The central role of CD4(+) T cells in the antitumor immune response

The induction of optimal systemic antitumor immunity involves the priming of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens. The role of CD4(+) T helper cells (Th) in this response has been largely attributed to providing regulatory signals required for the priming of major histocompatibility complex class I restricted CD8(+) cytolytic T lymphocytes, which are thought to serve as the dominant effector cell mediating tumor killing. However, analysis of the effector phase of tumor rejection induced by vaccination with irradiated tumor cells transduced to secrete granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor indicates a far broader role for CD4(+) T cells in orchestrating the host response to tumor. This form of immunization leads to the simultaneous induction of Th1 and Th2 responses, both of which are required for maximal systemic antitumor immunity. Cytokines produced by these CD4(+) T cells activate eosinophils as well as macrophages that produce both superoxide and nitric oxide. Both of these cell types then collaborate within the site of tumor challenge to cause its destruction.

Cyclophosphamide plus topotecan in children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors: a Pediatric Oncology Group phase II study

PURPOSE

To determine the response rate of the combination of cyclophosphamide and topotecan in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory malignant solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 91 pediatric patients, 83 of whom were fully assessable for response and toxicity, received cyclophosphamide (250 mg/m2/dose) followed by topotecan (0.75 mg/m2/dose), each given as a 30-minute infusion daily for 5 days. All patients received filgrastim (5 mcg/kg) daily until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was > or = 1,500 microL after the time of the expected ANC nadir.

RESULTS

A total of 307 treatment courses were given to the 83 fully assessable patients. Responses (complete response plus partial response) were seen in rhabdomyosarcoma (10 of 15 patients), Ewing's sarcoma (six of 17 patients), and neuroblastoma (six of 13 patients). Partial responses were seen in two of 18 patients with osteosarcoma and in one patient with a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. Twenty-three patients had either minor responses (n = 6) or stable disease (n = 17); the median number of courses administered to patients with partial or complete response was six (range, two to 13 courses), and the median administered to those with stable disease was three (range, one to 11 courses). The toxicity of the combination was limited principally to the hematopoietic system. Of 307 courses, 163 (53%) were associated with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 84 (27%) with grade 3 or 4 anemia, and 136 (44%) with grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Despite the severe myelosuppression, only 34 (11%) of 307 courses were associated with grade 3 or 4 infection. Nonhematopoietic toxicity of grades > or = 3 was rare and consisted of nausea and vomiting (two courses), perirectal mucositis (one course), transaminase elevation (one course), and hematuria (two courses).

CONCLUSION

The combination of cyclophosphamide and topotecan is active in rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. Stabilization of disease was seen in osteosarcoma, although objective responses were rare in this disease. The therapy can be given with acceptable hematopoietic toxicity with the use of filgrastim support.

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on characteristics of pork slurries and inactivation of microorganisms associated with meat and meat products

Pork slurries inoculated with various test microorganisms were prepared and subjected to high hydrostatic pressure at 1000 to 6000 atm for 10 min at 25 degrees C to examine for the pressure effects on characteristics of the slurries and the inactivation of the microorganisms associated with meat and meat products. Pressure treatment at higher than 3000 atm caused coagulation and discoloration of the pork slurries. Harder and more white coagulants were obtained by increasing the pressure. Pressure treatment at 3000 to 6000 atm killed all the microorganisms tested by more than 6-log colony-forming units (cfu)/g except Bacillus cereus spores. Gram-negative microorganisms were more labile to pressure than Gram-positive ones. Campylobacter jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Yersinia enterocolitica were inactivated at pressures higher than 3000 atm; Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis at pressures higher than 4000 atm; Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis at 6000 atm. Only less than one-log cfu/g of B. cereus spores were inactivated at 6000 atm. Ultraviolet absorption spectra and acridine orange staining suggested that E. coli became permeable and leaked cytoplasmic RNA at lower pressure than S. aureus. From the present findings, the authors propose high hydrostatic pressure treatment as a promising means of preparing wholesome meat and meat products.

Selective removal of low density lipoprotein by plasmapheresis in familial hypercholesterolemia

Plasma lipoproteins were selectively removed from familial hypercholesterolemic patients by using two types of plasmapheresis: double-membrane filtration and selective adsorption of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). In both techniques, plasma was separated from blood cells by using hollow-fiber filters, and 100% of the VLDL and LDL was recovered in the filtrate. In double-membrane filtration, the second hollow-fiber filter trapped 84% of LDL + VLDL, 48% of high density lipoprotein (HDL), 24% of albumin, and 46% of the remaining plasma protein. By treating 3 liters of plasma from a patient weighing 60 kg, 60% of the LDL and 30% to 40% of the HDL were removed as a result of an exponential decay of each component with the respective trapping coefficients. When dextran sulfate-cellulose was used as a LDL sorbent, there was only loss of LDL and VLDL, and no loss of any other major plasma component or of HDL. The sorbent column (400 ml) was saturated with 7.5 g of LDL cholesterol by treatment with 3.5 liters of plasma; the maximum reduction of LDL cholesterol was thus about 300 mg/dl for the patient weighing 60 kg. No serious side effects were observed during the long-term trials (19 to 27 months for four patients on double-membrane filtration and 10 months for the two patients on dextran sulfate-cellulose treatment.

Versatility of the free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects

OBJECTIVE

The anterolateral thigh flap has many advantages in head and neck reconstruction. However, it has not yet come into widespread use because of the anatomic variations of its perforators. Herein, we describe a safe operative technique related to the patterns of the perforators and discuss its wide versatility.

SETTING

A national cancer center hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-eight anterolateral thigh flaps were transferred. Confirmation and dissection of the flap pedicle were simultaneously performed with tumor resection. The design and elevation of the flap were carried out immediately after the tumor resection was completed.

RESULTS

From the study of the anatomic variations of the perforators, septocutaneous patterns were recognized in 10 cases (26.3%) and musculocutaneous patterns in 28 cases (73.7%). All flaps were easily and safely elevated with our techniques. Thirty-six flaps survived. Partial necrosis was noted owing to excessive thinning procedure in one patient and total necrosis was noted owing to venous thrombosis at the anastomosis part in another patient.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the anterolateral thigh flap has numerous advantages. It is possible to perform the flap elevation and the tumor resection simultaneously. The flap is generally thin and is suitable for reconstruction of intraoral defects. Combined flaps with neighboring tissues and other, distant flaps can be used. Furthermore, since our technique minimizes the problems of confirmation and dissection of the perforators, we conclude that this flap can be successfully used to repair a variety of large defects of the head and neck.

The effect of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban on preterm uterine activity in the human

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that infusion of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban results in decreased preterm uterine activity in the human.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed. One hundred twenty women from 20 to 36 weeks' gestation with a complaint of labor who had more than four uterine contractions per hour after intravenous hydration but no evidence of cervical changes were randomized to receive a 2-hour intravenous infusion of atosiban at a rate of 300 micrograms/min or placebo. Ond hundred-twelve subjects (56 in each arm) were suitable for analysis of efficacy. Both groups remained at bed rest and received hydration.

RESULTS

The mean percent decrease in contraction frequency was greater in atosiban subjects compared with controls (55.3% +/- 36.3% vs 26.7% +/- 40.4%, mean +/- SD, p < 0.001). A minimal (< 20%) decrease or an increase in contraction frequency was noted in 25 placebo subjects (45%) and seven atosiban subjects (13%). There was no clinically or statistically significant change in maternal blood pressure or heart rate during the infusion. The only adverse experiences possibly related to the drug were nausea and vomiting in one atosiban patient.

CONCLUSION

A 2-hour infusion of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban resulted in a significantly greater decline in contraction frequency compared with controls. Oxytocin appears to play a role in the maintenance of preterm uterine activity in the human.

The effects of walking at the anaerobic threshold level on vertebral bone loss in postmenopausal women

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal intensity of exercise necessary to prevent the postmenopausal bone loss on the basis of anaerobic threshold (AT). Thirty-three postmenopausal women were randomized to control (group C: n = 12) or two exercise groups (group H and group M). All women performed a treadmill exercise test, and the AT was measured by expired gas analysis. The exercise regimen consisted mainly of walking at a speed that kept the exercise heart rate above the AT (group H: n = 12) or below the AT (group M: n = 9). Exercise was performed for 30 minutes, three times a week for 7 months. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The BMD level in group C decreased by 1.7 +/- 2.7%, but there was a significant increase of 1.1 +/- 2.9% in group H. In group M there was a decrease of 1.0 +/- 3.1% which did not differ from group C. In group C, serum osteocalcin and urinary hydroxyproline excretion were significantly increased, but no changes were seen in either of the exercise groups. Urinary calcium significantly decreased in the exercise groups. We conclude that short-term (7 months) exercise with intensity above the AT is safe and effective in preventing postmenopausal bone loss.

Radioimmunoassay of serum group I and group II pepsinogens in normal controls and patients with various disorders

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human group I pepsinogens (PgI) in serum was developed, using PgI purified from gastric mucosa. The sensitivity (0.7 micrograms/l) and reproducibility of the assay were satisfactory for clinical use. In normal controls, total serum pepsinogen (T-Pg) level was 58.9 +/- 31.7 micrograms/l (mean +/- SD) (PgI, 43.6 +/- 25.0 micrograms/l; PgII, 15.3 +/- 11.1 micrograms/l). Peptic ulcer cases had elevated T-Pg levels (gastric ulcer, gastroduodenal ulcer and duodenal ulcer, in increasing order of magnitude). T-Pg levels were not useful for diagnosis of peptic ulcer because of a large overlap with normal controls. T-Pg levels were low in patients with gastric polyp and in aged subjects. In these groups, the decrease of PgI was more marked than that of PgII.

Specific sorbent of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins for plasmapheresis. Characterization and experimental use in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Dextran sulfate was covalently bound to cellulose beads (LA01) and used as the specific sorbent of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. The binding profiles of very low density, low density, and high density lipoproteins to the material were consistent with simple Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Although the affinities of all lipoproteins for the sorbent were roughly similar, the surface area available for high density lipoprotein binding was much smaller than that for very low and low density lipoproteins (29, 927, and 1934 m2/liter of swollen beads, respectively). When human plasma was passed through a sorbent column, very low and low density lipoproteins were selectively adsorbed, while almost all the high density lipoproteins were recovered from the column together with the other major plasma components. An extracorporeal circulation system with this sorbent was used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (diet-induced and homozygous WHHL). With a 25 ml sorbent column, very low and low density lipoproteins were selectively removed from rabbit plasma, resulting in a reduction of plasma cholesterol concentration by 300 mg/dl.

Reduction of blood loss using tranexamic acid in total knee and hip arthroplasties

There have been several attempts to reduce postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing total arthroplasty. Benoni et al. reported the usefulness of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We investigated its effect in TKA and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Blood loss was significantly reduced in patients given tranexamic acid in both the TKA and THA groups, and no severe complications, such as venous or pulmonary thrombosis, were noted in any of the patients who received the agent. Administration of tranexamic acid seems to be useful for reducing postoperative blood loss in TKA and THA.

Serum leptin concentration is associated with total body fat mass, but not abdominal fat distribution

OBJECTIVE

The obese (ob) gene encodes leptin which inhibits appetite and stimulates thermogenesis. Serum leptin concentrations are determined by total body fat mass, but the influence of visceral fat accumulation and other metabolic factors have been clinically determined.

METHODS

We determined the correlations between serum leptin concentrations and the total body fat mass, abdominal fat mass, abdominal fat distribution (estimated by ultrasound), and circulating metabolic factors in 104 Japanese healthy subjects (11 men and 93 women). In addition, the effect of food restriction (30 kcal/kg desired body weight/day) for four weeks on serum leptin concentrations were also examined in 30 women.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between serum concentrations and total body fat mass (r = 0.708, P < 0.0001), the percentage of body fat (r = 0.561, P < 0.001), and the body mass index (BMI, r = 0.630, P < 0.001). Serum leptin concentrations were correlated with abdominal wall preperitoneal and subcutaneous fat pad thickness, but not the abdominal wall fat index (AFI). Serum leptin concentrations were also correlated with serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), but not glucose, or free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations. The weight loss after food restriction for four weeks significantly (P = 0.016) reduced the serum leptin concentrations with a significant reduction of body fat mass, serum glucose, IRI and FFA concentrations. However, there was no significant correlation of the percentage change in serum leptin concentrations to that in body fat mass after food restriction.

CONCLUSION

Serum leptin concentrations are well correlated with total body fat mass in healthy subjects. Differences in abdominal fat distribution do not appear to be related to a difference in the in vivo leptin production from adipose tissue.

Comparison of innervated and noninnervated free flaps in oral reconstruction

Thirteen patients who had undergone ablative surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma in which more than half of the tongue had been resected underwent reconstruction in which the cutaneous nerve of a free flap was anastomosed to the stump of the transected lingual nerve. Eight of the patients underwent reconstruction with an innervated anterolateral thigh flap and five patients underwent reconstruction with an innervated rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap. Sensory recovery of the flap at least 6 months postoperatively was compared in these 13 patients and in 16 additional patients who received noninnervated versions of the same flaps for the same defect. The degree of sensory recovery of innervated thigh flaps was significantly greater than that of noninnervated ones in all modalities and that of innervated rectus abdominis flaps was also greater than that of noninnervated flaps, except for hot and cold perception. These results indicate that sensory regrowth occurs in most areas through the surgically created pathways. However, results of Semmes-Weinstein testing showed that recovery did not reach the level of protective sensation in either type of innervated flap. Although these findings must be followed by additional objective and functional tests and the need for sensory reeducation should be considered, this simple operative procedure can improve postoperative intraoral function and should be attempted whenever possible after ablative surgery.

Effects of probucol on homozygous cases of familial hypercholesterolemia

A marked reduction of serum cholesterol was obtained by treatment with probucol in heterozygous as well as in homozygous cases of familial hypercholesterolemia. A strict dietary regimen (low-fat, low-calories) intensified the hypocholesterolemic effect of the drug. The drug was also useful in diminishing the rebound of serum cholesterol after plasma exchange. Probucol reduced serum triglycerides in heterozygous cases of familial hypercholesterolemia, but there was a slight increase in triglycerides in homozygous cases. Treatment with probucol resulted in the regression of cutaneous and tendon xanthomas. Although it caused a decrease in HDL, it seems to be very effective in the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Suppression of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice by zerumbone, a subtropical ginger sesquiterpene, and nimesulide: separately and in combination

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease are inflammatory disorders of unknown cause and difficult to treat, though some synthetic chemicals, including ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), are anticipated to be useful drugs. In contrast, few food phytochemicals have been reported to suppress colitis in animal models. The present study was undertaken to explore the suppressive efficacy of zerumbone (ZER), a sesquiterpenoid present in the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet Smith that is used as a condiment in Southeast Asian countries and known to be a potent suppressant of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in cell culture systems. Acute colitis was induced by exposing female ICR mice to 5% DSS in drinking water for 1 week. One week prior to DSS administration, the experimental mice were fed ZER alone, nimesulide (NIM, a selective COX-2 inhibitor) alone, or both in combination (1000 ppm each) for a total of 2 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers, i.e. interleukin (IL)-1alpha and IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and prostaglandin (PG)E(2) and PGF(2alpha) in colonic mucosa were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in conjunction with histological alterations. Oral feeding of ZER significantly lowered the levels of IL-1beta [inhibitory rate (IR)=34%], TNF-alpha (IR=29%), and PGE(2) (IR=73%) and suppressed DSS-induced colitis, whereas NIM suppressed the histological changes induced by DSS without affecting inflammatory biomarkers. However, their treatment in combination was most effective for suppressing these biomarkers. Our results suggest that ZER is a novel food factor for mitigating experimental UC and that use of a combination of agents, with different modes of actions, may be an effective anti-inflammatory strategy.

Evaluation of microencapsulated islets in agarose gel as bioartificial pancreas by studies of hormone secretion in culture and by xenotransplantation

Islets were microencapsulated in agarose gel for examination of the possible use of microencapsulated islets as a bioartificial pancreas. Microencapsulated islets secreted insulin into the culture medium (RPMI-1640) and could rapidly increase their insulin release in response to a glucose challenge even after greater than 100 days. Hamster islets in groups of 400-1000 encapsulated in microbeads containing 11-14% (wt/wt) agarose were xenogenically transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of five diabetic mice. The longest normoglycemic period in these mice was 53 days, which was markedly longer than the normoglycemic period obtained by nonencapsulated islets. Agarose seems to be a suitable basic material for encapsulating islets, because the islets can easily be microencapsulated without any adverse effect on the islet function.

Interleukin-1beta targets interleukin-6 in progressing dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immunologically mediated disorder that is characterized by chronic, relapsing, and inflammatory responses. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice has been recognized as a useful model for human IBD and interleukin (IL)-1beta is a key cytokine in the onset of IBD. The purpose of the present study was to clarify which pro-inflammatory mediators are targeted by IL-1beta in mice with DSS-induced colitis. First, we found that DSS markedly induced IL-1beta production in both dose- and time-dependent manners (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) in murine peritoneal macrophages (pMphi), while that of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was insignificant. Further, the expressions of mRNA and protein for IL-1beta were increased in colonic mucosa and pMphi from mice that received drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days (P < 0.01, each). In addition, the expressions of IL-6, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA were also time dependently increased (P < 0.01, each). Furthermore, administration of rIL-1beta (10 microg/kg, i.p.) significantly induced the expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA in colonic mucosa from non-treated mice (P < 0.01). Anti-mIL-1beta antibody treatments (50 microg/kg, i.p.) attenuated DSS-induced body weight reduction and shortening of the colorectum (P < 0.05, each), and abrogated the expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA in colonic mucosa (P < 0.01, each). Our results evidently support the previous findings that IL-1beta is involved in the development of DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice, and strongly suggest that IL-1beta targets itself and IL-6 for progressing colonic inflammation.

Kinetic analysis of yeast inactivation by high pressure treatment at low temperatures

Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by high pressure treatment from 120 to 300 MPa in the range of -20 to 50 degrees C followed pseudo first order reaction kinetics. The regression analysis of 43 inactivation rates showed that pressurization at sub-zero temperatures (-20 and -10 degrees C) enhanced the effects of pressure as pressurization at higher temperatures: i.e., pressurization at 190 MPa and -20 degrees C gave the same effect as pressurization at 320 MPa and room temperature. The results imply that high pressure treatment applied to food sterilization at lower temperatures has a greater effect with smaller pressure without destroying the original taste and flavor. Additional effects of sugars and salts on inactivation of yeast are also described.

Treatment of preterm labor with the oxytocin antagonist atosiban

The purpose of this study was to describe the course of preterm labor in patients receiving a standard intravenous infusion of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban. An open-labeled, non-randomized study was conducted at 4 sites. Successful tocolysis was defined as delay of delivery larger than 48 hours from starting atosiban and no need for an alternate tocolytic. Atosiban was administered by continuous intravenous infusion at a rate of 300 micrograms per minute until uterine contractions were absent for 6 hours, or up to a maximum infusion time of 12 hours. Sixty-two patients of between 20 and 36 weeks' gestation were enrolled over 6 months. One had rupture of membranes and was excluded. Successful tocolysis was noted in 43 of 61 (70.5%). Four delivered spontaneously within 48 hours and 14 (23.0%) required an alternate tocolytic agent. The chance of successful tocolysis was related to the degree of cervical dilation at the start of therapy. Cessation of uterine contractions was noted in 38 patients (62.3%). A decrease in uterine contraction frequency of 50% or more was noted in 50 of 61 patients (82.0%). Four patients reported side effects (nausea, vomiting, headache, dysguesia, chest pain), but in no case did side effects require discontinuation of the medication. Intravenous administration of atosiban is associated with a delay in delivery comparable to that seen with other tocolytics. If this effect is confirmed in planned placebo-controlled trials, its favorable side effect profile may give it a place in the armamentarium.

Electrophysiological correlates of pulsatile gonadotropin release in rats

In order to reveal the electrophysiological correlates of pulsatile LH release in ovariectomized rats, changes in multiple unit activity (MUA) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the medial preoptic area, the ventromedial nucleus, the anterior hypothalamic area and other areas of the brain were recorded in lightly anesthetized female rats. Rats were ovariectomized at least 7 weeks prior to the experiment. 0.1 -ml blood samples were withdrawn from a cardiac catheter at 10-min intervals during the recording in order to measure the changes in the plasma LH concentration by radioimmunoassay. The LH concentration showed pulsatile changes under continuous intravenous infusion of thiopental sodium while cortical EEG was stable throughout the experiment. The firing rate in the middle part of the ARC (8 recordings) changed in parallel with the increase in the plasma LH concentration and was abruptly raised just prior to an increase in LH secretion. The number of MUA spike discharges per minute increased to 1.5-5 times that of the basal level. MUA started to increase 2-9 min prior to the LH rise and the high level of MUA lasted for 1-5 min. The firing rate in the ARC (14 recordings) and in other areas (54 recordings) recorded did not change periodically in parallel with the increase in LH. As these changes in MUA were localized in the ARC and were not reflected in cortical EEG, they might be specific local changes distinguished from generalized systemic effects involving the whole brain. These extreme increases in MUA seem to be due to the high activity either of neurons that secrete LH-RH or those that control the secretion of LH-RH.

Bradykinin stimulates IL-6 and IL-8 production by human lung fibroblasts through ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent mechanisms

Bradykinin (BK) is a major kinin with well-documented pharmacological properties including vascular leakage and induction of a variety of cytokines. However, the intracellular signalling mechanisms by which BK induced proinflammatory cytokine production have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the role of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the BK-induced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production by human lung fibroblasts. Lung fibroblasts were stimulated with BK in the presence or in the absence of PD98059, a specific MAPK/ERK kinase-1 inhibitor, or SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, and IL-6 or IL-8 production and their gene expression was examined. BK-induced ERK 1/2 or p38 MAPK phosphorylation was also analysed by Western blot analysis. BK at nanomolar concentrations stimulated lung fibroblasts to produce IL-6 and IL-8 along with increased ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. BK-induced IL-6 and IL-8 synthesis was inhibited by a B2-type BK receptor antagonist. Furthermore, PD98059 or SB203580 significantly suppressed BK-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production and their gene expression. These results indicate that bradykinin-induced interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production are at least partly mediated through the extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway-dependent activation in human lung fibroblasts, and suggest that bradykinin appears to be involved in the inflammatory reaction leading to acute lung injury through stimulating interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production by lung fibroblasts.

Characteristics of parkinsonian and ataxic gaits: a study using surface electromyograms, angular displacements and floor reaction forces

To clarify the characteristics of parkinsonian and ataxic gaits, we analyzed electromyograms (EMGs) of the thigh and leg muscles, angular displacements of the hip and leg joints, and floor reaction forces during free walking for each gait phase in 16 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 14 ataxic patients with cerebellar degenerations. We studied 17 healthy elderly subjects whose walking speed was similar to that of patients with moderate disease. Free walking by PD patients was characterized by low maximum activity of the gastrocnemius/soleus (GC) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Ataxic patients showed high activity of GC and TA during the period when these muscles were not active in normal walking. The ratio of changes of EMG of the distal muscles to changes in angular displacement of the ankle (DeltaEMG/Deltaangle) was reduced in GC of PD patients in ankle dorsiflexion, whereas it was high in GC and TA of ataxic patients in ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, respectively. Changes in DeltaEMG/Deltaangle coincided with those in proprioceptive reflexes reported previously. Our results showed that measurement of EMG for each phase revealed disease-specific factors, and that of DeltaEMG/Deltaangle might be a conventional clue for estimation of reflexes for these gait disorders.

Effects of high pressure on lipids and biomembranes for understanding high-pressure-induced biological phenomena

This review covers high pressure effects on lipids, lipid bilayers, and biochemical observations recently found in the field of high-pressure bioscience and biotechnology including deep-sea microbiology and food science. To explain these phenomena in a unified model, recent studies of physical and chemical properties of artificial membranes and natural membranes are summarized. On the basis of this newly described knowledge, high pressure effects on biochemical events are considered at the molecular level and concluded that high pressure induces decreases in biomembrane fluidity and phase transitions that result in breakage of the membrane, and finally, leads to the destruction of bilayer membrane accompanied by denaturation of membrane-associated proteins.