Genetic factors in lung disease: Atopy and bronchial asthma

Abstract Atopy defined as high IgE responsiveness has now been subject to genetic studies at the molecular level owing to the development of a great number of DNA markers over the human genome. Either by linkage analysis or by association study strong candidate genes of atopy have been proposed to be located on chromosomes 11q13 and 5q31 where high-affinity IgE Fc receptor β subunit and allergy-associated cytokines, respectively, have been mapped. Meanwhile, we found a novel association between one of alleles of D11S97, an anonymous DNA marker on 11g13, and high total serum IgE in a large number of Japanese general population and atopic family members. However, failure to replicate linkage or association studies by different investigators suggest polygenic nature of atopy. In addition to the genes regulating IgE synthesis, the requirement of local (pulmonary) genetic factors in the development of bronchial asthma have been speculated. Linkage analysis suggested possible existence of gene(s) regulating susceptibility and/or clinical characteristics of bronchial asthma also on chromosome 5q. One of the candidate is β2-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism. Mutated gene transfection studies suggested functional significance of some polymorphisms and clinical evaluations have revealed their contribution to airway responsiveness and severity of asthma.     

Molecular studies of bronchial asthma, sarcoidosis and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-induced cough

The role of genetic factors was reviewed with respect to the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma, sarcoidosis and cough induced by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor administration. The so-called 'atopy gene' in 11q13 is not linked to atopy but is associated with serum IgE levels. The β 2-adrenergic receptor gene on 5q32–33 was found to have polymorphism by Ban I and to be related to β 2-receptor function; a defect of a 2.3 kb allele is related to lowered sensitivity to β 2-agonists. This defect is also related to higher prevalence on non-atopic bronchial asthma. The occurrence of amino acid mutation (Arg16 to Gly) of β 2-receptors was lower and G1n27 to Glu mutation is extremely rare in the Japanese population compared with Caucasians. There is polymorphism of ACE genotypes among normal subjects and patients with sarcoidosis, II, ID and DD. The genotype is a significant determinant of serum ACE activity and may determine the prognosis of sarcoid patients. Genotype II has a higher incidence of coughing induced by ACE inhibitors.     

PERSISTENT MÜLLERIAN DUCT SYNDROME: A SURGICAL APPROACH

Laparoscopy revealed a left inguinal testis and a right abdominal testis. Surgery revealed uterus-like structures. The bilateral testes showed primitive testis without ovarian tissue. Physical examination showed a normal and an empty scrotum with a nonpalpable gonad. Chromosome analysis revealed 46,XY. Pathological findings demonstrated the immature testis and the immature uterus.     

Isoflurane exerts a short-term but not a long-term preconditioning effect in neonatal rats exposed to a hypoxic-ischaemic neuronal injury

Background: Isoflurane has been shown to induce tolerance against ischaemic injury in adult rodents. Although the delayed preconditioning effect of isoflurane has been demonstrated in neonatal rat pups, the acute preconditioning effects of isoflurane remained undetermined. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the acute preconditioning efficacy of isoflurane in neonatal rats subjected to a hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury.
Methods: Post-natal day 7 pups were exposed to 1 or 2% isoflurane in oxygen for either 30, 60 or 90 min. Fifteen minutes after isoflurane exposure, the pups were subjected to an HI injury induced by left common carotid artery ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 h. Pups not exposed to isoflurane or not subjected to HI served as controls. Histopathologic injury to the cortex and hippocampus was evaluated 7 and 49 days after HI.
Results: Isoflurane 2% exposure for 60 or 90 min before HI induced tolerance in the hippocampus and the number of normal neurons in the CA1 sector 7 days after HI was significantly greater than in non-preconditioned animals. This protective efficacy of isoflurane preconditioning was not observed 49 days after HI.
Conclusions: Exposure of 2% isoflurane for at least 60 min is required to induce tolerance against HI injury in rat pups. However, this neuroprotective efficacy results in only transient neuroprotection.     

Multiple Forms of Catalase From Normal Human Liver, Hepatomas and Tumor-Bearing Livers

Multiple forms of catalase from normal human liver, hepatomas,fetal liver and tumor-bearing livers were examined by the methodof DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. In normal adult humanliver, three peaks were found by addition of 0.05 M, 0.1 M and0.2 M NaCl in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and no catalaseactivity was detected in the unadsorbed fraction. On the otherhand, in human hepatomas, fetal liver and tumor-bearing livers,an existence of the unadsorbed catalase fraction was ascertained.It is suggested that the presence of the unadsorbed catalaseon DEAE-cellulose may be ascribed to the dedifferentiated natureof liver tissues. Furthermore, no difference in molecular sizebetween the unadsorbed catalase and the adsorbed one was confirmedby gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. ^*This study was presented at the 9th Annual Meeting of the JapaneseHepatological Society, Tokyo, July, 1973, and 32nd Annual Meetingof the Japanese Cancer Association, Tokyo, October, 1973.     

The silent period in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in young adult subjects unaware of mandibular dysfunction symptoms

In fourteen individuals unaware of mandibular dysfunction symptoms, latency and duration of the silent period in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles at tooth tapping and jaw jerk were reasonably reproducible after 5 weeks and 5 months. Although the subjects felt no discomfort in the stomatognathic system, in some of them mild to moderate muscle tenderness, TMJ sound and occlusal disharmony were found at clinical examination. The relationship between these symptoms and the silent period was analysed. Muscle tenderness was the only factor to affect the silent period. The subjects with muscle soreness had a shorter duration of the silent period than the subjects without such symptoms.     

发酵罐中人参细胞培养条件的研究

我们前已报道人参(Panax ginseng C.A.Mayer)愈伤组织代号Pg-1能产生与栽培人参根同样药理活性的皂甙一人参甙。尽管Pg-1中的愈伤组织IBAI(主要是再分化的根)在生产皂甙方面是最优的,不过据认为在悬浮培养过程中所形成的大团块不利于大规模培养,特别是在从悬浮培养转移到悬浮罐或发酵罐培养的情况下。     

The silent period in the masseter and the anterior temporal muscles at repeated registrations

Three dental nurses took part in an investigation of the reproducibility of the EMG silent period. The latency and duration of the silent period after tooth tapping and jaw jerk were found to be rather stable within the same day and between recordings every other day for 10 days. No differences in the SP variables between right and left side were found. Differences in the latency and duration of the silent period between the masseter and anterior temporal muscles during tooth tapping and jaw jerk were registered. The findings suggest functional difference between the two muscles.