Immunocytochemical localization of chymase to cytoplasmic vesicles after rat peritoneal mast cell stimulation by compound 48/80

The subcellular events responsible for release of mediators by mast cells may help to clarify roles for mast cells in health and disease. In this study we show that the granule-associated protease chymase is also within cytoplasmic vesicles in appropriately stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Rat peritoneal mast cells were recovered before or 1-10 sec after exposure to the secretogogue compound 48/80 (10 micrograms/ml) and then were examined by radioimmunoassay to quantify histamine release or were processed, using routine methods for postembedding immunoelectron microscopy, to identify the subcellular localization of chymase. In comparison to unstimulated cells, compound 48/80 stimulated cells in two independent experiments showed an increase (15%, 28%) in the surface area of the cell and a decrease (12%, 6%) in the surface area of the total granule compartment before degranulation channel formation. These global cellular changes occurred in a background of transient but significant (p < 0.01) increases in the area and number of chymase-immunoreactive vesicles per microns2 cytoplasm. These changes were detectable at 5 or 7 sec after stimulation with compound 48/80 but returned to near prestimulation levels by 9 or 10 sec after addition of compound 48/80 (total cumulative histamine release was 28% by 8 sec and 47% by 14 sec). These observations suggest that vesicles participate in the early stages of regulated secretion of chymase from rat peritoneal mast cells.

Role of nitric oxide, prostaglandins and tyrosine kinase in vascular endothelial growth factor-induced increase in vascular permeability in mouse skin

We investigated role of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PG) and tyrosine kinase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced increase in vascular permeability in mouse skin. Subcutaneous injection of VEGF (0.5-2.0 ng/site) induced dose- and time-dependent increase in vascular permeability at the injection site determined by a leakage of Pontamine sky blue. VEGF (1 ng/site)-induced dye leakage was partially inhibited by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (an inhibitor for both constitutive and inducible NO synthase) (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.v.) and by aminoguanidine (a selective inducible NO synthase inhibitor) (5-20 mg/kg, i.v.), but not by an inactive enantiomer, N(G)-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, i.v.). Pretreatment with an intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor) (5 mg/kg) or N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl) methanesulphonamide (a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor) (1-100 microg/kg) almost completely inhibited the effect of VEGF (1 ng/site). Coadministration of PGE2 (3 and 30 nmol/site) with VEGF did not restore the inhibitory effect of indomethacin on VEGF (1 ng/site)-induced increase in vascular permeability. Lavendustin A (a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor) (10 and 50 microg/kg, s.c.) dose-relatedly inhibited the VEGF (1 ng/site)-induced increase in dye leakage, whereas its negative control, lavendustin B (10 microg/kg, s.c.) had no effect. Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) also inhibited the response. Cycloheximide (a protein biosynthesis inhibitor) (35 mg/kg, s.c.) suppressed the response of VEGF (1 ng/site). Histologically, no cellular infiltration was observed in the area of VEGF injection. These results suggest that increased vascular permeability induced by VEGF is mediated by local production of NO and arachidonic acid metabolites other than PGE2, which are most probably produced by inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively. Protein tyrosine kinase-mediated phosphorylation and synthesis of any new proteins are likely to be required in this effect of VEGF in mouse skin.

A novel member of lebocin gene family from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

We screened genomic clones encoding lebocin, an antibacterial peptide from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Two positive clones were obtained and their nucleotide sequences indicated that they contain no introns. The deduced amino acid sequences revealed that one clone (Leb 3) encoded lebocin 3 and another (Leb 4) is a new member of the lebocin gene family. Gene expression of both Leb 3 and Leb 4 was shown to be induced by lipopolysaccharide and to occur tissue-specifically in the fat body and hemocytes. Our results suggest that lebocin as well as cecropin forms a multiple gene family in B. mori.

CD56-positive (nasal-type T/NK cell) lymphoma arising on the skin. Report of two cases and review of the literature

Several authors have reported cases of patients with malignant lymphoma with unique characteristics, designated nasal-type T/NK cell lymphoma, which expresses the natural killer (NK) cell marker and shows frequent extra-nodal involvement and poor prognosis. We report 2 cases of this type of lymphoma which were CD56-positive and showed a histopathologically angiocentric pattern with cutaneous and subcutaneous tumorous lesions. Patient 1 had extensive invasion of skin, underlying skeletal muscle, spleen and bone marrow, and died of sepsis 34 months after onset. Patient 2 had multiple subcutaneous nodules and invasion to mammary gland, lung, lymph node and spleen at the time of her first visit. She died of a rapid invasion of lymphoma cells to the liver 5 months after onset. Both patients showed similar immunophenotypes of tumor cells (CD2+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, CD20-, CD56+) and germ line configuration of the heavy chain of immunoglobulin (JH), T-cell receptor C beta-1 subunit DNA and T-cell receptor J gamma subunit DNA. Epstein-Barr virus early regions RNA was demonstrated in the nuclei of tumor cells of both patients with in situ hybridization. The histopathological examination of the skin lesions of both patients revealed the features of angiocentric lymphoma. The detection of CD56 in the tumor cells of cutaneous lymphomas should be routinely performed for the early diagnosis of this type of lymphoma with extremely poor prognosis.

Comparison of breast-conserving therapy with mastectomy for treatment of early breast cancer

The aim of this study was to compare the survival and recurrence rates of patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy with the rates of those undergoing mastectomy. Between August 1991 and June 1994, 229 patients were enrolled in this study, although one was later excluded because the tumor was histologically diagnosed as benign. A total of 119 patients with clinical stage TIS, I or II underwent breast-conserving therapy and 109 patients received mastectomy. Mastectomy was utilized more than breast-conserving therapy in the case of clinical stage II, greater age, larger tumor size or shorter distance between the tumor and the nipple. Twenty-seven patients (23.1%) of the 117 receiving breast-conserving surgery were surgical margin positive. There was no significant difference in the distance between the tumor and the nipple, tumor size or clinical stage in the incidence of surgical margin positive cases. Mean follow-up time of the breast-conserving therapy group and the mastectomy group was 42.4 and 39.7 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the overall survival and disease-free survival between breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy. After adjustment for the clinical stage, there was no significant difference in the prognosis between breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy.

Long-term outcome of postorchiectomy radiation therapy for stage I and II testicular seminoma

To evaluate the treatment-related late sequelae including gonadal function and second malignancy 94 patients with stage I and II testicular seminoma treated with postorchiectomy radiation therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The 10-year cause specific, disease free and actuarial survival rates were 100, 98.5 and 96.1% for stage II and 91.7, 83.3 and 91.7% for stage II, respectively. The most common late sequelae of gastrointestinal tract was peptic ulcer, developing in 16% of all patients with a median interval of 12 months, but severity was mild except one who needed subtotal gastrectomy. Second malignancies developed in 9 patients (9.5%) with a median interval of 13 years, but calculated O/E ratio excluding 2 patients with secondary germ cell tumor of contralateral testis was 2.3 and did not reach a significant level statistically. Concerning gonadal function assessed from the number of the children, 79% of the patients who wanted to have children after the treatment were successful in fathering children. No fatal complications were observed.

Split-course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer: influence of split time and overall treatment time on local control

We analyzed 52 patients with stage III and IV head and neck cancer who were given split-course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy with curative intent, focusing particularly on the influence of split-time on local control. An initial complete response was achieved in 16 patients (31%), and the rate of persistent local control at 3 years was 23%. The cause specific survival rate at 3 years was 29%. Univariate analysis of local control according to the split-time duration and overall treatment time showed that shorter duration (< or = 14 days or < or = 45 days, respectively) had a significantly positive impact on local control (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using local control as an endpoint also demonstrated that gender (women showing a better outcome than men) and split-time (< or = 14 days was better than > 14 days) were statistically significant factors for local control. These results suggest that shortening the split-time during radiotherapy might improve local control in accelerated hyperfractionation.

Age-related increase of autoantibodies to interleukin 1 alpha in healthy Japanese blood donors

Although autoantibodies to interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha autoantibodies) are known to be present in sera of apparently healthy humans, their frequency of occurrence and significance are unclear. To determine the prevalence of detectable IL-1 alpha autoantibodies in normal human blood, we screened the plasma of blood donors (6290 subjects: 3977 men and 2313 women, ages 16 to 64 yr) by a radioimmununoassay which we developed using a method that could detect over 5 ng/ml. Moreover, we investigated immunoglobulin class of IL-1 alpha autoantibodies and also their function. IL-1 alpha autoantibodies were detected in 14.6% of the 6290 donors. Their frequency was higher in males than females (16.6% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.01) and increased with age in both sexes. The proportion of subjects with a high IL-1 alpha autoantibodies titers also increased with age. We showed that IL-1 alpha autoantibodies were of the IgG class and that they had neutralizing function to IL-1 alpha by receptor assay. Neutralizing activity was only shown in plasma with concentration of IL-1 alpha autoantibodies, the level of which was over 1000 ng/ml. The affinity of the IL-1 alpha autoantibodies in plasma was between 2.1 x 10(-10) and 1.2 x 10(-9) M (mean 6.4 x 10(-10)M). Our results provide a basis for comparison with IL-1 alpha autoantibodies prevalence between healthy states and disease states, and suggest that IL-1 alpha autoantibodies may play a significant role in modulating the effects of excessive IL-1 alpha at local site or in systemic regions.

Efficacy of amino acid infusion for improving protein metabolism after surgery: a prospective randomized study in patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Appropriate regimens of peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) have been proposed for the improvement of protein metabolism after surgery. When evaluating the efficacy of administered nutrients, it is vital to consider the severity of surgical stresses to avoid confounding effects of the trauma on the postoperative metabolism. This study was designed to evaluate protein-sparing regimens through PPN in patients who had undergone subtotal gastrectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients hospitalized at our institutes for gastric cancer were randomly divided into the following five groups and received PPN for 7 days after surgery: 1. G group (n = 9), 200 g glucose (per day); 2. AG group (n = 10), 54 g amino acids + 150 g glucose; 3. AGG group (n = 9), AG + 110 g glucose; 4. AGF group (n = 10), AG + 40 g fat; and 5. AGL group (n = 7), 58 g amino acids + 60 g glycerol. Biochemical studies were done before and after surgery.

RESULTS

In comparison to G group patients, AG group patients showed less negative cumulative nitrogen balances. No significant differences in cumulative nitrogen balances were observed between AGG, AGF, and AGL groups. Restoration of the reduced serum rapid turnover protein occurred earlier in the AGL group than in either the AGG or the AGF groups. Hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and hyperinsulinemia were prominent in the AGG group, and less prominent in the AGL group. Marked ketosis together with an increase in serum-free fatty acid levels was found in the AGL group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that in patients who have undergone major elective surgery, infusion of amino acid solutions is advantageous for improving protein metabolism after surgery, and nonprotein energy source and intake are not essential when combined with amino acid solutions for improving nitrogen balance after surgery.

Effect of dietary fiber on bowel mucosal integrity and bacterial translocation in burned rats

The response of the bowel mucosa to enteral formula supplemented with dietary fiber was examined in rats with 30% full-thickness burns. The rats were fed a standard enteral formula without fiber or with one of two types of fiber (insoluble soy fiber or soluble guar gum fiber). Seventy-two hours after burn injury, the mesenteric lymph nodes were excised aseptically for bacterial culturing. Samples of the jejunum, ileum and cecum were also collected for histological examination. There were significantly fewer bacterial colonies in the lymph node cultures from rats given soy fiber compared to those from rats fed no fiber. In rats given soy fiber, the integrity of the bowel mucosa was maintained in the jejunum, ileum and cecum. In rats given guar gum fiber, however, the repair of mucosal erosions was observed in the jejunum and ileum as well as flattening of the cecal mucosa. These findings indicate that soy fiber is superior to guar gum fiber for maintaining bowel mucosal integrity and preventing bacterial translocation in burned rats receiving enteral feeding.

Immunohistochemical detection of tumor marker in recurrent clivus enterogenous cyst--case report

A 26-year-old male presented with recurrence of an enterogenous cyst in the intracranial region 10 years after the first operation. The cyst was drained and the cyst wall partially resected at both operations with good outcome. Histological examination showed a change from one layer epithelium in the first specimen to glandular structures in the second. Alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff, and immunohistochemical staining for epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein antigen, keratin, and carcinoembryonic antigen were used to confirm the accurate diagnosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed CA19-9 antigen was positive in both specimens. The CA19-9 level in the cerebrospinal fluid was extremely high (621.5 U/ml) at the second operation. Patients with enterogenous cyst should be monitored to detect possible recurrence.

Peptide digestion and absorption in humans: portal vein, hepatic vein, and peripheral venous amino acid concentrations

An oligopeptide preparation and an amino acid mixture with an identical composition were administered intraduodenally to a patient with a catheter in the portal vein, and blood samples were collected over time from the portal vein, the hepatic vein, and a peripheral vein to investigate amino acid digestion and absorption. When the oligopeptide preparation was administered, amino acids appeared rapidly in the portal blood and monomodal well-balanced absorption curves were obtained. When the amino acid mixture was given, however, amino acid levels in the portal blood indicated a bimodal pattern of absorption. Evaluation of the kinetics of various amino acids after administration of the two preparations showed that they could be classified into the following four groups: 1) amino acids showing hepatic uptake (threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, arginine, serine, and proline), 2) amino acids released from peripheral tissues and taken up by the liver (alanine, glutamine, and glycine), 3) amino acids not showing hepatic uptake (leucine, valine, and isoleucine), and one amino acid released from the liver for peripheral uptake (glutamic acid). These findings suggest that the nature of the protein source and the kinetics of individual amino acids should be taken into account in nutritional therapy and nutritional assessment.

p53 protein expression and radiation-induced apoptosis in human tumors transplanted to nude mice

Relationships between p53 protein expression and radiation-induced apoptosis in five human tumors transplanted to nude mice were studied immunohistochemically. They were irradiated with 200 kV X-rays. Six hours after 2, 5, 10, or 20 Gy irradiation, tumors were excised and fixed. Tumors were also examined 1-48 hours after 10 Gy. Immunohistochemical studies were performed for analysis of p53 protein expression. TUNEL and electron microscopic studies were performed to identify apoptosis. In non-irradiated control groups, the incidence of apoptosis was very low in all of the five tumors. Most tumor cells of the ependymoblastoma were p53 protein negative, but the other four tumors were p53 positive. Following irradiation, most tumor cells of the ependymoblastoma became p53 positive, and the incidence of apoptosis increased. However, we could not find significant changes in the percentage of p53 positive cells in the other tumors, and radiation-induced apoptosis in them was low or negligible. These results suggest that radiation-induced apoptosis in a radiosensitive human tumor is related to wild-type p53 protein expression. In contrast, the p53 protein expression of the other four human tumors should be mutant type, and it does not lead to radiation-induced apoptosis.

Rapid rise in FDG uptake in an irradiated human tumour xenograft

In order to investigate early changes in the glucose metabolism of irradiated tumours, tumour uptake of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18FDG) was studied in human tumour xenografts. Three human tumour lines [ependymoblastoma (NNE), small cell lung cancer (GLS), and glioblastoma (KYG)] showing different radiosensitivities and incidences of radiation-induced apoptosis were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice, and were irradiated at a single dose of 10 Gy. Then 0.5 mCi of 18FDG was intravenously administered 1 h before sacrifice. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 6 h following irradiation, and 18FDG accumulation in the tumours was examined. Before irradiation, GLS and KYG tumours showed significantly higher rates of 18FDG accumulation compared with NNE tumours (P <0.004 and P <0.001, respectively). NNE (the most radiosensitive tumour with the highest incidence of radiation-induced apoptosis), however, displayed a 2.3-fold higher rate of 18FDG accumulation at 2 h following irradiation compared with a non-irradiated group (P <0.01), and thereafter showed a plateau up to 6 h. The accumulation did not increase significantly in the other tumours with lower radiosensitivity and much less radiation-induced apoptosis. The rapidity of the increase in 18FDG accumulation in the most radiosensitive tumour line, occurring as early as 2 h following irradiation, suggests that the increase was independent of recovery phenomena following radiation damage.

Proliferation and apoptosis of follicular lymphocytes: relationship to follicular dendritic cell-associated clusters

Experiments were designed to determine the in vivo cell-cycle phase of lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid follicles, and whether B-cell proliferation and apoptosis occur within follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-associated clusters. Using frozen serial sections of human tonsils, lymphoid follicles were stained to reveal histone H3 mRNA, as an S-phase marker, using in situ hybridization, and stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against cyclin E as a late G1 phase marker, cyclin B1 and p34cdc2 as S-G2-M phase markers, and Ki-67 as a marker of cycling cells. Each LF was divided into five zones: mantle zone, outer zone, apical light zone, basal light zone and dark zone, with the help of haematoxylin and eosin staining, and a CD23 immunostain. The rate of occurrence of positively labelled cells was calculated by dividing the number of positive cells by the number of all cells in each zone. The cells that were positive for cyclin E, histone H3 mRNA, cyclin B1, p34cdc2, and Ki-67 were found most frequently in the dark zone (54.5 +/- 6.6%, 22.0 +/- 5.7%, 36.7 +/- 14.5%, 40.0 +/- 10.2%, and 59.0 +/- 13.4%, respectively), followed by the outer zone (52.7 +/- 7.8%, 14.9 +/- 4.1%, 22.9 +/- 9.7%, 24.9 +/- 7.9%, and 44.6 +/- 12.3%, respectively), showing that both the outer zone and the dark zone contain many proliferating lymphocytes. Furthermore, FDC-associated clusters and free lymphocytes were obtained from enucleated germinal centres, using enzymatic digestion. The rates of occurrence of cells that were positive for cyclin B1 and Ki-67 within the clusters (7.2 +/- 1.9% and 37.9 +/- 10.5% respectively) were significantly lower than those of free lymphocytes outside the clusters (22.2 +/- 4.0% and 62.8 +/- 14.0%, respectively). The rates of occurrence of apoptotic bodies and cells within the clusters, as detected by in situ tailing or in situ nick translation (0.2 +/- 0.4% and 0.4 +/- 0.4%, respectively) were significantly lower than those outside the clusters (1.1 +/- 0.3, 1.6 +/- 0.5%, respectively). These results suggest that FDC-associated clusters are not the site of proliferation, and that they rarely contain apoptotic bodies and cells of B lymphocytes.

In vitro phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and release of lipopolysaccharide by adhering hemocytes of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

A primary culture containing adhering hemocytes mainly granular cells from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was used to investigate in vitro phagocytosis of Escherichia coli. Phagocytosis was confirmed to occur in this system by microscopic observation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in the culture medium was measured by a Limulus test and a higher LPS concentration was detected in phagocytosis-occurred samples than in control samples, which omitted either E. coli cells or adhering hemocytes. Moreover, it was found that LPS containing sample but not control samples strongly induces gene expression of cecropin B, an antibacterial protein. These results suggest that bacterial cell wall components like LPS released by phagocytosis play an important role in the induction of insect antibacterial proteins.

Morphology, function and pathology of follicular dendritic cells

The precise ultrastructural morphology and functions in reactive conditions of lymphoid follicles (LF) and dendritic cells, including follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are reviewed; as well as the pathognomonic role of FDC in some disease conditions and finally, the cellular origin of FDC. In reactive conditions, FDC in each of the five follicular zones have distinct ultrastructural features, reflecting the different three-dimensional structures and functions of these zones. The FDC framework may be supported by some characteristic factors, including desmosome-like junctions between FDC and the expression of fibronectin and laminin receptors and caldesmon on FDC. FDC, especially in the light zone, express various cytokine receptors, but produce only one cytokine, TGF-beta. The outer zone may not only be a cellular pathway in the LF, but may also provide a site for germinal center B cell proliferation, and the FDC-lymphocyte cluster is not the site of germinal center B cell division. In patients with auto-immune diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis, FDC may be in a hyperfunctional state, whereas those in patients with immunosuppressive disorders, such as Kimura's disease and AIDS, may be in a dysfunctional state. FDC may be derived from fibroblastic reticulum cells in lymphatic tissues rather than in bone marrow cells. The data discussed in this review provide fascinating insight into the roles of FDC, which are intimately related to the migration, proliferation, cell selection and differentiation of B cells in secondary LF.

Follicular dendritic cells adhere to fibronectin and laminin fibers via their respective receptors

The expression of adhesion molecules on human tonsillar follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the secondary lymphoid follicle (LF) in vivo and in vitro was investigated using cryostat sections and cytospin preparations of FDCs isolated with a magnetic cell sorter, respectively. FDCs were immunochemically positive for Mac-1 (CD11b), sialyl-Lex (CD15s), CD22, integrin beta 1 (CD29), CD40, very late activation antigen (VLA)-alpha 3 (CD49c), VLA-alpha 5 (CD49e), VLA-alpha 6 (CD49f), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-3 (CD50), ICAM-1 (CD54), B7 (CD80), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (CD106). With respect to ligands on B cells for these adhesion molecules, the CD11b-CD54, CD50-leukocyte function-associated molecule (LFA)-1 (CD11a/18), and CD106-VLA-4 (CD49d/29) interactions in the apical light (ALZ) and basal light (BLZ) zones; the CD15s-L-selectin (CD62L) and CD106-CD49d/29 interactions in the mantle zone; and the CD54-CD11a/18 interaction in the entire LF may participate in FDC-B cell adhesion. Namely, the adhesion molecules participating in FDC-B cell interactions may differ in each of the five zones. Furthermore, the immunochemical evidence that FDCs were fibronectin (VLA-5, CD49e/29) and laminin (VLA-6, CD49l/29) receptor-positive discussed above was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and binding assays. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed fibers surrounded by cytoplasmic FDC extensions that were CD29-, CD49e-, and CD49f-positive. In the binding assays, the numbers of FDCs bound to fibronectin- and laminin-coated dishes and LFs of cryostat sections of human tonsils were reduced markedly by pretreatment with monoclonal antibodies against CD29, CD49e, and CD49f. These data indicate clearly that FDCs bind to reticulin and laminin fibers in LFs via their respective receptors.

Molecular characterization of the segment 2 gene of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2: gene sequence and genetic diversity

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the major outer capsid protein VP2 from the Alberta isolate of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 (EHDV-2) was determined. Complementary DNA (cDNA) corresponding to segment 2 was 3002 nucleotides in length with a single open reading frame that encoded a VP2 of 982 amino acids. Although the VP2 from EHDV-2 was only 34% homologous to the cognate protein from EHDV-1, their predicted hydropathic profiles were similar, suggesting that conservation of structure is important biologically to these capsid proteins. Sequence analysis of six North American EHDV-2 field isolates showed a high degree of comparative genetic identity (> 97%). Phylogenetic profiles constructed suggest that regionalization of the viruses within the North American continent has contributed to the genetic diversity.

Elicitors triggering the simultaneous gene expression of antibacterial proteins of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Various elicitors were examined by Northern blot analysis to investigate the simultaneous induction of gene expression of antibacterial proteins such as cecropin B, attacin and lebocin from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipid A, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate (KDO) and peptidoglycan (PG) triggered efficiently and simultaneously the gene expression of antibacterial proteins. Effects of inhibitors for signal transduction on the gene expression of Bombyx mori (Bm) cecropin B triggered by lipid A were observed using isolated adherent hemocytes consisting of granular cells and plasma cells. H-7, H-89 but not W-7 inhibited gene expression, suggesting that protein kinase C and A but not myosine light chain kinase may participate in signal transduction.

High-dose radiation therapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer without mediastinal involvement (clinical stage N0, N1)

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of radiation therapy alternative to surgery for clinical N0-N1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1976 through 1989, 116 patients with NSCLC without mediastinal involvement were treated with definitive radiation therapy alone at Gunma University Hospital. All patients were treated with once-daily standard fractionation using 10 MV X-rays. The total dose ranged from 60 Gy to 80 Gy.

RESULTS

The actuarial 2- and 5-year survival rates of the entire group were 43% and 20%, respectively with a median survival time of 19 months. The survival of 76 patients with stage T2 tumors was significantly better than that of 28 patients with T3 tumors (mean survival time 21 versus 15.5 months; p < 0.05). Sixty-two patients with tumors less than 5 cm in diameter had a 2-year progression rate of 20%, in comparison with 39% of 54 patients with tumors greater than 5 cm. The difference of survivals for these 2 groups was statistically significant. Twelve patients given a total dose of 80 Gy or more had only 17% local progression at the time of last follow-up, however, 5 of them developed severe stenosis of proximal bronchus after 6 to 15 months.

CONCLUSIONS

These results should provide support for definitive radiation therapy using 60 to 70 Gy to manage the patients with medically inoperable NSCLC without mediastinal involvement.

Potentiation of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage by dibutylyl-3',5'-cyclic AMP in unstarved rats

It has been reported that carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage is potentiated by starvation partly due to fat accumulation in the liver and a decrease in hepatic reduced glutathione concentration and that dibutylyl-3',5'-cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) affects fuel metabolism and decreases hepatic reduced glutathione. We investigated the effects of DBcAMP on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage both in unstarved and starved rats. In unstarved rats, intraperitoneal administration of DBcAMP potentiated an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and fatty vacuolization in the liver, both of which were induced by carbon tetrachloride. Hepatic reduced glutathione concentration was also reduced by DBcAMP, although the change was not significant. In contrast, the administration of DBcAMP in starved rats did not affect carbon tetrachloride-induced changes in serum alanine aminotransferase activity, histological alterations and hepatic reduced glutathione concentration. Administration of DBcAMP to control rats induced different responses in unstarved control rats compared with starved control rats: in unstarved rats, blood glucose concentration decreased but serum free fatty acid concentration increased, whereas in starved rats, blood glucose concentration increased and serum free fatty acid concentration decreased. It was suggested that DBcAMP potentiated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in unstarved rats, probably due to hepatic fat accumulation and a decreased hepatic reduced glutathione concentration. The former could increase the affinity of the liver for carbon tetrachloride and the latter could accelerate carbon tetrachloride-induced lipid peroxidation. It was also suggested that DBcAMP failed to affect carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in starved rats, probably because starvation had already decreased hepatic glutathione concentration and DBcAMP had different effects on fuel metabolism compared with effects observed in unstarved rats.

Case report: hippocratic digital and Crohn's disease

A case of Hippocratic digital associated with secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy complicating Crohn's disease in a 29 year old Japanese male is reported. Hippocratic digital, or finger clubbing, complicating inflammatory bowel disease has been frequently reported in the Western hemisphere. However, its association with secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy has been very rarely found in that disease. In Japan, Hippocratic digital has not been described previously. With regard to the pathogenesis of Hippocratic digital and secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, the theory that both entities belong to the same pathological spectrum and that megakaryocytes or platelet clumps may play the most important role, is discussed.