Optical imaging of the in vitro guinea pig piriform cortex activity using a voltage-sensitive dye

The spatio-temporal patterns of signal processing in guinea pig piriform cortex (PC) slices were analyzed by optical imaging using a voltage-sensitive dye. Slices (400 microns thick) were cut in a plane parallel to the lateral olfactory tract and perpendicular to the cortical surface. In all the anterior PC and the majority of the posterior PC preparations, neural activity elicited by electrical stimulation of layer Ia propagated along the same layer, then it invaded into layers II and III and propagated along them. In addition to the above pattern, invasion of activity into the deeper area than layer III was observed in some posterior PC preparations. Real-time imaging of an active zone evoked by Ia shocks and its spatio-temporal behavior will contribute to resolving olfactory information processing.

Serum sialyl-tn antigen level as a prognostic indicator in patients with gastric-cancer

The sialyl-Tn antigen (STN) is a mucin glycoprotein that recently has received attention as a cancer-related antigen. This antigen is considered to be the antigen of core region of mucin oligosaccharides, which differs considerably from type 1 chain carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and type 2 chain antigen sialyl-SSEA-1 (SLX). In the present study, serum STN levels were measured in patients with gastric cancer in order to determine the clinical significance of STN. The mean STN level in cancer patients was 52.0 U/ml and the rate of positivity was 20.1% (37/184). The mean serum level and the rate of positivity for STN each rose in accordance with increases in histologic stage, degree of lymph node metastasis and depth of invasion. In relation to prognosis, for patients with advanced gastric cancer, the prognosis of patients who were STN-positive was significantly poorer than those who were STN-negative. These results suggest that measurement of serum STN is useful for prediction of the tumor stage and serum level of STN may be a good prognostic indicator for gastric carcinoma.

Characterization of thyroid hormone effect on the visual system of the adult rat

To characterize the effect of thyroid hormone on the central nervous system in adult rats, we recorded evoked potentials by photic (VEP) and electrical stimulation in normal, thyroidectomized (Tx) and T3- or T4-supplemented (Tx-T3, Tx-T4) male adult rats under pentobarbital anesthesia. The latencies of VEPs recorded in the visual cortex (VC) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and the b-waves of the electroretinograms (ERG) of these three groups were compared. A significant prolongation of the latency of VEP by photic stimulation (flash light intensity 2J, 0.2 Hz) in the VC was observed 14 to 28 days after thyroidectomy (27.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 33.4 +/- 0.43 msec, p < 0.01). Similar prolongations were also observed when those of the VEP in the LGN and the b-wave of the ERG were compared to those of normal rats (22.4 +/- 0.37 vs. 27.3 +/- 0.41 msec, p < 0.01; 21.8 +/- 0.21 vs. 25.3 +/- 0.41 msec, p < 0.01, respectively). The prolonged latencies observed in the VC, LGN, and ERG-b-wave were partially normalized 24 hr after T3 supplement (50 micrograms/kg, sc) and fairly restored to normal levels by 48 hr after T4 injection (100 micrograms/kg sc). The VEP latencies in the LGN and VC showed a positive correlation with the b-wave latency of the ERG in these three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Early stage carcinoma of the gastric remnant in Japan

In recent years, the number of reported cases of early stage cancer of the remnant stomach has been on a gradual increase thanks to the improvement in diagnostic techniques and also to increasing dealings with cancer of the remnant stomach. In this study we reviewed 124 cases of early stage cancer of the remnant stomach which were reported in Japan by the end of 1990, including the 6 cases which we encountered ourselves, during the 11 years starting from 1980. Their average age was 57 years, with a range from 22 to 78 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2:7. There were 63 asymptomatic cases (61%). This fact suggests that periodical examinations are essential after the first operation on the stomach. Out of the 124 cases, 86 cases operated on for benign lesions (benign group) and the remaining 38 cases for malignant lesions (malignant group) for the first time. The average time between the first and the second surgery was 19.7 years in the benign group and 7.8 years in the malignant group. The initial surgery was performed mainly by Billroth II resection. The frequency of tumor development was higher in the nonsutured portion than in the anastomosed portion of the remnant stomach. Protuberant type lesions and differentiated carcinomas were prevalent according to the classification by gross type and histology, respectively. However, the anastomosed portion was most often involved in the subgroup of patients in whom lesions were detected more than 10 years after Billroth II resection for benign lesions.

[Analysis of cell proliferation in endoscopically biopsied specimen of the stomal mucosa of the remnant stomach--with special reference to cell cycle and ODC activity]

An attempt was made to investigate the status of cell proliferation in the remnant stomach, using endoscopically biopsied specimens, with cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (FCM) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity determination. Fifty-three partially gastrectomized patients (male 33, female 20) were examined. Their mean age was 60.5, and 22 underwent Billroth I (BI), and 30 Billroth II (B II) operation. The mean time elapsing from the initial operation was 4.0 years. Almost all specimens showed DNA diploidy by FCM. The S phase cell percentage was higher in the stomal area, especially in the B II group. Significantly higher ODC activity was recognized in the stomal mucosa especially in the B II group. A significant positive relationship was noted between postoperative duration and ODC activity in the B II group. These results suggest activated cell proliferation in the stomal area of the remnant stomach. Especially in the B II group, cell proliferation increased with time after initial operation. This activated cell proliferation may play some role in the carcinogenesis of the remnant stomach.

Inhibition of human pancreatic cancer cell (MIA PaCa-2) growth by cholera toxin and 8-chloro-cAMP in vitro

The effects of cholera toxin (CT) and 8-chloro-cAMP (8-Cl-cAMP) on cell growth were investigated using two human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (MIA PaCa-2, Panc-1). CT, which catalyses the ADP ribosylation of Gs, suppresses the proliferation of MIA PaCa-2(PC) cells. CT at the low dose of 0.1 pg ml-1 was inhibitory of PC cell growth, and the maximum suppression (70%) was achieved at a CT concentration of 100 pg ml-1. This phenomenon was reversible. The production of cAMP by CT (100 pg ml-1) in PC cells was enhanced 320-fold compared with the control. In addition, cAMP analogues (8-Cl-cAMP, 8-Br-cAMP) and forskolin decreased the growth rate of PC cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results support the view that CT suppresses PC cell growth by stimulating cAMP production. Conversely, Panc-1 cells were far less sensitive to CT in cell growth and cAMP production. 8-Cl-cAMP was also less effective on Panc-1 cell growth. The binding of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, which has been shown to stimulate PC cell growth in an autocrine manner, to PC cells was not modified in cells treated with CT or 8-Cl-cAMP. The results suggest that the inhibitory actions of these substances do not occur at the level of the receptor for IGF-I or EGF/TGF-alpha. We have previously shown that phorbol esters, which decrease the binding of TGF-alpha to PC cells, has an anti-proliferative activity on these tumour cells. Inhibited cell growth by maximum suppressive dose of CT or 8-Cl-cAMP was further inhibited by TPA. In addition, an oncogene product of K-ras which is commonly activated in pancreatic cancer, was increased by CT and 8-Cl-cAMP. It is concluded that CT and 8-Cl-cAMP inhibit PC cell growth, presumably in a similar manner, and their mechanism(s) of action may be different from that of TPA. The anti-proliferative effect of CT or 8-Cl-cAMP was enhanced by TPA, implying that the combination of these substances results in increased inhibition of the PC cell growth.

Early cancer of the gastric remnant with special reference to the importance of follow-up of gastrectomized patients

Seven patients with early cancer of the gastric remnant (group 1) and nine with gastric remnant cancer that developed after surgery for early gastric cancer (group 2) were studied clinicopathologically. In group 1, the great majority of cases were classified as type I by gross type. Most lesions existed in the posterior wall of the remnant stomach. All lesions were differentiated carcinomas. In group 2, six of the nine early gastric tumors resected at the initial surgery were present in site A and three in site M. Gross tumours were of various types. Six patients underwent Billroth II resection and two underwent Billroth I resection. At second surgery (for gastric remnant cancer) four lesions were found to be located in the gastric stump or anastomosed region and five in the posterior wall of the stomach remnant. Histologically, the lesions included four undifferentiated carcinomas and five differentiated carcinomas. Of the nine lesions involving the gastric remnant, only two were early stage: the remaining seven were in an advanced stage. Prognosis was extremely poor in the group, many patients dying of carcinomatous peritonitis. In summary, most group 1 patients had a type I lesion in the remnant stomach. In group 2, more than half of the lesions were present in the gastric stump or anastomosed site and most were in an advanced stage. These observations suggest that it is very important to follow up patients operated on for early gastric cancer in order to detect malignant lesions, if any, in the remnant stomach before disease progresses to a stage at which radical resection is no longer possible. Follow-up will no doubt improve long-term results following surgery for early gastric cancer. We consider endoscopic examination and biopsy, especially of the gastric stump and anastomosed site, of great importance for gastrectomized patients.

Mixed connective tissue disease associated with protein losing enteropathy: successful treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy

A patient with mixed connective tissue disease who developed protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is described. The PLE and other symptoms improved dramatically after monthly intravenous administration of 700 mg/day cyclophosphamide three times combined with oral prednisolone, while they were ineffective to the treatment with intravenous methyl-prednisolone 500 mg per day for 3 days. The serum level of CA125 antigen paralleled the severity of symptoms, signs and laboratory data associated with PLE. Thus, pleural effusion, ascites, edema and hypoalbuminemia improved along with the decrease in the level of CA125, suggesting that CA125 might be a marker of the activity of PLE.

An autopsy case of invasive pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma) with rapid fatal clinical course due to streptococcal meningitis

A 44-year-old male suffered epistaxis and headache of sudden onset and was diagnosed as having suppurative meningitis due to streptococci. Four days after the onset of symptoms, he died despite treatment with antibiotics. Destruction and ballooning of the sella turcica was revealed by a plain head X-ray examination during the clinical course. At autopsy, a massive tumorous lesion extended from the ballooned sella turcica to the paranasal cavities, nasopharynx and facial bone, and this had resulted in suppurative meningitis. The tumor was also disseminated to the basal skull. The tumor cells possessed prominent nuclear atypia and were immunohistochemically positive for prolactin. This was diagnosed as a case of pituitary adenoma with markedly invasive pathological findings and a rapid and fatal clinical course.

Early cancer of the gastric remnant--with special emphasis on the importance of follow-up of gastrectomized patients

Seven patients with early cancer of the gastric remnant (group 1) and nine with gastric remnant cancer which developed after surgery for early gastric cancer (group 2), were studied clinicopathologically. The findings can be summarized as follows: In group 1, the majority of cases were classified as type I by gross type. Most lesions were in the posterior wall of the remnant stomach. All lesions were differentiated carcinomas. In group 2, of the nine early gastric tumors resected at the initial surgery, six were present at site A and three at site M. The gross type of the tumor was varied. Six patients underwent a Billroth II, and two a Billroth I, resection. The findings at the second operation (for gastric remnant cancer) showed that five lesions were located in the gastric stump or anastomosed region and four in the posterior or anterior wall of the remnant stomach. Histologically, the lesions included four undifferentiated and five differentiated carcinomas. Of the nine lesions involving the gastric remnant, only two were at an early stage, the remaining seven being at an advanced stage. The outcome was extremely poor in this group. Many of the patients died of carcinomatous peritonitis. In summary, a large percentage of the patients of group 1 had a type I lesion in the remnant stomach. In group 2, more than half of the lesions were located in the gastric stump or at the site of the anastomosis, and the majority of the lesions were at an advanced stage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry of a temporal relationship between axonal elimination of aberrant olfactory nerves and synaptogenesis in the rabbit olfactory bulb during middle embryonic periods

Immunostaining using olfactory nerve- and synaptic vesicle protein-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed their characteristic appearance in the rabbit olfactory bulb during prenatal development. Prior to formation of glomeruli, olfactory nerve fibers extended beyond their target region deep into the bulb zones. Subsequently the aberrant axons decreased in number, and correspondingly, synaptic vesicle protein occurred in the innermost region of the olfactory nerve layer. It is concluded that the lack of synaptogenesis causes axonal elimination of aberrant olfactory nerves. Present results support the hypothesis that supernumerary axons degenerate unless synaptic contacts are secured; the olfactory nerves must arrive at the appropriate terminal zone in the glomeruli.

[Molecular size heterogeneity of SPan-1 antigen and co-expression with Lewis phenotype determinants in sera from gastrointestinal malignant diseases]

Molecular size of SPan-1 antigen and co-expression between SPan-1 epitope and Lewis phenotype determinants (LPD) on the same molecule in sera from patients with pancreatic, gastric and colon cancer and in culture medium from cancer cell line were studied. Column chromatography study on culture medium and sera showed that SPan-1 immunoreactivity was found in the void volume region as single major peak, or followed by one or two minor peak in the included volume. All of 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines showed molecular size heterogeneity. Co-expression between SPan-1 epitope and LPD on the same molecule was recognized in sera from cancer patients with Lewis a or Lewis b positive, but not in patients with Lewis a-, b-. Molecular carrying SPan-1 epitope had more frequently SPan-1 epitope than LPD in sera from cancer patients. These findings suggest that molecular size heterogeneity of SPan-1 antigen was more often in pancreatic cancer cells and overexpression of SPan-1 epitope on the same molecule seems to be specific for cancer.

Thyroid ultrasonography related to clinical and laboratory findings in patients with silent thyroiditis

We summarized the clinical course of 10 patients with silent thyroiditis and evaluated the clinical usefulness of ultrasonography, in combination with clinical and laboratory findings, for the differentiation from Graves' disease. Serum T3 and T4 were increased in all cases, and the ratio of T3/T4 (ng/micrograms) was 17.8 +/- 3.6 (SD). But in 3 of 10 patients the ratio was greater that 20. TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) and thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) were negative in all cases. The estimated thyroid volume by ultrasonography was 18.4 +/- 5.5 ml, which was slightly increased but significantly lower than those in Graves' disease (p less than 0.05). The internal texture of the thyroid showed a decreased echogenicity with a mean echo level of 70.4 +/- 15.4. There was a weak positive correlation between the echo level at the onset of thyrotoxicosis and the lowest T3 level during the clinical course (p less than 0.05). It is suggested that ultrasonography gives a useful information to the diagnosis and outcome of patients with silent thyroiditis.

A patient with a prolactinoma associated with an aldosterone producing adrenal adenoma: differences in dopaminergic regulation of PRL and aldosterone secretion

A patient with a rare combination of prolactinoma and aldosterone producing adrenal adenoma (APA) was reported in relation to studies concerning dopaminergic regulation of PRL and aldosterone secretion. The patient is a 38-year-old female with plasma PRL and aldosterone concentrations (PAC) of 563 ng/ml and 54 ng/dl, respectively. A bolus of 10 mg of metoclopramide significantly increased plasma PRL in 6 normal subjects and in 4 patients with APA, whereas the responses were blunted in 7 patients with prolactinoma and in our patient. The response of aldosterone to metoclopramide was less than that of PRL, but similar in all studied subjects, indicating that the dopaminergic inhibition of aldosterone secretion is less than that of PRL in normal subjects and did not change in patients with APA or prolactinoma. Oral administration of 2.5 mg of bromocriptine suppressed plasma PRL significantly in all the subjects studied, but did not produce any consistent changes in PAC. Discrepancies in the response of PRL and aldosterone to metoclopramide and to bromocriptine suggest a difference in the dopaminergic regulation of PRL and aldosterone secretion in both normal subjects and patients with prolactinoma and APA. It is unlikely that reduced dopaminergic inhibition is the basis for hypersecretion of PRL and aldosterone in our patient.

Odor-induced fos-like immunoreactivity in the rat olfactory bulb

We here report odor-induced mapping patterns of c-fos-like protein (Fos) immunoreactivity in the rat olfactory bulb under urethane anesthesia. Regional patterns of cells with nuclei expressing Fos, plotted on a spread-out reconstruction of the mitral cell layer, were strikingly comparable to data from the 2-deoxyglucose method, by which different foci of the most-labelled glomeruli of metabolic activity were demonstrated using different odors. Cells in the glomerular, external plexiform, and granule cell layers were also labelled.

Autocrine role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in a human thyroid cancer cell line

An established cell line (TC-cell, clone 78) derived from human thyroid papillary cancer cells was investigated for production of peptide growth factors. The cells had specific binding sites for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and responded to this growth factor with increased proliferation. Culture medium conditioned by TC cells was found to contain insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein(s). Furthermore, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed expression of IGF-I mRNA. When monoclonal antibody to IGF-I receptors (alpha IR3) was added, the growth of TC cells cultured in serum-free medium was significantly reduced. The growth rate of the cells was restored when the antibody was removed from the medium. These results strongly suggest that TC cells produce IGF-I, which is involved in the regulation of their own growth.

Effects of retinoids on iodine metabolism, thyroid peroxidase gene expression, and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in porcine thyroid cells in culture

Effects of retinoids on DNA synthesis, iodine metabolism, and thyroid peroxidase messenger RNA levels were studied in cultured porcine thyroid cells. Retinol (10(-8)-10(-5) M) alone did not affect DNA synthesis but potentiated that induced by epidermal growth factor or insulin-like growth factor-I without changes in the number or affinity of receptors for the growth factors, suggesting that retinol stimulates postreceptor events responsible for DNA synthesis. Retinol was an inhibitor of TSH-stimulated iodine metabolism. Iodide uptake and release of organified iodine stimulated by TSH or forskolin were inhibited dose dependently by treatment with retinol. The inhibition was detected at 10(-8) M and was approximately 50% at 10(-6) M. The potency of retinoic acid was comparable to that of retinol. The inhibitory effect of retinol was detected after treatments of thyroid cells for 24 h, and the maximal effect occurred after 48 h incubation. The cAMP accumulation in cultures treated with TSH plus retinol was lower than that of control cultures treated with TSH alone. However, iodide uptake stimulated by 8-bromo-cAMP was also inhibited by retinoids. Retinol reduced TSH- or 8-bromo-cAMP-stimulated gene expression of thyroid peroxidase. Thus, the data suggest that retinoids inhibit TSH-stimulated iodine metabolism by reducing cAMP accumulation and also by acting on the steps subsequent to cAMP production.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha in human milk

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were measured in human milk by means of homologous radioimmunoassay. As previously reported, EGF concentration in the colostrum was approximately 200 ng/ml and decreased to 50 ng/ml by day 7 postpartum. The value of immunoreactive (IR)-TGF-alpha was 2.2-7.2 ng/ml, much lower than that of EGF. In contrast to EGF, the concentration of IR-TGF-alpha was fairly stable during the 7 postpartum days. There was no relationship between the concentrations of IR-TGF-alpha and IR-EGF, suggesting that the regulatory mechanism in the release of the two growth factors is different. On gel-chromatography using a Sephadex G-50 column, IR-EGF appeared in the fraction corresponding to that of authentic human EGF, while 70%-80% of the IR-TGF-alpha was eluted as a species with a molecular weight greater than that of authentic human TGF-alpha. Although the physiological role of TGF-alpha in milk is not known, it is possible that it is involved in the development of the mammary gland and/or the growth of newborn infants.

Tracheoesophageal anastomosis for intractable aspiration pneumonia

Permanent tracheostomy and tracheoesophageal anastomosis were performed as a means of surgical intervention for the treatment of intractable aspiration pneumonia. Conventional methods of tracheoesophageal anastomosis have entailed various problems. The improved method devised by us uses the special histological features and enables safe and reliable anastomosis. By this method, the tracheal perichondrium is retained and the strength of the anastomosed portion of the trachea is maintained, the failure of sutures due to tension on the anastomotic site being prevented. Also, reanastomosis can be performed after the cure of primary disease.

Pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Bednár tumor). An autopsy case with systemic metastasis

An autopsy case of pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Bednár tumor) with systemic metastasis is reported. No previous example of this tumor showing widespread metastasis has been reported in the literature. The patient, a 45-year-old man, developed a tumor on the right upper arm. The tumor recurred twice and metastasized to other parts of the skin, lungs and brain during the 8-year clinical course. The primary tumor contained melanin-laden tumor cells and showed a storiform growth pattern. Autopsy confirmed multiple metastatic lesions in the skin, lungs, brain, thyroid, pancreas, stomach, small intestine and thigh muscles. The recurrent and metastatic tumors lacked both melanin production and the storiform arrangement, and instead revealed "fibro-sarcomatous" change with a herring-bone or interlacing pattern of growth.

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha induce ascitic fluid in mice

Recent studies have suggested that pleural or peritoneal effusion associated with metastatic tumors is induced by some mediators produced by the tumor cells. We studied the ability of well-characterized peptide growth factors to produce ascites in mice. Peritoneal administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 to 40 micrograms/mouse/wk) or transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha, 10 to 40 micrograms/mouse/wk) via osmotic minipumps resulted in formation of bloody ascites. The amount of ascites produced was dependent on the dose of growth factors. Vehicle alone or insulin-like growth factor I (40 micrograms/mouse/wk) was without effect. Indomethacin, a blocker of prostaglandin synthesis, significantly reduced the ascites accumulation induced by EGF, suggesting that prostaglandins are involved in ascites formation induced by EGF. Dexamethasone was also effective in attenuating the effect of EGF. Thus, it is possible that peritoneal effusion associated with disseminated tumors is, at least in part, due to EGF-like materials (most likely TGF-alpha) produced by tumor cells. The mechanism by which these peptides induce bloody ascites is not known for certain, but it may be due to the reported activity for neovascularization or increased vascular permeability.

Immunohistochemical localization of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in human pheochromocytomas

A total of 17 (10 adrenal and 7 extraadrenal) pheochromocytomas were examined immunohistochemically for the localization of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-as well as the marker peptides for pheochrornocytomas (i.e., met-enkephalin-arggly-leu [MEAGL]). Normal adult, fetal, and newborn human adrenal medullas were also examined. Six adrenal pheochromocytomas showed immunohistochernically positive staining for PNMT; 5 of these cases demonstrated elevated serum adrenalin levels, This indicated morphofunctional correlation. PNMT-positive cells were mostly positive for TH but did not show co-localization of MEAGL except in 1 case, Absence of co-localization was considered to reflect the physiological condition of the specimen, based on the similar staining in the normal adult adrenal medulla. Primary culture and immunoelectron microscopy suggested the processing and synthesis of adrenalin and MEAGL in the secretory granules.Seven extraadrenal pheochromocytornas were negative for PNMT and suggested the lack of adrenalin synthesis.