G-CSF-induced mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells from healthy adults for allogeneic transplantation

We investigated a dose-escalation effect of G-CSF (5, 10, and 15 micrograms/kg) on mobilization of committed and primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells, including CFU-GM, BFU-E, and long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) in addition to CD34+ cells and yields of progenitor cells in PBSC harvests obtained by leukapheresis of healthy adult donors. Results indicate that the mobilization of these progenitor cells is both dose and time dependent. Despite the very small number of healthy donors studied, it is estimated from our data that a sufficient number of CD34+ cells for allogeneic PBSC transplant (PBSCT) could be collected using a 5 day administration of 10 micrograms/kg of G-CSF to normal adult donors. Adverse effects include general fatigue and bone pain in most of the donors and fever and headache in some. These symptoms were well tolerated in most instances. Laboratory test abnormalities, including transient thrombocytopenia, increased platelet aggregation, and increased serum levels of some liver enzymes, were induced by G-CSF administration, but all were reversible within a short time. These observations suggest that hemopoietic stem cells for allogeneic PBSCT can be mobilized by short-term administration of a relatively high-dose G-CSF.

Two subtypes of endothelin receptors and endothelin peptides are expressed in differential cell types of the rat placenta: in vitro receptor autoradiographic and in situ hybridization studies

We studied the localization of endothelin (ET) receptors and ET peptides in the rat placenta. In vitro receptor autoradiographic and in situ hybridization studies revealed the differential and cell-specific distribution of ET receptor subtypes, suggesting that each ET receptor plays a different role in the function of the placenta. The expression of the ETB receptor was concentrated to cytotrophoblasts and trophoblastic giant cells of the basal zone, in which fetal cells directly face maternal cells. The ETA receptor was confined to the decidual tissue and vascular wall. Both ET receptors coexisted in the labyrinth in an approximately 50:50 ratio. Prepro-ET-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected in cytotrophoblasts and trophoblastic giant cells of the basal zone and endothelial cells of vessels, whereas ET-1-like immunoreactivity was present not only in trophoblasts and endothelial cells, but also in the decidual tissue and vascular wall. ET-3 mRNA was localized in migrating cells. We also found changes in the expression levels of ET receptors by means of a cold ligand saturation study. The number of specific [125I]ET-1-binding sites was increased in the basal zone and labyrinth with gestation, but not in the decidual tissue. The enhancement of ETA receptor, ETB receptor, and prepro-ET-1 mRNA levels was also supposed, based on data obtained by RT-PCR Southern hybridization. On the other hand, ET-3 mRNA levels were reduced with gestation. These findings support the idea that ETs, through interaction with ETA and ETB receptors, play an important role in the regulation of placental growth and fetoplacental circulation through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms.

Primary prevention of HTLV-I in Japan

The ATL prevention program (AAP) in the Nagasaki Prefecture since 1987 consists of screening of pregnant women and asking the seropositives to refrain from breast-feeding. We screened approximately 90% of gravidas in the Prefecture and > 90% of the seropositive women agreed not to breast-feed. The maternal transmission rate dropped from approximately 20% to approximately 3%. PCR of cord bloods showed that 2.5% were PCR-positive. However, among formula-fed children, none of the cord-positives seroconverted, and none of the seropositives tested had been cord-positive. Breast-feeding for less than six months decreased the transmission rate significantly, but may have a higher transmission rate than the formula feeding.

Effect of L-tryptophan products on function of human eosinophils: investigation of the causal mechanisms of eosinophilia myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan products

Contaminants in the L-tryptophan products, known as peak-E and peak-5, at a concentration of 1-10 micrograms/ml had the ability to elicit chemokinetic migration of eosinophils. Purified eosinophils adhered to peak-E- or peak-5-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and this adherence was inhibited by the presence of antibody to intercellular adhesion molecule-1, but not by vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 antibody. Neither contaminant affected the expression of integrins, e.g. CD11b or CD49d, on the purified eosinophils. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) produced eosinophil survival-enhancing activity when cultivated with peak-E, but not with medium alone, peak-5 or control tryptophan. This activity of peak-E was significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) by the presence of antibody to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In addition, expression of GM-CSF mRNA was found in total cellular RNA isolated from peak-E-stimulated PBMCs. Eosinophils acquired the ability to migrate toward interleukin-8 (IL-8) when preincubated with the contaminants of interest. IL-8 also bound to the contaminant-stimulated eosinophils, but not to those stimulated with medium alone. These findings suggest that contaminants in the L-tryptophan products modify the several functions of eosinophils and play a role in the pathogenesis of eosinophil myalgia syndrome.

Impairment of the glycolytic system and actin in baker's yeast during frozen storage

After frozen storage for 7 d, the viability and CO2 productivity of a conventional baker's yeast strain D greatly decreased. The viability of a freeze-tolerant strain, DFT, used for the frozen dough method slightly decreased after the same storage period, while the CO2 productivity greatly decreased. The CO2 productivity and DNase I inhibitory activity of actin of the cell-free extracts prepared immediately after thawing from 7-d frozen-stored cells markedly decreased in both strains. In DFT, however, the productivity and the inhibitory activity of the cell-free extract increased when the extract was prepared after incubation of the frozen-thawed cells at 30 degrees C. The increase in the inhibitory activity first occurred and then the increase in the CO2 productivity. Gel filtration patterns of actin and glycolytic enzymes were compared between cell-free extracts of both strains. Peaks of actin and activity peaks of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase decreased in the strain D after frozen storage, but only slightly in the strain DFT. After frozen storage, phosphofructokinase activity peak shifted to a lower molecular weight in strain D.

Genomic cloning and localization to chromosome 11p15.5 of the human achaete-scute homolog 2 (ASCL2)

The mouse achaete-scute homolog-2 gene (Mash2), a member of the achaete-scute gene family, encodes a transcription factor that plays an important role in the development of the trophoblast. It has recently been reported that Mash2 is genomically imprinted and mapped to the distal region of mouse chromosome 7, where other imprinted genes, Ins2, Igf2 and H19 are located. We isolated a clone carrying the partial human homolog, ASCL2, from a human genomic phage library using a PCR product for the rat Ascl2-cDNA as a probe. By fluorescence in situ hybridization using a phage clone as a probe whose insert contained the partial human ASCL2, we assigned ASCL2 to human chromosome 11p15.5. Sequence comparisons of the human ASCL2 clone and the rat Ascl2-cDNA showed 86.9% identity spanning 206 nucleotides and 85.3% deduced polypeptide-sequence identity over 68 residues.

Imidazo- and triazoloquinolones as antibacterial agents. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships

4,5-Disubstituted 6-cyclopropyl-6,9-dihydro-9-oxo-1H-imidazo (30-32) and triazolo[4,5-f]quinoline-8-carboxylic acids (33-35) were synthesized starting from 5,6-diaminoquinolones 25. The imidazoquinolones 30-32 were equal or superior to the corresponding triazoloquinolone analogues 33-35 in in vitro antibacterial activity. As for the C-5 substituents, a fluorine atom was the most favorable of the three groups, H, F, and Cl. Among the compounds prepared, 4-(cyclic amino)-5-fluoro-imidazoquinolones 31 a-d showed potent and well-balanced antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Structure-activity relationships for the C-4 substituents (cyclic amino groups) were also examined in detail.

[CT findings of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis]

Ten cases of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis are presented. The patients' ages ranged from 19 to 71 years and all were males. All patients underwent chest X-ray, tomography and CT (two cases were in additional to HRCT). The most common radiographic findings were single masses (70%) which had to be differentiated from lung cancer or pulmonary tuberculosis. The second pattern of involvement was that of multiple nodules (20%) which may be mistaken for tuberculosis. The third was an infiltrative pneumonitis shadow (10%). By means of CT (HRCT), we revealed that most cryptococcosis lesions exist in the posterior segments (S2, S1, S6 and S1+2) and show cavity formation (30%). Therefore, CT, especially HRCT, may be useful for the differentiation of pulmonary cryptococcosis from neoplasm.

Compression of spinal cord caused by spinal deformation in a cat

An 8-month-old cat with bilateral hindlimb paresis was admitted. Radiography revealed a curvature of the thoracic spine and a partial deformation of thoracolumbar vertebrae (dorsal extrusion of the cranial and caudal edges). Compression of the spinal cord (T9-L1 and L6-7) was found by myelography. Medicinal treatment did not yield the desired result. Hemilaminectomy and laminectomy were done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord leading to improved gait. It is, however, not clear whether this syndrome was primarily caused by metabolic or genetic factors.

Isolation and characterization of hardening-induced proteins in Chlorella vulgaris C-27: identification of late embryogenesis abundant proteins

Hardening-induced soluble proteins of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerink IAM C-27 (formerly Chlorella ellipsoidea Gerneck IAM C-27) were isolated and purified by two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (2D-HPLC) on an anion-exchange column, with subsequent reversed-phase chromatography. Some of the proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE, characterized by amino-terminal sequencing and identified by searching for homologies in databases. Separation of the soluble proteins during the hardening of Chlorella by a combination of 2D-HPLC and SDS-PAGE revealed that at least 31 proteins were induced or increased in abundance. Of particular interest was the induction after 12 h of a 10-kDa protein with the amino-terminal amino acid sequence AGNKPITEQISDAVGAAGQKVG and the induction after 6 h of a 14-kDa protein with the amino-terminal sequence ALGEESLGDKAKNAFEDAKDAVKDAAGNVKEAV. The amino-terminal sequences of these proteins indicated that they were homologous to late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. Furthermore, the level of a 22-kDa protein also increased after 12 h. The amino-terminal sequence of this protein, AAPLVGGPAPDFTAAAVFD, indicated that it was homologous to thioredoxin peroxidase.

Eimeria tenella infection induces recrudescence of previous Salmonella enteritidis infection in chickens

Four experiments were conducted to examine the effect of Eimeria tenella infection on the recrudescence of Salmonella enteritidis in previously infected chickens. Significant recrudescence of cecal colonization in the birds challenged with E. tenella was observed at 3 wk after S. enteritidis infection in Experiment 1, at 3 and 4 wk in Experiment 2, and at 3, 4, and 5 wk in Experiments 3 and 4. The recrudescence was indicated by .81 to 6.31 logs increase in cecal S. enteritidis counts and by higher percentages of ceca that were culture-positive. The possible prolonged cecal S. enteritidis shedding from chickens infected with coccidia into the environment might be important for the perpetuation of S. enteritidis infectious cycle. Except for Experiment 1, in which a significant higher culture-positive rate of the liver was detected in the coccidia-infected group, no significant difference of culture-positive rate of liver and spleen between the treatments was observed. The recrudescence of previous S. enteritidis infection caused by E. tenella infection was obviously related to the initial S. enteritidis dose size and time of exposure to coccidia.

Distribution of annexins I, II, and IV in bovine mammary gland

Annexins belong to a family of proteins that are characterized by their ability to bind phospholipids in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner that is thought to be involved in a variety of biological processes. The present study determined the localization of annexins in subcellular fractions, nuclei in particular, of cow mammary gland by immunoblot analysis using monoclonal antibodies to annexins I, II, IV, and VI. The analysis revealed that annexins I, II, and IV were present in cytosol, but VI was not. Annexins I and IV were found in the nuclear fraction, but annexin II was only faintly present. Annexin VI was also undetectable in this fraction. Cytosolic annexin I had a molecular mass of 36 kDa. The 36-kDa annexin I was also found in the nuclear fraction. A 38-kDa annexin I was additionally detected in nuclei. The cytosolic and nuclear 36-kDa annexin I and the nuclear 38-kDa annexin I showed different isoelectric points, as revealed by two-dimensional PAGE. Annexin IV from cytosolic and nuclear fractions had similar molecular masses and isoelectric points.

Functional analysis of a proline to serine mutation in codon 453 of the thyroid hormone receptor beta 1 gene

Mutations in the gene encoding human thyroid hormone receptor beta (hTR beta) have been associated with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH). This disorder is associated with significant behavioral abnormalities. We examined the hTR beta gene in a family with members who manifest inappropriately normal TSH, elevated free T4, and free and total T3. Sequence analysis showed a cytosine to thymine transition at nucleotide 1642 in one allele of the index patient's genomic DNA. This altered proline to serine at codon 453. The resulting mutant receptor when expressed in vitro bound DNA with high affinity, but the T3 affinity of the receptor was impaired. The mutant TR demonstrated a dominant negative effect when cotransfected with two isoforms of wild-type receptor and also in the presence of TR variant alpha 2 in COS-1 cells. Mutations of codon 453 occur more frequently than at other sites, and four different amino acid substitutions have been reported. Significant differences in phenotype occur among affected individuals, varying from normality to moderately severe GRTH. There is no clear correlation between Ka or in vitro function of the mutant receptor, and phenotype. This study extends the association between GRTH and illness, and indicates that early diagnosis and counseling are needed in families with TR beta 1 abnormalities.

[New nocturnal penile tumescence recorder]

BACKGROUND

Records of nocturnal penile tumescence are still important test and necessary to distinguish organic impotence from psycogenic impotence.

METHODS

We developed the nocturnal penile tumescence recorder with a disposab indiumgallium straingauge, and we examined its clinical usefulness for volunteers with normal erectile function.

RESULTS

The results were that the indium-gallium straingauge had almost the same resistance change with extension, and that it showed almost the same resistance value at respective circumferences with consecutively ten times measurements. Only two of thirty-nine volunteers experienced the snapping of the indium-gallium strain-gauge. None of the volunteers complained of discomfort during measurements. The nocturnal penile tumescence of five volunteers were recorded with a conventional mercuric straingauge and a newly developed indium-gallium straingauge simultaneously, and there were no significant differences between the results of the two materials. This recorder is very simple to manage, and the softwares for preservation of data and making graph are also simple. This new straingauge is clean and dose not require maintenance because of the disposable use.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that this recorder system was clinically useful for t examination of nocturnal penile tumescence.

Inhibitory effect of isoliquiritin, a compound in licorice root, on angiogenesis in vivo and tube formation in vitro

A water extract of licorice root inhibits granuloma angiogenesis in adjuvant-induced chronic inflammation (Phytother. Res., 5, 195. 1991). The present study has investigated the effects of licorice-derived compounds on granuloma angiogenesis. Isoliquiritin (0.31-3.1 mg/kg), a licorice-derived flavonoid, inhibited the carmine content of granuloma tissue 50-fold greater than licorice extract. Glyeyrrhizin (20-80 mg/kg), a licorice-derived saponin, inhibited carmine content with a weak potency. The licorice extract (0.01-1 mg/ml) also inhibited tube formation from vascular endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. From the chemical structure-activities of used licorice-derived flavonoids (0.1-100 microM), their potencies for anti-tube formation were in the order isoliquiritigenin > isoliquiritin > liquiritigenin >> isoliquiritin-apioside. Glycyrrhizin (0.1-100 microM) and glycyrrhetinic acid (0.1-10 microM) increased tube formation. A glycyrrhizin (82 micrograms/ml)-induced increase in tube formation was inhibited by isoliquiritin. The combined effect of a mixture of 82 micrograms/ml glycyrrhizin and 4.2 micrograms/ml isoliquiritin, a similar concentration ratio to their yield ratio in the licorice extract, corresponded to the effect of 100 micrograms/ml extract. In conclusion, the anti-angiogenic effect of licorice extract depended on the anti-tube formation effect of isoliquiritin.

Quantitative analysis of AML1/ETO transcripts in peripheral blood stem cell harvests from patients with t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukaemia

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) have been used increasingly for haemopoietic reconstitution after marrow-ablative chemotherapy in patients with acute leukaemia because of the possibility that there is a lower risk of leukaemic contamination. We have developed a titration assay using a competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) which is able to estimate the number of AML1/ETO transcripts so that minimal residual disease (MRD) can be monitored quantitatively in patients with t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Using a qualitative RT-PCR method, AML1/ETO transcripts could be detected in all samples from 15 first PBSC harvests and 11 second PBSC harvests obtained from 15 patients with t(8;21) AML. With our competitive RT-PCR assay, the number of AML1/ETO transcripts was found to be lower in the second PBSC harvest than that in the first in every individual. Furthermore, MRD in PBSC harvests was less than that in the corresponding bone marrow obtained on the day of PBSC collection in the individual patients studied. In 10 patients who received autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT), we could not find a relationship between the number of AML1/ETO transcripts in the infused PBSC harvests and the clinical outcome after ABSCT. The present study clearly indicates that although PBSC harvests collected after consolidation chemotherapy are contaminated by leukaemic cells, the degree of leukaemic contamination may decrease as chemotherapy is repeated. The mobilization of PBSC by repeated chemotherapy may provide an advantageous source of haemopoietic stem cells for ABSCT.

Differences in metabolic and morphological reactions after radiation therapy: proton NMR spectroscopy and imaging of patients with intracranial tumors

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to detect tumor cell viability, the diagnosis of which is the most important point in clinical therapy for malignant tumors. The advent of localized proton spectroscopy has made this detection possible. The spectral peak intensities were found to be very different depending on tumor tissue pathology.

METHODS

The tumor cell reaction after radiation therapy was examined with proton localized spectroscopy in addition to enhanced MR imaging using a 1.5 Tesla MR system (Philips, Gyroscan S15-HP). Plain MR images (short spin echo) were used for localization pilot images, and after the MRS study, contrast enhanced MRI was carried out. Studies were performed pre-radiation, mid-radiation, and post-radiation if possible.

MATERIALS

Sixteen patients (total 27 examinations) with intracranial tumors and three normal volunteers underwent proton NMR localized spectroscopy. The brain tumors were diagnosed before the MR study, and nine patients had metastatic brain tumors, such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma, and seven other patients were diagnosed with glioma-type tumors.

RESULTS

The reaction patterns of proton NMR spectroscopy of brain tumors after radiation therapy were very different and depended on tumor histology.

CONCLUSION

Proton NMR spectroscopy is an excellent means of determining tumor cell viability.