Glucocorticoid-resistance in peripheral-blood lymphocytes does not correlate with number of affinity of glucocorticoid-receptors in chronic renal failure patients

Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) seriously impairs successive GC therapy after renal transplantation. We examined the relationship between GC-receptor (GC-R) parameters in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and PBMC resistance to GC in 21 CRF patients and 18 healthy subjects. Each subject group was divided into two subgroups according to PBMC sensitivity to prednisolone in a mitogen assay procedure; i.e., sensitive (IC50 < 381 ng/mL) and resistant (IC50 > 381 ng/mL) groups. In healthy subjects, the mean GC-R Bmax and Kd in quiescent PBMC of the GC-sensitive group were 2.89 +/- 1.23 fmol/10(6) cells and 4.00 +/- 2.24 nM, respectively. The Bmax in these subjects significantly increased to 6.61 +/- 2.02 (257.7 +/- 107.8%) after 24 h stimulation with concanavalin A (p < 0.01), while the Kd change was not significant. The GC-R Bmax and Kd in quiescent PBMC of the GC-resistant group were 5.33 +/- 1.37 fmol/10(6) cells and 3.20 +/- 1.39 nM, respectively. Both of these parameters, however, did not change significantly after mitogen stimulation. There was a significant negative correlation between IC50S of prednisolone and increase-ratios (post/pre ratio) of Bmax after mitogen stimulation (p < 0.05). In CRF patients, Bmax and Kd in quiescent PBMC of the GC-sensitive group were 6.04 +/- 2.35 fmol/10(6) cells and 3.49 +/- 1.72 nM, respectively, while those in PBMC of the GC-resistant group were 5.13 +/- 2.31 fmol/10(6) cells and 4.04 +/- 1.62 nM, respectively. The Bmax and Kd were not significantly changed after mitogen stimulation in both subgroups of CRF. Moreover, in contrast to healthy subjects, there was no correlation between IC50 and GC-R parameters in CRF. We concluded that, in healthy subjects, decreased PBMC capacity to amplify GC-R numbers in response to mitogen is correlated with GC resistance, whereas in CRF patients the resistant mechanism is not correlated with GC-R parameters. An unknown event might be involved in GC-resistance of CRF.

Biphasic alteration in the trigeminal nociceptive neuronal responses after intracerebroventricular injection of prostaglandin E2 in rats

To investigate the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the brain in nociception electrophysiologically, we injected PGE2 (0.1 fmol(-1) nmol) into the lateral cerebroventricle (LCV) of anesthetized rats and observed the changes of the responses of the wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis to noxious pinching of facial skin. The LCV injection of PGE2 at 1 fmol and 10 fmol enhanced the responses of the majority of WDR neurons to noxious stimuli, whereas that of PGE2 at 100 pmol and 1 nmol suppressed them. The enhancement and suppression of the nociceptive responses of WDR neurons were observed 15-25 min and 5-15 min after injection of PGE2 at 10 fmol (3.53 pg) and 1 nmol (353 ng), respectively. On the other hand, the LCV injection of PGE2 at both 10 fmol and 1 nmol had no effect on the responses of the low threshold mechanoreceptive neurons to skin brushing. These results provide electrophysiological evidence that brain-derived PGE2 has biphasic effects on nociception, i.e., it induces mechanical hyperalgesia at lower doses and hypoalgesia at higher doses in rats.

Correlation of cervical carcinoma c-erb B-2 oncogene with cell proliferation parameters in patients treated with radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although c-erb B-2 oncoprotein expression (CerbB-OPE) is believed to be associated with tumor cell proliferation and prognosis, the correlation between CerbB-OPE and cell proliferation parameters has not been fully analyzed.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical studies were performed on 64 cervical carcinoma patients treated with radiation therapy. Prognosis was analyzed by CerbB-OPE, growth fraction determined with Ki-67 immunohistochemistry (Ki-GF), and the mitotic index of proliferating cell population (pMI).

RESULTS

CerbB-OPE was observed on the cell membrane of carcinoma cells. Positivity of CerbB-OPE, which was 42.4% in total, increased significantly with stage progression. No significant differences were observed among histologic subtypes. Mean total Ki-GF and pMI were 36% and 2.5%, respectively. Mean Ki-GF for CerbB(+) patients was 26.2%, which was significantly lower than the 38.3% for CerbB(-) patients (P < 0.01). The mean pMI for CerbB(+) patients was 3.7%, which was significantly higher than the 2% for CerbB(-) patients (P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rates of CerbB(+) patients and CerbB(-) patients were 45.1% and 75.6%, respectively, indicating that CerbB(+) patients showed significantly poorer survival than CerbB(-) patients (P < 0.01). The difference in survival was due mainly to local recurrence rather than distant metastasis. There were significant correlations between prognosis and Ki-GF and pMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The poor prognosis of patients with cervical carcinoma with CerbB-OPE was due to local recurrences after radiation therapy. The correlations of CerbB-OPE with Ki-GF and pMI suggest that c-erb B-2 oncoprotein may play an important role in the cell proliferation status of cervical carcinoma.

Tissue-specific inhibition of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing in the liver by adenovirus-mediated transfer of a dominant negative mutant APOBEC-1 leads to increased low density lipoprotein in mice

APOBEC-1 is a catalytic subunit of an apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA editing enzyme complex. In humans it is expressed only in the intestine, whereas in mice it is expressed in both the liver and intestine. APOBEC-1 exists as a spontaneous homodimer (Lau, P. P., Zhu, H.-J., Baldini, A., Charnsangavej, C., and Chan, L. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 8522-8526). We tested the editing activity and dimerization potential of three different mouse APOBEC-1 mutants using in vitro editing activity assay and immunoprecipitation in the presence of epitope-tagged APOBEC-1. One catalytically inactive mutant, mu1 (H61K/C93S/C96S), that retains its capacity to dimerize with wild-type APOBEC-1 was found to inhibit the editing activity of the latter and was thus a dominant negative mutant. Two other inactive mutants that dimerized poorly with APOBEC-1 failed to inhibit its activity. Intravenous injection of a mu1 adenovirus, Admu1, in C57BL/6J mice in vivo resulted in liver-specific expression of mu1 mRNA. On days 4 and 9 after virus injection, endogenous hepatic apoB mRNA editing was 23.3 +/- 5.0 and 36.8 +/- 5.7%, respectively, compared with 65.3 +/- 11 and 71.3 +/- 5.2%, respectively, for luciferase adenovirus-treated animals. Plasma apoB-100 accounted for 95 and 93% of total plasma apoB in Admu1 animals on days 4 and 9, respectively, compared with 78 and 72% in luciferase adenovirus animals. Plasma cholesterol on day 9 was 98 +/- 17 mg/dl in the mu1-treated animals, substantially higher than phosphate-buffered saline-treated (57 +/- 9 mg/dl) or luciferase-treated (71 +/- 12 mg/dl) controls. Fast protein liquid chromatography analysis of mouse plasma showed that the intermediate density/low density lipoprotein fractions in the animals treated with the dominant negative mutant adenovirus were much higher than those in controls. We conclude that active APOBEC-1 functions as a dimer and its activity is inhibited by a dominant negative mutant. Furthermore, apoB mRNA editing determines the availability of apoB-100, which in turn limits the amount of intermediate density/low density lipoprotein that can be formed in mice. Liver-specific inhibition of apoB mRNA editing is an important component of any strategy to enhance the value of mice as a model for human lipoprotein metabolism.

Breast carcinoma with myeloid metaplasia--a case report

A 49 year-old female had been suffering from primary myelofibrosis since February 1987 without receiving any treatment. In 1994, a breast mass was detected. Breast tumor biopsy revealed tubular carcinoma with intraductal components and multinucleated giant cells in the loose and myxoid stroma. The giant cells were thought to be megakaryocytes because both Factor VIII and platelet glycoprotein GP IIIa were detected in their cytoplasm. While additional mastectomy specimens and the axillary lymph nodes also revealed prominent myeloid metaplasia, there was no proliferation of the cancer cells. Granulocytic series stained for chloroacetate esterase and very few erythrocytic series were observed. This is the first case in which breast carcinoma and myeloid metaplasia coexisted in the same breast tumor.

Steroidal glycosides from the underground parts of Hosta plantaginea var. japonica and their cytostatic activity on leukaemia HL-60 cells

A new C22-steroid glycoside was isolated from the underground parts of Hosta plantaginea var. japonica, together with a known furostanol saponin and three known spirostanol saponins. The structure of the new steroid glycoside was characterized by spectroscopic analysis and acid-catalysed hydrolysis as 2 alpha, 3 beta, 16 beta-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregn-20(21)-ene-carboxylic acid gamma-lactone 3-O-¿O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--> 4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside¿. The isolated compounds were assayed for their cytostatic activity on leukaemia HL-60 cells. The spirostanol saponins showed cytostatic activity in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 values ranging between 1 and 3 micrograms ml-1.

Invasive pattern of lac-Z-transfected human glioblastoma cells in nude mice brain

Primary, malignant brain tumors show an extensive infiltrative invasion into surrounding normal brain. At present, little information is available regarding the local invasive behavior of human brain tumors and until now no animal model suitable to mimic human gliomas has been reported. To identify the infiltrative behavior of an established glioblastoma cell line (SNB19), we achieved a stable transfection of the SNB19 cell line with beta-galactosidase (lac-Z) plasmid. The stable beta-galactosidase-expressing cells were then injected intracerebrally into nude mice in an attempt to follow its pattern of spread. The mice were sacrificed at 3, 4, and 6 weeks postinjection. We could detect tumor formation in all of the animals, and the tumor size increased gradually over the 6 week time period. Three weeks after injection, tumor cells showed characteristic infiltrative invasion along the corpus callosum. We also observed tumor-cell invasion into the anterior commissure in some animals, and each tumor cell could be identified by lac-Z expression as visualized by its blue color. Further invasion was identified at 4 and 6 weeks postinjection. Our results suggest that this model could be used to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the invasion of gliomas so that appropriate therapeutic intervention strategies could be designed.

Effect of barium in porcelain on bonding strength of titanium-porcelain system

The bonding strength to titanium, thermal expansion, and bending strength of glassy porcelain containing barium of 5, 10, and 15 mass% were estimated and compared with those of barium-free porcelain, to estimate the effect of barium content on bonding strength to titanium. The three different glassy porcelains containing barium were made by melting at 950 degrees C. The bonding strength of a commercial porcelain to titanium increased with the addition of barium. Bending strength and thermal expansion were not affected by the barium content. Therefore, the addition of barium to porcelain is effective for strengthening the bonding of porcelain to titanium.

Transcription of the human hepatic lipase gene is modulated by multiple negative elements in HepG2 cells

The expression of the hepatic lipase (HL) gene is highly tissue specific. In order to identify cis-acting elements which regulate the expression of this gene in the liver, multiple deletion mutants of the 5'-flanking region of the HL gene fused to the human growth hormone gene were transfected in HepG2 cells, which normally produce HL. Transient expression assays indicated the presence of negative (at nucleotides (nt) -1576(/)-1342 and -623(/)-407) and positive (at nt -1862(/)-1576 and -50(/)-9) regulatory elements. Transfection of HeLa cells, which do not produce HL, with the same deletion constructs resulted in a similar pattern of promoter activities. However, additional negative (nt -138/-50) and positive (nt -407(/)-138) elements were found. DNase I footprint analysis of the proximal and distal HLpromoter sequences with HepG2 and HeLa cell nuclear extracts identified seven protected regions: A, nt -1540(/)-1527; B, -1505(/)-1473; C, -1467(/)-1460; D, -592(/)-577; E, -565(/)-545; F, -234(/)-220; and G, -70(/) -48. Sites A, B, C, D and E were located within regions containing negative regulatory elements. In order to determine which nuclear factor interacts with the negative elements, sites B, D and E were mutated and the effects of mutation on competition in a gel retardation assay and on promoter activity were studied. When the binding motif for AP1 in sites B, D and E was mutated, the specific DNA-protein complexes were not competed with the mutant oligonucleotides and promoter activity increased twofold. The magnitude of the increase is less than expected from the deletion analysis, and simultaneous mutations did not cause further increase in promoter activity, which suggests that other sites are involved in this negative modulation. These results suggest that the transcription of the HLgene in HepG2 cells is negatively modulated by multiple cis-acting negative elements and AP1-like nuclear factor may play some role in this modulation.

Dendritic Ca2+ response in cercal sensory interneurons of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

In order to understand dendritic information processing, we examined spatio-temporal pattern of intracellular Ca2+ changes in cercal sensory interneurons of the cricket. We used a fluorescent imaging technique with confocal laser-scanning microscopy and a fluorescent calcium indicator, "Calcium Green 1'. Electrical stimulation of cercal sensory nerves induced Ca2+ increase on local dendritic regions in these interneurons. The Ca2+ responses in several dendritic arborizations differed from each other in their amplitude, latency and duration, depending on direction that the cercal nerve was stimulated. These results suggest that synaptic inputs coding directional wind signals are topographically arranged on the dendrite, and that the dynamics of Ca2+ accumulation contribute to integrative processing of the synaptic inputs.

Complete phenotypic characterization of apobec-1 knockout mice with a wild-type genetic background and a human apolipoprotein B transgenic background, and restoration of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing by somatic gene transfer of Apobec-1

We have produced gene knockout mice by targeted disruption of the apobec-1 gene. As recently reported by Hirano et al. (Hirano, K.-I., Young, S. G., Farese, R. V., Jr., Ng, J., Sande, E., Warburton, C., Powell-Braxton, L. M., and Davidson, N. O. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 9887-9890), these animals do not edit apolipoprotein (apo) B mRNA or produce apoB-48. In this study we have performed a detailed analysis of the lipoprotein phenotypic effects of apobec-1 gene disruption that were not examined in the previous study. We first analyzed the plasma lipoproteins in knockout animals with a wild-type genetic background. Although there was no difference in plasma cholesterol between apobec-1(-/-), +/-, or +/+ mice, there was a marked (176%) increase in plasma apoB-100, from 1.8 +/- 1.2 mg/dl in apobec-1(+/+) mice to 2.7 +/- 0.6 mg/dl in apobec-1(+/-) and 5.0 +/- 1.4 mg/dl in apobec-1(-/-) mice. Plasma apoE was similar in these animals. By fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) analysis, there was a significant decrease in plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in apobec-1(-/-) mice. We further fractionated the plasma lipoproteins into d < 1.006, 1.006-1.02, 1.02-1.05, 1.05-1.08, 1.08-1.10, and 1.10-1.21 g/ml classes, and found a marked (30-40%) reduction in the cholesterol and protein content in the (d 1.08-1.10 and 1.10-1.21) HDL fractions, corroborating the FPLC data. SDS-gel analysis revealed an absence of apoB-48, an increase in apoB-100 in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions, and a small decrease in apoA-I in the HDL fractions in the apobec-1(-/-) samples. We next raised the basal plasma apoB levels in the apobec-1(-/-) animals by cross-breeding them with human apoB transgenic (TgB) mice. The plasma apoB-100 was 3-fold higher in apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice (26.6 +/- 18.3 mg/dl) than in apobec-1(+/+)/TgB+/- mice (9.8 +/- 3.9 mg/dl, p < 0.05). The apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice had a plasma cholesterol levels of 170 +/- 28 mg/dl and triglyceride levels of 106 +/- 31 mg/dl, which are 80% and 58% higher, respectively, than the corresponding values of 94 +/- 21 mg/dl and 67 +/- 11 mg/dl in apobec+/+/TgB+/- mice. By FPLC, the apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- animals developed markedly elevated plasma LDL cholesterol (518.5 +/- 329.5 microg/ml) that is 373% that of apobec1(+/+)/TgB+/- mice (139.0 +/- 87.0 microg/ml) (p < 0.05). The elevated plasma triglyceride was accounted for mainly by a 97% increase in VLDL triglyceride in the apobec1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice. We conclude that apobec-1(-/-) animals have a distinctive lipoprotein phenotype characterized by significant hyperapoB-100 and HDL deficiency in mice with a wild-type genetic background. Furthermore, the abolition of apoB mRNA editing elevates plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in apobec-1(-/-) animals with a TgB background. Finally, to exclude the possibility that absence of apoB mRNA editing was a secondary effect of chronic Apobec-1 deficiency, we treated apobec-1(-/-) mice with a replication-defective mouse Apobec-1 adenoviral vector and found that we could acutely restore apoB mRNA editing in the liver. These experiments indicate that Apobec-1 is an essential component of the apoB mRNA editing machinery and absence of editing in the knockout animals is a direct consequence of the absence of functional Apobec-1.

Inhibition of peripheral interleukin-1 beta-induced hyperalgesia by the intracerebroventricular administration of diclofenac and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether or not the endogeneous mechanisms in the brain can modulate the changes in nociception produced by peripherally-administered interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in rats. We administered diclofenac and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) into the lateral cerebroventricle (LCV) 10 min before the intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of recombinant human IL-1 beta (rhIL-1 beta, 1 ng/kg-100 ng/kg) and then observed the changes in nociception using a hot-plate test. The i.p. injection of rhIL-1 beta (10 ng/kg and 100 ng/kg) reduced the paw-withdrawal latency without affecting the colonic temperature. The maximal reduction in the paw-withdrawal latency was observed 30 min after the i.p. injection of rhIL-1 beta at 100 ng/kg. The rhIL-1 beta (100 ng/kg)-induced hyperalgesia was inhibited by the LCV injection of both diclofenac (1 ng) and alpha-MSH (100 ng). The LCV injection of either diclofenac (1 ng) or alpha-MSH (100 ng) was found to have no effect on nociception by itself. These findings therefore suggest that the hyperalgesia induced by peripheral IL-1 beta can be modulated by a cyclooxygenase pathway of the arachidonate and alpha-MSH in the brain.

Poor correlation between clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and immunoglobulin gene transcription in Hodgkin's disease

It recently has been suggested that some cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) are derived from B lymphocytes. We therefore examined immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement and transcription by polymerase chain reaction in 30 cases of HD and compared them with 25 cases of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. Clonal VDJ gene rearrangements were observed in 6 cases of HD. Of these 6 cases, clonal VDJ gene transcription was found by RNA-dependent polymerase chain reaction in only 2 cases. One of these 2 cases histologically showed composite lymphoma of HD and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. We performed in situ hybridization with a clonal VDJ gene probe in this case to determine the localization of the genetic clonality. The large lymphoma cells reacted positively, but Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg cells showed only nonspecific staining. No discrepancy between immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and transcription was observed in 24 of the 25 cases of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. The discordance between clonal gene rearrangement and transcription in HD contrasts sharply with the high correlation of those processes in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma.

Involvement of a cytochrome P450 system in microsomal debromination of alpha-(bromisovaleryl)urea

The reductive debromination of a hypnotic, (alpha-bromisovaleryl)urea to (3-methylbutyryl)urea by rat liver microsomes was studied. Pretreatment of rats with cytochrome P450 inducers such as phenobarbitone, 3-methylcholanthrene, acetone and pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile enhanced the debromination of (alpha-bromisovaleryl)urea by liver microsomes. Microsomal debromination was inhibited by cytochrome P450 inhibitors such as metyrapone, alpha-naphthoflavone, SKF 525-A and carbon monoxide. Microsomal debromination was enhanced by addition of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and inhibited by addition of an antibody against the flavo enzyme to the liver microsomes. A reconstituted cytochrome P450 system containing NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, and cytochrome P450 1AI or P450 2BI exhibited debrominating activity toward the hypnotic. These results indicated that a cytochrome P450 system plays an essential role in the microsomal debromination of (alpha-bromisovaleryl)urea.

Expression of perforin in nasal lymphoma. Additional evidence of its natural killer cell derivation

Eight patients with nasal lymphoma in whom fresh-frozen tissues were available were studied to elucidate the nature of the lymphoma cells. Two cases were diagnosed as diffuse, large cell lymphoma, and the remaining six cases as diffuse, mixed cell types. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that all of the cases were positive for perforin, which is a specific marker for cytotoxic T or natural killer (NK) cells. As all of the cases were CD8 negative, the perforin-positive finding further confirmed the concept that nasal lymphoma is a distinct neoplastic entity derived from NK or NK-related cells. Light microscopic immunohistochemical studies revealed that these nasal lymphoma cases could be classified into Leu19(CD56)+Leu4(CD3)+ (two cases) and Leu19(CD56)+Leu4(CD3)- (six cases) types according to the phenotypes of the proliferating cells. However, simultaneous staining for perforin and Leu4 (CD3) using immunoelectron microscopy on the Leu19+Leu4+ cases showed that the perforin-positive cells were different from the Leu4-positive cells. This finding suggests that the Leu4-positive cells are not neoplastic NK cells but reactive T cells. Six cases were positive for EBER-1 by in situ hybridization analysis. This finding reconfirms the previous studies that Epstein-Barr virus plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of nasal lymphoma.

Frequent expression of P-glycoprotein/MDR1 by nasal T-cell lymphoma cells

BACKGROUND

Lethal midline granuloma is now considered to be a malignant lymphoma derived from peripheral T cells or from natural killer cells. The therapeutic outcome of nasal T-cell lymphoma (NL) treated by conventional chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is poor, although some patients have a good response to radiotherapy. To clarify the mechanisms of drug resistance, the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/MDR1, which is the product of the multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 gene, and MDR3 mRNA in NL cells, were examined.

METHODS

Ten Japanese patients with NL were studied. Nine of these patients were examined before therapy. P-glycoprotein expression and phenotypes of lymphoma cells were examined by immunohistochemical staining using UIC2 as an anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody. In one case, the Rhodamine-123 efflux test was performed. MDR1 and MDR3 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Nine of the 10 patients were P-gp positive. In one of nine, functional P-gp expression was observed. MDR1 mRNA was detected in all seven examined patients with P-gp positive NLs, whereas MDR3 mRNA was negative. Retrospectively, patients who received chemotherapy alone had poorer outcome than those treated by combination chemotherapy after irradiation.

CONCLUSION

The poor prognosis for patients with NL treated with chemotherapy may be explained by P-gp expression of the NL cells.

Primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma with mantle cell lymphoma phenotype

We report a rare case of primary hepatic lymphoma, Stage II disease, in a 48-year-old male who had a solitary hepatic tumour measuring 4 x 4.5 x 3 cm. The tumour showed a nodular growth pattern and lymphoepithelial lesions with bile ducts. Some neoplastic nodules had a non-neoplastic atrophic germinal centre and/or a thin mantle cell layer. Morphologically, the neoplastic cells were centrocyte-like cells or intermediate lymphocytes. They expressed L26(CD20)+/LN-1(CDw75)+/-/LN-2(CD74)+/cyclin D1- and had a monotypic immunoglobulin of cytoplasmic IgM (kappa) on paraffin sections. The neoplastic cells or neoplastic nodules expressed surface IgM+/surface IgD+/-/Leu-1(CD5)+/DRC-1+/alkaline phosphatase+/B1(CD20)+/B4(CD19)- on fresh frozen sections. We therefore diagnosed this case as primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma with mantle cell lymphoma phenotype. We confirm that it is difficult to differentiate extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (low grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type; MALT lymphoma) and mantle cell lymphoma.

Manganese superoxide dismutase expression correlates with p53 status and local recurrence of cervical carcinoma treated with radiation therapy

Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) inactivates the radiation effect by removal of radiation-induced toxic superoxide radicals. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation among Mn-SOD, radiation sensitivity, and prognosis following radiation therapy. The Mn-SOD, p53 oncoprotein, and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expressions in 52 specimens from patients with cervical cancer treated with radiation therapy were investigated immunohistochemically. The frozen sections were stained using antihuman Mn-SOD, anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies, and anti-c-erbB-2 oncoprotein polyclonal antibody followed by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Correlations among Mn-SOD expression, prognosis, and failure patterns were analyzed. Additionally, correlations between p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins and Mn-SOD expression were investigated. Positive expression of Mn-SOD in cervical carcinoma was 48.1%. No significant difference in positivity of Mn-SOD expression was noted according to stage and histological subtypes. The 5-year survival rate of Mn-SOD-positive patients was 42.5 %, significantly poorer than the 77.0% of Mn-SOD-negative patients (P < 0.05). Analysis of the failure patterns revealed that patients with Mn-SOD expression showed a significantly higher incidence of local recurrence than those without. However, there was no difference in distant metastasis between them. Although both p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expressions were significantly associated with the prognosis of the same patients, Mn-SOD expression was associated with p53 oncoprotein expression but not with that of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Our results demonstrate that the Mn-SOD level of cancer cells is correlated with local control and is an important prognostic factor in radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The Mn-SOD level may help explain the intrinsic radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells.

A new cytotoxic cholestane bisdesmoside from Ornithogalum saundersiae bulbs

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract of Ornithogalum saundersiae bulbs led to the isolation of a new cholestane bisdesmoside with potent cytotoxic activities toward leukemia HL-60 and MOLT-4 cells. The structure was deduced mainly from spectroscopic information.

Analysis of response to radiation therapy of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma. MIB-1 and PC10 labeling indices

BACKGROUND

The MIB-1 monoclonal antibody is a marker of cycling cells and the PC10 monoclonal antibody is a marker of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in paraffin sections. This study was conducted to elucidate the difference in response to radiotherapy (RT) between cervical adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, focusing on cell proliferation.

METHODS

A total of 196 biopsy specimens taken from the cervical carcinomas of 14 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma and 62 patients with squamous cell carcinoma before and after RT at doses of 9 and 27 Grays (Gy) were investigated for MIB-1 and PC10 immunoreactivities.

RESULTS

In adenocarcinomas, the mean MIB-1 labeling indices before and after RT at 9 and 27 Gy were 28%, 21%, and 26%, respectively, whereas the mean PC10 labeling indices were 15%, 13%, and 14%, respectively. In squamous cell carcinomas, the mean MIB-1 labeling indices before and after RT at 9 and 27 Gy were 38%, 53%, and 26%, respectively, and the mean PC10 labeling indices were 23%, 23%, and 11%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical adenocarcinomas have a lower cycling cell population and their indices show no change during RT. Squamous cell carcinomas have a higher cycling cell population and show a transient increase of the MIB-1 cycling cell population at 9 Gy of RT. These findings suggest a difference in response to RT between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.