Effects of ceruloplasmin and the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex on the oxygen-dependent reduction in growth of human diploid fibroblasts in serum-free, albumin containing medium

We examined that growth-promoting activity of two different human albumin (HSA) preparations for human diploid fibroblasts in serum-free RITC 80-7 medium. The activity of one preparation (sample A) was affected markedly by environmental oxygen, whereas the other (sample B) was little affected. Sample B contained ceruloplasmin (Cp) and haptoglobin (Hp) as impurities. To detect the generation of superoxide anion in the media the amount of reduction of cytochrome c that is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined. In an aerobic environment it was relatively large in comparison with reduction inhibited in a hypoxic environment. Reduction in the sample A with HSA-supplemented medium was relatively large in comparison with that in sample B with HSA-supplemented medium. The reduction of cytochrome c also was inhibited by Cp (25 mg/l) and catalase (4000 units/ml). Moreover, SOD, Cp, catalase and Hp.Hb (but not Hp) partially prevented oxygen-dependent reduction in growth in an aerobic environment when added to sample A HSA-supplemented medium. These results suggest that Cp and Hp.Hb act as an antioxidants in culture.

Combined therapy for maxillary sinus carcinoma with special reference to cryosurgery

Three hundred cases of maxillary sinus carcinoma were divided into four groups according to the initial treatment: the first group was treated by irradiation of 5,000 rad (25 fractions) for 5 weeks; the second by intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU combined with irradiation; the third by sinus curetting in accordance with Denker's operation combined with the second method; and the fourth by cryosurgery once a week during the second irradiation method followed by sinus curetting at the end of initial treatment. Histologically confirmed recurrence was removed by maxillectomy, if possible. The three year cumulative survival rates in the four groups were 27.1% (first group), 55.1% (second group), 53.5% (third group) and 53.1% (fourth group). The three year local non-recurrence rates after initial treatment without maxillectomy were 26.4%, 31.1%, 55.8% and 45.4%, respectively. The frequency of distant metastasis without local recurrence was as high as 12.3% in the third group and conversely 5.6% in the fourth. These results demonstrated the usefulness of cryosurgery.

Influences of sex and age on serum ascorbic acid

The concentrations of total ascorbic acid, reduced and oxidized forms of ascorbic acid, the ESR intensity of ascorbate radical, and the ratio of oxidized form of ascorbic acid to total ascorbic acid (DAsA/AsA) were estimated on 217 healthy controls, whose ages ranged from 12 to 96 years, in order to examine influences of sex and age. The concentration of total ascorbic acid was higher in females than in males throughout all age classes, but the oxidized form did not show a sex difference. Then it was found that the reduced form was higher in females than in males throughout all age classes. The concentrations of total ascorbic acid and reduced and oxidized forms of ascorbic acid, and the ESR intensity declined with age, but the DAsA/AsA ratio increased with age.

Quality deterioration of winged bean during storage

Seeds of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) were stored under four different sets of conditions; 65% relative humidity (RH) at 5 degrees C, 35% RH at 37 degrees C, 65% RH at 37 degrees C, and 85% RH at 37 degrees C. After storage for three and five months, samples were taken out to explore quality changes during storage. The germination capacity decreased during storage at high temperatures. Although little change was found in content in extractable oil, a decrease in the iodine value and an increase in the acid value and in the TBA value were significant during storage at high temperature and high moisture, indicating deterioration of oil. Aldehyde in defatted bean extract increased under all conditions for storage. Protein extractability was greatly reduced at 36 degrees C and 85% RH, while no reduction was observed at other conditions.

A family of hereditary stomatocytosis associated with normal level of Na+-K+-ATPase activity of red blood cells

A rare familial case of hereditary stomatocytosis with hemolytic anemia, increased autohemolysis, increased osmotic fragility, and shortened erythrocyte survival is described. The erythrocytes were abnormally permeable to sodium and potassium. In addition, "Na-K pump" rate of the red blood cells was increased, while Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-Ca2+-ATPase activities were within normal limits. Splenectomy induced marked improvement of anemia.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the maxillary sinus. Xanthoma-like change of the tumor after radiotherapy

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the right maxillary sinus is reported. Patient was a 30-year-old male, and was diagnosed as pleomorphic type of MFH by biopsy before therapy. The tumor shrunk and changed into xanthoma-like tumor after radiotherapy. A case like the present case has not been reported previously in the literature.

Ascorbate radical and ascorbic acid level in human serum and age

Free radical in human serum was observed by an electron spin resonance (ESR) technique and was assigned to ascorbate radical. Quantitative estimation revealed that the ESR intensity could be used as an expedient mean. The ESR intensity of ascorbate radical, the concentrations of total ascorbic acid and oxidized form of ascorbic acid were determined on sera of 200 healthy individuals whose ages ranged from 12 to 96 years. The ESR intensity as well as the concentrations of total and oxidized form of ascorbic acid declined with age. There were significant correlations between the ESR intensity and the concentrations of total and oxidized form of ascorbic acid. From these results, the clinical significance of the concentrations of total ascorbic acid, ascorbate radical and the oxidized form was discussed in relation to age.

Role and induction of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase

2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate accumulates in mammalian erythrocytes, where it facilitates the supply of oxygen to the tissues by binding to hemoglobin. Regulatory properties of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase and phosphatase are discussed. The 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentration was shown to rise linearly along with the hemoglobin level during erythroid differentiation. The accumulation of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate was primarily attributable to an increase in 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase. Antibody-binding studies showed that the increased activity is achieved solely through an increase in the amount of enzyme. It was shown that 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase was synthesized in nucleated erythroid precursor cells and also in anucleated reticulocytes. The mRNA of this protein appears to be fairly stable in reticulocytes. Coordinate expression of hemoglobin and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase was found during dimethylsulfoxide-induced differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate rose concomitantly.

[Host factors in human carcinogenesis]

In human cancers, the contribution of genetic determinants is often difficult to distinguish from environmental influences. However, some cancers are inherited in Mendelian pattern, and some have closely associated with the diseases with hereditary factors. This paper reviewed characteristics of hereditary cancers, the diseases with high incidence of cancers and familial aggregation of cancers, and discussed the role of host factors in the etiology of cancer clinico-epidemiologically.

Effect of dexamethasone on the growth of human lymphoblastoid cell lines

Effect of dexamethasone of the growth of two T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines, JM and TALL-1 and an American Burkitt lymphoma cell line, Ramos, of B-cell type was examined. While the growth of both TALL-1 and Ramos cell lines was significantly inhibited by dexamethasone at the concentration of 10(-7) M, JM cell line was markedly resistant at the high concentration of 10(-5) M of dexamethasone. The assay of glucocorticoid receptors showed that a small amount of the binding site was found in both T-cell leukemia cell lines, JM and TALL-1 and that a moderate amount of the binding site was found in Ramos cell line. Thus, glucocorticoid sensitivity (growth inhibition of these leukemia-lymphoma cell lines by dexamethasone) did not correlate with either the number of glucocorticoid receptor or with surface membrane markers of the target cells. This result suggests further marked heterogeneity of leukemic cells.

Nature of serum ascorbate radical and its quantitative estimation

A doublet signal was observed in human serum by the ESR technique at room temperature. This radical had a g value of 2.0054 and a hyperfine splitting constant of 1.84 gauss and was assigned to ascorbate radical. The ascorbate radical in serum was very stable. The intensity of ESR signal showed no differences between serum and plasma of the same individual. Photosensitivity of the ascorbate radical in serum and sodium ascorbate solution was examined and enhancement of ESR signal by irradiation was observed, although the responses in serum and in ascorbate solution were considerably different. The intensity of ESR signal was proportional to the concentration of ascorbate solution. The ESR intensity of ascorbate radical can be used as a reliable method for quantitative estimation of ascorbate radical.

Sialyltransferase activity as a marker for the differentiation of lymphocytes. Increase in sialyltransferase activity of blasts from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cases by 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)

The level of sialyltransferase activity in leukaemic blasts from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cases was significantly lower (3.29 +/- 2.09 pmoles/5 X 10(7) cells or 1.77 +/- 1.16 pmoles/mg protein) than those (18.80 +/- 4.91 pmoles/5 X 10(7) cells or 7.72 +/- 1.75 pmoles/mg protein) of mature lymphocytes from normal volunteers (T less than 0.001). An inverse relationship between the level of sialyltransferase activity and the level of terminal transferase (TdT)activity was seen in blasts from eight TdT-positive ALL cases. No significant difference was observed in the level of sialyltransferase activity between ALL and cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis. Short Term culture of ALL blast cells with 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) at the concentration of 10-(6)M to 10-(9)M caused a marked increase in sialyltransferase activity. In one of these three ALL cases the population of TdT-positive cells and the TdT activity of the blasts decreased significantly after culture with TPA. These results suggest that biochemical differentiation of leukaemic lymphoblasts has been induced by the addition of TPA, although morphological changes were not observed. Sialyltransferase activity may be a useful indicator for the analysis of differentiation of lymphocytes.

Sialyltransferase activity in leukemia

Sialyltransferase activity in blasts from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was markedly lower (1.68 +/- 1.23 pmol/mg protein) than those (6.18 +/- 2.22 pmol/mg protein) of lymphocytes from normal volunteers (t less than 0.001). On the contrary, enzyme activity was significantly increased in blasts (1.21 +/- 0.38 pmol/mg protein) from acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia, compared to the level (0.53 +/- 0.32 pmol/mg protein) of mature granulocytes (t less than 0.001). In TdT-negative CML in blast crisis, sialytransferase activity (2.11 +/- 0.88 pmol/mg protein) was significantly higher than those of mature granulocytes (t less than 0.001), whereas no significant difference in the enzyme activity was noted between the blasts from TdT-positive CML in blast crisis and from ALL. In TdT-positive ALL cases, there was an inverse relationship (r = -0.85, t less than 0.01) between sialytransferase activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity of the blasts. Therefore, sialytransferase in leukocytes may be a unique enzyme in which changes in activity relate to the differentiation or malignant transformation of leukocytes.

Purification and characterization of four components of rat caseins

Rat casein components (C1-, C3A-, C3B- and C4-casein) were extensively purified from rat milk, and the properties of these proteins were compared with those of other caseins including rat C2-casein. C1-casein was precipitated by a low concentration of CaCl2 (1.5 mM). Both C3A- and C3B-casein were less sensitive to Ca2+ than were C1- and C2-casein, and the presence of 20 mM CaCl2 was required at 37 degrees C for their precipitation. C4-casein was absolutely insensitive to Ca2+. This protein exhibited the ability to stabilize all of the other rat casein components against Ca2+-dependent precipitation. In addition, C4-casein contained sialic acid, galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Therefore, C4-casein appears to be a bovine kappa-casein-like protein.

Synthesis of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate synthase in erythroid cells

Antiserum prepared from a rabbit which was immunized with human erythrocyte glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase was found to react with glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase in rabbit erythroid cells. By using this antiserum, it was proved that the specific activity of this enzyme was unchanged during the development of the rabbit erythroid cells. This leads us to conclude that the increased activity of glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase in developing erythroid cells (Narita, H., Ikura, K., Yanagawa, S., Sasaki, R., Chiba, H., Saimyoji, H., and Kumagai, N. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 5230-5235) is due to the accumulation of enzyme protein. There is at least a 16-fold increase in the level of this protein during development from bone marrow erythroid cells to erythrocytes. The synthesis of glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase was shown to occur in rabbit reticulocytes and bone marrow erythroid cells. These cells were incubated for protein synthesis and the protein synthesized was precipitated with the anti-glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase antiserum and separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The immunoprecipitated product was shown to produce fragments of the same molecular weight after digestion with V8 protease as did the pure glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase. The proportion of glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase synthesis in reticulocytes (0.04% of total protein synthesis) was comparable to the level of this protein in the cells (0.07% of the total protein).

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activities and glucocorticoid receptors in leukaemia

The relation between terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity, glucocorticoid (GC) receptors and the effect of vincristine-prednisolone (VP) therapy on fresh leukaemia cases was examined. Five of 6 TdT+ leukaemias showed high levels of GC receptors and a favourable response to VP therapy, whereas 1 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 3 of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) cases in blast crisis with no TdT activity showed low level of GC receptors and poor response to VP therapy. Significant correlation (r = 0.821, P less than 0.01) was observed between TdT activity and the number of GC receptor sites in these cases. X2 test showed significant difference (P less than 0.01) between TdT+ and TdT- leukaemias in the effect of VP. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) was also observed between VP-effective and ineffective leukaemias in the number of GC-receptor sites by unpaired t test. Therefore GC receptors may be responsible for the effect of VP on TdT+ leukaemias.

Localization of bovine liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes and their immunological properties

Evidence supporting the existence of three aldehyde dehydrogenases in bovine liver has been confirmed and the immunological properties of these isozymes have been compared. 1. The cytoplasmic and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenases were distinguished in size by subjecting the bovine liver crude extract to Sephadex G-150 chromatography. The molecular weight of the cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase was determined to be 230,000 daltons, larger than the mitochondrial enzyme by approximately 15,000 daltons. 2. Submitochondrial fractionation indicated that the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase was located in the intermembrane space. 3. Anti-mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase antibody from rabbit gave an immunoreaction line not only with the mitochondrial enzyme but also with the cytoplasmic enzyme, and inhibited the activity of both enzymes. The anti-cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase antibody reacted with the cytoplasmic enzyme but had no effect on the mitochondrial enzyme. Neither antibody reacted with the microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase solubilized with sodium deoxycholate.

Purification and properties of a major casein component of rat milk

A casein component (C2-casein) was purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography from rat milk, and the properties of this protein were examined. The molecular weight of C2-casein, as determined by Sepharose 4B gel filtration in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride, was 34 000 +/- 1000. The average hydrophobicity calculated from the amino acid composition showed that C2-casein is a rather hydrophilic protein. The alpha-helix content obtained from optical rotatory dispersion experiments was about 12%. In ultracentrifugation analyses, monomer and polymer peaks of C2-casein were both seen, and the monomer-to-polymer ratio was not affected by changing temperature conditions. C2-casein was precipitated by the presence of 2.5 mM CaCl2, and the precipitability was greatly decreased by the dephosphorylation of the protein. C2-casein was stabilized from Ca2+-dependent precipitation by the addition of another rat casein component (C3-casein) or of bovine kappa-casein.

Transient populations of terminal transferase positive (TdT+) cells in juvenile rats and mice

Transient populations of TdT+ cells are present in peripheral blood, lung, liver, and spleen of rats and mice between birth and 7 wk of age. TdT+ blood cells appear to be post-thymic cells, as evidenced by their absence from nu/nu mice and their pattern of TdT fluorescence. TdT+ cells in lung, liver, and spleen appear to be prethymic cells. All transient populations of TdT+ cells are sensitive to dexamethasone. Only TdT+ cells in bone marrow and thymus persist into adult life.

Transient populations of terminal transferase positive (TdT+) cells in juvenile rats and mice

Transient populations of TdT+ cells are present in peripheral blood, lung, liver, and spleen of rats and mice between birth and 7 wk of age. TdT+ blood cells appear to be post-thymic cells, as evidenced by their absence from nu/nu mice and their pattern of TdT fluorescence. TdT+ cells in lung, liver, and spleen appear to be prethymic cells. All transient populations of TdT+ cells are sensitive to dexamethasone. Only TdT+ cells in bone marrow and thymus persist into adult life.

Effects of aging on hydroxyproline in human heart muscle

Hydroxyproline concentration in the NaCl-soluble, TCA-soluble, and residual fractions of heart muscle was chemically determined in 40 autopsy subjects (25 men and 15 women), to study the effects of aging. In the left ventricle, the total hydroxyproline content of the endocardium and papillary muscle increased significantly in relation to age; the increase was greatest in the TCA-soluble fraction, followed by the residual fraction. Statistical analysis revealed that hydroxyproline in the residual fraction increased from the epicardium to the endocardium and then to the papillary muscle. Significant negative correlations were found between heart weight and total hydroxyproline in the epicardium and endocardium. In the right ventricle, a significant negative correlation was noted between heart weight and total hydroxyproline content. Though no correlations were evident between age and hydroxyproline content in females, significant correlations were observed between age and the total hydroxyproline content of the endocardium and papillary muscle in males. Furthermore, soluble collagen increased in most parts of the heart in females, but insoluble collagen increased in all parts of the heart in males. It is concluded that the hydroxyproline content of heart muscle increases in proportion to age and is in inverse proportion to heart weight. The increase occurs in the TCA-soluble and residual fractions, and extends from the endocardium to the papillary muscle. More profound changes in collagen metabolism are observed in males.

2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate in developing rabbit erythroid cells

Rabbits were made anemic to different extents by phenylhydrazine injections so as to vary the developmental stages of the erythroid cells in their peripheral blood and bone marrow. It was found that the more severe the anemia, the lower the concentration of glycerate-2,3-P2 in the bone marrow cells and in the circulating erythroid cells. The glycerate-2,3-P2 level was shown to rise during erythroid differentiation in a linear relationship to the hemoglobin level, corresponding to the equation Y = 0.03x + 0.29, where y is the concentration of glycerate-2,3-P2 (micromoles per ml packed cells) and x is the concentration of hemoglobin (milligrams per packed cells). The bone marrow cells were fractionated on a size (i.e. maturity) basis and enzyme activities in the fractionated cells were measured. The accumulation of glycerate-2,3-P2 was found to be primarily attributable to the increase in glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase activity. Glycerate-2,3-P2 phosphatase and phosphofructokinase increased as the cells matured from the polychromatic stages to become reticulocytes while pyruvate kinase and phosphoglyceromutase decreased. The changes in phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase appear to be advantageous for glycerate-2,3-P2 accumulation. The two enzyme activities directly responsible for the synthesis and the breakdown of glycerate-2,3-P2 are probably manifested by a single protein, glycerate-2,3-P2 synthase-phosphatase.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity and B cell markers in chronic myelogenous leukemia blast crisis

High terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activities were found in blast cells having B cell markers in 3 patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia. The blast cells from these patients were lymphoblastic in appearance. Two of these cases were treated with vincristine and prednisolone. They responded well to this therapy.