Synthesis of an azadioxa-planar triphenylborane and investigation of its structural and photophysical properties

We report here the first successful synthesis of planar triphenylborane 1 with the phenyl groups bridged by oxygen and nitrogen atoms via double nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The hetero atom-bridged 1 has excellent planarity. Its structural and photophysical properties are tunable by altering the bridging atoms.

Urinary Thrombin as a Marker of Glomerular Inflammation Associated with Renal Injury in Type 2 Diabetes

Glomerular inflammation is a putative aggravation factor for type 2 diabetic nephropathy and urinary thrombin is a novel marker of glomerular inflammation. To clarify the relationship between glomerular inflammation and progression of the nephropathy, we measured urinary thrombin in 118 patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy at different stages. To investigate the implications of urinary thrombin in the nephropathy, we compared urinary thrombin with expression of tissue factor, the trigger of blood coagulation activation, in glomeruli and with markers of renal injury (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria). Urinary thrombin was found in 4.9% (3/61), 0.0% (0/12), 29.6% (8/27) and 50.0% (9/18) of patient groups at stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Thus, urinary thrombin was negligible in the patients at early stages (stages 1 and 2), but was present predominantly in the patients at advanced stages (stages 3 and 4). Tissue factor was expressed in accumulated macrophages in glomeruli, which indicates that thrombin may be generated in inflamed glomeruli presumably via inflammation-induced activation of the exudated coagulation factors into glomerular tissues and then be excreted in urine. Urinary thrombin was significantly associated with both decreased eGFR and increased proteinuria in type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, increased urinary thrombin in patients with advanced stages of type 2 diabetic nephropathy suggests that glomerular inflammation may injure the tissues, thereby impairing renal function. Monitoring an effect of anti-diabetic treatments on glomerular inflammation in the patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy may be a possible application of urinary thrombin.

Antithrombotic Mechanisms of Urokinase lmmobilized Polyurethane

Urokinase immobilized polymer is highly antithrombotic, which cannot be explained only by fibrinolysis. We immobllized 10 IU/cm2 of urokinase to polyurethane by using maleic anhydride methylvinyl ether copolymer as a carrier. Then we incubated blood in circular tubes made of this material, measured the clotting factors and observed the surface of the tubes after incubation by scanning electronmicroscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy. After 5 min incubation, the relative activities of factors V, VIII, IX, X and XII, fibrinogeil, plasminogen and α2 plasmin inhibitor decreased, but the activity of factor VII increased. No platelet adhesion to the surface of the urokinase immobilized polyurethane was observed and there was no significant adsorption of serum proteins, including fibrinogen, fibronectin and vWF antigen, or the surface. Urokinase-immobilized polyurethane catalyzed the digestion of clotting factors as well as fibrinolysis and also inhibited platelet adhesion on its surface probably by inhibiting protein adsorption and its clinical application including vessel prosthesis should be developed further.

Hypoelectrolytic isoosmotic solution for infusion prevents saline-induced ultrastuructural artifacts of renal biopsy specimens

Artifacts in the process of specimen preparation are frequent in ultrastructural evaluation of renal biopsy. We hypothesized that the common practice of wrapping kidney biopsy specimens in saline-soaked gauze to prevent the drying of the specimens could be the major factor of artifacts. In this study, whole kidneys from two male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Before fixation, fresh small cubes of kidney tissue were macerated in saline (Saline group) or hypoelectrolytic isoosmotic solution for infusion (HISI group) (Sorita T3 or SOLDEM 3A) for 10 or 30 min. Then, the specimens were processed by 1% OsO(4) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and embedded by EPON 812 for ultramicroscopic analysis. In the Saline group, ultrastructural examination revealed swollen podocyte, swollen capillary protuberance of the mesangium into the glomerular capillary loop, tubular cells with swollen mitochondria and microvilli, and the smooth muscle cells in the arteriolar wall with marked vacuolar degeneration were detected after 10 min maceration in saline and these findings become more pronounced after 30 min maceration. However, in the HISI group, these artifacts were not identified or limited within 30 min. It is postulated that HISI solution could prevent the artifacts, and be used for soaking and wrapping instead of physiologic saline solution.

Urinary thrombin: a novel marker of glomerular inflammation for the diagnosis of crescentic glomerulonephritis (prospective observational study)

Background

Crescentic glomerulonephritis (CresGN), an uncommon rapidly progressive disease, is characterized by severe glomerular inflammation with fibrin deposition. The lack of specific CresGN biomarkers delays diagnosis and threatens life. Because fibrin deposits in CresGN glomeruli indicate thrombin generation, we hypothesized that thrombin is excreted in urine and is a specific CresGN biomarker.

Methods

We measured urinary thrombin activity in 200 untreated patients (17 with CresGN, 183 with primary glomerulonephritis) and controls (8 patients with healed CresGN, 11 with nephrosclerosis, and 10 with tubulointerstitial nephritis, and 66 healthy volunteers). CresGN types included 15 pauci-immune and 2 immune complex. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of thrombinuria in 169 patients with hematuria and proteinuria. Renal biopsy tissues were immunostained for tissue factor and fibrin. We analyzed the relationship of thrombinuria to plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex, hematuria, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate, glomerular fibrin deposition, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), and C-reactive protein (CRP). We studied changes in thrombin activities after glucocorticoid treatment in 12 patients with thrombinuria.

Results

The highest thrombinuria occurrence was in CresGN (70.6%), followed by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (41.7%), IgA nephropathy (9.2%), and acute glomerulonephritis (0%). More than 75% of patients with nonproliferative glomerulonephritis manifested no thrombinuria. No controls had thrombinuria. Thrombinuria showed high CresGN specificity (90.1%) and moderate sensitivity (70.6%) and was detected in 4 of 7 patients with ANCA-negative CresGN. In CresGN, thrombinuria was associated with fibrin deposition in glomerular extracapillary tissue, where monocytes/macrophages expressed tissue factor. Thrombinuria in CresGN was unrelated to plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex, hematuria, proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate, and CRP. After glucocorticoid treatment, thrombinuria in patients with CresGN rapidly disappeared but proteinuria and hematuria persisted.

Conclusions

Thrombinuria was specific for glomerular inflammation, was unaffected by systemic inflammation or coagulation, and demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for CresGN including ANCA-negative cases. Thrombinuria measurement may provide risk-free diagnosis and screening for CresGN.

Field-dependent Brownian relaxation dynamics of a superparamagnetic clustered-particle suspension

The distinguishable Brownian relaxation dynamics of a clustered-particle system of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle suspension compared to that of a dispersed-particle system has been experimentally investigated through characterization of the frequency and field strength dependences of complex magnetic susceptibility. We confirmed that the application of low sinusoidal magnetic field strength enables cluster rotation instead of individual particle rotations. Furthermore, we found that the cluster rotation was altered to individual particle rotations in higher field strength, resulting in a shorter Brownian relaxation time, which suggests a change in the hydrodynamic volume. This evolutional relaxation behavior was associated with a change in the fitting parameter which satisfies the empirical model of relaxation and further represents the significance of interparticle interactions in defining the nonlinearity of the magnetization response.

Separation of Am(III), Cm(III), and Cf(III) using capillary electrophoresis

Trivalent actinides Am(III), Cm(III), and Cf(III) were successfully separated for the first time using capillary electrophoresis in 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid/acetic acid. It was found that the ionic radius was primarily important for separation of trivalent actinides as well as lanthanides in this condition. The stability constants of the Am(III) complexes with 2-hydroxyisobutyrate were estimated using the correlations between the molar fraction ratio of lanthanides and their ionic radii.

Extraction behavior of rutherfordium into tributylphosphate from hydrochloric acid

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of261Rf,169Hf, and85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

Enteropeptidase, a type II transmembrane serine protease

Enteropeptidase, a type II transmembrane serine protease, is localized to the brush border of the duodenal and jejunal mucosa. It is synthesized as a zymogen (proenteropeptidase) that requires activation by another protease, either trypsin or possibly duodenase. Active enteropeptidase then converts the pancreatic precursor, trypsinogen, to trypsin by cleavage of the specific trypsinogen activation peptide, Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys- Ile that is highly conserved in vertebrates. Trypsin, in turn, activates other digestive zymogens such as chymotrypsinogen, proelastase, procarboxypeptidase and prolipase in the lumen of the gut. The important biological function of enteropeptidase is highlighted by the manifestation of severe diarrhea, failure to thrive, hypoproteinemia and edema as a result of congenital deficiency of enteropeptidase activity in the gut. Conversely, duodenopancreatic reflux of proteolytically active enteropeptidase may cause acute and chronic pancreatitis.

[Soluble fibrin is not excreted in urine and its plasma level is elevated in nephrotic syndrome]

Soluble fibrin (SF) is produced by activated blood coagulation reaction and is useful to diagnose thrombotic diseases. We measured plasma and urine SF levels in nephritic patients to assess the hypercoagulability state associated with the disease. Before they received anti-coagulation or anti-platelet therapies, 60 patients underwent measurement of plasma SF and D-dimer levels by Latex agglutination turbidimetric immnoassay (LA). Urinary SF levels were also measured by LA. Plasma and urinary thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT) levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Plasma SF levels showed a good correlation with plasma TAT levels but only weak positive correlations were observed between plasma D-dimer and SF or TAT levels. Plasma SF and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the Iatients with nephrotic-range hypoalbuminemia (< or =3 g/dL) than those without it. Contrarily there was no significant difference in plasma TAT levels between these two groups of patients. In almost all patients, urinary SF levels were under the detection limit. However, TAT was excreted into urine more frequently in patients showing the nephrotic range of hypoalbuminemia at 38.2% than in non-nephrotic patients at 8.0%. Thus, plasma SF levels more precisely indicate activated blood coagulation reaction than plasma TAT levels in nephrotic patients, probably because the plasma SF is not excreted into urine, while plasma TAT is.

Overexpression of TNNI3K, a cardiac-specific MAP kinase, promotes P19CL6-derived cardiac myogenesis and prevents myocardial infarction-induced injury

TNNI3K is a new cardiac-specific MAP kinase whose gene is localized to 1p31.1 and that belongs to a tyrosine kinase-like branch in the kinase tree of the human genome. In the present study we investigated the role of TNNI3K in the cardiac myogenesis process and in the repair of ischemic injury. Pluripotent P19CL6 cells with or without transfection by pcDNA6-TNNI3K plasmid were used to induce differentiation into beating cardiomyocytes. TNNI3K promoted the differentiation process, judging from the increasing beating mass and increased number of alpha-actinin-positive cells. TNNI3K improved cardiac function by enhancing beating frequency and increasing the contractile force and epinephrine response of spontaneous action potentials without an increase of the single-cell size. TNNI3K suppressed phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I, annexin-V(+) cells, Bax protein, and p38/JNK-mediated apoptosis. Intramyocardial administration of TNNI3K-overexpressing P19CL6 cells in mice with myocardial infarction improved cardiac performance and attenuated ventricular remodeling compared with injection of wild-type P19CL6 cells. In conclusion, our study clearly indicates that TNNI3K promotes cardiomyogenesis, enhances cardiac performance, and protects the myocardium from ischemic injury by suppressing p38/JNK-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, modulation of TNNI3K activity would be a useful therapeutic approach for ischemic cardiac disease.

Urokinase-immobilization suppresses inflammatory responses to polyurethane tubes implanted in rabbit muscles

Urokinase and plasmin appear to have antiinflammatory activity in some injury models, and urokinase immobilization has been clinically used to prevent thrombus formation in various implants, including intravenous indwelling catheters and subcutaneous drainage tubes. In the present study, polyurethane tubes were embedded in rabbit muscle for 3 months and the effect of urokinase immobilization on inflammatory responses to the implanted tubes was studied at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Mononuclear leukocyte accumulation occurred around implanted polyurethane tubes and peaked after 1 month, but was reduced significantly by urokinase immobilization. The treatment also lessened as well as delayed eosinophil accumulation, but did not affect fibrosis caused by implanted tubes. These results indicate suppressive effects of urokinase immobilization on polyurethane-elicited inflammatory responses and suggest that an approach to develop persistently active urokinase immobilization is rational for successful long-term device implantation.

Mixed magnetic phases in (Ga,Mn)As epilayers

Two different ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transitions are detected in (Ga,Mn)As/GaAs(001) epilayers from ac susceptibility measurements: transition at a higher temperature results from (Ga,Mn)As cluster phases with [110] uniaxial anisotropy and that at a lower temperature is associated with a ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn)As matrix with 100 cubic anisotropy. A change in the magnetic easy axis from [100] to [110] with increasing temperature can be explained by the reduced contribution of 100 cubic anisotropy to the magnetic properties above the transition temperature of the (Ga,Mn)As matrix.

Assessment of thrombin in the urine of glomerulonephritic patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that blood clotting occurs in inflamed glomeruli, although its role in the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis remains to be elucidated. To address this issue, a simple and reliable method for evaluating clotting in glomeruli is necessary. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for thrombin in urine to evaluate the degree of clotting activation in diseased glomeruli.

METHODS

Monoclonal antibodies against human alpha-thrombin were raised and used for sandwich ELISA to measure thrombin. Thrombin was measured in urine samples from normal volunteers and from patients with glomerulonephritis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

RESULTS

Thrombin antigen was not detected in the urine of healthy volunteers or of patients with DIC, but was detected in the urine from two-thirds of glomerulonephritic patients. The average concentration in positive samples was 3.79 microg/L. Urinary thrombin concentrations measured by ELISA correlated well with thrombin activities measured by hydrolysis of a synthetic substrate.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that thrombin antigen in urine measured by ELISA is not affected by systemic thrombin production in the vessels, and reflects blood clotting activation in glomerulonephritic lesions. A close relationship between urinary thrombin and glomerulonephritis indicates a possible involvement of clotting in disease development, and measurement of urinary thrombin may provide a real-time marker for monitoring renal diseases.

Protective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor 165 and 121 on glomerular endothelial cell injury in the rat

Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) promotes the repair of injured vessels by stimulating angiogenesis. VEGF/VPF reportedly has cytoprotective activity but no study has shown the protective effect of VEGF/VPF on glomerular endothelial cells. We examined whether recombinant VEGF/VPF121 and VEGF/VPF165 isoforms could prevent injury of glomerular endothelial cells. Mild glomerular injury was induced in rats by an intravenous-injection of a limited dose of anti-Thy-1.1 antibody to obtain lesions similar to those found in the human disease. Recombinant VEGF/VPF165, VEGF/VPF121 or BSA was administered 4 h before the injection of the antibody, and once daily for 3 days. In the BSA-injected rats, mesangial cell lysis and endothelial cell injury in dilated capillary tufts were evident without endothelial cell apoptosis on days 1-4. Thereafter, cell proliferation and repair began and remodeling of the glomeruli was completed by day 28. Macrophages but not polymorphonuclear leukocytes accumulated significantly in the glomeruli on days 1-4. Treatment with VEGF/VPF isoform protected endothelial cells but not mesangial cells from destruction on day 1, and accelerated the repair of both types of cells, which was completed by day 18, 10 days earlier than that of the control animals. The results indicate that VEGF/VPF121 or VEGF/VPF165 can protect glomerular endothelial cells against injury, independent of apoptosis-inhibition activity, thereby promoting reconstruction of glomeruli. The protective effect of VEGF/VPF on endothelial cells suggests that it could provide therapeutic benefit for certain kidney diseases.

[Evaluation of thrombin in urine as a real-time indicator of clotting activation in glomerulonephritis]

When tissues are injured and bleeding occurs, blood clotting is immediately activated and fibrin clots are formed by thrombin. Afterwards, antithrombin III promptly inactivates thrombin, which restricts the clotting to the bleeding site. In inflamed sites, tissue factor is expressed on cells in the lesion by stimulation from cytokines, and produces thrombin. In this case, thrombin may survive longer because of inefficient inactivation by antithrombin III due to dilution and less perturbation in the interstitial fluid, and therefore, has a greater chance to activate thrombin receptors (protease-activated receptors: PARs) on the cells, which induces various cellular events including proliferation, migration, and shape change. Recent studies have suggested a pathophysiological association of the PAR pathway with crescentic glomerulonephritis. However, the role of thrombin in human diseases has not been fully studied, probably because of a lack of simple and reliable methods for measuring thrombin in clinical samples. To solve this problem, we developed an ELISA system for human alpha-thrombin and applied it to the measurement of thrombin in the urine of patients with glomerulonephritis. Thrombin in urine was detected in glomerulonephritic patients but not in healthy volunteers or disseminated intravascular coagulation patients, which suggests that thrombin in urine may reflect thrombin generation by clotting activation in the glomerular lesion.

Expression of enteropeptidase in differentiated enterocytes, goblet cells, and the tumor cells in human duodenum

Enteropeptidase (EP) is a serine proteinase and activates trypsinogen to trypsin, thus playing an important role in food digestion. Nevertheless, the localization of EP is still controversial, likely due to a lack of studies using specific antibodies against EP. The aim of this study was to define cellular localization of EP in human duodenum and expression in tumor cells at the duodenal region. Immunohistochemical staining for resected tissues was performed with two antibodies against recombinant EP light and heavy chains, respectively. In situ hybridization was done with two RNA probes that include either the light or the heavy chain sequences of proEP, respectively. The two antibodies reacted with enterocytes, accentuated on the brush border, and goblet cells, with increasing intensity from the bottom of crypts to the top of villi. Paneth cells, neuroendocrine cells, Brunner's glands, lymphocytes, smooth muscle, or connective tissue did not react with the antibodies. The two RNA probes detected EP mRNA expression only in enterocytes and goblet cells. EP is produced in enterocytes and goblet cells, and the localization on the brush border of the cells is reasonable for the physiological activation of digestive enzymes. Interestingly, the antibodies reacted with tumor cells in duodenal polyps and adenocarcinoma at the duodenum but not in Brunner's gland adenoma. EP seems to be a marker of differentiated enterocytes and goblet cells, which suggests the existence of a common progenitor of these cells. Furthermore, EP may be a useful marker of tumor cells originating from these cells.

VEGF is an essential molecule for glomerular structuring

Since glomerular development is regarded as angiogenesis/vasculogenesis, there should be angiogenic cytokines which mediate glomerulogenesis. In the developing kidney, messages of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors are expressed in epithelial and endothelial cells of the glomerulus, respectively. In vivo, suppression of VEGF activity by neutralizing antibody seriously interrupts glomerulogenesis. Typically, there are no endothelial cells in the abnormal glomerulus. Structural changes of the glomerulus were clear by observing vascular castings of renal vessels. Although structures of arteries and arterioles were not impaired, the capillary lumen of the glomerulus was completely lost or interrupted halfway through development. It is concluded that VEGF is secreted from the Bowman's capsule, and stimulates endothelial or endothelial progenitor cells in a paracrine fashion to form the glomerulus.

Vascular permeability enhancement in solid tumor: various factors, mechanisms involved and its implications

Most solid tumors are known to exhibit highly enhanced vascular permeability, similar to or more than the inflammatory tissues. Common denominators affecting both cancer and inflammatory lesions are now well known: bradykinin (BK), nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), prostaglandins (PGs), collagenases or matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and others. Incidentally, enzymes involved in these mediator syntheses are upregulated or activated. Initially described vascular permeability factor (VPF) (proteinaceous) was later identified to be the same as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes angiogenesis of cancer tissues as well. These mediators cross-talk or co-upregulate each other, such as BK-NO-PGs system. Therefore, vascular permeability observed in solid tumor may reflect the other side of the coin (angiogenesis). The vascular permeability and accumulation of plasma components in the interstitium described here is applicable for predominantly macromolecules (molecular weight, Mw>45 kDa), but not for low molecular compounds as most anticancer agents are. Macromolecular compounds (e.g., albumin, transferrin) or many biocompatible water-soluble polymers show this effect. Furthermore, they are not cleared rapidly from the sites of lesion (cancer/inflammatory tissue), thus, remain for prolonged time, usually for more than a few days. This phenomenon of "enhanced permeability and retention effect" observed in cancer tissue for macromolecules and lipids is coined "EPR effect", which is now widely accepted as a gold standard for anticancer drug designing to seek more cancer-selective targeting using macromolecular drugs. Consequently, drastic reduction of the systemic side effect is observed, while the macromolecular drugs will continuously exert antitumor activity. Other advantages of macromolecular drugs are also discussed.

Asymmetric transport due to spin injection into a Kondo alloy

Spin injection is found to have a significant effect on the transport properties of the Kondo alloy Cu(Fe). When a spin-polarized electron current flows from Co into Cu(Fe) wires through the Co/Cu(Fe) interface, the resistivity of the Cu(Fe) wire is suppressed near the interface, as distinct from the ordinary logarithmic increase in the resistivity at low temperatures. For the opposite current direction, no significant changes are observed. The asymmetry of the resistivity with respect to the current direction decays with a characteristic length of 1.5+/-0.4 microm at 2.5 K as the distance from the interface is increased. Possible mechanisms for the asymmetry are discussed.

Randomized phase I study of standard-fractionated or accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin and vindesine for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer: a report of Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study (JCOG 9601)

BACKGROUND

We attempted dose escalation of standard-fractionated and accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy combined with concurrent cisplatin and vindesine to improve local control and survival in unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients were enrolled between June 1996 and August 1997. There were 19 males and two females and their median age was 65 years (range 45-74 years). Performance status was 0 in 10 cases and 1 in 11 cases. Disease stage was IIIA in three cases and IIIB in 18 cases. The cases were randomized to a standard-fractionated arm (n = 10) or an accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy arm (n = 11) with two or three cycles of concomitant cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 and vindesine 3 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks in both arms. Dose escalation from 60 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks to 70 Gy/35 fractions/7 weeks was planned in the standard-fractionated radiotherapy group and from 54 Gy/36 fractions/3.6 weeks to 60 Gy/40 fractions/4 weeks and then 66 Gy/44 fractions/4.4 weeks in the accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy group.

RESULTS

Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were observed as follows: in the standard-fractionated/accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy group, leukocytopenia 9/10, anemia 2/3 and thrombocytopenia 0/2. Grade 3 non-hematological toxicity consisted of esophagitis 0/3, increased serum total bilirubin 2/0 and hypoxia 0/1. Two patients died of radiation pneumonitis in the standard-fractionated radiotherapy group. Dose-limiting toxicity was observed in four of the 10 and seven of the 11 patients at initial dose level of standard-fractionated radiotherapy, 60 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks, and of accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy, 54 Gy/36 fractions/3.6 weeks, respectively. Thus, we failed to escalate the dose of radiotherapy in both arms. The overall response rate in the standard-fractionated group and the accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy group was 70 and 73% and the 1-year survival rate was 70 and 64%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that these schedules of radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin and vindesine were unacceptable for use in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. Further modifications of the schedule for radiotherapy and evaluation of combination with new chemotherapy are warranted.

Glomerular endothelial cells are maintained by vascular endothelial growth factor in the adult kidney

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to maintain endothelial cells of immature vessels and is constitutively expressed in the kidney from the embryo to adult. We tested the hypothesis that VEGF activity is needed to maintain glomerular endothelial cells in the adult. Neutralizing antibody to VEGF165 was intraperitoneally administered to mice for 3 days to strongly suppress its intrinsic activity. On the fourth day, mice were sacrificed and tissues were examined by light and electron microscopies. Vascular casts of renal vessels were observed by a scanning electron microscopy. Distribution of the administered antibody and expressions of VEGF and Flk-1 were examined immunohistochemically. The suppression of endogenous VEGF activity caused swelling and vacuolation of endothelial cells and obstruction of capillaries in the glomerulus. Other tissues were not impaired significantly. The administered antibody was specifically localized to the glomerulus, and was found more predominantly in the juxta-medullary than in the cortical glomerulus. This pattern of antibody deposition was similar to that of Flk-1. VEGF expression in the glomerulus was compensatively elevated by the antibody treatment. These results show that demand for VEGF signaling in the glomerulus is much higher than in other tissues, probably to protect its endothelial cells against high tension for blood filtration. This demand may be fulfilled by enriched signaling through the Flk-1 in the glomerulus.

[VEGF is an essential molecule for glomerular endothelial cells and its excretion in urine might be a unique marker of glomerular injury]

A glomerulus is a functional unit of the kidney, and endothelial cells in the glomerulus are often exposed to more than 5 times higher pressure than peripheral capillaries. Glomerular development proceeds through angiogenesis and VEGF was shown to mediate the angiogenesis. VEGF is constitutively expressed in the glomerulus from the embryo to adults. When VEGF signal was blocked by the antibody, glomerular endothelial cells were swollen and capillary lumen was interrupted. Changes were more prominent in the juxta-medullary than in the cortical glomerulus. A major VEGF receptor, Flk-1/KDR, is specifically localized to the glomerular endothelial cell among tissues and more predominantly in the juxta-medullary than in the cortical glomerulus. As capillary pressure is higher in the juxta-medullary than in the cortical glomeruli, endothelial cells in the former are exposed to more tension than those in the latter. VEGF might be a protective molecule for endothelial cells against tension. The effect of VEGF on the repair of an impaired glomerulus was evaluated in the rat Thy-1 glomerulonephritis. VEGF inhibited early endothelial injury and accelerated consequent remodeling of the glomerulus. In the patient study, VEGF excretion in the urine was independent from its serum or plasma level, but increased as renal function decreased. VEGF signaling is essential in glomerular development, maintenance and repair. VEGF excreted in the urine might reflect its generation in the kidney and be a unique marker of renal function.

Interaction between low dose-rate irradiation, mild hyperthermia and low-dose caffeine in a human lung cancer cell line

PURPOSE

To investigate cell killing by means of low dose-rate irradiation (LDRI) combined with concurrent mild hyperthermia and to determine the effect of low-dose caffeine on this combination treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human lung adenocarcinoma cells, LK87, were treated with LDRI (50 cGy/h) in combination with mild hyperthermia at 41 degrees C and low-dose caffeine (1 mM). Cell survival was estimated by clonogenic assay. Flow-cytometry was performed with PI staining using FACScan. Heat-shock protein (HSP72/73) was measured by the Western blotting method. All treatments were simultaneously performed for up to 48 h (24 Gy).

RESULTS

LDRI cytotoxicities were enhanced by hyperthermia at 41 degrees C. D0 calculated from the dose-response curve for LDRI combined with 41 degrees C was 3.46 Gy whereas it was 6.55 Gy for LDRI alone. The survival curve for LDRI +41 degrees C demonstrated no chronic thermotolerance up to 48 h. For LDRI + simultaneous low-dose caffeine, cell killing was also enhanced, where D0 was 3.38 Gy at 37 degrees C. Radiosensitization caused by caffeine was enhanced by combination with simultaneous mild hyperthermia at 41 degrees C, where D0=1.78 Gy. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated remarkable G2 and mild G1 arrest for LDRI alone, but only G1 arrest was observed for LDRI combined with 41 degrees C and for LDRI combined with caffeine. Strong and early G1 arrest was observed in the treatment with LDRI + caffeine at 41 degrees C. The amount of HSP72/73 in the combination of LDRI with caffeine at 41 degrees C was less than that at 41 degrees C alone.

CONCLUSION

LDRI cytotoxicity was enhanced by non-lethal hyperthermia. Low dose caffeine produced further cell killing in the combination of LDRI with mild hyperthermia.

Early radiation effects in highly apoptotic murine lymphoma xenografts monitored by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

PURPOSE

Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectra (31P-MRS) were obtained from highly apoptotic murine lymphoma xenografts before and up to 24 hr following graded doses of radiation ranging from 2 to 30 Gy. Radiation-induced apoptosis was also estimated up to 24 hr by scoring apoptotic cells in tumor tissue.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Highly apoptotic murine lymphoma cells, EL4, were subcutaneously transplanted into C57/BL mice. At 7 days after transplantation, radiation was given to the tumor with a single dose at 3, 10, and 30 Gy. The beta-ATP/Pi, PME/Pi, and beta-ATP/PME values were calculated from the peak area of each spectrum. Radiation-induced apoptosis was scored with counting apoptotic cells on hematoxylin and eosin stained specimens (% apoptosis).

RESULTS

The values of % apoptosis 4, 8, and 24 hr after radiation were 21.8, 19.6, and 4.6% at 3 Gy, 35.1, 25.6, and 14.8% at 10 Gy, 38.4, 38.0, and 30.6% at 30 Gy, respectively (cf. 4.4% in control). There was no correlation between early change in beta-ATP/Pi and % apoptosis at 4 hr after radiation when most of the apoptosis occurred. An early decrease in PME/Pi was observed at 4 hr after radiation dose at 30 Gy. For each dose, the values of beta-ATP/Pi 24 hr after radiation were inversely related to radiation dose.

CONCLUSION

The increase in beta-ATP/Pi observed by 31P-MRS was linked to the degree of histological recovery from radiation-induced apoptosis.

Cytotoxic enhancement of low dose-rate irradiation in human lung cancer cells by mild hyperthermia

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the cell killing induced by low dose-rate irradiation (LDRI) simultaneously combined with long duration mild hyperthermia in LK87 human lung cancer cells. Cell cycle alteration due to this combined treatment was also observed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human lung adenocarcinoma cells, LK87, were treated with concurrent LDRI (50 cGy/hr) and mild hyperthermia (38 to 42 degrees C). Cell survival was estimated by clonogenic assay. Flow cytometry was performed with FACScan. The treatments were simultaneously performed for up to 48 hr (24 Gy).

RESULTS

Survival curves of mild hyperthermia alone revealed development of chronic thermotolerance up to 48 hr, whereas LDRI plus hyperthermia caused an exponential decrease in survival. The LDRI cytotoxicities were enhanced by mild hyperthermia over a non-lethal temperature range. The Do values calculated from dose response curves at 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 41.5 and 42 degrees C were 6.55, 5.25, 4.24, 3.99, 3.46, 1.83 and 0.70 Gy, respectively. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated a remarkable G2 and a mild G1 block for LDRI alone, but only a G1 block was observed for LDRI combined with 41 degrees C hyperthermia.

CONCLUSION

The LDRI cytotoxicity was enhanced by long duration mild temperature hyperthermia. The suppression of chronic thermotolerance was considered to be a mechanism involved in this sensitization.

Purification and properties of a new enzyme, D-carnitine dehydrogenase, from Agrobacterium sp. 525a

A new enzyme, D-carnitine dehydrogenase from Agrobacterium sp. 525a, was purified by DEAE-Toyopearl, ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex G-75, affinity chromatography, and Mono Q and TSK-gel filtration column chromatography. The enzyme had the molecular mass of 89 kDa and consisted of three identical subunits. The optimum pH for the oxidation reaction was 9.3. The Michaelis constants for D-carnitine and NAD+ were 3.1 and 0.07 mM, respectively. The N-terminal 20 amino acids were sequenced.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an essential molecule for mouse kidney development: glomerulogenesis and nephrogenesis

Homeostasis of body fluid is maintained by the kidneys, which contain two million glomeruli for blood filtration. A glomerulus is formed by growth of Bowman's capsule harmonized with a capillary during kidney development. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential angiogenic cytokine, and VEGF deficiency is known to be fatal in mice in early embryonic stages. As secretions of VEGF from cultured kidneys vary according to developmental stages, the role of VEGF in kidney development was studied in vivo by blocking the endogenous VEGF activity with antibody in newborn mice, in which most organs are already developed but kidneys are still developing. The antibody-treated animals showed normal growth but systemic edema. Vessel formation in the superficial renal cortex was disturbed, nephrogenic areas were diminished, and the number of developing nephrons decreased significantly. Many abnormal glomeruli, lacking capillary tufts, were observed in the antibody-treated mice, and VEGF expression in their Bowman's capsule showed a compensatory increase. These results suggest that VEGF mediates communication between the Bowman's capsule and capillary endothelial cells for developing a glomerulus as well as promoting nephrogenesis. In conclusion, VEGF is likely to be an essential molecule for kidney development, and especially for glomerulogenesis.

Adult embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma showing marked response to radiotherapy: a case report

A case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) arising from adult lower proximal extremity is described. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is most common among children, but adult embryonal RMS is rare. The patient was a 44-year-old man with a large tumor of the left extremity invading to the pelvis. The histological diagnosis was embryonal RMS. Radiation therapy was delivered a total dose of 50 Gy to the tumor. Although adult RMS, usually pleomorphic type, is considered to be radioresistant, the tumor showed marked response to radiotherapy and local control was achieved easily in this case.

Thermal enhancement of pirarubicin (THP-adriamycin) by mild hyperthermia in vitro

It has been demonstrated that hyperthermia can enhance the cytotoxicity of several anticancer drugs. Pirarubicin (THP-adriamycin) is a less cardiotoxic derivative of adriamycin. The thermal enhancement of cytotoxicity of pirarubicin was studied at various elevated temperatures in vitro by using a Chinese hamster cell line, V79. Cell survival curves were obtained at elevated temperatures for V79 cells treated with heat given alone or in combination with pirarubicin, and D0, the treatment time to reduce cell survival from S to S/e, was obtained for each cell survival curve. The relationship between the logarithm of the D0 and the treatment temperature for cells treated with heat alone was biphasic with a breaking point at 43 degrees C, although that for cells treated with a combination of heat and pirarubicin was exponential with no breaking point. The slope of this relationship for heat alone > 43 degrees C was -0.72 +/- 0.094 h/degree C which was not significantly different from the slope for combined heat and pirarubicin, -0.64 +/- 0.032 h/degree C. The results indicated that the cytotoxicity of pirarubicin was thermally enhanced specifically by mild hyperthermia. Pirarubicin uptake into the V79 cells during hyperthermia was independent of the treatment temperature (37, 42, and 44 degrees C), suggesting that the thermal enhancement of pirarubicin was not due to the increased drug-uptake at elevated temperatures. Based on these results, it is predictable that hyperthermia combined with pirarubicin is more effective below 43 degrees C which is easily achievable clinically.

Nicotinamide and pentoxifylline increase human leucocyte filterability: a possible mechanism for reduction of acute hypoxia

Transient plugging of microcapillaries by leucocytes is a possible reason for the occurrence of acute hypoxia in tumours. We compared the abilities of nicotinamide at 1000 micrograms ml-1 and 150 micrograms ml-1 and pentoxifylline at 300 micrograms ml-1 to increase the filterability of normal and artificially activated human leucocytes through 8 microns pores, as a model for the capillary bed. Using a St George's filtrometer, filterability of treated leucocyte suspensions was compared with control for three to six sequential 60 microliters samples, normalising control values to unity. Pentoxifylline at 300 micrograms ml-1 halved the ratio of treated to control value to 0.47 +/- 0.13 (2 s.e.), P = 0.001 (i.e. an increase in filterability), and nicotinamide at 1000 micrograms ml-1 reduced it to 0.69 +/- 0.22, P = 0.04, but the clinically achievable 150 micrograms ml-1 was ineffective (0.82 +/- 0.25, P = 0.24). Filterability of artificially activated leucocytes was reduced (3.9 +/- 1.20) but was restored to control values of unity by 1000 micrograms ml-1 nicotinamide and 300 micrograms ml-1 pentoxifylline and partially restored by 150 micrograms ml-1 nicotinamide (1.2 mM), which was isoeffective with 100 micrograms ml-1 pentoxifylline (0.37 mM). Pentoxifylline is therefore more effective on a molar basis and was shown to affect both polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes, while nicotinamide only affects lymphocytes. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that both agents modify acute hypoxia by increasing leucocyte filterability.

cDNA sequence and chromosomal localization of human enterokinase, the proteolytic activator of trypsinogen

Enterokinase is a serine protease of the duodenal brush border membrane that cleaves trypsinogen and produces active trypsin, thereby leading to the activation of many pancreatic digestive enzymes. Overlapping cDNA clones that encode the complete human enterokinase amino acid sequence were isolated from a human intestine cDNA library. Starting from the first ATG codon, the composite 3696 nt cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame of 3057 nt that encodes a 784 amino acid heavy chain followed by a 235 amino acid light chain; the two chains are linked by at least one disulfide bond. The heavy chain contains a potential N-terminal myristoylation site, a potential signal anchor sequence near the amino terminus, and six structural motifs that are found in otherwise unrelated proteins. These domains resemble motifs of the LDL receptor (two copies), complement component Clr (two copies), the metalloprotease meprin (one copy), and the macrophage scavenger receptor (one copy). The enterokinase light chain is homologous to the trypsin-like serine proteinases. These structural features are conserved among human, bovine, and porcine enterokinase. By Northern blotting, a 4.4 kb enterokinase mRNA was detected only in small intestine. The enterokinase gene was localized to human chromosome 21q21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Enterokinase, the initiator of intestinal digestion, is a mosaic protease composed of a distinctive assortment of domains

Enterokinase is a protease of the intestinal brush border that specifically cleaves the acidic propeptide from trypsinogen to yield active trypsin. This cleavage initiates a cascade of proteolytic reactions leading to the activation of many pancreatic zymogens. The full-length cDNA sequence for bovine enterokinase and partial cDNA sequence for human enterokinase were determined. The deduced amino acid sequences indicate that active two-chain enterokinase is derived from a single-chain precursor. Membrane association may be mediated by a potential signal-anchor sequence near the amino terminus. The amino terminus of bovine enterokinase also meets the known sequence requirements for protein N-myristoylation. The amino-terminal heavy chain contains domains that are homologous to segments of the low density lipoprotein receptor, complement components C1r and C1s, the macrophage scavenger receptor, and a recently described motif shared by the metalloprotease meprin and the Xenopus A5 neuronal recognition protein. The carboxyl-terminal light chain is homologous to the trypsin-like serine proteases. Thus, enterokinase is a mosaic protein with a complex evolutionary history. The amino acid sequence surrounding the amino terminus of the enterokinase light chain is ITPK-IVGG (human) or VSPK-IVGG (bovine), suggesting that single-chain enterokinase is activated by an unidentified trypsin-like protease that cleaves the indicated Lys-Ile bond. Therefore, enterokinase may not be the "first" enzyme of the intestinal digestive hydrolase cascade. The specificity of enterokinase for the DDDDK-I sequence of trypsinogen may be explained by complementary basic-amino acid residues clustered in potential S2-S5 subsites.

Suppression of thrombin formation during hemodialysis with triglyceride

Effect of blood-air contact in the venous line air-trap chamber on blood clotting was studied. Fourteen chronic hemodialysis patients (six men, eight women; mean age, 49 years) with elevation of thrombin-antithrombin III were studied. To prevent blood-air contact, triglyceride (NOF-005) was floated over the blood in the chamber. Control hemodialysis was performed for 4 weeks and hemodialysis using NOF-005 followed for the next 4 weeks. Clot formation in the circuit was examined after each hemodialysis and clotting factors including thrombin-antithrombin III, FXII Antigen, vWF Antigen, PF4 and beta-thromboglobulin were measured before and after the last hemodialysis of each control and NOF-005 hemodialysis. Clotting in the chamber was improved when NOF-005 was used. Thrombin-antithrombin III increase during hemodialysis was suppressed to about 30% of control values by using NOF-005. blood-air contact seems to promote thrombin generation and accelerate clot formation.

Effect of blood access on the platelets of azotemic patients initiating dialysis therapy

The effect of blood access on platelets and clotting factors was investigated in 46 azotemic patients. Arteriovenous fistula was used in 10 patients (AVF group), and polyurethane double-lumen catheters were inserted through the subclavian vein in 6 patients (PUS group) or through the femoral vein in 15 patients (PUF group). Indwelling urokinase-immobilized single-lumen catheters and double-lumen catheters were placed in the femoral vein of 5 patients (UKS group) and 10 patients (UKD group), respectively. Blood cell counts, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were measured before insertion while catheters were indwelling and after catheters were pulled out. Although the platelet count decreased to 83% of the initial value during indwelling in the PUF group and 89% in the PUS group, it did not decrease in the AVF, UKS, and UKD groups. There were no differences between the PUF and PUS groups nor between the UKS and UKD groups. Plasma beta-TG increased in the PUF and UKD groups with indwelling catheters but did not change with the AVF. From these results, we conclude that the AVF did not activate platelets, the urokinase-immobilized catheter activated platelets, and the polyurethane catheter activated and decreased platelets. This might be due to the different surface properties of each blood access. Thus, the urokinase-immobilized catheter seems to be more favorable than the polyurethane catheter for emergency blood access.

Flow cytometric analysis of hematuria using fluorescent antihemoglobin antibody

To identify the morphological changes of urinary erythrocytes in hematuria objectively, flow cytometrical analysis of fluorescence-labeled erythrocytes was performed. Fifty-one fresh urine samples from 33 hematuric patients (16 with glomerulonephritis and 17 with urological disease) were obtained. Urine erythrocytes were stained with FITC-labeled antihemoglobin antibody, and distinguished from other particles with similar size. Forward scattered light intensity (FW-SC) was used as an indicator of red cell size and right orthogonally scattered light intensity (RT-SC) divided by forward scattering (RT-SC/FW-SC) was used as a marker of cell surface irregularity. The size of erythrocytes expressed by FW-SC was significantly smaller in glomerulonephritic hematuria (101.6 +/- 41.8) than that in urological hematuria (123.5 +/- 44.7). RT-SC/FW-SC was smaller in urological hematuria (1.22 +/- 0.18) in comparison with glomerulonephritic hematuria (1.33 +/- 0.12). These results suggest that erythrocytes in glomerulonephritic hematuria had smaller size and more complex surface structure in comparison with urological hematuria. When cutoff was set at 110 of FW-SC for the criteria of glomerulonephritic erythrocytes, a correct diagnosis was made in 73.3% (22/30) of glomerulonephritic hematuria and in 76.2% (16/21) of nonglomerular hematuria. We clarified more complex morphological changes of glomerulonephritic urinary erythrocytes objectively.