Cell death-inducing activity by gallic acid derivatives

In this study, the cytotoxic activity of gallic acid derivatives (GDs) was studied using some cancer cell lines. Among them, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (GD-1) and S-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-thiobenzoate (GD-3) were found to induce cell death in cancer cell lines with IC50s ranging from 2.9 to 114.4 microM, a concentration comparable with or lower than that of gallic acid. On the other hand, although gallic acid did not show any cytotoxicity against primary cultured rat hepatocytes and human keratinocytes, GD-1 and -3 showed slightly higher sensitivity against such normal cells, when compared with gallic acid. The cell death induced by gallic acid and GD-1 was accompanied by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis, whereas only smear DNA degradation was detected following GD-3 treatment. When the mechanism by which GD-1 and -3 caused cell death in HL-60RG cells was examined, GD-1 and -3-induced cell death was inhibited by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N,N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM), calmodulin inhibitor, W-7, and the Ca2+/Mg2+ -dependent endonuclease inhibitor zinc sulfate. In contrast, catalase, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and ascorbic acid inhibited gallic acid-induced apoptosis in HL-60RG cells, whereas they had no effect on GD-1- and -3-induced cell death. This result suggests that GD-1 and -3 induced cell death in a different manner to gallic acid. In conclusion, esterification of gallic acid with a 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl group yielded potent agents to treat cancer with a different signaling pathway from gallic acid, although selectivity was lost.

Skin toxicity of propranolol in guinea pigs

The skin toxicities of propranolol were studied in guinea pigs. In the primary and cumulative skin irritation studies, the skin reactions and the histopathological changes were observed in all animals treated with propranolol, and those tended to increase with the increase of propranolol dosage. The skin reactions increased with the application times of propranolol up to 7 days in the cumulative skin irritation study. In the skin sensitization, the phototoxicity and the skin photosensitization studies, no skin reactions were observed in any animals used in the studies. These results indicate that propranolol caused skin irritation, but was negative for skin sensitization, phototoxicity and skin photosensitization in guinea pigs.

[Effective treatment of AFP-producing lung cancer with UFT]

The main form of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer is a multiple combination therapy centered on cisplatin (CDDP). We herein report a case in which a favorable course was obtained for a patient with extremely rare AFP-producing lung cancer by single oral administrations of UFT, following extirpation of brain metastasis. The patient was an 80-year-old male whose main complaints were headache and aphasia. Following close examination, a diagnosis was made of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with the primary lesion in S6 of the right lung. A metastatic lesion was found in the left occipital lobe. Blood AFP was an abnormally high 17,000 ng/ml. No tumorous lesions were found in the liver. The brain metastasis were extirpated to alleviate cranial nerve symptoms, and the tissue was found to be the same as that of the primary lesion. AFP staining of the tumor tissue revealed positive cells. Because there was proliferation in the primary tumor following surgery, administration of UFT (300 mg/day Tegafur) was begun. Four weeks later the tumor had begun to shrink, and at 15 weeks was judged to be a partial response. A reduction in AFP was also seen. The patient showed absolutely no side effects from UFT, thus enabling outpatient treatment. Good results were obtained both in reducing the tumor and in maintaining the patient's quality of life.

Cytological and molecular characterization of BC1 progeny from two somatic hybrids between dihaploid Solanum acaule and tetraploid S. tuberosum

Two hexaploid somatic hybrids, DA12-3 (2n = 68) and DA28 (2n = 74), derived from cell fusion between dihaploid Solanum acaule and tetraploid Solanum tuberosum, were crossed with S. tuberosum. Two BC1 families, DA12T and DA28T, were generated, each containing 25 plants. Although the average of somatic chromosome numbers fitted hypothetical numbers assuming equal separation, considerable variation was found: 2n = 54-62 in DA12T and 2n = 58-65 in DA28T. Fifty-two of 80 RFLP single-copy probes generated 108 marker bands specific for S. acaule, by which BC1 progeny were analyzed. The segregation of marker bands from at least 44 probes was explained by two alleles per locus, which had to be heterozygous in dihaploid S. acaule and maintained in homozygous condition in homoeologous chromosomes of tetraploid S. acaule. On average, 73.7% of the chromosomes derived from S. acaule were detected as recombinants, suggesting that frequent homoeologous recombination occurred between S. acaule and S. tuberosum chromosomes. Therefore, S. acaule germplasm can be effectively transferred to the cultivated potato gene pool through backcrossing hexaploid somatic hybrids with S. tuberosum. In both BC1 families, S. acaule chromosomes 3, 4, 6, and 11 were detected as recombinants with higher frequencies (84-98%) than those of chromosomes 9 and 10 (60 and 58%, respectively), suggesting that chromosomal differentiation exists between S. acaule genomes.Key words: hexaploid somatic hybrids, Solanum acaule, homoeologous recombination, RFLP markers.

Effect of the leukotriene receptor antagonist pranlukast on cellular infiltration in the bronchial mucosa of patients with asthma

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that pranlukast reduces the antigen induced immediate and late phase asthmatic responses, airway hyperreactivity to acetylcholine, and pulmonary eosinophil accumulation in guinea pigs. A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that pranlukast may reduce the number of inflammatory cells in the bronchial mucosa of patients with asthma.

METHODS

A double blind, placebo controlled study was performed in 17 mild to moderate asthmatic subjects to examine changes in inflammatory cell infiltration in response to pranlukast (225 mg orally twice per day for four weeks). Comparisons of the mean daily beta 2 agonist use, symptom score, FEV1 percentage predicted, and airway methacholine responsiveness were made before and after treatment. Using fibreoptic bronchoscopy, bronchial biopsy specimens were obtained before and after treatment with either pranlukast (n = 10) or placebo (n = 7). Immunohistology was performed using monoclonal antibodies for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, NP57, AA1, EG1, EG2, gamma GTP and CD19.

RESULTS

When the pranlukast and placebo treated groups were compared there were decreases in beta 2 agonist use, symptom score, and airway methacholine responsiveness after pranlukast but no increase in FEV1 was seen. The clinical response in patients treated with pranlukast was accompanied by a reduction in CD3 (median difference -37, 95% confidence interval (CI) -69 to -1; p < 0.05), CD4 (median difference -28, 95% CI -49 to -8; p < 0.01), AA1 (median difference -15, 95% CI -26 to 0; p < 0.05) and EG2 positive cells (95% CI -35 to 0; p < 0.05), but not in EG1 positive eosinophils, gamma GTP positive cells, and CD19 positive plasma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the view that pranlukast may act by inhibition of bronchial inflammation in patients with asthma.

Relationship between the skin permeation movement of propranolol and skin inflammatory reactions

We studied inflammatory reactions induced by dermal application of the beta-blocker propranolol (PRL) in ethanol to guinea pigs in order to elucidate the relation of the reactions with the cumulative PRL permeating amount through the stratum corneum or the PRL content in the stripped skin, and to investigate the chemical mediators responsible for the reactions. The cumulative PRL permeating amount through the stratum corneum increased rapidly up to 2 h after dermal application, then increased linearly with time up to 24 h after application. Visual observation revealed formation of erythema and edema at the applied site of PRL, and histopathological examination revealed infiltration of pseudoeosinophiles of dermis and epidermis and degeneration/necrosis of epidermis. In general, it was considered that the duration and the extent of these reactions were dependent on the PRL dosage and application time. It was expected that the cumulative PRL permeating amount through the stratum corneum could be used to predict possible inflammatory reactions during development of transdermal drug delivery systems. On the other hand, contact of PRL with guinea pig skin tissues released histamine, and intradermal injection of PRL caused an increase of capillary permeability at the site of application. Also, the inhibitory effects of anti-inflammatory agents (diphenhydramine, dexamethasone, indomethacin, cyproheptadine hydrochloride, CV3988 and AA-861) to PRL-induced erythema formation demonstrated that histamine and prostaglandins were responsible for the inflammatory reactions induced by PRL.

Inhaled corticosteroid reduced lamina reticularis of the basement membrane by modulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I expression in bronchial asthma

BACKGROUND

Pathological studies of bronchial biopsy specimens have confirmed the apparent thickening of lamina reticularis of the epithelial basement membrane. Corticosteroids have proven to be most effective in modifying airway inflammation. However, there is not much data on the effects of corticosteroid-treatment on the basement membrane.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) on the thickness of basement membrane and cellular infiltration into the bronchial mucosa, and the expression of growth factors in patients with asthma.

METHODS

We studied bronchial biopsies from 24 asthmatic patients before and after treatment with inhaled BDP, 400 microg twice a day or placebo, for 6 months in a double-blind manner. Each subject recorded daily asthma symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Lung function and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were measured before and after treatment. The thickness of the basement membrane was determined by electron microscopy. Inflammatory cells and the expression of growth factors were examined by immunohistochemistry in endobronchial biopsy specimens.

RESULTS

After 6 months of treatment, we observed a significant improvement of asthma symptoms (P<0.01), PEF (P<0.01), diurnal variation of PEF (P<0.05), and airway responsiveness (P< 0.05) in the BDP group compared with the placebo group. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the thickness of the lamina reticularis (P < 0.001), and in the number of activated eosinophils (P<0.01), T-lymphocytes (P<0.01), and fibroblasts (P < 0.05) in BDP-treated patients. There was also a reduction in the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I (P < 0.01). Significant correlation was found between the IGF-I expression and collagen thickening (rs = 0.34, P<0.01), and the number of fibroblasts (rs = 0.45, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that corticosteroid treatment in asthma can reduce the lamina reticular thickness by modulation of IGF-I expression with consequent inhibition of the airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, and therefore may help to prevent remodelling of the airways.

[Total collapse of the right lung in a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]

A 29-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a high fever and dyspnea. He had a history of bronchial asthma and had had a bullectomy of the right lung at 15 years of age. He had visited a family physician because of fever and non productive coughing. Medications had no effect on his symptoms, and dyspnea developed. A chest X-ray film showed total collapse of the right lung, and he was referred to our hospital. Laboratory data showed eosinophilia and a high titer of IgE. Total obstruction of the right main stem bronchus by mucous plug was found during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Aspergillus was detected by pathological examination of bronchial lavage fluid. Tests for aspergillus-specific IgE and IgG antibody were positive, as was immediate skin reactivity to Aspergillus. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was diagnosed. Infusion and inhalation of a corticosteroid and fluconazole were effective; the symptoms resolved and X-ray findings improved. While migratory infiltration, proximal bronchiectasis and segmental or subsegmental atelectasis caused by a mucous plug are common X-ray findings in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, total collapse is rare.

Usefulness of arousal for the diagnosis of sleep breathing disorder

We hypothesize that breathing disorder related arousal index (B-ArI) can differentiate sleep breathing disorder from simple snorer when apnea hypopnea index (AHI) is low. We studied 54 patients using polysomnography. Breathing disorder related arousal (B-Ar) was defined as arousal accompanied by apnea, hypopnea, desaturation or snort. Mean AHI was 44.2+/-34.0/h, and B-ArI correlated significantly with AHI, desaturation index, percentage total sleep time with SpO2 below 90%. Breathing disorder related arousal index was greater than AHI when AHI was below 20. In 11/54 patients, AHI was below 10, and B-ArI more than 10. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure was applied to six patients and showed reduced B-ArI. Breathing disorder related arousal index may be one of the useful indices for the diagnosis of sleep breathing disorder when AHI is less than 10.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SCS2 gene product, a homolog of a synaptobrevin-associated protein, is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum and is required for inositol metabolism

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SCS2 gene has been cloned as a suppressor of inositol auxotrophy of CSE1 and hac1/ire15 mutants (J. Nikawa, A. Murakami, E. Esumi, and K. Hosaka, J. Biochem. 118:39-45, 1995) and has homology with a synaptobrevin/VAMP-associated protein, VAP-33, cloned from Aplysia californica (P. A. Skehel, K. C. Martin, E. R. Kandel, and D. Bartsch, Science 269:1580-1583, 1995). In this study we have characterized an SCS2 gene product (Scs2p). The product has a molecular mass of 35 kDa and is C-terminally anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum, with the bulk of the protein located in the cytosol. The disruption of the SCS2 gene causes yeast cells to exhibit inositol auxotrophy at temperatures of above 34 degrees C. Genetic studies reveal that the overexpression of the INO1 gene rescues the inositol auxotrophy of the SCS2 disruption strain. The significant primary structural feature of Scs2p is that the protein contains the 16-amino-acid sequence conserved in yeast and mammalian cells. The sequence is required for normal Scs2p function, because a mutant Scs2p that lacks the sequence does not complement the inositol auxotrophy of the SCS2 disruption strain. Therefore, the Scs2p function might be conserved among eukaryotic cells.

Choline kinase from yeast

Choline kinase, the initial enzyme of the CDP-choline pathway, mediates the conversion of choline to phosphorylcholine and is localized in the supernatant fraction of cells. The enzyme also catalyzes the phosphorylation of ethanolamine, functioning as the initial enzyme of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway as well. Yeast choline kinase is encoded by a single structural gene, CKI, which was cloned by the genetic complementation of the choline kinase mutation cki. The deduced sequence comprises 582 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 66316 Da and bears local sequence similarity to various protein kinases and bacterial antibiotic phosphotransferases. The expression of yeast choline kinase is transcriptionally repressed by myo-inositol and choline in a coordinate manner with other phospholipid-synthesizing enzymes in yeast.

Differential distribution of mRNAs encoding phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins alpha and beta in the central nervous system of the rat

The expression of the alpha and beta isoforms of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP alpha and PI-TP beta) in the adult rat brain was examined by in situ hybridization analysis with isoform-specific RNA probes. PI-TP alpha mRNA was detected in rather restricted regions of the brain whereas PI-TP beta mRNA was widely distributed in the brain. PI-TP alpha mRNA signals were remarkable in neocortex layers II/III and V/VI, Purkinje cell layer, deep cerebellar nuclei of the cerebellum, red nucleus and most part of brain stem. Low levels of PI-TP alpha transcript were present in CA3 of the hippocampus, ventral and dorsal thalamic nuclei, and motoneurons of spinal cord. No hybridization signals was obtained in the olfactory bulb, basal ganglia, amygdala, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. In contrast, strong signals of PI-TP beta mRNA were detected in the dentate gyrus. The beta isoform mRNA was moderately expressed in olfactory bulb, layers II/III of the neocortex, striatum, CA1-CA4 regions of the hippocampus, medial habenula, cerebellum, amygdala, hypothalamus, spinal cord, and pituitary gland. Thalamus and brain stem contained relatively low, but significant levels of PI-TP beta transcript. The distinct distribution of PI-TP alpha and PI-TP beta mRNAs suggests different functional roles for each of the gene products in the mature nervous system.

Cloning of a human cDNA for CTP-phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase by complementation in vivo of a yeast mutant

CTP-phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase (ET) is the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of CDP-ethanolamine in the phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthetic pathway from ethanolamine. We constructed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant of which the ECT1 gene, putatively encoding ET, was disrupted. This mutant showed a growth defect on ethanolamine-containing medium and a decrease of ET activity. A cDNA clone was isolated from a human glioblastoma cDNA expression library by complementation of the yeast mutant. Introduction of this cDNA into the yeast mutant clearly restored the formation of CDP-ethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine in cells. ET activity in transformants was higher than that in wild-type cells. The deduced protein sequence exhibited homology with the yeast, rat, and human CTP-phosphocholine cytidylyltransferases, as well as yeast ET. The cDNA gene product was expressed as a fusion with glutathione S-transferase in Escherichia coli and shown to have ET activity. These results clearly indicate that the cDNA obtained here encodes human ET.

Relationship between amount of beta-blockers permeating through the stratum corneum and skin irritation after application of beta-blocker adhesive patches to guinea pig skin

We evaluated the relationship between the cumulative amounts of 5 kinds of beta-blockers (alprenolol, oxprenolol, timolol, acebutolol and atenolol) permeating through the stratum corneum and a* values obtained by measuring the formation of erythema, a skin irritation reaction, with a chromameter after transdermal application of adhesive patches containing 2 beta-blocker to the skin of guinea pigs. The cumulative amount of beta-blocker released from each adhesive patch to the skin increased with the increase in application time. The contents of alprenolol, oxprenolol and timolol in the stratum corneum and in the stripped skin increased markedly up to 4 h after application and thereafter were maintained at high levels up to 24 h. The contents of acebutolol and atenolol, on the other hand, increased up to 24 h, but these values were low. a* values of all adhesive patches 24 h after application were higher than those before application. The correlation coefficients between the cumulative amounts of alprenolol, oxprenolol, timolol, acebutolol or atenolol permeating through the stratum corneum and (delta a* -delta a*Placebo) values were 0.739, 0.717, 0.722, 0.551 and 0.633, respectively. The correlation coefficient calculated by averaging the cumulative amounts of 6 kinds of beta-blockers permeating through the stratum corneum [including propranolol which was reported previously (Kobayashi I., et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull., 19, 839-844 (1996))] was 0.731, higher than the correlation coefficient between contents of these beta-blockers in the stripped skin and (delta a* -delta a*Placebo) values (r = 0.552). This suggests that there was a high correlation between the cumulative amounts of beta-blockers permeating through the stratum corneum and (delta a* -delta a*Placebo) values.

[Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia involving eosinophil cationic protein and bone marrow cells]

A 64-year-old women presented with a dry cough. The common cold was diagnosed and she was given medication, but the symptom did not resolve. She came to our hospital, and multiple patchy shadows were seen on a chest X-ray film. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contained an abnormally high percentage of eosinophils. Microscopic examination of transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed infiltration of eosinophils into the alveoli and alveolar septa. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia was diagnosed. Analysis of bone marrow cells showed high percentages of mature eosinophilic cells, and blood serum had a high concentration of eosinophil cationic protein. An inhalation challenge test with methacholine revealed bronchial hypersensitivity and hyperresponsiveness. Prednisolone (30 mg/day) was given and the symptoms resolved. After steroid treatment, the patient was asymptomatic, although airway hyperresponsiveness remained. The concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in serum and the results of the methacholine inhalation test reflected the degree of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, and the production of eosinophils in bone marrow was suppressed by steroid medication.

Molecular cloning of rat phosphatidylinositol synthase cDNA by functional complementation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae pis mutation

Phosphatidylinositol synthase (CDP-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol: 3-phosphatidyltransferase, EC 2.7.8.11) catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylinositol and CMP from CDP-diacylglycerol and myo-inositol. We have cloned a phosphatidylinositol synthase cDNA from rat brain by functional complementation of the yeast pis mutation, which is defective in phosphatidylinositol synthase. The deduced protein comprised 213 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 23,613 Da. The predicted protein sequence is highly homologous to the previously determined yeast phosphatidylinositol synthase sequence. The cDNA hybridized to a 1.7-kb mRNA that was abundantly expressed in rat brain and kidney.

[Clinical analysis of 169 patients with prostate cancer]

At Matsumoto National Hospital, 169 patients with prostate cancer were diagnosed between April 1986 and May 1994. The prostate cancer incidence was the highest in the latter half of the seventies, with an average age of 74.3 years. The clinical stage was defined as A1, A2, B, C, and D2 in 24 (14.2%), 38 (22.5%), 39 (23.1%), 23 (13.6%) and 45 (26.6%) patients, respectively. The clinical stage was not correlated with the patient's age. Incidental carcinoma was discovered in 5.8% of the patients who underwent prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). At initial diagnosis, the tumor was well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in 71 (42.0%), 64 (37.9%), and 34 (20.1%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 38.7 months. The over all five-year crude survival rate was 54.8%, while the cause-specific five-year survival rate was 80.0%. The five-year crude survival rate was 58.4, 82.0, 55.2, 42.5 and 37.4%, for patients with cancer at stage A1, A2, B, C, and D. The survival rate was higher for patients with cancer at clinical stage A and shorter for those with cancer at clinical stage D than in other stages. Prognosis was also worse in patients with moderately or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma than in those with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The clinical stage and the pathological grade are important as prognostic factors, although the high incidence of death from other diseases shows that the patients' age should be considered to choose the modality of therapy. These findings indicate that intensive treatment of the patients in clinical stage A2, B and C prostate cancer in combination with screening for the men between 50 and 75 years old for early cancer detection is required.

The yeast BSD2-1 mutation influences both the requirement for phosphatidylinositol transfer protein function and derepression of phospholipid biosynthetic gene expression in yeast

The BSD2-1 allele renders Saccharomyces cerevisiae independent of its normally essential requirement for phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Sec14p) in the stimulation of Golgi secretory function and cell viability. We now report that BSD2-1 yeast mutants also exhibit yet another phenotype, an inositol auxotrophy. We demonstrate that the basis for this Ino- phenotype is the inability of BSD2-1 strains to derepress transcription of INO1, the structural gene for the enzyme that catalyzes the committed step in de novo inositol biosynthesis in yeast. This constitutive repression of INO1 expression is mediated through specific inactivation of Ino2p, a factor required for trans-activation of INO1 transcription, and we show that these transcriptional regulatory defects can be uncoupled from the "bypass Sec14p" phenotype of BSD2-1 strains. Finally, we present evidence that newly synthesized phosphatidylinositol is subject to accelerated turnover in BSD2-1 mutants and that prevention of this accelerated phosphatidyl-inositol turnover in turn negates suppression of Sec14p defects by BSD2-1. We propose that, in BSD2-1 strains, a product(s) generated by phosphatidylinositol turnover coordinately modulates the activities of both the Sec14p/Golgi pathway and the pathway through which transcription of phospholipid biosynthetic genes is derepressed.

Relationship between the amount of propranolol permeating through the stratum corneum of guinea pig skin after application of propranolol adhesive patches and skin irritation

In the present study we evaluated the relationship between the cumulative amount of propranolol permeating through the stratum corneum and the formation of erythema, a skin irritation reaction, after transdermal application of adhesive patches containing propranolol to the skin of guinea pigs. The intensity of erythema was expressed in terms of a* values measured with a chromameter. The a* values increased in guinea pigs after application of the adhesive patches containing 0.4 mg/cm2 of propranolol to the skin. Since the adhesive patches showed good adhesion to the skin (propranolol content is less than the saturated concentration in the adhesive base) and the cumulative amount of propranolol permeating through the stratum corneum is small, the development of erythema was considered to be mainly due to physical factors such as peeling. Even in adhesive patches containing 0.8 mg/cm2 or 1.2 mg/cm2 of propranolol, a* values increased, although adhesion to the skin is low because of crystallization of propranolol in the adhesive base. On the other hand, in these two adhesive patches, the cumulative amount of propranolol permeating through the stratum corneum increased up to 24 h after application. These findings suggest that the skin irritation reaction is due to propranolol mainly absorbed transdermally, because there is a high correlation between the cumulative amount of propranolol permeating through the stratum corneum and the a* values (r = 0.928).

[A clinical and pathological study of radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer]

BACKGROUND

Thirty-one patients with prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy and simultaneous pelvic lymphadenectomy at Matsumoto National Hospital between 1988 and 1994. Prognostic factors are discussed from their clincopathological findings.

METHODS

The patients ranged from 54 to 80-year-old, with an average age of 69.9 years. The median follow-up period was 44 months. The diagnosis was confirmed by needle biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate. All the patients received short-term endocrine therapy preoperatively, and only noncuratively resected patients underwent adjuvant therapy postoperatively. At initial diagnosis, the tumor grades were well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in 9, 12, and 10 patients, respectively. The clinical stage was defined as A2, B, C, D1, and D2 in 12, 4, 6, 3, and 6 patients, respectively.

RESULTS

A difference of tumor grade was found between the initial diagnosis and the final diagnosis based on the resected prostate in 8 patients (26%), with 7 of them (88%) showing an increase in grade in the final diagnosis. Also revealed was that 11 of the 25 patients (44%) in stage A2, B, C, or D1 had been understaged preoperatively. The five-year actuarial survival rates were 100%, 92%, and 51% for patients with well, moderately, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, respectively, with a significant difference noted between well and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p = 0.03). Recurrence only developed in patients with pathological stage D tumors. However, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis did not affect the crude 5-year survival rate. Several stage D patients were successfully treated by radical prostatectomy and adjuvant therapy, achieving long survival.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that patients in clinical stage C have tumors which exhibit differing biological behavior. These patients should be analyzed and classified more precisely so that the most appropriate therapy can be chosen.

Cloning and expression of human cDNA encoding phosphatidylinositol transfer protein beta

cDNA encoding the beta isoform of human phosphatidylinositol transfer protein was cloned from a human brain cDNA library. The deduced sequence of the protein comprised 271 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 31,539 Da, and showed 98.1% identity to that of the beta isoform of rat phosphatidylinositol transfer protein. The cDNA hybridized to a 3.4-kb mRNA, which was widely expressed in various human tissues including brain.

[Primary varicella pneumonia with respiratory failure]

Varicella pneumonia is a rare but serious and occasionally fatal complication of infection with varicellazoster. A 40-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, eruptions, dyspnea, and severe hypoxemia. A chest X-ray film showed diffuse nodular infiltrative shadows in both lung fields. Transbronchial lung biopsy was done, and examination of the specimen revealed an organizing exudative reaction in the alveolar spaces, as well as interstitial inflammation. Primary varicella pneumonia was diagnosed on the basis of family history, typical eruptions, high titer of antibody against varicellazoster virus, and pathological findings. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone, antibiotics, acyclovir, and immunoglobulin. The skin eruptions and disturbances of gas exchange and diffusion resolved in about one week, but the infiltrative shadows on chest X-ray films remained for more than eight weeks.

[In vitro antimicrobial activity of a new quinolone, levofloxacin, against atypical mycobacteria]

We measured th in vitro antimicrobial activity of a new quinolone, levofloxacin (LVFX) against seven clinically isolated species of atypical mycobacteria, including 30 strains of M. avium complex. 8 of M. fortuitum, 4 of M. scrofulaceum, 2 of M. kansasii, 2 of M. gordonae, and 1 of M. chelonae (subsp chelonae). LVFX showed a potent antimicrobial activity against M. kansasii, M. gordonae and M. chelonae (subsp chelonae). In addition, it was suggested that LVFX may be effective for the treatment of infections caused by M. avium complex, since satisfactory antimicrobial activity was displayed against some strains of M. avium complex. Considering the fact that LVFX shows good concentration levers in sputum, this drug could be used in the chemotherapy against the infection with M. avium complex.

Ofloxacin concentrations in serum, saliva and pleural effusion of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer

The ofloxacin (OFLX) concentration in serum, saliva and pleural effusion was measured in 12 patients with pleural effusion after oral administration at a dose of 200 mg three times a day (600 mg daily). Three patients had non-small cell lung cancer and the others had pulmonary tuberculosis. The mean OFLX levels in the serum, saliva and pleural effusion at 2 hours after the first administration on day 3 was 3.15 +/- 1.52, 3.36 +/- 2.23 and 2.86 +/- 1.77 micrograms/ml respectively. There was a strong correlation among these concentrations. The OFLX concentration of pleural effusion was predictable from that of saliva. A 3-day oral administration is sufficient to achieve the OFLX level of pleural effusion similar to that of the serum. It is possible that OFLX is effective for pleuritis caused not only by common infectious pathogens but also by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.