Impact of an irreversibly adsorbed layer on local viscosity of nanoconfined polymer melts.

We report the origin of the effect of nanoscale confinement on the local viscosity of entangled polystyrene (PS) films at temperatures far above the glass transition temperature. By using marker x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy with gold nanoparticles embedded in the PS films prepared on solid substrates, we have determined the local viscosity as a function of the distance from the polymer-substrate interface. The results show the impact of a very thin adsorbed layer (~7 nm in thickness) even without specific interactions of the polymer with the substrate, overcoming the effect of a surface mobile layer at the air-polymer interface and thereby resulting in a significant increase in the local viscosity as approaching the substrate interface.

Reduced viscosity of the free surface in entangled polymer melt films.

By embedding "dilute" gold nanoparticles in single polystyrene thin films as "markers", we probe the local viscosity of the free surface at temperatures far above the glass transition temperature (T(g)). The technique used was x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy with resonance-enhanced x-ray scattering. The results clearly showed the surface viscosity is about 30% lower than the rest of the film. We found that this reduction is strongly associated with chain entanglements at the free surface rather than the reduction in T(g).

An investigation of 2,093 renal biopsies performed at Tokai University Hospital between 1976 and 2000.

We retrospectively investigated 2,093 renal biopsy procedures performed between 1976 and 2000 at Tokai University Hospital. The study period was divided into 5-year intervals, and the frequencies of each renal disease, age and sex of patients were compared across the study period. Clinical diagnosis was based on WHO criteria. A total of 2,093 patients aged 8 months to 84 years underwent renal biopsy during the study period. The percentage of elderly patients who underwent renal biopsy increased from 1.2% in 1976 - 1980 to 9.9% in 1996 - 2000. IgAN was the most common disease in every 5-year period. CresGN showed an increase from 1 patient (0.3%) in 1976 - 1980 to 15 patients (4.0%) in 1996 - 2000. In contrast, the number of patients with PGN or BRH, MPGN significantly decreased during the study period. Although the criteria for renal biopsy and renal diseases detected are expected to change in the future, renal biopsy will remain an essential procedure for making a definite diagnosis, selection of optimum treatment, and prediction of prognosis.

Mechanisms of endothelin-1-induced decrease in contractility in adult mouse ventricular myocytes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The potent vasoconstrictor polypeptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays an important pathophysiological role in progression of cardiovascular diseases and elicits prominent effects on myocardial contractility. Although ET-1 produces a positive inotropy in cardiac muscle of most mammalian species, it induces a sustained negative inotropy in mice. This study was performed to gain an insight into the cellular mechanisms underlying the negative inotropy in adult mouse ventricular myocytes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Cell shortening and Ca(2+) transients were simultaneously recorded from isolated mouse ventricular myocytes loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye indo-1. KEY RESULTS: ET-1 decreased cell shortening in a concentration-dependent manner (pD(2) value of 10.1). The ET-1-induced decrease in cell shortening was associated with a decrease in Ca(2+) transients. In addition, the Ca(2+) transient/cell-shortening relationship was shifted to the right by ET-1, indicating decreased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. The instantaneous relationship of the rising phase of the Ca(2+) transient and cell shortening was shifted to the right by ET-1. Decreased Ca(2+) transients and cell shortening induced by ET-1 were markedly attenuated by the specific Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange inhibitor SEA0400. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: ET-1-induced negative inotropy in mouse ventricular myocytes was mediated by decreased Ca(2+) transients and myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. These data are entirely consistent with the involvement of increased Ca(2+) extrusion via the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger in the ET-1-mediated decrease in Ca(2+) transients. Decreased Ca(2+) sensitivity may be due to retardation of cell shortening in response to a rise in Ca(2+) transients.

Could Ca2+ sensitizers rescue patients from chronic congestive heart failure?

Attempts to ameliorate cardiac contractile dysfunction by Ca(2+) mobilizers, such as catecholamines, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and digitalis, play an important role in pharmacotherapy for congestive heart failure (CHF), but these agents possess disadvantages in causing Ca(2+) overload resulting in arrhythmogenicity and damage to cardiomyocytes. Ca(2+) sensitizers that act directly on contractile proteins are free from the risk of Ca(2+) overload and they could improve haemodynamic parameters with minimum increase in energy expenditure even under pathological conditions, including acidosis and stunned myocardium. Beneficial effects of levosimendan (that acts by combination of Ca(2+) sensitization and PDE inhibition) on CHF due to hypertensive cardiomyopathy in Dahl/Rapp rats as reported in this issue demonstrate the potential of oral levosimendan in long-term treatment of chronic CHF. Since chronic CHF in clinical settings is much more complex, careful analysis of clinical outcomes will be required to establish the therapeutic relevance of Ca(2+) sensitizers in the treatment of chronic CHF.

Distribution of emm genotypes among group A streptococcus isolates from patients with severe invasive streptococcal infections in Japan, 2001-2005.

We surveyed emm genotypes of group A streptococcus (GAS) isolates from patients with severe invasive streptococcal infections during 2001-2005 and compared their prevalence with that of the preceding 5 years. Genotype emm1 remained dominant throughout 2001 to 2005, but the frequency rate of this type decreased compared with the earlier period. Various other emm types have appeared in recent years indicating alterations in the prevalent strains causing severe invasive streptococcal infections. The cover of the new 26-valent GAS vaccine fell from 93.5% for genotypes of isolates from 1996-2000 to 81.8% in 2001-2005.

RASSF2, a potential tumour suppressor, is silenced by CpG island hypermethylation in gastric cancer.

RASSF2, a member of the RASSF1 family, has recently been identified as a potential tumour suppressor. We examined methylation status in multiple regions which included the CpG island and spanned the transcription start site of RASSF2 in 10 gastric cancer cell lines, as well as 78 primary gastric cancers and corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia. Hypermethylation of RASSF2 in at least one of the regions examined was detected in seven (70%) of the 10 cell lines; two (20%) exhibited hypermethylation in all the regions examined including the transcription start site and lost expression of RASSF2 mRNA, which could, however, be restored by 5-aza-2' deoxycytidine treatment, while the other five (50%) cell lines exhibited hypermethylation at the 5'- and/or 3'- edge, with four of them expressing RASSF2 mRNA. In primary gastric cancers and corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, frequencies of RASSF2 methylation ranged from 29% (23 out of 78) to 79% (62 out of 78) and 3% (two out of 78) to 60% (47 out of 78), respectively, at different CpG sites examined. Methylation was frequently observed at the 5'- and 3'- edges, and became less frequent near the transcription start site in both the primary gastric cancers and corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia. Hypermethylation near the transcription start site was mostly cancer-specific. We thus showed that RASSF2 is silenced by hypermethylation near the transcription start site in gastric cancer. Hypermethylation was found initially to occur at the 5'- and 3'- furthest regions of the CpG island in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, to gradually spreads near the transcription start site to shut down RASSF2 expression, and ultimately to constitute a field-defect placing tissue increased risk for development of gastric cancer.

Development of efficient plasmid DNA transfer into adult rat central nervous system using microbubble-enhanced ultrasound.

Although gene therapy might become a promising approach for central nervous system diseases, the safety issue is a serious consideration in human gene therapy. To overcome this problem, we developed an efficient gene transfer method into the adult rat brain based on plasmid DNA using a microbubble-enhanced ultrasound method, since microbubble-enhanced ultrasound has shown promise for transfecting genes into other tissues such as blood vessels. Using the microbubble-enhanced ultrasound method, luciferase expression was increased approximately 10-fold as compared to injection of naked plasmid DNA alone. Interestingly, the site of gene expression was limited to the site of insonation with intracisternal injection, in contrast to previous studies using viruses. Expression of the reporter gene, Venus, was readily detected in the central nervous system. The transfected cells were mainly detected in meningeal cells with intracisternal injection, and in glial cells with intrastriatal injection. There was no obvious evidence of tissue damage by microbubble-enhanced ultrasound. Overall, the present study demonstrated the feasibility of efficient plasmid DNA transfer into the central nervous system, providing a new option for treating various diseases such as tumors.

CSF hypovolemia vs intracranial hypotension in "spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome".

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of CSF hypovolemia in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) syndrome because so-called SIH syndrome sometimes lacks intracranial hypotension. METHODS: Ten women (aged from 28 to 49 years) with characteristic orthostatic headache without a previous history of dural tear were investigated. In addition to gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced brain MRI, spinal MRI with and without Gd enhancement was performed. RESULTS: Gd-enhanced brain MRI demonstrated diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement in all patients. Sagittal T2-weighted spinal MRI revealed a variable amount of CSF in the extradural space in all patients. Sagittal T2-weighted MRI or axial Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MRI showed dilated epidural veins located in the high cervical portion in each patient. The intensity of dilatation of the epidural veins correlated significantly with the amount of CSF in the epidural space. This suggested that the Monro-Kellie doctrine was applicable in this circumstance. CONCLUSIONS: Since some patients with SIH syndrome have normal CSF pressure and since a downward displacement of the brain due to a reduction of the buoyant action of CSF may induce symptoms, CSF hypovolemia, not intracranial hypotension, may be the cause. Based on the Monro-Kellie doctrine, detecting leaked CSF and venous engorgement (epidural vein dilatation and pachymeningeal enhancement) is an important clue to diagnose so-called SIH syndrome. Dilatation of epidural veins suggests CSF hypovolemia in appropriate conditions.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for unstable angina pectoris combined with hypothyroidism and chronic renal failure; report of a case].

Coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with ischemic heart disease and hypothyroidism contains many controversies, and chronic renal failure causes perioperative water-electrolyte balance disorders. We experienced a case of unstable angina pectoris combined with hypothyroidism and chronic renal failure successfully treated by off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). A 68-year-old man with a history of hypothyroidism and chronic renal failure was hospitalized with chest pain. Cardiac catheterisation revealed a 90% stenosis of segment 3, 11 and right ventricular (RV) branch, 75% stenosis of segment 6 and 50% stenosis of segment 5. His thyroid function was normal with orally administered levothyroxine. OPCAB was performed safely with hemodialysis until a day before operation and hemofiltration from a day after operation, and postoperative course was uneventful.

[Off-pump Cx grafting for unstable angina with left main trunk lesion].

Recently, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been rediscovered and spread to avoid the deleterious effect of cardiopulmonary bypass. In OPCAB, surgical exposure of Cx grafting site often threats the hemodynamic stability. We retrospectively analysed the 13 patients with acute coronary syndrome due to LMT lesion who underwent emergent OPCAB to accomplish the safe Cx grafting. We assessed the intraoperative hemodynamic changes and early results of OPCAB through the use of new devices and techniques. Myocardial tissue oxygen saturation was measured by near-infra red spectroscopy during OPCAB. All procedures were completed without hemodynamic deterioration and conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass. No hospital deaths or complications were noted. The early patency rate was 100 percent and perioperative maximal CK-MB was 16.6 +/- 4.7 IU/l. Concomitant use of ischemic preconditioning and KATP opener, oxidative radical scavenger, PD III inhibitor, ameliorated ischemic cardiac dysfunction during occlusion of the coronary artery and improved the postischemic functional recovery. These results suggest that intra-operative compound management may decrease the risk of Cx grafting of OPCAB.

Expression of apoptosis in placentae from mice lacking the prostaglandin F receptor.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in apoptosis in the placenta and decidua of pregnant mice lacking the prostaglandin F receptor. Mouse placentae were removed from fetuses on days 10-23 of pregnancy. Apoptotic cells were examined by a DNA fragmentation assay and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) technique. The placenta and decidual weight increased before day 18 and 14 of pregnancy, and then decreased with gestational day. After day 19, the fetuses gradually died in the uterus. All fetuses died in the uterus on day 23 of pregnancy. The number of apoptosis was not significantly different between wild type and FP-deficient mice before day 18 of pregnancy by DNA fragmentation and TUNEL staining. The DNA fragmentation was always more pronounced in decidual tissue on each day of pregnancy. DNA laddering on placentae was more extensive on day 22 than day 18. In placenta, most TUNEL-positive cells were detected in trophoblast and stromal cells. A higher intensity of apoptotic cells was in the decidual basalis. The main area was the centre of the decidual basalis, and was in decrease toward to margin of placenta. The index of TUNEL positive cells increased as gestation progressed toward termination. Especially, it was prominent in the placentae on day 22 compared with that day 18 of pregnancy. The increased TUNEL-positive staining in syncytiotrophoblast surface was found in placenta at post-term, compared with those at term. Apoptosis may provide insights into both normal placental development and placental dysfunction during an abnormal pregnancy from post-term pregnancy.

Dominant effect of supplemented-sucrose on the low protein diet-induced increase in blood pressure of Sprague-Dawley rats.

A low-protein diet (LPD) is known to affect the regulation of hemodynamics, and could contribute to the genesis of hypertension. We investigated the mechanism for the LPD-induced elevation of blood pressure in 52 Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats fed the LPD for 8 weeks showed a significantly higher blood pressure than those fed on a normal-protein diet (NPD) when the LPD included sucrose as a predominant component of carbohydrate (LPD with a high sucrose content, 135 +/- 2 mmHg; NPD, 124 +/- 2 mmHg; p<0.05). However, LPD with a low sucrose content, in which corn starch was the main component of carbohydrate, did not have a hypertensive effect (125 +/- 2 mmHg). Urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine excretion was significantly higher in the LPD high-sucrose group than in the NPD and LPD low-sucrose groups, and there was a significant positive correlation between urinary norepinephrine excretion and systolic blood pressure. Urinary nitric oxide excretion was no different between these groups, and 2 % L-arginine administration exerted no antihypertensive effect on the LPD-induced elevation of blood pressure. Sodium restriction also did not attenuate the LPD-induced elevation of blood pressure. These results suggest that the effect of LPD on blood pressure could be interpreted as the effect of the high sucrose content supplemented to the LPD rather than the direct effect of protein restriction, and that the stimulation of sympathetic nervous activity was associated with this elevation of blood pressure.

Profiling the adult human liver transcriptome: analysis by cDNA array hybridization.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A comprehensive profile of genes expressed at the mRNA level (transcriptome) in human liver tissue is important for elucidating the pathogenesis and treatment of hepatic diseases. The recent development of cDNA array hybridization allows the parallel monitoring of thousands of genes expressed in a single organ. METHODS: High-density microarrays containing 4043 known and unique human cDNA gene targets were used to quantitatively analyze the expression of genes in human livers. Expressed gene transcripts were classified by function and listed with information of their chromosomal positions. Computational analysis was used to cluster genes according to similarity in pattern of gene expression. RESULTS: A total of 2418 unique gene transcripts were detected in five liver specimens. Through relational database analysis, we determined 1212 genes that were commonly expressed in 4 of the five liver specimens. Furthermore, analysis of the total 2418 expressed genes by self-organizing maps and hierarchical clustering unexpectedly revealed a genomic acute phase response in two of the liver specimens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings represent a comprehensive preliminary molecular index of genes transcribed in the adult human liver. The information may serve as a resource for speeding up the discovery of genes underlying human hepatic diseases.

Immunohistochemical expression of G protein alpha-subunit isoforms in rat and monkey Merkel cell-neurite complexes.

The true function of Merkel cells (MCs) is still enigmatic, though the localization of various kinds of neurotransmitter-like substances in MCs has been revealed by immunohistochemistry. Most of the neurotransmitters act on target cells via seven-transmembrane receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. The heterotrimeric G proteins include various subfamilies that contribute to different signal transduction pathways. Therefore investigation of specific types of G proteins in MCs and related axon terminals (MC-axon terminals) should contribute to the elucidation of the function of MCs. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns of alpha-subunit isoforms of G proteins in MC-neurite complexes of the rat and monkey by enzymatic and fluorescence immunohistochemistry. MC-axon terminals of the rat and monkey showed positive immunoreactions of Galphao and Galphai1. Those of the monkey also showed a weak immunoreaction of Galphas. On the other hand, MCs of both animals showed positive immunoreactions of Galphao, Galphai1, Galphaq, and Galphaz. In addition, MCs of the monkey showed weak immunoreactions of Galphas. Galphao- and Galphai1-like immunoreactions in the MC-axon terminals suggest that MCs suppressively regulate receptive functions of type I mechanosensory nerve terminals. On the other hand, the localization of Galpha-subunits in MCs suggests that these cells are regulated with hormones, neurotransmitter-like substances, or growth factors.

Acquired storage-pool disorders occurring late after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: partial activation of platelets in asymptomatic patients.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) may be complicated by coagulation abnormalities. The present study evaluated whether platelets might be activated in patients who had undergone BMT without significant coagulopathy. The patients selected had received allogeneic BMTs a median of 39 months before the study (range, 11-124 months) and had not received cyclosporine, FK506 (tacrolimus), or other medication affecting cyclo-oxygenase for at least 3 months prior to the collection of blood samples. Furthermore, patients had platelet counts greater than 100 x 10(9) cells/L and normal serum creatinine levels. Twenty-five healthy volunteers acted as controls. Platelet aggregation studies and a mepacrine assay of platelets showed abnormal aggregation and decreased staining in some patients. The platelet storage-pool adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) level in 15 patients after BMT was 0.45+/-0.24 micromol per 10(11) platelets, whereas the level in 18 controls was 1.03+/-0.36 micromol per 10(11) platelets (P = .00078). The total ATP levels of platelets in patients and controls were 4.33+/-1.14 and 5.63+/-1.51 micromol per 10(11) platelets, respectively (P = .016). With the exception of 1 patient, plasma levels of thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor were all within the normal range. The average plasma level of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 was significantly increased in 15 patients after BMT compared with controls, 20.6+/-8.2 and 10.3+/-1.2 pg/mL, respectively (P = .0004). These findings suggest a long-term process of platelet activation in patients after BMT and, following the cessation of cyclosporine, development of acquired storage-pool disorder of platelets.

An amino acid residue whose change by mutation affects drug binding to the HERG channel.

We did the experiments to search for amino acids that affect quinidine binding to the HERG channel, and have identified an amino acid whose change by mutation affects the binding of various drugs. The residue is located at position 647 in the S6 and is not involved in the recently identified methanesulfonanilide binding pocket. The homology model of the HERG channel indicated that the residue faces toward the outside of the channel pore. We conclude that the residue at position 647 does not interact directly with drug molecules but plays an important role in keeping the binding site's high affinity for drugs.

Decrease in Ca(2+)-sensitizing effect of UD-CG 212 Cl, a metabolite of pimobendan, under acidotic condition in canine ventricular myocardium.

We studied the influence of acidosis on the positive inotropic effect of UD-CG 212 Cl (4,5-dihydro-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-yl]-5-methyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone), an active metabolite of pimobendan, in canine ventricular trabeculae loaded with aequorin. The positive inotropic effect of UD-CG 212 Cl was markedly suppressed under acidotic conditions. The maximal contractile response to UD-CG 212 Cl was attained at 10(-5) M in the control condition at pH 7.4, but was not achieved even at 10(-4) M during acidosis. The maximal inotropic effect of UD-CG 212 Cl was 18% of the maximal response to isoproterenol (ISO(max)) in association with an increase in Ca(2+) transients of 7% of ISO(max) in the control, while they are 8 and 6% of ISO(max) under acidosis, respectively. Acidosis abolished the increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity induced by UD-CG 212 Cl, whereas the increase in Ca(2+) transients induced by the compound was not affected by acidosis. In conclusion, UD-CG 212 Cl elicited a positive inotropic effect even under acidosis, however, UD-CG 212 Cl was much less effective as a cardiotonic agent under acidosis mainly due to a decrease in the Ca(2+)-sensitizing effect under acidotic condition.

[A case of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with variable renal histological change despite of poor changes in urinalysis].

We experienced a case of lupus nephritis with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A renal biopsy specimen from this patient showed various renal histological changes, but the results of urinalysis were almost normal. The patient was a 56-year-old woman diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in 1983. In 1998, she had diarrhea and blood gas analysis showed metabolic acidosis. Therefore, she was admitted to our hospital and underwent renal function examination. The glomerular filtration rate was reduced(GFR: 40/ml/min), but urinalysis was almost normal. To examine her renal dysfunction, we performed open renal biopsy. Her renal tissues showed global glomerular sclerosis, mesangial cell proliferation and infiltration of cells in the tubulointerstitial area(WHO II). Furthermore, some arterioles showed organized thrombus formation and recanalization due to the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Renal biopsy of patients with lupus nephritis is useful not only for precise diagnosis, but also for the selection of appropriate treatment.

Inotropic response of rabbit ventricular myocytes to endothelin-1: difference from isolated papillary muscles.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased cell shortening and Ca2+ transients over the concentration of 3 x 10(-11) M to 10(-9) M with EC50 of 8.3 x 10(-11) M in rabbit single ventricular myocytes. Thus ET-1 was approximately 60 times more potent in single myocytes than in papillary muscles (EC50 = 5.1 x 10(-9) M) of the same species. In single myocytes, ET-1 at 10(-8) M elicited an inhibitory response that counteracted the facilitatory response: the concentration-response curve (CRC) for ET-1 was bell shaped. The ET(A)-receptor antagonist BQ-485 shifted CRC for ET-1 to the right in parallel; however, the facilitatory response to 10(-8) M ET-1 was markedly enhanced by BQ-485 and also by the ET(B) antagonist BQ-788. The ET(A)/ET(B) antagonist TAK-044 abolished the ET-1-induced response. These findings indicate that the response to ET-1 of single myocytes is different from that of papillary muscles in concentration dependence, characteristics of the response, and susceptibility to ET-receptor antagonists. Anomalous pharmacological characteristics of ET-1-induced response in rabbit papillary muscles may be due to integrated regulatory mechanisms that may involve also various types of noncardiac cell in ventricular myocardium.