Expression of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s as altered by uremia

The proportions of different hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450s expressed in uremic rats were studied with specific antibodies and with a steroid hydroxylase assay. In male uremic rats, the hepatic levels of P450 2C11, a male-specific form, and 3A2, a male-dominant form, were decreased to about 30% at 5 weeks after the induction of uremia. These changes were paralleled by decreases in the activities of testosterone 2 alpha-, 16 alpha-, and 6 beta-hydroxylation. The level of P450 2A1, abundant in immature rats, was increased 2-fold by uremia and accompanied by an increase in testosterone 7 alpha-hydroxylation activity. The levels of P450 2C6 and 2E1 were not changed by uremia. The levels of male-specific and male-dominant forms such as P450 2C11 and 3A2 are affected by the serum level of testosterone, which was decreased in the male rats with uremia. Therefore, castrated rats were prepared to compare the effects of testosterone on hepatic cytochrome P450s in uremic rats with those in castrated rats. When testosterone was administered to the castrated rats, the decreased levels of both P450 2C11 and 3A2 returned to normal. However, the administration of testosterone to the uremic rats did not prevent the decrease in the levels of these P450s. In female rats, changes in the levels of cytochrome P450s were not as great during uremia as those in male uremic rats. The level of P450 2C12, a female-specific form, was not changed; the level of P450 2A1 was increased by 50%, that of 3A2 which is barely detected in female rats was increased by 60%, and that of 2E1 was increased by 25%. These results suggested that the changes in the hepatic levels of cytochrome P450s were affected by factors other than testosterone in uremic rats.

Molecular characterization of genetic mutations in human lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) B (H) variant

We have previously detected a single base substitution of G by A at the Arg codon CGC in exon 4 of the mutant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene, an unstable LDH-B variant (case 1). Here, we use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify genomic DNA of two cases (the original case 1 and a new patient, case 2). We were able to confirm that case 1 is homozygous for the mutation, causing a replacement of the conserved Arg by His at residue 173. The resulting LDH-B variant subunit is unstable in vivo. Whereas the mutation in exon 4 was not observed in case 2, a different single base substitution of A by C was detected at the Ser codon AGT in exon 3. This mutation causes a replacement of the conserved Ser by Arg at residue 131. Genomic analysis of the family of case 2 by mismatched PCR showed that the missense mutation was consistent with their biochemical phenotypes. The replacement results in a conformational change of the residues near the Ser, probably because the side chain of Arg is much more bulky than that of Ser. The change may affect the arrangement of the cofactor binding site and result in the loss of enzyme activity. The experimental observations are consistent with computer graphics analyses.

The effect of pulse repetition rate on the delay sensitivity of neurons in the auditory cortex of the FM bat, Myotis lucifugus

1. Echo delay is the primary cue used by echolocating bats to determine target range. During target-directed flight, the repetition rate of pulse emission increases systematically as range decreases. Thus, we examined the delay tuning of 120 neurons in the auditory cortex of the bat, Myotis lucifugus, as repetition rate was varied. 2. Delay sensitivity was exhibited in 77% of the neurons over different ranges of pulse repetition rates (PRRs). Delay tuning typically narrowed and eventually disappeared at higher PRRs. 3. Two major types of delay-sensitive neurons were found: i) delay-tuned neurons (59%) had a single fixed best delay, while ii) tracking neurons (22%) changed their best delay with PRR. 4. PRRs from 1-100/s were represented by the population of delay-sensitive neurons, with the majority of neurons delay-sensitive at PRRs of at least 10-20/s. Thus, delay-dependent neurons in Myotis are most active during the search phase of echolocation. 5. Delay-sensitive neurons that also responded to single sounds were common. At PRRs where delay sensitivity was found, the responses to single sounds were reduced and the responses to pulse-echo pairs at particular delays were greater than the single-sound responses. In facilitated neurons (53%), the maximal delay-dependent response was always larger than the best single-sound responses, whereas in enhanced neurons (47%), these responses were comparable. The presence of neurons that respond maximally to single sounds at one PRR and to pulse-echo pairs with particular echo delays at other PRRs suggests that these neurons perform echo-ranging in conjunction with other biosonar functions during target pursuit.

[The use of a metallic stent in 32 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Preliminary results and 3 months of follow-up]

A prospective noncontrolled study of the safety and potential efficacy of the metallic stent was performed on 32 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Mean age was 76.6 years (range, 56-98 years), and mean prostatic volume was 24.2 cm3. The patients were selected on the basis of a quantitative symptom score (QSS), uroflowmetry measurements, and residual urine volume (RU). Nineteen patients had urinary retention and remaining 13 patients had moderate symptoms and signs of prostatism. Placing the stent was successfully done in 31 patients (97%). It took 15 minutes to place the stent using transabdominal and/or endorectal sonography. After 3 months, 27 patients (87%) showed improved QSS. In patients with dysuria, maximum flow rate (MFR) and RU before treatment were 6.9 +/- 1.7 ml/sec and 112.3 +/- 61.8 ml, respectively. After treatment, they improved to 12.3 +/- 2.7 ml/sec and 12.7 +/- 6.7 ml, respectively. On the other hand, all patients who had urinary retention were able to urinate just after treatment, and MFR and RU were 12.9 +/- 3.6 ml/sec and 24.4 +/- 43.3 ml, respectively. Evaluation on the basis of improvement in MFR and reduction in RU showed that the stent was effective in 71% of total patients (22 out of 31 patients), 94% of the patients with urinary retention (17 out of 18 patients). The overall clinical efficacy of this stent was 68% (21 patients). There were no major complications such as urge incontinence and urinary tract infection during follow-up. Although proximal migration of the stent was observed in 6 patients, the stent could be taken out and replaced in 4 patients. From the above results, we conclude that the metallic stent is useful for the treatment of prostatism and urinary retention.

Identification of neurofibromatosis type I gene product as an insoluble GTPase-activating protein toward ras p21

The neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) gene was cloned as a gene whose structural change is closely related to the onset of a neurocutaneous disorder, neurofibromatosis type I. The predicted amino acid sequence of the NF1 gene product shows significant similarity to the catalytic domain of GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for ras p21. This GAP-related domain has been shown to have GAP activity when expressed by recombinant DNA technique, however little is known about the NF1 gene product expressed in tissues. Antibodies against the carboxy terminus and the GAP-related domain of the NF1 gene product were made to identify and characterize NF1 protein expressed in vivo. Both antibodies specifically reacted with a polypeptide with apparent molecular weight of 235 kDa in immunoblot and immunoprecipitation analyses. This 235 kDa protein is detected in brain but not in spleen, thymus, kidney, liver, lung and heart. The subcellular distribution of NF1 and GAP was studied using rat brain extract and was identified by the activity which was inhibited by antibodies against GAP-related domain of NF1 and anti-GAP respectively. The results show that NF1 protein mainly resides in the particulate fraction, in contrast to GAP, which is a soluble protein. We also found that a GAP activity which is not inhibited by anti-NF1 and anti-GAP exists in both the soluble and particulate fractions. The result suggests that there may be another GAP molecule.

[Clinical study of prophylactic therapy of interferon on postoperative renal cell carcinoma]

A clinical trial using interferon alpha 2b (IFN alpha-2b) for prophylactic therapy was done on 44 patients who had received nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Principally, the daily intramuscular injection of 3 of 6 million units of IFN alpha-2b was done for 4 consecutive weeks after 2 weeks postoperatively and thereafter followed by injection once every 2 weeks. The clinical evaluation was done for the recurrence rate, the survival rate, the IFN alpha and IFN gamma producing ability, the activity of 2',5' oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5AS) and the side effect. Out of 44 cases entered, 42 were completely evaluable and recurrence was observed in 5 (11.9%) of the 42 cases. The recurrence rate was 5.5% and 16.4%, at the first and second year, respectively. Three (7.1%) of the 42 patients died. The survival rate was 97.6% at the first year, 89.7% at the second year for the followup study. The IFN alpha producing capacity was low in all of the 4 evaluable cases. The IFN gamma producing capacity was high in 3 cases and normal in 1 case. 2-5AS, the enzyme produced by IFN, was activated by IFN alpha-2b administration in all of the 4 evaluable cases. Side effects were observed in 24 (54.5%) of the 44 cases. The main side effect was fever. Leucopenia, general fatigue, appetite loss, temporary elevation of liver transaminase were also observed. However, there were only 5 cases (11.4%) in which administration of IFN alpha-2b had to be discontinued.

[A case of renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma--characteristics of intracystic fluid associated with renal cell carcinoma from Japanese reports]

The patient was a 56-year-old male. Renal cyst and intracystic mass were incidentally found in the right kidney by ultrasound sonography. Intracystic mass was enhanced. At operation, intracystic fluid was clear and yellow, and its cytology was negative. However, rapid histological examination of the intracystic mass showed malignancy. Accordingly, nephrectomy was performed. We then reviewed the characteristics of the intracystic fluid in renal cell carcinoma reported in Japan and found that 70% was bloody intracystic fluid and 30% showed positive cytology. These findings suggested that we should to be more careful when diagnosing renal cyst associated with renal cell carcinoma only by the examination of the intracystic fluid.

Thymus lymphocytes in uraemic rats and the effect of thymosin fraction 5 in vivo

Thymus lymphocyte subsets in uraemic rats were studied using monoclonal antibodies. Severe and moderate uraemia was induced in rats, and sham-operated and normal rats were used as the controls. As a result, the weight of the thymus decreased in uraemic rats. As for lymphocyte subsets, the frequency of W3/25+OX8+ decreased and those of W3/25-OX8-, W3/25+OX8- and W3/25- OX8+ relatively increased in uraemic rats. All these changes were more significant in severely uraemic than in moderately uraemic rats. When thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) was administered to severely uraemic rats, the weight of the thymus increased and the lymphocytes subsets normalized. These results suggest that uraemia may cause a maturational impairment of thymus lymphocytes by the depression of thymic hormone secretion.

[A case of male pseudohermaphroditism with incomplete testicular feminization syndrome]

A 19-year-old female visited our hospital because of primary amenorrhea. She was genetically (46XY) male. Her breasts were poorly developed. She had no pubic or axillary hair. The phenotype was female, and the vagina had a short and closed end. Plasma testosterone (T) and 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone (DTH) were low. However, DHT was elevated by ex vivo T load. The testis, which was atropic, epididymis and vas deferens, which were well developed, were found and resected by operation. The amount of androgen receptors of the skin tissue of the external genitalia was normal. These findings suggested that male pseudohermaphroditism with incomplete testicular feminization syndrome may have been caused by androgen resistance syndrome due to the disorder of androgen receptor complex, genetic information or post receptor.

Purification and NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of human and rat kidney fatty acid omega-hydroxylases

A cytochrome P-450 (P-450), designated P-450HK omega, has been isolated and purified from human kidney microsomes to a specific content of 13 nmoles of P-450/mg of protein. P-450HK omega showed an apparent molecular weight of 52,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Absolute spectra of the oxidized form indicated that this P-450 was largely in the low-spin state and partly in the high-spin state. It catalyzed the omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylation of fatty acids such as laurate, myristate, and palmitate, with no activity toward prostaglandin A1, benzphetamine, 7-ethoxycoumarin, or 7-ethoxyresorufin. The first 35 NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of P-450HK omega had about 70% homology with those of rabbit kidney fatty acid omega-hydroxylases of the P-450 IVA gene subfamily, P-450ka-1, P-450ka-2, and P-450kd, except for four undetermined residues. Moreover, Western blot and immuno-inhibition studies showed that P-450HK omega reacted with an antibody against the rabbit kidney fatty acid omega-hydroxylase. The results suggest that P-450HK omega is a member of the same P-450 gene family (IVA subfamily) as the rabbit enzymes. In addition, the terminal sequence of P-450HK omega also showed 54% homology with that of P-450k-2, a fatty acid omega-hydroxylase from rat kidney microsomes. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a P-450 specific for fatty acid omega-hydroxylase activity has been isolated to homogeneity from human tissues.

[Study of preventive effect of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) or combination of HCFU and 2.5-di-O-acetyl-D-glucaro (1-4) (6-3) dilactone (SLA) after preservative operation against bladder cancer]

To treat superficial bladder cancer or invasive bladder cancer presenting as a solitary tumor, conservative therapy such as transurethral resection of bladder tumor or partial cystectomy has long been carried out. We studied the effect of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU), and the effects of the combination of HCFU and 2.5-di-O-acetyl-D-glucaro-(1-4)(6-3) dilactone (SLA) which is an anti-beta-glucuronidase agent, for preventive therapy. In the patients treated with HCFU, the recurrence rate was 3.6% and 26.6% one year and two years, respectively, after conservative operation. In the patients treated with both SLA and HCFU, the recurrence rate was lower than in those treated with HCFU one year or more after conservative operation, and a long-term preventive effect was expected for nondrinkers.

Effect of ciclosporin on cardiac output and regional blood flow in rats: ciclosporin-induced nephropathy and its prevention with calcium channel blocker

The effect of ciclosporin (CS) on cardiac output (CO) and regional blood flow was studied using the microsphere method in heminephrectomized rats with and without renal arterial clamping prior to the administration of CS. The effect of a calcium (Ca) channel blocker, verapamil, was also examined on CS-induced nephropathy. CS at a dose of 40 mg/kg per day was given orally using a gastric tube for 7 days. Verapamil was given in the drinking water for 7 days. Significant increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (sCr) with a significant decrease in renal inulin clearance (CIn) were noted after 7 days of CS administration in both intact and ischemic-kidney groups, indicating the development of CS-induced nephropathy. The ischemic-kidney group showed a significantly severe nephropathy as compared with the intact-kidney group. As for change in CO and regional blood flow, CS caused a significant decrease in CO, renal blood flow (RBF) and brain blood flow, while hepatic arterial blood flow and muscular blood flow significantly increased. The renal outer cortical blood flow decreased markedly while the inner cortical blood flow remained unchanged. Although verapamil slightly but significantly decreased mean arterial blood pressure in CS-treated rats, CO and its distribution did not change. BUN and sCr were not significantly ameliorated in the intact-kidney group. However, in the ischemic-kidney group, verapamil caused a significant improvement in RBF, ameliorating CS-induced elevation of BUN and sCr, and a decrease in CIn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Inhibitory effects of IFN on N-butyl-N-(hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine induced rats bladder tumors]

Bladder tumors were induced in rats by the oral administration of 0.025% N-butyl-N-(hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN). In order to study the suppressive effects of rat interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on induction of carcinogenesis in vivo, rats were treated with IFN-alpha i.m. twice a week. The treatment began at 5th week of BBN administration. The bladder mucosa was observed macroscopically and microscopically, and NK activity was examined. The results were as follows. 1) There was no significant difference in the bladder to body weight ratio between the BBN + IFN-alpha and BBN groups in during stage A (10th-14th week when changes in the mucous membrane such as hypertrophy in the bladder wall or vascular formation are observed). This ratio in the BBN + IFN-alpha group was less than that in the BBN group in during stages B and C (15th-19th week and 20th-30th week respectively when tumors are visually recognizable). 2) The rate of carcinogenesis in the BBN + IFN-alpha group was less than that in the BBN group in stages A and C. 3) The pathological grade and stage of the bladder cancer in the BBN + IFN-alpha group were lower than those in the BBN group in stages B and C. 4) There was no significant difference in NK activity between the two groups in stage A, but NK activity of the BBN + IFN-alpha group was higher than that of the BBN group in stage B. 5) These findings substantiated the hypothesis that IFN-alpha can suppress tumor-growth in BBN induced bladder carcinoma.

Clinical studies on cell-mediated immunity in patients with renal cell carcinoma: interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production of lymphocytes

The authors examined interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 28 patients with renal cell carcinoma and 17 control subjects. The peripheral blood was obtained prior to the initiation of therapeutic procedures. The patients were divided into two groups according to tumor size, less than or equal to 5 cm and greater than 5 cm. The production of IL-2 and IFN gamma was measured by immunoradiometric assay. As a result, in the patients with tumors greater than 5 cm, IL-2 and IFN gamma production was impaired. However, in the patients with tumors less than or equal to 5 cm, IFN gamma production was enhanced, though IL-2 production was not significantly different from that of the control subjects. There was no significant correlation between IL-2 production and IFN gamma production.

[Experience of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for the urolithiasis in horseshoe kidney]

At Osaka City University, 1,987 patients with urolithiasis have been treated by extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) during a four-year period. We treated 5 patients with horseshoe kidney and the obtained results were analyzed retrospectively. Three of these patients, who had a solitary stone could successfully be treated by ESWL as monotherapy. One who had multiple stones required transurethral lithotripsy after ESWL due to stone-street. The remaining 1 patient who had undergone heminephrectomy developed perirenal hematoma after ESWL, which spontaneously disappeared without any specific treatment. We discuss the special care related to the use of ESWL in the horseshoe kidney.

Distribution of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells, Sertoli cells, and tunica albuginea of rat and mouse testes

Frozen sections of the rat and mouse testes were stained with either FITC-phalloidin or NBD-phallacidin and viewed with conventional fluorescence and confocal laser microscopes in order to demonstrate the arrangement of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells, Sertoli cells and tunica albuginea. Myoid cells are rich in actin-filament bundles crossing at right angles. These bundles running in different directions can also be visualized by means of electron microscopy. Nerve fibers occur in the vicinity of myoid cells, suggesting a neural control of the cell. At Sertoli cell junctions actin filaments occur at the circumference of the cell, where they show a honeycomb pattern. The ratio of the number of Sertoli cells per myoid cell can be calculated by means of confocal microscopy; this technique may provide a new parameter for determining spermatogenic activity. In the tunica albuginea of the juvenile mouse testis, actin filaments are arranged in an alternate fashion.

Genotypic analysis of families with lactate dehydrogenase A (M) deficiency by selective DNA amplification

Genomic DNA prepared from LDH-A-deficient whole blood was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction technique using two primers specific for the active human LDH-A gene. The amplified fragment was examined by direct agarose gel electrophoresis, and a deletion of 20 base pairs (bp) in exon 6 of the LDH-A gene was found. The results permitted a clear distinction between the homozygous mutant, the heterozygous mutant, and wild-type genotypes. Moreover, HinfI digestion and direct sequencing of the amplified product confirmed the results from direct agarose gel electrophoresis. Four families, including 18 individuals, were shown to contain the same mutation, that is a 20-bp deletion in exon 6. All genotypes were consistent with their biochemical phenotypes as evaluated by the ratio of LDH-B to LDH-A subunits in erythrocytes. Thus, all four known affected families in Japan have been shown to carry the same mutant gene, which may have been derived from a single mutational event.

[Transurethral balloon dilatation of the prostate: initial results, indication and complication]

Transurethral balloon dilatation therapy was performed on 40 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) under local anesthesia. During the procedure, urinary urgency occurred in 80% of the patients. After prostatic dilatation, macrohematuria was observed in almost all patients. The longest follow-up period after dilatation was now 22 months, and the average was 9.5 months. After treatment, residual urine volume decreased, and average flow rate and maximal flow rate improved from 5.7 and 10.4 ml/sec to 8.2 and 15.6 ml/sec, respectively. Overall clinical efficacy was 67.5%. Urethral dilatation therapy was thought to be an effective and non-invasive therapy for BPH.

[Clinical study of a metallic prostatic stent]

Treatment using a metallic spiral was attempted on 22 patients. They had urinary retention in 16 cases and dysuria in 6. In 21 of them, the spiral was successfully placed under transrectal ultrasound control. In all 21 patients, voiding was possible immediately after placement of the spiral. As for urodynamic study, urine volume was 100-230 ml (mean: 172 ml), maximum flow rate was 13-21 ml/sec (mean: 17.3 ml/sec), and average flow rate was 4-12 ml/sec (mean: 8.2 ml/sec). Residual urine volume was less than 30 ml in 20 patients and 200 ml in one. As for complications, proximal migration of the spiral was observed in 6 patients. In 4 of them, the new spiral was placed. Perineal discomfort was seen in 3 patients, in 2 the spiral was removed. Pyuria associated with bacterial infection did not continue after the treatment in patients having a catheter. Severe urge incontinence and encrustation were never seen. The above findings suggest that, though a longterm study has not done, this treatment could be an effective treatment particularly for the elderly patients with general complications and/or who require removal of an indwelling catheter for clinical or social reasons.

[Evaluation of serum myoglobin level in patients with muscular disorder and renal failure]

Since myoglobin is a low molecular weight proteins and most serum myoglobin is usually excreted into the urine, but serum myoglobin is elevated in patients with renal failure. This elevation hampers diagnosis of muscular damage in patients with renal failure. We studied the influence of renal function on serum myoglobin level and estimated corrected myoglobin levels. We first examined the correlation of serum myoglobin level with levels of serum creatinine and serum beta 2 microglobulin in patients without muscular damage. Creatinine level was more highly correlated with serum myoglobin level than with beta 2 microglobulin level. Measured myoglobin level was corrected using the regression line obtained from the correlation between levels of myoglobin and creatinine, and the corrected myoglobin levels thus obtained were within a reasonable range. The influence of renal failure was compensated for by this correction. We then measured myoglobin level and creatine kinase activity in patients with various heart muscle or skeletal muscle diseases, with or without renal failure, and compared measured myoglobin levels with the corrected ones. In these patients, myoglobin level changed faster than such muscle enzymes as creatine kinase. Thereafter, we found that the stage and degree of muscular damage could be estimated from both corrected myoglobin level and creatine kinase activity, even in patients with renal failure. In conclusion, corrected serum myoglobin level might be a useful diagnostic marker of muscle damage even in patients with renal failure.

[Transrectal hyperthermia for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Transrectal hyperthermia was performed on 30 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia twice a week for a total of ten times with the temperature of the prostatic tissue set at 43.0 degrees C. In our in vitro experiment using an agar phantom, the highest temperature was observed at approx. 1.5 cm from the point where the 915-MHz microwave was generated. Our histopathological study of the prostatic tissue, resected at open surgery after three days of hyperthermia, indicated that the effect of hyperthermia first occurred in the interstitial tissues, and then extended to the epithelial cells. Subjective symptoms and objective findings were evaluated. In almost all cases, improvement was observed in subjective symptoms after completion of the treatment. The residual urine volume improved significantly. Also, significant improvement was observed in our urodynamics study. In 16 out of 30 cases (53%), both subjective symptoms and objective findings were still improved after six months.

Analysis of genetic mutations in human lactate dehydrogenase-A(M) deficiency using DNA conformation polymorphism in combination with polyacrylamide gradient gel and silver staining

Human lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-A mutant gene was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction - DNA conformation polymorphism (DCP). We used polyacrylamide gradient gel and silver staining procedures for DCP analysis and observed abnormal migration patterns in individuals heterozygous for LDH-A deficiency. Further sequence determination of the mutant alleles consistently resulted in detection of base substitutions, a G to T transversion at codon 328 (GAG----TAG), and synonymous substitutions at codon 115, 160 and 172. Such mutations were easily detectable using the DCP technique. The DCP technique using the polyacrylamide gradient gel and silver staining method seems likely to be useful for the rapid screening of mutations and for further genotype detection.

[Clinical evaluation of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors]

We treated 26 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) between January 1976 and March 1989. Histologically, 7 were embryonal carcinoma (27%), 4 were teratoma (15%), 2 were yolk sac tumor (8%), 10 were teratocarcinoma (38%) and 3 were other mixed tumors. As regards staging, 18 belonged to stage I (69%), 1 to stage II A (4%), 1 to stage IIB (4%), 1 to stage IIIA, 2 to stage III B1 (8%) and 3 to stage III B2 (12%). Patients in stage I were treated by orchidectomy with lymphadenectomy and occasionally chemotherapy before 1984, resulting in a 100% 5-year survival. However, after 1985, 5 cases in stage I were treated by orchidectomy alone according to a watch-and-see policy. Two cases among them relapsed within two years and both of them contained immature teratoma elements. Six patients with metastatic tumor were treated with PVB therapy of which response rate was 66.7%. The total 5-year survival rate of patients in stage I, II and III was 100%, 50%, 50%, respectively and that in overall cases was 84.6%.

Purification and characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef gene product expressed by a recombinant baculovirus

We have constructed the recombinant baculovirus which expresses the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 negative factor (nef) gene. Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with the recombinant virus produced a 27-kDa protein which reacted with rabbit antisera raised against a carboxy-terminal synthetic peptide of the Nef protein by immunoblot analysis. Labeling experiment showed that the recombinant Nef protein was myristoylated. The recombinant Nef protein was purified to near homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-Sepharose 4B, blue-Sepharose, and Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. No detectable GTP binding activity was observed in the purified recombinant Nef product.

In-vitro proliferation of germ cells and supporting cells in the neonatal mouse testis

Testicular cells were prepared from neonatal (48 h after birth) mice by enzymatic dissociation and were cultured in serum-supplemented medium to investigate cell proliferation in vitro. The cultured cells were composed mostly of germ cells, identified by immunocytochemistry using a germ cell-specific antiserum, and supporting (immature Sertoli) cells. After 36 h in culture, the cells were pulse-labeled with 3H-thymidine and fixed at 2-h intervals for 36 h after labeling. Numbers of labeled and unlabeled metaphases of germ cells and supporting cells were counted, and percent labeled metaphases for both cell types were determined for cell-cycle analysis. The results indicate that germ cells, as well as supporting cells, incorporate 3H-thymidine and progress through the cell cycle in vitro. From the curve of the percent labeled metaphases for the supporting cells, the total cell cycle and intervals of DNA synthesis were estimated to be 27.2 h and 13.2 h, respectively.