Paracrine effect of folliculo-stellate cells on the growth factor-like action of activin A in anterior pituitary cultures

Several studies have shown that pituitary folliculo-stellate (FS) cells exhibit local functions within the pituitary gland. On the other hand, we have shown previously that activin A increases the number of FSH-producing gonadotropes in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. In this study, we investigated whether FS cells exert an influence on the action of activin A. FS cells were prepared by culturing the dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells in media containing 15% fetal calf serum and 6 mM glutamine for 15 days. Most cells had the morphological characteristics of FS cells and S-100 protein immunoreactivity, a specific marker of FS cells. The number of FSH cells, which was higher in activin A-treated than in control cultures, was reduced to the control level by incubation with activin A plus conditioned media from FS cell-enriched cultures (FSCM). This inhibitory effect of FSCM was neutralized by a follistatin antibody, but not by anti-S-100 protein or anti-basic fibroblast growth factor. Furthermore, follistatin suppressed activin A stimulated increases in the number of FSH cells in a similar inhibitory pattern to that of FSCM. Meanwhile, the number of FSH cells was not affected by FSCM or follistatin in the absence of activin A. These results suggest that FS cells are involved in the regulation of the function and/or the morphogenesis of the FSH cell-lineage by affecting the action of activin A, and that this paracrine effect of FS cells is mediated by follistatin.

Structures of new peptide antibiotics, plusbacins A1-A4 and B1-B4

The constituent amino acids of plusbacins A1-A4 were determined to be two moles of L-trans-3-hydroxyproline and one mole each of D-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid, L-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid, D-allo-threonine, D-serine, D-alanine and L-arginine. In plusbacins B1-B4, one mole of L-trans-3-hydroxyproline is replaced by L-proline. The fatty acid residue of A1 and B1 was determined to be 3-hydroxy-tetradecanoic acid, for A2 and B2 to be 3-hydroxy-isopentadecanoic acid, for A3 and B3 to be 3-hydroxy-isohexadecanoic acid, and for A4 and B4 to be 3-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid. A lactone linkage was suggested to reside between L-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid and 3-hydroxy-fatty acid residues by degradation experiments. The amino acid sequences of plusbacins A2 and B2 were confirmed by Edman degradation of their deacylated products, and supported by mass spectrometric studies. From the above, structures of all components of plusbacins were concluded.

A new antitumor antibiotic product, demethylchartreusin. Isolation and biological activities

A new antitumor antibiotic, 3''-demethylchartreusin was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces chartreusis, as a minor component of crude chartreusin. It is structurally related to chartreusin, containing same aglycone of chartreusin, but different sugar moieties. 3''-Demethylchartreusin exhibits some potent inhibitory activities against murine tumors.

Control of trigeminal motoneurons from the cerebellar interpositus nucleus of the guinea pig

1. Effects of stimulation of the cerebellar interpositus nucleus (IPN) on jaw reflexes and trigeminal motoneurons were studied along with the route responsible for the effects in ketamine-anesthetized guinea pigs. 2. Stimulation in the IPN evoked a bilateral, ipsilaterally dominant, short-latency reciprocal effect on jaw reflexes: a depression of the jaw-closing masseteric reflex and a facilitation of the jaw-opening digastric reflex. This reciprocal phase was followed by a non-reciprocal facilitatory phase. 3. Stimulation in the IPN evoked a short-latency, strychnine-sensitive inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) followed by a rebound depolarizing potential in the jaw-closing masseter motoneurons (MAMNs) and an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in the jaw-opening anterior digastric motoneurons (ADMNs). The time course of the intracellular response of MAMNs to the IPN stimulation was similar to that of the IPN-induced effects on the jaw-closing reflex. In contrast, the duration of the IPN-induced EPSP in ADMNs was shorter than the IPN-induced facilitation of the jaw-opening reflex. 4. After the IPN neurons were lost by injection of kainic acid into the nucleus, the reciprocal effect of the IPN stimulation on the jaw reflexes could not be seen, even though the projection fibers from the trigeminal sensory nucleus to the IPN remained essentially intact. 5. Stimulation in the superior cerebellar peduncle (SP) induced the same reciprocal effect on the jaw reflexes as the IPN stimulation. A lesion of the SP virtually abolished the reciprocal effect on the jaw reflexes of stimulation in the IPN ipsilateral with reference to the SP lesion. 6. Transection of the brain stem at the level immediately caudal to the red nucleus did not affect the reciprocal effect of the IPN stimulation on the jaw reflexes. 7. We conclude that the IPN output bilaterally induces an inhibition of jaw-closing MAMNs and an excitation of jaw-opening ADMNs, oligosynaptically by way of a direct cerebelloreticular projection system via the SP.

[Interferon therapy of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

The authors evaluated the efficacy of a daily administration of recombinant human alpha 2a interferon (IFN), given at a dose of 300MU for 12 consecutive days, in patients with steroid-nonresponsive or -dependent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Nine patients received courses of IFN therapy. Mean platelet counts rose from 1.39 to 10.9 x 10(4)/microliters and PAIgG decreased from 151.7 to 59.7 ng/10(7) cells. The maximum rise in platelet counts occurred from 10 to 42 days (mean 19.1) after the initiation of IFN. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 3 of 13 courses (23.1%), and partial response (PR) in 8 (61.5%). One CR case continued for longer than 20 months without further treatment, but intermittent IFN therapy was necessary for the other. The increment of the platelet counts was transient in all of the partial responders. No severe side effect requiring interruption of the course of IFN was experienced. Both serum IgG and PAIgG significantly correlated with the increment of platelet counts, therefore the mechanism of IFN on ITP was presumed to be associated with the inhibition of autoantibody production. Daily administration of IFN appears to be an effective and safe treatment protocol for refractory ITP.

Isolation and characterization of new peptide antibiotics, plusbacins A1-A4 and B1-B4

New antibiotics, plusbacins A1-A4 and B1-B4, were isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Pseudomonas sp. These antibiotics were isolated as a complex by column chromatographies on Diaion HP-20 and silica gel, and then separated by HPLC. They are amphoteric in nature. The hydrochlorides are obtained as colorless powders, soluble in methanol and alkaline water. From their physico-chemical properties, these antibiotics are presumed to be acyloctapeptides containing a lactone linkage, and their differences occur in amino acid and fatty acid residues. The antibiotics are active against Gram-positive bacteria in vitro and in vivo.

[Clinical study on primary aldosteronism--localization of adrenal tumors]

Seven cases of primary aldosteronism were experienced during the 12 years in the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital. The majority of cases were between 32 and 64 years old with a mean of 51 years. Two cases were male and 5 were female. Hypertension was observed in 6 cases, but one case had normal blood pressure. Hypokalemia was recognized in 6 cases. The plasma level of aldosterone was high in all cases and all the cases showed low levels of plasma renin activity. Concerning the localization of the lesions, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and adrenal scintigraphy revealed an accuracy rate of 100%, each. Therefore, these imaging techniques are very useful tools for identifying the locality of the adenoma. On the other hand, the accuracy rates of adrenal venous aldosterone assay and ultrasonography were 83 and 60%, respectively. The cases with rather short duration of hypertension before surgery returned to normal in blood pressure earlier after the operation than the other cases.

[Successful low-dose etoposide therapy for a case of myelofibrosis with chronic myelogenous leukemia megakaryocytic predominance type]

A 38-year-old woman presented with ear pain and vertigo. No hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy were found, but her platelet counts markedly rose to 414 x 10(4)/microliters with an increase of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow (859/microliters). Cytogenetic assay revealed positive Ph1 chromosome and rearrangement of the break point cluster region (bcr). Although platelet counts remained under 100 x 10(4)/microliters after the administration of carboquone, a high fever and pancytopenia appeared 31 months later. Bone marrow biopsy showed marked myelofibrosis which was improved by low dose etoposide. This case was thought to be Ph1 positive ET, but it was more compatible with CML megakaryocytic predominance type according to the newly proposed "Hannover criteria for myeloproliferative disorders" and cytogenetic assay.

[High-dose cepharanthin therapy of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

Clinical efficacy of oral high-dose cepharanthin (40-60 mg/day) was evaluated in nine patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who were unable to discontinue the administration of adrenocorticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. Mean platelet counts significantly (p less than 0.05) rose from 4.5 +/- 0.9 x 10(4)/microliters to 8.9 +/- 4.2 x 10(4)/microliters without any side effects. Two to five months after the initiation of this therapy, 4 patients, including 3 who could discontinue adrenocorticosteroids, kept their platelet counts over 10 x 10(4)/microliters. It was suggested that the oral administration of cepharanthin could be a beneficial and safe strategy for ITP.

Galacardins A and B, new glycopeptide antibiotics

A strain of actinomycetes identified as Saccharothrix sp. SANK 64289 was found to produce new antibiotics, galacardins A and B. Their physico-chemical properties showed that they were new members of glycopeptide antibiotics. They were structurally related to beta-avoparcin but differed from it only in sugar composition. Though beta-avoparcin does not contain galactose, galacardins A and B did contain two and one moles of galactose, respectively. They showed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and also showed excellent in vivo protective activity against Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice.

Improved serodiagnosis of non-A, non-B hepatitis by an assay detecting antibody to hepatitis C virus core antigen

We examined sequential serum samples from 12 patients with well-characterized posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis who had an acute, resolving self-limited type of clinical course for the presence of antibody to the hepatitis C virus nucleocapsid (core) protein (p22) expressed by a recombinant baculovirus. These sera were simultaneously examined for antibody to the hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein (C100-3) that is presently used for blood screening worldwide. In three patients, both anti-p22 and anti-C100-3 antibodies were detected, but anti-p22 was detected much earlier. In four patients, only anti-p22 was detected. Two other patients were considered to be hepatitis C virus carriers who had been already infected with hepatitis C virus. In one patient, only anti-C100-3 was detected, and it was transient. In two patients, neither antibody was detected. Anti-p22 was detected in at least one of eight samples of transfused blood. Of the nine samples of donated blood that were positive for anti-p22, only four were positive for anti-C100-3. This new assay detecting the antibody to the p22 protein is thus useful for the serodiagnosis of non-A, non-B hepatitis in the acute phase and for blood screening.

[A case of subacute effusive-constrictive pericarditis]

A 30-year-old female with effusive-constrictive pericarditis was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea, ascites and edema. On examination, her blood pressure was 118/94 mmHg and her pulse rate was 90 bpm. Physical examination revealed pulsus paradoxus, markedly raised venous pressure and pericardial knock sound. Chest X-ray showed marked cardiomegaly and bilateral pleural effusion. After cardiac catheterization there was elevation of mean right atrial pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, pulmonary-capillary-wedge pressure, and their pressures during diastole were approximately 30 mmHg. After successful pericardiocentesis, their diastolic pressures still remained at 15 mmHg. Additionally, pressure wave of the right ventricle showed distinct diastolic dip and plateau pattern, and that of the right atrium showed deep x and y descents. The pressure pattern suggested that not only pericardial effusion but also decreased compliance of the pericardium was the main factor contributing to the cardiac diastolic dysfunction. Histological examination of the pericardium showed diffuse lymphocyte infiltration and fibrosis. These findings strongly suggested that there might have been viral infection.

[Changes in right ventricular function with unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion test for pre-operative evaluation prior to lung resection]

We measured the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) before and during unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion test (UPAO) by thermodilution method. We also measured the right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI), right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI), and right ventricular stroke volume index (RVSVI). RVEF and RVSVI were significantly decreased by UPAO (p less than 0.05), but there were no obvious changes in RVEDVI and RVESVI. Some cases showed only a small decrease in RVEF by UPAO, even though their total pulmonary vascular resistance indices were over 700 dyne.sec.cm-5/m2 during UPAO. On the other hand, some cases had a decreased in RVEF of more than 10% by UPAO, even though their total pulmonary vascular resistance indices were under 400 dyne.sec.cm-5/m2 during UPAO. We consider that it is important to measure right ventricular functions such as RVEF together with pulmonary vascular hemodynamics in the pre-operative evaluation of cases of lung resection.

Seminal plasma transferrin concentration: relationship with seminal parameters and plasma hormone levels

Seminal plasma transferrin concentrations were determined in 155 infertile male patients and in 15 pregnancy-proven fertile males (control group); then the relationship between these concentrations and seminal parameters and plasma hormone levels was investigated. The concentrations of seminal plasma transferrin in patients with a sperm concentration below 20 x 10(6)/ml were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in seminal plasma transferrin concentration between patients with a sperm concentration of 40 x 10(6)/ml or more and the control patients. A positive correlation was observed between sperm concentration and seminal transferrin content (r = 0.56; p < 0.05). However, correlations between seminal transferrin concentration and sperm motility and between seminal plasma transferrin content and sperm morphology did not show any significance, nor did the seminal transferrin content correlate with plasma LH, FSH, prolactin or testosterone levels. It, therefore, seems that while transferrin is indicative of certain physiopathological conditions in the germ cells, this protein is not a distinctive marker of the fertility potential of an individual.

The role of enhanced mitochondrial phosphorylation in rat liver transplantation

The effects of organ preservation on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity, adenylate hepatic energy charge, cytochrome content, and redox state of NAD+/NADH couple in rat liver transplantation were compared between a nonpreservation group and a preservation group with grafts preserved for 12 hr in Euro-Collin's solution. At 3 hr after transplantation, the energy charge in the preservation group decreased to 0.60 +/- 0.02 from the control value of 0.86 +/- 0.01, accompanied by a reduction of intramitochondrial redox state of NAD+/NADH couple. In contrast, in the nonpreservation group, the decrease in energy charge was minimally decreased to 0.79 +/- 0.04 due to the compensatory enhancement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity. These results suggest that an enhanced mitochondrial ATP synthesis and a reduced intramitochondrial redox state are important factors affecting survival following rat liver transplantation.

[Application of laser in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and emphysema]

From August 1990 to August 1991, sixteen patients with bullae or blebs (pneumothorax 9, giant bullae 5, bullous emphysema 2) were treated by CO2 laser ablation under limited thoracotomy. We found the irradiation of bullae or blebs by CO2 laser quite effective in eliminating these bullous lesions which were often multiple and inoperable by conventional methods. Histological examination revealed the wall of bullae where CO2 laser was applied became thick with dense fibrous tissues and degenerated collagen fibers which, however, were not disrupted. The procedure was safe and we were able to operate patients with disabling emphysema. Because CO2 laser can penetrate only 0.2-0.3 mm of tissue thickness, it is suitable for the ablation of bullous lesions which have thin walls and rapidly shrink and collapse by irradiation leaving thick walled scar tissues. Removing multiple bullae and blebs in patients with bullous emphysema can improve gas exchange by reducing dead spaces and elevating the diaphragm which is often flat and downward displaced because of hyperinflation in these patients. We are planning to incorporate thoracoscopy for this operation to make the procedure less invasive.

Evaluation of seminal vesicle characteristics by ultrasonography before and after ejaculation

Twenty males underwent transrectal ultrasonography before and after ejaculation to examine possible alterations that could influence interpretation of seminal vesicle ultrasonography. The preejaculation length of 35 mm was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased to 30 mm after ejaculation. The mean width of the seminal vesicles was 13 mm before and 11 mm after ejaculation. The seminal vesicle volume was significantly diminished after ejaculation (p < 0.05). It therefore seems important to maintain a period of abstinence when evaluating the seminal vesicles by ultrasonography.

Epidermal growth factor in urine from the patients with urothelial tumors

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in urine was measured with a radioimmunoassay in 40 untreated patients with urothelial tumors and a comparable control group of 25 normals. The concentration of EGF in urine from the patients with bladder, renal pelvic or ureter tumors was lower than normal (p less than 0.05). Patients with T4 tumors had lower concentrations of EGF compared with those of other stages. EGF concentrations after transurethral resection of bladder tumors were significantly elevated compared with the values before operation. These findings suggest that urothelial tumors are related to a low concentration of EGF and that a decrease of EGF is associated with invasion of tumors.

Electrophysiologic findings in optic nerve dysfunction associated with multiple evanescent white-dot syndrome

Electrophysiologic findings in a case of multiple evanescent white-dot syndrome were studied. A 37-year-old woman presented with multiple white dots, granularity of the macula, and optic disc swelling in her left fundus. The electroretinogram and electro-oculogram revealed abnormal findings indicative of changes in the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. In addition, relative afferent pupillary defect, enlargement of the blind spot, a decrease in the critical fusion frequency, staining of the optic disc on fluorescein angiography and prolonged latency of the P100 component with decreased amplitude in pattern-reversal visual evoked cortical potential strongly suggested dysfunction of the optic nerve in this patient.

[Immunohistochemical study of lung cancer using monoclonal antibody against human pulmonary surfactant apoprotein]

To evaluate the clinical significance of monoclonal antibody against human pulmonary surfactant apoprotein (S-AP), surgically resected lung cancer from 122 patients was studied. Paraffin embedded tissues were used for the immunohistochemical study by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The results were as follows. 1. Adenocarcinoma showed highest immunoreactivity for S-AP compared to the other histologic types. Among subtypes of adenocarcinoma, type II alveolar epithelial type, clara cell type and mixed type of these two types were strongly positive (100%, 77.8% and 66.7% respectively). These results indicate that this antibody may be a good marker for the subtyping of adenocarcinoma. 2. There were some positive cases in other histologic types especially in peripheral type of squamous cell carcinoma. These findings suggest that this antibody was useful for the histological differentiation of lung cancer. 3. As to the immunohistochemical reactivity there was a good correlation between tissue and cytological specimens, which indicate cytological studies may be adequate for this kind of histopathological studies. 4. In our study, there were no patients with S-AP positive carcinomas other than patients with lung cancer. These results indicate that this antibody could be used for the differential diagnosis between primary and secondary lung cancer.

[The role of surgery in cases of diagnostic difficulty]

Pulmonary resections for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis are decreasing, and nowadays most of them are for the open lung biopsy to make histological diagnosis, because differentiation between tuberculosis, AM and lung cancer is critical. In 1980-1990 forty-three patients, in whom the diagnosis was not established by conventional diagnostic methods, had pulmonary resections for open lung biopsy because of abnormal chest X-ray shadows. Of these, 31 (72%) were non-tuberculous (lung cancer 8, hamartoma 7, lung abscess 5, fungus infection 3, sclerosing hemangioma 2, bronchogenic cyst 2, and others 4, and 12 (28%) were tuberculous or AM. The type of chest film abnormality was solitary pulmonary nodule (coin lesion) in 9 out of 12 patients with tuberculosis or AM, in all eight patients with lung cancer and in 14 out of 23 patients with other diseases. In patients with coin lesions, the incidence of lung cancer was as high as 50% when the diameter was more than 21mm, while it was only 11% when it was 20mm or less. 24 patients with tuberculosis or AM complicated by lung cancer or other diseases were resected. There were 8 smear or culture positive patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (or AM) (Group 1), of whom 7 had lung cancer and 1 pneumothorax. Of 8 patients who were wrongly diagnosed as active pulmonary tuberculosis (Group 2), there were 5 lung cancers and 3 other diseases. In the remaining 8 patients (Group 3) both old tuberculosis and lung cancer coexisted and in 3 they were found in the same lobe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of male infertility: current situation and problems]

We evaluated the results of treatment for male infertility in 883 patients who visited our clinic. The efficacy rate and pregnancy rate after varicocele operation were higher than those after drug therapy. Drug therapy was effective only in patients with a sperm count of 10-40 x 10(6)/ml. The percentage of swollen sperm in hypoosmotic swelling test elevated after operation in varicocele patients. The hypoosmotic swelling test seems to be useful to show the improvement of sperm function by treatment.

Hypoosmotic swelling test in patients with varicocele

The hypoosmotic swelling test is a simple test for measuring the functional competence of human sperm membrane. Thirty-five patients with varicocele were assessed by hypoosmotic swelling test and the results were compared with those in patients with idiopathic infertility. Percentage of swollen sperm in varicocele tended to be lower than that in idiopathic infertility, especially in sperm concentration between 30 x 10(6)/mL and 40 x 10(6)/mL. Varicocele with sperm motility of 40% or more revealed lower percentage of swollen sperm than idiopathic infertility did. The results indicate that varicocele may particularly injure sperm membrane function because hypoosmotic swelling test is a test for measuring functional ability of human sperm membrane. The percentage of swollen sperm recovered after the operation earlier than did the other sperm parameters such as sperm concentration or motility, which indicates that impaired sperm membrane injury by varicocele is reversible.

Specific amplification of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi DNA from clinical specimens by polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Rickettsia tsutsugamushi-specific DNA in clinical specimens. The primer pair used for PCR was designed from the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the 56-kDa antigen of the Gilliam strain. Theses primers led to a 78-bp fragment by amplifying the genomic DNAs from five serovariants, i.e., the Gilliam, Karp, Kato, Kawasaki, and Kuroki strains of R. tsutsugamushi, and also the DNA from blood clots of patients with scrub typhus, even at the early stage of onset of the disease. This indicates that this method is suitable for the diagnosis of scrub typhus.