Anatomic study of the glenoid labrum

Thirty-one shoulder joints from the cadavers of 13 men and four women and from two cadavers of unspecified sex were dissected to investigate the anatomic characteristics of the glenoid labrum. The ages at death ranged from 63 to 90 years with a mean age of 78.5 years. The glenoids were divided with a bone saw along both their long and short axes. The size of the glenoid and the labrum of each specimen was then measured with calipers. No significant correlation existed between the size of the labrum and that of the glenoid. This indicated that even if the glenoid was large, the labrum was not always correspondingly large. If one aspect of the labrum was large, other portions of the labrum tended to be large also. The anterior and inferior portions of the labrum were the largest, and this may have contributed to stability in the anterior and inferior directions.

cdc2-like kinase is associated with the retinoblastoma protein

The growth-suppressive activity of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein is suggested to be regulated by phosphorylation. In studies on the kinase that phosphorylates the RB proteins, we have previously found that RB proteins can be phosphorylated by purified cdc2 kinase. In this study, we noted that RB proteins immunoprecipitated from human cell lysates are weakly phosphorylated in the absence of purified cdc2 kinase. Immunoblot analysis showed the presence of p34cdc2 in the immunoprecipitates with anti-RB monoclonal antibody. In addition, the coprecipitated kinase was found to have the same substrate specificity as cdc2 kinase. The associated kinase activity was particularly high in cells arrested in G1/S and S phase by aphidicolin. Furthermore, RB proteins were shown to be phosphorylated in nuclear extracts by some endogenous cdc2-like kinase(s). These results suggest that cdc2-like kinase is the main kinase for phosphorylation of RB proteins in vivo.

Pattern of p53 gene mutations in breast cancers of women of the midwestern United States

BACKGROUND

Mutation in the p53 gene is the most common genetic lesion in human cancers. The pattern of mutation in the p53 gene differs among cancers and may be a useful epidemiological tool for identification of factors contributing to carcinogenesis.

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to determine if the pattern of p53 mutation in breast carcinomas in our population of women residing in the midwestern region of the United States is similar to the pattern of p53 mutation in breast cancers in patients from other regions of the United States and Europe and in other epithelial tumors.

METHODS

With a technique we recently developed for the analysis of p53 mutations in genomic DNA from tumor cell clusters in touch preparations of solid tumors, we sequenced exons 5-9 and adjacent splice junctions of the gene in 44 breast cancers. Cells from each tumor were also stained with three monoclonal antibodies which recognize different epitopes of the p53 protein.

RESULTS

We detected p53 mutations in 14 (32.6%) of 44 breast carcinomas. Only half of the mutations were missense changes. The other half included five microdeletions (three producing frame-shifts), one single-base substitution generating a stop codon, and one single-base substitution generating a splice junction abnormality. Nuclear expression of p53 antigen was present in eight of 44 cancers, including six with hemizygous missense mutations in the p53 gene.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of p53 mutations in our breast cancer population differs from that reported in breast cancer populations by other investigators in which most p53 mutations were missense. Among 14 mutations in our population, at least five drastically altered the structure of p53, suggesting that a recessive mechanism of inactivation of the p53 gene may be more common than in other populations.

IMPLICATIONS

Differences in the pattern of p53 mutation in breast cancers in Midwestern women and in breast cancers in other populations may reflect selection bias or small sample sizes currently available. However, our data are compatible with the possibility that an endogenous or exogenous factor influences p53 carcinogenesis in some women with breast cancer in the Midwest to a greater extent than in other regions of the United States and Europe.

New method for autogenous vein grafting with the telescoping anastomotic technique

An experimental study was performed to examine whether a microsurgical telescoping anastomotic technique could be applied twice in one vessel, for use in autogenous vein grafting. The rat inferior epigastric vein was grafted into a defect created in the femoral artery. The original telescoping method of Lauritzen was used, with two additional suture placements, to allow anastomosis at both proximal and distal sites. By placing the four sutures symmetrically and carefully timing the removal of the proximal and distal clamps, we achieved a patency rate of 77.3%. This is a new method for autogenous vein grafting that may serve as a prototype for an easier and possibly faster vein grafting technique. Our results appear to indicate that complete coaptation of the severed vessel ends is not necessarily required for patency in microvascular repair.

Pharmacokinetics of the new antiplatelet agent 2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinoyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine in laboratory animals

KC-764 (2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinoyl)pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyridine CAS 94457-09-7) and its metabolites in serum and urine were determined after intravenous and oral administration in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs at a dose of 5 mg/kg. KC-764 was rapidly eliminated from serum in all species. The biological half-lives of unchanged KC-764 after intravenous administration in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs were 1.31, 0.29, 1.94 and 1.20 h, respectively. 2-Methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxonicotinoyl)pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyr idine was a common major metabolite in serum of all species, although 6,7-dihydro-6,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6- tetrahydro-6-oxonicotinoyl) pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyridine (M-8) was more abundant in rabbits. Urinary recovery of unchanged KC-764 was as low as 0.4-2.2% in all species. The major urinary metabolite was 2-methyl-3-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-ureidonicotinoyl)pyrazolo-[1,5-a] pyridine in mice, rats and dogs, but M-8 was in rabbits. KC-764 was rapidly and well absorbed by oral administration, and extensively metabolized in all species tested.

De novo production of α2-macroglobulin in cultured astroglia from rat brain

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is one of the neurite-promoting factors in the conditioned medium of astroglia. In the present study, we further examined the de novo production of alpha 2M in cultured astroglia by determining the expression of alpha 2M mRNA, and the biosynthesis of [35S]methionine-labeled alpha 2M protein. We analyzed the mRNA of cultured astroglia by differential hybridization using specific probes to alpha 2M and its homologous protein, alpha 1-inhibitor 3 (alpha 1I3), after amplification of reverse-transcribed cDNA with the polymerase chain reaction. The result clearly showed that only alpha 2M mRNA is expressed in cultured astroglia. Northern blotting analysis revealed that alpha 2M mRNA is expressed mainly in the astroglia and is not detected in neurons, microglia and meningeal fibroblasts. Furthermore, the biosynthesis of alpha 2M protein in the astroglia was confirmed by an immunoprecipitation experiment after labeling of each type of cell with [35S]methionine. It was concluded that alpha 2M is produced in the cultured astroglia which is the major source of alpha 2M production among various types of cells in rat brain.

Multiple point mutation of N-ras and K-ras oncogenes in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia

We analyzed activating mutations of N-ras and K-ras by the polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide hybridization in hematological disorders. Activating mutations of these codons were detected in 4 of 20 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and 15 of 77 cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Our of 19 cases of MDS and AML who carried active mutations, 7 cases were found to have two or more distinct mutations in activating codons of N-ras and K-ras. Ras mutation was found preferentially in progressive disease such as refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB) of RAEB in transformation (RAEB-t). A relatively high incidence of ras mutation was found in M5 AML (40%). No ras mutations were found in other hematological disorders, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myelogenous-leukemia. The most frequent amino acid substitution was that of an aspartate for glycine at codon 12 of N-ras resulting from G to A mutation (11/35). The survival of AML patients who carried ras mutations showed no significant differences from those without ras mutations calculated by Kaplan-Meier. Seven cases of MDS and 7 cases of AML patients could be investigated at various points during their clinical course. Among these 14 cases, we found 2 interesting cases of MDS. The first case lost multiple clones carrying ras mutations during disease progression, the second case acquired mutation of the ras gene during disease progression. These results suggested that multiple point mutations of ras genes may not be initiating events but may contribute to a clonal evolution of MDS and AML.

Long-term histologic results of vein grafting with the telescoping anastomotic technique

We studied the long-term histologic results of a new method for autogenous vein grafting to examine whether stenosis at the anastomosis is maintained over time. Nineteen rat inferior epigastric veins were grafted into the femoral artery using a telescoping sleeve technique at both the proximal and the distal anastomoses. Specimens were studied macroscopically and histologically three months later. Stenosis at the anastomosis was located near the tip of the inserted vessel. The smallest inner diameters of the proximal and distal anastomoses were about 80% of the corresponding femoral artery diameter; no statistically significant difference was found between the two anastomoses. The grafts had a thickened wall due to intimal hypertrophy and fibrosis of the media. The inner diameter of the graft was, however, about twice that of the femoral artery, and these graft changes did not create any apparent constriction within the graft.

Effect of short-term exercise training on muscle glycogen in resting conditions in rats fed a high fat diet

It has been reported that exercise training increases muscle glycogen storage in rats fed a high carbohydrate (CHO) diet in resting conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a 3-week swimming training programme would increase muscle glycogen stores in rats fed a high-fat (FAT) diet in resting conditions. Rats were fed either the FAT or CHO diet for 7 days ad libitum, and then were fed regularly twice a day (between 0800 and 0830 hours and 1800 and 1830 hours) for 32 days. During this period of regular feeding, half of the rats in both dietary groups had swimming training for 3 weeks and the other half were sedentary. The rats were not exercised for 48 h before sacrifice. All rats were killed 2 h after their final meal (2030 hours). The glycogen contents in red gastrocnemius muscle, heart and liver were significantly higher in sedentary rats fed the CHO diet than in those fed the FAT diet. Exercise training clearly increased glycogen content in soleus, red gastrocnemius and heart muscle in rats fed the CHO diet. In rats fed the FAT diet, however, training did not increase glycogen content in these muscles or the heart. Exercise training resulted in an 87% increase of total glycogen synthase activity in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats fed the CHO diet. However, this was not observed in rats fed the FAT diet. The total glycogen phosphorylase activity in the gastrocnemius muscle of the rats of both dietary groups was increased approximately twofold by training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nutritional status and daily physical activity of handicapped students in Tokyo metropolitan schools for deaf, blind, mentally retarded, and physically handicapped individuals

Heights, weights, and skinfold thicknesses of 2222 handicapped students aged 3-22 y were measured in the 1984 nutritional survey for handicapped students in Tokyo metropolitan schools for deaf, blind, mentally retarded, and physically handicapped individuals. Although delayed growth was most obvious in physically handicapped students, obesity was already prevalent in many different types of handicapped students, especially those who were mentally handicapped. To estimate daily physical activity, 473 males and 329 females wore a pedometer for 24 h. There were considerable differences in the mean pedometer scores among the four groups of students: deaf greater than blind = mentally retarded greater than physically handicapped. In the female students who could walk normally, pedometer scores were negatively related with both body mass index and percent body fat. The nutritional status in the handicapped students is discussed in relation to daily physical activity.

[Ossifying fibroma in the cranial vault. Case report]

Ossifying fibroma is relatively common in the maxilla, but rare in the cranial vault. A 10-year-old girl was referred for painful swelling of the left temporal region. On admission, she presented no abnormal physical and neurological findings except for the painful swelling. Plain skull X-ray films showed a radiolucent lesion of the left temporal bone about 4 cm in diameter, with a hyperostotic area of the parietal side. Computed tomography scan using bone window level also showed an abnormal density lesion in the same site. Curettage of this tumor was performed from a cosmetic point of view and at the family's petition. Histological examination showed vascular fibrous tissue in which lamellar bone was surrounded by osteoblasts.

Effect of repeated transcatheter arterial embolization on the survival time in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. An analysis by the Cox proportional hazard model

One hundred fifty-eight patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) as repeatedly as possible. Survival rates at the end of the first, second, and third year were 76.5%, 54.5%, and 41.1%, respectively. In 142 patients with repeated TAE, a significantly increased number of patients with complete necrosis of tumor was observed after repetition of the therapy. Adjusting the imbalance in prognostic factors among patients by using Cox proportional hazard model, it proved that the best response during the repeated therapy, rather than the first response, was significantly associated with survival period of the patients. Aside from the factor of response to the treatment, tumor size was the worst prognostic factor at the time when diagnosis was made. Other significant factors were portal vein invasion by HCC and bilirubin. The survival period of patients with HCC treated by repeated TAE was, therefore, affected by cancer factors, liver cirrhosis factors, and therapy-responsiveness factors. It is concluded that even if complete necrosis of tumor is not obtained after the first trial, repetition of TAE is an effective measure for prolonging of survival time in patients with HCC.

Effect of repeated transcatheter arterial embolization on the survival time in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. An analysis by the Cox proportional hazard model

One hundred fifty-eight patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) as repeatedly as possible. Survival rates at the end of the first, second, and third year were 76.5%, 54.5%, and 41.1%, respectively. In 142 patients with repeated TAE, a significantly increased number of patients with complete necrosis of tumor was observed after repetition of the therapy. Adjusting the imbalance in prognostic factors among patients by using Cox proportional hazard model, it proved that the best response during the repeated therapy, rather than the first response, was significantly associated with survival period of the patients. Aside from the factor of response to the treatment, tumor size was the worst prognostic factor at the time when diagnosis was made. Other significant factors were portal vein invasion by HCC and bilirubin. The survival period of patients with HCC treated by repeated TAE was, therefore, affected by cancer factors, liver cirrhosis factors, and therapy-responsiveness factors. It is concluded that even if complete necrosis of tumor is not obtained after the first trial, repetition of TAE is an effective measure for prolonging of survival time in patients with HCC.

[Whole layer needle biopsy for evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy to invasive bladder cancer]

The most important information for treatment of bladder cancer is to know its exact staging. A whole layer needle biopsy technique has been developed for this purpose. Recently, neoadjuvant therapy has been used for invasive bladder cancer. Although down staging of bladder cancer after neoadjuvant therapy are evaluated by CT or ultrasound, these imaging are not reliable. We examined 11 invasive bladder cancer patients by whole layer needle biopsy pre and post neoadjuvant therapy. All cases were pT3-4 by pretreatment biopsy. After neoadjuvant therapy 4 were changed to pT0 by needle biopsy, other cases were no change or minimal change. In 4 changed to pT0, 3 were done total or partial cyctectomy and the results of pathological diagnosis of cystectomized specimens were also pT0. Another one case changed to pT0 is selected as candidate for bladder sparing and the patient is now in close surveillance. All 4 cases changed to pT0 were done combined treatment by chemo (internal iliac artery infusion) and radiotherapy. In remaining 7 cases, pathological staging of surgical or autopsy specimen agreed with that of whole layer needle biopsy. Whole layer needle biopsy showed no severe complication, except minor bleeding from the bladder wall. Tumor seeding into the needle tract was not observed up to present time. In conclusion, this biopsy system is useful for evaluation of the change of stage with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. By using this technique we can select the cases for candidate of bladder sparing.

A BsaBI RFLP detected for probe pML34 [D15S9] on chromosome 15q

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[Relationship between the condition of the liver in patients and carriers with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and whether there is intrafamilial clustering of HBV]

We analyzed the relationship between the presence of intrafamilial clustering of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the condition of the liver. Parents and siblings of subjects infected with HBV, some patients and some carriers, were tested for the presence of HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, and liver damage. Then the original subjects with HBV were classified by the results into one of three groups. The subjects in the group without clustering had a higher rate of being seronegative for HBeAg than the groups with clustering, at all ages (P less than 0.01; test). Of the original subjects who were seronegative for HBeAg, the group without clustering had less damage of the liver than the groups with clustering. Of the subjects infected by horizontal transmission, the group without clustering had a higher rate of being seronegative for HBeAg and less damage of the liver than the groups with clustering. Subjects with HBV in a family with members who had normal liver function and who were seronegative for HBeAg were less likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than such subjects in a family with members having chronic liver damage. Thus the presence of intrafamilial clustering might affect the chance of subjects with HBV developing liver damage. The mode of infection and some genetic factors in the infected subjects seem to contribute to the condition of subjects with HBV infection.

High energy underwater shock wave treatment on implanted urinary bladder cancer in rabbits

The effects of focused high energy shock waves (SW) on the implanted urinary bladder cancer in rabbits were examined. The bladder cancer was exposed to 2000 to 8000 shots of focused SW under ultrasound guidance. Although only focal necrosis of the tumor was seen in the one day SW exposure, wider and deeper tumor necrosis was observed in the tumors following serial SW (2000 to 6000 shots, for two to three days). Eight to 10 day serial SW exposure (6000 to 8000 shots) decreased the tumor growth in comparison with that of the control. Lung metastases examined by periodic chest X-ray after SW treatment revealed that SW did not promote lung metastases. Pathological findings were also in accord with the X-ray examinations. Polyclonal antibody type 4 collagen was used for immunohistochemical staining of vascular wall in bladder cancer. Vascular wall destruction, not found in spontaneous necrotic tumor, were clearly visible in SW induced necrotic area. SW induces vascular damage in the tumor, which may be the primary cause promoting the tumor necrosis.

Effect of interferon administration on serum hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus RNA as detected by reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction was monitored in 16 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon. Hepatitis C virus RNA became undetectable after 4 to 8 wk of interferon administration in 13 of the 16 patients. During 6 mo of follow-up, 5 of the 13 patients who became negative for hepatitis C virus RNA after interferon administration remained negative, and all five continued to have normal ALT levels. Repeat liver biopsy in these five patients revealed histological improvement. Antibody to hepatitis C virus, which was initially positive in all treated patients, fell to undetectable levels in three of the five patients. In contrast, aminotransferase levels rose again in all eight patients who had become hepatitis C virus RNA negative but had again exhibited hepatitis C virus RNA after completion of therapy. In 16 untreated patients, hepatitis C virus RNA remained detectable. These results indicate that detection of hepatitis C virus RNA may be useful as a marker of viral replication in chronic hepatitis C; they also suggest that interferon should again be administered to patients who become hepatitis C virus RNA negative on treatment but again exhibit this marker of viral replication when treatment is stopped.

Effect of diabetes on the free polyol pattern in cataractous lenses

To obtain information about the effects of lenticular polyols on the prevention, initial stages, and development of diabetic cataracts, we identified and determined with gas-liquid chromatography or gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry eight polyols in cataractous lenses of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients and nondiabetic subjects. In the diabetics' lenses, the concentrations of polyols (e.g., sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, and adonitol) were higher than in the nondiabetics' lenses, whereas the concentration of 1-deoxyglucose was lower. The mean concentration of myo-inositol in lenses of diabetics was lower than that of nondiabetics, but this difference was statistically not significant. The total content of eight polyols in the diabetics' lenses did not differ significantly from that in the nondiabetics. In the lenses of diabetics, the content of glucose correlated positively with that of adonitol, fructose, and sorbitol. In the lenses of nondiabetics, the content of glucose correlated positively with that of mannitol and inversely with that of 1-deoxyglucose and myo-inositol. In diabetics, hemoglobin A1 (%) correlated positively with the concentration of adonitol in the lenses and inversely with the concentration of lens myo-inositol; however, it did not correlate with the concentration of glucose in lenses. Regulation of both the metabolism of lenticular polyols and the pattern of polyols in serum may be necessary for normalizing lenticular polyol content.

[Clinical significance of manganese superoxide dismutase in ovarian carcinoma]

A monoclonal antibody to manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was measured in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinomas. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed to detect serum Mn-SOD. With this assay, only 0.9% of the 207 healthy females tested had more than 130 ng per milliliter of serum Mn-SOD. In contrast, 37 of 62 patients (59.7%) with epithelial ovarian carcinomas showed high levels of Mn-SOD. The serum Mn-SOD increased according to the clinical stage and declined to reflect the effects of therapy. Compared with CA-125, Mn-SOD showed a less frequent false positive rate (10%) in benign gynecological diseases. The determination of Mn-SOD levels proved to be a clinically useful marker for monitoring the response to treatment and to early detection of the recurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinomas.

Effect of diabetes on the free polyol pattern in cataractous lenses

To obtain information about the effects of lenticular polyols on the prevention, initial stages, and development of diabetic cataracts, we identified and determined with gas-liquid chromatography or gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry eight polyols in cataractous lenses of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients and nondiabetic subjects. In the diabetics' lenses, the concentrations of polyols (e.g., sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, and adonitol) were higher than in the nondiabetics' lenses, whereas the concentration of 1-deoxyglucose was lower. The mean concentration of myo-inositol in lenses of diabetics was lower than that of nondiabetics, but this difference was statistically not significant. The total content of eight polyols in the diabetics' lenses did not differ significantly from that in the nondiabetics. In the lenses of diabetics, the content of glucose correlated positively with that of adonitol, fructose, and sorbitol. In the lenses of nondiabetics, the content of glucose correlated positively with that of mannitol and inversely with that of 1-deoxyglucose and myo-inositol. In diabetics, hemoglobin A1 (%) correlated positively with the concentration of adonitol in the lenses and inversely with the concentration of lens myo-inositol; however, it did not correlate with the concentration of glucose in lenses. Regulation of both the metabolism of lenticular polyols and the pattern of polyols in serum may be necessary for normalizing lenticular polyol content.

A simplified and rapid limiting dilution assay of T lymphocytes

We report here the development of an alternative limiting dilution assay (LDA) of T lymphocytes (T cells). Blood mononuclear cells were first stimulated for 60 hr with PHA and then cultured in microwells in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2 without feeder cells. After 4 days of culture, wells were scored for proliferation. Clonal expansion of T cells followed the single-hit model of the Poisson distribution. The progenitor frequency (f) in the mononuclear cells and E-rosette-positive cells from normal donors were 0.082 +/- 0.025 (n = 12) and 0.236 +/- 0.029 (n = 5), respectively, but this was markedly decreased in patients who underwent marrow-ablative chemotherapy and autografts with blood hematopoietic stem cells. This LDA system should be of value in routine use for the evaluation of T cell proliferative activities.

[Evaluation of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma]

Twenty-nine cases of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma were examined. Eight had metastatic bone pain as the initial symptom and were diagnosed that the primary lesion was in a kidney. In eight cases bone metastases appeared after treatment of the primary site. Seven had only bone metastases and another 22 cases had multiple metastases in organs such as the lung and lymph node when the bone metastasis was found. Curable surgical treatment was performed in only 2 cases. The survival curve of these patients were: 1 year; 41 per cent, 2 year; 30 per cent and 3 year; 15 per cent. Bone scan used for detection of bone metastases of carcinoma frequently ends with false positive results. CT scan and angiography are available for differential diagnosis of bone metastasis. We examined 6 cases (9 lesions) of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma (3 pelvic bones, 2 lumbar bones, 2 femurs and 2 humerus). All lesions were hypervascular by angiography and were easily diagnosed as bone metastases. For early detection of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma, angiography is useful because hypervascularity and tumor stain are easily detected even in such small lesions as 2 cm. Angiography was also useful for chemoembolization.