BAYw6228 suppresses accumulation of macrophages in balloon-induced intimal thickening of rabbit carotid artery

To determine the in vivo activity of BAYw6228 (BAYw), a newly developed 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, we examined its effect on balloon catheterization-induced carotid arterial intimal thickening in Japanese white rabbits. In all rabbits weighing approximately 3.5 kg, a balloon catheter was inserted from a peripheral branch of the left external carotid artery to the aorta in order to denude the endothelium of the left common carotid artery. At day 12, they were divided into control and BAYw groups. The latter were subcutaneously injected with BAYw, 1 mg/kg/day, for the following 17 days. At day 15, the second balloon catheterization was performed in the same left common carotid artery in both groups. After another two weeks, the left common carotid artery was removed and stained with Elastica-Masson (EM) and anti-rabbit macrophage antibody (RAM 11). With RAM 11 staining, the number of positive cells in the intimal thickening was markedly decreased in the BAYw group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the area ratio of the thickened intima/media layer of the control group, that of the BAYw group was significantly decreased to 45% (P < 0.05). These results indicate that BAYw prevents accumulation of macrophages and consequently contributes to the inhibition of intimal thickening induced by balloon catheterization.

Integration patterns of HTLV-I provirus in relation to the clinical course of ATL: frequent clonal change at crisis from indolent disease

We examined human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) DNA integration in 68 patients with adult T-cell leukemia/ lymphoma (ATL) by Southern blotting using EcoRI, which does not cut within the 9 kb of the genome and probes for pX and gag-pol region of HTLV-I. We detected defective proviral integration as a monoclonal band of various sizes with the pX but not with the gag-pol probe, or a monoclonal band of less than 9 kb with the pX probe, in 20 patients (29.4%). These were designated defective (D) type. With both probes, a single band greater than 9 kb was detected in 34 (50.0%), designated complete (C) type, and two or more bands greater than 9 kb, were designated multiple (M) type, in 14 (20.6%). Advanced age, a high LDH value, and hypercalcemia were more frequent in D type patients. The median survival time (MST) was 6.8, 24.4, and 33.3 months, for D, C, and M types, respectively (log rank P = .006). Among 52 sequentially examined patients, the HTLV-I integration patterns changed in 4 (7.5%). In three of these four, the rearrangements of the T-cell receptor (TCR)b gene concomitantly changed, suggesting the appearance of a new ATL clone. Another patient had the same rearrangement of the TCRb gene, indicating clonal evolution. The HTLV-I integration pattern changed at crisis from indolent to aggressive ATL in three patients. These findings suggested that the HTLV-I integration patterns have clinical implications in ATL pathophysiology. In contrast to the clonal evolution characteristic of the multistep carcinogenesis of most human malignancies, the frequent clonal change of ATL at crisis is a peculiar phenomenon, probably reflecting the emergence of multiple premalignant clones in viral leukemogenesis as suggested in Epstein-Barr virus associated lymphomagenesis in the immunocompromised host.

Detection of herpes simplex DNA in semen and menstrual blood of individuals attending an infertility clinic

OBJECTIVE

To determine a possible link between herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) and infertility.

METHOD

A specifically designed polymerase chain reaction with nested primers, was developed and used to test for HSV in 153 men and 20 women attending an infertility clinic.

RESULTS

HSV DNA was detected in 37 (24%) out of 153 semen samples and in 11 (55%) out of 20 menstrual blood samples. However, HSV DNA (0%) was not detected in the semen of 16 males with children. A significant association between the evidence for infertility and an HSV positive test was observed in men (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.024), and a stronger effect was found in females after failed in vitro fertilization (Fisher's exact test p = 0.0086).

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in semen and menstrual blood. Encouraging preliminary results justify antiviral therapy in case of a positive test.

Comparative analysis of CD45RA- and CD45RO-positive CD4+T cells in peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

To determine whether the predominant infiltration with memory CD4+T cells in joints is specific to the local immune and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the proportions of CD45RA+ or CD45RO+ cells in the CD4+T cell populations in three different compartments (i.e., peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue) from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA) were compared by two-color flow-cytometric analysis. In the CD4+T cell population of peripheral blood, the number of CD45RO+ cells was relatively higher than CD45RA+ cells in both RA and OA patients, but their percentages did not differ from those found in healthy individuals. However, the great majority of CD4+T cells present in synovial fluid and synovial tissue were CD45RO-positive and CD45RA-negative in both patient groups; although CD4+T cells infiltrating both the disease compartments were markedly greater in RA joints, their mean percentages of CD45RO+ cells were not significantly different from those in OA joints. These data indicate that an accumulation of CD45RO+ memory CD4+T cells is a generalized phenomenon during local inflammatory responses in both RA and OA joints, and may be due mainly to the propensity of these cells to preferentially transmigrate into the inflamed joint via adhesion molecules as compared with CD45RA+ naive CD4+T cells.

Distribution of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptors in the brain of the ataxic mutant mouse, rolling mouse Nagoya

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its analog, TA-0910, ameliorate the ataxia of the mutant mouse, rolling mouse Nagoya, by metabolic normalization in the ventral tegmental field (VTF). We here investigated the distribution of cerebral TRH receptors in the rolling mouse to clarify the sites of action of these drugs. TRH receptors were widely distributed in multiple brain areas, including in the VTF and the cuneiform nucleus (CnF) which terminates in the VTF. These results suggest that TRH and TA-0910 directly activate the VTF by acting on TRH receptors in the VTF and indirectly activate it through the receptors in the CnF.

Chronic anti-ataxic actions of the novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog, TA-0910, during and after repeated administration in Rolling mouse Nagoya: behavioral and pharmacokinetic studies

Anti-ataxic effects of TA-0910, a novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog, in mice of the ataxic mutant mouse strain Rolling mouse Nagoya (RMN) are sustained beyond its 2-week oral administration period (Kinoshita et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 274, 65-72, 1995). We examined the concentration of TA-0910 in the central nervous system (CNS) of RMN after repeated administration in an attempt to clarify the mechanism of the sustained effect of the drug. Repeated administration of TA-0910 (3 mg/kg/d, i.p.) for 2 weeks produced a long-lasting ameliorating effect on ataxia in RMN, and this effect was maintained until 3 weeks after drug withdrawal. The concentrations of TA-0910 in the cerebrum and brain stem 24 h after the final administration were twice the concentration observed 24h after single administration. The cerebellum cencentration of TA-0910 was more than 4 times that observed 24 h after final administration. After repeated administrations, the drug concentrations in the brain tissues gradually decreased, but the drug was still detectable in the cerebrum and brain stem 3 weeks after withdrawal. However, these concentrations of TA-0910 3 weeks after withdrawal were as low those observed 24 h after single administration when there were no anti-ataxic effects. These observations suggest that the long-lasting ameliorating effect on the ataxia during and after repeated administration of TA-0910 is not ascribable to the drug remaining in the CNS of RMN.

A new type of major aminopeptidase in bovine brain

A new type of major aminopeptidase was purified from bovine brain by ammonium sulfate fractionation and TMAE-fractogel (anion exchange), arginine-Sepharose 4B, Sephadex G-150, and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a maximum activity at pH 7.2, and its molecular size was estimated to be 98,000 by gel filtration and 104,000 by SDS-PAGE with or without 2-mercaptoethanol. Further properties were activation by thiol reagents; inhibition by EDTA, puromycin, bestatin, amastatin, actinonin, leuhistin and probestin; and very low concentrations of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Al3+, Fe3+, and Zn2+ inhibited activity. The enzyme hydrolyzed several amino acyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumalin derivatives (amino acid-MCA). The order of MCA-substrate specificity expressed as kcat/Km is Lys-MCA > Arg-MCA > Leu-MCA > Met-MCA > Phe-MCA > Tyr-MCA > Ala-MCA >> Gly-MCA, Pro-MCA, Ser-MCA, Asn-MCA. Immunoreactivity of the antibody against the purified aminopeptidase was observed in human brain and most rat tissues examined including brain, liver, kidney, lung, heart, and skeletal muscle at the same molecular size as in bovine brain aminopeptidase. Most of the Lys-, Leu-, Met-, and Phe-MCA degrading activity in crude bovine and human brain extracts was absorbed by the aminopeptidase IgG, suggesting that this aminopeptidase is a major enzyme, sharing at least Lys-, Leu-, Met-, and Phe-MCA degrading aminopeptidase activities in the brains.

Carcinoid tumor of the gall bladder

A classical carcinoid tumor, measuring 11 x 17 mm, was found in a 41-year-old woman in the neck of the gall bladder. The lesion infiltrated the muscular layer of the gall bladder wall. Histologically, the tumor was positive for only Grimelius and chromogranin A stains. In a literature search, approximately half of the tumors reported as gall bladder carcinoid tumor appear to be actually endocrine cell carcinomas, which are completely different from classical carcinoid tumors with respect to size, metastasis and prognosis. These carcinomas should not be termed as carcinoid tumors from both the clinical and histological points of view, and should be clearly distinguished from benign lesions when reported.

Organization of the gene encoding transcriptional repressor deltaEF1 and cross-species conservation of its domains

DeltaEF1 (delta-crystallin/E2-box factor 1) is a widely distributed repressor of transcription which binds at the E2-box sequence, CACCTG. It carries seven zinc fingers (Zf) in two clusters and a homeodomain in the middle as potential DNA-binding domains. We cloned the genomic gene encoding chicken deltaEF1 and analyzed its organization. The gene consisted of nine exons, the N-proximal Zf were encoded by exons 5 through 7, and the C-proximal Zf by exons 8 and 9. Exon 7 also coded for the large middle portion of the protein including the homeodomain. Promoter analysis and RNase-protection assay indicated that the gene is driven by a G+C-rich promoter without a TATA box, and the transcription start points (tsp) cluster around 20 bp from the start codon located in exon 1. cDNA and genomic sequences of the mouse delta EF1 were cloned and compared with the chicken sequence. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence was highly conserved between the chicken and mouse deltaEF1, no only in DNA-binding motifs but also in other blocks (78% overall aa identity). More recently reported DNA-binding proteins, AREB6 (human) ZEB (human) and BZP (hamster), were attributed to homologues of deltaEF1, among which only AREB6 represented full-length sequence. It was also indicated that rodent deltaEF1 lacked exon 3.

Increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and spontaneous in vitro production of IL-6 by lymph node mononuclear cells of patients with angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD), and clinical effectiveness of cyclosporin A

Serum levels of cytokines and in vitro cytokine production by lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMC) were studied in four patients with angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) or AILD-type T cell lymphoma. An increased level of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected on initial diagnosis in both of two patients examined. Spontaneous production of IL-6 by LNMC was detected in all four patients studied. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin A (CsA) was attempted in a 68-year-old man, who was refractory to intensive combination chemotherapy. The increased level of IL-6 in this patient decreased to normal within 3 weeks of CsA administration and the patient became symptom-free. One and a half months later, the IL-6 level gradually increased along with clinical exacerbation. We also measured serum levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IFN-alpha, gamma and TNF-alpha in parallel with IL-6, but these factors were only sporadically detected. IL-6 production by LNMC was stimulated by IL-2 but inhibited by CsA. These observations suggest that IL-6 is one of the important cytokines to be involved in the pathophysiology of AILD and CsA is a useful reagent for relieving symptoms.

Ca2+ mobilization during cell death induction by sodium 5, 6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate

The cytotoxic activity of sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate (SBA) against human KG-1-C glioma and T98G glioblastoma cell lines was augmented by pretreatment of the cells with L-buthionine-[S, R]-sulfoximine (BSO), which reduced the intracellular glutathione concentrations. SBA produced shrunken cells and large DNA fragments, without the induction of nuclear and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. The rapid elevation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration observed after SBA treatment was further augmented by BSO pretreatment. A confocal experiment with Fluo-3 fluorescence revealed that SBA markedly elevated the free Ca2+ concentration in the nuclear region, but did not significantly affect that in the cytoplasmic region. The present study suggests that the nuclear accumulation of Ca2+ is an important initial step for cell death induction by SBA.

Plasma M-CSF as an indicator of response to chemotherapy in adult T cell leukemia patients

The plasma concentration of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) was measured in 10 patients with acute type adult T cell leukemia (ATL) during the clinical course before and after chemotherapy. M-CSF concentration decreased significantly when the patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) (t-test: p = 0.0001). Five of the patients showed disease progression after several months of PR, and plasma M-CSF increased at that time (t-test: p = 0.0456). Thus, plasma M-CSF concentration appeared to accurately reflect the disease activity in ATL. In support of these results, all three ATL cell lines established from these patients secreted M-CSF in vitro after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or concanavalin A (Con A). Plasma M-CSF concentration, however, increased transiently when the patients were febrile (t-test: p = 0.0001), even though their ATL condition was unchanged. Taken together, these results indicate that there are two sources of increased plasma M-CSF concentration in ATL; ATL cells themselves and normal parenchymal cells that cause this increase as the result of elevated body temperature due to inflammation.

Takayasu's arteritis associated with ulcerative colitis; genetic factors in this association

Both ulcerative colitis and Takayasu's arteritis are though to be organ-specific immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. We present the rare case of a 23-year-old woman with a 4-year history of ulcerative colitis who developed Takayasu's arteritis one month after giving birth. She was found to carry the human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-B52 and DR2, which were previously noted to be associated with these inflammatory conditions in the Japanese population. The pathogenic relevance of this haplotype to the concomitant development of these two conditions is discussed.

Relation of oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis to CD95(Fas/APO-1)-mediated apoptosis of adult T cell leukemia cells

An IL-2 dependent adult T cell leukemia cell line (SO4) has been established that is sensitive to CD95-mediated apoptosis as well as a subline (R-SO4) that is resistant. Incubating SO4 cells with anti-CD95 IgM mAb caused concentration-dependent cell death. On the contrary, R-SO4 cells did not die even at 1000 ng/ml of anti-CD95 IgM mAb. The levels of CD95 expression on R-SO4 cells were one-third of those on SO4 cells. However a blocking Ab, anti-CD95 IgG mAb, did not induce complete resistance of SO4 cells to anti-CD95 IgM mAb as R-SO4 cells. As CD95 and TNF receptor are similar, and TNF/TNF receptor binding induces oxygen radicals, the involvement of oxidant and antioxidant systems in CD95-mediated apoptosis has been examined. The addition of anti-CD95 IgM mAb resulted in formation of intracellular oxygen radical species in the SO4 cells as measured using 2',5',-dichlorofluorescein as substrate. The oxygen radical production induced DNA damage as determined by formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. No increase in the formation of oxygen radicals was observed in R-SO4 cells. Concentrations of the intracellular antioxidant, glutathione, and the key enzyme for its synthesis, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, were 150% increased in R-SO4 cells in comparison with that of SO4 cells. Moreover, glutathione ester decreased the formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. These results suggested that apoptosis mediated by CD95 in ATL cells is related to the production of oxygen radical species and cellular antioxidant systems, especially, glutathione synthesis.

Relation of oxidative stress and glutathione synthesis to CD95(Fas/APO-1)-mediated apoptosis of adult T cell leukemia cells

An IL-2 dependent adult T cell leukemia cell line (SO4) has been established that is sensitive to CD95-mediated apoptosis as well as a subline (R-SO4) that is resistant. Incubating SO4 cells with anti-CD95 IgM mAb caused concentration-dependent cell death. On the contrary, R-SO4 cells did not die even at 1000 ng/ml of anti-CD95 IgM mAb. The levels of CD95 expression on R-SO4 cells were one-third of those on SO4 cells. However a blocking Ab, anti-CD95 IgG mAb, did not induce complete resistance of SO4 cells to anti-CD95 IgM mAb as R-SO4 cells. As CD95 and TNF receptor are similar, and TNF/TNF receptor binding induces oxygen radicals, the involvement of oxidant and antioxidant systems in CD95-mediated apoptosis has been examined. The addition of anti-CD95 IgM mAb resulted in formation of intracellular oxygen radical species in the SO4 cells as measured using 2',5',-dichlorofluorescein as substrate. The oxygen radical production induced DNA damage as determined by formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. No increase in the formation of oxygen radicals was observed in R-SO4 cells. Concentrations of the intracellular antioxidant, glutathione, and the key enzyme for its synthesis, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, were 150% increased in R-SO4 cells in comparison with that of SO4 cells. Moreover, glutathione ester decreased the formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. These results suggested that apoptosis mediated by CD95 in ATL cells is related to the production of oxygen radical species and cellular antioxidant systems, especially, glutathione synthesis.

[Effect of (-)-N-[(S)-hexahydro-l-methyl-2, 6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinylcarbonyl]-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide (TA-0910), a new TRH analog, on plasma levels of TSH and thyroid hormones in rats]

The stimulatory effect of TA-0910 on the secretions of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones was investigated in male and female rats. Single intravenous administration of TA-0910 at 8.3 nmol/body acutely elevated the plasma TSH level, with delayed and moderate increases of T3 and T4 in plasma. Similar increments of plasma TSH and thyroid hormones were observed when TRH was injected at the dose of 0.83 nmol/body. Oral administration of TA-0910 at 2.75 mumol/body was equally potent or slightly more potent to secrete TSH than TRH at 0.275 mumol/body. The elevated TSH by TA-0910 decreased to the control level within 2 hr after intravenous injection or within 6 hr after oral administration; on the other hand, the higher levels of the thyroid hormones were retained for up to 4 and 6 hr after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. These findings indicate that TA-0910 and TRH stimulate the secretion of TSH and thyroid hormones by a similar manner and that the TSH-secreting activity of TA-0910 is lower by an order of magnitude compared with that of TRH.

Effect of TA-0910, a novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog, on in vivo acetylcholine release and turnover in rat brain

To examine the action of a novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog, TA-0910 ((-)-N-[(S)-hexahydro-1-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinylcarbonyl]-L- histidyl-L-prolinamide tetrahydrate), on the cerebral cholinergic systems, the release of acetylcholine (ACh) and choline in freely-moving rats and ACh accumulation in gamma-butyrolactone (GBL, a nerve impulse flow blocker)- and physostigmine-treated rats were examined. TA-0910 (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a marked dose-dependent increase in extracellular ACh levels and a decrease in choline levels in the hippocampus of freely moving rats. These effects were significantly stronger and longer-lasting than similar effects of TRH. TA-0910 (1, 3 mg/kg, i.p.) depressed the ACh accumulation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of GBL (1000 mg/kg, i.p.)-treated rats. Moreover, this analog (1, 3 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the accumulation rate of ACh in these regions in physostigmine (1 mg/kg, i.p.)-treated rats. TRH (30 mg/kg, i.p.) affected the ACh accumulation only in the hippocampus of the GBL-treated rats. These results suggest that TA-0910 not only enhances the release of ACh, but also accelerates the ACh turnover, i.e., ACh release and synthesis, at the cholinergic neuronal terminals in normal rats.

Features of the cytokines secreted by adult T cell leukemia (ATL) cells

Adult T cell leukemia (ATL) cells show a mature helper-inducer T cell phenotype and are thought to secrete many kinds of cytokines in vivo, complicating the clinical features in these patients. In an attempt to specify the cytokines produced by ATL cells, we measured the cytokine concentration in the culture supernatants of three ATL cell lines, all of which were confirmed to be true peripheral blood ATL cell in origin. All these cell lines showed the same cytokine production profile, secreting IL1-alpha, IL1-beta, LD78(MIP-l alpha), TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and GM-CSF, but not secreting IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra), IL-4, IFN-alpha, and G-CSF irrespective of the stimulatory agents used. Such limited cytokine production may indicate the specific origin of ATL cells within the helper-inducer T cell subtypes. Moreover, these results explain some of the unusual clinical features of ATL patients.

A human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 for tumor radioimmunoimaging

A mouse-human chimeric antibody for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was established by using heavy chain loss mouse mutant hybridoma and human immunoglobulin expression vector. The HA58 hybridoma secreted anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) (IgG1, kappa). The gene of the mouse variable region of heavy chain was amplified and cloned by the polymerase chain reaction technique directly from the HA58 hybridoma RNA. The variable region of heavy chain was joined with an expression vector which contains human gamma 1 constant gene. The expression vector was transfected into heavy chain loss mutant cells HA58-7, which produced only murine immunoglobulin light chains. The resultant chimeric MoAb HA58, chHA58, retained full-binding reactivity to ICAM-1 compared with murine HA58 parental antibody. The chimeric MoAb chHA58 showed little antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity against cultured tumor cells. Biodistribution studies with 99mTc-labeled chHA58 in nude mice bearing human gastric carcinoma JRST cells demonstrated that the tumor-blood ratio was 1.55 at 18 h after injection, when the tumors were clearly visible in gamma scintigraphy. These data suggest that chHA58 may be of practical use for radioimmunoimaging of a wide variety of tumors.

The defective secretion of a naturally occurring alpha-1-antichymotrypsin variant with a frameshift mutation

A newly found variant alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), ACT Isehara-2, has a deletion of two bases (AA) at codon 391 near the carboxyl terminus. This frameshift mutation caused a change in the amino acid sequence and generated 10 extra amino acids (408 amino acids total) [Tsuda, M., Sei, Y., Matsumoto, M., Kamiguchi, H., Yamamoto, Y., Shinohara, Y., Igarashi, T. & Yamamura, M. (1992) Hum. Genet. 91. 467-468]. The serum ACT levels in three unrelated heterozygotes with this mutant ACT gene were 37% 49% and 54% that of the normal individuals. To examine the reduced serum levels, the normal ACT and the mutant ACT created by site-directed mutagenesis were transfected into COS-7 cells for comparison. The value for the retention rate (intracellular ACT/total ACT) was apparently higher in the cells expressing mutant ACT Isehara-2 than those bearing the normal gene. In the pulse-chase experiments, the secretion of the synthesized mutant ACT into the medium was not observed, whereas the normal ACT was mostly secreted as a 64-kDa form. The endoglycosidase H digestion and an electron microscopic analysis indicated that the retained mutant ACT was present in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results provide the biochemical basis for the decreased serum ACT level of individuals with ACT Isehara-2, and suggest the importance of the carboxyl-terminal region for its secretion.

Acute-phase plasma proteins in gastric cancer: association with metastatic potential and prognosis

We evaluated the possibility that acute-phase plasma proteins such as alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) might be useful predictors of lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Both ACT and IAP levels generally increased according to the pTNM stage. Patients with both abnormal IAP and ACT levels showed a high risk of lymphatic and hepatic metastasis as well as peritoneal dissemination, with a resultant poor prognosis. Patients who had abnormal IAP levels with or without abnormal ACT levels had a significantly higher risk of lymph node metastasis, as well as more invasive tumors and a worse prognosis than those who had normal IAP levels with or without abnormal ACT levels. In combination group 4 [IAP(+) ACT(-) vs. IAP(-) ACT(+)] lymphatic metastasis was seen more often with isolated IAP(+) (76.4%) than with ACT(+) (52.9%) (p < 0.0045), especially in the subgroup of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (POR; p < 0.0177). However, this does not demonstrate that ACT(+) is a protective factor against lymphatic invasion, because the results of combination group 6 [IAP(-) ACT(+) vs. IAP(-) ACT(-)] show that isolated ACT(+) is also significantly related to lymphatic metastasis (p < 0.001). The same is true for the subgroup of signet ring cell carcinomas (p = 0.038), but it has not been tested versus the POR subgroup.

[A clinical evaluation of fluconazole in deep seated fungal infections associated with hematological disorders]

The effectiveness of fluconazole on deep seated fungal infections associated with hematological disorders was evaluated in a multicenter clinical study. The underlying diseases included acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, malignant lymphoma, adult T cell leukemia, multiple myeloma and others. Fluconazole (FLCZ) was administrated 100-400 mg/day intravenously or orally to 79 patients with systemic fungal infections complicated with hematological disorders and it was possible to evaluate clinical efficacies in 60 patients. 27 patients were diagnosed as having determinate systemic fungal infections and 33 patients suspected fungal infections. The clinical efficacies were 81.5% (22/27) in patients with diagnosed fungal infections and 57.6% (19/33) in patients with suspected fungal infections. The overall clinical efficacy was 68.3% (41/60). No side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, vascular pain and renal dysfunction were observed in this study. As for abnormal laboratory test, transient increases in GOT, GPT, Al-P, LDH, serum Na, Cl and decrease in serum K were observed in 9 patients (11.4%). These results indicated that FLCZ has a high therapeutic efficacy on deep seated fungal infections in patients with hematological disorders.

Adhesive improvement of the mechanical properties of a dense HA-cemented Ti dental implant

We have been using dense, pure hydroxyapatite (HA) dental implants for the last 15 years and results have shown that dense HA is a chemically stable material with acceptable mechanical properties. However, due to HA's physical characteristics, particularly its brittleness, there is the risk that the implant will fail if the subsequent bone binding comprises less than one half of the root portion. To ensure greater implant success, a new cementing method has been developed that uses methacrylates for the bonding of the dense HA outer shell to the titanium (Ti) inner cylinder in a two-piece HA-cemented Ti implant. Mechanical property tests were conducted to compare the HA-cemented Ti implant bonded with this new acrylic cement with existing commercially available HA-cemented Ti implants bonded with a triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)-bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (BisGMA compound). The vertical and horizontal compressive strength of this improved implant was respectively 3.4 and 6.1 times greater than the commercial implants. This increased strength of new acrylic cement is due to its ability to compensate for shrinkage that affects adhesion during curing, thereby providing stronger bonding.

Anti-ataxic effects of TRH and its analogue, TA-0910, in Rolling mouse Nagoya by metabolic normalization of the ventral tegmental area

1. The mechanism of the anti-ataxic action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its analogue. TA-0910, in the Rolling mouse Nagoya (RMN), an ataxic mutant mouse, has been investigated. 2. TRH (30 mg kg-1, i.p.) and TA-0910 (3 mg kg-1, i.p.) reduced the fall index (number of falls/spontaneous motor activity), an index of ataxia, 10-30 and 10-60 min after administration, respectively. 3. Relative local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in the cerebellum and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the rolling mouse was significantly smaller than that in normal animals. TRH (30 mg kg-1, i.p.) and TA-0910 (3 mg kg-1, i.p.) increased the relative LCGU value of the VTA but not of the cerebellum in rolling mice to the level of normal animals. 4. These results suggest that the ataxia of the rolling mouse may be due to dysfunction of the cerebellum and VTA, and that amelioration by TRH and TA-0910 could result from metabolic normalization of the VTA.

Induction of DNA fragmentation in human myelogenous leukaemic cell lines by phenothiazine-related compounds

A series of phenothiazine, benzo[a]phenothiazine and benz[c]acridine derivatives were compared for their ability to induce nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation (a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis), using agarose gel electrophoresis and a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Significant DNA fragmentation-inducing activity was detected in 12H-benzo[a]phenothiazine, 5-oxo-5H-benzo[a]phenothiazine and 9-methyl-12H-benzo[a]phenothiazine, which induced the monocytic differentiation of human myelogenous leukaemic cell lines. On the other hand, an other three benzo[a]phenothiazines, six 10-[n-(phthalimido)alkyl]-2-substituted-10H-phenothiazines, six 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2-substituted-10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)alkyl-1- ureas, and twelve benz[c]acridines showed little or no DNA fragmentation-inducing activity. Active benzo[a]phenothiazines induced DNA fragmentation in four human myelogenous leukaemic cell lines (HL-60, ML-1, U-937, THP-1), but not in human T-cell leukaemic MOLT-4 and erythroleukaemic K-562 cell lines, which were also resistant to other apoptosis-inducing agents. Ca2+-depletion from the culture medium did not significantly affect their DNA fragmentation-inducing activity. The differentiation and apoptosis-inducing activity of benzo[a]phenothiazines have an important role for their medicinal efficacy.