Regulatory sequences required for hst-1 expression in embryonal carcinoma cells

The hst-1 gene, which is implicated in mammalian embryonic development and morphological transformation of NIH3T3 cells, is expressed in undifferentiated F9 cells, but not in differentiated F9 and other well-differentiated cells, such as PYS-2, NIH3T3 and HeLa cells. An octamer element present in the 3' untranslated region acts as an enhancer. Although Oct3 is down-regulated when F9 cells are differentiated, transient expression of Oct3 did not enhance the hst-1 promoter activity in HeLa, NIH3T3 or PYS-2 cells. Thus, the role of Oct3 on hst-1 expression remains elusive, and an additional transcription factor which interacts may regulate hst-1 transcription in association with Oct1, Oct3 or both.

Improved bioassay for the detection of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and beta 2 in malignant gliomas

Growth inhibition assays using radioisotope or dye are used to detect transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Here, we describe a modified bioassay using crystal violet for the quantitative detection of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2. The procedure is based on staining Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells with crystal violet, followed by measurement of the absorbance at 570 nm in individual wells of a 96-well microtiter plate. The number of Mv1Lu cells correlated with the eluted dye intensity. The sensitivity of the bioassay to recombinant TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 increased approximately twofold by using only 500 Mv1Lu cells in microtiter wells. The bioassay was used to measure TGF-beta activity in the culture supernatant from glioblastoma cells. Culture supernatants were untreated or acid-activated to quantify the active or total TGF-beta, and neutralized with anti-TGF-beta 1 and/or anti-TGF-beta 2 antibody to measure the activity. Both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 were detected in the untreated and acid-activated supernatants, and the amounts were calculated by extrapolating from the known recombinant TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 2 dilution curve. Our results show that the modified bioassay using crystal violet can measure the levels of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 in culture supernatants from malignant glioma cells.

Evaluation of diamine oxidase activity (DAO) in the rat intestinal mucosa by measuring expired 14CO2 after oral administration of 14C-putrescine

This study was performed to investigate whether mucosal diamine oxidase activity could be assessed by measuring expired 14CO2 after oral administration of 14C-putrescine. Immediately after giving 5 mu Ci of 14C-putrescine, the 14CO2 was collected at 1-h intervals for 8 h into a vial containing 1 ml of 10 mM hyamine hydroxide, 2 ml of ethanol, and an appropriate amount of phenolphthalein dye. The expired 14CO2 caused the color to disappear. The amount of 14CO2, determined by scintillation counting, reached a maximum 1 h after 14C-putrescine administration, and gradually decreased thereafter. A positive correlation between the mucosal diamine oxidase activity and the maximal expired 14CO2 value was obtained. There is no doubt that this test can be used to easily detect mucosal DAO activity and avoid the necessity of mucosal biopsy.

Pathogen invasion and host extinction in lattice structured populations

We examined the propagation of an infectious disease and the eventual extinction of the host population in a lattice-structured population. Both the host colonization and pathogen transmission processes are assumed to be restricted to act between the nearest neighbor sites. The model is analyzed by an improved version of pair approximation (IPA). Pair approximation is a technique to trace the dynamics of the number of nearest neighbor pairs having particular states, and IPA takes account of the clustering property of lattice models more precisely. The results are checked by computer simulations. The analysis shows: (i) in a one-dimensional lattice population, a pathogen cannot invade a host population no matter how large is the transmission rate; (ii) in a two-dimensional lattice population, pathogens will drive the host to extinction if the transmission rate is larger than a threshold. These results indicate that spatially structured population models may give qualitatively different results from conventional population models, such as Lotka-Volterra ones, without spatial structure.

[Effect of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with early gastric cancer]

Effects of adjuvant chemotherapy following curative resection were evaluated in patients with early gastric cancer. According to postoperative chemotherapy, seven hundred and thirty-one patients were divided into four groups as follows. MMC+FT group: those who received mitomycin C and tegafur; MMC group: those receiving MMC; FT group: those given tegafur or 5-FU; NC group: those who never received chemotherapy. Postoperative recurrence was observed in 25(3.4%) of the 731 patients. Relationships between rates of recurrence or survival with clinicopathological findings were assessed among the four groups. In cases with cancer cell invasion of the intralesional veins, recurrence tended to occur less in the groups given postoperative chemotherapy, compared to the NC group. When a positive venous invasion was determined, rates of recurrence in the MMC+FT, MMC, FT and NC groups, were 7.4, 0, 0 and 35.7%, respectively. On the other hand, in relation to other clinicopathological findings, no differences were observed in rates of recurrence among those groups. As for the survival rate, no differences were observed in the clinicopathological findings among the four groups. These findings indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy may contribute to prevention of postoperative recurrence in patients with early gastric cancer, especially in cases with positive venous invasion.

Osteolytic bone metastasis in breast cancer

Metastasis of breast cancer cells to bone consists of multiple sequential steps. To accomplish the process of metastasis to bone, breast cancer cells are required to intrinsically possess or acquire the capacities that are necessary for them to proliferate, invade, migrate, survive, and ultimately arrest in bone. These capacities are essential for any cancer cells to develop distant metastases in organs such as lungs and liver as well as bone. Once breast cancer cells arrest in bone, bone is a storehouse of a variety of cytokines and growth factors and thus provides an extremely fertile environment for the cells to grow. However, breast cancer cells are unable to progress in bone unless they destroy bone with the assistance of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Thus, the capacity of breast cancer cells to collaborate with osteoclasts is likely to be specific and is likely critical for them to cause osteolytic bone metastases. Evidence to support the concept that there is an intimate relationship between breast cancer cells and osteoclasts is described using an in vivo bone metastasis model in which human breast cancer cells are inoculated into the left ventricle of nude mice. The roles of cell adhesion molecules including cadherins and laminin and matrix metalloproteinases in the development of osteolytic bone metastases by breast cancer are also discussed.

[A successful case report of redo composite graft and total aortic arch replacement for active prosthetic graft endocarditis]

A successful redo composite graft and total aortic arch replacement for active prosthetic graft endocarditis is reported in the 31-year-old female with Marfan syndrome who had undergone Bentall procedure and proximal aortic arch replacement for type A acute aortic dissection 21 months previously. Echocardiography revealed massive vegetation in the composite graft and left ventricular outflow tract, and blood culture suggested Candida endocarditis. The composite graft and arch grafts were completely removed, and the reconstruction was carried out with a new composite graft using Piehler's technique. Finally, the total aortic arch was replaced and the all branches were reconstructed. The post-operative course has been uneventful, and she is now doing well 12 months after the operation without any evidence of recurrence of endocarditis.

An immunohistochemical study of human pituicytes demonstrating frequent expression of MHC class II antigens and macrophage markers

Using a panel of antibodies (Abs) and a lectin, normal human adult pituicytes were studied in neurohypophyses obtained from 29 patients at autopsy. The pituicytes reacted frequently with Abs against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens (Ags), macrophage markers (KP.1, PG.M1, LN-5), an anti-vimentin Ab and a biotinylated lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA-1). The number of pituicytes immunostained for these reagents varied, with the notable exception of vimentin. MHC class II Abs (LN-3, CR3.43)-positive pituicytes were numerous in approximately half. Microscopically, MHC class II Ag was found in pituicytes of various shapes, and were identified in macrophage-typed pituicytes by electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. Glial fibrillary acidic protein was found in only a small number of pituicytes and was absent in cells labeled with MHC class II Abs or macrophage markers. The results indicate that the immunophenotype of human pituicytes is distinct from other glial cells of the central nervous system, with a considerable number of cells expressing MHC class II Ags and macrophage markers.

Lipoprotein lipase binding to adipocytes: evidence for the presence of a heparin-sensitive binding protein

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is synthesized by adipocytes, associated with the cell surface, and released from the cells when they are treated with heparin. Release of LPL from the adipocyte is required for LPL to migrate to its physiological site of action on the luminal surface of capillary endothelial cells. To better understand this process, we studied the interaction of LPL with adipocyte cell membrane proteins. With the use of a ligand blot method, LPL specifically bound to a heparin-releasable, 116-kDa protein on mouse-derived brown fat adipose cell (BFC-1 beta) and rat adipocyte membranes. A 116-kDa cell surface protein was metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine and bound to LPL-Sepharose. This suggested that the LPL-binding protein was synthesized by the cells. When BFC-1 beta were treated with heparin to eliminate heparin-sensitive cell surface binding sites, LPL binding to the cells decreased and release of newly synthesized LPL activity increased. 125I-labeled LPL binding to control cells was reduced (> 70%) by a 50-fold excess of unlabeled LPL. The residual LPL binding to heparin-treated cells was, however, not decreased by the addition of unlabeled LPL. These data imply that specific adipocyte surface LPL binding involves heparin-sensitive sites. We hypothesize that the heparin-releasable, 116-kDa LPL-binding protein mediates specific LPL binding to adipocytes and that LPL activity within adipose tissue is regulated, in part, by the interaction of LPL with this binding protein.

Biotinylation of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase: application in the assessment of cell binding sites

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HL) were biotinylated using N-hydroxysuccinamide ester of biotin (25-fold molar excess) which was incorporated into the lysine amino groups of the enzyme protein. By assessing enzyme activity and heparin-agarose affinity a biotinylation protocol which did not denature lipases was developed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that biotinylated LPL (bLPL) has the same mobility as that of unlabeled or iodinated LPL. Receptor binding activity of bLPL was studied in (i) cell binding experiments using cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells and (ii) ligand blotting experiments using endothelial cell plasma membranes. Endothelial cells in culture bound similar amounts of bLPL and 125I-LPL. We previously described a 116-kDa heparin-releasable LPL binding protein (hrp-116) on endothelial cells. Using biotinylated lipases in ligand blotting experiments we now demonstrate that both bLPL and biotinylated HL can bind to hrp-116. bLPL in addition also bound to low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein in ligand blotting. Thus, our protocol has produced biotinylated lipases which are both chemically and biologically active and can be used instead of iodinated lipases.

Specificity of lipoprotein lipase binding to endothelial cells

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes circulating lipoprotein triglyceride molecules while it is associated with the luminal surface of capillary endothelial cells. The precise molecular mechanism by which LPL attaches to these cells is unknown. LPL and a number of other molecules, including growth factors and clotting factors, bind to heparin-affinity gels and are eluted using high concentrations of salt. Of these molecules, antithrombin III and basic fibroblast growth factor have been shown to bind to specific cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Recent data from our laboratory (Sivaram et al. 1992. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 16517-16522) have shown that a heparin-sensitive, non-proteoglycan 116-kDa LPL-binding protein is present on cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). A series of experiments was performed to study the specificity of LPL binding to BAEC and to this 116-kDa protein. At low amounts of LPL (1 microgram) 125I-labeled LPL binding to the cells was inhibited up to 82% by the addition of a 20-fold excess of unlabeled LPL. LPL binding to the BAEC was not decreased by the addition of similar amounts of either antithrombin or thrombin. Specific LPL binding was eliminated by incubating the BAEC at 4 degrees C with heparin containing buffer prior to the addition of LPL. Although cellular internalization of 125I-labeled LPL at 37 degrees C was decreased when an excess of each of the three proteins was added to the culture medium, LPL was most effective. Furthermore, when LPL interaction with the 116-kDa binding protein was studied using ligand blots, 125I-labeled LPL binding was blocked only by unlabeled LPL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pheochromocytoma associated with nocturnal hypertension

Pheochromocytoma is often associated with paroxysmal hypertension. We report a 49-year-old woman with pheochromocytoma whose blood pressure (BP) was elevated regularly only at night. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations increased in parallel with the elevation of BP. After resection of the adrenal tumor, these circadian changes disappeared. Plasma NE and NPY, especially the former, from the tumor were considered to be the cause of this unusual fluctuation in BP.

[Myelodysplastic syndrome developing acute myelocytic leukemia with gastric mucormycosis]

80-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of pancytopenia. Her peripheral and bone marrow examinations were performed. According to the criteria of FAB classification, the diagnosis was myelodysplastic syndrome (refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation). Etoposide was administered to decrease leukemic blasts. However, she still had high fever and increasing of CRP. Hematological data also showed the increasing of WBC count, blast cells, and LDH enzyme. Antibiotics and anti fungal drugs were also not effective. She died of respiratory failure, although the cautions and extensive treatment was tried. Autopsy findings revealed proliferation of mucor in the mucosa of stomach. So, we reported here a very rare case of gastric mucormycosis, localizing exclusively in the stomach which was difficult to diagnose while she was alive.

Immunohistochemical study of microglia in the Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseased brain

Immunohistochemical techniques have been used to investigate microglial reaction in Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseased (CJD) brains. Autopsy cases of six patients with CJD and age-matched controls were studied. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue samples were stained with antibodies against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen (Ag), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CDw75, CD68 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Of the patients with CJD, two with a subacute spongiform encephalopathic type and short-survival periods after onset of the disease showed an increased number of reactive microglia labeled with anti-MHC class II Ag or LCA in the affected cerebral cortex. In advanced cases of the panencephalopathic type of CJD, in which both cerebral atrophy and astrocytosis were marked, the increase of reactive microglia was small. Some vacuoles developing in the neuropil of the CJD patients were surrounded by MHC class II Ag- or LCA-immunoreactive microglial cells. The number of ramified microglia in the affected lesions was decreased, although their number in the hippocampus was not affected. These results indicate that microglia can frequently be involved in the process of CJD and may be activated at the early stage of the disease.

Pharmacokinetics of (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt and (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu administered intravenously to beagle dogs

The pharmacokinetics of two analogues (NT-1 and NT-2) of the smallest active fragment of neurotensin were investigated in beagle dogs after intravenous (iv) administration at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg for NT-1 and of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg for NT-2. After iv administration of these two drugs, the plasma levels decreased with time with a biexponential pattern, and linear kinetic behavior was observed. The pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- standard error of mean) after iv administration of NT-1 at 0.1 mg/kg were as follows: the half-life of the distribution phase (t1/2 alpha) was 0.29 +/- 0.11 h, the half-life of the terminal phase (t1/2 beta) was 1.99 +/- 0.41 h, total plasma clearance (CL) was 33.2 +/- 6.3 mL/h/kg, steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss) was 57.1 +/- 2.8 mL/kg, and mean residence time (MRT) was 2.20 +/- 0.55 h. The t1/2 alpha, t1/2 beta, CL, Vdss, and MRT values after iv administration of NT-2 at 0.25 mg/kg were 0.11 +/- 0.02 h, 0.58 +/- 0.04 h, 257.3 +/- 17.2 mL/h/kg, 180.3 +/- 4.6 mL/kg, and 0.71 +/- 0.04 h, respectively. After iv administration of NT-1, NT-2 was detected in the plasma. It was confirmed from this result that NT-1 was metabolically hydrolyzed to NT-2 in the body of beagle dog.

[Phenotypic difference of lymphocytes circulating in tumorous renal artery and renal vein in patients with renal cell carcinoma]

Phenotypic difference of lymphocytes circulating in tumorous renal artery and renal vein in patients with renal cell carcinoma was studied. Fifteen patients with no prior treatment were studied, from whom blood samples were taken at the time of radical nephrectomy. Mononuclear cells separated from tumorous renal arterial and venous blood were analyzed for cell surface markers. CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11b, CD16, CD25, CD57, Leu8 HLA-DR were compared. CD25 positive cells were significantly increased in venous blood than in arterial blood in the kidneys with tumor. No significant difference was found regarding the other surface markers.

[Surgical treatment of aortic arch aneurysm associated with coronary artery disease]

Graft replacement of the aortic arch aneurysms and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were performed in the consecutive seven patients for the past five years between 1987 and January 1992, including three (43%) emergency operations. The etiology of aneurysms was atherosclerosis in 4, and aortic dissection in 3. There were one early death (14%) due to MRSA pneumonia, and one late death due to rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm 8 months postoperatively. Respiratory failure was frequently complicated immediately after the surgery. Vein grafts were anastomosed to coronary artery during the initial core cooling, and sequential cardioplegia was given through the bypass grafts. Selective cerebral perfusion was carried-out during the reconstruction of the transverse aortic arch and arch vessels in all cases. To achieve sufficient myocardial protection, and to get good postoperative hemodynamics and long-term survivors, it was important to perform the simultaneous CABG at the time of the repair for the aortic arch aneurysm in cases complicated with coronary artery disease.

The proportion of death certificates of diabetic patients that mentioned diabetes in Osaka District, Japan

To determine the accuracy of the stated causes of death in diabetic patients, we analyzed 503 death certificates of diabetic patients who had been followed up for 9.4 years on average at Osaka Medical Center for Adulthood Diseases and had died during the observation period from 1960 to 1984. Of the certificates examined, only 213 (42.4%) mentioned diabetes, either as the underlying cause or as a contributory condition. The proportion of certificates that mentioned diabetes was related to the underlying cause of death; it was 18.7% for malignant neoplasms, 40.5% for cerebrovascular disease and 46.9% for disease of the heart, while it was 81.8% for renal disease. The proportion was higher for females (48.7%) than for males (39.5%), and a significant difference was observed between the sexes in the proportion in the case of disease of the heart. The proportion was not related to any significant extent to the year of death or the age at death. However, it was related to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level and type of treatment. It was 37.8% and 54.4% for patients with FPG < 200 mg/dl and FPG > or = 200 mg/dl, respectively, 24.1% for those treated with diet, 51.4% for those treated with oral hypoglycemic agent and 80.7% for those treated with insulin. As a result, it was found that the proportion of death certificates that mentioned diabetes was related to the accompanying complications and the severity of diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Use of Nd:YAG laser and flexible cystoscope in outpatient treatment of recurrent superficial bladder tumors]

Nd:YAG laser irradiation and flexible cystoscopy were used in the outpatient management of 16 cases (21 sessions) with superficial bladder tumors. Irradiation of tumors was accomplished in all cases except 3 in which the visual field was affected by bleeding after the cup biopsy of tumors. Tumors at the bladder neck were easily irradiated through the flexible cystoscope. No tumor recurred at or near the previously irradiated site. This method provided a safe and cost-effective means to treat superficial bladder tumors in selected cases.

[Biopsy diagnosis for gastric lymphoma--usefulness and limitation of AgNOR staining]

Sixteen cases of resected gastric lymphoma were classified into 3 groups based on the easiness of the diagnosis; mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) 4 cases, superficial type lymphoma 5 cases and ulcerative (mass forming) type lymphoma 7 cases. Sixty seven of pre-operative biopsy reports and 44 biopsy specimens were analyzed. Although lymphoma cells retrospectively obtained in 92%, 69% and 88% of biopsy specimens, the definite diagnosis was only made in 7%, 24% and 38% of endoscopic biopsy. Mean AgNOR number per nucleus in resected specimens were as follows; chronic inflammation 1.20 +/- 0.02, MALToma 1.39 +/- 0.23, superficial lymphoma 2.44 +/- 0.50 and ulcerative lymphoma 3.44 +/- 0.55. They correlated well to proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive rates (r = 0.776, p < 0.01). Supposing that lesions showing 2.0 or more AgNOR dots in biopsy specimens are lymphoma, diagnostic rate improves to 69% in superficial lymphoma and to 88% in ulcerative lymphoma. Biopsy specimens from MALToma never showed 2.0 or more AgNOR dots. These results suggest that application of AgNOR to the biopsy diagnosis is useful in superficial and ulcerative lymphoma and has limitation in MALToma of the stomach.