TP53 mutations in stage I gallbladder carcinoma with special attention to growth patterns

32 stage I cases of gallbladder carcinoma (GC) were examined to evaluate TP53 mutations with special attention to growth patterns. Their growth patterns were classified into two types: polypoid (P-type) and flat (F-type). 16 cases of GC were classified as P-type and 16 as F-type. p53 immunohistochemistry was performed using a mouse monoclonal anti-p53 antibody. Mutations in exons 5-8 were examined by polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing. The incidence of p53 immunoreactivity was greater in the cases of F-type (11/16, 69%) than those in P-type (14/16, 25%) (P < 0.05). PCR-SSCP or direct sequencing revealed that TP53 mutations were detected in all cases positive for p53 protein. These results suggest that TP53 mutations may contribute to the carcinogenesis of the F-type GC, and than this pathway in the F-type may differ from that in the P-type GC.

Flow injection analysis for measurement of activity of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7)

A simple and convenient method for measuring the activity of a recombinant human matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7, matrilysin) was developed by flow injection analysis (FIA). For this method, purified recombinant MMP-7 zymogen expressed in E. coli and the substrate peptide (MOCAc-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-A2pr(DNP)-Ala-Arg-NH2) were used. Following the incubation of substrate peptide with activated r-proMMP-7, the resulting fluorescent product peptide (MOCAc-Pro-Leu-GLY) was monitored with a fluorescence detector (lambda ex 328 mm, lambda em 393 mm) without chromatographic separation. In this FIA system, the analysis time is 2 min and the standard curve is linear from 5 to 100 pmol of the product peptide injected. In order to use this FIA system as a method for screening inhibitors against MMP-7, the effects of CaCl2, EDTA and of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and -2, were tested. A synthetic PRCGXPD-containing peptide (BS-10) was also observed to inhibit MMP-7 activity, with an IC50 value of 104 microM. Thus, it was concluded that the activity of r-MMP-7 can be reliably measured by the proposed system. Furthermore, to confirm the utility of this FIA system as a screening method, the inhibitory activity of the MMP-related substance in Joro spider (Nephilia clavata) venom was measured by this method. This inhibitory activity was observed in an extract of a venom diluted 1000-fold. Thus, the FIA method is not only simple and quick, but also sensitive enough to screen and analyze the inhibitory properties of a large number of test compounds.

Development of enzyme immunoassay of 2'-deoxycytidine

In order to study 2'-deoxycytidine (2'-dCyd) as a possible prognostic marker in cancer chemotherapy, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed. 2'-dCyd as a hapten was succinylated and two omicron-monosuccinyl-2'-dCyd's were purified by high performance liquid chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry and 1H-NMR. Two antigens were prepared by conjugating two omicron-succinyl derivatives with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as a carrier. Both antigen produced specific antibodies to 2'dCyd in BALD/c mice. The spleen cells of one mouse immunized with 5'-omicron-succinyl-2'-dCyd-KLH were hybridized with myeloma cells. One monoclone selected produced a specific antibody. A convenient EIA was attained by using the monoclonal antibody.

Decreased cortical glucose metabolism correlates with hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer's disease as shown by MRI and PET

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation between atrophy of the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus (the % hippocampal area) and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRGlc) in Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

13 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease by NINCDS-ADRDA criteria (six men; seven women, mean age 71 years, mini mental state 13.8 (SD 4.6)) and age matched controls were studied. T1 weighted MRI (0.5T) images were used for evaluation of the hippocampal area. With a digitiser system, a percentage of the hippocampal area to the brain (the % hippocampal area) was calculated. Eight patients received another T1 weighted MRI (1.5T) for further evaluation of the minimum thickness of the hippocampus. Regional CMRGlc (rCMRGlc) was measured using PET and the FDG technique.

RESULTS

The hippocampal area in patients with Alzheimer's disease was significantly lower than that of controls (P < 0.01). All the cortical rCMRGlc values in patients with Alzheimer's disease were lower than those of controls (P < 0.01). A significant correlation (P < 0.05) was found between the % hippocampal area and rCMRGlc in the temporal lobe, temporoparieto-occipital (TPO) region, and frontal lobe in Alzheimer's disease. There was a significant correlation between minimal hippocampal thickness and ipsilateral TPO metabolism on both sides.

CONCLUSION

The ipsilateral correlation between hippocampal atrophy and decreased TPO metabolism in Alzheimer's disease suggests a functional relation and the asymmetries show that Alzheimer's disease is an asymmetric disease in its early stages.

Increased plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute lung injury

PURPOSE

This study was performed to elucidate the pathophysiological role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in acute lung injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We sequentially measured plasma concentrations of immunoreactive BNP and ANP in 10 patients (mean age, 63 years (with acute lung injury and compared those with hemodynamic parameters and pulmonary functions.

RESULTS

Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive BNP and ANP were markedly elevated at entry into the study. Plasma BNP concentrations during the early course (3 days) showed significant (P < .01) positive correlations with systemic vascular resistance index (r = .708) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (r = .573), but a negative correlation with cardiac index (r = .608). Plasma ANP concentrations showed a significant (P < .05) positive correlation with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = .398). Plasma BNP in 4 patients who died and 1 patient with acute renal failure remained elevated during the entire hospital length of stay (12 days).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that circulating BNP plays an important role in acute lung injury along with ANP as a compensatory mechanism for cardiac dysfunction accompanied by increased systemic vascular resistance index and pulmonary vascular resistance index. Circulating BNP may be a sensitive humoral marker for the degree of ventricular dysfunction associated with acute lung injury.

Performance study of a miniature gamma ray scintillation vivo probe for tumor localization

We have developed a miniature gamma-ray endoscopic probe consisting of dual BGO detector probes for tumor detection inside the body cavities. The dual detector system was coupled with random coincidence to decrease the distant background radiation and to improve its spatial resolution for tumor localization.

METHOD

The performance of the probe was investigated with a point source and a water phantom. A solution of positron emitting 18F isotope was used as the source. Clinical trials of the probe were done to localize tumors on the skin surface of four subjects carrying tumors close to the body surfaces, into whom 67Ga-citrate and 18F-FDG radiopharmaceuticals were injected.

RESULTS

Measurements indicated that the spatial resolution of the dual detector probes is around 1.5 times better than the single detector probe, and both single and dual detector endoscopic probe systems are capable of localizing a tumor on a large photon background.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic probe may be easier to insert inside body cavities due to the small crystal size and the flexible light guides. A single detector probe with higher sensitivity may be useful in searching for tumors over a wide intracavity area but a dual detector probe can be used for precise tumor localization. The detector probe may also be suitable for intraoperative observation.

Central distribution of sensory fibers in the facial nerve: an anatomical and immunohistochemical study

Wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) injection into the facial nerve of the cat resulted in retrograde labeling in the geniculate and jugular ganglia ipsilaterally. Labeled fibers were found to enter into the brain stem through the intermediate and vagal nerves. These fibers ascended or descended into the dorsal portion of the spinal trigeminal tract and were distributed to the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, marginal layer of the interpolar part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract and ventrolateral portion of the cuneate nucleus. It was of particular interest in the present study that the intensive labeling was present in the medial portion of laminae I-IV of the upper cervical spinal cord. The immunohistochemical study revealed a lot of substance P-immunoreactive neurons in the geniculate and jugular ganglia, and heavy accumulation of immunoreactive fibers in laminae I-II of the upper cervical spinal cord.

Metabolism of selenite labelled with enriched stable isotope in the bloodstream

The metabolism of selenium (Se) in the bloodstream of rats was studied using HPLC-ICP-MS with an enriched Se stable isotope, and the results were used as Se-specific indicators for Se nutritional status. Concentration of endogenous Se in plasma depended on dietary Se, while changes in concentrations and distributions of exogenous Se revealed its metabolic pathway. Namely, selenite was taken up by red blood cells and reduced to selenide, and then reappeared in plasma in a form bound selectively to albumin within 10 min, disappeared from plasma again within 30 min after injection. Then, the concentration of labelled Se started to increase slowly as selenoprotein P and extracellular glutathione peroxidase, and attained a maximum level at about 6 h after injection. The isotope ratio of endogenous to exogenous Se concentrations in plasma after 48 h post-injection was proposed to represent the Se-specific indicator in plasma reflecting the nutritional status of Se.

Nonsense mutation at Tyr-4046 in the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit of severe combined immune deficiency mice

The severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mouse was reported as an animal model for human immune deficiency. Through the course of several studies, the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) gene came to be considered a candidate for the SCID-responsible gene. We isolated an ORF of the murine DNA-PKcs gene from SCID mice and their parent strain C.B-17 mice and determined the DNA sequences. The ORF of the murine DNA-PKcs gene contained 4128-aa residues and had 78.9% homology with the human DNA-PKcs gene. A particularly important finding is that a T to A transversion results in the substitution of termination codon in SCID mice for the Tyr-4046 in C.B-17 mice. No other mutation was detected in the ORF of the gene. The generality of this transversion was confirmed using four individual SCID and wild-type mice. The substitution took place in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase domain, and the mutated gene encodes the truncated products missing 83 residues of wild-type DNA-PKcs products. Furthermore, the quantity of DNA-PKcs transcript in wild-type and SCID cells was almost equal. These observations indicate that the DNA-PKcs gene is the SCID-responsible gene itself and that the detected mutation leads to the SCID aberration.

Simple and rapid preparation of plasmid template by a filtration method using microtiter filter plates

We developed a new simple high-throughput plasmid DNA extraction procedure, based on a modified alkaline lysis method, using only one 96-well microtiter glassfilter plate. In this method, cell harvesting, lysis by alkaline and plasmid purification are performed on only one microtiter glassfilter plate. After washing out RNAs or other contaminants, plasmid DNA is eluted by low-ion strength solution, although precipitated chromosomal DNA is not eluted. The plasmid prepared by this method can be applied to sequencing reactions or restriction enzyme cleavage.

High efficiency selection of full-length cDNA by improved biotinylated cap trapper

We report here an improved protocol for the preparation of full-length cDNA libraries that improves the previously reported method (Carninci, P., Kvam, K., Kitamura, A. et al. 1996, Genomics, 137, 327-336), that allows long cDNAs to be cloned more efficiently. One potential disadvantage of the original biotinylated CAP trapper protocol is the exposure of mRNA to chemical and enzymatic attacks during the biotinylation of the cap structure, before the first-strand cDNA synthesis (and selection of full-length cDNA by biotinylated cap). Here, we show that the biotinylation of the cap structure is very specific and effective even if biotinylation is performed on the mRNA/cDNA hybrid produced by the first-strand cDNA synthesis reaction. Consequently, mRNA remains protected from chemical and enzymatic degradation during the overnight biotinylation step, thus making it possible to select full-length cDNAs of longer average size. We herein report the efficiency and specificity of the new version of the protocol for cap structure biotinylation and capture of full-length cDNA.

Effects of haloperidol and cocaine pretreatments on brain distribution and kinetics of [11C]methamphetamine in methamphetamine sensitized dog: application of PET to drug pharmacokinetic study

Repeated administration of methamphetamine (MAP) causes behavioral sensitization in animals. We previously reported that the maximum accumulation level of [11C]MAP in the MAP-sensitized dog brain was 1.4 times higher than that in the control. In behavioral studies, haloperidol (a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist) prevents MAP-induced behavioral sensitization, and cocaine (a dopamine reuptake blocker) has the cross-behavioral sensitization with MAP. In the present study, to elucidate the relation between the MAP-induced behavioral sensitization and the pharmacokinetics of MAP, we investigated the effects of haloperidol and cocaine pretreatments on brain regional distribution and kinetics of [11C]MAP using positron emission tomography (PET). A significant increase of [11C]MAP uptake into the sensitized dog brain was prevented by haloperidol and cocaine pretreatments. These pharmacokinetic changes were not due to the changes in the rate of MAP metabolism. These results suggest haloperidol and cocaine can change the cerebral pharmacokinetic profile of MAP in the behavioral-sensitized dog. The variations of MAP-accumulation may affect the development or expression of MAP-induced behavioral sensitization.

Antibody responses against Em18 and Em16 serodiagnostic markers in alveolar and cystic echinococcosis patients from northwest China

Western blot analysis was carried out in order to evaluate new serodiagnostic markers, Em18 and Em16, for differentiation of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) from cystic echinococcosis (CE) using 36 serum samples from hydatid patients from Xinjiang, China, where AE and CE are both endemic and one double infection case has been reported. All AE cases except one (5/6) who exhibited a calcified lesion and a single case of double infection showed antibody responses against Em18 and Em16. Some of CE patient sera (6/22) showed antibody response against Em16 except one who showed that against Em18. Analyses of IgG subclass responses against Em18 and Em16 were carried out using all serum samples showing antibody responses against Em18 and/or Em16 (seven CE, five AE, and one AE + CE) and additional samples of three CE and 22 AE from Sichuan, China. IgG4 was the most predominant antibody subclass. Em18 and Em16 were recognized by both IgG4 and IgG1 (in most cases) or by either IgG4 or IgG1 (in minor cases) or by IgG3 (in very rare cases). Neither Em18 nor Em16 was recognized by IgG2 antibodies. The usefulness of Em18 and Em16 as potential new markers for serological differentiation of human AE and CE, respectively, is discussed.

Hemangiopericytoma of the chest wall

We treated a 79-year-old woman with hemangiopericytoma of the chest wall. This is a very rare entity, with only a total of 12 cases including our case reported in Japan. There is a predominance of women (10 female patients and two male patients) and a predilection for the right side (9 in the right side and 3 in the left side).

Telomerase activity is detected in pancreatic cancer but not in benign tumors

Activation of telomerase and stabilization of telomeres are considered to be necessary for immortalization of human tumor cells. In the present study, telomerase activity was detected in 41 (95%) of 43 pancreatic cancer specimens but was detectable in none of 11 benign pancreatic tumors and only one of 3 pancreatitis samples. Low levels of telomerase activity were detected in 5 (14%) of 36 adjacent "normal" pancreatic tissues. These five telomerase-positive "normal" specimens were obtained from patients that also had pancreatic cancer and may reflect occult microinvasion. Telomerase activity was examined in 12 ex vivo brushing samples of the pancreatic duct, and 8 of 8 with pancreatic cancer had detectable telomerase activity, whereas 0 of 4 of benign lesions (cystadenoma and pancreatitis) did. These findings suggest that telomerase activity in cells derived from pancreatic ducts may be useful in the diagnosis of cancer and that telomerase activity may be a critical or rate-limiting step in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Wild-type, but not mutant-type, p53 enhances nuclear accumulation of the NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus

By using vaccinia virus-T7 hybrid expression system, subcellular localization of the NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus was studied. Full-size NS3 (NS3F) and a carboxy-terminally truncated form (NS3 deltaC) were localized in the cytoplasm and the nucleus when expressed alone. However, NS3F and NS3 deltaC, but not amino- and carboxy-terminally truncated form (NS3 deltaN deltaC), were each co-localized with wild-type p53 almost exclusively in the nucleus upon co-expression. The wild-type p53-induced nuclear accumulation of NS3F was inhibited only partially by NS4A. When co-expressed with mutant-type p53, NS3F and NS3 deltaC were each co-localized with it exclusively in the cytoplasm. Taken together, the present results suggest that wild-type p53 enhances nuclear accumulation of NS3F and NS3 deltaC through the involvement of their amino-terminal sequences even in the presence of NS4A, and that mutant-type p53 inhibits their nuclear, and enhances their cytoplasmic, accumulation.

Positional reproducibility of the patient's head normalized by a robotized chair-based automatic head-positioning system, Racs-N

With a view to normalization of the head orientation without the use of a fixation jig for the measurement of jaw movement employing an X-ray television, we have been developing an automatic head-positioning system, Racs-N, consisting of a head-position sensor and a robotized chair. The head position is monitored in 6 degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) by using a position-sensitive detector (PSD) camera-based photostereometry. If they are incorrect, the robotized chair rectifies them automatically by adjusting the position and orientation of the head support in 5 d.o.f. (except the vertical position). The rectified position, however, has a certain margin of error, due to the mobility of the head relative to the head support. To improve this, we employed an iterative correction in that the positioning is repeated until the determined position converges. In experiments employing several subjects, this particular correction was verified to converge by more than six iterations and to be effective for the reduction of head-position errors.

Automatic head positioning system using PSD-equipped camera-based photostereometry and a 5-degree-of-freedom robotized chair: calibration and accuracy verification

In measurements of jaw movements employing an X-ray television, the orientation of the patient's head must be normalized relative to the measuring device. To avoid interferring with natural jaw movements caused by using a positioning jig, we have developed an automatic head positioning system consisting of a head position sensor and a robotized chair. The position and orientation of the head is monitored by detecting the three-dimensional positions of four non-coplanar LED markers mounted on the head, by means of a set of two photoelectronic cameras. If they are incorrect, the head is moved into the required position, using a 5-degree-of-freedom robotized chair. To accomplish this accurately, the positional relations of system components must be determined precisely. This paper proposes a least-square technique of calibrating the relationship between the position sensor and the chair. Consequently, accurate positioning is achieved. Accuracy verification studies revealed that overall positioning errors lay within 2.42 mm and 1.28 degrees with respect to the position and orientation, respectively, if the markers are secured to the head support of the chair.

Further observations on cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary system in biliary atresia after hepatic portoenterostomy: report on 10 cases

This is a report on ten patients with cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary system (CDIB) after hepatic portoenterostomy. They were five girls and five boys and the diagnosis of CDIB was made at ages 6 months to 11 years (mean age: 2.8 +/- 3.3 years). Follow-up ranged from one month to 15 years (mean: 5.5 +/- 4.9 years). In order to elucidate the factors which affect the clinical outcome of such patients, the types of CDIB (Type A: noncommunicating solitary cyst, Type B: communicating solitary cyst, Type C: multi-cystic dilatation), clinical symptoms at onset of CDIB and the method for the treatment were reviewed in relation to the outcome. For the purpose of understanding pathogenesis of CDIB, immunohistochemical study on hepatobiliary system was done with monoclonal antibody for cytokeratin. Outcome of the patients of Type C was poor, whereas the outcome of patients with type A and B was good. The outcome of preoperatively jaundiced patients was poor, but jaundice-free patients showed good outcome. Method of treatment was not related to the outcome. As epithelium of CDIB was positive for monoclonal antibody of cytokeratin, it was suspected that pathogenesis of CDIB might be related to peribiliary gland which originated from ductal plate.