Adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-derived factor/human thioredoxin prevents apoptosis of lymphoid cells induced by L-cystine and glutathione depletion: possible involvement of thiol-mediated redox regulation in apoptosis caused by pro-oxidant state

Thiol compounds, such as L-cysteine and glutathione (GSH), play crucial roles in the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation. In this study, we analyzed the effect of L-cystine and GSH depletion on lymphocyte survival and investigated the regulatory roles of adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-derived factor (ADF)/human thioredoxin (hTRX) in relation to these low m.w. thiols. MT-1, MT-2, and Jurkat cells underwent apoptosis when cultured in the L-cystine- and GSH-free medium within 18 to 24 h. Dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay indicated that the apoptosis in MT-1 and MT-2 cells was preceded by an increase in the level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The addition of catalase and recombinant ADF/hTRX (rADF) partially blocked the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. rADF has been also shown to enhance the internalization of L-cystine into MT-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas oxidized rADF or mutated rADF that has no insulin-reducing activity failed to do so. Furthermore, culture in the L-cystine- and GSH-free medium lowered the cellular GSH content of PHA blasts, which was restored dose-dependently by rADF. These data suggest that the inability to neutralize oxidative stress results in the apoptosis of lymphoid cells under L-cystine- and GSH-depleted conditions. The protective effects of rADF may be explained by direct scavenging action on H2O2 (catalase-like activity) or by indirect neutralizing effects on the pro-oxidant status through enhancing the L-cystine internalization and elevating the intracellular GSH content.

Relationship between pelvic lymph node involvement and other disease sites in patients with ovarian cancer

In 109 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, 25 (23%) had pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastasis. Positive rates of PLN metastasis according to the clinical stage based on disease distribution except retroperitoneal lymph node were 2% for stage I, 6% for stage II, 44% for stage III, and 64% for stage IV. The nine disease sites, such as subdiaphragmatic surface, liver and spleen capsule, intestine and mesentery, omentum, pelvic peritoneum, sigmoid colon and rectum, uterus and tubes, peritoneal cytology, and paraaortic lymph node (PAN), were found to have a statistically significant relationship with PLN metastasis by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model selected the omentum and PAN as independent factors with a statistical significance. The incidence of PLN metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer with the above two parameters can be assumed to be greater than that without the two parameters by 42.6 times. The present data suggested that for the disease with PAN and/or omental metastasis, removal of the PLN may be mandatory from the standpoint of cytoreduction.

Adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-derived factor/human thioredoxin prevents apoptosis of lymphoid cells induced by L-cystine and glutathione depletion: possible involvement of thiol-mediated redox regulation in apoptosis caused by pro-oxidant state

Thiol compounds, such as L-cysteine and glutathione (GSH), play crucial roles in the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation. In this study, we analyzed the effect of L-cystine and GSH depletion on lymphocyte survival and investigated the regulatory roles of adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-derived factor (ADF)/human thioredoxin (hTRX) in relation to these low m.w. thiols. MT-1, MT-2, and Jurkat cells underwent apoptosis when cultured in the L-cystine- and GSH-free medium within 18 to 24 h. Dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay indicated that the apoptosis in MT-1 and MT-2 cells was preceded by an increase in the level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The addition of catalase and recombinant ADF/hTRX (rADF) partially blocked the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. rADF has been also shown to enhance the internalization of L-cystine into MT-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas oxidized rADF or mutated rADF that has no insulin-reducing activity failed to do so. Furthermore, culture in the L-cystine- and GSH-free medium lowered the cellular GSH content of PHA blasts, which was restored dose-dependently by rADF. These data suggest that the inability to neutralize oxidative stress results in the apoptosis of lymphoid cells under L-cystine- and GSH-depleted conditions. The protective effects of rADF may be explained by direct scavenging action on H2O2 (catalase-like activity) or by indirect neutralizing effects on the pro-oxidant status through enhancing the L-cystine internalization and elevating the intracellular GSH content.

The effects of idazoxan combined with 30% nitrous oxide on the jaw-opening reflex in the rat

In rats, the jaw-opening reflex is elicited by activation of a nociceptive receptor by the electric stimulation of the tooth pulp. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of 30% nitrous oxide and 30% nitrous oxide with idazoxan, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, on this reflex. Each rat received electric stimulation for the jaw-opening reflex at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 min after both the start of inhalation and the withdrawal of 100% oxygen or 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Idazoxan, 400 micrograms/ kg, was administered intravenously at the start of the inhalation period. Amplitudes significantly decreased during inhalation of nitrous oxide, but they returned gradually to control levels after cessation of nitrous oxide inhalation. In the cases of 100% oxygen, 100% oxygen with idazoxan, and 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen with idazoxan, amplitudes did not change from controls during and after 30% nitrous oxide inhalation. The latency remained unchanged irrespective of the treatment. Since in rats the degree of inhibition by 30% nitrous oxide in oxygen is partially diminished by administration of idazoxan, we conclude that nitrous oxide affects an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in the central nervous system.

A new cleft palate repair

Cleft palate can be repaired by a palatal mucoperiosteal flap, but we have devised a new technique for cleft palate repair using a wide mucoperiosteal flap with an alveolar ridge mucosa and a cleft margin flap. This technique leaves the mucosa of the nasal cavity and vomer intact. The results include (1) good velopharyngeal competence and normal articulation, (2) few cases of fistula formation, and (3) minimal maxillary retardation.

Geranylgeranylacetone induces heat shock proteins in cultured guinea pig gastric mucosal cells and rat gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND & AIMS

An antiulcer drug, geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), rapidly induces resistance of gastric mucosal cells to irritants in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of this action.

METHODS

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were detected by immunoblotting with antibody against HSP90, HSP70, heat shock cognate protein 70, or HSP60. HSP70 messenger RNA level was measured by Northern hybridization with an HSP70 complementary DNA probe. Activation of the heat shock factor was detected by gel mobility shift assay with the heat shock element oligonucleotide.

RESULTS

GGA induced resistance of cultured guinea pig gastric mucosal cells against ethanol-induced exfoliation and damage within 30 minutes, proportionally to the induction of the HSPs. This protection was blocked by cycloheximide but not by indomethacin. GGA caused rapid activation of heat shock factor 1 and expression of HSP70 messenger RNA in the cells. Intragastric administration of GGA to rats induced HSPs in gastric mucosa. The administration of GGA additionally enhanced the heat shock response and reduced ulcer formation in rats subjected to restraint and water-immersion stress.

CONCLUSIONS

GGA may induce transcriptional activation of HSP genes, and this novel action may increase gastric mucosal defense at conditions of stress.

Glutathione depletion impairs transcriptional activation of heat shock genes in primary cultures of guinea pig gastric mucosal cells

When primary cultures of guinea pig gastric mucosal cells were exposed to heat (43 degree C), ethanol, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), or diamide, heat shock proteins (HSP90, HSP70, HSP60, and HSC73) were rapidly synthesized. The extent of each HSP induction varied with the type of stress. Ethanol, H2O2, and diamide increased the syntheses of several other undefined proteins besides the HSPs. However, none of these proteins were induced by exposure to heat or the reagents, when intracellular glutathione was depleted to <10% of the control level by pretreatment with DL-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine. Gel mobility shift assay using a synthetic oligonucleotide coding HSP70 heat shock element showed that glutathione depletion inhibited the heat- and the reagent-initiated activation of the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and did not promote the expression of HSP70 mRNA. Immunoblot analysis with antiserum against HSF1 demonstrated that the steady-state level of HSF1 was not changed in glutathione-depleted cells, but glutathione depletion inhibited the nuclear translocation of HSF1 after exposure to heat stress. These results suggest that intracellular glutathione may support early and important biochemical events in the acquisition by gastric mucosal cells of an adaptive response to irritants.

Regulation of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate level by biogenic amines in mouse brain

We investigated the relationship between the concentration of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and biogenic amine in mouse brain. The production of PLP from pyridoxal (PL) by pyridoxal kinase (PLK) was inhibited by the addition of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), but not by that of epinephrine and N-acetyl-serotonin. DA and NE were combined with PLP by a non-enzymatic reaction, whereas 5-HT was bound only slightly with PLP. The conjugated product of PLP with DA was also detected by HPLC analysis when PLK activity was assayed using PL as a substrate in the presence of DA. In an in vivo investigation, the depletion of DA and 5-HT in mouse brain after an intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg reserpine, led to slight elevation of the PLP level to 120% of the control level. By contrast, the increase in DA in the brain caused by intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg L-DOPA caused the PLP concentration to decrease to 70% of the control level. However, no change in PLK activity in the brain was observed when the mice were treated with either reserpine or L-DOPA. These results suggested that the level of PLP in mouse brain was partly regulated by the concentration of biogenic amines, such as DA, NE and 5-HT, without apparent induction of PLK.

Endometrial carcinoma associated with hyperplasia

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship of endometrial hyperplasia to endometrial carcinoma. From 1979 through 1990, 115 cases of stage I-IV endometrial carcinomas treated initially by hysterectomy were reviewed histologically. Forty-two of 115 (36.3%) patients had hyperplasia in the endometrium adjacent to the carcinoma. Women with both endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia were significantly younger than those with carcinoma without hyperplasia (P < 0.05). In a comparison of patients with carcinoma without hyperplasia, those with hyperplasia were better differentiated (P = 0.0072), and lacked deep myometrial invasion (P < 0.0001), cervical involvement (P = 0.0192), lymph-vascular space invasion (P = 0.0102), and para-aortic lymph node metastases (P = 0.0434). The presence of endometrial metaplasia (P = 0.0001). The estimated 5-year survival rates for patients with carcinoma with hyperplasia and those with carcinoma without hyperplasia were 96.55 and 73.33%, respectively (P = 0.0016). In endometrial carcinomas, the presence of endometrial hyperplasia may demonstrate a more favorable prognosis.

Assessment of working skeletal muscle oxygenation in patients with chronic heart failure

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are frequently limited by muscle fatigue resulting from impaired skeletal muscle blood flow. Accordingly, we assessed working skeletal muscle oxygenation in such patients using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Nine normal subjects (mean age 52 years) and 12 patients with CHF (mean age 60 years) were studied. NIR spectroscopy was used to monitor relative changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb) (oxy Hb/Mb), deoxygenated Hb and Mb (deoxy Hb/Mb), and total (oxy + deoxy) Hb and Mb (total Hb/Mb) contents in the vastus lateralis muscle at rest, during warm-up (0 W, 30 cycles/min for 3 min), incremental maximal supine bicycle exercise (ramp protocol, 15 W/min, 50 cycles/min), and recovery. At peak exercise the patients exhibited reduced heart rate, systolic blood pressure, peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2; 15 +/- 3.0 ml/kg/min vs 32 +/- 8.5 ml/kg/min), and workload (99 +/- 23.4 W vs 183 +/- 68.4 W) as compared with the normal subjects. The respiratory quotient was comparable in both groups. In the normal subjects, oxy Hb/Mb was increased from the warm-up period to the early phase of exercise, followed by a progressive decrease to peak exercise. In the recovery phase, oxy Hb/Mb was increased abruptly. For these patients, change in oxy Hb/Mb followed a pattern similar to that seen in normal subjects, and oxy Hb/Mb was decreased earlier in contrast to that in the normal subjects. There was a significant difference in the change of oxy Hb/Mb during warm-up, early phase exercise, and recovery between the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Masseter muscle activity and the hypoglossal nerve

The effects of severing the hypoglossal nerve and resultant restriction of tongue movement was evaluated for its effect on masticatory jaw movement. Electromyograms of masseter muscles in the feeding rat were recorded 3 days after the nerve severing operation at 1 week intervals. Even after severing the lateral branches of the hypoglossal nerve bilaterally, active-feeding behaviour continued with mastication slightly impaired. After severing the medical branches bilaterally, feeding behaviour was rarely observed, but where eating did take place mastication was impaired with marked disturbance in the masticatory rhythm.

Attenuation of ischaemia reperfusion injury by human thioredoxin

BACKGROUND

Active oxygen species are thought to play a part in ischaemia reperfusion injury. The ability of a novel agent, human thioredoxin (hTRX), to attenuate lung damage has been examined in a rat model of ischaemia reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Twenty eight animals were studied. At thoracotomy the left main bronchus and the left main pulmonary artery were clamped for 75 minutes and the lung was then reperfused for 20 minutes. Phosphate buffered saline was administered intravenously to nine control animals and hTRX (30 micrograms/g body weight) was given intravenously to another group of nine animals. Two experiments were carried out. The first (Exp 1) was a time matched pair experiment (five treated, five controls), and the second (Exp 2) was performed under controlled conditions (four treated, four controls; temperature 25 degrees C, humidity 65%). In another 10 nonischaemic rats and those in Exp 1 biochemical measurements of lipid peroxide, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxide levels were performed.

RESULTS

In both experiments rats perfused with hTRX survived longer than controls. In Exp 1 the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) on air in the hTRX group was higher at 20 minutes than at one minute after reperfusion. In Exp 2 PaO2 at 20 minutes was higher in the hTRX group than in the controls. Lipid peroxide, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxide levels in the control group were higher than in the hTRX group and in the non-ischaemic groups. Histological examination showed less thickening and oedema of the alveolar walls in the hTRX group than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that hTRX is effective as a radical scavenger and can limit the extent of ischaemia reperfusion injury of the lungs of experimental animals.

The human interleukin-10 receptor gene maps to chromosome 11q23.3

The human interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) gene has previously been mapped to chromosome 11. Here, we have determined the precise location of the human IL-10R gene by the fluorescence in situ hybridization method, and have found that the IL-10R gene maps to chromosome 11q23.3.

Reassessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To assess different methods of measuring the depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma as a prognostic factor.

METHODS

Eighty-eight cases of stage I or II endometrial carcinoma treated initially by hysterectomy between 1979-1989 were reviewed histologically. Three methods of measuring myometrial invasion were evaluated: 1) percentage of invaded tumor thickness to whole thickness of myometrium, 2) percentage of whole tumor thickness to total thickness of tumor and myometrium, and 3) distance from the tumor-myometrial junction to the uterine serosa. We evaluated the effect of several factors on prognosis by multivariate analysis using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Myometrial invasion determined by these three measurement methods was associated significantly with survival in a univariate analysis. When myometrial invasion assessed by each method and other prognostic factors were entered into a multivariate model, the distance from the tumor-myometrial junction to the uterine serosa, lymph-vascular space invasion, and cervical stromal involvement were identified as independently significant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

This method of evaluating myometrial invasion by measuring the distance from the tumor-myometrial junction to the uterine serosa was most useful as a correlate with survival.

The status of fluoride mouthrinse programmes in Japan: a national survey

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the current status of fluoride mouthrinse programmes throughout Japan. Data collection and analysis took place in 1992. The focus of this study was on schools that were participating in the rinse programme at the time of the survey. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 49 dentist-members of the Association for the Promotion of Fluoride Use in Japan. These members gathered information from the schools and, when necessary, also from local government offices. Starting with a single prefecture in 1970, the rinse programme increased to 32 out of 47 prefectures by 1992. The total number of schools using fluoride mouthrinse was 1,183 (nursery schools and kindergartens 48 per cent, primary schools 46 per cent, and secondary schools 6 per cent). In nursery schools and kindergartens, 60 per cent of the participating schools adopted the daily method using 0.05 per cent NaF solution. In primary and secondary schools, 78 per cent adopted the weekly method using 0.2 per cent NaF solution. The costs for the rinse regimen were paid for by public funds of the prefectural and municipal governments in 71 per cent of the schools. Fifty-four per cent of the schools which first initiated the rinse programmes in their districts identified dentists and dental associations as the most influential in programme acceptance and implementation. Although the number of fluoride rinse programmes is increasing, it is still modest. These results suggest that cooperation between dental organisations, dental schools and prefectural governments can play very important roles in implementing school based rinse programmes.

Structure and physiological properties of the taste organs on the ventral side of frog tongue (Rana catesbeiana)

The structure and physiological properties of the non-papillary taste organs on the ventral side of frog tongue were examined. The taste organs were distributed around the hyoglossal muscle of the tongue. The total number of organs was estimated as about 100. The fine structure of the taste organs was similar to that of the fungiform papilla. Neural responses recorded from the glossopharyngeal nerve by applying chemical stimuli to the ventral side of the tongue were noticeably smaller than those to the dorsal side of the tongue. The taste cells on the ventral side of the tongue generated receptor potentials to various chemical stimuli like those on the dorsal side of the tongue.

Significance of erbB-2 gene product as a target molecule for cancer therapy

The new monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) E401, E811, E907 and E919 were prepared and characterized. These recognized an extracellular domain (amino acids No. 292-370) on the human c-erbB-2 gene product. Utilizing MoAb E811 and MoAb E919, a double determinant immunoassay (DDIA) was established to detect the soluble and the shed forms of the c-erbB-2 molecule. The levels of circulating erbB-2 antigen in the sera of patients with benign diseases and healthy controls were very low. The incidence of positivity for shed c-erbB-2 antigen in gastric cancer, colonic cancer, gall-bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers were 7.4%, 4.2%, 0%, 6.7% and 0%, respectively. Four of 54 patients with gastric carcinoma showed high levels of serum c-erbB-2 antigen. They belonged to clinical stage IV and their histological types were all well differentiated adenocarcinomas (two papillary and two tubular adenocarcinomas). Furthermore, the incidence of positive staining in gastric cancer was 34.6%; higher than that for shedding erbB-2 antigen. Most of the cases which showed erbB-2 expression on cells were well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. Meanwhile, the distribution of erbB-2 antigen was limited in normal tissues. The results suggest that the expression of erbB-2 antigen is largely restricted to adenocarcinoma cells. It may not shed easily from these cells, and therefore it may be a very useful target molecule for passive immunotherapy.

Case report: the cleidocervical muscle with speculation as to its origin

The occurrence of a cleidocervical muscle, which arose from the anterior tubercle of the transverse process of the 6th cervical vertebra and was inserted onto the superior margin of the clavicle, is described. Detailed observations on its innervation, which was derived from the 5th cervical nerve, and its topographic anatomy suggest that the muscle originated from longus colli.

Morphological classification of the masticatory muscles in dogs based on their innervation

The masticatory muscles and their innervations in dogs are classified, from deep to superficial layers, as follows: 1) medial pterygoid muscle and medial pterygoid nerve, 2) lateral pterygoid muscle and lateral pterygoid nerve, 3) anterior deep part of temporal muscle and anterior deep temporal nerve, 4) posterior deep part of temporal muscle and posterior deep temporal nerve, 5) superficial part of temporal muscle and superficial temporal nerve, the only branch of the temporal nerve which passes out from the infratemporal fossa, 6) zygomaticomandibular part of masseter muscle, which is thought to belong to the masseter muscle, and masseter nerve, 7) deep layer of masseter muscle and masseter nerve, 8) superficial layer of masseter muscle and masseter nerve.

Glossopharyngeal-hypoglossal nerve reflex of the frog in metamorphosis

In adult frogs, a reflex discharge is elicited from the hypoglossal nerve by mechanical and chemical stimuli to the centre of the tongue surface and electrical stimuli to the glossopharyngeal nerve innervating tongue. However, there has been no report concerning the embryological stage at which this reflex develops. The metamorphosis of a frog is divided into three parts, premetamorphic, metamorphic and climax stage. In the climax stage, the forelimbs are lengthened and the tail gradually shortened. The glossopharyngeal-hypoglossal nerve reflex arose in the early climax stage, during which the tongue appeared on the floor of the mouth. At this stage, the conduction velocities of the first compound action potential of the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves were about 8.7 and 9.3 m/s, respectively. The latency of the reflex was long, especially the central latency. The response of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the reflex discharge from the hypoglossal nerve upon mechanical stimulation of the tongue were smaller in the tadpole than in the adult frog. As metamorphosis proceeded, the conduction velocity of these nerves increased; the latency shortened, especially the central latency; the reflex response to mechanical stimulus increased. These results suggest that, although the glossopharyngeal-hypoglossal nerve reflex is developed in the early climax stage, it is completed only in the adult frog. Therefore, adult frogs living mainly on land may reject and swallow prey by this reflective tongue movement.

Tactile and taste sensory maturation of the frog larvae tongue

The maturation process of organs in the oral cavity of the larvae of bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, corresponding to the larval stages XVIII to XXV distinguished by Taylor and Kallros Anat. Rec., 94 (1946) 7-25, were investigated. In this study, these larval stages were divided by the width of the mouth slit into A1, A2, B and C stages. The A1 and A2 stages corresponded to larval stages XVIII-XIX and XX, respectively. The B and C stages corresponded to stages XXI and XXII-XXV, respectively. In stage A1, mechanical and chemical stimulation of the tongue rudiment, in most larvae, failed to elicit afferent discharges in glossopharyngeal nerves. However, in a small number of larvae, obvious afferent discharges of these nerves were generated. In stage A2, glossopharyngeal nerves in most larvae began responding to the same stimulations. The amplitude increased with decreasing duration of afferent discharges, resembling those of the adult. In stage B, the first glossopharyngeal-hypoglossal nerve reflex (G-H reflex) was elicited by mechanical stimulation of the tongue. In stage C, the G-H reflex was also induced by chemical stimulation and the latency of the G-H reflex elicited by mechanical stimulation decreased. In this stage, expansion and extension of the tongue increased. Therefore, the natural function of this reflex for the intake of food may follow this stage.

Reactive oxygen-reducing and protein-refolding activities of adult T cell leukemia-derived factor/human thioredoxin

Reducing and protein-refolding activities of adult T cell leukemia-derived factor (ADF)/human thioredoxin were studied. Recombinant ADF/human thioredoxin produced by E. coli, which has an insulin-reducing activity as efficient as that of E. coli thioredoxin, also reduced some reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, recombinant ADF/human thioredoxin was found to have protein-refolding activity for scrambled (mispaired disulfide-containing) RNase A. Cys-31 at the active site of ADF/human thioredoxin proved essential for reducing activity, and loss of Cys-31 in ADF/human thioredoxin attenuated the protein-refolding activity. These data suggest a physiological role of ADF/human thioredoxin in protecting living cells from proteotoxicity caused by reactive oxygens in vivo.