Studies on active substances in herbs used for hair treatment. I. Effects of herb extracts on hair growth and isolation of an active substance from Polyporus umbellatus F

The effects of methanol extracts of 80 herbs on hair growth were investigated, using normal C3H/He mice from which telogen hair on the back had been removed. Eighteen of the extracts apparently promoted hair regrowth on the mice. As one of active principles in Polyporus umbellatus F., 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde was isolated by column chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2, Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel.

Quadruple cancers in a human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 carrier

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is considered to contribute to the risk of malignancies other than adult T-cell leukemia. We report a 64-year-old male HTLV-1 carrier who developed quadruple malignancies such as cancer of the urinary bladder, skin, larynx and liver.

The study of tumor necrosis factor beta gene polymorphism in lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

In recent years numerous reports have discussed the relationship between the human leukocyte antigen and lung cancer. However, the genetic background of lung cancer has not yet been precisely clarified.

METHODS

To investigate the genetic background of lung cancer, the human leukocyte antigens in 159 normal healthy control subjects and 102 lung cancer patients were studied, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta gene in 165 normal healthy control subjects and 135 lung cancer patients was performed.

RESULTS

Lung cancer patients showed a high frequency of human leukocyte antigen B61; however, no statistical difference was found. In the lung cancer patients, the TNF beta 10.5/10.5-kb allele was found at a low frequency, 38.5%, compared to 53.3% in normal controls (chi 2 = 7.51, P = 0.011, corrected P = 0.033, relative risk = 0.77). In the relationship between the histologic types and the TNF beta gene, the TNF beta 10.5/10.5-kb allele showed low frequencies: 38.5% in adenocarcinoma, 38.2% in squamous cell carcinoma, and 27.8% in small cell carcinoma, although no statistical difference was shown. In relation to the postoperative survival period, the TNF beta 10.5/10.5-kb allele was associated with prolonged survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The TNF beta 10.5/10.5-kb allele may be associated with resistance to lung cancer and with a better prognosis.

Necessity to improve common understanding about the security issues among hospitals in Japan and some feasible approaches

To improve common understanding about security issues, the importance of classifying the information is stressed, after describing briefly the social background concerning privacy-related problems in Japan. We discuss here the classification only from the following two points of view: (a) the ownership; and (b) how to use. We will derive a two-dimensional fuzzy membership function to describe the ownership and a 'how to use' three-dimensional one as models for describing the framework concerning access right and informed consent.

Developmental change in activity of red cell porphobilinogen deaminase and its electrophoretic variant in the Japanese population

The activity of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), an enzyme whose partial deficiency is associated with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), changes during development. Little is known about the postnatal change of PBGD activity and the prevalence of its electrophoretic variant in the Japanese population. The activity of PBGD was measured fluorometrically in 194 infants aged 0-12 months, while isoelectric focusing of PBGD was performed in 400 healthy Japanese adults aged 20-45 years and 30 children with various hematological disorders aged 1-15 years. The PBGD level was 1.9 times higher in the neonates than in the adults, decreased abruptly during the first month of life, and reached the adult level at the age of 9 months. None of the 400 healthy Japanese adults and the 30 children with hematological disorders showed any electrophoretic variant. These results suggest that there is no need to consider any polymorphism in the gene dose study of PBGD and that the biochemical screening of AIP is applicable to since the late infancy.

Craniosynostosis and hemizygosity for D7S135 caused by a de novo and apparently balanced t(6;7) translocation

Craniosynostosis (CRS) is frequently seen in the del(7p) syndrome, and the gene for this cranial anomaly (CRS1) has been assigned to 7p21. We present a 3-year-old boy with CRS involving the sagittal and coronal sutures, who had a de novo and apparently balanced translocation, t(6;7)(q16.2;p15.3). Southern blot analysis of several loci on 7p14-->pter showed that the patient was heterozygous for HOX1I and IL6, possibly homozygous for D7S149, but hemizygous for D7S135 with a loss of the paternal allele. These findings suggest the localization of a candidate gene for CRS1 to be on 7p15.3 in the close proximity to the D7S135 locus.

Endotoxin protects the gastric mucosa against ulcerogenic stimuli

It is well-documented that large amounts of endotoxin produce hemorrhagic mucosal lesions in the stomach. To determine whether endotoxin, when injected at small doses, similarly exerts ulcerogenic actions, endotoxin (0.4-40 micrograms/kg) was injected into 24 hr-fasted rats. These small doses of endotoxin did not affect the integrity of the gastric mucosa. Unexpectedly, however, pretreatment with these minute amounts of endotoxin protected the gastric mucosa against various ulcerogenic stimuli such as stress, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ethanol. The anti-ulcer actions of endotoxin were not observed in endotoxin-insensitive animals (C3H/HeJ mice), thereby suggesting that endogenous cytokines such as interleukin-1 may mediate these protective actions. These findings stand in contrast to the toxic effect of endotoxin as an ulcerogen and indicate that endotoxin, albeit its term "toxin," may have a beneficial effect for the host.

CD7, CD4 and myeloid antigen-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We report a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, FAB-L2) with unique cellular characteristics. Leukemic cells were negative for various cytochemical stainings except acid phosphatase. Immunophenotypic studies revealed CD7+, CD4+, CD8-, CD2+, CD3-, CD13+, CD25+, CD33+ and CD34+. The immunoglobulin heavy chain and T-cell receptor beta, gamma and delta chain genes were germline configurations. This patient had a karyotype of complex abnormalities involving Nos. 5 and 7. Leukemic cells showed a prominent response to interleukin-3, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and G-CSF with partial granulocytic differentiation in a colony assay. A binding assay confirmed the presence of both high and low affinity receptors for GM-CSF. These findings suggest that CD7+CD4+CD8-CD3- putative T-cell precursors may retain the capacity to differentiate to myeloid lineage.

[Unrelated match bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia]

The results of unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is poor because of the rejection of bone marrow graft and graft versus host disease (GVHD). However, the rate of rejection has been reported to be decreased by intensive immuno-suppressive preconditioning regimens combined with total body irradiation (TBI). We report a case of an 18-year-old male with severe aplastic anemia who received a matched BMT from an unrelated donor. The pre-conditioning regimen included cyclophosphamide (50mg/kg) for 4 days, total lymphoid irradiation (TLI: 6Gy) and TBI (5Gy). GVHD (grade 1), hemorrhage cystitis and varicella occurred after BMT but were cured. His performance status is now 100% on the Karnofsky score at 10 months after BMT.

Evaluation of prognoses of patients with gastric cancer by the responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocyte to OK432 in vitro

The response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to the streptococcal preparation OK432 was examined in vitro in 193 gastric cancer patients. When the patients were divided by stimulation index (SI) into two groups, SI > or = 20 and SI < 20, the response rate of SI > or = 20 group of stage IV was 37.5%, and higher than those of the other stages (p < 0.05). In the relationship between SI and the survival period in stage III, the SI > or = 20 group showed longer survival than the SI < 20 group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between SI > or = 20 and SI < 20 in stage IV, but no member of the SI < 20 group survived more than 2 years, whereas the five-year survival of the SI > or = 20 group was 38.9%. In the overall survival of stage III and IV, the SI > or = 20 group showed longer survival than the SI < 20 group (p = 0.001). The lymphoproliferative responses to OK432 decreased in very advanced gastric cancer patients and this might lead to poor prognosis.

Selective impairment of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ response to glucose in pancreatic beta cells of streptozocin-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats

Pancreatic islets from the streptozocin-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rat model showed a diminished insulin response to 16.7 mmol/L glucose, but the insulin response to arginine remained intact. To evaluate the importance of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the diminished insulin response to glucose, the [Ca2+]i of pancreatic beta cells was investigated using fura-2. Glucose produced heterogeneous responses of [Ca2+]i, which were in beta-cell clusters of both the control and NIDDM groups. Many cells showed initial slight decreases of [Ca2+]i, which were followed by gradual and large increments of [Ca2+]i after glucose stimulation of beta cells in the control group. On the other hand, the increase of [Ca2+]i in response to glucose was markedly diminished in beta cells of the NIDDM group compared with controls. The average lag time to [Ca2+]i elevation of beta cells in the NIDDM group was significantly longer than that of the control group. Arginine produced marked increases of [Ca2+]i, in contrast to the effect of glucose stimulation in the NIDDM group. These results suggest that the diminished and delayed [Ca2+]i increases in beta cells of NIDDM rats in response to glucose stimulation are responsible for the selectively impaired insulin response to glucose in the rat model of NIDDM.

Studies on antiinflammatory agents. III. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of metabolites of 4'-acetyl-2'-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)methanesulfonanilide (FK3311)

We synthesized putative metabolites of 4'-acetyl-2'-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)methanesulfonanilide (FK3311, 1), a novel antiinflammatory agent, in order to confirm their structures and also to investigate their pharmacological properties. The structures of the metabolites 2-5 were confirmed by direct comparison with the synthesized authentic compounds. We employed the following tests to assess pharmacological activities: zymosan-induced prostaglandin E2 production for in vitro activity, adjuvant-induced arthritis for antiinflammatory activity, and acetic acid-induced writhing for analgesic activity. Metabolite 2 is nearly equipotent to 1 in the in vivo tests and metabolite 3 is an active metabolite with in vitro activity comparable to that of 1.

Evaluation of sodium dodecyl sulfate non-acrylamide, polymer gel-filled capillary electrophoresis for molecular size separation of recombinant bovine somatotropin

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) non-acrylamide, polymer gel-filled capillary electrophoresis was examined as an alternative to the high-performance size-exclusion chromatographic (HPSEC) method for the analysis of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bovine growth hormone, rbSt). A calibration curve for the molecular mass of protein standards (M(r) 14,000 to 97,000) was linear (r2 = 0.998) when the molecular mass of the proteins and their peak migration time were plotted on a logarithmic (log-log) scale. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of the molecular mass determination was approximately 2-3%. A pre-production as well as a production lot of the SDS gel-filled capillary columns were examined. Performance of both of these columns were equivalent. Peak migration time remained relatively constant beyond 140 sample injections. Gradual loss of theoretical plates was noted over the course of the assay; however, the peak resolution remained adequate for the analysis of rbSt. Peaks corresponding to monomer, dimer, trimer, and tetramer of rbSt were base-line resolved by the SDS gel-filled capillary electrophoresis. Theoretical plate of the monomer peak was approximately 28,000-30,000 per 40 cm column. Both the monomer and the dimer recovery studies indicated that the calibration curves are linear (r2 > 0.993) and the slopes are not different from one. Amounts of the components in rbSt determined by the SDS gel-filled capillary electrophoresis compared well with those of the HPSEC method. The results of this study indicated that the SDS non-acrylamide gel-filled capillary electrophoresis may be a viable alternative to the HPSEC method for the molecular size separation and analysis of recombinant proteins.

[Immunogenetic studies of spina bifida--sibling cases in three families]

We reported sibling cases of spina bifida in three families. In the first family, three boys were the products of one mother and different two fathers. They all suffered from spina bifida cystica with various degrees of hydrocephalus. Cyst closure and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt were performed. Elder boys had more severe neurological deficits. In the second family, two boys and one girl were affected. The elder boy had minimum neurological deficit but the younger boy had a severe neurological deficit and hydrocephalus. Cyst closure was performed on both of them but the shunting procedure was not. The girl was normal. In the third family, three girls were affected. The second girl suffered from spina bifida cystica with hydrocephalus and cyst closure was performed. After that ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was done. Other two girls were spina bifida occulta without any neurological deficit. HLA typing, red blood cell antigen typing and chromosome test were studied in three families. There was no evidence of linkage between spina bifida and HLA antigens. Also no relationship between spina bifida and red blood cell antigens. They all had normal chromosomes. We could not make as one material for genetic counseling from above studied three methods.

Overexpression of HLA class I antigen reduces insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells (RINM5F): evidence for a non-immune mechanism

Our recent observation indicated that overexpression of HLA-class I antigen on pancreatic beta cells is one of the features of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). To analyze the effect of class I antigen overexpression, we have introduced human HLA class I (HLA-Cw3) gene into rat pancreatic beta cell lines, RINm5F. Several stable transformants with various levels of surface expression of class I antigens have been cloned. The insulin secretion of these transfectants was analyzed to evaluate the functions of beta cells. Highly negative correlation between the level of insulin secretion and that of class I expression (correlation coefficiency: r = 0.89) has been observed. These data suggest that the overexpression of HLA class I antigen itself may impair pancreatic beta cells through a nonimmune mechanism.

Trimethadione tolerance tests for the assessment of feasible size of hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Pre-operative evaluation of the quantity of functional remnant hepatic parenchyma after hepatectomy was carried out to predict the optimal amount of hepatic resection using the trimethadione (TMO) tolerance test. This test is an estimate based on serum diamethadione (DMO)/TMO ratio (DMO is the only metabolite of TMO) 4 h after oral administration of TMO, and computed tomography (CT) scans of the liver in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The percentage of remnant hepatic parenchyma was calculated pre-operatively from the remaining non-cancerous portion and the whole hepatic parenchyma, excluding the HCC portion, using the CT scans. Presumptive remnant DMO/TMO ratio was calculated by multiplying the percentage of remnant hepatic parenchyma and pre-operative serum DMO/TMO ratio in 45 patients with HCC undergoing resection. The presumptive remnant DMO/TMO ratios were 0.31 +/- 0.10 (mean +/- s.d.) in 42 patients who survived hepatectomy and 0.13 +/- 0.02 (below 0.15) in the three patients who died from postoperative hepatic failure. Of these surviving patients, two patients who had the presumptive remnant DMO/TMO ratios under 0.15 developed postoperative severe complications. Thus, hepatectomy may not be indicated in patients where presumptive remnant DMO/TMO ratio is 0.15 and lower. These findings suggest that pre-operative measurement of presumptive remnant DMO/TMO ratio, when obtained with the CT of the liver and TMO tolerance test, is useful for prediction of the quantity of functional remnant hepatic parenchyma after hepatectomy in patients with chronic liver disease.

The HLA-DR and DQ genes control the autoimmune response to DNA topoisomerase I in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

HLA class II alleles were determined using the PCR-RFLP method in Japanese systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) patients with (n = 28) or without (n = 34) anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (anti-topo I). Either the DQB1*0601 or *0301 allele was recognized in all anti-topo I positive patients, compared with 44% of anti-topo I negative patients (P < 0.00001, relative risk [RR] > 41) or 58% of Japanese healthy control subjects (P < 0.00001, RR > 24). Tyrosine at position 26 in the second hypervariable region in the beta 1 domain of the DQB1 gene is common to these two alleles and is not present in any other known DQB1 alleles. We also examined immunoreactivities of anti-topo I positive sera to four different autoantigenic B cell epitopes of topo I molecule that were expressed as recombinant fusion proteins. One major B cell epitope, located within the region corresponding to amino acid residues 74-248, was perfectly associated with the amino acid sequence FLEDR at positions 67-71 in the beta 1 domain of the DRB gene. Two other epitopes, corresponding to 316-441 or 658-700, were associated with the serologically defined HLA-DR52 antigen. Patients with both FLEDR and DR52 demonstrated higher anti-topo I antibody titers. These results suggest that the HLA-DR and DQ genes together control the autoimmune response to topo I in systemic sclerosis.

Apparent genetic difference between hypothyroid patients with blocking-type thyrotropin receptor antibody and those without, as shown by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of HLA-DP loci

HLA types in Japanese patients with primary hypothyroidism were analyzed to see whether those with blocking-type TSH receptor antibody (TSH-R BAb M) differed genetically from those with idiopathic myxedema (IM). HLA typings of -A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ (73 antigens) were performed serologically, and those of -D and -DP (29 antigens) were analyzed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Thirty patients were studied with TSH-R BAb M, and 28 with IM. The data were analyzed and compared with our previous results from 88 Graves' patients, 46 Hashimoto patients, and 186 control subjects. Overall, 192 patients with 4 autoimmune thyroid disorders showed a decrease in -Aw19 and an increase in -DQw4 (corrected P < 0.05) and significant associations of -Aw33, -Bw46, -Cw3, -DRw8, -DR9, and -DQw3. In TSH-R BAb M patients, increases in -B35, -Bw60, and -Dw8 and decreases in -DR4 and -DPw2 were seen, whereas IM patients showed increased -DPw2, -Bw61, and -Dw23. In comparisons between TSH-R BAb M and IM, the difference in -DPw2 was highly significant. HLA-B35 differed significantly in these 2 types of hypothyroidism. In conclusion, TSH-R BAb M patients have decreased frequency of -DPw2 and are genetically similar to Graves' disease, whereas IM patients are characterized by high frequency of -DPw2 and are genetically similar to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

[Urgent mitral valve replacement for acute mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae tendineae in systemic lupus erythematousus]

We reported a successful surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR) due to ruptured chordae tendineae in a 44-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had received the steroid therapy. He had signs of acute congestive heart failure with severe pulmonary hypertension due to MR, and underwent urgent mitral valve replacement. The postoperative course was uneventful. When replacing valve in SLE, a careful manipulation should be taken because of friability of cardiovascular tissue. Patients are usually administered steroid agents, and the agents ought to be discontinued in perioperative period, but it seems to be better to resume as soon as possible. We conclude that the surgical treatment for valvular diseases should be considered, even in the patient with SLE.