Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and its mRNA in uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle

Steroid hormones, e.g. progesterone and oestradiol, may be responsible for the production and expression of a variety of angiogenic growth factors present in endometrial tissue. The expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in neovascularization after regression of the microvessels in the endometrium was examined. PD-ECGF protein expression in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle was determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Transcription levels of PD-ECGF were measured by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Southern blot technique. The data show that levels of PD-ECGF protein and mRNA in uterine endometrium did not alter during the proliferative phase prior to ovulation. During the midcycle phase a sharp transient fall in mRNA levels accompanied by a gradual drop in protein levels was observed. After ovulation transcription of PD-ECGF recovered with a sharp increase in mRNA levels which persisted during the ovulatory phase. PD-ECGF protein levels were temporarily low after ovulation, but increased remarkably through the late secretory phase. PD-ECGF expression in the endometrium seems to be inversely correlated with oestradiol concentrations during the menstrual cycle.

Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and its mRNA in ovarian cancers

The potential of growth, invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells associated with neovascularization, and the expression of platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PD-ECGF) and its mRNA in ovarian cancers were determined. The relationship between their expression and histopathological types and clinical stages of ovarian cancers was also analyzed. The levels of PD-ECGF and its mRNA were higher in ovarian cancers than in normal ovaries. Furthermore, some endometrioid carcinomas and serous cystadenocarcinomas of the ovary and some ovarian cancers in stages III and IV expressed remarkably high levels of PD-ECGF and its mRNA. Therefore, in some ovarian cancers, PD-ECGF might be related to advanced stages of ovarian cancers associated with neovascularization.

Role of macrophage scavenger receptors in diet-induced atherosclerosis in mice

To clarify the role of type I and type II macrophage scavenger receptors (MSR-A) in the progression of diet-induced atherosclerosis, we generated mice lacking both MSR-A and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). After 4 or 12 weeks of a high-fat diet, the sizes of atherosclerotic lesions in MSR-A/LDLR double knockout mice were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared with those in LDLR single knockout mice. However, atherosclerotic lesions mainly composed of foamy macrophages were still observed in double knockout mice. Formation of atherosclerotic lesions in double knockout mice was partially explained by the participation of scavenger receptors other than MSR-A such as MARCO, CD36, and macrosialin/CD68. These receptors were clearly demonstrated in the atherosclerotic lesions in double knockout mice as well as LDLR single knockout mice by immunohistochemistry or by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Because the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction was elevated in the double and single knockout mice, we further examined the possibility that VLDL may participate in foam cell formation in atherosclerotic lesions. When incubated with VLDL isolated from LDLR-deficient mice, cholesterol ester accumulation and foamy transformation occurred in MSR-A-deficient macrophages as well as in normal macrophages. These data indicate that MSR-A plays an essential role in the development of diet-induced atherosclerosis. It also appears that other scavenger receptors, such as MARCO, CD36, and macrosialin/CD68, as well as uptake of VLDL are involved in foam cell formation during atherogenesis in MSR-A/LDLR double knockout mice.

DNA polymorphism in B-domain of the estrogen receptor-alpha among Japanese women

A silent mutation in B-domain of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER B) change codon 87 (from GCG to GCC) is clinically correlated with frequent spontaneous abortion and familial history of breast cancer among Caucasian patients. However, none of the 167 Japanese female patients and 46 Japanese female healthy volunteers showed ER B variant. Therefore, this DNA polymorphism might involve a genetic racial difference, and appears not to be correlated with frequent spontaneous abortion or familial history of breast cancer at least among Japanese women.

Establishment of a new human myeloma cell line, KMS-18, having t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) derived from a case phenotypically transformed from Ig A-lambda to BJP-lambda, and associated with hyperammonemia

A new human myeloma cell line, KMS-18, was established from a 58-year-old male with multiple myeloma associated with hyperammonemia. The original leukemic cells and established KMS-18 cells possessed several of the same chromosomal abnormalities, including add(1)(q32), add(10) (q24) and add(17)(p11). In addition, the KMS-18 cells showed novel t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) masked translocation which was determined by the FISH method. Moreover, we compared the ammonia production in culture medium of the KMS-18 cell line with that of non-myeloma hematological malignant cell lines and a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. KMS-18 produced higher levels of ammonia in medium than the other cell lines examined. This new cell line may prove helpful in analyzing the role and biological mechanisms of the t(4;14)(p16.3;q32.3) translocation in myeloma and also in investigating hyperammonemia in cases with myeloma.

[Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by segmental SMANCS Lipiodol-TAE]

Segmental SMANCS Lipiodol TAE (Seg. SMANCS Lp-TAE) using SMANCS was used to treat HCC in 58 patients and was evaluated in comparison with Seg. Lp-TAE using Epirubicin performed in 50 patients with respect to the course of atrophy of the embolized area, recurrence rate and side effects. On serial CT (Lp-CT) performed after TAE, in cases with P type in which the tumor is present in the periphery of the embolized area and showing Type I homogeneous accumulation of Lp within the tumor, the incidence of atrophy in the embolized area including the tumor was high and the recurrence rate was low. Although no significant difference in the recurrence rate was noted between the groups in which SMANCS and EPI were used, there were more cases with marked atrophy and a lower recurrence rate in the former. No difference was found in post-procedural side effects such as fever between the two groups, while hypotension was rarely observed during the procedure in the group in which SMANCS was used and was easily managed with intravenous steroids. The present results suggest that Seg. SMANCS Lp-TAE is an effective local treatment for HCC limited to a subsegment or segment.

[The majority of emergency calls are erroneous]

An emergency call system has been used to summon specialists for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Kumamoto University Hospital since 1986. Many improvements have been made to the system since it was established. We performed a prospective evaluation of calls made during the period from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997. There were a total of 36 calls, but only two of them were judged to be true emergencies. While at first we considered the number of calls reflected a growing awareness of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team in the hospital, the large number of erroneous calls (94%) indicated other factors needed to be considered. Further investigation revealed the existence of a special, and little-known, telecommunication system connecting various administrative offices of the Japanese Government. Some of the phone numbers in this system are similar to the emergency call number. Thus many of the emergency calls were probably caused by administrative officers who misdialed. We are proposing to change this emergency call number.

Suppression of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin mRNA expression in the metastatic lesions of gynecological cancers

To know the biological role of adherens junction, mainly consisting of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenins, associated with invasion and metastasis of ovarian, uterine endometrial and cervical cancers, we studied the expression of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin mRNAs in the metastatic lesions in comparison with those in the primary tumors. The integral expression of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin mRNAs in the metastatic lesions in comparison with that of the primary tumors was suppressed in 4 of 5 cases of ovarian cancers, all cases of uterine endometrial cancers, and 4 of 5 cases of uterine cervical cancers. Therefore, the suppressed expression of the main adhesion molecules in the adherence junction might contribute to the cell-to-cell junctional dysfunction, which might lead to the acquisition of invasiveness and metastatic potential of gynecological cancers as one of the rate-limiting steps.

Long-term benefits of internal thoracic artery-coronary artery bypass in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the effects of grafting the internal thoracic artery (ITA) to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) on long-term (10-year) survival, the cardiac death-free rate, and on the cardiac event-free rate in Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND

The use of ITA grafts has been reported to enhance postoperative survival and to decrease the occurrence of cardiac events in the Western literature. However, the survival benefits in Japanese patients, who may have different prognoses with coronary artery disease and a different fate of a saphenous vein graft, have not yet been determined.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 954 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft operations (CABG) during the last 12 years at the Nara Medical University were followed and evaluated. Of these, 713 patients underwent ITA-CABG to at least the LAD (ITA group), and 241 patients received a saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the LAD (SVG group). At the time of operation, no significant difference was found between these two groups in age, sex ratio left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac index, incidence of unstable angina, or in the necessity for an emergency operation. However, those patients who received ITA-CABG had significantly higher incidences of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and left main coronary artery disease.

RESULTS

The 10-year cumulative graft patency rate for the LAD was 23% higher in the ITA group (90.3%) compared to the SVG group (67.0%), (p < .0001). Despite increased preoperative risk factors, patients in the ITA group showed significant improvements in their 5- and 10-year cumulative survival rates as well as in their cardiac death-free and event-free rates. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that ITA grafts improved the prognoses of patients with diabetes mellitus or left ventricular dysfunction and lowered both the long-term postoperative cardiac-death rate and the cardiac-event rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ITA grafts was effective in improving both the postoperative survival and cardiac event-free rates, and should be recommended in patients with diabetes mellitus or left ventricular dysfunction. ITA grafting to the LAD should be a routine operation in almost all categories of such patients.

Characterisation of C-type natriuretic peptide receptors in the gill of dogfish Triakis scyllia

Only C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been identified in primitive elasmobranch fish. CNP is the most conserved molecule in the natriuretic peptide family, suggesting that it is the ancestral type. As a first step to investigating the ancestral type of natriuretic peptide receptors, CNP receptors were characterised in an elasmobranch (dogfish, Triakis scyllia) by radioligand-binding analysis using 125I-[Tyr0]-dogfish (df)CNP. None of the modifications of the CNP molecule that occur at the time of iodination (addition of a Tyr residue at the N-terminus, introduction of iodine into Tyr0 or oxidation of Met17) affect the affinity of dfCNP for the receptors. Neither did oxidation of Met17 decrease the ability of CNP to stimulate cGMP production. In the tissues examined, CNP receptors were densest in the gill cells followed by the intestine, interrenal gland and rectal gland, all of which are involved in osmoregulation in elasmobranchs. CNP-stimulated guanylate cyclase (GC) activity was highest in the interrenal gland, intestine, brain and rectal gland, followed by the gill cells. Since the gill cells seem to contain both GC-coupled and uncoupled receptors, this tissue was used to characterise dogfish CNP receptors. Scatchard analysis of the saturation isotherm revealed two classes of binding site: one has a Kd of 24.0 pM and Bmax of 59.9 fmol/mg protein, and the other has low affinity (Kd > 1 nM) and high capacity (Bmax > 200 fmol/mg protein). The higher-affinity binding sites may represent GC-uncoupled receptors, because C-ANF, a specific ligand for GC-uncoupled receptors, almost completely displaced CNP binding. Affinity-labelling experiments showed that dogfish receptors have molecular masses of about 90, 170 and 340 kDa, and CNP binding to the former two receptors is inhibited by C-ANF. After reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, most 170 kDa labelling was shifted to 90 kDa. It is concluded that GC-uncoupled receptors in the dogfish gill have higher molecular mass than those of mammals and eel (about 65 kDa), and are present mostly as monomers even in non-reducing conditions. However, a small population of GC-coupled receptors is also present, as demonstrated by an increase in cGMP production.

[Successful operation on giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura]

A 68-year-old man began complaining of dizziness and dyspnea on exertion 2 months ago. Chest X-ray and CT scan taken on admission revealed a giant tumor occupying almost all of the right thoracic cavity. The mediastinum, especially RA and IVC, was markedly oppressed and shifted by the tumor. MRI showed no invasive lesions of the tumor into adjacent organs. An operation was performed under the tentative diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura by transcutaneous needle biopsy. The tumor was encapsulated and resected from the lower lobe of the right lung using a surgical stapler. Then the tumor was carefully dissected from the chest wall, pericardium and diaphragma, and removed completely. It weighed 3920 g and measured 22 x 20 x 20 cm. Various immunohistochemical properties of the specimen were morphologically compatible with SFT. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is now free of complaints. Because malignant cases of SFT have been reported a careful follow-up will be performed.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its mRNA in advanced ovarian cancers

To investigate whether growth, invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells is associated with neovascularization, the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and its mRNA in ovarian cancers and normal ovaries as controls were determined by ELISA and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blot, respectively. The relationships between the expression and the histological grading, clinical backgrounds or clinical staging in ovarian cancers were analyzed. The levels of basic FGF and its mRNA were significantly higher in advanced primary ovarian cancers, regardless of histological types and some clinical backgrounds. Therefore, this status might contribute to the acceleration of growth, invasion, and metastasis with neovascularization in advanced ovarian cancers.

Myosin light-chain phosphorylation controls insulin secretion at a proximal step in the secretory cascade

The aim of this study was to investigate how insulin secretion is controlled by phosphorylation of the myosin light chain (MLC). Ca2+-evoked insulin release from pancreatic islets permeabilized with streptolysin O was inhibited by different monoclonal antibodies against myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) to an extent parallel to their inhibition of purified MLCK. Anti-MLCK antibody also inhibited insulin release caused by the stable GTP analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiodiphosphate), even at a substimulatory concentration (0.1 microM) of Ca2+. Free Ca2+ increased MLC peptide phosphorylation by beta-cell extracts in vitro. In contrast to the phosphorylation by purified MLCK or by calmodulin (CaM) kinase II, the activity partially remained with the beta-cell under nonstimulatory Ca2+ (0.1 microM) conditions. The MLCK inhibitor ML-9 inhibited the activity in the beta-cell with both substimulatory and stimulatory Ca2+, whereas KN-62, an inhibitor of CaM kinase II, only exerted an influence in the latter case. ML-9 decreased intracellular granule movement in MIN6 cells under basal and acetylcholine-stimulated conditions. We propose that MLC phosphorylation may modulate translocation of secretory granules, resulting in enhanced insulin secretion.

Local synthesis of natriuretic peptides in the eel intestine

The intestine is a major osmoregulatory organ in euryhaline fishes which allows them to survive in the sea, and natriuretic peptides have been implicated in regulation of transmural transport. Atrial (ANP) and ventricular natriuretic peptide (VNP) were identified in eel intestine. Elution profiles of ANP and VNP from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were determined by radioimmunoassay using highly specific antisera. Elution times of immunoreactive ANP and VNP in HPLC were identical to those of authentic peptide standards and were consistent with the relative molecular masses of these peptides. Tissue localization of ANP and VNP was accomplished by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactive cells were observed in the epithelium of anterior, middle, and posterior regions of intestine. Reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from intestine and subsequent polymerase chain reaction amplification yielded appropriate-size products consistent with ANP and VNP expression. Together, these data show that natriuretic peptides are synthesized locally in eel intestine, rather than trapped from the circulation.

Early song-deprivation affects the expression of protein kinase C in the song control nuclei of the zebra finch during a sensitive period of song learning

Male zebra finches learn to imitate a tutor's song through auditory and motor learning during a sensitive period. The molecular aspects of auditory-dependent learning was investigated using protein kinase C (PKC) as a molecular marker for synaptic plasticity. We found a transient increase in the expression of PKC in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) during a sensitive period. Furthermore, both early deafening by cochlea removal and song deprivation inhibited the increase of PKC enzyme activity. The results strongly suggest that PKC is an important enzyme related to the synaptic plasticity of RA neurons during a sensitive period of song learning in the zebra finch.

Transient liver accumulation of Tc-99m phytate in hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous ethanol injection

PURPOSE

We report that colloid liver scanning gave early evidence of the return to normal of Kupffer cell functions after ethanol injections into the liver.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A 71-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma received percutaneous ethanol injections twice of 15 mL of ethanol, 1 week apart.

RESULTS

Abdominal CT after the second injection showed an irregularly shaped low-density area in the left side of the tumor, extending outside the tumor. Liver imaging with To-99m phytate 10 days later showed increased activity at the corresponding site. Thirty days after the second injection, liver imaging did not show high activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanol that leaked into the normal part of the liver probably temporarily activated Kupffer cell function.

[Propofol anesthesia for a schizophrenic patient]

A 41-year-old man weighing 68 kg was scheduled for bilateral tonsillectomy because of palmoplantar pustulosis. The patient had been diagnosed as schizophrenic 10 years earlier. Psychotropic agents, mosapramine (75 mg.day-1), bromperidol (6 mg.day-1), cloxazolam (3 mg.day-1), biperiden (1 mg.day-1) and nitrazepam (5 mg as needed), were administered until the day before surgery. On the day of surgery, atropine (0.g mg) and midazolam (4 mg) were administered intramuscularly as premedication. Anesthesia was induced by intravenous propofol (120 mg) and fentanyl (100 microgram) followed by nasotracheal intubation using vecuronium (7 mg). Anesthesia was maintained with inhalation of oxygen and nitrous oxide (2 l.min-1 each) and the intravenous infusion of propofol (5-10 mg.kg-1 x h-1) supplemented by fentanyl (100 microgram). The patient recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. Immediately after surgery, intravenous haloperidol (5 mg) and intramuscular biperiden (1 mg) were given. The daily oral administration of psychotropics was resumed on the first postoperative day. There were no complications such as hypotension, arrhythmia, or worsening of the mental condition, throughout the course.

Clinical implication of expression of progesterone receptor form A and B mRNAs in secondary spreading of gynecologic cancers

This study was designed to determine the clinical implication of expression of progesterone receptor form A (PR-A) and B (PR-B) mRNAs in secondary spreading of gynecologic cancers. Approximately equal expression of PR-A and PR-B mRNAs was designated as type AB and dominant expression of PR-B mRNA as type B. Alteration from type AB to type B in the metastatic cancers occurred in 3/8 cases of uterine endometrial cancers, 2/8 cases of uterine cervical cancers, and 2/8 cases of ovarian cancers. Other cancers revealed type B regardless of primary or metastatic status. Thus, all metastatic cancers studied revealed type B. These results suggest that transcription of PR-A mRNA may be damaged, which might lead to uncontrolled overexpression of PR-B mRNA in metastatic lesion, and that the type B status could reveal a highly malignant phenotype in these three gynecologic cancers.

Cholinergic innervation of the song control nuclei by the ventral paleostriatum in the zebra finch: a double-labeling study with retrograde fluorescent tracers and choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry

During the sensitive period of song learning, the content of acetylcholine and the enzyme activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) increase remarkably in the song control nuclei of a young male zebra finch. Cholinergic fibers innervate the two main song control nuclei of the forebrain: the higher vocal center (HVC) and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). The present study combines the retrograde tracer, Fluoro-Red (FRe), with ChAT immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that the cholinergic fibers which innervate the RA and HVC originate from the ventral paleostriatum (VP) in the basal forebrain, and that there is an anterior-posterior topography in the location of the cholinergic neurons in the VP that project to the HVC and RA, although there are a few neurons which project to both nuclei. These findings suggest that the VP is homologous to the nucleus basalis of Meynert of the basal forebrain cholinergic system of mammals which is associated with learning and memory processes, and that the cholinergic neurons in the VP play an important role in avian song learning.

TNF-alpha stimulates the biosynthesis of complement C3 and factor B by human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells

The human umbilical cord vein (HUVEC) endothelial cells synthesize and secrete complement components. We analyzed the regulation of biosynthesis of the third component of complement (C3) and factor B (Bf) by cytokines in endothelial cells. Production of C3 increased after stimulation with TNF-alpha or IL-1beta and that of Bf with TNF-alpha, TNF-beta and IFN-gamma. TNF-alpha was the most effective in stimulating the secretion of C3 and Bf or the expression of mRNA of C3 or Bf. Preincubation with TNF-alpha for at least 36 or 24 h was needed for the stimulation, respectively. TNF-alpha, together with IFN-gamma had synergistic effects and the release of C3 or Bf increased to about 40- and 26-fold higher than those in control cells after incubation with both cytokines.

Expression of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin mRNAs in ovarian cancers

To know the biological role of the adherens junction, mainly consisting of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenins, associated with invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancers, we studied the expressions of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin mRNAs in the cancers in comparison with those in normal counterparts. The integral expression of E-cadherin and alpha- and, beta-catenin mRNAs was suppressed in the metastatic lesions of advanced ovarian cancers, while it was not in the primary tumors. Therefore, the suppressed expression of main adhesion molecules in the adherens junction might contribute to adherens junctional dysfunction, which might lead to the acquirement of invasiveness and metastatic potential by advanced ovarian cancers as one of the rate-limiting steps.