Evaluation of endoscopic ultrasonography in the pre-operative staging of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater and common bile duct

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed in 23 patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (ampulla) and in 16 patients with common bile duct (CBD) carcinoma. These patients all underwent surgery. The layered structures of the duodenum, ampulla, and CBD, and the pancreas, portal vein, and regional lymph nodes were clearly identified by EUS using a transduodenal approach. With this technique, ampullary carcinoma appeared as a hypoechoic mass in 22 of 23 patients, and the 1 remaining cancer was not detected because of its small size. Carcinoma of the CBD also appeared as a hypoechoic mass in 12 of 16 patients. However, the remaining four appeared as hyperechoic masses. For these tumors, EUS had a high tumor detection rate (96 to 100%). In this regard, EUS was comparable to ERCP and was better than ultrasonography (US), CT, and angiography. Using EUS, we were also able to stage the extent of these tumors according to the involvement of the duodenal or CBD walls, invasion of the pancreas and portal vein, and spread to regional lymph nodes. The accuracy rates of cancer extent by EUS were 78% for ampullary carcinoma and 81% for CBD carcinoma when compared with surgical findings. We conclude that EUS is a valuable method for the detection and staging of tumors of the ampulla and CBD.

Flow cytometric analyses of the characteristics of tumor cells treated with two platinum compounds: 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato(2-aminomethylpyrrolidine)- platinum(II) and cisplatin

In order to reduce the toxicities of cisplatin (DDP) and/or to improve antitumor efficacy, a large number of new platinum analogues have been synthesized. 1,1-Cyclobutanedicarboxylato(2-aminomethylpyrrolidine)platin um(II) (DWA2114R) is one of them. In this study, we characterized the action mechanism of DWA2114R flow-cytometrically in 3 human lung cancer cell lines by using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd), rhodamine 123 (Rho) and Ki-67 antibody (Ab), and compared the results with those for DDP. We found that the actions of these 2 platinum analogues were characteristically different at the subcellular level. Our observations may be summarized as follows. a) Simultaneous exposure of cells to DDP and BrdUrd resulted in decreases in fluorescence intensity, i.e. in the amount of BrdUrd incorporated into single-stranded DNA. b) DDP appears to be approximately 20-fold more active than DWA2114R in producing cell cycle perturbation. c) In PC-6 small cell carcinoma cells, DDP induced decreases in S phase cells and accumulation of cells in the G2M phase, whereas in PC-10 squamous carcinoma and PC-3 adenocarcinoma cells DDP produced S phase cell accumulation. Weak but similar changes occurred with DWA2114R. d) The high Ki-67 antigen cell population was decreased by treatment with either DDP or DWA2114R, but DDP reduced the low Ki-67 antigen population more than DWA2114R. e) In PC-10 and PC-6 cells, DDP suppressed Rho incorporation into live mitochondria, whereas DWA2114R produced no change in Rho incorporation. PC-3 cells were not affected by either DDP or DWA2114R. It is likely that these differences reflect the biological activities of DDP and DWA2114R.

Late results of operation for ventricular tachycardia

We have analyzed results in 54 consecutive patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia and coronary artery disease in whom we used an aggressive surgical approach involving map-directed ventricular tachycardia ablation, scar excision and left ventricular remodeling, and coronary artery bypass grafting, as well as staged mitral valve replacement when necessary. We have previously shown age greater than 65 years to be an independent predictor of mortality and have excluded such patients from this series. Average age was 56 +/- 7 years. All patients had a previous myocardial infarction; 24% of the infarctions (13/54) were posterior in location. Symptoms included syncope or presyncope in 83% of the patients (45/54), angina in 54% (29/54), and congestive heart failure in 52% (28/54). Extensive coronary artery disease was found in 78% (42/54), and 89% (48/54) had serious compromise of left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 0.40; average ejection fraction, 0.28 +/- 0.12). Only 63% (34/54) appeared to have a resectable left ventricular aneurysm on the preoperative angiogram. Ablation techniques included endocardial excision in 82% (44/54), with the addition of cryoablation in 60% (32/54), and balloon electric shock ablation in 22% (12/54); coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 85% (46/54). There were four hospital deaths (7%). The surgical cure rate (no inducible VT at postoperative electrophysiologic study was 72% (39/54). During follow-up (mean, 50 +/- 31 months) there have been six late deaths (1 sudden death, 1 stroke, 4 congestive heart failures with or without mitral regurgitation). Four patients with progressive congestive heart failure and serious mitral regurgitation have undergone repeat operation for mitral valve replacement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The theory of flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle and their applications in biology and oncology]

The clockwise concept of cell cycle kinetics has changed since molecular biology made rapid advances in this area and added somewhat to cell cycle analysis by DNA histogram. During the last decade, it has been made possible to measure many cell-cycle-regulating gene products flow cytometrically. Application of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to cell cycle analysis contributes to scientific progression in many fields of biology and oncology. In this article, we attempt to summarize the outline of new concepts regarding the cell cycle by means of flow cytometric techniques and to describe their application in biology and oncology. For this purpose, probes, biological differences amongst the dyes used, DNA analysis using DNA histograms and their limitations are explained. Next, new methods to analyse cell cycle kinetics by means of BrdU, Ki-67 antigen, cyclin, etc. discussed. As far as application of flow cytometric cell cycle analysis are concerned, influences of nutrition, growth factors and hormones, relationships between DNA index or cell cycle and the prognosis of patients with cancer, and the effect of anticancer drugs on the cell cycle are discussed. Finally, we emphasize the importance of multiparameter analysis of cell cycle kinetics using flow cytometry.

A multi-institute case-control study on the risk factors of developing pancreatic cancer

A multi-institute, hospital-based, case-control study on pancreatic cancer was carried out to examine its association with preceding diseases, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and dietary factors. Analyses were based on 124 newly diagnosed exocrine pancreatic cancer cases and sex-, age- and institute-matched hospital controls in seven hospitals in Japan. Cigarette smoking showed a positive association with the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Especially among smokers, a risk enhancing effect of involuntary/passive smoking prior to twenty years of age was observed (P < 0.05). No consistent associations were found with coffee, black tea or alcohol consumption. Among dietary factors, favoring food of a salty taste and drinking green tea five cups per day or more were positively associated with the risk. Drinking milk and eating fish everyday were inversely associated with the risk.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in plasma lipoproteins from patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Platelet-activating factor is a potent bioactive phospholipid and may play an important role in occlusive vascular diseases. To assess the inactivation of this autacoid in plasma, we measured platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in plasma low density and high density lipoproteins from patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Low density and high density lipoproteins were separated by ultracentrifugation from plasma of 33 patients with cerebral thrombosis and 31 age-matched healthy control subjects, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in each fraction was assayed.

RESULTS

The average values of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in low density lipoprotein from patients and control subjects were 41 +/- 18 and 29 +/- 17 nmol/ml per minute, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01 U test). There was no difference in activity in high density lipoprotein between the two groups (16 +/- 11 versus 14 +/- 9 nmol/ml per minute, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in stroke patients is primarily attributable to the increased binding to low density lipoprotein, and this increase may be an adaptation to the augmented generation of platelet-activating factor in ischemic stroke.

Cholesterol polyp of the gallbladder showing rapid growth and atypical changes--a case report

We report on a case of resected cholesterol polyp with typical ultrasonic findings that became atypical, with a 40% increase in diameter, over a period of about 10 months. The resected specimen revealed a black polyp with a large-nodular appearance. The pathological diagnosis was cholesterol polyp with marked glandular proliferation, and the glandular cavity showed cystic dilatations filled with dark brown fluid. It is suspected that the aggregation of large numbers of these dilated glands explained the black color, the rapid growth, and the development leading to the atypical ultrasonic findings.

Secondary aminoglycoside resistance in aminoglycoside-producing strains of Streptomyces

The role of aminoglycoside (AG) acetyltransferases (AACs) and of the corresponding genes in resistance to foreign AGs in AG-producing strains of Streptomyces were studied. The research focussed on (i) the activation mechanism of the cryptic kanamycin(Km)-resistance-encoding gene that encodes an AAC(3) in streptomycin-producing S. griseus SS-1198, and (ii) an AAC(2') with novel activity and substrate specificity in kasugamycin-producing S. kasugaensis MB273. Activation of the cryptic kan gene in S. griseus SS-1198 is probably due to a single base substitution at the putative -10 promoter region, leading to the enhancement of transcription, resulting in resistance to AG. The coding region of the kan gene was highly homologous to that of the aacC7 gene of paromomycin-producing S. rimosus forma paromomycinus. On the other hand, resistance in S. kasugaensis MB273 was found to be due to an AAC(2') capable of acetylating astromicin group AGs at two different sites (1-NH2 with istamycin B, and 2'-NH2 with astromicin and istamycin A). These additional antibiotic resistances that are independent of a self-resistance basis may be regarded as 'secondary' resistances, so as to distinguish them from 'primary' resistances arising from a self-resistance basis.

Distribution of XhoI and EcoRI family repetitive DNA sequences into separate domains in the chicken W chromosome

Fluorescence in situ hybridization using as probes three biotinylated or digoxigenin-labeled chicken W chromosome-specific repeating DNA units (0.7 and 1.1 kb XhoI family and 1.2 kb EcoRI family units) suggested that a large fraction of one arm of the W chromosome was occupied by the EcoRI family sequences and that pericentromeric regions were widely occupied by the XhoI family sequences. A minor fraction of the EcoRI family was also present in a narrow region in the proximal half of the other arm. There was a region in the distal half of the latter arm where sequences from neither family hybridized. Evolutionary aspects of the presence of different domains occupied by different repetitive families and the significance of the unhybridized distal region are discussed.

Isolation and characterization of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein from horses, and its evaluation as an acute-phase reactive protein in horses

Equine alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AG) was isolated from equine serum by successive ammonium precipitation, anion- and cation-exchange chromatographies, and gel filtration. Purified equine alpha 1AG had a molecular weight of 46,000 +/- 1,000, and contained 31.4% carbohydrate. Gel isoelectric focusing revealed an isoelectric point range of 2.8 to 3.7. With immunoelectrophoresis, it was found that alpha 1AG migrated to the alpha 1-globulin region. Single radial immunodiffusion was used for quantitative measurement of alpha 1AG in equine serum. In clinically normal foals, serum alpha 1AG was undetectable (less than or equal to 20 micrograms/ml) in less than or equal to 7-day-old foals, but was detected by 14 days. The alpha 1AG concentration (mean +/- SD) increased to reach mean adult values of 99.23 +/- 26.90 micrograms/ml by 1 year of age. The alpha 1AG concentration in pregnant mares decreased at 2 to 3 months before parturition, then gradually increased until 1 day after parturition, when a brief decrease was observed. The concentration increased again at 2 weeks after foaling, then a decrease was observed, after which the alpha 1AG concentration increased again by 2 to 4 months after parturition. The concentration of serum alpha 1AG quickly rose to peak values 2 to 3 days after castration and jejunojejunostomy in adult horses, returning to baseline values by 14 to 28 days after surgery. The alpha 1AG was concluded to be an acute-phase reactive protein in horses.

Equine haptoglobin: isolation, characterization, and the effects of ageing, delivery and inflammation on its serum concentration

Haptoglobin (Hp) was isolated from equine serum by ammonium sulphate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Equine Hp which migrated to the alpha 2-globulin region in electrophoresis, contained 2 fractions with molecular weights (NW) of 108,000 and 105,000, and each fraction consisting of 2 subunits. Quantitative measurement of Hp in equine serum was performed by the single radial immunodiffusion method using anti-equine Hp serum. In clinically normal horses, the highest concentration of serum Hp was found in newborn foals and a high value was maintained until 12 months of age. The concentration then decreased with age. Normal Hp values were 5.25 +/- 2.36 mg/ml in foals (less than or equal to 12 months old), 2.19 +/- 1.54 mg/ml in adult horses (greater than or equal to 18 months old) and 3.62 +/- 0.81 mg/ml in all horses. Serum Hp concentration in mares during the perinatal period in comparison with the normal adult female was high for 4 months pre-partum, a passing increase at delivery, and then decreased at 2 weeks post-partum returning to normal within 1 month of delivery. In horses with experimentally-induced inflammation, serum Hp concentration began to increase immediately after treatment and reached the highest value, 1.5 to 9 times higher than those of pre-treatment at 2 to 5 days, then decreased within 4 weeks. It was also elevated in most cases of horses with clinically inflammatory signs.

Identification of a 64-kDa protein phosphorylated with glucose in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a cell-free system

We previously reported that a 64-kDa protein (p64) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was phosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP under a micromolar concentration of glucose in a cell-free system. The present paper presents the results of analysis of phosphorylation reaction and the identification of phosphoprotein. The findings that p64 was also phosphorylated with glucose-6-[32P]phosphate and that phosphorylation was inhibited with mannoheptulose suggested that the reaction was mediated by hexokinase. In fact, it was found that [32P]phosphate in glucose-6-[32P]phosphate was incorporated into either p64 or rabbit muscle phosphoglucomutase and that glucose-6-phosphate formation from glucose and ATP was detected in over 100-kDa fraction of PMN cytosol. These results showed that p64 was phosphoglucomutase in PMN and that phosphate incorporation into p64 was a conversion of a phosphate group in glucose-6-phosphate produced by hexokinase. It was further demonstrated by analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis that p64 phosphorylated with glucose induction was different from another 64-kDa protein phosphorylated by stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in vivo.

A 50-year projection of lung cancer deaths among Japanese males and potential impact evaluation of anti-smoking measures and screening using a computerized simulation model

The lung cancer death rate among Japanese males was projected for 50 years to the year 2041 by a computerized simulation model. Long-term effects of anti-smoking measures and mass screening on lung cancer deaths were also evaluated. The simulation showed that the age-adjusted lung cancer death rate would increase and reach a peak of 166 per 100,000 in 1989 and then decrease to 148 per 100,000 in 2003. It then shows an increasing tendency again, up to 255 per 100,000 in 2028. The smoking initiation rates estimated from the observed lung cancer death rates showed that the changes in death rates may be attributed to a lower smoking initiation rate among those born in the 1930's. Promotion of mass screening programs is effective more quickly than anti-smoking measures but the reduction in annual cancer deaths is expected to be only 11%, even if 100% participation is achieved by the year 2000. A reduction in smoking initiation rate, on the other hand, affects lung cancer deaths very slowly. It was predicted that a 1% annual reduction in smoking initiation rate would result in a 20% decrease in the number of lung cancer deaths in 2041. A smoking cessation program is intermediate with regard to promptness. The predicted reductions in lung cancer deaths in 2041 were 13%, 47%, and 66%, respectively, when the annual smoking cessation rate was increased from 0.46% (present status) to 1%, 3%, and 5%. In conclusion, the combined application of all three preventive measures seems essential to realize the most effective reduction in lung cancer deaths.

Structure of the Bombyx mori fibroin light-chain-encoding gene: upstream sequence elements common to the light and heavy chain

Two overlapping genomic clones containing the fibroin light-chain (Fib-L)-encoding gene (Fib-L) were obtained from the cosmid library of the silkworm, Bombyx mori J-139, by hybridization with the Fib-L cDNA clone. Sequencing of the 14.6-kb region revealed that Fib-L was 13,472 bp long containing seven exons, and that the gene contained a large first intron which occupied about 60% of the gene. Comparison of restriction patterns of the J-139 Fib-L with those of eight other B. mori breeds producing normal-level fibroin demonstrated that considerable restriction-fragment length polymorphisms were present in regions containing the first intron and the 3'-flanking sequence. However, sizes of the Fib-L mRNA and the Fib-L polypeptide were very similar among the nine breeds tested, suggesting that the exon sequences and the splice signals were all well conserved. 5'-Flanking regions of Fib-L and the fibroin heavy-chain (Fib-H)-encoding gene (Fib-H) compared in this study contained three 18-30-bp sequences of high similarity and many 8-10-bp common elements, six of which coincided with the binding sites of homeodomain proteins. Gel retardation assays with the nuclear extracts of the posterior and middle silk glands suggested that protein factors present in the posterior silk-gland nuclei could bind to a set of those common upstream elements.

Inhibitory effects of pravastatin, a competitive inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, on cholesterol gallstone formation in prairie dogs

The effects of pravastatin on cholesterol gallstone formation were determined in prairie dogs. We fed 10 prairie dogs 1% cholesterol with or without 0.05% (w/w) pravastatin (n = 5, each) for 4 weeks. In addition, another 5 prairie dogs were fed a standard rodent chow as a control. Only the animals fed 1% cholesterol without pravastatin treatment formed cholesterol gallstones. Gallbladder bile from cholesterol-fed animals contained cholesterol monohydrate crystals, whereas those treated with pravastatin contained no crystal. Furthermore, marked increases in tissue cholesterol levels (serum, liver and bile), and in biliary mucous glycoprotein levels were evident in cholesterol-fed animals, whereas pravastatin treatment normalized these levels. These findings raise the possibility that such inhibitors might have a future role to play in the prevention of cholesterol gallstone formation and/or recurrence.

Isolation, characterization, and quantitative analysis of ceruloplasmin from horses

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) was isolated from fresh equine plasma by precipitation, cellulose chromatography, and improved ion-exchange chromatography. Purified equine Cp is a glycoprotein having a molecular weight of approximately 115,000. In electrophoresis, equine Cp migrated to the alpha 1-globulin region, its isoelectric point was about 4.15 and consisted of about 890 amino acid residues. Serum Cp concentration was measured by use of the single radial immunodiffusion method. In clinically normal horses, the mean (+/- SD) serum Cp concentration of newborn foals was 2.87 +/- 0.40 mg/ml and that of 3-month-old foals was 5.02 +/- 0.92 mg/ml, which was similar to the adult value. It reached a peak of 6.06 +/- 0.74 mg/ml in 2-year-old horses. The Cp concentration in mares was not statistically different for the perinatal period, but it decreased immediately before and after delivery. Concentration of Cp increased at 6 days after IM administration of turpentine oil, castration, or jejunojejunostomy in adult horses, and increased to peak values twice as high as baseline values at 7 to 14 days, returning to baseline values at 28 days after treatment. We concluded that equine serum Cp is an acute-phase reactive protein increased in the intermediary or later phase of acute inflammation.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in horses: the effect of aging, sex, delivery and inflammations on its concentration

The serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in horses was measured by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) using rabbit anti-equine CRP serum to evaluate the significance of CRP as an acute-phase reactive protein. In serum samples of clinically normal newborn thoroughbred foals before being given colostrum, serum CRP was not detectable (less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml). The serum CRP concentration was found to increase quickly and reach a peak level of approximately 14.1 micrograms/ml in 12-month-old horses. Then, it decreased gradually to reach a low value of 5.4 micrograms/ml in the 4-year-old. In horses over 5-year-old, serum CRP concentration was stable at values of 7 to 8 micrograms/ml. In mares during the peri-natal period, serum CRP concentration decreased at 2 months before delivery, showed moderate changes just before and after delivery, and then increased to relatively high level by 2 months after delivery. The concentration of serum CRP was found to be increased at 24 hours after experimentally inflammatory stimuli in adult horses, and reached peak values of 3 to 6 times as high as the base line values at 3 to 5 days. Serum CRP concentration returned to base line values by 2 to 3 weeks after treatments. It is clear from these data that CRP is one of the acute-phase reactive proteins in horses.

Serological assessment of chlamydial infection in the koala by a slide EIA technique

A rapid and simplified slide enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) was developed for the diagnosis of chlamydial infection in the koala. HeLa 229 cells infected with koala strain Chlamydia psittaci were fixed on the surface of multiwell slides and used as the antigen. The assay consisted of first reacting koala antiserum with the fixed C psittaci antigen, followed by reaction with biotinylated rabbit anti-koala IgG, ABC reagent and substrate. The chlamydial EIA antibody titres obtained were compared with those of a complement fixation (CF) test using koala strain C psittaci as antigen. Of 35 koala sera tested, 16 CF positive sera (greater than or equal to 1:8) also had a positive titre (greater than or equal to 1:200) in the slide EIA test (sensitivity 93.8%, 15/16). Nineteen CF negative sera were also negative in the slide EIA (specificity 100%, 19/19). Sixty-eight samples of koala blood were collected by ear-prick using a sampling paper method and were assayed by both tests. Sensitivity of the slide EIA was 100% (15/15) and specificity of the test was 96.2% (51/53). To simplify the slide EIA for use as a practical screening test, a 3-point serum dilution series (1:100, 1:200, 1:400) was used. This 3-point slide EIA was compared with the CF test using sheep strain chlamydial antigen. Thirty-nine sera were assayed by both tests. The sensitivity of the 3-point method was 85.7% (6/7) and the specificity was 71.9% (23/32) as compared with the sheep antigen CF test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Specific inhibition of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases by herbimycin A in vitro

Herbimycin A is an antibiotic which reverses transformation caused by various src related oncogenes. The reversion of transformation is restricted to cells transformed by tyrosine kinase coding oncogenes, and accompanies a decrease in kinase activity of the oncogene products. We have shown in vitro that herbimycin A directly inactivates p60v-src kinase by conjugating with SH group(s) of the kinase, raising the possibility that the molecular target of the antibiotic for reversion of v-src transformation is the p60v-src itself. To investigate the relevance of its in vitro tyrosine kinase inactivating activity to in vivo transformation reversing activity, we examined the specificity of herbimycin A for inhibition of cAMP-dependent kinase, protein kinase C and p210bcr-abl tyrosine kinase in vitro. Herbimycin A had no inhibitory effect on the activities of cAMP-dependent kinase or protein kinase C, whereas the SH-reagent N-(9-acridinyl)maleimide, which inactivates p60v-crc in vitro by a mechanism similar to that of herbimycin A, blocked the two serine/threonine kinases. On the other hand, the activity of p210bcr-abl tyrosine kinase was inhibited by herbimycin A treatment. The results indicate that herbimycin A specifically binds to reactive SH group(s) of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases, and confer the biochemical basis for its selectivity in reversing cell transformation.

Occupancy of the majority of DNA in the chicken W chromosome by bent-repetitive sequences

Another family of repetitive sequences, designated the EcoRI family, was found in the DNA of the chicken W chromosome by hybridization with the W chromosome-specific XhoI family probe under conditions of low stringency. A 1.2 kb EcoRI fragment, the major repeating unit of the family, was cloned and sequenced. The 1.2 kb unit showed an overall sequence similarity of about 68% to the 0.7 kb XhoI family repeating unit and it consisted of tandem repeats of average length 21 bp, most of which contained (A)3-5 and (T)3-4 clusters separated by 6-8 G + C-rich sequences. These features and its behavior as a strongly bent molecule in solution were very similar to those found for other W chromosome-specific repetitive sequences in the order Galliformes: XhoI family of chicken, PstI family of turkey and TaqI family of pheasant. The cloned 1.2 kb unit contained 78 CpG dinucleotide sequences and those that were in HapII, HhaI and BstUI sites were shown to be extensively methylated in the genomic DNA. Repetition frequencies of the 1.2 kb unit among the female population of chicken fell into high- and low-level classes, which accounted for about 30% and 10%, respectively, of the DNA in the W chromosome. Thus, 70% to 90% of the DNA in the chicken W chromosome was shown to be occupied by bent-repetitive sequences. The EcoRI and XhoI family sequences were not intermingled over the short range but each family formed a unique domain ranging from one to several million base pairs.