Sarcopenia-derived exosomal micro-RNA 16-5p exerts the cardio-repair disturbance via pro-apoptotic mechanism in myocardial infarction of mice

Background

Sarcopenia is a pathophysiological malfunction induced by skeletal muscle atrophy, and several studies reported an association between sarcopenia-induced cardiac cachexia and poor prognosis in heart disease. Since only a few established animal models are recently available, the underlying mechanism of disturbed cardiac repair accompanied with sarcopenia remains poorly understood.

Purpose

We hypothesized that specific microRNAs in sarcopenia-derived exosomes play crucial roles in disturbed cardiac repair with sarcopenia, and these microRNAs directly exacerbate cardiomyocyte injury following cardiac ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods

We developed a novel sarcopenia-induced cardiac repair disturbance mouse model that is induced by tail suspension (TS) 7 days after a 45-min coronary occlusion of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). The reduction of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after I/R was compared in mice with TS [I/R-TS(+), n=14] and without [I/R-TS(−), n=12] by echocardiography. To investigate the exosomal mechanism of cardiac repair disturbance, a comprehensive analysis of extracted exosomal microRNAs from mice serum was performed in the 2 groups at day 8. Then, we investigated the impact of the identified candidate microRNA in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRVMs). After 4 days in primary culture, candidate microRNA was transfected into NRVMs under hypoxic culture conditions. TUNEL analysis and quantitative PCR analysis of apoptosis-related genes were performed on the NRVMs.

Results

At day 8 after I/R, the LVEF of I/R-TS(+) was not significantly ameliorated compared to that of I/R-TS(−) (ΔLVEF; 1.59±6.92 vs. 8.04±7.71% p=0.034). Four candidate microRNAs obtained from I/R mice serum were identified in the microRNA array analysis. The re-analysis of these candidate micro-RNAs using all I/R mice demonstrated that the level of mir-16-5p in I/R-TS(+) was raised by approximately nine-fold than that in I/R-TS(−) (9.67±13.35 vs. 0.99±1.41, p<0.05). Next, an in vitro experimental model using a microRNA mimic revealed that apoptosis in NRVMs was greatly enhanced by the transfection of a mir-16-5p mimic in hypoxic culture conditions (mir-16-5p vs. control = 5.77±2.84 vs. 1.72±0.55%, p<0.01). Furthermore, by qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of CASP3 and TRP53 were upregulated in NRVMs treated with a mir-16-5p mimic than in control NRVMs.

Conclusion

Myocardial I/R injury in sarcopenia ended in cardiac repair disturbance accompanying with the enhanced expression of exosomal-mir-16-5p. A pro-apoptotic effect of mir-16-5p may exacerbate myocardial I/R injury and thus can be a novel therapeutic target for cardiac repair disturbance in sarcopenia.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

P4144Pericyte-specific deletion of ninjurin1 induces abnormal vasa vasorum formation and persistent inflammation and enhances intimal hyperplasia of injured vasculature

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is fundamental pathological condition inducing severe ischemic diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. New concept has been proposed that adventitial abnormalities including enhanced malformation of adventitial microvessel, vasa vasorum are associated with development and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque. However, the role of vasa vasorum malformation in vascular remodelling has not been fully clarified. We recently reported that Ninjurin1 (Ninj1) is critical adhesion molecule to associate pericytes (PCs) with endothelial (EC) tubes to form stabilized mature neovessels. The purpose of this study is to examine if formation of adventitial microvessels affects the vascular remodelling of injured vessels using PCs-specific Ninj1 deletion mouse model.

Methods and results

Deletion of Ninj1 gene in NG2-positive PCs was induced by tamoxifen (Tam)-treated NG2-CreER/Ninj1loxp mice (Ninj1KO, n=9). Tam-treated-NG2-CreER (n=4) or Tam-nontreated NG2-CreER/Ninj1loxp (n=5) mice were used as Control (Ct1 and Ct2 respectively). Femoral arteries were injured by insertion of coiled wire. After 4 weeks of surgery, blood vessels were stained by venous injection of FITC-lectin. Isolated femoral arteries were fixed with paraformaldehyde and decolorized with CUBIC reagent. Wire-mediated vessel injury induced intimal hyperplasia, as assessed by intima/media (I/M) ratio and accordingly grew microvessels in adventitia. Intimal hyperplasia in Ninj1KO were significantly enhanced compared to Controls. Although there was no significant difference in total length of adventitial microvessels among three groups, extravasation of FITC-lectin from adventitial microvessels were significantly enhanced in Ninj1KO. The number of infiltrated macrophages in adventitia were increased in Ninj1KO.

Conclusion

Deletion of Ninj1 in PCs contributes to formation of immature microvessels in adventitia of injured vasculature and to adventitial microbleeding, and subsequently enhances intimal hyperplasia. Ninj1 is an attractive target to normalize microvessels for anti-atherosclerotic therapy.

Small salivary gland size in patients with xerostomia of unknown etiology

OBJECTIVE

We have recently reported that flow rates of whole saliva in young healthy humans correlate positively with salivary gland sizes. The low rate of salivary secretion in xerostomia patients may be related to the small size of the salivary glands. To investigate this possibility, relationships between salivary secretions and salivary gland sizes were investigated in unknown-etiology xerostomia patients and healthy controls.

DESIGN

The sizes of the three major salivary glands in seven xerostomia patients and seven age- and gender-matched healthy controls who have no previous disease history and prescription medication related to xerostomia, were measured by use of a magnetic resonance imaging technique. The salivary glands of all subjects failed to show any pathological aspects in magnetic resonance images. The flow rates of unstimulated and chewing-stimulated whole saliva were also measured.

RESULTS

Flow rates of unstimulated and chewing-stimulated whole saliva and the sizes of the parotid and submandibular glands were significantly lower and smaller in xerostomia patients of unknown etiology when compared with healthy controls. In addition, salivary flow rates per size of the combined three major salivary glands were also significantly lower in the xerostomia patients of unknown etiology.

CONCLUSIONS

The smaller salivary gland size in xerostomia patients of unknown etiology may be one of the causes of the reduced salivary secretion. The secretion rates as a function of gland sizes were also lower, and so it is likely that functional impairments of the salivary gland are also present in patients with xerostomia of unknown etiology.

A cardiac sodium channel mutation identified in Brugada syndrome associated with atrial standstill

Mutations in the cardiac Na+ channel gene SCN5A are responsible for multiple lethal ventricular arrhythmias including Brugada syndrome and congenital long QT syndrome. Here we report a case of Brugada syndrome with ST elevation in the right precordial and inferior leads accompanied by atrial standstill and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation. Atrial standstill and J wave elevation were provoked by procainamide. Genetic analysis revealed a missense mutation (R367H) in SCN5A. The resultant mutant Na+ channel was nonfunctional when expressed heterologously in Xenopus oocytes. Our study suggests that genetic defects in SCN5A may be associated with atrial standstill in combination with ventricular arrhythmias.

A case of familial atrioventricular heart block affected by alteration of the autonomic nervous system

Familial atrioventricular heart block affected by the autonomic nervous system has rarely been documented. We describe a 35-year-old man who had first-degree atrioventricular heart block with a PR interval of 0.46 s. He had a family history of 2 members with complete heart block and 1 with documented atrial standstill. The man's P-R interval was shortened by exercise and phenylephrine administration. In the electrophysiolgic study, a "split His" with an H-H' of 220 ms was recognized. Such a case of familial atrioventricular heart block with abnormal His-Purkinje conduction affected by the autonomic nervous system is very rare and worthy of description.

Pioglitazone enhances cytokine-induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells and reduces intimal hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

Cytokines induce apoptosis in vascular disease lesions through enhancement of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) activation. The thiazolidinediones, novel insulin-sensitizing agents, have been demonstrated to modulate cytokine-induced NO production. We have investigated the role of pioglitazone in the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro and developed intimal hyperplasia in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Pioglitazone (0.1 to 10 micromol/L) significantly enhanced cytokine-induced expression of iNOS and NO production in a dose-dependent manner in rat VSMCs, but 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (up to 10 micromol/L), a native peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand, showed no effect. Pioglitazone also significantly enhanced reduction of cell viability, as evidenced by the increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells. All of these effects of pioglitazone were blocked by treatment with N-monomethyl-L-arginine, an NO synthesis inhibitor. In an in vivo study with a balloon-injured rat carotid artery, neointimal thickness had reached maximum levels at 2 weeks after injury. Then, rats were fed with or without pioglitazone (3 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) for an additional week. The ratio of intima to media area of carotid artery was significantly decreased by 30%, and the ratio of apoptotic cells in neointima was significantly increased in pioglitazone-treated rats compared with vehicle-treated control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Pioglitazone enhanced apoptosis in an NO-dependent manner in cytokine-activated VSMCs and induced significant regression of intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured rat carotid artery. It appears that pioglitazone is a potent apoptosis inducer in vascular lesions, providing a novel pharmacological strategy to prevent restenosis after vascular intervention.

Intense uptake of technetium-99m tetrofosmin by lactating breasts

A 38-year-old woman was hospitalized for syncope. Because an electrocardiogram showed intermittent ventricular tachycardia, myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium-99m tetrofosmin was performed to screen for coronary artery disease. Left ventricular myocardial perfusion was within normal limits. However, symmetric bilateral breast uptake was noted. According to her clinical history, she had been breast-feeding her 5-month-old infant until this admission. In these circumstances, the breast uptake of Tc-99m tetrofosmin was thought to be physiologic and related to lactation.

Glucose modifies the cross-talk between insulin and the beta-adrenergic signalling system in vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in the vascular function of insulin are observed in insulin resistance, and hyperglycaemia is one of the important factors inducing insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of glucose in the interaction of insulin and beta-adrenergic signalling systems in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

METHODS

After cells were treated with D-glucose (525 mmol/l) and insulin (100 nmol/l), adenylyl cyclase activity was measured in the presence of isoproterenol, forskolin, and cholera toxin. Assays for insulin-induced activities of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were performed.

RESULTS

In the presence of low glucose concentrations (5 mmol/l), insulin enhanced isoproterenol-, forskolin- and cholera toxin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities. This stimulatory effect was abolished by PI3-K inhibitors, wortmannin, or LY294002. In contrast, in the presence of high glucose concentrations (25 mmol/l), insulin attenuated isoproterenol-stimulated activity but not cholera toxin- or forskolin-stimulated activity. Insulin-stimulated activities of IRS-1 and PI3-K, but not MAPK activity, were also attenuated in the presence of high concentrations of glucose. The MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, abolished the inhibitory effect of insulin on the beta-adrenergic signalling system. Troglitazone and pioglitazone prevented this inhibitory effect of insulin by restoring IRS-1 and PI3-K activities.

CONCLUSIONS

In the presence of low glucose concentrations, insulin stimulates the beta-adrenergic signalling system through the IRS-1/PI3-K pathway. However, in the presence of high glucose concentrations, the effect of insulin is switched to an inhibitory one, through the MAPK pathway. Our finding suggests that high glucose concentrations modify the cross-talk between insulin and the beta-adrenergic signalling systems in VSMC.

High glucose attenuates insulin-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

The mechanisms for the effect of hyperglycemia on insulin-induced mitogenesis were investigated using rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). VSMC were preincubated in serum-free medium with low (5 mM) glucose (LG condition) or high (25 mM) glucose (HG condition), and examined for DNA synthesis using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and MAPK phosphatase (MKP-1) protein expression were detected by Western blot analysis. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) activity was detected by thin layer chromatography. Insulin induced a dose-dependent increase in BrdUrd incorporation (123.3+/-2.6% over basal level with 1 microM insulin) in the LG group and this effect was significantly enhanced (161.6+/-10.4% over basal level) in the HG group. In the LG group, MAPK activity was transient with a peak activation (137.4+/-11.2% over basal level) after 10 min exposure to 100 nM insulin. In the HG group, the MAPK activity was significantly potentiated (two-fold compared to the LG group) and was sustained even after 60 min. Insulin also induced PI-3K activity and MKP-1 expression, both of which were blocked by the PI-3K inhibitor wortmannin. In the HG group, insulin-induced PI-3K and MKP-1 expression was almost abolished. In conclusion, high glucose enhances insulin-induced mitogenesis associated with the potentiation of insulin-stimulated MAPK activity in VSMC. These effects of glucose might in part be due to the attenuation of MKP-1 expression through the blockage of the insulin-PI-3K signal pathway.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of imidaprilat, an active metabolite of imidapril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of imidaprilat, an active metabolite of imidapril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, were investigated. Imidapril was infused subcutaneously for 4 weeks via an osmotic pump implanted under the skin in the back of male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Plasma concentration of imidaprilat, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and plasma ACE activity were determined periodically. The plasma concentration of imidaprilat increased in proportion to the infusion rates and was maintained for 4 weeks. The SBP and ACE activity did not decrease in proportion to the infusion rates due to the saturation of the pharmacologic effects, but these actions also were maintained for 4 weeks. The PK/PD of imidaprilat were not influenced by aging of SHRs. The antihypertensive action in subcutaneous infusion of imidapril was as potent as that in oral administration at the same dose, although the maximum plasma concentration of imidaprilat in subcutaneous infusion was one-eightieth times of that in oral administration. The action was also maintained 28 times longer than that in oral administration, indicating that subcutaneous infusion is useful as an administration route. Furthermore, good correlation between plasma imidaprilat concentration and SBP was observed in subcutaneous infusion, indicating that plasma concentration may be a useful marker of pharmacologic action.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of imidaprilat, an active metabolite of imidapril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Imidapril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, was infused subcutaneously at the rates of 9, 30, 90, and 300 micrograms/rat/day for 4 weeks via an osmotic pump implanted under the skin in the back of male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Plasma concentrations of imidaprilat as an active metabolite of imidapril, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and plasma ACE activity were determined periodically. These results were also compared with those of enalapril. The plasma concentrations of an active metabolite of both the imidapril and enalapril groups increased according to the doses and showed almost the same plasma concentrations at the same doses. Both groups significantly inhibited plasma ACE activity and reduced SBP, and these actions were maintained for 4 weeks. At the lowest dose studied (9 micrograms/rat/day), imidapril was more potent than enalapril in inhibiting plasma ACE (maximum 2.5-fold difference), but this difference was reduced at higher doses. In contrast, significant differences in SBP effects were observed only at the highest dose studied (300 micrograms/rat/day). Also, the imidapril group significantly decreased the relative heart weight at the rate of 300 micrograms/rat/day. Furthermore, good correlations between plasma imidaprilat concentration and plasma ACE activity or SBP were observed, suggesting that plasma concentration may be a useful marker of pharmacological effects. However, a poor relationship between plasma ACE activity and SBP for enalapril was observed, suggesting that this may not be an adequate marker of pharmacologic efficacy of ACE inhibitors in general. The clinical relevance of these findings is not known at present.

Immunohistochemical detection of Pneumocystis carinii in transbronchial lung biopsy specimens: antigen difference between human and rat Pneumocystis carinii

Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens, from three patients with non-AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and rat lung tissue in which PCP was induced by the administration of dexamethasone, were studied to determine the diagnostic usefulness of an immunohistochemical method using commercially available anti-Pneumocystis monoclonal antibody, 3F6, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. PC was consistently stained a bright red color and unambiguously identified in all three human lung specimens, but not stained in lung tissues at autopsy from patients with various fungal pneumonias. In contrast, PC was weakly stained in PCP-induced rat lungs. The present study indicates human PC and rat PC to be antigenically different in terms of the existence of the 82 kilo-dalton (kD) antigen against which 3F6 is directed.

[Intensive induction chemotherapy of adult acute myelogenous leukemia by continuing daunorubicin, behenoyl-cytosine arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone until marrow aplasia]

Intensive induction chemotherapy was applied to 25 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia by continuing drugs (daunorubicin, behenoyl-cytosine arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone) until the achievement of severe bone marrow aplasia (leukemic cells less than 1,000/microliters). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 18 (72%). Numbers of partial remission and an early death were 5 (20%) and 2 (8%), respectively. Although median nadirs of white blood cells (WBC) and platelet counts (Pl) (205/microliters and 8,200/microliters, respectively) were remarkably low, recovery of WBC (over 1,000/microliters) and Pl (over 50,000/microliters) were achieved in 23.8 and 24.5 days, after an initiation of the chemotherapy. Sepsis was a most frequently observed complication during induction stage and a duration of fever was 2-48 days (median 15). Median duration of CR was 22.9 months. Unexpectedly, 11 of 17 CR (except one with bone marrow transplanted) relapsed after 4.2-41.4 months (median; 9.4), but 6 (35.3%) still remain in first CR for 30.5-72.9 months (median; 51.4). A long-term survival might be obtained by intensifying induction chemotherapy in about one fourth of patients, but the intensification or application of non-cross resistant anti-leukemic agents in post-remission therapy may be required to avoid relapses even if induction is intensified.

Immunoglobulin prophylaxis against HTLV-I in a rabbit model

We have investigated the protective effect of human T-cell leukemia virus I (HTLV-I) immune globulin (HTLVIG) against HTLV-I in rabbits. HTLVIG containing 77 mg/ml of IgG was prepared from pooled plasma from seropositive healthy persons. In the first experiment, four groups (A, B, C, and D) of three rabbits were transfused with 5 ml blood from an HTLV-I-infected rabbit. Groups A, B, and C were infused 24 h later with 10, 5, and 2 ml HTLVIG, respectively, while group D was infused with 10 ml HTLVIG 48 h later. Seroconversion for HTLV-I occurred in none of group A, one of group B, and all of groups C and D after 2-5 weeks. In the second experiment, four litters (E, F, G, and H) born to another virus-infected rabbit and consisting of 7, 5, 7, and 7 newborns, respectively, were used. Litters E and H were allowed to grow normally as controls, while litters F and G were given intraperitoneal inoculation of 3 ml/kg of HTLVIG weekly four times until weaning. Although three of litters E and H each seroconverted after 5-8 weeks, none of litters F, and one of litter G became antibody-positive after 10 weeks. Presence or absence of HTLV-I infection in all these animals was confirmed by transfusion assay or gene amplification. These results indicate that passive immunization protects rabbits against blood- and milk-borne transmission of HTLV-I.

Novel t(15;19)(q15;p13) chromosome abnormality in a thymic carcinoma

A 22-year-old female with a thymic carcinoma is reported. The tumor was refractory to both chemotherapy and irradiation. The patient died with an aggressive clinical course. Cytogenetic study showed that the tumor cells had a chromosome translocation, t(15;19)(q15;p13), which was not identified previously in human cancer.

Transmission of HTLV-I by blood transfusion and its prevention by passive immunization in rabbits

To determine the minimum volume of blood required to transmit human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), heparinized blood was collected from a virus-infected female rabbit and aliquots of 10, 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.01 mL were transfused into groups of two male rabbits each. All 10 rabbits transfused with 10 to 0.1 mL and 1 of 2 rabbits transfused with 0.01 mL seroconverted for HTLV-I after 2 to 4 weeks. HTLV-I-producing lymphoid cell lines of recipient origin were established from one seroconverted rabbit of each aliquot group. To determine the ability of passive immunization to protect against HTLV-I infection, two groups of three rabbits were first transfused with 5 mL of blood from the same virus-infected rabbit and then infused after 24 or 48 hours with 10 mL of HTLV-I immune globulin (77 mg/mL of IgG) prepared from seropositive healthy persons. None of the 24-hour immunization group seroconverted for HTLV-I during the observation period of six months; however, all of the 48-hour immunization group became seropositive after 2 to 4 weeks. These results indicate that HTLV-I can be transmitted with as little as 0.01 mL of virus-infected blood, and that passive immunization is effective in preventing cell-to-cell infection of HTLV-I when given within 24 hours of transfusion of virus-infected blood.

Transmission of HTLV-I to rabbits via semen and breast milk from seropositive healthy persons

Four rabbits inoculated intravenously with milk cells from 4 post-partum women seropositive for human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and one rabbit inoculated with semen cells from a seropositive healthy man seroconverted for HTLV-I after 3-5 weeks but no seroconversion occurred in 2 rabbits inoculated with milk cells from a seronegative mother or with heated (56 degrees C, 30 min) milk cells from a seropositive mother. Attempts were made to isolate HTLV-I from peripheral blood lymphocytes harvested 5-15 weeks after cell inoculation and cultured in the presence of interleukin-2. An HTLV-I-carrying lymphoid cell line of rabbit origin was established from a rabbit inoculated with milk cells. Another long-term culture, derived from a rabbit inoculated with semen cells, also expressed HTLV-I antigens and harbored virus particles. Furthermore, transfusion of 20 ml of blood from all 5 seroconverted rabbits, but not from the 2 seronegative ones, caused seroconversion in normal recipient rabbits after 4-6 weeks.

Effect of immunization on HTLV-I infection in rabbits

Two groups of 3 rabbits, each immunized with heat-inactivated HTLV-I or a synthetic env peptide (env175-196), developed antibodies to viral proteins including gp68 and gp46. These immunized rabbits were then challenged with a transfusion of blood from HTLV-I-infected rabbits of the opposite sex. After transfusion challenge, antibody titers further rose in both groups and antibodies to HTLV-I proteins p24 and p19 newly appeared in the env 175-196 group. In addition, 3 more rabbits were infused with hyperimmune rabbit anti-HTLV-I IgG and similarly challenged with virus-infected blood. Pre-challenge sera from these rabbits showed high anti-HTLV-I titers with antibodies to envelope and core proteins. Despite transfusion challenge, the antibody titers gradually declined to undetectable levels in all 3 rabbits over a period of 16 weeks. Virus isolation was attempted from peripheral lymphocytes harvested 1 to 6 months after challenge infection and cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2). HTLV-I-carrying lymphoid cell lines of recipient origin were established from all 6 rabbits given active immunization, whereas HTLV-I could not be isolated from any of the 3 rabbits given passive immunization. Absence of virus infection in the latter group was confirmed by negative blood transfusion assay to normal rabbits. These results indicate that hyperimmune IgG, but neither heat-inactivated HTLV-I nor env 175-196, were protective against HTLV-I infection induced by blood transfusion.

[A case of gastric carcinoma disappearing after short-term preoperative chemotherapy]

A 58-year-old male visited the Kochi Municipal Central Hospital on May 17, 1984. A barium meal study and endoscopy revealed a huge crater surrounded by a thick embankment on the posterior wall of the stomach body. Biopsy specimens taken from the lesion revealed tubular adenocarcinoma, UFT (600 mg/day) and anti-tuberculous drugs were administered due to the complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. Endoscopic examination on August 6, 1984, revealed a remarkable improvement, showing a shallow irregular depression with converging folds. The patient underwent surgery on August 7, 1984, because from the endoscopic appearance, residual cancer was highly suspect, and also tuberculosis had improved. The histology of the surgically resected specimen showed a chronic peptic ulcer, the base of which was covered with regenerating mucosa. No cancer nests were demonstrated even by serial tissue sections.

Mitogenic activity in human embryonic fibroblasts early after infection by human cytomegalovirus

We have characterized the nonspecific lymphocyte stimulation by extracts of human cytomegalovirus-infected human embryonic fibroblasts. Cell extracts prepared at 5 h postinfection (early extract) and 72 h postinfection (late extract) were both highly mitogenic in lymphocyte preparations from adult blood, cord blood, and rabbit blood. Maximum stimulation of the lymphocytes was observed on day 3 after the addition of early or late extract under optimal conditions. Early extract stimulated both the E-rosetting and the EAC-rosetting subpopulations of human lymphocytes. The mitogenic activity appeared before 5 h postinfection and was fairly stable at 30 degrees C for 5 h.

Inbreeding effect on precocious mortality in Japanese communities of Brazil

Data on precocious mortality (from abortions up to the age of 20) are presented for three Japanese communities in Brazil. The inbreeding load (B approximately 1-5) is estimated on the basis of these data. B/A lies between 7 and 30. Three general working hypotheses are presented.