High frequency of p53 protein expression in thymic carcinoma but not in thymoma

Thymic epithelial tumours are broadly classified into thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Although both tumours occasionally show invasive growth, they exhibit different clinical and biological findings. The oncogene and anti-oncogene in thymic epithelial tumours have not been evaluated fully. We investigated the expression of p53 protein by immunohistochemical analysis using the anti-p53 polyclonal antibody (CM-1) in 17 thymomas and 19 thymic carcinomas. We also examined p53 gene (exon 5-8) mutation in 18 thymic carcinomas by using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism methods and direct sequencing. Of the thymoma cases, only one invasive thymoma showed focal nuclear staining. Fourteen of the 19 thymic carcinomas (74%) showed nuclear staining. Point mutations of the p53 gene were recognized in only 2 of the 18 thymic carcinomas (11%). One was the mutation C to T transition in the first letter of codon 222 in exon 6, which results in the amino acid substitution from proline to serine. Another was a silent mutation. p53 protein accumulation is highly frequent in thymic carcinomas but not in thymomas, and gene mutation is uncommon in thymic carcinomas.

The cessation of fluoridated water administration and the fluoride distribution profiles in rat molar cementum

The aim of this work was to obtain further information about the origin of fluoride profiles in cementum. Fluoride was administered to rats at varying doses (0.50, 100 ppm F in drinking water) and for different durations (4, 13 and 25 weeks). Fluoride distribution across the full thickness of molar cementum in rats was measured by means of an abrasive micro-sampling technique. The average fluoride concentrations in cementum increased significantly with increasing dose and duration of fluoride administration. The relative reduction of the average fluoride concentrations after cessation of fluoride administration was 94.2-36.5% at 50 ppm F and 62.2-49.2% at 100 ppm F in the outer layers (1-60 microns) and 91.5-24.1% at 50 ppm F and 74.1-7.6% at 100 ppm F in the middle (61-120 microns) layers of the cementum, respectively. The reduction rates were more closely related to the time intervals following cessation rather than fluoride concentrations in drinking water or specificity within the cementum. Two factors which may influence this are new cementum formation after withdrawal of fluoride and some fluoride release from cementum surfaces when the fluoride supply stopped. It was concluded that the cessation of fluoride administration reduced the fluoride concentration on the outer layers of cementum differing from bone where reduction occurs across the entire thickness.

Comparative studies of CAM 123-6 and carcinoembryonic antigen for the serological detection of pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been clinically used as a serum marker for lung cancer, especially for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Since we had developed a tumor marker against pulmonary adenocarcinoma, CAM 123-6 belonging to KL-6 MUC 1 mucin, we compared its clinical value with that of CEA, in combination with squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The subjects were 30 patients with adenocarcinoma, 23 with squamous cell carcinoma, 16 with small cell carcinoma, and 20 with benign lung disease. For discriminating lung cancer from benign lung disease, the combination of CAM 123-6, SCC, and NSE showed 64% diagnostic accuracy, and the combination of CEA, SCC, and NSE 65%. In differentiating pulmonary adenocarcinoma from other lung cancer, the diagnostic accuracy of CAM 123-6 was 81% and that of CEA was 74%, although there was no significant difference between them. These observations indicate that the diagnostic accuracy of CAM 123-6 is similar to that of CEA. Neither marker is sufficiently specific to differentiate pulmonary adenocarcinoma from other forms of lung cancer.

Tomographic distribution of acetylated histone H4 in plant chromosomes, nuclei and nucleoli

Root tip cells of broad bean (Vicia faba L. cv. 'Wase soramame') and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. 'Minorimugi') were immunostained with antibodies specific for acetylated histone H4. With an antiserum that recognizes histone H4 acetylated at lysine-5, the nucleolar organizing region (NOR) in mitotic chromosomes was strongly labeled in both species. The broad bean had two signals in the metaphase and telophase chromosome complements and four signals in the prophase and anaphase chromosome complements, while the barley had four signals in the metaphase and telophase chromosome complements and eight signals in the prophase and anaphase complements. Five different patterns of signals were observed at interphase: in type I only nucleoli were wholly stained; in type II perinucleolar knob-like signals and/or fiber-like signals emanated from the nucleus; in type III aggregate signals appeared in the nucleolus; in type IV many small dot-like signals were distributed throughout the nucleus, except nucleoli; and in type V string-like or some granule-like signals appeared in the nucleoli. Type II was very similar to previous results by in situ hybridization with sense rDNA probes. Type III was similar to the patterns of DNA synthesis recognized as chromatin domains by anti-BrdU antibodies. Type V was very similar to the results of in situ hybridization with pTa71, rDNA probes and the appearance of the dense fibrillar components of the nucleolus.

Analysis of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in human serum obtained after ingesting green tea

A method for analyzing the EGCg concentration in human serum was developed by using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. EGCg was detected in human serum after the ingestion of 5 g of green tea powder (matsu-cha) dissolved in 200 ml of hot water. The concentration of EGCg in the serum reached the highest level about 2 h after ingesting the green tea, and then decreased.

Near-death asthmatic reaction induced by disodium cromoglycate

A near-death asthmatic reaction was induced by disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) as evidenced by positive skin and inhalation provocation tests. The patient's history revealed an episode of exacerbation by inhalation of DSCG. In spite of such an experience, he inhaled DSCG for relief of asthmatic attack, resulting in near-death exacerbation. This patient emphasizes the need to re-recognize that DSCG is not a reliever and the DSCG could cause fatal asthma.

[Surgical treatment of aortic stenosis with polycythemia vera: a case report]

We report a case of 67-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis complicated by polycythemia vera (PV). She has been treated for PV with busulfan over the past three years. On admission, she had increase in white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet count. The pressure gradient between left ventricle and aorta was 170 mmHg. Aortic valve was bicuspid and replaced with a 21 mm Carpentier-Edwards pericardial xenoprosthesis. Ascending aorta with a diameter 6.0 cm was replaced simultaneously with a 30 mm Dacron graft (Hemashield). Post-CPB course was uneventful except for a tendency to the prolongation of activated clotting time. She was discharged from the hospital in good condition.

Can Paneth cell metaplasia in cecum indicate the presence of colorectal epithelial neoplasia?

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the incidence of Paneth cells in cecal mucosa and the incidence of colorectal epithelial neoplasias. Using endoscopic biopsy specimens, obtained from cecum of 375 subjects in cases of total colonoscopy, we examined the incidence of Paneth cells in the cecal mucosa. In the present study, Paneth cells were present in the human cecal mucosa (47.7%, 179/375 subjects) regardless of age. Paneth cells were found more frequently in the subjects with colorectal epithelial neoplasia (57.3%, 90/157 subjects) than in the subjects without colorectal epithelial neoplasia (40.8%, 89/218 subjects) (p<0.01, chi(2) test). Our results suggest that the incidence of Paneth cells in cecal mucosa indicate some changes in the environment with tumorigenesis of the colorectal region according to the function of Paneth cells, proposed by other investigators.

[A case of coronary artery bypass grafting using patch mounted graft technique for aortitis syndrome with left coronary ostial stenosis]

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed on a 36-year-old female for treatment of aortitis syndrome with left coronary ostial stenosis. The left anterior descending artery was anastomosed with the left internal thoracic artery. The circumflex artery was anastomosed with the saphenous vein. In the proximal anastomosis, the ascending aorta was sutured with a gelatin sealed knitted Dacron graft patch and anastomosed with the saphenous vein to prevent late occlusion due to intimal proliferation. Graft angiography 40 days and one year after the operation showed good patency of both grafts. Patch mounted graft technique seemed to be suitable for CABG in aortitis patients with the high incidence of late occlusion.

ST reelevation at reperfusion is associated with the occurrence of late potentials in patients with acute anterior infarction

The relationship between ST reelevation at reperfusion and the occurrence of late potentials (LPS) in 35 patients with a first anterior infarction who had single vessel disease was investigated. All patients underwent a successful primary angioplasty and had a patent infarct related artery confirmed angiographically 4 weeks later. Patients were classified into groups based on changes in the ST level at reperfusion: patients with ST reelevation (group A, n = 22) and patients without ST reelevation (group B, n = 13). Signal-averaged ECG was performed 4 weeks after primary angioplasty to detect LPS. Cineventriculography was performed to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and evaluate regional wall motion of the infarct area (SD/chords). LPS were present in eight of the 22 group A patients (36%) and in none of the 13 group B patients (P < 0.05). Left ventricular function was impaired in patients in group A compared with patients in group B (LVEF: 5 1 +/- 12 vs 63 +/- 10, P < 0.01; SD/chords: -2.7 +/- 0.9 vs -1.9 +/- 1.1, P < 0.05). These data suggest that ST reelevation and myocardial damage at reperfusion are associated with the occurrence of LPS in patients with successfully recanalized infarct related arteries after acute anterior infarction.

Inhibitory effect of a novel orally active GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, SC-54684A on intimal thickening in the guinea pig femoral artery

The inhibitory effect of a novel orally active platelet membrane glycoprotein receptor complex IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibitor, SC-54684A is studied on intimal thickening in the guinea pig femoral artery. A segment of the femoral artery was occluded by a platelet-rich thrombus induced by photochemical reaction between systemically administered Rose Bengal and transluminal green light which causes endothelial injury followed by platelet adhesion and aggregation at the site of photochemical reaction. Three weeks after successful thrombolysis by tissue-type plasminogen activator, intimal thickening occurred at the irradiated site. SC-54684A (30 mg/kg), administered 2 h before photochemical reaction, significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the time to occlusion of the femoral artery; in this respect aspirin (100 mg/kg) was ineffective. A combination of SC-54684A and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) increased the frequency of reopening and significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the duration of reflow compared with rt-PA alone. Further, SC-54684A administered orally twice a day for 3 weeks significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited intimal thickening but aspirin, administered orally once a day for 3 weeks, was ineffective. Scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive platelet adhesion and aggregation on the denuded vessel walls in the untreated group 24 h after successful thrombolysis. In separate experiments, SC-54684A markedly inhibited platelet aggregation ex-vivo. Inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation at the site of endothelial injury by SC-54684A (via GPIIb/IIIa inhibition) may account for its inhibitory effect on intimal thickening.

Von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor gene. Localization of expression by in situ hybridization

Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor gene is responsible not only for VHL disease, but also for sporadic renal cell carcinoma and cerebellar haemangioblastoma. The distribution of VHL gene expression in the mouse embryo was recently studied by in situ hybridization, along with human VHL in 14-week-old fetal kidney: there was widely distributed expression in the former and expression in the tubules and blastema in the latter. Adult human tissue and other fetal organs were not examined. The present paper describes an in situ hybridization study to assess the function of the VHL gene in adult human tissues and in tissues of human fetus at 28 weeks of gestation. The expression of the VHL gene was limited to the adult and fetal brain and kidney, and the adult prostate. Nerve cells in adult and fetal brain were positive, including the cerebellar Purkinje cells. In adult and fetal kidney, the proximal tubular epithelium, the putative origin of the common type of renal cell carcinoma, showed intense signal, whereas the distal nephron, glomeruli, and nephrogenic blastema showed no significant signal. The prostate showed significant signal in the basal epithelium. The adrenal, pancreas, and epidydimis showed no significant signal, in spite of the frequent occurrence at these sites of neoplastic or hamartomatous lesions in VHL disease.

Quinazoline derivatives suppress nitric oxide production by macrophages through inhibition of NOS II gene expression

We have found three novel quinazolidine derivatives which inhibit the formation of nitrite dose-dependently in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. The decreased nitrite formation was due not to the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity but to suppression of NOS II mRNA and protein expression. In rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), however, these compounds rather enhanced NOS II mRNA. These compounds also prevented LPS-stimulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in RAW264.7 cells, but again not in VSMC. The three quinazolidine derivatives specifically inhibit gene expression of NOS II, HO-1 and COX-2 only in macrophage cells, indicating that they are selective inhibitors of inducible gene expression in macrophages.

[Two cases of total arch replacement after coronary artery bypass surgery with internal mammary artery graft]

We report two successful cases of total arch replacement after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using internal mammary artery graft (ITA). Case 1 had a true aneurysm of the distal aortic arch occurring 7 years after CABG using left ITA, and case 2 had a dissecting aneurysm of DeBakey II occurring 10 months after CABG using right ITA. This patient was also complicated by a preexisting true aneurysm of the proximal descending aorta. Both cases were managed by repeat midsternal incision, selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) and retrograde cardioplegia. In both cases, functioning ITAs were dissected out easily without injury, and an operative filed for total arch replacement was well obtained under the cardioplegia and brain protection mentioned above.

Human cytomegalovirus latent gene expression in granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in culture and in seropositive individuals

Following infection with cytomegalovirus, human granulocyte-macrophage progenitors carry the viral genome but fail to support productive replication. Viral transcripts arise from a region encompassing the major regulatory gene locus; however, their structure differs significantly from productive phase transcripts. One class, sense transcripts, is encoded in the same direction as productive phase transcripts but uses two novel start sites in the ie1/ie2 promoter/enhancer region. These transcripts have the potential to encode a novel 94 aa protein. The other class, antisense transcript, is unspliced and complimentary to ie1 exons 2-4, and has the potential to encode novel 154 and 152 aa proteins. Consistent with a role in latency, these transcripts are present in bone marrow aspirates from naturally infected, healthy seropositive donors but are not present in seronegative controls. Sense latent transcripts are present in a majority of seropositive individuals. Consistent with the expression of latent transcripts, antibody to the 94 aa and 152 aa proteins is detectable in the serum of seropositive individuals. Thus, latent infection by cytomegalovirus is accompanied by the presence of latency-associated transcripts and expression of immunogenic proteins. Overall, these results suggest that bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitors are an important natural site of viral latency.

Malignant lymphoma of the gastric stump developing 25 years after a distal gastrectomy for benign gastric disease: report of a case

We report herein the case of a 57-year-old man in whom malignant lymphoma originating in the gastric remnant was confirmed 25 years after a subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction had been performed for gastric ptosis. Gastroscopy revealed an ulcerated tumor on the fornix, and histologic examination of the endoscopic biopsy specimens demonstrated malignant lymphoma. Thus, total gastrectomy with splenectomy, pancreatectomy, and resection of the previously anastomosed jejunal stoma were performed. Histologic examination of the stomach remnant confirmed a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma of the large-cell type. Although we were unable to study the surgical specimen from the initial operation, the possible relationship between pseudolymphoma and malignant lymphoma has been presented in the literature, which is reviewed following this case report.

Osmoregulation of plasma vasopressin in diabetes mellitus with sustained hyperglycemia

We studied osmoregulation of plasma vasopressin in 5 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. All patients showed typical symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus such as marked hyperglycemia, polyuria, and polydipsia, but did not have advanced diabetic complications. Vasopressin release was studied using 5% hypertonic saline infusion test twice: before treatment when the patient was hyperglycemic, and after treatment 1 to 2 months later when the patient was euglycemic. Plasma vasopressin was measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. The mean basal plasma vasopressin value in the patients was significantly higher in the hyperglycemic compared with the euglycemic state (3.75 +/- 0.70 vs 1.18 +/- 0.46 pmol/l, respectively; P < 0.05). The relationship of plasma vasopressin with serum sodium, but not plasma osmolality, during hyperglycemia showed an apparent hypersecretion of vasopressin. In both cases, the sensitivity of the vasopressin response to osmotic stimuli was significantly decreased. During euglycemia, the sensitivity of vasopressin secretion to either sodium or osmolality was almost normal, although a slight rise in the osmostat was observed compared with normal subjects. Together, we found that the positive correlation of vasopressin with sodium or osmolality is maintained but significantly altered in patients with untreated diabetes mellitus. Especially noteworthy is the lowered threshold and decreased sensitivity of osmotically-induced vasopressin secretion during hyperglycemia, which may be caused by multiple factors such as diabetes-associated hypovolemia, osmogenic effects of glucose and other osmoles, depletion of the pool of vasopressin available for release, and the metabolic derangement of osmoreceptor/magnocellular neurons.

Intracerebroventricular injection of adrenomedullin inhibits vasopressin release in conscious rats

The hypotensive peptide, adrenomedullin (AM), was first isolated from the tissue of human pheochromocytoma. Recently, AM-immunoreactivities have been found in the central nervous system, including the supraoptic and the paraventricular nuclei. In this study, the effect of centrally administered AM on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release was investigated in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of AM (1.0 microgram/rat) partially but significantly attenuated the plasma AVP increase induced by hyperosmolality (intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of hypertonic saline (600 mosmol/kg)) at 30 min after the injection. It also significantly attenuated the plasma AVP increase induced by hypovolemia (i.p. injection of polyethylene glycol) at 30 min after the injection. These results suggest that central AM might play an inhibitory role in both osmo- and baro-regulation of plasma AVP.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-grade advanced gastric cancer with protracted infusional 5-fluorouracil and consecutive low-dose cisplatin]

Twenty-one evaluable patients with primary gastric cancer/local invasion, liver metastasis and peritoneal metastasis were entered in a pilot study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy that used continuous 24-hour infusion 5-FU, 330 mg/m2/day plus low dose CDDP, 6 mg/m2 daily by bolus infusion d1-5. This regimen was repeated for 4 weeks. The overall response rate was 52%, including one complete and ten partial responses. The response rate of differentiated adenocarcinomas was significantly higher than that of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. In 15 patients (71%), gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy could be done after this regimen. chemotherapy-induced downstaging from the initial clinical stage was pathologically found in 5 patients who underwent gastrectomy. Toxicity was primarily hematologic. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 19% and 14% of patients, respectively. The patients were able to take meals during therapy and preserved good quality of life. Median survival time was 11 months for the cancers with liver metastasis and five of the 8 locally advanced cancers are alive 11 months after the therapy. This therapy was effective for patients with high-grade advanced gastric cancer.

Preoperative embolization of gastric arteries for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

We developed a novel treatment of preoperative embolization therapy in an attempt to prevent anastomotic leakage after esophageal resection. We report the results of this new treatment.

METHODS

Preoperative embolization therapy (PET) was performed in 24 cases of esophageal carcinoma. The femoral artery was punctured, and celiac angiography was performed. The left gastric artery and splenic artery underwent embolization. The right gastric artery then underwent embolization at a site beyond the second or third branch to the gastric wall. With a laser flow meter the stomach tissue blood flow was measured before and after construction of the gastric tube, and the change in blood flow was compared.

RESULTS

The average decrease in gastric blood flow was 23% in patients with PET and 65% in patients without PET. Twenty-one (88%) of 24 cases maintained more than 50% tissue blood flow in patients with PET and in 1 (8%) of 12 in patients without PET (p < 0.001 by t test). No serious complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative embolization therapy is a safe and uncomplicated technique, and tissue blood flow in the stomach was better preserved. This new technique is expected to reduce the frequency of anastomotic leakage after esophageal operation.

Orally active, nonpeptide vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists: a novel series of 1-[4-(benzoylamino)benzoyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzazepines and related compounds

This paper describes a novel series of nonpeptide vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists. It has been demonstrated that the 1-[4-(benzoylamino)benzoyl]-2,3,4,5-1H-benzazepines and 1-[4-(benzoylamino)benzoyl]-2,3,4,5-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines show a high affinity for V2 (and V1a) receptors. Among the 1-[4-(benzoylamino)benzoyl]-2,3,4,5-1H-benzazepine series, compounds with an alkylamino group on the benzazepine ring have been shown to have oral activity. A lipophilic group at the ortho position on the terminal benzoyl ring is important for both high V2 receptor affinity and oral activity. On the basis of these favorable properties, clinical testing of 31b has begun for use as an oral and iv aquaretic agent.

hch-1, a gene required for normal hatching and normal migration of a neuroblast in C. elegans, encodes a protein related to TOLLOID and BMP-1

Proteins of the tolloid/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-1 family play important roles in the differentiation of cell fates. Among those proteins are BMP-1, which plays a role in cartilage and bone formation in mammals, the TOLLOID protein, which is required for the establishment of the dorsoventral axis of Drosophila embryos and BP10/SpAN, which are thought to act in the morphogenesis of sea urchins. These proteins have some properties in common. First, they contain the astacin metalloprotease domain, the CUB domain and the epidermal growth factor-like domain. Second, they are expressed in embryos at stages expected for their role in cell differentiation. Third, at least BMP-1 and TOLLOID are thought to interact with proteins of the transforming growth factor-beta family. We report that the hch-1 gene of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a tolloid/BMP-1 family protein. The protein has the characteristic domains common to the tolloid/ BMP-1 family. Like other members of the family, it is expressed in embryos. However, the phenotype of hch-1 mutants shows that it is required for normal hatching and normal migration of a post-embryonic neuroblast. Furthermore, in spite of its expression in embryogenesis, it is not required for the viability of embryos. These results show new functions of the tolloid/BMP-1 family proteins and give insight into their evolution.