Receptor autoradiographic evidence of specific brain natriuretic peptide binding sites in the porcine subfornical organ

Specific binding sites of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a newly discovered peptide in the subfornical organ (SFO) of porcine brain were investigated, following incubation of related tissue sections with 125I-BNP, then using autoradiography and an image analysis coupled with computer-assisted microdensitometry. Specific 125I-BNP binding sites were found to be localized in the SFO, an area densely labeled by 125I-alpha-rat atrial natriuretic peptide and 125I-(Sar1,Ile8)-angiotensin II. Specific 125I-BNP binding to the SFO was displaced by unlabeled BNP, with a high affinity, and was calculated to be Ka = 0.385 x 10(-9) M and Bmax = 40.1 fmol/mg using a LIGAND computer program. Acquisition of these present findings enhances our knowledge of the physiology of BNP, atrial natriuretic peptides and angiotensin II system in the SFO.     

No association of GSK3beta gene (GSK3B) with Japanese schizophrenia.

Several lines of evidence indicate that glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta) is one of the candidates for schizophrenia-susceptibility factor. However, it has not been reported the association analysis between GSK3beta gene (GSK3B) and Japanese schizophrenia based on linkage disequilibrium (LD). We provide an association analysis using relatively large samples (381 schizophrenia, and 352 controls) after determination of "tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)." In this LD mapping, we selected and genotyped for eight polymorphisms (seven SNPs and one diallelic (CAA)(n) repeat), which covered the entire region of GSK3B, and determined two "tag SNPs." In the following association analysis using these two "tag SNPs," we could not find association with Japanese schizophrenia. Furthermore, we also include subgroup analysis considering age-at-onset and subtypes, neither could we find associations. Because our samples provided quite high power, these results indicate that GSK3B may not play a major role in Japanese schizophrenia.     

The critical role of ocular-infiltrating macrophages in the development of choroidal neovascularization

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is directly related to visual loss in some eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. Although several human histological studies have suggested the participation of macrophages in CNV formation, the precise mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, we elucidated the role of ocular-infiltrating macrophages in experimental CNV using CCR2 knockout (KO) mice, wild-type mice, and C57BL/6 (B6) mice. CCR2 is the receptor of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and the number of infiltrating macrophage and the area of CNV were significantly reduced in CCR2 KO mice. Enriched ocular-infiltrating macrophages from B6 mice actually showed angiogenic ability in a dorsal air sac assay. Moreover, their expression of class II, CD40, B7-1 and B7-2 molecules, and the mRNA for potential angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, was also observed. Collectively, we conclude that ocular-infiltrating macrophages play an important role in CNV generation.     

Peroxyl radical scavenging capability of fish sauces measured by the chemiluminescence method

Oxygen-related free radicals have been suggested as a cause of aging and various diseases, for example, various cancers and rheumatoid arthritis. A radical scavenger as an antioxidant has been sought in foods. Fish sauces are traditional Asian fermented seasonings. Using the luminol chemiluminescence method, the peroxyl radical scavenging capability of fish sauces was examined. From the IC50 values, many fish sauces have been shown to have a strong scavenging capability as well as soy sauces. A scavenging mechanism is also proposed.     

Characterization and expression of cDNA encoding coproporphyrinogen oxidase from a patient with hereditary coproporphyria

Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is an acute hepatic porphyriawith autosomal dominant inheritance, but with a variable degreeof clinical expression. Molecular cloning, sequencing and expressionof the defective gene for coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) ina patient with HCP were carried out. Enzyme assays revealedthat CPO activity in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells fromthe proband and one of her sisters was     

An electron microscopic study of the cavernous bodies in the lamprey gill filaments

The cavernous body in the lamprey gill filament was studied by electron microscopy. This body lies along the outer border of the axial plate of each gill filament and freely communicates with an afferent filament artery. Two series of blood channels run alternately, passing through the cavernous body, and lead to the marginal channels in the secondary lamellae. On the other hand, narrow blood spaces left in the cavernous body lead to the blood lacunae in the axial plate (osmoregulatory region) and to those in the secondary lamellae (respiratory region). All the blood in the cavernous body is finally collected by an efferent filament artery. The cavernous body is traversed by numerous trabeculae and collagenous columns which run diagonally in the blood spaces to connect the walls of the cavernous body. All the walls of the cavernous body, including trabeculae and collagenous columns, are completely surrounded by the cytoplasmic flanges of specialized cells called here “cavernous body cells.” These cells are about 30 μm in diameter and characterized by (1) association with collagenous columns or trabeculae and also by the presence of (2) coated caveolae and vesicles, (3) vacuoles and (4) cytoplasmic granules in their cytoplasm. These cells are considered to be related to the pillar cells in origin because of their close association with collagenous columns or trabeculae. The functional significance of the cavernous body and the cavernous body cells is discussed.