[Inhibition of liver metastases in rabbits by arterial infusion of angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470]

We examined the prevention of liver metastases by arterial infusion of the angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, in Japanese White Rabbits; 1.0 x 10(6) of VX2 carcinoma cells were injected into the mesenteric vein for tumor inoculation. Then the rabbits were divided into the following two groups. Group 1: 2 ml of distilled water was continuously injected into the common hepatic artery of control for 7 days. Group 2: 50 mg of TNP-470 solved in 2 ml of distilled water was continuously administered into the common hepatic artery for 7 days. On day 14, the number of metastases on each liver surface was counted. The mean number of metastases were 237.0 +/- 133.26 and 24.4 +/- 15.05 in Group 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05). We found no side effects of TNP-470 such as body weight loss or liver disfunction. Microphil was injected into the common hepatic artery to observe the neovasculature. The proliferation of tumor vessels was suppressed in Group 2. We considered that arterial infusion of TNP-470 is effective to prevent liver metastases, because the blood supply to liver metastases is well developed from the hepatic artery, and TNP-470 is directly effective on the endothelium itself, and inhibits neovascularization.

[Recurrence and survival rate of advanced gastric cancer after preoperative EAP-II intra-arterial infusion therapy]

Ninety-eight patients with advanced gastric cancers underwent gastrectomy from Jan. 1989 to Dec. 1991. For these patients, preoperative intra-arterial injection therapy using EAP-II (etoposide 100 mg, epirubicin 20 mg, carboplatin 100 mg) was given to 24 patients. In this report, the recurrence and survival rate of these patients were investigated. After curative resection, the survival rate of patients with EAP-II 36 months after operation was 76.9%, while that of patients without EAP-II was 78.6%. There were no significant differences between these two groups. Two peritoneal carcinomatoses and two liver metastases were seen in patients with EAP-II (recurrence rate, 30.7%). Eight recurrences were observed in patients without preoperative injection therapy (peritoneal dissemination, 4; local recurrence, 3; lymph node recurrence, 1). Previously, we reported that drugs were remarkably accumulated in gastric cancer tissue and regional lymph nodes after EAP-II intra-arterial injection therapy. This high accumulation might cause no local or lymph node recurrence was seen in patient with EAP-II. Thus, it was concluded that preoperative EAP-II intra-arterial injection may prevent local and lymph node recurrences, and that further study of the combination and dose of anti-cancer drug needed to improve the postoperative survival rate in advanced gastric cancer patients.

Effect of dimethadione administered intravenously on pancreatic secretion in dogs

In order to detect both pancreatic excretion of dimethadione (DMO), a weak organic acid, and the effect of pancreatic DMO on secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion, DMO was given intravenously to dogs with pancreatic fistulae at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. DMO was promptly excreted into pancreatic juice; the concentration decreased exponentially as it did in plasma at the highest dose of the compound. At equilibrium of DMO between pancreatic juice and plasma, the DMO concentration in the juice depended directly on that in plasma; the juice/plasma concentration ratios for DMO exceeded 1.0, ranging from 1.7 to 2.1. Pancreatic DMO caused a small but significant decrease in the water, bicarbonate and sodium secretion at non-equilibrium, and in the bicarbonate secretion at equilibrium. A decrease in the bicarbonate secretion may result largely from the buffer action of bicarbonate on protons provided by the undissociated form of DMO. The sum of both bicarbonate and chloride concentrations in pancreatic juice decreased with the increased DMO concentration in the juice, implying that DMO may compete with the secretion of bicarbonate and/or chloride across the apical membrane of the duct cell. Pancreatic DMO can act as a non-specific inhibitor of pancreatic water and electrolyte secretions.

Depressive symptoms among Japanese and American adolescents

An epidemiologic study of depressive symptoms was conducted with self-administered questionnaires among 8th grade students (12-15 years of age) in Japan (n = 570) and the United States (n = 115 Anglos, n = 180 Hispanics). The Todai Health Index-Depression Scale (THI-D), which had been developed in Japan, was used in the study after translation from Japanese to English for the U.S. subjects. The THI-D mean score for Japanese boys was significantly higher than that for Hispanic boys. Also, a gender difference was found across the ethnic groups, in which girls expressed depressive feelings more than boys.

Reticulocyte maturity as an indicator for estimating qualitative abnormality of erythropoiesis

AIMS

To determine the maturity of reticulocytes in patients with anaemia as a result of various haematological disorders including those with qualitative abnormalities such as ineffective erythropoiesis or dyserythropoiesis.

METHODS

The number of mature reticulocytes was measured with flow cytometry in venous blood samples from 122 patients with haematological disorders and 100 healthy controls. Reticulocytes were classified into three categories by the fluorescence intensity of auramin O staining: low fluorescence ratio (LFR), medium fluorescence ratio (MFR), and high fluorescence ratio (HFR). Immature reticulocytes were determined as the aggregate of MFR and HFR (%).

RESULTS

The mean (2SD) number of immature reticulocytes in 100 normal subjects was 9.0 (7.0)%. Significantly high mean values of immature reticulocytes with a normal or reduced reticulocyte count were shown in 90 patients with dyserythropoietic or ineffective erythropoietic conditions, such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (n = 37), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (n = 35), aplastic anaemia (AA) (n = 8), or megaloblastic anaemia (MA), (n = 6). Reticulocyte ratios returned to normal after successful treatment of patients with AML (n = 10) and MA (n = 3). However, high percentages of immature reticulocytes with increased reticulocyte counts were consistently observed in patients with enhanced erythropoiesis such as those with acquired autoimmune haemolytic anaemias (AIHA) (n = 4) or acute blood loss (ABL) (n = 4). Reticulocyte maturity was within the normal range in patients with reduced erythropoiesis such as occurs in chronic renal failure (CRF) (n = 11), or in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) (n = 13).

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of reticulocyte maturity with total reticulocyte count seems to be clinically useful for estimating the qualitative impairment of erythropoiesis, and so could help differentiate haematological disorders.

Acid secretory and duodenal ulcerogenic responses induced by mepirizole in anesthetized rats. Relation to body temperature

The role of body temperature in the acid stimulatory mechanism by mepirizole, a duodenal ulcerogen, was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Subcutaneous administration of mepirizole (60 and 200 mg/kg) increased acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner and resulted in duodenal lesions within 8 hr. The acid secretory and ulcerogenic responses induced by mepirizole were inhibited completely by vagotomy and significantly reduced by subcutaneous pretreatment with atropine (1 mg/kg), hexamethonium (10 mg/kg), or clonidine (1 mg/kg). During anesthesia, body temperature was decreased to 34 degrees C in control rats but further reduced to 31 degrees C after administration of mepirizole. When body temperature was maintained at 36 degrees C during a test period, mepirizole caused significantly less effect on acid secretion and produced less damage in the duodenum. In addition, intracisternal administration of antiserum of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH: 5 mu1/rat) also significantly inhibited acid hypersecretion and development of duodenal lesions in response to mepirizole. When acid output induced by mepirizole was plotted against duodenal lesion score from one group to another, a significant linear relationship was found between these two values (r = 0.814, P < 0.05). We conclude that mepirizole induced vagally mediated acid secretion and duodenal lesions in anesthetized rats. These responses may occur centrally in association with lowering of body temperature, which potentiates the acid stimulatory effect of mepirizole, probably through a TRH-dependent mechanism.

Time course of the recovery of adenosine triphosphate content with adenosine in post-ischemic hearts--a 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Restoration of the ATP level after brief ischemia is limited by slow de novo ATP synthesis and substrate loss in a salvage pathways for ATP synthesis, and complete recovery requires several days in the stunned heart. Adenosine is a substrate for myocardial ATP synthesis. We measured myocardial ATP in both ex vivo and in vivo experiments by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) and investigated the time course of ATP content recovery after application of adenosine. Guinea-pig perfused hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and reperfused for 3 h with 50 microM adenosine. The ATP level increased from 54 +/- 5% to 117 +/- 4% of the pre-ischemic value (p < 0.01). In dogs, we occluded the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min to produce regional ischemia. Afterwards, we administered 100 mumol/h adenosine into the left ventricle for 2 h. ATP levels increased from 63 +/- 4% to 77 +/- 5% of the pre-ischemic value with adenosine (p < 0.05). However, ATP levels did not increase for a few hours after reperfusion both ex vivo and in vivo. Our 31P-MRS studies demonstrated that brief ischemia depressed ATP levels and that administration of adenosine accelerated ATP formation in post-ischemic hearts.

Development of dual-acting agents for thromboxane receptor antagonism and thromboxane synthase inhibition--I. Synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and evaluation of substituted omega-phenyl-omega-(3-pyridyl)alkenoic acids

A series of arylsulfonamido-substituted omega-phenyl-omega-(3-pyridyl)alkenoic acids were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their ability to act as both a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist (TRA) and thromboxane synthase inhibitor (TSI). Variations of alkenoic acid chain length, olefin geometry, substituent effect on the benzenesulfonamido group, and conformational flexibility of the substituted arylsulfonamido group were examined. Among the various substituents, iodo-substitution gave the most potent compound. Conformational flexibility between the arylsulfonamido group and the phenyl ring attached to the alkenoic acid side chain significantly enhanced the dual activities. The compound (E)-21c was identified as the most potent TRA/TSI (TRA: Kd = 53 nM; TSI: IC50 = 23 nM) in the series studied. The compounds 9c and 10c have indicated that these series of compounds are orally active and are specific TSIs as exhibited by the so-called 'shunt' effect on prostacyclin synthesis in vitro.

Influenza virus M2 protein ion channel activity is not required to maintain the equine-1 hemagglutinin in its native form in infected cells

The equine-1 influenza virus A/Cornell/74 (H7N7) hemagglutinin (HA) is cleaved to HA1 and HA2 in the trans Golgi network (TGN) of infected cells. The avian influenza virus A/chicken/Germany/34 (fowl plague virus Rostock) H7 HA is also cleaved to HA1 and HA2 intracellularly in the TGN. To maintain the fowl plague virus Rostock HA in its native form during transport through the TGN, a functioning M2 ion channel activity is required, otherwise the HA undergoes its transition to the low-pH form (Sugrue et al., 1990, EMBO J. 9, 3469-3476). Studies were initiated to investigate if the equine H7 HA has intracellular requirements different from those of the fowl plague virus Rostock HA. We report here that the pH of transition to the low-pH form of the equine-1 HA is approximately pH 5.3 and that the M2 protein ion channel blocker, amantadine, does not have a discernable effect on the native conformation of equine-1 HA during transport through the TGN. Moreover, the equine-1 HA expressed from cDNA does not require coexpression of a functional M2 protein to maintain HA in its native conformation.

[Vasculitis syndrome--clinical classification and diagnostic approaches]

Vasculitis syndrome comprises a broad spectrum of diseases associated with vasculitis, which is characterized by inflammation and damage to blood vessels. Clinical features associated with vasculitis usually appear depending upon size of damaged vessels, but rarely correlate with primary disease itself. Vasculitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis for therapeutic approaches, particularly in patients with serious vasculitis occurring irreversible organ damage due to rapidly progressive systemic vasculitis, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa. These patients require prompt and aggressive treatment and the optimal treatment at the early stage of disease process can induce complete remission. Vasculitis syndrome have been classified by clinical, pathologic and immunological findings and these classifications and criteria are helpful for diagnostic and appropriate therapeutic approaches.

Different cellular mechanisms of vasopressin receptor V1 and V2 subtype in vasopressin-induced adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate formation in an immortalized renal tubule cell line, TKC2

Vasopressin (VP) stimulates adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) formation in an immortalized renal tubule cell line, TKC2, which is derived from transgenic mouse harboring temperature-sensitive SV40 T-antigen gene. VP (10(-8) M)-induced cAMP formation was significantly attenuated by either non-peptide vasopressin receptor V1 or V2 subtype antagonist, OPC-21268 (10(-8) and 10(-6) M) or OPC-31260 (10(-8) and 10(-6) M), respectively, and it was completely abolished by combination of both agents (10(-6) M). VP (10(-8) M) also induced an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ and prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis, both of which were significantly inhibited by OPC-21268 (10(-8) M), but not by OPC-31260 (10(-6) M). Either OPC-21268 (10(-8) M), depletion of extracellular Ca2+ or inhibition of cyclooxygenase attenuated both VP-induced PGE2 synthesis and cAMP formation. In conclusion, both V1 and V2 receptors can stimulate cAMP formation. V1 receptor, however, stimulates cAMP formation via Ca(2+)-dependent PGE2 synthesis, whereas V2 receptor may stimulate it directly.

Cardioprotective effect of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist TCV-116 on ischemia-reperfusion injury

We investigated the protective effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor antagonist on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the role of exogenous Ang II to this injury in perfused hearts. We orally administered TCV-116 (Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist) and delapril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) to Wistar rats for 1 week and measured the immunoreactive cardiac Ang II. Immunoreactive cardiac Ang II (pg/gm tissue) was 14.3 +/- 2.0 in control group, 11.8 +/- 0.8 in TCV-116-treated group, and 7.3 +/- 0.6 in delapril-treated group (p < 0.05 compared to TCV-116-treated group; p < 0.01 compared to control group). The 15 hearts (five rats in each group) were perfused by a langendorff method and global ischemia was maintained for 30 min. Both TCV-116 and delapril were found to improve postischemic cardiac function and decrease reperfusion creatine kinase (CK) release. Ang II injection before ischemia worsened postischemic cardiac function and increased reperfusion CK release. Only TCV-116 prevented this injury. These data indicated that TCV-116 Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist was effective against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and exogenous Ang II accelerated this injury through Ang II type 1 receptor.

[A case of bronchial rupture and pulmonary laceration caused by blunt chest trauma]

A 37-year-old female was crushed by a traffic accident. She was in severe respiratory distress. A chest X-ray revealed right pneumothorax and multiple rib fractures. Shortly after the initiation of the positive pressure ventilation, severe subcutaneous emphysema developed and she became shock. The bronchoscopy showed the rupture of the right main bronchus which was repaired through a right posterolateral thoracotomy using interrupted monofilament PPP sutures. Pulmonary lacerations were also repaired by the same sutures. Postoperative bronchoscopic examination showed good healing without any stricture. It cannot be overemphasized that accurate diagnosis and urgent surgical management is mandatory in patients with bronchial rupture.

[Expression of human endogenous retroviruses in rheumatoid arthritis]

The genomes of all organisms, from yeast to humans, contain thousands of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and ERVs are transmitted vertically through germ cells as provirus. In recent studies, it has been reported that some ERVs have important immunologic effects and are associated with autoimmune diseases in several animals. However, despite many years of investigation in human, physiological or pathological roles for ERVs remain unknown. In this study we examined whether the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was associated with human ERVs; ERV3 and lambda 4-1, which retain open reading frames (ORF) and could make proteins. We demonstrated that ERV3 and lambda 4-1 were expressed on synoviocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in RA patients by Northern blot analysis. But the expression was indeed heterogenous: RA patients showed various expression levels of ERV3 and lambda 4-1, which were independent of clinical activities and kinds of used drugs. mRNAs of ERV3 and lambda 4-1 were also expressed in PBMCs of healthy volunteers. We detected a 4.2 kb transcript of lambda 4-1 in synoviocytes and PBMCs which was not expressed in placentas, suggesting a unique protein might be produced in synoviocytes and PBMCs compared to placentas. In order to examine regulatory mechanisms for expression of human ERVs, we treated cultured synoviocytes and human kidney endothelial cells (hKEC) with various cytokines. By interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) treatment, ERV3 expression in synoviocytes was not altered, but that in hKEC increased and correlated with IL-6 expression. Although ERV3 and lambda 4-1 expression may not be directly associated with the pathogenesis of RA, the possibility still exists that some of many ERVs, which are integrated into human genomes, may have causative roles in RA.

Structural diversity of band 4.1 superfamily members

Several proteins contain the domain homologous to the N-terminal half of band 4.1 protein, indicating the existence of a superfamily. The members of this ‘band 4.1’ superfamily are thought to play crucial roles in the regulation of cytoskeleton-plasma membrane interaction just beneath plasma membranes. We examined the structural diversity of this superfamily by means of the polymerase chain reaction using synthesized mixed primers. We thus identified many members of the band 4.1 superfamily that were expressed in mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells and mouse brain tissue. In total, 15 cDNA clones were obtained; 8 were identical to the corresponding parts of cDNAs for the known members, while 7 appeared to encode novel proteins (NBL1-7: novel band 4.1-like proteins). Sequence analyses of these clones revealed that the band 4.1 superfamily can be subdivided into 5 gene families; band 4.1 protein, ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin/merlin/NBL6/NBL7+ ++), talin, PTPH1 (PTPH1/PTPMEG/NBL1-3), and NBL4 (NBL4/NBL5) families. The NBL4 family was first identified here, and the full-length cDNA encoding NBL4 was cloned. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed a myristoylation site, as well as phosphorylation sites for A-kinase and tyrosine kinases in its N-terminal half, suggesting its involvement in the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cellular events just beneath the plasma membrane. In this study, we describe the initial characterization of these new members and discuss the evolution of the band 4.1 superfamily.

Role of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide on systemic and renal hemodynamics in heart failure rats

To investigate the role of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in rats with heart failure (HF), we administered HS-142-1 (HS; 3 mg/kg body wt iv), a novel nonpeptide ANP-receptor antagonist, to rats with surgically induced myocardial infarction and sham-operated rats. HF was characterized by a higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and higher plasma ANP concentration vs. controls. HS administration significantly reduced the plasma and urinary levels of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in rats with HF [plasma concentration 10.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.4 nM (P < 0.05); urinary excretion 48 +/- 8 vs. 12 +/- 2 pmol/min (P < 0.05)]. Systemic and renal hemodynamics were unaffected by HS administration. Urine flow (-35%) and urinary sodium excretion (-50%) were significantly decreased after HS only in those rats with HF that had no changes in systemic and renal hemodynamics. These results suggest that the elevated ANP levels in HF do not contribute directly to the maintenance of systemic hemodynamics but rather compensate for the HF mainly via diuresis and natriuresis, achieved by the inhibition of renal tubular reabsorption rather than by renal vasodilatation.

Perturbation of cell adhesion and microvilli formation by antisense oligonucleotides to ERM family members

To examine the functions of ERM family members (ezrin, radixin, and moesin), mouse epithelial cells (MTD-1A cells) and thymoma cells (L5178Y), which coexpress all of them, were cultured in the presence of antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PONs) complementary to ERM sequences. Immunoblotting revealed that the antisense PONs selectively suppressed the expression of each member. Immunofluorescence microscopy of these ezrin, radixin, or moesin "single-suppressed" MTD-1A cells revealed that the ERM family members are colocalized at cell-cell adhesion sites, microvilli, and cleavage furrows, where actin filaments are densely associated with plasma membranes. The ezrin/radixin/moesin antisense PONs mixture induced the destruction of both cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, as well as the disappearance of microvilli. Ezrin or radixin antisense PONs individually affected the initial step of the formation of both cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, but did not affect the microvilli structures. In sharp contrast, moesin antisense PONs did not singly affect cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, whereas it partly affected the microvilli structures. These data indicate that ezrin and radixin can be functionally substituted, that moesin has some synergetic functional interaction with ezrin and radixin, and that these ERM family members are involved in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, as well as microvilli formation.

Distribution of fluoride in the dental tissues and their supporting mandibular bone from the same individual

Dental and skeletal tissues have their own distinct fluoride distribution profiles. It was thought useful to compare these within individuals as normally comparisons are made between different groups of individuals. The average fluoride concentration decreased in the following order; cementum, alveolar bone, cancellous bone, mandible, dentine and enamel.

The role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons in healing of HCl-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons are important in protecting the stomach against damage. This study investigated the role of these sensory neurons in the healing of gastric lesions.

METHODS

Rats fasted for 18 hours were given 1 mL of 0.6N HCl orally for induction of gastric lesions; they were then fed normally from 1 hour later. On various days after HCl treatment, the area of lesion, acid secretion, mucosal DNA synthesis, mucosal H+ permeability, and blood flow responses were measured.

RESULTS

Ablation of sensory neurons by capsaicin pretreatment did not affect the development of gastric lesions in response to HCl but significantly delayed the healing of these lesions. The damaged mucosa secreted less acid and had minimal changes in DNA synthesis but showed a marked increase in H+ permeability, resulting in luminal acid loss accompanied by an increase of mucosal blood flow. Sensory deafferentation did not have any influence on such changes in the damaged stomach, except the mucosal hyperemic response to acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons may contribute to the healing of gastric lesions by mediating the mucosal hyperemic responses associated with acid back-diffusion and by facilitating acid disposal in the mucosa.

The deleterious effects of exogenous angiotensin I and angiotensin II on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Angiotensin II is well known to have a cardiotoxic effects. However, it is still unclear whether exogenous angiotensin I or angiotensin II has a deleterious effect on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. To examine this deleterious effects, we administered angiotensin I and angiotensin II to perfused hearts before ischemia, and measured creatine kinase (CK) release and cardiac function during subsequent reperfusion. Wistar Kyoto rats were used and the hearts were perfused by the Langendorff technique at a constant flow (10 ml/min). Seven hearts were perfused for 20 min and then subjected to 15 min of global ischemia (Control). In the experimental groups, during the 5 min before ischemia, we administered 100 ng/ml angiotensin I (Ang I; n = 9), 1 microgram/ml enalaprilat (ACEI; n = 5), both agents (ACEI + Ang I) (n = 6), or 10 ng/ml angiotensin II (Ang II; n = 6). The perfusates were then sampled to measure angiotensin II. After 15 min of ischemia, the hearts were reperfused with control perfusate. Throughout the 20 min of reperfusion, the effluent was collected to measure cumulative CK release. Angiotensin I increased coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) by 32 +/- 4 mmHg, however, the angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor inhibited the increase of CPP by angiotension I (11 +/- 1 mmHg) (p < 0.01). The contents of angiotensin II in the effluent in Ang I and Ang I + ACEI were 11.5 +/- 1.9 ng/ml and 4.0 +/- 0.5 ng/ml (p < 0.01). After 20 min of reperfusion, the left ventricular developed pressure was unchanged in all of the groups. CPP was also unchanged by ischemia in all of the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of root conditioning with minocycline HCl in removing endotoxin from the roots of periodontally-involved teeth

Noting the acid-conditioning effect of minocycline on the root surface, we investigated the ability of minocycline to remove endotoxin on untreated, diseased cementum in vitro. Root surface specimens affected by periodontal disease were immersed in minocycline solution (10 mg/ml, 50 micrograms/ml, and 5 micrograms/ml) for 10 minutes, 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days, and endotoxin eluted was determined by the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Specimens serving as controls were treated by immersion in pyrogen-free water, agitation, polishing, or exposure to citric acid (pH 1.0) for 3 minutes. When the period of immersion was the same, the root treatment with minocycline (10 mg/ml) yielded a significantly higher rate of neutralization of endotoxin than that with a 5 micrograms/ml or 50 micrograms/ml solution. However, the detoxifying effect of this method was less adequate than that of polishing or treatment with citric acid solution. There was variability in the effects of polishing among the teeth tested. To obtain the expected effect of the root treatment with minocycline solution; i.e., removal of the endotoxin, the combining of minocycline with a mechanical root preparation, such as polishing or root planing, seems to be effective.

Comparison of the effects of dobutamine and isoproterenol in ischemic hearts by phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We compared the effects of 2 inotropic agents, dobutamine and isoproterenol on regional coronary blood flow, contractile function, hemodynamics and levels of phosphate compounds in the acutely ischemic canine heart. Dogs were instrumented to determine regional coronary blood flow (non-radioactive microsphere method), contractile function (sonomicrometry), and hemodynamics. Myocardial phosphate compounds were measured simultaneously by the phosphate-31 (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopic technique. Both drugs augmented the global performance of the heart, but produced no significant improvement in regional contractile function in the ischemic region. Isoproterenol significantly increased the ratio of inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine in the ischemic region, as compared to dobutamine. However, no significant differences were seen in myocardial lactate consumption with inotropic stimulation between the 2 groups. 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy could be used to differentiate between the effects of dobutamine and isoproterenol on energy metabolism in ischemic myocardium despite the lack of significant differences in regional function and myocardial lactate consumption. The significant tachycardia without an augmentation of systemic blood pressure induced by isoproterenol may account for this unfavorable effect on myocardial energy metabolism.

Expression of human nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The expression of nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 proteins in 25 hepatocellular carcinomas was studied immunohistochemically.

METHODS

Tissue specimens were reacted with anti-human nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) (H1-229 and H2-206, respectively) and then stained by the biotin-streptoavidin complex method.

RESULTS

Adjacent nontumorous tissues were intensely stained with nm23-H1 and nm23-H2. Of the 25 hepatocellular carcinomas, 60% were positive for MoAb H1-229, and 68% were positive for MoAb H2-206. These immunoreactivities were most common in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. There was no significant correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 protein and tumor size, Edmondson's histopathologic classification, or invasion of the capsule. However, the authors observed an inverse relationship between nm23-H1 expression and intrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinomas. There was no significant correlation between the expression of nm23-H2 protein and clinicopathologic findings. Only a short survival period was observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with reduced nm23-H1 or nm23-H2 proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that nm23-H1 protein plays a role in the suppression of intrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and that the combined expression of nm23-H1 is associated with favorable prognosis.