Induction of apoptosis by protease-defective particle preparations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is specific to a subset of U937-derived subclones

Several recent reports support the hypothesis that apoptosisoccurring in leukocytes of human immunodeficiency virus type1 (HIV–1)-infected individuals is important in progressionto AIDS. Specifically, apoptosis of uninfected bystander cellsappears critical in the pathogenesis of disease. Here, we presentevidence that protease-defective, gp120-containing HIV–1(L-2) particle preparations specifically induce apoptosis incells obtained from a subset of promonocytic U937- derived subclones.The rate of apoptosis induction was inversely correlated withthe susceptibility of the U937 subclones to wild-type HIV–1infection. Three types of apoptosis experiments were performed:DNA content analysis by flow cytometry, apoptotic nuclear degradationby fluorescent microscopy and DNA fragmentation analysis byagarose gel electrophoresis. Kinetic analysis revealed thatthere was a slower induction of apoptosis by L-2 particle preparationsthan with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a or anti-Fas antibody.However, there were no significant differences in the initialbinding rates of L-2 particles as well as the binding of TNF-aor anti-Fas antibody to the U937 subclones. The basal levelof protein kinase C activity was higher in high-type subclonescompared with low-type subclones. These results suggest thatU937 cells can be divided into at least two subpopulations,one that permits a productive HIV–1 infection but is notsubjected to L-2 particle preparation-induced apoptosis, whilethe other poorly replicates HIV–1 and is subjected to, L-2 mediated apoptosis, although at a slower rate than foundwith TNF–a or anti-Fas antibody. Received 7 May 1996, accepted 25 July 1996.     

Successful Treatment of Severe Arthralgia Associated with Palmoplantar Pustulosis with Low-Dose Oral Cyclosporine A

Two patients with severe arthralgia associated with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) were treated with oral cyclosporine A (CsA). Clinical efficacy was assessed on a 0–4 point scale for erythema, desquamation, infiltration, and pustulation, and on a 0–3 point pain scale. Skin lesions and arthralgia improved within twelve weeks with low dose CsA ranging from 2.1 to 2.2 mg/kg/day. High levels of plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) were reduced to the normal range.     

Protection by glycerol of urinary L-alanine aminopeptidase activity from freezing and thawing inactivation

L-Alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities in urine are sensitive indicators of renal damage. However, urinary AAP loses its activity during storage in the frozen state. This study proposes a method for preventing the inactivation of AAP by adding glycerol to a final concentration of 10% to a urine sample before freezing and thawing. This study also showed that NAG is stable to freezing and thawing and is not affected by addition of glycerol.     

In vitro dopamine biosynthesis in the median eminence of rat hypothalamic slices: Involvement of voltage-dependent Ca channels

Equimolar replacement of Na⁺ in medium with choline chloride or sucrose and experimental manipulations known to increase [Na⁺]_i, such as ouabain addition and K⁺ deprivation from medium, caused a marked increase in in vitro DOPA synthesis in the median eminence of rat hypothalamic slices in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. These results suggest that a Na⁺−Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism is closely involved in the regulation of dopamine biosynthesis in tuberoinfundibular neurons.     

Sequential internal mammary-coronary artery bypass

A total of ten patients have undergone sequential bypass grafting of the internal mammary artery (IMA) to the coronary arteries at Osaka Medical College. Operative procedures included left IMA bypass to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and its major diagonal branch in six patients; to the obtuse marginal branch and diagonal branch in three patients; and to the first and the second diagonal branches in one patient. The right internal mammary artery was concomitantly utilized in 4 patients and saphenous vein graft was also utilized in 6 patients. Postoperative angiographic studies were performed in nine patients within 6 months after operation and in all 18 sites of IMA anastomoses, the IMA sequential grafts were patent. Since sequential IMA-coronary bypass technique means the increase of arterial graft, we believe that this technique should be used for multivessel coronary revascularization especially in younger patients.     

Visualization of blood flow in abdominal tumors by the ultrasonic pulsed Doppler method

The clinical utility of visualizing the blood flow in the margin and inside of tumors by ultrasonic pulsed Doppler method (UPDM) was evaluated in 54 patients (85 lesions) with various abdominal tumors. It was proved that UPDM was able to evaluate the vascularity of the tumor and the surrounding vascular system. These results indicate that this method may be applied clinically for judging the effects of and the indications for the transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy. It is also suggested that UPDM may be applied in the differential diagnosis of tumors according to the changes of blood velocity and wave patterns.