PCR-RFLP analysis of cytomegalovirus infections associated with bone marrow transplantation in Japanese children.

In order to investigate the longitudinal molecular epidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in Japanese children, we analyzed 36 CMV strains from 11 cases. Three regions (DNA polymerase, glycoprotein H, and immediate-early regions) of CMV DNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and amplified products were each digested with two restriction enzymes, followed by electrophoresis. These restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses allowed the differentiation of 36 strains into 13 genotypes. Each patient excreted his or her own CMV with distinct genotype over the study period of up to one year. CMVs of two different genotypes were recovered during a one-month study from one recipient, who received a peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Although the majority of patients and donors were CMV-seropositive before BMT, multiple CMV infections might not be common and the reactivation of latently infected CMV might be prominent in Japanese children receiving transplants.     

Inhibitory effect of the alkyl side chain of caffeic acid analogues on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages

Caffeic acid esters, one of the components of propolis, are known to show a variety of biological effects such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Although, the anti-inflammatory activities of caffeic acid esters have been studied by analyzing their structure, the detailed mechanisms of their activities remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we examined the function of the ester functional group and the alkyl side chain (alcoholic part) and transformed caffeic acid to several derivatives. The inhibitory effect of these derivatives on NO production in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells was dependent on the length and size of the alkyl moiety, and undecyl caffeate was the most potent inhibitor of NO production. In addition, individual experiments using undecanol, caffeic acid, undecanol plus caffeic acid, and undecyl caffeate showed that the connection between caffeic acid and the alkyl chain is critical for activity. Amide and ketone derivatives showed that not only the ester functional group but also the amide and ketone functional groups exhibit an inhibitory effect on NO production.     

Perinatal mortality in triplet births in Japan: time trends and factors influencing mortality.

Perinatal mortality rates (PMRs) in triplets were analyzed using Japanese Vital Statistics during the period of 1980-1998. The total number of perinatal deaths in triplets was 1051. The PMR significantly decreased from 214 per 1000 births in 1980 to 39 in 1998, a reduction of 82%. PMRs in triplets were 11.1-fold higher in 1980 and 6.9-fold higher in 1998 than in singletons, indicating that PMRs improved more in triplets than in singletons during the last two decades in Japan. The PMR was the highest in the third-born, followed by the second- and the first-born triplets in each period. As for maternal age, the PMR was 1.5-3.7 times higher in the < 25 years of age group than the other age groups. Additionally, the PMR was the lowest for birthweight (BW) >or= 2000 g during the entire period. In addition, the PMR decreased with gestational age (GA) of up to 38-39 weeks and increased thereafter. The effects of BW on the PMR were stronger than the effects of GA. The proportion of perinatal deaths in triplets with extremely low BW (< 1000 g) was 74% in 1980-1989 and increased to 82% in 1990-1998. The declining PMR was unlikely to be due to the improvement in BW in triplets. It is likely that it was related to the improved medical management of triplets during the perinatal period and the first week of life. Information obtained in the present study may be useful in counseling pregnant woman about triplet births.     

Modeling human neurological disorders with induced pluripotent stem cells

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells obtained by reprogramming technology are a source of great hope, not only in terms of applications in regenerative medicine, such as cell transplantation therapy, but also for modeling human diseases and new drug development. In particular, the production of iPS cells from the somatic cells of patients with intractable diseases and their subsequent differentiation into cells at affected sites (e.g., neurons, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, and myocytes) has permitted the in vitro construction of disease models that contain patient‐specific genetic information. For example, disease‐specific iPS cells have been established from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism, as well as from those with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. A multi‐omics analysis of neural cells originating from patient‐derived iPS cells may thus enable investigators to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of neurological diseases that have heretofore been unknown. In addition, large‐scale screening of chemical libraries with disease‐specific iPS cells is currently underway and is expected to lead to new drug discovery. Accordingly, this review outlines the progress made via the use of patient‐derived iPS cells toward the modeling of neurological disorders, the testing of existing drugs, and the discovery of new drugs.

     

Surface Charge Density of Hetero-Fused Plant Protoplasts: an Electrophoretic Study

Electrophoretic mobilities of hetero-fused plant protoplasts,which were obtained by electrofusion of barley mesophyll cellprotoplasts and Rauwolfia serpentina cultured cell protoplasts,and those of the unfused parent protoplasts were measured invarious media of different pH values. At pH 5.2, the zeta potentialof the fused protoplasts was intermediate between those of thebarley and R. serpentina protoplasts and the average surfacecharge density of the fused protoplasts was closer to that ofR. serpentina than to that of barley. The distribution of thesurface charge density of fused protoplast obtained at pH 5.2is discussed in terms of the surface charge densities and thesizes of parent protoplasts. These results revealed that thesurface charge density of fused protoplasts was determined bythe surface charge densities and the ratio of the surface areasof the respective parent protoplasts. (Received December 28, 1989; Accepted August 10, 1990)