Multipole polaron in the devil's staircase of CeSb.

Rare-earth intermetallic compounds exhibit rich phenomena induced by the interplay between localized f orbitals and conduction electrons. However, since the energy scale of the crystal-electric-field splitting is only a few millielectronvolts, the nature of the mobile electrons accompanied by collective crystal-electric-field excitations has not been unveiled. Here, we examine the low-energy electronic structures of CeSb through the anomalous magnetostructural transitions below the Néel temperature, ~17 K, termed the 'devil's staircase', using laser angle-resolved photoemission, Raman and neutron scattering spectroscopies. We report another type of electron-boson coupling between mobile electrons and quadrupole crystal-electric-field excitations of the 4f orbitals, which renormalizes the Sb 5p band prominently, yielding a kink at a very low energy (~7 meV). This coupling strength is strong and exhibits anomalous step-like enhancement during the devil's staircase transition, unveiling a new type of quasiparticle, named the 'multipole polaron', comprising a mobile electron dressed with a cloud of the quadrupole crystal-electric-field polarization.

Devil's staircase transition of the electronic structures in CeSb.

Solids with competing interactions often undergo complex phase transitions with a variety of long-periodic modulations. Among such transition, devil's staircase is the most complex phenomenon, and for it, CeSb is the most famous material, where a number of the distinct phases with long-periodic magnetostructures sequentially appear below the Néel temperature. An evolution of the low-energy electronic structure going through the devil's staircase is of special interest, which has, however, been elusive so far despite 40 years of intense research. Here, we use bulk-sensitive angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and reveal the devil's staircase transition of the electronic structures. The magnetic reconstruction dramatically alters the band dispersions at each transition. Moreover, we find that the well-defined band picture largely collapses around the Fermi energy under the long-periodic modulation of the transitional phase, while it recovers at the transition into the lowest-temperature ground state. Our data provide the first direct evidence for a significant reorganization of the electronic structures and spectral functions occurring during the devil's staircase.

Isolation and characterization of three distinct 34 kDa EDTA-extractable proteins from bovine lens.

EDTA-extractable protein (EEP) is known to be a major lens membrane protein with a molecular mass in the range 32 kDa to 38 kDa, and is also known to bind to the lens membrane and phospholipid-containing liposomes in a calcium-dependent manner. Recent results (Russell, P., Zelenka, P., Martensen, J., and Reid, T.W. (1977) Curr. Eye Res. 6, 533-538) on antibody cross-reactivity have demonstrated that a 34-35 kDa component of EEP is identical to calpactin I (lipocortin II). In this study, we have identified and purified three distinct 34 kDa components of EEP (designated as EEP-34A1, EEP-34A2 and EEP-34B) from bovine lens that inhibit phospholipase A2 activity. These proteins bind to phospholipid-containing liposome and F-actin in a calcium-dependent fashion. Two-dimensional electrophoresis demonstrates that the three proteins were distinct from one another. However, immunochemical studies and one-dimensional peptide mapping indicate that EEP-34A1 and EEP-34B are very similar. Our results also indicate that EEP-34A1 is very similar to calpactin II and that EEP-34A2 corresponds to calpactin I. The bovine lens 34-35 kDa component of EEP is a mixture of proteins rather than a single protein.

Analysis of the human, bovine and rat 33-kDa proteins and cDNA in retina and pineal gland.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) was produced against a bovine retinal 33-kDa protein. Several clones of 33-kDa protein were isolated from each library of cDNA from human, bovine and rat retinas and rat pineal gland by mAb screening and by hybridization with cDNA probes. Each of the four cDNA sequences was determined and amino acid (aa) sequences were deduced from the nucleotide sequences. The latter were nearly identical in rat retina and rat pineal gland (99.6%) and were similar in human, bovine and rat retina (more than 87%). Each of these cDNAs had one long ORF and encoded 245 or 246 aa. The deduced aa sequences in rat retina and rat pineal gland were virtually identical and the sequences in human, bovine and rat retina were highly homologous (more than 88%). The predicted Mr for each of these proteins was 28,246 in the human, 28,176 in bovine, 28,143 in rat retina, and 28,129 in rat pineal gland. Each of the sequences has a putative site for phosphorylation by A kinase; we have confirmed that the putative site is Ser73. These results show that the 33-kDa proteins in the retina and pineal gland have the same sequences and the same phosphorylation site and suggest that the functional role of this protein is the same in the retina and pineal gland.

Effects of conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response.

In order to evaluate the effect of perilimbal conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response, we immunized rabbits with either intravenous or topical administration of bovine gamma globulin. After unilateral perilimbal conjunctival resection, the corneas were challenged with intracorneal injections of bovine gamma globulin. Perilimbal conjunctival resection prevented the development of peripheral corneal infiltrates in the rabbits immunized intravenously (P less than .0016) but not in those immunized topically. All the animals developed antibody titers to bovine gamma globulin. Similarly, perilimbal conjunctival resection did not prevent corneal graft rejection in rabbits sensitized to their donors by previous skin grafting.

Preference of peanut agglutinin labeling for long-wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptors in the dace retina.

Peanut agglutinin (PNA) was known for its selective binding to cone cells. In the present study, we investigated whether there was any difference in PNA binding among various subtypes of cone photoreceptor cells in the dace retina. The outer segments of the long-double- and long-single-cone cells were preferentially labeled with PNA. Ultrastructural pre-embedding labeling revealed that the binding sites of PNA were confined to the calycal processes of these cells. By contrast, only slight labeling was discerned on the corresponding regions of other types of cone cells. The results indicate that PNA can distinguish the long-wavelength-sensitive cone from the short-to-middle-wavelength-sensitive cone cells.

Decreased tear lactoferrin concentration in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Decreased tear volume in patients with chronic hepatitis C has been reported in the literature. Lactoferrin is abundantly present in human tears, the main source of which is the acini of the lacrimal glands. In this study tear lactoferrin levels were measured to investigate the dry eye condition of patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Lactoferrin in tears/fluid was measured by a radial immunodiffusion assay in 42 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The rate of lacrimal secretion was determined by the cotton thread test. Rose bengal staining of the ocular surface was also performed. RESULTS: Only three patients out of 42 complained of dry eye sensation and, in 31 patients, six showed positive results on the rose bengal staining test of the ocular surface. The lactoferrin concentration of tear fluid in the chronic hepatitis C group (1.42 (SD 0.56) mg/ml) was significantly lower than in the control group (1.90 (0.62) mg/ml; p <0.00048). The cotton thread test results in the chronic hepatitis C group (12.9 (5. 5) mm) were significantly lower than in the control group (17.9 (5. 3) mm; p<0.00048). Also, in the chronic hepatitis C group, tear lactoferrin concentration correlated with the results of the cotton thread test (r = 0.35, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis C patients showed both decreased tear volume, and decreased tear lactoferrin concentration. These findings suggest that there may be dysfunction of the lacrimal glands in patients with chronic hepatitis C, which may account for the mild dry eye.

Lectin cytochemical analysis of glycoconjugates in photoreceptor cell membranes of Lampetra japonica.

Seven types of ferritinized lectin were used to examine the distribution of glycoconjugates on the outer segment membranes of lamprey photoreceptor cells. Ultrastructural pre-embedding labeling revealed that peanut agglutinin, soybean agglutinin and Ricinus communis agglutinin I were preferentially bound to the proximal, lateral and luminal surfaces of the long cell outer segments, whereas Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin II and concanavalin A agglutinin were bound to the corresponding surfaces of the short cell outer segments. The results indicate that there is marked difference in the composition of glycoconjugates over the outer segment membranes between long and short photoreceptors.

A case of effusive-constructive pericarditis: an efficacy of GD-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to detect a pericardial thickening.

A 38-year-old man underwent pericardiectomy because of effusive-constrictive pericarditis. The gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed pericardial thickening separate from the effusion, which could not be shown by unenhanced computed tomography. Gd-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging could be useful for the early detection of effusive-constrictive pericarditis.

Uveitopathogenic sites in recoverin.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out in order to determine the most potent and novel uveitopathogenic sites of recoverin using synthetic peptides. METHODS: Several synthetic peptides containing the recoverin sequence plus adjuvants were injected into Lewis rats, and the uveitopathogenic sequence was defined, clinically, histologically, and immunologically. RESULTS: Peptides containing of amino acids 57-85 and 136-167 induced severe EAU, and the lowest doses to induce EAU were 20 microg and 10 microg, respectively. Lymphocyte proliferative reactions were also positive for peptides 57-85 and 136-167. The core sequences within the uveitopathogenic site were 65-79 and 153-164. Peptides of amino acids 65-79 within 57-85 and 149-167 within 136-167 were the smallest in the recoverin sequence, respectively, that could induce severe EAU. CONCLUSION: We found recoverin has some novel potent uveitopathogenic sites, 149-167. These findings of the uveitopathogenic sites in recoverin may lead to improved understanding of the pathogenesis of uveitis and the means to design specific treatment.

Analysis of uveitogenic sites in phosducin molecule.

PURPOSE: Phosducin, a retinal photoreceptor protein, induces experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). In this study, we attempted to determine the numbers of uveitogenic sites in phosducin using synthetic peptides. METHODS: Antigen peptides were synthesized according to the amino acid sequence of the rat-derived phosducin with a peptide-synthesizer and purified by reversed-phase HPLC. First, 13 peptides covering the entire sequence of phosducin were synthesized, and each was injected into the hind footpad of Lewis rats for immunization, and induction of EAU was examined clinically and histologically. Next, peptides that appeared to contain sequences of a uveitogenic site were newly synthesized and examined clinically and immunologically. RESULTS: Of the 13 peptides used in the first immunization, 7 induced inflammation. Similar to other EAU antigens, clinical changes began with fibrin deposition in the anterior segment and posterior synechia, followed by posterior chamber hypopyon. Histologically, inflammation was observed mainly in the outer segment of photoreceptor cells and outer nuclear layer, and serous retinal detachment was found in cases of severe inflammation. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in the pineal gland was also observed. In experiments designed to further specify the uveitogenic sites, the presence of inflammation-inducing sequences was inferred for amino acid sequences 1-20, 23-37, 79-91, 127-142 and 198-212. The rats immunized with these peptides also exhibited high value on lymphocyte proliferation assay. CONCLUSION: Phosducin has 5 uveitogenic sites. Among others, one of them has potent and others weak uveitogenicity.

Uniquely abnormal intracavitary flow during late systole and relaxation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with midventricular obstruction.

We describe a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had a uniquely abnormal jet from the base to the apex during late systole and the relaxation period. This 48-year-old woman was admitted with exertional dyspnea and palpitations. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed asymmetric septal hypertrophy and a left midventricular obstruction at the level of the papillary muscles. A high-velocity ejectional jet (peak velocity 4.8 m/s) directed toward the base during systole and an abnormal jet (peak velocity 2.2 m/s) directed toward the apex during late systole and the relaxation period were demonstrated through the midventricular obstruction site using Doppler echocardiography. The peak systolic pressure gradient between the apical and the basal chamber was 91 mmHg, and the peak systole pressure was higher in the apical chamber than in the basal chamber. However, a reverse pressure gradient was revealed between the two chambers during late systole and the relaxation period when the abnormal jet was demonstrated.

Suppression of experimental allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs by oral administration of antigen.

Feeding antigen can induce an immunological unresponsiveness termed oral tolerance. The authors examined the effect of the oral administration of two antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and cedar pollen extract (CPE) on experimental allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs quantitatively. After the primary active immunization with either OVA or CPE, guinea pigs were given each antigen orally everyday. After five antigen injections, conjunctivitis was elicited by the instillation of the antigen eye drops. The early phase of allergic reaction was evaluated by measuring the leakage of Evans blue injected intravenously. The later inflammation was evaluated by the number of infiltrating leukocytes. Oral administration of both OVA and CPE significantly reduced conjunctival exudation. Cellular infiltration was also markedly diminished in the OVA-fed group. Serum levels of anti-OVA IgE and anti-CPE IgE antibodies were suppressed by feeding of each antigen, and there was a positive correlation between the IgE level and the amount of dye leakage. This result suggests that the conjunctivitis was suppressed because of the inhibition of antigen-specific IgE production.

Clinical course, immune response, and histopathology of a simplified model of experimental lens induced endophthalmitis in rats.

YAG laser capsulotomy 14 days after one-shot immunization of bovine lens soluble protein with Freund's complete adjuvant and simultaneous intravenous injection of Bordettella pertussis caused lens induced endophthalmitis (LIE) in Lewis rats. Exudate first appeared in the anterior chamber eight hours after capsulotomy. In the cases of low dose (20µg/rat) immunization, exudative change was localized around the ruptured lens surface. On the other hand, the anterior chamber was filled with thick exudate in high dose (200µg/rat) immunized rats. By ELISA and lymphocyte proliferation assay, serum and lymphocyte from LIE rats reacted with bovine uvea as well as bovine lens, but showed no cross-reactivity with bovine retina. Histopathological finding in the low-dose immunized rats was granulomatous inflammation localized to the anterior eye segment, but high dose-immunized rats developed severe panophthalmitis and showed epithelioid granulomas in disorganized retina. The authors think this low dose model can contribute to therapeutic or suppressive studies.

Recurrent varicella-zoster virus retinitis in a patient treated with systemic corticosteroids.

A case of recurrent unilateral varicella-zoster virus (VZV) retinitis is reported. The retinitis was characterized by arteriolitis and retinal necrosis with secondary chorioretinal atrophy localized in the periphery of the supratemporal quadrant of the retina. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of aqueous humor demonstrated VZV DNA in both the initial and recurrent episode. The Goldmann-Witmer coefficient for VZV IgG was elevated. The initial VZV retinitis was successfully treated with acyclovir and corticosteroids. Three years later, high-dose corticosteroids alone were used to treat idiopathic facial nerve palsy. One month after concluding corticosteroids therapy, the VZV retinitis recurred in the same eye, suggesting that administration of the high-dose corticosteroids caused VZV reactivation and induced recurrence of VZV retinitis.

Decreased serum melatonin levels in rats with experimental autoimmune uveitis/pinealitis and in patients with uveitis.

The authors measured serum levels of the pineal hormone melatonin to investigate the possibility of pineal dysfunction in both rats with experimental autoimmune uveitis/pinealitis (EAU/EAP) and uveitis patients. The serum melatonin concentrations of EAU/EAP rats were measured by radioimmunoassay over a 24-hour (h) period, and in uveitis patients at night (0200 h). Melatonin concentrations were assayed in six patients with Behçet's disease, four with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, three with sarcoidosis, three with Kirisawa-type uveitis, and one with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. Nocturnal serum melatonin levels were significantly lower in Lewis rats with EAU/EAP (2200 h: 33.6±20.4 pg/ml, 0200 h: 43.2±13.9 pg/ml) than in the controls (2200 h: 117.5±25.3 pg/ml, 0200 h: 132.4±20.2 pg/ml) (p>0.01, at 2200 h and 0200 h). Melatonin levels were significantly lower in VKH disease (20.7±10.5 pg/ml) (p>0.01) and Behçet's disease (42.1±42.5 pg/ml) (p>0.05) than in the controls (79.4±36.7 pg/ml). These results suggest that there is a decrease in pineal gland function due to pinealitis in EAU/EAP rats. The markedly decreased nocturnal serum melatonin levels may also be related to the presence of retinal uveitogenic antigens in uveitis patients.

Hypervascular liver metastasis from hypovascular ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

In a case of hypervascular metastatic liver tumor, the vascularity of primary focus, pancreatic carcinoma was hypovascular. Based on the imaging findings, we thought before the operation that the two lesions were double cancers. Histological examination showed that the stromal volume of metastatic tumorous tissue was richer than that of the primary focus. It was suggested that the difference in the stromal volume was related to the difference of the vascularity. Some foctors originating in stromal cells might be involved in angiogenesis.

Establishment of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies against anti-interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein monoclonal antibody.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were previously established. One of the antibodies designated as MAb-TRA4 reacted with the IRBP of multiple species. Using this MAb-TRA4, 6 clonal anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (MAb-TRDy; y = 1-6) against MAb-TRA4 were established. All of the MAb-TRDy were characterized by ELISA, immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies. It was shown by ELISA that MAb-TRDy inhibited the specific binding between IRBP and MAb-TRA4 and did not cause nonspecific binding to rat polyclonal immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM). Immunoblotting assay demonstrated that MAb-TRDy inhibited the binding between IRBP and MAb-TRA4. Immunohistochemical examination also confirmed the immunological characterization of MAb-TRDy. Thus the present results indicate that the MAb-TRDy which have been established are the anti-idiotypic MAbs against anti-IRBP MAb-TRA4. MAb-TRDy can be used as a tool to study the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveitis induced by IRBP.

Fas expression and apoptosis in rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate Fas expression on CD4 and CD8 T cells in each organ at each stage of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) and apoptotic cells within EAU eyes. METHODS: Rats were immunized with the uveitopathogenic peptide derived from interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Flow cytometry was performed in ocular cells, draining lymph nodes cells and splenic cells of EAU rats to investigate Fas expression by CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling staining of apoptotic nuclei was performed on sections of EAU eyes. RESULTS: Fas expression by both ocular and splenic CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes was significantly higher than in lymph nodes at each stage. In EAU eyes, there was a relatively large population of lymphocytes with Fas expression (19.6-25.6% of CD4 and 33.2-53.4% of CD8). Apoptotic cells were more prominent in the EAU eyes with established disease than in those with early or resolving disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the relatively large population of lymphocytes with Fas expression in EAU eyes reflects the activation of lymphocytes in these eyes, and that the increase in apoptotic inflammatory cells at the peak of established disease may participate in the spontaneous disappearance of EAU.

Lectin cytochemistry of the rabbit conjunctiva and lacrimal sac.

Four different types of lectin were applied to the rabbit conjunctiva and the lacrimal sac to examine the distribution of glycoconjugates. The conjunctival epithelium is comprised of goblet cells and nongoblet cells. The mucus granules of the goblet cells were stained with soybean agglutinin (SBA), and the cell body of the nongoblet cells was labeled with concanavalin A (Con A). The glycocalyx of the apical surfaces of the goblet cells and of the non-goblet cells was labeled with Maculura pomifera agglutinin. The lacrimal sac mucosa is comprised of superficial light and dark cells, and basal cells. The cell bodies of the light cells were stained with SBA. The glycocalyx of the apical surfaces of the light and dark cells was characteristically labeled with Con A. These results suggest that the composition of glycoconjugates is markedly different between the conjunctiva and the lacrimal sac, especially in the cell surface glycocalyx.