[Positron emission tomographic findings of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma developed in tuberous sclerosis--a case report]

Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is well known to be occasionally associated with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SGCA). SGCA is considered to be a benign tumor in its clinical course and morphology. However, this tumor is grown sometimes so rapid and caused hydrocephalus. To our knowledge, little is known about hemocirculation and metabolism, particularly in relation with proliferating activity of TS and SGCA. We measured hemocirculation and metabolism of SGCA developed in a case of TS using positron emission tomography (PET). A 13-year-old-boy who had frequently developed convulsions four months after birth. He was diagnosed as TS and had been medically treated with anticonvulsants, since multiple intraventricular calcifications were detected by CT, at the age of five months. The convulsions had been well controlled. In March 1993, he presented with syncopal attack and admitted to our hospital. CT showed multiple subependymal nodules. Among the nodules, one of the left anterior horn exceeded 2cm in size obliterated Monro's foramen. The tumor was homogeneously enhanced with contrast medium. The lesion detected by postcontrast T1-weighted MR imaging had almost the same status as that by CT. T2-weighted image revealed cortical tubers as high intensity area at the left frontal and parietooccipital regions. PET was performed with the Headtome IV. Hemocirculation of the tumor was lower than that of contralateral gray matter, which suggested poor blood supply. The oxygen and glucose metabolism of the tumor were decreased compared with contralateral gray matter, indicative of a low activity of proliferation and a clinically benign tumor in the present case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exercise at high temperature causes maternal hyperthermia and fetal anomalies in rats

Hyperthermia is thought to be a teratogen in many animal species and also in humans. It has been reported that hyperthermia caused by sauna, hot tub, or fever during the early stages of pregnancy is related to an increased risk for neural tube defects. During exercise, especially in hot conditions, body temperature can also rise to fairly high levels. Thus, we can surmise that hyperthermia induced by exercise can also cause fetal malformation. To investigate this hypothesis, pregnant rats at 9 days of gestation were divided into four groups. In the first group, the animals were made to swim for 30 minutes in water at a temperature of 40.5 degrees C. In the second group, they were restrained and immersed in water for the same time at the same temperature. In the third group, the rats were forced to swim in water at 36.0 degrees C. The fourth group were controls. The core temperature of the rats was measured during these procedures. On the 18th gestational day, fetuses were extracted by cesarean section. The elevation of maternal core temperature was significantly greater in the first group than in the other groups. In the first group, 69% of fetuses had various external anomalies. No anomalies were found in the other groups. Our results show that exercise in hot conditions caused the elevation of core temperature and resulted in fetal anomalies in rats.

Relationship of proton release at the extracellular surface to deprotonation of the schiff base in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle

The surface potential of purple membranes and the release of protons during the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle have been studied with the covalently linked pH indicator dye, fluorescein. The titration of acidic lipids appears to cause the surface potential to be pH-dependent and causes other deviations from ideal behavior. If these anomalies are neglected, the appearance of protons can be followed by measuring the absorption change of fluorescein bound to various residues at the extracellular surface. Contrary to widely held assumption, the activation enthalpies of kinetic components, deuterium isotope effects in the time constants, and the consequences of the D85E, F208R, and D212N mutations demonstrate a lack of direct correlation between proton transfer from the buried retinal Schiff base to D85 and proton release at the surface. Depending on conditions and residue replacements, the proton release can occur at any time between the protonation of D85 and the recovery of the initial state. We conclude that once D85 is protonated the proton release at the extracellular protein surface is essentially independent of the chromophore reactions that follow. This finding is consistent with the recently suggested version of the alternating access mechanism of bacteriorhodopsin, in which the change of the accessibility of the Schiff base is to and away from D85 rather than to and away from the extracellular membrane surface.

An apolipoprotein CIII marker associated with hypertriglyceridemia in Caucasians also confers increased risk in a west Japanese population

Polymorphisms and haplotypes at the adjacent apolipoprotein (apo) AI and CIII gene loci were investigated in 61 Japanese patients with triglycerides greater than 350 mg/dl and in 66 unrelated normolipidemic subjects. The polymorphic sites were the SstI site in the apoCIII 3' untranslated region, whose presence has previously been shown to be associated with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in Caucasians, and the MspI site in the third intron of the apoAI gene. The frequencies of the SstI minor allele (S2) were 0.48 in HTG patients and 0.25 in normolipidemic subjects (P < 0.00015). The frequencies of the MspI minor allele (M2) were 0.61 in HTG patients and 0.33 in normolipidemic subjects (P < 0.00001). The two polymorphic sites were in strong linkage disequilibrium, and maximum likelihood analysis supported the existence of three of the four possible haplotypes: S1-M1, S1-M2, and S2-M2. Since all S2 alleles were estimated to be present on M2-bearing chromosomes, the HTG-associated S2-M2 haplotype conferred the same approximate relative risk as the S2 allele alone when compared with the other two haplotypes (odds ratio 2.8). This study demonstrates that the S2 allele is a marker for HTG among west Japanese subjects as well as among Caucasians. The results suggest that S2-M2 chromosomes carry HTG susceptibility sequences that predate the separation of the Asian and Caucasian races.

Serum glycoproteins and severity of coronary atherosclerosis

The relation of serum glycoproteins and C-reactive protein (CRP) to severity of coronary atherosclerosis was examined in 133 men and 92 women undergoing coronary angiography. The following serum glycoproteins were determined: alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, C4b binding protein, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Sex- and age-adjusted levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoproteins, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, Lp(a) and CRP were significantly associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as determined by the Gensini score; these associations remained significant even after adjustment for body-mass index, smoking history, hypertension, and total cholesterol, except for Lp(a) (p = 0.075). These findings suggest that certain serum glycoproteins and CRP can serve as independent indicators for the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Interaction of tryptophan-182 with the retinal 9-methyl group in the L intermediate of bacteriorhodopsin

An intense indole N-H stretching vibrational band at 3486 cm-1 in the difference Fourier transform infrared spectrum is one of the characteristic features of the L intermediate of bacteriorhodopsin [Maeda, Sasaki, Ohkita, Simpson, & Herzfeld (1992) Biochemistry 31, 12543]. This band is now assigned to tryptophan-182. The Trp182-->Phe (W182F) protein shows specific features in the difference spectrum in the visible region upon L formation, and exhibits great delay in the L-M conversion. Fourier transform infrared difference spectra further indicate that while the intensity of the C-methyl in-plane bending vibration at 1009 cm-1 is lost in the L intermediate of the wild type, its intensity remains high in the W182F protein. The intensity of the N-H stretching vibration upon L formation is diminished considerably in an artificial bacteriorhodopsin containing 9-desmethylretinal. It also exhibits delayed M formation. These results suggest that Trp182 interacts with the retinal side chain through the 9-methyl group, and thereby affects the L-to-M conversion.

The effects of long-term low intensity aerobic training and detraining on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in elderly men and women

The effects of long-term low intensity aerobic training and detraining on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were examined in 30 elderly men and women. These subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The training group [n = 15; 7 men and 8 women; mean age 75.5 (SD 5.6) years] agreed to take part in physical training using a treadmill with an exercise intensity at the blood lactate concentration threshold for 30 min 3-6 times a week for 9 months. The other group [n = 15; 7 men and 8 women; mean age 73.7 (SD 4.4) years] did not perform any particular physical training and was followed as the control. Following this training period the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) had increased significantly (P < 0.01) while the total cholesterol (TC):HDL-C ratio had decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the training group after 9 months but had not changed in the control group. The TC, triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) had not changed significantly in either group. No significant difference was seen between the groups throughout the period for TC. LDL-C or TG. There was, however, a significant correlation between the initial TC:HDL-C ratio and the change in the TC:HDL-C ratio following 3 months of training (P < 0.05). After 1 month of detraining in 5 patients, the HDL-C had decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while the TC:HDL-C had increased significantly in the training group (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Positron emission tomographic assessment of cerebral hemocirculation and glucose metabolism in malignant glioma following treatment with intracarotid recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Cerebral hemocirculation and glucose metabolism in a malignant astrocytoma were repeatedly quantified before and after intracarotid injection of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rH-TNF) using positron emission tomography (PET). The patient received an intracarotid injection of a 3 x 10(4) U/m2 dose of rH-TNF three times over a two week period. PET was performed prior to and 24 hr after the first injection, and two weeks after the third injection. Prior to the first rH-TNF treatment, two lesions demonstrating high perfusion and hypermetabolism of glucose were noted in the right frontal and temporal regions. The frontal hypermetabolic lesion showed decreases in hemocirculation and metabolism 24 hr after the first injection and then increases beyond the pre-treatment level two weeks after the third treatment, whereas the temporal lesion remained unchanged during the follow-up period. No appreciable changes were noted in the adjacent cortex where rH-TNF was perfused, with the exception of a transient decrease in regional blood volume. Magnetic resonance images of the tumor showed no changes as a result of treatment with intracarotid rH-TNF. Intracarotid rH-TNF preferentially affects tumor tissue as opposed to normal cortex.

Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric carcinoma

PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to compare the pathoclinical findings in gastric adenocarcinoma with serum IgG antibody to Helicobacter pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined 185 patients with histologically established gastric cancer. The presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody in the high molecular cell-associated antigen of H. pylori was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pepsinogens I and II were measured by radioimmunoassay. The distribution of H. pylori on the gastric mucosa was assessed by the Campylobacter-like organism test and phenol red dye spraying.

RESULTS

H. pylori IgG antibody was detected in 93.1% of patients with gastric cancer (mean age 61.7 years), 94.3% of patients with early gastric cancer and 91.2% with advanced gastric cancer. No statistical difference in serology was observed between type of gastric cancer, depth of cancer invasion, tumor size or histology. Only in patients with diffuse-type cancer of the cardia was there a lower percentage of positive results (80.0%). The ratio of pepsinogen I to pepsinogen II was higher in the patients who exhibited no H. pylori antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori antibodies were common in patients with gastric cancer, and were not correlated with histological type nor stage of cancer. In the Niigata district, a higher percentage of patients with gastric carcinoma displayed H. pylori antibodies compared with other districts in Japan.

[Molecular and clinical abnormalities of apolipoprotein A-I]

Several epidemiological and clinical studies have shown an inverse correlation between low plasma concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol as well as its major protein component, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), and the risk of coronary artery disease. Apo A-I plays an important role in a reverse cholesterol transport. In this model, HDL mediates the cholesterol flux from peripheral cells to the liver. The structure and function of HDL-deficiency syndromes and apo A-I variants provides genetic markers of whether the presence of these molecular defects accounts for low HDL cholesterol levels and the coronary risk.

Effect of bevantolol and propranolol on serum lipids in patients with essential hypertension

In patients with essential hypertension, the beta-blockers bevantolol or propranolol were administered once or twice a day for twelve weeks to evaluate the effects on blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in response to both bevantolol and propranolol. The pulse-rate also decreased significantly in both groups. Total cholesterol did not change significantly in both groups. Triglycerides increased significantly in the bevantolol group. HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in the propranolol group. The LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio increased significantly in the propranolol group, while no significant increase was observed in the bevantolol group. The apolipoprotein B/A ratio was elevated in the propranolol group. No serious side-effects were noted during the study in both groups. These results indicate that bevantolol is an effective antihypertensive drug with fewer unfavorable effects on lipid metabolism than propranolol.

Activation mechanism of NADPH oxidase by SDS in intact guinea pig neutrophils

It is well known that sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) activates NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system independently of protein kinase C (PKC). However, in intact neutrophils, direct evidence has never been presented to show that O2- production by SDS is actually due to the NADPH oxidase activation observed in the cell-free system. So, in this paper, we investigated the activation mechanism by SDS in intact guinea pig neutrophils. We previously reported that hypotonic treatment reversibly enhanced O2- production stimulated by PKC activators in intact neutrophils (M. Hiura et al., 1991, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 291, 31-37). In this paper, SDS also significantly stimulated O2- production in the intact cells under the hypotonic condition. This enhancement was gradual and was PKC inhibitor resistant. Furthermore, phosphorylation of the 46-kDa protein, one of cytosolic activation factors, was not detected by autoradiography of two-dimensional electrophoresis. Translocation of cytosolic activation factors was demonstrated by a decrease in the activity of the factors remained in the cytosol. In the presence of SDS, addition of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, a PKC activator, further enhanced O2- production and translocation of the cytosolic activation factors. On the other hand, SDS remarkably increased membrane fluidity in intact neutrophils as well as in the cell-free system. These results indicate that activation of NADPH oxidase by SDS in intact neutrophils seems to be partly due to the same mechanism observed in cell-free activation, and that SDS alone slightly activates the oxidase and other stimulation, such as hypotonic and/or PKC activator treatments, is required for significant activation. The increase in the membrane fluidity may be one of the activation mechanisms of NADPH oxidase by SDS.

Characterization of two new human apolipoprotein A-I variants: apolipoprotein A-I Tsushima (Trp-108-->Arg) and A-I Hita (Ala-95-->Asp)

Two unrelated subjects with new variants of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I were found during screening with isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel analysis. In the first case, apo A-I Tsushima, sequencing following amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed a residue 108 missense mutation (TGG-->CGG, Trp-->Arg) in exon 4. The proband of apo A-I Tsushima was heterozygous for this mutation. The second case, apo A-I Hita, revealed a residue 95 missense mutation (GCC-->GAC, Ala-->Asp) in exon 4. The proband of apo A-I Hita was compound heterozygous with apo A-I (Ala-37-->Thr). These two subjects exhibited normal plasma concentrations of apo A-I and HDL cholesterol. In screening normal high school students (n = 198), we used a PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis to rapidly detect the substitution of G to A at codon 37 because the apo A-I (GC-->ACC, Ala-37-->Thr) mutation is unrelated to the charge difference on IEF. The frequency of the A allele was 0.04: the substitution G to A at codon 37 did not affect the plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins.

Large pituitary adenoma of the sphenoid sinus and the nasopharynx: report of a case with ultrastructural evaluations

A unique case of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma exclusively involving the sphenoid sinus and the nasopharynx is reported. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clearly depicted the presence of a large, soft mass in the sphenoid sinus and its extensive invasion to the sphenoid wing and the clivus. In particular MRI was found useful in delineating precise anatomic relationships between this sphenoid sinus tumor and the pituitary fossa. The sphenoid sinus tumor was partially resected by sublabial transnasal approach, and the intact dura mater of the base of the pituitary fossa was confirmed. Pathologic examinations including immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies showed that the tumor was classified as a nonfunctioning acidophilic pituitary adenoma. Despite the endocrine-inactive tumor, the presence of small secretory granules in the cytoplasm demonstrated by electron microscopic studies was of significant importance in establishing the diagnosis. This rare tumor is reviewed in the literature in the context of nasopharyngeal extension of pituitary adenomas, and a possibility of ectopic occurrence and growth is also discussed in the presented case.

The expression of mycobacterial heat shock protein (HSP64) on Meth A tumour cells

Immunological cross-reactivity between Mycobacterium bovis BCG stress protein (heat shock protein: HSP64) and Meth A tumour cells was analysed by using anti-BCG HSP64 mAb whose recognition epitopes were characterized against BCG HSP64 peptides. By indirect immunofluorescence analysis (IIFA), it was found that one of seven anti-BCG HSP64 mAb, XVIIIG1, bound to the cell surface of Meth A in BALB/c mice. This result was further confirmed by western blot analysis, demonstrating the presence of a 64 kDa protein which reacted with mAb XVIIIG1 that recognizes the 110-123 amino acid peptide of the BCG HSP64. Comparison of the amino acid sequence between the mouse HSP65 and BCG HSP64 recognized by mAb XVIIIG1 revealed 50% amino acid sequence homology. It was concluded from these results that Meth A tumour cells continuously express the stress protein HSP64 as a kind of tumour-associated antigen on the surface of tumour cells.

Comparative effects of monatepil, a novel calcium antagonist with alpha 1-adrenergic-blocking activity, and nitrendipine on lipoprotein and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with hypertension

The effects of monatepil, a new calcium antagonist with alpha 1-blocking activity, and nitrendipine on lipoprotein and carbohydrate metabolism in 86 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were examined in a randomized, open-label, multicenter (32 hospitals) study. Thirty-nine patients treated with monatepil and 33 patients treated with nitrendipine completed the 12-week study. Monatepil and nitrendipine each significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Changes in heart rate were not seen in either group. Monatepil administration significantly decreased total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio, apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels, and HbA1c levels, whereas no changes in these measurements were observed in nitrendipine-treated patients. Monatepil also significantly decreased lipoprotein(a) levels, but there were no significant changes in HDL cholesterol, Apo-AI, or Apo-E levels. After nitrendipine treatment, the C peptide concentration decreased significantly, although no significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose or immunoreactive insulin levels. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that monatepil belongs to a new class of antihypertensive calcium antagonist with favorable carbohydrate metabolism and lipid-lowering activity, although the clinical importance of these findings has not been established.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a bacterial cytochrome P-450VD25 gene encoding vitamin D-3 25-hydroxylase

The gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation at position 25 of vitamin D-3 was cloned from an actinomycete strain, Amycolata autotrophica, by use of a host-vector system of Streptomyces lividans. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence revealed that this enzyme, tentatively named P-450VD25, contains several regions of strong similarity with amino acid sequences of cytochromes P-450 from a variety of organisms, primarily in the regions of an oxygen-binding site and a heme ligand pocket. Especially, P-450VD25 shows end-to-end similarity in amino acid sequence to P-450dNIR of Fusarium oxysporum and P-450SU2 of Streptomyces griseolus. The recombinant S. lividans strain containing the P-450VD25 gene on a multicopy plasmid converted vitamin D-3 in the medium into 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 at a maximum yield of 10%.

Detection of manganese superoxide dismutase mRNA in the theca interna cells of rat ovary during the ovulatory process by in situ hybridization

To determine the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species in ovulation, dynamic aspects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozyme were studied in the ovaries of rats by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Previously, mRNA levels of ovarian manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) were reported markedly to increase whilst enzymic activity of Mn-SOD decreased during the ovulatory process after treating immature rats with 10 and 5 Units, respectively, of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Levels of Cu/Zn-SOD activity and Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA were reported to remain unchanged throughout ovulation. This increase in the Mn-SOD mRNA level was shown in the present study by in situ hybridization to be localized to the theca interna cells throughout the PMSG/HCG-induced ovulatory process. The observations suggest that the turnover rate of Mn-SOD but not Cu/Zn-SOD increases specifically in the mitochondria of these cells. SOD has been postulated to play important roles in steroidogenesis. The relationship is discussed between mitochondrial functions in steroid-secreting cells and superoxide radicals and related metabolite(s).

[Cerebellar hemangioblastoma associated with fatal intratumoral hemorrhage: report of an autopsied case]

Intracranial hemorrhage associated with brain tumors is rate, but when present, it is often seen in malignant tumors such as glioblastoma and metastasis, and in meningiomas. Hemangioblastomas, benign vascular tumors, rarely develop fatal intracerebral hemorrhage. We thus documented an uncommon case of cerebellar hemangioblastoma associated with massive hemorrhage, the cause of which was thoroughly examined during autopsy. A 69-year-old man was transferred to our Service because of swallowing disturbance and dysarthria. The patient was known to have a cerebellar hemangioblastoma and hydrocephalus, for which VP shunt had been placed. Two weeks after admission he suddenly became comatose and eventually died of progressive herniation. At autopsy it was shown that the brain was edematous and covered with subarachnoid blood clots. The tumor was found involving the cerebellar vermis and the right hemisphere, protruding upward from the superior surface of the cerebellum. Horizontal sections through the cerebellum disclosed a well circumscribed tumor with adjacent hematomas involving the vermis and brain stem. The pathological diagnosis was hemangioblastoma and varix-like abnormal vessels were observed within the tumor. The sites of hematoma and tumor adjacent to the tentorial incisura and the history of VP shunting may suggest that upward herniation played a significant role in rupture of the abnormal vessels, which then led to the devastating hemorrhage in this particular case.

An investigation of the antitumor peptidoglycan fraction from squid ink

Squid ink, which has little commercial use and is usually discarded, was extracted using a Tris-HCl buffer (pH 6.8). The extract was fractionated using DEAE Sephacel ion-exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration to give a peptidoglycan fraction which exhibited strong antitumor activity against Meth-A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice following intraperitoneal administration. The fraction was composed of 7.8% peptide, 57% polysaccharide and 30% pigment. The polysaccharide component had a unique structure with equimolar ratios of GlcA, GalNAc and Fuc. Since the fraction has no direct cytotoxic effect on Meth-A cells, inhibition of tumor growth may be due to stimulation of host-mediated responses.

Response of right ventricular systolic function to exercise stress: effects of pulmonary vascular resistance on right ventricular systolic function

To elucidate factors influencing responses of right ventricular systolic function to exercise stress, we evaluated the right ventricular ejection fraction and peak ejection rate with two different loading conditions, atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis, at rest and during exercise by means of gated equilibrium blood pool radionuclide ventriculography. In both atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis, strong correlations between changes in the right ventricular ejection fraction with exercise and pulmonary vascular resistance at rest (r = -0.97, p < 0.001; r = -0.86, p < 0.005: respectively) were found. Significant correlations between changes in the right ventricular peak ejection rate with exercise and pulmonary vascular resistance at rest (r = -0.85, p < 0.05; r = -0.75, p < 0.01: respectively) were found in atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis. Both the right ventricular ejection fraction and peak ejection rate were lower during exercise than at rest when pulmonary vascular resistance at rest was more than 200 dynes.sec.cm-5.m2 in both atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis. In conclusion, right ventricular systolic function responding to exercise stress was influenced by the pulmonary vascular resistance in both atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis.