Side effects of high-dose interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Various side effects have been reported in patients treated with alpha interferon, but their incidence and prognosis remain unknown.

METHODS

Nine hundred and eighty-seven patients with chronic active hepatitis C received 6 to 10 MU of alpha interferon per day for 2 weeks and 3 times per week for 22 weeks. Autoantibodies, thyroid function tests, and fasting plasma glucose concentrations were evaluated prior to alpha interferon therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 987 patients, 310 were required reduction in the dose of alpha interferon to 3 MU/day or cessation of alpha interferon therapy because of adverse reactions such as flu-like symptoms, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Of the remaining 677, five developed diabetes mellitus, 12 had hyperthyroidism, and six acquired hypothyroidism. Of the 18 with thyroid disorders, five demonstrated antimicrosomal antibodies before therapy. Forty-four patients revealed high or low concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone at the end of alpha interferon therapy. Three patients developed interstitial pneumonia, one acquired systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome, two had autoimmune hepatitis, two developed rheumatoid arthritis, and one developed autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. No patients had a history of an autoimmune disorder. One patient experienced sudden hearing impairment and one had retinal detachment. Melena was seen in three patients; two of these cases were compatible with ischemic colitis. Symptoms of depression were seen in 23 patients, and one patient manifested memory loss.

CONCLUSION

High-dose alpha interferon therapy induces various adverse effects. Most of the side effects cannot be predicted, but are reversible.

Positional cloning of the gene for Nijmegen breakage syndrome

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), also known as ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) variant, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by microcephaly, growth retardation, severe combined immunodeficiency and a high incidence of lymphoid cancers. Cells from NBS patients display chromosome instability, hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation and abnormal cell-cycle regulation after irradiation, all of which are characteristics shared with AT. Recently, the NBS locus was mapped at 8q21 by two independent approaches, complementation studies and linkage analysis. Here, we report the positional cloning of the NBS gene, NBS1, from an 800-kb candidate region. The gene comprises 50 kb and encodes a protein of 754 amino acids. The amino-terminal region of the protein shows weak homology to the yeast XRS2, MEK1, CDS1 and SPK1 proteins. The gene is expressed at high levels in the testes, suggesting that it might be involved in meiotic recombination. We detected the same 5-bp deletion in 13 individuals, and conclude that it is likely to be a founder mutation.

Interferon therapy lowers the rate of progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C but not significantly in an advanced stage: a retrospective study in 1148 patients. Viral Hepatitis Therapy Study Group

BACKGROUND/AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma frequently develops during the advanced stages of chronic hepatitis C. We examined whether interferon prevents the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C patients.

METHODS

Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C (n = 1.148; 117 with portal fibrous expansion (F1), 636 with bridging fibrosis (F2), 355 with bridging fibrosis and architectural distortion (F3)) and 40 cirrhotic (F4) patients were treated with interferon. These patients were followed from 1 to 7 years after interferon therapy. Blood tests and image analysis were serially performed to assess response to interferon and to detect hepatocellular carcinoma. Fifty-five cirrhotic type C patients (control F4) not receiving interferon were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Sustained (SR: 27.5%) and transient (TR: 23.0%) responders totaled 50.5%, while 49.5% did not respond to interferon. SR showed an improvement in disease stage reflected by increased platelet counts. Fifty-two patients (9 F2, 36 F3, and 7 F4) developed hepatocellular carcinoma in the follow-up period; 3 SR, 8 TR, and 41 non-responders (NR). The cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in F2 was significantly lower (p = 0.019) in SR compared with NR, but not in SR in F3 and F4 patients. However, the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly decreased in all SR (p = 0.0001) and TR (p = 0.0397) compared with all NR.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients lowered the rate of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma in sensitive cases but not in patients in an advanced stage.

Promotion of colorectal neoplasia in experimental murine ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying the frequent development of colorectal carcinomas in patients with ulcerative colitis are still unknown.

AIMS

To evaluate whether mucosal necrosis and regeneration act as enhancing or promoting factors in colorectal tumorigenesis, development of multiple colorectal tumours was studied in a murine model of ulcerative colitis with azoxymethane pretreatment.

METHODS

Periods of chronic ulcerative colitis in mice were induced by three repeated administrations of 3% dextran sulphate sodium subsequent to a single azoxymethane pretreatment, to give conditions similar to the clinically observed active and remission phases.

RESULTS

In the chronic colitis group with carcinogen exposure, multiple mucosal tumours (10.5/mouse) developed in the colorectum. This occurred primarily on the left side of the large intestine or transverse colon, the sites of the most severe colitic injury. The observed lesions were high grade dysplasias and invasive adenocarcinomas. Increased cell proliferation was evidenced by high uptake of bromodeoxyuridine, and increased activities of thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase. No tumours were induced in the control groups with azoxymethane pretreatment or chronic colitis alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated mucosal erosion with necrosis and regeneration is critical for the development of colorectal tumours in this experimental colitis system.

Regional cerebral glucose metabolism in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the features of regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc) in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

METHODS

We compared absolute CMRglc in 12 patients with a clinical diagnosis of DLB, 12 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 12 normal volunteers (NC), using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and PET. The three groups were matched for age and sex, and there were no differences in disease duration or severity of cognitive disturbances between the DLB and AD groups.

RESULTS

CMRglc was significantly lower in patients with DLB than in that of NC in most parts of the brain, except the sensorimotor cortices, basal ganglia, thalamus, and pons. Between the DLB and AD groups, there were significant regional CMRglc differences in the medial and lateral occipital lobes. In DLB and AD, the CMRglc reduction patterns were similar, though the global metabolic reduction was larger in DLB, and the occipital CMRglc reduction in DLB could differentiate DLB from AD. The relative occipital CMRglc (normalized to the sensorimotor CMRglc) was a useful measure for the differential diagnosis of DLB from AD. The sensitivity and the specificity were 92% when using the minimal value of the normalized occipital CMRglc in the NC group as the cut-off point.

CONCLUSION

These different regional CMRglc reductions substantiate the pathologic, neurochemical, and clinical differences between DLB and AD.

Effects of CPT-11 in combination with other anti-cancer agents in culture

CPT-11, 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxy camptothecin, is a newly developed water-soluble camptothecin derivative now undergoing phase-II evaluation. In an attempt to establish whether the combination of CPT-11 with other standard anti-cancer agents would be of any benefit, we studied the effects of CPT-11 in combination with 11 other anti-cancer agents on a human T-cell leukemia cell line, MOLT-3, in culture. We used both CPT-11 and SN-38 (active substance of CPT-11 in vivo), for our study. Cells were incubated for 3 days in the presence of 2 drugs (CPT-11 or SN-38 and another drug) and cytotoxic effects were determined by MTT assay. The effects of drug combinations on ID50 were analyzed by an improved isobologram method. Supra-additive and marginal supra-additive effects (synergism) were observed for CPT-11 in combination with cisplatin, cytosine arabinoside and mitomycin C. Additive effects were observed for its combination with amsacrine, bleomycin, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, mitoxantrone and vincristine. Alternate sub-additive and protective effects (antagonism) were observed for CPT-11 in combination with methotrexate. Similar tendencies were observed for SN-38 in combination with other agents. These results suggest that CPT-11 in simultaneous administration with a majority of anti-cancer agents has an advantage for cytokilling. Of these agents, cisplatin, cytosine arabinoside and mitomycin C are most suitable for simultaneous administration with CPT-11.

Cavity-directed synthesis of labile silanol oligomers within self-assembled coordination cages

This paper introduces a concept that is referred to as cavity-directed synthesis by showing the selective oligomerization of trialkoxysilanes, RSi(OMe)3 (7), in self-assembled hollow compounds. Pd(II)-linked coordination hosts (cage, bowl, or tube) are found to strictly control the oligomerization of 7 (R = 2-naphthyl) in such a way that their optimal guests are produced in their cavities. Thus, within coordination tube 1, one molecule of 7 is accommodated and subsequently hydrolyzed to give silanetriol RSi(OH)3 (4). Under ordinary aqueous conditions, this reactive compound undergoes rapid polycondensation (so-called sol-gel condensation) leading to Si-O networks. Within the cavity of 1, however, 4 remains very stable and the polycondensation is completely suppressed. On the other hand, coordination bowl 2 and cage 3 give its dimers RSi(OH)2OSi(OH)2R (5) and cyclic trimers [RSi(OH)O]3 (6), respectively. X-ray crystallographic studies clearly show that the cavity size and the shape of 1, 2, and 3 nicely fit with those of 4, 5, and 6, respectively, demonstrating that the cavities strictly direct the oligomerizaion reaction of 7.

Werner helicase relocates into nuclear foci in response to DNA damaging agents and co-localizes with RPA and Rad51

BACKGROUND

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder with many features of premature ageing. Cells derived from WS patients show genomic instability, aberrations in the S-phase and sensitivity to genotoxic agents. The gene responsible for WS (WRN) encodes a DNA helicase belonging to the RecQ helicase family. Although biochemical studies showed that the gene product of WRN (WRNp) interacts with proteins that participate in DNA metabolism, its precise biological function remains unclear.

RESULTS

Using immunocytochemistry, we found that WRNp forms distinct nuclear foci in response to DNA damaging agents, including camptothecin (CPT), etoposide, 4-nitroquinolin-N-oxide and bleomycin. The presence of aphidicolin inhibited CPT-induced WRNp foci strongly but not bleomycin-induced foci. These WRNp foci overlapped with the foci of replication protein A (RPA) almost entirely and with the foci of Rad51 partially, implicating cooperative functions of these proteins in response to DNA damage. We also found that WRNp foci partially co-localize with sites of 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine incorporation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that WRNp form nuclear foci in response to aberrant DNA structures, including DNA double-strand breaks and stalled replication forks. We propose that WRNp takes part in the homologous recombinational repair and in the processing of stalled replication forks.

Taurine improves insulin sensitivity in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Taurine, a potent antioxidant, has been reported to improve streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, in which the development of diabetes results from an attack by oxygen free radicals on pancreatic beta cells. However, taurine also increases the excretion of cholesterol via conversion to bile acid and would be expected to improve insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of taurine on insulin sensitivity were examined in a model rat of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes-the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat.

DESIGN

Male OLETF rats were divided into 2 groups at the age of 16 wk: a taurine-supplemented group and an unsupplemented group. As a nondiabetic control, Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka rats were used. An oral-glucose-tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were performed at the ages of 23 and 25 wk.

RESULTS

The OLETF rats had hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and they had a greater accumulation of abdominal fat than did control rats. Abdominal fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group. Serum and liver concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the control rats and were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group, presumably because of the increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid. Taurine-supplemented rats also showed higher nitric oxide secretion, evidenced by increased urinary excretion of nitrite.

CONCLUSION

Taurine effectively improves metabolism in OLETF rats by decreasing serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol, presumably via increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid and decreased production of cholesterol because of increased nitric oxide production.

Morphology and function of isolated hepatocytes transplanted into rat spleen

Hepatocytes isolated by the collagenase digestive method were transplanted into the spleens of syngeneic rats. Morphology and function of the hepatocytes in the spleen were investigated for 12 to 17 months after transplantation. The transplanted hepatocytes proliferated and reconfigured in the spleen without direct perfusion of portal venous blood and with the presence of an intact host liver. Fourteen to 17 months after transplantation, the hepatocytes which had formed a demarcated nodule occupied approximately 40% of the area of the splenic parenchyma without undifferentiation on microscopic examination. However, the weight of the hepatized spleen did not increase beyond the weight of a normal spleen and the weight of the host liver that had normal morphology also did not differ from a normal liver. Light and electron microscopic studies demonstrated differentiated cord structure and normal architecture for each heptocyte. Furthermore, the hepatized spleen synthesized albumin and glycogen as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and histochemical studies. Ammonia tolerance and indocyanine green clearance tests revealed functioning hepatocytes in the spleen proper. These results indicate that our experimental model lends itself well to investigations in cell growth mechanism and that hepatocellular transplantation has potential clinical application to compensate for impaired hepatic function.

Evidence that proteases are involved in superoxide production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes

The possible participation of proteases in superoxide (O2-) production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes was explores using various protease inhibitors and substrates. Protease inhibitors of serine proteases and synthetic inhibitors that modify the active site of serine proteases. Substrates used were synthetic substrates of the chymotrypsin type as well as trypsin type of protease. All these inhibitors and substrates inhibited O2- oroduction by human PMN and monocytes induced by cytochalasin E and concanavalin A, though PMN were more sensitive to these inhibitors and substrates than monocytes. Inhibition appeared rapidly even when the inhibitors were added at the same time as the stimulants, during the "induction time of O2-production" or at the time of maximum O2- production, whereas much greater inhibition was observed when the cells were preincubated with the inhibitors. These observations suggest that enzymatically active serine proteases are essential for these phagocytic cells to initiate and maintain the O2- production in response to the stimuli. The inhibitory effect of the inhibitor and substrate for chymotrypsin type protease was greater than that of those substances for trypsin-type protease. Macromolecular inhibitors also inhibited the O2- production. These findings suggest that the serine proteases involved in the O2- production by human PMN and monocytes are similar to chymotrypsin rather than trypsin, and are possibly located at the cell surface membrane.

A self-assembled homooxacalix[3]arene-based dimeric capsule constructed by a Pd(II)-pyridine interaction which shows a novel chiral twisting motion in response to guest inclusion

A capsule-like molecule was constructed by dimerization of pyridine-containing homooxacalix[3]aryl esters utilizing a Pd(II)-pyridine interaction when Li(+) ions were bound to the ionophoric lower rims. (1)H NMR spectral studies showed that the self-assembled molecular capsule 3b.(Li(+))(2) has a highly symmetrical D(3)(h)-structure. It was also found that this self-assembled molecular system can form capsular structures in the presence of Na(+) or ammonium (RNH(3)(+)) ions. Very interestingly, these molecular capsules are twisted into triply bridged helical structures, and chiral RNH(3)(+) guests included in the cavity induce a change in the (P) versus (M) ratio, resulting in high chiral induction ( approximately 70%). These results indicate that the self-assembled molecular capsule 3b has a novel chiral factor in which the (P) versus (M) equilibrium is readily controllable by the inclusion of chiral guest molecules.

Effect of propofol and isoflurane anaesthesia on the immune response to surgery

There are two major subpopulations of peripheral helper T lymphocytes: T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells. Surgical stress increases the number of Th2 cells, and decreases that of Th1 cells, resulting in a decrease in the Th1/Th2 ratio, and, consequently, in suppressed cell-mediated immunity. Since anaesthesia can suppress the stress response to surgery, it may inhibit the decrease in the Th1/Th2 ratio. Using flow cytometry, we studied whether propofol anaesthesia (n = 9) or isoflurane anaesthesia (n = 9) had more effect on the decrease in the Th1/Th2 ratio after surgery in patients undergoing craniotomy. The Th1/Th2 ratio decreased significantly after isoflurane anaesthesia (p = 0.011), while it did not change after propofol anaesthesia. The ratio was significantly lower with isoflurane than propofol (p = 0.009). Propofol anaesthesia attenuated the surgical stress-induced adverse immune response better than isoflurane anaesthesia.

Decreased adrenergic neuronal uptake activity in experimental right heart failure. A chamber-specific contributor to beta-adrenoceptor downregulation

The reduction of myocardial beta-adrenoceptor density in congestive heart failure has been thought to be caused by agonist-induced homologous desensitization. However, recent evidence suggests that excessive adrenergic stimulation may not produce myocardial beta-receptor downregulation unless there is an additional defect in the local norepinephrine (NE) uptake mechanism. To investigate the association between beta-adrenoceptor regulation and NE uptake activity, we carried out studies in 30 dogs with right heart failure (RHF) produced by tricuspid avulsion and progressive pulmonary artery constriction and 23 sham-operated control dogs. We determined NE uptake activity by measuring accumulation of [3H]NE in tissue slices, NE uptake-1 carrier density by [3H]mazindol binding and beta-adrenoceptor density by [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding. Compared with sham-operated dogs, RHF dogs showed a 26% decrease in beta-adrenoceptor density, a 51% reduction in NE uptake activity, and a 57% decrease in NE uptake-1 carrier density in their right ventricles. In addition, right ventricle beta-receptor density correlated significantly with NE uptake activity and NE uptake-1 carrier density. In contrast, neither NE uptake activity nor beta-receptor density in the left ventricle and renal cortex was affected by RHF. Thus, the failing myocardium is associated with an organ- and chamber-specific subnormal neuronal NE uptake. This chamber-specific loss of NE uptake-1 carrier could effectively reduce local NE clearance, and represent a local factor that predisposes the failing ventricle to beta-adrenoceptor downregulation.

6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-7-nitro-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione hydrochloride (YM90K) and related compounds: structure-activity relationships for the AMPA-type non-NMDA receptor

A novel series of quinoxalinediones possessing imidazolyl and related heteroaromatic substituents was synthesized and evaluated for their activity to inhibit [3H]AMPA binding from rat whole brain. From the structure-activity relationships, it was found that the 1H-imidazol-1-yl moiety could function as a bioisostere for the cyano and nitro groups, and that 6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-7-nitro-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (11) showed the most potent activity for the AMPA receptor. Compound 11 was evaluated for selectivity versus other excitatory amino acid receptors, and its action against AMPA at its receptor in the rat striatum was characterized. These data showed that compound 11 was a selective antagonist for the AMPA receptor with a Ki value of 0.084 microM, being approximately equipotent with 2,3-dihydro-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline (3) (NBQX; Ki = 0.060 microM). Compound 11 was also found to give protection against sound-induced seizure on DBA/2 mice at the minimum effective dose of 3 mg/kg ip (3; 10 mg/kg ip).

Effects of methacholine induced bronchoconstriction and procaterol induced bronchodilation on cough receptor sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin and tartaric acid

BACKGROUND

The direct effect of bronchoconstriction on cough receptor sensitivity is unknown, and the antitussive effect of beta 2 adrenergic agonists in man has been controversial. This study was designed to throw light on these questions.

METHODS

The threshold of the cough response to inhaled capsaicin, a stimulant acting on C fibre endings, and tartaric acid, a chemostimulant, was measured before and 10 minutes after inhalation of methacholine, which caused a nearly 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), in 14 normal subjects (study 1), and also before and 30 minutes after inhalation of procaterol (30 micrograms), placebo, and saline in eight normal subjects (study 2). Progressively increasing concentrations of capsaicin and tartaric acid solutions were inhaled for 15 seconds by mouth tidal breathing at one minute intervals and cough threshold was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin and tartaric acid that elicited five or more coughs.

RESULTS

In study 1 the geometric mean values of the cough threshold of response to capsaicin and tartaric acid before methacholine callenge, 2.98 (GSE 1.30) micrograms/ml and 46.6 (1.22) mg/ml, were not significantly different from those of the response to methacholine inhalation, 3.45 (1.33) micrograms/ml and 32.9 (1.37) mg/ml. In study 2 the geometric mean value of the cough threshold of response to capsaicin before inhalation of procaterol (4.61 (GSE 1.84) micrograms/ml) was not different from that after inhalation of procaterol (4.61 (GSE 1.84) micrograms/ml), which had significant bronchodilator effects. The cough threshold was not altered by placebo or saline.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that muscarinic receptor stimulation, bronchoconstriction, beta 2 receptor stimulation, or bronchodilation might have no direct effect on the sensitivity of the cough receptors in normal subjects.

Establishment of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and its detection in the sera of biliary atresia

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a mitogenic, chemotactic, and cell matrix-inducing factor for fibroblasts. We generated murine monoclonal antibodies against CTGF and established a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of CTGF. By using the ELISA, we confirmed that CTGF was specifically induced in human fibroblasts by TGF-beta but not by PDGF, FGF, IGF-I, or EGF. We also found that the serum levels of CTGF were significantly correlated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis in biliary atresia. These results indicated that CTGF is potentially a useful parameter for monitoring certain types of fibrotic disorders.

Synthesis and secretion of human epidermal growth factor by Escherichia coli

A synthetic gene for human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was joined to a sequence encoding the signal peptide of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase. This hybrid gene was placed under the control of the alkaline phosphatase gene (phoA) promoter in a recombinant plasmid, which was used to transfect E. coli. The hybrid protein that was expressed in host cells under conditions of phosphate limitation was processed accurately during the secretion process, and mature hEGF was recovered in the periplasmic fraction. On the other hand, no EGF was detected in the periplasmic space when the synthetic hEGF gene was not accompanied by the phoA signal sequence.

Hanshin-Awaji earthquake as a trigger for acute myocardial infarction

On Jan. 17, 1995, the Hanshin-Awaji district was struck by the most destructive earthquake ever to occur in Japan. It is commonly believed that acute emotional stress such as that caused by an earthquake can trigger acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the quake stress on the onset of AMI in our district. The number of patients with AMI during the first 4 weeks after the quake increased by about 3.5-fold. The mean age of patients was 72.5 +/- 2.8 years, and the proportion of women (53%) was significantly greater than in the preceding years. The proportion of patients without prodromal angina pectoris was 53%. The mean post-traumatic stress disorder reaction index score (n = 14) was 40.1 +/- 4.1, which indicates a severe stress level. The mean score in the women (45.9 +/- 4.7; n = 7) was significantly higher than that in the men (34.3 +/- 6.4; n = 7). We concluded that after an earthquake, severe emotional stress can trigger AMI, more often than normal in women.

Pulmonary fibrosis in an individual occupationally exposed to inhaled indium-tin oxide

Despite the increasing industrial use of indium-tin oxide (ITO) to manufacture flat-panel displays, such as liquid-crystal displays or plasma display panels for televisions, little is known about the potential health hazard induced by occupational exposure to indium compounds. The current study describes a case of fibrotic lung disease that developed after a 4-yr exposure to ITO. The pathology of the lung demonstrated pulmonary fibrosis with the presence of cholesterol granulomas. In conclusion, more attention needs to be paid to the possible toxic effects of indium compounds, and maximum healthcare measures should be taken to protect industry workers from these toxicities.

DOSY study on dynamic catenation: self-assembly of a [3]catenane as a meta-stable compound from twelve simple components

Synthesis of [2]catenane 6 has been successfully achieved by the combination of Pd complex 1 and pyridines 2 and 3 at a molar ratio of 2:1:1 in D20. A mixture of square molecule 4 (prepared from 1 and 2) and macrocycle 5 (obtained from 1 and 3), in which the final ratio of 1, 2, and 3 was kept 2:1:1 reorganizes in D2O/CD3OD (1:1) to form 6 within one day. However, the same mixture in D2O shows the formation of novel [3]catenane 7 along with the [2]catenane. In order to make 7, the theoretical ratio of components 1, 2, and 3 should be 3:1:2. Thus, deliberately maintaining such ratio of the above-mentioned molecules, a higher proportion of the [3]catenane is observed in D2O as found from 1H NMR spectra of the system. Reorganization of the twelve components to form [3]catenane is supported by studies with the DOSY method. This method is a first attempt to separate, from a mixture, either catenanes or any other supramolecular self-assembly structures. CSI-MS studies further support the assigned catenane super structures 6 and 7. All the results indicate that the [2]catenane is thermodynamically the most stable structure, while the [3]catenane is a meta-stable self-assembly.

Extra-chromosomal telomere repeat DNA in telomerase-negative immortalized cell lines

We found novel extra-chromosomal telomere repeat (ECTR) DNAs in telomerase-negative immortalized KMST-6 cells, by staining these cells with a (TTAGGG)n probe using both cycling oligonucleotide-primed in situ synthesis and by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Relatively small amounts of ECTR DNAs were also observed in telomerase-negative VA13 and SUSM-1 cells, but not observed in telomerase-positive immortalized HeLa cells. The ECTR DNAs existed mainly in the nucleoplasm with a small amount in the cytoplasm. The nucleoplasm ECTR DNAs were co-stained with an antibody directed to the telomeric-repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1), suggesting that they exist as a complex with TRF1. In consistent with these cytological studies, Southern blot analysis showed the existence of small telomere repeat DNAs. The ECTR DNA may provide an insight into the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of telomeres in telomerase-negative immortalized cells.

Constitution of Grignard reagent RMgCl in tetrahydrofuran

The constitution of Grignard reagent, RMgCl (R = Me, tBu, Ph or benzyl), was investigated in the solid state by means of X-ray crystallography and in THF by coldspray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS). Three types of crystal structures, (a) [Mg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)6](+)*[RMgCl2(THF)](-), (b) R2Mg4Cl6(THF)6, and (c) [2Mg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)6](+)*[R4Mg2Cl2]2-, were identified, and MeMg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)4-6 were detected as major species of MeMgCl in solution.