[Adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells in atherosclerosis]

The adherence of blood monocytes to the endothelium, followed by transmigration beneath the endothelium, are initiating events in the formation of foam cells, promoting atherogenesis. We showed that adhesion molecules on leukocytes were up- or down-regulated in atherosclerosis, when binding of monoclonal antibodies was measured by indirect immunofluorescence with flow cytometry. Expression of PE-CAM-1 (CD31) on monocytes and LFA-1 (CD11a) on lymphocytes was increased with age. Expression of PECAM-1 in monocytes was also up-regulated in patients with coronary artery disease. Being unchanged on aging, expression of HAR (CD44) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes was increased in patients with coronary artery disease. On the other hand, expression of L-selectin (CD62L) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and LFA-1, CR3 (CD11b) and VLA-4 (CD49d) on monocytes was decreased. These findings may show the mechanism of increased chemotaxis of monocytes beneath the endothelium during the incipient stage of atherosclerosis.

[Fine-needle aspiration cytology of tumors of major salivary glands]

Between 1986 and 1997, 124 patients with tumors of major salivary glands (93 parotid tumors, 31 submandibular gland tumors) were assessed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The 124 cases included 28 cases of primary malignant tumors and 96 cases of benign lesions. The preoperative fine-needle diagnoses were compared with postoperative pathologic findings. Sensitivity for malignancy was 64%, and specificity was 99%. Overall accuracy was 91%, and the predictive value for malignancy was 95%. FNAC allowed determination of histogenesis in 13 (68%) of the 19 cases cytologically diagnosed as malignant, and in 72 (71%) of the 105 cases cytologically diagnosed as benign. The diagnostic accuracy for histologic diagnosis of malignant neoplasms, pleomorphic adenoma, and Warthin's tumor was 46%, 73%, and 82%, respectively. The predictive value for specific histologic diagnosis of malignancy, pleomorphic adenoma, and Warthin's tumor was 100%, 91%, and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy and the predictive value for histologic diagnoses were relatively high (> 70%) for squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, malignant lymphoma, pleomorphic adenoma, and Warthin's tumor. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and low-grade malignancies such as mucoepidermiod carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma were the lesions most frequently misdiagnosed.

Expression of bcl-2-, p53, and Ki-67 and outcome of patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas following DNA-damaging treatment

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that apoptosis is important in the cell death induced by treatment that damages deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). We assessed the correlation between the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins, p53 and bcl-2, and the clinical outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) who were treated with both DNA-damaging treatments. We also assessed the level of Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, in these tumors.

METHODS

We evaluated statistically the relationships among the expression of p53, bcl-2, and Ki-67 and clinicopathologic factors, the sensitivity to radiation, the incidence of distant metastases, and survival.

RESULTS

The group that was positive for p53 tended to be resistant to radiotherapy and to have a significantly poorer prognosis (p = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The enhanced expression of p53 may be a prognostic factor in patients with NPCs whose tumor is resistant to therapy that damages DNA.

[Analysis of the prognostic factor in the patients with locally invasive bladder cancer who underwent total cystectomy]

OBJECTIVES

Prognosis and related factors were analysed as for the patients with locally invasive bladder cancer who underwent total cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection.

METHODS

Between January 1977 and December 1996, a hundred and one patients with locally invasive bladder cancer underwent total cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection at University Hospital. Survival rates of these patients were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and statistical significances were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Most significant factor was PS at cystectomy and pN was next. Survival rate of the patients who underwent total cystectomy after 1988 showed significantly better than others. Thirteen patients achieved complete response by preoperative therapy. But, two of them who had positive nodes were died by cancer.

CONCLUSION

Considering from these results, performance status at cystectomy and lymph node metastasis are predictable prognostic factor for locally invasive bladder cancer patients.

High alkaline phosphatase activity in 3p-induced human renal cancer cells

Recent studies have suggested that a tumor suppressor gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p) for tumorigenesis of sporadic renal cell carcinoma. In this study, we introduced 3p from normal human fibroblasts into the renal cancer cell line YCR and this introduction clearly resulted in inhibited growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated several enzyme activities of original YCR cells and 3p-induced clones (YCR-151 and YCR-152) and found that only alkaline phosphatase activity in 3p-induced clones was significantly increased compared to that of the original YCR cells.

Expression of functional tissue factor on small vesicles of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human vascular endothelial cells

We examined tissue factor expression on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated endothelial cells and their small vesicles by using specific antibodies and flow cytometry. Tissue factor functional activity was also assessed by activation of factor X. Endothelial cells were stimulated with 10 microg/ml of lipopolysaccharide in M-199/bovine serum albumin. Flow cytometry showed that expression of tissue factor on endothelial cells reached a maximum at 6 hours after stimulation, whereas that on small vesicles reached a maximum after 12 hours. Factor X activation mediated by factor VIIa and tissue factor was observed over a similar time course and was inhibited by the addition of antitissue factor antibody. Immunoelectron microscopy suggested that small vesicles with expression of some tissue factor were produced from the surface of endothelial cells. Our findings thus showed that tissue factor on endothelial cells produced by lipopolysaccharide stimulation was partly released to small vesicles. This may cause disseminated intravascular coagulation and related coagulation disorders.

[Long-term administration study of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) in pollakiuria and urinary incontinence]

The safety and efficacy of one-year administration of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) were assessed in facilities affiliated with the Department of Urology of Yokohama City University School of Medicine. Changes in subjective symptoms showed significant improvement in mean frequency of urination in the daytime from 10.3 +/- 4.0 times before administration to 7.1 +/- 2.9 times 1 year after the start of administration, in mean frequency of voiding at night from 4.2 +/- 1.7 times to 2.1 +/- 1.1 times and in mean incidence of urinary incontinence from 2.9 +/- 2.1 times to 0.7 +/- 1.0 times. The final degree of overall improvement rate was 82.0% (41/50 cases). Adverse effects were observed 26 times in 22 patients, the incidence being 15.6% (22/141 cases). They consisted of digestive symptoms in 9.9% (6 events of dry mouth, 4 of constipation, 2 of abdominal discomfort, 2 of diarrhea and 1 of gastritis), urinary tract symptoms in 3.5% (4 of dysuria and 1 of residual urine), abnormal laboratory findings in 1.4% (increase in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase or lactate dehydrogenase levels) and others (1.4%). These results provide further evidence of the safety and efficacy of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) even when administered for a long-term in the treatment of patients with pollakiuria and urinary incontinence.

Cyclin D1 protein overexpression is related to tumor differentiation, but not to tumor progression or proliferative activity, in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

We attempted to clarify the significance of cyclin D1 in the development and progression of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in humans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining of archival tissue specimens of transitional cell bladder carcinoma obtained from 163 patients was performed by the labeled streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method.

RESULTS

Cyclin D1 protein overexpression was observed in 51 of the 163 specimens (31.3%). Cyclin D1 protein overexpression was showed a highly significant inverse correlation with the histological grade of malignancy (p < 0.01). Grade 3 tumors showed a highly significant low incidence of cyclin D1 protein overexpression as compared with grade 2 tumors (p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the overexpression of cyclin D1 protein and tumor stage or the Ki-67 labeling index.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin D1 in transitional cell bladder carcinoma was closely related to tumor differentiation but not to tumor progression. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder may utilize another pathway for proliferation that is independent of cyclin D1.

Cyclin D1 protein overexpression is related to tumor differentiation, but not to tumor progression or proliferative activity, in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

We attempted to clarify the significance of cyclin D1 in the development and progression of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in humans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining of archival tissue specimens of transitional cell bladder carcinoma obtained from 163 patients was performed by the labeled streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method.

RESULTS

Cyclin D1 protein overexpression was observed in 51 of the 163 specimens (31.3%). Cyclin D1 protein overexpression was showed a highly significant inverse correlation with the histological grade of malignancy (p < 0.01). Grade 3 tumors showed a highly significant low incidence of cyclin D1 protein overexpression as compared with grade 2 tumors (p < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the overexpression of cyclin D1 protein and tumor stage or the Ki-67 labeling index.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin D1 in transitional cell bladder carcinoma was closely related to tumor differentiation but not to tumor progression. Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder may utilize another pathway for proliferation that is independent of cyclin D1.

Clinical significance of interruption of therapy with allylestrenol in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

A multicenter, clinical trial investigated the effects of an interruption of antiandrogen therapy on subjective and objective clinical parameters in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

METHODS

Patients were given antiandrogen therapy with allylestrenol (50 mg/day) for 16 weeks. The medication was then withheld and the patients were carefully monitored for an additional 16 weeks. There were 34 BPH patients ranging in age from 55 to 82 years (mean, 66.1 years). The efficacy of allylestrenol was evaluated by its effects on prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rate (MFR), and symptom scores at the end of 16 weeks of treatment and then again at 32 weeks (16 weeks after cessation of therapy).

RESULTS

Allylestrenol was effective in the treatment of BPH, and was still effective 16 weeks after the cessation of medication. The prostate volume did not change after treatment cessation nor did the total symptom score, but the MFR reversed to the pretreatment level. Serum testosterone (1.95 ng/mL), dihydrotestosterone, and gonadotropin levels decreased on therapy, but were completely reversed by the end of this study. A prostate needle biopsy revealed that after 16 weeks without therapy, some glands showed regressive glandular changes, while some glands showed slight hyperplastic changes of the secretory epithelium. Eight per cent of patients complained of loss of libido during this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Allylestrenol is an effective and safe medical treatment for patients with symptomatic BPH. Hormonal and histopathologic findings suggest that the prostate gland may regrow after discontinuation of medication.

Cre-loxP-mediated DNA flip-flop in mammalian cells leading to alternate expression of retrovirally transduced genes

While DNA excision by Cre-loxP homologous recombination has been exploited for mammalian genetic engineering, it has not been reported whether DNA inversion is achievable by the same mechanism in mammalian cells. To investigate whether Cre-loxP-mediated DNA inversion takes place in mammalian cells, a novel retroviral vector, NT(FF), was constructed. The vector carries a marker gene cassette consisting of the neo and tk genes linked tail-to-tail to each other and flanked by an inverted repeat of loxP sequences. In NT(FF)-transduced Rat2 cells, the marker gene cassette was inverted reversibly in a Cre-dependent manner, leading to DNA "flip-flop" associated with alternate expression of the neo and tk genes. This study provides the first example of Cre-loxP-mediated DNA inversion in mammalian cells facilitating regulation of retrovirally transduced genes, suggesting the usefulness of the system for genetic engineering.

Pharmacophore identification of a chemokine receptor (CXCR4) antagonist, T22 ([Tyr(5,12),Lys7]-polyphemusin II), which specifically blocks T cell-line-tropic HIV-1 infection

We have previously found that T22 ([Tyr(5,12), Lys7]-polyphemusin II) has strong anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity, and that T22 inhibits T cell-line-tropic HIV-1 infection mediated by CXCR4/fusin. T22 is an 18-residue peptide amide, which takes an antiparallel beta-sheet structure that is maintained by two disulfide bridges. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on T22 have disclosed the contributions of each region of T22 to activity or cytotoxicity, and have provided the following useful information to develop new CXCR4 antagonists: The number of Arg residues in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of T22 is closely related to anti-HIV activity. Addition of a variety of functional groups at the N-terminal end results in increases in activity. Disulfide rings, especially the major disulfide loop, are indispensable for anti-HIV activity and maintenance of the beta-sheet structure. Trp3 can be replaced by other aromatic residues (Tyr, Phe and L-2-naphthylalanine). Between two repeats of Tyr-Arg-Lys, which are a characteristic structure in T22, Tyr-Arg-Lys in the N-terminal portion is more closely associated with anti-HIV activity and maintenance of the beta-sheet structure. A positive charge in the side chain at the (i + 1) position of the beta-turn region is necessary for strong activity. Through these studies, we have found several compounds having higher selectivity indexes (50% cytotoxic concentration/50% effective concentration) than that of T22.

Purification and characterization of ouabain-binding protein in human plasma

Ouabainlike factors are thought to be a kind of important modulators of salt and water metabolism in essential hypertension. We purified the binding-protein of ouabain (OBP) from human plasma. The amino-terminal sequence of OBP from human plasma, (NH2-TLGQPREPQVYTLPPXREEM-), indicated that OBP is the carboxy-terminal fragment (14.4 kDa by SDS-PAGE) from T218 of IgG2 heavy chain and from A221 of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. Moreover, plasmin-cleaved Fc fragment (pFc) of IgG possessed the ouabain-binding activity by the gel-filtration method of pFc and authentic ouabain mixture, whereas neither intact, aggregate, nor papain-cleaved Fc fragment did. The amino-terminal sequence of pFc was NH2-THTXPPXPAPELLGGPXVFL-, and this sequence corresponded to the T105 to L125 fragment of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. The growth of cultured THP-1 cells were arrested in the dose-dependent manner by ouabain, which was inhibited by the addition of 20 microg/mL of pFc. These results suggested that plasmin-cleaved Fc of human IgG is one of the binding protein of ouabain/ouabainlike factor(s) in human plasma.

Isolation and contraction of the stress fiber

Stress fibers were isolated from cultured human foreskin fibroblasts and bovine endothelial cells, and their contraction was demonstrated in vitro. Cells in culture dishes were first treated with a low-ionic-strength extraction solution and then further extracted using detergents. With gentle washes by pipetting, the nucleus and the apical part of cells were removed. The material on the culture dish was scraped, and the freed material was forced through a hypodermic needle and fractionated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Isolated, free-floating stress fibers stained brightly with fluorescently labeled phalloidin. When stained with anti-alpha-actinin or anti-myosin, isolated stress fibers showed banded staining patterns. By electron microscopy, they consisted of bundles of microfilaments, and electron-dense areas were associated with them in a semiperiodic manner. By negative staining, isolated stress fibers often exhibited gentle twisting of microfilament bundles. Focal adhesion-associated proteins were also detected in the isolated stress fiber by both immunocytochemical and biochemical means. In the presence of Mg-ATP, isolated stress fibers shortened, on the average, to 23% of the initial length. The maximum velocity of shortening was several micrometers per second. Polystyrene beads on shortening isolated stress fibers rotated, indicating spiral contraction of stress fibers. Myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation was detected in contracting stress fibers, and a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, KT5926, inhibited isolated stress fiber contraction. Our study demonstrates that stress fibers can be isolated with no apparent loss of morphological features and that they are truly contractile organelle.

Hearing in the MRL/lpr mouse as a possible model of immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss

In order to clarify the possible mechanism of hearing loss in immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss, basic research needed includes animal model studies. In the present investigation, we examined hearing thresholds and cochlear histologies of the MRL/lpr mouse which is now well-known as a model for pathology consistent with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE). Present findings demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences in auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds between 4- to 6-week-old "young" and 20- to 25-week-old "old" MRL mice. These differences were not sex-dependent. Under light microscopy, there were no abnormal morphological findings in the cochleas of either young or old MRL mice. With immunohistochemistry, mouse IgG was detected around the capillary walls in the stria vascularis in both young and old MRL mice. Serum IgG level of the MRL mice significantly decreased after predonisolone (PSL) administration. However, expression of mouse IgG in the stria vascularis was not observed in the MRL mice after PSL administration. From these results, we speculate that the hearing of the MRL mouse does not always deteriorate, and the deposition of mouse IgG on the capillary wall in the stria vascularis is not a sufficient factor to induce hearing loss. At this point, we conclude that the MRL mouse should not be considered a useful model for immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss.

All-trans retinoic acid modulates Fas antigen expression and affects cell proliferation and apoptosis in combination with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody in the human myeloma cell line, U266B1

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A derivative that induces the differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Several investigators have recently reported that ATRA downregulates the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the expression of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and also inhibits the proliferation of myeloma cells. It has also been reported that myeloma cells express Fas antigen, and in some of these cells apoptosis was induced by treatment with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb). In the present study, we demonstrated that ATRA increased Fas expression in the human myeloma cell line, U266B1. We observed that both apoptosis induction and growth inhibition were enhanced in cells exposed to a combination of anti-Fas mAb and ATRA compared with cells exposed to either treatment alone. We also examined whether ATRA modulated bcl-2, an anti-apoptosis protein, in U266B1 cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the mean fluorescence intensity of bcl-2 protein was slightly decreased in cells treated with ATRA. These results indicate that in U266B1 cells, combined treatment with anti-Fas mAb and ATRA enhances the induction of apoptosis by modulating the expression of Fas and bcl-2 by ATRA.

Clinical results of the staged Fontan procedure in high-risk patients

BACKGROUND

For high-risk Fontan candidates, the introduction of a bidirectional Glenn shunt before total cavopulmonary connection (a two-staged strategy) may extend the indications for the Fontan procedure. The clinical results of the two-staged and one-staged Fontan procedure were thus reviewed and compared.

METHODS

Between November 1991 and July 1996, the two-staged strategy was performed in 40 high-risk Fontan candidates with a mean interval of 17.2 months after introducing the bidirectional Glenn shunt (staged group). We considered a young age (<2 years), high mean pulmonary arterial pressure (> or =20 mm Hg), high pulmonary vascular resistance (> or =3 Wood units), small pulmonary artery (Nakata index <200 mm2/m2), atrioventricular valve incompetence (> or = moderate), distortion of pulmonary artery, anomalous pulmonary venous return, and poor ventricular function as risk factors for the successful completion of Fontan circulation. During the same period, 68 patients underwent the modified Fontan procedure in a one-step fashion (primary group).

RESULTS

In the staged group after the bidirectional Glenn shunt, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure and ventricular end-diastolic pressure were both found to have decreased significantly to the same level as those in the primary group, whereas the pulmonary artery demonstrated a significantly smaller size than that in the primary group. Operative morbidity was similar in both groups. Operative mortality was also similar and low in both groups (1.5% in the primary group and 0% in the staged group).

CONCLUSIONS

A bidirectional Glenn shunt was found to be a useful interim palliation in high-risk Fontan candidates. This two-staged strategy may extend the operative indications for the Fontan procedure.

Effects of procollagen C-proteinase enhancer protein on the growth of cultured rat fibroblasts revealed by an excisable retroviral vector

An excisable retroviral vector, TSN-lox, was developed by exploiting Cre-loxP homologous recombination. An integrated TSN-lox provirus could be excised, leaving a solo long terminal repeat at the integration site; inverse PCR, taking advantage of the solo long terminal repeat, was used to characterize cellular flanking sequences. A TSN-lox-transduced Rat2 cell clone, lox-7, was found to harbor the provirus in an intron of the procollagen C-proteinase enhancer protein (PCPE) gene, whose expression was lowered compared with that of the parental Rat2. When the vector provirus in lox-7 cells was excised, PCPE expression was elevated. The level of PCPE expression seemed to affect cell growth properties such as morphology, contact inhibition, and anchorage-independent growth. These results suggested that the excisable retroviral vector may be useful for studying the molecular basis for proviral insertion mutagenesis, and that PCPE may play a significant role in controlling cell growth and differentiation.

Strain differences in CYP3A-mediated C-8 hydroxylation (1,3,7-trimethyluric acid formation) of caffeine in Wistar and Dark Agouti rats. Rapid metabolism of caffeine in debrisoquine poor metabolizer model rats

We observed significant strain differences [Dark Agouti (DA) > Wistar] in 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid formation (C-8 hydroxylation) during caffeine metabolism, though not in N-demethylations, in adult male DA and Wistar rats. In contrast, adult female and immature male rats of both DA and Wistar strains did not show significant differences in activity levels of C-8 hydroxylation. Kinetic studies using liver microsomes revealed that adult male DA rats have a larger Vmax for C-8 hydroxylation than do Wistar rats. Troleandomycin (TAO), known as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor, and an anti-rat CYP3A2 polyclonal antibody effectively reduced C-8 hydroxylation by rat liver microsomes in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that C-8 hydroxylation in rats is mediated largely by an isoform(s) of the CYP3A subfamily. Troleandomycin and the antibody did not inhibit the N-demethylations of caffeine by rat liver microsomes. Treatment of rats with CYP3A inducers caused a marked increase in C-8 hydroxylase activity. These results indicate that the rat CYP3A subfamily is capable of catalyzing C-8 hydroxylation of caffeine as is the case for human CYP3A4. The results of western blotting analysis using anti CYP3A antiserum showed that the staining intensity of the protein band in DA rat liver microsomes was higher than that in Wistar rat liver microsomes. We concluded that marked sex-dependent strain differences in C-8 hydroxylation of caffeine between Wistar and DA rats are due to the differences in the levels of expression of CYP3A in these strains of rats.

Dual action of CD30 antigen: anti-CD30 antibody induced apoptosis and interleukin-8 secretion in Ki-1 lymphoma cells

CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. In this study, we examined the effect of four anti-CD30 (aCD30) antibodies (Abs) on CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma-derived cell line, Ki-JK. The aCD30 Abs suppressed [3H]thymidine (TdR) incorporation. With a TdT mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method, apoptosis was detected in Ki-JK cells at day 5 after the addition of aCD30 Ab to the culture. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, had no effect on aCD30 Ab-induced apoptosis. The aCD30 Ab simultaneously induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion in the Ki-JK cells. In culture of the Ki-JK cells with aCD30 Ab for 5 days, the IL-8 concentration of the cell free-supernatant increased to 240 +/- 16 pg/ml, though the concentration was < 12.5 pg/ml without aCD30 Ab. In combination with aCD30 Ab, genistein decreased the concentration of IL-8 in day 5 supernatants. Although, doxorubicin and herbimycin-A suppressed [3H]TdR incorporation and induced apoptosis in the Ki-JK cells, they did not induce IL-8 secretion. Only aCD30 Ab-induced apoptosis was accompanied by IL-8 secretion. IL-8 mRNA was not detected in the Ki-JK cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. IL-8 mRNA was detected 5 days after adding aCD30 Ab to the culture.

Role of nitric oxide synthase in release of endothelin from cultured human endometrial cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase (NO/NOS) system on the release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in human endometrial cells. Human endometrial stromal cells in secretory phase were incubated for 72 h in serum-free RPMI 1640 medium in the absence or presence of different concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (LNMMA), a specific competitive inhibitor of NOS. ET-1 released from the cultured cells into the medium was determined by specific RIA. In all the experiments at various times, IL-1beta significantly increased the release of ET-1. LNMMA significantly attenuated the release of ET-1 when the cells were cultured with both IL-1beta and LNMMA, but LNMMA alone had no effect on ET-1 release. These results suggest that the NO/NOS system in human endometrium is involved in the regulation of ET-1 release via IL-1beta secretion. It can also be inferred that NO and ET-1 control the functions of endometrium in close association with IL-1beta.

[Long-term survival of bladder preservation therapy with radiation and chemotherapy for locally invasive bladder cancer]

The prognoses and prognostic factors of the 54 patients with locally invasive bladder cancer who underwent bladder preservation therapy at Yokohama City University Hospital between 1977 and 1995 were analyzed statistically. The therapeutic modalities of bladder preservation were mainly radiation or chemotherapy. The prognosis for the patients who underwent bladder preservation therapy was worse than that for the patients who underwent total cystectomy. The prognostic factors of these patients were size and grade of tumor, presence of hydronephrosis and performance status (PS) of the patients by univariate analysis. Tumor grade was the most predictable prognostic factor using multivariate analysis. Only 17 patients survived more than 5 years after treatment; 78% of the survivors had good PS (0 or 1). Five of them died of cancer and two patients were alive with cancer. All of them had G3 tumors. These results suggest that patients with locally invasive G2 tumor could be candidates for bladder preservation therapy and patients who underwent bladder preservation therapy should be evaluated at 10 years post-therapy.