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Right lateral sector (RLS) grafting has been introduced to enlarge the potential donor pool for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT); however, evidence of its feasibility is limited. Data from 437 LDLTs carried out between 2000 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. LDLTs using a right liver graft (n = 251) were compared with those using a RLS graft (RLSG; n = 28). No donor mortality occurred, and the major complication rates were similar between the two groups. Postoperative liver function preservation was better in the RLSG donors. Concerning the recipients, the mortality and overall survival rates were similar between the two groups. The complication rate for the recipients was higher when more than two arterial or biliary anastomoses were necessary. A systematic literature search identified four reports on LDLT using RLSGs. Among 66 LDLTs, including the present series, there were no cases of donor death, and the rates of major and minor complications in the donors were 6% and 29%, respectively. The major complication and overall mortality rates in the recipients were 29% and 6%, respectively. LDLT using an RLSG is feasible, with an acceptable survival rate among the recipients.

Right lateral sector (RLS) grafting has been introduced to enlarge the potential donor pool for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT); however, evidence of its feasibility is limited. Data from 437 LDLTs carried out between 2000 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. LDLTs using a right liver graft (n = 251) were compared with those using a RLSgraft (RLSG; n = 28). No donor mortality occurred, and the major complication rates were similar between the two groups. Postoperative liver function preservation was better in the RLSG donors. Concerning the recipients, the mortality and overall survival rates were similar between the two groups. The complication rate for the recipients was higher when more than two arterial or biliary anastomoses were necessary. A systematic literature search identified four reports on LDLTusing RLSGs. Among 66 LDLTs, including the present series, there were no cases of donor death, and the rates of major and minor complications in the donors were 6% and 29%, respectively. The major complication and overall mortality rates in the recipients were 29% and 6%, respectively. LDLTusing an RLSG is feasible, with an acceptable survival rate among the recipients. Although special attention to the arterial and biliary anatomy is necessary, use of a right lateral sector graft in living donor liver transplantation is feasible and superior to that of a right liver graft in terms of donor liver function preservation, with an acceptable survival rate in the recipient.

Selon les recommandations de la Barcelona Clinic pour le cancer du foie (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer guidelines), une résection hépatique n’est pas préconisée pour un carcinome hépatocellulaire multiple. Cependant, les résultats de résection hépatique pour carcinome hépatocellulaire multiple restent peu étudiés.

Two hundred fifty-three consecutive living-donor liver transplant recipients with a right liver graft (RLG) were divided into three groups: an extended right liver graft (ERLG) group (n = 47) in which the middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk was included in the graft, a modified right liver graft (MRLG) group (n = 114) in which the MHV tributaries were reconstructed with cryopreserved homologous veins and a simple RLG group (n = 92) in which the MHV tributaries were sacrificed. The volume of the anterior sector was significantly impaired in the RLG group compared to the other two groups, whereas the volume of the posterior sector was significantly improved in the RLG group, indicating that the impaired anterior sector regeneration by MHV deprivation was compensated by the posterior sector regeneration. The regeneration rate of the anterior sector was highest in the ERLG group (92%), moderate in the MRLG group (71%) and lowest in the RLG group (52%). The whole graft regeneration rate of the ERLG group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups. Poor regeneration, however, was not correlated with delayed functional recovery or long-term outcome. Short-term, the patency of reconstructed MHV tributaries was over 90%, but occlusion occurred frequently over the long-term, especially in V5.

The authors investigate the effect of reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein on graft regeneration and function in recipients of right living donor liver grafts, and find that the congestion of the middle hepatic vein territory impairs regeneration of the anterior sector of the graft, but not the function of the graft.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an infrequent but severe life-threatening disorder in solid organ transplant recipients. Few studies of TMA in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients, however, have been reported. We investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of TMA after LDLT. Among 393 adult LDLT recipients, 30 patients (7.6%) were identified to have TMA. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of these patients were lower (60.6%, 52.5% and 47.7%, respectively) than those of patients without TMA (93.0%, 89.0% and 87.3%, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that reduced administration of fresh frozen plasma and sensitization against HLA are closely related with TMA (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6 and 16.1, respectively). However, a review of the cases revealed that individual responses to treatment varied considerably and the main etiologies were difficult to determine. A comparison of the clinical factors suggested that late onset (>30 days), poor response to treatment and delayed diagnosis and/or treatment are associated with a poor outcome. Because the prevention of TMA in LDLT patients is difficult, early diagnosis and initiation of intensive therapies may be crucial to improve the prognosis.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an infrequent but severe life‐threatening disorder in solid organ transplant recipients. Few studies of TMA in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients, however, have been reported. We investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of TMA after LDLT. Among 393 adult LDLT recipients, 30 patients (7.6%) were identified to have TMA. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates of these patients were lower (60.6%, 52.5% and 47.7%, respectively) than those of patients without TMA (93.0%, 89.0% and 87.3%, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that reduced administration of fresh frozen plasma and sensitization against HLA are closely related with TMA (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6 and 16.1, respectively). However, a review of the cases revealed that individual responses to treatment varied considerably and the main etiologies were difficult to determine. A comparison of the clinical factors suggested that late onset (>30 days), poor response to treatment and delayed diagnosis and/or treatment are associated with a poor outcome. Because the prevention of TMA in LDLT patients is difficult, early diagnosis and initiation of intensive therapies may be crucial to improve the prognosis.

Abstract The ultrastructures of the upper surface layer of rat articular cartilage were studied with our "in vivo cryotechnique" followed by freeze-substitution method for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rat hip or knee articular cartilage was quickly frozen by the in vivo cryotechnique with liquid isopentane-propane cryogen (−193°C), and surface areas of some frozen specimens were freeze-fractured with a scalpel in liquid nitrogen. They were freeze-substituted and freeze-dried, ion-sputtered, and then observed in SEM. Other frozen specimens were routinely freeze-substituted and embedded in epoxy resin for TEM. Many globular structures were detected in the thick upper surface layer that had not been revealed by the conventional fixation methods. Their sizes were reduced by Triton X-100 treatment, and their localization was also detected in synovial fluid, as revealed by SEM. Such globular lipid-like structures in the upper surface layer of hip or knee articular cartilage might contribute to joint lubrication.

Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix and plasma. Changes in rat vitronectin were studied during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate concentrations of vitronectin decreased to 2/3 of sham-operated rats at 24 h after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate composition and lectin reactivity indicated that N-glycosylation and sialylation of vitronectin changed markedly after partial hepatectomy, while amino acid composition did not change significantly. We previously showed that deN-glycosylation of vitronectin in vitro affects collagen binding among various ligands (Yoneda et al., Biochemistry (1998) 37, 6351-6360). Vitronectins from partially hepatectomized rats at 24 h were found to exhibit markedly enhanced binding to type I collagen. The effect of sialylation on collagen binding was further examined using enzymatically deglycosylated vitronectin of nonoperated rats. Collagen binding increased by 1.2 times after deN-glycosylation of vitronectin, while it increased more than 2.9 times after desialylation. Various glycosyltransferases in liver are known to change after partial hepatectomy, including the attenuation of N-oligosaccharide transferase. The findings therefore suggest that the collagen binding of vitronectin is modulated by the alteration of peptide glycosylation caused by postoperative physiological changes of glycosyltransferases and that the change may contribute to tissue remodeling processes.

Background:To investigate the efficacy of thin-section oblique axial T2-weighted images in the assessment of parametrial invasion by cervical carcinoma. Methods:One hundred parametria of 50 patients with cervical carcinoma were evaluated with pathologic correlation. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of parametrial invasion by cervical carcinoma between axial T2-weighted images and thin-section oblique axial T2-weighted images. Results:Thin-section oblique axial T2-weighted images provided accurate cross sections of the cervix with excellent detail and detected parametrial invasion more accurately than did axial T2-weighted images showing cross sections of the trunk. Although the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for parametrial invasion were 46.4%, 91.7%, and 79.0%, respectively, on axial T2-weighted images, the corresponding values were 67.9%, 97.2%, and 89.0%, respectively, on thin-section oblique axial T2-weighted images. There were statistically significant differences in the sensitivity (p = 0.014),specificity (p = 0.046),and accuracy (p = 0.002)in detecting parametrial invasion between these two types of images. Conclusions:Thin-section oblique axial T2-weighted images are useful for the assessment of parametrial invasion by cervical carcinoma.

Osteofibrous dysplasia of the tibia in children will commonly recur after surgical resection. The use of a leg brace until puberty offers a useful method of conservative management. Seven female patients, age three months to nine years at the time of brace treatment, have been followed for 3.5 to 18 years, an average of nine years, with evidence of satisfactory healing of the lesions in all. Three of the cases had recurred after surgery, two with fibular grafts and one required leg lengthening. The use of a brace to control bowing of the tibia while awaiting spontaneous regression is advised until epiphyseal closure. La dysplasie ostéo-fibreuse du tibia de l'enfant récidive habituellement après résection chirurgicale. Le port d'une orthèse jambière jusqu'à l'âge de la puberté réalise un traitement conservateur efficace. Sept petites filles, âgées de 3 mois à 9 ans au début du traitement, ont été suivies 9 ans en moyenne, de 3.5 à 18 ans, toutes jusqu'à guérison. Trois de ces cas avaient récidivé après chirurgie, 2 avec des greffes de péroné et une après allongement. Pour éviter que le tibia ne s'incurve durant le temps nécessaire à la guérison spontanée, on conseille de maintenir l'orthèse jusqu' à la fin de la croissance osseuse.

[3H]Fucose-labelled glycopeptides in the slices of liver 24h after partial hepatectomy were fractionated on Sephadex G-50. Glycopeptides from regenerating liver contained a higher proportion of lower-Mr components than did controls. Regenerating liver contained a higher proportion of glycopeptides that were bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose and were subsequently eluted with 20mM-methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside than did controls. Concanavalin A-bound glycopeptides from each source were entirely bound to a lentil lectin-Sepharose column. Both the concanavalin A-bound and -unbound fractions from regenerating liver were indistinguishable from the respective controls by Bio-Gel P6 column chromatography and neuraminidase digestion. These results show that fucosyl glycopeptides from regenerating liver contain a higher proportion of biantennary species with core fucose residues than do controls. Glycopeptides from regenerating livers 12h, 72h and 144h after partial hepatectomy were also examined; however, the difference was not significant. These observations suggest that the alterations in fucosyl glycopeptides may be related to rapid growth of hepatocytes 24h after partial hepatectomy. No significant difference was found in either [3H]mannose- or [3H]fucose-labelled glycoproteins from regenerating liver and from controls by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, suggesting that the alteration in glycopeptides should depend on some differences in the late stage of oligosaccharide processing.

When the hepatoma cells (AH 70Btc, Clone 10-5) were cultured in the presence of 1 mM-dibutyryl cyclic AMP for 2 days, the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into protein was increased over 2-fold. At the same time, dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into dolichol-linked N-acetylglucosamine and NN′-diacetylchitobiose about 1.5-fold and into dolichol-linked oligosaccharides about 3-fold. Analysis of cellular glycoproteins by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis after reduction showed that dibutyryl cyclic AMP specifically enhanced the glycosylation of a fibronectin-like glycoprotein with an apparent mol.wt. of 220 000 and two other high-molecular-weight glycoproteins (apparent mol.wts. 270 000 and 185 000). Increased glycosylation of the glycoproteins with mol.wts. of 220 000 and 185 000 was shown to be linked to increased synthesis of the polypeptide portion. In addition to the above effects, dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhanced the adhesiveness of AH 70Btc cells to glass surfaces. Both the effects on the glycosylation pathway and on adhesiveness of cells were reversed by further treatment of the cells with 1 microgram of tunicamycin/ml. The results indicated that dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased the synthesis of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides and N-glycosylation of proteins in AH 70Btc cells. The enhancement of adhesiveness may be mediated by the increased synthesis of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides and also may be related to the increased synthesis of fibronectin.

In regenerating rat liver slices 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the incorporation of [1-14C]glucosamine into ‘free sialic acid’ (N-acetylneuraminic acid + CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid) decreased to below 50% of the control values and the incorporation into protein-bound sialic acid decreased to the same extent. The incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into ‘free sialic acid’ decreased during the period from 6 to 47 h after hepatectomy, showing a minimum at 12 h, and recovered to the control value by 96 h. At 12 h, the activities of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase (UDP-2-acetoamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose 2-epimerase, EC 5.1.3.14) and N-acyl-D-mannosamine kinase (ATP: 2-acylamino-2-deoxy-D-mannose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.60) in the liver were significantly decreased. The amount of protein-bound sialic acid in the liver was not changed after partial hepatectomy, but the amount in plasma was changed, with a similar pattern to that of the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into slice ‘free sialic acid’. These results indicate that the synthesis of sialic acid in the liver much decreases in the early stage of regeneration and that this may be correlated with the decreased synthesis of plasma sialoglycoproteins.

Considerably reduced responses to stimulation by isoproterenol of adenylate cyclase activity of prostatic membranes were observed in 12- to 18-month-old rats, compared to 3-month-old animals. Plasma testosterone levels were significantly lower in 18-month-old rats, while 12-month-old animals showed levels similar to those present in young ones. A decrease in isoproterenol activation of adenylate cyclase was not associated with a fall in beta-adrenergic receptor sites. Guanine triphosphate and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) were effective in potentiation of isoproterenol activation of adenylate cyclase and altering the affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors for the agonist in membranes from young rats but not from the aged. The age-induced refractoriness to isoproterenol or Gpp(NH)p was observed without a significant loss in NaF-stimulated activity. Prior incubation of aged membranes with isoproterenol and GMP restored subsequent stimulation by Gpp(NH)p, presumably due to the clearance of inhibitory GDP tightly bound to the guanine nucleotide regulatory components in aged membranes. These results indicate that the dysfunction in the adenylate cyclase system of old prostates may not be related to a modification in the beta-adrenergic receptor per se, but to, in part, a defect in the interaction of activating guanine nucleotides with regulatory components of the adenylate cyclase system.

To detect in vivo activated platelets in humans as well as in animal models of thrombosis, we developed a new murine monoclonal antibody, 2T60, specific for activated human and rabbit platelets by immunizing with human thronibin-activated platelets. 2T60 (IgG1 subclass) showed a great difference between binding to the thrombin-activated and resting human and rabbit platelets on ELISA and flow cytometer analysis. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that 2T60 reacted with a 130 or 106 kDa protein of human or rabbit platelets, respectively, only under non-reducing conditions. 125I-labeled 2T60 inserted into the intermediate gel of CIE of solubilized human platelets was incorporated into a immunoprecipitation line. 2T60 immunoprecipitated a protein of 130 or 115 kDa from human or rabbit platelets, respectively, which had been activated and 125I-surface-labeled. The N-terminal sequence of the affinity purified 2T60 antigen of human platelets was identical to that of GMP 140. There were differences in the carbohydrate chain content of GMP 140 between human and rabbit platelets. In experimental cerebral thrombosis of rabbits that had been injected with 2T60, the platelets adhering to the exposed subendothelium and contained in thrombi were found to bind 2T60 prominently. These results suggest that 2T60 may be a useful tool for clinical and experimental studies of thrombotic disease.

1. Glycoprotein synthesis was investigated with [1-14C]glucosamine in vivo. [14C]Glucosamine was administered intravenously 24h after hepatectomy to rats. 2. Incorporation into the acid-soluble fraction was maximum at 15 min after injection both in sham-operated and hepatectomized rats. 3. Enhancement of incorporation into UDP-N-acetylhexosamine in regenerating liver was observed. However, its specific activity was lower, because of a greater enhancement of synthesis de novo of the amino sugar. 4. In the liver acid-insoluble fraction, maximum incorporation of [14C]glucosamine was at 30 min in sham-operated rats and 2 h in hepatectomized rats respectively. 5. In sham-operated rats, incorporation into the plasma acid-insoluble fraction followed that of the liver acid-insoluble fraction, but hepatectomy resulted in a rapid enchancement of incorporation into plasma. 6. It is concluded that synthesis of liver glycoproteins is stimulated after partial hepatectomy and that glycoproteins synthesized are released rapidly into the plasma.

The transfer of [14C]glucose from UDP-[14C]glucose to lipid intermediates and glycoproteins was decreased in regenerating rat liver microsomes 24 h after partial hepatectomy. In regenerating liver microsomes, the concentration of free dolichyl phosphate (Dol-P) was significantly decreased. However, it was only about 10% of total Dol-P, which was not significantly changed. On the addition of exogenous Dol-P, the transfer of [14C]glucose to glycoproteins was still decreased, while the decrease of the transfer to lipid intermediates was no longer observed. These results suggest that the glycoprotein synthesis is not regulated by the amount of Dol-P in regenerating liver microsomes. Oligosaccharide obtained from [14C]glucosyl-oligosaccharide-lipid was not distinguishable between regenerating liver and control by paper chromatography. The oligosaccharide transfer to protein in microsomes was compared by using [14C]glucosyl-oligosaccharide-lipid as oligosaccharide donor. The transfer of oligosaccharide to endogenous proteins decreased to 77% of control in regenerating liver and the transfer to exogenously added denatured alpha-lactalbumin decreased to 59% of control. Therefore, it is unlikely that the acceptor capacity of endogenous protein is decreased in regenerating liver. Neither the change in oligosaccharide-lipid under the condition for oligosaccharide transfer assay nor the stability of oligosaccharide transferase was different between regenerating liver and control. These results strongly suggest that the decrease in the activity of the oligosaccharide transferase in microsomes causes the decrease of glycoprotein synthesis in regenerating liver, which was shown in our previous studies.

Platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IV (also called CD36 and GPIIb) deficiency is associated with N(aka)-negative platelets. Using flow- cytometric analysis of cells stained with the monoclonal anti-GPIV antibody OKM5, we have studied the expression of GPIV on the monocytes from 16 healthy Japanese individuals whose platelets were deficient in GPIV. GPIV was absent on the surface of monocytes from 2 platelet GPIV- negative donors (type I), whereas it was present on the monocytes from the remaining 14 platelet GPIV-negative donors (type II). The fluorescent intensity of OKM5-stained type II monocytes was significantly (P < .05) lower than that of normal monocytes derived from platelet GPIV-positive donors, suggesting that the expression of GPIV on the type II monocytes is also abnormally regulated as compared with that on normal monocytes. OKM5 induced an oxidative burst in the type II monocytes as well as in the normal monocytes, but it failed to induce it in the type I monocytes. Because the 2 individuals with the type I deficiency have been healthy and exhibited no immunologic problems, GPIV appears to be not essential for the normal physiologic functions of monocytes. An anti-GPIV antibody was detected in the serum from one of the type I GPIV-deficient women, who had never received any blood transfusions but had given birth to three apparently healthy children. These results suggest that type I GPIV-deficient individuals may be at risk of developing an anti-GPIV isoantibody upon blood transfusion or pregnancy.

Glycoproteins containing N-linked oligosaccharides were prepared from plasma and liver microsomes of rats aged 0-5 weeks, and galactose and sialic acid content were determined. The sialic acid/galactose ratios in plasma membrane N-glycans remained at about 1 throughout the postnatal period, suggesting that most of the galactose residues are sialylated. In the same way, it was suggested that most of the galactose residues of microsomal N-glycans were sialylated at 0, 4 and 5 weeks of age, but that the degree of sialylation was lower at the other ages, with a minimum at 2 weeks. When the activities of sialyltransferase and galactosyltransferase in liver Golgi membranes were determined, age-dependent changes were found, not only in the specific activities of the enzymes, but also in the Golgi membrane content per g of liver. The activity of galactosyltransferase per g of liver increased immediately after birth, whereas that of sialyltransferase remained at a low level for 2 weeks and then increased to a constant level at 4 weeks. It is probable that this delayed increase in the activity of sialyltransferase results in the decreased sialylation of microsomal N-glycans at 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Sialyltransferase was solubilized from the liver microsomes of rats aged 2, 3 and 4 weeks and characterized. Phosphocellulose column chromatography separated the activity into two subfractions, designated transferase I and transferase II in the order of elution. The increase in total sialyltransferase activity during this period was caused mainly by an increase in transferase I. Rechromatography of each transferase from 3-week-old rats after neuraminidase treatment showed that transferase I but not transferase II contained sialic acid residue(s) and that desialylated transferase I was eluted in a similar way as transferase II. Although the apparent Km value for CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid and the heat stability of transferase I were different from those of transferase II, the difference was abolished by treating transferase I with neuraminidase, suggesting that transferase II may be a desialylated form of transferase I. These changes in the sialylation of membrane glycoproteins, including sialyltransferase, may be related to the control of liver growth during postnatal development.

[3H]Mannose-labelled glycopeptides in the slices of livers from neonatal and 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-week-old rats were characterized by column chromatographies on Sephadex G-50 and concanavalin A-Sepharose and by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H digestion. The proportion of complex-type glycopeptides was increased with time until 2 weeks post partum and then returned to the neonatal level. This was mainly due to the increased proportion of concanavalin A-bound (biantennary) species. These changes were accompanied by consistent changes in the activities of processing enzymes in liver microsomal fraction, especially of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I. Complex-type glycopeptides from neonatal and 2- and 5-week-old rat livers were further characterized by column chromatographies on Bio-Gel P-6 and DE 52 DEAE-cellulose in combination with neuraminidase digestion. No significant difference was found between concanavalin A-bound species from neonatal liver and those from liver 5 weeks post partum, most of which were sialylated. Concanavalin A-bound species 2 weeks post partum were comparatively smaller in size and less sialylated. On the other hand, there was no significant difference among concanavalin A-unbound species from the three different sources, most of which were sialylated. Since glycoproteins from regenerating rat liver also contain a higher proportion of complex-type oligosaccharides, as previously reported, such changes in N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins may be related to control of the growth of liver cells.

We have investigated the effects of phospholipase A2 and C on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in rabbit kidney medulla and the release of fatty acids from the medulla slices. Exogenous phospholipase A2 [from Naja naja (Indian cobra) venom] and phospholipase C (from Clostridium welchii) stimulated prostaglandin E2 production in a dose-dependent manner. At the maximal effective concentrations (0.5 unit of phospholipase A2/ml, 2 units of phospholipase C/ml), phospholipase C increased prostaglandin E2 formation to the level observed with phospholipase A2. Phospholipase A2 enhanced the release only of unsaturated fatty acids, whereas phospholipase C stimulated the release of individual free fatty acids (C 16:0, C 18:0, C 18:1, C 18:2 and C 20:4). Moreover, p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited phospholipase A2-stimulated prostaglandin E2 production and the release of fatty acids, but it had no influence on prostaglandin E2 formation and the release of fatty acids increased by phospholipase C, indicating that the stimulatory effect of phospholipase C is not mediated through the activation of endogenous phospholipase A2. These results suggest the presence of diacylglycerol lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase in the kidney and the importance of this pathway in prostaglandin synthesis by the kidney.

Current distributed control systems, having only control stations corresponding to each batch unit, may make it difficult to achieve proper control of processes, which incorporate simultaneously complex material transfers between units and sequence control over the entire process.

A new model based on the theory of dynamical systems is proposed for the intrinsic random or pscudo-random mechanism underlying certain types of muscular tremor. The active length-tension curve of the individual sarcomere, in conjunction with the passive length-tension relation is a map from length to tension with an observed time delay between length change and resulting tension change. The passive length tension relation is assumed to instantaneously relate this tension change back to a change in length. The stability properties of this iterated interval map are investigated by means of computer simulation and computation of the Lyapunov exponent and the bifurcation tree. The resulting analysis is related to experimental tremor data in the literature in terms of period doubling, bifurcation points, and “chaotic” behavior. The model appears to have its most fruitful application in understanding the insect type and isometric mammalian types of tremor.

Platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3 (GPIIb-IIIa) plays important roles in platelet-mediated clot retraction. However, little is known about the mechanisms of clot retraction mediated by nucleated cells. In this report, we demonstrate that another member of the beta 3 integrin family, alpha v beta 3, is involved in clot retraction mediated by nucleated cells. Retraction of fibrin clots was observed using a human melanoma cell line, C32TG, which contains no alpha IIb beta 3 complex. This retraction was inhibited by RGD-containing peptide, monoclonal anti-beta 3, and anti-alpha v beta 3 antibodies. Immunoelectron microscopic studies revealed a direct interaction between beta 3 integrin and fibrin fibers at an early stage of clot retraction. We found that another human embryonal cell line, 293, which is known to express alpha v beta 1, but no alpha v beta 3, lacks fibrin gel retractile activity. Upon transfection of beta 3 DNA into 293 cells, the beta 3 subunit formed a complex with an endogenous alpha v subunit. The beta 3-bearing transfectants were found to retract fibrin gels, which was specifically inhibited by anti-beta 3 antibody. In addition, a point mutation at Asp119 in the beta 3 ligand binding domain abolished the clot retractile activity of 293 transfectants, indicating the requirement of alpha v beta 3 ligand-binding activity. Our findings suggest that alpha v beta 3 is involved in mediating the interaction between the three-dimensional fibrin network and nucleated cells and in promoting "post-receptor occupancy" events.

The activity of hepatic protein N-glycosylation was compared in rats of different ages by incubating UDP-[14C]glucose with liver microsomes. Dolichyl-phosphate [14C]glucose, [14C]glucosyl-oligosaccharide-lipid and [14C]glycoproteins formed were increased after birth to maximal levels at 2 weeks; thereafter dolichylphosphate [14C]glucose remained constant, while [14C]glucosyl-oligosaccharide-lipid and [14C]glycoproteins were decreased to constant levels at 4 weeks. The postnatal change in the formation of [14C]glycoproteins was similar to the change in the hexosamine content of N-glycans in liver microsomes and plasma, suggesting that the N-glycosylation of proteins in rat liver increases after birth to a maximum at 2 weeks, and thereafter decreases to a constant level at 4 weeks. The possibility of a regulatory role for dolichyl phosphate in glycoprotein synthesis in rat liver during postnatal development was eliminated by demonstrating the inefficiency of exogenous dolichyl phosphate on the postnatal changes in [14C]glycoprotein formation. The transfer of [14C]glucose from UDP-[14C]glucose to denatured alpha-lactalbumin in liver microsomes increased to a maximum at 2 weeks and then decreased to a constant level, as with transfer to endogenous proteins (i.e. the formation of [14C]glycoproteins). On the other hand, the transfer of oligosaccharide from exogenous [14C]glucosyl-oligosaccharide-lipid to denatured alpha-lactalbumin reached a maximum at 2 weeks and then remained constant. These results strongly suggest that oligosaccharide-lipid available for N-glycosylation is limiting in rat liver after 2 weeks post partum. The activities of dolichyl-phosphate glucose, dolichyl-phosphate mannose and dolichyl-pyrophosphate N-acetylglucosamine synthases increased until 2 weeks post partum. Thereafter, the activity of dolichyl-pyrophosphate N-acetylglucosamine synthase decreased to a constant level at 4 weeks, while the activities of dolichyl-phosphate glucose and dolichyl-phosphate mannose synthases remained constant. These results suggest that N-glycosylation of proteins in rat liver increases until 2 weeks post partum, and that this depends on the activities of dolichol-pathway enzymes as a whole rather than on the activity of specific enzymes. N-Glycosylation then decreases to a constant level at 4 weeks due to decreases in the activities of enzymes responsible for oligosaccharide assembly on lipids, including dolichyl-pyrophosphate N-acetylglucosamine synthase.

Background:The purpose of this multi-institutional study was to examine the appearance of struma ovarii on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Methods:MR images of 12 patients with histologically proven struma ovarii were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with Gd-DTPA were available in 10 patients. The following determinations were made: tumor morphology, signal intensities, contrast-enhancement effects of solid components with Gd-DTPA, and comparison of MR images with resected specimens. Results:All 12 patients had both cystic and solid components, with a multilobulated surface and thickened septa. Signal intensities on T1-weighted images were mainly low, partly intermediate to high, or high, and those on T2-weighted images were mainly high, with different signal intensities. Contrast-enhancement effects were marked or moderate. The contents that showed low signal intensities on T1-weighted images and signal voids or low signal intensities on T2-weighted images were viscid gelatinous materials. Conclusions:A multicystic tumor with a solid component, a multilobulated surface, and signal intensities that indicate the presence of viscid gelatinous materials appear to be a characteristic MR finding of struma ovarii.

Decarboxylation of citrulline by Escherichia coli enzymes was presented. The N-carbamyl putrescine produced showed the same properties as those of synthesized authentic samples in column chromatography, paper chromatography, and paper electrophoresis.