Preliminary analysis of length and GC content variation in the ribosomal first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of marine animals

Length and guanine-cytosine (GC) content of the ribosomal first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) were compared across a wide variety of marine animal species, and its phylogenetic utility was investigated. From a total of 773 individuals representing 599 species, we only failed to amplify the ITS1 sequence from 87 individuals by polymerase chain reaction with universal ITS1 primers. No species was found to have an ITS1 region shorter than 100 bp. In general, the ITS1 sequences of vertebrates were longer (318 to 2,318 bp) and richer in GC content (56.8% to 78%) than those of invertebrates (117 to 1,613 bp and 35.8% to 71.3%, respectively). Specifically, gelatinous animals (Cnidaria and Ctenophora) were observed to have short ITS1 sequences (118 to 422 bp) with lower GC content (35.8% to 61.7%) than the other animal taxa. Mollusca and Crustacea were diverse groups with respect to ITS1 length, ranging from 108 to 1,118 and 182 to 1,613 bp, respectively. No universal relationship between length and GC content was observed. Our data indicated that ITS1 has a limited utility for phylogenetic analysis as obtaining confident sequence alignment was often impossible between different genera of the same family and even between congeneric species.

Sentinel node biopsy for follicular tumours of the thyroid gland

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to differentiate histologically between benign and malignant follicular-type tumours of the thyroid gland. The present study evaluated whether sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was helpful in obtaining the correct diagnosis of malignant follicular-type tumours, as metastasis to the lymph nodes is sufficient evidence for a diagnosis of cancer.

METHODS

SLN biopsy was performed for 37 follicular-type tumours suspected to be malignant on the basis of preoperative examinations, but for which the diagnosis had not been confirmed.

RESULTS

SNs were identified in 32 of 37 procedures. SLN metastases were found in four of 12 patients with a malignant tumour identified by intraoperative frozen-section analysis. There was one false-negative but no false-positive diagnoses. Frozen-section analysis of the tumour itself identified only one follicular cancer. The accuracies of preoperative imaging methods were lower than that of SLN detection.

CONCLUSION

Detection of SLN metastasis was helpful in diagnosing follicular thyroid cancer and thus enabling one-stage surgery.

A new technique for intestinal isoperistaltic anastomosis utilizing a linear stapler for enlargement after anastomosis performed with a circular stapler

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of anastomotic stenosis after gastrointestinal surgery using circular staplers is a major problem. In response, we have developed a new technique that uses a linear stapler to enlarge an anastomotic opening made using a circular stapler.

METHODS

Anastomoses were created by the new technique or by the conventional approach using a circular stapler in pig small intestine. The method was also applied in treatment of a colon cancer patient.

RESULTS

The area of the anastomotic opening obtained with the new technique was more than 3 times that in the control (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the methods in a leak test. Follow-up of the patient undergoing surgery with this approach revealed an uneventful course with a widely patent anastomosis confirmed after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure provides a larger anastomotic opening than conventional anastomosis with circular staplers, without impairing the integrity of the anastomosis.

Significance of additional high-dose cytarabine in combination with cyclophosphamide plus total body irradiation regimen for allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The combination of cyclophosphamide (CY) and total body irradiation (TBI) has been used as a standard conditioning regimen for allogeneic transplantation. Several studies showed an advantage of adding high-dose cytarabine (HDCA) to this regimen. To clarify the significance of additional HDCA, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study and compared the clinical results of these two regimens. From June 1985 to March 2003, 219 patients with hematological malignancies underwent allogeneic transplantation after conditioning with CY+TBI 12Gy (n=73) or CA+CY+TBI 12Gy (n=146). Engraftment, overall survival, transplant-related mortality (TRM), relapse rate and incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were compared according to risks and donors. Addition of HDCA had no impact on the relapse rate in all subgroups, and it was associated with lower TRM among standard-risk patients after related transplantation, and with higher TRM and worse survival among standard-risk patients after unrelated transplantation. The incidence of acute GVHD was not significantly different between the two regimens, and HDCA resulted in a higher incidence of chronic GVHD among standard-risk patients after related transplantation. In summary, addition of HDCA is not beneficial for high-risk patients, and is not recommended for standard-risk patients receiving unrelated transplantation.

Integrin-linked kinase activity is associated with interleukin-1α-induced progressive behavior of pancreatic cancer and poor patient survival

Cancer cell adhesion and invasion into extracellular matrix are regulated by integrin-linked kinase (ILK) activity in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)-dependent manner. In this study, we demonstrated that ILK and beta(1)-integrin play important roles in interleukin (IL)-1alpha-induced enhancement of adhesion and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation. Alteration of ILK kinase activity controlled IL-1alpha-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and its downstream AP-1 activation with subsequent regulation of pancreatic cancer cell adhesion and invasion. Overexpressed ILK enhances the IL-1alpha-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation more strongly through glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) activation, and subsequently induces AP-1 activation, which promotes aggressive capabilities of pancreatic cancer cells. In contrast, knockdown of ILK kinase activity inhibits the IL-1alpha-induced activation of MAPK/AP-1 pathway via inhibition of GSK-3 phosphorylation. In immunohistochemical analysis, statistically significant association between strong expression of ILK and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients were observed, and strong expression of ILK in cancerous tissues can be a significant prognostic indicator of pancreatic cancer patients. Our results suggest that ILK is involved with aggressive capability in pancreatic cancer and that these regulations can be helpful to understand biological processes for a better translational treatment for pancreatic cancer patients.

Iron feeding optimization and plasmid stability in production of recombinant bacterial magnetic particles by Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 in fed-batch culture

The production of bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs) by recombinant Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 harboring the plasmid pKML was enhanced in pH-regulated fed-batch culture. The addition of fresh nutrients was feedback-controlled as a function of the pH of the culture. The yield of BMPs was optimized by adjusting the rate of ferric iron addition. Feeding ferric quinate at 15.4 microg/min resulted ina BMP yield of 7.5 mg/l, which is the highest yield so far reported. Expression of a plasmid-encoded fusion protein and segregation of the plasmid during bacterial growth here both stable during, fed-batch culture. More than 75 % of the cells retained the plasmid for 130 h under antibiotic-free conditions. In addition, the fusion protein permitting the display of a specific protein on the BMP surface was also stably expressed.

Cancer immunotherapy by fusions of dendritic and tumour cells and rh-IL-12

BACKGROUND

Vaccination with fusion cells (FCs) comprising dendritic cells and tumour cells as well as administration of interleukin-12 (IL-12) showed a significant therapeutic effect against established tumours in mouse experimental models. We conducted immunotherapy against various malignant tumours using the FCs and rhIL-12, and investigated the safety and efficacy of the therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients' DCs were mixed with autologous irradiated tumour cells and treated with 50% polyethylene glycol to generate FCs. The FCs were inoculated intradermally, and then 30 ng kg(-1) of rhIL-12 was injected at the same sites 2 and 6 days later. This process was carried out as one cycle, and three of these cycles were repeated at 1-week intervals to comprise one course. After completing the course, its safety and therapeutic effects were estimated.

RESULTS

The most frequently observed adverse event was fever, observed in 26% of patients in the first cycle. Decrease in white blood cell and an increase in serum ALT were observed in 28% and 25%, respectively. Three out of 12 patients with a malignant brain tumour (25%) achieved a partial response (PR), but other patients with a malignant tumour showed no regression of their tumours. Thirteen out of 16 patients with a brain tumour (81%) showed cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity responses. However, only one of 16 patients (6%) with a malignant tumour other than a brain tumour developed such responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunotherapy using a FC vaccine and rhIL-12 induced no serious adverse reactions, and provided good therapeutic responses in some of the patients with a brain tumour.

Effects of shift schedules on fatigue and physiological functions among firefighters during night duty

To examine the effects of shift schedules on fatigue and physiological functions among firefighters a 17-day field study at a fire station was carried out. Eleven firefighters, who were engaged in firefighting emergency services, participated in this study. At the fire station, night duty (22:00-07:00) was divided into 5 periods (P1: 22:00-00:00; P2: 23:45-01:45; P3: 01:30-03:30; P4: 03:15-05:15; P5: 05:00-07:00). The participants were assigned to one of these 5 periods and awakened to answer calls from the city's central information centre. They took naps in individual rooms during night duty, except when on night shift or when called out on an emergency. Subjective complaints of fatigue, critical flicker fusion frequencies, 3-choice reaction times, and oral temperature were measured before and after work and following breaks during their 24 working hours. Heart rate variability was also recorded to evaluate autonomic nerve activity. The results show that during P3 and P4, participants who had to wake up at midnight took shorter naps. The rates of subjective complaints regarding P3 and P4 tended to be higher than those for P1, P2, and P5. The ratios of the low frequency component of heart rate variability to the high frequency component during P4 were significantly lower than those during P5. It is assumed that such an irregular sleeping pattern causes many complaints of subjective fatigue, and adversely affects physiological functions. A night-duty shift schedule ensuring undisturbed naps should be considered.

Simultaneous measurement of T-helper 1 cytokines in tuberculous pleural effusion

OBJECTIVE

Tuberculosis, the leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide, is a major cause of lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion. T-helper 1 cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-12p40 and IL-18 are predominantly associated with cell-mediated immune responses, and play an important role in immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

DESIGN

We studied 55 patients presenting with pleural effusion at the National Sanyo Hospital between April 2000 and September 2001 (42 men and 13 women; mean age 67 years). Twenty patients (36%) had tuberculous pleurisy, while 18 (33%) had malignant effusions and 17 (31%) had an effusion with another aetiology. Pleural fluid concentrations of IL-12p40 and IL-18 as well as IFN-gamma measured by enzyme-immunoassays.

RESULTS

Concentrations of all three cytokines were significantly higher in tuberculous than other pleural effusions. Significant correlations were evident between IFN-gamma and IL-12. We found particularly high concentrations of IL-12p40 and IFN-gamma in tuberculous patients with high fever.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that T-helper 1 cytokines are involved in intrapulmonary cellular immune responses to M. tuberculosis, and suggest that the interactions between them may play an important role in the pathogenesis and severity of the pleural effusion. Understanding the development of this response may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion and suggest new therapies.

Pneumonitis induced by rifampicin

An 81-year-old man was admitted to hospital with pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and was treated with rifampicin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), and ethambutol (EB). On day 9 he developed fever and dyspnoea. Chest radiographs showed new infiltration shadows in the right lung. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and increased numbers of lymphocytes were recovered. Drug induced pneumonitis was suspected so the antituberculous regimen was discontinued and methylprednisolone was administered. The symptoms and infiltration shadows improved. INH and EB were reintroduced without any recurrence of the abnormal shadows. T cell subsets in the BAL fluid and a positive lymphocyte stimulation test for RFP suggest that RFP induced pneumonitis may be related to a complex immunological response.

Development of high-performance and rapid immunoassay for model food allergen lysozyme using antibody-conjugated bacterial magnetic particles and fully automated system

A high-performance and rapid chemiluminescence immunoassay for model food allergen lysozyme, one of the major allergenic components in egg white, using antibody-conjugated bacterial magnetic particles and a fully automated system was developed. This system contains a reaction station, tip rack, and an eight-tip pipettor that is able to attach and detach a strong magnet to the tip surface. The immunoreaction time was shortened to 5 min, and the assay was completed within 20 min. The lower detection limit for lysozyme was 10 ng/mL. This system can be used to perform 24 samples in 60 min within 10% coefficient of variation.

Isolation of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 mutants defective in bacterial magnetic particle synthesis by transposon mutagenesis

Nonmagnetic mutants of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 were recovered following mini-Tn5 transposon mutagenesis. Transconjugants with kanamycin resistance were obtained at a frequency of 2.7 x 10(-7) per recipient. Of 3327 transconjugants, 62 were defective for bacterial magnetic particle (BMP) synthesis. The frequency of independent transposition events for nonmagnetic mutants was about 1.4% in transconjugants. Further analysis of DNA sequences flanking transposon by inverted polymerase chain reaction allowed isolation of at least 10 genes or DNA sequences involved in BMP synthesis in M. magneticum AMB-1.

Synthesis of bacterial magnetic particles during cell cycle of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

We investigated the relationship between the synthesis of bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs) and the transcription of magA gene-encoding iron transport protein using synchronous culture of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Synchronously cultured cells were subjected to transmission electron microscopic observation and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The average number of BMPs slowly increased in the cell with increasing cell size. A sharp increase in BMPs occurred just before cell division and resulted in maximum BMP production of 30 particles/cell. The transcription of magA was regulated immediately before and after cell division.

A magnetosome-specific GTPase from the magnetic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

Magnetic bacteria produce intracellular vesicles that envelope single domain magnetite crystals. Although many proteins are present in this intracellular vesicle membrane, five are specific to this membrane. A 16-kDa protein, designated Mms16, is the most abundant of the magnetosome-specific proteins, and to establish its function we cloned and sequenced its gene from Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. This was achieved by determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein following two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and sequencing of the gene was performed by gene walking using anchored polymerase chain reaction. Mms16 contains a putative ATP/GTP binding motif (P-loop). Recombinant Mms16 with a hemagglutinin tag, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Recombinant Mms16 protein could bind GTP and showed GTPase activity. GTP was the preferred substrate for Mms16-catalyzed nucleotide triphosphate hydrolysis. These results suggest that a novel protein specifically localized on the magnetic particle membrane, Mms16, is a GTPase. Mms16 protein showed similar characteristics to small GTPases involved in the formation of intracellular vesicles. Furthermore, addition of the GTPase inhibitor AlF(4)- also inhibited magnetic particle synthesis, suggesting that GTPase is required for magnetic particles synthesis.

Use of digirad 2020tc Imager, a multi-crystal scintillation camera with solid-state detectors in one case for the imaging of autografts of parathyroid glands

99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scintigraphy with Digirad 2020tc ImagerTM (2020tc), which was a multi-crystal scintillation camera with solid-state detectors was performed for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism having autografts of parathyroid glands in the right arm. With the 2020tc camera, three abnormal accumulations were found in the right arm. The images obtained with this camera were superior in resolution to those obtained with a conventional NaI crystal gamma camera (ZLC7500, Siemens, Germany). The next day, resection of autografts of parathyroid glands was done. Four hyperplastic parathyroid glands were resected and all were hyperplastic in pathological findings.

Alteration of integrins by interleukin-1alpha in human pancreatic cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

Adhesion of tumor cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis.

AIMS

To investigate the expression of integrins in human pancreatic cancer cell lines and its alteration by interleukin (IL)-1alpha to examine the mechanism of adhesion of metastatic human pancreatic cancer cells to ECM proteins.

METHODOLOGY

The expression of integrin subunits and their alteration by IL-1alpha were examined by flow-cytometric analysis and cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in three metastatic human pancreatic cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and SW1990) and two nonmetastatic cancer cell lines (PaCa-2 and PANC-1). In addition, assays of cancer cell adhesion to ECM proteins were performed to investigate if increased integrin expression actually affected the adhesive interaction between cancer cells and the putative integrin ECM ligands.

RESULTS

The alpha(6) subunit expressed in metastatic cancer cells was enhanced by IL-1alpha. Metastatic cancer cells also showed preferential adherence to laminin compared with nonmetastatic cancer cells, and this was enhanced by IL-1alpha.

CONCLUSION

In pancreatic cancer, the enhancement of alpha(6)beta(1) integrin by IL-1alpha through IL-1 receptor type I, as well as the expression of alpha(6)beta(1) integrin, plays an important role in metastasis formation.

[Orchiectomy for tuberculous epididymitis: a report of two cases with intractable to antituberculosis treatment]

This paper describes two cases with tuberculous epididymitis. The first case was a 69-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of ulceration or right scrotum. Physical examination revealed a hard, rounded, a little bigger than egg-sized mass in the right scrotum. The second case was a 40-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of cough, fever and body weight loss. He was treated for pulmonary tuberculosis with isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin and pyrazinamide. Six months after admission, he complained of a painless swelling of the right scrotum. Physical examination revealed a hard, rounded, more than egg-sized mass in the right scrotum. Right orchiectomy was performed in these two cases, and they were cured.

[Bacteria isolated from surgical infections and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents. Special references to bacteria isolated between April 1998 and March 1999]

The annual multicenter studies on isolated bacteria from infections in general surgery and their antimicrobial susceptibility have been conducted in Japan since July 1982. This paper describes the results obtained in fiscal 1998 (from April 1998 to March 1999). The number of cases investigated as objectives was 225 for one year. A total of 429 strains (121 strains from primary infections and 308 strains from postoperative infections) were isolated from 183 cases (81.3% of total cases). In primary infections, the isolation rates of anaerobes and Escherichia coli were higher than in postoperative infections, while in postoperative infections, those of Gram-positive aerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were higher than in primary infections. On the whole, among Gram-positive aerobes, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis was the highest, followed by Staphylococcus aureus with high frequency in isolation from postoperative infections. Among Gram-positive anaerobes, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. were predominantly isolated. Among Gram-negative aerobes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae were frequently isolated. Among Gram-negative anaerobes, Bacteroides fragilis group was the majority of isolates. In primary infections, the percentage of Gram-negative aerobes has gradually increased since fiscal 1995 or 1996 with these years as the turning point, while those of Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobes have gradually declined. In postoperative infections, the percentage of Gram-negative anaerobes has increased continuously since the mid-1980s. The percentage of MRSA among S. aureus rose to 89.7%, which was the highest level since the beginning of this study. The susceptibilities of B. fragilis, which did not show apparent changes, were recognized to have decreased against cephems in fiscal 1998. Among other bacteria in B. fragilis group, development of resistance to cephems has continued on a long-term basis since the mid-1980s. E. coli and K. pneuminiae have obviously not changed in susceptibilities, however, the susceptibilities of isolated strains in fiscal 1998 against high-generation cephems, oxacephems and monobactams have declined. We found neither vancomycin-resistant nor teicoplanin-resistant strains of S. aureus and Enterococcus spp.

[Efficacy of intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma]

We report a patient in whom intraperitoneal chemotherapy was effective against peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma. A 74-year-old woman underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy and transverse colectomy for Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma (curability B) in January 2000. The diagnosis was Stage IV gastric carcinoma (T4, N2, P1, H0, M0 and CY0). In July 2000, peritoneal recurrence occurred along with slight elevation of CEA. In September, two ports were inserted into the upper and lower peritoneal cavity for intraperitoneal chemotherapy with low-dose CDDP and 5-FU plus MMC. She was followed-up for four months as an outpatient and received intraperitoneal chemotherapy biweekly with good control of peritoneal metastasis. However, she died of bone and lung metastases in January 2001. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy was effective in this patient for peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma and could be delivered on an outpatient basis while maintaining the patient's quality of life.

Effects of Y-27632 on acetylcholine-induced contraction of intact and permeabilized intrapulmonary bronchial smooth muscles in rats

In the present study, the effects of a selective Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632 [(+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-(4-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride] on acetylcholine-induced contraction and Ca(2+) sensitization of rat bronchial smooth muscle were examined. Intact and beta-escin-permeabilized muscles of the third branch of intrapulmonary bronchi were used. In intact muscles, Y-27632 (10(-6)-10(-4) M) concentration-dependently inhibited acetylcholine-induced contractile responses. In acetylcholine (10(-3) M)-precontracted intact muscles, the maximal relaxation (about 50% inhibition of contraction) was obtained by a concentration of 10(-4) M Y-27632, which had no effect on the resting tone. In beta-escin-permeabilized muscles, addition of acetylcholine (10(-5)-10(-3) M) plus GTP (100 microM) induced a further contraction, i.e., Ca(2+) sensitization at a constant Ca(2+) concentration of pCa=6.0. The acetylcholine-induced Ca(2+) sensitization was completely blocked in the presence of 10(-4) M Y-27632, whereas the Ca(2+)-induced contraction itself was not affected by Y-27632. Immunoblot study revealed the expression of ROCK-I and ROCK-II proteins in the intrapulmonary bronchi of rats. These findings suggest that Y-27632 dilates acetylcholine-mediated contraction of rat bronchial smooth muscle by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization.

Pulmonary lymphoma of large B-cell type mimicking Wegener's granulomatosis

A 27-year-old man with a primary pulmonary lymphoma of large B-cell type is described. Symptoms involved both the upper and lower respiratory tract. A chest roentgenogram showed a dense mass with cavitation. Transbronchial biopsy specimens revealed no atypical cells, rather they demonstrated granulomatous infiltration and vasculitis consistent with but not conclusively diagnostic of Wegener's granulomatosis. The pulmonary mass became smaller after sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim therapy. These features suggested Wegener's granulomatosis. However, an open biopsy specimen was diagnostic for diffuse lymphoma of large B-cell type. High-grade pulmonary lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with clinical and pathologic features suggesting Wegener's granulomatosis.

Posttreatment nadir M-protein level is a stronger discriminator of survival following plateau attainment than is percent reduction in M-protein in patients with IgG myeloma

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with IgG or IgA myeloma who attained plateau to evaluate the relationships between survival and posttreatment nadir M-protein levels and between survival and the response to treatment evaluated by the percent reduction in M-protein. Of the 127 patients comprising 92 IgG and 35 IgA myeloma patients with disease stages II or III, 51 (40.2%) attained plateau. For IgG myeloma patients who attained plateau, survival time was not affected by the percent reduction in M-protein (median survival, 59.5 months for responding patients versus 54.4 months for nonresponding patients, P = .6910). Posttreatment nadir M-protein level, however, did affect survival time (median survival, 61.2 months for <3000 mg/dL versus 25.7 months for >3000 mg/dL, P = .0439). These findings suggest that the posttreatment nadir M-protein level is a stronger discriminator of survival following plateau attainment than the percent reduction of M-protein in patients with IgG myeloma.

Effects of growth medium composition, iron sources and atmospheric oxygen concentrations on production of luciferase-bacterial magnetic particle complex by a recombinant Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

Growth conditions for mass production of luciferase-bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs) by a recombinant Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 were investigated in a pH-regulated fed-batch culture system. Enrichment of growth medium with L-cysteine, yeast extract and polypeptone enhanced both bacterial growth and BMP production. The presence of L-cysteine in the medium was useful for induction of cell growth. Strict anaerobic conditions led to a prolonged lag phase and limited the final cell density. Trace oxygen enhanced cell growth with increasing BMP production. As iron sources, ferrous sulfate and ferric gallate dramatically enhanced BMP yield as compared with ferric quinate, an iron chelate conventionally used. The optimized conditions increased cell density to 0.59 +/- 0.03 g cell dry weight/liter and BMP production to 14.8 +/- 0.5 mg dry weight/liter in fed-batch culture for four days.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer that was resectable after asctic fluid had disappeared following administration of TS-1]

A 60-year-old man who had suffered from epigastic pain and general malaise from November 1999 was admitted to our hospital due to Borrmann type 3 gastric cancer with ascites on December 7, 1999. We considered a radical B operation impossible, and placed the patient on neoadjuvant TS-1 chemotherapy consisting of 1 M tegafur, 0.4 M gimestat, and 1 M otastat potassium. There were no side effects other than Grade 1 nausea and mild loss of appetite throughout the chemotherapy. After 8 weeks of administration, the primary lesion was reduced in size, and ascitic fluid had disappeared on abdominal computed tomography images. Therefore, a total gastrectomy with splenectomy and D2 lymph node dissection was performed on March 31, 2000. This was a radical B operation that was not possible earlier. The pathological diagnosis was tub2, SE, N1, CY0, H0, P0, M0, INF gamma, ly1, v1, PM (-), DM (-) and the antitumor efficacy of TS-1 was Grade 2 histologically. The patient remains alive and in good condition with no relapse of the gastric cancer 8 months after surgery.