A clinicopathological study of postoperative pulmonary metastasis of uterine cervical carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological backgrounds and prognostic factors of uterine cervical carcinomas metastatic to the lung.

METHODS

A total of 519 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma (Stage pTIb-IIb) treated by abdominal radical hysterectomy at the Saitama Cancer Center from January 1, 1976 to December 31, 1989 were analyzed clinicopathologically.

RESULTS

The frequencies of pulmonary metastasis were 6.4% (24/377) and 11.3% (16/142) in patients with negative and positive pelvic lymph nodes, respectively. Among 24 negative lymph node patients, 15 had pulmonary metastasis only. The overall 5-year survival rate of these 15 patients was 36% after relapse. Of the 15, the prognosis of 12 patients with 1-3 pulmonary metastases only was better, that is, 46% after surgical resection (mean size of resectable tumor = 2.8 cm) and/or chemotherapy. But the other patients died within 3.3 years after relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of pulmonary metastasis only, its number (1-3) and size (mean size = 2.8 cm), and no lymph node metastasis are important prognostic factors. For these patients, active surgical resection of the pulmonary lesion(s) and further chemotherapy are recommended in order to improve their prognosis.

Fractures of the proximal femur: correlation with vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism

Fractures are the feared consequences of osteoporosis and fractures of the proximal femur (FPF) are those that involve the highest morbidity and mortality. Thus far, evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) is the best way to determine the risk of fracture. Genetic inheritance, in turn, is one of the major determinants of BMD. A correlation between different genotypes of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and BMD has been recently reported. On this basis, we decided to determine the importance of the determination of VDR genotype in the presence of an osteoporotic FPF in a Brazilian population. We studied three groups: group I consisted of 73 elderly subjects older than 65 years (78.5 +/- 7.2 years) hospitalized for nonpathological FPF; group II consisted of 50 individuals older than 65 years (72.9 +/- 5.2 years) without FPF and group III consisted of 98 young normal Brazilian individuals aged 32.6 +/- 6.6 years (mean +/- SD). Analysis of VDR gene polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed by PCR amplification followed by BsmI digestion of DNA isolated from peripheral leukocytes. The genotype distribution in group I was 20.5% BB, 42.5% Bb and 37% bb and did not differ significantly from the values obtained for group II (16% BB, 36% Bb and 48% bb) or for group III (10.2% BB, 47.6% Bb and 41.8% bb). No differences in genotype distribution were observed between sexes or between the young and elderly groups. We conclude that determination of VDR polymorphism is of no practical use for the prediction of FPF. Other nongenetic factors probably start to affect bone mass, the risk to fall and consequently the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures with advancing age.

Oxidation of N-methyl(R)salsolinol: involvement to neurotoxicity and neuroprotection by endogenous catechol isoquinolines

1(R), 2(N)-Dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, N-methyl(R)salsolinol, is a potent dopaminergic neurotoxin to induce parkinsonism in rats. The cytotoxicity of N-methyl(R)salsolinol proved to be ascribed to its oxidation into cytotoxic 1,2-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxyisoquinolinium ion with generation of hydroxyl radical. The isoquinolinium ion caused massive necrosis in the striatum, whereas N-methyl(R)salsolinol depleted selectively dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra without necrotic tissue reaction. N-Methyl(R)salsolinol induced DNA damage to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, which could be prevented by anti-oxidants and cycloheximide. These results suggest that oxidative stress through oxidation of N-methyl(R)salsolinol induces apoptotic cell death. On the other hand, (R)salsolinol proved to scavenge hydroxyl radical produced by oxidation of dopamine. The neurotoxicity and neuroprotection of catechol isoquinolines may be ascribed to their oxidation and scavenging of radicals.

Leiomyosarcoma of the uterine cervix

The clinicopathologic features of a patient with uterine leiomyosarcoma arising in the cervix are presented. A 47-year-old Japanese woman was admitted with complaints of hypermenorrhea and abdominal distention. A hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy revealed a tumor weighing 10.5 kg, which was the largest cervical leiomyosarcoma reported in the literature. She was given eight courses of combination chemotherapy (VADIC and Hydroxyurea, DTIC, Etoposide) and is alive without evidence of recurrence 35 months after the initial therapy.

Relationship of parental history of high blood pressure to blood pressure: combined findings of three Japanese population samples, the INTERSALT study

The relationship of parental history of high blood pressure (HBP) to blood pressure (BP) was estimated in three Japanese population samples, totalling 591 men and women aged 20-59 years, from the INTERSALT study. Parental history of HBP was defined as reported HBP by their father and/or mother. With adjustment for antihypertensive medication, body mass index, alcohol intake, and Na/K ratio in 24-h urine, for participants with a parental history of HBP compared to those without a history, BP was higher for three to four age-sex strata, both for systolic and diastolic pressure (SBP, DBP), by 3.3 to 6.8 and 2.7 to 5.5 mm Hg respectively, with four of these six positive associations statistically significant. This finding was stronger for persons aged 40-59 than for those aged 20-39. These data support the judgment that for persons with a parental history of HBP, BP is apt to increase more with age due to combined effects of genetic and environmental factors. Such people especially need to control their lifestyles carefully, including to maintain an optimal intake of salt (eg, <70 mmol/day) and a high potassium intake, to avoid high alcohol consumption, and keep weight moderate, for the prevention of hypertension.

Random nuclear p53 overexpression pattern in tamoxifen-mediated endometrial carcinoma

In a previous paper, we suggested that tamoxifen (TAM)-mediated endometrial carcinogenesis may not involve estrogenic pathways because of random estrogen receptor positivity among endometrial carcinomas with and without TAM treatment for breast cancer. DNA adduct formation (reported in rat liver and human endometrium) was considered to be a more plausible mechanism for TAM-mediated carcinogenesis. To examine the reported correlation between DNA adduct formation and p53, the present study examined p53 expression in the endometrial carcinomas reported in the previous study. Seven endometrial adenocarcinomas associated with long-term TAM treatment for breast carcinoma and 4 carcinomas without TAM treatment but with history of breast carcinoma were immunohistochemically investigated for nuclear p53 expression. The bcl-2 product was also examined. Diffuse and intense nuclear reactivity for p53 protein was present in only one TAM-related case. Essentially, no differences were observed in the bcl-2 staining patterns of TAM-treated and -untreated patients with cancer. Thus, p53 overexpression in endometrial carcinomas occurring in patients with breast cancer seems to be not specific for TAM-treated patients, and, if DNA adduct formation has any role in this type of endometrial carcinogenesis, it may not be related preferentially to p53 gene alteration. Further studies are needed to understand the precise mechanism(s) of the endometrial carcinogenesis.

Collinear stimuli regulate visual responses depending on cell's contrast threshold

Neurons in the primary visual cortex are selective for the size, orientation and direction of motion of patterns falling within a restricted region of visual space known as the receptive field. The response to stimuli presented within the receptive field can be facilitated or suppressed by other stimuli falling outside the receptive field which, when presented in isolation, fail to activate the cell. Whether this interaction is facilitative or suppressive depends on the relative orientation of pattern elements inside and outside the receptive field. Here we show that neuronal facilitation preferentially occurs when a near-threshold stimulus inside the receptive field is flanked by higher-contrast, collinear elements located in surrounding regions of visual space. Collinear flanks and orthogonally oriented flanks, however, both act to reduce the response to high-contrast stimuli presented within the receptive field. The observed pattern of facilitation and suppression may be the cellular basis for the observation in humans that the detectability of an oriented pattern is enhanced by collinear flanking elements. Modulation of neuronal responses by stimuli falling outside their receptive fields may thus represent an early neural mechanism for encoding objects and enhancing their perceptual saliency.

Roles of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in ocular dominance plasticity in developing visual cortex: re-evaluation

We have re-examined whether N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors play a specific role in experience-dependent plasticity in kitten visual cortex. A specific antagonist of this glutamate receptor subtype, D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, was directly and continuously infused into kitten striate cortex for one week concurrently with monocular lid suture. In the hemisphere infused with 50 mM antagonist, we found the usual shift in ocular dominance toward the open eye with only a few binocular cells remaining. The changes were accompanied by an extremely high incidence (38%) of abnormal cells lacking orientation selectivity across different ocular dominance groups. In kitten cortex infused with 10 mM antagonist concurrently with monocular deprivation for a week, recording from a drug-affected region near the infusion centre, we again found the U-shaped ocular dominance distribution with the high incidence of non-selective cells. In antagonist-infused, otherwise normal striate cortex of adult cats, we found that the proportion of binocular cells decreased by one-half in two cellular populations: one recorded during the continuous infusion of 10 mM antagonist under general anaesthesia and paralysis, and the other about two days after stopping the infusion. We also established that in vivo concentrations of chronically infused 10 mM antagonist decreased, not near-exponentially, but linearly with increasing distance from the infusion site. Thus, the effects of a directly and continuously infused, concentrated antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors on receptive-field properties of visuocortical cells are complex. The present findings strongly suggest that the antagonist effects in the developing cortex may be due primarily to blockade of normal synaptic transmission rather than specific disruption of an experience-dependent mechanism underlying ocular dominance plasticity.

Lack of lateral inhibitory interactions in visual cortex of monocularly deprived cats

To gain new insight into the effects of monocular deprivation, we studied the visual cortex of adult cats deprived of vision in one eye. Local field potentials were recorded in response to contrast reversal of square-wave gratings modulated in time either by pseudorandom, m-sequences or periodically. We have found that: (1) stimulation of the retinotopic locus of the recording site elicits responses with abnormal waveforms and long latencies from the deprived eye; (2) stimulation of a remote, non-retinotopic locus elicits responses from the non-deprived eye but not from the deprived eye; (3) the monocularly deprived cortex lacks lateral inhibitory interactions which are characteristic of the normal cortex; and (4) steady-state responses showed little difference in spatial-frequency tuning and contrast sensitivity between the deprived and non-deprived eye, mostly conforming to earlier field-potential data in monocular deprivation. Functional lateral interactions appear to be greatly reduced in monocularly deprived cortex.

Determinants of bone loss in a rural Japanese community: the Taiji Study

The objective of this study was to assess the rate of bone loss and characterize its determinants, among the inhabitants of Taiji, a rural Japanese community. A cohort of 2261 inhabitants aged 40-79 years was established using resident registration in 1992. Fifty men and 50 women in each of four age strata between 40 and 79 years were randomly selected and completed a self-administered risk factor questionnaire. Baseline bone density of lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1993. BMD was measured again on the same participants in 1996. The rates of change of lumbar spine BMD in men in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s were 0.20%, 0.34%, 0.43% and 0.28% respectively. Rates in women were -0.35%, -1.02%, -0.10% and -0.20% respectively. At the femoral neck, rates of change in BMD among men in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s were 0.09%, -0.07%, 0.34% and 0.31% respectively. Femoral neck rates of change among women were -0.55%, 0.02%, 0.49% and -0.25% respectively. The rate of change of lumbar spine BMD was -0.24% in premenopausal women with regular periods, -1.99% in premenopausal women with irregular periods and -0.33% in postmenopausal women. Anthropometric measurements at baseline were also related significantly to change in bone density. Baseline weight and height were statistically significant predictors of bone loss rate. These data provide estimates of the rate of bone loss among Japanese men and women aged 40-79 years. They suggest that body build and menstrual function in women are important determinants of bone loss.

Synthesis and miscoding specificity of oligodeoxynucleotide containing 8-phenyl-2'-deoxyguanosine

Aryl radicals and arenediazonium ions are suspected to react with cellular DNA, resulting in C8-arylguanine adducts. 8-Phenyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-PhdG) was synthesized as a model adduct by reacting dG with benzenediazonium chloride and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides using phosphoramidite techniques. A site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotide containing a single 8-PhdG was then used as a template for primer extension reactions catalyzed by the intact (exo+) or 3'-->5' exonuclease-free (exo-) Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and mammalian DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha). Although primer extensions catalyzed by the Klenow fragments were retarded at the position of 8-PhdG, most of the primer extension passed the lesion to form the fully extended products. In contrast, primer extensions catalyzed by pol alpha were strongly blocked opposite the lesion. The fully extended products formed during DNA synthesis were analyzed to quantify the miscoding specificities of 8-PhdG. The exo- Klenow fragment incorporated primarily dCMP, the correct base, opposite 8-PhdG, along with small amounts of incorporation of dAMP. Two-base deletions were also observed. In contrast, the exo+ Klenow fragment incorporated dCMP opposite the lesion. When pol alpha was used, 8-PhdG promoted small amounts of misincorporation of dAMP and dGMP as well as one- and two-base deletions. The duplex containing 8-PhdG.dG was thermally and thermodynamically more stable than dG.dG. The duplex containing 8-PhdG.dA was thermodynamically more stable than dG.dA. We conclude that 8-PhdG is a weak miscoding lesion, capable of generating G-->T and G-->C transversions and deletions in cells.

[A case of breast cancer metastasis to the skin and bone 13 years after, and to the brain 17 years after mastectomy]

A case of breast cancer metastasis to the skin and bone 13 years after, and to the brain 17 years after mastectomy in a 54-year-old woman, is reported. In 1978, the patient, who was then 37 years old, underwent standard radical mastectomy for left breast cancer. In 1991, because of skin and bone metastasis, systemic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) was performed, and she partially responded to CAF therapy. In April 1995, the patient was admitted for pain of left hip joint and left knee joint. Computed tomography of the head revealed a bleeding tumor with marked peritumoral edema. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (250 ng/ml) and CA 15-3 (810 U/ml) were increased. Bone metastases were found elsewhere in the body. Again, systemic chemotherapy with CAF was performed. CAF chemotherapy stopped the brain metastasis bleeding.

Continuous hepatocyte growth factor supply prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in rats

We present a rat model in which continuous supply of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) prevents liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and E. coli 011:B4 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rat fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete rat HGF were implanted in syngenic rat spleen 7 days before administration of the hepatotoxins. Rats with HGF-secreting fibroblasts in the spleen showed a dramatic resistance to CCl4- and LPS-induced liver injury. In the LPS-induced liver injury model, blood chemical analysis revealed that the increase in serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase level and the decrease in blood sugar level were remarkably suppressed in rats with HGF-secreting cells in the spleen. Most importantly, their survival rate was greatly improved compared to other control groups of rats. Thus our results indicate a new role of HGF in liver protection during endotoxemia and convey important clinical implications for developing new therapeutic modalities in the treatment of liver failure caused by endotoxemia.

An endogenous dopaminergic neurotoxin, N-methyl-(R)-salsolinol, induces DNA damage in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Recently, an endogenous neurotoxin, 1(R),2(N)-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline [N-methyl-(R)-salsolinol], was found to elicit parkinsonism in rats with selective depletion of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra without necrotic tissue reaction. The mechanism of the cell death was examined by detection of DNA damage using a single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Only N-methylsalsolinol was found to induce DNA damage, whereas other catechol isoquinolines, such as (R)-salsolinol, (S)-salsolinol, and 1,2-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxyisoquinolinium ion, did not. The (R)-enantiomer of N-methylsalsolinol damaged DNA much more profoundly than the (S)-enantiomer. Cycloheximide protected the cells from DNA damage, suggesting that an apoptotic process may account for the DNA damage. Morphological changes indicating apoptotic cell death were also confirmed. Antioxidants and deprenyl reduced DNA damage, indicating that the damage was initiated by oxidative stress and that neuroprotection by deprenyl may be partially ascribed to its prevention of DNA damage. Apoptosis induced by neurotoxins may be a mechanism underlying the cell death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease.

Intramural carcinomas of the uterine corpus: a clinicopathological study

Cases in which no sizable amount of tumor was observed in the uterine cavity and the main foci of the carcinoma were exclusively confined to the myometrium, were studied pathologically in a series of carcinomas of the uterine corpus. Ten out of 350 carcinomas of the uterine corpus proper fell into this category, and one case of suspicious metastatic corpus tumor from the ovary was also considered. The growth pattern of these tumors was classified into following 6 groups: (a) growth confined to the myometrium, (b) nodular growth in the myometrium with minimal endometrial involvement, (c) scattered (scirrhous) growth in the myometrium with marked shedding of the endometrium, (d) almost complete replacement of the myometrium by carcinoma with endometrial shedding (e) extreme subtype of usual endophytic growth pattern and (f) diffuse, intra-lymphatic spread of secondary tumor. One, 2, 3, 1, 3, and 1 cases of tumors of group, (a)-(f), were observed respectively in our pathological files. A spectrum of initial symptoms, diagnostic procedures, histology and histogenesis of the tumor was described in this report.

Laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG active-mirror laser

We describe a simple design, laser-diode-pumped cw Nd:YAG active-mirror laser and present a thermal analysis of the crystal. A cw output power of 2.4 W and an M(2) beam quality value of less than 1.9 at an incident pumping power of 8.9 W were obtained. From the thermal analysis we predict that the output power can be increased by increasing the pump beam diameter and the pump power at a constant excitation density.

Hematogenous spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma cells: possible participation in recurrence in the liver

To detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in the circulating peripheral blood, we previously designed a highly sensitive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method targeting alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA (mRNA). Using this method, we analyzed peripheral blood of in- and out-patients bearing HCC for 2 months consecutively and examined the outcome thereafter. All 11 patients with recurrence either in the liver alone or in both the liver and the lung were positive for AFP mRNA. Among 10 recurrence-free patients, 2 patients were AFP mRNA-negative and remained recurrence-free during a period of 22 months observed. Four of 8 AFP mRNA-positive, recurrence-free patients developed a clinically evident recurrence in the liver after 2 to 16 months. Seven of 8 preoperative patients were already positive for AFP mRNA and the remaining negative patient became positive during surgery. Four of 6 preoperatively positive and still-alive patients had recurrence in the liver after 2 to 9 months. None of the HCC-negative patients were positive for AFP mRNA. We actually found an AFP protein-positive cell in peripheral blood obtained from one of the AFP mRNA-positive patients by immunostaining. The present results suggest that circulating HCC cells may have some relationship with the recurrence of HCC in the liver.

[Application of tuberculosis medical examination radiographs to scoliosis screening in high schools]

The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of tuberculosis examination radiographs for scoliosis screening in high schools, for early diagnosis and early treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the health management of students. We examined 2,068 first year high school students (1,058 males and 1,010 females) in Wakayama Prefecture, who had chest X-ray photographs taken between 1994 to 1996, and 24 cases (3 males and 21 females) were identified with scoliosis of more than 10 degrees Cobb angle. Fifteen of the cases received further examinations in the hospital, and were diagnosed with definite adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, while 6 cases who did not receive hospital examinations had their abnormality of the spine noted in past periodic health examinations. In the remaining 3 students scoliosis could not be confirmed. The correlation coefficient between the Cobb angle measured in the tuberculosis examination radiographs and in the total spinal radiographs taken by the hospital was 0.815 (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the tuberculosis examination radiographs may be useful for scoliosis screening in high schools.

Continuous and direct infusion of drug solutions in the brain of awake animals: implementation, strengths and pitfalls

One of the best strategies for understanding an animal's behavior is to study the function of the brain by experimentally modifying brain chemistry temporarily or on a long-term basis. This can be achieved by direct manipulation of neurochemistry of a targeted brain area with various drugs whose in vitro specificity and sensitivity are known. We assume that an animal's behavior is primarily controlled by the integrated performance of neural networks, rather than the action of a "superstar" single neuron which has narrowly tuned selectivity, in a specified brain region. Therefore, the former must be regulated by a large number of combinations of various transmitter/modulator receptors, hormones, growth factors, and other biochemically identifiable and yet unidentified substances. Under certain conditions, the activation of receptor-bound second messenger systems is thought to cause the enhanced expression of particular genes. Given the wide possibilities in manipulating brain chemistry, which may otherwise result in a variety of consequences, it is crucial to have a dependable means of sustaining the steady-state action of a drug for a sufficiently long time period at a targeted area in the brain of behaving animals. In most cases the continuous application of a drug is necessary to counteract its secondary mitigating effect, which is set in action through negative feedback loops and which in effect reduces the primary action of the drug in use. We have developed a technique to answer this need, using the Alzet osmotic minipump as the source of the continuous infusion force. A drug solution is continuously and directly infused, guided through a chronically implanted cannula, into a targeted area in the brain of behaving animals. The consequences of such an infusion are assessed, during as well as after the infusion, using various types of measurements in behavior, biochemistry, neurophysiology, pharmacology and morphology. The method has been successfully applied, for example, to the study of developmentally regulated neural plasticity in cat visual cortex. A few preconditions should be satisfied for the method to be properly applied to the brains of live animals. Those are: (1) manufacturing a suitable guide system, i.e., cannula-minipump assembly, for the infusion solution; (2) stereotaxic implantation of a cannula-minipump assembly into a selected brain region; and (3) estimating the concentration gradient of the continuously infused solution. This is crucial to assess the specificity and sensitivity of a drug for its assumed effects in vivo.

Detection of colorectal carcinoma cells in circulating peripheral blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting cytokeratin-20 mRNA

For the detection of circulating colorectal carcinoma cells, we investigated the presence of cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) mRNA in the peripheral blood of colorectal carcinoma patients. Application of our published technique resulted in analysis by reverse transcription followed by three-step nested polymerase chain reaction. This analysis could detect a single Colo 205 colon cancer cell mixed with 1 ml of blood. Our system also successfully detected the presence of CK 20 mRNA in actual patients' peripheral blood samples. Our highly sensitive and specific system for the detection of CK-20 mRNA from patients' peripheral blood thus seems to be useful for screening for circulating colorectal carcinoma cells.

Identification of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA in circulating peripheral blood of pancreatic carcinoma and gastric carcinoma patients

To detect adenocarcinoma cells in the circulating peripheral blood, we "analyzed the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA in the peripheral blood obtained from patients with pancreatic carcinoma (PC) or with gastric carcinoma (GC) and also, as controls, from pancreatitis or gastritis patients without carcinomas, a gastric lymphoma patient and four healthy volunteers. Because of the small number of carcinoma cells expected in the peripheral blood, the analysis was performed by the reverse transcription followed by an original two-step polymerase chain reaction. By this sensitive method, 3 of 9 PC patients and 2 of 9 GC patients were positive for CEA mRNA. Except for 1 highly advanced PC patient, 3 of 4 CEA mRNA-positive patients developed recurrence after curative resection or liver metastasis after palliative operation within 9 months after the analysis. None of the control patients was positive for CEA mRNA in the peripheral blood. The results suggest that our sensitive RT-PCR method for detecting CEA mRNA in the peripheral blood is practically useful to find the hematogenous spreading of adenocarcinoma cells.

[A population survey on bone mineral density in a fishing village in Wakayama Prefecture (Part 2); The analysis of the risk factors affecting the bone mineral density]

The purpose of this study was to detect factors affecting lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) of general inhabitants in a rural community. A cohort consisting of 2261 inhabitants aged 40-79 years was set up based on the resident registration in Taiji town, Wakayama Prefecture in 1992. Fifty men and 50 women in each of four age strata (40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79), totaling 400 inhabitants, were selected randomly. After completion of a questionnaire by an interviewer, items about physical characteristics such as height, body weight, wrist length and grip power were measured. Examination of BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed. Correlation coefficients between BMDs and values of physical characteristics were determined. Lumbar BMD was examined to determine whether the following factors were positive or negative: past history, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, dietary habit, exercise, and in addition, pregnancy times and menstrual status for women. Among the values of physical characteristics, body weight was the most closely correlated with lumbar BMD. The items that showed significantly high values as factors affecting lumbar BMD were a past history of diabetes mellitus (men and women in their 70s), and exercise (men in their 50s and women in their 40s). Regarding pregnancy times and menstruation, BMD in women with a history of childbirth was significantly higher than that in those without the history among the women in their 70s. Although the BMD in the women with lactation was significantly lower than that in those without it among the women in their 40s, there was no difference in BMD between the women with and without the history who were 50 years old or over. The effect of menstrual status was investigated according to years after menopause in the women in their 50s. BMD was significantly lower in the women with ar least six years after menopause than in those within five years.

Tamoxifen mediated human endometrial carcinogenesis may not involve estrogenic pathways: a preliminary note

Seven cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma patients who had experienced long-term tamoxifen treatments as adjuvant therapy of breast carcinoma, were investigated with respect to estrogen receptor (ER) status. Four cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma without tamoxifen treatment but with a previous history of breast carcinoma were investigated for comparison. One of the 7 and two of the 4 cases were positive for ER immunohistochemically. Thus, the frequency of ER positivity in secondary endometrial adenocarcinoma seemed to be at random among tamoxifen-treated and non-treated breast cancer patients. These results suggest that tamoxifen-mediated human endometrial carcinogenesis may not involve estrogenic pathway(s) but may involve other carcinogenic mechanisms such as DNA adduct formation as shown in rat liver tumorigenesis.

Comparison of chemically induced DNA breakage in cellular and subcellular systems using the comet assay

The alkaline comet assay, employing a single cell gel electrophoresis, is a rapid, simple and sensitive technique for visualizing and measuring DNA damage leading to strand breakage in individual mammalian cells. In this report, we describe a modified version of this assay which we used to assess DNA damage as a result of treating lysed cells with genotoxic and antimetabolic agents. By means of this modified assay, DNA is no longer held under the regulation of any metabolic pathway or membrane barrier. Using 3 direct-acting agents, hydrogen peroxide, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, and bleomycin, we were able to induce increased DNA migration by both the standard and modified comet assays. In contrast, with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, 5-fluorouracil, and methotrexate, which require cellular enzymatic activity to induce DNA damage, we succeeded in inducing increased DNA migration using the standard comet assay conditions only. In some cases, the modified comet assay might be helpful in analyzing chemical and biological characteristics of genotoxic agents when performed in combination with the standard comet assay.

Synergetic cytotoxicity of bleomycin and polyhydric alcohols: DNA strand breakage evaluated by "comet assay"

DNA strand breakage induced in cultured cells by bleomycin (BLM) was remarkably enhanced in the presence of glycerol or polyvinyl alcohol which produces an enhancement effect on BLM cytotoxicity, but not in the presence of alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, or polyethylene glycol which do not produce enhanced cytotoxicity. The comet assay, a useful analytical method for evaluating DNA strand breakage, clearly demonstrated that combinations of BLM and polyhydric alcohols induced serious DNA damage in the whole cell populations compared with those induced by treatment with BLM alone. The comet assay also successfully showed distributions of cell populations with various degrees of DNA damage. These results suggested that an increase in DNA damage induced in the presence of polyhydric alcohols might be responsible for the enhancement of BLM cytotoxicity.

[A population survey on bone mineral density in a fishing village in Wakayama prefecture. (Part 1) Distribution of bone mineral density by sex and age based on a representative sample of the community]

To establish reference values for bone mineral density (BMD), a population survey was carried out in a fishing community in Wakayama Prefecture. The BMD measurements of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and proximal femur (femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle area) were performed by sex and age, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Four hundred subjects, aged 40 to 79 years, were recruited randomly to give 50 persons in each of eight age-sex strata from a list of 2,261 residents (1,028 men and 1,233 women) living in a fishing village. The validity of sampling methods was assessed using a questionnaire about lifestyle factors, which was used for all residents aged from 40 to 79 years in the baseline survey. There were no significant differences between the subjects for BMD measurements and all the residents of the community in the frequencies of past history of diseases, healthy habits, food intakes, and rates of smoking, alcohol drinking, coffee and green tea consumption. These findings suggested that the present study population could be considered representative of samples obtained from the entire population in the fishing community. The results of BMD measurements in these subjects, who were selected at random, showed that except for a slightly high BMD of the lumbar spine in men in their 60's, the mean BMD of the lumbar spine and the three proximal segments of the femur decreased with increasing age in both sexes.

Continuous HGF supply from HGF-expressing fibroblasts transplanted into spleen prevents CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), first identified as a potent mitogen for mature hepatocytes, has been reported to have various activities. We investigated protective effect of continuous HGF supply on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in rats. We transfected immortalized but not tumorigenic rat fibroblasts (Rat-1) with an expression plasmid containing the human HGF cDNA and established several cell lines expressing HGF. The biological activity of HGF produced by these cell lines was confirmed by its mitogenic effect on rat hepatocytes in vitro. Either one of the high-HGF-producer cell lines or parental Rat-1 cell line was transplanted into a syngenic rat spleen. Twelve days after transplantation, each rat was intraperitoneally injected with CCl4 and sacrificed 48 h after CCl4 injection. In rats with continuous HGF supply significantly lower serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) level was observed compared to its marked elevation in control rats and the degree of hepatocyte damage was slight on histological analysis. These results indicate that continuous HGF supply effectively inhibits CCl4-induced acute liver injury and may suggest the possibility that this system would be useful on various liver diseases.

The cause of maintained hypercalciuria after the surgical cure of primary hyperparathyroidism is a defect in renal calcium reabsorption

The hypercalciuria that eventually remains after the successful removal of a solitary parathyroid adenoma may originate from excessive intestinal calcium absorption, bone resorption or deficient renal reabsorption. In order to clarify this question, ten patients surgically cured from primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPx), ten age-matched normal subjects and five nephrolithiasic patients with renal hypercalciuria (RH) were studied after five days on a low calcium diet, either during fasting or after oral calcium load. Fasting serum calcium, amino-terminal and intact PTH levels and also urinary cAMP excretion were normal in every individual patient. Serum ionized calcium and inulin clearance (GFR) were used for calculations of the filtered load (FL Ca) and the fractional excretion of calcium (FE Ca). Six PHPx patients displayed fasting calciuria above the upper limit calculated for control subjects, despite having the lowest GFR and FL Ca (p < 0.05 vs control). These patients (h-PHPx) had a small calciuric response to oral calcium load. Serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 25OHD3 did not correlate with calciuria. Our findings exclude intestinal hyperabsorption and excessive bone resorption in h-PHPx patients, and strongly suggest a renal tubular defect in calcium reabsorption as the cause of their hypercalciuria. This defect could be primary, as in RH, but only three hPHPx patients had recurrent kidney stones before surgery. On the other hand, as a negative correlation between GFR and FE Ca was only found in PHPx patients, it seems probable that the disturbances in glomerular and tubular functions were secondary to the long standing hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism.

[A population based study on factors related to bone mineral density in Wakayama Prefecture]

For evaluation of the community health program, 1543 inhabitants aged 40-79 years were recruited as cohort members in Miyama Village, Wakayama Prefecture. In this cohort, bone mineral density (BMD) of 400 subjects, 50 males and 50 females each randomly selected from each of four age strata, was measured at the lumbar spine and femur neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on exposure to possible risk factors was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. The results were as follows; BMD at the lumbar spine and femur neck in women aged 70-79 who maintained an exercise habit (> or = one hour/week) was significantly higher than women with no exercise habit. The BMD at the femur neck in men aged 60-79 with alcohol drinking habit was significantly higher than those with no drinking habit. Significant correlation was not seen between milk intake or smoking and the BMD. BMD at the femur neck in women aged 60-69 with multiple child births (> or = 4) were significantly higher than those with fewer child births. The BMD in women aged 50-59 with earlier onset of menarche was higher than those with late menarche. Significant reduction in BMD of postmenopausal women was observed compared to premenopausal women analyzed after matching for age. The result of analysis of quantification method of the first type showed that age and menopause had a marked effect on BMD. Concerning lifestyles as other factors, a positive correlation was observed between BMD and drinking for men and exercise for women. These factors appear to be useful indicators of risk for osteoporosis.

Cytotoxicity of antitumor agents toward cultured murine leukemia L1210 cells under a serum-deprived apoptotic condition

Apoptosis is known to be induced in L1210 cells that are cultured in serum-deprived medium. In this study, inhibitory effects of some antitumor agents on the growth of L1210 cells cultured in a normal and a serum-deprived medium were compared. All the antitumor agents examined were equally cytotoxic to cells in both media, indicating that the cytotoxic effects of these agents were not coupled with programmed apoptosis so as to induce synergistic cell death. The single cell-gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) revealed that antitumor agents induced DNA strand breakage in a dose-dependent manner under either normal or serum-deprived culture conditions without any synergistic increases in DNA strand breakage.

Highly-sensitive identification of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA in circulating peripheral blood of hepatocellular carcinoma patients

In order to capture hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in circulating peripheral blood, we made analysis to see if alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA exists in the peripheral blood obtained from patients with HCC and also, as a control, from hepatitis-viral-marker-positive patients without HCC and a healthy volunteer. As the number of HCC cells in peripheral blood and the quantity of AFP mRNA are expected to be very small, the analysis was performed by the reverse transcription followed by an original three-step polymerase chain reaction. By this highly-sensitive method, 5 of 7 HCC patients were positive for AFP mRNA. These 5 positive patients consisted of three with clinically apparent recurrence, one preoperative patient with tumor thrombus in the portal vein and one recurrence-free patient who developed clinically detectable recurrence three months after this analysis. Neither 4 patients with positive viral markers nor a healthy volunteer was positive. The results suggest that detection of AFP mRNA from HCC patients' peripheral blood by our highly-sensitive RT-PCR may be a practical and powerful tool to diagnose the preoperative spreading of HCC and to monitor its recurrence.

Alteration in the fluorescence polarization of rat plasma and liver cell membranes following bile duct ligation in rats

The fluorescence polarization levels of liver cell membranes and plasma were analyzed to determine membrane fluidity following bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Fluorescence polarization was measured with a spectrofluorophotometer equipped with polarizers, using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrien (DPH) as a probe. After bile duct ligation, liver cell membrane fluidity decreased significantly for up to 14 days after surgery (P < 0.001 on 3rd and 7th days). The polarization of the plasma in rats with BDL slightly but significantly increased compared to the levels in the control animals over the 14-day period following BDL. In addition, a small but significant correlation in the polarization levels between plasma and liver cell membranes (r = 0.362, P < 0.02) was observed. The co-incubation of BDL plasma with normal liver cell membranes resulted in a decrease in membrane fluidity, which suggested that BDL rat plasma had a direct effect on membrane fluidity. After a 70% hepatectomy, the polarization of the membranes from remnant livers in the BDL rats remained elevated relative to the sham-operated controls. It is thus concluded that the membrane fluidity of the livers in BDL rats decreases following bile duct ligation and does not increase after a 70% hepatectomy, presumably due to the increased plasma level of bilirubin.

Spatially distributed responses induced by contrast reversal in cat visual cortex

Field potentials were recorded from cat striate cortex, either between an epidural screw electrode and a cannula-electrode inserted deep in the gray matter (transcortical recording) or with a pair of metal microelectrodes. Electrodes were placed bilaterally near the cortical projection of the area centralis. The horizontal separation of the recording tips was approximately 2 mm and approximately 300 microns, respectively. The area of the visual field providing input to the recording site (receptive field) was determined by measuring the field potentials generated by contrast reversal of high-contrast, achromatic bar gratings. Five-degree-diameter grating patches were presented individually over a large area of the visual field. The gratings were contrast-reversed at 4, 6 or 10 Hz, while also being swept in spatial frequency between 0.56 and 5.24 c/deg. The receptive fields were approximately 20 deg across or more, substantially larger than expected on the basis of cortical retinotopy. Responses were also elicited by stimulation of the hemi-field contralateral to that contributing to the classical receptive field, implicating the presence of a callosal projection. The large, spatially distributed receptive fields consisted of patches of high and low sensitivity. Continuous cortical infusion of either 100 microM tetrodotoxin or 10 mM muscimol at the recording site totally suppressed the transcortically recorded field potentials, proving that the local field potentials were generated postsynaptically. The present findings suggest that a cluster of cortical cells near the projection site of the area centralis receives input from remote cortical regions to an extent that is comparable with that of anatomically demonstrated long-range lateral connections.

Wide difference between the cytotoxicity of the 11-alpha-and 11-beta-cyano analogues of tilivalline and their epimeric conversion

Tilivalline (TV) possesses a pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine nucleus and is cytotoxic toward mammalian cells. The 11-beta-cyano TV analogue (1) is about one hundred times more cytotoxic to mouse leukemia L1210 cells than TV itself. In contrast, the 11-alpha-cyano TV analogue (2), an epimer of 1, has only about one-hundredth the cytotoxicity of 1. It was found that epimerization proceeded between 1 and 2 under physiological conditions, and the cytotoxicity of 2 is thought to be caused mainly by 1 that was formed from 2 during incubation in medium.

Significance of altered fluidity of plasma membranes of the liver and kidney in rats with sepsis

The present study was conducted to investigate changes in plasma membrane fluidity of the liver and kidney in sepsis, which is the main cause of multiple organ failure. Male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used in all experiments. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. As a control, a sham operation was performed. The time course of plasma membrane fluidity of the liver and the renal cortex in septicemic rats or in controls was studied. To evaluate the fluidity, fluorescence polarization was measured using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The fluorescence polarization values of liver plasma membranes increased after cecal ligation and puncture: 0.183 +/- 0.004 (mean +/- SEM), 0.194 +/- 0.008, 0.206 +/- 0.003, and 0.210 +/- 0.002 at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr, respectively. Corresponding values for membranes of the renal cortex increased in a similar fashion. To determine whether factors involved in cell membrane damage exist in blood, the direct effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), platelet-activating factor (PAF), and serum from normal rats or from septicemic rats on membrane fluidity were studied. The fluorescence polarization of plasma membranes of the liver or renal cortex to which septicemic rat serum was added was higher than that of plasma membranes to which normal rat serum was added. The fluorescence polarization of liver plasma membranes was increased by LPS, but that of plasma membranes of the renal cortex was slightly decreased. In addition, the fluorescence polarization of liver plasma membranes was increased by PAF, but that of plasma membranes of the renal cortex was decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age-related evaluation of peripheral circulation of workers with vibration exposure

This study was designed to clarify the age variation of the indices in the accelerated plethysmography (APG) for fingers and set the standard ageing curve. The indices of APG of workers with exposure to vibration were compared with those of the standard ageing curves. The subjects were 815 male workers, ranging in age from 18 to 66, without exposure to vibration and without history of hypertension, circulatory diseases or diabetes. Their indices of APG are used establishing the standard ageing curves. The workers occupationally exposed to hand-arm vibration were also the subjects to evaluate peripheral circulation of hand. The APG was measured on the index finger tip of his dominant side by an accelerated plethysmometer. The subjects were divided into age groups at intervals of 5 years. In all age groups from 18 to 64 years, each index of APG showed an approximately normal distribution in a logarithmic scale. The mode of the distribution shifted to a lower value with increasing age. The standard ageing curves were drawn by calculating 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles by a nonparametric method for each group. Each index of the standard ageing curves dropped with increasing age. The significant age effect was slightly marked below 30 years, but marked between 30 and 50 years. The indices of APG of workers with exposure to vibration were also compared with those of the standard ageing curve. The indices of -b/a and a/d of workers with exposure to vibration were deteriorated beyond physiological change. We established the standard ageing curves for APG for male men. The technique is good for the evaluation of peripheral circulation disorder of aged workers with occupational exposure to vibration.

Formation of amino acid precursors in cometary ice environments by cosmic radiation

Cometary ices are believed to contain water, carbon monoxide, methane and ammonia, and are possible sites for the formation and preservation of organic compounds relating to the origin of life. Cosmic rays, together with ultraviolet light, are among the most effective energy sources for the formation of organic compounds in space. In order to study the possibility of the formation of amino acids in comets or their precursory bodies (interstellar dust grains), several types of ice mixtures made in a cryostat at 10 K ("simulated cometary ices") were irradiated with high energy protons. After irradiation, the volatile products were analyzed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, while temperature of the cryostat was raised to room temperature. The non-volatile products remaining in the cryostat at room temperature were collected with water. They were acid-hydrolyzed, and analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography. When an ice mixture of carbon monoxide (or methane), ammonia and water was irradiated, some hydrocarbons were formed, and amino acids such as glycine and alanine were detected in the hydrolyzate. These results suggest the possible formation of "amino acid precursors" (compounds yielding amino acids after hydrolysis) in interstellar dust grains by cosmic radiation. We previously reported that amino acid precursors were formed when simulated primitive planetary atmospheres were irradiated with cosmic ray particles. It will be of great interest to compare the amount of bioorganic compounds that were formed in the primitive earth and that brought by comets to the earth.

Retinotopic and nonretinotopic field potentials in cat visual cortex

Two types of field potentials were identified in cat visual cortex using contrast reversal of oriented bar gratings: a short-latency fast-local component with a retinotopic organization similar to that seen with single-unit discharges at the same cortical site, and a slow, nonretinotopic component with a longer peak latency. The slow-distributed component had an extensive receptive field mapped by measuring the amplitude of binary kernels and showed strong inhibitory interactions within the receptive field. The peak latency of the slow-local component increased with distance from the retinotopic center, suggesting a possible conduction delay. Both components showed some orientation bias depending on the laminar location, but the bias could be independent of the orientation preferred by single units in the immediate vicinity. The present findings indicate that locally generated field potentials reflect cortical mechanisms for nonlinear integration over wide areas of the visual field.

[A case of prostatic cystadenoma]

We report a case of prostatic cystadenoma in a 45-year-old man with the complaint of urinary retention. The large mass was palpated on rectal examination. The tumor was localized in the position of the left lobe of the prostate and was seen as multi-ocular on computerized tomographic (CT) scan. The serum levels of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were slightly elevated. The tumor was enucleated retropubically, it weighed 210 g and had an multilocular structure macroscopically. The cyst seen on microscopic examination was lined with cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells and the lining cells were focally multilayered and formed papillary projections. The stroma surrounding the glands was composed of fibrous tissue containing smooth muscle fibers. The epithelial cells were immunoreactive for PAP and PSA.

Efficacy of the Cytobrush method in aged patients

To evaluate the efficacy of the Cytobrush method in aged patients, a comparative study between the Cytobrush smears and cotton swab smears from the uterine cervix was performed. Consecutive 319 cotton swab smears of the endocervix were attempted on aged patients (60-98 yr, average 77.5 yr) from 1987 to 1988 (A group). Subsequently 391 endocervical smears were attempted by the Cytobrush on aged patients (60-100 yr, average 76.9 yr) from 1988 to 1990 (B group). The Cytobrush method was more effective in the following two points: (1) The rate of insert-impossible case in B group (7.2%) was lower than A group (12.5%). (2) The rate of case containing endocervical columnar cells increased in B group (64.7%) compared with A group (47.7%). In contrast, benign epithelial fragments (BFs) were observed in 6.8% of A, in 28.4% of B group. In smears positive for squamous cancer, malignant epithelial fragments (MFs) were noted in 24.5% of A, and 55.1% of B group. Consequently, the differential diagnosis of MFs from BFs is of more importance on the Cytobrush smears of aged patients.

[Prognosis of patient with intractable diseases in Wakayama Prefecture--a follow-up study based on medical care certificates]

To clarify the prognosis of patients with intractable diseases, a baseline survey of patients who received financial aid for intractable disease treatment between April 1984 and March 1985 was performed in Wakayama Prefecture, followed by a follow-up survey over a period of 8 years. Based on public welfare-subsidized system in Wakayama Prefecture, all patients with intractable diseases were checked up annually their certificates of financial aid for treatment. The results obtained were as follows: Parkinson's disease had the highest rate of discontinuation of medical care at 65%, followed by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) at 64%, aplastic anemia at 55%, ulcerative colitis (UC) at 54%, and Behcet's disease at 50%. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had the lowest rate of discontinuation of medical care at 32%. Discontinuation was due to death in approximately 50% of the patients with SLE, scleroderma, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, and aplastic anemia. Of these, the causes of death in more than 50% were directly related to the primary diseases. However, in patients with SLE and aplastic anemia, 25% discontinued care because of cure or alleviation. Some patients remained in remission even though the prognosis for these diseases is not generally considered to be favorable. Transfer of jurisdiction to the Disabled Persons Welfare Act was seen in 28% of patients with Parkinson's disease, 24% with Behcet's disease, and 23% with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, diseases which are believed to cause restriction in daily activities of patients in some cases. On the other hand, cure or alleviation was the reason for discontinuation in 60-70% of patients with Buerger's disease, UC and ITP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibitory effect of fatty acids on 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in calf thymus DNA treated with bleomycin-Fe(II)

The effect of fatty acids on 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) formation in calf thymus DNA treated with bleomycin (BLM)-Fe(II) in vitro was studied. The formation of 8-OH-dG was greatly reduced in the presence of stearic acid (18:0) or oleic acid (18:1), however, it increased to the control level with an increase in the number of unsaturated bonds of fatty acids (18:2, 18:3). This increase in 8-OH-dG formation may have resulted from the indirect oxidation of DNA by the peroxidized unsaturated fatty acids formed by BLM-Fe(II). The inhibitory effect of saturated fatty acids on 8-OH-dG formation was observed with those possessing more than 12 methylene chains. Stearic acid also inhibited peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (18:2, 18:3) treated with BLM-Fe(II), however, it had no effect on ribose degradation of DNA treated with BLM-Fe(II). These results suggest that different active oxygen species are probably involved in DNA degradation and in formation of 8-OH-dG in DNA and of peroxidized products in fatty acids.

An INTERSALT study investigation: relationship between body mass index and blood pressure in the combined populations of three local centres in Japan

Body mass index was positively and strongly correlated with BP in the INTERSALT study. Because the average body mass index in Japan, although low relative to other developed countries, has been increasing recently it would be useful, particularly from the public health viewpoint, to investigate the impact of body mass index on BP in Japanese populations. In this study, the relationship between body mass index and BP was investigated taking into account age, alcohol intake and sodium and potassium excretion in 24h urine. Data were obtained from 274 men and 284 women, aged 20-59 years, who were not taking antihypertensive medication. Random selection of participants took place at three local centres as outlined in the 1985 INTERSALT study in Japan. It was found that body mass index was positively and significantly correlated with BP in men and women, respectively, but was independent of age, alcohol intake and urinary sodium/potassium ratio. Both SBP and DBP were significantly higher by > or = 5 mmHg in participants whose body mass index (kg/m2) was in the highest quartile compared with participants in the lowest or the next lowest quartile category in men and women. In this study, it was suggested that the body mass index in Japanese men and women was directly correlated with BP independent of other confounding factors. Accordingly, the maintenance of a moderate body mass index may be important in achieving and maintaining a desirable BP level.

Plasma membrane fluidity during regeneration and atrophy of the rat liver following portal branch ligation

Dynamic changes in liver plasma membrane fluidity caused by regeneration and atrophy were assessed in rats following portal branch ligation (PBL). The portal branch, which perfuses 70% of the liver, was ligated with 5-0 prolene, and liver plasma membranes were isolated by ultracentrifugation. The membrane fluorescence polarization was measured as an index of membrane fluidity using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as the probe dye. In nonligated lobes, a significant decrease in fluorescence polarization was observed 12 and 24 h after PBL (0.171 +/- 0.004, p < 0.01 and 0.165 +/- 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively) as compared to the controls (0.181 +/- 0.002). The fluorescence polarization values then gradually returned to near control levels. In contrast, in the ligated lobes, the fluorescence polarization had increased by 12 hours after PBL (0.196 +/- 0.002, p < 0.01), and remained significantly elevated (p < 0.01) for up to 1 week after PBL, gradually returning to control levels within 3 weeks. The membrane composition was also evaluated by analyzing the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) ratio. A significant increase in the C/P ratio was detected in the ligated lobes 12 h and 3 days after PBL, but there was no significant difference in fluorescence polarization values between nonligated lobes and controls. These results suggest that alterations in membrane fluidity play an important role in the regenerative and atrophic processes of the liver following portal branch ligation.

Regeneration of norepinephrine-containing fibers in occipital cortex of adult cats

Regeneration of norepinephrine (NE)-containing nerve fibers in occipital cortex of adult cats was studied using morphological and biochemical methods. Initially, degeneration of cortical NE fibers was induced by direct infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) for a week. Cortical reinnervation by NE fibers continuously proceeded throughout 52 weeks, the longest survival period studied, after stopping 6-OHDA infusion. The rate of the reinnervation was slower in mature cortex than that obtained earlier in immature cortex. The present results indicate that the regenerative ability of the central NE neurons is universal, not limited to the immature brain. It is implied that the central NE neurons are equipped with a transmitter-specific repair mechanism throughout life.

Altered fluidity of liver plasma membranes following partial hepatectomy in rats

The fluidity of liver plasma membranes was assessed during regeneration following partial hepatectomy in rats. Fluorescence polarization was measured using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene to evaluate the fluidity of liver plasma membranes. The fluorescence polarization value of liver plasma membranes of control rats was 0.189 +/- 0.005 (mean +/- SEM). The fluorescence polarization values decreased initially after a 70% hepatectomy [0.176 +/- 0.003 at 3 hr and 0.174 +/- 0.004 at 6 hr (P < 0.01)] at 3 and 6 hours, but then recovered to preoperative levels (0.181 +/- 0.004, 0.189 +/- 0.004, 0.189 +/- 0.003, 0.193 +/- 0.003, 0.200 +/- 0.002, 0.208 +/- 0.007, and 0.190 +/- 0.003 at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96 hr, and 7 days, respectively). Flow cytometric analysis using anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) monoclonal antibody was used to investigate the cell kinetics of the regenerating liver after 70% hepatectomy. The proportion of S-phase incorporating BrdU was not increased at 6 or 12 hr, but it then increased to peak of 27.9 +/- 1.9% at 24 hr. Subsequently, at 48, 72, and 168 hr, the proportion decreased to 8.5 +/- 0.6, 5.9 +/- 0.3, and 1.0 +/- 0.1%, respectively. The ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol contents of liver plasma membranes following partial hepatectomy did not significantly change in spite of markedly altered membrane fluidity. Thus, the alteration of membrane function occurs in conjunction with the initiation of the regeneration process following partial hepatectomy. It is suggested that the alteration of membrane fluidity plays an important role in the homeostatic response for cell proliferation.

Effect of anticancer agents on cell cycle of regenerating hepatocytes in rats

The effect of three anticancer agents, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and mitomycin, on liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy in rats was investigated by total DNA content of the liver and flow cytometric analysis of hepatocyte nuclei using two-color staining of anti-bromodeoxyuridine monoclonal antibody and propidium iodide. Total DNA content of regenerating liver 7 days after hepatectomy showed significant suppression of regeneration by these agents (P less than 0.01). The inhibitory effects of the agents on the cell cycle of hepatocytes by flow cytometric analysis were (1) a delay of the peak or a decrease in the proportion of S phase nuclei and/or (2) polyploidization of the nuclei, demonstrated by accumulation of 8c and occasionally 16c nuclei, of which the DNA contents were four and eight times as much as that of diploid (2c) cell nuclei, respectively. The former (1) suggests G0 or G1 phase block, and the latter (2) G2 phase block. In terms of total DNA content of regenerating liver, the inhibitory effect was most prominent in the cisplatin-administered groups. The polyploidization of nuclei was most remarkable in the mitomycin-administered groups. Although the total DNA content recovered to the level of control at 6 weeks after hepatectomy, the polyploidization effect persisted in the drug-administered groups. These agents had no cytocidal action on proliferating hepatocytes as can be seen from the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase serum levels. We conclude that in a short-term observation, the anti-cancer agents significantly inhibit liver regeneration, although the inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis does not last long.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)