Serum levels of steroid sulfatase protein in gynecologic carcinomas

Steroid sulfatase (STS) desulfates a number of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid sulfates, converting inactive steroid hormone to the active form. We have established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of STS by using polyclonal antibody against STS purified from human placenta to measure the amount of the enzyme protein in sera. ELISA was performed by a 'Sandwich' method using a peroxidase conjugated anti-STS IgG Fab' fragment. A range of STS of 10-1,500 ng/ml in serum was assayed by this method. When the serum STS from the patients with gynecologic carcinomas was assayed by the ELISA, the level was significantly elevated in endometrial carcinoma (P < 0.05) and ovarian carcinoma (P < 0.01), respectively, as compared with that of normal healthy women.

[Schedule dependency of i.v.-paclitaxel against SC-M 109 mouse lung cancer]

Although paclitaxel was shown to have a broad spectrum of antitumor activity against various experimental tumors, the optimal treatment schedule of this drug is not yet determined. In the present study, a trial was carried out to determine the optimal treatment schedule of paclitaxel given i.v. against M 109 mouse lung cancer implanted SC. Schedules examined were: day 1 (d 1) single administration, d 1, 5, 9 intermittent administration, and d 1-5 and d 1-9 daily consecutive administration. As the result, a significant increase of the lifespan was firstly demonstrated by d 1-9 schedule. The optimal dose was as low as 6.5 mg/kg/day (20 mg/m2/day, total 180 mg/m2) and no toxicity was observed with respect to the weight loss. Since the concentration and total amount of Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylene castor oil), which is suspected to be a causative agent for high incidence rate of hypersensitivity reactions by clinical formulation of paclitaxel, inevitably decrease in such a low dose setting, these results should be taken into considerations when exploring the optimal schedule of paclitaxel clinically.

A comparison between the preoperative and operative findings of peritoneal cytology in patients with endometrial cancer

Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were simultaneously performed to examine the intraperitoneal and intrauterine spread of endometrial cancer prior to surgery. Peritoneal cytology (PC) was examined before and after hysteroscopy and at the time of laparotomy. To elucidate the mechanisms by which endometrial cancer cells spread into the peritoneal cavity, the changes in PC in sequential samples and the association between PC and other prognostic factors were examined. 1) Of the patients who had negative PC before hysteroscopy, 3 patients exhibited positive PC from their operation materials (12.5%). It was suggested that leakage of endometrial cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity was induced by hysteroscopy in 2 patients and by endometrial biopsy in one patient. 2) Of those patients with no intraperitoneal lesions, 3 patients had positive PC in the prehysteroscopy samples (11.1%). A statistically significant association was found between pelvic node metastasis and positive PC in the prehysteroscopy samples.

Antigenic cross-reactivity between human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and retinal antigens recognized by T cells

To investigate the relationship between uveitis and HTLV-I infection, we examined the cross-reactivity between HTLV-I antigens and retinal antigens recognized by T cells in B10.BR mice immunized with human HTLV-I-infected MT-2 cells. We found that T cells obtained from MT-2 immune mouse spleen responded not only to HTLV-I antigens but also to retinal antigens of various species. However, they did not respond to HTLV-I-negative lymphoid cell lines. Furthermore, established T cell lines from MT-2 immune spleen cells also responded to both HTLV-I and retinal antigens. The phenotype of the immune cells that responded to both HTLV-I and retinal antigens was CD4+, CD8-, and CD3+. The proliferative response of T cell lines to HTLV-I as well as various retinal antigens, was clearly blocked by addition of anti-CD3, anti-CD4, or anti-I-Ak MoAbs, but not by anti-CD8 antibody. The established T cell lines from HTLV-I immune spleen cells were all found to be CD3+, TCR beta +, CD4+, CD8- cells by flow cytometric analysis. These results indicate that an epitope of HTLV-I antigens is cross-reactive to an epitope of retinal antigens extracted from either human retinoblastoma or normal murine, rat, and bovine retinae at a T cell recognition level.

Effects of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists applied into the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei of spontaneously hypertensive rats on urine production

We investigated effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta 1-selective: T-1583 and dobutamine, beta 2-selective: fenoterol, non-selective: isoproterenol) on urine outflow rate, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature. The drugs were applied into the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats. Fenoterol and isoproterenol markedly decreased the urine outflow rate, compared with T-1583 and dobutamine in the rats. There was no marked difference among the three strains in responsiveness to fenoterol and isoproterenol. The antidiuretic effects of fenoterol were inhibited by a beta 2-selective antagonist, butoxamine, more markedly than a beta 1-selective antagonist, atenolol, in SHR; and the inhibitory effects of these drugs were partial in WKY. In Wistar rats, the effect of fenoterol was inhibited by a non-selective beta-antagonist, timolol, but not by atenolol or butoxamine. A vasopressin antagonist (i.v.) did not diminish the antidiuretic effect of fenoterol. Fenoterol reduced the blood pressure in SHR and WKY, but not in Wistar rats. It was suggested that there were predominantly beta 2-adrenoceptors mediating antidiuresis in SHR. In WKY and Wistar rats, however, the beta-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating antidiuresis have yet to be determined. The ability of beta-adrenoceptor agonists to decrease urine outflow rates in SHR was not altered as compared to that in the control rats. beta-Adrenoceptor-mediated antidiuresis was not due to vasopressin release.

A reporter system using a flow cytometer to detect promoter/enhancer activity in lymphoid cell lines

We have devised an experimental system using a flow cytometer to examine the promoter/enhancer activity of DNA fragments in human lymphoid cell lines. Murine CD8 alpha gene cDNA used as a reporter gene was inserted in the reporter constructs under the control of various promoter/enhancers. Furthermore, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) OriP, which supports a high transient expression, was also included in the reporter constructs. Cell lines expressing EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) were transfected with the reporter constructs by electroporation. The expression of the reporter gene was measured by a flow cytometric analysis. This experimental system is quite simple and may be especially useful for the analysis of transcriptional elements functioning in lymphocytes.

Enhancement of interferon-gamma-induced major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression by expressing an antisense RNA of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase

We studied the effect of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase on the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducible expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules by expressing an antisense RNA of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase. We constructed two expression plasmids capable of expressing an antisense RNA for poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, carrying 0.7-kilobase long fragment of 5'-coding region (pAS-5') and full-length cDNA (pAS-FL) of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase in an antisense orientation under control of metallothionein I promoter. We transfected the plasmid into human leukemia THP-1 cells and isolated transformants. Metal-inducible reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activity was observed in two pAS-5'-transfected clones out of 72 neo-resistant clones examined, and metal-independent reduction in the activity was exhibited in pAS-FL-transfected clones. The antisense RNA was induced in a metal-dependent manner in the clones transfected with pAS-5', as judged by hybridizing with a sense riboprobe of the synthetase gene. The mRNA of the synthetase decreased 1 day after an addition of metal ions, and the synthetase activity of the transformants decreased by more than 90% 3 days after an addition of metal ions. Thus, we incubated the transformant clones in the presence of metal ions for 3 days and then treated them with IFN-gamma. The IFN-gamma-inducible expression of MHC class II molecules was amplified in the transformant clones, as judged by RNA blot analysis and flow cytometry. These results indicate that the decrease in poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase makes THP-1 cells favorable to induce MHC class II molecules by IFN-gamma.

[HTLV-I and retinal antigen recognized by T cells]

MT-2 immune but not naive murine (B10.BR) spleen cells responded not only to HTLV-I-infected cell lines but also to retinal antigens of various species by antigen-induced cell proliferation. The phenotype of the responding cells against HTLV-I-infected cell lines as well as retinal antigens was Thy-1.2+, CD4+ and CD8-. The antigen-induced cell proliferation against both HTLV-I-infected cell lines and retinal antigens was clearly inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD4, and MHC class II (I-AK). These data indicate that an epitope of HTLV-I-infected cell lines recognized by the CD4+ T cell is crossreactive to that of retinal antigens.

Gestational age assessment in Japanese low birthweight infants

We evaluated the validity of the Ballard scoring system for assessing gestational age in Japanese low birthweight infants. Infants included in this study were 116 neonates who were admitted to seven hospitals in Hokkaido. Gestational ages of all infants were prenatally established by ultrasonographic measurement of the crown-rump length performed between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation (clinical age). Of these, 74 infants were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and the remaining were small for gestational age (SGA). Mean birthweight was 1703 g and 34% (39/116) were < 1500 g. The correlation coefficient for the total population was 0.93 (P < 0.001). Although mean Ballard age tended to overestimate clinical age, mean differences between Ballard age and clinical age did not exceed 0.6 weeks. Agreement within 2 weeks among all infants was 86.2%. Percentages of agreement within 2 weeks did not differ to a statistically significant degree between AGA and SGA. These results indicate that the Ballard method is of value in assessing gestational age in Japanese low birthweight infants.

PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism typing of Helicobacter pylori

We applied a molecular typing approach for Helicobacter pylori that uses restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of an 820-bp PCR-amplified portion of the ureC gene in H. pylori. The PCR products were digested with restriction enzyme HhaI, MboI, or MseI, and the fragments generated were analyzed by agarose electrophoresis. Among 25 independent clinical isolates, each showed a different pattern when a combination of the three RFLP patterns was used. Using this method, we studied isolates from the antrum or the body of the stomach of 14 patients before and after antibiotic therapy. Before treatment, successful isolation of H. pylori from the two sites of the stomach was possible for 12 of the 14 patients. For 10 of these 12 patients, each pair of isolates had identical RFLP profiles. For the other two patients (16.7%), however, isolates from the antrum and the body of the stomach had different RFLP profiles. Treatment was successful for 6 of the 14 patients; of the 8 patients with treatment failures, 5 had identical isolate pairs. In each case, the isolates found posttreatment were the same as the pretreatment isolates. For one of the patients who was colonized with two different isolates pretreatment, one of the isolates was identified at both sites after unsuccessful treatment. We also studied six long-term follow-up patients who had sequential biopsies at intervals of up to 5 months. Each follow-up isolate from each patient had the same RFLP profile as the initial isolate. This typing method provides a reliable and reproducible typing scheme for the study of H. pylori infections and indicates that infection with more than one H. pylori isolate is not rare.

Hyperthermia-induced antitumor activity in human gastric cancer cells serially transplanted into nude mice

Hyperthermia-induced antitumor activity was assessed histopathologically and findings related to transplantation of human gastric cancer into nude mice were examined. Fragments of human gastric cancer were incubated at 37 degrees C to 47 degrees C for various durations of time, then were evaluated either histologically or with regard to delay in tumor growth and the rates of transplantation into nude mice. Fragments exposed to 39 degrees C for 30 min to 120 min and 41 degrees C for 30 min did not differ from findings in the controls concerning tumor growth and transplantability. In the case of 41 degrees C for 60 min or more, the rates of transplantation decreased significantly and there was a delay in tumor growth. At 43 degrees C for 120 min, 45 degrees C for 30 and 60 min, and 47 degrees C for 15 to 60 min, transplantability was nil. In the groups with a delay in tumor growth, there were irreversible changes in nucleic and cytoplasmic components, and in 6 groups with no evidence of transplantability, complete destruction of the glandular structure, pyknosis and karyorrhexis as well as disappearance of the cytoplasm occurred in almost all cases. Thus, the thermal dose of 43 degrees C for 120 min seems to be the minimally effective one for hyperthermia-induced tumoricidal activity.

Identification of a molecular species in porcine ovarian luteal glutathione S-transferase and its hormonal regulation by pituitary gonadotropins

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) was purified to a homogeneous state from the cytosol fraction of porcine corpora lutea. The present study showed that the final enzyme preparation consisted of a single molecular species of hepatic GSTA1-1, which has been identified from its enzymatic properties, amino acid composition, N-terminal amino acid sequences, and immunological reactivity. Furthermore, it is suggested that ovarian GST is involved in steroidogenesis, especially in the step of progesterone synthesis, from the following results. (1) The final enzyme preparation had a significant delta 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase activity, which acts in steroid synthesis. (2) GST activity in the cultured porcine granulosa cells was remarkably increased in the luteinizing process, which was induced by addition of pituitary gonadotropins such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to the culture system. (3) Changes of GST activity induced by FSH and LH were closely associated with progesterone production. (4) GST was detected within luteinizing and theca interna cells, but not in granulosa cells, by immunohistochemical staining of ovary tissues using anti-ovarian luteal-GST antibodies.

Doppler echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Thirty patients with clinically inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined by Doppler echocardiography to investigate the diastolic properties of the left ventricle. Twelve age-matched healthy women were also examined as controls. The pulsed wave transmitral Doppler flow velocity curves were digitized and curves of their first derivatives were obtained. Isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), acceleration and deceleration half-time of the rapid filling wave (E) and atrial contraction wave (A) (AHTe, DHTe, AHTa, DHTa), A/E, peak dE/dt, -peak dE/dt, peak dA/dt, -peak dA/dt were measured. In the SLE group, IRT and DHTe were prolonged, A, A/E, peak dA/dt and -peak dA/dt were increased compared with the control group. We conclude that patients with SLE have abnormal left ventricular diastolic function, even though their disease is clinically inactive.

Local etoposide injection for treatment of tubal pregnancy with cardiac activity

Etoposide was injected locally under sonographic management for the treatment of tubal pregnancy with cardiac activity in the distal region of the tube; the serum beta-hCG level was 14,000 mIU/mL. Two doses of 50 mg each, three days apart, were employed. No side effects appeared either during or after the treatment. Hysterosalpingography performed 1 month 3 weeks after treatment demonstrated the patency of the affected tube. Local etoposide instillation may be an option in the management of unruptured ectopic pregnancies, even in the presence of fetal cardiac activity and high trophoblastic activity.

Perinatal management of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy: risk factors for passive immune thrombocytopenia

Thirty-nine pregnant women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were studied in order to evaluate the influence of therapies for maternal ITP on fetal passive immune thrombocytopenia (PIT). Neonatal platelet counts were also compared with platelet counts, amount of PAIgG, and presence of circulating antiplatelet antibody in maternal blood. Eight of 41 neonates (19.5%) presented PIT without neonatal mortality. A higher incidence of PIT was observed in women with prior splenectomy than in women without splenectomy (66.7% vs 11.4%). Neither a therapeutic effect nor an increased risk of PIT was observed with steroids or gammaglobulin administration. No correlation was found between neonatal platelet counts and maternal platelet counts or maternal PAIgG, while positive cases for circulating antiplatelet antibody assay presented a higher incidence of PIT than negative cases. Additionally, a higher incidence of PIT was observed in women with a history of previous PIT than in women with a history of normal delivery. Prior splenectomy, presence of antiplatelet antibody in maternal blood, and a history of previous PIT seem to be risk factors for fetal PIT.

Role of mesenchymal cells in the neovascularization of the rabbit phallus

The neovascularization of the rabbit phallus at ages between prenatal days 15 and 21 was investigated by light- and electron microscopy, computer-aided light microscopic reconstruction, and immunocytochemistry. The phalli are embedded by an abundance of mesenchymal cells, which are in contact with the neighboring ones or with the endothelial lining of growing capillaries. They often form solid cell cords that eventually make contact with the growing capillaries. The computer-aided reconstruction of the serial light micrographs reveals that these cell cords are involved in connecting the adjacent capillaries. The incorporation of such mesenchymal cell projections into the endothelial lining, occasionally conjugated with simple attachment devices, is frequently observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The contact areas between the mesenchymal and endothelial cells show immunoreactions of fibronectin. These results indicate the successive transformation of mesenchymal cells to endothelial cells of the growing capillaries. As endothelial cells of the growing capillaries show mitotic proliferation, such vasoformative mesenchymal cells seem to be involved in the acceleration of the neocapillarization of the rabbit phallus. Fibronectin actively produced in the mesenchymal cells may participate in their migration and the mechanical linkage with the endothelial cells.

The differentiation of entero-endocrine cells of pre- and postnatal rats: light and electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry

The differentiation of cholecystokinin/gastrin (CCK/GA)-, glucagon (GLU)- and somatostatin (SOM)-positive cells in the pre- and postnatal rat duodenum was investigated with a special emphasis on the relationship to that of the fibromuscular intestinal wall by light and electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Between prenatal days 16 and 21, contacts of mesenchymal cells with the epithelium are frequent, and the differentiation of the entero-endocrine cells which occasionally display a secretory function becomes advanced in close proximity to an extensive capillary network in the underlying connective tissue. CCK/GA-positive cells can be detected by immunocytochemistry in the intestinal epithelium at prenatal day 18. Other types of entero-endocrine cells are not detected until prenatal day 19. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that the volume density of CCK/GA-positive cells per 100 microns2 cytoplasmic area increases sharply at postnatal day 5 relative to earlier stages. This may be mainly due to suckling of the neonatal rat.

Immunoelectron microscopy on the localization of endothelin in the umbilical vein of perinatal rabbits

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of endothelin (ET) using the mouse monoclonal anti-ET sera was performed on the pre- and postnatal rabbit umbilical vein during stages when Weibel-Palade (WP) bodies increase in number in the endothelial cells. The immunoreactions are localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi cisterns, and WP bodies that are actively segregated from the Golgi apparatus. After degranulation and extracellular release of WP bodies was induced by compound 48/80, heavy immunoreactions were seen in both vascular lumen and cytoplasm near the degranulated WP bodies. These results indicate that ET is stored in WP bodies after segregation from the Golgi apparatus and released from the endothelial cells concomitantly with other components of these granules by exocytosis. Because the immunoreactions are also seen in pinocytotic vesicles that are occasionally in contact with WP bodies, it seems likely that WP bodies are also involved in the uptake and storage of ET from blood plasma.

Morphological characterization of a new human epithelioid sarcoma cell line, ES020488, in vitro and in vivo

A new human epithelioid sarcoma cell line (ES020488) was established from a cutaneous metastasis in 26-year-old man, and was morphologically characterized in vitro and in vivo by comparison with the original tumor. The ES020488 cells showed a male karyotype ranging from 39 to 83 chromosomes, with various abnormalities but no specific pattern. The cells were round, polygonal or spindle-shaped with abundant cytoplasm and round nuclei containing prominent nucleoli; they proliferated in a sheet-like pattern. Tumors transplanted into nude mice revealed essentially the same features as the original tumor. Both in vitro and in vivo, the cells immunohistochemically expressed vimentin, cytokeratin, and EMA, but not desmin and S-100 protein. Ultrastructural study revealed irregular or round nuclei containing abundant euchromatin and prominent nucleoli, many intermediate filaments running irregularly or around the nucleus, and a number of filopodia-like processes. ES020488 cells were thus proven to retain and exhibit the unique morphological characteristics of an epithelioid sarcoma both in vitro and in vivo. These cells are possibly derived from synovioblastic mesenchyme.

Combined treatment of pelvic exenterative surgery and intra-operative pelvic hyperthermochemotherapy for locally advanced rectosigmoid cancer: report of a case

A huge rectosigmoidal cancer which extended into the urinary bladder in a 64-year-old man is herein described. The tumor occupied the pelvic and lower abdominal cavities, while the rectosigmoid was totally obstructed. No hepatic or pulmonary metastasis was evident. The ventral and flank sides of the peritoneum in the right lower abdomen, right common iliac vessels, bilateral ureters, terminal ileum, cecum, ascending colon, and urinary bladder were all directly invaded by the tumor, but the aorta, sacrum, and lower rectum were free of cancer. Consequently, an anterior pelvic exenteration was carried out along with an ileal conduit and a right hemicolectomy. Immediately after the exenteration, intra-pelvic hyperthermochemotherapy was performed using a 46-47 degrees C perfusate containing 40 micrograms/ml of mitomycin C (MMC) and 200 micrograms/ml of cisplatin (CDDP), for 90 min, in an attempt to prevent any further local recurrence. A right hemicolectomy and a permanent colostomy were done simultaneously with the hyperthermia treatment. After an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was prescribed adjuvant chemotherapy, i.e., two administrations of 17 mg/m2 and 21 mg/m2 of MMC, and ten doses of 710 mg/m2 of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) followed by five doses of 535 mg/m2 of 5-FU. At the time of this writing, the patient is still alive without recurrence at 21 months after surgery.

Steroid sulfatase deficiency in Japanese patients: characterization of X-linked ichthyosis by using polymerase chain reaction

X-Linked ichthyosis (XLI) due to deficiency of steroid sulfatase (STS) of which gene consists of 10 exons is an inherited skin disorder. The gene, mRNA and protein of STS were examined in six Japanese patients with XLI. Neither the mRNA nor the enzyme protein was detected in a patient. The results of Southern analysis using STS cDNA as a probe indicated that all the patients examined exhibited large deletions of the STS gene. When exon 1 and the exon 10 of the STS gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using patients' genomic DNA as templates, no product was detected in all the patients examined. These observations suggest that most XLI in Japanese patients is caused by an extensive deletion of the STS gene as was demonstrated in Caucasian patients. The PCR method in the present study is useful for the diagnosis of XLI in prenatal and postnatal subjects.

Relationship between exercise capacity and the severity of emphysema as determined by high resolution CT

We investigated the relationship between exercise capacity or exercise-induced hypoxaemia and the severity of pulmonary emphysema in 20 patients with pulmonary emphysema. The patients underwent pulmonary function tests, high resolution computed tomography and incremental treadmill exercise testing. Computed tomography scans were obtained at four levels in the lungs, and emphysema scores were determined by the visual assessment of low attenuation areas as a measure of the severity of parenchymal destruction. The emphysema score correlated significantly with diffusing capacity (r = -0.69) in the pulmonary function tests. Among the exercise test parameters, the emphysema score correlated significantly with the total distance walked (r = -0.74), with maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (r = -0.77), with arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) at rest (r = -0.50) and at the maximum workload (r = -0.58), and with the decrement of arterial oxygen tension per litre of oxygen consumed (r = -0.64). These results suggest that exercise capacity and exercise-induced hypoxaemia are related to the extent of destruction of lung parenchyma in patients with pulmonary emphysema.