Synthesis of tetrocarcin derivatives with specific inhibitory activity towards Bcl-2 functions

Tetrocarcin A was recently identified as an inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2. We synthesized novel tetrocarcin derivatives in order to increase their selective inhibitory activity against Bcl-2. It was found that 21-acetoxy-9-glycosyloxy derivatives had potent Bcl-2 inhibitory activity without significant antimicrobial activity.

A novel role for interleukin-18 in human natural killer cell death: high serum levels and low natural killer cell numbers in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases

OBJECTIVE

Patients with systemic autoimmune diseases have been reported to have reduced numbers of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells compared with healthy subjects. The ability of selected cytokines to trigger NK cell death prompted us to compare the levels of peripheral blood cytokines with the numbers of NK cells in patients with various systemic autoimmune diseases.

METHODS

We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure the concentration of selected cytokines (interleukin-18 [IL-18], IL-15, IL-12, IL-2, interferon-gamma [IFNgamma], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha]) in sera from 58 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases and 33 healthy controls. The absolute number of T cells and NK cells in the peripheral blood was measured in parallel using flow cytometry. The ability of selected cytokines to induce NK cell death was then measured using 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide dye, propidium iodide staining, and caspase 3 activity.

RESULTS

Levels of IL-18, IL-15, IFNgamma, and TNFalpha were elevated in sera from patients with systemic autoimmune diseases compared with normal controls. The percentage of NK cells and natural killer T cells were significantly decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases compared with normal controls. Serum concentrations of IL-18, IL-15, and TNFalpha were inversely related to the number of NK cells in both patients and healthy controls. The combination of IL-18 and IL-15 or IL-18 and IL-12 induced NK cell death in vitro. The combination of IL-18 and IL-15 or IL-18 and IL-12 enhanced IFNgamma and TNFalpha production by NK cells in vitro. Cytokine-induced NK cell death is caspase-dependent and is partially blocked by neutralizing antibodies against TNFalpha.

CONCLUSION

High levels of IL-18 and IL-15 are associated with the decreased number of NK cells that is observed in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Hypophysis surgery with or without endoscopy

OBJECTIVE

Hardy's operation with microscope has long been the standard method for pituitary adenoma. But a new approach via the nasal cavity using an endoscope has been adopted recently. In this study, the postoperative outcome as well as the preoperative evaluation of endoscopic hypophysectomy and non-endoscopic one were compared at our faculty.

METHOD

We performed the non-endoscopic transnasal hypophysectomy on 18 patients and the endoscopic transnasal hypophysectomy on thirteen patients who had a pituitary lesions from February 1996 to October 1999. As to these patients the situations from preoperation through postoperation such as chief complaints, serum hormone level, final diagnosis, tumor size, as well as operating time or blood loss during the operation were discussed precisely. Then the merits and demerits of endoscopic hypophysectomy were discussed.

RESULT

Five PRL-producing adenoma, three GH-producing adenoma, nine non-functioning adenoma, and two ACTH or TSH-producing adenoma were included in this discussion as endoscopic group. The age of non-endoscopic group are from 23 to 73 (49.4 in average), and they include ten males and eight females. On the other hand three PRL-producing adenoma, two GH-producing adenoma, two non-functioning adenoma, and one Rathke's cyst were included in this discussion as endoscopic group. The age of endoscopic group are from 19 to 73 (49.1 in average), and they include seven males and six females. As to non-endopscopic group the blood loss during each operation is 568 ml and operating time is 256 min in average. For endoscopic group the blood loss is 296 ml and operating time is 234 min in average.

CONCLUSION

By microsurgery in the pituitary operation with endoscopy, the minimal invasive surgery becomes possible by reducing blood loss and shortening operating time. During the operation cooperation between neurosurgeon and ENT surgeon is indispensable in order to perform hypophysectomy smoothly. The development of optical better aids and operation instruments for endonasal hypophysectomy is desired in the future. The navigation system was more useful than X-ray fluoroscopy to obtain the detailed information.

Laboratory data and treatment outcomes of head and neck tumor patients in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

To elicit the factors influencing the choice of treatment and the prognosis of elderly patients, we studied the clinical and laboratory data of head and neck tumor patients. The patients were divided into two groups (group A: younger than 75, group B: 75 years of age or older) and the treatment outcomes as well as the features of the laboratory data were analyzed.

METHODS

The clinical records of 1350 patients (888 males, 462 females) with head and neck tumors who received their initial treatment at our hospital were reviewed. The collected data including age, the site of the primary lesion, pre-treatment health states, pre-operative laboratory results were examined. According to the treatment policy, we grouped the patients according to whether or not they had received the standard therapy for the disease and then analyzed their treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Standard therapy was not performed in 62 (5.6%) of the 1114 patients in group A and in 43 (18.2%) of the 236 patients in group B. A further analysis performed in group B (elderly patients) revealed that standard therapy was performed in 193 patients, while 43 received non-standard therapy. The prognosis for the non-standard therapy cases was poor. The averages of the laboratory test findings between groups A and B were compared, but no marked differences were observed. However, differences were observed in the ratio of patients whose data were in the normal range between group A and group B. When the laboratory data were compared between the standard and non-standard groups of the elderly, serum albumin and CBC (especially hemoglobin) showed a close relationship to the treatment modality.

CONCLUSION

The ratio of patients who did not receive standard therapy was high in the age group of 75 years or older. The prognosis of patients with head and neck tumors is therefore considered to depend on whether or not a patient receives the standard therapy against the disease. The pre-treatment clinical data and the laboratory findings vary markedly among elderly patients 75 years of age or older. Regarding the treatment of head and neck tumors in the elderly, the laboratory data and clinical conditions of each individual patient should be checked carefully and every possible means should be employed in order to allow such patients to receive the standard therapy whenever possible.

Perilymphatic concentration of gentamicin administered intratympanically in guinea pigs

Intratympanic gentamicin therapy has recently become popular for Meniere's disease, although the administration protocol remains controversial. To date, few studies have been conducted regarding the pharmacokinetics of drugs administered intratympanically. We measured gentamicin concentration in the perilymph close to the round window membrane using a microdialysis technique. A bolus of 0.5 mg gentamicin was put on the round window membrane or a clinically used solution of 5 mg gentamicin was placed in the tympanic bulla of guinea pigs. After 56 +/- 21 min of bolus administration, gentamicin concentration reached a maximum level of 2900 +/- 1200 microg/ml and then decreased, with a half-life of 117 +/- 47 min, characteristic of the kinetics expected with a one-compartment model. With solution administration, the maximum concentration did not differ, but the time to the maximum concentration and the half-life in the perilymph were longer, compared with the results of bolus administration. Our results suggest that even solution administration of gentamicin, which is simple and repeatable, provides a sufficient, stable and continuous supply to the perilymph.

Surgical strategy for cholesteatoma in children

OBJECTIVE

We reviewed our experience with childhood cholesteatoma in children under 15 years old. Based on cumulative postoperative data, we propose a modified canal-wall-up technique in conjunction with a planned, staged operation.

METHODS

From 1982 to 1997, 56 children with cholesteatoma (58 ears, total) underwent surgery in our department. In the early period (1982-1990), canal wall-down mastoidectomy was performed in 52% (21 of 40 ears), and canal wall-up mastoidectomy in 48% (the remaining 19 ears). In the late period (1991-1997), 18 ears with cholesteatoma underwent surgery. The canal-wall up mastoidectomy was performed in 89% (16 ears), and canal-wall-down mastoidectomy in the remaining 11% (two ears).

RESULTS

In the early period (1982-1990), cholesteatoma recurred more frequently in the canal-wall-up mastoidectomy group than in the canal-wall down mastoidectomy group (53 vs. 14%). Other postoperative complications, such as erosion of the mastoid cavity, otorrhea, and perforation of the eardrum, occurred more frequently in the canal-wall-down mastoidectomy group than in the canal-wall-up mastoidectomy group. In the late period (1991-1997), in the canal-wall-up mastoidectomy group, ten ears underwent one-stage surgery. Planned staged tympanoplasty was completed in six ears. After one-stage surgery, four of ten ears experienced residual cholesteatoma. Two of the recurrent ears had undergone planned staged tympanoplasty. As revealed by postoperative computed tomography (CT) images, 12 of 15 ears had aeration in the attic and antrum as well as in the tympanic cavity. In these cases, no attic retraction pocket formation was observed.

CONCLUSION

Our strategy for pediatric cholesteatoma in the future is to use canal-wall-up mastoidectomy when possible. If aeration in the attic and antrum is observed by preoperative CT-scan image and no erosion in the malleus and incus exists, the one-stage surgery will be chosen. If no aeration is observed by CT-scan and/or erosion exists in the surgical findings, planned staged tympanoplasty will be necessary. This strategy allows a high incidence of aeration of the attic and antrum, and prevents the formation of the attic retraction pocket while enabling the early detection of residual cholesteatoma by means of CT.

Stellate cells in the human vocal fold

Cells have been discovered that are star-like in appearance and that actively synthesize extracellular matrices in the human adult vocal fold mucosa. These cells have no nomenclature and are thus designated as vocal fold stellate cells (VFSC) in this study. Light and electron microscopic investigation of VFSC in the human vocal fold mucosa was carried out on excised human adult larynges. A comparison between VFSC and conventional fibroblasts was made. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The VFSC are distributed in human adult maculae flavae. 2) The VFSC are irregular and stellate in shape, possessing slender cytoplasmic processes. 3) Lipid droplets are present in the cytoplasm. 4) The VFSC have a small nucleus-cytoplasm ratio and well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting active protein synthesis in these cells. 5) No basal lamina is present, and filaments can be seen in the cytoplasm. 6) The VFSC show strong cytoplasm staining with periodic acid-Schiff stain and type III collagen. 7) The VFSC actively synthesize collagenous fibers, including reticular fibers, as well as other extracellular matrices, such as elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycan (hyaluronic acid). 8) The VFSC, first demonstrated in this study, actively synthesize extracellular matrices in the human adult vocal fold mucosa under normal conditions. 9) The VFSC participate in the metabolism of the extracellular matrices essential for the viscoelastic properties of the lamina propria of the human adult vocal fold mucosa as a vibrating tissue.

Clinical analysis of multiple primary malignancies of the hypopharynx and esophagus

PURPOSE

Because the capability to control squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck has improved recently, the phenomenon of multiple primary malignancies of that region is now recognized with increasing frequency. We reviewed cases of multiple primary squamous cell carcinomas of the hypopharynx and esophagus with regard to their frequency, incidence, and prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 104 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer to determine (1) if and when esophageal cancer occurred, (2) the classification of multiple tumors as metachronous or synchronous, and (3) tumor histology.

RESULTS

In most cases of the metachronous type, esophageal cancer followed hypopharyngeal cancer within less than 3 years. Most cases of hypopharyngeal cancer were at an advanced stage, in contrast to esophageal cancer, which were all early stage. These cases had a poor prognosis despite various treatments causing local disease to be well controlled. Endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection was found to be an effective treatment for esophageal cancer, especially in superficial types.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis and mild systemic damage after endoscopic esophageal mucosal resection compare favorably with surgery, radiation, or systemic chemotherapy.

Smoking, alcohol, sleep and risk of idiopathic sudden deafness: a case-control study using pooled controls

Sudden deafness sometimes has an identifiable cause, but in most cases the cause is unknown (idiopathic sudden deafness). Vascular impairment has been proposed as an aetiological mechanism for this condition, but it is unclear whether traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking or alcohol intake, are associated with this condition. We accordingly investigated associations of idiopathic sudden deafness with smoking, alcohol intake and sleep duration in a case-control study. Cases were consecutive patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden deafness between October 1996 and August 1998 at collaborating hospitals in Japan. Controls were obtained from a nationwide database of pooled controls, with matching for age, gender and residential district. Exposure variables were assessed from a self-administered questionnaire. Subgroup analyses were performed using audiometric subtypes of sudden deafness. Data were obtained for 164 cases and 20,313 controls. Increased risks of idiopathic sudden deafness were observed among participants who consumed two or more units of alcohol per day (OR=1.90, 95% CI=1.12-3.21), and among participants who slept less than seven hours per night (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.09-2.37). The direct association with alcohol intake was particularly strong for the participants with profound hearing loss. There was little evidence of an association with smoking. This study suggests that alcohol intake and short sleep duration might be risk factors for idiopathic sudden deafness.

Augmentation of cancellous screw fixation with hydroxyapatite composite resin (CAP) in vivo

The fixation of fractured bone with screws is important for orthopedic surgery, however, rigid fixation often cannot be attained in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Recently, we developed a new injectable, nonresorbable bone cement (CAP) that possesses mechanical and biological properties superior to those of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement. CAP can directly bond with bone without intervening fibrous tissue, and the peak curing temperature is 46 degrees C. In this study, we assessed the effects of CAP and PMMA cement on the augmentation of screw fixation in vivo. A cancellous screw was placed in the proximal metaphysis of rabbit tibiae. One side of each tibia was randomly selected to be augmented with CAP or PMMA. The contralateral side received a screw without cement (control). Of the 36 rabbits included in this study, 9 rabbits from each group were sacrificed and the tibial constructs retrieved 1 or 3 months after the initial operation. The screws were then pulled out to failure. The values of the pullout force of the screws augmented with CAP and PMMA were higher than those of the control specimens at both 1 month (319 +/- 58 N for CAP vs. 105 +/- 41 N for control; p < 0.05, 284 +/- 100 N for PMMA vs. 132 +/- 71 N for control; p < 0.05) and 3 months (387 +/- 109 N for CAP vs. 196 +/- 107 N for control; p < 0.05, 372 +/- 145 N for PMMA vs. 242 +/- 100 N for control; p > 0.05) after the operation. However, the average increase in the pullout force between CAP and PMMA augmentation was not statistically significant at either time. The values of energy absorption augmented with CAP and PMMA were also higher than those of the control specimens at both 1 month (129 +/- 54 N*mm for CAP vs. 19 +/- 10 N*mm for control; p < 0.05, 145 +/- 95 N*mm for PMMA vs. 28 +/- 21 N*mm for control; p < 0.05) and 3 months (172 +/- 58 N*mm for CAP vs. 44 +/- 41N*mm for control; p < 0.05, 185 +/- 198 N*mm for PMMA vs. 67 +/- 49N*mm for control; p > 0.05) after the operation. However, there were also no significant differences in energy absorption between the two types of cement augmentation. On the other hand, a significant increase was not observed in stiffness among the CAP, PMMA, and respective control groups at either 1 month (626 +/- 133 N/mm for CAP vs. 441 +/- 180 N/mm for control; p < 0.05, 577 +/- 87 N/mm for PMMA vs. 450 +/- 121 N/mm for control; p > 0.05) or 3 months (622 +/- 144 N/mm for CAP vs. 600 +/- 204 N/mm for control; p > 0.05, 633 +/- 175 N/mm for PMMA vs. 630 +/- 168 N/mm for control; p > 0.05) after the operation, except in the average increase between CAP augmentation and its control 1 month after the operation. These results suggested that a cancellous screw fixation augmented with CAP, as well as PMMA, was effective compared with the unaugmented control in vivo. Because of its biocompatibility and low curing temperature, CAP can be used clinically to augment cancellous screw fixation.

Thyroarytenoid muscle: functional subunits based on morphology and muscle fiber typing in cats

Using parvalbumin immunohistochemistry to determine the distribution of muscle fiber types in the feline thyroarytenoid muscle (TA), we clearly distinguished the vocalis (with predominance of "slow" type 1 fibers) from the external TA (in which "fast" type 2 fibers predominated, especially in its rostral part). Reconstruction of serial frontal sections of the TA allowed the stereoscopic study of each division. The existence of a rudimentary laryngeal ventricle separating the true and false vocal folds in cats was demonstrated anatomically and histologically, and its relationships to each division of the TA were established. Our results suggest that the vocalis, fitted for enduring activities, is suited for voice control. The fast, rostral part of the external TA seems suited to laryngeal sphincteric demands, while its caudal counterpart may act in both functions. The anatomic individualization of the divisions of the TA may suggest that they play distinct physiological roles and may imply that they should not be considered a single functional unit.

Localized amyloidosis and extramedullary plasmacytoma involving the larynx of a child

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx and localized laryngeal amyloidosis are 2 uncommon disease entities that are exceedingly rare in children. We report a case of a 12-year-old girl presenting with progressive hoarseness who was subsequently found to have extramedullary plasmacytoma coexisting with localized amyloidosis involving the larynx. Results from the immunohistochemical and molecular studies showed that the tumor cells of the plasmacytoma were monoclonal (kappa-restricted), strongly supporting their neoplastic nature. The biochemical nature of the amyloid deposits was also shown to be of kappa immunoglobulin light chain, suggesting the pathogenetic relationship between the plasmacytoma and amyloid deposition in the larynx of this patient. There was no other evidence of malignancy or amyloidosis elsewhere. On a follow-up period of 4 years, this patient was well and asymptomatic. We believe that this represents the first case in the literature showing the coexistence of extramedullary plasmacytoma and localized amyloidosis of the larynx in children. This case also supports the concept that localized laryngeal amyloidosis may be a manifestation of low-grade B-cell neoplasms.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome

Eight patients with large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) syndrome and acute sensorineural hearing loss that had not responded to intravenous treatment were treated with hyperbaric oxygen(HBO2) therapy. This was performed daily, with 15 treatments per course. Pure tone and speech audiometry were performed on all patients. The mean hearing recovery following HBO2 therapy (20.8 +/- 12.1 dB) was significantly higher than after intravenous treatment (2.3 +/- 7.2 dB) (P < 0.01), although treatment duration was not different between the two therapies. Of the eight patients, five showed complete or partial recovery after one course of HBO2 therapy, and their hearing levels have not since changed. The other three patients showed heating recovery during therapy, but treatment had to be repeated for two or more courses because of progressive or fluctuating hearing loss.We consider HBO2 therapy should be used to treat acute hearing deterioration associated with LVA syndrome if patients do not recover their hearing ability following conventional treatment

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cytogenin Derivatives

To enhance the stability in vivo, new derivatives of cytogenin were synthesized, and their biological activity and stability in mice were estimated. 2-(8-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl)propionic acid (NM-3) was found to be the most stable among them. It modified collagen-induced arthritis in mice. It also showed potent anti-angiogenic activity in a mouse dorsal air sac assay.

Effects of alpha-tocopherol on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs

Cisplatin (CDDP), an antitumor agent widely used in the treatment of head and neck cancers, has dose-limiting side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Recently, evidence has been accumulated to demonstrate that these side effects are closely related to oxidative stress. In the present study, we attempted to suppress CDDP-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in guinea pigs by administering alpha-tocopherol, a naturally occurring antioxidant. Hartley albino guinea pigs (250 approximately 300 g) were treated with CDDP (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally (I.P.)) for 3 days in the presence and absence of alpha-tocopherol (50 mg/kg I.P.) injection for 6 days. The combined treatment of animals with alpha-tocopherol distinctly improved the CDDP-induced side effects. These were: loss of Preyer's reflex at high frequencies; distinct elevation of auditory brain stem response threshold at 16 kHz; increased lipid peroxidation in the cochlea determined by the malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid method; substantial losses of outer hair cells in the basal and second turns of the cochlea; fragmentation of nuclear DNA detected by the TUNEL method in cochlear hair cells and cells in the stria vascularis; and increases in serum BUN and Cr. These results strongly suggest that alpha-tocopherol suppresses CDDP-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity via the suppression of the increased production of reactive oxygen species.

Particle control of emulsion by membrane emulsification and its applications

Particle-size control of emulsion is very important for maintaining stability and giving emulsions new functional roles. Porous glass membrane, prepared by phase separation of a glass composition, is available as an emulsifying element, from which, one can obtain monodispersed emulsion with different particle sizes, and useful water/oil/water (W/O/W) emulsion in very high yield. The authors have called this new technology 'membrane emulsification'. Applications of membrane emulsification technology to drug delivery systems were carried out under cooperative research with Miyazaki Medical College. It was found that the clinical administration of a W/O/W drug emulsion that encapsulated an anticancer drug in its inner droplets was surprisingly effective for both terminal and multiple nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma when the drug was injected to damaged liver through a catheter inserted in the hepatic artery. Other applications have been tried and developed elsewhere.

Efflux system for pyridoxine in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Pyridoxine-charged Schizosaccharomyces pombe released pyridoxine rapidly at 30 degrees C: very low amounts of three other B6 vitamers were also released. The rate of efflux was temperature-dependent. The initial rate of efflux was dependent on the concentration of pyridoxine in the cells: the rate was almost zero at lower than 0.02 mM and became saturated at higher than 0.2 mM. Na+, sodium azide, and dinitrophenol increased the rate in both the presence and absence of D-glucose. Mg++, thiamine, and menadione inhibited the efflux. The intracellular concentration of ATP did not significantly affect the efflux rate. The system may be dependent on a membrane potential of the yeast cells. It was found that the fission yeast cells have a gate or carrier system for efflux of pyridoxine, which was distinct from that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Neurological abnormalities in cognitively impaired but not demented elderly

OBJECTIVE

We determined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of elderly people with cognitively impaired but not demented (CIND) in the community.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We examined 945 elderly residents (aged 65 years or more) in a cross-sectional study of a standardized clinical examination in 27 randomly selected communities in the town of Mifune, a standard farming town in Japan.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CIND and dementia were 10.8% and 4.8%, respectively, with both rates increasing with age. The frequency of most neurological signs in CIND elderly was greater than that found in subjects with no cognitive impairment (NCI) and less than that in subjects with dementia. The mean ADL disability score in CIND subjects also lay between the mean values for those with NCI and those with dementia. There were no differences in lifestyles between the CIND group and the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a majority of CIND elderly suffer from brain dysfunction due to chronic neurological disorders or aging itself.

Regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human osteoblastic cells by N-acetylcysteine

Cyclooxygenase (COX) plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory process of inflammatory arthropathies. Inflammatory cytokines induce COX-2 expression in osteoblasts of inflamed joints, followed by osteoclast activation. The inhibition of COX-2 expression could help prevent prostaglandin E2 secretion, followed by osteoclast activation for bone destruction and resorption. We examined whether the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited COX-2 expression induced in the human osteoblastic cell line MG63 by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). According to Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, NAC inhibited IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression in protein and messenger RNA. We also demonstrated immunohistochemically that NAC inhibited NFkappaB nuclear translocation. These results suggested that NAC inhibited both COX-2 expression and NFkappaB nuclear translocation in MG63, which in turn indicated that NAC could inhibit the inflammatory process involved in bone resorption by regulating COX-2 expression at the level of transcription.

Clinicoepidemiologic features of sudden deafness diagnosed and treated at university hospitals in Japan

Nationwide epidemiologic surveys were done 3 times by the Research Committee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan to investigate the number of patients and clinical manifestations of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden deafness). The first, second, and third surveys were carried out during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, respectively. For each patient, we have compiled data regarding age, sex, onset day, presence or absence of vertigo, and hearing ability, including initial and final audiograms, in a computer in the Nagoya University Computer Center. Regarding patients who visited university hospitals, complete data were collected for 421 subjects (age: 40.2+/-15.4 years, female: 203, male: 218) between July 1973 and June 1974, for 813 subjects (age: 45.1+/-15.4 years, female: 407, male: 406) in 1987, and for 1112 subjects (age: 49.1+/-16.0 years, female: 591, male: 521) in 1993. The number of patients with sudden deafness treated in university hospitals in Japan has increased, especially in the elderly population. This increase is associated with population increase and age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 in the elderly population. The initial and final hearing levels in the first survey were worse than those in the second and third surveys; there was no significant difference in hearing between the second and third surveys. The hearing levels were worse in children and elderly patients than in the other age groups.

Etidronate inhibits human osteoblast apoptosis by inhibition of pro-apoptotic factor(s) produced by activated T cells

Humoral factors produced by activated T cells are thought to be important in the development of bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the inhibitory effect of etidronate disodium (EHDP) on apoptosis of human osteoblasts induced by supernatants from in vitro activated T cell cultures. Human osteoblastic cell line MG63 cells and human primary osteoblast-like cells were used in the present study as human osteoblasts. T cells were incubated with interleukin-2 and further activated with 1 2-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate and ionomycin, either in the presence or absence of EHDP. After we carried out the cultivation, we examined the cytotoxicity of cultured T cell supernatants toward MG63 cells and human primary osteoblast-like cells. Supernatants from activated but not resting T cell cultures efficiently induced apoptosis of MG63 cells and primary osteoblast-like cells. Supernatants from activated T cell cultures, incubated with EHDP, exhibited significantly less cytotoxicity than did supernatants incubated in the absence of EHDP. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of activated T cell culture supernatants was not affected by direct treatment of human osteoblasts with EHDP. The concentration of soluble Fas ligand in activated T cell culture supernatants was actually increased by EHDP. However, EHDP did not influence soluble Fas and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations in the supernatant. Furthermore, treatment of human osteoblasts with EHDP did not alter their expression of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL or their sensitivity to anti-Fas immunoglobulin M-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that EHDP inhibits the production of soluble factor that induces apoptosis of human osteoblasts and thus exhibits a protective action toward human osteoblast apoptosis induced by activated T cell culture supernatants. Although the exact EHDP-regulated molecule that induces apoptosis of human osteoblasts is unknown at present, our study may explain part of the therapeutic action of bisphosphonates in RA complicated by bone loss.

Suppression of type II collagen-induced arthritis by a new isocoumarin, NM-3

The anti-arthritic effect of NM-3, a new isocoumarin, was examined using a type II collagen-induced arthritis model for human rheumatoid arthritis in DBA/1J mice. NM-3 by oral administration suppressed dose-dependently (2-20 mg/kg/day) not only macroscopic changes such as erythema and swelling of limbs but also histopathologic changes and radiographic changes such as bone lesions. The efficacy of NM-3 was greater than those of disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs), auranofin (40 mg/kg/day) and bucillamine (10 mg/kg/day). NM-3 failed to suppress carageenan-induced edema and to inhibit the activities of inflammation-related enzymes including cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, 5-lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2, suggesting that the mode of anti-arthritic action of NM-3 may be different from those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Since NM-3 inhibits angiogenesis in a mouse dorsal air-sac model, the observed anti-arthritic effect of NM-3 might be partly attributed to the antiangiogenic activity. Thus, NM-3 is a potential orally active therapeutic agent for the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis.

Serum thioredoxin levels as an indicator of oxidative stress in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

BACKGROUND/AIM

It has recently been suggested that oxidative stress may be associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thioredoxin (TRX) is a stress-inducible thiol-containing protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of serum TRX levels in patients with HCV-related chronic liver diseases.

METHODS

Serum TRX levels were determined with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in 174 serum HCV-RNA positive patients, including 6 asymptomatic carriers, 124 chronic hepatitis, 20 liver cirrhosis, and 24 hepatocellular carcinoma, and in 15 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

The serum TRX levels (medians and [ranges], ng/ml) were significantly elevated in the HCV-infected patients; 30.9 [20.7-37.7] in asymptomatic carriers, 34.5 [8.6-135.6]* in chronic hepatitis, 42.5 [21.4-97.2]* in liver cirrhosis, and 43.9 [11.7-180.3]** in hepatocellular carcinoma (*p<0.05, **p<0.001, vs. 24.9 [1.3-50.7] in healthy controls). Serum TRX levels were significantly correlated with the serum levels of ferritin and fibrogenesis markers, and with the histological stage of hepatic fibrosis. The serum TRX levels before interferon treatment of patients whose serum HCV-RNA was still positive on day 14 following interferon treatment (42.6 [20.1-90.0]) were significantly higher than those of patients whose serum HCV-RNA was negative on day 14 following interferon treatment (25.8 [7.4-59.8], p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The serum TRX levels of patients with HCV infection increased with their serum ferritin levels and the progression of liver fibrosis. Patients with higher serum TRX levels exhibited resistance to interferon therapy. Oxidative stress may therefore be responsible for the pathological mechanism of HCV-related liver diseases and be one of the impediments to eradication of HCV during interferon treatment.

Decreased CD44H expression in early-stage tongue carcinoma associates with late nodal metastases following interstitial brachytherapy

BACKGROUND

Late nodal metastases is a critical factor that worsens the prognosis of T1/T2N0 tongue cancer treated by interstitial brachytherapy. If we could better predict the patients at high risk for late nodal metastases developing before treatment, more appropriate choices of treatment could be selected. In recent studies of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and laryngeal cancer, CD44H has been postulated to be a metastasis suppressor.

METHODS

On the basis of this phenomenon, we immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of CD44H in 38 cases of primary T1/T2N0 tongue cancer treated by interstitial brachytherapy. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens obtained before treatment were examined.

RESULTS

The group that had late nodal metastases revealed a significantly lower (p =.0035) CD44H expression.

CONCLUSIONS

A decreased CD44H expression may therefore be useful as a new predictor of late nodal metastases in patients with T1/T2N0 tongue carcinoma. For patients with a decreased CD44H expression, a partial glossectomy and an elective neck dissection may therefore be an appropriate treatment modality.

Effects of bisphosphonate on the release of MMP-2 from cultured human osteoblasts

Production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) influences bone resorption. We investigated the role of bisphosphonates, potent inhibitors of bone resorption, on the production of MMP-2 from human osteoblasts. Bisphosphonates alone did not influence the amount of MMP-2 produced by human osteoblasts. However, in the presence of physiological concentrations of plasmin, bisphosphonates reduced the amount of MMP-2 in osteoblasts-conditioned media. Furthermore, bisphosphonates treatment induced degradation of MMP-2 in the presence of plasmin. Our results indicated that bisphosphonate, a divalent cation chelator, negatively regulated the longevity of MMP-2 in soluble phase plasmin-containing environment. These findings suggest that bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption by abrogating MMP-2 protection induced by plasmin-mediated degradation.

Methamphetamine-induced striatal dopamine release, behavior changes and neurotoxicity in BALB/c mice

The behaviors associated with the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Hyperthermia and behavioral observations were measured 60 min after each subcutaneous injection of methamphetamine (4x4 or 8 mg/kg) or saline, each given 2 h apart. The behavioral observations included stereotyped behaviors, incidence of hemorrhage in breast, salivation and self-injurious behavior (SIB). Repeated administration of methamphetamine produced these behavioral changes and hyperthermia, but resulted in hypothermia by the final injection (8 mg/kg). In addition, the methamphetamine treatment induced a long-lasting dopamine depletion of similar magnitude in the 4 and 8 mg/kg-treated animals. In a time course study striatal monoamine levels were measured 60 min after each injection of these doses. The first and second injections of methamphetamine (8 mg/kg) produced a drastic increase in striatal 3-methoxytyramine; this failed to occur after the third or fourth injection of the same dose. In contrast, 4 mg/kg of methamphetamine also produced an increase in 3-methoxytyramine after the second and third injections of the drug and, in this case, these were maintained for the duration of the treatment. Striatal 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels also drastically decreased following both doses of methamphetamine, suggesting inhibition of monoamine oxidase in striatum. Moreover, a single injection of methamphetamine increased striatal 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid formation. These results suggest that the incidence of hyperthermia, SIB and striatal dopamine neurotoxicity are closely linked to striatal dopamine release and inhibition of monoamine oxidase produced by methamphetamine in BALB/c mice.

MR imaging of the enlarged endolymphatic duct and sac syndrome by use of a 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo sequence: volume and signal-intensity measurement of the endolymphatic duct and sac and area measurement of the cochlear modiolus

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In enlarged endolymphatic duct (EED) and sac (EES) syndrome, deformity of the EED and EES is congenital; however, hearing loss is acquired. To investigate the pathophysiology of progressive sensorineural hearing loss in EED and EES syndrome, we measured the volume of the EED and EES, the diameter of the EED and EES, the area of the cochlear modiolus, and the signal intensity of the EES and compared our findings against degree of hearing loss.

METHODS

Thin-section MR images of 33 ears in 17 patients with EED and EES syndrome were studied. All studies were obtained on a 1.5-T MR unit using a quadrature surface phased-array coil. Heavily T2-weighted 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo images were obtained with a voxel size of 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.8 mm without zero-fill interpolation. Two radiologists traced the areas of the EED and EES manually, and the volume was calculated. The area of the cochlear modiolus, diameter of the EED and EES, and signal intensity of the EES were also measured by drawing regions of interest manually. The signal intensity ratio of EES/CSF was calculated. These measured values were compared against audiographic data, and the degree of linear correlation was determined.

RESULTS

The volume of the EED and EES, the area of the modiolus, the diameter of the EED and EES, and the signal intensity of the EES did not show significant correlation with degree of hearing loss.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that there is a microscopic area of damage or fragility in the inner ear not visible even with thin-section heavily T2-weighted MR imaging.

Force-induced osteoclast apoptosis in vivo is accompanied by elevation in transforming growth factor beta and osteoprotegerin expression

The mechanism controlling the disappearance of osteoclasts from bone surfaces after bone resorption in vivo is largely unknown. This is because there is no suitable experimental system to trace the final fate of osteoclasts. Here, we used an experimental model of tooth movement in rats to show that preexisting osteoclasts disappeared from the bone surface through apoptosis during a force-induced rapid shift from bone resorption to formation. On the distal alveolar bone surface of the maxillary molar in growing rats, many mature osteoclasts were present. When light tensional force was applied to the bone surface through an orthodontic appliance, these preexisting osteoclasts gradually disappeared. One day after the application of force, about 24% of the osteoclasts exhibited apoptotic morphology and the proportion of apoptotic cells was increased to 41% by day 2, then decreased afterward. These changes were undetectable on the control distal alveolar bone surface, which is free from tensional force. As shown by in situ hybridization, a marked increase in transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) messenger RNA (mRNA) was observed in the stretched cells on the tensioned distal bone surface, simultaneously with the loss of osteoclasts. Both of these factors are known to have a negative effect on osteoclast recruitment and survival. As early as 2 days after force application, some of these stretched cells were identified as cuboidal osteoblasts showing intense signals for both factors. Our data suggest there may be a sequential link in tensional force applied on the bone lining cells, up-regulation of TGF-beta1/OPG, and disappearance of osteoclasts.

Vestibular and cochlear toxicity of aminoglycosides--a review

Recently, there have been many reports describing the efficacy of intratympanic aminoglycoside injection for the treatment of intractable vertigo in patients with Ménière's disease. However, the number of injections and the amount of drug injected varies, with concomitant variation in the side-effect of hearing deterioration. To identify drugs that are more selectively vestibulotoxic, we have reviewed the ototoxicity of aminoglycosides, focusing on differences between vestibulo- and cochleotoxicity. At present, the basis for the different effects of each drug is unknown. The mechanisms of vestibulo- and cochleotoxicity are deemed worthy of further study.

Protein expression and functional difference of membrane-bound and soluble receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand: modulation of the expression by osteotropic factors and cytokines

A variety of humoral factors modulate the osteoclastogenesis. Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) expressed on osteoblast/stromal lineage cells plays a pivotal role to transduce an essential differentiation signal to osteoclast lineage cells through binding to its receptor, RANK, expressed on the latter cell population; however, the difficulty to detect RANKL protein expression hampers us in investigating the regulation of RANKL expression by humoral factors. To determine protein expression of RANKL, we have established a new method, named as a ligand-receptor precipitation (LRP) Western blot analysis, which can specifically concentrate the target protein by the use of specific binding characteristic between RANKL and RANK/osteoprotegrin (OPG). RANKL protein expression in the postnuclear supernatant was not detected by common Western blotting, but LRP Western blot analysis clearly showed that RANKL is produced as a membrane-bound protein on murine osteoblasts/stromal cells, and cleaved into a soluble form by metalloprotease. Cytokines stimulating the osteoclastogenesis, such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-11, IL-17, and TNF-alpha, increased the expression of RANKL with decrease of OPG expression in osteoblasts/stromal cells. In contrast, cytokines inhibiting the osteoclastogenesis, such as IL-13, INF-gamma, and TGF-beta1 suppressed the expression of RANKL and/or augmented OPG expression. Functional difference between membrane-bound and soluble RANKL was demonstrated, which showed that membrane-bound RANKL works more efficiently than soluble RANKL in the osteoclastogenesis developed from murine bone marrow cell culture. The present study indicates the usefulness of LRP Western blot analysis, which shows that the modulation of osteoclastogenesis by humoral factors is achieved, in part, by regulation of the expression of RANKL and OPG in osteoblast/stromal lineage cells.

Management of impaired vocal fold movement during sleep in a patient with Shy-Drager syndrome

A 46-year-old woman with Shy-Drager syndrome is presented. She has impaired vocal fold abduction during sleep, but has no laryngeal dysfunction while she is awake. In order to reduce laryngeal obstruction during sleep, she initially underwent laterofixation of 1 vocal fold (Ejnell's method) with little lasting success because of accidental slipping of the ligature. Later, she successively underwent arytenoidectomy with the use of CO2 laser. Her noctural breathing improved markedly after arytenoidectomy.

Air-bone gap and resonant frequency in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome

BACKGROUND

Conductive hearing loss is occasionally recognized in large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) syndrome; however, the incidence rate and the cause are not known.

OBJECTIVE

To compare air and bone conduction levels between patients with LVA syndrome and those with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to investigate the cause of the air-bone gap.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

The patients were treated at a tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Twenty-eight ears of 15 patients with LVA syndrome and 28 ears of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were examined. The latter patients were selected from a computerized database to match the former patients in air conduction levels.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pure-tone audiometry, multiple frequency tympanometry, acoustic reflex, otoacoustic emission, vestibular evoked myogenic response.

RESULTS

The air-bone gap in patients with LVA syndrome was always larger than that in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with the same air conduction level. The resonant frequency in patients with LVA syndrome was rather low compared with that in normal control subjects, in contrast to the finding that resonant frequency was significantly high in patients with otosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

An air-bone gap exists to some degree in almost all patients with LVA syndrome. The air-bone gap may not be associated with the movement restriction of the stapes as it is with otosclerosis.

Hydrops of placental stem villi complicated with fetal congenital adrenal hyperplasia

The authors present a case report of hydrops of placental stem villi. Numerous small aechoic spaces were demonstrated by prenatal ultrasonography. The patient spontaneously delivered a female newborn at 26 weeks' gestation. The infant showed hypertrophied clitoris and urogenital sius, and had a normal 46, XX karyotype. Endocrinological examination revealed that 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency caused the anomaly. To our knowledge, this is the first report that congenital genital malformation complicated the placental mesenchymal dysplasia.

Glandular malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: an unusual case showing histologically malignant glands

In this report, we describe a highly unusual case of glandular malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor presenting as a neck mass in a previously healthy 29-year-old man. Grossly, the tumor was found to arise from a swollen peripheral nerve trunk. The tumor was largely composed of spindle cells that demonstrated marked nuclear pleomorphism and numerous abnormal mitotic figures. In addition, histologically malignant glandular structures lined by simple nonciliated columnar cells with goblet cells were found clustered in the center of the tumor. Examination of the swollen peripheral nerve trunk revealed the presence of a plexiform neurofibroma. The spindle cells were positive for S100. The glands were negative for S100 but positive for keratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and neuroendocrine markers (somatostatin, chromogranin, Leu-7, and calcitonin). This patient was subsequently diagnosed as having von Recklinghausen disease and died of tumor metastasis to the lungs 34 months after the presentation. To our knowledge, only 3 similar cases have been previously described in the literature.

Effect of vitamin K2 on osteoblast apoptosis: vitamin K2 inhibits apoptotic cell death of human osteoblasts induced by Fas, proteasome inhibitor, etoposide, and staurosporine

Vitamin K2 is used for the treatment of osteoporosis, but the precise mode of action is still not clear. We investigated the effects of vitamin K2 on apoptosis of human osteoblasts. Human osteoblastic cell line MG63 cells and human primary osteoblast-like cells obtained from bone fragments in corrective surgery were used as human osteoblasts. Cells were cultured with or without various concentrations of vitamin K2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We then determined the proliferative response, expression of Fas and Bcl-2-related proteins, and Fas-mediated apoptosis of these cells induced by anti-Fas immunoglobulin M (IgM). In addition, the effect of vitamin K2 in osteoblast apoptosis induced by Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-aldehyde (LLL-CHO), etoposide, or staurosporine was also examined. Human osteoblasts did not show spontaneous apoptosis in culture, even in the presence of vitamin K2 or TNF-alpha. Furthermore, proliferation of the cells was not influenced by vitamin K2 or TNF-alpha. Fas was functionally expressed on human osteoblasts, and the treatment with TNF-alpha significantly enhanced both Fas expression and Fas-mediated apoptosis of osteoblasts. The addition of vitamin K2 to the culture resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of functional Fas expression on osteoblasts, in the presence or absence of TNF-alpha. Treatment of human osteoblasts with vitamin K2 clearly suppressed Bax expression of the cells, although the expression of Bcl-2 was not influenced by vitamin K2. Fas ligand (FasL) cDNA transformants were cytotoxic against osteoblasts, and the cytotoxicity was increased when osteoblasts were treated with TNF-alpha. The addition of vitamin K2 to osteoblasts significantly decreased the cytotoxic effects of FasL cDNA transformants. Furthermore, apoptosis of human osteoblasts induced by LLL-CHO, etoposide, or staurosporine was also clearly suppressed in vitamin K2-treated osteoblasts. Our results suggest that vitamin K2 inhibits apoptotic cell death of osteoblasts and maintains the number of osteoblasts. These actions may explain the therapeutic efficacy of vitamin K2 in osteoporosis.

EGF enhances Ca(2+) mobilization and capacitative Ca(2+) entry in mouse mammary epithelial cells

Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) responses to nucleotides, Ca(2+) release from thapsigargin-sensitive stores and capacitative Ca(2+) entry were investigated in cultured mouse mammary epithelial cells. EGF treatment induced proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. We checked for mitotic activity by immunocytochemistry with an anti-PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) antibody, which stains nuclei of the cells in S-phase of cell cycle. EGF treatment apparently increased the number of PCNA-stained cells compared to those treated with differentiating hormones (insulin, prolactin and cortisol) or without any hormone. Application of EGF did not induce any acute [Ca(2+)](i) response. EGF treatment for 1-2 days in culture, however, enhanced [Ca(2+)](i) responses including [Ca(2+)](i) increase by ATP, UTP and other nucelotides, Ca(2+) release from thapsigargin-sensitive stores, as well as capacitative Ca(2+) entry. Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prevented EGF-induced cell proliferation and the [Ca(2+) ](i) responses in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that EGF treatment enhances Ca(2+) mobilization and capacitative Ca(2+) entry, well correlated with cellular proliferation in mammary epithelial cells.

Expression and function of X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein in Sjögren's syndrome

Apoptotic cell death in acinar and ductal epithelial cells is thought to play an important role in the development of salivary gland dysfunction in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). We examined the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules in salivary glands from patients with SS. The labial salivary glands from six human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-I-seronegative and eleven HTLV-I-seropositive SS patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In vitro experiments were performed with a human salivary gland cell line (HSG cells). Immunohistologic analyses revealed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-x were preferentially expressed in salivary infiltrating mononuclear cells more than acinar and ductal epithelial cells. In contrast, strong X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) expression was evident in both acinar and ductal epithelial cells. The pattern of expression of these anti-apoptotic molecules was similar in both HTLV-I-seropositive and HTLV-I -seronegative SS patients. Western blot analysis confirmed expression of XIAP in cultured HSG cells. The expression of XIAP in HSG cells was increased by IL-1beta, TGF-beta1, or IL-10. However, XIAP expression was down-regulated by TNF-alpha, which induced apoptotic cell death of HSG cells with an increase in caspase-3 activity. These effects of TNF-alpha in HSG cells were antagonized by IL-1beta, TGF-beta1, or IL-10. Our results suggest that XIAP is important in regulating apoptotic cell death of acinar and ductal epithelial cells in patients with SS.

Evaluation of the effects of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone pretreatment on the neurobehavioral effects of methamphetamine

A relationship between formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and energy depletion has been proposed to play an important role in mediating methamphetamine (METH)-induced neurotoxicity. To evaluate this relationship, we examined the effect of the spin-trap agent, alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) on hyperthermia and self-injurious behavior (SIB) and striatal dopamine (DA) depletion produced by METH (4 injections of 4 mg/kg, 2 hr intervals, s.c.) in BALB/c mice. Repeated administration of METH induced hyperthermia, incidence of SIB and striatal DA depletion (84% after 3 days). Pretreatment with PBN (4 injections of 60 or 120 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced METH-induced hyperthermia, but did not significantly attenuate METH-induced SIB or the striatal DA depletion. On the other hand, pretreatment with high doses of PBN (4 injections of 180 or 240 mg/kg, i.p.) protected against METH-induced hyperthermia and SIB, and PBN (180 mg/kg) also completely protected against the acute striatal DA depletion 60 min after the last injection of the drug. However, the long-lasting striatal DA depletion was only attenuated by 52 or 56%, respectively. These results indicate that METH-induced hyperthermia contributes to, but is not solely responsible for METH-induced neurotoxicity, and supports a role for formation of ROS and other mechanisms in the generation of METH-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, the difference in the efficacy of PBN to protect against the acute or long-lasting striatal DA depletion induced by METH may indicate that both ROS formation and other mechanisms are required for METH-induced neurotoxicity to develop.

A common downstream signaling activity of osteoclast survival factors that prevent nitric oxide-promoted osteoclast apoptosis

Treatment with NO-releaser NOC18 significantly promoted apoptosis in murine osteoclast-like cells, with a transient increase in caspase-3-like protease activity. In contrast, the apoptosis was protected against by caspase inhibitors, most efficiently with the broadly acting caspase specific inhibitor z-Asp-CH2-DCB, indicating involvement of multiple caspases in progression of the apoptosis. Among osteoclast survival factors examined, calcitonin completely protected against morphologically defined-apoptosis and the increase of caspase-3-like protease activity. The effect of calcitonin was mimicked by treatment of cells with (Bu)2cAMP and forskolin, and abolished by protein kinase-A inhibitor H-89. Independently from the PKA activation, colony stimulating factor-1, interleukin-1beta and the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand also protected against the apoptosis but were less effective than calcitonin. All survival factors investigated inhibited conversion of procaspases-3 and -9 to their mature forms in the cells. Thus, downstream antiapoptotic signaling activity from each factor overlapped in inhibition of caspases. However, how this was attained seemed to be different from each other. Typically, only colony stimulating factor-1 up-regulated expression of endogenous caspase inhibitor protein, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), in the osteoclast-like cells.

Antisense inhibition of cyclin D1 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of cyclin D1 in regulating the biological behavior of head and neck cancer.

DESIGN

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells were stably transfected with an antisense cyclin D1 using lipofectin-mediated transfection. In vitro growth assays, cell cycle analyses, cytotoxicity assays, and in vivo tumorigenicity assays were performed.

MATERIALS

Human SCCHN cell lines TU138, TU167, TU177, TU182, MDA183, and MDA1386 and athymic nude mice were used for this study.

RESULTS

The antisense cyclin D1 transfected cells revealed decreased growth rates in vitro and decreased tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Furthermore, antisense cyclin D1 transfection enhanced the chemosensitivity against cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies provided evidence that overexpression of cyclin D1 may play an important role in growth rates and biological behavior of human head and neck cancer. Additionally, expression of cyclin D1 may make human head and neck cancer cells resistant to platinum-based chemotherapeutic approaches. The ability to suppress the malignant phenotype by down-regulating cyclin D1 expression may provide a new gene therapy approach for patients with head and neck cancer.

Cell size and oxidative enzyme activity of different types of fibers in different regions of the rat plantaris and tibialis anterior muscles

The cross-sectional areas and succinate dehydrogenase activities of different types of fibers in different regions of the plantaris and tibialis anterior muscles in 10-week-old male rats were determined using quantitative histochemistry. The muscle fibers were classified as type I, type IIA, or type IIB according to their adenosine triphosphatase activities. There were no regional differences in either the mean cross-sectional area or the mean succinate dehydrogenase activity of type IIA fibers in both muscles. In contrast, type IIB fibers in the deep region of both muscles had smaller cross-sectional areas and higher succinate dehydrogenase activities than those in the superficial and middle regions. These data suggest the presence of regional differences in the cross-sectional area and succinate dehydrogenase activity of type IIB fibers in the muscle.

Antisense inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent paracrine angiogenic factor involved in angiogenesis. We determined whether antisense VEGF transfection can suppress angiogenic activity of a human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell line.

METHODS

Human SCCHN cell lines were screened for VEGF secretion by ELISA. The highest VEGF secreting cell line was transfected with an antisense VEGF vector. Endothelial cell migration assays were performed using the conditioned medium from the transfected clones. Tumorigenicity assays of the transfectants in nude mice were also performed.

RESULTS

Antisense VEGF expression exhibited a 20-fold inhibition of VEGF secretion. The addition of conditioned medium from the antisense clones resulted in 50% reduction of endothelial migration. There was no effect on in vivo tumorigenicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Antisense VEGF transfection effectively down-regulated VEGF secretion from SCCHN cells that had high VEGF secretion. Targeting VEGF expression may be useful for suppressing angiogenesis in head and neck cancer.

Genomic cloning, mapping, structure and promoter analysis of HEADPIN, a serpin which is down-regulated in head and neck cancer cells

Headpin is a novel serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) that is down-regulated in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck. Using a panel of 18q21.3 YAC clones, we mapped and cloned the HEADPIN gene. The gene spans 10 kb and is composed of eight exons and seven introns. The genomic structure is identical with some other ovalbumin serpins (ov-serpins) in terms of the numbers, position and phasing of the intron/exon boundaries. HEADPIN was mapped within the serpin cluster in 18q21.3 between MASPIN and SCCA2 as follows: cen-MASPIN-HEADPIN-SCCA2-SCCA1-tel. The transcription start site was determined and the promoter activity of the 5'-flanking region was analyzed. Luciferase promoter assays in HaCaT cells showed that the -432 to -144 nucleotide region has functional promoter activity. The activity of the promoter/enhancer was not observed in head and neck cancer cell lines TU167 and UMSCC1 which lack headpin expression. These data suggest that the differential expression of headpin in normal and carcinoma-derived cells is regulated at the transcriptional level. Understanding the genomic organization and transcriptional regulation of the ov-serpins clustered within 18q21. 3 provides a critical framework for assessing their potential role in cancer.

Ultrastructure of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage

An investigation of the ultrastructure of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage was performed on excised human adult larynges. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The size of the chondrocytes is small and their density is high at the tip of the vocal process. 2) The size of the chondrocytes increases and their density decreases toward the posterior portion of the vocal process. 3) At the tip of the vocal process, the collagenous fibers are thin and run in various directions. 4) The thickness of the collagenous fibers increases and they form thick bundles toward the posterior portion of the vocal process. 5) The elastic fibers are dense at the tip of the vocal process, and their number decreases toward the posterior portion of the vocal process. 6) The elastic fibers, which are slender, branched, and anastomosed to form a loose network, run among the collagenous fibers at the tip of the vocal process. 7) Elaunin fibers are the predominant elastic fibers at the tip of the vocal process. 8) Even in the hyaline cartilage portion of the vocal process, elastic fibers are found. 9) The vocal processes are firm in forming the framework of the glottis and are more pliable toward the tip. 10) The 3-dimensional structure of the gradual changes in stiffness between the vocal fold and the vocal process makes a functional contribution to the roles of the vocal folds and the vocal processes.