[Molecular evidence for a single clonal origin in a patient with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

A 49-year old man was admitted in November 1989, because of anemia, abnormal shadowing on chest X ray and hyperproteinemia. Biclonal gammopathy (IgG kappa + IgA kappa) was shown in serum, and Bence Jones protein in urine. The bone marrow examination showed an increased number of abnormal plasma cells (15.7%) and no evidence of lymphoma, A diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) was made. In April 1990, while the patient was treated with the modified M2 regiman, swelling of the right cervical lymph node was observed. Lymph node biopsy revealed that he had non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (:NHL, diffuse, mixed, B cell type). He was retreated with the CHOP regimen for both disease, but died of respiratory failure in October. 1991. To establish the clonal origin of this case of concominant MM and B-cell NHL, the immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in his lymph node and bone marrow were analyzed. Southern blot analysis with the JH probe and Ck probe showed one common band and one different band in the two samples. Our data suggest that two B-cell malignancies may have arisen from a single B-cell progenitor.

Mosaic organization of calcineurin immunoreactivity in the adult cat striatum

Calcineurin is a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase which is thought to play an essential role in the intracellular Ca(2+)-signal transduction. The present study showed that calcineurin immunolabeling was differentially concentrated in the two distinct compartments showing a mosaic-like pattern in the adult cat striatum. The compartment of heightened calcineurin immunolabeling corresponded to the extrastriosomal matrix visualized by calbindin-D28K immunostaining. Under the light microscope, striatal neurons appeared to be less strongly immunoreactive for calcineurin in the striosomes than in the matrix compartment. These findings suggest that the novel striatal compartments may differ in the intracellular Ca(2+)-signaling cascade associated with protein dephosphorylation.

Age-related accumulation of high-molecular-weight ubiquitin protein conjugates in mouse brains

It has been demonstrated that the amount of ubiquitin (Ub)-protein conjugates increases in the whole brain homogenates of old mice. To determine the specificity of the accumulation of the conjugates, we further investigated age-related changes in Ub-protein conjugates in other tissues (heart, liver, and kidney), and also in various regions (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and medulla oblongata) of the brain. The amount of high-molecular-weight Ub-protein conjugates (HMW, > 60KDa) increased remarkably in all regions of the brain examined, especially in the cerebellum, of senescent mice, but not much in other tissues. No appreciable difference in the size of free Ub pool was found between young and old mice except in the medulla oblongata. This suggests that the increase in Ub-protein conjugates is not simply due to a rise in the free Ub pool. The activity of isopeptidases in homogenates was estimated by measuring rates of deubiquitination of endogenous Ub-protein conjugates under ATP-depleted conditions. In the brain stem and medulla oblongata, they decreased significantly with age. In the cerebrum and cerebellum, however, no significant difference was observed between young and old animals. These results partially explain the increases observed in medulla and brain stem, but cannot explain the increases in cerebrum and cerebellum.

Optimization of preparative conditions for polylactide (PLA) microspheres containing ovalbumin

Polylactide (PLA) microspheres containing ovalbumin (OVA) as a model protein were prepared by a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The optimization of preparative parameters for the PLA microspheres containing OVA were performed, and the in vitro characteristics of the obtained microspheres were examined. Firstly, a smaller internal aqueous phase volume was found to be advantageous in obtaining high loading efficiency. Secondly, the addition of 2-10% (w/v) NaCl into the external aqueous phase (0.5% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol solution) also improved OVA loading efficiency. Prepared products showed a sharp release of OVA at the initial phase, but the following phase was characterized by a slow release rate of OVA that continued at least 28 d. The release rate of OVA from microspheres made of PLA with a molecular weight of 15400 was faster than that from microspheres made of PLA with a molecular weight of 58300. However, the LA/GA (lactide/glycolide) ratio was not likely to have much effect on the release profile of OVA. Finally, the effect of PLA microsphere particle size on the release profiles of OVA was examined. The extent of burst release at the initial phase increased as the mean diameter of prepared PLA microspheres decreased. For example, the PLA microspheres with a small mean diameter (5.0 microns) showed a 40% burst release, but almost 30% of OVA remained in the PLA microspheres (confirmed by HPLC method) after the 28 d release test, suggesting the possibility of using this carrier as a long-acting protein delivery system.

Isoforms of PML-retinoic acid receptor alpha fused transcripts affect neither clinical features of acute promyelocytic leukemia nor prognosis after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid. The Leukemia Study Group of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Kohseisho)

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been used as a potent differentiation drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Although the mechanism of its effectiveness upon APL remains unclear, the PML-retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) chimeric protein produced by t(15;17) is assumed to underlie the sensitivity of APL cells to ATRA. There are two major isoforms of PML-RARA transcripts; short (S) and long (L), according to the breakpoints in the PML gene. We therefore compared the clinical variables, the response to ATRA and the prognosis between 28 patients with type S and 68 patients with type L. Patients were treated in multi-institutional trials with ATRA, and chemotherapy was combined when peripheral blasts and leukocyte counts increased during the therapy. The clinical features at diagnosis were similar between the two molecular subtypes, and there was no significant difference in remission induction rates; 86% for the type S group and 90% for the type L group. There was no statistical difference in overall survival and CR duration as well as disease-free survival (DFS). In newly diagnosed patients, predicted 2-year DFS was 66% for the type S group and 67% for the type L group. In refractory or relapsed patients, it was 19 and 23%, respectively. These data indicated that isoforms of PML-RARA fused transcripts affect neither the clinical features of APL nor the prognosis after treatment with ATRA.

Randomized study with mitomycin C + 5-fluorouracil+cytosine arabinoside (MFC)+5-fluorouracil, MFC+tegafur and uracil (UFT), and MF+UFT in advanced gastric cancer: interinstitutional differences in a multicenter study in Japan

In a phase III randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer, interinstitutional differences were analyzed. A trial of three regimens: mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and CA (MFC) + continuous oral 5-FU (Group C); MFC + continuous oral UFT(tegafur and uracil) (Group B); and MF + UFT (Group C) after operation was conducted in 466 patients with gastric cancer (stage II and III) at four hospitals in Japan (CIH, CAD, ACC and NCC). Patients were stratified by the institution, stage, and tumor size (8 cm ><). The 5-year survival rates were in the order of Group A (79.0%) > B (70.0%) > C (61.0%) (P = 0.1228) in total, A (95.0%) > B (80.0%) > C (58.0%) (P < 0.05) at CAD (82 patients), A > C > B at CIH (215), C > A > B at ACC (95), and B > A > C at NCC (78). The survival rate of patients with S2(serosal exposure), 8 cm < and N0-1 cancer was higher at CIH than at the other institutions. The interinstitutional differences in patient characteristics and surgical technique were more powerful than the differences among the three groups.

Aminopeptidase inhibitor ubenimex (bestatin) inhibits the growth of human choriocarcinoma in nude mice through its direct cytostatic activity

Ubenimex (bestatin), a potent inhibitor of aminopeptidases, is known to have immunomodulatory and host-mediated antitumor activities. In this paper, we investigated the inhibitory effects of bestatin on the growth of human choriocarcinoma both in vitro and in vivo using the established choriocarcinoma cell line NaUCC-4. Bestatin inhibited the in vitro proliferation of NaUCC-4 cells concentration- and time-dependently at more than 72 h incubation. DNA histograms by flow cytometric analysis revealed that exposure to bestatin at 5 to 20 micrograms/ml for 72 h caused mild accumulation of NaUCC-4 cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, although no clear arrest was observed in any phase of cell cycle. In vivo antitumor activity of bestatin was examined using the NaUCC-4 choriocarcinoma-xenografted nude mouse model. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by daily i.p. administration of bestatin for 4 weeks at doses of 2 and 20 mg/kg (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not by 0.2 mg/kg as compared with control. No significant augmentation of NK activity or B cell mitogenicity in spleen cells taken from these NaUCC-4-hearing nude mice was observed following treatment with bestatin at either 2 or 20 mg/kg. These results indicate that bestatin inhibits the growth of NaUCC-4 choriocarcinoma in vivo as well as in vitro not via potentiation of effector cells but rather by its direct cytostatic activity, and suggest that bestatin may have an additional therapeutic property besides as a BRM for its use in the treatment of choriocarcinoma.

[A case report of far advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastasis (H3) treated with transarterial intermittent chemotherapy and intradermal administration of low molecular lipopolysaccharide (LPSp) extracted from Pantoea agglomerans]

A case of far advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastasis (H3) was treated with transarterial intermittent chemotherapy (5-FU: 250 mg/week, Farmorubicin: 10 mg/4 weeks, MMC: 4 mg/2 weeks) and intradermal administration of low molecular lipopolysaccharide (LPSp) extracted from Pantoea agglomerans. The CT examination and endoscopy showed regression of the tumor and the patient was discharged from the hospital. LPSp was given at the concentration of 0.1 microgram initially, and the dose was gradually increased. Finally, the dose of LPSp was increased up to 70 micrograms. No serious side effect except fever was observed. The serum TNF-alpha levels were elevated and, histologically, CD 8(+) lymphocyte dominantly infiltrated around the tumor. These findings clearly indicated the immunological anticancer effect of LPSp. Intradermal administration of LPSp is a promising new adjuvant therapy to improve QOL without serious side effect.

Angiotensin II type 1a receptor-deficient mice with hypotension and hyperreninemia

Angiotensin (AT) II, the bioactive octapeptide in the renin-angiotensin system that plays a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis, exerts its multiple effects through the different types of AT receptors, AT1a, AT1b, and AT2. Previously, we showed chronic hypotension in angiotensinogen (the precursor of AT)-deficient mice and a dramatic increase in renin mRNA levels in its kidney, but it remains unclear which types of AT receptors regulate the blood pressure and renin gene expression. In order to elucidate the physiological roles of AT1a receptor, we generated mutant mice with a targeted replacement of the AT1a receptor loci by the lacZ gene. In the heterozygous mutant mice, the strong lacZ staining was found in the glomerulus and juxtaglomerular apparatus of the renal cortex, which coincided with that of the signals detected by in situ hybridization. Chronic hypotension was observed in the heterozygous and homozygous mutant mice, with 10 and 22 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure, respectively, than that of wild-type littermates. Both levels of renin mRNA in the kidney and plasma renin activity were markedly increased only in the homozygous mutant mice. These results demonstrated that an AT1a-mediated signal transduction pathway is, at least in part, involved in the regulation of blood pressure and renin gene expression.

Survival of neurons containing the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase in static slice cultures of adult rat striatum

The present study concerns the survival potential of mature neurons containing the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase in the static slice culture of adult rat striatum. In the striatal tissues immediately after slicing, there was a scattered distribution of NADPH-diaphorase neurons stained in a Golgi-like manner, and the cell density of those neurons was 53 +/- 5 (mean +/- SEM; n = 10) cells per mm2. The time-sequential cell density analysis disclosed that the number of striatal NADPH-diaphorase neurons surviving after 1, 2, 4 and 6 day in culture were 26 +/- 5, 8 +/- 2, 5 +/- 2, and 3 +/- 2 (means +/- SEM; n = 10) cells per mm2, respectively. Thus, approximately 50% of striatal NADPH-diaphorase neurons survived for 1 day and a significant proportion of these neurons, although their number gradually decreased, were maintained in culture for at least several days. The conspicuous survival of the striatal NADPH-diaphorase neurons in slice culture is thought to reflect the damage-resistant natures of these cells.

Significance of glutathione depletion and oxidative stress in early embryogenesis in glucose-induced rat embryo culture

Recent studies have demonstrated the protective effects of supplementing free oxygen radical scavenging enzymes against hyperglycemia-induced embryonic malformations. In this study, the glutathione (GSH)-dependent protection system in hyperglycemia-induced embryopathy was investigated. Rat embryos at the early head-fold stage (day 9.5) cultured in 66.7 mmol/l glucose for 48 h showed significant growth retardation and an increase in the frequency of malformations. The concentration of GSH and activity of the rate-limiting GSH-synthesizing enzyme, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), significantly decreased in embryos exposed to hyperglycemia compared with controls (7.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 12.5 +/- 0.9 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.01 and 13.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 22.6 +/- 1.1 microU/mg protein, P < 0.01, respectively). Decreased activity of gamma-GCS in embryos exposed to hyperglycemia was associated with decreased expression of gamma-GCS mRNA levels. However, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase did not significantly change in these embryos. Extracellular and intracellular free oxygen radical formations estimated by Lucigenin-dependent chemoluminescence and flow cytometric analysis using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate increased in isolated embryonic cells taken from embryos cultured under hyperglycemia. Supplementation of 2 mmol/l GSH ester into the hyperglycemic culture nearly restored GSH concentration in these embryos (11.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 12.5 +/- 0.9 nmol/mg protein) and reduced the formation of free oxygen radical species leading to almost complete normalization of growth retardation and embryonic dysmorphogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Incomplete development of the spleen and the deformity in the chimeras between asplenic mutant (Dominant hemimelia) and normal mice

The semidominant gene Dh (Dominant hemimelia) induces skeletal and visceral abnormalities of various degrees and failure of the spleen in mice. The homozygous individual (Dh/Dh) seems to be lethal. The present experiment was designed to investigate the ability Dh cells to form a spleen and the genesis of the hind limb malformations by Dh/Dh and Dh/+ cells in chimeric mice. The Dh/Dh and Dh/+ embryos were produced in the F2 progeny of a cross between inbred strains of Dh/+ and DDD mice. They were aggregated with C3H/He or C57BL/6 embryos to make chimeras. Identification of Dh/Dh or Dh/+ embryos was carried out by Pep-3, and chimerism was analyzed by Gpi-1. Of 25 chimeras carrying the Dh gene, four mice formed a small spleen, two mice had a vestigial spleen, and the others no spleen. The tissues of the incompletely developed spleens were normal histologically and Dh cells were involved in the tissues of the spleen. In the chimeric mice, hindlimb malformation by the Dh gene was reduced in severity and the lethality of the homozygote (Dh/Dh) was rescued.

Chlormadinone acetate as a possible effective agent for congenital adrenal hyperplasia to suppress elevated ACTH and antagonize masculinization

We report two cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in which administration of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), a substituted progestational agent for prostatic disease, suppressed ACTH hypersecretion and lowered plasma testosterone levels. Case 1 was 83-year-old male with advanced prostatic carcinoma and CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. His plasma testosterone did not decrease in spite of a bilateral orchiectomy. Case 2 was 40-year-old female with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency suffering from virilization after the cessation of cortisol supplement therapy because of her breast carcinoma. In these two cases, oral administration of CMA at a daily dose of 75-100 mg suppressed ACTH and cortisol to subnormal levels and reduced testosterone levels. With the suppressive effect on ACTH excess and antiandrogenic action, CMA may be suitable for patients with CAH suffering from symptoms due to overproduced ACTH or adrenal androgen.

Particle size studies for subcutaneous delivery of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres containing ovalbumin as vaccine formulation

The primary objectives of the present study were to produce poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres with different diameters, to characterize these microspheres which were loaded with a model antigen, ovalbumin and to evaluate the effect of microsphere particle size on the serum antibody levels following administration to mice. Four kinds of ovalbumin-loaded PLGA microspheres with different diameters (1.2, 3.5, 7.0 and 14.3 microns as mean volume diameter) were manufactured by a w/o/w emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Low loading percent (0.08%-0.25% w/w) and efficiencies (8-25% w/w) were observed. Examination using scanning electron photomicrographs showed smooth spherical particles. The in-vitro release of ovalbumin from microspheres showed an expected burst release with all batches and the extent of the burst release increased with decreasing diameters of spheres; PLGA microspheres with the smallest diameter (1.2 microns) showed an 80% burst release within one day. Approximately 10-60% of ovalbumin remained unreleased 30 days later. The single subcutaneous administrations of ovalbumin-loaded PLGA microspheres with different diameters to mice induced good antibody responses above ovalbumin saline negative controls at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after inoculation. Especially, 0.16% ovalbumin-loaded PLGA microspheres having mean volume diameter of 3.5 microns exhibited the best immune responses with values greater than those obtained after inoculation with adjuvants such as complete Freund's adjuvant or alum as positive control. The strong adjuvant activity of PLGA microspheres as vaccine formulation was suggested.

Hen-egg-white lysozyme modified with histamine. State of the imidazolylethyl group covalently attached to the binding site and its effect on the sugar-binding ability

The chemical modification of Asp101 which is located at the upper end-most site (site A) of the binding cleft of hen egg white lysozyme affects the sugar residue binding of the midmost site (site C) in addition to that of site A, and results in the considerable decrease in the enzymic activity [Fukamizo, T., Hayashi, K. & Goto, S. (1986) Eur. J. Biochem. 158, 463-467]. In the present study, Asp101 was modified with histamine and converted to [2-imidazol-4(5)-ylethyl]asparagine. Contrary to the findings described above, the specific activity of the modified lysozyme was higher than that of the native lysozyme by a factor of about two, and the loss of sugar residue binding ability caused by the modification was found to be restricted to site A. From the H-NMR spectra of the modified lysozyme, the pKa value of the imidazolylethyl group covalently attached to Asp101 was 7.1, and was higher than that of N-acetylhistidinemethylamide (6.65). This indicates that the imidazolylethyl moiety is not exposed to the solvent but adheres to the surface of the lysozyme molecule in an unidentified manner. When N-acetylglucosamine trisaccharide [GlcNAc)3] was added to the modified lysozyme, the 1H-NMR signals of H2 and H4 of the imidazolylethyl group were strongly affected. This indicates that the imidazolylethyl moiety is located near (GlcNAc)3 binding region. When the H gamma signal of Ile98 was saturated, nuclear Overhauser effects were observed on H2 and H4 resonances of the imidazolylethyl moiety. NOE was also observed on the signal of Trp63 H6 upon the saturation of the H4 signal of the imidazolylethyl moiety. Thus, the imidazolylethyl moiety should be located near Trp63 and Ile98, which are in the hydrophobic box most proximal to the sugar binding cleft. This situation of the imidazolylethyl moiety did not result in steric hindrance to the sugar residue binding at sites B and C. The modification affected only the sugar residue binding at site A, and resulted in the enhanced activity.

Isolation of a 40 kDa immunoinhibitory protein induced by rat liver transplantation

In certain combinations of donor and recipient rat strains, such as DA (RT1a) donors into PVG (RT1c) recipients, rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is overcome without immunosuppressive drugs, although other organs transplanted between these combinations are promptly rejected. The mechanisms involved in achieving drug-free liver allograft tolerance still remain poorly understood. In the present study, OLT (DA into PVG) serum from various postoperative times was analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two unique proteins of 40 kDa and 37 kDa were found to be in large concentrations in 60 day post-OLT serum. These proteins could only be detected at specific times after OLT in the DA into PVG combination and could not be detected in the serum of syngenically transplanted animals (DA into DA) and (PVG into PVG), rejector combinations (DA into LEW) requiring immunosuppressive treatment or induced by other organ transplants. When these proteins were purified and sequenced they were found to have an identical N-terminal sequence which is not listed in sequence databases. Mixed lymphocyte assays revealed that only the 40 kDa protein has a immunosuppressive capability which additionally appears to be donor specific. The 40 kDa protein will aid further in the understanding of how drug-free tolerance is attained in certain liver allografts and may also act as a marker of when treatment with conventional immunosuppressive drugs can be stopped in clinical OLT providing a homologue of the molecule can be found. This possibility appears likely as case reports already exist of patients who have successfully been able to cease treatment with such drugs.

Induction of the synthesis of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin in tissues of heat-stressed rats and its suppression by ethanol or an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist

The levels of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin in various tissues of rats that had been subjected to heat stress were determined by specific immunoassays. When rats were immersed in a water bath at 42 degrees C for 20 min, the levels of hsp27 in most tissues, including central nervous tissue, liver, lung, spleen, adrenal glands, and hypophysis, had increased dramatically 8 to 16 h after the treatment. alpha B crystallin was also induced at high levels in the liver and adrenals, but not much was induced in the central nervous tissue. The increases in the levels of both hsp27 and alpha B crystallin in response to heat stress were markedly inhibited when ethanol or an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin, was administered before, but not after, the stress period. The expression of mRNA for hsp27 was suppressed in the livers of rats that had received ethanol or prazosin. A beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol, and an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine, did not inhibit induction of the synthesis of the two proteins. Accumulation of hsp70 after heat stress, at least in the liver, was inhibited by ethanol or prazosin in a similar manner to that of hsp27, as detected on Western blot analysis. These results suggest that the induction of hsp27 and alpha B crystallin, as well as of hsp70, in tissues of heat-stressed rats is controlled by a physiological process(es) that is sensitive to ethanol and prazosin, and is operative for a short time during the application of heat stress.

[Treatment of sclero-corneomalacia after cataract surgery]

We treated sclero-corneomalacia in an 84-year-old woman, which occurred 7 months after cataract surgery on her left eye. Since medical therapy could not prevent progress of the sclero-corneal lesion and perforation of the eyeball was likely, we performed implantation of preservable sclera and keratoepithelioplasty. The patient has an uneventful postoperative course without recurrence and good visual acuity was preserved. To minimize the post-operative inflammation and early reform of the ocular surface, implantation of preservable sclera and keratoepithelioplasty is an effective procedure.

Thrombosed growing giant aneurysms of the vertebral artery: growth mechanism and management

Results in three patients with thrombosed giant aneurysms of the vertebral artery are reported. Each of the aneurysms presented as a mass lesion. On postcontrast computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, each aneurysm demonstrated a patent lumen and intrathrombotic vascular channels. Two patients died and were autopsied, and the other patient was successfully treated. Pathological examination revealed that the aneurysms had staged clots, an open lumen, intrathrombotic channels with endothelial lining, and aneurysmal walls with intimal thickening. The authors suggest that the development of the intrathrombotic capillary channels may be an important factor in the growth of thrombosed giant aneurysm of the vertebral artery. Trapping of the aneurysm followed by aneurysmectomy appears to be the best treatment for this type of aneurysm.

Cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of cDNA encoding porcine brain UMP-CMP kinase

A cDNA encoding porcine brain UMP-CMP kinase has been isolated using two oligonucleotide probes synthesized on the basis of the partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme. The isolated cDNA consisted of 1,626 nucleotides including the coding region for a polypeptide of 196 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,279. The enzyme showed an overall sequence identity of about 40 and 50%, respectively, with adenylate kinases from mammalian muscle and Escherichia coli and UMP-CMP kinases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dictyostelium discoideum. The two highly conserved residues, Thr-39 and Leu-66, in adenylate kinases, which are located close to the adenine ring of the bound AMP, are replaced by Ala and Ile, respectively, at the corresponding positions in UMP-CMP kinases. The entire structural gene was inserted 3'-downstream of the strong promoter in the expression plasmid pET-3b. E. coli BL21(DE3) cells carrying the resultant plasmid produced the active enzyme in a soluble state, most efficiently upon induction at 37 degrees C with 0.02 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside. The purified recombinant enzyme catalyzed specific phosphoryl transfer from ATP to UMP and CMP.

[Statistical analysis of press-through-pack foreign body in the esophagus and its experimental investigation]

A statistical analysis was performed in patients with press-through-pack (PTP) foreign body in the esophagus encountered in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, from 1986 to 1993. Furthermore, the radiolucency of PTP and the possibility of mucosal injury of the esophagus by PTP were examined by experimental methods. We obtained the following results: 1) The incidence of PTP foreign body in the esophagus increased in the period from 1986 to 1994 as compared with that from 1978 to 1985. 2) PTP foreign body was lodged in the following area: cricopharyngeal narrowing > bronchio-aortic narrowing > hiatal narrowing. 3) Fluoroscopy with or without contrast material and flexible endoscopy were useful tools for diagnosis. 4) Direct esophagoscopy revealed mucosal erosion, hematoma, edema and intact mucosa in 14, 3, 3, and 6 patients, respectively. 5) The period of hospitalization was longer in patients with mucosal erosion than in those with intact mucosa. 6) The base of PTP made of aluminium could be detected as a radiopaque material by lateral projections, suggesting that PTP foreign bodies require roentgenograms made parallel to the base of PTP. 7) Histological study indicated that traumatic lesions in the extracted esophagus manually produced by the sharp corner of PTP were present in the mucosal layer and partially in the submucosal layer, suggesting that esophageal perforation by PTP was generated by additional factors such as secondary infection and iatrogenic trauma induced by esophagoscopy.

[Superselective local infusion therapy with tissue-plasminogen activator for acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism: preliminary clinical experience]

Three cases of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism were treated with the superselective infusion of tissue-plasminogen activator. Superselective pulmonary angiography immediately after administration of tissue-plasminogen activator demonstrated angiographic improvement in all patients. No complications were encountered during or after the procedure. It is considered that superselective infusion of tissue-plasminogen activator can be an effective therapy for massive pulmonary thromboembolism.

Stabilities of the fluorescent SH-reagent eosin-5-maleimide and its adducts with sulfhydryl compounds

The stabilities of the SH-reagent eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) and its adducts with the SH-compounds L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione (reduced form) were studied under various conditions in comparison with those of the adducts of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Studies by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that EMA was less stable than NEM at neutral and moderately alkaline pH values. EMA formed a succinimide-type adduct with SH-compounds, and then underwent further modification by nucleophilic attack of OH- or an amino group. The succinimide-type adducts with acetylcysteine and glutathione were converted to open-type adducts, in which the succinimide ring was cleaved, whereas the adduct with cysteine was modified to a thiazine-type adduct. Kinetic analyses showed that these open-type and thiazine-type adducts were readily formed and were stable at moderately alkaline pH values such as pH 8.0 or 9.0.

Usefulness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on neutropenia in patients of invasive mole and choriocarcinoma

The effect of human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) was investigated on the proliferation of choriocarcinoma cells in vitro. No growth-stimulating effect was observed. Then, 22 patients with invasive mole and 9 patients with choriocarcinoma who received combination chemotherapy were treated with hG-CSF when white blood cell counts decreased below 2,000/mm3. The duration of neutropenia was reduced significantly by 3-4 days with the use of hG-CSF. No side effects were observed. These results indicate safety and usefulness of hG-CSF as an adjunct to chemotherapy in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease.

[Comparison of MICs of new quinolones obtained using agar-dilution and broth-microdilution procedures]

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of new quinolones against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria obtained using agar-dilution and broth-microdilution procedures were compared. A primary regression curve and a correlation coefficient (r) between 2 MICs for each of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tosufloxacin, sparfloxacin or balofloxacin were calculated. For the 5 quinolones, average correlation coefficients were 0.891 for the Gram-positive bacteria tested, and 0.865 for the Gram-negative bacteria. The range of, correlation coefficients for the Gram-positive bacteria for these drugs was from 0.835 to 0.919, and that for the Gram-negative bacteria was from 0.815 to 0.865. From these data, it is clear that there is a good correlation between the 2 MICs of the new quinolones obtained using the agar-dilution and the broth-microdilution procedures. It was also shown that the value of the slope of the regression curves were nearly the same for the 5 quinolones tested. However, some particular strains of Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas cepacia, Xanthomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae exhibited different correlation coefficients from other strains.