Micelle structure of amelogenin in porcine secretory enamel

Even during the secretory stage of amelogenesis, enamel crystals thicken as amelogenins (the major protein component) decrease. To explain this phenomenon, we propose a model for amelogenin structure and function based upon the hypothesis that amelogenin forms micelles. Solubility and hydrophobicity analyses suggest that all but the hydrophilic amelogenin C-terminal regions aggregate via hydrophobic bonds to form a micelle core. Amelogenin micelles may form super-assemblies via their C-termini (KTKREEVD), which contain complementary positive (KTKR) and negative (EEVD) elements. Disassembly of the micelles through controlled proteolysis provides space for crystal growth. Initial cleavage (by enamelysin) removes the surface-accessible amelogenin C-terminus, exposing the middle portion to cleavage (by EMSP1). As a result, the 13-kDa amelogenin, a rod-shaped domain based upon ultrafiltration and transmission electron microscopy studies, is released. This model explains how amelogenin is able to 'space' and support the ribbon-like crystals and continuously yield space as the crystals thicken, until they are sufficiently mature to support themselves.

Diabetes mellitus is a multivariate independent prognostic factor in endometrial carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study on 313 patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of diabetes mellitus as a prognostic factor for overall survival in endometrial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Charts were reviewed from patients with endometrial carcinoma from 1985 to 2003. Data on clinicopathologic variables, adjuvant treatment, site of recurrence and survival were collected. The chi-square test was used to examine associations between variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox's proportional hazards model for multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus, FIGO stage and depth of myometrial invasion were significantly associated with overall survival.

Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., Isolated from Turkeys

Yamamoto, R. (University of California, Davis), C. H. Bigland, and H. B. Ortmayer. Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., isolated from turkeys. J. Bacteriol. 90:47-49. 1965.-A designation is proposed for a pathogenic Mycoplasma species isolated from turkeys. The organism originally was recovered from the air-sac lesion of a turkey poult in 1957, and was designated the "N" strain. Mycoplasma species with identical characteristics have since been recovered from the sinus, trachea, oviduct, vagina, semen, and bursa of Fabricius of turkeys. The organism has been recovered from many turkey flocks throughout the country. Many investigators have confirmed the original finding that this organism is antigenically distinct from other known serotypes of Mycoplasma found in poultry. The species proposed is Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n.

Urodynamic study on postsurgical bladder function in cervical cancer treated with systematic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

The objective of this study was to assess the postsurgical bladder function by urodynamic study in patients with cervical cancer treated with nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. A total of 27 consecutive patients were included in the study. Of the 27 patients, autonomic nerves had been completely preserved at least on one side in 22 patients (group A), and autonomic nerves could not be successfully preserved in five patients (group B). In group A, there was no significant difference in compliance at the moment of strong desire to void, maximum flow rate, and residual urine volume between before the operation and at 12 months after the operation. However, abdominal pressure at maximum flow had significantly increased in patients of group B than of group A. Detrusor contraction pressure at maximum flow had significantly decreased in patients of group B than of group A. Bladder sensation was diminished in three cases (60%) of group B but preserved in all the patients of group A. Although it is still preliminary, our surgical technique described in this report is thought to be effective for preservation of bladder function. For further evaluation of the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy in terms of quality of life and survival of patients, a prospective randomized trial needs to be performed.

Inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor prevents occlusive thrombus formation on neointima of the rabbit femoral artery

BACKGROUND

Thrombus propagation on disrupted plaque is a major cause of acute coronary events and serious complication after coronary intervention. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a potent vasoactive and platelet-aggregating substance that is predominantly mediated by 5-HT2A receptor. However, the roles of 5-HT2A receptor in occlusive thrombus formation on disrupted plaque remain obscure.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the role of 5-HT2A receptor in thrombus formation using a rabbit model of repeated balloon-injury.

METHODS

Three weeks after a first balloon-injury of the femoral arteries, luminal diameter, neointimal growth, and vasoconstriction by 5-HT in vitro were examined. Thrombus propagation and the role of 5-HT2A receptor after a second balloon-injury were evaluated using sarpogrelate, a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist.

RESULTS

Three weeks after the first balloon-injury, luminal stenosis was evident in the femoral arteries, where the neointima expressed tissue factor and 5-HT2A receptor. The hypercontractile response of the stenotic arteries to 5-HT was significantly reduced by sarpogrelate. Balloon-injury of the neointima with substantially reduced blood flow promoted the formation of occlusive thrombus that was immunoreactive against glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, 5-HT2A receptor and fibrin. Intravenous injection of sarpogrelate significantly inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate, thrombin and collagen alone as well as with 5-HT, and significantly prevented occlusive thrombus formation in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-HT2A receptor appears to play a crucial role in occlusive thrombus formation in diseased arteries via platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. Inhibition of 5-HT2A receptor might help reduce the onset of acute coronary events and of acute coronary occlusion after the intervention.

Herpes simplex esophagitis in the immunocompetent host

We report here a case of herpes esophagitis with Mallory-Weiss syndrome in an immunocompetent host. A 26-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of common cold symptoms and eruptions on the body. On day 2 after hospitalization, the patient showed high-grade fever, odynophagia and hematemesis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination showed multiple ulcerations throughout the mid- and distal esophagus. Bleeding from a Mallory-Weiss tear was also seen. Follow-up endoscopic examinations showed whitish exudates on day 5. Histological examination of biopsy specimens showed Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells. Positive staining of a specific antibody against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) was seen in the nuclei of esophageal epithelial cells. Primary HSV-1 infection was suspected because ELISA titers of serum IgM antibody against HSV-1 were high and titers of serum IgG antibody against HSV-1 increased from an almost cut-off ratio. A diagnosis of herpes esophagitis in an immunocompetent host was made. Our case is the first report of herpes esophagitis with Mallory-Weiss syndrome in the immunocompetent host. It is important to remind herpes esophagitis in cases of severe odynophagia even in immunocompetent hosts.

Small low-density lipoprotein and small low-density lipoprotein/total low-density lipoprotein are closely associated with intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in Type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery, as determined by ultrasonography, is useful for reflecting the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between IMT and the serum concentrations of small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in diabetic patients.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 27 Type 2 diabetic patients (14 males and 13 females; mean age=62.6+/-8.3 years) and 12 age-matched healthy controls. The LDL subfraction was measured using a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) concentrations were measured by an enzyme immunoassay. The IMT was expressed as the maximum IMT (Max-IMT) and average IMT (Ave-IMT) of the carotid artery, measured by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Both the IMT and the small LDL concentrations were significantly increased in the diabetic patients compared with the healthy participants. The IMTs were significantly correlated with small LDL concentration and small LDL/total LDL more than LDL concentrations by multivariate analysis. The IMTs were not significantly correlated with the serum VEGF or PDGF concentrations. The patients with a larger IMT had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension or ischemic heart disease than did the patients with a normal IMT.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased small LDL concentrations and small LDL/total LDL, in addition to total LDL concentrations, in Type 2 diabetic patients are closely associated with increased IMT of the carotid artery.

RELAXANT EFFECT OF ADRENOMEDULLIN ON BOVINE ISOLATED IRIS SPHINCTER MUSCLE UNDER RESTING CONDITIONS

1. The mechanisms involved in the fine adjustment of iris sphincter muscle tone are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of adrenomedullin on the resting tension of the bovine isolated iris sphincter muscle. 2. The motor activity of the bovine isolated iris sphincter muscle was measured isometrically. The effects of adrenomedullin on resting tension were analysed in the presence of indomethacin. The presence of adrenomedullin mRNA in the preparation was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunolabelling for adrenomedullin was also performed. 3. Adrenomedullin significantly decreased the resting tension of the muscle. The relaxant effect of adrenomedullin was significantly inhibited by adrenomedullin (22-52), a putative antagonist for the adrenomedullin receptor, or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (8-37), a putative antagonist for the CGRP1 receptor. The relaxant effect was almost completely blocked by a combination of adrenomedullin (22-52) and CGRP (8-37). 4. The relaxant effect of adrenomedullin was also significantly diminished by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. 5. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that adrenomedullin mRNA was expressed in the muscle strip. Immunopositive staining for adrenomedullin was detected in blood vessel cells and in the iris sphincter muscle cells. 6. These results suggest that adrenomedullin may be an autocrine and paracrine regulator of the resting tension of the iris sphincter muscle. Its biological effects may be due to the direct involvement of adrenomedullin receptors and also to the stimulation of CGRP1 receptors. The stimulation of these receptors by the peptide leads to the activation of adenylate cyclase and soluble guanylate cyclase and subsequent relaxation of the muscle strip.

A systematic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy technique in invasive cervical cancer for preserving postsurgical bladder function

The objective of this study is to describe a technique for preserving the autonomic nerve systematically, including the hypogastric nerves, pelvic splanchnic nerves, and pelvic plexus and its vesical branches, based on anatomic considerations for the autonomic nerves innervating the urinary bladder, in radical hysterectomies and to assess postsurgical bladder function. A nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was carried out on 27 consecutive patients with uterine cervical cancer treated between 2000 and 2002. The FIGO stages of the disease consisted of 10 stage Ib1, 6 stage Ib2, 3 stage IIa, and 8 stage IIb. The nerve-sparing procedure was successfully completed in 22 of the 27 patients (81.5%) in the study. At 1 year after the operation, bladder symptoms were significantly improved in the nerve-sparing group compared to the non-nerve-sparing group. Urinary incontinence and abnormal (diminished) bladder sensation were observed in three of the five patients (two patients had both symptoms), for whom the nerve-sparing procedure could not be performed, but none of the 22 patients for whom the nerve-sparing procedure was performed had incontinence, and only two patients had abnormal (increased) bladder sensation (P= 0.0034 for incontinence and P= 0.030 for abnormal bladder sensation). The patients' survival was not adversely affected by the nerve-sparing procedure. Although it is still preliminary, the surgical technique described in this report is thought to be effective for preserving bladder function, and thus, the quality of life could be improved for patients with cervical cancer who are treated with a radical hysterectomy. For further evaluation of the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, a prospective randomized trial needs to be performed.

A systematic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy technique in invasive cervical cancer for preserving postsurgical bladder function

The objective of this study is to describe a technique for preserving the autonomic nerve systematically, including the hypogastric nerves, pelvic splanchnic nerves, and pelvic plexus and its vesical branches, based on anatomic considerations for the autonomic nerves innervating the urinary bladder, in radical hysterectomies and to assess postsurgical bladder function. A nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was carried out on 27 consecutive patients with uterine cervical cancer treated between 2000 and 2002. The FIGO stages of the disease consisted of 10 stage Ib1, 6 stage Ib2, 3 stage IIa, and 8 stage IIb. The nerve-sparing procedure was successfully completed in 22 of the 27 patients (81.5%) in the study. At 1 year after the operation, bladder symptoms were significantly improved in the nerve-sparing group compared to the non–nerve-sparing group. Urinary incontinence and abnormal (diminished) bladder sensation were observed in three of the five patients (two patients had both symptoms), for whom the nerve-sparing procedure could not be performed, but none of the 22 patients for whom the nerve-sparing procedure was performed had incontinence, and only two patients had abnormal (increased) bladder sensation (P = 0.0034 for incontinence and P = 0.030 for abnormal bladder sensation). The patients' survival was not adversely affected by the nerve-sparing procedure. Although it is still preliminary, the surgical technique described in this report is thought to be effective for preserving bladder function, and thus, the quality of life could be improved for patients with cervical cancer who are treated with a radical hysterectomy. For further evaluation of the efficacy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, a prospective randomized trial needs to be performed.

Effects of agar (kanten) diet on obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of agar diet in combination with a conventional diet (traditional Japanese food) for obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

After a 4-week run-in period on their habitual diets, 76 patients were randomly assigned to have conventional diet or conventional diet with agar. Both groups were on these diets for 12 weeks. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), glycaemic control, blood pressure, insulin resistance, total body fat, fat distribution and lipids were assessed before and after the experimental period.

RESULTS

In both groups, after 12 weeks, mean body weight, BMI, fasting glucose levels, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures had decreased significantly from their baseline values. HbA(1)c, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, total body fat, insulin area under the curve after oral glucose tolerance test and total cholesterol decreased significantly in the agar-diet group. After 12 weeks, mean changes of body weight (-2.8 +/- 2.7 kg vs. -1.3 +/- 2.3 kg, p = 0.008), BMI values (-1.1 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2) vs. -0.5 +/- 0.9 kg/m(2), p = 0.009) and total cholesterol (-7.6 +/- 27.5 mg/dl vs. + 2.4 +/- 23.4 mg/dl, p = 0.036) were significantly greater in the agar-diet group than in the conventional diet group.

CONCLUSIONS

The agar diet resulted in marked weight loss due to the maintenance of reduced calorie intake and to an improvement in metabolic parameters.

Involvement of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis activated by the central nucleus of the amygdala in the negative affective component of morphine withdrawal in rats

The central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) are key structures of the extended amygdala, which is suggested to be involved in drug addiction and reward. We have previously reported that the Ce plays a crucial role in the negative affective component of morphine withdrawal. In the present study, we examined the involvement of the neural pathway between the Ce and the BST in the negative affective component of morphine withdrawal in rats. Rats were rendered morphine dependent by s.c. implantation of a 75-mg morphine pellet for 3 days, and morphine withdrawal was precipitated by an i.p. injection of naloxone (0.3 mg/kg). In the place-conditioning paradigm, discrete bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the Ce or the BST significantly reduced naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion. On the other hand, they had little effect on morphine withdrawal-induced somatic signs. In an immunohistochemical study for c-Fos protein, naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal dramatically induced c-Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the capsular part of the Ce, and the lateral and medial divisions of the BST. Bilateral excitotoxic lesion of the Ce reduced the number of morphine withdrawal-induced c-Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the lateral and medial BST, with significant decreases in the posterior, ventral and juxtacapsular parts of lateral division, and anterior part of the medial division, but not in the ventral part of the medial division of the BST. On the other hand, bilateral excitotoxic lesion of the BST had no effect on such c-Fos induction within the capsular part, nor the ventral and medial divisions of the Ce. These results suggest that activation of the BST mediated through the neural pathway from the Ce contributes to the negative affective component of morphine withdrawal.

Late hemorrhagic cystitis after reduced-intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIST)

We reviewed medical records of 256 patients to investigate the frequency and characteristics of hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) associated with reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST) as opposed to conventional stem cell transplantation (CST); 137 patients underwent CST and 119 RIST. Diagnosis of HC was made based on two or more episodes of sterile, macroscopic hematuria with normal coagulation profiles, without any evidence of renal stones or genitourinary malignancy. Actuarial frequency of HC development in RIST group was 7.6% (9/119), which gave a cumulative annual incidence of 11.7%. In CST group, 13 of 137 patients (9.5%) developed HC, giving an estimated annual incidence of 9.7%. The probability of developing HC was similar between the two groups (P=0.77). The viral etiologies of HC, adenovirus (n=12) and BK virus (n=2), were documented in eight patients after RIST and in six after CST. HC was milder and of a shorter duration, with less blood transfusion requirements, in RIST group than in CST group. A multivariate analysis revealed that HC was associated with antiadenovirus antibody positivity in the recipients, total dose of busulfan, and chronic GVHD. Although HC following RIST is less severe than that following CST, it is still a significant problem.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting body weight, egg character and egg production in F2 intercross chickens

Phenotypic measurements of chicken egg character and production traits are restricted to mature females only. Marker assisted selection of immature chickens using quantitative trait loci (QTL) has the potential to accelerate the genetic improvement of these traits in the chicken population. The QTL for 12 traits (i.e. body weight (BW), six for egg character, three for egg shell colour and two for egg production) of chickens were identified. An F2 population comprising 265 female chickens obtained by crossing White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red breeds and genotyped for 123 microsatellite markers was used for detecting QTL. Ninety-six markers were mapped on 25 autosomal linkage groups, and 13 markers were mapped on one Z chromosomal linkage group. Eight previous unmapped markers were assigned to their respective chromosomes in this study. Significant QTL were detected for BW on chromosomes 4 and 27, egg weight on chromosome 4, the short length of egg on chromosome 4, and redness of egg shell colour (using the L*a*b* colour system) on chromosome 11. A significant QTL on the Z chromosome was linked with age at first egg. Significant QTL could account for 6-19% of the phenotypic variance in the F2 population.

Multivariate analysis for prognostic significance of histologic subtype, GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 in stages II-IV ovarian cancer

It has been suggested that histologic subtype of ovarian cancer is a factor that determines the chemoresponsiveness of tumor. In this study, we wanted to clarify the prognostic significance of histologic subtype and its correlation to expression of chemoresistance-related proteins (CRPs) in ovarian cancer. A total of 93 stage II-IV ovarian cancers, where the proportion of serous, endometrioid, mucinous, and clear cell subtype was 61.3%, 14.0%, 7.5%, and 17.2%, respectively, were investigated for glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), MDR (multidrug resistance)-1, and p53 expression using immunohistochemistry. GST-pi expression was detected in 62.4% of the tumors and was not related to histologic subtype of tumor. MDR-1 expression was observed in 12.9% of the tumors tested and was more frequently detected in clear cell adenocarcinomas than other histologic subtypes of tumor (10/ 16 vs. 2 / 77, P < 0.001). P53 expression was found in 49.1% of serous, 53.8% of endometrioid, and 50% of mucinous adenocarcinomas. In contrast, none of 16 clear cell adenocarcinomas showed positive p53 staining. In univariate analysis, no direct correlations were found between CRPs and overall survival. Histology of mucinous/clear cell tumors (P = 0.0063), as well as FIGO stage III/IV (P = 0.0091) and residual tumor >or= 2 cm (P = 0.0045), was found to have independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, histologic subtype proved to be the significant independent prognostic factor in addition to FIGO stage and residual tumor in stage II-IV ovarian cancer. GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 expression pattern is closely related to histologic subtype of ovarian cancer, although they are not significant predictors of survival.

Multivariate analysis for prognostic significance of histologic subtype, GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 in stages II-IV ovarian cancer

It has been suggested that histologic subtype of ovarian cancer is a factor that determines the chemoresponsiveness of tumor. In this study, we wanted to clarify the prognostic significance of histologic subtype and its correlation to expression of chemoresistance-related proteins (CRPs) in ovarian cancer. A total of 93 stage II-IV ovarian cancers, where the proportion of serous, endometrioid, mucinous, and clear cell subtype was 61.3%, 14.0%, 7.5%, and 17.2%, respectively, were investigated for glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), MDR (multidrug resistance)-1, and p53 expression using immunohistochemistry. GST-pi expression was detected in 62.4% of the tumors and was not related to histologic subtype of tumor. MDR-1 expression was observed in 12.9% of the tumors tested and was more frequently detected in clear cell adenocarcinomas than other histologic subtypes of tumor (10/ 16 vs. 2 / 77, P < 0.001). P53 expression was found in 49.1% of serous, 53.8% of endometrioid, and 50% of mucinous adenocarcinomas. In contrast, none of 16 clear cell adenocarcinomas showed positive p53 staining. In univariate analysis, no direct correlations were found between CRPs and overall survival. Histology of mucinous/clear cell tumors (P = 0.0063), as well as FIGO stage III/IV (P = 0.0091) and residual tumor >or= 2 cm (P = 0.0045), was found to have independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, histologic subtype proved to be the significant independent prognostic factor in addition to FIGO stage and residual tumor in stage II-IV ovarian cancer. GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 expression pattern is closely related to histologic subtype of ovarian cancer, although they are not significant predictors of survival.

(-)-PHCCC, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4: characterization, mechanism of action, and neuroprotection

Group-III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR4, -6, -7, and -8) modulate neurotoxicity of excitatory amino acids and beta-amyloid-peptide (betaAP), as well as epileptic convulsions, most likely via presynaptic inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Due to the lack of subtype-selective ligands for group-III receptors, we previously utilized knock-out mice to identify mGluR4 as the primary receptor mediating neuroprotection of unselective group-III agonists such as L-AP(4) or (+)-PPG, whereas mGluR7 is critical for anticonvulsive effects. In a recent effort to find group-III subtype-selective drugs we identified (+/-)-PHCCC as a positive allosteric modulator for mGluR4. This compound increases agonist potency and markedly enhances maximum efficacy and, at higher concentrations, directly activates mGluR4 with low efficacy. All the activity of (+/-)-PHCCC resides in the (-)-enantiomer, which is inactive at mGluR2, -3, -5a, -6, -7b and -8a, but shows partial antagonist activity at mGluR1b (30% maximum antagonist efficacy). Chimeric receptor studies showed that the binding site of (-)-PHCCC is localized in the transmembrane region.Finally, (-)-PHCCC showed neuroprotection against betaAP- and NMDA-toxicity in mixed cultures of mouse cortical neurons. This neuroprotection was additive to that induced by the highly efficacious mGluR1 antagonist CPCCOEt and was blocked by MSOP, a group-III mGluR antagonist. Our data provide evidence for a novel pharmacological site on mGluR4, which may be used as a target-site for therapeutics.

Multivariate analysis for prognostic significance of histologic subtype, GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 in stages II-IV ovarian cancer

It has been suggested that histologic subtype of ovarian cancer is a factor that determines the chemoresponsiveness of tumor. In this study, we wanted to clarify the prognostic significance of histologic subtype and its correlation to expression of chemoresistance-related proteins (CRPs) in ovarian cancer. A total of 93 stage II-IV ovarian cancers, where the proportion of serous, endometrioid, mucinous, and clear cell subtype was 61.3%, 14.0%, 7.5%, and 17.2%, respectively, were investigated for glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), MDR (multidrug resistance)-1, and p53 expression using immunohistochemistry. GST-pi expression was detected in 62.4% of the tumors and was not related to histologic subtype of tumor. MDR-1 expression was observed in 12.9% of the tumors tested and was more frequently detected in clear cell adenocarcinomas than other histologic subtypes of tumor (10/ 16 vs. 2 / 77, P < 0.001). P53 expression was found in 49.1% of serous, 53.8% of endometrioid, and 50% of mucinous adenocarcinomas. In contrast, none of 16 clear cell adenocarcinomas showed positive p53 staining. In univariate analysis, no direct correlations were found between CRPs and overall survival. Histology of mucinous/clear cell tumors (P = 0.0063), as well as FIGO stage III/IV (P = 0.0091) and residual tumor >or= 2 cm (P = 0.0045), was found to have independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, histologic subtype proved to be the significant independent prognostic factor in addition to FIGO stage and residual tumor in stage II-IV ovarian cancer. GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 expression pattern is closely related to histologic subtype of ovarian cancer, although they are not significant predictors of survival.

Multivariate analysis for prognostic significance of histologic subtype, GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 in stages II-IV ovarian cancer

It has been suggested that histologic subtype of ovarian cancer is a factor that determines the chemoresponsiveness of tumor. In this study, we wanted to clarify the prognostic significance of histologic subtype and its correlation to expression of chemoresistance-related proteins (CRPs) in ovarian cancer. A total of 93 stage II-IV ovarian cancers, where the proportion of serous, endometrioid, mucinous, and clear cell subtype was 61.3%, 14.0%, 7.5%, and 17.2%, respectively, were investigated for glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), MDR (multidrug resistance)-1, and p53 expression using immunohistochemistry. GST-pi expression was detected in 62.4% of the tumors and was not related to histologic subtype of tumor. MDR-1 expression was observed in 12.9% of the tumors tested and was more frequently detected in clear cell adenocarcinomas than other histologic subtypes of tumor (10/ 16 vs. 2 / 77, P < 0.001). P53 expression was found in 49.1% of serous, 53.8% of endometrioid, and 50% of mucinous adenocarcinomas. In contrast, none of 16 clear cell adenocarcinomas showed positive p53 staining. In univariate analysis, no direct correlations were found between CRPs and overall survival. Histology of mucinous/clear cell tumors (P = 0.0063), as well as FIGO stage III/IV (P = 0.0091) and residual tumor ≥ 2 cm (P = 0.0045), was found to have independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, histologic subtype proved to be the significant independent prognostic factor in addition to FIGO stage and residual tumor in stage II-IV ovarian cancer. GST-pi, MDR-1, and p53 expression pattern is closely related to histologic subtype of ovarian cancer, although they are not significant predictors of survival.