Apoptosis in the Epididymal Epithelium of Adult Male Golden Hamster Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol

Apoptosis in the testis and prostate exposed to disrupters of endocrine function, including diethylstilbestrol (DES), during neonatal or postnatal periods has repeatedly been demonstrated, but not in the mature epididymis. We investigated the effects of DES, a potent and synthetic estrogen, on apoptosis in the adult. Adult male golden hamsters received an SC injection of DES and were then sacrificed to collect epididymides after 1, 4, or 7 days of treatment. A significant decrease in epididymal weight and an increase in apoptotic cells were shown on the first day after DES injection. Flow cytometry showed that DES treatment (1 mg/kg) for 1, 4, or 7 days induced significant apoptosis both in the caput and the cauda epididymides. Greater numbers of apoptotic cells were detected in the caput than in the cauda at a fixed time after DES treatment. Serum levels of testosterone decreased markedly within 24 hr after DES administration, reaching undetectable levels of 0.1 ng/ml at 4 days and thereafter. These results indicate that DES administration can increase epididymal apoptosis with a decrease in serum testosterone levels. Because DES used to be injected into domestic animals, adult males also have a chance to take this substance through food. Our study indicates that exposure to DES in adults is as toxic as that in the perinatal period.

Phase II study of nedaplatin and irinotecan with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background:

Current international guidelines recommend the use of platinum-based chemotherapy with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:

Patients with unresectable stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were treated with nedaplatin (NP) at 50 mg m⁻² and irinotecan (CPT) at 60 mg m⁻² on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks for two to four cycles with concurrent TRT (2 Gy per day, total 60 Gy).

Results:

All 35 patients were able to receive a total of 60 Gy. Adverse effects and events in chemotherapy with TRT were grade 3 or 4 anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, which occurred in 3.0%, 32.8% and 6.0% of patients, respectively. There was no grade 3 pneumonitis or oesophagitis. Adverse effects and events in chemotherapy alone were mild. There was no treatment-related death. An overall response rate was 94.3%. The median progression-free and overall survivals were 13.0 and 36.0 months, respectively. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 25.7% and 40.0%, respectively.

Conclusion:

NP and CPT treatment with concurrent TRT is effective and safe for patients with unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC.

Cadaverine turnover in soybean seedlings using 15N-labelled lysine and cadaverine

The synthesis and translocation of the diamine cadaverine during soybean (Glycine max L. Meer cv. Sakai) germination were studied using 15N-labelled lysine (the cadaverine precursor) and 15N-labelled cadaverine, both under light/dark (12 h/12 h) and total dark germinating conditions. 15N-cadaverine and non-labelled polyamines were simultaneously detected using ionspray ionization-mass spectrometry. Both 15N-cadaverine and 15N-lysine were taken up by soybean. 15N-lysine was transported to the shoot and root and converted into 15N-cadaverine, whereas relatively little 15N-cadaverine was formed from 15N-lysine in the cotyledon. The acropetal translocation of 15N-cadaverine from the cotyledon to the shoot seemed to predominate over basipetal transport to the root. Although no other 15N-derivatised polyamines were found, supplying exogenous 15N-lysine seemed to indirectly affect the metabolism of 14N putrescine, spermidine and spermine, while no significant effect was detected after supplying 15N-cadaverine.

Putative occurrence of lysine decarboxylase isoforms in soybean (Glycine max) seedlings

The activity of lysine decarboxylase was studied in 3-day-old soybean (Glycine max (L.) Meer cv. Sakai) seedlings also in relation to light conditions. Lysine decarboxylase activity was mainly localized in the roots and to a lesser extent in the hypocotyls and was detectable in both the soluble and particulate fractions. The enzyme activity levels were similar during germination under light and dark conditions. With respect to lysine concentration, the initial decarboxylation rate of the soluble fraction showed a saturating curve. Conversely, the initial decarboxylation rate of the particulate fraction showed a sigmoidal curve. These results could suggest that at least two isoforms of lysine decarboxylase are present in different organs of soybean seedlings. In the root soluble fraction, the suicide inhibitor alpha-difluoromethyl-lysine suppressed the activity of lysine decarboxylase and of ornithine decarboxylase to the same extent, but had no effect on arginine decarboxylase activity.

Population Research of Genetic Polymorphism at Amino Acid Position 631 in Chicken Mx Protein with Differential Antiviral Activity

A single amino acid substitution between Asn and Ser at position 631 in the chicken Mx protein has been reported to determine resistant and sensitive antiviral activity. In this study, we investigate whether various kinds of chicken breeds and jungle fowls carry the resistant or sensitive Mx allelic gene by using the mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. In total, 271 samples from 36 strains of 17 chicken breeds and from 3 kinds of jungle fowls were examined. The rates of the resistant Mx gene and sensitive gene were 59.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Only a Red jungle fowl captured in Laos carried the resistant Mx gene, and the other three Red jungle fowls from Indonesia and Gray and Green jungle fowls all had the sensitive Mx gene. These results were confirmed by the determination of amino acid sequences in the GTPase effector domain of jungle fowls.

Analysis of polyamine metabolism in soybean seedlings using 15N-labelled putrescine

The translocation and metabolism of polyamines during soybean germination were studied using 15N-labelled putrescine as a precursor. Both 15N-labelled and unlabelled polyamines were simultaneously detected using a novel application of ionspray ionization-mass spectrometry. 15N-putrescine was rapidly transported to the shoots and roots, where it was converted to spermidine and spermine. The main 15N-polyamine that accumulated in the root was 15N-spermine. It was found that there were differences in the way endogenous putrescine and exogenous 15N-putrescine were metabolized in soybean seedlings.

Effect of diethylstilbestrol on polyamine metabolism in hamster epididymis

AIM

To investigate the effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES), one of the most potent endocrine disruptors, on the metabolism of polyamines in hamster epididymis.

METHODS

Male golden hamsters of 7-week-old were kept under a light and dark cycle of 14 h and 10 h for 1 week to stimulate maximally the gonadal function. DES was injected subcutaneously at doses of 0.01 mg . kg(-1) . day(-1), 0.1 mg . kg(-1) . day(-1) and 1 mg . kg(-1) . day(-1) for one week.

RESULTS

DES treatment caused a significant decrease in the weight of epididymis. The activity of epididymal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) increased 1 day after DES treatment, kept at a high level for 4 days and then decreased to nearly normal level at day 7. The activity of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) also increased transiently after DES treatment. The contents of putrescine, spermidine, spermine and N(1)-acetylspermidine were increased 1 day approximately 4 days after DES treatment and restored to normal at day 7. All these changes showed a marked difference between the caput and the cauda.

CONCLUSION

The polyamine biosynthesis in the hamster epididymis can be affected by DES, a xenoestrogen. DES may probably affect polyamine metabolism in the epididymis by regulating the rate-limiting enzymes involved in the polyamine biosynthesis.

Suppressive effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), an extract derived from fungi of Basidiomycetes family has been shown to act as a biological response modifier in various disorders. In our present study, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, was given intraperitoneally to rats and AHCC was tested for its ability to suppress oxidative stress and the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the liver and kidney. Substantial increments in glutathione-related enzymes including glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activity as well as oxidized glutathione contents were shown in the liver at 12 h after treatment with Fe-NTA (7.5 mg Fe/kg body weight). Effects of oxidative stress induced by Fe-NTA were also demonstrated by the increase in serum lipid peroxidation, aminotransferases and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. However, the increases in these parameters were restored to normal in AHCC-pretreated rats. The ODC activity in the liver and kidney was significantly increased by Fe-NTA, while the increased ODC activity induced by Fe-NTA was normalized in AHCC-pretreated rats. These results suggest AHCC acts as a potent antioxidant and protects against disorders induced by oxidative stresses.

[Mortality and prognostic factors in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: an analysis of 231 cases]

We prospectively analyzed the mortality and prognostic factors in 231 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The patients were enrolled between May 1996 and April 1998. The average patient age was 67.6 +/- 17.5 years, and 68% were male. The mean hospital length of stay was 21.9 +/- 21.7 days. The mortality was 6.5% at the 30th day, 13.9% at hospital discharge, and 19.9% at 1 year later. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that liver cirrhosis, diastolic hypotension (< 60 mmHg), hypoxemia (< 50 Torr) were significantly correlated with death at the 30th day, and that alcoholism, malignancy, diastolic hypotension, hypoxemia, hypoalbuminemia (< 3.0 g/dl), and increased creatinine (> 1.2 mg/dl) were significantly correlated with discharge mortality. Furthermore, the prognostic factors at 1 year later were the same as those at hospital discharge, with the exception of alcoholism, which was replaced by ischemic heart disease in the 1-year mortality. We conclude that liver cirrhosis, diastolic hypotension, and hypoxemia are very important prognostic factors during the acute stage of pneumonia, and that alcoholism, malignancy, hypoalbuminemia and renal complications are significantly correlated with hospital death and 1-year mortality.

[Community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia: a comparative study of bacteremic and nonbacteremic patients]

We analyzed the clinical and laboratory features of 37 adult patients with community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Blood culture was positive in 11, and negative in 26. The average age of the 37 patients was 70.2 years, and 28 were male. Compared with the patients with negative blood culture, the patients with positive blood culture were more likely to have liver cirrhosis, less sputum production, lower body temperature, and higher respiratory rate on physical examination. In the laboratory data on admission, the values for serum total protein, albumin, and glucose were significantly lower in the patients with positive blood culture. Thirty-two percent of the pneumococcal isolates were resistant to penicillin G (MIC > or = 0.12 microgram/ml). There was no difference in the frequency of drug-resistant pneumococci in the two groups. The use of mechanical ventilation was more frequent in the patients with positive blood culture than in the patients with negative blood culture (27.3% vs 3.8%). Moreover, mortality was higher (27.3% vs 7.7%) and the duration of hospitalization was longer in the bacteremic group. However, from a univariate analytical perspective, these differences were not significant. We concluded that blood culture can be a highly valuable diagnostic aid and useful for the prognostic evaluation of patients with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

[Comparative study of clinical features of typical and atypical pneumonias]

We prospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory features of 74 patients with community-acquired pneumonia who required hospitalization between May 1996 and October 1997. Typical pathogens were identified in 47, and atypical pathogens in 27. The average age was higher in patients affected by typical pathogens (73.9 years), than in patients affected by atypical pathogens (50.9 years). Univariable analysis found that atypical pneumonias were more frequent in healthy patients than typical pneumonias. Moreover, the presence of relatives with symptoms of airway infection, headache, and earache was more common among the patients with atypical pneumonias, while leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein levels were more frequent among patients with typical pneumonias. Typical pathogens accounted for up to 79.6% of the cases of pneumonia with in older patients (aged 60 years or more), whereas atypical pathogens accounted for up to 80% of the cases of pneumonia in younger patients (aged under 60 years). This difference was statistically significant. Of all 74 patients, 39 (52.7%) were afflicted by severe community-acquired pneumonia, as categorized by American Thoracic Society guidelines. The most common pathogen among these patients was Streptococcus pneumoniae. Legionella was one of the top four. Selection of the initial antimicrobial treatment is an important clinical decision that should be made on the basis of clinical features at admission, age, and severity of the patient's illness.

[Emergency room visits by patients with exacerbations of asthma]

We retrospectively analyzed patterns of emergency room visits by patients with exacerbations of asthma from December 1995 through November 1996. A total of 591 episodes in 198 patients were reviewed. The average age was 35.8 years, ranging from 15 to 71. The largest number of visits occurred in September. The number of visits per year ranged from 1 to 22; the mean was 2.9 per year. In patients who were followed on a regular basis at our institution, serve attacks accounted for 7.1% of the total, compared with 21.6 percent at other hospitals or outpatient clinics. We suspect that this difference was related to differences in the use of inhaled steroids. At our institution, 89% of patients were taking inhaled steroids; at other hospitals or clinics, only 21% were taking inhaled steroids. Of the 198 patients, 33 fulfilled one of the following criteria: (1) endotracheal intubation for respiratory failure or respiratory arrest, (2) respiratory acidosis (pH < 7.35) without endotracheal intubation; 27% of those patients had been given a diagnosis of mild asthma before the acute exacerbation. We conclude that patient education and standard guidelines for treatment of asthma, are very important for appropriate management of asthma, to prevent exacerbations and asthma-related deaths.

[A case of primary endobronchial mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with middle lobe atelectasis]

A 60-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of an abnormal shadow in her chest X-ray. A chest roentgenogram revealed middle lobe atelectasis and a tomogram showed masses mainly in the right intermediate bronchus. In bronchoscopy, the bronchus was severely narrowed by irregularly surfaced masses. Microscopic examinations of transbronchial biopsy specimen showed the mucosal and submucosal tissue diffusedly infiltrated mainly by lymphocytes composed of small lymphocytes, centrocyte-like cells and monocytoid cells. The B-cell origin was suggested by a positive L-26 stain. Monoclonality of lymphocytes was proven by Southern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. The diagnosis was primary endobronchial lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. The case was treated with chemotherapy protocol (CAMBO-VIP) and has been in complete remission for 20 months.

Pulmonary dysanapsis, methacholine airway responsiveness and sensitization to airborne antigen

Whether the disproportional growth of airways relative to lung parenchyma (dysanapsis) has any relationship to the development of non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy was investigated in 45 family members of the patients with atopic asthma. As indices of pulmonary dysanapsis, forced expiratory flow25-75/forced vital capacity (FEF25-75/FVC) and the tracheal cross sectional area divided by the forced expiratory volume (X-SA/FVC) were examined. As an index of non-specific airway responsiveness, the cumulative dose of inhaled methacholine needed to induce 35% reduction of respiratory conductance (PD35) was determined by continuous respiratory resistance measurement. For examination of atopy, skin prick tests were conducted, and total serum IgE and IgE specific to common inhaled antigens were measured. FEF25-75/FVC showed no significant correlation to FVC but showed a significant correlation to log(PD35). When the analysis was done in the subjects whose FEV1/FVC was more than 0.8, FEF25-75/FVC showed a significant negative correlation to FVC but lost its correlation to log(PD35). X-SA/FVC showed a significant negative correlation to FVC but had no significant correlation to log(PD35). These relations were conserved when the analysis was done in subjects without airway obstruction. In addition, FEV1/FVC had a significant correlation to log(PD35) and FEF25-75/FVC. However, subjects who had a positive IgE(MAST) had a significantly smaller X-SA/FVC than those with a negative IgE(MAST) (0.60 +/- 0.14[SD] and 0.72 +/- 0.18, respectively, P < 0.02). These results suggest that although pulmonary dysanapsis does not have a significant relation to airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine, it may be associated with sensitization to airborne antigens.

Rates of ethylene release, photosynthesis and transpiration of rice measured in closed-type chamber

To obtain the basic data of gas exchange of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare), rates of ethylene release, photosynthesis and transpiration of the rice plant were measured by using a closed-type chamber. Each rate increased until the heading stage and thereafter decreased. Ethylene release rate (E) gradually increased with day after seeding and rates of photosynthesis (P) and transpiration (T) did exponentially. At the heading stage, E, P and T were maximum and had values of about 2.0 mmol plant-1 h-1, 3.0 mmol plant-1 h-1 and 0.60 mol plant-1 h-1, respectively. E in the light period was 1.5-3 times as much as that in the dark period, whereas T in the light period was 5-6 times as much as that in the dark period. E of rice per plant was lower than those of lettuce and Brassica genera which were reported previously. Especially, the rate of rice was about one-tenth that of lettuce. However, when ethylene release rates were estimated on a growth area basis, the rate of rice was about half that of lettuce, and was more than those of Brassica genera.

[Three siblings with interstitial pneumonia]

Patient 1: A 64-year-old woman was admitted for further examination after reticulonodular shadows were found on a chest X-ray film. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) was diagnosed. Patient 2: The 60-year-old sister of patient 1 was admitted for further examination after reticulonodular shadows were found on a chest X-ray film. IIP was diagnosed. About half a year later, her proximal interphalangeal joints had become swollen and the result of a rheumatoid hemagglutination test was positive. Therefore, the pneumonia was suspected to have been caused by a collagen-vascular disease (CVD), rheumatoid arthritis. Patient 3: The 64-year-old brother of patient 1 was examined. A chest X-ray film revealed reticulonodular shadows that were strongly suggestive of IIP. The remaining three siblings were examined. In a 62-year-old sister, the chest X-ray film was normal, but the level of anti-nuclear antigen was elevated. The fact that the level of this antigen was high in these four siblings and that the 60-year-old sister later suffered from rheumatoid arthritis suggested the presence of a factor predisposing to CVD in these siblings. The interstitial pneumonia in these siblings may have been related to CVD.

[Genetic analysis of bronchial asthma in Japanese population--Fc epsilon RI beta gene and beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene]

Atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness are important elements for the development of bronchial asthma. On the basis of the progression of molecular biology, the genetic regulations of asthma are being examined extensively and, recently, the gene encoding a beta subunit of the high affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI beta) and the gene encoding beta 2 adrenergic receptor (beta 2ADR) are considered to be responsible for asthma. The mutation in the Fc epsilon RI beta gene on chromosome 11q13 is reported to be associated with atopy in British families with maternal inheritance of atopy. However there is no such an association between atopy and 11q13 in Japanese families. The polymorphisms in the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene are reported to be related to the degree of agonist promoted downregulation of the receptor, and these polymorphisms are found to affect the severity of asthma. There is also evidence which supports a relationship between the polymorphism of the receptor and airway hyperresponsiveness in Japanese families.

[Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and TNF gene restriction fragment length polymorphism]

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and lymphotoxin (TNF beta) are cytokines with numerous similar immunoregulatory effects. In pulmonary fibrosis, TNF alpha/beta appears to play a critical role in the regulation of the fibroproliferative response. The human TNF alpha/beta genes are located between the HLA-B and the HLA-DR region. In man 5.5 kb and 10.5 kb of TNF alpha/beta restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) bands have recently been identified by means of enzyme NcoI. TNF alpha/beta production is reported to be correlated to the NcoI RFLP. In some collagen diseases, a decreasing frequency of the 10.5 kb band is reported. The two allele NcoI RFLP of the TNF alpha region, yielding bands of 5.5 kb and 10.5 kb, was investigated in normal Japanese subjects and patients with IIP. The frequency of these bands was not different between normal subjects and patients with IIP. However, in female patients, the frequency of the 5.5 kb band was significantly increased compared with those in the male patients and normal subjects. The increase of this band may have some relation to the pathogenesis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Smoking promotes insidious and chronic farmer's lung disease, and deteriorates the clinical outcome

Although the prevalence of serum precipitating antibodies for farmer's lung disease (FLD) is lower in smokers than in nonsmokers and FLD predominates in nonsmokers, the affects of smoking on the clinical course of the disease is not known. We compared the clinical findings and the prognosis between 12 smokers (SM-FLD) and 31 non-smokers with FLD (NS-FLD). There was no difference in age, sex, working years on farm, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, radiographic findings, between the two groups. However, for the type of onset on the first visit for FLD, "acute single episode" type was less common, and "recurrent" and "insidious onset" types were more common in SM-FLD than in NS-FLD (8.3 vs 58.1, 91.7 vs 41.9%, respectively, p < 0.05). Although working status and mask wearing status were not significantly different between the two groups after the diagnosis of FLD, patients with symptoms and/or radiographic abnormalities of FLD of more than 6 months were found more frequently in SM-FLD than in NS-FLD (66.7 vs 19.4%, p < 0.005). And also SM-FLD had more recurrences of FLD than NS-FLD after the initial diagnosis of FLD (1.58 +/- 1.56 vs 0.47 +/- 1.07, p < 0.05). SM-FLD tended to have lower % VC than NS-FLD (73.6 +/- 7.4 vs 88.5 +/- 3.9%, respectively, p = 0.06). Regarding the prognosis, the 10-year survival rates were 70.7% in SM-FLD, and 91.5% in NS-FLD (p < 0.05). These results suggest that smoking may make FLD insidious and chronic, and deteriorates the clinical outcome.

Three cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with bullae seen in schoolteachers

We encountered three patients with chronic interstitial pneumonia with many bullae in the lower lung fields whose lifetime occupation was teaching school. Pathological examination of autopsy lungs of these patients revealed interstitial pneumonia and multiple bullae throughout the lungs, including the lower lobe. Since blackboard chalk has been used as a popular writing material among teachers in Japan, the mineral contents in the lungs of two of the three cases and four control cases with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) (whose occupations were not teaching) were analyzed. The amount of deposition of total dust, inorganic dust, non-SiO2 inorganic dust, and calcium was significantly higher in the lungs of two schoolteachers compared with those of the control lungs. The amount of free silica in case 1 and alpha-quartz in case 3 were also significantly higher than in the controls. Two thirds of the chalk produced in Japan is still made from gypsum and involves small amounts of silica and other minerals, in addition to calcium. These findings indicated the deposition of chalk in the lungs of these patients with interstitial pneumonia and multiple bullae.

Dairy farmers have increased methacholine bronchial responsiveness independent of sensitization to mold antigens

Patients with farmer's lung disease (FLD) and dairy farmers have nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. To examine the factors determining bronchial hyperresponsiveness among dairy farmers, we studied airway functions, airway responses to inhaled methacholine, serum total IgE levels, and antigen-specific IgE levels in 37 dairy farmers and 11 local control subjects. The 37 dairy farmers consisted of three groups; 12 farmers with episodes of FLD (FLD group), 13 farmers with serum antibody to Micropolyspora faeni (MF) and/or Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (TV) but without episodes of FLD (Ab(+) group), and 12 farmers without serum antibodies to MF and TV and without episodes of FLD (Ab(-) group). Pulmonary function tests showed small airways disorders among farmers (each of the three groups versus control subjects; p < 0.05). Methacholine provocation test, utilizing PD35Grs (a cumulative dose of methacholine that induces 35% reduction in respiratory conductance [Grs]), showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness in each group of dairy farmers compared with that in control subjects (Log PD35Grs, mean +/- SEM: 1.22 +/- 0.18, 1.00 +/- 0.17, and 1.20 +/- 0.20, respectively, versus 2.10 +/- 0.09; p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in bronchial responsiveness among the three groups of dairy farmers. In addition, there was no significant difference in serum total IgE levels and specific IgE antibodies among the four groups. These results suggest that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine among dairy farmers is not due to past episodes of FLD or sensitization to MF and/or TV, but is possibly due to the occupational environment of dairy farming.

Association between high serum total IgE levels and D11S97 on chromosome 11q13 in Japanese subjects

The genetic linkage of atopy to chromosome 11q13 through maternally derived alleles has been previously reported. Linkage analysis in Japanese families did not confirm the existence of a major gene for atopy at this locus under the model of autosomal dominant inheritance. However, we observed a significant association between serum total IgE levels and genetic markers at this locus both in 14 Japanese atopic families and in 120 unrelated Japanese subjects. We detected eight alleles at the D11S97 locus and eight alleles in the CA/GT repeat region in the fifth intron of the Fc epsilon RI beta gene. A significantly increased frequency of the D11S97/PstI 0.96 kb allele was observed in the chromosomes of the subjects with high serum total IgE levels both in the family study (p < 0.001) and in the population study (p < 0.05). However, multipoint linkage analysis again did not show any evidence for the existence of a major gene regulating atopy on chromosome 11q13 with location scores to -35 under the model of maternal inheritance. Evidence against linkage was confirmed by the non-parametric linkage analysis, using the affected pedigree member method. Also, there was no substitution of isoleucine for leucine in the fourth transmembrane domain of Fc epsilon RI beta (Leu181), which was reported to be responsible for a subset of atopy in the British population. Therefore, the association of serum total IgE levels with chromosome 11q13 indicates that a gene or genes at this locus may contribute to the expression of high IgE levels in the Japanese population as well as in the British population, but the heterogeneity of the genetic regulation of serum total IgE levels is evident between the two populations.

Beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene restriction fragment length polymorphism and bronchial asthma

BACKGROUND

Beta 2 adrenergic dysfunction may be one of the underlying mechanisms responsible for atopy and bronchial asthma. The gene encoding the human beta 2 adrenergic receptor (beta 2ADR) has recently been isolated and sequenced. In addition, a two allele polymorphism of this receptor gene has been identified in white people. A study was carried out to determine whether this polymorphism is functionally important and has any relation to airways responsiveness, atopy, or asthma.

METHODS

The subjects studied were 58 family members of four patients with atopic asthma. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with Ban-I digestion of the beta 2ADR gene was detected by a specific DNA probe with Southern blot analysis. Airways responses to inhaled methacholine and the beta 2 agonist salbutamol, the skin prick test, and serum IgE levels were also examined and correlated to the beta 2ADR gene RFLP. In addition, measurements of cAMP responses to isoproterenol in peripheral mononuclear cells were performed in 22 healthy subjects whose genotype for beta 2ADR was known.

RESULTS

A two allele polymorphism (2.3 kb and 2.1 kb) of the beta 2ADR gene was detected in the Japanese population. Family members without allele 2.3 kb (homozygote of allele 2.1 kb) had lower airways responses to inhaled salbutamol than those with allele 2.3 kb. The incidence of asthma was higher in those without allele 2.3 kb than in those with allele 2.3 kb. The beta 2ADR gene RFLP had no relation to airways responses to methacholine and atopic status. cAMP responses in peripheral mononuclear cells of the subjects without allele 2.3 kb tended to be lower than those of the subjects with allele 2.3 kb.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Ban-I RFLP of the beta 2ADR gene may have some association with the airways responses to beta 2 agonists and the incidence of bronchial asthma.

[Immunoregulatory role of gamma delta T cell receptor in atopic asthma--association with the IgE response to molds antigen]

To evaluate the role of gamma delta T cells in atopic asthma, we examined the relationship among atopy bronchial asthma, and genetic polymorphism of the gamma chain of T cell receptors (TCR) in families through atopic asthmatic probands. We recruited 5 families (69 subjects). Total serum IgE levels were estimated by a radioimmunosorbent test (IgE RIST). Skin prick tests were done with inhaled allergens consisting of house dust, grass and tree pollens, common molds, and animal danders. Antigen-specific IgE levels in response to these allergens were also measured by multiple antigen simultaneous test (IgE MAST). The atopic phenotype was determined by the presence of a positive skin test, an elevated antigen specific IgE value, an elevated total IgE level, or some combination of these. Although linkage of atopy or bronchial asthma to the gene encoding the gamma chain of TCR was excluded, the lod score between this gene and molds-specific IgE responses was 0.42 at the recombination fraction of 0.1. In an association study, a 19 kb allele of the gamma chain of the TCR gene was found more frequently in asthmatic subjects than in non-asthmatic subjects (p = 0.068). Also, molds-specific IgE responses were significantly associated with this allele (p = 0.018). These findings suggest that molds-specific IgE responses underlying atopic asthma are partly regulated by the gene encoding the gamma chain of the TCR.

A rare case of Young's syndrome in Japan

A 56-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of recurrent pulmonary infections. Since the patient presented with the combination of diffuse cystic bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis and obstructive azoospermia, the diagnosis of Young's syndrome was made. Because the sweat chloride value, pancreatic function and ciliary ultrastructure were normal, this case could be clearly differentiated from cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia. There have been only a few reported cases of Young's syndrome in Japan.

Clinical characteristics of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) with bullae

Multiple bullae have often been observed in the lungs of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The etiology of bullae has been considered to be distinct from that of interstitial pneumonia and honeycomb lesions seen in IIP. The incidence of bullae was evaluated in 27 IIP patients (male; 23 cases, female; 4 cases) and clinical factors which are related to the development of bulla were analyzed. Of the 27 patients, 16 (59%) had bullae. All 16 were male smokers, and had higher smoking indices (p < 0.01) than patients without bullae. Eleven of the 16 IIP patients with bullae had clubbed fingers (69%, p < 0.05). Roentgenologically, cysts (75%, p < 0.05), low attenuation area (56%, p = 0.06), and honeycomb appearance (94%, p = 0.07) were observed more often in IIP patients with bullae. These results suggest that smoking habits may have a close relationship to the development of bullae seen in patients with IIP.

Expression and chromosomal assignment of PTPH1 gene encoding a cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase homologous to cytoskeletal-associated proteins

We have investigated the mRNA expression of 2 human protein tyrosine phosphatases with sequence homology to cytoskeletal proteins, PTPH1 and PTPMEG. Northern-blot analysis of PTPH1 using poly (A)+ RNA from normal human colon tissue showed a low-abundance message of 4.3 kb. Reverse-transcriptase/polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) was therefore used to detect it in a wide variety of cell lines including 9 colorectal, 5 gastric, 5 hepatic and 6 hematopoietic tumor cells. PTPH1 mRNA was not detected only in Colo 320 cells over-expressing c-myc mRNA, among the colorectal cancer cell lines examined. When Colo 320 cells were incubated with 5 mM sodium butyrate for 5 days, PTPH1 mRNA became detectable, concomitant with the marked decrease in the expression level of c-myc mRNA. Moreover, the chromosomal localization of PTPH1 gene was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Interestingly, PTPH1 gene was mapped to 9q31 where the gene for Gorlin syndrome, a putative tumor suppressor gene, exists.

[Bronchial asthma--airway inflammation and asthma--role of airway epithelium]

The importance of airway inflammation in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma has been recognized recently. This inflammation is organized by the interaction between inflammatory cells and the cells which compose airway structures. We studied the role of airway epithelium in airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation, which are the major characteristics of bronchial asthma, and demonstrated a close relationship between them. On the bases of these data and the data reported by many other researchers, and from the point of view of airway inflammation, we discussed the possible roles of airway epithelium in bronchial asthma.

Increased expression of PDGF A- and B-chain genes in rat lungs with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

To study the molecular basis of vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension, we developed an experimental system in which male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxia for up to 3 wk. Both the right ventricular systolic pressure and gravimetric index for right ventricular hypertrophy were higher in rats exposed to hypoxia for 3 wk than those of age-matched control rats (P < 0.01), indicating that pulmonary hypertension was established under conditions used. To examine the possible involvement of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the pulmonary vascular remodeling caused by hypoxia, we cloned rat PDGF A- and B-chain cDNA and prepared specific cRNA probes. Northern blot analysis revealed that PDGF B-chain mRNA levels in the lungs were increased, reached a maximum of day 1, and were sustained at day 3, whereas PDGF A-chain mRNA levels reached a maximum on day 3. Thus the increase in the PDGF B-chain mRNA level precedes that in the PDGF A-chain mRNA level. These results suggest that the PDGF A- and B-chain products may be coordinately and sequentially involved in hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Decreased expression of DCC mRNA in human colorectal cancers

The mRNA expression levels of DCC gene, which is cloned from the deleted region of chromosome 18q in colorectal cancers and thought to be a tumor-suppressor gene, was evaluated in tissue specimens surgically resected from patients with colorectal cancer by RT-PCR. This method was chosen as the expression level of DCC mRNA is below the detectable level for Northern-blot analysis. Semi-quantitative measurements of DCC mRNA were performed based on a standard curve defined by serial dilution of DCC cDNA. As a result, the expression level of DCC mRNA was found to be lower in 17 out of 30 colorectal cancers than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Inclusion of smooth muscle in tissue specimens was observed to have little disturbing effect on comparisons between cancerous and non-cancerous regions. In addition, all 4 specimens of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis showed the decreased expression level of DCC mRNA, suggesting that functional loss of DCC in cancerous tissues may play an important role in metastatic events.

A technique of scatter-glare correction using a digital filtration

A scatter-glare correction technique for x-ray images acquired with an antiscatter grid was developed. In the technique, the scatter-glare image was estimated from exposure conditions and subtracted from the acquired image. The basic procedure in the estimation of the scatter-glare image is convolution filtering; however, the novel aspects of the technique are as follows: (1) To estimate the scatter-glare intensity, a formula that does not include the term of object thickness was used. With this formula, the correction can be performed, even for nonuniform phantoms; (2) To estimate the scatter-glare distribution, the experimental scatter-glare point spread function (PSF) was directly used as a convolution kernel. Although the shape of the PSF changed slightly for water thicknesses of 5-25 cm, we applied the PSF measured at a water thickness of 15 cm to the correction experiments. For the stepped water phantom (10-20 cm), scatter-glare estimation produced an average error of 10%, with respect to the lead bar data. Furthermore, the improvement of image quality and quantitative accuracy resulting from the correction was examined.

Effects of a combination therapy of anticoagulant and vasodilator on the long-term prognosis of primary pulmonary hypertension

A therapy consisting of a combination of an anticoagulant and a vasodilator was investigated to determine its effects on the long-term prognosis of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Twenty patients with PPH who had undergone diagnostic catheterization in our hospital were studied. The mean follow-up period after the initial catheterization was 6 years, with the longest follow-up being 24.4 years. Seven patients were treated with warfarin as an anticoagulant, combined with either isoproterenol (3 patients) or nifedipine (4 patients) as a vasodilator (AV group). The remaining 13 patients were not treated (control group). Although there were no significant differences in the physical activity or hemodynamics between the groups, improvement was seen in 43% of the AV group and in only 7.6% of the controls. The 5 year survival rate was significantly higher in the AV group (57% vs 15%; P < 0.05). Hemodynamics were evaluated repeatedly in 8 patients and improvement was seen only in the AV group. These results suggest that a therapy consisting of a combination of an anticoagulant and a vasodilator may improve the long-term prognosis of PPH.

Lack of linkage between atopy and locus 11q13

Atopy as defined in terms of IgE responsiveness was reported to be controlled by a single gene in British families, and this concept was further supported by a significant linkage between atopy and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) detected by a DNA probe specific to chromosome 11q13. To confirm this observation in a Japanese population, segregation and linkage analyses were done in four large families. Although segregation patterns of atopy were in agreement with the pattern of autosomal dominant inheritance, there was no significant linkage between atopy and locus 11q13. Alterations in the definitions of atopy did not affect the results. These findings suggested the presence of heterogeneity in genetic elements of atopy, even though atopy may be determined mainly by a single dominant gene.

P wave height during incremental exercise in patients with chronic airway obstruction

We examined changes in P wave height in lead 2 of an ECG obtained during progressive exercise in 23 patients with COPD, and measured both P wave changes and pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise at a constant workload corresponding to approximately 50 to 60 percent of VO2 max in nine patients. The P wave response to exercise (delta P/delta VO2, %/ml/min), estimated by the relationship between percentage of change in P wave height and VO2, was significantly greater (p less than 0.01) in 15 patients who had a decrease in PaO2 with exercise (group A) than eight patients who did not have a fall in PaO2 with exercise (group B). There was a significant negative correlation between change in PaO2 and change in P wave height from rest to maximal exercise (r = -0.68, p less than 0.001). Oxygen therapy in nine patients in group A reduced the increase in P wave height during exercise. Furthermore, change in P wave height from rest to exercise correlated significantly with that of mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.75, p less than 0.01). These results suggest that increase in P wave height during exercise in COPD patients is related partly to oxygen desaturation during exercise, and continuous measurement of P wave change may be useful for noninvasively predicting the pulmonary vascular pressure response to exercise.

Maximum stress-volume index ratio of the left ventricle in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

To evaluate the left ventricular contractile state in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), we analyzed the maximum stress-volume index ratio (MSVR) using catheter-tip cineangiography in 11 patients with HCM and 16 normal subjects. The value of the MSVR in normal subjects was 6.48 +/- 1.25 kdyn/cm5/m2 (mean +/- SD) and we defined the range of the mean +/- 2 SD as the normal MSVR range. Six patients with HCM placed inside the normal MSVR range (IN), but the other 5 patients placed outside and to the right of the normal range (RIGHT). This suggests that the contractile states of the patients of the RIGHT group were depressed. Compared with IN, the end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indices of RIGHT were larger (EDVI; 69.3 +/- 6.9 vs. 96.1 +/- 11.1 ml/m2, p less than 0.01, ESVI; 18.2 +/- 3.2 vs. 29.1 +/- 8.3 ml/m2, p less than 0.05), but the ejection fraction did not differ (IN 73.5 +/- 5.7 vs. RIGHT 69.6 +/- 8.3%, NS). End-diastolic pressure of IN and RIGHT was higher than that of normal subjects (IN 16.5 +/- 4.5, RIGHT 16.7 +/- 4.6 vs. 8.3 +/- 2.5 mm Hg, both p less than 0.05), but there was no difference between the two groups in HCM. End-systolic pressure did not differ among the three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of occult breast carcinoma with micronodular shadows on chest x-ray film]

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the evaluation of roentgenological micronodular shadows of the bilateral middle and lower lung fields. Physical findings were normal except for left axillary lymph adenopathy. The level of tumor marker NCC-ST-439 was markedly elevated (2800 U/ml). Histological examination of the transbronchial biopsy and the swollen lymph node biopsy specimens showed proliferation of identical tumor cells. Breast or lung carcinoma was suspected as the primary site. Echogram of the left breast showed microcalcification without a mass. The biopsy specimen obtained from the calcified lesion indicated occult breast carcinoma. From these findings the diffuse micronodular shadows on the chest roentgenogram were considered to be the metastatic lesions of occult breast carcinoma. This case indicates that occult breast carcinoma should be considered as a possible primary site for diffuse pulmonary metastatic lesions.

Hypoxic contraction of pre-stretched human pulmonary artery

To clarify the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in man, human pulmonary artery segments (2 mm O.D.) were suspended and changes in isometric force were measured. The arteries were contracted by hypoxia (PO2 43 +/- 2 Torr) developing a tension of 127 +/- 36 mg over the course of 15 min. This contraction was completely blocked by 10(-6) M L-isoproterenol, 10(-6) M nitroglycerin, partially blocked by 10(-8)-10(-6) M verapamil, unchanged by 10(-6) M phentolamine, 10(-6) M L-propranolol, 10(-6) M diphenhydramine, 10(-6) M guanethidine, 10(-7) M FPL 55712 and enhanced by 10(-6) M BAY K 8644, 10(-3) M procaine, 3 x 10(-6) M quinacrine, 10(-6) M indomethacin or 10(-6) M methylene blue. Removal of the endothelium significantly enhanced the magnitude of hypoxia-induced contraction. These results suggest that the human pulmonary artery constricts in response to hypoxia, at least in part, through activation of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and that neither alpha, beta, H1 receptors, the lipoxygenase pathway nor neural reflexes are involved. They also show that the endothelium is not required for hypoxic contraction and that its presence reduces sensitivity to hypoxia.

Modulatory role of EDRF in hypoxic contraction of isolated porcine pulmonary arteries

To examine the hypothesis that suppression of basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by hypoxia might be related to the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, rings of porcine pulmonary artery (PA, 2 mm OD) were suspended in organ chambers and changes in isometric force were measured. Hypoxia significantly reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine and augmented contractile response to phenylephrine. This augmentation by hypoxia was not seen in rings without endothelium. Contractile response to phenylephrine was also enhanced by removal of endothelium. With 15 min of hypoxia, PA contracted and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate content decreased. Pretreatment with 10(-6) M methylene blue, 3 x 10(-7) M oxyhemoglobin, and 9.6 x 10(-5) M NG-monomethyl-L-arginine significantly enhanced hypoxic contraction. Furthermore, removal of endothelium also enhanced hypoxic contraction. These results suggest that suppression of basally released EDRF by hypoxia was not the cause of the contractile response to hypoxia and that EDRF modulates the hypoxic contraction of porcine PA in basal conditions at this diameter.

Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic assessment of variably shaped ductus arteriosus by the parasternal approach

Parasternal two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were compared with angiographic, surgical, and postmortem data in 213 patients with various forms of congenital heart disease for its accuracy in determining patency and anatomy of the ductus arteriosus (DA). The age range of the examined patients was from 1 day to 4 years (mean, 7.4 months). Echocardiography was always performed before any invasive procedure. An adequate window for imaging the DA was obtained by parasternal, two-dimensional echocardiography in 209 patients (98%). A persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was detected by invasive methods in 79 of 209 patients (38%), and by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in 76 (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 100%). The echocardiographic and angiographic findings agreed closely as to the duct's morphology. Our technique permits an accurate visualization of the duct in neonates, infants, and small children with various forms of congenital heart disease.

Determination of the primary structure of intermolecular cross-linking sites on the Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum using 14C-labeled N,N'-(1,4-phenylene)bismaleimide or N-ethylmaleimide

To determine the intermolecular cross-linking site on the primary structure sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-ATPase, the conditions for the specific binding of 14C-labeled 1,4-phenylene bis maleimide (PBM) or 14C-labeled N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to the ATPase were explored. SR vesicles were preincubated with nonradioactive PBM in the presence of 1 mM vanadate for 1 h, then washed by centrifugation to remove free PBM and vanadate. When the pretreated SR vesicles were allowed to react with 1 mM [14C]PBM in the presence of 1 mM AMPPNP, the amount of [14C]PBM incorporated into the ATPase increased with time in parallel with the formation of dimeric ATPase and reached the maximum labeling density of 1 mol of [14C]PBM per mol of dimeric ATPase at 40 min after the start of the reaction. When the pretreated SR vesicles were allowed to react with 2 mM [14C]NEM in the absence of AMPPNP, a maximum of about 2 mol of NEM was bound per mol of the ATPase monomer. The labeling density of [14C]NEM decreased from 2 to 1 mol per mol of the ATPase when the SR vesicles were allowed to react with [14C]NEM in the presence of AMPPNP. From the analysis of the amino acid composition of the two major [14C]NEM-labeled peptides isolated from the thermolytic digest of the enzyme after the reaction of SR with [14C]NEM in the absence of AMPPNP, we deduced that [14C]NEM was incorporated into Cys377 and Cys614. On the other hand, the labeling of SR in the presence of AMPPNP resulted in inhibition of the [14C]NEM binding to Cys614, leaving Cys377 unaltered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)