Physiological function of bromoperoxidase in the red marine alga, Corallina pilulifera: production of bromoform as an allelochemical and the simultaneous elimination of hydrogen peroxide

The physiological function of vanadium-bromoperoxidase (BPO) in the marine red alga, Corallina pilulifera, has been characterized from the viewpoint of allelochemical formation. The algae emit bromoform (CHBr3) depending on the enzyme activity level in vivo (Itoh, N., Shinya, M., 1994. Seasonal evolution of bromomethanes from coralline algae and its effect on atmospheric ozone. Marine Chemistry 45, 95-103). We demonstrated that bromoform produced by C. pilulifera played an important role in eliminating epiphytic organisms, especially microalgae on the surface. Such data suggest a strong relationship between the coralline algae and the coralline flat (deforested area in the marine environment: called isoyake in Japanese). Lithophyllum yessoense, the main inhabitant of coralline flats in Japan, produced a lower level of CHBr3 than C. pilulifera, and showed BPO activity. On the other hand, the seasonal change of BPO activity in C. pilulifera in vivo was in proportion to superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and in inverse proportion to catalase activity. The phenomenon implies that BPO could be a potential substitute for catalase, because the enzyme catalyzes an efficient Br(-)-dependent catalase reaction.

[A case of lung metastasis from colon cancer treated successfully with combined chemotherapy of CPT-11 and 5'-DFUR]

The patient was a 52-year-old woman who had sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis and multiple lung metastases. Resection of curability B was performed, and alternating adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of hepatic artery injection of 5-FU and systemic administration of CPT-11 was performed. Lung recurrence was found and no antitumor effect of chemotherapy was observed, so the CPT-11 which had been administered every other week was given every week in a dose of 60 mg/body, half of the original dose. Moreover, 5'-DFUR was administered in a dose of 800 mg/day every day. As a result, lung metastasis tumors were reduced markedly. Adverse events such as nausea, vomiting and depilation were mitigated, and no other toxicity was observed. The patient could thus be treated extremely safely in the outpatient clinic. This was considered to be a valuable case suggestive of the significance of combination chemotherapy of CPT-11 and 5'-DFUR and the importance of appropriate administration of CPT-11.

Mechanism of the SDS-resistant synaptotagmin clustering mediated by the cysteine cluster at the interface between the transmembrane and spacer domains

Synaptotagmin I (Syt I), a proposed major Ca(2+) sensor in the central nervous system, has been hypothesized as functioning in an oligomerized state during neurotransmitter release. We previously showed that Syts I, II, VII, and VIII form a stable SDS-resistant, beta-mercaptoethanol-insensitive, and Ca(2+)-independent oligomer surrounding the transmembrane domain (Fukuda, M., and Mikoshiba, K. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 28180-28185), but little is known about the molecular mechanism of the Ca(2+)-independent oligomerization by the synaptotagmin family. In this study, we analyzed the Ca(2+)-independent oligomerization properties of Syt I and found that it shows two distinct forms of self-oligomerization activity: stable SDS-resistant self-oligomerization activity and relatively unstable SDS-sensitive self-oligomerization activity. The former was found to be mediated by a post-translationally modified (i.e. fatty-acylated) cysteine (Cys) cluster (Cys-74, Cys-75, Cys-77, Cys-79, and Cys-82) at the interface between the transmembrane and spacer domains of Syt I. We also show that the number of Cys residues at the interface between the transmembrane and spacer domains determines the SDS- resistant oligomerizing capacity of each synaptotagmin isoform: Syt II, which contains seven Cys residues, showed the strongest SDS-resistant oligomerizing activity in the synaptotagmin family, whereas Syt XII, which has no Cys residues, did not form any SDS-resistant oligomers. The latter SDS-sensitive self-oligomerization of Syt I is mediated by the spacer domain, because deletion of the whole spacer domain, including the Cys cluster, abolished it, whereas a Syt I(CA) mutant carrying Cys to Ala substitutions still exhibited self-oligomerization. Based on these results, we propose that the oligomerization of the synaptotagmin family is regulated by two distinct mechanisms: the stable SDS-resistant oligomerization is mediated by the modified Cys cluster, whereas the relatively unstable (SDS-sensitive) oligomerization is mediated by the environment of the spacer domain.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor KDR (kinase domain-containing receptor)/Flk-1 (fetal liver kinase-1) as prognostic factors in human colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

To clarify the clinical significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, kinase domain-containing receptor (KDR) in colorectal cancer, we evaluated the relationship between the expression of VEGF and KDR, and the microvessel counts and clinicopathological factors in colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 259 specimens from sequential colorectal cancer patients who had undergone surgery were examined by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method, using anti-human VEGF, anti-human KDR, and anti-human von Willebrand factor antibodies.

RESULTS

The incidence of VEGF expression in the tumor cells of the patients with liver metastasis was significantly higher than that in the tumor cells of the patients without liver metastasis (67% vs 44%). The microvessel count at the tumor invasive edge in the patients whose tumor cells were positive for VEGF was significantly higher than that in the patients whose tumor cells were negative for VEGF (33.0 +/- 7.8 vs 28.0 +/- 7.9); the significant difference in microvessel counts was greater when there was a combination of VEGF and KDR expression. The overall survival rate of patients positive for VEGF was significantly (P = 0.0276) lower than that of those who were negative for VEGF. Although there was no significant difference (P = 0.0743) in the survival rates after potentially curative resection according to VEGF expression, the survival rate of the patients positive for both VEGF in tumor cells and KDR in endothelial cells was significantly (P = 0.0026) lower than that in the patients who were negative for VEGF and/or KDR. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed that the expression of both VEGF and KDR was an independent prognostic factor even after potentially curative resection.

CONCLUSION

VEGF may be implicated in the definition of the malignant phenotype of colorectal cancer via tumor angiogenesis. VEGF and its receptor KDR expression in tumorous tissues could be useful prognostic factors in colorectal cancer.

[Cellular immunotherapy for local recurrence of rectal cancer after surgery by activated lymphocyte administration--a case report]

Intrapelvic recurrence of the rectal cancer after surgery is a challenging status. We report here a case of intrapelvic tumor due to the recurrence of rectal cancer postoperatively treated by adoptive cellular immunotherapy.

CASE REPORT

A 57-year-old Japanese man with an intrapelvic tumor showing bone destruction due to the recurrence of rectal cancer after abdomino-peritoneal resection was diagnosed by CT scan. He consented to simultaneous adaptive cellular immunotherapy for local recurrent lesions by administration of the activated lymphocytes. The tumor sample used for the activation of PBMC was obtained by operation. Tumor cells were prepared by mincing and enzymatic digestion of the tumor sample, and they were irradiated with a dosage of 50 Gy. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the same patient. PBMC for about 2 weeks to prepare cells for treatment were obtained from the blood sample. One million PBMC were incubated in 2 ml of the culture medium containing 10(5) irradiated autologous tumor cells and 100 IU/ml recombinant IL-2. The activated PBMCs, as autologous cancer specific killer T cells, were administered by direct regional injection (from 2 million to 8 x 10(7) cells). These injections were given repeatedly about once a week at 2-week intervals for three months. The surface phenotypes of activated PBMC or PBMC were tested by two color immunostaining technique with anti-CD3, -CD4, -CD8 and also anti-CD16, -CD25 or -CD56. Natural killer cell activity was also investigated. The clinical outcome was evaluated by CT scan and serum CEA levels. In the cultured activated PBMCs, NK cell activity was 40%, both CD3 and CD4 positive cells was 30%, and both CD3 and CD8 positive cells was 48%. There were far more CD8 cells than CD4 cells. In the PBMC, NK cell activity had increased, both CD3 and CD4 positive cells had decreased and both CD3 and CD8 positive cells had increased. There were then predominantly more CD8 cells than CD4 cells by repeated administration of the cultured activated PBMCs. The only adverse effect was grade 2 fever. Serum CEA levels fell from 293.7 ng/ml to 160 ng/ml, but the tumor size on the CT scan was slightly increased except for the directly administered region. We have been observing him as an outpatient.

Feasibility of in vivo thyroid 131I monitoring with an imaging plate

A new in vivo thyroid 131I monitoring method was devised by using an imaging plate (IP). A thyroid image obtained with a realistic neck-thyroid phantom showed a unique shape characteristic of the thyroid gland. A 131I thyroid imaging allows visual confirmation of thyroid accumulation of 131I. The detection limit of the IP system of 290 Bq was about 1/100 of the screening level of 30 kBq in cases of public emergencies. The IP system is applicable for thyroid 131I monitoring.

Liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase suppresses liposome-mediated augmentation of TNF-alpha production from peripheral blood leucocytes

Liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH), a candidate for a red cell substitute, has been reported to be cleared from circulation primarily by the phagocytic system and modulate the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of liposome vesicles on the LPS-induced TNF-alpha production using a whole blood culture system. We also studied the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) encapsulated in liposome on the cytokine production. The pre-treatment of whole blood with liposome vesicles potentiated the LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. The encapsulation of SOD in the liposome vesicles suppressed the liposome-mediated augmentation of TNF-alpha production in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that encapsulation of SOD in LEH decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines from the phagocytic system which may be caused or augmented by LEH infusion in vivo.

The usefulness of restorative laparoscopic-assisted total colectomy for ulcerative colitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic-assisted total colectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis in comparison with that of conventional open total colectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis. From 1990 until 1999, 11 patients underwent open total colectomy, while 21 patients had laparoscopic-assisted total colectomy. Patients characteristics, perioperative course, and recovery were compared. Differences between the groups were tested using Student's t-test for independent groups and chi-square tests when appropriate. Nasogastric tube could be removed after POD 1.1 vs. 4.8 (p < 0.05), the mean time to passage of stool was 1.7 (range, 1 to 3) vs. 5.4 (range, 3 to 7) days (p < 0.05), and in the laparoscopic group watery stool was soon made solid after POD 24.3 vs. 87.3 (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the mean operating time and mean estimated operating blood loss between two groups. Postoperative morbidity did not differ significantly between the patients treated conventionally (45.5%) and laparoscopically (33.3%). The findings of this study indicate that laparoscopic-assisted total colectomy improved cosmetic results and to be a safe and effective treatment for the elective surgery of ulcerative colitis.

Bradykinin induces a rapid cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression via Ca2+mobilization in human gingival fibroblasts primed with interleukin-1 β

We have previously demonstrated that bradykinin potentiates prostaglandin E(2)release in human gingival fibroblasts pretreated with interleukin-1 beta (priming). In this study, we demonstrate a potentiating effect of bradykinin on cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in the interleukin-1 beta-primed fibroblasts. Interleukin-1 beta (200 pg/ml) induced cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression, but not bradykinin (1 microM). However, bradykinin rapidly and markedly increased the cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in the fibroblasts primed with interleukin-1 beta. In the primed fibroblasts, ionomycin and thapsigargin mimicked the potentiating effect of bradykinin on the cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression. Dexamethasone and actinomycin D completely suppressed not only the interleukin-1 beta-induced cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression, but also the bradykinin-induced cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in the interleukin-1 beta-primed fibroblasts, although cycloheximide did not inhibit the effects of interleukin-1 beta and bradykinin. These results suggest that bradykinin-induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis is regulated at the level of the transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA via Ca2+ mobilization in the interleukin-1 beta-primed human gingival fibroblasts.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha cooperates with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand in generation of osteoclasts in stromal cell-depleted rat bone marrow cell culture

A member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL; also known as ODF, OPGL, and TRANCE), plays critical roles in osteoclast differentiation and activation in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Recently, TNF-alpha has also been shown to induce the formation of multinucleated osteoclast-like cells (MNCs) in the presence of M-CSF from mouse macrophages. We demonstrated that mononuclear preosteoclast-like cells (POCs) were formed in the presence of conditioned medium of osteoblastic cells in a rat bone marrow culture depleted of stromal cells. Using this culture system, in this study we examined whether TNF-alpha affects differentiation into POCs from hematopoietic progenitor cells. Human TNF-alpha (hTNF-alpha) markedly stimulated the formation of POCs. Moreover, a concentration as low as 0.005 ng/mL of hTNF-alpha increased the level of mRNA for calcitonin receptor (CTR) and cathepsin-K of POCs. The POCs induced by hTNF-alpha formed MNCs, which showed dentine-resorbing activity after coculture with primary osteoblasts. Stimulation was observed after 24 h of treatment with hTNF-alpha only on day 1 or day 2 of the culture. After 24 h of hTNF-alpha treatment, expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANK) mRNA was markedly increased. The addition of soluble RANKL (sRANKL) to the preformed POCs efficiently induced MNCs. Interestingly, treatment of bone marrow cells with hTNF-alpha and sRANKL synergistically augmented the formation of MNCs. This formation was abolished by the addition of human osteoprotegerin (hOPG). These results suggest that cooperation of TNF-alpha and RANKL is important for osteoclastogenesis.

p53, bcl-2 and thymidine phosphorylase as predictive markers of chemotherapy in patients with advanced and recurrent gastric cancer

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between expression of p53, bcl-2, thymidine phosphorylase and Ki-67 and the response to chemotherapy and survival in patients with recurrent and advanced gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically in 28 patients treated with 5-fluorouracil, pirarubicin and cisplatin (FAP).

RESULTS

The response rate in patients positive for p53 expression was 23% compared with 47% of p53-negative patients. The response rate was also reduced from 44% in patients negative for bcl-2 protein expression to 25% in bcl-2 positive patients. Thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) expression was observed in 20 patients (71%), 50% of whom responded to chemotherapy, while patients negative for dThdPase expression did not respond to chemotherapy. The correlation between response rate and dThdPase-positivity was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, with regard to patient survival, p53- and bcl-2-negative patients showed significantly better survival than patients positive for p53 and/or bcl-2 (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

While dThdPase expression may be a useful predictor of response to chemotherapies that include 5-FU, p53 and bcl-2 expression may predict the outcome of patients with recurrent and advanced gastric cancer following chemotherapy.

[Relationship between the anti-metastatic effect of UFT and in vitro chemosensitivity to 5-FU in metastatic tumors from orthotopic implanted colon cancer in nude rats]

We have investigated the correlation between the in vitro chemosensitivity to 5-FU, measured using the collagen gel droplet embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST), and the anti-tumor effect of UFT, a prodrug of 5-FU, in metastatic tumors from orthotopic implanted colon cancer in nude rats. Human colon cancer cells (KM12SM) were injected into the cecal wall of the nude rats. Five weeks later, the implanted cecal tumors were removed. Oral UFT (a daily dose of 30 mg/kg) was administered postoperatively for four weeks. After the UFT administration period, the lung and lymph nodes were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. In vitro chemosensitivity to 5-FU in the lung and lymph node metastases was tested using CD-DST, and the enzymatic activities of thymidine synthetase (TS) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in the lung and lymph node metastases were measured. A daily administration of UFT produced an inhibitory effect on lung metastasis compared with the control group. However, there was no difference in the frequency of lymph node metastasis. The inhibition rate produced by 5-FU in CD-DST was significantly higher for lung metastases than for lymph node metastases. There was no difference in the TS and DPD activities between the metastatic tumoral tissues. These results suggest that the organ specificity of the anti-tumor effects of UFT on colon metastases may be determined by CD-DST of 5-FU for individual tumors. The TS and DPD activity in the tumoral tissues may not affect the organ specificity of the anti-tumor effect of UFT on colon metastases.

Significance of cysteine rich transcription factor (CRTF) in the synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) in gastrointestinal cancers

We previously reported that a novel promoter enhancer element "human tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) enhancer" (HTE) and a novel transacting protein "cysteine rich transcription factor" (CRTF) induced TIMP-1 synthesis in prostate cancer cells 2xN.I.PC-3. In the present study, to clarify the significance of CRTF in gastrointestinal cancers we measured the binding activity of CRTF to HTE using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and the TIMP-1 concentration by ELISA after various stimulation of six cancer cell lines (KE-3, TE-9, MKN-28, MKN-45, KM12SM, SW620). In three cell lines (KE-3, MKN-45, SW620), both the binding activity of CRTF and TIMP-1 concentration significantly increased after IL-10 stimulation. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) did not affect the binding activity of CRTF, whereas FBS induced TIMP-1 synthesis in all cell lines. In KE-3 esophageal cancer cells and SW620 colon cancer cells, both the binding activity of CRTF and TIMP-1 concentration increased in the presence of a conditioned medium (CM) of fibroblasts which was isolated from human colon cancer tissues, but did not increase in MKN-45 cells. Moreover, in the fibroblasts, both the binding activity of CRTF and the TIMP-1 concentration increased in the presence of CM from KM12SM, SW620, and TE-9 cancer cell lines. These results suggested that IL-I0, and unknown factors in addition to IL-10, induced TIMP-1 synthesis via an increase in the binding activity of CRTF in gastrointestinal cancers, and that interaction between cancer cells and fibroblasts may play an important role in TIMP-1 synthesis through a signal transduction pathway consisting of CRTF phosphorylation and HTE activation.

Multiple gastric carcinoid tumors with type A gastritis concomitant with gastric cancer: a case report

We describe a case with multiple gastric carcinoid tumors combined with early gastric carcinoma originated from the type A gastritis-affected tissue. Microcarcinoid foci were observed from the deeper layers of the propria mucosa to the submucosa and were surrounded by endocrine cell micronests (ECMs), while carcinoma was limited within the mucosa. Serum gastrin level was high (1,100 pg/ml) pre-operatively but returned to normal (44 pg/ml) post-operatively. It suggested that the longstanding hypergastrinemia may have played a causative role in the development of multiple carcinoids and cancer. Surgical treatment was considered essential for treatment in this case of coincident multiple carcinoid tumors and cancer.

Identification of a novel response element in the rat bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene promoter that mediates constitutive and fibroblast growth factor 2-induced expression of BSP

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a sulfated and phosphorylated glycoprotein, found almost exclusively in mineralized connective tissues, that may function in the nucleation of hydroxyapatite crystals. We have found that expression of BSP in osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells is stimulated by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), a potent mitogen for mesenchymal cells. Stimulation of BSP mRNA with 10 ng/ml FGF2 was first evident at 3 h ( approximately 2.6-fold) and reached maximal levels at 6 h ( approximately 4-fold). From transient transfection assays, a FGF response element (FRE) was identified (nucleotides -92 to -85, "GGTGAGAA") as a target of transcriptional activation by FGF2. Ligation of two copies of the FRE 5' to an SV40 promoter was sufficient to confer FGF-responsive transcription. A sequence-specific protein-DNA complex, formed with a double-stranded oligonucleotide encompassing the FRE and nuclear extracts from ROS 17/2.8 cells, but not from fibroblasts, was increased following FGF2 stimulation. Several point mutations within the critical FRE sequence abrogated the formation of this complex and suppressed both basal and FGF2-mediated promoter activity. These studies, therefore, have identified a novel FRE in the proximal promoter of the BSP gene that mediates both constitutive and FGF2-induced BSP transcription.

Early tumor growth in metastatic organs influenced by the microenvironment is an important factor which provides organ specificity of colon cancer metastasis

We have previously demonstrated that liver metastases in nude mice and lung metastases in nude rats occurred specifically, when KM12SM human colon carcinoma cells were inoculated orthotopically into the cecal wall of nude mice and rats. To clarify the relationship between the tumor growth potential in the metastatic organs and the metastatic organ preference in these two metastatic models, we have evaluated the in vitro cell growth activities affected by the organ conditioned medium (CM) from the liver and lung, and the in vivo growth activities of the ectopic implanted tumors in the liver and lung. The tumorigenicity of the ectopic implanted tumors was 100% in mouse liver, 33% in rat liver, 50% in mouse lung, and 75% in rat lung. The crude liver CM of the animals showed inhibitory activities for KM12SM cell growth in a dosage-dependent manner, and the crude lung CM stimulated KM12SM cell growth. The liver CM of nude mice inhibited the KM12SM cell growth more strongly compared with the CM of nude rats, and the lung CM of nude rats was more strongly stimulated compared with the CM of nude mice. The liver CM of nude mice had non-heparin binding factors, which stimulated or inhibited KM12SM cell growth, in a molecular weight range of 50 to 100 kDa. By contrast, the liver CM of nude rats showed no growth stimulating activity for KM12SM cells. These results suggest that the metastatic organ specificity of KM12SM cells may depend on the early tumor growth influenced by the microenvironment in metastatic organs.

Expression of the SART1 tumor-rejection antigens in colorectal cancers

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of cancer death in the world, including in the United States and Japan. We recently identified the tumor-rejection antigen gene SART1, which encodes both the SART1(259) antigen expressed in the cytosol of epithelial cancers and the SART1(800) antigen expressed in the nucleus of the majority of proliferating cells. This study investigated the expression of these tumor antigens to explore a potential molecule for specific immunotherapy of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

SART1 antigens were investigated by Western blotting in six colorectal cancer cell lines and in 33 colorectal cancer tissues. The cancer cell lines were tested for their ability to stimulate interferon-gamma production by the human-leukocyte-antigen-A24-restricted and SART1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and were also tested for their susceptibility to the lysis by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

RESULTS

The SART1(259) antigen was detected in the cytosol of four of six cancer cell lines, 13 of 33 (39 percent) cancer tissues, and 0 of 20 nontumorous colorectal tissues. The SART1(800) antigen was expressed in the nucleus of all the colorectal cancer cell lines, 18 of 33 (55 percent) cancer tissues, and 0 of 20 nontumorous tissues. The human-lymphocyte-antigen-A24-restricted and SART1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes killed the human-lymphocyte-antigen-A24+ SART1(259+) cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The SART1(259) antigen could be an appropriate target molecule for specific immunotherapy of approximately 40 percent of the human-lymphocyte-antigen-A24+ patients with colorectal cancer.

[A study on resource based relative values for visiting nursing services]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the resource based relative values of visiting nursing services, and to analyze the relationships between the relative values and the dimensions of nursing service(time, mental effort and physical effort).

METHODS

We interviewed nurses at 20 Home-visit nursing care stations (HVNCS) in the Metropolitan area using the resource based relative value questionnaires. We asked nurses about relative values of "Total Work", and also measured relative weight of 3 dimensions of nursing services. Total Work was defined as comprehensive evaluation of nursing services, with careful consideration of intensity as well as duration. With the dependent variable as Total Work and independent variables as the 3 dimensions, multiple regression analyses were carried out. Furthermore we examined the degree of influence on Total Work by service type and individual respondent. To examine the validity of the results, we timed nursing services and compared the measured time with the answered time.

RESULTS

The 107 respondents were all female and their average age was 36.6 years old. They had HVNCS experience of 2.2 years and 95.3% nurses had experience of hospital nursing. "Total Work" and 3 dimension scores were standardized using common logarithms. "Total Work" of every service significantly differed among service types. The 3 dimensions explained 54.6% of Total Work in the multiple regression analysis. Service type explained 3.3% of Total Work. Individual respondent explained 16.0% of Total Work. Answered time and measured time were not significantly different with nursing services.

CONCLUSIONS

Although Total Work was somewhat influenced by individual respondent, most of variation was explained by 3 dimensions. Thus, it could be concluded that Total Work is an index of nursing resource input. A further investigation about influence of patients' condition on Total Work is necessary in the future.

Hydrothermal circulation of seawater through hot vents and contribution of interface chemistry to prebiotic synthesis

Synthesizing oligopeptides from glycine and alanine in a flow reactor, which stimulates constant hydrothermal circulation of seawater through hot vents on the primitive Earth, demonstrated that an exponential growth of the products is possible. The initial rapid growth of the product is a consequence of using the products formed in one cycle as the starting materials for the cycle of synthesis.

Role of leukocyte adhesion molecules in monocyte/ macrophage infiltration in weanling rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

BACKGROUND

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of rats is a well-established model for studying obstructive nephropathy. Meanwhile, pathophysiology of pediatric obstructive nephropathy is not well understood. In this report, we studied monocyte/macrophage infiltration and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and macrophage antigen 1 (Mac-1) in weanling rats with UUO.

METHODS

Three-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent left unilateral ureteral ligation. Both obstructed kidneys (OBK) and contralateral kidneys (CLK) were harvested at 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 120 h after surgery. Monocyte/macrophage infiltration and expression of ICAM-1 and Mac-1 were evaluated immunohistochemically, and results were compared with those of sham-operated control rats (SOK).

RESULTS

Monocyte/macrophage infiltration was observed in the interstitium and perivascular region in the cortex of OBK within 6 h. The CLK and SOK showed slight monocyte/macrophage infiltration. Expression of ICAM-1 was markedly observed in the periarterial and peritubular interstitium and in renal cortical peritubular capillaries 12 h after obstruction. In CLK and SOK, ICAM-1 was slightly expressed in the endothelium of microvessels and parietal linings of Bowman's capsule. Expression of Mac-1 was detected mainly in cells infiltrating the perivascular interstitium in OBK. In CLK and SOK, few Mac-1-positive cells were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 and Mac-1, are expected to recruit monocyte/macrophage infiltration into OBK of weanling rats with UUO.

[Regional assessment of treatment in lung cancer using lung perfusion and ventilation images]

In 30 patients with lung cancer undergoing non-surgical treatment, we performed perfusion lung imaging using 99mTc-MAA and inhalation lung studies using Technegas before and after treatment and evaluated regional perfusion and ventilation status in the lung regions where bronchogenic carcinoma was located. Regional ventilation status was preserved rather than perfusion counterpart (V > P) in 18 patients (18/30 = 60.0%) before treatment, while the former was better than the latter in 27 patients (27/30 = 90.0%) after treatment, indicating that regional ventilation status improved more significantly than regional perfusion counterpart after treatment (p = 0.005). We also classified the therapeutic effect for regional perfusion and ventilation status as improved, unchanged, or worsened, respectively; improvement in regional perfusion status was observed in 17 patients (56.7%) and that in regional ventilation status in 24 patients (80.0%). There was a statistically significant correlation between improved regional perfusion and ventilation status (p = 0.0018) when therapeutic effect was recognized. The patients who showed improvement in regional perfusion status after treatment always showed improved regional ventilation status, but 7 patients showed either unchanged or worsened regional perfusion status after treatment, although regional ventilation status was improved. In conclusion the pulmonary vascular beds seem more vulnerable to bronchogenic carcinoma and improvement in regional perfusion status was revealed to be more difficult than that in regional ventilation status after treatment.

[Effects of nilvadipine on retinal microcirculation and systemic circulation]

PURPOSE

The effects of nilvadipine on retinal blood flow and systemic circulation were studied by the hydrogen clearance method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were 10 male beagles. Under general anesthesia, nilvadipine (32 micrograms/ml/kg), dissolved in polyethylene glycols was injected into the stomach of 5 beagles, and only polyethylene glycols was injected into the stomach of the other 5 beagles as controls. Retinal tissue blood flow, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, central vein pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vessel resistance were measured over time and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Retinal tissue blood flow showed significant increase only in the Nilvadipine group (max 29.2%). No marked changes were observed in the systemic circulation in either group. The time to maximum blood concentration of Nilvadipine was 120 min, and the maximum blood concentration was 1.27 ng/ml.

CONCLUSION

Nilvadipine may directly and selectively increase retinal tissue blood flow, while having only minimal effect on systemic circulation including arterial blood pressure.

Significance of coexpression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (stromelysin) and 9 (gelatinase B) in colorectal carcinoma

Our previous study showed that proMMP-9 was activated by MMP-3 directly, and that proMMP-3 was activated by plasmin. It was postulated that the proMMP-9 activation mechanism through the protease-protease cascade existed even in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the clinical significance of the combined expression of MMP-9, MMP-3, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in colorectal cancer, and the role of MMP-3 or uPA expression as an activator for MMP-9. The expression of both MMP-9 and uPA was found to be correlated with liver metastasis, and with survival rate. The coexpression of MMP-9 and uPA by tumor cells was also significantly correlated with postoperative hepatic recurrence and survival rate. MMP-9 tended to be coexpressed with uPA, and was consistently associated with MMP-3 localized at the tumor-invasive front with inflammatory cells such as monocyte-macrophages. In gelatin zymography, the MMP-9 active form tended to be identified in the tumors that coexpressed both MMP-9 and uPA. We concluded that coexpression of MMP-9 and uPA in tumor tissues might be a useful predictive factor for postoperative survival and hepatic metastasis. The following activation mechanism for proteinase might occur: uPA coexpressed with MMP-9 activated plasminogen, and plasmin activated proMMP-3, which was secreted depending upon inflammatory infiltration, and then MMP-3 activated proMMP-9, resulting in colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.

Parathyroid hormone regulation of bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene transcription is mediated through a pituitary-specific transcription factor-1 (Pit-1) motif in the rat BSP gene promoter

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a mineralized tissue-specific protein expressed by differentiated osteoblasts that appears to function in the initial mineralization of bone. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates serum calcium through its actions on bone cells, increases the expression of BSP in the rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8). At 10(-8) M PTH (human 1-34 PTH), stimulation of BSP mRNA was first evident at 3 h ( approximately 3.8-fold), reached maximal levels at 6 h ( approximately 4.7-fold), and declined slowly thereafter. The effects of PTH, which were abrogated by cycloheximide (28 microg/ml), did not alter the stability of the BSP mRNA. The increased transcription was mimicked by both forskolin (10(-6) M) and isoproterenol (10(-7) M), and was also increased by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 10(-5) M), while the transcriptional activity induced by PTH was inhibited by the protein kinase A inhibitor, H89 (5x10(-6) M). From transient transfection assays using various BSP promoter-luciferase constructs, a pituitary-specific transcription factor-1 (Pit-1) regulatory element (nts -111 to -105) was identified as the target of transcriptional activation by PTH. Thus, transcriptional activity of constructs including the Pit-1 was enhanced approximately 4.7-fold by 10(-8) M PTH while 5'-ligation of the Pit-1 element conferred PTH regulation in an SV40 promoter construct. Binding of a nuclear protein, recognized by anti-Pit-1 antibodies, to a radiolabelled Pit-1-BSP probe was decreased in nuclear extracts prepared from PTH, forskolin and isoproterenol-stimulated ROS 17/2.8 cells. Moreover, co-transfection of ROS cells with a double-stranded Pit-1 oligonucleotide also increased luciferase activity. Collectively, these results indicate that PTH acts through a protein kinase A pathway involving cAMP to stimulate BSP transcription by blocking the action of a Pit-1-related nuclear protein that suppresses BSP transcription by binding a cognate element in the BSP promoter. Thus, we have identified a novel Pit-1 suppressor element in the rat BSP gene promoter that is the target of PTH-stimulated transcription of the BSP gene.