Alteration of second-messenger ligand binding following 2-hr hemispheric ischemia in the gerbil brain.

The alterations of second-messenger ligand binding and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were evaluated in the gerbil brain after 2-h unilateral common carotid artery occlusion. [3H]Forskolin (FK) and [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) were used as specific ligands for adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity estimation, respectively. CBF was determined at the end of the experiment by the [14C]iodoantipyrine method. A quantitative autoradiographic method permitted simultaneous measurement of the three parameters in the same brain. The levels in the caudate-putamen, globus pallidus, and hippocampus were analyzed. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 1 with severe ischemia (CBF in the lateral nuclei of the thalamus (CBFt) less than 50 ml/100 g/min), Group 2 with mild ischemia (CBFt greater than or equal to 50 ml/100 g/min), and the Sham Group. The PDBu binding revealed a statistically significant increase in the caudate-putamen, lateral nuclei of the thalamus and hippocampus (CA1 and CA3 regions and dentate gyrus) on the ischemic side in Group 1 as compared to that in Group 2 and the Sham Group. In contrast, the FK binding did not show any significant changes in any of the regions. These data and our previous findings for 6-h ischemia suggest that (1) PKC translocation to the cell membrane may occur at the early ischemic phase in particular regions including the caudate-putamen, lateral nuclei of the thalamus and hippocampus, with the translocated PKC gradually diminishing during the subsequent ischemic period; and (2) the suppression of the AC system observed in 6-h ischemia may not appear in the early ischemic phase.     

Leukocytosis and low serum IgA in workers exposed to the epoxy compound,t-methyl-3-phenylglycidate

Summary Forty-nine out of 54 male workers engaged in the production of an epoxy compound, t-methyl-3-phenylglycidate, showed skin symptoms in varing degrees that may be due to the skin-irritative effect of the compound. The exposed workers were also shown to have subjective symptoms which may be related to the irritative property of the compound on surface tissue. Laboratory examinations on the blood obtained from the exposed workers showed significantly higher values of leukocyte concentration as compared with the non-exposed controls. This was chiefly caused by the increase of neutrophilic granulocytes and T-cell lymphocytes. Serum IgA levels of the exposed workers were shown to be significantly lower than those of the control group. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value and red cell count of the exposed workers remained at the same level as those of the control subjects. Liver or kidney damage was not found in biochemical analyses on the sera of exposed workers.     

Preparation of a protein micro-array using a photo-reactive polymer for a cell-adhesion assay

A protein micro-array, called a "cell chip" was constructed by using a photo-reactive polymer for a cell-adhesion assay. Various amounts of albumin or fibronectin were covalently immobilized on a polystyrene dish using a micro-spotter with a dip pen. First, poly(acrylic acid) carrying azidophenyl groups was synthesized as the photo-reactive polymer. Secondly, the aqueous solution of a photo-reactive polymer (several nanoliters) was cast using the dip pen of the micro-spotter and dried in air. Subsequently, aqueous solutions of proteins were cast on the same place using the micro-spotter. After drying, the dish was irradiated with ultraviolet light. Finally, the immobilization was confirmed by staining with a dye. The immobilization was stable even after washing with Tween-20. The protein-immobilized area depended on the manipulation of the micro-spotter and the size of the dip pen. Subsequently, cell adhesion on the photo-immobilized protein micro-array was investigated. The adhesion behavior of cells depended on the kind of immobilized proteins and the kind of cells. The protein micro-array will be useful for cell diagnosis and for the selection of biomaterials to regulate cell behavior.     

Health status of male preparatory school students lodging at a dormitory in Japan

An investigation on the health status of 79 male preparatory school students lodging at a dormitory in Japan was carried out by questionnaire on lifestyles, subjective symptoms and mental status, as compared with two control groups: 73 medical students and 36 new employees. About 83 % of them slept less than 6 hours and 70 % of them did not exercise. Many students are troubled with back pain or lumbago(47%), sensation of incomplete bladder emptying(l6%), loss of visual acuity(55%) and eye fatigue(65%). Self-rating depression scale score of preparatory school students was not significantly higher than those of the control groups. The lifestyles of preparatory school students found to be very restricted and strained. However, no significant differences on mental adverse health effects was found among three groups.     

Ultracompact, completely implantable permanent use electromechanical ventricular assist device and total artificial heart

An ultracompact, completely implantable permanent use electromechanical ventricular assist device (VAD) and total artificial heart (TAH) intended for 50-60 kg size patients have been developed. The TAH and VAD share a miniature electromechanical actuator that comprises a DC brushless motor and a planetary roller screw. The rotational force of the motor is converted into the rectilinear force of the roller screw to actuate the blood pump. The TAH is a one piece design with left and right pusher plate type blood pumps sandwiching an electromechanical actuator. The VAD is one half of the TAH with the same actuator but a different pump housing and a backplate. The blood contacting surfaces, including those of the flexing diaphragm and pump housing, of both the VAD and TAH were made of biocompatible polyurethane. The diameter, thickness, volume, and weight of the VAD are 90 mm, 56 mm, 285 cc, and 380 g, respectively, while those of the TAH are 90 mm, 73 mm, 400 cc, and 440 g, respectively. The design stroke volume of both the VAD and TAH is 60 cc with the stroke length being 12 mm. The stroke length and motor speed are controlled solely based on the commutation signals of the motor. An in vitro study revealed that a maximum pump flow of 7.5 L/min can be obtained with a pump rate of 140 bpm against a mean afterload of 100 mm Hg. The power requirement ranged from 4 to 6 W to deliver a 4-5 L/min flow against a 100 mm Hg afterload with the electrical-to-hydraulic efficiency being 19-20%. Our VAD and TAH are the smallest of the currently available devices and suitable for bridge to transplant application as well as for permanent circulatory support of 50-60 kg size patients.     

Investigations on physiological values of blood in industrial workers. Report 3. Serum colloid reaction and enzyme activity values

The purpose of this study is establish the physiological values of serum colloid reaction and serum enzyme activities representing the liver function. 1,732 industrial workers (1,035 males aged 35-65 yr, and 697 females aged 35-60 yr) were examined by the serum zinc sulfate turbidity test (ZTT) and serum thymol turbidity test (TTT) according to the standard method of "The Japanese society of gastroenterology," serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by Kind-King method, serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) by the modified Orlowski method, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) by UV method. Then frequency distributions, geometric means, several percentile values of these six laboratory data and correlations among the values were determined. The results are as follows: 1) Frequency distributions of serum ZTT, TTT, ALP, gamma-GTP, GOT, and GPT almost fitted to the log-normal distribution. 2) Geometric means and 0-95th percentile or 5-95th percentile values in bracket were 6.6 (3.7-11.7) Kunkel unit for ZTT in male, 8.2 (5.1-13.0) Kunkel unit for ZTT in female, 0.6 (0-2.8) Kunkel unit for TTT in male, 0.8 (0-2.8) Kunkel unit for TTT in female, 6.6 (4.1-10.4) King-Armstrong unit for ALP in male, 5.5 (3.2-8.9 for 49 year or less, 4.6-10.3 for 50 yr or more) King-Armstrong unit for ALP in female, 15.8 (0-45) mU/ml for gamma-GTP in male, 8.4 (0-17 for 44 yr or less, and 0-20 for 45 yr or more) mU/ml for gamma-GTP in female, 21.4 (0-39) Karmen unit for GOT in male, 20.8 (0-35) Karmen unit for GOT in female, 13.9 (0-29) Karmen unit for GPT in male, and 12.7 (0-32) Karmen unit for GPT in female. 3) Serum ZTT and TTT levels were higher in female than in male. Both ALP and gamma-GTP levels were higher in male than in female, and have become high according to aging in female. Serum level of GPT was higher in male than in female. 4) There were significant positive correlations between serum ZTT and serum TTT levels, and also between serum GOT and serum GPT levels.     

Spirotoamides A and B, novel 6,6-spiroacetal polyketides isolated from a microbial metabolite fraction library

Two new 6,6-spiroacetal polyketides, spirotoamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a microbial metabolite fraction library of Streptomyces griseochromogenes JC82-1223 by screening of structurally unique compounds based on a search of spectral database. The fraction library was constructed using a systematic separation method to efficiently discover new metabolites from microbial sources such as actinomycetes and fungi. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by 2D-NMR and mass spectrometric measurements. They belong to a class of polyketides, and contain a 6,6-spiroacetal core structure and a carboxamide group. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 and 2 is discussed in the text.