Dedifferentiated liposarcoma primary to the chest wall with spontaneous shrinking: report of a case

An 80-year-old man presented to our emergency department complaining of a mass on the right side of his chest and pain in the right flank of his back. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a relatively heterogenous oval-shaped tumor measuring 7.5 × 6.0 cm eroded to the 8th rib, with slightly dense fluid accumulation inside and calcification of the tumor wall. A 1-month follow-up CT scan showed spontaneous shrinkage of the tumor. The tumor was completely excised from the thoracic wall and the wall was reconstructed with a polytetrafluoroethylene mesh. Pathological examination showed coagulation necrosis in the chest wall tumor, but immunohistochemical staining revealed murine double minute 2- and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4-positive cells with irregular nuclear size and bizarre morphology. Therefore, dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) was the final pathological diagnosis. Remarkable infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes into the tumor was observed, along with a 90% positive ratio for programmed cell death-ligand 1. The patient has been followed-up for 1 year without any recurrence, despite not receiving any additional treatment. Liposarcoma is one of the most common types of soft tissue sarcomas; however, spontaneous regression of primary DDLPS arising from the chest wall is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of DDLPS primary to the chest wall with spontaneous regression, probably due to a spontaneously induced T cell response.

Improvement of abnormal cervical cytology possibly due to a graft-versus-tumor effect: A case report and literature review

The cervical cytology of our patient transformed from squamous cell carcinoma to negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, possibly due to the graft-versus-tumor effect following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Identification of characteristic subepithelial surface granulomatosis in immune-related adverse event-associated enterocolitis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have provided an additional treatment option for various types of human cancers. However, ICIs often induce various immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Enterocolitis is a major irAE with poorly understood histopathological characteristics. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the histopathology of colon tissue samples from 17 patients treated with ICIs. There were two major histological patterns of colitis: an ulcerative colitis-like pattern and a graft vs host disease-like pattern. Although these two patterns of colitis were mutually exclusive, both patterns often showed a characteristic that we call "subepithelial surface granulomatosis" (SSG), which has not been reported in other types of colitis. SSG was found even in colon tissue without symptoms or endoscopic findings of colitis. Given the increasing reports of sarcoid reaction or exacerbation of tuberculosis after treatment with ICIs, granuloma formation could be a histological hallmark of systemic immune activation by ICIs. Although statistical significance was not obtained, probably because of the small sample size, SSG may be a surrogate biomarker of systemic anticancer immune activation. We propose that a prospective study with larger sample size be performed.

A Radical Approach to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment: A Case Study of a Veterinarian Specializing in Livestock who Developed Disseminated Mucormycosis during Induction Therapy

Mucormycosis has emerged as the third-most common fungal mycosis and is one of the most fatal molds. We herein report a case study of a 30-year-old woman who was a veterinarian, specializing in livestock, who developed disseminated mucormycosis during induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We successfully used a radical approach for treatment, including a surgical procedure and allogeneic transplantation, with continuous administration of antifungal agents. Reports of successful treatments are extremely rare, and our case has had the longest documented remission from disseminated disease. We speculate that our case's occupational environment may represent a risk factor for development of mucormycosis.

[Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with basophilic blast features]

A 62-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to pancytopenia and abnormal leukocyte fraction in December 2016. Bone marrow aspiration showed a massive proliferation of blast cells (96%) with rich myeloperoxidase-negative basophilic granules. He was diagnosed with acute basophilic leukemia, and an appropriate treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia was initiated. Blast cells were positive for minor BCR-ABL mutations, and chemotherapy using imatinib was initiated on day 7. The treatment was effective and complete remission was achieved on day 30. The ultrastructural features of blast cells showed typical basophilic granules with high electron density structure on electron microscopy. However, immunohistochemical analysis were positive for CD79a, PAX5, and TdT expression. Rearrangements of immunoglobulin heavy chain and T-cell receptor genes were detected, prompting the diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph⁺ALL) with basophilic change. The patient continued to be treated with the imatinib combination regimen, as well as umbilical cord blood transplantation. The patient has currently achieved recurrence-free survival. This case represents a rare divergence between morphology and molecular condition.

Durability of Flexible Molded Polyurethane Foams

In recent years, we have developed highly resilient (HR) flexible molded foams with superb durability, resilience and vibration characteristics, and we have reported that these improvements were based on control of cross link degree of polymer, morphology and mobility of hard and soft segments. This paper describes factors that dominantly influence the durability and the mechanism of fatigue by investigation of cross linking by covalent and hydrogen-bonds and the morphology of hard/soft segments. In this study, we use molded foams with different durabilities. These are TDI-based high performance/conventional HR, MDI-based high-performance/conventional HR, and hot molded foams.

On the whole, a small apparent viscosity coefficient, which is calculated from vibration characteristics of the foam, and a higher cross link degree of foam polymer make static and dynamic durability of flexible molded foam better. Mobility of the soft segment, estimated by solid state NMR, also dominates dynamic durability. Accordingly, hydrogen-bonds of the hard segment contribute against creep as a cross link point in static/dynamic durability test, and tight hydrogen-bonds of hot molded foam are durable against rupture or rebonding by water molecules in the wet compression set oven.

The drop in cross link degree of foam polymer was not observed during vibration durability test. Accordingly, the mechanism of fatigue could be the change of state in hydrogen-bonds or tangling of polymer-chains, or relatively macro rupture.

[Effective treatment by both anti-androgen therapy and chemotherapy for a patient with advanced salivary duct carcinoma]

Salivary ductcarcinoma (SDC)is a high-grade malignant tumor arising predominantly in the parotid gland. Androgen receptor(AR)expression was mainly restricted to SDC in salivary cancer. We report successful treatment of a patient with advanced SDC using an endocrine chemotherapy. A 76-year-old man was hospitalized with lumbalgia and swelling of left submandibular region. Radiological examination indicated a tumor in left submandibular gland and metastatic tumors in lumbar vertebra, accompanied by swollen lymph nodes of the neck, mediastinum. Needle biopsies of both vertebral tumor and cervical lymph node revealed SDC. Positive nuclear staining was observed against AR in tumor cells of our patient by immunohistochemical analysis. He obtained a partial response after 1 course of treatment with both anti-androgen therapy and palliative chemotherapy using paclitaxel. In contrast to previous reports of poor response to chemotherapy alone and short-term survival of patients with SDC, our patient has demonstrated that chemotherapy combined with anti-androgen therapy may be an effective modality as a therapeutic regimen for SDC.

Lack of Bcl11b tumor suppressor results in vulnerability to DNA replication stress and damages

Bcl11b/Rit1 is involved in T-cell development and undergoes chromosomal rearrangements in human T-cell leukemias. Thymocytes of Bcl11b(-/-) newborn mice exhibit apoptosis at a certain developmental stage when thymocytes re-enter into the cell-cycle. Here, we show that Bcl11b-knockdown T-cell lines, when exposed to growth stimuli, exhibited apoptosis at the S phase with concomitant decreases in a cell-cycle inhibitor, p27 and an antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, owing to transcriptional repression. This repression was a likely consequence of the impairment of Sirt1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase associating with Bcl11b. Activation of the apoptotic process cleaved the mediator protein, Claspin, and inhibited phosphorylation of cell-cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) that plays a central role in sensing and responding to incomplete replication. Bcl11b(-/-) thymocytes also failed to phosphorylate Chk1 when UV irradiated. These results implicate Bcl11b in the remedy for DNA replication stress and maintenance of genomic integrity.

Increased susceptibility to apoptosis in CD45(+) myeloma cells accompanied by the increased expression of VDAC1

Expression of CD45 is quite variable in human myeloma cells and cell lines, such as U266, and CD45(+) U266 proliferates in response to a growth factor, interleukin-6. Here, we show that CD45(+) myeloma cell lines were more sensitive to various apoptotic stimuli, such as oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress, than CD45(-) cells. Reactive oxygen species and calcium ion seemed to be involved in the susceptibility to apoptosis of CD45(+) U266. The activation of the src family kinases associated with CD45 phosphatase played an important role in the augmented apoptosis in CD45(+) U266 by oxidative stress. These results indicate that the CD45-expression renders myeloma cells competent for not only mitogenic but also apoptotic stimuli, resulting in either proliferation or apoptosis of CD45(+) myeloma cells dependently upon the circumstantial stimuli. Furthermore, voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) 1 was identified as a gene highly expressed in CD45(+) U266 by cDNA subtraction. The increased expression of VDAC1 seemed to augment the sensitivity to the ER-stress because the VDAC1-transfected U266 was more susceptible to the thapsigargin-induced apoptosis. Thus, CD45 expression accompanied by the increased VDAC1 expression sensitizes myeloma cells to the various extracellular stimuli that trigger apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathways.

Cyclin D1 over-expression correlates with beta-catenin activation, but not with H-ras mutations, and phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3 beta and ERK1/2 in mouse hepatic carcinogenesis

Mutational activation of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 over-expression are a frequent change in mouse hepatic tumors. Although activated beta-catenin may bind to T cell factor (TCF) family members and transcriptionally activate the cyclin D1 gene, either beta-catenin or cyclin D1 may be activated by various pathways independently of beta-catenin mutations. In this study, we investigated beta-catenin activation and mutations, cyclin D1 expression, H-ras mutations and phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), Akt and glycogen synthetase kinase 3beta (GSK3 beta) in mouse hepatic carcinogenesis. Nuclear/cytoplasmic staining of beta-catenin, a sign of beta-catenin activation, was frequently observed in association with the high nuclear cyclin D1 labeling index in the hepatic tumors at the late stage of carcinogenesis. The beta-catenin activation was further suggested by the fact that all hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines examined showed the nuclear beta-catenin/TCF4 complex together with cyclin D1 over-expression. However, the fact that only 31.8% (7/22) of the lesions with the nuclear/cytoplasmic beta-catenin staining showed beta-catenin mutations indicated that beta-catenin was activated not only by its own mutations but also by other reason(s). On the other hand, there was no correlation between the beta-catenin/cyclin D1 activation and the H-ras mutations or phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3 beta and ERK1/2, although GSK3 beta was frequently over-expressed in the tumors. These results indicate that, although beta-catenin and cyclin D1 activation are well correlated, the Akt/GSK3 beta and ras/ERK1/2 pathways may not play a major role in the beta-catenin/cyclin D1 activation.

The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on the regeneration of guinea pig olfactory epithelium

Olfactory receptor cells are widely thought to regenerate after degeneration and also thought to show turnover in normal circumstances in animal olfactory epithelium. The identity of the factor that controls proliferation and differentiation of olfactory receptor cells is a very important problem that has yet to be resolved. In this study, the mitogenic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on olfactory receptor cells in guinea pig olfactory epithelium was examined. The intraperitoneal injection of 1,000 ng bFGF/day for 14 days increased the cells in proliferation detected by immunostaining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), while neither EGF nor low-dose bFGF had any effect. These results support the idea that an adequate dose of bFGF plays an important role in the neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium. Further study is needed to clarify the efficacy of bFGF in the damaged olfactory epithelium, but bFGF may provide a therapeutic option for olfactory disturbances caused by complete or partial loss of olfactory receptor cells.

Resistance of primary cultured mouse hepatic tumor cells to cellular senescence despite expression of p16(Ink4a), p19(Arf), p53, and p21(Waf1/Cip1)

Primary cultured mouse hepatic cells become senescent within a short period, although rare cells form colonies from which continuously proliferating cell lines can be established. In contrast, hepatic tumor (HT) cells show little senescence and higher colony-forming capacity. To assess this difference, we investigated p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)/p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in primary normal and HT cells, together with cell lines established from both. In primary normal cells, p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) were expressed only in association with senescence and disappeared at later stages of colony formation. In contrast, primary HT cells showed sustained p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) expression from the beginning. No p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) alterations, such as deletion, mutations, or hypermethylation, were detected in the primary HT cells, although most cell lines derived from either normal or HT cell colonies lost p16(Ink4a) or p19(Arf) expression owing to hypermethylation or homozygous deletion of p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf). On the other hand, primary normal and HT cells and most cell lines showed constitutively elevated expression of p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1), with a further increment after ultraviolet ir-radiation, indicating a functionally normal p53 pathway. These results indicate that primary HT cells are resistant to senescence despite retaining p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)/p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression and that loss of p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) function is associated only with establishment of the cell lines.

Investigation on diabetic autonomic neuropathy assessed by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in WBN/Kob rats

This article investigates the development of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction caused by diabetes mellitus. We performed power spectral analysis of heart rate variability in WBN/Kob rats as a model of spontaneous diabetes. The heart rate of the rats was measured continuously for 24 hours with an implanted telemetric transmitter, and power spectral analysis of heart rate variability was performed on continuous electrocardiograms. At 4 to 5 months of age, the rats indicated a tendency toward a decrease in plasma insulin concentration without hyperglycemia. At 8 to 9 months of age, they showed remarkable hyperglycemia, loss of the circadian rhythm of the heart rate, and reversion or loss of the circadian rhythm of the blood pressure. By the power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, it became apparent that the circadian rhythm of the low frequency/high frequency ratio was absent even in prediabetic WBN/Kob rats. In addition, the circadian rhythms of the high-frequency power level and low frequency/high frequency ratio were absent in diabetic WBN/Kob rats. These findings indicate that the autonomic nervous system in WBN/Kob rats is progressively damaged from the prediabetic to diabetic state. In conclusion, diabetic autonomic neuropathy may be characterized by the appearance of sympathetic overactivity that precedes the impairment of parasympathetic activity.

Heat transfer and flow characteristics on a gas turbine shroud

The work described in this paper is an experimental investigation of the heat transfer from the main flow to a turbine shroud surface, which may be applicable to ceramic gas turbines. Three kinds of turbine shrouds are considered with a flat surface, a taper surface and a spiral groove surface opposite to the blades in an axial flow turbine of actual turbo-charger. Heat transfer measurements were performed for the experimental conditions of a uniform heat flux or a uniform wall temperature. The effects of the inlet flow angle, rotational speed, and tip clearance on the heat transfer coefficient were clarified under on- and off-design flow conditions. The mean heat transfer coefficient was correlated to the blade Reynolds number and tip clearance, and compared with an experimental correlation and measurements of a flat surface. A comparison was also made for the measurement of static pressure distributions.

Long-term administration of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester improves the dysfunction of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in male WBN/Kob rats

We investigated the effect of long-term administration of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-E), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on the dysfunction of the endothelium and smooth muscle cells in male WBN/Kob rats, a model of spontaneous diabetes mellitus. After oral 8-month treatment with EPA-E, the agent significantly and dose-dependently increased the migration activity of vascular endothelial cells and also decreased 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake by vascular smooth muscle cells at a dose of 0.1 g/kg or higher. In addition, there were significant correlations between the endothelial cell migration or smooth muscle cell proliferation and the 4-hour fasting glucose level. These findings suggest that EPA-E has a suppressive effect on thrombosis and atherosclerosis.

Long-term administration of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester prevents diabetes and abnormalities of blood coagulation in male WBN/Kob rats

We investigated the effect of long-term administration of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-E), an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on the development of diabetes, insulin resistance, and abnormalities of blood coagulation in male WBN/Kob rats, a model of spontaneous diabetes mellitus. After 8-month oral EPA-E treatment, the incidence of diabetes at a dose of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 g/kg was 92%, 50%, and 17%, respectively. Its incidence was suppressed significantly and dose-dependently at a dose of 0.3 g/kg or higher compared with the rate (100%) for the vehicle control. Additionally, EPA-E significantly and dose-dependently decreased the elevation of plasma glucose after an oral glucose load and increased the glucose infusion rate (GIR) during the euglycemic insulin-glucose clamp test at a dose of 0.1 g/kg or higher compared with the vehicle control. Furthermore, EPA-E significantly and dose-dependently ameliorated coagulation-related parameters, including the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen level, and factor II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII and antithrombin III (AT III) activities, and fibrinolysis-related parameters, including plasminogen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), alpha2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha2-PI), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), and also suppressed ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation and the cholesterol to phospholipid (C/P) molar ratio in platelet membranes at a dose of 0.1 g/kg or higher. These data demonstrate multiple actions of the product in these laboratory animals. These include changes in platelet function, coagulation/fibrinolysis factors, plasma immunoreactive insulin secretion, and plasma glucose/insulin resistance.

Age-related changes in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet aggregation in male WBN/Kob rats

We investigated the age-related changes in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet aggregation in male WBN/Kob rats, animals that exhibit spontaneously diabetes mellitus at more than 6 months of age. The rats aged 6 months or more showed significant hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia. As changes in coagulation parameters, the data indicated significant increases in factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, and XII activities; a significant decrease in antithrombin III activity in rats more than 6 months of age; significant increases in fibrinogen level and factor XI activity; and significant decreases in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in those more than 9 months of age. As changes in fibrinolytic parameters, the animals showed significant decreases in plasminogen and tissue-type plasminogen activator, and significant increases in alpha2-plasmin inhibitor and plasminogen activator inhibitor at more than 6 months of age. In addition, there were significant correlations between the plasma levels of coagulation/fibrinolytic markers and the 4-hour fasting glucose or lipids. Furthermore, they displayed significant increases in ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation and in cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio in platelets at more than 9 months of age. The increase in cholesterol/phospholipid ratio may be responsible for hyperaggregation of platelets in diabetic animals. These findings suggest that WBN/Kob rats are suitable for research on blood coagulation abnormalities in diabetes. However, further studies are needed to clarify the details of the mechanisms involved.

Gain of chromosomes 15 and 19 is frequent in both mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and primary tumors, but loss of chromosomes 4 and 12 is detected only in the cell lines

Chromosomal alterations were investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, primary tumors and liver epithelial cell lines derived from normal livers of C57BL/6JxC3H/HeJ F(1) and C3H/HeJxC57BL/6J F(1) mice. In the primary tumors, non-random gain of chromosomes 15 and 19 was found in seven and five of 14 hepatocellular carcinomas, respectively. On the other hand, in the cases of both liver epithelial and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, frequent changes were loss of chromosomes 4 (4/9 cell lines) and 12 (3/9) as well as gain of chromosomes 15 (5/9) and 19 (4/9). These results indicate that the chromosomal gain is associated with both in vivo carcinogenesis and establishment of cell lines, while the loss is specific for the latter. PCR analysis using polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers revealed that the loss of chromosome 12 as well as chromosome 4 was much more frequent for the C57BL/6J hepatocarcinogenesis-resistant rather than the susceptible C3H/HeJ strain.

Functional pulmonary surfactant deficiency and neonatal respiratory disorders

The pathophysiology of functional deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in the neonatal respiratory disorders represented by MAS, hemorrhagic lung edema and ARDS was discussed. The removal of inhibitor(s) is the cardinal procedure for MAS and the lavage with surfactant solution seems to be promising. In case of replacement therapy, we should consider using a different dose compared to the one used in RDS due to lung immaturity, in order to optimize results.

Self-renewal and differentiation of a basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent multipotent hematopoietic cell line derived from embryonic stem cells

Despite the accumulation of informat on on the origin of hematopoietic stem cells, it is still unclear how these cells are generated in ontogeny. Isolation of cell lines equivalent to early embryonic hematopoietic progenitor cells can be helpful. A multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell line, A-6, was isolated from H-1 embryonic stem (ES) cells. The self-renewal of A-6 cells was supported by basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and their differentiation into definitive erythroid cells, granulocytes and macrophages was induced after co-culture with ST-2 stromal cells. A-6 cells were positive for the surface markers of hematopoietic stem cell, c-kit, CD31, CD34, Flt3/Flk2, PgP-1, and HSA, but were negative for that of the differentiated cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that A-6 cells produced mRNA from SCL/tal-1 and GATA-2 genes. Among various cytokines examined, on y stem cell factor (SCF) and Flt3/Flk2 ligand (FL) supported the proliferation of A-6 cells instead of b-FGF. The FL, as well as b-FGF, supported the self-renewal of A-6 cells, whereas SCF induced differentiation into myeloid cells. A-6 cells will be useful for the characterization of hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from ES cells and provide a model system to realize the control mechanisms between self-renewal and different ation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Morphological characteristics of the dermal papillae in the development of pressure sores

Mechanisms of skin break down in the development of human pressure sores are still unclear. This study was undertaken to clarify the morphological characteristics of the dermal papillae in the skin associated with pressure sores. Skin tissues were excised from the sacrum of a Japanese subject post mortem, where a superficial pressure sore had developed. Light microscopic and transmission and scanning electron microscopic examinations were performed. It was found that the atrophic, irregular contour and alignment of the dermal papillae were characteristic of the boundary area between healthy and damaged areas. In addition, a relatively dense network of collagen fibres in the papillary layer of the boundary area was observed when compared with the healthy area. These findings suggest that the morphological changes of the papillae observed in the boundary area affect microcirculation, impairing tissue viability by inhibiting nutritive blood supply and by accumulating metabolic byproducts which predispose to tissue damage.

Inhibition of gene expression from the human c-erbB gene promoter by a retroviral vector expressing anti-gene RNA

Anti-gene is a potent inhibitor of transcriptional promoter activity and subsequent gene expression. This property has been exploited to suppress the expression of a variety of oncogenes for regulating tumor proliferation or viral activities. In this paper, we describe a novel retroviral vector designed to express human c-erbB anti-gene RNA and to reduce the promoter activity in the cells. Mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells were stably transfected with an expression construct containing a truncated human c-erbB gene promoter fused to the firefly luciferase reporter gene. Infection into these cells of the c-erbB anti-gene retroviral vector targeted to the 26 bp pyrimidine-rich element in the human c-erbB gene promoter resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the luciferase activity of the cells. Retroviral vector expressing anti-gene RNA may be useful as an alternative program of gene regulation in the cells.

Roles of the Pas1 and Par2 genes in determination of the unique, intermediate susceptibility of BALB/cByJ mice to urethane-induction of lung carcinogenesis: differential effects on tumor multiplicity, size and Kras2 mutations

The C3H/HeJ (C3H), A/J and BALB/cByJ (BALB) mouse strains are respectively resistant, sensitive and intermediate regarding the induction of lung tumors by urethane. The phenotypic difference between C3H and A/J is largely determined by the Pas1 (Pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1) gene on chromosome 6, the A/J allele of which dominantly increases the tumor burden. We recently found that BALB mice possess a unique lung tumor resistance gene on chromosome 18, designated Par2 (Pulmonary adenoma resistance 2), which partially, but dominantly suppresses the sensitive phenotype of A/J mice (Oncogene 13: 1599-1604, 1996). It has, however, remained unclear why BALB mice carrying the Par2 gene are significantly more sensitive to urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis than C3H mice that have no dominant lung tumor resistance genes. In the present study, using (C3H x BALB)F1 x C3H backcross mice treated with urethane, we demonstrated that BALB mice possess the disease allele of the Pas1 gene despite their 15-fold more resistance relative to A/J mice (LOD = 22.6). The BALB Par2 allele only significantly reduced the mean lung tumor multiplicity (LOD = 4.4) in the backcross population carrying the BALB allele of Pas1, indicating that the intermediate BALB phenotype may at least in part be the result of interactions between these two dominant genes. While the BALB Pas1 allele increased both the mean multiplicity and size of lung tumors, the BALB Par2 allele affected only the mean tumor multiplicity, implying that they are involved in different stages of multi-step lung carcinogenesis. In addition, we found that 68% of lung tumors from the BALB Pas1-positive backcross mice contained activating point mutations of the Kras2 oncogene, tightly linked to the Pas1 locus, whereas these genetic alterations were absent in tumors from BALB Pas1-negative mice. The Par2 genotype exhibited no effect on this parameter. Since the activating point mutations were observed exclusively in the BALB allele as already reported with lung tumors in (C57BL/6J x BALB/cJ)F1 mice, BALB Pas1 or possibly Kras2 itself may confer selective growth advantage on the affected urethane-initiated lung lesions.

Loss of heterozygosity at loci on chromosome 4, a common genetic event during the spontaneous immortalization of mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Spontaneously immortalized fibroblast cell lines derived from embryonic tissues of C3D2F1, mice were analyzed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at multiple chromosomal loci to identify candidate suppressor loci for immortalization. Among 47 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci selected for screening, those on chromosome 4 exhibited an exceptionally high LDH incidence of up to 89%. Only four other chromosomes (8, 11, 12, and 18) showed LOH, with the highest incidence being 33%. To further localize candidate suppressor genes on mouse chromosome 4, detailed deletion mapping was performed with 18 cell lines and 14 SSR markers. The greatest LOH incidence (94%) was observed at the D4Mit14 locus located on distal chromosome 4, indicating that a major suppressor gene resides in this region. On the other hand, at the D4Mit77 locus, 30 cM proximal to the D4Mit14 locus, we found the SSR to be homozygously lost in 39% of the cell lines. Because the D4Mit77 is tightly linked to the tumor suppressor gene p16, for which homozygous deletion has been reported in various human tumor cell lines, we also examined our fibroblast cell lines for gross aberrations of the p16 gene by using the Southern blot method. The p16 gene was found to be homozygously deleted in 56% of the cell lines. Although this result implies that the p16 gene plays a role as a suppressor gene for immortalization, the combined incidence of LOH and homozygous deletion at the D4Mit77 locus was 72%, which is significantly lower than the observed incidence at the D4Mit14 locus. Consequently, we concluded that immortalization of mouse embryonic fibroblasts may involve more than one suppressor gene on chromosome 4.

Genetic dissection of susceptibility to murine ovarian teratomas that originate from parthenogenetic oocytes

The LT/Sv mouse strain is characterized by its abnormally high incidence of spontaneous ovarian teratomas. These tumors have been shown to originate from parthenogenetic oocytes, which are spontaneously induced to divide. Both spontaneous parthenogenesis and ovarian teratomas are extremely rare for other mouse strains, including C57BL/6J. To identify the genes responsible for this unique phenotype of female LT/Sv mice, we performed linkage analysis of female (C57BL/6J x LT/Sv)F2 mice. A locus on chromosome 6 designated Ots1 (ovarian teratoma susceptibility) was identified as the single major locus that increases the frequency of teratomas in a semidominant manner.

Successful hematopoietic reconstitution by transplantation of umbilical cord blood cells in a transfusion-dependent child with Diamond-Blackfan anemia

A 4-year-old boy with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and a history of multiple transfusions underwent umbilical cord blood transplantation from his HLA-identical female sibling born by vaginal delivery at 38 weeks. The patient was prepared with busulfan, cyclophosphamide and antilymphocyte globulin. Methotrexate and cyclosporin A were given for the prophylaxis of GVHD. Regimen-related toxicity was not observed and successful engraftment occurred, including the erythroid series. No evidence of acute or chronic GVHD has been observed for 14 months after transplantation. This is the first case of successful umbilical cord blood transplantation to a patient with Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Role of urinary trypsin inhibitor in the maintenance of pregnancy in mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanisms whereby urinary trypsin inhibitor prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm delivery in mice.

METHODS

On day 15 of pregnancy, C3H/HeNCrg female mice impregnated by Crg:B6D2F1 male mice were treated intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (50 micrograms/kg, twice at a 3-hour interval) to induce preterm delivery. Urinary trypsin inhibitor (2.5 x 10(4), 7.5 x 10(4), or 25 x 10(4) units/kg, ten times at 1-hour intervals) or saline solution was administered intraperitoneally to the animals.

RESULTS

The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly decreased on a dose-related basis by urinary trypsin inhibitor treatment. Urinary trypsin inhibitor prevented the morphologic and functional changes in fetal membranes and cervical ripening preceding the onset of preterm delivery. Urinary trypsin inhibitor also suppressed the increase in plasma and amniotic fluid concentrations of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha after the lipopolysaccharide dosing in this animal model for preterm delivery.

CONCLUSION

Urinary trypsin inhibitor prevents the pathogenicity of preterm delivery through the suppression of cytokine production.

Identification of the Par2 (Pulmonary adenoma resistance) locus on mouse chromosome 18, a major genetic determinant for lung carcinogen resistance in BALB/cByJ mice

The A/J mouse strain is 14 times more susceptible to urethane-induction of lung carcinogenesis than the BALB/cByJ strain (BALB). The relative resistance of BALB is dominant over the high sensitivity of A/J, since (BALBxA/J)F1 mice are phenotypically similar to the parental BALB mice. BALB mice must thus possess modifier genes suppressing phenotypic expression of the Pas (Pulmonary adenoma susceptibility) genes, which are known to be dominant genetic determinants for lung carcinogenesis in A/J mice. In order to genetically dissect the dominant resistance of the BALB mouse, we performed a linkage analysis to chromosomally map modifier genes by using 130 (A/JxBALB)F1xA/J backcross mice. Each backcross mouse was injected i.p. with urethane (1 mg/g bw) at 6 weeks of age and lung tumors were enumerated after 120 days. When the backcross mice were genotyped at multiple simple sequence repeat marker loci distributed on all the chromosomes, a significant linkage between the presence of a BALB allele and resistance to lung tumor induction was found on distal chromosome 18 (maximum LOD = 12.2). Thus, distal chromosome 18 of the BALB mouse contains a modifier gene for lung carcinogenesis: The locus, designated Par2 (Pulmonary adenoma resistance), accounted for 38% of the phenotypic variance in the backcross population, indicating a major role in protection against lung tumor development.

Usefulness of a new tactile sensor for measurement of uterine cervical ripening in mice in a quantitative and noninvasive manner

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to establish a method with a new tactile sensor for determining in a quantitative and noninvasive manner the extent of uterine cervical ripening.

STUDY DESIGN

We used a newly designed tactile sensor to measure the softness of the cervix in untreated nonpregnant, pregnant, parturient, and nursing mice and then on day 15 of gestation in pregnant mice treated with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Additionally, to elucidate the correlation between the extent of cervical softness and its morphologic changes, we observed microscopically the uterine cervices.

RESULTS

The hardness of the murine cervix decreased with the progression of pregnancy and became minimal at delivery. We demonstrated for the first time with a tactile sensor for measuring hardness that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lipopolysaccharide significantly decreased the stiffness of the murine cervix. These findings were supported by the morphologic observations on the cervices.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that the tactile sensor for measuring hardness makes it possible to determine the extent of cervical ripening quantitatively rather than qualitatively. We consider that cervical ripening determined objectively in this manner is a good parameter to predict the onset of preterm delivery.

Detection by polymerase chain reaction of wild-type measles virus genome in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with SSPE who had received measles vaccine

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported that approximately 4-5% of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were given measles vaccination but had no history of natural measles. However, in the case who received measles vaccine, it has been extremely difficult to determine whether the actual cause of SSPE is the inoculated vaccine virus or not.

OBJECTIVES

To detect the measles virus genome in a patient with SSPE and to analyze its nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence.

STUDY DESIGN

We applied the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the measles virus genome in specimens from a 12-year-old boy with SSPE who had received measles vaccine 10 years before and had no history of apparent natural measles. The oligonucleotide primers for PCR were prepared based on the nucleotide sequence of the F and NP genes of the measles virus Edmonston strain.

RESULTS

F and NP genes were detected in both the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence analysis of the F gene showed that the patient's virus was different from that of the vaccine strain. Judging from these results, it was likely that the SSPE-associated strain in this case was derived from the wild-type rather than the vaccine strain.

CONCLUSIONS

PCR is a useful method to establish a definitive diagnosis of SSPE and to study the nature of the SSPE-associated virus.

Repeated administration of low-dose lipopolysaccharide induces preterm delivery in mice: a model for human preterm parturition and for assessment of the therapeutic ability of drugs against preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to establish a new animal model for human preterm delivery for assessment of the protective effect of drugs against preterm delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

C3H/HeN, C3H/HeN, and BALB/c female mice impregnated by C3H/HeN, B6D2F1, and B6D2F1 male mice, respectively, were treated intraperitoneally with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (0 to 100 microgram/kg, single dose or repeated doses at 1- to 6-hour intervals) on days 12 through 17 of pregnancy. On day 15 of pregnancy, the C3H/HeN females that had been impregnated by B6D2F1 males and administered lipopolysaccharide were treated intraperitoneally with indomethacin (1000 microgram/kg), ritodrine hydrochloride (1000 microgram/kg), urinary trypsin inhibitor (25 x 10(4) units/kg), or gabexate mesylate (100 mg/kg); preterm or term delivery was recorded for these mice.

RESULTS

C3H/HeN females impregnated by B6D2F1 males revealed the highest (100%) incidence of preterm delivery when the females were treated with 50 microgram/kg lipopolysaccharide twice at a 3-hour interval on day 15 or 17 of pregnancy. Indomethacin and urinary trypsin inhibitor used separately significantly decreased the incidence of preterm delivery, but only urinary trypsin inhibitor, and not any of the other drugs, significantly increased the incidence of term delivery in the mice.

CONCLUSION

A new animal model for investigation of preterm delivery was established, and its usefulness for assessment of the protective effect of drugs against preterm delivery was demonstrated.

Functional assessment of the stratum corneum under the influence of oral aromatic retinoid (etretinate) in guinea-pigs and humans. Comparison with topical retinoic acid treatment

Clinically we have noted that the skin of patients treated with long-term oral etretinate becomes uniformly soft and smooth to touch, like facial skin that becomes smoother and less wrinkled following treatment with topical tretinoin. This suggests that retinoids, whether used systemically or topically, alter the physical properties of the skin, particularly of the stratum corneum (SC). To study the influence of retinoids on the SC, we serially assessed the functional properties of the SC non-invasively in retinoid-treated humans and experimental animals. SC hydration and barrier function were assessed by measurement of high-frequency conductance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), respectively. Daily application of topical retinoic acid creams was found to rapidly induce a time- and dose-dependent, linear increase in SC hydration of the forearm skin of healthy adults over a 2-week period and to compromise its water barrier function in a similar fashion. Systemic administration of high-dosage etretinate, 4 or 8 mg/kg/day, to guinea-pigs also induced dose-dependent increases in both SC hydration and TEWL measured on the plantar skin after 1 month. Moreover, in the animals given etretinate 4 mg/kg/day we confirmed a slight but significant decrease in the number of cell layers of the plantar SC. Likewise, patients with various dermatoses began to show similar functional changes of the SC in the uninvolved skin of the flexor surface of the forearms 3 weeks after the start of oral etretinate treatment, consisting of 50 mg daily for 2 weeks, followed by gradual dose tapering.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Investigation of lipid peroxidation in regenerating rat liver]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of lipid peroxidation in regenerating rat liver. Partial 70% hepatectomy was performed in rat according to Higgings and Anderson. EPC (alpha Toc: Ascorbic acid = 6:4, radical scavenger) was injected intravenously (5mg/kg weight) one hour before operation. Lipid peroxidation in regenerating liver reached a peak at 24 hours after operation. The administration of EPC markedly suppressed the increase of lipid peroxide in the plasma and remnant liver and that of GPT after hepatectomy, with subsequent good liver regeneration ratio. Moreover, the pretreatment with EPC remarkably elevated the activity of thymidine kinase (index of DAN synthesis). The EPC administration had not notable effects on the level of plasma ketone body ratio in animal but pathologically caused early advent of glycogen granule in the remnant liver tissue after partial hepatectomy, which reflected restoration of mitochondrial energy level. The results of the present study suggest that scavenger may be useful not only for impairment of liver dysfunction but also for recovery of mitochondrial energy level and DNA synthesis after liver resection.

Synthesis and biological activities of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]pyridazin-3(2H)-o ne 7-oxide

Two enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4- c]pyridazin-3(2H)-one 7-oxide ((+/-)-1: Y-23684) were synthesized in high yields by asymmetric oxidation of the synthetic precursor (2) using modified Sharpless reagent. Among the oxidants tested, cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) gave the highest optical and chemical yields, while tert-butyl, tert-amyl, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxides did not show such high enantio-selectivities. The absolute configuration of (+)-1 enantiomer synthesized from 2, Ti(O-iso-Pr)4, (-)-diethyl tartarate, and CHP was determined to be S by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Both enantiomers, S-(+)-1 and R-(-)-1, and (+/-)-1 had approximately equivalent in vivo activities to antibicuculline test in mice and anticonflict test in rats, although S-( + )-1 showed about three times higher affinity to benzodiazepine receptor than R-(-)-1 in [3H]diazepam binding assay.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function and serum opsonic activity in surgical patients

Thirty-six patients who underwent major surgery were studied in order to clarify the perioperative changes in polymorpho - nuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function and serum opsonic activity. In patients without postoperative infection, the PMNL phagocytic-bactericidal capacity and plasma elastase levels significantly increased, while the serum opsonic index remarkably decreased just after surgery, however, all returned to the preoperative levels within 1 or 2 weeks. Conversely, in patients with postoperative infection, the PMNL bactericidal capacity and plasma elastase levels remained at high levels even after 1 or 2 weeks, while the PMNL phagocytic capacity and serum opsonic index substantially decreased after 2 weeks compared with the patients without postoperative infection. Plasma leukotriene B4, which is a potent chemo-attractant for PMNL, noticeably decreased in the patients with postoperative infection on the first postoperative day compared with that in the patients without postoperative infection. Our data suggests that the most important predisposing factors to postoperative infection may be a depressed PMNL phagocytic capacity and a lower serum opsonic activity after surgery, and that the increased PMNL bactericidal capacity and high plasma elastase levels during postoperative infection may contribute to the susceptibility to multiple organ failure.

Studies on the synthesis of condensed pyridazine derivatives. IV. Synthesis and anxiolytic activity of 2-aryl-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4- c]pyridazin-3(2H)-ones and related compound

A series of 2-aryl-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]pyridazin-3(2H)- ones and related compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to displace 3H-diazepam from rat brain membranes in vitro, and to prevent bicuculline induced convulsions in mice in vivo. Compounds with a 4'-methoxyphenyl (36) or 4'-chlorophenyl group (37, 39--42) as 2-aryl substituents showed prominent activities in both the in vitro and in vivo tests. Among them, 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro- (37) and 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-10-fluoro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]+ ++pyridazin- 3(2H)-one 7-oxides (41) showed activity twice as potent as diazepam in an anticonflict test (Vogel type, rats) while exhibiting less muscle relaxation (rotarod test, mice) and augmentation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-induced chloride current (Icl) in isolated frog sensory neurones than diazepam. Compound 37 (Y-23684) was selected from this series as a candidate for further development. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Vertebrate collagenase inhibitor. II. Tetrapeptidyl hydroxamic acids

To develop a potent and specific collagenase inhibitor, a series of tetrapeptidyl hydroxamic acids were synthesized, based on the previous findings with tripeptidyl derivatives (Chem. Pharm. Bull., 38, 1007-1011, 1990). Among the series of tetrapeptidyl derivatives synthesized, R-Gly-Pro-Leu-Ala-NHOH and R-Gly-Pro-D-Leu-D-Ala-NHOH were found to be highly specific and potent inhibitors against vertebrate collagenase with an IC50 of 10(-6) M order, where R stands for Boc or acyl group. Analysis of their structure-activity relationships showed a characteristic feature of the substrate-binding site of collagenase as follows: 1) the S1 subsite forms a shallow hydrophobic pocket, although glycine residue corresponds to the subsite of the natural collagen substrate: 2) the S2 subsite constitutes a bulky pocket with less requirement for hydrophobicity: 3) the S3 subsite preferentially accommodates Pro residue: and 4) the accommodation of the P4-P1 subsites of peptidyl collagenase inhibitor to the S4-S1 subsites is required to form a tight binding of its hydroxamic acid moiety to the zinc ion at the catalytic site of the enzyme. The introduction of an enantiometric dipeptide unit, D-Leu-D-Ala, to the P2-P1 subsites demonstrated an increased binding capacity to the extended S4-S1 subsites of collagenase, thus providing proteinase-resistant inhibitor.

[Studies on the synthesis of condensed pyridazine derivatives. II. Synthesis and anxiolytic activities of 2-aryl-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydropyridazino[4,3-c]quinolin-3(2H)-ones, 2-aryl-4a,5-dihydro-2H-(1)benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridazin-3(4H)-ones, and related compounds]

A series of 2-aryl-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydropyridazino[4,3-c]quinolin-3(2H)- ones, 2-aryl-4a,5-dihydro-2H-(1)benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyridazin-3( 4H)-ones, and related compounds were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]diazepam from rat brain membranes in vitro, and to prevent bicuculline-induced convulsions in mice in vivo. Among them, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4a,5-dihydro-2H-(1)benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyr idazin-3(4H)- one (16b) showed remarkable activities both in vitro (Ki 48 nM) and in vivo (ED50 12.4 mg/kg, p.o.). The trans sulfoxide (19a) of 16b exhibited anxioselective pharmacological activities. Compound 19a was equipotent with diazepam in the anticonflict assay (Vogel type, rat, MED 10 mg/kg, p.o.) while exhibiting reduced muscle relaxation (rotarod test) and narcotic potentiation. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.