Expression of the MAGE gene family in human head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinomas

The MAGE genes encode certain tumor-associated antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We investigated the expression of the MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, -41, and -6 genes in 88 head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinomas (83 fresh tumor samples and 5 cell lines), using a reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction assay, followed by dot-blot hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotides and/or restriction enzyme-pattern analysis. The MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4, -41 and -6 genes were expressed at the mRNA level in 27, 34, 36, 22, 16 and 35, respectively, of 83 fresh tumor samples. At least one of these genes was expressed in 59 of the 83 samples. Neither non-tumor inflammatory cells nor normal tissues were positive for these genes. The MAGE-1 gene was expressed relatively frequently in SCC of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and maxillary sinus, but at lower rates in SCC of the larynx and of the tongue and oral cavity. MAGE-1 was frequently expressed in poorly differentiated SCC, somewhat less frequently in moderately differentiated SCC, and only infrequently in well-differentiated SCC. The expression levels of the other MAGE genes also varied with the anatomic site as well as the degree of differentiation. Our results suggest that specific immunotherapy against MAGE gene products may be useful for patients with head-and-neck carcinomas.

Distinct immunohistochemical localization of IL-4 in human inflamed airway tissues. IL-4 is localized to eosinophils in vivo and is released by peripheral blood eosinophils

Nasal polyposis and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways characterized by infiltration of activated inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils. IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine considered to play an important role in eosinophilic inflammation. We examined the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IL-4 in nasal polyps, as well as in the bronchial mucosa of both nonasthmatic control subjects (n = 6) and patients with well-characterized mild asthma (n = 6) subjected to a diluent or an allergen challenge. To determine eosinophilic contribution, tissue sections were counterstained with FITC after IL-4 immunostaining. No eosinophils were observed in the bronchial mucosa of nonasthmatic subjects. Nasal polyp tissues contained approximately 15 times more eosinophils per mm2 compared with bronchial tissues from asthmatics after a diluent challenge. Allergen challenge resulted in a marked increase in eosinophil density in bronchial tissues. A negligible number of cells immunostaining IL-4 was observed in bronchial tissues from nonasthmatic control subjects. The density of IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues was almost three times greater compared with asthmatics bronchial tissues after a diluent challenge. Approximately 90% of the IL-4-positive cells in bronchial tissues did not exhibit fluorescence after FITC counterstaining; in contrast, about 80% of the IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues did. We also show that peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic subjects express IL-4 mRNA by Northern blot analysis, particularly on stimulation with secretory IgA immune complexes. Finally, the supernatant of stimulated eosinophils contained approximately 50 pg/10(6) cells of IL-4 as determined by ELISA. These data demonstrate that eosinophils express the message and release IL-4 in vitro, and that these cells are the primary source of immunoreactive IL-4 in tissues undergoing chronic severe mucosal inflammation.

Distinct immunohistochemical localization of IL-4 in human inflamed airway tissues. IL-4 is localized to eosinophils in vivo and is released by peripheral blood eosinophils

Nasal polyposis and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways characterized by infiltration of activated inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils. IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine considered to play an important role in eosinophilic inflammation. We examined the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IL-4 in nasal polyps, as well as in the bronchial mucosa of both nonasthmatic control subjects (n = 6) and patients with well-characterized mild asthma (n = 6) subjected to a diluent or an allergen challenge. To determine eosinophilic contribution, tissue sections were counterstained with FITC after IL-4 immunostaining. No eosinophils were observed in the bronchial mucosa of nonasthmatic subjects. Nasal polyp tissues contained approximately 15 times more eosinophils per mm2 compared with bronchial tissues from asthmatics after a diluent challenge. Allergen challenge resulted in a marked increase in eosinophil density in bronchial tissues. A negligible number of cells immunostaining IL-4 was observed in bronchial tissues from nonasthmatic control subjects. The density of IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues was almost three times greater compared with asthmatics bronchial tissues after a diluent challenge. Approximately 90% of the IL-4-positive cells in bronchial tissues did not exhibit fluorescence after FITC counterstaining; in contrast, about 80% of the IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues did. We also show that peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic subjects express IL-4 mRNA by Northern blot analysis, particularly on stimulation with secretory IgA immune complexes. Finally, the supernatant of stimulated eosinophils contained approximately 50 pg/10(6) cells of IL-4 as determined by ELISA. These data demonstrate that eosinophils express the message and release IL-4 in vitro, and that these cells are the primary source of immunoreactive IL-4 in tissues undergoing chronic severe mucosal inflammation.

Motility related protein 1 (MRP-1/CD9) expression: inverse correlation with metastases in breast cancer

In our previous studies we showed that motility related protein 1 (MRP-1) is a glycoprotein recognized by mAb M31-15, and that the sequence of MRP-1 is identical to that of CD9, a WBC differentiation antigen. Transfection of MRP-1/CD9 cDNA into cultured nonhematopoietic cells suppresses cell motility. The extent of suppression is directly related to the level of MRP-1/CD9 expression. In addition, the metastatic potential of MRP-1/CD9-transfected melanoma BL6 cells is lower than that of control BL6 cells. To determine whether these experimental results are of relevance with respect to actual human tumors, we investigated MRP-1/CD9 expression in 143 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast. Of 97 patients with MRP-1/CD9-positive tumors, only 36 (37.1%) had lymph node involvement. In contrast, 21 of 39 (53.8%) patients whose tumors had reduced MRP-1/CD9 immunoreactivity and 5 of 7 patients whose primary carcinomas were not stained by the anti-MRP-1/CD9 MAb had lymph node metastases. The comparison of protein expression by 62 primary tumors and their respective metastatic lymph nodes revealed that in almost 50% of the cases, the latter had lower MRP-1/CD9 levels than the former. Moreover, reverse transcriptase-PCR-based analysis disclosed that MRP-1/CD9 gene expression in the metastatic lymph nodes of 17 of 32 patients was strikingly lower than in the primary invasive ductal carcinomas. Gene overexpression was not observed in any of the samples studied. Our data suggest that low MRP-1/CD9 expression may be associated with the metastatic potential of certain human tumors.

[Results of coronary artery bypass grafting in dialysis patients]

To determine the short- and medium-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in dialysis patients, we analyzed a group of 14 patients with chronic renal failure who underwent CABG between May 1990 and October 1994. Two patients had concomitant valve repair for mitral regurgitation. Hospital mortality was 14% (2 out of 14). These two patients died of ileus due to ischemic colitis and agranulocytosis respectively. There was one late death from stroke. The four significant postoperative complications (morbidity 29%) were composed of two sternal dehiscence, one cardiac tamponade because of bleeding, and one perioperative myocardial infarction. Graft patency rate was 97% (34 out of 35 in 13 patients) within one month. Actuarial survival was 86% at one 1 to 3 years, and 43% at 3 and a half years. This rate is not significantly different from all dialysis patients, but night be better than dialysis patients with coronary artery disease who had not undergone CABG in the previous reports. Left ventricular size is larger in patients who died or who had significant complications in hospital than in patients with uneventful postoperative course. Cardiac arrest time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, chest tube output, and the amount of transfusion might be also related to mortality and morbidity though statistically not significant.

Aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic homograft in a patient with giant cell aortitis following two Bentall's type operations

Patients with aortic valvular regurgitation due to non-infectious aortitis are at high risk of valve detachment. In this report, a patient with giant cell aortitis is described, who underwent successful aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic homograft, following two Bentall's type operations that resulted in graft detachment.

Histamine synthesis by cells of the macrophage lineage in bone marrow of mice

An injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the activity of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in bone marrow (BM) cells of C3H/HeN mice much more than in C3H/HeJ mice, which are resistant to various effects of LPS. In WBB6/F1 (W/Wv) mice, which are genetically deficient in mast cells, HDC activity increased more than in C3H/HeN mice. Cultured BM cells of W/Wv mice spontaneously synthesized histamine in a HDC-dependent way. LPS caused a slight increase in HDC-associated histamine synthesis by these cells. Treatment of the BM cells with murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (mrGM-CSF) increased the histamine synthesis. In addition, treatment with mrGM-CSF made the cells respond to LPS by a dose-dependent increase in HDC activity and histamine synthesis. Most dish-adherent BM cells that had been treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS for 48 h were stained for nonspecific esterase and not for chloroacetate esterase, and had twice as much HDC activity as the nonadherent cells had. Immunocytochemical analysis of the BM cells of W/Wv mice treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS showed that HDC was in the cytoplasm of cells having Mac-1, a macrophage-differentiation antigen. These results suggest that cells of the macrophage lineage in the BM of mice synthesize histamine.

Nonionic contrast agents produce thrombotic effect by inducing adhesion of leukocytes on human endothelium

The expression of P-selectin was more upregulated following the exposure to nonionic low osmolar contrast agents than to ionic contrast agents. Exposure to nonionic contrast agents led to a marked adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. Thrombomodulin activity of endothelial cells was decreased, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in the supernatant were increased when leukocyte adhesion occurred after exposure to nonionic contrast agents. Results suggest that the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium increases procoagulant activity.

Long-term circulatory support to promote recovery from profound heart failure

In profound heart failure, ventricular assist systems (VAS) have been used to maintain the systemic circulation and promote recovery of the failing heart. The authors' data suggest that the heart may not recover sufficiently if the patient needs left ventricular assist beyond 10 days. Recently, the authors treated six patients who were supported by VAS more than 3 weeks and were weaned from VAS. Four of six patients were weaned from VAS and continue well, despite marginal cardiac function. In the other two patients, the natural heart did not sustain stable recovery, but their general conditions made them fit to be candidates for heart transplantation. Based on these data, long-term support should be considered to promote recovery of heart function with the use of VAS for profound heart failure.

[Interleukin-2 activity in monocrotaline-treated rat lungs]

To study the relationship between cytokines and the development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension, monocrotaline was given and interleukin-2 was measured. The amount of interleukin-2 produced by pulmonary cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage was high only on the 14th day after monocrotaline injection (p < 0.01). This suggests that many kinds of cells in the monocrotaline-treated rat lung were activated by cytokines, and that these interactions play an important role in the development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Low platelet mitochondrial complex I and complex II/III activity in early untreated Parkinson's disease

Following the discovery of inhibition of electron transport complex 1 by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which produces a parkinsonian syndrome in humans, monkeys, and mice, several laboratories have reported abnormalities of complex I and other electron transport complexes (ETCs) in various tissues from patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Criticism of the significance of these findings in the etiology of PD has centered on whether drug treatments or the debilitation of the disease process itself produced the low ETC activities. We present results from a blinded study of platelet mitochondrial ETC activities in 18 early untreated PD patients and 18 age- and sex-matched controls and in 13 spousal controls. Lower complex I activity in platelet mitochondria of PD patients was seen in early untreated disease and thus cannot be due to debilitation or drug therapy. Home environmental factors seem an unlikely explanation for the reduced complex I activity in PD patients but have not been excluded. Complex II/III activity was also reduced by 20% in PD compared with age-/sex-matched controls. The low complex I and II/III activities in platelet mitochondria appear to be related to the etiology of PD.

Optimum culture conditions for production of exfoliative toxin by Staphylococcus hyicus

Optimum culture conditions for the production of exfoliative toxin by Staphylococcus hyicus (shET) were examined. High shET activity was obtained from the culture filtrate of HI and TY broth inoculated with S. hyicus. The pH in these two media ranged from 7 to 8.5 during bacterial culture, while the lowest pH in TS and BHI broth was less than 6. shET activity in the culture filtrate from TY broth inoculated with 10(7) CFU of S. hyicus per ml was higher than that in TY broth inoculated with 10(6) and 10(8) CFU of bacteria per ml. When shET activity in the culture filtrate was measured under various shaking conditions, the culture filtrate shaken at 75 oscillations per min had the highest shET activity of the five shaking conditions. shET activity of the culture filtrate of TY broth to which protease inhibitor had been added was the same as that of TY broth without inhibitor. shET activity in a shaking culture in an Erlenmeyer flask was also the same as that in sac culture and that in shaking culture using a shaking (Sakaguchi) flask. shET activity in TY broth supplemented with 100 mM glucose was significantly lower than that in TY broth without glucose. Based on the above results, the optimum culture conditions for the production of shET were as follows: inoculation of 3 x 10(9) CFU of S. hyicus strain P-1 into 300 ml of TY broth in a 2,000-ml Erlenmeyer flask, and incubation at 37 C with shaking at 75 oscillations per min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A measurement scale for the Type A behavior pattern in women: the development of the Everyday Behavior Questionnaire]

A new 23-item scale, the Everyday Behavior Questionnaire (EDBQ) was developed to assess the Type A behavior pattern in women. Nurses (N = 139) in an university hospital participated in the validation study. Factor analysis of the 23 items revealed a four-factor structure. The four factors were anger/impatience, competitiveness/hard-driving, speed, and eagerness/interest. Internal consistency reliability estimates of four factors were adequate. Concurrent validity assessed by the relationship between the EDBQ and the Jenkins Activity Survey was significantly high. The four-factor structure and the relationship between the factors and psychological/physical symptoms adequately demonstrated Type A characteristics, as well as the uniqueness of the new questionnaire. These results suggested that the construct validity was in the desired direction. Further reliability and validity researches with the EDBQ in various samples were suggested.

[Surgical treatment and long-term results of cardiac myxoma in 38 patients]

Long-term results of thirty-eight patients with cardiac myxoma, who underwent resection at National Cardiovascular Center between May, 1978 and December, 1993, were reviewed focussing on embolism, cerebral complication, tumor recurrence and metastasis. The mean age was 49.6 years (range 0 to 74) in 20 female and 18 male. Overall follow-up were known for 35 of 38 patients (92.1%), and an average of follow-up period was 6.7 years (range 0.5 to 15.9 years). 15 of 38 patients (34.2%) had embolism (brain 10, peripheral artery 4, coronary 1) preoperatively. All patients survived operation and the hospital mortality rate was 0%. Long-term results were almost satisfactory (myxoma related-death in one patients). However, distant metastasis occurred in two patients, and tumor recurrence in one patient irrespective of a presence of preoperative embolism. Cerebral embolism occurred in one patient and cerebral arterial lesins were noticed in five patients postoperatively. Cardiac myxoma has a malignant potentiality and a close follow-up is necessary about recurrence, metastasis and cerebral artery disease.

Alteration of gamma-ray-induced chromosome aberration by 0.5 M NaCl in Chinese hamster cells

Hypertonic treatment (0.5 M NaCl in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.2) at 37 degrees C for 20 min slightly delayed the mitotic frequency for non-irradiated cells in G1 and G2 phases. The mitotic frequency for irradiated cells in G2 was delayed by hypertonic treatment, and that in G1 was slightly delayed by hypertonic treatment. Hypertonic treatment in non-irradiated cells did not induce any chromosomal or chromatid aberrations in either G1 or G2. Chromosomal aberrations caused by gamma-irradiation were slightly enhanced by hypertonic treatment, and chromatid aberrations were markedly enhanced by hypertonic treatment. The enhancement ratio of gamma-irradiation-induced chromatid breaks and exchanges was 1.4 and 3.0, respectively. This cell cycle dependency of chromosome aberrations induced by postirradiation hypertonic treatment was the same as that of cell survival. These findings suggested that hypertonic treatment modifies the rejoining of DNA strand breaks in G2, but slightly modifies that in G1.

Cucurbitacin glycosides from Caput nigri

The chemical structures of cabenosides I-L were investigated. These are four of the 12 cucurbitacin glycosides isolated from 'Cabeça-de-negro', the roots of Caput nigri. By means of chemical analyses the structures of cabenosides I-L were elucidated as 10 alpha-cucurbit-5-ene-3 beta,11 alpha,20S,24 xi,25-pentaol [3, 25-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (sophorosyl), 25-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside], and 10 alpha-cucurbit-5,20,24-triene-11-oxo-3 beta,26-diol [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (gentiobiosyl), 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3,26-di-O-gentiobioside], respectively.

Functional and T cell receptor gene usage analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in fresh tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from human head and neck cancer

Twenty-one cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones or lines that killed autologous tumor cells, but not allogeneic tumor, K562, or Daudi cells, were established from fresh tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of two individuals (HP-1 and HP-2) with head and neck cancer by limiting dilution in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2. Sixteen (76%) of these 21 clones or lines comprised CD4+ CTLs and the other five comprised CD8+ CTLs. These observations suggest that autologous tumor cell-specific CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ CTLs are present in vivo at the tumor site in head and neck cancer. Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) gene arrangements in 20 of the 21 CTL isolates with reverse transcriptase and the polymerase chain reaction revealed that five of 12 and five of eight isolates from HP-1 and HP-2, respectively, were clones, the other isolates being lines comprised of two or more clones. Each CTL clone showed a different combination of V alpha and V beta gene expression, suggesting that more than five different tumor-associated antigens may be expressed on head and neck cancer cells. In spite of the diversity of TCR alpha beta combinations, TCR V alpha 1, V alpha 3, V alpha 8, V alpha 10, V beta 8, V beta 9, and V beta 17 were also frequently expressed in both patients. These data suggest that specific CTLs proliferate oligoclonally and contribute to the specific immune response against head and neck cancer in vivo.

Cucurbitacin glycosides from Cabeça-de-negro

Five cucurbitacin glycosides named cabenosides D-L were isolated from 'Cabeça-de-negro', the roots of Caput nigri. Among them, the structures of cabenosides D-H were elucidated as 10 alpha-cucurbit-5-en-11-oxo-3 beta,24R,25-triol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 10 alpha-cucurbit-5-en-24-oxo-3 beta, 11 alpha,25-triol-25-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl, [3,O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] and 10 alpha-cucurbit-5-en-11,24-dioxo-3 beta,25-diol-25-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.

[Clinical analysis of ureteral injuries]

Six cases of ureteral injuries were analyzed. Two cases were male and 4 cases were female. The right side was affected in 1 case and the left in 5 cases. The affected portion was the uretero-pelvic junction in 1 case and lower iliac vessels in the other cases. Five cases were iatrogenic injuries in surgical or gynecological pelvic operation, and the other was due to blunt trauma. Intraoperative diagnosis was made in 4 cases. Drain leakage led to diagnosis in one case and pyelonephritis in another. Ureteroureterostomy was performed in 2 cases, pyeloureterostomy in 1 case, ureteroneocystostomy with psoas hitch in 1 case, Boari bladder flap in 1 case and simple suture in 1 case. 4-0 or 5-0 Dexon with an atraumatic needle was used for all anastomoses. Except for case 1, who died of the recurrence of carcinosarcoma, renal functions were preserved in all patients during the follow-up period ranging from 5 months to 7 years 8 months.

Assessment of self-control behavior: validity analyses on a Japanese version of the self-control schedule

To investigate the validity of a Japanese translation of Rosenbaum's Self-Control Schedule (SCS), 338 Japanese undergraduates were administered the scale. Construct validity of the SCS subscales, Constructive Self-Control and Ineffective Self-Control, in this study was achieved by correlations with coping responses. In addition, multiple regression analyses showed that Constructive Self-Control contributed to a negative prediction of future depression and psychosomatic symptoms, and Ineffective Self-Control predicted future depression and psychosomatic symptoms. These findings indicated that the Japanese version of the SCS employed in this study appeared to be a valid and promising measure of self-control.

Possible receptor for exfoliative toxins produced by Staphylococcus hyicus and Staphylococcus aureus

Exfoliative toxin produced by Staphylococcus hyicus bound to the GM4-like glycolipid extracted from the skin of 1-day-old chickens but did not bind to glycolipid from adult chickens or suckling mice. Exfoliative toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus bound to the GM4-like glycolipid extracted from the skin of suckling mice but not to glycolipid from 1-day-old or adult chickens. S. hyicus and S. aureus exfoliative toxins lost their toxicity by preincubation with GM4-like glycolipid from 1-day-old chickens and suckling mice, respectively.

Oxidative metabolism in Rett syndrome: 2. Biochemical and molecular studies

In an attempt to identify a possible defect of mitochondrial metabolism in Rett syndrome we studied 9 girls with typical Rett syndrome using a clinical protocol designed to identify disorders of oxidative metabolism. One girl, (RO) had marked lactic acidemia. Biochemical studies on samples from these patients included leukocyte pyruvate carboxylase assay, serum biotinidase and skin fibroblast pyruvate production, pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase assay. Muscle electron transport activities were studied on samples from 4 typical Rett patients including RO. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutational analysis for the np3243 MELAS mutation, the np8993 NARP mutation, the np8344 MERFF mutation and the 4977 kb common deletion found in Kearns-Sayre syndrome and aged tissues were tested for in 1 of the muscle samples and 2 blood samples from typical Rett patients. Western blotting of electron transport complex III was performed on mitochondrial samples obtained from autopsy brain tissue in 2 Rett patients and compared to pediatric control brain samples. No abnormalities were found in blood biotinidase or pyruvate carboxylase. Western blotting of 2 Rett brain mitochondrial samples for complex III appear normal. Pyruvate consumption in medium from 8 Rett fibroblast lines grown with and without dichloroacetate (DCA) showed a normal fall in pyruvate suggesting normal pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in these cells, however the fibroblasts from patient RO had a high pyruvate production in culture. Pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase and citrate synthetase activities in 8 Rett fibroblast lines were normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)