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True proper position after total hip arthroplasty was determined by measuring the cup and stem anteversion using computed tomography. We compared 20 dislocated hips (14 posterior and 6 anterior) with 18 non-dislocated hips. Both the cup anteversion and the stem anteversion showed no differences among the groups. The sum of cup and stem anteversion in posterior dislocated hips was significantly lesser than that in non-dislocated hips and the sum in anterior dislocated hips was significantly greater than that in non-dislocated hips. These results suggested even if the cup alone or the stemalone is at proper position, dislocation might occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White adipocytes are a major component of white adipose tissue (WAT) and help to maintain systemic metabolic homeostasis by storing energy and secreting adipokines. In mice deficient in the protein WWP1 (WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1), oxidative stress in adipocytes increases but insulin resistance induced by obesity improves. However, the specific roles of WWP1 in adipocytes remain unclear. Here, we show that in 3T3L1 adipocytes, WWP1 localized in the Golgi apparatus via its C2 domain, where it protected the Golgi apparatus from monensin-induced disruption. By contrast, WWP1 knockdown by short hairpin RNA failed to protect the Golgi apparatus and enhanced Golgi apparatus disruption by monensin. The Golgi apparatus acts as a central organelle to establish accurate protein glycosylation of proteoglycans containing glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate (HS). WWP1 overexpression increased chondroitin sulfate and HS levels, whereas WWP1 knockdown decreased them. Furthermore, obesity-related increases in HS were prevented by WWP1 knockout in adipose tissue. In summary, our results demonstrate a novel role for WWP1 in maintaining Golgi apparatus morphology and proteoglycan synthesis in adipocytes., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The heterogeneity of the N-linked glycan profile of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from animal cells affects therapeutic efficacy and, therefore, needs to be appropriately controlled during the manufacturing process. In this study, we examined the effects of polyamines on the N-linked glycan profiles of mAbs produced by CHO DP-12 cells. Normal cell growth of CHO DP-12 cells and their growth arrest by α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, was observed when 0.5% fetal bovine serum was added to serum-free medium, despite the presence of cadaverine and aminopropylcadaverine, instead of putrescine and spermidine in cells. Polyamine depletion by DFMO increased IgG galactosylation, accompanied by β1,4-galactosyl transferase 1 (B4GAT1) mRNA elevation. Additionally, IgG production in polyamine-depleted cells was reduced by 30% compared to that in control cells. Therefore, we examined whether polyamine depletion induces an ER stress response. The results indicated increased expression levels of chaperones for glycoprotein folding in polyamine-depleted cells, suggesting that polyamine depletion causes ER stress related to glycoprotein folding. The effect of tunicamycin, an ER stress inducer that inhibits N-glycosylation, on the expression of B4GALT1 mRNA was examined. Tunicamycin treatment increased B4GALT1 mRNA expression. These results suggest that ER stress caused by polyamine depletion induces B4GALT1 mRNA expression, resulting in increased IgG galactosylation in CHO cells. Thus, introducing polyamines, particularly SPD, to serum-free CHO culture medium for CHO cells may contribute to consistent manufacturing and quality control of antibody production., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that is associated with a high plasma level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. To develop basic and translational research on FH, we here generated an FH model in a non-human primate (cynomolgus monkeys) by deleting the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene using the genome editing technique. Six LDLR knockout (KO) monkeys were produced, all of which were confirmed to have mutations in the LDLR gene by sequence analysis. The levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride were quite high in the monkeys, and were similar to those in FH patients with homozygous mutations in the LDLR gene. In addition, periocular xanthoma was observed only 1 year after birth. Lipoprotein profile analysis showed that the plasma very low-density lipoprotein and LDL were elevated, while the plasma high density lipoprotein was decreased in LDLR KO monkeys. The LDLR KO monkeys were also strongly resistant to medications for hypercholesterolemia. Taken together, we successfully generated a non-human primate model of hypercholesterolemia in which the phenotype is similar to that of homozygous FH patients., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

The structural and functional relationships of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) derived from marine organisms have been investigated, suggesting that marine invertebrates, particularly Bivalvia, are abundant sources of highly sulfated or branched GAGs. In this study, we identified a novel fucosylated heparan sulfate (Fuc-HS) from the midgut gland of the Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Scallop HS showed resistance to GAG-degrading enzymes, including chondroitinases and heparinases, and susceptibility to heparinases increased when scallop HS was treated with mild acid hydrolysis, which removes the fucosyl group. Moreover, 1 H NMR detected significant signals near 1.2-1.3 ppm corresponding to the H-6 methyl proton of fucose residues and small H-3 (3.59 ppm) or H-2 (3.39 ppm) signals of glucuronate (GlcA) were detected, suggesting that the fucose moiety is attached to the C-3 position of GlcA in scallop HS. GC-MS detected peaks corresponding to 1, 3, 5-tri-O-acetyl-2, 4-di-O-methyl- L -fucitol and 1, 4, 5-tri-O-acetyl-2, 3-di-O-methyl- L -fucitol, suggesting that the fucose moiety is 3-O- or 4-O-sulfated. Furthermore, scallop HS showed anti-coagulant and neurite outgrowth-promoting (NOP) activities. These results suggest that the midgut gland of scallops is a valuable source of Fuc-HS with biological activities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We developed a simple and sensitive analytical HPLC method for the determination of acetylated hyaluronic acid (AcHA) in moisturizing and milk lotions. AcHA with different molecular weights was separated as a single peak using a C4 column and detected through post-column derivatization using 2-cyanoacetamide. The limits of detection and quantification were 60 and 200 ng, respectively. We found that AcHA in water was successfully extracted into a strong anion exchange (SAX) spin column with a recovery rate of AcHA was 63.8 ± 1.8%. Although the supernatant from acetone precipitation of lotions could pass through the spin column, the recovery rate (%) and accuracy of AcHA were affected by the viscous properties of cosmetics and acidic and acetone-soluble ingredients. Upon conducting analytical methods in this study, the concentration of AcHA in nine lotions was found to have ranged from 7.50 to 83.3 µg/mL. These values are comparable to the concentration range of AcHA in emulsions that have been previously evaluated for their superior effects. We believe that the analytical and extraction method is useful for the qualitative analysis of AcHA in moisturizing and milk lotions.

Whether a small GTPase RhoA plays a role in the pathology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has not been determined. We show here that RhoA expression is reduced in human AAA lesions, compared with normal areas. Furthermore, incidence of AAA formation is increased in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific RhoA conditional knockout (cKO) mice. The contractility of the aortic rings and VSMCs from RhoA cKO mice is reduced, and expression of genes related to the VSMC contractility is attenuated by loss of RhoA. RhoA depletion activates the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling, including MAP4K4, in the aorta and VSMCs. Inhibition of MAP4K4 activity by DMX-5804 decreases AAA formation. Set, a binding protein to active RhoA, functions as an activator of MAP4K4 by sequestering PP2A, an inhibitor of MAP4K4, in the absence of RhoA. In conclusion, RhoA counteracts AAA formation through inhibition of MAP4K4 in cooperation with Set., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Gum arabic is an arabinogalactan protein (AGP) that is effective as a prebiotic for the growth of bifidobacteria in the human intestine. We recently identified a key enzyme in the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 39, 3- O -α-d-galactosyl-α-l-arabinofuranosidase (GAfase), for the assimilation of gum arabic AGP in Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum . The enzyme released α-d-Gal p -(1→3)-l-Ara and β-l-Ara p -(1→3)-l-Ara from gum arabic AGP and facilitated the action of other enzymes for degrading the AGP backbone and modified sugar. In this study, we identified an α-l-arabinofuranosidase (BlArafE; encoded by BLLJ_1850), a multidomain enzyme with both GH43_22 and GH43_34 catalytic domains, as a critical enzyme for the degradation of modified α-l-arabinofuranosides in gum arabic AGP. Site-directed mutagenesis approaches revealed that the α1,3/α1,4-Ara f double-substituted gum arabic AGP side chain was initially degraded by the GH43_22 domain and subsequently cleaved by the GH43_34 domain to release α1,3-Ara f and α1,4-Ara f residues, respectively. Furthermore, we revealed that a tetrasaccharide, α-l-Rha p -(1→4)-β-d-Glc p A-(1→6)-β-d-Gal p -(1→6)-d-Gal, was a limited degradative oligosaccharide in the gum arabic AGP fermentation of B. longum subsp. longum JCM7052. The oligosaccharide was produced from gum arabic AGP by the cooperative action of the three cell surface-anchoring enzymes, GAfase, exo-β1,3-galactanase (Bl1,3Gal), and BlArafE, on B. longum subsp. longum JCM7052. Furthermore, the tetrasaccharide was utilized by the commensal bacteria. IMPORTANCE Terminal galactose residues of the side chain of gum arabic arabinogalactan protein (AGP) are mainly substituted by α1,3/α1,4-linked Ara f and β1,6-linked α-l-Rha p -(1→4)-β-d-Glc p A residues. This study found a multidomain BlArafE with GH43_22 and GH43_34 catalytic domains showing cooperative action for degrading α1,3/α1,4-linked Ara f of the side chain of gum arabic AGP. In particular, the GH43_34 domain of BlArafE was a novel α-l-arabinofuranosidase for cleaving the α1,4-Ara f linkage of terminal galactose. α-l-Rha p -(1→4)-β-d-Glc p A-(1→6)-β-d-Gal p -(1→6)-d-Gal tetrasaccharide was released from gum arabic AGP by the cooperative action of GAfase, GH43_24 exo-β-1,3-galactanase (Bl1,3Gal), and BlArafE and remained after B. longum subsp. longum JCM7052 culture. Furthermore, in vitro assimilation test of the remaining oligosaccharide using Bacteroides species revealed that cross-feeding may occur from bifidobacteria to other taxonomic groups in the gut.

Arabinoxylan (AX) and arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOs) are carbohydrate sources utilized by Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum. However, their degradation pathways are poorly understood. In this study, we characterized two genes, BLLJ_1850 and BLLJ_1851, in the hemicellulose-degrading gene cluster (BLLJ_1836-BLLJ_1859) of B. longum subsp. longum JCM 1217. Both recombinant enzymes expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited exo-α-L-arabinofuranosidase activity toward p-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside. BlArafE (encoded by BLLJ_1850) contains the glycoside hydrolase family 43 (GH43), subfamily 22 (GH43_22), and GH43_34 domains. The BlArafE GH43_22 domain was demonstrated to release α1,3-linked Araf from AX, but the function of BlArafE GH43_34 could not be clearly identified in this study. BlArafD (encoded by BLLJ_1851) contains GH43 unclassified subfamily (GH43_UC) and GH43_26 domains. The BlArafD GH43_UC domain showed specificity for α1,2-linked Araf in α1,2- and α1,3-Araf double-substituted structures in AXOs, while BlArafD GH43_26 was shown to hydrolyze α1,5-linked Araf in the arabinan backbone. Co-incubation of BlArafD and BlArafE revealed that these two enzymes sequentially removed α1,2-Araf and α1,3-Araf from double-substituted AXOs in this order. B. longum strain lacking BLLJ_1850-BLLJ_1853 did not grow in the medium containing α1,2/3-Araf double-substituted AXOs, suggesting that BlArafE and BlArafD are important for the assimilation of AX. KEY POINTS: • BlArafD GH43 unclassified subfamily domain is a novel α1,2-L-arabinofuranosidase. • BlArafE GH43 subfamily 22 domain is an α1,3-L-arabinofuranosidase. • BlArafD and BlArafE cooperatively degrade α1,2/3-Araf double-substituted arabinoxylan., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Transmembrane protein 168 (TMEM168) was found to be localized on the nuclear membrane. A heterozygous mutation (c.1616G>A, p. R539Q) in TMEM168 was identified in patients with Brugada syndrome. This mutation reduced expression of cardiomyocyte sodium channel Nav1.5 via Nedd4-2 E3 ubiquitin ligase-induced ubiquitination and degradation. However, the detailed molecular mechanism provoked by the TMEM168 mutant remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that small heat shock protein αB-crystallin, which can bind to Nav1.5 and Nedd4-2 and interfere with the association of both proteins, was strongly recruited from the cell surface to the perinuclear region because of the much higher affinity of αB-crystallin with the TMEM168 mutant than with wild-type TMEM168. Following knockdown of αB-crystallin in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, the interaction of Nav1.5 with Nedd4-2 was increased, despite the reduced expression of Nav1.5. Moreover, reduction of Nav1.5 expression by αB-crystallin knockdown was rescued in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor MG-132, suggesting the importance of the αB-crystallin-modulated ubiquitin-proteasome system for the stability of Nav1.5 expression. Collectively, the balance of molecular interactions among Nav1.5, Nedd4-2 and αB-crystallin plays a role in the regulation of cardiomyocyte cell surface expression of Nav1.5, and the TMEM168 mutant disturbs this balance, resulting in a decrease in Nav1.5 expression., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Japanese Biochemical Society. All rights reserved.)

The growth and progression of cancers are crucially regulated by the tumor microenvironment where tumor cells and stromal cells are mutually associated. In this study, we found that stomatin expression was markedly upregulated by the interaction between prostate cancer cells and stromal cells. Stomatin suppressed cancer cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in vitro and inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo . Stomatin inhibited Akt activation, which is mediated by phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDPK1). PDPK1 protein stability was maintained by its binding to HSP90. Stomatin interacted with PDPK1 and interfered with the PDPK1-HSP90 complex formation, resulting in decreased PDPK1 expression. Knockdown of stomatin in cancer cells elevated Akt activation and promoted cell increase by promoting the interaction between PDPK1 and HSP90. Clinically, stomatin expression levels were significantly decreased in human prostate cancer samples with high Gleason scores, and lower expression of stomatin was associated with higher recurrence of prostate cancer after the operation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the tumor-suppressive effect of stromal-induced stomatin on cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal that interactions with stromal cells induce expression of stomatin in prostate cancer cells, which suppresses tumor growth via attenuation of the Akt signaling axis., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes injury to tissues and organs, including to the heart and kidney, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, novel potential therapeutics are continuously required to minimize DM-related organ damage. We have previously shown that dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPPIII) has beneficial roles in a hypertensive mouse model, but it is unknown whether DPPIII has any effects on DM. In this study, we found that intravenous administration of recombinant DPPIII in diabetic db/db mice for 8 weeks suppressed the DM-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunctions and renal injury without alteration of the blood glucose level. This treatment inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis in the heart and blocked the increase in albuminuria by attenuating the disruption of the glomerular microvasculature and inhibiting the effacement of podocyte foot processes in the kidney. The beneficial role of DPPIII was, at least in part, mediated by the cleavage of a cytotoxic peptide, named Peptide 2, which was increased in db/db mice compared with normal mice. This peptide consisted of nine amino acids, was a digested fragment of complement component 3 (C3), and had an anaphylatoxin-like effect determined by the Miles assay and chemoattractant analysis. The effect was dependent on its interaction with the C3a receptor and protein kinase C-mediated RhoA activation downstream of the receptor in endothelial cells. In conclusion, DPPIII plays a protective role in the heart and kidney in a DM animal model through cleavage of a peptide that is a part of C3., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with the contents of this article., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy responsible for almost 20% of sudden cardiac deaths in patients with nonstructural cardiac diseases. Approximately 70% of BrS patients, the causative gene mutation(s) remains unknown. In this study, we used whole exome sequencing to investigate candidate mutations in a family clinically diagnosed with BrS. A heterozygous 1616G>A substitution (R539Q mutation) was identified in the transmembrane protein 168 (TMEM168) gene of symptomatic individuals. Similar to endogenous TMEM168, both TMEM168 wild-type (WT) and mutant proteins that were ectopically induced in HL-1 cells showed nuclear membrane localization. A significant decrease in Na + current and Na v 1.5 protein expression was observed in HL-1 cardiomyocytes expressing mutant TMEM168. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias and conduction disorders were induced in the heterozygous Tmem168 1616G>A knock-in mice by pharmacological stimulation, but not in WT mice. Na + current was reduced in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from the Tmem168 knock-in heart, and Na v 1.5 expression was also impaired. This impairment was dependent on increased Nedd4-2 binding to Na v 1.5 and subsequent ubiquitination. Collectively, our results show an association between the TMEM168 1616G>A mutation and arrhythmogenesis in a family with BrS., (© 2020 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697 possesses five α-L-fucosidases, which have been previously characterized toward fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides containing α1,2/3/4-linked fucose [Sela et al. : Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 78, 795-803 (2012)]. In this study, two glycoside hydrolase family 29 α-L-fucosidases out of five (Blon_0426 and Blon_0248) were found to be 1,6-α-L-fucosidases acting on core α1,6-fucose on the N -glycan of glycoproteins. These enzymes readily hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-α-L-fucoside and Fucα1-6GlcNAc, but hardly hydrolyzed Fucα1-6(GlcNAcβ1-4)GlcNAc, suggesting that they de-fucosylate Fucα1-6GlcNAcβ1-Asn-peptides/proteins generated by the action of endo-β- N -acetylglucosaminidase. We demonstrated that Blon_0426 can de-fucosylate Fucα1-6GlcNAc-IgG prepared from Rituximab using Endo-CoM from Cordyceps militaris . To generate homogenous non-fucosylated N -glycan-containing IgG with high antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, the resulting GlcNAc-IgG has a potential to be a good acceptor substrate for the glycosynthase mutant of Endo-M from Mucor hiemalis . Collectively, our results strongly suggest that Blon_0426 and Blon_0248 are useful for glycoprotein glycan remodeling., (2020 by The Japanese Society of Applied Glycoscience.)

Anosmin-1 is a secreted glycoprotein encoded by the ANOS1 gene, and its loss of function causes Kallmann syndrome (KS), which is characterized by anosmia and hypogonadism due to olfactory bulb (OB) dysfunction. However, the physiological function of anosmin-1 remains to be elucidated. In KS, disordered angiogenesis is observed in OB, resulting in its hypoplasia. In this study, we examined the involvement of anosmin-1 in angiogenic processes. Anosmin-1 was detected on the vessel-like structure in OB of chick embryos, and promoted the outgrowth of vascular sprouts as shown by assays of OB tissue culture. Cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation of endothelial cells were induced by treatment with anosmin-1 as well as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and further enhanced by treatment with both of them. We newly identified that anosmin-1 activated VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) by binding directly to it, and its downstream signaling molecules, phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) and protein kinase C (PKC). These results suggest that anosmin-1 plays a key role in the angiogenesis of developing OB through the VEGFR2-PLCγ1-PKC axis by enhancing the VEGF function.

Arabinose-containing poly- or oligosaccharides are suitable carbohydrate sources for Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum However, their degradation pathways are poorly understood. In this study, we cloned and characterized the previously uncharacterized glycoside hydrolase family 43 (GH43) enzymes B. longum subsp. longum ArafC (BlArafC; encoded by BLLJ_1852) and B. longum subsp. longum ArafB (BlArafB; encoded by BLLJ_1853) from B. longum subsp. longum JCM 1217. Both enzymes exhibited α-l-arabinofuranosidase activity toward p -nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside but no activity toward p -nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside. The specificities of the two enzymes for l-arabinofuranosyl linkages were different. BlArafC catalyzed the hydrolysis of α1,2- and α1,3-l-arabinofuranosyl linkages found on the side chains of both arabinan and arabinoxylan. It released l-arabinose 100 times faster from arabinan than from arabinoxylan but did not act on arabinogalactan. On the other hand, BlArafB catalyzed the hydrolysis of the α1,5-l-arabinofuranosyl linkage found on the arabinan backbone. It released l-arabinose from arabinan but not from arabinoxylan or arabinogalactan. Coincubation of BlArafC and BlArafB revealed that these two enzymes are able to degrade arabinan in a synergistic manner. Both enzyme activities were suppressed with EDTA treatment, suggesting that they require divalent metal ions. The GH43 domains of BlArafC and BlArafB are classified into GH43 subfamilies 27 and 22, respectively, but show very low similarity (less than 15% identity) with other biochemically characterized members in the corresponding subfamilies. The B. longum subsp. longum strain lacking the GH43 gene cluster that includes BLLJ_1850 to BLLJ_1853 did not grow in arabinan medium, suggesting that BlArafC and BlArafB are important for assimilation of arabinan. IMPORTANCE We identified two novel α-l-arabinofuranosidases, BlArafC and BlArafB, from B. longum subsp. longum JCM 1217, both of which are predicted to be extracellular membrane-bound enzymes. The former specifically acts on α1,2/3-l-arabinofuranosyl linkages, while the latter acts on the α1,5-l-arabinofuranosyl linkage. These enzymes cooperatively degrade arabinan and are required for the efficient growth of bifidobacteria in arabinan-containing medium. The genes encoding these enzymes are located side by side in a gene cluster involved in metabolic pathways for plant-derived polysaccharides, which may confer adaptability in adult intestines., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.)

The discovery of 1-({6-[(2-methoxy-4-propylbenzyl)oxy]-1-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl}methyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid 13n (ceralifimod, ONO-4641), a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist selective for S1P 1 and S1P 5 , is described. While it has been revealed that the modulation of the S1P 1 receptor is an effective way to treat autoimmune diseases such as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), it was also reported that activation of the S1P 3 receptor is implicated in some undesirable effects. We carried out a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of hit compound 6 with an amino acid moiety in the hydrophilic head region. Following identification of a lead compound with a dihydronaphthalene central core by inducing conformational constraint, optimization of the lipophilic tail region led to the discovery of 13n as a clinical candidate that exhibited >30 000-fold selectivity for S1P 1 over S1P 3 and was potent in a peripheral lymphocyte lowering (PLL) test in mice (ED 50 = 0.029 mg/kg, 24 h after oral dosing).

Septic thrombophlebitis caused by head and neck infection has become a rare disorder due to the development of antibiotics. We report herein two cases of septic thrombophlebitis of the head and neck. Case 1 was a 7-year-old girl, who presented with fever, otalgia, and headache. Acute otitis media was diagnosed in another hospital. A computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated mastoiditis with thrombophlebitis of the right lateral and sigmoid sinuses. Case 2 was a 39-year-old woman, who presented with left neck pain, fever chills and severe pharyngalacia. Peritonsillar abscess was diagnosed. A CT scan demonstrated a left internal jugular vein thrombus in addition to multiple pulmonary nodules with emboli. A diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome was made based on these findings. Both cases were successfully treated by intravenous antibiotics. A lack of awareness of these conditions and a delayed diagnosis may lead to potentially fatal consequences. A clinical suspicion of septic thrombophlebitis seems to be essential to make an accurate diagnosis during the early stage of the disease and archive a successful outcome., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To construct a non-clinical database for drug-induced QT interval prolongation, the electrophysiological effects of 11 positive and 10 negative compounds on action potentials (AP) in guinea-pig papillary muscles were investigated in a multi-site study according to a standard protocol. Compounds with a selective inhibitory effect on the rapidly activated delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) prolonged action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) in a concentration-dependent manner, those showing Ca2+ current (ICa) inhibition shortened APD30, and those showing Na+ current (INa) inhibition decreased action potential amplitude (APA) and Vmax. Some of the mixed ion-channel blockers showed a bell-shaped concentration-response curve for APD90, probably due to their blockade of INa and/or ICa, sometimes leading to a false-negative result in the assay. In contrast, all positive compounds except for terfenadine and all negative compounds with IKr-blocking activity prolonged APD30-90 regardless of their INa- and/or ICa-blocking activities, suggesting that APD30-90 is a useful parameter for evaluating the IKr-blocking activity of test compounds. Furthermore, the assay is highly informative regarding the modulation of cardiac ion channels by test compounds. Therefore, when APD90 and APD30-90 are both measured, the action potential assay can be considered a useful method for assessing the risk of QT interval prolongation in humans in non-clinical safety pharmacology studies.

Certain compounds that prolong QT interval in humans have little or no effect on action-potential (AP) duration used traditionally, but they inhibit rapidly-activated-delayed-rectifier potassium currents (IKr) and/or human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) currents. In this study using isolated guinea-pig papillary muscles, we investigated whether new parameters in AP assays can detect the inhibitory effects of various compounds on IKr and/or hERG currents with high sensitivity. The difference in AP duration between 60% and 30% repolarization, 90% and 60% repolarization, and 90% and 30% repolarization (APD30-60, APD60-90, and APD30-90, respectively) were calculated as the new parameters. All the 15 IKr and/or hERG current inhibitors that have been reported (9 compounds) or not reported (6 compounds) to inhibit calcium currents prolonged APD30-60, APD60-90, and/or APD30-90; and 8 of the 15 inhibitors prolonged APD30-60, APD60-90, and/or APD30-90 more potently than APD90. The APD30-60, APD60-90, and APD30-90 measurements revealed no difference in sensitivity when evaluating the effects of the IKr and/or hERG current inhibitors on the three parameters. On the other hand, compounds with little or no effect on hERG currents had no effect on APD30-60, APD60-90, or APD30-90. Therefore, it is concluded that in AP assays using isolated guinea-pig papillary muscles, APD30-60, APD60-90, and APD30-90 are useful indexes for evaluating the inhibitory effects of compounds including mixed ion-channel blockers on IKr and/or hERG currents.

The effect of a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, ONO-1714 ((1S,5S,6R,7R)-7-chloro-3-imino-5-methyl-2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane hydrochloride), on hemodialysis-related hypotension was investigated using a canine model of renal dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was induced in dogs by complete bilateral ligation of renal arteries. On performing hemodialysis with ultrafiltration, the blood pressure of the renal dysfunction dogs gradually decreased and persisted at reduced levels until completion. ONO-1714 ameliorated the hemodialysis-induced hypotension in the renal dysfunction dogs at a dose that did not influence blood pressure in non-hemodialysis dogs with normal renal function. The above findings indicated that ONO-1714 may elicit beneficial effects on hemodialysis-related hypotension.

To clarify the role of nitric oxide (NO) in hemodialysis (HD)-related hypotension, the relationship between plasma NO metabolites (NOx) and blood pressure changes, and the effect of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a NO synthase inhibitor, on changes in blood pressure were evaluated in an experimental renal dysfunctional dog model. In order to create a renal dysfunction model, gentamicin was administered to male beagles in which 7 of 8 renal artery branches had been ligated. Normal renal functional and dysfunctional dogs underwent 3 hr of HD per day for 3 days. HD induced a transient decrease in mean blood pressure in the normal renal functional dogs. In renal dysfunctional dogs, a continuous hypotension occurred with a gradual increase in the plasma NOx concentration during HD. Although L-NMMA prevented the fall in blood pressure, it did not significantly change the plasma NOx concentration during HD. These results suggest that NO contributes to HD-related hypotension in renal dysfunctional dogs but the plasma NOx concentration does not reflect the change in blood pressure.

Further chemical modification of 2-iminopiperidines fused to cyclopropane rings was performed. Optically active isomers 2 and 13 were synthesized and their biological activity was evaluated. Compound 2 exhibited greater potency and more isoform selectivity than enantiomer 13 in the iNOS inhibition assay. One of the gem-chlorines on the fused cyclopropane moiety of 2 was eliminated to produce 3, which showed reduced potency for iNOS inhibition, as well as 4 with an increased potency. The isoform selectivity of 4 was also much higher than that of 3. This was also true for the corresponding methyl derivatives 6-9. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) study and computer aided docking study of the most optimized structure 4 with human iNOS will also be reported.

The process of discovery and biological evaluation of alpha,beta-unsaturated cyclic amidines, as selective inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is reported. Dihydropyridin-2(1H)-imines and 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-azepin-2-imines were synthesized and biologically evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using a nitric oxide synthase inhibition assay. Compounds 1, 5, 6, 8-12 and 16 exhibited potent inhibition of iNOS. Among these, compounds 6, 7, 10, 11 and 16 showed 5- to 19-fold isoform selectivity. Compounds 1, 6, 10, 11 and 16 also showed potent inhibitory activity in the NOx accumulation assay in mice. Compounds 1 and 6 showed excellent bioavailability (BA) in rats when administered orally. Full details are presented here, including the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, the chemistry of these compounds, and the pharmacokinetic data and the computer-aided docking study of 10 with hiNOS.

A series of 2-iminopiperidines fused to small-membered rings (Tables 1 and 2) were synthesised and biologically evaluated using an in vitro human nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition assay. Fused bicyclic compounds 5-9 exhibited nearly the same potency as compound 1 in the hiNOS inhibition assay. Among these, the 1-methyl analogues 8 and 9 showed better isoform selectivity than their corresponding unsubstituted analogues 7 and 6, respectively. Compounds 5 and 6 were also evaluated by an in vivo NO accumulation assay in a mouse model. The discovery process of new chemical leads for an orally bioavailable inhibitor of human inducible NOS (iNOS) is reported. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) study and chemistry of these compounds are also reported.

Dihydropyridin-2-imines were synthesized and biologically evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using a nitric oxide inhibition assay. Compounds 1, 4, 5 and 7-11 exhibited potent activity in the inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) inhibition assay. Of these 5, 6, 9 and 10 showed 5- to 11-fold increases in isoform selectivity. Compounds 1, 5, 9 and 10 showed potent inhibitory activity in the NOx accumulation assay in mice. Compounds 1 and 5 also showed good bioavailability (BA) when given orally.

(1S,5S,6R,7R)-7-Chloro-3-imino-5-methyl-2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane hydrochloride (ONO-1714), a novel cyclic amidine analogue, inhibits human inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) with a K(i) of 1.88 nM and rodent iNOS with similar potency in vitro. ONO-1714 was found to be 10-fold selective for human iNOS over human endothelial NOS (ecNOS). When the inhibitory activity of ONO-1714 was compared for iNOS, it was found to be 451-fold and >20,000-fold more potent than L-NMMA and aminoguanidine (AG), respectively. In terms of human iNOS selectivity, ONO-1714 was approximately 34- and 2-fold more selective for iNOS than L-NMMA and AG, respectively. ONO-1714 inhibited the LPS-induced elevation of plasma nitrate/nitrite in mice with an ID(50) value of 0.010 mg/kg, s.c. The maximum tolerated dose of ONO-1714 was 30 mg/kg, i.v. Thus, ONO-1714 represents one of the most potent iNOS inhibitors in vitro and in vivo to date and has great potentials for use as an inhibitor for clarifying the pathophysiological roles of iNOS and for use as a therapeutic agent., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Glutamate (Glu) is considered one of the most probable neurotransmitter candidates in primary afferent nerves of the cochlea. In the present study, the amino acid profile in the perilymph was determined in order to investigate the effects of acoustic overstimulation and perilymph perfusion with Joro Spider Toxin (JSTX), a specific antagonist of the quisqualate sensitive Glu receptor, on the stimulus-induced release of Glu. In the first series of experiments (control group; n = 10), samples of the scala tympani perilymph (PST) were collected from albino guinea pigs at 60 and 75 min after initiating cochlear perfusion with an artificial perilymph. In the second series of experiments (acoustic overstimulation group; n = 7), the PST samples were collected before (at 60 min after the initiation of perilymph perfusion) and after (at 75 min after the initiation of perilymph perfusion) exposure to a pure tone (2000 Hz, 110 dBSPL for 15 min). In the third series of experiments (JSTX group; n = 8), the PST samples were collected as described above under condition of cochlear perfusion with an artificial perilymph containing of 3.54 x 10(-8) M and 3.54 x 10(-6) M of JSTX. The concentrations of Glu, aspartate, glycine, alanine and leucine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using phenylisothiocyanate derivatization. There was no significant effect of acoustic overstimulation or perilymph perfusion with JSTX on the levels of amino acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of organic anions in the endolymph of the guinea pig, 100 mg/kg furosemide, an organic anion, was intravenously given to measure the concentration in the cochlear endolymph by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In the endolymph, the concentration of the furosemide increased slowly for 1 hr to 1.6 micrograms/ml and gradually declined thereafter. Pretreatment with 200 mg/kg probenecid, an anion transport inhibitor, had no effect on the furosemide elimination in the endolymph except on the concentration at 2 hr. This was contrary to the drastic change observed in the perilymph of the scala tympani by the same pretreatment. Analogous to the effect in the endolymph, probenecid showed no change in the concentration of the serum, while a pronounced gradient of furosemide concentration existed between them. The present results suggest that the furosemide passively transfers from blood to the endolymph at a relatively low penetrability.

Metallic elements in the perilymph of the scala tympani in normal and acoustically overstimulated guinea pigs were measured using a new method, an inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The concentrations of phosphorus and eight metallic elements, i.e. calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, lead and zinc were measured simultaneously in a 2 microliters sample of perilymph. The mean concentration values of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, lead and zinc were 2.03 mM, 38.5 microM, 69.3 microM, 0.822 mM, 0.851 mM, 43.5 microM and 25.0 microM, respectively. There was no significant effect of acoustic overstimulation on the concentrations of these elements except for magnesium, which decreased significantly after the exposure to a intense sound (2 kHz, 115 dB SPL) for 15 min. This is the first report describing the synchronous determination of metallic poly-elements, including copper, iron, lead and zinc, in the perilymph.