Anti-influenza viral effects of novel nuclear export inhibitors from Valerianae Radix and Alpinia galanga

Many pathogenic viruses, such as the influenza virus and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1, are a threat to humans, thus leading to thousands of deaths annually. The development of antiviral drugs is urgent, and it is an essential strategy for the suppression of these infectious diseases. However, regardless of the rapid emergence of many infectious diseases, the development of novel antiviral drugs has been slow, except for the case of the AIDS. In addition, several viruses can easily mutate and escape the inhibitory activity of anti-viral drugs. It was already well-established that HIV escapes from anti-viral drug effects because of the lack of proofreading activity in its reverse transcriptase. It is known that the influenza virus, which is resistant to Tamiflu, is already spread all over the world. Viruses utilize the host cell environment and cellular factors to propagate. Therefore, the development of novel drugs which inhibit viral protein-host protein interactions or cellular functions appear to be good candidates. The influenza virus is unique in replicating in host nuclei, and we therefore focused on the nuclear export processes for the development of anti-influenza viral drugs. We previously reported that leptomycin B (LMB), which inhibited the nuclear export processes via the nuclear export signal (NES) inhibited the nuclear export of influenza viral RNP (vRNP), and resulted in the inhibition of influenza viral propagation. We herein examined novel CRM1 inhibitors, valtrate from Valerianae Radix, and 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) from Alpinia galanga as potent inhibitors for the influenza virus replication.

Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chondroitin sulfate A on human monocytic THP-1 cell migration

Angiogenesis serves as a crucial factor in disease development and progression, such as cancer metastasis, and monocyte migration is one of the key steps for angiogenesis. Therapeutic modulation of angiogenesis is a promising new therapeutic avenue under investigation. In this study, effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chondroitin sulfate A on monocyte migration were investigated. Human monocytic THP-1 cells were from Riken Cell Bank (Tsukuba, Japan) and vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were obtained from swine thoracic aorta. The migration experimental system was adapted from Falcontrade mark Cell Culture Inserts with pore sizes of 3 and 8 microm cultured endothelial cells or not on the insert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes. Four VEGF concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 ng/ml) and three concentrations of chondroitin sulfate A (0, 1.25 and 5.0 mg/ml) were used to investigate their effects on THP-1 cell migration ability through PET membranes and VECs monolayer. The THP-1 cell migration was evaluated by counting the number of migrated cells related to the total number of cells under a microscope. We counted the migration cells every 1 h on a Tatai-type hemocytometer using an inverted microscope for total 7 h. For inserts with pore sizes of 3 and 8 microm, the THP-1 cell migration increased with VEGF concentrations; however, cell migration decreased with the chondroitin sulfate A concentration. Our results demonstrated that VEGF accelerated monocyte migration through endothelial monolayer and chondroitin sulfate A is an effective inhibitor of monocyte migration for angiogenesis.

Interrelation between HeLa-S3 cell transfection and hemolysis in red blood cell suspension using pulsed ultrasound of various duty cycles

We have studied the in vitro transfection of a plasmid DNA with the lacZ gene to HeLa-S3 cells and hemolysis in a red blood cell (RBC) suspension under pulsed ultrasound with duty cycles gamma of 10, 20 and 30% using a digital sonifier at a frequency of 20 kHz and an intensity of 6.2 W/cm(2) on the surface of a horn tip. Cultured HeLa-S3 cells in suspension were exposed to pulsed ultrasound for an apparent exposure time t' from 0 to 60 s. HeLa-S3 viability decreased as a single exponential function of the total exposure time t = gammat' with a common time constant tau = 3.8 s for three duty cycles. Transfection was evaluated by counting the number of beta-galactosidase(beta-Gal)-positive cells relative to the total number of cells. Pulsed ultrasound provided an enhanced transfer of the beta-Gal plasmid to HeLa-S3 cells, 3.4-fold as compared with that in the case of the control. The optimal transfection efficiencies were 0.75, 0.80 and 0.74% near t = tau with gamma = 10, 20 and 30%, respectively. The number ratio of beta-Gal-positive cells to the surviving cells after exposure increased with t' according to a modified logistic equation. The degree of hemolysis also increased exponentially with t' at a time constant tau' = tau(0)/gamma for the RBC suspension in physiological saline at a hematocrit concentration of 0.5% with tau(0) = 0.9 s. Thus the total exposure time for the optimal transfection efficiency was tau, that is, nearly four times of tau(0). Hemolysis in the RBC suspension may be a useful model for determining optimal transfection by pulsed ultrasound of various duty cycles.

Effect of contrast media on vascular smooth muscle cells

PURPOSE

In order to alleviate the adverse effects of contrast media (CMs) on the vascular system, the role of Ca2+ in the viability of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

VSMCs were obtained from swine thoracic aorta. The number of VSMCs was counted under a microscope using the trypan blue dye-exclusion method 24 h after culture in RPMI containing physiological saline (SAL) as control, iothalamate (IOT), or iohexol (IOH) at 10% by volume with CaCl2 added at 0 to 2.0 mmol/l. Free Ca2+ in the above media was measured using an ion-selective electrode.

RESULTS

Free Ca2+ was 0.4 to 1.5 mmol/l with ionic IOT and 0.4 to 1.8 mmol/l with non-ionic IOH as well as with control. The ratio of viable cells grown in the presence of CMs to those grown in the control was optimal at approximately 0.60 near 1 mmol/l Ca2+ and decreased markedly to 0.00 at 1.5 mmol/l Ca2+ in the presence of IOT and to 0.39 at 1.8 mmol/l Ca2+ in the presence of IOH, while the ratios decreased gradually to 0.28 in the presence of IOT and 0.53 in the presence of IOH at 0.4 mmol/l Ca2+.

CONCLUSION

Ionic IOT is more cytotoxic to VSMCs than non-ionic IOH. However, the cytotoxicity was minimal and similar between both CMs at 1 mmol/l Ca2+ in accordance with the sodium-calcium balance.

Dioxin-like PCBs released from waste incineration and their deposition flux

To investigate the formation and decomposition behaviors of dioxin-like PCBs during incineration of municipal solid wastes in a recently constructed facility, the concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs were measured in municipal solid waste before incineration and in the incinerator emission gas and residues. Using these values, release/inflow ratios of dioxin-like PCB congeners (ratio of the amount released from the incinerator to the amount flowing into the incinerator through waste) were calculated. For PCB congeners 126, 169, and 189, these ratios were greater than 1. In contrast, ratios of the other dioxin-like congeners were much less than 1. To take into account atmospheric sources, the amounts of dioxin-like PCBs released via emissions from municipal solid waste incineration were compared with atmospheric depositions in the Kyoto City area. Most of the PCDD/F congeners and homologue groups were deposited in amounts similar to those found in emissions from the waste incinerator. Deposition of dioxin-like PCB congeners 81, 126, 169, and 189 were also found in amounts similar to those released via the waste incinerator emissions. However, depositions of congeners 105, 114, and 118 greatly exceeded the amounts released via waste incinerator emissions. In reviewing the congener profiles of industrial PCB products and emission gas, the following general trends were observed: (i) For congeners whose contents are high in industrial PCB products (e.g., 105 and 118), the amounts deposited were much higher than the amounts released with waste incineration emission gas. (ii) For congeners whose percentages were high in the waste incineration emission gas (e.g., 126 and 189), the amounts deposited were similar to the amounts released in the waste emission gas.

Asymmetric Mukaiyama-Michael addition of acyclic enones catalyzed by allo-threonine-derived B-aryloxazaborolidinones

[reaction: see text] O-(2-Naphthoyl)-N-tosyl-L-allo-threonine-derived B-phenyloxazaborolidinone catalyzes the asymmetric Mukaiyama-Michael addition of simple acyclic enones to give adducts of 54-85% ee. 2,6-Diisopropylphenol as an additive is demonstrated to effectively retard the undesirable Si(+)-catalyzed racemic pathway.

Large-scale fires and time trends of PCDDS/DFs in sediments

Drastic increases in PCDDs/DFs concentrations were identified in the uppermost layers of a sediment core sample taken from the coastal area of Kobe City. As large-scale fires caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake were deemed to be a possible cause, we performed additional sampling of sediment cores and surface sediment samples, estimating the total amount of PCDDs/DFs released from fires and presuming the load to sediments by individual transport routes, such as air and water, using an air diffusion model to investigate the influence of fires. The total amount of PCDDs/DFs released from fires was estimated at 2000 g-total PCDDs/DFs, 22 g-TEQ. Increases in PCDDs/DFs generated in fires were principally transported through water rather than air. If 20% of the total PCDDs/DFs formed in fires had entered water, it would correspond to the entire increase of PCDDs/DFs concentration in sediment cores.

Combustion of brominated flame retardants and behavior of its byproducts

The substance flow rate of PBDDs/DFs into flue gas and incineration residues from incineration of three types of waste samples containing brominated flame retardants were examined. The samples used consisted of PBDEs (a typical retardant), used TV casing materials (actual waste materials), and waste printed circuit boards. PBDDs/DFs concentrations in the experimental samples of PBDEs/PE, waste TV casing materials and printed circuit boards ranged between 3000 and 130,000 ng/g. These values are very high when compared to other investigations. The increase of chlorine concentration in input sample reduced the ratio of PBDDs/DFs in flue gas and raised the ratio of PCDDs/DFs. With adequate combustion control and flue gas treatment, the amount of PBDDs/DFs released from the incineration of resin containing brominated flame retardants was lower than the input amount. The presence of PBDDs/DFs in incineration residues dominated the total amount of dioxins released. When PBDDs/DFs, PCDDs/DFs and PXDDs/DFs were considered as a total, the total amount released was lower than the total amount input.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated T cell lymphoproliferative disorder following autologous blood stem cell transplantation for relapsed Hodgkin's disease

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) of T cell type are a rare complication of solid organ and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and usually are not associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV-associated T cell PTLD has not been reported to occur after autologous HCT. We report an unusual case of T cell lymphoproliferation after autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ABSCT). A patient with relapsed Hodgkin's disease developed abdominal lymphadenopathy followed by atypical CD8+ lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood 30 months following ABSCT. DNA studies of the atypical lymphocytes demonstrated rearrangements of the T cell receptor beta gene and a clonal proliferation of EBV.

["Hetero to homo" allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a related donor with two HLA loci mismatch]

We describe a 46-year-old HLA-homozygous female patient with CML who received a bone marrow transplant from her son, who had two HLA (A, B) loci mismatch. After conditioning with total body irradiation plus cyclophosphamide, the patient received 4.8 x 10(8) bone marrow cells/kg. Cyclosporin and short-term methotrexate were used for GVHD prophylaxis. She successfully established rapid engraftment with no acute GVHD, and later developed chronic but mild GVHD. Family members with two HLA loci mismatch may be considered as candidate donors for "hetero to homo" bone marrow transplantation.

[Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting a near haploid karyotype]

Thirty cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with a near haploid karyotype (< 30 chromosomes) have been reported so far. However, despite a few cases of severely hypodiploid (30-39 chromosomes) ALL, no near haploid cases have been reported in adult patients. Here, we describe a 64-year-old woman with ALL (L2, CD10+ 19+ 34+ HLA-DR+) presenting a near haploid karyotype of 27, X, +X, +6, +10, +21/54, idem x 2. She died of septic shock during complete remission 6.5 months after the diagnosis.

[Appropriate disposal of medical wastes--according to the manual on disposal of infectious wastes]

Medical organizations are responsible for appropriate disposal of their wastes. This paper explains the regulatory bases and management systems applicable to medical wastes as specified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's manual on the disposal of infectious wastes.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type lymphoma of the gallbladder associated with acute myeloid leukemia

We describe a patient with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma of the gallbladder who developed concurrent acute myeloid leukemia (M2). She was admitted because of progressive jaundice and underwent cholecystectomy. Histologic examination of the gallbladder showed diffuse proliferation of atypical lymphoid cells and a formed lymphoepithelial lesion. Because of progressive thrombocytopenia, a bone marrow tap was performed 25 days after the operation. Bone marrow contained 65.5% blasts, and was positive for peroxidase, CD33 and HLA-DR, and negative for lymphoid markers. We discuss the rare association of these disorders.

Leaching behavior of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in shredder residues

It is well known that some kinds of waste contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PCDD/DFs and PCBs. Leaching behaviors of these chemicals, however, have not been focused so much because of their low leachability. On the other hand, shredder residues originated from automobiles and electric appliances consist mainly of plastics, such as PVC, which contain additives including DEHP. In this study, contents analyses and leaching tests with and without surfactant-like substances for shredder residues were conducted. As a result, shredder residues from automobile and electric appliance contained PCBs in ppm level and a quantity of PCDD/DFs. Surfactant-like substances increase the leaching concentration of POPs. DEHP also leached out considerably even though using distilled water.

[Successful treatment with combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and rhG-CSF a relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia with umbilical tumor]

A 48-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of pancytopenia and pneumonia in February, 1993. The increase of abnormal promyelocytes with t (15; 17) and PML-RAR mRNA was detected in bone marrow aspirate and a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia was made. She obtained complete remission after the administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and following chemotherapy. Then she received peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in September, 1993. However she noticed a umbilical tumor in June, 1995. Abnormal promyelocytes were demonstrated not only in bone marrow aspirate but also in the umbilical tumor. Because of the poor response to ATRA and development of fever, a side effect of ATRA, G-CSF and prednisolone were administrated together with ATRA. After the combined therapy, umbilical tumor disappeared and she obtained complete remission again. These findings suggest that combined therapy of ATRA and G-CSF is effective to the low responder to ATRA and that combined use of ATRA and prednisolone reduces the side effect of ATRA without diminishing the favorable effect on differentiation.

Detection of minimal residual disease by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for the PML/RAR alpha fusion mRNA: a study in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia following peripheral stem cell transplantation

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that is characterized by the presence of a PML/RAR alpha fusion gene resulting from t(15;17). Peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) has been used to treat patients with AML. To assess the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) and the contamination of leukemic cells in peripheral stem cells (PSCs), we examined six patients with APL who were undergoing PSCT, using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis to detect the mRNA of the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene. The fusion gene was expressed in the bone marrow cells during the early phase of a complete remission and in some of the PSCs. Detection of the fusion gene can be useful in monitoring for leukemic cell contamination of PSCs and for predicting a relapse of APL.

Which progenitor is the target cell in the development of acute promyelocytic leukemia?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the t(15;17) which involves the PML gene and the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR alpha) gene, and the subsequent PML/RAR alpha fusion gene is a key event in the leukemogenesis of APL. We found that the PML/RAR alpha fusion gene was expressed in both granulocytic/macrophage and erythroid colonies in a few patients with APL. In some instances of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), erythrocytes or platelets also expressed the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) isoenzymes which were detected in the leukemic cells. Some APL cells show basophilic and monocytoid differentiation and these findings suggest that the leukemic precursor of APL is derived from a more primitive cell stage than the promyelocyte. The precursor cells appear to be derived from heterogeneous levels.

[A case of bilateral multiple lung metastases from breast cancer successfully treated with carboplatin]

A 57-year-old female was admitted for right breast tumor. Modified radical mastectomy (Kodama method) was carried out. A prophylactic postoperative radiation was undertaken because of large tumor (T4b) and histologic metastasis to a Rotter's lymph node. At the end of irradiation, bilateral lung metastases were found on chest CT gram. The combination endocrine chemotherapy using MPA 600 mg and UFT 3 capsules p.o. daily and ADM 10 or 20 mg i.v. every two weeks was performed on an outpatient basis. As the lung metastases were increased four months later, carboplatin 150 mg i.v. was replaced with ADM. Four months later, the metastases almost disappeared on CT gram. These results suggested the possibility of one of the therapeutic options for metastatic breast cancer.

Detection of minimal residual disease in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia by RT-PCR: necessity of chemotherapy following ATRA therapy

The PML/RAR alpha fusion gene resulting from the t (15;17) translocation is a specific marker for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We examined bone marrow cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect residual PML/RAR alpha mRNA-containing cells following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and cytotoxic chemotherapy in a patient with APL. This RT-PCR assay can detect one leukemic cell in 10(2) normal cells in vitro. We show that PML/RAR alpha mRNA was still detectable despite clinical remission following ATRA treatment, but undetectable following consolidation with chemotherapy. These data show that this technique is useful for the identification of minimal residual disease in patients with APL and that cytotoxic chemotherapy following ATRA therapy is required for the elimination of APL cells.

PML/RAR alpha fusion gene is expressed in both granuloid/macrophage and erythroid colonies in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) associated with a t(15;17) translocation generates a PML/RAR alpha chimaeric gene which is transcribed as a fusion PML/RAR alpha mRNA. To clarify the pathophysiologic role of PML/RAR alpha in APL patients, we examined the expression of PML/RAR alpha in haemopoietic colonies in five patients with APL by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. By the two-step RT-PCR method, we demonstrated that PML/RAR alpha positive clones were present in progenitor cells including both CFU-GM and BFU-E in two cases. This result suggests that the translocation of PML/RAR alpha occurred in a pluripotent stem cell in some APL patients. In four patients we detected two amplified cDNA fragments of 780 and 640 bp which presumably arose by alternative splicing of the PML gene. Interestingly, of CFU-GM and BFU-E colonies examined in four patients, there were three different types of colonies: those expressing only the 780 bp fragment, those expressing only the 640 bp fragment, and those expressing both fragments. This suggests that alternative splicing was clonally determined in each colony. We describe a useful RT-PCR technique for the study of gene expression in a limited number of haemopoietic precursor cells.

CD7+ stem cell leukemia/lymphoma. Features of a subgroup without circulating blast cells

Recent advances in immunology have clarified the cellular origin of hematopoietic neoplasms. Blast cells with a CD7+ CD4- CD8- phenotype are demonstrated to originate from malignant pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. In this article, the authors describe three rare cases, designated as a lymphoma type of CD7+ stem cell leukemia/lymphoma, with clinical features described below. All three patients were admitted with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a 2-month to 4-month history of lymphadenopathy. Histologic examination of lymph nodes showed lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in all patients. Bone marrow blast cells had an immunophenotype consistent with CD7+ CD4- CD8- acute leukemia, although abnormal cells were not observed in the peripheral blood during the course of the disease. One patient had a recurrence in the bone marrow, with myeloperoxidase-positive blast cells expressing myeloid differentiation antigens. Chromosomal analysis detected a common abnormal karyotype initially and at relapse. Furthermore, the same T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was found initially and at relapse, suggesting that these blast cells originated from the same pluripotent leukemic clone. Additional studies on more patients are required to determine the clinical significance of this group, including the difference from CD7+ stem cell leukemia/lymphoma with circulating blast cells (leukemic type) or LBL.

Recurrent appearance of 14q+ chromosome associated with lymphoid crisis of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia

The 14q+ chromosomal anomaly commonly found in cases of lymphoid neoplasm recurrently occurred during the lymphoid crisis of a patient with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). At presentation lymphoblasts, with pre-B phenotype increased, and both the Ph and 14q+ were found in the same metaphases. After treatment with vincristine and prednisolone, the patient entered into the chronic phase, and only a Ph was detected in 100% of the cells examined. The 14q+ reappeared at the recurrence of the lymphoid crisis, and then disappeared in the second chronic phase. The BCR/ABL mRNA, which is specific for CML, was detected in the blastic cells by a method using reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction. The rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (JH gene) was also detected in the blastic cells. These results suggest that the 14q+ was closely associated with the lymphoid crisis of the CML patient.

[Two cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia in pregnancy and the effect of anthracyclines on fetal development]

Two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy are reported on. Case 1: 38-year-old female consulted our hospital because of bleeding tendency and pancytopenia in April, 1988. She was diagnosed as having APL with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and was found to be in the 14th week of gestation. Combined chemotherapy (BHAC-DMP) including the total dose (440 mg) of daunorubicin (DNR) resulted in intrauterine fetal death at 19 weeks of gestation. The fetus was severely anemic and the bone marrow was hypoplastic. Case 2: A 27-year-old female was diagnosed as having APL with DIC at 29 weeks of gestation. BHAC-DMP including 440 mg DNR achieved complete remission. At 35 weeks of gestation, she delivered a normal infant by Caesarean section. The child had normal hematological findings and showed normal growth. Both cases developed APL accompanied by DIC during pregnancy and were treated with a similar regimen including high dose of anthracyclines. Case 2 treated in the late period of gestation delivered a normal infant, while fetal death resulted in case 1, treated in the early period of gestation. We reviewed the literature regarding chemotherapy using anthracyclines during pregnancy.

Deletion of chromosome 6q in two cases of acute myeloblastic leukemia and a review of the literature

Two cases of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML M2) associated with a deletion of chromosome 6q are described. One was a 38-year-old man with constitutional inversion of chromosome 9, and another was a 57-year-old female atomic-bomb survivor. The karyotype of these patients were 46,XY,del(6)(q12q14),inv(9)(p11q13), and 47,XX,6q-,+min, respectively. In both cases c-myb protooncogene, which is located in chromosome 6q, was neither deleted nor rearranged, and c-myb messenger RNA level was not elevated. These results suggest that c-myb is not involved in the leukemogenesis of AML with 6q- as well as lymphoid malignancies with 6q-. Out of 23 AML cases with 6q- reviewed, 6 cases had erythroleukemia, and 4 developed in Down syndrome patients.

A case of insulin allergy: the crystalline human insulin may mask its antigenicity

We report an unusual case of insulin allergy. A 48-year-old man with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus receiving biosynthetic isophane human insulin (Humulin N) developed itchy wheal-and-flare reactions at the sites of injection. When Humulin N was changed to a semi-synthetic crystalline human insulin zinc (Novolin U), the allergic reactions completely disappeared. Evaluation of his serum showed a high level of insulin-specific IgE. Skin testing with all commercially available insulins showed immediate local reactions to all agents tested except for Novolin U. In addition, decrystallized Novolin U prepared by lowering the pH with acetic acid also induced a positive reaction. These observations suggest that the crystallized structure of human insulin may mask its antigenicity for allergic reactions.