Natural killer (NK)-like cytotoxicity of murine intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine (iIEL) and the effect of the serine proteases

The natural killer (NK)-like cytotoxicity of murine intraepithelial lymphocytes in the small intestine (iIEL) and the participation of serine proteases in it were investigated. We monitored the cytotoxicity of iIEL with a sensitive cytotoxic assay using laser flow cytometry. iIEL exhibited NK-like cytotoxicity on YAC-1 target cells. Benzamidine, a serine protease inhibitor, inhibited significantly both Na-CBZ-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT)-specific serine protease activity and iIEL-mediated NK-like cytotoxicity. These results suggest that BLT-specific serine proteases may participate in NK-like cytotoxicity of murine iIEL.

[Malignancy of gastric cancer analyzed by the expression of thymidine phosphorylase]

In this study, the expression of thymidine phophorylase (dThdPase) was investigated immunohistochemically in 73 patients with gastric cancer. dThd Pase was mainly distributed at the apical portion, or cytoplasm of cancer cells and its expression was detected in 52 tumors (71.2%). There were no significant association among the expression of dThdPase, histologic type, depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis. However, a significant difference was noted with respect to liver metastases. Among 73 patients, liver metastases were observed in 11 patients. dThdPase expression was detected in all of these cases with liver metastases, which was significantly more common than those without such metastases. In relation to the prognosis, patients with dThdPase-positive tumors had a significantly worse prognosis than those with dThdPase-negative tumors. In conclusion, the expression of dThdPase may be useful as a predictor of malignant potential in gastric cancer.

Rabbit skeletal muscle alpha alpha-tropomyosin expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells possesses the authentic N-terminus structure and functions

When expressed in E. coli, skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin has an unacetylated N-terminus. Unacetylated alpha-tropomyosin lacks important functions; this is non-polymerizable and has a low affinity to actin. In the present work, in order to obtain fully functional recombinant alpha-tropomyosin, rabbit skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin (alpha-tropomyosin BV) has been expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. alpha-TropomyosinBV was not distinguishable from the authentic tropomyosin, not only in functional properties but also in blocked N-terminus. To know the N-terminus structure of alpha-tropomyosinBV, the N-terminal segment six amino acids long, MDAIKK, has been specifically and efficiently removed from alpha-tropomyosinBV by use of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme system based on E. coli cell bodies which carry the ompT gene product, a proteolytic enzyme localized on the outer cell wall of E. coli. The structure of recombinant alpha-tropomyosinBV was shown to be identical to the authentic protein by electrospray mass spectrometry and protein sequencing analysis. Additionally, electrospray mass spectrometry indicated a single phosphorylation not only in alpha- but also beta-tropomyosin chains in the rabbit skeletal muscle. The differentiated susceptibilities of potential ompT cleavage sites are indicative of a non-coiled-coil conformation of the N-terminus of alpha-tropomyosin.

Respiratory health associated with exposure to automobile exhaust. II. Personal NO2 exposure levels according to distance from the roadside

We have conducted several studies to investigate the effect of automobile exhaust on respiratory symptoms. This study was designed to explore differences in personal exposure levels among residents of zones located varying distances from trunk roads with heavy traffic in Tokyo. Personal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration levels for residents and NO2 concentrations inside and outside the residences of each study participant were measured during ten seasons over three years. Three residential zones were determined as follows: Zone A was 0-20 m from the roadside; Zone B was 20-150 m; and Zone C, a reference zone, was a residential district in a suburban area. Approximately fifty residents were selected as the subjects of NO2 measurements. Study participants were female, between 40 and 60 years of age, and nonsmokers. All participants used gas cooking stoves with electric ignition. Outdoor NO2 concentrations in Zone A were always the greatest among the three zones during the study periods, and those in Zone C were consistently the lowest. Personal exposure levels in Zone A were generally higher than those in the other zones, and concentrations in Zone C were the lowest during seasons when no indoor heating was used. The highest mean values for personal exposure levels in Zones A, B, and C were 63.4, 61.0, and 55.3 ppb, respectively. In analyses in which participants were stratified by heater type, the mean personal exposure levels in Zone A were the highest and the levels in Zone C were the lowest for participants without unvented heaters; differences of NO2 levels between Zones A and C ranged from 10.0 to 23.9 ppb. When there were no indoor NO2 sources except gas cooking stoves, both indoor and personal levels of NO2 were attributable primarily to motor vehicle exhaust. In contrast, the use of unvented heaters during the heating seasons could cause NO2 exposures comparable to those attributable to motor vehicles.

[Clinical significance of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) and microvessel quantitation by staining for factor VIII-related antigen as prognostic indicators in stage I breast cancer]

The clinical significance of AgNOR and microvessel quantitation as prognostic indicators in Stage I breast cancer were examined. This study included 99 patients with Stage I breast cancer, with a median follow-up period of 119 months. AgNOR was stained by Crocker's method and microvessels were identified by immunohistochemical staining for Factor VIII-related antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary tumors. AgNOR score related with tumor size. Microvessel count was related to estrogen receptor status. When patients were classified into two groups by the mean AgNOR score, higher scores had a tendency to be correlated with shorter overall survival. And when classified by microvessel count, higher counts were significantly associated with shorter overall, survival (p < 0.01). The microvessel count might be a useful predictor and the AgNOR score could be used to corroborate predictions for identifying patients at high risk for relapse and death in Stage I breast cancer.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA clone encoding a phosphoprotein component related to the Ig receptor-mediated signal transduction

We have shown previously that a 52-kDa phosphoprotein (p52) co-precipitated with Ig receptor (IgR)-associated MB-1 protein was inducibly phosphorylated by the stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. By immunizing the 52-kDa protein co-precipitated with MB-1, we prepared a mAb (19-14), which can immunoprecipitate the p52 and the associated kinase molecule. Immune complex kinase assay with the 19-14 mAb showed that the p52 is associated with a novel kinase molecule and is involved in IgR-mediated signal transduction. Here we isolated a cDNA clone (alpha 4) from a murine bone marrow cDNA library in lambda gt-11 vector by the 19-14 mAb. The alpha 4 cDNA encodes a novel protein of 340 amino acids with multiple potential phosphorylation sites. The 1.4-kb alpha 4 mRNA is expressed in various cells including cell lines of B lineage, T lineage, monocytic, fibroblast, and normal organs such as liver, spleen, thymus, and brain. To study the molecule encoded by the alpha 4 cDNA, we produced a chimeric protein of the glutathione S transferase (GST)-alpha 4 in pGEX-3X expression vector. The 19-14 mAb binds to the GST-alpha 4 fusion protein. Rabbit anti-alpha 4 Ab prepared by immunizing the GST-alpha 4 fusion protein immunoprecipitated a 52-kDa phosphoprotein from WEHI-231 cells. The 52-kDa phosphoprotein immunoprecipitated by the anti-alpha 4 Ab is tightly associated with kinase activity that is similarly observed with the p52 protein reported previously. Moreover, the 52-kDa phosphoprotein immunoprecipitated with the anti-alpha 4 Ab is identical to the p52 by the protein comparison on non-equilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis/SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE, and V8 protease mapping. The 52-kDa phosphoprotein is associated with functional components that are inducibly phosphorylated by anti-IgM stimulation. These results suggested that the alpha 4 gene-encoded molecule is functionally involved in the IgR-mediated signal transduction in B cells.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA clone encoding a phosphoprotein component related to the Ig receptor-mediated signal transduction

We have shown previously that a 52-kDa phosphoprotein (p52) co-precipitated with Ig receptor (IgR)-associated MB-1 protein was inducibly phosphorylated by the stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. By immunizing the 52-kDa protein co-precipitated with MB-1, we prepared a mAb (19-14), which can immunoprecipitate the p52 and the associated kinase molecule. Immune complex kinase assay with the 19-14 mAb showed that the p52 is associated with a novel kinase molecule and is involved in IgR-mediated signal transduction. Here we isolated a cDNA clone (alpha 4) from a murine bone marrow cDNA library in lambda gt-11 vector by the 19-14 mAb. The alpha 4 cDNA encodes a novel protein of 340 amino acids with multiple potential phosphorylation sites. The 1.4-kb alpha 4 mRNA is expressed in various cells including cell lines of B lineage, T lineage, monocytic, fibroblast, and normal organs such as liver, spleen, thymus, and brain. To study the molecule encoded by the alpha 4 cDNA, we produced a chimeric protein of the glutathione S transferase (GST)-alpha 4 in pGEX-3X expression vector. The 19-14 mAb binds to the GST-alpha 4 fusion protein. Rabbit anti-alpha 4 Ab prepared by immunizing the GST-alpha 4 fusion protein immunoprecipitated a 52-kDa phosphoprotein from WEHI-231 cells. The 52-kDa phosphoprotein immunoprecipitated by the anti-alpha 4 Ab is tightly associated with kinase activity that is similarly observed with the p52 protein reported previously. Moreover, the 52-kDa phosphoprotein immunoprecipitated with the anti-alpha 4 Ab is identical to the p52 by the protein comparison on non-equilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis/SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE, and V8 protease mapping. The 52-kDa phosphoprotein is associated with functional components that are inducibly phosphorylated by anti-IgM stimulation. These results suggested that the alpha 4 gene-encoded molecule is functionally involved in the IgR-mediated signal transduction in B cells.

Flow capacity of internal mammary artery grafts: early restriction and later improvement assessed by Doppler guide wire. Comparison with saphenous vein grafts

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess flow dynamics and flow capacities of internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts to the left anterior descending coronary artery.

BACKGROUND

The postoperative flow capacity of internal mammary artery grafts to the left anterior descending coronary artery has been reported to be restricted compared with that of saphenous vein grafts in studies using radionuclide angiography. A recently developed Doppler guide wire has been used to analyze the flow dynamics of bypass grafts and to clarify the mechanism of this limited flow capacity.

METHODS

Phasic flow velocity recordings were obtained in the midportion of the bypass graft and within the native left anterior descending artery, using a 0.018-in. (0.046-cm) 12-MHz Doppler guide wire, in 53 patients: 27 patients with an internal mammary artery graft (16 with a new graft assessed 1 month postoperatively and 11 with an old graft assessed at 1 year) and 26 patients with a saphenous vein graft (13 with a new graft assessed 1 month postoperatively and 13 with an old graft assessed at 1 year). All patients were studied at baseline rest and during hyperemia induced by intravenous infusion of dipyridamole, 0.56 mg/kg body weight, over 4 min.

RESULTS

In the left anterior descending artery itself, systolic and diastolic peak velocities, the time average of the instantaneous spectral peak velocity (time-averaged peak velocity), vessel diameter and the calculated flow volume did not differ significantly among the four graft groups. The time-averaged peak velocity was significantly greater for new than for old arterial grafts or for new or old vein grafts (mean +/- SD 27 +/- 9 vs. 19 +/- 6, 11 +/- 5 and 12 +/- 6 cm/s, respectively, p < 0.01). However, because the diameter of new arterial grafts was significantly smaller than that of the other three grafts (2.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.2 [p < 0.05], 3.6 +/- 0.6 [p < 0.01] and 3.4 +/- 0.5 mm [p < 0.01], respectively), there was no difference in calculated flow volumes at rest (62 +/- 17 vs. 58 +/- 15, 61 +/- 18 and 58 +/- 19 ml/min, respectively, p = NS) between new arterial grafts and the other grafts. Although the maximal time-averaged peak velocity during hyperemia was significantly greater in new than in old arterial grafts or new or old vein grafts (47 +/- 17 vs. 40 +/- 7, 31 +/- 8 and 34 +/- 12 cm/s, respectively, p < 0.01), the flow reserve of new arterial grafts was significantly smaller than that of the other three groups (1.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.3, 2.8 +/- 0.5 and 3.0 +/- 0.6, respectively, p < 0.01) because the baseline time-averaged peak velocity of these new grafts was far greater than that of the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Internal mammary artery graft flow early after operation is characterized by a higher rest velocity than that of vein graft flow. This high velocity maintains flow volume at baseline condition in compensation for the smaller diameter. Although flow reserve does not differ significantly between new and old vein grafts, that for internal mammary artery grafts is significantly reduced soon after bypass surgery. This restricted flow capacity improves late postoperatively because of an increase in diameter and a decrease in flow velocity from baseline levels.

Chicken alpha-enolase but not beta-enolase has a Src-dependent tyrosine-phosphorylation site: cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis

Chicken alpha- and beta-enolase cDNAs have been cloned and analyzed to reveal that alpha- but not beta-enolase has a Src-dependent phosphorylation site. The deduced amino acid sequence of the chicken alpha-enolase showed more than 90% homologies with those of other vertebrate alpha-enolases including amphibian (Xenopus laevis) alpha-like enolase. The chicken beta-enolase, on the other hand, shares 84-85% amino acid sequence homology with mammalian beta-enolases. These chicken enolases also showed more than 70% sequence identity with an insect (Drosophila melanogaster) enolase and around 60% with two yeast enolases. The amino acid sequence between residues 33 and 50 in chicken alpha-enolase coincided with the reported tryptic peptide sequence of rabbit beta-enolase, the tyrosine residue in which was phosphorylated in vitro by Rous-sarcoma-virus tyrosine kinase. The present finding suggested that the tyrosine residue at position 44 in chicken alpha-enolase is the phosphorylation site by the tyrosine kinase. In chicken beta-enolase, on the other hand, the corresponding tyrosine residue was found to be replaced with a histidine residue, in accordance with the previous observation that chicken beta-enolase was not phosphorylated in vivo or in vitro. Northern blot analysis indicated that alpha-enolase mRNA can be expressed in a wide range of chicken tissues, and that the gene expression switch from alpha to beta-enolase occurs just after hatching in developing chicken muscle.

Detection of interleukin-1 beta mRNA in rat periapical lesions

Cells expressing interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA were demonstrated by in situ hybridization in rat periapical lesions. A great number of osteoclasts with significant tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity were observed on the bone surfaces, and numerous IL-1 beta mRNA-expressing cells were widely distributed in the periodontal ligaments. IL-1 beta mRNA-expressing cells were mainly observed around the blood vessels in the vicinity of the bone resorption sites and occasionally found near the osteoblasts. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme histochemistry assays showed that IL-1 beta mRNA-expressing cells were not bone cells, but that they had the characteristic features of macrophages. These results suggested that macrophages may contribute to the production of IL-1 beta and play an important role in activation of osteoclastic bone resorption.

The phylogenetic relationships of methanol-assimilating yeasts based on the partial sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs: the proposal of Komagataella gen. nov. (Saccharomycetaceae)

Twelve strains of methanol-assimilating yeast species were examined for their partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs. In the partial base sequencings of 18S rRNA (positions 1451-1618, 168 bases), P. kodamae had the same partial base sequence as Ogataea minuta, and P. finlandica, P. pini, P. trehalophila, C. maris, and C. methanolovescens were the same in the partial base sequences as O. glucozyma. Candida boidinii and C. methylica were similar to O. glucozyma, but somewhat different from O. minuta (the base differences, one and four, respectively). Pichia naganishii had seven, four, six, and nine base differences with O. minuta, O. glucozyma, P. anomala, and P. membranaefaciens, respectively, and C. methanosorbosa did four, three, five, and twelve base differences. Pichia pastoris was quite different (the base differences among the methanol-assimilating yeasts, 32-31), and no bases were found in the fingerprint segment. In the partial base sequencings of 26S rRNA (positions 1611-1835, 225 bases; positions 493-622, 130 bases), P. finlandica, P. kodamae, P. pini, P. trehalophila, C. maris, C. methanolovescens, and C. methanosorbosa were similar to O. minuta and O. glucozyma. Pichia naganishii, C. boidinii, and C. methylica had somewhat different partial base sequences. The base differences and the percent similarities of P. pastoris were quite high (101-89) and quite low (40-47). Based on the sequence data obtained, the methanol-assimilating yeast species are discussed taxonomically and phylogenetically. A new genus, Komagataella was proposed for P. pastoris with a new combination, Komagataella pastoris.

Lipopolysaccharides from periodontal pathogens prime neutrophils for enhanced respiratory burst: differential effect of a synthetic lipid a precursor IVA (LA-14-PP)

When neutrophils are incubated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), they become primed for enhanced release of superoxide anion (O2-) in response to stimulation by FMLP. We investigated the human neutrophil-priming activity of LPS from the periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi) and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in comparison with that of LPS from Escherichia coli (E. coli). The optimum conditions for LPS to prime neutrophils were assessed for every LPS and found to be as follows: Neutrophils were incubated with LPS in the presence of 10% heat-inactivated plasma and 1 mM EDTA at 37 degrees C for 30 min and then stimulated with 1 microM FMLP at 37 degrees C for 7 min. Under these conditions, half-maximum priming was observed at 6.2 ng/ml Pg-LPS, 45 ng/ml Pi-LPS, 1.5 ng/ml Aa-LPS and 1.5 ng/ml E. coli-LPS. The priming activity of each LPS was neutralized by polymyxin B. Anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody inhibited priming by all LPS. The priming by Aa-LPS and E. coli-LPS was inhibited by LA-14-PP, a synthetic lipid A precursor IVA, but that by Pg-LPS and Pi-LPS was not. Priming by tumor necrosis factor alpha was not affected by polymyxin B, anti-CD14 antibody or LA-14-PP. Gelation of Limulus amebocyte lysate occurred at 10 pg/ml Pg-LPS, 30 pg/ml Pi-LPS, 3 pg/ml Aa-LPS and 3 pg/ml E. coli-LPS. Thus LPS from different periodontal pathogens primed neutrophils with different efficacy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histologic evaluation of tetracalcium phosphate-based cement as a direct pulp-capping agent

Histologic healing processes were observed at 1, 3, 7, and 10 days after application with either tetracalcium phosphate cement or calcium hydroxide cement to the exposed pulp of the rat maxillary incisors. In teeth applied with calcium hydroxide cement, necrotic tissue was present beneath the cement before new hard tissue formed. In contrast, tetracalcium phosphate cement elicited a dentine bridge formation with no evidence of either intervening tissue necrosis or marked inflammation. Furthermore on ultrastructural examination the newly formed hard tissue was in direct contact with the material. This study suggests that 4CP cement possesses a biocompatible property, which indicates its potential for use as a direct pulp-capping agent.

Anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody induces the proliferation of murine B cells as a B-cell mitogen through a distinct pathway from receptors for antigens or lipopolysaccharide

To study the activation and differentiation of murine B cells, we prepared a hybridoma secreting monoclonal antibody, LB429, which can directly induce the proliferation of murine B cells in vitro. LB429 recognizes a B cell specific surface molecule of 45 kDa. It recognizes an epitope of murine CD40 produced as a soluble fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase. LB429 stains COS-7 transfectant with murine CD40 cDNA and mature B-cell lines but does not stain pre-B cell lines. Two color staining demonstrated that the epitope recognized with LB429 appears on the surface of B220+ cells of spleen and bone marrow. LB429 can induce a strong proliferation of murine B cells from spleen in the absence of initial triggering with anti-IgM antibody or with anti-IgM antibody + IL-4. LB429 induced the cell size enlargement and the cell cycle transition of resting B cells as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LB429 and LPS stimulate B cells synergistically in vitro by accumulating 44.7% of cells in S/G2/M phases of cell cycle. However, stimulation of spleen B cells with LB429 resulted in the increase of sIgM high+ sIgD(high)+ B cells, in contrast LPS showed the proliferation of both sIgM(high)+ sIgD(high)+ B cells and sIgM(low)+ sIgD(high)+ B cells. These results suggested that LB429 and LPS cause the proliferation of B cells through different stimulatory pathways. This anti-mouse CD40 antibody (LB429) is a very useful reagent to study the activation and differentiation of B cells in vitro.

[Corneal autofluorescence in patients with diabetic retinopathy]

Corneal autofluorescence was investigated by fluorophotometry in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and healthy volunteers, and evaluated as to its correlation with diabetic retinopathy. The corneal autofluorescence of diabetes patients, which was significantly higher than that of healthy controls, correlated significantly with the severity of retinopathy. In addition, the corneal autofluorescence of burned-out retinopathy patients was significantly lower than that of proliferative retinopathy patients. These results suggest that corneal autofluorescence is correlated with retinal ischemia and that corneal autofluorescence can be an indicator of the activity of diabetic retinopathy. Corneal autofluorescence may originate in the accumulation of some factor induced by retinal ischemia within the corneal stroma.

Somatic mutations of the PIG-A gene found in Japanese patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal hematologic disorder caused by deficient biosynthesis of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. PIG-A, an X-linked gene that participates in the first step of GPI-anchor synthesis, is responsible for PNH. Abnormalities of the PIG-A gene have been demonstrated in all patients with PNH that have been studied to date. In this study, we analyzed 14 Japanese patients with PNH and identified 15 somatic mutations of PIG-A. The mutations included eight single-base changes and seven frame shift mutations. The single-base changes were two nonsense, three missense, and three splice site mutations. The frame shift mutations were four single-base deletions, two single-base insertions, and a replacement of two bases with one. They were all different, except for the same missense mutation being found in two patients. Moreover, these mutations were distributed in various regions of the gene. These results indicated that the mutations occurred at random sites and that there is no mutation hot spot in the PIG-A gene. All the mutations resulted in complete loss of function. Interestingly, the granulocytes in these patients contained variable proportions of mutant cells, suggesting that clonal expansion is not determined solely by mutations but is influenced by another factor(s).

Smoldering adult T-cell leukemia with B-cell lymphoma and early gastric cancer

We report a case of smoldering adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) with B-cell lymphoma and early gastric cancer. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of proteinuria and hypergammaglobulinemia. Systemic lymphadenopathy, "flower cells" in peripheral white blood cells, and hypergammaglobulinemia with monoclonal gammopathy (IgA, lambda type) were found. As Southern blot analysis revealed monoclonal integration of human T-lymphotrophic virus type I proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, he was diagnosed as having smoldering ATL. The tissue specimen of an inguinal lymph node showed proliferation of abnormal lymphocytes which were stained with anti-lambda antibody, indicating B-cell lymphoma. A polypoid lesion in the stomach was histologically diagnosed as early gastric cancer.

[A case of sepsis due to Escherichia coli isolated from blood, transtracheal aspiration and urine]

We reported a 53-year-old female who was admitted due to partial loss of consciousness. She had been diagnosed as old pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus. She was diagnosed as diabetic keto-acidosis on admission. We isolated Escherichia coli in the blood, transtracheal aspiration (TTA) and from the urine. We have experienced 6 cases where the same bacteria was isolated from the blood and TTA at the same time. In all 6 cases, we have found single bacteria in the blood and a few other bacteria in TTA. Blood culture is the most certain method to detect the origin of infectious diseases. But the compromised host, as in this case, has multifocal infections in many cases. In order to understand the pathological aspects of the infection, we must obtain many kinds of samples and as many as possible.

[Acute necrotizing gastritis associated with adult T-cell leukemia in the course of chemotherapy]

A 63-year-old man with smoldering adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) which became acute was admitted. During chemotherapy, he experienced epigastric pain and fever due to neutropenia. The combination therapy of antimicrobials and rhG-CSF was ineffective and he died. Autopsy revealed systemic invasion of ATL cells. The stomach findings resembled those of phlegmonous gastritis, a rare form of bacterial gastritis, along with diffuse, mucosal necrosis with hemorrhage. The pathogenesis of necrotizing gastritis remains to be elucidated. The patient had also received histamine H2 antagonist for gastric ulceration, which might have influenced the gastric bacterial flora.

Expression of Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 2 gene which has partial homology with MDV serotype 1 pp38 gene

We constructed the recombinant baculovirus expressing the gene of non-pathogenic Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 2 (MDV2) which encodes a polypeptide with partial homology to MDV serotype 1 (MDV1) pp38, an antigen associated with transformed cells. The recombinant MDV2 protein was detected as a band of 32 kDa in immunoblot analysis with MDV2-infected chicken serum. Mouse serum against insect Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus immunoprecipitated a 38 kDa molecule from the lysate of MDV2-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) but did not immunoprecipitate the MDV1 pp38 from the lysate of MDV1-infected CEFs. This result indicates that the recombinant MDV2 protein has no epitopes shared with the MDV1 pp38.

Tumor angiogenesis as a predictor of recurrence in gastric carcinoma

PURPOSE

We investigated the correlation between tumor angiogenic activity and progression of gastric carcinoma using immunohistochemical staining with antifactor VIII-related antigen (F-VIII RAg) antibody.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty-four specimens resected from patients with gastric carcinoma were investigated by staining with a monoclonal antibody against F-VIII RAg. Correlations between the microvessel count (the mean number of microvessels in the five areas of highest vascular density at 200 times magnification), various clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis were studied.

RESULTS

The microvessel count increased with histologic stage. The microvessel count was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastases than in those without such metastases. Moreover, in patients with a high microvessel count (> or = 16), prognosis was significantly poorer than in those with low count (< 16). Multivariate analysis indicated that the microvessel count is an independent prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer. According to the mode of recurrence, the frequency of hepatic metastases was significantly increased in patients with a high count.

CONCLUSION

Microvessel count may be a good prognostic indicator and may be useful as a predictor for the mode of recurrence in patients with gastric carcinoma.