Murine granulated metrial gland cell population in beige (bg/bg) and SCID (scid/scid) genotypes

Morphology of granulated metrial gland (GMG) cell, a uterine natural killer (NK) cell, was reported to be normal in pregnant uteri of NK cell-deficient mice and T-cell- and B-cell-deficient mice, but little is known about the number of GMG cells. To determine whether the number of GMG cells is influenced by such mutations, their number in the bg mice (genotype C57BL/6J-bg/bg) and SCID mice (genotype C.B-17/Icr-scid/scid) was compared to that of control mice on day 12 of gestation. GMG cells in these mutant mice were normal in number. Thus, the present results support the previous reports that GMG cells can differentiate normally in bg mice and that the GMG cell differentiation is not affected by functional T- nor B-cells.

[A case report of infant botulism without a history of honey ingestion]

A 66-day-old female with infant botulism is reported. She was admitted to our hospital with respiratory failure. Laboratory examinations detected botulinal toxin type A in her feces. This was the first case with no history of honey ingestion among the 13 cases of infant botulism reported in Japan. It is possible that other cases, in which honey had not been consumed, remain undiagnosed. Further studies may be needed to clarify the factors necessary to cause infant botulism.

Potassium/energy and phosphorus/calcium ratios reflect the quality of nutrition

A nutritional survey and questionnaire regarding dietary habits were administered to 649 men ranging in age from 35 to 64 years receiving a one-day health screening examination. First, comparisons of nutrient intake based on the nutrient rate of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Japanese (RDA), and the total score on the questionnaire regarding dietary habits according to the RDA rates of total energy and calcium (Ca) were investigated. Then, the comparisons of intake of food groups, intake of nutrients and the total score on the questionnaire regarding dietary habits according to potassium/energy (K/E) ratio and phosphorus/calcium (P/Ca) ratio were determined. Last, differences between comparisons with the nutrient rates of RDA and comparisons with K/E ratio and P/Ca ratio were investigated. The following results were obtained: 1. Even in the group with RDA rates of total energy or Ca of > or = 90% and < or = 110% the RDA rates of some other nutrients were out-side the appropriate range. 2. In the group with high K/E ratios, as compared to the group with low ratios, the intake of potatoes, pulses, fruits, green/yellow vegetables, other vegetables, soy sauce, other beverages, fish/shellfish, and milk products showed high values, while cereals and fats/oils showed low values. For this reason, in the former group as compared to the latter, the intake and RDA total energy rate showed low values whereas the intake and RDA rates of nutrients such as Ca, Fe, and vitamin A were low. 3. In the group with high P/Ca ratios, as compared to the group with low ratios, the intake of beer and meats showed high values while that of pulses, green/yellow vegetables, and milk products showed low values. For this reason, in the former group as compared to the other groups, despite the fact that the intake and RDA total energy rate tended to be higher, the intake of nutrients such as Ca, P, K, and vitamin A showed lower values. 4. The RDA rates of all of the nutrients of group with a high K/E ratio and the group with a low P/Ca ratio generally showed largely appropriate values. 5. These results suggest that indices reflecting the balance of minerals such as the K/E and P/Ca ratios more objectively reflect the quality of nutrition than comparisons based on the RDA rates of total energy and specific-nutrient.

Prognostic factors of renal dysfunction induced by environmental cadmium pollution

To assess the influence of environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure on long-term outcome, a follow-up study was conducted from 1981-1982 to March 1991 on 3178 inhabitants living in the Cd-polluted Kakehashi River basin. The standardized mortality ratios of the urinary beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG)-, protein-, and amino acid-positive subjects of both sexes and the urinary glucose-positive female subjects were higher than those of the subjects with urinary-negative findings or the general Japanese population during the observation period. After adjusting for age using Cox's proportional hazards model, significant associations were found between mortality and urinary indices. In multiple comparisons using all of the indices, urinary protein and beta 2-MG in the women and urinary protein in the men were the factors most contributing to the mortality rates. In the urinary protein-negative female group as well, a significant association was found between urinary beta 2-MG and mortality. These results suggest that the prognosis of subjects with Cd-induced renal dysfunction is unfavorable, with the mortality rate increasing even in the early stage of proximal tubular dysfunction. Urinary protein and urinary beta 2-MG are important prognostic factors, with the latter, in particular, considered to be useful as an early index predictive of premature mortality.

Growth-factor-like substance in amniotic fluid in the rat: effect on the development of fetal colonic goblet cells

Extra- and intrauterine fetuses were studied to explore the effect of amniotic fluid on the development of colonic goblet cells. Significant differences in the density of goblet cells in developing colon were observed during fetal days 19-22 between these two groups, suggesting that amniotic fluid affects the development of the colonic goblet cells, especially during the period between days 19 and 21 when rat fetuses began to swallow amniotic fluid, as demonstrated by injecting India ink into the amniotic cavity. By immunological dot blot analysis, the amniotic fluid and gastric juice from intrauterine fetuses were positive for epidermal growth factor (EGF), whereas maternal abdominal serous fluid and gastric juice from extrauterine fetus were negative for EGF. The present results indicate that the amniotic fluid during late gestation greatly affects the development of the colonic goblet cells in rat fetuses and that the trophic factors for the cells seems to be EGF or an EGF-like substance in the amniotic fluid.

The role of antigen-presenting cells in the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity. II. Epidermal Langerhans' cells and peritoneal exudate macrophages

A new mechanism for regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was investigated. The subcutaneous injection without adjuvant of syngeneic epidermal Langerhans' cells (LC) pulsed with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) into BALB/c mice gave rise to DTH upon challenge of the ear with the same antigen. When such cells were transferred intravenously, DTH did not occur, although the titer of anti-KLH antibodies was high. Peritoneal exudate macrophages (M phi) pulsed with KLH gave rise to neither DTH nor antibody production. The intravenous transfer of KLH-pulsed LC into mice immunized subcutaneously with KLH in complete Freund's adjuvant at the same time (in the sensitization phase) had a suppressive effect on DTH in an H-2-restricted way. M phi did not have immunoregulatory effects. When radiolabeled LC and M phi were transferred intravenously, they migrated into the spleen, but when they were transferred subcutaneously, they stayed in the skin or migrated into the lymph nodes. In splenectomized mice immunized with KLH, the intravenous transfer of LC pulsed with KLH neither caused the production of anti-KLH antibodies nor suppressed DTH. When Ia was expressed on the surface of M phi, the cells could present antigens, as LC could. These findings suggest that the anatomic sites at which an antigen is presented (i.e., spleen or draining lymph nodes) rather than the kind of cell that first presents an antigen to the immune system is important in deciding whether the immune response that takes place is DTH or antibody production.

Urinary beta 2-microglobulin concentration and mortality in a cadmium-polluted area

A 9-y follow-up study of 3,178 persons who lived in a cadmium-polluted area was conducted to assess the influence of environmental cadmium exposure on long-term outcome. The standardized mortality ratios of the urinary beta 2-microglobulin-positive subjects (> 1,000 micrograms/g creatinine) of both sexes were higher than those of the general Japanese population, whereas the cumulative survival curves were lower than those of the urinary beta 2-microglobulin-negative group. A significant association was also found between urinary beta 2-microglobulin and mortality, using a Cox's proportional hazards model. Moreover, mortality rates increased in proportion to increases in the amount of urinary beta 2-microglobulin excreted. These results suggest that the prognosis for cadmium-exposed subjects with proximal tubular dysfunction is unfavorable. The mortality rate tended to become higher as the severity of renal dysfunction progressed.

Malignant thymoma in a patient with growth hormone deficiency during growth hormone therapy

Malignant thymoma was found in an 8-year-old Japanese boy with growth hormone (GH) deficiency who had received GH therapy for 3 years and 5 months. There may be a possible relationship between the occurrence of malignant thymoma and GH therapy.

Effects of reactive oxygen species on arachidonic acid metabolism in rabbit platelets

Rabbit platelets were exposed to a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating system (xanthine plus xanthine oxidase) to explore the effect of ROS on the formation of 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), thromboxane (TX) B2, and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) from exogenous arachidonic acid. Xanthine plus xanthine oxidase suppressed the production of 12-HETE, TXB2, and HHT by 65-69%. This effect was reversed by addition of catalase to the ROS generating system but not by superoxide dismutase, mannitol, or dimethylsulfoxide, indicating that H2O2 is the responsible metabolite. These results suggest that H2O2 plays an important role in the regulation of platelet cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase activities.

Effects of maternal bilateral ureteral ligation on fetal development of kidney in rats: morphometrical changes in glomerular components

Development of the glomerulus in fetal kidney was studied morphometrically following ligation of both ureters of pregnant rats. The ligation was performed on days 17, 19, and 21 of gestation, and autopsy was done 24 hr after each operation. The percentage volumes of the five glomerular components (epithelial cells, capillary, mesangium, glomerular basement membrane, and Bowman's space) were determined by point counting, and the surface area of glomerular basement membrane per unit volume of glomerulus was calculated by intercept counting. On fetal days 18, 20, and 22, percentage volume of Bowman's space in the fetuses from the ligated mothers was significantly smaller than that in the fetuses from sham-ligated mothers. On fetal days 20 and 22, surface area of glomerular basement membrane and glomerular capillary length per unit volume of glomerulus and percentage of glomerular capillary volume in the fetuses from the ligated mothers were significantly larger than those in the fetuses from sham-ligated mothers. These results suggest that maternal bilateral ureteral ligation induces an increase in filtration area of glomerulus in fetal kidney when the fetal kidney is functional.

Legitimate and illegitimate cleavage of human immunodeficiency virus glycoproteins by furin

Coexpression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 glycoproteins with the subtilisin-like protease furin leads to processing of gp160 and gp140, a truncated form of gp160, to gp120. In addition, we show that gp120 itself is further cleaved by furin at sites near the primary cleavage site and within the V3 loop.

[Activities of antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with particular reference to synergetic effect between ticarcillin and fosfomycin on penicillinase non-producing methicillin-resistant S. aureus]

We tested susceptibilities of 46 strains of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to arbekacin (ABK), tobramycin (TOB), ticarcillin (TIPC), clavulanic acid/ticarcillin (CVA/TIPC) and fosfomycin (FOM). Twelve strains had penicillinase activity. Most strains were resistant to TOB, TIPC, FOM and CVA/TIPC, but ABK inhibited 80% of the 46 MRSA strains at a concentration of 1.56 microgram/ml. The combination of ABK and FOM was indifferent. Synergism was observed, however, between FOM and TIPC against 79% of penicillinase non-producing MRSA. This synergism may mean that FOM inhibits the production of penicillin-binding protein 2' in some strains of penicillinase non-producing MRSA.

Pearson's marrow/pancreas syndrome: a histological and genetic study

A patient with features of Pearson's syndrome who presented with transfusion-dependent severe macrocytic anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the neonatal period is described. His bone marrow was characterized by marked vacuolization of myeloid precursors and ringed sideroblasts. Autopsy examination revealed fibrosis and steatosis of the liver, reduction in the size and number of the islets, fibrosis and acinar atrophy of the pancreas, vacuolation of renal tubules, glomerulosclerosis, and "ragged red" fibres of skeletal muscles. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the autopsied liver and skeletal muscle showed mtDNA heteroplasmy in both tissues, with one population of mtDNA deleted by 7374 bp. The deleted region was bridged by a single nucleotide, C, in normal mtDNA.

Relationship of thyroid states and serum thrombomodulin (TM) levels in patients with Graves' disease: TM, a possible new marker of the peripheral activity of thyroid hormones

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a thrombin receptor glycoprotein that functions as an anticoagulant on the surface of endothelial cells. Serum TM is regarded as a new marker of generalized endothelial cell damage. Serum TM concentrations were measured in 75 patients with Graves' disease and 75 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Serum TM levels in patients in the hyperthyroid state were significantly increased, while those in patients in the hypothyroid state due to treatment were significantly decreased compared with levels in control subjects. All patients with untreated Graves' disease had markedly elevated TM levels. Serum TM levels correlated closely with thyroid hormone concentration (TM vs. free T4, r = 0.858; P = 0.001). Serial measurement of individual patients revealed that serum TM levels paralleled thyroid hormone concentration, reaching normal control values upon attainment of euthyroidism. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between serum TM concentration and titer of antithyroglobulin antibodies, titer of antimicrosomal antibodies, serum thyroglobulin level, or goiter size, and serum TM was not directly influenced by TSH receptor antibodies or resting pulse rates. The close correlation between serum TM and thyroid hormone concentration suggests that thyroid hormones might influence the synthesis or metabolism of TM on the surface of endothelial cells in patients with Graves' disease.

Clinical remission criteria for epithelial carcinoma of the ovary

After primary cytoreductive surgery 188 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy between 1986 and 1989 in the Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group. Clinical remission criteria were set in this study and patients were examined to determine if they were in remission or not. Forty-seven cases (25%) had no remission and 85.9% of them died within 20 months after primary surgery. Fifty-seven cases (30.3%) had a remission and a subsequent recurrence. Eighty-four cases (44.7%) had no recurrence and all are currently alive. Independent remission factors by multivariate analysis were higher stage (P = 0.018), clear-cell carcinoma (P = 0.0048), larger maximum residual tumor (P = 0.0023), and PVB therapy (P = 0.026). Independent recurrence factors were higher stage (P = 0.0012), serous cystadenocarcinoma (P = 0.0001), clear-cell carcinoma (P = 0.00409), and PVB therapy (P = 0.0499). A significantly high remission rate and low recurrence rate was achieved using PVB therapy. This criteria has value for the treatment of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The disease-free survival rate after clinical remission was the same as that after a negative second-look laparotomy, which implies that a second-look laparotomy may be unnecessary in the management of epithelial carcinoma of the ovary.

Development of the proximal tubule of the fetal rat kidney: morphometry and ultrastructural findings

The development of the kidney in fetal rats was investigated morphometrically and ultrastructurally. Both the length and volume of the proximal tubule increased with age. The total volume of functional glomeruli increased markedly from fetal day 20 onward. The ratio of total glomerular volume to total proximal tubular volume decreased with age and was less than 1 from fetal day 20 onward. The cells of the proximal tubule had numerous microvilli on their free surfaces and vacuoles in the apical region of the cytoplasm after fetal day 20. These findings indicate that the relative growth of the proximal tubule has exceeded that of the glomeruli by fetal day 20, and that increased filtration induces both the growth and the differentiation of the proximal tubule during development of the fetal rat kidney.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

A case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is reported with light, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings. The tumour consisted of typical clear cells of renal cell carcinoma and spindle cells compatible with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Although an epithelial membrane antigen was demonstrated in the clear cells, this was not detected in the MFH-like spindle cells. In contrast, the spindle cells expressed vimentin that was not identified in the clear cells. Electron microscopy reveal epithelial features in the spindle cells. Comparisons were made with previous sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma in the literature. Thus, ultrastructural study was vital in diagnosis of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.

Perinatal development of Brunner's glands in the rat: morphometrical study

Perinatal changes of the Brunner's glands in rats from fetal day 20 through neonatal day 3 were studied morphometrically and electron-microscopically. Percentage volume of secretory granules of the gland cells did not change from fetal day 20 through neonatal day 1 and increased significantly from neonatal days 1-2; this level was maintained through neonatal day 3. Electron-microscopically, the gland cells during the fetal days were rich in free ribosomes. The Golgi apparatus and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER) were poorly developed during fetal days. After birth, however, the cells showed active formation of secretory granules, which was evidenced by well-developed Golgi apparatus, distended RER and accumulation of granules in the apical cytoplasm. Furthermore, light microscopy revealed that strongly PAS-positive material increased for the first time after birth, indicating remarkable formation of the secretory granules. Thus, the present study indicates that the cell of the Brunner's glands become active in secretory granule formation just after birth by responding to ingested material following birth.

Recombinant HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein p15 produced as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase in Escherichia coli mediates dimerization and enhances reverse transcription of retroviral RNA

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid protein p15 was produced as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) in Escherichia coli. Rapid purification of GST::p15 in an active form by one-step glutathione-agarose chromatography was accomplished in the presence of an antioxidant. Recombinant p15 fused to GST was shown to stimulate the dimerization of viral RNA. HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-catalyzed in vitro synthesis of minus-strand cDNA from synthetic human tRNA(Lys3UUU) and natural bovine tRNA(Lys3SUU) primer molecules was enhanced by GST::p15. GST produced in E.coli revealed no effect with respect to RNA dimerization and cDNA synthesis, demonstrating that both activities reside in the p15 portion of the fusion protein.

Monoclonal antibodies to a CD4 peptide derivative which includes the region corresponding to an immunoglobulin CDR3: evidence of the involvement of pre-CDR3-related region in HIV-1 and host cell interaction

A CD4 peptide of amino acid residues 68-130 [CD4(68-130)], which had the capacities to inhibit HIV-1 replication and HIV-1-induced syncytium formation, was used as an immunogen for the preparation of mAb. The mAbs prepared were classified into at least five types (I-V) in terms of their recognition sites by ELISA using various kinds of smaller CD4 peptides. Among them, the type I mAb no. 35 recognizing amino acid residues 72-84, which lies just before the region corresponding to an immunoglobulin third complementarity-determining region (CDR3), showed the strongest effects in reducing both HIV-1 infection and HIV-1-induced syncytium formation, although a large amount of no. 35 mAb was necessary to reduce such HIV-1 activities compared with those of anti-Leu-3a and OKT4A mAbs which recognize CD4 epitopes near a portion corresponding to an immunoglobulin CDR2. Western blot analysis showed that the reactivities of CD4 molecule in CD4-positive cells or sCD4 molecule with types I-V mAbs were stronger than that with anti-Leu-3a mAb. Flow cytometry showed that no. 35 mAb was faintly reactive with native CD4 molecule on cell surface at the concn showing the inhibitory effects on HIV-1 infection and syncytium formation. In addition, a smaller peptide CD4(66-92), one of the good epitope peptides for no. 35 mAb, also showed strong inhibitory effect on HIV-1 infection as well as a weaker inhibitory effect on syncytium formation. These results suggest that, in addition to the CD4 CDR2-related region, the pre-CDR3-related region is also involved in the early events of the interactions between the host cell and HIV-1.

Small cell carcinoma of the stomach: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

A 4 x 6 cm ulcerative mass in the antrum was found to consist of papillary adenocarcinoma in the surrounding wall and the small round cell neoplasm at its base. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that elements of the papillary adenocarcinoma were positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, keratin, endocrine granule constituent, and CA19-9, while components of the small cell carcinoma were weakly positive only for neuron-specific enolase. In one portion of the small cell carcinoma, particularly large cells with pleomorphic nuclei which were intensely positive for desmin were detected. Electron microscopic examination revealed dense-cored granules and intercellular junctions in the small neoplastic cells and bundles of intermediate filaments in the desmin-positive large cells. These findings suggest that ultrastructural examination is vital in diagnosis of small cell carcinoma and they reveal the capability of this carcinoma toward multidirectional differentiation.

In vitro monitoring activation by the ligands and specific DNA-binding of the glucocorticoid receptors

The glucocorticoid receptor is a member of the steroid and thyroid hormone receptor superfamily and acts as a ligand-activated transcription factor. To reconstitute the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular response to soluble receptor ligands, we have exploited a cell-free system that exhibits glucocorticoid-induced activation of the latent cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor to an active DNA-binding species. We demonstrate here that cytosol from a rat hepatoma cell, M1.19, contains glucocorticoid receptor-specific immunoreactivities and target DNA-binding activities. Moreover, specific DNA-binding activities of M1.19 cytosol were dose-dependently induced by dexamethasone treatment, and linearly correlated with the hormonal induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity at the corresponding concentrations. These results indicate that the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor could be converted in a DNA-binding form under cell-free conditions and the ligand appears to play a crucial role in the direct control of the level of functional activity of a given ligand-receptor complex.

The role of antigen-presenting cells in the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity. I. Spleen dendritic cells

A previously unreported mechanism for the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was studied in detail. The subcutaneous injection (without adjuvant) of spleen dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) into syngeneic BALB/c mice caused DTH when the ear was later injected with the same antigen. When KLH-pulsed DC were transferred intravenously, DTH was not induced, although the titre of anti-KLH antibodies rose after such transfer. The intravenous transfer of KLH-pulsed DC into mice immunized subcutaneously with KLH in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) at the same time (in the sensitization phase), but not when the ear was challenged with KLH (in the effector phase), had a suppressive effect on DTH, in an H-2-restricted way. When radiolabelled DC were transferred intravenously, they migrated into the spleen, but when transferred by subcutaneous injection, they stayed in the skin or migrated into the lymph nodes. In splenectomized mice immunized with KLH, the intravenous transfer of KLH-pulsed DC did not cause production of anti-KLH antibodies and did not suppress DTH. These findings suggest that the anatomical sites in which antigens are presented (i.e. the spleen or lymph nodes) rather than the type of cell that first presents antigens to the immune system governs whether DTH or antibody production is induced. Antibody production was induced when antigens were presented in the spleen.

Complementation of human immunodeficiency virus glycoprotein mutations in trans

The external glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (gp120) and HIV-2 (gp105) are responsible for binding the cellular receptor CD4. The proteins are functionally identical although their affinity for CD4 varies, with gp120 binding 10- to 20-fold more efficiently than gp105. To investigate the structural requirements for CD4 binding in each molecule we have constructed a number of hybrid glycoproteins in which sequences are exchanged between the two molecules via conserved residues and subsequently tested for their ability to bind to CD4. We found that two constructs in which the V1/V2 or V3 loops of gp105 are exchanged for those of gp120 continue to bind to CD4. Surprisingly, however, all other domain exchange mutants failed to bind to CD4 suggesting that long-range interactions within the molecule are sequence-specific. Mixing mutant molecules in vitro did not rescue CD4 binding. However, co-expression of a number of mutant glycoprotein pairs within the same cell produced complementation of CD4 binding ability; complementing molecules were shown to be heteromeric in structure. Alignment of the molecules within each complementation group allowed the interactive sequences necessary for receptor binding to be determined. These sequences constitute a novel target for the disruption of gp120 function.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) superinfection of a cell clone converting it from production of defective to infectious HIV-1 is mediated predominantly by CD4 regions other than the major binding site for HIV-1 glycoproteins

A cell clone, L-2, which produces non-infectious doughnut-shaped human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles, was permissive for HIV-1 superinfection, which resulted in the production of infectious particles. The superinfection showed slow kinetics compared with primary HIV-1 infection of M10 cells, the parent of the L-2 cell clone. Inhibition studies on the superinfection of L-2 cells using several CD4-related reagents showed that the CD4 molecule was an essential component of the receptor for superinfection. Strong inhibitory effects were obtained using CD4 peptides such as CD4(68-130), which includes a portion homologous to the immunoglobulin third complementarity-determining region (CDR3), as well as recombinant soluble CD4. In contrast, a CD4(45-60) peptide, which includes most of the CDR2-related region, was not effective, although the Leu-3a monoclonal antibody (MAb), which recognizes a site near the CDR2-related region, did slightly, but significantly, delay the superinfection kinetics. Comparative flow cytometry of L-2 and M10 cells revealed that the cell surface of L-2 cells despite expressing HIV-1 env protein, reacted slightly with OKT4 or anti-CD4(68-130) MAb, but not with Leu-3a or OKT4A MAb. In contrast, no reaction was detected with any of these anti-CD4 MAbs on the surface of another HIV-1 superinfection-resistant cell clone, MOLT-#8IIIB-14, which expresses HIV-1 env proteins but does not produce infectious HIV-1 particles. These results strongly suggest that expression of the CD4 major receptor site for primary HIV-1 infection is preferentially decreased on the surface of L-2 cells, but that the OKT4 epitope and the nearby region corresponding to immunoglobulin CDR3 remain exposed on the cell surface. Consequently, the CD4 CDR3-related region could play a major role as the receptor for the superinfection reported here.

Seven tumor markers in benign and malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary

Seven tumor markers were analyzed clinically in 135 patients with germ cell tumors of the ovary who were treated in Tokai Ovarian Tumor Study Group, an association comprising Nagoya University and its affiliated hospitals, between January 1979 and September 1990. Positive rate of AFP was 100% (36/36) in yolk sac tumor, 61.9% (13/21) in immature teratoma, and 11.8% (2/17) in dysgerminoma, but there were no positive cases of mature cystic teratoma with malignant transformation (0/7) and mature cystic teratoma (0/31). Positive rate of CA125 was over 50% in all tumor types except mature cystic teratoma, which showed a positive rate of 23.7%. CA125 was useful for the screening of malignant germ cell tumors. CA19-9 showed a high positive rate in teratomatous tumors, which were immature teratoma, mature cystic teratoma with malignant transformation, and mature cystic teratoma. Dysgerminoma and yolk sac tumor, especially dysgerminoma, had a high positive rate of LDH. TPA and CEA were not considered useful tumor markers for germ cell tumors of the ovary.

[Clinical study of prophylactic therapy of interferon on postoperative renal cell carcinoma]

A clinical trial using interferon alpha 2b (IFN alpha-2b) for prophylactic therapy was done on 44 patients who had received nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Principally, the daily intramuscular injection of 3 of 6 million units of IFN alpha-2b was done for 4 consecutive weeks after 2 weeks postoperatively and thereafter followed by injection once every 2 weeks. The clinical evaluation was done for the recurrence rate, the survival rate, the IFN alpha and IFN gamma producing ability, the activity of 2',5' oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5AS) and the side effect. Out of 44 cases entered, 42 were completely evaluable and recurrence was observed in 5 (11.9%) of the 42 cases. The recurrence rate was 5.5% and 16.4%, at the first and second year, respectively. Three (7.1%) of the 42 patients died. The survival rate was 97.6% at the first year, 89.7% at the second year for the followup study. The IFN alpha producing capacity was low in all of the 4 evaluable cases. The IFN gamma producing capacity was high in 3 cases and normal in 1 case. 2-5AS, the enzyme produced by IFN, was activated by IFN alpha-2b administration in all of the 4 evaluable cases. Side effects were observed in 24 (54.5%) of the 44 cases. The main side effect was fever. Leucopenia, general fatigue, appetite loss, temporary elevation of liver transaminase were also observed. However, there were only 5 cases (11.4%) in which administration of IFN alpha-2b had to be discontinued.

[Study of an outbreak of itai-itai disease]

We studied an outbreak of itai-itai disease in the Jinzu River basin, in Toyama, Japan. One hundred and fifty females recognized as itai-itai disease patients till by 1990 were studied for the ages and years of onset and residence in the cadmium-polluted area. 1. Cases were recognized from as early as 1929, increased gradually to the peak of 1955-1959 and rapidly decreased up to the 1970s. 2. It was found that the later the patients was born, the younger the age of onset, though there was no difference of ages of onset between the cases born in the 1910s and the cases born from 1920. 3. The onset of itai-itai disease was most frequently seen at 50-59 years of residence in the cadmium-polluted area. It was found that the later a person started to inhabit the cadmium-polluted area, the shorter the period of residence in the cadmium-polluted area up to onset of itai-itai disease. 4. Comparing the patients who inhabited the cadmium-polluted area from birth and those who had moved there from non-polluted areas, the age of onset was higher in the latter, but there were no significant differences in the period of residence up to onset. From these findings, it appeared that itai-itai disease was not caused by aging, but by cadmium exposure starting from the 1910s.

[Study of preventive effect of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) or combination of HCFU and 2.5-di-O-acetyl-D-glucaro (1-4) (6-3) dilactone (SLA) after preservative operation against bladder cancer]

To treat superficial bladder cancer or invasive bladder cancer presenting as a solitary tumor, conservative therapy such as transurethral resection of bladder tumor or partial cystectomy has long been carried out. We studied the effect of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU), and the effects of the combination of HCFU and 2.5-di-O-acetyl-D-glucaro-(1-4)(6-3) dilactone (SLA) which is an anti-beta-glucuronidase agent, for preventive therapy. In the patients treated with HCFU, the recurrence rate was 3.6% and 26.6% one year and two years, respectively, after conservative operation. In the patients treated with both SLA and HCFU, the recurrence rate was lower than in those treated with HCFU one year or more after conservative operation, and a long-term preventive effect was expected for nondrinkers.

Accumulation of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and its analogues in sensitive and resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells

Human ovarian carcinoma cell line (NOS2), established from a patient with serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary, has been exposed to a stepwise increase in cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) concentration to produce a CDDP-resistant cell line NOS2CR) as an experimental model for resistance to CDDP. NOS2CR cells showed a 7-fold resistance to CDDP and a lesser degree of cross-resistance to diammine (1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)-platinum (II) (CBDCA) and (-)-(R)-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine (1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato) platinum (II) (DWA2114R). In the absence of CDDP, cross-resistance to DWA2114R was reduced to the original level by 2 months, although 83% resistance to CDDP remained up to 6 months. To investigate CDDP-resistant mechanisms, alterations in the intracellular accumulation of CDDP and analogues were assayed by atomic absorption. In both NOS2 and NOS2CR cells, accumulation of CDDP increased linearly with time and was concentration-dependent. NOS2CR cells demonstrated 71, 52 and 12% reduction in accumulation of CDDP, CBDCA, and DWA2114R, respectively. These reductions did not seem to be due to P-glycoprotein, because expression of multidrug-resistant 1 gene was not detected in either NOS2 or NOS2CR cells. These studies indicate that the mechanisms of resistance to CDDP and analogues in NOS2CR cells are related in the main to reduced intracellular accumulation of drugs. DWA2114R might be helpful to treat CDDP-resistant and recurrent tumors which were treated by CDDP.

[Tunica albuginea cyst: a case report]

A 47-year-old male visited our hospital complaining of painless swelling of the right scrotum. Ultrasonography demonstrated hydrocele and a 13 x 12 x 10 mm cystic space along the margin of the right testis. Hydrocelectomy and simple resection of the cyst were performed. Pathologic examination of the excised cyst showed a serous cyst lined with simple flattened epithelium. Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of tunica albuginea cyst.

The role of antibodies in the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity

The contribution of B cells and antibodies to the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was investigated in mice rendered B-cell-deficient by treatment with anti-mu antibodies. In normal rabbit immunoglobulin (Ig)-treated mice as well as normal mice, the intravenous injection of a large amount of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) suppressed DTH, and serum titres of the anti-KLH antibody were significantly elevated. However, in anti-mu-treated mice, the intravenous injection of a large amount of KLH could not induce either suppression of DTH or the elevation of anti-KLH antibody titres. The transfer of anti-KLH antibodies suppressed DTH in a H-2 non-restricted, probably Igh-restricted, way in anti-mu-treated mice. In addition, the transfer of anti-KLH antibodies induced effector-phase suppressor T cells whose phenotype was L3T4-, Lyt-2+. We concluded that antibodies play a significant role in the regulation of DTH.

The morphology of the developing canine conducting system: bundle branch and Purkinje cell architecture from birth to week 12 of life

This is a qualitative and quantitative study of dog bundle branch and Purkinje cell development from day 0 to week 12 of life; we correlate the morphologic data with changes observed in the functional properties of developing dog Purkinje tissue. The bundle branch itself has a roughly cylindrical shape and is surrounded by a collagen sheath covered with endocardium. Within the bundle, Purkinje cells are packed closely together in fascicles distributed evenly around a central artery. Cross-sectional area doubles in the right bundle and increases 5-fold in the left bundle system between day 0 and week 12 of life. About one third of the bundle by volume is Purkinje tissue; the rest is extracellular space containing an increasing amount of collagen as the animal ages. Purkinje cell cross-sectional area is constant during the first week of life, but its length doubles and the cell changes from a relatively round to a more cylindrical shape. Between day 7 and week 12, cell diameter doubles; Purkinje cell surface area increases 5-fold and its volume almost 10-fold. As a consequence, the surface to volume ratio halves and approaches the value reported for adult dogs by week 12 of life. The percent of the intercalated disc occupied by nexal junctions virtually doubles by week 12, the same period over which Purkinje fiber conduction velocity increases. The disc itself becomes less dominant as the cell enlarges; the total percent of sarcolemma involved in its formation decreases by a fourth and has achieved the adult value by week 12 of life. As this happens, the percent of cell membrane facing on clefts increases almost 6-fold, so that the total percent of sarcolemma facing on small spaces (approximately 340A wide) is constant over the age period studied. The paucity of clefts in newborn tissue compared with the value reported for the adult dog may help explain the relative lack of responsiveness to extracellular potassium concentration of the resting membrane potential described for fetal Purkinje tissue. Within the Purkinje cell itself, the percent by volume occupied by mitochondria remains relatively constant over the age span studied, while sarcomeric mass increases 3-fold over the same period of time; these data are consonant with the relative resistance of this tissue to hypoxia.

Hard contact lens-induced corneal neovascularization treated by oxygenation

A 39-year-old man suffered from corneal neovascularization, through to result from hypoxia caused by improper use of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) hard contact lenses. The condition was successfully treated by oxygenation of the corneas under swimming goggles.

Morphometrical changes in the apical surface of the colonic absorptive cells in perinatal rats with special reference to the effect of fetal oral administration of milk in utero

Perinatal changes in the apical surface of the colonic absorptive cells in the rat were studied morphometrically. Cell microvilli length increased from day 20 through neonatal day 3, during which a maximum incremental growth rate was noted between fetal day 22 and neonatal day 1. Microvilli width remained almost constant throughout the period. Enlargement of the apical surface of the microvilli showed a similar developmental pattern as was seen from the measurement of length and surface area of any one of the microvilli. Fetal oral administration of milk in utero caused incremental growth in length and surface area, as well as an associated apical surface enlargement. The present study indicates that the function of the colonic absorptive cells, which is acquired later on in utero, is activated by ingestion of maternal milk after birth.

Effects of maternal bilateral ureteral ligation on the differentiation of glomerular anionic sites in fetal rat kidney

Effects of maternal bilateral ureteral ligation on the differentiation of glomerular anionic sites in fetal kidney were studied with the colloidal iron method. The ligation was performed on days 17, 19, and 21 of pregnancy, and the animal were euthanized 1 day after each ligation. On fetal day 20, in the fetuses from ligated mothers, colloidal iron was concentrated in laminae rarae interna and externa of the glomerular basement membrane. In the fetuses from sham-ligated mothers, however, a different pattern of iron distribution was noted. In most areas of the glomerular basement membrane, colloidal iron was randomly distributed as in both fetuses of fetal day 18. In the remaining areas, the same pattern of colloidal iron distribution as was noted in the fetuses from ligated mothers of fetal day 20 was observed. On fetal day 22, colloidal iron was densely accumulated in laminae rarae interna and externa of the glomerular basement membrane in both groups. However, the iron-free zone was slightly thicker in the fetuses from the ligated mothers. These findings suggest that maternal bilateral ureteral ligation accelerates the differentiation of glomerular anionic sites in the kidney of fetal rats.

[T-serotype distribution of group A hemolytic streptococci in a rapidly expanding residential area in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, with reference to an outbreak of serotype T-28 in autumn, 1988]

In the fall of 1988, an outbreak of streptococcal infections was observed at 2 pediatric clinics in Sanda City, Hyogo prefecture. The 2 clinics were independent of each other; one (clinic A) was located in the down town area, in the older part of the city, where there is little population turn over, while the other (clinic B) was in a newly developed-fast growing residential district. The strains and the distribution of T-serotypes isolated at each location are as follows: clinic A; 58 strains (34.5% serotype T-4, 31.0% serotype T-12, 10.3% serotype T-1, and 23.3% serotype T-28), clinic B; 43 strains (48.8% serotype T-28, 23.3% serotype T-12, 11.6% serotype T-4 and 7.0% serotype T-1). According to the data from Kobe City infectious disease surveillance center, there were a total of 102 group A hemolytic streptococci strains isolated in 1988, the T-serotypes distribution of which was as follows: 47.0% serotype T-4, 15.7% serotype the T-12, 10.8% serotype T-1 and 9.8% serotype T-28. Serotype T-4 was dominant here, as it was in location A of Sanda City. The epidemic proportion of serotype T-28 found at location B is considered to be due to the fact that location B has very little social interaction with location A and other areas. No difference was observed among the different serotypes on the drug susceptibility test: all strains showed a sensitivity to ampicillin and penicillin G, but were resistant to tetracycline and chloramphenicol.

[Complete remission of bone metastasis of bladder cancer treated by cisplatin-etoposide therapy]

A case of bone metastasis from TCC of the bladder that attained complete remission by cisplatin-etoposide therapy was reported. The patient was a 68-year-old male, already treated with total cystectomy. At 29 months after operation, bone metastasis in left acetabulum was found. 3 courses of cisplatin-etoposide therapy were started. At 12 weeks after initiating the therapeutic regimen, the tumor mass of left acetabulum had disappeared completely on the computed tomogram.

Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of measles virus

Ten temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants derived from the Edmonston strain of measles virus were characterized by the complementation test and were shown to have four defective sites (A, B, C, and D). Five ts mutants which were confirmed to have a defective site D, induced neither cytopathic effect (CPE) nor an infectious virus. Among the other five ts mutants which produced viral proteins with CPE and showed positive HAD at 39.5 degrees C, the three ts mutants (P253-505, P333, and F2-104) were studied in detail. P253-505 had a defective site C and both P333 and F2-104 had a defective site A. P253-505 and F2-104 produced neither a cell-free nor cell-associated infectious virus and P333 produced only a low level of cell-associated infectious virus. P253-505 and P333 produced virus particles at 39.5 degrees C, while F2-104 did not. The pulse-chase experiment showed a normal pattern of synthesis and processing of viral proteins, but immunofluorescence tests using monoclonal antibodies indicated that P253-505 lacked two epitopes of the M protein at 39.5 degrees C, and both P333 and F2-104 lacked one epitope of the P protein. The lack of these viral epitopes was shown to correlate with the temperature-sensitivity of the three ts mutants.

[Balloon dilatation for treatment of bladder neck stricture after transurethral prostatectomy]

Bladder neck stricture is a late complication of transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P). Two patients with bladder neck stricture after TUR-P were treated by the balloon dilatation method. The procedure was performed with topical anesthesia using 2% viscous lidocaine applied liberally within the urethra. The dilating balloon catheter was inserted over a 0.035 in. (0.09 cm) floppy-tip guidewire and the balloon was inflated by normal saline. The balloon was placed at the level of the prostatic urethra above the external sphincter. The balloon pressure was then increased to 3 atm and maintained for 10 minutes. All maneuvers were conducted under guidance of transrectal longitudinal linear scanning to ensure proper positioning of the catheter. The 18 Fr pelvic catheter was passed over the guidewire into the bladder and the next day the catheter was removed. After the procedure, clinical and uroflowmetric improvements were seen in both cases. They continue to do well. Balloon dilatation can be performed on an outpatient basis and by using only topical anesthesia. Therefore, balloon dilatation seems to be a useful method for treatment of bladder neck stricture after TUR-P. However, it is not clear how dilatation brings about long-term relief of obstructive symptoms.

Reduction in CD4 binding affinity associated with removal of a single glycosylation site in the external glycoprotein of HIV-2

The role of selected glycosylation sites in the ability of the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-2 (gp 105) to bind to CD4 has been investigated. Loss of glycosylation sites at amino acids 410 and 447 did not affect the CD4 binding ability of gp 105 even when removed in pair combination. Loss of a single glycosylation site at amino acid 400, however, was sufficient to cause a reduction of at least 50-fold in the efficiency of receptor binding. These data support the hypothesis that some of the carbohydrate side chains on gp 105 have a profound effect on biological activity.

[A case of so-called neoplastic angioendotheliosis with fever of unknown origin and temporary loss of consciousness]

A 65-year-old man was hospitalized with prolonged fever. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 62 mm/hour and the c-reactive protein was 5+. Serum lactic dehydrogenase was 1005 IU with elevation of isozyme types II and III. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen showed large, bilateral adrenal masses. An aspirated specimen of the bone marrow revealed some clustered atypical cells. These findings suggested the patient had metastatic carcinoma, but the primary lesion could not be found. The patient had an episode of transient unconsciousness in mid course and died of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. A postmortem examination was performed. Microscopic examination showed an accumulation of neoplastic cells in the vascular system throughout the body and their extravascular proliferation in several organs. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on paraffin-embedded fixed tissues. The neoplastic cells were positive with the monoclonal antibodies LCA, LN 1, LN 2 and N 26 but did not show positive staining for factor VIII-related antigen, a marker for endothelial cells. These studies defined the neoplastic cells as being of a germinal-center B lymphocyte origin. On the basis of the above-mentioned results, we suggest that this case may be diagnosed as angiotrophic lymphoma.

Effect of endocrine therapy on a brain metastatic lesion of prostatic carcinoma

We describe a 62-year-old male with brain metastasis from prostatic carcinoma, which regressed with medical and surgical endocrine therapies. The patient's presenting complaints were left periocular and deep ocular pain and a defect of the left visual field. During treatment of the above symptoms, macrohematuria, dysuria and pollakiuria occurred. Pathological examination of a transrectal needle biopsy disclosed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Computerized tomographic scan (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a brain tumor at the frontal skull base and the region of the frontal lobe suspected to be a metastasis of the prostatic carcinoma. One week after a period of daily administration of estramustine phosphate sodium, the prostate was observed to be softened and slightly decreased in size. The visual field defect and disturbance of urination gradually improved. The prostate decreased to normal size and no tumor mass could be detected on the brain CT after 3 months of treatment.

[Clinical effect on tumor regression and tissue concentration of peplomycin treated with peplomycin emulsion in hydroxypropylcellulosum]

Peplomycin emulsified in hydroxypropyl cellulosum (HPC-PEP) was prepared for intravesical chemotherapy. Clinical efficacy of HPC-PEP and tissue concentration of peplomycin (PEP) were studied in 12 patients with bladder tumor. Histopathology showed transitional cell carcinoma; 2 in grade 1,8 in grade 2, and 2 in grade 3. The total volume of 30 ml HPC-PEP was prepared from a mixture of 2% HPC and 90 mg PEP in 15 ml saline, and was intravesically administered through a urethral catheter and retained for two hours. Clinical evaluation 7 days after the initial instillation demonstrated good tumor regression in 2, good response in 5, and no change in 5. The mean PEP level in tumor tissue was 0.36 microgram/gr after 7 days and 0.19 microgram/gr even after 14 days. These clinical observations and tissue levels of PEP suggest that HPC-PEP might be useful as an intravesical instillation agent for bladder tumor.

[Evaluation of weight of the prostate by transrectal longitudinal ultrasonography]

The correlation between the resected weight of prostate and the estimated weight of prostate by transrectal longitudinal ultrasound was evaluated for 53 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Sonography was done with a real time linear scanner and 5.0 MHz transducer. Maximal prostatic dimensions were measured along the two major axes, namely the maximal length and the maximal thickness of total prostate and adenoma. By regarding benign prostatic hypertrophy as an ellipsoid, we calculated the weight of prostate according to the ellipsoid formula. The correlation coefficient was calculated as; r = 0.929, Y = 0.942Xt - 2.642 (Xt: total estimated weight), r = 0.962, Y = 0.965Xa + 0.028 (Xa: estimated weight of adenoma). The estimated weight of the prostate correlated with the resected weight of the prostate. These results suggested that rough estimation of the weight of benign prostatic hypertrophy was found to be possible by using this calculation technique.