Characterization of mineral-binding 40-kDa glycoprotein extracted from young adult rabbit alveolar bone.

A forty-kilodalton (40-kDa) protein was extracted from alveolar bone of young adult rabbit with 0.5 M EDTA after extraction with 4 M GuHCl, and purified by gel-filtration, anion-exchange and hydroxyapatite columns using a high-pressure liquid chromatography system under denaturing conditions. The purified 40-kDa protein was not susceptible to bacterial collagenase and thrombin, but was cleaved by cyanogen bromide. The protein was stained blue with Stains-all. Among various lectins, concanavalin A and lentil lectin agglutinin bound to this protein, but peanut agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, phytohemagglutinin-E and wheatgerm lectin agglutinin did not. Lectin binding assays showed that the protein is a glycoprotein containing large amounts of mannose and/or glucose residues, but is not a fragment of proteoglycan. The amino acid composition of the protein shows a characteristically high content of acidic amino acids. Therefore, the mineral-binding 40-kDa glycoprotein is considered to be osteonectin/secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), in terms of similarities to bovine and porcine osteonectins with regard to molecular weight and contents of glycoses and amino acids.     

SARC-F scores can predict health status and daily activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundThe strength, assistance in walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls questionnaire (SARC-F) is widely used for screening sarcopenia. We aimed to examine the association of SARC-F scores with the measurements of quality of life and activity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsThis cross-sectional pilot study prospectively enrolled 54 patients with IPF who completed pulmonary function tests, the 6-min walk test, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a daily step count. The daily step count was measured continuously for 7 consecutive days using a tri-axis accelerometer device.ResultsThe mean age was 73.6±7.9 years and the mean percent predicted forced vital capacity was 80.4%±15.6%. The median [interquartile range] SARC-F score, SGRQ total scores, and CAT scores were 2 [1–3.25], 28.8 [14.4–46.9], and 13 [7–22], respectively. SARC-F scores were correlated with the percent predicted forced vital capacity (r=−0.51, P<0.001), CAT score (r=0.57, P<0.001), SGRQ total score (r=0.77, P<0.001), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety score (r=0.31, P=0.025), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression score (r=0.28, P=0.041). Linear regression analyses revealed that the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (standardized β=0.33, P=0.011) and SARC-F score (standardized β=−0.39, P=0.005), but not the CAT score and SGRQ total score, were significant predictors for daily step count.ConclusionsSARC-F scores were correlated with health status and daily activity in patients with IPF. Further studies are warranted to validate the utility of the SARC-F in patients with IPF.     

Migration of Intraocular Silicone Oil from the Vitreous Cavity into the Upper Eyelid Causing Ptosis

Introduction

To report a case in which intraocular silicone oil migrated into the upper eyelid and caused ptosis.

Methods

A 65-year-old woman presented with proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the right eye. Vitrectomies, injection of silicone oil and encircling were performed. Two months after the last operation, swelling of her right eyelid occurred.

Result

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed moisture in the palpebral fat tissue. We incised the bulbar conjunctiva and confirmed silicone oil leakage from the vitreous cavity through the scleral button hole of the encircling suture. Postoperatively, the right upper eyelid swelling decreased. Histopathologically, dense macrophage infiltration was seen in the palpebral tissues.

Conclusions

We report a rare case with a postoperative complication caused by silicone oil. In cases with swelling of the eyelid and decreased silicon oil in the vitreous cavity postoperatively, clinicians should consider the possibility of silicone oil leakage.Key words: Migration of silicone oil, Upper eyelid, Vitrectomy, Scleral buckling, Postoperative complication, Ptosis     

Metal patch testing in patients with oral symptoms

The number of patients with metal allergies has increased recently, and patch testing is useful for investigating such patients. However, the efficacy of restoration removal in patients with oral metal allergies is disputed. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between oral symptoms and metal allergies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with oral symptoms. The most common oral symptom was an abnormal oral sensation. Thirty‐eight percent of the patients exhibited positive allergic reactions to one or more metal. Nickel was the metal allergen that produced positive reactions most frequently. Of the seven patients whose restorations were removed, complete and partial remission were achieved in one and two patients, respectively. Interestingly, metal alloy removal was effective in 33% (n = 1) of the positive patch test group and 50% (n = 2) of the non‐positive patch test group. Our results demonstrated the difficulty of predicting the efficacy of restoration removal at ameliorating oral metal allergies based on patch testing alone.     

Protein kinase C activators reduce the inositol trisphosphate-induced outward current and the Ca2+-activated outward current in identified neurons of Aplysia

Effects of intracellularly injected activators of protein kinase C on the InsP3-induced K+ current and the Ca2+-activated K+ current recorded from identified neurons (R9-R12) of Aplysia kurodai were investigated with conventional voltage-clamp and pressure-injection techniques. Intracellular injection of InsP3 into identified neurons produced a 4-aminopiridine (4-AP)-resistant, tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive, and quinidine-sensitive K+ current similar to the Ca2+ activated K+ current elicited by direct injection of Ca2+ ions into the same neurons. The diacylglycerol analogue 1,2-oleoylacetylglycerol (OAG) at an intracellular concentration of 65 nM produced irreversible decreases in both the InsP3-induced K+ current and the Ca2+-activated K+ current. The phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) at an intracellular concentration of 150 nM also decreased irreversibly both the InsP3-induced K+ current and the Ca2+-activated K+ current. These results suggest that protein kinase C activators reduce both the InsP3-induced K+ current and the Ca2+-activated K+ current recorded from certain identified neurons of Aplysia and that protein kinase C reduces the ability of Ca2+ to open K+ channels rather than affecting the ability of InsP3 to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores.     

Excitatory effect of amino acids on identified neuron R14 of Aplysia. I. Glycine-induced depolarization and its ionic mechanism

The ionic mechanism of the membrane effect of glycine on identified neuron R14 of Aplysia was investigated with conventional intracellular recording and voltage-clamp techniques. Both localized and bath applications of glycine markedly depolarize R14. Bath-applied glycine induced an inward current that gradually reached a maximum and remained at that level until glycine was washed out. Displacement of the holding potential from -46 to -121 mV increased the inward current. The extrapolated reversal potential was +38.6 mV. Reduction of [Na+]o reversibly decreased the inward current. Alterations of [K+]O, [Cl-]O, and [Ca2+]O, as well as bath-applied ouabain and sodium cyanide, did not affect the inward current. These results suggest that glycine can induce an Na+ current and that the glycine-induced inward current does not reflect an active uptake by an Na+-coupled transport system of glycine into the neuron.