Histological grading and bromodeoxyuridine labeling index of astrocytomas. Comparative study in a series of 60 cases

The histological grade and the bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) labeling index of 60 astrocytomas of "ordinary" cell types (fibrillary, protoplasmic, gemistocytic, and anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas) were compared to determine whether the grading system reflects the proliferative potential of the tumors. The tumor grade was based on the presence or absence of four criteria (nuclear abnormalities, mitosis, necrosis, and vascular endothelial proliferation): Grade 1, no criterion, Grade 2, one criterion, Grade 3, two criteria; and Grade 4, three or four criteria. The BUdR labeling index, or percentage of S-phase cells, was calculated in paraffin-embedded tumor sections after in situ labeling by intraoperative intravenous infusion of BUdR, 200 mg/sq m. Exponential regression analyses showed a positive correlation between the histological grade and labeling index (r = 0.88, p less than 0.001) that was stronger than the correlations between log labeling index and age (r = 0.55, p less than 0.001) and between grade and age (r = 0.55, p less than 0.001). These results indicate that the histological grading system reflects the proliferative potential of "ordinary" astrocytomas.

Nucleotide sequence of the unique nitrate/nitrite-inducible cytochrome P-450 cDNA from Fusarium oxysporum

A cDNA clone for the nitrate/nitrite-inducible cytochrome P-450 (P-450) of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum (tentatively termed P-450dNIR) was isolated by an immunoscreening method. Sequence determination revealed a polypeptide of 403 amimo acid residues (Mr = 44,371), which was shown to contain the full-length sequence of the fungal P-450. The amino terminus region of the predicted sequence contained neither the signal-like, hydrophobic domain that is commonly observed in microsomal P-450s nor the tagging prosequence that is essential for localization of mitochondrial P-450s. Further, the sequence exhibited higher homologies against those of soluble bacterial P-450s, in particular P-450s of Streptomyces, rather than those of eukaryotic P-450s including yeast and fungal P-450s. These results are highly indicative that P-450dNIR is the first soluble P-450 derived from eukaryotic organisms. The unique features might be related to the novel function of P-450dNIR, which is involved in a dissimilatory reduction of nitrite by the fungus. P-450dNIR was classified into a new family, P-450LV, and the corresponding gene of the fungus was named CYP55.

[Results of chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

We reported the data on 25 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 1984 to 1989, who received chemo-radiotherapy for initial treatment and follow-up by additional maintenance of chemotherapy for 2 years. The result of this study is as follows. 1. The 20 males and 5 females were included. 2. A median age of the patients was 62 years. 3. Stage grouping study showed 3 cases of stage II, 6 of stage III, and 16 of stage IV. 4. The local control rate was 92% and the rate of control in the cervical region was 96%. 5. However, the overall 4-year survival rate obtained by the Kaplan-Meiers method was 50%. 6. The cause of patients' death was mainly distant metastasis.

Apolipoprotein levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with clinical macroangiopathy

To elucidate the changes of serum apolipoproteins as possible atherogenic factors in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), comparison was made between 47 NIDDM patients with clinical macroangiopathy (coronary heart disease and/or cerebral infarction) and 47 NIDDM patients without clinical macroangiopathy individually matched for age, sex, body mass index, glycemic control, mode of therapy, and blood pressure. Serum total cholesterol (223 +/- 63 mg/dl, mean +/- SD) and triglyceride (160 +/- 72 mg/dl) levels in NIDDM with clinical macroangiopathy were significantly higher than those (198 +/- 44 and 126 +/- 78 mg/dl) in control NIDDM. Apolipoprotein AII (apo AII) (28.8 +/- 6.9 mg/dl) in NIDDM with clinical macroangiopathy was significantly lower than that (31.4 +/- 5.5 mg/dl) in control NIDDM, and apo B (147 +/- 48 mg/dl) and apo CIII (13.1 +/- 5.9 mg/dl) in NIDDM with clinical macroangiopathy was significantly higher than that (113 +/- 35 and 10.8 +/- 4.7 mg/dl) in control NIDDM, respectively. There were no significant differences in apo AI, CII, and E levels. The ratio of HDL cholesterol to apo AI (0.36 +/- 0.08) and total cholesterol to apo B (1.6 +/- 0.3) in NIDDM with clinical macroangiopathy was significantly lower than that (0.40 +/- 0.09 and 1.8 +/- 0.4) in control NIDDM. These results suggest that abnormality of lipid metabolism is more significant in NIDDM with clinical macroangiopathy than in NIDDM without clinical macroangiopathy, and is more pronounced in women than in men.

Ultrastructural study of a cytoplasmic bridge connecting a pair of erythroblasts in mice

A unique cytoplasmic connection between erythroblasts was studied by electron microscopy in mouse hemopoietic tissues (fetal liver, fetal and neonatal spleen and adult bone marrow). Many pairs of interphase erythroblasts were connected by a "cytoplasmic bridge" that was very thin and sometimes long in comparison with telophase bridges. The stage of maturation of the cells in a pair was similar. Small numbers of microtubules ran along the cytoplasmic bridge; a mid-body was not seen. The plasma membrane at approximately the middle of the bridge bulged to form a ring-shaped ridge filled with dense amorphous substances; this was called a "bulging ring." Thus, the cytoplasmic bridge between erythroblasts did not morphologically correspond to the telophase bridge in the usual cytokinesis. Cytoplasmic bridges were observed in various differentiating stages of erythroblasts, whereas other cell types of the hemopoietic lineage did not have such a bridge. The cytoplasmic bridge is unique to erythroblasts and provides an evidence for the atypical cytokinesis of the erythroblastic lineage.

[Parapharyngeal space lesions: with a reference to biopsy]

We received seven cases of parapharyngeal space lesions and discussed on necessity of biopsy. Tumors originating in the parapharyngeal space were represented by parotid pleomorphic adenomas which showed bulging of soft palate and tonsillar fossa, and benign neurogenic tumors which showed bulging of the lateral wall of the meso-pharynx. In these cases, preoperative biopsy was not necessary unless the lesion was suspected, of malignancy by CT, MRI and so on. In the case of bulging of soft palate and tonsillar fossa, if CT or MRI finding shows that the tumor is localized in the median portion of the parapharyngeal space and is separated from greater vessels and nerves existing in the parapharyngeal space, therapeutic protocol might be planned after an establishment of histological diagnosis with biopsy. In the case of a bulging lateral wall of the meso-pharynx with a history of malignant neoplasm of the head and neck, lymph node metastasis should be thought about.

Possible role of adrenergic mechanism in starvation-induced reduction in circulating thyroxine and triiodothyronine in rats

To elucidate the possible role of adrenergic mechanism in thyroid hormone metabolism during starvation, serum thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) levels and conversion of T4 to T3 in perfused liver were investigated in fasting (60 h) and fed rats. Propranolol (0.5 mg/kg), yohimbine (0.3 mg/kg) or phentolamine (5.0 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to the rat every 12 h. Serum levels of TSH, T4, and T3 were significantly lower in fasting rats than in fed rats. Although propranolol, yohimbine, and phentolamine administration did not significantly alter circulating TSH, T4 and T3 levels in fed rats, phentolamine partly inhibited the starvation-induced reduction in circulating TSH, T4, and T3. Thyroxine uptake and T3 production in perfused liver were significantly lower in fasting rats than in fed rats. Phentolamine treatment did not alter the T4 uptake and T3 production in perfused liver of fasting rats. These results suggest that alpha-adrenergic mechanism may have some role in starvation-induced reduction in circulating T4 and T3, and that phentolamine partly inhibited this phenomenon probably through the inhibitory effect on reduction in circulating TSH during starvation.

Langerhans cells in the developing mucosal epithelium of mice

The presence of Langerhans cells in the developing mucosal epithelium of mice was investigated by ATPase histochemistry and by electron microscopy. In the stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue and forestomach, a few ATPase-positive Langerhans cells could be recognized at 1 or 2 weeks after birth. They increased in number by 3 weeks of age, but the density was lower than that in the epidermis. The ATPase-positive cells in the mucosal epithelium had longer (18-22 microns) dendritic processes; each cell thus occupied a large space. The mucosal Langerhans cell with elongated dendritic processes may well be responsible for the surveillance of a wide area in the defense system of the mucous membrane. The cells had a clear cytoplasm among keratinocytes in the basal cell layer and, under the electron microscope, showed characteristics similar to those of the epidermal Langerhans cells; Birbeck granules were also recognizable in the cytoplasm.

Clinical application of indium-111 antimyosin antibody and thallium-201 dual nuclide single photon emission computed tomography in acute myocardial infarction

The significance of indium-111 antimyosin antibody and thallium-201 dual nuclide single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was evaluated in 7 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent emergency coronary angiography with successful revascularization by intracoronary thrombolysis. Indium-111 antimyosin antibody and thallium-201 dual nuclide SPECT was performed 11 to 36 days after the onset of AMI. Antimyosin SPECT images delineated areas of myocardial necrosis in all 7 patients (100%), but planar images detected necrotic areas in only 4 of 7 patients (57%). Peak CPK-MBs of the 3 patients in which no necrotic area was detected by indium-111 planar image showed a tendency to be smaller. Indium-111 antimyosin antibody/thallium-201 overlap was observed in all patients. The area of overlap was at the center of necrosis in 4 patients (2 anterior infarction, 1 inferior infarction, 1 inferolateral infarction) and at the peripheral portion in 3 patients (all 3 had inferior infarction). Indium-111 antimyosin antibody and thallium-201 dual nuclide SPECT is useful in identifying the localization of myocardial infarction and the overlap of these tracers might reflect the presence of salvaged myocardium adjacent to the necrotic myocardium.

Stimulating effect of thyroid hormone on insulin-like growth factor I release and synthesis by perfused rat liver

The direct effect of thyroid hormone on insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) release and synthesis was investigated in perfused rat liver. Physiological doses (from 50 to 1000 ng/dl) of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine administration in the perfusing medium increased IGF-I release and concentration in the perfused liver in a dose dependent manner. While physiological doses (from 2 to 10 micrograms/dl) of thyroxine did not affect the release and synthesis of IGF-I in the perfused liver. These results suggest that 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, but not thyroxine, directly enhances the release and synthesis of IGF-I in a dose dependent manner in the rat liver.

Isolation of the braZ gene encoding the carrier for a novel branched-chain amino acid transport system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO

The braZ gene for a novel branched-chain amino acid transport system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO was isolated and characterized. Determination of the nucleotide sequence showed that the braZ gene comprises 1,311 nucleotides specifying a protein of 437 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis suggested that the product is an integral membrane protein with 12 membrane-spanning segments. The amino acid sequence showed extensive homology to those of the braB and brnQ gene products, branched-chain amino acid carriers of P. aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium, respectively. By using the T7 RNA polymerase-promoter system, the braZ gene product was identified as a protein of an apparent Mr of 34,000 on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. Properties of the transport system encoded by braZ were studied by using P. aeruginosa PAO3537, defective in both the high- and low-affinity branched-chain amino acid transport systems (LIV-I and LIV-II, respectively). The transport system encoded by braZ was found to be another effective branched-chain amino acid transport system in P. aeruginosa PAO and was thus designated as LIV-III. This system is specific for isoleucine and valine, giving the same Km value of 12 microM for these amino acids. The system was found, however, to have a very low affinity for leucine, with a Km value of 150 microM, which contrasts with the substrate specificities of LIV-I and LIV-II.

Skin conductance activity after intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopa in rats

Absence of skin conductance response (SCR) and failure of its habituation are psychophysiological signs observed in most schizophrenics. In the present experiments, skin conductance activity was studied in rats before and after intraventricular administration of 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHdopa), a neurotoxin that selectively destroys noradrenaline nerve terminals and induces denervation supersensitivity at the synapse. All intact rats studied (n = 32) showed SCR and its habituation to repeated auditory stimuli (500 Hz, 90 dB, 1 sec, 20 times). They also showed some spontaneous fluctuation (SF) of the skin conductance. In the early stage following the 6-OHdopa (100 micrograms) administration (n = 16), it was noted that the SCR disappeared and the SF were markedly reduced in frequency (p less than 0.001). From the third day to the fourth week after this treatment, there was some recovery of the SF rate, and the SCR tended to reappear with a marked slowing down of its habituation. Eight weeks after the treatment, the majority (11/16) of the 6-OHdopa rats showed habituation failure of the SCR (p less than 0.005); vehicle-treated rats (n = 16) did not show these alterations. Estimation of catecholamine concentration after the experiment confirmed the selective depletion of brain noradrenaline. These results suggest that destruction of the noradrenergic fibers after the 6-OHdopa treatment and denervation supersensitivity which developed later are the cause of the nonresponding and nonhabituating changes of SCR, respectively.

Effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on normal human CFU-GM: target cells of the agent in the suppression of colony formation and induction of macrophage colonies

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25(OH)2D3) suppresses colony formation of normal human granulocyte macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) and induces differentiation of colonies into monocyte macrophages in vitro. We examined whether or not the target cell of 1,25(OH)2D3 is only CFU-GM in the suppression and differentiation of colonies by the agent. Reduction of colony counts was observed only when 1,25(OH)2D3 was added to CFU-GM cultures at days 0 or 3, and after day 5 the agent did not affect the colony count. However, the delayed addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 elevated the proportion of granulocyte macrophage (GM) or macrophage (M) colonies even after 5 days of culture. We confirmed transformation of day 11 colony cells into macrophages by 1,25(OH)2D3 during the following 3 days' culture period based on serial observations of single colonies. Day 11 colonies contained very few CFU-GM and their most immature cells were promyelocytes. Short-term exposure to 1,25(OH)2D3 (4 h) of bone marrow cells, which had been precultured for 24 to 72 h with a purified granulocyte-colony stimulating factor caused a reduction of colony counts but did not elevate the proportions of GM or M colonies. These results indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits the growth of CFU-GM itself and induces differentiation into macrophages at the progeny level (probably promyelocytes) and not at the level of CFU-GM.

[New development in clinicopathological diagnosis of brain tumors]

The prediction of prognosis and the design of treatment modalities for patients with brain tumors are judged mostly by its histopathology. The morphology of each tumor, however, represents a part of its phenotype, and more attention should be paid to understand phenotypic expression of individual tumors in relation to cytogenetic abnormality at the molecular level, proliferative potential and invasiveness. The author reviewed current studies on cytogenetics, growth characteristics of various brain tumors, and experimental approaches for invasiveness.

Total laryngeal stenosis in cicatricial pemphigoid

Cicatricial pemphigoid in the aerodigestive system is rare, but can be life-threatening. We report a case of total laryngeal stenosis. During an exacerbation, the airway of the patient was obliterated with a cicatrix and necessitated an emergency tracheostomy. Six years later when no recurrence of pemphigoid was confirmed, laryngofissure operations were performed with a satisfactory restoration of laryngeal function. Though otolaryngological treatment in the active phases is symptomatic including tracheostomy, surgical procedures should be encouraged once the disease has reached a remission.

Possible role of the stomach in enteroinsular axis in rats

To elucidate the possible role of the stomach in enteroinsular axis, rats had both an inflow gastric cannula and an outflow diversion cannula and a duodenal inflow cannula. The effects of intragastric infusion of glucose (1 mL in 10% solution) or mannitol (1 mL in 10% solution) on blood and plasma insulin responses to subsequent intraduodenal glucose (1.5 g/kg in 10% solution) or amino acids (1.0 g/kg in 10% solution) infusion were investigated. Blood glucose and plasma insulin responses to intraduodenal amino acids were not altered by intragastric infusion of glucose or mannitol. However, higher blood glucose and lower plasma insulin responses to intraduodenal glucose were observed in the rat with intragastric infusion of glucose or mannitol compared with controls (intragastric infusion of distilled water). This phenomenon was abolished in the rat with preadministration of phentolamine. These results suggest that intragastric tonicity may suppress glucose-induced insulin secretion, probably through the alpha-adrenergic mechanism in the rat.

Scanning electron microscopy of the celloidin-embedded inner ear sections

The nerve fibers running inside the organ of Corti were studied in cats by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fixed temporal bones were decalcified and embedded in celloidin according to the conventional method. Thick serial sections (100-150 microns) were cut parallel to the basilar membrane. After removing the celloidin, the sections were freeze-dried in t-butyl alcohol. Though some outer hair cells had been deformed, the nerve fibers were well preserved for analysis. Some new findings were observed in the present SEM study. The tunnel spiral bundle in a kitten took an atypical course on the floor of Corti's tunnel apart from the previously reported site. In the barely-patent tunnels of Corti in kittens, nerve fibers were stuck together into thick bundles and took different courses compared to those in the mature cochleas. Filiform projections of nerve fibers were climbing around the first row of the outer hair cells in the immature cochlea. These were thought to be growing ends of efferent nerves which would later grow into nerve endings.

Effect of serum derived blocking factor (SDBF) on platelet associated-IgG

We analyzed the effect of an unknown factor, which derived from serum, on platelet associated IgG (PA-IgG) and we established the novel immunofluorescence method to measure the level of PA-IgG. Blood samples were obtained from 20 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). After the treatment of platelets with neuraminidase, the value of PA-IgG positive platelets (%PA-IgG) were significantly increased in patients with ITP, but not in controls. When the platelets pretreated with neuraminidase were incubated with human serum, %PA-IgG was remarkably decreased in ITP patients. In healthy individuals, when platelets bound to aggregated human IgG pretreated with human serum, the binding of FITC-conjugated anti-human IgG was inhibited. And the value of mouse anti-GP II b/III a monoclonal antibody positive platelets was decreased, when the platelets preincubated with mouse serum. The binding of FITC-conjugated anti-human IgG and anti-mouse IgG antibody was apparently inhibited by some unknown factor in serum. Our results showed that this substance had species specificity. We called this substance "Serum Derived Blocking Factor (SDBF)".

Acute effect of thyroid hormone on insulin secretion in rats

To elucidate the mechanism of thyroid hormone-induced hyperinsulinemia, the acute and direct effect of thyroid hormone administration on insulin secretion was investigated in rats in vivo and in vitro. In the perfused rat pancreas, the addition of thyroxine (10 micrograms/dL) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (150 ng/dL) to the perfusing medium did not affect insulin secretion. The administration of thyroxine (40 micrograms/kg, s.c.) in vivo increased the plasma insulin level from 11 +/- 2 microUnits/mL (mean +/- SD) to 30 +/- 7 microUnits/mL, while blood glucose and plasma glucagon were unchanged. This phenomenon was inhibited completely by the preadministration of oxprenolol hydrochloride (2 mg/kg, s.c.), and inhibited partly by the preadministration of metoprolol tartrate (35 mg/kg, s.c.). These results suggest that thyroid hormone induces hyperinsulinemia via beta-adrenergic stimulation in the rat.

Direct visualization of affected collagen molecules synthesized by cultured fibroblasts from an osteogenesis imperfecta patient

Human skin fibroblasts obtained from normal controls and a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta were cultured in the presence of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a long-acting vitamin C derivative. Crude collagen samples extracted from the cell layer were made to form lateral aggregates of collagen molecules, segment-long-spacing crystallites. Under the electron microscope, normal and abnormal crystallites of type I collagen were identified with the patient's collagen. While the carboxyl-terminal half of the abnormal crystallite was tightly packed, the amino-terminal half was loose and spreading, indicating the site of abnormality in the amino-terminal half of one of type I collagen alpha chains. The method is simple and useful to detect abnormal collagen and to predict the site of mutation.