Oxygen carrying capacity and oxygen supply rate of artificial oxygen carrier, Neo Red Cell (NRC)

Neo Red Cell (NRC), which is the liposome encapsulated hemolysate, has been developed as an artificial oxygen carrier. Oxygen carrying capacity and oxygen supply rate of NRC were estimated by continuous measurement of dissolved oxygen concentration in a spinner vessel. Oxygen carrying capacity of the medium was risen by adding NRC. The oxygen supply rate of the NRC medium containing hepatocytes was determined by the oxygen consumption rate of hepatocytes. The addition of NRC gave no effect on the oxygen transfer rate from gas phase to liquid phase (or kL a value) of the solution in the spinner vessel. The rate of oxygen absorption to NRC was limited by the oxygen transfer rate from gas phase to liquid phase in the spinner vessel. These results indicate that the oxygen supply from NRC may sustain the high-density culture of mammalian cells.

28-day repeated oral toxicity study of a hypolipidemic agent, NK-104 in rats

NK-104, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, was administered orally to Wistar rats at a dose of 2, 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg for 28 days consecutively, and the toxicity of NK-104 and its recovery with 2 weeks cessation of drug treatment were examined. As major clinical signs, loose stool, diarrhea, crouching and emaciation were observed in both sexes at 50 or 100 mg/kg, and all females at 100 mg/kg died or became moribund due to severe emaciation before the completion of treatment. The suppression of body weight gain or decrease in body weight was observed in the female dose group at 50 mg/kg and both sexes at 100 mg/kg. Decreased food intake was observed in both sexes at 100 mg/kg. Moreover, an increase in cholinesterase (Ch.E) in the male dose groups at 50 and 100 mg/kg and an increase in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in the female dose group at 50 mg/kg were observed in blood chemistry testing. Macroscopic examination showed thickening of the forestomach mucosa in the groups of 10 mg/kg or more. Microscopic examination revealed hyperkeratosis and hypertrophy of the spinous layer associated with both cell infiltration of the mucosal propria and submucosal edema. In addition, skeletal muscle lesions including atrophy, vacuolation and focal necrosis were observed in the female dose groups at 50 and 100 mg/kg. The above-mentioned microscopic changes were not observed on cessation of drug treatment. The non-toxic dose level of NK-104 in the 28-day repeated oral toxicity study using rats was determined to be 2 mg/kg.

Using MR imaging to predict and evaluate the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to systemic chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MR imaging in predicting the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to observe with MR imaging the difference in tumor response to chemotherapy between treatment cycles, and to correlate tumor size between MR imaging after chemotherapy and surgical specimen.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Pelvic MR imaging was performed before and after chemotherapy in 41 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma. The difference in tumor reduction between the second course and the third or fourth course of treatment was statistically evaluated in 12 patients. MR images obtained after chemotherapy were compared with surgical specimens to determine residual tumor size in 10 patients.

RESULTS

Tumor volume, complete replacement of cervical stroma with carcinoma, and uterine body involvement by tumor observed in the MR images before treatment were found to be significant factors in predicting tumor response. No difference in tumor reduction was found between the second course and the third or fourth course of chemotherapy. Estimates made on MR imaging of tumor size after chemotherapy were within 5 mm of the resected samples.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic MR imaging proved useful in predicting and assessing the response of invasive cervical carcinoma to chemotherapy.

Six-month repeated oral toxicity study of NK-104 in rats

NK-104 is a novel potent inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, and has been shown to be a highly effective agent in lowering blood cholesterol. In the present study, NK-104 was orally administered to Wistar rats at a dose of 0.3, 1, 3 or 010 mg/kg for 6 months for examination of toxicity. Additional recovery groups of 8 rats each of both sexes receiving 0 and 10 mg/kg were maintained without treatment for 1 month in order to assess recovery. As a result, no toxicological changes were observed in general signs, body weight, food intake, ophthalmological examination, urinalysis, hematological and blood chemical examinations for organ weights. An autopsy revealed thickening of the forestomach mucosa in both sexes at a dose of 1 mg/kg or more. This change was microscopically recognized as hyperkeratosis and hypertrophy of the spinous layer associated with both cell infiltration of the mucosal propria and edema of sub-mucosa in the forestomach in both sexes at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg. Forestomach changes were not observed in any cases after 1 month cessation of drug treatment. The non-toxic dose of NK-104 in the 6-month repeated oral toxicity study in rats is estimated to be 1 mg/kg/day.

Spinal cord infarcts with contrast enhancement of the cauda equina: two cases

We report two cases of infarcts of the spinal cord with contrast enhancement of the cauda equina on MRI. As enhancement of the infarcted spinal cord waned, that of cauda equina was definite. These appearances suggest disruption of the blood-tissue barrier and possibly hyperaemia of cauda equina following infarcts of the spinal cord.

Correlation between water content and magnetization transfer ratio of the water component in bone marrow using gradient-echo imagings: normal case study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the correlation between water content and magnetization transfer (MT) ratio of the water component in normal bone marrow using gradient-echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

DESIGN

Three types of GRE sequence--using fat suppression, using a combination of MT and fat suppression techniques, and without MT or fat suppression--were performed in nine healthy subjects. The water content of bone marrow assessed with GRE imaging was compared with that assessed with MR spectroscopy in three cases. The correlation between water content and MT ratio was observed using GRE imaging in nine subjects.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The water content as assessed by GRE imaging and by MR spectroscopy were closely correlated (P<0.005, r=0.932). An inverse correlation between water content and MT ratio was observed in normal bone marrow (P<0.03, r=-0.432), which suggests that the water component in bone marrow includes free water protons.

An assessment of local curability of endoscopic surgery in early gastric cancer without satisfaction of current therapeutic indications

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Therapeutic endoscopy for early gastric cancer has been established with strict criteria for indications. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic treatment in cases that did not fulfil the standard therapeutic criteria, consisting of well differentiating mucosal adenocarcinomas less than 2 cm in size and without an ulcer or a scar.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty nine early gastric cancers in 64 patients that did not fulfil the standard criteria were treated endoscopically, and a rate of cure was retrospectively assessed during a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Endoscopic treatment consisted of mucosal resection or thermal methods, or both.

RESULTS

Curative resection was achieved in 19/20 (95%) of cases which came into one of the following categories, all being well differentiated adenocarcinomas, less than 3.0 cm in size, without ulcer or the scar of an ulcer, with invasion limited to mucosal layer (depth m); tumors less than 2.0 cm, with an ulcer or scar, depth m; tumors less than 2.0 cm, without ulcer or scar, invading the submucosa but in which invasion was limited to the superficial portion (depth sm-1); and poorly differentiated tumors less than 1.0 cm in size, without an ulcer or scar, depth m. The rate of cure in this group was statistically similar to the cure rate of cases that fulfilled the standard criteria (98%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our retrospective results suggest that the indications for curative treatment of early gastric cancer could be expanded. Prospective studies are required.

Induction of DNA fragmentation by nicotine in human myelogenous leukemic cell lines

The effect of nicotine, a component of tobacco, on the cytokine production and cell growth of various cultured cells was investigated. Nicotine did not stimulate, but rather inhibited the tumor necrosis factor production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at higher doses. Cytotoxic concentrations of nicotine did not induce the monocytic and granulocytic differentiation of human myelogenous leukemic cell lines (HL-60, ML-1). Nicotine induced internucleosomal DNA cleavage in these leukemic cell lines but not in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. The fragmentation-inducing activity of nicotine was not prevented by simultaneous addition of ascorbic acid. Flow cytometry showed a slight increase in the number of G2 + M phase cells, before the appearance of the apoptosis peak. Nicotine transiently increased the intracellular calcium concentration to higher levels in leukemic cells than in normal leukocytes. These data suggest that the induction of DNA fragmentation requires elevation of intracellular calcium concentration above a certain threshold level.

Uncoupling of incorporation of ascorbic acid and apoptosis induction

Exposure of human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells to millimolar concentration of sodium ascorbate induced apoptotic cell death. The extent of apoptosis induction was a positive function of temperature at the time of exposure. The incorporation of [1-14C] ascorbic acid into the cytosolic fraction of HL-60 cells was also temperature-dependent, and competitively inhibited by active analogs (L-ascorbic acid, sodium L-ascorbate, D-isoascorbic acid, sodium 6-beta-O-galactosyl-L-ascorbate, sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate), but not by inactive analogs (L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate magnesium, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate). Calcium depletion, which had considerably reduced the apoptosis-inducing activity of sodium ascorbate, did not affect the intracellular incorporation of [14C] ascorbic acid. These data suggests that cell death might not be simply induced by the intracellular incorporation of ascorbate, but rather initiated by the rapid elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, possibly mediated by an as yet unidentified temperature-sensitive mechanism.

Fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography adequately depicts the status of iliac arteries following atherectomy and stent placement

Fat-suppressed, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (3D MRA) was performed on nine patients with 11 iliac artery stenoses following atherectomy or stent placement. The MRA accurately depicted continued patency, restenosis, or aneurysm formation when compared with immediate posttreatment conventional arteriography. Therefore MRA is accurate and can be used independently for clinical decision making.

Single-shot diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging of normal and cirrhotic livers using a phased-array multicoil

Single-shot spin-echo diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging using a phased-array multicoil was performed to distinguish between normal and cirrhotic livers. Sets of 6 images with different b-values were acquired with breath-holding. Significant differences were observed between controls and cirrhosis cases in the signal ratios when the b-value was 383 s/mm2, and apparent diffusion coefficients.

Calcium mobilization during nicotine-induced cell death in human glioma and glioblastoma cell lines

Nicotine dose-dependently induced cytotoxicity in human glioma (KG-1-C) and glioblastoma (GBS-1, T98G) cell lines, but could not induce internucleosomal DNA cleavage, in contrast to apoptosing human myelogenous leukemic cell lines. Human glioma/glioblastoma cell lines thus might have a chromatin structure resistant to endonuclease digestion. Nicotine induced a rapid increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. Confocal experiments with Fluo-3 fluorescence revealed that nicotine elevated the free Ca2+ concentration in both nuclear and cytoplasmic regions of the cells, and the elevation of Ca2+ in the nuclear region was more pronounced than that of the cytoplasmic region. The present study suggests that nuclear accumulation of Ca2+ is an important initial step for cell death induction by nicotine.

Osseointegration in implant-embedded mandible in rats fed calcium-deficient diet: a radiological study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to investigate osseointegration using radiographs of titanium (Ti) implants into the osteoporotic mandible of rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into three groups: first group, which were fed a standard diet throughout (control group), second group which were fed a Ca-deficient diet for only 1 week before implantation (group A), and those which were fed the Ca-deficient diet before and after implantation (group B). On the 7th and 42nd days after implantation, bone changes in those rats were examined by microradiographs and autoradiographs.

RESULTS

On the 7th day after implantation, calcification of newly formed bones was lower in groups A and B than in the control group, 45Ca uptake was seen in surrounding bones adjacent to the implant, as well as throughout the mandible. On the 42nd day after implantation, trabecular bone in group A showed radiopacity as seen in the control group. In the alveolar crest and peri-implanted bones in group B, thin bone formation with active 45Ca incorporation was found.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that irrespective of the calcium deficiency status in rats, trabecular bones around the implant are restored to a healthy state to some extent by resuming an intake of a necessary amount of dietary calcium. In continued calcium deficiency, osseointegration with the implant and alveolar bone was still observed as in the healthy rats suggesting calcium deficiency is not always a factor to regulate osseointegration of mandibular endosseous implants.

Intraluminal signal intensity of iliac artery stents investigated by contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography

The purpose of this study is to investigate the intraluminal signal of iliac artery stents by contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with a short echo time. Ten patients with iliac arterial diseases treated by intravascular metallic stent placement were examined with a 1.5 T MR imager. Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography depicted the intraluminal signal in Strecker stent, but not in the Wallstent and Palmaz stent. Strecker stent made of nonferromagnetic tantalum was the best-suited stent for use with contrast-enhanced MR angiography.

Magnetization transfer imaging of bone marrow with and without fat suppression

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To assess magnetization transfer (MT) ratios of bone marrow at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed with and without fat suppression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors performed MR imaging in 30 regions of normal bone marrow in 10 subjects by using four types of gradient-echo sequences: a combination of MT and fat-suppression techniques, only the fat-suppression technique, only the MT technique, and without MT or fat-suppression techniques. MT ratios of marrow obtained with and without the fat-suppression technique were quantitatively compared.

RESULTS

The average MT ratio of marrow with fat suppression was significantly higher than that without fat suppression (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Because bone marrow includes both water and fat, the MT ratio of marrow was underestimated when MT imaging was performed without fat suppression. A fat-suppression technique should be used.

Bartonellosis in Ecuador: serosurvey and current status of cutaneous verrucous disease

Human bartonellosis is a classically biphasic disease caused by infection with the alpha-2 Proteobacteria Bartonella bacilliformis, which is phylogenetically related to the etiologic agents of cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, and trench fever. In Ecuador, typical bartonellosis has remained endemic for the past century in highland provinces near the Peruvian border. During the past six years, public health officials have noted an increasing number of atypical cases in which monophasic verrucous cutaneous disease is the only clinical manifestation. Epidemiologic, immunologic, histopathologic, and molecular biological studies have confirmed the presence of sporadic, atypical bartonellosis in residents of the lowland province of Manabi, where archeologic evidence exists of bartonellosis in pre-Colombian times. Between 1987 and 1995, 11 cases of cutaneous bartonellosis were investigated and serologic studies were done on 224 persons from five villages, two lowland and three highland. In the lowland village of Pajan in the province of Manabi, there was a 21% seropositivity proportion in contacts of index cases. These combined data suggest that bartonellosis is significantly under-reported due to the existence of mild clinical disease, possibly associated with less virulent bacterial strains, which are now disseminating or re-emerging in previously disease-free areas.

[Assessment of cerebral circulation using echo planar imaging--basic analysis in quantitating the mean transit time, cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume]

The mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) using echo planar imaging (EPI) in 22 aged volunteers were measured based on moment analysis and gamma variate method. The first peak of signal intensity curve (p delta R2.) and the area under the curve after the first peak (AUC) were calculated according to the height over area method, as a convenient quantification. Then, MTT, CBF, and CBV were compared with AUC/p delta R2, p delta R2, and AUC, respectively. There was a good correlation between each other parameter (r = 0.67 - 0.92, every p < 0.001). The slow upward slope and the low peak height, however, caused a larger error between each other parameter.

[Assessment of regional microcirculatory changes by EPI perfusion studies in patients with multiple lacunar infarction]

The aim of this report is to assess regional cerebral microcirculatory changes by EPI perfusion study in patients with multiple lacunar infarction(MLI). Especially, we focused on the parameter(rCBV, MTT, rCBF) changes in the white matter and on the relationship between these changes in the gray and white matter. Twenty MLI patients(mean age 72 +/- 15 years) and 10 age-similar normal controls (mean age 65 +/- 12 years) were examined. As a result, the MLI patients demonstrated an insignificant rCBF reduction due to the rCBV elevation in the gray matter and a moderate rCBF reduction with less rCBV elevation in the white matter. These results show a difference in the vascular reserve between the gray and white matter, and insufficiency of the vascular reserve in MLI's white matter.

Effects of midazolam on pain sensations in the face

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effects of midazolam, a sedative, on tactile and pain sensations on the skin of the chin.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-seven volunteers were segregated into four groups; the first group was the control group; the second to fourth groups were administered 0.025 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg, and 0.075 mg/kg of midazolam, respectively, as a bolus injection. All volunteers reclined in a dental chair for the experiment. Tactile and pain sensations were determined over time after injection of midazolam, the former using von Fray thread, the latter using an esthesiometer.

RESULTS

Thresholds of tactile sensitivity and of pain were statistically significantly different from control values at 10 minutes after injection of midazolam in the 0.05 mg/kg group and in the 0.075 mg/kg group.

CONCLUSION

Although 0.025 mg/kg of midazolam produced sedation, at least 0.05 mg/kg of this agent was required to alter the thresholds for perception of tactile and painful stimulation.

Magnetic resonance imaging of myelofibrosis. STIR and gadolinium-enhanced MR images

MR images of myelofibrosis were assessed in twelve patients. Myelofibrosis showed low intensity in T1-weighted images, high intensity in STIR images, and enhancement after gadolinium injection. MR spectroscopy detected a large water resonance. MR imaging was consistent with histological findings and useful in evaluating the extracellular space in bone marrow of myelofibrosis, but it was of no value in differentiating between primary and secondary myelofibrosis.

Helicobacter pylori infection accelerates gene expression of glicentin in the gastric mucosa. Its association with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach

BACKGROUND

Glicentin is an intestinal polypeptide hormone which seems to promote intestinal metaplasia (IM) in the gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to clarify whether Helicobacter pylori infection accelerates glicentin gene expression.

METHOD

Glicentin mRNA was investigated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction using gastric biopsies from 47 patients examined endoscopically and denying IM.

RESULTS

IM was observed in 18 (38.3%) cases histologically, but not in the other 29 (62.7%). Glicentin mRNA was significantly correlated with histological IM (P < 0.01) and was positively correlated with H. pylori infection (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that H. pylori infection is associated with the induction of glicentin in the gastric mucosa, thus supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori infection accelerates IM of the stomach.

Oral sustained-release cisplatin preparation for rats and mice

A new oral sustained-release solid-dispersion preparation of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II): cisplatin) has been developed for administration to small experimental animals such as mice. This preparation was obtained by formulating cisplatin with the water-insoluble polymer ethylcellulose and with stearic acid in different ratios. In-vitro dissolution studies showed that cisplatin release characteristics were zero-order for the formulation cisplatin-ethylcellulose-stearic acid (1:10:5) and levels equilibrated 7 h after the start of the experiment. The availability of cisplatin from this preparation was evaluated both in rats and mice. The cisplatin preparation (20 mg kg-1) was administered orally to rats and the resulting curve of serum cisplatin levels against time was compared with that obtained after intravenous infusion (20 mg kg-1) to rats. By comparing the areas under serum concentration-time curves (AUCs), the bioavailability of cisplatin was estimated to be 31%. The mean residence time (MRT) of cisplatin solid dispersion was 6.13 +/- 0.43 h, whereas the MRT of cisplatin administered by intravenous infusion was 3.89 +/- 0.05 h. Serum cisplatin levels were maintained above 0.3 mg mL-1 (believed from our clinical studies to be the minimum effective concentration) for 24 h. The curve of serum cisplatin level against time suggested that cisplatin was released from the solid dispersion preparation in a sustained-release fashion. Similar levels were also maintained in mice for 24 h. The MRT of the cisplatin preparation was 10-16 h in mice, which is longer than that obtained after oral administration of the physical mixture. The serum free-cisplatin concentration was determined to be 0.10 mg mL-1 in mice serum in which the total cisplatin concentration was 0.30 mg mL-1. The free fraction of cisplatin in mice serum was the same as that in human patient serum. Pathological examination showed that this new sustained-release oral cisplatin preparation did not have any side effects on the gastrointestinal tract. These results suggest usefulness of this new solid-dispersion preparation for oral cisplatin therapy in lung cancer patients.

[Proton MR spectroscopy of hyperplastic hematopoietic marrow in aplastic anemia]

The purpose of this study was to compare the findings of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of hyperplastic hematopoietic marrow with those of normal bone marrow. Twenty-four samples of normal marrow from eight control subjects and 19 samples of hyperplastic marrow in aplastic anemia were examined with a 1.5T MR unit. The former showed low intensity on opposed-phase T1-weighted images, while the latter showed high intensity on both fast STIR and opposed-phase T1-weighted images. MR spectroscopy quantitatively confirmed that the water: fat ratio was increased and the transverse relaxation time of water was changed in hyperplastic bone marrow, compared with normal bone marrow. In summary, MR imaging is able to detect hematopoietic regions among a wide range of bone marrow of aplastic anemia, while MR spectroscopy allowed us to quantitatively analyze the cell population of hyperplastic hematopoietic marrow in aplastic anemia.

Proton MR imaging and spectroscopy evaluation of aplastic anemia: three bone marrow patterns

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to classify bone marrow intensity patterns in aplastic anemia with proton MRI and to compare them with MR spectroscopic findings quantitatively and qualitatively.

METHOD

Twelve patients with aplastic anemia and six normal volunteers were examined with a 1.5 T MR unit. T1-weighted SE, fast STIR, and opposed-phase T1-weighted RF-spoiled GE images (op-SPGR) were acquired with MR images, while MR spectroscopy was performed with a stimulated echo acquisition mode without water suppression.

RESULTS

Three bone marrow patterns were determined in aplastic anemia with MR images: marrow a with low intensity on fast STIR and high intensity on T1-weighted imaging and op-SPGR, marrow b with low intensity on T1-weighted imaging and op-SPGR and high intensity on fast STIR, and marrow c with low intensity on T1-weighted imaging and high intensity on fast STIR and op-SPGR. MR spectroscopy quantitatively showed that the ratio of water to fat of marrow a significantly decreased (mean 0.41) and that of marrow c increased (mean 3.40) compared with those of marrow b (mean 1.09) and normal bone marrow (mean 1.04). There were no differences of the types of fat signals between aplastic anemia and normal bone marrow with MR spectroscopy.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging and spectroscopy were noninvasive methods of classifying bone marrow patterns and quantifying bone marrow content in aplastic anemia, which may improve the results currently obtained with biopsy.

Normal contrast enhancement of extraocular muscles: fat-suppressed MR findings

PURPOSE

To evaluate contrast enhancement of normal extraocular muscles in the orbit.

METHODS

Noncontrast and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images of the orbit were acquired using a fat-suppression MR technique in eight patients with no orbital disease. Contrast enhancement of 64 extraocular muscles was evaluated and compared with that of 16 temporal muscles.

RESULTS

Compared with temporal muscles, all extraocular muscles markedly enhanced after administration of contrast material.

CONCLUSIONS

Because normal extraocular muscles enhanced markedly with contrast material, more attention should be paid to these muscles when using contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed T1-weighted MR imaging to evaluate pathologic conditions.

Fine substrate specificities of four exo-type cellulases produced by Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma reesei, and Irpex lacteus on (1-->3), (1-->4)-beta-D-glucans and xyloglucan

To investigate the fine substrate specificities of four highly purified exo-type cellulases (Exo-A from Aspergillus niger, CBHI and CBHII from Trichoderma reesei, and Ex-1 from Irpex lacteus), water-soluble substrates such as barley glucan, xyloglucan from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), and their oligosaccharides were employed. Four exo-type cellulases immediately hydrolyzed 3-O-beta-D-cellotriosylglucose to produce cellobiose and laminaribiose. In contrast, CBHII showed no hydrolytic activity towards 3(2)-O-beta-D-cello-biosylcellobiose, which was hydrolyzed to cellobiose by the other exo-type cellulases. These cellulases hydrolyzed the internal linkages of barley glucan and lichenan in an endo-type fashion to produce cellobiose and mix-linked oligosaccharides as main products. The DP-lowering activities of the four exo-type cellulases on barley glucan were in the order of Ex-1, CBHII, Exo-A, and CBHI. Based on gel permeation chromatography analysis of the hydrolysates, Ex-1 seemed to attack the internal cellobiosyl unit adjacent to beta-1,3-glucosidic linkages in barley glucan molecule more frequently than did the other cellulases. Xyloglucan was hydrolyzed only by CBHI and CBHII, and produced hepta-, octa-, and nona-saccharides. In addition, a xyloglucan tetradecasaccharide (XG14) was split only to heptasaccharide (XG7) by CBHI and CBHII.

Preliminary report on teratogenic effects of zonisamide in the offspring of treated women with epilepsy

PURPOSE

We wished to assess the risk of teratogenicity of zonisamide (ZNS) in humans.

METHODS

Pregnant epileptic women treated with ZNS and their offspring were prospectively monitored from June 1989 to December 1994. The outcome of pregnancy and status of neonates were examined based on the same standardized protocol.

RESULTS

Twenty-six offspring exposed to ZNS with or without other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were studied. Malformations were detected in 2 offspring (7.7%) exposed to ZNS polypharmacy. Anencephaly was detected in one case at 16 weeks of gestation (case 1, artificial abortion), and atrial septal defect was detected in another case at 37 weeks of gestation (case 2, delivery by cesarean section). Serum concentrations of ZNS during the first trimester of pregnancy were 6.1 micrograms/ml in case 1 and 6.3 micrograms/ml in case 2; in both cases, the levels were below the therapeutic concentration range of ZNS.

CONCLUSIONS

Teratogenic effects of ZNS were not clearly defined from these results since malformations were detected in two polypharmacy cases but not in four monopharmacy cases. The present data do not indicate that the risk of ZNS teratogenicity is greater than that of other conventional AEDs. However, such risk cannot be neglected even at therapeutic dosages or concentrations of ZNS, especially in patients receiving poly-pharmacy.

MR appearances of urinary bladder in amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma

Amyloidosis led to thickening of the urinary bladder wall, with hypointensity in T2-weighted images, which was distinguished from multiple myeloma involvement.

[MR images of bone marrow in aplastic anemia and correlation between MR findings and age]

We observed 125 lumbar vertebrae in 25 patients with aplastic anemia using a 0.5-T MR imager. Bone marrow patterns of aplastic anemia on STIR images were classified into five types: 1) homogeneously low intensity fatty marrow, 2) fatty marrow with scattered hematopoietic nodules, 3) fatty marrow with marginal hematopoietic regions, 4) fatty marrow surrounded by bandlike hematopoietic regions, and 5) homogeneously high-signal-intensity hematopoietic marrow. STIR images defined the fatty marrow as a markedly hypointense region and the hematopoietic marrow as a high signal intense area. Many cases included the homogeneously fatty marrow and fatty marrow with marginal hematopoietic areas, whereas marrow with a broad range of hematopoiesis was detected in patients younger than 40 years. MR images also demonstrated that fatty marrow could shift to hematopoietic marrow following therapy. MR images were useful for detection of the bone marrow distribution of aplastic anemia, related to aging and treatment.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-substituted D-tryptophan-containing peptidic endothelin receptor antagonists: importance of the C-2 substituent of the D-tryptophan residue for endothelin A and B receptor subtype selectivity

Continuing studies on modifications of potent cyclic pentapeptide endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists, represented by BQ-123, and potent linear tripeptide derivative ET receptor antagonists, represented by BQ-788, are described herein. The introduction of D-tryptophan analogues with C-2 substituents in these peptidic ET antagonists resulted in potent ET receptor antagonists with various ETA/ETB subtype selectivity. Combined ETA/ETB receptor antagonists were found in both cyclic pentapeptide and linear tripeptide series with 2-halo- and 2-methyl-D-tryptophans. In contrast, compounds with 2-cyano-D-tryptophan were ETB receptor-selective antagonists. The C-2 substituent of the D-tryptophanyl residue appeared to be very important for the discrimination of ETA/ETB subtype selectivity of the antagonists. The potent ET receptor antagonists with various ETA/ETB subtype selectivity synthesized in this study may be useful tools for elucidating the physiological and pathophysiological roles of ET and ET receptors.

Case report: serous atrophy of bone marrow and subcutaneous tissue enhancement associated with recurrent rectal carcinoma: MR appearances

We report a case of serous atrophy of bone marrow associated with recurrent rectal carcinoma detected by MR images. Bone marrow of vault, clivus and femur showed waterlike signal patterns in T1- and T2-weighted images. Postcontrast T1-weighted images revealed no enhancement of bone marrow, while subcutaneous tissue showed decreased signal intensity and enhancement consistent with an increase in connective tissue with fat atrophy. Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging was useful for differentiating the serous atrophy of marrow from bone metastasis in this carcinoma patient.

Cyclic pentapeptide endothelin A receptor antagonists with attenuated in vivo clearance

A series of analogues of BQ-123 (1), a potent cyclic pentapeptide endothelin A receptor antagonist, with amino acids linked to the side-chain of the Pro residue via an ester linkage was synthesized. All analogues synthesized exhibited potent endothelin A receptor binding affinity similar to that of 1. Of the synthesized analogues, the Lys, Arg and N alpha,N epsilon-dimethyllysine analogues, 9d-f, exhibited about a three-fold attenuation of in vivo clearance compared with 1. In rats, these analogues exhibited a 3-fold-higher plasma concentration and a longer retention time in plasma as compared with those of 1. The attenuated in vivo clearance was thought to be a consequence of decreased extraction of the compounds from the blood via the hepatic anion transport system, which efficiently extracts 1 from the blood.

Aberrant growth of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia in serum-free culture

We investigated the properties of granulocyte-macrophage (GM) progenitors obtained from patients with juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML). CD34+ bone marrow cells from a patient with JCML, unlike normal bone marrow cells, generated a large number of cells in serum-containing liquid culture without additional hematopoietic factors. In serum-deprived culture, only granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) had a modest stimulatory effect on GM colony growth in normal controls. In contrast, stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin-3 (IL-3), as well as G-CSF, when tested individually, generated significant numbers of GM colonies in some JCML patients. All two-factor combinations generated significantly more GM colonies in JCML compared with normal controls. In particular, GM-CSF plus SCF exerted an interaction equivalent to the all-factor combination in most patients. Significant differences in the size and constituent cells of GM colonies stimulated by GM-CSF plus SCF were also observed. These results suggest that one possible mechanism for the excessive cell production in JCML is the strong proliferation of GM progenitors induced by hematopoietic factors, especially SCF. According to immunofluorescent analysis, however, it is unlikely that this multiplication is due to an increase in the cell surface expression of c-kit receptors on JCML progenitors.

[MR imaging of hematopoietic regions in bone marrow of aplastic anemia : diagnostic usefulness of opposed phase T1-weighted images]

The signal intensity of hematopoietic regions in the marrow of aplastic anemia were investigated on opposed phase T1-weighted images (op-T1WI) with a 0.5-Tesla MR unit. Hematopoietic regions were classified into two groups : 1) low intensity hematopoietic areas (LH) isointense to normal marrow and 2) high intensity hematopoietic regions (HH) with higher intensity than normal marrow on op-T1WI. a) The signal intensity of LH was significantly lower than that of HH on STIR. b) LH converted in to HH with improvement of laboratory data after therapy, whereas HH decreased with impairment of data. c) In addition, HH were hyperintense to cerebrospinal fluid on op-T1WI. These results indicated that the signal intensity of hematopoietic regions on op-T1WI reflected the cellularity in these regions and that aplastic anemia included hypercellular regions relative to normal marrow.

Gastric carcinoma metastasis to calf muscles: MR findings

We report the MR findings of a rare case of gastric carcinoma metastasis to muscles in the calf. T2-weighted images showed the diffuse enlargement of skeletal muscles in the calf with remarkable hyperintensity.

Autocrine growth of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder induced by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) produced by nonhematopoietic malignant cells has been reported to be capable of inducing a leukemoid reaction in the host through intense stimulation of leukocyte production. Furthermore, this is frequently associated with aggressive tumor cell growth and a detrimental clinical outcome. In this study, we identified bladder cancer cells producing G-CSF with the expression of the functional receptor, which provides direct evidence of autocrine growth of bladder cancer cells induced by G-CSF. The cancer cells used in this study were obtained from a 76-year-old man who had a metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and who demonstrated marked leukocytosis, his peripheral blood leukocyte count was 94,900 leukocytes/mm3, and his serum G-CSF level was 103 pg/ml. The culture medium in which the cancer cells were grown exclusively contained a significant amount of G-CSF (5560 pg/ml). Significant G-CSF mRNA expression and G-CSF receptor mRNA expression in the cultured cells were demonstrated by the reverse transcription-PCR method. In addition, binding studies with the use of radiolabeled recombinant G-CSF demonstrated the presence of high-affinity G-CSF binding receptors on the cultured cancer cells. Finally, the proliferation of the cultured cancer cells was stimulated by exogenous G-CSF administration, and this stimulation was inhibited by adding anti-G-CSF antibody, as demonstrated by both the flow cytometric bromodeoxyuridine incorporation technique and the [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. These results strongly suggest that G-CSF production by the bladder cancer cells studied augments autocrine growth. Therefore, we recommend exercising caution in the clinical use of G-CSF for bladder cancer patients.

Classification of hematopoietic regions in out-of-phase T1-weighted images: a quantitative comparison study with T1-weighted and STIR images

The hematopoietic regions were classified into two groups on the basis of out-of-phase T1-weighted images (op-T1WI): regions with lower intensity than that of muscle (LH) and regions with intensity equal to or higher than that of muscle (HH). We quantitatively evaluated the differences in signal intensity between LH and HH in order to examine this classification. Forty-two hematopoietic areas in aplastic anemia were classified into two groups of 23 LH and 19 HH. The signal ratios of hematopoietic areas to muscle on T1WI and STIR were calculated, and the differences between LH and HH were statistically evaluated. The signal ratios of LH were significantly higher on T1WI and lower on STIR than those of HH (unpaired t-test, p < 0.05). This result indicated that LH consisted of more hypocellular marrow than HH. Op-T1WI were useful in differentiating between LH and HH and defining the degree of hematopoiesis in aplastic anemia.

MR signal changes in bone marrow of mandible in hematologic disorders

OBJECTIVE

Signal intensity changes in bone marrow of the mandible were observed in cases with hematologic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using MRI, bone marrow intensity of the mandible was observed in six patients with polycythemia vera, acute leukemia, myelofibrosis, and malignant lymphoma. A control group was also evaluated for comparison.

RESULTS

The bone marrow of the condyloid process of the mandible converts to yellow marrow in early childhood. Therefore, T1-weighted imaging showed the marrow of the mandible to have a high signal intensity similar to that of fat in the control cases. In contrast, the bone marrow of the mandible in the patients exhibited lower intensity than that of fat and was enhanced after Gd-DTPA injection.

CONCLUSION

In hematologic diseases MRI detected the signal changes of the mandible. More attention should be focused on the marrow intensity of the mandible in the routine cranial MR examinations in patients with hematologic disorders.

[Contrast enhancement and morphological findings of hematopoietic regions of bone marrow on MR imaging: comparative study with spondylitis and vertebral tumors]

The enhanced MR findings of hematopoietic regions in aplastic anemia were compared with those of spondylitis, metastatic vertebral tumors and hematologic neoplasms. The enhanced MR images showed hematopoietic regions to homogeneously enhance and occupy the margin of vertebral bodies, while spondylitis and metastatic tumors appeared as round, inhomogeneously enhancing lesions. MR images of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome showed homogeneous enhancement at the margins of vertebrae that was difficult to differentiate from hematopoietic regions. Enhanced MR images were useful in detecting the hematopoietic areas in marrow and differentiating them from spondylitis and metastatic tumors, although further experience is needed to distinguish between tumorous hyperplastic regions and benign hematopoietic regions in marrow.

Purification and characterization of an ATP-dependent amidohydrolase, N-methylhydantoin amidohydrolase, from Pseudomonas putida 77

N-Methylhydantoin amidohydrolase, an ATP-dependent amidohydrolase involved in microbial degradation of creatinine, was purified 70-fold to homogeneity, with a 62% overall recovery, and was crystallized from Pseudomonas putida 77. The enzyme has a relative molecular mass of 300,000. It is a tetramer of two identical small subunits (M(r) 70,000) and two identical large subunits (M(r) 80,000). The enzyme requires ATP for the amidohydrolysis of N-methylhydantoin and vice versa. Mg2+, Mn2+ or Co2+, and K+, NH4+, Rb+ or Cs+, were absolutely required concomitantly for the enzyme activity as divalent and monovalent cations, respectively. The Km and Vmax values for N-methylhydantoin were 32 microM and 9.0 mumol.min-1.mg protein-1. The hydrolysis of amide compounds and coupled hydrolysis of ATP were observed with hydantoin, DL-5-methylhydantoin, glutarimide and succimide in addition to N-methylhydantoin. 2-Pyrrolidone, 2-oxazolidone, delta-valerolactam, 2,4-thiazolidinedione, 2-imidazolidone, D-5-oxoproline methyl ester, DL-5-oxoproline methyl ester, and naturally occurring pyrimidine compounds, i.e. dihydrouracil, dihydrothymine, uracil, and thymine, effectively stimulated ATP hydrolysis by the enzyme without undergoing detectable self-hydrolysis.

Binding of [3H](+)-PN200-110 to aortic membranes from normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

We report here the quantitative evaluation of binding density (Bmax) of [3H](+)-PN200-110 in aortic membranes obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. At both 4 and 13 weeks of age, there were no significant differences in Bmax and the dissociation constants (Kd) of [3H](+)-PN200-110 binding between SHR and WKY rat aortas. Irrespective of strain, the Kd increased and the Bmax decreased with age. These results suggest that the number of Ca2+ channels in aortas of SHR and WKY rats are not significantly different, even when hypertension is established in SHR.

[Evaluation of bone marrow by opposed phase T1-weighted images and enhanced MR imaging]

We investigated bone marrow in a control group, cases of aplastic anemia and post-irradiation patients by examining T1-weighted (T1WI), short TI inversion recovery (STIR), opposed phase T1WI (op-T1WI) and Gd-DTPA enhanced op-T1WI images obtained by 0.5T MRI. Bone marrow was classified into four types based on MR findings. Normal marrow showed low intensity on op-T1WI and STIR images without enhancement (I). Fatty marrow, which showed high intensity on T1WI and op-T1WI images was observed in aplastic anemia and post-irradiation patients (II). Hematopoietic marrow (III) showed low intensity on op-T1WI and enhanced, while active hematopoietic marrow (IV) revealed high intensity on both STIR and op-T1WI images and was enhanced following Gd-DTPA infusion. Aplastic anemia of moderate grade included types II, III and IV. Enhanced MR was needed to differentiate between types I and III since both types showed low intensity on op-T1WI images. Furthermore, type IV was considered as hyperplastic compared with type III. Enhanced MR and op-T1WI images were useful in evaluating hematopoiesis of bone marrow.