Circadian rhythms of urinary excretions of water and electrolytes in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

In order to determine whether the usual feeding pattern actually modifies the circadian rhythms of urinary excretion of water and electrolytes, we compared the circadian rhythm characteristics in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN group) with those in patients on an ordinary hospital diet (control group). Statistically significant circadian rhythms were detected in all of the urinary variables investigated herein by using the population mean-cosinor method in both groups. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences of the mesor, the %-amplitude and the acrophase between the two groups. These results suggest that the usual feeding pattern is not a main determinant in forming the circadian rhythm characteristics of human urinary variables.     

Homeostatic Regulation of Membrane Potential by an Electrogenic Ion Pump against Change in the K+ Concentration of the Extra- and Intra-Organ Perfusion Solutions

The dependence of membrane potentials on changes in the extra-cellularK⁺ concentration [K⁺]_e was investigated in potato tuber sliceswith dripping perfusion, and in growing Vigna hypocotyl segmentswith pressurized intra-organ perfusion methods. Only under anoxiawere the membrane potential of potato tuber slices and the electricpotential difference between the parenchyma symplast and xylem(V_px) of Vigna hypocotyl segments depolarized markedly (46 mVand 42 mV/log[K⁺]_e unit, respectively) with increasing [K⁺]_eabove the critical values. The electric potential differencebetween the parenchyma symplast and organ surface (V_ps of thehypocotyl segments remained nearly unchanged up to 30 mEq [K⁺]_e.Under highly aerobic conditions the membrane potentials wererelatively independent of [K⁺]_e except at very high K⁺ concentrations.V_ps showed even hyperpolarization with the increasing KCl concentrationin the perfusion solution that is not in direct contact withthe surface membrane of the parenchyma symplast. The respiration-dependentelectrogenic components of the membrane potentials regularlyincreased with the increasing [K⁺]_e. A voltage-dependent homeostaticcontrol of membrane potential is discussed. (Received August 13, 1984; Accepted December 21, 1984)     

In vitro characteristics of rat mesangial cells in comparison with aortic smooth muscle cells and dermal fibroblasts

Rat glomerular mesangial cells were cultured and their antigens were compared with those of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells and dermal fibroblasts. Glomeruli, aortic, and dermal explants were cultured for 3 weeks and subcultured in the same conditions. These cultured cells were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence studies using antibodies against Thy-1 antigen, desmin, and chicken gizzard actin. Most of mesangial cells were positive for Thy-1, desmin, and actin. On the other hand, fibroblasts were negative for desmin, and smooth muscle cells stained Thy-1 scarcely, and were negative for desmin. In the latter two cells, actin-positive fibrils were thinner and fainter than mesangial cells. These results indicated that mesangial cells could be distinguished in vitro from vascular smooth cells and fibroblasts by immunofluorescence microscopy.     

Quantitative hybridization-arrest of mRNA in Xenopus oocytes using single-stranded complementary DNA or oligonucleotide probes.

The expression of heterologous mRNA in Xenopus oocytes was quantitatively inhibited by coinjection of single-stranded complementary DNA or synthetic complementary oligonucleotides. The lymphokines Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-3 (IL-3) were used as model systems to test the effectiveness of this procedure. Messenger RNA samples were hybridized to single stranded complementary DNA or oligonucleotides, injected into oocytes and the oocyte incubation medium assayed for the presence or absence of specific translation products 48 hours later. When IL-2 mRNA was hybridized to a large excess of long (490 bases) single stranded complementary DNA, the expression of IL-2 was effectively blocked (greater than 98%). Complementary oligonucleotides (18-23 bases) were almost as effective as the polynucleotide in inhibiting IL-2 activity (greater than 95%). Oligonucleotides derived from the 5' end, middle or 3' end of the coding sequence were all effective in arresting IL-2 mRNA translation. Oligonucleotide hybrid-arrest was effective even when no NaCl was present in the hybridization buffer, indicating that the annealing reaction could occur within the oocyte after injection. Definite proof that hybrid-arrest could occur in vivo was shown by the fact that oligonucleotides injected before or after mRNA injection, while not as effective as co-injection, still showed substantial inhibition of specific mRNA translation. The oligonucleotide hybrid-arrest method was equally effective in the case of IL-3, demonstrating its general applicability.     

Augmentation of lung antineutrophil elastase capacity with recombinant human alpha-1-antitrypsin

To evaluate the potential use of recombinant DNA-produced alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT) to augment the lung antineutrophil elastase defenses in alpha-1-AT deficiency, we compared the kinetics of intravenously administered recombinant produced alpha-1-AT (r alpha-1-AT) and purified normal human plasma alpha-1-AT (p alpha-1-AT) in the blood and lung of rhesus monkeys. The r alpha-1-AT was produced in yeast transformed with an expressing plasmid containing a full-length human alpha-1-AT complementary deoxyribonucleic acid and purified to greater than 99% homogeneity. The r alpha-1-AT has a molecular weight of 45,000, no carbohydrates, and is identical in sequence to normal plasma alpha-1-AT except for an additional N-terminal acetylmethionine. Despite its lack of carbohydrates, the r alpha-1-AT inhibited human neutrophil elastase with an association rate constant similar to that of p alpha-1-AT. Rhesus monkeys were infused intravenously with 120 mg/kg of r alpha-1-AT (n = 13) or p alpha-1-AT (n = 12) and the serum, urine, and lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations of these molecules quantified at various intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Flavonoids in the leaves of twenty-eight polygonaceous plants

Flavonoids in the leaves of twenty-eight species belonging to the Polygonaceae were studied. Thirty-three kinds of flavonoids were isolated, and eighteen kinds were obtained as crystals. Quercetin glycosides were commonly found in the family. In the quercetin glycosides, 3-O-rhamnoside was most frequently found: 3-O-glucuronide is also distributed widely. Myricetin glycosides were rare. Methylated flavonols were found in some species of the sectionsEchinocaulon andPersicaria. Eleven kinds ofC-glycosylflavones were found in the present survey, andC-glycosylflavones were distributed in all species of the genusRheum and in almost all species of the section Tiniaria.Rumex Acetosella andPolygonum suffultum are exceptional, the former contains flavone glycoside and the latterC-glycosylflavones only, as main components.     

Sex difference in the paradoxical response of serum GH to thyrotrophin releasing hormone in cancer patients

It was demonstrated that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) elicited a paradoxical increase in basal GH levels in cancer patients. Out of 94 cancer patients, 50 were found to be GH responders and this phenomenon was more frequently recognized in female than in male cancer patients. In cancer patients under 59 years of age, the GH response to TRH was significantly greater in females than in males, although there was no sex difference in the GH response in patients above 60 years of age. In female cancer patients, the GH response to TRH was significantly greater in patients under 59 years of age than in patients above 60 years of age, while there was no age difference in the GH response in male cancer patients. It was concluded that paradoxical responses of serum GH to TRH were recognized in 53 per cent of cancer patients and were more frequently observed in female than in male cancer patients.