Thyroid cell proliferation-inhibiting activity in serum of patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis

To investigate the possible humoral factor(s) influencing thyroid cell activity in chronic renal failure, we measured serum activity which stimulates or inhibits the [3H]thymidine incorporation by using a cultured functioning rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5 cells) in 17 patients on hemodialysis and 19 healthy controls. Polyethylene glycol-treated serum was centrifuged and FRTL-5 cells were cultured with the supernatant. Thyroid stimulating activity was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation after incubation for 72 h. There was no significant difference in [3H]thymidine incorporation between cultures incubated with patient and normal serum, suggesting the absence of the stimulating activity. But when patient serum was added to cultures together with 20 or 50 microU/ml of TSH, the TSH-stimulated increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation was significantly decreased, indicating the presence of thyroid inhibiting activity, which possibly inhibits the thyroid cell growth. This activity was not significantly altered by hemodialysis. No significant correlation was observed between this activity and serum levels of thyroid hormones or the iodine concentration. Patients on hemodialysis therefore have serum thyroid inhibiting activity which is nondialysable, differs from iodine, and could influence the thyroid cell growth.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in human periodontium-derived cells

The ability to objectively assess periodontal disease activity can significantly affect periodontal therapy. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is released extracellularly upon tissue destruction which suggests its potential as a key index in a quantitative assay for evaluating periodontal disease activity. The purpose of the present research was to assess the origin of AST in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in vitro. An experimental kit was used for the measurement of AST level in human gingival epithelial cells (HGEs), human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and plasma in peripheral blood. AST activity levels were observed in all of the periodontally derived cells, PMNs, and plasma. A significantly high level of AST activity was observed in HGEs (104.93 +/- 8.13 KU/1000 cells). The level of AST activity in HPLFs was 18.09 +/- 3.73 KU/1000 cells. AST activity in PMNs was significantly low, approximately 2% of that observed in HPLFs. These findings may suggest that AST level in GCF is correlated with the destruction of periodontal tissue.

[Temporal bone pathology in neonates with severe visceral anomalies]

It is well known that hearing loss is often associated with anomalads, syndromes involving multiple anomalies. The incidence is especially high in severe cases of facial and visceral malformations. However, otologic features remain unclear in patients with a sequence of various anomalies which can not be classified into any known syndrome. We examined 11 temporal bones from 6 patients with severe visceral anomalies, which could not be classified into any known systemic bone diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, or congenital metabolic disorders. Temporal bone pathology was compared with external and visceral anomalies in each case. The temporal bones had been removed at autopsy, fixed in 10% formaldehyde, decalcified and embedded in celloidin. Serial horizontal sections were made at 20 microns and every tenth section was stained with hematoxylin eosin. Most abnormalities in the middle and inner ear were found to have an ectodermal or mesodermal origin. Inner ear abnormalities were noted in 6 temporal bones from 3 patients; the predominant feature was hypoplasia of the semicircular canals. Middle ear abnormalities excluding residual mesenchymal tissue were noted in 5 temporal bones from 4 patients; the predominant feature was an abnormal course of the facial nerve. It was also suspected that auricular and maxillomandibular abnormalities, which are often associated with severe visceral anomalies, indicate a high incidence of disorders affecting the auditory and vestibular systems.

Regulation of obese gene expression in KK mice and congenic lethal yellow obese KKAy mice

To elucidate the regulation of obese (ob) gene expression in obesity and diabetes, we examined ob gene expression in KK mice and congenic lethal yellow obese KKAy mice. Northern blot analysis revealed that the ob mRNA levels are roughly equivalent in each of the epididymal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) from KK and KKAy mice at 4 wk of age, when the obese phenotype of KKAy mice was not apparent. Expression of the ob gene was augmented in the mesenteric and subcutaneous WAT but was unchanged in the epididymal WAT in KKAy mice at 12 wk of age, when KKAy mice developed marked obesity with hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia. The ob gene expression was also examined during fasting in 12-wk-old KK and KKAy mice. After 24 or 72 h of fasting in both mouse strains, ob gene expression was downregulated in the epididymal and mesenteric WAT but was unchanged in the subcutaneous WAT. The present study demonstrates that adipose tissue expression of the ob gene is regulated depending on the nutritional status in KK and KKAy mice.

Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II potentiates transcriptional activation through activating transcription factor 1 but not cAMP response element-binding protein

Activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) and the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) are members of the CREB/ATF family implicated in cAMP- and calcium-induced transcriptional activation. Although ATF1 and CREB share extensive homology, the function of ATF1 is poorly understood. Its phosphorylation state and activation by Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II were therefore examined. Phosphopeptide mapping analysis and Western blotting studies demonstrated that in vitro, CaMK II phosphorylates only Ser63 (corresponding to Ser133 of CREB), which is essential for the activation, and not Ser72 (corresponding to Ser142 of CREB), which is a negative regulation site. Both ATF1 and CREB bound CBP in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. As expected from these in vitro studies, transient transfection studies revealed that ATF1 is activated by CaMK II. Our findings suggest that CaMK II mediates transactivation of cAMP responsive genes via ATF1.

Synthesis of four glycosides of a disaccharide fragment representing the terminus of the O-polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Inaba, bearing aglycons suitable for linking to proteins

Methyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside was converted into the crystalline 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 4-azido-2-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Debenzoylation of the latter, followed by glycosylation of the resulting 2-hydroxy derivative with 2-O-acetyl-4-azido-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride, gave the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl glycoside of the corresponding disaccharide (8). Deacetylation of 8, followed by reduction of the resulting 4-azido-2-hydroxy derivative with H2S, gave the corresponding amine 10. The latter was treated with 4-O-benzyl-3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronic acid to give, after debenzylation and acetylation, the fully protected 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl alpha-glycoside of the disaccharide fragment of the O-PS of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Inaba (13). Compound 13 was transformed into the corresponding 1-trichloroacetimidate which was treated, separately, with methyl 6-hydroxy-hexanoate and 2-(2-methoxycarbonylethylthio)ethanol, to give two analogs of 13 possessing a differing linkage arm, namely the methyl esters 16 and 17. Each of 16 and 17 was treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide, followed by a cation-exchange resin, to give the two corresponding carboxylic acids (19 and 22). Alternately, treatment of 16 and 17 with hydrazine hydrate gave the acid hydrazides 20 and 23.

Immune reaction induced by X-rays and pions and its stimulation by schizophyllan (SPG)

Female C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks with transplanted Lewis lung cancer cells were used to investigate the anti-tumour effects and immune reactions in tumour tissue induced by X-ray and pion irradiation and their modification by schizophyllan (SPG). The effect of SPG on the rate of lung metastasis and the survival time of the mice was also studied using the same tumour system. These studies showed that in this tumour system the "practical' relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of pions was 1.33 in the dose ranges used (3 Gy x 4 = P3; 6 Gy x 4 = P6). SPG increased the suppression of tumour growth associated with moderate doses of radiation: X-rays (4 Gy x 4 = X4) or P3. SPG also decreased the number of lung metastases and prolonged the life span of the mice, these effects being independent of radiation. The addition of SPG to radiation increased both the macrophage infiltration and T-lymphocyte infiltration in the local tumour and the lung nodules. There did not appear to be any major differential effect of SPG on the pion-treated mice compared with those treated with X-rays.

[Valve replacement concomitant with anulus reconstruction]

It is important that surgical treatment of infective endocarditis involves complete debridement of the affected tissue. In case of abscess formation in the mitral anulus and/or aortic root, disruption of the anulus occurs because of radical resection of the abscess. David et al. reported a new technique for mitral and aortic anulus reconstruction. The novel part of the technique was the endocardial repair, i.e., suturing of a pericardial patch to the endocardium of the left ventricle. We were surprised to learn that the left ventricular endocardium and muscle are capable of tolerating the stress induced by the prosthetic ring, especially in the mitral position. Since 1992, we treated eight cases of anulus disruption using this technique ; 5 cases involved the mitral anulus, 1 involved the aortic, and 2 involved both. We used a slightly different technique involving suturing of a patch not only to the left ventricular endocardium but also to left atrial wall for reinforcement. Two patients died in the perioperative period. One had a brain abscess ; the other had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and mediastinitis. There was 1 late (sudden, unknown) death 3 years after the operation. No perivalvular leakage, dehiscence of the patch, hemolysis, prosthetic valve endocarditis, or thromboembolism have been observed in the other 5 patients.

Trypsin promotes C6 glioma cell proliferation in serum- and growth factor-free medium

C6 glioma cells could be successively subcultured and maintained in serum- and growth factor-free medium (SF/GFF medium). C6 cell proliferation in SF/GFF medium was positively correlated with the initial cell density at plating. This correlation disappeared when the medium had been renewed early after cell adhesion (3 h after plating), suggesting that C6 cell growth depends on some diffusible factor in the medium before renewal, and that this factor is not secreted from C6 cells in the assay culture but is transferred from the cell suspension. The supernatant of trypsinized C6 cell suspension (SCS), trypsin-EDTA solution for routine cell harvesting use, and modified trypsin of protein sequencing grade all promoted C6 cell proliferation at, appropriate dilutions or concentrations under SF/GFF conditions. The growth promoting effects of SCS and trypsin-EDTA solution were completely inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor. These results demonstrate that the serine protease trypsin has a proliferative effect on C6 cells continuously subcultured in SF/GFF medium. In addition, it is suggested that trypsin used for cell dispersion is transferred from cell suspension into the culture, where it promotes C6 cell growth after passage in our SF/GFF subculture system.

Insulin suppresses endothelial secretion of C-type natriuretic peptide, a novel endothelium-derived relaxing peptide

We have previously reported that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the third member of the natriuretic peptide family, is produced in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and acts as an endothelium-derived relaxing peptide. We further demonstrated the detection of the gene transcripts of CNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) B receptor, a specific receptor for CNP, in human blood vessels. We thus propose the existence of a vascular natriuretic peptide system (NPS). CNP secretion was also demonstrated to be stimulated by various growth factors and cytokines. To clarify the significance of vascular NPS in proliferative vascular complications associated with diabetes, hypertension, or atherosclerosis, in the present study we examined the effect of insulin on CNP secretion from cultured ECs. Insulin at a concentration in the physiological range (10(-10)-10(-7) mol/l) potently suppressed CNP secretion, whereas insulin at the same concentration did not suppress endothelin (ET) secretion from EC. IGF-I had no significant effect on CNP secretion. Insulin, therefore, can be a potent inhibitor of CNP secretion through the activation of insulin receptor. Since CNP has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, the present study suggests the possibility that attenuated activity of vascular NPS is associated with hyperinsulinemia, which might result in proliferative vascular lesions.

Effects of released products from platelets on neutrophilic adhesion to endothelial cells and nylon fibers

In this study, the effects of platelet release products (PRPr), ATP, and ADP on the adhesion of human neutrophils to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and nylon fibers (NF) are described and the implications of various adhesion molecules are considered. Adhesion of neutrophils to HUVEC and NF was increased by PRPr, ATP, and ADP, while their adhesion-increasing actions were cancelled or considerably repressed by apyrase treatment. When anti-CD11a or anti-CD11b was added to neutrophils with PRPr, ATP, or ADP, the adhesion-increasing action was cancelled or considerably repressed. On the other hand, anti-ICAM-1 and anti-CD35 had no significant effects on this action. The above results indicated that platelets, through ATP and ADP in PRPr, increased the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells and foreign bodies. Although it was suggested that the adhesion-increasing action was at least partially based on CD11a and CD11b, ICAM-1 and CD35 had no part in the enhancement of the adhesion.

Developmental toxicity of mono-n-benzyl phthalate, one of the major metabolites of the plasticizer n-butyl benzyl phthalate, in rats

Mono-n-benzyl phthalate (MBeP), one of the major metabolites of the plasticizer n-butyl benzyl phthalate, was evaluated for developmental toxicity in Wistar rats. Rats were given MBeP by gastric intubation at 0, 250, 313, 375, 438 or 500 mg/kg from day 7 through day 15 of pregnancy. Significant decreases in the maternal body weight gains and food consumption during administration period were observed at 313 mg/kg and above and at 250 mg/kg and above, respectively. Significant increase in the incidence of postimplantation loss per litter was found at 438 and 500 mg/kg. The incidences of fetuses with external malformations at 438 mg/kg, of fetuses with skeletal malformations at 313 mg/kg and above and of fetuses with internal malformations at 375 mg/kg and above were higher than those in the control group. Defects in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ribs and kidney were frequently observed.

Increased plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with unstable angina

This study was designed to examine the plasma levels of B-type or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), as well as A-type or atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in patients with unstable angina as compared with those in patients with stable exertional angina and control subjects. We measured the plasma levels of BNP and ANP in 33 patients with unstable angina, 20 patients with stable exertional angina, and 20 control subjects. The plasma levels of BNP were significantly increased in patients with unstable angina compared with those in patients with stable exertional angina and control subjects, respectively (39.5 +/- 29.4 pg/ml vs 15.1 +/- 8.0 pg/ml; p < 0.01 and 39.5 +/- 29.4 pg/ml vs 10.3 +/- 6.4 pg/ml; p < 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the plasma levels of ANP among the three groups. Furthermore, in patients with unstable angina, the plasma levels of BNP decreased significantly after the medical treatment (from 39.5 +/- 29.4 pg/ml to 15.8 +/- 11.0 pg/ ml; p < 0.01), whereas the plasma levels of ANP did not change. We conclude that the plasma levels of BNP are increased in the majority of patients with unstable angina and that the increased levels decrease toward normal after treatment.

Outcome of subcutaneous islet transplantation improved by polymer device

Syngeneic transplantation of rat islets into subcutaneous tissue failed to cure streptozocin diabetes. The reason is unknown, but poor vascularization may play a role. We hypothesize that if a well-vascularized subcutaneous site could be created, islet grafts would do well. Four hundred freshly isolated mouse islets were transplanted syngeneically under the renal capsule or into the intraperitoneal cavity and compared with 800 islets in subcutaneous tissue of streptozocin-diabetic mice. Four weeks after transplantation, 14 of 14 under the renal capsule, 4 of 8 in the intraperitoneal site, and 0 of 7 in the subcutaneous tissue site achieved normoglycemia. To create vascularized organoids, we transplanted 800 mouse islets into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyglycolic acid (PGA) polymers in subcutaneous tissue of streptozocin-diabetic mice either immediately (four in PVA and six in PGA) or 7 days (four in PVA and four in PGA) after implantation. Four weeks after transplantation, the mean blood glucose level and body weight had no change with PVA. However, the mean body weight increased significantly with PGA and 3/10 became normoglycemic. When transplanting 400 islets with PGA polymers intraperitoneally, all animals (n=5) remained hyperglycemic 3 months later. In contrast, four of five recipients transplanted with 800 islets with PGA polymers subcutaneously became normoglycemic. The grafts from successful animals contained numerous revascularized islets containing a substantial amount of insulin. These preliminary results indicate that subcutaneous islet transplantation using PGA polymers can improve the metabolic status and, in some cases, even cure diabetes in streptozocin-diabetic mice.

Biosensor measurement of the binding of insulin-like growth factors I and II and their analogues to the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3

Most insulin-like growth factor (IGF) molecules in the circulation are found in a 150-kDa complex containing IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and an acid-labile subunit, which does not itself bind IGF. Affinities (Kd values) between 0.03 and 0.5 nM have been reported for IGF-I/IGFBP-3 binding, but no kinetic data are available. In this study we measured the high affinity binding of unlabeled IGFs and IGF analogues to recombinant unglycosylated IGFBP-3, using a BIAcoretrade mark instrument (Pharmacia Biosensor AB). IGF-I binding showed fast association and slow non-first-order dissociation kinetics, and an equilibrium Kd of 0.23 nM. IGF-II had similar kinetics with slightly higher affinity. Analogues with mutations in the first 3 amino acids of the B-region (des(1-3) IGF-I and long IGF-I) showed 25 and 50 times lower affinity than IGF-I. Replacement of residues 28-37 by Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly or deletion of residues 29-41 in the C-region had little effect on the kinetic parameters, contrasting with the markedly impaired binding of these analogues to the IGF-I receptor. Swapping of the disulfide bridges in IGF-I and the C-region mutants decreased the affinity dramatically for IGFBP-3, primarily by decreasing the association rate. Insulin had approximately 1000 times lower affinity than IGF-I.

C-type natriuretic peptide as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of osteoblast. Evidence for possible presence of bone natriuretic peptide system

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a local regulator in the brain and vascular wall. We present data to demonstrate the production and action of CNP in the osteoblast. CNP increased cGMP production, far more potently than atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1. Since ANP and CNP are the ligands for two particulate guanylate cyclases, guanylate cyclase-A (GC-A) and guanylate cyclase-B (GC-B), respectively, these results reveal the expression of GC-B in MC3T3-E1. In addition, CNP mRNA and CNP-like immunoreactivity were detected in cell extracts from MC3T3-E1 and its culture medium, respectively. Both CNP and 8-bromo cGMP dose-dependently decreased [3H]thymidine uptake, without affecting alkaline phosphatase activity. These results indicate that CNP is a novel autocrine/paracrine regulator of osteoblast and suggest the presence of "bone natriuretic peptide system."

[A case of right postpneumonectomy empyema treated by open window thoracostomy, thoracoplasty, pedicled omental flap and musculocutaneous flaps]

A case of right postpneumonectomy empyema treated by open window thoracostomy, thoracoplasty, pedicled omental flap and musculocutaneous flaps is reported. After open window thoracostomy, pedicled omental flap and musculocutaneous flaps transplantation utilizing techniques used in plastic surgery were performed, and right postneumonctomy empyema was successfully treated. In this study, open window thoracostomy was effective against depuration of the empyema cavity and omental and musculocutaneous flaps against the infection control and plombage of the cavity. Furthermore, to maximize the effect of musculocutaneous flaps and to use them effectively, it is thought that techniques utilized in plastic surgery are effective and necessary.

Gene expression of the human prostaglandin E receptor EP4 subtype: differential regulation in monocytoid and lymphoid lineage cells by phorbol ester

We isolated a cDNA clone encoding the human prostaglandin (PG) E receptor EP4 subtype and examined the gene expression in human blood cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that the EP4 gene is expressed at a high level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and at lower levels in cultured human blood cell lines, THP-1 and U937 (monocytoid cell lines), MOLT-4 and Jurkat (T-cell lines), and Raji (B-cell line). To examine regulation of the EP4 gene expression in the immune system, we studied the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on these cell lines. Gene expression was upregulated in THP-1, U937, and Raji cells by PMA, and was downregulated in MOLT-4 and Jurkat cells. In THP-1 cells the effects of PMA were further analyzed, and the upregulation of the EP4 gene was shown to be followed by an increase in PGE2 binding sites and in PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation. In the striking contrast, other PGE receptor subtypes (EP1, EP2 and EP3) and other prostanoid receptors (IP and DP) were shown not to be upregulated by PMA. Therefore, this is the first demonstration of a highly specific upregulation of the EP4 subtype in THP-1 cells treated with PMA, suggesting the importance of the EP4 subtype in the immune system. In the present study we also clarified that EP4 gene expression is regulated differently among human monocytoid and lymphoid lineage cells, thus leading to the better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms for the human EP4 gene expression in the immune system.

Clinical significance of serum CYFRA 21-1 in gastric cancer

We studied the clinical significance of the soluble cytokeratin 19 fragment detected with monoclonal antibody CYFRA 21-1 in the sera of patients with histologically proven gastric cancer. Sera of 110 patients with gastric cancer were analysed for CYFRA 21-1 levels by a two-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. There were no significant differences between CYFRA 21-1 levels and the histotype, depth of invasion or vessel invasion. However, CYFRA 21-1 was significantly higher in the presence of peritoneal metastases, liver metastases and extensive nodal involvement. When the positive cut-off value was defined as 5 ng ml-1, the CYFRA 21-1 in the stage IV and recurrent cases was 55.6% and 66.7%, respectively, which was as high as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and greater than carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). The positivities in stage I/II and III were zero and 5.9%, respectively, and false-positive rate in 76 patients with benign gastrointestinal disorders was 2.6%. There appeared to be no correlation between CYFRA 21-1 and CEA or CA 19-9. The patients with above 5 n ml-1 of CYFRA 21-1 had a significantly poorer prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that CYFRA 21-1 was an independent prognostic factor, while CEA and CA 19-9 failed to be of prognostic value. In conclusion, CYFRA 21-1 is a reliable tumour marker for gastic cancer in predicting very advanced cases, recurrence of the disease and overall poor prognosis.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production by human bone marrow fibroblasts stimulated with interleukins

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine that mediates the clonal proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells into mature granulocytes. The kinetics of G-CSF production by human bone marrow fibroblasts (BMF) were investigated by quantitative immunoassays. The spontaneous production of G-CSF by BMF was below the detectable level. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) induced a dose-dependent production of G-CSF, and the production reached a plateau at 50 U/ml of IL-1. G-CSF production by BMF stimulated with IL-1 was cell concentration dependent. Detectable G-CSF was produced by 5 x 10(2) BMF in a 35 x 10-mm plastic dish. The optimal range was 1 x 10(4)-5 x 10(4) BMF. Production of newly synthesized G-CSF was detectable 6 hr after stimulation and continued for approximately 48 hr. A 6-hr pulse exposure to IL-1 was necessary to induce production of G-CSF, and after 48 hr, the adherent BMF could not be restimulated. IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 were unable to induce G-CSF production. However, IL-4 promoted G-CSF production after stimulation with IL-1. These results provide useful data with regard to the mechanism of G-CSF production by human BMF.