Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding salmon (Onchorhynchus keta) liver transglutaminase

We isolated cDNA clones encoding a transglutaminase (TGase: EC 2.3.2.13) from a salmon (Onchorhynchus keta) cDNA library prepared from the liver. In the cDNA sequence combined, an open reading frame coding for a protein of 680 aa was found. The deduced sequence showed a considerable similarity (62.4%) to that of red sea bream TGase. By comparison of sequence similarity to other TGases, the structure of salmon TGase was like tissue type TGases, rather than membrane-associated type or plasma type TGases. As a structural feature of salmon TGase, 3 aa residues were substituted in the 25 aa sequence around the active site Cys residue, which is conserved among several tissue type TGases. The critical residues thought to form the catalytic-center triad (Cys272, His331, and Asp301) were found in the highly conserved region, but the region surrounding Tyr511, which corresponds to the residue participates in hydrogen-bond interactions of active center domain, was less similar to other TGases, except for red sea bream TGase. These finding suggests that the overall structure of fish TGase resembles tissue-type TGases, but has some unique structure.     

Increased serotonin release across the coronary bed during a nonischemic interval in patients with vasospastic angina

BACKGROUND: Platelet activation and coagulation abnormality have been observed during coronary spasm. It is crucial whether platelet activation occurs even during a nonischemic period. HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to determine whether platelets might be activated across the coronary bed during a nonischemic interval in patients with vasospastic angina. METHODS: Plasma levels of serotonin, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and catecholamines in the aorta and the coronary sinus were simultaneously measured in 16 patients with vasospastic angina and 13 control patients with nonischemic heart disease. RESULTS: None of these patients showed myocardial ischemia during sampling. The difference in transcardiac plasma levels of serotonin in patients with vasospastic angina was significantly higher than that in controls (1.48 +/- 1.08 ng/ml vs. 0.07 +/- 0.12 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). Coronary sinus plasma norepinephrine levels in these two groups were almost the same (204.8 +/- 110.8 pg/ml vs. 190.4 +/- 131.6 pg/ml, respectively). The ratio of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha in the coronary sinus and the aorta was not different between the two groups (1.17 +/- 0.96 in patients with vasospastic angina vs. 1.15 +/- 0.68 in controls). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that platelet activation across the coronary bed should be ascribed to endothelial dysfunction. Lack of compensatory enhancement of prostacyclin production might be concerned with dysfunction of coronary endothelial cells in these patients.     

A differential photoconductive AND gate with Be-dopedlow-temperature-grown InGaAs-InAlAs MQW MSM-PD's

A novel photoconductive AND gate that overcomes the problems of: 1) the long tail of photoconductive switches and 2) signal leakage via switch capacitance (signal feedthrough) is proposed. We use Be-doped low-temperature (LT)-grown InGaAs-InAlAs MQW metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (MSM-PD's) to get a shorter turn-off time and propose a differential AND gate to cancel the signal feedthrough. A comparison between LT-grown MSM-PD's and those fabricated by ion implantation shows that the LT-grown ones are ultrafast with a full width at half maximum of 5.3 ps and are suitable for low-bias operation. It is experimentally confirmed that the differential AND gate completely cancels the signal feedthrough in the picosecond region. The differential AND gate: with the LT MSM-PD's achieves return-to-zero (RZ) 20 Gb/s AND operation     

A design technique for a high-gain, 10-GHz class-bandwidth GaAsMESFET amplifier IC module

A design procedure is proposed for a high-gain and wideband IC module, using stability analysis and a unified design methodology for ICs and packages. A multichip structure is developed using stability analysis and the requirements for stable operation are determined for each IC chip, package, and interface condition between them. Furthermore, to reduce the parasitic influences, several improvements in the interface and package design are clarified, such as wideband matching and LC resonance damping. IC design using effective feedback techniques for enlarging the bandwidth are also presented. The ICs are fabricated using 0.2-μm GaAs MESFET IC technology. To verify the validity of these techniques, an equalizer IC module for 10-Gb/s optical communication systems was fabricated, achieving a gain of 36 dB and a bandwidth of 9 GHz     

NRZ operation at 40 Gb/s of a compact module containing an MQW electroabsorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser

NRZ operation at 40 Gb/s has been successfully performed using a very compact module of a multiple-quantum-well (MQW) electroabsorption modulator integrated with a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser. While the DFB laser is injected with a constant current, the integrated MQW electroabsorption modulator is driven with a 10-Gb/s electrical NRZ signal. A clearly opened eye diagram has been observed in the modulated light from the modulator. And a receiver sensitivity of -27.2 dBm at 10/sup -9/ has been experimentally confirmed in the bit-error-rate (BER) performance.     

Food and food additives hypersensitivity in adult asthmatics. III. Adverse reaction to sulfites in adult asthmatics

To improve the survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer, several protocols of a preoperative combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, known as chemoradiation therapy, have been developed, recently characterized by the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, and radiation. Although some of these combinations have been demonstrated to be effective, the optimal chemoradiation dose and schedule are not yet precisely established. Recent investigations have elucidated that the radiosensitizing effects of cisplatin are able to be achieved more effectively by the daily administration of cisplatin before each fraction of radiation. Based on these investigations, we report herein the case of a patient with esophageal cancer with direct invasion to the trachea, in whom a complete response was achieved by the continuous administration of 5-FU, 600 mg/m2 per day, from days 1-5 combined with the daily administration of low-dose cisplatin, 10 mg/m2 per day before each fraction of radiation, given as 2Gy each time, throughout the entire treatment period of 3 weeks beginning on day 1. The benefits of our preoperative chemoradiation therapy included no severe side effects, down-staging and resectability of the tumor, as well as a pathological complete response, which could prolong the survival time. Our experience of this case prompts us to recommend the concurrent daily preoperative chemoradiation therapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer.     

Calcific tendinitis in the posterior proximal thigh as a self-limited condition: pathogenic role of inflammatory responses

OBJECTIVE: Calcific tendinitis occurs rarely in the posterior proximal thigh. We investigated whether it is self-limited and how the natural course of the disease progresses. METHODS: We treated 6 patients with no surgical intervention, and analyzed laboratory and radiological findings in the followup period of more than one year (average followup, 2.5 yrs). RESULTS: Although tendinitis was severe, rapid relief was observed within 2 weeks (average 5 days). Radiological features including extraskeletal calcifications did not change within 2 weeks, and then improved by 6 weeks. Four of 6 cases showed abnormal laboratory variables. All elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels improved within one week with clinical resolution. In comparison with time course of the symptoms, changes in the radiological findings over time appeared not to be parallel with the clinical course, but laboratory progression appeared to correspond well with clinical resolution. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory responses to hydroxyapatite crystals may play a role in the pathogenesis of symptoms of calcific tendinitis in the posterior proximal thigh, most of which are self-limited.     

The effect of supplemental propionate on insulin responsiveness to glucose and tissue responsiveness to insulin in relation to feeding in sheep

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about the pharmacokinetics of neuroleptic drugs in breast-feeding mothers and their infants or about possible adverse effects in the infants. METHOD: Twelve mothers who breast-fed their infants were prescribed haloperidol, chlorpromazine or trifluoperazine. Two methods, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to assay these drugs in samples from mothers, but infants' samples were assayed only by the more sensitive EIA. Repeated clinical and developmental assessments of the breast-fed infants were carried out up to 30 months of age. The control subjects were 18 bottle-fed infants whose mothers were also prescribed neuroleptic or mood-stabilizing drugs. RESULTS: The total concentrations of neuroleptic drugs and their principal metabolites in maternal plasma were correlated with concentrations in fore-milk. Infants were ingesting up to 3% of the maternal daily dose per kg body weight and small amounts of the drugs were detected in infants' plasma and urine. Concentrations of haloperidol in the adult range were found in plasma from 2 of 5 infants assayed by EIA but there was no evidence of any acute or delayed adverse effects. Three other breast-fed infants whose mothers were prescribed both haloperidol and chlorpromazine showed a decline in their developmental scores from the first to the second assessment at 12-18 months. CONCLUSION: More extensive longitudinal studies are needed but, in the meantime, there appears to be grounds for caution if breast-feeding mothers are prescribed doses of single or two neuroleptic drugs at the upper end of their recommended ranges.