Differences in female reproductive success between female and hermaphrodite individuals in the subdioecious shrub Eurya japonica (Theaceae).

Subdioecy is thought to occupy a transitional position in the gynodioecy-dioecy pathway, explaining one of the evolutionary routes from hermaphroditism to dioecy. Quantifying any female reproductive advantage of females versus hermaphrodites is fundamental to examining the spectrum between subdioecy and dioecy; however, this is challenging, as multiple interacting factors, such as pollen limitation and resource availability, affect plant reproduction. We compared the female reproductive success of females and hermaphrodites via a field experiment in which we hand-pollinated individuals of the subdioecious shrub Eurya japonica of similar size growing under similar light conditions. Effects of pollen limitation and seed quality were also evaluated through comparing the results of hand- and natural-pollination treatments and performing additional laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Overall, females had higher fruit set and produced heavier fruit and more seeds than hermaphrodites, and these results were more pronounced for hand-pollinated than for natural-pollinated plants of both sexes. We also found that seeds naturally produced by females had a higher mean germination rate. These results indicate that females had a pronounced advantage in female reproductive success under conditions of no pollen limitation. The sexual difference in the degree of pollen limitation suggests a pollinator-mediated interaction, whereas the higher female reproductive success of females even under natural conditions implies that E. japonica is a good model species for elucidating the later stages of the gynodioecy-dioecy pathway.

Effects of hydrothermal treatment with CaCl(2) solution on surface property and cell response of titanium implants.

In order to obtain early and good osteointegration after implantation of a titanium implant in the human body, the surface modified treatments using NaOH or H(2)O(2) etc. were reported. In this study, titanium was hydrothermally treated with CaCl(2) solutions at 200 degrees C for 24hr (CaCl(2)-HT). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation clearly showed apatite deposition on the surface of CaCl(2) HT treated titanium faster than other chemical treated titanium immersion in simulated body fluid. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated that Ti--O--Ca bonding was formed on titanium surface by hydrothermal treatment with CaCl(2) solution. And it was revealed that thickness of TiO(2), which was known to play important roles for the formation of bone-like apatite, became approximately three times thicker than as-polished titanium. The amount of initial attached MC3T3-E1 cells on as-polished and NaOH, H(2)O(2) and this CaCl(2) HT treated titanium were almost the same values. After 5 days incubation, the growth rate of MC3T3-E1 cells on CaCl(2)-HT treated titanium was significantly higher than that on other chemical treated titanium. The hydrothermal treatment with 10-20 mmol/L CaCl(2) solution at 200 degrees C was an effective method for the fabrication of titanium implant with good bioactivity and osteoconductivity.

Variation in pollen dispersal between years with different pollination conditions in a tropical emergent tree.

We examined differences in pollen dispersal efficiency between 2 years in terms of both spatial dispersal range and genetic relatedness of pollen in a tropical emergent tree, Dipterocarpus tempehes. The species was pollinated by the giant honeybee (Apis dorsata) in a year of intensive community-level mass-flowering or general flowering (1996), but by several species of moths in a year of less-intensive general flowering (1998). We carried out paternity analysis based on six DNA microsatellite markers on a total of 277 mature trees forming four spatially distinct subpopulations in a 70 ha area, and 147 and 188 2-year-old seedlings originating from seeds produced in 1996 and 1998 (cohorts 96 and 98, respectively). Outcrossing rates (0.93 and 0.96 for cohorts 96 and 98, respectively) did not differ between years. Mean dispersal distances (222 and 192 m) were not significantly different between the 2 years but marginally more biased to long distance in 1996. The mean relatedness among cross-pollinated seedlings sharing the same mothers in cohort 96 was lower than that in cohort 98. This can be attributed to the two facts that the proportion of intersubpopulations pollen flow among cross-pollination events was marginally higher in cohort 96 (44%) than in cohort 98 (33%), and that mature trees within the same subpopulations are genetically more related to each other than those between different subpopulations. We conclude that D. tempehes maintained effective pollen dispersal in terms of outcrossing rate and pollen dispersal distance in spite of the large difference in foraging characteristics between two types of pollinators. In terms of pollen relatedness, however, a slight difference was suggested between years in the level of biparental inbreeding.

Atrial fibrillation threshold predicted long-term efficacy of pharmacological treatment of patients without structural heart disease.

AIMS: To ascertain if an electrophysiological study could predict long-term efficacy of anti-arrhythmic drugs in the treatment of lone atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-four patients (36 males, 8 females, age 55.5 +/- 10.6) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were enrolled to undergo serial electrophysiological studies at the bedside. Two quadripolar catheters were inserted via the subclavian vein. Disopyramide (D: 2 mg/kg iv), cibenzoline (C: 1.4 mg/kg iv), aprindine (A: 2 mg/kg iv), pilsicainide (P: 2 mg/kg po) and flecainide (F: 3 mg/kg po) were tested. Atrial fibrillation threshold (AFT) was measured as the lowest current amplitude of rapid pacing (50 Hz for 1 s) to induce atrial fibrillation lasting more than 30 s. Before drug treatment, AFT was 3.9 +/- 0.3 mA. Pharmacological treatment raised AFT as follows: D 5.9 +/- 0.9 mA, C 7.6 +/- 1.2 mA, A 8.1 +/-1.1 mA, P 6.0 +/- 0.8 mA, F 7.3 +/- 1.1 mA. Recurrence of atrial fibrillation was observed during 1-year follow-up in 12% of cases when they were treated with a drug that raised AFT by 5 mA or more. On the other hand, the recurrence rate was 87% when patients were treated with a drug that raised AFT by less than 5 mA (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: AFT was a good predictor of long-term efficacy of pharmacological treatment against atrial fibrillation.

The role of the hypothalamic nitric oxide in the pressor responses elicited by acute environmental stress in awake rats.

We quantitatively investigated the change in nitric oxide (NO) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and its effect on cardiovascular regulation during shaker stress (SS) using brain microdialysis in awake rats. Male Wistar rats were fed either N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.7 g/L) or tap water for 2 weeks. Two days after implantation of an arterial catheter and guide shaft, a microdialysis probe was placed to perfuse the PVN with degassed Ringer solution at 2 microl/min in awake normotensive Wistar (CONTROL) and chronic L-NAME-treated hypertensive rats. After the rat was placed in a plastic cage set on a shaker, the blood pressure and heart rate was monitored and 10-min SS was loaded at a frequency of 200 cycles/min. Dialysate samples were analyzed by NO analyzer (based on the Griess reaction) every 10 min, and NOx (NO(2)(-) + NO(3)(-)) was measured. Plasma NOx was also measured before and after SS. Pressor responses elicited by SS were significantly greater in L-NAME-treated rats than in the CONTROL. Although NOx in the PVN dialysate were increased by SS in the CONTROL, these responses were attenuated in chronic L-NAME-treated rats. Resting plasma NOx were higher in the CONTROL than in L-NAME-treated rats. SS elicited no difference between two groups in plasma NOx. These results indicated that NO within the PVN, but not in systemic circulation, may play a role on the attenuation of the pressor responses elicited by SS. The dysfunction of NO release within the PVN may, in part, play a role in the exaggerated pressor responses in acute environmental stress.

Promoter structure and gene expression of the mouse inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 gene.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP(3)R3) is a ubiquitously expressed IP(3)R gene in the IP(3)R gene family. We identified an upstream region of the mouse IP(3)R3 genomic DNA. Transcription start points for the IP(3)R3 gene were found to be located mainly at four sites between nucleotide position -325 and -285 relative to the first ATG codon. The major start point was mapped around -325. Transcription promotion ability was detected between -325 and -285 in an IP(3)R3 proximal promoter sequence. The promoter had no TATA-box but was highly GC-rich and contained two putative Sp1-binding sites. There was no sequence similarity between promoter regions of IP(3)R3 and IP(3)R2, another ubiquitous gene, except for GC-boxes. By using a series of 5'-truncation versions and a transient luciferase assay, we detected multiple common and cell-type-dependent regulatory regions within the distal promoter sequence downstream from -4.0 kb that function positively or negatively. The IP(3)R3 gene was highly transcribed in the kidney, spleen, heart, and skeletal muscle, and this tissue distribution pattern was nearly complementary to that of IP(3)R2. We found that IP(3)R3 gene expression was repressed in retinoic acid-treated and neural differentiated P19 mouse embryonic carcinoma cells.

Gender difference in delays to diagnosis and health care seeking behaviour in a rural area of Nepal.

SETTING: Directly observed treatment for tuberculosis using a short-course regimen (DOTS) was introduced in a rural area of Nepal. All new patients assigned to DOTS from mid-December 1997 to mid-June 1999 were eligible for the study. OBJECTIVE: To examine delays in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and compare health care seeking behaviour between men and women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of patient interviews. RESULTS: Women were found to have a significantly longer total delay before diagnosis of tuberculosis (median 2.3 months for men, 3.3 months for women). When they visited traditional healers first, women had a significantly longer delay than men from the first visit to health care providers to diagnosis (median 1.5 months for men, 3.0 months for women). More women (35%) visited traditional healers before diagnosis than men (18%), and were more likely to receive more complicated charms from traditional healers. Men tended to visit the government medical establishment first if they knew that free TB treatment was available, but women did not. CONCLUSION: Women were more likely to visit and to believe in traditional healers; this might lead to the longer delays experienced before TB diagnosis.

Nitric oxide is an excitatory modulator in the rostral ventrolateral medulla in rats.

Nitric oxide is a messenger molecule having various functions in the brain. Previous studies have reported conflicting results for the roles of nitric oxide in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, a major center that regulates sympathetic and cardiovascular activities. We hypothesized that in this region, nitric oxide may have a biphasic effect on cardiovascular activity. Microinjection of a low dose (1 nmol) of a nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside or a cyclic GMP agonist 8-bromocyclic GMP into this area increased arterial pressure, whereas injection of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue decreased arterial pressure. Microinjection of a high dose (100 nmol) of sodium nitroprusside decreased arterial pressure and inhibited spontaneous respiration with concomitant production of peroxynitrite, a strong cytotoxic oxidant. Increases in arterial pressure caused by microinjection of L-glutamate were inhibited after preinjection of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or methylene blue. Increases in arterial pressure caused by microinjection of sodium nitroprusside (1 nmol) were inhibited after preinjection of a glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenate. These results suggest that low doses of nitric oxide may increase arterial pressure, whereas high doses of nitric oxide may decrease arterial pressure through cytotoxic effects in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. They also indicate that nitric oxide may stimulate neurons both through activation of the nitric oxide cyclic GMP pathway and through modulation of glutamate receptor stimulation, and therefore, increase arterial pressure in rats.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation from the left sinus of Valsalva in a patient with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with idiopathic VT originating in the left ventricular outflow tract. She initially presented with palpitations and light-headedness. The morphology of the PVCs exhibited an inferior axis and tall R waves were noted in all the precordial leads. Spontaneous PVCs were transiently terminated by an intravenous injection of adenosine triphosphate. Radiofrequency catheter ablation from the left sinus of Valsalva successfully abolished the PVCs and the VT.

Sesamin and episesamin induce apoptosis in human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells.

The exposure of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells to sesamin and episesamin which were isolated from unroasted sesame seed oil and identified by MS, and 1H and 13C-NMR, led to both growth inhibition and the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the Molt 4B cells treated with sesamin and episesamin. The fragmentations by sesamin and episesamin of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis were observed to be concentration-dependent, respectively. Moreover, the amount of the DNA fragments in the sesamin-treated cells was increased from 2 days, while that in the episesamin-treated cells was elevated at 3 days after addition of the compounds. These findings suggest that growth inhibitions by sesamin and episesamin of Molt 4B cells result from the induction of apoptosis in the cells.

Calcium supplement necessary to correct hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy for renal osteodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of the extent of calcium supplement will facilitate safe and efficient management of hypocalcemia in the early postoperative stage of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (PTXa) in patients with renal osteodystrophy. METHODS: The correlation between the extent of calcium deficiency, estimated by the amount of calcium supplement over 48 h after PTXa and using various parameters such as carboxy terminal parathyroid hormone (c-PTH), intact PTH (i-PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum calcium, serum phosphorus, duration of hemodialysis, total weight of resected parathyroid glands and degree of subperiosteal resorption of the middle phalanx was examined in 49 patients who underwent PTX with subcutaneous autotransplantation. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also determined before, 3 months and 1 year after PTXa with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 13 patients. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between pre-operative i-PTH level (r=0.56, P<0.0005) or ALP level (r=0.50, P<0.0005) and the amount of calcium supplement over 48 h after PTXa in these patients. Furthermore, the degree of subperiosteal resorption, determined by Jensen's classification, was significantly correlated with the amount of calcium supplement after PTX (P<0.05). Bone mineral density 3 months after (P<0.0005) and 1 year after PTXa (P<0.001) significantly increased compared with BMD before PTXa in all patients examined. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the pre-operative determination of i-PTH, ALP levels and degree of subperiosteal resorption allow the management of hypocalcemia safely and efficiently in renal osteodystrophy patients after PTXa.

Oolong tea polyphenol extract induces apoptosis in human stomach cancer cells.

The exposure of human stomach cancer KATO III cells to oolong tea polyphenol extact [OTPE] containing oolong tea polyphenol trimer [OTP trimer] as a main component, led to both growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the cells treated with OTPE. The fragmentation by OTPE of DNA to oligonucleosomalsized fragments that are characteristics of apoptosis was observed to be concentration- and time-dependent. These data suggest that the growth inhibition by OTPE results from the induction of apoptosis in the KATO III cells.

Supplementary report on experimental autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) poisoning in cattle: morphological evidence of apoptosis.

Previously we reported that tissue destruction characterized by the presence of karyopyknotic, karyorrhectic and mitotically arrested cells was seen in alimentary epithelial cells and lymphocytes in the lymphoid and hemopoietic systems of cattle experimentally administered with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.). This report deals with the mechanism of acute cellular injury following experimental autumn crocus poisoning in cattle as demonstrated by the in situ DNA strand break analysis and electron microscopy. The analyses revealed that cellular injury caused by autumn crocus was closely associated with apoptosis.

Histopathological study of experimental acute poisoning of cattle by autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.).

Crude or dehydrated bulbs of autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) were fed to eleven calves. All the calves developed severe diarrhea and died or euthanized within 63 hr. At necropsy, the gastro-intestinal mucosa was edematous and hemorrhagic. Histologically, necrosis and degeneration with karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis were shown in the basal cell layer of the tongue, esophagus, forestomach, renal pelvis, urinary bladder, neck cell layer of the abomasal gastric glands, and intestinal cryps. These findings were also seen in Kupffer cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, and lymphocytes in the lymphoid and hemopoietic systems. The lesion of the present acute crocus poisoning of cattle closely resembled those reported in humans with colchicine intoxication. Refined acetone extract of organs of poisoned cattle proved to contain colchicine and demecolcine by high performance liquid chromatography.

Sialyllactose occurs as free lactones in ovine colostrum.

Three sialyl oligosaccharide fractions were separated from ovine colostrum by gel filtration, anion exchange chromatography and normal-phase HPLC. They were characterized by 1H-NMR spectrometry as follows: Neu5Acalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->4Glc, Neu5Gcalpha2-->6Galbeta1-->4Glc and three forms of Neu5Gcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->4Glc, namely Neu5Gcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->4Glc itself, its lactone derivative between the carboxyl group of Neu5Gc and Gal OH-2 and another lactone derivative between the carboxyl group and Gal OH-4. In this study, Neu5Gc-lactose lactones, in their free form, have been isolated for the first time from any natural sources including milk or colostrum.

Short-term low dose methotrexate ameliorates abnormal bone metabolism and bone loss in adjuvant induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether short term weekly methotrexate (MTX) therapy aggravates bone abnormalities in adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) or improves them through its antiarthritic effect. METHODS: Bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) were studied in 6 groups of Lewis rats: (1) normal controls, (2) rats given MTX 0.3 mg/kg weekly, (3) rats given MTX 3 mg/kg weekly, (4) AIA rats, (5) AIA rats given MTX 0.3 mg/kg weekly, and (6) AIA rats given MTX 3 mg/kg weekly. Osteogenic activity was determined from serum osteocalcin levels and number of marrow fibroblast colony forming units (osteogenic precursor cells). Bone resorptive activity was assayed by detecting osteoclast-like cells and pit formation in bone marrow cultures. RESULTS: In control rats, MTX (3 mg/kg weekly) suppressed osteogenic activity, as shown by low serum osteocalcin levels and decreased growth of marrow fibroblast colony forming units. Osteoclast-like cells and pit formation in bone marrow cultures from control rats were increased by MTX, but BMD was unchanged. In rats with AIA, MTX (3 mg/kg) suppressed arthritis and restored the decreased osteogenic activity of bone marrow cells, and reduced their increased bone resorptive activity. These changes resulted in a significant increase of periarticular BMD in the femur. CONCLUSION: Low dose weekly MTX therapy had a favorable effect on abnormal bone metabolism and osteopenia in rats with AIA.

[Calcium channel blocker for therapy of patients with hypertension].

Calcium channel blocker (CCB) is one of the most frequently prescribed cardiovascular drugs. Two main classes of CCBs, dihydropyridines and benzothiazepines, are now clinically available for the treatment of hypertension in Japan. Both drugs inhibit the inward current of calcium ions through the L-type calcium channels. However CCBs have markedly different chemical structures and different effects on cardiovascular system. Therefore, in the present paper, their pharmacokinetic properties and interactions with other drugs are reviewed, and newly developed CCB are also described.

Sensitivity to antibacterials of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from skin infections: a comparison of two hospitals.

We compared the sensitivities to antibacterials of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections in two hospitals of different sizes. There were differences between the two hospitals in the proportions of the strains isolated that were resistant to certain drugs, and these differences may be related to the patterns of drug use at each hospital. The differences in the patterns of drug use at each hospital may be due to the types of infections encountered and/or the ages of the patients, both of which differed greatly. The proportions of resistant strains may also be related to differences in the proportions of in-patients.

Sensitivity to antibacterials of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different types of skin infections.

We examined the antibacterial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from several types of skin infections, which were classified into four groups: (i) impetigo, (ii) folliculitis, (iii) atopic dermatitis and eczema and (iv) ulcers and decubitus. The 50% minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of the antibacterial agents was 3.13 micrograms/ml or lower, except that of gentamicin with isolates from the impetigo groups (25 micrograms/ml). The MIC90 of gentamicin was 50 micrograms/ml or more for isolates from all four groups. The isolates from the ulcers and decubitus group showed multiple resistance against antibacterial agents. The frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus was low, but was highest, at 25%, in the isolates from the ulcers and decubitus group. Few isolates from the atopic dermatitis and eczema group were resistant, and there was little difference in antibacterial resistance between isolates from atopic dermatitis and eczema.

Increase in the mitotic recombination frequency in Drosophila melanogaster by magnetic field exposure and its suppression by vitamin E supplement.

In order to estimate possible mutagenic and/or carcinogenic activity of electromagnetic fields, wing spot tests were performed in Drosophila melanogaster. A DNA repair defective mutation mei-41D5 was introduced into the conventional mwh/flr test system to enhance mutant spot frequency. Third instar larvae were exposed to a 5-Tesla static magnetic field for 24 h, and after molting, wings were examined under a microscope to detect hair spots with mutant morphology. The exposure caused a statistically significant enhancement of somatic recombination compared with the unexposed control. This enhancement was suppressed to the control level by supplement of vitamin E, a non-specific antioxidant. It is inferred that the magnetic field enhanced the genotoxic effect of spontaneously produced free radicals, possibly by affecting the lifetime of the radicals. Enhancement of non-disjunction, terminal deletions and gene mutations were not detected.