Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, but not Eriodictyon californicum extract, reduces human hair greying.

OBJECTIVE: Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium and Eriodictyon californicum) has been used for many years in traditional medicine. However, the effect of Yerba Santa on melanogenesis has not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the biological effects of Yerba Santa on hair pigmentation. METHODS: Yerba Santa extracts were assessed for their cytological effects following X-ray irradiation treatment and then tested directly for the prevention of human hair greying. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was utilized to identify the individual extract components. RESULTS: Eriodictyon angustifolium extract significantly increased melanin synthesis in the melanoma cell line through activation of the WNT/MITF/tyrosinase-signalling pathway. In contrast, E. californicum had no effect on melanin synthesis. E. angustifolium extract also demonstrated a protective effect against the damage induced by X-ray irradiation in human keratinocytes. Application of the extracts to subjects who had grey beards demonstrated a reduced number of grey beard hair per year specifically with the E. angustifolium extract. A significant decrease in grey head hair was also observed after application of E. angustifolium extract. Upregulation of gene expression related to melanin production and WNT signalling was observed after the application of E. angustifolium extract. Sterubin was the most abundant flavonoid detected by UPLC in E. angustifolium extract. In addition, sterubin showed the highest difference in terms of quantity, between E. angustifolium and E. californicum extract. CONCLUSION: Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, which is abundant in sterubin, may be suitable as a potential cosmetic and medical agent for the prevention and improvement of hair greying.

OBJECTIF: Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium et Eriodictyon californicum) est utilisé depuis de nombreuses années en médecine traditionnelle. Cependant, l'effet de Yerba Santa sur la mélanogenèse n'a pas encore été étudié. Notre objectif était d'évaluer les effets biologiques de Yerba Santa sur la pigmentation des cheveux. MÉTHODES: Les extraits de Yerba Santa ont été évalués pour leurs effets cytologiques après un traitement d'irradiation aux rayons X, puis testés directement pour la prévention du grisonnement des cheveux humains. La chromatographie liquide ultra-performante (UPLC) a été utilisée pour identifier les composants d'extrait individuels. RÉSULTATS: L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a augmenté de manière significative la synthèse de mélanine dans la lignée cellulaire du mélanome par l'activation de la voie de signalisation WNT/MITF/tyrosinase. En revanche, E. californicum n'a eu aucun effet sur la synthèse de mélanine. L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a également démontré un effet protecteur contre les dommages induits par l'irradiation aux rayons X dans les kératinocytes humains. L'application des extraits à des sujets qui avaient une barbe grise a démontré un nombre réduit de poils gris par an spécifiquement avec l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une diminution significative des cheveux gris a également été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une régulation à la hausse de l'expression des gènes liée à la production de mélanine et à la signalisation WNT a été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. La stérubine était le flavonoïde le plus abondant détecté par UPLC dans l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. De plus, la stérubine a montré la plus grande différence en termes de quantité entre E. angustifolium et E. californicum. CONCLUSION: L'extrait d'E. angustifolium, qui est abondant en stérubine, peut convenir comme agent cosmétique et médical potentiel pour la prévention et l'amélioration du grisonnement des cheveux.

Bystander effect between zebrafish embryos in vivo induced by high-dose X-rays.

We employed embryos of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, for our studies on the in vivo bystander effect between embryos irradiated with high-dose X-rays and naive unirradiated embryos. The effects on the naive whole embryos were studied through quantification of apoptotic signals at 25 h post fertilization (hpf) through the terminal dUTP transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay followed by counting the stained cells under a microscope. We report data showing that embryos at 5 hpf subjected to a 4-Gy X-ray irradiation could release a stress signal into the medium, which could induce a bystander effect in partnered naive embryos sharing the same medium. We further demonstrated that this bystander effect (induced through partnering) could be successfully suppressed through the addition of the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) into the medium but not through the addition of the CO liberator tricarbonylchloro(glycinato)ruthenium(II) (CORM-3). This shows that NO was involved in the bystander response between zebrafish embryos induced through X-ray irradiation. We also report data showing that the bystander effect could be successfully induced in naive embryos by introducing them into the irradiated embryo conditioned medium (IECM) alone, i.e., without partnering with the irradiated embryos. The IECM was harvested from the medium that had conditioned the zebrafish embryos irradiated at 5 hpf with 4-Gy X-ray until the irradiated embryos developed into 29 hpf. NO released from the irradiated embryos was unlikely to be involved in the bystander effect induced through the IECM because of the short life of NO. We further revealed that this bystander effect (induced through IECM) was rapidly abolished through diluting the IECM by a factor of 2× or greater, which agreed with the proposal that the bystander effect was an on/off response with a threshold.

Formation of high heat resistant coatings by using gas tunnel type plasma spraying.

UNLABELLED: Zirconia sprayed coatings are widely used as thermal barrier coatings (TBC) for high temperature protection of metallic structures. However, their use in diesel engine combustion chamber components has the long run durability problems, such as the spallation at the interface between the coating and substrate due to the interface oxidation. Although zirconia coatings have been used in many applications, the interface spallation problem is still waiting to be solved under the critical conditions such as high temperature and high corrosion environment. The gas tunnel type plasma spraying developed by the author can make high quality ceramic coatings such as Al2O3 and ZrO2 coating compared to other plasma spraying method. A high hardness ceramic coating such as Al2O3 coating by the gas tunnel type plasma spraying, were investigated in the previous study. The Vickers hardness of the zirconia (ZrO2) coating increased with decreasing spraying distance, and a higher Vickers hardness of about Hv = 1200 could be obtained at a shorter spraying distance of L = 30 mm. ZrO2 coating formed has a high hardness layer at the surface side, which shows the graded functionality of hardness. In this study, ZrO2 composite coatings (TBCs) with Al2O3 were deposited on SS304 substrates by gas tunnel type plasma spraying. The performance such as the mechanical properties, thermal behavior and high temperature oxidation resistance of the functionally graded TBCs was investigated and discussed. The resultant coating samples with different spraying powders and thickness are compared in their corrosion resistance with coating thickness as variables. Corrosion potential was measured and analyzed corresponding to the microstructure of the coatings. KEYWORDS: High Heat Resistant Coatings, Gas Tunnel Type Plasma Spraying, Hardness,

Effect of parathyroidectomy on bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: possible usefulness of preoperative determination of parathyroid hormone level for prediction of bone regain.

PURPOSE: To examine longitudinal changes of bone mineral density (BMD) after parathyroidectomy (PTx) in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) to determine which factor contributes most to bone changes. METHODS: Fifteen Japanese HD patients who had been refractory to medical therapy were subject to PTx with autotransplantation. We measured BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine (L2 - 4 BMD) and the distal 1/3 region of the radius (1/3R BMD) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after PTx. RESULTS: Baseline Z-score of BMD was markedly low at 1/3R (- 3.07) and slightly low at L2 - 4 (-0.59) in this group. A significant increase in L2 - 4 BMD was observed as early as one month after PTx, which was sustained afterwards. Annual percent changes in L2 - 4 and 1/3R BMD were + 15.6 % and + 6.4 %, respectively. The annual percent changes in BMD at both sites were positively associated with preoperative intact PTH levels (L2 - 4; r = 0.642, p = 0.010, 1/3R; r = 0.884, p < 0.001) and total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (L2 - 4; r = 0.663, p = 0.007, 1/3R; r = 0.858, p < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that serum levels of intact PTH and ALP were the best predictors of both percentage and net changes in radial BMD with high determination coefficients (r 2 > 0.8). CONCLUSION: Successful PTx following appropriate supplementation with vitamin D and calcium provides a marked increase in lumbar BMD and a modest increase in radial BMD in HD patients with secondary HPT. Preoperative levels of PTH and ALP are useful for predicting postoperative changes in bone mass.

Analysis of glycosidically bound aroma precursors in tea leaves. 3. Change in the glycoside content of tea leaves during the oolong tea manufacturing process.

A direct qualitative and quantitative determination of the glycosides of tea aroma compounds at the four stages of the oolong tea manufacturing process (plucking, solar withering, indoor withering, and oolong tea product) was carried out by a capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis after trifluoroacetyl derivatization of the glycosidic fractions. Sixteen glucosides and primeverosides were identified and quantified in cv. Chin-shin-oolong and cv. Chinhsuan-oolong. A comparison of the glycosides in dried fresh leaves between the two cultivars showed significant differences. During the manufacturing process, the amounts of most of these glycosides increased from the solar-withering stage, reaching the highest level at the final stage of oolong tea production. It was noted that no glycoside decreased in its content during the manufacturing process, this being quite different from the manufacture of black tea. In addition, the contents of these alcoholic aroma compounds in the free aroma concentrate from each cultivar remained almost unchanged or slightly decreased, and they constituted only about 12 and 17% in amount of the whole oolong tea aroma compounds. However, jasmine lactone and indole were markedly higher in the final oolong tea products.

Association of polymorphic alleles of the calcium-sensing receptor gene with the clinical severity of primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a heterogeneous disease in its clinical course and severity. Previous studies have suggested an association between the clinical severity of pHPT and the genotypes of vitamin D receptor, oestrogen receptors and PTH molecules. The Ca-sensing receptor (CaR) is activated by an extracellular calcium ion and controls PTH secretion, and thus polymorphisms of CaR might be associated with the magnitude of PTH secretion and the clinical severity of pHPT. In this study, we examined the relationship between CaR polymorphisms and biochemical markers in pHPT patients. METHODS: We analysed 105 Japanese pHPT patients (85 females and 20 males; mean age 55.6 +/- 14.0 years). We determined the CaR genotypes of G990R and intron 5 polymorphisms with genomic DNA extracted from peripheral lymphocytes. The intron 5 polymorphism was defined as T/T, T/C and C/C. RESULTS: In the G990R polymorphism, serum levels of both intact PTH and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher and the serum level of phosphorus was significantly lower in the RR group than in the GG group. In the intron 5 polymorphism, the T/T group showed significantly lower serum levels of intact PTH and Ca. Furthermore, patients with both the codon 990 RR and the intron 5 C allele (the RRC(+) group) had significantly higher serum levels of intact PTH and ALP than did the other patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to show that CaR polymorphisms of G990R and intron 5 were closely associated with the magnitude of PTH secretion and/or PTH degradation as well as the clinical severity in pHPT patients.

[Two elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer responding to chronomodulation chemotherapy with tegafur + cisplatin + isovorin followed by oral administration of S-1].

Recently, as society ages there have become more elderly gastric cancer patients with/without several complications(cerebrovascular diseases, cardiac diseases, atherosclerosis, DM, etc.), that were non-resected and require highly effective chemotherapy and good QOL. We report two elderly gastric cancer patients responding to chronomodulation chemotherapy (tegafur + cisplatin + Isovorin) based on circadian rhythms plus a new antitumor drug, S-1. The treatment protocol was tegafur 800 mg/body, days 1-7 (continuing 16 h, intravenously with 500 mg/body from 16 to 0 h, 300 mg/body from 0-8 h, for non-uniform administration), cisplatin 10 mg/body, days 1-5, (16 h), Isovorin 25 mg/body, days 1-5, (16 h, oneshot infusion, for 4 courses followed by a week rest. Next was S-1 120 mg/body x 2 times orally for 28 days, followed by 2 weeks rest, the administered for another 28 days. The first patient was 74 years of age, with advanced type 3 plus early type IIc gastric cancers with liver metastasis (H1). After chemotherapy the liver metastasis disappeared, there was a 70% reduction in the advanced cancer and the early cancer disappeared. The second patient was 84 years of age, with advanced type 3 gastric cancer invading the esophagus. After chemotherapy, the primary lesion was reduced 80% and the esophageal invasion mass shrunk. The only adverse effect was grade 2 pancytopenia. In conclusion this regimen resulted in good intrachemotherapeutic QOL and highly effective performance in elderly advanced gastric cancer patient.

Isolation and identification of trans-2- and trans-3-hydroxy-1,8-cineole glucosides from Alpinia galanga.

Three hydroxy-1,8-cineole glucopyranosides, (1R, 2R, 4S)- and (1S, 2S, 4R)-trans-2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole beta-D-glucopyranosides, and (1R, 3S, 4S)-trans-3-hydroxy-1,8-cineole beta-D-glucopyranoside, which are possible precursors of acetoxy-1,8-cineoles as unique aroma components, were isolated from the rhizomes of greater galangal (Alpinia galanga W.). Their structures were analyzed by FAB-MS and NMR spectrometry, and the absolute configulation of each aglycone was determined by using a GC-MS analysis with a capillary column coated with a chiral stationary phase. The composition of the diastereomers of (1R, 2R, 4S)- and (1S, 2S, 4R)-trans-2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole beta-D-glucopyranosides in the rhizomes was determined as 3:7 by a GC-MS analysis after preparing the trifluoroacetate derivatives of the glucosides.

Value of lipiodol computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography in the era of helical biphasic computed tomography as preoperative assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracies of Lipiodol computed tomography (CT) and helical biphasic CT as preoperative imaging modalities for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Lipiodol CT after digital subtraction angiography has long been used as a highly sensitive imaging modality for HCC. The recent advent of helical CT has allowed scanning the entire liver during both the arterial and portal venous phase of contrast enhancement. METHODS: The authors analyzed data from 164 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of these modalities. Findings of intraoperative ultrasonography followed by histologic confirmation were set as the gold standard. RESULTS: Although sensitivity decreased with both modalities as tumors became small and well differentiated, helical CT showed a higher sensitivity than Lipiodol CT in detecting well-differentiated HCC nodules smaller than 2 cm. In contrast, Lipiodol CT was superior to helical CT for the detection of small but moderately to poorly differentiated nodules. The overall sensitivity of helical CT was higher than that of Lipiodol CT. These findings suggest that helical CT is superior in delineating early HCC, whereas Lipiodol CT is specific to the detection of intrahepatic metastases. In terms of specificity, helical CT was superior to Lipiodol CT. CONCLUSIONS: Helical CT and Lipiodol CT are complementary modalities. At present, helical biphasic CT does not obviate the need for invasive techniques such as angiography and Lipiodol CT as preoperative examinations for HCC.

The inhibitory effect of an extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L. on ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation via the suppression of endothelin-converting enzyme-1alpha.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been reported to be expressed in human epidermis at both the gene and protein levels. ET-1 plays a pivotal role in ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced pigmentation due to its accentuated secretion after UVB irradiation and its function as a mitogen and as a melanogen for human melanocytes. We have recently found that endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1alpha plays a constitutive role in the secretion of ET-1 by human keratinocytes and that an extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L. inhibits ECE activity in human endothelial cells, which predominantly express ECE-1alpha. In this report, to clarify the potential use of this botanical extract as a whitening agent, we examined whether this extract inhibits UVB-induced pigmentation in vivo. When this extract was applied to human keratinocytes after UVB irradiation, secretion of ET-1 by those cells was reduced, and this was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the secretion of inactive precursor Big endothelin-1. When hairless mice were exposed to UVB light and were treated with the extract, it suppressed the induction of ET-1 in the UVB-irradiated epidermis. In the course of UVB-induced pigmentation of brownish guinea pig skin, this extract significantly diminished pigmentation in UVB-exposed areas. These findings indicate that ECE-1alpha in keratinocytes plays a pivotal role in the induction of pigmentation following UVB irradiation and that an extract of S. officinalis, which inhibits ET-1 production in human keratinocytes, is a good ingredient for a whitening agent.

Analysis of glycosidically bound aroma precursors in tea leaves. 2. Changes in glycoside contents and glycosidase activities in tea leaves during the black tea manufacturing process.

Glycosides are known to be precursors of the alcoholic aroma compounds of black tea. They are hydrolyzed by endogenous glycosidases during the manufacturing process. Changes in the amounts of these glycosides during the manufacturing process were investigated by using a capillary gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric analysis after trifluoroacetyl derivatization of the tea glycosidic fractions. Primeverosides were 3-fold more abundant than glucosides in fresh leaves, but they decreased greatly during the manufacturing process, especially during the stage of rolling. After the final stage of fermentation, primeverosides had almost disappeared, whereas glucosides were substantially unchanged. These results show that hydrolysis of the glycosides mainly occurred during the stage of rolling and confirm that primeverosides are the main black tea aroma precursors. This was also supported by the changes in the glycosidase activities in tea leaves. The glycosidase activities remained at a high level during withering but decreased drastically after rolling.

Activation of the Sarcophaga lectin gene promoter by (A + T)-stretch binding protein.

Previously, we purified and isolated a cDNA for (A + T)-stretch binding protein (ATBP) that binds to (A + T)-stretches in the 5' upstream region of the Sarcophaga lectin gene [Nakanishi-Matsui, M., Kubo, T. & Natori, S. (1995) Eur. J. Biochem. 230, 396-400]. Here, we used a luciferase reporter to examine the effect of ATBP on transcription of the Sarcophaga lectin gene. Deletion experiments revealed that ATBP activates the Sarcophaga lectin gene in a 5' upstream sequence-dependent manner, and that at least the N-terminal 25 residues, the three Zn-finger domains, an acidic domain and the third hydrophobic domain of ATBP are indispensable for its function. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was detected between ATBP and Dif, suggesting that ATBP is involved in the activation of insect immunity genes.

[Experience of four cases of postoperative pulmonary embolism requiring surgical treatment].

Four patients underwent a pulmonary embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass for acute pulmonary embolism which had occurred after various operations. In two cases, dehydration due to either diabetes insipidus or ileus had existed. In two cases, pulmonary embolism suddenly occurred in our hospital. In the remainder, the disease occurred in the previous hospitals and its diagnosis was established on the 6th and 7th postoperative days, respectively. In massive pulmonary embolism, echocardiography and/or enhanced chest CT are useful for prompt and noninvasive diagnosis. Thrombolytic therapy was performed in only one case before surgical embolectomy, which was not effective. Three patients were discharged without any postoperative complications, but one requiring preoperative external cardiac massage died of multiple organ failure 9 days after operation. Acute pulmonary embolism is one of the fatal postoperative complications. Recognition of this entity, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing the fatal disease. Even in the early postoperative period, embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe and effective treatment.

Cloning of cDNA for cathepsin B mRNA 3'-untranslated-region-binding protein (CBBP), and characterization of recombinant CBBP.

Previously, we purified the cathepsin B mRNA 3'-untranslated-region-binding protein (CBBP) from Sarcophaga and suggested its participation in the translational regulation of cathepsin B mRNA in this insect. In this study, we isolated a full length cDNA for CBBP. CBBP was an RNA-binding protein that contained four RGG boxes and four zinc finger motifs required for RNA binding. CBBP was shown to be localized in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of Sarcophaga hemocytes. Recombinant CBBP bound to the entire region of cathepsin B mRNA and repressed its translation in vitro.

First isolation of geranyl disaccharides from ginger and their relations to aroma formation.

Three geraniol glycosides were isolated from immature fresh ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Their structures were identified as geranyl 6-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) geranyl 6-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and geranyl 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) by spectrometric analyses. After incubating each glycoside with a crude enzyme solution prepared from ginger, geraniol was liberated in all of those fractions. This result indicates that the glycosides are related to the formation of geraniol-related compounds in ginger aroma.

Inhibitory effect of low density lipoprotein on the inflammation-inducing activity of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a role in the self-limiting nature of pseudogout inflammation. We investigated changes of LDL concentration in rat air pouch fluid during periods of acute and subsiding inflammation to evaluate whether LDL contributes to inhibiting inflammation of pseudogout. We examined whether LDL binds to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals as a possible mechanism for reduction of inflammation. METHODS: In this in vivo study, 5 mg suspensions of CPPD crystals and saline were injected into the rat air pouch. Fluid samples were taken from rat air pouch at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after injection. White blood cells in the samples were counted; the remaining fluid was centrifuged and concentrations of beta-glucuronidase and PGE2 in the supernatant were measured as inflammatory markers. LDL in the supernatant was immunochemically identified by Western blotting, then pellets containing crystals were examined by the same technique. RESULTS: LDL was identified in the air pouch 3 h after CPPD crystal injection, and its concentration increased and reached a peak level after 24 h. Inflammatory markers reached maximal level from 6 to 12 h, then decreased after 24 h. In the pellets containing crystals, LDL could not be identified in every specimen. CONCLUSION: LDL in the rat air pouch increased during the inflammatory course induced by CPPD crystal and the inflammation subsided as the LDL increased. Since some reports indicate LDL was related to reduction of crystal induced inflammation such as gout or pseudogout, we concluded that LDL could contribute to the resolution of acute pseudogout arthritis in vivo with or without binding to CPPD crystals.

Analysis of glycosidically bound aroma precursors in tea leaves. 1. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of glycosides with aglycons as aroma compounds.

Twenty-six synthetic glycosides constituting aglycons of the main tea aroma compounds ((Z)-3-hexenol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, methyl salicylate, geraniol, linalool, and four isomers of linalool oxides) were synthesized in our laboratory as authentic compounds. Those compounds were used to carry out a direct qualitative and quantitative determination of the glycosides as aroma precursors in different tea cultivars by capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analyses after trifluoroacetyl conversion of the tea glycosidic fractions. Eleven beta-D-glucopyranosides, 10 beta-primeverosides (6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) with aglycons as the above alcohols, and geranyl beta-vicianoside (6-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) were identified (tentatively identified in the case of methyl salicylate beta-primeveroside) in fresh tea leaves and quantified on the basis of calibration curves that had been established by using the synthetic compounds. Primeverosides were more abundant than glucosides in each cultivar we investigated for making green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Separation of the diastereoisomers of linalool and four isomers of linalool oxides by GC analyses is also discussed.

Association between parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor gene polymorphism and the extent of bone mass reduction in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Genetic contributions to bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover are well known. In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between polymorphism of parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor gene existing in exon M7 and the clinical characteristics of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). PTH/PTHrP receptor genotypes were analyzed in 92 pHPT patients by direct sequence to determine whether nucleotide 1417 of the cDNA was C or T. BMD levels at the lumbar spine and at the radius before and one year after parathyroidectomy, as well as serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intact PTH were measured. Although there were no significant differences in serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and intact PTH, ALP was significantly lower in the CT genotype compared with the TT genotype. BMD level at the radius was significantly higher in the CT genotype than in the CC genotype. Moreover, an increase in radial BMD one year after parathyroidectomy was significantly less in CT genotype than two other genotypes (CC, TT). The present study is the first to indicate that the polymorphism of PTH/PTHrP receptor gene is closely related to the extent of bone mass reduction in pHPT and that this polymorphism would be one of the genetic factors responsible for the severity of the pathological state of pHPT.

Lack of integrative control of heat production and heat loss after capsaicin administration.

Body temperature is usually regulated by opposing controls of heat production and heat loss. However, systemic administration of capsaicin activates heat loss and heat production simultaneously. Because capsaicin receptors are located mainly on primary sensory neurons and body temperature is regulated by the central nervous system, we investigated the brain mechanisms involved in these capsaicin-induced thermal responses. For this purpose, we examined the effects of spinalization and decerebration on these responses in artificially ventilated, urethane-anesthetized rats. Cervical spinal transection largely attenuated both responses, showing the critical involvement of the brain. Colonic temperature (Tc) did not change after the capsaicin administration to the spinalized rats. Decerebration between the hypothalamus and midbrain prevented the capsaicin-induced heat loss and enhanced the capsaicin-induced heat production. Consequently, Tc increased without a hypothermic period. The results show that capsaicin activates brainstem-controlled heat production and forebrain-controlled heat loss separately.

Assessment of disease activity and extent by magnetic resonance imaging in ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: We determined whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could determine the activity and site of involvement in ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema and gadodiamide-enhanced MRI were performed prospectively in six patients with ulcerative colitis, including three females aged 10-22 years, both in the active and the remission stages. RESULTS: Characteristic findings of MRI in the active stage of ulcerative colitis were loss of haustral markings and thickening and contrast enhancement of the colonic wall. In five of six patients, the site of disease distribution determined by MRI was in accordance with that determined by colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Gadodiamide-enhanced MRI is a safe and useful method of determining disease activity and extent in patients with ulcerative colitis.