Effect of non-enzymatic glycosylation and heating on browning of human stratum corneum and nail.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of non-enzymatic glycosylation and subsequent heating on the browning of the plantar stratum corneum and the finger-nail, and to elucidate the pathogenesis of the yellow skin and the yellow nail seen in diabetic subjects. We incubated stratum corneum and nail from non-diabetics in 0 (control), 10 (only nail), 20 (only nail), 100 and 250 mM glucose buffer at 37 degrees C for 5 days. These glycosylated samples were dialysed against distilled water for 96 h. Distilled water was changed every 24 h. Then samples were dried for 24 h. The extent of non-enzymatic glycosylation was measured by furosine content. Each 5 mg of sample was hydrolysed by 6 N HCl and processed for measurement of furosine by high-performance liquid chromatography. The rest of each sample was stored at 37, 42 (only nail), 47 and 52 degrees C for 14 days. Browning of the stratum corneum was assessed macroscopically, and that of the nail by spectrophotometry. Based on their spectrophotometric reflectances. Munsell's scores (H = hue score, V = lightness score, C = saturation score) and (H + C)/V were calculated for objective evaluation of browning. Incubation of the stratum corneum and nail with glucose buffer increased their non-enzymatic glycosylation (furosine) dose dependently. Macroscopically, the browning of the stratum corneum was enhanced in proportion to the glucose concentration and storage temperature. However, samples incubated in 10 and 20 mM glucose and stored at 42 degrees C did not show visible browning. Munsell's score of the nail samples treated by glycosylation and heating showed increased hue and saturation but reduced lightness. (H + C)/V values of these nail samples were significantly higher than those of the control. We could not detect any fluorescence with Wood light in the browned samples. The present in vitro study demonstrated that the browning of the stratum corneum and the nail depended on the extent of both non-enzymatic glycosylation and storage temperature. We suggested a hypothesis that the non-enzymatic glycosylation and the storage temperature of the stratum corneum and the nail might be a contributory factor in the development of yellow skin and yellow nail in diabetic patients.     

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.     

Pheophytin a, a low molecular weight compound found in the marine brown alga Sargassum fulvellum, promotes the differentiation of PC12 cells

We identified and characterized a neurodifferentiation compound from the marine brown alga Sargassum fulvellum collected from the Japanese coastline. Several instrumental analyses revealed the compound to be pheophytin a. Pheophytin a did not itself promote neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. However, when PC12 cells were treated with a low concentration of pheophytin a (3.9 microg/ml) in the presence of a low level of nerve growth factor (10 ng/ml), the compound produced neurite outgrowth similar to that produced by a high level of nerve growth factor (50 ng/ml). Pheophytin a also enhanced signal transduction in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, which is also induced by nerve growth factor. The effect of pheophytin a on neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was completely blocked by U0126, a representative mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor. These results suggest that pheophytin a enhances the neurodifferentiation of PC12 cells in the presence of a low level of nerve growth factor and that this effect is mediated by activation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.     

Immunogenicity of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein gB-1-related protein produced in yeast

A protein related to glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) produced in yeast (ygB-1) was purified with an immunoadsorbent. The molecular weight of the purified ygB-1 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 96,000. Mice injected twice with ygB-1 adsorbed to alum developed ELISA antibody to ygB-1, neutralizing antibody to HSV-1 and a lymphoproliferative response to ygB-1 and HSV-1. The immunized mice were protected against intraperitoneal and corneal challenge with HSV-1. Latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia after corneal challenge was also inhibited by immunization with ygB-1. Guinea-pigs pigs immunized with ygB-1 adsorbed to alum also developed ELISA antibody to to ygB-1 and neutralizing antibody to both types of HSV. After the second dose, strong lymphoproliferative responses were seen upon stimulation with HSV-2. Animals were protected against intravaginal challenge with HSV type 2.     

Functional outcome and general health status in patients after arthroscopic release in adhesive capsulitis

Frozen shoulder is said to be a self-limiting entity but full recovery often takes more than 2 years. For that, most patients are unwilling to tolerate painful restriction while awaiting resolution. We prospectively investigated 30 patients (16 women, 14 men) for the outcome of arthroscopic capsular release in idiopathic frozen shoulder. Results were determined by the assessment of subjective and objective parameters to estimate both shoulder function and general health status. Symptoms persisted without improvement for a minimum of 6 months of conservative treatment. Preoperative average American shoulder and elbow surgeons score (ASES) was 35, visual analog scale (VAS) to measure pain was 7, and simple shoulder test (SST) was 4. Mean scores of the physical component of SF-36 were considerably reduced. Mean forward elevation was 85°, average abduction was 70°, mean internal rotation was 15°, and mean external rotation was 10°. Patients were followed-up at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 months and by a mean of 36 months. Range of motion for all planes improved (P < 0.05). Median VAS reduced to 2, average ASES increased to 91, and SST enhanced to a mean of 10 (P < 0.05). We stated improvement of the physical components in the SF-36 questionnaire in particular bodily pain and the role-physical score. There were no significant differences between the measurements in the early postoperative phase compared to the mid-term follow-up (P > 0.05). Our results demonstrate that arthroscopic release of refractory idiopathic frozen shoulder combined with a gentle manipulation provides reliable expectations for improvement in both clinical and general health status for most patients. We recommend the use of a limb-specific and a general-health-status questionnaire to conclude the benefit of the surgical intervention and contribute the optimization of a therapy concept more effectively.     

A case of multiple cranial neuropathy after Campylobacter jejuni infection]

We report a patient who developed overlapping symptoms of ophthalmoplegia and oropharyngeal palsy after Campylobacter jejuni infection. A 15-year-old man had diarrhea and fever, and developed dysarthria, diplopia and ptosis two weeks later. He did not show ataxia, weakness or abnormal tendon reflexes in the extremities during the clinical course. In the acute phase of the disease, we found significant elevation of anti-GQlb and anti-GTla IgG antibodies in the serum, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy remarkably ameliorated the symptoms. Our patient was atypical of Fisher syndrome or pharyngeal-cervical-brachial (PCB) weakness, and this is the first case of multiple cranial neuropathy associated with C. jejuni infection.     

Excess caloric intake induced severe hypercapnia in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on noninvansive positive pressure ventilation]

In many patients with neuromuscular diseases, respiratory failure is mainly caused by alveolar hypoventilation in their terminal stages. Malnutrition is one of the common and serious problems in patients with chronic respiratory failure. Energy consumption for breathing is remarkably high in respiratory compromised patients, causing subsequent increase of total energy expenditure. However, most patients have limited capacity of oral intake. Nutritional depletion is associated with wasting of respiratory muscles, impairment of respiratory drive, alteration of respiratory pattern, and pathological change of pulmonary parenchyma. These indicate that nutritional and ventilatory support is very important in these patients. However, overfeeding also may have detrimental influence on respiratory failure. We experienced a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient on noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) who developed hypercapnia after total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Analysis of clinical course of this patient revealed that there is a significant correlation between PaCO2 and caloric intake. Excess carbohydrate intake can precipitate fat synthesis which induces over-production of carbon dioxide (CO2). Since NIPPV doesn't have a closed circuit, there are some difficulties in respiratory management, such as air leakage to stomach and mouth, and airway obstruction. Failure to optimize NIPPV setting against increased CO2 load might cause hypercapnia in this patient. These suggest that evaluation of energy expenditure and design of nutritional program are essential to avoid hypercapnia due to nutritional support.     

A case of cleidocranial dysostosis associated with arachnoid cyst

Cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by the heredity, the disturbance of the ossification of the skull and clavicles, and dental anomaly. The entity of CCD was established by Marie and Sainton in 1898. In Japan about 150 cases have been reported since Haneda's first report in 1933. Recently we experienced a rare case of CCD associated with the temporal arachnoid cyst. The patient was a 61-year-old male who had suffered from mild spastic paresis of the left upper extremity since his childhood. One morning he suddenly noticed motor weakness of the left upper and lower extremities and was transferred to our hospital. On admission we observed the left hemiparesis (MMT 3/5), the left central type facial palsy, and the left long tract signs. Physical examination disclosed frontal bossing, depression of the forehead, sloped shoulders, cone-shaped thorax, and thoracic scoliosis. Plain skull radiograph showed persistent metopic suture and frontal fontanelle, many wormian bones around coronal and lambdoid sutures. Plain radiographs of the systemic bones also showed typical features of CCD such as dysplasia of the lateral third of the bilateral clavicles, deformities of the cervical vertebral bodies, thoracic scoliosis, and wide symphysis. CT scan disclosed the right putaminal hemorrhage, the right temporal arachnoid cyst, enlargement of the right middle fossa, thinning of the temporal bone adjacent to the arachnoid cyst. It also showed the atrophy of the right cerebral peduncle and midbrain. Surgical treatment was performed to remove the hematoma and release the cyst. Several neurological disorders associated with CCD have been reported such as epilepsy, mental retardation, spastic paresis etc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)