Stimulative effect of transforming growth factor-beta on collagen synthesis by human prostatic stromal cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the prostate has been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TGF-beta on collagen synthesis by stromal cells isolated from a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

Human prostatic stromal cells (HPSC) derived from BPH tissue were cultured in serum-free medium. After incubation with TGF-beta1, the concentration of procollagen type I C-peptide (PIP) in the HPSC-conditioned medium was measured by enzyme immunoassay while the concentration of procollagen type III N-peptide (PIIIP) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Per-cell production of each type of collagen was calculated by multiplying the measured concentration by the volume of medium and dividing by the number of harvested cells.

RESULTS

One ng/mL of TGF-beta1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased collagen production by HPSC, to 220% and 120% of control for types I and III, respectively. Increasing the amount of TGF-beta1 to 10 ng/mL had no further effect. TGF-beta1 did not significantly affect HPSC number at concentrations of either 1 or 10 ng/mL. There was a strong correlation between PIP and PIIIP production (r = 0.929, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that TGF-beta1 stimulates accumulation of extracellular matrix in stromal BPH tissue without affecting proliferation of stromal cells.

[Prostate cancer associated with long-term intake of patent medicine containing methyltestosterone: a case report]

An 81-year-old man, admitted with lumbago and pollakisuria, was diagnosed to have stage D2 prostate cancer (T3N2M1). Although the serum level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 3,560 ng/ml, serum testosterone (55.6 ng/dl) and luteinizing hormone (LH, 0.8 mIU/ml) levels were very low. Detailed inquiry of the patient revealed a daily intake of patent medicine containing 6-9 mg methyltestosterone for the past 30 years. He was treated by surgical castration and oral chlormadinone acetate. We advised him not to take such androgenic drugs. The disease has been well controlled for 7 months. We stress the importance of checking medication habits of patients with prostate cancer, especially androgen-containing drugs which can be purchased without a physician's prescription. A low serum LH level may be an important finding indicating the intake of androgenic drugs.

Expression and degradation of rat androgen receptor following castration, testosterone replacement and antiandrogens administration: analysis by Western blot and immunohistochemistry

To elucidate the autoregulation of androgen receptor (AR) by androgen and antiandrogen, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical study were performed. Castration reduced the immunodetected AR content, and nuclear staining was lost without cytoplasmic staining. Testosterone (T) supplement restored AR content. Quick response of AR content restoring following single administration of T was observed 48 hours after castration. The recovery of AR content detected by Western blot under each condition was accompanied by recovery of the reduced unclear staining intensities in the epithelia. Neither steroidal nor non-steroidal antiandrogens, chlormadinone acetate and flutamide, altered the AR content in normal rat ventral prostate 5, 12, 24 or 48 hours after single administration. Furthermore, neither of the drugs at various doses altered AR levels 12 hours after single administration. In summary, the rat AR is upregulated by androgen. Single administration of antiandrogens have no effect on immunodetected AR content.

Involvement of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the intestinal secretory action of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin II

Treating the mouse intestine with the calmodulin antagonist W-7 and KN-93, an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), reduced the sensitivity of the host to the action of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin II (STII). CaMK II activity in mouse intestinal cells increased after exposure to STII. These results indicate that CaMK II is involved in the mechanism of action of STII.

Differential patterns of blastulation in bovine morulae cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid medium containing FCS or BSA

This study examined the effects of fetal calf serum (FCS) supplementation of culture medium on blastulation and hatching of bovine morulae cultured in vitro. The presumptive zygotes derived from in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVM/IVF) were cultured in the modified synthetic oviduct fluid medium containing 3 mg/ml BSA (mSOF-BSA). At 120 h post insemination, morulae were randomly assigned to culture with mSOF-BSA (control) or mSOF containing 5% FCS (mSOF-FCS) instead of BSA. The replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF significantly increased the percentage of blastocyst formation from Day 6 to Day 10 (Day 0 = the day of in vitro insemination) and the hatching rate of embryos on Days 8 and 9. The total number of cells in morulae and blastocysts on Day 6, in blastocysts on Day 7, and in blastocysts and hatched blastocysts on Day 8 were similar among the treatments. However, the replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF significantly increased the total number of cells in hatched blastocysts on Day 10. Although the time of blastulation of embryos was significantly accelerated by the replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF, the total number of cells in embryos at blastulation was lowered. The total number of cells in embryos at blastulation showed a time-dependent decrease when the embryos were cultured in mSOF-BSA. In contrast, the total number of cells in embryos that were cultured in mSOF-FCS depended little on the time after in vitro insemination. The results indicate that FCS supplementation of culture medium increased the percentage of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage without an increase in the total number of cells. However, an acceleration in the hatching rate and an increase in the total number of cells in hatched blastocysts were observed, compared with that in BSA-supplemented medium. It is suggested that FCS in the culture medium initiates earlier blastulation with fewer total numbers of cells in the morulae than BSA during in vitro culture of bovine embryos.

Bragg gratings printed upon thin glass films by excimer laser irradiation and selective chemical etching

Photon-induced property changes of sputter-deposited GeO(2)-SiO(2) thin glass films were investigated. Irradiation with ArF laser pulses induced the changes in refractive index of -10% and volume of +30% in the film without ablation. A Bragg grating with a positive sinusoid wave pattern was printed upon the film by irradiation with ArF excimer laser pulses through a phase mask. The irradiated area could be quickly etched by a HF solution. The ratio of etching rate of irradiated area to unirradiated area was higher than 30. A Bragg grating with a surface relief pattern was successfully formed on the film by irradiation with excimer laser pulses followed by chemical etching. Diffraction efficiency of the gratings increased by 25 times with the etching.

Clinicopathological features of prostate cancer detected by transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic six-sextant biopsy

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of 3 modalities (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay, digital rectal examination (DRE), and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)) in detecting prostate cancer which was pathologically confirmed by TRUS-guided systematic six-sextant biopsy, and to investigate the relationship between the number of positive cores and several clinicopathological parameters.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 1994, 297 males (155 from a mass screening program and 142 identified as outpatients) with a mean age of 71 years, underwent examinations including PSA determination, DRE, TRUS and systematic six-sextant biopsy, and/or additional directed biopsy.

RESULTS

Prostate cancer was detected in 93 men. The sensitivity level of the PSA assay was significantly higher (85%) than that of either DRE or TRUS. Patients with an abnormal DRE or TRUS, elevated PSA levels, and those in the T3-T4 category or with moderate to poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas had more positive biopsy cores (P < 0.05). Also, the relationships of both the number of positive biopsy cores and tumor grade to bone metastasis were significant (P < 0.01). Of 209 hypoechoic areas identified by transrectal ultrasonography, 42% were cancerous, and of 427 isoechoic areas, 12% were cancerous. The percentage of positive biopsy cores with hypoechoic areas was 86% in the subjects with a PSA > 10 ng/mL, but low (9%) in subjects with a PSA < or = 4 ng/mL, and the percentage of negative biopsy cores with a normal TRUS was high (98%) in subjects with a PSA of < or = 4 ng/mL, but lower (67%) in subjects with a PSA > 10 ng/mL.

CONCLUSION

The serum PSA assay was more useful than either DRE or TRUS in detecting prostate cancer. The percentage of bone metastasis increased concomitant with the number of positive biopsy cores, and the positive biopsy rate of hypoechoic areas positively correlated with the PSA level.

Usefulness of preoperative MRI diagnosis in prostatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

We examined the reliability of an MRI diagnosis prior to radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

METHODS

A radical prostatectomy was performed in 24 patients with prostate cancer. Resected specimens were fixed and 5 mm step sections vertical to the urethra were prepared to resemble MRI images. We compared this pathological map with the preoperative MRI diagnosis which included capsular or seminal vesicle invasion and tumor localization in the prostate. We defined a new criterion for the presence of capsular invasion as a chemical shift that occurred on the rectal side on T1-weighted images 5 minutes after gadolinium (Gd) enhancement and the periprostatic venous plexus was not serial. We also examined 4 diagnostic factors of tumor localization including a low-signal intensity area detected in the peripheral zone on T2-weighted images, the presence of an enhanced area on Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images, and a low T2 with either Gd-enhanced or nonenhanced T1-weighted images.

RESULTS

The accuracy of a preoperative MRI diagnosis of capsular invasion was 16.7% using the conventional criteria, but 88.9% adding the new criterion. The accuracy of predicting seminal vesicle invasion was 63.2% in a group using a body surface coil compared to 75% in the group using an endorectal surface coil. The accuracy, positive predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing tumor localization were 69%, 74.4%, 35.1%, and 91.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This new criterion proved superior for diagnosing capsular invasion in prostate cancer patients. Also, analysis of tumor localization in the peripheral zone demonstrated that cancer detection is increased if the low-signal intensity area is enhanced by Gd.

Comparison of energy metabolism in insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

To compare the metabolic consequences of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), glycemic control and energy metabolism were evaluated in 18 children displaying IDDM and 19 NIDDM adult patients. With rising concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1C and free fatty acid, the percentage of the ratio of resting energy expenditure (REE) to predicted REE expressed as %REE increased and the respiratory quotient (RQ) decreased. The linear regression between RQ and FBG showed the same gradient in IDDM and NIDDM although the RQ in IDDM was always 0.07 lower than that in NIDDM given various FBG concentrations. Those patients whose RQ values were less than 0.7, indicating ketone body production, included 8 (44%) IDDM and 2 (11%) NIDDM patients. These results may explain the relatively greater manifestation of ketoacidosis in IDDM.

Mutations in exon 7 of the GTP-binding protein Gs alpha were not a common cause of pseudohypoparathyroidism with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy in Japanese

The identification of unique point mutations in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) in different ethnic backgrounds has proved that defects within the Gs alpha gene account for Gs alpha deficiency in those patients. To search a mutation hot spot of the Gs alpha gene in Japanese patients, we have screened exons 2-13 of the Gs alpha gene for mutations in three unrelated Japanese PHP patients with AHO. We could find no abnormalities by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and no mutations of sequencing of exon 7 in these subjects. This suggests that mutations in exon 7 of the Gs alpha gene may not be a common cause of PHP with AHO in Japanese.

Using minimum deviation of a secondary rainbow and its application to water analysis in a high-precision, refractive-index comparator for liquids

A new method for measuring the refractive-index difference of a liquid has been developed. The liquid to be measured is contained in a 60-mm-diameter, cylindrical glass cell, and a He-Ne laser light is passed into the cell so that the laser light incidence fulfills the condition of minimum deviation. In this condition, the beam emerging from the cell has a fine interference fringe. The position of the interference fringe is read out as a marker to measure the deflection of the laser light. Directly reading the peak shift of the interference fringe makes it easy to obtain the refractive index difference of the liquid with a fairly high precision of at least 6 x 10(-6). Further high precision is potentially expected to be realized by use of an improved data analysis treatment of the overall interference fringe pattern.

Correlations between resting regional wall motion and regional myocardial blood flow (at rest and during exercise) in infarct-related myocardium--a study with [13N]ammonia positron emission tomography

We evaluated quantitatively the correlations between resting wall motion and regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF; at rest and during exercise) in infarct-related myocardium. The study was performed in 28 subjects: 21 patients who had previously suffered myocardial infarction of the anteroseptal wall, and 7 normal individuals. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [13N]ammonia was performed at rest and during low-grade exercise (bicycle ergometer fixed at 25 W for 6.5 min), and RMBF was measured quantitatively from the radioactivity in myocardial tissue and arterial blood. Resting regional wall motion was calculated using the centerline method on left ventriculographic findings. Resting regional wall motion was correlated with RMBF both at rest and during exercise in the infarct areas (anterior walls; y = 2.74 +/- 4.25 x 10(-2)x, r = 0.43, at rest; and y = -2.48 + 3.04 x 10(-2)x, r = 0.48, during exercise, p < 0.05; septal walls; y = -3.61 + 5.64 x 10(-2)x, r = 0.62, at rest; and y = -3.46 + 4.31 x 10(-2)x, r = 0.62, during exercise, p < 0.01). In each infarct-related wall, the coefficient (the slope) during exercise was smaller than that at rest (3.04 vs 4.25 and 4.31 vs 5.64 in each), and the infarct areas with preserved wall motion showed higher RMBF during exercise than those with reduced wall motion. Our results may show that wall motion depends on viable but ischemic myocardium in infarct-related walls.

Left-sided approach to renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombus extending into suprahepatic inferior vena cava by resection of the left caudate lobe

A new operative approach to resecting tumor thrombus originating from a right renal cell carcinoma extending into the suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) is reported. Complete local control of the IVC must be obtained above and below the tumor thrombus to remove it under direct vision. The caudate lobe of the liver was resected to expose the retrohepatic IVC and open the lesser omentum. The subhepatic IVC was encircled just below the confluence of the hepatic veins. Caval tumor thrombus was removed en bloc, including the right kidney, by use of the total hepatic vascular exclusion technique (THVE) and IVC exclusion. The retrohepatic IVC was clamped just below the confluence of the hepatic veins once the thrombus was removed, and the suprahepatic IVC clamp was then released and the THVE was terminated. The sequential clamping from the suprahepatic IVC to the retrohepatic IVC below the confluence of the hepatic veins shortened the THVE time.

The effect of carnitine on ketogenesis in perfused livers from juvenile visceral steatosis mice with systemic carnitine deficiency

Juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice have been reported to have systemic carnitine deficiency, and the carnitine concentration in the liver of JVS mice was markedly lower than that of controls (11.6 +/- 2.6 versus 393.5 +/- 56.4 nmol/g of wet liver). To evaluate the role of carnitine in mitochondrial beta-oxidation in liver, we examined the effects of carnitine on ketogenesis in perfused liver from control and JVS mice. In control mice, ketogenesis was increased by the infusion of 0.3 mM oleate, but not by L-carnitine. In contrast, although ketogenesis in JVS mice was not increased by the infusion of oleate, it was increased 2.5-fold by the addition of 1000 microM L-carnitine. Addition of 50, 100, and 200 microM L-carnitine increased ketogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The infusion of 0.3 mM octanoate or butyrate increased ketogenesis in a carnitine-independent fashion in both control and JVS mice. These findings suggest that endogenous long chain fatty acids from accumulated triglycerides may be used as substrates in the presence of carnitine in JVS mice. The relationship between ketogenesis and free carnitine concentration was examined in livers from JVS mice. Ketogenesis increased as free carnitine levels increased until concentrations exceeded about 100 nmol/g of wet liver (340 microM). The free carnitine concentration required for half-maximal ketone body production in liver of JVS mice was 45 microM (13 nmol/g of wet liver), which corresponds to a K(m) value of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. We conclude that carnitine is a rate-limiting factor for beta-oxidation in liver only when the carnitine level in liver is very low.

Extracellular secretion of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin I across the outer membrane

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin Ip (STIp) is an extracellular toxin consisting of 18 amino acid residues that is synthesized as a precursor of pre (amino acid residues 1 to 19), pro (amino acid residues 20 to 54), and mature (amino acid residues 55 to 72) regions. The precursor synthesized in the cytoplasm is translocated across the inner membrane by the general export pathway consisting of Sec proteins. The pre region functions as a leader peptide and is cleaved during translocation. However, it remains unknown how the resulting peptide (pro-mature peptide) translocates across the outer membrane. In this study, we investigated the structure of the STIp that passes through the outer membrane to determine how it translocates through the outer membrane. The results showed that the pro region is cleaved in the periplasmic space. The generated peptide becomes the mature form of STIp, which happens to have disulfide bonds, which then passes through the outer membrane. We also showed that STIp with a carboxy-terminal peptide consisting of 3 amino acid residues passes through the outer membrane, whereas STIp with a peptide composed of 37 residues does not. Amino acid analysis of mutant STIp purified from culture supernatant revealed that the peptide composed of 37 amino acid residues was cleaved into fragments of 5 amino acid residues. In addition, analyses of STIps with a mutation at the cysteine residue and the dsbA mutant strain revealed that the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond within STIp is not absolutely required for the mature region of STIp to pass through the outer membrane.

A new technique for transurethral resection of bladder tumors: rotational tumor resection using a new arched electrode

PURPOSE

A new technique of transurethral resection of bladder tumors is described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2.5 cm. papillary, sessile bladder tumor was treated via a rotational resection technique with a new arched electrode to replace longitudinal resection using a conventional loop electrode.

RESULTS

This method was easy to perform and allowed for en bloc resection of bladder tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

This rotational resection technique is useful for evaluation of pathological depth of tumors in resected specimens.

[A case of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with gingival lesions]

A case of secondary gingival tuberculosis is presented. The case is 51 year-old male who had been suffering from undetected pulmonary tuberculosis visited a dentist because of chronic periodontal inflammation around the gingiva of the right upper and left lower molar teeth lasting for one year. The lesions remained unchanged and painful granulomatous swelling sustained in spite of the conservative treatment. The case was treated with the extraction of six teeth due to continued toothache. By pathohistological examination of gingiva and chest X-ray examination, the case was diagnosed as tuberculosis. Chest roentgenogram showed active pulmonary tuberculosis, and bacteriological examination of sputum showed tubercle bacilli. The administration of INH, RFP and EB was started, and the response to the treatment was good and the pain in the gingiva disappeared within three weeks. Secondary gingival tuberculosis is manifested as local granulomatous lesions with severe pain. The incidence of gingival tuberculosis is very rare, but we have to keep in mind that the oral tuberculosis secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis could occur.

[Brain stem glioma presenting with contralateral sensory impairment of ascending nature]

A case of brain stem glioma, presenting with impairment of contralateral pain-temperature sense of ascending nature, is reported. A 38-year-old woman with documented neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) was admitted to our hospital for treatment, complaining of diminished pain-temperature sense in the left lower extremity. On admission, the symptom was first evaluated to be due to cervical myelopathy although motor involvement was absent. An MRI, myelography and CT-myelography of the cervical spine were done, demonstrating no abnormality. Shortly after the admission the sensory impairment progressed to the upper chest level and then to the upper extremity on the left. Because of her documented NF-1 a brain CT was checked, revealing a small mass with ring enhancement in the dorsal midbrain on the right. On MRI, the tumor location was at the right dorsolateral tectal region of superficial situation. Under the diagnosis of midbrain glioma the tumor was partially removed by the occipital transtentorial approach. At operation, the tumor has grown intraaxially, having pinkish-gray color and central necrosis. Histologically the tumor was diagnosed as glioblastoma multiforme. Postoperatively she presented a definite improvement of the sensory impairment in the reverse order, that is from upper extremity and then to the lower extremity. Progression and post-treatment improvement of the impaired pain-temperature sense in this case suggested that the topography and lamination of the lateral spinothalamic tract might be present even in the dorsal midbrain, namely the posterior-superficial layer to be sacral segment and the anterior-deep layer to be cervical one.

[Effects of gosha-jinki-gan on urinary bladder contraction in dogs]

The effects of Gosha-Jinki-Gan on the urinary bladder contraction in anesthetized dogs were studied to elucidate the mode of action. The bladder contraction was induced by electrical stimulation of the left distal end of the pelvic nerve under the bilateral pelvic nerve and hypogastric nerve transections, or by the infusion of acetylcholine (200 micrograms) in to the abdominal aorta. The bladder contraction induced by pelvic nerve stimulation was significantly inhibited by 10 and 100 mg/kg of intravenous Gosha-Jinki-Gan administration. A similar phenomenon was observed by the administration of atropine sulfate (0.1 mg). The acetylcholine-induced contraction was significantly inhibited by administration of 100 mg/kg of Gosha-Jinki-Gan. These findings suggested that Gosha-Jinki-Gan inhibits the urinary bladder contraction induced by the stimulation of cholinergic nerve.

Cell growth and morphology of Dictyostelium discoideum in space environment

Two strains of cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, a radiation-sensitive mutant and the parental wild-type strain, were used to investigate the effects of microgravity and/or cosmic radiation on their morphology through the whole life span from spores to fruiting bodies for about 7 days in space shuttle of NASA. We found almost no effect of space environment on amoeba cell growth in both strains. It was also observed that almost the same number and shape of fruiting bodies in space compared to the control experiments on earth. These results suggest that there is little effect of microgravity and space radiation on germination, cell aggregation, cell differentiation and cell morphology in the cellular slime mold.

Testosterone replacement therapy for male hypogonadism with a radiation-polymerized testicular prosthesis

BACKGROUND

The effect of an artificial testicular prosthesis on sexual disturbance in hypogonadal men was investigated.

METHODS

Twelve hypogonadal men were treated with testosterone replacement therapy delivered via radiation-polymerized testicular prostheses surgically implanted in their scrotums.

RESULTS

An average serum testosterone level of over 200 ng/dL was maintained for 48 months. Most patients treated with this prosthesis were satisfied with the improvement of their sexual activity. Moreover, the patients were psychologically more satisfied with the enlarged scrotum achieved with the implanted prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

We recommend this prosthesis as the first choice among testosterone-replacement therapies for hypogonadal men.

Significance of downsloping ST-segment depression induced by low-level exercise in severe coronary artery disease. Assessment with myocardial ischemia and collateral perfusion

Exercise-induced downsloping ST-segment depression is a common manifestation of severe myocardial ischemia. Although greater downsloping ST-segment depression is suspected to indicate more severe ischemia, its exact relationship to regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) has not yet been clarified. We investigated the relationship between the magnitude of downsloping ST-segment depression and exercise-induced changes in RMBF and collateral perfusion. Nitrogen-13 ammonia positron emission tomography was performed in 6 healthy volunteers and 72 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease. The left ventricle was divided into 11 regions of interest, and RMBF in each region was measured at rest and during low-level supine bicycle exercise. Downsloping ST-segment depression of 0.1 mV or more at 80 milliseconds after the J point was accepted as significant. Low-level exercise induced downsloping depression of 0.1 to 0.2 mV in 10 patients (group D1) and downsloping depression of 0.2 mV or more in 8 patients (group D2). Multivessel disease was common in both group D1 (80% of patients) and group D2 (88% of patients). Collateral circulation was significantly more frequent in group D1 (90%) than in group D2 (13%, p < 0.01). Ischemic areas were larger and cardiac function was worse in group D2 than in group D1. The RMBF increased sufficiently in all regions (56 +/- 30%) with exercise in the healthy group. In group D1, RMBF was unchanged or decreased in ischemic areas (10 +/- 23%) but increased sufficiently in surrounding areas (50 +/- 32%). In group D2, RMBF was unchanged in ischemic areas (17 +/- 24%) and increased insufficiently in surrounding areas (41 +/- 21%). Therefore, exercise-induced downsloping ST-segment depression of 0.1 to 0.2 mV may reflect an underlying change in blood flow in viable myocardium with collateral perfusion, and downsloping depression of 0.2 mV or more may reflect more severely impaired myocardium without collateral perfusion.