ITPKC functional polymorphism associated with Kawasaki disease susceptibility and formation of coronary artery aneurysms

Kawasaki disease is a pediatric systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology for which a genetic influence is suspected. We identified a functional SNP (itpkc_3) in the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase C (ITPKC) gene on chromosome 19q13.2 that is significantly associated with Kawasaki disease susceptibility and also with an increased risk of coronary artery lesions in both Japanese and US children. Transfection experiments showed that the C allele of itpkc_3 reduces splicing efficiency of the ITPKC mRNA. ITPKC acts as a negative regulator of T-cell activation through the Ca2+/NFAT signaling pathway, and the C allele may contribute to immune hyper-reactivity in Kawasaki disease. This finding provides new insights into the mechanisms of immune activation in Kawasaki disease and emphasizes the importance of activated T cells in the pathogenesis of this vasculitis.     

A novel architecture for cargos location and safety in networked RFID

Using Networked RFID equipped in warehouse or supermarket distribution, Enterprise information system (EIS) can gather and deal with cargos information. Nevertheless, when cargos are in traffic, the Networked RFID can't monitor the cargos any more as the products tagged aren't within range of a reader. This paper proposes a solution framework which combines Networked RFID and GPS tracking, and then equip with this system in container to make the cargos monitored even if the cargos are in traffic. This solution can solve the accurate consignments, position tracking and advanced theft happening through drilling holes in container. In addition, customhouse and checkpoint can get an electronic shipment manifest rapidly and safely when a vehicle gets through a checkpoint.     

Isolation of human epidermal stem cells by adherence and the reconstruction of skin equivalents

The isolation of human epidermal stem cells is critical for their clinical applications. In the present study, we isolated three populations of epidermal keratinocytes according to their ability to adhere to collagen type IV: i.e., rapidly adhering (RA), slowly adhering (SA), and non-adhering (NA) cells. The aim of this study was to characterize RA cells and to investigate the possibility of using these cells for epidermis reconstruction. To identify RA cells, flow cytometric analysis was performed using anti-₆ integrin and anti-CD71 antibodies. RA cells express high levels of ₆ integrin and low levels of CD71, which are considered as markers of an epidermal stem cell nature. Furthermore, electron microscopy showed that RA cells are small and have a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, whereas SA and NA cells have well-developed cellular organelles and abundant tonofilaments. Western blot analysis showed that RA cells are slow cycling and express p63, a putative epidermal stem cell marker, whereas SA and NA cells express c-Myc, which is known to regulate stem cell fate. To compare epidermal regenerative abilities, skin equivalents (SEs) were made using RA, SA, and NA cells. The epidermis constructed from RA cells was well formed compared to those formed from SA or NA cells. In addition, only SEs with RA cells expressed ₆ integrin and ₁ integrin at the basal layer. These results indicate that RA cells represent epidermal stem cells and are predominately comprised of stem cells. Therefore, the isolation of RA cells using a simple technique offers a potential route to their clinical application, because they are easily isolated and provide a high yield of epidermal stem cells.Received 2 July 2004; received after revision 20 August 2004; accepted 10 September 2004     

High Oil-absorptive Composites Prepared from Non-woven Fiber and Sponges with 4-tert- butylstyrene-EPDM-divinylbenzene Graft Polymer

4-tert-butylstyrene-EPDM-divinylbenzene graft terpolym-er (PBED) was prepared by graft cross-polymerization in toluene using BPO as an initiator. The gel-PBED and sol-PBED were isolated from extraction of tetrahydrofuran (THF), and then they were identified by IR spectr-oscopy. The maximum oil-absorptivity of gel-PBED produced from the optimum reaction conditions was 8420% but its swelling rate was very low. The highest oil-absorptivity of photocrosslinked sol-PBED film was 5 800%. Although its oil absorbency was not as high as gel-PBED' s, swelling rate was higher than that of gel-PBED and was suitable for commercial purpose. After swelling in oil, neither gel-PBED nor photocrosslinked sol-PBED film having high oil-absorptivity had sufficient mechanical strength to be taken out of oil wholly. As is known, composite technique is one of the useful methods for reinforcing them. Fibers, sponges and non-woven cloths were used as reinforcers or supporters in this work. Oil-absorptivities and swelling kinetics     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone encoding the murine homologue of the human 20K T3/T-cell receptor glycoprotein

The antigen receptor on the surface of human T lymphocytes, which consists of a heterodimer of relative molecular mass (Mr) 90,000 (90K) (alpha- and beta-chains), is associated with the T3 antigen (gamma = 25K, delta = 20K and epsilon = 20K). A working model for the mode of action of the T3/T-cell receptor complex is that the clonotypic alpha- and beta-chains are involved in the recognition and binding of antigen in the context of polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products on the surface of target cells. Antigen binding by the clonotypic receptor probably results in conformational changes in this structure which are recognized by and subsequently trigger the associated T3 complex to transmit signals into the cell, resulting in a proliferative response. The similarity in structure between murine and human clonotypic antigen receptors suggests that such a mechanism of recognition and activation also exists in mouse T lymphocytes, but so far there has been no evidence for the existence of a murine T3 complex. Here we demonstrate the existence of a T3 delta-chain mRNA in murine T lymphocytes. Our sequence data strongly suggest that this mouse mRNA codes for a complete T3 delta polypeptide chain and reveal some interesting properties of the protein.     

Neuronal accumulation and metabolism of3H-1-norepinephrine in rat portal vein: Evidence in relation to possible uneven alpha receptor distribution

Summary The rate of accumulation and metabolism of³H-1-norepinephrine in the neuronal plexus of rat portal vein produces a small transmitter concentration gradient across the longitudinal smooth muscle layer which cannot account for the prejunctional supersensitivity observed and suggests localization of the alpha-adrenergic receptors adjacent to the nerve plexus.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by USPHS grant HE 8359 (JAB) and USPHS grant MH 23839 (AKC).     

N-ethylmaleimide antagonizes stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats

N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) 10 or 25 mg/kg b.wt, given s.c. 20 min beforehand, dose-dependently and significantly antagonizes the severity of gastric glandular ulcers produced by restraint at 4 degrees C (stress) for 2 h. These findings suggest that reduced activity of endogenous nonprotein sulfhydryl substances in gastric tissue does not worsen stress-induced ulceration in rat stomachs, unlike the deleterious effect its depletion is claimed to have on ethanol-evoked gastric mucosal damage. Thus, decreased SH activity appears not to play a role in the aetiology of mucosal ulcers due to stress.