Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) correlates with prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

In the present study, tissue manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activities were determined postoperatively as a means to gauge future prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (O-SCC). We investigated the relationships among the various clinico-pathologic parameters and clinical course of 43 patients with O-SCC. The Mn-SOD activity in the cancerous tissues decreased with the healthy controls, but there was no significant difference between the patients with O-SCC and healty controls. There was no significant difference between tissue Mn-SOD activities and clinical stage. However, patients who presented metastatic lymph nodes (N 1 or N 2) exhibited higher tissue Mn-SOD activities than patients without metastatic lymph nodes. In the pathologic parameters, the tissue Mn-SOD activities of grade 4 C, 4 D group and high histological malignancy group were significant higher than those of other groups. The tissue Mn-SOD activities were significantly lower in the good-prognosis group than in the poor-prognosis group. These results of the present study suggest that a evaluation of tissue Mn-SOD activities in O-SCC is a useful prognostic factor for screening of patients with O-SCC.

Activin antiserum infused into the lateral hypothalamic area affects operant behavior of rats fed lysine-deficient diet

Rats were trained to maintain a high rate of bar pressing to receive 50-mg pellets of a complete diet when given a lysine-deficient (Lys-def) diet ad libitum. This bar-pressing behavior was significantly inhibited when rats were also allowed ad libitum access to 0.4 M Lys to drink. A brain activin system may modulate motivation to engage in bar-pressing behavior, since previous work has established that antagonism of activin by infusion of inhibin or follistatin, but not activin, into the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) also inhibits bar-pressing behavior. The present study sought to clarify whether the effect of inhibin or follistatin might be mediated by antagonism of endogenous activin or by a separate direct effect of inhibin or follistatin. Thus, we infused an antiserum, which specifically inhibits activin A activity, into the LHA. Infusion of antiserum greatly inhibited bar-pressing behavior of rats fed a Lys-def diet and was additive with Lys consumption further to decrease bar pressing. Ad libitum Lys consumption was unchanged from control levels, indicating that it is likely that an endogenous activin system in the LHA mediates behavioral responsiveness when rats are fed a Lys-def diet but does not appear specifically to affect appetite for Lys.

Dexamethasone prevents the decrease of bone mineral density in type II collagen-induced rat arthritis model

This study demonstrated the decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) in the type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) model in rats and the relationship between BMD and paw edema and the effect of dexamethasone-21-phosphate (DEX). The paw swelling occurred on Day 10 and reached its peak on Day 18 after CII injection. BMD in the CII-injected group is lower than that in the control group. BMD in the proximal and distal regions of the femur largely decreased in comparison with that of the middle region. The oral administration of DEX (0.1 mg/kg) inhibited the swelling and decrease of BMD in all three regions of the femur.

Matrix-producing carcinoma of the breast: case report with radiographical and cytopathological features

A case of matrix-producing carcinoma (MPC), which is a unique variant of breast cancer, is described with cytopathological and radiographical findings. A 75-year-old female presented with a palpable mass in her right breast. After confirmation of the cytopathological diagnosis, the patient received a right mastectomy with ipsilateral axillary lymph node dissection. The histopathological examination revealed MPC. The Union Internationalis Contra Cancrum postoperative clinical stage was IIB. The patient is well and without disease 18 months after the surgery.

Rapid isolation of choriocapillary endothelial cells by Lycopersicon esculentum-coated Dynabeads

In vitro studies of choroidal endothelial cells may be critical for understanding the pathogenesis of neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration, since endothelial cells from different sites are highly heterogeneous in their morphology and behavior. Isolation of choroidal endothelial cells is complicated and labor intensive because of the small size of the choroid and the difficulty of excluding contaminating cells. We describe a rapid, simplified method for the isolation of bovine choroidal endothelial cells using microdissection followed by the use of superparamagnetic beads (Dynabeads) coated with the endothelial cell-specific lectin Lycopersicon esculentum, which selectively binds to fucose residues on the endothelial cell surface. Cells bound to beads are isolated using a magnetic particle concentrator. Isolated cells grew to confluence in a monolayer with a cobblestone morphology and were shown to be endothelial cells by their greater than 95% immunoreactivity to von Willebrand factor and phagocytosis of dil-acetylated LDL. Isolated cells grew as tubes in three-dimensional cultures. This method markedly reduces the time needed for pure culture of cells and makes the in vitro study of choroidal endothelial cells practical and reproducible.

Setback phenomenon in autism and long-term prognosis

From among the subjects of a follow-up study on cases of autism conducted by the authors in 1990, 179 cases for which precise records were available on the infancy period were selected for evaluation of the relationship between the occurrence of setback phenomenon in infancy and long-term prognosis. The following results were obtained: (i) a significantly higher rate of epilepsy among the setback group compared to the non-setback group; and (ii) a significantly lower level of language development among the setback group upon entering elementary school compared to the non-setback group, although the difference between the present levels of adaptation of the two groups was not significant. Factors determining the long-term prognosis of the setback group are discussed.

Clinical studies on three cases of the interval form of carbon monoxide poisoning: serial proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a prognostic predictor

Three patients with the interval form of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning were studied for associations between their clinical courses and serial changes on: (1) MRI; (2) EEG; (3) single photon emission computed tomography with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine ([123I]IMP SPECT); and (4) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ([1HIMRS) to evaluate their usefulness as prognostic predictors. A hyperintense area on MRI T2-weighted images and a hypointense area on T1-weighted images, appearing in the deep white matter, persisted for a prolonged period even after improvement of the clinical symptoms, and did not become an accurate indicator of clinical evaluation or prognosis. [1H]MRS studies with the volume of interest set in the frontal lobe white matter revealed increases in choline-containing compounds, and reductions of N-acetylaspartate in all cases. These findings normalized in one subclinical case over time. Distinctive findings in the severe cases included increased lactate in two cases showing akinetic mutism, with a difference in prognosis noted according to the degree and period of persistence of this increase. EEG findings were relatively well correlated with clinical symptoms in the early period, with a good correlation no longer consistent after a certain period was exceeded. [123I]IMP SPECT findings did not always reflectclinical symptomatology either. These results indicate that [1H]MRS is the most useful indicator in the clinical evaluation of patients with the interval form of CO poisoning.

Impaired febrile response in mice lacking the prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP3

Fever, a hallmark of disease, is elicited by exogenous pyrogens, that is, cellular components, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), of infectious organisms, as well as by non-infectious inflammatory insults. Both stimulate the production of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, that act on the brain as endogenous pyrogens. Fever can be suppressed by aspirin-like anti-inflammatory drugs. As these drugs share the ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis, it is thought that a prostaglandin is important in fever generation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) may be a neural mediator of fever, but this has been much debated. PGE2 acts by interacting with four subtypes of PGE receptor, the EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 receptors. Here we generate mice lacking each of these receptors by homologous recombination. Only mice lacking the EP3 receptor fail to show a febrile response to PGE2 and to either IL-1beta or LPS. Our results establish that PGE2 mediates fever generation in response to both exogenous and endogenous pyrogens by acting at the EP3 receptor.

Human genes for KNSL4 and MAZ are located close to one another on chromosome 16p11.2

KNSL4 (Kid; kinesin-like DNA-binding protein) is a member of the kinesin family that is involved in spindle formation and the movements of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. Myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) participates in both the initiation and the termination of transcription of target genes. We isolated genomic DNA clones that encoded KNSL4 and MAZ from a human cosmid library. Sequence analysis revealed that the two genes were very close to one another. The distance between the two genes was only 1. 2 kb, and this intervening 1.2-kb region was extremely GC-rich. The gene for KNSL4 spanned 16 kb and consisted of 14 exons and 13 introns, while the gene for MAZ spanned 6 kb and consisted of 5 exons and 4 introns. The two genes were mapped to chromosome 16p11.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

In-111 labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in patients with suspected inflammation after failed antibiotic therapy

In-111 labeled leukocyte scintigraphy (In-111 WBC scan) was performed in 16 patients with inflammation suspected on the basis of laboratory findings, symptoms, and diagnostic imaging, but who had failed antibiotic therapy. In-111 WBC scans revealed an abnormal focus of radiotracer activity (positive scans) in five of 16 patients. No correlation was found between the peripheral WBC count and accumulation of In-111 WBC. Inflammatory disease suspected on the basis of the CRP level should be considered when In-111 WBC scanning results in negative findings. Our results indicated that In-111 WBC scanning has low sensitivity after antibiotic therapy. Selection of patients on the basis of persistent elevation of CRP may be valuable.

[Effect on hepatic function of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy using epirubicin and mitoxantrone for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

This study was designed to assess the effect of hepatic dysfunction from hepatic artery infusion (HAI) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patients were randomly assigned to receive epirubicin (n = 12, Epi group) or mitoxantrone (n = 14, Mito group) once every 4 weeks between 1992 and 1996. HCC patients were given 6-8 mg of mitoxantrone or 30-40 mg epirubicin. There was hepatic dysfunction in 27 patients after HAI, showing similarly elevated GOT, GPT, and total bilirubin. In the Epi group, the GOT value was slightly higher than in the Mito group, but it was not significant. After HAI chemotherapy, the GOT value showed a more than two-fold elevation. Six patients in the Epi group and 2 in the Mito group showed a significant difference. Our results indicated that mitoxantrone had less impact on hepatic function following HAI therapy.

Stereoselective synthesis of a novel and bifunctional endothelin antagonist, IRL 3630

IRL 3630 (3), a single enantiomer of IRL 3461 with more potency was identified. Coupling reaction of the racemic fragment (1) with the chiral (L)-valinesulfonamide (2) under a biphasic solvent system (CH2Cl2-H2O) successfully led to the predominant formation of the desired isomer (3) with concomitant isomerization of 1. IRL 3630, N-butanesulfonyl-[N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N-methyl-3-[4-(5-+ ++isoxazolyl) -phenyl]-(D)-alanyl]-(L)-valineamide, is a highly potent and bifunctional (ETA + ETB) antagonist [Ki(ETA) = 1.5 nM, Ki(ETB) = 1.2 nM].

Discovery of IRL 3461: a novel and potent endothelin antagonist with balanced ETA/ETB affinity

IRL 3461, N-butanesulfonyl-[N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N-methyl-3-[4-(5-+ ++isoxazolyl) -phenyl]-alanyl]-(L)-valineamide, a potent and bifunctional (ETA + ETB) [Ki(ETA) = 1.8 nM, Ki(ETB) = 1.2 nM] antagonist was discovered by structural modification of IRL 2500, an ETB selective antagonist. IRL 3461 was found to be stable on incubation with human, rat, mouse, and guinea pig plasmas.

Dual radionuclide single-photon emission computed tomography in the prediction of further ischemic risk after acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate whether the findings of dual single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m pyrophosphate (Tc-99m PPi) and thallium-201 were predictive of further cardiac events in their hospital course, we studied 130 patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Fifty-four patients showed overlapping of Tc-99m PPi and thallium-201 in the same location (overlap positive group), and 76 patients had no overlap (overlap negative group). Of the 130 patients, 36 (28%) had a cardiac event. In patients in the overlap positive group, the incidence of subsequent events was significantly higher than in patients in the overlap negative group (44% versus 16%; p < 0.001). In the overlap positive group, the Tc-99m PPi uptake score and the number of overlap segments in patients with further events was significantly higher than those in patients without further events (10.2 +/- 5.1 versus 6.4 +/- 4.1, p < 0.005 and 5.2 +/- 2.0 versus 3.3 +/- 1.3, p < 0.001, respectively). These results suggest that patients who have a Tc-99m PPi and thallium-201 overlap negative scan can be candidates for early hospital discharge. In contrast, patients who have a greater number of overlap segments may require early catheterization and revascularization, so that simultaneous SPECT imaging Tc-99m PPi and thallium-201 might be useful for identifying patients with further ischemic risk after AMI in their hospital course.

Alteration in calcium content and Ca2+-ATPase activity in the liver nuclei of rats orally administered carbon tetrachloride

The alteration in calcium transport in the liver nuclei of rats orally administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was investigated. Rats received a single oral administration of CCl4 (5, 10, and 25%, 1.0 ml/100 g body weight), and 5, 24 and 48 h later the animals were sacrificed. The administration of CCl4 (25%) caused a remarkable elevation of calcium content in the liver tissues and the nuclei of rats. Liver nuclear Ca2+-ATPase activity was markedly decreased by CCl4 (25%) administration. The presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP(10(-4) and 10(-3) M) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) in the enzyme reaction mixture caused a significant decrease in Ca2+-ATPase activity in the liver nuclei obtained from normal rat, while the enzyme activity was significantly increased by calmodulin (1.0 and 2.0 microg/ml). These signaling factor's effects were completely impaired in the liver nuclei obtained from CCl4 (25%)-administered rats. DNA fragmentation in the liver nuclei obtained from CCl4-administered rats was significantly decreased by the presence of EGTA (2 mM) in the reaction mixture, suggesting that the endogenous calcium activates nuclear DNA fragmentation. The present study demonstrates that calcium transport system in the liver nuclei is impaired by liver injury with CCl4 administration in rats.

Two different IL-13 receptor chains are expressed in normal human skin fibroblasts, and IL-4 and IL-13 mediate signal transduction through a common pathway

IL-13 and IL-4, pleiotropic immune regulatory cytokines, have been shown to mediate similar prominent effects in human fibroblast cell lines. However, molecular mechanisms for their redundant effects are not known. Here, we have investigated the structure of IL-13 receptors (IL-13R) and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction through IL-13 and IL-4 receptors in non-transformed normal skin fibroblast cell lines. We demonstrate that high-affinity IL-13R is expressed in normal skin fibroblast cell lines. Upon [125I]1L-13 cross-linking, a approximately 60-70 kDa band was observed in sk559 and sk574 fibroblast cell lines. By RT-PCR analysis, mRNA for IL-13R alpha, IL-13R alpha' and IL-4Rbeta chains were expressed; however, the IL-2Rgamma chain, shown to participate and modulate IL-4 and IL-13 binding, was not expressed in any of the cell lines examined. The Janus kinase (JAK)2 and Tyk2 were phosphorylated in response to IL-4 or IL-13 in sk559 and sk574 cell lines. JAK1 was also phosphorylated in one of two cell lines while JAK3 was present but not phosphorylated in any of the cell lines studied. A signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT)6 was also activated in response to both IL. An insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 was constitutively phosphorylated and its phosphorylation level was augmented in response to both IL. These results suggest that the mechanism of signal transduction through IL-13 and IL-4 receptors in human fibroblast cell lines is similar, and this may, at least in part, be responsible for the redundant effects of these two cytokines. In addition, JAK2 tyrosine kinase instead of JAK3 appears to play a major role in IL-4- and IL-13-induced signal transduction in human fibroblasts.

Histological grading of malignancy correlates with regional lymph node metastasis and survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

This study evaluated the effectiveness of certain clinical and pathologic parameters in prognosing in oral squamous cell carcinoma (O-SCC). Patients and Methods. We performed a univariate and multivariate analysis of 212 patients with O-SCC and thus determined the move valuable factors in making a prognosis. We then investigated the relationships among the various pathologic parameters and regional lymph node metastasis. Regarding the pathologic parameters, a multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model determined inflammatory infiltration, invasive tendency, necrotic tendency, mitotic figures, and vascular permeation to be significant and independent prognostic factors affecting O-SCC. In addition, such the pathologic parameters as the mode of invasion, cellular atypia, mitotic figures, a necrotic tendency and as invasive tendency all correlated with the occurrence of regional lymph node metastasis. These statistically estimated histological grading of malignancy was thus found to be clinically acceptable and useful in helping to make a prognosis of O-SCC patients.

Behavioral characteristics of 187 young adults with autism

A survey was conducted on the present behavioral characteristics of 187 cases of adult autism in patients over 18 years of age employing Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). When their behavioral characteristics were evaluated in relation to Present Language Developmental Level (PLDL) and Present Adaptive Level (PAL), it was seen that greater variation in behavior characteristics was seen among those exhibiting increasingly lower PLDL and PAL scores. Behavior characteristics reminiscent of depression were noted even among those exhibiting high PLDL. Behavior pointing to obsession was found in common among almost all cases of autism irrespective of PLDL or PAL. Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions were absent in most cases. The results of the present study were indicative not only of the significance of obsessive behavior in autism, but also its significance in terms of delving further into the psychopathology of the disorder.

Establishment and characterization of a new cell line derived from feline mammary tumor

A new cell line designated FRM was established from pleural effusion of a 13-year-old female cat with mammary adenocarcinoma. The cell line exhibited irregular round and polygonal shaped epithelial cells and demonstrated cell growth in a monolayer fashion with a doubling time of 22.4 hr. It possessed a modal chromosome number of 79. The immortality of this cell line was demonstrated using the TRAP assay which revealed a high telomeric activity of these cells. Scatchard analysis revealed quite low levels of estrogen receptors in both tumor mass produced in nude mice and FRM cells. Subcutaneous transplantation of the cells produced localized palpable masses in athymic nude mice within two weeks. This cell line may provide a good model for in vivo and in vitro studies on feline mammary tumors.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of (+)-3-[11C]cyano-dizocilpine

(+)-3-[11C]Cyano-5-methyl-10,11 -dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine ([11C]MKC) was successfully synthesized as a potential radiotracer for PET studies on the NMDA receptor channel complex. In vitro binding properties of [11C]MKC were investigated with newly developed techniques for efficient evaluation of 11C-labeled compounds. The association curve of [11C]MKC binding in rat forebrain membranes showed that the specific binding reached an equilibrium within 30 min. Specific binding was saturable with affinity constant KD=8.2+/-0.4nM and Bmax=1.62+/-0.04 pmol/mg protein with glutamate and glycine included in the incubation medium. The binding of [11C]MKC was decreased by extensive washing of the membrane preparation. (+)- and (-)-Dizocilpine, 3-cyano-dizocilpine, and ketamine inhibited the specific binding of [11C]MKC with IC50 values of 37.3, 445.0, 65.8nM and 3.91 microM, respectively. High specific binding in in vitro autoradiography was distributed predominantly in telencephalic regions (the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and striatum) followed by thalamus. PET studies using rhesus monkeys under anesthesia showed high uptake of [11C]MKC in the temporoparietal and frontal cerebral cortices, striatum, and thalamic regions, although it is problematic to verify the specific binding in vivo by PET.

Transcription factor CP2 is essential for lens-specific expression of the chicken alphaA-crystallin gene

BACKGROUND

Lens-specific transcriptional activation of the chicken alphaA-crystallin gene is controlled by the distal and proximal enhancers, alphaCE1 and alphaCE2, respectively. Analysis using specific monoclonal antibodies against purified alphaCE1-binding factor alphaCEF1 revealed that alphaCEF1 is composed of two distinct subunits.

RESULTS

We have demonstrated that one of the subunits of alphaCEF1 is encoded by chicken ubiquitous transcription factor CP2 (cCP2), which is homologous to mouse CP2, and human CP2/LBP-1/LSF-1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and cross-linking experiments showed that alphaCEF1 and bacterially expressed cCP2 form a tetramer. Overexpression of cCP2 activates transcription through alphaCE1, but a mutant cCP2 lacking the DNA-binding domain reduced the transcription to basal levels. Although cCP2 binds to the CP2 template from the mouse alpha-globin promoter, it fails to promote transcription through this template. Element substitution experiments between alphaCE1 and the CP2 template revealed that the lens-specific enhancer activity of alphaCE1 is due to the 6 bp sequence (-139/-134; lens-specific element (LSE)) adjacent to the 3' of the cCP2 binding site within alphaCE1.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that the tetrameric transcription factor cCP2 is essential for lens-specific transcription of the chicken alphaA-crystallin gene, although it is ubiquitously expressed. We propose a model where cCP2 cooperates with a putative lens-specific factor which binds to LSE.

Verapamil inhibits proliferation, migration and protein kinase C activity in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

The effects of three calcium channel blockers, verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine, were examined on in vitro proliferation and migration of human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were seeded in Dulbecco's modified essential medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and different concentrations of the three calcium channel blockers. After 3 days of treatment, cell proliferation was determined by cell counting and by [3H]-thymidine uptake. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue exclusion. For determination of cell migration, retinal pigment epithelial cells were grown to confluence and then growth-inhibited with mitomycin C. After a 3 mm zone was denuded, the cells were treated with different concentrations of the calcium channel antagonists. After 24 hr, the cells that had migrated over the wound edge were counted. To determine the involvement of protein kinase C in the verapamil effect, its activity was measured in both verapamil-treated and untreated cells. Verapamil dose dependently inhibited serum-induced proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells, when measured by cell number (IC50 14.6 microM) or [3H]-thymidine incorporation (IC50 11.3 microM). At concentrations of 15 microM and below, there was no effect on cell viability, as determined by morphology and trypan blue exclusion. Diltiazem inhibited cell proliferation at a concentration of 100 microM; however, 100 microM nifedipine had no effect. Verapamil showed a significant inhibition of serum-induced migration in the range of 10 microM to 0.1 microM. The IC50 of the inhibition of retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation and migration by verapamil is significantly higher than that seen for effects on calcium channel blockage. Eight micromolar verapamil reversibly inhibited total protein kinase-C activity in retinal pigment epithelial cells suggesting the possibility that the drug may act by inhibiting the protein kinase-C pathway. These data suggest the potential of the calcium channel blocker verapamil as a pharmacological modulator of disorders such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy in which there is increased retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation and migration.

8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) selectively eliminates protein kinase A type I to induce growth inhibition in c-ras-transformed fibroblasts

8-Chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP), a site-selective cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, exhibits growth inhibition in a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines. We investigated the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP on c-ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts (MP3/3T3) which were established by transfection of Balb3T3 cells (Balb3T3) with the point-mutated c-ras gene [G12-->V12]. 8-Cl-cAMP (2-5 microM) exerted over 80% growth inhibition by day 4 on MP3/3T3, while inhibiting parental Balb3T3 cell growth less than 40%. In order to distinguish the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP from that of 8-chloroadenosine (8-Cl-adenosine), we examined the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP in serum-free medium. 8-Cl-cAMP demonstrated a potent growth inhibition of MP3/3T3 cells cultured in serum-free medium, suggesting that the growth inhibitory effect of 8-Cl-cAMP was not due to its hydrolysed product, 8-Cl-adenosine. In addition, both Balb3T3 and MP3/3T3 contained cAMP phosphodiesterases mainly composed of isozyme IV which has previously been reported to be insensitive towards the hydrolysis of 8-Cl-cAMP. Non-transformed Balb3T3 cells contained only type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), whereas transformed MP3/3T3 exhibited a marked increase in type I PKA. The growth inhibition of MP3/3T3 by 8-Cl-cAMP accompanied almost complete elimination of type I PKA without affecting type II PKA. Moreover, 8-Cl-cAMP induced an arrest in the G0/G1-phase of the cell cycle in MP3/3T3. 8-Cl-adenosine had little or no effect on the cell cycle kinetics of MP3/3T3 cells. These results show that 8-Cl-cAMP is a novel cAMP analogue which selectively eliminates type I PKA to induce growth inhibition in transformed fibroblasts.

Successful transcatheter embolotherapy with a new platinum microcoil: the Berenstein Liquid Coil

PURPOSE

To determine the usefulness of a new platinum microcoil, the Berenstein Liquid Coil for vascular embolization.

METHODS

Nine patients underwent transcatheter arterial embolization with liquid coils. The occluded vessels included the splenic artery in four patients, gastroduodenal artery in two, arteriovenous malformation or fistula in two, and middle hepatic artery in one. All coils were delivered with a saline flush through a Tracker-18 catheter.

RESULTS

All arteries except one were successfully occluded in a one-stage procedure using liquid coils. No friction was observed between the liquid coils and the microcatheter regardless of the tortuosity of the artery. Platelet counts in all patients had increased after splenic embolization. In two patients with liver tumors, perfusion to the inappropriate area during intraarterial chemotherapy was prevented by selective embolization. Life-threatening bleeding was successfully treated by gastroduodenal artery occlusion. No complications were encountered.

CONCLUSION

The Berenstein Liquid Coil provides easy, safe, and rapid vascular occlusion.