Cold activation of complement in sera from patients with persistent hepatitis C virus infection on interferon therapy

The loss of haemolytic activity in sera during storage at low temperature (the cold activation of complement) was observed in 136 of 184 (74%) patients with chronic liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This was more frequent than observed in the three of 40 (8%) patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.001) or none in 43 normal controls (P < 0.001). Of 103 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had completed a full course of recombinant interferon-alpha 2a therapy (total dose: 516 x 10(6) U), 40 responded completely and 21 responded partially, as judged by the normalization or decrease of alanine aminotransferase levels 6 months after the completion of therapy; 42 patients did not respond at all. The cold activation of complement persisted in five (13%) complete responders, less often than in 33 (79%) non-responders (P < 0.001). At the completion of interferon therapy, the cold activation of complement persisted in 12 of 54 patients despite the normalization of alanine aminotransferase. Spontaneous exacerbation of hepatitis occurred in seven of 12 (58%) patients with cold activation, which was more frequent than in the four of 42 patients (10%) without it (P < 0.01). The cold activation of complement disappeared along with the loss of HCV-RNA in five of six responders during the 6 month period after the completion of interferon therapy, while both cold activation and HCV-RNA persisted in all eight non-responders. These results indicate that the cold activation of complement may be useful as a marker of HCV viraemia for monitoring the response to interferon in patients with HCV infection.

Postoperative gastric motility, secretory function, and pre- and postoperative carbohydrate metabolic states in esophageal cancer patients

This study was undertaken to assess postoperative gastric motility and gastric acid secretion, and pre- and postoperative carbohydrate metabolism in patients with esophageal cancer. The gastric motility was compared among 3 different reconstruction routes in 26 patients who were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of postoperative follow-up; group A, 3 months or less; and group B, 18 months or more. The routes used for subtotal resection of the stomach were the posterior mediastinal, retrosternal, and subcutaneous routes. All patients showed positive resting pressure in the esophagus, but peristaltic waves did not reach the gastric tube at dry swallowing in any patients and peristaltic waves appeared after eating pudding only in 1 patient in group B. The resting pressure and gastric emptying time were similar among reconstruction routes, but the incidence and amplitude of metoclopramide (MCP)-induced peristaltic waves were significantly higher in group B than in group A. Furthermore, 24-h intragastric pH monitoring of gastric secretion in a group of 9 patients revealed individual variation in gastric secretion. Some patients showed high acidity soon after operation, suggesting the need for prophylactic treatment for preventing gastric ulcer. Postoperatively, postprandial serum gastrin levels were significantly higher than preoperative levels. In the other group of 11 patients tested, preoperative and postoperative carbohydrate metabolism were not significantly different. Postoperatively, carbohydrate metabolism recovered to preoperative levels after a transient decrease. These results demonstrated that postoperative motility improved over time although no difference was found among the 3 reconstruction routes used.

[Effect of green tea polyphenol fraction on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in the rat]

We studied the anti-tumor effect of green tea polyphenol fraction (Sunphenon, SF: provided by Taiyo Kagaku Inc., Mie, Japan) on DMH-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. DMH was subcutaneously administered weekly at 20 mg/kg for 14 weeks. The rats in group I (20 rats) were given tap water for the whole of the study period. The rats in group II (15 rats) were given tap water from weeks 0-14, and 0.1% SF from weeks 15-35. The rats in group III (21 rats) were given 0.1% SF during the whole period. The rats were sacrificed at week 35. The cecal contents were aseptically removed and examined microbiologically to obtain the counts of four bacteria species (including Clostridium perfringens) per 1 g of cecal contents. The incidence of tumors production was significantly decreased (Group I: 100% vs Group II: 57.1%, Group III: 62.5%, p < 0.05), and the frequency of occurrence of C. perfringens (which is thought to yield harmful products which may be carcinogenic) was decreased in the SF-treated groups. These results suggest that SF prevents DMH-induced carcinogenesis in rats, and that its effect may be somehow related to its ability to preserve the composition of the colonic microflora.

The interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain: its role in the multiple cytokine receptor complexes and T cell development in XSCID

Interleukin 2 (IL-2), a T cell-derived cytokine, targets a variety of cells to induce their growth, differentiation, and functional activation. IL-2 inserts signals into the cells through IL-2 receptors expressed on cell surfaces to induce such actions. In humans, the functional IL-2 receptor consists of the subunit complexes of the alpha, beta and gamma chains, or the beta and gamma chains. The third component, the gamma chain, of IL-2 receptor plays a pivotal role in formation of the full-fledged IL-2 receptor, together with the beta chain, the gamma chain participates in increasing the IL-2 binding affinity and intracellular signal transduction. Moreover, the cytokine receptors for at least IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 utilize the same gamma chain as an essential subunit. Interestingly, mutations of the gamma chain gene cause human X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) characterized by a complete or profound T cell defect. Among the cytokines sharing the gamma chain, at least IL-7 is essentially involved in early T cell development in the mouse organ culture system. The molecular identification of the gamma chain brought a grasp of the structures and functions of the cytokine receptor and an in-depth understanding of the cause of human XSCID. To investigate the mechanism of XSCID and development of gene therapy for XSCID, knockout mice for the gamma chain gene were produced that showed similar but not exactly the same phenotypes as human XSCID.

[Has the lifesaving technician system improved the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients?]

The role of the lifesaving technician (LST) system on the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients was examined retrospectively. The percentage of the patients resuming spontaneous circulation before arrival at the hospital was 2.2-4.3 times higher in the group with the prehospital care by LSTs ('93: 3.9% and '94: 2.0%) than by ordinary ambulance personnel (OAP) (0.9%), but there was no difference in the percentage of return of spontaneous circulation (LST '93: 33.0%, '94: 27.3%, OAP 37.8%), survival rate (LST '93: 3.1%, '94: 1.4%, OAP 1.8%) and discharge rate (LST '93: 1.0%, '94: 0.7%, OAP 1.8%) of the patients with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival. Time interval from fire department receipt of call to ambulance departure and arrival at the hospital was significantly longer in the groups with the prehospital care by LSTs than by OAP. There was no difference in the outcome of cardiopulmonary arrest patients with the prehospital care by LSTs between '93 and '94. Our results suggest that making much more effort with more advanced technics to start the spontaneous circulation on the spot may be required to improve the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients.

Phytochrome regulates phosphorylation of a protein with characteristics of a nucleoside diphosphate kinase in the crude membrane fraction from stem sections of etiolated pea seedlings

The molecular mechanism of light signal perception via phytochrome was analysed using the third internodes of etiolated pea seedlings irradiated with red or red followed by far-red light. A crude membrane fraction prepared from the tissue was labelled by [gamma-32P]ATP at 4 x 10(-8) M for 15 s at 0 degree C, and the proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The phosphorylation of a protein with a molecular mass of about 15 kDa in the crude membrane fraction increased with an increase in the intensity of red light irradiation (10, 50 and 100 mumol m-2 s-1) for 20 s. Successive irradiation with red light (100 mumol m-2 s-1 for 20 s) and subsequent irradiation with far-red light reduced the phosphorylation of the protein, depending on the intensity of the far-red light (from 0.1 to 8 mumol m-2 s-1 for 180 s). A plasma membrane purified from the crude membrane fraction from red light irradiated tissue showed a rapid phosphorylation of the 15 kDa protein by 4 x 10(-8) M [gamma-32P]ATP at 0 degree C for 7 s, and subsequent addition of ATP, GTP, ADP or GDP at 10(-5) or 10(-6) M efficiently removed the phosphoryl group of the 15 kDa protein. The 15 kDa protein was autophosphorylated in the gel following separation by sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The partially purified 15 kDa protein included nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase) activity, as well as cross-reactivity with an antibody specific to rat NDP kinase as assayed by immunostaining and crossreactivity with an antibody specific to ricet NDP kinase as assayed by immunoprecipitation.

Chiral separation of 10,11-dihydro-10, 11-trans-dihydroxycarbamazepine, a metabolite of carbamazepine with two asymmetric carbons, in human serum

Chiral separation of 10, 11-dihydro-10, 11-trans-dihydroxycarbamazepine (CBZ-diol), a metabolite of carbamazepine (CBZ) with two asymmetric carbons, in serum taken from epileptic patients receiving CBZ alone for a long period, was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a polysaccharide stationary phase with n-hexane-ethanol (75:25, v/v) as the mobile phase. The enantiomeric ratio (S,S-/R,R-CBZ-diol) was 10.74 +/- 1.13 (mean +/- S.D.), which could demonstrate the presence of the stereospecificity in the hydrolysis of 10, 11-dihydro-10, 11-epoxycarbamazepine (CBZ-epoxide) to CBZ-diol and/or in the conversion of CBZ-diol to some metabolite such as 9-hydroxymethyl-10-carbamoylacridan. This is the first paper to report the determination of each enantiomer and the enantiomeric ratio of CBZ-diol in serum of epileptic patients who received CBZ.

Effects of a sinus node inhibitor on the normal and failing rabbit heart

The effects on cardiac function of slowed frequency produced by a sinus node inhibitor (zatebradine, or UL-FS 49) were studied in the conscious rabbit under control conditions (n = 16) and after heart failure was produced by rapid atrial pacing for an average of 18.5 days (n = 8). Echocardiography was used to verify severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and high-fidelity micromanometry and cardiac output measurements (Doppler echo) were performed. Echocardiographic fractional shortening was 40.3 +/- 4.1 % (SD) in controls; in heart failure it was 18.0 +/- 1.6 %, and the LV was enlarged. In controls, as heart rate (HR) was decreased from 279 beats per minute (bpm) by incremental doses of zatebradine (up to 0.75 mg/kg), maximal changes occurred when the heart reached 218 bpm with a maximum decrease of the first derivative of LV pressure (LV dP/dtmax) of 15.9 %; LV enddiastolic pressure (EDP) increased from 4.3 to 8.4 mmHg along with a significant decrease in cardiac index (CI) of 15.2 %, while LV systolic pressure (SP) was stable. In heart failure, LV dP/dtmax and CI were markedly reduced compared to controls and with reduction of HR from 257 to 221 bpm LV dP/dtmax was unchanged, LVEDP increased slightly (NS), LVSP was unchanged and CI fell by 13.5 % at the highest dose. In subgroups (control n = 9, failure n = 6), in order to eliminate the hemodynamic effects of cardiac slowing by zatebradine the sinus rate present before zatebradine was matched by atrial pacing; this procedure eliminated all hemodynamic abnormalities accompanying cardiac slowing in both groups. In conclusion, slowed HR due to a sinus node inhibitor was well tolerated in severe heart failure, and all negative hemodynamic responses in both controls and in heart failure were due entirely to a negative forcefrequency effect, without a direct depressant action of zatebradine on the myocardium.

A stable intermediate in the thermal unfolding process of a chimeric 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase between a thermophilic and a mesophilic enzymes

The thermal unfolding process of a chimeric 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase made of parts from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, and a mesophile, Bacillus subtilis, enzymes was studied by CD spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The enzyme is a homodimer with a subunit containing two structural domains. The DSC melting profile of the chimeric enzyme in 20 mM NaHCO3, pH 10.4, showed two endothermic peaks, whereas that of the T. thermophilus wild-type enzyme had one peak. The CD melting profiles of the chimeric enzyme under the same conditions as the DSC measurement, also indicated biphasic unfolding transition. Concentration dependence of the unfolding profile revealed that the first phase was protein concentration-independent, whereas the second transition was protein concentration-dependent. When cooled after the first transition, the intermediate was isolated, which showed only the second transition upon heating. These results indicated the existence of a stable dimeric intermediate followed by the further unfolding and dissociation in the thermal unfolding of the chimeric enzyme at pH 10-11. Because the portion derived from the mesophilic isopropylmalate dehydrogenase in the chimeric enzyme is located in the hinge region between two domains of the enzyme, it is probably responsible for weakening of the interdomain interaction and causing the decooperativity of two domains. The dimeric form of the intermediate suggested that the first unfolding transition corresponds to the unfolding of domain 1 containing the N- and C-termini of the enzyme, and the second to that of domain 2 containing the subunit interface.

Involvement of intracellular glutathione in induction of apoptosis by cisplatin in a human pharyngeal carcinoma cell line

We investigated the effect of intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels on apoptosis in KB cells induced by cisplatin (CDDP). The mode of cell death, apoptosis or necrosis, was evaluated by biochemical and morphological criteria. The treatment of KB cells with D,L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO, a gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase inhibitor) decreased GSH level to 1/7th of that of control cells, and augmented cell death induced by CDDP via a necrotic rather than apoptotic process (the ratio of necrosis to apoptosis; n/a>14). In contrast, treatment with 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTZ, a precursor of cysteine) increased GSH levels 1.7 fold compared with that of untreated cells, inhibited cell death induced by CDDP and switched the mode of cell death from necrosis to apoptosis (n/a<0.8, similar to untreated cells). These results suggest that the GSH level affects the cytotoxicity of CDDP and plays an important role in switching the mode of cell death induced by CDDP.

Influence of zinc(II) binding on the structure of bovine alpha-lactalbumin

The effect of Zn(II) binding on the structure of bovine alpha-lactalbumin (LA) was investigated. alpha-Lactalbumin, a regulatory subunit of lactose synthase, binds Ca(II) and Zn(II) at different sites in a mutually non-exclusive manner. The structures of the metal-depleted form of LA (apo-LA) and Ca(II)-bound LA (holo-LA) have been well characterized. Here, the effect of Zn(II) binding on the structure of holo-LA has been investigated by comparison with the structure of holo-LA and apo-LA using CD and NMR spectroscopy. The CD spectrum of Zn(II)-holo-LA was similar to that of holo-LA, but the intensity of the negative peak in near-UV region was decreased. Zn(II) binding to holo-LA produced only small changes in NMR chemical shifts, but the integral volumes of the cross-peaks of NOESY signals in cluster II, which is in the vicinity of Zn(II) binding site, were affected. Zn(II) binding induces a local structural change on the holo-LA, but it does not induce a large backbone conformational change.

[Recombinant virus-mediated transfer of the wild-type p53 gene is a potent therapeutic strategy for human cancer]

Tumor suppressor p53 gene, which is most commonly mutated in human cancers, plays an important role in the control of cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Transfection of the wild-type p53 gene into tumor cells induced either growth suppression or apoptosis. We have examined the effect of the recombinant retroviral or adenoviral vector expressing the wild-type p53 gene on the tumor cell proliferation as well as on the sensitivity of infected-tumor cells to various anticancer agents. The possible application of recombinant virus-mediated direct in vivo transfer of the wild-type p53 gene to human cancer therapy will be discussed.

E. coli endotoxin enhances cardiomyopathy in rats with chronic alcohol consumption

The purpose of the study was to show whether it was possible to produce alcoholic cardiomyopathy by short-term alcohol ingestion combined with an infinitesimally low endotoxin injection. Wistar rats were fed an alcoholic liquid diet according to the formula of Lieber and Decarli, and challenged with an injection of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin (1.0 microgram/g body weight per day for ten weeks). After ten weeks alcohol diet combined with LPS challenge, light microscopical examination showed changes commonly seen in alcoholic cardiomyopathy such as hypertrophy, oedema and disarray of myofibers. By electron microscopy, degeneration of mitochondria and degeneration of myocardial fibers were observed, the latter showing disturbance of the myofibrilla arrangement and interstitial fibrosis. Rats on an alcoholic liquid diet and rats challenged with a single identical doses of LPS did not show characteristic histological findings of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. These results suggest that short-term alcohol ingestion combined with an infinitesimally low endotoxin injection experimentally produces alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and may support the idea that endotoxin plays an important role in the aetiology of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Composite carcinoid-adenocarcinoma tumor of the stomach: report of a case

We describe herein the case of an extremely unusual composite carcinoid-adenocarcinoma tumor of the stomach, most of which was found to be carcinoid. The carcinoid tumor component exhibited argyrophilic granules, immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin, and serotonin immunoreaction. Conversely, none of the adenocarcinoma component reacted with argyrophilia, chromogranin, or serotonin. DNA flow cytometric analysis revealed a near-diploid pattern in the carcinoid element and an aneuploid pattern in the adenocarcinoma element. The transitional zone and continuity between the two tumor components were observed. These findings suggest that the tumor originated from the endocrine system, although part of it showed nonendocrine differentiation. The patient died approximately 6 months after the onset of symptoms and an autopsy could not be performed.

Enhancement of experimental metastasis by gamma-interferon in a murine adenocarcinoma

This study was conducted to examine the effect of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) on experimental metastasis formation by murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma in BALB/c mice. We found that the number of experimental lung metastases was increased after colon 26 cells were pretreated for 1 h with as little as 1 OIU/ml of IFN-gamma. 5-[125I] iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-radiolabeled colon 26 cells pretreated with IFN-gamma remained at higher level in the lung at 24h after intravenous injection than when the cells were not pretreated. In vivo elimination of asialo GM1-positive cells increased the number of lung metastases and, in such mice, there was no longer a difference in metastatic ability between control and IFN-gamma-treated cells. Colon 26 cells were completely resistant to lysis by isolated splenocytes. Splenocytes incubated in vitro with interleukin 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against colon 26 cells, but there were no significant differences between control and IFN-gamma-treated cells. Colon 26 cells pretreated with IFN-gamma demonstrated resistance to tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated growth inhibition. The enhancement of metastases by IFN-gamma was dependent on de novo protein synthesis since the enhancement was abolished by cycloheximide. Taken together, the data suggest that the metastatic ability of colon 26 cells pretreated with IFN-gamma is significantly higher due to the resistance to asialo GM1-positive cells accompanied with de novo protein synthesis.

Appendiceal mucocele with concomitant colonic cancer. Report of two cases

PURPOSE

Mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon disorder, usually found incidentally during ultrasonography or radiographic studies. We report two cases of combined appendiceal mucocele and colonic cancer.

METHODS

The two cases were analyzed for the clinicopathologic characteristics such as history, presentation, laboratory data, radiologic and endoscopic studies, pathology, and p53 immunoreactivity.

RESULTS

Two patients were diagnosed with an appendiceal mucocele by ultrasound of the abdomen, together with computed tomography. Colonoscopic examination subsequently revealed synchronous colonic adenocarcinoma in both patients. Ileocecal resection following endoscopic polypectomy and a right hemicolectomy was performed for each patient. An appendiceal mucocele was histologically diagnosed as a mucinous cystadenoma. Immunohistochemical detection of abnormally high level of p53 protein was observed in colonic adenocarcinomas of both patients, whereas both appendiceal cystadenomas were negative for p53.

CONCLUSIONS

To be remembered is the high frequency of concomitant gastrointestinal tumors in patients with appendiceal mucocele, especially caused by mucinous neoplasms. A total colonoscopic surveillance will afford earlier diagnosis of synchronous colonic cancers in these patients.

Cytokine production-suppressive effect by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a protein which is necessary for proliferation and differentiation of monocyte-macrophage precursor cells. We examined the effect of M-CSF on the cytokine production using BCG sensitized mice in vivo. On Day 0, BCG 1 mg/mouse was injected via the tail vein. Starting from Day 2, M-CSF 30 mu g/mouse (1 X 10(8) U/mg) was injected every 2 days for a total of six times (Day 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12). On Day 14. LPS 25 mu g/mouse was injected via the tail vein, and Interferon (IFN)/Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum were determined. The productions of IFN and TNF-alpha were suppressed significantly. These cytokine production-suppressive effects of M-CSF were found also in the in vitro experimental system using spleen cells collected. On Day 14, spleen cells were collected and adjusted to 5 X 10(6) cells/ml. 20 micro-grams of LPS was added to 2ml of spleen cells and they were incubated in a C02 incubator for 24 hours. IFN and TNF-alpha in the supernatant were determined. In the experiment using nude mice, the cytokine suppressive effect of M-CSF was not observed. MLR test was performed with spleen cells of C57BL/6 treated with M-CSF as the responder cells, and spleen cells of C3H were treated with mitomycin C as the stimulator cells. MLR was suppressed significantly by administration of M-CSF. These results might possibly reflect the actual effect of M-CSF in the living body, and the T-cell and cellular immunity might be concerned with the mechanism of the cytokine production-suppressive effect of M-CSF.

Surface morphologies of sputter-deposited aluminum films studied using a high-resolution phase-measuring laser interferometric microscope

Sputter-deposited aluminum (Al) film surface morphologies were studied with a new nondestructive method that incorporates a high-resolution phase-measuring laser interferometric microscope. Good correlation is obtained between rms roughness and reflectivity for various conditions of temperature and argon gas pressure. It should be noted that the rms roughness is much more sensitive than reflectivity when reflectivity exceeds 90%. A drastic change is observed in the temperature dependence of the rms roughness and the skewness at 200 °C. As a result there are changes in Al grain sizes and surface morphologies based on concomitant scanning electron microscope observations. We found that the rms roughness value depends on the resolution of the objective especially when the Al grain sizes are comparable to the resolution.

The expression of tumour necrosis factor in the hypothalamus after treatment with lipopolysaccharide

To investigate the effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the hypothalamus, Wistar rats received an intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 3.0 mg/100 g. Concentrations of TNF-alpha in the cerebral liquor and blood sera rapidly increased at 30 minutes after administration of LPS, rose to the maximum level at 1 hour, and then gradually decreased. Using horse-radish peroxidase as a tracer, a transient increase in paracellular permeability throughout the tight junctions of the ependymal cell layer covering the third ventricle was observed by electron microscopy at 30 minutes and in that of the capillary endothelium at 1 hour after administration, respectively. Following LPS administration, TNF was preferentially localized by immunoelectron microscopy in the tight junctional area of the ependymal cell layer and the capillary. These data indicate that TNF, synthesized in the ependymal cell layer, induces a deterioration in the cerebrospinal fluid-brain barrier and subsequently in the blood-brain barrier. The present study suggests that oedematous changes in the hypothalamic areas determined by ultrastructural and magnetic resonance analyses were mainly due to TNF conveyed from the ependymal cell layer to the hypothalamus after administration of LPS.