Proliferative markers in gastric carcinoma and organoid differentiation

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between the distribution of potentially proliferative tumor cells and the organoid differentiation of tumor cells in gastric carcinomas. One hundred four specimens of surgically removed human gastric carcinomas, including 68 and 36 specimens of early and advanced carcinomas, respectively, were studied by using a battery of histochemical techniques. Serial 3-microns thick paraffin sections were stained by galactose oxidase-cold thionine Schiff-paradoxical concanavalin A staining (GOCTS-PCS), or were immunostained for pepsinogen types I and II, lysozyme, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, to identify proliferative tumor cells parts of fresh carcinoma tissues were incubated in a solution containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), embedded in paraffin, and immunostained for BrdU. The results indicated that in intramucosal carcinoma tissues showing organoid differentiation the proliferative tumor cells were located predominantly between the covering epithelial cell type tumor cells and the glandular mucous cell type tumor cells, and the disturbance in the distribution of proliferative cells coincided with the submucosal invasion.

Appearance of calpain correlates with arthritis and cartilage destruction in collagen induced arthritic knee joints of mice

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relevance of calpain in murine collagen induced arthritis (CIA) and to correlate the presence of m-calpain with the appearance of arthritis and cartilage destruction.

METHODS

The immunohistochemical appearance and localisation of m-calpain at different stages of arthritis were analysed and compared with the histological changes occurring during type II CIA. The arthritic knee joint lavage was also examined for m-calpain by immunoelectrophoretic blotting.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a clear positive correlation between the appearance of m-calpain and both a histological grade of arthritis and an acute phase of cartilage destruction. Further development of the disease showed continual presence of m-calpain but with reduced intensity. Intra-articular inflammatory cells (mainly polymorphonuclear leucocytes, synovial lining cells, and sublining fibroblasts) were found to be the most positively stained, but extracellular localisation of m-calpain on the surface of cartilage and synovium, and in the articular cartilage matrix and chondrocyte lacunae, was also observed. In the knee joint lavage obtained at the most intensive stage of acute arthritis, m-calpain was detectable by immunoelectrophoretic blotting.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that m-calpain may act at an early phase of CIA as a matrix proteinase and take part in the destruction of articular cartilage or activate other destructive enzymes.

Salt-sensitive hypertension in transgenic mice overexpressing Na(+)-proton exchanger

Essential hypertension is one of the most common diseases that exacerbate the risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular attacks. Although the etiology of essential hypertension remains unclear, recent investigations have revealed that an enhancement of Na(+)-proton (Na(+)-H+) exchange activity is a frequently observed ion transport abnormality in hypertensive patients and animal models. To test the hypothesis that increased Na(+)-H+ exchange causes hypertension, we produced transgenic mice overexpressing Na(+)-H+ exchanger and analyzed their Na+ metabolism and blood pressure. Urinary excretion of water and Na+ was significantly decreased in transgenic mice, and systolic blood pressure was elevated after salt loading. The impaired urinary excretion of Na+ suggested that the Na(+)-H+ exchanger overexpressed in the renal tubules increased reabsorption of Na+, which caused a blood pressure elevation by Na+ retention after excessive salt intake. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of Na(+)-H+ exchanger can be a genetic factor that interacts with excessive salt intake and causes salt-sensitive blood pressure elevation.

Antithrombin and thrombolytic effects of a new antithrombin agent: angioscopic and angiographic comparison with heparin or batroxobin

The antithrombotic effect of three different types of antithrombotic agents (antithrombin:argatroban, heparin, defibrinogenating agent:batroxobin) were evaluated in canine coronary and iliac arteries. An occlusive thrombus was produced by balloon injury. One of the three agents was infused intravenously at 1 hour after thrombus formation (heparin 250 U/kg, argatroban 0.5 mg/kg, batroxobin 0.5 U/kg) and the effect of thrombus size reduction was evaluated. On the contralateral side of the iliac artery, the preventive effect of these agents on thrombus formation was evaluated after balloon injury. In the iliac artery, angioscopic percent area obstruction by the thrombus before and 60 minutes after treatment reduced from 69% to 32% in the argatroban group, and from 64% to 51% in the batroxobin group (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). No significant change was observed in the heparin group. Angiography demonstrated the same trend. The percent area stenosis with thrombus at 60 minutes following balloon injury was 0.75% in the argatroban group, 18.9% in the heparin group (P < 0.05 vs argatroban), and 12.9% in the batroxobin group. Thrombus size at the treated site was smaller than that at the control site in all three groups (P < 0.05 vs control). In the coronary artery, angioscopic percent area obstruction by the thrombus before and 60 minutes after treatment reduced from 84% to 53% in the argatroban group, and from 86% to 68% in the batroxobin group (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). No significant change was observed in the heparin group. Angiography also demonstrated the same trend. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged to 189% of the control value with argatroban and to 1253% of the value with heparin (P < 0.0001). Fibrinogen was markedly reduced with batroxobin. These results showed that both the antithrombin agent and the defibrinogenating agent have a preventive effect on thrombus formation and the effect on thrombus size reduction, without marked prolongation of the APTT.

Comparison of topoisomerase I inhibition, DNA damage, and cytotoxicity of camptothecin derivatives presently in clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Camptothecins belong to a group of anticancer agents with a unique mechanism of action: poisoning of eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase I. Two camptothecin derivatives, topotecan (TPT) and CPT-11, are in clinical trials and their chemotherapeutic efficacy appears promising.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to compare simultaneously the molecular and cellular pharmacology of the various camptothecin derivatives that are presently in clinical trials.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity of drugs toward human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells was determined by colony-forming assays. DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) were measured by alkaline elution. Drug potency to induce topoisomerase 1-mediated DNA cleavage and the sequence selectivity of the breaks were determined by sequencing gel autoradiography.

RESULTS

SN-38 and CPT were more cytotoxic than 9-AC and TPT, and CPT-11 was almost inactive toward HT-29 cells. IC50 values were 8.8 nM for SN-38, 10 nM for CPT, 19 nM for 9-AC, 33 nM for TPT, and greater than 100 nM for CPT-11. In drug-induced DNA damage measured by alkaline elution drug concentrations producing 1000-rad-equivalents (C1000), values were 0.037 microM for SN-38, 0.051 microM for CPT, 0.085 microM for 9-AC, 0.28 microM for TPT, and greater than 1 microM for CPT-11. SN-38 remained the most potent compound in isolated nuclei, and CPT-11 was still inactive. The potency ranking was the same as in whole cells, and the C1000 values were 0.0025 microM for SN-38, 0.012 microM for CPT, 0.021 microM for 9-AC, 0.44 microM for TPT, and greater than 0.1 microM for CPT-11. Potency difference between SN-38 and the other compounds was greater in isolated nuclei than in whole cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Kinetics of the reversal of drug-induced SSB in isolated nuclei suggest that dissociation of SN-38 from cleavable complexes is much slower than that of CPT. Cleavage patterns of CPT and 9-AC were similar but differed from those of TPT and SN-38. Although in vitro analyses do not necessarily reflect chemotherapeutic efficacy, this study found that SN-38 is the most potent compound and that 9-AC and TPT are less active than CPT in this system. The effect of CPT-11 is minimal. Therefore, the clinical activity of CPT-11 may strongly depend on its hydrolysis to SN-38. Differences in DNA sequence selectivity and the stability of cleavable complexes induced by the drugs may also contribute to differences among CPT derivatives.

[MECHOP-BM chemotherapy in the treatment of non Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Twenty patients with previously untreated advanced aggressive or relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with the MECHOP-BM regimen (MCNU, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone, bleomycin and methotrexate). Of the 18 patients treated with the MECHOP-BM, the response rate was 78% and complete response (CR) was attained in 33%. Among these CR patients, one patient relapsed, but the other patients continued to show CR (59-243 days, medium 178 days). The most serious toxicity attributed to MECHOP-BM therapy was leukopenia. The mean white blood cell count dropped to 1,300/microliters, and only therapy could be useful in the treatment for patients with untreated aggressive and advanced stage of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as salvage therapy of relapsed cases.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of calcium-dependent cysteine proteinase (calpain) in collagen-induced arthritis in mice

The mechanisms whereby destructive changes in joints develop in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not fully understood, but cartilage degradation is considered one of the most important factors. Calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine proteinase that degrades a variety of substrate proteins in various tissues, may be among the proteolytic enzymes that mediate cartilage degradation associated with RA and other inflammatory arthritides. The object of this study is to ascertain immunohistochemically whether calpain is present in the inflamed joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), as an experimental animal model of inflammatory arthritis such as RA. Murine hindpaws with CIA were decalcified, frozen-sectioned, and stained by immunoperoxidase method (PAP) using a polyclonal antibody against calpain II. Calpain was present in the articular tissues affected by CIA: positive staining was observed in 1) proliferating synovia, and 2) surface, matrix, and chondrocyte lacunae of articular cartilage. It was postulated that calpain functions as one of the enzymes responsible for the cartilage degradation associated with CIA.

The crystal and molecular structure of the trisaccharide erlose trihydrate

Erlose [beta-D-fructofuranosyl O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-glucopyranoside] trihydrate, C18H32 O16.3H2O, M(r) = 558.48, is orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 31.164(7), b = 13.111(5), c = 11.636(5) A, and Z = 8. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined to R = 0.035 for 3926 observed reflections. The unit cell contains two independent molecules having a similar conformation. The conformation of the alpha-(1-->2) glycosidic linkage is similar to that observed in erlose monohydrate, whereas the conformation of the alpha-(1-->4) glycosidic linkage differs significantly. The molecule has no intramolecular hydrogen-bonds except for the minor components of three-center bonds, but indirect intramolecular hydrogen-bonds through the water molecules are formed. The hydrogen-bond system in the crystal structure consists of infinite and finite chains crosslinked by water molecules.

Characteristics of lysophospholipase activity expressed by cytosolic phospholipase A2

Evidence has accumulated to suggest that a wide variety of mammalian cells and tissues express a cytosolic phospholipase A2 with arachidonoyl preference (cPLA2). Purified rabbit platelet-derived cPLA2, as well as the human recombinant enzyme originally identified in the monocytic leukemic cell line U937, exhibit significant lysophospholipase activity. Several series of experiments indicated that a single protein mediated both activities. Treatment of the purified enzyme with p-bromophenacylbromide or an anti-(rabbit platelet cPLA2) monoclonal antibody, RHY-5, suppressed the activity of phospholipase A2 without any appreciable effect on lysophospholipase activity, suggesting that the domain(s) required for phospholipase A2 activity may be located separately from that for lysophospholipase activity. Lysophospholipase activity was appreciably detected above the critical micellar concentration of the substrate. Lysophosphatidylcholine was also hydrolyzed efficiently when it was incorporated into liposomes made of dialkylphosphatidylcholine. The hydrolysis of lysophospholipid was dependent on the fatty acid bound at the sn1 position; the relative rates of hydrolysis of 1-oleoyllysophosphatidylcholine, 1-palmitoyllysophosphatidylcholine, and 1-stearoyllysophosphatidylcholine were 23, 8, and 1, respectively. A similar order of reactivity was observed with lysophospholipid incorporated into dialkylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. cPLA2 may function not only as an arachidonate liberation enzyme but also as an enzyme responsible for degradation of certain molecular species of lysophospholipids formed in membranes.

[Angioscopic evaluation of atherosclerosis]

Recently, percutaneous transluminal angioscopy has been clinically used. We describe the evaluation of atherosclerosis by angioscopy. In observation of aortic and peripheral arteries, color of the luminal surface is yellow in the lesion without endothelial fibrosis, whereas, it is white with endothelial fibrosis. A variety of findings such as endothelial flap, endothelial thickening, mural bleeding, mural or occlusive thrombi are observed in the atherosclerotic lesions. It is difficult to detect these findings by angiography. In observation of coronary arteries, color of the luminal surface is yellow or white and often associates spiral folds in the early stage of atherosclerosis. Plaques are classified to two categories. One is the complex plaque characterised by endothelial flap, rupture of atheroma, ulceration, mural thrombus and usually observed in patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Another is the regular plaque without those findings and observed in patients with stable angina. Angioscopy is useful for evaluation of atherosclerosis.

Effects of a highly selective plasma kallikrein inhibitor on collagen-induced arthritis in mice

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a new, highly selective plasma kallikrein inhibitor, PKSI-527, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. PKSI-527 or indomethacin was administered daily intraperitoneally from day 20 postimmunization. Clinical evaluation was performed, and two of the components of the kallikrein-kinin system, high-molecular-weight (HMW) kininogen and plasma prekallikrein, were assayed. PKSI-527, as well as indomethacin, reduced the severity of arthritis significantly. PKSI-527, but not indomethacin, restored consumed components of the kallikrein-kinin system. These results suggest that PKSI-527 suppresses CIA by modifying the kallikrein-kinin system and PKSI-527 as a synthetic plasma kallikrein inhibitor would be a valuable tool to study the mechanism of inflammation of arthritic diseases.

The crystal and molecular structure of beta-D-fructofuranosyl alpha-D-xylopyranoside hemihydrate

The crystal and molecular structure of beta-D-fructofuranosyl alpha-D-xylopyranoside (xylosucrose) hemihydrate, C11H20O10.0.5H2O, is orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2, with a = 20.919(5), b = 18.727(2), c = 7.071(1) A, V = 2770.1(2) A3, Z = 8, and Dx = 1.541 g.cm-3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.040 for 2564 observed reflections. Two independent xylosucrose molecules exist in the unit cell, and their conformations about the 1-->2' glycosidic bond are similar to sucrose. The orientations of the primary hydroxyl groups in the two molecules differ. An O-1'...O-2 intramolecular hydrogen bond was observed in the one molecule, while an O-6'...O-5 intramolecular hydrogen bond was observed in the other involving disorder of O-6'.

The crystal and molecular structure of the trisaccharide erlose as the monohydrate

Erlose [O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- alpha-D-glucopyranoside] monohydrate, C18H32O16.H2O, M(r) = 522.45, is orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 30.748 (3), b = 8.757 (1), c = 8.270 (1) A, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined to R = 0.048 for 1909 observed reflections. The torsion angles about the (1-->2) and (1-->4) glycosidic bonds are similar to those observed in other sucrose- and maltose-like oligosaccharides. The maltose moiety has an O-3'-H...O-2 intramolecular hydrogen-bond, but the sucrose moiety has no intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonding in the crystal includes infinite and finite chains crosslinked by the water molecule.

Reduction of thrombogenicity with argon laser angioplasty. Comparison with balloon angioplasty

Direct argon or thermal laser angioplasty (LA) was evaluated for thrombogenicity using angioscopy, and compared with balloon angioplasty (BA). In each of 8 dogs, 4 segments (both proximal and distal iliac arteries) were treated by laser-thermal and/or balloon angioplasty. One segment was treated by balloon angioplasty and 3 other segments were treated with either thermal LA with 7 W using a "Hot-Tip" laser probe (2.0 mm), or BA and thermal LA, or a special optical probe which emits a 3 W argon laser beam. Mean percent area stenosis by thrombus was 44 +/- 23 in balloon-dilated, 23 +/- 21 in thermally-treated and balloon-dilated, 3 +/- 3 in thermally-treated, and 1 +/- 4 in directly-lased segments at 30 min. It was 62 +/- 28 in balloon dilated, 31 +/- 29 in thermally-treated and balloon-dilated, 5 +/- 6 in thermally-treated, and 1 +/- 2 in directly-lased segments at 60 min. Balloon-inflated segments had the highest percent area stenosis which was significantly higher than that of either the direct laser or thermally-treated segments (p < 0.0005). Histology showed thermal necrosis in laser-treated sites, and wall tears in BA sites. Thus, LA can provide a less thrombogenic arterial surface than BA.

Percutaneous angioplasty of chronic obstruction of peripheral arteries by a temperature-controlled Nd:YAG laser system

The feasibility of an Nd:YAG laser system with automatic control of hot-tip probe temperature was examined in 15 segments (14.7 +/- 6 cm in length) of iliofemoral arteries from 13 patients. The hot-tip temperature to be attained and the upper limit temperature at which lasing was to be stopped were preset. A catheter with a 1.8-mm hot-tip probe was introduced into the obstructed segment and angioplasty (lasing time 5-10 sec) was performed under angioscopic guidance. Recanalization was observed in all segments without obvious complications. No thermal effects below 50 degrees C, coagulation at 100 degrees C, carbonization at 200 degrees C, or sticking of the hot-tip to the luminal surface at 300 degrees C or over, were observed by angioscopy. Rapid recanalization was obtained between 200 degrees C and 300 degrees C. The results indicate that this novel laser system is feasible and hot-tip temperature between 200 degrees C and 300 degrees C is ideal for treatment of chronic arterial obstruction in Japanese patients.

Caroli's disease in three siblings

Three sisters with cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease) are reported. The index case, a 41-year-old woman with remittent high fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, was diagnosed as Caroli's disease with hepatic lithiasis and cholangitis based on findings of ultrasonography, computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Her two older sisters were also examined and found to have the same disease without clinical symptoms. Their symptoms, locations of the dilated ducts and complications all varied. The hereditary mode of Caroli's disease in 13 families (32 cases) reported in the world literature including our study was examined. While Caroli's disease is thought to be an autosomal recessive disease, a conclusion on the hereditary mode of transmission could not be made in this study because of an insufficient investigation of family members, especially the parents.

[Primary myelofibrosis successfully treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation]

A 31-year-old man with primary myelofibrosis initially received low dose Ara C. Splenomegaly decreased but pancytopenia continued. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from his sister was then performed. Busulfan and cyclophosphamide were used as a preconditioning regimen, which included neither irradiation nor splenectomy. As the bone marrow was hypoplastic after transplantation, G-CSF was given. It was useful for systemic infection. After transplantation, leukoerythroblastosis and tear drop poikilocytosis disappeared in peripheral blood. Finally, bone marrow fibrosis disappeared and hemopoiesis to normal limits recovered 17 months later. These results demonstrate that bone marrow transplantation is effective for primary myelofibrosis for which there is no otherwise curative therapy.

Comparison of the survivals between bone marrow transplantation and chemotherapy for acute leukemia in first remission--a Japanese single institution study

The outcome of sixty-four patients with acute leukemia in first remission who had been treated with either bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or conventional chemotherapy was retrospectively evaluated (a median follow-up of 37 months). Among them, 26 patients (age range; 14-42 years) received allogeneic BMT from HLA-identical siblings and 38 patients (age range; 13-43 years) who had no HLA-identical donors undertook the continued combination chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimate of actuarial survival of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients was 48.9% for the BMT group and 15.7% for the chemotherapy group (p = not significant, NS). For acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, the survival following BMT was 80.2% and was significantly higher than that of the chemotherapy group of 33.3% (p < 0.05). The disease-free survival of AML and ALL for the BMT group was 34.3% and 36.5%, respectively, which was higher than that of the chemotherapy group (16.7% and 23.4%, respectively (p = NS)). These findings in our Japanese single institution study suggested that BMT may be the treatment of choice for adult patients with acute leukemia in first remission if they had suitable donors and that more effective therapeutic regimens were necessary for patients without compatible donors in order to obtain the longer remission duration.

Heterotopic bone formation induced by bone morphogenetic protein in mice with collagen-induced arthritis

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of systemic inflammation on heterotopic bone formation induced by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Five-milligram pellets of BMP were implanted in mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis. Intraperitoneal injections of interleukin-1 (IL-1) were also administered to a group of mice without collagen-induced arthritis. The amount of BMP-induced heterotopic bone formation was evaluated by soft X-ray radiography, histology, and assay of calcium content. BMP-induced heterotopic bone formation was markedly enhanced in mice with collagen-induced arthritis, and also in IL-1-treated mice. These findings suggest that bone formation is enhanced in mice with collagen-induced arthritis, and that IL-1 may be responsible.

Telescience testbed examination aboard Japanese Experiment Module (JEM): life and material science experiments

A telescience ground testbed experiment was conducted by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) at the Tsukuba Space Center in March 1991. The objectives of the ground testbed experiment were to extract scientists' requirements for a communication method, to evaluate the influence of transmission delay and capacity on experiment operations, and to evaluate performance and functions of the system for the testbed experiment. The microscopic operations experiment, the image furnace experiment and the onboard training experiment were selected as typical ground testbed experiments. In these experiments, motion video transmission at 320 kbps was acceptable for observing the experiments and communicating between the principal investigator and the payload specialist. In the microscopic operations experiment, motion video transmission at 1.5 Mbps or more was required for detailed observation. A 4-second transmission delay (roundtrip) was allowable for mutual communication.

[Measurement of busulfan concentration in plasma and spinal fluid from transplant patients pretreated with busulfan and cyclophosphamide]

Busulfan (BU) concentrations in the blood and spinal fluid of 7 patients pretreated with BU for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were measured using gas chromatography. The data from these periodically obtained samples were used to study the relationship between the BU concentration and complications (e.g. vomiting), indicating that vomiting leads to a lower maximum BU level. The trough level of BU concentration at 6 hours after administration was stable at around 500 ng/ml, not showing little effect of vomiting. The BU concentrations in the spinal fluid were virtually the same as those in plasma collected at the same time and the spinal fluid/plasma ratio of the BU concentration averaged 1.06. No veno-occlusive disease (VOD) was noted. Failure of engraftment occurred in one case of myelofibrosis, however, as the plasma BU concentration in this case was not lower than the others, the graft failure was not considered to be due to the preconditioning regimen including BU.