[A case of the old injured vena cava superior found during the operation of lung cancer]

We operated a 78-year-old male with lung cancer and unstable angina pectoris. During the operation of right upper lobe, a mass, with size of 2 cm in diameter was detected on the right postero-lateral side of the superior vena cava, and was resected. Postoperative pathological examination suggested that the mass resulted from an injury made by a Swan-Ganz catheter used before operation. Thus, as insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter through the right subclavian vein may involve risk, so we concluded that the right internal jugular vein or femoral vein may be preferable as a route of first choice for insertion.

Epilepsy and exacerbation of brain injury in mice lacking the glutamate transporter GLT-1

Extracellular levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the nervous system are maintained by transporters that actively remove glutamate from the extracellular space. Homozygous mice deficient in GLT-1, a widely distributed astrocytic glutamate transporter, show lethal spontaneous seizures and increased susceptibility to acute cortical injury. These effects can be attributed to elevated levels of residual glutamate in the brains of these mice.

Endothelin evokes efflux of glutamate in cultures of rat astrocytes

Excessive release of glutamate, from glial cells as well as neurons, is thought to be a major cause of neuronal death in ischemia. To investigate glutamate release from glial cells, we measured glutamate efflux from cultures of rat astrocytes preloaded with L-[3H]glutamate. Glutamate efflux was induced by either 60 mM KCI or Na+-free medium, suggesting that the efflux is due to the reversed operation of a Na+- and K+-coupled glutamate uptake machinery. While investigating various neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, we found that endothelin (ET) specifically induced efflux of glutamate. Northern blot analysis and binding study showed that the ET type B receptor (ET(B)-R) subtype was expressed two to three times more densely than the ET type A receptor (ET(A)-R) in astrocytes. The ET(B)-R antagonist IRL 2500 partially inhibited efflux of glutamate induced by 1 nM ET-1 in a concentration-dependent manner, causing a maximal inhibition of 60% at 1 microM. However, the ET(A)-R antagonist BQ-123 did not cause significant inhibition even at 10 microM. Combination of both antagonists completely inhibited the ET-1-induced efflux. These results indicate that both receptor subtypes are involved in efflux of glutamate with a major contribution from the ET(B)-R. Our findings suggest that ET, which is known to be released in ischemia, may exacerbate neurodegeneration by stimulating efflux of glutamate.

[Extramedullary plasmacytoma with multiple metastasis following a maxillary plasmacytoma]

A 67-year old man noticed swelling of left maxillary in October 1992. Surgical biopsy of the left maxillary tumor revealed the plasmacytoma at the department of oral surgery. The Tumor disappeared after radiation therapy. He was admitted with dizziness and tarry stool in June 1994. We found left cervical and abdominal paraaortic lymph node swellings by the computer tomography. He died inspite of chemotherapy in December. Autopsy showed that plasma cells diffusely and nodularly invased in all alimentary tract with multiple ulcerations. Invasion was also observed in the liver, lungs, thyroid, heart, kidneys, and adrenals. The plasma cells in the liver showed IgG kappa type by tissue immunostain. Diffuse invasion of extramedullary plasmacytoma is very rare in alimentary tract and many other organs. This case may be value to delineate the nature of this disease.

Re-examination of 5' end of cDNA of transcription factor GCF

N-terminal region of transcriptional factor GCF was re-examined as the published amino acid sequence is extremely basic. 5'Rapid Amplification of cDNA End (5' RACE) analysis was performed and the result revealed that sequence of the first 308 bases of published GCF cDNA does not conform to the one obtained by 5' RACE. Sequence of genomic GCF DNA is consistent with the new cDNA sequence but not with the published one. Results of ordinal RT-PCR analyses are consistent with that of 5' RACE.

[Brain uptake ratio as an index of cerebral blood flow obtained with 99mTc-ECD]

A new index of cerebral blood flow (brain uptake ratio, BUR) using 99mTc-ECD was developed and evaluated in 66 patients (132 cerebral hemispheres). BUR was calculated from brain count in anterior planar image (60-80 sec after injection of 99mTc-ECD) divided by the summation of the count of aortic arch during first transit of radionuclide. BUR correlated well with brain perfusion index (BPI) obtained with Patlak plot method (r = 0.960, p < 0.001). In conclusion, BUR is useful as a simple and non-invasive index reflecting cerebral blood flow.

White blood cell count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in respiratory syncytial virus infection of the lower respiratory tract

Laboratory findings such as white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level in patients with bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were studied. The diagnosis of having RSV infection of the lower respiratory tract was made on the presence of RSV antigen in nasopharyngeal specimens by means of enzyme immunoassay, on chest X-ray appearances and clinical manifestations. The WBC counts in the lobar pneumonia cases (n = 25, 12,288 +/- 6296/mm3) were significantly greater than those for the bronchiolitis (n = 52, 9562 +/- 2720/mm3) and bronchopneumonia (n = 43, 8369 +/- 3714/mm3) cases. The concentrations of CRP in lobar pneumonia cases (n = 25, 6.5 +/- 7.3 mg/dL) were significantly greater than those in the bronchiolitis (n = 52, 1.9 +/- 2.0 mg/dL) and bronchopneumonia (n = 43, 2.1 +/- 2.4 mg/dL) cases. The ESR levels in the lobar pneumonia cases (n = 24, 43.8 +/- 29. mm/h) were also significantly higher than those in the bronchiolitis (n = 34, 20.1 +/- 12.3 mm/h) and bronchopneumonia (n = 40, 24.7 +/- 15.9 mm/h) cases. There were no significant differences in the WBC counts, the CRP concentrations and ESR levels between the bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia cases. These results suggest that the RSV lobar pneumonia cases are coinfected with some bacterial organisms more heavily than in the RSV bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia cases.

Endothelin-A receptor-mediated prostanoid secretion via autocrine and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis via paracrine signaling in human bronchial epithelial cells

It is known that serum promotes squamous differentiation of airway epithelial cell culture in vitro. We investigated which types of epithelial cells produce endothelins (ETs) and ET-evoked cellular responses in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Squamous cells, not basal cells (nondifferentiated), secrete ET-1 actively. Specific binding of [125I]ET-1, not [125I]ET-3, was observed in squamous as well as basal cells, demonstrating the existence of only the ETA receptor. ET-1 together with epidermal growth factor stimulated synergistic DNA synthesis in basal cells, whereas ET-1 alone did not. Serum failed to induce DNA synthesis in HBECs, indicating terminal differentiation into squamous cells. ET-1 (1-100 nM) dose-dependently stimulated PGE2 (0.6-2.8 ng/10(5) cells) and thromboxane B2 release (4-30 pg/10(5) cells) from squamous HBECS, but not from basal cells. Western blot analysis showed that both squamous and basal HBECs expressed inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, whereas ET-1 failed to stimulate nitric oxide synthase expression. Our findings suggest that secreted ET-1 from squamous cells evokes the release of prostanoids in an autocrine manner, and stimulates DNA synthesis in basal cells as a comitogen in a paracrine manner. Thus, it is likely that ET-1 secreted from HBECs plays an important role as a local, autocrine, and paracrine modulator in airway responses.

ETA and ETB receptors cooperate in DNA synthesis via opposing regulations of cAMP in human lung cell line

We investigated the contribution of endothelin type A (ETA) and ETB receptors on ET-induced DNA synthesis in CCD-18Lu cells, a human lung cell line possessing both ETA and ETB (ETA/ETB ratio: 9:1). ET-1 (0.05-2 nM) potently induced [3H]thymidine incorporation by 2- to 14-fold over the basal level. An ETA-selective antagonist, FR139317, inhibited 0.2 nM ET-1-induced DNA synthesis dose dependently, showing complete inhibition at 1 microM. ET-3 was inactive up to 2 nM. In contrast, ETB-selective antagonists, 100 nM of BQ-788 or IRL 2500, partially (30-60%) inhibited 0.2 nM ET-1-induced DNA synthesis. Stimulation of either ETA or ETB evoked the increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). ETB-mediated but not ET-1-induced [Ca2+]i increase was pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation via ETA was observed in PTX-treated cells, whereas the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP formation via ETB was observed in PTX-untreated cells. Like the ETB-selective antagonists, PTX treatment or dibutyryl cAMP partially (50-70%) inhibited ET-1-induced DNA synthesis. These data suggest that 1) ET-1 induces DNA synthesis predominantly through ETA, via PTX-insensitive G protein; 2) ETA-mediated cAMP formation inhibits DNA synthesis; and 3) stimulation of ETB coupling to Gi protein modulates ETA-mediated DNA synthesis by inhibiting cAMP formation.

Lack of endothelin ETB receptor binding and function in the rat with a mutant ETB receptor gene

Congenital aganglionosis rat is a mutant with an autosomal recessive gene (sl). Recent studies have revealed that the endothelin ETB receptor gene of sl/sl rat has a deletion of 301-bp region spanning exon 1 and intron 1 corresponding to the first and the second transmembrane domains of the receptor. In the present experiments, we examined the functions of ETB receptors in the sl/sl rats. In the membranes of cerebellum, heart, and lung of control (+/+ and sl/+) rats, ET-1 induced a monophasic, competitive displacement of [125I]ET-1 binding, whereas ET-3, IRL 1620, and BQ-123 showed biphasic displacement. In the membranes of sl/sl rats, in contrast, ET-1, BQ-123, ET-3, and IRL 1620 showed only monophasic displacement. Scatchard analysis revealed a single [125I]ET-3 binding site in the membrane of control heart but not in the sl/sl rat heart, and the specific binding sites for [125I]ET-1 in both control and sl/sl rat hearts. In the control rat aorta but not in the sl/sl rat aorta, ET-3 induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. These results suggest that sl/sl rats do not have functional ETB receptors.

[Modifications of fractional uptake method for 123I-IMP]

We intended to improve the fractional uptake (FU) method which was developed to quantify cerebral blood flow using 123I-IMP without blood sampling. The quantification of cardiac output (CO) using first-pass data was adapted to FU method while the original FU method used CO which was estimated from the body surface area of patients. Time-radioactivity curves of the lungs and brain were separately obtained by a small-field-of-view gamma camera. In 24 cases, mean cerebral blood flow (mCBF) obtained by the modified FU method showed the better correlation (r = 0.833, P< 0.001) to mCBF measured by the Patlak plot with 99mTc-HMPAO than the original FU method (r=0.667, p<0.01). With these modifications, the reliability of FU method could be improved and the modified FU method might be performed in the other institutions.

[Strategies for the detection and the identification of tumor suppressor genes]

The methods for the detection and the identification of tumor suppressor genes are characterized and classified as follows: Firstly; by the comparison of expressed genes or proteins between tumor cells and normal cells. Secondly; by the gene transfer. Thirdly; by the identification of proteins which are involved in the biochemical process for cell growth suppression and DNA repair. Human genome contains dozens of tumor suppressor genes and tumor suppression-related genes which have not yet been cloned. Positional cloning is the most reliable method for the cloning of these genes. However, it cost huge amount of labor and time. New methods developed in recent years, such as differential mRNA display or two hybrids system, would facilitate the identification and the molecular cloning of novel tumor suppressor genes.

A maxi Cl- channel coupled to endothelin B receptors in the basolateral membrane of guinea-pig parietal cells

1. To study endothelin (ET) receptors in guinea-pig stomach, ET-binding assays and in vitro autoradiography were performed on fundic cell suspensions and on sections of the fundus, respectively. ETA and ETB receptor subtypes were found to coexist in the parietal cells. 2. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) added to the (basolateral) bathing solution was found to activate noisy whole-cell Cl- currents within about 1 min in both single, isolated parietal cells and those within gastric glands obtained from the fundus. 3. ET-1-induced Cl- currents were rapidly blocked by a Cl- channel blocker (NPPB) added to the (basolateral) bathing solution in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximum inhibition concentration of 33 microM. 4. The anion selectivity sequence of the ET-1-induced conductance was I- > Br- > Cl- > F-, corresponding to Eisenman's sequence I. 5. Changes in extracellular pH between 5 and 8 did not affect the ET-1-induced activation of Cl- currents. 6. Similar activating effects were also observed with ET-3 and a specific ETB receptor agonist (IRL1620). An ETB receptor antagonist (IRL1720) prevented the ET-1 effect, whereas an ETA-selective antagonist (FR139317 or BQ123) failed to antagonize the ET-1 effect. 7. In the whole-cell mode, unitary Cl- channel events could be observed in association with ET-1-activated macroscopic currents. The single-channel conductances were around 200 and 350 pS at negative and positive membrane potentials, respectively. 8. It is concluded that gastric parietal cells of guinea-pig possess pH-insensitive 'maxi' Cl- channels coupled to ETB receptors in the basolateral membrane.

Regulation of ion transport by endothelins in rat colonic mucosa: effects of an ETA antagonist (FR139317) and an ETB agonist (IRL1620)

Rat colonic mucosa contains ETA and ETB receptors with Kd values for endothelin (ET)-1 of 32 and 11 pM and maximal binding capacities of 277 and 181 fmol/mg protein, respectively. In muscle-stripped rat colon without tonic nerve activity in Ussing chambers, the serosal addition of ET-1, ET-3 and IRL1620 inhibited amiloride-sensitive noncoupled Na+ entry and enhanced diphenylamine-2-carboxylate-sensitive Cl- secretion, producing a sustained decrease and a transient increase in the short-circuit current (Isc) and the transepithelial conductance, respectively. EC50 values of ET-1, ET-3 and IRL1620 and the maximal changes in Isc were 2.0, 10.2 and 10.9 nM and -12.7, -7.0 and -7.1 muA/cm2, respectively for the Na+ entry; these values were 50, 220 and 225 nM and +57.3, +47.3 and +21.3 muA/cm2, respectively, for the Cl- secretion. FR139317 (100 nM) inhibited ET-1-induced Na+ and Cl- movements, shifting the concentration-response curves to the right (EC50 = 25 nM and 1 microM, respectively), and inhibited ET-3 (> 100 nM)-induced Cl- movement, decreasing the maximal response to 35%, but it did not inhibit either ET-3-induced Na+ movement nor IRL1620-induced Na+ and Cl- movements. The removal of serosal Ca++ reduced 100 nM ET-1- and IRL1620-evoked changes in Isc by 50% and 70% for the Na+ entry and by 80% and 100% for the Cl- secretion, respectively. Indomethacin (1 microM) also reduced changes in Isc by 30% and 70% for the Cl- secretion but did not affect the Na+ entry. Our results show that ETA and ETB receptors regulate Na+ and Cl- transport by different mechanisms.

[Thrombocytopenic purpura associated with primary human herpesvirus-6 infection]

We report here a case of a 5-month-old infant with thrombocytopenic purpura associated with serologically confirmed primary human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection. His platelet count decreased to 17,000/mm3 on the 3rd day from the onset: Bone marrow aspiration showed that the megakaryocyte count was 129/mm3 and almost all of the them were of the non-platelet forming type. The IgG antibody to HHV-6 by indirect immunofluorescent assay in the sera in acute and convalescent phases were < 10x and 160x, respectively. IgM antibody to HHV-6 in the acute phase was positive. Platelet-associated IgG was also positive. We diagnosed this case as having thrombocytopenic purpura associated with primary HHV-6 infection. Steroid therapy was started for his thrombocytopenic purpura from the 4th day after the alleviation of his fever. His platelet count increased without side effects and became within the normal range without relapse despite discontinuation of steroid therapy. Thrombocytopenic purpura might be one of the complications of primary HHV-6 infection.

[Comprehensive evaluation of pharmacokinetic and clinical studies on tazobactam/piperacillin in pediatric field]

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic and clinical effects of the newly developed combination antibiotic tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC, YP-14) on various infections in pediatric field, a study group was organized, and a joint research by 17 institutions and their related hospitals was conducted. Informed consents of subjects were obtained prior to the study. The results obtained in this study are as follows: 1. Blood concentration and urinary excretion Pharmacokinetics of TAZ/PIPC was studied in children at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg through intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion. With intravenous injection, maximum blood concentrations (Cmax's) of TAZ and PIPC were achieved 5 minutes after the administration. Cmax's of TAZ were 26.9 micrograms/ml with 25 mg/kg and 45.1 micrograms/ml with 50 mg/kg, and those of PIPC were 131.0 and 199.6 micrograms/ml, respectively. Values of the total area under the blood concentration curve (AUC's) of TAZ were 14.2 micrograms.hr/ml with 25 mg/kg and 26.1 micrograms.hr/ml with 50 mg/kg, and those of PIPC were 64.0 and 112.8 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively; thus dose dependency was observed with both TAZ and PIPC. The Cmax's of desethyl piperacillin (DEt-PIPC), the active metabolite of PIPC, achieved at 60 minutes after administration, were 1.2 and 2.0 micrograms/ml, respectively. The AUC's of DEt-PIPC were 2.6 and 4.2 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively. The half-lives (T 1/2's) of TAZ were 0.60 and 0.54 hour, respectively, and those of PIPC were 0.62 and 0.65 hour, respectively. In the first 6 hours after the initiation of administration, the cumulative recovery rates of TAZ in the urine were 46.7 and 56.0% respectively, those of PIPC were 46.1 and 57.2%, respectively, and those of DEt-PIPC were 5.9 and 3.0%, respectively. With intravenous drip infusion, the Cmax's of both TAZ and PIPC were achieved at the completion of drip; the Cmax's of TAZ were 12.1 micrograms/ml with 25 mg/kg and 28.9 micrograms/ml with 50 mg/kg, and those of PIPC were 54.6 and 137.9 micrograms/ml, respectively. The AUC's of TAZ were 11.6 micrograms.hr/ml with 25 mg/kg and 25.6 micrograms.hr/ml with 50 mg/kg, and those of PIPC were 49.0 and 117.2 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively; thus dose dependency was observed with both TAZ and PIPC. Cmax's of DEt-PIPC, achieved at 60 minutes after completion of drip, were 0.9 and 1.7 micrograms/ml, respectively. The AUC's of DEt-PIPC were 2.0 and 3.8 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively. The half-lives (T 1/2's) of TAZ were 0.59 and 0.62 hour, respectively, and those of PIPC were 0.58 and 0.57 hour, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Respiratory tract infection and respiratory syncytial virus in young infants]

We investigated the role of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in respiratory tract infections of up-to-3-months old infants. This prospective study was carried out from April 1993 to March 1994. Detection of RSV antigen in nasopharyngeal specimens was done by enzyme immunoassay using TESTPACK RSV at our out patient clinic. During this study period, 65 young infants with respiratory tract infection visited our clinic. Seventeen patients (26%) were diagnosed as having RSV infection. Fifteen out of the 17 infants with RSV infection were observed in spring and winter. Fourteen out of the 17 infants with RSV infection had acute bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In contrast to RSV infection, only three patients out of the 48 infants with non-RSV infection had lower respiratory tract infection. In conclusion, the majority of young infants infected with RSV suffered from bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

The role of respiratory syncytial virus in acute bronchiolitis in small children in northern Japan

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays an important role in acute bronchiolitis, which is life threatening in some infants. We investigated the epidemiology of RSV acute bronchiolitis in children less than 3 years old in northern Japan. From April 1991 to March 1993, 162 infants with acute bronchiolitis were hospitalized in our pediatric wards. The diagnosis of RSV acute bronchiolitis was based on the typical clinical manifestations and the presence of RSV antigen in their nasopharyngeal specimens or the rise of the RSV antibody titer. 124 out of 162 patients (76.5%) were diagnosed as having RSV acute bronchiolitis. 43.5% of patients with RSV acute bronchiolitis were 6 months old or less. The epidemic of RSV acute bronchiolitis commenced in October, peaked in December and ended in summer. RSV is quite prevalent in infants with acute bronchiolitis in northern Japan.

Identification of cellular proteins that bind the central conserved region of p53

The bacterial fusion protein between glutathione S-transferase and the central conserved region of human p53(GST-p53) was purified and fixed on the beads and then used in the binding assay with radiolabeled cell extract from human hepatocarcinoma cell line, Hep3B. The binding assay disclosed the presence of cellular proteins that interact with GST-p53 but not with GST. SV40 large T antigen abrogated the bindings of two cellular proteins with molecular weights of 50 kda and 40 kda. The binding of the proteins to p53 was observed in a cell cycle-dependent manner. These two proteins are candidate cellular proteins which regulate the function of p53.

ETA and ETB receptors on single smooth muscle cells cooperate in mediating guinea pig tracheal contraction

We investigated the distribution of endothelin A (ETA) and ETB receptors in single smooth muscle cells and their contribution to ET-induced contractions of guinea pig trachea. ETA and ETB receptors were detected in smooth muscle membranes (maximum binding capacities of 810 and 360 fmol/mg protein and dissociation constants of 38 and 5.1 pM for 125I-labeled ET-1 and 125I-ET-3, respectively) and visualized autoradiographically in primary cultured cells. ET-1 and ET-3 evoked concentration-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and smooth muscle tension. The half-maximally effective concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3 at inducing contractions were 1.9 and 2.7 nM, respectively. The Ca2+ responses showed tachyphylaxis to both ETs after stimulation with ET-1, but only to ET-3 after stimulation with ET-3. Consecutive applications of ET-3 and ET-1 (10 nM each) classified the cells into ETA dominant (approximately 30%) responding to only ET-1, ETB dominant (approximately 20%) responding to only ET-3, and ETA- and ETB-possessing (approximately 50%) cells responding to both. The ETA antagonist, 10 microM BQ-123, attenuated ET-1-induced contractions but did not affect the ET-3-induced contractions. The results indicate that both receptors coexist in a major population of smooth muscle cells and cooperate in mediating ET-1-induced contractions.

[Epidemiological study on respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infections in northern Hokkaido, Japan]

We carried out an epidemiological study on lower respiratory tract infections, concerning the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, in northern Hokkaido, Japan, during the 2-year-study period from April 1991 to March 1993. There were 467 hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections. We examined the presence of RSV antigen in their nasopharyngeal specimens of 456 out of 467 patients (97.6%) by enzyme immunoassay. The diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was done by the rise of antibody titer, performed with complement fixation method, in the sera of the acute and convalescent phases. There were 133 patients with RSV infection (28.9%), 45 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (9.8%) and 7 patients with measles virus infection (1.5%). RSV played an important role in the lower respiratory tract infections in northern Hokkaido, Japan. The epidemic of RSV infection was observed in spring and early winter in 1991 and only in early winter in 1992. The number of patients with RSV infection from April 1991 to March 1992 was greater than that from April 1992 to March 1993. In contrast with RSV infection, the epidemic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was observed in 1992. We speculated that the RSV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections might interfere with each other.

Transactivating function of integrated hepatitis B virus

HBV DNAs are often found in integrated forms in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Discovery of a transactivation function coded by a limited region of the HBV genome has promoted us to survey our collection of HBV integrants with flanking cellular sequences, asking whether they might exhibit a transactivation function. In transient cotransfection assays using the HepG2 cell line, six out of the twelve integrants showed transactivation effects on the expression of cellular genes such as c-fos. These results strongly demonstrate that the transactivating effects of integrated HBV DNA are widely distributed, and some of these effects might be correlated to hepatocarcinogenesis.

Myeloperoxidase expression in CD34+ normal human hematopoietic cells

Bone marrow (BM), adult peripheral blood (aPB), and umbilical cord blood (CB) samples contain small proportions of CD34+ cells that include virtually all hematopoietic progenitor cells. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is considered to be selectively expressed in cells committed to granulomonocytic differentiation. Using flow cytometry and an antibody against MPO, we studied at which stage of normal hematopoietic differentiation CD34+ cells being to express MPO. We consistently observed a characteristic MPO/CD34 staining pattern and found that 35% +/- 9% of CD34+ BM cells express MPO. The MPO+ CD34+ subset and the CD33+ CD34+ subset were of similar size and overlapped considerably. MPO+ CD34+ cells expressed high levels of HLA-D molecules, were weakly CD71/transferrin receptor positive to negative, were CD45RA+ and lacked the CD45RO isoform of the leukocyte common antigen. Additionally, MPO+ CD34+ cells were on average larger in size than MPO- CD34+ cells. Virtually identical phenotypic features have previously been described for in vitro colony-forming granulomonocytic progenitor cells. In vitro clonogenic assays performed with MPO-enriched and MPO-depleted fractions of CD34+ BM cells performed by us also suggest, but do not formally prove, that at least a portion of MPO+ CD34+ cells have in vitro cluster (10 to 50 cells/colony) or colony-forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (> or = 50 cells/colony) forming capacity. CD34+ cells from CB and aPB resembled CD34+ BM cells in that considerable proportions of them coexpressed CD33. However, in contrast to BM, CD34+ cells from CB and aPB samples lacked significant MPO expression and, in line with this, the majority of them (CB, 59% +/- 7%; aPB, 66% +/- 5%) coexpressed CD45RO.

Specific binding of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particle protein K to the human c-myc promoter, in vitro

A homopurine/homopyrimidine-like sequence is found 100-150 base pairs upstream of the human c-myc promoter P1. This element, termed the CT-element, has been shown to augment expression from P1, and it serves as a positive transcriptional element when coupled to a heterologous promoter in vivo and in vitro. Synthetic oligonucleotides comprising this element were used to form DNA-protein complexes in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. By using conventional and affinity methods, 61- and 34-kDa proteins were shown to be associated with these complexes. Amino acid sequence analysis and immunological methods have identified these proteins as heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP) proteins K and A1. Surprisingly, hnRNP protein K binds to the pyrimidine-rich strand of the CT-element in a sequence-specific manner as well as to the double-stranded molecule. Cotransfection of vectors encoding hnRNP protein K in the sense or anti-sense orientations with reporter plasmids driven by wild-type or mutant CT-elements demonstrates that hnRNP protein K augments gene expression in a cis-element-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that hnRNP protein K may play a role in the transcriptional regulation of the human c-myc gene.

Contraction of smooth muscle by activation of endothelin receptors on autonomic neurons

Endothelin receptors, predominantly of the ETB type, were localized to cell bodies, processes, and varicosities of cholinergic and adrenergic intramural autonomic neurons that were present in primary cultures of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Stimulation of the neuronal ETB receptor produced a tetrodotoxin-sensitive increase in the intracellular calcium concentration in neurons which was followed by contraction of the neighboring smooth muscle cells. These observations suggest that endothelins can induce smooth muscle contraction by means of a neuronally mediated mechanism, in addition to their direct actions on the smooth muscle.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection in lower respiratory tract and asthma attack in hospitalized children in North Hokkaido, Japan

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is severe and life-threatening in some infants. To investigate the epidemiology of RSV infection in hospitalized children in North Hokkaido, Japan, we tried to detect RSV antigen in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from those children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and asthma attack. From April 1991 to March 1992, 317 patients were hospitalized in our pediatric ward for the treatment of LRTI and asthma attack. The presence of RSV antigen in NPA taken from 283 patients (89.3%) were examined by enzyme immunoassay. RSV antigen was detected in 88 patients (31.1%). RSV LRTI were noted throughout the year, and the epidemic peak was observed in November and December. There was no significant correlation between the RSV antigen positive rate and mean temperature. RSV played an important role in LTRI in children in North Hokkaido, Japan. RSV LRTI in North Hokkaido was not rare in summer, indicating that RSV was transmitted commonly among children throughout the year.

The prognostic significance of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor, and mdr gene expression in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a proliferation marker, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a glycoprotein that plays a role in tumorigenesis by binding the mitogenic epidermal growth factor, and P-glycoprotein, the mdr gene product, are considered to be of prognostic relevance in different tumor types. Parameters that allow prediction of the course of disease in colorectal cancer would aid the development of improved treatment strategies.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of 82 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 18 lymph node metastases. EGFR and P glycoprotein expression was evaluated semiquantitatively; PCNA expression was analyzed quantitatively.

RESULTS

An inverse relationship between the percentage of PCNA-positive cells and survival times could be demonstrated, survival differed significantly among the quartiles (P < 0.02). The median and range of the percentage of PCNA-positive cells in primary tumors and lymph node metastases were similar. The extent of EGFR expression also revealed significant differences concerning survival times; patients with more than 50% stained tumor cells had a poorer prognosis than those with less than 50% stained cells. P-glycoprotein expression was found to have no influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the percentage of PCNA-positive cells could be especially helpful in deciding whether to treat patients with localized disease further because adjuvant chemotherapy affects mainly dividing cells and should, therefore, be more successful in tumors with high proliferative activity.

Transactivation of cellular promoters by an integrated hepatitis B virus DNA

A new Hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA integrant clone DA2-6, isolated from a human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) genomic library, was tested for its ability to transactivate expression of other genes. DA2-6 consists of 3.7 kb flanking cellular sequences and an integrated 2.8 kb HBV DNA which covers the region of preS, S, and the 3' truncated X. Using a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay, a number of cellular and viral promoters were transactivated by DA2-6, and the spectrum of transactivational effect was the same as that by the wild type X gene of the virus. Deletion mutant analyses indicated that the transactivation function of DA2-6 is expressed by the region that encodes a truncated X-cell fusion product.

The prognostic significance of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor, and mdr gene expression in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a proliferation marker, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a glycoprotein that plays a role in tumorigenesis by binding the mitogenic epidermal growth factor, and P-glycoprotein, the mdr gene product, are considered to be of prognostic relevance in different tumor types. Parameters that allow prediction of the course of disease in colorectal cancer would aid the development of improved treatment strategies.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of 82 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 18 lymph node metastases. EGFR and P glycoprotein expression was evaluated semiquantitatively; PCNA expression was analyzed quantitatively.

RESULTS

An inverse relationship between the percentage of PCNA-positive cells and survival times could be demonstrated, survival differed significantly among the quartiles (P < 0.02). The median and range of the percentage of PCNA-positive cells in primary tumors and lymph node metastases were similar. The extent of EGFR expression also revealed significant differences concerning survival times; patients with more than 50% stained tumor cells had a poorer prognosis than those with less than 50% stained cells. P-glycoprotein expression was found to have no influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the percentage of PCNA-positive cells could be especially helpful in deciding whether to treat patients with localized disease further because adjuvant chemotherapy affects mainly dividing cells and should, therefore, be more successful in tumors with high proliferative activity.

[Athyreotic congenital hypothyroidism in two sisters]

Two sisters with athyreotic congenital hypothyroidism are described. This is the fifth report on athyreotic congenital hypothyroidism in siblings. The elder sister is 14 years old and the younger one is 12. The parents have no consanguinity or family history of thyroid disease. Both of the patients were born before the start of neonatal screening tests for congenital hypothyroidism. After birth, they had jaundice, abdominal distention and constipation, which are typical symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism. Serum T4 levels were decreased, and the serum TSH levels were markedly increased. Therefore we diagnosed them as having congenital hypothyroidism. They have received replacement therapy with thyroxine since diagnosis and have shown normal development physically and psychologically. They were tested for thyroid scintigram when the elder sister was 9 years old and the younger one was 7. 123I thyroid uptakes were 0.69% and 0.64%, respectively. The thyroid scans demonstrated no focus of accumulation of 123I. They do not have trapping defect of iodine, because 123I ratio of saliva and serum were 41.3 and 46.3, respectively. From these results, we diagnosed them as having athyreotic congenital hypothyroidism. They and their mother do not have any antithyroid antibodies. We suppose that some genetic factor is responsible for the athyreotic congenital hypothyroidism.

[Characteristics of group A streptococci isolated from children with non-suppurative complication or severe infection]

We determined the characteristics of group A streptococci isolated from 29 sporadic cases with non-suppurative complication or severe infection during a 15-year period from 1977 to 1991. The clinical diagnoses of children included 4 patients with rheumatic fever, 2 with reactive arthritis, 2 with central nervous system complication, 5 with glomerulonephritis, 11 with Honoch-Schölein purpura, 4 with sepsis and 1 with empyema. Twenty-four strains were isolated from throat swabs, 4 from blood specimens and one from pleural fluid. M/T-serotypes and the number of isolates were as follows; 1/1:10, 3/3:1, 3.3R/3:3, 4/4:7, 5/NT:1, 12/12:3, 18/18:2, 62/12:1, NT/13:1. All 29 isolates had productivity for at least one of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs) A, B and C. Two strains were positive for A, 2 for A and B, 3 for A, B and C, 9 for B and 13 for B and C. Of 11 isolates from patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, 7 and 2 strains were serotyped in M1 and M4, respectively, but none was in M12. Ten of 11 isolates were positive for SPE B or SPEs B and C.

Antigenic analysis of human haemopoietic progenitor cells expressing the growth factor receptor c-kit

The cell surface molecule encoded by the protooncogene c-kit has recently been identified as the receptor for a growth factor variously termed stem cell factor (SCF), mast cell growth factor or steel factor. Using the c-kit antibody 17F11 we analysed, in triple staining experiments, the surface molecule profile and scatter characteristics of c-kit+CD34+ human haemopoietic progenitor cells. In 10 normal bone marrow samples we found 19-51% of CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells to coexpress c-kit. These c-kit+CD34+ bone marrow cells turned out to represent a phenotypically heterogeneous population. A considerable proportion coexpressed CD33 (52 +/- 23%), and/or CD71 (62 +/- 26) antigens, marker molecules previously shown to be expressed by committed in vitro colony forming cells but not by their precursors. In line with a relatively differentiated phenotype c-kit+CD34+ cells also gave rise to on average higher forward and right-angle light scattering signals. The proportions of CD38 and/or HLA-D expressing cells were similar in the c-kit+ and in the c-kit- subsets of CD34+ progenitor cells. Coexpression of CD19 was found to be less frequent in the c-kit+ (4 +/- 5%) as compared to the c-kit- (17 +/- 14%) fraction of CD34+ cells. CD7+ CD34+ bone marrow cells were hardly detectable and their numbers too low to allow further subdivision in c-kit+ and c-kit- subsets.

Autocrine receptors for endothelins in the primary culture of endothelial cells of human umbilical vein

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in primary culture produced and secreted endothelin 1 (ET-1) actively. Specific binding of [125I]ET-1 to these cells was not detectable because of the saturation of ET receptors with endogenously produced ET-1. However, addition of phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of ET-converting enzyme, to the medium reduced the production of ET-1 and thus the receptors on HUVECs were made available for exogenously added [125I]ET-1. Binding studies using phosphoramidon-treated HUVECs indicated the existence of a non-isopeptide-selective type (ETB) of ET receptor with a Kd of 17 pM. This receptor is thought to be involved in ET-induced vasodilation in an autocrine manner in vivo.

Spectroscopic studies on lambda cro protein-DNA interactions

Spectroscopic (circular dichroism and fluorescence) and thermodynamic studies were conducted on lambda Cro-DNA interactions. Some base substitutions were introduced to the operator and the effects on the conformation of the complex and thermodynamic parameters for dissociation of the complex were examined. It was found that, (1) in the specific binding of Cro with DNA which has a (pseudo) consensus sequence, DNA is overwound, while in non-specific binding it is unchanged, or rather unwound; (2) substitution of central base-pairs or the introduction of a mismatched base-pair at the center of the operator reduces the extent of DNA conformational change on Cro binding and lessens the stability of the Cro-DNA complex, even though there is apparently no direct interaction between Cro and DNA at these positions; (3) stability of the complex increases with the degree of DNA conformational change of the same type during binding; (4) in some cases of specific binding, there are three states in the dissociation of the complex as observed by salt titration: two conformational states for the complex depending on salt concentration and, in non-specific binding, dissociation is a two-state transition; (5) the number of ions involved in interactions between Cro and 17 base-pair DNA is about 7.7 for NaCl titrations; (6) dissociation free energy prediction of the Cro-DNA complex by simple addition of the dissociation free energy change of a single base-pair substitution agrees with our experimental results when DNA overwinding occurs during binding, i.e. in specific binding.

[Growth rate of experimental colonic cancer in rats]

Colonic cancers were induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine. Tumor growth patterns were estimated by means of a double contrast barium enema technique. Tumor growth was almost exponential and the average doubling time was 20 +/- 5 (m +/- S.D.) days, at which time three different types of tumor growth patterns: Constant type, decreasing type and reaccelerating type, were noted. Serial double contrast barium enema technique appeared to be an useful method of studying in vivo primary colonic cancer growth patterns in rats.

[Comparing development with physical fitness, motor ability, and health of children among various living environment]

This study had the purpose to compare with development of fitness, motor ability and health among various living environments of the sea-side, the urban, and the mountain districts, where were situated at Nadachi town on the suburbs of Niigata Prefecture. Five hundred thirty-five children (aged 4-15 yrs) were measured at the kindergarten, the fundamental school, and the junior high school. Measuring items of the physique were the height, the weight, the chest circumference, the sitting height, and the foot area. Physical fitness tests were the muscular grip-strength, the lung vital capacity, the closed-eye single-leg balance, the dipping time of the upper extremity, the vertical jump, the standing trunk flexibility, the endurance run, and pull-up. And, motor ability tests were the finger tapping, 5m shuttle run, 50m dash, and the ball throwing. As items of health inspection, the blood pressure (systolic and diasystolic) and the visual ability were adopted. As results of this study, following data were obtained; 1) At the sea-side environment, development of the muscle power, the respiratory function, and the physique were showed much faster rate of growth at the childhood than that of the other ones, significantly (P less than 0.01). 2) At the mountain environment, the arch-bend of the foot print only were appeared larger areas than that of the other ones, significantly (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thrombus formation on the aorta injured by angioplasty and its prevention with dilazep in atherosclerotic rabbits

To estimate the effect of dilazep in preventing restenosis after a transluminal angioplasty, we have attempted an animal experiment in which the efficacy of drug was tested on an angioplastic injury superimposed on to atherosclerotic lesions. Using a modification of Block's method, atherosclerotic lesions first were made in the rabbit aorta by an initial ablation of the endothelium, followed by successive cholesterol feedings. Then, for our second step, an angioplastic injury was inflicted on the atherosclerotic lesions. The thirty two rabbits used were divided into 3 groups: those given dilazep (100 micrograms/kg i.v.), those given dipyridamole (100 micrograms/kg i.v.) and a control group that was given the same volume of 0.9% saline. The angioplastic area in which thrombi developed was semiquantitatively measured and compared among all three groups. The mean value of the thrombus area in the dilazep group was 60% smaller and the distribution pattern of the thrombus by size was found to be composed of smaller thrombi than those of the control group. Dipyridamole showed the same trend as did dilazep, but less effectively. Our animal model and semiquantitative evaluation method that we employed were found useful from the view point of an easy applicable and inexpensive methodology. Our results point towards the possible clinical use of dilazep in the future, so as to prevent thrombus formation, which seems to cause the restenosis phenomenon that often occurs in patients who have undergone a coronary angioplasty.

fos/jun and octamer-binding protein interact with a common site in a negative element of the human c-myc gene

A negative element has previously been localized to a 57-base pair segment approximately 300 base pairs upstream of the human c-myc promoter P1. Within this element, a 26-base pair region was protected in vitro from DNase I digestion with a HeLa cell nuclear factor(s). Two specific DNA-protein complexes were identified in gel retardation assays using HeLa cell nuclear extracts and an oligonucleotide probe spanning the footprinted region. Exonuclease and chemical footprint analyses suggested that the binding sites for both complexes are almost entirely overlapping. One of the complexes was eliminated by oligonucleotide competitors possessing known AP-1 binding sites. This same complex reacted strongly with anti-fos immunoglobulin suggesting a role for c-fos in governing c-myc expression. Precipitation of fos protein bound to c-myc DNA that was immobilized on beads confirmed the involvement of c-fos in a specific complex with the c-myc upstream sequence. In contrast, the other complex seen by the c-myc probe could not be competitively inhibited by AP-1 binding sites and was not affected by anti-fos antibody. Instead, this complex was efficiently eliminated by unlabeled oligonucleotides containing the octamer DNA motif found in immunoglobulin gene promoters. Purified octamer-binding proteins formed stable complexes with the 26-base pair c-myc sequences. These results demonstrate that degeneracy in the consensus recognition sequences of these distinct factors allows each of them to bind the c-myc negative element. The interaction of known transcriptional activators with a negative element suggests that the same factors can mediate both transcriptional activation and repression.

[Surgical experiences of Cor triatriatum in infancy]

Three operative cases with Cor triatriatum, age ranged from 30 days to 16 months, were presented. All types were IB1 of Lucas-Schmidt's classification and one patient was associated with right upper PAPVC. One patient died of low output syndrome due to preoperative shock. Communication of abnormal diaphragm in left atrium varied from small and multiple to 5 mm in diameter. Their preoperative diagnoses were established by two-dimensional echocardiogram prior to angiocardiogram and the intracardiac communications were well evaluated by color doppler echocardiogram which was superior to angiocardiogram in this evaluation. Postoperatively, no abnormal diaphragm were detected in two survivors. The diagnosis and operative procedure for this anomaly were discussed on.

Distinct factors bind the AP-1 consensus sites in gibbon ape leukemia virus and simian virus 40 enhancers

We have demonstrated that the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) enhancer AP-1 element and the simian virus 40 AP-1 enhancer element bind different factors in HeLa nuclear extracts. A 39-kilodalton HeLa nuclear protein and the c-fos protein bind to the GALV element. Antibodies to c-fos abolish binding to the GALV AP-1 site. In contrast, anti-c-fos immunoglobulin fails to inhibit formation of the simian virus 40-specific complex from extracts of HeLa cells. Thus, AP-1-binding complexes are subject to compositional variation at different binding sites.

A FOS protein is present in a complex that binds a negative regulator of MYC

Regulation of the human proto-oncogene MYC apparently plays an important role in cellular proliferation and the genesis of diverse tumors. Transcription from MYC is governed principally by two promoters known as P1 and P2. Previously we have detected a negative regulator of these promoters upstream of MYC. We now report that this regulator comprises no more than 26 bp of DNA, with sequence that resembles the regulators of at least two other genes, and we describe nuclear factors that interact with the regulator. Nuclear extracts from human cells form three distinctive complexes with the negative regulator. One of these complexes includes the product of the proto-oncogene FOS or an antigenically related protein, and the FOS protein may, in turn, be associated with the product of the proto-oncogene JUN. Similarly, FOS and JUN proteins produced by translation in vitro bind cooperatively to the negative regulator. These results raise the possibility that FOS and JUN participate in the regulation of MYC.

[A case report of compression of right pulmonary artery and bronchus by aneurysmal dilated ascending aorta in tetralogy of Fallot--suspension of ascending aorta]

The patient was a 63-days-old boy who was admitted to our hospital because of moderate cyanosis and tachypnea. After admission, severe respiratory distress and emphysematous change of the right lung on the chest X-ray developed progressively. Echocardiogram and angiocardiogram demonstrated that a tetralogy of Fallot associated with right aortic arch and absence of pulmonary valve, and revealed remarkably dilated ascending aorta which compressed the right pulmonary artery and bronchus. Therefore, the emergency operation in that the ascending aorta was suspended to the 2nd rib was performed through a right thoracotomy. After surgery, his respiratory distress and emphysema of the right lung completely disappeared. To our knowledge, this is the 2nd reported case in which suspension of ascending aorta was successfully performed for pulmonary complication in congenital cardiovascular anomalies as this patient.

Depression of T cell-mediated immunity and enhancement of autoantibody production by natural infection with microorganisms in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

We studied the effects of breeding conditions on the development of immunological abnormalities in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with congenital T cell depression. The depression of T cell functions, the production of natural thymocytotoxic autoantibody (NTA), and the development of polyarteritis nodosa were more evident in SHR reared under a conventional (CV) environment than in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) SHR bred in a semi-barrier system. Enhancement of these immunologic abnormalities was also observed by the conventionalization of SPF-SHR. A high frequency of antibodies to mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Sendai virus, and Mycoplasma pulmonis was detected in CV rat sera, whereas no antibodies were detected in SPF-SHR. The experimental infection of Sendai virus induced the enhancement of T cell depression and of NTA production in SPF-SHR. We interpret these results to mean that the natural infection of microorganisms causes an acceleration of immunologic abnormalities in SHR reared in a CV environment.