One-Third Magnetization Plateau with a Preceding Novel Phase in Volborthite.

We have synthesized high-quality single crystals of volborthite, a seemingly distorted kagome antiferromagnet, and carried out high-field magnetization measurements up to 74 T and ^{51}V NMR measurements up to 30 T. An extremely wide 1/3 magnetization plateau appears above 28 T and continues over 74 T at 1.4 K, which has not been observed in previous studies using polycrystalline samples. NMR spectra reveal an incommensurate order (most likely a spin-density wave order) below 22 T and a simple spin structure in the plateau phase. Moreover, a novel intermediate phase is found between 23 and 26 T, where the magnetization varies linearly with magnetic field and the NMR spectra indicate an inhomogeneous distribution of the internal magnetic field. This sequence of phases in volborthite bears a striking similarity to those of frustrated spin chains with a ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor coupling J_{1} competing with an antiferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbor coupling J_{2}.

Proteomic analysis of stage I primary lung adenocarcinoma aimed at individualisation of postoperative therapy.

Although postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC) with uracil-tegafur significantly improves the prognosis of patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma, subset analysis has revealed that only 11.5% of patients with stage IB derive actual benefit from such therapy. Therefore, it is extremely important to identify patients for whom adjuvant chemotherapy will be beneficial. We performed comprehensive protein analysis of 24 surgically resected specimens of stage I adenocarcinoma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), followed by bioinformatical investigations to identify protein molecules. Furthermore, we carried out immunohistochemical studies of 90 adenocarcinoma specimens to validate the results of LC-MS/MS. We detected two kinds of protein molecules (myosin IIA and vimentin) by LC-MS/MS. We confirmed their immunohistochemical expression and distribution, and evaluated the relationship between the expression of these proteins and prognosis after adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with no expression of either myosin IIA or vimentin showed a significantly better outcome regardless of PAC using uracil-tegafur. However, we were unable to select responders to uracil-tegafur using these proteins. Cases of adenocarcinoma lacking expression of either myosin IIA or vimentin show a good outcome without PAC, and therefore do not require such treatment.

[Penetrating thoracic injury].

PURPOSE: To clarify the clinical aspects of penetrating thoracic injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with penetrating thoracic injury treated from 1987 to 2005 were evaluated. There were 13 men and 5 women. The age distribution was 8 to 69 years, with an average of 36.7 years. RESULTS: There were 14 patients with stab wound and 4 with impalement injury. Five patients with stab wound were those who attempted suicide. In 4 patients with impalement injuries, the cause was fall in 2, traffic accident in 1 and sports injury in 1. The calculated injury severity score (ISS) was over 15 in 4 patients, 6 to 14 in 12, and under 5 in 2. Thoracotomy was performed in 2 patients with cardiac tamponade, 3 with massive hemothorax and 1 with an impalement injury caused by an iron bar. All of them were rescued and got well. In the other cases, after cleansing and debridement, the wound was closed and thoracic drainage was performed. Only 1 patient with cardiac arrest on arrival died within 24 hours after reviving. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent thoracotomy is indicated for patients with massive bleeding including shock, continuous air leakage and cardiac tamponade. Since cardiac arrest is difficult to cure, appropriate cooperation with the rescue team is necessary to avoid preventable trauma death.

Detection and elimination of contaminating microorganisms in transplantable tumors and cell lines.

As a quarantine of biological materials, we tested 96 transplantable tumors and cell lines for contamination with microorganisms in a mouse antibody production (MAP) test, enzymatic assay and microbiological culture. Contamination with lactic dehydrogenase elevating virus (LDV), mycoplasmas and Pasteurella pneumotropica was detected. A considerable difference in the contamination rate was observed between in vivo- and in vitro- propagated tumors. LDV in the tumors could be eliminated by both in vitro subculture and subpassage in nude rats. Mycoplasmas were eliminated by means of the mycoplasma-removal agent and P. pneumotropica by subpassage in mice. These results suggest that there is still a high risk of contamination in transplantable tumors and emphasizes the importance of adequate microbiological quality control.

A novel stromal cell-dependent hematopoietic cell line established from temperature-sensitive SV40 T-antigen transgenic mice.

A novel primitive hematopoietic cell line, THS119, was established from lineage marker negative (Lin-)/Sca-1+ cells from bone marrow of temperature-sensitive (ts) SV40 T-antigen transgenic mice after lengthy passaging by coculture with TBR59 bone marrow stromal cells. THS119 cells exhibited immature primitive hematopoietic cells such as forming cobblestones underneath the stromal cell layers. They retained properties of hematopoietic stem cells as shown by expression of c-Kit, Sca-1 and CD34low, but lacked hematopoietic lineage surface markers of differentiated hematopoietic cells (Gr-1, TER119, Mac-1, CD3, B220). RT-PCR analysis showed that THS119 cells exhibited multiple expression of both earlier developmental markers of myeloid, lymphoid and the hematopoietic cell specific transcription factors. THS119 cells showed temperature-dependent growth reflecting ts T-antigen, and their maintenance was TBR59 stromal cell-dependent. The requirement of stromal cells could not be replaced by cytokines, however, an IL-3 or IL-7 dependent cell line was generated after prolonged culture of THS119 cells on the stromal cells in the presence of these cytokines, and these cytokine-dependent cell lines exhibited phenotypes similar to the parental cells in their gene expression. SCF/c-Kit interaction is one factor required for their maintenance, but involvement of other factor(s) in the conditioned medium of TBR59 stromal cells was suggested. A novel immature hematopoietic cell line, THS119, may provide an appropriate experimental system to resolve how hematopoietic cells are kept in a primitive phase within a hematopoietic microenvironment.

Earth's background free oscillations

Earth's free oscillations were considered to be transient phenomena occurring after large earthquakes. An analysis of records of the IDA (International Deployment of Accelerometers) gravimeter network shows that Earth is freely oscillating at an observable level even in seismically inactive periods. The observed oscillations are the fundamental spheroidal modes at frequencies between 2 and 7 millihertz. Numerical modeling indicates that these incessant excitations cannot be explained by stacked effects of a large number of small earthquakes. The observed "background" free oscillations represent some unknown dynamic process of Earth.

Highly sensitive flow detection of uric acid based on an intermediate regeneration of uricase.

The principle of the signal amplification of a uric acid sensor based on dithiothreitol (DTT)-mediated intermediate regeneration of uricase was applied to a flow-injection system with an immobilized uricase reactor and a DTT-containing carrier. Highly sensitive detection for nM to microM order of uric acid was achieved when 10 mM TRIS-HCl buffer (pH 10.0) containing 20 mM DTT was used as a carrier at 0.6 ml min-1 and 37 degrees C. The sensitivity of the uric acid was much improved over a batch method using a uricase membrane-coupling electrode, and the detection limit (ca. peak current 8 nA) of uric acid was found to be down to 3 x 10(-10) M (amplification factor; more than 10,000). This chemically amplified flow-system is very useful for the direct assay of uric acid in highly diluted biological fluids (urine and serum) without complicated pretreatment of the samples, because this sensor has the potential to detect trace amounts (nM to microM) of uric acid in highly diluted body fluids in which the concentration of interfering constituents was decreased to negligible levels. Good correlation was observed between this system and conventional spectrophotometry. The immobilized uricase reactor could be re-used for at least 4 months of repeated analysis without loss of activity and was stable if stored at 4 degrees C in 10 mM TRIS-HCl buffer, pH 9.0.

Hematopoietic stem cells expand during serial transplantation in vivo without apparent exhaustion.

Whether hematopoietic stem cells can proliferate without limit, or whether their regenerative capacity declines with repeated division, has been debated for decades. Prevailing opinion favours an intrinsic 'decline', a view based on the finite degree to which murine bone marrow can be serially transplanted, the diminished self-renewal of spleen colony-forming cells (CFU-s) subjected to repeated passage, and the failure of stem cells to regenerate to normal levels after even a single transplantation. However, serial transfer experiments did not specifically monitor input and output of long-lived stem cells (long-term reconstituting cells, LTRCs), leaving competing interpretations unresolved. We have re-examined the issue by quantitating 7-12 month LTRCs during sequential transplantations. Although these cells recovered to only 4% of normal levels after primary bone marrow transplantation, at each passage they increased around 10-fold relative to the amount transplanted, attaining an estimated cumulative expansion of 8400-fold over the original input after four transfers. Expansion was limited by transfer of increasing numbers of marrow cells and specifically of LRTCs, suggesting an extrinsically determined ceiling to stem cell growth. Conversely, expansion was enhanced in vivo by administration of stem cell factor (SCF, c-kit ligand) and interleukin-11. The results challenge the view that expansion of passaged stem cells is limited by exhaustion, and indicate that augmentation after transplant is limited by extrinsic mechanisms whose effects are reversible either by further transfer of the stem cells into irradiated hosts or by administration of exogenous cytokines.

Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin reduces endotoxin-induced pulmonary vascular injury via protein C activation in rats.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or multiple organ failure. To determine whether recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin (rsTM) may be useful in treating ARDS due to sepsis, we investigated the effect of rsTM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary vascular injury in rats. The intravenous administration of rsTM prevented the increase in pulmonary vascular permeability induced by LPS. Neither heparin plus antithrombin III (AT III) nor dansyl Glu Gly Arg chloromethyl ketone-treated factor Xa (DEGR-Xa), a selective inhibitor of thrombin generation, prevented LPS-induced vascular injury. The agents rsTM, heparin plus AT III, and DEGR-Xa all significantly inhibited the LPS-induced intravascular coagulation. Recombinant soluble TM pretreated with a monoclonal antibody (moAb) that inhibits protein C activation by rsTM did not prevent the LPS-induced vascular injury; in contrast, rsTM pretreated with a moAb that does not affect thrombin binding or protein C activation by rsTM prevented vascular injury. Administration of activated protein C (APC) also prevented vascular injury. LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury was significantly reduced in rats with leukopenia induced by nitrogen mustard and by ONO-5046, a potent inhibitor of granulocyte elastase. Results suggest that rsTM prevents LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury via protein C activation and that the APC-induced prevention of vascular injury is independent of its anticoagulant activity, but dependent on its ability to inhibit leukocyte activation.

Inactivation of blasticidin S by Bacillus cereus. V. Purification and characterization of blasticidin S-deaminase mediated by a plasmid from blasticidin S resistant Bacillus cereus K55-S1.

Blasticidin S (BS) deaminase (BSR) from a BS-resistant strain, Bacillus cereus K55-S1, was purified to homogeneity. Molecular weights determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and by gel filtration on HPLC are about 15500 and 35000, respectively, indicating the enzyme is a homodimer. The amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence of BSR are the same as those deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the BS-resistant gene, bsr. The optimum temperature and pH for enzyme activity are 60-65 degrees C and near 10.0, respectively. The activity of BSR is inhibited by Cu2+, Hg2+, and p-chloromercuric benzoate (PCMB). Inhibition by PCMB or HgCl2 is reversible by the addition of SH reagents. The enzyme catalyzes the deamination of BS and its derivatives, but not cytosine nucleosides.

Antithrombotic effects of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin in a rat model of vascular shunt thrombosis.

Thrombomodulin on endothelial cells is a cofactor for thrombin-catalyzed activation of protein C. We have investigated the anticoagulant function of recombinant human soluble thombomodulin (rsTM) in a rat model of arterio-venous (AV)-shunt thrombosis. A bolus injection of rsTM 30 s before the induction of AV-shunt thrombosis inhibited the thrombus formation in a dose-dependent manner. The dose of anticoagulant that inhibited thrombus formation by 50% was 0.4 mg/kg rsTM alpha, 0.15 mg/kg rsTM beta, and 13 U/kg heparin. Recently, we characterized three monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) against human TM whose epitopes are located in the TM epidermal growth factor-like domain (Nawa et al., 1994). moAb 2A2 inhibited thrombin binding to rsTM, and abolished both TM functions as a cofactor in thrombin-catalyzed activation of protein C and as an anticoagulant by modifying thrombin-induced fibrinogen clotting and platelet aggregation. moAb 1F2 preserved the latter activities as an anticoagulant, but inhibited cofactor activity. moAb 10A3 had no inhibitory effect on either activity. Analysis of the in vivo anticoagulant mechanism of rsTM was facilitated by the availability of these moAbs. After incubation at rsTM/moAb molar ratios of 1:1.25, the effect of the mixtures were examined in the AV-shunt thrombosis model. An injection of 0.8 mg/kg rsTM alpha or 0.4 mg/kg rsTM beta resulted in a significant reduction on thrombus formation, as expected. moAb 10A3 had no effect on rsTM activity. However, co-injection of rsTM with moAb 1F2 resulted in a significant decrease of the inhibitory activity on thrombus formation. moAb 2A2 essentially abolished the inhibitory effect of rsTM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Monoclonal antibodies against human thrombomodulin whose epitope is located in epidermal growth factor-like domains.

Thrombomodulin (TM) on endothelial cells is a glycoprotein that functions as a cofactor for thrombin-catalyzed activation of protein C. The structural requirement for thrombin binding and cofactor activity were investigated using monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) against TM and site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant human soluble TM (rsTM). Results showed that moAb 2A2 inhibited thrombin binding to rsTM and also abolished its functions as a cofactor in thrombin-catalyzed activation of protein C and as an anticoagulant by modifying thrombin-induced fibrinogen clotting and platelet aggregation, moAb 1F2 did not affect its activity as an anticoagulant, but inhibited its cofactor activity, and moAb 10A3 did not inhibit either activity. Epitope analysis was carried out by site directed mutagenesis of rsTM expressed in CHO cells. Some proteins with mutations within the second disulfide loop of the fourth EGF-like domain showed reduced affinity for moAb 1F2, but retained cofactor activity. These results suggest that the epitope of moAb 1F2 includes the second disulfide loop of the fourth EGF-like domain, which is close to a region required for cofactor activity. Mutant proteins of the third disulfide loop of the fifth EGF-like domain showed loss of interaction with moAb 2A2. Thus the epitope of moAb 2A2 may include the third disulfide loop of the fifth EGF-like domain. Furthermore, replacement of Asn-439 by Gln decreased the cofactor activity and anticoagulant activity, and resulted in low affinity for either moAb 1F2 or 2A2, suggesting that Asn-439, which is located in the second disulfide loop of the sixth EGF-like domain, is critical for determining the functional conformation of the EGF-like domains 4-6.

Recombinant rat protein C: comparative studies of structure, function and synthesis with plasma protein C.

In order to elucidate the role of protein C (PC) in the rat, we expressed, purified, and characterized recombinant rat PC. The purified recombinant rat PC was 70-90% two-chain (41 kDa heavy chain; 22 and 23 kDa light chain) and 10-30% single-chain (61 kDa). Amino acid analysis confirmed the presence of 10 moles of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues per mol of protein. For comparison, plasma rat PC was purified from a barium citrate precipitate using similar method. Plasma rat PC was a two-chain form (41 kDa heavy chain; 22 kDa light chain) with no detectable single-chain nor 23 kDa light chain. For determination of the in vitro secreted species, primary cultured rat hepatocytes were incubated for 6 h with methionine-free MEM containing vitamin K1, aprotinin, and [35S]methionine. The supernatant was immunoprecipitated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by autoradiography. Approximately 90% of the PC radioactivity migrated as a two-chain molecule. These results indicate that rat PC is secreted mainly as a two-chain molecule from the liver. PROTAC-activated forms of recombinant rat PC, plasma rat PC, and plasma human PC hydrolyzed the S-2366 chromogenic substrate at the same rate. Recombinant rat PC was also activated by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex at a rate similar to plasma rat PC. The anticoagulant activities of the three activated PCs were examined in rat plasma. Both recombinant and plasma rat PC prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time in a dose-dependent manner, but plasma human PC was less effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Age-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values in cats].

Nineteen hematological and serum biochemical values were analyzed for 91 healthy cats of both sexes (aged 1 to 48 months) that were bred and reared in our laboratory. Age-related changes were found for many parameters. Red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), Mean corpuscular constants, GPT, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) initially were low but increased then stabilized. White blood cell counts (WBC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), total bilirubin (TBil), total cholesterol (TC), glucose (GLU), and triglyceride (TG) initially were high, but decreased then stabilized. No age-related changes were found for GOT, blood urea nitrogen, or calcium. Of the parameters that changed with age, the mean corpuscular constants, GPT, GLU, and TG became stabilized during the first 3 to 4 months of life, but others (RBC, Hb, Ht, TP, ALB) became stabilized after 9 to 11 months, during which period body weight reached a plateau. Some parameters (WBC, ALP, TG, Pi) showed change up to 18 months of age. These results suggest that cats 9 to 11 months old can be regarded as adults; but for some parameters, cats aged 18 months, or older, are better regarded as adults. Sex-related differences in the values for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and WBC that were found after 11 months of age were higher in females. ALB was higher in males.

The cDNA cloning and mRNA expression of rat protein C.

We cloned a cDNA coding for rat protein C, which provides hybridization probes for the detection of protein C mRNA in several tissues. The cloned cDNA was 1543 bp long and contained a single open reading frame of 1383 nucleotides. The proposed rat protein C precursor contained 461 amino acid residues: a 41 amino acid preproleader sequence, and light (155 amino acids) and heavy (263 amino acids) chains joined by a Lys-Arg dipeptide. Northern blot analysis showed that the rat protein C mRNA was expressed not only in the liver, but also in the kidney.

The glycosaminoglycan of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin affects antithrombotic activity in a rat model of tissue factor-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Previous studies on recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rsTM) from Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed that rsTM was expressed as two proteins that differed functionally in vitro due to the presence (rsTM beta) or absence (rsTM alpha) of chondroitin-4-sulfate. The current study evaluates the in vivo behavior of rsTM in rats and in a rat model of tissue factor-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). rsTM beta was more potent than rsTM alpha for prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and their in vivo half-lives determined by ELISA were 20 min for rsTM beta and 5.0 h for rsTM alpha. Injection of a tissue factor suspension (5 mg/kg) resulted in DIC as judged by decreased platelet counts and fibrinogen concentrations, prolonged APTT, and increased fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) levels. A bolus injection of either rsTM (0.2 mg/kg) 1 min before induction of DIC essentially neutralized effects on platelets, fibrinogen, and FDP levels, and had only a moderate effect on APTT prolongation. The dose of anticoagulant to inhibit the drop in platelet counts by 50% (ED50) was 0.2 mg/kg rsTM alpha, 0.07 mg/kg rsTM beta, and 7 U/kg heparin. The effect of increasing concentrations of rsTM and heparin on bleeding times were compared in experiments involving incision of the rat tail. Doubling of the bleeding times occurred at 5 mg/kg rsTM alpha, 3 mg/kg rsTM beta or 90 U/kg heparin. These values represent a 25-fold increase over the ED50 for rsTM alpha, 43-fold for rsTM beta and 13-fold for heparin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome P-450(17 alpha,lyase)-mediating pathway of androgen synthesis in bovine adrenocortical cultured cells.

Cytochrome P-450(17 alpha,lyase) mediating pathway of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) formation from pregnenolone was investigated in primary cultures of bovine adrenocortical fasciculata-reticularis cells. To determine whether DHA formation proceeds predominantly by successive monooxygenase reactions without 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone leaving P-450(17 alpha,lyase) the cells were incubated with [14C]pregnenolone and 17 alpha-[3H]hydroxypregnenolone in the presence of Trilostane. Results of the double-substrate double-label experiments indicate that in the presence of high concentration of pregnenolone most of DHA was formed, directly from pregnenolone by the successive reactions. Since the concentration of pregnenolone usually exceeds that of 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone in the adrenal glands, DHA is concluded to be formed predominantly by successive reactions from pregnenolone without 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone leaving P-450(17 alpha,lyase) in vivo. By chronic ACTH treatment, the activities of 17 alpha-hydroxylation and DHA formation in adrenocortical cultured cells became higher concomitantly with the increase of P-450(17 alpha,lyase) content. Most of DHA was found to be formed by successive reactions from pregnenolone even under such conditions.

Presence and function of chondroitin-4-sulfate on recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin.

We constructed a human soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) expression vector using the RSV promoter. Recombinant sTM (rsTM) was expressed in CHO cells and was recovered from culture medium by ion exchange chromatography. Two active fractions, designated as rsTM alpha (low salt elution) and rsTM beta (high salt elution), were detected and further purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified rsTM beta contained bound chondroitin-4-sulfate as judged by HPLC detection of the chondroitinase ABC and AC I digestion product, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(beta-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-D-galactose. The apparent Kd values for thrombin of alpha and beta were 7.4 and 1.4 nM respectively. RsTM beta was more effective at inhibition of thrombin clotting activity and had antithrombin III-dependent anticoagulant activity which was not possessed by rsTM alpha. Both anticoagulant activities were lost after chondroitinase treatment of rsTM beta.

Purification and subunit structure of hepatocyte growth factor from rat platelets.

A hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that stimulates DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture was purified as a homogeneous material from platelets of 1000 rats by a four-step procedure: stimulation of its release from platelets by thrombin, cation-exchanger fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) on a Mono S column, heparin-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC on a C4 column. The purified HGF stimulated DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture at 1 ng/ml and was maximally effective at 5 ng/ml, being about twice as potent as EGF at this concentration. HGF did not stimulate DNA synthesis of Swiss 3T3 cells. It was found to be a heat- and acid-labile protein that was inactivated by reduction with dithiothreitol. The purified HGF had a molecular mass of 82 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE, and was found to be a heterodimer which dissociated into a large subunit of 69 kDa and a small one of 34 kDa by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. These biological and chemical properties showed that HGF was not identical with any known growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).