Assessment of germ-cell kinetics in the testes of patients with varicocele using image analysis of immunostained proliferating cell nuclear antigen

OBJECTIVE

To examine the germ-cell kinetics of varicocele testis using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and image cytometry to evaluate the staining intensity, and to compare the proliferative index (PI) of varicocele and normal testes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-six testicular biopsy specimens were taken from 28 patients with varicocele during high ligation. The specimens were fixed and embedded in paraffin, and sections immunostained using an anti-PCNA antibody. The PI was measured using an image analyser and expressed as the percentage of the total nuclear area stained positively with PCNA monoclonal antibody, assessed from > 20 seminiferous tubules. Sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin were used to determine Johnsen's score using conventional microscopy. Normal control testicular biopsies were obtained from subjects undergoing vasectomy.

RESULTS

In patients with varicocele, both testes had a significantly lower PI than normal testes; the mean (SD) PI of the right and left testes was 11.3% (4.1) and 11.3% (4.8), respectively, and the PI of normal testes was 21.7% (3.1). There was no significant correlation between PI and sperm concentration or Johnsen's score.

CONCLUSION

PI is useful for assessing germ-cell kinetics; in patients with varicocele both testes showed a deterioration in DNA synthesis, suggesting that reduced DNA synthesis is one of the causes of spermatogenic dysfunction in the varicocele testes.

Development of a quantitative sampling method for periapical exudates from human root canals

A quantitative method for collection of periapical exudates on endodontic paper points is described. In a pilot study, it was revealed that the relationship between fluid volume and wetted length of paper points had a highly significant curvilinear relationship (p < 0.0001), and a highly significant positive linear relationship was found to describe eluted and absorbed interleukin (IL)-1 beta activities from paper points. Periapical exudates from 29 root canals with apical periodontitis were collected using this method, and IL-1 beta activities in clinical specimens were measured. Periapical exudates (0.15 to 26.7 microliters) were recovered, and the range of IL-1 beta concentration was 0.1 to 179.5 ng/ml. These results showed that this sampling method was useful to analyze immunological changes in periapical lesions.

Gene therapy against an experimental glioma using adeno-associated virus vectors

The efficacy of gene therapy for glioma was examined using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors to deliver genes to experimental tumors in mice. Stereotactic injection of 2 x 10(5) U-251SP human glioma cells into the brains of nude mice produced tumors of 19.06 +/- 1.79 mm2 17 days after injection. Employing a high titer preparation of AAV vector containing the gene for beta-galactosidase (AAV-lacZ), dose-dependent transduction of U-251SP cells was seen in vitro. When 1.6 x 10(10) AAV-lacZ particles were directly injected into tumors in vivo, 30-40% of the cells along the needle track expressed beta-galactosidase. Transduction of U-251SP cells in vitro with an AAV vector containing a bicistronic gene encoding both herpes simplex thymidine kinase and human interleukin-2 (AAV-tk-IRES-IL2) rendered them sensitive to the cytocidal effects of ganciclovir (GCV) and IL-2 was produced in a dose-dependent manner. Cocultures of AAV-tk-IRES-IL2 transduced cells and nontransduced cells proved highly sensitive to GCV indicating the contribution of the bystander effect. Stereotactic delivery of 6 x 10(10) AAV-tk-IRES-IL2 particles into day 7 tumors in nude mice followed by administration of GCV for 6 days, resulted in a 35-fold reduction in the mean volume of tumors compared with controls. Normal brains did not suffer from any toxic effect of the administration of AAV-tk-IRES-IL2 and GCV. These results indicate that high titer AAV vector treatment may be safe and effective for in vivo gene therapy of human brain tumors.

Laparoscopic-assisted creation of a vagina

The applicability of laparoscopy for colpopiesis using pelvic peritoneum was examined in two women with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. Using a modification of laparoscopic guidance proved advantageous for safe dissection of the vesicorectal space and accurate suturing of the pelvic peritoneum without laparotomy. A sufficient vaginal cavity was achieved in both patients. This modification of the original procedure, featuring introduction of a laparoscope, thus provides effective and safe conditions for creation of a new vagina.

[A case of pulmonary sarcoma with a differential diagnosis from preoperative pulmonary thromboembolism]

Primary sarcoma of pulmonary artery is a rare tumor. A 46-year-old man was hospitalized because of dyspnea and hemoptysis. Pulmonary thromboembolism was suspected by chest X-ray, scintigraphy, and CT. But the mass had a to-and-fro movement above the pulmonary valve on pulmonary arterial cineangiography. We strongly suspected that it was primary neoplasm of pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery was opened under cardiopulmonary bypass. The tumor arised pulmonary trunk and extended peripherally. The tumor was surgically removed as complete as possible, though a proxymal balloon embolectomy was unsuccessful. The histological finding was malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pulmonary artery.

Comparison of hormonal therapy and chemohormonal therapy in patients with newly diagnosed clinical stage D prostatic cancer

BACKGROUND

In order to examine the usefulness of chemohormonal therapy, we conducted a multicentered randomized trial comparing hormonal therapy, using a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist, with chemohormonal therapy, hormonal therapy plus cyclophosphamide (CPM), in patients with newly diagnosed clinical stage D prostatic cancer.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and March 1995, 41 evaluable patients with stage D prostatic cancer were randomized into 2 groups: group A (hormonal therapy alone), goserelin acetate depot 3.6 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks: group B (chemohormonal therapy), goserelin acetate depot 3.6 mg subcutaneously and CPM 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 4 weeks. The responses to the therapies were evaluated based on the criteria of The Japanese Urological Association.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to objective and subjective response rates. No advantage in chemohormonal therapy was observed in the survival rate and progression-free survival rate. However, the survival rate and progression-free survival rate of responders were significantly higher than those of nonresponders in both groups. When the results were categorized by histologic grade patients with poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma had significantly higher response rates, survival rates, and disease-progression-free survival rates in Group B compared to similar patients in Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that chemohormonal therapy does not definitely improve the clinical response and prognosis of patients with stage D prostatic cancer; however, for patients with poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, chemohormonal therapy is a useful treatment.

[Radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer]

We studied 81 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Ten, 57 and 14 patients were clinically diagnosed with stage T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed prior to prostatectomy in all cases. The neurovascular bundle was preserved in 21 patients. Compared with pathological stage, the accuracy rate of clinical staging in T1, T2 and T3 was 40, 46 and 64% respectively. Approximately half of the patients clinically diagnosed with stage T2 were pT3. The positive rate of lymph node in pT2 and pT3 was 3.3 and 37% respectively, showing a marked difference between these two pathological stages. The 3-year non-recurrence rates were 89% in patients with pT2 and 79% in pT3. In the well differentiated carcinoma group, no patients had recurrence for up to 3 years. All of the patients with infiltration (INF) gamma showed recurrence within 3 years. Fifty-five patients had no problem on urination post-operatively, while the other 23 patients had a mild or moderate incontinence and the remaining 3 patients had a small urine stream. Regarding erectile potency, 4 out of 18 evaluable patients were potent.

Persistent suppression of the pituitary-gonadal system in female rats by three-month depot injectable microspheres of leuprorelin acetate

The serum drug levels and pharmacological effects of leuprorelin acetate (leuprolide acetate) in female rats after subcutaneous (sc) injection of 3-month release injectable and biodegradable microspheres were investigated. After sc injection, the microspheres provided sustained serum drug levels for > 3 months, probably because of continuous release of the drug. As was found for the 1-month depot preparation, a transient initial high peak in serum leuprorelin levels resulting from an initial burst of drug release could not be avoided. Sustained suppression of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol for > 16 weeks was attained by a single injection of the microspheres. An injection of the microspheres suppressed the growth of the ovaries and uterus in a dose-dependent manner; a drug dose of 0.036 mg (corresponding to approximately 1 microgram/kg/day) was insufficient for suppression of uterine growth, and a drug dose of 3.6 mg (corresponding to approximately 100 micrograms/kg/day) provided the strongest growth suppression in both organs. Serum LH, FSH, and estradiol responses in a challenge test indicated that definite pharmacological effects were sustained for at least 16 weeks, as was demonstrated previously in male rats and dogs. Thus, this depot formulation may provide sustained therapeutic effects for 3 or 4 months in humans.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis in Japanese patients: association with inflammatory bowel disease

To characterize primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in Japanese patients and its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 155 reported cases of PSC, including 6 cases of our own, were reviewed. The prevalence of IBD was less in Japanese PSC patients than in Western patients (23% versus 62-100%). Japanese PSC patients with IBD were younger (mean age, 33.1 versus 51.8 years) and were more often women (51% versus 36%) than those without IBD. Seventy-four percent of PSC patients with IBD had extensive colonic lesions, and 89% of those developed IBD simultaneously, with or prior to PSC. There were 3 cases of neutrophilic cholangitis among the PSC patients with IBD but none in those without IBD. Based on these observations, we speculate that there may be subtypes of PSC which differ pathophysiologically.

[Thoracoscopic closure of patent ductus arteriosus for children: two case report]

We reported thoracoscopic closure of patent ductus arteriosus (TCPDA) performed on two children. All of two patients had no residual shunt postoperatively. Postoperative pain was less than left thoracotomy procedure. In addition TCPDA had merits cosmetically. We concluded that TCPDA was less invasive and safety procedure compared with conventional procedure.

Complement plays an essential role in shock following intestinal ischaemia in rats

Intestinal ischaemia lasting more than 30 min in rats causes fatal systemic shock. Systemic shock was suppressed by preadministration of cobra venom factor (CVF), which reduced the serum complement to less than 5% of the normal level, indicating that complement is involved in the syndrome. After complement activation, anaphylatoxins such as C3a and C5a are generated, and their activity is restricted by carboxypeptidases which remove C-terminal arginine from such bioactive peptides. As expected, preadministration of a carboxypeptidase inhibitor enhanced the systemic shock induced by the intestinal ischaemia. However, when the complement level was suppressed by CVF treatment, no fatal systemic shock was induced by the intestinal ischaemia even with preadministration of the carboxypeptidase inhibitor. These results indicate that complement plays a crucial role in systemic shock induced by intestinal ischaemia, and that anaphylatoxins generated by the complement activation should be involved in induction of the shock syndrome.

Tamsulosin and chlormadinone for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Kobe University YM617 Study Group

The recent introduction of selective alpha-adrenoceptor blockers adds a further therapeutic option for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Tamsulosin, a selective alpha 1-blocker, has proved effective in relieving irritative and obstructive symptoms caused by BPH. To investigate whether the combination of tamsulosin with the anti-androgenic drug chlormadinone is of further therapeutic benefit, 80 patients randomly received tamsulosin 0.2 mg daily, chlormadinone 50 mg daily or a combination of tamsulosin 0.2 mg and chlormadinone 50 mg daily for 16 weeks. Greater improvement in subjective symptoms of BPH was obtained with either tamsulosin alone or in combination with chlormadinone than with chlormadinone alone. However, the greatest improvement in objective uroflowmetric data was obtained with chlormadinone in combination with tamsulosin. Thus, the combination of tamsulosin with chlormadinone appears to be more beneficial than either of these agents used as monotherapy. Further investigation is required to fully evaluate the therapeutic effects of this combination. After the trial period one-third of the chlormadinone and tamsulosin/chlormadinone-treated patients needed no further treatment due to the satisfactory relief of symptoms. At 12 months follow-up, however, one-fourth of the patients had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) regardless of medication. This suggests a limitation of the medical treatment of BPH.

Splenic B-cell activation in lipopolysaccharide-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mice by lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) definitely exhibited mitogenic activity in purified B-cells, separated from spleens of LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice and LPS-non-responsive C3H/HeJ mice by using a magnetic cell sorting system. The mitogenic activity induced by P. gingivalis LPS was incompletely inhibited by polymyxin B. P. gingivalis LPS also induced a higher production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in splenic B-cells of C3H/HeN mice as compared with Escherichia coli LPS. Furthermore, P. gingivalis LPS, but not E. coli LPS, induced definite IL-6 production in C3H/HeJ mice. P. gingivalis LPS increased tyrosine, serine/threonine phosphorylation of proteins with various major induced bands in splenic B-cells of both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. Additionally, radioiodinated P. gingivalis LPS, similarly to E. coli LPS, bound to a 73-kDa protein on C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN B-cells. Thus P. gingivalis LPS may activate B-cells of C3H/HeJ as well as C3H/HeN mice via the LPS-specific binding protein on the cells.

Skin sympathetic nerve activity and event-related potentials during auditory oddball paradigms

Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) from the tibial nerve and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded simultaneously during auditory oddball paradigms with a counting task in 10 healthy subjects to elucidate the relationships between the autonomic nervous system and the cognitive process. After the target tones. SSNA bursts were observed more frequently than after the non-target tones. Moreover, the amplitudes of SSNA bursts elicited after the target tones were higher than those elicited after the non-target tones. However, when subjects ignored the series of tones, there was no significant difference between the incidence of SSNA bursts after rare tones and frequent tones. The P300 latencies for the target trials with SSNA bursts were shorter than those for the target trials without SSNA bursts. The average ERP wave forms for the target trials with SSNA bursts showed larger positive deflection in the early part of the P300 component than those for the target trials without SSNA bursts. We conclude that SSNA is generated in relation to the conscious cognitive process, as well as to the reactive automatic process to changes in repeating stimuli. The early part of the P300 component, possibly P3a, may be related to the mechanisms that generate SSNA.

MR of the submandibular gland: normal and pathologic states

PURPOSE

To evaluate the MR appearance of normal and pathologic states of the submandibular gland.

METHODS

MR images of 22 healthy subjects and 21 patients with histopathologically confirmed disorders of the submandibular gland (five pleomorphic adenomas, two hemangiomas, two malignant lymphomas, one adenoid cystic carcinoma, one squamous cell carcinoma, and 10 cases of sialadenitis) were reviewed.

RESULTS

All normal submandibular glands showed higher signal intensity than surrounding muscle but lower intensity than fat on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Postcontrast images showed moderate enhancement of the gland. All the tumors had lower signal intensity than the normal submandibular gland on T1-weighted images and had intermediate to high (n = 8) or high (n = 3) signal intensity relative to the normal submandibular gland on T2-weighted images. Six of seven benign tumors were well defined, and three of four malignant tumors were poorly defined. In all cases of sialadenitis, the submandibular gland showed diffusely different signal intensities from the normal gland on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Eight cases of chronic sialadenitis showed lower T2-weighted signal intensities than the normal gland, and this can be explained histopathologically by marked fibrosis and cellular infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging can show the presence, extent, margins, and signal intensity changes of pathologic conditions of the submandibular gland.

Simple detection of xylosidase activity in single colonies, using 1-naphthyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside

Since the xylosidase of Bacillus pumilus hydrolyzed 1-naphthyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside (naphthyl-X) to produce xylose and 1-naphthol and a chromogenic azo compound is produced by coupling 1-naphthol and Fast Blue Salt B, a simple method for detection of xylosidase activity in single colonies was studied. Escherichia coli JM109 carrying the xylosidase gene of B. pumilus was cultivated at 37 degrees C for 18 h on a LB plate containing 0.5 mg/ml naphthyl-X, and then the plate was overlaid with 3 ml of a top layer containing 24 mg of agar and 6 mg of Fast Blue Salt B. After incubation of the plate at 37 degrees C for 1 h, each colony became reddish-brown. Even a small colony with xylosidase on the plate was easily distinguished from colonies without the enzyme.

In vitro model of parathyroid hormone-related protein secretion from mammary cells isolated from lactating cows

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is produced by the lactating mammary gland and is present in milk in a biologically active form. The goal of this investigation was to determine if cells cultured from the lactating mammary glands of cows would secrete PTHrP in vitro. Mammary acini were isolated from lactating cows at 1-6 wk after calving, and fresh or cryopreserved mammary acini were cultured for 14 d on Type I collagen. Cultures on thick layers of collagen (2.5 mm) were detached and allowed to contract on Day 6. PTHrP production was measured by N-terminal radioimmunoassay and bioassay (increased cAMP levels in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells). The mammary cells reached confluence at Day 6. PTHrP production was low at Day 2 (< 0.5 ng/ml) but increased to peak production (2-4 ng/ml) at approximately Day 6 and remained constant until Day 14. Immunoreactive and bioactive PTHrP levels in the culture medium correlated well. The cultures produced lactoferrin (2,000-2,300 ng/ml and alpha s1-casein (14-19 ng/ml). Prolactin stimulated PTHrP production approximately 50% on Days 6-14. PTHrP production was increased approximately 100% by treatment with epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml) for 2 d. Morphologic evaluation of cultures on thick, contracted collagen at Day 14 revealed an inner layer of mammary epithelial cells overlying myoepithelial cells and an outer layer of collagen containing stromal cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positive staining for PTHrP and cytokeratin in both mammary epithelial and myoepithelial cells and alpha-smooth muscle actin in myoepithelial cells. These data demonstrated that cryopreserved mammary tissue from lactating cows could be cultured in vitro and secreted PTHrP in a regulated manner. This in vitro model will be useful to investigate the function and regulation of PTHrP in the lactating mammary gland.

Leukaemia inhibitory factor and oncostatin M modulate expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and fibrinogen

BACKGROUND

Pathogenetic effects of active immune cell products on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system proteins in liver and endothelial cells--primary sites of synthesis of these proteins--have not been elucidated.

METHODS

We incubated highly differentiated human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for 24 h with recombinant human leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and oncostatin M (OSM)--cytokines that are implicated in acute phase reactions during inflammation and which bind to the same cell surface receptor unit (glycoprotein gp 130). LIF was also given to mice in vivo. Contents of coagulation and fibrinolytic system proteins in cell culture supernatants and in mouse liver were determined.

RESULTS

LIF increased the accumulation of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) in the Hep G2 cell culture supernatants determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (0.21 +/- 0.03 (SE) ng/ml at baseline; 0.40 +/- 0.05 ng/ml at 100 U/ml, P < 0.05; 0.57 +/- 0.06 ng/ml at 500 U/ml, P < 0.01; n = 9) without altering total protein content. OSM elicited a similar effect (0.25 +/- 0.04 ng/ml at baseline, 0.62 +/- 0.19 ng/ml at 1 ng/ml; P < 0.05, n = 6). A monoclonal antibody against gp 130 abrogated the response to both agents (n = 9). Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) (assayed by ELISA, n = 9), the PAI-1 binding protein, vitronectin (immunoprecipitation, n = 3) and tissue factor (ELISA, n = 3) were not affected by LIF, but fibrinogen production increased up to twofold with LIF (500 U/ml; Western blot, n= 3). In HUVECs, synthesis of tissue type plasminogen activator or PAI-1 was not altered by LIF or OSM (ELISA, n = 9). In vivo, intraperitoneal recombinant murine LIF (2 mu g) increased liver concentrations of u-PA by 30% and fibrinogen by 220% in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

LIF and OSM produced by immune cells may modify fibrinolysis and coagulation by altering expression of u-PA and fibrinogen, thereby contributing to coagulopathy.

Magnetic resonance appearance of bone marrow in the mandible at different ages

To differentiate pathologic states of bone marrow from normal age-related marrow conversion, magnetic resonance appearances of the mandible were analyzed cross-sectionally according to age in 73 normal volunteers. Low signal intensities of red marrow first changed to high signal intensities in the anterior region of the mandibular body. With increase in age, marrow conversion was observed in the premolar/molar region, angle, ramus, and condyle regions in that order. No red marrow was recognized in the body of the mandible of subjects more than 30 years old. After the age of 30, the majority of the subjects showed high signal intensities in the entire bone marrow of the mandible. However, one subject over 30 years of age showed some portions of red marrow in the ramus and condyle. This knowledge about age-related marrow conversion of the mandible on magnetic resonance imaging will be useful in the visual differentiation from abnormal bone marrow, such as anemias, inflammatory diseases, infiltrative neoplastic disorders, and metastatic diseases.

CD44-hyaluronate interaction participates in the adherence of T-lymphocytes to gingival fibroblasts

It has already been clarified that peripheral blood T-lymphocytes which had been activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) acquired the ability to bind to human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and that the adherence was mediated by VLA integrins. However, these studies also raised the possibility that molecules other than VLA integrins should be involved in the adherence between T-lymphocytes and HGF. In this study, the possible involvement of CD44, a hyaluronate receptor, in heterotypic cell-cell interactions was investigated. It was confirmed that PMA-activated T-lymphocytes strongly adhered to plate-coated hyaluronate and that the hyaluronate binding was clearly inhibited by the addition of OS/37, a newly established mAb specific for the hyaluronate-binding epitope on CD44. Interestingly, OS/37 also blocked the HGF binding of the activated T-lymphocytes when the adherence to HGF was assessed at 4 degrees C, at which temperature the adhesion of integrin molecules diminished, while that of CD44 functioned normally. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that hyaluronate was anchored along the cell surface of HGF. Furthermore, the binding of activated T-lymphocytes to HGF was significantly inhibited by the treatment of HGF with hyaluronidase. These results clearly demonstrated that CD44-hyaluronate interactions participated at least in part in the adhesiveness of T-lymphocytes to HGF.

Quantification of the CD55 and CD59, membrane inhibitors of complement on HIV-1 particles as a function of complement-mediated virolysis

Previous studies have demonstrated that the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) NM-01 activates the human complement classical pathway resulting in lysis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The present study was performed to determine the availability of the V3-loop of gp120 relative to the complement regulatory proteins, CD55 (DAF) and CD59 (HRF20) molecules on HIV. The results demonstrate that CD55 and CD59 exist on HIV virions, along with gp120 molecules. These findings suggest that activation of human complement on free viral particles is induced by MoAb NM-01 and that this occurs regardless of the presence of CD55 and CD59 molecules. The destruction of viral particles was demonstrated by a decrease in infectivity. The involvement of human complement in this process was confirmed with an immunoelectron microscopy technique by the presence of a human C9 to prove membrane attack complex (MAC). The results indicate that NM-01 can induce complement activation because of the ratios of CD55 and CD59 to gp120 molecules on HIV virions. The availability of the gp120 V3 domain on the virion is sufficient for binding of NM-01 and thereby the formation of MAC that results in virolysis.

[Expression of decay-accelerating factor on CD8-positive lymphocytes as an index of aging and of host defense function]

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a membrane glycoprotein that prevents complement activation on blood cells. Among CD8+ T cells, DAF-negative cells can be distinguished from DAF-positive cells. We computed the proportion of DAF-negative CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of 59 normal healthy subjects, 27 to 93 years old, and analyzed the differences between subjects of different ages. The proportion of CD8+ T cells that were DAF-negative correlated significantly and positively with age. We also studied these lymphocytes in patients with cerebrovascular dementia, Alzheimer's dementia, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The proportion of CD8+ T cells that were DAF-negative did not correlate significantly with age in patients with cerebrovascular dementia, Alzheimer's dementia or cancer, but it correlated significantly and positively with age in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in those with systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, healthy subjects and patients with various diseases can be classified according to age and to the proportion of CD8+ T cells that are DAF-negative. This proportion can then be used as an index of aging and of host defense function.

Epithelial cell proliferation during colonic chemical carcinogenesis in the rat

To define the significance of alterations in epithelial cell proliferation as a marker of high risk mucosa for colorectal cancer, we examined cell proliferative events in the colonic mucosa during chemical carcinogenesis using in vitro bromodeoxyuridine labelling and by analysing serial colonoscopic biopsy specimens from dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated rats. In both the rectum and flexure of the colon, an increased labelling index of colonic epithelial cells, an upward extension of the proliferating zone and an upward shift of the major area of DNA synthesis of epithelial cells were observed during DMH-induced colonic carcinogenesis in rats. These changes preceded the development of the colonic tumour and were observed in endoscopically normal rectal mucosa where the tumour was absent. We confirmed the altered cell proliferative events preceding the development of the tumour by examining serial colonoscopic biopsies. The results suggest that these alterations are features that identify premalignant colonic mucosa in DMH-treated rats.

Ultrastructure of the ankylotic area in the osteopetrotic op/op mouse

The op/op mouse, which carries an osteopetrotic mutation, suffers from complete failure of tooth eruption. Commonly the teeth are ankylosed to the bone. Previous reports of ankylosis in the op/op mouse have been based on light microscopy. The aim of this study was to clarify the ultrastructural features of the ankylotic area using the oolong tea extract (OTE) staining technique. The ultrastructural features of ankylosis did not parallel the findings of light microscopy. OTE staining clearly stained the collagen fibers of bone and tooth, and the space dividing the tooth and bone was revealed by transmission electron microscopy. In comparison, light microscopy failed to reveal this space and the ankylosis was unclear. The true ankylotic area was smooth and the tooth was tightly ankylosed to the bone.

Cytolysis of malignant glioma cells by lymphokine-activated killer cells combined with anti-CD3/antiglioma bifunctional antibody and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

With the aim of developing an effective immunotherapy for malignant glioma, glioma cells were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to increase their susceptibility to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Treatment with exogenous TNF-alpha induced the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the surface of glioma cells. In addition, the cytolytic activity of LAK cells toward exogenous TNF-alpha treated glioma cells was significantly greater than LAK cell activity toward untreated glioma cells. This increase in cytolytic activity was blocked by anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Furthermore, co-treatment with a bifunctional antibody (BFA) composed of anti-CD3 (UCHT1) and antiglioma (G-22) antibodies synergistically increased the cytolytic activity of LAK cells towards TNF-alpha-treated glioma cells. These results indicate that a combination of exogenous TNF-alpha and anti-CD3/antiglioma BFA may provide an effective modified adoptive immunotherapy for patients with malignant glioma.