[A useful method to evaluate 11C-methionine uptake using positron emission tomography: determination of the optimal scanning time for evaluation and a comparison between the tumor-to-muscle ratio and the distribution absorption ratio]

We determined the optimal scanning time for evaluating 11C-methionine uptake and then compared the usefulness of the tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMR) with the distribution absorption ratio (DAR) using positron emission tomography. Forty-two PET studies were performed to examine 42 tumorous lesions, 25 normal lung tissues, 23 normal bone marrow and 39 blood pool. In the 42 lesions examined, the TMR at 5, 10-20, 20-32 and 32-40 minutes after 11C-methionine injection, compared with that at 45-60 minutes, was 96 +/- 23%, 91 +/- 8.6%, 94 +/- 6.9% and 96 +/- 6.9%, respectively. A correlation study between the TMR and the DAR demonstrated good results in both the normal tissue (r = 0.96) and the tumorous lesions (r = 0.93). In conclusion, the 11C-methionine uptake can be evaluated at any time from 10 minutes after the injection of 11C-methionine and both the TMR and the DAR are considered to be useful methods for evaluating 11C-methionine uptake using positron emission tomography.

[The partial volume effect correction for pulmonary mass lesions using a 68Ga/68Ge transmission scan in PET study]

We tried to correct the partial volume effect for pulmonary mass lesions using a 68Ga/68Ge transmission scan. Initially, a fundamental study was done using spherical phantoms and good results were obtained. Next, a clinical evaluation was performed on 28 pulmonary mass lesions ranging in diameter from 0.8 cm to 8.0 cm. The tissue fractions of the mass lesions were obtained by a 68Ga/68Ge transmission scan, where the tissue fraction in the back muscles was assumed to have a value of 1. The tissue fraction of the surrounding lung field was subtracted from that of each mass lesions, and the net tissue fraction was thereby obtained. When no correction was required, the tumor/muscle count ratio (TMR) became higher in proportion with an increase in the mass size. After performing a correction, however, no correlation was observed between them. This method was both easy to perform and reliable, and it is thus considered to be useful for overcoming the partial volume effect in pulmonary mass lesions, although an underestimation may still occur in cases with mass lesions either near the great vessels or the chest wall.

Prognostic evaluation of cutaneous malignant melanoma based on the pTNM classification

The prognoses of 100 consecutive melanoma patients were analyzed on the basis of Breslow's thickness and Clark's levels as well as according to stage employing the 1987 UICC pTNM classification. Among patients with lesions < or = 1.50 mm thick, the 10-year survival rate was 100% for both pT1 (n = 13) and pT2 (n = 6) disease, 73.4% for pT3a disease (n = 26), 62.2% for pT3b disease (n = 15), 69.3% for pT3 (n = 41) disease, and 38.7% for pT4 disease (n = 38). Significant differences in survival were found between the pT4 group and the pT1/pT3a or pT3 groups. The 10-year survival rate was 100% for level II (n = 13) and level III (n = 13) disease, 58.3% for level IV (n = 46) disease, and 34.5% for level V (n = 26) disease. Significant differences were found between level V and other levels. The survival rate at 10 years was 100% for stage I (n = 18), 63.3% for stage II (n = 24), and 52.5% for stage III (n = 55). In stage IV (n = 3), there was only one patient who survived for 42 months. There were significant differences in survival among all stages except I and II. The 10-year survival rate in 3 subgroups of stage III was 58.9% for pT4pN0M0 patients (n = 14), 63.2% for pT,pN1M0 patients (n = 31), and 20% for pT,pN2M0 patients (n = 10). Significant differences were found between the pT,pN1M0 and pT,pN2M0 subgroups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of the transfer genes of Streptomyces plasmid pSN22: in vivo and in vitro study of the interaction of TraR with promoter regions

Expression of the tra operon, essential for conjugative transfer of the 11-kb Streptomyces nigrifaciens plasmid pSN22, is negatively regulated by traR, which is located upstream of the tra operon and transcribed in the opposite orientation. The transcriptional start points for the tra and traR mRNAs were determined by primer extension; they are 72 bp apart and have identical -10 promoter sequences. The TraR protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and used for gel retardation and DNase I protection experiments. It bound specifically to the bidirectional tra-traR promoter region and protected four DNA regions, each of which contains a similar 12-bp sequence. The binding was strongest to the region downstream of the tra promoter, probably ensuring that expression of the potentially lethal traB gene is turned off before traR. The efficiency of intramycelial plasmid transfer was decreased by the mutation at the downstream region.

Hyperplasia of brown adipose tissue after chronic stimulation of beta 3-adrenergic receptor in rats

When mammals are exposed to a cold environment for a long time, the capacity of nonshivering thermogenesis by brown adipose tissue (BAT) increases in association with the increased expression of some specific proteins and tissue hyperplasia, which are totally dependent on sympathetic innervation to this tissue. To clarify roles of the beta-adrenergic mechanism in BAT hyperplasia, the effects of chronic administration of various beta-adrenergic agonists on BAT were examined in rats, especially focusing on some agonists to the beta 3-adrenoceptor which is present specifically in adipocytes. Chronic administration of noradrenaline or isoproterenol for 7-10 days produced a marked increase in the tissue contents of DNA, total protein, mitochondrial uncoupling protein, and insulin-regulatable glucose transporter protein. The trophic effects of noradrenaline and isoproterenol were mimicked by chronic administration of beta 3-adrenergic agonists, such as CL316,243, BRL 26830A, and ICI D7114. These results suggest that the beta 3-adrenoceptor plays important roles for hyperplasia of BAT, and thereby increasing in the capacity of thermogenesis.

Exercise-induced splitting of the inorganic phosphate peak: investigation by time-resolved 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

To investigate the splitting of the inorganic phosphate (Pi) peak during exercise and recovery, a time-resolved 31phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) technique was used. Seven healthy young sedentary male subjects performed knee flexion exercise in the prone position inside a 2.1-T magnet, with the surface coil for 31P-MRS being placed on the biceps femoris muscle. After a 1-min warm-up without loading, the exercise intensity was increased by 0.41 W at 15-s intervals until exhaustion, followed by a 5-min recovery period. The 31P-MRS were recorded every 5 s during the rest-exercise-recovery sequence. Computer-aided contour analysis and pixel imaging of the Pi and phosphocreatine peaks were performed. Five of the seven subjects showed two distinct Pi peaks during exercise, suggesting two different pH distributions in exercising muscle (high pH and low pH region). In these five subjects, the high-pH increased rapidly just after the onset of exercise, while the low-pH peak increased gradually approximately 60 s after the onset of exercise. During recovery, the disappearance of the high-pH peak was more rapid than that of the low-pH peak. These findings suggest that our method 31P-MRS provides a simple approach for studying the kinetics of the Pi peak and intramuscular pH during exercise and recovery.

Partial characterization of a low molecular weight phagocytosis inhibitory factor obtained from human erythrocyte membranes

Phagocytosis Inhibitory Factor (PIF), a small (< 3000 D) molecule, was partially purified from human red blood cell membranes. This factor inhibits latex phagocytosis by monocytic cells. PIF is not toxic under the experimental conditions employed and the phagocytosis inhibitory activity is reversible since removal of this factor restores the phagocytic capability of cells. The phagocytic activity of murine macrophages was not affected by PIF.

[Late phase II study with 21-consecutive-day oral administration of etoposide for malignant lymphoma]

We conducted a multi-institutional (33 institutes), late phase II study with a 21-consecutive-day oral administration of etoposide for malignant lymphoma. Patient entry criteria were either those refractory to standard therapies or those for whom no appropriate therapy was available. A once-daily dose of 50 mg/body was administered for 21 consecutive days. Of the evaluable 83 among 88 entry patients, the overall response rate was 53.0% (44/83), including 10 CR; 52.5% (42/80, 9 CR) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 100% (2/2, 1 CR) with Hodgkin's disease. Regarding abnormal laboratory findings, myelosuppression was observed; the incidence rates of leukopenia (23.3% with Grade 3), neutropenia (32.6%), hemoglobin decrease (17.4%) and thrombocytopenia (4.7%) were 70.9%, 65.1%, 54.7% and 19.8%, respectively. Major adverse reactions and their incidence were: anorexia 43.0%, alopecia 37.2%, nausea/vomiting 32.6%, fatigue 18.6%, stomatitis 15.1%, fever 7.0% and diarrhea 5.8%. Therefore, a 21-consecutive-day oral administration of 50 mg/body/day or 75 mg/body/day appears to be effective for the treatment of malignant lymphoma.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of short-chain aliphatic aldehydes using 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-hydrazino-2,1, 3-benzoxadiazole as a fluorescence reagent

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of four short-chain aliphatic aldehydes using fluorescence detection was carried out with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulphonyl)-7-hydrazino-2, 1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-H). DBD-H derivatives with three aliphatic aldehydes--formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde--were synthesized and their fluorescence properties were examined. Relative fluorescence intensities of these compounds in acetonitrile were ca. ten-fold larger than those in aqueous acetonitrile. DBD-hydrazones could be separated by reversed-phase chromatography using aqueous acetonitrile as eluent and detection at 560 nm with excitation at 445 nm. Submicromolar levels of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and butyladehyde could be determined. The HPLC procedure using propionaldehyde as internal standard was applied to the measurement of acetaldehyde levels in normal human plasma before and 30 min after ingestion of ethanol.

A novel fucosylated glycosphingolipid from the millipede, Parafontaria laminata armigera

A novel fucosylated glycosphingolipid (GL-3a) was isolated and purified from whole tissues of the millipede, Parafontaria laminata armigera. Its chemical structure was characterized as Man beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)Glc beta 1-ceramide (I3 alpha Fuc,MlOse2Cer) by gas-liquid chromatography, permethylation study, partial acid hydrolysis, exoglycosidase degradation, TLC/enzyme-immunostaining, negative fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This compound was unique in containing a fucose branch linked to the glucose residue of the disaccharide, mannosylglucose. The ceramide moiety was mainly composed of d17:1 (64.3%) and d18:1 (20.0%) sphingoids, and 22:0 (41.8%), 23:0 (16.4%) and 24:0 (15.8%) fatty acids.

[Role of institutions for the elderly in senile dementia]

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of institutions for the elderly, and special nursing homes in particular, with regard to senile dementia. The subjects consisted of 81 cases who were institutionalized in our special nursing home from early November, 1992 to late October, 1993. Of these, 37 cases (45.7%) showed clinical dementia at the time of institutionalization. The severity and respective percentages of dementia were as follows: slight degree 32.4%, moderate degree 27.0% and severe degree 40.6%. The severity of dementia demonstrated significant correlation with age. Hasegawa's Dementia Scale, activity of daily living and physical conditions. The admission rate (40.5%) of the demented group for physical diseases was significantly higher than that (22.7%) of the non-demented group. The majority of families of both groups first sought advice at institutions other than our special nursing home and the welfare office in the city, prior to being institutionalized. The referral rate from such institutions was far higher than that for direct entry from their homes. We consider that special nursing homes, in addition to carrying for daily living requirements, should pay great attention to physical diseases in patients suffering from senile dementia, and cooperate with medical institutes, particularly referring hospitals, and other welfare and health facilities, in this regard.

Dual role of nitric oxide in focal cerebral ischemia

The importance of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia was examined following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. A significant increase in infarct size developed following inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) activity by L-arginine analogues whereas intravenous L-arginine dose-dependently decreased infarct volume in the same models. Protection after L-arginine administration was associated with enhanced blood flow within the perinfarct zone as demonstrated by simultaneous recording of rCBF and electrocorticogram activity within subjacent brain. Selective NOS inhibition by 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) significantly reduced infarct volume at doses of 25 and 50 mg kg and in amounts that did not decrease the response of pial vessels to topical acetylcholine. Together these data suggest that enhanced NO production within the cerebrovasculature protects brain tissue during focal ischemia via hemodynamic mechanisms whereas neuronal overproduction may facilitate or mediate neurotoxicity. Recent data using transgenic animals lacking NOS activity support the latter conclusion.

Mechanism of anti-obesity action of benidipine hydrochloride in mice

Benidipine hydrochloride, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, decreases body weight and also has a hypotensive effect. The mechanism of its inhibitory effect on body weight is unclear, although this agent increases blood flow in brown adipose tissue, which functions as a main thermogenic organ. The hypothesis that benidipine hydrochloride activates brown adipose tissue to induce body weight loss was tested on mice made obese by pretreatment with monosodium-L-glutamate (MSG). When benidipine hydrochloride was incorporated in the diet (1.0 mg per gram of food) for 4 weeks, binding of guanosine-5'-diphosphate in brown adipose tissue mitochondria was significantly increased. Body weight and body fat decreased in both MSG obese mice and in lean controls. Results support the hypothesis and suggest the possibility that benidipine hydrochloride may be useful for treating obese hypertensive patients.

[Multiple myeloma preceding myelodysplastic syndrome with eosinophilia and der (1;7)]

Multiple myeloma (IgG kappa + IgA kappa type, clinical stage IA) was diagnosed in a 82-year-old woman in January 1986. Chemotherapy (melphalan, prednisolone, vindesine, cyclophosphamide), caused prolonged myelosuppression. Therefore she was given other treatment. In October 1992, her peripheral blood examination demonstrated 2% blastic cells and 12% eosinophils. Bone marrow aspiration showed dysplastic features of trilineage blood cells with 4.8% myeloblasts. The karyotype of bone marrow cells from this patients was 47, XX, +der(1)t(1;7) (p11;p11), -7, +8. A diagnosis of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (refractory anemia) was established. Eleven months after diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, she is alive without leukemic transformation.

Inhibitory effect of bifemelane on superoxide generation by activated neutrophils measured using a simple chemiluminescence method

We evaluated the effect of 4-(2-benzylphenoxy)-N-methylbutylamine hydrochloride (bifemelane hydrochloride) on superoxide production by human neutrophils using an MCLA-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Bifemelane hydrochloride dose-dependently inhibited superoxide production by neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate, opsonized zymosan, or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, while it had no effect on superoxide production by a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system. These results indicate that bifemelane hydrochloride does not have a scavenging effect, but has an inhibitory effect on superoxide generation by neutrophils. Although this drug is commonly used for treating chronic cerebral infarction, it may also have a protective effect on acute ischemia/reperfusion injury.