Gene expression of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in non-small cell lung cancer

Autonomous or continuous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. (G-CSF)-production in malignant neoplasms is considered to induce leukocytosis without apparent infection. We examined G-CSF gene expression in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and discussed its clinicopathological significance. Northern blot analysis revealed G-CSF gene expression in 14 of 84 surgical specimens (16.7%, 10/30 squamous cell carcinoma, 3/50 adenocarcinoma, 1/4 large cell carcinoma). Eight patients (57.1%, 8/14) with NSCLC showing G-CSF gene-expression had peripheral blood leukocytosis (> 8,000/microliter). The prognosis was significantly worse in 10 stage I or II NSCLC showing G-CSF gene expression (p < 0.01, Cox-Mantel test). These findings suggest that G-CSF gene expression is common event in the early stage of primary NSCLC, while it cannot completely explain the leukocytosis induced by lung cancer.

[The study of urgent pulmonary resections for lung cancer accompany with pneumonia]

We studied 10 lung cancer patients with pneumonia insusceptible of conservative treatment. All patients underwent urgent pulmonary resection to control their pneumonia induced by the tumor and to cure the cancer. The causes of pneumonia were bronchial obstruction by the tumor itself or aspiration of the tumor necrosis. The patients comprised 9 men and 1 women. The age range was 37 to 72 years with a median age of 57 years. There were obstructive pneumonia in 3 patients and aspiration pneumonia in 7 cases. The average size of tumor was about 4.7 and 7.5 cm, respectively. The histological type of lung cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in 6 and adenocarcinoma in 4. There were 1 stage 1,1 stage IIIA and 3 stage IIIB tumors. Lobectomy was performed in 8 patients and pneumonectomy in 2 patients. Nine patients underwent the operation under one-lung ventilation. A median period of preoperative administration of antibiotics was 6.2 days. The curative operation for lung cancer was performed in 3 patients and non-curative operation in 7 patients. Postoperative complications were pneumonia in 2, subcutaneous abscess in 2 and arrhythmia in a case of pneumonectomy. All non-curative patients died in 5 years, but two curative patients survived long time for 31 and 75 months, respectively. We performed urgent pulmonary resection for lung cancer patients to cure fatal pneumonia and cancer. There were no hospital death. Urgent pulmonary resection could prevent early death caused by fatal pneumonia by tumor itself.

Duodenal and gastric cell regenerating epithelia on margins of human duodenal ulcer and presence of H. pylori--an electron microscopic study

Specimens from 22 cases of human duodenal ulcers obtained at surgery were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Observations were focused on the ulcer margins which always showed some evidence of healing by simple cuboidal epithelial cells migrating on the ulcer base. Two types of regenerating epithelia (RE) were found: the intestinal and the gastric cell types. The intestinal type RE originating from intestinal epithelium of the surrounding epithelium of the ulcer edge was composed of immature enterocytes, which differentiated into absorptive and goblet cells, and formed presumptive crypts and villi. The gastric type RE grew from adjacent metaplastic gastric mucosa at the edge of the ulcer and consisted of immature cells, which developed into mucous cells. Some ulcers had RE of both intestinal cell and gastric cell origin. In most margins, the RE was of only one cell type, but in others both intestinal and gastric type cells were present. In more developed regions both types formed presumptive glands. The basal lamina was frequently missing near the leading edge. This corresponded to degeneration and necrosis of RE, especially in areas of severe inflammatory foci. Helicobacter (H.) pylori colonization on gastric metaplastic epithelium was observed in about one third of the ulcer cases. In the surrounding epithelium of ulcers colonized with H. pylori there were degenerative changes, disruption of cell membranes, and massive cell exfoliation resulting in denuded lamina propria. Some gastric type RE was also colonized with H. pylori. No infection was found on intestinal epithelia. These findings suggest that H. pylori may be important in the development of duodenal ulcers as well as in the prevention or delay of ulcer healing.

Saxitoxin as a toxic principle of a freshwater puffer, Tetraodon fangi, in Thailand

Saxitoxin was identified in a freshwater puffer, Tetraodon fangi, which caused food poisoning in Thailand. Tetrodotoxin, a puffer toxin, was not detected in the species by the HPLC-fluorometric analysis, showing that tetrodotoxin is absent or under any detectable level. The result of this study shows that saxitoxin can be a major toxin in puffer.

Fluid flow induces enhancement of the Egr-1 mRNA level in osteoblast-like cells: involvement of tyrosine kinase and serum

It is widely accepted that mechanical loading is necessary to construct the architecture of bone and to maintain bone mass. However, the mechanism of how bone cells respond to mechanical stimuli is not known. To clarify this, we stimulated osteoblast-like MC3T3E1 cells by mechanical shaking of the culture dishes and found that the level of the egr-1 gene, which is an early response gene induced by growth factors or serum and encodes a transcription factor, increased 15-45 min after the shaking, with a peak at 30 min. The egr-1 gene product increased 1 h after the shaking. The egr-1 gene elevation was not blocked by prior exposure to indomethacin, saralasin, Rp-cAMP, A23187, and colchicine, and it was blocked partially by cytochalasin D, H-7, and prolonged exposure to TPA. On the other hand, a prior incubation with cycloheximide, DRB, genistein, herbimycin A, and BAPTA/AM completely blocked the egr-1 gene level enhanced by shaking the culture dishes. Moreover, we found that in serum-deprived cells the egr-1 gene response to shaking was not induced. These results suggested that the egr-1 gene response is regulated at the transcriptional level and that it involves tyrosine kinase as well as labile or de novo protein and requires a particular level of intracellular calcium and serum.

Testicular histopathology in congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia: a light and electron microscopic study

This paper describes the testicular histopathology in 2 male patients with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia who underwent orchiectomy at age 7 (case 1) and 12 (case 2) years, respectively. In both cases, seminiferous tubules were normal in diameter (mean: case 1 88.7 microm; case 2 115.9 microm) and consisted of an age-appropriate number of type A spermatogonia (mean: case 1 1.7/tubule; case 2 4.0/tubule) and an increased number of Sertoli cells (mean: case 1 34.7/tubule; case 2 27.9/tubule). The interstitial space was abundant and contained normal to increased numbers of Leydig cells (mean: case 1 4.0/ tubule; case 2 6.1/tubule) that were filled with lipid droplets. We suspect that lipid accumulation in Leydig cells is consistent with defective conversion of cholesterol into pregnenolone and thus constitutes the characteristic feature of this disease, while the remaining findings appear to be common to disorders associated with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

A CT using longitudinally detected ESR (LODESR-CT) of intraperitoneally injected nitroxide radical in a rat's head

We have developed an in vivo longitudinally detected ESR (LODESR) imaging system operating at 700 MHz based on a loop-gap resonator and a pair of saddle-type pickup coils. A good linear relationship between the LODESR signal intensity and the applied power in a range up to 15.8 W was obtained. The detection of LODESR signals was barely affected by variations in the resonant properties. The characteristic of LODESR is suitable for in vivo examination. Using this system, we succeeded in obtaining LODESR-CT images of the head region of a rat after the intraperitoneal injection of a nitroxide radical.

A case of skeletal dysplasia with advanced carpal ossification and "monkey wrench" appearance of the femora: mild Desbuquois dysplasia?

We report on a 14-year-old Japanese boy with radiographic features resembling those of Desbuquois dysplasia, including advanced carpal ossification, a "monkey wrench" appearance of the proximal femora, mild spondylar dysplasia, and generalized osteopenia. In contrast to the hitherto known patients with this disorder, however, his birth length was normal, and his short stature, which became apparent postnatally, was much milder than that of the previously reported cases (approximately -5 SD of average), and the joint laxity was more subtle. In addition, facial dysmorphism was absent, as were radial deviation of the second fingers and thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis.

CONCLUSION

The present patient may represent the mildest end of the variable phenotypic manifestation of the recently described Desbuquois dysplasia.

P-glycoprotein-mediated acquired multidrug resistance of human lung cancer cells in vivo

We examined whether the increased expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the human multidrug resistance gene MDR1 is related to the acquired multidrug resistance of lung cancer in vivo. We estimated the chemosensitivity of lung cancer xenografts (LC-6, adenocarcinoma; Lu-24, small-cell cancer) by calculation of relative tumour growth (T/C%, treated/control) in vivo, based on statistical significance determined by the Mann-Whitney U test (P < 0.01, one-sided). MDR1 gene expression levels were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. P-gp production and P-gp localisation were examined by Western blotting and by immunohistochemical analysis respectively. LC-6 and Lu-24 were initially sensitive to both vincristine (VCR, 1.6 mg kg-1: LC-6, 45%; Lu-24, 39%) and doxorubicin (DOX, 12 mg kg-1: LC-6, 26%; Lu-24, 27%) in vivo. VCR-resistant variants (LC-6R, 66% and Lu-24R, 68%) selected with VCR (0.4 mg kg-1, x 9) significantly acquired cross-resistance to DOX (LC-6R, 55% and Lu-24R, 55% respectively). RT-PCR assay showed increased levels of MDR1 expression in LC-6R and Lu-24R with stable MDR1 expression levels. P-gp expression levels were elevated, and the percentage of P-gp-positive tumour cells increased in both LC-6R and Lu-24R. These results suggest that P-gp/MDR1 overexpression is related to acquired multidrug resistance in lung cancer in vivo.

[Clinicopathological study of pulmonary hamartoma with special reference to 6 patients who also had another tumor]

We studied 22 patients in whom intrapulmonary hamartoma was diagnosed between 1975 and 1994. Twelve were men and 10 were women, and their ages ranged from 20 to 72 years (averaged: 52.5). The sizes of the hamartomas ranged from 5 mm to 3 cm. Five patients also had other types of cancer (ling 3, colon 1, thyroid 1) and one had a mediastinal tumor (1). In those 6 patients, the hamartomas had to be distinguished from intrapulmonary metastasis. In 2 of those 6, thoracoscopic surgery was useful for obtaining sufficient materials for diagnosis. In one patient immunohistochemical analysis with anti-PCNA (proliferative cell nuclear antigen) antibody was useful in distinguishing leiomyomatous hamartoma from benign metastatic leiomyoma.

A 3D- and 4D-ESR imaging system for small animals

A new version of in vivo ESR-CT system composed of custom-made 0.7 GHz ESR spectrometer, air-core magnet with a field-scanning coil, three field-gradient coils, and two computers enables up- and down-field, and rapid magnetic-field scanning linearly controlled by computer. 3D-pictures of distribution of nitroxide radicals injected in brains and livers of rats and mice were obtained in 1.5 min with resolution of 1 mm. We have also succeeded in obtaining spatial-time imagings of the animals.

The effect of TNP-470 on cell proliferation and urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its inhibitor in human lung cancer cell lines

The plasminogen activator system has been found to modulate neoplastic spread and angiogenesis in tumors. An angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, has been shown to possess potent antitumor activities in various types of cancer cells. We therefore investigated the inhibitory effect of TNP-470 on cancer cell proliferation, and the suppressive effect of TNP-470 on urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), in human lung cancer cell lines in vitro. TNP-470 inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines. u-PA and PAI-1 in culture supernatants were suppressed with the concentrations of TNP-470, in association with a decrease in viable cancer cells. Unchanged serum levels of u-PA and PAI-1 would be of great advantage to the diseased patients, since the plasminogen activator system has a crucial function in the process of distant metastasis.

Programmed cell death in rat microglia is controlled by extracellular adenosine

The induction of programmed cell death by adenosine was investigated in cultured rat microglial cells using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determining DNA fragmentation. Twelve hours exposure to micromolar levels of the unselective adenosine receptor agonist 2-chloro-adenosine led to the appearance of DNA fragments in the cytosolic fraction preceding damage of the plasma membrane. This effect was still seen in the presence of an adenosine uptake blocker. Conventional A1, A2 or A3 agonists and antagonists were rather ineffective, suggesting mediation via an atypical adenosine receptor subtype. Microglial DNA fragmentation was inhibited by H-7 and staurosporine but not by dibutyryl-cyclic AMP, pointing to a protein kinase C linked mechanism. Such an induction of programmed cell death by an elevation of the extracellular adenosine concentration may provide an endogenous control mechanism to limit the function of activated microglial cells.

Follicular dendritic cells adhere to fibronectin and laminin fibers via their respective receptors

The expression of adhesion molecules on human tonsillar follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the secondary lymphoid follicle (LF) in vivo and in vitro was investigated using cryostat sections and cytospin preparations of FDCs isolated with a magnetic cell sorter, respectively. FDCs were immunochemically positive for Mac-1 (CD11b), sialyl-Lex (CD15s), CD22, integrin beta 1 (CD29), CD40, very late activation antigen (VLA)-alpha 3 (CD49c), VLA-alpha 5 (CD49e), VLA-alpha 6 (CD49f), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-3 (CD50), ICAM-1 (CD54), B7 (CD80), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (CD106). With respect to ligands on B cells for these adhesion molecules, the CD11b-CD54, CD50-leukocyte function-associated molecule (LFA)-1 (CD11a/18), and CD106-VLA-4 (CD49d/29) interactions in the apical light (ALZ) and basal light (BLZ) zones; the CD15s-L-selectin (CD62L) and CD106-CD49d/29 interactions in the mantle zone; and the CD54-CD11a/18 interaction in the entire LF may participate in FDC-B cell adhesion. Namely, the adhesion molecules participating in FDC-B cell interactions may differ in each of the five zones. Furthermore, the immunochemical evidence that FDCs were fibronectin (VLA-5, CD49e/29) and laminin (VLA-6, CD49l/29) receptor-positive discussed above was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and binding assays. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed fibers surrounded by cytoplasmic FDC extensions that were CD29-, CD49e-, and CD49f-positive. In the binding assays, the numbers of FDCs bound to fibronectin- and laminin-coated dishes and LFs of cryostat sections of human tonsils were reduced markedly by pretreatment with monoclonal antibodies against CD29, CD49e, and CD49f. These data indicate clearly that FDCs bind to reticulin and laminin fibers in LFs via their respective receptors.

Occurrence of tetrodotoxin in Alexandrium tamarense, a causative dinoflagellate of paralytic shellfish poisoning

A significant amount of tetrodotoxin was identified in the cultured cells of Alexandrium tamarense, a causative dinoflagellate of paralytic shellfish poisoning. This result supports the hypothesis that both tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish toxins can be detected in organisms which possess either of them, although their proportion is different individually. The present result also supports our previous finding that A. tamarense is the origin of tetrodotoxin detected in the highly toxic scallop Patinopecten yessoensis during the bloom of A. tamarense.

Dynamic electron spin resonance (ESR) imaging of the distribution of spin labeled dextran in a mouse

The nitroxide group 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) was covalently bound to a dextran via an N-acetamido linkage to produce a novel spin probe, TEMPO-dextran (TEMPO-DX), which circulates for long time periods in an animal without metabolic degradation. TEMPO-DX was stable in mice, while small TEMPO analogs quickly disappeared after administration. Since dextran was reduced somewhat in size during synthesis, the resultant spin-labeled dextran could be excreted through the kidney. A strong L-band electron spin resonance signal was obtained shortly after intravenous administration of TEMPO-DX into the tail vein of a mouse, from which three-dimensional images of specific organs were calculated. The signal was found to persist for well over 1 h.

Contrast-enhanced radiographic computed tomographic findings in patients with straight back syndrome

Straight back syndrome (SBS) is usually diagnosed by physical and chest radiographic findings. Radiographic computed tomographic (CT) findings are very useful for the diagnosis and the evaluation of its severity. The purpose is to evaluate the relationship between chest X-ray film and CT findings.

SUBJECTS

We evaluated 26 patients (SBS group) and 11 normal subjects (control group). SBS group consisted of 15 patients without structural heart disease (group I) and 11 patients with other heart disease (group II).

METHODS

(1) On the chest X-ray film, antero-posterior diameter (APD) of the thorax, transthoracic diameter (TTD), and APD/TTD ratio were measured. (2) On the CT image, three parameters were calculated; APD of the left atrium (LA diameter), APD/transverse diameter ratio of the heart (flattening ratio) and left side shift ratio of the heart (shifting ratio). (3) CT parameters were compared with APD/TTD ratio in patients and control group.

RESULTS

(1) APD/TTD ratio was smaller in group I and II than control group (30.0 +/- 5.4, 30.5 +/- 4.0 v 44.6 +/- 2.7%, p < .001). (2) LA diameter was smaller in group I and II than control group (23.2 +/- 4.1, 26.0 +/- 8.6 v 30.0 +/- 6.5 mm, p < .01). Flattening ratio was also smaller in group I and II than control group (59.2 +/- 9.4, 61.8 +/- 8.6 v 75.4 +/- 13.2%, p < .01). Shifting ratio was greater in group I and II than control group (10.9 +/- 5.0, 11.9 +/- 4.5 v 8.4 +/- 4.0%, p < .01). (3) APD/TTD ratio correlated with LA diameter (r = .39, p < .05) and flattening ratio (r = .53, p < .001). APD/TTD ratio did not correlate with shifting ratio (r = -.27, NS).

CONCLUSIONS

APD/TTD ratio correlated with LA diameter and flattening ratio rather than shifting ratio. LA diameter and flattening ratio on the CT image were more useful for evaluating the severity.

Early squamous cell carcinoma of the lung: CT and pathologic correlation

PURPOSE

To study the factors that influence computed tomographic (CT) visibility of early squamous cell carcinoma, which was defined as a lesion confined to the bronchial wall without lymph node metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT was performed in 18 patients with 18 early squamous cell carcinoma lesions. The 5.0-mm or thinner sections were reviewed independently by three observers who were aware of the bronchoscopic findings, and the visibility of the lesions was correlated with histopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Tumors consisted of 13 flat and five polypoid lesions. Three of the lesions were epithelial, eight were subepithelial, and seven were cartilaginous or extracartilaginous. Eleven lesions were visualized at CT as an endobronchial mass or focal bronchial wall thickening. Lesions with polypoid growth and/or cartilaginous or extracartilaginous invasion were all visualized, even on 5-mm-thick sections. Subepithelial lesions could be demonstrated when located at bronchi with craniocaudal orientation.

CONCLUSION

CT is a valuable tool for diagnosis of early squamous cell carcinomas, particularly when lesions show polypoid growth and/or invade the cartilaginous layer.

Mental retardation in a boy with an interstitial deletion at Xp22.3 involving STS, KAL1, and OA1: implication for the MRX locus

Although genotype-phenotype correlations in male patients with various types of nullisomy for Xp22.3 have assigned a locus for X-linked mental retardation (MRX) to an approximately 3-Mb region between DXS31 and STS, the precise location has not been determined. In this paper, we describe a 14 7/12 year old Japanese boy with mental retardation and an interstitial deletion at Xp22.3 involving STS, KAL1, and OA1, and compare the deletion map with that of previously reported three familial male patients with low-normal intelligence and a similar interstitial deletion at Xp22.3. The results suggest that the MRX gene is further localized to the roughly 1.5-Mb region between DXS1060 and DXS1139.

Preoperative radiotherapy and surgery for advanced thymoma with invasion to the great vessels

From 1983 to 1994, 12 advanced thymomas with invasion to the great vessels were initially treated by irradiation (mean dose, 18.3 Gy) and subsequent surgical resection. In nine patients, complete resection was possible by concomitant resection of the surrounding tissues, mainly pericardium and/or brachiocephalic vein. Histologically, all tumors showed prominent fibrosis. Ten patients also received postoperative radiotherapy (mean dose, 42.3 Gy). Tumor-related deaths occurred in only two patients; one who did not receive postoperative irradiation 21 months and one who had viable cells at the surgical margin 10 months after operation. However, there were also 2 patients who died of respiratory failure due to operation and/or irradiation, one 45 days and the other 7 years after the treatment. Preoperative radiotherapy could facilitate complete resection of the advanced thymomas. The prognosis of the patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy seemed fair if followed by adequate resection and subsequent irradiation.

[Cavernous hemangioma of urinary bladder: a case report and review of the literature]

We report a case of cavernous hemangioma of the urinary bladder treated with transurethral resection (TUR). A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our department with the chief complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Cystoscopy revealed a red sessile tumor 2 cm in diameter, at the internal urethral orifice. The tumor had a mostly low signal intensity, partly high signal intensity, on T1-weighted, coronal magnetic resonance (MR) images. Computed tomography and T2-weighted MR images did not delineate the tumor. TUR was performed, and the specimen was pathologically diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma of the urinary bladder. A brief description of the case is provided and the literature is reviewed.

An analysis of the intracerebral ability to eliminate a nitroxide radical in the rat after administration of idebenone by an in vivo rapid scan electron spin resonance spectrometer

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements after intracerebroventricular injection of a nitroxide radical were carried out in rats (n = 6) that received oral idebenone for 2 weeks and in control rats (n = 5), using an in vivo rapid scan ESR spectrometer. The half-life of nitroxide, which was estimated from the change in the peak height (delta M = +1) of the ESR signals from the head, was used as a marker for the elimination of the nitroxide radical. The half-life in the rats treated with idebenone was significantly shorter than it was in the controls (p < 0.05). This finding indicates that the treatment with idebenone can enhance the intracerebral-eliminating ability of the nitroxide radical.