Oxidative stress promotes the regression of fetal liver hemopoiesis.

Although apoptosis is believed to play an important role in the ontogenetic development of animals, the molecular mechanism that triggers the regression of liver hemopoiesis during the perinatal period is not known. Apoptosis is induced by many factors such as a decrease in growth factors and increased oxygen stress. Since hepatic gamma-glutamyl transferase (GT) levels change markedly during the perinatal period in rodents, the metabolism of glutathione (GSH), a naturally occurring major antioxidant, might change significantly in and around liver cells. Hemopoietic cells but not hepatocytes exhibit significant apoptosis in thiol-free medium and the hemopoietic apoptosis can be inhibited by various thiols, such as L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and GSH. The contribution of GSH levels in and around fetal liver cells in the triggering of apoptosis in hemopoietic cells is discussed.

Construction of a linkage map and QTL analysis of horticultural traits for watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (THUNB.) MATSUM & NAKAI] using RAPD, RFLP and ISSR markers.

We have been constructing linkage maps for watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus) on the basis of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and isozymes using an F(2) population derived from a crossing between a cultivated inbred line (H-7; C. lanatus) and an African wild form (SA-1; C. lanatus). A total of 120 F(2) plants was used for construction of a linkage map using 477 RAPDs, 53 RFLPs, 23 ISSRs and one isozyme markers. Linkage analysis revealed that 554 loci could be mapped to 11 linkage groups that extended for 2,384 centimorgans (cM). While a BC(1) population [(H-7 x SA-1) x H-7] consisting of 60 individuals was grown and scored for quantitative traits. Another linkage map with a total length of 1,729 cM was constructed in the BC(1) using genetic markers found to segregate in the F(2) population. A QTL analysis was applied by means of interval mapping for locating such agronomic traits as hardness of rind, Brix of flesh juice, flesh color (red and yellow) and rind color. The relative order of markers in the BC(1) map was essentially the same as that on the linkage map in the F(2). A total of five QTLs for four agronomic traits was detected. The QTL for hardness of rind was mapped on group 4. The linkage group 8 contained the QTL for sugar content of the flesh as expressed in Brix of the juice. The QTL for red flesh color was detected on groups 2 and 8. The QTL for rind color mapped on the group 3. The present map and QTL analysis may provide a useful tool for breeders by introducing valuable wild watermelon genes to cultivars.

Correlation between erythropoietin and lactate in humans during altitude exposure.

The plasma concentrations of both immunoreactive erythropoietin (EPO) and lactate were determined in four healthy untrained subjects at sea level and on the 2nd or 3rd day at altitudes (1,300 and 3,500 m). The mean plasma EPO (18.8 +/- 1.6 mU/ml at sea level) increased significantly on the 3rd day at 1,300 m (25.5 +/- 2.0 mU/ml, p < 0. 05) and showed an almost three-fold increase on the 2nd day at 3,500 m (53.5 +/- 3.7 mU/ml, p < 0.001). Likewise, the mean plasma lactate at 3,500 m (3.98 +/- 0.27 mmol/l) was 3.6 times as high as that at sea level (1.11 +/- 0.05 mmol/l) (p < 0.001). The plasma EPO concentrations were found to correlate well with the lactate concentrations at sea level and altitudes (r = 0.86, p < 0.01). These results are consistent with the well-known EPO/lactate response to altitudes and suggest that the circulating EPO concentration as well as blood lactate concentration can be used as an index of anaerobic condition.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 3' terminal region of a wasabi strain of crucifer tobamovirus genomic RNA: subgrouping of crucifer tobamoviruses.

The 3' terminal 2378 nucleotides of a wasabi strain of crucifer tobamovirus (CTMV-W) infectious to crucifer plants was determined. This includes the 3' non-coding region of 235 nucleotides, coat protein (CP) gene (468 nucleotides), movement protein (MP) gene (798 nucleotides) and C-terminal partial readthrough portion of 180 K protein gene (940 nucleotides). Comparison of the sequence with homologous regions of thirteen other tobamovirus genomes showed that it had much higher identity to those of four other crucifer tobamoviruses, 85.2% to cr-TMV and turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV), 87.4% to oilseed rape mosaic virus (ORMV) and 87.1% to TMV-Cg, than to those of other tobamoviruses. Thus CTMV-W was most similar to ORMV and TMV-Cg in sequence, but only marginally so, whereas the location and size of its MP gene was the same as cr-TMV amd TVCV. These results, together with other analyses, show that CTMV-W is a new crucifer tobamovirus, that the five crucifer tobamoviruses can be classified into two subgroups based on MP gene organization, and that the rate of sequence change is not the same in all lineages.

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in preeclamptic patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Etiology and pathogenesis of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in patients with toxemia of pregnancy remain controversial. We examined 15 preeclamptic patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome. None of the patients had urinary abnormalities and hypertension before pregnancy. Clinically, proteinuria first developed during pregnancy and disappeared completely in all but one patient lost to follow-up after 1-30 months from delivery. Renal dysfunction, hypertension and edema rapidly resolved in the postpartum period. None of the patients had a progressive clinical course. Renal biopsy specimens obtained postpartum revealed typical features of preeclamptic nephropathy. In addition, findings compatible with FSGS were observed in 13 patients including 4 in which such lesions were unearthed by additional serial sectioning. These results indicate that FSGS may not only be induced by preeclampsia but also be one of the representative glomerular changes in preeclamptic patients with nephrotic syndrome. A favorable clinical course ensues in a manner similar to that of patients with the garden - variety of preeclampsia.

Transmission of adult T-cell leukemia retrovirus (HTLV-I) from mother to child: comparison of bottle- with breast-fed babies.

HTLV-I is commonly believed to be transmitted from HTLV-I seropositive mothers to infants via breast milk. In 11 of 24 breast-fed infants born to HTLV-I seropositive mothers, HTLV-I antigen-positive cells were detected in peripheral blood samples obtained 12 months after birth. In sharp contrast, they were detected in only one of 11 bottle-fed infants of HTLV-I seropositive mothers. Thus bottle-feeding appears to be an effective method to avoid HTLV-I transmission from HTLV-I seropositive mothers to infants.

Prevention of HTLV-I transmission through the breast milk by a freeze-thawing process.

Fifteen human breast milk samples obtained from mothers seropositive for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) antigen were kept frozen overnight at -20 degrees. Each milk sample was then co-cultivated with cord lymphocytes obtained from 15 anti-HTLV-I antibody-negative mothers. No HTLV-I antigen-positive cells were detected among the cord lymphocytes subjected to co-cultivation. These results suggest that thawing of frozen breast milk may prevent HTLV-I transmission from mother to child via breast milk.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Imipenem (MK-0787), a new carbapenem antibiotic, combined with cilastatin sodium (MK-0791), was studied clinically and microbiologically. The following results were obtained: Concentrations of MK-0787 in the plasma and internal genital tissues were measured at 1 hour after an intravenous drip infusion of MK-0787/MK-0791 (500 mg/500 mg) for 30 minutes. Mean plasma levels higher than 11.8 micrograms/ml and mean tissue levels higher than 2.3 micrograms/g were observed. When its MIC values are considered, MK-0787/MK-0791 appeared to be bactericidal against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria except some Pseudomonas sp. and Enterococcus faecium. Clinical effects of the therapy with MK-0787/MK-0791 (500 mg/500 mg) using a drip infusion twice daily were evaluated in 3 patients with pyometra and 3 patients with Bartholin's gland abscess. Clinical responses were good in 5 of the 6 patients. One patient with pyometra due to E. coli didn't respond to the therapy. No side effects or abnormal laboratory findings due to the drug were noted.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of aztreonam in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Aztreonam (AZT, E-0734), a new beta-lactam antibiotic, was fundamentally and clinically studied. The following results were obtained. The serum and internal genital tissue levels for AZT after 1 g intravenous injection had been kept at more than about 20 micrograms/ml and 3.0 micrograms/g, respectively, during 1 hour. AZT was administered at 1-2 g of daily dose by intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion to 5 patients with obstetric and gynecological infections, comprising 1 of pyometra, parametritis, Bartholin's abscess, puerperal endometritis and diffuse peritonitis. Clinical efficacy was; excellent in 1 puerperal endometritis case, good in 2 cases and poor in 2 cases. Neither side effect nor abnormal laboratory finding was observed.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of cefpiramide in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Cefpiramide (CPM, SM-1652), a new cephem antibiotic, was fundamentally and clinically studied. The following results were obtained. Serum and internal genital tissue levels of CPM were measured following intravenous drip infusion of 1 g. High serum levels of 30 micrograms/ml and tissue levels of more than 4 micrograms/g were at least maintained for 8 hours. Favourable transfer of CPM into the pelvic dead space exudate was observed. The exudate level was 7.25 micrograms/ml on average even at 8 hours after intravenous drip infusion. A total of 6 cases comprising 4 with Bartholin's cyst, 1 with pelvic peritonitis and 1 with lymphocyst was treated with CPM at a dose of 0.5-2 g twice daily by intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion. The clinical response was excellent in 1 case and good in 5 cases. Side effects and abnormal laboratory findings due to the drug were not noted.

[Clinical trial and basic study on the tissue transfer of cefminox].

Cefminox (CMNX, MT-141) was studied both fundamentally and clinically with following results: In the treatment of 3 cases of Bartholin's abscess, 2 cases of pyometra, and 1 case each of bartholinitis, inflammation of the pelvic dead space, retroperitoneal abscess and pelvic peritonitis, CMNX was administered at a dosage of 1 g. The global clinical results were rated as good in 9 cases. From these findings it is considered that CMNX is promising as an antibiotic with extremely high efficacy for infections of the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Furthermore, since in none of our cases side effects or laboratory abnormalities were observed, CMNX is considered to be a drug with high efficacy and safety. In 5 cases received 1 g of CMNX intravenously, concentrations of the drug in the serum and tissues of internal genital organs were determined. CMNX was maintained at concentrations higher than 20 micrograms/ml for the serum and 10 micrograms/g for each tissue studied. In the pelvic dead space exudate 10 to 20 micrograms/ml of the drug was still detected even at 8 hours after the administration. These results obtained by our fundamental study support the efficacy of CMNX demonstrated in the clinical part of our study.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of ceftazidime in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Ceftazidime ( CAZ ), a new cephalosporin antibiotic, was fundamentally and clinically studied. The following results were obtained. Serum and internal genital tissue levels of CAZ were measured following intravenous drip infusion of 1 g for 30 minutes. Serum levels of more than 10 micrograms/ml and tissue levels of more than about 7 micrograms/ml were maintained after 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes, respectively. Favourable transfer of CAZ into the pelvic dead space exudate was observed. The exudate level attained its peak of 31.54 micrograms/ml on average at 2 hours and was 16.8 micrograms/ml on average even at 8 hours after intravenous drip infusion. A total of 6 cases comprising 1 of adnexitis, 2 of pyometra, 1 of endometritis and 2 of parametritis was treated with CAZ at a dose of 0.5 approximately 2.0 g twice daily by intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion. The clinical response was excellent in 1 case, good in 4 cases and poor in 1 case. Abnormal laboratory findings and side effects due to the drug were not noted.

[Clinical trial of carmofur (HCFU) in the treatment of malignant ovarian cancer--The first report: combination therapy with endoxan, mitomycin C, and toyomycin].

A new fluoropyrimidine antitumor agent, carmofur (HCFU, Mifurol) was administered to patients with malignant ovarian tumor. Two of these patients revealed favorable results. The first patient was a 72-year-old female, who was diagnosed as having ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma with metastatic omental tumor at exploratory laparotomy, its size was newborn child head size. She was started on with a combination chemotherapy of Mifurol (600 mg p.o. daily), Endoxan (4 mg/kg i.v. twice a week), Mitomycin C (0.04 mg/kg i.v. twice a week) and Toyomycin (0.01 mg/kg i.v. twice a week). After four weeks, this combination therapy brought her a complete response with disappearance of pleural effusion, ascites and metastatic tumor. The second case was a 39-year-old female, who underwent adnexectomy elsewhere which led to the discovery of Krukenberg tumor, and was referred to our hospital. After the first course of the same combination chemotherapy, second look operation was performed. Histological examination of the specimen obtained by metastatic tumor of uterosacral ligament showed the degeneration (grade II b-III, Oboshi and Shimozato) of cancer cell. It is suggested that this combination chemotherapy including Mifurol is effective and useful for the patients with ovarian carcinoma.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of T-1982 (cefbuperazone) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

T-1982 (cefbuperazone), a new cephamycin antibiotic, was fundamentally and clinically studied. The following results were obtained. Serum and internal genital tissue levels of T-1982 were measured following intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion of 1 g. High serum levels of more than 10 micrograms/ml and tissue levels of more than 5 micrograms/g were maintained for 3 hours after intravenous administration. Favourable transfer of T-1982 into the pelvic dead space exudate was observed. The exudate level attained its peak at 2 hours and was 14.6 micrograms/ml on average even at 8 hours after intravenous infusion. With its MIC values, T-1982 was considered to be bactericidal against many Gram-negative bacteria except Pseudomonas sp. A total of 4 cases comprising 2 with pyometra, 1 with pelveoperitonitis and 1 with endometritis complicated with pelveoperitonitis was treated with T-1982 at a dose of 1-2 g twice daily by intravenous drip infusion. The clinical response was excellent in 1 case and good in 2 cases. A case with pyometra due to S. faecalis did not respond to the therapy. Side effects and abnormal laboratory findings due to the drug were not noted.