Prognostic Value of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Previously Untreated Patients With Advanced NSCLC Treated With a Combination Therapy of Anti-PD-1/-PD-L1 Antibodies and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Combination therapy of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies and platinum-based chemotherapy has been widely used as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinical settings; however, prognostic biomarkers associated with survival outcomes have not been sufficiently investigated.

METHODS

We enrolled 147 previously untreated patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with a combination therapy of anti-PD-1/-PD-L1 antibodies and platinum-based chemotherapy at eight institutions in Nagano Prefecture between December 2018 and April 2023. We evaluated the prognostic value of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a systemic inflammatory nutritional biomarker calculated from body weight and serum albumin level, for patients with NSCLC treated with a combination therapy of anti-PD-1/-PD-L1 antibodies and platinum-based chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The cutoff value of the GNRI was set at 92. The high GNRI and low GNRI groups included 88 and 59 patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 15.9 months. The overall survival (OS) in the high GNRI group was significantly longer than that in the low GNRI group (27.9 vs. 15.6 months, p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis revealed that a high GNRI was an independently favorable prognostic predictor for OS (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.86; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that the GNRI is a useful prognostic predictor in patients with NSCLC treated with a combination therapy of anti-PD-1/-PD-L1 antibodies and platinum-based chemotherapy in clinical settings.

Predictive Factors Associated with Long-Term Response to Combination Immunotherapy in Patients with Untreated Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Combination immunotherapy is widely used in clinical practice as the first-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, predictive factors associated with long-term response to combination immunotherapy have not been well investigated. Herein, we compared the clinical findings, including systemic inflammatory nutritional biomarkers, between responders and nonresponders to combination immunotherapy. In addition, we investigated the predictive factors associated with long-term response to combination immunotherapy.

METHODS

This study included a total of 112 previously untreated advanced NSCLC patients who received combination immunotherapy at eight institutions in Nagano prefecture between December 2018 and April 2021. The responders were defined as those who achieved progression-free survival for 9 months or longer with combined immunotherapy. We evaluated predictive factors associated with long-term response, and the favorable prognostic predictors associated with overall survival (OS) using statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The responder and nonresponder groups included 54 and 58 patients, respectively. Compared with the nonresponder group, the responder group had significantly younger age (p = 0.046), higher prognostic nutritional index (44.8 vs. 40.7, p = 0.010), lower C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) (0.17 vs. 0.67, p = 0.001), and a higher rate of complete plus partial response (83.3% vs. 34.5%, p < 0.001). The area under the curve and optimal cut-off value for CAR were 0.691 and 0.215, respectively. The CAR and best objective response were identified as independent favorable prognostic predictors associated with OS in the multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

The CAR and best objective response were suggested to be useful predictors of long-term response in NSCLC patients who received combination immunotherapy.

Protein-Ligand Interaction Analyses with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Enhanced by Dissolution Triplet Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is a powerful method for the analysis of intermolecular interactions within a biomolecular system. However, low sensitivity is one of the major obstacles of NMR. We improved the sensitivity of solution-state ¹³C NMR for the observation of intermolecular interactions between protein and ligand using hyperpolarized solution samples at room temperature. Eutectic crystals composed of ¹³C-salicylic acid and benzoic acid doped with pentacene were hyperpolarized by dynamic nuclear polarization using photoexcited triplet electrons, and a ¹³C nuclear polarization of 0.72 ± 0.07% was achieved after dissolution. The binding of human serum albumin and ¹³C-salicylate was observed with several hundred times sensitivity enhancement under mild conditions. The established ¹³C NMR was applied for pharmaceutical NMR experiments by observation of the partial return of the ¹³C chemical shift of salicylate by competitive binding with other non-isotope-labeled drugs.

C-PLAN index as a prognostic factor for patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer who received combination immunotherapy: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Combination immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors and cytotoxic anticancer agents) is widely used as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the therapeutic effect of combination immunotherapy has not been fully investigated. C-reactive protein, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, and derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (C-PLAN) are useful biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of NSCLC; however, there are no reports examining the C-PLAN index, which combines these five factors in a single prognostic factor.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 178 patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC who received combination immunotherapy at multicenter institutions in Nagano Prefecture between December 2018 and April 2022. We investigated the utility of the C-PLAN index as a prognostic factor using Cox regression analysis and correlated it with survival.

RESULTS

The good and poor C-PLAN index groups included 85 and 93 patients, respectively. The good C-PLAN index group had a longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (10.7 vs. 6.0 months; p = 0.022) and overall survival (OS) (25.3 vs. 16.5 months; p = 0.003) than the poor C-PLAN index group. The C-PLAN index was an independent favorable prognostic factor that correlated with PFS and OS in multivariate analysis. The good C-PLAN index group had a higher proportion of never-smokers (16.5 vs. 4.3%; p = 0.007) and stage III disease/postoperative recurrence (32.9 vs. 15.1%; p = 0.005) than the poor C-PLAN index group.

CONCLUSION

The C-PLAN index is a useful prognostic factor for patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC undergoing combination immunotherapy.

Two Cases of Primary Rhinovirus Pneumonia with Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

Two patients, a 60-year-old man and 43-year-old woman, presented to our hospital with symptoms of respiratory tract infection. These patients showed imaging findings of multiple small nodules, ground-glass opacities, and consolidations. In case 1, although antibiotics were started, bilateral shadows spread widely, which made us suspect interstitial pneumonia. The condition improved after steroid administration, and there has been no recurrence since completing this treatment. In case 2, the patient recovered rapidly with antibiotics only. In both cases, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage, in which only human rhinovirus infection was detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing, and primary rhinovirus pneumonia was diagnosed.

Clinical course and findings of 14 patients with COVID-19 compared with 5 patients with conventional human coronavirus pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

To clarify what future problems must be resolved and how clinical findings of SARS-CoV-2 infection differ from those of cHCoV infection.

METHODS

Patients and Methods Clinical characteristics of 14 patients with laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 5 patients with cHCoV pneumonia admitted to our institution and treated up to March 8, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

On admission, 10 patients had pneumonia, 5 of whom had pulmonary shadows detectable only via computed tomography (CT). During hospitalization, another patient with no pulmonary shadows on admission developed pneumonia. In total, 11 (78.6%) of the 14 patients developed pneumonia, indicating its high prevalence in COVID-19. During hospitalization, the patients' symptoms spontaneously relapsed and resolved, and gastrointestinal symptoms were frequently found. C-reactive protein values showed correlation with the patients' clinical courses. Ritonavir/lopinavir were administered to 5 patients whose respiratory conditions worsened during admission, all of whom improved. However, the pneumonia in the 6 other patients improved without antivirals. None of the 14 patients died, whereas 5 other patients with cHCoV pneumonia were in respiratory failure on admission, and one patient (20%) died.

CONCLUSION

Both SARS-CoV-2 and cHCoV can cause severe pneumonia. Problems for future resolution include whether antiviral agents administered in cases of mild or moderate severity can reduce the number of severe cases, and whether antivirals administered in severe cases can reduce mortality.

Two Cases of Primary Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 Pneumonia in Which Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Yielded Human Parainfluenza Virus 1

Two patients, a 76-year-old woman and 66-year-old woman, presented to our hospital with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection. Both patients showed chest imaging findings of bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations. We initially suspected these patients of having influenza-associated pneumonia and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, respectively, and performed bronchoalveolar lavage, but only human parainfluenza virus-1 infection was detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. These findings suggest that pneumonia due to human parainfluenza virus-1 should be included in the differential diagnosis of such cases.

[Successful Treatment of Squamous Cell Lung Cancer without PD-L1 Expression Using Fourth-Line Nivolumab]

A 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage ⅢB locally advanced lung squamous cell cancer(cT0N3M0).Programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)immunostaining was negative.First -line nedaplatin plus docetaxel and second-line carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel were followed by sequential thoracic radiation therapy(60 Gy).The patient developed radiation pneumonitis, but her condition improved with corticosteroids.However, chest computed tomography(CT)revealed multiple nodules in both lungs.Third -line carboplatin plus tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium(S-1)was not successful, and fourth- line nivolumab(3mg/kg every 2weeks)was adopted.On day 9 after first administration, she developed fever and radiation recall pneumonitis.Multiple nodules rapidly formed, but they later gradually decreased in number.After 13 courses of nivolumab, the nodules had disappeared completely.Mediastinal lymph nodes decreased in size, but an abdominal lymph node remained enlarged.Nivolumab was continued, and after 24 courses, the abdominal lymph node began to shrink, and the multiple lung metastases continued to disappear.Currently, the best overall response is good partial response to nivolumab.

Simultaneous stereocomplex cocrystallization from coexisting two types of stereocomplexationable poly(lactide) systems

Simultaneous stereocomplex cocrystallization from two types of stereocomplexationable poly(lactide) systems, four-armed stereodiblock poly(lactide) and one-armed poly(l-lactide) and poly(d-lactide), was investigated.

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Cyclic 2,7-Anthrylene Ethynylene 1,3-Phenylene Ethynylene Trimer with a Planar Conformation

Cyclic arylene ethynylene hexamer 1, composed of alternating 2,7-anthrylene ethynylene units and meta-phenylene ethynylene units, was synthesized. It shows C₃ symmetry and possesses a flat and rigid conformation with a large equilateral triangle-like cavity. Macrocycle 1 self-associates through π-π stacking interactions between the anthracene-containing macrocyclic aromatic cores with indefinite-association constant K_E =6980 m^-1 in CDCl₃ at 303 K. Macrocycle 1 also self-assembles into π-stacked nanofibers in the drop-cast film.

Bioactivity of natural O-prenylated phenylpropenes from Illicium anisatum leaves and their derivatives against spider mites and fungal pathogens

A variety of volatile phenylpropenes, C6-C3 compounds are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, whereas prenylated phenylpropenes are limited to a few plant species. In this study, we analysed the volatile profiles from Illicium anisatum leaves and identified two O-prenylated phenylpropenes, 4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-[(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy]benzene [O-dimethylallyleugenol (9)] and 5-allyl-1,3-dimethoxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy]benzene [O-dimethylallyl-6-methoxyeugenol (11)] as major constituents. The structure-activity relationship of a series of eugenol derivatives showed that specific phenylpropenes, including eugenol (1), isoeugenol (2) and 6-methoxyeugenol (6), with a phenolic hydroxy group had antifungal activity for a fungal pathogen, whereas guaiacol, a simple phenolic compound, and allylbenzene had no such activity. The eugenol derivatives that exhibited antifungal activity, in turn, had no significant toxicant property for mite oviposition. Interestingly, O-dimethylallyleugenol (9) in which the phenolic oxygen was masked with a dimethylallyl group exhibited a specific, potent oviposition deterrent activity for mites. The sharp contrast in structural requirements of phenylpropenes suggested distinct mechanisms underlying the two biological activities and the importance of a phenolic hydroxy group and its dimethylallylation for the structure-based design of new functional properties of phenylpropenes.

Double alkylene-strapped diphenylanthracene as a photostable and intense solid-state blue-emitting material

We report the synthesis and photochemical and photophysical properties of double alkylene-strapped 9,10-diphenylanthracene derivatives 3a-c (a: C6 strap, b: C7 strap, c: C8 strap) in which the reactive central aromatic ring of the anthracene moiety is protected by the double alkylene straps. Thus, 3a-c were much more resistant to photochemical reactions than the parent 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA). Furthermore, 3b in C6H12 as well as in a cast film and the powder state showed the highest fluorescence quantum yields among 3a, 3b, quadruple triethylsilyl-protected DPA 4, and DPA, wherein the C7 strap in 3b effectively serves to block fluorescence self-quenching.

Expression of heat shock proteins, Hsp70 and Hsp25, in the rat gingiva after irradiation with a CO2 laser in coagulation mode

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The therapeutic rationale of low-energy pulsed CO(2) laser coagulation mode has not been clarified yet. We conducted this study to characterize the effect of low-energy pulsed CO(2) laser coagulation mode irradiation of the rat gingiva in terms of the expression of heat shock proteins.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Laser irradiation was achieved with the parameters of 5 W, 600 mus pulse duration, and fluence of 326 J/cm(2). The gingiva dissected at different times after irradiation was processed for immunohistochemical examination of the expression of the heat shock proteins, Hsp70 and Hsp25.

RESULTS

One hour after irradiation, the epithelial keratinocytes facing the laser wound exhibited an overexpression of Hsp70 in their nucleus. The connective tissue cells facing the laser wound, which included fibroblasts and capillary endothelial cells, showed de novo expression of Hsp70 at 3 h post-irradiation, the level of which peaked at 1 d and thereafter decreased. An enhanced and/or de novo expression of Hsp25 in the connective tissue cells facing the laser wound became evident at 3 h after irradiation, and after 1 d the Hsp25-expressing cells increased in number and spread over the wound as wound repair progressed. There was a temporospatial difference in the expression pattern between Hsp70 and Hsp25, with only a few cells appearing to co-express both heat shock proteins.

CONCLUSION

The CO(2) laser treatment in coagulation mode produced the expression of heat shock proteins, and the findings suggest that while Hsp70 mainly conferred cell protection, Hsp25 was involved in the progress of wound repair as well as cell protection.

Exogenous ACC enhances volatiles production mediated by jasmonic acid in lima bean leaves

We report the synergistic effects of exogenous 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and jasmonic acid (JA) on production of induced volatiles by excised lima bean leaves. Application of ACC alone to leaves induced trace amounts of volatiles. ACC positively affected three JA-induced volatiles, (E)- and (Z)-beta-ocimene, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. The ethylene inhibitor, silver thiosulfate, inhibited the production of these compounds. The results suggest synergistic effects of JA and ACC on inducible volatile production by lima bean leaves. Furthermore, lima bean leaves treated with JA plus ACC became more attractive to predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis, than those treated with JA alone.

A comprehensive two-hybrid analysis to explore the yeast protein interactome

Protein-protein interactions play crucial roles in the execution of various biological functions. Accordingly, their comprehensive description would contribute considerably to the functional interpretation of fully sequenced genomes, which are flooded with novel genes of unpredictable functions. We previously developed a system to examine two-hybrid interactions in all possible combinations between the approximately 6,000 proteins of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we have completed the comprehensive analysis using this system to identify 4,549 two-hybrid interactions among 3,278 proteins. Unexpectedly, these data do not largely overlap with those obtained by the other project [Uetz, P., et al. (2000) Nature (London) 403, 623-627] and hence have substantially expanded our knowledge on the protein interaction space or interactome of the yeast. Cumulative connection of these binary interactions generates a single huge network linking the vast majority of the proteins. Bioinformatics-aided selection of biologically relevant interactions highlights various intriguing subnetworks. They include, for instance, the one that had successfully foreseen the involvement of a novel protein in spindle pole body function as well as the one that may uncover a hitherto unidentified multiprotein complex potentially participating in the process of vesicular transport. Our data would thus significantly expand and improve the protein interaction map for the exploration of genome functions that eventually leads to thorough understanding of the cell as a molecular system.

Gene responses in bean leaves induced by herbivory and by herbivore-induced volatiles

Plant-plant interactions via herbivory-induced leaf volatiles could result in the induction of defense responses against aggressive biotic agents in plants. In this study, cDNA microarray technology showed comprehensive gene activation in lima bean leaves that were exposed to volatiles released from the neighboring leaves infested with spider mites. The infestation with spider mites and the herbivory-induced volatiles enhanced 97 and 227 gene spots on the microarray tip printed with 2032 lima bean cDNA, respectively. These genes are related to such broad functions as responses to pathogenesis, wounding, hormones, ethylene biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, (post) transcriptional modifications, translations, chaperones, secondary signaling messengers, membrane transports, protein/peptide degradations, and photosynthesis. We therefore conclude that herbivorous damage and herbivory-induced volatiles elicit comprehensive and drastic changes of metabolisms in leaves.

Herbivory-induced volatiles elicit defence genes in lima bean leaves

In response to herbivore damage, several plant species emit volatiles that attract natural predators of the attacking herbivores. Using spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) and predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis), it has been shown that not only the attacked plant but also neighbouring plants are affected, becoming more attractive to predatory mites and less susceptible to spider mites. The mechanism involved in such interactions, however, remains elusive. Here we show that uninfested lima bean leaves activate five separate defence genes when exposed to volatiles from conspecific leaves infested with T. urticae, but not when exposed to volatiles from artificially wounded leaves. The expression pattern of these genes is similar to that produced by exposure to jasmonic acid. At least three terpenoids in the volatiles are responsible for this gene activation; they are released in response to herbivory but not artificial wounding. Expression of these genes requires calcium influx and protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation.

Involvement of jasmonate- and salicylate-related signaling pathways for the production of specific herbivore-induced volatiles in plants

We compared volatiles from lima bean leaves (Phaseolus lunatus) infested by either beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), common armyworm [Mythimna (Pseudaletia) separata], or two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). We also analyzed volatiles from the leaves treated with jasmonic acid (JA) and/or methyl salicylate (MeSA). The volatiles induced by aqueous JA treatment were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those induced by S. exigua or M. separata damage. Furthermore, both S. exigua and aqueous JA treatment induced the expression of the same basic PR genes. In contrast, gaseous MeSA treatment, and aqueous JA treatment followed by gaseous MeSA treatment, induced volatiles that was qualitatively and quantitatively more similar to the T. urticae-induced volatiles than those induced by aqueous JA treatment. In addition, T. urticae damage resulted in the expression of the acidic and basic PR genes that were induced by gaseous MeSA treatment and by aqueous JA treatment, respectively. Based on these data, we suggest that in lima bean leaves, the JA-related signaling pathway is involved in the production of caterpillar-induced volatiles, while both the SA-related signaling pathway and the JA-related signaling pathway are involved in the production of T. urticae-induced volatiles.

Toward a protein-protein interaction map of the budding yeast: A comprehensive system to examine two-hybrid interactions in all possible combinations between the yeast proteins

Protein-protein interactions play pivotal roles in various aspects of the structural and functional organization of the cell, and their complete description is indispensable to thorough understanding of the cell. As an approach toward this goal, here we report a comprehensive system to examine two-hybrid interactions in all of the possible combinations between proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We cloned all of the yeast ORFs individually as a DNA-binding domain fusion ("bait") in a MATa strain and as an activation domain fusion ("prey") in a MATalpha strain, and subsequently divided them into pools, each containing 96 clones. These bait and prey clone pools were systematically mated with each other, and the transformants were subjected to strict selection for the activation of three reporter genes followed by sequence tagging. Our initial examination of approximately 4 x 10(6) different combinations, constituting approximately 10% of the total to be tested, has revealed 183 independent two-hybrid interactions, more than half of which are entirely novel. Notably, the obtained binary data allow us to extract more complex interaction networks, including the one that may explain a currently unsolved mechanism for the connection between distinct steps of vesicular transport. The approach described here thus will provide many leads for integration of various cellular functions and serve as a major driving force in the completion of the protein-protein interaction map.

Involvement of calcineurin in the signal transduction of PBAN in the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera)

In several moth species sex pheromone production in the pheromone gland is regulated by a neurohormone, pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). In Bombyx mori it is suggested that PBAN, after binding to the cell-surface receptor, primarily activates a plasma membrane receptor-activated Ca2+ channel to increase cytosolic levels of Ca2+, and Ca2+/calmodulin complex directly or indirectly activates a phosphoprotein phosphatase, which in turn elicits activation of acyl CoA reductase (the key enzyme under PBAN control) through dephosphorylation, resulting in pheromone (bombykol) production. The effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK 506, specific inhibitors of calcineurin (phosphoprotein phosphatase 2B) was studied on the sex pheromone production, in B. mori. The in vitro experiments showed that both chemicals exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory action when they were co-incubated with TKYFSPRL amide (Hez-PBAN fragment peptide). Practically, no difference was detected between the two chemicals in the tested doses (0.025-1250 microM). When effects of CsA or FK 506 were studied on cell-free production of bombykol by using microsomal fraction no inhibition was detected. Since microsomal fraction contains the acyl CoA synthetase, the rate-limiting acyl CoA reductase and the precursor, bombykol is produced if supplied with CoA, ATP and NADPH. Thus, the inhibitory action of CsA and FK506 under in vitro conditions should occur before the step of acyl group reduction and the effect is likely to be attributable to the inhibition of calcineurin in the signal transduction cascade mechanism of PBAN, in B. mori. The existence of calcineurin in the pheromone gland by using Western blot analysis is also demonstrated.

Circadian oscillation of a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila period gene

Many biochemical, physiological and behavioural processes in organisms ranging from microorganisms to vertebrates exhibit circadian rhythms. In Drosophila, the gene period (per) is required for the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and eclosion behaviour. Oscillation in the levels of per mRNA and Period (dPer) protein in the fly brain is thought to be responsible for the rhythmicity. However, no per homologues in animals other than insects have been identified. Here we identify the human and mouse genes (hPER and mPer, respectively) encoding PAS-domain (PAS, a dimerization domain present in Per, Amt and Sim)-containing polypeptides that are highly homologous to dPer. Besides this structural resemblance, mPer shows autonomous circadian oscillation in its expression in the suprachiasmaticnucleus, which is the primary circadian pacemaker in the mammalian brain. Clock, a mammalian clock gene encoding a PAS-containing polypeptide, has now been cloned: it is likely that the Per homologues dimerize with other molecule(s) such as Clock through PAS-PAS interaction in the circadian clock system.

[Effect of dibucaine and lidocaine on histamine release from mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells]

We examined the effects of dibucaine and lidocaine on histamine release from mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells. The effects of these drugs on intracellular calcium were also monitored by assessing Fura-2 signals. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of lidocaine on IgE dependent and independent stimuli were examined. Though dibucaine induced histamine release and increases in intracellular calcium from mast cells dose-dependently, lidocaine did not. Lidocaine inhibited both the IgE-dependent and independent histamine release from mast cells in a dose dependent manner. However, the ability of lidocaine to inhibit the IgE-dependent response was greater. Lidocaine also inhibited increases in intracellular calcium to a greater extent after IgE-dependent stimulation as compared with IgE-independent stimulation. The degree of the inhibition of histamine release by lidocaine appeared to parallel decreases in calcium mobilization.

Epitope mapping on the ookinete surface antigen Pbs21 of Plasmodium berghei: identification of the site of binding of transmission-blocking monoclonal antibody 13.1

The ookinete surface protein of Plasmodium berghei Pbs21 belongs to a class of sexual stage antigens able to induce in the vertebrate host a transmission-blocking immune response. The effectors of this transmission-blocking immunity are antibody molecules directed against particular protein epitopes. The anti-Pbs21 monoclonal antibody 13.1 is known to bind a linear stretch of amino acids within the primary sequence of Pbs21 and to efficiently block the development of P. berghei in the mosquito gut. To map the 13.1 epitope along the amino acid sequence of Pbs21 we assayed the ability of 13.1 antibody to recognize, in Western blot, a series of Pbs21 deletion mutants as well as the ability of synthetic peptides to inhibit 13.1 binding to full length Pbs21. The epitope was identified within the second EGF-like domain of the Pbs21 molecule.

Intracellular signal transduction of PBAN action in the silkworm, Bombyx mori: involvement of acyl CoA reductase

In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, production of the sex pheromone bombykol is regulated by a neurohormone termed PBAN. We have detected the activity of acyl CoA reductase in the pheromone gland of B. mori by using palmitoyl CoA as a substrate. The acyl CoA reductase requires NADPH, but not NADH, as a proton dono. When the pheromone gland was incubated with the PBAN fragment peptide TKYFSPRLamide, palmitoyl CoA was incorporated and converted into the corresponding C16 alcohols. Radio HPLC analysis revealed that these C16 alcohols were hexadecan-1-ol (81.2%), (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol (12.3%), and (E, Z)-10, 12-hexadecadien-1-ol (= bombykol, 6.5%). The production of C16 alcohols in the pheromone gland was inhibited by the known bombykol biosynthesis inhibitors EDTA, LaCl3, W-7, trifluoperazine, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, NaF and compactin. By contrast, when the pheromone gland homogenate was incubated in the presence of palmitoyl CoA and NADPH, production of C16 alcohols was affected by compactin, W-7 and trifluoperazine, but not by EDTA, LaCl3, p-nitrophenyl phosphate and NaF. These results indicate that compactin, W-7 and trifluoperazine directly suppress the step catalyzed by acyl CoA reductase, whereas EDTA, LaCl3, pNPP, and NaF inhibit bombykol production by affecting other biochemical steps in the signal transduction of PBAN action. The present results also imply that PBAN regulates the step catalyzed by acyl CoA reductase and that palmitoyl CoA could be used as a substrate of the acyl CoA reductase that regulates bombykol biosynthesis.

Cell-free production of the silkworm sex pheromone bombykol

Cell-free production of bombykol was done by incubating a pheromone gland homogenate in the presence of NADPH, ATP, and CoA. Addition of n-hexane to the reaction mixture stimulated bombykol production, resulting in production of 238 ng of bombykol from the homogenate equivalent to 2 pheromone glands after 23 h. Removal of either NADPH, ATP, or CoA resulted in no stimulation of bombykol production, suggesting that the final step of the bombykol biosynthetic pathway is done by acyl CoA synthetase and reductase, sequentially. Incubation first with ATP or high concentrations of ATP suppressed the production of bombykol. Since incubation with ATP also inhibited conversion of [1-14C]palmitoyl CoA into 1-hexadecanol, the inhibitory action of ATP seemed attributable to inactivation of the acyl CoA reductase by phosphorylation, as mediated by a protein kinase in the homogenate. Our results suggest that the activity of acyl CoA reductase in bombykol biosynthesis is regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, and that the activation occurs by dephosphorylation as mediated by phosphoprotein phosphatase.

Intracellular signal transduction of PBAN action in the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura: effects of pharmacological agents on sex pheromone production in vitro

Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) regulates sex pheromone production in the pheromone glands of many species of female moths. In order to probe the biochemical steps as well as underlying mechanisms regulated by PBAN, we have tested the effects of pharmacological agents on sex pheromone production of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, using an in vitro assay. Among the pharmacological agents we tested, ionomycin (calcium ionophore) alone stimulated sex pheromone production, while LaCl3 (calcium channel blocker), W-7, trifluoperazine (calmodulin inhibitor), NaF, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (phosphatase inhibitor) suppressed the pheromone production by a pheromonotropic peptide, TKYFSPRLamide. By contrast, forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (protein kinase C activator), and cyclic nucleotides alone failed to stimulate sex pheromone production. These results suggest that Ca2+/calmodulin complex and phosphoprotein phosphatase are involved in the signal transduction of PBAN action in S. litura.

Intracellular signal transduction of PBAN action in lepidopteran insects: inhibition of sex pheromone production by compactin, an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor

Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) regulates sex pheromone production in the pheromone glands of many species of female moths. In order to probe the biochemical steps as well as underlying mechanisms regulated by PBAN, we have tested the effect of chemicals on sex pheromone production by using an in vitro assay. Among the chemicals we tested here, compactin, a specific 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor, clearly inhibited the pheromone biosynthesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura. Since the activation of HMG CoA reductase occurs by dephosphorylation mediated by a specific phosphatase and the biochemical step regulated by PBAN in bombykol biosynthesis is similar to the one catalyzed by HMG-CoA reductase in cholesterol biosynthesis, the present results support the idea that phosphoprotein phosphatase has a significant role to regulate bombykol production in the intracellular transduction of PBAN action in B. mori.

Intracellular transduction in the regulation of pheromone biosynthesis of the silkworm, Bombyx mori: suggested involvement of calmodulin and phosphoprotein phosphatase

We have tested the effects of chemicals on bombykol production in vitro in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, to probe the biochemical steps as well as underlying mechanisms regulated by PBAN. These results suggest the involvement of calmodulin and phosphoprotein phosphatase in the intracellular signal transduction of PBAN action.

Growth in methylcellulose of human mast cells in hematopoietic colonies stimulated by steel factor, a c-kit ligand

We examined the effect of Steel factor (SLF) on the development of human mast cells in hematopoietic colonies from cord blood mononuclear cells in methylcellulose culture. When cord blood cells were cultured for 3 weeks, SLF increased the cellular tryptase levels detected in total cultured cells. It also stimulated the formation of small-cell colonies consisting mainly of polymorphonuclear granulocytes and immature blastoid cells in a concentration-dependent manner but not the formation of colonies consisting of large macrophagic cells. A low percentage of tryptase-positive mast-cell-like cells was found in 39 out of 100 granulocyte/blastoid cell colonies. Four of the 100 colonies contained 10-20% tryptase-positive cells, but we failed to observe colonies consisting of > 20% of tryptase-positive cells. These results suggest that the effect of SLF on mast cell growth is brought on by stimulating the growth of primitive hematopoietic progenitors.

A modified dose monitoring system in remote afterloading therapy of carcinoma of the uterine cervix using semi-conductor dosimeter

A dose monitoring system in high dose rate intracavitary remote afterloading therapy of carcinoma of the uterine cervix using semi-conductor dosimeter was developed in July 1979 at our department. During early experience with the above system, extremely high values of mgh as well as high doses to rectum and bladder were encountered in the cases with poor local anatomy or unsuitable application. Solving this problem, such limitations as to the mgh as well as point-A dose were added to the computerized rapid processing system for the pretreatment dose calculation and correction of the treatment parameters to adjust the point-A dose to within +/- 5% of the planned dose. In the majority of the cases treated with Ralstron, this modified dose monitoring system brought considerable success in the optimization of point-A, mgh, rectal and bladder doses, in a simple manner.

[Inhibition of cholinesterase activity induced by pyridaphenthion]

Inhibitory effects on cholinesterase (ChE) activity in blood of the rabbit induced by pyridaphenthion(PD), an organophosphorus compound, and effects of 2-pyridine aldoxime methiodide(PAM) on this inhibition were examined. 1) Experimental results within 24 hr: An oral administration of each dose of PD(100 approximately 750 mg/kg) gradually decreased ChE activity and ChE activity value decreased to 20.5% in the erythrocytes and 21.5% in the plasma 24 hr after administration of 500 mg/kg of PD. However, this value recovered remarkably with an intravenous injection of PAM. The ChE activity value was 55.5% in the erythrocytes and 41.4% in the plasma with a single injection, and respectively 67.8% and 59.1% when PAM was injected three times. 2) Experimental results for 14 days: Following an increase of the administered dose (100 approximately 400 mg/kg) of PD, a decrease in ChE activity was apparent and a recovery to normal values was delayed. This inhibition could be ameliorated quickly with an injection of PAM. Considering that PAM does not have remarkable detoxicative effects on organophosphorus compounds which have a low toxicity, PAM appears to be a promising antidote against PD.