Low level of mixing of partner cells seen in extrathymic T cells in the liver and intestine of parabiotic mice: its biological implication

c-kit+ stem cells have recently been found in the liver and intestine of adult mice. We examined whether such stem cells give rise to extrathymic T cells in these organs in situ. To this end, we used parabiotic B6.Ly5.1 and B6.Ly5.2 mice, i.e. mice sharing the circulation. The origin of lymphocytes was identified by anti-Ly5.1 and anti-Ly5.2 monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with immunofluorescence assays. Lymphocytes in the blood, spleen, lymph nodes and liver had become a half-and-half mixture of Ly5.1+ and Ly5.2+ cells in both individuals by day 14. However, this level of mixing decreased in extrathymic T cells in the liver (i.e. NK T cells) and intestine by day 14 and thereafter. The same was observed in T cells of the thymus. The data from immunohistochemical staining supported the results of immunofluorescence assays for suspension cells. The present results raise the possibility that extrathymic T cells in the liver and intestine may arise from their own pre-existing precursor cells, possibly from their own stem cells. Another important finding was that the composition pattern of lymphocyte subsets in one individual was quite similar to that in its partner at various sites. This result was interpreted to mean that only selected partner cells migrate to specific sites in the other partner individual.

Continued circulation of reassortant H1N2 influenza viruses in pigs in Japan

In 1991 and 1992, H1N2 influenza A viruses were isolated from the lungs of pigs with overt signs of respiratory disease at farms in the Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures of Japan. To determine the genetic origin of these isolates, we phylogenetically analyzed partial nucleotide sequences of their genes. The results indicate that influenza viruses possessing the N2 of human influenza virus and seven other gene segments of classical H1N1 swine influenza virus, which were first isolated in 1980, have become established in Japanese pigs.

Significance of stem cell factor and soluble KIT in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

To determine the significance of stem cell factor (SCF) and soluble KIT (sKIT) in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), levels of SCF and sKIT in patients with SLE were estimated, and their correlations with clinical parameters were examined. The sKIT levels in SLE patients (n = 106) were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (n = 40). A significant negative correlation was found between the SCF and sKIT levels of SLE patients. Although the SCF levels correlated with the titre of anti-RNP antibody, no significant relationship was found between SCF levels and blood cell counts, such as white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts. sKIT levels were significantly correlated with the platelet count, and were negatively correlated with the white blood cell count, titre of anti-DNA antibody, and SLE activity index (SLEDAI). sKIT levels were also negatively affected by high doses of corticosteroid. These results indicate that serum sKIT levels may be more closely related than SCF to the haematological abnormalities in SLE patients, and may reflect the clinical status of SLE patients and the effectiveness of high-dose corticosteroid treatment.

[Ishikawa's classification of cavernous sinus lesions by clinico-anatomical findings]

Jefferson's classification (1938) has been used to localize lesions of the cavernous sinus. However, we think this classification is sometimes incorrect in identifying localization based on clinico-anatomical evidence. We investigated the efficacy of the newly proposed Ishikawa's classification. Based on the analysis on serial sections of human cavernous sinus, it classifies the locus of the lesion into three groups: anterior, middle, and posterior, corresponding to the location of the intracranial orifice of the optic canal and of the penetration of the maxillary nerve into the cavernous sinus. The subjects were 162 cases with cavernous sinus lesions. They were classified by the two methods. There was a total of 111 cases (69%) of unclassified cases in Jefferson's classification and 45 (28%) in Ishikawa's classification. The anterior type was frequently encountered in cases caused by inflammations and both posterior and whole types were caused by tumors in Ishikawa's classification. It was concluded that Ishikawa's classification is clinically useful to identify and classify the localization of cavernous sinus lesions.

Novel nonsteroidal inhibitor of cytochrome P450(17alpha) (17alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase), YM116, decreased prostatic weights by reducing serum concentrations of testosterone and adrenal androgens in rats

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a nonsteroidal C17-20 lyase inhibitor, 2-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-9H-carbazole (YM116), on serum concentrations of androgens and ventral prostatic weight in rats.

METHODS

Serum concentrations of testosterone and of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and prostatic weights were measured in rats treated with YM116.

RESULTS

YM116 inhibited testicular C17-20 lyase competitively (Ki, 0.38 nM), and decreased the serum testosterone concentration in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-treated rats (ED50, 0.7 mg/kg), indicating that YM116 was about 21-24 times more potent than other C17-20 lyase inhibitors such as ketoconazole and liarozole, and was twice as potent as CB7630. YM116 also reduced dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in ACTH-treated castrated rats (ED50, 11 mg/kg). YM116 (40 mg/kg, p.o., for 2 weeks) was almost comparable to bilateral orchiectomy with respect to the time course and magnitude of the reduction in prostatic weight. Each of these two treatments decreased the prostatic weight 3 days following the treatment. Contrarily, leuprolide transiently increased the prostatic weight and then decreased it. YM116 (100 mg/kg) had no effect on the serum cortisol level in guinea pigs, and slightly decreased the serum aldosterone level in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

YM116 is a selective C17-20 lyase inhibitor which decreases rat prostatic weight by reducing androgen production in the testes and adrenal glands.

A 39,X/40,XY true hermaphrodite mouse with normal ovarian function

A cryptorchid mouse with a 39,X/40,XY chromosome constitution was identified among 414 offspring born in the departmental XO mouse breeding colony. This mouse had a small testis on the left, with no sign of spermatogenesis, and a normal ovary on the right with several corpora lutea.

[Anticancer susceptibility test method using general-purpose dissolved oxygen meter]

Drug susceptibility of cell can be rapidly measured by continuously monitoring its metabolic changes. We focused on respiration volume as a signal of metabolic change, and developed a new dissolved oxygen measuring system which can detect respiration volume of cells. The main feature of the system is the use of a new type bare oxygen electrode which can easily detect the changing rate of dissolved oxygen concentration. In this study, single type electrode was used to evaluate this rapid anticancer drug susceptibility test. The result obtained was almost equivalent to that with MTT method, which is a conventional method for susceptibility test of HL-60 to various kinds of anticancer drugs. We have also developed multi-type electrode plate with oxygen electrodes embedded in the bottom of 96-well plate, with which clinical evaluation of this method can be easily made.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in the diagnosis and management of anterior segment tumors

BACKGROUND

High-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy has allowed eye care specialists to evaluate posterior extension of anterior segment tumors. This article evaluates the role of ultrasound biomicroscopy for the diagnosis and management of anterior segment tumors.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with anterior segment tumors were selected for evaluation. Each patient underwent a complete clinical examination followed by slit-lamp photography and ultrasound biomicroscopy.

RESULTS

Unlike standard ultrasonography of anterior segment tumors, high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy allowed quantitative measurements of tumor size, extension within and posterior to the iris, as well as differentiation of solid and cystic lesions. These characteristics were used to differentially diagnose anterior segment tumors and document the response of iridociliary body melanomas to radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates how ultrasound biomicroscopy has become an effective and necessary procedure, used for both the diagnosis and management of anterior segment tumors.

Individual growth in Class III malocclusions and its relationship to the chin cap effects

Individual growth characteristics of the maxilla and the mandible in Class III malocclusions were investigated in terms of growth amount, growth direction, and timing of growth; chin cap effects were considered in the context of growth characteristics of the jaws. Longitudinal cephalograms of six untreated Japanese Class III subjects were used for the analysis of jaw growth from 8 to 14 years of age. The facial patterns were classified into the five groups with different effects of therapy by discriminant functions derived from our previous chin cap study. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Among the six subjects, inhibition of maxillary forward growth was found in four subjects at ages before the maximum pubertal growth in body height occurred, resulting from occlusal interference of anterior cross bite. The growth potential of the jaws appeared genetically normal, and the facial patterns were classified into groups in which chin caps have been found to be effective to some extent. (2) A subject with growth characteristics of strong mandibular downward growth was classified in a group showing backward growth of the mandible by chin caps. (3) One of the remaining sample showing the strongest mandibular forward growth was classified in a group where chin caps are not effective. (4) It was concluded that effects of chin cap therapy are closely related to growth characteristics of the mandible in Class III treatment.

Switch of CD4+ T cell differentiation from Th2 to Th1 by treatment with cathepsin B inhibitor in experimental leishmaniasis

When activated, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate functionally into one of two subsets, Th1 or Th2. Before the Th differentiation, Ags must be processed into peptide epitopes and presented to CD4+ T cells in association with MHC class II molecules. However, the proteases responsible for this Ag processing have not been well defined. When BALB/c mice susceptible to infection with Leishmania major were treated with a specific inhibitor (CA074) of cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease that digests exogenous antigenic proteins, those mice acquired resistance against infection with L. major and showed the shift of immune responses from Th2 to Th1; that is, they produced specific IgG2a Ab and generated IFN-gamma in contrast to untreated and infected mice that produced IgG1 and IgE and generated IL-4. CA074 interfered with the digestion of L. major Ags with lysosomal enzymes in vivo as well as in vitro. However, this inhibitor did not show any direct influence on the growth of L. major and the functions of T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 Ab. These findings indicate that cathepsin B inhibitor could switch CD4+ T cell differentiation from Th2 to Th1, suggesting that the alteration in Ag processing modulates the polarity of Th differentiation.

Structures of novel acidic galactooligosaccharides synthesized by Bacillus circulans beta-galactosidase

The structures of acidic oligosaccharides synthesized by a transglycosylation reaction by Bacillus circulans beta-galactosidase, using lactose as the galactosyl donor, and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) and glucuronic acid (GlcUA) as the acceptors were investigated. Acidic oligosaccharides thus synthesized were purified by anion exchange chromatography and charcoal chromatography. The MS and NMR studies indicated that the acidic oligosaccharides from NeuAc were Gal beta-(1-->8)-NeuAc, Gal beta-(1-->9)-NeuAc, and Gal beta-(1-->3)-Gal beta-(1-->8)-NeuAc, and those from GlcUA were Gal beta-(1-->3)-GlcUA and Gal beta-(1-->4)-Gal beta-(1-->3)-GlcUA. These are novel acidic galactooligosaccharides.

Diagnostic procedures in obtaining pathological materials for pulmonary nodules due to primary lung cancer

This study analyzed the diagnostic procedures of 391 patients with a pulmonary nodule due to lung cancer encountered in the practice from 1987 to 1997. Transbronchial biopsy and cytological procedures under fiberoptic bronchoscopy made a diagnosis in 329 (84.1%) of the patients. In 266 patients with endoscopically invisible tumor, transbronchial biopsy gave a positive result in 74.1% and the rest were diagnosed by cytological procedures. Transbronchial biopsy with cytological procedures should be considered as the initial diagnostic procedure. The most appropriate method and combining methods can improve the diagnostic yield in patients with pulmonary nodules.

Does earlier detection of lung cancer on mass screening improve outcome in younger and middle-age patients?

In order to demonstrate clinicopathological features, especially in relation to the detection of lung cancer in younger (<40 years) and middle-aged patients, a total of 850 patients with lung cancer were analyzed with reference to their basis for detection. Asymptomatic patients in their forties and fifties diagnosed on mass screening had higher prevalence rate of surgically resectable disease and better three-year survival compared with patients who required medical attention because of symptoms. Our results suggest that mass screening for patients under the age of 50 years does not change the outcome, however, patients in the age group 50-59 years receive some benefit in our screening system.

Elevated SCF levels in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure

Serum stem cell factor (SCF) and soluble KIT (sKIT) levels were estimated in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and anaemia, and compared with clinical parameters of blood cells and renal function. Serum SCF levels in CRF patients were 5-fold higher than those in healthy controls. However, serum sKIT levels in haemodialysis (HD)-CRF patients were only slightly higher than those of healthy controls. In untreated CRF patients and healthy controls, serum SCF levels were significantly correlated with blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine. haemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) count and sKIT. In untreated CRF patients, serum SCF levels were significantly correlated with BUN, creatinine, and sKIT. These results suggest that serum SCF levels increased with the deterioration of renal function and might be related to erythropoiesis.

Rebamipide attenuates gastric microcirculatory disturbances in the early period after thermal injury in rats

In our previous study we showed that rebamipide attenuated gastric erosions and active oxygen species released only from the gastric mucosa and not from circulating leukocytes after thermal injury. This study was designed to examine whether rebamipide affects the potential of active oxygen generation from circulating leukocytes, and attenuates microcirculatory disturbance caused by thermal injury to skin. Rats were anesthetized and a 30% full skin-thickness dorsal burn was inflicted. Microvascular images and leukocytes were observed using in vivo microscopy. Endothelial damage was assessed by monastral blue B deposits. Active oxygen species were measured by the chemiluminescence method. Rebamipide (100 mg/kg) decreased leukocyte rolling and monastral blue B deposits in venules but did not improve arteriolar contractions 15 min after thermal injury. These results suggest that rebamipide preserves gastric microcirculation possibly through inhibition of leukocyte adhesion and endothelial damage caused by thermal injury to skin.

Heme environmental structure of CooA is modulated by the target DNA binding. Evidence from resonance Raman spectroscopy and CO rebinding kinetics

In order to investigate the gene activation mechanism triggered by the CO binding to CooA, a heme-containing transcriptional activator, the heme environmental structure and the dynamics of the CO rebinding and dissociation have been examined in the absence and presence of its target DNA. In the absence of DNA, the Fe-CO and C=O stretching Raman lines of the CO-bound CooA were observed at 487 and 1969 cm-1, respectively, suggesting that a neutral histidine is an axial ligand trans to CO. The frequency of nu(Fe-CO) implies an open conformation of the distal heme pocket, indicating that the ligand replaced by CO is located away from the bound CO. When the target DNA was added to CO-bound CooA, an appearance of a new nu(Fe-CO) line at 519 cm-1 and narrowing of the main line at 486 cm-1 were observed. Although the rate of the CO dissociation was insensitive to the additions of DNA, the CO rebinding was decelerated in the presence of the target DNA, but not in the presence of nonsense DNA. These observations demonstrate the structural alterations in the heme distal site in response to binding of the target DNA and support the activation mechanism proposed for CooA, which is triggered by the movement of the heme distal ligand to modify the conformation of the DNA binding domain.

Ultrasound biomicroscopic localization and evaluation of intraocular foreign bodies

PURPOSE

To evaluate the ultrasound biomicroscopic appearance of anterior segment foreign bodies under clinical and experimental conditions.

METHODS

Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on 4 eyes of 4 patients referred for evaluation of anterior segment trauma and known or suspected intraocular foreign body. Imaging of wood, aluminum, concrete, and glass foreign bodies was performed in the anterior chamber of a human cadaver eye.

RESULTS

Ultrasound biomicroscopy verified the location of a foreign body in two patients and identified occult foreign bodies in two others. Under clinical and experimental conditions, intraocular aluminum and glass produced comet tail artifacts. Under experimental conditions intraocular wood and concrete produced shadowing artifacts.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound biomicroscopy provides useful information in the evaluation of known and occult anterior segment foreign bodies. Ultrasound patterns of shadowing and comet tail may help differentiate foreign body materials.

[The coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis and thymoma a case report]

A 33-year-old male was admitted with complaints of cough, dysphagia, and swelling of face and upper extremities. Chest X-ray and CT scan revealed a large mediastinal mass and infiltrates in the right upper lobe. Percutaneous biopsy proved the mediastinal tumor as thymoma with cellular atypia. After irradiation, the tumor was surgically removed. Caseous epitheloid granulomas were found in the dissected mediastinal lymph nodes. AFB (Acid fast bacillus) stain of the patient's gastric fluid was positive for Mycobacterium. The coexistence of these two diseases was incidental, however, this case suggested that clinicians should perform careful evaluation of lung parenchyma as well as mediastinum on chest X-ray to identify occult diseases including pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with mediastinal mass lesion.

Apoptosis induction by the binding of the carboxyl terminus of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp160 to calmodulin

The role of calmodulin (CaM) in apoptosis induced by gp160 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 was investigated with cells undergoing single-cell killing. These cells were found to express, under the control of an inducible promoter, wild-type gp160 or mutant gp160 devoid of various lengths of the carboxyl terminus. Immunoprecipitation accompanied by immunoblotting revealed binding of CaM to wild-type gp160 but not to mutant gp160 bearing a carboxyl terminus with a deletion spanning more than five amino acid residues. A significant coenzyme activity was detected in the CaM bound to gp160 even in the presence of a Ca2+ chelater, EGTA. The cells forming this gp160-CaM complex exhibited an elevated intracellular Ca2+ level followed by DNA fragmentation, which is a hallmark of apoptosis, and finally cell killing, while the cells not forming this complex did not show any significant elevation in Ca2+ level or DNA fragmentation. These results thus indicated that CaM plays a key role in gp160-induced apoptosis.

An autopsy case of Wegener's granulomatosis with pachymeningitis

A 61-year-old woman presented with high fever, headache and left facial palsy with diplopia. Histopathological examination of the biopsied specimens taken from nasal mucosa and kidney revealed a granulomatous angiitis with giant cell infiltration. Ga-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a thickening of dura mater in the middle cranial fossa and tentorium cerebelli. The observed left facial and occulomotor palsy was considered to be caused by pachymeningitis associated with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Cyclophosphamide combined with prednisolone effectively improved the symptoms. However, the patient died of acute interstitial pneumonitis, presumably caused by cyclophosphamide. The pathohistology obtained in the autopsy revealed a fibrous thickening of the dura mater in the left meningen with a segmental scarring of the arteries and a necrotizing arteritis in the kidney.