ABHD6 Inhibition Rescues a Sex-Dependent Deficit in Motor Coordination in The HdhQ200/200 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease.

Huntington's Disease is associated with motor behavior deficits that are lessened by few therapeutic options. This preliminary study tested if pharmacological inhibition of α/ß-hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6), a multifunctional enzyme expressed in the striatum, rescues behavioral deficits in HdhQ200/200 mice. Previous work has shown that this model exhibits a reduction in spontaneous locomotion and motor coordination at 8 and 10 months of age, with a more severe phenotype in female mice. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry analysis indicated no change in striatal ABHD6 expression at 8 months of age, but a 40% reduction by 10 months in female HdhQ200/200 mice compared to female wild-type (WT) littermates. At 8 months of age, acute ABHD6 inhibition rescued motor coordination deficits in female HdhQ200/200 mice without affecting WT performance. ABHD6 inhibition did not impact spontaneous locomotion, grip strength, or overall weight in either group, showing that effects were specific to motor coordination. At 10 months of age, semi-chronic ABHD6 inhibition by osmotic pump delivery also rescued motor coordination deficits in female HdhQ200/200 mice without affecting female WT littermates. Our preliminary study suggests that ABHD6 inhibition improves motor performance in female HdhQ200/200 mice.

Diacylglycerol lipase ß inhibition reverses nociceptive behaviour in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inhibition of diacylglycerol lipase (DGL)ß prevents LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Thus, the present study tested whether DGLß inhibition reverses allodynic responses of mice in the LPS model of inflammatory pain, as well as in neuropathic pain models. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Initial experiments examined the cellular expression of DGLß and inflammatory mediators within the LPS-injected paw pad. DAGL-ß (-/-) mice or wild-type mice treated with the DGLß inhibitor KT109 were assessed in the LPS model of inflammatory pain. Additional studies examined the locus of action for KT109-induced antinociception, its efficacy in chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) models. KEY RESULTS: Intraplantar LPS evoked mechanical allodynia that was associated with increased expression of DGLß, which was co-localized with increased TNF-α and prostaglandins in paws. DAGL-ß (-/-) mice or KT109-treated wild-type mice displayed reductions in LPS-induced allodynia. Repeated KT109 administration prevented the expression of LPS-induced allodynia, without evidence of tolerance. Intraplantar injection of KT109 into the LPS-treated paw, but not the contralateral paw, reversed the allodynic responses. However, i.c.v. or i.t. administration of KT109 did not alter LPS-induced allodynia. Finally, KT109 also reversed allodynia in the CCI and CINP models and lacked discernible side effects (e.g. gross motor deficits, anxiogenic behaviour or gastric ulcers). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that local inhibition of DGLß at the site of inflammation represents a novel avenue to treat pathological pain, with no apparent untoward side effects.

Evidence-based Update of Pediatric Dental Restorative Procedures: Dental Materials.

BACKGROUND: The science of dental materials and restorative care in children and adolescent is constantly evolving, and the ongoing search for ideal restorative materials has led to plethora of research. AIM: To provide an evidence base to assist dental practitioners choose appropriate restorative care for children and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: This evidence-based review appraises this literature, primarily between the years 1995-2013, for efficacy of dental amalgam, composites, glass ionomer cements, compomers, preformed metal crowns and anterior esthetic restorations. The assessment of evidence for each dental material was based on a strong evidence, evidence in favor, expert opinion, and evidence against by consensus of the authors. RESULTS: There is varying level of evidence for the use of restorative materials like amalgam, composites, glass ionomers, resin-modified glass-ionomers, compomers, stainless steel crowns and anterior crowns for both primary and permanent teeth. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial amount data is available on restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry; however, there exists substantial evidence from systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials and clinicians need to examine and understand the available literature evidence carefully to aid them in clinical decision making.

Evaluating the potential of a new isotope-labelled glyco-ligand for estimating the remnant liver function of schistosoma-infected mice.

A new glyco-derivative compound (OCTAM) was developed and labelled with isotope to form (188) Re-OCTAM as a candidate nuclear medicine imaging agent for testing the liver function. We evaluated the potential of isotope-labelled OCTAM for estimating the remnant liver function in vitro and in vivo schistosoma-infected mice. The affinity of OCTAM to liver asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) was assessed by competitive inhibition assay in vitro. In vivo assessments were performed to score the remnant liver function in mice at different schistosomal infection stages. OCTAM binds specifically to ASGPR and showed competitive inhibition of anti-ASGPR antibody binding to hepatocytes, and was higher than that of other galactosyl ligands. Micro-SPECT/CT images of uninfected mice revealed strong liver uptake. Quantified serial images of mice infected for 9, 12 and 18 weeks showed delayed liver uptake, and the retention of uptake was inversely correlated with stage and grade of schistosoma infection. Pathological and biochemical analysis demonstrated that gradually accumulating liver injury caused by infection significantly influenced uptake of (188) Re-OCTAM. Hepatic ASGPR expression diminished only in the chronic infection stage. This study demonstrated that the isotope-labelled OCTAM could accumulate in the liver, might have potential as an imaging agent for in vivo hepatic function evaluation of schistosomiasis.

Variability of two plaque sampling methods in quantitation of Streptococcus mutans.

The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility of individual versus pooled plaque sampling of permanent first molars (PFM) to quantitate Streptococcus mutans (SM)/total streptococci (TS). Ten individual and pooled plaque samples were collected from 35 subjects, randomly assigned to individual-first or pooled-first group. Plaque samples were processed and quantified for SM and TS. SM/TS ratio was used to determine the reproducibility within two group samples. Mean percentage of SM/TS in both methods were not significantly different. However, within subject detection of SM was found to be significantly more sensitive for individual sampling method. Despite the lack of a difference between both methods for SM/TS quantitation, the difference in SM detection suggests that individual sampling is more sensitive.

Cost-effectiveness of influenza immunization in adult cancer patients in Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the influenza vaccine among cancer patients in Taiwan. We determined the effect of immunization on the following outcomes of disease: hospitalizations, emergency department visits, hospital outpatient visits, physician office visits, and deaths. Cost-effectiveness was analysed from the perspectives of the healthcare system and society. A decision tree was used, with estimates of disease burden and costs based on data from published and unpublished sources. The model followed 34 112 cancer patients aged 20-64 years who were registered by the Taiwan National Cancer Registry in 2002. An influenza immunization programme for the cancer population would prevent 2555 cases of all types of influenza infection, 660 of which would be serious cases involving hospitalization, emergency department visits and death. From the perspective of the healthcare system, the programme would cost US$7.7 million, providing net savings of US$5.4 million. From a societal perspective, the programme would cost US$28.6 million, providing net savings of US$22.3 million. This corresponds to savings of US$2107 and US$6338 per case averted, from healthcare and societal perspectives, respectively, as well as 110 lives saved. Lesser disease burden, greater vaccine efficacy and lower cost of hospitalizations increased cost-effectiveness. Influenza immunization for cancer patients is cost-saving and cost-effective from a healthcare and societal perspective in Taiwan. We highly recommend annual influenza vaccinations for this patient group.

Rupture of mitral chordae tendineae: adding to the list of hypertension complications.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with chordae tendineae rupture (CTR) of the mitral valve have obscure aetiologies. The association between pre-existing hypertension and idiopathic CTR was investigated. METHODS: 494 patients with CTR were identified by searching the computer database. For each patient with idiopathic CTR, three matched controls without CTR who were admitted to the same hospital for bone fractures were included. RESULTS: Among the 494 patients with CTR, 351 patients (71%) had idiopathic CTR, and 143 patients (29%) had secondary CTR. The prevalence of pre-existing hypertension was significantly higher in the idiopathic than in the secondary CTR group (50.9% vs 14.6%, p<0.001). The odds ratio was 6.0 (95% CI 3.6 to 10.1). The percentage of patients without adequate blood pressure control was also higher in the idiopathic than in the secondary CTR group (23.1% vs 4.9%, p<0.001). When compared with the fracture group, patients with idiopathic CTR also had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (50.9% vs 14.9%, p<0.001), and the odds ratio was 5.9 (95% CI 4.5 to 7.8). After correction for age, the odds ratio of having hypertension was 3.6 (95% CI 2.1 to 6.3) and 6.6 (p<0.001, 95% CI 5.0 to 8.8) when compared with the secondary CTR group and fracture group respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong association between pre-existing hypertension and idiopathic CTR. Whether or not this disease can be prevented by controlling hypertension deserves further investigation.

Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and diastolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic heart failure (DHF) refers to an abnormality of diastolic distensibility, filling or relaxation of the left ventricle. The genetic study of DHF is scarce in the literature. The association of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and DHF are well known. We hypothesized that RAS genes might be the susceptible genes for DHF and conducted a case-control study to prove the hypothesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1452 consecutive patients were analysed and 148 patients with a diagnosis of DHF confirmed by echocardiography were recruited. We had two control populations. The first controls consisted of 286 normal subjects while the second were 148 matched controls selected on a 1-to-1 basis by age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and medication use. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion polymorphism; multilocus polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen gene; and the A1166C polymorphisms of the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT(1)R) gene were genotyped. RESULTS: In a single-locus analysis, the odds ratios (ORs) for DHF were significant with the ACE DD genotype and the AT(1)R 1166 CC plus AC genotype. In addition, the concomitant presence of ACE DD and AT(1)R 1166 CC/AC genotypes synergistically increased the predisposition to DHF. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants in the RAS genes may determine an individual's risk to develop DHF. There is also a synergistic gene-gene interaction between the RAS genes in the development of DHF.

Risky behaviors for HIV infection among male incarcerated injection drug users in Taiwan: a case-control study.

Taiwan has experiencing an outbreak of HIV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) since 2003. A case-control study was conducted to determine the behavioral characteristics associated with HIV infection among IDUs. The study identified 120 inmates with HIV infection and 121 matched HIV-negative controls from prisons. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. The study found 48.1% of IDUs shared needles, less than a half of IDUs reported sexual intercourse before incarceration and only 19.7% used condoms. The multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for years of heroin injection, found that HIV infection was independently associated with the use of a used needle or syringe at the latest injection (odds ratio [OR], 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-20.2, p<0.001), having HIV-infected relatives or friends (OR, 5.7; 95%CI, 2.5-13.2, p<0.001) and sharing containers with others (OR, 3.3; 95%CI, 1.2-8.8, p=0.02). Our findings highlight the importance of needle exchange programs along with HIV-prevention education.

Autonomic neuropathy precedes cardiovascular dysfunction in rats with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Our team previously demonstrated arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic rats at 8 but not 4 weeks after being administered streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA). The present study focused on investigating the effects of type 2 diabetes on cardiac autonomic nerve function in the STZ- and NA-treated animals, using modern spectral estimation technique. DESIGN: An autoregressive process was performed to each detrended signal of heart rate and systolic blood pressure measured in the 4- and 8-week STZ-NA rats with anaesthesia. The power of low-frequency and high-frequency oscillations was automatically quantified with each spectral peak by computing the residuals. The closed-loop baroreflex gain was estimated using the square root of the ratio between heart rate and systolic blood pressure powers in the low-frequency band. RESULTS: Compared with the age-matched controls, both the 4- and 8-week STZ-NA diabetic rats had significantly decreased low-frequency oscillations of heart rate but not systolic blood pressure variability, showing a decline in baroreflex gain (0.451 +/- 0.060 and 0.484 +/- 0.056 vs. 1.196 +/- 0.064 ms mmHg(-1), P < 0.05). On the other hand, the low frequency-high frequency power ratio of the heart period was also diminished in the two diabetic groups, indicating a shift in sympatho-vagal balance of the heart control (0.472 +/- 0.109 and 0.504 +/- 0.090 vs. 1.857 +/- 0.336, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The cardiac autonomic dysfunction in the absence of any significant changes in vascular dynamics, 4 but not 8 weeks after induction of type 2 diabetes, suggests that the diabetic autonomic neuropathy may precede arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in the STZ- and NA-treated rats.

Aminoguanidine prevents fructose-induced deterioration in left ventricular-arterial coupling in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation endproducts, has been identified as a prominent agent that prevents the fructose-induced arterial stiffening in male Wistar rats. Our aims were to examine whether AG produced benefits on the left ventricular (LV)-arterial coupling in fructose-fed (FF) animals in terms of the ventricular and arterial chamber properties. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rats given 10% fructose in drinking water (FF) were daily treated with AG (50 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) for 2 weeks and compared with the untreated FF group. In anaesthetised rats, LV pressure and ascending aortic flow signals were recorded to calculate LV end-systolic elastance (E(es), an indicator of myocardial contractility) and effective arterial volume elastance (E(a)). The optimal afterload (Q(load)) determined by the ratio of E(a) to E(es) was used to measure the coupling efficiency between the left ventricle and its vasculature. KEY RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between fructose and AG in their effects on E(a). Fructose loading significantly elevated E(a) and AG prevented the fructose-derived deterioration in arterial chamber elastance. Both fructose and AG affected E(es) and Q(load), and there was an interaction between fructose and AG for these two variables. Both E(es) and Q(load) exhibited a decline with fructose feeding but showed a significant rise after AG treatment in the FF rats. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: AG prevented not only the contractile dysfunction of the heart caused by fructose loading, but also the fructose-induced deterioration in matching left ventricular function to the arterial system.

The fluid property dependency on micro-fluidic characteristics in the deposition process for microfabrication.

The droplet impingement into a cavity at micrometer-scale is one of important fluidic issues for microfabrications, e.g. the inkjet deposition process in the PLED display manufacturing. The related micro-fluidic behaviors in the deposition process should be carefully treated to ensure the desired quality of microfabrication. The droplets generally dispensing from an inkjet head, which contains an array of nozzles, have a volume in several picoliters, while each nozzle responds very quickly and jets the droplets into cavities on substrates with micrometer size. The nature of droplet impingement depends on the fluid properties, the initial state of droplet, the impact parameters and the surface characteristics. The commonly chosen non-dimensional numbers to describe this process are the Weber number, the Reynolds number, the Ohnesorge number, and the Bond number. This paper discusses the influences of fluid properties of a Newtonian fluid, such as surface tension and fluid viscosity, on micro-fluidic characteristics for a certain jetting speed in the deposition process via a numerical approach, which indicates the impingement process consists of four different phases. In the first phase, the droplet stretching outwards rapidly, where inertia force is dominated. In the second phase, the recoiling of droplet is observed, where surface tension becomes the most important force. In the third phase, the gravitational force pulls the droplet surface towards cavity walls. The fourth phase begins when the droplet surface touches cavity walls and ends when the droplet obtains a stable shape. If the fluid viscosity is relatively small, the droplet surface touches cavity walls in the second phase. A stable fluid layer would not form if the viscosity is relatively small.

Relation of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Taiwan to angiographically demonstrated coronary artery disease and to the presence of acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris.

Reports of the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection with coronary artery disease (CAD) are scarce in the Oriental population. We therefore conducted a case-control study to explore this issue in Taiwan. There were 242 consecutive subjects (166 men and 76 women) who underwent cardiac catheterization at the National Taiwan University Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. Patients with CAD (n = 156) had > or = 1 coronary artery lesion of > 50% diameter stenosis on angiography. Controls (n = 86) had no demonstrable CAD angiographically. Antibodies to C. pneumoniae were tested by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prevalence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae was as follows: immunoglobulin-G (IgG), 50% (122 of 242 patients); immunoglobulin-A (IgA), 72% (176 of 242 patients); and either IgG or IgA, 79% (192 of 242 patients ). The odds ratio (OR) for CAD with either IgG or IgA was 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7 to 2.7, p = 0.31). After adjusting for the known CAD risk factors, the OR decreased to 0.8 (95% CI 0.3 to 2.1, p = 0.60). The OR for unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction with the presence of either IgG or IgA was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.1, p = 0.08) and 0.4 ( 95% CI 0.1 to 1.0, p = 0.049) after adjusting for other risk factors. These results suggest a high prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection in Taiwan. However, C. pneumoniae infection is not associated with angiographically documented CAD, and, in contrast, is a negative predictor for the development of acute coronary syndromes.

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with pregnancy is unusual. CASE: A 33-year-old woman presented at 25 weeks' gestation with sudden, severe epigastric pain for 6 hours. Abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple liver tumors with a small amount of ascites. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an unresectable ruptured liver tumor that was treated by packing. Although a biopsy was nondiagnostic, ultrasound-guided needle biopsy 6 days after cesarean delivery at 41 weeks' gestation showed hepatocellular carcinoma, which was treated with transarterial embolization. At 3.5 years posttherapy, both mother and infant are well. CONCLUSION: Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma during pregnancy is rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of sudden, severe epigastric pain.

Accuracy of biphasic response, sustained improvement and worsening during dobutamine echocardiography in predicting recovery of resting myocardial dysfunction after revascularization: comparison with thallium-201 SPECT.

To evaluate the accuracy of various types of wall motion response during dobutamine echocardiography (DE) in predicting functional recovery after revascularization, we studied 30 patients with stable coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction by simultaneous DE and (201)Tl reinjection SPECT. Among 480 segments (16 segments/patient), 199 had abnormal wall motion at baseline and 167 were revascularized. The predictive value for recovery of function was 72% for a biphasic response, 61% for sustained improvement, 77% for worsening, and 27% for no change (p < 0.01 vs. each). Biphasic response had a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 85%. Combining biphasic, sustained improvement and worsening responses, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 76%, 65% and 71%, respectively. For (201)Tl SPECT, they were 90%, 65% and 78%, respectively. Thus, a biphasic response alone is of low sensitivity. Combination of biphasic, sustained improvement and worsening responses gives an accuracy rate comparable to that of (201)Tl reinjection SPECT in assessing functional recovery.

Serum level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF-R75) is apparently an index of overall monocyte-related infectious and inflammatory activity.

BACKGROUND: The serum level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF-R75) has been recently found to correlate with the activity and/or severity of several different infectious and inflammatory diseases. These results have led us to presume that the serum sTNF-R75 level reflects the active immune activity of all causes and may correlate well with nonspecific infectious and inflammatory markers such as peripheral leukocyte counts and serum C-reactive protein level. METHODS: In total, 110 apparently healthy adults, 55 men and 55 women, were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of sTNF-R75, C-reactive protein, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were checked. The relationships between the serum sTNF-R75 level and other parameters were analyzed using the SAS statistical program. RESULTS: By various statistical methods, the serum sTNF-R75 level showed consistently significant positive links with peripheral monocyte count, serum C-reactive protein level, and two parameters of renal clearance function (serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels). Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase had significant positive links with the serum sTNF-R75 level by multivariate regression analysis. There was no significant link between the serum sTNF-R75 level and counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, or basophils. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, together with those of recent reports showing positive correlations between the serum sTNF-R75 level and activities/severities of different infectious and inflammatory diseases, and also that TNF-alpha is principally produced by monocytes and macrophages, suggest that the serum sTNF-R75 level is very probably an index of overall monocyte-related infectious and inflammatory activities.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a 'pseudo-infarction' pattern on the electrocardiograph. A case report.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease involving both the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. Although it is well known that various central nervous system disorders can produce a 'pseudo-infarction' pattern on the electrocardiogram, there have been no reports of this particular pattern in ALS patients. This report concerns an ALS patient who presented with an ECG pattern of S-T elevation followed by biphasic T and inverted T without any detectable myocardial abnormality. Data from the present case suggest that this pattern may be an inherent characteristic of ALS.

Expression pattern in a modified equalized kidney cDNA library of hypertensive rat.

BACKGROUND: Genes with important functions and rarely expressed would probably more easily be cloned from a modified equalized kidney cDNA library for further investigation. METHODS: A kidney cDNA library of a spontaneously hypertensive rat was synthesized by a modified equalization method. Inserts of random clones were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Sequences were compared against a nonredundant database in GenBank. The cDNA profile was compared with an expression profile of a mouse renal proximal tubule cDNA library. Seven clones were analyzed by Northern blot analysis. The cDNA ends of two novel genes were amplified by PCR, sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS: 336 cDNA clones were analyzed and grouped into 323 species of transcript with 77 species similar to previously reported genes. Northern blot analysis identified one kidney-specific, one rarely expressed and lung-specific, and another relatively testis-specific gene. Two novel genes were cloned. One was 4.1 kb in length and encoded a 390-amino acid zinc-finger protein. Another was 2.5 kb and encoded a 474-amino acid protein of unknown function. Compared with the expression profile of a mouse renal proximal tubule cDNA library, this kidney library had a lower proportion of ribosomal genes and had a greater proportion of genes for signal transduction and DNA or RNA binding. CONCLUSIONS: Rare or novel genes could be more easily isolated from this library for molecular study of hypertension and renal pathophysiology.

Cloning a novel metallophosphoesterase gene from a kidney cDNA library of hypertensive rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. To facilitate genetic studies of hypertension and renal disorders, we sought to clone novel genes from a modified, equalized kidney (MEK) cDNA library of a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). METHODS: A kidney cDNA library of an SHR was synthesized using the modified equalization method. Inserts of 350 random clones were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced, of which 246 were presumably unknown after being compared against a nonredundant database in the GenBank. The cDNA ends of clone 38S were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends, sequenced, and then analyzed with Translate, Prosite, Profile, SignalP, and TMpred programs. RESULTS: The full-length cDNA was 938 bp, and translated into a 182-amino acid protein. The deduced protein had a metallophosphoesterase domain, a signal peptide at its amino end, a protein kinase C phosphorylation site, and a transmembrane domain. Northern blot analysis revealed that this gene was expressed in the heart, brain, spleen, lungs, liver, skeletal muscles, kidneys and testes of Sprague-Dawley rats. A putative protein of Arabidopsis thaliana shares 62% homology with protein 38S, but the two proteins differ in terms of function and structure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that protein 38S is a novel membrane metallophosphoesterase, although its function in the kidneys remains to be elucidated. This study also demonstrates the feasibility of using PCR to clone novel genes from our MEK cDNA library.

Characteristic findings of body surface potential map during ventricular repolarization in patients with coronary heart disease.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of body surface potential map (BSPM) findings during ventricular repolarization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 108 consecutive patients, 99 men and 9 women with angina pectoris and positive treadmill exercise test results as well as angiographically documented CAD underwent BSPM study in a fasting state. Their ages ranged from 30 to 70 years. There were 13 patients with right coronary artery (RCA) lesions, 37 with left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesions, 5 with left circumflex artery (LCX) lesions, 17 with both RCA and LAD lesions, 12 with both LCX and LAD lesions, and 24 with 3-vessel disease. The BSPMs were obtained by using the heart potential map system designed by Toyama et al. There were 59 lead points on the anterior chest wall and 28 on the back. The BSPMs in isopotential distribution were made every one msec throughout the ventricular activation period. The distribution of positive and negative potentials, potential maximum and potential minimum, polarity of potential distribution, and the reversal of potential distribution during ventricular repolarization were analyzed. The following information on BSPMs was obtained: (1) In early ventricular repolarization, the negative potential and the potential minimum appeared abnormally on the anterior thorax. The potential abnormality displayed on the right portion or the inferior portion in patients with RCA lesions, on the middle portion or the left portion in patients with LAD lesions, and on the left-superior portion or the left-middle portion in patients with LCX lesions. In patients with multi-vessel disease, the abnormal potential distribution showed a combined pattern of individual vessel lesions. (2) In some cases, the multipolar potential distribution appeared abnormally during the initial stage and the peak of the T wave. (3) The reversal of potential distribution was observed in about half of the patients. The characteristic findings of the BSPM during ventricular repolarization, including abnormal potential distribution, multipolar potential distribution and reversal of potential distribution, will be of clinical value in patients with CAD.