Synthetic studies of vitamin D analogs. XXII. Synthesis and antiproliferation activity of putative metabolites of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-22-oxavitamin D3

As putative metabolites of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-22-oxavitamin D3 (OCT), 24-hydroxylated OCT in 24(R) and 24(S) forms, 24-ketoOCT, 26-hydroxylated OCT in 25(S) and 25(R) forms, pentanorOCT and pentanor-ketoOCT were synthesized from the steroidal 20(S)-alcohol. Their antiproliferation activities towards human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60 cells) are also reported. Oxidized derivatives at the C-24 position, 24-ketoOCT, 24(R)-hydroxylated OCT and 24(S)-hydroxylated OCT, showed activities comparable to or slightly weaker than that of OCT, while 26-hydroxylated OCT was less active than OCT. Truncated OCT, pentanor OCT and pentanor-ketoOCT, were inactive at 10(-7)-10(-10) M.

Systematic sequencing of the 283 kb 210 degrees-232 degrees region of the Bacillus subtilis genome containing the skin element and many sporulation genes

As part of the Bacillus subtilis genome sequencing project, we have determined a 283 kb contiguous sequence from 210 degrees to 232 degrees of the B. subtilis genome. This region contains the 48 kb skin element which is excised during sporulation by a site-specific recombinase. In this region, 310 complete ORFs and one tRNA gene were identified: 66 ORFs have been sequenced and characterized previously by other workers, e.g. acc, ans, bfm, blt, bmr, comE, comG, dnaK, rpoD and sin operons; cwiA, gpr and lysA genes; many sporulation genes and operons, spo0A, spoIIA, spoIIM, spoiiP, spoIIIA, spoIIIC, spoIVB, spoIVCA, spoIVCB and spoVA, etc. The products of 84 ORFs were found to display significant similarity to proteins with known function in data banks, e.g., proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, amino acid transport (ABC transporter), phosphate-specific transport, the glycine cleavage system, the two-component regulatory system, cell wall autolysis, ferric uptake and sporulation. However, the functions of more than half of the ORFs (52%, 160 ORFs) are still unknown. In the skin element containing 60 ORFs, 32 ORFs (53%) encode proteins which have significant homology to gene products of the B. subtilis temperate phage phi 105 and/or the defective phage PBSX.

[Pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma with relatively rapid progression and remission]

A 53-year-old woman with a smoking history of 20 pack-years was admitted to the hospital because of dry coughing and exertional dyspnea that had progressed over the previous 3 months. A chest X-ray film taken one month before the onset of symptoms was almost normal. Diffuse small nodular shadows with infiltration were evident one month after the onset of symptoms, and increased rapidly until admission to the hospital. Eosinophilic granuloma was diagnosed histologically after thoracoscopy. The symptoms, chest X-ray findings and pulmonary-function data improved spontaneously after admission to the hospital and the nodular shadows had a almost completely disappeared by 5 months later; the patient continued to smoke. The present case is unique and valuable because it shows the natural course of eosinophilic granuloma from the onset of symptoms to remission.

Erythropoietin in mouse avascular yolk sacs is increased by retinoic acid

Erythropoiesis begins first in the visceral yolk sac (VYS) of the embryo; however, the involvement of erythropoietin (EPO) in yolk-sac erythropoiesis has not been studied adequately. This study reports the expression of EPO in normal and hypoxic VYSs and alterations in yolk sac components induced by retinoic acid (RA) in mice. Gravid mice (plug day = day 0 of gestation) were given one oral dose of 60 mg/kg of RA in olive oil on days 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, or 8 of gestation and were sacrificed 2.5, 3, or 3.5 days later. Control mice received olive oil without RA. None of the dams developed anemia, but more than 80% of the embryos of the dams that received RA on day 6, 6.5, or 7 of gestation had avascular yolk sacs (AVYs) and anemia. In these AVYs, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was as low as 18-59% of that in the control VYSs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern analysis of products demonstrated that mRNA for EPO receptor (EPR) was expressed in both VYSs and AVYs on days 9-11 of gestation, and EPO mRNA was present in VYSs and AVYs on days 9 and 10 of gestation and in vehicle-exposed VYSs on day 11 of gestation. Furthermore, enzyme immunoassay of EPO indicated that AVYs contained more EPO protein than control VYSs. Light microscopy revealed that, in AVYs, in addition to the defective hemopoietic cells, the endodermal layer was exclusively altered: The presence of focal proliferated regions and the separation from the mesenchyme led to a single layer from which some immature cells seemed to be migrating. Immunolocalization of EPO showed its presence in all components of VYSs with a characteristic distribution pattern: In the endodermal layer, cells with positive EPO staining decreased as gestation advanced, and erythroid precursor cells showed positive staining. In AVYs, the proliferated endodermal cells had EPO in abundance; in the separated regions, the distinction between positive and negative EPO staining became clearer than that in the control VYSs, and the immature cells in the lumens also had EPO. EPR was seen on the cell surface of the corresponding cells that reacted to EPO. These findings suggest that VYSs not only produce EPO temporarily but also respond to the oxygen content in situ. EPO and EPR appear to be synthesized in the endodermal cells of the VYSs that are likely to respond to the circumstances induced by RA.

Cloning and functional characterization of a novel rat organic anion transporter mediating basolateral uptake of methotrexate in the kidney

We have cloned a cDNA coding for a novel member of organic anion transporter, designated OAT-K1, expressed specifically in the kidney of rats. The rat OAT-K1 cDNA (2788 base pairs) had an open reading frame encoding for a 669-amino acid protein (calculated molecular mass of 74 kDa) which shows 72% identity with the cloned rat liver organic anion transporter, oatp. Northern hybridization and reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction revealed that the rat OAT-K1 messenger RNA transcript is expressed predominantly in the kidney. By use of stable LLC-PK1 cell monolayers transfected with the rat OAT-K1 cDNA, the transporter was suggested to mediate basolateral uptake of methotrexate, an anionic anticancer drug, but not taurocholate, p-aminohippurate, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene C4. The methotrexate transport by rat OAT-K1 was unaffected by the presence of Na+ or Cl- gradient. The methotrexate accumulation by the OAT-K1-expressing cells showed saturability with the apparent Km value of 1.0 microM. Folate, sulfobromophthalein, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited the methotrexate accumulation markedly. These findings suggest that the rat OAT-K1 is localized in the basolateral membranes of renal tubules, where it mediates renal clearance of methotrexate from the blood.

Anti-erythropoietin receptor monoclonal antibody: epitope mapping, quantification of the soluble receptor, and detection of the solubilized transmembrane receptor and the receptor-expressing cells

A hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody against erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) was established using the soluble ectodomain of mouse erythropoietin receptor (sEpoR) as an antigen. The monoclonal antibody termed 1G3 bound to the denatured sEpoR. Epitope mapping with peptide library revealed that 1G3 recognized the amino terminal region including the hexapeptide (positions 6 to 11; LeuProAspProLysPhe). The amino acid sequence in this hexapeptide was identical in mice, rats, and humans, and therefore 1G3 bound to EpoR from all of these sources. Using 1G3, we evaluated sEpoR by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay, and EpoR in the solubilized membrane preparation was detected by Western blotting. The cells expressing EpoR were identified with immunochemical staining. We confirmed the presence of EpoR in a neuronal cell line and PC12 cells, and EpoR was expressed in primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

A 718-kb DNA sequence of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome corresponding to the 12.7-28.0 min region on the linkage map

The 718,122 base pair sequence of the Escherichia coli K-12 genome corresponding to the region from 12.7 to 28.0 minutes on the genetic map is described. This region contains at least 681 potential open reading frames, of which 277 (41%) have been previously identified, 147 (22%) are homologous to other known genes, 139 (20%) are identical or similar to the hypothetical genes registered in databases, and the remaining 118 (17%) do not show a significant similarity to any other gene. In this region, we assigned a cluster of cit genes encoding multienzyme citrate lyase, two clusters of fimbrial genes and a set of lysogenic phage genes encoding integrase, excisionase and repressor in the e14 genetic element. In addition, a new valine tRNA gene, designated valZ, and a family of long directly repeated sequences, LDR-A, -B and -C, were found.

[The pollen count of Cryptomeria japonica and nasal symptom of Cryptomeria japonica pollinosis patients in recent three years in Mie Prefecture]

Airborne scattering of Cryptomeria japonica pollen depends on climate. Total pollen count and scattering pattern varies from one year to another. We counted Cryptomeria japonica pollen in February and March from 1993 to 1995 at several points in Mie Prefecture. One-third to two-thirds of all the patients who visited our clinic for the first time in the pollen period were occupied by allergic patients. The pollen count in 1995 amounted to 17943/cm2 at Tsu and 99512/cm2 in the whole prefecture, which is the largest in the past 12 years. The number of days in which patients severely suffered was correlated to the pollen count for the past three years. It was shown that nasal symptoms developed after certain amount of pollen had scattered, but the severity of symptoms thereafter largely depended on the total pollen count. At Tsu in 1995, we scarcely had pollen scattering in February but had tremendous amount of pollen count in March. Percentage of development of nasal symptoms among thirty patients was well correlated to the logarithm of accumulated pollen count. When accumulated pollen count reached to 100/cm2, half the patients developed symptoms. Most of the patients developed symptoms when it reached to 1000/cm2. Since there is a great interindivisual difference in when and how much patients have nasal symptoms, the choice of therapy should be based not only on the pollen count but also on the symptom and condition of each patient.

In vitro metabolism of the vitamin D analog, 22-oxacalcitriol, using cultured osteosarcoma, hepatoma, and keratinocyte cell lines

Using four cultured cell models representing liver, keratinocyte, and osteoblast, we have demonstrated that the vitamin D analog, 22-oxacalcitriol is degraded into a variety of hydroxylated and side chain truncated metabolites. Four of these metabolic products have been rigorously identified by high pressure liquid chromatography, diode array spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as 24-hydroxylated and 26-hydroxylated derivatives as well as the cleaved molecules, hexanor-1alpha,20-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and hexanor-20-oxo-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3. Comparison with chemically synthesized standards has revealed the stereochemistry of the biological products. Although differences exist in the amounts of products formed with the different cell types, it is apparent that 22-oxacalcitriol is subject to metabolism by both vitamin D-inducible and noninducible enzymes. Time course studies suggest that the truncated 20-alcohol is derived from a side chain hydroxylated molecule via a hemiacetal intermediate and the 20-oxo derivative is likely formed from the 20-alcohol. Biological activity measurements of the metabolites identified in our studies are consistent with the view that these are catabolites and that the biological activity of 22-oxacalcitriol is due to the parent compound. These results are also consistent with recent findings of others that the biliary excretory form of 22-oxacalcitriol is a glucuronide ester of the truncated 20-alcohol.

Myocardial ischemia due to vascular systemic amyloidosis: a quantitative analysis of autopsy findings on stenosis of the intramural coronary arteries

A case is reported of a 65 year old man who suffered myocardial ischemia resulting from extensive stenosis of the intramural coronary arteries secondary to systemic vascular involvement by primary amyloidosis. In the myocardium, there were multiple fibrotic foci scattered mainly in the subendocardial region of the ventricle. Intramural coronary arteries were stenotic or occlusive due to amyloid-induced luminal narrowing, but there was no significant stenosis of the epicardial coronary arteries. Quantitative analysis of amyloid deposits in the intramural coronary arteries demonstrated that occlusive arteries were predominant in the surrounding area of myocardial fibrosis, and the extent of coronary stenosis by amyloid deposition was significantly more severe than in hearts of the five control patients who had coronary amyloidosis without myocardial fibrosis. These results indicate that myocardial fibrosis originates from coronary ischemia due to vascular amyloid deposition. This is the first time that the relationship between myocardial lesions and coronary amyloid deposition has been elucidated using histopathologic quantitative analysis.

Concurrent pulmonary arterial dissection and saccular aneurysm associated with primary pulmonary hypertension

We report concurrent pulmonary arterial dissection and saccular aneurysm resulting from primary pulmonary hypertension in a 26-year-old man. The pulmonary trunk was dissected 9 cm along its entire circumference, 3 cm above the pulmonary valvular cusps. In addition, a saccular aneurysm 3.5 cm in diameter had formed at the right pulmonary hilus. Histopathology revealed marked medical degeneration and fragmentation of the elastic laminae in the former lesion and a true aneurysm with attenuation and fragmentation of elastic laminae in the latter. The peripheral vasculature in the lungs showed evidence of increased pulmonary arterial pressure, including plexiform and angiomatoid lesions. We present this unique case and discuss the pathomorphogenesis of these lesions in conjunction with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Radioprotective effects of antioxidative plant flavonoids in mice

Radioprotective effects of tea infusions and plant flavonoids were investigated by using the micronucleus test for anticlastogenic activity and the thiobarbituric acid assay for antioxidative activity. A single gastric intubation of rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) infusion at 1 ml per mouse 2 h prior to gama-ray irradiation (1.5 Gy) reduced the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs). After the fractionation of rooibos tea infusion, the flavonoid fraction was found to be most anticlastogenic and antioxidative. From this fraction, luteolin was isolated as an effective component. Then, anticlastogenic effects of 12 flavonoids containing luteolin and their antioxidative activities against lipid peroxidation by Fenton's reagent were examined. A good correlation (r=0.717) was observed between both activities. Luteolin showed the most effective potency. A gastric intubation of luteolin (10 micromoles/kg) 2 h prior to gamma-ray irradiation (6 Gy) suppressed lipid peroxidation in mouse bone marrow and spleen and a trend of protective effect of luteolin against the decrease of endogenous ascorbic acid in mouse bone marrow after gamma-ray irradiation (3 Gy) was observed. These results suggest that plant flavonoids, which show antioxidative potency in vitro, work as antioxidants in vivo and their radioprotective effects may be attributed to their scavenging potency towards free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals. Therefore, the flavonoids contained in tea, vegetables and fruits seem to be important as antioxidants in the human diet.

Immunohistochemical study of hepatic angiomyolipoma

An immunohistochemical study was performed on nine hepatic angiomyolipomas (AML) found in eight patients. Histologically, the tumors were fundamentally composed of the three heterogeneous tissue components of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells (SMC), and fat cells, although the proportions and distributions were quite variable from tumor to tumor and from area to area in the same tumor. Additionally, cellular pleomorphism and atypia with occasional bizarre giant cells were found in the SMC component. This histologic feature might lead to a mistaken diagnosis of malignant neoplasm, and pathologists should therefore be aware of the broad histologic spectrum of hepatic AML. However, the immunostaining patterns were basically the same in all nine tumors. All tumor components were negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and for cytokeratin. The spindle-shaped SMC component of the tumor was occasionally positive for vimentin, desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin, whereas epithelioid SMC were negative for all three. Both the epithelioid and spindle-shaped SMC were occasionally positive for S-100 and neuron-specific enolase. All types of SMC in the tumor, whether spindle, epithelioid, intermediate or pleomorphic SMC, were strongly positive for HMB-45, a melanoma-specific monoclonal antibody. Fat cells were occasionally positive for S-100. Endothelial cells were positive for factor VIII-associated antigen. Among hepatic tumors HMB-45 reactivity is, so far as we know, found exclusively in the SMC of AML, and the HMB-45 reactivity of a hepatic tumor is thus clearly an important piece of information in the diagnosis of AML.

Castleman's disease of the abdomen and pelvis: report of three cases and a review of the literature

Three cases of Castleman's disease (CD) of the abdomen and pelvis are reported. Tumoral lesions were located in the lymph nodes of the head of the pancreas, the gastropancreatic fold, and around the left iliac artery. Histologically, all the tumoral lesions demonstrated the hyalinevascular type of CD. This unusual presentation made CD difficult to diagnose preoperatively, since these lesions more closely resembled malignant tumors on computed tomography and angiography. We discuss the problems of diagnosing and classifying CD, together with a review of the literature.

Subcutaneous growth of Staphylococcus aureus concomitantly inoculated with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Intratumoral growth of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I-derived AP332 was examined by subcutaneous inoculation of cocci in doses ranging from 18 to 1.8 x 10(5) CFU with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Inoculation of 18 CFU AP332 resulted in staphylococcal growth in one of five mice, and the proportion of mice established intratumoral infection increased with the initial inocula. Six other strains of S. aureus also grew in the tumor tissue, and none of the three strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci grew at all. Ethanol-killed tumor cells did not promote staphylococcal growth as vigorously as the live tumor cells, especially when the initial inoculum of AP332 was smaller than 10(4) CFU.

Auxiliary method for clonal identification of Staphylococcus aureus by protein band pattern of released proteins on SDS-polyacrylamide gel

A supportive method for clonal identification of Staphylococcus aureus strains was devised. Culture supernatant obtained by cellophane surface culture was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) without performing any concentration procedure prior to electrophoresis. The combined use of cellophane surface culture and SDS-PAGE was convenient for determining whether the strains belonged to the same clone or not when conducted in conjunction with other tests for bacteriological characterization.

Effect of anaesthetic agents on the phagocytic function of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes through analysis with a phagocytic plaque method

We examined the effects of the intravenous anaesthetic agents, thiamylal and ketamine, on the phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in heparinized peripheral blood from healthy individuals using the phagocytic plaque method. Subclinical doses of thiamylal caused enhancement of the phagocytic activity of PMN and super-clinical doses of thiamylal inhibited phagocytic activity of PMN. Ketamine did not adversely affect phagocytic function at relevant therapeutic concentrations. The results presented in this manuscript indicate the phagocytic plaque method can provide a quantitative assessment of the phagocytic function of leukocytes. This method may prove useful in determining whether anaesthetic agents and other drugs adversely affect leukocyte function and hence help prevent the increased susceptibility to infection which can occur in anaesthetized patients. Conversely, the phagocytic plaque method may prove useful in the search for immune-enhancing drugs.

Transient low level of IgG3 induced by sepsis

Staphylococcus aureus sepsis developed in a 14 year old girl. Immunological evaluation revealed low level of IgG3, although total IgG level was normal. The level of IgG3 increased gradually along with the recovery from sepsis. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy might have been useful in this patient, even though the total immunoglobulin level was within normal limits.

[Combined macro-micro-endoscopic technique (COMMET) in endonasal sinus surgery: II. Objective assessment and results]

To optimize success in sinus surgery, we use a combined macro-micro-endoscopic technique (COMMET). This technique effectively combines use of the headlamp, microscope, and endoscope according to the demands of each anatomical region. Between April 1991 and March 1994, we successfully performed this technique on 461 patients (798 sides). According to CT scans, about 40% of the patients had pansinusitis, and about 30% of the patients had anterior and posterior ethmoiditis combined with inflammation of other sinuses. Hence, severe cases requiring total ethmoidectomy accounted for about 70% of all sides. All patients were operated on under general anesthesia. The objective of this operation was restoration of drainage and ventilation, and then to allow recovery of the reversible mucosal lesions. The goal of surgery was to normalize all paranasal sinuses. In many patients, there is little correlation between postoperative objective findings in the paranasal sinuses and subjective improvement. Therefore, postoperative subjective improvement cannot be used as the criterion for evaluating the improvement of sinus disease. Hence, we established an objective grading system based on CT and endoscopic findings and evaluated improvements in each sinus after drainage and ventilation had been restored. The rates of normalization over 1 year following surgery (mean follow-up time was 19-20 months) were 64% in the frontal sinus, 72% in the anterior ethmoid sinus, 68% in the maxillary sinus, 90% in the posterior ethmoid sinus and 80% in the sphenoid sinus. The results differed from sinus to sinus, suggesting that there are different factors impairing recovery in each sinus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)