Low aquaporin content and low osmotic water permeability of the plasma and vacuolar membranes of a CAM plant Graptopetalum paraguayense: comparison with radish.

Aquaporin facilitates the osmotic water transport across biomembranes and is involved in the transcellular and intracellular water flow in plants. We immunochemically quantified the aquaporin level in leaf plasma membranes (PM) and tonoplast of Graptopetalum paraguayense, a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant. The aquaporin content in the Graptopetalum tonoplast was approximately 1% of that of radish. The content was calculated to be about 3 microg mg(-1) of tonoplast protein. The level of PM aquaporin in Graptopetalum was determined to be less than 20% of that of radish, in which an aquaporin was a major protein of the PM. The PM aquaporin was detected in the mesophyll tissue of Graptopetalum leaf by tissue print immunoblotting. The osmotic water permeability of PM and tonoplast vesicles prepared from both plants was determined with a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The water permeability of PM was lower than that of the tonoplast in both plants. The Graptopetalum PM vesicles hardly showed water permeability, although the tonoplast showed a relatively high permeability. The water permeability changed depending on the assay temperature and was also partially inhibited by a sulfhydryl reagent. Furthermore, measurement of the rate of swelling and shrinking in different mannitol concentrations revealed that the protoplasts of Graptopetalum showed low water permeability. These results suggest that the low content of aquaporins in PM and tonoplast is one of the causes of the low water permeability of GRAPTOPETALUM: The relationship between the water-storage function of succulent leaves of CAM plants and the low aquaporin level is also discussed.

Molecular structure, localization and function of biliproteins in the chlorophyll a/d containing oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryote Acaryochloris marina.

We investigated the localization, structure and function of the biliproteins of the oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryote Acaryochloris marina, the sole organism known to date that contains chlorophyll d as the predominant photosynthetic pigment. The biliproteins were isolated by means of sucrose gradient centrifugation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Up to six biliprotein subunits in a molecular mass range of 15.5-18.4 kDa were found that cross-reacted with antibodies raised against phycocyanin or allophycocyanin from a red alga. N-Terminal sequences of the alpha- and beta-subunits of phycocyanin showed high homogeneity to those of cyanobacteria and red algae, but not to those of cryptomonads. As shown by electron microscopy, the native biliprotein aggregates are organized as rod-shaped structures and located on the cytoplasmic side of the thylakoid membranes predominantly in unstacked thylakoid regions. Biochemical and spectroscopic analysis revealed that they consist of four hexameric units, some of which are composed of phycocyanin alone, others of phycocyanin together with allophycocyanin. Spectroscopic analysis of isolated photosynthetic reaction center complexes demonstrated that the biliproteins are physically attached to the photosystem II complexes, transferring light energy to the photosystem II reaction center chlorophyll d with high efficiency.

A photosystem I reaction center driven by chlorophyll d in oxygenic photosynthesis.

A far-red type of oxygenic photosynthesis was discovered in Acaryochloris marina, a recently found marine prokaryote that produces an atypical pigment chlorophyll d (Chl d). The purified photosystem I reaction center complex of A. marina contained 180 Chl d per 1 Chl a with PsaA-F, -L, -K, and two extra polypeptides. Laser excitation induced absorption changes of reaction center Chl d that was named P740 after its peak wavelength. A midpoint oxidation reduction potential of P740 was determined to be +335 mV. P740 uses light of significantly low quantum energy (740 nm = 1.68 eV) but generates a reducing power almost equivalent to that produced by a special pair of Chl a (P700) that absorbs red light at 700 nm (1.77 eV) in photosystem I of plants and cyanobacteria. The oxygenic photosynthesis based on Chl d might either be an acclimation to the far-red light environments or an evolutionary intermediate between the red-absorbing oxygenic and the far-red absorbing anoxygenic photosynthesis that uses bacteriochlorophylls.

[Does clinical stage have any influence on the results of provocation tests in allergic children? I. The best clinical stage for food provocation tests].

To investigate the best clinical stage for food provocation tests, twenty allergic patients who had early allergic reactions induced by any kind of food were tested. The patients were classified into two groups. Group I; open-food challenge tests were performed on eleven patients within 48 hours of admission. Group II; the tests were performed on nine patients seven or more days after admission. In these food provocation tests, there were nine positive results in Group II (p < 0.05). The percentage of eosinophils in the blood was higher in cases of positive provocation than in cases of negative provocation (p < 0.05). Moreover the percentage of eosinophils decreased after admission day by day in the provocation-negative patients of Group II, but there was no change in the provocation-positive patients. These results suggest that individual sensitivity to food decreased after admission. Therefore, in order to assess the actual sensitivity of allergic children it is necessary that food provocation tests be performed within two days of admission or before admission.

Two Types of Channels Involved in the Malate Ion Transport across the Tonoplast of a Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant.

Ion channels in tonoplast of leaf cells of a Crassulacean acid metabolism plant, Graptopetalum paraguayense, using the patch clamp technique were investigated. Results showed the existence of two types of channels involved in the malate ion transport across the tonoplast. One type corresponded to the slow-activating vacuolar-type (R Hedrich, E Neher [1987] Nature 329: 833-836), probably taking part in the malate efflux from vacuoles. Another showed the membrane potential-dependent channel current of malate flux over a wide range of cytoplasmic free Ca(2+) concentration (10(-8)-10(-5) molar), a property favoring the malate uptake. This type seems to be different from the fast-activating vacuolar-type.

[The effect of angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ 14225) on plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone in sodium depleted conscious rats].

Altered sodium intake is known to cause a greater change in plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) level than in plasma aldosterone level, resulting in an increase of plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in sodium-depleted man and rats. To evaluate the role of endogenous angiotensin II in the high plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in sodium-depleted rats, we examined the effect of the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 on plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone in sodium-depleted (SD) and sodium-repleted (SR) conscious rats. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma angiotensin II were higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The ingestion of SQ 14225 caused an increase in PRA and a decrease in plasma angiotensin II, whereas these changes were more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats. Plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels were higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio was also higher in the SD rats than in the SR rats. The ingestion of SQ 14225 caused decreases in plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels in both the SR and SD rats, whereas the SQ 14225-induced decreases in plasma 18-OHB and aldosterone levels were more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats. Thus, the ingestion of SQ 14225 induced a decrease in the plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio in both the SR and SD rats. The decrease in plasma 18-OHB/aldosterone ratio was more prominent in the SD rats than in the SR rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of heparin treatments in vivo and in vitro on adrenal angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin II-induced aldosterone production in rats.

To evaluate the heparin effects in vivo and in vitro on adrenal angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin II-induced aldosterone production, we examined the angiotensin II binding and the maximum angiotensin II-induced aldosterone production using adrenal glomerulosa cells from rats treated with a heparin preparation containing benzyl alcohol (1500 IU/kg, twice daily for 6 weeks) or cells to which heparin (300 IU/l) was directly added. Comparison was made using the cells from rats treated with vehicle or the cells to which vehicle was directly added. Specific binding of [125I]iodo-angiotensin II was decreased in the cells from heparin-treated rats or in the heparin-treated cells. Scatchard analysis showed that the decrease in binding was due to a decrease in both the number and the affinity of angiotensin II receptors in the cells from heparin-treated rats and a decrease in the number, but not the affinity, of the receptors in the heparin-treated cells. Heparin also caused a decrease in the maximum angiotensin II-induced production, but not the basal production, of aldosterone in the cells from heparin-treated rats and in the heparin-treated cells. These data suggest that heparin interacts with adrenal angiotensin II receptors to inhibit the angiotensin II-induced aldosterone production.

[Chronic toluene intoxication and hyperkinésie volitionnelle].

Hyperkinésie volitionnelle is one of the involuntary movements discriminated from intention tremor. It occurs idiopathically and with cerebral infarction, head trauma, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, hepatolenticular degeneration and polyneuropathy. Here, we report a case of toluene intoxication presenting hyperkinésie volitionnelle. A 28-year-old painter noticed a tremor of the upper extremities on December 1979. The tremor occurred both in posture and in voluntary movements. The tremor gradually developed and appeared in the legs in May 1980. Slight titubation of the trunk and head was marked in sitting posture. He showed staggering of gait. On August 1980, he exhibited slurred speech. He was admitted to the Department of Neurology of Chiba University Hospital on January 19th, 1981. Neurological examination revealed slight mental deterioration, pendular nystagmus, bradylalia, 4-5 c/s violent postural tremor of the upper extremities, action myoclonus, head and truncal titubation, mild leg tremor in sitting posture. The tremor increased terminally on finger to nose testing, and showed fast, coarse, convulsive movement (movement oppositionniste). But there was no dysmetria. The involuntary movements, above mentioned, were summarized as hyperkinésie volitionnelle. Muscle tone was hypotonic. Muscle weakness and atrophy were not seen. Deep tendon reflexes were all exaggerated, but there was no pathological reflex. He showed wide-based ataxic gait. Sensory and autonomic functions were normal. Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid analysis appeared normal. Electroencephalography showed 40-50 microV, 9-10 c/s alpha waves with a few fast waves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Malignant clear cell cystadenoma of the ovary.

A 50-year-old female had suffered from abdominal distension and a lower abdominal mass for 3 months. Ultrasonographic examination demonstrated a myoma uteri pattern with a large cystic ovarian tumor. Laparotomy was done on August 30, 1983 and simple total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was carried out. FIGO stage IIC ovarian cancer was stated clinically. Histologically, clear cell cystadenoma of right ovary having benign, proliferative and malignant epithelial elements without dense ovarian stroma was found and diagnosed as malignant clear cell cystadenoma. In spite of Cisplatin therapy, the patient expired on April 6, 1984.

Carcinoid in a gastrointestinal duplication.

This is a report of a 12-year-old boy having gastric duplication with foci of carcinoid. He complained of right abdominal pain. Physical examination showed a cystic mass in the right abdomen. It was excised operatively. The mass was a duplication cyst composed of gastric mucosa with a muscle layer. Foci of carcinoid was detected in the muscle layer. The tumor cells involved nerve fibers but did not extend to the subserosa. Postoperative blood serotonin and histamine levels were normal. The patient is healthy without signs of recurrence 17 months after operation. This is the second case of gastrointestinal duplication with foci of carcinoid. The findings indicate that careful histologic examination is necessary to determine the exact nature of the cyst.

Uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor with osteoid metaplasia.

A rare uterine tumor showing sex-cord-like differentiation and marked osteoid metaplasia was found in a 33-year-old female. The tumor, occupying the uterine fundus, was multilobular, fleshy, and yellowish white, with punctations and poorly defined tumor margins into the subserosa. The tumor nodules were mostly composed of small, round, rather regular neoplastic cells with scanty cytoplasm and prominent nuclei. Epithelioid neoplastic cells with striking ovarian sex-cord-like arrangement, surrounded by fibrous tissue, were noticed. Polygonal neoplastic cells with marked osteoid metaplasia were also detected. The authors introduce an infrequent variant of uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor with osteoid metaplasia, probably of endometrial stromal cell origin. Because of deep myometrial infiltration without vascular invasion, malignant potential is considered. The patient is now alive without evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis after abdominal total hysterectomy.

Circumscribed endometrial stromatosis of the uterus with marked epitheliogenesis.

A 75-year-old female suffered from continuous abnormal genital bleeding; endometrial biopsy was interpreted as stromal hyperplasia. Simple total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. A circumscribed tumor covered by atrophic endometrium was found in the uterine fundus, bulging into the endometrial cavity; histological pictures revealed endometrial stromatosis with marked epitheliogenesis having a papillary formation and sex-cord-like differentiation. No recurrence or metastasis was detected postoperatively.

Influence of Lactobacillus arabinosus on metabolic enzyme activity of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate in gnotobiotic mice.

The role of Lactobacillus arabinosus in the malignant transformation of tumors of the large intestine was investigated in mice. Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate, at a weekly dose of 0.2 mg/10 g body weight, was given to germfree mice and to mice monocontaminated with either L. arabinosus or Escherichia coli. At sacrifice, the activity of non-specific esterase, beta-glucuronidase, and alcohol dehydrogenase within the liver and intestine was examined biochemically and histochemically. Non-specific esterase activity in the liver and large intestine was significantly higher in L. arabinosus mice than in the other 2 groups. Also, beta-glucuronidase activity in the large intestine and alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the liver were significantly greater in L. arabinosus mice than in the other groups. Esterase was localized in the mitochondria and absorptive granules within the mucosal epithelium of the large intestine. An apparent increase in the number of certain organelles was observed in the L. arabinosus mice, compared with the other groups. These results suggest that L. arabinosus plays an important role in MAM acetate tumorigenesis and malignant transformation.

Malignant endometrioid adenofibroma of the ovary with serous cystadenoma.

This is a case report of malignant endometrioid adenofibroma of the ovary with serous cystadenoma in a 42-year-old female. It was classified as FIGO serous IA (2) ovarian tumors. Serous epithelium transformation into endometrioid glandular epithelium was disclosed. The patient is now in good condition and followed-up periodically.

Isolated well-formed intestinal tissue in the umbilical cord. A variant of cyst of omphalomesenteric duct.

An extremely rare abnormality, a variant of omphalomesenteric duct, was observed in the umbilical cord 1 cm from the entry point into the abdominal wall, which itself was as an isolated mass of well-formed intestinal tissue free of structural defects. This intestinal tissue seems to be the remnant of an intestinal loop from caudal limb of midgut following physiological herniation during the third month of gestation.

Hepatic microcirculation of liver cirrhosis studied by corrosion cast/scanning electron microscope examination.

Changes of hepatic microcirculations in 22 autopsy cases of liver cirrhosis were analyzed by corrosion cast/scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination. By this method, the site of arterioportal (A-P) communication in liver cirrhosis was clearly demonstrated between proliferated portal venules and arterial capillaries. The communications were observed at the same site as in the normal liver and were not at larger arterial and portal vein branches. The findings indicate that the increase of A-P communication in liver cirrhosis may be called "capillary shunting". On the basis of the findings, it was postulated that the A-P shunt could not assist in the development of portal hypertension by the transmission of high arterial pressure to the portal vein but could only compensate for decreased portal flow and/or elevate the oxygen concentration in the sinusoids to improve the hypoxic state of the liver parenchyma. It was also demonstrated that the arterial capillarization of the interstitial septa in micronodular wide septal cirrhosis was more prominent than that in macronodular thin septal cirrhosis. A grade of portal vein reduction and compensatory arterialization in a fibrous septum have been regarded as an index to estimate the advancement of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, if alcoholic micronodular cirrhosis could change into macronodular, the process should have occurred at least before the establishment of micronodular wide septal cirrhosis.

Endolymphatic stromal myosis of the uterus with metastasis to ovary and recurrence in vagina.

A 24-year-old woman underwent a supracervical hysterectomy with findings of an endolymphatic stromal myosis (ESM) with vascular invasion as a submucosal tumor of the uterine fundus. Four years later, metastasis of ESM in the right ovary was found after salpingo-oophoréctomy. Parametrial masses and a tumor infiltrated cervical stump revealed the same structure of ESM after operation. Though subtotal excision of the pelvic and vaginal recurrences nine years after the first operation for ESM and in spite of oral administration of danazol and duphaston (hydrogesterone), a recurrent vaginal tumor developed after the fourth operation and local application of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil was given. At present, the patient's condition is stable without distant metastasis.

Promoting effects of bile acid to intestinal tumorigenesis in gnotobiotic ICR mice.

Gnotobiotes were produced by administrating Lactobacillus plantarum IAM 1041 in ICR strain male germfree mice which were fed by ordinary or high fat diet. Both groups were orally administered 0.3 mg/10 g of body weight (B.W.) of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) acetate. The oral administration of 0.3 mg/10 g/B.W. once a week for 11 consecutive weeks caused a total of 68 adenomatous polyps in the large intestine (an average of 11.4/mouse) of gnotobiotic high fat diet mice and a total of 32 adenomatous polyps (an average of 5.3/mouse) of the ordinary diet mice. There were no malignancies in either of the groups. Bile acids in the feces showed higher values in the high fat diet group than in the ordinary group. Bile acids are a factor which promotes the appearance of intestinal tumors. It was also assumed that the L. plantarum promoted the activation of beta-glucuronidase and alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver and intestine.

Proliferative Brenner tumor of the ovary.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted with abdominal distention and a hard mass in the pelvis. Abdominal laparotomy was performed, and a large solid left ovarian tumor was found. Left salpingo-oophorectomy was carried out. Histology showed cords and nests of stratified high cellular epithelium with dense eosinophilic material in epithelial nests and dense fibrous stroma identified as a Brenner tumor of the ovary. Because mild to moderate cytologic atypia with mitotic activity was present, a diagnosis of proliferative Brenner tumor was made. After the operation, the patient was in good condition with no recurrence or metastasis so far.