A theory of electrical conductivity of molten salt. II

In molten equivalent salts, a unified relation that the ratio of partial dc conductivities is always equal to the inverse mass ratio, viz. sigma(+)/sigma(-)=m(-)/m(+), has been confirmed in view of microscopic point starting from the generalized Langevin equation. It has been newly proved that the memory functions assumed to be an exponentially decaying form in the Langevin equation for cation and anion are equal to each other. Furthermore, the short time behaviors of moving ions are analyzed in terms of their velocity correlation functions, according to the combination of generalized Langevin equation and damped Einstein oscillator equation. A minor correction for the expression of common friction constant derived before has been given. Estimated results for conductivities are close to those obtained by computer simulation and also comparable to experimental values.

Marked elevation of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in pericardial fluid of patients with angina pectoris

Although we reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels in pericardial fluid of patients with unstable angina are apparently increased, it was unclear whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is also increased in patients with myocardial ischemia. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we measured the concentrations of VEGF and bFGF in pericardial fluid of 51 patients with open heart surgery. Patients were divided into group A (n=10) with class III unstable angina (Braunwald's classification), group B (n=24) with class I or II unstable angina or stable angina and group C (n=17) with non-ischemic heart disease. The VEGF level in pericardial fluid in group A was 83+/-7 pg/ml, being significantly (p<0.001) higher than the 27+/-3 pg/ml in group B and the 28+/-5 pg/ml in group C. The concentrations of bFGF in pericardial fluid in groups A and B were 1461+/-579 and 1224+/-161 pg/ml, respectively, significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 292+/-97 pg/ml in group C. The level of VEGF in pericardial fluid was increased only in patients with severe rest angina within 2 days before emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), while bFGF was increased in all patients undergoing CABG for coronary artery disease. Thus VEGF and bFGF may play important roles in mediating collateral growth in humans.

Age-dependent impairment of coronary collateral development in humans

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether age influences collateral development in patients with coronary artery disease. The extent of collateral development to the area perfused by the infarct-related artery was graded, depending on the degree of opacification of the occluded infarct-related artery. We evaluated the extent of collateral development using coronary cineangiography in 102 patients with an acutely occluded infarct-related coronary artery within 12 h after the onset of the first acute myocardial infarction, and who had a history of long-standing effort angina. Well-developed collateral circulation was observed in 54 (53%) of the patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on their age. The prevalence of well-developed collateral circulation in the younger group (< or = 64 years, n = 48) was 69% (33 of 48), being significantly (P = 0.003) higher than 39% (21 of 54) in the older group (> or = 65 years, n = 54). We conclude that in the presence of stimuli for collateral development i.e., long-standing effort angina accompanied by severe coronary stenosis, the age of patients is a key determinant of collateral development.

Superior survival of blood and marrow stem cell recipients given maternal grafts over recipients given paternal grafts

During the reproductive period, mothers and offspring exchange hematopoietic cells and develop a form of immunological tolerance bidirectionally. To examine whether previous experience of such communication has any remote effect when maternal hematopoietic cells are later transplanted to the children, we retrospectively compared the outcomes of blood and marrow stem cell transplantation from maternal donors (n = 46) to those from paternal donors (n = 50) by using the database of the Japanese nationwide surveys for adult hematopoietic cell transplants between 1990 and 1998. At 5 years, recipients of maternal hematopoietic cells had a significantly higher overall survival than patients receiving paternal grafts (60% vs 32%, P = 0.006). Although no significant difference was observed in the occurrence of severe acute GVHD (grade > or =III) and the relapse of malignant diseases between two groups, the probability of non-relapse treatment-related mortality was significantly lower after maternal donor transplants. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that parental donor type was the only factor significantly associated with overall survival. In conclusion, our analysis indicates superior survival of maternally donated recipients in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations from biological parents. This finding has important implications in the selection of alternative familial donors, and warrants further prospective analysis of parental donor transplantations.

Effects of posture on cardiac autonomic nervous activity in patients with congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to clarify which recumbent position is preferred by patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate whether cardiac autonomic nervous activity is different among three recumbent positions (supine, left lateral decubitus, right lateral decubitus) in patients with CHF.

BACKGROUND

It remains unclear whether cardiac autonomic nervous activity is different among three recumbent positions in patients with CHF.

METHODS

We studied 17 male CHF patients (66+/-7 years) and 17 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects (66+/-7 years). Each subject underwent 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. A channel was used to record the CM5 lead, and another to record the signal of the patient's posture with use of a newly developed small-sized detector (3.2 cm x 3.2 cm). By using spectral analysis of heart rate variability, frequency-domain measures were calculated and compared among the three recumbent positions. Normalized high-frequency (HF: 0.15 to 0.40 Hz) power was used as an index of vagal activity and the low frequency (0.04 to 0.15 Hz)/HF power ratio was used as an index of sympathovagal balance.

RESULTS

In patients with CHF, the time for the right lateral decubitus position was two-fold longer than that for the supine and left lateral decubitus positions. The increased cardiac sympathetic activity and decreased vagal tone in CHF patients were normalized in the right lateral decubitus position.

CONCLUSIONS

The right lateral decubitus position in patients with CHF may be a self-protecting mechanism of attenuating the imbalance of cardiac autonomic nervous activity.

Intratracheal administration of activated protein C inhibits bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in the mouse

It is well recognized that activation of the coagulation system plays an important role in bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury and fibrosis. The protein C (PC) pathway is an important regulator of the coagulation system. In this study, we evaluated the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentration of activated PC (APC) and the therapeutic effect of the intratracheal administration of APC on BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice. APC levels in BALF were significantly lower in BLM-treated animals than in the saline-treated group. Fibrotic changes were progressive in mice treated with BLM and intratracheal instillation of vehicle (BLM/Veh) after 14 and 21 d of BLM infusion. Compared with the BLM/Veh group, histologic findings on Days 14 and 21 in mice treated with BLM and intratracheal instillation of APC (BLM/APC) showed less fibrotic lesions in the subpleural and central areas of the lung. The mean Aschcroft's fibrosis score in the BLM/Veh group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in the BLM/APC group. The lung hydroxyproline content on Day 21 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the BLM/Veh group (1.78 +/- 0.07 micromol/lung weight) than in the BLM/APC (1.30 +/- 0.06 micromol/lung weight) group. The ratio of plasminogen activator activity to thrombin level in BALF was significantly increased in the BLM/APC group compared with the BLM/ Veh group on Day 21. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta was significantly decreased in the lungs of the BLM/APC group compared with the BLM/Veh group on Day 14 after BLM infusion. These results showed that intratracheal APC administration inhibits the development of lung fibrosis in BLM-induced lung injury, giving further support to the important role that the PC pathway plays in the mechanism of lung fibrosis.

Right atrial myxoma associated with atrial septal defect: a case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of right atrial myxoma with mild cyanosis due to a right-to-left shunt at the atrial level. The patient was a 31-year-old woman with a 10-month history of easy fatigability and shortness of breath. Echocardiography showed a right atrial tumor producing a partial dynamic tricuspid obstruction. Digital subtraction angiography via the superior vena cava disclosed a mass lesion which occupied the right atrium with early visualization of the ascending aorta. Successful excision of the tumor and repair of the atrial septal defect totally relieved her presenting symptoms. In a rare association of a right atrial myxoma with atrial septal defect, preoperative evaluation and operative management are discussed.

Successful endovascular repair of juxtarenal and suprarenal aortic aneurysms with a branched stent graft

This case report describes a new technique for repairing pararenal aortic aneurysms with a transluminally placed triple-branched stent graft with sidearms extending into the superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries. Endovascular repair with the branched stent graft was attempted in two patients with a pararenal aortic Aneurysm. Stent grafting was technically successful in both patients. Although postoperative transient renal function impairment and paralytic ileus occurred in patient 2, these complications were gradually resolved in the perioperative period. A substantial shrinkage of the aneurysm was revealed by means of computed tomographic measurements in patient 1. In both patients, complete exclusion of the aneurysm and patency of the bilateral renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery were confirmed by means of follow-up computed tomographic images at 2 years. This minimally invasive approach for pararenal aortic aneurysms appears to be a viable therapeutic option for patients who are at high risk for open surgery.

Factors that influence functional prognosis in elderly patients with hip fracture

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in aged patients with hip fracture, the degree of recovery at discharge and after discharge relative to the pre-fracture walking level, to clarify the factors involved in unsuccessful recovery. The patients were 189 patients aged 60 years and older who underwent surgery between 1988 and 1994. Patients who died within 1 year or lacked data on walking were excluded. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to data on the walking level before fracture, that at discharge, and the best walking level after discharge, to clarify factors involved in unsuccessful recovery. The rate of recovery to the pre-fracture level was 55.1% at discharge. Unsuccessful recovery at discharge was influenced by prior dementia, a history of cerebrovascular diseases, and an age of 85 or more years. Analysis showed an "after-discharge" recovery rate of 63.2%. Prior dementia and the residence outside one's own home influenced unsuccessful recovery rate.These findings suggested that it is important to provide patients with such factors a more effective postoperative rehabilitation program not merely the standard rehabilitation program. In addition, a walking rehabilitation program should be offered to those who were re-hospitalized or admitted to other health care facilities.

Construction and molecular analysis of gene transfer systems derived from bovine immunodeficiency virus

Because lentiviruses are able to infect nondividing cells, these viruses might be utilized in gene therapy applications where the target cell does not divide. However, it has been suggested that the introduction of primate lentivirus sequences, particularly those of human immunodeficiency virus, into human cells may pose a health risk for the patient. To avoid this concern, we have constructed gene transfer systems based on a nonprimate lentivirus, bovine immunodeficiency virus. A panel of vectors and packaging constructs was generated and analyzed in a transient expression system for virion production and maturation, vector expression and encapsidation, and envelope protein pseudotyping. Virion preparations were also analyzed for transduction efficiency in a panel of human and nonhuman primary cells and immortalized cell lines. The virion preparations transduced most of the target cell types, with efficiencies up to 90% and with titers of unconcentrated virus up to 5 x 10(5) infectious doses/ml. In addition, infection of nondividing human cells, including unstimulated hematopoietic stem cells and irradiated endothelial cells, was observed.

Lack of association between genetic polymorphism of CYP11B2 and hypertension in Japanese: the Suita Study

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of aldosterone. Recently, a polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of the CYP11B2 gene [T(-344)C] has been reported to be associated with blood pressure and plasma aldosterone levels. We investigated the association between this polymorphism and hypertension in a large population-based sample of 4,000 Japanese. The genotype distribution in hypertensive subjects (n=1,535) was compared to that in normotensive subjects (n=2,514). In subjects not receiving antihypertensive medication, the influence of the genotype on blood pressure values adjusted for clinical covariates was analyzed. All analyses were performed separately for men and women. The genotype distribution did not differ between hypertensive and normotensive subjects in either men (frequency of C allele: 30.3% vs. 31.4%, p=0.48) or women (31.5% vs. 31.7%, p=0.93). There were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or pulse pressure among the three genotypes in either men or women who had not received hypertensive medication. Our data suggest that the T(-344)C polymorphism of CYP11B2 is unlikely to influence blood pressure status in the Japanese population.

Induction of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by in vivo electric administration of peptides

Generally, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I presentation of peptide antigens only occur for proteins' which are actively synthesized and processed intracellularly, so that immunization with a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) target peptide does not usually elicit effective CTL responses. In the present study, we explored the use of epitope peptides by in vivo electroporation to introduce directly into the cytoplasm for the vaccine elicitation of virus-specific CTLs in a mouse system. BALB/c mice were immunized with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env (P18, residues 311-320) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5 (P17, residues 2423-2434) with or without electric pulses. Effector cells against peptide-labeled target cells were elicited in mice immunized with peptides with electric administration but not without electric administration. Moreover, cytolytic activities of CTL against peptide-labeled target cells were enhanced by the addition of plasmid having the immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) or cDNA of the B7-1 molecule in electric administration of peptides. The results of the present study suggest that a peptide vaccine against a virus using electric administration is effective in eliciting virus specific CTLs.

Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Sympathetic Tone in Patients With Mild to Moderate Heart Failure

Sixteen patients with mild to moderate heart failure were examined to investigate whether sympathetic deactivation plays a role in the improvement in the failing heart by chronic angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Measurements, including echocardiography, blood examinations, neurohumoral samplings (atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), norepinephrine), and spectral heart rate variability analysis by Holter electrocardiography, were carried out before and 6 months after the administration of lisinopril (5-10 mg/day). Quality of life assessment was accomplished by the Specific Activity Scale (SAS) questionnaire. Treatment with lisinopril for 6 months resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. The left ventricular diastolic dimension significantly decreased and fractional shortening significantly increased on echocardiography. Of the 16 patients, 8 had improvement in their symptoms as measured by the SAS. Lisinopril did not significantly reduce the plasma norepinephrine concentration, but there was a significant reduction in the plasma ANP and BNP concentrations. In the heart rate power spectral analysis, total spectral power, high-frequency components and low/high frequency ratios did not change significantly with lisinopril. The mechanism by which ACE inhibitors improve mild to moderate heart failure is not by suppressing sympathetic activity.

Flow cytometric analysis of hemetopoietic progenitor cells in peripheral blood stem cell harvest from patients with CD34 positive acute leukemia

We analyzed CD34 positive cells in peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH) using flow cytometry. PBSCH from CD34 positive acute myelogeous leukemia (AML-M2) patient contained 1.87% CD34 positive cells, of which 1.21% was represented by MRD.PBSCH from CD34 positive acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL) patient contained 3.14% CD34 positive cells, of which 0.11% was accounted for by minimal residual disease (MRD). If PBSCH from CD34 positive acute leukemia patient is analyzed for CD34 monoclonal antibody alone, the presence of CD34 positive MRD may escape attention so that CD34 positive hematopoietic progenitor cells may be overestimated. To avoid this risk, it is necessary to analyze PBSCH using both CD34 monoclonal antibody and characteristic markers of leukemia cells that were found pre-treatment.

Increased plasma thrombomodulin as a vascular endothelial cell marker in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome

Several hemostatic and vascular endothelial cell markers were measured in 39 patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)/hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and in 20 healthy volunteers to examine the relationship between the occurrence of hemostatic abnormality or vascular endothelial cell injury and patient outcome. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), and the TPA-PAI-1 complex were significantly increased in TTP/HUS patients; however, the levels of these markers were not significantly different between TTP/HUS patients who survived and those who died, suggesting that these markers might not be directly related to outcome. The plasma levels of soluble granule membrane protein (GMP)-140 were significantly higher in TTP/HUS patients than in healthy volunteers, suggesting that platelets and vascular endothelial cells are activated or injured in TTP/HUS. There was no significant difference in GMP-140 levels between TTP/HUS patients with good and poor prognoses; this may be owing to the release of GMP-140 from platelets. The plasma thrombomodulin (TM) levels in TTP/HUS patients were significantly higher than in healthy volunteers; the plasma TM levels were significantly higher in patients who died than in patients who survived. These findings showed that TM levels reflect the outcome and that the outcome of TTP/HUS depends on the presence vascular endothelial cell injury. The plasma protein C and antithrombin levels were markedly reduced in TTP/HUS patients who died compared with those who survived. These findings suggest that reduced plasma antithrombin and protein C may be useful markers of systemic vascular endothelial injury. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the outcome of TTP/HUS is related to vascular endothelial cell injury and that plasma TM, antithrombin, and protein C levels may be useful markers of systemic vascular endothelial cell injury.

Defective T cell function for inhibition of growth of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) in patients with MAC disease: restoration by cytokines

To define the immunopathologic mechanism underlying pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) disease in patients without AIDS, the ability of CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells to induce growth inhibition of MAC in monocytes was compared between patients and healthy control subjects. T cell-dependent growth inhibition and production of interferon-gamma and macrophage colony-stimulating factor decreased in patients. CD4(+) T and gammadelta T cells from patients were equally defective in inducing anti-MAC activity. The combination of these cytokines restored the ability of patients' T cells to control MAC growth. In experiments with allogeneic cocultures of gammadelta T cells and infected monocytes from patients and control subjects, healthy control T cells could augment growth inhibition of MAC in monocytes from patients, whereas patients' T cells could not, even in the presence of healthy control monocytes. These results indicate that the defect in T cells may be associated with impaired protective immunity against MAC in these patients.

Differing functional recovery of donor-derived immune cells after purified haploidentical and fully mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice

Functional recovery of the immune system is critical for long-term survival in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. In this study, two donor-recipient allogeneic transplant settings (haploidentical and fully mismatched) are used to investigate the functional activity of donor-derived B and T cells in animals grafted with purified c-kit(+), Thy 1.1(lo), Lin(-/lo), and Sca-1(+) hematopoietic stem cells (KTLS HSC).Ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin G, polyclonal immunoglobulin isotypes, and B- and T-cell proliferation were examined on the recipients who received haploidentical or fully mismatched HSC.A severe deficiency of antigen-specific immunoglobulin response occurs in fully engrafted mice that received KTLS HSC from fully mismatched, but not haploidentical, donors. This lack of B-cell-specific immunity is not due to a deficiency of polyclonal immunoglobulins in serum. B cells from both fully mismatched and haploidentical recipients proliferate normally after stimulation with anti-mu and the percentage of mature B cells is normal. The T-cell response to anti-CD3 in fully mismatched recipients was much weaker than that of their untransplanted controls. However, T cells from haploidentical recipients respond normally to anti-CD3. This study demonstrates that numerical recovery of donor-derived cells in the periphery of recipients does not represent a functional reconstitution, particularly in animals that receive fully mismatched transplants. Defects of specific B-cell immunity and T-cell proliferation are observed in fully mismatched, purified HSC transplant recipients with a quantitative recovery within the normal range of donor-derived lymphocytes.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci influencing left ventricular mass in rats

High blood pressure is the leading cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH); however, not all hypertensive patients develop LVH. Genetic factors are important in the development of LVH. With the use of F2 male rats from spontaneously hypertensive rats and Lewis rats, we performed a study to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence left ventricular mass (LVM). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured by the direct intra-arterial method in conscious animals, and LVM was determined at 24 wk of age. QTL analysis was done using 160 microsatellite markers for a genome-wide scan. Two loci that influenced body weight-adjusted LVM with logarithm of the odds scores >3.4 were found. One locus on chromosome 17 influenced LVM independently of MAP. Another locus on chromosome 7 influenced LVM and MAP. These findings indicate not only the existence of a gene on chromosome 7 that influences LVM in a manner dependent on blood pressure but also the existence of a gene on chromosome 17 that influences LVM independently of blood pressure.

[Aggressive transformation and extramedullary tumor formation in IgA-lambda multiple myeloma]

A 52-year-old woman complained of lower back pain and gluteal pain in April 1997, and was found to have anemia, hypercalcemia and renal disorder. In September of the same year, she was diagnosed as having IgA-lambda myeloma (stage IIIA). VMMD-IFN therapy was started in November, 1997, and this resulted in improvement of the M-protein level, and relief of the pain in the lower back and gluteal region. A second course of VMMD-IFN therapy was also effective. In April 1998, however, the back pain worsened, and in July the patient suffered a fall and fractured her left femur. Upon readmission to our hospital, the level of M-protein was lower, and high fever, hypercalcemia, renal disorder, elevation of the LDH level, anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed. Bone marrow examination revealed 30% atypical large-sized CD19-, CD38+, CD56+ myeloma cells and chromosomal abnormalities. Although the symptoms were improved temporarily after a third course of VMMD therapy, disease aggravation occurred again, and extramedullary masses appeared on the head, face and pelvis. VAD therapy was performed without effect, and the patient died about 2 months after recurrence. This was a comparatively rare case of fulminant multiple myeloma occurring in the terminal stage.

Induction of hepatitis C virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in mice by an intrahepatic inoculation with an expression plasmid

We assessed the possibility of intrahepatic inoculation with a plasmid encoding hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins to elicit HCV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in mice as a conventional animal model of HCV infection. BALB/c mice were intrahepatically or intramuscularly inoculated with an expression plasmid DNA encoding HCV structural proteins under the control of the elongation factor 1-alpha promoter. Expressions of HCV-core protein and envelope proteins (E1 and E2) in hepatocytes were detected immunohistochemically 6 days after inoculation. CTL responses were examined using target cells either pulsed with a specific peptide or infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV structural protein. Both intrahepatically and intramuscularly DNA-inoculated mice developed CD8(+), MHC class I-restricted CTL responses that recognized the peptide pulsed as well as HCV proteins expressing target cells. These studies demonstrated the usefulness of a murine model of HCV infection induced by direct intrahepatic DNA inoculation for understanding the immunopathogenic mechanisms in HCV infection.

HTLV-1 unrelated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with unique phenotype and karyotype

We describe a unique case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). The patient had typical clinicohematological features as ATL, but showed a lack of antibody to human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and was negative for HTLV-1 proviral DNA in the peripheral mononuclear cells by means of polymerase chain reaction. The phenotype of tumor cells revealed CD7+, CD5+, CD2+, CD3+, WT31-, TcR delta 1-, CD4-, CD8-, CD25-, and the karyotype showed a 5q-, t(12;18). HTLV-1 unrelated ATL is very rare, and the karyotype as in our case has not been reported previously.

Role of nitric oxide in airway remodelling

Airway remodelling, which is manifested by thickening of bronchial wall, is an important causative factor of bronchial hyper-responsiveness in asthma. The pathophysiological mechanism of airway remodelling is not clear. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) generation and airway wall thickening in patients with chronic asthma. As a marker of NO production, the levels of nitrite/nitrate were measured in induced sputum, and bronchial wall thickening was measured by high-resolution computed tomography. Sputum concentrations of nitrite/nitrate were significantly increased in asthmatic patients compared with controls. The ratio of airway wall thickness to lumen diameter was significantly correlated with the sputum concentration of nitrite/nitrate. Although statistical correlation does not prove causation, this finding suggests that NO may play a key role in the pathogenesis of airway remodelling.

Effect of long-term cholesterol-lowering treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) on myocardial perfusion evaluated by thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography

Fifteen patients with either angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction, who had positive 201Tl single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and coronary sclerosis of more than 50%, were treated with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) for more than 1 year. They were compared with an untreated control group (n = 25). Total cholesterol decreased 22% and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased 9% with simvastatin; both changes were significantly different from those in controls. Long-term simvastatin induced improvement of myocardial perfusion on 201Tl SPECT images both during exercise and at rest, which was also significantly different from controls. In addition, the improvement of myocardial perfusion on 201Tl SPECT images was clearly related to the improvements in cholesterol values, especially nonHDL cholesterol. Thus, the greater the decrease in nonHDL cholesterol, the greater the improvement in myocardial perfusion at rest or during exercise with long-term treatment using an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. These findings indicate that the improvements in cholesterol values caused by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy are related to improvements of myocardial perfusion seen on 201Tl SPECT images.

Angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 suppresses the progression of experimentally-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

We evaluated the effects of angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) induced by a choline-deficient L-amino acid defined (CDAA) diet in rats. Male Fisher 344 rats were fed CDAA for 68 weeks. Rats were treated by subcutaneous injection of TNP-470 (15 mg/kg) or saline (control) three times per week from 53 to 68 weeks. At the end of the experiment, we determined the frequency and size of HCCs and glutathione S-transferase placental form (GSTP)-positive lesions, histology of liver cirrhosis, liver function, and liver weight per body weight. We also determined, using histologic and immunohistochemical semiquantification analyses, the degree of vascularity, apoptosis and proliferation in HCC and adjacent tissues. Treatment with TNP-470 resulted in a reduction of the size and frequency of HCC compared to untreated rats. However, TNP-470 did not influence the histology of liver cirrhosis and liver function. The liver weight per body weight of TNP-470-treated rats was slightly heavier in comparison with that of the controls. Treatment with TNP-470 significantly reduced tumor vascularity relative to the controls. There were no significant differences in the Ki-67 labeling index of HCCs between TNP-470 treated and control rats. The frequency of apoptotic hepatoma cells in TNP-470-treated rats was higher than in control rats. Our results indicate that TNP-470 suppresses the progression of CDAA-induced HCCs in rats through inhibition of angiogenesis, and suggest that TNP-470 might be useful clinically for HCCs.

beta-cyanoalanine production by marine bacteria on cyanide-free medium and its specific inhibitory activity toward cyanobacteria

In screening the culture broth of marine bacteria collected at Yap (Micronesia), Palau (Belau), and Okinawa (the southwest islands of Japan) for antimicroalgal activity, 37 out of 2,594 bacterial isolates tested were found to produce anticyanobacterial substances against Oscillatoria amphibia NIES-361. One strain, C-979, identified as a Vibrio sp., was selected and cultured in 2.4 liters of marine broth 2216 to identify the bioactive compound produced by the strain. The purified very hydrophilic compound (16.4 mg) was determined to be beta-cyano-L-alanine (L-CNAla) by instrumental analyses and the application of the advanced Marfey method. L-CNAla did not inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, or eukaryotic microalgae, but some cyanobacteria were found to be sensitive to L-CNAla at a concentration of 0.4 to 25 microg/ml. The effect of L-CNAla on some other environmental organisms, including invertebrates and a macroalgae, is discussed. CNAla production in marine broth was examined by thin-layer chromatography for the 37 bacterial isolates which produced an anticyanobacterial substance. The broth of 36 of these strains contained CNAla, suggesting the wide distribution of CNAla production by marine bacteria. This is the first report on bacteria that produce CNAla without a supply of the cyanide ion in the medium.

Ineffective interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C-associated porphyria cutanea tarda, but with a transient decrease in HCV RNA levels

Many patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) have been reported to be hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers, suggesting that HCV infection plays a role in the pathogenesis of this type of porphyria. In this study, we report a patient with chronic hepatitis C-associated PCT. Therapy with interferon (IFN) transiently decreased HCV RNA levels, but levels of urinary porphyrins and serum transaminases and ferritin remained unchanged. Serum ferritin and urinary porphyrin levels improved after phlebotomy, but this therapy was not effective in improving serum transaminase levels. Although a physiopathological association between HCV infection and PCT has been suggested previously, IFN was not effective in this patient. The transient decrease in HCV RNA levels was a factor independent of porphyrin metabolism.

Variation of the factor VII gene and ischemic heart disease in Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND

Polymorphisms of the 5' region (5'FT), an intronic mutation (IVS7), and the 353Arg-Gln (R353Q) substitution of the factor VII gene have been reported to be associated with the plasma level of factor VII. Greater than normal levels of factor VII have also been reported to be associated with atherothrombotic events. However, the significance of factor VII gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) has not been confirmed.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether these three factor VII gene polymorphisms are associated with levels of factor VII in Japanese subjects, and whether these three polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are associated with the risk of myocardial infarction.

METHODS

We studied three polymorphisms of the factor VII gene, 5'FT, IVS7, and R353Q polymorphisms, for 493 Japanese subjects consisting of 285 subjects without clinical evidence of ischemic heart disease (non-IHD group) and 208 myocardial infarction patients (myocardial infarction group). We also assessed the plasma levels of factor VII antigen (FVIIag) in 103 subjects in the non-IHD group.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of FVIIag was significantly associated with age, body mass index, cholesterol level and a polymorphism of the factor VII gene (5'FT). Logistic analysis of 493 subjects revealed that cholesterol level [P = 0.0036, odds ratio 1.010, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.003-1.017], smoking (P = 0.0001, odds ratio 5.522, (95% CI 2.684-11.364) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.0001, odds ratio 6.450, (95% CI 2.953-14.088) were risk factors for myocardial infarction. However, the three polymorphisms of factor VII gene were not associated with risk of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

The polymorphisms of the factor VII gene influenced the levels of factor VII but were not significantly associated with risk of myocardial infarction in Japanese subjects.