Practical application of nutritional assessment protein and inflammatory marker in the nutrition support team (NST)

Recently nutrition support team (NST) has been established for the purpose of prevention of complications which are caused by nutrition disorders and reduction of the medical expenses. Although physical examinations and blood biochemical data had been used as the indexes evaluating nutritional of patients, they were not suitable for the evaluation for the short-term in-patient. On the contrary, serum albumin (ALB) has been wildly used as a nutritional marker. However, it is impossible to evaluate nutrition state for the short-term in-patient and acute phase disease patient accurately, because the plasma half-life is 21 days and it takes long time to detect the change in nutritional state by its value. Rapid turnover proteins (RTP), whose plasma half-life is shorter, has paid attention to evaluate nutritional state for the short-term in-patients and acute phase disease patients. Although, prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) was considered as a useful maker for evaluating inflammatory and nutritional states using the concentrations of transthyretin (TTR), a RTP, alpha1-acid glycoprotein (alpha1-AG), a chronic inflammation marker, C reactive protein (CRP), a acute inflammation marker, and ALB, However, it has several pitfalls. We newly made serum amyloid A (SAA) index using SAA instead of CRP. When we compared SAA index with PINI in many diseases, it turned out that SAA index became a more effective index which reflected the patient condition than did PINI. As for this index, it is expected to be used by NST while further alternation may be needed.     

Biclonal expansion of T cells infected with monoclonal Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a patient with chronic,active EBV infection

Recent studies have suggested that a high percentage of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with chronic, active EBV infection (CAEBV) is of T cell origin. Although T cells are expanded oligoclonally in CAEBV, it is not clear whether the restricted diversity of T cells arise from immune reaction against EBV-related antigens or from proliferation of EBV-infected cells. We experienced a patient with CAEBV who had biclonal expansion of peripheral blood T cells. We identified clonotypes of these two T cell clones in detail and purified the T cell clones. EBV infected mainly the two T cell clones, whereas the viral loads in peripheral blood cells other than these T cell clones were low or undetectable. The EBV strains infecting the two T cells clones were indistinguishable from each other by a series of genotype analyses of the virus. These results suggest that the two T cell clones infected with the same monoclonal EBV proliferated in peripheral blood of the patient.     

Long‐term observation of a Japanese mucolipidosis IV patient with a novel homozygous p.F313del variant of MCOLN1

Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by progressive psychomotor delay and retinal degeneration that is associated with biallelic variants in the MCOLN1 gene. The gene, which is expressed in late endosomes and lysosomes of various tissue cells, encodes the transient receptor potential channel mucolipin 1 consisting of six transmembrane domains. Here, we described 14‐year follow‐up observation of a 4‐year‐old Japanese male MLIV patient with a novel homozygous in‐frame deletion variant p.(F313del), which was identified by whole‐exome sequencing analysis. Neurological examination revealed progressive psychomotor delay, and atrophy of the corpus callosum and cerebellum was observed on brain magnetic resonance images. Ophthalmologically, corneal clouding has remained unchanged during the follow‐up period, whereas optic nerve pallor and retinal degenerative changes exhibited progressive disease courses. Light‐adapted electroretinography was non‐recordable. Transmission electron microscopy of granulocytes revealed characteristic concentric multiple lamellar structures and an electron‐dense inclusion in lysosomes. The in‐frame deletion variant was located within the second transmembrane domain, which is of putative functional importance for channel properties.     

Dreaming during non-rapid eye movement sleep in the absence of prior rapid eye movement sleep

STUDY OBJECTIVES: There is a long-standing controversy surrounding the existence of dream experiences during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Previous studies have not answered the question whether this "NREM dream" originates from the NREM sleep mechanism because the subject might simply be recalling experiences from the preceding rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. METHODS: We scheduled 11 healthy men to repeat 20-minute nap trials separated by 40-minute periods of enforced wakefulness across a period of 3 days. At the end of the nap trial, each participant answered questions regarding the formal aspects of his dream experiences during the nap trial, using the structured interviews. RESULTS: We obtained a total of 172 dream reports after naps containing REM sleep (REM naps) and 563 after naps consisting of only NREM sleep (NREM naps). Dream reports from NREM naps were less remarkable in quantity, vividness, and emotion than those from REM naps and were obtained more frequently during the morning hours when the occurrences of REM sleep were highest. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the polysomnographic manifestations of REM sleep are not required for dream experiences but that the mechanisms driving REM sleep alter experiences during NREM sleep in the morning. A subcortical activation similar to REM sleep may occur in human NREM sleep during the morning when REM sleep is most likely to occur, resulting in dream experiences during NREM sleep.     

Epithelial Cell Rests of Malassez and OX6‐Immunopositive Cells in the Periodontal Ligament of Rat Molars: A Light and Transmission Electron Microscope Study

It has been shown that human and cat epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM) consist of heterogeneous cell populations. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic analyses have verified the presence of neuroendocrine and Merkel‐like cells in both of these epithelia. During experimental orthodontic tooth movement, immunocompetent cells have also been found in the vicinity of ERM in rat periodontal ligament (PDL), but have not been characterized in normal rat PDL. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of MHC class II antigen presenting cells by using OX6 antibody in ERM of rat molars by light and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic observations of rat maxillary molars confirmed the presence of OX6‐positive cells in contact with ERM. Some immunopositive cytoplasmic processes containing vesicles interdigitated with cells of the Malassez epithelial clusters. Based on these findings it can be concluded that immunocompetent cells are localized close to Malassez epithelial clusters in normal rat PDL. Furthermore, the ultrastructural evidences indicate a possible interaction between the epithelial and immunocompent cells and suggest morphological and functional properties for ERM. Anat Rec, 291:242–253, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Molecular analysis of structural protein genes of the Yamagata-1 strain of defective subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus. III. Nucleotide sequence of the hemagglutinin gene

The full-length cDNA corresponding to the mRNA for the hemagglutinin (H) protein of the Yamagata-1 strain of the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus was cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The mRNA corresponding to the H protein was composed of 1952 nucleotides and contained a single large open reading frame, which encoded 620 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 69,723. This cDNA clone expressed the H protein in Cos 7 cells, and the transfected cells showed hemadsorption. The nucleotide and amino-acid sequence homology with the Edmonston strain of MV were 98.0% and 96.6%, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence had a single hydrophobic domain near the N-terminus that was long enough to serve as an anchor in the membrane. Five potential glycosylation sites were found on the H protein at identical positions as in the H protein of MV. Cysteine and proline were located at almost identical positions as those of the H protein of MV. In addition, monoclonal antibody study revealed that three epitopes, including the domains that were involved in the biological activities of the H protein of MV, were conserved on the Yamagata-1 strain. These results suggested that the H protein of the Yamagata-1 strain of defective SSPE virus is structurally and functionally similar to that of the Edmonston strain of MV.     

Structure of the functional interleukin-2 receptor: Evidence for the association of human p55 and murine p75 molecules in a mouse T cell line

The structural basis of the high affinity interleukin-2 receptorwhich was previously reconstituted in a cultured murine T cellline, EL4 by expressing either wild-type Tac antigen complementaryDNA (cDNA) or a chimeric cDNA was characterized. The chimericcDNA encodes a membrane portion whose extracellular portionconsists of that of Tac antigen whereas transmembrane and cytoplasmicportions consists of those the human insulin beta chain. TheTac antigen/anti-Tac antibody complex was treated by chemicalcrosslinking reagents, purified by goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin(lg), and was analysed by SDS–PAGE. We here demonstrated the presence in mouse EL4 transfectantsof a novel membrane protein which is closely associated withthe products of transfected cDNAs in the absence of interleukln-2.The protein is 75 kDa in size and is detected in cells whichexpress high affinity interieukln-2 receptor but not in cellswhich only express low affinity interleukin-2 receptor. Thetransmembrane region and the cytoplasmic region of Tac antigenis not necessary for the formation of the complex consistingof Tac antigen and 75 kDa molecule, indicating that a murine75 kDa molecule associates with Tac antigen extra-cellularly.     

31P and 19F NMR spectroscopic studies on ring-opening polymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-β-D-glucopyranose by PF5 catalyst

In order to elucidate the catalytic behavior of phosphorus pentafluoride in the polymerization of anhydro sugars, ¹³P and ¹⁹F NMR spectra were measured on a reaction mixture of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-β-D -glucopyranose (LGTBE) and PF₅ with different mole ratios in a temperature range of ?40 to ?80°C. In the ³¹P NMR spectrum measured at low temperatures, there was a total of 16 peaks, which consisted of a broad quintet, a septet, and a sharp quartet, being assigned to the PF₄O-group, to PF, and to POF₃, respectively. These fluoro compounds were also determined by the ¹⁹F NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture. The concentration of PF ions was found to correspond to that of oxonium ions, which are assumed to be actual propagating species, by determining both the concentration of PF from ¹⁹F NMR spectrum and the degree of polymerization of 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-D -glucopyranan obtained. Formation of the PF₅: LGTBE complex was observed from the ³¹P NMR spectrum of the polymerization system at ?80°C, which exhibits a broad sextet as well as absorptions due to POF₃, PF₄O–, and PF. To confirm the PF₅:LGTBE complex, the NMR measurement of the PF₅: tetrahydropyran complex was carried out. A polymerization mechanism of LGTBE by PF₅ catalyst is discussed on the basis of the NMR measurement of the polymerization system.