[Correlation between 13C-urea breath test and gastric histological findings in Helicobacter pylori positive patients]

13C-urea breath test (UBT), available for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the stomach, measures the 13CO in the breath in which 13C urea is resolved in the stomach by urease derived from HP. Accordingly UBT is useful for a test of HP infection. This study is aimed at clarifying the relationship between the UBT and gastric histological findings. For this study we selected 63 patients with HP infection who showed both positive UBT and positive histological diagnosis. Briefly in the UBT procedure, the patients were given 13C-urea (100 mg dissolved 100 ml water) in a fasting state and kept in the left decubitus position for 5 minutes, and then the patients were asked to expire into testing bags before and 20 minutes after administration of the urea. Biopsy specimens were taken endscopically from the gastric antrum and the body. The specimens of all patients showed positive CLO test. HP organisms, inflammation, activity, and atrophy of the gastric specimens, were expressed in score from 0 to 3 according to the Update Sydney system. The UBT values were high correlated with the increase of HP organisms. The UBT was 11.8, 26.3, and 37/1000 in the groups with the scores of 0.1, and 2 in the number of HP organisms from the gastric body, respectively. The UBT was 19.2, 22.2, 36.1, 26.7/1000 in the groups with scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 for the specimens from the antrum, respectively. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the UBT values and HP organisms. As a result, the UBT correlated with the activity score. Grade of gastric mucosal atrophy was expressed histologically in scores of 0,1,2, and 3. The UBT was 29.4, 19.1, 17.5, and 9.3/1000 in the groups with scores 0,1,2, and 3 in the grades of gastric atrophy from the gastric body, respectively. There was a negative correlation between the UBT values and the grade of gastric atrophy. We conclude that the UBT values which indicate the number of HP organisms can be used not only for diagnosis of HP infection but also the quantitative index of HP load.

[Increased IL-2 and sIL-2R in sera of infants with HTLV-I infection from mother]

In our laboratory, children born to women are known to be infected with Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type-1 (HTLV-I) have been followed using, detect of gene by PCR and antibody by Western Blot Assay (WB) and Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) test from 1990 through 1996. Four children out of 123 delivery cases have been confirmed to be infected with HTLV-I. We analyzed the correlation between the concentration of cytokines (IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-gamma) and HTLV-I infection. IL-2 and sIL-2R in sera increased after HTLV-I infection. There was no correlation between the concentration of IFN-gamma and HTLV-I infection. These result suggested that detection of IL-2 and sIL-2R might be the marker of HTLV-I infection.

Strontium-89 therapy and imaging with bremsstrahlung in bone metastases

The bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical Sr-89 has been used as a palliative treatment for patients with bone pain caused by bone metastases. The authors report the results of nine patients (three with prostate cancer, four with breast cancer, one with thyroid cancer, and one with lung cancer) who underwent therapy with Sr-89 chloride for painful bone metastases, and evaluate Sr-89 imaging with bremsstrahlung. Two levels of dosage (1.5 and 2.2 MBq/kg) were used. Sr-89 imaging was performed in seven patients 1 week after injection. Abnormal uptake was seen in all and was consistent with the results of Tc-99m HMDP imaging. Six patients were assessed at 3 months and three patients toward the time they were terminal; 78% (seven of nine) derived some benefit. Two patients had a favorable clinical response and showed improvement on Tc-99m HMDP imaging.

Effects of MRI abnormalities on WAIS-R performance in solvent abusers

OBJECTIVE

To clarify how chronic solvent abuse affects cognitive function using magnetic resonance imaging as an index of brain damage.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 25 chronic solvent abusers underwent magnetic resonance imaging with quantitative neurometry and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales revised.

RESULTS

The abusers with white matter change (n=10) showed significantly (P<0.05) lower performance IQ, especially in Digit Symbol subtest (P<0.01). Also, the severity of pontine atrophy was significantly correlated with PIQ (r=0.60, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that solvent abuse causes the decline in the test performance reflecting cognitive and fine motor dysfunction and that white matter changes and pontine atrophy may have some roles in this decline.

Behavioral effects of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, a product derived from smoking methamphetamine with tobacco, in mice and rats

The stimulant effects of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine (CMMA), a product derived from smoking methamphetamine (MA) mixed in tobacco, were studied by observing stereotyped behavior and measuring spontaneous motor activity in mice and rats over 180 min CMMA. 1.3 and 10 mg/kg IP, elicited strong stimulant-like effects which were almost equivalent to those produced by MA. Drug monitoring for 180 min in mouse and rat plasma revealed that the principal substances responsible for the stimulant effect of CMMA were MA and amphetamine (AP) which were metabolized from CMMA by the animal. There was a species difference in metabolism of CMMA between mice and rats. The major metabolites were MA and AP in mouse plasma, followed by N-formylmethamphetamine (FMA), whereas the major metabolite was FMA in rat plasma, followed by MA and AP. The differences in the stimulant effects of CMMA between mice and rats were discussed in relation to its metabolic fate in mice and rats.

Spontaneous establishment of an Epstein-Barr virus-infected fibroblast line from the synovial tissue of a rheumatoid arthritis patient

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected fibroblast line, designated DSEK, was spontaneously established from synovial tissue of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DSEK cells expressed EBV nuclear antigens EBNA-1 and EBNA-2 and latent membrane protein LMP-1. Cell surface markers of DSEK cells were similar to those of EBV-negative fibroblast clones derived from synoviocytes and were negative for lymphocyte and macrophage markers. DSEK cells expressed CD44, CD58, and HLA-DR antigens and spontaneously produced interleukin-10 basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor beta1. These results indicate that rheumatoid synoviocytes can be a target for EBV infection and suggest that EBV may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA.

Mechanisms of gastric juice-induced hyperpermeability of the cultured human tracheal epithelium

PURPOSE

The respiratory aspiration of the stomach contents causes severe lung damage called aspiration pneumonia. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether mucosal exposure of gastric juice causes hyperpermeability of the human airway epithelium and to determine the mechanisms responsible for gastric juice-induced airway epithelial damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gastric juice was collected from 46 normal adults via gastroscope and samples were analyzed for pH, osmolarity, and concentration of pepsin and trypsin. Tracheal surface epithelial cells were obtained from 16 autopsies, cultured onto porous filters, and mounted in the Ussing chamber. Electrical conductance (G) was measured before and after exposure of cells to gastric juice or Krebs-Henseleit solution with pH at 1.8, 2.8, 4.0, or 7.4 in the presence or absence of pepsin. D-[3H] mannitol flux study across the epithelial layer and histologic observations using an inverted microscope were also performed after exposure of cells to gastric juice.

RESULTS

Exposure of cultured human tracheal epithelium to gastric juice caused increases in G in a time- and pH-dependent fashion. A pepsin inhibitor (pepstatin A) inhibited gastric juice-induced increases in G at a pH of 2.8, and the addition of pepsin augmented increases in G induced by the Krebs-Henseleit solution at a pH of 1.8 and 2.8. Lowering the osmolarity of the solution to levels similar to gastric juice also potentiated increases in G induced by acid and pepsin. Gastric juice caused increases in D-[3H] mannitol flux across the epithelial layer bidirectionally, and microscopic observation revealed separation of the intercellular space and cell detachment from culture vessels after exposure of cells to gastric juice.

CONCLUSION

Gastric juice causes hyperpermeability across human airway epithelium probably through the additive effects of gastric acid, pepsin activity, and lower osmolarity.

Periarticular ectopic calcinosis probably due to 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 therapy, and successful treatment with bisphosphonate compound in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

We describe the case of a 25-year-old woman who developed soft tissue ectopic nephritis. Ectopic calcinosis rarely occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. This is the first detailed case report of metastatic ectopic calcinosis, one of two categories of ectopic calcinosis, probably due to 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 therapy. We administered disodium 3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate pentahydrate, a second-generation bisphosphonate, to decrease the patient's serum calcium level, and subsequently observed a dramatic decrease in severity of the ectopic calcinosis along with decreases in both the serum calcium level and the (serum calcium level)x(serum phosphate level) index. We suggest that 1 alpha-OH vitamin D3 should be used in cases of lupus nephritis with great caution.

[Imaging of strontium-89 uptake with bremsstrahlung using NaI scintillation camera]

Strontium-89 chloride is widely available in the U.S. and Europe for patients afflicted by bone metastasis associated with pain. 89Sr is a pure beta-emitter and it is thought to be difficult to estimate its distribution externally. We tried to image the distribution of 89Sr uptake with bremsstrahlung from beta-minus decay of 89Sr by using Nal scintillation camera. Pronounced 89Sr depositions in the bone metastatic sites were imaged in the energy windows from 50 keV to 150 keV bremsstrahlung. The distribution of these depositions corresponded to 99mTc-HMDP image may be suspected to the effectiveness of this therapy. The identification of 89Sr distribution might be useful in evaluating the bone marrow radiation dose too.

Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding tannase and a structural study of the tannase subunit from Aspergillus oryzae

We cloned the Aspergillus oryzae tannase gene using three oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) probes synthesized according to the tannase N-terminal and an internal amino acid (aa) sequence. The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the tannase gene was determined and compared with that of a tannase DNA complementary to RNA (cDNA) by means of reverse transcriptase PCR. The results indicated that there was no intron in the tannase gene and that it coded for 588 aa with a molecular weight of about 64,000. The tannase low-producing strain A. oryzae AO1 was transformed with the plasmid pT1 which contained the tannase gene, and tannase activities of the transformants increased in proportion to the number of copies. Tannase consisted of two kinds of subunits, linked by a disulfide bond(s) with molecular weights of about 30,000 and 33,000, respectively. We purified these subunits and determined their N-terminal aa sequences. The large and small subunits of tannase were encoded by the first and second halves, respectively. Judging from the above results, the tannase gene product is translated as a single polypeptide that is cleaved by post-translational modification into two tannase subunits linked by a disulfide bond(s). We concluded that native tannase consisted of four pairs of the two subunits, forming a hetero-octamer with a molecular weight of about 300,000.

[Therapeutic ratio of fractionated high-dose-rate against continuous low-dose-rate brachytherapy analyzed by simulation model]

In order to establish the standard schedule of 192Ir-HDR brachytherapy, it is necessary to determine the optimal time-dose-fractionation. A new simulation model was used to determine the optimal schedule. This model, which is based on the LQ-model, includes the effect of incomplete repair between fractionations. The fraction surviving after irradiation is expressed as log (surviving fraction) = n (-alpha x -beta x2)-n beta x2 hn (theta), and the change in fractionation will influence the value of hn (theta). From analysis of this model, the therapeutic ratio will approach one if two fractionations (6-hour and 18-hour intervals) or three fractionations (4-hour, 4-hour and 16-hour intervals) in a day are carried out for 6 days. This simulation model will provide an optimal treatment schedule for tumor control, for example, two daily fractionations of 4.6Gy with 6-hour intervals between the daily fractionations (and 18 hours to the first fractionations of the next day), 12 fractionations to 55.2Gy in 6 days or three daily fractionations of 3.3Gy with a 4-hour interval between the daily fractionations (and 16 hours to the first fractionations of the next day), 18 fractionations to 59.4Gy in 6 days. Further clinical study should be carried out to confirm this simulation.

[Methodological study of 13C-urea breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection]

In this study, we investigate simple breath test for detection of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection using 13C-urea. Thirty-nine patients (30 were HP positive, 9 were HP negative) were given three different doses (50, 100 and 150 mg) of 13C-urea at fasting, and keep sitting after mouth washing with water. Breath samples were taken before and 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after urea administration. More than 100mg of 13C-urea was necessary for correct diagnosis of HP infection, because 2 HP positive cases were not detected by 50mg 13C-urea administration. In cases with patchy distribution of HP in the stomach, it may be necessary to change the posture to distribute urea within the whole stomach. In most of HP positive cases, peak delta 13CO2 were obtained within 30 minutes, but one HP negative case showed high delta 13CO2 at 10 minutes, which was probably caused by urease activity in the mouth. So it is appropriate to take breath sample at 20 minutes after urea administration. In this study, cut-off value for a positive test can be setted between 4 to 7 delta/1000, it is necessary to investigate much more cases to set exact cut-off value.

Effect of haloperidol on the behavioral stimulation by N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, a main product of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco

N-Cyanomethylmethamphetamine is a main product of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of haloperidol on behavioral stimulation by N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine (3 mg/kg s.c.) in terms of ambulation in mice. Repeated administration of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, carried out 5 x at 3-day intervals, induced a sensitization to its ambulation-increasing effect. Haloperidol (0.01, 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg s.c.) significantly inhibited not only the acute stimulant effect of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine but also the induction of sensitization. The dose-effect curves for the inhibitory effects of haloperidol on the N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine-induced ambulatory stimulation were almost the same between the drug-native and N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine-sensitized mice. Moreover, such behavioral characteristics of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine; the behavioral stimulant effect, the induction of sensitization following repeated administration, and the inhibition of its effects by haloperidol, were qualitatively the same as those of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg s.c.). These results suggest that N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine possesses methamphetamine-like central stimulant effect and that D2 dopaminergic mechanisms are involved in the effect of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine.

Characteristics of behavioural stimulant effect of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, a main product of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco: evaluation by ambulatory activity in mice

N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine is main product of smoking methamphetamine HCl (CAS code value: 537-46-2, molar mass: 185.70 g/mol) mixed with tobacco, and has a central stimulant action. The aims of this study were to assess in terms of ambulation in mice whether repeated administration of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl (molar mass: 211.70 g/mol) induced sensitization to its central stimulant effect, and whether there were cross-sensitization from N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl to methamphetamine HCl, and from methamphetamine HCl to N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl. N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl 14.2 and 47.2 mumol/kg subcutaneously dose-dependently accelerated ambulation of mice. Five administrations at 3 day intervals caused sensitization, the activity counts in the fifth administration being approximately 2.6 and 1.6 times, higher respectively, than those in the first administration. Furthermore, the mice repeatedly given 14.2 and 47.2 mumol/kg N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl exhibited cross-sensitization to methamphetamine HCl (10.8 mumol/kg subcutaneously). Whereas 1.4 and 4.7 mumol/kg N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl did not induce significant acceleration of the ambulation throughout the 5 repeated administrations, nor cross-sensitization to methamphetamine HCl. On the other hand, the 5 repeated administrations of methamphetamine HCl (10.8 mumol/kg) also caused sensitization to its ambulation-increasing effect, and the activity count in the fifth administration attained approximately 2.0 times higher than that in the first administration. The mice given methamphetamine HCl demonstrated cross-sensitization to 1.42-14.2 mumol/kg N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl. Haloperidol (CAS code value: 52-86-8, molar mass: 375.88 g/mol; 0.027-0.80 mumol/kg subcutaneously) dose-dependently reduced the ambulation-increasing effects of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl and methamphetamine HCl in the drug-naive, and N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl- and methamphetamine HCl-sensitized mice. These dose-effect relationships were similar between groups. The present results suggest that N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine HCl has a behavioural stimulant effect almost similar to that of methamphetamine HCl.

Abuse of smoking methamphetamine mixed with tobacco. V. Plasma metabolites of N-cyanomethylmethamphetamine, a pyrolysis product formed by smoking methamphetamine in tobacco, and the species difference between mouse and rat

N-Cyanomethylmethamphetamine (CMMA), N-formylmethamphetamine (FMA) and methamphetamine (MA) were given intraperitoneally to mouse and rat in doses of 3 mg/kg. The major metabolites of CMMA, FMA and MA in plasma were determined at short intervals after administration by GC-MS to obtain the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Regarding the plasma concentration of FMA after CMMA administration, a definite species difference was observed between mouse and rat. In rats given CMMA, FMA was the major component, followed by MA, amphetamine (AP), CMMA and N-formylamphetamine (FAP). In mice given CMMA, MA was a major component, followed by AP, FMA, CMMA and FAP. However, it was demonstrated that MA is also non-enzymatically produced from CMMA in plasma. Following FMA administration to rats, FMA was the major component in the plasma, showing the largest AUC value of the four metabolites, FMA, FAP, MA and AP. Following FMA administration to mice, MA showed the largest AUC value, followed by FMA, FAP and AP which were present at low levels even 5 min after injection and were scarcely detectable at 60 min. These results suggest two main mechanisms involved in the metabolism of the N-cyanomethyl group, one of which is the formation of MA by elimination of cyanoformaldehyde from N-alpha-hydroxylated CMMA and the other which is the formation of FMA by elimination of hydrogen cyanide from N-alpha-hydroxylated CMMA. The formation of FMA from CMMA was the predominant pathway in rats but not in mice.

Functioning survival rate of fixtures and superstructures of osseointegrated implants: ten years of progress in Tokyo Dental College Hospital (second report)

Osseointegrated implant bridges (OIB) have shown excellent results in the majority of cases. Since 1983, 1,022 fixtures has been applied to 241 superstructures in Tokyo Dental College Hospital. The aim of present study was to examine their functioning survival rate during recent ten years. The functioning survival rate of the superstructure of OIB has been almost 100% in both maxilla and mandible. Although 13.0% of these fixtures had to be removed in maxillary complete cases, only 3.3% of fixtures were removed in other cases. In maxillary complete cases, the functioning survival rate of OIB fixtures gradually decreases from 91% to 74% (91%, less than 3 years; 84%, between 3 and 7 years; 74%, more than 7 years), but it remained at about 97% for all periods in other cases. Apparently, the functioning survival rate of OIB fixture is generally determined within the period of one year, so almost the same rate is maintained thereafter. It is suggested that if more fixture numbers in the superstructure were applied to maxillary complete cases, the functional survival rate might improve.

[Gastric mucosal atrophy and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in reflux esophagitis of the elderly]

This study is aimed at a role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in reflux esophagitis of the elderly. 46 patients with reflux esophagitis aged at older than 60 years are selected for this study with informed consent. 43 patients without reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer are used as a control group. In reflux esophagitis, gastric mucosal atrophy is judged as closed type of endoscopic findings in all cases. In control, 27 of 43 patients were judged as open type. Serum pepsinogen I, II ratio is 4.73 +/- 1.28 which is higher significantly than 3.39 +/- 1.69 in control. Serological positive rate of HP antibody is 39.1% in reflux esophagitis. This rate is significantly lower than 62.7% in control. In conclusion, low frequency of chronic HP infection protects gastric mucosa from atrophy, and keeps secretion of gastric acid, resulting in reflux esophagitis of the elderly accompanied with various abnormal esophago-gastric functions.

Protective effect of beraprost sodium, a stable prostacyclin analogue, in development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension

Experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) was induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT), a pyrrolizidine alkaloid extracted from Crotalaria spectabilis. The effect of beraprost sodium, a stable prostacyclin analogue, on the development of MCT-induced PH in rats was studied. Chronic administration of beraprost sodium at a dose of 30 micrograms/kg/day initiated on the same day as MCT injection decreased the degree of PH determined by weight ratio of right ventricular free wall to that of left ventricle plus septum depending on the duration of administration. Although the injection of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg/day initiated 1 week after MCT injection did not decrease the degree of PH significantly, beraprost sodium administration at doses of 30 and 100 micrograms/kg/day decreased the degree of PH significantly. The cytoprotective effect of beraprost sodium against endothelial cell (EC) damage is believed to be involved in inhibiting development of PH in MCT-injected rats. The amounts of cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) produced by alveolar macrophages decreased in accordance with the inhibiting effect of beraprost sodium on development of PH, indicating that beraprost sodium inhibited the development of PH in MCT-injected rats not only through its effect of vasodilation and anti-platelet aggregation in pulmonary circulation but also through its antiinflammatory effects.

Histological grading of carcinoma in situ of the bladder: its clinical significance in patients who underwent intravesical mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy

PURPOSE

The clinical behavior of carcinoma in situ of the bladder seems rather complicated. Although some have advocated the histological grading of carcinoma in situ, to our knowledge no sufficient clinical information has been reported. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical significance of histological grading of carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1984 to December 1991, 58 patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder were treated initially with intravesical mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy. Of the patients 20 had grade 2 and 38 had grade 3 anaplasia according to the modified World Health Organization grading system. Those who failed the initial therapy received another course of mitomycin C and doxorubicin sequential therapy or intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

RESULTS

Following initial therapy, 13 patients (65%) with grade 2 and 28 (74%) with grade 3 disease achieved a complete response. Subsequent intravesical therapy resulted in complete response in 17 patients (85%) with grade 2 and 31 (82%) with grade 3 cancer. The local recurrence rate was higher in the grade 2 than in the grade 3 cases after a median followup of 48 months (range 10 to 84). The recurrent tumor configuration was significantly different between the 2 groups. Papillary cancer recurred only in grade 2 cases, while only nodular cancer recurred in grade 3 cases. The progression-free and survival curves were slightly higher in grade 2 than in grade 3 cases, although the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

There may be some difference in response to initial intravesical chemotherapy and the local recurrence rate between grades 2 and 3 carcinoma in situ, both of which are detrimental to grade 2 lesions. Moreover, it appears likely that grade 2 carcinoma in situ is a precursor of papillary high grade cancer and grade 3 carcinoma in situ is a precursor of nodular cancer. However, patient prognosis in the 2 groups was not significantly different.

Intravesical ureterocele presenting bladder outlet obstruction in an adult male

Large ureteroceles in adult males causing bladder outlet obstruction are rare. We report a case of a large intravesical orthotopic ureterocele in an adult male presenting as acute urinary retention. Incisional transurethral endoscopy was successful with decompression of ureteral end obstruction, enabling smooth urination immediately and no occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux.

Extragonadal germ cell tumor followed by metachronous testicular tumor. A case report

We here present a patient with an extragonadal germ cell tumor followed by a metachronous testicular tumor 7 years later. The histological findings of the extragonadal tumor and the subsequent testicular tumor were quite different; the former was of a mixed type with teratoma, embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumor, and the latter a pure seminoma. Such a long clinical time lag as 7 years and the histological differences between the two tumors suggest that they occurred independently. To our knowledge, this may be the first case report in the literature, in which a testicular tumor occurred metachronously after extragonadal tumor extirpation.

[Preliminary screening for antiviral AIDS drugs. VII. Report for fiscal year 1994]

Preliminary screening of antiviral AIDS drugs has been carried out using three different in vitro assay systems. Among 246 samples of different origin tested, six were shown to inhibit the growth of HIV in vitro. Two of the positive samples have hopeful signs, as the ranges of effective doses are wider than those of most of positive samples which had been found by us.

DNA ploidy, P53 expression, and cellular proliferation in normal epithelium and squamous dysplasia of non-cancerous and cancerous human oesophagi

Ki67 expression, S-phase fraction, p53 immunoreactivity and DNA content were examined in morphologically normal mucosa and squamous dysplasia of both cancerous and non-cancerous human oesophagi in order to understand possible early events in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. 103 different foci from cancerous esophagi including 17 non-pathological epithelium, 10 mild, 17 moderate and 15 severe dysplasia, 14 intraepithelial carcinomas and 30 invasive squamous cell carcinomas were examined. Also studied were 57 biopsy specimens from cancer-free individuals, including 12 normal epithelia, 15 oesophagitis, and 16 mild, 11 moderate and 3 severe dysplasia. Areas of squamous dysplasia from both cancer-free and cancerous oesophagi were morphologically indistinguishable and both demonstrated increased cellular proliferation compared to normal or non-pathological epithelia. However, squamous dysplasia in cancerous oesophagi demonstrated significantly larger ki67 labelling indices and smaller S-phase fractions than dysplasia in cancer-free patients. Squamous dysplasia in cancerous and non-cancerous oesophagi demonstrated an non-diploid DNA histogram in 67.9% and 43.3% respectively. However, dysplasia from cancer-free individuals demonstrated a non-diploid pattern with one or more peaks (Type I non-diploid histogram) and that from oesophageal cancer patients predominantly exhibited non-diploid histograms without any distinctive peaks (Type II non-diploid histogram). Significant differences in the frequency of p53 positive foci were observed between dysplasia of cancer-free (23.3%) and cancerous (56.8%) oesophagi. IN cancerous oesophagi, dysplasia associated with Type II non-diploid histograms had a significantly larger number of p53-positive foci than those with diploid histograms or Type I non-diploid histograms. These results indicated that the biological features of squamous dysplasia were different between cancerous and non-cancerous human oesophagi despite indistinguishable morphological features. In addition, the combination of p53 immuno-histochemistry and DNA ploidy analysis may contribute to identify possible high-risk squamous dysplasia of the oesophagus.