Lung cancer associated with punctate calcification: CT and histological correlation

The etiology of punctate calcifications in lung cancer was evaluated on the basis of CT and histological correlations. Seven cases of lung cancer with punctate calcifications were demonstrated on CT. The patients had undergone surgical resection (five men and two women, 60-70 years old; six adenocarcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma), and each case was evaluated for its CT appearance and histological findings. The number of calcifications observed on CT varied from one to six. Most were eccentric, but some calcifications in four cases were within the more central portion of the nodules. Overall, in six of seven cases the calcifications were histologically estimated to be due to preexisting old granulomatous fibrotic changes or fragments of bronchial cartilage incorporated within the growing tumors. In only one case were the calcifications psammoma bodies within the tumor. We conclude that punctate calcifications in lung cancers correspond mostly to preexisting calcified granuloma or degenerated bronchial cartilage.

[Axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with antibodies to Ga1NAc-GD1a and unidentified acidic glycolipids]

A 19-year-old male student with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was described. Neurologic examination revealed severe and moderate degrees of weakness in the distal and proximal muscles, respectively, in both upper and lower limbs. He was unable to walk even with support. Both superficial and deep sensations were normal. Serial electrophysiologic studies indicated that the predominant pathologic process of the peripheral nerve was axonal degeneration of motor nerves. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that serum from the patient had markedly high titer of IgG antibody to Ga1NAc-GD1a (1:204,800). Thin-layer chromatography with immunostaining revealed that his serum IgG strongly reacted with Ga1NAc-GD1a prepared from both bovine brain and cauda equina, and additionally with unidentified acidic glycolipids prepared only from bovine cauda equina. Serum containing antibody to Ga1 NAc-GD1a and the unidentified acidic glycolipids may be responsible for axonal degeneration of motor nerves in this patient.

Effects of clomiphene citrate on the endometrial thickness and echogenic pattern of the endometrium

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) on the endometrium by ultrasound and to reveal the echogenic difference between the control cycle and the CC cycle.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of patients before and during a CC treatment.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.

PATIENT(S)

Seventy-nine infertile women who had a spontaneous ovulation and a normal luteal function.

INTERVENTION(S)

Patients received 50 mg/d CC between days 5 and 9 of the menstrual cycle.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Endometrial thickness, echogenic pattern of the endometrium, serum E2 content, and E2 and P receptor contents in the endometrium.

RESULT(S)

Endometrial thickness was significantly thinner during the CC cycle (7.6 +/- 1.4 mm, mean +/- SD, n = 79) than during the control cycle (8.5 +/- 1.7 mm, n = 79) on late proliferative days, but there was no significant difference on midsecretory days (10.8 +/- 2.2 mm during the CC cycle, n = 79; 11.2 +/- 2.2 mm during the control cycle, n = 79). The echogenic patterns, however, were different between the two cycles on midsecretory days. Moreover, the incidence in which patients showed a grade 3 endometrium on midsecretory days was significantly higher during the conceived CC cycle compared with the not-conceived CC cycle. Serum E2 levels were significantly higher, but E2 receptor contents in the endometrium were significantly lower during the CC cycle (67 +/- 46 fmol/mg, n = 13) compared with the control cycle (123 +/- 89 fmol/mg, n = 15) on late proliferative days.

CONCLUSION(S)

Clomiphene citrate affected the echogenic pattern of the endometrium, and most of the endometrium showed a grade 3 pattern on midsecretory days during the conceived CC cycle. Under the CC treatment, the comfortable endometrium for embryos might be different from the control cycle.

Aflastatin A, a novel inhibitor of aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic fungi

Aflastatin A, a novel inhibitor of the production of aflatoxin by aflatoxigenic fungi, has been isolated from the solvent extract of mycelial cake of Streptomyces sp. and its molecular formula was determined as C62H115NO24. Aflastatin A completely inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 in liquid medium or on agar plate at a concentration of 0.5 microgram/ml. The mycelial growth of this fungus was not affected in the liquid medium at the same concentration, while the hyphal extension rate was reduced on the plate together with some morphological changes. The growth of the fungus was not completely inhibited even at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml. Aflastatin A exhibits antimicrobial activity against some bacteria, yeasts and fungi as well as antitumor activity.

Superselective bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis with a coaxial microcatheter system

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness and safety of superselective bronchial artery embolization with that of nonsuperselective embolization in the control of hemoptysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective case analysis was done for 47 patients with hemoptysis originating from a variety of causes. In 22 patients, embolization was performed superselectively using a microcatheter inserted into the bronchial artery beyond the spinal or mediastinal branches (superselective group). In the remaining 25 patients, embolization was performed at the opening of the bronchial artery with a 5-F catheter (nonsuperselective group).

RESULTS

Initial hemoptysis control rates were 96% (21 of 22) in the superselective group and 88% (22 of 25) in the nonsuperselective group. Cumulative hemoptysis control rates of the superselective and nonsuperselective groups were 80% and 67% at 6 months, 79% and 56% at 1 and 2 years, and 79% and 48% at 3 years, respectively (not significant; generalized Wilcoxon test). One major complication (spinal infarction) occurred in the nonsuperselective group.

CONCLUSIONS

Superselective embolization is safer and more effective way to control hemoptysis than the ordinary (nonsuperselective) method.

Expression of the feline herpesvirus type 1 ICP4 gene is controlled by two alternative promoters

Feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) produces a single 5.4 kb immediate-early (IE) transcript encoding FHV-1 ICP4 which acts as a trans-acting factor [Kawaguchi et al. (1994) Virology 204: 430-435]. Our earlier study has shown that the FHV-1 IE transcript is spliced in the leader region and the FHV-1 IE gene product (ICP4) down-regulates its own promoter through the region which includes its transcription initiation site [Kawaguchi et al. (1996) J Vet Med Sci 58: 715-721]. Here we investigated FHV-1 ICP4 gene expression throughout FHV-1 productive infection and demonstrated that (i) a novel promoter is located downstream of the IE promoter and an early transcript is transcribed from this promoter region, (ii) a negative regulatory element, which is composed of a 20 bp direct repeat unit repeated 20 times, is located between the two promoters and the repeat unit shows high homology to a motif called direct repeat 2 in "a" sequence of herpes simplex virus type 1, (iii) the IE promoter and synthesis of the IE mRNA appear to be turned off after IE phase and the second promoter becomes active during early and late stages, and (iv) a gene product expressed only by the second promoter also possesses regulatory function. These findings indicate that expression of the FHV-1 ICP4 gene is alternatively regulated by the two promoters.

MR imaging of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: value of contrast-enhanced dynamic study

To clarify the role of MR imaging of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), MR images of 11 patients with 13 FNH were retrospectively reviewed. MR imaging with T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences was performed for all lesions. Dynamic studies using the SPGR technique followed by postcontrast delayed T1-weighted images were performed in four patients with five lesions. Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained in five patients with six lesions. Two patients with single lesions received no contrast agent. The signal intensity, morphologic appearance, and enhancement patterns were evaluated. Dynamic MR study revealed homogeneous early vigorous enhancement and prolonged enhancement in all five lesions. On T1-weighted images, three lesions were hypointense, six were isointense, and four were hyperintense to the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. On T2-weighted images, four lesions were isointense and nine were hyperintense. A central scar was identified in eight lesions and showed delayed enhancement. It is concluded that dynamic MR studies are mandatory for diagnosing FNH.

Identification and DNA sequence analysis of the Marek's disease virus serotype 2 genes homologous to the thymidine kinase and UL24 genes of herpes simplex virus type 1

The thymidine kinase (TK) gene has been used as a safe and convenient locus for expression of heterologous proteins in some alphaherpesviruses including herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) antigenically related to Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotypes 1 (MDV1) and 2 (MDV2). In MDV2 strain HPRS 24 genome, genes equivalent to the TK and UL24 homologues of herpes simplex virus type 1 were identified and sequenced. The MDV2 UL24 gene overlaps the 5' end of the TK gene in a head-to-head orientation. The predicted region encoding for the MDV2 TK gene is 1,056 nucleotides, corresponding to a polypeptide of 352 amino acids in length. Putative nucleotide- and thymidine-binding sites were identified within the predicted amino acid sequence. The predicted region encoding for the UL24 gene is 948 nucleotides, corresponding to a polypeptide of 316 amino acids in length. By northern blot analyses using MDV2 TK- and UL24-specific DNA probes, four transcripts of approximately 7.8, 5.0, 3.5, and 1.1 kb for the TK gene, and a transcript of 3.8 kb for the UL24 gene were detected in MDV2-infected cells. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of MDV2 TK homologue with those published for TK homologues of other MDV serotypes showed 73.9% (MDV1 vs. MDV2), 58.2% (MDV1 vs. HVT), and 56.8% (MDV2 vs. HVT) identities. Comparison to other alphaherpesvirus TK homologues revealed amino acid sequence homologies varying from 34.5% to 27.8%. The putative MDV2 UL24 homologous protein had identity with the well conserved five motifs among alphaherpesviruses.

Purification and characterization of a carboxylesterase associated with organophosphate resistance in the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The Type II esterase associated with organophosphate resistance in the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum, was purified by column chromatography and preparative electrophoresis resulting in over 100-fold purification and approximately 11% recovery. The native enzyme appears to exist as a heterodimer with the subunits equal to 52 and 56 kDa. The mass of the native enzyme was estimated at 102 kDa by gel filtration chromatography and the isoelectric focusing point was 4.8. The enzyme was inhibited by both paraoxon and mercuric chloride, suggesting that it is a serine hydrolase, although it was not inhibited by carbamate insecticides or eserine. The enzyme was active toward both beta- and alpha-naphthol esters, although the length of the side chain (C-2 or C-4) also affected activity. The enzyme displayed no activity toward acetylthiocholine. N-Terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the enzyme subunits indicates that residues Val-4 and Gly-10 of the larger fragment were highly conserved among 11 other carboxylesterase sequences. Sequence data from the smaller fragment did not reveal any similarity with other esterase sequences.

[Development of anti tumor agents targeting angiogenesis]

Aberrant angiogenesis is closely involved in invasion/metastasis as well as enlargement of tumor. One recent highlight is to develop anti angiogenic drugs by targeting tumor angiogenesis. Here we describe how tumor angiogenesis is regulated and also recent topics related to angiogenic drug in clinical trials.

Enhanced coexpression of thioredoxin and high mobility group protein 1 genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and the possible association with decreased sensitivity to cisplatin

Thioredoxin (TRX), a disulfide-reducing intracellular protein, functions as a cellular defense mechanism against oxidative stress. In this study, we asked whether expression of TRX, glutathione-thiol transferase pi, and high mobility group protein 1 (HMG-1) genes is enhanced in human hepatocellular carcinoma and whether expression of these genes is associated with sensitivity to cisplatin. Both TRX and HMG-1 were co-overexpressed in almost all cancerous lesions in comparison to normal tissue in surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas of 20 patients. Tumor sensitivity to cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)], but not to mitomycin C or doxorubicin, correlated with mRNA levels of TRX in cancer tissue. TRX and HMG-1 may be useful tumor markers, and TRX might be also a useful marker for sensitivity to cisplatin in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

Expression and properties of feline herpesvirus type 1 gD (hemagglutinin) by a recombinant baculovirus

We constructed a recombinant baculovirus expressing feline herpesvirus type I (FHV-1) gD in insect cells (Sf9 cells). The expressed product was identified as FHV-1 gD by a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for the FHV-1 gD, and had an apparent molecular mass of approximately 49 kDa, which was less than that of the authentic FHV-1 gD. When the FHV-1 gD protein were expressed in Sf9 cells and CRFK cells in the presence of tunicamycin, the FHV-1 gD exhibited a molecular mass of 41 kDa. It was shown that the gD protein was transported to the surface of recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells when examined by membrane-immunofluorescence analysis, and that the gD expressed on the surface of Sf9 cells adsorbed feline erythrocytes. Mice inoculated with a lysate of Sf9 cells expressing FHV-1 gD induced antibodies with virus-neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibition activities. Therefore, the expressed gD appears to be biologically authentic. These data suggested that recombinant FHV-1 gD produced in Sf9 cells may be a useful immunogen as a feline vaccine.

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with alcoholic liver disease: a clinicopathological study and genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2

In this paper, we describe a clinicopathological study of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with alcoholic liver disease without hepatitis virus infection. In 180 HCC patients who were admitted to Asahikawa Medical College Hospital from 1987 to 1995, 10 patients (6%) had HCC associated with pure alcoholic liver disease (Al-HCC), whereas the HCC in 165 patients was associated with chronic viral liver diseases, in 2 with primary biliary cirrhosis, in 1 each with coexistence of the hepatitis C virus infection and hemochromatosis, and in 2 with cirrhosis of unknown origin. In the Al-HCC group, all patients were male. The diagnosis of HCC was obtained at the age of 54 to 67 years old, and the duration of ethanol intake was 33 to 40 years. Four cases had a history of temperance. As an underlying liver disease, liver fibrosis was found in three cases and liver cirrhosis in seven cases. HCC was diagnosed histologically in all cases. Serum alpha-fetoprotein and PIVKA-II were positive in patients with advanced HCC. In cases with small HCC, the tumor was resected surgically in three cases and percutaneous ethanol injection was performed in two cases. In four cases with small HCC, the patients were alive without tumor recurrence during the observation period. In advanced HCC, transcatheter arterial chemolipiodolization was performed. In the analysis of genetic polymorphism of ALDH 2, all Al-HCC had ALDH 2(1)/2(1).

[Cell adhesion molecules on platelet]

Platelets are anucleated blood cells that play a fundamental role in the initiation of hemostasis. In addition to platelet adhesion to the extracellular matrix, aggregation or platelet-platelet interaction is a requisite event in hemostasis. Some glycoproteins on platelet membranes mediate adhesion platelets. The glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX/V complex is important in platelet adhesion and the GPIIb/IIIa complex mediate platelet to platelet interaction. P-selectin is a member of the selectin family and is transferred from secretory granules to the surface of activated platelets. P-selectin may function to mediate the interaction between activated platelets and leucocytes. We reviewed structure, function, biological roles and clinical application of three platelet-associated adhesion molecules.

Increased expression of T-plastin gene in cisplatin-resistant human cancer cells: identification by mRNA differential display

The cellular resistance to the potent anticancer agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) is thought to be mediated by multiple mechanisms. The technique of differential display of mRNAs was applied to various cisplatin-resistant cell lines and the corresponding parental sensitive human bladder, prostatic, and head and neck cancer cells in order to identify genes that underlie cisplatin resistance. Twenty-four clones were confirmed by Northern blot analysis to be expressed differentially between resistant and the corresponding sensitive cells. Partial DNA sequences of the eight clones that showed a threefold or greater increase in expression in either the resistant cells (seven clones) or sensitive cells (one clone) revealed that two were derived from the T-plastin gene and one from the tissue factor gene. The abundance of T-plastin mRNA in cisplatin-resistant T24/DDP10 cell was approximately 12 times that in the parental T24 cells. Transfection of T24/DDP10 cells with a vector encoding full-length T-plastin antisense RNA demonstrated that reduced T-plastin expression was associated with increased sensitivity to cisplatin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that several mechanisms participate cooperatively in the acquisition of cisplatin resistance in human cancer.

Induction of vascular endothelial growth factor by tumor necrosis factor alpha in human glioma cells. Possible roles of SP-1

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in brain tumor angiogenesis, and the promoter region for the VEGF gene contains several SP-1 and AP-1 (c-Fos and c-Jun) binding motifs. Among eight human glioma cell lines, cellular mRNA levels of transcription factors SP-1 and AP-1 (c-Fos and c-Jun) were found to be closely correlated with those of VEGF. VEGF expression appears to be highly susceptible to hypoxia or exogenous cytokines and growth factors. Of various cytokines and growth factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 1 most potently enhanced VEGF mRNA levels of a glioma cell line, U251. Incubation of the glioma cells with bFGF or TNF-alpha increased both VEGF and SP-1 mRNA at 30 min and c-Fos mRNA at 1-3 h, over 5-fold. Nuclear run-on assays showed an apparent increase of the transcription of the VEGF gene as well as the SP-1 gene by bFGF or TNF-alpha. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that only SP-1 binding activity was increased 1 h after exposure to bFGF or TNF-alpha, and also that AP-1, but not SP-1, activity was significantly activated by hypoxia. Mithramycin, an inhibitor of SP-1, at 1-10 nM inhibited activation of the VEGF gene by bFGF or TNF-alpha but not that by hypoxia. Western blot analysis also demonstrated an increase in cellular amounts of VEGF by TNF-alpha and a decrease by co-administration with mithramycin. The promoter activity of the VEGF gene, which contains five SP-1 binding sites and one AP-1 binding site but not hypoxia regulatory elements, was enhanced by bFGF or TNF-alpha but not by hypoxia. The chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay with VEGF promoter deletion constructs demonstrated that four clusterized SP-1 binding sites in the proximal promoter were essential for the basal transcription and the TNF-alpha-dependent activation. These data indicated that the expression of the VEGF gene enhanced by bFGF or TNF-alpha appeared to be mediated in part through the transcription factor SP-1, suggesting a different mechanism from that for hypoxia-induced activation of the VEGF gene.

Identification of a potential Marek's disease virus serotype 2 glycoprotein D gene with homology to herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D

The gene of Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 2 (MDV2) homologous to glycoprotein D (gD) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) was identified and characterized by its nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences. The MDV2 gD homologous gene contains an open reading frame capable of specifying a polypeptide of 385 amino acids, which include N- and C-terminal hydrophobic domains consistent with signal and anchor regions, respectively, and two potential N-linked glycosylation sites, one of which was located in a highly conserved region when compared to MDV serotype 1 (MDV1) and herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). By northern blot analysis using a MDV2 gD-specific DNA probe, two highly abundant polycistronic 6.0 and 4.2 kb transcripts were detected in MDV2-infected cells. The genes encoding MDV2 protein kinase (PK), gD, and glycoprotein I (gI) homologues are transcribed to form 3' coterminal mRNAs of 6.0 kb (encoding PK, gD and gI) and 4.2 kb (encoding gD and gI), respectively. By using rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) method, several RNA start sites, to be thought those of the 4.2 kb mRNA, were detected in the upstream of MDV2 gD homologue.

Nitric oxide concentrations in the follicular fluid and apoptosis of granulosa cells in human follicles

To study the relationship between follicular atresia, apoptosis, and nitric oxide (NO) generation in follicular development, steroidogenesis, NO levels in follicular fluid and apoptosis were analysed in the various sized follicles of women receiving ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG)-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) treatments for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer. The follicles were divided into three groups by diameter: large follicle, > or = 18 mm; medium follicle, > or = 12 and < or = 15 mm; small follicle, < or = 10 mm. Follicular fluid was obtained from 20 women 34 h after HCG administration, and the concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone, and nitrite, nitrate, arginine and citrulline were measured. Granulosa cells obtained from each group of follicular fluid were stained with Hoechst dye, and nuclear morphology was examined by a fluorescence microscopy. Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in large follicles were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those in medium or small follicles, and testosterone concentrations in small follicles were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those in large follicles. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, arginine and citrulline among three groups. The percentage of apoptotic cells with nuclear fragmentation was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in small follicles than in large follicles. The present results suggested that small follicles with poor response to HMG may undergo atresia through apoptosis. No significant difference in the follicular NO level between large and small follicles led us to speculate on a different responsiveness to NO in these two types of follicles.

[Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis presenting as hoarseness]

A 70 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of hoarseness. Bronchoscopic examination revealed that the left vocal cord was fixed in the paramedian position, and therefore left recurrent nerve paralysis was suspected. Although a chest X-ray film showed no abnormal findings, a chest computed tomogram showed that pretracheal (#3) and subaortic (#5) lymph nodes were swollen (1 to 2 cm in diameter). An open biopsy was done. Histological examination of the resected mediastinal lymph nodes revealed an accumulation of Langhans giant cells and epithelioid cells in caseous necrosis. An acid-fast bacillus was seen after Ziehl-Neelsen staining. This was a rare case of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis in which hoarseness was useful for early diagnosis. Fifty-three cases of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis have been reported in Japan.

Marek's disease virus serotype 2 glycoprotein I gene: nucleotide sequence and expression by a recombinant baculovirus

In the Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 2 (MDV2) genome, a gene equivalent to the glycoprotein I (gI) of other alphaherpesviruses was identified and sequenced. The primary translation product comprises 355 amino acids with a M(r) of 38.4 kDa. The predicted amino acid sequence possesses several characteristics typical of membrane glycoproteins, including a N-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence, C-terminal transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, and extra-cellular region containing three potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Compared to other MDV serotypes, MDV2 gI showed 49% identity with MDV1 gI, and 36% identity with HVT gI at the amino acid level. In transcriptional analyses, a 3.5 kb mRNA which starts between 56 and 147 bps upstream of the potential translational initiation codon of gI was identified as the gI-specific transcript. By a recombinant baculovirus, this potential gI encoding region was expressed as two specific products 45 and 43 kDa. Both products were susceptible to tunicamycin treatment, indicating that they were glycoprotein. Further, the expressed gI reacted with all chicken-antisera raised to each of the three serotypes of MDV (strains GA, SB-1, and FC126), suggesting that gI is expressed by all three serotypes of MDV in infected cells and conserves common antigenic epitope(s) beyond serotypes.

Precise coexistence of regulatory peptides in the nerve fibers of the amphibian carotid labyrinth demonstrated by a combination of double immunofluorescence labelling and a multiple dye filter

An application of double-immunolabelling in combination with a multiple dye filter system demonstrated new findings regarding the distribution pattern of peptidergic fibers in the carotid labyrinth to addition to our previous findings shown by the individual filter system. In high magnification images of about 10% of the yellowish fibers which represent the coexistence of two neuropeptides, there was a definite difference in localization between the fluorescence originating from rhodamine (substance P fibers) and from FITC (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y fibers), but it was clear that they are intertwined within a single nerve bundle. This combination method was able to discriminate two different peptidergic fibers which run side by side. The coexistence suggested previously by the individual filter system may actually be due to the phenomenon described above. This means that it is necessary to apply the multiple dye filter system for reliable evidence of coexistence of different two substances in a single nerve fiber.