Impaired neurotransmitter systems by Abeta amyloidosis in APPsw transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid beta protein precursor

APPsw transgenic mice showing substantial features of brain Abeta amyloidosis such as senile plaques and behavioral abnormalities were examined by immunostaining to determine whether Abeta deposits could induce the subsequent disturbance of neurotransmitter systems including somatostatin, substance P and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which are prominent in the Alzheimer's disease brain. Somatostatin, substance P and ChAT disappeared in the areas of senile plaque and were accumulated in dystrophic neurites around the amyloid cores. These findings suggest a potential role of brain Abeta amyloidosis in disturbance of the neurotransmitter systems leading to memory disturbance of Alzheimer's disease.

The plasmin system is induced by and degrades amyloid-beta aggregates

Amyloid-beta (Abeta) appears critical to Alzheimer's disease. To clarify possible mechanisms of Abeta action, we have quantified Abeta-induced gene expression in vitro by using Abeta-treated primary cortical neuronal cultures and in vivo by using mice transgenic for the Abeta precursor (AbetaP). Here, we report that aggregated, but not nonaggregated, Abeta increases the level of the mRNAs encoding tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Moreover, tPA and uPA were also upregulated in aged AbetaP overexpressing mice. Because others have reported that Abeta aggregates can substitute for fibrin aggregates in activating tPA post-translationally, the result of tPA induction by Abeta would be cleavage of plasminogen to the active protease plasmin. To gain insights into the possible actions of plasmin, we evaluated the hypotheses that tPA and plasmin may mediate Abeta in vitro toxicity or, alternatively, that plasmin activation may lead to Abeta degradation. In evaluating these conflicting hypotheses, we found that purified plasmin degrades Abeta with physiologically relevant efficiency, i.e., approximately 1/10th the rate of plasmin on fibrin. Mass spectral analyses show that plasmin cleaves Abeta at multiple sites. Electron microscopy confirms indirect assays suggesting that plasmin degrades Abeta fibrils. Moreover, exogenously added plasmin blocks Abeta neurotoxicity. In summation, we interpret these results as consistent with the possibility that the plasmin pathway is induced by aggregated Abeta, which can lead to Abeta degradation and inhibition of Abeta actions.

Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonic characterization of benign and malignant ovarian cystic teratomas and comparison with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen

BACKGROUND

The preoperative diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary remains difficult. The purpose of this study is to examine the usefulness of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TV-CDU) in differentiating malignant (SCC) from benign cystic teratoma of the ovary.

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients with an ovarian tumor showing gray scale sonographic appearances of mature cystic teratoma were preoperatively evaluated for the presence or absence of intratumoral blood flow by TV-CDU. The blood flow characteristics of the tumor vessels were analyzed using the resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and peak systolic velocity (PSV). The serum levels of SCC antigen were also randomly examined preoperatively in 50 patients.

RESULTS

Intratumoral blood flow was significantly detected in malignant teratomas (SCCs) (80.0%; 4 of 5) compared with benign teratomas (20.5%; 17 of 83) (P < 0.01). All malignant teratomas with intratumoral blood flow showed both RI less than 0.4 and PI less than 0.6, whereas no benign teratomas showed any such value except for 1 case with struma ovarii. In addition, both the mean RI and the mean PI values in the tumor vessels were significantly lower in the malignant teratomas (RI: 0.31 +/- 0.07; PI: 0.40 +/- 0.16) than in the benign teratomas (RI: 0.62 +/- 0.13; PI: 1.06 +/- 0.44) (P < 0.001). However, the mean PSV value of the malignant teratomas (PSV: 20.6 +/- 8.33) was not significantly different from the benign teratomas (PSV: 18.1 +/- 9.9). Elevation of serum SCC was found in 4 of 5 patients (80%) with malignant teratomas, whereas the elevation was found in 11 of 45 patients (24.4%) with benign teratomas (P < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy using the RI (cutoff value 0.4) as well as the PI (cutoff value 0.6) was thus 95.2%, which was significantly superior to that obtained by using the serum SCC (76%) (cutoff value, 1.5 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating the presence or absence of intratumoral blood flow, together with blood flow resistance, in tumor vessels using TV-CDU thus may be more useful to differentiate malignant (SCC) from benign cystic teratomas of the ovary than by measuring serum SCC levels.

Age-related amyloid beta protein accumulation induces cellular death and macrophage activation in transgenic mice

In view of the importance of amyloid beta protein accumulation in Alzheimer's disease, this paper examines age-related amyloid beta protein (Abeta) deposition and accompanying cellular changes in a mouse model in vivo. Transgenic mice were studied which expressed a gene encoding 18 residues of signal peptide and 99 residues of the carboxyl-terminal fragment (CTF) of the Abeta precursor, under the control of the cytomegalovirus enhancer/chicken beta-actin promoter. In the pancreas, Abeta accumulated in an age-dependent manner. Abeta deposits appeared as early as 3 weeks of age and increased in size and number from 4 to 16 months of age. The largest Abeta deposits were observed in the transgenic pancreas at 16 and 20 months of age. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, macrophage immunostaining, and electron microscopy showed that the Abeta fibril deposits closely correlated with degeneration of pancreatic acinar cells and macrophage activation. Abeta1-42 and Abetap3E-42 were predominant components of Abeta deposits among amino- and carboxyl-terminal modified Abeta species. These findings suggest that overproduction of Abeta causes age-related accumulation of Abeta fibrils, with accompanying cellular degeneration and macrophage activation in vivo.

The effect of being overweight on survival in endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium at different ages

The effect of being overweight on survival in endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium was examined at different ages in this article. The body mass index [body weight/height(m2)] was evaluated in 287 Japanese women with endometrioid carcinoma. Overweight individuals were defined as those with a body mass index of 24.5 or more. The subjects were divided into two groups, including a younger age group (women less than 50 years of age) and an older age group (women 50 years of age or more). Being overweight was thus analyzed to see if it had any influence on survival. The body mass index ranged from 15 to 40 (mean +/- SD; 23.0 +/- 3.9). Twenty-six (32.1%) of 81 subjects in the younger age group and 78 (37.9%) of 206 subjects in the older age group were found to be overweight. In the younger age group, we could find no effect of being overweight on survival. In the older age group, the cumulative 10-year survival rate was 75.2% in normal weight subjects and 89.4% in overweight subjects (P < 0.02). However, the histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, lymphovascular invasion, ovarian metastases, and lymph node metastases showed no significant difference between normal weight and overweight subjects in both the younger and older age groups. In a multivariate analysis, being overweight was a better independent prognostic factor in older age group. Being overweight may contribute to the heterogenous etiology of endometrioid carcinomas in the older age group.

Topology dependent quantities at the anderson transition

The boundary condition dependence of the critical behavior for the three dimensional Anderson transition is investigated. A strong dependence of the scaling function and the critical conductance distribution on the boundary conditions is found, while the critical disorder and critical exponent are found to be independent of the boundary conditions.

Distribution of amyloid beta protein precursor in the Alzheimer's disease brain

In order to clarify the distribution and pathological changes of the amyloid beta protein precursor (betaAPP), 10 Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains and seven normal control brains were examined by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization histochemistry. All betaAPP isoforms were distributed evenly in neuronal cell bodies and their axons and dendrites. The betaAPP-positive neuronal processes showed mesh-like networks. In AD brains, betaAPP-positive neurons and mesh-like networks were generally decreased in spite of some intensely labeled neurons. All betaAPP isoforms accumulated in neuronal processes, dystrophic neurites and senile plaques. In situ hybridization histochemistry confirmed that all isoforms of betaAPP were expressed in neurons in control brains. In AD brains, the betaAPP mRNA signal was generally decreased besides some intense signal neurons corresponding to immunostaining findings. Few astrocytes expressed betaAPP. Thus, uniform expression and distribution of betaAPP were disturbed in AD brains showing uneven decreases or increases of neuronal betaAPP expression in individual neurons and betaAPP accumulation in neurons, neuronal processes and abnormal structures including dystrophic neurites, senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

TNP-470 inhibits growth and the production of vascular endothelial growth factor of uterine carcinosarcoma cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Carcinosarcoma is the most aggressive neoplasm among the known uterine malignancies. Most patients who are affected with this biphasic neoplasm hardly show any response to common anti-cancer drugs or radiotherapy and thus they tend to show an extremely poor prognosis. This is the first study to examine the inhibitory and anti-angiogenic effects of angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470, a synthetic analogue of fumagillin, for human uterine carcinosarcoma in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The direct growth-inhibitory effect of TNP-470 was examined by an MTT assay in vitro. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the culture supernate of TNP-470 treated FU-MMT-1 cells were also analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The VEGF expression of TNP-470 treated FU-MMT-1 cells was also immunohistochemically examined using an anti-VEGF antibody.

RESULTS

TNP-470 inhibited the growth of FU-MMT-1 cells in vitro. The level of VEGF in the culture supernatant of TNP-470 treated FU-MMT-1 cells was significantly lower than that of the control (TNP-470 untreated FU-MMT-1 cells) in vivo. The expression of VEGF in TNP-470 treated FU-MMT-1 cells immunocytochemically decreased in comparison to that of the control TNP-470 untreated FU-MMT-1 cells).

CONCLUSIONS

Our in vitro findings suggest that this angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, might be a novel therapeutic agent for uterine carcinosarcoma. However, further in vivo experimental studies using TNP-470 for this tumor will be necessary before any definitive conclusions can be made.

Clinical results of fetal obstructive uropathy treated by vesicoamniotic shunting

OBJECTIVES

To report the clinical results of 5 fetuses after a vesicoamniotic shunting procedure (VASP).

METHODS

Between 1995 and 1998, 5 patients (two with prune belly syndrome, one with a cloacal anomaly, one with urethral stenosis, and one with a sacrococcygeal teratoma) underwent VASP using a double-basket catheter. We used the following selection criteria: a fetus without chromosomal defects, with oligohydramnios, and with a predicted good renal function from sequential or single fetal urinalysis (sodium concentration, chloride concentration, and osmolarity at less than 100 mEq/L, less than 90 mEq/L, and less than 210 mOsm, respectively).

RESULTS

The mean gestational age was 20.8 +/- 6.9 weeks at diagnosis, 24.2 +/- 6.0 weeks at VASP, and 30.6 +/- 6.2 weeks at delivery. In our study, 2 of 5 patients survived. One of the patients with prune belly syndrome was 18 months old at last follow-up, with hydrocephalus and a creatinine level of 0.2 mg/dL. The patient with the cloacal anomaly was 4 years old at last follow-up and had signs of clonic convulsion. However, psychomotor development was delayed in both. Of the 3 patients who died, 2 died after birth, and the autopsy determined death was due to pulmonary insufficiency. The patient with urethral stenosis died in utero.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the principal purpose of VASP is to prevent pulmonary hypoplasia and dysfunctional kidneys, VASP was not always effective, as the outcomes were poor in most of our patients. A greater standardization of patient selection and a large cohort study in the future should be considered to assess VASP.

Potentiation of the hypotensive effect of adrenomedullin in pregnant rats

The hypotensive effect of adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator peptide, was examined in conscious pregnant (6, 13 and 20 days of pregnancy) and non-pregnant rats. The intravenous administration of adrenomedullin (0.01-3.0 nmol/kg) produced a dose-dependent depressor response in pregnant and non-pregnant rats. At low doses (0.01-0.1 nmol/kg), the maximum decrease in blood pressure was significantly higher in pregnant rats (20 days pregnant) than in non-pregnant rats. At high doses, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Furthermore, the administration of adrenomedullin did not significantly affect the basal mean blood pressure (MBP) at any dose when compared to the non-pregnant group at 6 and 13 days of pregnancy. In the ovariectomized rats, the depressor responses in 17beta-estradiol-treated, progesterone-treated and 17beta-estradiol+progesterone-treated rats were not significantly different from that in the control rats, suggesting that the augmented effect on the depressor response to adrenomedullin in pregnant rats may not be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. The adrenomedullin receptor mRNA level of the descending thoracic aorta was significantly higher in the late-pregnancy rats (20 days of pregnancy). However, the levels did not show any difference between the early-pregnant rats (6 and 13 days of pregnancy) and the non-pregnant rats. These findings suggested that the changes in the depressor response to adrenomedullin which occur at term in pregnant rats may be mediated by changes of adrenomedullin receptor gene expression rather than by sex hormones.

Physiological significance of hyperpolarization-activated inward currents (Ih) in smooth muscle cells from the circular layers of pregnant rat myometrium

The properties of hyperpolarization-activated current in pregnant rat uterus (17-19 days gestation) were investigated using microelectrode and patch-clamp techniques, and isometric tension recording. The resting membrane potentials were -58.4 mV and -48.5 mV in longitudinal and circular muscle cells, respectively. Application of hyperpolarizing current pulses produced a time-dependent anomalous inward rectification of membrane potential only in circular muscle cells. Under voltage-clamp conditions, inward currents (Ih) were activated by long hyperpolarizing pulses below -60 mV in circular but not in longitudinal muscle cells. Application of extracellular but not intracellular Cs+ reduced the amplitude of I(h) in a concentration-dependent manner (an IC50( of 0.15 mM). The reversal potential for Ih was -26.2 mV and the slope conductance was 5 nS/pF. Changes in [K+]o and [Na+]o shifted the reversal potential, and Ih amplitude increased with excess [K+]o and decreased with low [Na+]o. The steady-state activation of Ih was well fitted by a Boltzmann equation with a half-activation potential of -84.3 mV and a slope factor of 9.6 mV. Time courses of activation and deactivation of the current strongly depended on membrane potential, and were well fitted by a single exponential function. The activation time constant of Ih was dependent on temperature. In isometric tension recording, application of extracellular Cs+ to the circular muscles reduced the frequency, but not the amplitude, of spontaneous contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. It is concluded that in pregnant rat uterus Ih channels are predominantly distributed in smooth muscle cells from the circular layer. Since Ih is activated at the resting membrane potential, it is likely that this current contributes to the maintenance of resting membrane potential and spontaneous activity in circular smooth muscle cells of late pregnant rats.

The grading of lymphovascular space invasion in endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to elucidate the prognostic significance of a three-grade system for lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI).

METHODS

The prognostic significance of the grading of LVSI as compared with other pathologic variables was evaluated in a study of 303 Japanese women with endometrial carcinoma. The criteria for determining the grade of LVSI were as follows: none (no LVSI), mild (a focus of LVSI was recognized around a tumor), and severe (diffuse or multifocal LVSI were recognized around the tumor or in the myometrium regardless of the degree of myometrial invasion). Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. The effects of different surgical methods and adjuvant therapies on survival were also examined.

RESULTS

A univariate survival analysis showed that survival significantly correlated with surgical stage, histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, LVSI, cervical invasion, ovarian metastasis, and tubal metastasis. Of the three grades of LVSI, survival showed the most difference between the mild and severe groups. In multivariate analysis, the highest correlation with survival was observed for LVSI (P = 0.0008). Lymph node metastasis was also significantly associated with LVSI (P = 0. 0001). The correlation between histologic variables and survival was only slightly influenced by the differences in surgical methods and adjuvant therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

The grading of LVSI was found to be an important histologic prognostic variable. The severe degree of LVSI also was found to be a good indicator of lymph node metastasis. It is therefore important to evaluate the grade of LVSI based on a histologic examination of at least one cut surface of the hysterectomy specimen that macroscopically shows the deepest myometrial invasion.

Expression of adrenomedullin in feto-placental circulation of human normotensive pregnant women and pregnancy-induced hypertensive women

The adrenomedullin (AM) peptide and the expression of AM messenger RNA (mRNA) from feto-maternal tissues of 22 normotensive pregnant women and from 7 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) during third-trimester were examined to clarify the pathophysiological features of PIH. Samples of the placenta, uterine muscle, umbilical artery, and fetal membranes were obtained from each patients under informed consent. The AM peptide was measured by a radioimmunoassay and the AM mRNA level was analyzed by Northern hybridization. The total immunoreactive AM (fmol/mg wet tissue) was significantly increased in the fetal membranes (1.95+/-0.20 vs. 3.03+/-0.44) and the umbilical artery (0.11+/-0.01 vs. 0.15+/-0.02) of the patients with PIH. On the other hand, the AM mRNA level was higher in the umbilical artery, and lower in the fetal membranes in the patients with PIH. The present results thus suggest that the changes in the expression of AM in fetal membrane and umbilical artery in PIH may play an important role in the fetal and maternal circulation.

Substance P causes adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells via protein kinase C

The sensory neuropeptide substance P is known to be involved in neurogenic inflammation. We examined the effect of substance P on neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Stimulation of HUVEC with substance P increased their adhesion to neutrophils in a time- and concentration (10(-10)-10(-7) M)-dependent manner. The adhesion was inhibited by the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist (+)-(2S,3S)-3-(2-Methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine (CP-99,994) and also by the protein kinase C inhibitors 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methyl piperazine (H-7) and bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), but not by the protein kinase A inhibitor N-12-(p-Bromocinnamylamino) ethyl]-S-isoquinoline sulfonamide (H-89). These results indicate that substance P induces adhesion of neutrophils to HUVEC by activation of protein kinase C via the NK1 receptor on the HUVEC.

Expression of steroid receptors, Ki-67, and epidermal growth factor receptor in tamoxifen-treated endometrium

Endometrial specimens of 34 (25 premenopausal and 9 postmenopausal) breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen were immunohistochemically examined using estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies. Proliferative (n = 6), secretory (n = 9), and postmenopausal (n = 6) endometria served as controls. The ER and PR expressions of the glandular cells in tamoxifen-treated patients did not differ from those of the glandular cells in the control women regardless of menopausal status. The Ki-67 index of glandular cells in tamoxifen-induced amenorrheic women was found to be lower than that of the proliferative glandular cells in the control women (p < 0.03), whereas the Ki-67 index of glandular cells in the tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal patients was higher than that of the glandular cells in the control women (p < 0.02). No EGFR overexpression was found in the glandular cells of the tamoxifen-treated premenopausal patients, but expression of EGFR was high in glandular cells of the tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal patients associated with a high Ki-67 index. In competition with ovarian estrogen secretion, tamoxifen may have an antiestrogenic effect on the endometrium, but tamoxifen probably has an estrogenic effect in the absence of ovarian estrogen secretion. This estrogenic effect of tamoxifen may be associated with an EGFR autocrine system.

Angiogenesis in carcinosarcomas of the uterus: differences in the microvessel density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor between the epithelial and mesenchymal elements

Carcinosarcoma of the uterus is a highly aggressive neoplasm. However, the angiogenesis of this neoplasm is still unknown. This is the first study to examine the differences in angiogenesis between the epithelial and mesenchymal elements of this biphasic neoplasm. Surgical specimens from 21 primary uterine carcinosarcomas were histopathologically evaluated, and then immunohistochemically analyzed for tumor angiogenesis, using an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody. The microvessel density (MVD) was also measured in each element of these neoplasms, using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody. The MVD in the epithelial element was found to be higher than that of the mesenchymal element in 20 of 21 (95.2%) primary tumors. The epithelial elements showed a higher MVD (mean, 81.6 +/- 41.1) than the mesenchymal elements (mean, 36.7 +/- 23.8) in these primary tumors (P < .0001). Moreover, the epithelial elements showed a higher VEGF expression (mean, 0.78 +/- 0.23) than the mesenchymal elements (mean, 0.37 +/- 0.20) (P < .0001). The tumors with lymph-vascular invasion showed a higher VEGF expression (n = 17; mean, 0.85 +/- 0.17) than the tumors without lymph-vascular invasion (n = 4, mean, 0.47 +/- 0.12) (P < .01). Microscopically, neither lymph-vascular space invasion nor metastatic tumors consisted of sarcoma alone in this series. In addition, a decrease in the VEGF expression was found in the transitional areas between carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements in all 10 homologous and 4 heterologous tumors evaluated. These results suggest that the tumor angiogenesis in the epithelial element may be more active than that of the mesenchymal element and also substantiated the high metastatic potential of the epithelial element in uterine carcinosarcoma. Based on these findings, carcinoma cells thus may play a key role in the angiogenesis of this biphasic neoplasm.

Pharmacokinetics of exogenous gonadotropin and ovarian response in in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diffusion of gonadotropin into the follicular fluid (FF) and its relation to the results achieved in a human IVF-ET program.

DESIGN

Retrospective pharmacokinetic study.

SETTING

Fukuoka University Hospital, Japan.

PATIENT(S)

Eighty-seven infertile patients underwent 137 cycles of IVF-ET.

INTERVENTION(S)

Serum and FF were collected at the time of oocyte recovery. The hCG ratio (between follicular hCG and serum hCG concentrations, measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay) was evaluated as an index of the diffusion of exogenous gonadotropin.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Relation between hCG ratio and the results and outcome of the IVF-ET program.

RESULT(S)

The hCG ratio decreased with the total dosage of hMG and increased with the serum E2 level, the number of oocytes recovered, and the number of oocytes fertilized. Patients with a poor response showed a low hCG ratio, which was associated with a complete lack of fertilization. The mean hCG ratio in the pregnant cycles was significantly higher than that in the nonpregnant cycles. An hCG ratio > 0.46 was seen in all pregnant cycles.

CONCLUSION(S)

The diffusion of exogenous gonadotropin into the FF may be an important predictor of IVF outcome.

Intravascular ultrasound-guided balloon angioplasty for treatment of in-stent restenosis

We investigated the usefulness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided balloon angioplasty for in-stent restenosis in 37 lesions of 34 consecutive patients. We divided these patients into two groups: a group in which the balloon size was determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA group; 17 patients, 19 lesions) and a group in which the balloon size was determined by IVUS (IVUS group; 17 patients, 18 lesions). We compared short-term and 6-month outcomes for these groups. In the IVUS group, we used a balloon of a size equal to 95% of the media-to-media diameter at the distal to the stent, as determined by IVUS. No significant differences were observed in patient or lesion characteristics between the two groups. The clinical success rate was 100% in both groups, and no clinical events were observed in either of the groups. The balloon/artery ratio was larger in the IVUS group than in the QCA group (1.33 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.13, P < 0.05), and the recurrent restenosis rate was lower (17% vs. 53%, P < 0.05). These results suggest that repeat balloon angioplasty using a balloon size determined by IVUS is useful for in-stent restenosis. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:298-303, 1999.

A case of large placental chorioangioma with non-immunological hydrops fetalis

A 34-year-old Japanese woman (gravida 2, para 2) with polyhydramnios and non-immunological hydrops fetalis was referred to our department at 32 weeks of gestation. On admission, the blood pressure was 120/60 mmHg and there was no pitting edema of the lower extremities. An ultrasound examination disclosed a large placental tumor 5.8 cm x 4.4 cm x 4.8 cm. Fetal lung compression was suspected because the lung-thorax transverse area ratio was 0.13. The preload index of the inferior vena cava was 0.74, suggesting fetal cardiac failure. After fetal pleural effusion was aspirated, lung compression developed. Cordocentesis was performed at 33 weeks of gestation, and the fetal karyotype was confirmed to be 46, XY from an umbilical blood cultivation. The patient underwent a cesarean section at 33 weeks of gestation due to severe uterine contraction after preterm PROM. The baby was a 3,840 g male with a distended abdomen. Apgar score at 1 minute was 1. A chest X-ray demonstrated respiratory distress syndrome. The baby was discharged on the 69th day after birth and he is now 2 years and 9 months old and healthy.

Establishment and characterization of a serous papillary adenocarcinoma cell line of the human ovary in a serum-free culture

In order to clarify the biologic characteristics of serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the human ovary, we tried to establish a continuous cell line using four primary tumor specimens derived from four patients with such tumors. We also evaluated c-myc, MYCN and c-erbB2 gene amplification in the cultured cells, and the xenografts, as well as in these four primary tissue specimens by a Southern blot analysis. One continuous cell line, named as FU-OV-1, was established in a serum-free culture system and this line propagated continuously for 96 serial passages over a 2-year-period in vitro. FU-OV-1 reproduced and still maintained the characteristics of the original tumor. C-myc gene amplification was found in the FU-OV-1 cells, and the xenografts, as well as in only the primary tumor of FU-OV-1 out of the four primary serous papillary adenocarcinomas. However, neither MYCN amplification nor c-erbB2 amplification was observed in any tumor specimens including FU-OV-1 cells. In conclusion, FU-OV-1 is thus considered to be a useful system for studying the biological behavior of serous papillary adenocarcinoma in the human ovary. The results of this study suggest that c-myc gene amplification might thus be associated with the progression of this tumor both in vitro and in vivo.

Adrenomedullin attenuates the hypertension in hypertensive pregnant rats induced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester

We examined the effect of adrenomedullin on the cardiovascular system of an animal model for preeclampsia. An inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), was infused subcutaneously into rats at a constant rate from day 14 of pregnancy to make an animal model for preeclampsia. Adrenomedullin was continuously infused intravenously at a dose of 3 or 10 pmol/h from day 17 of pregnancy. The basal systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the L-NAME treated rats than in the control rats. The adrenomedullin administration at day 19 of pregnancy showed a significant decrease in the blood pressure in the L-NAME treated rats than in vehicle rats during infusion. The blood pressure of normal pregnant rats did not significantly decrease by adrenomedullin infusion. The adrenomedullin decreased pup mortality of the L-NAME treated rats. Adrenomedullin attenuated the L-NAME induced hypertension and pup mortality. On the other hand, adrenomedullin administration in both pregnant rats in early gestation (5-11 days of pregnancy) and in non-pregnant rats did not show any significant effect on L-NAME-induced hypertension. The adrenomedullin mRNA level was predominantly expressed at high levels in the ovary, uterus and placenta, but at low levels in other tissues in pregnant rats in late gestation. The adrenomedullin mRNA level of the L-NAME treated rats in placenta decreased more than in the normal pregnant rats in late gestation (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the adrenomedullin might play an important role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system of the mother and fetoplacental unit in rats.

Carboxyl-terminal fragments of presenilin-1 are closely related to cytoskeletal abnormalities in Alzheimer's brains

To clarify the role of presenilin-1 (PS-1) in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we tested four antisera to PS-1. The specific antisera to the N-terminus (HSN-2) and C-terminus (HS-C) of PS-1 detected a 44/40kD holoprotein, a 25kD N-terminal fragment (NTF) and a 16kD C-terminal fragment (CTF) of PS-1 in COS-7 cells. The 25kD NTF and 16kD CTF were observed in human brains, and their amounts were not significantly different between the control and AD brains. The antibody HS-C labeled extensive neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites and curly fibers in the AD brains. In the paired helical filament (PHF) fraction containing A68 protein from AD brains, a smear pattern of CTFs was revealed. Antisera (HS-L292 and HS-L300) to cleavage sites of PS-1 also revealed immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles in the AD brain sections and the smear pattern of CTFs of A68 protein fraction. The CTFs of PS-1 accumulate with PHF tau, suggesting a close relationship between PS-1 and cytoskeletal abnormalities in AD brains.

Role of oxytocin in the initiation of term and preterm labor in rats: changes in oxytocin receptor density and plasma oxytocin concentration and the effect of an oxytocin antagonist, L-366,509

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to compare the functional roles of oxytocin in term and preterm labor in rats by both biochemical and pharmacologic means.

STUDY DESIGN

We determined the myometrial oxytocin receptor density and the maternal plasma concentrations of oxytocin and progesterone on gestational days 18, 20, and 22 (morning) and at the onset of delivery (day 22 afternoon) in rats with labor at term and at the onset of delivery (day 20 afternoon) in rats in preterm labor induced by the combined use of bilateral ovariectomy and estradiol injection. We also evaluated the effects of an oxytocin antagonist, L-366,509, on the initiation of both term and preterm labor.

RESULTS

The number of tritiated oxytocin binding sites in myometrial membranes rapidly increased on gestational day 22 (morning) in rats with term labor. Plasma progesterone level decreased in an inverse fashion. A rapid increase in circulating oxytocin concentration was observed at the onset of delivery in rats in labor at term. Both the plasma oxytocin concentration and the receptor density had the same values in rats with preterm labor as in rats with term labor. L-366,509 delayed the initiation of labor in rats with term and preterm labor in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

It is confirmed biochemically and pharmacologically that oxytocin plays an important role in the initiation of both term and preterm labor in rats. The oxytocin antagonist examined was able to delay term and preterm labor, so it might prove useful in clinical practice for the treatment of preterm labor.

The blood flow characteristics in borderline ovarian tumors based on both color Doppler ultrasound and histopathological analyses

To clarify the tumor behavior in borderline ovarian tumors, we examined the characteristics of neovascularization in these tumors by using a transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TV-CDU). Twelve patients with borderline ovarian tumors were preoperatively evaluated for the characteristics of intratumoral blood flow by TV-CDU, using both the resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). As a control group, 100 patients with benign ovarian tumors and 31 patients with malignant ovarian tumors were also examined by TV-CDU. An intratumoral blood flow was significantly detected in both borderline (91.6%; 11/12) and malignant ovarian tumors (90.3%; 28/31), but not in benign ovarian tumors (53%; 53/100) (P < 0.01). In addition, both the mean RI and mean PI values were significantly lower in the borderline (RI; 0.45, PI; 0.67) and malignant ovarian tumors (RI; 0.39, PI; 0.58) than those in the benign ovarian tumors (RI; 0.61, PI; 1.05) (P < 0.01). In mucinous tumors, the borderline tumors showed a significantly high intratumoral vascularity (P < 0. 01) and both borderline and malignant tumors significantly demonstrated a low-resistance blood flow (P < 0.01), in comparison to those of the benign tumors. Mucinous borderline tumors of the intestinal type also tended to have a lower RI as well as a lower PI value than müllerian type. Regarding neovascularization as represented by intratumoral blood flow characteristics, this study thus suggests that a close relationship exists in the tumor behavior between borderline and malignant ovarian tumors, especially in mucinous epithelial tumors.

Peri-ovarian adhesions interfere with the diffusion of gonadotrophin into the follicular fluid

In previous studies, patients with severe peri-ovarian adhesions have been found to show low pregnancy rates and a poor response to gonadotrophin stimulation during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The purpose of this retrospective pharmacokinetic study was to assess the diffusion of exogenous human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in patients with peri-ovarian adhesions by examining the concentration of exogenous HCG in the follicular fluid in patients undergoing down-regulation and IVF due to infertility. The patients underwent laparoscopic examination for the scoring of peri-ovarian adhesions (using the classification of adnexal adhesions adopted by the American Fertility Society, a score of 0 means no adhesions, and a score of 32 represents bilateral expanded dense adhesions). Oocytes were recovered after human menopausal gonadotrophin-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HMG-HCG) stimulation with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. Serum and follicular fluid were collected at the time of oocyte recovery for measuring the HCG ratio (the follicular HCG concentration to the serum HCG concentration; a reflection of the diffusion of exogenous gonadotrophin) by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. A negative correlation was found between the number of oocytes recovered and the peri-ovarian adhesion score (r = -0.62, P < 0.01). In a given patient, the follicular HCG concentration was always lower than the serum HCG at the time of oocyte recovery. The HCG ratio in all samples was 0.9 or less (0.51 +/- 0.20; range, 0.09-0.90). Significant negative correlations were found between the peri-ovarian adhesion score and both the follicular HCG concentration (r = -0.80, P < 0.01) and the HCG ratio (r = -0.75, P < 0.01). In conclusion, severe peri-ovarian adhesions interfered with the diffusion of exogenous gonadotrophin into the follicular fluid during IVF treatment. Thus, the diffusion of exogenous gonadotrophin into the follicular fluid may represent a new parameter in the assessment of ovarian blood flow and IVF outcome.

Use of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of ovarian bleeding: a report of 10 cases

Ten patients with ovarian bleeding, who were surgically treated, had been preoperatively evaluated using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. The blood-flow velocity waveforms of the bleeding also were analyzed. The bleeding artery of the ovary was clearly detected in 9 of 10 (90%) patients by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound and was later confirmed by either a laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Either a corpus luteum cyst or a ruptured corpus luteum was associated with the bleeding in the 9 of the 10 patients. The resistance-index value in each bleeding artery examined in the 9 cases was relatively low, ranging from 0.46 to 0.59 (mean: 0.51). Based on our findings, transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound is useful for preoperatively detecting bleeding arteries in clinically severe cases of ovarian bleeding.

A case of congenital familial short femur diagnosed prenatally

A fetus at 24 weeks of gestation had been suspected of congenital familial bilateral short femur. The Japanese mother, 41 years old and 139 cm in height presented with bilateral short femur herself. The mother had two affected aunts and one affected daughter in her family history. Ultrasound examination was given to the mother for the first time at 24 weeks of gestation and it revealed bilateral short femur of 30 mm in length on the right and 31 mm on the left femur of the fetus. Other examinations were entirely normal and the pregnancy resulted in a full-term spontaneous vaginal delivery to a male baby. Birth weight was 2,790 g and the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores were at 8 and 10. Diagnosis was confirmed by skeletal radiographs.

Longitudinal study of cerebrospinal fluid levels of tau, A beta1-40, and A beta1-42(43) in Alzheimer's disease: a study in Japan

To clarify the alterations of tau, amyloid beta protein (A beta) 1-40 and A beta1-42(43) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that accompany normal aging and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), CSF samples of 93 AD patients, 32 longitudinal subjects among these 93 AD patients, 33 patients with non-AD dementia, 56 with other neurological diseases, and 54 normal control subjects from three independent institutes were analyzed by sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Although the tau levels increased with aging, a significant elevation of tau and a correlation between the tau levels and the clinical progression were observed in the AD patients. A significant decrease of the A beta1-42(43) levels and a significant increase of the ratio of A beta1-40 to A beta1-42(43) were observed in the AD patients. The longitudinal AD study showed continuous low A beta1-42(43) levels and an increase of the ratio of A beta1-40 to A beta1-42(43) before the onset of AD. These findings suggest that CSF tau may increase with the clinical progression of dementia and that the alteration of the CSF level of A beta1-42(43) and the ratio of A beta1-40 to A beta1-42(43) may start at early stages in AD. The assays of CSF tau, A beta1-40, and A beta1-42(43) provided efficient diagnostic sensitivity (71%) and specificity (83%) by using the production of tau levels and the ratio of A beta1-40 to A beta1-42(43), and an improvement in sensitivity (to 91%) was obtained in the longitudinal evaluation.

Combination assay of CSF tau, A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42(43) as a biochemical marker of Alzheimer's disease

Cerebrospinal fluid samples from a total of 157 subjects consisting of 55 patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), 34 normal controls, 23 patients with non-AD dementia, and 45 with other neurological diseases were examined by ELISA of tau, A beta 1-40, and A beta 1-42(43). The AD group had a significantly higher level of tau than the normal control group (P < 0.001), and the diagnostic sensitivity was 31% and specificity was 94%. CSF A beta 1-40 levels did not show any significant differences. Although the level of A beta 1-42(43) was decreased significantly in the AD group compared to the control group (P < 0.005), the overlap of A beta 1-42(43) levels among all groups meant that none of the AD samples exceeded the cut-off value, the mean 2SD of normal control subjects. Reduction of A beta 1-42(43) levels in AD resulted in a significant increase in the ratio of A beta 1-40 to A beta 1-42(43) (A beta ratio) as an improved marker. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of A beta ratio were 51% and 82% respectively. The three indexes, using the tau level and A beta ratio (tau or A beta ratio, deviation score and tau x A beta ratio), showed better sensitivity (58%, 67%, 69%) and specificity (82%, 86%, 88%) than previously reported methods. Combination assay for CSF tau, A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42(43) in CSF is a biological marker of AD and may be useful to biochemically monitor subjects under treatment.

Efficacy and safety of early coronary stenting for unstable angina

To determine the efficacy and safety of early coronary stenting for unstable angina, we studied 91 consecutive patients with unstable angina. Thirty-one patients underwent stenting 72 h or more after admission, and another 60 patients underwent stenting within 72 h of admission. The clinical and angiographic follow-up had been done for 6 mo. There were no differences between the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of both groups. The maximum balloon pressure was higher (14.1 +/- 1.2 vs. 12.6 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01) and the hospital stay was shorter (9.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 18.7 +/- 5.8 d, P < 0.0001) in the early stenting group. These two groups were similar in the clinical success rate (90.0% vs. 93.5%), without any abrupt closure, subacute thrombosis, death, myocardial infarction, or coronary bypass surgery. These findings indicate that early stenting can be useful in patients with unstable angina.

Metabolic mapping of the brain in pregnant, parturient and lactating rats using fos immunohistochemistry

The present study was designed to investigate Fos-positive neurons of the female rat brain at various reproductive states in order to analyze the metabolic map connected with pregnancy, parturition and lactation. The number of Fos-positive neurons in each brain nucleus was analyzed with a quantitative immunohistochemical method in virgin, pregnant, parturient, lactating and arrested lactating rats. In parturient rats, a significant number of Fos-positive neurons was observed as compared to virgin or pregnant females in the following brain regions; the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), lateral septal nucleus (LS), medial preoptic area (MPA), periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (Pe), parvocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PaPVN), magnocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (MaPVN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PV), anterior hypothalamic area (AHA), lateral hypothalamic area (LH), amygdaloid nucleus (AM), supramammillary nucleus (SuM), substantia nigra (SN), central grey (CG), microcellular tegmental nucleus (MiTg), subparafascicular thalamic nucleus (SPF), posterior hypothalamic area (PH), dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), locus coeruleus (LC), dorsal parabrachial nucleus (DPB), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and ventrolateral medulla (VLM). Significant differences were found in the number of Fos-positive neurons between parturient and lactating females, although localization of Fos-positive neurons in lactating females was quite similar to parturient ones. Between parturient and lactating rats: (1) In the MPA, PaPVN, AHA, arcuate hypothalamic nucleus (Arc), ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), MLT, and Ge, the number of Fos-positive neurons of lactating females were significantly higher than those of parturient ones; (2) In the LS, Pe, PV, LH, AM, SuM, CG, MiTg, SPF, PH, DR, LC, and VLM, there was no significant differences in the number of Fos-positive neurons; (3) In the BST, MaPVN, SON, SN, DPB and Sol, the number of Fos-positive neurons of lactating rats were significantly lower than those of parturient ones. These different patterns of Fos expression among many brain regions may be owing to the functional differences in each region. Fos expression in lactating rats was apparently induced by suckling stimulation because the removal of their litters immediately after parturition completely eliminated expression of Fos protein in each nucleus. These results suggest that the localization of Fos-positive neurons in a number of neural populations throughout the brain may be revealing the neural circuits in response to parturition or lactation.

Accumulation of amyloid beta protein in transgenic mice

Carboxyl-terminal fragments of beta amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) were expressed in mice under the transcriptional control of an ubiquitous promoter system, based upon a chicken beta-actin (betaA) promoter combined with cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer to obtain a systemic overproduction of amyloid beta protein (Abeta). Three transgene constructs were designed to encode signal peptide and carboxyl-terminal 99 amino acid residues to betaAPP (NOR-beta), methionine and C-terminal 103 amino acid residues of betaAPP (deltaNOR-beta), and methionine and C-terminal 103 amino acid residues with KM-NL substitution of betaAPP (deltaNL-beta). Although the transcriptional mRNA level and post-translational protein level from transgenes showed the same expression pattern, both the expression of Abeta and distribution of Abeta deposits were completely different among these strains. In NOR-beta mice, considerable amounts of Abeta were detected in plasma and Abeta deposits were observed in the pancreas. Brain Abeta deposits and small amounts of plasma Abeta were recognized in deltaNL-beta. These findings indicate that tissue specific processing and transgene constructs are major factors to determine the distribution of Abeta deposits.

Apolipoprotein E accumulates with the progression of A beta deposition in transgenic mice

To study the role of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in vivo in deposits of amyloid beta protein (A beta), a major component of senile plaque amyloid in the brain of patients with Alzheimer disease, the transgenic mice were examined by apoE immunostaining. The mice were systemically overexpressing signal peptide and 99 amino acid residues of the carboxy-terminal fragment of human amyloid beta protein precursor (betaAPP) under control of the powerful cytomegalovirus enhancer/chicken beta-actin promotor. A beta deposits appeared at 4 months and increased with aging in the acinar cells of the transgenic pancreas. Similarly, apoE deposits appeared in the pancreatic acinar cells at 4 months old. The number and size of apoE deposits increased with aging and correlated with the progression of A beta deposits. Interstitial macrophages labeled by apoE immunostaining appeared at 8 months after birth and their number increased with aging. On serial section of the pancreata of 24-month-old mice, approximately 70% of A beta deposits were labeled with the apoE antiserum. ApoE was detected in the highly insoluble formic acid fraction of the transgenic pancreas by an immunoblot study. The Northern blot study revealed no increase in synthesis of endogenous apoE mRNA. These findings indicate that apoE is closely related to progression of A beta deposits with aging and suggest that A beta deposition in the transgenic pancreas is similar to that in the senile plaque of Alzheimer brains. Therefore, our experimental system using transgenic mice will provide a useful tool to analyze the molecular mechanism of A beta deposition in association with apoE in vivo.

Differences in the angiogenesis of benign and malignant ovarian tumors, demonstrated by analyses of color Doppler ultrasound, immunohistochemistry, and microvessel density

BACKGROUND

To clarify the differences in angiogenesis between benign and malignant ovarian tumors, the authors examined the immunohistochemical characteristics and the density of tumor vessels in both tumor groups. Intratumoral vascularization was observed preoperatively by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound.

METHODS

The authors examined 106 patients with ovarian tumors preoperatively for the presence or absence of intratumoral blood flow and evaluated the blood flow waveforms of tumor vessels in patients showing intratumoral vascularization, using a resistance index (RI). The characteristics of both smooth muscle and endothelial cells in the vessels of each tumor were immunohistochemically assessed, using monoclonal antibodies against smooth muscle actin (SMA) and CD34 (an endothelial cell marker). The microvessel density (MVD) identified by CD34 was also evaluated in each tumor.

RESULTS

Intratumoral blood flow was found in 64 of 106 patients (60.4%). The tumors in 44 of these 64 patients were histopathologically benign, and the tumors in 20 were malignant. The malignant tumors showed a low RI (mean, 0.39 +/- 0.09) compared with benign tumors (mean, 0.62 +/- 0.12) (P < 0.001). The vessels of malignant tumors significantly demonstrated poor SMA expression and intense CD34 expression compared with the vessels of benign tumors. However, no significant differences were observed in MVD between the benign and malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that low resistance to blood flow in vessels within malignant ovarian tumors may be associated with a poorly developed muscular coat in the tumor vessels, compared with that observed in benign tumors. The difference in the angiogenic natures of benign and malignant ovarian tumors showing intratumoral blood flow may thus be correlated with the endothelial cell activity of the tumor vessels and not the MVD.

Characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines derived from uterine carcinosarcomas

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is occasionally found in the female genital tract, and mostly appears as one of the heterologous mesenchymal components in uterine carcinosarcoma designated as malignant mixed mullerian tumour (MMMT). We examined the biological properties of a pure rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell line designated FU-MMT-3, which was newly established from a surgical specimen taken from a patient with uterine MMMT. We also evaluated c-myc and MYCN gene amplification in three RMS cell lines (including FU-MMT-3) derived from three MMMTs by Southern blot analysis. FU-MMT-3 cells were propagated continuously for 57 serial passages over a 2-year period in vitro. FU-MMT-3 was able to produce tumours demonstrating pure RMS in athymic nude mice. Cytogenetically, FU-MMT-3 showed a triploidy pattern, with complex karyotypic abnormalities including trisomy of chromosome 8. All three RMS cell lines, including FU-MMT-3, showed amplification of the c-myc gene (approximately fourfold to eightfold), while no cell lines demonstrated MYCN gene amplification. FU-MMT-3 is considered to provide a useful system for the study of the biological behaviour of RMS in MMMTs. Extra copies of chromosome 8 and c-myc gene amplification may be associated with the rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in MMMT.

Neurodegeneration and gliosis in transgenic mice overexpressing a carboxy-terminal fragment of Alzheimer amyloid-beta protein precursor

In order to study the properties of beta-amyloid in vivo, we generated a total of 28 transgenic founder mice that harbored the gene for the 17-amino acid signal sequence and the 99-amino acid carboxy-terminal fragment (CTF) of the human amyloid-beta protein precursor (beta APP) linked to the cytomegalovirus enhancer and chicken beta-actin promoter. Two of these founders, termed 0304 and 0809, exhibited decreased behavioral activity with gliosis and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus at 2.5 and 9 months of age. Both mice had also decreased levels of synaptophysin, a presynaptic marker, but no evidence for beta-amyloid deposition in their brains. Neurodegeneration in the hippocampus was transmitted to the offspring of mouse 0304, although the frequency was low (5 of 44 mice examined) and the time of onset of the disorder was rather later than that in the founder mouse. This is probably due to reduced levels of the transgene-derived products in the offspring of mouse 0304. The 0809 line failed to produce its offspring. The other remaining transgenic founders appeared normal and had lesser amounts of the CTF mRNA and protein in their brains than did 0304 and 0809 founders, though some mice died in earlier stages or exhibited hydrocephalus. These findings suggest that overexpression of the CTF of human beta APP has the potential to elicit neurodegeneration in vivo without appreciable production of beta-amyloid fibrils.

Lysosomal generation of amyloid beta protein species in transgenic mice

Soluble amyloid beta protein (A beta)1-40 and highly amyloidogenic A beta 1-42/43 were immunocytochemically labeled in lysosomes of acinar cells and macrophages in the pancreas of transgenic mice systemically expressing a C-terminal fragment of the A beta precursor. A beta 1-42/43 and long A beta species extending their C-termini were detected in the detergent-insoluble fraction. Immunoreactivity of cathepsin D was markedly increased in lysosomes filled with A beta fibrils. These findings indicated that A beta 1-40, A beta 1-42, A beta 1-43 and longer A beta species were generated in the lysosomes of the transgenic pancreas, and suggested that the activation of cathepsin D, a candidate gamma-secretase, leads to acceleration of A beta amyloid formation.

Oxytocin enhances action potentials in pregnant human myometrium--a study with microelectrodes

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to quantitatively assess the effects of oxytocin on membrane properties in the pregnant human myometrium.

STUDY DESIGN

Specimens were obtained from the lower uterine segment during cesarean section at term. Electrical activity was recorded from individual cells by a conventional microelectrode method and the membrane functions were analyzed.

RESULTS

Two types of spontaneous action potentials were seen: a long plateau potential and a spike-like action potential. With no change in the resting membrane potential, low concentrations of oxytocin either evoked an action potential with a plateau phase, increased the amplitude and duration of the plateau potential, or increased the frequency of generation of action potentials. Oxytocin also lowered the threshold for evoking an action potential. Higher concentrations depolarized the membrane with an associated reduction in membrane resistance.

CONCLUSION

Oxytocin augments the excitability of pregnant human myometrial cells by multiple actions on the membrane, affecting both frequency and amplitude of action potentials.

Sonodynamic changes after transcatheter arterial embolization in a vaginal hemangioma: case report

A 36-year-old pregnant woman with a rapidly growing hemangioma in the vagina was treated by transcatheter arterial embolization after delivery. Blood flow characteristics within the tumor were evaluated using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound both before and after the embolization. The vascular resistance in the tumor vessels within the vaginal hemangioma was observed to be significantly decreased; the tumor reduced in volume following this non-surgical treatment.

Changes in responsiveness of freshly isolated longitudinal muscle cells from rat uterus towards oxytocin during gestation: contractility and calcium signaling

Changes in responsiveness of freshly isolated longitudinal muscle cells from rat uterus to oxytocin during gestation were investigated through measuring contractility as well as intracellular free calcium concentration. We have demonstrated the pregnant stage-dependent contraction of freshly isolated myometrial cells in response to an extracellular hormone, oxytocin, in Ca2+-containing medium. The oxytocin effect appeared to be through oxytocin receptor since the effect could be blocked by a specific oxytocin antagonist. The magnitude of the contraction of the isolated cells in response to extracellular oxytocin was in the order of 21 day >> 18 day > 15 day pregnant rat longitudinal muscle cells. In a concentration dependent manner, oxytocin elicited a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i of longitudinal muscle cells isolated from different stages of the pregnant rat uterus, especially at the term of pregnancy. The time (4-5 s) required to reach a maximum increase in [Ca2+]i of the isolated longitudinal muscle cells in response to oxytocin was the shortest among all previously reported studies. The results also indicated that the freshly prepared longitudinal muscle cells maintained their functional calcium signaling system. The order of the responsiveness of the isolated longitudinal muscle cells to oxytocin was 21 day >> 18 day > 15 day pregnant rats in terms of rate, affinity and magnitude. Oxytocin appears to transmit its signal mainly through stimulating a voltage-dependent and/or receptor operated nonselective calcium channel. However, the possibility that a part of the oxytocin action occurs through stimulating the release of calcium from intracellular store sites of longitudinal muscle still remains.

The prognostic value of semiquantitative nuclear grading in endometrial carcinomas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a convenient nuclear grading system based on only the proportion of nuclei measuring more than 10 microm in length at the shortest axis in endometrial carcinomas. Of the 235 cases reviewed, 9 serous and 5 clear cell adenocarcinomas and 2 small cell carcinomas were eliminated, resulting in a study population of 219 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma. The architectural grade was determined by the FIGO system. The criteria for nuclear grade were as follows: grade 1, no nucleus measuring more than 10 microm in length at the shortest axis; grade 2, nuclei measuring more than 10 microm in length at the shortest axis seen in percentages ranging between 0 and 10% of tumor cells in active areas; and grade 3, more than 10% of tumor cells in active areas with nuclei measuring more than 10 microm in length at the shortest axis. The criteria for combined grades were as follows: the tumors were graded according to the architectural grade, but high-grade nuclear abnormalities increased the grade by one for architectural grade 1 and 2 tumors. The cumulative 10-year survival rates for architectural grades 1, 2, and 3 were 92.4, 82.6, and 65.2%, respectively (chi2 = 17.9, P = 0.001). The survival rates for nuclear grades 1, 2, and 3 were 96.2, 76.1, and 70.1%, respectively (chi2 = 21.6, P < 0.001), while for combined grades 1, 2, and 3 the survival rates were 98.3, 83.2, and 65.2%, respectively (chi2 = 26.9, P < 0.001). Even when the cases were limited to the 147 stage I endometrial carcinomas examined, the prognostic value of the combined grading system was still found to be superior to that of the architectural grading system. Our observations therefore supported the FIGO recommendation for nuclear grade not only in stage I endometrial carcinomas, but also in all stages of endometrial carcinomas.

Small-cell carcinoma of the endometrium: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis

Small-cell carcinoma of the endometrium is a rare neoplasm, and its aggressive behavior has been reported. We report a case of small-cell carcinoma occurring primarily in the endometrium of a 62-year-old woman with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. The excised uterus showed a necrotic polypoid mass and histologically displayed an endometrial small-cell carcinoma. Immuno-histochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin, the epithelial membrane antigen, neuron-specific enolase, and chromogranin, but were negative for the leukocyte common antigen and Grimelius stain. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the presence of dense core granules in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The patient died 2 months after surgery because of aggressive behavior of the tumor. We wish to distinguish small-cell carcinoma of the endometrium from conventional epithelial tumors of the endometrium, because of the former's distinctive histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics.

Two molecular species of oxytocinase (L-cystine aminopeptidase) in human placenta: purification and characterization

Two different forms of oxytocinase (L-cystine aminopeptidase, CAP; EC 3.4.11.3) were purified from the 9000 g and 105000 g precipitate fractions of human placenta homogenate by sequential chromatography on columns of hydroxyapatite, DE-32, nickel ion affinity, and Sephadex G-200. One species (CAP-I) purifed from the mitochondrial/lysosomal fraction migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular mass of 61 kDa; the other (CAP-II) from the microsomal fraction was composed of two subunits with molecular masses of 56 and 40 kDa. The molecular masses of CAP-I and CAP-II estimated by gel filtration were 64 and 97 kDa, respectively. The specific activities of the two species for S-benzyl-L-cysteine p-nitroanilide increased by 357- (for CAP-I) and 139-fold (for CAP-II) compared with the starting preparations. The optimal pH values toward the artificial substrate were approx. 7.4-8.0 for CAP-I and 6.8-8.0 for CAP-II. The Km and Vmax values toward oxytocin were 5.6 microM and 23.4 micromol/h/mg protein for CAP-I, and 38 microM and 15.6 micromol/h/mg protein for CAP-II. Both enzymes were inhibited by the metal-chelating agents, EDTA and o-phenanthroline, whereas they were specifically activated by addition of Co2+: CAP-I was more sensitive to these reagents than CAP-II. L-Methionine strongly inhibited CAP-I, while CAP-II activity was only slightly affected. CAP-II was more sensitive to amastatin than CAP-I. Thus, the two enzymes are quite distinct in their molecular nature and biochemical properties. They may play a regulatory role in the metabolism of oxytocin and other biologically active peptides in intact placenta.

Effects of oxytocin, prostaglandin F2 alpha and prostaglandin E2 on intracellular free calcium concentrations of longitudinal muscle cells isolated from term pregnant rat myometrium

The effects of oxytocin, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 on [Ca2+]i of isolated longitudinal muscle cells of term pregnant rats were investigated using Fura-2. Oxytocin, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 induced an initial rapid increase followed by a secondary gradual increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of 1.5 mM Ca2+. The initial maximum increases in [Ca2+]i were obtained at 6 s for oxytocin, 20 s for PGF2 alpha and 30 s for PGE2 after addition of the stimulants. The EC50 values obtained from the curves were 2.0 nM for oxytocin, 250 nM for PGF2 alpha and 2,200 nM for PGE2. On the other hand, the increases in [Ca2+]i induced by the stimulants were nearly abolished by removal of the extracellular Ca2+. The stimulants induced biphasic increases in [Ca2+]i which were highly extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent processes, and the order of potencies for the stimulants was oxytocin > > PGF2 alpha > PGE2 in terms of affinity as well as magnitude. These results might indicate differences in the weight of the physiological role of the stimulants for regulating uterine contractility.

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of peptide and nonpeptide oxytocin antagonists on radioligand binding and uterine contractility of rats during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to compare the effects of peptidyl and nonpeptidyl oxytocin antagonists on the pregnant rat uterus in relation to the progress of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

Pregnant rats with gestational ages of 17 and 21 days were used. A saturation binding of tritiated oxytocin to myometrial membrane preparation and its displacement by unlabeled oxytocin and the oxytocin antagonists were examined. The inhibitory effects of peptidyl and nonpeptidyl oxytocin on spontaneous, oxytocin-induced, and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced uterine contractions were also evaluated in vitro in vivo.

RESULTS

The number of tritiated oxytocin binding sites in myometrial membranes of pregnant rats increased markedly at day 21 of gestation compared with day 17 of gestation, whereas the dissociation constants for tritiated oxytocin did not differ significantly. As for the binding affinities to oxytocin receptors of myometrial membranes, the inhibition constant values of nonpeptidyl oxytocin were 79 and 351 times larger than those of peptidyl oxytocin at pregnancy days 17 and 21, respectively. Both drugs remarkably inhibited oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in a dose-dependent manner. However, peptidyl oxytocin did not effect spontaneous and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contractions except for spontaneous ones of rats of pregnancy day 21 in vivo. On the other hand, nonpeptidyl oxytocin suppressed spontaneous and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contractions of the uterus both in vivo (pregnancy day 17) and in vitro (pregnancy day 21).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that peptidyl oxytocin may inhibit uterine contractions by selectively antagonizing the oxytocin action at the receptor site, whereas nonpeptidyl oxytocin at high concentrations may have the additional effect of directly suppressing the contractions. This effect of nonpeptidyl oxytocin may become therapeutically advantageous in clinical application for preterm labor.