Growth-promoting effect of bacterial products from Clostridium perfringens on human keratinocytes

Wound healing substance (WHS) from cultured Clostridium perfringens has been reported to be effective in the treatment of wounds. The effects of WHS, now named SNK-863, on proliferation and differentiation of human keratinocytes were examined. The characteristics of WHS are as follows: 1) WHS stimulates human keratinocyte growth and DNA synthesis; 2) WHS and EGF show some additive effects on human keratinocyte growth; 3) WHS does not interfere with the binding of EGF to its receptor; 4) WHS does not counteract the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta or vitamin D3 on human keratinocytes; 5) WHS has no significant effect on human keratinocyte differentiation. These results indicate that the growth-promoting effect of WHS on keratinocytes may contribute to the treatment of wound healing.

Differential localization of TGF-beta-precursor isotypes in normal human skin

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) can act as a multi-functional regulator of both cell growth and differentiation. Three isotypes of TGF-beta s namely TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3, have been found in human tissues. Up to now, little is known about the distribution patterns of the TGF-beta isotypes in human skin. Using the TGF-beta-precursor (latency-associated peptides) specific antibodies to confirm the specificity, we studied the immunohistochemical distribution of TGF-beta 1-3 in human skin. TGF-beta 2 was found mainly in the intercellular space of all the layers of the epidermis as well as in the cytoplasm with a weak staining. In contrast, TGF-beta 3 was present in the subepidermal area of the dermis. TGF-beta 1 was observed obviously in neither epidermis nor dermis. These results showed the differential localization of TGF-beta isotypes in human skin, suggesting that the TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 may regulate the human skin function in an epithelial autocrine or mesenchymal-epithelial interaction manner.

An immunohistochemical study of sebaceous carcinoma with anti-keratin monoclonal antibodies: comparison with other skin cancers

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of six cases of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma were studied immunohistochemically with eight anti-keratin monoclonal antibodies, 34 beta B4, 35 beta H11, Ks13.1, Ks19.1, PKK1, LP34, KL1 and AE1. The staining patterns of sebaceous carcinoma were compared with those of normal sebaceous glands and other skin cancers which should be distinguished from sebaceous carcinoma histopathologically. The other skin cancers compared were eccrine porocarcinoma, malignant clear cell hidradenoma, extramammary Paget's disease with underlying adenocarcinoma, malignant trichilemmoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Most cases of sebaceous carcinoma were stained with 35 beta H11, Ks19.1, LP34, KL1 and AE1, while normal sebaceous glands were positive only with 35 beta H11, LP34, KL1 and AE1. By immunostaining, sebaceous carcinoma was distinguishable from extramammary Paget's disease with underlying adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant trichilemmoma, and eccrine porocarcinoma, but was not clearly distinguishable from malignant clear cell hidradenoma. These findings demonstrate that sebaceous carcinoma shows positive reactions with antibodies to simple epithelial keratin, probably as a result of neoplastic transformation, and that immunohistochemical examination using anti-keratin monoclonal antibodies is useful in distinguishing sebaceous carcinoma from several other skin cancers.

Establishment and characterization of the T-cell line, EBT-8 latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus from large granular lymphocyte leukemia

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome-positive T-cell line, designated EBT-8, was established from peripheral blood of a patient with EBV genome-positive large granular lymphocyte leukemia of T-cell origin. The cells have been cultured continuously in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 40 U/ml interleukin-2 for more than 18 months. Analysis of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement demonstrated similar rearrangement between the fresh leukemic cells and EBT-8 cell line. The cell line has several azurophilic granules in its cytoplasm and activated cytotoxic/suppressor T-cell surface antigens (CD2, CD3, CD8, HLA-DR and T-cell receptor alpha/beta). Karyotypic analysis of the cell line showed several chromosomal abnormalities. EBV DNA was demonstrated in the cells by Southern blot hybridization and about five copies of covalently closed circular DNA per cell were detected by Gardella gel analysis. Clonotypic episomal EBV DNA was observed in the cells by Southern blot hybridization with EBV-terminal fragment probe. EBV-encoded small RNA, EBER1 were demonstrated in all cells by in situ hybridization. EBV-encoded proteins, EBNA and LMP1 were demonstrated by immunofluorescence technique. EBV activation was observed after 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate treatment of the cells. These results demonstrated the establishment of a T-cell line with latent EBV genomes and suggested the involvement of EBV to the large granular lymphocyte leukemia of T cells.

Classification of some alpha-glucosidases and alpha-xylosidases on the basis of substrate specificity

Three alpha-glucosidases which passed under the names of transglucosidase (from Aspergillus niger), maltase (from Brewers yeast), and isomaltase (from Bakers yeast) for reasons of their substrate specificities and transfer actions, were purified to electrophoretically pure states. These purified alpha-glucosidases were made uniform in the hydrolyzing activities using p-nitrophenyl alpha-glucopyranoside (alpha-p-NPG) and were reacted with p-nitrophenyl alpha-xylopyranoside (alpha-p-NPX) or isoprimeverose (xylopyranosyl-alpha-1,6-glucopyranose), which are typical substrates of alpha-xylosidase. Only Asp. niger alpha-glucosidase among them hydrolyzed alpha-p-NPX and isoprimeverose. Further the substrate specificities of three alpha-glucosidases and two alpha-xylosidases (I and II from Asp. flavus MO-5) were investigated on maltose, isomaltose, alpha-p-NPG, isoprimeverose, and alpha-p-NPX in detail, and kinetic parameters [Km, Vmax, and molecular activity (Ko)] were estimated and compared with each other. In the comparison of kinetic parameters, Asp. niger alpha-glucosidase showed a broad specificity, that is, containing isoprimeverose in addition to maltose, isomaltose, and alpha-p-NPG. Though this enzyme barely hydrolyzed alpha-p-NPX too, the velocity was very slow. Though both yeast alpha-glucosidases barely hydrolyzed alpha-p-NPX or isoprimeverose too, these substrates were not good for yeast enzymes. On the other hand, two alpha-xylosidases showed narrow specificities, such that the substrates except for alpha-p-NPX and isoprimeverose were not hydrolyzed at all. The action on isoprimerose by Asp. niger alpha-glucosidase was completely the same as that on isomaltose at optimum pH, optimum temperature, inhibition pattern of hydrolyzing activity by 1-deoxynojirimycin, and transfer action pattern. Accordingly, we interpret these results as indicating that the hydrolyzations of isomaltose and isoprimeverose by Asp. niger alpha-glucosidase were catalyzed at the same active site. Asp. niger enzyme that has both alpha-glucosidase activity and alpha-xylosidase activity was shown to be classified in a middle position between alpha-glucosidase and alpha-xylosidase.

FDG-PET for predicting the prognosis of malignant lymphoma

To evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET as a predictor of prognosis, 34 patients with untreated malignant lymphoma in the head and neck region were studied. After FDG-PET and treatment, they were observed from 15 to 50 months. Tumors which were aggressive and resistant to treatment tended to show high uptake of FDG. The survival rate of patients with high uptake of FDG, DAR > or = 8, was lower than the rate of the other patients. It is considered to be useful to add FDG uptake of the tumor to other prognostic factors for predicting the prognosis.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated large granular lymphocyte leukemia with cutaneous infiltration

A 36-year-old man had a high titer of antibody to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and recurrent necrotizing papules and nodules on his face and oral mucosa. The disease was diagnosed as CD3+4- 8+ large granular lymphocyte leukemia of T-cell origin. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that EBV DNA was present in CD8+ lymphocytes; EBV antigens were also observed in these lymphocytes. These findings demonstrated that EBV latently infected the leukemic cells and may have played a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. This is the first report of an association between EBV and large granular lymphocyte leukemia of T-cell origin.

Inhibition of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity by neopterins

We investigated the inhibitory effects of neopterin (NP) and its reduced form, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin (NPH4), on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. In in vivo experiments, intraperitoneal administration of NP or NPH4 significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase activity induced by CCl4 in mice. In in vitro experiments using cultured rat hepatocytes, CCl4 induced in a manner which was both time- and dose-dependent lactate dehydrogenase release, and the addition of NP or NPH4 to the culture-medium significantly inhibited its release from cells. NPH4, but not NP, reacted directly with a stable radical, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. These results suggest that NP and NPH4 inhibit CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity through different mechanisms.

Hosenkosides F, G, H, I, J, and K, novel baccharane glycosides from the seeds of Impatiens balsamina

From the seeds of Impatiens balsamina we have isolated six novel baccharane glycosides, hosenkosides F-K. The structures of all isolates were determined by the use of two dimensional (2D) NMR techniques (1H-1H correlation spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC), heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC), rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY), total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY)) and chemical derivatization. Hosenkosides F, H and I are hosenkol B 3-O-sambubiosido-26-O-glucoside, 3-O-sambubioside and 3,26-O-diglucoside, respectively. Hosenkoside G is hosenkol C 3-O-sambubiosido-28-O-glucoside. Hosenkosides J and K are hosenkol A 3-O-sophoroside and 3-O-sophorosido-26-O-glucosyl-28-O-glucoside, respectively.

A giant mesenteric aneurysm and sudden death

In sudden death cases, aortic or cerebral artery aneurysms are not infrequent, but a mesenteric artery branch aneurysm has not previously been reported. In the present paper, we describe a case of sudden death from the rupture of a giant mesenteric aneurysm.

Primary empty sella in association with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and dural arteriovenous malformation. Case report

A 61-year-old woman under treatment with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate following surgery for breast cancer developed diplopia and papilledema due to raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Radiological studies disclosed an empty sella turcica, a dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. The sinus thrombosis was considered to have been a side effect of the medroxyprogesterone acetate medication. The association between a primary empty sella and raised ICP is briefly discussed, along with the cause-and-effect relationship between a dural AVM and venous sinus thrombosis.

[An evaluation study on arbekacin for MRSA-infectious diseases including pneumonia, septicemia and others]

Availability of arbekacin (ABK) was analyzed in the chemotherapy of 24 MRSA-infected patients with symptoms of pneumonia (12), sepsis (6) and others (6). Most patients had background diseases such as malignant tumors or cerebrovascular disorders. 47% (7/15) of them were immunologically abnormal. 17 of them had been previously treated with cephems, imipenem, minocycline or fosfomycin. The ABK therapy was performed with doses ranging 50-400 mg a day, divided into 1-3 times (mostly 100 mg x 2), and for 5-24 days. (18 patients were treated between 5 and 14 days). 14 patients (58%) received combined therapy with other antibiotics (mostly with beta-lactams, 12). The clinical efficacy rate of the ABK therapy was 62% (good, 13; fair, 4; ineffective, 4; unknown, 3). The bacteriological efficacies were: eradicated, 7 (44%); decreased, 4; no change, 5; unknown, 8. Side effects were found in 3 patients (oliguria, 2; eruption due to drug, 1) and one case resulted in serious renal disorder. Abnormal laboratory data were found in 7 cases. Above results have indicated that ABK is a useful antibiotic in chemotherapy of MRSA-infections.

FDG-PET for the evaluation of tumor viability after anticancer therapy

To evaluate positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) as an diagnostic tool to determine tumor viability after anticancer therapy, fourteen patients were examined by FDG-PET after the end of the treatment. The lesions with residual viable tumor cells showed higher uptake of FDG than surrounding normal soft tissue. The lesions, in which tumor viability was lost or very low, showed higher uptake of FDG in four cases and similar uptake to normal soft tissue in three cases. The residual increased uptake of FDG was considered to be caused by remaining tumor cells and/or inflammatory reaction to anticancer treatment. FDG-PET after anticancer treatment should be interpreted by considering the reaction due to the treatment and the partial volume artifact of PET caused by the limited spatial resolution.

Two cases of ganglion cysts in the lumbar spinal canal

Two cases of ganglion cysts in the lumbar spinal canal: MR findings. Ganglion cysts in the spinal canal are rare. To our knowledge, only 12 cases have been reported. In addition, ganglion cysts depicted by MR are extremely rare. We report the MR findings in two cases of ganglion cysts in the lumbar spinal canal. In both cases, the ganglion cysts were slightly higher in intensity than CSF on T2-weighted images. In addition, a thin band of low intensity was depicted around the ganglion in both cases. This finding may help to diagnose ganglion in the spinal canal. On T1-weighted images, the signal intensity of the ganglion was very similar to that of the intervertebral disc in both cases. In summary, although ganglion mimics disc hernia or sequestrated disc on both T2- and T1-weighted images, the possibility of a ganglion should be considered whenever an extradural mass showing high signal intensity surrounded by a thin band of low intensity is identified on T2-weighted images.

Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine in psoriatic patients with long term etretinate therapy

Etretinate has been known to produce a variety of skeletal manifestations when administered for prolonged periods. To study whether osteoporotic changes occurred during the treatment bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 13 psoriatic patients who received long term etretinate therapy (average 3.7 yrs). The values of BMD of the lumbar spine in these patients were decreased from those of age-matched controls (92.3 +/- 9.7%), p < 0.01), while those in psoriatic patients who received topical corticosteroid applications alone showed no significant decrease. Our findings suggest that long term etretinate intake induces an increased risk of osteoporotic changes.