Purification and partial characterization of acetyl-coA synthetase in rat liver mitochondria

Acetyl-CoA synthetase (AceCS), which catalyzes the activation of acetate to produce acetyl-CoA, was found to have a much greater Km value for acetate in liver mitochondria than that in the heart mitochondria of rats, indicating that two different types of AceCS are located in the liver and heart mitochodria. Recently, Fujino et al. reported that mouse heart mitochondrial AceCS, designated AceCS2, was expressed in a wide range of tissues, however, it was apparently absent from the liver. In this study, liver mitochondrial AceCS activity, but not heart AceCS2, was greatly induced in di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)-treated rats. We purified and characterized the rat liver mitochondrial AceCS. The molecular mass of the enzyme estimated by SDS-PAGE was -58 kDa, which was quite different from that of the heart mitochondrial enzyme, AceCS2. The calculated Km value for the acetate of the partially purified liver enzyme was much greater, being about 100 times that of heart enzyme, AceCS2.     

Opinion survey among nursing students on family

Earlier discharges of patients from hospital are increasing needs for supports for home medical care, which is causing changes in the activities of medical providers for patients and family members. Meanwhile, it is suggested that the younger generation is more indifferent to family members along with the increase of nuclear families or households consisting of only one member. This time, the author conducted an opinion survey among nursing students for the purpose of understanding how nursing students think of the family and using the data as a reference for the education. The survey was conducted in FY2000 and FY2001 for the questions selected from the "National Lifestyle Popularity Survey". The results indicate that nursing students intend to have families while keeping working and are willing to fulfill their responsibilities as a family member of which relation is close. It is considered possible to guide nursing students to practice nursing respecting the position and feeling of the patient by letting them understand social changes and the individuality of the patient based on the way nursing students think of the family.     

Telomerase activity in needle biopsied uterine myoma-like tumors: differential diagnosis between uterine sarcomas and leiomyomas.

Preoperative differential diagnoses between uterine sarcomas and leiomyomas are difficult. As telomerase activation is thought to be essential for the immortality of malignant cells, it is considered a potentially useful diagnostic marker. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential diagnostic use of measuring telomerase activity in needle biopsy samples to distinguish uterine sarcoma from leiomyoma. Sixty-two patients with suspected uterine sarcomas based on clinical findings or magnetic resonance imaging findings, and who were scheduled for surgery, underwent transcervical ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Three samples were obtained per patient for histopathological examination and telomerase activity measurement. Telomerase activity was measured using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol and correlated with final histopathological findings of surgical specimens. Of the 62 patients, 6 leiomyosarcomas and 1 endometrial stromal sarcoma (high grade) were diagnosed by histopathology. In 6 of the 7 samples from uterine sarcomas, relatively high telomerase activity (22-102 units) was detected, whereas only low telomerase activity (11-18 units) existed in 3 of the remaining 55 samples from benign or borderline uterine smooth muscle tumors. At a cut-off value of 20 units, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for detecting uterine sarcoma were 86% (95% confidence interval, 59-100%), 100% (94-100%), 100% (54-100%) and 98% (95-100%), respectively. The results indicated that telomerase activity in needle biopsy samples is a useful diagnostic marker to distinguish uterine sarcoma from leiomyoma.     

Biological differences between focal and diffuse adenomyosis and response to hormonal treatment

Research question

Is there any difference in ovarian steroid receptor expression and pattern of fibrosis in focal and diffuse adenomyosis and response to hormonal treatment?

Glycosphingolipids in human pancreatic juice

Summary Glycosphingolipids in human pancreatic juice were isolated and purified by DEAE and silica gel column chromatographs, and further by HPLC on silica gel and reversed-phase columns. The structures of the glycosphingolipids were determined to be glucosylceramides and lactosylceramides by means of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry,¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and component analysis involving GLC-mass spectrometry. The ceramide portions of the glucosylceramides consist of palmitic, tetracosanoic, and α-hydroxy tetracosanoic fatty acids, and d18:1 and t18:0 sphingosines. The ceramide portions of the lactosylceramides consist of palmitic, tetracosanoic, tetracosenoic, and tetracosadienoic fatty acids, and d18:1 sphingosine. The fatty acid compositions are different from the free fatty acid compositions of serum and pancreatic juice. The predominance of saturated, unsaturated, and hydroxy tetracosanoic fatty acids is quite unique, and the possibility that these glycosphingolipids may play a specific role in pancreatic juice deserves consideration. These glycosphingolipids were documented to be major components of the pancreatic juice from 15 patients with a variety of pancreatic diseases.     

A terminal phase patient who can return home because of a multi-professional conference--considerations for multi-professional conference

Palliative care has been provided in our sub-acute hospital ward and multi professional conferences have also taken place in order to enhance care. In this paper, we present a 72-year-old female who has suffered from relapse of lung cancer and was able to return home because of an execution of multi-professional conferences. We also present considerations that were carried out in multi-professional conferences. We found some of the important factors for carrying an efficient conference are advance preparations in ahead, punctuality of the conference, a conference place that is kept in the ward, coping with nurse calls and participation of nutritionists. A timely conference, sharing information among the team and the education about a dying process are some of the future subjects.     

Intracellular signaling in the induction of apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line by water extract of Mekabu

Background We previously reported that water extract of Mekabu, a kind of seaweed, induced apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line. In the present study we investigated intracellular signaling in apoptosis, with a focus on caspases.Methods Mekabu extract, obtained with ultrapure water, was used to induce apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB231, and DNA fractionation was investigated by flow cytometry and electrophoresis. In addition, using the caspase detection kit Caspa Tag, activation of caspases 3, 6, 8, and 9 was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, using antibodies to caspases 3, 8, 9, and Bid, we conducted a protein analysis by Western blotting to determine the activation of these substances.Results Obvious ladder formation demonstrating DNA fractionation was seen, confirming that Mekabu extract induced apoptosis. In the fluorescence microscope observations, activation of caspases 3, 6, and 8, but not caspase 9, was seen. Activated caspases 3 and 8 were detected in the Western blotting analysis, but no proteins of activated caspase 9 or Bid were detected.Conclusion Mekabu extract activates caspases 3, 6, and 8 and contributes to intracellular signaling to induce apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line. This signaling is not via the mitochondria.     

Changes in core temperature associated with lower extremity tourniquet--the influence of ambient temperature and warming equipments

BACKGROUND: We investigated changes in core temperature associated with lower extremity tourniquet (TQ) under two different ambient temperatures (1) and two different warming equipments (2) under general anesthesia combined with lumbar epidural anesthesia. METHODS: (1) The values of core temperature at ambient temperature of either 22 degrees C (n = 15) or 20 degrees C (n=15) were recorded after induction of anesthesia, at start of TQ application, at the termination of TQ application, and 14 minute after TQ release. (2) The values of core temperature using either air-forced warming or active heated i.v. at ambient temperature 20 degrees C were recorded at four points as mentioned above. RESULTS: (1) Changes in core temperature were not observed during TQ application at ambient temperature both 20 degrees C and 22 degrees C. Core temperatures in both groups decreased significantly after TQ release, and core temperatures at termination of TQ application and after TQ release at ambient temperature 20 degrees C were significantly lower than those at ambient temperature 22 degrees C. (2) Significant increases in core temperatures using two different warming equipments were observed at termination of TQ application and after TQ release at ambient temperature 20 degrees C. Core temperatures using air-forced warming were maintained during the investigation, though significant decrease in core temperature using active heated i.v. was recorded after TQ release. CONCLUSIONS: Air-forced warming maintains core temperature efficiently associated with lower extremity tourniquet.     

In vitro biocompatibility tests of two commercial types of mineral trioxide aggregate

Recently, regular and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are being used in Dentistry as retrofilling materials. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests form an important part of cancer research and risk assessment of potential carcinogens. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of regular and white MTA in vitro by the single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue exclusion test, respectively. Mouse lymphoma cells were exposed to two presentation forms of MTA at final concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 microg/mL for 3 h at 37 degrees C. The results showed that both compounds tested did not produce genotoxic effects at all concentrations evaluated. Likewise, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in cytotoxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that regular and white MTA are not genotoxins and are not able to interfere in cellular viability as assessed by single cell gel (comet) assay and trypan blue assay, respectively.