Transplantation of osteoblast-like cells to the distracted callus in rabbits

We carried out limb lengthening in rabbits and then transplanted osteoblast-like cells derived from the tibial periosteum to the centres of distracted callus immediately after distraction had been terminated. Two weeks later the transaxial area ratio at the centre of the distracted callus and the bone mineral density (BMD) were significantly higher in the transplanted group, by 21% and 42%, respectively, than in the non-injected group or the group injected with physiological saline (p < 0.05). Callus BMD as a percentage of density in uninvolved bone was also significantly higher in the transplanted group (p < 0.05) than in the other two groups, by 27% and 20% in the second and fourth weeks, respectively (p < 0.05). Mechanically, the callus in the transplanted group tended to be stronger as shown by the three-point bending test although the difference in fracture strength was not statistically significant. Our results show that transplantation of osteoblast-like cells promotes maturity of the distracted callus as observed at the second and fourth weeks after lengthening. The method appears promising as a means of shortening the consolidation period of callus distraction and decreasing complications during limb lengthening with an external fixator.

Transplantation of osteoblast-like cells to the distracted callus in rabbits

We carried out limb lengthening in rabbits and then transplanted osteoblast-like cells derived from the tibial periosteum to the centres of distracted callus immediately after distraction had been terminated. Two weeks later the transaxial area ratio at the centre of the distracted callus and the bone mineral density (BMD) were significantly higher in the transplanted group, by 21% and 42%, respectively, than in the non-injected group or the group injected with physiological saline (p < 0.05). Callus BMD as a percentage of density in uninvolved bone was also significantly higher in the transplanted group (p < 0.05) than in the other two groups, by 27% and 20% in the second and fourth weeks, respectively (p < 0.05). Mechanically, the callus in the transplanted group tended to be stronger as shown by the three-point bending test although the difference in fracture strength was not statistically significant.

Our results show that transplantation of osteoblast-like cells promotes maturity of the distracted callus as observed at the second and fourth weeks after lengthening. The method appears promising as a means of shortening the consolidation period of callus distraction and decreasing complications during limb lengthening with an external fixator.

Distortion of the radial artery by a mucinous cyst. Case reports

Three cases of mucinous cyst situated close to the radial artery are reported. The patients complained of pain, a throbbing mass, or both at the wrist. Colour Doppler sonography showed distortion of the radial artery by the cyst in all three patients. In one patient the cyst was connected to a synovial sac by a pedicle, in another it was adherent to the radial artery but was identified histopathologically as a simple ganglion, and in the last patient a branch of the radial artery was involved in the cyst, which was identified histopathologically as an adventitial cyst. Mucinous cysts enlarge when subjected to mechanical stress. Excision is recommended for cysts that distort the radial artery.

Effects of monatepil maleate, a new Ca2+ channel antagonist with alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonistic activity, on cholesterol absorption and catabolism in high cholesterol diet-fed rabbits

The mechanism of the prophylactic effect against hyperlipidemia by monatepil maleate was investigated in animal models. Monatepil maleate is an antihypertensive agent with Ca2+-channel antagonistic, alpha1-adrenergic receptor-blocking, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. In high cholesterol diet-fed rabbits, monatepil maleate (30 mg/kg, p.o., once daily for 9 weeks) showed a prophylactic effect against increases in total cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein. Monatepil maleate significantly accelerated the clearance of radioactivity from the blood after intravenous injection of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) labeled with [1alpha,2alpha (n)-3H]cholesterol, increasing biliary excretion of [3H]-bile acids without modifying bile acid composition. Furthermore, monatepil maleate tended to inhibit the absorption of orally administered [1alpha,2alpha (n)-3H]cholesterol from the gastrointestinal tract in these rabbits. In Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits, an animal model of hepatic LDL receptor deficiency, monatepil maleate (30 mg/kg, p.o., once daily for 6 months) did not suppress the increase in plasma lipids. These results suggest that the plasma lipid lowering effect of monatepil maleate requires the presence of hepatic LDL receptors. It is also suggested that monatepil maleate improves plasma lipid metabolism through two mechanisms: enhancement of clearance of plasma LDL, which may be mediated by up-regulation of hepatic LDL receptors, and acceleration of conversion of free cholesterol to bile acids in the liver.

Adenocarcinoma in situ of the fallopian tube. A case report

BACKGROUND

So far only a few cases of carcinoma in situ of the fallopian tube have been reported, but its detailed clinical and pathologic findings, including cytology, have not been fully described.

CASE

A 70-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of irregular genital bleeding. Endometrial smear revealed a small number of atypical cells with a clear background. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy were performed. Grossly, a grayish white papillary tumor, measuring 1.5 x 1.0 cm, was observed within the lumen of the left fallopian tube. Microscopically, the diagnosis of papillary adenocarcinoma in situ of the left fallopian tube was made according to 1992 International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians fallopian tube staging.

CONCLUSION

Although endometrial brush cytology is not sensitive enough to detect a primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube, our case indicates that it may contribute useful information on extrauterine diseases and can detect a stage 0 cancer of the fallopian tube. Clinicians, as well as pathologists, should consider the possibility of fallopian tube cancer if cervical or endometrial cytology shows atypical cells with papillary patterns with a clear background but endometrial curettage cannot prove malignancy.

Dye-Guided Sentinel Lymphadenectomy in Clinically Node-Negative and Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymphadenectomy has been used to assess the axillary nodal status in patients with breast cancer in an attempt to avoid unnecessary axillary dissection. Most studies have examined the utility of this procedure in clinically node-negative patients. However, the clinical evaluation of axillary nodes is often inaccurate for both clinically node-negative and clinically node-positive patients. METHODS: We performed dye-guided sentinel lymphadenectomy in both clinically node-negative and clinically node-positive patients with breast cancer. All patients also underwent a formal axillary dissection. The results of imprint cytology, frozen sections, and permanent sections of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) werecompared with each other and with histologic findings of the nonsentinel nodes. RESULTS: The SLN was identified in 30 (79%) of 38 patients with clinically negative nodes, and in 11 (92%) of 12 patients with clinically positive nodes. Forclinically node-negative patients, SLN evaluation yielded a diagnostic accuracyof 90%, a sensitivitiy of 72%, and a specificity of 100%. For clinically node-positive patients, these values were 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively. These values were not significantly different for the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymphadenectomy may be useful in assessing the axillarynodal status of both clinically node-positive and clinically node-negative breast cancer patients.

Epithelioid cell granulomas in chronic hepatitis C: immunohistochemical character and histological marker of favourable response to interferon-alpha therapy

AIMS

The clinicopathological significance of intrahepatic epithelioid cell granulomas in chronic hepatitis C was determined.

METHOD AND RESULTS

Granulomatous lesions were surveyed in 542 liver biopsy specimens and were immunohistochemically examined. We also tested whether this lesion is a marker of response to interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C. Granulomatous lesions in hepatic lobules and/or portal tracts were identified in 11/542 (2%) cases with chronic hepatitis C. Granulomas were positive for HLA-DR and beta 2-microglobulin, and were surrounded by T-cells. Among them, three chronic hepatitis C cases showed portal granulomas with mild biliary epithelial damage. Bile ducts showing mild epithelial damage in chronic hepatitis C were positive for beta 2-microglobulin, but negative for HLA-DR, while both antigens were frequently expressed in damaged bile ducts in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). All five cases of chronic hepatitis C with granulomas who had interferon-alpha therapy and were followed up and were found to have responded well.

CONCLUSION

Granulomas showed the same immunohistochemical phenotypes, though the expression of HLA-DR on bile ducts in PBC but not in chronic hepatitis C suggests a different pathogenesis. Granulomas may predict a favourable response to interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Angiomyolipoma predominantly composed of smooth muscle cells: problems in histological diagnosis

AIMS

Five cases of angiomyolipoma (AML) composed exclusively or predominantly of smooth muscle cells (SMC) are presented to emphasize the histological diversity and to caution against errors in histological diagnosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four tumours were located in the liver and one in the renal capsule. Three patients were female and two were male, ranging from 36 to 76 years of age with a mean age of 50 years. One patient with a renal capsular tumour was associated with tuberous sclerosis. Two tumours were composed predominantly of a spindle-shaped SMC component, whereas three others were composed predominantly of epithelioid SMC elements. AMLs composed exclusively or predominantly of spindle-shaped smooth muscle cells (SMCs) stimulated leiomyoma, whereas AMLs composed exclusively or predominantly of epithelioid SMCs resembled epithelioid leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma or other sarcoma when cellular atypia was present. However, both spindle and epithelioid SMCs were characteristically positive for HMB-45 melanoma-specific antibody; no other tissue components in either the liver or kidney were reactive to HMB-45.

CONCLUSIONS

AML is often composed predominantly of SMC elements, and morphological features of the SMC elements are quite variable. Therefore, careful attention must be given to histological assessment of AML. Whenever a pathologist encounters an unfamiliar hepatic or renal tumour, the possibility of AML should be considered. Reactivity for HMB-45, however, confirmed the diagnosis of AML.

Diffuse biliary tract involvement mimicking primary sclerosing cholangitis in an experimental model of chronic graft-versus-host disease in mice

Experimental graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) across minor histocompatibility antigens was developed by injecting spleen and bone marrow cells (9:1) of congenic B10.D2 mice into sublethally irradiated BALB/c mice, and the histologic features of the liver were studied for up to 14 months after transplantation. Both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were severely involved in the GVHD process and showed features of non-suppurative cholangitis. Inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes, abutted the bile ducts and infiltrated into the duct epithelial layer together with a variety of degenerative changes in the epithelial cells. The peak inflammatory activity occurred about 2-3 weeks after transplantation. Thereafter, the inflammatory cell infiltration around the bile ducts and in the bile duct epithelial layer gradually became reduced in severity, although the infiltration persisted during the entire 14 month observation period. Periductal and duct wall fibroplasia began about 1 week after transplantation and gradually progressed. After 2-3 months post-transplantation, distinct ductal and periductal fibrosis of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts was observed. This histologic feature resembled that of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). These results suggest that PSC lesions might develop as a result of chronic cellular immunologic mechanisms in GVHD across minor histocompatibility barriers.

Alacepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, prevents cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage model in rats

The effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors was investigated on the development of cerebral vasospasm and on the endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rat subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. Alacepril or enalapril was used as an ACE inhibitor with or without a thiol moiety in the structure. SAH rats or sham-operated rats were produced by the injection of homologous blood or artificial cerebrospinal fluid into the cisternal magna, respectively. In the SAH rat, cerebral vasospasm was observed at 24 h after blood injection. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation in basilar arteries from SAH rats significantly decreased compared to that from sham-operated rats, although the relaxation induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine, sodium nitroprusside or papaverine did not decrease. These results suggest that the endothelium cell function of basilar arteries in SAH rats is damaged. Alacepril prevented both the development of cerebral vasospasm and the suppression in the Ach-induced relaxation of basilar artery in SAH rats. However, enalapril did not prevent the suppression of Ach-induced relaxation in SAH rats, despite the tendency to prevent cerebral vasospasm. Therefore, it is suggested that the preventive effect of alacepril on cerebral vasospasm could be based on its protective effect on endothelium-dependent relaxation system.

Hepatic hilar inflammatory pseudotumor mimicking cholangiocarcinoma with cholangitis and phlebitis--a variant of primary sclerosing cholangitis?

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is rare. We present a case of hepatic IPT mimicking cholangiocarcinoma in which the tumor was located at the left porta hepatis. The patient was a 64-year-old man in whom abnormal liver function test results had been noted incidentally during an annual health checkup in 1993: the patient declined to go to the hospital for further examination. At the annual health checkup the following year, abnormal liver function test results were noticed again, and this time he did go to a hospital, where a hepatic mass was found. Laboratory test results were unremarkable. Based on the location of the lesion and the findings of a variety of imaging modalities, such as ultrasound and computed tomography examination, the lesion was preoperatively diagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma and was surgically resected. Pathologic examination of the resected lesion, however, revealed that it was not a true tumor but an inflammatory pseudotumor with marked destructive and sclerosing cholangitis mimicking primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and obliterative phlebitis. Since the location and features of the tumor in the present case are very pertinent to the relationship between IPT and PSC, we describe its clinical and histologic features and discuss the findings in relation to PSC in the context of our literature review.

Protective effect of zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, against transient focal cerebral ischemia with middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE

The antiepileptic effects of zonisamide (ZNS) have been well documented experimentally and clinically. The purpose of this study was to examine whether ZNS reduces cerebral damage after transient focal ischemia in rats.

METHODS

Ischemia was induced by a transient occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) with a 3-0 nylon monofilament for 90 min. Neurological evaluation was performed by measuring the event of neurological deficit of the contralateral forepaw and hindpaw at 10 min and 1 day after MCA occlusion (MCAo). Brain infarct size was determined by measuring triphenyltetrazonium chloride-negative stained area of the serial brain sections 1 day after MCAo.

RESULTS

The pre- or postischemic treatment with ZNS [(10-100 mg/kg p.o.), 30 min before and 4 h after or 15 min and 4 h after the occlusion] markedly reduced cerebral damage in the ipsilateral hemisphere and the neurological deficit induced by transient ischemia. The reducing effect on the damage was observed in the cortical and subcortical regions. Preischemic treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ 60 mg/kg p.o. twice 30 min before and 4 h after MCAo) tended to reduce the cerebral damage and neurological deficit, but the lower dose (20 mg/kg p.o. twice) did not. Valproate (VPA 1,000 mg/kg p.o. twice) also had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

ZNS at the anticonvulsant dose, unlike CBZ and VPA, ameliorated the brain infarction and the event of neurological deficit after transient focal cerebral ischemia. These data suggest that ZNS has therapeutic potential in protecting against ischemic cerebral damage, such as stroke.

Construction of a Fibrobacter succinogenes genomic map and demonstration of diversity at the genomic level

The genomic cleavage map of the type strain Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 was constructed. The restriction enzymes AscI, AvrII, FseI, NotI, and SfiI generated DNA fragments of suitable size distribution that could be resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). An average genome size of 3.6 Mb was obtained by summing the total fragment sizes. The linkages between the 15 AscI fragments of the genome were determined by combining two approaches: isolation of linking clones and cross-hybridization of restriction fragments. The genome of F. succinogenes was found to be represented by the single circular DNA molecule. Southern hybridization with specific probes allowed the eight genetic markers to be located on the restriction map. The genome of this bacterium contains at least three rRNA operons. PFGE of the other three strains of F. succinogenes gave estimated genome sizes close to that of the type strain. However, RFLP patterns of these strains generated by AscI digestion are completely different. Pairwise comparison of the genomic fragment distribution between the type strain and the three isolates showed a similarity level in the region of 14.3% to 31.3%. No fragment common to all of these F. succinogenes strains could be detected by PFGE. A marked degree of genomic heterogeneity among members of this species makes genomic RFLP a highly discriminatory and useful molecular typing tool for population studies.

Post-treatment of transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats with the novel cerebrovascular-selective Ca2+ channel antagonist (+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl)-4-(3-pheny l-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate

The efficacy of post-ischemic treatment with AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl )-4-(3-phenyl-2- propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate, CAS 143110-70-7), a cerebrovascular selective Ca2+ channel antagonist, on brain infarction induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion in rats was evaluated. Focal ischemia was induced by transient occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) with a 3-0 nylon monofilament for 90 min. One day after MCA occlusion (MCAo), brain infarct size was determined by measuring 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazonium chloride-negative stained area of the serial brain sections. The development of cerebral infarction was observed in both regions of cortex and subcortex, such as striatum, caudatum, putamen, hippocampus and corpus callosum. Post-ischemic treatment with AJ-3941 (1 or 3 mg/kg p.o., 10 min and 3 h after the occlusion) significantly reduced the infarct size and volume in the ipsilateral hemisphere in a dose-dependent manner, compared to the solvent control. The reducing effect was observed mainly in the cortical region, and a significant reduction of the subcortical infarct volume was found at the higher dose (3 mg/kg). Post-ischemic treatment with the thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor, sodium ozagrel (150 micrograms/kg/min i.v. infusion, between 1 h and 24 h after the MCAo) did not reduce the infarct volume in the hemisphere after ischemia-reperfusion. AJ-3941 had only minimum effect on the elevation of body temperature during ischemia-reperfusion. These results indicate that post-ischemic treatment with AJ-3941 may ameliorate the brain injury after the transient focal cerebral ischemia, and they suggest that AJ-3941 has beneficial effects for treatment of ischemic cerebral damage, such as stroke.

Cerebrovascular selectivity and vasospasmolytic action of the novel calcium antagonist (+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate in isolated cerebral arteries of the rabbit and dog

The cerebrovascular selectivity and vasospasmolytic action of AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-p iperazine dimaleate. CAS 143110-70-7), a new calcium antagonist, were studied in isolated rabbit and dog arterial preparations. In rabbit arterial ring preparations, AJ-3941 dose-dependently inhibited the contractions of various arteries caused by high K(+)-depolarization (high K+) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PG). The inhibitory potency of AJ-3941 varied in different arteries, in descending order as follows: high K+: basilar > coronary > femoral > renal > mesenteric artery, PG: basilar > coronary > > femoral and renal artery. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) in the basilar artery was over 40 times lower than that in the mesenteric or femoral artery for which the weakest inhibition in the examined arteries was observed. This selective action of AJ-3941 for cerebral artery was also observed in the frontal and middle cerebral arteries of dogs. The selectivity for the rabbit basilar artery was higher than those of flunarizine and nicardipine. Additionally, the contractile response of the rabbit basilar artery induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), was greater than those of the arteries examined such as the coronary, femoral and mesenteric arteries. The response in the basilar artery was greatly reduced in Ca(2+)-free medium, while this was not the case in other arteries. AJ-3941 as well as H-7, an inhibitor of PKC, potently inhibited PDBu-induced contractile response in the basilar artery in the presence, but not in the absence of Ca2+ in the medium, whereas the existing calcium antagonists, diltiazem and nicardipine, did not inhibit the contractile response in both conditions. These results suggest that the PKC-dependent system which is mediated by influx of extracellular Ca2+ profoundly contributes to the contraction of the cerebral artery and that the cerebroselective-vasodilating effect of AJ-3941 may depend, at least partly, on the inhibition of the PKC-mediated contractile response. In rabbit basilar arteries, AJ-3941 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the contraction induced by various vasospasmogens, such as endothelin-1 (ET), arachidonic acid, 15-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid and the thromboxane A2-mimetic U-46619. Furthermore, when isolated basilar arteries of the dog were perfused intraluminally with AJ-3941 at the concentration that inhibits high K(+)- or PG-induced contraction in the rabbit basilar artery, AJ-3941 effectively antagonized the vasospasm induced by extraluminal application of PG or ET. However, when flunarizine, nicardipine, diltiazem or verapamil was used for intraluminal perfusion of the same preparations, none of these drugs exerted spasmolytic effect. These results indicate that AJ-3941 has cerebrovascular selective-vasospasmolytic action, and consequently is thought to be effective in cerebrovascular disorder such as vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Blood cyst of the pulmonary valve in an adult: report of a case and review of the literature

We report a case of a blood cyst originating from the pulmonary valve cusp of a 43-year-old Japanese woman with pulmonary stenosis. Cineangiography revealed a pedunculated tumor on the arterial surface of the pulmonary valve. It was successfully removed by a transpulmonary artery approach. The cyst contained old blood and calcified thrombi, and its wall consisted of collagenous fibrous tissue. Immunohistochemically, a monolayer of flat cells lining the cyst was confirmed as endothelium using antibodies to von Willebrand factor and CD34, as well as UEA-I lectin. To the best of our knowledge, blood cysts of the pulmonary valve are rare and only 10 such cases have been reported, including six pediatric cases. This case is the oldest and fifth adult patient with a blood cyst found on the pulmonary valve. A possible histogenesis is discussed.

Prevention by the new Ca2+ channel antagonist, AJ-3941, of loss of endothelium-dependent relaxation after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl ) -4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate; CAS No. 143110-70-7), a cerebrovascular-selective Ca2+ channel antagonist having anti-lipid peroxidative action, was reported to prevent cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats. The present study was undertaken to determine whether AJ-3941 protects the impairment of cerebroarterial endothelium-dependent relaxation which is concomitantly induced with cerebral vasospasm. Subarachnoid hemorrhage biphasically suppressed the response to acetylcholine in rat basilar artery, at 0.5 h (n = 4; P < 0.06) and 1 day (n = 5; P < 0.05) after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The reduction of the responses was correlated significantly to the degree of vasospasm determined angiographically. This reduction was accompanied by a 49% increase of arterial lipid peroxide contents. Endothelium-independent relaxation in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats was preserved in response to 3-morpholinosydnonimine, sodium nitroprusside and papaverine. AJ-3941 prevented (n = 6-8, P < 0.05) the suppression of the acetylcholine-induced response and the increase in lipid peroxide content in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats. These results suggest that AJ-3941 could exert its vasospasmolytic effect by preserving endothelial function through its anti-lipid peroxidative action, in addition to its inhibition of vasospasmogen-induced vasoconstriction related to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Effect of (+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11 -yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate on cerebral vasospasm and impairment of cerebral circulation in subarachnoid hemorrhage model in rats

A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model in rats was produced by the injection of homologous blood into the cisterna magna. Effects of AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11 -dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-p iperazine dimaleate, CAS 143110-70-7) on the development of cerebral vasospasm and the change of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) following SAH was investigated in this model. Cerebral vasospasm following SAH showed a biphasic pattern with an early phrase at 10 min and a late phrase on 1 day after blood injection. The physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart rate and blood gas contents) remained stable within the physiological range throughout the course of the experiment. AJ-3941 (0.01 mg/kg i.v. or 0.3 mg/kg p.o.) significantly prevented the development of late phase cerebral vasospasm. Cisternal injection of homologous blood significantly reduced rCBF immediately after the injection and the reduction lasted during the observation period (30 min). Reduction in rCBF after the injection of homologous blood was prevented by AJ-3941 (0.01 mg/kg i.v.). rCBF in AJ-3941-treated rats completely returned to the basal values after 30 min. The present suggest that AJ-3941 may be useful in the prevention of late spasm and in the improvement of cerebral circulation impaired with SAH.

Protective effect of the novel cerebrovascular-selective calcium antagonist (+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate on ischemic brain damage after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

In this study the effect of post-ischemic treatment of AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz [b,e]-oxepine-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate, CAS 143110-70-7) a cerebrovascular-selective calcium antagonist, on brain infarction and edema in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) was evaluated. Brain infarct size was determined at 24 h after MCAo by measuring 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride-negative stained area of the serial brain sections. Post-ischemic treatment of AJ-3941 (3 mg/kg p.o.), 10 min and 3 h after the insult, significantly reduced brain infarct size by 44-80%, compared to vehicle control. The reducing effect was observed both in the cortical and subcortical regions. Three days after MCAo, contents of water and Na+ in the ipsilateral hemisphere significantly increased comparing with those in control rats. Post-ischemic treatment with AJ-3941 (3 and 10 mg/kg twice daily p.o. for 2 days) markedly inhibited the increase in water content and suppressed the increase in Na+ content. In the contralateral hemisphere, these contents showed no significant differences between vehicle-treated group and either control (non-operated) or AJ-3941-treated group. AJ-3941 had only minimum effect on body temperature and physiological parameters, such as blood pressure, blood gases and glucose, even when the maximum dose used (10 mg/kg) was repeatedly administered. These results indicate that post-ischemic treatment with AJ-3941 may ameliorate the brain infarction and edema after permanent focal cerebral ischemia, and they also suggest that AJ-3941 has a beneficial effect in the treatment of ischemic cerebral damage.

Cloning, nucleotide sequence and expression of the gene encoding the cellulose-binding protein 1 (CBP1) of Fibrobacter succinogenes S85

The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 cellulose-binding protein 1 (CBP1) has been determined. The gene encodes a protein of 1054 amino acids with a molecular mass of 118614. The deduced amino acid sequence of CBP1 showed an extensive similarity to the cellulose-binding domain of an endoglucanase (EGCCD) from Clostridium cellulolyticum and contained the reiterated regions. The cloned gene was inserted into an expression vector, pRSETA, and was expressed in E. coli as a fused protein with the peptide consisting of six consecutive histidine residues. The fused protein was detected by immunoblotting using antiserum against CBP1, and exhibited the cellulose-binding activities.

Expression of blood group-related antigens in cholangiocarcinoma in relation to non-neoplastic bile ducts

The abnormal expression of blood group related antigens has been reported in many malignant tumours; however, such expression in cholangiocarcinoma has not been examined systematically. The expression of blood group-related antigens (A, B, H, Lewis(a), Lewis(b), Lewis(x), Lewis(y), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen) was investigated immunohistochemically in 75 cases of cholangiocarcinoma (31 peripheral type and 44 hilar type). In non-neoplastic bile ducts, A, B, and H antigens were expressed in large bile ducts, while Lewis(a,b,y) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 were variably expressed in both large and small bile ducts. Lewis(x) and carcinoembryonic antigen was not found in non-neoplastic bile ducts. In cholangiocarcinomas, A, B, and H, antigens were more frequent in the hilar type than in the peripheral type, although the difference was not significant. The expression of the blood-group related antigens, particularly A, Lewis(a,b,y), carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, was frequent in the tumour cells in well differentiated adenocarcinomas, while their immunoreactivity was less frequent in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. The superanuclear and luminal expression of these antigens in carcinoma cells was frequent in well differentiated adenocarcinomas, and the diffuse, cell membranous and stromal expression of these antigens was relatively frequent in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and adenosquamous carcinoma. The A, B, and H immunoreactivity of both non-neoplastic bile ducts and cholangiocarcinomas was consistent with the host blood group type. These findings suggest that both the expression and intracellular distribution of blood group-related antigens in cholangiocarcinoma are related to the differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma and, possibly, to the parent structure.