the ultrathin fiberscope (3 mm in diameter) was inserted close to the lesion (1.5 mm in diameter) under direct visual guidance, and a brush was inserted into the lesion under CT guidance.

Sensitive detection of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein using a monoclonal antibody.

We have established a new method capable of measuring the very low concentrations of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL). In our previous study, we obtained a novel murine monoclonal antibody against oxidized lipoproteins (Itabe, H. et al.

Longitudinal organization of the anterior neural plate and neural tube.

Over the last century, several morphological models of forebrain organization have been proposed that hypothesize alternative topological solutions for the relationships of the histogenic primordia. Central to all of these models are their definitions of the longitudinal axis and the longitudinal organization of the neural plate and neural tube. To understand the longitudinal organization of the anterior brain, we have sought to identify molecular properties that are continuous along the entire longitudinal axis of the embryonic CNS.

Changes in lipid peroxide and antioxidant enzyme activities in corpora lutea during pseudopregnancy in rats.

This study investigated the involvement of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in the regulation of luteal function in pseudopregnant rats. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a specific scavenger of superoxide radicals, and glutathione peroxidase, a scavenger of hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxide concentrations were measured in the corpus luteum on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 of pseudopregnancy. The activity of SOD in the corpus luteum gradually increased until day 9 of pseudopregnancy and decreased thereafter, in a similar manner to serum progesterone concentration.

Null mutation of Dlx-2 results in abnormal morphogenesis of proximal first and second branchial arch derivatives and abnormal differentiation in the forebrain.

Genetic analysis of the development and evolution of the vertebrate head is at a primitive stage. Many homeo box genes, including the Distal-less family, are potential regulators of head development. To determine the function of Dlx-2, we generated a null mutation in mice using gene targeting.

Integrated electro-optic Q switching in a domain-inverted Nd:LiTaO(3) laser.

We report a novel integrated Q-switched laser constructed from a bulk domain-inverted single Nd:LiTaO(3) crystal that combines the laser gain and the electro-optic effect. The Q of the cavity is controlled electro-optically by exploitation of the deflection that occurs at the boundary of two oppositely directed domains under the application of an electric field. The integrated Q-switching element, with dimensions of 4.

Pulmonary fibrosis and sea-blue histiocyte infiltration in a patient with primary myelofibrosis.

The authors present the case of a 73 year old man with primary myelofibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and acquired sea-blue histiocytosis, who died of respiratory failure. Pathology of the lungs revealed infiltration by sea-blue histiocytes, and fibrosis in the alveolar septa, and clumps of these cells filling the alveolar spaces. Megakaryocytes were also occasionally observed in the alveolar capillaries.

Effects of fibroblasts of different origin on long term maintenance of xenotransplanted human epidermal keratinocytes in immunodeficient mice.

We examined effects of fibroblasts of different origin on long-term maintenance of xenotransplanted human epidermal keratinocytes. A suspension of cultured epidermal cells, originating from adult human trunk skin, was injected into double mutant immunodeficient (BALB/c nu/scid) mice subcutaneously, with or without cultured fibroblastic cells of different origin. At one week after transplantation, the epidermal cells generated epidermoid cysts consisting of human epidermis-like tissue.

T-brain-1: a homolog of Brachyury whose expression defines molecularly distinct domains within the cerebral cortex.

The mechanisms that regulate regional specification and evolution of the cerebral cortex are obscure. To this end, we have identified and characterized a novel murine and human gene encoding a putative transcription factor related to the Brachyury (T) gene that is expressed only in postmitotic cells. T-brain-1 (Tbr-1) mRNA is largely restricted to the cerebral cortex, where during embryogenesis it distinguishes domains that we propose may give rise to paleocortex, limbic cortex, and neocortex.

Cadherin-11 expressed in association with mesenchymal morphogenesis in the head, somite, and limb bud of early mouse embryos.

Cadherin-11 (cad-11) is a novel member of the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules, having recently been identified by means of the polymerase chain reaction. To study the function and expression of this molecule, we cloned mouse, cad-11 cDNA. Transfection of L cells with cDNA led them to acquire a typical cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesiveness, and the L cells expressing cad-11 did not coaggregate with L cells expressing E-, P-, N-, or R-cadherin when they were mixed, indicating that this novel cadherin has a homophilic binding specificity, as found for other cadherins.

Prolonged survival of mice with human gastric cancer treated with an anti-c-ErbB-2 monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody (MAb), 4D5, specifically recognising an extracellular epitope of the c-ErbB-2 protein, inhibited the growth of human gastric cancer overexpressing c-ErbB-2 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. This antibody also reduced the mass of established tumours xenografted into SCID mice, whereas gastric cancer not expressing c-ErbB-2 exhibited no regression in response to 4D5 treatment. In addition, administration of 4D5 prevented colonisation of cancer cells and prolonged the survival of host SCID mice inoculated i.

Effects of NG-nitro-L-arginine on alpha-agonists-induced contraction of aortae from Wistar Kyoto rats and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Differences in the influences of endothelium-derived nitric oxside (NO) on alpha-agonists-induced contraction in the aortae of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats were studied by blocking NO synthesis with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). L-NNA potentiated the contraction induced by noradrenaline. The potentiation was smaller in the preparation from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) than in the preparation from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY).

Immortalisation of human oesophageal epithelial cells by a recombinant SV40 adenovirus vector.

We introduced the origin-defective SV40 early gene into cultured human oesophageal epithelial cells by infection of a recombinant SV40 adenovirus vector. The virus-infected cells formed colonies 3-4 weeks after infection in medium containing fetal calf serum. When the cells derived from 'serum-resistant' colonies were then maintained in the serum-free medium with a low calcium ion concentration, some of them passed the cell crisis and kept growing for over 12 months.

Effects of chronic treatment with carvedilol on abnormalities of endothelium-dependent relaxation and structure of endothelium in resistance arteries of SHRSP.

1. This study investigated the effects of chronic treatment with carvedilol, a beta-blocking agent with an alpha-blocking activity, on blood pressure, endothelium-dependent relaxation and the endothelial structure of the mesenteric resistance artery in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2.