Inducer-specific regulators of tumor necrosis factor alpha production

Novel potent regulators of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production by a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, were prepared. All the compounds showed inducer-specific and bidirectional regulation of TNF-alpha production, i.e., they enhanced 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced TNF-alpha production, while they inhibited okadaic acid-induced one.

Early changes in plasma brain and atrial natriuretic peptides in premature infants: correlation with pulmonary arterial pressure

To define the change in plasma natriuretic peptides in newborns, we prospectively studied 10 premature infants. They were followed sequentially during the first week of extrauterine life by two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography, and studied for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). We estimated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and measured blood pressure on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, respectively. Plasma ANP levels were 81.7 +/- 11.4 pg/ml on day 1 and 67.9 +/- 6.0 pg/ml on day 7, respectively. Between day 2 and day 7, there was a fall in MPAP, i.e. from 37 +/- 4 mmHg to 22 +/- 2 mmHg (P < 0.01), which was associated with a significant decrease in plasma BNP (41.8 +/- 10.1 pg/ml on day 2 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.9 pg/ml on day 7, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between MPAP and plasma BNP level (r = 0.643, P < 0.0001), but there was no correlation between MPAP and plasma ANP level. These data suggest that the pattern of secretion of BNP is different from that of ANP and that BNP levels reflect the changes of pulmonary arterial pressure in the neonatal period in premature infants.

Cell type-/inducer-specific bidirectional regulation by thalidomide and phenylphthalimides of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and its enantio-dependence

Regulation by thalidomide and phenylphthalimide analogs (FPP-33 and PPS-33) of TNF-alpha production is specific to cell type and to inducer, i.e., (i) the compounds enhance TPA-induced TNF-alpha production by human leukemia HL-60 cells, while they inhibit TPA-induced TNF-alpha production by another human leukemia cell line, THP-1, and (ii) the compounds inhibit TNF-alpha production by both HL-60 and THP-1 cells when the cells are stimulated with okadaic acid (OA). The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are similar in the four assay systems (TPA/HL-60, TPA/THP-1, OA/HL-60, and OA/THP-1). However, optically active analogs, (S)- and (R)-alpha-methylthalidomides, show distinct bidirectional regulatory effects on TNF-alpha production, i.e., only the (S)-form shows TNF-alpha production-enhancing activity in the TPA/HL-60 assay system, while the (R)-form shows much more potent TNF-alpha production-inhibiting activity than the (S)-form in the other assay systems.

Modulation of tryptophan hydroxylase activity in vitro by ethanol depends on biopterin cofactor concentration

The mechanism of ethanol action at serotonergic neuronal systems in the brain was investigated by examining the effects of alcohols on the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in vitro using natural type of biopterin as cofactor. Alcohols inhibited the activity of TPH prepared from rat brain in a noncompetitive manner with respect to both the biopterin cofactor and the L-tryptophan substrate. The rank order of inhibitory potency of the tested alcohols was n-propanol > iso-propanol > ethanol > methanol. The kinetic study indicated that alcohols more potently affected the enzyme interaction with cofactor than substrate. Ethanol, at concentrations that can be reasonably attained in vivo (i.e., 25-100 mM) significantly decreased TPH activity in the presence of a physiological concentration of cofactor. However, the reduction was only approximately 5% of control activity, because Ki, values of ethanol for the enzyme were very high (800-1000 mM). From the present results, it was concluded that the direct inhibition of the synthetic enzyme itself by ethanol would contribute little to in vivo effects of ethanol on serotonergic neuronal systems.

Recovery of Deinococcus radiodurans from radiation damage was enhanced under microgravity

Effect of microgravity on recovery of bacterial cells from radiation damage was examined on the IML-2 mission in 1994 using extremely radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans. The cells were lyophilized and exposed to 60Co gamma-rays with doses 2 to 12 kGy before the space flight. At the end of the mission, the cells were mixed on board with liquid nutrient medium to allow the cells to start recovery process from the radiation damage. Afterwards the cells were stored at 4 degrees C until landing. The influence of cosmic radiation was negligible, because total absorbed dose of space radiation measured during the mission was less than 2 mGy and this bacterium does not decrease its viability after both gamma-rays and high-LET heavy charged particles irradiation with doses up to 5 kGy. The survival of the cells incubated in space increased significantly compared with the ground controls, suggesting that the recovery of this bacterium from radiation damage was enhanced under microgravity.

Tamoxifen mediated human endometrial carcinogenesis may not involve estrogenic pathways: a preliminary note

Seven cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma patients who had experienced long-term tamoxifen treatments as adjuvant therapy of breast carcinoma, were investigated with respect to estrogen receptor (ER) status. Four cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma without tamoxifen treatment but with a previous history of breast carcinoma were investigated for comparison. One of the 7 and two of the 4 cases were positive for ER immunohistochemically. Thus, the frequency of ER positivity in secondary endometrial adenocarcinoma seemed to be at random among tamoxifen-treated and non-treated breast cancer patients. These results suggest that tamoxifen-mediated human endometrial carcinogenesis may not involve estrogenic pathway(s) but may involve other carcinogenic mechanisms such as DNA adduct formation as shown in rat liver tumorigenesis.

Dipyridamole suppresses catecholamine- and Ca++ influx-sensitive ventricular arrhythmias

To study the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias, the effect of dipyridamole (DIP; 300 mg/day), an adenosine transport inhibitor, on ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) was assessed in 12 patients who showed VPCs (21312 +/- 12314/day) on Holter ECG in a controlled setting. The effects were compared with those of verapamil (240 mg/day) and bisoprolol (5 mg/day). DIP suppressed more than one-half the VPCs in 5 patients. The mean degree of reduction in these DIP-responders was 75 +/- 18%. Both verapamil and bisoprolol inhibited VPCs in all of the DIP-responders (verapamil: 71 +/- 15%, bisoprolol: 88 +/- 16%). Two of the 5 DIP-responders had sustained ventricular tachycardias (VT) that were terminated by intravenous DIP, ATP, acetylcholine, verapamil, and propranolol. In contrast, verapamil did not inhibit VPCs in any of the DIP-nonresponders. Bisoprolol also did not suppress VPCs in 3 of 6 DIP-non responders. heart rate was unaffected by DIP, but was suppressed by both verapamil and bisoprolol. In addition, DIP increased the serum concentration of adenosine (control 16.3 +/- 17.1 vs 22.3 +/- 19.0 pmol/ml after DIP, p < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of DIP may involve suppression of Ca+2 current through an extracellular increase in adenosine.

Evaluation of apoptosis in human endometrial adenocarcinoma: comparison of nick end labeling and Le(y) antigen immunostaining method

In situ estimation of DNA fragmentation by the nick end labeling method and immunohistochemical detection of cell surface carbohydrate Le(y) were performed to establish correlation between the results of these two apoptosis-detecting techniques in human solid tumor tissues. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 10 cases of human endometrial adenocarcinoma were examined and compared by using the two techniques. A substantial fraction of carcinoma cells was found to be definitely stained by both methods, although Le(y) expression did not seem to be positively correlated with DNA fragmentation in the carcinoma tissue. These results suggest that Le(y) expression does not necessarily reflect apoptotic DNA fragmentation, at least in human endometrial adenocarcinomas, and simultaneous application of DNA nick end labeling and Le(y) immunostaining is necessary to show the relevant signs of apoptosis in histologic slides, especially gynecological cancers.

[Tumor enucleation for intrapelvic schwannoma: a report of two cases]

A 65-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were diagnosed with intrapelvic tumors originating from the sacral nerves by computed tomographic (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography. These tumors were tightly adhered to the iliac arteries and veins and could not be resected completely. Since the cryostat sections revealed benign schwannomas histopathologically, we enucleated the tumors without the pseudocapsules. All of the 57 intrapelvic schwannomas previously reported in Japan were resected with pseudocapsules. Both of our patients showed improvement of subjective symptoms, but should be followed up and examined for the presence of regrowth of tumors.

Solution conformations of KNI-272, a tripeptide HIV protease inhibitor designed on the basis of substrate transition state: determined by NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations

KNI-272, a highly selective and potent HIV protease inhibitor containing allophenylnorstatine [(2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid], named Apns, has been studied in dimethylsulfoxide-d6 by NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations. 1H and 13C spectra showed the presence of two conformers characterized by the configuration of the imide bond between the Apns and Thz residues, i.e., trans and cis forms, respectively. Rotating frame Overhauser effect spectra revealed that the trans conformer is dominant. The solution structure calculated from the distance information resulting from nuclear Overhauser effects experiments is similar overall to those observed in the solid states, either as a single crystal or as complex with the protease. The results from both molecular dynamics simulations and experimental 13C longitudinal relaxation times indicate that the backbone of KNI-272 has a fairly rigid conformation.

Expression of bcl-2 and apoptotic DNA fragmentation in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

Immunohistochemical detection of bcl-2 products and in situ estimation of DNA fragmentation during apoptosis by the nick and labelling method were performed to establish any correlation between these two apparently opposing processes in human solid tumors. Serial sections, one micrometer in thickness, from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of 10 cases of human endometrial adenocarcinoma were examined using the two techniques. A significant fraction of carcinoma cells were found to be stained by both methods, although there existed a general tendency for bcl-2 expression to be negatively correlated with DNA fragmentation in carcinoma tissue. The results thus suggest that bcl-2 expression does not always block apoptosis, and that simultaneous application of bcl-2 immunostaining and DNA nick end labeling is useful for showing the complex nature of apoptosis in histologic slides, especially in gynecological cancers.

Direct transaortic balloon valvuloplasty under cardiopulmonary bypass for neonatal critical aortic stenosis

A 1-day-old male infant with critical aortic valvular stenosis underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) under echocardiographic guidance during cardiopulmonary bypass. Left ventricular function dramatically improved after BAV. This technique combined with a surgical approach was safe and efficient.

Estimation of the number of O-linked oligosaccharides per heavy chain of human serum IgA1 by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) analysis of the hinge glycopeptide

In our previous study, gas-phase hydrazinolysis was used to analyze the glycoform of the O-linked oligosaccharide of human serum IgA1. All O-linked oligosaccharide chains are known to be present in the hinge portion. However, the number of O-linked oligosaccharide chains on IgA1 remained unclear. In order to determine the number of linked sugar chains, we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) to the hinge glycopeptide prepared from human serum IgA1. MALDI-TOFMS did not show clear peaks, probably due to the microheterogeneity of the structure of each sugar chain. However, elimination of peripheral sialic acid and galactose residues by sequential treatment with neuraminidase and beta-galactosidase gave clear mass spectra with several sharp peaks. On the basis of these spectra, we conclude that IgA1 prepared from normal human serum carries different numbers of sugar chains. There are two major populations, one contains five GalNAc residues and the other four GalNAc residues. On the other hand, the hinge glycopeptide prepared from myeloma IgA1 was composed mainly of one population containing four GalNAc residues. Earlier, we reported incomplete glycosylation of IgA1 isolated from the serum of an IgA1 myeloma patient. In this experiment, the presence of four O-linked oligosaccharides per heavy chain of IgA1 from a myeloma patient was found. The reason why only four out of five sites on the hinge glycopeptide were fully glycosylated in the IgA1 from the IgA1 myeloma patient is not clear.

[Infections mononucleosis with pleural effusion]

A 24-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for further examination of pleural effusion. On physical examination, he had a temperature of 39 degrees C, the pharynx was painful and liver and spleen were enlarged. The leukocyte count was 5,700/microliters (atypical lymphocyte 6%). The serum LDH, GOT, GPT, ALP and gamma-GTP levels were elevated, and antibodies to Epstein-Barr viral capsid, early, and nuclear antigens were diagnostic of a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. The CD4/CD8 ratio of peripheral blood lymphocyte was decreased to 0.2. The pleural effusion was exudate, and infiltration of mononuclear cells was noted. The CD4/CD8 ratio of lymphocytes in the effusion also was decreased to 1.1. The result of pleural biopsy showed a perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells and immunological stain showed that the infiltrated cells were dominantly T-lymphocytes (about 90%). These findings suggested that the pathogenesis of pleural effusion in infectious mononucleosis was a pleulitis due to the infiltration of T-lymphocytes. Pleural effusion is known as a rare complication of infectious mononucleosis.

Successful retrieval of unexpanded Palmaz-Schatz stent from left main coronary artery

A 64-year-old patient with silent myocardial ischemia after anterior myocardial infarction was treated with directional coronary atherectomy, balloon angioplasty, and placement of Palmaz-Schatz stent. An unexpanded Palmaz-Schatz stent was retained in the left main coronary artery and was treated successfully with a nitinol goose-neck snare. After this procedure, another Palmaz-Schatz stent was successfully implanted without any complications.

Antibacterial activity of xanthones from guttiferaeous plants against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Extracts of Garcinia mangostana (Guttiferae) showing inhibitory effects against the growth of S. aureus NIHJ 209p were fractionated according to guidance obtained from bioassay and some of the components with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were characterized. One active isolate, alpha-mangostin, a xanthone derivative, had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.57-12.5 micrograms mL-1. Other related xanthones were also examined to determine their anti-MRSA activity. Rubraxanthone, which was isolated from Garcinia dioica and has a structure similar to that of alpha-mangostin, had the highest activity against staphylococcal strains (MIC = 0.31-1.25 micrograms mL-1), an activity which was greater than that of the antibiotic vancomycin (3.13-6.25 micrograms mL-1). The inhibitory effect against strains of MRSA of two of the compounds when used in conjunction with other antibiotics was also studied. The anti-MRSA activity of alpha-mangostin was clearly increased by the presence of vancomycin; this behaviour was not observed for rubraxanthone. The strong in-vitro antibacterial activity of xanthone derivatives against both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus suggests the compounds might find wide pharmaceutical use.

Intrathecal administration of antibodies against LFA-1 and against ICAM-1 suppresses experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rats

The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of mAbs against LFA-1 and ICAM-1 on both active and passive experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats were examined. Lewis rats were immunized with guinea pig myelin basic protein (MBP) or MBP 68-86 peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant to induce active EAE, or they were injected with encephalitogenic MBP-reactive lymphocytes for adoptive transferred EAE. LFA-1-specific mAbs and/or ICAM-1-specific mAbs or a control mAb or PBS were injected into the lateral ventricles via implanted needles. Intracerebroventricular administration of the specific mAbs together on Days 0, 2, 4, and 6 or on Days 4, 6, 8, and 10 after immunization almost completely suppressed the clinical signs of the actively induced EAE with reduced numbers of the infiltrating cells and reduced percentages of W3/25(+) and IA-29(+) cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of the rats. Pretreatment with both specific mAbs from 14 to 11 days prior to immunization also exhibited a considerable protective effect. However, daily injection from Day 10 to 13 after immunization did not suppress the clinical signs. In rats with adoptive transferred EAE, daily treatment from Day 0 to Day 4 after cell transfer completely abolished clinical signs of EAE, although comparison of histological findings was not remarkable. In conclusion, intrathecal administration of antibodies against LFA-1 and ICAM-1 may be useful for the treatment of human demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

Hemophagocytosis as a para-neoplastic syndrome in NK cell leukemia

Hemophagocytic syndrome is a proliferative disorder of an activated monocyte-macrophage system and is characterized by fever, hepato-splenomegaly and pancytopenia. The serum level of interferon-gamma in the syndrome is increased but its origin is unknown. Here we describe a case of NK cell leukemia with hemophagocytic syndrome with elevated serum level of interferon-gamma. The levels of various cytokines were monitored during the course and statistic analysis was performed. To identify the clonal component, the NK cell fraction was sorted from the mononuclear layer and was subjected to Southern blot hybridization with a probe for EB virus tandem repeats. The fraction was also stimulated with interleukin-2 and the level of interferon-gamma in the conditioned medium was measured. Levels of M-CSF and interferon-gamma were significantly correlated with the degree of clinical manifestations and laboratory data. Southern blot hybridization revealed monoclonality of an NK cell fraction. The fraction also released interferon-gamma. Since macrophage can be activated through cytokines, the hemophagocytosis might have been triggered by factor(s) released from the abnormal NK cell clone at least in this case.

In-vitro model of uterine leiomyomas: formation of ball-like aggregates

To clarify the biological characteristics of uterine leiomyomas, cells explanted and cultured from uterine leiomyomas and from normal myometrial tissue were observed by time-lapse cinemicrography and phase-contrast microscopy. The histological characteristics were evaluated by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy, and these observations revealed significant differences. By time-lapse cinemicrography, the cells cultured from leiomyomas and myometrium differed in their behaviour. Cells from the myometrium started to grow in parallel with the cell's major axis and formed topographically uniform hills and valleys by day 21 of culture. In contrast, the cells from leiomyomas started to grow irregularly, as if having no contact inhibition, and formed ball-like aggregates of cells by day 21 of culture. The aggregates resembled the nodules of leiomyoma in vivo. Ultrastructurally, cells from both leiomyomas and myometrium had typical features of smooth muscle. Immunofluorescently, a different distribution of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive filaments and different staining of cellular fibronectin and N-cadherin between the cells from leiomyomas and myometrium were observed, which may contribute in part of the different behaviour of the cells. Given that the explant cell culture system resembles the features of uterine leiomyomas in vivo, this suggests that it can be used as an in-vitro model.

A Bacillus subtilis gene cluster similar to the Escherichia coli phosphate-specific transport (pst) operon: evidence for a tandemly arranged pstB gene

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus subtilis homologues of the Escherichia coli phosphate-specific transport (pst) genes in the framework of the international B. subtilis genome sequencing project. The pst genes in E. coli form an operon arranged in the order pstS, pstC, pstA, pstB and phoU. In the case of B. subtilis, there are also five ORFs presumably forming an operon. The deduced amino acid sequences of the products of these ORFs show striking similarities to their E. coli counterparts. Comparison of the organization of the pst operon of B. subtilis with that of E. coli revealed that the gene corresponding to phoU is missing, while there are two genes homologous to pstB in B. subtilis. The pst operon is located at 222 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome.

Gender difference in the utilization and users' characteristics of community rehabilitation programs for cerebrovascular disease patients in Japan

The purpose of this study was to see whether there was gender difference in the utilization of a community rehabilitation program for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) patients in Japan and to examine factors affecting this gender difference. For CVD patients who participated in 16 community rehabilitation programs in the Saitama prefecture (n = 190), we studied their clinical and functional status, socioeconomic conditions, the degree of family support, and their use of rehabilitation and transportation services. The general characteristics of the programs and the type of transportation services they offered were also surveyed. The female proportion of all the program participants was 34.2% and its proportion tended to be smaller when their ADL level was worse. However, such difference by gender lessened after the participants were stratified by the type of transportation services and by such conditions as being accompanied by a family member during transportation.

[Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma associated with horseshoe kidney: a case report]

We report a case of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in a patient with a horseshoe kidney. A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for examination and therapy of an abdominal mass. Various examinations revealed, a retroperitoneal tumor and a horseshoe kidney. Open surgery was performed. Pathological findings revealed mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. We review and discuss 17 cases of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, which have been reported in Japan.

Specific regulation of gene expression by antisense nucleic acids: a summary of methodologies and associated problems

Gene therapy based on gene-specific nucleic acids has moved from theory to a practical possibility in a very short time. The new DNA and RNA therapeutic reagents are intended to stop the growth of cancerous cells or the production of viruses. At the practical level, the efficacy of antisense oligomers as therapeutic reagents has been carefully examined in various clinical contexts. For the efficient use of antisense nucleic acids as pharmaceutical agents, a complete analysis of their mechanisms of action is necessary. The use of antisense oligomers always involves the following problems: basepair specificity, stereoisomer specificity, stability and resistance to nucleases of sense-antisense duplexes, permeability of the cell membrane and targeting of the oligomer, safety, and the preparation of large amounts of oligomer. Herein, we review the basic concepts and problems associated with the exploitation of antisense technology. We have identified a new transcription factor triple-helix-binding zinc-finger protein-1 (THZif-1) induced by antisense c-myc RNA in the antisense-transformed HL60 cells. The encoded protein functions as the repressor of c-myc to achieve the reduction of the endogenous expression of c-myc gene. Therefore, the introduction of THZif-1 gene into HL60 cells in conjunction with antisense c-myc oligomers may result in the efficient repression of the expression of the c-myc gene. The molecular features of this factor are herein discussed.

Inducer-specific bidirectional regulation by thalidomide and phenylphthalimides of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production

Regulation by thalidomide [N(alpha)-phthalimidoglutarimide] of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production was found to be inducer-specific. Thalidomide enhances TNF-alpha production by human leukemia HL-60 cells induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), while it inhibits TNF-alpha production induced with okadaic acid (OA) in the same cell line. Some phthalimide analogs, included PP-33 [2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3-dione] and its 4,5,6,7-tetrafluora derivative FPP-33), also showed such an inducer-specific bidirectional TNF-alpha production-regulating activity. The structure-activity relationships of the compounds tested are similar, but not identical, in the TPA-stimulated HL-60 and OA-stimulated HL-60 assay systems.