Induction of pancreatic islet cell tumors in rats by repeated intravenous administration of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide

The inducibility of pancreatic islet cell tumors by administration of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide (4HAQO) was investigated in male 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were given 4HAQO intravenously at a weekly dose of 5 mg/kg 4 times (group 1) or a single dose of 10 mg/kg (group 2). Control rats received the vehicle alone (group 3). Fifty-six weeks after the first 4HAQO administration, all surviving animals were killed and the pancreas was examined histopathologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. The incidences and multiplicities of islet cell tumors in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 52.3% (p < 0.05 vs group 2, p < 0.01 vs group 3), 19.2% and 0%, and 0.70/animal (p < 0.05 vs group 2, p < 0.01 vs group 3), 0.23 and 0, respectively. Islet cell carcinomas were induced only in group 1, accounting for 6/44 (26%) tumors. Islet cell hyperplasias were found in 61.4% (p < 0.05 vs group 3), 42.3% and 10.0% of groups 1, 2, and 3, with multiplicities of 0.95 (p < 0.05 vs groups 2 and 3), 0.54 and 0.20, respectively. As compared with normal islets from control subjects, islet cell tumors showed an increase in the number of insulin positive cells associated with cytological features indicative of enhanced insulin synthesis and secretion, and a decrease in the number of glucagon positive cells without ultrastructural signs of modified secretory activity. Thus our results indicate that repeated intravenous administration of 4HAQO to rats is useful for the induction of islet cell tumors at high incidence.

A possible pathogenic role of CD8+ T cells and their derived cytokine, IL-16, in SLE

Current investigations into the role of CD8+ T cells and their derived cytokine, interleukin (IL)-16, in the induction of CD4+ T cell abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were reviewed and discussed on the basis of results mainly obtained in our laboratory.

Sequence analysis of human endogenous retrovirus clone 4-1 in systemic lupus erythematosus

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have emerged as a possible cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We previously detected serum antibodies to the gag region of HERV clone 4-1 in patients with SLE, but not in normal volunteers. In the present study, we detected clone 4-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from SLE patients and performed sequence analysis of the cDNA or genomic DNA from clone 4-1 in these patients. Clone 4-1 mRNA was detected in all of the SLE patients tested, although it was not found in normal controls. Sequence analysis of clone 4-1 in these SLE patients revealed inactivation of the stop codons in part of the gag region. In addition, a computer search of current sequence libraries revealed that the clone 4-1 gag genomic DNA from SLE patients was more highly homologous with the clone 4-1 sequence in chromosome 11 from normal individuals when compared with the sequence of clone 4-1 integrated in the other chromosomes. It is possible that transcription of clone 4-1 from chromosome 11 occurs in SLE, and that the stop codon inactivation contributes to the translation of clone 4-1 gag proteins in patients with this disease.

Identification of functionally important cysteine residues of the human renin-binding protein as the enzyme N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase

Renin-binding protein (RnBP) is an endogenous renin inhibitor originally isolated from porcine kidney. It was recently identified as the enzyme N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) 2-epimerase [Takahashi, S. et al. (1999) J. Biochem. 125, 348-353] and its active site residue was determined to be cysteine 380 by site-directed mutagenesis [Takahashi, S. et al. (1999) J. Biochem. 126, 639-642]. To further investigate the relationship between structure and function of recombinant human (rh) RnBP as a GlcNAc 2-epimerase, we have constructed several C-terminal deletion and multi-cysteine/serine mutants of rhGlcNAc 2-epimerase and expressed them in Escherichia coli cells. The expression was detected by Western blotting using anti-rhRnBP antiserum. The C-terminal deletion mutant, Delta400-417, had approximately 50% activity relative to the wild-type enzyme, but other C-terminal deletion mutants, Delta380-417, Delta386-417, and Delta390-417, had no enzymatic activity. Mutational analysis of multi-cysteine/serine mutants revealed that cysteines 41 and 390 were critical for the activity or stabilization of the enzyme, while cysteine residues in the middle of the enzyme, cysteines 125, 210, 239, and 302, had no essential function in relation to the activity.

[Lower-end sternal splitting (LESS) approach as a new strategy for minimally invasive off-pump CABG]

There are several ways to perform off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) using a minimally invasive method. Currently, one of the most commonly used approaches is left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST). However, using this approach, only the LAD can be grafted. We have employed a partial sternotomy without a transverse cut, namely, the lower-end sternal splitting (LESS) approach for OPCAB. Through this approach, the LAD and RCA can be revascularized via a single small incision without the risk of damaging the tissue around the intercostal space when the sternum is transversely divided. Since November 1999 to September 2000, we have applied OPCAB through LESS approach in 17 patients. Mean age was 70.0 + 5.4 years (range 58-77), and 13 were men. Mean length of the skin incision was 8.6 + 1.2 cm (range 8-11). No hospital death or morbidity was observed. No patient required blood transfusion. All had arterial conduits: LITA-LAD, in 11; LITA-LAD, RITA-RCA, in 1; LITA-LAD, GEA-PDA, in 2; LITA-LAD, RITA-RCA, RITA-RA-PDA, in 1; and GEA-PDA, in 2. All underwent postoperative coronary angiography, and the patency rate was 95.5%. Our experience demonstrates that the LESS approach for OPCAB is technically feasible and can be used with excellent cosmetic results and safety. Although experience is limited, this less invasive surgical technique can be used as an alternative approach for MIDCAB in patients with LAD and/or RCA disease.

Magnetic circular dichroism of resonant X-ray emission spectra at L edges of rare-earth compounds

We study the resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) and the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) at the L2,3 absorption edges of rare-earth elements, especially gadolinium ion. To this end, an atomic model is adopted and the multiplet coupling effect is taken into account. Using the formula of the coherent second order optical process which consists of the excitation process from the 2p core state to the empty 5d state and of the radiative decay from the 3d core state to the 2p core hole, we calculate RXES-MCD spectra. By inspection, we have confirmed that the enhancement of the 2p-5d dipole matrix element proposed for MCD of x-ray absorption spectroscopy. In addition, characteristic features of the spectra observed in gadolinium metallic compounds are reproduced by our calculations.

Quantitative analyses of messenger RNA of human endogenous retrovirus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) has emerged as a possible causative agent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To investigate the role of HERV in the etiology of SLE, we performed quantitative analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) of the HERV clone 4-1 in patients with SLE.

METHODS

Reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR; TaqMan methodology) were used in this experiment.

RESULTS

The quantities of mRNA of the HERV clone 4-1 gag region in patients with SLE were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and the amounts of such mRNA in the patients were decreased by steroid treatment.

CONCLUSION

These phenomena may be related to the production of viral components derived from HERV clone 4-1 and contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE; studies using a larger number of patients are required to confirm these points.

Calculation of rare-earth 4d giant-absorption spectra with multiplet effects and decay processes

The total and partial photoelectron yield spectra of all the trivalent rare-earth ions in the 4d giant resonance region are calculated with full multiplet effects. The decay processes are treated as coherent processes following photoexcitation. The results reproduce the over all features of experiments. It is obtained that the character of the giant-absorption is different between the light and heavy rare-earths. The multiplet effects play an essential role in the decay processes.

Electronic structure effects from hydrogen bonding in the liquid phase and in chemisorption: an integrated theory and experimental effort

A closely integrated theoretical and experimental effort to understand chemical bonding using X-ray spectroscopic probes is presented. Theoretical techniques to simulate XAS (X-ray absorption spectroscopy), XES (X-ray emission spectroscopy), RIXS (resonant inelastic X-ray scattering) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) spectra have been developed and implemented within a density functional theory (DFT) framework. In combination with new experimental techniques, such as high-resolution XAS on liquid water under ambient conditions and XES on complicated surface adsorbates, new insight into e.g. hydrogen-bonded systems is obtained. For the (3x2) overlayer structure of glycine/Cu(110), earlier work has been extended to include adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Structures are optimized for large cluster models and for periodic boundary conditions. It is found that specific features in the spectra arise from hydrogen-bonding interactions, which thus have important effects at the molecular-orbital level. XAS on liquid water shows a pronounced pre-edge feature with significant intensity, while the spectrum of ice shows only little intensity in this region. Theoretical spectrum calculations, based on instantaneous structures obtained from molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations, show that the pre-edge feature in the liquid is caused by water molecules with unsaturated hydrogen bonding. Some aspects of the theoretical simulations will be briefly discussed.

Retroviruses and autoimmunity

The investigation of human retroviruses has shown dramatic progress since the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These studies have also contributed to the exploration of the role of retroviruses, including endogenous retroviruses, in the induction of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This review describes the potential role of retroviruses in autoimmunity, based on recent findings including our own results.

Serial change in the atrial transport function after the radial incision approach

BACKGROUND

The left atrial transport function recovers slowly over several months after the maze procedure (Maze), but remains at a low level even during the long-term postoperative period. Because the Maze leaves an insufficient left atrial transport function, patients may still be prone to thromboembolism after the Maze. The radial incision approach (Radial) has been shown to preserve greater atrial transport function than does the Maze in the early postoperative period.

METHODS

To examine the serial change in the atrial transport function after the Radial, out of 32 patients who underwent the Radial, 15 patients were assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The atrial filling fraction and peak A/E velocity ratio were determined from the flow-velocity spectra across the mitral and tricuspid valves. The incidence of thromboembolic events was examined in 21 patients who were followed for more than 3 months after the Radial. The data were compared with data obtained from 13 patients after (41 +/- 6 months) the Maze III procedure.

RESULTS

The left atrial transport function after the Radial increased within 3 months to a significantly greater level than did that after the Maze in the longterm. The atrial filling fraction was 28.2% +/- 7.9% at 3 months after the Radial and 15.1% +/- 4.0% at 41 months after the Maze (p < 0.01). The peak A/E ratio was 0.52 +/- 0.18 at 3 months after the Radial and 0.25 +/- 0.07 at 41 months after the Maze (p < 0.01). This increased atrial transport function was maintained for an extended period after the Radial. There were no thromboembolic events in any of the patients after the Radial or Maze, irrespective of postoperative anticoagulant therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The Radial approach prevents thromboembolism by restoring sufficient atrial transport function more effectively and faster than does the Maze.

Non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of the sinonasal tract--treatment outcome for 53 patients according to REAL classification

OBJECTIVE

Although the Working Formulation is commonly used to classify NHL in Japan, it has been recognized as imperfect for primary extranodal lymphoma, especially for patients with sinonasal disease because of their histological characteristics. The present study investigated the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of sinonasal lymphomas according to REAL classification.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (NHL) of the sinonasal tract were treated between 1981 and 1997. The age at clinical presentation was from 10 to 84 years (mean, 52.4 years). According to the Ann Arbor system, there were 30 patients with Stage IE, 13 with Stage IIE, 4 with Stage IIIE, and 6 with Stage IVE lymphomas. Twenty-two patients (41.5%) had B symptoms. The primary sites were the nasal cavity (67.8%), maxillary sinus (20.8%), ethmoidal sinus (9.4%), and frontal sinus (1.9%). The survival data was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analysis was performed with a generalized Wilcoxon method.

RESULTS

All of the lymphomas showed a diffuse growth pattern. Based on the origin of the tumor cells, the authors classified NHL of the sinonasal tract into five groups with the REAL classification of Japan: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (22.6%), peripheral T-cell lymphomas (15.1%), angiocentric lymphoma (35.9%), other lymphomas and unclassified types. Of 53 patients, 39 (73.6%) received chemotherapy and radiotherapy, eight patients received chemotherapy alone, and four patients received radiotherapy alone. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 28.5% for all of the types, 55.0% for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 33.3% for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and 19.7% for angiocentric lymphoma. Results suggest that conventional combined treatment (CHOP chemotherapy+radiotherapy) is ineffective for NHL of the sinonasal tract, and especially so for NHL in the nasal cavity, NHL with tumor cells with positive T-cell markers, NHL further than Stage IIE and NHL with B symptoms.

CONCLUSION

(1) In light of this ineffectiveness, new therapies must be developed to improve patient outcome instead of the conventional combined treatment; (2) REAL classification is clear and useful for sinonasal lymphomas in Japan.

Argon plasma surgery for the inferior turbinate of patients with perennial nasal allergy

OBJECTIVES

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new electrosurgical modality. The advantages of APC are coagulating of the target tissue without contact and the creation of uniformly deep devitalized and coagulated zones. The objectives of the present study were to determine the clinical effects of APC for the inferior turbinate of patients with nasal allergy and to clarify the histological changes in the mucosa after APC.

STUDY DESIGN

In a prospective study, 95 patients with perennial nasal allergy were treated with APC. Nasal symptoms and intranasal findings were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year after the APC. Mucosal specimens from the turbinates were examined under light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Nasal stuffiness was improved in 77 of 79 (97.5%) patients after 1 month, in 50 of 51 (98.0%) patients after 3 months, in 20 of 23 (87.0%) patients after 6 months, and in 9 of 12 (75.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. Rhinorrhea was improved in 46 of 75 (61.3%) patients after 1 month, in 40 of 51 (78.4%) patients after 3 months, in 16 of 21 (76.2%) patients after 6 months, and in 6 of 10 (60.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. The sneezing was improved in 32 of 54 (59.3%) patients after 1 month, in 21 of 35 (60.0%) patients after 3 months, in 10 of 14 (71.4%) patients after 6 months, and in 6 of 8 (75.0%) patients at 1 year after the APC. In the intranasal findings, congestion of the inferior turbinate improved in 75 of 76 (98.7%) patients after 1 month, in 49 of 52 (94.2%) patients after 3 months, in 20 of 23 (87.0%) patients after 6 months, and in 7 of 11 (63.6%) patients at 1 year after the APC. The nasal discharge was reduced in 40 of 75 (53.3%) patients after 1 month, in 32 of 52 (61.5%) patients after 3 months, in 15 of 22 (68.2%) patients after 6 months, and in 5 of 11 (45.5%) patients at 1 year after the APC. No patients needed nasal packing after the APC.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report on the clinical effects of turbinate surgery for nasal allergy using APC. APC was useful fer turbinate surgery of nasal allergy, especially for nasal stuffiness and congestion of the turbinate.

Synthesizing oligomers from monomeric nucleotides in simulated hydrothermal environments

Dimers and trimers of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were synthesized from AMP in environments simulating hot vents on the sea floor of the primitive Earth. The simulated environments were made in the flow reactor, in which an aqueous solution of reactants was circulated from the hot to the cold region repeatedly. The oligomerization proceeded most significantly when the hot reaction solution at about 110 degrees C was abruptly ejected into the cold environment maintained at about 0 degree C.

[A case of limited Wegener granulomatosis with hypereosinophilia]

A 51-year-old female was admitted to Nagano Matsushiro General Hospital because of fever, cough and dyspnea on exertion. Her laboratory data revealed leukocytosis with hypereosinophilia, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein. Chest radiography revealed an infiltration shadow with a cavity in the right upper lobe. A lung abscess was diagnosed and antibiotics were administered. Laboratory results showed improvement, but chest radiography continued to show cavities. She was admitted to our hospital because of fever, left pleural effusion and progression of cavities on chest radiographs. She showed no abnormalities of the upper airway or kidney, and was negative for c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA). Because a positive c-ANCA was seen on day 8 of hospitalization, L-type limited Wegener granulomatosis (WG) was diagnosed according to Gross et al. Prednisolone (PSL) was administered, which improved the anemia, eosinophilia and the cavities. On day 7 of PSL administration, of the left pneumothorax occurred as a complication caused by perforation of the left chest cavity, but her clinical course was good after a cavernectomy was performed. Some studies have reported that limited WG shows a negative c-ANCA, and that antibiotic therapy improves inflammation. The L-type of limited WG revealed a low-grade positive ratio and titer of c-ANCA. Moreover, L-type limited WG responds well to therapy. We therefore selected PSL administration only against L-type limited WG. We have reported L-type limited WG with eosinophilia and the negative effects of c-ANCA at an early clinical stage.

Standard errors of the principal component loadings for unstandardized and standardized variables

The asymptotic standard errors of the estimates of the principal component loadings for standardized variables are derived under the assumption of multivariate normality. The standard errors are obtained for the usual unrotated case where a loading matrix is orthogonal and for the cases with orthogonally or obliquely rotated components. The corresponding standard errors for unstandardized variables and the asymptotic correlations among the estimators of the parameters for the unstandardized and standardized variables are simultaneously derived, together with the standard errors for the standardized variables. Results of a simulation illustrate the accuracy of the theoretical asymptotic standard errors and correlations.

Coronary bypass surgery using the internal thoracic artery after reconstruction of occluded subclavian artery

We present two cases with an occluded left subclavian artery requiring coronary artery bypass grafting. A preoperative angiogram confirmed that the subclavian artery, including the internal thoracic artery distal from the occlusion, was thoroughly intact, in both cases. Immediately after reconstructing the subclavian artery using an aortoaxillary bypass with an 8 mm ring-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene graft, each patient underwent double coronary artery bypass grafting using the affected left internal thoracic artery with either the right internal thoracic artery or a saphenous vein in the same anesthetic setting. Symptomatic relief was excellent. In both cases, a postoperative angiographic study showed good function of the left internal thoracic artery graft supplying blood to the coronary artery through the aortoaxillary bypass graft.

Impact of sequential grafting of the internal thoracic or right gastroepiploic arteries on multiple coronary revascularization

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to clarify the efficacy of the sequential anastomotic technique of the arterial conduits for multiple coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND

The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is now widely accepted as a durable conduit for myocardial revascularization. The right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been developed as a third in situ arterial graft with an outcome similar to that of the ITA.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

One hundred and forty five consecutive patients (116 male, 29 female, mean age 60.4yr) who received sequential grafting of either the ITA or GEA or both were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

Sequential anastomoses were performed in 121 in situ left ITAs, 36 in situ GEAs and 12 composite right ITAs. No in situ right ITA was anastomosed sequentially. Two to six vessels (mean 3.8) were revascularized for each patient. Of the total 543 bypassed vessels, 432 (79.6%) were reconstructed with the arterial grafts. In 85 patients with quadruple bypass or more, the arterial grafts were able to reconstruct 266 out of 360 (74.0%) target vessels. Seventy one patients (49.0%) were revascularized without venous grafts. The arterial grafts could revascularize 293 out of 310 vessels (94.5%) in the LAD approximately Diagonal region, 83 out of 113 (73.4%) in the distal RCA or Cx region. There were no cardiac events responsible for the arterial grafts in the follow up period.

CONCLUSION

In light of our experience, multiple revascularization with in situ arterial sequential grafts is feasible. Aggressive application of this technique provides patients requiring multiple coronary revascularization with favorable long-term results.

Genetic dissection of vasculitis in MRL/lpr lupus mice: a novel susceptibility locus involving the CD72c allele

An MRL/MpJ strain of mice bearing the Fas deletion mutant gene, lpr (MRL/lpr), composed of genomes derived from LG/J, AKR/J, C3H/Di and C57BL/6J mice, develops systemic vasculitis coincidentally with other collagen diseases, but a C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H/lpr) strain does not. In a genome-wide screening of the MRL background genes mediating susceptibility to collagen diseases using N2 progeny mice MRL/lpr x (MRL/lpr x C3H/lpr)F1, we previously found that each collagen disease is controlled by a different set of genes. To clarify the candidate genes for vasculitis, we extended the linkage analysis of renal vasculitis to a larger number of N2 mice and to F2 intercross mice. Two distinct recessive susceptibility loci for vasculitis were mapped on chromosome (Chr) 4 at D4Mit89 and D4Mit147 in both progenies. The former was a novel locus for lupus phenotypes, which involved the MRL allele CD72(c) in contrast to the C3H allele CD72(b). The one on Chr 3 was a recessive locus which had an inhibitory effect on vasculitis. From their composition these loci seemed to be derived from AKR/J (for one) and LG/J (for another two) strains, and appeared to act in an additive manner on the development of vasculitis, indicating that vasculitis in MRL/lpr mice is inherited in a polygenic manner.

[Forecast of total pollen counts of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) from the amount of male flower development and the revised total pollen counts]

We have successfully forecast the total pollen counts of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) since 1996 by the amount of male flower development. The amount of male flower development was observed at 11 forests in the Tanba Mountains and 10 forests in the Chugoku Mountains depending on both in Hyogo Prefecture. The amount of male flower development on each tree was assigned to one of five classes by the number of male flowers per spring. After a large harvest of male flowers, the production of male flowers declined in the following years, especially at high altitudes. It was also followed by a decrease in the number of airborne pollen grains in the later pollen season. According to an analysis of weather conditions, total pollen counts were correlated with the high temperature between July 6 and 20 and the total pollen counts of the previous season. However, the amount of male flower development was the most significant indicator for forecasting total pollen counts. Decrease in total pollen counts due to abnormal weather during the pollen season was correlated with discrepancies in forest flowering time according to observations made in the Rokko Mountains. Increase in total pollen counts was connected by a development of the sugi forest areas. Twenty percent of mature sugi forests from 1992 which showed an annual increase were associated with an increase in total pollen counts. The accuracy of the forecast was improved by revising the total pollen counts for weather conditions during the dispersion stage, a decrease in the production of male flowers at high altitude, and an increase in the production of male flowers connected by a developing forest areas.