Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas associated with hypoglycemia: involvement of "big" insulin-like growth factor-II

Apart from insulinomas, pancreatic tumors are rarely complicated by hypoglycemia and some may produce insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). To our knowledge, IGF-II-producing pancreatic tumors associated with hypoglycemia have not been reported previously. We describe what we believe to be the first case of "big" IGF-II-producing pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. A 68-year-old man presented with a history of recurrent hypoglycemia. Abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass, approximately 5 cm in diameter, in the tail of the pancreas and two low-density areas in the liver. Low serum glucose was associated with low insulin levels and high levels of hormones (i.e., glucagon and IGF-II) that are functionally opposite to insulin. Although serum IGF-II level was within the normal range, most IGF-II was of the high molecular weight form, as determined by Western immunoblot analysis. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia induced by IGF-II-producing pancreatic tumor was made. Surgery was not possible because of the patient's poor general condition. The patient ultimately died as a result of malignant cachexia. At autopsy, a yellowish-white tumor was found in the tail of the pancreas, and a histopathologic diagnosis of acinar cell carcinoma was made. Immunohistologically, the tumor cells contained IGF-II in an irregular staining pattern, suggesting that the hypoglycemia was caused by a pancreatic tumor producing "big" IGF-II.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA in human gastric cancer

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) stimulates cell proliferation and development in normal human growth. In several human cancers, the IGF2 gene is overexpressed and is thus considered to be a growth factor for tumors mediated through both the paracrine and autocrine pathways. However, the significance of IGF2 mRNA expression in gastric cancer has yet to be clarified. We semi-quantitatively measured the expression of IGF2 mRNA in 57 Japanese cases of gastric cancer by means of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and also analyzed the relation between the IGF2 expression status and other clinicopathologic factors. We also performed immunohistochemical staining for IGF2. In 41 of 57 cases (72%), the expression of IGF2 mRNA was greater in tumor tissue (T) than in normal tissue (N). The average tumor/normal (T/N) expression ratio of IGF2 mRNA corrected for that of control gene mRNA was 1.42, while ranging from 0.36 to 3.65. The T/N ratio of infiltrative-type cancers was greater than that of expanding-type cancers (p<0.05). The cases with lymphatic permeation showed a greater T/N ratio than those without lymphatic permeation in expanding-type cancers (p<0. 05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed IGF2 to be detected in cancer cells themselves, especially at the margin of the cancer tissue. The IGF2 gene may thus play an important role in lymph vessel permeation especially in expanding-type gastric cancers.

Increased sensitivity to vincristine of MDR cells by the leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist, ONO-1078

The leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor antagonist, 4-oxo-8-[p-(4-phenylbutyloxy)benzoylamino]-2-(tetrazol-5-yl) -4H-1-benzopyran hemihydrate (ONO-1078) is used for the treatment of allergic asthma and other immediate hypersensitivity diseases. We examined the effect of ONO-1078 on the sensitivity to vincristine (VCR) of MRP overexpressing multidrug-resistant CV60 and its parental drug-sensitive KB-3-1 cell lines. The sensitivity to VCR of KB-3-1 and CV60 cells was increased 13- and 15-fold, respectively, by ONO-1078 at the maximum non-toxic concentration (100 microM). The VCR sensitivity of multidrug-resistant KB-C2 cells that overexpressed P-gp was increased 2.6-fold by ONO-1078. The accumulation of VCR in KB-3-1, CV60 and KB-C2 cells was significantly increased by ONO-1078. The efflux of VCR from KB-3-1 cells was not inhibited, but that from CV60 cells was enhanced compared with that from KB-3-1 cells and was partially inhibited by ONO-1078. ONO-1078 competitively inhibited the ATP-dependent [3H]LTC4 uptake in membrane vesicles isolated from CV60 cells. These findings suggest that ONO-1078 inhibits the transporting activity of MRP and that ONO-1078 increases the sensitivity to VCR of KB-3-1 cells by increasing the VCR uptake in the cells.

Clinical features of polymyositis/dermatomyositis with steroid-resistant interstitial lung disease

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) without creatine kinase (CK) elevation shows a poor prognosis. PM/DM is complicated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), some of which progress rapidly. To clarify the clinical features of PM/DM from the viewpoint of ILD progression, the clinical data of 25 PM/DM patients with ILD were reviewed. They were classified as responders or non-responders. The patients whose ILD responded to steroid therapy and elicited good clinical courses were termed as responders. On the other hand, the patients who had rapidly progressive ILD resistant to steroid therapy were considered as non-responders. The patients diagnosed to have DM were likely to be steroid-resistant. The non-responder group revealed significantly high aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low CK, low white blood cell (WBC), and low absolute lymphocyte counts in their peripheral blood. High CK/AST may be a favorable predictor of the disease. The percentages of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased in both groups. However, the percentages of two responders with low CK/AST were lower than those of three non-responders. A steroid-resistant ILD group with PM/DM may be clinically different from a steroid-responsive ILD group.

Reversal of MRP-mediated vincristine resistance in KB cells by buthionine sulfoximine in combination with PAK-104P

The mechanism of multidrug resistance protein (MRP)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) is still unclear. MRP reportedly transports some GSH conjugates. Recently, we demonstrated that a pyridine analog, 2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl 5-(trans-4,6-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-4 -(3-nitrophenyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate P-oxide (PAK-104P), that reversed P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated MDR directly interacted with MRP and completely reversed the vincristine (VCR) resistance in MRP-mediated MDR C-A120 cells. We investigated the reversing effect of PAK-104P in C-A120 cells in combination with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), another MDR-reversing agent with a different reversing mechanism. In immunoblots, MRP was overexpressed in C-A120 cells. The level of ATP-dependent [3H]VCR uptake was high in membrane vesicles from KB-C2 cells, but low in those from C-A120 and parental KB-3-1 cells. The sensitivity to VCR of C-A120 cells, but not of KB-C2 cells, was considerably increased by 100 microM BSO. VCR accumulation in C-A120 cells, but not in KB-C2 cells, was also enhanced by BSO. BSO did not inhibit ATP-dependent [3H]LTC4 uptake in C-A120 vesicles. The combination of BSO with PAK-104P at their low concentrations resulted in complete reversal of VCR resistance in C-A120 cells. These findings suggested that BSO might not directly interact with MRP and reversed resistance in MRP-mediated MDR cells by reducing the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level that was needed for the transport of drugs by MRP and suggested a role for the combination of drug resistance-modulating agents with different reversing mechanisms in the reversal of MRP-mediated MDR.

Expression spectrum of melanoma antigen-encoding gene family members in colorectal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The 12 members of the human melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) gene family encode tumor-specific peptide antigens. Some antigens coded by the MAGE genes are potentially useful for cancer-specific immunotherapy. However, little information on the expression of these genes in human colon carcinomas is available. We investigated the expression of 10 of the 12 genes in human colon tissue.

DESIGN

Eighty pairs of tumor and normal tissue samples from the human colon were studied by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

None of the genes was expressed in the 80 control samples of normal tissue. On the other hand, expression was recognized in tumor samples, ranging from 5% of samples for MAGE-6 to 44% for MAGE-8. Seventy of the 80 tumor samples (88%) expressed at least 1 of the 10 MAGE genes. The frequency of liver metastasis was significantly higher in cases with tumor samples that expressed MAGE-3 than in those that did not express this gene. This tendency was not observed for other members of the MAGE gene family. No significant differences were observed in the other clinicopathologic factors between any MAGE-positive and -negative tumor cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The MAGE genes were exclusively expressed in carcinoma tissues and not in normal tissues of the colon. The finding that nearly 90% of tumors expressed at least one MAGE gene indicates the possible clinical use of this gene for both immunotherapy and molecular diagnosis.

Muscle atrophy induced in broiler chicks by parts of Senna occidentalis seeds

Senna occidentalis (formerly Cassia occidentalis) is a common contaminant of agricultural commodities. It is toxic to cattle and poultry, reportedly being responsible for skeletal myodegeneration in these animals. All parts of the plant present toxicity, but the seeds are the most toxic. The toxin(s) responsible for the myodegeneration have not been definitively identified, nor is it known which part of the seeds is most toxic. Intoxication by this plant leads to weight loss with considerable economic repercussions. The effects of the whole seed and of parts of S. occidentalis seeds (1% in commercial feed) were compared on the pectoralis major muscle of broiler chicks intoxicated from birth until 22 days of life. There were severe clinical signals and reduced body weight in birds that received the external tegment of the seed, whereas no adverse effects were observed in birds that received the whole seed or other parts of the seed. Histological and morphometric studies showed an intense muscle fibre atrophy (both type 1 and type 2 fibres were affected) in the group that received 1% external tegment. This study may be the first step to identifying the substance(s) involved in this pathological process.

Anxiolytic effect of Rubus brasilensis in rats and mice

The aim of the present work was to investigate if infuse and ethanolic extracts (aqueous, butanolic and wax fractions) of Rubus brasiliensis Martius (Rosaceae) induce anxiolytic effect. The extracts were administered to male Wistar rats and Swiss mice per oral route, at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, 30 min before the behavioral evaluation in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Both infuse and wax ethanolic fraction at the dosage 150 mg/kg, vo, increased the number and the percentage of open arm entries of rats and mice. The aqueous and butanolic fractions, obtained from ethanolic extract, failed to induce anxiolytic effect. The treatment of mice with flumazenil (Ro 15-1788), 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15-min before the administration of infuse or wax fraction, 150 mg/kg, vo, blocked the infuse or wax fraction-induced anxiolytic effect. The LD50 for the wax fraction was 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the infuse and wax ethanolic fraction of R. brasiliensis present anxiolytic effect in rats and mice. In addition, it is suggested that the anxiolytic effect may be attributed at least to one liposoluble principle with low acute toxicity which may be acting as an agonist on GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex.

Motility related protein 1 (MRP1/CD9) expression in colon cancer

It is important to detect genes that may be good prognostic markers for colon cancer patients. With this in mind, we identified the motility related protein-1 (MRP1/CD9) gene in human colon tissues. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of MRP1/CD9 gene expression in human colon cancers. We performed the differential mRNA display technique between tumor/normal paired samples of the colon and identified MRP1/CD9. Eighty-two surgical specimens of primary colorectal cancer were analyzed by means of reverse transcription-PCR for the MRP1/CD9 gene. Its expression status and clinicopathological variables were analyzed univariately and multivariately. The MRP1/ CD9 mRNA expression was positive in 56 cases and negative in 26 cases. The MRP1/CD9 negative cases showed a significantly higher frequency of venous-vessel invasion and liver metastasis, or a worse prognosis than the MRP1/CD9 positive cases (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model disclosed that MRP1/CD9 expression was an independent prognostic factor distinct from the lymph node status. The findings imply that the study of MRP1/CD9 expression may be useful for predicting prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.

An active efflux system for heavy metals in cisplatin-resistant human KB carcinoma cells

The mechanism for cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant KCP-4 cells was studied. Although multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) was not detected in KCP-4 cells, the cells were more resistant to heavy metals than multidrug-resistant C-A120 cells that overexpressed MRP. KCP-4 cells expressed metallothionein, but it was scarcely involved in cisplatin resistance in these cells. KCP-4 cells did not express canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). The glutathione (GSH) level was 4.7-fold higher in KCP-4 cells than in KB-3-1 cells. When the GSH level in KCP-4 cells was decreased by treating the cells with buthionine sulfoximine and nitrofurantoin, the accumulation of and sensitivity to cisplatin in the cells were increased. C-A120 cells were only 3.0-fold more resistant to cisplatin than KB-3-1 cells and this resistance was not affected by the increased glutathione level. The accumulation of platinum in C-A120 and KCP-4 cells was 68.5 and 20.4% of that in KB-3-1 cells, respectively, while the intracellular levels of antimony potassium tartrate in C-A120 and KCP-4 cells were 13.2 and 9.9% of that in KB-3-1 cells, respectively. The ATP-dependent efflux of antimony was enhanced in both C-A120 and KCP-4 cells. These results, taken together, suggest an efflux pump for heavy metals different from MRP and cMOAT is involved in cisplatin resistance in KCP-4 cells.

Association between restriction fragment length polymorphism of the L-myc gene and susceptibility to gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

L-myc polymorphism has been documented to be a representative genetic trait which is related an individual's susceptibility to several cancers. However, there have been no reports concerning any significant association between susceptibility to gastric cancer and L-myc polymorphism.

METHODS

The distribution of L-myc polymorphism in 61 patients with gastric cancer was determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism and compared with that of 107 healthy control subjects.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the distribution of both genotypes (P = 0.024) and allele frequencies (P = 0.026) between the two groups. The relative risk of gastric cancer for genotypes with the shorter (S) allele was 3.09 compared with the longer (L) allele homozygote. No significant correlation with clinicopathological features of the cancers except for prognosis was found. The patients with SS genotypes had a worse prognosis than those with LL or LS genotypes (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

L-myc polymorphism may be significant in an individual's susceptibility to gastric cancer in Japan, and may be a useful marker for identifying patients at high risk of developing gastric cancer.

Distribution of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel PN3 in rat sensory neurons in normal and neuropathic conditions

The novel sodium channel PN3/alpha-SNS, which was cloned from a rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cDNA library, is expressed predominantly in small sensory neurons and may contribute to the tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTXR) sodium current that is believed to be associated with central sensitization in chronic neuropathic pain states. To assess further the role of PN3, we have used electrophysiological, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods to monitor changes in TTXR sodium current and the distribution of PN3 in normal and peripheral nerve-injured rats. (1) Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that there were no significant changes in the TTXR and TTX-sensitive sodium current densities of small DRG neurons after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. (2) Additionally, in situ hybridization showed that there was no change in the expression of PN3 mRNA in the DRG up to 14 d after CCI. PN3 mRNA was not detected in sections of brain and spinal cord taken from either normal or nerve-injured rats. (3) In contrast, immunohistochemical studies showed that major changes in the subcellular distribution of PN3 protein were caused by either CCI or complete transection of the sciatic nerve. The intensity of PN3 immunolabeling decreased in small DRG neurons and increased in sciatic nerve axons at the site of injury. The alteration in immunolabeling was attributed to translocation of presynthesized, intracellularly located PN3 protein from neuronal somata to peripheral axons, with subsequent accumulation at the site of injury. The specific subcellular redistribution of PN3 after peripheral nerve injury may be an important factor in establishing peripheral nerve hyperexcitability and resultant neuropathic pain.

Expression of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA and c-myc mRNA in breast tumours

We examined the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA in 53 female cases of breast cancer by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to determine the clinicopathologic significance of its expression. A significantly higher expression of ODC mRNA was, observed in younger patients than in older patients. The patients with a larger sized tumour possessed a significantly higher expression of ODC mRNA. In addition, the cases with a poor prognosis showed significantly higher expression of ODC. Previous studies have reported in vivo and in vitro correlation between the expression of ODC and c-myc genes in human carcinomas. We disclosed a significant correlation between these genes in primary breast carcinomas. We conclude that the expression of ODC may potentially be a new biological marker for breast carcinoma.

Toxic peripheral neuropathy of chicks fed Senna occidentalis seeds

Plants of the genus Senna (formerly Cassia) are poisonous to livestock and other laboratory animals, leading to a syndrome of a widespread muscle degeneration, incoordination, recumbence, and death. The main histologic lesion is necrosis of skeletal muscle fibers. Recently, a mitochondrial myopathy with ragged-red and cytochrome oxidase (COX)-negative muscle fibers was recognized in hens chronically intoxicated with parts of seeds of S. occidentalis. The purpose of the present work was to investigate if there was peripheral nerve involvement in the acute intoxication of chicks with S. occidentalis seeds. Teasing of individual fibers revealed signs of extensive axonal damage with myelin ovoids. Ultrathin sections confirmed the axonal damage. Axons were filled with membranes, some residual disorganized filaments, and enlarged mitochondria. In some instances the axon disappeared and there was secondary degeneration of the myelin sheath. The present work is the first description of the neurotoxic effect of S. occidentalis intoxication. Future work should attempt to determine the mechanisms involved in this neuropathy.

Clinical significance of integrin alpha 6 mRNA expression in gastric carcinoma

Integrin alpha 6 is believed to be involved in malignant biological development. High tumor/normal (T/N) ratio of integrin alpha 6 was observed in intestinal type tumors in gastric carcinoma. In an immunohistochemical study, an intense and continuous staining was seen at the basement layer in the intestinal type tumors. Concerning the variant, there was a significant correlation between the expression ratio of variant B/variant A and the depth of tumor invasion. In conclusion, i) integrin alpha 6 expression was intimately correlated with histologic differentiation, and ii) the overexpression of variant B may be correlated with tumor invasion of gastric carcinoma.

Analysis of ornithine decarboxylase messenger ribonucleic acid expression in colorectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a rate-limiting enzyme for polyamine synthesis. An elevated protein level of ODC was observed in the tumors. There has been, however, little information reported so far on the expression of ODC messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in clinical colorectal carcinomas. In vitro studies disclosed that the transcriptions of the ODC gene is regulated by the c-myc gene.

METHODS

The expression of ODC and c-myc mRNA in biopsy specimens obtained from both tumor tissue and the corresponding normal tissue was examined by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method in 40 cases of colorectal carcinoma.

RESULTS

The expression of ODC mRNA was observed in both tumor tissue and normal tissue. The tumor to normal ratio of ODC mRNA was higher in cases with deeply invasive tumors than in cases with shallow tumors, and it was also higher in Dukes B or C cases than in Dukes A cases. There was a significant correlation between the tumor to normal ratio of c-myc mRNA and that of ODC mRNA in each case.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that 1) the study of the expression of ODC mRNA may be useful for preoperatively predicting more advanced disease of colon carcinoma, and 2) there was a significant correlation between expression of ODC and c-myc mRNA in the clinical samples, which was similar to the findings of a previous in vitro study.

Expression of the MAGE gene family in human gastric carcinoma

MAGE genes code tumor antigens that are recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes and have been shown to be expressed in various malignant tumors. However, there is still little information on the expression of the MAGE gene family except for reports of MAGE-1 and -3. In this study, we therefore investigated the expression of MAGE-4, -6, -8, -9, -10, -11 and -12, as well as MAGE-1, -2 and -3 in both cell lines and surgical samples of gastric carcinoma, using reverse transcriptionPCR. Of the investigated 11 cell lines, MAGE-4, -6, -8, -9, -10, -11 and -12 were detected in 8 (73%), 6 (55%), 2 (18%), 59 (44%), 6 (55%), 4 (36%), and 7 (64%), respectively. No expression of these genes was seen in any of the 54 samples of normal gastric tissue. In contrast, the tumor tissue samples were found to express MAGE-4, -6, -8, -9, -10, -11, and -12 in 18 (33%), 13 (24%), 6 (11%), 10 (19%), 5 (9%), 13 (24%), and 10 (19%), respectively. Forty-four (82%) of 54 gastric tumors expressed at least one of these genes. No significant correlation was observed between the expression of MAGE genes and any specific clinicopathological factors. These results may hopefully prove to be useful in developing strategies for tumor-specific immunotherapy of gastric carcinoma using MAGE gene products.

Reversal of heavy metal resistance in multidrug-resistant human KB carcinoma cells

Human KB carcinoma C-A120 cells that express multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) were cross-resistant to trivalent and pentavalent antimonials and arsenicals. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) content was higher in C-A120 than its parental KB-3-1 cell line. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was similar in both cell lines. Depletion of cellular GSH by treatment of the cells with the inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), buthione sulfoximine (BSO), significantly increased the sensitivity of both KB-3-1 and C-A120 cells to heavy metals. A pyridine analog, PAK-104P, almost completely reversed the resistance to antimonials and arsenicals in C-A120 cells. BSO at 100 microM or PAK-104P at 10 microM enhanced the accumulation of antimony potassium tartrate in C-A120 cells to the level of that in KB-3-1 cells without the agents. PAK-104P inhibited the ATP-dependent efflux of antimony potassium tartrate. These findings suggest that MRP transports antimony conjugated with GSH ATP-dependently outside the cells and PAK-104P inhibits the transporting activity of MRP.

Analysis of MT1-MMP and MMP2 expression in human gastric cancers

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a presumed activator of MMP2, which is one of the major proteinases in tumor cell invasion. In this study, we determined the clinico-pathologic significance of MT1-MMP expression in 68 human gastric carcinomas. The tumor-normal ratio (T/N ratio) of MTI-MMP expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. To visualize the localization of MT1-MMP, an immunohistochemical study was performed. In addition, a gelatin zymography was done to examine the activation ratio of MMP2, and a correlation between MT1-MMP expression and activation of MMP2 was studied. The expression of MT1-MMP mRNA was higher in tumor tissue than in corresponding normal tissue in most cases. The mean value of the T/N ratio was 4.8. Twenty cases with T/N > or = 4.8 showed significantly deeper invasion and higher frequency of lymph node metastasis than 48 cases with T/N < 4.8. MT1-MMP expression was an independent factor influencing both tumor invasion of the gastric wall and lymph node metastasis. Although MT1-MMP expression was not an independent prognostic factor, the patients with T/N > or = 4.8 showed a significantly worse prognosis than those with T/N < 4.8. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated that MT1-MMP expression was mainly recognized in the tumor cells. There was a significant correlation between MT1-MMP expression and activation of MMP2. Our findings suggest that: 1) the expression of MT1-MMP may influence prognosis via tumor invasion of the gastric wall and lymph node metastasis, and 2) MT1-MMP activation of MMP2 may be clinically relevant in gastric carcinoma tumors.

Mitochondrial myopathy in Senna occidentalis-seed-fed chicken

Plants of the genus Senna (formerly Cassia) have been recognized as the cause of a natural and experimental syndrome of muscle degeneration frequently leading to death in animals. Histologically, it demonstrated skeletal and cardiac muscle necrosis, with floccular degeneration and proliferation of sarcolemmal nuclei. Recently, it was described as an experimental model of mitochondrial myopathy in hens chronically treated with Senna occidentalis. Currently, skeletal muscles of chicks intoxicated with seeds of the poisonous plant S. occidentalis were studied by histochemistry and electron microscopy. Since birth, the birds were fed ground dried seeds of this plant with a regular chicken ration at a dose of 4% for 11 days. Microscopic examination revealed, besides muscle-fiber atrophy, lipid storage in most fibers and a moderate amount of cytochrome oxidase-negative fibers. By electron microscopy, enlarged mitochondria with disrupted or excessively branched cristae were seen. This picture was characteristic of mitochondrial myopathy. These findings have hitherto remained unnoticed in skeletal muscle of young birds treated with S. occidentalis.

Naturally occurring dermatitis associated with Staphylococcus aureus in DS-Nh mice

A naturally occurring epizootic of dermatitis involved all the mice, provisionally designated as DS-Nh, housed under conventional conditions, regardless of age or sex. The disease primarily attacked the lateral aspect of the face, neck and shoulders. The histopathologic features of the dermatitis varied in severity, but all affected regions showed signs of chronic dermatitis, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, parakeratosis and amyloidosis, and contained Gram-positive cocci clusters. Bacteriologically, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was recovered in pure culture from the skin lesions. The disease experimentally induced with the S. aureus isolates was indistinguishable from those observed in naturally occurring cases. The results suggested that S. aureus may be casually associated with the disease.

Analysis of MT1-MMP and MMP2 expression in human gastric cancers

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a presumed activator of MMP2, which is one of the major proteinases in tumor cell invasion. In this study, we determined the clinico-pathologic significance of MT1-MMP expression in 68 human gastric carcinomas. The tumor-normal ratio (T/N ratio) of MTI-MMP expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. To visualize the localization of MT1-MMP, an immunohistochemical study was performed. In addition, a gelatin zymography was done to examine the activation ratio of MMP2, and a correlation between MT1-MMP expression and activation of MMP2 was studied. The expression of MT1-MMP mRNA was higher in tumor tissue than in corresponding normal tissue in most cases. The mean value of the T/N ratio was 4.8. Twenty cases with T/N > or = 4.8 showed significantly deeper invasion and higher frequency of lymph node metastasis than 48 cases with T/N < 4.8. MT1-MMP expression was an independent factor influencing both tumor invasion of the gastric wall and lymph node metastasis. Although MT1-MMP expression was not an independent prognostic factor, the patients with T/N > or = 4.8 showed a significantly worse prognosis than those with T/N < 4.8. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated that MT1-MMP expression was mainly recognized in the tumor cells. There was a significant correlation between MT1-MMP expression and activation of MMP2. Our findings suggest that: 1) the expression of MT1-MMP may influence prognosis via tumor invasion of the gastric wall and lymph node metastasis, and 2) MT1-MMP activation of MMP2 may be clinically relevant in gastric carcinoma tumors.

A bag carrier for continuous intravenous hyperalimentation

We designed a new bag-carrier device system for continuous intravenous hyperalimentation. The patient carries it on his shoulder and can both walk up and down stairs and go out. The use of this device is simple and easy, and was found to increase the patient's opportunity to engage in physical activity.