(1-Benzylindole-3-yl)alkanoic acids; novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5 alpha-reductase (I)

A novel series of indole-3-alkanoic acids with varied N-benzyl substituents were synthesized as nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5 alpha-reductase. The structure-activity relationships in this series were studied and the optimum carboxylic acid side chain was butyric acid. Furthermore, compounds with a diaryl substituent at the 1-position of the indole ring displayed strong inhibitory activities in vitro. Amongst these derivatives, 4-[1-(6,6-dimethyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-3-yl)methylindol-3-yl]b uty ric acid (FR119680) displayed very high inhibitory activity in vitro against rat prostatic 5 alpha-reductase (IC50 = 5.0 nM) and good in vivo activity in the castrated young rat model.

In vitro expansion of CD34+/CD41+ cells from human peripheral blood CD34+/CD41- cells: role of cytokines for in vitro proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytic progenitors

The aim of this study is to clarify the transitional change of the proliferation and differentiation of human peripheral blood CD34+ cells to megakaryocytic lineage, focusing on its clinical application. We developed a rapid system to purify human peripheral blood CD34+ cells from healthy volunteers, which produced CD34+ cells with a 90% purity. The purified CD34+ cells predominantly consisted of CD41- cells, and the rate of coexpression of CD41 was 0.6% +/- 0.5%. When the purified cells were cultured in liquid phase for 10 days in the presence of recombinant human stem cell factor (rSCF: a ligand for c-kit), interleukin-3 (rIL-3), and thrombopoietin (rTPO: a ligand for Mpl), the number of CD34+/CD41+ cells increased to 19% +/- 7% of total expanded cells on day 4 (4 days of liquid culture) and then gradually decreased to 2.2% +/- 0.6% on day 10. The absolute number of CD34+/CD41+ cells increased and reached a plateau on day 6, and 1.7 +/- 0.6 x 10(5) CD34+/CD41+ cells were produced by 1 x 10(5) CD34+/CD41- day 0 cells. The CD34-/CD41+ cells appeared on day 6, continuously increased in number until day 10, and constituted the main population of expanded cells on day 10, with a value of 38% +/- 18%. On day 10, 19.5 +/- 10.6 x 10(5) of CD34-/CD41+ cells were produced by 1 x 10(5) CD34+/CD41- day 0 cells. The deletion of rTPO from this cytokine combination decreased the number of CD34+/CD41+ and CD34-/CD41+ cells, after days 6 and 8, respectively. Day 0 cells required rIL-3 for promoting colonies containing megakaryocytes, whereas rTPO alone promoted almost no megakaryocytic colonies from day 0 cells. Thus, a combination of IL-3 and SCF expands CD34+/CD41+ cells from CD34+/CD41- cells, and TPO mainly acts to increase CD34-/CD41+ cells. This study suggests that if the expansion of CD34+/CD41+ is performed in vitro, the 6 days' culture of peripheral blood CD34+/CD41- cells with a combination of IL-3 and SCF with TPO provides the most rapid and stable products of CD34+/CD41+ cells for the rapid recovery of platelets in patients with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Lysosomal glycogen storage disease with normal acid maltase with early fatal outcome

In a male infant who had cardiomyopathy, generalized muscle weakness and increased serum creatine kinase levels, his muscle biopsy revealed myopathic changes with tiny intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing PAS-positive material and high acid phosphatase activity, but had normal acid maltase activity biochemically. These findings were consistent with those seen in lysosomal glycogen storage disease with normal acid maltase (Danon disease). Sarcolemmal indentations commonly seen in this disease were missing, but a complement membrane attack complex, C5b-9 was positive along the surface membrane of the muscle fibers as seen in X-linked vacuolar myopathy. The patient was on a respirator and died at 27 months of age from pneumonia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Lysosomal glycogen storage disease with normal acid maltase may be manifested at birth with marked skeletal and cardiac involvement leading to death in early infancy.

[Evaluation of estimated blood concentration of propofol on wake-up using "ConGrase", a software to control the syringe pump for propofol infusion]

We developed a software to control a Graseby 3500 syringe pump for propofol infusion through the serial port of Apple Macintosh/Power-Macintosh computer. This software, "ConGrase", was developed with Metrowerks CodeWarrior Professional (CWP 1) and PowerPlant framework using C++. ConGrase communicates with the syringe pump at least every three seconds, and calculates the estimated blood concentration (EBC) of propofol based on the amount of propofol actually infused by applying either the Euler or Runge-Kutta method using the three-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The parameter sets reported by Gepts et al. are used. ConGrase was released at the 44 th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Anesthesiology, and is distributed freely. The mean and S.D. of the emergence EBC calculated by ConGrase were 1.22 micrograms.ml-1 and 0.16 microgram.ml-1, respectively. These values are almost the same as values already reported outside Japan. The necessary wake-up time can be calculated with this estimated concentration. With this system, anesthetists can control the EBC at the required level and avoid long delays before the patients wake up after anesthesia.

Distribution and neuropeptide content of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in arteries and conduction system of the rat heart

The rat heart receives its blood supply not only from the coronary arteries but also from the accessory coronary arteries that supply mainly the atria. The distribution and chemical nature of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in the conduction system as well as the coronary and accessory coronary arteries were investigated using immunohistochemistry and NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. A few NADPH-d-positive nerve fibers were observed mainly around the main trunk of the coronary arteries, while NADPH-d-positive fibers were found along the entire course of the accessory coronary arteries from their main branches to the arteriolar level. A double-staining method demonstrated that NADPH-d-positive fibers innervating both the coronary and accessory coronary arteries contained vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or neuropeptide Y. NADPH-d-positive fibers were relatively abundant in the sinus node and penetrating bundle but were very sparse in the atrioventricular node and right bundle branch. No NADPH-d-positive fibers were detected in the left bundle branch. Some of the NADPH-d-positive fibers innervating the penetrating bundle exhibited distinct immunoreactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide. These results suggest that nitric oxide may play a role as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in the neural control of the cardiac blood flow and impulse conduction.

Recurrent dorsal angulation of the distal radius fracture during dynamic external fixation

Thirty-three fractures of the distal radius treated with a dynamic external fixator (that allowed for wrist motion between 2 to 4 weeks after surgery) were analyzed, focusing on loss of fracture reduction during external fixation. Fractures with preoperative dorsal angulation greater than 20 degrees and those involving the distal radioulnar joint had a significantly larger loss of reduction of dorsal angulation (8.9 degrees and 6.9 degrees, respectively) than fractures with less severe preoperative dorsal angulation or those with an intact distal radioulnar joint (3.0 degrees and 2.6 degrees, respectively). In contrast, preoperative radial shortening (>2 mm) and involvement of the radiocarpal joint did not significantly increase the loss of dorsal angulation. Neither of the 2 dynamic external fixation systems studied consistently stabilized Colles' fractures with preoperative dorsal angulation of greater than 20 degrees or involvement of the distal radioulnar joint.

[Myelodysplastic syndrome (RAEB in T) developed in a renal allograft recipient]

A 46-year-old man who had been treated with azathioprine (150 mg/day) and prednisolone (7.5-10 mg/day) for 16 years after allogeneic renal transplantation was admitted to our hospital in July 1996 for evaluation of pancytopenia. Three years earlier he had been given a diagnosis of renal pelvic and ureteral cancer, and underwent left nephrectomy with total uretectomy. His bone marrow was normocellular with excess of blasts (27.6%), and displayed trilineage myelodysplasia. A chromosomal analysis of the bone marrow revealed 43-45, XY with del (1) (p13), -5, del (7) (q22), -17, -18, and -19. The patient was given a diagnosis of refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB in T), and treated with idarubicin and cytosine arabinoside. Two months later, overt acute leukemia developed and reinduction chemotherpay was started, but the patient died of cerebral hemorrhage in October. This case suggests that immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine might play an important role in the pathogenesis of MDS (RAEB in T) and renal pelvic and ureteral cancer after renal transplantation.

Different adhesive characteristics and VLA-4 expression of CD34(+) progenitors in G0/G1 versus S+G2/M phases of the cell cycle

We identified the cell cycle status of CD34(+) cells of steady-state bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) obtained from healthy volunteers, and those of apherasis PB samples collected from healthy donors who had been administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). More than 10% of CD34(+) cells in BM were in S+G2/M phase. In contrast, regardless of whether G-CSF treatment was performed, less than 2% of CD34(+) cells in PB were cycling. BM CD34(+) cells showed greater VLA-4 expression and adherence to stromal cells than PB CD34(+) cells. In addition, when cycling and dormant BM CD34(+) cells were analyzed separately, the cells in S+G2/M phase expressed more VLA-4 and adhered to the stromal cell monolayer more efficiently than the cells in G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, this adhesion of CD34(+) cells to the stromal cell layer was almost completely inhibited by anti-VLA-4 antibody. Taken together, these results suggest that CD34(+) progenitors in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle differ from those in S+G2/M phase in adhesiveness mediated by VLA-4 in the hematopoietic microenvironment.

[Autoimmune thrombocytopenia following syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation]

A 35-year-old man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (follicular small cleaved, B cell, stage IVB) received double myeloablative chemotherapy with syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Although platelet recovery was delayed until day 29 after the second transplantation, thereafter trilineage hematopoietic reconstitution was achieved. The evaluation after PBSCT did not detect any residual tumor. The patient was in good health until day 138, when his platelet count suddenly began falling; on day 150, it had fallen to 1.5 x 10(4)/microliter, and the patient was re-admitted for treatment. The bone marrow was normocellular with a normal count and megakaryocyte structure. Other examinations, including serological tests and computed tomography of the neck, chest, abdomen, and retroperitoneum, did not indicate a recurrence of NHL or reveal the cause of thrombocytopenia. The patient's platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) level was at 70.9 ng/10(7) platelets (normal range: 9-25 ng/10(7) platelets); a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia due to an autoimmune mechanism such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was made. Prednisolone therapy increased the platelet count and reduced the PAIgG level. Thrombocytopenia with an ITP-like mechanism rarely occurs more than 100 days after autologous or syngeneic stem cell transplantation, and should be taken into consideration as a late complication of PBSCT.

Erythropoietin induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2, STAT5A, and STAT5B in primary cultured human erythroid precursors

We examined signaling by erythropoietin in highly purified human colony forming unit-erythroid cells, generated in vitro from CD34(+) cells. We found that erythropoietin induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2, STAT5A, and STAT5B. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 reaches a peak around 10 minutes after stimulation and is maximum at 5 U/mL of erythropoietin. Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 is accompanied by the translocation of activated STAT5 to the nucleus as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using 32Pi-labeled STAT5 binding site in the beta-casein promoter. Tyrosine phosphorylation STAT1 or STAT3 was not detected in human erythroid precursors after stimulation with erythropoietin. Crkl, an SH2/SH3 adapter protein, becomes coimmunoprecipitated specifically with STAT5 from erythropoietin-stimulated erythroid cells; although it was shown to become associated with c-Cbl in the studies using cell lines. Thus, human erythroid precursors can be expanded in vitro in sufficient numbers and purity to allow its usage in signal transduction studies. This report sets a basis for further studies on signaling in primary cultured human erythroid precursors, which in turn contribute to our better understanding in the differentiation processes of erythrocytes and their precursors.

[Gamma-heavy chain disease associated with MALT lymphoma of the duodenum]

We report a case of a 63-year-old woman with gamma heavy chain disease (HCD) associated with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the duodenum. She was suffering from drug-resistant tonsillitis with high fever. Examination on admission showed leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow aspirate revealed granulocytosis and a hypocellular marrow with no increase in plasma cells or atypical lymphocytes. Serum electrophoresis disclosed, in addition to hypogamma-globulinemia, an abnormal band due to the presence of gamma HCD protein. This abnormal protein was a molecular weight of approximately 40 kd as determined by Western blots technique, and belonged to the IgG1 subclass as determined by ELISA with monoclonal antibodies against IgG. An endoscopic examination of the patient's duodenum found a small tumorous lesion, which was confirmed pathologically to be MALT lymphoma. HCD is known to be associated with lymphoproliferative diseases. In this case, gamma HCD had developed as a secondary complication of MALT lymphoma. gamma HCD associated with MALT lymphoma of the duodenum is rare in the literature.

Complications of leukocytapheresis

Recently leukocytapheresis (LCAP) has attracted attention as a new therapy for ulcerative colitis. We reviewed the complications associated with LCAP carried out in our department during the period from December 1992 to September 1997. There were side effects during 195 (9.9%) of the 1,978 sessions performed, involving 47 (51.1%) of the 92 patients treated. Moderate reactions, which caused considerable discomfort to the patients and required the transient interruption of the administration or some medical treatment depending on the state, occurred during 31 (1.6%) of all therapy sessions, involving 15 (16%) patients. All patients recovered soon and never fell into a life-threateningly severe state. They also did not have any symptoms afterwards. The common side effects were nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and nasal obstruction. Reactions such as palpitations, respiratory distress, or chest oppressions were common, especially when heparin sodium (HS) was used as the anticoagulant. The type and frequency of side effects depended somewhat on the length of the therapy series or the duration of one session. Other complications such as clotting in the leukocyte removal filter and/or blood line during administration were encountered frequently. These latter problems occurred during 46% of all sessions, but most of them had little significance. Sessions in which HS was used as the anticoagulant showed more severe clotting than those in which nafamostat mesilate (NM) was used. In our series, we experienced a relatively low rate of serious complications. We require, of course, careful observation during and after each session.

Sarcomatous hepatocellular carcinoma with malignant ascites. A report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Although some cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are known to possess a sarcomatous appearance, their cytologic characteristics in ascites have not been reported.

CASES

Two Japanese males, aged 67 and 60 were admitted to the Gifu Municipal Hospital because of liver tumors. In the first case, although transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed, ascites with neoplastic cells continued to enlarge, and the patient died of liver failure. In the second case, although TAE, percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed, the patient died of tumor progression: expansion of the hepatic tumor, metastases to distal organs and increasing malignant ascites. Neoplastic cells in the ascites of both cases had nuclei that were shaped irregularly or were vesicular and contained conspicuous nucleoli. A number of multinucleated giant cells were also seen. Immunocytochemically, numerous neoplastic cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein. These findings suggested sarcomatous HCC. Also, histologic findings of the liver tumors at autopsy showed the appearance of sarcomatous HCC.

CONCLUSION

In both cases presented, HCC cells with sarcomatous change were observed in ascites. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the cytologic diagnosis of sarcomatous HCC in ascites.

Reconstitution of F1-ATPase activity from Escherichia coli subunits alpha, beta and subunit gamma tagged with six histidine residues at the C-terminus

An engineered gamma subunit of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase with extra 14 and 20 amino acid residues at the N- and C-termini (His-tag gamma), respectively, was overproduced in E. coli and purified. Six histidines are included in the C-terminal extension. The reconstituted F1 containing alpha, beta, and His-tagged gamma exhibited sixty percent of the wild-type ATPase activity. The reconstituted alphabeta His-tag gamma complex was subjected to affinity chromatography with nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) agarose resin. ATPase activity was eluted specifically with imidazole. These results implied that the tag sequence protruded to the surface of the complex and did not seriously impair the activity. The reconstituted alphabeta His-tag gamma complex, even after its binding to the resin, exhibited ATPase activity suggesting that the gamma subunit, when fixed to a solid phase, may rotate the alphabeta complex. This system may provide a new approach for analysis of the rotation mechanisms in F1-ATPase.

Therapeutic cytapheresis for inflammatory bowel disease

Cytapheresis therapy has recently been investigated as a treatment for several diseases, especially autoimmune related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease. The removal of leukocyte components has been performed by the centrifugal method; however, using fiber technology or column technology, leukocyte components can be removed simply, and these technologies are more effective than the centrifugal method in removing numbers of cells. Each of 3 types of leukocytapheresis methods removes a different kind of cell in its therapeutic principle. Thus, if we understand what kind of cells should be removed, we can choose the best method for removing leukocytes. For this reason, the authors propose an international standard for unifying names. The therapy that makes use of a centrifuge to selectively remove about 40% of neutrophils and more than 60% of lymphocytes may be called a lymphocyte removal therapy, lymphocytapheresis (LCA). Using cellulose acetate beads in a G-1 granulocyte removal column, granulocytes and monocytes are removed but not lymphocytes, so we suggest calling this granulocytapheresis (GCAP). In addition, using a leukocyte removal filter, the Cellsorba leukocyte removal filter, 99% of both granulocytes and monocytes and about 70% of lymphocytes are removed. We propose calling this leukocytapheresis (LCAP). In the near future, we hope that we will be able to select one of these methods for cytapheresis for each disease pathogenesis or cellular immune abnormality. Presently, a lot of research is on-going to analyze how cytapheresis is effective for the immune related diseases. The mechanism of cytapheresis will be clarified by investigators. We strongly believe that cytapheresis therapies offer good news to those patients suffering from incurable diseases as well as their physicians.

Role of glutamate receptors and voltage-dependent calcium and sodium channels in the extracellular glutamate/aspartate accumulation and subsequent neuronal injury induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation in cultured hippocampal neurons

Ischemia is believed to induce neuronal damage by causing a sustained increase in the level of extracellular excitatory amino acids. In our study, we have examined the relationship between oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced changes in extracellular glutamate/aspartate level and subsequent neuronal injury by pharmacological manipulation of glutamate receptors and calcium and sodium channels. Cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to combined deprivation of oxygen/glucose for 40 to 50 min. These cultures developed acute neuronal swelling and widespread neuronal degeneration over the next 20 hr. The extracellular levels of glutamate and aspartate at the end of the oxygen/glucose deprivation period were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and neuronal injury was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase efflux assay after subsequent aerobic incubation of the cells in normal medium for 20 hr. Both N-methyl-D-aspartate and non- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists attenuated the extracellular level of glutamate/aspartate and the neuronal injury. L-type, N-type and P-type calcium channel blockers each significantly attenuated the neuronal injury, although the increase in the extracellular glutamate/aspartate was not significantly inhibited by any subtype-specific calcium channel blocker alone. A combination of calcium channel blockers of the three subtypes showed the most prominent neuroprotective effect and inhibited glutamate release. The sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin also attenuated both glutamate efflux and neuronal injury. These observations suggest that the overactivation of glutamate receptors, calcium channels and sodium channels leads to excitotoxic neuronal injury through enhancing glutamate efflux into the extracellular space under the condition of oxygen/glucose deprivation.

[A study of Article 32 of the Mental Health Act analysis of those who made applications under Article 32]

Article 32 of the Mental Health Act was enacted in 1965 and entitles psychiatric outpatients to financial aid towards payment of psychiatric care costs. Psychiatric outpatients can make applications under Article 32 voluntarily at local public health centers. These centers are operated by the prefectural governments. Therefore, records of the applications are kept by the local public health centers. In order to study the effects of Article 32 on psychiatric care, we analyzed the records of those who applied for such benefits in I. County of Shiga Prefecture, at the K. local Public Health Center, and performed a comparative analysis of applicants vs. non-applicants. We also tried to find out which psychiatric illnesses were more significantly represented among those who applied than among those who did not. Our study showed that about 43.5 percent of all psychiatric outpatients in I. County had made applications for Article 32 benefits. This was significantly higher than any former percentages that had been anticipated. We also discovered that a significantly higher number of people with schizophrenia, atypical psychosis and epilepsy could be identified among those who had applied for benefits than those who had not applied. On the other hand, the number of people with neurosis and emotional disorders seemed higher among those who did not apply for the benefits. In addition, the study indicated that a large proportion of those who applied belonged to the 40 s and 50 s age group and to the group with chronic psychiatric problems. All of the above make it clear that Article 32 has been effective in making psychiatric care accessible to those people who suffer from chronic mental diseases over quite a long period time.

Growth characteristics of myelodysplastic CD34+ cells

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of disorders of hematopoiesis entailing hyperproliferative and ineffective hematopoiesis associated with morphologic evidence of marrow cell dysplasia resulting in refractory cytopenia(s), and an increased risk of transformation into acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). The administration of colony-stimulating factor(s) (CSFs) to patients with MDS increased blood neutrophil concentrations, in most patients, and it was anticipated to be of benefit to prevent infections. The progression to AML while being treated with CSFs has come under close scrutiny. In vitro studies are expected to produce more pertinent criteria for selection of patients who are likely to benefit, as well as the overall benefits of various therapies. For this purpose, in vitro colony assays are an excellent approach for investigation of the biologic characteristics of MDS progenitor cells. The stem cell phenotype CD34 is the one of the best markers of progenitor cells, and can be used for the purification of these cells to unify levels of maturation; a direct comparison of proliferative and differentiative capacity of MDS progenitor cells with normal CD34+ cells can thus be made. The properties of MDS CD34+ cells are described here in association with proliferation and differentiation, with special emphasis on the role of stem cell factor (a ligand for c-kit) in leukemic type growth of MDS CD34+ cells.

Characterization and expression of a stage specific antigen by monoclonal antibody TRA 54 in testicular germ cells

To study the mechanism of spermatogenesis, we have isolated many monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which recognize specific steps of mouse germ cell differentiation and then have evaluated the specific expression and characterization of antigenic molecules using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Monoclonal antibody TRA 54 recognized specific organelles in germ cell cytoplasm from spermatocytes to spermatids; that is, a large granule was stained in mid-late pachytene, diplotene and secondary spermatocytes and in round spermatids at stage I while the acrosome of spermatids at steps 2-3 to step 12 were also positive. Thereafter, the antigens disappeared from spermatids at more advanced stages of differentiation. Western blots using TRA 54 revealed broad bands with approximate molecular weights of >200, 190 and 85 kDa in the testis. The expression of these antigens during testicular germ cell development should be of interest in relation to the biogenesis of organelles such as the chromatoid body and acrosome and will be a useful stage-specific molecular marker for the study of spermatogenesis.

[Pilot study of relapsed osteosarcoma and brain tumor with ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE therapy)]

Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide (ICE) therapy was used to treat 4 patients, 2 with refractory osteosarcoma, and one each with relapsed brain tumor and newly diagnosed brain tumor. ICE therapy was administered in doses of Ifosfamide 1,800 mg/m2 x 5, Carboplatin 400 mg/m2 x 2 and Etoposide 100 mg/m2 x 5. A total of 30 courses were administered. Two cases of osteosarcoma had a stable disease (range, 3-9 months) and 2 cases of brain tumor had a complete response by magnetic resonance imaging. Moderate or severe toxicity evaluated on a per course basis included: neutropenia 83%, thrombocytopenia 93%, fever 30%, hepatotoxicity 3%, and hemorrhagic cystitis 3%. The median time to hematologic recovery was 20 days. ICE therapy is highly effective for the treatment of refractory or recurrent solid tumors with acceptable toxicity.

Inhibitory effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats

The effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha(OH)D3) on gastrointestinal carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in male Wistar rats. After oral treatment with 0.01% MNNG for 24 weeks, rats were given 0.04 microg of 1alpha(OH)D3 or its vehicle by gastric intubation three times a week for 24 weeks. The incidence of gastrointestinal tumors was 16/30 (53%) in rats treated with MNNG alone, 16/30 (53%) in those treated with MNNG plus vehicle and 8/30 (27%, P < 0.05) in those treated with MNNG plus 1alpha(OH)D3. The number of tumors per rat in the group treated with MNNG plus 1alpha(OH)D3 was half those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Results indicated that a non-hypercalcemic dose of 1alpha(OH)D3 had an inhibitory effect on MNNG-induced duodeno-intestinal carcinogenesis.

Subclinical alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

We monitored 30 laboratory hemostatic parameters in an attempt to better comprehend alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis in 10 patients with hematological malignancies subjected to autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). These parameters were assessed before and just after high-dose conditioning chemotherapy, on days 1, 7, 14 and 28. Although, clinical manifestations associated with fibrino-coagulation disorders never occurred, including veno-occlusive disease, a statistically significant increase was seen in 7 of 30 parameters, compared to values seen before conditioning chemotherapy. These were subdivided into early and late phase parameters. The early phase parameters, which increased during the first day after the conditioning chemotherapy was given, then returned to baseline values, included protein C, plasma tissue factor and tissue-plasminogen activator. The late phase parameters, which increased over baseline values during days 7 to 28, included free-protein S, fibrinogen, plasmin-alpha2-plasmin inhibitor complex and soluble-thrombomodulin. The increase of early phase parameters, as produced by the liver and by endothelial cells, may reflect tissue damage by conditioning chemotherapy. Late phase parameters increased in parallel with C-reactive protein, which suggests a correlation with the degree of inflammation, such as the presence of infective disease during neutropenia. These subclinical alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis which take on a biphasic pattern during the course of APBSCT should be kept in mind by the attending physicians during therapy.

Cutting-out of the lag screw after internal fixation with the Asiatic gamma nail

Sixty consecutive intertrochanteric femoral fractures were treated with the Asiatic gamma nail followed by early postoperative weight bearing. Cutting-out of the lag screw from the femoral head occurred in six fractures and were analysed radiographically with regard to fracture type (Evans' classification), osteoporosis (Singh grade), accuracy of post-operative reduction (neck-shaft angle and diastasis of the fracture), and location of the lag screw in the femoral head (depth, height, and antero-postero-posterior radiograph and large antero-posterior deviation of the lag screw were significantly related to the increased incidence of the screw cutting-out. This suggests that deep insertion of the lag screw on the antero-posterior view with central placement on the lateral view is an optimal location in the femoral head. The ¿cut-out index' (the multiplication value of the depth and the anteroposterior deviation of the lag screw in the femoral head) is an excellent measure of the risk of the lag screw cutting-out.

Subunit interactions of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase: mutants of the gamma subunits defective in interaction with the epsilon subunit isolated by the yeast two-hybrid system

Previously, we established a method to detect subunit interactions of F1-ATPase by the yeast two-hybrid system (Moritani, C., et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1274, 67-72, 1996). Here, we isolated mutants of the gamma subunits defective in interaction with the epsilon subunit by this new procedure to study the molecular basis of coupling mechanisms of the F1F0-ATPase. Based on the intensities of the reporter gene expression in this system, five mutants of the gamma subunit with different levels of gamma-epsilon interactions were isolated and their single base substitutions were determined. Mutants with a substitution of Pro-55 for Leu, Thr-102 for Met, Val-141 for Asp, or Gln-235 for Leu exhibited decreased reporter gene expression, suggesting decreased levels of interaction, while Asp-85 for Gly mutation caused a higher level of expression, suggesting increased interaction. Among these point mutations, G85D, M102T, or D141V mutations were introduced into the gamma subunit gene in the plasmid carrying whole unc operon. Transformants carrying a deletion mutant of the whole unc operon with these expression plasmids were analyzed. Mutations M102T and D141V with decreased gamma-epsilon interaction caused increases of membrane-bound F1-ATPase activity and proton pumping activity, while G85D with increased gamma-epsilon interaction exhibited lower levels of F1-ATPase activity in the membranes. Molecular assembly of the F1 subunits on the mutant membranes detected by Western blotting exhibited no defect for all three mutants. These results suggested that the correlation between the ATPase activity and gamma-epsilon interaction is reciprocal and this interaction may regulate the ATPase activity. The topological and functional importance of Gly-85, Met-102, and Asp-141 together with Leu-55 and Leu-235 in gamma-epsilon interaction is discussed.