[RBE of carbon beam on hematopoietic injury]

The inactivation of hematopoiesis and survival of mice have been used in determining the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of heavy charged particles of carbon 12 generated by Riken ring-cyclotron. Whole bodies of anesthetized mice were exposed to accelerator-generated carbon 12 of 135 MeV/u or X-rays of 200 kVp in graded doses. At about 5 hours after exposure, exogenous spleen colonies (CFU-S), granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFC) and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Meg-CFC) were assayed to determine dose relationships, and then D0 doses were determined. The inactivation of blood cells and lethality of mice (LD50/30) were also monitored for 30 days after irradiation. The RBE values of the 135 MeV/u carbon beam in terms of CFU-S were 1.68 for marrow and 1.41 for spleen, for GM-CFC they were 1.56 for marrow and 3.29 for spleen, for Meg-CFC they were 1.25 for marrow and 3.73 for spleen, while they were about 1.0 for erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes in mice irradiated with 2 Gy. However, the RBE values of the carbon beam were 1.32 for LD50/30.

Emergence of karyotypically unrelated clone in remission of de novo acute myeloblastic leukaemias

Serial cytogenetic analysis revealed karyotypically unrelated clones in four patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) in remission. At diagnosis, three patients had t(8;21)(q22;q22) and one had an inv(16)(p13q22). After 18-22 months in remission, different clones emerged in each patient with myelodysplastic features of the bone marrow cells. The emergence of clones with abnormalities of chromosome 7 in remission seems to be an unfavourable factor for prognosis.

Prediction of endurance running performance for middle-aged and older runners

The purpose of this study was to develop regression equations that would sufficiently predict the endurance running performance (ERP) of middle-aged and older runners (n = 55, 43-79 years). Among many independent variables which were selected as possible predictors of the ERP, oxygen uptake corresponding to the lactate threshold (VO2@LT), or age was found to be the single best predictor. Some variables representing training habits correlated significantly but only moderately with the ERP. Linear multiple regression equations developed in this study were: V5km = 4.203 + 0.054X1 - 0.028X2 (r = 0.87) V5km = 4.436 + 0.045X1 - 0.033X2 + 0.005X3 (r = 0.89) V10km = 4.252 + 0.042X1 - 0.026X2 (r = 0.79) V10km = 4.371 + 0.037X1 - 0.031X2 + 0.005X3 (r = 0.82) VM = 3.207 + 0.048X1 - 0.022X2 (r = 0.91) VM = 3.707 + 0.038X1 - 0.031X2 + 0.005X3 (r = 0.93) where V5km, V10km and VM are the mean running velocity at 5 km, 10 km and marathon races, respectively, and X1 = VO2@LT (ml kg-1 min-1), X2 = age (year), and X3 = average running duration per workout (min). We suggest that the ERP of middle-aged and older runners can be predicted from a linear combination of VO2@LT and age or a combination of these variables plus average running duration per workout.

Reduced serum levels of clarithromycin in patients treated with multidrug regimens including rifampin or rifabutin for Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare infection

The newer macrolides and rifamycins (rifabutin) are major advances for treatment or prophylaxis of disease due to Mycobacterium avium complex. Although rifampin and rifabutin are known to induce the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system, their impact on the metabolism of clarithromycin is unknown. Clarithromycin and its major metabolite, 14-OH clarithromycin, were measured in the sera of patients receiving 500 mg twice a day before and after the addition of antituberculous drugs, including 600 mg/day of rifampin or rifabutin. Mean serum levels of clarithromycin given as a single agent were 5.4 +/- 2.1 micrograms/mL. These decreased to 0.7 +/- 0.6 micrograms/mL in patients receiving rifampin and 2.0 +/- 1.5 micrograms/mL in those receiving rifabutin. Mean serum levels of 14-OH clarithromycin were similar in the 3 groups (1.8-1.9 micrograms/mL). Rifampin and (to a lesser degree) rifabutin appear to induce the metabolism of clarithromycin.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma among Japanese women

To elucidate the risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among women, we made a combined analysis of the data from three case-control studies conducted in high-risk areas of Japan. A total of 120 cases and 257 controls were included in the analysis. After adjustment for the study category, age, and other potential confounders, significantly increased risks were associated with chronic hepatitis-B virus infection (odds ratio [OR] = 42.4, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 11.2-160.2), a past history of blood transfusion (OR = 3.7, CI = 1.8-7.5), and a history of smoking (OR = 2.2, CI = 12-4.1). In addition, women with a history of heavy drinking experienced an elevated risk of borderline significance (OR = 4.2, CI = 0.9-20.4, P = 0.07). When these ORs were compared with the corresponding estimates among males from the same case-control studies, no significant differences were observed between the two genders. Among the factors examined in this analysis, drinking and smoking habits--which are more common among Japanese men than women--may partly account for a large male-predominance in the incidence of HCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the roles that sex-hormones and hepatitis-C virus infection might play in the large gender difference of HCC occurrence.

Intraoperative measurement of the graft oxygenation state in living related liver transplantation by near infrared spectroscopy

Graft oxygenation plays an important role in successful liver transplantation. Intraoperative changes in the oxygenation state of the liver graft were measured by near infrared spectroscopy in 28 cases of living related liver transplantation. Oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the liver (hepatic SO2) changed from 81.2% +/- 1.5% (mean +/- SEM) before donation (in the donor) to 49.7% +/- 4.2% after portal reflow, to 58.4% +/- 5.0% after arterial reflow, and then to 71.4% +/- 3.9% before closure. Mean hepatic SO2 was positively correlated with portal flow rate as measured by duplex Doppler sonography. Cases with low portal flow rate showed a high coefficient of variation (SD/mean) of hepatic SO2, indicating heterogeneous tissue oxygenation. Though graft size was expected to affect the graft oxygenation state, hepatic SO2 was fairly independent of the graft-to-recipient weight ratio. In two cases with markedly low hepatic SO2, postoperative graft dysfunction occurred. This study suggest that the method of near infrared spectroscopy is reliable and useful for assessing the graft oxygenation state in liver transplantation.

Secretory cleavage of beta-amyloid precursor protein in the cerebral white matter produces amyloidogenic carboxyl-terminal fragments

To elucidate the metabolic process generating amyloid-beta protein (A beta) from beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) in human brain, we partially purified secretory forms and carboxyl-terminal fragments (CTFs) of APP from the white matter of a Down's syndrome brain. We obtained secretory forms of APP which lack the entire A beta sequence and CTFs which contain the full-length A beta from the cerebral white matter. Some A beta-lacking secretory APP isoforms in the white matter were derived from APP695. These results suggest that amyloidogenic CTFs can be produced by secretory cleavage of APP which is anterogradely transported through the axon in human brain.

Isolation and characterization of the HC8 subunit gene of the human proteasome

For study of the molecular basis of regulation of proteasome gene expression, we isolated the gene encoding the alpha-type HC8 subunit of the human proteasome. About 2.3 kb of the 5' flanking region of this gene was tested for promoter function by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. This analysis revealed that CAAT and TATA boxes, but not a GC box, are essential for its promoter activity. These results differed from previous findings that the genes for the alpha-type HC3 and beta-type HC5 subunits of the human proteasome have a TATA-less promoter and that two or three GC boxes function as the promoter sequences (Tamura, T. et al. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 244, 1117-1124). We mapped the HC8 gene at q23 on human chromosome 14, which differs from the chromosomal locations of nine other proteasomal subunit genes mapped so far.

Effects of progesterone on the metabolism of cancellous bone in young oophorectomized rats

The effects of progesterone on cancellous bone in young rats were evaluated. Fifty female rats aged 90 days were divided into 5 groups: (1) Sham-operated controls (SHAM); (2) oophorectomized (OVX) rats; (3) OVX rats treated with estrogen (OVX+E); 4) OVX rats treated with progesterone (OVX+P); and (5) OVX rats treated with estrogen and progesterone (OVX+EP). After surgery, some animals were treated subcutaneously (s.c.) with 0.5 mg of estradiol dipropionate depot, with 5 mg of hydroxyprogesterone capronate depot, or with both hormones, at intervals of 7 days. After 180 days, the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone histomorphometry of their lumbar vertebrae and serological parameters were measured. In the OVX+P group, the BMD and the bone volume as shown by bone histomorphometry were slightly higher than in the OVX group, but not significantly. These parameters in the OVX+E and OVX+EP groups were significantly higher than in the OVX group. The OVX+P group showed a significant increase in the labeled surface and a decrease of the osteoclast number, compared to the OVX group. The OVX+P group showed increases of serum alkarine phosphatase and osteocalcin. From these results, it can be concluded that progesterone treatment might intensify bone formation and suppress bone resorption on cancellous bone in oophorectomized rats, although progesterone alone does not have a positive effect on BMD and bone volume.

Method for estimating numerical adequacy of derivative increments of variables in the damped least-squares automatic lens design problem

It is shown that an analytical approach for setting an adequate initial value of a damping factor in the damped least-squares optimization process can also be used to estimate whether the given increments of variables are adequate together with some numerical experiments. It is clarified that the value of a damping factor should almost equal the median of a series of eigenvalues of a squared Jacobian matrix, which is evaluated by use of given increments.

Secondary amyloidosis associated with Castleman's disease

A rare case of secondary amyloidosis associated with Castleman's disease is reported. A 53-year-old woman was referred for investigation of proteinuria. Biopsy specimens from kidney and gastric mucosa revealed numerous amyloid deposits, defined as AA amyloidosis by immunohistological staining. Castleman's disease was found in the abdomen as the primary disease for the amyloidosis. Although the urinary protein was somewhat reduced and the inflammatory findings were improved after removal of the lymphoma, renal insufficiency progressed and hemodialysis was begun.

The establishment and characterization of a peripheral neuroepithelioma cell line in soft tissue of extremity

BACKGROUND

The histogenetic and biologic features of peripheral neuroepithelioma (PN) are still a matter of controversy. More detailed analyses might be facilitated by permanent PN cell lines. However, there have been only a few reports on the establishment of a PN cell line.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We established and characterized a PN cell line and further carried out experiments for potentiality of drug-induced neural differentiation.

RESULTS

The cultured cells were spindle shaped with slender cytoplasmic processes. The histologic features of transplanted tumors in nude mice were essentially the same as those of the original tumor. Immunohistochemically, the neuroectodermal characteristics of the cell line were demonstrated by positive stain for neuron specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, neurofilament, and beta 2-microglobulin. Ultrastructurally, microtubules and dense core granules were observed in the cultured cells. Northern blot analyses revealed that c-myc was overexpressed in the cell line, whereas N-myc was not. The cell line showed neural differentiation after treatment with cAMP elevating reagents and nerve growth factor (NGF). The synergistic effects of cAMP analog and NGF on the neurite outgrowth were also observed. Furthermore, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor strongly blocked the action of cAMP analog, although it was not able to inhibit the same action of NGF. These findings suggested that the neurite outgrowth induced by the cAMP analog requires activation of PKA, whereas the same actions of NGF do not mediate such a pathway involving PKA activation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is, to our knowledge, the first NGF responsive cell line derived from PN. This cell line might be valuable for further investigations of signal transduction pathways induced by cAMP analogs and NGF, for more precise analyses of the biological characteristics of PN, and finally, for the identification of differences between PN and several related tumors.

Direct effects of angiotensin I, angiotensin II, an ACE inhibitor and a serine proteinase inhibitor on cultured heart cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how angiotensin I (AI), angiotensin II (AII), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor; ACE-I) and a serine proteinase inhibitor contribute to the protein metabolism of cultured newborn spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) heart cells. We examined the uptake of [3H]-uridine and [3H]-proline into cultured cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, respectively. 2. Both AI and AII increased the uptake of [3H]-uridine into myocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the effect of AI was denied in the presence of the ACE-I with the concentration of 10(-6) g/mL. Both AI and AII increased the uptake of [3H]-proline into cardiac fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner. However, this effect was only partially abolished in the presence of 10(-6) g/mL of the ACE-I, which was the maximal concentration that did not exert any effect on the [3H]-proline uptake. In the presence of AII receptor antagonist, [Sar1, Leu8]-AII, the uptake of [3H]-proline into cardiac fibroblasts was completely inhibited. Moreover, the stimulatory effects of AI on the uptake of [3H]-proline into cardiac fibroblasts were completely inhibited in the presence of a serine proteinase inhibitor in addition to the ACE-I. 3. These results suggest that an ACE-I has different effects on protein metabolism in the heart and also suggest the presence of serine proteinase in cultured cardiac fibroblasts from SHR.

Decrease in Activity of Glutathione Reductase Enhances Paraquat Sensitivity in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum

Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv SR1) with decreased activity of glutathione reductase exhibited enhanced sensitivity to paraquat in the light as evaluated by chlorophyll destruction and electrolyte leakage from leaf discs. This result indicates the involvement of glutathione reductase in the tolerance of plants to photooxidative stress caused by the herbicide.

Isolation and biological activity of thielocins: novel phospholipase A2 inhibitors produced by Thielavia terricola RF-143

Thielocins A2 alpha, A2 beta, A3, B1, B2 and B3 were isolated as a novel family of phospholipase A2 inhibitors from the fermentation broth of Thielavia terricola RF-143 together with thielavins and thielocins A1 alpha and A1 beta. The most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.0033 microM) against rat group II phospholipase A2 was shown by thielocin A1 beta. Against human group II phospholipase A2, thielocin B3 (IC50 = 0.076 microM) was the most potent.

Canine SPECT studies for cerebral amino acid transport by means of 123I-3-iodo-alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine and preliminary kinetic analysis

We have already reported that 123I-3-iodo-alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine (123I-L-AMT) is superior as a single-photon emitter labeled radiopharmaceutical reflecting cerebral amino acid transport. In this study, we investigated the distribution of 123I-L-AMT in the canine head by means of SPECT and kinetically analyzed the data in the brain. As a result, clear SPECT images of the canine brain were obtained. Kinetic analysis with a 2-compartment model, including or expressing membrane transport of the amino acid, was performed with time-activity curves in the arterial blood and in the cerebral region. The results of the analysis coincided closely with the experimental data and the relevance of the model was strongly suggested. Therefore 123I-L-AMT is considered to be useful as a single photon radiopharmaceutical which enables us to measure the cerebral amino acid transport rate.

Long term course of change in anti-Yo antibody content in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

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[Is routine second-look operation justified for stage I ovarian cancer?]

The results and role of second-look operation (SLO) were evaluated in 33 patients with stage I epithelial ovarian cancer. 1. At SLO, histological evidence of disease was not identified in any of 24 patients, but washing cytology showed class III in 2 patients. 2. Only one (4.5%) patient with stage Ic (washing cytology: positive) has had a recurrence following negative SLO. 3. Recurrent tumor developed in 2 (33.3%) of the stage Ic (capsular invasion) patients and 1 (16.7%) of the stage Ic (washing cytology: positive) patient, but all patients with stage Ia or Ic (surgically ruptured by surgeon) are alive without recurrence. 4. Based on this experience, our current recommendation for patients with stage Ia or Ic (surgically ruptured by surgeon) epithelial ovarian cancer following comprehensive staging surgery and primary chemotherapy is that they do not require routine SLO.