Drug delivery to the brain using thermosensitive liposome and local hyperthermia

We investigated the possibilities of drug delivery to the brain using thermosensitive liposomes and hyperthermia. Thermosensitive liposomes are small vesicles containing some drugs, which are designed to release the drugs in response to hyperthermia. The first experiment consisted of four groups: (1) received free Cisplatin: cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP); (2) received free CDDP and above 41 degrees C local brain heating for 30 min; (3) received liposomes containing CDDP (CDDP-liposome); and (4) received CDDP-liposome and above 41 degrees C local brain heating for 30 min. Brain CDDP levels were significantly higher in (4), while those on the other groups were undetectable. In the second experiment, we studied the distribution of Evans blue (Eb) in the artificially heated region of mongrel dogs' brain. One group received free Eb and the other group received liposomes containing Eb (Eb-liposome). While the extravasation of free Eb was localized in regions heated > 44 degrees C, that of Eb-liposome was extended up to the regions heated at 41 degrees C. We concluded that the use of thermosensitive liposomes and hyperthermia not only contributes to the brain tumour killing as direct thermal killing does but also helps to increase the concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs into the tumour invaded zones with mild local hyperthermia of 41 degrees C.

Expression of bcl-2 oncogene product in primary non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of the oral cavity

The B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) proto-oncogene is peculiar, as its product appears to provide survival advantage to B cells by blocking apoptosis. Expression of bcl-2 protein was analyzed in 54 cases of primary non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas of the oral cavity by immunohistologic staining of paraffin-embedded tissue. The immunophenotype of each tumor was established with the use of a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to lymphoid cell differentiation antigens. The cases in the present study were 42 B-cell lymphomas, 7 T-cell lymphomas and 5-lymphomas revealing histiocytic markers. Sixteen of the 42 B-cell lymphomas were positive for bcl-2 protein, and were composed of 7 low-grade B-cell lymphomas and 9 high-grade B-cell lymphomas. Seven low-grade B-cell lymphomas were composed of one mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type, three centrocytic types and three centroblastic-centrocytic types. Nine high-grade B-cell lymphomas comprised four centroblastic types, one immunoblastic type and four lymphoblastic types. Enhanced expression of the bcl-2 oncogenic protein was detectable in lymphoma cells in 2 cases for the T-cell lymphoma, and one case for the true histiocytic lymphoma. In contrast to the previous reports of American node-based lymphomas, Japanese primary oral lymphomas in our series expressed a lower frequency of bcl-2 protein. Furthermore, the present study indicated that bcl-2 protein was expressed on a wide variety of B-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphomas and true histiocytic lymphoma, and that differences in bcl-2 protein expression may be useful in the diagnostic separation of lymphoblastic lymphoma with B-cell marker from Burkitt's lymphoma.

[Retrospective analysis on 21 patients with follicular lymphoma]

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the 21 patients with follicular lymphoma admitted to our institution from 1977 to 1994. The frequency of follicular lymphoma was 9.1% in the 231 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Overall survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 90.2%, 78.2%, and 52.1%, respectively. The median follow-up of surviving patients and time to treatment failure (TTF) was 43 months and 30 months, respectively. The median time from disease progression to death was 171 days. In univariate analysis, factors associated with poor survival were stage IV (Ann Arbor staging system), anemia (hemoglobin level less than 10g/dl), bone marrow involvement, two or more extranodal sites, and failure in induction of complete remission (CR) in the entire course. Factors associated with short TTF were anemia, bone marrow involvement, and failure in induction of CR. In multivariate analysis, induction of CR affected survival and TTF independently.

Cell cycle-dependent accumulation of a kinesin-like protein, KatB/C in synchronized tobacco BY-2 cells

Immunoblot analysis with antibodies prepared against highly purified recombinant truncated kinesin-like proteins, KatB(5-249) and KatC(207-754), encoded by the katB and katC genes of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed the presence of a kinesin-like polypeptide, termed KatB/C, in cultured tobacco BY-2 cells. The KatB/C polypeptide cosedimented with microtubules in the presence of a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue and was released from microtubules in the presence of ATP, both of which are characteristics of kinesin proteins. The amount of KatB/C polypeptide in synchronous BY-2 cells increased during M phase of the cell cycle. Microtubule-based structures present in cells at M phase, such as the spindle and phragmoplast, may be the site of action of the KatB/C protein.

The side and somatotopical location of single small infarcts in the corona radiata and pontine base in relation to contralateral limb paresis and dysarthria

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the side and location of single small infarcts (< or = 3 cm) in the corona radiata (28 patients) and pontine base (36 patients) influence the incidence of contralateral upper or lower limb paresis and dysarthria. While the severity of contralateral limb paresis was not significantly different between right and left corona radiata lesions, infarcts presenting with contralateral limb paresis and/or dysarthria presented significantly more often in the left than in the right hemisphere, and left infarcts were significantly smaller than right infarcts. Lesions related to dysarthria and upper and lower limb paresis were arranged anterior-posteriorly in the paraventricular corona radiata region. Pontine base infarcts presenting with dysarthria also presented significantly more often in the left than in the right pons. Dysarthria showed a significant correlation with lesions presenting in the dorsomedial portion of the pontine base, upper limb paresis with those in the dorsomedial and dorsolateral portions, and lower limb paresis with lesions in the ventromedial portion. These results suggest greater influence of the left descending motor fibers on contralateral limb movement and articulation than of the right and face-arm-leg somatotopy of motor fibers in the paraventricular corona radiata region (anteroposterior) and in the pontine base (dorsoventral).

Lipid analysis and surfactant-associated protein expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells from pleural effusion

Primary lung adenocarcinomas originate from the progenitor cells of peripheral airway cells. Alveolar type II cells and Clara cells are the major progenitor cells of peripheral airway cells. Alveolar type II cells produce a lipid-protein complex called surfactant, which contains surfactant proteins SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) are believed to be essential for the surfactant function. Clara cells also express SP-A, SP-B and SP-D but not SP-C. In this study we examined the properties of the cancer cells isolated from the pleural effusion of a patient with primary lung adenocarcinoma by analyzing lipids, proteins and mRNAs. The cancer cells, designated as LC117 cells, were isolated from the pleural effusion of a patient with primary lung adenocarcinoma. The percent distributions of [14C]-acetate incorporated into PC and PG in the cancer cells were 55.7 and 1.1%, respectively. The disaturated species in total PC was 46.2%. Immunoblotting analysis using anti-SP-D monoclonal antibody revealed that the pleural effusion from a patient with lung adenocarcinoma contained SP-D. We determined the concentrations of SP-A and SP-D by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pleural effusions from this patient and the media incubated with cancer cells exhibited significant levels of SP-D as well as SP-A. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the tumor cells expressed mRNAs for SP-C as well as the other surfactant proteins. The results demonstrate that tumor cells from lung adenocarcinoma express all of surfactant-associated proteins, indicating that LC117 cells originate from alveolar type II cells. This study indicates that the combination of analyses of lipids, proteins and mRNAs in the cancer cells isolated from pleural effusion is useful to understand the property of lung adenocarcinoma.

Recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis developing into laryngeal carcinoma with human papilloma virus (HPV) type 18: a case report

We report a case of recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis which developed into laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma 11 years after the first diagnosis. Interestingly, we could identify HPV type 18 DNA in the carcinoma tissue using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Other known risk factors of irradiation, smoking, exposure to chemical agents, or a hereditary tendency to malignant tumours were not present in this case. Our finding suggests that HPV type 18 is another aetiological agent for laryngeal carcinoma.

Endoscopic findings at the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube in otitis media with effusion

Transnasal endoscopy of the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube was performed on 155 ears with otitis media with effusion (77 ears of children, 78 ears of adults). In children, blockage of the orifice by mucopurulent nasal discharge was the most frequent finding (72.7%), followed by compression of the orifice by the adenoid tissue (52.0%), hypertrophy of the peritubal tonsil (16.9%), and edema around the orifice, especially at its posterior lip (10.4%). In adults, the most frequent abnormal finding was edema of the orifice (26.9%), followed by blockage of the orifice by mucopurulent nasal discharge (23.1%), and atrophy of the orifice (10.3%). In 39.7% of cases findings were normal. Thus, main pathological findings associated with tubal dysfunction involved inflammation in the nasopharynx.

Induction therapy with all-trans retinoic acid for acute promyelocytic leukemia: a clinical study of 10 cases, including a fatal [correction of fetal] case with thromboembolism

Ten patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Eight of 10 patients achieved complete remission (CR), and among the 8 newly diagnosed cases, 7 achieved CR. Five of 8 CR cases remained in CR after 8 to 30 months. Except for hypotension and a large gastric ulcer resulting from hyperhistaminemia, the adverse effects of ATRA were generally mild. Severe thrombotic tendency occurred in a patient treated with ATRA combined with tranexamic acid. Intensive chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin (DNR) and other agents was scheduled for the patients who achieved CR with ATRA.

Satisfactory remission achieved by PUVA therapy in Langerhans cell hisiocytosis in an elderly patient

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is currently regarded as a reactive proliferative process of Langerhans cells rather than a malignancy. The disease is characterized by Langerhans cell infiltration of skin, lung, bone and other organs. We report a 74-year-old man with Langerhans cell histiocytosis who had generalized hemorrhagic and crusted papules. He also had diabetes insipidus. Because he did not have any severe constitutional symptoms or failure of vital organs, we applied topical PUVA treatment to his skin lesions, which responded well to the therapy. Diabetes insipidus, however, remained, in spite of X ray radiotherapy for the pituitary lesion.

Protein kinase C-dependent modulation of stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein of fetal rat skin keratinocytes

Although the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) has been known to induce heterologous desensitization of the epidermal adenylate cyclase, the precise mechanism of PMA action remains unknown. Effects of PMA on the receptor-G-protein-adenylate cyclase system of fetal rat skin keratinocytes (FRSK) were investigated. Choleratoxin catalysed the ADP ribosylation of 45 kDa and 52 kDa membrane proteins and islet activating protein (IAP) catalysed the ADP ribosylation of a 40 kDa membrane protein. Incubation of FRSK with PMA decreased the cholera toxin-catalysed ADP ribosylation of the membrane protein, but not the IAP-catalysed ADP ribosylation. The effect of PMA on the cholera toxin-catalysed ADP ribosylation was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor, H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methyl piperazine dihydrochloride). 1-Oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), a membrane-permeable diacylglycerol analogue, also decreased the cholera toxin-catalysed ADP ribosylation, but 4-0-methyl PMA, a very weak PKC activator, had no effect. Keratinocytes are known to express the guanine nucleotide binding proteins, Gsalpha, Gi2alpha, and Gi3alpha. Immunoblot analysis of the PMA-treated FRSK showed no detectable difference in the amount of Gsalpha, Gi2alpha, Gi3alpha, or the beta subunit of the G-protein. PMA significantly decreased the beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase response and cholera toxin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation, while it markedly increased forskolin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. These results indicate that phorbol esters affect the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gs) of FRSK via a PKC-dependent pathway.

Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy in head and neck cancer

A combination chemotherapy (PT treatment) with cisplatin and tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP-ADM) was performed in 17 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy treatment began with an intravenous dose of 50 mg/body cisplatin and an intravenous dose of 20 mg/body THP-ADM. Administration of THP-adriamycin was performed on the first day only, while cisplatin treatment was repeated once a day until the third day. Five of the 17 cases achieved complete response (29.4%) and seven achieved partial response. Response rate was 70.6%. Toxicity was mild and controlled with symptomatic treatment. Leukopenia was observed in 71.4% thrombocytopenia 14.3% (due to myelosuppression), appetite loss 38.1%, general fatigue 28.6% and nausea and vomiting 23.8%. No electrocardiographic abnormality was noted.

High susceptibility of U937-derived subclones to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection correlates with accumulation of unintegrated circular viral DNA

Our previous report showed that U937-derived subclones were differentiated into at least three types (high, middle, and low types), even in the subclones expressing similar levels of surface CD4, in terms of the kinetics of the appearance of viral antigens and virus production after infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Here we showed the evidence that high susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, which was confirmed by the profound expression of viral messages and antigens, was exclusively associated with a high number of the unintegrated extrachromosomal form of viral DNA, but not with the amounts of adsorbed virus RNA nor those of integrated DNA form. The difference in the amounts of extrachromosomal form of viral DNA was also observed in the culture with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), indicating that the susceptibility is essentially unrelated to multiple infection events. Thus, the susceptibility of U937-derived subclones to HIV-1 infection seems to be affected by the occurrence of specific events involved in the accumulation of unintegrated viral DNA after viral adsorption.

A cervical dural arteriovenous fistula in a patient presenting with radiculopathy. Case report

A 51-year-old man presenting with radiculopathy a rare cervical dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is reported. Angiography revealed that the cervical dural AVF was fed mainly by the left C-3 and C-4 radicular arteries and drained into the internal vertebral venous plexus with no communication with intradural structures. The dural AVF was treated surgically after embolization therapy. Although the AVF showed mass effect on computerized tomography (CT) scanning, abnormal vessels, which were suspected to drain the AVF, were observed intraoperatively to compress the left C-4 and C-5 nerve root sleeves. After resection of these abnormal epidural vessels, monoparesis of the left proximal upper extremity was markedly improved. In this patient, dynamic CT scanning was useful in the initial diagnosis, and the preoperative embolization therapy was very effective.

Comparison of surface antigens on eosinophils from patients with eosinophilia

Recent studies have suggested that there may be heterogeneity among human eosinophils. To study this further, surface antigens on blood eosinophils from patients with eosinophilia (23 bronchial asthma, 6 eosinophilic pneumonia, 1 Kimura's disease and 1 adult T-cell leukemia) and from 8 control subjects were examined using a new direct method for fluorescence detection of eosinophils. HLA-DR+ and CD4+ eosinophil counts were higher in patients with bronchial asthma and adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) than in patients from other groups and in control subjects. CD11b+ eosinophil counts in Kimura's disease and ATL were smaller than those in the other groups. CD45RO+ eosinophil counts in bronchial asthma and eosinophilic pneumonia were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with Kimura's disease, ATL and control subjects. CD44+ eosinophil counts in eosinophilic pneumonia were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with the other groups and control subjects. These results suggest the existence of functional heterogeneity in the different eosinophilic diseases, with eosinophils in bronchial asthma and eosinophilic pneumonia being more highly activated in migration, activation and immunoregulation. On the other hand, eosinophils in Kimura's disease and ATL might be functionally down-regulated. This heterogeneity of eosinophils may reflect differences in the pathogenesis of various eosinophilic diseases.

Sarcoidosis presenting as a scarring alopecia: report of a rare cutaneous manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis

We report a 51-year-old woman with alopecia caused by sarcoidosis. The lesion enlarged within 4 years and only repeated biopsies enabled the diagnosis. The medical work-up revealed that the patient had asymptomatic pulmonary involvement. Scarring alopecia is a rare complication of sarcoidosis and biopsy from the active margin may lead to the diagnosis.

Nucleotide sequences of the M gene of prevailing wild measles viruses and a comparison with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus

We determined the nucleotide sequences of the coding region for the M gene in seven strains of measles virus (MV) that were isolated in Japan between 1984 and 1993. The mutation found among the seven differed from those of laboratory strains. Many of these mutations were the same as those that are characteristic of SSPE viruses. Thus, we suggest that the mutations that have been considered specific to SSPE virus are in fact consensus among prevailing MV.

Towards more practical average bounds on supervised learning

In this paper, we describe a method which enables us to study the average generalization performance of learning directly via hypothesis testing inequalities. The resulting theory provides a unified viewpoint of average-case learning curves of concept learning and regression in realistic learning problems not necessarily within the Bayesian framework. The advantages of the theory are that it alleviates the practical pessimism frequently claimed for the results of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) theory and its alike, and provides general insights into generalization. Besides, the bounds on learning curves are directly related to the number of adjustable system weights. Although the theory is based on an approximation assumption, and cannot apply to the worst-case learning setting, the precondition of the assumption is mild, and the approximation itself is only a sufficient condition for the validity of the theory. We illustrate the results with numerical simulations, and apply the theory to examining the generalization ability of combination of neural networks.

Expression of p34cdc2 protein kinase and p53 in supraglottic carcinomas

The clinicopathological significance of the simultaneous expression of the p34cdc2 protein kinase oncogene product and mutant-type p53 oncogene product was studied in 15 supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas. Clinical and histopathological data were recorded from the medical records, and immunohistochemical and DNA cytofluorometric analysis were performed. p34cdc2 was positive in 80% and mutant-type p53 in 53% of the tumors. Their simultaneous expression was seen in 33% of the tumors, but the probability was not statistically significant. Correlations between the expression of p34cdc2 or mutant-type p53 and T, N categories, histological differentiation, and DNA ploidy pattern were not significant. However, when the percentages of p34cdc2 and mutant-type p53-positive cells in the tumor were high, aneuploidy tended to be present and the clinical stage more advanced. It is suggested that the growth and progression of supraglottic carcinomas are associated with the disruption of the regulatory system of the cell cycle.

Endogenous nitric oxide production is augmented as the severity advances in patients with liver cirrhosis

1. Since endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator and degraded into nitrous ions, we measured the serum nitrate ion (NO3-) and the amount of urinary excretions of NO3- as an index for endogenous NO to ascertain whether NO formation is augmented in patients with chronic liver diseases. 2. Using inpatients suffering from chronic liver diseases, serum levels and urinary excretions of NO3- were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography with an anion exchange column. 3. Among the four patient groups of normal controls, and those with chronic liver diseases such as chronic active hepatitis, compensated cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis the serum level of NO3- showed the highest level in a patient group with decompensated cirrhosis. The amount of urinary excretion of NO3- was significantly increased in both groups of patients with liver cirrhosis compared with the control group and patients with chronic active hepatitis. Patients with chronic active hepatitis did not show any difference between the normal control group. The amount of urinary excretion of NO3- correlated significantly and negatively with the level of serum albumin (P < 0.05) and counts of platelets (P < 0.01) in patients with compensated cirrhosis. 4. These findings suggest that the production of endogenous NO is augmented in patients with liver cirrhosis, particularly in a decompensated subgroup. Increases in the production of endogenous NO correspond to the progress of liver cirrhosis, but not in patients with chronic hepatitis.

Inhibitory effects of selenium, vitamin A and butylated hydroxytoluene on growth of human maxillary cancer cells in vitro

The effects of vitamin A, selenium, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the growth of a human maxillary cancer cell line were examined in monolayer cell cultures. The colony-forming assay showed a 50% reduction in the survival rate of the cell line at a concentration of 3.6 micrograms/ml of selenium, 28 micrograms/ml of vitamin A, and 74 micrograms/ml of BHT. Flow cytometric analysis with both FITC-labeled bromodeoxyuridine monoclonal antibody and propidium iodide demonstrated an increase of the S-phase fraction in the presence of selenium, an increase of the G0/G1-phase fraction in the presence of vitamin A, and an increase of the G2-M-phase fraction 1 day followed by an increase of G0/G1-phase fraction from the 3rd to 7th day when BHT was added. These results suggest that the mechanisms of inhibition of DNA synthesis by these compounds are different.