Cystic Hypersecretory Duct Carcinoma of the Breast:A Case Reprot Describing the Cytologic Features

We report the clinical, cytological and pathological features of so-called cystic hypersecretory duct carcinoma occurring in a 60-year-old Japanese woman. The tumor mainfested a multicystic mass ultrasonographically, and aspiration biopsy cytology revealed atypical ductal epithelial cells with vacuolar cytoplasm. A modified radical mastectomy was performed. Histologically, the lesion was charcterized by many dilated ducts containing eosinophilic secretions, which resembled thyroid colloid. The ducts were lined by an intraductal micropapillary carcinoma with hobnail-shaped cells, and were positive for lactalbumin immunohistochemically. Additionally, a so-called cystic hypersecretory hyperplasia was seen in the surrounding breast parenchyma. Although a direct transition from the hyperplasia to the carcinoma was not proved, a close relationship between the two lesions was suggested.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of recombinant bovine neurocalcin delta

Neurocalcins are novel brain-specific proteins that belong to a new subclass of the EF-hand super-family of calcium binding proteins, defined by the photoreceptor cell-specific protein recoverin (Terasawa et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:19596-19599, 1992). Here we report the purification and crystallization of unmyristoylated recombinant bovine neurocalcin delta from Escherichia coli. Crystals of a bovine neurocalcin delta have been grown by macro-seeding at room temperature through vapor phase equilibration using the hanging drop technique with ammonium sulfate as the precipitating agent. The crystals diffract to at least 2.5 A resolution and belong to monoclinic space group P21 with unit cell dimensions a = 42.734 A, b = 94.343 A, c = 50.696 A, and beta = 98.37 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules, with corresponding crystal volume per protein mass (Vm) of 2.29 A3/Da and solvent fraction of 45% by volume, exhibiting an approximate 222 point symmetry.

Use of a suture holder facilitates transanal anastomosis

We report here that use of a suture holder facilitates transanal anastomosis in cases of total proctocolectomy or low rectal anastomosis. Feasible control of multiple interrupted suturing and unhampered visibility of the entire process are made possible with this approach.

Serum antibodies to carbonic anhydrase I and II in patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and Sjögren's syndrome

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and Sjögren's syndrome show immune responses against a 60-kilodalton protein isolated from human pancreas extracts. Monoclonal antibody SP3-1, raised against the 60-kilodalton protein, reacts with ductal cells in several exocrine organs and cross-reacts with human carbonic anhydrase II. The present study evaluated serum from patients with these diseases for antibodies to human carbonic anhydrase I and II.

METHODS

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify serum antibody against carbonic anhydrase I and II.

RESULTS

Serum antibodies against carbonic anhydrase I and II were detected in 7 and 11 of 33 patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis, respectively, and in 8 and 13 of 21 patients with Sjögren's syndrome, respectively. The positive prevalence rates of patients with antibodies of carbonic anhydrase II were significantly different among patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and Sjögren's syndrome compared with normal patients (1 of 21). There were no significant differences in the prevalence rates of patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (3 of 20), gallstone-related chronic pancreatitis (0 of 7), and primary biliary cirrhosis (1 of 11).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that carbonic anhydrase II is one candidate target antigen recognized during the autoimmune pathophysiology observed in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and Sjögren's syndrome.

[Studies on the synthesis of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists. II. Synthesis and cholecystokinin A receptor inhibitory activities of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives]

A number of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor inhibitory activity in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant CCK-A receptor inhibitory activities were found in only two series, that is, sulfoxide-carboxylic acid derivatives (9) and sulfone-carboxylic acid derivatives (10). As the most preferred compound, 5-(3,4-dichlorophenylsulfonyl)-4-(N,N-dipentylcarbamoyl)pent anoic acid (10n) was selected.

Cardioprotective effects of NIP-121, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, during ischemia and reperfusion in coronary perfused guinea pig myocardium

We investigated the effect of NIP-121, a novel ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener, on myocardial damage during ischemia/reperfusion. The action potential and contractile force of coronary-perfused guinea pig right ventricular walls were recorded. The preparations were subjected to 30-min no-flow ischemia with or without NIP-121 or glibenclamide, followed by 60-min reperfusion. In untreated tissues, decreases in action potential duration (APD) and contractile force and an increase in resting tension were observed during the no-flow period. On reperfusion, transient arrhythmias were observed and resting or contractile force returned to <50% of preischemic values. NIP-121, at 0.3 microM, a concentration showing only a slight negative inotropic effect, caused a faster decrease in APD and contractile force but abolished the increase in resting tension (RT) during the no-flow period. On reperfusion, no arrhythmia was observed in NIP-121-treated preparations, and contractile force recovered to approximately 80% of the preischemic value. Glibenclamide 1 microM attenuated the decrease in APD but affected neither the decrease in contractile force nor the increase in RT during the no-flow period. On reperfusion, the incidence of arrhythmia was increased in glibenclamide-treated preparations, and the recovery of basal tension and contractile force was inhibited: Contractile force recovered to only approximately 15% of the preischemic value. NIP-121 was also shown to attenuate the decrease in tissue ATP during ischemia and reperfusion. We demonstrated that NIP-121 may have protective effects against myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion. Activation of ATP-sensitive K+ current may be an adaptive mechanism for cardioprotection under compromised blood flow.

[Cardiac output in patients in their 90's]

Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilution method in nine patients aged 90 to 97 years. The patients were capable of walking in their daily lives before the injury or admission to the hospital, after which they were scheduled for operations. The causes for operations were localized and did not markedly influence general conditions of the patients. After heart rate, arterial blood pressure and mental condition of the patients had been stabilized, their cardiac outputs were determined before the induction of anesthesia. The results are as follows: Cardiac output: 3.58 +/- 0.90 l.min-1, cardiac index: 2.72 +/- 0.57 l.min-1.m-2. Previously published reports in Japan and the results of this study about the relationship between cardiac index and age suggest that as a whole there is a tendency for the cardiac index to decrease with aging.

Development of immuno-PCR for diagnosis of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection

A highly sensitive immuno-PCR method specific for the detection of antigens of and antibodies to bovine herpesvirus 1 was established. This assay attained a high sensitivity of up to 10(7.0) times higher than that of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or PCR for antigen detection and 10(5.0) times higher than that of ELISA for antibody detection.

Stress signal, mediated by a Hog1-like MAP kinase, controls sexual development in fission yeast

We identified the phh1+ gene that encodes a MAP kinase as the effector of Wis1 MAP kinase kinase in fission yeast, which is highly homologous with HOG1 of S. cerevisiae. Heterothalic phh1 dsiruptant is phenotypically indistinguishable from wis1 deletion mutant, both displaying the same extent of partial sterility and enhanced sensitivity to a variety of stress. In phh1 disruptant, nitrogen starvation-induced expression of ste11+, a key controller of sexual differentiation, is markedly diminished. Ectopic expression of ste11+ effectively restores fertility, but not stress resistance, to the phh1 disruptant. These data show that stress signal, mediated by a MAP kinase, is required for efficient start of sexual differentiation.

Results of systematic speech sound monitoring in children with cleft palate

Using our monitoring system, we report the articulation results in 208 children with competent velopharyngeal function after surgery of cleft palate. The number of children who showed normal articulation at each test during the monitoring period was 138. The other 79 children included 37 who acquired normal articulation after training and whose misarticulation disappeared without training. Factors related to their misarticulation are discussed.

[Anatomical study of the ligaments in the occipito-atlantoaxial complex]

To investigate the role of the ligamentous complex in the stability of the atlanto-axial joint, the macroscopic anatomy of the occipito-atlanto-axial complex was studied in 44 cadavers involving the cruciate ligament of atlas, alar ligament, and the anterior atlanto-axial ligament (AADL). The transverse ligament (TL) had two layers, one was membranous tissue and the other was ligamentous. The mean length of the TL was 19.7 mm (range 14-25 mm). The TL was significantly longer in males than in females. The diameter of the TL was thinnest at the centre (mean 2.0 mm, range 1-5 mm). The thicker ligaments were significantly larger in diameter. The alar ligament (AL) was dissected and examined in all cadavers. The direction of the AL ran postero-laterally. This ligament was divided into five types according to the fiber orientation. Type 1 was separated type in its origin at the dens. Type 2 was partially connected type. Type 3 was totally connected with a covered dens tip. Type 4 was totally connected but did not cover the dens tip. Type 5 was a combined type of Type 3 covering Type 1. The fiber direction of the AL was divided into three types; caudocranial type, horizontal type, and craniocaudal type. The AADL was examined in 24 specimens (60%). This ligament existed bilaterally in 18 specimens (45%) and hemilaterally in 6 (15%). The right side only was examined in 2 specimens (5%) and the left side only in 4 specimens (10%). In 6 specimens, the orientations of this ligament was identified and the shape was found to be thin. From these results, it was considered that not only TL, but also the AL and AADLs played an important role in stabilizing the atlanto-axial complex.

The Mos/MAP kinase pathway stabilizes c-Fos by phosphorylation and augments its transforming activity in NIH 3T3 cells

The c-mos proto-oncogene product, Mos, is a serine/threonine kinase that can activate ERK1 and 2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by direct phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK). ERK activation is essential for oncogenic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by Mos. In this study, we examined how mitogenic and oncogenic signalling from the Mos/MEK/ERK pathway reaches the nucleus to activate downstream target genes. We show that c-Fos (the c-fos protooncogene product), which is an intrinsically unstable nuclear protein, is metabolically highly stabilized, and greatly enhances the transforming efficiency of NIH 3T3 cells, by Mos. This stabilization of c-Fos required Mos-induced phosphorylation of its C-terminal region on Ser362 and Ser374, and double replacements of these serines with acidic (Asp) residues markedly increased the stability and transforming efficiency of c-Fos even in the absence of Mos. Moreover, activation of the ERK pathway was necessary and sufficient for the c-Fos phosphorylation and stabilization by Mos. These results indicate that c-Fos undergoes stabilization, and mediates at least partly the oncogenic signalling, by the Mos/MEK/ERK pathway. The present findings also suggest that, in general, the ERK pathway may regulate the cell fate and function by affecting the metabolic stability of c-Fos.

Effect of KN-62, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor, on adriamycin resistance of human ovarian cancer cells

We examined effects of an isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative, KN-62, on human ovarian cancer cells, NOS3AR, that are resistant to Adriamycin (ADR). MTT assay revealed that 10 microM KN-62 overcame the resistance. KN-62 had little effect on GST activity. In studies on the intracellular accumulation of ADR, KN-62 increased the ADR contents in the resistant cells close to the level seen in the sensitive cells. These results suggest that the reversal of the resistance against ADR in ovarian cancer cells by KN-62 is mainly due to higher accumulation of ADR in NOS3AR cells. Furthermore, we detected Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) in NOS3AR cells since KN-62 is a specific inhibitor of the kinase. In this paper, we discussed on modulation of ADR-resistance by KN-62.

K+ channel-opening properties of a novel compound, NIP-121, in guinea pig myocardium as compared with those of cromakalim

Myocardial effects of NIP-121, a novel compound with potent vasorelaxant activity, were examined in comparison with those of cromakalim in isolated tissue and cells from guinea pig hearts. NIP-121 and cromakalim concentration-dependently reduced the action potential duration (APD) of isolated papillary muscle; the effect was antagonized by glibenclamide. In isolated ventricular tissue, NIP-121 and cromakalim decreased the contractile force concentration dependently. In these two experiments, the potency of NIP-121 was approximately 20 times higher than that of cromakalim. The effects of NIP-121 and cromakalim on membrane currents were examined in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes. NIP-121 (10(-6) M) and cromakalim (3 x 10(-5) M) increased the steady-state outward currents. The normal inwardly rectifying current-voltage relationship changed to a linear relationship that reversed at the K+ current reversal potential. The current activated by NIP-121 and cromakalim was inhibited either by glibenclamide or by increased intracellular ATP concentration. NIP-121, at this concentration, had little effect on the calcium current. Thus, NIP-121 was demonstrated to produce AP shortening and decrease in contractile force through activation of ATP-sensitive K+ currents in cardiac muscle, with a potency approximately 20 times higher than that of cromakalim.

Degradation of c-Fos by the 26S proteasome is accelerated by c-Jun and multiple protein kinases

c-Fos is associated with c-Jun to increase the transcription of a number of target genes and is a nuclear proto-oncoprotein with a very short half-life. This instability of c-Fos may be important in regulation of the normal cell cycle. Here we report a mechanism for degradation of c-Fos. Coexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun in HeLa cells caused marked increase in the instability of c-Fos, whereas v-Fos, the retroviral counterpart of c-Fos, was stable irrespective of the coexpression of c-Jun. Interestingly, deletion of the C-terminal PEST region of c-Fos, which is altered in v-Fos by a frameshift mutation, greatly enhanced its stability, with loss of the effect of c-Jun on its stability. c-Fos synthesized in vitro was degraded by the 26S proteasome in a ubiquitin-dependent fashion. Simple association with c-Jun had no effect on the degradation of c-Fos, but the additions of three protein kinases, mitogen-activated protein kinase, casein kinase II, and CDC2 kinase, resulted in marked acceleration of its degradation by the proteasome-ubiquitin system, though only in the presence of c-Jun. In contrast, v-Fos and c-Fos with a truncated PEST motif were not degraded, suggesting that they escaped from down-regulation by breakdown. These findings indicate a new oncogenic pathway induced by acquisition of intracellular stability of a cell cycle modulatory factor.

The structure of calcyclin reveals a novel homodimeric fold for S100 Ca(2+)-binding proteins

The S100 calcium-binding proteins are implicated as effectors in calcium-mediated signal transduction pathways. The three-dimensional structure of the S100 protein calcyclin has been determined in solution in the apo state by NMR spectroscopy and a computational strategy that incorporates a systematic docking protocol. This structure reveals a symmetric homodimeric fold that is unique among calcium-binding proteins. Dimerization is mediated by hydrophobic contacts from several highly conserved residues, which suggests that the dimer fold identified for calcyclin will serve as a structural paradigm for the S100 subfamily of calcium-binding proteins.

Purification and properties of two chitinases from Streptomyces sp. J-13-3

Two chitinases (Chi-A and Chi-B) purified from Streptomyces sp. J-13-3 had the same molecular weights (31,000) and enzymatic properties (optimum pH and temperature of pH 6.0 and 45 degrees C) but had significantly different isoelectric points (3.9 for Chi-A, 3.5 for Chi-B). Chi-A and -B had identical N-terminal amino acid sequences (ADXAAAWNASSVYTGGGSASYNGHN), similar amino acid compositions, and immunological cross-reactivities. A concomitant decrease of Chi-A and increase of Chi-B was observed in their productions during cultivation.

[Effects of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2 not equal to 60 mmHg) on regional myocardial tissue oxygen tension and metabolism]

We investigated the effects of increased arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2 not equal to 60 mmHg) on myocardial tissue oxygen tension and metabolism in anesthetized dogs. Ten adult mongrel dogs weighing 15.3 +/- 4.1 kg were anesthetized with 0.5% isoflurane in 50% oxygen and ventilated mechanically to maintain normocapnia. After thoracotomy, regional myocardial tissue PO2 was measured using a monopolar polarographic needle electrode inserted in the myocardium. Electromagnetic blood flow probes were applied on the left anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery. A 23-gauge catheter was inserted into a coronary vein to obtain coronary venous blood for measuring oxygen content, lactate and pyruvate. After control normocapnic ventilation, hypercapnia (PaCO2 62.7 +/- 3.2 mmHg) was induced by adding 10% carbon dioxide to the inspired gas for 20 minutes. As a result, the coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen tension increased during hypercapnia. The myocardial lactate extraction and coronary venous lactate were unchanged and excess lactate was kept below zero, although coronary venous L/P ratio increased during hypercapnia. These results indicate that hypercapnia (PaCO2 not equal to 60 mmHg) increases coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen tension, while myocardial aerobic metabolism is not impaired under hypercapnia.

Perpetuation of influenza A viruses in Alaskan waterfowl reservoirs

To provide information on the mechanism of perpetuation of influenza viruses among waterfowl reservoirs in nature, virological surveillance was carried out in Alaska during their breeding season in summer from 1991 to 1994. Influenza viruses were isolated mainly from fecal samples of dabbling ducks in their nesting places in central Alaska. The numbers of subtypes of 108 influenza virus isolates were 1 H2N3, 37 H3N8, 55 H4N6, 1 H7N3, 1 H8N2, 1 H10N2, 11 H10N7, and H10N9. Influenza viruses were also isolated from water samples of the lakes where they nest. Even in September of 1994 when the most ducks had left for migration to south, viruses were still isolated from the lake water. Phylogenetic analysis of the NP genes of the representative isolates showed that they belong to the North American lineage of avian influenza viruses, suggesting that the majority of the waterfowls breeding in central Alaska migrate to North America and not to Asia. The present results support the notion that influenza viruses have been maintained in waterfowl population by water-borne transmission and revealed the mechanism of year-by-year perpetuation of the viruses in the lakes where they breed.

A novel Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase lacking autophosphorylation activity in the rabbit heart

We report the discovery, semi-purification and characterization of a novel Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (peak I kinase) using syntide 2 as a substrate from the rabbit heart. In the study of dependence of peak I kinase on the concentration of calmodulin, half-maximal activation was obtained at approx. 2.0 x 10(-7) M calmodulin. Peak I kinase did not undergo autophosphorylation. This kinase phosphorylates the synthetic peptides such as syntide 2, autocamtide-2, site 3 in a Ca2+/CaM-dependent manner, but not myosin light chain-peptide, gamma-peptide, and cAMP Response Element Binding Protein (CREB) peptide. Elongation Factor-2, alpha-casein and histone-IIIs were not phosphorylated. These data indicate that this CaM kinase is different from other identified Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases and therefore constitutes a novel protein kinase.

Immunohistochemical localization of neurocalcin in the rat inner ear

Localization in the rat inner ear of neurocalcin, a three EF-hand calcium-binding protein, was examined immunohistochemically. Neurocalcin-like immunoreactivity was restricted to neurons in neuroepithelial receptor organs, while hair cells and supporting cells showed no such immunoreactivity. In the organ of Corti, both afferent and efferent nerve terminals, which formed synapses on both inner and outer hair cells, showed distinct immunoreactions. Spiral ganglion neurons and cochlear nerves were immunopositive. In the cristae ampullaris, macula utriculi and macula sacculi, afferent nerve terminals forming nerve calices or terminal boutons were strongly immunopositive. Efferent nerve terminals making synapses either on nerve calices or on hair cells showed an intense immunoreactivity. Vestibular ganglion neurons were strongly immunopositive. In electron microscopy, immunoreaction products were diffuse in the cytoplasm of ganglion neurons and nerve terminals. Neurocalcin-like immunoreactivity occurred in association with microtubules, outer mitochondrial membranes, synaptic vesicles and synaptic membranes. It is thus likely that neurocalcin is involved in neural functions in each type of afferent and efferent transmission in the inner ear.

Neurocalcin-immunoreactive receptor cells in the rat olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ

Occurrence of neurocalcin, a calcium-binding protein with three EF hand motifs, was examined immunohistochemically in the rat olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ epithelium. Immunoreactivity was detected in receptor cells in these epithelia. Immunoreactions were distributed in cytoplasm associated with outer mitochondrial membrane, endoplasmic reticulum and microtubules. Olfactory and vomeronasal nerve fibers in the lamina propria exhibited immunoreactivity. Neurocalcin may participate in calcium signalling and cytoskeletal arrangement in receptor cells.