Identification of genes differentially expressed in B16 murine melanoma sublines with different metastatic potentials

B16-F10 and B16-BL6 are B16 mouse melanoma sublines that preferentially metastasize to the lung following i.v. and s.c. injections, respectively. To study molecular mechanisms underlying the different metastatic behaviors exhibited by the B16 melanoma sublines, we performed differential hybridization of the genes transcribed in these cells and compared their expression levels. We isolated four genes that were highly expressed in B16-F10 cells but not in B16-BL6 cells: TI-225 (polyubiquitin), TI-229 (pyruvate kinase), TI-241 (LRF-1 homologue), and TI-227 (novel gene). Triosephosphate isomerase, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, tyrosinase-related protein 2, cytochrome c oxidase, ATP synthetase alpha subunit, RNA helicase, and ribosomal protein (L37, J1, acidic phosphoprotein), however, showed higher expression in B16-BL6 cells than in B16-F10 cells. Among these clones, transfection of TI-241 into the low metastatic clone F1 converted the parental cells from low- into high-metastatic cells. TI-241 may regulate the expression of various genes as a transcription factor in the complex process of metastasis.

The pathophysiological role of renal dopamine and kallikrein in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treated rats

To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the renal dopamine (DA) and kallikrein-kinin systems in volume dependent hypertension under excess mineralocorticoid, the urinary excretions of DA and kallikrein (KAL) were investigated in DOCA-salt treated rats (5 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats, DOCA 100mg pellet, s.c., 1% saline ingestion for 4 weeks, n = 7) for comparison with those of control rats (vehicle, 1% saline ingestion for 4 weeks, n = 10). In vehicle, systolic blood pressure (SBP), urinary excretion of free DA (UDA) and kallikrein (UKAL) did not change through the study. In DOCA treated rats, marked natriuresis was observed with sodium load. SBP and UKAL significantly increased at the 4th week and at the 2nd week, respectively. UDA increased significantly to the peak level at the 1st week, and then decreased gradually. At the 4th week, UDA was significantly lower in DOCA-treated rats than that of vehicle rats. A significant inverse correlation was found between UDA and SBP, and UKAL correlated positively with SBP and urinary excretion of sodium and negatively with UDA in DOCA treated rats. These results suggest that the augmentation of renal dopaminergic activity which may in part cause sodium escape appears at the early stage of DOCA-salt treatment, but this augmentation is subsequently blunted; volume and sodium retention may be associated with the blood pressure elevation at the late stage of DOCA-salt treatment, and that the augmentation of renal kallikrein-kinin system may be a compensatory response to sodium and volume retention in DOCA-salt treated rats.

Homogeneous quantitative assay of hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction in the presence of a fluorescent intercalater

We have developed a homogeneous quantitative assay of DNA/RNA by performing PCR in the presence of an oxazole yellow derivative, a fluorescent DNA intercalative dye, and monitoring the fluorescence intensity of the PCR reaction mixture during PCR cycles. We have demonstrated the applicability of this assay by use it to quantify hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA of serum samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C. This assay gave efficient and reproducible results in a clinically useful dynamic range below 10(-6) copies of HCV RNA for interferon therapy.

Spontaneous recurrence of methamphetamine psychosis: process and monoamine neurotransmitter function

We studied the process that causes a spontaneous recurrence of methamphetamine (MAP) psychosis, a phenomenon known as flashbacks, in 41 female flashbackers by a comparison of clinical characteristics between the 41 flashbackers and 87 non-flashbackers with previous MAP psychosis. We evaluated plasma levels of monoamine metabolites in 25 of the 41 flashbackers, 19 of the 87 non-flashbackers, 9 female patients with persistent MAP psychosis and 61 physically healthy female controls. All 41 flashbackers had experienced a significantly greater frequency of threatening events and threatening paranoid-hallucinatory states than the 87 non-flashbackers during previous MAP abuse. The triggering factor was a mild fear of other persons due to the evocation of frightening images, encoded through threatening experiences during previous MAP abuse. Norepinephrine (NE) levels were significantly associated with a history of flashbacks. Plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels were significantly higher during flashbacks and during periods of normalcy in the flashbackers, and in the non-flashbackers, than MHPG levels in the user controls. NE levels in the patients with persistent MAP psychosis were also significantly higher than NE levels in the user controls. Elevated NE levels in the flashbackers were associated with disrupted NE, 5-HT and DA turnover. Thus, MAP-induced sensitization to frightening images may have caused the flashbacks due to aggravated noradrenergic hyperactivity.

Chemical restraint by medetomidine-ketamine and its cardiopulmonary effects in pigs

Chemical restraint induced by medetomidine-ketamine (M-K) combination was evaluated compared with that by xylazine-ketamine (X-K) in pigs. The duration of restraint by M-K was 49.4 +/- 13.5 min (mean +/- SD) and longer than that by X-K (34.6 +/- 17.2 min), but the difference was not significant. The effect of X-K was not stable, since one of five pigs was restrained only for 6 min. Both combinations produced muscle relaxation. The duration of muscle relaxation in M-K was 43.6 +/- 12.7 min and was significantly longer than that in X-K (21.0 +/- 14.0 min). M-K combination had a slightly stimulative effect on the cardiovascular system, but scarcely changed the respiratory parameters. This limited effect on cardiopulmonary system was an advantage of M-K combination for chemical restraint in pigs. These results indicated that M-K combination is suitable for chemical restraint with prolonged muscle relaxation and has limited cardiopulmonary effects in pigs.

Reversible phosphorylation of both Tyr7 and Tyr10 in the alpha-chain of pig stomach H+,K(+)-ATPase by a membrane-bound kinase and a phosphatase

When pig stomach membrane H+,K(+)-ATPase preparations were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP and Mg2+ with vanadate, 32P was incorporated into the alpha-chain of H+,K(+)-ATPase to a steady-state level of approximately 0.7 mol of phosphotyrosine (Tyr(P))/mol of phosphoenzyme intermediates. The addition of a membrane H+,K(+)-ATPase preparation with Mg2+ accelerated the liberation of 32P from Tyr(P) residues in the alpha-chain. Mild tosylphenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone-trypsin treatment solubilized 32P-containing peptides from the alpha-chain almost completely. A reverse-phase column chromatography of the supernatant gave two peaks of 32P-peptide with similar total radioactivities. The amino acid sequence of both peaks was shown to be Gly-Lys-Ala-Glu-Asn-Tyr-Glu-Leu-Tyr-Gln--, which is consistent with the amino-terminal sequence of the alpha-chain of H+,K(+)-ATPase deduced from cDNA from pig stomach except that the initial Met was absent. The comparison of the recovery of amino acid from each Edman cycle showed that the phosphorylation of Tyr10 occurred preceding the phosphorylation of Tyr7. These data and others suggested the presence of a novel membrane-bound enzyme system to participate in reversible phosphorylation of both Tyr residues in the alpha-chain of H+,K(+)-ATPase.

The role of renal natriuretic depressor systems on hypertensive mechanisms in reduced renal mass hypertensive rats

The pathophysiological role of renal natriuretic depressor systems and endogenous digitalis like factor (EDLF) on blood pressure (BP) elevation was studied in reduced renal mass rats (RRM) with saline loading for a model of volume dependent hypertension. Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were operated on to remove varying proportions of their kidney mass (5/6 RRM, n = 13; 4/6 RRM, n = 16; 3/6 RRM, n = 12) or sham operated (control, n = 13). They were given 1% saline to drink for 4 weeks. BP was elevated significantly at the 1st week in 5/6 RRM and continued to increase until the 4th week, but this was not seen in the other 3 groups. Urine volume (UV) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) increased after saline loading in all groups. Urinary kallikrein excretion was significantly lower in order of the 5/6, 4/6 and 3/6 RRM at the basal state and after saline loading. A significant negative correlation was observed between urinary kallikrein and BP. Urinary PGE2 was increased in each RRM in order of the 5/6, 4/6 and 3/6 RRM groups. A significant positive correlation was observed between urinary PGE2 and BP, UV or UNaV. The basal urinary DA excretion was significantly lower in 3 RRMs than in the control. After saline drinking, urinary DA increased in 3 RRMs, while differences disappeared in the control and RRMs. Urinary EDLF increased immediately after the initiation of saline loading in all groups, except the control group, and returned to the basal level 2 weeks later in 3/6 and 4/6 RRM. Only in 5/6 RRM, the urinary EDLF remained higher than the basal level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal dopaminergic activity in patients with primary aldosteronism

To clarify the role of renal dopaminergic activity in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), urinary excretion of free dopamine (DA) and the conversion ratio of DA from l-dopa in the kidney were investigated in 8 patients with PA and 10 normotensive subjects (NT). All subjects were hospitalized and received a standard diet (Na 120 mEq, K 75 mEq/day) and 2 h renal clearance test was performed. Plasma l-dopa concentration (p-DOPA), creatinine clearance (Ccr), urinary excretion of sodium (UNaV) and DA (uDA) as well as fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) were measured. No significant difference was found in UNaV or FENa between NT and PA, or between before and after adrenalectomy (Adx) in PA. UDA was significantly higher in PA than NT, and decreased significantly after Adx. There was no difference in the product of Ccr X p-DOPA between NT and PA, or between before and after Adx in PA. The ratio of uDA/(Ccr X p-DOPA) was significantly higher in PA than NT. After Adx this ratio decreased significantly to the normal range. These results suggest that (1) renal dopaminergic activity is augmented and contributes to the escape phenomenon in PA, and (2) augmented renal DA production in PA might be caused by an increase of conversion to DA from l-dopa at the renal proximal tubules.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of monoamine metabolites and gamma-aminobutyric acid in neuroleptic malignant syndrome

To investigate the pathophysiology of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), we measured various cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in 11 patients and compared them with 8 age-matched normal controls. Concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) were significantly decreased during the active phase of NMS. This finding indicates that the dopaminergic nervous system of the patients was in a state of hypofunction in this phase and supports the central dopamine blockade theory of NMS. Reduced CSF HVA levels were also found after recovery from NMS, suggesting that hypofunction of the dopaminergic system may continue subclinically. The levels of 5-HIAA were decreased in the active phase, but the change was not significant. Therefore, a relationship between the development of NMS and disturbances of serotonin metabolism remains unclear. The levels of noradrenaline and its major metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol increased significantly during the active phase, but returned to normal after recovery. These results show the existence of sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity during the active phase of NMS. The levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. These findings suggest that there is a GABAergic deficiency in NMS. Thus, our study indicates that, in addition to dopamine hypoactivity, disturbances in various neurotransmitter systems are involved in the pathophysiology of NMS.

Pharmacological characteristics of the canine cerebrovascular constriction produced by neuropeptide Y

In order to elucidate the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in cerebral circulation, we undertook the present study to examine the action of NPY itself, and the combined effects of NPY with other vasoconstrictor stimuli. NPY itself produced contractions of isolated canine basilar artery in a concentration-dependent manner, which was independent of the presence or absence of endothelium. C-terminal peptides of NPY (NPY12-36) and (NPY22-36) were weak agonists, while those without C-terminals were ineffective. The vasoconstriction produced by NPY was, however, strongly potentiated by increasing the K+ concentration in the medium up to 20 mM, or by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium, a K+ channel blocker and hemolysate containing oxyhemoglobin. NPY also augmented the contractile responses to prostaglandin F2 alpha, norepinephrine, and histamine, but not to serotonin. The contraction in response to NPY per se or in 20 mM K+ was effectively attenuated by Ca2+ antagonists such as d-cis-diltiazem, and in a Ca(2+)-free medium. These results suggest that in canine basilar artery, the activation of the Y1 receptor modulates the availability of the L-type Ca2+ channel, leading to enhance Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space and potentiate contractile effects of other cerebral vasoconstrictors. This might be involved in the cerebral vasospasm which occurs after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Infection by human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 of the cervix in Japanese women

Exfoliated cervical cells from 321 Japanese women were examined for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot-blot hybridization methods. HPV DNA was present in 9.3% of patients with normal cervixes, 72.7% of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 77.8% of patients with invasive carcinoma. Younger patients (</=29 years) with normal cervixes had a 18.5% incidence of HPV DNA, whilst similar older patients (>/=50 years) had a 1.9% incidence, a significant difference (chi2= 6.478, P < 0.01). In the CIN I and II groups, an incidence of 11.1% of types 16 and 18 was found, while in the CIN III or invasive carcinoma group the incidence was 58.1%, again a significant difference (chi2 = 12.075, P < 0.01). Furthermore, persistence or progression of CIN showed a significant correlation with infections by types 16 and 33 (chi2= 4.904, P < 0.01). However, no significantly different incidence of HPV infection was found between the CIN and the invasive carcinoma groups. It is suggested that (a) younger patients with normal cervixes have a higher incidence of HPV infection than do older patients; (b) HPV types 16, 18 and 33 are important etiologic agents of CIN III and invasive carcinoma, as well as in the persistence and progression of CIN; (c) progression of CIN to invasive carcinoma may depend on factors other than HPV infection in the cervix.

[Coronary risk index for pre-operative evaluation of ischemic heart disease]

The incidence of ischemic heart disease is increasing in Japan, and we often experience perioperative management of patients with coronary arterial stenosis. It is, however, difficult to evaluate the lesion of coronary arterial stenosis. We devised a coronary risk index (CRI), which is a scoring system and can easily predict the coronary arterial stenosis from the preoperative routine examination and the patients data. The patients with high CRI have a high risk of ischemic heart disease. By carefully managing these patients from this information, we can decrease the incidence of perioperative complications resulting from ischemic heart disease.

Clinical significance of serum alpha-fetoprotein subfractionation in pediatric diseases

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) subfraction profile is a predictive indicator for the discrimination of hepatic malignancies, benign liver diseases and yolk sac tumor in adults. In the present study, AFP subfractions were examined in AFP-positive sera from 59 patients of less than 15 years of age. Fractionation of AFP was carried out by lectin affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis. Concanavalin A, Lens culinaris hemagglutinin and phytohemagglutinin E were used as lectins. Fifty-four of 59 (91.5%) AFP subfraction profiles in patients with pediatric diseases were classified into three common types: (1) benign liver disorder, (2) hepatic malignancy and (3) yolk sac tumor. An atypical AFP subfraction profile resembling hepatic malignancy type was found in 5 of 59 (8.5%) infants. It was concluded that estimation of serum AFP subfraction profiles facilitates differential diagnosis of various AFP-positive pediatric diseases, such as hepatoblastoma, hepatoma, hepatic cirrhosis, hepatitis or germ cell tumors.

Intratumoral DNA heterogeneity correlated with lymph node involvement and surgical staging in epithelial ovarian cancer by flow cytometry

BACKGROUND

Flow cytometry (FCM)-measured DNA content may be a predictor in the prognosis of ovarian cancer. Multiple specimens taken from the same ovarian tumor may show a variation in DNA content (i.e., intratumoral DNA heterogeneity). We measured the FCM DNA content of multiple specimens from the same tumor in ovarian cancer, and the relationship among DNA ploidy, intratumoral DNA heterogeneity, retroperitoneal lymph node involvement, and surgical staging was evaluated.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer were included in the study. The FCM-measured DNA content of multiple fresh tumor specimens taken from different parts of the same ovarian tumor from each patient was measured. When aneuploidy was observed in at least one specimen from the same tumor, the tumor was defined as an aneuploid tumor. If there were two or more different aneuploid stem lines with a variation of DNA indices (differences of the DNA indices > 0.15) from the same tumor, the presence of intratumoral DNA heterogeneity was defined.

RESULTS

Diploid tumor was found in 8 (19.5%) of the 41 patients, and aneuploid tumor with intratumoral DNA heterogeneity was found in 20 (48.8%). None of the eight patients with diploid tumors demonstrated lymph node involvement. In contrast, lymph node involvement was found in 14 (70.0%) of 20 patients with intratumoral DNA heterogeneity. There was a significant different incidence of lymph node involvement between the groups with and without intratumoral DNA heterogeneity (P < 0.01). The incidence of intratumoral DNA heterogeneity significantly correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging (P < 0.01), while that of aneuploid tumor did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Intratumoral DNA heterogeneity reflected a malignant potential for lymph node involvement and its progression in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Single photon emission computed tomography with 123I-IMP in three cases of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion brain scans using 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) were performed in three patients with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). In two accumulation was increased in the left basal ganglia and decreased in the right on the early images during the active phase of NMS; this asymmetry was not seen after recovery. In the third patient two examinations were performed during the active phase; on the first, increased accumulation of 123I-IMP in the left basal ganglia was found on the early images, but on the second, increased accumulation of tracer was found in the right basal ganglia on the delayed images. These abnormalities disappeared after improvement of the NMS. These results suggest that a disturbance in the basal ganglia is related to the development of NMS.

Combined intrauterine and ovarian pregnancy: a case report

A case of combined intrauterine and ovarian pregnancy diagnosed by postoperative microscopic observations is reported in this paper. The patient was a 23-year-old, Japanese nulligravid female. On the 32 day after a previous D & C when normal chorionic tissues of very early gestation were obtained, she complained of severe lower abdominal pain. Immediate laparotomy revealed hemorrhaging from a hematoma-like region on the surface of the left ovary, and partial resection of the left ovary was performed. The resected ovary was composed of an intact corpus luteum and another thin corpus luteum around a hematoma-like region containing chorionic villi, confirming this case to be an ovarian pregnancy. Histological findings of chorionic villi of the ovary indicated that ovarian pregnancy took place during the same menstrual period as intrauterine pregnancy, and not after the prior D & C. From these observations, this case was diagnosed as a combined intrauterine and ovarian pregnancy.

[Risk factors for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in ovarian cancer]

The incidence and significant risk factors for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were investigated in 48 patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Twenty-four (50.0%) of the 48 patients had para-aortic and/or pelvic lymph node metastases. In retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy at primary cytoreductive surgery, all patients with lymph node metastases were found to have both para-aortic and pelvic lymph node metastases. It is possible that the lymphatic extension, from the pelvic lymph node to the para-aortic lymph node, is one of the routes of retroperitoneal lymph node metastases in primary epithelial ovarian cancer. The incidence of lymph node metastases significantly increased with the spread of the abdominal tumor, peritoneal cytology, peritoneal metastasis, omental metastasis, involvement of both ovaries and poor histological grade. In the multiple analysis, the spread of the abdominal tumor, positive peritoneal cytology and poor histological grade were found to be the most important risk factors for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in ovarian cancer.

CNS regulation of blood lactate concentration in anesthetized rats

This study evaluated the effect of stimulating the central nervous system (CNS) with neostigmine, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, on the blood lactate concentration in fed rats and in rats fasted for 48 hours. After the rat was anesthetized with pentobarbital, neostigmine was stereotaxically injected into the third cerebral ventricle. In fed rats, the central injection of neostigmine significantly increased the blood lactate level, while concomitantly increasing plasma glucagon, epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations. Constant infusion of somatostatin throughout the experiments, to inhibit glucagon secretion from the pancreas, did not affect alterations in blood lactate by central injection of neostigmine. In adreno-medullated rats, CNS-stimulation by neostigmine still increased plasma norepinephrine significantly, however, the alteration in blood lactate was only one-third of that in intact rats. Intraperitoneal propranolol, but not phentolamine, prevented the rise in lactate. Neostigmine increased lactate in fasted rats as well as in fed rats. We conclude that in anesthetized rats, stimulation of the CNS by neostigmine increases blood lactate mainly through circulating epinephrine and partially through circulating norepinephrine or direct sympathetic nervous stimulation; glucagon does not appear to be involved in the increase in blood lactate.

[The clinical significance of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis and lymphadenectomy on 3-year survival in ovarian carcinoma]

Fifty-two patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer received surgical treatment and chemotherapy at the Hospital of Shiga University of Medical Science and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases were evaluated clinico-pathologically. Forty patients underwent paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, although 12 patients with stage IIIc underwent no lymphadenectomy. In the patients with lymphadenectomy, stage I and II groups had 100% of 3-year survival, stage III group, 40.0% and stage IV group, 0.0%. A series of 27 patients with stage IIIc diagnosed from findings in the abdominal cavity had cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy including cisplatinum, and were evaluated for 3-year survival. No significant difference in the survival rate was found between the stage IIIc groups with and without para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The most important prognostic factors for 3-year survival were retroperitoneal lymph node metastases, complete remission, and residual tumor at second surgery. A three year survival analysis confirmed that para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy is not an important procedure for the treatment for stage III ovarian cancer. However, retroperitoneal lymph node metastases was one of the most important prognostic factors.