[In vitro chemosensitivity test: succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test]

The succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test was used for determining chemosensitivity of various human tumors. This test was based on the correlation between the cellular succinate dehydrogenase activity as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and cell viability. The chemosensitivity varied in the tissue. Some factors are involved in the chemosensitivity, that is origin of a tumor, tissue differentiation and tissue DNA synthetic activity. This test is a convenient method for clinical use and provides important information about chemosensitivity.

Estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer tissue is chemosensitive in vitro compared with estrogen-receptor-positive tissue

The chemosensitivities of 18 estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) tissues were compared with that of 38 estrogen-receptor-negative (ER-) tissues, using the in vitro succinate dehydrogenase inhibition test. These human breast tissue were exposed to six antitumor drugs: carboquone, adriamycin, mitomycin C, aclacinomycin A, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity was noted in ER- compared to ER+ tissues, exposed to six antitumor drugs, in particular to adriamycin (p less than 0.001) and aclacinomycin A (p less than 0.05). The sensitive rates were higher in ER- than in ER+ tissues, against all six antitumor drugs. The resistance rates to all drugs tested were 25% in ER- and 45% in ER+ tissues. A higher chemosensitivity is associated with the absence of ER. It appeared that the ER status in case of breast cancer is an important predictor of the response to chemotherapy.

Detection of DNA strand breaks in HeLa cells in vitro and in mouse sarcoma 180 cells in vivo induced by an alkylating agent, carboquone, using in situ nick translation

We determined the correlation between DNA strand breaks and the toxicity of carboquone (CQ) in HeLa cells in vitro and in mouse sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells in vivo, using in situ nick translation. The break sites in the DNA were translated artificially in the presence of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and [3-H]-labelled dTTP, and sites in the DNA were visualized by autoradiographic observation of grains in the nuclei. These breaks appeared as early as 5 min in the CQ-treated HeLa cells and increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared to findings in the control cells, i.e., 10.2-fold at 3 x 10(-6) M in 60 min. Strand breaks in the S-180 cells appeared in a dose- and time-dependent manner, i.e., 6.1-fold after the mice had been exposed to CQ (3.6 mg/kg) for 2 h. This level correlated with the increase in host life span. Our findings show that the survival response of cells decreases, while the level of DNA strand breaks increases following exposure to CQ. The nick translation method is a rapid in situ assay for determining drug-induced DNA damage of tumor cells, under in vitro and in vivo conditions and in a semiquantitative manner.

Combined treatment of adriamycin and dipyridamole inhibits lung metastasis of B16 melanoma cells in mice

The combined effects of adriamycin (ADM) and dipyridamole (DP) on lung metastasis of B16 melanoma cells in mice were investigated. First, the antitumor effects of ADM and DP were examined both in vitro and in vivo. The clonogenicity of B16 melanoma cells was suppressed by the combination of ADM and the nontoxic dose of DP in vitro, and growth of the B16 melanoma solid tumor implanted subcutaneously in mice was inhibited with this drug combination, compared to findings with ADM alone in vivo. To examine events related to experimental lung metastasis, 2 X 10(5) B16 melanoma cells were given intravenously into the tail vein of mice and the efficacy was determined by counting the number of metastatic tumor nodules. DP in doses of 25-100 mg/kg given alone reduced the number of metastasis to about 85% that in the control group. ADM in doses of 1-4 mg/kg for 3 days inhibited the metastasis, in a dose-dependent manner. When combined with DP, the antimetastatic effect of ADM was enhanced and the number of metastasis prominently decreased, compared to single application of the drug (p less than 0.05). We speculate that ADM given concomitantly with DP may have the potential to inhibit metastatic growth of a tumor.

Adriamycin-induced DNA strand breaks in HeLa and in P388 leukaemia cells detected using in situ nick translation

DNA strand breaks produced by adriamycin (ADR) were measured in HeLa cells and ADR-sensitive and -resistant P388 leukaemia cells, using the in situ nick translation method. The break sites in the DNA were translated artificially in the presence of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and 3H-labelled dTTP, and were visualized by autoradiographic observation of the grains. The DNA strand breaks in the HeLa cells increased in a dose-dependent manner, compared with findings in the untreated control cells, i.e., 15.2 fold at 20 micrograms/ml of ADR for 1 h. This level correlated with DNA single-strand breaks detected by the alkaline elution method. DNA breaks were also noted in the ADR-sensitive P388 cells, but in the ADR-resistant cells the level of DNA strand breaks was low. The enhanced cytotoxicity is apparently the consequence of the enhanced potential of ADR to cause breaks in the DNA strands. Our findings show that the survival response of the cells decreases and the level of DNA strand breaks increases following exposure to ADR. ADR resistance may be mediated by a reduction in the level of DNA strand breaks.

Species differences in substrate specificity of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase

To compare the activity of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), an enzyme involved in the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), we used uridine (Urd), deoxyuridine (dUrd), and thymidine (dThd) as substrates and human, rat, and mouse neoplastic and normal tissues. As PNP activity was higher in the tumor tissues than in the normal ones in all species examined, the level of PNP activity is expected to be one critical factor linked to the effectiveness of 5-FU. In rats and mice, the ratio of the activities of Urd, dUrd, and dThd was about 10:7:1, whereas in humans, the ratio was 1:30:20. The main enzyme of PNP is Urd phosphorylase in rodents and dThd phosphorylase in humans. Therefore, when examining the metabolism of 5-FU and its analogues for potential clinical application, human tissues should be used.

Improvement in the surgical results of treatment of duplicated thumb by preoperative splinting

Seven patients with an angular deformity of their duplicated thumb were treated by splinting and taping before operation. In all patients, the angular deformity of the interphalangeal joint improved within a few months, and surgical centralization and osteotomy were not necessary. Furthermore the design of the fillet flap was easier and more accurate as was the adjustment of the joint ligament tension. After operation there was no recurrence of angular deformity, and the range of motion of the interphalangeal joint was good. We believe that this procedure simplifies the operative approach, making it more precise and helping to prevent postoperative complications in patients with angular deformity.

Chicken egg white cystatin. Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, and tissue distribution

A lambda gt11 chicken oviduct cDNA library was screened with a mixed synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to amino acid residues 81-90 of chicken egg white cystatin, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Two initial cDNA clones of 367 and 431 bases were isolated. Both clones contained coding sequences for cystatin from amino acid residue 82 to the carboxyl end plus 3'-untranslated region and a poly(A)+ tail. The two clones utilized different polyadenylation signals located 55 nucleotides apart. Further screening of the library yielded a full-length cystatin cDNA. Sequence analysis indicated that cystatin contains an NH2-terminal extension of 23 amino acids which is probably a signal sequence. The cystatin cDNA hybridized to an mRNA of approximately 0.95 kilobase and was present in varying amounts in all chicken tissues examined. The highest concentration was found in the lung. Gizzard, brain, and heart contained lesser amounts of cystatin mRNA but considerably higher than oviduct. Among a limited number of embryonic tissues examined, significantly higher levels of the mRNA were found in liver and heart tissues when compared with the corresponding adult tissues. These results suggested that the expression of the chicken cystatin gene is tissue-dependent and under developmental control.

Azo-dye-induced primary hepatoma and a gradual increase in thermosensitivity

To determine whether or not the cytotoxic effects of hyperthermia are directed primarily to malignant cells, we examined changes in thermosensitivity during hepatocarcinogenesis in rats, as induced by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB). The findings were compared with those in livers of rats fed a commercial diet. The cell viability was determined using the succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test. The succinate dehydrogenase (SD) activity of liver cells, when exposed to heat (43 degrees C) for 2, 5, or 10 hr, decreased in a time-dependent manner, in each tissue. The decrease in SD activity was evident in 3'-Me-DAB liver for 5 hr of heat treatment on day 57, compared with findings in the normal liver. Significant differences were present for 2, 5, and 10 hr on days 93 and 136. Thus a chemically induced hepatoma is more sensitive to heat than are the normal cells. As this thermosensitivity gradually increased during the hepatocarcinogenesis, the malignant cells are particularly vulnerable to hyperthermia.

[Detection of cellular DNA strand breaks induced by antitumor drug and heat using in situ nick translation]

Cellular DNA strand break induced by an alkylating agent: Carboquone (CQ), and heat (43 degrees C) was detected in HeLa cells in vitro and mouse sarcoma-180 cells in vivo. The break sites in the DNA were translated artificially in the presence of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and [3H]-labeled dTTP and sites in the DNA were visualized by autoradiographic observation of grains in the nuclei. These breaks increased in a dose and time dependent manner, compared to findings in the control cells. Our findings show that the surviving response of cells decreases while the level of DNA strand breaks increases following exposure to CQ or heat. The nick translation method is a rapid in situ assay for determining drug and heat induced DNA damage of tumor cells, under in vitro and in vivo conditions and in a semi-quantitative manner.

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of AT-4140, a new broad-spectrum quinolone

AT-4140, 5-amino-1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-7-(cis-3,5- dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, showed broad and potent antibacterial activity. Its MICs for 90% of the strains tested were 0.1 to 0.78 micrograms/ml against gram-positive organisms, such as members of the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, and 0.0125 to 1.56 micrograms/ml against gram-negative organisms, such as members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and the genera Pseudomonas, Branhamella, Campylobacter, Haemophilus, and Neisseria. Its MICs were 0.025 to 0.78 micrograms/ml against glucose nonfermenters, such as members of the genera Xanthomonas, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Moraxella, Flavobacterium, and Brucella; 0.2 to 0.78 micrograms/ml against anaerobes, such as Clostridium perfringens and Bacteroides fragilis; 0.0125 to 0.05 micrograms/ml against Legionella spp.; 0.0125 to 0.2 micrograms/ml against Mycoplasma spp.; 0.031 to 0.063 micrograms/ml against Chlamydia spp.; and 0.1 to 0.3 micrograms/ml against Mycobacterium spp. The potencies of AT-4140 against gram-negative organisms were comparable to those of ciprofloxacin and higher than those of ofloxacin, enoxacin, and norfloxacin. The potencies of AT-4140 against gram-positive organisms, glucose nonfermenters, anaerobes, Mycoplasma spp., Chlamydia spp., and Mycobacterium spp. were generally higher than those of the quinolones with which AT-4140 was compared. AT-4140 showed good oral efficacy against systemic infections with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. Its efficacy was better when a daily dose was given once than when it was given in two doses. Good efficacies of the orally administered drug were also observed in pulmonary, dermal, and urinary tract infection models in mice. The in vivo efficacies of AT-4140 were equal to or better than those of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin, and norfloxacin.

Potentiation of 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity by combining hyperthermia and dipyridamole in vitro

Evidence was obtained for the augmentation of cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) when hyperthermia and dipyridamole (DP) were combined in vitro. Nontoxic levels of DP enhanced the combined cytotoxicity of 5-FU and heat against HeLa and B16 melanoma cells, and the 50% effective concentration of 5-FU decreased 7.3 fold for HeLa cells and 3.0 fold for B16 melanoma cells, when exposed to heat plus DP. This combined effect did not depend on intracellular increases in the concentrations of 5-FU. Thus hyperthermia together with DP seems to improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to 5-FU. As the sensitivity of colorectal cancer tissue to drugs is low, 5-FU plus hyperthermia and DP shows promise for the treatment of such patients.

5-Fluorouracil and UFT-sensitive gastric carcinoma has a high level of thymidylate synthase

The authors examined the relationship between the level of thymidylate synthase (TS) and the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and UFT, a combined oral preparation of 1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil (tegafur) and uracil in a molar ratio of 1:4. For the studies we used the subrenal capsule (SRC) assay and 15 human gastric cancer tissues. The TS levels were assayed by the ligand-binding technique, using [6-3H]FdUMP. The relative variation of tumor size (delta TuS/TuS0) was calculated to be as follows: delta TuS/TuS0 = [(TuS6 - TuS0)/TuS0] x 100 (%), where TuS6 was the tumor size on day 6 and TuS0 on day 0. The chemosensitivity was considered to be positive when delta TuS/TuS0 in the treated group decreased to below -10%. Decrease in tumor size was marked in case of exposure to UFT (-19.8 +/- 13.0%) (mean +/- standard deviation), compared with that to 5-FU (-9.0 +/- 7.2%), with a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.001). The TS level varied from 1.7 to 30.8 pmol/g gastric cancer tissue and the mean was 7.1 +/- 7.2 pmol/g tissue. A correlation was noted between the TS level and decrease in size of the tumor exposed to 5-FU (r = -0.671) or UFT (r = -0.758): gastric cancer tissue with higher level of TS is more sensitive to 5-FU and UFT than is that with a lower TS level. These findings show that the sensitivity to 5-FU and UFT of gastric cancer tissue is related to the TS level and that UFT shows promise for the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.

Effect of glucocorticoid replacement on tumor growth after adrenalectomy in mice

We studied the effects of glucocorticoid replacement on tumor growth after adrenalectomy of Meth A sarcoma in mice. Tumor growth was inhibited in the adrenalectomized mice when a minimum dose of corticosterone, 0.3 mg/day, was given for replacement, and higher doses led to an even greater inhibition. Corticosterone had no effect on tumor growth in the irradiated mice. Sinecomitant immunity in the case of growth of the retransplanted excised tumor was compromised in the adrenalectomized mice. In vivo neutralization and immunosuppressive activities were absent in the spleen cells of the adrenalectomized mice. It would thus appear that adrenalectomy suppresses tumor growth by mechanisms other than glucocorticoid ablation. For optimum tumor control, glucocorticoid replacement after adrenalectomy should be in excess of the minimum daily requirements.

[The effects of coronary thrombolysis on the short- and long-term mortality in acute myocardial infarction]

Among 263 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 141 were treated with urokinase (UK group) and 122 received no urokinase (conventional group). Urokinase (UK) was administered intracoronarily in 55 cases; intravenously (mainly 1,920,000 units) in 64 cases; and intravenously and intracoronarily in 22 cases. The mortality rates were ascertained three months after admission and during the mean follow-up periods of 17.5 months for the UK group and 24.5 months for the conventional group. The three month mortality was significantly lower in the UK group (10.6%, 15 cases) than in the conventional group (23.8%, 29 cases) (p less than 0.01). The mortality during the entire follow-up period was also lower in the UK group (14.2%, 20 cases) than in the conventional group (26.2%, 32 cases) (p less than 0.05). Fatalities due to cardiac rupture, ventricular fibrillation, cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock and recurrent infarction were uniformly less in the UK group. It was concluded that coronary thrombolysis is an effective means of reducing mortality in acute myocardial infarction.

4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin has greater antineoplastic activity than adriamycin in various human tumours in vitro

The sensitivities of 84 human tumor tissues (23 gastric, 8 colorectal cancers, 34 hepatomas, 6 breast, 6 lung cancers and 7 malignant lymphomas) to adriamycin (ADM) and 4'-0-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP-ADM), a semisynthetic anthracycline glycoside, were determined using the in vitro succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test. The succinate dehydrogenase (SD) activity of the tumor tissues was assayed following exposure to 6.9 microM of the drug for 3 days; sensitivity was considered positive when the SD activity decreased to below 50% of that of the control cells. In the case of exposure to THP-ADM, the SD activity in the tissue decreased and the decrease was more extensive in the gastric, colorectal cancers, hepatomas, lung cancers, with a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.001-P less than 0.05), but not in the breast cancers and malignant lymphomas. The rate of sensitivity was 70.2% for THP-ADM and 51.2% for ADM in the 84 tumor tissues. The percentage of tissues with a higher sensitivity to THP-ADM, compared to ADM, was 79.8%. As THP-ADM proved to be more cytotoxic than ADM to human tumors in vitro, this drug should be kept in mind when anti-cancer chemotherapy is designed.

Hyperthermia enhances the in vitro activity of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil compared to that of 5-fluorouracil

The synergic effects on HeLa cells between 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU), a lipophilic masked compound of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and hyperthermia were investigated, with the following results: (1) After the cells had been exposed to the drug at 77 microM for 1, 2 or 3 days, with or without heat (43 degrees C) for 2 h, treatment with HCFU and heat inhibited cell growth by 9.2% on day 3, compared to control cells, HCFU alone, heat alone or the combined treatment with 5-FU plus heat. (2) The cells were exposed to the drugs at 77 microM or heat (43 degrees C) for 15-45 min and the colonies counted on day 14. Combined treatment with HCFU plus heat inhibited the clonogenicity of HeLa cells to 22.4% of findings in the control cells and as compared to findings with other treatments. The combination of 5-FU, n-hexylamine and heat had much the same effect as the combined effect of the treatment of HCFU plus heat. (3) Intracellular levels of the drugs did not increase with hyperthermic treatment. Our findings suggest that it is the hexylcarbamoyl structure of HCFU that relates to the synergic effect between HCFU and hyperthermia. This combination is expected to have positive effects for treating patients with malignancy.

Sarcoma-180 cells are more sensitive to heat than are mouse normal tissues: esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, spleen, and kidney

Sensitivity of various mouse tissues to heat was determined using mouse sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells and normal tissues: esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, spleen, and kidney. The in vitro succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test was used. The succinate dehydrogenase (SD) activity of tissue fragments was assayed, following exposure to a temperature of 43 degrees C (heat treatment) or 37 degrees C (control) for 1, 2, 5, or 10 hr. The sensitivity to heat treatment was estimated by the percentage of SD activity of the heat-treated cells, compared to that of the control cells. The decrease in SD activity following exposure to heat varied with the tissue. The SD activity decreased to a greater extent in the S-180 cells than in the normal tissues. In the normal tissues, the order of sensitivity to heat was stomach, spleen, large intestine, small intestine, esophagus, kidney and liver. These results show that hyperthermia is tissue selective, hence heat treatment of a malignant lesion should be carefully designed.

[Causes of death after an early gastric cancer operation]

From April, 1972 to December, 1984, 329 early gastric cancer case were operated on by this department. Results of these operations have revealed the following statistics: The 5-year survival rate of those with an m-cancer was 97.6% and for those with an sm-cancer, 92.6% and, the 10-year survival rate of m-cancer was 91.6% and sm-cancer, 89.9%, respectively. Twenty-nine postoperative deaths were recognized in this series, and the causes of death in each case have been analysed. Prophylactic measures to prevent postoperative death also are discussed.

Pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis is more extensive in poorly differentiated than in well-differentiated human gastric carcinoma

In tissues obtained from patients undergoing gastrectomy, the activities of 12 enzymes involved in pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis: cytidine triphosphate (CTP) synthetase, deoxycytidine monophosphate (dCMP) deaminase, thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) kinase, uridine (Urd), deoxycytidine (dCyd) and thymidine (dThd) kinases, Urd, deoxyuridine (dUrd) and dThd phosphorylases, cytidine (Cyd) and dCyd deaminases, and DNA polymerase were examined in the eight-well-differentiated and 12 poorly differentiated gastric cancer tissues and the ten normal tissues. These cases were clinically advanced and serosal invasions were evident. Activities of these enzymes were higher in the poorly differentiated tissues than the well differentiated type and in the normal tissues. Significant differences were noted between the poorly differentiated and well-differentiated types, in dTMP kinase (P less than 0.02), dThd kinase (P less than 0.05), dThd phosphorylase (P less than 0.01), and DNA polymerase (P less than 0.05). The authors' findings show that the level of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis, in both de novo and salvage pathways, is higher in the poorly differentiated gastric cancer tissues than in the well-differentiated type and suggest that antitumor drugs have an increased susceptibility in cases of poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma.

Cytotoxicity of N4-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine through gradual conversion to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine in HeLa cells

The metabolism of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and N4-behenoyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (BH-AC) was studied in Hela cells. After the cells were exposed to ara-C at a concentration of 20 micrograms/ml or BH-AC at 46.5 micrograms/ml for 1, 3, 6, 12 or 24 hr, the level of ara-C was determined using the radioimmunoassay method, and the level of BH-AC and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (ara-U), using high-performance liquid chromatography. In the ara-C-treated cells, the intracellular ara-C increased to 1.26 micrograms/g cells after exposure for 6 hr, and ara-C was rapidly changed to ara-U in the cells and in the medium. In the BH-AC-treated cells, the intracellular BH-AC increased after exposure for 24 hr and BH-AC was gradually converted to ara-C in the cells: the intracellular level of ara-C was only 15% of that of BH-AC after exposure for 24 hr. BH-AC level in the medium persisted for 24 hr, at the initial concentration. Our findings show that BH-AC is stable compared to ara-C and gradually converts to ara-C. This conversion is presumably a critical step in the antineoplastic effect of BH-AC.

Hypoxia enhances the lethality of mitomycin C and carboquone against human malignant tumor cells in vitro

Solid tumors contain hypoxic cells which are relatively resistant to antineoplastic activity of radiation or to chemotherapeutic agents. We determined the increase in antineoplastic activities of mitomycin C (MMC) and carboquone (CQ) against human tumor cells under conditions of in vitro hypoxia, with the following results. (a) The HeLa cells had been exposed to various concentrations of MMC or CQ for 2 h under normally aerated (about 20%) or hypoxic conditions (5.0 and 0%) and were maintained under normally aerated conditions for 3 days. The succinate dehydrogenase activity was assayed, using the succinate dehydrogenase inhibition (SDI) test. Treatment with MMC or CQ reduced the SD activity, compared to findings in the control cells, under hypoxic conditions. (b) The cells were exposed to the drug, MMC or CQ, under normally aerated or anoxic conditions, for 15-45 min and the colonies counted on day 14. Treatment with 0.45 microM of MMC for 45 min inhibited the clonogenicity of HeLa cells by 25.4% of findings in the control cells under anoxia. Treatment with 0.03 microM of CQ for 30 min inhibited the clonogenicity by 41.5%. (c) The sensitivity of 14 human tumor tissues (6 gastric and 8 colorectal cancers) to MMC or CQ under hypoxic conditions was determined, using the SDI test. MMC and CQ showed hypoxic enhancement. Therefore, MMC and CQ have definite positive effects on hypoxic cells, and hence a higher therapeutic ratio for treating clinical solid tumors.

Nick translation detection in situ of cellular DNA strand break induced by radiation

DNA strand break in HeLa cells induced by radiation was detected using the in situ nick translation method. The cells were exposed to radiation of 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 Gy in Lab-Tek tissue culture chamber/slides and were fixed with ethanol/acetic acid on the slide glass. The break sites in DNA were translated artificially in the presence of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and [3H]-labeled dTTP. Autoradiographic observation was made of the level of break sites in the DNA. The DNA strand break appeared even with a 3 Gy exposure, increased 8.6 times at 24 Gy compared with the control cells, and this level correlated reciprocally to change in cell viability. This nick translation method provides a rapid in situ assay for determining radiation-induced DNA damage of cultured cells, in a semi-quantitative manner.

Promotive effect of 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-dimethyl)benzenamine on N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine-induced thyroid tumors in Wistar rats

The promotive effect of 4,4'-methylenebis(N,N-dimethyl)benzenamine (MDBA) on 2-stage thyroid tumorigenesis induced by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) in Wistar male rats was investigated. Animals were given i.p. injections of DHPN, and then a basal diet containing 0.0375% MDBA for 19 weeks. In addition, localization of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the pituitary gland was investigated. Levels of TSH and T4 in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The addition of MDBA to the diet significantly increased the incidence and numbers of preneoplastic lesion (focal hyperplasia), adenoma and carcinoma of the thyroid. TSH was usually localized in the thyroidectomy-cell in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and the number of TSH-positive cells increased in the group treated with MDBA. Mean circulating levels of TSH were elevated in all MDBA-treated groups, and mean T4 levels in groups treated with MDBA were significantly lower different (P less than 0.05) than those in control groups.

A morphological study of the left bundle branch in the normal human heart

To clarify the distribution pattern of the left bundle branch (LBB) in the human heart, the AV conduction system was studied in 13 autopsied hearts obtained from subjects aged 50 to 80 years. Vertical serial sections (7 micron) of the bundle of His and LBB were prepared and every 20th section was stained alternately with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) or by the elastica van Gieson (EVG) method and examined by light microscopy. Reconstruction was performed using a two-dimensional system in order to histologically differentiate the bundle cells from Purkinje cells. The LBB bifurcated into the anterior and posterior radiations and the cells in the septal portion were almost all Purkinje cells except in two cases showing a septal branch between the two radiations. The LBB usually branched widely from the bundle of His. An extremely anterior fascicle of the LBB was found in all cases. The distribution of the LBB at the top of the ventricular septum was divided into network and continuous types. Purkinje cells were present on both the atrial and apical sides of the two main radiations. It was suggested that these findings resulted from the fact that we morphologically differentiated the bundle cells from Purkinje cells by light microscopy.

The promoting effects of food dyes, erythrosine (Red 3) and rose bengal B (Red 105), on thyroid tumors in partially thyroidectomized N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine-treated rats

The effects of erythrosine (Red 3), rose bengal B (Red 105) and thyroidectomy on the development of thyroid tumor were examined in male Wistar rats treated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). Red 3 and Red 105 were used at 4% in the basal diet and were administered for 19 weeks from week 2 to 20. Thyroidectomy was performed by resection of the left lobe at week 4. Single injection of DHPN was performed intraperitoneally at 280 mg per 100 g body weight at the beginning of the experiment. Red 3 and Red 105 significantly promoted the development of thyroid tumors in thyroidectomized rats given DHPN, but had no significant effect in non-thyroidectomized rats. The incidence of thyroid tumors was 91% in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 3 and DHPN, 100% in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 105 and DHPN, and 64% in rats with partial thyroidectomy and DHPN. Serum TSH was 5.5 +/- 3.1 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 3 and DHPN, 2.1 +/- 2.2 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy, Red 105 and DHPN, and 1.5 +/- 0.5 ng/ml in rats with partial thyroidectomy and DHPN.

Potassium perchlorate, potassium iodide, and propylthiouracil: promoting effect on the development of thyroid tumors in rats treated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine

The effect of 1000 ppm potassium perchlorate (KClO4), 1000 ppm potassium iodide (KI) or 1000 ppm propylthiouracil (PTU) in the diet on the development of thyroid tumors was studied histologically and biochemically in Wistar rats given a single ip injection of 280 mg of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) per 100 g body weight. Basal diet containing 100 ppm KClO4, 1000 ppm KI or 1000 ppm PTU was given for 19 weeks from week 2 to week 20. The incidence of thyroid adenomas at the end of week 20 of the experiment was 100% (20/20) in rats treated with DHPN followed by KClO4, 85% (17/20) in rats given DHPN followed by KI, 95% (19/20) in rats given DHPN followed by PTU, and 5% (1/20) in rats given DHPN alone. The incidence of thyroid cancers was 100% (20/20) in rats treated with DHPN followed by KClO4, 65% (13/20) in rats treated with DHPN followed by KI and 0% (0/20) in rats treated with DHPN followed by or not followed by PTU. Rats given KClO4, KI or PTU alone and untreated rats had no thyroid tumors. The mean values of TSH in serum were 2.94 +/- 0.79 ng/ml in rats treated with DHPN followed by KClO4, 9.40 +/- 16.0 ng/ml in rats treated with DHPN followed by KI and 60.94 +/- 20.60 ng/ml in rats treated with DHPN followed by PTU. It was confirmed that (1) KClO4, PTU and KI promote the development of thyroid tumor in rats treated with DHPN, (2) the promoting effect of KClO4 or KI is stronger than that of PTU and (3) the value of TSH in serum is not parallel to the promoting effect on the development of thyroid tumor.

Effects of castration before and after treatment with N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine (DHPN) on the development of thyroid tumors in rats treated with DHPN followed by phenobarbital

The effect of castration on the development of thyroid tumors was studied histologically and biochemically in Wistar rats given a single ip injection of 210 mg of N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine (DHPN) followed by phenobarbital (Pb). Castration was performed one week after, or one week before the injection of DHPN. The injection of DHPN was given at the end of the first week, and the rats were fed 500 ppm Pb in the basal diet for 38 weeks from week 3 to week 40. The incidence of thyroid adenomas and cancers was 20% (4/20) and 10% (2/20) in rats treated with DHPN alone. It was 75% (15/20) and 40% (8/20) in rats treated with DHPN and Pb; 30% (6/20) and 15% (3/20) in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated after DHPN; 20% (4/20) and 0% in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated before DHPN and Pb; and 0% and 0% in rats castrated either before or after receiving DHPN. Castration thus inhibited the development of thyroid tumor in rats treated with DHPN. The inhibition of tumor development in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated before receiving DHPN, was greater than in the rats castrated after receiving DHPN. Castration inhibited the secretion of TSH in rats treated with DHPN and Pb.

The relationship between natural killer cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to 2,4-dinitrochlorbenzene in the spectrum of chronic, intractable pulmonary tuberculosis

We examined natural killer (NK) cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to 2,4-dinitrochlorbenzene (DNCB) in the spectrum of chronic, intractable pulmonary tuberculosis. A high reactive group as defined by high NK cell activity and positive reaction to DNCB were characterised by stable clinical courses assessed by radiographical and clinical changes. A low reactive group defined by non-augmented NK cell activity and negative reaction to DNCB were characterised by progressive clinical courses. Although far advanced radiographic lesions were observed more frequently in the low reactive group and moderately advanced lesions more frequently in the high reactive group, there was not a significant statistical trend.

Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase deficiency: a therapeutic trial with branched-chain amino acid restriction

A patient with a deficiency of dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase and neurological disease is described. The patient was placed on a branched-chain amino acid-restricted regimen. After the introduction of the regimen, there were some biochemical improvements and he achieved some developmental milestones, in contrast to previously reported patients whose neurological disease was progressive. Restriction of the branched-chain amino acids is worth trying among therapeutic measures for this disease, although restriction of the amino acids alone may not totally prevent progression of neurological disease.

[Determination of residual lesion in remaining uterus after conization]

For the purpose of predicting the residual lesion in the remaining uterus after conization, the relationship between the residual lesion in the extirpated uterus and the foci in conization specimens was examined. Seventy-seven cases with severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and early invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix diagnosed by punch biopsy were reviewed. The histopathologic diagnosis, the distance from the conization stump to the focus, the length of the focus along the cervical canal, the size of the conization specimens, the number of blocks containing a focus and so on were investigated. It is concluded that there is no residual lesion in the remaining uterus after conization when the following criteria are satisfied. The histopathologic diagnosis is Ia or less. The conization stump is not involved. The distance from the conization stump to the focus is more than 3.1mm and the length of the lesion along the cervical canal is less than 8.5mm. The distance from the conization stump to the focus is no more than 3.1mm, gland involvement is not recognized in this area and the length of the lesion along the cervical canal is less than 8.5mm.

An in situ experimental model in rabbits for the study of rectal absorption

An in situ experimental model of rectal absorption was studied in rabbits compared with in vivo determination of drug concentration in the plasma of postcaval vein using indomethacin as drug. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar between in vivo and in situ. When results from both studies were compared, 60% of the drug administered to the rectum was absorbed from the superior hemorrhoidal vein and the remaining 40% was absorbed from the inferior hemorrhoidal vein. When an aspirin suppository was used in this model, the amount of unaltered aspirin absorbed in the rectal mucosa or space was greater than the absorbed salicylic acid which was metabolized or degradated from aspirin. In the case of insulin, these differences were not seen in the insulin concentration of venous plasma between insulin physiological saline and surfactant suspension. However, using the in situ model, the surfactant effect on rectal absorption of insulin was observed. From the above results, it was concluded that this in situ experimental model of rectal absorption has advantages in that it can be used directly to measure the rectal absorption rate and to determine ratios of easily metabolized and poorly absorbed drugs. Therefore, this model appears to be useful in evaluation of rectal absorption.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma with widespread metastasis and pulmonary cancer

An autopsy case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) with widespread metastases and lung carcinoma in a 64-year-old Japanese woman is reported. The initial signs were cough and sputum, followed by hemosputum. A chest X-ray photo showed a right pleural tumor, which could not be identified from a biopsy specimen, but was identified as MFH by light and electron microscopic studies on biopsy specimens of tongue tumors. Autopsy examination revealed metastases of the MFH to the brain, lung, liver, kidney, adrenal, pancreas, retroperitoneum, and some bones, and pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

[Fundamental and clinical studies on intravenous drip infusion of dibekacin in the pediatric field]

Dibekacin (DKB), an antibiotic of aminoglycoside group, was administered at 4 different dosages of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg as intravenous drip infusion taking 30 minutes or 1 hour. For each dose level, 3 cases each were used out of 24 boys from 1 year and 1 month to 14 years and 7 months of age, and serum concentrations as well as urinary concentrations and recovery rate were determined. After removed of 4 cases unassessable of therapeutic efficacy, 7 cases consisting of 1 case of chronic bronchitis, 1 case of lung abscess and 5 cases of urinary tract infections were treated with DKB at a mean daily dosage of 3.3 mg/kg in 2 or 3 divided doses as intravenous drip infusion taking 30 minutes or 1 hour. The mean treatment period was 7 days. The clinical and bacteriological results were analyzed in these cases and for analysis of side effects drop out cases were also included. The following results were obtained. Following 30 minutes intravenous drip infusion of DKB at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg, the serum concentration peaked at the end of infusion for all dose levels. The highest peak concentration of 9.17 mcg/ml was obtained for the dose level of 2.0 mg/kg. The highest dosage with which serum concentration does not exceed concentrations of 10 to 12 mcg/ml was found to be 2.0 mg/kg. The mean highest serum concentrations obtained were 1.65, 3.49, 5.40 and 8.67 mcg/ml for the dosages of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg, respectively, and the mean AUCs determined by the two-compartment model were 2.99, 6.04, 10.5 and 14.2 mcg X hr/ml, respectively, showing dose response relation in terms of peak concentration and AUC among groups. The mean T1/2 values for each dosage were 1.55, 1.54, 1.77 and 2.03 hours, respectively, with a longer tendency in T1/2 for the dose level of 2.0 mg/kg with unknown cause. When 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg of DKB were infused taking 1 hour, the peak of serum concentration appeared also at the end of the infusion. The highest concentration was obtained with 2.0 mg/kg and it was 7.02 mcg/ml. Considering from the concentrations obtained for 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg groups the highest dosage at which the serum concentration does not exceed 10 to 12 mcg/ml was estimated to be 2.5 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Primary systemic amyloidosis with severe cardiac amyloidosis

An autopsy case of primary systemic amyloidosis with severe cardiac amyloidosis in a 75-year-old Japanese man is reported. The initial signs were dyspnea and cough, followed by general fatigue and loss of appetite. Heart failure, pleural effusion, and liver cysts were found on physiological examination. Autopsy findings were primary systemic amyloidosis with severe diffuse cardiac amyloidosis and cardiac hypertrophy (585 g). Focal necrosis by infarction was found in the liver and spleen. The cause of amyloidosis was unknown.

Ultrastructural heterogeneity of the basophilic cells in the allergic nasal mucosa

Basophilic cells in scrapings and pieces of nasal mucosa removed from the inferior turbinates of adult patients with house dust nasal allergy plus pieces of the oral mucosa from normal persons were examined electron microscopically. Three distinct types of basophilic cells, ie, blood basophil leukocytes (predominantly in the subepithelium), mucosal mast cells (predominantly in the epithelium), and connective tissue mast cells (predominantly in the deeper lamina propria) were identified in the nose.

C-banding analysis of six species of lung flukes, Paragonimus spp. (Trematoda: Platyhelminthes), from Japan and Korea

We examined C-banded karyotypes of six species of lung flukes from Japan and Korea; diploid and triploid Paragonimus westermani, P. miyazakii, P. ohirai, P. iloktsuenensis and P. sadoensis, with special reference to their karyotypic diversification. C-band analysis between the diploid and the triploid westermani revealed that two of three homologues of the triploid resembled those of the diploid in C-band pattern, while the remaining chromosome showed a different pattern from any species examined here. This karyological evidence indicates that the triploid is allotriploid probably induced by interspecific hybridization between the diploid westermani and an unknown species; we, therefore, suggest that the triploid westermani is an independent species and synonymous with P. pulmonalis (Miyazaki 1978). As the morphologically similar three species, ohirai, iloktsuenensis and sadoensis, had the same C-band polymorphism in chromosome No. 4, these species are classified as the local races of P. ohirai. Paragonimus miyazakii has one common C-band (5q) with the diploid westermani, but other bands (1q, 4q, 6q, 7p and 7q) are different. From these observations, the six species examined are phylogenetically divided into three groups: (1) westermani group containing diploid and triploid (= pulmonalis) species, (2) miyazakii and (3) ohirai including two geographic races, iloktsuenensis and sadoensis.