Relation between cytokines and Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is etiologically involved in the development of gastric cancer and infected gastric mucosa has been shown to possess elevated levels of cytokines [for example interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8]. Because specific cytokines have also been shown to enhance the development of certain cancers, we examined the relationship between the levels of cytokines, the type and stage of gastric cancers, and the H. pylori infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytokines were measured from gastric cancer tissues, adjacent normal appearing mucosa, and the serum in 66 patients with early or advanced gastric cancer and from controls using semiquantitative RT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

IL-6 and IL-8 levels were more than 10-fold increased in cancer tissues as compared with normal gastric tissues. IL-8 levels in cancer tissues were more than 2-fold higher in advanced gastric cancer as compared with early gastric cancer irrespective of H. pylori status. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in early gastric cancer with active H. pylori infection as compared with early cancer without H. pylori infection (8.7 + 1.4 vs. 1.2 + 0.3 pg/mg protein, p <.001) and decreased significantly after the cure of H. pylori (11.1 + 2.9-8.2 + 2.3 pg/mg protein, p <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-8 levels in gastric cancer tissue are largely independent of H. pylori infection. In contrast, tissue IL-6 levels were high in H. pylori infected early gastric cancer and fell significantly after the cure of H. pylori suggesting a relationship between H. pylori infection and early gastric cancer.

Effects of prostaglandin E(1) on the efficacy of xenogeneic extracorporeal pig liver perfusion in a canine model of acute liver failure

Xenogeneic extracorporeal liver perfusion (ECLP) has the potential to become an important tool in the management of patients with severe liver failure. We previously showed that xenogeneic pig liver perfusion may be prolonged for up to 9 hours by the administration of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)). In this study, we used a canine model of acute liver failure to evaluate the effects of PGE(1) on the efficacy of ECLP as a liver-assist device. Liver failure was surgically induced in 12 beagle dogs, with a control group (group 1, n = 4) not connected to the ECLP circuit. Direct cross-circulation between the dogs and the ECLP circuit using a pig liver was performed without (group 2, n = 4) or with (group 3, n = 4) continuous administration of PGE(1) through the portal vein of the pig liver. The duration of cross-circulation in group 3 (9.4 +/- 1.2 hours) was significantly longer than in group 2 (4.3 +/- 1.0 hours). In addition, elevation of blood ammonia, total bile acid, and hyaluronic acid levels was less marked in group 3 compared with the other 2 groups. The ratio of branched-chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids was also improved in group 3. The mean survival time in group 3 (26.6 +/- 0.4 hours) was significantly longer than in group 1 (15.5 +/- 1.3 hours) or group 2 (17.1 +/- 2.9 hours). Continuous administration of PGE(1) to xenogeneic ECLP resulted in a significant improvement in both liver function and survival time of dogs with surgically induced liver failure.

Immunoelectron microscopic study of PECAM-1 expression on lymphatic endothelium of the human tongue

The expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) on lymphatic and blood vessels of the human tongue was examined with fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study used anti-desmoplakins antiserum for light microscopic identification of the lymphatic vessels, plus a pre-embedding immunogold electron microscopic technique for TEM observations. Before making TEM observations, cryostat serial sections were immunostained with anti-desmoplakins or anti-PECAM-1 and then embedded. Semithin sections from each cryostat section were photographed under a light microscope and compared in order to identify the lymphatic vessels expressing PECAM-1. In fluorescence microscopy, PECAM-1 expression on lymphatic vessels was weaker than that on blood vessels. TEM observations showed that PECAM-1 expression on the blood vessels was observed only on the luminal surface of the endothelium. In lymphatic vessels, PECAM-1 expression was found both on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the endothelium. The density of the PECAM-1 reaction products was lower in lymphatic vessels than in blood vessels. The density of PECAM-1 reaction products on the luminal surface of lymphatic vessels was higher than on the abluminal surfaces. The results suggest that blood vessels are more active than lymphatic vessels in leukocyte migration. The expression of PECAM-1 on the abluminal surface of lymphatic endothelium may allow leukocytes to adhere to the endothelium and interact in their migration from tissue into lymphatic vessels.

Continuous intravenous infusion of deleted form of hepatocyte growth factor attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although beneficial roles of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its variants on several hepatic disorders have been reported, their effects on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury remain undetermined. We investigated the action of a deleted form of HGF (dHGF) on hepatic IR injury in rats.

METHODS

dHGF or phosphate-buffered saline was continuously infused intravenously for 20 h prior to a 20-min occlusion of hepatic vessels. Samples were taken before and after IR, for measurement of serum dHGF and released enzymes, liver gamma-glutamylcysteinyl glycine (GSH) level, as well as histological and immunohistochemical examinations.

RESULTS

After reperfusion, histological injury, as well as increase in the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-BB were significantly attenuated in the dHGF-treated rats. dHGF maintained a high GSH level and suppressed oxidative stress and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), on which c-Met was not detected. IR caused activation of c-Met expression, which was milder in the dHGF-treated group, in hepatocytes at the pericentral region.

CONCLUSIONS

dHGF attenuated liver injury after IR. It also maintained a higher GSH level, depressed oxidative stress and inhibited ICAM-1 expression on c-Met negative SECs, suggesting a paracrine effect of dHGF.

Underlying liver disease, not tumor factors, predicts long-term survival after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

HYPOTHESIS

A subset of patients can be identified who will survive without recurrence beyond 5 years after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

DESIGN

A retrospective review of a multi-institutional database of 591 patients who had undergone hepatic resection for HCC and on-site reviews of clinical records and pathology slides.

SETTING

All patients had been treated in academic referral centers within university-based hospitals.

PATIENTS

We identified 145 patients who had survived for 5 years or longer after hepatic resection for HCC.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical and pathologic factors, as well as scoring of hepatitis and fibrosis in the surrounding liver parenchyma, were assessed for possible association with survival beyond 5 years and cause of death among the 145 five-year survivors.

RESULTS

Median additional survival duration longer than 5 years was 4.1 years. Women had significantly longer median additional survival durations than did men (81 months vs 38 months, respectively, after the 5-year mark) (P =.008). Surgical margins, type of resection, an elevated preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level, and the presence of multiple tumors or microscopic vascular invasion had no bearing on survival longer than 5 years. However, patients who survived for 5 years who also had normal underlying liver or minimal fibrosis (score, 0-2) at surgery had significantly longer additional survival than did patients with moderate fibrosis (score, 3-4) or severe fibrosis/cirrhosis (score, 5-6) (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Death caused by HCC is rare beyond 5 years after resection of HCC in the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis. The data suggest that chronic liver disease acts as a field of cancerization contributing to new HCC. These patients may benefit from therapies directed at the underlying liver disease.

Isolation of Helicobacter pylori from sheep-implications for transmission to humans

OBJECTIVES

When and how Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) originally entered the human population as well as how the infection is transmitted in different communities is unknown. We previously showed that Sardinian shepherds had almost a 100% prevalence of H. pylori and that the prevalence was higher than that of their same-household siblings.

AIM

To examine whether H. pylori infection might be transmitted from sheep.

METHODS

Milk and gastric tissue were cultured and analyzed by PCR amplification using three sets of primers Helicobacter genus-specific 16S rRNA and two sets of primers specific for H. pylori vacA gene.

RESULTS

Helicobacter DNA was demonstrated in 60% (38/63) of milk samples and in 30% (6/20) of sheep tissue samples. H. pylori vacA gene was amplified in five of 38 milk samples, and in two of six sheep tissue samples respectively. H. pylori were cultured from sheep milk and tissue samples and confirmed as H. pylori on the basis of colony morphology, positive biochemical reactions, and negative Gram stain. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA PCR products from these isolates demonstrated 99% identity with H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, the presence of H. pylori in sheep stomach in the absence of associated gastritis and recovery of H. pylori from sheep milk and gastric tissue suggest that sheep may be a natural host for H. pylori.

Measurement of B(0)(d)-B_(0)(d) mixing rate from the time evolution of dilepton events at the upsilon(4S)

We report a determination of the B(0)(d)-&B_(0)(d) mixing parameter Deltam(d) based on the time evolution of dilepton yields in Upsilon(4S) decays. The measurement is based on a 5.9 fb(-1) data sample collected by the Belle detector at KEKB. The proper-time difference distributions for same-sign and opposite-sign dilepton events are simultaneously fitted to an expression containing Deltam(d) as a free parameter. Using both muons and electrons, we obtain Deltam(d) = 0.463+/-0.008 (stat)+/-0.016 (syst) ps(-1). This is the first determination of Deltam(d) from time evolution measurements at the Upsilon(4S). We also place limits on possible CPT violations.

Living-related liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure in children

Liver transplantation is increasingly accepted as a choice of treatment for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) since it has been proved to significantly improve the survival rate in these patients compared with other therapeutic modalities. We have successfully performed a total of 76 living related liver transplantations (LRLT) three of which were for FHF. The first case was an 11-year-old boy with FHF due to an unidentified cause. He had required plasmapheresis a total of 24 times and haemofiltration to save his life before LRLT. He was transplanted with a left lobe (420 g) graft, calculated as 1.05% of his weight (40 kg). He recovered hepatic function uneventfully and was discharged from hospital after 7 weeks. The second case was a 13-year-old girl who developed FHF with grade III encephalopathy due to acute Wilson's disease, and was referred to us. She underwent LRLT with a left lobe graft (440 g), estimated as 0.95% of her weight (47 kg), which functioned well after surgery. The third case was a 13-year-old girl with grade II encephalopathy due to acute Wilson's disease. She was 27% obese with a body weight of 58 kg. She underwent LRLT with ABO blood group incompatibility with a left lobe (352 g), estimated as 0.80% of her weight (modified 44 kg). She was discharged with sensorimotor neuropathy due to vitamin B deficiency. The present results suggest that LRLT is feasible for FHF both clinically and ethically, and that a partial liver graft weighing around 1% of the recipient's weight can maintain the recipient's life. We limit the diagnostic indication for LRLT to chronic liver disease, since an urgent situation may affect a voluntary decision for the patient's parents to donate the partial liver. However, LRLT is thought to be an acceptable choice of treatment provided it is requested by the patient and family. Furthermore, it is a potential option for resolving the graft shortage in paediatric liver transplantation, being independent of cadaver donor availability.

Long-term use of FK 506 in living related liver transplantation

FK 506 (Tacrolimus) was used with steroids to treat 61 pediatric patients who received living related partial liver transplantation. Fifty-two recipients survived and 9 died between 6 months and 3 years after transplantation. In the surviving patients, oral doses of Tacrolimus were tapered from 0.298 +/- 0.277 mg/kg daily at 1 month after transplantation to 0.078 +/- 0.054 at 24 months after transplantation. The 12 h trough levels of Tacrolimus were 12.6 +/- 7.1 ng/ml and 4.1 +/- 2.4 at 1 and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. The percentage of recipients free from steroids was 77%, 97%, and 94% at 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. Liver allograft rejection was encountered in seven recipients, five of whom were treated by steroid pulse therapy and a dose increase of Tacrolimus; the remaining two required OKT3. However, there was no episode of rejection that required retransplantation. Infectious complications encountered in 34 patients included 12 bacterial, 3 fungal, and 19 viral infections. Two recipients died one of fungal pneumonia and one of Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Regarding adverse reactions of Tacrolimus, hypertension was observed in 28 patients, diabetes mellitus in 3, pancreatitis in 3, convulsion in 1, tremor in 12, itching in 5, and pigmentation in the oral mucosa in 2. Slightly increased values of creatinine were observed in most of the patients; however, an abnormal increase of serum of serum creatinine (> 1.0 mg/dl) was confined to the complicated cases. Improvement of somatic growth was observed in 21 patients (62%) and 13 (75%) at 12 and 24 months after transplantation, respectively. The long-term use of Tacrolimus is highly effective in terms of its immunosuppressive potential and reduced adverse reaction. Steady growth development can be expected in pediatric recipients free from steroids.

Delayed oxidation of intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotide oxido reduction state as compared with tissue oxygenation in human liver transplantation

Intra- and post-operative oxygenation of graft liver and subsequent oxidation of the intramitochondrial redox state of pyridine nucleotide were studied in liver transplantation from living related donors with the arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR), the ratio of oxidized flavoprotein to reduced pyridine nucleotide (FP/PN ratio), and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in liver tissue (hepatic SO2). The subjects involved in this study consisted of 20 pediatric patients. Hepatic SO2 was measured by near-infrared tissue spectroscopy. FP/PN ratio was measured by two-dimensional fluorometric scanning. Tissue oxygenation was normalized at the end of the operation. By contrast, AKBR remained at a low value at the end of the operation. At 24 and 48 h after the operation, the AKBR values increased to near the control value, indicating that it took 24 h for the intramitochondrial redox state to be normalized. The FP/PN ratio also remained at a low value at the end of the operation as compared with the control value. In conclusion, the observed delay in oxidation of the intramitochondrial redox state as compared with tissue oxygenation indicated the transition of the redox state associated with the changes in the metabolic state, and suggested the important role of microcirculation in the normalization of the redox state.

Role of hypotension in brain-death associated impairment of liver microcirculation and viability

Hypotension in brain-dead organ donors is considered a determinant factor of graft viability. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of hypotension in brain-death associated impairment of hepatic microcirculation and function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with an intracranial balloon were used. Group I (n = 7) served as sham controls. In group II (n = 7) brain death was induced through inflation of an intracranial balloon. In group III (n = 7) hypotension without brain death was induced by means of pentobarbital. In group II, a steep rise of arterial pressure was followed by a fall to a lower level (P < 0.01, vs. group I). Also in group III arterial pressure was lower (P < 0.01, vs. group I). In group II, bile production was diminished (P < 0.05). Impaired sinusoidal perfusion (P < 0.01) and enhanced leukocyte endothelium interaction (P < 0.05) were documented in hepatic microvasculature. Electron microscopic analysis revealed vacuolization of hepatocytes; these changes were not observed in group III. Brain death induces specific changes of liver microcirculation, function and histomorphology. Independent of associated hypotension, brain death per se impairs donor liver graft quality.

Postoperative detection of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA in blood as a predictor for metastatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We tested for the presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA by using nested RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who had undergone curative surgery, and investigated the occurrence of intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic metastasis thereafter, to reveal the optimal timing of blood sampling for the prediction of metastatic recurrence.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with HCC, who had been operated on were analyzed with RT-PCR at several points during the clinical course, and examined for metastatic recurrence for 3-28 months (mean = 18.7 months) after surgery.

RESULTS

The presence of AFP mRNA before surgery was significantly correlated with the tumor size (P = 0.017). Metastatic recurrence was associated with the postoperative detection of AFP mRNA (P < 0.001), but not with the preoperative and/or perioperative detection. Furthermore, AFP mRNA was detected in some cases that showed low serum AFP levels at recurrence. The recurrence-free period after the detection of AFP mRNA varied from 1 to 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The postoperative detection of AFP mRNA is useful for the prediction of metastatic recurrence, and long-term follow up with this method should be conducted.

Measurement of the CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) in B(0)(d) meson decays

We present a measurement of the standard model CP violation parameter sin2 phi(1) (also known as sin2beta) based on a 10.5 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson is reconstructed in the J/psiK(S), psi(2S)K(S), chi(c1)K(S), eta(c)K(S), J/psiK(L), or J/psipi(0) CP-eigenstate decay channel and the flavor of the accompanying B meson is identified from its charged particle decay products. From the asymmetry in the distribution of the time interval between the two B-meson decay points, we determine sin2 phi(1) = 0.58(+0.32)(-0.34)(stat)+0.09-0.10(syst).

Compartmentalization of Peyer's patch anlagen before lymphocyte entry

We have shown that Peyer's patch (PP) first develops as a simple and even cell aggregation during embryogenesis. To investigate when and how such a simple cell aggregation forms the complex PP architecture, we analyzed the distribution of cells expressing IL-7R alpha (PP inducer cells), VCAM-1 (mesenchymal cells), CD11c (dendritic cells), and mature lymphocytes by whole-mount immunostaining of 17.5 days post coitus to 2 days postpartum mouse gut. Our results show that compartmentalization of PP anlagen commences at day 18.5 of gestation by clustering and subsequent follicle formation of IL-7R alpha(+), VCAM-1(+), and CD11c(+) cells. This process adds the primitive architecture of PP anlage with several follicles in which IL-7R alpha(+) cells localize in the center, while VCAM-1(+) and CD11c(+) cells localize at the fringe. This follicle formation is accompanied by the establishment of PP-specific vascular network expressing mucosal addressin cellular adhesion molecule-1. Mature B and T lymphocytes entering in the PP anlage are distributed promptly to their own target zones; B cells to the follicle and T cells to nonfollicular zones. Our analysis of scid/scid mouse indicate that the initial processes including formation of PP-specific vascular network occur in the absence of lymphocytes. These observations indicate that the basic architecture of PP is formed by a set of cell lineages assembled during the initial phase of induction of PP anlagen before entry of mature lymphocytes.

Genome-wide analysis of gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas using cDNA microarray: identification of genes involved in viral carcinogenesis and tumor progression

To disclose detailed genetic mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a view toward development of novel therapeutic targets, we analyzed expression profiles of 20 primary HCCs and their corresponding noncancerous tissues by means of cDNA microarrays consisting of 23,040 genes. Up-regulation of mitosis-promoting genes was observed in the majority of the tumors examined. Some genes showed expression patterns in hepatitis B virus-positive HCCs that were different from those in hepatitis C virus-positive HCCs; most of them encoded enzymes that metabolize carcinogens and/or anticancer agents. Furthermore, we identified a number of genes associated with malignant histological type or invasive phenotype. Accumulation of such data will make it possible to define the nature of individual tumors, to provide clues for identifying new therapeutic targets, and ultimately to optimize treatment of each patient.

Synthetic absorbable film for prevention of air leaks after stapled pulmonary resection

Staple-line reinforcement buttresses made of bovine pericardium (BP), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and so on have been shown to be effective in preventing air leaks after stapled lung volume reduction operations, and some of them have been clinically utilized. However, each buttress suffers at least one disadvantage such as risk of viral infection and chronic inflammation. A new buttress was made using a poly(L-lactic acid-co-epsilon-caprolactone) film (L/C film) and its effectiveness as a staple-line reinforcement was examined by performing lung volume reduction operation on a canine model. Soft tissue responses to the buttress were compared with those to the BP strip and the absorbable behavior was studied. The L/C film buttress was flexible and thin enough to easily cut. Death of dogs, infection, acute and prolonged air leaks, and any complications related to its use were not observed. The tissue responses to the film were more mild and favorable than those to BP. The L/C film was absorbed after the staple line was covered by a connective tissue. The results described above suggest that the buttress made of an L/C film is a promising staple-line reinforcement material.

Development of the susceptibility to oral tolerance induction in infant mice administered a herbal drug, Hochu-ekki-to (Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang)

The susceptibility to oral tolerance in post-neonatal infant mice and the effect of a herbal drug, Hochu-ekki-to (HOT), on the susceptibility were investigated. To induce oral tolerance induction, infant and adult mice at 4 and 8 weeks of age, respectively, were orally administered a single high dose of OVA before an intraperitoneal immunization with OVA adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide. HOT (1000 mg/kg) was administered orally for 7 days before the induction. HOT significantly decreased the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 and the antigen-specific proliferation of spleen cells in infant mice, both of which were greatly enhanced compared to in adult mice. HOT increased the number of both CD4+ T cells and antigen-presenting cells expressing MHC class II as well as costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80 and/or CD86) in the Peyer's patch (PP) of infant mice, which had fewer cells than adult mice. In the PP, moreover, HOT augmented the IL-12p40 mRNA expression and spontaneous or CD40-stimulated IL-12 production, and increased the number of CD4+ cells expressing CD40 ligand, which is up regulated by IL-12. These results suggest that HOT increases the number and improves the function of PP cells that are fully susceptible to the induction of oral tolerance.

The novel monoclonal antibody MH8-4 inhibiting cell motility recognizes integrin alpha 3: inverse of its expression withmetastases in colon cancer

The molecular basis of cell motility is obviously highly complex and is considered to be controlled by a number of molecular systems including cell adhesion molecules, their receptors, cytoskeletal components, a junctional unit connecting cytoskeletal components and membrane receptors, and various peptide growth factors. The possible involvement of proteins at the cell surface in controlling cell motility has been systematically investigated. Previously, we have addressed this question using functional monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which inhibit cell motility as probes. In order to further identify cell surface molecules involved in metastasis of gastrointestinal tumors, the present study utilized an approach based on the selection of a colon cancer cell line RPMI4788, which showed high motility out of a large number of human gastrointestinal tumor cell lines. MAb MH8-4 was established after immunization of mice with RPMI4788 and selected on the basis of inhibition of RPMI4788 cell migration in a transwell penetration assay. MH8-4 inhibited the phagokinetic tract motility of various cancer cell lines. A cDNA cloning revealed that MH8-4 recognized a specific protein structure, integrin alpha 3. In order to determine whether these experimental results are of relevance with respect to actual human gastrointestinal tumors, we investigated integrin alpha 3 expression in 40 colon cancers with distant metastases. Our immunohistochemical study showed that in almost 27.5% of the cases, the metastatic tumors had lower integrin alpha 3 levels than their corresponding primary tumors. Moreover, there were no primary tumors with lower integrin alpha 3 expression than their corresponding metastatic tumors. Our data suggest that low integrin alpha 3 expression may be associated with the metastatic potential of certain colon cancers.

Desmoplakin as a specific marker of lymphatic vessels

The usefulness of immunostaining with anti-desmoplakin antibody for light microscopic identification of lymphatic vessels was examined in cryostat sections of the human tongue. The results were compared with laminin, 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase), and factor VIII staining. Immunoelectron microscopic observation was also performed to confirm that the vessels reacting with anti-desmoplakin were lymphatic vessels. Under the immunoelectron microscopic, the vessels reacting with anti-desmoplakin showed ultrastructural features characteristic of lymphatic vessels: thin endothelial walls, no or incomplete basal lamina, open junctions, and overlapping endothelium. In general, lymphatic vessels identified by anti-desmoplakin reacted strongly with 5'-Nase, but showed weak or no reactivity with anti-laminin and anti-factor VIII. Blood vessels showed no reactivity with anti-desmoplakin, but reacted strongly with anti-laminin and anti-factor VIII. However, some blood and lymphatic vessels showed intermediate reactivity with anti-laminin, anti-factor VIII, and 5'-Nase. It was difficult to identify these as blood or lymphatic vessels only by the reactivity differences. The results indicate that anti-desmoplakin antibody specifically distinguishes lymphatic vessels and is useful for studying the fine distribution of lymphatic vessels under light microscopy.

In situ pedicle resection in left trisegmentectomy of the liver combined with reconstruction of the right hepatic vein to an inferior vena caval segment transpositioned from the infrahepatic portion

A combination of an in situ pedicle resection of the liver and a hepatic vein reconstruction using a cranially transpositioned segment of the IVC after implantation of an ePTFE graft at the missing IVC was useful in treating a patient who suffered from a huge liver tumor involving all of the hepatic venous confluence and the IVC. Although early tumor recurrence remains an unresolved problem for such patients, a surgical approach is feasible. This technique can be justified as a therapeutic modality, not only because it improves quality of life, but also because it provides patients with an opportunity for additional treatment.

Possible association of thioredoxin and p53 in breast cancer

Expression of thioredoxin (TRX), a dithiol-reducing enzyme, and mutations of p53 have been detected in various cancer tissues. We recently reported that TRX-dependent redox regulation plays a crucial role in DNA binding activity of p53. In this study, we investigated the possibility of functional association between TRX and p53 in breast cancer. First, we examined the expression of TRX and mutated p53 in 100 primary breast cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry. Expression of TRX was detected in cases of 84/100 (84%) and expression of p53, which means existence of mutated p53, in cases of 63/100 (63%). TRX positive cases was 89% (56/63) in mutant p53 positive cases. Next, we examined the expression of TRX and p53 in breast cancer cell line MCF-7 cells after CDDP treatment or irradiation. CDDP treatment or irradiation augmented expression of TRX and p53 in MCF-7 cells by western blotting. Immunofluorescence cell analysis by confocal microscopy showed that CDDP treatment induced translocation of TRX into nuclei. These results suggest the possible association of TRX with p53-dependent function including DNA repair in breast cancer.

Transmission electron microscopic study of hepatocytes in bioartificial liver

A bioartificial liver (BAL) was prepared by simple inoculation of hepatocytes into the inner space of hollow fibers of a hemodialyzer and it was maintained in a closed circuit for in vitro culture. Morphology of hepatocytes in the hollow fibers was studied in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hepatocytes formed three-dimensional, rod-shaped aggregates of 200 microm in diameter throughout the whole dimension of the hollow fibers after 1 day of culture. Approximately five hepatocyte layers existed from the surface to the center of the aggregate. The hepatocytes in the aggregate displayed mostly polygonal shapes and were surrounded by five to six cells. Abundant bile canaliculi were formed between the hepatocytes and were sealed by tight junctions. The distance between the adjacent hepatocytes except the bile canaliculus domain was approximately 20 nm, and interdigitation was observed between some hepatocytes. These observations indicate that the hepatocytes formed functionally associated aggregates, that is, organoids. Although the cells facing the inner surface of the hollow fiber lost their polygonal shape and became flattened during the following several-day culture, no drastic change was observed in the morphology of the hepatocytes located inside the aggregate. After 14 days of culture, the number of living cells decreased and most of these had a deformed nucleus, few numbers of organelles, and intermittent lipid droplets.

Results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment for small-sized hepatocellular carcinomas: a retrospective and nationwide survey in Japan. The Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan

Hepatic resection (HX), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), and transcatheter arterial embolization (TCAE) have all been used in the treatment of patients with small-sized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). However, the indications for these therapeutic modalities remain unclear. Therefore, the first step to minimize the debate on these indications is to review the standard results from each treatment based on an extensive survey. The participants in this study were patients with HCCs less than 5 cm in diameter who were enrolled in The Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan. The survival rates in the HX (n = 8,010), PEI (n = 4,037), and TCAE (n = 841) groups were calculated in relation to the number of tumors and the clinical stage. In the clinical stage I cases with a solitary tumor less than 2 cm in diameter and in all clinical stages with a solitary tumor greater than 2 cm and in the clinical stage II cases with 2 tumors greater than 2 cm, the HX group showed higher survival rates than the nonsurgical groups. The HX group had a higher male/female ratio and a younger mean age than the PEI or TCAE group. The ratio of HBs antigen-positive cases/hepatitis C virus antibody-positive cases in the PEI group was lower than that in the corresponding HX group. In contrast, the PIVKA-II values in the HX group tended to be higher than in the PEI group. In conclusion, these findings will provide useful information for selection of a therapeutic modality for small-sized HCCs.

Utilization of dimethyl sulfide as a sulfur source with the aid of light by Marinobacterium sp. strain DMS-S1

Strain DMS-S1 isolated from seawater was able to utilize dimethyl sulfide (DMS) as a sulfur source only in the presence of light in a sulfur-lacking medium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S ribosomal DNA genes indicated that the strain was closely related to Marinobacterium georgiense. The strain produced dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which was a main metabolite, and small amounts of formate and formaldehyde when grown on DMS as the sole sulfur source. The cells of the strain grown with succinate as a carbon source were able to use methyl mercaptan or methanesulfonate besides DMS but not DMSO or dimethyl sulfone as a sole sulfur source. DMS was transformed to DMSO primarily at wavelengths between 380 and 480 nm by heat-stable photosensitizers released by the strain. DMS was also degraded to formaldehyde in the presence of light by unidentified heat-stable factors released by the strain, and it appeared that strain DMS-S1 used the degradation products, which should be sulfite, sulfate, or methanesulfonate, as sulfur sources.

Isolation and characterization of tetracycline-resistant clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori

Tetracycline is an important component of combination therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Twenty-nine tetracycline-resistant isolates requiring MICs ranging from 4 to 16 microgram/ml were isolated from Korean (22 of 460) and Japanese (7 of 105) patients. Interestingly, all of the 29 tetracycline-resistant isolates exhibited cross-resistance to metronidazole, and the cross-resistance was transferred to tetracycline-sensitive H. pylori strains.

Clinicopathologic evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct thrombi

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bile duct thrombi (BDT).

PATIENTS

Seventeen patients with HCC and BDT among 671 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the survival rates between patients with and those without BDT, although the rate of stage IV or portal vein invasion was significantly higher in patients with HCC and BDT than in those with HCC but without BDT. In 9 of 17 patients with BDT, preoperative jaundice was observed. Five of the 17 patients underwent a bile duct resection combined with hepatic resection, and 12 patients underwent hepatic resection with removal of the BDT without bile duct resection. None of the patients had histopathologic evidence of direct tumor invasion into the bile duct wall or of any tumor recurrence related to the BDT. There were no significant differences in the survival rates between patients who underwent bile duct resection and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic resection and the removal of BDT without bile duct resection were sufficient surgical interventions to treat patients with HCC and BDT.

Extrahepatic large hepatocellular carcinoma with peritoneal dissemination: multimodal treatment, including four surgical operations

We report a patient with extrahepatically growing large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with disseminated intraabdominal tumor and spontaneous tumor bleeding who was treated with four operations, transcatheter arterial embolization, systemic chemotherapy, and hyperthermia. It took 12 months for the multimodal treatment to normalize the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and remission continued for 6 months. We performed the fourth surgical treatment for a recurrent abdominal tumor involving the small intestine and mesentery, but the patient died 26 months after the first admission. Multimodal treatment, including repeat surgical treatments, for such advanced HCC should be encouraged, to prolong life and to maintain quality of life.

Abnormal expression of BRCA1 and BRCA1-interactive DNA-repair proteins in breast carcinomas

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women. The molecular mechanisms involved in breast carcinogenesis, however, remain to be elucidated. Although somatic mutation of BRCA1 is rare, BRCA1 protein expression is reduced in about 30% of sporadic breast carcinomas (Yoshikawa et al., Clin. Cancer Res., 5:1249-1261, 1999), indicating its possible involvement even in sporadic breast carcinogenesis. Among the BRCA1-interactive proteins are hRAD51 (a human homologue of Escherichia coli rec A protein), BARD1 (BRCA1-associated RING domain 1) and p53, all of which are involved in DNA repair. We have analyzed the expression patterns of the hRAD51, BARD1 and p53 proteins in five breast cancer cell lines, including a BRCA1-deficient cell line, and in 179 breast cancer tissue samples from Japanese women, including 113 sporadic, 47 hereditary (i.e., BRCA1 status unknown), and 19 BRCA1-associated cases. Of the 179 breast carcinomas, fifty-four (30%) exhibited reduced hRAD51 expression, and sixty-two (35%) exhibited p53 overexpression. On the other hand, reduced expression level of BARD1, and of hMSH2 and hMLH1, which are components of DNA mismatch-repair pathway and are involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, was observed respectively in only 10 (6%), 8 (5%) and 3 (2%) cases. The overall frequency of sporadic breast carcinomas with abnormal expression of either BRCA1 or the BRCA1-interactive proteins was 67% (76/113). These results indicate that there may be an important role for the BRCA1-associated DNA-repair pathway, not only in BRCA1-associated breast carcinomas, but also in sporadic breast carcinomas.

Retinoblastoma protein-initiated cellular growth arrest overcomes the ability of cotransfected wild-type p53 to induce apoptosis

The retinoblastoma gene, RB, participates in the regulation of the G1/S-phase transition and in p53-mediated apoptosis. We have previously reported that stably transfected RB functions as a growth and tumour suppressor in HTB9 human bladder carcinoma cells, which carry a mutation of the p53 gene at codon 280 and lack RB expression. To elucidate the potential role of RB in the regulation of p53-mediated apoptosis, we transfected a wt p53 expression plasmid under the control of the human cytomegalovirus promoter into parental and RB-transfected HTB9 cells. The p53(+)/RB(-)cells were susceptible to apoptosis under various experimental conditions: 1) incubation in serum-free culture for 72 h, 2) short-term (6 h) or long-term (48 h) exposure to etoposide, and 3) culturing in soft agar. In contrast, p53(+)/RB(+)cells were significantly resistant to apoptosis under similar conditions and exhibited efficient growth arrest, as measured by laser scanning cytometry. Tumorigenicity in nude mice of parental HTB9 cells was lost by exogenous expression of wt p53. Likewise, none of mice injected subcutaneously with either p53(-)/RB(+)or p53(+)/RB(+)cells developed tumours, indicating that RB allows suppression of tumorigenesis, regardless of p53 status. These results suggest that the growth-inhibitory function of RB may overcome the ability of wt p53 to induce apoptosis.

Helicobacter pylori

H. pylori infection is now recognized as causing serious and life threatening disease in 20% to 30% of those infected. Reliable therapy is problematic. This article addresses the current approach to diagnosis and therapy and new considerations regarding whom to treat. The emphasis of the association of the gastric cancer phenotype of H. pylori infection (cagA positive H. pylori corpus gastritis) and protection against gastroesophageal reflux disease is an example of epidemiology without regard to the biology. Improvements in health and diet and an increase in body mass have accompanied the natural loss of H. pylori from the population. The search for virulence factors to help direct therapy to those who would most benefit has, to date, proved fruitless. Whenever H. pylori is diagnosed, it should be treated.

Pharmacological hepatic preconditioning: involvement of 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP72 and HSP73) in ischaemic tolerance after intravenous administration of doxorubicin

BACKGROUND

Pharmacological preconditioning may induce a stress response which protects liver against ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of this study was to determine, in an animal model, whether intravenous administration of doxorubicin induces heat shock proteins (HSPs) in liver tissue and facilitates liver tolerance to subsequent warm IRI.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were used. Production of HSPs was determined in liver tissue sequentially after the injection of doxorubicin 1 mg/kg body-weight. Acquisition of tolerance for 30 min warm ischaemia and reperfusion of the liver was determined in animals pretreated (48 h beforehand) with doxorubicin, and in controls. Biochemical liver function and liver adenine nucleotide concentration 40 min after reperfusion and survival rate at 7 days after the ischaemic insult were recorded.

RESULTS

Expression of HSP72 and HSP73 in the liver was confirmed 48 h after doxorubicin administration. Biochemical parameters and survival rates were significantly better in pretreated animals than in controls.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that doxorubicin has the potential to provide the liver with tolerance against IRI. A simultaneous increase of both HSP72 and HSP73 in liver tissue may explain the acquisition of tolerance following the administration of doxorubicin.

Re-examination of the anodic oxidation of N,N-dimethylaniline, using parametric method 3

A semi-empirical calculation (PM3) was applied to elucidate the anodic oxidation mechanism of N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and the dimerization of a cation radical (A) derived from DMA was ruled out. The heat of reaction value of the dimerization of A was 42.43 kcal/mol. We propose the following. Cation radical A reacts with DMA to generate another cation radical (D). This reaction was exothermic and the heat of reaction value and the activation energy were -0.35 kcal/mol and 1.31 kcal/mol, respectively. Deprotonation of D by DMA gives neutral radical (E), which is oxidized to TMB by A. All these reactions were exothermic.

Portal blood flow and liver regeneration in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation in a canine model

Functional competition has been shown to lead to a detrimental outcome in auxiliary liver transplantation. We evaluated the interaction in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation between the native liver and the graft in terms of portal flow and regeneration. The need for diversion of the portal flow to the graft was also assessed. Reduced-size liver grafts were transplanted orthotopically after partial hepatectomy in beagles. There were two groups: the preserved group, where portal inflow to the native liver was preserved, and the ligated group, where it was interrupted. Portal flow was measured serially and liver regeneration was evaluated on postoperative day 5. Functional competition was not observed in the preserved group. On the other hand, ligation of the native liver portal vein had no obviously detrimental effects on the remnant native liver. This leads to the conclusion that the portal vein to the native liver can be safely ligated to prevent functional competition.

Disease-specific Helicobacter pylori virulence factors: the unfulfilled promise

A number of putative virulence factors for Helicobacter pylori have been identified including cagA, vacA and iceA. The criteria for a true virulence factor includes meeting the tests of biologically plausibility with the associations being both experimentally and epidemiologically consistent. Although disease-specific associations have been hypothesized/claimed, there are now sufficient data to conclusively state that none of these putative virulence factors have disease specificity. CagA has been claimed to be associated with increased mucosal IL-8 and inflammation, increased density of H. pylori in the antrum, duodenal ulcer (DU), gastric cancer, and protection against Barrett's cancer. Only the increase in IL-8/inflammation is direct and substantiated. Different H. pylori strains with functional cag pathogenicity islands do not vary in virulance as it has been shown that mucosal IL-8 levels are proportional to the number of cagA + H. pylori independent of the disease from which the H. pylori were obtained. It is now known that the density of either cagA + and cagA-H. pylori in the antrum of patients with H. pylori gastritis is the same. In contrast, the mean density of H. pylori in the antrum in DU is greater than in the antrum of patients with H. pylori gastritis. Of interest, the density of H. pylori is higher in the corpus of patients with H. pylori gastritis than those with DU, suggesting that acid secretion plays a critical role in these phenomena. The presence of a functional cag pathogenicity island increases inflammation and it is likely that any factor that results in an increase in inflammation also increases the risk of a symptomatic outcome. Nevertheless, the presence of a functional cag pathogenicity island has no predictive value for the presence, or the future development of a clinically significant outcome. The hypothesis that iceA has disease specificity has not been confirmed and there is currently no known biological or epidemiological evidence for a role for iceA as a virulence factor in H. pylori-related disease. The claim that vacA genotyping might prove clinically useful, e.g. to predict presentation such as duodenal ulcer, has been proven wrong. Analysis of the worldwide data show that vacA genotype s1 is actually a surrogate for the cag pathogenicity island. There is now evidence to suggest that virulence is a host-dependent factor. The pattern of gastritis has withstood the test of time for its relation to different H. pylori-related diseases (e.g. antral predominant gastritis with duodenal ulcer disease). The primary factors responsible for the different patterns of gastritis in response to an H. pylori infection are environmental (e.g. diet), with the H. pylori strain playing a lesser role. Future studies should work to eliminate potential bias before claiming disease associations. Controls must exclude regional or geographic associations related to the common strain circulation and not to the outcome. The authors must also control for both the presence of the factor and for the disease association. The study should be sufficiently large and employ different diseases and ethnic groups for the results to be robust. The findings in the initial sample (data derived hypothesis) should be tested in a new group (hypothesis testing), preferably from another area, before making claims. Finally, it is important to ask whether the results are actually a surrogate for another marker (e.g. vacA s1 for cagA) masquerading for a new finding. Only the cag pathogenicity island has passed the tests of biological plausibility (increased inflammation) and experimental and epidemiological consistency.

Regional differences in metronidazole resistance and increasing clarithromycin resistance among Helicobacter pylori isolates from Japan

The patterns of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori were assessed in two different regions in Japan. Overall, prevalences of resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 12.4 and 12.9%, respectively. While there was no difference in clarithromycin resistance, the prevalence of metronidazole resistance was significantly higher in Kyoto (23.8%) than in Sapporo (8.1%). From 1996 to 1999, the prevalence of metronidazole resistance did not change but the prevalence of clarithromycin resistance doubled (from 9.1 to 18.7%).

Degradation of triphenyltin by a fluorescent pseudomonad

Triphenyltin (TPT)-degrading bacteria were screened by a simple technique using a post-column high-performance liquid chromatography using 3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone as a post-column reagent for determination of TPT and its metabolite, diphenyltin (DPT). An isolated strain, strain CNR15, was identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis on the basis of its morphological and biochemical features. The incubation of strain CNR15 in a medium containing glycerol, succinate, and 130 microM TPT resulted in the rapid degradation of TPT and the accumulation of approximately 40 microM DPT as the only metabolite after 48 h. The culture supernatants of strain CNR15, grown with or without TPT, exhibited a TPT degradation activity, whereas the resting cells were not capable of degrading TPT. TPT was stoichiometrically degraded to DPT by the solid-phase extract of the culture supernatant, and benzene was detected as another degradation product. We found that the TPT degradation was catalyzed by low-molecular-mass substances (approximately 1,000 Da) in the extract, termed the TPT-degrading factor. The other fluorescent pseudomonads, P. chlororaphis ATCC 9446, Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15692, also showed TPT degradation activity similar to strain CNR15 in the solid-phase extracts of their culture supernatants. These results suggest that the extracellular low-molecular-mass substance that is universally produced by the fluorescent pseudomonad could function as a potent catalyst to cometabolite TPT in the environment.

Analysis of rdxA and involvement of additional genes encoding NAD(P)H flavin oxidoreductase (FrxA) and ferredoxin-like protein (FdxB) in metronidazole resistance of Helicobacter pylori

Metronidazole (Mtz) is a critical ingredient of modern multidrug therapies for Helicobacter pylori infection. Mtz resistance reduces the effectiveness of these combinations. Although null mutations in a rdxA gene that encodes oxygen-insensitive NAD(P)H nitroreductase was reported in Mtz-resistant H. pylori, an intact rdxA gene has also been reported in Mtz-resistant H. pylori, suggesting that additional Mtz resistance mechanisms exist in H. pylori. We explored the nature of Mtz resistance among 544 clinical H. pylori isolates to clarify the role of rdxA inactivation in Mtz resistance and to identify another gene(s) responsible for Mtz resistance in H. pylori. Mtz resistance was present in 33% (181 of 544) of the clinical isolates. There was marked heterogeneity of resistance, with Mtz MICs ranging from 8 to >/=256 microg/ml. rdxA inactivation resulted in Mtz MICs of up to 32 microg/ml for 6 Mtz-sensitive H. pylori strains and 128 microg/ml for one Mtz-sensitive strain. Single or dual (with rdxA) inactivation of genes that encode ferredoxin-like protein (designated fdxB) and NAD(P)H flavin oxidoreductase (frxA) also increased the MICs of Mtz for sensitive and resistant strains with low to moderate levels of Mtz resistance. fdxB inactivation resulted in a lower level of resistance than that from rdxA inactivation, whereas frxA inactivation resulted in MICs similar to those seen with rdxA inactivation. Further evidence for involvement of the frxA gene in Mtz resistance included the finding of a naturally inactivated frxA but an intact rdxA in an Mtz-resistant strain, complementation of Mtz sensitivity from an Mtz-sensitive strain to an Mtz-resistant strain or vice versa by use of naturally inactivated or functional frxA genes, respectively, and transformation of an Mtz-resistant Escherichia coli strain to an Mtz sensitive strain by a naturally functional frxA gene but not an inactivated frxA gene. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that null mutations in fdxB, frxA, or rdxA may be involved in Mtz resistance.

Double expressions of connexin 43 and 32 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

The expressions of connexin 43 and 32 in cultured and intact human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) were examined using immunohistochemical methods, and western blot analysis was conducted with anti-connexin 43 and 32 in cultured PDLFs. The PDLFs both in cultured cells and tissue sections reacted with anti-connexin 43 and 32, and western blot analysis showed bands of approximately 43 kD and 27 kD reacted with anti-connexin 43 and 32 respectively, suggesting the existence of gap junctions in human PDLFs. In cultured PDLFs there were no reaction products of connexin 43 when the cells were not in contact with adjacent cells, but reaction products were increasingly observed with increases in cell-cell contacts. Different from connexin 43, the reaction products of connexin 32 were found in the cytoplasm, regardless of whether the cells were or were not in contact with adjacent cells. Further, the reaction activity of connexin 32 varied among PDLFs; some were strong, some moderate, and some weak. The expressions of connexin 43 and 32 in human PDLFs are suggested to be related to the regulation of two different functions of the PDLFs.

Involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in maintenance of integrity of endothelial cell lining during tumor angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in tumor angiogenesis. VEGF-C, however, is thought to stimulate the growth of lymphatic vessels because an expression of its specific receptor, VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), was demonstrated to be restricted to lymphatic vessels. Here we demonstrate that the inactivation of VEGFR-3 by a novel blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting the neo-angiogenesis of tumor-bearing tissues. Although VEGFR-3 is not expressed in adult blood vessels, it is induced in vascular endothelial cells of the tumor-bearing tissues. Hence, VEGFR-3 is another receptor tyrosine kinase involved in tumor-induced angiogenesis. Micro-hemorrhage in the tumor-bearing tissue was the most conspicuous histologic finding specific to AFL4 mAb-treated mice. Scanning microscopy demonstrated disruptions of the endothelial lining of the postcapillary venule, probably the cause of micro-hemorrhage and the subsequent collapse of the proximal vessels. These findings suggest the involvement of VEGFR-3 in maintaining the integrity of the endothelial lining during angiogenesis. Moreover, our results suggest that the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway may serve another candidate target for cancer therapy. (Blood. 2000;96:546-553)

Use of electroporation to accelerate the skin permeability enhancing action of oleic acid

Rat skin permeability after treatment by electroporation (newly developed frog type electrode, 100V, 10 pulses), oleic acid/propylene glycol (PG) and a combination of both were investigated using Fourier transformed infrared attenuated total reflectance (FT-IR/ATR) analysis. Electroporation immediately disordered the stratum corneum lipid structure up to a certain threshold level. This action lasted throughout the experiment. This may be attributed to the formation of long lifetime of metastable lipid structures, which may allow molecules to pass to the inside of the stratum corneum due to the electroporation-induced fluidized lipid membranes. Electroporation also altered the protein structure of the stratum corneum. When electroporation was combined with 0.05 M oleic acid/PG, uptake of oleic acid and PG into the stratum corneum was remarkably accelerated compared to the application of only 0.05 M oleic acid/PG to the skin. This indicates that electroporation enables oleic acid and PG to penetrate the stratum corneum easily by disrupting the structure of the latter. PG transfer into the dermis from the epidermis was accelerated, not because of the direct action of electroporation on the dermis, but because electroporation induced the rapidly disordering action of oleic acid on the stratum corneum. Lipid-soluble indomethacin permeated the skin more rapidly when the skin was treated with electroporation plus oleic acid/PG than with 0.05 M oleic acid/PG in vitro.

A M(r) 34,000 proinflammatory outer membrane protein (oipA) of Helicobacter pylori

The complete genome sequence revealed a family of 32 outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in Helicobacter pylori. We examined the effect of four OMPs (HP0638, HP0796, HP1501, and babA2) on the production of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-8. Mutants of the four OMPs, as well as cagE and galE from H. pylori from the U.S. and Japan, were constructed by inserting a chloramphenicol-resistant cassette into the gene. Twenty-two pairs of parental and mutant H. pylori strains, as well as 160 clinical isolates (80 from Japanese and 80 from U.S.), were cocultured with gastric cancer cell lines. IL-8 production in the supernatant and adhesion was assayed by ELISA. HP0796, HP1501, babA2, and galE gene knockouts had no significant effect on IL-8 production. Knockout of the HP0638 gene in 81% of cag-positive strains reduced IL-8 production approximately 50%. The three cag-positive strains in which IL-8 levels were unchanged by HP0638 knockout had five or seven CT dinucleotide repeats in the 5' region, resulting in a frame shift and truncation. Strains with naturally inactive HP0638 gene were all from the U.S.; Japanese strains were always "on" and thus, on average, may be more virulent. Although cag-negative isolates produced a limited IL-8 response, cag-negative strains that contained a functional HP0638 gene produced more than 3-fold greater IL-8 than cag-negative nonfunctional HP0638 strains. We hypothesize that functional HP0638 gene may be an important virulence factor in relation to the risk of clinically significant outcomes of H. pylori infection. We denote HP0638 gene as outer inflammatory protein (oipA).

Expression of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, redox-regulating proteins, in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal carcinoma) is one of the most malignant solid tumors with poor prognosis. There is accumulating evidence that cellular reduction/oxidation (redox) status is deeply involved in the growth promotion and drug resistance of cancer cells. We therefore investigated the expression of redox-regulating proteins, such as thioredoxin (TRX) and glutaredoxin (GRX) in surgically resected pancreatic tissues and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)-resistant cells. Plasma levels of TRX were also measured in subjects with pancreatic diseases. Pancreatic ductal carcinoma tissues were immunohistochemically more positive for TRX (24/32 cases) and GRX (29/32 cases) than pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma or normal pancreas tissues. Plasma levels of TRX (mean +/- SD) measured by ELISA were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma (54.8 +/- 37.6 ng/ml, n = 60) than in healthy controls (24.4 +/- 12.9 ng/ml, n = 81). CDDP-resistant subclones of HeLa cells, HeLa-CP5 cells, had higher expression of TRX (1.5 fold) and GRX (1.6 fold) compared with parental HeLa cells by immunoblotting. These results indicate the possible association of TRX and GRX with malignant potential of pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

Cloning and characterization of the iutA gene which encodes ferric aerobactin receptor from marine Vibrio species

The iutA gene from marine Vibrio species SD004, which encoded a ferric aerobactin receptor for the uptake of iron(III), was cloned onto a multicopy plasmid, pUC 18, in Escherichia coli. Identification of the positive clone was achieved on the basis of its deferrization activity and was detected as a halo formation on the chrome azurol S (CAS)-containing selective plate. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned DNA fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) which encoded a polypeptide of 706 amino acid residues, and the deduced molecular mass of this polypeptide was 77.906 kD. The amino acid sequence showed a 41% homology with that of the lutA protein from E. coli. The cloned gene was iutA, which encoded the ferric aerobactin receptor. Another incomplete ORF was found 100 bp upstream of the iutA gene, which was homologous (31 out of 49 amino acids) with the C-terminal region of the luc D protein of E. coli. It is suggested that aerobactin biosynthesis and the transport genes are located tandemly on the Vibrio chromosome and may form an aerobactin operon.

Effects of geranyl-geranyl-acetone administration before heat shock preconditioning for conferring tolerance against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat livers

The effect of geranyl-geranyl-acetone (GGA) administration before heat shock preconditioning on heat shock protein (HSP) 72 induction and on the acquisition of tolerance against ischemia-reperfusion Injury was studied in rat livers. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group (group C); a GGA group (group G); a simple heat shock group (group VH); and a heat shock with GGA premedication group (group GH). Five-, 10-, and 15-minute periods of heat shock preconditioning at 42 degrees C were performed in groups VH and GH. Subgroups were determined according to the period of heat shock exposure. After a 48-hour recovery, rats in groups C, VH5, VH15, and GH5 received a 30-minute period of hepatic ischemia. Induction of HSP72, survival rates, and changes in biochemical and histologic parameters were compared among the groups. Five-minute heat shock preconditioning was not enough to Induce HSP72. However, livers in group GH5 expressed approximately the same amount of HSP72 as those in group VH15. The expression of HSP72 in group GH15 was stronger than that found in group VH15. The degree and location of HSP72 expression were not different between groups GH5 and VH15. Seven-day survival was significantly better in groups GH5 (16/16) and VH15 (15/16) than in group C (8/16) or VH5 (9/16). The recovery of adenosine triphosphate in liver tissue was faster, and the release of liver-related enzymes during reperfusion was lower in groups GH5 and VH15 than in group C or VH5. Administration of GGA before heat shock preconditioning augmented the induction of HSP72 by decreasing the threshold for triggering the stress response.

Protective effect of a traditional Japanese medicine, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (Japanese name: Hochu-ekki-to), on the restraint stress-induced susceptibility against Listeria monocytogenes

In this study, the effect of traditional Japanese (Chinese) medicine, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (Japanese name: Hochu-ekki-to, HOT), on the restraint stress treatment (RST)-induced susceptibility against Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was examined. When RST was performed every day for 10 h from the day of infection, the bacterial numbers were increased at 3 and 5 days after the infection. Oral pretreatment with HOT for 7 days prevented such increases. Pretreatment with HOT prevented the suppression of antigen-specific IFN-gamma production by RST. HOT also prevented suppression of macrophage accumulation, including MHC-class II positives, in the peritoneal cavity and their bactericidal activity by RST. HOT suppressed the serum corticosterone level elevated by RST in infected mice. Taken together, the suppression of corticosterone using HOT participates in the prevention of suppressions of the bactericidal activity of macrophages, migration of macrophages and antigen-specific IFN-gamma production of Th1 cells by RST. Our findings suggest that HOT is a useful drug for patients suffering from stress disease to reduce the susceptibility to bacterial infection.