Identification and quantification of chlorinated bisphenol A in wastewater from wastepaper recycling plants

Chlorinated derivatives of bisphenol A were detected in the final effluents of eight paper manufacturing plants in Shizuoka, Japan, where thermal paper and/or other printed paper is used as the raw material. Their amounts were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after treatment with N, O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, and ranged from traces to 2.0 microg/l. They are likely produced by chlorination of bisphenol A, which was released into the effluents from the pulping process of wastepaper, during or after bleaching with chlorine.

Selectin GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) binds to sialosyl-Le(a) and sialosyl-Le(x), and sulfated glycans modulate this binding

GMP-140 (CD62; PADGEM) is a member of the selectin family expressed highly at the surface of platelets and endothelial cells by agonists such as thrombin or phorbol esters. Previous studies indicate that the lectin domain of GMP-140 recognizes sialosyl-Le(x) (SLex) and to a lesser extent Le(x) (Polley MJ, et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:6224, 1991). We now report that GMP-140 binds to sialosyl Lea (SLea) and to SLex, and that degree of binding to SLea is greater than that to SLex under our experimental conditions. Binding of activated platelets to SLea or SLex was inhibited to various degrees in the presence of sulfated glycans, suggesting that sulfated glycans induce conformational change in the lectin domain of GMP-140 and modulates its binding affinity to SLea and SLex.

A dual staining method for identifying mucins of different gastric epithelial mucous cells

A dual staining method has been developed to identify two types of mucous secreting cells in the gastric mucosa of human and rat in one and the same tissue section. Sections were stained first using the galactose oxidase-cold thionin Schiff (GOCTS) procedure and then with paradoxical Concanavalin A staining (PCS). Surface mucous cell mucin stained blue with GOCTS, whereas gland mucous cell mucin stained brown with PCS. This method enabled us to differentiate these two types of mucins not only in gastric epithelial cell cytoplasm but also in the extracellular space. Sugar residues detected by GOCTS were explored by employing four species of lectins, which were peanut and Allomyrina dichotoma agglutinins for beta-galactose and Vicia villosa and Wistaria floribunda agglutinins for beta-N-acetylgalactosamine. The effect of oxidation with galactose oxidase was also examined on the affinities of reactive sites for these lectins. The results indicated that, in the human stomach, the sugar residues responsible for this reactivity were most likely beta-N-acetylgalactosamine and beta-galactose in specimens lacking secretion of blood group determinants and beta-N-acetylgalactosamine in those showing the secretion. In the rat stomach, on the other hand, sugar residues responsible for GOCTS were not elucidated by these lectins.

Biodistribution of liposomes containing synthetic galactose-terminated diacylglyceryl-poly(ethyleneglycol)s

We describe the synthesis of biodegradable poly(ethyleneglycol)-coupled galactolipids in which the galactose moiety is separated from a diacylglyceride lipid anchor by poly(ethylene glycol) chains of 10, 20 or 40 oxyethylene residues (PEG10/20/40). These Gal-PEG lipids (Gal-PEG-Lip) were incorporated in the bilayer of liposomes. The surface exposure of the galactose was investigated by aggregation experiments with ricinus communis agglutinin 120. Only the liposomes containing the PEG10 galactolipid aggregated with the lectin. Therefore liposomes were prepared containing Gal-PEG10-Lip and a trace amount of [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether with an average diameter of approximately 100 nm and injected intravenously into rats. The Gal-PEG10-Lip liposomes were cleared from plasma with a T1/2 of 0.3 h. Identically sized and composed control liposomes without the Gal-PEG10-Lip had a T1/2 of approximately 12 h. The rapid plasma elimination of the Gal-PEG10-Lip liposomes could be attributed entirely to increased uptake by the liver amounting to more than 90% of injected dose. Uptake by the spleen was decreased to less than 1% of injected dose. A single injection of N-acetylgalactosamine 1 min prior to Gal-PEG-Lip liposome administration reduced the initial rate of plasma clearance to control levels. The increased liver uptake was almost entirely attributable to increased uptake by the Kupffer cells. Incorporation of PEG-DSPE in the Gal-PEG10-Lip liposomes only partially reversed the effect of the galactolipid with respect to liver and spleen uptake as well as intrahepatic distribution. These experiments demonstrate that liposome surface-exposed galactose residues, even if attached at the distal end of a poly(ethyleneglycol) chain anchored in the liposomal bilayer are effectively recognized by the galactose particle receptor on the Kupffer cells but fail to achieve significant targeting to the asialoglycoprotein receptor on the hepatocytes.

Cytologic and cytochemical features of adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that adenoma malignum (the mucinous type of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma [mucinous MDA]) of the uterine cervix expresses gastric phenotypes. The application of immunocytochemistry using HIK1083, a monoclonal antibody for gastric gland mucous cell mucin, enabled us to identify cellular clusters derived not only from typical lesions of mucinous MDA and less well differentiated lesions but also from gastric metaplasia. In this study, we tried to clarify the cellular features of such clusters in cervical and endometrial smears.

METHODS

Twelve cases of mucinous MDA were studied. Papanicolaou stain and immunostaining with HIK1083 were performed on histologic and cytologic slides, including cervical and endometrial smears, decolorized smear slides, imprint slides of the tumors, and imprint slides of normal endocervical and gastric mucosa.

RESULTS

Cellular clusters derived from metaplastic lesions, typical lesions, and less well differentiated lesions were found in 9, 4, and 2 cases, respectively. The cellular clusters derived from the metaplastic lesions lacked atypia but resembled those from gastric mucosa. Those derived from the typical lesions showed slight atypia. The cytoplasmic mucins of these cellular clusters, which were positive for HIK1083, were stained yellowish-orange by Papanicolaou stain, whereas those of normal endocervical cells were negative for HIK1083 and were stained pinkish by Papanicolaou stain.

CONCLUSIONS

Yellowish-orange staining of cytoplasmic mucins by the Papanicolaou method is an important diagnostic clue aiding identification of mucinous MDA and related lesions by cytology. Moreover, immunostaining with HIK1083 is a useful tool in the diagnosis of these lesions by cytology as well as by histology. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)

Clear cell carcinoma has an expression pattern of cell cycle regulatory molecules that is unique among ovarian adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify biologic differences between ovarian clear cell carcinoma and other ovarian adenocarcinomas by comparing the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules and by analyzing the survival of the patients.

METHODS

In 51 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, the expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 and that of the cell cycle regulatory molecules p53, p16, p21, p27, cyclin E, and cyclin A was studied using immunohistochemical techniques. The correlations among clinical stage, histologic subtype, labeling index for Ki-67, and expression of these cell cycle regulators were examined statistically. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using these factors in the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Clear cell carcinoma revealed such trends as low expression of both p53 and cyclin A and significantly increased expression of both p21 and cyclin E (compared with the other histologic subtypes). In all ovarian carcinomas, a very strong positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.79; P < 0.0001) between p53 positive staining and cyclin A positive staining and a weak positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.47; P < 0.01) between p21 positive staining and cyclin E positive staining were recognized at the level of expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules. Clinical stage was the only independent predictive factor for the survival of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ovarian adenocarcinomas, clear cell carcinoma exhibits a unique pattern of expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules, though in this study the survival of the patients did not correlate with histologic subtype, only with clinical stage.

Stepwise abnormality of sex steroid hormone receptors, tumor suppressor gene products (p53 and Rb), and cyclin E in uterine endometrioid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In the normal cell cycle, the appropriate interaction of factors such as tumor suppressor gene products (retinoblastoma susceptibility [Rb], p53) and cyclins is essential. Abnormalities in the interaction of these factors may result in malignant transformation of the cell. Malignant transformation of the endometrium, which is believed to be a sex steroid-dependent tumor, probably involves a process of uncoupling of these factors and sex steroid hormone receptors. This study is designed to test this hypothesis.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients whose pathology slides contained either normal or hyperplastic endometrium adjacent to endometrial carcinoma were selected. Immunohistochemical staining of serial paraffin sections was performed using antibodies to estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), p53, and Rb, as well as cyclin E.

RESULTS

The normal and hyperplastic endometria adjacent to carcinoma showed positive staining for ER and PR and negative staining for p53. Of 56 carcinomas, 39 (69.6%) showed homogeneous positive staining for ER and PR and negative staining for p53, whereas the remaining 17 carcinomas (30.4%) contained varied distributions of ER- and PR-negative cells, and p53-positive cells (6 were negative or focally positive for ER/PR and diffusely-positive for p53, 4 were regionally-positive for ER/PR and regionally-positive for p53, and 7 were diffusely positive for ER/PR and focally-positive for p53). The p53-positive cells corresponded to those that stained negatively for ER/PR: This topographic inverse relationship between ER/PR expression and p53 expression also correlated with the staining intensities. Furthermore, the cells with weak or negative staining for p53 had a tendency to stain positively for Rb and weakly positive for cyclin E, whereas the cancer cells with definite positivity for p53 tended to stain either weakly or negatively for Rb and definitely positive for cyclin E. The cells showing diffusely positive for p53 were present significantly in clinical Stage III and pathologic Grade G3.

CONCLUSIONS

In the development of endometrial carcinoma, stepwise abnormalities of sex steroid receptors, tumor suppressor gene products, and cyclins apparently exist, and may correlate with the progression of the malignant process.

Relationship between the expression of cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinases and sex-steroid receptors/Ki67 in normal human endometrial glands and stroma during the menstrual cycle

Cell cycle regulatory molecules were analysed in normal human endometrial tissue using antibodies against cyclins D1, E, A, and B1 and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) cdk4, cdk2, and cdc2. The expression of these regulatory molecules in gland cells and stromal cells was compared with the expression of oestrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and Ki67 (a growth-related molecule). In general, a substantially higher percentage of the gland cells stained positive for cyclins and CDKs during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Cyclin E, cdk2 and/or cdk4 were especially apparent in the cytoplasm of most of the gland cells as well as in the stromal cells. In contrast, most of the regulatory molecules were undetectable in the gland cells by the end of the secretory phase of the cycle, but they did not decline in the stromal cells. The data also revealed that ER, PR, and Ki67 in both gland cells and stromal cells follow the same basic pattern of expression as the cyclins and CDKs. These results suggest that cyclins and CDKs are functionally involved in the rhythmic proliferation of normal human endometrial tissue, and the action of these agents may be related to the endometrial levels of sex steroids and Ki67.

Coabnormal expression of cyclin D1 and p53 protein in human uterine endometrial carcinomas

BACKGROUND

In the normal cell cycle, tumor suppressor gene products (p53) and cyclin (cyclin D1) cooperate. Abnormalities in the cooperation of these factors may result in malignant transformation of the cell. Mutant p53 protein overexpression is defined in many human cancers, including endometrial carcinoma. This study investigated the role of cyclin D1 in the development of human uterine endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients whose pathology slides contained either normal or hyperplastic endometrium adjacent to endometrial carcinoma were studied. Immunohistochemical staining of the serial paraffin sections was performed using antibodies to p53 and cyclin D1.

RESULTS

The expression of cyclin D1 was restricted to only a few cells of normal and hyperplastic endometrium, whereas it was preferentially expressed in 40% (30/74) of endometrial carcinomas. The cells that overexpressed cyclin D1 also overexpressed p53. Moreover, all 30 cases with varied distributions of cyclin D1-positive cells corresponded identically with the distribution of p53-positive cells. Diffuse positivity for cyclin D1 was specifically observed in clinically advanced stages of pathologic G2 and G3 tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that coabnormal expression of cyclin D1 and p53 protein may contribute to the development of endometrial carcinoma and may also be involved in the progression to malignancy.

Immunohistochemical detection of sex steroid receptors, cyclins, and cyclin-dependent kinases in the normal and neoplastic squamous epithelia of the uterine cervix

BACKGROUND

Malignant transformation of sex steroid-dependent tissues has been reported to be associated with abnormal expression of sex steroid receptors. In addition, abnormalities of cell cycle-related molecules have been demonstrated in various malignancies. However, expression of steroid receptors and cell cycle-related molecules in the process of malignant transformation of the ectocervical squamous epithelium, which also is a sex steroid-dependent tissue, has not been elucidated fully.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections of normal squamous epithelia (30 cases), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (21 cases), and invasive squamous carcinoma (SCC) (33 cases), using antibodies against estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), cyclins (E, A, and B1), cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk2 and cdc2), and p53 protein. In addition, growth activity of SCC was evaluated by Ki-67 labeling.

RESULTS

In the normal epithelia, diffuse proportionate to regional expression of ER/PR and sporadic expression of cyclins/cdks were observed mainly in the parabasal cells irrespective of the menstrual cycle. In the neoplastic lesions, the expression of ER markedly decreased; however, the expression of PR increased. The expression of cyclins, cdks, and p53 was increased in a considerable number of these neoplastic cases. In addition, cyclin A positive SCC had elevated Ki-67 labeling, whereas cyclin E positive SCC cases had lower Ki-67 labeling.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that malignant transformation of ectocervical epithelia is associated with loss of normal growth control by steroid hormones as well as with the acquisition of abnormal cell cycle regulatory mechanisms.

Identification of a 2-phenylbenzotriazole (PBTA)-type mutagen, PBTA-2, in water from the Nishitakase River in Kyoto

We previously isolated five mutagens, compounds I-V, in blue rayon-adsorbed materials from the Nishitakase River in Kyoto. The chemical structure of compound I, a major mutagen that accounted for 21% of the total mutagenicity, was determined to be 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-am ino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-1). Compound II was also a major mutagen and accounted for 17% of the total mutagenicity. In this study, a large quantity (1.2 mg) of compound II was isolated from adsorbate to 27 kg of blue cotton, and its UV, mass, and 1H NMR spectra were analyzed. On the basis of the spectral data, compound II was deduced to be the PBTA-1 analogue 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[N-(2-cyanoethyl)ethylamino]-5-methoxyphenyl]-5- amino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-2). As with PBTA-1, PBTA-2 was synthesized from an azo dye by reduction and chlorination. Since all of the spectra of PBTA-2 coincided with those of compound II obtained from river water, compound II was concluded to be PBTA-2. PBTA-2 is a newly identified potent mutagen, which induces 93 000 and 3 200 000 revertants of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and YG1024 per microgram, respectively, in the presence of S9 mix. Like PBTA-1, PBTA-2 may also be produced from an azo dye during industrial processes in dyeing factories and treatment at sewage plants.

A study of the double mutation of dnaJ and cbpA, whose gene products function as molecular chaperones in Escherichia coli

The CbpA protein is an analog of the DnaJ molecular chaperone of Escherichia coli. To gain insight into the function of CbpA, we examined the nature of a cbpA null mutation with special reference to those of dnaK and dnaJ null mutations. In particular, the cbpA dnaJ double-null mutant was found to exhibit severe defects in cell growth, namely, a very narrow temperature range for growth, a defect in cell division, and susceptibility to killing by carbon starvation. These phenotypes are very similar to those reported for dnaK null mutants but not to those of dnaJ null mutants. Our results are best interpreted by assuming that CbpA is capable of compensating for DnaJ for cell growth and thus that the function(s) of CbpA is closely related to that of DnaJ.

Involvement of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in growth inhibition of endometrium in the secretory phase and of hyperplastic endometrium treated with progesterone

A cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor, p27Kip1 (p27), binds to the cyclin E-cdk2 complex and functions as a suppressor of cell cycle promotion. Here, the involvement of p27 in the growth of normal human endometrium was immunohistochemically studied, and the findings were compared with those of Ki-67, cyclin E and cdk2. In addition, to elucidate the effect of progesterone on the expression of p27, tissues from patients with endometrial hyperplasia were examined before and after the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for the treatment of this disease. In the glandular cells of the normal endometrium, p27 was negligible during the proliferative phase, whereas it was markedly increased in the secretory phase. The staining pattern of Ki-67 was the reverse. Cyclin E/cdk2-positive cells were observed throughout the menstrual cycle. In the secretory phase, the cyclin E/cdk2-positive cells were also positive for p27, suggesting an interaction between these molecules. Stromal cells, especially in the basalis, showed a consistent expression of p27 throughout the menstrual cycle. The expression of p27 in hyperplastic epithelia before the MPA treatment was negligible, whereas it was greatly increased after the treatment. The Ki-67 positivity decreased after the treatment. These findings suggest that p27 is involved in the progesterone-induced growth suppression of normal and hyperplastic endometria.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of cdk4 and p16INK4 in human endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in G1 cell cycle regulation have been associated with the malignant transformation of cells. To obtain further information about the role of factors regulating the G1 cell cycle in the development of endometrial carcinoma, the authors analyzed the expression of cdk4 (cyclin-dependent kinase) and p16INK4 (an inhibitor of cdk4).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 20 specimens of normal endometria and 41 specimens of endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma using antibodies against cdk4 and p16INK4.

RESULTS

In the glandular epithelia of the normal endometria, cytoplasmic staining of cdk4 and p16INK4 was observed only in the proliferative phase, but nuclear staining of these agents was negligible. In endometrial carcinomas, 8 (19.5%) and 14 (34.2%) were positive for cdk4 and p16INK4 in the nucleus, respectively. Topographically, the nuclear cdk4 positive tumor cells were negative for p16INK4 and the nuclear p16INK4 positive tumor cells were found in areas without nuclear cdk4 expression, suggesting an inverse correlation between the two agents. In addition, the poorly differentiated carcinomas were more frequently positive for nuclear cdk4 than were the highly differentiated carcinomas (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that increased expression of nuclear cdk4 associated with loss of p16INK4 expression could be involved in the carcinogenesis of a subset of endometrial carcinomas.

Isolation and identification of a new 2-phenylbenzotriazole-type mutagen (PBTA-3) in the Nikko river in Aichi, Japan

We have previously determined the chemical structures of two 2-phenylbenzotriazole mutagens (PBTA-1 and PBTA-2) in blue cotton-adsorbed material from the Nishitakase River in Kyoto, Japan. In the present study, further analysis of mutagenic substances in the Nikko River, which flows through Aichi Prefecture in Japan, allowed the isolation of a new mutagen. Material (2.2 g) adsorbed on blue cotton (3 kg) at a site below the sewage plant on the Nikko River was purified by various column chromatographies, and a mutagen (120 microg) accounting for 11% of the total mutagenicity was isolated. On the basis of data from UV, mass, and (1)H NMR spectra of the mutagen, the compound was deduced to be a PBTA-1 analogue. As with PBTA-1, the mutagen was able to be synthesized from the azo dye 2-[(2-bromo-4, 6-dinitrophenyl)azo]-4-methoxy-5-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]acetanilide by reduction and chlorination. Since all spectra of the mutagen isolated from the river water were the same as those of the synthesized form, the structure was concluded to be 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-amino -7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-3). PBTA-3 is a potent mutagen, inducing 81 000 and 3 000 000 revertants per microgram of Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and YG1024 respectively, in the presence of an S9 mix. In addition to its detection in the water of the Nikko River, PBTA-3 was detected in water samples from three other rivers flowing through regions where dyeing industries have been developed. Like PBTA-1 and PBTA-2, PBTA-3 might have also been produced from azo dyes during industrial processes in dyeing factories and/or through treatment at sewage plants.

Immunohistochemical analysis of cell cycle regulatory gene products in normal trophoblast and placental site trophoblastic tumor

Intermediate trophoblast (IT) rarely gives rise to a placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) To examine the different growth mechanisms present in normal and neoplastic IT, the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules was compared at normal implantation sites and in PSTTs. Normal implantation sites in early gestation (19 patients) and PSTTs (6 patients) were immunohistochemically studied using antibodies against cytokeratin, human chorionic gonadotropin, and human placental lactogen to identify IT, and antibodies against Ki-67, cyclins (A, B, D1, and E), cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), and p53 to investigate the proliferative activity of the trophoblast. Marked proliferative activity was observed in the trophoblast of the cell columns. Normal IT exhibited a very low labeling index for Ki-67, with negative expression for cdks and cyclins, except for cyclins B and E. The tumor cells of PSTT exhibited a high labeling index for Ki-67 with positive expression for all the cyclins and cdks examined. Expression of p53 was identified in tumor cells of PSTTs and the distribution of p53-positive cells correlated topographically with that of the cyclin A-positive cells. The transformed IT of PSTT has high proliferative activity with an abnormal expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules, which is not observed in normal IT.

Pull-out strength of cemented solid versus fenestrated pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae

Objectives

Cement augmentation of pedicle screws could be used to improve screw stability, especially in osteoporotic vertebrae. However, little is known concerning the influence of different screw types and amount of cement applied. Therefore, the aim of this biomechanical in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of cement augmentation on the screw pull-out force in osteoporotic vertebrae, comparing different pedicle screws (solid and fenestrated) and cement volumes (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL).

Materials and Methods

A total of 54 osteoporotic human cadaver thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were instrumented with pedicle screws (uncemented, solid cemented or fenestrated cemented) and augmented with high-viscosity PMMA cement (0 mL, 1 mL or 3 mL). The insertion torque and bone mineral density were determined. Radiographs and CT scans were undertaken to evaluate cement distribution and cement leakage. Pull-out testing was performed with a material testing machine to measure failure load and stiffness. The paired t-test was used to compare the two screws within each vertebra.

Results

Mean failure load was significantly greater for fenestrated cemented screws (+622 N; p ⩽ 0.001) and solid cemented screws (+460 N; p ⩽ 0.001) than for uncemented screws. There was no significant difference between the solid and fenestrated cemented screws (p = 0.5). In the lower thoracic vertebrae, 1 mL cement was enough to significantly increase failure load, while 3 mL led to further significant improvement in the upper thoracic, lower thoracic and lumbar regions.

Conclusion

Conventional, solid pedicle screws augmented with high-viscosity cement provided comparable screw stability in pull-out testing to that of sophisticated and more expensive fenestrated screws. In terms of cement volume, we recommend the use of at least 1 mL in the thoracic and 3 mL in the lumbar spine.

Cite this article: C. I. Leichtle, A. Lorenz, S. Rothstock, J. Happel, F. Walter, T. Shiozawa, U. G. Leichtle. Pull-out strength of cemented solid versus fenestrated pedicle screws in osteoporotic vertebrae. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:419–426.

Acute haemodynamic effects of losartan in anaesthetized cirrhotic rats

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension in cirrhosis is the result of increased intrahepatic vascular resistance to portal outflow as well as increased portal tributary blood flow. The angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan has been suggested as a portal pressure-lowering drug in patients with cirrhosis.

AIM

To investigate the systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic effects of different doses of losartan.

METHODS

In 35 anaesthetized rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis, 3, 10 or 30 mg of losartan kg(-1) or solvent were administered intravenously. Ten sham-operated rats served as controls. Mean arterial pressure and portal pressure were measured by catheters in the femoral artery or portal vein. Systemic and splanchnic haemodynamics and mesenterico-systemic shunt rate were determined by the coloured microsphere method.

RESULTS

Losartan reduced portal pressure (sham: 9.1 +/- 0.4. cirrhosis: 19.3 +/- 1.1, after 3 mg kg(-1) of losartan 16.4 +/- 0.4, after 10 mg kg(-1) of losartan 15.6 +/- 0.6, after 30 mg kg(-1) of losartan 14.9 +/- 0.6 mmHg) without reducing portal sinusoidal resistance. However, in cirrhotic rats it reduced portal tributary blood flow (sham: 4.3 +/- 0.6. cirrhosis: 8.6 +/- 1.4, after 3 mg kg(-1) of losartan 3.8 +/- 0.7, after 10 mg kg(-1) of losartan 4.7 +/- 0.5, after 30 mg kg(-1) of losartan 5.9 +/- 0.9 mmHg). This was owing either to an increase in splanchnic vascular resistance at the 3 mg kg(-1) dose or to a reduction in the splanchnic perfusion-pressure gradient secondary to a reduction in mean arterial pressure at the 10 and 30 mg kg(-1) doses (mean arterial pressure: sham: 109.7 +/- 4.8. cirrhosis: 109.4 +/- 2.8, after 3 mg kg(-1) of losartan 99.7 +/- 2.9, after 10 mg kg(-1) of losartan 89.9 +/- 3.4, after 30 mg kg(-1) of losartan 81.0 +/- 2.9 mmHg).

CONCLUSIONS

Low doses of losartan reduce portal hypertension by an increase in splanchnic vascular resistance without hypotensive side-effects on arterial pressure.

Up-regulation of p27Kip1 by progestins is involved in the growth suppression of the normal and malignant human endometrial glandular cells

Progestins are known to suppress the growth of normal human endometrial glands and endometrial carcinomas possessing PRs. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of progestin-induced growth inhibition, the expression and functional involvement of p27Kip1 (p27), a cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor, was investigated using cultured normal endometrial glandular cells and endometrial carcinoma cell lines (Ishikawa; PR-positive, KLE; PR-negative). Growth of the normal endometrial glandular cells and Ishikawa cells was suppressed by treatment with progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate, respectively, in association with an increase in p27 protein expression. Immunoprecipitation revealed that progestins accelerated the complex formation of p27 and cdk2 in both types of cells. However, treatment with progestins did not show any marked alterations in the mRNA expression of p27 in either normal glandular cells or Ishikawa cells. On the other hand, p27 protein degradation experiments indicated that treatment with progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate prolonged the degradation time of the normal endometrial glandular cells and Ishikawa cells, respectively. Forced expression of the p27 protein using a p27 expression plasmid reduced the growth activity of normal endometrial glandular cells. These findings suggest that p27 is functionally involved in progestin-induced growth suppression of normal and malignant endometrial epithelial cells and that up-regulation of the p27 protein by progestins possibly occurs via posttranslational mechanisms.

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix has abnormal expression of sex steroid receptors, CA125, and gastric mucin

To provide clues to the histological differentiation between minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of the uterine cervix and normal cervical glands, we analyze the histochemical expression of ovarian steroid receptors [estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)], mucosubstances such as gastric mucin, CA125, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in normal cervical glands (10 cases) and MDA (seven cases). Mucin histochemistry showed that gastric mucin was focally demonstrated in all the cases of MDA but in none of the normal cervical glands. ER and PR were not expressed in MDA, whereas both receptors were invariably expressed in normal cervices. Expression of CA125 was significantly decreased in MDA, but was diffusely positive in normal endocervical glands. CEA was focally positive in all cases of MDA, but it was consistently negative in normal cervical glands. These results suggest that MDA lacks expression of the characteristic müllerian-type substances such as ER, PR, and CA125, and that a proportion of its cells contain gastric epithelial substances, comprising gastric mucin and CEA. In conclusion, loss of the expression of ER and PR, decreased expression of CA125, and staining for gastric mucin and CEA could be used for histologic discrimination of MDA from benign cervical glands.

Thioredoxin expression in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle

Human thioredoxin, a cellular disulphide reducing protein, is known to be secreted by some types of cells and to display unique extracellular activities including modulation of cytokine actions and protection of the cell against damage from oxidative stress. This study has been undertaken to investigate the pattern of expression and tissue distribution of thioredoxin in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Immunohistochemical studies showed increased thioredoxin immunoreactivity in the glands of the secretory phase compared to those of the proliferative phase. Although the staining of thioredoxin was relatively intense in predecidual stromal cells, the most prominent staining of thioredoxin was present in both glands and stroma of the endometrium in the early secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Northern hybridization analyses revealed that expression of thioredoxin mRNA in the endometrium of the early secretory phase was approximately 3-fold compared to the other phases of the menstrual cycle, consistent with the results of the immunohistochemical studies. These results suggest that both protein and gene expression of thioredoxin in the endometrium are menstrual cycle phase-specific and highly active in the phase of endometrial differentiation which occurs in preparation for implantation (early secretory phase of the menstrual cycle). Thioredoxin expressed in the early secretory phase of the menstrual cycle may be advantageous for blastocyst implantation.

Immunohistochemical detection of cyclin A with reference to p53 expression in endometrial endometrioid carcinomas

Cyclins are essential proteins in cell cycle control, and their deranged expression has been reported to be associated with malignant transformation. Involvement of cyclins in the development of endometrioid carcinomas of the endometrium was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies against both cyclin A and tumor suppressor gene product p53, and their expression was compared with that of Ki-67 antigen. Sixty-two cases of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma and 20 cases of normal endometrium (10 proliferative and 10 secretory phase) were examined. Of the 62 endometrioid carcinomas, atrophic endometrium and hyperplasia were found adjacent to the cancers in 30 and 19 cases respectively. Cyclin A was expressed in < 1% of the glandular cells of normal endometrium in the proliferative phase and in hyperplasia, but was negligible in normal secretory phase and atrophic endometrium. p53 was almost always negative in normal endometrium and hyperplasia. Of the 62 endometrioid carcinomas, 12 tumors (19.4%) overexpressed cyclin A and 21 tumors (33.8%) overexpressed p53 (positive cells > 1%). Cyclin A and p53 were more frequently expressed in poorly differentiated tumors than in well differentiated tumors (cyclin A, p = 0.002; p53, p = 0.016). In addition, cyclin A-positive cells were topographically related to those cells positive for p53 as well as Ki-67. In conclusion, the abnormal expression of cyclin A and p53 is associated with high-grade endometrial endometrioid carcinomas.

Identification of 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-amino-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-amino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-4) as a potent mutagen in river water in Kyoto and Aichi prefectures, Japan

We have previously isolated five mutagens in blue rayon-adsorbed substances from water at a site below sewage plants in the Nishitakase River, in Kyoto, Japan, and identified two of them as 2-phenylbenzotriazole derivatives, 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-amino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-1) and 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-[(2-cyanoethyl)ethylamino]-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-amino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-2). In the present study, we collected adsorbed materials on blue cotton (3 kg x 9 times) at the same location, and isolated a sufficient amount (97 microg) of one of the remaining three mutagens other than PBTA-1 and PBTA-2, for structural analysis, by multiple column chromatography. The structure of mutagen, accounting for 12% of the total mutagenicity of the blue rayon-adsorbed substances, was determined to be a PBTA-1 analogue, 2-[2-(acetylamino)-4-amino-5-methoxyphenyl]-5-amino-7-bromo-4-chloro-2H-benzotriazole (PBTA-4). PBTA-4 is a potent mutagen, inducing 190,000 and 7,800,000 revertants of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and YG1024 per microgram, respectively, in the presence of S9 mix. In addition to the water of the Nishitakase River, PBTA-4 was detected in water samples from two rivers that flow through other regions where textile-dyeing industries have been developed. Like other PBTA analogues, PBTA-4 might also be produced from azo dyes during industrial processes in dyeing factories and treatment at sewage plants.