Proliferation of chick primordial germ cells cultured on stroma cells from the germinal ridge

Fluorescent reagent-labelled PGCs isolated from the blood of 2-day-old chick embryos were cultured on stroma cells derived from 5-day-old germinal ridge in Medium 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, human IGF-1, bovine FGF-b, and murine LIF. In 7 experiments, the number of MCs increased by an average of 4.8 fold in 4 days. Intrinsic PGCs in the 5-day embryonic germinal ridge were observed loosely attached to the stroma cells, and they also increased 3.8 fold during culture for 4 days. These results indicate the possibility of applying this culture method to the production of transgenic chickens.

C-type natriuretic peptide inhibits intimal thickening after vascular injury

Recently we have found that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) inhibits proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells through an elevation of cGMP. We have now tested whether administration of CNP inhibits the development of intimal lesions induced by air-drying injury in rat common carotid arteries in vivo. CNP treatment (1 microgram/kg per min, iv infusion) for either 14 or 5 days resulted in 70% or 60% reduction, respectively, of intimal cross-section area 14 days after injury as compared with control rats. We also found that CNP potently stimulated cGMP production in injured carotid arteries with intimal thickening, but not in intact ones. These results indicate that GC-B, CNP specific receptor/guanylyl cyclase, is expressed at the sites of vascular injury, and that CNP might be efficacious in the prevention of restenosis caused by intimal thickening following coronary angioplasty.

Measurement of yeast intracellular pH by image processing and the change it undergoes during growth phase

The intracellular pH of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined by a fluorescence microscopic image processing technique. Image processing was carried out using a modification of the ratio imaging method for measurement of yeast intracellular pH. Care was necessary when taking fluorescence images in order to obtain accurate measurement of yeast intracellular pH. Until now it has been difficult to measure the intracellular pH of cells in actual cultivation conditions. This method enabled us not only to measure the intracellular pH of dilute cell suspensions, but also to obtain two-dimensional information. In the case of resting cells, the intracellular pH was dependent upon the extracellular pH, and this value was constant when the extracellular pH was constant. On the other hand, in the case of actively growing cells, intracellular pH was found to change, even if the extracellular pH was constant: the values observed were intracellular pH 5.7 during lag phase, intracellular pH 6.8 during exponential phase and intracellular pH 5.5 during stationary phase. These results for intracellular pH indicate that the yeast proton pump was activated during growth from the point of view of pH in vivo.

Frequent expression of CD3 epsilon in CD3 (Leu 4)-negative nasal T-cell lymphomas

Adult natural killer (NK) cells had not generally been thought to express CD3 proteins other than zeta; however they were recently demonstrated to express CD3 epsilon in an activated condition. This prompted us to investigate the tumor tissues from 17 patients with Leu4-negative peripheral T-cell lymphoma, including eight with nasal T-cell lymphoma (NTCL), for the expression of CD3 epsilon. The tissues were immunohistologically stained with rabbit anti-human CD3 epsilon antibody. The expression of CD3 epsilon was more frequent in the tissues of nasal lymphoma than in the non-nasal lymphoma tissues: specimens from six of eight of the NTCL patients expressed CD3 epsilon, while only one of nine of the non-NTCL patients did so. The NTCL patients presented clinically with lethal midline granuloma, had histologic findings of tumor necrosis and angioinvasion, and had a peculiar CD2+, Leu4-, CD3 epsilon+, CD5-, CD7+, CD45RO+, CD4-, CD8-, beta F1-, T-cell receptor (TRC) delta 1-, CD56+ phenotype. This peculiar phenotype seems to be closely associated with NTCL. No clonal rearrangement of the TCR genes was detected in three NTCL patients examined. The NK cell origin of NTCL has been suggested by previous investigators. The phenotypic correspondence of our nasal tumors to adult activated NK cells supports this possibility, together with their lack of clonal rearrangement of the TCR genes.

Detection of donor lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with metachromatic leukodystrophy following bone marrow transplantation

An unrelated donor bone marrow transplant (UD-BMT) was carried out on a 10-year-old patient with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). We collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on day +168 and cultured it with recombinant IL-2 and PHA-P to examine the origin of cells in the CSF. Analysis on variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) of lymphocytes in the CSF amplified by PCR revealed that lymphocytes in the CSF were of donor origin. These data support that BMT at an early stage may prevent deterioration in MLD. Although the patient developed grade III acute GVHD with rash and diarrhea, we successfully treated acute GVHD using rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin (ATG). UD-BMT may be an alternative treatment for patients with MLD in the absence of an HLA matched family donor.

Effects of fasting and refeeding on some metabolic characteristics of rat brown adipose tissue

To investigate the effects of fasting and refeeding on rat interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT), we determined in vitro oxygen consumption, in vitro lipolysis, DNA content and composition of fatty acid (FA). Fasting decreased the weights of body and BAT, and the DNA content of BAT. Fasting reduced both basal oxygen consumption and basal lipolysis of BAT. Fasting also suppressed the noradrenaline- and glucagon-induced increases in both oxygen consumption and lipolysis of BAT. In both triglyceride and phospholipid FA of BAT the extent of unsaturation was increased by fasting. Refeeding restored all of these parameters to the control level. These observations indicate that fasting reduces both oxygen consumption and lipolysis of BAT, resulting in reduced thermogenesis, while fasting could stimulate BAT in certain phases of its function as observed in FA composition.

[Aortic root replacement in twin Marfan patients]

We have performed aortic root replacement in twin Marfan patients. They were male and aged 33 years at the times of the operations. One had pneumonia but the other had no complaints. Echocardiography showed geometries typical of annuloaortic ectasia (aortic diameters of 6.4 and 6.8 cm) and a moderate degree of aortic insufficiency. Aortic roots were replaced utilizing composite valve graft and the coronary orifices were reimplanted with Carrel's patch technique. The operations were carried out at almost the same time. The patients had a satisfactory postoperative course. Because of the potential for late dissection or aneurysm in other areas of the aorta, they should have regular follow-up examinations by MRI and CT indefinitely.

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation following balloon angioplasty of the rat carotid artery

BACKGROUND

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation following arterial injury plays a critical role in a variety of vascular proliferative disorders, including atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that localized arterial infection at the time of balloon angioplasty with an adenovirus (ADV-tk) encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk), followed by systemic ganciclovir administration, can inhibit VSMC proliferation and neointima formation in a well-characterized model of arterial injury and restenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left carotid arteries of 31 male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to balloon angioplasty and immediately infected with 2 x 10(9) pfu of either ADV-tk or a control adenovirus that does not encode a recombinant protein (ADV-delta E1). Twenty-four hours after injury, animals from each experimental group were randomized to receive a course of systemic ganciclovir (ADV-tk/+GC, ADV delta E1/+GC) or saline (ADV-tk/-GC, ADV-delta E1/-GC). VSMC DNA synthesis was measured by 5'-bromodeoxuridine (BrdU) incorporation 2-4 days after balloon injury. The extent of restenosis, expressed as the neointima to media (I/M) area ratio was determined by digital planimetry 20 days after balloon injury in each of the four treatment groups. Immunohistochemistry using a mAb to von Willebrand factor (vWF) was used to determine the effects of ADV-tk infection and ganciclovir treatment on re-endothelialization of the carotid arteries 20 days following balloon angioplasty.

RESULTS

Forty-one percent of the medial VSMCs in the ADV-tk/-GC arteries were labeled with BrdU 4 days after balloon injury. In contrast, ADV-tk infected animals that were treated with systemic ganciclovir (ADV-tk/+GC) displayed a 40% reduction in BrdU-staining medial VSMCs (p < 0.03). I/M area ratios of the three control groups were 1.17 +/- 0.18 (ADV-tk/-GC, n = 5), 1.15 +/- 0.10 (ADV-delta E1/+GC, n = 6), and 0.91 +/- 0.08 (ADV-delta E1/-GC, n = 6). These differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In contrast, the ADV-tk/+GC animals (n = 6) displayed an I/M area ratio of 0.49 +/- 0.13 which was significantly lower than that seen in each of the three control groups (p < 0.02). None of the treated animals showed evidence of significant organ toxicity at autopsy. A regenerated endothelium was observed in the ADV-tk/+GC animals 20 days after balloon injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Localized arterial infection with ADV-tk at the time of balloon angioplasty followed by systemic ganciclovir therapy reduces VSMC proliferation and neointimal expansion in the rat carotid artery injury model. Moreover, combined treatment with ADV-tk and systemic ganciclovir does not result in systemic toxicity and appears to selectively eliminate proliferating VSMCs, while preserving the capacity of the injured arterial segments to re-endothelialize within 3 weeks of injury. Taken together, these results support the feasibility of using this gene therapy approach for the treatment of human vascular proliferative disorders.

Effects of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin on the dopaminergic and cholinergic receptors as evaluated by positron emission tomography in the Rhesus monkey

The effects of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (R-THBP) on the central cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in the Rhesus monkey brain were investigated by positron emission tomography (PET) with the muscarinic cholinergic receptor ligands (N-[11C]methyl-benztropine) and dopaminergic receptor ligands selective for D1, D2, and D3 subtypes ([11C]SCH23390, N-[11C]methyl-spiperone, and (+)[11C]UH232, respectively). None of the doses (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg i.v.) of R-THBP used significantly affected the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF as determined by Raichle's H(2)15O method), and 10 mg/kg of R-THBP had little effect on the regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc) in the Rhesus monkey brain, as assessed by the graphical [18F]fluoro-deoxyglucose method. The effect of R-THBP on the muscarinic cholinergic system was dose dependent; while 3 mg/kg of R-THBP did not significantly alter the uptake ratio of N-[11C]methylbenztropine in several brain regions to that in the cerebellum, 10 and 30 mg/kg of R-THBP significantly reduced the uptake ratio in the thalamus, as well as in the frontal and temporal cortices. None of the doses (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg i.v.) of R-THBP tested affected [11C]SCH23390 (dopamine D1 receptor) binding. However, the k3 value for N-[11C]methyl-spiperone (dopamine D2 receptor) binding, which represents the association rate X Bmax value, was significantly decreased in the striatum. The uptake ratio of (+)[11C]UH232 (dopamine D3 receptor) in the striatum to that in the cerebellum was also decreased by administration of R-THBP (3 and 30 mg/kg i.v.). These findings suggest that R-THBP acts on dopamine D2 and D3 receptors selectively without markedly affecting dopamine D1 receptor binding. Furthermore, the changes in cholinergic and dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in vivo can not be attributed to a change in rCBF but may depend on the action of R-THBP.

Nucleotide sequence of the core region of hepatitis C virus in Pakistan and Bangladesh and the geographic characterisation of hepatitis C virus in south Asia

A large number of complete and partial hepatitis C virus (HCV) sequences have been reported and classified into several genotypes, although none have been reported from South Asia. We have determined and evaluated partial sequences in the core region of HCV obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Nucleotide sequences from these viruses show significant homology with the Japanese HCV-TR isolate (91.7%-97.9%) and low homology with other Japanese, American, and UK isolates including HCV-1, HC-J4, HC-J6, HC-J8, and E-b1 (79.3%-86.2%). The homologies of their deduced amino acids sequence with HCV-1, HC-J4, HC-J6, HC-J8, E-b1, and HCV-TR were 84.3%-89.8%, 85.0-87.9%, 84.1%-86.9%, 84.3%-87.0%, 90.2%-93.1%, and 89.8%-93.5%, respectively. These results suggest that our clones might be classified into the same genotype as HCV-TR. Further analysis using molecular evolutionary methods strongly supported the classification of these sequences with the HCV-TR genotype. Moreover, we could not detect any isolates which were closely related to our clones or HCV-TR in countries outside the South Asian area. These data further support the association of HCV genotypes with distinct geographic regions.

[Two cases of surgically treated malignant primary tumors originated from the pulmonary artery]

Two surgically treated cases of malignant tumors which originated inside of the pulmonary artery were reported. A 62-year-old female with an undifferentiated sarcoma and a 24-year-old male with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma were successively operated on in two months for the release of their chief complaints of exertional dyspnea. In the first case the tumor was resected completely, although partially resected in the second case. Preoperatively, noninvasive examinations including the echocardiography, the computed tomography and the magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of these tumors in the main pulmonary arteries in both cases and also the invasion to the vessel wall with the growth to the pericardial cavity in the second case. Both patients are doing well and has been followed up at the out-patient department 22 and 20 months after surgery, respectively.

Expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma

We have previously demonstrated the presence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. In this study, the expression of Gn-RH receptor (Gn-RHR) was investigated in human ovarian carcinoma and human ovarian carcinoma cell line. Gn-RHR was determined by [3H]Gn-RH binding assay. Gn-RHR mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers synthesized based on published human Gn-RHR sequence. Specific Gn-RH binding sites were shown to be present in plasma membrane isolated from five ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma samples and one serous cystadenocarcinoma (Kd = 15.3 +/- 8.08 nmol/L). Gn-RHR mRNA was detected in four mucinous cystadenocarcinoma specimens, one serous cystadenocarcinoma, and SK-OV-3 cells, but not in white blood cells. These results suggest that Gn-RH may play an autocrine regulatory role in the growth of ovarian carcinoma.

Phase I study of E1077, a novel parenteral cephem antibiotic

The safety and pharmacokinetics of E1077, a new injectable cephem antibiotic, were evaluated in healthy male adult volunteers. In the single-dose studies, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg of E1077 were administered by intravenous infusion at a constant rate for 60 minutes, then 1,000 mg of the drug by intravenous infusion at a constant rate for 5 minutes. The Cmax were 6.4, 15.7 +/- 12.0, 34.7 +/- 4.6, 63.2 +/- 4.6, 142.7 +/- 5.6, and 131.6 +/- 36.0 (means +/- SD) micrograms/mL, respectively, and the Cmax and AUC increased linearly with the dose. Plasma concentration-time curves were well described by a two-compartment open model. The plasma elimination half life of the drug was 1.88 +/- 0.15 hours. The mean urinary recovery within the first 24 hours was 94.1 +/- 5.1% of the dose. In the multiple-dose study, 2,000 mg of E1077 was intravenously administered at a constant rate over 60 minutes every 12 hours for 4.5 days (a total of nine times). The Cmax after the first and ninth doses were 134.0 +/- 17.4 and 135.5 +/- 15.5 micrograms/mL, respectively, and trough levels in day 1 and day 5 (at 12 hours after the first and ninth administration, respectively) were 2.2 +/- 0.8 and 1.9 +/- 0.4 micrograms/mL, respectively. No accumulation of the drug in plasma was observed. There were no significant differences in plasma levels or in the urinary recoveries between the single- and multiple-dose regimens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in gynecologic tumors. Frequent expression in adenocarcinoma histologic types

BACKGROUND

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogs have been used in the therapy of the endocrine-dependent cancers. The authors attempted to determine the frequency with which Gn-RH receptor (Gn-RHR) is present in gynecological cancers.

METHODS

Experiments were performed on gynecologic tumors that had been surgically removed and their cloned cell lines. Gn-RHR was characterized by [3H]Gn-RH binding to plasma membrane preparations. Gn-RHR messenger ribonucleic acid was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers synthesized according to the published human Gn-RHR sequence.

RESULTS

High affinity binding sites with nanomolar range of Kd and Gn-RHR mRNA were detected in a high proportion (over 90%) of the specimens from endometrium (6 of 6) and endometrial carcinomas (16 of 17), myometrium (6 of 6) and myomas (4 of 5), epithelial carcinoma (21 of 23), and stromal tumors (3 of 3) of the ovary. There was no substantial Gn-RHR in cervical carcinomas or germ cell-derived tumors of the ovary. Cloned cell lines gave identical results to those obtained in their respective mother tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

We detected Gn-RHR in a wide range of the carcinomas and tissues originating from the endometrium and ovary, but not in the uterine cervix or germ cell-derived tumors. The expression of Gn-RH receptor raises the possibility that Gn-RH may play a direct regulatory role in the growth of these carcinomas, and provides a possible point of attack for therapeutic approaches using Gn-RH analogs in these malignancies.

Transcriptional activities of a winged bean Kunitz chymotrypsin inhibitor gene promoter in stable and transient expression systems

Sequential deletions of the promoter region of the WCI-3b gene, which encodes the major chymotrypsin inhibitor of winged bean, were constructed and their expression was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants and in bombarded winged bean seeds. In transgenic tobacco plants, a critical promoter region which is important for high levels of expression in seeds was identified, but deletion of this region had essentially no effect when bombarded into winged bean seeds.

[A case of left ventricular-right atrial communication complicated with aortic regurgitation caused by active infective endocarditis]

A 63-year-old man with cough and shortness of breath was diagnosed to have active infective endocarditis resulting in acute pulmonary edema with aortic regurgitation caused by a huge vegetation on the noncoronary cusp and left ventricular-right atrial (LV-RA) communication which were demonstrated by the echocardiogram and color doppler method. The LV-RA communication located at the atrioventricular portion of the membranous septum was closed with GoreTex patch through the right atrium combined with the aortic valve replacement with a bileaflet mechanical valve in emergency. The bacteriological studies demonstrated staphylococcus epidermidis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is now on regular duty two years after surgery.

Long-term serum/plasma-free culture of human cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Tumor-specific human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were induced by co-culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells with X-ray-irradiated human lung squamous carcinoma cells, SQ-5, in the medium supplemented with interleukin(IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6, and 5% autologous plasma for 3 or 5 days. The CTL grew in serum/plasma-free medium containing these four interleukins and 0.5% bovine serum albumin for over a month and maintained killing activity of target cells within 48 h at an effector/target ratio of 1.25. Their growth was essentially dependent on the target SQ-5 cells, which were renewed every 5 days. Under these conditions, IL-4 and IL-6 could be omitted. When anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was added to the serum/plasma-free medium supplemented with IL-1 and IL-2, the target tumor cells were not required to maintain the specific killing activity of the CTL. A large number of CTL (10(11)) were obtained in 35 days.

Complete obstruction of the inferior vena cava due to chronic relapsing pancreatitis: a case report

A woman aged 62 with long history of chronic relapsing pancreatitis presented with swelling and ulcer in the lower limbs and occasional gastrointestinal bleeding. The radiological imaging showed complete obstruction of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) at the level of the pancreas and well developed collateral vessels. Portal vein and splenic vein were also obstructed and superior mesenteric venous blood drained into the liver via coronary vein. She was originally found to have pancreas head tumor, which was not resectable. A palliative operation was performed, but histological examination of pancreatic specimen suggested only chronic inflammation and no evidence of malignancy. She was diagnosed as tumor-forming type chronic pancreatitis. Although SPV or SMV-PV obstruction has been recognized as a complication of chronic pancreatitis, IVC obstruction can occur by the same mechanism. This is the only case but one ever reported. Not only splenoportography but IVC-graphy will contribute to more precise understanding of patient's condition with chronic pancreatitis.

The EWS gene, involved in Ewing family of tumors, malignant melanoma of soft parts and desmoplastic small round cell tumors, codes for an RNA binding protein with novel regulatory domains

The EWS gene, which maps to band q12 of human chromosome 22, is involved in a wide variety of human solid tumors including Ewing sarcoma, related primitive neuroectodermal tumors, malignant melanoma of soft parts and desmoplastic small round cell tumors. In these tumors, the EWS is fused to genes encoding transcriptional activators/repressors, like Fli-1 or erg or ATF 1 or wt1. To better understand the function of the EWS protein, we cloned the EWS cDNA. Sequence analysis of this cDNA revealed differential splicing involving two exons encoding 72 amino acids. Both alternatively spliced transcripts, EWS and EWS-b, are expressed in a variety of cells. Because EWS proteins contain putative conserved RNA binding motifs, we studied the RNA binding properties of the EWS protein. The EWS-b protein binds to RNA in vitro and, specifically, to poly G and poly U. The RNA binding activity was localized to the carboxy terminal 86 amino acids, which constitute RGG box. Thus the amino terminal domain of EWS (NTD-EWS), which is involved in chromosome translocation may regulate the specificity of RNA binding activity of EWS. An EWS-erg chimeric protein, which is found in Ewing's sarcoma cells, functions as a transcriptional activator. Mutational analysis of EWS-erg chimeric protein revealed that NTD-EWS functions as a regulatory domain for the transcriptional activation properties of EWS-erg chimeric protein.

Recovery from rheumatoid cerebral vasculitis by low-dose methotrexate

We report the successful management of cerebral vasculitis in a 46-year-old woman with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis with low-dose methotrexate. She suddenly developed dysarthria and left hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed ischemia of the right pons, and angiography demonstrated cerebral vasculitis of vertebro-basilar arteries. The vasculitis was refractory with high-dose steroid therapy, which had only transient clinical benefit, and evolution to the pontine infarction followed. Her clinical status showed marked improvement in association with recovery of the vascular abnormalities after the initiation of the methotrexate therapy.

Presence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor and its messenger ribonucleic acid in endometrial carcinoma and endometrium

In support of a possible clinical use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogs in the treatment of the endometrial carcinoma, this study was undertaken to establish the presence and characteristics of Gn-RH receptor on endometrial cancer. Materials were human endometrial carcinomas surgically removed and endometrial carcinoma cell lines. Gn-RH receptor was characterized by [3H]Gn-RH binding to plasma membrane preparations. Gn-RH receptor messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide primers synthesized according to the published human Gn-RH receptor sequence. Specific Gn-RH binding sites were shown to be present in 16 of 18 well-differentiated and 4 of 7 poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma specimens (Kd = 5.89 +/- 3.59 nM, Bmax = 1.80 +/- 0.95 pmol/mg protein) and cell lines RL95-2 and HHUA with Kd of 2.38 +/- 0.86 nM. The high-affinity binding sites were also detected in six proliferative-phase endometrium (Kd = 4.24 +/- 2.32 nM, Bmax = 2.73 +/- 1.12 pmol/mg protein). Gn-RH receptor mRNA was detected in all endometrial carcinoma and endometrial specimens and cell lines where the specific binding sites were detected, but not in adenomyosis or myometrial samples. The expression of Gn-RH receptor provides a possible point of attack for therapeutic approaches using Gn-RH analogs in this malignancy.