Interleukin-1beta in antigen-induced arthritis of the rabbit temporomandibular joint

The aim was to investigate joint perfusate levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in antigen-induced monoarthritis of the rabbit temporomandibular (TMJ) and knee joints. Twenty-four adult male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: a control group as well as TMJ arthritis and knee joint arthritis groups. After sensitization, unilateral arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection with ovalbumin and the contralateral joint was injected with saline 3 weeks after induction of arthritis. Joints were then perfused continuously with saline and samples were collected at 10-min intervals over a 50-min period. The IL-1beta concentrations in the samples were then analyzed. After killing the animals, the joints were examined histologically. The IL-1beta concentrations in the samples from the arthritic TMJs and knee joints were significantly higher than in the saline-injected and the control joints. Histological signs of chronic arthritis of similar severity were found in both joints. The IL-1beta levels in the samples from the arthritic TM and knee joints correlated with the histological severity of the arthritis, including pannus formation. In conclusion, this study shows that IL-1beta is released in the synovium of rabbit TMJs and knee joints during antigen-induced arthritis, and that high IL-1beta levels in synovial fluid are associated with histological signs of inflammation including, pannus tissue formation.

Acid regulates inflammatory response in a rat model of induction of gastric ulcer recurrence by interleukin 1beta

BACKGROUND

In a previous study we showed that interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) caused recurrence of gastric ulcers in rats, and that adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and leucocytic beta2 integrins) play a role in this recurrence. Although gastric acid plays an important role in many types of gastric injuries, including peptic ulcer recurrence, the mechanism(s) remains unclear.

AIMS

To examine the involvement of gastric acid in induction of ulcer recurrence by IL-1beta, and to investigate the role of gastric acid in inflammatory responses during ulcer recurrence.

METHODS

Rats with healed ulcers were used. Rats were given 1 microg/kg IL-1beta intraperitoneally. Another group of rats was given 20 mg/kg omeprazole for three days to inhibit acid secretion, and received IL-1beta 20 hours after the first administration of omeprazole. They were then given 0.15 N HCl or vehicle at 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after IL-1beta treatment. Some rats were given acid alone at the same time points. Expression of adhesion molecules was examined immunohistochemically and concentrations of IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by ELISA in scar tissue 24 hours after IL-1beta treatment.

RESULTS

IL-1beta increased expression of adhesion molecules and concentrations of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in scar tissue by 24 hours after IL-1beta treatment, and nine of 11 healed ulcers had recurred by 48 hours. Omeprazole inhibited the effects of IL-1beta. HCl acid abolished the inhibitory effects of omeprazole. Acid alone affected neither expression of adhesion molecules nor cytokine concentrations, and did not cause recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric acid is required for recurrence of gastric ulcers caused by IL-1beta, and gastric acid stimulates the inflammatory process in scarred mucosa during ulcer recurrence.

Intravenous readministration of an adenoviral vector performed long after the initial administration failed to induce re-expression of the original transgene in rats

Although most humans have been exposed to wild-type adenoviruses in their childhood, titers of neutralizing antibodies against viruses decrease with the passage of time. In the present study, we infused adenoviruses carrying the lacZ gene into the tail vein of rats, and re-infused the same adenoviruses long after the initial administration. However, development of neutralizing antibodies against adenovirus and proliferation of adenovirus-specific T cells were elicited profoundly by adenoviral readministration, and transgene expression was not induced in rats. Our results may have important implications for efficacy considerations when adenoviral vectors are employed in clinical settings for the treatment of cancer.

[Clinical analysis of neutropenic fever associated with hematological disorders]

We evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy with sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) and amikacin sulfate (AMK) in eligible patients with hematological disorders of neutrophil count less than 1,000/microliter. The clinical efficacy rate in 157 evaluated patients was 65.6%. The clinical efficacy rates were related to neutrophil counts and serum albumin levels at the 1 week later. The clinical efficacy rates were 87.1% in patients with neutrophil counts over 500/microliter and 34.8% in patients with serum albumin levels under 3 g/dl after 1 week. G-CSF treatment were not significant but tended to be more effective in patients with sepsis, and the neutrophil counts increased significantly. The group using G-CSF before the antibiotic treatment had a high clinical efficacy rate. It is suggested that G-CSF is effective in patients with neutropenia with the high risk to infection and in those who already have severe infections.

Crystallization process of transparent conductive oxides Zn(k)In2O(k+3)

Crystallization process of the homologous compounds Zn(k)In2O(k+3) from the coprecipitants was examined by XAFS spectroscopy and X ray diffractometry. Interesting crystallization behavior could be observed. Though zinc oxide already crystallized as the wurtzite-type ZnO at 573K, indium oxide remained amorphous. Subsequently bixbyite-type In2O3 appeared at 873K for k=5 and 7 and at below 773K for the other k-members, respectively. The InO distance in the amorphous In2O3 was a little shorted than that in the bixbyite-type In2O3 by 0.06-7A. The distance remained constant but abruptly increased to that observed in the bixbyite-type In2O3 in accordance with the progress of crystallization. Then the distance gradually decreased and converged to ca. 2.12A at the temperature range of 1173-1373K, due to the reaction between In2O3 and ZnO to form the homologous compound.

Contrast medium-induced pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability is aggravated in a rat climacterium model

Tominaga K, Kataoka Y, Sendo T, et al. Contrast medium-induced pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability is aggravated in a rat climacterium model. Invest Radiol 2001;36:131-135.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To test whether climacterium influences adverse pulmonary reactions to contrast media, the authors investigated the effect of ioxaglate on pulmonary vascular permeability in ovariectomized rats as a climacterium model.

METHODS

From 7 days after surgery, ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol valerate or vehicle once per week for 3 weeks. At 28 days after surgery, ioxaglate, an ionic contrast medium, was intravenously injected at 1.5 mL/min in rats. Pulmonary vascular permeability was evaluated by measuring the amount of Evans blue dye in the lung tissue.

RESULTS

Ioxaglate dose-dependently increased pulmonary vascular permeability in sham-operated and ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized rats showed a 2.6-fold increased aggravation of vascular permeability by ioxaglate 4 g I/kg compared with sham-operated rats. Estradiol valerate (0.2-5.0 mg/kg) dose-dependently blocked ioxaglate-increased vascular permeability in ovariectomized rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that climacterium is included, at least in part, in the risk factors for contrast-induced adverse pulmonary reactions, and this risk is lowered by estrogen replacement therapy.

[Clinical effects of combination therapy with cefozopran and amikacin for infections in patients with hematological disorders]

Cefozopran (CZOP) and amikacin (AMK) were used concomitantly to treat infections complicated by hematological diseases. A total of 103 subjects were evaluated, and the all over efficacy rate was 69.9%. Acute leukemia was found in the largest number of patient, 57, followed by 29 cases of malignant lymphoma and 7 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome. By type of infection, patients having unknown origin were the largest in number, being 66, and the efficacy rate was 71.2%. The efficacy rates for sepsis, pneumonia and upper respiratory infection were 42.9% (7 cases), 71.4% (14 cases) and 90% (10 cases) respectively. The efficacy rates by neutrophil counts before administration of CZOP and AMK and at 1 week after administration were both 53.3% in the group of less than 100/microliter, both 60% in the group of less than 500/microliter. The efficacy rate by neutrophil counts at 1 week after administration was 58.6% in the group of less than 100/microliter. The efficacy rate was 75.4% in the group of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concomitant usage, and 61.9% in the group of non-concomitant usage group. The efficacy rates by serum albumin levels before administration of CZOP and AMK and at 1 week after administration were both 92.9% in the group of over than 4 g/dl, both 50% in the group of less than 3 g/dl. Concomitant treatment with CZOP and AMK exhibited a high level of safety and efficacy rates in infections complicated by hematological diseases.

Expression of gene for EIIIA- and EIIIB- fibronectin, fetal types of fibronectin, during gastric ulcer healing in rats

Fibronectin (FN) is important for wound healing via cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and matrix formation. Fetal types of FN mRNA, which include the region of EIIIA or EIIIB, are well expressed during embryonic development and wound healing. This study was done to investigate the mRNA expression of full-length FN, EIIIA- and EIIIB-FN, and the localization of FN in the gastric tissues during ulcer healing with northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical technique. Gastric ulcers in rats were produced by acetic acid. EIIIA- and EIIIB-FN mRNA were not detected in normal gastric tissues, but were expressed in the ulcerated tissues throughout the healing phase. However, on day 60 (in the scarred phase), the EIIIA- and EIIIB-FN mRNA had disappeared. The levels of full-length FN mRNA were increased from day 3 to 32 compared with the control levels, and decreased to the control levels on day 60. Full-length FN was predominantly localized at the mesenchyme around the infiltrating inflammatory cells in the granulation tissues and the basement membranes of the nonproliferating epithelial cells, which were regenerated at the ulcer margin. Thus, fetal gene transcripts of FN suggest the important role of fetal FN in gastric ulcer healing, mainly via the migration of mesenchymal and epithelial cells.

[Morphological investigation of H. pylori and its culture method]

H. pylori plays important roles in the pathogenesis of active gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Culture of H. pylori from suspicious materials is one of gold standard methods for the diagnosis of its infection. H. pylori has two types of morphological manifestation, spiral (mobile) and coccoid (immobile) forms. Morphological conversion from spiral to coccoid form and its reversion may be important role in its pathophysiology including bacterial properties, pathogenicity, and etiology. However, the mechanism and significance of such transformation of H. pylori have remained unknown. In this chapter, we introduce the conventional and new culture methods of H. pylori and review the current knowledge regarding both two types of morphological manifestation and pathophysiological significance of such transformation.

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into tumors: evaluation of direct readministration of an adenoviral vector into subcutaneous tumors of immunocompetent mice

Because systemic administration of adenoviruses appears to be limited by their immunogenicity, we examined the feasibility of intratumoral administration of adenoviruses. Direct intratumoral administration of adenoviruses resulted in efficient but transient transgene expression. When adenoviruses were readministered directly into tumors, re-expression of the transgene was achieved. Transgene expression induced by the adenoviral readministration was, however, markedly weaker than that induced by the initial administration. Furthermore, intratumoral readministration of adenoviruses elicited profound humoral and cellular immune responses to adenoviruses. These results may have important implications for efficacy considerations when adenoviral vectors are used for clinical cancer gene therapy.

Cytoprotective effect of rabeprazole against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage: possible involvement of nitric oxide

The cytoprotective effect of rabeprazole, a new proton pump inhibitor, against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage was investigated in rats. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of rabeprazole once only or once daily for 3 days. Subsequently, the rats were given 1 ml of absolute ethanol by oral intubation. Some rats given rabeprazole were treated with N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or indomethacin. Repeated administration of rabeprazole significantly inhibited ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, although single administration of this drug did not. Pretreatment with L-NAME abolished the cytoprotective effect of rabeprazole. This inhibitory effect of L-NAME was reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not influence the cytoprotective effect of rabeprazole. These results suggest that repeated intraperitoneal administration of rabeprazole has a cytoprotective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage and that this effect may be mediated via nitric oxide but not via prostaglandins.

Assessment of efficiency and safety of adenovirus mediated gene transfer into normal and damaged murine livers

BACKGROUND

When recombinant adenoviruses are infused directly into the circulation, transgene expression is almost completely restricted to the liver.

AIMS

Efficiency and safety of adenovirus mediated gene transfer into damaged livers were examined in mice with liver cirrhosis or fulminant hepatitis.

METHODS

Liver cirrhosis and fulminant hepatitis were induced by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide and D-galactosamine followed by lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Mice were infused with adenoviruses carrying the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene, lacZ gene, into the tail vein. Transduction efficiency of the lacZ gene was estimated histochemically by X-gal staining and quantitatively using a chemiluminescent assay. Activation of adenovirus specific T cells and development of neutralising antibodies against adenovirus were also examined.

RESULTS

Histochemical evaluation revealed that approximately 40%, 80%, and 40% of cells in normal, cirrhotic, and fulminant hepatitis livers, respectively, were stained blue using X-gal staining. Quantitative analyses revealed that levels of lacZ expression in cirrhotic livers were approximately 2.5-fold and sixfold greater than those in normal and fulminant hepatitis livers, respectively. Although transgene expression in fulminant hepatitis livers was significantly lower than that in normal livers, marked levels of transgene expression were achieved even in fulminant hepatitis livers. Significant adverse effects of adenoviruses were not observed in damaged livers. There were no significant differences in cellular or humoral immune responses to adenoviruses among animals with normal, cirrhotic, and fulminant hepatitis livers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that gene therapy with adenoviruses may be used efficiently and safely, even in patients with severe liver disease.

Analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene of secondary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that subsequently developed in four cases with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma (Richter syndrome)

The immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH gene) was analysed in four cases of B-cell Richter syndrome, in order to determine whether a secondary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) could arise from the same clone as the initial B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma (LPL) or be a de novo event, and whether secondary DLBCL shows an intraclonal microheterogeneity. Both the initial B-CLL and secondary DLBCL in two cases expressed CD5 antigen. Both samples of the initial B-CLL or LPL and the secondary DLBCL in three cases were examined for comparison. The polymerase chain reaction-amplified IgH gene of secondary DLBCL in two cases (CD5+ case and CD5- case) were different from those of the initial B-CLL, revealing a new malignant clone. The other case (CD5-) showed that secondary DLBCL had a sequence identical to the initial LPL, indicating the same clonal origin. The variable region of the IgH gene of secondary DLBCL (CD5+ two cases and CD5- two cases) exhibited a 0.5-9.0% somatic mutation range and no intraclonal microheterogeneity.

Helicobacter pylori: criminal or innocent bystander?

Most patients with peptic ulcer disease are infected with Helicobacter pylori. However, the infection may not be always causative for the disease. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is about 50% in general. Therefore, half of the patients with peptic ulcer could be infected with this microorganism just by chance. In such cases, H. pylori may do nothing for the ulcer, although it causes chronic active gastritis. This could be the reason for the existence of both H. pylori-positive nonrecurring ulcers and ulcers that recur even after cure of H. pylori infection. H. pylori-positive non-recurring ulcers should be included in non-H. pylori ulcer disease in addition to H. pylori-negative ulcers. NSAIDs are the major cause of H. pylori-negative ulcers, especially H. pylori-negative gastric ulcers. However, more than 10% of ulcers recurred even after cure of H. pylori infection in nonusers of NSAIDs in a 7-year follow-up study. In the same study, 46% of ulcers did not recur in patients in whom eradication of H. pylori failed. There are few (<5%) H. pylori-negative ulcers; about 10% of ulcers recur after cure of H. pylori infection, and about 40% of H. pylori-positive ulcers do not recur. These are all non-H. pylori ulcers, and they represent 30% of all ulcers, which is the general prevalence rate for nonulcer subjects. Therefore, H. pylori may be an innocent bystander in approximately one third of all ulcer patients.

Aberrant cell cycle checkpoint function and early embryonic death in Chk1(-/-) mice

The recent discovery of checkpoint kinases has suggested the conservation of checkpoint mechanisms between yeast and mammals. In yeast, the protein kinase Chk1 is thought to mediate signaling associated with the DNA damage checkpoint of the cell cycle. However, the function of Chk1 in mammals has remained unknown. Targeted disruption of Chk1 in mice showed that Chk1(-/-) embryos exhibit gross morphologic abnormalities in nuclei as early as the blastocyst stage. In culture, Chk1(-/-) blastocysts showed a severe defect in outgrowth of the inner cell mass and died of apoptosis. DNA replication block and DNA damage failed to arrest the cell cycle before initiation of mitosis in Chk1(-/-) embryos. These results may indicate that Chk1 is indispensable for cell proliferation and survival through maintaining the G(2) checkpoint in mammals.

Computed tomographic fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic needle biopsy for diagnosis of pulmonary nodules

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) with an 18-gauge automatic biopsy gun for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.

METHODS

Between March 1996 and January 1998, 50 patients in whom pulmonary lesions could not be diagnosed cytopathologically with fiberoptic bronchoscopy or were not clearly visualized with fluoroscopy underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided TTNB.

RESULTS

Final pathological diagnoses were 23 lung carcinomas, five pulmonary metastases and 22 benign lesions. Sufficient tissue for analysis was obtained from 48 of the 50 lesions (96%). The overall diagnostic yield of CT fluoroscopy-guided TTNB was 90%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for malignancy were 89%, 100% and 94%, respectively. In 20 of the 22 cases (91%) of benign lesions, histological analysis yielded correct and specific diagnoses. Complications occurred in 22 of the 50 cases (44%). The most common complication was pneumothorax, which occurred in 21 of the 50 cases (42%). Chest tube insertion was required in 6 (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although CT fluoroscopy could not decrease the complication rate, CT fluoroscopy-guided TTNB with an automatic biopsy gun appears to be a promising technique for diagnosing pulmonary lesions, particularly benign lesions.

Effect of lipid polarization by centrifugation at different developmental stages on post-thaw survival of bovine in vitro produced 16-cell embryos

The developmental rate to the blastocyst stage of frozen-thawed bovine in vitro produced embryos at stages earlier than Day 6 morula is not sufficiently high for practical utilization. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of polarization of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of bovine in vitro produced embryos from zygotes to the 8-cell stage, by centrifugation without following micromanipulation, on the survival rate of Day 4 16-cell embryos. After centrifugation at 15,500 x g in medium containing cytochalasin D, embryos were cultured to the 16-cell stage, classified as either mostly or partially delipidated by degree of lipid droplet removal, and then frozen. Embryos centrifuged at the 2-cell stage developed to the 16-cell stage similarly to those centrifuged at the 8-cell stage. The developmental rate to blastocysts after freezing of the mostly delipidated 16-cell embryos centrifuged at the 2-cell stage was higher than that of those centrifuged at the zygote stage, those that were partially delipidated at the 2-cell stage, and those that were not centrifuged. The results demonstrate that polarization of lipid droplets at the 2-cell stage by centrifugation without micromanipulation improved the survival rate of mostly delipidated 16-cell embryos after freezing.

Neutrophil accumulation in development gastric ulcer induced by submucosal injection of endothelin-1 in rats

Submucosal injection of endothelin (ET)-1 induces gastric ulcer. We investigated the roles of neutrophils and adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and CD18) in the development of ET-1-induced ulcers in rats. Ulcers were induced by submucosal injection of ET-1. Rats were injected with anti-neutrophil serum or F(ab')2 fragments of irrelevant mouse IgG2a (control), anti-ICAM-1 antibody, or anti-CD18 antibody. Ulcer tissues were subjected to measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, ulcer size, and immunohistochemical study. Within 3 hr, arterial vasoconstriction and vascular congestion were observed at sites of ET-1 injection. By 6 hr, vascular congestion had disappeared, and ICAM-1 expression had markedly increased in venules in deep portions of the mucosa and submucosa, accompanied by an increase in the number of CD18-positive neutrophils. By 48 hr, ulcers that extended into the submucosa had developed. In controls, MPO activity gradually increased and was maximal by 6 hr. Neutrophil depletion, and immunoneutralizing of ICAM-1 and CD18 inhibited the increase in MPO activity, and decreased ulcer sizes measured at 48 hr. In conclusion, ET-1 causes ischemia-reperfusion injury, and neutrophil accumulation after reperfusion mediated by the ICAM-1-CD18 pathway may be important in the development of ET-1-induced gastric ulcer.

Highly selective antibacterial activity of novel alkyl quinolone alkaloids from a Chinese herbal medicine, Gosyuyu (Wu-Chu-Yu), against Helicobacter pylori in vitro

To elucidate the antibacterial activity of Gosyuyu, the crude extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been fractionated chromatographically, and each fraction was assayed for antibacterial activity against Helicobacterpylori (H. pylori) in vitro. As the result, a single spot having marked antibacterial activity against H. pylori was obtained and the chemical structure was analyzed. The isolated compound was revealed to be a novel alkyl quinolone alkaloid based on the solubility, IR spectra, NMR analysis and mass spectrometric data after purification by TLC of silica. We compared the antimicrobial activity of this compound with that of other antimicrobial agents and examined susceptibility of various intestinal pathogens. As the result, the new quinolone compounds obtained from Gosyuyu extracts were found to be a mixture of two quinolone alkaloids, 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-8-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone and 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-7-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone (MW: 339), reported previously. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against reference strains and clinically isolated H. pylori strains were less than 0.05 microg/ml, which was similar to the MIC of amoxicillin and clarithromycin that are used worldwide for the eradication of H. pylori, clinically. Furthermore, it was noted that the antimicrobial activity of these compounds was highly selective against H. pylori and almost non-active against other intestinal pathogens. The above results showed that these alkyl methyl quinolone (AM quinolones) alkaloids were useful for the eradication of H. pylori without affecting other intestinal flora.