Spiro-substituted piperidines as neurokinin receptor antagonists. III. Synthesis of (+/-)-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-(spiro-substituted piperidin-1'-yl)butyl]-N-methylbenzamides and evaluation of NK1-NK2 dual antagonistic activities

To discover a novel NK1-NK2 dual antagonist, we have synthesized a series of spiro-substituted piperidines utilizing YM-35375 as a lead compound, and evaluated affinities for NK1 and NK2 receptors. In the N-methylbenzamide moiety, introduction of methoxy groups increased affinity for the NK1 receptor without a significant loss of affinity for the NK2 receptor. We also found that a conformation in which the phenyl groups of the N-methylbenzamide and 3,4-dichlorophenyl moieties are close to each other through a cis-amide bond, may be favorable for showing high affinity for the NK1 receptor and that a hydrogen bond-accepting group in the spiro-substituted piperidine moiety may be crucial for exhibiting high affinity for the NK2 receptor. Among the compounds prepared, YM-44778 (31) showed high and well-balanced affinity for NK1 and NK2 receptors (IC50 values of 18 and 16 nM, respectively). This compound also exhibited potent antagonistic activities against both NK1 and NK2 receptors (IC50 values of 82 and 62 nM, respectively) in isolated tissues.

[Electron microscopic observations of the conjunctiva in epidermolysis bullosa hereditaria]

A 35-year-old female had been clinically diagnosed as having epidermolysis bullosa hereditaria since her skin formed blisters from the time of her birth. Her left and right corneas become clouded at the age of 17 and 31 years, respectively. She was diagnosed as having bilateral secondary glaucoma at the age of 31 years and was medicated with antiglaucoma drugs. When examined by us, both corneas were invaded by conjunctival tissues and intraocular pressure in both eyes was 38 mmHg. Visual acuity was 0.09 (n.c.) in the right eye and she had no light perception in the left eye. A trabeculectomy OD was performed at our hospital. For confirmatory diagnosis, a pathological examination of the conjunctival and dermal tissues was done. Electron microscopic study demonstrated blister formation beneath the basal lamina and lost anchoring fibrils of both tissues. This finding confirmed that she had a receive form of dystrophic epidermolisis bullosa. This is a rare case of dystrophic epidermolisis bullosa with severe corneal changes and glaucoma diagnosed from electron microscopic observations.

Oral administration of tritiated water (HTO) in mouse. III: Low dose-rate irradiation and threshold dose-rate for radiation risk

PURPOSE

To investigate the biological effect of tritium on mouse at low dose-rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice ([C57BL/6N x C3H/He]F1) were exposed to beta-rays by continuous administration of tritiated drinking water throughout their lives at low dose-rates of 3.6, 0.9, and 0.2 mG/day.

RESULTS

Including the previous study, the tumour frequency was 70 to approximately 80% for exposure in the range 240 mGy/day to 9.6 mGy/day. Frequency of tumours decreased with decrease of dose-rate to 50% comparable to the controls. Restricting to thymic lymphomas, a linear relationship in a semi-log plot was found between the frequency and the dose-rate above a threshold dose-rate of 12 mGy/day. There was a 'tail' to this relationship down to 0.9 mGy/day. A similar pattern resulted for the relationship between the life-shortening and the dose-rate. The threshold dose-rate of 3H beta-rays, 2 mGy/day (with a tail down to 0.2 mGy/day), was much lower than that of gamma-rays, 20 mGy/day (tail down to 2 mGy/day) derived from other studies.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies suggest that there exists the threshold dose-rate in the biological effects of radiation, and that the threshold dose-rate for 60Co gamma-irradiation is higher than that for 3H beta-irradiation.

Nodular localized cutaneous amyloidosis: further demonstration of monoclonality of infiltrating plasma cells in four additional Japanese patients

Nodular localized cutaneous amyloidosis (NLCA) is a disorder characterized by deposition of amyloid derived from immunoglobulin light chains. We used semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyse archival paraffin-embedded sections from a previous patient and from four additional, previously reported patients with NLCA to determine whether involvement of monoclonal plasma cells is a universal feature of this condition. The semi-nested PCR analysis revealed one or two amplified bands, around 100-120 bp, for all five cases of NLCA, although the yields varied from case to case. These results suggest that clonal expansion of plasma cells in NLCA may occur locally.

Clinicopathological study on hepatocellular carcinoma with lymphocytic infiltration

We examined the clinicopathologic features of 11 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) less than 3 cm in diameter with marked inflammatory cell infiltration (LHCCs). In comparison with the other 152 HCCs without such an infiltration (controls), there were no significant differences in male/female ratio, age, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, and laboratory and imaging findings. All the 11 LHCC cases were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and hepatitis C virus antibody positive. Among the 152 controls, 116 cases were also HBsAg negative and HCVAb positive and were referred to as HCV-only controls. The clinical features were not significantly different between the LHCC and the HCV-only controls. The LHCC group tended to have higher numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes in pre- and post-operative peripheral blood, but there were no significant group differences. Recurrence rate was 9.1% in the LHCC group, 47.7% in the controls and 47.5% in the HCV-only controls (P < .01). Five-year survival rate was 100% in the LHCC group, 65.1% in the controls and 68.1% in the HCV-only controls (P < .01). Histologically, remarkable inflammatory cell infiltration, mostly lymphocytic, was observed in the cancerous tissue of the LHCC group. Varying degrees of piecemeal necrosis of cancer nests produced by infiltrating lymphocytes were observed in all the 11 cases. Lymph follicle formation was also found in 10 of 11 cases (90.9%). Liver cirrhosis was associated in 6 LHCC cases (54.5%), in 117 control cases (77.0%), and in 91 HCV-only controls (78.4%). Tumor invasion into the portal vein in the vicinity of the tumor was found in 1 LHCC case (9.1%), in 54 controls (35.5%), and in 34 HCV-only controls (29.3%). Immunohistochemically, most of the infiltrating lymphocytes, other than those in the lymph follicle, were identified as T lymphocyte, and CD8+ T lymphocyte was more predominant than CD4+ T lymphocyte. Better prognosis of the LHCC group could attribute to the anti-tumor effect induced by cellular immunity of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, and partly by humoral immunity of B cells which formed lymph follicles.

Clinicopathological study on hepatocellular carcinoma with lymphocytic infiltration

We examined the clinicopathologic features of 11 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) less than 3 cm in diameter with marked inflammatory cell infiltration (LHCCs). In comparison with the other 152 HCCs without such an infiltration (controls), there were no significant differences in male/female ratio, age, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, and laboratory and imaging findings. All the 11 LHCC cases were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative and hepatitis C virus antibody positive. Among the 152 controls, 116 cases were also HBsAg negative and HCVAb positive and were referred to as HCV-only controls. The clinical features were not significantly different between the LHCC and the HCV-only controls. The LHCC group tended to have higher numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes in pre- and post-operative peripheral blood, but there were no significant group differences. Recurrence rate was 9.1% in the LHCC group, 47.7% in the controls and 47.5% in the HCV-only controls (P < .01). Five-year survival rate was 100% in the LHCC group, 65.1% in the controls and 68.1% in the HCV-only controls (P < .01). Histologically, remarkable inflammatory cell infiltration, mostly lymphocytic, was observed in the cancerous tissue of the LHCC group. Varying degrees of piecemeal necrosis of cancer nests produced by infiltrating lymphocytes were observed in all the 11 cases. Lymph follicle formation was also found in 10 of 11 cases (90.9%). Liver cirrhosis was associated in 6 LHCC cases (54.5%), in 117 control cases (77.0%), and in 91 HCV-only controls (78.4%). Tumor invasion into the portal vein in the vicinity of the tumor was found in 1 LHCC case (9.1%), in 54 controls (35.5%), and in 34 HCV-only controls (29.3%). Immunohistochemically, most of the infiltrating lymphocytes, other than those in the lymph follicle, were identified as T lymphocyte, and CD8+ T lymphocyte was more predominant than CD4+ T lymphocyte. Better prognosis of the LHCC group could attribute to the anti-tumor effect induced by cellular immunity of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, and partly by humoral immunity of B cells which formed lymph follicles.

Small non-functioning endocrine tumor of pancreas: comparison with solid cystic tumor

A small non-functioning islet-cell tumor of the pancreas in a 79-year-old man is reported. Ultrasonography showed a solid small mass in the body of the pancreas. All laboratory data, including serum hormones and tumor markers, were within normal limits. A distal pancreatectomy was performed. Cut sections of the specimen revealed a small, hard, solid mass measuring 2.8 x 2.2 x 2.0 cm. Histologically, the tumor consisted of large acidophilic cells with round nuclei, and these cells were similar to those normally found in solid and cystic tumors (SCT) of the pancreas. However, the tumor cells were slightly positive for somatostatin and neuron-specific enolase. Ultrastructural studies revealed clear nuclei with no zymogen but immature neurosecretory granules in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. These findings were consistent with those of non-functioning islet-cell tumors. We describe the clinical and histological differences between non-functioning islet-cell tumors and SCT based on an analysis of the literature.

Spiro-substituted piperidines as neurokinin receptor antagonists. II. Syntheses and NK2 receptor-antagonistic activities of N-[2-aryl-4-(spiro-substituted piperidin-1'-yl)butyl]carboxamides

In the course of our research on spiro-compounds as neurokinin receptor antagonists, N-[2-aryl-4-(spiro-substituted piperidin-1'-yl)butyl]carboxamides were designed, based on YM-35375 (3) as a lead compound, and evaluated for NK2 receptor-antagonistic activities. Some derivatives inhibited the binding of radio-labeled neurokinin A to the NK2 receptor with IC50 values at the level of 10(-9) M. Among these compounds, (+/-)-1'-[4-(N-benzoyl-N-methylamino)-3- (3,4-dichlorophenyl)butyl]spiro[benzo[c]thiophene-1(3H), 4'-piperidine] 2-oxide (58, YM-38336) showed 10 times more potent NK2 receptor binding affinity than compound 3 (IC50 values of 8.9 and 84 nM, respectively). It showed more potent inhibitory activity (ID50 20 micrograms/kg (i.v.)) against [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10)-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs than compound 3 (ID50 41 micrograms/kg (i.v.)). This compound was also effective intraduodenally in the same model, exhibiting an ID50 value of 0.41 microgram/kg.

A case of pseudovascular adenoid squamous cell carcinoma of the skin with spindle cell pattern

We report a case of pseudovascular adenoid squamous cell carcinoma which was in the form of a dome-shaped, cherry red tumor on the right cheek of an 86-year-old Japanese woman. Histologically, two types of atypical cells were identified; round cells in the upper part and spindle cells in the lower part. In the upper part, inter-anastomosing sinusoid-like pseudolumina were observed between the cords of the tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells did not express Factor VIII-related and CD34 antigens or bind Ulex europaes I agglutinin, except for only one anti-cytokeratin antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained tonofilaments and desmosomes and represented acantholysis. From the electron microscopy, possible role of capillary hyperpermeability on the acantholytic process of the neoplastic cells was suggested.

16S rRNA gene sequence of Rubrobacter radiotolerans and its phylogenetic alignment with members of the genus Arthrobacter, gram-positive bacteria, and members of the family Deinococcaceae

The nearly complete sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of an extremely highly radiotolerant bacterium, Rubrobacter radiotolerans (reclassified from Arthrobacter radiotolerans based on chemical characteristics), was determined by PCR amplification of the genomic DNA followed by cloning of the amplified gene and sequencing by the dideoxynucleotide method. The sequence was aligned with the sequences of members of the genus Arthrobacter and also with the sequences of representatives of the gram-positive bacteria having high G + C contents and the family Deinococcaceae (radioresistant micrococci and their relatives). The results of our phylogenetic analysis confirmed that R. radiotolerans is not a member of the Arthrobacter group and thus supported the previous reclassification. Moreover, although it is radioresistant and has a high G+C content, R. radiotolerans is more closely related to the gram-positive bacteria with high G+C contents than to the radioresistant members of the Deinococcaceae.

Lymphomatoid papulosis associated with pregnancy

We report a case of lymphomatoid papulosis which developed in a 29-year-old pregnant woman. She had numerous papules scattered over the inner aspect of the left thigh. Histology of the biopsy specimen demonstrated an atypical mononuclear cell infiltration of the dermis. Spontaneous regression of the lesions occurred after termination of gestation. A possible effect of hormonal changes and alterations in T lymphocyte activity during pregnancy on the occurrence of lymphomatoid papulosis is discussed. In 1968, Macaulay introduced the term lymphomatoid papulosis for a chronic self-healing skin lesion which was clinically benign and histologically malignant. Clinically, lymphomatoid papulosis consists of involuting and recurring papules, plaques and nodules. Histopathologically, the lesion is characterized by an atypical lymphoid infiltrate which resembles malignant lymphoma. Immunohistochemically, the atypical lymphoid cells bear T-cell markers and are characterized by the expression of Ki-1 or CD30. We describe the first case of typical lymphomatoid papulosis which developed during pregnancy.

Significance of AgNOR counts for distinguishing carcinoma from adenoma and hyperplasia in parathyroid gland

Nucleolar organizer region proteins, which can be stained and visualized by an argyrophil technique (AgNORs), are markers of cell activities, such as DNA transcription and proliferation, and they are useful for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumors. We counted both AgNOR numbers in 25 parathyroid lesions (three carcinomas, 11 adenomas, 10 hyperplasias, and one hyperplasia with carcinoma) to determine if the AgNOR number could be useful as a diagnostic aid in parathyroid neoplasms and hyperplasias, because it is often difficult to histopathologically distinguish among these lesions. The AgNOR numbers were significantly higher in carcinomas (3.18 +/- 0.05) than in adenomas (1.67 +/- 0.30, P < .001) or hyperplasias (1.85 +/- 0.16, P < .001), but there was no significant difference between adenomas and hyperplasias. These results suggest that AgNORs may be useful as an adjunct to discriminating carcinomas from adenomas or hyperplasias in the parathyroid gland.

A unique case of squamous cell carcinoma showing adenocarcinomatous features with focal apocrine differentiation

We report an 85-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma on the right pinna. Two years after the excision of the lesion, metastatic foci were found extending from the right retromandibular to the mastoid region and into the parapharyngeal space. Histopathologically, the primary tumor showed interconnecting nests of atypical cells invading into the dermis from multiple epidermal and infundibular foci. The tumor had both squamous and glandular differentiation. A peculiar finding was the presence of decapitation secretion in the glandular foci. To our knowledge, definite apocrine differentiation in squamous cell carcinoma has not previously been reported.

Effects of 60Co gamma-rays, ultraviolet light, and mitomycin C on Halobacterium salinarium and Thiobacillus intermedius

Lethal effects of 60Co gamma-rays, UV light, and mitomycin C on two kinds of bacteria, Halobacterium salinarium which grows in highly concentrated salt media and Thiobacillus intermedius which requires reduced sulfur compounds, were studied and compared with those on Escherichia coli B/r. D37 values for H. salinarium, T. intermedius and E. coli B/r were 393, 150, and 92 Gy, respectively, by exposure to 60Co gamma-rays. They were 212, 38, and 10 J/m2, respectively, by exposure to UV light and 2.36, 0.25, and 0.53 microgram/ml/h, respectively, by exposure to mitomycin C. Against these agents, H. salinarium was much more resistant than T. intermedius and E. coli B/r.

Detection of serum haptoglobin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cows with fatty liver

Haptoglobin cannot be detected in the serum of healthy cattle by the haemoglobin-binding assay or single radial immunodiffusion. The present study was designed to examine whether an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay could be applied to measure serum haptoglobin concentrations in healthy cows and in cows with fatty liver. When either purified cow haptoglobin or haptoglobin-positive serum were used as the antigen in the assay, the standard curves obtained were distinctly different, and haptoglobin in serum was detected more sensitively than the purified protein. The addition of bovine serum albumin to purified haptoglobin shifted the curve towards that obtained with haptoglobin-positive serum, suggesting that an interaction with serum albumin was partly responsible for the different standard curves. By use of the standard curve for haptoglobin in serum, the mean (SEM) concentration of haptoglobin in samples from four cows with fatty liver was 466 (147) micrograms ml-1, but the sera from four apparently healthy cows contained less than 0.01 microgram ml-1 haptoglobin.

Functional assessment of two vitamin D-responsive elements in the rat 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase gene

Two vitamin D-responsive elements (VDRE-1 and VDRE-2) were recently identified in the 5'-upstream region of the rat 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase gene at -151/-137 and -259/-245, respectively. We studied the transcriptional regulation of this gene by vitamin D by means of mutational analysis. Introducing mutations into VDRE-1 and VDRE-2 in the native promoter -291/+9 reduced vitamin D-dependent chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity by 86 and 41%, respectively. Mutation of the direct repeat -169/-155 located at 3 base pairs upstream of VDRE-1 also caused 50% decrease of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity. Connection of the element -169/-155 to VDRE-1 enhanced the vitamin D responsiveness of VDRE-1 5-fold through the heterologous beta-globin promoter. The fragment -291/-102 containing the two VDREs showed two shifted bands in the presence of the vitamin D receptor and retinoid X receptor in gel retardation analysis, and the appearance of the slower migrating band indicates that two sets of receptor complexes bind to this fragment simultaneously. These results demonstrate that VDRE-1 is a stronger mediator of vitamin D function than VDRE-2 due to the presence of the accessory element -169/-155 located adjacent to VDRE-1, although VDRE-2 exhibits a smaller dissociation constant for the vitamin D receptor-retinoid X receptor complex than VDRE-1.

Contact hypersensitivity is suppressed after sensitisation by dinitrofluorobenzene of early stage iso-skin grafts

Isologous free skin grafts were applied to the backs of BALB/c mice and contact hypersensitivity studied by epicutaneous application of DNFB (2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene) to the grafted skin. In the first experiment, the grafted skin was sensitised and the elicitation reaction assessed by measuring the ear swelling after five days. Sensitisation was not successful until two weeks after grafting. In such non-responding animals, re-sensitisation with DNFB on the ungrafted skin area was also unsuccessful, indicating the establishment of immunological tolerance. This tolerance was considered antigen-specific, as re-sensitisation with oxazolone was successful. In the second experiment, spleen cell suspension, both untreated and treated in vitro with antiThy 1.2, antiLyt 1.2, and antiLyt 2.2 antibody, from non-DNFB-responding mice was transferred into normal mice. Subsequently these mice were sensitised with DNFB. Sensitisation was not successful in the untreated group or in those treated with antiLyt 1.2 antibody. On the other hand, the groups treated with antiThy 1.2 and antiLyt 2.2 antibody did become sensitised. These results indicate that the unsuccessful delayed hypersensitivity of the grafted skin was caused by suppressor T cells. In addition, the density of epidermal Langerhans cells was reduced in the early stages of skin grafting and morphological abnormalities were present. From these results, we conclude that contact sensitisation during the early stage of grafting skin not only produces suppression of ear swelling but also induces antigen-specific tolerance. These results also suggest that the suppression depends on the antigen-specific suppressor cells and that acquirement of tolerance is associated with a reduction in the number of epidermal Langerhans cells in the grafted skin and abnormalities in their structure.

A phylogenetic study of Rubrobacter radiotolerans by sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene

Partial sequence of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of an extremely high radiotolerant bacterium, Rubrobacter radiotolerans (reclassified from Arthrobacter radiotolerans by chemical characteristics) was determined by PCR-amplification from a small amount of heat-lysed biomass, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product. The sequence was aligned with seven species of Arthrobacter and also with representatives of various other bacterial groups. R. radiotolerans was confirmed to be out of the Arthrobacter group justifying the reclassification. Moreover, it has an individual position among the selected representatives being closer to the eubacterial groups.

A low grade scirrhous carcinoma of eccrine gland origin in adolescence

We report a rare occurrence of adnexal carcinoma in an adolescent. A 17-year-old Japanese girl had a gradually enlarging tumor on the elbow. Histopathologically, the exophytic tumor showed asymmetrical lobules of tumor embedded in a thickened collagenous stroma. The lobules were composed of various patterns of tumor cell nests ranging from tubular to solid forms. Invasive growth patterns were also observed in the stroma. Two types of the cells, cuboidal and elliptically polygonal, were noted. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of S-100 protein and cytokeratin 8 and the absence of gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 in the tumor cells. Electron microscopic observation showed a ductal or glandular differentiation and fragmented basal laminae around the nests. Light and electron microscopic findings of this tumor are suggestive of a low-grade sweat gland carcinoma.