Parental origin of 11p15 deletions in human lung cancer

Frequent occurrence of 11p deletions has been reported for diverse types of human cancers including lung cancers and Wilms' tumors. In contrast to the well documented identification of preferential retention of the paternal allele in Wilms' tumors, no data have hitherto been available for cancers of adults. Taking advantage of the paternal allele-specific expression of IGF2 in the normal lung, we examined 79 lung cancer cases to investigate allelic loss at 11p15 and the parental origin of the retained alleles. While 11 of 36 (31%) informative lung cancer cases exhibited 11p15 deletions, only seven of these (64%) retained the paternal allele in tumors (P = 0.274), showing a contrast to the strong paternal bias in childhood tumors. Our strategy eliminates the need for parental DNAs for the determination and should be applicable to other adulthood tumors carrying 11p deletions such as breast and bladder cancers.

Abnormal insulinemia

The recent development of molecular biology enables us to identify three abnormal insulins (insulin Chicago, insulin Los Angeles and insulin Wakayama). In Japan, three pedigrees in which affected individuals secrete [LeuA3] insulin (insulin Wakayama) have been identified. In each family, hyperinsulinemia associated with an abnormally elevated insulin to C-peptide molar ratio was demonstrated to occur in an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. In accordance with in vivo observations, semisynthetic [LeuA3] insulin demonstrated reduced in vitro receptor binding and biological activity relative to the human standard. The development of diabetes mellitus in affected family members was not uniform, was influenced by aging, and was different among families. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance demonstrated reduced insulin secretory reserve. Some of these features are thought to resemble the nature of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Therefore, insulin Wakayama may be a useful model for the study of the development of NIDDM.

Cardiovascular effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and milrinone under right heart bypass in anesthetized dogs

To compare the cardiovascular effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) and milrinone, we used the right heart bypass method in intact anesthetized dogs. The preload of the left ventricle was maintained constant throughout the experiment. Therefore, the effects of DBcAMP and milrinone on cardiac contractility and afterload of the left ventricle were investigated respectively without preload influence. DBcAMP and milrinone exhibited marked positive chronotropic-, positive inotropic-, vasodilative- and diuretic-activity. DBcAMP expressed these effects gradually and continuously, whereas milrinone expressed its pharmacological actions rapidly, but for a short duration of time. Both the afterload-reducing and the cardiac contractile force-enhancing activities of DBcAMP were longer lasting than those of milrinone. Mean arterial pressure was not altered by DBcAMP infusion, whereas it was increased significantly (p < 0.05) by milrinone infusion. The results of this study suggested that DBcAMP appeared to be indicated when there is a need to increase cardiac output by reducing afterload and increasing cardiac contractile force gradually and continuously. On the other hand, milrinone would seem to be indicated when the goal is to raise blood pressure rapidly and to increase cardiac output simultaneously.

Antioxidative effects of a processed grain food

Antioxidant biofactor: AOB is a unique processed grain food. It is a yellow-green powder. It contains the following extracts: germ extracts, soybean, rice bran, tear grass, sesame, wheat, citron, green tea, green leaf extract, and malted rice. These materials were slowly roasted under a powdered oure at less than 60 degrees C and fermented with Aspergillus oryzae over 3 days to transform each ingredient into low molecular weight substances. These conditions were different by each material, environmental humidity and temperature. It probably contains a variety of substances having antioxidant activity including flavonoids, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, and tannins. We investigated its antioxidative properties using electron spin resonance (ESR) and autoxidation of rat brain homogenates. The superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and the stable free radical, diphenyl-p-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of AOB was investigated using ESR spectrometry. In an in vitro study, a suspension of AOB was added directly to a superoxide generating system (hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase; HX/XO) and investigated using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trapping agent. At final concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/ml, AOB dose-dependent scavenging activity was observed as 0.103, 0.619, and 1.369 U/ml, respectively. A concentration of 1.0 mg/ml completely scavenged DMPO-OOH signals; 1.0 mg/ml of AOB inhibited the DMPO-OH signal generated by Fenton's reaction, but its inhibitory effect was not competitive, and was inhibition of the Fenton's reaction. 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/ml of AOB were significantly inhibited the DPPH radical. In an in vivo study, rats were fed AOB orally at doses of 1 or 5 g/day for 24 h or for 3 days and the superoxide scavenging activity was measured in plasma. With the administration of 1 g/day for 3 days, the superoxide scavenging activity was about 1.8 times that of the control group fed a basal diet; 1.5 times the control with 5 g/day for 1 day, and 2.6 times the control with 5 g/day for 3 days, all of which represented significant increases in superoxide scavenging activity. AOB strongly inhibited the autoxidation of rat brain homogenates in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. However, each ingredient before roast and fermentation little inhibited lipid peroxidation. Roasting and fermentation with A. oryzae way be important to transform each ingredient into low molecular weight substances. Therefore, it was suggested that AOB possesses strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.

Characterization and expression of cDNA encoding coproporphyrinogen oxidase from a patient with hereditary coproporphyria

Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is an acute hepatic porphyria with autosomal dominant inheritance, but with a variable degree of clinical expression. Molecular cloning, sequencing and expression of the defective gene for coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) in a patient with HCP were carried out. Enzyme assays revealed that CPO activity in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells from the proband and one of her sisters was approximately 50% of normal. Nucleotide sequence analysis of CPO cDNAs isolated from the proband's cells demonstrated three base substitutions, and three accompanying amino acid substitutions. An A514-->C transition causing a Asn172-->His substitution occurred in one allele, while two other transitions, G265-->A and G580-->A, caused Gly89-->Ser and Val194-->Ile substitutions, respectively, in the other allele. The A514-->C and the G580-->A transitions are known genetic polymorphisms. Transfection of CPO cDNA into Escherichia coli demonstrated that cDNA with the G265-->A transition produced a protein with less than 5% of normal enzyme activity. These findings indicate that the G265-->A transition, involving the highly conserved glycine residue at the 89th position, is responsible for the CPO defect in the patient and accounts for the partial deficiency of CPO activity in this pedigree.

Spin trapping of superoxide in aqueous solutions of fresh and aged cigarette smoke

Superoxide generation in aqueous solutions of cigarette smoke was determined as a function of the age of smoke using spin trapping. As a spin trap, 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) was used. The superoxide adduct of DMPO was detected in a solution of fresh main-stream smoke for over 1 h. The superoxide-generating potential of smoke was rapidly lost as the smoke was kept in a plastic syringe. The smoke that was aged for 3 min did not generate superoxide. Additional evidence of superoxide generation in aqueous solutions of cigarette smoke was obtained by the chemiluminescence method.

Visual directions of two stimuli in Panum's limiting case

Visual directions of the two stimuli in Panum's limiting case with different interstimulus and convergence distances confirmed the predictions from the reformulated Wells-Hering's laws of visual direction. In experiment 1, six observers each converged on the midpoint of the interstimulus axis at 30, 60, and 90 cm from the eyes and adjusted a probe on the fixation plane to be in the same visual direction as that of each stimulus. Visual direction of the far stimulus was always nonveridical whereas that of the near stimulus was veridical only when its retinal disparity was small. In experiment 2, three observers each converged on the intersection of mid-sagittal plane and (a) the frontoparallel plane of the near stimulus, (b) that of the midpoint between the two stimuli, or (c) that of the far stimulus. The midpoint of the interstimulus axis was 60 cm from the eyes. Visual direction of the far stimulus was veridical only with convergence at the far plane. Visual direction of the near stimulus was veridical with convergence at the near plane, and also, only when its retinal disparity was small, with convergence at the two other planes.

Implication of the common gamma chain of the IL-7 receptor in intrathymic development of pro-T cells

The effects of IL-7 on the growth and differentiation of thymocytes were analyzed using murine fetal thymus organ cultures (FTOC) in the presence of mAbs specific for the conventional IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) and for the common gamma (gamma c) chain. In FTOC, the development of CD4-CD8- double-negative thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) and CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) cells was not completely blocked by adding these mAbs, although cell growth was reduced by the treatment. To define a developing stage sensitive to the mAbs, most immature thymocytes, Pgp-1+ c-kit+ cells, were cultured in 2-deoxyguanosine treated fetal thymus. In the presence of both mAbs in the culture, neither DP nor SP thymocytes developed whereas either of the mAbs partially blocked their development. These results indicate that the gamma c chain is involved in early T cell development as an indispensable subunit of the functional IL-7 receptor complex.

Scotopic threshold response in complete and incomplete types of congenital stationary night blindness

PURPOSE

To study the function of the rod visual pathway in the complete and incomplete types of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), with special reference to the scotopic threshold response (STR) of electroretinograms (ERGs)

METHODS

Using full-field stimuli with light intensities ranging from near absolute threshold to bright, ERG intensity series from two patients with complete CSNB, four patients with incomplete CSNB, and four normal subjects were recorded.

RESULTS

Neither the rod b-wave nor the STR was recordable from the patients with complete CSNB. In the patients with incomplete CSNB, the STR was clearly recorded, although the absolute threshold was elevated in accordance with elevation of the psychophysical absolute threshold. The b-wave stimulus threshold was not elevated, and the b-wave amplitude near the threshold was normal. The peak time of the STR was delayed by approximately 80 msec, whereas that of the b-wave was normal.

CONCLUSIONS

These STR results indicate that the rod system abnormality in complete CSNB differs from that in incomplete CSNB. Furthermore, the greatly delayed peak time of STR in the patients with incomplete CSNB made the interaction between b-wave and STR different from that in normal subjects.

Expression of the mouse interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain in various cell populations of the thymus and spleen

Expression of the gamma chain, which is shared among functional receptor complexes for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-7, was examined with hematopoietic cells in mouse thymus and spleen by flow cytometry. The gamma chain was expressed in cell populations from the spleen. Stimulation with concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide caused fluctuation in expression of the gamma chain in T and B cells, respectively. T lineage cells developing in the adult thymus expressed the gamma chain. Fetal thymus at day 15 contained mostly immature thymocytes, which also expressed the gamma chain. These results demonstrate that the gamma chains is widely expressed in T lineage cells, probably indicating that the gamma chain plays a role not only in the proliferation of mature hematopoietic cells but also in the development of immature cells through signal transduction as a common receptor subunit for multiple cytokines.

Recurrence of cystic adventitial disease in an interposed vein graft

A case of cystic adventitial disease (CAD) of the popliteal artery with intermittent claudication in the left calf is reported. This patient was first treated by total excision of the cyst and the involved artery followed by graft interposition with an autogenous saphenous vein. Recurrence of CAD in the interposed vein graft was noted after 6 months, and excision of the cyst with the involved graft and graft interposition with an autogenous saphenous vein was again required. We consider that the definitive evidence from early recurrence in the interposed vein graft shown in this case will close the discussion of the cause of CAD. The cystic lesion is thought by some to originate from the adventitia; traumatic, embryologic, or systemic abnormality theories were proposed. We assume that the mucin-secreting synovial cells originating from the neighboring joint capsule, tendon sheath, or, in some cases, from the ganglion itself, directly invade the adventitia through any rough or injured crack caused by trauma to the adventitia or simply attach to and encircle the adventitia. Total resection of the lesion with grafting is the recommended treatment for CAD because of the excellent results. However, as shown in our case, complete removal of the synovial cells even by resection technique may be difficult; therefore intensive follow-up is fundamentally necessary in this disease.

Safety evaluation of lipase G from Penicillium camembertii

Lipase G, a partial glycerides eliminating enzyme produced by Penicillium camembertii, was subjected to safety evaluation studies to establish its safety when used as a processing aid in the food industry. The toxicological studies on the enzyme included a 90-day gavage study with rats, a mutagenicity study using bacteria, and a pathogenicity study using mice. The no-adverse-effect level from the 90-day gavage toxicity study was 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for rats. There was no evidence of mutagenic potential. The micro-organism was evaluated for pathogenicity using mice and classified as a non-pathogen. Results indicate that the production and use of lipase G may be regarded as safe for the enzyme production worker and the consumer.

Expression of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain on various populations in human peripheral blood

We have established two rat mAbs, TUGh4 and TUGh5, specific for the human gamma chain of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), which is known to be shared among receptors for IL-2, IL-4 and IL-7. The antibodies bound to cell lines transfected with the human gamma chain gene but not to their parental cell lines, and precipitated 65-70 and 80-90 kDa cell surface molecules from lysates of human T cells surface-labeled with Na125I and chemically cross-linked with [125I]IL-2 respectively. Flow cytometry with TUGh4 and TUGh5 detected the gamma chain in a wide variety of peripheral blood cell populations including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD20+ B cells, CD56+ natural killer cells, CD14+ monocytes and granulocytes, contrasting with expression of the alpha and beta chains of IL-2R.

The effects of growth-inhibiting treatments on photorepair in cultured fish cells

Goldfish cells (RBCF-1) cultured at different cell densities were harvested and their photorepair (PR) abilities were examined in terms of survival. Photorepair ability gradually increased during the phase of logarithmic growth, reaching a maximum in cells at the confluent state. This enhancement of PR ability disappeared 12 h after replating of cells in fresh medium. A number of growth-inhibiting treatments (serum depletion, UVC, hydroxyurea [HU], change in incubation temperature) were tested for their ability to induce PR. The treatment of cells with HU and serum depletion induced PR while the other treatments did not. The increase in the ability to perform PR after treatment with HU or serum depletion returned to normal levels more rapidly than that after fluorescent light treatment.

Anti-obesity effect of CL 316,243, a highly specific beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist, in mice with monosodium-L-glutamate-induced obesity

The effects of CL 316,243, a highly specific beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist (relative selectivities of 0, 1 and 100,000 for beta 1-, beta 2- and beta 3-receptors, respectively), were evaluated in mice with monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)-induced obesity as well as in control mice injected with physiological saline instead of MSG. Both MSG- and saline-treated mice were divided into three groups and at 8 weeks of age received either CL 316,243 (0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg) or distilled water through a gastric tube for 2 weeks. CL 316,243 not only reduced white adipose tissue mass but also activated brown adipose tissue and systemic metabolism, and hence reduced body mass without affecting food intake. Furthermore, CL 316,243 decreased hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia in MSG-treated mice. However, at the higher dose, CL 316,243 also increased liver triglyceride in MSG-treated mice. These observations suggest that CL 316,243 exerts an anti-obesity effect in mice with MSG-induced obesity and consequently may prove efficacious in the treatment of human obesity.

[Investigation of AZT susceptibility of sequential HIV-1 isolates from patients treated with ddI after long-term therapy with AZT]

AZT susceptibility of sequential 12 HIV-1 isolates was investigated by culture method. These isolate were obtained from three patients who had received AZT for at least 12 months and switched to ddI after they appeared to deteriorate clinically. Cultures of isolate from a patient before therapy with AZT or ddI did not show cytopathic effect (CPE) in the presence of 0.1 microM or 1.0 microM AZT. Culture of 2 isolates from two patients treated with AZT more than 6 months before switched to ddI therapy showed CPE in the presence of AZT and HIV-1 p24 antigen was detected by ELISA in the supernatants. Culture of 6 of 7 isolates from three patients treated with ddI after long-term therapy with AZT also showed CPE in the presence of 1.0 microM AZT and HIV-1 p24 antigen was detected. These results demonstrated that AZT-resistant variant was still a dominant population in the isolate from patients after 11 to 13 months of discontinuing AZT therapy.

[Laboratory and clinical studies on biapenem (L-627) in the field of pediatrics]

Laboratory and clinical studies on biapenem (L-627), a new carbapenem antibiotic, were carried out in the field of pediatrics. 1. Antibacterial activities of L-627 against clinically isolated organisms in our department were generally high. 2. After 30 minutes intravenous infusion of L-627 at a dose of 10 mg/kg in 3 and of 12 mg/kg in 2 children, peak plasma levels of L-627 ranged from 25.6 to 44.6 micrograms/ml at the end of the infusion. The half-lives were from 0.68 to 0.94 hours. The cumulative urinary recovery rates in the first 6 hours after the start of drip infusion ranged from 11.4 to 47.5%. 3. 14 patients with various bacterial infections were treated with L-627. The clinical efficacy rate was also 92.9% and the bacteriological efficacy rate was also 92.9%. 4. No side effects were observed. A few abnormal laboratory test results were obtained, but they were mild with slight elevation of GOT/GPT and platelets in 1 each.

[A case of herpes zoster meningoencephalitis followed by involvement of cranial nerves IX, X, XI]

The patient is a 64-year-old woman with herpes zoster meningo-encephalitis followed by involvement of cranial nerves IX, X, XI. On admission, she had severe neck pain on the left side and mild nuchal rigidity. Three days later, herpetic vesicles on the left side of her neck (C2, C3, area). Herpes zoster meningoencephalitis was diagnosed based on CSF pleocytosis, high serum and CSF titers of herpes zoster antibody, and EEG abnormality. During hospitalization, paralysis of the left vocal cord, rightward deviation of the uvula, and gradual paralysis of the left sternocleidomastoideus and trapezius muscles developed. On cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T2-weighted image clearly revealed a high-signal lesion in left dorsal part of the medulla oblongata. This area appeared to correspond to the nucleus ambiguous and vagal nucleus. In this case, we believe that the inflammation originated in the C2, C3 posterior ganglion cells, extended to the IX, X, XI cranial nerves and to the part of the medulla oblongata. It is likely that the number of patients in whom a lesion of the cranial nucleus is revealed by MRI will increase in the future.