[Effectiveness of LH-RH agonist for bone metastases of breast cancer--report of a case]

A 44-year-old premenopausal woman with bone metastases of breast cancer was initially treated with systemic chemotherapy (CEF) and radiation therapy after standard mastectomy. However, progressive change of bone metastases with elevation of tumor markers (CEA, NCC-ST 439) was detected, so continuous administration of LH-RH agonist and combination chemotherapy (CEF) were conducted. Subsequently, complete objective regression was attained after 40 weeks.

Cytochalasin-E-Resistant Mutants of Coprinus cinereus: Isolation and Genetic, Biochemical, and Cytological Analyses

We first obtained a cytochalasin-E supersensitive strain (CES14) of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus and then isolated 1000 revertants of CES14, expecting that at least some of the revertants have defects in the functions of actin filaments. Microscopic examination revealed that three of the revertants lack septa in their hyphae. Of the 1000 revertants, 18 including the 3 septumless strains were genetically analyzed. In 11 of the 18 revertants, reversion was due to extragenic suppressor mutations of ces14. Ten of the 11 mutations were in the same locus designated cer1, while the locus of the remaining mutation, which inhibits septum formation, could not be determined because of its failure to mate with any other cer1 strains. In one (CES14R42) of the cer1 mutants, actin appeared to be altered in the affinity to actin antibody in Western blotting after isoelectric focusing, suggesting that cer1 is a gene encoding actin. Phenotypic examination revealed that the 10 cer1 mutations all confer resistance to cytochalasin-E and that two of the cer1 mutations, both of which block septation, inhibit the formation of the actin ring.

Purification and characterization of glutathione-independent denitration enzyme of organic nitrate esters in rabbit hepatic cytosol

The enzyme responsible for glutathione (GSH)-independent denitration of organic nitrate esters was purified by gel chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography from rabbit hepatic cytosol. The enzyme showed a molecular mass of 175 kDa and consisted of three subunits of 59 kDa. The enzyme exerted its maximum activities at around pH 9, when isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) was used as substrate. The enzyme possessed a low Km value (10(-6) M) for various organic nitrate esters. The present enzyme is likely to be involved in the denitration of organic nitrate esters in conjunction with known enzymes, GSH S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450.

Color vision and color pattern visual evoked cortical potentials in a patient with acquired cerebral dyschromatopsia

We examined a 74-year-old man because of difficulty seeing green and the presence of prosopagnosia. His visual acuity was 0.8 in both eyes. He was not congenitally color blind, and there was no family history of color blindness. A left superior homonymous quadrantanopsia was found. The dyschromatopsia ws identical in both eyes. The patient showed red-green deficiency on testing with Ishihara plates a deutan defect with Tokyo Medical College plates, strong blue-yellow defects and medium red-green defects with Standard Pseudochromatic Plates II and a tritan defect with the Panel D-15. He failed the New Color separation test with scores of 160 and could not carry out the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, but his color naming test results were normal. Visual evoked cortical potentials to black-and-white checkerboard and color pattern reversal (Red and Blue-Green, Green and Red-Purple, Purple and Yellow-Green: isochromatic paired checks) stimuli were normal. Bilateral inferior occipital lesions were found by computed tomography and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Our findings suggested that luminance and color channels up to area 17 in our patient were intact. We believe that our patient's acquired cerebral dyschromatopsia is rare.

Hst-1 (FGF-4) antisense oligonucleotides block murine limb development

The initiation of limb development depends on the site specific proliferation of the mesenchyme by the signals from the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) in embryonic mouse. We have previously reported that the local expression of Hst-1/Fgf-4 transcripts in AER of the mouse limb bud is developmentally regulated, expressed at 11 and 12 days post coitus (p.c.) embryo. In an effort to further understand the role of Hst-1/FGF-4 in mouse limb development, an antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) study was performed. We first established a novel organ culture system to study mouse limb development in vitro. This system allows mouse limb bud at 9.5-10-d p.c. embryo, when placed on a sheet of extracellular matrix in a defined medium, to differentiate into a limb at 12.5-d p.c. embryo within 4.5 d. Using this organ culture system, we have shown that exposure of 9.5-10-d p.c. embryonal limb bud explants to antisense ODNs of Hst-1/FGF-4 blocks limb development. In contrast, sense and scrambled ODNs have no inhibitory effect on limb outgrowth, suggesting that Hst-1/FGF-4 may work as a potent inducing factor for mouse limb development.

Effective prevention of thrombocytopenia in mice using adenovirus-mediated transfer of HST-1 (FGF-4) gene

HST-1 (FGF-4) gene product is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family with a signal peptide and plays a crucial role in limb development. We showed previously that an intraperitoneal injection of replication-deficient adenovirus containing the HST-1 gene (Adex1HST-1) into normal mice caused a twofold increase in peripheral platelet count. To investigate whether Adex1HST-1 could effectively prevent experimentally induced thrombocytopenia in mice, we injected Adex1HST-1 intraperitoneally into thrombocytopenic mice induced by administration of a chemotherapeutic agent and/or by irradiation. A single Adex1HST-1 injection caused continuously increased levels of serum HST-1 protein for at least 30 d and increased the count of large megakaryocytes in bone marrow, which specifically recovered platelet counts and more efficiently diminished the extent and duration of thrombocytopenia than any other reported cytokine or any combination of cytokines so far. In the other peripheral hematological parameters, no discernible differences were detected. No other apparent side effects were observed. Therefore, this method could be useful for treatment and/or prevention of thrombocytopenia induced by chemotherapy and/or irradiation for cancer treatment.

High prevalence of anti-phospholipid antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibody in patients with hepatitis C virus infection treated with interferon-alpha

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

We investigated the prevalence rate of beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI)-dependent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL)[anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL), anti-phosphadidylserine antibody (aPS), and anti-phosphatidic acid antibody (aPA)], antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-deoxyribonucleic acid antibody (aDNA), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (aTG), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (aTPO) in 56 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and correlated the results with inteferon-alpha (IFN) treatment.

RESULTS

aCL, aPS, and aPA were positive in, respectively, 7/56 (13%), 12/56 (21%), and 13/56 (23%) patients before treatment. aPS and aPA appeared in 6/44 and 9/43 and disappeared in 6/12 and 2/13 patients, respectively, after IFN treatment; the differences were statistically significant. The changes in OD readings were higher in the group of patients who became positive for aPS and aPA than in those who became negative after treatment. The positive rates of aTG and aTPO in the patient group were statistically higher than in the healthy controls, and aTG developed in four patients and disappeared in two. No obvious changes in aTPO were observed; however, the aTPO titer was increased in four previously positive patients. None of the patients positive for any antibodies developed an abnormality associated with these antibodies during an observation period of up to 1 yr.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of production and clinical significance of aPL, ATG/aTPO in this clinical setting are unclear, but immunological disturbances, such as the effects of HCV infection and/or IFN treatment, were considered to be a possibility. Further investigation is needed to clarify whether HCV/aPL- and/or aTG/aTPO-positive patients treated with IFN might develop aPL-associated complications and/or autoimmune disease(es), in the future and to confirm whether IFN treatment justifies the outcome in this clinical setting.

Resistance to activated protein C activity of an anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibody in the presence of beta 2-glycoprotein I

Some researchers claim that lupus anticoagulant-positive plasma may cause a false-positive reaction in the test for activated protein C (APC) resistance, a hereditary thrombophilic state characterized by abnormal factor V, which frequently causes venous thrombosis. We investigated whether anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibody (aGPI), which has recently come to be regarded as an anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL) itself, might have an effect on the APC resistance test.

Inhibitory activity of anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibody on factor Va degradation by activated-protein C and its cofactor protein S

We investigated the influence of anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I (aGPI), which recently has come to be regarded as anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL) itself, on factor Va (FVa) degradation by activated protein C/protein S system. We found that aGPI had an inhibitory effect on FVa degradation with beta 2-glycoprotein I-dependency, thus suggesting aGPI/aCL is a highly possible factor as the pathogenesis of thrombosis observed in aGPI/aCL-positive patients.

GSH-independent denitration of organic nitrate esters in rabbit hepatic and vascular cytosol

The denitration of organic nitrate esters in rabbit hepatic cytosol was characterized. Sephadex G-200 chromatography of ammonium sulfate precipitate (40-80%) from hepatic cytosol demonstrated the presence of two distinct activities (peak I and peak II) responsible for the denitration of nitroglycerin (NTG) and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). The denitration of peak I required dithiothreitol (DTT), but not glutathione (GSH), and was not inhibited by S-alkyl GSH, an inhibitor of glutathione S-transferase (GST). Whereas, the denitration activity of peak II was potentiated by GSH, and was inhibited by S-alkyl GSH. These results strongly suggest that the denitration of organic nitrate esters, such as NTG and ISDN, can be catalyzed by at least two enzymes, GSH-independent denitration (peak I) and the GSH-dependent denitration (peak II, GST), in rabbit hepatic cytosol. The denitration activity of peak I was inhibited by SH-modified reagent, indicating that free thiol(s) is (are) critical for expression of the denitration activity. Also, in rabbit vascular cytosol, the cofactor requirement for denitration and response to S-hexyl GSH suggest the participation of GSH-independent enzyme which is responsible for the denitration of organic nitrate esters.

Mid-term surgical results after valve replacement with the CarboMedics valve prosthesis

We present herein a review of 95 patients who underwent valve replacement with the CarboMedics (CM) valve prosthesis between April 1990 and December 1992. The operative mortality for the entire group was 4.2%: 0% following aortic valve replacement (AVR), 2.7% following double valve replacement (DVR). All patients were prescribed warfarin and bucolome for anticoagulation, and were followed up for a mean period of 29.9 months. Late mortality was 8.4%; 3.1% following AVR, 10.8% following MVR, and 12.5% following DVR. There were no cases of mechanical prosthetic valve failure, significant hemolysis, infective prosthetic valve endocarditis, or bleeding complications. After 44 months of follow-up, the actuarial freedom from complications was calculated as: thromboembolism, 97.8 +/- 1.6%; valve thrombosis, 97.8 +/- 1.1%; paravalvular leak, 96.7 +/- 1.9%; and reoperation, 98.9 +/- 1.1%. The overall survival rate was 84.3 +/- 6.3% and all survivors showed a significant improvement in NYHA functional class, from 81% in classes III and IV preoperatively to 99% in classes I and II postoperatively. The CM valve exhibited no significant differences in hemolytic parameters or hemodynamic performance after isolated AVR or MVR compared with the similar type of St. Jude Medical bileaflet valve. The evidence provided by the present study therefore suggests that the CM valve prosthesis can achieve excellent mid-term clinical results and hemodynamic performance with a low incidence of thromboembolism and valve thrombosis.

Gene transfer and expression in progeny after intravenous DNA injection into pregnant mice

Several methods that enable foreign genes to be transferred directly into germ cells and adult animals have been developed, which have stimulated great interest in manipulating genes in vivo. However, there have been no methods available for introducing genes into fetuses. We report here that a single intravenous injection of expression plasmid: lipopolyamine complexes into pregnant mice resulted in successful gene transfer into the embryos. The transgenes thus introduced were expressed in the fetuses and newborn progeny. This simple and new method of gene transfer into embryos will facilitate rapid analysis of transgene effects in the fetuses and will be useful for studying gene-deficient animal models to gain transgene functions at desired stages of embryogenesis.

Prevalence of beta 2-glycoprotein I antibody in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with beta 2-glycoprotein I dependent antiphospholipid antibodies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether beta 2-glycoprotein I antibody (aGPI) exists in sera that are positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).

METHODS

Thirty six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. GPI independent and dependent aPL (anticardiolipin (aCL), antiphosphatidylserine, antiphosphatidylinositol, antiphosphatidic acid) were measured using a conventional enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). aGPI was measured by an ELISA using a gamma irradiated plate coated with purified GPI.

RESULTS

Twenty of 36 SLE patients were positive for at least one of the GPI-dependent aPL. Five of these 20 were also positive for aGPI. Another five of the 20 showed low GPI dependency aCL antibodies; however, three of these patients required GPI for binding to phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, or both.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed the existence of aGPI in patients with true GPI dependent aPL. From these results, we recommend the use of a gamma irradiated plate with GPI as antigen for the detection of true GPI dependent aPL or aGPI.

Subnanosecond In-Line Soft X-Ray Holography Using Germanium Laser in the 20 nm Wavelength Region

Near- and far-field characteristics of a germanium soft x-ray laser at the wavelengths of 23.2-23.6 nm (J = 2-1 transitions) and 19.6 nm (J = 0-1 transition) are given for quantitative evaluation of the germanium laser for holographic applications. In-line Gabor holography of simple structured objects, such as thin opaque fibers and a standard electron microscope test specimen, is demonstrated. The holograms were recorded on PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) photoresists and llford Q-plates. The holograms recorded on PMMA were retrieved with an atomic force microscope. The object image was reconstructed by numerical reconstruction with phase retrieval algorithm, resulting in a clear, ghost-free image with sharp edges which infer sub-μm resolution. Future directions for x-ray laser holography are briefly discussed.

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the HST-1 (FGF4) gene induces increased levels of platelet count in vivo

The HST-1 (fibroblast growth factor 4, FGF4) protein is a potent mitogen for a variety of cell types of mesodermal and neuroectodermal origin, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and melanocytes in vitro. To identify the cells and tissue targets of HST-1 in vivo, adenovirus-mediated HST-1 gene transfer was performed. In nude mice, intraperitoneal injection of 3 x 10(9) plaque-forming units of adenoviruses carrying the HST-1 gene (Adex1HST-1L) caused an increase in the number of platelets in the peripheral blood. The number of platelets reached twice the pretreated level by 12 days after the virus injection and the increased level continued up to 20-30 days thereafter. Administration of recombinant HST-1 protein resulted in a transient increase in the platelet count. The number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and spleen of the animals with Adex1HST-1L was increased compared with the control animals. Other hematological changes attributed to HST-1 were not observed. Although the mechanisms involved in increased levels of platelet count by HST-1 protein remain to be elucidated, these findings also suggest that adenovirus with the HST-1 gene may be efficiently used for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in various diseases.

Plasma concentrations of total/free and functional protein S are not decreased in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with lupus anticoagulant and/or antiphospholipid antibodies

We conducted an investigation to clarify whether or not the levels of total, free, and functional protein S and C4-binding protein (C4bp) in plasma are decreased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, especially those with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL), which is known to be a causative factor of such complications as habitual abortion and arteriovenous thrombosis. Fifty patients with SLE were recruited as subjects of the study. Serum aPL (anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidyl serine, antiphosphatidyl inositol, and antiphosphatidic acid antibodies) were measured by ELISA. Lupus anticoagulant was determined by a PTT, KCT, and diluted RVVT. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of total, free, and functional protein S and C4bp were measured. There were no significant differences in the mean levels of total, free, or functional protein S and C4bp between aPL-positive, aPL-negative SLE patients, and the healthy controls. From these results, we concluded that the protein S level is not the sole factor causing complications, and that other factor(s) may be involved in the induction of such complications in this clinical setting.

[A case of pulmonary hypertensive crisis (PHC) treated with prostaglandin E1 and tolazolin after surgery of ventricular septal defect in an adult]

A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). Though Pp/Ps was 0.98, an operation was carried out because the index of pulmonary vascular disease (IPVD) was 1.73. Pp/Ps on the operation day was 0.51 and extubation was carried out on the next day. Five days after the operation, she suffered shock, convulsions and loss of consciousness, but these were relieved by endotracheal intubation. On the 7th day, because Pp/Ps was 0.97, we confirmed the diagnosis of PHC. PHC was treated by intravenous continuous infusion of a high dose of PGE1 (220 ng/kg/min) and tolazolin (Tz) (7-18 micrograms/kg/min) in combination with norepinephrine (0.07 microgram/kg/min) via a catheter in the descending aorta. Pp/Ps soon decreased and was 0.60 at 15 hours after administration of PGE1 and Tz. To prevent recurrent PHC, she was administered with PGE1 (20-60 ng/kg/min) intravenously for 3 weeks after improvement of PHC. As side effects of PGE1, she showed swelling and arthralgia of the hands and feet after 2 weeks. Those side effects improved after discontinuing of administration of PGE1.

Anti-annexin V antibody in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with lupus anticoagulant and/or anticardiolipin antibody

We investigated anti-annexin V antibody (aANX) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and correlated to positivity with lupus anticoagulant (LA)/anticardiolipin antibody (aCL). aANX was positive in 12/47 SLE patients (26%), including 7 with beta 2-glycoprotein 1 (GPI)-dependent aANX. The positivity of aANX was higher in patients with aCL (19%) and LA/aCL (50%) than in those without LA/aCL (10%). From these results, it is concluded that aANX is an autoantibody closely related to LA/aCL, and can be a possible new risk marker for thrombosis.

Preliminary report on an automated screening test for detection of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in whole blood

We developed and evaluated an automated screening test for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) using EDTA-2Na-treated whole blood and an extract of paper disk-absorbed dried whole blood from 60 hemophiliacs infected with HIV-1 and 210 diseased and healthy controls. The specificity and the sensitivity of this system were judged to be 100% with both the whole blood and the extract. This test allows measurement of HIV-1 antibody in whole blood and dried whole blood on a small paper disk and gives a result within 13 minutes; the system can process 150 samples per hour. Therefore, it may be useful at many testing sites, such as emergency departments, intensive care units, blood banks, and commercial laboratories, as well as for mail-order testing from remote areas and developing countries.

Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of 1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-2-furfuryl-beta-D-threo-3-enopyranose (MT2221), a novel anhydro-enopyranose derivative, on experimental animal models

The anti-inflammatory effects of 1,6-anhydro-3,4-dideoxy-2-furfuryl-beta-D-threo-3-enopyranose (MT2221) were investigated using animal models and compared with the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and cyclosporin A (CYA). MT2221 inhibited carrageenan-induced acute inflammation and adjuvant arthritis in rats, as well as the delayed-type hypersensitive response and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. However, it seemed that this compound was more effective against murine CIA than upon the other inflammation models. The MT2221 mode of action differed from those of conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). All of these drugs are effective against acute inflammation or adjuvant arthritis models, but not against murine CIA. DEX and CYA did inhibit murine CIA, but in other animal models, their mode of action differed from that of MT2221. Moreover, allograft transplantation in mice showed that MT2221 slightly prolonged the allograft survival time. These results suggest that MT2221 has not only anti-inflammatory but also immunosuppressive effects based upon a novel mechanism of action that is different from NSAIDs, DMARDs, DEX and CYA.