Registered multi-device/staining histology image dataset for domain-agnostic machine learning models

Variations in color and texture of histopathology images are caused by differences in staining conditions and imaging devices between hospitals. These biases decrease the robustness of machine learning models exposed to out-of-domain data. To address this issue, we introduce a comprehensive histopathology image dataset named PathoLogy Images of Scanners and Mobile phones (PLISM). The dataset consisted of 46 human tissue types stained using 13 hematoxylin and eosin conditions and captured using 13 imaging devices. Precisely aligned image patches from different domains allowed for an accurate evaluation of color and texture properties in each domain. Variation in PLISM was assessed and found to be significantly diverse across various domains, particularly between whole-slide images and smartphones. Furthermore, we assessed the improvement in domain shift using a convolutional neural network pre-trained on PLISM. PLISM is a valuable resource that facilitates the precise evaluation of domain shifts in digital pathology and makes significant contributions towards the development of robust machine learning models that can effectively address challenges of domain shift in histological image analysis.

Stomach encyclopedia: Combined single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal cell diversity and homeostatic regulation of human stomach

The stomach is an important digestive organ with various biological functions. However, because of the complexity of its cellular and glandular composition, its precise cellular biology has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and subcellular-level spatial transcriptomics analysis of the human stomach and constructed the largest dataset to date: a stomach encyclopedia. This dataset consists of approximately 380,000 cells from scRNA-seq and the spatial transcriptome, enabling integrated analyses of transcriptional and spatial information of gastric and metaplastic cells. This analysis identified LEFTY1 as an uncharacterized stem cell marker, which was confirmed through lineage tracing analysis. A wide variety of cell-cell interactions between epithelial and stromal cells, including PDGFRA+BMP4+WNT5A+ fibroblasts, was highlighted in the developmental switch of intestinal metaplasia. Our extensive dataset will function as a fundamental resource in investigations of the stomach, including studies of development, aging, and carcinogenesis.

Gut insulin action protects from hepatocarcinogenesis in diabetic mice comorbid with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Diabetes is known to increase the risk of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we treat male STAM (STelic Animal Model) mice, which develop diabetes, NASH and HCC associated with dysbiosis upon low-dose streptozotocin and high-fat diet (HFD), with insulin or phlorizin. Although both treatments ameliorate hyperglycemia and NASH, insulin treatment alone lead to suppression of HCC accompanied by improvement of dysbiosis and restoration of antimicrobial peptide production. There are some similarities in changes of microflora from insulin-treated patients comorbid with diabetes and NASH. Insulin treatment, however, fails to suppress HCC in the male STAM mice lacking insulin receptor specifically in intestinal epithelial cells (ieIRKO), which show dysbiosis and impaired gut barrier function. Furthermore, male ieIRKO mice are prone to develop HCC merely on HFD. These data suggest that impaired gut insulin signaling increases the risk of HCC, which can be countered by restoration of insulin action in diabetes.

Aberrant Cadherin11 expression predicts distant metastasis of gastric cancer

The prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) is significantly affected by distant metastases and postoperative recurrences. Bone metastasis is one of the worst prognostic metastases in GC; however, its molecular mechanisms and predictive biomarkers remain elusive. In prostate and breast cancers, it has been reported that overexpression of Cadherin 11 (CDH11), a mesenchymal cell-cell contact factor, is known to be correlated with bone metastasis. Overexpression of CDH11 mRNA in bulk GC tissues has also been reported to be associated with a worse prognosis. However, a more precise evaluation of CDH11 expression in GC cells is necessary to establish a robust link between CDH11 and metastatic features of GC. We performed immunohistochemical analysis of CDH11 expression in 342 GC cases, of which specimens were obtained at the time of surgery, with a special focus on its aberrant membranous expression in GC cells. The correlations between aberrant CDH11 expression and distant metastases and the prognosis of GC cases were statistically investigated. Approximately half of the GC cases investigated showed aberrant expression of CDH11 in the GC cells of primary lesions. Aberrant CDH11 expression was statistically associated with bone metastasis of GCs. Moreover, metastases to the liver and distant lymph nodes were also statistically correlated with CDH11 expression. Aberrant CDH11 expression in GC cells in primary tumor lesions was shown to be a predictive biomarker of distant metastases in GC. GCs with CDH11 expression require preventive clinical attention for the detection of metastatic lesions.

Deletion of Histone Methyltransferase G9a Suppresses Mutant Kras-driven Pancreatic Carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND/AIM

The entire mechanisms by which epigenetic modifiers contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer remain unknown. Although the histone methyltransferase G9a is a promising target in human cancers, its role in pancreatic carcinogenesis has been under-studied. The aim of the study was to examine the role of G9a in pancreatic carcinogenesis by a gene-targeting mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established pancreas-specific G9a^flox/flox mice and crossed them with Ptf1a^Cre/; Kras^G12D/+ (KC) mice, which spontaneously develop pancreatic cancer. The phenotypes of the resulting KC mice with G9a deletion were examined. We analyzed transcriptomic data by microarray and genome-wide chromatin accessibility by transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing. We established pancreatic organoids from KC mice.

RESULTS

G9a deficiency impaired the progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and prolonged the survival of KC mice. The number of phosphorylated Erk-positive cells and Dclk1-positive cells, which are reported to be essential for the progression of PanIN, were decreased by G9a deletion. UNC0638, an inhibitor of G9a, suppressed the growth of organoids and increased global chromatin accessibility, especially around the regions including the protein phosphatase 2A genes.

CONCLUSION

Thus, our study suggested the functional interaction of G9a, Dclk1 and Mapk pathway in the Kras-driven pancreatic carcinogenesis. The inhibition of G9a may suppress the initiation of oncogenic Kras-driven pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Defined lifestyle and germline factors predispose Asian populations to gastric cancer

Germline and environmental effects on the development of gastric cancers (GC) and their ethnic differences have been poorly understood. Here, we performed genomic-scale trans-ethnic analysis of 531 GCs (319 Asian and 212 non-Asians). There was one distinct GC subclass with clear alcohol-associated mutation signature and strong Asian specificity, almost all of which were attributable to alcohol intake behavior, smoking habit, and Asian-specific defective ALDH2 allele. Alcohol-related GCs have low mutation burden and characteristic immunological profiles. In addition, we found frequent (7.4%) germline CDH1 variants among Japanese GCs, most of which were attributed to a few recurrent single-nucleotide variants shared by Japanese and Koreans, suggesting the existence of common ancestral events among East Asians. Specifically, approximately one-fifth of diffuse-type GCs were attributable to the combination of alcohol intake and defective ALDH2 allele or to CDH1 variants. These results revealed uncharacterized impacts of germline variants and lifestyles in the high incidence areas.

Evaluation of a receptor gene responsible for maternal blood IgY transfer into egg yolks using bursectomized IgY-depleted chickens

In avian species, maternal immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is transferred from the blood to the yolks of maturing oocytes; however, the mechanism underlying this transfer is unknown. To gain insight into the mechanisms of maternal IgY transfer into egg yolks, IgY-depleted chickens were generated by removing the bursa of Fabricius (bursectomy) during egg incubation, and their egg production and IgY transport ability into egg yolks were determined. After hatching, blood IgY concentrations of the bursectomized chickens decreased gradually until sexual maturity, whereas those of IgA remained low from an early stage of growth (from at least 2 wk of age). Chickens identified as depleted in IgY through screening of blood IgY and IgA concentrations were raised to sexual maturity. At 20 wk of age, both blood and egg yolk IgY concentrations in the IgY-depleted group were 600-fold lower than those of the control group, whereas egg production did not differ between the groups. Intravenously injected, digoxigenin-labeled IgY uptake into the egg yolk was approximately 2-fold higher in the IgY-depleted chickens than in the controls, suggesting that IgY depletion may enhance IgY uptake in maturing oocytes. DNA microarray analysis of the germinal disc, including the oocyte nucleus, revealed that the expression levels of 73 genes were upregulated more than 1.5-fold in the IgY-depleted group, although we could not identify a convincing candidate gene for the IgY receptor. In conclusion, we successfully raised IgY-depleted chickens presenting a marked reduction in egg yolk IgY. The enhanced uptake of injected IgY into the egg yolks of the IgY-depleted chickens supports the existence of a selective IgY transport mechanism in maturing oocytes and ovarian follicles in avian species.

Generation of functional lungs via conditional blastocyst complementation using pluripotent stem cells

Millions of people worldwide with incurable end-stage lung disease die because of inadequate treatment options and limited availability of donor organs for lung transplantation1. Current bioengineering strategies to regenerate the lung have not been able to replicate its extraordinary cellular diversity and complex three-dimensional arrangement, which are indispensable for life-sustaining gas exchange2,3. Here we report the successful generation of functional lungs in mice through a conditional blastocyst complementation (CBC) approach that vacates a specific niche in chimeric hosts and allows for initiation of organogenesis by donor mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). We show that wild-type donor PSCs rescued lung formation in genetically defective recipient mouse embryos unable to specify (due to Ctnnb1cnull mutation) or expand (due to Fgfr2cnull mutation) early respiratory endodermal progenitors. Rescued neonates survived into adulthood and had lungs functionally indistinguishable from those of wild-type littermates. Efficient chimera formation and lung complementation required newly developed culture conditions that maintained the developmental potential of the donor PSCs and were associated with global DNA hypomethylation and increased H4 histone acetylation. These results pave the way for the development of new strategies for generating lungs in large animals to enable modeling of human lung disease as well as cell-based therapeutic interventions4-6.

CD150high CD4 T cells and CD150high regulatory T cells regulate hematopoietic stem cell quiescence via CD73

Various extrinsic signals tightly control hematopoietic stem cell quiescence. Our recent study showed that hematopoietic stem cells are regulated by a special FoxP3+ regulatory T-cell population with high expression of a hematopoietic stem cell marker, CD150. Extracellular adenosine generated via a cell-surface ectoenzyme CD39 on CD150high regulatory T cells maintained hematopoietic stem cell quiescence. It remains unclear how conventional T cells and the other cell-surface ectoenzyme, CD73, contribute to regulation of hematopoietic stem cells. This work shows that CD150high regulatory T cells as well as unique CD150high CD4+ conventional T cells regulate hematopoietic stem cells via CD73. Global CD73 deletion increased the numbers of hematopoietic stem cells, cycling stem cell frequencies, and levels of reactive oxygen species in hematopoietic stem cells. In vivo antioxidant treatment inhibited the increase of hematopoietic stem cells in CD73 knockout mice, suggesting that CD73 maintains stem cell quiescence by preventing oxidative stress. High levels of CD73 expression were frequently found on CD150high regulatory T cells and CD150high FoxP3-CD4+ T cells within the bone marrow. Transfer of these CD150high regulatory T cells and CD150high CD4+ conventional T cells abolished the increase of hematopoietic stem cells in CD73 knockout mice. In addition, the increase of stem cells in CD73 knockout mice was also inhibited by pharmacological activation of adenosine receptor 2A which is highly expressed by hematopoietic stem cells. Taken together, these results suggest that CD73 of CD150high regulatory T cells and CD150high CD4+ conventional T cells protects hematopoietic stem cells from oxidative stress, maintaining stem cell quiescence via adenosine receptor 2A.

DGC-specific RHOA mutations maintained cancer cell survival and promoted cell migration via ROCK inactivation

RHOA missense mutations exist specifically in diffuse type gastric cancers (DGC) and are considered one of the DGC driver genes, but it is not fully understood how RHOA mutations contribute to DGC development. Here we examined how RHOA mutations affect cancer cell survival and cell motility. We revealed that cell survival was maintained by specific mutation sites, namely G17, Y42, and L57. Because these functional mutations suppressed MLC2 phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation, we realized they act in a dominant-negative fashion against the ROCK pathway. Through the same inactivating mechanism that maintained cell survival, RHOA mutations also increased cell migration activity. Cell survival and migration studies on CLDN18-ARHGAP (CLG) fusions, which are known to be mutually exclusive to RHOA mutations, showed that CLG fusions complemented cell survival under RHOA knockdown condition and also induced cell migration. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis revealed the importance of the GAP domain and indicated that CLG fusions maintained RHOA in the inactive form. Taken together, these findings show that the inactivation of ROCK would be a key step in DGC development, so ROCK activation might provide novel therapeutic opportunities.

Immunogenetic Profiling for Gastric Cancers Identifies Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans as Major and Functional B Cell Antigens in Human Malignancies

Recent successes in tumor immunotherapies have highlighted the importance of tumor immunity. However, most of the work conducted to date has been on T cell immunity, while the role of B cell immunity in cancer remains more elusive. In this study, immunogenetic repertoire profiling for tumor-infiltrating B and T cells in gastric cancers was carried out to help reveal the architecture of B cell immunity in cancer. Humoral immunity in cancer was shown to involve oligoclonal expansions of tumor-specific and private B cell repertoires. We find that B cell repertoires in cancer are shaped by somatic hypermutation (SHM) either with or without positive selection biases, the latter of which tended to be auto-reactive. Importantly, we identified sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as major functional B cell antigens among gastric tumors. Furthermore, natural anti-sulfated GAG antibodies discovered in gastric cancer tissues showed robust growth-suppressive functions against a wide variety of human malignancies of various organs.

RHOA mutation in diffuse-type gastric cancer: a comparative clinicopathology analysis of 87 cases

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have discovered recurrent RHOA mutations in diffuse-type gastric cancers. These reports show mutant RhoA is an important cancer driver and is a potential therapeutic target. This study aims to investigate the clinicopathological features of diffuse-type gastric cancers with RHOA mutation.

METHODS

We performed a thorough review of 87 diffuse-type gastric cancers, including 22 RHOA-mutated and 65 RHOA wild-type gastric cancers.

RESULTS

Most advanced tumors with RHOA mutation appeared as Borrmann type 3 lesions (81 %) developing in the middle (50 %) or distal (32 %) third of the stomach. Histologically, although all of the tumors were predominantly or exclusively composed of poorly cohesive carcinoma, limited tubular differentiation was also observed in 73 % of the RHOA-mutated tumors. Notably, RHOA-mutated tumors more frequently showed a permeative growth pattern at the edge of the mucosal area (59 %) compared with RHOA wild-type tumors (29 %, P = 0.0202). Additionally, the size ratios of the deeply invasive components to the mucosal components were significantly lower in RHOA-mutated tumors [less than 1.45 (median) in 68 % of cases] than in RHOA wild-type tumors (less than 1.45 in 42 % of cases, P = 0.0482). RHOA mutation did not significantly impact survival in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that RHOA mutation may be associated with the growth patterns of diffuse-type gastric cancer but have a limited prognostic impact in isolation. Further studies, including analyses of the other alterations involving the RhoA pathways, such as CLDN18-ARHGAP fusion, as well as functional studies of mutant RhoA, are necessary to clarify the significance of alterations in the RhoA-signaling pathway in diffuse-type gastric cancers.

Recurrent gain-of-function mutations of RHOA in diffuse-type gastric carcinoma

Diffuse-type gastric carcinoma (DGC) is characterized by a highly malignant phenotype with prominent infiltration and stromal induction. We performed whole-exome sequencing on 30 DGC cases and found recurrent RHOA nonsynonymous mutations. With validation sequencing of an additional 57 cases, RHOA mutation was observed in 25.3% (22/87) of DGCs, with mutational hotspots affecting the Tyr42, Arg5 and Gly17 residues in RHOA protein. These positions are highly conserved among RHO family members, and Tyr42 and Arg5 are located outside the guanine nucleotide-binding pocket. Several lines of functional evidence indicated that mutant RHOA works in a gain-of-function manner. Comparison of mutational profiles for the major gastric cancer subtypes showed that RHOA mutations occur specifically in DGCs, the majority of which were histopathologically characterized by the presence of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas together with more differentiated components in the gastric mucosa. Our findings identify a potential therapeutic target for this poor-prognosis subtype of gastric cancer with no available molecularly targeted drugs.

Abstract 2982: Reduced expression of histone demethylase KDM6B promotes pancreatic cancer progression through downregulation of C/EBPα

It has become increasingly clear that epigenetic aberrations are involved in the pathogenesis of various cancer. In pancreatic cancer, however, the implication of epigenetic alteration remains elusive. In our screening analysis for epigenetic regulators that affect the phenotype of pancreatic cancer, we identified KDM6B/JMJD3, a H3K27me3 demethylase, as a candidate gene. KDM6B/JMJD3 activates INK4a/ARF locus during oncogene-induced senescence, thus it is supposed to suppress tumorigenesis; however, its role in established cancer remains unclear. In this study, our aim is to clarify the role of KDM6B in the progression of pancreatic cancer and to understand the underlying mechanisms.

We generated pancreatic cancer cell lines stably knocked down for KDM6B by shRNAs. Matrigel invasion assay, soft agar colony formation assay, tumor sphere formation assay revealed increased invasiveness, anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenicity of KDM6B-knockdown (KD) cells, respectively. To confirm these phenotypic changes in vivo, these cells were xenotransplanted into nude mice. In intrasplenic injection experiments, mice injected with KDM6B-KD cells showed significantly shorter survival. When tumor cells were orthotopically implanted into the pancreas, mice injected with KDM6B-KD cells developed massive peritoneal dissemination with hemorrhagic ascites, while no mice injected with control cells developed peritoneal dissemination.

To identify genes responsible for the phenotypic change, we performed cDNA microarray analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant expression change of C/EBP-target genes upon KDM6B ablation. Among the C/EBP transcription family members, the downregulation of CEBPA, a putative tumor suppressor gene, was confirmed in KDM6B-KD cells. ChIP assay showed specific increase of H3K27me3 levels in the upstream region of CEBPA gene after KDM6B depletion. Notably, enforced expression of CEBPA rescued the increased invasiveness and tumorigenicity of KDM6B-KD cells, indicating that reduction of KDM6B expression in pancreatic cancer enhances its aggressiveness through downregulation of C/EBPα.

Notably, we identified a cell surface protein reflective of KDM6B expression and tumorigenic potential of pancreatic cancer cells; flow cytometry analysis revealed that cells with higher expression of this molecule expressed lower KDM6B and showed increased tumorigenicity. Immunohistochemical analysis of pancreatic cancer specimen showed a positive correlation between this marker expression and tumor grade, while KDM6B and C/EBPα expression was seldom observed in high grade tumor.

Collectively, these data suggest a role for the KDM6B-CEBPA axis in the regulation of tumorigenictiy of pancreatic cancer cells, providing a link between epigenetic change and pancreatic cancer progression.

Citation Format: Keisuke Yamamoto, Keisuke Tateishi, Yotaro Kudo, Miwako Kakiuchi, Shinzo Yamamoto, Koji Miyabayashi, Yoshinari Asaoka, Hideaki Ijichi, Masao Omata, Kazuhiko Koike. Reduced expression of histone demethylase KDM6B promotes pancreatic cancer progression through downregulation of C/EBPα. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2982. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2982

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Intraoperative blood loss during cervical laminoplasty correlates with the vertebral intraosseous pressure

The systemic arterial pressure has been used as a guide for determining the susceptibility to surgical bleeding during controlled hypotensive anaesthesia. Arterial hypotension is not, however, necessarily accompanied by venous or intraosseous hypotension. The main source of bleeding during posterior spinal surgery is the bone and is venous rather than arterial.

The intraoperative blood loss, the intraosseous pressure (IOP) within the first thoracic vertebral body, and the systemic arterial pressure were measured in 27 patients during cervical laminoplasty for spondylotic myelopathy. The intraoperative blood loss correlated significantly with the vertebral IOP (p = 0.0073, r = 0.499), but not with systemic arterial pressure, age, or body-weight. The systemic arterial pressure did not correlate with the vertebral IOP. The mean value of the mean arterial pressure throughout the operation varied between 74 and 110 mmHg.

The findings suggest that the vertebral IOP parallels surgical bleeding during posterior spinal surgery under normotensive anaesthesia and that patients with a low arterial pressure do not necessarily have a low IOP.

Intraoperative blood loss during cervical laminoplasty correlates with the vertebral intraosseous pressure

The systemic arterial pressure has been used as a guide for determining the susceptibility to surgical bleeding during controlled hypotensive anaesthesia. Arterial hypotension is not, however, necessarily accompanied by venous or intraosseous hypotension. The main source of bleeding during posterior spinal surgery is the bone and is venous rather than arterial. The intraoperative blood loss, the intraosseous pressure (IOP) within the first thoracic vertebral body, and the systemic arterial pressure were measured in 27 patients during cervical laminoplasty for spondylotic myelopathy. The intraoperative blood loss correlated significantly with the vertebral IOP (p = 0.0073, r = 0.499), but not with systemic arterial pressure, age, or body-weight. The systemic arterial pressure did not correlate with the vertebral IOP. The mean value of the mean arterial pressure throughout the operation varied between 74 and 110 mmHg. The findings suggest that the vertebral IOP parallels surgical bleeding during posterior spinal surgery under normotensive anaesthesia and that patients with a low arterial pressure do not necessarily have a low IOP.

Extended posture of lumbar spine precipitating cauda equina compression arising from a postoperative epidural clot

We report a patient with nonoperatively treated acute cauda equina compression arising from an epidural clot that developed after decompressive surgery for lumbar canal stenosis. A 43-year-old woman underwent lumbar laminotomy, and was symptom-free for 3 hours; but this was followed by paresis. Postoperative myelography showed obstruction of the contrast column at the level of the laminotomy; this was relieved by hyperflexion of the lumbar spine. With sustained hyperflexion of the lumbar spine, all neurologic deficits were completely resolved within 5 days. Lumbar lordosis may be present when a patient lies in the supine position on a flat bed with the hips and knees extended; this may exacerbate dural constriction caused by an epidural clot following posterior lumbar spinal surgery.

Dose-dependent inversion of the effect of prostaglandin E1 on intraosseous pressure: adequate dose for reducing blood loss during operation on bone

Tibial intraosseous pressure and blood flow, along with arterial pressure, were measured in anesthetized rabbits before and during intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 at doses of 0, 100, 300, 1000, and 2000 ng/kg per min. The mean arterial pressure decreased dose-dependently. The intra-osseous pressure increased during infusion at doses of 300 and 1000 ng/kg per min, but decreased during infusion at the dose of 2000 ng/kg per min. Bone blood flow increased during infusion only at a dose of 1000 ng/kg per min. Calculated vascular and arteriolar resistances in bone decreased dose-dependently during infusion at doses of up to 1000 ng/kg per min, but no change was seen when the dose was increased from 1000 to 2000 ng/kg per min. These findings indicated that: (1) there was a turning point in the effect of prostaglandin E1 at a certain dose between 1000 and 2000 ng/kg per min, at which the arterioles in bone were fully dilated; (2) at a dose of 1000 ng/kg per min or lower, responsive dilatation in the arterioles of bone under mild arterial hypotension increased the influx of blood into the bone, thereby increasing the intraosseous pressure; and (3) at doses higher than 1000 ng/kg per min, dose-dependent arterial hypotension without further dilatation in the arterioles of bone decreased the influx of blood.

Central nervous system effects of the novel antiallergic agent HSR-609 and typical antiallergic agents using behavioral and electroencephalographic analyses in dogs

We studied the central nervous system (CNS) effects of 3-[4-(8-fluoro-5, 11-dihydrobenz[b] oxepino[4, 3-b]pyridin-11-ylidene)piperidino]propionic acid dihydrate (HSR-609), a novel amphoteric antiallergic agent having antihistaminic activity. Its effects on gross behavior, spontaneous electroencephalograms (EEG) and some pharmacological parameters of unanesthetized, unrestrained dogs with chronic indwelling brain electrodes after oral administration were compared with typical antiallergic agents and 8-fluoro-5, 11-dihydro-11-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)benz[b] oxepino[4,3-b]pyridine (PY-608), a non-amphoteric basic compound having a similar chemical structure to HSR-609. HSR-609 (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg) and terfenadine (100 mg/kg) had no effect on the behavior, EEG patterns, sleep-wakefulness cycles or EEG power spectrum. Cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg), ketotifen (30 mg/kg) and PY-608 (10 mg/kg) increased slow waves with high amplitude in all EEG leads and caused dissociation between the slowing of EEG and waking behavior. Both azelastine (30 mg/kg) and oxatomide (100 mg/kg) caused generalized seizure discharges accompanied by agitation with the former and sedation with the latter. These findings suggest that observations of behavior and EEG in conscious dogs can be useful for clarifying the pharmacological characteristics of various antiallergic agents on the CNS. We were able to show that HSR-609 has no effect on the behavior and EEG of dogs because of its amphoteric chemical structure.

Cloning and DNA sequencing of the genes encoding Clostridium josui scaffolding protein CipA and cellulase CelD and identification of their gene products as major components of the cellulosome

The Clostridium josui cipA and celD genes, encoding a scaffolding-like protein (CipA) and a putative cellulase (CelD), respectively, have been cloned and sequenced. CipA, with an estimated molecular weight of 120,227, consists of an N-terminal signal peptide, a cellulose-binding domain of family III, and six successive cohesin domains. The molecular architecture of C. josui CipA is similar to those of the scaffolding proteins reported so far, such as Clostridium thermocellum CipA, Clostridium cellulovorans CbpA, and Clostridium cellulolyticum CipC, but C. josui CipA is considerably smaller than the other scaffolding proteins. CelD consists of an N-terminal signal peptide, a family 48 catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolase, and a dockerin domain. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the C. josui cellulosomal proteins indicates that both CipA and CelD are major components of the cellulosome.

Defatted, gas-sterilised cortical bone allograft for posterior lumbar interbody vertebral fusion

In posterior lumbar interbody vertebral fusion operations, variously sized, rectangular shaped, defatted, freeze-dried, gas-sterilised cortical bone allografts were used in combination with cancellous bone autografts from excised posterior elements. Single-level fusion, with or without internal fixation, was undertaken in 38 patients aged 50 years or less with disc herniation or a failed discectomy (the younger group) and in 33 women aged 60 years or more with degenerative spondylolisthesis (the older group). Of the various observable indicators of union, changes in the allograft-host interface alone proved to be of practical use. The incidence of nonunion in patients managed with pedicle screws, with a hook and rod system or without internal fixation was 0 of 8 patients; 1 of 14 patients; and 3 of 16 patients, respectively, in the younger group, and 0 of 11 patients; 0 of 8 patients; and 2 of 14 patients, respectively, in the older group. Of the six patients with nonunion, three had persistent low back pain and only two had mobility of the fused segment which was evident on lateral radiographs during flexion and extension. No patient had graft collapse. The decrease in the height of the intervertebral space, chiefly due to settlement of the allograft into the vertebral bodies, in the younger and older groups averaged 1.1 and 1.6 mm, respectively. We concluded that this simplified technique is mechanically sound and effective in maintaining the height of the intervertebral space. Even when the graft failed to unite, fibrous union could be obtained without graft collapse. Combination with a simple internal fixator, such as a compression rod, facilitates bone union.

Pharmacological studies on the novel antiallergic agent HSR-609: its effects on behavior in mice and electroencephalograms in rabbits

We studied the central nervous system (CNS) effects of HSR-609 (3-[4-(8-fluoro-5,11-dihydrobenz[b]oxepino[4,3-b]pyridin-11- ylidene) piperidino]propionic acid dihydrate), a novel amphoteric antiallergic agent having antihistaminic activity. Its effects on the behavior of mice and the electroencephalograms (EEG) of unanesthetized and unrestrained rabbits after oral administration were compared with those of typical antiallergic agents and the non-amphoteric basic compound PY-608 (8-fluoro-5,11-dihydro-11-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)benz [b]oxepino[4,3-b]pyridine), which has chemical structure similar to that of HSR-609. HSR-609 (3-300 mg/kg) had no effect on general behavior, spontaneous locomotor activity, hexobarbital-induced sleeping time and reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice. HSR-609 (10-100 mg/kg) and terfenadine (100 mg/kg) had no effect on spontaneous EEG, sleep-wakefulness cycles and EEG power spectra in rabbits. On the other hand, cyproheptadine (3-30 mg/kg), ketotifen (30-100 mg/kg) and PY-608 (0.3-100 mg/kg) caused increases and/or decreases of spontaneous locomotor activity, prolongation of hexobarbital-induced sleeping time and antagonistic effects on reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice. These agents (30 mg/kg) increased slow wave sleep and enhanced EEG power spectra at low frequency bands such as delta and theta in rabbits. These findings suggest that HSR-609 has no inhibitory effect on the CNS due to its amphoteric chemical structure.

Repair of the defect in spondylolysis. Durable fixation with pedicle screws and laminar hooks

Direct repair of a defect in the pars interarticularis was performed with use of bone-grafting and internal fixation with a pedicle screw, rod, and laminar hook in order to achieve a higher prevalence of osseous union than that achieved with commonly used procedures. The configuration of the head of the screw, which is designed to allow it to connect with the rod at the necessary angle, simplified the placement of the rod. The procedure was performed in sixteen patients who had a bilateral defect of the pars interarticularis with or without grade-I or II spondylolisthesis, had had failure of non-operative treatment, and had had temporary relief of pain after the area of the defect in the pars interarticularis had been infiltrated with lidocaine. Concomitant degeneration of a disc was not a criterion for exclusion. The patients were followed for an average of twenty-five months (range, twenty-four to twenty-eight months). The average age at the time of the operation was thirty-two years (range, twelve to sixty years). Six patients had findings of nerve-root compression on myelography with computerized tomographic scanning, and the bone spurs overlying the affected nerve root around the defect in the pars interarticularis were removed with an ultrasonic osteotome through a small window. The implant was removed about one year after the operation. Oblique radiographs showed osseous union in the previous defect bilaterally in all sixteen patients. Thirteen patients were free of symptoms, and three had major improvement with occasional low-back pain. None had a complication, such as infection, breakage of the implant, or irritation of a nerve root. The method used for direct repair of the defect of the pars interarticularis in these patients proved to be simple and effective. Relief of symptoms appeared to depend on decompression of the affected nerve root, if one was involved, and on preoperative prediction of the locus of the symptoms by infiltration of the pars interarticularis with lidocaine.

Reduction of blood loss during spinal surgery by epidural blockade under normotensive general anesthesia

STUDY DESIGN

This study consisted of a comparison of intraoperative blood loss during posterior spins surgery under normotensive general anesthesia with and without epidural blockade, and a hemodynamic study after epidural injection.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of epidural blockade in reducing blood loss and intraosseous pressure in the vertebral body.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Epidural anesthesia is effective in reducing surgical bleeding. This effect has been thought to be due to systemic arterial hypotension. There was no report on its effect on venous pressure or intraosseous pressure.

METHODS

In comparison of blood loss epidural blockade was achieved by preincisional caudal epidural injection of 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine during cervical laminoplasty or posterior lumbar interbody fusion. For each surgical procedure, there were 20 patients who received epidural blockade and 20 who did not. In a hemodynamic study, intraosseous pressure in the second thoracic or the second or third lumbar vertebral body, intraosseous pressure in the calcaneus, and systemic arterial blood pressure were measured continuously before and after the caudal epidural injection of 20 ml of 1% lidocaine during posterior cervical or lumbar spine surgery in 42 patients.

RESULTS

Total and hourly intraoperative blood loss during posterior lumbar interbody fusion was significantly less in the group with blockade than in the group without blockade, but the values during cervical laminoplasty showed no significant difference between the two groups. The lumbar vertebral intraosseous pressure decreased significantly after epidural injection, whereas the second thoracic vertebral and the calcaneal in traosseous pressure did not decrease significantly. The ratio of lumbar vertebral intraosseous pressure to arterial pressure decreased continuously after epidural injection, whereas the ratio of the calcaneal intraosseous pressure to arterial pressure transiently increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The epidural blockade reduces intraoperative bleeding, even under normotensive conditions, and it takes effect in the lumbar spine, but not in the upper thoracic or cervical spine. This effect appears to be due chiefly to venous hypotension in the lumbar spine, which may be created by sympathetic blockade, with arteriolar dilatation and venous pooling in the lower limbs and reactive vasoconstriction in the lumbar vertebrae.

Studies on the novel antiallergic agent HSR-609: its penetration into the central nervous system in mice and guinea pigs and its selectivity for the histamine H1-receptor

We studied the pharmacological characteristics of HSR-609 (3-[4-(8-fluoro-5,11-dihydrobenz[b]oxepino[4,3-b]pyridin-11- ylidene)- piperidino]propionic acid dihydrate), a novel amphoteric antiallergic agent, on the central nervous system (CNS). Its selectivity for the histamine H1-receptor and its ability to penetrate into the CNS were compared with those of typical antiallergic agents and the nonamphoteric basic compound PY-608 (8-fluoro-5,11-dihydro-11-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)benz[b]oxe pino- [4,3-b]pyridine), which has a chemical structure similar to that of HSR-609. In the in vitro study, HSR-609 had a high affinity for H1-receptors in the guinea pig cerebral cortex in comparison to affinities for muscarinic and serotonin 5-HT2-receptors in the rat cerebral cortex, while the selectivity of PY-608 for the H1-receptor was low. The inhibitory effects of these antiallergic agents on histamine-induced increase of vascular permeability in mice (ED50) were compared with the displacement of [3H]mepyramine binding to H1-receptors in mouse brain ex vivo (ID50). The ID50/ED50 ratio of HSR-609 was much larger than those of cyproheptadine, ketotifen and PY-608 and larger than those of terfenadine and cetirizine. HSR-609 was found to display selective displacement of the [3H]mepyramine binding to H1-receptors for lung vs cerebral cortex as found with terfenadine in guinea pigs ex vivo. These findings suggest that HSR-609 has high selectivity for the H1-receptor and poor ability to penetrate into the CNS in mice and guinea pigs due to its amphoteric chemical structure.

Pre-incisional caudal epidural blockade and the relief of pain after lumbar spine operations

We report the effect of pre-incisional caudal epidural injection of a mixture of 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and 0.1 mg buprenorphine performed under general anaesthesia for relieving wound pain after posterior interbody fusion and laminotomy for spinal stenosis. Pain was compared in groups with and without blockade: 24 and 23 patients with fusion, and 30 and 28 with laminotomy respectively. In the first 12 h after each operation, the group with blockade required additional analgesics less frequently and had a lower visual analogue scale score than those without blockade. In, and after, the second 24 h patients with hypotension of 10 mm Hg, or more, after the blockade required additional analgesics less frequently than those without blockade for both operations and had a lower visual analogue score than those without blockade for laminotomy, but not for fusion. This is a simple procedure for relieving wound pain and in patients with hypotension caused by the block, the effect continued even after the analgesic action had disappeared.

Studies on quinolone antibacterials. V. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of chiral 5-amino-7-(4-substituted-3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl)-6- fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids and derivatives

We previously demonstrated that 5-amino-7-(3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl) -1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-8-methyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (7) has strong in vitro antibacterial activity even against quinolone-resistant bacteria. We examined optimization of the 3-aminopyrrolidine moiety of 7 by introduction of C-alkyl (Me, Et, Pr, di-Me, cyclopropyl) and N-alkyl groups (Me, di-Me). C-Alkylation at the 4-position of the 3-aminopyrrolidine moiety enhanced in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity. (S)-5-Amino-7-(7-amino-5-azaspiro[2.4]hept-5-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-pyr rolidinyl) -1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (15b) showed strong antibacterial activity (in vitro antibacterial activity including quinolone-resistant bacteria is 4 times more potent than that of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) (1); in vivo antibacterial activity is 1.5 to 20 times more potent than that of CPFX (1)) and reduced quinolone toxicity (free from both phototoxicity at a dosage of 30 mg/kg in guinea pigs (i.v.) and convulsion when coadministered with 4-biphenylacetic acid at a dosage of 20 micrograms in rats (i.c.v.)). Their selectivity between DNA topoisomerase II (derived from eukaryotic cells) and DNA gyrase (derived from bacterial cells) was about 3000-fold.

Preparation of bank bone using defatting, freeze-drying and sterilisation with ethylene oxide gas. Part 1. Experimental evaluation of its efficacy and safety

We devised a method of sterilising bone allografts which consists of defatting in chloroform and methanol, freeze-drying and sterilisation with ethylene oxide gas. The purpose of defatting and freeze-drying was to facilitate subsequent sterilisation by eliminating the barrier to diffusion of the gas into bone, to lower residual levels of ethylene oxide and its toxic by-products, to eliminate alloantigens and to make storage possible at room temperature. The efficacy and safety of the method were evaluated by testing the sterilisation of infected bone from 6 patients with active chronic osteomyelitis, the penetration of ethylene oxide into human femoral heads treated by this or by freeze-drying or freeze-thawing, and the desorption of ethylene oxide and its toxic by-products from pieces of bone treated by these methods. All the samples of infected bone tested negative for bacteria after treatment. The gas penetrated into the central area of the femoral heads in a few hours. Residual levels of ethylene oxide and its toxic by-products were much lower in the treated bone than in freeze-dried or freeze-thawed bone, and decreased quickly in flowing air. Prior defatting and freeze-drying facilitated penetration of ethylene oxide into bone during sterilisation and the desorption of ethylene oxide and its toxic by-products after sterilisation. Preparation under clean, but not sterile, conditions and storage at room temperature make bone banking more practical and efficient.

Preparation of bank bone using defatting, freeze-drying and sterilisation with ethylene oxide gas. Part 2. Clinical evaluation of its efficacy and safety

We used bone allograft treated by defatting in chloroform and methanol, freeze-drying and sterilisation with ethylene oxide gas in operations on 396 patients. The purpose of defatting and freeze-drying is to facilitate subsequent sterilisation by eliminating a barrier to the diffusion of ethylene oxide gas into bone, to lower the residual levels of the ethylene oxide and its toxic by-products after sterilisation, to eliminate alloantigens and to make storage at room temperature possible. Postoperative infections confirmed by a positive bacterial culture occurred in 2 of the 396 patients receiving the allograft, which was prepared under clean, but not sterile, conditions, one of which was thought to be due to dehiscence of the wound, rather than to the allograft. There were also 3 probable infections. Histological sections of the area around the interface of the allograft and its bony bed showed: (1) osteoblasts lining the surface of the dead cortical bone of the graft with appositional new bone; (2) ingrowth of new bone into the Haversian canals, and (3) little infiltration of inflammatory small round cells. These findings indicated the ability of the bone to support new bone formation and to eliminate antigens. The low incidence of infection confirmed the efficacy of this method of sterilisation.

Studies on quinolone antibacterials. IV. Structure-activity relationships of antibacterial activity and side effects for 5- or 8-substituted and 5,8-disubstituted-7-(3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-cyclopropyl-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids

A series of 7-(3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-4- oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids bearing various substituents (H, F, C1, Me, OH, OMe, OEt, OCH2F, OCHF2, OCF3, SMe) at the C-8 position was prepared and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against both standard laboratory strains and bacteria resistant to quinolones such as ciprofloxacin (CPFX, 1) and ofloxacin (OFLX, 2) from clinical isolates. The 8-methyl (8a), 8-fluoro (9a), 8-chloro (10a) and 8-methoxy (12a) compounds were 4 times more potent than CPFX (1) against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. But these four compounds caused injury to the chromosomes of mammalian cells at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml. Next, a series of quinolones having various substituents (H, C1, Me, NH2, NHMe, NMe2) at the C-5 position was prepared and evaluated for antibacterial activity and injurious effect on the chromosome. We found that the 5-amino-8-methyl compound (8d) showed strong antibacterial activity (in vitro antibacterial activity of 8d is 4 times more potent than that of CPFX (1) against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria), reduced injury to the chromosome, and reduced quinolone-type toxicity (free from both phototoxicity at a dosage of 30 mg/kg in guinea pigs (i.v.) and convulsion-inducing activity when coadministered with fenbufen at dosage of 100 mg/kg in mice (i.p.)).

Amino acids and peptides. XXVII. Solid phase synthesis of fibrinogen-related peptides with disulfide bond formed on solid support

Fibrinogen-related peptides, monomeric cyclic peptides through a disulfide bond [cyclo(H-Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe-Cys-NH2), cyclo(H-Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe-Cys-Gly-NH2), cyclo(H-Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Cys-NH2) and cyclo(H-Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Cys-Gly-NH2)], were prepared by the solid phase method with disulfide bond formation on the solid support. The acetamidomethyl group was used for protection of the thiol group of Cys and synthetic peptide-resins were treated with iodine to give the disulfide bond. Monomeric cyclic peptides were obtained as main products. Purified S-acetamidomethylated peptides were also oxidized with iodine, but the desired materials could not be isolated by HPLC. The disulfide formation from S-acetamidomethylcysteine-containing peptide resin by iodine treatment on the solid support was more effective than that from S-acetamidomethylcysteine-containing peptide. The inhibitory effect of the cyclic peptides on platelet aggregation were much more potent than that of H-Arg-Gly-Asp-NH2.

Amino acids and peptides. XXVI. Laminin-related peptide poly(ethylene glycol) hybrids and their inhibitory effect on experimental metastasis

Laminin-related peptide poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid, Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-aminopoly(ethylene glycol) was prepared by the solution method and carboxylated poly(ethylene glycol)-Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg was prepared by the solid phase method. Their inhibitory effects on experimental tumor metastasis were examined in mice. The inhibitory effect of Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg was significantly potentiated by hybrid formation with poly(ethylene glycol) either at amino- or carboxyl terminals of the peptide. Of the hybrids, Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-amino(polyethylene glycol) #6000 hybrid exhibited about 10 times more potent anti-metastatic effect than the peptide itself. The inhibitory effect of a mixture of the carboxylated poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid and Arg-Gly-Asp-aminopoly(ethylene glycol) hybrid also exhibited an inhibitory effect.

A combined open and percutaneous technique for repair of tendo Achillis. Comparison with open repair

A combined open and percutaneous operative technique has been devised for repair of tendo Achillis. This minimises postoperative scarring. We compared the long-term results of 12 patients treated by this method with the results of 10 who had undergone an open repair. The combined open and percutaneous repair gave significantly better relief of symptoms during everyday activities (p < 0.05), better single-limb hopping (p < 0.02) and a greater chance of returning to sport (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two treatments as regards to active range of ankle motion, calf circumference or the ability to stand on tiptoe. The new technique gave better cosmetic results.

Spinal cord blood flow during prostaglandin E1 induced hypotension

To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) induced hypotension on spinal blood flow (SBF) during spinal surgery, SBF was measured under isoflurane anaesthesia by the heat clearance method in 10 patients with spinal tumour. An initial dose of 0.1 microgram/kg/min of PGE1 was administered intravenously after spinal opening and the dose was adjusted to maintain the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at about 60 mmHg. PGE1 was discontinued at the completion of the operative produces. After starting PGE1, MAP and rate pressure product (RPP) decreased significantly compared with preinfusion values (P < 0.01), and the hypotensive effect of PGE1 remained constant at 60 min after its discontinuation. Heart rate (HR) did not change throughout the study. SBF showed no change over the course of PGE1 induced hypotension (preinfusion: 47.8 +/- 21.7 ml/100 g/min, at 15 min: 41.2 +/- 16.9 ml/100 g/min, at 30 min: 40.4 +/- 16.8 ml/100 g/min, and at 60 min: 46.1 +/- 16.3 ml/100 g/min, respectively). These results suggest that PGE1 may be a useful drug for hypotensive anaesthesia in surgery for spinal cord tumours because PGE1 maintained SBF.

Epidural blood flow during prostaglandin E1 or trimethaphan induced hypotension

To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or trimethaphan (TMP) induced hypotension on epidural blood flow (EBF) during spinal surgery, EBF was measured using the heat clearance method in 30 patients who underwent postero-lateral interbody fusion under isoflurane anaesthesia. An initial dose of 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 of PGE1 (15 patients), or 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 of TMP (15 patients) was administered intravenously after the dural opening and the dose was adjusted to maintain the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at about 60 mmHg. The hypotensive drug was discontinued at the completion of the operative procedure. After starting PGE1 or TMP, MAP and rate pressure product (RPP) decreased significantly compared with preinfusion values (P < 0.01), and the degree of hypotension due to PGE1 remained constant until 60 min after its discontinuation. Heart rate (HR) did not change in either group. EBF did not change during PGE1 infusion whereas in the TMP group, EBF decreased significantly at 30 min and 60 min after the start of TMP (preinfusion: 45.9 +/- 13.9 ml/100 g/min. 30 min: 32.3 +/- 9.9 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05). 60 min: 30 +/- 7.5 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PGE1 may be preferable to TMP for hypotensive anaesthesia in spinal surgery because TMP decreased EBF.

[Studies on zwitter-ionization of drugs. III. Synthesis and pharmacological activities of N-alkylcarboxylic acid derivatives of 1,2,3,4,10,14b-Hexahydrodibenzo[c,f]-pyrazino[1,2-a]azepine and 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-dibenzo[3,4: 6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-c]pyridine]

The N-alkylcarboxylic acids of 1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydrodibenzo[c,f]pyrazino[1,2-alpha]az epi ne (6a) and 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-dibenzo[3,4: 6,7]cyclohepta[1,2- c]pyridine (6b) were synthesized and examined for pharmacological activities in vitro: an inhibitory effect on the monoamine [noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] uptake into the rat crude synaptosome, an inhibitory effect on the 5-HT- and NA-induced contraction in the isolated rabbit aorta and on the histamine- and acetylcholine-induced contraction in the isolated guinea-pig ileum, and binding affinity for alpha 2-adrenoceptor and D2-receptor. The in vitro tests indicated that zwitter-ionization was capable of maintaining antihistaminic activity while greatly reducing other pharmacological activities such as effects on central nervous system. 3-[2,3,4,9-Tetrahydro-1H-dibenzo[3,4: 6,7]cyclohepta[1,2- c]pyridin-2-yl]propionic acid (6b-2), selected as a candidate antiallergic agent having equally potent activities in rats and guinea-pigs, exhibited strong inhibitory effects on 48 h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats (ED50 = 0.012 mg/kg, p.o.) and on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in anesthetized guinea-pigs (ED50 = 0.0088 mg/kg, p.o.).

Study on zwitter-ionization of drugs. II. Synthesis and pharmacological activity of some N-[3-(5H-dibenzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene) propyl]-N-methylamino- and N-[3-(6H-dibenz[b, e]oxepin-11-ylidene) propyl]-N-methylamino-alkanoic acid derivatives and related compounds

A series of N-[3-(5H-dibenzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)propyl]-N-methylamino- (6a) and N-[3-(6H-dibenz-[b, e]oxepin-11-ylidene)propyl]-N-methylamino-alkanoic acid derivatives (6b) and related compounds (6c-f) were synthesized and examined for pharmacological activities in vitro, i.e., inhibitory effect on monoamine [noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] uptake, inhibitory effect on 5-HT-, histamine-, acetylcholine- and NA-induced contraction, and binding affinity for alpha 2-adrenoceptor and dopamine D2-receptor. In vitro tests indicated that zwitter-ionization was capable of maintaining H1-antihistaminic activity while greatly reducing other pharmacological activities. Further, 6a-f showed much stronger inhibitory effects on compound 48/80-induced lethality in rats than did the corresponding N,N-dimethylamines (2a-f). 3-[N-[3-(6H-Dibenz[b, e]oxepin-11-ylidene)propyl]-N-methylamino]- propionic acid (6b-2), selected as a candidate antiallergic agent of a new type, equally potent in rats and guinea-pigs, exhibited strong inhibitory effects on 48 h homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats (ED50 = 0.019 mg/kg, p.o.) and on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in anesthetized guinea-pigs (ED50 = 0.0067 mg/kg, p.o.).

Epidural blood flow during prostaglandin E1 or trimethaphan induced hypotension

To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or trimethaphan (TMP) induced hypotension on epidural blood flow (EBF) during spinal surgery, EBF was measured using the heat clearance method in 30 patients who underwent postero-lateral interbody fusion under isoflurane anaesthesia. An initial dose of 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 of PGE1 (15 patients), or 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 of TMP (15 patients) was administered intravenously after the dural opening and the dose was adjusted to maintain the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at about 60 mmHg. The hypotensive drug was discontinued at the completion of the operative procedure. After starting PGE1 or TMP, MAP and rate pressure product (RPP) decreased significantly compared with preinfusion values (P < 0.01), and the degree of hypotension due to PGE1 remained constant until 60 min after its discontinuation. Heart rate (HR) did not change in either group. EBFF did not change during PGE1 infusion whereas in the TMP group, EBF decreased significantly at 30 and 60 min after the start of TMP (preinfusion: 45.9 +/- 13.9 ml/100g/min. 30 min: 32.3 +/- 9.9 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05). 60 min: 30 +/- 7.5 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05)). These results suggest that PGE1 may be preferable to TMP for hypotensive anaesthesia in spinal surgery because TMP decreased EBF.

Effects of alkyl substitutions of xanthine skeleton on bronchodilation

Structure-activity relationships in a series of 1,3,7-trialkyl-xanthine were studied with guinea pigs. Relaxant actions in the tracheal muscle were increased with alkyl chain length at the 1- and 3-positions of the xanthine skeleton, but decreased by alkylation at the 7-position. Positive chronotropic actions in the right atrium were potentiated with 3-alkyl chain length but tended to decrease with 1-alkylation and diminish by 7-substitution. Consequently, while the 1- and 3-substitutions were equally important for the tracheal smooth muscle relaxation, the substitution at the 1-position was more important than the 3-substitution for bronchoselectivity. The 7-alkylation may be significant to cancel heart stimulation. There were good correlations between the smooth muscle relaxant action and the cyclic AMP-PDE inhibitory activity in 3-substituents and the affinity for adenosine (A1) receptors in 1-, 3-, and 7-substituents. This suggests that not only the cyclic AMP-PDE inhibitory activity but also the adenosine antagonistic activity is important in the bronchodilatory effects of alkylxanthines. Among these xanthine derivatives, 1-butyl-3-propylxanthine and its 7-methylated derivative showed high bronchoselectivity in the in vitro and in vivo experiments compared to theophylline and enprofylline and may be new candidates for bronchodilator.

[Studies on zwitter-ionization of drugs. I. Synthesis and pharmacological activities of N-alkylcarboxylic acid derivatives of 4-(2-chlorodibenz-[b,f][1,4]oxazepin-11-yl)piperazine, 4-(2-chlorodibenzo[b, f]-[1,4]thiazepin-11-yl)piperazine, and 4-(11H-dibenz-[b,e]azepin-6-yl)piperazine]

The piperazine N-alkylcarboxylic acids of 2-chlorodibenz[b,f][1,4] oxazepine (3a), 2-chlorodibenzo[b,f] [1,4] thiazepine (3b), and dipenz[b,e] azepine (3c) from the corresponding piperazines (1a-c, R1 = H) were synthesized via the piperazine N-alkylcarboxylates (2a-c). The pharmacological activities of the piperazine N-alkylcarboxylic acids (3a-c) were evaluated. Compared with the parent compounds (1a-c), 3a-c (n = 1-5) showed weak inhibitory activities on the uptake of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into hypothalamus vesicles and moderate antagonistic actions to 5-HT2 and H1 in several tissues.

[Studies on "Tartrazine Standard", Dye standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences]

"Tartrazine Standard (C.I. 19140)", Dye Standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences, was prepared. The content of this Dye Standard was determined by the titanium trichloride method. This contents averaged 99.0%. Ultra violet-visible absorption and infrared spectra of the Dye Standard were also determined.

[Estimated production by the official inspection of coal-tar dyes (including dye aluminum lakes) in 1990 based on official inspection figures]

The number of official inspections of coal-tar dyes and their lakes from april in 1990 till march in 1991 was 836 in total. The quantity passed amounted to 238 ton in Japan. The production of color for each month was summarised in Table 1, and by each producing company in Table 2. The food coal-tar dye produced in the largest quantity was Food Yellow No. 4, occupying 46.2% in this period.

[Studies on "Erythrosine Standard", Dye Standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences]

"Erythrosine Standard (C.I. 45430)", Dye Standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences, was prepared. The content of this Dye Standard was determined by the gravimetric method. This content averaged 99.1%. Ultra violet-visible absorption and infrared spectra of the Dye Standard were also determined.

[Studies on "brilliant blue FCF standard", dye standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences]

"Brilliant Blue FCF Standard (C.I. 42090)", Dye Standards of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences, was prepared. The content of this Dye Standards was determined by titanium trichloride method. This content averaged 96.3%. Ultra violet-visible absorption and infrared spectra of the Dye Standard were also determined.