Continuous culture of immobilized streptomyces cells for kasugamycin production

Continuous cultures of immobilized Streptomyces kasugaensis, a kasugamycin producer, were carried out on Celite beads. When using a prototype separator for immobilized-cell separation and recycling, the continuous operation could not be sustained for an extended period as a result of an excessive loss of immobilized cells caused by the poor performance of the separator. Accordingly, the immobilized-cell separator was revised to provide better immobilized-cell settling and thus recycling into the reactor. In a subsequent culture using the revised separator, a stable operation was maintained for over 820 h with a high kasugamycin productivity. The kasugamycin productivity ranged from 9.8 to 16.1 mg/L/h, which was about 14- to 23-fold higher than that in a batch suspended-cell culture. When the original feeding medium concentration was doubled at the end of the continuous culture, the productivity became severely impaired for several reasons, which will be discussed. An excessive formation of free cells and loss of immobilized cells through the separator were also observed.

Correlation of hematopoietic progenitor cell count determined by the SE-automated hematology analyzer with CD34(+) cell count by flow cytometry in leukapheresis products

The yield of stem cell collection after mobilization is crucial for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Quantitative determinations of CD34(+) cells using flow cytometry or stem cell culture have been used, but these methods require much time, technical experience, and expensive reagents. The automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex SE-9000trade mark, TOA, Japan) equipped with the Immature Information (IMI) channel for immature myeloid cells can detect IMI(+) cells within 90 sec. Detection is made possible by the combination of a special reagent system and direct current/radiofrequency biosensors. We studied the relation of IMI(+) cells and variable cell counts with CD34(+) cell yield in autologous stem cell harvest. In a series of 32 patients (median age, 44 years; M:F = 11:21), 184 leukaphereses were performed after mobilization regimens with chemotherapy and G-CSF or G-CSF alone. Full blood cell counts were enumerated on peripheral blood (PB) samples taken prior to each leukapheresis. Mononuclear cell (MNC) and IMI(+) cell counts by automated hematology analyzer and flow cytometry based CD34(+) cell yield were measured on the harvested product. The relationship among PB white blood cells (WBC), PB monocytes, IMI(+) cells, MNC, and CD34(+) cell yield in a single leukapheresis was estimated by Pearson correlation analysis. PB WBC count showed no correlation with CD34(+) cell yield in a single leukapheresis (r = 0.02, P = 0.81). PB monocyte count showed a weak correlation (r = 0.21, P = 0.01) and MNC in harvest also showed a weak correlation (r = 0.36, P = 0.0001) with CD34(+) cell yield. In contrast, CD34(+) cell yield correlated well with IMI(+) cell count (r = 0.68, P = 0.0001), and data could be fitted by a linear regression equation, y = 0.330 + 0.974x. IMI(+) cell assay by the automated hematology analyzer correlated well with the CD34(+) cell yield in a mobilized autologous stem cell harvest. The IMI(+) cell count might be used as a simple and efficient indicator of blood stem cell mobilization and collection.

Microencapsulation of theophylline in composite wall system consisting of whey proteins and lipids

Theophylline was microencapsulated in composite whey protein-based wall systems containing different proportions of dispersed apolar filler, anhydrous milkfat. Wall emulsions exhibited uni-modal particle size distribution and had a mean particle size of 0.36-0.38 microm. Microcapsules were cross-linked by glutaraldehyde-saturated toluene via an organic phase. Spherical microcapsules ranging in diameter from 150 to larger than 700 microm were obtained and exhibited some surface cracks that could be attributed to the fragile nature of a peripheral, highly cross-linked 'shell' layer around the capsules. Core content ranged from 46.9-56.6% (w/w) and filler content ranged from 12.0-33.4% (w/w). Core and filler retention during microencapsulation ranged from 84.9-96.9%) and from 85.1-89.6%, respectively. Core retention was proportionally related to the proportion of filler embedded in the wall matrix. Core release into SGF and SIF was affected by microcapsule size, type of dissolution medium and wall composition. Rate of core release was inversely proportional to filler content of the wall matrix. This could be attributed to effects of filler content on diffusion through the wall matrix and probably on swelling properties of microcapsules. Results indicated that incorporation of apolar filler in wall matrix of whey protein-based capsules provided the means to enhance retention of a water-soluble core during the microencapsulation process and to decrease the rate of core release into aqueous dissolution media.

Disodium cromoglycate inhibits production of immunoglobulin E

Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has been shown to inhibit the release of mediators from mast cells. In the present study, the effect of DSCG on active anaphylactic reaction was studied in mice. DSCG dose-dependently inhibited the active systemic anaphylactic reaction and serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E production induced by immunization with ovalbumin, Bordetella pertussis toxin and aluminum hydroxide gel. DSCG strongly inhibited IL-4-dependent IgE production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine whole spleen cells. In the case of U266 human IgE-bearing B cells, DSCG also showed an inhibitory effect on the IgE production. These results suggest that DSCG has an anti-anaphylactic activity by inhibition of IgE production from B cells.

Observation of B --> phiK and B --> phiK*

We have studied two-body charmless hadronic decays of B mesons into the final states straight phiK and phiK(*). Using 9.7 million B&Bmacr; pairs collected with the CLEO II detector, we observe the decays B- --> phiK- and B0--> phiK(*0) with the following branching fractions: B(B--->phiK-) = (5.5(+2.1)(-1.8)+/-0.6)x10(-6) and B(B0--> phiK(*0)) = (11.5(+4.5+1.8)(-3.7-1.7))x10(-6). We also see evidence for the decays B0-->phiK0 and B---> phiK(*-). However, since the statistical significance is not overwhelming for these modes, we determine upper limits of <12.3x10(-6) and <22.5x10(-6) ( 90% confidence level), respectively.

Observation of the Omega(0)(c) Charmed Baryon at CLEO

The CLEO experiment at the CESR collider has used 13.7 fb(-1) of data to search for the production of the Omega(0)(c) (css ground state) in e(+)e(-) collisions at square root of (s) approximately 10.6 GeV. The modes used to study the Omega(0)(c) are Omega(-)pi(+), Omega(-)pi(+)pi(0), Xi-K-pi(+)pi(+), Xi0K-pi(+), and Omega(-)pi(+)pi(+)pi(-). We observe a signal of 40.4+/-9.0(stat) events at a mass of 2694.6+/-2.6(stat)+/-1.9(syst) MeV/c(2), for all modes combined.

Development of a frequency-dependent-type apex locator with automatic compensation

Among apex locators, the frequency dependent type is more accurate and convenient to use than others. However, the accuracy of the apex locator is still influenced by the presence of various electrolytes used in root canal treatments. In this study, we developed a frequency-dependent electronic apex locator minimizing the influence of electrolytes on the measurement of root canal lengths. It was confirmed that the two frequencies of 0.5 and 10 kHz are better than the conventional ones of 0.4 and 8 kHz. The impedance ratio of the two different frequencies represents the position of the file in root canal, and the voltage difference of the two frequencies represents the status of the fluid in the root canal. As a result of compensation using the voltage differences of the two frequencies, the errors decreased significantly on average from +0.54 mm to +0.18 mm in H2O2 solution (p < 0.01), and from -0.33 mm to -0.01 mm in NaOCl solution (p < 0.01) in the tooth model experiments.

The immunomodulatory effects of a novel agent, leflunomide, in rat cardiac allotransplantation

We assessed the immunomodulatory effect of leflunomide (LEF) in a heterotopic abdominal model of rat heart transplantation using a major histocompatibility mismatch (DA X LEW). The endpoint of this study was cardiac rejection assessed by abdominal palpation of the ventricular impulse and confirmed by laparotomy and histology. In this study, LF was investigated using four dosages (5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg per day orally) against cyclosporine (CsA) (15 mg/kg per day orally) and FK 506 (1 mg/kg per day orally). The ability of LEF to prevent rejection and reverse ongoing acute rejection was assessed. The results showed that untreated hearts were fully rejected by day 5 and that LEF at 5 mg/kg was significantly better than any other dose tested, was superior to FK 1 mg/kg, and was as effective as CsA 15 mg/kg in preventing rejection after a short course of treatment. After a longer course, 10 and 20 mg/kg LEF proved more effective than 5 mg/kg in controlling rejection and as efficacious as 1 mg/kg FK and 15 mg/kg CsA. In the control of ongoing established early rejection. LEF proved to be equally effective, even at lower doses (5 mg/kg), to CsA 15 mg/kg and FK 1 mg/kg. In the control of ongoing established late rejection, 20 mg/kg LEF proved to be superior to 10 mg/kg LEF and 15 mg/kg CsA, and was as effective as FK 1 mg/kg. However, when higher doses of CsA (25 mg/kg) and FK (2 mg/kg) were tested against 20 mg/kg LEF in this mode of rescue, LEF proved as effective as CsA and superior to FK. In the assessment of drug toxicity using body weight as a parameter, 20 mg/kg LEF proved safer than any other LEF dose tested, and safer than 15 mg/kg CsA and 1 mg/kg FK in both short- and long term administration. We conclude that LEF is a relatively safe and potent immunosuppressant with promising clinical potential.

Entropic stabilization of the tryptophan synthase alpha-subunit from a hyperthermophile, Pyrococcus furiosus. X-ray analysis and calorimetry

The structure of the tryptophan synthase alpha-subunit from Pyrococcus furiosus was determined by x-ray analysis at 2.0-A resolution, and its stability was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. Although the structure of the tryptophan synthase alpha(2)beta(2) complex from Salmonella typhimurium has been already determined, this is the first report of the structure of the alpha-subunit alone. The alpha-subunit from P. furiosus (Pf-alpha-subunit) lacked 12 and 6 residues at the N and C termini, respectively, and one residue each in two loop regions as compared with that from S. typhimurium (St-alpha-subunit), resulting in the absence of an N-terminal helix and the shortening of a C-terminal helix. The structure of the Pf-alpha-subunit was essentially similar to that of the St-alpha-subunit in the alpha(2)beta(2) complex. The differences between both structures were discussed in connection with the higher stability of the Pf-alpha-subunit and the complex formation of the alpha- and beta-subunits. Calorimetric results indicated that the Pf-alpha-subunit has extremely high thermostability and that its higher stability is caused by an entropic effect. On the basis of structural information of both proteins, we analyzed the contributions of each stabilization factor and could conclude that hydrophobic interactions in the protein interior do not contribute to the higher stability of the Pf-alpha-subunit. Rather, the increase in ion pairs, decrease in cavity volume, and entropic effects due to shortening of the polypeptide chain play important roles in extremely high stability in Pf-alpha-subunit.

Psychological stress may induce increased humoral and decreased cellular immunity

Stress alters immune function and affects different immune cell populations in different ways. The authors examined whether psychological stress has different effects on the production of macrophage, T-helper 1(Th1) cell, and T-helper 2(Th2) cell-derived cytokines. Forty-two college students were recruited and their blood was sampled on the day they were to take a stressful academic examination and again 4 weeks after the examination. The stress from the academic examination significantly increased IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10 and decreased IFN-gamma production. These findings suggest that examination stress may increase Th2 cell-mediated humoral immunity and macrophage activities and may decrease Th1 cell-mediated cellular immunity.

Search for B --> tau(nu) and B --> K(nu)nu

We report results of a search for B-->tau(nu) in a sample of 9.7 x 10(6) charged B meson decays. We exclusively reconstruct the companion B decay to suppress background. We set an upper limit on the branching fraction B(B-->tau(nu))<8.4 x 10(-4) at 90% confidence level. We also establish B(B+/--->K+/-nu(nu))<2.4 x 10(-4) at 90% confidence level.

Seasonal variation and indirect monitoring of microcystin concentrations in Daechung reservoir, Korea

Physicochemical and biological water quality, including the microcystin concentration, was investigated from spring to autumn 1999 in the Daechung Reservoir, Korea. The dominant genus in the cyanobacterial blooming season was Microcystis. The microcystin concentration in particulate form increased dramatically from August up to a level of 200 ng liter(-1) in early October and thereafter tended to decrease. The microcystin concentration in dissolved form was about 28% of that of the particulate form. The microcystins detected using a protein phosphatase (PP) inhibition assay were highly correlated with those microcystins detected by a high-performance liquid chromatograph (r = 0.973; P < 0.01). Therefore, the effectiveness of a PP inhibition assay for microcystin detection in a high number of water samples was confirmed as easy, quick, and convenient. The microcystin concentration was highly correlated with the phytoplankton number (r = 0.650; P < 0.01) and chlorophyll-a concentration (r = 0.591; P < 0.01). When the microcystin concentration exceeded about 100 ng liter(-1), the ratio of particulate to dissolved total nitrogen (TN) or total phosphorus (TP) converged at a value of 0.6. Furthermore, the microcystin concentration was lower than 50 ng liter(-1) at a particulate N/P ratio below 8, whereas the microcystin concentration varied quite substantially from 50 to 240 ng liter(-1) at a particulate N/P ratio of >8. Therefore, it seems that the microcystin concentration in water can be estimated and indirectly monitored by analyzing the following: the phytoplankton number and chlorophyll-a concentration, the ratio of the particulate and the dissolved forms of N and P, and the particulate N/P ratio when the dominant genus is toxigenic Microcystis.

Prevalence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis among Koreans

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although reflux esophagitis is believed to be common in the Western population, very few epidemiologic data on reflux esophagitis in Koreans are available. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis in patients who came for a physical check-up at Korea University Hospital, and to study the relationship between various factors relevant to reflux disease.

METHODS

This study was carried out prospectively on 7,015 patients who received an esophagogastroduodenoscopy from September 1996 to December 1997. Most of the patients were free of symptoms and had come for their self-paid check-up.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of reflux esophagitis was 3.4%, and most of the patients had a mild degree of esophagitis representing grade 1 in 98.3% and grade 2 in 1.7%. The male: female ratio for esophagitis was 7 : 1, and the body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in patients with reflux esophagitis. A hiatal hernia was found in 166 patients with esophagitis (68.6%), but only in 9.2% patients without esophagitis (P < 0.05). Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with the development of reflux esophagitis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis among Koreans is 3.4%, and most of the patients had a mild grade esophagitis. Smoking, alcohol consumption, the presence of a hiatal hernia and a higher BMI are associated with the development of reflux esophagitis.

Capsaicin inhibits the voltage-operated calcium channels intracellularly in the antral circular myocytes of guinea-pig stomach

Studies of the effect of capsaicin (CAP) on the smooth muscle contractions have shown both contraction and relaxation in various preparations. The direct effect of CAP on gastric smooth muscle itself has not yet been reported, though CAP was reported to relax the isolated guinea-pig stomach by releasing nitric oxide from the CAP-sensitive sensory neurons. Here we showed an evidence that CAP evokes a prolonged relaxation of gastric antral circular smooth muscle (CAP-induced relaxation) by blocking the voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCC) from inside of the cell. CAP suppressed dose-dependently the spontaneous contractions of guinea-pig gastric circular muscle strip under the condition without neural influence (IC50 = 5.8 microM). The inhibitory effects of CAP both on the high K+ contracture induced by 50 mM K+ Tyrode solution and on the slow waves recorded using a conventional intracellular microelectrode technique were similar to those of Ca2+ channel antagonists, indicating that Ca2+ influx through the VOCC is decreased by CAP. Ca2+ channel current (I(Ba)) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner on superfusing the physiological salt solution containing various concentrations of CAP. The steady-state activation and inactivation curves of I(Ba) were not affected by the treatment with CAP. The experiment using a synthetic water-soluble analog of CAP, DA-5018 x HCl, suggested that the acting site of CAP is present in the intracellular side. Spontaneous transient outward K+ currents (STOCs) recorded at a holding potential of 0 mV were also inhibited by CAP and verapamil, Ca channel blocker. Taken together, these results indicate that CAP-induced relaxation is associated with the direct inhibitory action on the VOCC from inside of the cell.

Fas-induced expression of chemokines in human glioma cells: involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Fas transduces not only apoptotic signals through various pathways but also angiogenic and proinflammatory responses in vivo. Human glioma cells express Fas although sensitivity to Fas-mediated cell death is variable, suggesting that Fas may have functions other than apoptosis in these cells. In this study, we addressed alternative functions of Fas expressed on human gliomas by Fas ligation in three human glioma cell lines, CRT-MG, U373-MG, and U87-MG, and the in vivo expression of Fas and chemokines in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Herein, we demonstrate that: (a) stimulation with agonistic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody CH-11 and human recombinant soluble Fas ligand induces expression of the CC chemokine MCP-1 and the CXC chemokine interleukin-8 by human glioma cell lines at the mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner; (b) selective pharmacological inhibitors of MEK1 (U0126 and PD98059) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB202190) suppress Fas-mediated chemokine expression in a dose-dependent manner; (c) Fas ligation on human glioma cells leads to activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/ERK2 and p38 MAPK; and (d) GBM samples express higher levels of Fas compared with normal control brain, which correlates with increased interleukin 8 expression. These findings indicate that Fas ligation on human glioma cells leads to the selective induction of chemokine expression, which involves the ERK1/ERK2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, the Fas-Fas ligand system in human brain tumors may be involved not only in apoptotic processes but also in the provocation of angiogenic and proinflammatory responses.

Pharmacologically distinct vasoactive intestinal peptide binding sites: CNS localization and role in embryonic growth

In vitro autoradiography with [125I]vasoactive intestinal peptide revealed that the vasoactive intestinal peptide analogue, stearyl-norleucine17 vasoactive intestinal peptide, reported to be inactive at adenylyl cyclase-linked receptors in astrocytes, displaced a subset of vasoactive intestinal peptide binding sites on rat brain sections. These sites were widespread in adult rat brains and enriched in the olfactory bulb and thalamus, and corresponded to previously demonstrated GTP-insensitive vasoactive intestinal peptide binding sites. Stearyl-norleucine17 vasoactive intestinal peptide also identified receptors in rat lung and liver. In the adult brain, the stearyl-norleucine analog displaced only GTP-insensitive vasoactive intestinal peptide binding sites. In contrast, stearyl-norleucine17 vasoactive intestinal peptide-displaceable sites in the embryonic day 9 mouse appeared to include both GTP-sensitive and GTP-insensitive binding sites. This observation suggested the presence of an embryonic vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor with distinct pharmacological properties. Treatment of whole cultured mouse embryos with stearyl-norleucine17 vasoactive intestinal peptide resulted in stimulation of embryonic growth, with the stearyl-norleucine analog equipotent to vasoactive intestinal peptide, but less efficacious at higher concentrations (10(-7) M). Embryonic growth was inhibited by pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. In addition, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate inhibited stearyl-norleucine17 vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated growth. The results of the current study support the hypothesis that vasoactive intestinal peptide regulation of early postimplantation embryonic growth occurs, at least in part, independently of adenylyl cyclase stimulation.

Measurement of the relative branching fraction of upsilon(4S) to charged and neutral B-meson pairs

We analyze 9.7x10(6) B_B pairs recorded with the CLEO detector to determine the production ratio of charged to neutral B-meson pairs produced at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We measure the rates for B0-->J/psiK((*)0) and B+-->J/psiK((*)+) decays and use the world-average B-meson lifetime ratio to extract the relative widths f(+-) / f(00) = gamma(Upsilon(4S)-->B+B-) / gamma(Upsilon(4S)-->B0 B-0)) = 1.04+/-0.07(stat)+/-0.04(syst). With the assumption that f(+-)+f(00) = 1, we obtain f(00) = 0.49+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.01(syst) and f(+-) = 0.51+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.01(syst). This production ratio and its uncertainty apply to all exclusive B-meson branching fractions measured at the Upsilon(4S) resonance.

First observation of the decays B(0) --> D(*-)p_p pi+ and B(0) --> D(*-)p_n

We report the first observation of exclusive decays of the type B-->D(*)N_NX, where N is a nucleon. Using a sample of 9.7x10(6)B_B pairs collected with the CLEO detector operating at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B0-->D(*-)p_p pi(+)) = (6.5(+1.3)(-1.2)+/-1.0)x10(-4) and B(B0-->D(*-)p_n) = (14.5(+3.4)(-3.0)+/-2.7)x10(-4). Antineutrons are identified by their annihilation in the CsI electromagnetic calorimeter.

Analysis of light-emitting diodes by Monte Carlo photon simulation

A Monte Carlo photon simulation method, which is based on statistical tracing of photons inside the chip, has been developed for analysis of LED's in quantitative terms. Also included in the analysis is practical modeling of textured surfaces, which are often employed for enhanced light output. The method with its unique versatility is applicable to virtually any chip geometry and measures various important parameters such as photon-output-coupling efficiency, detailed photon flight statistics, and photon-output distribution patterns. It is speculated that the method can easily be extended to development of LED lamps and packages.

Measurement of the lambda(+)(c) lifetime

The Lambda+c lifetime is measured using 9.0 fb(-1) of e+e- annihilation data collected on or just below the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the CLEO II.V detector at CESR. Using an unbinned maximum likelihood fit, the Lambda+c lifetime is measured to be 179.6+/-6.9(stat)+/-4.4(syst) fs. The precision of this colliding beam measurement is comparable to other measurements, which are based on fixed-target experiments, with different systematic uncertainties.

Adaptive response is differently induced depending on the sensitivity to radiation-induced cell death in mouse epidermal cells

We investigated the relationship between induction of radio-adaptive response and cell death in mouse normal and neoplastic epidermal cells. Mouse normal primary keratinocytes (PK), cancer-prone cells [v-rasHa-transfected mouse keratinocytes (ras-PK), and line 308 cells (mouse skin papilloma cells which have activated rasHa gene with A-to-T transversion at codon 61) were primed with a low dose of gamma-rays (0.01 Gy), and were challenged with a high dose (4 Gy) after a 4 or 7 h interval. The induction of cell death in PK was 2-10 times higher and was also more rapid in PK than in ras-PK or 308 cells. Low-dose pretreatment with a 4 h interval decreased cell death, and this adaptive response was prominent in PK, whereas it was less obvious in the cases of ras-PK and 308 cells. The response of each protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes to high-dose radiation, especially PKCalpha, PKCdelta, PKCepsilon, and PKCeta, were different between the normal and ras oncogene-activated neoplastic keratinocytes; translocation of these isozymes to membrane occurred more rapidly in normal than in neoplastic cells. Furthermore, low-dose pretreatment did not induce the translocation of PKCdelta in PK significantly more than in ras-PK and 308. Thus, the difference in the induction of radio-adaptive responses between mouse normal and neoplastic epidermal cells reflects difference in the rapidity of cell death, and responsiveness of PKC may affect this adaptive response.

Changes in mucosal immune cells of bladder tumor patient after BCG intravesical immunotherapy

The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is considered to be at least as effective, and perhaps superior to chemotherapy in the prophylaxis of recurrent superficial tumors. However, the mechanism of the antitumor effect of BCG is still not exactly known. We have conducted investigations to examine changes in bladder mucosal immune cells in patients with superficial bladder carcinoma treated with a first cycle of BCG. The study group included 15 BCG and 5 doxorubicin instillation patients, most in the intermediate or high risk group for recurrent tumor. Grossly normal bladder mucosal cold cup biopsies were performed at initial TUR and one week after six consecutive weekly instillations of BCG or doxorubicin. All specimens underwent immunohistochemical staining, both pre-treatment and post-treatment, including CD20, CD45RO, CD8, CD4 and CD57. Immunoreactive cell counts were evaluated from three different microscopic fields (x400) under the grid. The mean duration of follow-up was 52.8 months. The post-treatment bladder mucosal B-cells (CD20) and T-cells (CD45RO, CD4, CD8) were significantly increased compared to pre-treatment in patients treated with BCG instillation, but NK-cells (CD57) were not changed. However, there was no change in B-cells or T-cells in patient treated with doxorubicin. The CD20 cells in pre-treatment specimens did not correlate with any other cells. However, it was a statistically significant correlation with CD45RO in post-treatment specimens. The CD4 correlated with CD45RO and CD8 in pre-treatment, but it was correlated with CD45RO and CD57 in post-treatment specimens. There was no tumor recurrence in cases with significantly increased B-cells after BCG instillation. The results of these studies suggest that intravesical BCG immunotherapy for superficial bladder tumor induces a significant increase in T-cells as well as B-cells and that B-cells have a preventive effect on tumor recurrence. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to confirm the value of the B-cell increment after BCG instillation as a clinically independent prognostic factor.

Opacification of the intrahepatic portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the cause of opacification of the portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA).

METHOD

A total of 155 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated with CTHA as preoperative staging. The opacification of the portal veins during CTHA was categorized as opacification of the main portal vein, right or left branches of the main portal vein (generalized), and segmental or subsegmental portal veins (localized). Hepatic angiography was compared and possible causes were evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred eight (70%) of 155 patients showed intrahepatic portal vein opacification at CTHA: generalized in 60 patients (39%) and localized in 48 patients (31%). Intrahepatic causes were arterioportal shunts due to hepatocellular carcinoma in 20 (19% of 108 patients), previous liver biopsy in 9 (8%), and portal vein thrombosis in 4 (4%). Extrahepatic cause was counted in 57 cases (53%) and was due to inflow of contrast material via nonmesenteric portal circulation through the gastric antrum, duodenum, and/or pancreas.

CONCLUSION

Intrahepatic portal veins are frequently opacified during CTHA, and the causes were arterioportal shunts through hepatocellular carcinoma, postbiopsy shunt, portal vein thrombosis, and inflow of contrast material via the nonmesenteric portal circulation.