Characterization of psoriasiform and alopecic skin lesions in HLA-B27 transgenic rats.

We have previously reported a multisystem inflammatory disease in transgenic rat lines with high expression of HLA-B*2705 and human beta 2 microglobulin. Skin disease in these rats includes two predominant lesions: 1) marked psoriasiform dermatitis of the tail and digits; and 2) progressive alopecia of face, neck, trunk, and extremities. Here we present the results of a systematic survey of these lesions.

Analysis of C5a receptor by monoclonal antibody.

We prepared a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed 4C8, to the human C5a receptor (C5aR, CD88) by fusing spleen cells from mice immunized with mouse Ltk- cells transfected with cDNA of human C5aR (Ltk-/C5aR) to the mouse myeloma cell line P3U1. This mAb belonging to the IgM kappa subclass, detected a 43 kDa band on cell lysates of Ltk-/C5aR by immunoblotting analysis. Flow cytometry revealed that 4C8 specifically bound to Ltk-/C5aR, suggesting that this antibody is specific for C5aR.

[A study of an automated porphyria diagnosis system using urinary porphyrin profile analysis].

Porphyrins are essential substances for the biosynthesis of heme. Porphyria results from a disorder in the metabolism of porphyrin. Patients suffering from Porphyria exhibit changes in their porphyrin profiles as measured in excretia and organs.

Effects of dietary protein on glomerular eicosanoid production in rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction.

Greater protein intake increases glomerular eicosanoid production in rats. Bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) also enhances glomerular eicosanoid production in experimental animals. To examine the effects of dietary protein intake on glomerular eicosanoid production in ureteral obstruction, we measured the in vitro production of the vasodilatory prostaglandins, PGE2, and 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and the vasoconstrictor, TxB2, and the mass of cyclooxygenase in glomeruli of sham-operated control (SOC) rats and rats with BUO of 24 hr duration fed a low- (6% casein) or a high- (40% casein) protein diet for approximately 4 weeks.

Structure and expression of the gene responsible for the triplet repeat disorder, dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA).

Dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy is associated with expansion of an unstable CAG repeat on chromosome 12p. We have determined the nucleotide sequences of overlapping cDNA clones and deduced the gene structure. The gene is ubiquitously expressed to form a single 4.

Dietary protein restriction in isolated glomeruli from rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction.

Dietary protein restriction ameliorates the decrease in GFR and renal plasma flow that occurs 24 hours after the onset of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO). The vasoactive hormones, prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane (Tx), have a role in the changes in renal function described above. Thus, we evaluated the effect of dietary protein restriction on the production of PGE2.

Preventive equipment for urinary incontinence: a device employing lower abdominal impendance changes.

The object of this work was to develop a monitoring device for measuring the volume of urine in the bladder to signal, in advance, the need to urinate and thus help prevent urinary incontinence. A high-frequency electric current of 50 KHz transmitter was applied to a pair of terminals placed on the surface of a human body. The constant current was 2mA (p-p).

Dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy expansion of an unstable CAG trinucleotide on chromosome 12p.

Dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by combined systemic degeneration of the dentatofugal and pallidofugal pathways. We investigated a candidate gene and found that DRPLA patients had an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat in a gene on the short arm of chromosome 12. The repeat size varied from 7-23 in normal individuals.

Regional characterization of G-protein subunits in glomeruli, cortices and medullas of the rat kidney.

We examined the types of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) protein subunits in isolated glomeruli, cortices excluding glomeruli and medullas of rat kidneys using bacterial toxin-catalyzed adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) ribosylation and specific immunoblots. ADP ribosylation catalyzed by cholera or pertussis toxin revealed the presence of stimulatory G (Gs) or inhibitory G (Gi) proteins in membranes of the 3 segments of the kidney. Immunoblots further demonstrated the existence of several G-protein subunits, two Gs-protein alpha-subunits (G alpha s: 45 and 52 kD), Gi-protein alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 3-subunits (G alpha i1, G alpha i2: 40-41 kD, G alpha i3: 40 kD), bacterial toxin-insensitive G-protein alpha q- and alpha 11-subunits (G alpha q/11: 42 kD) and G-protein beta-subunits (G beta: 35-36 kD), in membranes of the preparations.

Bellini's duct tumor associated with end stage renal disease: a case diagnosed by lectin immunohistochemistry.

We report a hemodialysis patient with an atypical renal neoplasm. The tumor cells were arranged in a two-cell pattern similar to that in the usual excretory duct systems. The histochemical staining pattern with some lectins and monoclonal antibody corresponded to the distal nephrons of normal kidney tissue.

Increases in glomerular eicosanoid production in rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction are mediated by enhanced enzyme activities of both the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.

Glomeruli isolated from rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 24 hr duration produced significantly greater amounts of prostaglandin (PG) E2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, and leukotriene B4 than glomeruli isolated from sham-operated control (SOC) rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the greater production of eicosanoids by glomeruli isolated from rats with BUO, we measured the activities of enzymes related to eicosanoid formation such as cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, PGE2 isomerase, and PGI2 and thromboxane synthase in glomeruli isolated from SOC rats and rats with BUO. Glomeruli isolated from rats with BUO had a significantly increased activity of cyclooxygenase with de novo synthesis of this enzyme and a markedly augmented activities of PGE2 isomerase and both PGI2 and thromboxane synthases relative to glomeruli isolated from SOC rats.

[Cor triatriatum with situs inversus totalis: a case report of an infant].

Cor triatriatum associated with situs inversus is rare. A 6-month-old male who had cor triatriatum with atrial septal defect (ASD) and situs inversus totalis was successfully operated. Urgent surgical intervention was performed because of congestive cardiac failure despite drug therapy.

Protein intake affects levels of G-protein subunits G alpha i2, G alpha i3, and G beta in rat glomerular membranes.

Using toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and specific immunoblots we examined whether the mass of G-protein subunits, G alpha s, G alpha i (includes G alpha i2, G alpha i3, and G alpha 0) and G alpha beta, in glomerular membranes was altered by dietary protein intake. ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by cholera toxin (CT) or pertussis toxin (PT) detected significant amounts of G alpha s or G alpha i in glomerular membranes from rats fed a low (6% casein) or a high (40% casein) protein diet. There was no significant difference in G alpha s content between glomerular membranes from low or high protein-fed rats.

Polycythemia associated with primary systemic amyloidosis: elevated levels of hemopoietic factors and cytokines.

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed to have primary systemic amyloidosis (AL type) and polycythemia (Hgb 19.1 g/dl, WBC 14,600/microliters, and platelets 60.5 x 10(4)/microliters).

Bilateral ureteral obstruction alters levels of the G-protein subunits G alpha s and G alpha q/11.

To evaluate the effects of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) on the levels of G-protein subunits in glomeruli, we examined the types and amounts of G-protein subunits in glomerular membranes from sham-operated control (SOC) rats and rats with BUO of 24 hours duration utilizing bacterial toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and specific antibodies. ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by cholera or pertussis toxin demonstrated the presence of Gs and Gi proteins in glomerular membranes. Immunoblots further revealed the existence of two types of G alpha s (45 and 52 kDa), as well as G alpha i2 (40 kDa), G alpha i3 (41 kDa), G alpha q/11 (42 kDa) and G beta (35 to 36 kDa) in glomerular membranes.

Production of polyclonal antibodies against 1,1'-ethyliden bis[L-tryptophan] (EBT), a potential contaminant causing eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS).

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is thought to be caused by the intake of contaminated L-tryptophan products. 1,1'-Ethyliden bis[L-tryptophan] (EBT) is one of the contaminants in the L-tryptophan products and is thought to be a possible cause of EMS. In the present study we report that anti-EBT antibodies are generated by immunizing rabbits with the low molecular weight substance, EBT (molecular weight 434).

[Mitral valve replacement in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia].

A 46-year-old female with mitral insufficiency complicated by hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler's disease) underwent successfully mitral valve replacement. The patient had a history of repeated large-volume nasal bleeding. Mitral valve replacement using a xenograft was safely performed with various attempts for preventing abnormal postoperative hemorrhage.

[Endoscopic closure of the postoperative bronchopleural fistula].

A case of successful endoscopic closure of a bronchopleural fistula with fibrin glue was reported. Fifty-eight-year-old man underwent right lower lobectomy for lung carcinoma. On the 21st postoperative day, he suffered from high fever and diagnosed as right side pyothorax.

[Surgical treatments of emphysematous giant bullae accompanied with severe bronchial asthma].

Two operative cases of emphysematous giant bullae of the lung accompanied with bronchial asthma were reported. Case 1: A 41-year-old man suffering from dyspnea and fever-up was diagnosed as emphysematous giant bullae of the right lung accompanied with severe bronchial asthma. Preoperative examination revealed severe hypoxemia (PO2 46 mmHg) and mixed type ventilatory disorder; VC 1.

Synthesis and antihypertensive activity of 3-acetoxy-2,3-dihydro-5-[2- (dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one (diltiazem) derivatives having substituents at the 8 position.

In order to improve the potency and duration of biological actions of diltiazem, a number of 1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives having the substituents at the 8 position were prepared and evaluated for their antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The introduction of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, benzyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, and methylthio groups increased the antihypertensive activity and prolonged duration of action, whereas cyclohexyl, cyclopentoxy, tolyloxy, p-methoxyphenoxy and phenylthio derivatives were less active than diltiazem. Among them, the 8-benzyl and phenoxy derivatives showed the most potent and long-lasting antihypertensive action.

[Bicuspid aortic valve with sudden onset of aortic insufficiency due to rare causes: report of two cases].

This report describes two cases of aortic valve replacement which was warranted by the suddenly developed aortic regurgitation due to a congenitally bicuspid aortic valve. Aortic insufficiency was caused by the rupture of the strand which lifted a larger cusp to the aortic wall in one, and by the perforation of valvular aneurysm in another. Reviewing the literature these types of aortic insufficiency are rarely reported.

Pharmacological profile of a novel 1,5-benzothiazepine calcium antagonist.

The in vitro cardiovascular effects of a new 1,5-benzothiazepine derivative, RS-5773 ((2S,3S)-3-acetoxy-8-benzyl-2,3-dihydro-5-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-(4- methoxy-phenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepine-4-(5H)-one hydrochloride, CAS 129173-57-5), were examined in isolated rat aorta and isolated guinea pig heart preparations. Like diltiazem or nifedipine, RS-5773 preferentially relaxed K(+)-contracted aorta rather than phenylephrine-contracted aorta, suggesting that the agent interfered with calcium channels. Vasorelaxant effects of RS-5773 on K(+)-contracted aorta was about 5 times more potent than those of diltiazem.

Characterization of G-proteins in rat glomeruli.

G-proteins in rat glomeruli were examined using bacterial toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and specific immunoblots. ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by cholera and pertussis toxin demonstrated the existence of Gs and Gi proteins in the glomerular membranes. Immunoblots further revealed two types of Gs alpha (45 and 52 kDa), Gi alpha 1 and/or Gi alpha 2 (40-41 kDa), Gi alpha 3 (40 kDa) and G beta (35-36 kDa) but not Go alpha in the membranes of the glomeruli.