Prediction of the response to chemoradiation and prognosis in oesophageal squamous cancer

BACKGROUND

The sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation therapy depends on various biological properties. This study investigated the expression of p53, CDC25B and metallothionein (MT), and evaluated their clinical significance in chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression of p53, CDC25B and MT was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using biopsy specimens taken before CRT for 77 patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and correlated with the pathological effects of CRT and survival.

RESULTS

p53-positive tumours and MT-positive tumours had a poor response to CRT, whereas tumours with strong CDC25B expression were associated with a good response. When each patient was scored for the presence of the three biological factors, there was a strong correlation between the sensitivity score and the pathological effect of CRT (P < 0.001), and a (non-significant) difference in the 5-year survival rate between patients with a high score and those with a low score (67 versus 34 per cent respectively; P = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

The combined evaluation of p53, CDC25B and MT may help to identify patients with advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma who will benefit from preoperative CRT.

Precise measurement of B meson lifetimes with hadronic decay final states

The lifetimes of the B(0) and B- mesons are extracted from 29.1 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEK B factory. A fit to the decay length differences of neutral and charged B meson pairs, measured in events where one of the B mesons is fully reconstructed in several hadronic modes, yields tau(B(0)) = 1.554+/-0.030(stat)+/-0.019(syst) ps, tau(B-) = 1.695+/-0.026(stat)+/-0.015(syst) ps, and tau(B-)/tau(B(0)) = 1.091+/-0.023(stat)+/-0.014(syst).

Measurement of the lifetime difference in D0 meson decays

We report a measurement of the D0-D macro(0) mixing parameter y(CP) using 23.4 fb(-1) of data collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. y(CP) is measured from the lifetime difference of D0 mesons decaying into the K(-)pi(+) state and the CP-even eigenstate K(-)K(+). We find y(CP) = (-0.5+/-1.0(+0.7)(-0.8))x10(-2), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval -0.030<y(CP)<0.020.

Production of prompt charmonia in e(+)e(-) annihilation at square root of s approximately equals 0.6 GeV

The production of prompt J/psi, psi(2S), chi(c1), and chi(c2) is studied using a 32.4 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at Upsilon(4S) and at 60 MeV below the resonance. The yield of prompt J/psi mesons in the Upsilon(4S) sample is compatible with that of continuum production; we set an upper limit B(Upsilon(4S)-->J/psiX) < 1.9 x 10(-4) at the 95% confidence level, and find sigma(e(+)e(-)-->J/psiX) = 1.47 plus/minus 0.10 plus/minus 0.13 pb. The cross sections for prompt psi(2S) and direct J/psi are measured. The J/psi momentum spectrum, production angle distribution, and polarization are studied.

Observation of the color-suppressed decay B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0)

We report the first observation of color-suppressed B( 0)-->D(0)pi(0), D(*0)pi(0), D0eta, and D0omega decays, and evidence for B( 0)-->D(*0)eta and D(*0)omega. The branching fractions are B(B( 0)-->D0pi(0)) = (3.1 +/- 0.4 +/- 0.5)x10(-4), B(B( 0) -->D(*0)pi(0)) = (2.7(+0.8+0.5)(-0.7-0.6))x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0eta) = (1.4(+0.5)(-0.4) +/- 0.3)x10(-4), B(B( 0) --> D0omega) = (1.8 +/- 0.5(+0.4)(-0.3))x10(-4), and we set 90% confidence level upper limits of B(B( 0) --> D(*0)eta)<4.6 x 10(-4) and B(B( 0)-->D(*0)omega)<7.9 x 10(-4). The analysis is based on a data sample of 21.3 fb(-1) collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Observation of B+ --> chi(c0)K+

Using a sample of 31.3x10(6) BB pairs collected with the Belle detector at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, we make the first observation of the charged B meson decay to chi(c0) and a charged kaon. The measured branching fraction is B(B+-->chi(c0)K+) = (6.0(+2.1)(-1.8)+/-1.1)x10(-4), where the first error is statistical, and the second is systematic.

Observation of the decay B --> Kl+l-

We report a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B-->K(*)l+l- using a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- storage ring. We observe the decay process B-->Kl+l-(l = e, mu), for the first time, with a branching fraction of B(B-->Kl+l-) = (0.75(+0.25)(-0.21)+/-0.09)x10(-6).

Cliniconeuropathologic findings of familial frontal lobe epilepsy in Shetland sheepdogs

We examined an epileptic focus by electroencephalography (EEG) by using an international 10-20 electrode system in 11 Shetland sheep dogs affected with familial idiopathic epilepsy. We also performed an evaluation of the amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and a pathologic examination of the brains of 8 dogs that died from status epilepticus. Continuous electroencephalography demonstrated that an epileptic focus was initially detected in the frontal lobe, particularly the internal area, and that paroxysmal foci developed diffusely in other lobes of affected dogs with recurrent convulsions. The EEG analyses indicated spike and sharp wave complexes, which were considered to be paroxysmal discharges. An increased value for glutamate or aspartate was found in the CSF of some epileptic dogs. Histologically, acute neuronal necrosis and astrocytosis were distributed predominantly in the cingulate cortex and internal area of frontal cortex, less frequently in other areas of the cerebrum. The results of this study suggest that, initially, the dogs have an epileptic focus in the frontal lobe, and that the focus extends gradually to other areas of the cerebrum. Based on the distribution of neuronal necrosis and astrocytosis, acute neuronal damage may be related to the superexcitation of neurons following epilepsy.

Observation of B --> J/psi K(1)(1270)

We report the first observation of the exclusive decay process B-->J/psi K(1)(1270) using a sample of 11.2M BB macro meson pairs collected in the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e(+)e(-) collider. We measure branching fractions of B[B(0)-->J/psi K(0)(1)(1270)] = (1.30+/-0.34+/-0.32) x 10(-3) and B[B(+)-->J/psi K(+)(1)(1270)] = (1.80+/-0.34+/-0.39) x 10(-3), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. These modes constitute approximately 15% of the total number of B-->J/psi X decays. No evidence is seen for B-->J/psi K(1)(1400) and we set an upper limit for this branching fraction.

N-linked oligosaccharides predominantly distribute in rat cerebellar cortex

The distribution or localization of glycoconjugates in rat cerebellar cortex was investigated with 26 different kinds of lectins observed by light and electron microscopy. In paraffin-embedded tissues, PHA-L, PHA-E, DSA, WGA, ConA, LEA, LCA, PSA, and RCA-I, which mainly recognize N-linked oligosaccharide sugar structures, stained the cerebellar cortex, especially the molecular layer. PHA-L staining showed the highest selectivity for the molecular layer among these lectins. Pretreatment with N-glycanase altered the staining intensities of these lectins, whereas pretreatment with O-glycanase did not alter the intensity. In electron microscopy, the cell membrane and Golgi membranes of Purkinje cell, parallel fibers, and synaptic vesicles exhibited a positive reaction with PHA-L. Nuclear pores and synaptic vesicles were positive for WGA binding. These results suggest that there exist N-glycoside binding oligosaccharides predominantly in the cerebellar cortex, especially in the molecular layer, which sugar chains may be relevant to the synaptic transmission in the molecular layer.

[The stress-reducing effect of cigarette smoking and the influence of trait-anxiety on its manifestation]

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the stress-reducing effect of cigarette smoking and the involvement of other factors such as trait-anxiety on the above effect of smoking. The subjects were 32 smokers who met DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence and 16 nonsmokers. The smokers were randomly assigned to a smoking group or a sham-smoking group. Immediately after the subjects performed a laboratory task, the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory was administered for evaluating the levels of state-anxiety and trait-anxiety. The subjects were required to smoke a cigarette in a smoking group, sham-smoke in a sham-smoking group, or take a rest in a nonsmokers's group. After that, the same inventory was again administered. The decrease of state-anxiety in a smoking group was significantly more marked in degree than in a sham-smoking group and was comparable to that in a nonsmokers' group. A stepwise regression analysis revealed that the trait-anxiety levels significantly contributed to a decrease of state-anxiety levels in a smoking group. The present study indicated that cigarette smoking exhibited a stress-reducing effect and that the trait-anxiety levels were related to the effect of smoking.

Enhancement in fecal excretion of dioxin isomer in mice by several dietary fibers

The effect of increased nutrients (protein, lipid, vitamins and minerals) on dioxin-induced toxic manifestations such as immune suppression, hepatic hypertrophy, splenic atrophy and enzyme induction was investigated in mice after oral administration of 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD (HxCDD) as one of a representative compound of dioxin isomers. Consequently, it appeared that increased minerals and vitamins in the diet prevented immune suppression by HxCDD. In addition, to clarify the additive effect of nutrients and the ability to hasten the excretion of dioxins by dietary fiber, the adsorbing of dioxins by 16 dietary fibers was investigated by in vitro experiment. Among 16 dietary fibers, locust bean gum, pectin, alginic acid, guar gum, chitin and cellulose were effective in binding dioxin isomers. These dietary fibers also enhanced the fecal excretion of HxCDD in mice.

Denervation causes changes in electrophysiological properties in rat phrenic motoneurons

Thirty-nine male adult rats were divided into a control group and a denervation group that had been subjected to phrenicotomy 4 weeks earlier. Electrophysiological membrane properties (input resistance and rheobase) of phrenic motoneurons were measured from intracellular recordings made with glass microelectrodes. Under anesthetized and artificially ventilated conditions, the recorded motoneurons were divided into recruited (spike discharge) and non-recruited (depolarization only) types. There was a significant inverse relationship between the rheobase and input resistance in the control rats, but not in the denervated rats. In the control rats, the mean value of rheobase in the non-recruited motoneurons was significantly higher than that in the recruited motoneurons. In denervated rats, however, the mean value of rheobase in the recruited motoneurons was identical to that in the non-recruited motoneurons. The results indicated that phrenicotomy induced a de-differentiation of electrophysiological properties of the phrenic motoneurons, and that these changes might be restricted to the motoneurons innervating fast-twitch, low fatigue resistance muscle fibers.

Observation of Cabibbo suppressed B --> D(*)K- decays at Belle

We report observations of the Cabibbo suppressed decays B-->D((*))K- using a 10.4 fb(-1) data sample accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We find that the ratios of Cabibbo suppressed to Cabibbo favored branching fractions are B(B--->D0K-)/B(B--->D0pi(-)) = 0.079+/-0.009+/-0.006, B(B(0)-->D+K-)/B(B(0)-->D+pi(-)) = 0.068+/-0.015+/-0.007, B(B--->D(*0)K-)/B(B--->D(*0)pi(-)) = 0.078+/-0.019+/-0.009, and B(B(0)-->D(*+)K-)/B(B(0)-->D(*+)pi(-)) = 0.074+/-0.015+/-0.006. These are the first observations of the B-->D+K-, D(*0)K-, and D(*+)K- decay processes.

Novel cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) gene mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma

PURPOSE

To investigate CYP1B1 gene mutations in Japanese patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

METHODS

Sixty-five unrelated Japanese patients with PCG were screened by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis followed by direct sequencing. No patients were offspring of consanguineous marriages, a common occurrence among patients in previous reports. PCG haplotypes were constructed with intragenic polymorphisms in affected individuals. Three-dimensional atomic structures of human CYP1B1 and four mutant CYP1B1 sequences representing missense mutations were assembled using homology modeling and were regularized by an energy-minimization procedure.

RESULTS

Eleven novel mutations, including seven definite and four probable mutations, were detected in 13 (20%) of the 65 unrelated patients. Of the seven definite mutations, three were predicted to truncate the CYP1B1 open reading frame. The other four were missense mutations (Asp192Val, Ala330Phe, Val364Met, and Arg444Gln), all located in conserved core structures determining proper folding and heme-binding ability of cytochrome P450 molecules. Molecular modeling demonstrated that two of four mutations in positions 330 and 364 were structurally neutral, but Arg444Gln caused significant structural change. Of the four probable mutations, three were missense (Val198Ile, Val320Leu, and Glu499Gly); the other was a base substitution in the noncoding region of exon 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The 11 varied CYP1B1 mutations found in 13 unrelated Japanese patients with sporadic occurrence of PCG represent an allelic heterogeneity and may be unique to a specific population.

Observation of large CP violation in the neutral B meson system

We present a measurement of the standard model CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) based on a 29.1 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is fully reconstructed as a J/psi K(S), psi(2S)K(S), chi(c1)K(S), eta(c)K(S), J/psi K(L), or J/psi K(*0) decay and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its decay products. From the asymmetry in the distribution of the time intervals between the two B meson decay points, we determine sin2 phi(1) = 0.99+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.06(syst). We conclude that we have observed CP violation in the neutral B meson system.

Alpha-like activity in terminal stage of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

We report a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease showing various changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) throughout the course of the disease. The patient's EEG patterns showed periodic synchronous discharge in the intermediate stage of the disease, delta activity in the advanced stage and alpha-like activity in the terminal stage. The mechanism generating alpha-like activity may resemble, at least in part, that of an alpha coma.

Photochemically induced equilibrium dysfunction in the hamster model with evaluation by means of a new globe rotatory test system

Thrombosis in the inner ear is regarded as one of the causes of equilibrium dysfunction. We have established an experimental thrombosis model by producing a photochemical reaction between rose bengal and green light, and have evaluated the dysfunction with a new rotatory test system. Hamsters were treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in doses of 0, 0.13, 0.26, and 0.52 mg/kg. The equilibrium dysfunction of the hamsters was evaluated by scoring their behavior according to visual observation and by measuring their time on the rotatory test system. Treatment of animals with sufficient tPA (> or = 0.26 mg/kg) caused a significant amelioration of the behavior and a concomitant significant prolongation of time on the rotating globe. These findings suggest that the equilibrium dysfunction induced by the photochemical reaction was due to the thrombi formed, and that our test system may provide a useful tool for evaluating equilibrium dysfunction in hamsters.

Intensification of chemotherapy using block therapies as consolidation and reinduction therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia during childhood

Between April 1994 and March 1997, 143 children (age range, 1-15 years) with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), except for those patients with t(9;22), were treated according to protocol-94 of the Osaka Childhood Leukemia Study Group. In this trial, the intensity of chemotherapy was enforced in the consolidation and reinduction phases by introducing AML-type block therapies consisting of concentrated administration of 4 to 6 drugs during 5 or 6 days. For patients in the higher risk groups, rotational combination chemotherapy was introduced following the early phase. A total of 124 children with B-cell precursor ALL (B-pre ALL) were classified into 3 groups, the ultrahigh-risk group (UHRG) (15 patients), the high-risk group (HRG) (61 patients), or the standard-risk group (SRG) (48 patients), based on age. leukocyte count, immunophenotype, central nervous system leukemia, response to treatment, and selected chromosomal abnormalities. The complete remission rate was 93%, and the 6-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 79%+/-4%. EFS rates for the UHRG, HRG, and SRG groups were 67%+/-12%, 80%+/-6%, and 81%+/-6%, respectively. Nineteen patients with T-cell ALL were treated with the protocol for the UHRG. Thirteen patients (68%) attained complete remission, and the 6-year EFS rate was 55%+/-12%. Thus, intensification of chemotherapy improved the EFS rate and AML-type block therapies appeared to be effective as the consolidation and reinduction therapies for B-pre ALL.

Clinical significance of CDC25A and CDC25B expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus

CDC25A, CDC25B and CDC25C belong to a family of protein phosphatases which activate the cyclin-dependent kinase at different points of the cell cycle. According to accumulating evidence, CDC25A and CDC25B seem to possess oncogenic properties. We have analysed these expressions by immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR in a series of 100 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. When compared with non-cancerous cells, CDC25A and CDC25B were strongly expressed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, with positive (+) classification in 46% (46 cases) and 48% (48 cases), respectively. There was no significant correlation between CDC25A and CDC25B expression, nor was there any association with the expression of other cell cycle-regulating molecules, including cyclin D1, Rb, p16(INK4), p27(KIP1)and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen). CDC25A (+), as well as CDC25B (+), was more frequently found in patients with deeper tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis, while tumour size was correlated only with CDC25A expression. Postoperative survival was significantly poorer for CDC25A (+) patients than CDC25A (-) patients, but was not affected by the CDC25B status. Nuclear localization of CDC25A was observed in 51 cases (51%), regardless of its cytoplasmic expression, and was not associated with clinico-pathological factors or prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed only the CDC25A status to be an independent significant prognostic factor among these biological and clinico-pathological factors. CDC25A but not CDC25B may be a new prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Thus, regulation of the G1 checkpoint in the cell cycle may be important in oesophageal carcinogenesis, which may also involve many other oncogenes.

Effects of dopamine d2 receptor agonists in a pituitary transplantation-induced hyperprolactinaemia/anovulation model in rats

1. In the present study, we investigated the effects of hyperprolactinaemia, induced by transplantation of anterior pituitary glands under the kidney capsule in female rats, on the relationship between serum and pituitary concentrations of the gonadotropins and on the oestrous cycle. 2. Rats with pituitary transplants showed increased serum prolactin concentrations and decreased serum concentrations of gonadotropins and increased pituitary concentrations of gonadotropins. Moreover, these rats showed persistent dioestrous and anovulation from 3 to 6 days after transplantation. 3. A single oral administration of cabergoline (at doses between 0.001 and 0.1 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited the elevated serum prolactin concentrations in hyperprolactinaemic rats. At 0.1 mg/kg, cabergoline induced a continuous reduction in serum prolactin concentrations for 5 days after administration. Terguride (0.1 mg/kg) and bromocriptine (10 mg/kg) also reduced serum prolactin concentrations at 1 and 3 days after administration. All three dopamine D2 receptor agonists increased serum gonadotropin concentrations and ovarian weight at 3 days after administration. 4. In rats exhibiting anovulation, a single oral administration of any one of the three dopamine D2 receptor agonists dose-dependently restored ovulation and a normal oestrous cycle appeared. Oral administration of cabergoline (0.03 mg/kg) or terguride (0.1 mg/kg) restored ovarian function and abolished the anovulation following a reduction in serum prolactin concentrations. However, bromocriptine (10 mg/kg) did not completely abolish anovulation. Following administration of terguride (0.3 mg/kg) or bromocriptine (30 mg/kg), only one normal oestrous cycle appeared; however, following cabergoline (0.1 mg/kg), two normal oestrous cycles appeared. 5. These results suggest that cabergoline has a potent and long-lasting action as a dopamine D2 receptor agonist and, thus, should be a useful drug for the treatment of galactorrhoea and hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea and/or anovulation in humans.