Plasmapheresis in the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

The present study was carried out to examine the efficacy of plasma exchange in patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Seventeen patients with RPGN were treated with plasmapheresis as adjunct to immunosuppressive therapy. Of these, 4 had antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN), 8 had immune-complex GN (5 SLE, 2 HSP, 1 cryoblobulinemia), 5 had pauci-immune GN (3 peripheral antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody [P-ANCA], 1 cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody [C-ANCA], 1 other). Treatment of 10 of these patients with plasmapheresis within the first month of disease onset resulted in a stable renal function for a period extending from 1 to 3 years, except in 2 patients who had high baseline levels of serum creatinine. In the remaining patients, 2 were treated with hemodialysis 6 years later at the end of follow-up. We conclude that plasmapheresis, when used in combination with immunosuppressive drugs, is beneficial, leading to improved renal function.

[Histopathological effect of neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy for prostatic cancer]

To improve the therapeutic results in prostatic cancer, radical prostatectomy or total cystoprostatectomy were performed with chemohormonal therapy before operation. Radical prostatectomies were conducted in eight patients with localized prostatic cancer and total cystoprostatectomies in ten patients with severe cystic infiltration. The administration schedule of chemohormonal therapy was as follows: prior to operation, 30-60 mg/sqm/day of etoposide was administered for 7 days every 3 weeks, 250-500 mg/day of diethylbestrol diphosphate for 30 days, and 3.6 mg of LH-RH agonist was also administered. Sixteen of the subjects survived, and were socially rehabilitated (14 cases of NED, 1 case of NC and 1 case of PD) and 2 of the subjects died of cancer. Histopathological findings showed 9 cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 4 cases of well differentiated adenocarcinoma and 5 cases of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Histopathological effect of neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy in surgical specimen showed that 2 of the subjects had grade 0a effect, grade 0b in 7 cases, grade 1 in 5 cases and grade 2 in 4 cases.

Nicotinamide derivatives as a new class of gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitors. III. Synthesis and gastric antisecretory activity of 2-[(2- and 4-aminobenzyl, and alpha-methylbenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridinyl) -3-pyridinecarboxamides

A new series of 2-[(2-aminobenzyl, 4-aminobenzyl, and alpha-methylbenzyl) sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridinyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamides. was synthesized and evaluated for gastric antisecretory activities. Several of the compounds synthesized exhibited potent inhibitory activities against [14C]aminopyrine accumulation stimulated by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in isolated rabbit parietal cells and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats by intraduodenal administration. In particular, the more polar diastereoisomer of 2-[(4-methoxy-alpha-methylbenzyl)sulfinyl] -N-(4-pyridinyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide (13b) showed in vivo inhibitory activity equivalent or superior to that of omeprazole and was a more selective (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitor than omeprazole.

Nicotinamide derivatives as a new class of gastric (H+/K+)-ATPase inhibitors II. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2[(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridinyl)pyridine-3-carboxamides

Members of a new series of 2-[(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridinyl)pyridine-3-carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated for their gastric antisecretory activity and the ability to inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent O-dealkylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) in rat liver microsomes. Several of the compounds synthesized exhibited potent inhibitory activities against both [14C]aminopyrine accumulation stimulated by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in isolated rabbit parietal cells and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats when administered intraduodenally; their inhibitory activities were equivalent to or superior to those of the parent compound [2- [(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridinyl)pyridine-3-carboxamide] and omeprazole. Among the compounds having potent antisecretory activity in vitro and in vivo, 2-[(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(2,5-dimethyl-4-pyridinyl) pyridine-3-carboxamide and 2-[(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridinyl)pyridine-3 - carboxamide in particular showed lower inhibitory activity against the 7-EC deethylase than omeprazole. It seems probable that, unlike omeprazole, these compounds do not interact with a metabolism of other drugs in vivo. These compounds, therefore, are considered to be more promising candidate agents for treating acid-related gastrointestinal disorders than the parent compound reported previously.

Total necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with a combination therapy of arterial infusion of chemotherapeutic lipiodol and transcatheter arterial embolization: report of 14 cases

Combination therapy consisting of Lipiodol (Laboratoire Guerbet, Villepinte, France) containing styrene maleic acid neocarzinostatin and transcatheter arterial embolization (L-TAE) has been an important conservative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined the clinical and pathologic characteristics of 14 HCC cases that achieved total tumor necrosis in response to L-TAE. The HCCs of all cases were resected 45 +/- 17 days after L-TAE and were confirmed to be totally necrotic. Ultrasonography showed a mean tumor size of 2.5 +/- 1.0 cm, often with a halo formation around the tumor. Angiographically, neovascularity and clear tumor stains were observed in all cases. Computed tomography portography showed nodular perfusion defects in all the cases examined. There were portal invasions in two cases. On Lipiodol-computed tomography, Lipiodol was densely and homogeneously retained within the whole tumor. The number of tumors was single in all diagnostic images. Macroscopic view of HCCs were single nodular type in nine cases and single nodular type with extra growth in four cases. Clear capsular formation was seen in each HCC nodule. Soft x-rays were taken to observe the exact distribution of Lipiodol in the operative specimens. Microscopic intrahepatic metastases were found histologically in four cases. Histologic examination showed the trabecular pattern with broad blood spaces in which Lipiodol was positive with Sudan III staining. Necrosis was seen not only in the main tumor, but also in the capsular invasions and microscopic metastases with Lipiodol deposition. The characteristics of the cases with total tumor necrosis were as follows. Deposition of Lipiodol throughout the tumor was essential, and clinically the cases showed a single HCC tumor with a diameter of more than 5 cm and arterial hypervascularity. The pathologic findings included expansive growth with capsular formation and trabecular-type HCC with abundant blood spaces. These findings are important for evaluating the radical efficacy of L-TAE.

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a case report

This article reports a case of primary undifferentiated small cell carcinoma of the esophagus with lymph node metastasis which invaded the stomach wall. The patient was treated with chemotherapy alone, consisting of CDDP and VP-16. The patient had a complete response to chemotherapy, with no evidence of disease for nine months, after six courses of the regimen. Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is an aggressive tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Because its characteristics are similar to small cell carcinoma of the lung, small cell carcinoma of the esophagus should be treated by multi-drug chemotherapy including CDDP, with or without radiation as the first line treatment. This chemotherapy regimen may achieve a long disease-free survival time.

Purification and characterization of rabbit small intestinal cytochromes P450 belonging to CYP2J and CYP4A subfamilies

A new form of P450 designated P450ib2 was purified from rabbit small intestine microsomes. This P450 had properties very similar, to P450ib (CYP2J1), and showed 88% identity with CYP2J1 in its first 20 NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, excluding 3 undetermined residues. Both P450ib and P450ib2 were immunohistochemically detected in the mucosal epitherial cells of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in the small intestine, whereas no immunoreactivity was observed in other tissues including liver, kidney, lung, colon, and stomach. The results support that the two closely related P450s are specifically localized in the rabbit small intestine. Another small intestinal P450, P450ia, was found to hydroxylate a wide variety of fatty acids including straight-chain, branched-chain, unsaturated, or hydroxy fatty acids, and prostaglandin A at the omega and (omega-1) positions. P450ia was identical with a rabbit kidney fatty acid omega-hydroxylase, CYP4A7, in its 25 NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, excluding 2 undetermined residues. The results identify P450ia as CYP4A7.

Molecular cloning of a novel murine cell-surface glycoprotein homologous to killer cell inhibitory receptors

We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel murine cell-surface glycoprotein. This polypeptide is predicted to be composed of a signal peptide of 23 amino acids, an extracellular region of 620 amino acids that contains six immunoglobulin-like domains with five potential N-glycosylation sites, a transmembrane sequence of 20 amino acids, and a cytoplasmic tail of 178 amino acids with four sets of sequences similar to the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif. The relative molecular mass of the mature polypeptide is calculated to be 90,520 Da. The polypeptide, designated as p91, shows striking homologies to human killer cell inhibitory receptors, a murine gp49B1 protein, a bovine Fcgamma2 receptor, and a human Fcalpha receptor. The mRNA of p91 was especially abundant in murine macrophages. Western blot analysis using p91-specific anti-peptide sera detected a 130-kDa polypeptide in macrophages. Surface biotinylation and immunoprecipitation analysis verified the surface expression of the translation products on COS-1 cells transfected with the p91 cDNA, but the cells failed to show any Fc binding activity.

Nicotinamide derivatives as a new class of gastric H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitors. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of N-substituted 2-(benzhydryl- and benzylsulfinyl)nicotinamides

A new series of N-Substituted 2-(benzhydryl- and benzylsulfinyl)nicotinamides 7 and 8 were synthesized. Upon acid activation in the acidic environment of the parietal cell, these compounds are converted into their active forms, 2,3-dihydro-3-oxoisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridines 5, which inhibit gastric H+/K(+)-ATPase. Inhibitory activities against [14C]aminopyrine accumulation stimulated by dibutyryl cAMP in isolated rabbit parietal cells in vitro and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats by intraduodenal administration in vivo were evaluated, and the structure-activity relationships were examined. Among the compounds synthesized, 2-[(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)sulfinyl]-N-(4-pyridyl)nicotinamide (8b) showed potent inhibitory activities in vitro and in vivo equivalent to those of omeprazole, a typical H+/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor. Moreover, 8b was much more stable at neutral and weakly acidic pH than omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole. Compound 8b is considered to be a promising agent for treating acid-related gastrointestinal disorders.

Inhibition of spermidine synthase gene expression by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in hepatoma cells

We screened genes responsive to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) protein in a human hepatoma cell line (Hep3B) using a PCR-mediated differential display technique, in order to investigate the mechanisms involved in TGF-beta-induced growth suppression. We found a gene that was down-regulated by TGF-beta 1 to be completely identical in an approx. 620 bp segment to the gene for the enzyme spermidine synthase, which mediates the conversion of putrescine into spermidine. Both spermidine synthase mRNA expression and its enzyme activity were decreased after TGF-beta 1 treatment of Hep3B cells. The inhibition of spermidine synthase gene expression by TGF-beta 1 protein was also observed in other hepatoma cell lines. The expression of genes for other biosynthetic enzymes in polyamine metabolism (ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase) was also inhibited to the same extent as for spermidine synthase, while the gene expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, a catabolic enzyme, was relatively resistant to TGF-beta 1. Spermine levels in Hep3B cells were decreased by TGF-beta 1 treatment, although the levels of spermidine and putrescine were unchanged, probably due to compensation by remaining spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity. Exogenously added spermidine or spermine, but not putrescine, partially antagonized the growth-inhibitor effects of TGF-beta 1 on Hep3B cells. Our data suggest that down-regulation of gene expression of the enzymes involved in polyamine metabolism, including spermidine synthase, may be associated with the mechanism of TGF-beta-induced growth suppression.

Determination of decabromobiphenyl ether in water and sediment samples by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

Traces of decabromobiphenyl ether (DBBE) in water and sediment were determined by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Rapid sample preparation techniques such as disk-type C18 solid-phase extraction and cartridge-type Florisil extraction were used to clean up water and sediment samples, respectively. The detection limits of DBBE were 0.12 ng/mL and 9.7 ng/g in water and sediment, respectively. Average recoveries of DBBE added to river water, sea water, and sediment were 103%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 8.6%; 87%, with an RSD of 10.7%; and 91%, with an RSD of 6.3%, respectively.

Importance of nitric oxide in the coronary artery at rest and during pacing in humans

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endothelium-dependent vascular regulation in the human coronary circulation during rest and hyperemic states.

BACKGROUND

Evidence of the role of nitric oxide (NO) during metabolic demand is not consistent in animal and human coronary circulation.

METHODS

NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of NO synthesis, was infused into the left anterior descending coronary artery at rest and during rapid atrial pacing in 18 subjects--9 with normal coronary arteries (control) and 9 with atherosclerotic coronary arteries. The diameter of the epicardial coronary artery was measured by quantitative coronary angiography. Vasodilation of the coronary microcirculation was assessed using an intracoronary Doppler FloWire.

RESULTS

Infusion of 25 mumol/min of L-NMMA reduced the diameter of the proximal and distal epicardial coronary artery segments by 8 +/- 2% (mean +/- SE) and 11 +/- 2%, respectively (p < 0.05) in the control subjects. The coronary blood flow (CBF) decreased by 33 +/- 13% during L-NMMA infusion. L-NMMA caused similar changes in the diameter of the distal epicardial segment and the CBF in patients with coronary artery disease. The proximal vessel diameter did not change significantly during infusion of L-NMMA. During pacing, infusion of L-NMMA caused the same changes in vessel diameter as before pacing in both groups, but did not affect CBF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that NO synthesis maintains basal vasomotor tone in both conduit and resistance vessels in the normal human coronary circulation. Although NO release was impaired in the large epicardial coronary arteries in patients with atherosclerosis, NO still regulated vascular tone in the small epicardial coronary arteries and arterioles. Our results suggest that vasodilation in arterioles during increased myocardial oxygen demand is mediated by metabolic or myogenic mechanisms, or both, rather than by endothelium-dependent production of NO.

Methylcobalamin induces a long-lasting enhancement of the field potential in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices

Optic nerve stimulation has been reported to evoke a field potential (FP) in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) slices. Methylcobalamin,delta-(5,6-dymethylbenzimidazolyl)-Co-methyl-cobam ide (Me-B12) enhanced this FP and the enhancement lasted more than 1 h after washing out. Maximal enhancement (143.6 +/- 9.8%) was achieved at a concentration of 10 microM. By contrast, cyanocobalamin containing CN- instead of CH3- showed no enhancement of the amplitude in the FP. Me-B12 induced enhancement of FP was strongly blocked by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV). These results indicate that CH3- in the Me-B12 is required to modulate the FP amplitude and the NMDA receptor is involved in the long-lasting FP enhancement induced by Me-B12. The present results suggest that Me-B12 modifies the photic entrainment of the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus via an activation of NMDA receptors.

Bafilomycin A1 induces apoptosis in PC12 cells independently of intracellular pH

PC12 cells growth-arrested with bafilomycin A1 died showing apoptotic chromatin condensation in the nuclei. The bafilomycin A1-induced chromatin condensation was preceded by neurite outgrowth (NOG), required higher concentrations of bafilomycin A1 than NOG, and was suppressed by cycloheximide and aurintricarboxylic acid. NH4Cl (10 mM), another acidotropic pH perturbing agent, neither induced apoptotic chromatin condensation by itself nor suppressed that induced by bafilomycin A1, suggesting that bafilomycin A1-induced apoptosis occurs independently of intracellular pH in PC12 cells.

Liquid chromatographic determination of oxytetracycline in swine tissues

A simple and rapid method was developed for determination of oxytetracycline (OTC) in swine muscle and kidney by liquid chromatography (LC). The method involved homogenization of sample in acetonitrile-1M imidazole buffer containing 10 mM disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2.EDTA) and 50 mM magnesium acetate (15 + 85) with added hexane, centrifugation, removal of the hexane phase, and ultrafiltration of the supernatant. L-column ODS (150 x 4.6 mm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-1M imidazole buffer containing 50 mM magnesium acetate and 10 mM Na2.EDTA (10 + 90) was used for the LC separation. A fluorescence detector was used at an excitation wavelength of 380 nm and an emission wavelength of 520 nm. The calibration graph was linear from 1.25 to 200 ng OTC. Recoveries of OTC from swine tissue fortified at levels of 0.05-1.0 microgram/g ranged from 58.0 to 67.3%. The quantitation and detection limits were 0.05 and 0.04 microgram/g, respectively.

Evaluation of serotyping, biotyping, plasmid banding pattern analysis, and HEp-2 vacuolation factor assay in the epidemiological investigation of Bacillus cereus emetic-syndrome food poisoning

To assess the value of the plasmid banding patterns, the vacuolation factor (VF) assay, biotyping, and serological typing as epidemiological markers for strains of Bacillus cereus causing emetic-syndrome illness, 43 isolates from five outbreaks and an additional 76 strains isolated in food-poisoning outbreaks caused by other enteric pathogens were examined by these techniques, and the results were compared. Thirty-eight (88%) of the 43 outbreak strains produced vacuolation responses in HEp-2 cells and were all starch-hydrolysis negative. The other 76 strains associated with outbreaks caused by other food-poisoning bacteria gave all negative VF production results except four strains, and 56 (74%) of these strains produced positive reactions in starch hydrolysis tests. Starch hydrolysis emerged as a convenient screen for VF production, because no starch hydrolysis-positive strains produced VF. With the exception of one isolate, all 38 VF-positive isolates from emtic-syndrome outbreaks were serotype H.1. Isolates from four of the five outbreaks revealed identical plasmid banding patterns in each outbreak, whereas only three of eight serotype H.1 strains from the fifth outbreak exhibited indistinguishable plasmid banding patterns. These results suggest that the plasmid banding pattern analysis may be of value in discriminating between isolates of the same serotype, and establishing if an outbreak arises from a common food source. In conclusion, the vacuolation factor assay combined with the plasmid banding patterns proved to be a valuable tool for the epidemiological investigation of emetic-syndrome outbreaks caused by B. cereus. Moreover, these methods are particularly useful for laboratories that do not have ready access to serotyping facilities.

Involvement of transforming growth factor beta1 in autocrine enhancement of gelatinase B secretion by murine metastatic colon carcinoma cells

We have reported previously that highly metastatic LuM1 cells derived from colon carcinoma colon 26 secrete larger amounts of gelatinase B than NM11 cells with poor metastatic potential, and that an increase in this gelatinase B secretion can be induced by autocrine factors (Hyup et A, Cancer Res., 54: 3611-3616, 1994). In the present study, a partial characterization was achieved by comparison of the autocrine factor preparation (fraction G) from serum-free medium conditioned with metastatic LuM1 cells with soluble factors known to stimulate gelatinase B secretion. Secretion of gelatinase B by LuM1 cells was augmented by tumor necrosis factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), interleukin 1beta, or epidermal growth factor, and specific neutralizing antibodies abolished the induced increases. Platelet-derived growth factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 had no effect on gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells. The enhancement of gelatinase B secretion by fraction G was partially inhibited by the antibody to TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 was detected in both active and latent forms in serum-free medium conditioned with LuM1 or NM11 cells, with the amount of TGF-beta1 higher in the former case. Gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells was enhanced by the addition of TGF-beta1 to the culture medium, but that by NM11 cells was not seriously affected, although the latter bound more of the factor. These results indicate the involvement of this growth factor in the autocrine stimulation of gelatinase B secretion by LuM1 cells. However, the autocrine factor effect was not fully explained by TGF-beta1 in the medium, and the involvement of some other unknown factor(s) was thus indicated.

Alteration of cell cycle-dependent histone phosphorylations by okadaic acid. Induction of mitosis-specific H3 phosphorylation and chromatin condensation in mammalian interphase cells

Effects of okadaic acid (OA), a protein phosphatase inhibitor, on chromatin structure and phosphorylation of histones were examined using HeLa and N18 cells. The chromatin condensation in HeLa cells was mild and resemble prometaphase nuclei, while the condensation in N18 cells was extensive and chromatin became a compact body. H2A in HeLa cells was extensively and consistently phosphorylated at the same site throughout the cell cycle, and H3 was demonstrated to be phosphorylated at the mitosis-specific site Ser10. In contrast, H1 phosphorylation was rapidly decreased in most sites within 3 h. The reduction of H1 phosphorylation was accompanied by a quantitative change in the set of H1 phosphopeptides. During the early phase of the OA treatment, H1 phosphorylation was transiently elevated in tandem, whereas H3 phosphorylation reached a maximum somewhat later. The results suggest that mitosis-specific events (cdc2/H1 kinase activation, H1 superphosphorylation, mitosis-specific H3 phosphorylation and chromatin condensation) induced by OA are sequentially associated. The changes appear to reflect a molecular mechanism similar to that operating in normal mitosis.

Methamphetamine modifies the photic entraining responses in the rodent suprachiasmatic nucleus via serotonin release

We examined whether methamphetamine modifies the photic entraining responses in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus. Optic nerve stimulation increased vasoactive intestinal polypeptide release from rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices, and methamphetamine inhibited this increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Optic nerve stimulation has been reported to evoke field potentials in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices. Methamphetamine attenuated this field potential, and maximal inhibition (75.5%) was achieved at a concentration of 100 microM. Systemic administration of methamphetamine (1-5 mg/kg) inhibited light (300 lux, 1h)-induced Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus; methamphetamine at a dose of 5 mg/kg, i.p. caused 40% inhibition of light-induced Fos expression. We examined whether the inhibitory effect of methamphetamine on photic entraining responses mediates serotonin release from the suprachiasmatic nucleus. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that methamphetamine application increased serotonin release from rat suprachiasmatic nucleus slices in a concentration-dependent manner, but did not affect noradrenaline release. In addition, reduction of serotonin content attenuated the effect of methamphetamine on field potential induced by optic nerve stimulation in vitro and also light-induced phase advances of wheel running activity rhythm in vivo. The present results support the idea that methamphetamine produces an inhibitory effect on photic entrainment in the suprachiasmatic nucleus via serotonin release.

Differential distribution of four types of tooth pulp neurons in the caudal medulla oblongata of the cat

The medulla oblongata caudal to the obex was explored for neurons responsive to tooth pulp (TP) stimulation in cats. Four different classes of TP neurons were found. They were TP specific neurons, trigeminal wide dynamic range neurons with TP input, trigeminal subnucleus reticularis ventralis (SRV) neurons with TP input and convergent reticular formation with TP input. They were differentially distributed within the caudal medulla oblongata.

A simple method for localising single-photon emission computed tomographic images on an anatomical template

We introduce a simple method for localising brain images an anatomical templates. Our method does not need expensive software or hardware and may be useful for clinical investigation.

Hepatocytic cells form bile duct-like structures within a three-dimensional collagen gel matrix

It has been suggested that hepatocytes have the ability to form bile ductal structures during normal development and in various pathological conditions of the liver. In the present study, we attempted to establish an in vitro model of ductal morphogenesis of hepatocytic cells by combining an aggregate culture and a type I collagen gel culture. When spheroidal aggregates of rat or mouse primary hepatocytes were embedded within the collagen gel matrix and then cultured with a medium containing a fibroblast-conditioned medium, the aggregates extended many dendritic processes composed of a trabecular arrangement of cells. Dendritic morphogenesis was also seen in embedded aggregates of immortal liver epithelia] cell lines, which spontaneously emerged during long-term cultures of mouse primary hepatocytes. A similar morphogenesis was induced by the presence of insulin in the medium. Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) showed only a small effect on the morphogenesis of most of the hepatocytic cells when used alone, these factors, especially EGF, enhanced the morphogenetic effect of insulin. Electron microscopical observations revealed luminal structures lined by microvilli within these dendritic processes, indicating ductal differentiation. Immunocytochemically, the dendritic processes were positive for cytokeratin 19, a marker for bile duct cells. On the other hand, an H-ras-transformed mouse liver epithelial cell line and rat hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines did not demonstrate the organized morphogenesis. Our results indicate that hepatocytic cells can produce bile duct-like structures in the presence of the type I collagenous matrix and soluble morphogenetic factors.

Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha does not mediate endotoxin-induced myocardial depression in rabbits

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an endogenous mediator for several effects of endotoxin. To evaluate whether TNF-alpha mediates endotoxin-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, we measured LV function (sonomicrometers) and serum TNF-alpha (cytolytic assay) in anesthetized rabbits given endotoxin (100 micrograms/kg iv). In the control group (n = 8), systolic depression (defined by a > 10% increase in end-systolic volume at a matched end-systolic pressure) developed in four rabbits and diastolic dilation (> 10% increase in end-diastolic volume at a matched end-diastolic pressure) developed in three rabbits. Neither the increase in end-systolic volume nor the increase in end-diastolic volume correlated with the increase in TNF-alpha, which reached a peak of 2,875 +/- 762 U/ml. In a second group of rabbits (n = 7), a goat polyclonal anti-rabbit antibody to TNF-alpha was given 30-60 min before endotoxin. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody alone did not alter LV function. Although the TNF-alpha response to endotoxin was effectively blunted (peak TNF-alpha remained < 100 U/ml), all seven rabbits developed systolic depression (P = 0.08 compared with control group) and diastolic dilation (P = 0.03). We conclude that serum TNF-alpha does not mediate endotoxin-induced LV systolic depression or diastolic dilation in this model.

DNA-binding sperm proteins with oligo-arginine clusters function as potent activators for egg CK-II

The stimulatory effect of DNA-binding sperm proteins (histone and protamine) on the phosphorylation of p98 (ERp99/GRp94, one of the Hsp-90 family of proteins) by egg casein kinase II (CK-II) was investigated in vitro. It was found that (i) phosphorylation of p98 by egg CK-II in vitro is greatly stimulated by poly-Arg, but not by poly-Lys; and (ii) similar stimulation is observed with sperm histones H2B2 and H2B3 (sea urchin) and fish protamines, such as salmine A1 (salmon) and protamine 3a (rainbow trout). These findings suggest that these DNA-binding sperm proteins function as potent activators for CK-II in fertilized eggs. All of these DNA-binding sperm proteins contain at least an oligo-Arg cluster as a common feature, which can interact with an acidic amino acid cluster of the regulatory beta-subunit CK-II.

Organ variation in the mutagenicity of dimethylnitrosamine in Big Blue mice

Organ specificity in the lacI mutant frequency (MF) induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was analyzed in lung, liver, kidney, bone marrow, urinary bladder, and testis of Big Blue mice. Cell proliferative activity was also analyzed in some of these tissues by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Clastogenicity of DMN was concomitantly analyzed by the peripheral blood micronucleus assay with the same animals used for the lacI mutation assay. Five daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatments with DMN (1 mg/kg) increased MF in liver (6.2 x control), kidney (2.4 x control), and lung (2.1 x control). These are known target organs for DMN carcinogenesis. No MF increase was observed in nontarget organs studied, i.e., bone marrow, bladder, and testis. Single ip treatment with DMN also increased lacI MF in liver but the increases were smaller than in a 5-daily-treatment regimen. This result suggests that multiple dosing is more effective in the transgenic mutation assay. The enhancement of cell proliferation observed was in bronchial epithelia 7 days after treatment. No micronucleus induction in peripheral blood was observed 24 hours after 2 and 3 daily ip treatments with 1 mg/kg DMN. An increase in the incidence of micronucleated reticulocytes in peripheral blood was observed 48 hours after single ip treatment with 5 or 10 mg/kg DMN. The present study demonstrated organ-specific induction of gene mutations by DMN which suggests a relevance of this assay for the prediction of organ-specific carcinogenesis.

Growth control and gene expression in a new hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep40: inhibitory actions of vitamin K

The growth characteristics of a newly established cell line, Hep40, derived from a human hepatoma are described. An absolute requirement was found for serum to mediate cell growth. Neither EGF, TGF-alpha, nor HGF altered cell growth in the presence or absence of serum. A partial suppression of cell growth was achieved by several TGF-beta family proteins. Affinity crosslinking gels using 125I-labeled TGF-beta showed a significant decrease in the TGF-beta cell-surface type II receptor in Hep40 cells, compared to the TGF-beta-sensitive Hep3B cell line. However, growth could be completely suppressed by addition of vitamins K to the culture medium in both Hep40 and several other hepatoma cell lines. Growth suppression by vitamins K was accompanied by an increased level of transcripts for c-myc, c-jun, and prothrombin genes, in contrast to the actions of TGF-beta 1 protein, which caused a decrease in the level of c-myc transcripts. These data show that this new human hepatoma cell line has partial resistance to growth inhibition by TGF-beta with a unique TGF-beta receptor defect. However, growth was completely suppressed by vitamins K. The differing gene expression patterns in response to TGF-beta as compared to vitamin K suggest that these two growth inhibitors act through differing pathways.

Growth inhibition of hepatoma cells induced by vitamin K and its analogs

Congeners of vitamin K are known to inhibit cell growth, although the precise mechanisms of growth inhibition are not well understood. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we synthesized several vitamin K analogs and examined their growth inhibitory activities for a human hepatoma cell line (Hep3B). The analogs included 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and trimethyl-benzoquinone, with and without aliphatic side chains at position 3. The side chains were all-carbon, thioethers, or O-ethers. Growth inhibition was potent in the compounds with short chains. The presence of a sulfur (thioether) or oxygen atom (O-ether) at the site of attachment of the side chain to the ring potentiated the activity. Apoptotic cell death was induced by the potent growth inhibitory compounds at low concentrations (20-60 microM), whereas necrotic cell death followed treatment with the same compounds at high concentrations. Expression of c-myc, which is thought to be associated with apoptosis, was increased by most of the compounds tested. Both reduced glutathione and cysteine almost completely abrogated the growth inhibitory effects of the thioether analogs as well as of vitamin K3. The effect of glutathione was less prominent for the all-carbon and O-ether analogs, and cysteine had no effect on these analogs. Catalase and deferoxamine mesylate had no significant effect on the thioether analogs, although they showed partial antagonistic effects on the growth inhibition of vitamin K3 and the all-carbon and O-ether analogs. Other non-thiol antioxidants tested had no effect on any of the analogs. Our results indicated that vitamin K-related quinoid compounds cause growth inhibition and both apoptotic and necrotic cell death and that the effects may be mediated by interaction at position 3 of their quinoid nuclei with cellular thiols.

Clinical and magnetic resonance image correlation in idiopathic cerebellar ataxia

Sixty-one patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for idiopathic cerebellar ataxia and who had symptoms at least for 3 years were examined clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on the clinical signs, they were divided into patients with pure cerebellar signs (Group 1), patients with additional mild rigidity and/or hyperreflexia (Group 2) and patients with additional severe rigidity and hypokinesia (Group 3). Patients in Group 1 had milder disability and better prognosis than patients in Group 2 or Group 3 (ataxic score: 14.9 vs. 28.6 and 36.0; annual progression ratio: 0.26 vs. 0.65 and 0.70, respectively). We measured the area of the cerebellar vermis, ventral pons and dorsal brainstem on midsagittal T1-weighted MR images for all patients and age- and sex-matched controls. The cerebellar vermis as well as the ventral pons of patients were significantly smaller than corresponding structures in controls (p < 0.001). The ventral pons of patients in Group 2 and Group 3 was significantly smaller than that of patients in Group 1 (p < 0.0001, respectively), and the dorsal brainstem of patients in Group 2 and Group 3 was also significantly smaller than that of patients in Group 1 (p < 0.001, respectively). The ventral pons of patients in Group 3 was significantly smaller than that of patients in Group 2 (p < 0.05) as well. There was a significant correlation between the area of the ventral pons and the annual progression ratio (p < 0.001). With MRI, slight but definite hyperintensities were demonstrated in the pontine base and the medulla of 22 patients on proton density images. In the longitudinal study, patients in Group 2 and Group 3 had atrophy of the ventral pons already at an early stage. The ventral pons of patients in Group 3 was smaller at the initial MR examination than that of patients in Group 2. These observations suggest that patients with smaller ventral pons may have rapid progression and poor prognosis. Thus, even a relatively simple quantitation of the area of the ventral pons may be useful to predict the prognosis of patients, in addition to neurologic assessment at intervals.

Circadian changes in long-term potentiation of rat suprachiasmatic field potentials elicited by optic nerve stimulation in vitro

Optic nerve stimulation caused a postsynaptic field potential in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of hypothalamic slices. In the present experiment, we demonstrated whether tetanic stimulation of optic nerve can produce a long-term potentiation (LTP) in the SCN postsynaptic field potential. The amplitude of SCN field potential was higher in the subjective day animals than that in the subjective night animals. Tetanic stimulation of optic nerve (100 Hz, 1 s) at subjective daytime (projected zeitgeber time: ZT 0-8) produced a LTP in this field potential, although the onset of LTP was slow. When tetanic stimulation was applied at ZT4, the percent increase of amplitude was 116.6% immediately after, 159.8% 30 min after and 215.4% 120 min after tetanic stimulation, whereas tetanic stimulation of optic nerve at subjective night-time caused a weak LTP in the SCN. Although tetanic stimulation of Schaffer collaterals induced a LTP formation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices, there were no obvious circadian changes in this LTP formation. The present results demonstrated that excitatory influence on the SCN caused a synaptic plasticity such as LTP. Although the physiological meaning of this LTP is uncertain at present, LTP may be related to adaptation mechanism to photic stimulation.

[Adenosine deaminase isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease]

CD26, the T cell activation antigen, is identical to the ADA binding protein and is considered to interact with ADA to activate the T cells on the surface. Therefore, we examined the activity of serum ADA isoenzymes in patients with Graves' disease in whom CD26 presented T cells were increased. The activities of total ADA and ADA2 were significantly higher in Graves' disease than normals. We also observed that the levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and neopterin, markers of T cell activation, were significantly higher in Graves' disease. The correlation coefficients among ADA2, neopterin, and sIL-2R were significantly high (p < 0.001). Among these parameters, only sIL-2R was correlated with the thyroid hormones. ADA2 activity was considered to reflect the activated state of T cells and to be, independent of the thyroid hormone levels.

Abnormal evoked potentials of Kearns-Sayre syndrome

We examined eight patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) to investigate a dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) using PTN-SEP, MN-SEP and BAEP. We found a significant increase in the P37 latency of PTN-SEPs and the central conduction time of MN-SEPs, and interpeak latencies of BAEPs. Delayed SEPs or BAEPs were caused by a dysfunction of the somatosensory or lateral lemniscus pathways which could be related to mitochondrial abnormalities in the CNS. Long-term therapy with CoQ showed an improvement of the latencies of SEPs after about half a year from the start of CoQ therapy in our patients. The improvement of the latencies of SEPs were preserved during CoQ therapy. It could be demonstrated that CoQ therapy had the beneficial effects on abnormal functions of the CNS in patients with KSS.

Differentiation of the normal and mutant rat albumin genes on hepatic tissue sections by in situ PCR

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[Continuous subcutaneous injection therapy with interferon-alpha for renal cell carcinoma patients with bone metastasis]

Thirteen patients with renal cell carcinoma who had proven bony metastases were treated with multimodal treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy in the form of subcutaneous continuous injection of by natural type interferon-alpha (INF). The mode of administration of IFN was as follows: IFN, 2,5000 x 10(4) unit dissolved in 60 ml saline, was continuously injected (0.5 ml/hr) via a subcutaneous route as one course of the treatment and was given two courses in two weeks preoperatively. Postoperatively, IFN was given every week and the number of courses totally amounted to 15. In some cases IFN was given thereafter either every week or every other week. In four patients whose serum concentration of IFN was measured during and after administration of continuous IFN, the concentration of IFN rose after injection and showed 40.5 IU/ml in average 24 hours later. The concentration was kept measurable in six to eight days long and the maximum concentration was 167 IU/ml. In IFN-treated patients nine survived including two CRs, two NCs, five PDs and four deaths. The five year survival rate was 53%. Continuous subcutaneous injection of IFN in combination with surgery and/or radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of bony metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

[A battery model of the eyeball to calculate standing potential of the eye]

Variation of the resting potential caused by eye movements was analyzed by applying a battery model to the eyeball. A formula that gives the potential between the inner canthus and the outer canthus of the eye was derived on the basis of the electric theory in electromagnetics, on the assumption that the eyeball was floating in a homogeneous conductor. The variations of the resting potentials were represented using the distance from the center of the eyeball to the potential detecting position and the deflection angle of the position with respect to the optical axis of the eyeball. To verify the validity of the formula, the variation of the resting potential caused by the various amplitudes of bilaterally symmetrical eye movements were measured. The calculated results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental ones.

Endotoxin-induced left ventricular depression is blocked by nitrogen mustard or dimethylthiourea in rabbits

We examined endotoxin-induced myocardial depression in 31 anesthetized rabbits using left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships (sonomicrometers). In the control group, endotoxin (100 micrograms/kg iv) induced systolic depression (> 10% increase in end-systolic volume at matched end-systolic pressure) in 9 of 16 and diastolic dilation (> 10% increase in end-diastolic volume at matched end-diastolic pressure) in 8 of 16 rabbits within 7 h, unrelated to hypotension, acidosis, or hypoxia. Seven rabbits were pretreated with nitrogen mustard (1-2 mg/kg iv 4 and 2 days before) to decrease circulating neutrophils and monocytes by 98%. Endotoxin did not induce systolic depression in any rabbit (P = 0.01 compared with control), and diastolic dilation developed in one rabbit (P = 0.12). In eight rabbits pretreated with dimethylthiourea (DMTU; 500 mg/kg iv 30 min before), an intracellular free radical scavenger, systolic depression developed in one (P = 0.05) and diastolic dilation in five (P = 0.44). We conclude that cells inhibited by nitrogen mustard (e.g., neutrophils, monocytes, or macrophages) mediate endotoxin-induced left ventricular systolic depression. DMTU inhibited endotoxin-induced systolic but not diastolic dysfunction.

Catabolite repression of the adhesion of Vero cytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli of serogroups O157 and O111

The virulence traits that mediate Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) adherence are unclear. Many VTEC strains possess the eaeA gene which is involved in the attaching and effacing effects of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Most eae-positive VTEC adhered to HEp-2 cells in a localized manner; however some strains did not adhere. Thus we investigated the adhesion of poorly adherent strains, especially those of serogroups O111 and O157. To establish a model, the adherence to HEp-2, INT407 and Caco-2 cells of 12 O157 VTEC and six O111 VTEC isolated from cases of human infection were studied after growth of the bacteria under different conditions. For adhesion tests mannose is usually added during prior broth culture of the bacteria, and during the period of attachment, so that any adhesion due to mannose-sensitive type 1 pili is inhibited. Bacteria cultured in peptone water in the absence of mannose adhered to all three lines; there were localized clusters of bacteria on 1%-82% cells, whether mannose was present during the attachment period or not. Bacteria grown in the presence of D-mannose, or any other sugar that was metabolized, showed little adherence (range 0-9%). alpha-Methyl-glucoside also caused marked inhibition of adhesion. It was concluded that inhibition of adhesion was due to catabolite repression.

Differential inhibitory mechanisms in VPL versus intralaminar nociceptive neurons of the cat: I. Effects of periaqueductal gray stimulation

Nociceptive thalamic units receiving afferent input from the greater splanchnic nerve (SPL) were recorded from the nucleus ventralis posterolatealis (VPL) and intralaminar nuclei in urethane-chloralose anesthetized cats. The effects of stimulating the periaqueductal gray (PAG), or the nucleus raphe dorsalis (NRD) on responses of nociceptive thalamic units were investigated. Forty-eight nociceptive specific (NS) and 20 wide dynamic range (WDR) units with SPL input were found in the shell region of the caudal VPL. Following electrical stimulation of either the ventral PAG or the NRD, responses to SPL input were inhibited in all NS and WDR units tested. Responses of these units to electrical stimulation of spinothalamic tract fibers in the ventrolateral funiculus (VLF) were also inhibited following the PAG/NRD stimulation. These results suggest that PAG/NRD stimulation-produced inhibition of both NS and WDR units may be partially mediated by an ascending antinociceptive mechanism. Intralaminar nociceptive units with SPL input were found in the nuclei centralis lateralis (CL), paracentralis (Pc), and parafascicularis (Pf). The effects of conditioning electrical stimulation of either the ventral PAG or the NRD on responses of intralaminar nociceptive units were studied. Of 113 intralaminar nociceptive units studied, 68 units were unaffected, 23 units were excited and 22 units were inhibited following the conditioning stimulation. In the units in which responses to SPL stimulation were inhibited, responses elicited by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) were also inhibited. These data suggest that although there is an ascending inhibitory pathway from PAG/NRD to intralaminar nuclei, this system is far less potent compared with the ascending inhibitory system acting upon the VPL.

Differential inhibitory mechanisms in VPL versus intralaminar nociceptive neurons of the cat: II. Effects of systemic morphine and CCK

In urethane-chloralose anesthetized cats, the effects of intravenous morphine on responses of thalamic nociceptive units were studied. In both nociceptive specific (NS) and wide dynamic range (WDR) units recorded from the nucleus ventralis posterolateralis (VPL), intravenous morphine suppressed unit responses to the greater splanchnic nerve (SPL) stimulation, but had little effect on responses to stimulation of spinothalamic tract fibers in the ventrolateral funiculus. In nociceptive units recorded from nuclei centralis lateralis (CL) and parafascicularis (Pf) of the intralaminar nuclei, intravenous morphine suppressed responses to stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation as well as to SPL stimulation. Intravenous cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonized the suppressive action of morphine on responses of VPL units, but did not antagonize the suppressive action of morphine on responses of intralaminar units. The results suggest that intravenous morphine inhibits synaptic transmission of nociceptive impulses in the intralaminar nuclei as well as in the spinal cord, but not in the VPL, and that CCK antagonizes the antinociceptive action of morphine in the spinal cord, but not in the intralaminar nuclei.

Evaluation of anti-HTLV-1 antibody in primary glomerulonephritis

Human T-cell leukaemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is known to cause adult T-cell leukaemia. The prevalence of anti-HTLV-1 antibody in haemodialysis patients has been reported to be higher than that in the general population. The anti-HTLV-1 antibody-positive rate in patients with primary glomerulonephritis in the Nagasaki district, an endemic area of HTLV-1, was evaluated. The antibody-positive rates in patients with primary glomerulonephritis (9.9%) and in haemodialysis patients (18.4%) were significantly higher than the rate in general blood donors (6.6%). Of 142 patients with primary glomerulonephritis, 14 (9.9%) were positive for the antibody; histological evaluation of these patients showed minor glomerular abnormality in one, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in eight (IgA nephropathy in six and non-IgA nephropathy in two), membranous nephropathy in three, and crescentic glomerulonephritis in two. Evaluation of 10 antibody-positive patients by immunofluorescent microscopy showed immunocomplex-type nephritis in nine, suggesting the involvement of HTLV-1-associated antigen in the development and progression of glomerulonephritis.