The accuracy of endometrial cytology in the diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma

We have examined 62,234 cytological samples of endometrium to establish the accuracy and false-positive rate for the diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma. The patients were either attending the gynaecological out-patients clinic with symptoms or were asymptomatic women attending for routine population screening as part of our cancer detection programme, the numbers from these two sources being equal. Out of 138 cases identified as endometrial adenocarcinoma by cytology 126 (91.3%) were confirmed histologically in our hospital. Twelve cases (8.7%) were shown to be false-positives. Reexamination of these led to the same false-positive diagnosis in all 12 cases. This was attributable to similarities of nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, irregular arrangement of nuclei, variation in nuclear shape and in the numbers of nucleoli in repair cells and hyperplastic cells compared with the carcinoma cases. Most of the false-negative reports were due to insufficient material, pale staining in malignant cells or diagnostic error. Refraction measurement of the density of nuclei of cancer cells using equipment for which the patent is pending enabled objective measurement of nuclear density which indicated that the nuclei were not stained darkly enough in false-negative cases.

Synthesis and evaluation of morpholino- and pyrrolidinosphingolipids as inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase

This paper describes the new synthesis and evaluation of some morpholino- and pyrrolidinosphingolipids and mimics as inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase. It was found that the pyrrolidino derivatives are generally more active than the morpholino derivatives and the best one was shown to be a nanomolar inhibitor.

Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON1 is sufficient to induce embryo development in vegetative cells

The Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) gene is required for the specification of cotyledon identity and the completion of embryo maturation. We isolated the LEC1 gene and showed that it functions at an early developmental stage to maintain embryonic cell fate. The LEC1 gene encodes a transcription factor homolog, the CCAAT box-binding factor HAP3 subunit. LEC1 RNA accumulates only during seed development in embryo cell types and in endosperm tissue. Ectopic postembryonic expression of the LEC1 gene in vegetative cells induces the expression of embryo-specific genes and initiates formation of embryo-like structures. Our results suggest that LEC1 is an important regulator of embryo development that activates the transcription of genes required for both embryo morphogenesis and cellular differentiation.

Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON1 is sufficient to induce embryo development in vegetative cells

The Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) gene is required for the specification of cotyledon identity and the completion of embryo maturation. We isolated the LEC1 gene and showed that it functions at an early developmental stage to maintain embryonic cell fate. The LEC1 gene encodes a transcription factor homolog, the CCAAT box-binding factor HAP3 subunit. LEC1 RNA accumulates only during seed development in embryo cell types and in endosperm tissue. Ectopic postembryonic expression of the LEC1 gene in vegetative cells induces the expression of embryo-specific genes and initiates formation of embryo-like structures. Our results suggest that LEC1 is an important regulator of embryo development that activates the transcription of genes required for both embryo morphogenesis and cellular differentiation.

A synthetic ceramide analog (L-PDMP) up-regulates neuronal function

To address the role of brain gangliosides in synaptic activity, the ceramide analogs, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP) and its enantiomer, L-PDMP, were used to inhibit and stimulate ganglioside biosynthesis in cultured cortical neurons. Prolonged treatment with both PDMP isomers exhibited opposite effects on functional synapse formation measured by spontaneous synchronized oscillatory activity of intracellular Ca2+ between the neurons: suppression by D-PDMP and facilitation by L-PDMP. Up-regulation of synaptic activity by L-PDMP could be correlated with the slow but robust activation of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Treatment with L-PDMP after transient forebrain ischemia in rats ameliorated the deficit of a well-learned spatial memory by an 8-arm maze task, suggesting a new potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disorders.

Comparative hypocholesterolemic effects of six dietary oils in cholesterol-fed rats after long-term feeding

Rats (8 wk of age) fed a conventional diet were shifted to diets containing 10% Oenothera biennis Linn oil (OBLO, linoleic acid + gamma-linolenic acid) from a wild plant, evening primrose oil (EPO, linoleic acid + gamma-linolenic acid) from a cultivated plant, bio-gamma-linolenic acid oil from mold (BIO, palmitic acid + oleic acid + linoleic acid + gamma-linolenic acid), safflower oil (linoleic acid), palm oil (PLO, palmitic acid + oleic acid + linoleic acid), or soybean oil (linoleic acid + alpha-linolenic acid) with 0.5% cholesterol for 13 wk. Though there were no significant differences in the food intake among the groups, the body weight gain of the OBLO group was significantly lower than that of the other groups except for the BIO and PLO groups, and that of the EPO and SBO groups were the highest among the groups. The liver weight of the OBLO group was significantly lower than that of other groups, and that of the PLO group was the highest among the groups. The serum total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) + intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) + low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations of the OBLO and EPO groups were consistently lower than those in the other groups. However, those of the BIO group were higher than those in the OBLO and EPO groups. The liver cholesterol concentration of the PLO group was the highest among all groups except for the EPO group. The fecal neutral sterol and bile acid extraction of the BIO group tended to increase compared to the other groups. The results of this study demonstrate that OBLO and EPO inhibit the increasing of serum total cholesterol and VLDL + IDL + LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the presence of excess cholesterol in the diet compared with the other dietary oils.

Up-regulation of ganglioside biosynthesis, functional synapse formation, and memory retention by a synthetic ceramide analog (L-PDMP)

To address the role of brain gangliosides in synaptic activity, the ceramide analogs, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP) and its enantiomer, L-PDMP, were used to inhibit and stimulate ganglioside biosynthesis in cultured cortical neurons. Prolonged treatment with both PDMP isomers exhibited opposite effects on functional synapse formation measured by spontaneous synchronized oscillatory activity of intracellular Ca2+ between the neurons: suppression by D-PDMP and facilitation by L-PDMP. Up-regulation of synaptic activity by L-PDMP could be correlated with the slow but robust stimulation of ganglioside biosynthesis through activating GM3, GD3 and GQ1b synthases. In a similar time course, the activity of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase was also enhanced by L-PDMP. To evaluate the efficacy of this drug in long-term memory, rats were trained for 2 weeks using an 8-arm radial maze task, and then forebrain ischemia was induced by 4-vessel occlusion. Treatment with L-PDMP starting 24 hours after the transient ischemia ameliorated the deficit of a well-learned spatial memory, demonstrating the potential therapeutic intervention of the ceramide analog for neurodegenerative disorders.

In situ hybridization analysis of substance P receptor in the rat retina

Substance P receptor is known to provide a principal interface between tachykinin peptides and tachykinin-sensitive cells in retinal circuitry and to produce several physiological functions such as excitation of ganglion cells. We reported results of in situ hybridization analysis of substance P receptor in rat retina using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes to yield discrete cell labeling. Distinct hybridization signal was present in a great majority of ganglion cells that provide retinal fibers to a central target. It was also present in a subpopulation of amacrine cells. Following optic nerve crush, ganglion cells lost their hybridization signal in a time-dependent manner, while hybridization-positive amacrine cells were persistently seen. From the results, we identified the hybridization message as distinctly localized to two systems, output cells and intrinsic cells in retinal circuitry.

Anti-erythropoietin receptor monoclonal antibody: epitope mapping, quantification of the soluble receptor, and detection of the solubilized transmembrane receptor and the receptor-expressing cells

A hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody against erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) was established using the soluble ectodomain of mouse erythropoietin receptor (sEpoR) as an antigen. The monoclonal antibody termed 1G3 bound to the denatured sEpoR. Epitope mapping with peptide library revealed that 1G3 recognized the amino terminal region including the hexapeptide (positions 6 to 11; LeuProAspProLysPhe). The amino acid sequence in this hexapeptide was identical in mice, rats, and humans, and therefore 1G3 bound to EpoR from all of these sources. Using 1G3, we evaluated sEpoR by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay, and EpoR in the solubilized membrane preparation was detected by Western blotting. The cells expressing EpoR were identified with immunochemical staining. We confirmed the presence of EpoR in a neuronal cell line and PC12 cells, and EpoR was expressed in primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

Effects of glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor and ganglioside GQ1b on synchronous oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ in cultured cortical neurons

To evaluate the role of endogenous gangliosides in synapse formation, the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), was used to deplete glycosphingolipids (GSLs) of cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons. Synapse formation between the neurons was estimated by the synchronous oscillation of synaptic activity monitored by fura-2 calcium imaging. Treatment with D-PDMP resulted in dose- and time-dependent decreases in the frequency of synchronous oscillations. When a series of gangliosides (GM3, GM1, GD3, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b) was supplemented to the GSL depleted cells, only GQ1b was able to normalize the decreased frequency by D-PDMP. These results suggest that de novo synthesis of a particular molecular species of the gangliosides, GQ1b, is essential for synapse formation and synaptic activity.

[Factors affecting continuation of home medical care--based on the relationship between patient and caregiver status]

In recent years it has gradually become possible to have some control over the medical condition of the end-stage cancer patient. However, there are various problems involved in the continuation of home care. In order to clarify how the mutual relationship between patient and caregiver effects the continuation of home care, we conducted a study on 28 end-stage cancer patients who made the transition from our hospital to home care by means of our HOme Care Service. Using the Kaneda Assessment Score, we obtained information from patients' charts, added reasons for rehospitalizations and analyzed the data. The results showed that the group of patients who remained on home care, despite the fact that their condition was significantly poorer than that of the group who discontinued home care, showed a significantly higher proportion of "wishing to be cared for at home to the last," in the view of the caregiver, a joint commitment of the caregiver together with the family, and a suitable response to changes in the patient. As a direction for forthcoming support in this area, there is a need for sufficient assessment in order to evaluate the balance between caregiver and family. It was suggested that guidance in each case and the use of community resources will be very important.

[The effectiveness of discharge planning (DSP) in home care--comparison of conditions of cancer patient shifted to home treatment before and after DSP introduction]

We developed a discharge planning (DSP) procedure as a method to assess the family and cancer patient situation when making the shift to home care, and we herewith report its significance. DSP is intended to sustain the patient's quality of life (QOL) and improve it; for a smooth transition to treatment at home, the family and patient situation must be assessed from various perspectives. The prospective illness conditions, needed medical treatment and care should be appropriately planned, with due recognition of the roles to be played and the requisite pooling of professional information in order to handle emergencies and the like when such arise. In the present study, in order to clarify issues dealing with DSP effectiveness, we compared 34 patients on home care, 17 before DSP and 17 thereafter. The results indicated that following the introduction of DSP, the home care increased for patients with gastroenterological problems such as pain, general debilitation, poor appetite, constipation, diarrhea and the like and those impulsiveness, vomiting and mental symptoms overlapping. With the proper assessment at the time of the transition to home care, this care could be continued. Moreover, with patient satisfaction, there was the need for assessment over the course in order to evaluate treatment and care. In the days to come, there is the need to improve this approach with a scoring system in the evaluation.

Effects of short-term administration of alpha-chlorohydrin on reproductive toxicity parameters in male Sprague-Dawley rats

alpha-Chlorohydrin (alpha-CH) was administered orally at doses of 0, 2 or 8 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks to Sprague-Dawley male rats. At the end of the administration period or 2 weeks after withdrawal (one group also treated with 8 mg/kg for 4 weeks), males were mated (treatment with alpha-CH was continued throughout the mating period of 2 weeks) with untreated females, and underwent examination, including assessment of sperm, to determine fertility. No significant treatment-associated changes were observed in terms of body weight, food consumption, or weights of the testes, epididymides or prostate in either the 2 or the 8 mg/kg group. Although there were no significant differences in sperm number, viability or maturation rate between either of the treated groups and the control group, sperm motility in the 8 mg/kg group observed after 2 hours incubation and sperm activity in groups treated with 8 mg/kg observed immediately after collection or after 2 hours incubation, as well as in the 2 mg/kg observed after 2 hours of incubation were significantly decreased. Two weeks after withdrawal (8 mg/kg group only), sperm motility and activity were no longer decreased. Histopathological examination of the testes after 4 weeks of alpha-CH administration disclosed no abnormalities on staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin after fixation in Bouin's solution. All treated male rats copulated with untreated females, but no pregnancy resulted from mating in the 8 mg/kg continuous administration case. There were no significant differences between the control and 2 mg/kg groups in numbers of corpora lutea and implantations in animals becoming pregnant. Two weeks after withdrawal, male rats treated with 8 mg/kg copulated and impregnated females. These findings suggest that evaluation of male fertility is possible within or following a 2-week treatment period for compounds like alpha-CH which have no toxicological, histopathological or sperm morphological effects, and that the use of several parameters for sperm examination is important in determining male fertility.

[Protective effect of alpha-tocopherol in retinal light damage of pigmented rabbits--evaluation by nitro blue tetrazolium staining]

Free radicals are thought to be one of the causes of retinal light damage. Experiments were performed to identify the production of free radicals in light exposed retinas of rabbits using nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining. In addition, a free radical scavenger, alpha-tocopherol, was administered systemically before light exposure to evaluate the protective effect against the retinal light damage. Pigmented rabbits were exposed to xenon light without long waves for 60 minutes. The eyes were enucleated immediately after light exposure, and incubated in the equilibrated media at 37 degrees C with 0.1 mM NBT solution for 60 minutes. After incubation, the eyes were embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and mounted without further staining. The same procedure was done to the tocopherol treated retinas. In the light exposed eyes, the NBT staining was markedly observed at the inner retina, and the staining was more remarkable than that of the non-exposed eyes. The tocopherol treated eyes showed weaker NBT staining in the inner retina than the non-treated eyes. The results suggest that free radicals are increased in the inner retina by light exposure and alpha-tocopherol suppresses production of free radicals.

Detection of immunologically related Kunitz and Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitors expressed during potato tuber development

Antiserum against a potato Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor (PKPI) expressed in Escherichia coli was produced. In immunoblotting assays of proteins from potato tubers cultured in vitro, three proteins reacted to the antiserum, two of 20 kDa and one of 10 kDa. Their N-termini were sequenced. While the 20 kDa proteins showed 59 and 90% identity to PKPI, the 10 kDa one had 65% identity to soybean C-II proteinase inhibitor. Characterization of the temporal expression of these proteins showed that both could be detected from 10 days after induction of tuberization (DAI) in vitro, but the times when maximum amounts of PKPI and 10 kDa protein could be detected were different, corresponding to 22 and 32 DAI, respectively. The amounts of these proteins decreased in the following stages, and no positive reaction of the antiserum with mature tuber proteins could be found. The 20 kDa proteins were also detected in early stages of development of potato tubers grown in the field, indicating that these proteins are expressed during normal tuber development, and differ from the PKPIs reported previously.

[Light-induced retinal damage in pigmented rabbit--2. Effect of alpha-tocopherol]

We have reported previously that xenon light exposure without long waves primarily damages the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of pigmented rabbits. Alpha-tocopherol, which is a free radical scavenger, was administered systemically to pigmented rabbits before light exposure in order to evaluate the protective effect against retinal light damage. In fluoresceine angiography, at 12 hours after the light exposure, diffuse and marked hyperfluorescence was seen in the lower portion of the retina adjacent to the optic disc in the untreated group, and slight hyperfluorescence in a small area was seen in the treated group. Histopathologically, the RPE became necrotic 12 hours after the light exposure in the untreated group. In the treated group, only slight damage appeared in the RPE 12 hours after the light exposure. The light-induced retinal damage, particularly in the RPE, was remarkably reduced by administration of alpha-tocopherol before the light exposure.

Self-frequency doubling in Nd,Sc(2)O(3):LiNbO(3) at room temperature

Self-frequency doubling is reported in a Nd,Sc(2)O(3):LiNbO(3) single crystal. The Sc(2)O(3) doping produced room-temperature (20 degrees C) 90 degrees noncritical phase matching (theta = 90 degrees C). Under quasi-cw conditions, 0.14 mW of frequency-doubled 546-nm radiation was produced. The pump-to-green-light conversion efficiency was 11%/W with a 25-mW absorbed input power lasing threshold. Only the fundamental 1092-nm s-polarized oscillation was produced, rather than the p-polarized output, as reported for Nd,MgO:LiNbO(3). This simplified the cavity by elimination of the Brewster window needed to force the s-polarized output required for type I phase matching.

[Histopathological study of trabecular meshwork after trabeculotomy in monkeys]

Trabeculotomy is a commonly indicated surgical procedure for primary open angle glaucoma and congenital glaucoma. In order to clarify the mechanisms of lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) following the intervention, we performed this procedure in monkey eyes, and did postoperative histopathological examinations using light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy for trabecular mesh work specimens incised at various time intervals up to one year after operation. Immediately after the operation, a direct communication was seen between the Schlemm's canal and the anterior chamber. Subsequently, the repairing process of trabecular tissue occurred initially in the corneoscleral and endothelial meshwork and finally in the uveal meshwork. At one year after operation the chamber angle was almost completely repaired by newly-formed trabecular tissue which was identical to the normal trabecular tissue. There was no direct communication between the Schlemm's canal and anterior chamber at that time. These results suggest that the decreased resistance for the aqueous outflow might be caused by direct communication between the Schlemm's canal and anterior chamber at an early postoperative stage, and the repairing process of the endothelial meshwork increases the resistance of aqueous outflow.

[Light-induced retinal damage in pigmented rabbits--1. Histopathological observations of the natural course of healing]

Pigmented rabbits were exposed for 2 hours to xenon light to evaluate the light induced retinal damage clinicopathologically. The xenon light was passed through a heat filter to avoid the influence of long waves, and through the fundus contact lens on the cornea to avoid focusing the light on the retina. No abnormal findings were detected in the retina in fluorescein angiography immediately after the light exposure. Three hours later, hyperfluorescence was found in the center of the exposed area and gradually grew worse. This was most marked twelve hours later. After 6 days, granular hyperfluorescence appeared at the edge of the damaged area and in 2 weeks the whole damaged area showed granular hyperfluorescence. Histopathologically, immediately after the light exposure, slight changes appeared in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Twelve hours later, the cytoplasm of the RPE was edematous, and in 24 hours the RPE became necrotic, but the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells appeared intact. After 6 days, the RPE showed double layering, many macrophages were found in the subretinal space, and the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells were severely damaged. The RPE was primarily damaged and photoreceptor cells were damaged subsequently by xenon light without long waves.

A novel site of erythropoietin production. Oxygen-dependent production in cultured rat astrocytes

It has been shown that neurons express erythropoietin (Epo) receptor, but the production of Epo protein in neural tissues has not been demonstrated. Cerebral cells of rat fetuses were cultured, and Epo in the spent medium was measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Production of the immunoreactive Epo was dependent on O2 tension for cell culture; hypoxia enhanced the production. The immunoreactive Epo purified from the spent medium stimulated the growth of Epo-dependent myeloid cells and formation of fetal liver erythroid colonies. These biological activities were completely inhibited by the anti-Epo antiserum and the extracellular domain of the Epo receptor capable of binding with Epo. When brain Epo was compared with serum Epo, brain Epo was smaller in size and more active in vitro at low ligand concentrations. These differences appear to be caused by the different extent of sialylation. Analyses with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method indicated that the regulation of Epo production by oxygen operates at the level of its mRNA. Immunochemical staining of the immortalized clonal cells revealed that astrocytes produced brain Epo. These results provide a novel site of Epo production and suggest that Epo acts on neurons in a paracrine fashion.

Prognostic significance of pleural lavage cytology immediately after thoracotomy in patients with lung cancer

Pleural lavage cytology immediately after thoracotomy was performed in 467 patients with lung cancer who had little or no pleural effusion. Forty-two patients (9.0%) had positive results. The positivity of pleural lavage cytology was significantly related to the degree of pleural extension of the tumor, microscopic pleural dissemination, cytologic results of minimal pleural effusion, pathologic stage, presence of lymphatic permeation or vascular invasion, and cell type (adenocarcinoma was predominant). The 3-year survival of the patients having negative and positive results of cytology were 68.7% and 22.9%, respectively. The prognosis of the group with positive results was as poor as that of patients with stage IIIB or IV disease. Pleural lavage cytology is an important prognostic factor that indicates microscopic exfoliation of cancer cells into the pleural cavity, that is, subclinical malignant pleural effusion.

Immunocytochemical diagnosis of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the cervix

Ethanol-fixed and Papanicolaou-stained smears of 5 cases of cervical small cell undifferentiated carcinoma and 10 control cases of non-small cell cervical cancer were immunocytochemically examined with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against cluster 1 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) antigen, which were found to react with neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAM). MAbs against cluster 1 SCLC antigen used in this study were NCC-LU-243, NCC-LU-246 and anti-Leu-19. The expression of cluster 1 SCLC antigen was recognized by MAb NCC-LU-243 and NCC-LU-246 in all five cases and by anti-Leu-19 MAb in three. The cluster 1 SCLC antigen was not detected in any of the 10 non-small cell cervical cancers. These results suggest that cluster 1 SCLC antigen is stable and immunocytochemically detectable in Papanicolaou-stained smears and is helpful in the cytologic diagnosis of cervical small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.