Evidence for involvement of two isoforms of Syk protein-tyrosine kinase in signal transduction through the high affinity IgE receptor on rat basophilic leukemia cells

We have identified the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) UL4 gene product using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised against a recombinant 6xHis-UL4 fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli. The antiserum reacted specifically with a 27-kDa protein in HSV-2 186-infected cell lysates. The protein was not detectable in the presence of the viral DNA synthesis inhibitor, suggesting that the UL4 gene was expressed as a gamma 2 gene. Indirect immunofluorescence studies localized the UL4 protein within the nucleus as discrete punctate forms at late times postinfection. However, when expressed in the absence of other viral proteins, the UL4 protein was limited to the cytoplasm, indicating that an interaction with one or more other virus-induced proteins was responsible for the nuclear localization during infection. Subnuclear fractionation studies showed that the protein was released from the nuclear structure of infected cells by high salt treatment. Moreover, the UL4 protein was detected in purified virions and light particles.     

Homozygous beta(+)-thalassemia due to -31 A to G mutation

The cells of Martinotti are unique neurons of the cerebral cortex with ascending axons. Giovanni Martinotti (1857-1928), professor of anatomic pathology at the University of Bologna, has been claimed to be the discoverer of such cells. Nevertheless, no papers specifically concerning neuroanatomy have been found in his curriculum. The authors have been able to establish that Carlo Martinotti (1859-1918), a pupil of Camillo Golgi (1843-1926) was the legitimate discoverer of the nerve cells carrying his own name.     

A case of diabetic muscle infarction in Japan

Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI) is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus. We report the first recorded case in Japan. A 45-year-old Japanese woman presented with severe pain in the left antero-medial thigh. She had a 14-year history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). She had first noticed pain in her left thigh after a walk 2 weeks prior to presentation. The pain worsened progressively. She noticed a firm mass in her left thigh. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a high-intensity signal in the muscle bulk of the anterior component of the left thigh. A needle biopsy of the mass showed necrosis. She was treated with bedrest and an antiplatelet agent. The mass disappeared 8 weeks after admission. DMI is a rare complication of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Twenty-seven cases with DMI have been reported in the English literature but we believe this is the first Japanese case with DMI.     

Cardiovascular effects of ajmaline

Ajmaline, a rauwolfia derivative, has been found to possess potent antiarrhythmic effects. The present study has been designed to define the cardiovascular effects of this drug. Hemodynamic studies performed in anesthetized and conscious dogs demonstrated no significant changes in measured hemodynamic parameters at doses equal to or less than 2 mg. per kilogram. Studies in isolated papillary muscle demonstrated no negative inotropic effects until concentrations of 1 X 10(-4). Disparate results were obtained with regard to heart rate reflecting the state of autonomic tone. Electrophysiologic studies in both anesthetized and conscious dogs demonstrated a significant depression of intraventricular conduction with no significant effect on AV nodal conduction; ventricular automaticity was not affected. Ajmaline did not alter digitalis-induced AV nodal conduction prolongation. However, ajmaline dramatically altered or abolished ventricular arrhythmias secondary to acute ischemia. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that ajmaline specifically depresses intraventricular conduction, suggesting that this drug would be particularly effective in the treatment of re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias.     

Purification and properties of blood group A-active glycoprotein from oyster viscera

A blood group A active substance was isolated from an acetone-dried powder of oyster viscera by extraction with 0.1 M NaCl after heating a homogenate with extraction medium, in boiling water. After the removal of the acidic fraction with cetylpyridinium chloride, the separated neutral fraction was digested successively with alpha-amylase and amyloglucosidase to remove glycogen. The blood group A-active portion was eluted from a Sepharose 4B column and purified by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The purified active substance was homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was estimated as 100 000 by sedimentation equilibrium. The sugar content of the purified active substance, expressed in percentage of dry weight, was galactosamine, 16.6; galactose, 12.5; fucose, 9.9; glucosamine, 4.6; and glucose, 3.3. Sialic acid was not detected. Total amino acid content was 23.0% and the main constituents were threonine, proline and serine. The ORD spectrum indicated that the hexosamines were N-acetylated. Absence of glycolipid was confirmed by the analysis of fatty acid and sphingosine base. This active substance had a strong blood group A activity (0.04 mug/ml) but neither B nor H activity; it interacted with lima bean lectin but not with concanavalin A.     

Miniaturized vortex transitional Josephson memory cell by avertically integrated device structure

We have developed the smallest Josephson nondestructive read-out (NDRO) memory cell, called a vortex transitional (VT) memory cell, for a Josephson high-speed 16-Kbit RAM. Its size is 22×22 μm² , which is only 16% of the size of previously developed VT memory cells used in Josephson 4-Kbit RAM. This is achieved by developing a vertically integrated device structure and refining small-junction technology. The cell consists of Nb/AlO_x/Nb junctions, three Nb wirings, SiO₂, insulators and Mo resistors. The VT memory cells operate properly, with a large operating margin of ±20%     

Mammary tumour induction by pituitary grafting in male mice: an animal model for male breast cancer

Isologous anterior pituitary grafting, 4 each, to 3-4-month-old SHN and SLN male mice resulted in an appearance of mammary tumours from 8 months of age and the incidence at 12 months reached 53.8% in each strain. All tumours were diagnosed as type B adenocarcinomas. In association with the results, normal mammary gland growth and mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV)-gp52 antigen levels in the submaxillary glands were stimulated by the treatment in these strains. The effect of pituitary grafting was much less in GR/A male mice in which no mammary tumours appeared.     

Out-of-plane shearing characteristics of coated paperboard

The out-of-plane shearing characteristics of a paperboard by a straight punch and dies are important to estimate the paperboard stripping performance. In this paper, in order to reveal the die clearance effect and the feed velocity effect on the sheared end-profile of the paperboard, a precision shear testing device was developed. The shear cutting of the paperboards was experimentally carried out by varying the die clearance and the feed velocity of punch. Through this work, it was confirmed that (1) the load response had two kinds of transition gradient before passing through the maximum load point; (2) the shearing performance was classified with the normalized indentation depth d/t=0.1∼0.2 into an out-of-plane shear mode and a combined shear mode. Here, the combined mode was composed of out-of-plane bending and in-plane tensile deformation; (3) the surface layers of paperboard were observed with a de-lamimated state using an image processing of side-view flow deformation of the paperboard. Furthermore, (4) the shear strength was discussed with the orthotropic properties of the paperboard.