Simultaneous left renal pelvic and bilateral ureteral tumors producing carbohydrate antigen 19-9

We report a case of a transitional cell carcinoma of the left renal pelvis and both ureters which secreted carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Aggressive surgery was performed including a left nephroureterectomy including the bladder cuff and a right total ureterectomy with an ileal graft replacement. The patient has had good kidney function and no evidence of disease for one year postoperatively.

Effect of long-term administration of finasteride (MK-906), an inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

We evaluated the effect of long-term administration of finasteride (MK-906), a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The effect of an increase in dose was also assessed. Finasteride was administered to 61 patients with BPH at the dose of 1 mg/day for 48 weeks. Thirty three of these patients subsequently received finasteride at the dose of 5 mg/day for further 24 weeks in an open extension study. Urinary symptoms, urinary flow rate, residual urinary volume, prostatic volume and serum concentrations of dihydrotestosterone and prostate-specific antigen were examined periodically during the treatment. The size of the prostate and total urinary symptom scores decreased progressively during the first 16 weeks of treatment. The patients who received finasteride had a significant increase in the maximal urinary flow rate and a significant decrease in residual urinary volume. After 72 weeks of treatment, finasteride at an increased dose of 5 mg did not provide additional benefit to patients, although the effects of the drug at a dose of 1 mg were well maintained. Treatment with finasteride was well tolerated at both doses. In conclusion, the treatment of BPH with 1 mg of finasteride per day for 48 weeks results in a significant increase in maximal urinary flow rate, and a decrease in prostatic volume, symptoms of obstruction and residual urinary volume, with minimal toxicity.

[Interference of antibody reaction with porcine pancreatic amylase in enzymatic assay of total calcium]

Unreliable results were obtained in an enzymatic assay of total calcium (Ca) in a patient's serum using porcine pancreatic amylase (PPA). Besides, the result was different from that obtained by the atomic absorption analysis. Fractionation of the patient's serum by ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration revealed the presence of an interference substance with a large molecular size of more than 200kDa. This interference substance was absorbed on a Protein A column. Furthermore, an immune precipitate was observed between the patient's serum and PPA by Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion. An antibody against PPA may exist in the patient's serum and interfere with the enzymatic assay of Ca using PPA.

Prognostic significance of circulating cytotoxic lymphocytes against autologous tumors in patients with bladder cancer

PURPOSE

Cell-mediated immunity is an important and central mechanism of host resistance to cancer. Many studies have used cultured tumor cell lines as targets for cell-mediated cytotoxicity. However, it is difficult to interpret the data generated from the cytotoxic activity against cultured tumor cell lines, since they may not represent the activity against fresh autologous tumor cells. We examined the prognostic significance of circulating antitumorigenic cytotoxic lymphocytes at operation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from 89 patients with a bladder tumor were tested at operation for cytotoxic activity against a natural killer sensitive myeloid leukemia line K562, a human bladder tumor cell line T24 and freshly isolated autologous tumor cells in a 12-hour 51chromium release assay. The levels of the cytotoxic activity were evaluated for potential prognostic significance.

RESULTS

The mean cytotoxic activities of peripheral blood lymphocytes against K562 cells, T24 cells and autologous tumor cells were 37.2%, 19.8% and 9.7%, respectively, using an effector-to-target cell ratio of 40:1. Based on the analysis, patients with bladder tumors were divided into 2 groups of high (greater than the mean value) and low (less than the mean value) cytotoxic activity. The magnitude of the anti-K562 or anti-T24 cytotoxic activity did not correlate with the 5-year survival rate or the postoperative disease-free period. In contrast, bladder tumor patients with high anti-autologous cytotoxic activity had higher disease-specific survival rates and a longer postoperative tumor-free interval compared to those with low activity during the 5-year follow-up. In addition, similar analysis of the data at an effector-to-target cell ratio of 20:1 revealed that patients with high anti-autologous tumor cytotoxic activity also had a higher survival rate and a longer postoperative tumor-free period than those with low activity. No statistical differences were observed in patient age and sex, as well as the size, number, histological grade and stage of bladder tumors between patients with high and low anti-autologous tumor cytotoxic activity. The anti-autologous tumor cytotoxic activity was not paralleled with either anti-K562 or anti-T24 cytotoxic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that anti-autologous tumor cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes might be a significant and independent prognostic indicator in patients with bladder tumors, and that the autologous tumor cell killing system might have an important role in the immune surveillance against bladder tumors.

[A case of localized amyloidosis of the ureter]

A case of localized amyloidosis of the ureter is reported. The patient was a 49-year-old female whose chief complaint was macrohematuria. Roentogenographic examination showed left hydronephrosis due to stenosis of left middle ureter. Left nephrouretectomy with cuff was performed with a diagnosis of the left ureteral tumor, and pathological examination revealed localized amyloidosis of the left ureter. Localized amyloidosis of the ureter is a rare lesion, and this is the twenty-first case reported in the Japanese literature. Review of the literature revealed that it is difficult to differentiate this lesion from other ureteral tumors by roentgenographic examination, and it is important to perform preoperative or intraoperative biopsy of ureteral tumors if benign diseases cannot be ruled out.

Preliminary evaluation of fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR in the diagnosis of intracranial tumors

PURPOSE

To report our preliminary results in the application of a turbo fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) MR technique to the diagnosis of intracranial tumors and to assess the clinical usefulness of this technique.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients with various intracranial tumors were studies with MR imaging, including a turbo FLAIR sequence. FLAIR images were compared with images obtained with conventional spin-echo sequences.

RESULTS

Except for 2 lesions in 1 patients, tumor signal intensities on FLAIR images were consistent with those shown on T2-weighted spin-echo images. FLAIR images showed peritumoral edema more clearly than T2-Weighted and proton density-weighted images when the tumor itself was not hyperintense. In 8 of 23 patients in whom edema was associated with tumor, FLAIR images provided better definition between edema and tumor than did T2-weighted and proton density-weighted images. In 5 patients, FLAIR images depicted different signal intensity between cerebrospinal fluid and a cystic or necrotic component. In 20 of 22 patients, postcontrast FLAIR images showed contrast enhancement comparable to that seen on postcontrast T1-weighted images.

CONCLUSION

Turbo FLAIR images can supplement conventional spin-echo images in the diagnosis of intracranial tumors.

Pharmacokinetic model of oral levodopa and role of carbidopa in parkinsonian patients

A pharmacokinetic model of oral levodopa is proposed to elucidate the effects of carbidopa on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa. The propriety of the model was evaluated by simultaneous computer Multi-Line fitting for the plasma concentration-time data of levodopa and dopamine-3-O-sulfate (DA-S), a major metabolite of levodopa, after oral administration of three different levodopa doses to parkinsonian patients. Plasma profiles of levodopa and DA-S were also determined in 12 parkinsonian patients during daily oral administration of Neodopaston, a levodopa preparation containing carbidopa in tablet form. We investigated the role of carbidopa by comparing the populational mean parameters calculated in the levodopa alone model with those obtained in patients coadministered levodopa and carbidopa. The results indicated that the pharmacokinetics of levodopa coadministered with carbidopa were dose-independent and that carbidopa reduces the first-pass metabolism of levodopa in the gut wall to less than 10% of the dose absorbed, and decreases the systemic clearance of levodopa by 35-39%. The proposed pharmacokinetic model and the evaluation of carbidopa in this study will provide useful information for the development of drug delivery systems for levodopa or catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, for further stabilization of plasma concentrations of levodopa in parkinsonian patients.

Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels in patients with urinary bladder tumour and various urological malignancies

OBJECTIVES

To measure the serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with urinary bladder tumour (UBT) or various urological malignant tumours, and to assess G-CSF production by tumour cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood was obtained, before operation or anti-cancer therapy, from 141 patients with UBT, 37 patients with other urological malignant tumours (21 with renal cell carcinoma, nine with renal pelvic or ureteric tumours, five with prostatic cancer, and two with testicular cancer), 38 patients with benign urological diseases (21 with benign prostatic hypertrophy, 11 with urolithiasis and six with a varicocele), and from 15 healthy donors. The serum G-CSF levels were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Of 141 patients with UBT, 13 showed elevated serum G-CSF levels above the sensitivity of the assay (30 pg/mL) with a mean value of 328 pg/mL. The serum levels in normal healthy donors and in patients with prostatic cancer, testicular cancer or varicocele were < 30 pg/mL, while the levels were > 30 pg/mL in two of nine patients with renal pelvic or ureteric tumour (mean 754 pg/mL) and in one of 21 patients with renal cell carcinoma (40 pg/mL). The levels of serum G-CSF in several patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy or urolithiasis were also elevated, but the mean levels were low. The serum G-CSF levels in patients with UBT correlated with the increase of grade and the progression of the stage of UBT. Furthermore, patients with UBT and an undetectable level of serum G-CSF had higher disease-specific survival rates at the 5-year follow-up when compared with those with an elevated level of serum G-CSF. There was a positive correlation between serum G-CSF levels and white blood cell counts. T24 and J82 UBT cell lines and freshly separated tumour cells derived from the patient whose serum G-CSF level was high produced G-CSF.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that elevated serum G-CSF level might be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with UBT and be due to the production of G-CSF by UBT cells.

Fine localization of low and high calcium dependent ATPase activities in the rat sciatic nerve

We tried to demonstrate the electron microscopic histochemical localization of membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in glutaraldehyde-fixed rat sciatic nerves. Although conventional glutaraldehyde fixatives containing impurities interfered with the reactivity of Ca(2+)-ATPase, this activity was successfully preserved in the tissues fixed with pure glutaraldehyde as well as in those fixed with paraformaldehyde. In unmyelinated nerve fibers, an ATPase activity depending on 10 mM CaCl2 was detected on the whole external surface of Schwann cell plasma membranes. In myelinated fibers, this activity was localized on the surface of Schwann cell outer loops at the paranodal region of Ranvier nodes and on the axonal membrane at the nodal region. Another activity depending on 0.1 mM CaCl2 was demonstrated on the axolemma of unmyelinated fibers. These results indicated that there may be two types of Ca(2+)-ATPase activities showing high and low affinity to calcium ions localized in peripheral nerve systems in a different manner between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers.

Ultrafast thermally induced unfolding of RNase A

A temperature jump (T-jump) method capable of initiating thermally induced processes on the picosecond time scale in aqueous solutions is introduced. Protein solutions are heated by energy from a laser pulse that is absorbed by homogeneously dispersed molecules of the dye crystal violet. These act as transducers by releasing the energy as heat to cause a T-jump of up to 10 K with a time resolution of 70 ps. The method was applied to the unfolding of RNase A. At pH 5.7 and 59 degrees C, a T-jump of 3-6 K induced unfolding which was detected by picosecond transient infrared spectroscopy of the amide I region between 1600 and 1700 cm-1. The difference spectral profile at 3.5 ns closely resembled that found for the equilibrium (native-unfolded) states. The signal at 1633 cm-1, corresponding to the beta-sheet structure, achieved 15 +/- 2% of the decrease found at equilibrium, within 5.5 ns. However, no decrease in absorbance was detected until 1 ns after the T-ump. The disruption of beta-sheet therefore appears to be subject to a delay of approximately 1 ns. Prior to 1 ns after the T-jump, water might be accessing the intact hydrophobic regions.

Pax-1, a regulator of sclerotome development is induced by notochord and floor plate signals in avian embryos

Pax-1 encodes for a DNA-binding transcriptional activator that was originally discovered in murine embryos using a probe from the Drosophila paired-box-containing gene, gooseberry-distal. We have cloned the avian Pax-1 gene as a basis for experimental studies of the induction of Pax-1 in the paraxial mesoderm. The amino acid sequence of the paired-domain is exactly the same in the quail and mouse, whereas outside the paired-domain there is 61% homology. Starting at about the eight-somite stage, quail Pax-1 is expressed in the paraxial mesoderm in a craniocaudal sequence. The unsegmented paraxial mesoderm and the two most recently formed somites do not express Pax-1. In the epithelial somite, the somitocoele cells and the cells of the ventral two-thirds of the epithelial wall are positive. As soon as the sclerotome is formed, only a subset of sclerotome cells expresses Pax-1. These are the cells that migrate towards the notochord to form the perinotochordal tube. Expression then becomes restricted to the intervertebral discs, the perichondrium of the vertebral bodies and the connective tissue surrounding the spinal ganglia. Additional expression domains are found in the scapula and the pelvic region, distinct areas of the head, and the epithelium of the second to the fourth visceral pouch. In later stages the thymus is positive. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that the notochord induces Pax-1 in the paraxial mesoderm, but limb bud mesoderm is not competent to respond to notochordal signals. Floor plate is also capable of inducing Pax-1 expression in sclerotome cells. Our studies show that in competent cells of the paraxial mesoderm, Pax-1 is a mediator of signals emanating from the notochord and the floor plate.

Induction of erythroid differentiation in leukaemic K562 cells by an S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitor, aristeromycin

We have isolated an unusual nucleoside, aristeromycin, from the culture filtrate of Actinomycetes as a compound that induces normal morphology in v-ablts-NIH3T3 cells. Aristeromycin also induced erythroid differentiation in abl-expressing human chronic myelogenous leukaemia K562 cells. It did not affect the amount of Abl or the Abl-associated tyrosine kinase activity in either v-ablts-NIH3T3 or K562 cells. As a potent inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, aristeromycin inhibited methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to form phosphatidylcholine in K562 cells. Among aristeromycin analogues, the activity to inhibit S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase was paralleled with the induction of erythroid differentiation. Thus, aristeromycin inhibits abl functions indirectly, possibly by inhibiting biological methylations.

Sensitization of human renal cell carcinoma cells to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) by anti-interleukin 6 monoclonal antibody or anti-interleukin 6 receptor monoclonal antibody

Cytotoxic chemotherapy has shown little antitumor activity against renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It has been demonstrated that RCC cells secrete interleukin 6 (IL-6) and express IL-6 receptors (IL-6Rs). IL-6 inhibits apoptosis and enhances manganese superoxide dismutase expression. Several anticancer chemotherapeutic agents exert their cytotoxic activity in part through the induction of apoptosis and the production of free radicals. Thus, the resistance of RCC cells to the anticancer agents might correlate with IL-6 expression. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of anti-IL-6 mAb and anti-IL-6R mAb on the sensitivity of human RCC cells to anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. Treatment of Caki-1 cells with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb in combination with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) or mitomycin C overcame their resistance to CDDP or mitomycin C. However, treatment of Caki-1 cells with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb in combination with Adriamycin, vinblastine or 5-fluorouracil did not overcome their resistance to these anticancer agents. Treatment of CDDP-resistant Caki-1 cells (Caki-1/DDP), two other RCC cell lines (ACHN and A704), and three freshly derived RCC cells with CDDP in combination with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb reversed the resistance to CDDP in all these tumors. We then studied the effectiveness of other platinum derivatives. Treatment of Caki-1 cells with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb enhanced their sensitivity to carboplatin, but not to trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II). Several experiments investigated the mechanism of the antibody-mediated sensitization of RCC cells to CDDP. Incubation of Caki-1 cells with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb did not change the intracellular accumulation of CDDP. The expressions of the multidrug resistant phenotype (gp170) and c-myc oncogene were not affected by the antibody-mediated sensitization. Treatment of Caki-1 cells with the anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb down-regulated the expression of glutathione S-transferase pi mRNA. This study demonstrates that treatment of RCC cells with CDDP in combination with anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb can overcome their CDDP-resistance and that the down-regulation of glutathione S-transferase pi expression by anti-IL-6 mAb or anti-IL-6R mAb might play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Enhanced susceptibility of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide-treated human renal cell carcinoma cells to lysis by peripheral blood lymphocytes

C-myc oncogene expression has been implicated in the poor prognosis of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and these tumor cells are resistant to cytotoxic effector cells. We hypothesized that the resistance of RCC cells to lysis by cytotoxic effector lymphocytes might be regulated by c-myc expression. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide treatment on the susceptibility of RCC to lysis by cytotoxic lymphocytes. The Caki-1 human RCC cell line constitutively expresses c-myc mRNA, and treatment with c-myc antisense oligonucleotide resulted in a significant inhibition of the expression of c-myc mRNA and enhanced susceptibility to lysis by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The enhanced susceptibility to lysis was observed by PBL derived from both normal donors and patients with RCC. The susceptibility of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide-treated Caki-1 cells to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) was also enhanced. Furthermore, enhanced susceptibility was also seen when freshly isolated autologous tumor cells were used as target cells. The mechanism of the enhanced susceptibility of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide-treated Caki-1 cells to lysis was examined. No effect was observed on the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II on the tumor cells. However, there was a modest increase in the frequency of effector-target binding. Further, c-myc antisense oligonucleotide-treated Caki-1 cells were more susceptible to lysis by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The findings of this study demonstrate that c-myc antisense oligonucleotide directly affects established RCC cells and freshly isolated RCC cells by rendering them more susceptible to lysis by PBL, LAK cells, NK cells, and T lymphocytes. The enhanced susceptibility may be due in part to the enhanced sensitivity to TNF-alpha and to the augmentation of PBL binding to tumor cells. The possible clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Ultraviolet resonance Raman studies of quaternary structure of hemoglobin using a tryptophan beta 37 mutant

Environmental changes of tyrosine and tryptophan residues of hemoglobin (Hb) upon its T to R transition of quaternary structure were investigated with ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy excited at 235 nm. DeoxyHb A (T-form) showed a UVRR spectrum distinctly different from those of the ligated Hbs (R-form) including oxyHb, COHb, and metHb A, whereas the ligated Hbs exhibited similar UVRR spectra irrespective of the ligand species and the oxidation state of the heme. To characterize the spectral change of Trp-beta 37 at the alpha 1 beta 2 interface due to the quaternary structure transition, the UVRR spectra of Hb A were compared with the corresponding spectra of Hb Hirose (Trp-beta 37-->Ser). A difference spectrum between deoxyHb A and deoxyHb Hirose showed only Trp resonance Raman (RR) bands, which were reasonably ascribed to Trp-beta 37 in deoxyHb A. RR bands at 873 cm-1 (W17) and at 1360 and 1343 cm-1 (W7, Fermi doublet) indicated that the indole ring of Trp-beta 37 in deoxyHb A formed a strong hydrogen bond at the N1H site in hydrophobic environments. Tyr residues in deoxyHb Hirose seemed to be in the same environments as those of deoxyHb A. In contrast, the difference spectrum between Hb A and Hb Hirose in the ligated state displayed peaks for RR bands of both Trp and Tyr. The difference spectra were unaltered by the addition of 5 mM inositol hexaphosphate. This means that the differences were not caused by the tetramer to dimer dissociation but by a conformation change within a tetramer. Comparison of the Hb A-Hb Hirose difference spectra in the oxy and deoxy states revealed that the oxygenation-induced changes of Trp RR bands arose mostly from Trp-beta 37 with the small portion of remaining changes coming from Trp-beta 15, demonstrating that Trp-beta 37 plays a pivotal role in the quaternary structural change in Hb A.

Comparative study of erythrocyte deformability in maternal and cord blood

To elucidate the rheological difference in maternal and fetal blood by determining erythrocyte deformability, 20 pairs of mothers and newborns, and 20 nonpregnant women were studied. Erythrocyte deformability was measured by means of an electron spin resonance method. Erythrocyte deformability was dependent on the hematocrit, and there was an optimal hematocrit value at which the deformation was maximal. The hematocrit at which the deformability was maximal showed a lower value (32 to 35%) in maternal blood; conversely, a higher value (47 to 50%) occurred in fetal blood than that (40 to 43%) in nonpregnant control women. When the hematocrit of the red blood cell suspension in dextran solution was adjusted to 40% (nonpregnant blood), 35% (maternal blood), and 50% (fetal blood), the deformability of fetal erythrocytes was significantly higher than maternal blood (P < 0.05), and its value was almost similar to that of nonpregnant control women. Based on our results, erythrocyte deformability of fetal blood is much higher compared with the maternal blood, suggesting the effective oxygen supply to the fetal tissues even in the circumstances of lower oxygen tension.

Erythrocyte deformability of nonpregnant, pregnant, and fetal blood

Erythrocyte deformability is an important determinant of microcirculation, of oxygen transport and release to the tissue. In an attempt to clarify the rheological peculiarity during pregnancy, erythrocyte deformability was measured in 10 nonpregnant controls and 10 pairs of mothers and newborns. When the hematocrit of the erythrocyte suspension in dextran solution was adjusted to 35%, the deformability of fetal erythrocytes was significantly higher than maternal blood (P < 0.05), and it was almost similar to that of nonpregnant controls. Erythrocyte deformability was dependent on the hematocrit, and there was an optimal hematocrit value at which the deformability was maximal. The hematocrit, where the deformability was maximal, was a lower value (32-35%) in maternal blood, conversely, a higher value (47-50%) in cord blood than that (40-43%) in the nonpregnant. Despite decreased deformability of maternal erythrocytes, it may be compensated by reducing the hematocrit (hemodilution), preserving effective peripheral circulation including uteroplacental perfusion. On the other hand, the deformability of fetal erythrocytes may be higher in vivo at the hematocrit of 47-50% to supply oxygen to the fetal tissue even in a low oxygen condition.

Sciatic nerve regeneration navigated by laminin-fibronectin double coated biodegradable collagen grafts in rats

Biodegradable type I collagen tube grafts filled longitudinally with laminin and fibronectin double coated collagen fiber bundles (L-F grafts) were implanted to promote sciatic nerve regeneration in rats. Grafts filled with uncoated collagen fibers were used as control. A 1 cm defect on the right sciatic nerve was filled with a graft in the manner of bridging. Thirty days after implantation, several newly developed nerve fasciculi were found at the middle portion of the L-F grafts in contrast to no developed nerves in the controls. After 60 days, the middle and distal portions of both grafts included well-developed nerve tissues with prominent myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers surrounded by perineural cells, but the control distal portion showed fewer nerve fibers. All artificial collagen elements were completely degraded and absorbed at 30 days, and new nerve tissues surrounded by an epineurium successfully connected the proximal stump to the distal stump of the initially separated nerve. Descending and ascending action potentials were evoked in all grafts at 60 days. These results indicated that laminin and fibronectin may promote the growth of axons in biodegradable collagen grafts, which guided nerve regeneration well and allowed the formation of epineurium.

Enhancement of sensitivity of urinary bladder tumor cells to cisplatin by c-myc antisense oligonucleotide

BACKGROUND

Tumor cells have different degrees of sensitivity and resistance to anticancer agents. The acquisition of drug resistance is a major concern in cancer treatment. Because the c-myc oncogene has been implicated in the poor prognosis of some human tumors including urinary bladder tumor (UBT), the resistance of such tumors to anticancer drugs may correlate with c-myc expression. The present study tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide treatment on the sensitivity of human UBT cells to anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity determined by a 1-day microculture tetrazolium dye assay. C-myc mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS

The T24 human UBT cell line constitutively expresses c-myc mRNA. Treatment of T24 cells with the c-myc antisense oligonucleotide resulted in a significant inhibition of the expression of c-myc mRNA. Treatment of T24 cells with the c-myc antisense oligonucleotide in combination with mitomycin C, Adriamycin, or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) did not overcome their resistance to these anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. However, combination treatment with the c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and CDDP resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect on T24 cells and two freshly derived UBT cells. Further, treatment of CDDP-resistant T24 cells (T24/CDDP) with c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and CDDP reversed the resistance. Pretreatment of T24 cells with either agent and then treatment with the second agent resulted in the same cytotoxic activity as achieved in the presence of the two agents. The combination of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and carboplatin also resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect on T24 cells, and the combination of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and trans-diamminedichloro-platinum resulted in an additive cytotoxic effect. Incubation of T24 or T24/CDDP cells with the c-myc antisense oligonucleotide increased the intracellular accumulation of CDDP, but not the accumulation of 5-FU.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that combination treatment with c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and CDDP can overcome the CDDP-resistance of UBT cells and that the increased intracellular accumulation of CDDP by c-myc antisense oligonucleotide may play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity obtained. The synergistic effect obtained with established UBT cells and freshly isolated UBT cells suggests that combination treatment with c-myc antisense oligonucleotide and CDDP may have clinical application in the therapy of CDDP-resistant UBT.

[A case of argyrophilic grain dementia with emotional disorder]

Autopsy of a patient with mild dementia associated with an emotional disorder characterized by paroxysmal rage and excitement during the clinical course revealed massive argyrophilic grains in the subicular, entorhinal and amygdaloid regions, and to a lesser extent in other limbic areas as well. A few argyrophilic coiled bodies were also found in the subcortical white matter in the same area as the cortical argyrophilic grains. These pathological findings are consistent with a type of cytoskeletal abnormality referred to as 'argyrophilic grain dementia', which some authors describe as a new type of progressive dementia. Immunohistochemically, the grains reacted with anti-human-tau, and in part with anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Immunoelectron microscopic examination revealed the grains to consist of tubulo-vesicular structures within processes, but it was impossible to identify their origin. The neuropathologic substrate of this peculiar case of dementia was thought to be the grains in the limbic area. The detailed clinical picture and distribution of the grains are described to contribute to further discussion.

[An autopsy case of hereditary cerebellar atrophy (Holmes-type) with mental symptoms and rhythmic skeletal myoclonus]

We report on the clinicopathological findings in autosomal recessive hereditary cortical cerebellar atrophy of the Holmes type (H-CCA). Although based on the patient's family tree we cannot rule out the possibility of sex-linked recessive hereditary disease, both clinically and pathologically we differentiated this case from sex-linked recessive hereditary cortical cerebellar atrophy, in which lesions are widely distributed and associated with a variety of symptoms, since the major clinical feature was cerebellar ataxia, and the major lesions were limited to the olivocerebellar system. The patient's initial symptom was a motor disturbance in the upper extremities at the age of 16. This was followed by chronic progression of his symptoms, with cerebellar ataxia becoming the major symptom. The patient died unexpectedly at 40 years of age as a result of choking caused by misswallowing. The total period of observation was 24 years. The clinical features in this case were juvenile onset at age 16 with motor disorders of the upper extremities, followed by cerebellar ataxia, mental symptoms, mainly consisting of personality changes, and associated rhythmic skeletal myoclonus (RSM). Even though the patient died in the middle stage of the disease, pathologically there were extensive lesions in the olivocerebellar system, i.e., extensive degeneration not only of Purkinje cells but of granular cells and the molecular layer, and the distribution of the lesions was characteristic, with more extensive degeneration in the neocerebellum than in the paleocerebellum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Overcoming TNF-alpha and drug resistance of human renal cell carcinoma cells by treatment with pentoxifylline in combination with TNF-alpha or drugs: the role of TNF-alpha mRNA downregulation in tumor cell sensitization

Previous studies have demonstrated that one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the resistance of tumor cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and/or protein. Pentoxifylline (PTX) suppressed TNF-alpha gene transcription and downregulates the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and the secretion of TNF-alpha protein in macrophages and monocytes. This study investigates whether PTX downregulates the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and/or protein in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells and whether PTX enhances the sensitivity of TNF-alpha-resistant RCC cells to TNF-alpha. Further, we explored whether PTX enhances the sensitivity of RCC cells to agents other than TNF-alpha by downregulation of the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. The R4 human RCC cell line constitutively expressed TNF-alpha mRNA and protein and was resistant to TNF-alpha. When R4 cells were incubated with PTX, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein was markedly reduced. Pentoxifylline and TNF-alpha together overcame the resistance of R4 cells to TNF-alpha. The R11 human RCC cell line did not constitutively express TNF-alpha mRNA or protein, and was resistant to TNF-alpha. The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in R11 cells, but not the production of TNF-alpha protein, was induced by TNF-alpha. When PTX was used in combination with TNF-alpha, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA induced by TNF-alpha was markedly reduced. The combination of PTX and TNF-alpha overcame the resistance of R11 cells to TNF-alpha. Pentoxifylline also enhanced the sensitivity of R4 cells to interferon-alpha. Pentoxifylline and anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody augmented the sensitivity of R4 cells to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP). This study demonstrated that PTX, in combination with TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha or CDDP, overcame the drug resistance to RCC cells and that downregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA by PTX may be related to the cytotoxicity enhanced by the combination. The implications of these findings for clinical therapy are discussed.

Enhanced antitumor effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin in combination with fibrinogen on urinary bladder tumor

Although intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an established and effective therapy for superficial urinary bladder tumor (UBT), the current major problems are BCG-resistant UBT and recurrence after BCG therapy. The injection of BCG and fibrinogen could be expected to induce the formation of a fibrin mesh, which would trap BCG and and prolong its antitumor action. The present study has been designed to investigate whether fibrinogen has the ability to augment antitumor activity of BCG against UBT. A single injection of BCG/fibrinogen solution into the subcutaneous tissue of C3H/He mice was performed. Histopathological examination revealed prolonged accumulation of BCG and marked infiltration of inflammatory cells at the injected site, as compared with the injection of BCG or fibrinogen alone. When BCG was used in combination with gelatin sponge, prolonged BCG accumulation was also observed, but not many inflammatory cells were induced, as compared with injection of BCG/fibrinogen combination. When BCG/fibrinogen solution was injected into MBT-2 murine UBT transplanted into C3H/He mice, the formation of fibrin fibers, which trap BCG, was induced, and many inflammatory cells around the tumor were seen. A pronounced inhibitory effect on tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice were achieved, as compared with the injection of BCG alone. Dead BCG/fibrinogen solution had a modest inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. This study suggests that combination treatment with BCG and exogenous fibrinogen may prolong accumulation of BCG by BCG by trapping BCG in fibrin meshwork, and may induce marked infiltration of inflammatory cells into tumor stroma, causing marked regression of the tumor. The possible clinical implications of the combined use of BCG and fibrinogen are discussed.

[Accelerated hyperfractionation in the treatment of malignant glioma]

A retrospective evaluation was performed to determine whether accelerated hyperfractionation (AHF) improves the survival rate of patients with malignant gliomas. One hundred and seven patients with malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme, who had received radical radiotherapy were evaluated. Of the patients, 36 were treated by conventional fractionation (CF), and 71 by AHF. The treatment results of the two regimens were compared with regard to survival rate after therapy. Treatment by AHF was conducted at 10-15 F/W (1.5 Gy/F); the mean total dose was 61 Gy over an average of 27 days. Treatment by CF was conducted at 5 F/week (1.8-2 Gy/F); the mean total dose was 59 Gy over 51 days. Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model revealed that AHF significantly increased survival rate. Besides pointing to the selection of the AHF method as a treatment regimen, multivariate analysis showed the following factors to be indicators of favorable prognosis: a histopathological diagnosis other than glioblastoma multiforme, age below 40 years, and supratentorial location of the tumor.

Pharmacological and model-based interpretation of neuronal dynamics transitions during sleep-waking cycle

Power spectral analysis has been applied to spontaneous single neuronal activities during the sleep-waking cycle in various regions of the cat's central nervous system. During slow-wave sleep (SWS), the spontaneous activities of many neurons had a white noise-like power-spectral density profile in a very low frequency range (0.01-1.0 Hz) whereas, during rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS), they showed a 1/f-like spectral pattern. This spectral transition between SWS and REMS was hypothesized to depend on the influence of serotonergic and cholinergic neuronal activity which is considered to modulate various brain functions. According to both pharmacological experiments and simulation studies with a neural network model, it was concluded that the serotonergic system may have a function to eliminate slow fluctuations in neuronal activity in wide areas, from the reticulo-thalamo-neocortical to the limbic systems. Consequently, simple signal processing of spontaneous neuronal activity has elucidated an important neurophysiological fact, which may lead to a principle of the basic brain function and its mechanism.

In vitro enhancement of natural killer cell activity by BCG and the antagonistic inhibition of the susceptibility of K562 cells to lysis by peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with urinary bladder tumor

The effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) on the natural killer (NK) activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the susceptibility of K562 cells to lysis by PBL in patients with urinary bladder tumors (UBT) was evaluated using a 4-h 51Cr release assay. The addition of BCG 0.1-1 mg/ml to the assay increased NK activity. In contrast, BCG at higher concentrations (10 mg/ml) reduced NK activity. This effect of BCG was also observed in healthy donors. Pretreatment of PBL with BCG 0.1-1 mg/ml also resulted in increased NK activity, while higher concentrations of BCG depressed it. Treatment of K562 cells with BCG 1-10 mg/ml for 3 hours reduced their susceptibility to lysis by PBL. Kinetic studies showed that the reduced susceptibility became apparent 3 hours after initiation of culture of K562 cells with BCG and lasted 12 hours. The susceptibility of BCG-treated K562 cells to lysis by purified NK cells and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells was also reduced. Both live and dead BCG exerted an inhibitory effect on the target cells. The effector-to-target binding assay demonstrated that treatment with BCG reduced the number of PBL conjugates with K562 cells. These results indicate that BCG increases the NK activity of PBL, while rendering K562 cells resistant to PBL lysis by inhibiting the effector-to-target binding. BCG at lower concentrations (0.1-1 mg/ml) may be useful in patients with UBT. The possible mechanisms responsible for the effects of BCG on K562 cells and their possible clinical implications are discussed.

[Comparative study of health problems between wives of alcoholics and control wives]

This study involves an the analysis of health problems and psychosomatic disorders between wives of alcoholics and those of non-alcoholics. The subjects of the study were 122 wives of alcoholics who accompanied their husbands for outpatient alcoholism treatment at Kurihama National Hospital. For an appropriate comparison, 88 aged-matched wives of non-alcoholic husbands were asked to cooperate as controls. The subjects were given Cornell Medical Index (CMI) and our original questionnaire on their own and their husbands' health problems on their first outpatient visit. The controls were also given them during the same research period. The results are briefly summarized as follows: 1. The most obvious health problem of wives of alcoholics with an incidence significantly higher than that of wives of non-alcoholics was genital disease; 13.9% of the subjects had such diseases, in contrast to 1.1% of the controls. 2. The second health problem of the subjects which significantly exceeded that of the controls was cardiovascular disease (9.0% vs 1.1%). 3. The mean number of past illnesses of the subjects was 0.78 (SD 1.08) compared with 0.51 (SD 0.82) for the controls. 4. The rate of current illness of the subjects was 28.2% compared with 19.3% for the controls. 5. The rate of CMI Category IV (indicates "neurotic") of the subjects was 5.0% compared with 0.0% for the controls. 6. As a whole, our results were more moderate than those of previous studies, but wives of alcoholics had more current and past illness, and were more neurotic than the controls.

Overcoming tumor necrosis factor-alpha resistance of human renal and ovarian carcinoma cells by combination treatment with buthionine sulfoximine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA down-regulation in tumor cell sensitization

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported the glutathione plays a central role in a wide range of cellular functions, including protection, detoxification, transport, and metabolism. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase, depletes intracellular glutathione. The study investigates the cytotoxic effect of BSO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) used in combination on TNF-alpha-resistant human renal and ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was determined by a 1-day microculture tetrazolium dye assay. TNF-alpha mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS

Combination treatment of TNF-alpha-resistant R4 and R11 human renal cell carcinoma cells with BSO and TNF-alpha overcame their resistance to TNF-alpha. In addition, the combination of BSO and TNF-alpha resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect on TNF-alpha-resistant OVC-8 and C30 human ovarian cancer cells. Treatment of R4, R11, and OVC-8 cells with TNF-alpha in combination with glutathione or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) showed an antagonistic cytotoxic effect. A possible mechanism of resistance to TNF-alpha in tumor cells is the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA or protein. R4 cells and OVC-8 cells constitutively expressed mRNA for TNF-alpha. Treatment of R4 cells or OVC-8 cells with BSO down-regulated the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA; however, treatment with TNF-alpha up-regulated the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. When BSO was used in combination with TNF-alpha, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA enhanced by TNF-alpha was markedly reduced. Incubation of R4 cells with glutathione or NAC also down-regulated the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. R11 and C30 cells did not constitutively express mRNA for TNF-alpha, and the BSO treatment had no effect on the TNF-alpha mRNA level.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the combination of BSO and TNF-alpha can overcome the TNF-alpha resistance of tumor cells and that depletion of intracellular glutathione and down-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA by BSO may play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity seen with the combination of BSO and TNF-alpha. There may not be always a correlation between the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in tumor cells and their resistance to TNF-alpha. The synergistic effect obtained with established renal cell carcinoma cells and ovarian cancer cells suggests that combination treatment with TNF-alpha and BSO could have clinical application in the therapy of TNF-alpha-resistant tumors.

Resonance Raman spectra of the intermediates in phototransformation of large phytochrome: deprotonation of the chromophore in the bleached intermediate

Resonance Raman (RR) scattering from type A large phytochrome of pea was measured at cryogenic as well as ambient temperatures to determine an intermediate in which deprotonation of the chromophore takes place. The RR bands of the red-absorbing (Pr) and far-red-absorbing forms (Pfr) of large pea phytochromes at ambient temperatures are almost the same in their frequencies as those of the intact form reported previously (Mizutani et al., 1991). The RR spectrum of large phytochrome excited at 364 nm at -120 degrees C, where Pr and a photointermediate, I700 (= lumi-R), are trapped, showed a strong band at 1625 cm-1 with a shoulder at 1648 cm-1 in the C C=C stretching region. The shoulder disappeared, and a new band appeared at 1597 cm-1 upon raising the temperature to -80 degrees C, where transformation from I700 to meta-Ra proceeds. The RR spectra remained unchanged until -10 degrees C, indicating that the RR spectra of meta-Rb and meta-Rc are close to that of meta-Ra, and we call them comprehensively the bleached intermediate, Ibl. At ambient temperatures where photo-steady-states among a few species are attained, strong RR bands were observed at 1625 and 1599 cm-1 upon excitation at 364 nm under simultaneous far-red illumination, and the 1599-cm-1 band was appreciably intensified under simultaneous red- instead of far-red illumination. By comparison of these spectra with those at low temperatures, the 1625- and 1599-cm-1 bands were reasonably assigned to Pr and Ibl, respectively. A chemically prepared model of the bleached form, Pbl, also gave a prominent band at 1599 cm-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytotoxic effect of diphtheria toxin used alone or in combination with other agents on human renal cell carcinoma cell lines

Treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy has resulted in minimal remissions. Alternative forms of therapy are therefore being sought. The present study investigated the sensitivity of RCC cell lines to several toxins used alone and in combination with other agents. RCC lines were relatively sensitive to the direct cytotoxic effect of diphtheria toxin (DTX), Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PEA) and ricin. Furthermore, DTX in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) resulted in synergistic cytotoxic activity. The mechanism of synergy was examined. A possible mechanism of resistance to TNF-alpha in tumor cells is the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA or protein. R11 cells did not constitutively express mRNA for TNF-alpha, however, treatment of R11 cells with TNF-alpha induced the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. When DTX was used in combination with TNF-alpha, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA induced by TNF-alpha was markedly reduced. These studies suggest that DTX in combination with TNF-alpha can overcome the resistance of RCC lines and that the marked downregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA by DTX may play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity seen with the combination of DTX and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, the combination treatment might also potentiate the antitumor host responses. The implications of these findings in clinical therapy are discussed.

A role for Pax-1 as a mediator of notochordal signals during the dorsoventral specification of vertebrae

The notochord plays an important role in the differentiation of the paraxial mesoderm and the neural tube. We have analyzed the role of the notochord in somite differentiation and subsequent formation of the vertebral column using a mouse mutant, Danforth's short-tail (Sd). In this mutant, the skeletal phenotype is most probably a result of degeneration and subsequent loss of the notochord. The Sd gene is known to interact with undulated (un), a sclerotome mutant. Double mutants between Sd and un alleles show an increase in the severity of the defects, mainly in the ventral parts of the vertebrae. We also show that part of the Sd phenotype is strikingly similar to that of the un alleles. As un is known to be caused by a mutation in the Pax-1 gene, we analyzed Pax-1 expression in Sd embryos. In Sd embryos, Pax-1 expression is reduced, providing a potential molecular basis for the genetic interaction observed. A complete loss of Pax-1 expression in morphologically intact mesenchyme was found in the lower thoracic-lumbar region, which is phenotypically very similar to the corresponding region in a Pax-1 null mutant, Undulated short-tail. The sclerotome developmental abnormalities in Sd coincide closely, both in time and space, with notochordal changes, as determined by whole-mount T antibody staining. These findings indicate that an intact notochord is necessary for normal Pax-1 expression in sclerotome cells, which is in turn required for the formation of the ventral parts of the vertebrae. The observed correlation among structural changes of the notochord, Pax-1 expression levels and skeletal phenotypes, suggests that Pax-1 might be an intrinsic mediator of notochordal signals during the dorsoventral specification of vertebrae.

[Study of washout rate in patients with chronic renal failure by dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy--comparison with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]

Fourteen patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were studied by dipyridamole 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy. In this study, patients with coronary heart disease were excluded by clinical findings. 201Tl SPECT was performed at 8 min after injection of dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) and at a 3-hr delayed interval, and washout rates (WR) were calculated. Because UCG showed left ventricular hypertrophy (thickness; 13 +/ 2 mm) in CRF, the WR values were compared with those of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (n = 9). In CRF, an average WR was 54.2 +/- 6.8% and was significantly higher than that in normal (46.2 +/- 9.1%, p < 0.05, n = 9), though WR in HCM was significantly low (26.9 +/- 11.4%, p < 0.01). Hematocrit value was 24.5 +/- 3.2% in CRF and was significantly lower than that in normal (37.8 +/- 3.6%, p < 0.001). On the other hands, hemoconcentration was observed in HCM (hematocrit; 44.6 +/- 3.6%, p < 0.001). WR in CRF, HCM and normal had significant correlation with hematocrit values (r = -0.796, p < 0.001). These results suggest that anemia or hemoconcentration may affect coronary blood flow and WR, and this should be considered when diagnosing coronary heart disease in CRF or HCM.

Selective en bloc resection of osteoid osteoma of the superior articular process of the sacral spine. A case report

Selective en bloc resection of an osteoid osteoma from the superior articular process of the sacral spine was performed, sparing the facet joint. Computed tomography was very useful, both in making a diagnosis and in facilitating precise planning of the operative procedure. The paraspinal approach readily facilitated complete excision of the tumoral nidus with minimal surgical dissection.

[A 47-year-old woman with meningeal signs and consciousness disturbance]

We report a 47-year-old woman with SLE, who developed meningeal signs and consciousness disturbance. She noted an onset of fever, and swelling and pain in her face, hands and feet in 1990. She was seen in another hospital and the diagnosis of SLE was made. She was treated with prednisolone with marked improvement in her symptoms. She was well with 5 mg of oral prednisolone daily until January of 1991, when she developed fever, myalgia and weakness in her legs. She was admitted to the medical service of our hospital on August 5. She was receiving 15 mg of prednisolone daily. Gram positive rods were cultured from her blood on August 5. She became incoherent 2 days later, and had a convulsive episode on August 8. After the convulsion, she lost consciousness from which she did not recover. Her CSF contained 304/3 microliters cells, 29 of which were neutrophils, 6 lymphocytes, 90 others, and 179 destructed cells. The CSF protein content was 345 mg/dl, and glucose 23 mg/dl. A neurological consultation was asked on August 9. Physical examination at that time revealed a semicomatous woman. Respiration was 30/min and regular. BP 132/82 mmHg, heart rate 122/min and regular, and BT 39.6 degrees C. General physical examination was unremarkable. Pertinent neurologic findings were positive Kernig sign and spasticity in all four limbs. Brain stem reflexes were retained. Upon painful stimulation, withdrawal response was elicited both lower extremities. She was treated with pipiracillin, latamoxef and phenobarbital, however, she had frequent seizures. She was deeply comatose on December 10. She became flaccid and no more meningeal signs were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Overcoming cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) resistance of human ovarian tumor cells by combination treatment with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that tumor cells have different degrees of sensitivity and resistance to various cytotoxic agents. The acquisition of drug resistance is a major concern in cancer treatment. The current study investigates the cytotoxic effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) used in combination on CDDP-resistant human ovarian tumor cell lines.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was determined by the microculture tetrazolium dye assay. Synergy was assessed by isobolographic analysis. TNF-mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment of the CDDP-resistant C30 cells with CDDP and TNF-alpha overcame the resistance of C30 cells to CDDP or TNF-alpha. In addition, the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha resulted in a synergistic effect on the C30-resistant line, the CDDP-sensitive parental cell line A2780, and two freshly derived ovarian carcinoma cell cultures. Treatment of C30 cells with CDDP followed by TNF-alpha showed a synergistic effect, whereas treatment with TNF-alpha followed by CDDP demonstrated a less cytotoxic effect. A possible mechanism of resistance to TNF-alpha in tumor cells is the induction of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. C30 cells do not produce mRNA constitutively for TNF-alpha; however, treatment of C30 cells with TNF-alpha induces the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. When CDDP was used in combination with TNF-alpha, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA induced by TNF-alpha was reduced significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha can overcome the CDDP resistance of tumor cells and that downregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA by CDDP may play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity seen with the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha. The synergistic effect obtained with established ovarian tumor cell lines and in short-term cultures of freshly isolated ovarian tumors suggests that combination treatment with TNF-alpha and CDDP may have clinical applications in the treatment of drug-resistant tumors.

Ultraviolet resonance Raman spectra of pea intact, large, and small phytochromes: differences in molecular topography of the red- and far-red-absorbing forms

Ultraviolet resonance Raman (UV RR) spectra excited at 244 nm were observed for pea intact, large, and small phytochromes at pH 7.8. Raman bands assignable to Trp residues dominated the UV RR spectra. The intensity ratios of Trp W7 doublet bands, I(1358)/I(1342), of all three phytochromes in the red light-absorbing form (Pr) were almost the same as that of an aqueous Trp solution, indicating that most of the six and four Trp residues in the 59-kDa chromophoric and the C-terminal 59-kDa nonchromophoric domains, respectively, reside in hydrophilic microenvironments in Pr. This ratio increased under red light illumination, where photoequilibria are attained between Pr and the far-red-absorbing form (Pfr) for intact and small phytochromes and among Pr, a bleached intermediate (Ibl), and Pfr for large phytochromes. The increase of the intensity ratio was most prominent for small phytochromes. These observations suggest that the microenvironments around some Trp residues become more hydrophobic due to conformational changes induced by phototransformation from Pr to Ibl and that the hydrophobicity increase occurs mainly in the chromophoric domain. Among the six Trp residues in the chromophoric domain, Trp365 and Trp567 are likely candidates for those involved in this hydrophobicity increase. The intensity distribution of the amide I band shows little beta-sheet in both Pr and Pfr of the intact, large, and small phytochromes and indicates that alpha-helices and nonregular structure are less populated in the chromophoric domain than in the N-terminal 6-kDa segment and the C-terminal nonchromophoric domain.

Young female alcoholics with and without eating disorders: a comparative study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to delineate the characteristics of female alcoholics with eating disorders.

METHOD

The study subjects were 29 female Japanese outpatients and inpatients, 30 years of age or younger, with DSM-III-R diagnoses of either alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Twenty-one female alcoholics within the same age range who did not have eating disorders served as the comparison group. The social and familial backgrounds, clinical course, and clinical symptoms of the two groups were compared with the use of a structured interview form developed for the study.

RESULTS

Ninety-three percent of the subjects with eating disorders had bulimia nervosa; 52% had anorexia nervosa. In all cases, both disorders continued after the onset of problem drinking. The age distributions of the two groups of alcoholic subjects clearly differed: no one in the comparison group was under the age of 24, and the number of comparison subjects increased with age after age 24, whereas the subjects with eating disorders ranged in age from 19 to 30 years, with the greatest number at age 26. More of the alcoholic subjects with eating disorders had never been married, they had had an earlier onset of alcoholism, and they had lower body weights than those without eating disorders. Also, more of them had depression and borderline personality disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that young female alcoholics with eating disorders constitute a clinical subgroup of alcoholics with distinct sociodemographic characteristics and a clinical course and symptoms that differ from those of both younger and older female alcoholics without eating disorders.

Embryonic development and postnatal changes in free D-aspartate and D-serine in the human prefrontal cortex

We have analyzed free chiral amino acids (aspartate and serine) in the human frontal cortex at different ontogenic stages (from 14 weeks of gestation to 101 years of age) by HPLC with fluorometric detection after derivatization with N-tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl-L-cysteine and o-phthaldialdehyde. Exceptionally high levels of free D-aspartate and D-serine were demonstrated in the fetal cortex at gestational week 14. The ratios of D-aspartate and of D-serine to the total corresponding amino acids were also high, at 0.63 and 0.27, respectively. The concentration of D-aspartate dramatically decreased to a trace level by gestational week 41 and then remained very low during all postnatal stages. In contrast, the frontal tip contained persistently high levels of D-serine throughout embryonic and postnatal life, whereas the D-amino acid content in adolescents and aged individuals was about half of that in the fetuses. Because D-aspartate and D-serine are known to have selective actions at the NMDA-type excitatory amino acid receptor, the present data suggest that these D-amino acids might play a pivotal role in cerebral development and functions that are related to the NMDA receptor.

Pentoxifylline enhances sensitivity of a human ovarian cancer cell line (OVC-8) to TNF-alpha

The OVC-8 human ovarian cancer cell line constitutively expresses tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA and protein and is resistant to TNF-alpha. When OVC-8 cells are treated with pentoxifylline (PTX), the level of mRNA for TNF-alpha is markedly reduced. Combination treatment of OVC-8 cells with PTX and TNF-alpha overcomes the resistance. PTX-treatment has no effect on the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in C30 cells, which do not constitutively express TNF-alpha mRNA. The combination of PTX and TNF-alpha do not overcome the resistance of C30 cells to TNF-alpha. PTX or anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody has no effect on the growth of OVC-8 cells, suggesting that the growth of OVC-8 cells does not depend upon an autocrine action of TNF-alpha. The synergistic cytotoxic effect obtained with ovarian cancer cells suggests that the combination of PTX and TNF-alpha could be applied clinically in the therapy of TNF-alpha-producing ovarian cancer.

[A 70-year-old man with right hemiparesis and mutism]

We report a 70-year-old man who had a sudden onset of right hemiparesis and mutism. The lower extremity was more involved than the upper one. He had a long history of diabetes and chronic renal failure for which hemodialysis was necessary. On August 30, 1990, he had an sudden onset of right hemiparesis and mutism. Neurological examination revealed awake but mute in no acute distress. He could only respond to very simple commands such as opening his mouth or protruding his tongue. He did not appear to understand more difficult questions. In addition, he could not answer verbally. He was totally mute. Cranial nerves appeared intact except for slight right central facial paresis and severe diabetic retinopathy. He had complete paralysis of his right leg and a moderate weakness in his right upper extremity. Deep reflexes were diminished in both upper extremities and absent in the lower limbs. Frotal signs such as grasp and snout reflexes were present. Cranial CT scans revealed an ill-defined low density area in the left parasagittal subcortical area and a part of the anterior cerebral artery territory. The supplementary motor area appeared at least in part to be involved. He was treated with glycerol and other supportive cares, however, his clinical course was complicated by pneumonia, heart failure, septicemia, and he expired two months after his stroke. The patient was discussed in a neurological CPC, and the chief discussant arrived at a conclusion that he had an artery-to-artery embolism at the internal carotid bifurcation resulting in the cerebral infarction mainly in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of atypical senile dementia of Alzheimer type]

We describe the autopsy finding in a male patient with senile dementia of unusually prolonged total duration, who had exhibited atypical neuropathologic findings. During clinical course, memory disturbance had been more prominent than deterioration of other cognitive functions. Neuropathologic examination revealed neurofibrillary changes which were prominent in the hippocampal region and scattered in the amygdala and in the predilection sites of the hypothalamus and brain stem. This distributional pattern was that in Alzheimer-type dementia. The most characteristic finding was scanty senile plaques, which were scattered predominantly in the basal and medial portion of the frontal lobe. Although the clinical course and pathological findings of this case were in slight degree and deviated from those in usual senile dementia, it is thought that the entity in this case was dementia of the Alzheimer-type.