Uteroglobin: a phospholipase A2 inhibitory protein in rabbit blood

Uteroglobin(utg) is a potent phospholipase A2 inhibitor but is genetically distinct from lipocortins. The purpose of the present investigation was to biochemically and immunologically characterize the utg-like antigen from rabbit plasma and serum that were found to be highly positive by radioimmunoassay(RIA). The RIA standard curve of pure rabbit utg from the uterus is compared with utg-like protein in circulation, and the curves are parallel to each other. Concerning the western blot of utg-like protein as compared with utg standard, it is clear that there is a distinct protein band corresponding to the two monomers of utg(7 kDa). Moreover, the rise in endometrial utg synthesis that occurs upon progesterone(P) treatment in rabbits is paralleled by a dramatic decrease in endometrial PGE2, PGF2 alpha levels. The level of utg-like protein in circulation increased the level of this protein approximately three-fold in the serum (70 ng/ml without Pvs 216 ng/ml with P), whereas dexamethasone(Dex) increased it two-fold. To determine the source of this protein in circulation, we cannulated the uterine and the pulmonary veins of rabbits primed with different steroids. The levels of utg-like protein in the uterine venous plasma versus peripheral venous plasma were as follows: 379 ng/ml vs 216 ng/ml, treated P. The pulmonary venous plasma was compared with the peripheral venous samples (1240 ng/ml vs 127 ng/ml, treated Dex). The results of the present study indicate that utg-like protein is detectable in the circulation of the rabbit.     

Radical polymerization of ring-substituted trans-cinnamonitriles and formation of ladder spin polymer

The polymerization of ring-substituted trans-cinnamonitriles has been studied with radical initiators such as peroxides and azo compounds at 60–130°C. 3,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamonitriles (3,4,5-MOCN) yield a homopolymer with a molecular weight of about 10⁴ in contrast to the unsubstituted cinnamonitrile. The activation energy of the 3,4,5-MOCN polymerization is 106 kJ/mol and the polymerization rate is proportional to the 0,45th power of the initiator concentration. Radical copolymerization of 3,4,5-MOCN yields copolymers with vinyl monomers such as styrene and acrylonitrile. ESR studies suggested that the primary radical from an azo initiator attacks at the olefinic carbon of the cinnamonitrile bearing the cyano group. Heating of the 3,4,5-MOCN homopolymer produces a ladder spin polymer with hydroaniline units in the main chain.     

Preparation of surface-modified polystyrene microspheres by an azo-initiator having analogous structure to the head group of phosphatidylcholine

A novel azo-initiator, 2-[(2-ethylphosphatoethyl)dimethylammonio]ethyl 4,4′-azobis-(4-cyanovalerate) (EAP-501), was prepared. EAP-501 [m. p. 97°C (dec.), λ_max 346 nm in H₂O] was found to be amphiphilic, with a Krafft point of 11,5°C and a critical micelle concentration of 47,2 mmol·dm^?3 at 30°C and 48,6 mmol·dm^?3 at 70°C. The rate and activation parameters for the thermal decomposition of EAP-501 at 70°C were estimated to be k_d = 2,35·10^?5 s^?1, ΔH^≠ = 118,4 kJ·mol^?1 and ΔS^≠ = 10,5 J·mol^?1·K^?1. Emulsion polymerization of styrene initiated with EAP-501 gave polymer microspheres in high yield. The resulting polystyrene microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The polystyrene microspheres have diameters from 321 to 649 nm by varying the EAP-501 concentration. The ammonium phosphate groups, which are comparable to the polar head group of phospholipids, are concentrated on the surface of the particles. The particles were found to reduce the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) compared with particles prepared by the emulsion polymerization of styrene initiated with potassium persulfate as an initiator.     

Low serum PSA levels of diabetes mellitus-caused end-stage renal disease patients

Sir, The prevalence of cancers increases in end-stage renal disease(ESRD) patients [1]. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a usefulserum marker for prostate cancer, one of the most common malignantneoplasmas; the levels are often elevated in ESRD [2], whichis     

Relationship between development of hypertension and a family history of high blood pressure in urban residents-analysis based on results of annual health examinations, 1984 to 1998

Relationship between development of hypertension and a family history of high blood pressure in urban residents-analysis based on results of annual health examinations, 1984 to 1998. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between development of hypertension and a family history of this condition in urban residents. METHODS: Findings from a 15-year follow-up study of annual health examinations carried out in a community adjoining Osaka city, from 1984 to 1998, were analyzed. Any person who indicated in a self-administered questionnaire that they had either a parent or a sibling with hypertension was considered as having a family history of hypertension. RESULTS: In each year analyzed, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, by both sex and age group, was generally higher for those with a family history of hypertension than those without. We examined the proportion of people with such a family history and found that among those who received examinations for 5 consecutive years, the number of times at which the proved normotensive was generally lower than in the control group. When we looked at the odds ratio for hypertension according to combinations of family history, obesity, and use of alcohol, those with all three risk factors had the largest values in each year, followed by those with a family history plus obesity, but without drinking. The population attributable risks were 6.6%-16.0% for family history in men and 6.6%-18.4% in women, 6.0%-18.1% and 9.0%-25.2% for obesity and 3.5%-29.4% and 0.3%-4.0% for drinking. These results show that the tree-distributions of normotensiven (optimal, normal, high-normal) were normotensive overall the first time (1984), and for those who received examinations in 1993 and 1998, hazard ratios with a positive family history were higher than with a negative family history. CONCLUSIONS: The main new findings of this study are that the incidence of hypertension is significantly higher in people with a family history of the disease than in those without, and looking at odds ratios for population attributable risk, family history proved to be a factor almost as important for high blood pressure as obesity and drinking. The results indicate family history is a significant risk factor for hypertension.     

A case of refractory anaemia with p53 point mutation at codon 249 (AGG to ATG)

Although mutations of the p53 tumour-suppressor gene have been observed occasionally in the advanced stages of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), they have not been detected in early refractory anaemia (RA) or RA with ring sideroblasts phases. Using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing, we searched for p53 mutations in a patient who progressed from RA to overt leukaemia. A p53 mutation at codon 249 (AGG to ATG) was observed in RA, RA with excess of blasts in transformation and overt leukaemia. We describe a case of MDS with p53 mutation at codon 249 detected in the RA phase.     

Attempts to suppress experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rats with alpha fetoprotein

Rats of the Lewis strain were immunized with bovine basic myelin protein to develop experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Neither human nor rat fetal sources of purified alpha-fetoprotein were able to significantly ameliorate the development of this dyscrasia. The plasma of pregnant rats at term was without effect. Immunization of pregnant rats was also accompanied by the usual course of development of typical encephalomyelitis.     

Genetic and environmental determinants of risk for cholangiocarcinoma via Opisthorchis viverrini in a densely infested area in Nakhon Phanom, northeast Thailand

Infection with Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is associated with cholangiocarcinoma. OV is common in northeast Thailand, but less than 10% of the inhabitants develop cholangiocarcinoma. Animal experiments suggest that OV infection alone does not cause cholangiocarcinoma, and thus other environmental and genetic factors may play a role in causation. We conducted a population-based case-control study in which sex, age and place of residence were matched individually. Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 alone were not associated with risk for cholangiocarcinoma, while an elevated level of antibodies against OV (ELISA) > or = 0.200 was the strongest risk indicator (odds ratio as compared to that <0.200 = 27.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.30-116.57]. Compared to subjects who had a normal antibody range and the wild-type GSTM1 gene, those who had elevated antibodies had higher odds ratios of 10.34 (95% CI: 1.31-81.63) [corrected] for wild-type GSTM1 and 18.00 (95% CI: 3.33-97.40) [corrected] for the null variant thereof, respectively. Past and current regular drinkers of alcohol had higher risk [odds ratio = 5.39 (95% CI: 1.11-26.06) and 4.82 (95% CI: 1.29-18.06), respectively]. Eating fermented products was an independent risk factor. Smokers or consumers of fermented fish had substantially increased risk if they were past or current drinkers. Infection with OV correlates strongly with cholangiocarcinoma, susceptibility to which may be possibly associated with GSTM1 polymorphism. Alcohol may affect metabolic pathways of endogenous and exogenous nitrosamines.     

Spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma in an early puerperal woman

A spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma is very rare and requires emergency surgery. We report the first case of a spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma in an early puerperal woman. The patient had a history of intermittent episodes of lower back pain for 3 years. The antenatal course to that time had been uneventful. Two days after a normal vaginal delivery, she presented with sudden onset of spinal lesion with severe symptoms and an emergency laminectomy was performed to remove an intradural hemorrhagic lesion due to a neurinoma. In this case, we speculate that clots in the intratumoral vessels spontaneously occurred during pregnancy and obstructions of these vessels followed by necrosis and hemorrhage of distal tissues occurred in the early postpartum stage. Moreover, the change in posture caused by the change in the maternal center of gravity following delivery, as well as the frequent bending required for the care of the newborn, may have been contributing factors. Mild but repetitive traction force caused by the change in posture and frequent bending may have created exertion on the vascular attachment to the nerve roots, causing the intradural hemorrhage.     

Pharmacologic Actions of Temiverine (p-l NN) and its Active Metabolite, RCC-36, on Isolated Human Urinary Bladder Muscle

Background: Temiverine (p-INN) is a newly synthesized drug that is expected to have anticholinergic action. We investigated the pharmacologic actions of temiverine and its active metabolite, RCC-36, on isolated human bladder. Methods: Effects of temiverine and RCC-36 on the detrusor contractions induced by acetylcholine, potassium chloride (KCI), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and electric field stimulation were evaluated using the muscle-bath technique, and compared with the effects of atropine and oxybutynin. Results: Atropine (10^-9 to10^-6 mol/L), oxybutynin (1O^-8 to 10^-5 mol/L), temiverine (10^-8 to 10^-5 mol/L), and RCC-36 (10^-8 to 3 times 10^-6 mol/L) caused a parallel shift to the right of the concentration-response curves to acetylcholine stimulation. The rank order of PA₂, value was atropine > oxybutynin = RCC-36 > temiverine. Atropine did not suppress the maximum contractile response to acetylcholine, but the other drugs significantly suppressed this atthe higher concentrations. Each drug caused a concentrationdependent inhibition of KCI (80 mmol/L)-, and CaCl₂, (5 mmol/L)-induced contractile responses. Rank order of maximum inhibition was RCC-36 = temiverine > oxybutynin > atropine. Each drug caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of electric field-induced contraction with or without 10^-6 mol/L atropine pretreatment. Maximum inhibitions of temiverine and RCC-36 were significantly greater than that of oxybutynin. Conclusion: Atropine, oxybutynin, temiverine, and RCC-36 have different efficacies and potencies of anticholinergic and calcium antagonistic activity on isolated human detrusor muscles. Furthermore, temiverine and RCC-36 have significant inhibitory actions toward the atropine-resistant part of contractions, which may be related to the calcium antagonistic actions of these compounds.