High-affinity zinc potentiation of inhibitory postsynaptic glycinergic currents in the zebrafish hindbrain

Zinc has been reported to potentiate glycine receptors (GlyR), but the physiological significance of this observation has been put in doubt by the relatively high values of the EC(50), 0.5-1 microM, since such concentrations may not be attained in the synaptic cleft of glycinergic synapses. We have re-evaluated this observation in the frame of the hypothesis that contaminant heavy metals present in usual solutions may have lead to underestimate the affinity of the zinc binding site, and therefore to underestimate the potential physiological role of zinc. Using chelators either to complex heavy metals or to apply zinc at controlled concentrations, we have examined the action of zinc on GlyR kinetics in outside-out patches from 50-h-old zebrafish Mauthner cells. Chelating contaminating heavy metals with tricine or N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (TPEN) decreased the duration of the currents evoked by glycine, confirming that traces of heavy metals alter the GlyR response in control conditions. Using tricine- (10 mM) buffered zinc solution, we then showed that zinc increases the amplitude of outside-out responses evoked by 0.1-0.5 mM glycine with an EC(50) of 15 nM. In contrast zinc had no effect on the amplitude of currents evoked by a saturating concentration (3-10 mM) of glycine. This suggests that zinc enhances GlyR apparent affinity for glycine. The study of the effects of zinc on the kinetics of the response indicates that this increase of apparent affinity is due to a decrease of the glycine dissociation rate constant. We then analyzed the effects of zinc on postsynaptic GlyRs in whole cell recordings of glycinergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). Chelation of contaminant heavy metals decreased the amplitude and the duration of the mIPSCs; inverse effects were observed by adding zinc in buffered solutions containing nanomolar free zinc concentrations. Zinc plus tricine or tricine alone did not change the coefficient of variation ( approximately 0.85) of the mIPSC amplitude distributions. These results suggest that postsynaptic GlyRs are not saturated after the release of one vesicle.

A post-traumatic ligamentum flavum progressive hematoma: a case report

STUDY DESIGN

A case report.

OBJECTIVES

To understand a rare case of ligamentum flavum progressive hematoma.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previously there were only two reports about ligamentum flavum hematoma.

METHODS

A patient was surgically treated for ligamentum flavum hematoma causing progressive L5 radiculopathy. Clinical and neuroradiologic features were reported, and the literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

The etiology of this case could not be defined except by minor back injury. In spite of conservative therapy, the symptoms were progressive for 7 months. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the epidural mass lesion at L4-L5 that was continuous with the ligamentum flavum. The mass was hypointense in T1-weighted images and central hyperintense and marginal hypointense in T2-weighted images. The margin was well enhanced by Gd-DTPA administration. After removal of the mass lesion, the patient's symptoms completely resolved. Before surgery, accurate diagnosis was difficult even based on magnetic resonance imaging and was achieved after histologic examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery could be a choice of the treatment modality to resolve symptoms in ligamentum flavum hematoma.

Differential expression of human spasmolytic polypeptide (trefoil factor family-2) in pancreatic carcinomas, ampullary carcinomas, and mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas

Human spasmolytic polypeptide (hSP) is a member of the trefoil peptide group, thought to be involved in mucin production and cell growth. It has been reported that hSP protein is expressed in digestive cancers but not in normal pancreas. The expression of hSP in pancreatic neoplasms has not been investigated in detail. The immunohistochemical expression of hSP protein was investigated in pancreatic carcinomas, ampullary carcinomas, mucin-producing tumors, serous cystadenomas and islet cell tumors of the pancreas. hSP was expressed in 23% of pancreatic duct cell carcinomas, and hSP protein was more frequently detected in cases of early-stage or histologically low-grade duct cell carcinomas than in cases of late-stage or histologically high-grade carcinomas. Patients with hSP protein expression showed a better prognosis than did those with negative hSP expression. hSP expression was detected in 92% of mucin-producing tumors, but was not detected in serous cystadenoma or islet cell tumors. Immunohistochemical hSP expression is related to differentiation and a better prognosis in pancreatic duct cell carcinomas. Furthermore, hSP protein is related to the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas.

Postoperative changes in paraspinal muscle thickness after various lumbar back surgery procedures

Damage to the paraspinal muscle after various lumbar back surgery procedures was evaluated by measuring the paraspinal muscle thickness preoperatively and postoperatively in 89 patients, 61 males and 28 females. There were 42 single interlaminar level procedures (SL group), 13 multiple interlaminar level procedures (ML group), and 34 posterolateral fusion procedures (PLF group). Changes in paraspinal muscle thickness were evaluated at more than 10 months after surgery, because muscle swelling continued as long as 10 months after surgery, and then reduced as the edema subsided. Postoperative serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level on postoperative day 2 was also measured. The decrease of paraspinal muscle thickness was significantly larger in the PLF group than in the SL group (-12.9% and -2.7%, respectively, p < 0.02). There was no significant correlation between postoperative serum CPK level and decrease of paraspinal muscle thickness. However, the postoperative elevation of serum CPK level was significantly higher in the PLF group than in the SL and ML groups (979 +/- 114 vs. 292 +/- 45 and 410 +/- 44 IU/l, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, posterolateral fusion is the most invasive procedure of the paraspinal muscles in various lumbar back surgery procedures. Paraspinal muscle damage during lumbar back surgery may be one of the most important factors that causes atrophy of the muscles.

Detection of extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cytokeratin 19 staining and K-ras mutation

BACKGROUND

Neural invasion is known to be one of the aggressive characteristics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, there have been no systematic studies on intraoperative examination of neural invasion of pancreatic carcinomas after wide dissection of the retroperitoneum, particularly at the surgical margin.

METHODS

We performed intraoperative immunostaining on the frozen sections of several excised plexus specimens, using peroxidase-labeled anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody in 17 cases of resectable pancreatic carcinoma. Postoperatively, we also tried to detect occult micrometastasis by direct sequencing of the K-ras gene in the same samples.

RESULTS

Intraoperative staining for cytokeratin 19 was positive in 4 of 17 (23.5%) cases. Patients with margin-positive neural invasion had significantly worse prognosis than patients who were margin negative (P < 0.05). One patient had micrometastasis in the nerve plexus, revealed by K-ras mutation, whereas neither cytokeratin 19 staining nor postoperative pathological investigation detected involvement of the analyzed portion. In the four patients margin-positive for cytokeratin 19 staining, the diagnosis of neural invasion by cytokeratin 19 staining was in agreement with the K-ras gene analysis.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative staining for cytokeratin 19 is useful for detecting pancreatic cancer involvement of the neural plexus margin. The results can be also utilized as a prognostic indicator during the follow-up period.

[An autopsy case of pericallosal lipoma with mental retardation]

The patient was a 69-year-old male who had visited our psychological department due to mental retardation. Pericallosal lipoma was indicated by MRI taken during treatment. On December 30, 1998, the patient fell from steps and struck his forehead hard, and then limb palsy occurred. He was emergently brought to our hospital. Under the suspected diagnosis of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, preventive therapy was performed to observe the clinical course in which paralysis gradually improved. On January 22, 1999, however, he died of cardiopulmonary arrest due to sudden suffocation. In general, the connection of choroid plexus lipoma and pericallosal lipoma is bilateral in most cases. In our patients, MRI suggested that a connection with cerebral ventricles through choroidal fissure existed with no right and left difference, however, autopsy findings revealed that the lipoma existed along the left cerebral arch with obvious connection only with the left choroid plexus. The present case seemed to be a very rare case.

Dorsally sequestrated thoracic disc herniation--case report

A 53-year-old male presented with a rare dorsally sequestrated thoracic disc herniation manifesting as acute low back pain and weakness. He had no history of trauma. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a mass at T10-11 intervertebral level connected with the T-10 disc. Axial MR imaging showed the mass had surrounded and compressed the dural sac from the lateral and dorsal sites. MR imaging with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid showed slight rim enhancement of the lesion. Computed tomography detected no abnormal calcification. The diagnosis was thoracic disc herniation. Laminectomy resulted in rapid and satisfactory recovery. The histological diagnosis was thoracic disc herniation. MR imaging was very effective for the diagnosis based on the connection between the mass and the disc space. The differential diagnosis includes metastatic epidural tumor, epidural hematoma, and epidural abscess.

Latent structures underlying schizophrenic symptoms: a five-dimensional model

Latent structures of schizophrenic phenomenology were examined over the course of the illness in 100 newly-admitted patients. We compared the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on ten competing models that had between zero and five dimensions using data assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at both the acute and chronic phases of the disease. The present findings did not support the two-dimensional construct of positive and negative symptoms in either the acute or the chronic phase of the illness. In the acute phase, a three- (positive, negative, and relational dimensions), four- (positive, negative, disorganization, and relational dimensions), and five-dimensional model (positive, negative, disorganization, excitement, and relational dimensions) fit the data relatively well. In contrast, in the chronic stable phase, only the five-dimensional model adequately fits the data. The present findings suggest that further investigation of the validity of the five-dimensional model over the course of the illness is necessary.

Surgical treatment of lumbar canal stenosis in the elderly

The effectiveness of spinal surgery for lumbar canal stenosis was investigated in the elderly. 164 patients with lumbar canal stenosis were surgically treated over 8 years. 125 patients were followed up by letter questionnaire. The outcome and patient satisfaction with the surgical procedures were compared between the 73 younger patients (< or = 64 years of age) and the 52 elderly patients (> or = 65 years of age). Intermittent claudication was satisfactorily improved in both the younger and the elderly groups. Both simple laminectomy and laminectomy with fusion could equally improve the symptoms of intermittent claudication. Although statistically not significant, there was tendency that laminectomy plus fusion effectively improved the symptoms of back pain and leg pain in both groups. 75% of the younger patients and 67% of the elderly were pleased with the outcome. The present study shows that elderly patients with lumbar canal stenosis should be actively considered for surgical treatment.

Sternal splitting approach to upper thoracic lesions located anterior to the spinal cord

The sternal splitting approach for upper thoracic lesions located anterior to the spinal cord is described. The sternal splitting approach can be effectively applied to lesions from the T-1 to T-3 levels. The aortic arch prevents procedures below this level. The approach is straight toward the T1-3 vertebral bodies and provides good surgical orientation. The sternal splitting approach was applied to five patients with metastatic spinal tumors at the C7-T3 levels and three patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the T1-3 levels. No postoperative neurological deterioration occurred. Two patients had postoperative hoarseness. The sternal splitting approach to the upper thoracic spine is recommended for hard lesions, extensive lesions requiring radical resection, and lesions requiring postoperative stabilization with spinal instrumentation.

Otolith ocular reflex function of the tangential nucleus in teleost fish

In teleost fish, the tangential nucleus can be identified as a compact, separate cell group lying ventral to the VIIIth nerve near the middle of the vestibular complex. Morphological analysis of larval and adult hindbrains utilizing biocytin and fluorescent tracers showed the tangential nucleus to be located entirely within rhombomeric segment 5 with all axons projecting into the contralateral MLF. Combined single-cell electrophysiology and morphology in alert goldfish found three classes of neurons whose physiological sensitivity could be readily correlated with rotational axes about either the anterior (45 degrees), posterior (135 degrees), or horizontal (vertical axis) semicircular canals. Tangential neurons could be distinguised from those in semicircular-canal specific subnuclei by an irregular, spontaneous background of 10-15 sp/s and sustained static sensitivity after +/- 4 degrees head displacements. Each axis-specific tangential subtype terminated appropriately onto oculomotor subnuclei responsible for either vertical, torsional, or horizontal eye movements and, in a few cases, axon collaterals descended in the MLF toward the spinal cord. We hypothesize, therefore, that the tangential nucleus consists of 3 axis-specific phenotypes that process gravitoinertial signals largely responsible for controlling oculomotor function, but that also in part, maintain body posture.

Is schizophrenic symptomatology independent of the phase of the illness?

The difference in symptomatology between the acute and post-acute phase of schizophrenia was examined in the present study using prospective and longitudinal assessment of 86 newly admitted schizophrenic patients. In the acute phase of illness, four symptom components emerged (negative symptoms, excited, delusional/hallucinatory, and thought disorder) and three components were evident (negative symptoms, mixed symptoms, and thought disorder) in the post-acute phase. The negative component in the post-acute phase had the same composition as that in the acute phase. The composition of thought disorder barely persisted over the phase of illness. These findings suggest that the negative symptom component is stable while the difference in the phase of illness has some effects on the symptom structure of schizophrenia.

BE-31405, a new antifungal antibiotic produced by Penicillium minioluteum. I. Description of producing organism, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical and biological properties

A new antifungal antibiotic, BE-31405, was isolated from the culture broth of a fungal strain, Penicillium minioluteum F31405. BE-31405 was isolated by adsorption on high porous polymer resin (Diaion HP-20), followed by solvent extraction, precipitation and crystallization. BE-31405 showed potent growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic fungal strains such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans, but did not show cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells such as P388 mouse leukemia. The mechanism studies indicated that BE-31405 inhibited the protein synthesis of C. albicans but not of mammalian cells.

The composition of the depressive syndrome in acute schizophrenia

The composition of the depressive syndrome was examined at both the acute and chronic phases of schizophrenic illness in 86 newly admitted patients. A subgroup with pronounced depression was defined, and a discriminant analysis was performed using symptoms from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) as discriminant variables. At the acute phase, the following nine symptoms from the HRSD were significant: depressed mood, guilt, suicide, retardation, three types of insomnia, and two somatic symptoms. At the chronic stable phase, only four symptoms were significant: depressed mood, suicide, general somatic symptoms, and loss of weight. Initial insomnia, middle insomnia, genital symptoms, and loss of insight were poorly correlated. The positive and negative symptoms and extrapyramidal side-effects were not discriminators at either phase. These findings suggest that only certain items from the HRSD may be crucial when assessing depression in schizophrenia.

Expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas

The expression of a new type of matrix metalloproteinase, membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MT-MMP-1), was examined in 24 cases of primary pancreatic adenocarcinomas and 9 cases of secondary liver tumors derived from pancreatic adenocarcinomas, using a non-radioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods. Out of 24 cases of primary pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 18 showed positive expression of MT-MMP-1 transcripts in cancer cells and 20 of 24 showed positive expression in the tumor stromal cells. The immunoreactivity of the gene products for MT-MMP-1 was demonstrated to be almost the same, as shown by in situ hybridization in these 24 cases. In particular, both the staining intensity for MT-MMP-1 transcripts and the immunoreactivity of the gene products in the tumor stromal cells of mucinous cystadenocarcinomas were significantly weaker than those of common-type ductal adenocarcinomas among the 24 cases. All of the 9 cases of secondary liver tumors derived from pancreatic adenocarcinomas showed positive expression for MT-MMP- transcripts but less immunoreactivity for the gene products. These results suggest that MT-MMP-1 is transcribed and translated in both cancer cells and the tumor stromal cells in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, considering that common-type ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas usually shows a strong desmoplastic reaction, while mucinous cystadenocarcinoma typically does not, MT-MMP-1 expressed in the tumor stromal cells of common-type adenocarcinomas may be involved in processes leading to the desmoplastic reaction.

An immunohistochemical study of bcl-2 and p53 protein expression in pancreatic carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Only a few articles have examined the relationship between bcl-2 expression and clinical findings or bcl-2 expression and p53 expression in pancreatic carcinomas.

METHODS

We investigated bcl-2 protein and p53 protein expression by means of immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

The immunostaining for bcl-2 was positive in 16 (20%) of 81 cases of pancreatic carcinoma. There were no significant correlations between bcl-2 expression and the age, gender, region of sampling, or clinical stage of the patients. Bcl-2 protein was detected more frequently in histologically high-grade pancreatic carcinomas (grade III, 31%; grade II, 14%; grade I, 0%); however, there was no significant difference in prognosis between patients with and without bcl-2 protein expression. Immunostaining for the p53 protein was positive in 45 (56%) of 81 cases of pancreatic carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between bcl-2 protein expression and p53 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Bcl-2 was often detected in histologically high-grade pancreatic carcinomas, although there was no significant correlation between bcl-2 expression and the prognosis.

Quantitative analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen messenger RNA in peripheral venous blood and portal blood of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

One major therapeutic failure of pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment is metastasis to the liver. To screen patients with high risk for such hematogenous dissemination, we previously developed a very sensitive system to detect carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in blood. For a more practical application, we improved this system by making it quantitative and capable of analyzing both preoperative peripheral blood and intraoperative portal blood for the presence of CEA mRNA. CEA mRNA was not detected in the peripheral venous blood of any of the three patients examined, but it was identified in the portal blood without fail. In addition, the quantities of CEA mRNA identified in the portal blood before and after pancreatectomy were different. This study suggests that analysis of the portal blood seems to be important for the precise evaluation of hematogenous dissemination and of the pathophysiology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Cervical hemangioblastoma with a past history of subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with a spinal origin is a rare clinical entity. The most common source of SAH is an arteriovenous malformation. Only six cases of spinal hemangioblastomas causing SAH have been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This 48-year-old man had experienced severe headache 12 years earlier, which was diagnosed as SAH by computed tomography (CT) scan and lumbar puncture. However, cerebral angiography could not detect either aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Thereafter, he spent an uneventful life until he was incidentally diagnosed with a cervical tumor on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study for Meniere's disease. The tumor was situated at the cervicomedullary junction, and fed by the left vertebral artery. Histologic findings of the tumor showed features typical of hemangioblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a case of cervical spinal extramedullary hemangioblastoma with a past history of SAH. In our case, the SAH of 12 years ago perhaps occurred from the cervicomedullary junction hemangioblastoma. Since the etiology of SAH could not be detected at the first angiography, not only follow-up reangiography, but also MRI of the spinal cord and spinal angiography could have played an important role.

Morphology of single afferents of the saccular macula in cats

The morphology of single saccular afferents was studied by the intracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. Four neurons were sufficiently stained to allow reconstruction of their axonal arborizations. The main axon of these neurons bifurcated into an ascending and a descending branch at the level of the lateral nucleus. The ascending branches of two axons gave off collaterals with boutons in the caudal part of the superior nucleus, while the other two ascending branches lacked such terminations. By contrast, characteristics of the descending axonal arborization patterns of all the four neurons were substantially the same. The descending branches coursed caudally through the lateral part of the descending nucleus, and gave off up to 14 collaterals with boutons that extended throughout this nucleus. These collaterals also reached the ventral part of the lateral nucleus, the lateral border of the medial nucleus, and group f. A few axon collaterals ramified even outside the border of the vestibular nuclei into the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the reticular formation surrounding it. Axon collaterals from the stem axon also terminated in the interstitial nucleus of the vestibular nerve. There was a noticeable absence of any projection to the y group.

Overexpression of the rhoC gene correlates with progression of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

It has been reported that the rho genes, which consist of a ras-related small GTPase protein family, regulate cytoskeletal structures and have the potential to transform cultured cells. To investigate the biological relevance of the rho genes in pancreatic carcinogenesis, we examined expressions of the rhoA, B and C genes by polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription (RT-PCR) in 33 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. In addition, mutations of the K-ras, rhoA, B and C genes were studied in the same series of tumour tissues to correlate with rho gene expressions. The expression levels of the rhoC gene were significantly higher in tumours than in non-malignant portions (P < 0.001). Metastatic lesions overexpressed the rhoC gene compared with primary tumours (P < 0.05). Carcinoma tissues with perineural invasion and lymph node metastasis exhibited significantly higher expressions of the rhoC gene than tumours without these manifestations (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively). Overexpression of the rhoC gene significantly correlated with poorer prognosis of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05). In contrast, the expression levels of the rhoA and B genes showed no significant relationship with clinicopathological findings. Mutation was not found either in the rhoA, B or C gene sequences examined. K-ras gene mutation, detected in 27 out of 33 (81.8%) cases, did not affect the expression levels in any of the rho genes. These suggest that elevated expression of the rhoC gene may be involved in the progression of pancreatic carcinoma independent of K-ras gene activation.

Excitatory and inhibitory inputs from saccular afferents to single vestibular neurons in the cat

Connections from saccular afferents to vestibular neurons were studied by means of intracellular recordings of excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in vestibular neurons after focal stimulation of the saccular macula in decerebrated cats. Focal stimulation was given to the saccular macula in two ways, in which the polarity of stimulus current via a pair of electrodes was changed. In group A, one of the electrodes was inserted into the ventral and the other into the dorsal edge of the saccular macula. The focal stimulation was across the striola so that the reversal of morphological polarization in hair cells was bridged by the pulse stimulus. In 22/36 vestibular neurons tested, the stimulation of the saccular macula evoked monosynaptic (</=1.2 ms) EPSPs, including EPSP-IPSP sequences, with one polarity of stimulation, and disynaptic (>/=1.5 ms) IPSPs when the polarity of the stimulus current was changed. In 14/36 neurons, the response pattern was the same regardless of the stimulus polarity; EPSPs (12/36) or IPSPs (2/36). In group B, a pair of electrodes was inserted into the dorsal edge of the saccular macula, so that the striola was not bridged by the current stimulus. In all of the vestibular neurons tested, the response pattern was always the same regardless of the polarity: mono- (22/31) and disynaptic (3/31) EPSPs or disynaptic IPSPs (6/31). In addition, the saccular nerve was stimulated after removing the macula in some cats (group C). The stimulation of the saccular nerve evoked EPSPs in 62 vestibular neurons (including EPSP-IPSP sequences in 31 neurons) and IPSPs in 19 vestibular neurons. Convergence between the saccular nerve and other vestibular nerves was studied by the intracellular recording of PSPs. Fifty-six percent (18/32) of the saccular-activated neurons had excitatory and/or inhibitory potentials evoked after stimulation of the utricular nerve and the horizontal and anterior semicircular canal nerves, and 44% (19/43) of the neurons received inputs from the posterior semicircular canal nerve. The results support the hypothesis that saccular afferents from one population of hair cells activate vestibular neurons monosynaptically and that afferents from another population of hair cells located on the opposite side of the striola appear to project to the same vestibular neurons disynaptically via inhibitory interneurons. Neural circuits from saccular afferents to vestibular neurons, which we term cross-striolar inhibition, thus may provide a mechanism for increasing the sensitivity to vertical linear acceleration. The circuit described is provided not only with high sensitivity but also with input noise-resistant characteristics.

Mouse homolog of poliovirus receptor-related gene 2 product, mPRR2, mediates homophilic cell aggregation

Poliovirus receptor (PVR) is a cell surface glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Although MPH was initially reported as the mouse homolog of human PVR, recent data strongly suggest that MPH is the mouse homolog of human PRR2, a PVR-related gene 2 product, and not that of human PVR. Thus MPH is renamed mPRR2 in this study. Physiological functions of the PVR-related gene products have not been elucidated, although PVR has been well characterized as the poliovirus receptor. In this study, a possible function of mPRR2 (MPH), which is not a functional receptor for poliovirus, was investigated. Mouse L cells expressing mPRR2 were prepared. Those mouse cells showed a higher activity of cell aggregation than the parental mouse L cells. Enhancement of cell aggregation was also observed for insect Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus carrying mPRR2 cDNA. On the other hand, L cells expressing human PVR or monkey PVR (AGM alpha1 or AGM alpha2) did not show increased cell aggregation. The cell aggregation activity of L cells expressing mPRR2 was inhibited by the addition of anti-mPRR2 monoclonal antibodies or a soluble mPRR2 molecule produced by the baculovirus expression system. An immunofluorescence study revealed that mPRR2 protein was localized to the cell-cell contact sites between cells expressing mPRR2. A similar localization of mPRR2 was observed for intrinsic mPRR2 molecules of the mouse neuroblastoma cell line NS20Y. The contact site-specific localization of mPRR2 was not observed on the border between mPRR2-expressing and nonexpressing HeLa cells. Furthermore, mPRR2 proteins directly bound to each other in vitro. mPRR2 was detected on various types of cultured cells of mouse origin and in various mouse tissues. These results suggest that mPRR2 is an intercellular adhesion molecule with a homophilic binding manner.

Immunohistochemical expression of nm23 gene product, nucleotide diphosphate kinase, in pancreatic neoplasms

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that contrary to the proposed role for the nm23 protein as a tumor metastasis suppressor, in pancreatic tumors, the nm23 protein does not play an important role as a suppressor against tumor metastasis.

BACKGROUND

The nm23 gene product, nucleotide diphosphate kinase, is believed to suppress tumor metastasis. Although a number of studies on many kinds of tumors have examined the relationship between nm23 expression and metastatic potential, the antimetastatic activity of nm23 remains controversial. The expression of the nm23 protein has not been examined in pancreatic tumors, except for a few reports on pancreatic duct cell carcinomas.

METHODS

We have investigated nm23 expression in pancreatic duct cell carcinomas, islet cell tumors, and ampullary carcinomas by immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

In 73 cases of pancreatic duct cell carcinomas, the nm23 expression was increased when compared with the adjacent normal pancreatic ducts; diffuse immunostaining was detected in 21 (29%) cases, focally positive immunostaining in 47 (64%) cases, and negative immunostaining in 5 cases (7%). All five negative samples were obtained from distant metastatic regions. However, there was no significant difference in the nm23 expression between primary tumors and regional lymph node metastases. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between nm23 expression and the prognosis of the 55 resected cases. In the 15 cases of ampullary carcinomas, all 15 tumors were positive for nm23 protein (6 diffuse and 9 focal), and the staining intensity was stronger than in normal pancreatic ducts. There was no significant difference in the nm23 expression in the primary regions between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (2 diffuse and 5 focal out of 7 patients with lymph node metastasis, and 4 diffuse and 4 focal out of 8 patients without lymph node metastasis). All 12 islet cell tumors showed strong and diffuse staining for the nm23 protein.

Cytokeratin 19 fragment in serum and tissues of patients with pancreatic diseases

CONCLUSION

The present study has shown that increased serum levels of cytokeratin 19 fragment reflect increases in the size of the pancreatic carcinomas, although the sensitivity for detecting small pancreatic carcinomas was low.

BACKGROUND

Cytokeratin is a member of the intermediate family of filaments in epithelial cells. The cytokeratin 19 fragment is an acidic cytokeratin, which is found in various epithelial tissues. Recently, the serum fragment of cytokeratin 19 has been measured and found to be a good marker for squamous cell carcinoma. Cytokeratin 19 is known to be expressed in normal pancreatic tissues and pancreatic carcinomas. However, serum cytokeratin 19 levels in pancreatic diseases have not been precisely detailed.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated serum cytokeratin 19 levels and the immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 19 in various pancreatic diseases.

RESULTS

Serum cytokeratin 19 levels were high (> 2 ng/mL) in 51 of 99 (52%) cases of pancreatic duct cell carcinoma, but were low in all 24 cases of chronic pancreatitis and in 7 cases of islet cell tumors. The sensitivity of the cytokeratin 19 assay increased with increased size of the pancreatic carcinomas, but was not influenced by the presence of obstructive jaundice. Immunohistochemical studies using a monoclonal anticytokeratin 19 antibody showed that staining for cytokeratin was positive in all 38 of the pancreatic carcinomas examined and in 2 of 6 islet tumors.

Depressive symptoms in acute schizophrenic inpatients

Prospective and longitudinal assessment of depressive, positive, and negative symptoms were performed on 86 newly admitted schizophrenic patients. The improvement of depressive symptoms was significantly correlated with the improvement in positive symptoms, but did not correlate with the improvement in negative symptoms. However, depressive symptoms were heterogeneous. Principal components analysis was used to subdivide depressive symptoms into five factors. The improvement of the depression-anxiety factor was significantly associated with improvement of positive symptoms. On the other hand, improvement of negative symptoms was significantly related to that of the reduced activity factor. The change in hypochondriasis had a significant positive correlation with the change in positive symptoms and had a significant negative correlation with the change in negative symptoms. Changes in the other factors of depressive symptoms did not appear to be associated with changes in positive or negative symptoms. The present findings suggest that the various depressive symptoms associated with acute schizophrenia may have different pathophysiological origins.

Clinical significance of serum p53 antigen in patients with pancreatic carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Alterations in the p53 gene are often found in pancreatic cancer, and accumulation of the p53 protein has been noted in tumour cells.

AIMS

To investigate whether serum p53 protein concentrations could be used as markers for p53 gene mutations in neoplasms of the pancreas.

METHODS

Serum p53 protein concentrations were determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 104 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and 61 matched formalin fixed tissue sections were also stained by an anti-p53 DO-7 monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

The mean serum concentration of p53 protein in the adenocarcinoma patients was 0.27 (SEM 0.02) ng/ml, and was significantly higher than in 35 healthy blood donors (0.15 (0.02) ng/ml, SD = 0.11) or in 15 cases of chronic pancreatitis (0.15 (0.02) ng/ml). Adopting an arbitrary cut off value for the serum p53 protein concentration of 0.37 ng/ml, which corresponded to a value 2 SD above the mean value from the healthy blood donors, positive serum p53 protein concentrations were found in 23 out of 104 (22.1%) patients with adenocarcinomas examined, 16 out of 47 (34.0%) patients with carcinomas with distant metastases, but only seven of 57 patients (12.3%) with carcinomas without metastases (p < 0.05). In 11 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas, the mean serum p53 protein concentration after tumour resection was 0.21 (0.05) ng/ml, and had decreased compared with the preoperative concentrations (0.25 (0.05) ng/ml) (P < 0.05). There were no significant associations between the serum concentrations of p53 protein and serum concentrations of markers such as CA19-9 or CEA; however, serum concentrations of p53 protein demonstrated a potential role as an additional tumour marker. Immunohistochemical studies disclosed that the p53 protein was expressed in 28 out of 61 pancreatic adenocarcinomas (45.9%). Serum p53 protein concentrations in the positively immunostained cases were significantly higher than in the negatively immunostained cases (0.35 (0.05) ng/ml v 0.15 (0.01) ng/ml; p < 0.005). Furthermore, positive immunostaining for p53 protein was found in eight out of 10 (80%) serum positive p53 protein cases with adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSION

An increase in serum p53 protein concentrations appears during the progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and correlates with the accumulation of p53 protein as a result of a mutation of the p53 gene. An analysis of p53 antigen concentrations can detect p53 gene alterations, which could be useful for the selection of treatment regimens.

Selective inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression by verapamil in human vascular endothelial cells

Up-regulated expression of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is an initial event in leukocyte adhesion to ECs, which is a crucial step in the process of inflammatory or immune reaction leading to organ transplant rejection. Verapamil and other calcium channel blockers have been reported to improve transplantation outcome and seem to possess immunosuppressive functions. Therefore, we tested the effect of verapamil on adhesion molecule expression of ECs and adherence of leukocytes to ECs. Verapamil was added to replicate human umbilical vein EC cultures, before adding cytokines. Protein and mRNA expression of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured by cell-ELISA and by Northern blot analysis after stimulation of ECs. Adherence of leukocytes to ECs was analyzed after stimulation of ECs by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, with pretreatment of verapamil. Verapamil selectively inhibited cytokine-induced protein and mRNA levels of VCAM-1, and suppressed cell adherence between tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated ECs and mononuclear leukocytes or Molt-4 cells. These results suggest that verapamil may suppress immune response partly via inhibition of VCAM-1 expression on ECs and a certain subset of lymphocytes adherent to ECs.

Interhemispheric chronic subdural hematoma--case report

A 74-year-old male presented with right hemiparesis greater in the lower than the upper extremity. He had no apparent head trauma. He had been treated with anticoagulants for cerebral and myocardiac infarction. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an unusual combination of subdural hematomas in the interhemispheric space on the left, and the left temporoparietal and right frontotemporooccipital regions. The left convexity hematoma was irrigated through a single burr hole. Postoperatively, the size of the left convexity hematoma was diminished and the left interhemispheric subdural hematoma disappeared. However, his consciousness deteriorated, and a second irrigation of the recurrent left convexity hematoma was performed 7 days after the first surgery. CT obtained 3 days after the second operation showed a right interhemispheric subdural hematoma, which diminished spontaneously. The convexity hematoma on the left reaccumulated, and was treated by shunting. His neurological status did not improve, and he died from myocardial infarction 39 days later. Irrigation of convexity hematoma may be effective to treat an associated ipsilateral interhemispheric subdural hematoma.

Utricular input to cat extraocular motoneurons

Intracellular recordings from 200 identified extraocular motoneurons in the bilateral III, IV and VI cranial nuclei were studied to determine the connectivities between the utricular nerve and the extraocular motoneurons in cats. Stimulating electrodes were placed within the left utricular nerve, while other branches of the vestibular nerve were removed. Monosynaptic and disynaptic connections between the utricular nerve and the ipsilateral abducens motoneurons and interneurons were recorded as described previously. Stimulation of the utricular nerve evoked longer latency depolarizing and hyperpolarizing potentials in contra- and ipsilateral medial rectus motoneurons, respectively. Depolarizing and hyperpolarizing potentials with longer latencies were also recorded in the ipsilateral inferior oblique and contralateral trochlear motoneurons. The short and longer latency circuits between the utricular nerve and extraocular motoneurons may play a role in stabilizing the retinal image during head tilt and horizontal linear acceleration.

Exocrine pancreatic function in the early period after pancreatoduodenectomy and effects of preoperative pancreatic duct obstruction

Exocrine pancreatic function in the early period after pancreatoduodenectomy was investigated. The effects of preoperative pancreatic duct obstruction on exocrine pancreatic function were also investigated. The volume of pancreatic juice and its amylase activity were investigated in 39 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (including pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy). The N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (BT-PABA) test was performed on 23 of 39 patients about 40 days after pancreatoduodenectomy. The exocrine pancreatic function was inhibited three to eight days after pancreatoduodenectomy (amylase activity: 23,700 +/- 4300 IU/day), and recovered on days 9-15 (48,000 +/- 8400 IU/day) in patients with a normal main pancreatic duct. In patients with pancreatic duct obstruction, the exocrine pancreatic function was almost eliminated (amylase activity: 440 +/- 260 IU/day) and BT-PABA test results were low (45 +/- 17%). In patients with narrowed pancreatic duct, amylase secretion was significantly inhibited even in patients with a normal number of acinar cells. There was a good positive correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, rs = 0.715, P < 0.01) between amylase secretion and BT-PABA test. Amylase secretion more than 10,000 IU/day is essential for a normal BT-PABA test and normal digestive function. The inhibited digestive function in patients with pancreatic duct obstruction may be due to the decreased number of acinar cells and the inhibition of exocrine pancreatic function.

Evaluation of cholecystokinin, gastrin, CCK-A receptor, and CCK-B/gastrin receptor gene expressions in gastric cancer

The brain-gut hormones, cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin, regulate the growth of gastrointestinal mucosa and tumor cells. In this study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate messenger RNA expression for CCK, gastrin, CCK-A receptor, and CCK-B/gastrin receptor in surgical specimens of gastric cancers and in normal antrum and body mucosa of the stomach. The CCK mRNA expression was detectable in 4/14 (29%) samples of gastric cancer and in 3/12 (25%) samples of antral mucosa. However, the gastrin mRNA expression was not detectable in any gastric cancer samples, although it was detectable in all the samples of antral mucosa. The CCK-A receptor mRNA expression was detectable in 5/14 (36%) samples of gastric cancer and in 7/12 (58%) body mucosa. Three cases out of 14 (21%) of gastric cancer expressed both CCK gene and CCK-A receptor gene. The CCK-B receptor mRNA expression was detectable in only 1/14 (7%) samples of gastric cancer, although it was detectable in 10/12 (83%) body mucosa of the stomach. These findings may suggest a greater role for CCK and CCK-A receptor than for gastrin and CCK-B receptor in gastric cancers.

Utriculoocular reflex arc of the cat

1. Intracellular recordings of synaptic potentials in extraocular motoneurons were studied to determine the connectivities between the utricular nerve and the extraocular motoneurons in cats. 2. Stimulating electrodes were placed within the left utricular nerve, while other branches of the vestibular nerve were removed. Subsequently, the N1 field potentials evoked by utricular nerve stimulation were recorded in the vestibular nuclei. The potential typically grew until reaching a plateau (submaximal stimulation). Stimulus spread to the other nerve branches appeared as an additional increase in N1 amplitude after the plateau discontinued (supramaximal stimulation). 3. Intracellular recordings were made from 200 identified motoneurons in the bilateral III, IV, and VI cranial nuclei. 4. Stimulation of the utricular nerve at submaximal intensity evoked a longer latency depolarizing and hyperpolarizing potentials in contra- and ipsilateral medial rectus motoneurons, respectively. Complex potentials with longer latencies also were recorded in ipsilateral inferior oblique and contralateral trochlear motoneurons after stimulation of the utricular nerve at a submaximal intensity. Monosynaptic and disynaptic connections between the utricular nerve and ipsilateral abducens motoneurons and interneurons were recorded as described previously. 5. The results of the present study confirm our initial findings that a disynaptic pathway from the utricular nerve to contralateral trochlear motoneurons is absent or very poorly developed, whereas polysynaptic circuits from the utricular nerve to inferior oblique and trochlear motoneurons may play a role in eye rotation during head tilt.

Immunohistochemical study of metallothionein in pancreatic carcinomas

Metallothioneins are a family of intracellular metalloproteins that have been thought to be involved in anticancer drug resistance. However, the role of metallothioneins in pancreatic cancer has not been investigated in detail. The immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein was examined in normal human adult pancreas tissue and in 75 pancreatic duct cell carcinomas, using monoclonal anti-metallothionein antibody. Furthermore, in vitro studies on the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer to cisplatin were performed in 10 cases of pancreatic carcinoma. Metallothionein staining was weakly positive in the acinar and islet cells and intralobular ducts but was negative in the large pancreatic ducts. In pancreatic carcinomas, metallothionein staining was diffusely positive in 6 (8%), focally positive in 25 (33%) and negative in 44 (59%) of the 75 pancreatic carcinomas. The expression of metallothioneins in pancreatic tumors was related to metastasis, poor prognosis and poor histological grading (poorer glandular differentiation and nuclear anaplasia). The in vitro study of tumor sensitivity to cisplatin showed no significant correlation between metallothionein expression and resistance to cisplatin. Metallothionein-positive pancreatic carcinoma will be potentially highly malignant or acquire an enhanced ability to produce metallothioneins as the malignant potential increases. The expression of metallothionein could be a prognostic indicator in pancreatic carcinomas.

Immunohistochemical localization of P-glycoprotein and expression of the multidrug resistance-1 gene in human pancreatic cancer: relevance to indicator of better prognosis

We investigated immunohistochemical localization of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on paraffin-embedded sections from 103 cases of previously untreated pancreatic tumors and also analyzed multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1) gene expression by polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription in 35 cases. High positive staining for P-gp was observed in 72.8% of pancreatic tumors and in 73.2% of ductal adenocarcinoma. In ductal adenocarcinoma, immunoreactivity of P-gp was inversely correlated with biological aggressiveness of tumors determined by histologic grading (P<0.01), tumor size (P < 0.01), retroperitoneal invasion (P < 0.01) and portal invasion (P < 0.05). Expression of the MDR1 gene was detected in all the pancreatic tumors examined and was significantly higher than that in normal pancreas (P < 0.05). The levels of MDR1 mRNA showed a moderate correlation with those of P-gp (r=0.62, P<0.0001). Higher expression levels of MDR1/P-gp significantly correlated with better prognosis of patients with ductal carcinoma (P < 0.05). Among patients with ductal carcinoma, the high staining group for P-gp revealed a 3.5-fold better prognosis compared with the low staining group (HR=3.47, 95% CI=1.62, 7.45; P=0.0016). In conclusion, MDR1 gene/P-gp expression in pancreatic cancer without chemotherapy inversely correlates with biological aggressiveness and is an independent indicator of favorable prognosis.

Solitary metastasis of lung cancer to the cerebellopontine angle--case report

A 44-year-old male presented with a solitary cerebellopontine angle (CPA) metastasis from lung cancer. His initial symptoms were vertigo and hearing loss beginning 5 months after the diagnosis of the primary cancer. Two months later, right facial paresis developed. His neurological deterioration was rapid. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with enhancement disclosed the CPA tumor. The tumor was partially removed through the retroauricular retromastoid approach. Histological examination of the specimen revealed adenocarcinoma. The characteristic rapidly progressive symptoms and MR imaging with enhancement are the most sensitive and essential examinations for this lesion.

Low incidence of point mutations in H-, K- and N-ras oncogenes and p53 tumor suppressor gene in renal cell carcinoma and peritoneal mesothelioma of Wistar rats induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate

An iron chelate, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA, induces renal proximal tubular damage, a consequence of iron-catalyzed free radical reactions, that finally leads to a high incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in rodents. Previous studies have identified, within 24 h after administration of Fe-NTA, lipid peroxidation products, aldehyde-modified proteins and a variety of modified DNA bases such as 8-hydroxyguanine that may be mutagenic in vivo. In the present study, pathological features of the RCCs were studied, and, in an effort to correlate them with carcinogen-specific molecular events in Fe-NTA-induced carcinogenesis, the H-, K- and N-ras oncogenes and the p53 tumor suppressor gene were investigated for the presence of mutations. Fe-NTA-induced RCCs showed similarity to human RCCs in that they are often invasive, metastatic and fatal. None (0 of 12) of the tumors had mutation in codons 12, 13 and 61 of the H-, K- and N-ras genes by direct sequencing. Only one (1 of 12) tumor with high grade histology revealed a CGC-to-CTC (Arg to Leu) transversion in codon 246 of the p53 gene by the use of single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and direct sequencing. High expression of mutant p53 protein was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Study of three peritoneal mesotheliomas induced by Fe-NTA revealed no mutation in ras and p53 genes. These results suggest that the ras and p53 genes are not the major targets of mutation in Fe-NTA-induced carcinogenesis of kidney and mesothelium. Instead, p53 mutation may work for potentiation of malignant character in Fe-NTA-induced renal carcinogenesis.

Quantitative analysis of collagen and collagen subtypes I, III, and V in human pancreatic cancer, tumor-associated chronic pancreatitis, and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis

The collagen content in human pancreatic cancer tissue, tissue of tumor-associated chronic pancreatitis (TACP), and normal pancreatic tissue was determined in 14 patients with pancreatic cancer by measuring the amount of 4-hydroxyproline. Four patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (AlCP) were also analyzed. The mean collagen content in both pancreatic cancer tissue and TACP tissue was approximately threefold higher than in normal pancreatic tissue. Cyanogen bromide peptides of type I, III, and V collagens from invasive ductal carcinomatous tissue of the pancreas and from TACP tissue of eight patients were analyzed sequentially using high-performance liquid chromatography with ion-exchange and gel-permeation columns. No difference in the proportion of type I, III, and V collagens was detected between pancreatic cancer tissue and TACP tissue. The mean collagen content in AlCP tissue was significantly lower than that in TACP tissue, but no difference in the proportion of type I, III, and V collagens was detected between these two tissues. These results indicate a similar quantity and distribution pattern of fibrillar collagen in human pancreatic cancer and TACP.

Immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen and laminin in the stroma of human pancreatic cancer

Fourteen human pancreatic cancer, six normal pancreatic, and four alcoholic chronic pancreatitis tissue samples were examined by immunohistochemistry with antitype IV collagen and antilaminin monoclonal antibodies (MAb). The basement membranes of acinar, ductal, and endothelial cells from all of the normal pancreatic and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis tissue samples were continuously immunostained, but the stroma was negatively immunostained by both antibodies. On the other hand, all 14 pancreatic cancer tissues showed irregular immunostaining on the basement membranes surrounding cancer cells, and positive fibrillar immunostaining for type IV collagen in the stroma of the carcinomatous parenchyma. Six of the 14 pancreatic cancer tissue samples also showed positive immunostaining for laminin in the stroma. The stromal type IV collagen with or without laminin in human pancreatic cancer tissues may have originated from basement membranes degraded through cancer invasion and proliferation.

Dysregulated expression of the IL-2 receptor beta-chain abrogates development of NK cells and Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells in transgenic mice

The IL-2 receptor beta-chain (IL-2R beta), a specificity-determining subunit in the IL-2R complex with a restricted tissue distribution pattern, is essential for signal transduction. Our previous studies demonstrate that the continuous treatment of mice with anti-IL-2R beta resulted in the complete disappearance of NK cells and Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells (Thy-1+ dEC), suggesting that signals through IL-2R beta are critically involved in development of these lymphocyte subsets. However, these lymphocyte subsets are reported to be apparently unaffected in the IL-2-deficient mice. To further examine the biological roles of the IL-2R beta, transgenic mice carrying the IL-2R beta transgene were generated. In these mice, high levels of the cell surface expression of the IL-2R beta were observed in essentially all hematopoietic lineage cells, and CD4+ T cells as well as CD8+ T cells showed vigorous cell proliferation upon IL-2 stimulation. Surprisingly, NK cells marked with a high expression of NK1.1 in the spleen and Thy-1+ dEC in the skin were completely absent in transgenic mice. However, the development of other lymphocyte subsets including conventional alpha beta TCR+ cells, gamma delta TCR+ cells and B cells remained apparently intact. From these observations together with previous data on IL-2-deficient mice, we speculate that factors, other than IL-2 that utilizes the IL-2R beta as its functional receptor subunit, may have a vital role in the development of NK cells and Thy-1+ dEC. Implications for possible in vivo functions of over-expressed IL-2R beta are discussed.

[Effect of estradiol on 5 alpha-reductase activity in osteoblast-like cell (UMR106-01)]

Bone is known to be a target organ of not only estrogens, but also androgens. The mechanism by which these steroids exert their action on bone cells is still poorly understood. In the present study, the effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on 5 alpha-reductase activity, converting testosterone (T) to a more potent biological androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), was assessed in an osteoblast-like cell line of rat origin (UMR106-01). Cells were incubated under standardized conditions with varying concentrations of E2 (10(-12)-10(-6) M) for 48 hours. Incubation medium was replaced when the cells were preconfluent and thereafter at 24 hour intervals. Then the cells were harvested. Each cell homogenate was incubated with [4-14C]-T. DHT was detected as a single metabolite on silicagel thin layer chromatography. 5 alpha-reductase activity was determined by measuring the amount of labeled DHT from T. The radiochemical purity of DHT recovered after incubation was confirmed by recrystallization to constant specific activity. Under the conditions used, no estrogen was detected. Production of insulin-like growth factor-I and alkaline phosphatase in UMR106-01 was increased when E2 was added into the culture medium, however, 5 alpha-reductase activity was significantly decreased by the addition of 10(-12) M to 10(-6) M of E2. Maximum inhibition was noticed at 10(-10) M. Our results demonstrate that UMR106-01 cells have a capacity to transform T into the biologically more potent androgen, DHT. The result, that the enzyme activity was influenced by E2, suggests the regulatory mechanism of both sex steroids on the steroid metabolism in osteoblasts.

Immunohistochemical study of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in adenocarcinomas of the pancreas

The prognosis for carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely poor. One of the characteristics of this tumor is its invasion of the surrounding tissues. Reduction of glycoprotein is considered to be conducive to invasion of the basement membrane by carcinoma cells. Heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), a kind of glycoprotein, is an important component of basement membrane. In this study, the relation between HSPG and carcinoma of the pancreas was examined by using the immunohistochemical method, and the survival rate of pancreatic adenocarcinoma was evaluated. We found that some carcinomas contained little or no HSPG. The poorer the differentiation of an adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, the lower was its content of HSPG. The level of HSPG was significantly different in carcinomatous and in noncarcinomatous cells. There was a close correlation among the content of HSPG, the degree of differentiation of carcinomas of the pancreas, and the survival time. HSPG seems to be useful in prognosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

K-ras and p53 alterations in genomic DNA and transcripts of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines

We analyzed 15 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines for alterations of the K-ras and the p53 genes and their transcripts. In 11 cell lines (73.3%), point mutations of the K-ras gene were found at codon 12 in exon 1. In 9 cell lines one allele was mutated and the other was wild type, and both the alleles were expressed into mRNA. In one cell line both alleles of codon 12 were mutated to TGT and GTT, respectively, but only TGT was transcribed into mRNA. Alterations in mRNA of the p53 gene were detected in 10 cell lines (66.7%). Analysis of the genomic sequence of the p53 gene revealed that the alterations consisted of 6 cases of base pair substitutions and 1 case of 1-bp deletion in evolutionarily conserved exons 5 to 8, 2 cases of splicing mutations in exon 4, and 1 case of novel deletion from exons 2 to 9. In 14 cell lines (93.3%), alterations were identified in the K-ras or p53 gene. Of these, 4 cell lines harbored K-ras mutations without p53 alteration, whereas 3 cell lines exhibited p53 alterations without K-ras mutation. Thus, it is suggested that activation of the K-ras gene and inactivation of the p53 gene are strongly and cooperatively associated with pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Expression of multidrug resistance gene and localization of P-glycoprotein in human primary ovarian cancer

Resistance to chemotherapy is the major obstacle to controlling malignant tumors. To characterize multidrug resistance phenotype in human primary ovarian cancer without chemotherapy, expressions of the mdr1 gene in 52 cases of ovarian cancer (44 common epithelial, 5 nonepithelial, and 3 metastatic cancers) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction of RNA after reverse transcription. Furthermore, localization of P-glycoprotein, which is encoded by the mdr1 gene, was studied immunohistochemically. Although overall expression of the mdr1 gene was relatively low, its expression level was the highest in well-differentiated cancer tissues. Serous and mucinous adenocarcinomas showed higher levels of expression compared with clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas. P-glycoprotein was positive on luminal surfaces of lining cells of ovarian cancer and on those of inclusion cysts from which epithelial ovarian cancer is considered to develop. Thus, some ovarian cancer cases before chemotherapy are intrinsically multidrug resistant, which can be determined by mdr1 gene expression, and this phenotype should be taken into account for effective chemotherapy of ovarian epithelial carcinomas.

The significance of the cervical soft disc herniation in the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

The significance and role of cervical soft disc hernia in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were investigated based on 54 surgical cases. The types of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were divided into three sub-types: segmental, continuous, and mixed types. In the current series, there were 29 segmental type, 12 continuous type, and 13 mixed type. In the 29 segmental type, 23 patients had accompanying cervical disc hernias (79%). In the 12 continuous type, only 2 patients (17%), and in the 13 mixed type, 5 patients (33%), had accompanying disc hernias. According to the current study, an essential difference exists between the segmental type and the continuous or mixed types. In addition, the current result seems to indicate that, at least in the segmental type, disc herniation is not the promoting or initiating factor of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, but that, in these cases, the fragility of the posterior longitudinal ligament may increase the chance of a disc hernia.

Selective long-term elimination of natural killer cells in vivo by an anti-interleukin 2 receptor beta chain monoclonal antibody in mice

The interleukin 2 receptor beta chain (IL-2R beta) is preferentially expressed in natural killer (NK) cells, but is not detected in a majority of resting T and B cells. We recently established a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) to murine IL-2R beta and examined in vivo the effect of the mAb in mice. We found that intraperitoneal injection of the anti-IL-2R beta mAb into adult mice resulted in a selective in vivo elimination of splenic NK function in various mouse strains. The reduction of NK cell function is associated with complete disappearance of NK1.1+ cells in C57BL/6 mice. Other lymphocyte subsets in the thymus and spleen were uncompromised. T cell function was not affected by the mAb treatment as judged by allogeneic cytotoxic T cell induction. The single injection of anti-IL-2R beta mAb caused a long-term elimination of splenic NK cells, lasting for at least 5 wk. We also found that NK and/or NK precursor cells become susceptible to the mAb treatment only after birth, suggesting that functional maturation of NK cells in terms of IL-2R beta expression is a later event in the course of NK cell development. The use of the anti-IL-2R beta mAb will be useful in defining the physiological role of NK cells in host defense as well as dissecting their developmental pathway in vivo.

Thoracic mobile neurinoma. Case report

The authors report a rare case of intraspinal thoracic mobile neurinoma in a 51-year-old man. The clinical symptoms, especially thoracoabdominal discomfort, changed remarkably according to the patient's posture. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated that the level of the caudal end of the tumor varied between T4-5 and T9-10 with changes in the patient's position. Intraoperative myelography was useful in identifying the tumor location and choosing the level of the laminectomy.