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.

In vitro chemosensitivity testing of human tumours by collagen gel droplet culture and image analysis

It is necessary to develop an in vitro test to overcome the problems often associated with in vitro chemosensitivity tests on individual human tumours. We have developed a collagen gel droplet culture technique that allows for a three-dimensional in vitro growth and drug response assay for human solid tumour cells. Important features of chemosensitivity testing by the collagen gel droplet culture technique include the maintenance of high cloning efficiencies resulting in the need for fewer tumour cells, sufficient suppression of the in vitro proliferation of contaminating non-malignant cells by serum-free medium, and the application of the image analysis system which automatically discriminates between cancer cell colonies and fibroblasts. We described in vitro-in vivo correlations for drug response using 7 human lung cancer xenografts grown in the collagen gel droplet culture and as xenografts in nude mice. Results demonstrated significant correlations with the in vitro drug concentration at 1/10 of the peak plasma concentrations (1/10 Cmax) with the correlation coefficient 0.84 for all four drugs tested. We have cultured 206 tumours thus far obtaining 86% of evaluability for drug response. The drug response data of the fresh lung cancers were similar to not only to data for lung cancer lines but the reported clinical pattern. These results suggested that the collagen gel droplet culture at 1/10 Cmax may have potential in predicting clinical drug responses.

Results of radiation therapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma: impact of accelerated hyperfractionation on prognosis

We reviewed the results of treatment in 52 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radical radiation therapy using a two-fractionation scheme--conventional fractionation (CF) and accelerated hyperfractionation (AHF)--in order to evaluate the impact of the fractionation scheme on prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for the 52 patients was 19.5%, and a significantly better rate was obtained with AHF (44.4%) than with CF (12.4%). Of 27 patients who showed a complete response (CR), a higher CR rate (61%) was achieved with AHF than with CF (47%). A similar trend was also observed for T3 and T4 tumors (55% with AHF vs. 36% with CF). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that neck node status was a significant factor related to local control, and that local response and the fractionation scheme employed were significant prognostic factors for survival. The recurrence rate and recurrence within the radiation field in the AHF group was lower than in the CF group (27% vs. 50%), although the time to recurrence in the two groups did not differ greatly. Voice preservation was achieved in 20% of the patients. Considering the better survival and local control rate compared with conventional fractionation, accelerated hyperfractionation seems a preferable treatment for hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Distribution of endogenous and exogenous carnitine in rats with sepsis and acute liver failure

The distribution of carnitine was investigated in male Wistar rats with sepsis or acute liver failure. Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture, while acute liver failure was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. Then 14C-carnitine or L-carnitine was injected intravenously. In healthy control rats and rats with sepsis, both 14C-radioactivity and carnitine were increased in the liver and kidneys. When the carnitine fractions were investigated, it was found that free carnitine and short-chain acylcarnitine were increased. In the rats with acute liver failure, 14C-radioactivity decreased in the liver, but carnitine increased, with free carnitine and short-chain acylcarnitine levels rising. These findings suggested that exogenous free carnitine accumulated directly in the organs with carnitine deficiency in rats with sepsis and acute liver failure. In addition, there was differential regulation of the fractions of both exogenous and endogenous carnitine (free carnitine, short-chain acylcarnitine, and long-chain acylcarnitine). Furthermore, the distribution of exogenous carnitine differed between sepsis and acute liver failure.

Floating gallbladder associated with histologically distinct double cancers

A case of unusually hypermobile floating gallbladder in a 79-year-old woman with histologically distinct double cancers of the gallbladder is described. The patient presented with an abdominal cystic mass, which was palpable with easy mobility from the right lower quadrant practically to the left upper quadrant. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the cystic mass was found to be a floating gallbladder. The cystic duct was elongated and obstructed, and had a long mesentery. After the operation, latent double cancers of the gallbladder were discovered on histopathological examination. The obstruction of the cystic duct was due to chronic inflammation and had resulted in hydrops of the gallbladder. This was suspected to have played an important role in the carcinogenesis. We believe that this is the first report of a floating gallbladder associated with double gallbladder cancers.

The plasminogen activation system is upregulated in loosening of total hip prostheses

Interface tissues and pseudocapsules from loose total hip replacements were removed during revision of 11 cases and were investigated for the plasminogen activation system and IL-1beta. Control samples of synovium were taken during knee arthroscopy (n 8), and from the hip joint during primary total hip replacement (n 5). The concentrations of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and interleukin 1beta were all found to be significantly different in interfaces and in pseudocapsules, compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry disclosed localization in periprosthetic tissues of uPA, uPA-receptor and tPA in macrophages with phagocytosed metal, polyethylene, cement particles or accompanying pieces of necrotic bone. PAI-1 staining was present in the neighboring areas that stained for uPA or tPA, but PAI-1 staining was also found overlapping and outside these areas. These findings suggest a role for the uPA/uPA- receptor and PAI-1 in activation and focalization of extracellular matrix degradation in periprosthetic tissues. The expression of the plasminogen activation system by macrophages containing phagocytosed material suggests undegradable microdebris as a possible initiating and perpetuating stimulus for a proteolytic activation cascade, which may contribute to loosening of the prosthesis.

Nucleotide sequence of 5'-upstream region and expression of a silkworm gene encoding a new member of the attacin family

A genomic clone encoding a new member of attacin, an insect antibacterial protein, was isolated from a genomic library of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and the nucleotide sequence of the 5'-upstream region was determined. The region contained Bm 1, a highly repetitive element of B. mori and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response element (RE)(NF-kappaB binding site), CAAT box and TATA box. Northern blot analysis showed that the attacin gene expression was rapidly induced by bacterial cell wall components such as LPS from Escherichia coli and peptidoglycan (PG) from Micrococcus luteus, suggesting that attacin plays an important role in an early phase of the self-defense system upon bacterial infection.

Production in Escherichia of moricin, a novel type antibacterial peptide from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Moricin is a novel type antibacterial peptide recently isolated from the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Two foreign gene expression systems in Escherichia coli were employed to obtain a large amount of the peptide for further characterization. An artificial moricin gene was chemically synthesized and inserted into two expression vectors, pXa1 and pMAL-c2. The recombinant moricin was efficiently produced in E. coli as fusion proteins and released by chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide or o-iodosobenzoic acid. Eleven milligrams of pure recombinant moricin was obtained from 2 L of E. coli culture. The primary structure and molecular mass of the purified recombinant moricin was the same as those of the natural moricin. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the recombinant moricin against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus was comparable to that of the natural moricin.

Isolation and characterization of a new member of the insect defensin family from a beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma

A new family member of insect defensin, an antibacterial peptide, has been isolated from larvae of a beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma. The peptide consisted of 43 amino acids and 6 cystein residues were conserved in the same position as that of other insect defensins. The new defensin was found to be inducible by bacterial injection. Analysis of the antibacterial spectrum of A. dichotoma defensin indicated that this peptide showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis but not against Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating a typical spectrum of the insect defensin family. In addition, A. dichotoma defensin also exhibited antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from a patient.

Effects of OP 2507, a stable analogue of prostaglandin I2, on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in starved rats

It has been reported that vasodilatory prostaglandins have cytoprotective effects against various types of liver damage. We investigated the effects OP 2507, a stable analogue of prostaglandin I2, on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in starved rats. Intraperitoneal administration of OP 2507 at 1,500 micrograms/kg lessened both an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and an inhibition of starvation ketosis, both of which were induced by carbon tetrachloride. At lower doses, however, OP 2507 not only failed to ameliorate the carbon tetrachloride-induced changes, but it actually exaggerated them. Although the deterioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage by lower doses of OP 2507 was not statistically significant, it seems possible that OP 2507 has dual effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. While none of the three agents cimetidine, reduced glutathione and deferoxamine, prevented increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity induced with lower dose OP 2507, allopurinol had a tendency to prevent the increase, indicating that lower doses of OP 2507 may promote a reaction catalyzed by xanthine oxidase. We propose that both the co-administration of prostaglandins and other potentially hepatotoxic drugs, and the administration of prostaglandins to patients with drug-induced liver damage should be done carefully.

Effect of carnitine on decrease of branched chain amino acids and glutamine in serum of septic rats

Blood concentrations of branched chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) and glutamine (Gln) decrease markedly in sepsis. We investigated the effect of carnitine on serum concentrations of BCAA and Gln in fasted septic rats. Rats were made septic by cecal ligation and puncture. They developed extremely high blood concentrations of endotoxin, and serum concentrations of BCAA and Gln were markedly decreased 2 d after the operation. When L-carnitine was administered subcutaneously to the rats at 500 mg/kg body weight every 12 h for 2 d starting at the operation, no decrease in the serum concentrations of BCAA and Gln was observed. This indicates that the administration of carnitine can prevent the decrease of serum concentrations of BCAA and Gln in septic animals.

Gallium-67 scintigraphy in evaluation of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland

During the period from 1982 to 1994, a total of 45 67Ga scintigrams were performed in 12 patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland. Eight scintigrams were performed before treatment, 12 during the course of radiation therapy, and 25 after treatment. Scintigrams before treatment showed intense uptake in the thyroid masses irrespective of their size. Two of four scintigrams revealed no accumulation in the clinically remaining masses that were given a radiation dose of less than 20 Gy. No accumulation or thyroid masses were observed in cervical regions that received an irradiation dose of 20 Gy or more. Distant involvement in the upper half of the body could be detected by 67Ga scintigraphy in all cases, while there were two false negative lesions in the abdominal or pelvic cavity. Abdominopelvic lesions involving the gastrointestinal tract were observed in four cases, including two autopsied cases. 67Ga scintigraphy is useful for the evaluation of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland, but other examinations are recommended when 67Ga uptake is observed in the abdominal or pelvic cavity.

Moricin, a novel type of antibacterial peptide isolated from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

A novel antibacterial peptide that shows antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The novel peptide consisted of 42 amino acids and was highly basic. This peptide indicated no significant similarity with other antibacterial peptides. The peptide showed antibacterial activity against several Gram-negative and -positive bacteria and had a higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria than cecropin B1, a major antibacterial peptide of B. mori. The novel peptide was inducible by bacterial injection. These results suggest that the peptide is responsible for the antibacterial activity in B. mori against Gram-positive bacteria. The effects of the peptide on bacterial and liposomal membranes showed that a target of the peptide is the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The results also suggest that the N-terminal portion of the peptide, containing a predicted alpha-helix, is responsible for an increase in the membrane permeability. We propose the name "moricin" for this novel antibacterial peptide isolated from B. mori.

Beneficial effects of enteral fat administration on liver dysfunction, liver lipid accumulation, and protein metabolism in septic rats

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different amounts of fat in enteral diets on liver function, liver lipid accumulation, and protein metabolism in septic rats. Sepsis was induced in Wistar rats by cecal ligation and puncture. The rats were divided into four groups and were fed enterally 0% (FO, n = 7), 10% (F10, n = 7), 20% (F20, n = 8), or 30% (F30, n = 9) of total calories as fat. The liquid diet consisted of medium-chain and long-chain triglyceride mixtures as the fat sources, casein oligopeptide, and dextrin (100 kcal/100 ml). Intraduodenum feeding was ended on the 6th day. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities, indices of liver dysfunction, were highest in the FO group, and triglycerides accumulated in the livers of that group, possibly because of the large proportion of carbohydrate in the diet. Value of nitrogen balance was highest in the F 10 group, and serum total protein and albumin concentration were higher in the F10 and F20 groups than in the FO and F30 groups. The liver protein content in the F10 and F20 groups was higher than in the FO and F30 groups. Serum triglyceride in the F30 group was about 2 times higher than in the F10 and F20 groups. These results indicate that enteral fat administration in septic rats as 30% of total calories reduced liver dysfunction and liver triglyceride accumulation, but might have been excessive for optimal protein metabolism. Therefore, the preferable amount may range from 10% to 20% of total calories.

[Potential and limitation of scintillation assay (TIA) for clinical chemotherapy]

The clinical significance of the scintillation assay (thymidine incorporation assay) which we developed was summarized as follows; 1)thymidine uptake by tumor cells which can be evaluated in each assay functioned as a significant predictor of prognosis of patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 2)the tumor cell compartment in this assay system significantly increased more than did those in other culture systems, 3)evaluable rates were increased to more than 80% by introduction of the preculture system with collagen coated flasks, and 4)it can be considered that chemosensitivity testings may benefit for some types of human tumor, but not for all.

Structure of two cecropin B-encoding genes and bacteria-inducible DNA-binding proteins which bind to the 5'-upstream regulatory region in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Two genomic DNAs encoding cecropin B (CecB), an antibacterial protein from Bombyx mori, were cloned and sequenced. The number of CecB genes was estimated to be more than four copies per haploid by genomic Southern blotting. Two genes, CecB1 and CecB2, were located tandemly within 12 kb in the same orientation. These two genes encoded identical amino acids, though 15 nucleotides (nt) were different in the coding region and the intron size varied. About 90% of the nt spanning 800 bp in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) were identical between the two genes. This 5'-flanking region contained characteristic sequences such as a repetitive element of B. mori (Bm1), an interleukin-6 response element (IL-6 RE), and two putative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response elements (LPS RE). An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that the fat body contains at least three different nuclear proteins inducible by bacteria which bind to the 5'-UTR, suggesting that these proteins may be involved in CecB expression triggered by bacteria.

[Comparison of activities of daily living (ADL), medical treatment and blood pressure of elderly participants and non-participants in health examinations]

A study was conducted to determine the characteristics of the elderly who do not participate in health examinations, and to obtain basic health data on the elderly for developing a community health care plan. Elderly persons aged 60 or over who had not participated in mass health examinations in 1991 were interviewed regarding their conditions of activities of daily living (ADLs), and medical treatment, and their blood pressure was measured. Participation rate for health examinations in the elderly was 66%. Of the total 245 elderly who did not participate in health examinations, data from 215 (88%; 92 men and 123 women) were obtained. 1) The average age of the elderly who did not participate in health examinations was 3 years higher in men and 5 years higher in women than that of those who did participate (p < 0.01), and there were a larger number of persons aged 80 years or over. 2) The percentage of persons with a history of adult diseases such as cardiovascular disease was 63% which was 10% higher than those who participated in examinations (p < 0.01). 3) The percentage of persons requiring help in walking and/or mobility (13%) and bathing (10%) was higher than those who participated in examinations (p < 0.01). For seeing and hearing there were no differences between groups in the percentage of disabled persons. 4) There were more hypertensive people (> 160/95 mmHg) in those who did not participate in examinations (p < 0.01), but the percentage of the people who needed treatment (> 180/100 mmHg) was not different.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hyperfractionated and hypofractionated radiation therapy for human malignant glioma xenograft in nude mice

Xenografts of a human malignant glioma subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice were irradiated with graded single doses (2, 5, 10 or 20 Gy) or five types of fractionation schedules in two weeks: conventional [20 Gy in 10 fractions (fr)], hyperfractionated [24 Gy in 20 fr (two fractions per day)], and hypofractionated-1, 2, 3 [20 Gy, 18 Gy, 16 Gy in 4 fr]. All of the fractionated irradiation groups showed tumor regression. The hypofractionation-1 group (20 Gy in 4 fr) demonstrated the most prominent tumor regression, while the hyperfractionation group (24 Gy in 20 fr) showed the least effect. The hypofractionation-2 group (18 Gy in 4 fr) showed similar regression to the conventional fractionation group (20 Gy in 10 fr). Histologically, tumors in the control groups consisted of a homogenous population of small anaplastic cells, and only a small number of tumor cells were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive. Following irradiation, the population of small anaplastic cells decreased and the percentage of GFAP-positive cells increased. Cellular pleomorphism became much more prominent after irradiation in all of the fractionated irradiation groups as compared with the graded single dose irradiation groups. In this study, hyperfractionation was not effective against human glioma xenografts compared with conventional fractionation and hypofractionation. This indicates that care is needed in applying hyperfractionation regimens to human malignant gliomas.