Excitatory amino acid receptors in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus mediate pressor response induced by carotid body chemoreceptor stimulation in rats

In urethane-anesthetized rats with spinal transection, antagonists of excitatory amino acid receptors, P2 purinoceptors and adrenoceptors were microinjected into the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and their effects on the pressor response evoked by carotid body chemoreceptor stimulation were examined. Microinjections of the non-selective excitatory amino acid antagonist kynurenate, the non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX and the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5) into the PVN inhibited the chemoreceptor reflex-induced pressor response. The excitatory amino acid agonist L-glutamate injected into the PVN produced an increase in blood pressure. The P2 purinoceptor antagonist suramin did not affect the pressor response and ATP did not affect basal blood pressure. The alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, prazosin and yohimbine also inhibited the chemoreceptor-induced pressor response, while the beta antagonist propranolol did not affect it. These findings indicate that excitatory amino acid receptors and alpha adrenoceptors in the PVN are involved in mediating the pressor response induced by carotid body chemoreceptor stimulation in rats.

Analysis of heat shock proteins and cytokines expressed during early stages of osteoarthritis in a mouse model

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease of the joints. The joints of affected individuals are characterized by a progressive degeneration of articular cartilage leading to inflammation and pain. The expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is a ubiquitous self-protective mechanism of all cells under stress, furthermore, the synovium of osteoarthritic individuals contains high levels of cytokines. This study seeks to establish the role of HSPs and cytokines in OA.

METHODS

We have investigated the presence of HSPs and cytokines in articular cartilage during early stages of OA in a mouse that is known to develop spontaneous OA lesions (C57 black mouse). The articular cartilage from closely related mice (C57BL/6) was used as control. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for HSPs (HSP32, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70, HSP84 and HSP86) and cytokines [interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)] were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

The mRNA levels of HSP47, HSP70, HSP86, IL-6, and IFN-gamma were up-regulated in the cartilage of C57 black mice, whereas, the level of expression of HSP32, HSP60, HSP84 and IL-1 beta remained unchanged. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA was associated with expression of HSP60, HSP47, HSP70 and HSP70/HSP86 mRNA, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study suggest that chondrocytes are conditioned under non-physiological stress during early stages of OA, In addition, among HSPs, HSP70 was associated with two different highly expressed cytokines in C57 black mice, indicating the possible role of HSP70 as a characteristic indicator of early stage of OA.

Transformation of rice mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been routinely utilized in gene transfer to dicotyledonous plants, but monocotyledonous plants including important cereals were thought to be recalcitrant to this technology as they were outside the host range of crown gall. Various challenges to infect monocotyledons including rice with Agrobacterium had been made in many laboratories, but the results were not conclusive until recently. Efficient transformation protocols mediated by Agrobacterium were reported for rice in 1994 and 1996. A key point in the protocols was the fact that tissues consisting of actively dividing, embryonic cells, such as immature embryos and calli induced from scutella, were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium in the presence of acetosyringonc, which is a potent inducer of the virulence genes. It is now clear that Agrobacterium is capable of transferring DNA to monocotyledons if tissues containing 'competent' cells are infected. The studies of transformation of rice suggested that numerous factors including genotype of plants, types and ages of tissues inoculated, kind of vectors, strains of Agrobacterium, selection marker genes and selective agents, and various conditions of tissue culture, are of critical importance. Advantages of the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in rice, like on dicotyledons, include the transfer of pieces of DNA with defined ends with minimal rearrangements, the transfer of relatively large segments of DNA, the integration of small numbers of copies of genes into plant chromosomes, and high quality and fertility of transgenic plants. Delivery of foreign DNA to rice plants via A. tumefaciens is a routine technique in a growing number of laboratories. This technique will allow the genetic improvement of diverse varieties of rice, as well as studies of many aspects of the molecular biology of rice.

Image analysis of neurofilament immunoreactivity in human spiral ganglion

Computer-assisted image analysis was used to study the immunoreactivity to NF-L, NF-M and NF-H in human spiral ganglion cells. The concentrations, represented by the relative mean grey of NF-L, NF-M and NF-H, were calculated and compared. The cell-area mean-grey correlations for NF-L, NF-M and NF-H were analysed and calculated, showing that NF-M is more specific to the larger cells (type 1?) and NF-H is more specific for the smaller cells (type 2?), while NF-L is non-specific for cell size. These findings confirm several previous assumptions by providing a quantitative basis. We conclude that image analysis is a useful-even essential-tool for the analysis of immunostained temporal bone sections.

Adenovirus vector-mediated gene transduction to chondrocytes: in vitro evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and heat shock protein 70 gene transduction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of adenovirus vector-mediated gene transduction of E. coli beta-galactosidase (LacZ), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) on human chondrocyte-like cell line (HCS-2/8).

METHODS

We examined expression of transduced genes and their expression periods by 5 bromo-4-chloroindolyl-beta-D-galactoside (X-gal) staining. Northern blotting, ELISA, and Western blotting. To assess the influence of TGF-beta 1 and HSP70 gene transduction, the expression of mRNA of type II collagen, proteoglycan core protein, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 were examined by Northern blotting.

RESULTS

Staining with X-gal indicated that the genes were transduced into a majority of the cells. Expression of the transduced genes in the cells was continued for at least 21 days. Transduction of TGF-beta 1 gene enhanced mRNA expression of type II collagen and proteoglycan core protein, but suppressed MMP3 mRNA expression in the cells. Expression of HSP70 was also high. Enhanced expression of HSP70 elevated mRNA expression of proteoglycan core protein.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate adenovirus vector is useful in chondrocyte gene therapy, and it could be an efficient mediator of TGF-beta 1 and HSP70 gene transduction.

Method of histomorphometric assessment of glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage

A method of image analysis has been developed for use in the semiquantitative histomorphometric assessment of glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage stained with safranin O. The reliability of the methodology is reported along with its application to the assessment of articular cartilage in a model of osteoarthritis, i.e., transection of the anterior cruciate ligament in rabbits. With this system, specimens of normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage were assessed histomorphometrically for the following parameters: total cartilage area, percentage of safranin O stained area, mean gray scale (average stain intensity), and gray scale index (the relative total amount of glycosaminoglycans). Reproducibility was established for 12 specimens of normal cartilage and found to have a SD of less than 8% of the mean for each parameter that was measured. Image analysis of osteoarthritic cartilage revealed each of the parameters, except for average stain intensity, to be significantly lower than that in control cartilage.

Evidence for the involvement of endogenous aspartate in the mediation of carotid chemoreceptor reflexes in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of the rat

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5; 153 pmol) injected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) inhibited pressor responses induced by carotid chemoreceptor stimulation. AP5 also inhibited pressor responses to aspartate (0.75 nmol) but not to glutamate (0.53 nmol) similarly injected. High K+ (50 mM) released endogenous aspartate and glutamate in a Ca2+-dependent manner from the RVLM. Chemoreceptor stimulation caused a release of aspartate but not of glutamate in the RVLM, and sinus nerve denervation abolished the release of aspartate. Increases in blood pressure induced by intravenous phenylephrine did not release aspartate. These results support the hypothesis that endogenous aspartate in the rat RVLM is involved in the mediation of chemoreceptor reflexes.

Changes in nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivities in unipolar brush cells in the rat cerebellar flocculus after unilateral labyrinthectomy

To elucidate the role of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated signaling in vestibular compensation, we examined effects of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) on the neuronal isoform of NO synthase (NOS) expression in the rat central vestibular system using immunohistochemical techniques. After UL, a substantial number of NOS-like immunoreactive (-LIR) neurons were observed in the granule cell layer in bilateral flocculi, and these neurons were determined to be unipolar brush cells (UB cells) by their unique morphology and location. NOS-LIR UB cells appeared by 12 h with a maximum increase in number 24 h after UL, and then gradually disappeared in accordance with the development of vestibular compensation. Continuous floccular infusion of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, or 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), an inhibitor of NO, caused more severe vestibulo-ocular deficits at the initial stage after UL and slightly delayed the recovery from these symptoms. All these findings suggest that up-regulation of NO production in floccular UB cells facilitates vestibular compensation, especially at the initial stage after UL.

The proportion of fetal nucleated red blood cells in maternal blood: estimation by FACS analysis

The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) among enriched NRBCs and to evaluate the effectiveness of enriching NRBCs in maternal blood using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to separate NRBCs. The origin of enriched NRBCs was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Y-specific signals were observed in 4.6 +/- 1.5 per cent of the enriched cells from 14 of 16 (87.5 per cent) pregnant women who gave birth to boys. In this series, the specificity of the fetal sex diagnosis was 100 per cent, the sensitivity 88 per cent, and the negative predictive value 86 per cent. Fetal NRBCs are present in maternal blood and FACS has the potential to enrich fetal NRBCs. Fetal cells were estimated to be enriched more than 10,000-fold in the first trimester and more than 100-fold in the third trimester. Average frequencies of fetal cells in maternal blood were 8.1 x 10(-5) and 1.6 x 10(-5) in the first trimester and the second/third trimesters. However, most of the NRBCs in maternal blood are maternal in origin.

Laryngeal necrosis after combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Post-radiation necrosis of the larynx is a major complication after irradiation and has become rare. Recently, combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been introduced for head and neck tumours. The authors report a case of laryngeal necrosis after combination therapy for a patient with cervical lymph node metastases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and review the literature on late laryngeal necrosis. Although radiation-induced laryngeal necrosis has become a rare complication, the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may increase its incidence. We should always consider it as a possible late complication and treat it appropriately.

[Shearing injuries of parasagittal white matter, corpus callosum and basal ganglia: possible radiological evidences of hemiplegia in diffuse axonal injury]

The relationship between spastic hemiplegia in diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and neuroradiological findings was studied in 100 cases. These cases were prospectively collected from the files of Automobile Insurance Rating Organization in Japan between 1993 from to 1996. Requirements for entry to this study were as follows: presence of initial unconsciousness after head injury without any lucid interval. Existence of CT scan or MRI film obtained within 12 hours of injury showing no significant mass effects, as well as follow-up CT scan or MRI film obtained more than 3 months after the injury. Psychosocial outcome was described both by the medical professional and the caregiver. The hemiplegia was rated severe, mild, or none. The outcome and diffuse ventriculomegaly were classified as reported by the authors previously. Spastic hemiplegia or quadriplegia was documented in the chronic stage in 63 cases, including 53 severe cases with difficulty in walking and 10 mild cases with only pyramidal signs detected. Chi-square analysis showed significant correlation between hemiplegia and the DAI outcome level or ventriculomegaly rating. Focal brain contusion was noticed in 33 cases, but did not correlate with the hemiplegia at all. Radiological findings included 25 cases of parasagittal white matter injury (gliding contusion), 20 cases of callosal injury, 19 cases of basal ganglionic region injury, 5 cases of brain-stem injury, and 3 cases of cerebellar injury. Chi-square analyses of hemiplegia and contralateral presence of these injuries were significant in the former three types of injury. Presence of at least one of these 3 lesions was defined as GCB injury. There were altogether 46 GCB injury cases which were significantly correlated with contralateral hemiplegia by chi-square analysis and by Spearman rank analysis. Partial correlation analysis with hemiplegia as the target variable indicated highly significant correlation only with GCB injury and outcome level. In conclusion, spastic hemiplegia in DAI is a manifestation of primary shear injury. Neuroradiological findings of GCB injury were statistically able to be significantly correlated with the presence of hemiplegia, and suggested pyramidal tract injury either at the corona radiata or the internal capsule level.

Polynucleotide-chitosan complex, an insoluble but reactive form of polynucleotide

DNA formed an insoluble complex on mixing with chitosan (poly-D-glucosamine) in solution. The DNA content of the complex was about 50% and the DNA remained insoluble in aqueous media of pH 2-7%; e.g., on treatment of the DNA-chitosan complex with phosphate-buffered saline at pH 7 and 37 degrees C for 26 h, the DNA released into the aqueous phase was less than 0.05%. Obviously, DNA and chitosan formed a tight complex due to ionic interactions. The DNA can be solubilized by treatment with 0.1 N NaOH. RNA and other polynucleotides formed similar insoluble complexes with chitosan. The DNA attached to chitosan can be digested with a mixture of DNase I and phosphodiesterase. Cytosine residues in the DNA (denatured DNA) can be deaminated by treatment with sodium bisulfite, forming uracil DNA-chitosan. The uracil DNA-chitosan served as a substrate for uracil DNA glycosylase. Using polynucleotide-chitosan as an adsorbent, the affinities of reagents for polynucleotides can be determined directly. With this technique it was found that carcinogenic heterocyclic amines have an affinity for RNA as well as DNA. The results with homopolyribonucleotide-chitosans as adsorbents for 4 heterocyclic amines indicated that the binding occurs in a purine nucleotide-specific manner. These results suggest that the polynucleotides in the chitosan complex are accessible to enzymes and reagents. This new derivative may be useful in chemical and biological studies of polynucleotides and substances interacting with polynucleotides.

Involvement of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase in prevention of low K(+)-induced apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons

Cerebellar granule neurons obtained from 9-day-old rats die in an apoptotic manner when cultured in serum-free medium containing a low concentration of potassium (5 mM). A high concentration of potassium (26 mM) in the culture medium and BDNF can effectively prevent this apoptosis. The survival effects of high potassium and BDNF were additive, and the effect of high potassium was not blocked by addition of anti-BDNF antibody. These observations indicated that these survival effects were independent. To examine which molecules are involved in the survival pathway induced by BDNF or high K+, we used wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase. Wortmannin blocked the survival effects of both BDNF and high K+ on cerebellar granule neurons. Furthermore, in vitro PI-3 kinase assay showed that treatment with BDNF or high K+ induced PI-3 kinase activity, which was diminished by addition of wortmannin. These results indicate that different survival-promoting agents, BDNF and high K+, can prevent apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons via a common enzyme, PI-3 kinase.

Temporal bone pathology of a patient with cochlear implant

A 66-year-old man with profound total deafness received a 22-channel cochlear implant. After surgery, his hearing improved and the postoperative course was uneventful except transient vertigo. The patient died of lung cancer after 2.5 years. Twelve hours after death, the temporal bone was harvested for histological and electron microscopic examination. The mastoid air cells were preserved, although a few mucosal folds were present. The Dacron mesh tie had largely been absorbed, but part remained embedded in fibrous tissue. No inflammation was noted in the tympanic cavity or the round window through which the electrodes were inserted. In the cochlea, the scala tympani was filled with fibrous tissue at the site of electrode insertion. The scala media had collapsed, while the organ of Corti and stria vascularis showed degeneration. Osseous spiral bundles and spiral ganglion cells were noted, though reduced in number.

A case of giant cell reparative granuloma of the petrous bone: demonstration of the proliferative component

BACKGROUND

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is an uncommon benign lesion of the bone. It typically arises in the mandible and rarely involves the skull. The cytologic nature and genesis of the involved cells are poorly understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We report a case of GCRG in the petrous bone of a 3-year-old girl. One year following gross total removal, the granuloma recurred locally and was resected en bloc at the second surgery. Histologically, the lesion was composed of oval or spindle-shaped stroma cells admixed with a number of multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that 5.6% of the stroma cells, but none of the multinucleated giant cells, were positive for MIB-1 antibody.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that this lesion expands by proliferation of the stromal component, with a growth rate roughly between those of the typical benign and malignant brain tumors. The cytologic nature of the cells comprising this uncommon disease remains to be elucidated.

Expression of neurite outgrowth factor and gicerin during inner ear development and hair cell regeneration in the chick

Several cell adhesion molecules are expressed in the developing inner ear. The present study focused on gicerin, a novel member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, in an attempt to improve our understanding of the development and regeneration of chick inner ear. Gicerin is known to homophilically interact with itself and to bind to neurite outgrowth factor (NOF). The data collected herein show that gicerin is highly expressed in auditory epithelium and acoustic ganglion during early embryogenesis. The immunoreactivity of gicerin in the auditory epithelium decreases more rapidly than that in the acoustic ganglion as the mature hair cells become distinguishable. At the post-hatch stage, the expression of gicerin is not observed. In contrast, NOF was expressed on the basement membranes around the auditory epithelium, and in the acoustic ganglion during development and after birth, but not in the auditory epithelium. Following noise damage, gicerin is transiently re-expressed on the damage receptor epithelium when active cell proliferation is observed in the epithelium. This positive reaction immediately disappears as immature short hair cells appear. These results suggest that gicerin may be associated with cell proliferation in the auditory epithelium, and play a role in neurite extension of the acoustic ganglion cells in conjunction with NOF.

Large placental chorioangiomas as a cause of cardiac failure in two fetuses

We report 2 cases of fetal heart failure associated with large placental chorioangiomas. One fetus exhibited serious hydrops on the initial fetal echocardiogram and was ultimately stillborn. The fetus in the other case exhibited cardiomegaly. Following the premature termination of the pregnancy, the fetus received medical treatment and recovered in 7 days. Monitoring the fetal cardiac size with ultrasonography is recommended to determine the optimal time of delivery in cases of large placental angioma that are diagnosed prenatally.

Diagnosis of fetal anomalies by three-dimensional imaging using helical computed tomography

We present the first report on the use of helical computed tomography (CT), a new, non-invasive diagnostic technique that produces three-dimensional (3-D) images, in prenatal diagnosis. This technique was used to construct 3-D images in the prenatal diagnosis of two anomalous fetuses. The 3-D images provided clear information about the anomalies: trisomy 18 in one case and cystic hygroma in the other. In one case, rapid intervention after a planned Caesarean section prevented respiratory distress. Surgery to correct the anomaly was performed 2 days postnatally; the infant recovered uneventfully.

An ATP-dependent inwardly rectifying potassium channel, KAB-2 (Kir4. 1), in cochlear stria vascularis of inner ear: its specific subcellular localization and correlation with the formation of endocochlear potential

Cochlear endolymph has a highly positive potential of approximately +80 mV. This so-called endocochlear potential (EP) is essential for hearing. Although pivotal roles of K+ channels in the formation of EP have been suggested, the types and distribution of K+ channels in cochlea have not been characterized. Because EP was depressed by vascular perfusion of Ba2+, an inhibitor of inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels, but not by either 4-aminopyridine or tetraethylammonium, we examined the expression of Kir channel subunits in cochlear stria vascularis, the tissue that is supposed to play the central role in the generation of positive EP. Of 11 members of the Kir channel family examined with reverse transcription-PCR, we could detect only expression of KAB-2 (Kir4.1) mRNA in stria vascularis. KAB-2 immunoreactivity was specifically localized at the basolateral membrane of marginal cells but not in either basal or intermediate cells. Developmental expression of KAB-2 in marginal cells paralleled formation of EP. Furthermore, deaf mutant mice (viable dominant spotting; WV/WV) expressed no KAB-2 in their marginal cells. These results suggest that KAB-2 in marginal cells may be critically involved in the generation of positive EP.

Effect of growth hormone on fatty liver in panhypopituitarism

A 17 year old boy was admitted because of short stature and hepatomegaly. He was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism and fatty liver. The fatty liver improved, not with hydrocortisone or levothyroxine treatment, but with growth hormone administration. The fatty liver in this patient was attributable to a growth hormone deficient state.

Histamine release from the hypothalamus induced by gravity change in rats and space motion sickness

Freely moving rats were exposed to 2 g hypergravity in an animal centrifuge device to produce motion sickness. Histamine release from the anterior hypothalamus of the rats was measured in vivo with a microdialysis technique. After a 2-h load of 2 g hypergravity, rats ate kaolin. Because pica, eating a nonnutritive substance such as kaolin, is a behavioral index of motion sickness in rats, this finding indicates that the rats suffered from motion sickness. During 2 g hypergravity for 2-h, histamine release from the hypothalamus was transiently increased. In contrast, neither the transient increase of histamine release nor the kaolin consumption were induced by 2 g hypergravity in bilaterally labyrinthectomized rats. Pretreatment with alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, an inhibitor of histamine-synthesizing enzyme, decreased both the basal and hypergravity-induced releases of histamine from the hypothalamus and suppressed the kaolin consumption induced by hypergravity. Taken together, these findings suggest that the vestibular information of changes in gravity activate the histaminergic neuron system, resulting in the development of motion sickness. More prolonged stimulation, a 4-h load of 2 g hypergravity, induced significant increase of kaolin consumption on postdays 1-3, though rats ate kaolin on postdays 1-2 after 2 g hypergravity for 2 h. During 2 g hypergravity for 4 h, the initial transient increase of histamine release was followed by the gradual increase of histamine release after the end of centrifugation. It is suggested that rats adapted to the hypergravity environment after centrifugation for 4 h, but not 2 h, so that the change in gravity from 2 g to 1 g became a provocative stimulation. We, therefore, concluded that motion sickness in rats induced by a negative change in gravity can be used as a simulation of space motion sickness, which is induced by exposure to microgravity. Histaminergic activation in the development of motion sickness induced by negative change in gravity might be an underlying mechanism of space motion sickness.

Effects of cAMP and cGMP on L-type calcium channel currents in rat mesenteric artery cells

L-type Ca2+ channel currents in cultured rat mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells were recorded by the cell-attached patch-clamp technique. Depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of -40 mV elicited voltage-dependent inward Ba2+ currents. The inward currents were inhibited by nifedipine (10 microM) but enhanced by Bay K 8644 (5 microM), which suggests that the inward currents are carried almost exclusively by L-type Ca2+ channels. Application of dibutyryl cAMP (0.1-1 microM) and forskolin (0.01-1 microM) enhanced the activity of these Ca2+ channels. The dibutyryl cAMP induced enhancement of Ca2+ channels was antagonized by the serine/threonine kinase inhibitor H-8 (1 microM). Application of 8-bromo-cGMP (0.01-1 microM) and the cGMP inducer nitroglycerin (0.01-1 microM) inhibited the activity of these Ca2+ channels, and the inhibition of channel activity induced by 8-bromo-cGMP was antagonized by the serine/threonine kinase inhibitor H-8 (1 microM). These results suggest that in rat mesenteric artery cells, the L-type Ca2+ channel current is enhanced by a rise in intracellular cAMP levels and suppressed by a rise in intracellular cGMP levels. Furthermore, cGMP-induced Ca2+ channel inhibition may play a role in the expression of the nitric oxide-mediated vasodilating action of drugs such as nitroglycerin and atrial natriuretic peptide.

Effect of maternal exercise on fetal umbilical artery waveforms: the comparison of IUGR and AFD fetuses

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of maternal exercise on the fetal blood flow of normal and growth-retarded fetuses.

METHODS

The effect of maternal exercise on fetal blood flow was investigated with 24 pregnant women between 36 and 42 weeks' gestation. Seventeen pregnancies were uncomplicated (normal group) and the other 7 were complicated with growth-retarded fetuses (IUGR group). They underwent graded walking on a treadmill with an upper limit of 150 bpm for the maternal heart rate. The systolic over diastolic velocity ratio (S/D ratio) of the umbilical artery was measured before exercise, and at 3, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise.

RESULTS

The mean S/D ratio of the IUGR group before exercise was significantly higher than that of the normal group (p < 0.05). The S/D ratio did not change significantly after exercise, in either the normal group or the IUGR group.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that maternal exercise at this level of intensity and duration does not have any harmful effect, even on growth-retarded fetuses that might have placental dysfunctions.

Enhanced induction of very late antigen 4/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1-dependent T-cell migration to tumor sites following administration of interleukin 12

Administration of interleukin 12 (IL-12) into mice bearing CSA1M, OV-HM, Meth A, or MCH-1-A1 tumor induced complete regression of CSA1M and OV-HM tumors but induced only a slight growth inhibition of Meth A and MCH-1-A1 tumors. These effects of IL-12 were associated with high and only marginal levels of T-cell infiltration into CSA1M/OV-HM and Meth A/MCH-1-A1 tumor masses, respectively. Here, we investigated the role of IL-12 in the induction of T-cell migration. Spleen cells from untreated or IL-12-treated CSA1M-bearing mice were stained in vitro with a fluorescein chemical and transferred i.v. into IL-12-untreated CSA1M-bearing mice. Migration of donor cells was quantitated by counting the number of fluorescent cells on cryostat sections of tumor masses. Although only a slight migration was detected for spleen cells from IL-12-untreated CSA1M-bearing as well as IL-12-treated or untreated normal mice, enhanced migration was observed for cells from IL-12-treated CSA1M-bearing mice. A similar enhanced migration was observed for the OV-HM model. In contrast, such an enhancement was only marginal in the Meth A and MCH-1-A1 models. Immunohistochemical studies of tumors from IL-12-treated mice revealed that the predominant T-cell subset was CD4+ in CSA1M and CD8+ in OV-HM tumor masses. Consistent with this observation, the dominant subset of migrating T cells was found to be CD4+ in the CSA1M and CD8+ in the OV-HM models. T-cell migration was inhibited by pretreatment of recipients with either combination of anti-very late antigen 4 + anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 or anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 + anti-intercellular adhesion molecule 1 monoclonal antibody. These results indicate that IL-12 can confer T cells with a capacity to migrate to tumor sites through very late antigen 4/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 adhesion pathways and that the in vivo acquisition of such a capacity following IL-12 treatment correlates with the induction of tumor regression.