IL-4 stimulates the growth of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia cells (CMMoL) once leukemic transformation has occurred

We have investigated the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the proliferation of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMMoL) cells in the chronic and leukemic transformation phases in vitro. CMMoL cells formed colonies spontaneously in both phases. IL-4 suppressed the spontaneous growth in the chronic phase, but on the other hand, stimulated colony formation in the leukemic transformation phase. Anti-IL-6 antibody inhibited spontaneous colony formation in both phases. CMMoL cells in both phases produced high levels of IL-6, compared with those produced by acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells showing myelomonocytic differentiation and normal monocytes. IL-4 suppressed the IL-6 production by CMMoL cells in both phases. None of anti-IL-6, anti-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-IL-1-beta antibodies inhibited IL-4-stimulated colony formation. These results suggest that IL-4 directly stimulates the growth of CMMoL cells once leukemic transformation has occurred and that the therapeutic use of IL-4 for CMMoL should be viewed with caution, especially in the leukemic transformation phase.

[The influences of self-evaluation level and items evaluation on test-retest effect: application of temporal comparison theory]

To examine the influences of items evaluation and self-evaluation on test-retest effect, which was first pointed out by Windle (1954) as the influence of prior test experience, a self-evaluative consciousness scale was repeatedly administered to 174 female college students. They were divided into an-hour, a-month, and a-year conditions by intervals of tests. Thirty items of the scale were classified into five levels according to the size of evaluation factor loading. Findings were as follows: 1) Test-retest effect appeared in the group of a-month interval condition, 2) only for the items belonging to the lowest level of evaluation, 3) and this effect was mainly caused by the subjects whose self-evaluative consciousness was not high. Results were discussed in terms of temporal comparison theory proposed by Albert (1977), which states that making an assessment of present self character, a person compares it with his or her past assessment mainly on inferior traits (items), unconsciously trying to raise self-evaluation through responding to these items more positively. This mechanism is supposed to be driven by the motivation of evaluation maintenance.

A space-occupying lesion in the liver due to Capillaria infection

A space-occupying lesion 3.5 by 2.0 cm in size caused by Capillaria infection was revealed ultrasonographically in segment 6 (S6) of the liver of a 32-year-old woman from Okinawa, Japan, who was hospitalized with a complaint of pain in the right upper quadrant. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis of 10,400/mm3 with 22% eosinophils and slight impairment of liver function. The tumor was removed surgically and found to be a necrotic granuloma with eosinophilic infiltration formed around a degenerated nematode. The causative agent was presumed to be Capillaria hepatica based on the morphology of the bacillary bands and stichosome observed in the sectioned worm and in the fragments of worm recovered by dissecting the tumor tissue that was embedded in paraffin.

K-ras gene mutations in early colorectal cancer ... flat elevated vs polyp-forming cancer

K-ras gene mutations in early colorectal cancer were detected by two-step sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme digestion method. Early colorectal cancer was classified into flat elevated cancer or polyp-forming cancer according to morphology and presence of adenomatous components. A total of 60 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from patients with early colorectal cancer were analysed. K-ras codon 12 mutations were detected in 23.3% (7/30) of flat elevated cancer and 63.3% (19/30) of polyp-forming cancer. The incidence of K-ras codon 12 mutations in flat elevated cancer was significantly lower than in polyp-forming cancer (P < 0.01). These data suggested that K-ras gene mutations may be correlated with morphology or clinical features in flat elevated cancer, and that flat elevated cancer may originate from a pathway different from adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

Mixed cavernous angioma and glioma (angioglioma) in the hypothalamus--case report

A 54-year-old female presented with a huge mixed cavernous angioma and astrocytoma in the hypothalamus manifesting as headache, visual field defect, gait disturbance, and convulsion. Radiological studies revealed a huge suprasellar tumor encasing all the major cerebral vessels. Craniotomy disclosed a hemorrhagic tumor poorly demarcated from the surrounding brain which was partially removed. Histological examination of the operative specimen revealed cavernous angioma with low grade glioma in the periphery. The residual tumor responded to radiation therapy remarkably well. An autopsy conducted 3 years later revealed a small hypothalamic astrocytoma with abundant vasculature.

Prolonged but not acute fluoxetine administration produces its inhibitory effect on hippocampal seizures in rats

This study assessed the effects of acute as well as long-term administration of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor with anti-depressant properties, on hippocampal (HIP) seizures elicited by electrical stimulation in rats. The fluoxetine effect on HIP seizures was also assessed following long-term treatment with gepirone, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist. Acute single administration of fluoxetine (1, 10 mg/kg; IP) was found to produce no significant effect on HIP seizure activity. Following daily IP administration of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg per day) or gepirone (10 mg/kg per day) for 21 days, animals were given a 7-day drug-free period and then challenged with an acute dose of 10 mg/kg fluoxetine. These treatment regimens resulted in a significantly increased afterdischarge threshold of HIP seizures in response to acute fluoxetine administration. The inhibitory effect of fluoxetine, however, was not present 4 weeks after long-term treatment with either fluoxetine or gepirone. The present results indicate that long-term treatment with these compounds enhances the antiepileptic effect of subsequent fluoxetine administration on the generation of HIP seizures. This effect is possibly related to the well-demonstrated evidence that fluoxetine and gepirone, on long-term treatment, facilitate net 5-HT neurotransmission through desensitization of presynaptic 5-HT autoreceptors.

p53 gene mutations in early colorectal carcinoma. De novo vs. adenoma-carcinoma sequence

p53 gene mutations in early and advanced colorectal cancer were detected by PCR-SSCP analysis. Early colorectal cancer was classified into de novo cancer and polyp-forming cancer, respectively, according to morphology and presence of adenomatous components. A total of 94 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from patients with colorectal cancer were analysed. p53 gene mutations were detected in 40.0% (12/30) of de novo cancer, 36.7% (11/30) of polyp-forming cancer, and 44% (15/34) of advanced cancer. p53 mutations were detected at a high frequency in both types of early colorectal cancer as well as in advanced cancer. No correlations were found between p53 mutations and clinicopathological data. Our data suggest that the p53 gene mutations occurred in the early colorectal cancer stage of carcinogenesis regardless of the pathway.

Cyclic AMP-dependent modulation of vesicular monoamine transport in pheochromocytoma cells

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is well known to enhance tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC12 cells. We were able to demonstrate, however, that the cellular dopamine level in PC12 was lowered by dibutyryl cAMP. Furthermore, the decrease in the cellular level of dopamine was accompanied by about a 10-fold increase in the medium. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of cAMP on catecholamine transport. Dibutyryl cAMP did not induce exocytotic release of norepinephrine but rather inhibited its uptake. As with forskolin and cholera toxin, physiological signaling molecules such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and AMP, for which PC12 cells are known to have receptors linked to activation of adenylate cyclase, also inhibited norepinephrine uptake. The inhibitory effects of dibutyryl cAMP, VIP, and AMP were dose dependent, and EC50 values were estimated to be 100 microM, 10 nM, and 1.0 microM, respectively. The inhibition profile of dibutyryl cAMP over the time course of norepinephrine uptake was biphasic: inhibition became clearly detectable after the cytosolic pool of norepinephrine had been saturated. This profile is similar to that of reserpine. Nomifensine, however, inhibited uptake at a rather constant rate throughout the entire time course. The ATP-dependent serotonin uptake by digitonin-permeabilized cells was lowered to approximately 50% that of the control by dibutyryl cAMP treatment before permeabilization, indicating inhibition of vesicular monoamine transport. This effect was also dependent on a dibutyryl cAMP concentration with an EC50 of < or = 100 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Seizure control after chronic pharmacotherapy in epileptic disorders beginning after 40 years of age

Few studies have been published on the pharmacologic response to treatment of patients whose seizures begin after 40 years of age. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic pharmacotherapy on the seizure control of such patients. We retrospectively studied the seizure frequency recorded during a 12-month period in a group of 94 outpatients whose seizure disorders began after 40 years of age (median age of seizure onset 56.5 years) and who had been treated with anticonvulsant medication for a median period of 6 years (range 18 months to 12 years). We assessed the relationship between the patients' seizure frequency during the last 12 months of treatment using (a) the present and previously prescribed pharmacologic regimens, (b) anticonvulsant blood levels of present regimen, (c) etiology and duration of seizure disorder, (d) age at onset of seizures, and (e) presence of electrographic (EEG) and neuroradiologic abnormalities. We only identified side effects occurring at blood levels within or below the drug's therapeutic range. Seventy-eight patients (83%) were seizure free during the last 12 months of treatment, 11 (11%) had rare seizures, and five (6%) had more than four seizures per year. Seizure frequency was not affected by duration and etiology of seizure disorder, age at onset of seizures, seizure type, neuroradiologic or electroencephalographic abnormalities, and present or previously prescribed pharmacologic regimens. Persistent side effects were reported in seven of 76 (9%) monotherapy regimens and in two of 12 (17%) polytherapy regimens. Our data suggest that seizures beginning after the age of 40 have a favorable prognosis after chronic pharmacotherapy.

Recurrent hemangiopericytoma of the liver: report of a case

We present herein the case of a 63-year-old man with a locally recurrent hemangiopericytoma in the hepatic hilum. The patient presented to our hospital for the investigation of elevated transaminases 6 years after undergoing resection of a hemangiopericytoma followed by chemotherapy at another hospital. Various imaging techniques demonstrated a well-circumscribed, hypervascular tumor with central necrosis in the hepatic hilum. Establishing a preoperative diagnosis would have been difficult without the information that he had previously had a hemangiopericytoma of the abdominal cavity. An extended right hepatic lobectomy was performed and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of recurrent hemangiopericytoma. Although hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor, the clinical presentation and radiologic features of this case were fairly typical.

Blueberry juice: preliminary evaluation as an oral contrast agent in gastrointestinal MR imaging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the use of blueberry juice as an oral contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging of phantoms of blueberry juice and of manganese chloride solutions with different manganese concentrations were conducted. Patient trials were conducted to evaluate manganese blood levels and signal intensity changes on MR images of the abdomen. T1- and T2-weighted conventional spin-echo MR imaging was performed at various field strengths. Six radiologists graded image contrast; signal intensities were calculated.

RESULTS

T1 and T2 relaxation curves for blueberry juice and manganese chloride showed similar signal intensity profiles as a function of manganese concentration. Blood concentrations of manganese were unchanged before and after an oral dose of blueberry juice that contained 18 mg of manganese. The results of patient studies indicated that the optimal oral dose of manganese in blueberry juice was 3-4 mg/dL. T1 and T2 shortening were apparent at field strengths of 0.2-1.5 T.

CONCLUSION

At appropriate concentrations, blueberry juice has the potential to be an effective oral contrast agent for MR imaging.

Acute effects of inhalation exposure to carbon monoxide on schedule-controlled operant behavior and blood carboxyhemoglobin levels in rats

The acute effects of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure on a steady-state operant behavior (bar-pressing under a VI 60-sec schedule of food reinforcement) were repeatedly measured in (a) rats exposed to various concentrations of CO (500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 ppm) for 1 h and (b) rats exposed to 1,500 ppm for different periods (1, 2 and 4 h). Measurements were made continuously before, during and after the exposure period. Abrupt cessation of the response was produced by exposure to 1,000 ppm or higher concentrations of CO. Recovery from the effects of CO exposure was observed as sudden resumption of responding during the post-exposure period. The duration of exposure required to produce response inhibition was closely correlated with the exposure concentration. The post-exposure interval required for response recovery was also correlated with the exposure concentration. This post-exposure response recovery interval, however, was constant and independent of the duration of exposure when the concentration was fixed at 1,500 ppm. In order to correlate these behavioral changes with an internal index of CO exposure, blood carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) levels were determined under several exposure conditions corresponding to those of the behavioral observations. It was found that HbCO levels were within a certain range (33-43%) when response recovery occurred, suggesting the existence of a critical HbCO level (threshold) associated with the drastic behavioral change. Hence, these results support the view that blood HbCO is an important determinant of the acute behavioral effects of CO.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in five farms in Holambra, São Paulo, Brazil

A parasitological survey was carried out on 222 inhabitants of five farms in Holambra, located 30 km north of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, on October 1992. Approximately 70% of the inhabitants were found to be infected with at least one species of intestinal parasite. The positive rates of 6 helminths and 7 protozoan species detected are as follows: 5.4% Ascaris lumbricoides; 8.6% Trichuris trichiura; 19.8% Necator americanus; 10.4% Strongyloides stercoralis; 1.4% Enterobius vermicularis; 0.9% Hymenolepis nana; 3.2% Entamoeba histolytica; 2.7% E. hartmanni; 9.9% E. coli; 14.0% Endolimax nana; 2.3% Iodamoeba butschlii; 10.4% Giardia lamblia; 37.8% Blastocystis hominis. The positive rates of helminth infection were generaly higher in the younger-group under 16 years-old than those in the elder group aged 16 or more, whereas the infection rates of protozoan species were higher in the elder group. The infection rate of Strongyloides was found to be 10.4% by a newly developed sensitive method (an agarplate culture methods).

Temperature-induced changes in the number of vesicles in the free nerve endings of temperature neurons of the snake

By observing ultrastructural changes under the electron microscope, we illustrated exocytosis and recycling of vesicles in the infrared receptor, a kind of free nerve ending in the pit organ of the crotaline snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis. While maintaining the snake pit organs at stable temperatures of 15 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 30 degrees C, we fixed them by perfusion and then processed them for transmission electron microscopy. The largest number of clear and coated vesicles appeared in the terminals at the lowest temperature. The perimeter and area of a terminal were enlarged at 30 degrees C, and "opening waves" on the plasma were prominently found at the highest temperature. We also observed coated vesicles that budded from the plasma membrane in the terminals. The configuration of mitochondria in the terminals was quantitatively different between lower and higher temperatures. The data suggest that exocytosis and endocytosis in these terminals operate in a manner similar to that observed in other cell types.

Application of three-dimensional spiral computed tomographic angiography prior to hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

A newly developed method of spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography was employed for 19 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy. Fine images of the intrahepatic vascular structure, portal venous branches and hepatic veins, and HCC nodules were obtained in 16 patients. A more accurate and easier understanding of the relationship between the intrahepatic vascular structure and the HCC nodules was provided by this spiral CT angiography compared with any other imaging modality.

Microwave fixation and localization of calcium in synaptic vesicles

The distribution of Ca2+ ions is demonstrated in the synaptic terminals by means of a 2-step chemical precipitation of Ca2+ ions in nervous tissue. K-oxalate/K-antimonate chemical replacement with simultaneous computerized microwave irradiation is used. This precipitate in cell structures was investigated by computerized electron probe X-ray micro-analysis. The calculated values (from the theoretical, standards and sections), elemental binding ratios and elemental molecular weight ratios were compared. Each calculated value coincided with the theoretical value. This method can reliably detect Ca2+ ions at the micromolar level. Ca2+ ions were distributed in the synaptic vesicles and surrounding membranes. Further progress is expected in freeze-substitution and in the application and propagation of the EELS-Imaging system in calcium determinations.