In Vitro and In Vivo Antiglycation Effects of Connarus ruber Extract

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of the Maillard reaction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. Connarus ruber has been used as a folk remedy for several diseases, including diabetes; however, its underlying mechanism has not yet been investigated. This study investigated the effects of C. ruber extract against glycation on collagen-linked AGEs in vitro and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-DM rats) in vivo. The antiglycation activities of C. ruber extract and aminoguanidine (AG) were examined using a collagen glycation assay kit. Nonfluorescent AGE, N^ε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML), N^ω-carboxymethyl arginine, and N^ε-carboxyethyl lysine levels were measured via electrospray ionization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The effect of the extract on the cytotoxicity of methylglyoxal (MG), a precursor of AGEs, was examined in HL60 cells. STZ-DM rats were treated with the extract for 4 wk, and the effect was assessed using biochemical markers in the serum and CML-positive cells in renal tissues. C. ruber extract dose-dependently inhibited the glycation of collagen and formation of nonfluorescent AGEs, which was comparable to AG, and it significantly attenuated MG-induced cytotoxicity in HL60 cells. Furthermore, the glycated albumin levels in STZ-DM rats decreased, the increase in serum lipid levels was reversed, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CML deposition in the glomerulus of STZ-DM rats significantly decreased. Although further studies are needed, C. ruber could be a potential therapeutic for preventing and progressing many pathological conditions, including diabetes.

Differences in Viscosity of Superior and Inferior Spikelets of Japonica Rice with Various Percentages of Apparent Amylose Content

Viscosity, a crucial characteristic for rice palatability, is affected by endosperm characters. We compared correlations between differences in viscosity of japonica rice with various palatability and endosperm characters. Changes in apparent amylose and protein contents (AAC% and PC%, respectively) and amylopectin side-chain distribution and the relationship of these traits with palatability were investigated in superior and inferior spikelets of good cultivars with low amylose content from Hokkaido and common cultivars from northeastern Japan, using rapid visco analyzer characteristics and rice-grain microstructures. Significant differences occurred in PC%, AAC%, breakdown, setback, peak time, and pasting temperature of different cultivars and grain positions. Amylopectin components showed remarkable differences in grain surfaces, surface layers, and section structure between the grain varieties. Hokkaido cultivars showed better viscosity than northeastern cultivars, particularly initial stage grains. Correlation analysis indicated viscosity was mainly AAC%-dependent, whereas differences in endosperm characteristics between spikelet positions were mainly due to grain-filling temperature.

Abstract P5-11-03: Difference between 1st and 2nd generation serotonin receptor antagonists in triplet antiemetic therapy for highly emetogenic chemotherapy in breast cancer patients – according to recent multi-institutional double-blind randomized clinical research on the AC regimen

<Background>

The information presented herein extends our recent study of TTT (Trial for Triplet Antiemetic Therapy).

One of our main clinical questions has been whether a 2nd generation serotonin receptor antagonist (5-HT3ra) would be superior to 1st generation 5-HT3ra when administering triplet antiemetic therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea & vomiting (CINV), since a prior Japanese trial demonstrated palonosetron to be superior to granisetron for controlling the delayed phase of CINV induced by highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and to doublet antiemetic therapy including dexamethasone for anthracycline and cyclophosphamide containing regimens (AC).

<Objectives>

In this study, we assessed the efficacies of 1st and 2nd generation 5-HT3ra agents for use as triplet antiemetic therapy for AC, by monitoring CINV, focusing especially daily CR in the delayed phase.

<Material and method>

Between 2012 and 2015, 491 women with breast cancer receiving AC were recruited from 11 institutions in Japan, and randomly assigned to either single-dose palonosetron (0.75mg) or granisetron (40μg/kg) prior to chemotherapy on day 1, both with dexamethasone (9.9 mg intravenously) and aprepitant (125mg orally) on day 1 followed by additional doses (80mg orally) on days 2 and 3. Age, institution and habitual alcohol intake were used as stratification factors. The primary endpoint was a complete response (CR). Statistical analysis was done by Mantel-Haenszel Method. This trial was registered with UMIN000007882.

<Results>

All 491 patients were included in efficacy analyses (ITT): 246 patients in the palonosetron group and 245 in the granisetron group. We previously reported that the difference in CR during the delayed phase, i.e. 24 hours after the administration of AC, did not reach statistical significance (53.8% vs 58.5%) in MASCC 2016. However, daily CR in the palonosetron group was much higher than that in the granisetron group after 48 hours.

<Conclusions>

Palonosetron showed better efficacy in controlling CINV during the late period of the delayed phase, i.e. 48 hours after AC administration, than granisetron as triplet antiemetic therapy for AC.

<Considerations>

The pattern of CINV reportedly shows two peaks including an acute phase caused by serotonin and a delayed phase caused by substance P, though the pattern of CINV with triplet antiemetic therapy administration might be different if the suppression of each of these peaks were to be achieved more efficiently. CINV may not be divided into two phases in the future, or the borderline area between the acute and delayed phases may require revision. The analysis of the late period of the delayed phase was ad hoc in this trial. However, when conducting studies related to CINV, it might be worthwhile to revise the borderline area between the two phases of CINV to facilitate elucidating the mechanisms underlying this potentially debilitating side effect of chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Ogata H, Saito M, Tsuneizumi M, Kutomi G, Hosoya K, Kawai Y, Sugizaki K, Katsumata N, Senuma K, Kitabatake T, Suda M, Uomori T, Miura K, Kurata M, Nitta Y, Yonemoto N, Matsuoka J. Difference between 1st and 2nd generation serotonin receptor antagonists in triplet antiemetic therapy for highly emetogenic chemotherapy in breast cancer patients – according to recent multi-institutional double-blind randomized clinical research on the AC regimen [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-11-03.

Music before Dental Surgery Suppresses Sympathetic Activity Derived from Preoperative Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to estimate the relieving effect of music intervention on preoperative anxiety by using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. In this randomized controlled trial, 86 adult patients were scheduled to undergo impacted tooth extraction under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia and were classified as either fearful or nonfearful based on a questionnaire. Thereafter, the patients were subdivided into 2 groups: those who listened to music from the time that they arrived at the outpatient clinic until immediately before entering the operating room and those who did not listen to music. The effect of music intervention was evaluated by assessing 1) the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio of HRV, in which positive changes indicate increased sympathetic nervous activity, and 2) the coefficient of component variance for high frequency, in which positive changes indicate increased parasympathetic nervous activity, assessed by means of HRV analysis. Subjective preoperative anxiety was evaluated on a visual analog scale. For fearful patients, the mean magnitude of low-frequency/high frequency changes from baseline among those who listened to music was significantly lower as compared with those who did not listen to music (in the private room: -1.45 ± 1.88 vs. 1.05 ± 1.88, P = 0.0096, 95% confidence interval of effect size = -4.52 to -0.48, Cohen's d = -0.75; in the operating waiting room: -2.18 ± 2.39 vs. -0.10 ± 3.37, P = 0.011, 95% confidence interval of effect size = -3.94 to -0.22, Cohen's d = -0.71, respectively). Visual analog scale scores were also significantly different. Coefficient of component variance for high frequency and heart rate did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. From the perspective of autonomic nervous activity, music intervention is useful for relieving anxiety in patients with dental fear before they enter a dental outpatient operating room. Music intervention may relieve anxiety by reducing sympathetic nervous activity, while parasympathetic nervous activity is not involved (UMIN000016882). Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study revealed that music intervention is useful for clinicians when planning preoperative anxiety management of patients with dental fear who undergo impacted tooth extraction under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. As a bridging intervention, music intervention enables stress management to continue uninterrupted from the patient's arrival at the dental outpatient clinic to intravenous sedation until completion of the dental surgery. With consideration of cost-effectiveness, absence of adverse physical effects, immediate effect, safety in terms of not using drugs, and lack of concerns about recovery, this information could lead to more appropriate decisions regarding anxiety management in dentistry.

Structural alterations of the superior temporal gyrus in schizophrenia: Detailed subregional differences

BACKGROUND

Reduced gray matter volumes in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) have been reported in patients with schizophrenia. Such volumetric abnormalities might denote alterations in cortical thickness, surface area, local gyrification or all of these factors. The STG can be anatomically divided into five subregions using automatic parcellation in FreeSurfer: lateral aspect of the STG, anterior transverse temporal gyrus of Heschl gyrus (HG), planum polare (PP) of the STG, planum temporale (PT) of the STG and transverse temporal sulcus.

METHODS

We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3T scans from 40 age- and sex-matched patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy subjects, and the scans were automatically processed using FreeSurfer. General linear models were used to assess group differences in regional volumes and detailed thickness, surface area and local gyrification.

RESULTS

As expected, patients with schizophrenia had significantly smaller bilateral STG volumes than healthy subjects. Of the five subregions in the STG, patients with schizophrenia showed significantly and marginally reduced volumes in the lateral aspect of the STG and PT of the STG bilaterally compared with healthy subjects. The volumetric alteration in bilateral lateral STG was derived from both the cortical thickness and surface area but not local gyrification. There was no significant laterality of the alteration in the lateral STG between patients and controls and no correlation among the structures and clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that of five anatomical subregions in the STG, the lateral STG is one of the most meaningful regions for brain pathophysiology in schizophrenia.

[Retrospective analysis of Charlson comorbidity index (CCI)]

Owing to the advance of supportive care and the development of molecular targeted therapies, the elderlies or patients who have comorbidities have been treated more than before. The assessment of the comorbidity is indispensable to select the appropriate treatment or the control of following therapy. Some indices to determine them have been developed in western countries but not in Japan. The index which is used most is the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). This index has never been evaluated in Japan. So we investigated the utility of the index for Japanese population. We surveyed retrospectively 498 patients aged 65 or more patients with colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer that have been treated in our hospital during 2002-2007. According to CCI, patients are classified into three groups and verified 1-year and 3-year survival rate. 1-year survival rate was 76.9% in groups of 0 points, 83.5% in groups of1 -5 points, 75.0% in the group of six or more points respectively (p=0.19). 3-year survival rate were 59.0%, 63.1%, 75.0%, respectively (p=0.46). Multivariate analysis identified age (≥ 50), Sex (man), stage (III and IV) as significant predictors for worse OS at 3-year. However, there was no significant difference in CCI. There are some items which frequency is zero, so the items of CCI may not match to Japanese population. Presence of existing disease is an important factor for the cancer therapy, and it should be evaluated accurately. It is urgently necessary to develop an evaluation method and establish the scale.

[Are the Japanese guidelines for the management of hepatitis B virus reactivation being properly implemented ?]

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)reactivation has been reported as a fatal complication following systemic chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapies. The Japanese Guidelines for HBV reactivation were published in 2009. Despite the publication of these guidelines, there have been some reports of fulminant hepatitis B. Therefore, it was suggested that the guidelines were not yet been widely implemented. We investigated whether the guidelines had been implemented in our hospital. After the evaluation, it was determined that 89%of HBV cases were screened for the HBV surface antigen(HBs-Ag). Additionally, the screening for HBV surface antibody(HBs-Ab)and HBV core antibody(HBc-Ab)should be performed in cases negative for HBs-Ag, which was performed in only 17% of HBs-Ag-negative cases. It was concluded that the guidelines had not been implemented in our hospital. Therefore, we conducted educational activities to promote the implementation of the guidelines. Screening tests were performed in all 270 HBV cases between January and June 2013. Two antigen-positive carriers were identified. The rate of HBs-Ag-negative and/or HBc antibody -positive cases was 20.3%. Of these, 76.4%were tested using a DNA quantitative test, but DNA quantification did not increase in any case. HBV reactivation is expected to increase due to the development of new drugs and the use of diverse regimens. All physicians who perform immunotherapy and chemotherapy should immediately participate in educational activities.

[Is emergency aortic root replacement combined with arch replacement safe?]

BACKGROUND

Aortic root replacement (ARR) combined with aortic arch replacement (AAR) is an invasive procedure even in elective cases. Nevertheless, such combined operations are often mandatory in acute type A aortic dissection. We examined whether emergency operation might have further incremental risks compared with elective surgery in this type of operations.

METHODS

Forty-six cases of ARR combined with AAR were divided into 2 groups, the emergency (EM) group and the elective (EL) group. The EM group consisted of 10 cases of acute type A aortic dissection, whereas the EL group of 36:23 of chronic aortic dissection and 13 of true aneurysm.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in the durations of aortic crossclamp, selective cerebral perfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass. The incidences in the EM and EL groups were as follows:in-hospital death; 0 vs 3( 8%), respiratory failure; 4 (40%) vs 14 (39%), renal failure; 0 vs 6 (17%), IABP requirement; 1 (10%) vs 3 (8%), and cerebral infarction; 0 vs 1 (3%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Early surgical results of emergency ARR combined with AAR were almost equal to those in elective surgery.

Impact of Severe Coronary Disease Associated or Not Associated with Diabetes Mellitus on Outcome of Interventional Treatment Using Stents: Results from HERZ (Heart Research Group of Kanazawa) Analyses

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a drug-eluting stent (DES) leads to less re-stenosis than PCI using a bare metal stent (BMS), however there is still controversy whether use of a DES for severe coronary disease leads to an acceptable outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study 8159 lesions were treated in 6739 patients (mean age 68.9 years) with coronary artery disease. Use of a DES significantly decreased the re-stenosis rate compared with BMS in both DM (9.6% versus 21.3%) and non-DM (9.5% versus 17.1%) patients. The re-stenosis rate was significantly higher in DM than in non-DM patients in the BMS group but not in the DES group. There was no statistically significant difference in event-free survival after stenting of patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease between the BMS and DES groups. It was concluded that, compared with BMS, DES reduced re-stenosis in patients with DM, however, we advise careful treatment after using DES for severe coronary disease, including LMCA lesions, in patients with DM.

Impact of Long-Acting Calcium Channel Blockers on the Prognosis of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease with and without Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comparison of Three Drugs

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can prevent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study looked retrospectively at the prognosis of CAD in hypertensive patients with CAD who had undergone a coronary angiograph, had been given a CCB (benidipine [ n = 66], amlodipine [ n = 45], or long-acting nifedipine [ n = 31]) on hospital discharge and were then followed up for a mean ± SD of 5.2 ± 2.9 years. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure for all 142 patients decreased significantly from a mean ± SD of 137 ± 20/74 ± 15 mmHg to 129 ± 20/71 ± 12 mmHg. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 15 patients. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was a significant risk factor for MACE (hazard ratio 2.35, 95% confidence intervals 1.45, 3.80). Benidipine was superior to nifedipine in preventing MACE in patients both with and without CKD. In conclusion, benidipine and amlodipine reduced the frequency of MACE in hypertensive patients with CAD, particularly in those with complicating CKD.

Scoring of reflux symptoms associated with scleroderma and the usefulness of rabeprazole

OBJECTIVE

The high frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as a complication of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) calls for treatment with powerful acid suppressants such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI). The present study used a GERD-specific questionnaire to assess the symptoms of GERD in SSc patients, and examine the effectiveness of rabeprazole (RPZ) for treating the symptoms of GERD.

METHODS

The Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG), a medical questionnaire developed in Japan for evaluating GERD, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate GERD symptoms and the degree of pain, respectively, in 151 SSc subjects. These tools were also used to assess the effect of 8 weeks' treatment with the PPI RPZ (10 mg/day).

RESULTS

Data on age and gender, and FSSG and VAS scores before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks' RPZ treatment, were available for 84 subjects. The mean FSSG score was 13.9+/-9.7 before treatment, 8.3+/-8.1 after 4 weeks of treatment, and 7.0+/-7.0 after 8 weeks of treatment; the score reduction was significant (p<0.001) indicating the effectiveness of RPZ in improving subjective GERD symptoms. The VAS scores revealed a significant improvement in pain after both 4 and 8 weeks compared with baseline scores. Six subjects experienced adverse effects and five discontinued the analysis during the period.

CONCLUSION

Administration of RPZ 10 mg/day is effective for the control of the symptoms of GERD associated with SSc. In addition to assessing the symptoms of GERD, the FSSG questionnaire can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of drugs.

Quantitative analysis of DNA-porphyrin interactions

The binding of manganese(III)-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMpyP) with synthetic poly(dA-dT)2, poly(dI-dC)2, and poly(dG-dC)2 DNAs as well as calf thymus (CT) DNA has been quantitatively studied in detail using induced CD (circular dichroism) spectroscopy in the Soret absorption band. The CD spectra, which changed greatly depending on the porphyrin to DNA base-pair molar ratio (r), were normalized with respect to DNA concentration and deconvoluted. Three independent component binding modes (named mode 1, 2, and 3 in the order of increasing r values) were identified, which successfully simulated the observed CD spectra with negligibly small residuals for a wide range of r values. In the case of poly(dA-dT)2, poly (dI-dC)2, and CT DNA, all the three modes appeared, whereas in the case of poly(dG-dC)2 DNA, only modes 1 and 3 appeared in the r range studied. The r dependence of each binding mode, i.e., its relative affinity toward DNA, has been revealed by this analysis. Mode 1, which appeared as a single binding mode at very low r values (r < or = ca. 0.05), was inhibited by the addition of methyl green, a drug that preferentially binds to the major groove of poly (dA-dT)2 DNA. Berenil, a known minor groove binder to poly(dA-dT)2 or poly(dI-dC)2 DNA, inhibited modes 2 and 3. From these inhibition experiments as well as comparison of the component spectra for DNAs of different sequence, a binding site on DNA was proposed for each component binding mode. The number of DNA base pairs covered by a single molecule of porphyrin was estimated.

A case of primary extragonadal seminoma arising in the perineum

We report the first case of primary extragonadal seminoma arising in the perineum. A 34-year-old-man presented with a 2-cm painless mass in the perineum. He underwent surgical resection, and histology showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Three months later, local recurrence occurred. Whole evaluation including ultrasound and MRI of the testes were normal, so he underwent surgical wide excision, and pathology showed the tumor was pure seminoma. He received two courses of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) therapy, and there has been no evidence of recurrence for 1 month.

Gelation of Xyloglucan by Addition of Epigallocatechin Gallate as Studied by Rheology and Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Interaction of tamarind seed xyloglucan (TSX) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was investigated. TSX alone showed the rheological behaviors of dilute and semidilute solution types in the temperature range from 10 to 50 degrees C and the concentration range from 1 to 10%. Addition of a small amount of EGCG changed the rheological properties of TSX solutions to induce a thermoreversible gelation. The sol-gel transition was detected as a crossover of the storage and loss shear moduli at a certain temperature in thermal scanning rheological measurements and an endo- and exo- thermic peaks in curves obtained by differential scanning calorimetry on heating and cooling. High storage modulus of the gels at all experimental frequencies also indicated the formation of a network structure. Increase in the gel strength and the enthalpy of the transition with increasing EGCG concentration at fixed TSX concentration suggested that EGCG was directly involved in the network formation through association with TSX. The TSX gel was obtained by addition of appropriate amount of EGCG. Addition of an excessive amount of EGCG induced precipitation.

Long term effects of exposure to automobile exhaust on the pulmonary function of female adults in Tokyo, Japan

AIMS

To investigate the chronic effects of air pollution caused mainly by automobiles in healthy adult females.

METHODS

Respiratory symptoms were investigated in 5682 adult females who had lived in the Tokyo metropolitan area for three years or more in 1987; 733 of them were subjected to pulmonary function tests over eight years from 1987 to 1994. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of air pollution they were exposed to during the study period. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter were the highest in group 1, and the lowest in group 3.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in group 1 were higher than those in groups 2 and 3, except for wheezing. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in persistent phlegm and breathlessness. The subjects selected for the analysis of pulmonary function were 94, 210, and 102 females in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The annual mean change of FEV(1) in group 1 was the largest (-0.020 l/y), followed by that in group 2 (-0.015 l/y), and that in group 3 (-0.009 l/y). Testing for trends showed a significant larger decrease of FEV(1) with the increase in the level of air pollution.

CONCLUSIONS

The subjects living in areas with high levels of air pollution showed higher prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and a larger decrease of FEV(1) compared with those living in areas with low levels of air pollution. Since the traffic density is larger in areas with high air pollution, the differences among the groups may reflect the effect of air pollution attributable to particulate matter found in automobile exhaust.

Relationship between oocyte apoptosis and ovarian tumours induced by high and low LET radiations in mice

PURPOSE

To investigate the biological effectiveness of neutrons at the energy below 1 MeV on apoptosis and carcinogenesis in the mouse ovary.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female mice were exposed to 1.0 Gy monoenergetic neutrons (0.317, 0.525 and 1.026 MeV), (252)Cf fission neutron (2.13 MeV) or (137)Cs gamma-rays at 7 days of age. Apoptosis of the oocyte and pregranulosa cells, and ovarian carcinogenesis were compared between the radiations. The efficiency of gamma-rays for granulosa cell tumorigenesis was tested by transplantation of the irradiated ovaries into non-irradiated mice.

RESULTS

The cumulative apoptotic index of oocytes was 77.9%, 65.6% and 41.6% for the 0.525 MeV neutron, 2.13 MeV neutron and gamma-rays, respectively. Follicles with apoptotic pregranulosa cells were 53.0%, 18.3% and 22.8% of cumulative index for the three groups. Tubular adenomas developed in the groups of monoenergetic neutrons (26.1%) and gamma-ray (35.5%), whereas granulosa cell tumours developed only in the gamma-ray groups (3.2% for 1.0 Gy and 15.6% for 3.0 Gy). Partial-body irradiation with 3 Gy gamma-rays to the ovaries induced granulosa cell tumours with an incidence of 27.3%.

CONCLUSION

Effectiveness of neutrons to cause apoptosis was higher for 0.525 MeV than for 2.13 MeV. The pregranulosa cell apoptosis occurred in an oocyte-prone manner. The higher effectiveness of neutrons than gamma-rays to induce oocyte and pregranulosa cell apoptosis correlates with the inhibition of granulosa cell tumour development.

Induction of donor-specific tolerance to islet allografts in nonhuman primates

Pancreatic tissue grafting is by far the most physiological therapeutic solution to the insulin deficiency of diabetes. Recent clinical trials have indicated somewhat successful use of nonsteroidal immunosuppressive regimens and a successful nonhuman primate trial using CD154 for costimulation blockade was reported. However, these protocols need to be replaced with safe and efficacious ones in which long-term allotolerance would make these treatments routine in a clinical setting. With the specific objective of testing whether peripheral infusions of stem cells or stem cell fractions in conjunction with islet allografting would induce allograft tolerance, we have established a macaque diabetic model. The macaques were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin and required daily doses of insulin to maintain lower blood glucose levels. The diabetic macaques then received islets and stem cells from unrelated and MHC-mismatched donors without any immunosuppression. In our initial analysis, 5 of 7 macaques that received stem cell infusions at the time of islet allografting have shown allograft survival longer than the group of macaques that received islets without the stem cell infusion. One of these five macaques has been normoglycemic for 10 months, with no exogenous insulin. This macaque received stem cell population enriched for CD34+ cells with depletion of CD18 cells, which have shown low or no allostimulatory potential in mixed lymphocyte cultures. Increased levels in insulin and C-peptide levels were shown in the macaques after islet transplantation.

Induction of islet allotolerance in nonhuman primates

Recent clinical trials have pioneered the successful use of a nonsteroidal immunosuppressive regimen and established a basis for application in a routine clinical setting. In this study, a single islet transplant was not sufficient to regulate blood glucose levels, and a second transplant became necessary. A similar observation was made in our macaque islet transplant study, where animals after the second transplantation have shown trends towards normoglycemia in the presence of mycophenolate mofetil. All five animals that received the second transplant have shown an initial rise in C peptide levels, which rapidly decreased as we tapered the MMF dose from 20 mg/kg BID to 5 mg/kg SID. Two animals of the five that were preconditioned with MMF one week prior to transplantation have shown significantly higher C peptide levels. We believe that it is very important to understand the relationship between the first graft failure and subsequent islet allograft success. Since graft success did not correlate with number of transplanted islets, the correction of blood glucose levels toward normoglycemia after the second transplantation suggests a mechanism by which the allotolerance to second transplant is facilitated by the first islet transplantation. These initial observations suggest approaches to "tolerize" the recipient to accept the second-transplant islets (a) through preconditioning the animal to improve the rate of success for the first transplant or (b) through tolerization to islets in the first transplant to facilitate better engraftment of the second-transplant islets.

Changes in serotonin dynamics in the gastrointestinal tract of colon-26 tumour-bearing mice: effects of cisplatin treatment

Severe nausea and vomiting are common side effects of anti-cancer chemotherapy. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have been used for the treatment of these gastrointestinal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine whether specific changes in serotonin dynamics occurred in the gastrointestinal tract in mice in which Colon-26 adenocarcinoma cells were injected s.c., especially after treatment with cisplatin. The serotonin content of the small intestine of mice inoculated s.c. with Colon-26 adenocarcinoma increased significantly 2 weeks after the inoculation of the tumor cells; this was associated with an increase in tryptophan hydroxylase activity and the number of enterochromaffin cells as compared with control mice. Intravenous injection of cisplatin significantly reduced the serotonin content in the small intestine of Colon-26 tumour-bearing mice but not in control mice. The spontaneous release of serotonin from isolated intestine was not different between Colon-26 tumour-bearing and control mice; however, pretreatment of mice with cisplatin induced two fold increases in serotonin release from duodenum, jejunum and ileum in Colon-26 tumour-bearing mice but not in control mice. These results indicate that a region-specific increase in the number of enterochromaffin cells is observed in the intestine of Colon-26 tumour-bearing mice, associated with an increase in the serotonin content and tryptophan hydroxylase activity. Cisplatin treatment induced the release of serotonin from affected enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be related to the occurrence of nausea in clinical use.

Extensive cell death in thymocytes in colon 26-induced cachectic mice

Extensive atrophy has been reported to occur in the thymus in a cancer-burden state but the mechanisms of this atrophy have not been fully elucidated. We investigated changes in the thymus in tumour-bearing mice inoculated with two subclones of the murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma cell line: clone 5 (non-cachectic) and clone 20 (cachectic). In clone 20 mice, body weights and thymocyte numbers decreased significantly compared with controls. Flow cytometric analysis of the thymocytes demonstrated that the frequency of single positive cells (CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+) was significantly increased and that of double positive cells (CD4+ CD8+) was significantly decreased in clone 20 mice and, to a lesser extent, in clone 5 mice compared with controls. Serum levels of interleukin 6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were significantly elevated. These results suggested that thymocyte apoptosis was accelerated in the cancer-cachectic state, and increased GM-CSF might be partly responsible for thymic atrophy.

Effect of thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin with hyperthermia on primary tumor and lung metastases in hamster osteosarcoma

We evaluated the effect of intravenous thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (TL-DOX) together with local hyperthermia on primary tumors in highly metastatic hamster osteosarcoma. This combination resulted in higher DOX concentrations in plasma, primary tumors and lungs than standard DOX under the same conditions. Tumor growth and lung metastasis were also inhibited more by TL-DOX and hyperthermia than by hyperthermia alone, DOX with or without hyperthermia, and TL-DOX without hyperthermia. In addition, gains in hamster body weight were not suppressed. These results suggest that the combination of TL-DOX and hyperthermia can control primary tumors and suppress lung metastasis in hamsters.

A single intradermal administration of soluble leishmanial antigen and plasmid expressing interleukin-12 protects BALB/c mice from Leishmania major infection

In murine leishmaniasis, the induction of the T-helper type 1 (Th1) response contributes to infection resistance, whereas the establishment of the Th2 response makes the mice susceptible to infection. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a pivotal role in the diversification of immune responses to the Th1 type. In this study, we tested whether the co-administration of IL-12 expression plasmid which compose p35 and p40 subunits and soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) will skew the susceptible BALB/c mice to Th1 response and protect from leishmaniasis. When the mice were intradermally injected with the combination of IL-12 plasmid and SLA 7 days prior to the challenge with 1x10(6) promastigotes of Leishmania major, the local lesions completely healed and the parasite burden in the local lymph nodes significantly decreased. The cured mice attained long-term immunity, and were resistant to any subsequent rechallenge of the lethal dose of the parasite. The protective effect was associated with the development of a Th1 response, as demonstrated by the enhanced level of antigen-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and dominant production of IgG2a in the serum. In contrast, the administration of empty plasmid plus SLA or IL-12 plasmid alone failed to protect the disease and shape the Th1 response. Furthermore, the protective efficiency induced by the vaccination was clearly prevented by the injection of either neutralizing anti-IL-12 mAb or anti-IFN-gamma mAb. The IL-12 expression plasmid is thus an effective adjuvant for the elicitation of a protective Th1 response against leishmaniasis and is therefore, considered to be appropriate for vaccinations that require the induction of Th1 type immunity.

Liposome-mediated gene transfection of endothelial nitric oxide synthase reduces endothelial activation and leukocyte infiltration in transplanted hearts

BACKGROUND

During cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, neutrophilic infiltration of the myocardium is mediated by adhesion molecule expression on activated coronary endothelium. Nitric oxide inhibits neutrophil adhesion to endothelium in vitro by blocking the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent transcription of adhesion molecules. We investigated whether intraoperative gene delivery of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) into donor hearts before transplantation would have a similar effect on an entire organ.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In an allogeneic rabbit heart transplant model, liposomes complexed to the gene encoding eNOS were infused into the donor coronary circulation before transplantation. By 24 hours after transplantation, calcium-dependent nitrite production was significantly higher in eNOS-transfected donor hearts than in the 3 control groups: donor hearts transfected with empty plasmids alone, donor hearts treated with diluent only, and untransplanted native hearts. Intramyocardial neutrophil and T-lymphocyte populations were halved in eNOS-transfected hearts compared with control donor hearts (P<0.05). Moreover, the prevalence of NF-kappaB activation in microvascular endothelial cells and surrounding cardiac myocytes as well as endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 expression were all significantly reduced in eNOS-transfected hearts compared with control donor hearts (P<0.01). Without immunosuppression, eNOS-transfected hearts survived longer than controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative liposome-mediated gene delivery of eNOS to donor hearts can result in early gene expression sufficient to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation, adhesion molecule expression, and the early infiltration of leukocytes, all of which may improve graft survival.

Age-dependent exposure to radioactive iodine (131I) in the thyroid and total body of newborn, pubertal and adult fischer 344 rats

Female rats of the Fischer 344 strain at ages of 1, 4 and 9 weeks were exposed to 131I intraperitoneally with activities of 0.38, 1.03 and 3.42 kBq per gram of body weight under the condition of iodine deficiency. The absorbed doses in the thyroid increased linearly depending on the injected activities. Irradiation at 1 week old caused heavier exposure than those at 4 and 9 weeks old by 7.5 and 7.7 times, respectively; however, damage of the thyroid tissue was more obvious in the 4-week-old groups than in the 1-week-old groups. The absorbed doses in the total body were proportional to the square root of the injected activities. The one-week-old groups were exposed more heavily than the 4- and 9-week-old groups by 3.6 and 4.7 times, respectively, shown by the slow excretion of 131I with the values of effective half-life of 131I activity (Teff). An IDD-treatment was not so effective to enhance the 131I absorption in the total body, as in the thyroid. No matter how the iodine concentration in the blood changed, the 1-week-old groups could not react to normalize the level. We drew standard curves, which enabled us to estimate the absorbed doses in the thyroid and the total body in the case of the injected activities of 131I for the newborn, pubertal and adult rats.

Suppression of T(h)1 cell activation and prevention of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice by local expression of viral IL-10

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the NOD mouse model is caused by the T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Viral IL-10 (vIL-10), encoded in the Epstein-Barr virus genome, shares many of the anti-inflammatory properties of cellular IL-10, but lacks its immunostimulatory properties. In the present study, we generated transgenic (Tg) NOD mice in which vIL-10 was produced exclusively in pancreatic islets and investigated the effect of vIL-10 on the development of diabetes. The accumulation of lymphocytes around islets was more prominent, but the invasive insulitis decreased in the vIL-10 Tg mice. The incidence of diabetes was markedly reduced in the vIL-10 Tg mice, in clear contrast to the accelerated diabetes seen in the murine IL-10 Tg NOD mice. IL-12p40 and IFN-gamma mRNA levels were decreased in pancreata of the vIL-10 Tg mice, although CD4 mRNA level was markedly increased. These results suggest that locally produced vIL-10 induced leukocyte migration, but inhibited the activation of T(h)1, probably through suppressing the production of IL-12. They indicate that vIL-10 may well be superior to cellular IL-10 in the treatment of autoimmune diabetes. The vIL-10 Tg NOD mice should provide a useful tool for understanding the differential action of vIL-10 versus cellular IL-10.

Mutations of rubella virus vaccine TO-336 strain occurred in the attenuation process of wild progenitor virus

The sequences of the genomes in the TO-336 vaccine strain (TO-336vac) of rubella virus and its wild progenitor virus (TO-336wt) have been determined and compared with each other. There were 21 differences in the nucleotide sequences between the TO-336vac and the TO-336wt: 13 in the nonstructural protein open reading frame (NSP-ORF), five in the structural protein open reading frame (SP-ORF) and three in the untranslated regions (UTRs) (one in each three UTRs). These mutations resulted in amino acid substitutions at ten residues. Of the ten substitutions, eight were in NSP-ORF and two were in the SP-ORF. Of the eight substitutions in NSP-ORF, four (amino acids (aa) 320, 501, 573 and 704) were in the regions of unknown function, two (aa 1154 and 1159) were within the protease motif, and two (aa 1351 and 1559) were within the helicase motif. Both of the two residues (aa 890 and 954) in the SP-ORF were within the E1 gene. The predicted second structure of the 5'UTR of the TO-336vac was identical to that of TO-336wt. Comparing the TO-336 sequences with other four strains, Therien and M33 (wild viruses), and RA27/3 and Cendehill (vaccine viruses), the mutations responsible for attenuation are thought to differ with each vaccine strain. This is the first report of sequencing in a pair of live attenuated rubella vaccines and their wild-type parent.

Novel drug delivery system to bone using acidic oligopeptide: pharmacokinetic characteristics and pharmacological potential

We synthesized fifteen oligopeptides consisting of Asp or Glu conjugated with a fluorescent probe, 9- fluorenylmethylchloroformate (Fmoc). In the in vitro binding assay to putative hydroxyapatite (HA), the affinities of these conjugates depended only on the number of amino acid residues, not on their optical characters (L or D) or their species (Asp or Glu). In an in vivo experiment involving a single i.v. injection of Fmoc-D-Asp oligopeptides into mice, peptides consisting of over six Asp residues were selectively distributed to the bone. Then, we synthesized estradiol-17 beta-succinate-(L-Asp)6 [E2-(L-Asp)6] and studied its pharmacokinetic characteristics and its antiosteoporotic effects on ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Although the distribution volume of E2-(L-Asp)6 was significantly smaller than that of E2, E2-(L-Asp)6 was selectively distributed in the bone after i.v. injection and gradually decreased during 7 days. E2-(L-Asp)6 effectively prevented OVX-induced bone loss, without altering the uterine weight, in the dosage range of 0.11 to 1.1 mumol/kg once a week, while E2 increased both the bone mineral density and uterine weight at 0.37 mumol/kg every third day. The results suggest that acidic oligopeptide may be useful for drug delivery to bone and E2-(L-Asp)6 is a good candidate as an anti-osteoporosis drug without the adverse side effects of E2.

Inhibitory effect of liposomal MDP-Lys on lung metastasis of transplantable osteosarcoma in hamster

MDP-Lys (N2-[(N-acetylmuramyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine), a macrophage activator, is a lipophilic derivative of muramyl dipeptide (MDP). Multilamellar liposome incorporated MDP-Lys was prepared using phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine by conventional film method, and its inhibitory effect on lung metastasis was compared with MDP-Lys as a solution in hamster's osteosarcoma. The lung metastatic rates after transplantation of the tumor to a lower extremity, in which the extremity was amputated 3 weeks later, were 50% and 100% 3 and 7 weeks, respectively, after transplantation. The rates after amputation were reduced by the treatment with MDP-Lys proportionally to the logarithmic MDP-Lys dose, and the rates 7 weeks after transplantation were 55% and 60%, respectively, in the MDP-Lys solution (50 microg/day) and liposomal MDP-Lys (20 microg twice/week) groups. Fifty percent of hamsters treated with liposomal MDP-Lys survived for more than 6 months. Considering that hamsters had a lung metastasis rate of 50% before MDP-Lys treatment, liposomal MDP-Lys given at a dose of 20 microg twice/week was effective for inhibiting lung metastasis at a far lower dose of MDP-Lys than that given as a solution (40 microg vs. 350 microg per week). No significant side effect of liposomal MDP-Lys, as evaluated by the comparison of body weight changes among differently treated hamsters, was detected. This greater inhibitory effect of liposomal MDP-Lys can be considered to be due to the longer retention of the liposomal form in the lung.

IL-12 plays a pathologic role at the inflammatory loci in the development of diabetes in NOD mice

Accumulating evidence suggests that CD4(+)T helper type 1 (Th1) cells play a major role in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. Interleukin (IL)-12 is a potent immunoregulatory molecule that is a key determinant of T-cell differentiation into Th1 cells, and has been implicated in the development of IDDM. To investigate the role of IL-12 that is locally produced by islet-infiltrating cells in the development of IDDM, we generated transgenic NOD mice in which the IL-12 p40 homodimer, a natural antagonist of IL-12, was produced exclusively in islets without affecting the levels of IL-12 p40 in the systemic circulation. We found that the incidence of diabetes was significantly reduced in these transgenic mice. These results clearly demonstrate that IL-12 locally produced by islet-infiltrating cells plays a critical role in the development of IDDM.

Studies on the evaluation of municipal waste management systems

The municipal waste disposal system is at a turning point now, because full-scale efforts are demanded to approach the goal of 'the construction of a waste-recycling society'. An attempt was made to evaluate municipal solid waste management systems with easier indexes in the model area. This study includes two evaluation systems. One evaluation system (case 1) is based on the analysis of waste management costs. Different waste disposal systems can be easily evaluated by comparing the waste disposal costs associated with them. However, it seems risky to rate cities only by the results of an analysis of the waste disposal cost data, since the municipalities build, acquire or expand facilities independently from one another. The associated costs are not summed in a uniform way by all municipalities and for other reasons. The other evaluation system (case 2) is based on the 'amenity and comfort ranking of cities' (Keizai 1998). Judgment by one evaluation index alone for a waste disposal system seems risky since the data in that case are insufficient for proper evaluation of a city. Hence, it is desirable to use two or more indices representative of a future ideal system. The results of the study demonstrated that Toyo Keizai's method of 'amenity and comfort ranking of cities' is better than the method of comparing solid waste management costs.

Targeted systemic chemotherapy using magnetic liposomes with incorporated adriamycin for osteosarcoma in hamsters

To control the growth of primary tumors effectively with systemic chemotherapy, we recently developed intravenously administered small-sized magnetic liposomes as an anticancer drug carrier. We previously reported that intravenously administered magnetic liposomes with incorporated adriamycin (magnetic ADR liposomes) effectively delivered ADR to the target site where a permanent magnet was implanted. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of this novel treatment approach, which involves a combination of magnet implantation at the target site and intravenous administration of magnetic liposomes, was further evaluated by comparing tumor growth rates among different administration modalities and by histological examination of treated tumors. Small-sized magnetic ADR liposomes with a mean diameter of 146 nm were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method. Syrian male hamsters inoculated with osteosarcoma, Os515, in the right hind limb were studied 7 days after inoculation. One day prior to the animal study, either a permanent magnet (with magnetic force) or non-magnetic alloy (without magnetic force) was implanted in the center of the tumors. Treatment with magnetic ADR liposomes under magnetic force showed significantly greater antitumor activity than intravenous administration of ADR solution or that of magnetic ADR liposomes without magnetic force. ADR administered as magnetic liposomes eliminated weight loss of hamsters, one of the side effects produced by ADR. Interestingly, magnetic liposomes (without incorporated ADR) given under magnetic force also suppressed the tumor growth. The selective accumulation of magnetite particles in the tumor blood vessels was observed by histological examination. These results suggest that this systemic chemotherapy can effectively control the primary tumor without significant side effects, due to the targeting of magnetic ADR liposomes.

A novel treatment for refractory primary biliary cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Bezafibrate is naturally used for hyperlipidemia worldwide. In 1992 Day et al reported that the value of ALP and gamma-GTP in hyperlipidemia declined after administering bezafibrate orally. We conducted a study to investigate whether or not ALP and gamma-GTP in primary biliary cirrhosis which is characterized by the elevation of these enzymes improved after taking bezafibrate.

METHODOLOGY

We administered bezafibrate additionally for 6 months to 13 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (refractory PBC) whose liver enzymes (ALP or gamma-GTP) did not remain within normal range out of 21 patients treated by monotherapy of ursodeoxycholic acid for 18 months.

RESULTS

At 2, 4, and 6 months, gamma-GTP level significantly decreased compared with that prior to the initiation of bezafibrate. At 4 and 6 months, ALP level significantly decreased compared with that prior to the initiation. At 2, 4 and 6 months, ALT level significantly decreased compared with that prior to the initiation. The value of IgG and IgM was also reduced significantly 6 months after the initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

If the effectiveness of bezafibrate for primary biliary cirrhosis is confirmed histologically and by a randomized trial, a combination therapy of bezafibrate and ursodeoxycholic acid appear to be the medical treatment of choice for primary biliary cirrhosis in the future.

Testing of SHIRPA, a mouse phenotypic assessment protocol, on Dmd(mdx) and Dmd(mdx3cv) dystrophin-deficient mice

The SHIRPA protocol was proposed as a rapid, comprehensive screening method for qualitatively abnormal phenotypes in the mouse (Rogers et al., Mamm Genome 8, 711, 1997). This screening technique is currently being used to identify mutants induced by N-ethylnitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis (Brown and Nolan, Hum Mol Genet 7, 1627, 1998). SHIRPA can be used to identify mutants with neuromuscular abnormalities, but the sensitivity of the protocol is unknown. We tested two dystrophin-deficient mutants Dmd(mdx) and Dmd(mdx3cv), both of which are indistinguishable from wild-type by a simple visual assessment, at different ages, using the primary screen of the SHIRPA protocol. The most dramatic observation was that both Dmd(mdx) and Dmd(mdx3cv) mice showed extreme fatigue after testing, while mice from the same C57BL strains appeared unaffected. Each strain of dystrophin-deficient mice showed a different profile in locomotor activity and deficiencies in the wire maneuver, righting reflex, and negative geotaxis tests. Furthermore, the wire maneuver test indicated an earlier onset of muscular impairment in Dmd(mdx) than Dmd(mdx3cv) mice. These data suggest that the SHIRPA primary screen is effective not only in identifying subtle neuromuscular mutants, but also in distinguishing qualitative differences between mutants with neuromuscular abnormalities.

A juvenile case of overlap syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus and polymyositis, later accompanied by systemic sclerosis with the development of anti-Scl 70 and anti-Ku antibodies

We describe a 16-year-old girl with an overlap syndrome consisting of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the age of 7 and polymyositis (PM) from the age of 10, later accompanied by systemic sclerosis (SSc) from the age of 15. She was diagnosed as having SLE with exudative malar erythema, photosensitivity, and discoid rashes with positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-DNA antibody titers. The diagnosis of PM was also made in accordance with findings of a high titer of muscle enzymes and a muscle biopsy specimen demonstrating marked degeneration of the muscle fibers and perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells. She developed Raynaud's phenomenon and pitting ulcers on her fingers with positive anti-Scl 70 and anti-Ku antibodies, leading to a diagnosis of SSc. The patient was treated with prednisolone. To our knowledge this is the youngest case of SLE-PM overlap syndrome later accompanied by SSc.

Targeted delivery of anticancer drugs with intravenously administered magnetic liposomes in osteosarcoma-bearing hamsters

Although active targeting of anticancer drugs using magnetically responsive carriers is a very attractive treatment approach for solid tumors, successful results are limited. In particular, the therapeutic utility of intravenously administered magnetically responsive carriers has to date not been clearly established. The present study investigates magnetic liposomes designed to act as anticancer drug carriers, which can be effectively delivered to solid tumors via intravenous administration. Magnetic liposomes with incorporated adriamycin (magnetic ADR liposomes) were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method, and an in vivo study was carried out to assess the magnetic targeting of these liposomes to hamster osteosarcoma. The average diameter of liposomes thus prepared was 146 nm. Syrian male hamsters inoculated with osteosarcoma, Os515, in the right hind limb were studied 7 days after inoculation. After the hamsters had received an intravenous administration of either magnetic ADR liposomes or ADR solution (corresponding to 5 mg ADR/kg), the ADR concentrations in plasma, tumor, liver, lung, heart, and kidney were determined at designated time intervals. Administration of magnetic ADR liposomes under magnetic force using a permanent magnet (0.4 tesla) implanted in solid tumor produced an approximately 4-fold higher maximum ADR concentration in the tumor than did administration of ADR solution. The former administration modality induced an increase in ADR concentration in the liver and lung and a decrease in the heart compared with concentrations produced by the latter. The present results indicated that intravenously administered magnetic ADR liposomes can be used to effectively deliver ADR to osteosarcoma implanted with a magnet, as well as to the lung, a common site of metastases for osteosarcoma. Our results also suggest that this new treatment approach, which involves a combination of magnet implantation at the target site and intravenous administration of magnetic liposomes, can improve the clinical chemotherapy of solid tumors.

Adeno-associated virus vector transduction of vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors might offer solutions for restenosis and angiogenesis by transducing nondividing cells and providing long-term gene expression. We investigated the feasibility of vascular cell transduction by AAV vectors in an in vivo rabbit carotid artery model. Time course of gene expression, inflammatory reaction to the vector, and effects of varying viral titer, exposure time, and intraluminal pressures on gene expression were examined. Recombinant AAV vectors with an Rous sarcoma virus promoter and alkaline phosphatase reporter gene were injected intraluminally into transiently isolated carotid segments. Following transduction, gene expression increased significantly over 14 days and then remained stable to 28 days, the last time point examined. Medial vascular smooth muscle cells were the main cell type transduced even with an intact endothelial layer. Increasing the viral titer and intraluminal pressure both enhanced transduction efficiency to achieve a mean of 34 +/- 7% of the subintimal layer of smooth muscle cells expressing gene product. A mild inflammatory reaction, composed of T cells with only rare macrophages, with minimal intimal thickening was demonstrated in 40% of transduced vessels; inflammatory cells were not detected in sham-operated control arteries. These findings demonstrate that AAV is a promising vector for intravascular applications in coronary and peripheral vascular diseases.

Gene gun-mediated delivery of an interleukin-12 expression plasmid protects against infections with the intracellular protozoan parasites Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi in mice

An interleukin-12 (IL-12) expression plasmid was transferred, using a gene gun, to mice infected with Leishmania major or Trypanosoma cruzi. Transfer of the IL-12 gene to susceptible BALB/c mice resulted in regression of lesion size and reduced the number of parasites in draining lymph nodes (LN) at the site of L. major infection. Coincident with these protective effects, the T-helper type (Th) response shifted towards Th1, as evaluated by cytokine production in vitro and L. major-specific antibody responses. Protective effects of the IL-12 gene were also observed in T. cruzi infection. Treatment of BALB/c mice infected with T. cruzi enhanced the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by spleen cells, while suppressed production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) compared with control mice. Administration of anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) abolished the protective immunity against T. cruzi infection, and treatment with the IL-12 gene could not restore the resistance in these mice. Mice depleted of natural killer (NK) cells with anti-asialo GM1 also became susceptible to infection, while the resistance was restored when these mice were treated with the IL-12 gene. Thus, target cells for the treatment appear to be CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which are ordinarily activated by NK cells. These results suggest that the transfer of cytokine genes using a gene gun is an effective method for investigating the roles of cytokines and gene therapy in infectious diseases.

A crack model of the Hiroshima atomic bomb: explanation of the contradiction of "Dosimetry system 1986"

There has been a large discrepancy between the Dosimetry system 1986 (DS86) and measured data, some of which data in Hiroshima at about 1.5 km ground distance from the hypocenter are about 10 times larger than the calculation. Therefore its causes have long been discussed, since it will change the estimated radiation risks obtained based on the Hiroshima and Nagasaki data. In this study the contradiction was explained by a bare-fission-neutron leakage model through a crack formed at the time of neutron emission. According to the present calculation, the crack has a 3 cm parallel spacing, which is symmetric with respect to the polar axis from the hypocenter to the epicenter of the atomic bomb. We made also an asymmetric opening closing 3/4 of this symmetric geometry, because there are some data which shows asymmetry. In addition, the height of the neutron emission point was elevated 90 m. By using the asymmetric calculation, especially for long distant data located more than 1 km, it was verified that all of the activity data induced by thermal and fast neutrons, were simultaneously explained within the data scattering. The neutron kerma at a typical 1.5 km ground distance increases 3 and 8 times more than DS86 based on the symmetric and asymmetric model, respectively.

Circulating levels of soluble CD30 and other markers in colorectal cancer patients

In a search for new biologic serum tumor markers with prognostic value we evaluated the soluble form of the CD30 (sCD30), a marker of cells producing T helper 2 (Th2)-type cytokines, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble tumor necrosis factor -type I, -type II (sTNF-R55, -75) and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) in patients, with advanced colorectal cancer. The data showed that abnormal levels of sCD30 were detected in eight (80.0%) out of ten patients. In contrast, sCD30 levels were not detected in healthy volunteers. The relationship between sCD30, sIL-2R and IAP were positively correlated. In contrast, sCD30 and IL-1ra were negatively correlated. These results suggested that IL-1ra may play a role, at least in part, to inhibit CD30 release, and sCD30 appears to be a new biologic serum tumor marker of possible use in the clinical setting of cancer patients.