Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans by oxidative coupling reaction. VI. Oxidation of methyl (E)-3-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenoate and lipid peroxidation-inhibitory effects of the produced caffeoquinone

Oxidation of hydroxy-alpha-methylcinnamate 5 derived from 4-methylesculetin afforded the alpha-methylcaffeoquinone derivative 7 without formation of the oxidative coupling product. The reaction of the alpha-methylferulate derivative 13 afforded a complex mixture of products. Thus, the hydroxy-alpha-methylcinnamates seem not to be suitable substrates for oxidative coupling. Compound 7 was tested for inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. It showed more potent activity than idebenone in rat brain homogenate, and was much more potent than (+/-)-alpha-tocopherol in rat liver microsomes.

Effect of procaterol, a beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, on skin whealing response caused by inflammatory mediators in asthmatic children

BACKGROUND

Beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists have been shown to reduce allergen-induced skin whealing responses via inhibition of mediator release.

OBJECTIVE

To study whether beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists have a direct action against inflammatory mediator-induced skin whealing responses.

METHODS

We examined the effect of procaterol, a beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, on skin whealing responses to histamine, platelet-activating factor (PAF), substance P, or bradykinin in eight asthmatic children in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. Two hours after taking procaterol (50 micrograms) or placebo orally, the subjects were given these mediators intradermally at a concentration of 10(-5) M.

RESULTS

Procaterol has a small but significant inhibitory effect on wheal formation following the intradermal injection of histamine and PAF by an average of 15% (P < .05) and 18% (P < .05) respectively but not against substance P or bradykinin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that although beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists may have an inhibitory effect against plasma exudation from microvasculature in the human skin, bronchodilatory effects are more prominent.

Relationship between ultrasonically nebulized distilled water-induced bronchoconstriction and acetic acid-induced cough in asthmatic children

BACKGROUND

Although wheezing and cough are the most common complaints in asthmatic persons, the mechanisms of hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstriction and cough are nevertheless still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the common mechanisms between them, we studied the relationship between ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) inhalation challenge and acetic acid (AA) inhalation challenge. In addition, we evaluated the effect of inhaled furosemide on both provocation tests by means of a placebo-controlled study.

METHOD

In study 1 the UNDW, AA, and histamine inhalation challenges were performed in 40 asthmatic children (26 boys, aged from 7 to 16 years; mean +/- SD, 11.2 +/- 2.0 years). In study 2, 12 of the study 1 subjects (9 boys, 11.3 +/- 2.4 years) were subjected to each challenge test after inhalation of furosemide (10 mg/body square meters), or placebo (0.9% saline solution) on separate days.

RESULTS

There was a good correlation between the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in the UNDW inhalation challenge (UNDW-PD20) and threshold dose causing cough in the AA inhalation challenge (R = 0.527; p < 0.001). There was no relationship either between UNDW-PD20 and the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in the histamine inhalation challenge (histamine-PC20)(R = 0.384; p > 0.1), or between histamine-PC20 and the cough threshold (R = 0.308; p > 0.05). In study 2 neither bronchoconstriction nor bronchodilation after inhalation of furosemide was observed. Inhaled furosemide exerted a protective effect on UNDW-PD20 and cough threshold of the AA inhalation challenge (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), but did not attenuate histamine-PC20 (p > 0.1).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that a common mechanism may cause hyperresponsiveness against both UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction and AA-induced cough in asthmatic children.

[Effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on pulmonary hypertension and lung vascular remodeling in a rat monocrotaline model of human pulmonary hypertension]

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been shown to be a potent pulmonary vasodilator in humans and in many animals. The effects of PGE1 on the development of pulmonary hypertension and on pulmonary vascular remodeling were studied in a rat monocrotaline (MCT) model of human pulmonary hypertension. By 3 weeks after injection, MCT (80 mg/kg S.C.) had resulted in high values of mean pulmonary arterial pressure and of the ratio of right ventricular weight to left ventricle+septum weight (RV/LV+S). PGE1 inhibited the development of pulmonary hypertension (300 micrograms/kg) and right ventricular hypertrophy (300 and 100 micrograms/kg) induced by MCT. Three weeks after the injection, the media walls of pulmonary arteries in lungs from rats given MCT were significantly thicker than those from lungs of control rats. PGE1 (300, 100, and 30 micrograms/kg) resulted in significantly less of this morphologic change, in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that PGE1 inhibits the development of pulmonary hypertension associated with lung vascular thickening induced by MCT. PGE1 may be useful for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in humans.

Albumin synthesis by rat hepatocytes cultured on collagen gels is sustained specifically by heparin

We investigated the influence of various kinds of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in collagen gels on the maintenance of albumin synthesis in primary culture of rat hepatocytes. Among the GAGs examined (heparin, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, dermatan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid), only heparin-containing collagen gel cultures could significantly sustain albumin synthesis. However, other GAGs, such as heparan sulfate and keratan sulfate, had almost no effect on the maintenance of albumin synthesis. Heparin in collagen gels exhibited a dose-dependent effect on albumin synthesis: heparin at 400 micrograms/ml-collagen solution maintained albumin synthesis for over 3 weeks. On the other hand, when an equivalent amount of heparin was added directly to the collagen gel culture medium, it prolonged albumin synthesis for only 10 days. The results demonstrate that specific regulation of albumin synthesis by heparin was significantly promoted by coincubating it with collagen, suggesting that some specific interaction between heparin and collagen might be of importance for the maintenance of hepatocyte functions.

Inhaled indomethacin prevents bronchoconstrictive response to distilled water but not to histamine in children with asthma

We evaluated the effect of inhaled indomethacin, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), against bronchoconstriction induced by ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) in children with asthma. Ten children with asthma (eight males and two females, with a mean +/- SEM age of 10.7 +/- 0.7 yr), who had a decrease in FEV1 of at least 20% after UNDW inhalation, were enrolled in this study. These subjects were pretreated with inhaled indomethacin (3 mg/m2 body-surface area) or placebo (0.9% saline) according to a single-blind, randomized, crossover design, and underwent a UNDW challenge test 15 min after the pretreatment. Furthermore, to study the possibility that indomethacin has a direct effect on airway smooth muscle, bronchial provocation with histamine was performed in seven subjects on two further days after pretreatment with indomethacin or placebo. Inhaled indomethacin had no effect on baseline pulmonary function, but did prevent the UNDW-induced decline in FEV1 (p < 0.01). Inhaled indomethacin did not modify the bronchoconstrictor response to histamine, indicating that a direct effect of this agent on airway smooth muscle is unlikely. The inhibition of local prostaglandin synthesis in the airways may be involved in the effect of indomethacin.

Tuberculosis of the prostate: MR imaging

Tuberculosis of the genitourinary tract is still encountered in routine examinations. We present a case of tuberculosis of the prostate with its MR findings.

Expression of p53 protein related to human papillomavirus and DNA ploidy in superficial esophageal carcinoma

We examined the p53 protein and human papilloma virus (HPV) by immunohistochemistry and DNA ploidy by cytofluorometry in paraffin-embedded esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens. Sixty-one patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma were operated on between 1983 and 1991 without any prior treatment. Immunostaining of the anti-p53 protein antibody (CM1) was positive in 32 carcinomas (52%). Patients with p53-positive tumors had a poorer outcome than those with p53-negative tumors (P < 0.05). In addition, patients with p53-positive tumors did not have any characteristic site of relapse. Only 5 of the 61 patients (8.2%) had HPV-positive tumors. One of these 5 carcinomas expressed both p53 protein and HPV. Three patients with HPV-positive tumors which had invaded the submucosal layer died of relapse. A determination of DNA ploidy revealed 30 patients with aneuploid tumors, 13 with polyploid tumors and 18 with diploid tumors. The outcome of the patients with aneuploid tumors was worse than that of the patients with diploid tumor (P < 0.05). p53 protein expression was not associated with DNA ploidy; however, the 16 patients who had both p53-positive and aneuploid tumors had a worse prognosis than patients with p53-negative and aneuploid tumors (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that p53 protein expression in conjunction with DNA ploidy may be a useful indicator in evaluating the prognosis of patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma.

Anterior mediastinal schwannoma: a case report

The most common neoplasms of the mediastinum are those of neurogenic origin, and the majority of these arise in the posterior compartment. We report a case of benign schwannoma originating in rare location, the anterior mediastinum, and its imaging findings.

Marked bilateral atrial dilation of unknown cause

Four elderly women with marked bilateral atrial dilation but no evidence of significant structural or functional cardiac abnormalities other than atrial fibrillation are described. All patients demonstrated severe cardiomegaly on chest radiographs. Three patients have remained in good condition during the follow-up of 6 to 16 years except for occasional edema or pleural effusion, which was easily treated with diuretics and/or digitalis. The other patient had had only one episode of pleural effusion and leg edema at age 90 years before she died of colon cancer at age 100 years.

[Changes of tympanic temperature by stellate ganglion block]

The effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on the temperature of tympanic membrane were determined clinically. Thirty patients received SGB with 8 ml of 1 % mepivacaine. The tympanic temperature was measured using radiation non-contact tympanic membrane thermometer before and after administration of SGB for 30 min on the side where SGB was given. Before SGB the tympanic temperature was 37.29 +/- 0.08 degrees C, and there was no difference in the readings between the two sides. The tympanic temperature dropped significantly 5 min after SGB and reached its lowest value of 36.90 +/- 0.08 degrees C 15 min later. This drop persisted for more than 30 min after SGB. The fact that therapeutic effect of SGB is partly due to vasodilation and improvement in blood flow to the affected region was demonstrated, but these effects in internal carotid arterial system have not yet been studied in detail. Tympanic temperature has been proposed as a valid index of brain temperature in man. The mechanism of brain cooling has been suggested that countercurrent heat exchange takes place between carotid and jugular blood flow. Therefore the result of the study suggests that SGB could enhance an increase in the brain blood flow.

[Pharmacological study on the dry distillation tar of delipidated soybean (Glyteer) (5): Antimicrobial activity]

Glyteer (GL) possessed a broad antimicrobial spectra against bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial activity of GL was bactericidal action, but not bacteriostatic action. GL was more effective against fungi than bacteria. GL ointment also showed antimicrobial activity equal to that of GL. Furthermore, GL had an effect on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Resistance to GL was not induced in broth cultures of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. These results suggest that GL applied externally exerts a potent effect as an anti-microbial drug for dermopathy with various microbialpathogens.

Ultrastructure of cardiac myocytes in the greater bandicoot rat (Bandicota indica)

Cardiac myocytes in the left ventricle and atrium of the greater bandicoot rat (Bandicota indica) were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The fine structure showed typical features of mammalian cardiac myocytes. In atrial myocytes, however, the areas occupied by mitochondria were much smaller than that filled with myofibrils. The decrease in mitochondria and the abundance of myofibrils are thought to be an ultrastructural adaptation to the large body size of this species. Many conducting myocytes were observed in both atrium and ventricle. The atrial conducting myocytes were ultrastructurally different from the Purkinje fibers of the ventricle. We suggest that the abundance and the ultrastructural variation of conducting myocytes are related to the physiological aspects, such as body size, of this animal.

Further development of recombinant baculovirus insecticides

On the basis of recent laboratory and field experiments, recombinant baculoviruses expressing insect-specific neurotoxin genes show an increased speed of insect killing compared with natural baculoviruses. They can also induce symptoms similar to those induced by chemical insecticides and have the potential for widespread use in agriculture. Current studies of the ecology and molecular biology of baculoviruses should further improve efficacy and better define safety.

Studies on the preparation of bioactive lignans by oxidative coupling reaction. V. Oxidative coupling reaction of methyl (E)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propenoate derivatives and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects of the produced lignans

The oxidative coupling reactions of 2-hydroxycinnamates were investigated as a continuation of our previous studies on 4-hydroxy derivatives. The reaction of 2-hydroxycinnamate 1 and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamate 3 with silver oxide afforded polymerized lignin-like products, while that of 2-hydroxy-bis(methoxymethoxy)cinnamates 5 and 6, after acetylation, gave the enol acetates, 8 and 14, of oxotetrahydrobenzoxanthene derivatives, respectively. These two products were also obtained by the oxidation of 5 and 6 with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). In the reactions of 5 and 6 with iron(III) chloride, the major products were the partially demethoxymethoxylated compounds 9 and 15, respectively. Thus, the course of the reactions in the oxidation of 2-hydroxycinnamates is quite different from that in the case of 4-hydroxy derivatives. The product 8 and the corresponding oxotetrahydrobenzoxanthene derivative were found to show moderate inhibitory effects upon lipid peroxidation.

N-ras mutation in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced erythroleukemia in Long-Evans rats

Intravenous injections of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induce erythroblastic leukemia (erythroleukemia) with No.2 trisomy in Long-Evans rats. Activation of some oncogenes such as abl and Ha-ras has been reported to occur in relation to the secondary chromosomal translocations. In the present studies, a consistent type of mutation, A to T transversion in codon 61 of N-ras gene, was found in all of 6 cultured leukemia cell lines and 5 primary leukemias induced by DMBA. The N-ras mutation was also found in bone marrow cells of 2 out of 8 preleukemias. On the contrary, no mutation was observed in Ha- and Ki-ras genes in all leukemias and preleukemias. The consistent occurrence of above N-ras mutation in leukemias indicates that it plays an important role in DMBA-leukemogenesis.

Minute flat depressed neoplastic lesions of the colon detected by contrast chromoscopy using an indigo carmine capsule

Thirty-seven diminutive flat depressed neoplastic lesions of the colon, smaller than 5 mm, were detected by contrast chromoscopy using an indigo carmine capsule and subsequently removed by endoscopic mucosal resection. We investigated the endoscopic, macroscopic, and histologic characteristics of these lesions and also evaluated the usefulness of chromoscopy and the magnifying endoscope for detecting this type of lesion. The lesions were classified into two types according to the measured height of the histologic sections: 28 lesions were truly flat depressed and the remaining 9 lesions were flat elevated. Of the 37 lesions, 18 were adenomas with mild atypia, 14 with moderate atypia, and 5 with severe atypia. The flat depressed lesions included 12 with mild atypia, 11 with moderate atypia, and 5 with severe atypia. No invasive carcinoma was present in either type, and no adenoma with severe atypia was identified in any of the flat elevated lesions. The overall rate of severe atypia was 13.5%; the rate of severe atypia for the flat depressed type was 17.9%, which is approximately 14-fold greater than that of ordinary diminutive polypoid adenomas (1.3%). The detection of these lesions was facilitated by the use of indigo carmine dye, which clearly demonstrated the mucosal irregularities. The frequency of detection of these lesions was increased four to five times with a magnifying endoscope, as occurred in nearly 10% of all of the patients examined. These data suggest that the finding of endoscopically minute flat depressed neoplastic lesions is not at all uncommon when examination is meticulously performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Therapeutic effect of CDDP and VP-16 against human bladder cancers

In order to evaluate the anticancer effect of combination chemotherapy (CDDP and etoposide) against human bladder cancer xenografts transplanted in nude mice, we tried an experimental chemotherapy. The tumor was aseptically cut and subcutaneously transplanted into the backs of the nude mice. When the weight of each tumor reached 300 mg, CDDP (day 1; 4 mg/kg) and etoposide (day 1-5; 2 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally as single agent or in combination and repeated every 3 weeks. The estimated weight (mg) was obtained by (larger diam. x smaller diam.2) x 1/2. A continuous significant effect was observed in CDDP combined with etoposide against bladder tumor. Therefore, these results suggest that the combination chemotherapy using CDDP with etoposide is an efficacious treatment against human bladder cancer.

An autopsy case of incomplete left atrial rupture following left atrial infarction associated with left ventricular myocardial infarction

We report a 78-year-old woman with incomplete left atrial rupture following left atrial infarction associated with left ventricular myocardial infarction. An autopsy revealed a hemopericardium. A large hematoma was observed in the posterior wall of the left atrium and a few small tears were found on the same wall. Near its origin, the left circumflex artery was severely sclerotic and completely occluded by fresh thrombus. Histologic examination revealed that large intramural hematoma longitudinally dissected the inner third of the posterior wall of the left atrium, and transversely dissected through the necrotic tissue to the pericardial sac to result in rupture. Coagulation necrosis and intramyocardial hemorrhage were also observed throughout the entire left atrium and the postseptolateral wall of the left ventricle.

A single missense mutation in codon 918 of the RET proto-oncogene in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas

The RET proto-oncogene is expressed in human medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. Recently germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene were reported in four syndromes (MEN 2A, MEN 2B, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and Hirschprung's disease) and somatic mutation was also found in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma. To determine the incidence of RET mutations in medullary thyroid carcinoma in Japan, we investigated 14 medullary thyroid carcinomas (comprising 1 case of MEN 2A, 1 case of MEN 2B, 2 cases of familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and 10 cases of sporadic). Tumors from all cases were screened by PCR-SSCP on exons 10 and 11. DNA sequencing on these exons was performed for the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma cases. The PCR products of exon 16 from tumor DNA were analyzed by means of Fok1 restriction enzyme digestion analysis and mutations confirmed by DNA sequencing. We found no structural abnormalities in either exon 10 or exon 11 in any of the cases examined, but in four of 10 sporadic cases we detected a common point mutation at codon 918 (ATG to ACG) in exon 16, where methionine was replaced with threonine. Our results support the theory that a point mutation of exon 16 of the RET proto-oncogene may be related to the oncogenesis of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinomas. However, further studies on the entire RET proto-oncogene are needed to clarify the relationship between its expression and thyroid tumorigenesis.

[Determination of partial solubility parameters of lactoses and its application to solubility evaluation]

Partial solubility parameters of lactose packed into a glass column were calculated from adsorption energies of n-decane, acetonitrile and ethyl alcohol determined by gas-solid chromatography. Three kinds of crystalline lactoses, alpha-lactose monohydrate, anhydrous alpha-lactose (desiccated) prepared by desiccation with methyl alcohol, and anhydrous alpha-lactose (heated) prepared by heating, were used. It was characterized from the results that the partial solubility parameter, delta p, due to dipole interaction, of anhydrous forms had two-fold value than that of the hydrous form. In addition, it was suggested that the affinity of lactose for water vapor and the solubility of lactose for water were able to be evaluated using the three dimensional plot of partial solubility parameters and the interaction radius calculated from partial solubility parameters. It was shown that the appropriate information for the evaluation of physicochemical properties of active ingredients and excipients in the formulation study could be obtained from the data determined using partial solubility parameters.

[A case of lung metastasis from renal cell carcinoma showing complete response by a combination chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine and pepleomycin (MVP)]

A 69-year-old woman visited our hospital with complaints of low grade fever and general fatigue in October 1990. Computed tomography (CT), ultrasonogram, and renal arteriography showed left renal tumor and she was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (T2M0N0). Left radical nephrectomy was performed in December 12, 1990. After operation, 3 x 10(6) unit per day of IFN-alpha were administered three times per week. She complained of low grade fever and general fatigue in June, 1991. CT showed left lung metastasis (phi 3 cm). She was given combined chemotherapy (MVP: methotrexate, vinblastine, pepleomycin). After 2 courses, lung metastasis decreased and after 4 courses, lung metastasis was not shown by CT in December, 1992. No evidence of relapse was shown by CT in June, 1994.

K-ras gene mutation related to histological atypias in human colorectal adenomas

To investigate the relationship of oncogene analysis to morphology, we analyzed K-ras gene mutations by dot-blot hybridization with and without consideration of histological atypias in individual colorectal adenomas. Each of 54 colon polyps were divided into two parts after fixation. One part was used as a mass to assess point mutations; the remaining portion of each polyp was paraffin-embedded, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined for point mutations related to histological atypias. In the first part of our study, K-ras gene mutations at codon 12 were detected in 13 cases (24%). In the second part of our study, 12 cases had distinctly different histological atypias. From each of these 12 cases, two areas, one with higher or one with lower grade atypia in the same polyp were excised to analyze for K-ras gene mutation. Two of these 12 cases (17%) had the mutation in different areas of the same tumor. These two cases contained the mutation only in the areas with higher grade atypia, and only one case added information regarding ras mutation upon microdissection when compared to the entire biopsy. These results suggest that oligonucleotide hybridization can identify the majority of cases containing ras mutations despite regional morphologic variation. Individual cases, however, may contain clonal subpopulations within adenomas with different ras sequences from other regions within the same adenoma.

Development of skeletal metastases

Skeletal metastases result from a series of complex steps including activation of osteoclasts and interaction between adhesion molecules on cancer cells and bone matrices. Researchers of this study used pathologic specimens of breast cancer cells from primary and metastatic sites obtained at surgery or autopsy to demonstrate the expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein by immunohistochemistry and beta 3 integrin by in situ hybridization to clarify the role of tumor-derived osteoclast activating factors and adhesion molecules in the development of skeletal metastases. The results of this retrospective study showed a significant difference of parathyroid hormone-related protein and beta 3 integrin expression in cases with and without skeletal metastases. These expressions were enhanced or clonally selected or both in skeletal metastatic sites. Because activation of osteoclastic bone resorption by parathyroid hormone-related protein could facilitate tumor cells to attach to the eroded bone surface through cell adhesion molecules, these 2 factors could make it easier for tumor cells to grow in bone.