Curcuma zedoaria 50% methanol extracts increase adiponectin secretion by enhancing PPARγ mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells

Curcuma zedoaria is a characteristic species of its genus that contains little to no curcuminoid. Here, we demonstrate that C. zedoaria extracts with 50% methanol increases adiponectin secretion into the media by enhancing PPARγ mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that C. zedoaria may be useful for preventing/improving lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis.

A high-fat diet increases the incidence of mammary cancer inc-Ha-ras proto-oncogene transgenic rats

Mammary cancer is the most common type of cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths among Japanese women. The recent sharp increase in the number of women diagnosed with mammary cancer per year is thought to be associated with increased fat intake resulting from changes in the dietary habits of contemporary Japanese citizens. In this study, human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene transgenic (Hras128) rats, which are highly susceptible to mammary carcinogens, were fed high- or low-fat diets to examine the relationship between fat consumption and the development of mammary cancer. Female 7-week-old Hras128 rats and wild-type littermates were administered benzo[a]pyrene. A week later, the animals were randomly assigned to high-fat or low-fat diet groups (45% or 10% of calories from fat, respectively). After 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and autopsied, and mammary tumors were excised and processed for microscopic observation. Mammary tumors were found in 11 of the 12 animals in the high-fat diet group and in 5 of the 12 animals in the low-fat diet group, and the numbers of mammary gland tumors per animal in these groups were 1.7 and 0.7, respectively. Notably, the observed differences in incidence and multiplicity of mammary tumors between the two groups were statistically significant. These results suggest a positive relationship between the incidence of breast cancer and high fat intake.

Radically resected epithelioid angiosarcoma that originated in the mediastinum

Angiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm, accounting for only 1%-2% of all sarcomas. It occurs most frequently in the skin and soft tissue and rarely in the thoracic region. To our knowledge, a mediastinal angiosarcoma is extremely rare. We report on the surgical resection of a rare case of giant epithelioid angiosarcoma originating in the anterior mediastinum, followed by six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin + ifosfamide). The patient is alive and asymptomatic 1 year after surgery. As the prognosis for unresectable cases is generally dismal, surgical resection and adjuvant therapy can be an option for mediastinal angiosarcoma.

Overexpression of Necl-5 correlates with unfavorable prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Nectin-like molecule-5 (Necl-5) is an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like molecule that is up-regulated in many types of cancer cells. It was shown experimentally that Necl-5 enhances cell migration, proliferation, and metastasis, but its clinical significance has not been documented. The aim of this study was to observe the expression of Necl-5 in surgically resected primary lung adenocarcinomas and to investigate its clinical significance. A total of 63 surgically resected primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry for the expression of Necl-5. The relationship between expression of Necl-5 and clinicopathological features was analyzed, and the influence of Necl-5 expression on outcomes in these patients was assessed. A strong expression of Necl-5 by cancer cells was observed in 43 of the 63 tumors. The overexpression of Necl-5 by cancer cells was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0398), TNM staging (P = 0.0367), and the bronchioloalveolar carcinoma ratio of tumors (P = 0.0423). Furthermore, the disease-free survival rate in patients with positive Necl-5 overexpression was significantly lower than that in patients with negative Necl-5 overexpression (P = 0.0004). Multivariate survival analysis revealed Necl-5 expression to be an independent risk factor for an unfavorable outcome (P = 0.0294). Additionally, an analysis including only the stage I cases revealed that the disease-free survival rate of the Necl-5-positive group was significantly lower than that of the Necl-5-negative group (P = 0.0192). These results indicate that Necl-5 plays a role in mediating tumor cell invasion and that the overexpression of Necl-5 in cancer cells has clinical significance for prognostic evaluation of patients with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

[Treatment of superior sulcus tumor]

We reported on 34 patients with superior sulcus non-small-cell lung cancer and clinical outcome. It is necessary to select the most appropriate approach from preoperative examination and the degree of infiltration at the chest wall. Recently, various approach and preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection is effective for the treatment of superior sulcus tumor (SST), we should keep challenging for radical resection in mind.

[Concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation for the recurrent gastric carcinoma--case reports]

We report two postoperative cases of recurrent gastric carcinoma successfully treated with concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Case 1: A 74-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma followed by a local recurrence at the anastomotic site 6 months after surgery. Case 2: A 75-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma followed by multiple lymph node swelling along the abdominal aorta one year after surgery. We employed concurrent radiation therapy and low-dose CDDP/5-FU therapy for the recurrent gastric carcinoma tumor which consisted of 5-FU (125-250 mg/body/day, as a 24-h intravenous injection for 4 weeks) and low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/body on day 1, 8, 15, 22). X-ray radiation was delivered to the target tumor in a daily fraction of 1.8 Gy, 6 days/week, with a total dose of 50.4 Gy. PR and CR were obtained after the therapy. Grade 3 leucopenia was observed in Case 1,which was successfully treated with G-CSF injection. The concurrent low-dose cisplatin/5-FU chemotherapy and radiation therapy could be an effective treatment modality for the recurrent tumors of gastric carcinoma after surgery.

Concurrent proton beam radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy for the metastatic liver tumor of gastric carcinoma: a case report

We report a case of a woman with a metastatic liver tumor from gastric carcinoma, who has been successfully treated with concurrent proton beam therapy and systemic chemotherapy. A 76-year-old woman underwent distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for advanced gastric carcinoma on January 17, 2002. She received five courses of sequential chemotherapy with methotrexate-5-fluorouracil after the surgical resection. A metastatic liver tumor was detected in the caudate lobe of the liver by computed tomography at 6 months after the surgical resection. We employed concurrent proton beam therapy and systemic chemotherapy which consisted of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/body per day, as a 24-h intravenous injection for 4 weeks) and low dose cisplatin (10 mg/body on days 1-5 every week for 4 weeks). Proton beam therapy targeting the metastatic liver tumor was performed in a daily fraction of 3 Gy, 5 days per week, with a total dose of 66 Gy over 30 days. The tumor disappeared 3 months after the treatment and no recurrence has been observed for 2 years after termination of the treatment. Throughout the entire course of treatment, the patient received injections of granulocyte stimulating factor subcutaneously for grade 3 leukopenia. She never complained of abdominal symptoms, such as epigastralgia, nausea or diarrhea. Liver failure related to proton irradiation has not been observed. This concurrent proton beam radiotherapy with systemic chemotherapy could be an effective treatment modality for metastatic liver tumor from gastric carcinoma.

Phage display of xylan-binding module of xylanase J from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1

Xylanase J from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1 has a family 11/G catalytic domain and a xylan-binding module (XBM). The XBM of xylanase J was displayed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage. The XBM expressed on the phage surface retained binding activity to xylan. Random mutations were introduced in the XBM gene by error-prone PCR, and the repertoire was cloned for display on phage. Sequence analysis of the xylan-binding activity-deficient mutants revealed that Phe 284 and Trp317 of the XBM would contribute to the xylan-binding activity.

Effect of different heating conditions on the extractability of barley hordeins

The extractability of hordeins from barley grains was investigated after wet and dry heating conditions. It was found that the amount of hordeins extractable with 55% 2-propanol decreased in a time-dependent manner after barley grains were steamed (wet heating), whereas hordeins showed no effect from heating in an oven at 100 degress C for up to 120 min (dry heating). The result of SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that B-hordein decreased time-dependently in extractability with wet heating and had almost completely disappeared by 60 min, but C-hordein remained unchanged until 120 min. With the use of the hordein fraction prepared from the nonheated barley grains, it was confirmed that B-hordein suspended in boiling water lost solubility in 55% 2-propanol. The insolubilized B-hordein was redissolved by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to 1%, which suggested that the intermolecular disulfide bonds would play a significant role in the loss of solubility. On the other hand, C-hordein did not lose solubility from being heated under the same conditions.

Remodeling of the major pig xenoantigen by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III in transgenic pig

We have been successful in generating several lines of transgenic mice and pigs that contain the human beta-d-mannoside beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) gene. The overexpression of the GnT-III gene in mice and pigs reduced their antigenicity to human natural antibodies, especially the Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R, as evidenced by immunohistochemical analysis. Endothelial cell studies from the GnT-III transgenic pigs also revealed a significant down-regulation in antigenicity, including Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen, and dramatic reductions in both the complement- and natural killer cell-mediated pig cell lyses. Changes in the enzymatic activities of other glycosyltransferases, such as alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase, GnT-IV, and GnT-V, did not support cross-talk between GnT-III and these enzymes in the transgenic animals. In addition, we demonstrated the effect of GnT-III in down-regulating the xenoantigen of pig heart grafts, using a pig to cynomolgus monkey transplantation model, suggesting that this approach may be useful in clinical xenotransplantation in the future.

The possible use of HLA-G1 and G3 in the inhibition of NK cell-mediated swine endothelial cell lysis

The splicing isoform of HLA-G that is expressed in xenogeneic cells, and its effect on NK-mediated direct cytotoxicity was examined, using stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell or swine endothelial cell (SEC) transfectants. cDNAs of HLA-G (G1 and G3) and human beta2-microglobulin were prepared and subcloned into the expression vector, pCXN. The transfected HLA-G1 was easily expressed on SEC, and co-transfection with human beta2-microglobulin led to an enhanced level of HLA-G1 expression, as evidenced by flow cytometry. The expressed HLA-G1 significantly suppressed NK-mediated SEC cell lysis, which is an in vitro delayed-type rejection model of a xenograft. On the other hand, the swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) class I molecules could be up-regulated as the result of the transfection of human beta2-microglobulin, but did not down-regulate human NK-mediated SEC lysis. The HLA-G3 was not expressed on CHO and SEC in contrast to HLA-G1, as the result of the transfection. The gene introduction of HLA-G3 in SEC showed no protective effect from human NK cells. However, indirect evidence demonstrated that HLA-G3 transfection resulted in HLA-E expression, but not itself, when transfected to the human cell line, 721.221, thus providing some insight into its natural function in human cells. The present findings suggest that the expression of HLA-G1 on the cell surface could serve as a new approach to overcoming NK-mediated immunity to xenografts.

Competitive Amino Acid Transport between <sc><font size = -1>L</font></sc>-Tryptophan and Other Amino Acids in Schizophyllum commune

In our study on nutritional requirement for the hyphal growth of Schizophyllum commune, we found that a Trp- mutant could not grow in the L-Trp-supplied medium in the presence of L-Ser. Further growth studies showed that not only L-Ser but also as many as 11 kinds of amino acid including L-Ala, L-Arg, L-Asn, L-His, L-Leu, L-Met, L-Phe, L-Ser, L-Thr, L-Tyr and L-Val inhibited the growth of the Trp- mutant in the L-Trp-supplied medium. However, these amino acids did not inhibit the growth of a Trp+ strain. The inhibition of growth of Trp+ strain induced by a Trp analogue of 5-fluoro-DL-tryptophan (5FT), which was usually recovered by L-Trp, was rescued by the same amino acids mentioned above. The exceptions were Gly and L-Ile, which also recovered the growth inhibition induced by 5FT. These results indicate that the permease responsible for the Trp transport in S. commune might also be active to other amino acids. However, it is considered that the permease shows high affinity to L-Trp and low affinity to other amino acids. As a result, the transport of L-Trp and 5FT may be counteracted by other amino acids.

Cloning and sequencing analysis of Trp1 gene of Flammulina velutipes

The genomic TRP1 gene from basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes was cloned by complementation of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae trp1 mutation. Sequencing analysis revealed that the TRP1 gene encoded a single protein consisting of three catalytic functional domains; glutamine amidotransferase, indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase ) and N-(5'-phosphoribosyl) anthranilate isomerase, in order of NH2-glutamine amidotransferase-indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase N-(5'-phosphoribosyl) anthranilate isomerase-COOH. The coding sequence of the TRP1 gene was interrupted by a single intron of 48 bases, the position and flanking sequences of which were highly homologous to those of basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium trpC.

Basidiomycetous fungus Flammulina velutipes harbors two linear mitochondrial plasmids encoding DNA and RNA polymerases

Basidiomycetous fungus Flammulina velutipes R15 strain had two linear plasmids in its mitochondria designated pFV1 and pFV2. They were double-stranded DNAs, whose sizes were 8.3 and 8.9 kb, respectively. Sequencing analysis of 7364 bases of the pFV1 and 6861 bases of the pFV2 revealed that the both plasmids had one set of two open reading frames (ORFs) each of that encoded putative DNA and RNA polymerases similar to those of mitochondrial plasmids in other filamentous fungi. In phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino acid sequences of the ORFs and counterparts of other filamentous fungi, the pFV2 was expectedly clustered with plasmids of basidiomycetous fungi. whereas the pFV1 with kalilo plasmid of ascomycetous fungus Neurospora intermedia.

Purification and partial characterization of a basic xylanase produced by thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TAR-1

A basic xylanase was purified from the culture supernatant of thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TAR-1. Its molecular mass and isoelectric point were 23 kDa and > pH 9.3, respectively. The enzyme showed a broad pH profile and was optimally active at 70 degrees C. Analyses of xylan-degradation products and N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed that the enzyme would be a family 11/G endoxylanase.

Regulation of natural killer cell-mediated swine endothelial cell lysis through genetic remodeling of a glycoantigen

The effect of remodeling of a glycoantigen such as the alpha-Gal epitope, Galalpha1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc-R, by the introduction of glycosyltransferase genes on natural killer (NK) cell-mediated direct cytotoxicity was investigated using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or an NK-like cell line, YT cells, as an effector, and swine endothelial cells (SEC) as a target. Several SEC transfectants were established by transfection with the genes for beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III, alpha2, 3-sialyltransferase and alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase. These transfections led to dramatic reductions in both direct and indirect NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, by 72-94% in the case of PBMC and 27-72% in that of YT cells, in addition to an effective reduction in xenoantigenicity, which is substantially caused by the alpha-Gal epitope, to human natural antibodies. The NK cell-mediated direct cytotoxicity was remarkably blocked by an anti-alpha-Gal epitope monoclonal antibody or GSI lectin which preferentially binds to the epitope. Furthermore, treatment of the parental cells with alpha-galactosidase resulted in a significant reduction in cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the alpha-Gal epitope is involved not only in hyperacute rejection and acute vascular rejection, but also in NK cell-mediated direct cytotoxicity. Thus, the genetic remodeling of the alpha-Gal epitope and probably other glycoantigens as well can be expected to represent a new approach for overcoming not only indirect but also direct immunity to xenografts.

Temperature-dependent interaction of thermo-sensitive polymer-modified liposomes with CV1 cells

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes modified with a copolymer of N-acryloylpyrrolidine and N-isopropylacrylamide having a lower critical solution temperature at ca. 40 degrees C were prepared and an effect of temperature on their interaction with CV1 cells was investigated. The unmodified liposomes were taken up by the cells approximately to the same extent after 3 h incubation at 37 and 42 degrees C. In contrast, uptake of the polymer-modified liposomes by CV1 cells decreased slightly at 37 degrees C but increased greatly at 42 degrees C, compared to the unmodified liposomes. Proliferation of the cells was partly prohibited by the incubation with the unmodified liposomes encapsulating methotrexate at 37 and 42 degrees C. The treatment with the polymer-modified liposomes containing methotrexate at 37 degrees C hardly effected the cell growth. However, the treatment at 42 degrees C inhibited the cell growth completely. It is considered that the highly hydrated polymer chains attached to the liposome surface suppressed the liposome-cell interaction below the lower critical solution temperature of the polymer but the dehydrated polymer chains enhanced the interaction above this temperature. Because interaction of the polymer-modified liposomes with cells can be controlled by the ambient temperature, these liposomes may have potential usefulness as efficient site-specific drug delivery systems.

Evaluation of TMN classification for lung carcinoma with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis

BACKGROUND

Staging for lung cancer based on the TNM classification is an important predictive factor for prognosis. Recently, lung cancer with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis (PM) was reclassified according to the revision of the TNM classification. To evaluate the prognostic importance of the new staging system for PM, we analyzed the postoperative survival of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma.

METHODS

Of 1,002 consecutive patients who underwent operation for primary lung cancer between June 1984 and December 1996, we reviewed the medical record of 889 patients who underwent complete resection for non-small cell lung cancer.

RESULTS

We considered 89 patients (10.0%) to have synchronous ipsilateral PM. After reclassification to the former staging system revised in 1992, 5 patients were classified as stage I, 29 as stage IIIA, 48 as stage IIIB, and 7 as stage IV. In the new staging system revised in 1997, 48 patients were recategorized as stage IIIB, and 41 as stage IV. The 5-year survival of patients without PM (49.5%) was significantly better than that of patients with PM in primary-tumor lobe (29.6%, p = 0.002) or in nonprimary-tumor ipsilateral lobe (23.4%, p = 0.0002). Although the survival of patients with stage IV cancer without PM was significantly worse than that of patients with the new (1997) stage IV cancer with PM (p = 0.02), it was similar to that of patients with the former (1992) stage IV cancer with PM. The survival of PM patients with N0 or N1 disease was significantly better than that of PM patients with N2 or N3 disease (p = 0.001). Furthermore, in patients with the new (1997) stage IIIB cancer, the survival of N0 disease was better than that of N2 disease (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Inasmuch as the prognosis of non-small cell carcinoma in patients with PM strongly correlated with N factor rather than PM factor, N factor should be reflected in a staging designation. We therefore consider the new TNM classification for PM reclassified in 1997 to be less acceptable for surgical-pathologic staging than the revision in 1992.

Effect of maitake (Grifola frondosa) water extract on inhibition of adipocyte conversion of C3H10T1/2B2C1 cells

We investigated the effect of maitake (Grifola frondosa) water extract on inhibiting the conversion of C3H10T1/2B2C1 cells into adipocytes. Maitake water extract was fractionated by molecular sieve. Heat-labile compounds strongly inhibiting adipocyte conversion proved to occur in fractions of molecular weight of more than 10,000 on the basis of activity measurement of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Right upper and middle sleeve bilobectomy with atypical pulmonary arterioplasty

We report upon a case with hypoxia as a result of a primary lung cancer affecting the middle lobe leading to occlusion of the intermediate pulmonary artery and the upper pulmonary vein, which was successfully treated by combined right upper and middle sleeve bilobectomy and atypical pulmonary arterioplasty. Our case concerning atypical bronchoangioplastic procedures supported the validity of the technique for the lung cancer in a patient without pulmonary dysfunction.

Thermosensitive polymer-modified liposomes that release contents around physiological temperature

To obtain temperature-sensitive liposomes which release their contents around the physiological temperature, we designed dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine liposomes modified with copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and acryloylpyrrolidine. Copolymers of acryloylpyrrolidine and N-isopropylacrylamide, which exhibit a lower critical solution temperature around the physiological temperature, were prepared by free radical copolymerization using azobis(isobutyronitrile) as the initiator. The copolymers with anchors to the liposome membrane were obtained by using N, N-didodecylacrylamide as an additional comonomer. The copolymer having the anchor group at the terminal of the polymer chain was also synthesized by copolymerization of these monomers in the presence of 2-aminoethanethiol and subsequent conjugation of N, N-didodecyl succinamic acid to the terminal amino group of the copolymer. Calcein-loaded dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine liposomes modified with these copolymers were prepared and release of the contents from these liposomes was investigated. It was found that the release from these copolymer-modified liposomes was promoted around and above the lower critical temperature of the copolymer. Also, the liposomes modified with the terminal anchor-type copolymer released the contents more drastically responding to a small temperature change than the liposomes modified with random copolymers containing N,N-didodecylacrylamide units as the anchor.

Genetic and alkaloid analysis of Papaver species and their F1 hybrid by RAPD, HPLC and ELISA

Total DNA was extracted from the leaves of a F1 hybrid and its parents, Papaver bracteatum Lindle and P. pseudo-orientale Medw. Analysis of random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using ten arbitrary oligonucleotide 10-mers, showed that F1 hybrid was confirmed to be genetically intermediate of both parental plants compared with the genetic distance between F1 hybrid and individual parents. Furthermore, the comparison of the band patterns between a F1 hybrid, P. bracteatum and P. pseudo-orientale clearly showed that part of the bands of both parents were induced into a F1 hybrid. The content of thebaine was determined by HPLC and ELISA used anti-thebaine monoclonal antibody.

Xenobiotic tolerance of primary cultured hepatocytes in rats fed a high-fat or high-protein diet

The diet and nutritional status dominate a tolerance to environmental xenobiotics. In this study, the cytotoxic action of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), one of the dietary carcinogens, was investigated using primary cultured hepatocytes from rats fed a high-fat (23% corn oil) or high-protein (50% casein) diet for three weeks. Both chemicals showed strong cytotoxicity to hepatocytes, which was judged by measurement with the MTT-test and lactate dehydrogenase leakage test. A dietary effect on cytotoxicity was observed; hepatocytes from rats fed the high-protein diet were more susceptible to cytotoxicity than the cells from rats fed a standard diet. On the other hand, ureogenesis, as a cellular function of hepatocytes, was markedly decreased in the cells from rats fed the high-fat diet. These activities were affected in the CCl4-treated cells but not in the Trp-P-1-treated cells. The same trend of both diet and chemical effects was observed in gluconeogenesis from fructose. We conclude that the hepatocytes from rats fed a high-protein diet have high susceptibility to the cytotoxicity of CCl4 and Trp-P-1, but cytotoxicity was not related to the reduction of cellular functions.

Micropropagation ofPanax notoginseng by somatic embryogenesis and RAPD analysis of regenerated plantlets

Somatic embryogenesis was induced in callus tissues derived from young flower buds ofPanax notoginseng via callus within 18 weeks of culture. The mature somatic embryos were germinated on half-strength Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with gibberellic acid A₃(GA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA). The most suitable medium for optimal root formation proved to be MS medium supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Total DNA was extracted from the leaves of the regenerated plantlets ofP. notoginseng. Analysis of random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using 21 arbitrary oligonucleotide 10-mers, showed the genetic homogeneity ofP. notoginseng. The amplification products were monomorphic for all of the plantlets ofP. notoginseng regenerated by embryogenesis, suggesting that somatic embryogenesis can be used for clonal micropropagation of this plant.

[Prolonged antegrade amnesia due to left anterior thalamic infarct, and SPECT findings]

A 60-year-old right-handed man developed disorientation, antegrade amnesia and transient mild clouding of consciousness. The antegrade amnesia persisted for more than one year after its onset. T2-weighted MR images showed high signal intensity in the left anteromedial thalamus. 99mTc-HM-PAO SPECT revealed decreased uptake in the left frontal and temporal lobes. These SPECT findings were still observed a year later. These findings suggest that functional involvement of the frontal and temporal lobe connections with the dorsomedial nucleus, anterior nucleus, and the mamillothalamic tract in the anteromedial part of thalamus were responsible for the prolonged antegrade amnesia. We think that SPECT findings are important for evaluating the outcome of thalamic amnesia.

[Recurring consciousness disturbance with elevation of endogenous benzodiazepine-like activity]

A 63-year-old man had recurrent spontaneous attacks of consciousness disturbance without toxic, metabolic, or structural brain damage. Interictal electroencephalography showed 14 Hz spindle wave-like activity; ictal electroencephalography revealed faster basic activity. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, promptly resolved the attacks. The endogenous benzodiazepine-like activities in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (measured in the courtesy of P. Schoch Ph. D, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland) increased in the interictal period and increased more strikingly in the ictal period. These findings and the clinical effects of flumazenil suggest an involvement of an endogenous benzodiazepine-like activity in the pathogenesis of the attacks in this patient, as same as in a case reported by Tinuper et al (1992).

Genetic characterization of Epimedium species using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) diagnosis

Total DNA was extracted from the leaves of seven Epimedium species grown in different places in Japan. Their genetic characterization was performed by DNA analyses of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using 32 random primers having 10 base sequences, and by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). E. sagittatum and E. koreanum were easily distinguished by a representative amplified band pattern. It became evident that E. sagittatum had extremely different genetic composition compared to the other species. A dendrogram obtained from the similarity matrix by cluster analysis indicates that E. sagittatum can be completely isolated from the other species. Moreover, it became evident that E. grandiflorum var. higoense, E. trifoliatobinatum and E. koreanum are independent species, contrary to the previous assumption that they are subspecies or a variety. The geographical variation of E. sempervirens was confirmed by cluster analysis. E. diphyllum showed wide genetic variations, in spite of sampling from the same area.

Structure-function relationship of the xylanase from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1

Xylanase J from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1 contains a family G catalytic domain at the N-terminus, followed by a linker sequence and a functionally-unknown C-terminal domain. The mutational analysis of xylanase J indicated that Glu-93, Glu-183, Trp-18, Trp-86, Tyr-84 and Tyr-95 play an important role in the catalytic activity. A deletion derivative of xylanase J lacking the C-terminal domain retained its activity, suggesting that the C-terminal domain does not directly involved in catalysis.

Purification and some properties of an alkaline xylanase from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain 41M-1

An alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain, 41M-1, isolated from soil produced multiple xylanases extracellularly. One of these xylanases was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation and anion-exchange chromatography. The moleculr mass of this enzyme (xylanase J) was 36 kDa, and the isoelectric point was pH 5.3. Xylanase J was most active at pH 9.0. The optimum temperature for the activity at pH 9.0 was around 50 degrees C. The enzyme was stable up to 55 degrees C at pH 9.0 for 30 min. Xylanase J was completely inhibited by the Hg2+ion and N-bromosuccinimide. The predominant products of xylan hydrolysate were xylobiose, xylotriose, and higher oligosaccharides, indicating that the enzyme was an endoxylanase. The apparent Km and Vmax values on xylan were 3.3 mg/ml and 1,100 micromol-1 mg-1, respectively. Xylanase J showed high sequence homology with the xylanases from Bacillus pumilus and Clostridium acetobutylicum in the N-terminal region. Xylanase J acted on neither crystalline cellulose nor carboxymethyl cellulose, indicating a possible application of the enzyme in biobleaching processes.

Elevated serum levels of neuron specific enolase in lymphoid leukaemia

Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured the levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the sera of 100 normal controls, 31 patients with adult T cell leukaemia (ATL), 13 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), 19 patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL) and 17 patients with human T lymphotropic type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy (HAM). Levels higher than 5 ng/ml were considered as positive for NSE, since this value was almost 2 standard deviations (S.D) above the mean of normal controls. The rates of positive NSE levels were 55 percent in patients with ATL, 54 percent in patients with ALL, 11 percent in patients with ANLL and 0 percent in patients with HAM. High NSE levels fell to near normal levels in patients with ATL and ALL responding to cytotoxic therapy. It is concluded from these results that NSE may be a useful tumour marker for lymphoid malignancies.

[Combination chemotherapy of CDDP and etoposide in advanced non-small cell carcinoma of the lung]

Twenty-seven patients with advanced and previously untreated non-small cell carcinoma of the lung received combination chemotherapy with CDDP (100 mg/m2 iv on day 1) and etoposide (100 mg/m2 iv on day 2, 4 and 6). Eleven partial responses were observed (response rate of 40.7%), and the median survival of patients was 44.4 weeks. Toxicity was tolerable with moderate myelosuppression. This combination chemotherapy should be recommended for further clinical trials.

Therapeutic electrical stimulation of the lower limb by epimysial electrodes

The problem of inadequate hip stability prevents many patients with head trauma, stroke, or spinal injury from balancing on one limb in order to take a step. There is no adequate orthotic substitute for hip instability, and electrical stimulation with surface electrodes cannot effectively activate the deep hip muscles. This report describes a clinical program in which electrical stimulation via surgically placed electrodes is combined with routine tendon lengthening and transfers and physical therapy. The electrodes are fixed to the epimysium and the leads directed subcutaneously to exit the skin at a common site for attachment to a commercially available stimulator. Preliminary results indicate that functional muscle contractions of the deep hip muscles can be obtained with epimysial electrodes and that stimulation can be used to augment walking ability. The results demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous electrical stimulation and contribute to the development of a practical, implanted stimulation system for patients who do not regain hip instability after an upper motor neuron lesion.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of a cellulase gene, casA, from an alkalophilic Streptomyces strain

A gene encoding an endo-type semi-alkaline cellulase was cloned from an alkalophilic Streptomyces strain in Streptomyces lividans, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Downstream from the transcriptional start point, which was determined by high-resolution S1 mapping, an open reading frame of 388 amino acids (aa) was present. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the mature enzyme determined by an Edman degradation procedure suggested that the cellulase had an extraordinarily long leader sequence of about 70 aa. Comparison with the leader sequences of endoglucosidase H from Streptomyces plicatus and the cellulase from Cellulomonas fimi suggested that the semi-alkaline cellulase was processed in two steps during maturation.

[Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy modalities in the treatment of lung cancer]

The aim of combined modality treatment of lung cancer is to improve control of both local and metastatic disease. Retrospective reviews of the combined RT and CT modality in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) showed an improvement of median survival and long term survival compared with CT alone. Among reports of 7 prospective trials in which patients were randomized so as to receive CT alone or CT with chest irradiation, combined modality treatment significantly increased the CR rate in 3/3, and the overall survival was significantly prolonged in 3/7. Concurrently combined modality treatment has a modest survival benefit in limited stage SCLC. Our phase 2 study combining RT with cisplatin-containing CT showed better improvement of response and survival than CT alone in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Four reports of prospective randomized studies have been performed to determine whether combined RT and combination chemotherapy might be better than RT alone in limited-stage NSCLC. Two of these studies demonstrated a survival and response advantage for the combined modality treatment. However, this approach for NSCLC reported so far has been disappointing, because of relative lack of effectiveness of the present CT.

[Cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and vincristine (CAV) in the treatment of small cell lung cancer]

Thirty-nine previously untreated small cell lung cancer patients received cyclophosphamide (CTX) + adriamycin (ADM) + vincristine (VCR) (CAV). The doses initially used were CTX 1,000 mg/body day 1, ADM 50 mg/body day, VCR 1 mg/body day, 8, 15 or 2 mg/body day(group A). Later, CTX 1,000 mg/m2 day, ADM 60 mg/m2 day, VCR 1.4 mg/m2 day were used. All patients had PS 0-3, 24 had limited disease (LD) and 15, extensive disease (ED). The overall response rate and the complete response (CR) rates were 63% (15/24) and 21% (5/24) for LD, and 21% (3/14) and 0% (0/14) for ED, respectively. The median response durations were 22 weeks for LD and 33 weeks for ED. The median CR duration in LD patients was 23 weeks. Twelve LD and 1 ED patient received thoracic radiotherapy (RT) optionally after 2-4 courses of CAV therapy. Eventually, 8 patients achieved CR. The median survival for LD, ED and all cases were 43 weeks, 37 weeks and 41 weeks, respectively. The 1, 2 and 3-year survival rates were 42, 25 and 21% for LD, and 40, 7 and 0% for ED. Three patients were long-term disease-free survivors (greater than 3 years), and these had LD and received RT. There were 3 chemotherapy-related deaths (2 patients with leukopenia + infection, 1 patient with drug-induced pneumonitis). The survival results of CAV therapy in our hospital were comparable with the recent results of chemotherapies available against small cell lung cancer.