Ultraviolet action spectra for peroxide generation in human and pig epidermal keratinocytes loaded with dihydrorhodamine 123

We developed a new and simple method for measuring peroxides in a single living cell, and the generation of peroxides upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was measured in human and pig epidermal keratinocytes. The method was based on the fact that the non-fluorescent dye, dihydrorhodamine 123, reacts in the presence of peroxides, such as H2O2, and changes into the fluorescent rhodamine 123, and hence the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the amount of reacted peroxide. The epidermal keratinocytes were loaded with the dihydrorhodamine under a fluorescence microscope and exposed to UV radiation. Taking C as the content of peroxides generated within the cell and I as the increase in fluence (radiation intensity x time = photons/cm2), the following empirical relationship was established: C = Cs (1-exp(-kI)), where Cs is the content of peroxides at the saturation state, and k is a kinetic parameter. The dependence of the two parameters on wavelength in the range 280-400 nm was studied. In human keratinocytes Cs had a peak at 310 nm and a small peak (shoulder) at 380 nm, while k increased gradually toward shorter wavelengths. In pig keratinocytes, on the other hand, k had a peak around 380 nm and a shoulder at 330 nm, while Cs remained unchanged. Aminotriazole, an inhibitor of catalase, and low temperatures increased the stationary levels of peroxide generation in pig keratinocytes upon UV irradiation, indicating that the reaction used for measuring intracellular peroxides is competitive with the intrinsic reactions in scavenging peroxides.

Clinical application of ultrasonic blood rheography in vertebral artery for vertigo

In 507 vertigo cases in which circulatory velocity in the vertebral artery was determined, using ultrasonic blood rheography, the results in 150 cases (32%) were abnormal, falling appropriately into a 'laterality' group and a 'lower' group. Twenty-one patients whose clinical course was followed up showed a decrease in the side difference of their circulatory velocity, with consequent improvement in their vertigo. VBI demonstrated a poorer prognosis for the laterality group than for the normals, thus indicating a positive correlation between side difference and the effect of fluctuating blood pressure on serum lipids. Certain antivertiginous drugs had a beneficial effect on side difference, increasing the circulatory velocity.

Quantitative description of morphologic changes effected by antileukemic agents in L1210 leukemia cells

The effect of antileukemic agents is explained mainly by the inhibition of DNA synthesis, which may reflect the structural alteration of the target cells. To identify such cellular alterations, in particular morphologic changes associated with the exposure to antileukemic agents were investigated in the murine leukemic L1210 cell line using flow cytometry and image analysis. Cells were cultured with eight kinds of antileukemic agents in cytostatic concentrations which are clinically achievable. Living cells were observed in culture without fixation or staining. Two parameters related to cell size and shape were measured simultaneously by the image analysing computer. These parameters provided us with different criteria for characterizing the antimetabolites, DNA-strand-damage inducers and other agents tested. Such morphologic studies may make it possible to estimate the characteristics of various antileukemic agents.

The risk of cancer in rheumatoid patients in Japan

In order to clarify the risk of cancer development in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the incidence of malignant tumors during a follow-up period was investigated in RA patients at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, Japan. Six hundred and fifty-five eligible rheumatoid patients (131 males, 524 females) who were admitted to our institute between 1980 and 1989 were matched against the files of the Osaka Cancer Registry. Among them, a total of 26 patients (5 males, 21 females) were noted to have developed some kinds of cancer. The female RA patients demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of all cancers than the general population, with an observed/expected (O/E) ratio of 1.71 (95% confidence interval = 1.06-2.62). Cancer of the buccal cavity/pharynx and thyroid cancer also showed a higher incidence in female RA patients, with O/E ratios of 12.93 and 2.74, respectively.

Electron microscopic study of endogenous peroxidase activity in human liver macrophages

We evaluated the conditions of fixation for ultrastructurally demonstrating the endogenous peroxidase (PO) activity of macrophages in biopsied human liver. The application of microwaving and immersion fixation with tannic acid and aldehydes allowed excellent visualization of PO activity in the nuclear envelope (NE), rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and cytoplasmic granules (CG), with good preservation of cellular ultrastructures. The macrophages with PO activity showed one of the following five patterns of PO localization: positive in both the NE and rER but negative in the CG (type 1); negative in both the NE and rER but positive in the CG (type 2); negative in the NE but positive in both the rER and CG (type 3); positive in all three (type 4); PO negative (type 5). The type 1 cells resembled typical Kupffer cells, type 2 cells monocytes, and type 3 and 4 cells the exudate-resident macrophages considered to be a transitional form between exudate and resident macrophages. Type 5 cells may also be a transitional form between the exudate and resident macrophage, or an end-stage macrophage derived from exudate macrophages which have lost their PO activity. Tannic-acid-aldehyde immersion fixation with microwaving may be a useful method in the study of the PO activities of macrophages in biopsied human liver specimens.

Fetal corticosteroid and T4 treatment effects on lung function of surfactant-treated preterm lambs

Three groups of sheep fetuses at 125 or 126 d gestational age randomly received a single ultrasound-guided intramuscular injection of saline, 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone, or 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone plus 50 micrograms/kg thyroxine (T4). Forty-eight hours later the fetuses were delivered, treated with a pulmonary surfactant preparation, and ventilated for 3 h. Corticosteroids alone and in combination with T4 increased FRC, compliance, and lung volumes, and decreased the protein leak into the airspace. Saturated phosphatidylcholine pool sizes recovered by alveolar washing were not changed after hormone treatment. To evaluate the function of surfactant recovered from the lambs in vivo, we treated preterm rabbits at 27 d gestational age with the large-aggregate surfactant from alveolar washes. Large-aggregate surfactants and the pulmonary surfactant preparation increased compliances and maximal lung volumes relative to those in untreated preterm rabbits. Large-aggregate surfactants improved compliance more than did the pulmonary surfactant preparation. We conclude that ultrasound-guided single fetal corticosteroid treatment followed by postnatal surfactant improved postnatal lung function in preterm lambs. Addition of T4 did not augment corticosteroid effects. The function of the exogenous surfactant was improved in premature lamb lungs independently of the fetal treatment modality.

A UGU sequence in the anticodon loop is a minimum requirement for recognition by Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase

Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase is an enzyme which catalyzes replacement of guanine (G34) of tRNA(Asp), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(His) and tRNA(Tyr) by free guanine or free preQ1 base by a base exchange reaction in the biosynthesis of queuosine (Q) (Okada, N., and Nishimura, S. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 3061-3066). The gene encoding for this enzyme was amplified from the E. coli genome by polymerase chain reaction and inserted into an overexpression vector, pJLA503. The enzyme was overexpressed by heat induction in E. coli transformed by this recombinant plasmid and purified to homogeneity by two column chromatographies. The sequence requirement in tRNA for recognition by this enzyme was investigated using minihelices corresponding to the anti-codon arm of E. coli tRNA(His). Two uridine residues (U33, U35) were found to be prerequisite for such recognition by this enzyme. Position 32 required pyrimidines, because the enzyme activity toward the minihelices was markedly reduced or entirely lost when this residue was replaced by purines or was deleted. Adenosine at position 37 and the G30-C40 base pair were not essential despite their conservation. Our results suggest that the enzyme recognizes the U33-G34-U35 sequence in the anti-codon loop and not the tertiary structure of tRNA itself.

Higher-order structure of bovine mitochondrial tRNA(SerUGA): chemical modification and computer modeling

On the basis of enzymatic probing and phylogenetic comparison, we have previously proposed that mammalian mitochondrial tRNA(sSer) (anticodon UGA) possess a slightly altered cloverleaf structure in which only one nucleotide exists between the acceptor stem and D stem (usually two nucleotides) and the anticodon stem consists of six base pairs (usually five base pairs) [Yokogawa et al. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 6101-6105]. To ascertain whether such tRNA(sSer) can be folded into a normal L-shaped tertiary structure, the higher-order structure of bovine mitochondrial tRNA(SerUGA) was examined by chemical probing using dimethylsulfate and diethylpyrocarbonate, and on the basis of the results a tertiary structure model was obtained by computer modeling. It was found that a one-base-pair elongation in the anticodon stem was compensated for by multiple-base deletions in the D and extra loop regions of the tRNA(SerUGA), which resulted in preservation of an L-shaped tertiary structure similar to that of conventional tRNAs. By summarizing the findings, the general structural requirements of mitochondrial tRNAs necessary for their functioning in the mitochondrial translation system are considered.

The A-domain of beta 2 integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18) is a receptor for the hookworm-derived neutrophil adhesion inhibitor NIF

The A-domain is a approximately 200-amino acid peptide present within structurally diverse proadhesive proteins including seven integrins. A recombinant form of the A-domain of beta 2 integrins CR3 and LFA-1 has been recently shown to bind divalent cations and to contain binding sites for protein ligands that play essential roles in leukocyte trafficking to inflammatory sites, phagocytosis and target cell killing. In this report we demonstrate that the neutrophil adhesion inhibitor, NIF produced by the hookworm Ancyclostoma caninium is a selective CD11b A-domain binding protein. NIF bound directly, specifically and with high affinity (Kd of approximately 1 nM) to recombinant CD11b A-domain (r11bA). The binding reaction was characterized by rapid association and very slow dissociation, and was blocked by an anti-r11bA monoclonal antibody. No binding was observed to rCD11aA. The NIF-r11bA interaction required divalent cations, and was absent when the mutant r11bA D140GS/AGA (that lacks divalent cation binding capacity) was used. The NIF binding site in r11bA was mapped to four short peptides, one of which being an iC3b binding site. The interaction of NIF with CR3 in intact cells followed similar binding kinetics to those with r11bA, and occurred with similar affinity in resting and activated human neutrophils, suggesting that the NIF epitope is activation independent. Binding of NIF to CR3 blocked its ability to bind to its ligands iC3b, fibrinogen, and CD54, and inhibited the ability of human neutrophils to ingest serum opsonized particles. NIF thus represents the first example of a disintegrin that targets the integrin A-domain, and is likely to be used by the hookworm to evade the host's inflammatory response. The unique structure of NIF, which lacks a disintegrin motif, emphasizes basic structural differences in antagonists targeting A+ and A- integrins, that should be valuable in drug design efforts aimed at generating novel therapeutics. Identification of the region in NIF mediating A-domain binding should also be useful in this regard, and may, as in the case of disintegrins, unravel a new structural motif with cellular counterparts mediating important physiologic functions.

[Voiding dysfunction after abdominal radical hysterectomy. Comparison between patients with and without adjuvant irradiation therapy]

We evaluated 59 patients with voiding dysfunction after abdominal radical hysterectomy for uterine cancer. Of 59 patients, 45 underwent the surgery alone, and the other 14 underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Irradiation (mean dose, 60 Gy) was performed in bilateral commoni iliac regions excluding the bladder. In principle, the indwelling urethral catheter was removed 4 days after operation. All patients were followed up at the gynecological department until the onset of the voiding dysfunction. The mean interval between operation and the onset of voiding dysfunction was significantly longer (P < 0.01) in the group treated by surgery alone (7.9 years) than in the group treated by surgery in combination with radiotherapy (3.8 years). Voiding dysfunction developed earlier as the age at the time of operation was higher. No differences were observed in the volume of residual urine, the detrusor function, or the incidence of urinary tract infection between the two groups. These results suggest that aged patients develop voiding dysfunction earlier after radical hysterectomy than young patients, and postoperative radiotherapy shortens the interval between operation and the onset of postoperative voiding dysfunction.

Influence of idarubicinol on the antileukemic effect of idarubicin

We investigated the antileukemic potency of idarubicinol (IDAol), a 13-dihydro (13-OH) metabolite of idarubicin (IDA), on the HL60 line of human leukemia cells. In contrast to daunorubicinol (DNRol) and to doxorubicinol (DOXol), IDAol showed an extensive accumulation in HL60 cells. The high affinity for DNA and the strong DNA cleavage activity of IDAol were comparable to values for IDA; consequently, IDAol was strongly cytotoxic against HL60 cells. IDAol may play an important role in the clinical efficacy of IDA in patients with acute leukemia, particularly since it persists in the blood for prolonged periods after the administration of IDA.

The use of periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver protein-physical development (PA-TCH-SP-PD) procedure for the histochemical detection of neutral carbohydrates in the circumventricular organs of the rat

A periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver protein-physical development (PA-TCH-SP-PD) procedure was applied to the rat circumventricular organs (CVOs), which are known to be specialized structures in the brain. In the rat CVOs, vivid PA-TCH-SP-PD reactions were obtained in the apical surface and cytoplasm of the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ (SCO) and the epithelial cells in the choroid plexuses (CPs) examined, and similar positive reactions were detected in the vascular walls and perivascular connective tissues in all the CVOs tested. Further, varying intensities of PA-TCH-SP-PD reactions were noted in the neuronal and glial networks of the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), subfornical organ (SFO) and area postrema (AP). The results obtained in the present study indicate that in the rat CVOs the histologic structures mentioned contain varying amounts of neutral carbohydrates and possible histophysiological significances of these carbohydrates in these organs have been discussed with references to their functions.

[Assessment of quality of life after transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

The quality of life (QOL) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was studied. A total of 113 patients were operated and released, and 86 (76%) cases responded to the TURP follow-up survey. The average age was 69 years and the average time elapsed after the operation was 220 days. Data regarding the patients undergoing TURP was gathered from a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions concerning the preoperative condition and 28 about the post-operative state. Performance status was not changed post-TURP. The patients showed improvements in nocturia, pollakisuria and dysuria. These urological symptoms were in accordance with the findings of uroflowmetry and American Urological Association Symptom Index. Ten questions addressing the patients mental and physical conditions revealed that good quality was generally retained. Sexual activity showed a tendency of gradual decrease in relation to increasing age. Ejaculatory function and actual satisfaction with the sexual act were obviously damaged by the operation. TURP showed no changes in regard to morning erection, sexual desire in an arousing atmosphere, penile hardness at sex and total satisfaction with the sexual life. Social life, family life and mental status were not influenced, but the physical status of 21 (26%) of the patients was decreased by the operation and hospital stay. Over all, 78% of the patients could maintain a good quality of life in post-TURP.

[A case of successful surgical treatment for coarctation of the aorta associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysm]

We present a case of a sixteen year old boy with coarctation of the aorta who suffered ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Both cerebral and aortic lesions were successfully corrected. He complained of sudden headache and nausea. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was diagnosed by computed tomography of the head. Cerebroangiography demonstrated coarctation of the aorta. Clipping of cerebral aneurysm was done at first, then three months later, complete resection of the aortic coarctation and artificial graft replacement was done by using femoral veno-arterial cardiopulmonary bypass.

Use of immobilized histidine in assay for endotoxin in patients with liver disease

The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test has the disadvantage of being influenced by various inhibitors and activators. We have developed a method for the LAL reaction that involves the specific adsorption and isolation of endotoxin using a membrane filter unit and immobilized histidine; in this present study we used the method to measure endotoxin in the plasma of patients with acute or chronic liver disease. The adsorbed endotoxins are separated from LAL-inhibitors or -activators by the membrane filter unit, and their activity is directly assayed with the LAL reagent in a filter cup without any inhibition or activation. The study population consisted of 23 subjects, 3 with fulminant hepatitis and 20 with cirrhosis (9 with esophageal varices and 11 without). All 3 (100%) of the samples of plasma from patients with fulminant hepatitis were positive for endotoxin, as were the samples of 7 (78%) of the 9 patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices, and 2 (18%) of the 11 patients with cirrhosis but without such varices. The results suggested that this method appears to be useful for assaying the concentration of endotoxin in patients with fulminant hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.

[Redo operations for dissecting aortic aneurysm]

We reoperated twenty-four times upon twenty cases of dissecting aortic aneurysm since 1983. Nine of them (45%) were Marfan patients. Reoperations on the same part of the aorta as the prior procedure was done 15 times upon 13 cases with six hospital deaths (40%). Reoperations on the different part of the aorta from the prior operation was done 9 times on 9 cases with one hospital death (11%). Over all hospital mortality rate was 29%. The hospital mortality rate for Marfan patients (8%) was significantly better than that for non-Marfan patients (50%).

Effects of iodine pretreatment of sections upon immunogold-silver staining in light microscopic immunohistochemistry

Effects of Lugol's iodine pretreatment upon immunogold-silver staining were examined in terms of the intensification of the reaction products obtained by physical development. Iodine pretreatment has diminished the duration necessary for the development, whereas the staining reaction of an appropriate intensity, could hardly be obtained by the pretreatment. In addition, essential staining reactions tended to be accompanied by marked nonspecific silver precipitations. It is concluded that iodine pretreatment should either be omitted or used with cautions in immunogold-silver staining procedures for the precise detection of antigenic sites.

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis 38 months after surveillance for stage I seminoma: a case report

We present a case report of a relapse to the mediastinal lymph node alone, 38 months after orchiectomy on surveillance for stage I typical seminoma. The patient, a 63-year-old man, was treated with high inguinal orchiectomy for left testicular tumor and close follow-up. After 38 months from the initial treatment, the chest X-ray film and CT scan revealed mediastinal tumor. Fine needle aspiration cytology performed under the bronchoscopy showed seminoma cells. Complete remission was achieved after three courses chemotherapy of cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, peplomycin and etoposide (COMPE). He has continued to be clinically disease-free 8 months after completion of the treatment. According to the available data in the literature, 94% of the recurrences was detected within 3 years after orchiectomy, and 92% involved retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. This is a rare case who had a late relapse in the mediastinum alone.

[Management of voiding dysfunction in elderly patients: effectiveness of rehabilitation and familial care]

We examined whether the improvement of impaired mobility correlates with the success rate in achievement of catheter-free or diaper-free status of 260 hospitalized elderly patients whose activities in daily life (ADL) were impaired and urinary tract dysfunctions including urinary incontinence were managed by indwelling catheters or diapers. The contribution of physical rehabilitation and/or care given by family to the improvement of impaired mobility was also investigated. All 154 patients whose ADL improved during the course of the treatment acquired the catheter-free or diaper-free status. Of 106 patients whose ADL did not improve, 85 patients became free of catheters or diapers. All of the remaining 19 patients who continued to be dependent upon catheter or diapers had been bed-ridden during the course of the treatment. Among 201 patients who were bed-ridden before the treatment, the success rate in the improvement of impaired ADL in 84 patients who underwent physical rehabilitation and received care given by family, was 83%. The ADL improved in 71% of the 70 who received rehabilitation and 53% of 17 bed-ridden patients who received familial care. By contrast, only 2 out of 30 patients who received neither of them were free from the bed-ridden condition. The remaining 28 patients continued to be bed-ridden, and the 19 cases who were not free of indwelling catheters or diapers were a part of this population of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)