Detection of feeding behaviour in common carp Cyprinus carpio by using an acceleration data logger to identify mandibular movement.

Miniaturized acceleration data loggers were attached to the lower mandible of common carp Cyprinus carpio to remotely identify feeding behaviour. Whether the acceleration signal could distinguish the quantity and quality of food was also investigated. The frequency and amplitude of the lower mandible stroke, calculated from surging acceleration determined by continuous wavelet transformation, significantly increased during the feeding period compared to that during the non-feeding period. These characteristic movement patterns were maintained for mean ±s.e. 187·3 ± 38·2 s when the fish were fed a single item of food and for mean ±s.e. 419·3 ± 28·6 s when they consumed multiple items. The dominant cycle and amplitude calculated according to feeding event duration, however, did not differ significantly between the two types of diets the fish consumed. Surging acceleration could detect mean ±s.e. 89·8 ± 13·5% of feeding events, although the false detection rate was mean ±s.e. 25·9 ± 10·9%. The results indicate that the mandible acceleration measurement method could be utilized to detect and record the feeding events in fishes that use a suction feeding mode similar to C. carpio.

Effects of external and surgically implanted dummy radio transmitters on mortality, swimming performance and physiological status of juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou.

The effects of external and surgically implanted radio transmitters on juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou were examined. External attachment of transmitters significantly decreased the survival of fish and caused a decreased critical swimming speed compared with surgical implantation. Although plasma cortisol, plasma glucose and haematocrit values did not differ significantly among groups, it appeared that the most suitable transmitter attachment method for juvenile O. masou may be surgical implantation.

Detection of a circulating antibody against a peptide epitope on a mucin core protein, MUC1, in ulcerative colitis.

This study aims at clarifying whether the humoral immune response to the tandem repeat domain of MUC1 can be induced or not in vivo. The expression of MUC1 mRNA in the colon was revealed by Northern blot analysis, and cDNA cloning of an extracellular tandemly repeated domain of MUC1 was then performed to prepare the recombinant MUC1 protein. A cDNA clone coding for ten repeat domains was ligated into an expression vector in prokaryotes, resulting in a recombinant protein which could react with the MAb MUSE11 against an adenocarcinoma-associated antigen whose epitope has been shown to be localized in the tandem repeat domain on MUC1. The reactivity of sera from patients with ulcerative colitis with the recombinant protein was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis to detect the antibodies against this tandem repeat domain. Five out of 19 serum samples tested positive, and these reactions were totally inhibited by MAb MUSE11, suggesting that the epitope recognized by these antibodies in sera is almost identical to that recognized by MAb MUSE11. The data represent the first demonstration of antibody production against a peptide epitope of the tandem repeat domain of MUC1.

Expression of cytoskeletal-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPH1 mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

We investigated the mRNA expression of cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPH1), which has a homologous domain to cytoskeletal-associated proteins, in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PTPH1 mRNA was detected in all HCC cell lines (n = 6), and HCC and adjacent noncancerous tissues (n = 8) examined, indicating that PTPH1 was expressed in HCCs and hepatocytes. There was no remarkable difference in the level expression of PTPH1 mRNA between HCC and adjacent noncancerous tissues. We also performed RT-PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in HCC cell lines and tissues in the C-terminal region of the catalytic domain of PTPH1. In the cHc4 cell line and a HCC tissue specimen, a shifted band was detected, although it was not found in the non-cancerous tissue of the HCC specimen. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed a common mutation from T to C at the third letter of codon 919 which did not lead to amino acid substitution. These results suggest that another mutation leading to the development of HCC could occur in some region of PTPH1 other than that investigated in this study.

Enhancement of reactivity of anti-MUC1 core protein antibody and killing activity of anti-MUC1 cytotoxic T cells by deglycosylation of target tissues or cells.

MUC1 mucin core protein contains an important tumor-associated peptide antigen that can induce cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in vivo, although this antigen is generally masked by mucin-type glycans. To reveal the precise expression pattern of MUC1 protein in normal and neoplastic gastric tissues, we performed immunohistochemical staining of periodic acid-treated tissue sections with an anti-MUC1 core protein monoclonal antibody (mAb), MUSE11. In non-cancerous tissues, the deep portion of fundic glands and the luminal surface were predominantly immunostained in normal and metaplastic glands, respectively. In cancerous tissues, the incidence of positivity for MUC1 protein varied from 67% to 88%, depending on histological type. This frequent expression of MUC1 protein in cancer tissues after periodic acid treatment suggested that deglycosylation may be of use for exposing the target antigen of anti-MUC1 CTLs. Accordingly, we then examined the effect of benzyl-alpha-GalNAc, an inhibitor of O-glycan biosynthesis, on the expression of MUC1 protein and sensitivity to an anti-MUC1 CTL line, designated TS, in gastric cancer JRST cells. After incubation with benzyl-alpha-GalNAc, the reactivity of mAb MUSE11 with JRST cells and their sensitivity of TS were clearly increased. These findings suggest that deglycosylation may offer an important strategy for enhancing anti-tumor immunity in patients with gastric cancer.

Detection of circulating anti-MUC1 mucin core protein antibodies in patients with colorectal cancer.

MUC1 mucin has a unique immunogenic peptide epitope in the extracellular domain, which has been shown to induce humoral and cellular immune response. In this study, we evaluated the pathophysiological significance of circulating anti-MUC1 mucin core protein IgG antibodies (anti-MUC1 antibodies) in colorectal cancer by Western blot analysis and 51Cr release assay. Anti-MUC1 antibodies were detected in 5 of 31 (16.1%) healthy subjects and in 27 of 56 (48.2%) patients with colorectal cancer. The presence of circulating anti-MUC1 antibodies was not significantly correlated with the level of circulating antigen MUSE11 or with other clinicopathological parameters tested. The incidence of positivity for anti-MUC1 antibodies in stage I and II (staged according to the General Rules for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cancer of the Colon and Rectum of the Japanese Research Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum) cancers was 45.5% and 58.8%, respectively, suggesting that positivity for these antibodies may be of use as an adjunct for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the early stages in the absence of serious complications such as liver diseases. Because of the epitope similarity, anti-MUC1 antibodies in the serum may function in a manner similar to that of anti-MUC1 peptide monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We therefore observed antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity with anti-MUC1 peptide mAb using MUC1 cDNA-transfected colon cancer CHC-Y1 cells as the target. The decreased sensitivity of MUC1 transfectants to effector cells was restored to a level equivalent to that in control cells. These data suggest that the detection of circulating anti-MUC1 antibodies may be a useful adjunct for the early diagnosis and immunological analysis of colorectal cancer.

[A male case of Sjögren's syndrome presenting with generalized lymphadenopathy and swelling of both lacrimal and salivary glands which responded remarkably well to an administration of corticosteroids].

A 68-year-old man noticed severe oral dryness and a submandibular swelling. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) was diagnosed based on microscopic findings of a labial salivary gland biopsy although both anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B antibodies were negative. In addition, hypergammaglobulinemia (IgG 7940 mg/dl) and hypocomplementemia were pointed out and he was admitted to our department. On admission cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes swelling were detected together with enlargement of lacrimal and salivary glands. Lymphoproliferative disorders associated with SS were highly suspected. Biopsied specimens of his lacrimal gland and cervical lymph node disclosed neither malignant cells nor monoclonal proliferation of lymphocytes. An administration of corticosteroids caused rapid diminution in size of lacrimal glands, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. Both lacrimation and salivation recovered, and hypergammaglobulinemia and hypocomplementemia returned to normal after treatment. The characteristics of this case were an atypical onset in an elderly man, the negativity of anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B antibodies, and reversibility of dryness by corticosteroid treatment. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of this case may be different from typical SS.

[A case of dermatomyositis associated with asymptomatic pneumomediastinum].

A 20-year-old woman initially presented with edematous erythema in the upper eyelids in December 1995. She was admitted to our department in January 1996 because of fever and multiple arthralgia. She was given a diagnosis of dermatomyositis (DM) on the basis of characteristic eruption, elevated serum level of creatine kinase, and increased inflammatory reaction. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed faint interstitial changes in the left lower lung. The administration of corticosteroid caused improvement in the patient's condition and the interstitial lesion in the lung. Although she was asymptomatic, chest CT showed pneumomediastinum in the pretracheal space and concomitant pneumothorax around left bronchus. Those changes spontaneously disappeared 4 weeks later without treatment. The occurrence of pneumomediastinum in patients with DM has been well documented as an indicator of poor prognosis in the literature. It seems that a severe pulmonary disorder could secondary cause pneumomediastinum. In our case, however, the pneumomediastinum developed in spite of the low grade severity of the pulmonary lesion. This finding suggested that the pneumomediastinum may be associated with the development of DM itself.

[A case of aseptic osteomyelitis with heel ulcer improved by steroid application].

A 43-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of left heel pain and fever. He had had swelling of the left ankle joint and pain 4 years prior to this, and 4 years later, he was admitted to another hospital when left heel ulcer and fever developed. The ulcer was diagnosed and treated as a diabetic ulcer because of hyperglycemia. In spite of good control of blood sugar, the ulcer became enlarged and the pain deteriorated, so he was transferred to orthopedics. Antibiotics produced no response, and culture from a specimen of the ulcer was negative. However, severe inflammatory response was seen in blood examination. MRI and scintigram of his left foot showed disseminated low intensity areas and accumulation in the tarsal bone area, so osteomyelitis was suspected. A biopsy of the ulcer showed infiltration of inflammatory cells into the dermis. We considered amputation of the left lower leg at first. However the biopsy result suggested an autoimmune mechanism, so prednisolone was administered. As a result, the ulcer and pain both diminished. This case was similar to pyoderma gangenosum, however this diagnosis cannot explain osteomyelitis or all its symptoms. We expect that there must be other case report with the same symptoms.

[Pernicious anemia associated with chronic thyroiditis and suspected latent adrenal insufficiency].

A 64-year-old female referred to our hospital because of severe anemia. Peripheral blood examination showed macrocytic anemia; red blood cell count was 1.49 x 10(6)/microliters, hemoglobin concentration was 5.6 g/dl, hematocrit was 16.1% and MCV was 108 fl. Serum VB 12 level was significantly low as 58 pg/ml. Upper gastrointestinal examination disclosed chronic atrophic gastritis. Anti-intrinsic factor and anti-parietal cell antibodies were detected in the serum and Schilling's test was positive. Thus a diagnosis of pernicious anemia was made. Though the serum free T 3 and free T 4 levels were in normal ranges, the elevated serum TSH and positive tests for anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies indicated that the patient had chronic thyroiditis. Then other endocrinological examinations were performed. Low level of urinary 17-OHCS and a hypo-reactive pattern of rapid ACTH test led to a diagnosis of latent adrenal insufficiency. This case could be categorized into polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.

[A case of Sjögren's syndrome associated with inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver].

A 71-year-old man had noticed a dry sensation in the mouth with swelling of bilateral parotid glands in 1988. He was given a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) on the basis of characteristic findings of sialography and a minor salivary gland biopsy. He was admitted to our department in Febuary 1995 because of general fatigue of 2 month's duration. Laboratory data showed both positive anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, liver dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia. Abdominal CT and MRI demonstrated a 2-cm intrahepatic mass (S 6) with enhanced areas at the periphery. The liver biopsy yielded fragments from the intrahepatic mass and hepatic parenchyma. The former was composed of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and histiocytes, compatible with the diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. The pathological diagnosis of the latter specimen was primary biliary cirrhosis, although antimitochondrial antibody was negative. The intrahepatic mass gradually decreased in size without treatment. Inflammatory pseudotumor is considered to be a benign inflammatory condition simulating a neoplasma and the possibility of an autoimmune reaction is suggested on the basis of etiology. This is the first report of an inflammatory pseudotumor associated with Sjögren's syndrome developing in the liver. The inflammatory pseudotumor should be considered as a possible diagnosis in cases where the tumor is embedded in the liver.

[Partial splenic embolization for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

Twelve patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who were resistant to conventional steroid therapy under went partial splenic embolization (PSE). PSE was effective for 7 out of 10 eligible cases. The reduction ratio of PAIgG was significantly higher in effective cases. The PAIgG level before treatment and platelet counts one week after PSE were higher in effective cases than those of non-effective cases. The effects of PSE did not depent on age, sex, the duration of disease, platelet count, embolization rate or the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. No serious side effects were observed. PSE can be an alternative therapy to splenectomy for ITP.

[A case of polymyositis with anti-Jo-1 antibody preceded by BOOP].

A 56-year-old man experienced dyspnea since August 1995 and the chest X-ray film showed abnormal shadow. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) was established based on the histological findings of transbronchial lung biopsy. The patient was treated with prednisolone and symptoms improved. Myalgia and muscle weakness developed associated with relapse of BOOP after withdrawal of prednisolone. Patient was admitted to our department on December 1995 for further examination. An increased level of serum CPK, histological findings of muscle biopsy consistent with myositis, and positive anti-Jo-1 antibody were identified. Those findings supported a diagnosis of polymyositis (PM), and BOOP was considered as a pulmonary complication of PM. Myositis and pulmonary lesion improved after second course of steroid therapy and patient was discharged on May 1996. Both chronic pulmonary fibrosis and acute progressive interstital pneumonia are well known as pulmonary lesion associated with PM. The former is frequently recognized in cases of PM with anti-Jo-1 antibody and the latter is often observed in cases without autoantibodies. The association of PM and BOOP, however, has rarely been reported. The findings that BOOP frequently preceded PM and anti-Jo-1 antibody was positive in half of the cases were observed in the literature.

[Functions of mucin molecules in gastrointestinal cancer].

Studies about the function of mucin molecules as surface molecule of adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal tract had just started, and several important function of mucins had been revealed. In the process of the malignant transformation, class of the expressed mucin core protein and content of glycochain of mucin molecule was changed. Changes of glycoprotein of mucin molecule during transformation affect immunogenesity, tumorigenesity, metastatic ability and sensitivity for anti-cancer drugs. Glycosylated mucin acts important roles during metastatic sequence and prognosis of the gastrointestinal cancer was collerated with expression of immatured mucin of cancer cells. A type of mucin with immature type of glycochain, MUC1, had a protective function for cytotoxicity, e.g. natural killer cell and cytotoxic T-cell, and deglycosilation of MUC1 sensitize cancer cells for cytotoxicity. And MUC1 reduce sensitivity for anti-cancer drugs and MUC1 was glycosilated during process to get resistance for anti-cancer drug. The functions of mucin molecules is not fully revealed, but further studies will indicate importance of mucin molecules in tumor progression.