Increase of R5 HIV-1 infection and CCR5 expression in T cells treated with high concentrations of CXCR4 antagonists and SDF-1

The chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 are considered to be potential targets for the inhibition of HIV-1 replication. We found that the synthetic peptides T134 and T140 (see text for full names) inhibited X4 HIV-1 infection with selectivity and low toxicity because they acted as CXCR4 antagonists. However, high concentrations of T134, T140, and ALX40-4C (see text for full name) increased the expression of CCR5 and R5 HIV-1 infection, as did stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). In contrast to CXCR4 antagonists and SDF-1, viral monocyte inflammatory protein (vMIP) II inhibited not only anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) but also inhibited anti-CCR5 MAb binding to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and inhibited both X4 and R5 HIV-1 strains. T134, T140, ALX40-4C, and SDF-1 increased viral transcription in the treated cells. In addition, ALX40-4C and SDF-1 also increased nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kappaB. However, the mechanisms of action of T134 and T140 are different from those of clinically used anti-HIV drugs. Thus, synergistic activities were observed in the concomitant treatment with T134 and reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors. Our findings, presented here, are noteworthy in regard to the potential clinical use of these agents as drugs for the treatment of AIDS.

Relationship between thallium-201 myocardial SPECT and findings of endomyocardial biopsy specimens in dilated cardiomyopathy

The purpose of this study was to clarify which myocardial histological findings associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are reflected in quantitative 201Tl myocardial SPECT. We obtained studied SPECT images from 21 patients with DCM 10 minutes and 2 hours after they received an injection of 111 MBq 201Tl at rest. We calculated the percent coefficient of variation of myocardial 201Tl counts [%CV(TI)], the washout rate (WR), standard deviation of WR [SD(WR)], extent score (ES) and severity score (SS). We used image analysis to measure % fibrosis, % myocytes, the ratio of fibrous tissue to myocyte tissue (F/My), myocyte size and standard deviation of myocyte size [SD(My)] in left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens. The %CV(Tl) was correlated with % fibrosis and F/My. The ES and SS also correlated with F/My. The correlation between SD(WR) and SD(My) was significant. The present findings suggest that %CV(Tl), ES and SS of rest 201Tl SPECT reflect myocardial fibrosis and that the standard deviation of washout reflects the distribution of myocyte size.

BCAP: the tyrosine kinase substrate that connects B cell receptor to phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation

Tyrosine phosphorylation of adaptor proteins permits the B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-associated protein tyrosine kinases to regulate downstream effector molecules. Here, we report the identification of a novel B cell adaptor for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), termed BCAP. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BCAP is mediated by Syk and Btk, thereby providing binding site(s) for the p85 subunit of PI3K. Disruption of the BCAP gene in the DT40 B cell line inhibits BCR-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate generation, leading to impaired Akt response. Moreover, recruitment of PI3K to glycolipid-enriched microdomains (GEMs) is significantly attenuated in the absence of BCAP. Hence, these data suggest that BCAP bridges BCR-associated kinases to the PI3K pathway by regulating PI3K localization.

Expression of human telomerase subunit genes in primary lung cancer and its clinical significance

BACKGROUND

Three major components of human telomerase, RNA component (hTERC), telomerase-associated protein (TEP1), and catalytic subunit (hTERT) have been cloned recently. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of these genes and to search for clinical usefulness.

METHODS

Expression of these genes was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 92 human lung cancers and in 32 non-neoplastic lung tissues. In 15 patients, both telomerase activity by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay and expression were evaluated.

RESULTS

hTERT expression was best associated with telomerase activity with a concordance of 77%. In 92 lung cancer tissues, hTERC, TEP1, and hTERT were expressed in 100%, 93%, and 89%, respectively. Whereas most adjacent non-neoplastic lung tissues expressed hTERC and TEP1 (94% and 100%, respectively), hTERT was detected in only 1 of 32 normal lungs. However, there was no relationship between hTERT expression and clinicopathologic features.

CONCLUSIONS

hTERT expression can be a surrogate for telomerase activity that may serve as a novel biomarker of lung cancer with high specificity and sensitivity.

Sulfated fibroin, a novel sulfated peptide derived from silk, inhibits human immunodeficiency virus replication in vitro

We prepared two kinds of sulfated silk fibroins, SclFib30 and SclFib31, which contain different amounts of sulfate. These sulfated silk fibroins have anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro, apparently due to interference with the adsorption of virus particles to CD4+ cells, and completely blocked virus binding to the cells at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. Sulfated fibroins also abolished cell-to-cell infection-induced syncytium formation upon cocultivation of MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/HIV-IIIB cells, suggesting that they would interfere with gp120 and prevent the formation of gp120/CD4 complex. Silk is used in biomaterials such as surgical sutures and is believed to be a safe material for humans. In accordance with low anticoagulant activity and high anti-HIV-1 activity against both X4 HIV-1 and R5 HIV-1 strains, sulfated silk fibroins have potential as antiviral material such for a vaginal anti-HIV formulation.

Mechanism of relaxant response to papaverine on the smooth muscle of non-pregnant rat uterus

In the present paper, we examined a mechanism of the papaverine induced relaxation in the smooth muscle of non-pregnant rat uterus. The hyperosmotic 65 mM KCl (H-65K+)-or oxytocin-induced contraction in the uterus was inhibited by an addition of papaverine in a concentration-dependent manner. Papaverine did not increase both cAMP and cGMP contents in the uterus in the presence of H-65K+ or oxytocin. In fura 2 loaded muscles, papaverine did not affect an increase of [Ca2+]i level by high K+ or oxytocin. In permeabilized muscles, papaverine had no effect on the Ca2+-induced contraction. H-65K+ and oxytocin increased the rate of oxygen consumption 1.8 and 1.5 times higher than that in the resting condition, respectively. The increase of oxygen consumption in the H-65K+ or oxytocin was significantly inhibited by papaverine (1-100 microM). These results suggested that papaverine inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in rat uterus as well as guinea pig ileum, which shows a highly spontaneous activity and a highly metabolic dependency of a contraction.

[A case of nonresectable scirrhous type gastric cancer successfully treated by low-dose cisplatin (CDDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and pirarubicin (THP)]

There have been few effective chemotherapeutic regimens for scirrhous type gastric cancer. Recently, the usefulness of combined cancer agent chemotherapy based on the concept of biochemical modulation has been reported. For example sequential MTX and 5-FU therapy, low-dose CDDP plus 5-FU, and the like. In this paper, we report the usefulness of low-dose CDDP plus 5-FU therapy in combination with pirarubicin (THP) for inoperable scirrhous type gastric cancer. A 32-year-old man who was suffering from scirrhous type gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis was treated with this regimen. Eight weeks after the start of therapy, his gastric capacity and lumen diameter had clearly increased, and he was taking ordinary meals. Ascites had also completely disappeared. CR has now been continued about 7 months. This regimen is considered to be promising for scirrhous type gastric cancers with a poor prognosis.

Postoperative changes in paraspinal muscle thickness after various lumbar back surgery procedures

Damage to the paraspinal muscle after various lumbar back surgery procedures was evaluated by measuring the paraspinal muscle thickness preoperatively and postoperatively in 89 patients, 61 males and 28 females. There were 42 single interlaminar level procedures (SL group), 13 multiple interlaminar level procedures (ML group), and 34 posterolateral fusion procedures (PLF group). Changes in paraspinal muscle thickness were evaluated at more than 10 months after surgery, because muscle swelling continued as long as 10 months after surgery, and then reduced as the edema subsided. Postoperative serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level on postoperative day 2 was also measured. The decrease of paraspinal muscle thickness was significantly larger in the PLF group than in the SL group (-12.9% and -2.7%, respectively, p < 0.02). There was no significant correlation between postoperative serum CPK level and decrease of paraspinal muscle thickness. However, the postoperative elevation of serum CPK level was significantly higher in the PLF group than in the SL and ML groups (979 +/- 114 vs. 292 +/- 45 and 410 +/- 44 IU/l, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, posterolateral fusion is the most invasive procedure of the paraspinal muscles in various lumbar back surgery procedures. Paraspinal muscle damage during lumbar back surgery may be one of the most important factors that causes atrophy of the muscles.

Genome-wide detection of unknown subtle mutations in bacteria by combination of MutS and RDA

We propose a procedure for detecting unknown, subtle DNA changes throughout the entire bacterial genome by a combination of MutS and RDA. Current techniques detect subtle mutations after PCR amplification of the target regions, so the mutation detection is done between amplified PCR fragments. In this paper, genome-wide subtle mutation scanning in bacteria was performed by combining the MutS and RDA techniques. Our strategy for cloning a small mutation region is composed of two steps: an enrichment of fragments containing subtle mutations using MutS, followed by an RDA subtraction procedure for further enrichment. We successfully identified small mutations such as a four-base insertion, a two-base insertion, and transition mutations in bacteria.

A case of eosinophilic cystitis in a 5-year-old boy

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is rather an uncommon disease in childhood. A case of EC in a 5-year-old boy, in which open biopsy was needed for final diagnosis, is reported. After diagnosis, he was treated with pemirolast potassium followed-up with eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum and urine. Eosinophil cationic protein is an appropriate marker of EC.

Comparative study of the toxic effects of gallium arsenide, indium arsenide and arsenic trioxide following intratracheal instillations to the lung of Syrian golden hamsters

Toxic effects of gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) were studied in male Syrian golden hamsters. GaAs (7.7 mg/kg) and As2O3 (1.3 mg/kg) particles were instilled intratracheally twice a week a total of 16 times, while InAs (7.7 mg/kg) was instilled a total of 14 times. As a control, hamsters were treated with the vehicle, phosphate buffer solution. During the instillation period, the cumulative body weight gain of the InAs-, but not the GaAs- or As2O3-treated hamsters was suppressed significantly, when compared with the control group. Slight to severe inflammatory responses were observed in the lung for all treatment groups. The most severe inflammatory change, characterized by an accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages, exudation, thickness of the pleura and fibrotic proliferation was found in the InAs-treated hamsters. Extensive alveolar or bronchiolar cell hyperplasia with or without keratinizing squamous cell metaplasia was observed in almost all the InAs-treated hamsters. Furthermore, squamous cell metaplasia or squamous cell hyperplasia developed in some of the InAs-treated hamsters, but not in the GaAs- or As2O3-treated hamsters. Slight to mild lesions were found in the convoluted tubules of the kidney in both the GaAs and InAs groups. From the present study, the toxic potency of these particles was provisionally estimated to be in the following order: InAs > GaAs > As2O3, at the dosage level used in this study. Furthermore, there was evidence that InAs particles could induce pulmonary, renal or systemic toxicity, and as such, InAs particles may produce pulmonary precancerous change when instilled intratracheally into hamsters.

Process of carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in the gla domain of human des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin

In the absence of vitamin K (VK) or in the presence of VK antagonists, hepatic VK-dependent carboxylase activity is inhibited and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) is released into the blood. We analyzed the number of glutamic acid (Glu) residues and their positions in the Gla domain (GD) of DCP to investigate the gamma-carboxylation mechanism of VK-dependent carboxylase. Several DCPs were found in each subject studied. The 10 Gla residues of human prothrombin were carboxylated in order from the N-terminal (residues 26, 25, 16, 29, 20, 19, 14, 32, 7 and 6). The process of Glu carboxylation seemed to proceed three-dimensionally from inside to outside the molecule.

Dorsally sequestrated thoracic disc herniation--case report

A 53-year-old male presented with a rare dorsally sequestrated thoracic disc herniation manifesting as acute low back pain and weakness. He had no history of trauma. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a mass at T10-11 intervertebral level connected with the T-10 disc. Axial MR imaging showed the mass had surrounded and compressed the dural sac from the lateral and dorsal sites. MR imaging with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid showed slight rim enhancement of the lesion. Computed tomography detected no abnormal calcification. The diagnosis was thoracic disc herniation. Laminectomy resulted in rapid and satisfactory recovery. The histological diagnosis was thoracic disc herniation. MR imaging was very effective for the diagnosis based on the connection between the mass and the disc space. The differential diagnosis includes metastatic epidural tumor, epidural hematoma, and epidural abscess.

[Pharmacological study of weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer]

A pharmacological comparison of weekly administrations of docetaxel (TXT) and standard/conventional TXT was carried out among patients with metastatic breast cancer. Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study of weekly TXT (TXT: 40 mg/body/week x 3 with 1 week interruptions in 10 patients) and standard TXT (TXT: 60 mg/m2/3 weeks in 5 patients). The median dose intensity (DI) of weekly TXT (20.63 mg/m2/week) was similar to that of standard TXT, and the median relative dose intensity (RDI) of weekly TXT was 0.98. The median area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of weekly TXT (1.20 micrograms.h/ml) was smaller than that of standard TXT (1.87 micrograms.h/ml). Therefore, there were remarkable decreases in both median percent of decrease in neutrophil counts and grade 3, 4 neutropenia with weekly TXT. These pharmacological data show that weekly TXT is a well-tolerated and feasible schedule for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Augmentation ileocystoplasty and ileal ureter replacement for distal ureteral cancer in a patient with a contracted bladder

BACKGROUND

A male patient with a solitary kidney and contracted bladder due to urinary tuberculosis presented ureteral obstruction caused by primary lower ureteral cancer.

METHODS

Distal ureterectomy and urinary tract reconstruction consisting of ileal bladder augmentation and ileal ureter replacement with an antireflux procedure was performed.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Postoperatively satisfactory voiding without residual urine was achieved.

Multiple red blood cell antibodies produced by donor B lymphocytes after ABO-matched allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

A 50-year-old man with AML[M2,t(8;21)] underwent BMT from his younger sister. At that time, he had no unexpected antibody and his blood type was O(+), CcDEe. The type of Kidd was not examined. The donor's blood type was O(+), CCDee, Jk(a+b-). One year after the BMT, the patient's blood type had changed to that of the donor's and anti-E antibody was detected. Despite the use of platelet concentrates (PCs) only, anti-c antibody was later identified. We conclude that there is a need to check red cell antibodies at regular intervals, even when using PCs only, for earlier detection of unexpected antibodies after BMT.

Frameshift mutations in TGFbetaRII, IGFIIR, BAX, hMSH3 and hMSH6 are absent in lung cancers

A genome-wide instability at simple repeat sequences characterizes gastrointestinal and endometrial cancers of the microsatellite mutator phenotype (MMP). The genes encoding transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II (TGFbetaRII), insulin-like growth factor II receptor (IGFIIR), Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX), hMSH3 and hMSH6 have simple repeat sequences in their coding regions. Consequently, mutations in the single repeat sequences in these genes provide one major route for carcinogenesis in these cancers. We examined 43 non-small cell lung carcinomas and 16 small cell carcinomas for frameshift mutations in simple repeat sequences of TGFbetaRII, IGFIIR, BAX, hMSH3 and hMSH6. In addition, MMP was assessed using a primer set for BAT-26. None of 59 lung cancers exhibited frameshift mutations or MMP. It is concluded that somatic frameshift mutations in these genes and MMP do not constitute important mechanisms in lung carcinogenesis. The possibility of some sort of genetic instability undetectable as a form of MMP cannot be precluded.

Expression pattern of a newly recognized protein, LECT2, in hepatocellular carcinoma and its premalignant lesion

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotoxin 2 (LECT2) is a recently isolated protein and has been shown to be synthesized by human hepatocytes. All hepatocytes show diffuse immunostaining for LECT2 within the cytoplasm. In the present study, an attempt was made to clarify the expression pattern of LECT2 in nine cases of low-grade malignant hepatocellular carcinoma (LGM-HCC) and five cases of advanced HCC and 19 cases of premalignant lesion, termed atypical hyperplasia (AH), using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Variable spotty to coarsely diffuse staining in the majority of cells, a mixture of positively staining and negatively staining areas, and essentially negative staining was observed within the cellular cytoplasm of AH, LGM-HCC and advanced HCC, respectively. The expression of LECT2 became weaker with the progression of multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. The data clearly demonstrate that LECT2 becomes essentially negative in full-blown HCC cells and that the histological distinction between AH and LGM-HCC is valid. It also seems likely that LECT2 is related to hepatocyte growth.

An external ion microbeam for studies of biological samples

A new external ion-beam system was developed and combined with a light ion-microbeam system in JAERI Takasaki. The system is designed for micro-particle-induced X-ray emission analysis of biological samples in air environment with 1 micron spatial resolution. One of the most serious problems in keeping such a high spatial resolution is multiple scattering in a beam exit window. Thin Kapton film (7.5 microns thick) was adopted as the exit window as well as a sample backing foil to minimize the distance between the film and samples. The lifetime of the foil under ion irradiation and spatial resolution of the external microbeam were investigated. The results shows that the film can endure sufficient long-time irradiation to take elemental maps and the resolution can be kept nearly 1 micron.

[An urodynamic study on neobladder function]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the urodynamic characteristics of neobladders, we conducted a pressure-flow study in patients with orthotopic urinary reservoirs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1986 to 1996, 90 patients underwent bladder replacement following cystectomy, using a right colonic, ileocolic, ileal, or sigmoid colonic segment. The subjects were 38 patients (31 men and 7 women) with stable urination and no evidence of cancer recurrence, urethral stricture, urinary tract infection or vesicoureteral reflux. Their mean age was 60.5 years, with a range of 38 to 77 years. Information on neobladder function, such as desire to void, force of micturition, urinary incontinence and other complaints, was obtained by questionnaire. A pressure-flow study was performed in all patients 3 months to 103 months postoperatively to evaluate total reservoir pressure, abdominal pressure and subtracted reservoir pressure during filling and voiding phases.

RESULTS

Ten of 38 patients (26.3%) were dissatisfied with their neobladder function, due to weakness of urinary sensation, loss of urinary force and enuresis. In 6 of the 7 patients with enuresis, the urinary reservoir had been created by Heineke-Mikulicz's procedure of detubularization; 4 of these patients had a high degree (over 40 cmH2O) of phasic contraction during the filling phase. In only 2 of the 38 patients, a pressure-flow study showed an almost same pattern as that obtained with a normal urinary bladder. Twelve patients had increased electromyogram of the external urethral sphincter during the voiding phase, while half of the 38 patients showed a flat electromyogram during both the filling and voiding phases. Thus, 31 of 38 patients revealed a sphincter dyssynergia pattern. Mean total reservoir pressure at maximum cystometric capacity was 65.5 +/- 42.1, 48.4 +/- 19.0, 66.0 +/- 61.0 and 107.0 +/- 43.3 cmH2O in ileal, ileocecal, right colonic and sigmoid neobladders, respectively. The value for sigmoid neobladder was statistically different from that for ileocecal neobladder (p < 0.05). Mean total reservoir pressure at maximal flow was 73.1 +/- 42.4, 56.4 +/- 22.6, 88.9 +/- 69.4 and 94.0 +/- 31.8 cmH2O in ileal, ileocecal, right colonic and sigmoid neobladders, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among these values. The ratio of subtracted reservoir pressure to total reservoir pressure was lower at maximal flow than at onset. Subtracted reservoir pressure may contribute to total reservoir pressure to a greater extent in sigmoid neobladders than in other types of neobladder.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Enuresis may have various causes such as external sphincter dysfunction and involuntary contraction of the reservoir. 2. Urine is evacuated not only by abdominal pressure but also by subtracted reservoir pressure in neobladders. 3. Sphincter dyssynergia due to absence of the detrusor muscle may be one cause of dysuria.

Clinical implications of p53 autoantibodies in the sera of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The presence of autoantibodies to p53 protein has been associated with the presence of p53 (also known as TP53) gene mutations in primary tumors and with poor prognosis. This study was undertaken to determine the clinical significance of p53 autoantibodies in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

We studied 188 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection and for whom preoperative serum was available. The presence of p53 autoantibodies, detected by use of two amino-terminal and two carboxy-terminal peptides (20-30 mers) as antigens and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was related to various clinicopathologic parameters and to overexpression of p53 protein in the primary tumor. For 22 patients who had p53 autoantibodies before surgery, we also examined sera taken during postoperative follow-up. Reported P values are two-sided.

RESULTS

Autoantibodies to p53 protein were detected in 38 patients. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma, those with more advanced disease (stage III-IV), and those with tumors that overexpressed p53 had a significantly higher incidence of p53 autoantibodies (P = .05,.0079, and .02, respectively). In all but one of the patients with postoperative serum samples, the antibody titer declined after surgery; however, there was no relationship between clinical course and this change in antibody titer. In addition, there was no relationship between the presence of p53 autoantibodies and overall survival in 171 patients who underwent potentially curative resection (P = .28); however, 13 patients with autoantibodies to amino-terminal peptides had a worse overall survival (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

In NSCLC, the incidence of p53 autoantibodies is associated with histologic type, stage, and p53 overexpression--but not with patient survival. Our data do not support the clinical utility of p53 autoantibodies as diagnostic or prognostic markers in patients with NSCLC.

Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity related to cold-induced brain edema

To determine the relationship between brain edema and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we immunohistochemically studied the distribution and level of NOS in rat brain cold injury model. Vasogenic brain edema was produced by cortical freezing lesion. NOS immunohistochemical studies were performed 4 and 8 h, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after injury. In control normotensive rats, immunoreactivity for NOS was observed in scattered neuronal cells as reported previously, but there was no reactivity in glial cells. In the present study in the cold injury model, however, fibrinogen staining showed extravasated plasma fluid extending to the white matter contralateral to the site of cold injury. NOS immunoreactivity was observed in most reactive astrocytes and a proportion of the microglial cells and macrophages in the white matter not only just beneath the area of cold injury but also in the contralateral side. The nerve cells in the edematous region scarcely showed additional immunoreactivity for NOS. The distribution of increased NOS relatively corresponded with the sites of extravasated plasma fluid demonstrated by fibrinogen staining. Electron microscopically, NOS was observed in astrocytes along the rough endoplasmic reticulum suggesting that NOS was produced in the cells and not taken up from the surroundings. Based on these findings, we postulate that brain edema and the simultaneously generated free radicals or some extravasated plasma components may induce expression of NOS in the reactive cells, and that the NO thus generated may be involved in the development of diffuse degeneration of the white matter which accompanies brain edema.