Low rate of apoptosis and overexpression of bcl-2 in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma

AIMS

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been demonstrated in about 10% of gastric carcinomas. However, the pathogenetic role of EBV in gastric carcinoma is uncertain. We compared the rate of apoptotic cell death, cell proliferation and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in gastric carcinomas with or without EBV.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Epstein-Barr virus was detected in 40 gastric carcinomas by EBV-encoded small RNA-1 in-situ hybridization. Apoptotic cell death, MIB-1, p53, bcl-2 and bcl-x were examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-mediated dUTP-nick end labelling method and immunohistochemistry. We also included 40 age-, sex- and disease stage-matched EBV-negative cases as a control. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly lower in EBV-positive (20 +/- 15. 1/1000 cells) and bcl-2-positive (17 +/- 12.9/1000 cells) tumours than in EBV-negative (43 +/- 37.1) and bcl-2-negative tumours (38 +/- 32.1, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). bcl-2 immunostaining was significantly higher in EBV-positive tumours (24 cases) than in EBV-negative tumours (12 cases, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in bcl-x and p53 expression between EBV-positive and -negative tumours. The number of MIB-1-positive cells in EBV-positive tumours (237 +/- 161/1000) was significantly lower than in EBV-negative tumours (480 +/- 208/1000 cells, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A low rate of apoptosis and high bcl-2 expression were recognized in EBV-positive gastric carcinomas, suggesting that bcl-2 protein is the main inhibitor of apoptosis in EBV-positive carcinomas. In addition, the low apoptotic and proliferative activities may reflect a low biological activity in EBV-positive gastric carcinomas.

Establishment and characterization of a serous papillary adenocarcinoma cell line of the human ovary in a serum-free culture

In order to clarify the biologic characteristics of serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the human ovary, we tried to establish a continuous cell line using four primary tumor specimens derived from four patients with such tumors. We also evaluated c-myc, MYCN and c-erbB2 gene amplification in the cultured cells, and the xenografts, as well as in these four primary tissue specimens by a Southern blot analysis. One continuous cell line, named as FU-OV-1, was established in a serum-free culture system and this line propagated continuously for 96 serial passages over a 2-year-period in vitro. FU-OV-1 reproduced and still maintained the characteristics of the original tumor. C-myc gene amplification was found in the FU-OV-1 cells, and the xenografts, as well as in only the primary tumor of FU-OV-1 out of the four primary serous papillary adenocarcinomas. However, neither MYCN amplification nor c-erbB2 amplification was observed in any tumor specimens including FU-OV-1 cells. In conclusion, FU-OV-1 is thus considered to be a useful system for studying the biological behavior of serous papillary adenocarcinoma in the human ovary. The results of this study suggest that c-myc gene amplification might thus be associated with the progression of this tumor both in vitro and in vivo.

Cardioprotective effects of Lazaroid U-74389G on ischemia-reperfusion injury in canine hearts

BACKGROUND

Lazaroid, an inhibitor of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, has been shown to reduce free radical-mediated injury after ischemia and reperfusion. The effect of Lazaroid U-74389G was investigated on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart through preservation and transplantation (Tx) in dogs.

METHODS

Eleven pairs of adult mongrel dogs weighing 8.5 to 12 kg formed the recipient-donor combinations. Following electromechanical arrest of the heart using cardioplegia, the coronary vascular beds were washed out with a cold University of Wisconsin solution followed by 12-hour preservation and orthotopic Tx. Experimental animals were divided into 2 groups; 6 pairs formed the control group, and 5 formed the Lazaroid-treated group in which Lazaroid U-74389G at 10 mg/kg was administered intravenously 30 minutes before reperfusion of the heart. The cardiac function including cardiac output, left ventricular (LV) pressure, and LV dp/dt was assessed 2 hours after Tx by comparing it with the recovery rates (%) from cardiac function of donor dogs. Each transplanted heart was harvested for histological study.

RESULTS

The recovery of cardiac function after Tx was significantly better in the Lazaroid-treated group than in the control group. Histologically, myocardial damage, evaluated by both light and transmission electron microscopy, was less evident in the Lazaroid-treated group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Early cardiac function following Tx was significantly better and histological damage was less in the Lazaroid-treated group than in the control group, suggesting that Lazaroid U-74389G is effective in preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury after preservation and Tx.

Lactation-dependent expression of an mRNA splice variant with an exon for a multiply O-glycosylated domain of mouse milk fat globule glycoprotein MFG-E8

Expression of mRNA encoding MFG-E8, a milk fat-associated glycoprotein was investigated in mouse mammary gland. Two forms of mRNA, long and short variants, were shown to be expressed in the mammary tissue by RT-PCR analysis. Sequence analyses of these two variants and an isolated MFG-E8 gene segment indicated that the long and short mRNA variants resulted from an alternative splicing of a single pre-mRNA through in-flame inclusion and skipping of one exon, which encodes a proline/threonine (Pro/Thr)-rich domain. The long variant was expressed predominantly in mammary gland and the expression level was remarkably increased at late gestation and kept high during lactation. On the contrary, the short variant was detected ubiquitously in various tissues and its expression in the mammary gland was rather decreased in a lactation dependent manner. Expression of the long variant was also detected in a mouse mammary epithelial cell line, COMMA-1D, and enhanced by incubation with lactogenic hormones. Glycosylation inhibition analyses using tunicamycin and alpha-benzyl-GalNAc were conducted with COS7 cells transfected with plasmids expressing each mRNA variant, demonstrating that a fully glycosylated product of the long mRNA variant was not only N-glycosylated but also multiply O-glycosylated, whereas a product of the short one had only N-glycan(s). These results suggest that the alternative splicing plays a critical role for the mammary-specific and lactation-dependent expression of the MFG-E8 isoform and that the multiply O-glycosylated Pro/Thr-rich domain of this isoform is functionally important for formation of milk fat globules in mammary epithelial cells.

Clinical significance of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA during perioperative period in HCC

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with HCC suggested that carcinoma cells still existed. We investigated the influence of an alternation of human AFPmRNA perioperatively detected in peripheral blood in matters of recurrence, prognosis and operative performance.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty-three patients with HCC were enrolled for this study. AFPmRNA in peripheral blood before the operation, and on 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-operative days was examined by means of the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

In 18 of 33 patients (54.5%) with HCC, AFPmRNA was detected in peripheral blood pre-operatively. Ten of 22 (45.4%) who were detected with AFPmRNA in peripheral blood during the perioperative period were diagnosed with intrahepatic recurrence or distant metastasis within 12 months post-operatively. In contrast, 10 (90.8%) of 11 patients who were not detected with AFPmRNA in peripheral blood anytime during hospitalization were diagnosed as free of intrahepatic recurrence or distant metastases within 9 months after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that an alternation of AFPmRNA from HCC patients' peripheral blood during the perioperative period by means of this technique may be a practical tool in the detection of early recurrence or distant metastases after surgery.

Cerebrosides A and C, sphingolipid elicitors of hypersensitive cell death and phytoalexin accumulation in rice plants

When plants interact with certain pathogens, they protect themselves by generating various chemical and physical barriers called the hypersensitive response. These barriers are induced by molecules called elicitors that are produced by pathogens. In the present study, the most active elicitors of the hypersensitive response in rice were isolated from the rice pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe grisea, and their structures were identified as cerebrosides A and C, sphingolipids that were previously isolated as inducers of cell differentiation in the fungus Schizophyllum commune. Treatment of rice leaves with cerebroside A induced the accumulation of antimicrobial compounds (phytoalexins), cell death, and increased resistance to subsequent infection by compatible pathogens. The degradation products of cerebroside A (fatty acid methyl ester, sphingoid base, and glucosyl sphingoid base) showed no elicitor activity. Hydrogenation of the 8E-double bond in the sphingoid base moiety or the 3E-double bond in the fatty acid moiety of cerebroside A did not alter the elicitor activity, whereas hydrogenation of the 4E-double bond in the sphingoid base moiety led to a 12-fold decrease in elicitor activity. Furthermore, glucocerebrosides from Gaucher's spleen consisting of (E)-4-sphingenine and cerebrosides from rice bran mainly consisting of (4E,8E)-4,8-sphingadienine and (4E,8Z)-4,8-sphingadienine showed no elicitor activity. These results indicate that the methyl group at C-9 and the 4E-double bond in the sphingoid base moiety of cerebrosides A and C are the key elements determining the elicitor activity of these compounds. This study is the first to show that sphingolipids have elicitor activity in plants.

Clinical usefulness of CA-19-9 in pancreatic carcinoma

Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of carbohydrate antigen-(CA)19-9 in 148 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas were studied. All 18 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas of Stage I, II, and III were resectable, and their pre-operative serum levels of CA-19-9 were under 1,344 U/ml. Pre-operative serum levels of CA-19-9 in patients with Stage IV ranged widely between 5 and 32,240 U/ml. The postoperative survival rate was significantly superior in patients (n = 15) whose CA-19-9 pre-operative serum levels were less than 2,000 U/ml compare to those (n = 64) whose levels were over that level. Fifteen resectable patients who showed serum levels of CA-19-9 over 2,000 U/ml pre-operatively died within 2 years postoperatively due to recurrence, especially by liver metastasis in spite of aggressive surgery. Intraoperative quick immunostaining of CA-19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was useful to diagnose intrapancreatic carcinoma development on frozen sections of cut margin of the pancreas and also useful in abdominal washing cytology combined with conventional staining.

Infected duodenal duplication with unusual clinical and radiological manifestations: a case report

Infected cystic duplication of the duodenum is an unusual lesion. We report a case in which pre-operative MR imaging revealed a huge multicystic mass masquerading as a cystic lymphangioma or mesenteric cyst. The differential diagnosis of this unusual appearance is discussed.

Clinical usefulness of CA-19-9 in pancreatic carcinoma

Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of carbohydrate antigen-(CA)19-9 in 148 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas were studied. All 18 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas of Stage I, II, and III were resectable, and their pre-operative serum levels of CA-19-9 were under 1,344 U/ml. Pre-operative serum levels of CA-19-9 in patients with Stage IV ranged widely between 5 and 32,240 U/ml. The postoperative survival rate was significantly superior in patients (n = 15) whose CA-19-9 pre-operative serum levels were less than 2,000 U/ml compare to those (n = 64) whose levels were over that level. Fifteen resectable patients who showed serum levels of CA-19-9 over 2,000 U/ml pre-operatively died within 2 years postoperatively due to recurrence, especially by liver metastasis in spite of aggressive surgery. Intraoperative quick immunostaining of CA-19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was useful to diagnose intrapancreatic carcinoma development on frozen sections of cut margin of the pancreas and also useful in abdominal washing cytology combined with conventional staining.

Vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy in patients undergoing hemodialysis for associated end-stage renal failure

PURPOSE

Candidates for diabetic vitrectomy often have concurrent renal dysfunction and have undergone hemodialysis. The influence of hemodialysis on the surgical outcome of vitrectomy was investigated.

METHODS

Vitrectomy was performed on 76 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 66 patients with end-stage renal failure who had undergone hemodialysis. Follow-up was longer than 1 year.

RESULTS

No uncontrollable hemorrhage occurred either during or immediately after the surgery. Final visual acuity after surgery was the same as preoperative visual acuity in 31.5% of the eyes; improvement was seen in 60.5% of the eyes. A final visual acuity of 0.2 or better was observed in 57.6% of the eyes. Major postoperative complications included recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, fibrin clot formation, neovascular glaucoma, flat anterior chamber, and a transient rise in intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSION

Renal failure and hemodialysis do not appear to have a deteriorative influence on the outcome of vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. A flat anterior chamber seems to be a rare and perhaps unique postoperative complication of gas-filled eyes in patients who have undergone hemodialysis.

Donor lymphocyte transfusion for the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder of the brain

EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) is a rare but serious complication in marrow transplant recipients. A 31-year-old Japanese woman in the second chronic phase of CML received an allogeneic BMT from her HLA 2-locus-incompatible 62-year-old father. Around day +200, she developed EBV-LPD of the right parieto-temporal lobe which caused slowly progressive left hemiparesis. Two courses of donor lymphocyte transfusions (DLT) of 10(6)CD3+ T cells/kg of body weight failed to suppress her central nervous system (CNS) EBV-LPD. The patient died of recurrent blastic crisis of CML. This case suggests that DLT may be ineffective for the treatment of CNS EBV-LPD.

Low-vacuum, low-voltage scanning electron microscopy of poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of low-vacuum, low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) in examining the surfaces of intraocular lenses (IOLs) without preparation.

SETTING

In vitro laboratory experiment.

METHODS

Six commercially available IOLs made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and one explanted PMMA IOL were evaluated with LVSEM without sputter coating. Sham surgical maneuvers were performed on some IOLs and the surface changes observed.

RESULTS

Smooth surfaces of IOL optics and haptics, relatively sharp edges of optic holes, and irregularities at the optic/haptic junction were clearly observed. Crystalline deposits were seen on the surfaces after the IOLs were dipped and dried in saline solution. Scratches and marks were observed after they were grasped with a forceps.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-vacuum, low-voltage scanning electron microscopy is a time-saving procedure that can be used by inexperienced investigators. The resolution under relatively low magnification appeared to be satisfactory for evaluating the IOL surface.

[Immunohistochemical study of retinal Müller cell response in experimental epiretinal membrane formation]

Experimental epiretinal membranes (ERM) composed of Müller cells were formed by injecting autologous whole blood into the vitreous cavity of rabbits. Müller cell responses at the early stages of epiretinal membrane formation were studied using immunostaining of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (for identification of the proliferating cells) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (as an appropriate marker for glial cell response), and the electron microscope in the experimental rabbit model. Three days after the injection, nuclei of Müller cells were found in the inner part of the retina and were PCNA positive. PCNA positive staining was seen from day 3 to day 7. No PCNA-positive nuclei were seen at day 14 in the retina or ERM. A GFAP-positive reaction was first seen in the inner retina at day 3. Afterwards, the retina and the ERM were GFAP-positive in the experimental period. We concluded that activation and proliferation of Müller cells began at an early stage after the blood injection. Müller cells remained active and expanded onto the retinal surface.

Characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines derived from uterine carcinosarcomas

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is occasionally found in the female genital tract, and mostly appears as one of the heterologous mesenchymal components in uterine carcinosarcoma designated as malignant mixed mullerian tumour (MMMT). We examined the biological properties of a pure rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell line designated FU-MMT-3, which was newly established from a surgical specimen taken from a patient with uterine MMMT. We also evaluated c-myc and MYCN gene amplification in three RMS cell lines (including FU-MMT-3) derived from three MMMTs by Southern blot analysis. FU-MMT-3 cells were propagated continuously for 57 serial passages over a 2-year period in vitro. FU-MMT-3 was able to produce tumours demonstrating pure RMS in athymic nude mice. Cytogenetically, FU-MMT-3 showed a triploidy pattern, with complex karyotypic abnormalities including trisomy of chromosome 8. All three RMS cell lines, including FU-MMT-3, showed amplification of the c-myc gene (approximately fourfold to eightfold), while no cell lines demonstrated MYCN gene amplification. FU-MMT-3 is considered to provide a useful system for the study of the biological behaviour of RMS in MMMTs. Extra copies of chromosome 8 and c-myc gene amplification may be associated with the rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in MMMT.

Immunocytochemical study on the innervation of the chicken pancreas by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing nerves

Ultrastructural localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied in the chicken pancreas by the immunocytochemical method. VIP-immunoreactive nerve endings were found in contact with acinar cells in the pericapillary space or between acinar cells. They also terminated on epithelial cells of arteriolae. In pancreatic islets, VIP-immunoreactive nerve endings were in contact with B-cells, but not with A- or D-cells. VIP-immunoreactive terminals contained many small clear vesicles which indicate the cholinergic feature. Nerve endings containing many small clear vesicles but not showing VIP-immunoreactivity were also detected in both the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. According to these data and the previous studies concerning the cholinergic and VIPergic innervation of the chicken pancreas, it is suggested that VIP-containing cholinergic nerves innervate B-cells and cholinergic nerves not containing VIP innervate D-cell.

Antithrombotic effects of 3-([1:1',2':1"]-3'-terphenyl)propanol in animals

3-([1:1',2':1"]-3'-Terphenyl)propanol (CAS 186835-06-3, F050) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) inhibited platelet aggregation induced by CaCl2, arachidonic acid, collagen, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin in guinea pigs, rabbits and rats in vitro. However, F050 had a wider spectrum of actions than ASA. Orally administered F050 inhibited platelet aggregation ex vivo. F050 significantly reduced the thrombus formation in the extracorporeal circulation thrombosis model in guinea pigs. It inhibited erythrocyte hemolysis induced by hypotonic NaCl, while ASA did not. F050, but not ASA, inhibited increases in platelet [CA2+]i caused by thrombin in guinea pigs. F050 is a parent compound that will facilitate the development of an orally active drug for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of lower uterine segment to predict the integrity and quality of cesarean scar during pregnancy: a prospective study

A prospective randomized study was conducted to measure the serial thickness of the lower uterine segment (LUS) by transvaginal ultrasonography in a control group of 80 women having no history of uterine surgery and in a study group of 43 women having a history of previous cesarean section (C/S). In the study group, more than 2 mm of thickness of the LUS was considered as good healing and less than 2 mm of thickness as poor healing. After serial sonographic examination, the women with good healing were given trial for labor unless an obstetrical indication for C/S existed. The appearance of the LUS during surgery was compared with antenatal ultrasonographic assessment by direct inspection. Twenty two (79%) of 28 women with a well healed scar had trial labor with the result that 46% had a successful vaginal birth without any uterine rupture of dehiscence. Eight women with poor healing all had elective C/S. Seven women with a 2 mm LUS thickness were individually categorized for delivery mode. Two of those women delivered vaginally. The LUS was found to be thin to translucent in these later two groups. Two mm or less as a criterion for poor healing had the sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 100% respectively. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 86.7%. Ultrasonographic evaluation is effective in predicting the quality of a uterine scar and in differentiating the risk group of probable uterine rupture from the non risk group.