Carrier and spin dynamics of high-density exciton magnetic polarons in Cd0.8Mn0.2Te

We investigated the carrier and spin dynamics of high-density exciton magnetic polarons (HD-EMPs) in Cd_0.8Mn_0.2Te based on the measurement of their time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectra and polarization states, and the utilization of photo-induced Faraday rotation techniques. The PL from the HD-EMPs were collected in a forward scattering configuration, and was observed as a pulsed emission of a few picoseconds duration, exhibiting a blue-shift with time evolution. The blue shift originated from the refractive-index dispersion of the sample. By excluding the influence of the refractive-index dispersion on the time profile, it was revealed that the ultra-short pulsed emission with a time width smaller than 1 ps was initially radiated with a time delay of ~2.4 ps after photoexcitation. From the results of time evolution of the polarization states, it is concluded that the exciton-Mn spin interactions occurs immediately after the excitation, which causes the Mn ion spins to align to follow the spin states of photoexcited excitons. The alignment of the Mn ion spins through the formation of the HD-EMPs was significantly faster than that of the localized EMP. On the other hand, the time evolution of the photo-induced Faraday rotation showed two decay components attributed to spin relaxations of the excitons and Mn ions within the HD-EMP. The observation of the Faraday rotation signal due to the Mn ion spins further confirms that these spins were aligned by the photo-excited spin-aligned excitons. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for the effective optical control of spins in a semimagnetic semiconductor, which is associated with a multi-exciton system and its localized state.

Dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and risk of stroke: the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between antioxidant vitamin intake and stroke is limited. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The subjects were 82 044 Japanese men and women aged 45-74 years under the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Cohort Study. Between 1995 and 1997, dietary assessment was done using a food frequency questionnaire. During 983 857 person-years of follow-up until the end of 2009 we documented 3541 incident total strokes and 2138 ischemic strokes.

RESULTS

Dietary intakes of α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C were not inversely associated with the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and selected lifestyle variables. When stratified by current smoking status, the inverse association between dietary vitamin C intake and incidence of total stroke observed among non-smokers but not smokers, with respective multivariable hazard ratios for the highest versus lowest quintiles of vitamin C of 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68-0.96; P-trend=0.03) among non-smokers; and 1.03 (0.84-1.25; P-trend=0.55) among smokers. As for ischemic stroke, the corresponding multivariable hazard ratios were 0.76 (0.60-0.96; P-trend=0.02) among non-smokers; and 1.00 (0.78-1.28; P-trend=0.61) among smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke among non-smokers.

Faecal corticosterone levels of dogs relinquished to a shelter in Japan

This study investigated the baseline level of faecal corticosterone in dogs relinquished to a shelter and compared changes in it caused by social events that dogs experienced. Faecal corticosterone was measured to assess the average stress levels of dogs that depend on the actual conditions of the shelter. One category of subject animals was dogs relinquished by their owner or stray dogs who were penned in a group (group RG) or caged individually due to their incompatibility (group RI), and the other category was demonstration dogs kept for dog training classes (group DT) and petting activities held in welfare facilities for the elderly and in elementary schools (group DP). While the number of dogs that were included in groups RG and RI fluctuated almost daily, the demonstration dogs were kept together for three months. The average level of faecal corticosterone was significantly higher in group RG than in groups DT and DP. The level of group RI was also relatively high, but the difference from the other three groups was not statistically significant. Faecal corticosterone concentrations of groups DT and DP rose somewhat from the baseline levels on the day after social service activities. The results of this study reaffirm that temporarily relinquished and socially unstable dogs especially suffer a certain level of stress in a shelter.

Seasonal differences in total antioxidant capacity intake from foods consumed by a Japanese population

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate total antioxidant capacity (TAC) intake from food and beverages in a Japanese population from 7-day seasonal dietary records.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The 7-day weighed dietary records of 390 subjects over four seasons between 1996 and 1998 were used. The TAC values (μmol trolox equivalents (μmol TE)/g) of various foods and beverages were defined, as reported in previous studies for weighed dietary records, using several different methods. TAC values of foods were estimated in 242 food and beverage items: 86.5% of vegetables, 99.1% of fruits, 71.5% of potatoes, 96.7% of beans, and 100% of chocolates. Differences in TAC intake per day and intake (g) per day among seasons in each of the food and beverage group were compared using a general linear model for repeated measures. The TAC intake/day were calculated for each food and beverage item in the four seasons.

RESULTS

TAC intake/day (μmol TE/day) varied from 10 189 (summer) to 12 292 (winter). TAC intake/day from fruits (2696) and potatoes (395) was highest in autumn, from vegetables (2827) it was highest in summer and from beans (4151) and tea (2331) it was highest in winter.

CONCLUSIONS

The dietary habits of the studied Japanese population showed the highest antioxidant capacity in winter and the lowest in summer.

Dietary patterns and type 2 diabetes in Japanese men and women: the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Dietary patterns in Western populations have been linked to type 2 diabetes, but the association of distinctive dietary patterns of Japanese population remains unclear. We prospectively investigated the association between dietary patterns and risk of developing type 2 diabetes among Japanese adults.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Participants were 27, 816 men and 36,889 women aged 45-74 years who participated in the second survey of the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study and had no history of diabetes. Dietary patterns were derived by using principal component analysis of the consumption of 134 food and beverage items ascertained by a food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios of self-reported physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes over 5 year were estimated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1194 new cases (692 men and 502 women) of type 2 diabetes were self-reported. We identified three dietary patterns: prudent, westernized and traditional Japanese patterns. Any dietary pattern was not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes risk after adjustment for covariates in both men and women. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for type 2 diabetes for the highest versus lowest quartile of each dietary pattern score in men and women, respectively, were 0.93 (0.74-1.16) and 0.90 (0.69-1.16) for the prudent pattern, 1.15 (0.90-1.46) and 0.81 (0.61-1.08) for the westernized pattern, and 0.97 (0.74-1.27) and 0.87 (0.66-1.15) for the traditional pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a small protective effect of the prudent dietary pattern cannot be excluded, dietary patterns may not be appreciably associated with type 2 diabetes risk in Japanese.

Requirement of integrin β3 for iron transportation during enamel formation

Rodent incisors exhibit pigmentation on their labial surfaces. Although previous studies have shown that this pigment is composed of iron, the existence of other elements has not been investigated. This study found that the lower incisors of CD61, also known as integrin β3, null mice (CD61(-/-)) lacked pigmentation. Although ameloblasts differentiated and formed enamel normally, no ferric ion accumulation was observed in maturation-stage ameloblasts in CD61(-/-) mice. Surface elements of control and CD61-/- lower incisors were compared by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis detected C, Ca, N, O, and P on the labial surfaces of lower incisors of both mice, whereas Fe was detected only in control samples. No peak of non-ferrous metal or other element was detected in either group. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 18 iron-transportation-related genes with mRNA from maturation-stage ameloblasts and ALC, a pre-ameloblastic cell line, was performed. The results suggested that CD61 regulates the expressions of Slc11a2 and Slc40a1, both of which are involved in iron transportation in epithelial tissues. These results suggested that the pigment on the labial surface of mouse incisors is composed of Fe and that both anemia and reduction of iron-transporting proteins may cause the loss of pigmentation in CD61(-/-) mice.

Analysis of estrogenic activity of foodstuffs and cigarette smoke condensates using a yeast estrogen screening method

Hormone mimics present in our environment are of concern because such agents could potentially reduce fertility and increase sexual dysfunction in wildlife and increase the risk of breast and reproductive organ cancers in man. Therefore, monitoring of the levels of estrogenic compounds in environmental materials is essential in order to prevent their exposure to man and to discover potential harmful effects on human health. In the present study, we analyzed estrogenic activity in 23 foodstuffs and cigarette smoke condensate samples extracted with an organic solvent, using the yeast estrogen screening (YES) system. Three soybean-related foodstuffs (soy sauce, tofu, miso), beer, coffee and cigarette smoke condensates showed clear estrogenic activity in the YES system. HPLC fractionations followed by the YES of these YES-positive samples revealed the presence of many estrogenic compounds in cigarette smoke condensates, whereas the other samples exerted estrogenic activities in only one or two fractions. Genistein was able to be isolated as the major active principle in soy sauce, tofu and miso, its concentration in these three foodstuffs ranging from 0.1 to 394 microg/g or ml. 8-Prenylnaringenin was also isolated from beer extracts as a major compound with estrogenic activity present at 0.22-4.0 ng/ml. Estrogenic activity of 8-prenylnaringenin with YES was 10-times as high as that of genistein, although it was 100-times less than that of 17beta-estradiol. Based on our results in vitro, 10 mg miso and 10 ml beer can be calculated to have similar estrogenic activity to 1 pmole 17beta-estradiol. It is very important that the effects of genistein and 8-prenylnaringenin on human health are elucidated.

On the bioactive conformation of the rhodopsin chromophore: absolute sense of twist around the 6-s-cis bond

Incubation of opsin with synthetic 6-s-locked retinoids 2a and 2b only led to pigment formation from the alpha-locked 2a, the CD spectrum of which was similar to that of native rhodopsin (Rh). This establishes that the 6-s-bond of the chromophore in rhodopsin is cis, and that its helicity is negative. Earlier cross-linking studies showed that the 11-cis to all-trans photoisomerization occurring in the batho-Rh to lumi-Rh conversion induces a flip over of the side carrying the ring moiety. The GTP-binding assay of pigment Rh-(2a), incorporating retinal analogue 2a, has shown that its activity is 80% that of the native pigment. That is, the overall conformation around the 6-s bond is retained in the steps leading to G-protein activation.

Testicular toxicity in F344 rats by aminophenylnorharman, formed from norharman and aniline

9-(4'-Aminophenyl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole [aminophenylnorharman (APNH)] is a novel mutagenic heterocyclic amine, produced by the reaction of norharman with aniline in the presence of S9 mix. In the present study, the acute toxicity of this compound was investigated in male F344 rats. Ten-week-old animals were treated with a single intragastric injection of APNH at doses of 45 or 90 mg/kg body wt and euthanized 1, 3, or 6 days afterward. When APNH was administered at a dose of 90 mg/kg, vacuolation of Sertoli cells in the testis was seen at 1 day after treatment. The testicular damage had markedly progressed by day 6, with multinucleated giant cells and loss of round spermatids in the seminiferous tubules observed in groups 1 and 2 of the four histological categories of spermatogenesis. Numbers of spermatogonia were also decreased by APNH treatment. No toxic changes were observed in Leydig cells under these conditions and serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations were also unchanged from control values. Such severe testicular damage was not observed at any time point at the 45 mg/kg dose level of APNH. Moreover, neither norharman nor aniline alone exerted acute testicular toxicity at doses equivalent to 90 mg/kg of APNH. In addition to the testicular lesions, erosive changes of urinary bladder, thymic atrophy, and panmyelophthisis were evident in rats given APNH at 90 mg/kg.

Validity and reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire to determine dietary supplement users among Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate reproducibility and validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to determine the dietary supplement use.

DESIGN

Questionnaire data were compared with dietary records (DR) in four 7 day periods for validity. FFQ1 and FFQ2 administered at an interval of approximately one year were compared for reproducibility.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

A total of 361 samples were selected for a validation study of a questionnaire from the subgroup of the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study on cancer and cardiovascular disease (JPHC Study) cohort II. Categories of dietary supplements in the FFQ were 'multivitamins', 'beta-carotene', 'vitamin C', 'vitamin E', and 'other supplements'. For each category, inquiries were made as to the brand name, frequency and duration of use. A dietary supplement user was defined as a subject who used a dietary supplement one or more times a week for a year or longer.

RESULTS

Prevalence of overall supplement use was 10.9%. Percentage agreement between FFQ1 and FFQ2 was 91.7%. Sensitivity and specificity of supplement use by FFQ were 80.6% and 89.2%, respectively. Sensitivity was high for 'vitamin C'. When the self-reported categories were corrected, sensitivity for 'multivitamins' and 'vitamin E' improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The FFQ on dietary supplements used for the JPHC 5 y follow-up survey was valid to determine overall use and well-defined dietary supplement use such as vitamin C. Categories must be corrected when determining multivitamin and 'vitamin E'.

Induction of liver preneoplastic lesions by aminophenylnorharman, formed from norharman and aniline, in male F344 rats

9-(4'-Aminophenyl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (aminophenylnorharman, APNH), produced by the reaction of norharman with aniline in the presence of S9 mix, is a novel heterocyclic amine (HCA), with mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and YG 1024 comparable to that of other HCAs such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx). This experiment was designed to investigate its potential to induce glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci in the liver. Male F344 rats, 7 weeks old, were fed diet containing 0, 10, 20, or 50 ppm APNH for 4 weeks, killed by ether euthanasia and performed complete necropsy. Numbers of GST-P positive foci larger than 0.1 mm in diameter induced by APNH at the dose of 10, 20, and 50 ppm were increased in a dose dependent manner to 0.52, 1.3, and 21 foci/cm2, respectively, with areas of 0.006, 0.01, and 2.3 mm2/cm2. No such GST-P positive foci were observed in rats fed control diet. These findings suggest that APNH has hepatocarcinogenic potential in male F344 rats.

Frequent association of 22q11.2 deletion with tetralogy of Fallot

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion causes DiGeorge syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome, conotruncal anomaly face syndrome with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and sporadic or familial TOF. To determine the prevalence and clinical importance of the 22q11.2 deletion in TOF, a series of 212 Japanese TOF patients was studied. The type of pulmonary blood supply, which may lead to various clinical outcomes, and other additional anomalies were evaluated clinically. The 22q11.2 deletion was diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization with N25 and TUPLE1 probes. Of the 212 patients examined, 28 (13%) had a 22q11.2 deletion, the frequency being higher than that in TOF patients with trisomy 21. The prevalence of the deletion in TOF patients with pulmonary atresia (PA) plus major aortico-pulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA) was significantly higher than the value in patients with PA plus patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (P = 0.04) or with pulmonary stenosis (PS) (P < 0.0001). All 28 patients with 22q11.2 deletion had one or more extracardiac abnormalities. Four of 9 patients with the 22q11.2 deletion and TOF-PA-MAPCA suffered from bronchomalacia, while none of 19 patients with TOF-PA-PDA or TOF-PS manifested bronchomalacia (P = 0.006). These results indicate that 22q11.2 deletion is the most frequent cause of syndromic TOF, especially for TOF-PA-MAPCA, and bronchomalacia is the clinically most important associated anomaly in TOF-PA-MAPCA patients.

Pituitary adenomas treated by microsurgery with or without Gamma Knife surgery: experience in 122 cases

The clinical outcome of 122 patients with pituitary adenomas treated by microsurgery and/or Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) was analyzed to evaluate patient selection criteria and the role of GKRS. Sixty-six resections were performed in 59 patients. All tumors were macroadenomas, except for 5 ACTH-producing adenomas. Twenty-four of the 31 hypersecreting adenomas showed normal serum hormone values after treatment. Postoperative complications were rhinorrhea, cranial nerve palsies, and a small thalamic infarct. GKRS was performed on 18 of the operated patients because of residual tumors, mostly in the cavernous sinus. Thirty-five of the 63 patients treated by GKRS were followed for more than 2 years. All adenomas except 2 were stable or had decreased in size. Eleven of 17 functioning adenomas showed normal serum hormone values after treatment. It is concluded that tumors that compress the optic pathway should be removed and that residual tumors in the cavernous sinus are good indications for radiosurgery.

Quantification of the co-mutagenic beta-carbolines, norharman and harman, in cigarette smoke condensates and cooked foods

Co-mutagenic beta-carbolines, such as norharman and harman, were quantified in mainstream and sidestream smoke condensates of six Japanese brands of cigarettes, and also in 13 kinds of cooked foods, using a combination of blue cotton treatment and HPLC. Norharman and harman were detected in all the cigarette smoke condensate samples. Their levels in the mainstream smoke case were 900-4240 ng per cigarette for norharman, and 360-2240 ng for harman, and in sidestream smoke, 4130-8990 ng for norharman and 2100-3000 ng for harman. These beta-carbolines were also found to be present in all the cooked food samples, at levels of 2.39-795 ng for norharman and 0.62-377 ng for harman per gram of cooked food. The observed concentrations are much higher than those found for mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs), suggesting that humans are exposed to norharman and harman in daily life to a larger extent than to HCAs.

Quinone Profiling of Bacterial Communities in Natural and Synthetic Sewage Activated Sludge for Enhanced Phosphate Removal

Respiratory quinones were used as biomarkers to study bacterial community structures in activated sludge reactors used for enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR). We compared the quinone profiles of EBPR sludges and standard sludges, of natural sewage and synthetic sewage, and of plant scale and laboratory scale systems. Ubiquinone (Q) and menaquinone (MK) components were detected in all sludges tested at molar MK/Q ratios of 0.455 to 0.981. The differences in MK/Q ratios were much larger when we compared different wastewater sludges (i.e., raw sewage and synthetic sewage) than when we compared sludges from the EBPR and standard processes or plant scale and laboratory scale systems. In all sludges tested a Q with eight isoprene units (Q-8) was the most abundant quinone. In the MK fraction, either tetrahydrogenated MK-8 or MK-7 was the predominant type, and there was also a significant proportion of MK-6 to MK-8 in most cases. A numerical cluster analysis of the profiles showed that the sludges tested fell into two major clusters; one included all raw sewage sludges, and the other consisted of all synthetic sewage sludges, independent of the operational mode and scale of the reactors and the phosphate accumulation. These data suggested that Q-8-containing species belonging to the class Proteobacteria (i.e., species belonging to the beta subclass) were the major constituents of the bacterial populations in the EBPR sludge, as well as in standard activated sludge. Members of the class Actinobacteria (gram-positive bacteria with high DNA G+C contents) were the second most abundant group in both types of sludge. The bacterial community structures in activated sludge processes may be affected more by the nature of the influent wastewater than by the introduction of an anaerobic stage into the process or by the scale of the reactors.

Fractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery for malignant gliomas: neurobiological effects and FDG-PET studies

Experimental single-dose neural irradiation was performed in rats and monkeys. Acute and 'early' late damage was observed following single high-dose treatments. By contrast, following a single low-dose treatment, neither 'early' nor 'delayed' late damage was noted. Based on these experiments, a clinical trial of fractionated Gamma Knife surgery for malignant gliomas was begun, and patients were followed by FDG-PET studies. An acute response of the tumor was obtained without damage to the surrounding brain. Fractionated Gamma Knife surgery is a potential alternative treatment for malignant gliomas.

Parkinsonian rigidity, dopa-induced dyskinesia and chorea--dynamic studies on the basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuit using PET scan and depth microrecording

Regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMRGlu-18FDG) was measured in 6 cases with rigid type Parkinson's disease (PD) (2 cases with dopa-induced dyskinesia = DID), 6 cases with chorea (Ch), 5 cases with essential tremor (EssT) and 2 cases with normal subjects (N). The effects of L-Dopa on rCMRGlu was studied in 3 cases with PD. With the aid of depth microrecording study, stereotactic pallidotomy was performed in all cases with PD. Thalamotomy was performed in 3 cases with Ch. In the EssT and N group, the metabolic pattern was high in the frontal cortex (FCx) but low in the lenticular nucleus (LN). In contrast, all cases with a rigid type PD showed lower rCMRGlu in FCx (premotor, prefrontal area). However, 4 out of 6 cases were higher in LN than the control group. Administration of L-Dopa shifted rCMRGlu toward the normal pattern in this group. Five out of 6 cases with Ch represented higher rCMRGlu in FCx (3 focal, 2 diffuse) but lower in LN. Moreover, when DID occurred, it showed almost the same pattern as in Ch. Electrophysiological studies showed high background neuronal activity (BNA) in the medial segment of the globus pallidus (GP) but low BNA in the lateral segment of the GP in the rigid type of PD. In cases with Ch, irregular burst discharges were often encountered in ventro-oral thalamus. From these results, the on-going changes of basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuit in cases with a rigid type PD, DID and Ch are discussed. The underlying mechanisms of Parkinsonian rigidity was considered to contrast with those of DID and Ch within the same motor circuit.

Association of particles that contain double-stranded RNAs with algal chloroplasts and mitochondria

Linear dsRNAs (double-stranded RNAs) belonging to several distinct size classes were found to be localized in chloroplasts and mitochondria of Bryopsis spp., raising the possibility that these dsRNAs are prokaryotic in nature. The algal cytosol and nuclei did not contain dsRNAs. The amount of the dsRNAs in the organelles appeared constant, and there were about 500 copies per chloroplast. The four major dsRNAs from Bryopsis chloroplasts were about 2 kbp (kilobase pairs) in length and originated from discrete isometric particles of about 25 nm diameter. These virus-like particles were purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation after extraction from isolated chloroplasts with chloroformbutanol and subsequent precipitation with polyethylene glycol. They had a buoyant density of about 1.40 g · cm(-3) and contained four major and three minor proteins. Mitochondrial dsRNAs were about 4.5 kbp in length and formed less-stable particles of about 40 nm in diameter with a buoyant density of 1.47 g · cm(-3). Some observations support the hypothesis that vertical transmission of the protein-coated, non-infectious dsRNAs occurs within cell organelles. Double-stranded RNAs of various sizes were found in most green, red, and brown algae. The characteristics of the algal dsRNAs are compared with those of dsRNAs from higher plants and the biological significance of the dsRNAs in cell organelles is discussed.

Early diagnosis of tuberculosis by fibreoptic bronchoscopy

We carried out a retrospective study of the methods used to achieve an early diagnosis of 67 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis treated at our institute between 1984 and 1989. Sputum bacteriology was positive in 56 of the 67 patients, 22 were positive on microscopical examination of smears and on culture and 34 on culture alone. The 11 patients with negative sputum bacteriology were all diagnosed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. In addition, 21 of the 34 smear-negative/culture-positive patients were examined by fibreoptic bronchoscopy and the initial diagnosis was made in 7 of these. Thus the initial diagnosis was made by sputum bacteriology in 49 cases and by fibreoptic bronchoscopy in 18 cases. The median number of days between obtaining a specimen and starting therapy was 7 days for sputum microscopy, 41 days for sputum culture, 7 days for microscopic examination of bronchoscopy specimens, 51 days for culture of the same and 19 days for biopsy. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy is therefore useful for the diagnosis of cases of tuberculosis in which tubercle bacilli are not detected in sputum and, in some instances, for an earlier diagnosis of smear-negative/culture-positive patients.

[The changes in cell population and chemical mediators in BALF following local allergen challenge]

In eight subjects who showed dual asthmatic response (DAR) in bronchial provocation tests (BPT) with specific allergens, local allergen challenge (LAC) was conducted using a flexible bronchofiberscope. We examined the concentrations of histamine, leukotriene B4 and C4 (LTB4 and LTC4) and cell populations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected before LAC (control), during the immediate response phase (IR), and the late response phase (LR). Control BALF was collected from the left lingula (B4 or B5), and BALF in the IR or LR phase from the right middle lobe (B4 or B5). Each BAL was conducted with 50 ml of saline at 37 degrees C and repeated three times in succession. It was noted that histamine increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in IR-BALF from the control level. In addition, the concentrations of LTC4 and the numbers of eosinophils increased in IR-BALF. In LR-BALF, the numbers of eosinophils (p less than 0.01), and the concentrations of histamine (p less than 0.05), LTC4 (p less than 0.05) and LTB4 increased. From these results, it was suggested that infiltration of eosinophils and various chemical mediators in the bronchial mucosa play important roles in the development of late asthmatic response.

[Informed consent of the family in the chemotherapy for lung cancer]

In Japan where the question of cancer notification has yet to be resolved, it is difficult to obtain an informed consent from the patient himself in clinical studies of the chemotherapies for cancer. In fact, the chemotherapy is administered while not enough explanation is given to the family let alone the patient. Such is the present situation. For the purpose of finding out the best possible method at present, we carried out a method whereby an informed consent of the family is substituted for a consent of the patient in phase II study of inoperable non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. As a result, the consent was obtained from 21 (91.3%) out of 23 families. This method should be taken into consideration as a feasible one under the present circumstances. It was in only one family (4.3%) that a consent on the notification of diagnosis from the family to the patient was obtained. In order for the informed consent to be established, efforts to form a social consensus on cancer notification are needed.

The different effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor on rat fibrosarcoma sublines

The antitumor effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF) on two clones of rat fibrosarcoma with different metastatic potential to lymph nodes was examined. The colony formation of clone A, which has high metastatic potential, was completely inhibited by continuous exposure to rH-TNF at 50 U/ml. In contrast, colony formation of clone G, which has low metastatic potential, was not inhibited by high concentrations of rH-TNF (10,000 U/ml). The inhibitory effect of rH-TNF on colony formation by clone A was also observed with a 1-h exposure to rH-TNF. This effect was time and concentration dependent, as determined by the colony assay, 3H-thymidine uptake assay, and 51Cr-release assay. 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine uptake per cell of clone A exposed to rH-TNF was not decreased. This suggests that the mechanisms of the antitumor effect of rH-TNF were not due to inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis of tumor cells. In vivo growth and lymph node metastases of clone A inoculated i.p. to Donryu strain rats were completely suppressed by 14 consecutive i.p. injections of 10(5) or 10(6) U/kg per day of rH-TNF. On the other hand the growth of clone G was not influenced by rH-TNF administration.

Human tumor clonogenic assay for carcinoma of the lung. II. Factors that influence colony formation in soft agar

The human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) has potential value for studies of both the chemosensitivity and biology of human tumors. However, many technical problems including low plating efficiencies and the preparation of sufficient numbers of viable cells remain. In this study, an improved method for disaggregation of solid tumors increased the yield of single cells. Consequently, more than 10 anticancer drugs could be tested in 94 of 168 specimens (56%). Removal of peripheral blood lymphocytes from cell suspensions derived from effusions also improved colony formation. Adequate growth for sensitivity testing (greater than 30 colonies/plate) was obtained in 122 cases (73%), inadequate growth for drug evaluation (5-29 colonies/plate) in 29 cases (17%), and no colony formation (less than 5 colonies/plate) in 17 cases (10%) of the 168 viable samples. The cloning efficiencies of cells derived from primary tumors (median 0.015%) were higher than those of cells derived from metastatic tumors (0.012%), and they varied with the location of the metastatic site. Cloning efficiencies varied markedly from specimen to specimen, and were unaffected by tumor histology, grade of differentiation, patient age, stage of disease, or prior chemotherapy. The HTCA is promising as a potential tool for studying the biology of tumors.

In vitro chemosensitivity patterns of carcinoma of the lung in human tumor clonogenic assay

One hundred and sixty-eight different specimens of human carcinoma of the lung were tested for in vitro drug sensitivity using the human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) originally described by Hamburger and Salmon. One hundred and twenty-two (73%) specimens grew adequately for chemosensitivity testing. Most tumors were resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, but in vitro sensitivity, regardless of the type of drugs, varied markedly from specimen to specimen. Although response rates to individual drugs ranged between 9% and 23%, half the specimens tested were sensitive in vitro to at least one drug. A higher in vitro sensitivity rate was observed in small cell lung carcinoma (31%) than in non-small cell lung carcinoma (17%). The frequency of in vitro sensitivity was greater for patients who had received no prior chemotherapy than those who were in relapse. These in vitro results are similar to current clinical experience. There was a significant association between in vitro sensitivity of cells from a primary tumor as compared to its metastases. Overall HTCA appears to be useful in selecting appropriate chemotherapy for individual patients with carcinoma of the lung.

Antitumor activity of alkylesters of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (FdUMP) against murine lymphoma L5178Y resistant to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine

A series of twenty six 5'-substituted FdUMP (5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate) have been evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the proliferation of murine lymphoma L5178Y cells sensitive or resistant to FUdR (5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine). 5'-Octylphenylene-FdUMP was the most active among these active derivatives against the parent cell line (L5178Y/P). Several other FdUMP derivatives also proved as potent as FUdR in their antiproliferating activity on the L5178Y/P cell line. Activity of these derivatives was decreased considerably by a substituent with a long aliphatic chain and the introduction of acyl groups on the C-3' position. Eicosyl-FdUMP was found to show no or low cross-resistance on the L5178Y/FUdR subline which was about 19 000-fold resistant to FUdR compared with the parent cell line. This derivative might penetrate cell membrane in an intact form and be converted into FdUMP by a phosphodiesterase inside the cell, because an anabolic enzyme, deoxyuridine kinase, was defective in cells of the L5178Y/FUdR subline. The derivatives were promising as antitumor agents for the treatment of relapsed patients following 5-fluorouracil therapy.

A bioassay of cisplatin by human tumor clonogenic assay

A new bioassay method for cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) using a human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) was developed and used to examine the pharmacokinetics of the active form of CDDP in different schedules of administration. The inhibition of colony growth of tumor cells decreased with increase in the % of fetal calf serum in RPMI1640 containing CDDP. By means of this assay, four administration schedules (A, B, C and D) of CDDP were examined. In patients given 40 mg/m2 of CDDP by iv infusion on day 1 twice with a 1 hr interval (schedule A), total platinum was still detectable in plasma at 6 hr by atomic absorption assay. However, the active form of CDDP was no longer detectable at 30 min. In patients treated with 20 mg/m2 of CDDP iv for 20 min daily (schedule B) from day 1 to day 4, the level of total platinum showed a cumulative increase. However, the active form of CDDP was no longer detectable at 30 min, and no cumulative effect was observed. In patients given a high dose (120 mg/m2) of CDDP iv for 30 min on day 1 (schedule C), the peak concentration of active form of CDDP was determined to be 5.0 to 7.0 micrograms/ml, and a level of more than 1.0 micrograms/ml was maintained even after 2 hr in one case. In 2 patients of this group the concentrations of active form of CDDP determined by HTCA were the same as those of ultrafiltrable platinum detected by atomic absorption assay. In 2 of 3 patients given 100 mg of CDDP into the pleural cavity, the active form of CDDP was detected in sera. High-dose CDDP administration was concluded to be preferable to low-dose therapy because of the higher peak concentration and longer residence time of the active form of CDDP in the plasma. Furthermore, it is suggested that a systemic effect of CDDP can be expected even when CDDP is given by intrapleural administration.

Differences of host immune response and of sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents between two clones of rat fibrosarcoma with different metastatic potential

Differences of host immune response and of chemosensitivity between two clones derived from a methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma and exhibiting different tumorigenic and metastatic potentials were examined. Clone G, which has no metastatic potential, was more sensitive to natural killer cytotoxicity by syngeneic rat spleen cells than clone A, which is highly metastatic. The colony formation of clone G was strongly inhibited by the supernatant obtained from coculture of lymphocytes with either of these two clones. In contrast, the colony formation of clone A was not inhibited by these supernatants. Inhibition of the colony formation of clone G was dependent on the dilution of the supernatant and the incubation time of the lymphocytes and tumor cells used to generate the supernatant. The supernatant from cocultures of lymphocytes and clone G inhibited the colony formation of clone G more strongly than the supernatant from cocultures of lymphocytes and clone A. There was no difference between these two clones in chemosensitivity to seven of the ten chemotherapeutic drugs tested.

Reduction of pulmonary metastases of B16 melanoma by human recombinant interleukin 2 and lymphokine-activated killer cells in immunosuppressed C57BL/6 mice receiving anticancer agent

The immunosuppressive effect of a water-soluble nitrosourea derivative, 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl) methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (ACNU), was evaluated in terms of the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes, and the restoring effect of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and/or human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) on the cytotoxicities of spleen lymphocytes was examined in ACNU-treated C57BL/6 mice. In addition, we tested whether the administration of LAK cells and/or rIL-2 could reduce the increased numbers of pulmonary metastases in ACNU-treated mice. The maximum effective dose of ACNU suppressed the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes and pretreatment with ACNU enhanced the induction of artificial pulmonary metastases. The administration of LAK cells and/or human rIL-2 restored the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes against YAC-1 and syngeneic B-16 melanoma cells in ACNU-treated mice, and these treatments partially suppressed the increased numbers of artificial pulmonary metastases of B-16 melanoma cells in ACNU-treated mice. These results are extremely important in providing a rationale for the introduction of adoptive immunotherapy using LAK cells and rIL-2 in patients with advanced cancer who are being treated with anticancer agent(s).

[Strategy of cancer treatment using human recombinant interleukin 2 and lymphokine activated killer cells]

There are two strategies for evaluating the antitumor effect of IL-2. In the first approach IL-2 has been used to support the proliferation of T-effector cells or LAK cells in vitro in the hope that large quantities of these effector cells can be used therapeutically. This approach has shown some efficacy in animal models if LAK cells are administered in combination with IL-2. However, it is extremely difficult to standardize the numbers of lymphocytes and the biological activity of effector cells for clinical use. Recently the cloning of IL-2 has made available large quantities of purified recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) for preclinical and clinical trials. Accordingly there have been recent attempts at injecting rIL-2 directly to stimulate effector cells in vivo. In this study, in vivo and in vitro augmentation of the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes against syngeneic B-16 melanoma cells (induction of LAK cells) and the suppression of artificial pulmonary and liver metastases of B-16 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice was tried by subcutaneous multiple injections of high-dose human rIL-2. In addition, the immunosuppressive effect of a water-soluble nitrosourea derivative (ACNU) was determined in terms of the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes, and the restoring effect of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and/or human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) on the cytotoxicities of spleen lymphocytes were examined in ACNU-treated C57 BL/6 mice. It was also tested whether the administration of LAK cells and/or rIL-2 could reduce the increased numbers of pulmonary metastases in ACNU-treated mice. The cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes against YAC-1 cells as well as against syngeneic B-16 and F-10 melanoma cells was augmented not only by incubation of spleen lymphocytes with human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in vitro but also by injecting high-dose rIL-2 into C57BL/6 mice for more than 3 consecutive days. In animals injected with multiple high doses of rIL-2 subcutaneously, the numbers of tumor nodules in the lung were significantly decreased 21 days after intravenous tumor inoculation. In addition, in these groups of animals no liver metastases were observed although liver metastases were detected in 6/11 of control mice. The maximum effective dose of ACNU suppressed the cytotoxicity of spleen lymphocytes and pretreatment with ACNU enhanced the induction of artificial pulmonary metastases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Detection of cytotoxicity of freshly obtained lymphocytes and of lymphocytes activated with recombinant interleukin II (rIL-2) against lung cancer cell lines by human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA)

The cytotoxicity of freshly obtained human peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphocytes activated with human recombinant interleukin II (rIL-2) was evaluated against lung cancer cell lines by the human tumor clonogenic assay. Colony formation of all human lung cancer cell lines, PC-1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13 and 14 were suppressed by lymphocytes activated with 100 units/ml of human rIL-2 for 72 hr. However, the degree of the suppression of colony formation by lymphocytes activated with rIL-2 was different for each cell line. The per cent inhibition of colony formation obtained by HTCA correlated well with the per cent cytolysis obtained by 51Cr-release assay for all cell lines. HTCA provides a very useful tool for the detection of cytotoxicity of lymphocytes against clonogenic tumor cells.

Antitumor effect of two-drug simultaneous or sequential use of cisplatin, vindesine or etoposide on human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines in tumor clonogenic assay

The antitumor effects of two-drug simultaneous or sequential use of cisplatin, vindesine or etoposide were examined in human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines by human tumor clonogenic assay. Different tumor cell lines (PC-9, PC-13 and PC-14) that originated from the same histological cell type responded quite variably to simultaneous and/or sequential therapy. The antitumor effects of various sequential combinations of cisplatin, vindesine and etoposide depended strongly on the nature of the individual tumor cell line tested.

Natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity in healthy volunteers with special emphasis on the familial incidence of cancer

Natural killer (NK) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell activities in 133 healthy volunteers were analyzed with regard to the volunteer's sex, age, smoking history and the familial incidence of cancer. None of these factors had any influence on NK and LAK cell activities. It was concluded that identifying individuals with increased risk of cancer development by examining NK and LAK activities would be difficult.

Clonogenic patterns of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines (PC-9, PC-13 and PC-14) and how they influence the results of test for chemosensitivity to cisplatin in the human tumor clonogenic assay

The clonogenic patterns of three human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines (PC-9, PC-13 and PC-14) were studied by human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA), and factors which could influence the results of tests for the chemosensitivity of these tumor cells to cisplatin in HTCA were determined. The results showed that each tumor cell line had a characteristic clonogenic pattern. The time intervals for the cells to grow to the plateau phase varied from 9 to 16 days, depending on the cell line and number of cells plated. The number of cells plated could substantially influence the results of chemosensitivity tests. The percentage of surviving colonies increased markedly if too many cells (usually 5 X 10(4) or more/plate) were plated. For continuous exposure, the results of chemosensitivity tests were rather stable after 7 days of incubation in each cell line, especially when fewer than 2 X 10(4) cells/plate were plated. For 1-hour exposure, the incubation periods for the results to become stable varied from 7 to 16 days depending on the cell type, number of cells plated and drug concentration. It was stressed that for the correct evaluation of the chemosensitivity of cultured cell lines in HTCA, the clonogenic pattern of each tumor cell line should be checked in detail before further experiments are conducted. The higher the concentration and the longer the exposure time, the more strongly cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) suppressed the colony growth in each of the three cell lines in HTCA, and it was recommended that CDDP should be used clinically in such a way as to maintain a high serum level of the active form of CDDP for a long time.

The use of human tumor clonogenic assay in predicting combination effect of cisplatin plus vindesine in carcinoma of the lung

By using a human tumor clonogenic assay, cisplatin plus vindesine regimen was evaluated in 17 carcinoma of the lung. The cisplatin (0.2 microgram/ml) plus vindesine (0.005 microgram/ml) combination was synergistic and additive cell killing in 10 and 4, respectively, of 17 specimens. On the other hand, only three specimens showed antagonistic cell killing from this drug combination. Our results indicated that this in vitro assay provides a new method which can predict the effects of the combination of drugs on individual patients.

Phase II study of vindesine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

A phase II study of vindesine (VDS) was carried out in 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There were 13 and 8 patients with and without prior chemotherapy, respectively. VDS was administered at a weekly iv dose of 3 mg/m2. Partial response was observed in two of 15 adenocarcinomas and one of 2 adenosquamous cell carcinomas, and the overall response rate was 14.3% (3/21). Myelosuppression, especially leukopenia, was the most common dose-limiting side effect. Neurotoxicity was also a common side effect but the degree was mild. It was concluded that VDS at a dose of 3 mg/m2 every week seems to be active against NSCLC.

Preliminary phase II study of adriamycin (ADM) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

A phase II study of adriamycin (ADM) (60 mg/m2) was performed in 22 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). There were no responders in the 19 evaluable patients (16 with adenocarcinoma, two with squamous cell carcinoma and one with large cell carcinoma). The major side effects were alopecia (89%), leukocytopenia (73%), thrombocytopenia (58%) and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Although ADM at 60 mg/m2 did not appear to have sufficient antitumor activity against NSCLC in this study, it is necessary to evaluate further the efficacy of ADM against NSCLC with another treatment schedule.