Genetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Koreans: combined analysis of polymorphic genotypes for microsomal epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1

BACKGROUND

Although smoking is the major causal factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), only 10-20% of chronic heavy cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD which suggests the presence of genetic susceptibility. This genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on variations in enzyme activities that detoxify cigarette smoke products such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) and glutathione-S transferase (GST). As there is increasing evidence that several genes influence the development of COPD, multiple gene polymorphisms should be investigated to find out the genetic susceptibility to COPD.

METHODS

The genotypes of 83 patients with COPD and 76 healthy smoking control subjects were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the mEPHX gene, and multiplex PCR for GST M1 and GST T1 genes. The frequencies of polymorphic genotypes of mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes were compared both individually and in combination in patients with COPD and healthy smokers.

RESULTS

No differences were observed in the frequency of polymorphic genotypes in exons 3 and 4 of mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes between patients with COPD and healthy smokers. The frequencies of any combination of these genotypes also showed no differences between the COPD group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic polymorphisms in mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes are not associated with the development of COPD in Koreans.

A study of the correlation between organic matrices and nanocomposite materials in oyster shell formation

Calcium carbonate minerals are an integral part of many organisms. These biogenic minerals are all of original size, shape and high strength, and they are quite different from those found in their abiotic precipitates. It has been accepted that the formation, morphological development and crystallography of the biocomposites are controlled by the intrinsic molecular recognition of macromolecules. In this study, with the analyses of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of the texture of biogenic minerals in oyster shells, we noted that the intracrystalline proteins deliberately reduce the coherence lengths of biogenic crystals compared to synthetic ones, leading to more isotropy. In order to understand the exact nature of the controlled nucleation and growth, we investigated the changes in protein conformation in vivo from the mineral-specific layers using Fourier self-deconvolution and Gaussian curve-fitting techniques. And via in vitro assays, we studied the relation of such changes to biomineral phase and morphology. We showed that the shell proteins in vivo are in the higher structural ordered state, and beta-antiparallel structure was predominant in each shell layer. Also, as the shell undergoes a change of calcium carbonate polymorphs from aragonite to calcite, significant alterations of the protein conformation with the denaturing of alpha-helix and beta-structure in the aragonitic layer is induced. These results provide a relationship between the effects of conformational changes on the nanostructure of biocomposites and the necessity of new synthetic strategies.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cell lines

Tumor cells characteristically exhibit an increased rate of glycolysis. A higher level of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was found in human uterine cervical cancers. This study was designed using GAPDH antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) phosphorothioate (PS) to evaluate how alterations of GAPDH expression in human cervical carcinoma could influence growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Northern blot analyses revealed that the levels of GAPDH gene expression were strongly elevated in three cervical carcinoma cell lines (HeLa, CUMC-3, and CUMC-6) compared with normal cervical tissue. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that expression of the GAPDH gene was inhibited by 10 microM of GAPDH antisense ODN in all three cell lines. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of GAPDH protein were decreased or absent after GAPDH antisense ODN treatment for 12 days in cultured cervical carcinoma cell lines. Cervical carcinoma cell lines exposed to GAPDH antisense ODN showed reduced cellular proliferation, which was accompanied by reduced colony-forming efficiency. This effect of GAPDH antisense ODN on cultured carcinoma cells was associated with the apoptotic process, including increased DNA fragmentation. These results suggest that future gene therapy using antisense ODN directed against cervical cancer-specific GAPDH mRNA might be another therapeutic tool against human uterine cervical carcinomas.

Bronchoscopic findings of endobronchial vascular lesions in patients with haemoptysis

Cases of endobronchial vascular lesions observed with bronchoscope are presented. These lesions tend to be diagnosed erroneously as true endobronchial tumours so that biopsies are tried frequently. Consequently, a catastrophic accident of massive bleeding can complicate the condition if endobronchial vascular lesions are injured during bronchoscopic biopsy or brushing. We present three types of endobronchial vascular lesion: tubular bulging type, mass-like type and haemangioma type. Because bronchoscopic findings of submucosal tubular structure and visible pulsation are highly suggestive of endobronchial vascular lesion, there must be extreme caution to prevent fatal bleeding.

Effects of BCG, lymphotoxin and bee venom on insulitis and development of IDDM in non-obese diabetic mice

To investigate whether BCG, lymphtoxin (LT) or bee venom (BV) can prevent insulitis and development of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we measured the degree of insulitis and incidence of diabetes in 24 ICR and 96 female NOD mice. NOD mice were randomly assigned to control, BCG-, LT-, and BV-treated groups. The BCG was given once at 6 weeks of age, and LT was given in 3 weekly doses from the age of 4 to 10 weeks. The BV was injected in 2 weekly doses from the age of 4 to 10 weeks. Diabetes started in control group at 18 weeks of age, in BCG group at 24 weeks of age, and in LT- or BV-treated group at 23 weeks of age. Cumulative incidences of diabetes at 25 weeks of age in control, BCG-, LT-, and BV-treated NOD mice are 58, 17, 25, and 21%, respectively. Incidence and severity of insulitis were reduced by BCG, LT and BV treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that BCG, LT or BV treatment in NOD mice at early age inhibit insulitis, onset and cumulative incidence of diabetes.

Homotypic and heterotypic antibody responses to a 56-kilodalton protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi

We analyzed homotypic and heterotypic antibody responses to a type-specific antigen (Tsa), a 56-kDa protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi, by using sera from mice immunized with strains Gilliam, Karp, Kato, and Boryong. We generated a series of deletion constructs of the tsa gene and expressed them as MalE fusion proteins. Variable domain I (VD I) showed strong responses to homotypic antibodies. Antigenic domain II (AD II) from Boryong and Karp showed cross-reactivities to each other. VD III showed no responses to any of the antibodies. Sera from Kato-immunized mice showed only homotypic responses to AD III. On the other hand, sera of the mice immunized with Gilliam, Karp, or Boryong showed homotypic as well as heterotypic responses to this region. VD IV showed the strongest heterotypic antibody responses among the fragments tested. These data suggest that VD I is important in homotypic antibody responses and that AD II, AD III, and VD IV are important in heterotypic antibody responses of the mice to Tsa.

Mutational alteration of the p16CDKN2a tumor suppressor gene is infrequent in Ewing's sarcoma

Mutational alteration of the p16CDKN2a tumor suppressor gene has been frequently observed in a variety of human cell lines and tumor tissues. To assess whether alterations of the p16CDKN2a gene play an important role in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma, we examined the allelic deletion and point mutation of the gene in 27 primary tumors. In quantitative DNA/PCR analysis for three individual exons of the gene, none of the 27 specimens showed detectable reduction in the amplification levels compared to those of normal lymphocytes. To explore the presence of any subtle sequence changes within the protein coding region, we performed a comprehensive screening of sequence alteration in the three exons using DNA/PCR-SSCP analysis. However, no abnormal shift of SSCP bands indicative of sequence change was identified. In addition, no elevation of p16CDKN2a mRNA expression was observed in the RD-ES cell line following 5'-Aza-cytidine treatment, indicating that the promoter of the gene is not abnormally methylated in this cell line. Immunohistochemical study of the same tissue specimens for p16CDKN2a and pRB also revealed grade 2+ or 3+ nuclear staining of both proteins in most of the specimens we examined. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the mutational inactivation of the p16CDKN2a gene might be a rare event, and thus not play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma.

Secondary cardiac tumor in children

We describe our clinical experience of eight cases of secondary cardiac tumor. The pathology of the tumors were lymphoma (three), Wilms' tumor (two), malignant teratoma (one), neuroblastoma (one), and pleuropulmonary blastoma (one). Metastatic sites were the right atrium in Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma, the left atrium in pleuropulmonary blastoma and malignant teratoma, and multiple sites in lymphoma. Primary masses in the mediastinum extended directly to the heart (three lymphoma, malignant teratoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma). Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma showed cardiac metastases through the inferior vena cava. Many cases revealed vague abnormal cardiovascular findings (symptoms in six; physical signs in five). In five cases surgery was performed to relieve the possible obstruction to flow and to identify the pathology (lymphoma in three, Wilms' tumor in one, and malignant teratoma in one). Chemotherapy prior to operation resulted in the disappearance of the intracardiac masses in each case of Wilms' tumor and pleuropulmonary blastoma. All three patients with lymphoma died immediately after operation. Four died of multiple metastases or Pneumocystis pneumonia several months after operation. This study indicates that suspicion of a secondary cardiac tumor is crucial to early diagnosis. Because of the poor postoperative outcome, surgery for secondary cardiac tumors should be done cautiously only in cases with definite hemodynamic decompensation.

Primary alveolar soft part sarcoma of bone

AIMS

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a distinct, rare soft tissue tumour occurring primarily within the skeletal muscles or musculofascial planes in young adults. Primary involvement of bone is extremely rare. We report on six patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma occurring primarily in bone.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thorough clinical and radiographic examinations were done to rule out any other primary site. The patients were four women and two men aged 17-35 years (mean, 24.5 years). The primary site of the tumour was the femur in three patients, the ilium in one and the fibula in two. In one of the patients with fibular involvement, the tibia was also involved by direct extension. Of the long bone lesions, three were centred in the metaphysis and one in the diaphysis. Radiographically, all of the lesions demonstrated an osteolytic pattern of bone destruction with ill-defined margins and a wide zone of transition between the lesion and adjacent normal bone. Microscopically, all tumours showed the typical histological pattern of alveolar soft part sarcoma. Diastase-resistant, periodic acid-Schiff-positive crystalline structures were identified within the cytoplasm and confirmed ultrastructurally. Immunohistochemically, a keratin stain was negative in all cases; there was positive staining for MyoD1 in the cytoplasm but not the nuclei. Distant metastasis developed in four patients; one died.

CONCLUSION

Alveolar soft part sarcoma arising in bone is extraordinarily rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic hypernephroma in a young patient.

Surgical removal of visceral fat decreases plasma free fatty acid and increases insulin sensitivity on liver and peripheral tissue in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese rats

In order to evaluate the role of visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue in insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, we measured the fasting levels of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and insulin, glucose disappearance rate (Rd), and hepatic glucose production rate (HGP) after surgical removal of visceral (VF) or subcutaneous (SF) fat tissue in monosodium glutamate-obese (MSG-Ob) rats. Monosodium glutamate obesity was induced in rats by neonatal injection of MSG. Surgery to remove fat was done at 15 weeks of age. The experiments were done four weeks after the surgery. MSG-Ob rats showed increased levels of FFA, insulin, and HGP and decreased Rd compared to normal rats. In the VF group, the FFA level and HGP were decreased to normal values, Rd was partially normalized, but the level of insulin did not change significantly compared to MSG-Ob. In the SF group, FFA and Rd were partially normalized, but HGP was not suppressed significantly compared to MSG-Ob. These results suggest that visceral fat affects the insulin sensitivity of liver and FFA concentration more than subcutaneous fat; however, no significant difference was shown on whole body insulin sensitivity and fasting insulin concentration.

A case with intrahepatic double cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma associated with multiple von Meyenburg complexes

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is sometimes found in resected livers, however, cases with double cancer of HCC and CC are very rare. As well, the rarity of CC arising in von Meyenburg complexes (VMCs) is appreciated. We report the case of a 74-year-old man found to have intrahepatic double cancer composed of well-differentiated HCC and CC which exhibited a histologic progression from VMCs to adenomatous lesions and CC. To our knowledge, this is the first case report published in the literature of a double HCC and CC associated with multiple VMCs. The pathogenesis and previous associated reports of these lesions are discussed.

Neurilemmoma of the mandible

Intraosseous neurilemmoma is rare, representing less than 1% of benign primary bone tumors. The site most commonly involved is the mandible. We report on a neurilemmoma of the mandible in a 30-year-old woman. A panoramic radiograph of the mandible showed a well-defined unilocular osteolytic lesion with a thin uniform sclerotic margin located in the body of the mandible. The CT scan confirmed a well-defined osteolytic lesion with thinning of the cortex of the body of the left side of the mandible. Histologically, the lesion was a moderately cellular neoplasm with distinct palisading and numerous Verocay bodies. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasmic membranes were distinct and coated by amorphous bands of basal lamina. Complete excision was achieved by removing the tumor from the inferior alveolar nerve.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-amino-9-(3-acyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purines and 2-amino-9-(3-alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1- yl)purines as potential prodrugs of penciclovir

A series of 2-amino-9-(3-acyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purin es (1-8) and 2-amino-9-(3-alkoxycarbonyl-oxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut -1-yl)purines (9-12) were synthesized as potential prodrugs of penciclovir. Treatment of 6-deoxypenciclovir with trimethyl orthoacetate or triethyl orthopropionate (1.2 equiv) in DMF in the presence of p-TsOH.H2O (0.1 equiv) followed by quenching with excess H2O gave the corresponding mono-O-acetyl or mono-O-propionyl compound, 17 or 18, in excellent yields of 95 and 92%, respectively. Reactions of 17 or 18 with an appropriate alkyl (Me, Et, n-Pr, and i-Pr) 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (1.2 equiv) in pyridine in the presence of a catalytic amount of DMAP (0.1 equiv) at 80 degrees C afforded the monoacyl, monocarbonate derivatives of 6-deoxypenciclovir, 1-8, in 86 94% yields. Similar reactions of 6-deoxypenciclovir with 2.1 equiv of alkyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate produced the dicarbonate derivatives 9 12 in 81-83% yields. Of the prodrugs tested in rats, 2-amino-9-(3-acetoxymethyl-4-isopropoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purine (4) achieved the highest mean urinary recovery of penciclovir (36%), followed in order by compounds 2 (35%), 6 (35%), 7 (34%), 10 (34%), 8 (32%), 3 (32%), and famciclovir (31%). The mean urinary recovery of penciclovir and concentrations of penciclovir in the blood from 4 in mice were also slightly higher than those from famciclovir. The in vivo antiviral efficacy of 4 in HSV-1-infected normal BALB/c mice was higher than those of famciclovir and valaciclovir in terms of mortality (100, 80, and 40%) and mean survival time ( > 21, 13+/-5.0 (SEM), and 13+/-1.6 days). Compound 4 demonstrated an effective anti-hepadnaviral response with intrahepatic viral load being reduced by 90%, the viral supercoiled DNA levels reduced by 70% and Pre-S expression inhibited by 30% against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in vivo, and did not cause any significant hepatotoxicity after 4 weeks of treatment.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate

An unusual adenosquamous carcinoma originating in the prostate of a 73-year-old man is described. The histological finding showed a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma admixed in an adenocarcinomatous area. A transitional area of 2 carcinomatous elements was also noted. Seven months prior to the development of this lesion, a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma had been established by transurethral resection of the prostate and the patient had been treated with bilateral orchiectomy. This is the first case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate reported in Korea. The pathogenesis and previous reports of this lesion will be discussed.

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis in Korea

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease occurring in women of reproductive age and leading to progressive respiratory failure in spite of treatment. In Korea the first case was reported in 1984 and by 1997 a total of 23 cases had been reported. The clinical findings of these Korean cases are reviewed.

METHODS

The details of 10 cases of LAM on file at Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed together with those of 13 cases previously reported from other Korean institutes. Two, including the only one to be reported in a man, were excluded after reviewing the clinical, radiological, and pathological findings, leaving a total of 21 cases in the present study.

RESULTS

All 21 patients were women and in all cases the disease was proven pathologically. The mean (SD) age at onset of symptoms was 32 (8.6) years. The most common symptoms were dyspnoea and pneumothorax which were seen in 19 (90%) and 13 (76%) patients, respectively. Pulmonary function tests showed decreased transfer factor (TLCO) (100%) and airflow limitation (67%). All the cases had characteristic cysts on high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scanning. The overall severity score based on HRCT scans correlated with the percentage predicted TLCO/VA (p = 0.03) and FEV1/FVC (p = 0.02). The patients were all treated with medroxyprogesterone and/or tamoxifen. Follow up was possible in 10 cases. Two of these patients appeared to stabilise with no appreciable change clinically or in lung function on medroxyprogesterone and/or tamoxifen, but the remaining patients all deteriorated with two dying of respiratory insufficiency and one of infection following lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other countries, in Korea LAM occurs exclusively in women and progresses despite hormonal treatment.

Septic arthritis versus transient synovitis at MR imaging: preliminary assessment with signal intensity alterations in bone marrow

PURPOSE

To find any differential magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings between septic arthritis and transient synovitis in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MR imaging findings in nine pediatric patients with septic arthritis and 14 with transient synovitis were retrospectively studied. The diagnoses were made by means of joint aspiration with bacteriologic study, arthrotomy, and clinical evaluation. MR imaging findings were analyzed with emphasis on the grade of joint effusion and alterations in signal intensity in the soft tissue and bone marrow of the affected hip joint.

RESULTS

Signal intensity alterations in bone marrow (i.e., low signal intensity on fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo images and high signal intensity on fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo images) were seen in eight of nine patients with septic arthritis. These signal intensity alterations consisted of mild juxtaarticular changes in six patients without osteomyelitis and extensive changes in the femoral head and neck in two patients with coexistent osteomyelitis. Signal intensity alterations in bone marrow were not seen in the 14 patients with transient synovitis.

CONCLUSION

Signal intensity alterations in the bone marrow of the affected hip joint are useful in the differentiation of septic arthritis from transient synovitis.

The clinical characteristics of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: experience at Seoul National University Hospital, and review of the literature

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is such an extremely rare disease in Korea, that only a few cases have been reported. Meanwhile five cases were experienced at Seoul National University Hospital over ten years since 1987. We summarized the clinical characteristics and courses of them. Seven cases reported in the literature were included to add data about clinical characteristics and courses although only a few case reports mentioned patient's course. Middle aged male patients were mainly affected. No association with particular environmental or occupational exposure was identified. Dyspnea on exertion was the main symptom. Bilateral crackles were consistent, and bilateral parahilar hazy infiltrations on plain chest radiograph and ground glass opacity on high-resolution CT were characteristic. Superimposed infection was not identified in any patient at the time of diagnosis. Decreased diffusing capacity and hypoxia were present in almost every case. Whole lung lavage proved to be an effective therapeutic measure. The response to treatment was good. Long-term course of the disease, e.g. recurrence rate, is not yet known.

Pulmonary actinomycosis in Korea

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a chronic pulmonary infection caused by Actinomyces, a Gram-positive, microaerophilic bacterium. Pulmonary involvement, other than cervicofacially or abdominopelvically, is uncommon and often leads to a misdiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. In order to investigate the clinical, radiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of pulmonary actinomycosis, we reviewed a total of 25 cases reported in Korea. Thirteen were diagnosed at our hospital between 1985 and 1997 and 12 were reported in Korean publications. The condition occurred most frequently in middle-aged males, the most common symptom being haemoptysis, followed by cough and sputum. The main radiological features were peripherally located mass or nodule and consolidation, with central low attenuation. Complications such as empyema, sinus fistula or mediastinitis did not occur. Diagnosis was confirmed by percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 8), bronchoscopic biopsy (n = 3) or thoracotomy (n = 13). Eleven of 25 cases were treated medically and in nine others, surgical resection was followed by treatment with antibiotics. In conclusion, when a middle-aged male patient presents with haemoptysis and cough, together with radiologic findings of a peripheral mass or nodule with/without central low attenuation, pulmonary actinomycosis should be suspected.

The coexistence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in pericellular arborization and satellite cell of goat trigeminal and nodose ganglia

Pericellular arborization is reported to be the self-regulating structure in sensory ganglia. Although the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or substance P (SP) immunoreactive pericellular arborization appeared in the sensory ganglia, there was no available information that CGRP and SP colocalize in this structure. As the attempts to resolve the question described above, the present study was undertaken to identify the coexistence of CGRP and SP in pericellular arborizations of the goat nodose and trigeminal ganglia by double immunohistochemistry. As the results show, CGRP immunoreactivity was present in every pericellular arborization containing SP immunoreactivity in trigeminal ganglia, however, pericellular network containing CGRP or SP immunoreactivity was not present in nodose ganglia. Unexpectedly, a few small satellite elements were observed to contain intense CGRP and SP immunoreactivity at the periphery of CGRP and SP immunoreactive neurones in nodose ganglia. Therefore, these results suggest that CGRP and SP coexist in pericellular arborizations, and that satellite cell as well as pericellular arborization may be involved in intraganglionic regulation of goat sensory ganglia.

Are substance P neurons of the paraventricular nucleus related to the osmotic regulation in the Mongolian gerbil?

In recent years, the gerbil has been used as an experimental animal for study osmotic regulation, because of its inherent high degree of water re-uptake in kidney. Many evidences to explain this characteristic accumulated on the kidney level, it do not, however, manifest what concerns on hypothalmo-hypophyseal level. In this study, we have focused on the difference between the colchicine treated gerbil and rat in distributions of substance P (SP), which is known to have antidiuretic property. Unlike rat, in which a few SP+ neuron is present, SP+ neurons were abundantly observed in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the gerbil. Furthermore SP+ cells in PVN were manifested in dehydrated gerbils, in spite of non-colchicine treatment. Therefore, we suggest that the abundant SP+ neurons in PVN may be a clue to address the neuroendocrinal mechanism concerning the high degree of osmotic regulation in this animal.

Synthesis and evaluation of amino acid esters of 6-deoxypenciclovir as potential prodrugs of penciclovir

The amino acid ester derivatives of 6-deoxypenciclovir, 11-20, were synthesized as potential prodrugs of penciclovir, and were evaluated for their oral penciclovir bioavailability in mice and rats. Esterification of 6-deoxypenciclovir with N-carbobenzyl-oxyglycine, -L-alanine, -L-valine, -L-leucine, or -L-isoleucine (3.75equiv.) using conventional coupling method (DCC/DMAP) afforded the mono-O-ester derivatives 1-5 in 47-55% yields as a mixture of two diastereomers along with the di-O-ester derivatives 6-10 in 20-29% yields. Reductive cleavage of carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) group (10% Pd/C, 1 atmosphere of H2, room temperature in methanol) followed by subsequent treatment of the resulting free amine with methanolic HCI solution provided the mono-O-ester derivatives 11-15 as di-HCl salt in 51-98% yields and the di-O-ester derivatives 16-20 as tri-HCl salt in 65 98% yields. Of the prodrugs tested in mice and rats, 6-deoxypenciclovir O-L-valinate (13), O-L-isoleucinate (15), and O,O-di-glycinate (16) showed significantly higher urinary recovery of penciclovir compared with that of penciclovir, but those are somewhat lower than that of famciclovir.

Atypical pulmonary artery sling with diffuse-type pulmonary arteriovenous fistula

The case of a cyanotic infant with a rare combination of atypical pulmonary artery sling, imperforate anus, absence of the left kidney, interruption of the inferior vena cava, left side hemihypertrophy and diffuse-type pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is described. The clinical features were confusing, because of compounding abnormalities involving the respiratory tract and pulmonary circulation. The diagnostic approach to the etiology of cyanosis is discussed and the embryonic origin of pulmonary artery sling is reviewed.

Association of HLA class I antigens with diffuse panbronchiolitis in Korean patients

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of unknown etiology. Observations of significantly increased frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B54 in Japanese patients and occurrence of familial cases suggest possible genetic predisposition to the disease susceptibility. To evaluate the possible association of HLA with the disease in Koreans, we have analyzed 30 patients for HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II (DR) antigens by the serologic and DNA typing methods, respectively. The most significant change in the patients compared to the control subjects was increased frequency of HLA-A11 (53.3% versus 17.5%, corrected p [pc] = 1.2 x 10(-)4, odds ratio [OR] = 5.4). In addition, B55 showed significant positive association (16.7% versus 3.5%, pc = 0.05, OR = 5.5), and B62 and Cw4 showed rather weak association with the disease. Certain A11-associated haplotypes showed much stronger positive association with the disease, compared to A11 antigen itself. Observations of a strong association of HLA-A11 in Koreans and B54 in Japanese with DPB suggest that the candidate gene(s) responsible for the disease susceptibility is located within the HLA class I region, most probably between HLA-A and HLA-B loci.

The effects of transferring tumor suppressor gene p16INK4A to p16INK4A-deleted cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

p16 is known to be an important tumor suppressor gene and is also called MTS1 (multiple tumor suppressive gene 1). Especially in the case of non-small cell lung cancer, it was not expressed in more than 70% of cell lines examined. To determine changes in cell-cycle related proteins and the tumorigenic effect, we, therefore, transfected p16INK4A gene into lung cancer cell lines.

METHODS

We transfected p16INK4A gene into lung cancer cell lines which do not express p16 protein. We evaluated the effect by clonogenic assay and observed the changes of cell-cycle related proteins.

RESULTS

The newly-expressed p16 formed a complex with cdk4, and phosphorylated pRB was decreased, although cyclin D1 and pRB:cyclin D1 complex were unchanged. Clonogenic assay after selection with G418 showed that, in the cell lines transfected with p16, tumorigenicity was significantly less than in the control.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the p16INK4A gene can be a candidate for gene therapy in cases of NSCLC in which p16INK4A gene is inactivated.

Expression of osteopontin and osteonectin in breast cancer

Osteopontin (OP) and osteonectin (ON) are bone matrix proteins produced by mammary and other cancers. These proteins may play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis through integrin-mediated signal transduction. We evaluated expressions of OP and ON in 253 resected infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, using immunohistochemical staining and follow-up data. OP and ON were detected 87.4% and 54.2% of 253 cases, respectively. The OP and ON positive staining were localized in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. OP and ON did not correlate with various clinicopathological parameters, such as age, lymph node involvement, tumor size, histologic grade, expression of p53 and estrogen receptor (ER). In the multivariate model, lymph node involvement and histologic grade were statistically significant prognostic factors. Assessed by a log rank test, the 5-year-survival rates of OP and ON positive groups and their negative groups were not statistically different. In conclusion, OP and ON immunopositivity of infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast provide no additional prognostic information in this study.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a child with Kawasaki disease

A successful attempt at percutaneous transluminanl coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to relieve stenosis of the mid-portion of the left anterior descending artery was achieved in a 6-year 9-month old boy who had multiple coronary aneurysms and stenosis due to Kawasaki disease. Despite the progression of coronary stenosis he had been well except for the perfusion defect of the anterior wall of myocardium on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT with dipyridamole infusion until PTCA was carried out after 4-year 4-months of the onset of illness. The area of stenosis was 70% before PTCA and 20% after PTCA. No restenosis at the site of PTCA was observed on follow-up angiography at 26 months after PTCA. This successful attempt may indicate that this procedure should be considered early in subclinical stenosis to prevent ischemic cardiac damage.

Infection rate of Leptospira interrogans in the field rodent, Apodemus agrarius, in Korea

Leptospirosis has significantly decreased in Korea since 1988, following the leptospiral vaccination programme initiated in 1988. Whether this wholly explains the decreased incidence is uncertain. As an initial step to answer this question, infection rates of Leptospira interrogans in field rodents, Apodemis agrarius, were examined and compared with previous data. Two hundred and twenty-two A. agrarius were captured during October-December 1996. Spirochaetes were isolated from 22 (9.9%) and leptospiral DNA was detected in an additional 6 rodents (12.6%). Subsequent microscopic agglutination tests (MAT) classified all these isolates as L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai. The above data did not significantly differ from previous surveys in 1984-7. There was no significant change of L. interrogans infection in field rodents following the introduction of the vaccination programme in Korea. Further studies are needed to determine the role of human vaccination in reducing incidence.

Subunit composition and oligomer stability of oat beta-glucosidase isozymes

Oat beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) has two isomeric forms, type I and type II, which are composed of 60 kDa peptides. To study the subunit composition and the stability of multimeric structure, the type I and II were purified from the primary leaves and coleoptiles of the etiolated oat seedlings where the isozymes are expressed organ-specifically. The monomers of the isozymes were isolated by urea-denatured gel electrophoresis followed by electroblotting. N-Terminal amino acid sequencing of the monomers indicated that the type I consisted of a peptide of ALESAKQVKPWQVPKRDWFP (As-Glu 1), and the type II having a peptide of ALESGKLKPWQIPKRDWFP (As-Glu 2) and As-Glu 1 in 1:1 ratio. The C-terminal amino acid of the As-Glu 1 was alanine and that of the As-Glu 2 was lysine. The As-Glu 2 was more negatively charged than the As-Glu 1. The type I isozyme is thus homomultimer of As-Glu 1 monomer and the type II heteromultimer of As-Glu 1 and As-Glu 2 monomers in 1:1 ratio. Partial denaturation of the multimers with urea and CaCl2 broke down the higher multimers to the lower multimers, which were in turn dissociated into homodimers and heterodimer. Denaturation study with urea and CaCl2 indicate that the higher multimers of the homooligomeric type I were more stable than those of the heterooligomeric type II and that hydrophobic interactions were important in the multimer formation. The homodimers were found to be more stable than the heterodimer. These results indicate that different combinations of the As-Glu 1 and As-Glu 2 monomers form the two isozymes of oat beta-glucosidase with different enzymatic properties and structural stability.

Increased glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene expression in human cervical cancers

OBJECTIVE

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a classical glycolytic protein. A higher level of GAPDH mRNA was found in lung, pancreas, and prostate cancers, but in cervical carcinoma there have not been any reports about the level of GAPDH gene expression. So, we tried to investigate the GAPDH gene expression patterns in cervical carcinomas compared to normal cervical tissues, and the relationships between the expression levels of this gene and conventional clinicopathological parameters were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 25 normal exocervical tissues, 35 primary untreated cervical cancer tissues, 2 cervical cancer cell lines, and 2 post-nude-mouse-derived cervical cancer cell lines were subjected to Northern blot analyses for GAPDH gene expression.

RESULTS

Northern blot analyses revealed that the levels of GAPDH gene expression were elevated in 34 of 35 (97%) cervical carcinoma tissues and all of the 4 cervical cancer cell lines compared to normal cervical tissues. The levels of GAPDH gene expression were more prominent in rapidly proliferating cervical carcinoma cells. The levels of the GAPDH gene expressions in cervical cancer tissues were not associated with conventional clinicopathological parameters including clinical stage, histological type, and degree of differentiation.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that increased GAPDH gene expression is characteristic of human cervical carcinomas and that rapidly proliferating carcinoma cells express more enhanced GAPDH gene. Future gene therapy using antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against GAPDH mRNA might be another therapeutic tool for human uterine cervical carcinoma.

Mutational abrogation of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene in gastrointestinal polyps in patients with Cowden disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To understand the molecular etiology of Cowden disease-associated gastrointestinal polyps, we analyzed the mutational status of PTEN/MMAC1, a recently identified Cowden disease gene located at 10q23, in gastric hamartomas, colonic adenoma, and juvenile polyps of 3 patients with Cowden disease.

METHODS

Messenger RNA expression, gene deletion, and sequence alteration of PTEN/MMAC1 were evaluated by quantitative polymerease chain reaction (PCR), PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism, and sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

Germline missense mutation at codon 289 (AAA to GAA, Lys to Glu) and deletion of the wild-type allele were detected in the polyps of 2 patients with Cowden disease in the same family. Germline allelic deletion and transcriptional silencing of the remaining allele, probably caused by abnormal methylation, were also observed in a gastric hamartoma of 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The germline mutation and alteration of the remaining allele observed in this study strongly support that PTEN/MMAC1 functions as a tumor suppressor in Cowden disease. This study is the first to show that the mutational abrogation of PTEN/MMAC1 plays a causal role in the genesis of gastrointestinal polyps in Cowden disease, providing molecular genetic evidence that colonic adenoma, juvenile polyp, and gastric hamartoma could be included in the manifestations of Cowden disease.

Transesophageal echocardiographic identification of left upper pulmonary venous obstruction caused by compression by spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta

Pseudoaneurysm of the aorta usually occurs as a complication of nonpenetrating trauma or deceleration injuries. Spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the aorta is, however, extremely rare. Pulmonary veins can be affected in this situation because of the anatomic proximity. However, it is often overlooked during clinical examination, during routine echocardiography, and even at invasive angiography. This report describes the importance of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of pulmonary vein compression, which is not suspected during other noninvasive and invasive diagnostic tests, in a patient with spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta.

The inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated p16INK4a gene transfer on the proliferation of lung cancer cell line

Abnormalities in the p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene are found in many lung cancer cell lines and primary lung cancer tissue. To examine its tumor suppressor function and potential adequacy in cancer gene replacement therapy, wild-type p16INK4a gene was inserted in an adenovirus derived gene delivery system and introduced into lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H441 and NCI-H157) that did not express p16INK4a. Western blot assay and immunocytochemistry demonstrated production of wild-type p16 protein in these cell lines. The biological function of exogenous p16 protein was confirmed by the inhibition of pRB phosphorylation. The expression of exogenous p16 protein via recombinant adenovirus significantly inhibited cancer cell growth and colony formation in vitro of NSCLC that can not express endogenous p16. The flow cytometric analysis showed these results correlated with G1 cell cycle arrest. These observations suggest the value of adenovirally-mediated p16INK4a gene replacement therapy for lung cancer.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in Korea

An analysis of the clinical features in 23 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) in Korea is presented. Six were men and 17 were female, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.4. Idiopathic BOOP was present in 18 of these patients, connective tissue disease-associated BOOP in five and all of them were females. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnoea and coughing in both groups; and crackles were the most prominent physical findings. Leukocytosis was observed in seven of the idiopathic BOOP group and all in the connective tissue disease-associated BOOP group. In most cases, FVC, FEV 1, diffusing capacity and arterial O2 pressure were reduced. In roentgenographic study, patchy air space consolidation was the major finding and subpleural predominance was observed in the majority of patients in both groups. Migration of lesions were identified in only two patients with idiopathic BOOP. Steroid treatment was effective in all of idiopathic BOOP. In contrast to previous reports, an analysis of the 23 Korean BOOP patients showed several interesting points. First, a female predominance was observed. Second, migration of lesion was rare. Third, it did not show any different prognosis in patients with reticular pattern on roentgenogram compared with patients with patchy air space consolidation on roentgenogram. Whether these differences were due to ethnic or environmental factors is to be determined.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-amino-9-(3-hydroxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purines as potential prodrugs of penciclovir

A series of 2-amino-9-(3-hydroxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purines (4-10) and 2-amino-9-(2-(2-oxo-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)ethyl)purine (1) were synthesized as potential prodrugs of penciclovir and evaluated for their oral penciclovir bioavailability in mice and rats. Treatment of 2-(2-benzyloxyethyl)propane-1,3-diol (11) with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in THF followed by hydrogenolytic removal of the benzyl group of the resulting cyclic carbonate 12 gave 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-one (13). Mesylation of the alcohol 13 and then a coupling reaction of the resulting mesylate 14 with 2-amino-6-chloropurine using anhydrous Cs2CO3 in DMF afforded 2-amino-6-chloro-9-(2-(2-oxo-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)ethyl)purine (16) after purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel using EtOAc/MeCN/Et3N as eluent. Hydrogenation of the 6-chloro cyclic carbonate 16 followed by a ring-opening reaction of the 6-deoxy cyclic carbonate 1 in a mixture of an appropriate alcohol and CHCl3 using activated SiO2 as a Lewis acid afforded the corresponding alkyl monocarbonate derivatives 3-10 in fair to good yields. Of the prodrugs tested in mice, the isopropyl monocarbonate 6 achieved the highest mean urinary recovery of penciclovir (53%), followed in order by the propyl monocarbonate 5 (51%), the isopentyl monocarbonate 10 (51%), the ethyl monocarbonate 4 (50%), and famciclovir (48%). In rats, the methyl monocarbonate 3, 4, 6, the n-butyl monocarbonate 7, and 10 (39-41%) showed levels of mean urinary recovery of penciclovir similar to that from famciclovir (40%). The alkyl monocarbonates 4-10 were found to be quite stable in the aqueous buffer solutions, and among them, 6 was the most stable with the half-lives (t1/2) of 88, >200, 61, and 26 days at pH 1.2, 6.0, 7.4, and 8.0, respectively. In addition, 6 was highly soluble in H2O (138.8 mg/mL, 20 degrees C).

Telomerase activity in lung cancer cell lines and tissues

Using TRAP assay, we studied the activity of the telomerase in the lung cancer cell lines, and lung cancer and normal tissues in which expression appears to be related to the immortality of cancer cells. All the human lung cancer cell lines and the majority of human lung cancer tissues (78%) expressed telomerase activity, but this was undetectable in normal human lung tissues. Positivity for telomerase activity in lung cancer cell lines was higher than in lung cancer tissues; this result implies the expression of telomerase activity may play a crucial role in the development or progression of lung cancer, and also suggests that improved method of detection may lead to the higher positivity for telomerase activity in primary lung cancer tissues. To determine whether there is a definite causal relationship between telomerase and cancer, and to develop new anti-cancer agents which inhibit telomerase, further study is needed.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. Multiple skull involvements

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is a non-neoplastic self-limiting disease of the bone marrow stem cell origin. It is characterized by painless, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy accompanied by fever, leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hypergammaglobulinemia. Extranodal involvement including bone is rare. The patient is a 45-year -old female with multiple punch out lesions on her skull. MRI findings included iso-signal intensity mass at the diploid space on T1 weighted image and on T2 weighted image, mild high signal intensity was obtained. Histologically, the lesion showed proliferation of histiocytes in the fibroblastic background with formation of reactive germinal centers and many plasma cells. The histiocytes show round nuclei and occasional nucleoli and abundant cytoplasms. In area, there is lymphocytophagocytosis. Immunohistochemically, the histiocytes were positive for S-100 protein and lysozyme.

Genetic instability of microsatellite sequences in non-small cell lung cancers

To evaluate the frequency and pattern of microsatellite instability in NSCLCs, we examined 36 cases of resected NSCLC. The mean age of the patients was 59.9+/-8.4 years. There were 19 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 15 of adenocarcinoma and two of large cell carcinoma. We observed microsatellite instability at one or more loci in 13 (36%) of 36 tumors analyzed, and this instability ranged from six tumors showing instability in only a single microsatellite to three tumors that had alterations in three of four tested microsatellites. The microsatellite that showed instability most frequently in these tumors was D3S1340 (31%). Microsatellite instability was found in five (26%) of 19 squamous cell carcinomas, six (40%) of 15 adenocarcinomas, and in both large cell carcinomas tested. We found microsatellite instability in four (24%) of 17 cancers at stage I, in one (17%) of six at stage II, in eight (73%) of eleven at stage IIIa, and in neither at stage IIIb. In conclusion, microsatellite instability was noted in at least one third of non-small cell lung cancers, suggesting its possible role in cancer development.

The human hepatitis B virus transactivator X gene product regulates Sp1 mediated transcription of an insulin-like growth factor II promoter 4

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the causative agents of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The virus encodes a 17 kDa protein, X, which is known to be a causative agent in the formation of HCC. An insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is expressed during the formation of HCC. Among the four promoters of the IGF-II gene, promoters 2, 3 and 4 become activated during the formation of HCC. The high frequency of detection of hepatitis B virus X (HBV-X) antigen in liver cells from patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer suggested that the expressions of HBV-X and IGF-II are associated. Studies were carried out to test the relationship between the HBV-X gene product and the activation of IGF-II promoter 4. We demonstrated that the HBV-X protein increases the endogenous IGF-II expression from promoter 3 and 4 of IGF-II gene. Analysis of the fourth promoter of IGF-II gene showed that the HBV-X gene product positively regulates transcription. Two copies of a motif are responsible for conferring HBV-X regulation on the fourth promoter of IGF-II. These motifs have been identified as Sp1 binding sites. Sp1 binding to IGF-II P4 promoter was identified by gel mobility shift assay using purified Sp1. By using a GAL4-Sp1 fusion protein it was demonstrated that HBV-X positively regulates the Spl mediated transcriptional activity of IGF-II in vivo. A protein-affinity chromatography experiment showed that HBV-X protein does not bind directly to Sp1, but HBV-X does augment the DNA binding activity of the phosphorylated form of Sp1 in HepG2 cells. Sp1 was phosphorylated by HBV-X and its DNA-binding activity was up-regulated upon HBV-X transfections. Various HBV-X mutant expression vectors were used for the demonstration of specific interactions between Sp1 and HBV-X. These results indicate that HBV-X functions as a positive regulator of transcription, and that Sp1 is a direct target for the transcriptional regulation of IGF-II. Increasing the DNA binding ability of the phosphorylated form of Sp1 by HBV-X might be an important mechanism for regulating the IGF-II gene expression and possibly promoting cell division during hepatic carcinogenesis. Our experimental results suggest that expression of HBV-X might induce the expression of IGF-II and the IGF-II might play a role in hepatitis B virus pathogenesis during the formation of HCC.

Molecular and enzymatic characterization of a maltogenic amylase that hydrolyzes and transglycosylates acarbose

A gene encoding a maltogenic amylase of Bacillus stearothermophilus ET1 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the gene could encode a 69,627-Da protein containing 590 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of the enzyme shared 47-70% identity with the sequences of maltogenic amylase from Bacillus licheniformis, neopullulanase from B. stearothermophilus, and cyclodextrin hydrolase (CDase) 1-5 from an alkalophilic Bacillus 1-5 strain. In addition to starch, pullulan and cyclodextrin, B. stearothermophilus could hydrolyze isopanose, but not panose, to glucose and maltose. Maltogenic amylase hydrolyzed acarbose, a competitive inhibitor of amylases, to glucose and a trisaccharide. When acarbose was incubated with 10% glucose, isoacarbose, containing an alpha-1,6-glucosidic linkage was produced as an acceptor reaction product. B. stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase shared four highly similar regions of amino acids with several amylolytic enzymes. The beta-cyclodextrin-hydrolyzing activity of maltogenic amylase was enhanced to a level equivalent to the activity of CDase when its amino acid sequence between the third and the fourth conserved regions was made more hydrophobic by site-directed mutagenesis. Enhanced transglycosylation activity was observed in most of the mutants. This result suggested that the members of a subfamily of amylolytic enzymes, including maltogenic amylase and CDase, could share similar substrate specificities, enzymatic mechanisms and structure/function relationships.

Molecular genetic characterization of alternatively spliced CD44 transcripts in human stomach carcinoma

CD44 is a member of cell surface glycoproteins which are involved in cell-matrix adhesion and tumor metastasis. Certain types of tumors express complex CD44 isoforms generated by alternative splicing of 2v-10v exons, and their expression appears to promote metastasis of tumor cells. Using a nested RT-PCR, we analyzed expression of CD44 variants in 26 stomach carcinoma, 21 matched normal tissues, and 2 carcinoma cell lines. We observed frequent and complex patterns of CD44 variant expression in tumor tissues. While exons 6v and 7v expression was detected in most normal and tumor tissues, exon 9v was most rarely detected. Exon 5v showed a significantly frequent expression in carcinoma, suggesting that its expression might contribute to the malignant progression. While exon 9v was frequently observed in diffuse-type tumors, the other 8 variant exons including 6v showed more frequent expression in intestinal-type tumors. Exons 9v and 10v were predominantly expressed in advanced tumor tissues and exon 8v was expressed more frequently in tumors of lymph node metastasis. We believe that series with a longer follow-up now need to be tested to clarify the association between CD44 splice variant expression and distant metastasis or long-term prognosis.

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration with an associated cyst of mixed bronchogenic and esophageal type--a case report

We report an unusual case of extralobar pulmonary sequestration (ELS) with an associated cyst of mixed bronchogenic and esophageal type. A 58-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a 6 x 6 x 5 cm sized mass in the right superior mediastinum. The mass consisted of sequestrated pulmonary tissue and an unilocular cyst with a direct communication. The cyst could not be easily classified because it was lined by squamous or respiratory epithelium with two distinct muscle layers and bronchial glands. Bronchial cartilage was present in close proximity to the ELS. This unusual combination of ELS with a foregut cyst might be a part of bronchopulmonary foregut malformation, attributed to a common embryologic pathogenesis.

Pancreatic endocrine tumor admixed with a diffuse microcystic adenoma--a case report

We report a case of pancreatic endocrine tumor admixed with a diffuse microcystic adenoma in a 67-year-old woman with a six months history of melena. Whipple's operation and near-total pancreatectomy were performed under the impression of a pancreatic cancer with duodenal invasion. The pancreas was enlarged and was entirely replaced by sponge-like tiny cysts, which were lined by a single layer of periodic acid Schiff positive cuboidal cells. Also encountered was a gray white solid area at the head portion which extended to the duodenum with an intraluminal polyp formation. The compact area was composed of solid and acinar structures of tumor cells, which showed a positive reaction for chromogranin A and neuron specific enolase, separated by delicate highly vascularized stroma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report published with immunohistochemical studies to deal with a pancreatic endocrine tumor admixed with a diffuse microcystic adenoma.

Effects of antioxidants and Ca2+ in cisplatin-induced cell injury in rabbit renal cortical slices

Effects of antioxidants, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, and Ca2+ on cisplatin-induced renal cell injury were studied in rabbit renal cortical slices in vitro. Cisplatin induced LDH release and lipid peroxidation, inhibition of PAH uptake, and GSH depletion. These changes were significantly prevented by thiols (DTT and GSH), antioxidants (DPPD and BHA), and an iron chelator (deferoxamine). Superoxide dismutase partially reduced the cisplatin-induced LDH release without affecting the lipid peroxidation and the GSH depletion. Catalase did not affect the LDH release and the lipid peroxidation induced by cisplatin. Hydroxyl radical scavengers prevented the lipid peroxidation, whereas they did not alter the LDH release, the inhibition of PAH uptake, and the GSH depletion induced by cisplatin. Removal of Ca2+ or addition of EGTA to the incubation medium did not alter cisplatin effects on LDH release and lipid peroxidation. Buffering intracellular Ca2+ with quin-2/AM or inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ release with TMB-8 significantly reduced the cisplatin effect on LDH release without any effect on the lipid peroxidation and the GSH depletion. Ruthenium red attenuated the LDH release, the lipid peroxidation, and the inhibition of PAH uptake mediated by cisplatin. La3+ prevented the cisplatin effect on the LDH release, whereas it did not affect the lipid peroxidation, the inhibition of PAH uptake, and the GSH depletion by cisplatin. These results suggest that cisplatin induces a lethal cell injury by lipid peroxidation-dependent and -independent mechanisms and that the cell injury and the lipid peroxidation by cisplatin are iron-dependent. In addition, the data indicate that the Ca2+ released from intracellular stores, but not the Ca2+ moved from extracellular space, plays a role in the cisplatin-induced cell injury independent of lipid peroxidation.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature embryos of five families of Quercus acutissima

Immature embryos of sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima Carruth.) were obtained from five seed families and cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog nutrient medium containing 1 g/l L-glutamine and 5 mM proline and supplemented with 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid and 1.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine. The frequency of somatic embryogenesis from immature embryos was a function of the collection date and seed family. The highest frequency of explants forming somatic embryos was obtained with seeds of family Chungnam 11, i.e. 7 weeks post-fertilization (90.9%) and 9 weeks post-fertilization (91.2%). No response was shown by families Chungnam 14, 15 and Jeonbook 29 (0%), at 10 weeks post fertilization. During germination, the highest frequency of epicotyl formation was obtained with Chungnam 11 (44.0%) or Chungnam 15 (43.5%), and the highest rate of radicle formation was shown by Chungnam 11 (26.1%). The most responsive seed family with respect to the formation of both epicotyl (43.5%) and radicle (26.1%) was Chungnam 11. Twenty plantlets were transplanted to a perlite:peatmoss:vermiculite (1:1:1) soil mixture, and 8 plants survived in the field.

Long-term oral administration of ginseng extract decreases serum gamma-globulin and IgG1 isotype in mice

Effects of long-term oral administration of ginseng extract on serum protein profile and immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes were studied in mice. Ginseng extract was orally administered to healthy female mice for 52 days at doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day and serum protein electrophoretograms and Ig isotypes levels were evaluated. Serum level of gamma-globulin was decreased dose dependently to 82% (P < 0.05) and 56% (P < 0.01) of control values at the doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day, respectively. Levels of total protein, albumin, alpha2- and beta-globulin fractions, as well as the ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G) did not change significantly. However, the alpha1-globulin level increased by 24% (P < 0.05) at the doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day. Among the Ig isotypes, including IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgM and IgA, serum IgG1 was dose dependently decreased to 68% (P < 0.05) of control values at the dose of 150 mg/kg per day without significant changes in other Ig isotypes. As IgG1 isotype is rarely cytotoxic and can act as a blocking antibody, it is suggested that the selective decrease in serum IgG1 induced by ginseng extract without changes in the cytotoxic antibodies such as IgG2a may be helpful for the prevention and inhibition of cancer.

Inhibition of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice by nicotinamide treatment for 5 weeks at the early age

To know the effects of nicotinamide (NCT) treatment for 5 weeks at the early age on insulitis and development of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, this experiment was performed. Ten ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) and 15 female NOD mice at 4 weeks of age were used. Mice were assigned to ICR and NOD groups, and NOD mice were randomly divided to control and NCT-treated groups. NCT was administered to mice orally as a solution and in a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight a day from the age of 4 to 8 weeks. Diabetes onset was 18 weeks of age in control group, and 22 weeks of age in NCT-treated group. Cumulative incidences of diabetes at 25 weeks of age in control and NCT-treated NOD mice were 63 and 29%, respectively. Insulitis occurred in all NOD mice. Incidence of insulitis in total islets was decreased by NCT treatment in diabetic NOD mice, but intensity of insulitis was not improved by NCT treatment. Blood glucose level was increased markedly, and plasma insulin level was decreased by diabetes development in NOD mice. Plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were increased in diabetic mice than in non-diabetic mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that NCT treatment for 5 weeks at the early age in NOD mice inhibits development of diabetes and insulitis in diabetic NOD mice.