Consecutive reaction kinetics involving distributed fraction of methanogens in fluidized-bed bioreactors

A kinetic model involving the distributed fractions of acidogens and methanogens is proposed. To determine the fluxes and biochemical reaction rates of the substrate sucrose and its intermediates, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in bulk liquid and within the biofilm, a kinetic model was developed by combining the solid-phase model with the liquid-phase model. The predicted substrate removal efficiencies of the conventional and tapered fluidized-bed bioreactors (CFB, TFBs) are in good agreement with the experimental results. The biofilm thickness in TFBs are thicker than that in CFB, resulting in performance enhancement with TFBs. The simulated results obtained from the kinetic model show that methanogenesis is the rate-limiting step of degradation of the simple organic compound (sucrose), and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration in the effluent is mainly contributed by the intermediates VFAs. The distributed fractions of acidogens and methanogens determined experimentally are 0.4 and 0.6, respectively.

Colorectal adenoma in patients with a history of breast cancer: a prospective study in Taiwan

The increased incidence of colorectal cancer in women with a history of breast cancer is well established. However, the relationship between the prevalence of adenomatous polyps and breast cancer is still controversial. We conducted a prospective study of the incidence of colorectal polyps in patients with a history of breast cancer in Taiwan. Eighty-nine patients (86 women and 3 men) received colonoscopy to test for precancerous lesions. Mean age was 49.4 +/- 10.4 years. Twelve polyps (9 adenomatous, 2 hyperplastic, 1 inflammatory) (13.5%) and one cancer (1.1%) were found. The mean age of patients with and without colorectal neoplasia was 56.3 +/- 9.4 and 48.2 +/- 10.2 years respectively, (p < 0.005); 10 out of 13 patients (77%) with colorectal neoplasia were over 50 (p < 0.1). Compared with a study of Chinese people in Hong Kong, our population had a lower incidence of colorectal adenomatous polyps, but breast cancer patients have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer than the general population in Taiwan.

Abnormal bcl-2 and pRb expression are independent correlates of radiation response in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The objective of this study was to determine whether the overexpression of bcl-2, a key protein governing the apoptotic response to radiation, adds to pRb status in estimating the propensity for radiation response in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, pretreatment bladder tumor samples were available in 109 of 301 patients treated preoperatively with 50 Gy in 25 fractions followed by radical cystectomy 4-6 weeks later. Radiation response was assessed by clinical-to-pathological tumor downstaging or upstaging. Altered expression of bcl-2 (47% of 107 patients), p53 (56% of 109 patients), and pRb (30% of 98 patients) was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Morphological criteria were used to calculate the percentage of apoptotic cells. bcl-2 staining correlated with tumor grade; all grade 2 tumors (n = 7) displayed normal bcl-2 expression (negative staining). No correlations between bcl-2 staining and pretreatment apoptosis levels, p53 staining, and pRb staining were observed. In terms of the radiation response parameters, univariate analyses revealed that bcl-2 overexpression was the only factor associated with upstaging. The main predictor of downstaging was the loss of pRb expression (negative staining). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed these findings and also showed that normal pRb expression (positive staining) was significantly related to upstaging. Patient outcome was adversely affected by bcl-2 overexpression, because these patients experienced significantly increased actuarial local failure rates. No difference in distant metastasis or survival rates by bcl-2 staining was seen. The strongest independent correlates of radiation response thus far identified in muscle-invasive bladder cancer are from bcl-2 and pRb immunohistochemical staining. The overexpression of bcl-2 and the normal expression of pRb seem to thwart the apoptotic response to radiation via independent mechanisms. Abnormalities in the expression of proteins that regulate apoptosis may prove to establish a molecular phenotype to characterize which patients should receive radiotherapy.

Retinoblastoma protein expression and radiation response in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) is a key regulator of the G1 cell cycle checkpoint and has been implicated as having a role in G1 arrest and apoptosis induced by radiation damage. In this report we examine the association between pRB expression and radiation response in patients treated between 1960 and 1983 with preoperative radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions) followed 4-6 weeks later by radical cystectomy. The correlation of pRB to patient outcome and how this relationship is complimentary to that seen with p53 staining status is also described.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Immunohistochemical staining of pRB and p53 in paraffin-embedded tumor sections using WL-1 anti-RB and DO1 anti-p53 antibodies was considered adequate in 98 and 97 pretreatment tumor samples, respectively. There were 46 patients with clinical Stage T2, 28 with Stage T3a, and 24 with Stage T3b disease. The median age was 62 years and follow-up for those living was 85 months.

RESULTS

Staining for pRB was negative in 30% of the cases. Correlations were observed between pRB negativity and high pretreatment apoptosis level (p = 0.06), locally advanced clinical stage (p = 0.01), increased clinical-to-pathologic downstaging (p = 0.014), and more pathologic complete responses (Path-CRs; p = 0.019). Several other factors were tested and were not associated with pRB status, including p53 expression. RB status was the only pretreatment prognostic factor in the univariate analyses that correlated with downstaging and was independently associated with Path-CR using multivariate logistic regression. Despite these significant relationships, no correlations with patient outcome were observed when the entire cohort was analyzed. Restriction of the analyses to Stage T3b patients, however, revealed that pRB negativity predicted for enhanced distant metastasis freedom (p = 0.006, log rank) and overall survival (p = 0.02). The overexpression of p53 also correlated with distant metastasis freedom and overall survival in Stage T3b patients. Patient outcome was best when RB negative and p53 negative staining were seen.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that loss of RB function as measured by immunohistochemical staining is the strongest correlate of radiation response thus far recognized. Loss of RB expression also predicted for poor outcome in Stage T3b patients, which appeared to compliment the finding of normal p53 expression. While normal RB protein expression is usually associated with better patient outcome, other series have not examined patients treated with radiotherapy. The absence of pRB may be a useful marker for selecting patients for bladder preservation with radiotherapy, particularly when wild-type p53 is present.

Identification of putative c-Myc-responsive genes: characterization of rcl, a novel growth-related gene

The c-Myc protein is a helix-loop-helix leucine zipper oncogenic transcription factor that participates in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The biochemical function of c-Myc has been well described, yet the identities of downstream effectors are just beginning to emerge. We describe the identification of a set of c-Myc-responsive genes in the Rat1a fibroblast through the application of cDNA representational difference analysis (RDA) to cDNAs isolated from nonadherent Rat1a and Rat1a-myc cells. In this system, c-Myc overexpression is sufficient to induce the transformed phenotype of anchorage-independent growth. We identified 20 differentially expressed cDNAs, several of which represent novel cDNA sequences. We further characterized one of the novel cDNAs identified in this screen, termed rcl. rcl expression is (i) directly stimulated by c-Myc; (ii) stimulated in the in vivo growth system of regenerating rat liver, as is c-myc; and (iii) elevated in human lymphoid cells that overexpress c-myc. By using an anti-Rcl antibody, immunoblot analysis, and immunofluorescence microscopy, the Rcl protein was found to be a 23-kDa nuclear protein. Ectopic expression of the protein encoded by the rcl cDNA induces anchorage-independent growth in Rat1a fibroblasts, albeit to a diminished extent compared to ectopic c-Myc expression. These data suggest a role for rcl during cellular proliferation and c-Myc-mediated transformation.

c-Myc transactivation of LDH-A: implications for tumor metabolism and growth

Cancer cells are able to overproduce lactic acid aerobically, whereas normal cells undergo anaerobic glycolysis only when deprived of oxygen. Tumor aerobic glycolysis was recognized about seven decades ago; however, its molecular basis has remained elusive. The lactate dehydrogenase-A gene (LDH-A), whose product participates in normal anaerobic glycolysis and is frequently increased in human cancers, was identified as a c-Myc-responsive gene. Stably transfected Rat1a fibroblasts that overexpress LDH-A alone or those transformed by c-Myc overproduce lactic acid. LDH-A overexpression is required for c-Myc-mediated transformation because lowering its level through antisense LDH-A expression reduces soft agar clonogenicity of c-Myc-transformed Rat1a fibroblasts, c-Myc-transformed human lymphoblastoid cells, and Burkitt lymphoma cells. Although antisense expression of LDH-A did not affect the growth of c-Myc-transformed fibroblasts adherent to culture dishes under normoxic conditions, the growth of these adherent cells in hypoxia was reduced. These observations suggest that an increased LDH-A level is required for the growth of a transformed spheroid cell mass, which has a hypoxic internal microenvironment. Our studies have linked c-Myc to the induction of LDH-A, whose expression increases lactate production and is necessary for c-Myc-mediated transformation.

Quiescence in R3327-G rat prostate tumors after androgen ablation

Androgen ablation is frequently used in conjunction with radiotherapy in the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. Androgen ablation-induced cell kinetic changes could result in sub-additive (increased quiescence) or supra-additive (reduction in repopulation) interactions with radiotherapy. The cell kinetic changes were studied in R3327-G Dunning rat prostate tumors grown in vivo using double thymidine analogue labeling and flow cytometry, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay for apoptosis, and measurements of tumor cell numbers. Tumors grown in intact and castrate male rats were continuously labeled for various periods of time with chlorodeoxyuridine and pulse-labeled with iododeoxyuridine 8 h before tumor removal. Androgen ablation resulted in a maximal reduction in labeling index (10 to 1.6%) and an increase in potential doubling time (Tpot; 6-42 days) within 3 days, which was related to a reduction in growth fraction (65% to <10%). In contrast, the length of S-phase was minimally altered (19 to 23 h). The response to androgen ablation involved little apoptosis and no necrosis, and Tpot was approximately the same as the tumor volume doubling time. Hence, the increase in Tpot was mainly the result of a shift to quiescence, and this shift occurred with minimal cell loss. Because quiescence is usually associated with radioresistance, these cell kinetic changes suggest that a sub-additive interaction may occur for some prostate cancers when androgen ablation and irradiation are given together.

Factors affecting delection of bleeding lesions in the stomach by initial emergency endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Accurate endoscopic diagnosis of acute gastric bleeding can be problematic and missing diagnoses are not uncommon. However, the causes of diagnostic difficulty and the most common locations of bleeding resulting in missed diagnosis are not well known.

METHODS

To determine the causative factors of incomplete study, we analyzed the medical records and performed follow-up on 64 patients for whom initial emergency endoscopy had failed to identify the sites of acute gastric bleeding. The bleeding sites were confirmed by the findings of subsequent endoscopic examination or operation in these cases.

RESULTS

Excessive blood covering the examination field was the most frequent cause of incomplete endoscopic study (60/64). Underlying gastric lesions which were later identified as sources of gastric bleeding included: 30 gastric ulcers, 9 gastric varices, 6 acute gastric mucosal lesions, 3 Dieulafoy's lesions, 3 portal hypertensive gastropathies, 2 gastric tumors, 1 Mallory-Weiss tear and 2 unidentified bleeding sites. Eight patients refused further evaluation. The locations of the bleeding sites included: 1 esophagocardiac junction, 8 cardia, 5 fundus, 21 body, 9 antrum, 7 stoma, 3 diffuse pattern. The 42-day mortality rate of these patients was 20%. Of these patients, decompensated liver cirrhosis (8/13) and hepatic failure (7/13) were the most common underlying diseases.

CONCLUSION

Inadequate preparation was the most frequently procedural problem associated with missed diagnosis. Lesions located in the body of the stomach were most likely to go undiagnosed. Gastric ulcers were the most common type of unidentified bleeding ulcer site. Hepatic failure was the most common cause of death. The high mortality rate of these patients appeared to be related to underlying diseases rather than to the nature of the lesions responsible for gastric bleeding.

Ménétrier's disease: a new variant with duodenal involvement

Ménétrier's disease is a rare cause of hypertrophic gastropathy, usually confined to gastric body and fundus, which is characterized by giant rugae, hypoalbuminemia, and foveolar hyperplasia. The etiology of this disease is still unknown. We report a case of a 74-yr-old man who had dyspepsia, hypoalbuminemia, weight loss, and diffuse polypoid, nodular lesions affecting the whole stomach and proximal duodenum on gastroscopy and barium meal study. The histology of gastric and duodenal mucosal lesions fulfilled the diagnosis of Ménétrier's disease, that was not described to involve duodenum in the literature. The disease resolved clinically, endoscopically, and pathologically after therapy with famotidine for 3 months. We speculated that extensive pyloric metaplasia and then foveolar hyperplasia of duodenum in this patient might be a variant of Ménétrier's disease with favorable clinical course.

The significance of DNA-ploidy and S-phase fraction in node-positive (stage D1) prostate cancer treated with androgen ablation

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of primary tumor DNA-ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) was evaluated in patients treated with androgen ablation for regionally localized node-positive prostate cancer.

METHODS

All patients were diagnosed with lymph node involvement by pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1984 and 1992 and were treated only with androgen ablation. Median follow-up was 45 months. Adequate material for DNA/nuclear protein flow cytometric analysis was available in 33 patients.

RESULTS

The tumors were classified as diploid in 11, near-diploid in 4, tetraploid in 10, and aneuploid in 8 cases. Grouping the patients by nonaneuploidy (diploid and near-diploid and tetraploid) and aneuploidy revealed actuarial 4-year disease progression rates of 14 and 48% (log-rank, P = 0.04), and overall survival rates of 100 and 61% (P = 0.008); however, biochemical progression (rising prostate-specific antigen profile) rates were similar at around 70%. In contrast, SPF was not significantly related to any of the endpoints tested. Several other potential prognostic factors were examined and none correlated significantly with disease progression or survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The biochemical progression rates for patients with nonaneuploid and aneuploid tumors were comparable and high, while the disease progression rates were higher and survival rates lower for those with aneuploid tumors. These data indicate that the lead time from biochemical to disease progression and death was shorter with aneuploidy. That these relationships were observed in such a small patient population attest to the strength of DNA-ploidy as a prognostic factor in this cohort.

Alterations in IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma release by peripheral mononuclear cells in patients with active vitiligo

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the cellular and humoral immune components in the pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris. By using cytokines as indicators of peripheral mononuclear cell (MNC) function, we compared the effects of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and purified IgG on MNCs derived from patients suffering from active vitiligo with those from normal controls. The results revealed (i) a significant increase in spontaneous production of IL-6 and IL-8 in patients; (ii) PHA, purified IgG from patients (IgG-anti-MC), or IgG from normal controls (N-IgG) induced a significant increase in IL-6 but diminished GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma release in patients; and (iii) IgG-anti-MC brought about a significantly higher stimulatory effect on IL-1beta and IFN-gamma production than N-IgG in normal controls. Immunologically, IL-6 can enhance melanocyte ICAM-1 expression, which may increase leukocyte-melanocyte attachment and cause melanocyte damage in vitiligo. A decrease in GM-CSF (an intrinsic growth factor for melanocyte) production may retard recovery from vitiligo by checking the proliferation of surviving melanocytes. A significant decrease in TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production may partially explain the reduced inflammatory reaction in vitiliginous lesions. That IgG-anti-MC stimulates an increase in IL-1beta and IFN-gamma production in controls suggests that IgG-anti-MC may play a role in melanocyte destruction mediated by monocytes.

Gastric adenocarcinoma with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation: a case report

The case reported was a 54-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the stomach who developed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MHA) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Clinical and laboratory data pertaining to this patient are presented. The patient died of multiple organ failure on the 12th hospital day. Since 1962, a total of 96 cases of MHA occurring in patients with malignancy have been reported. About half of them occurred in patients with gastric carcinoma. The possible pathogenesis of MHA and disseminated intravascular coagulation in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma is discussed.

The TNF2 allele does not contribute towards susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus

The uncommon allele (TNF2) of a polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene has been reported to be increased in Caucasian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (associated with HLA-DR3). To investigate whether TNF2 contributes towards susceptibility to Chinese SLE patients (not associated with HLA-DR3), 100 patients with SLE and 107 controls were studied. The frequency of TNF2 allele in controls was 0.140. There was a strong association between TNF2 allele and HLA-DR3 (P < 10(-8)) in controls. The frequency of TNF2 allele in SLE patients was 0.15. There was no difference in frequencies of TNF2 allele between patients and controls. This finding strongly suggests that TNF2 does not play a direct role in the susceptibility of SLE.

[Endoscopic diagnosis and clinical experience of colonic tuberculosis]

From February 1979 to May 1994, 18 cases of colonic tuberculosis were detected by colonscopy at Chang Gung Momorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center. There were 10 males and 8 females, with mean age of 43.6. In ten, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically or bacteriologically in colonic biopsy material and post-operated lymph nodes. The remaining 8 patients was suspected on colonoscopy, and had good response to antituberculous therapy. The major symptoms were abdominal pain (83%), diarrhea (67%), and body weight loss (61%). Average duration from symptoms to diagnosis was 4.1 months. Chest X-ray revealed active pulmonary tuberculosis in 14 of 18 patients (78%), 4 of 14 patients were military type. The colonic tuberculosis involved in ileocecal area in 6, ileocecum and contiguous colonic regions in 7, segmental colonic involvement in 4, and pancolitis in 1 patient. Multiple ulceration and ulcerohypertrophic lesions were the major colonoscopic findings. Typical caseating granuloma were found in 5 cases (36%) from colonoscopic biopsy, the other 5 from surgical resected specimens. Antituberculous therapy produced remarkable symptomatic improvement in all patients except 2 cases complicated with intestinal obstruction necessitating laparotomy. Colonoscopy with biopsy is a useful diagnostic tool in early diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary laparotomy in colonic tuberculosis.

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of colorectum: an age- and sex-matched controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the differences of clinicopathological features between colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma and ordinary adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The clinicopathological data of 28 cases with primary colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma was reviewed and compared with the data from 56 age- and sex-matched patients with ordinary adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

Fifteen cases (53.5%) with primary signet ring cell carcinoma were younger than 40 yr of age. Compared with 985 ordinary adenocarcinoma cases, signet ring cell carcinoma is present in excess in younger patients (p < 0.005). Further comparison with 56 age- and sex-matched ordinary adenocarcinomas showed that signet ring cell carcinomas could affect any sites of colon, presented as scirrhous appearance more frequently, had a higher percentage of stage III or IV tumors (78.6 vs 48.2%, 14.3 vs 7.2%, p < 0.005), had a higher rate of peritoneal seeding (35.7 vs 12.5%, p < 0.005) but a lower rate of liver metastasis (14.3 vs 32.1%, p < 0.005), and had a lower curative resection rate (64.2 vs 80.4%, p < 0.005) and a higher local or distant metastasis rate (61.1 vs 17.8%, p < 0.05). Survival with signet ring cell carcinoma is lower than that of ordinary adenocarcinoma. "Stage-on-diagnosis" and "presence of subsequent distant metastasis" were the major factors influencing survival of signet ring cell carcinoma patients.

CONCLUSION

The delay in diagnosis reduces the chance of curative resection, increases the possibility of local or distant metastasis postoperatively, and, thus, shortens the survival chances. To improve outcome, recognition of the factors responsible for this delay should be stressed so that this tumor may be found at a stage when cure is possible.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report

A wide variety of neoplastic lesions may involve the ampulla of Vater, but squamous cell carcinoma has not been reported. Here we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of papilla Vater. A 72-year-old Chinese female was manifested by obstructive jaundice and biliary tract infection. Duodenoscopic study revealed a polypoid mass with deep and broad ulcer on the ampulla of Vater. Histological examination revealed a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The gynecologist had examined the patient carefully and revealed a negative tumor survey. Other sources were also intensively studied but which revealed nothing. The patient developed biliary tree infection after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatic study so that percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography & drainage was performed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus were cultured from the drainaged bile. Radiotherapy was used and the bleeding was halted temporarily but the patient later expired due to persistent bleeding.

Clinical challenge--an experience of spontaneous transmural rupture of the oesophagus in Taiwan

In Taiwan, spontaneous oesophageal rupture is uncommon but the outcome is often lethal because of failure to make an early diagnosis. We have analysed clinical data, management and the risk factors that affect mortality for a consecutive series of 11 patients who had spontaneous oesophageal perforation between 1983 and 1994. The primary symptom was chest or abdominal pain, which was present in 100% of patients; 91% of patients had abnormal chest x-ray (63% pleural effusion, 46% pneumomediastinum, 37% subcutaneous emphysema). In our series of patients the lower thoracic area was the most common location of the perforation (80% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality due to age, underlying disease, perforation size, location or surgical methods. A poor prognosis seems to be correlated with the time elapsed between the perforation and treatment (especially if > 72 hours) (p < 0.05), respiratory failure (p < 0.05), and heavy contamination of the mediastinum (p < 0.05). The clinical findings depend on the location and time of perforation. History, chest x-ray and oesophagogram are the most useful diagnostic tools. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory for these patients.

Prospective, randomized trial of hypertonic glucose water and sodium tetradecyl sulfate for gastric variceal bleeding in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Information about the appropriate endoscopic treatment of gastric variceal bleeding is sparse. We therefore designed a prospective and randomized study to evaluate and compare efficacy and complication rates of two agents, hypertonic glucose water (50% GW) and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS), in treating acute gastric variceal bleeding after esophageal varix eradication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 51 patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver (Child's C), with acute gastric variceal bleeding initially evaluated, 25 patients were randomized to receive 1.5% STS and 26 to receive 50% glucose water. Treatment was aimed at achieving initial and permanent hemostasis by variceal eradication.

RESULTS

Control of acute gastric variceal bleeding was achieved in 80% of the STS group and 92% of the GW group. The rebleeding rate in the STS group was 70%, while in the GW group it was 30% (P < 0.05). Overall, obliteration was achieved in only 32% of the STS group and 81% of the GW group during admission (P < 0.05). There was a trend toward a higher gastric ulcer rate in the STS group compared with the GW group (92% vs. 30%; P < 0.05). The rebleeding control rate and permanent hemostasis rate in the GW group (70%, 54%) were also significantly higher than in the STS group (21%, 12%; P < 0.05; P < 0.05). The hospital mortality for the STS group was 50%, and for the GW group 30%.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with hypertonic glucose water in gastric vericeal bleeding was superior to treatment with STS in controlling bleeding and in achieving vericeal obliteration, less rebleeding, and a lower complication rate. The results of this study suggest that hypertonic glucose water is a clinically effective, easily available, and safe sclerosing agent.

Carboxy-terminal CVLS-sequence-specific protein farnesyltransferase from the eyes of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus: purification and characterization

Protein farnesyltransferase from the eyes of Penaeus japonicus farnesylates predominantly H-ras-specific carboxyl termini, with the sequence CVLS, but not the K-ras-specific sequence CVIM or the protein geranylgeranyltransferase-specific sequence CAIL. The purified protein farnesyltransferase from shrimp was found by immunoblotting and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions to consist of subunits of Mr 49,000 and Mr 48,000. Since the active protein farnesyltransferase was found to have a relative mass of 100,000, the purified enzyme was deduced to be a heterodimer. The enzyme had an optimal pH of 6 and a K(m) of 14 +/- 1 microM with the synthetic peptide RTRCVLSH as the substrate. The enzyme was activated by Mn+2 and Mg+2 but inhibited by Ca+2 ions.

[The investigation of the immunomodulatory effect of san-hwang-sei-sin-tang]

San-Hwang-Sei-Sin-Tang is a famous ancient Kampo. In order to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of this Kampo, we can stimulate lymphocytes with PHA to study the lymphocyte transformation and IL-2 production as indicators of effect. In this study, we found that the extract of San-Hwang-Sei-Sin-Tang at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml could effectively inhibit the index of lymphocyte transformation. San-Hwang-Sei-Sin-Tang at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml also have the tendency of inhibition of IL-2 production. In the future, San-Hwang-Sei-Sin-Tang may be developed as an effective immunosuppressant.