Potent analgesic effects of a putative sodium channel blocker M58373 on formalin-induced and neuropathic pain in rats

M58373, 4-[2-(4-hydroxy-4-{[N-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)-N-methylamino]methyl}piperidin-1-yl)ethyl]benzonitrile monohydrochloride, is a novel compound, which has an inhibitory activity on neurotoxin binding to the site 2 of voltage-gated sodium channels. In this study, we investigated the effects of M58373 on substance P release from sensory neurons in vitro and pain behaviors/responses in rats, compared with mexiletine. M58373 (1-10 microM) inhibited veratridine-induced release of substance P from dorsal root ganglion cells. In the formalin test, oral M58373 (0.3-10 mg/kg) reduced the time spent in nociceptive behaviors only in the late phase. In the neuropathic pain model, oral M58373 (1-10 mg/kg) attenuated mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia in the nerve-injured paw without affecting normal responses in the uninjured paw. In contrast, oral mexiletine (10-100 mg/kg) had a narrow therapeutic dose range in both models because of the adverse effects on the central nervous system. These results suggest that M58373 is a favorable prototype for novel anti-neuropathic pain agents.

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-substituted benzylamine derivatives as beta-tryptase inhibitors

Since beta-tryptase is considered a critical mediator of asthma, potent tryptase inhibitors may be useful as new agents for the treatment of asthma. We investigated 4-substituted benzylamine derivatives and obtained M58539 (15h) as a potent inhibitor of beta-tryptase (IC50 = 5.0 nM) with high selectivity against other serine proteases, low molecular weight, clog P value less than 5, lack of amidino and guanidino groups, and independence of Zn2+ ion.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in cases of B-cell lymphoma in Japan

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in B-cell lymphoma in Japan. HCV infection and type II (monoclonal IgM) cryoglobulinaemia (CG) may be involved in the pathogenesis of low-grade B-cell lymphoma (ML) in southern Europe.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five (11.3%) of 400 B-cell ML cases were HCV antibody (Ab) positive, which was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the blood donors (2.5%). Among them, 28 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases were included. In the primary sites, 10 (47.6%) of 21 splenic DLBCL and seven (23.3%) of 30 gastric DLBCL were HCV Ab positive, which were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the myeloma cases (4.9%). HCV infection was rarely (4.2%) detected in 24 lymphoplasmacytic and salivary gland low-grade B-cell ML cases. Type II CG was detected in one myeloma case (3.5%) of 29 HCV+ B-cell ML. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, HCV RNA was detected in fresh tumour tissues of all 11 B-cell ML cases examined. Lymphoma cells were positive for the envelope HCV non-structural (NS)3 and envelope (E2) proteins in six of eight examined B-cell ML cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The rare incidence of type II CG is characteristic of Japanese HCV+ ML patients and may influence the low incidence of low-grade B-cell ML. HCV infection may play a role in lymphomagenesis of splenic and gastric DLBCL.

Selective Extraction of Uranium from a Mixture of Metal or Metal Oxides by a Tri-n-butylphosphate Complex with HNO3 and H2O in Supercritical CO2

In order to study the decontamination nature of the reactive extraction of uranium in the presence of some metal chemicals using a single-phase mixture of HNO(3), H(2)O and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)), we measured the decontamination factors (DFs) of Sr, Zr, Mo, Ru, Pd, Ce and Nd from their mixture with U. These elements were originally added to U(3)O(8) as SrO, ZrO(2), MoO(3), RuO(2), Pd, CeO(2) and Nd(2)O(3), and the extraction was performed at 18 MPa and 323 K with the single-phase mixture. The DFs for these elements were determined to be greater than 10(3) when the molecular ratio of U to TBP in the extracted complex was greater than 0.3. Dilution by SC-CO(2) effectively increased the DFs.

Extractability of Metals in Municipal Solid Wastes Fly Ash Using Supercritical CO2 Containing Cyanex 302

The extraction of lead from fly ash produced during the thermal treatment of municipal solid wastes was studied using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) and Cyanex 302 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monophosphinic acid). The extraction of lead from the fly ash was carried out in a 5 cm(3) internal volume reaction vessel under static extraction conditions at 323 K, and 24 MPa for 1 h. The extraction efficiencies of lead ranged from 4% to the total extraction under the conditions of 0.05 g fly ash with 2 cm(3) Cyanex 302. There was a linear relationship between the extraction efficiencies of lead using the SC-CO(2) + Cyanex 302 and using a water-based method described by JLT13.

Pharmacological Profiles of the Novel Analgesic M58996 in Rat Models of Persistent and Neuropathic Pain

We investigated the effects of 4-(N-{1-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)ethyl]-4-hydroxypiperidin-4-ylmethyl}-N-methylamino)benzoic acid monohydrochloride (M58996), a novel analgesic, on persistent and neuropathic pain in rats. In the formalin test, oral M58996 (0.3 - 10 mg/kg) reduced nociceptive behaviors only in the late phase. In the neuropathic pain model, oral M58996 (1 - 10 mg/kg) attenuated mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia in the nerve-injured paw without affecting normal responses of the uninjured paw. High doses (10 - 100 mg/kg) of oral M58996 did not influence normal motor function. Thus, M58996 had a wide dose range showing antinociceptive, antiallodynic, and antihyperalgesic effects without motor dysfunction. In addition, we studied the possible mechanisms involved in the M58996-induced antinociception. The antinociceptive effect of M58996 was reversed by intrathecal pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of the inhibitory- and other-GTP-binding protein (G(i/o) protein), but not by subcutaneous naloxone, an opioid-receptor antagonist. This effect was also reversed by intracerebroventricular or intrathecal tropisetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine(3) (5-HT(3))-receptor antagonist, and intraperitoneal bicuculline, a gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A))-receptor antagonist. These results suggest that M58996 produces its antinociceptive effect by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein mechanism. In addition, the GABA released by the activation of supraspinal and/or spinal 5-HT(3) receptors is likely to contribute to the M58996-induced antinociception.

Splenic large B-cell lymphoma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis virus infection, especially type C (hepatitis C virus [HCV]), has been suggested to be one of the important pathogenetic factors for low- and high-grade B-cell lymphoma, including splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), in southern Europe. Here, we analyzed the incidences of HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, and the clinicopathologic features in 29 cases of splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 10 SMZL, 3 splenic mantle cell lymphoma, 1 hairy cell leukemia, 13 B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 12 hepatosplenic T-cell and natural killer cell lymphoma. Fifteen (51.7%) splenic DLBCL cases were HCV antibody-positive, and another 6 (20.7%) had the HBsAg. The incidence of each was significantly (P < .01) higher than those of HCV (9.3%) and HBV (1.9%) infections in 54 node-based DLBCL cases. Four examined HCV-positive DLBCL cases showed no type II cryoglobulinemia. HCV RNA was detected in fresh tumor tissues from 6 of 7 examined DLBCL cases, and HBV DNA was present in another 2, as evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistologically, tumor cells in 5 of 7 examined DLBCL cases showed intracytoplasmic reactions for HCV NS3 and E2 proteins and the viral receptor CD81. Of 6 cases, 2 showed an intranuclear reaction for the HBV surface protein. By Southern blot analysis, no rearrangement of the Bcl2 gene was detected in the tumor tissue of 7 HCV-positive DLBCL cases. For the other types of malignant lymphoma, 1 case each of SMZL (10%) and hepatosplenic T-cell and natural killer cell lymphoma (8.3%) showed HCV infection. In conclusion, persistent human hepatitis virus infections, especially HCV, may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of splenic DLBCL in Japan.

Heat sensitivity of a SARS-associated coronavirus introduced into plasma products

Background and Objectives  Various measures to inactivate/remove viruses have been implemented for manufacturing plasma‐derived products. Here, we examined the heat inactivation ability of an agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS coronavirus (CoV).

Materials and Methods  The Frankfurt‐1 strain of SARS‐CoV was incorporated in manufacturing processes of several products by using samples collected immediately before liquid heat treatment at 60 °C.

Results  SARS‐CoV was easily inactivated by this treatment for 60 min in all in‐process samples. However, the different composition of the tested samples affected the heat sensitivity of the virus strain: the infectivity of the virus in Antithrombin III preparation still remained after heating for 30 min at 60 °C.

Conclusion  If by rare chance SARS‐CoV contaminates source plasma, there should be no or only minor risk of this virus infection, due to sufficient inactivation by the 60 °C 10 h liquid heating step, although we must pay attention to the composition used for blood product preparation.

P-glycoprotein expression is associated with FDG uptake and cell differentiation in patients with untreated lung cancer

In vitro studies demonstrated that the accumulation of 2-deoxy-D-glucose was reduced in multidrug resistant cell lines. In animal study, it has been suggested that 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) may be a marker for multidrug resistance (MDR). The aim of this clinical study was to compare MDR characteristics by immunohistochemical assay with FDG uptake and investigate whether FDG is a marker for MDR in patients with untreated lung cancer. Forty-seven patients with 49 untreated lung cancers, who had undergone both preoperative FDG PET imaging and thoracotomy, were enrolled in this study. Before surgery, FDG PET was performed 40 min after injection, and standardized uptake values (SUVs) were obtained. Patients were classified into low-SUV (< or = 5) and high-SUV (> 5) groups. After surgery, the expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and the lung cancer FDG uptake was analysed for possible association with Pgp expression. The strong intensity of Pgp immunoreactivity was seen only in the low-SUV group. The percentage of the Pgp positive area was significantly lower in the high-SUV group (21.7 +/- 13.4%) than in the low-SUV group (44.1 +/- 29.7%) (P = 0.015). In the high-SUV group, the percentage of Pgp positive area did not exceed 50%. In lung adenocarcinoma, the intensity of Pgp immunoreactivity and the percentage of Pgp positive area increased with degree of cell differentiation, while FDG uptake decreased with degree of cell differentiation. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, in particular, showed overexpression of Pgp and modest uptake of FDG. In conclusion, Pgp expression was found to be inversely related to FDG uptake in untreated lung cancer. Pgp expression correlated with the degree of cell differentiation in adenocarcinomas, whilst FDG uptake was inversely related to cell differentiation. FDG may be an in vivo marker for MDR in patients with untreated lung cancer.

Type 2 thyroplasty for spasmodic dysphonia: fixation using a titanium bridge

OBJECTIVE

In order to facilitate surgery for spasmodic dysphonia, i.e. type 2 thyroplasty, a device was designed to fix the incised edges of the thyroid cartilage firmly.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Various types and sizes of titanium bridge were developed for clinical use.

RESULTS

The results of surgery for spasmodic dysphonia were satisfactory in all 10 cases in which the new titanium bridge was used. No complications have been encountered to date.

CONCLUSION

Type 2 thyroplasty for spasmodic dysphonia was made easier to perform using the new titanium bridge, and more stable fixation of the reconstructed thyroid cartilage was achieved.

Intermittent hepatic artery antibiotic infusion therapy for pyogenic hepatic abscess

PURPOSE

To study the efficacy and problems associated with intermittent hepatic artery antibiotic infusion therapy for pyogenic hepatic abscess.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material comprised eight patients with pyogenic hepatic abscess in whom percutaneous drainage could not be performed and intravenous administration of antibiotics was ineffective. An injection catheter was introduced into the common hepatic artery. Almost the same dose of antibiotics as with intravenous administration was infused intra-arterially 2-4 times per day.

RESULTS

A therapeutic effect was achieved in six of the eight cases. In these 6 cases, the mean period of intra-arterial infusion was 10.8 days, while the mean period of catheter placement was 14.7 days. Using broad spectrum antibiotics, the therapeutic effect was obtained regardless of the numbers, morphologic characteristics, and differences in location of the abscesses. No significant complications were noted except in one case of splenic infarction.

CONCLUSION

Intermittent hepatic artery antibiotic infusion therapy is useful as an alternative therapeutic procedure for pyogenic hepatic abscess in which percutaneous drainage cannot be performed and intravenous administration of antibiotics is ineffective.

The effect of bisphenol A and chlorinated derivatives of bisphenol A on the level of serum vitellogenin in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane or Bisphenol A (BPA), has been reported to behave as an endocrine disrupter below acute toxic levels, and is widely present in the water environment. Although BPA is easily chlorinated, very little is reported on the effect of chlorinated BPA to the aquatic organisms. In this study, the estrogenic activities of BPA and its chlorinated derivatives were evaluated by the induction of vitellogenin (VTG) in the serum of mature male Japanese medaka. In addition, the effect of sodium hypochlorite on the decomposition of BPA was tested. The relative potencies of estrogenic activities of chlorinated BPA descended in the order 3,3'-diCIBPA>BPA> or =3-CIBPA>3,3',5-triCIBPA, and no estrogenic activity was observed in 3,3',5,5'-tetraCIBPA. Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) and No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for both 3-CIBPA and 3,3'-diCIBPA were 500 microg/L and 200 microg/L, respectively. LOEC for 3,3',5-triCIBPA was >500 microg/L. When BPA was reacted with sodium hypochlorite (24 hours; residual chlorine at 1 ppm), however, complete decomposition of BPA and its chlorinated derivatives was observed. The decrease in BPA and its chlorinated derivatives paralleled the decrease in estrogenic potency evaluated by the induction of vitellogenin (VTG) in the serum of mature male Japanese medaka.

Molecular characterization of chicken growth hormone secretagogue receptor gene

Synthetic growth hormone secretagogues stimulate growth hormone secretion by binding to a specific receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). In this study, we investigated the cDNA and the genomic structure of chicken GHS-R. Chicken GHS-R gene is composed of two exons separated by an intron. Two GHS-R mRNA species, cGHS-R1a and cGHS-R1a-variant (cGHS-R1aV) are generated by alternative splicing of a primary transcript. cGHS-R1a protein is predicted to have seven transmembrane domains by a high degree of amino acid sequence identity with mammalian and teleost homologs. cGHS-R1aV lacks the transmembrane-6 domain due to a 48 bp deletion. RT-PCR analysis showed widespread tissue distributions of cGHS-R1a and cGHS-R1aV mRNAs with much higher amounts of cGHS-R1a in all the tissues.

The association of Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARgamma2 with lower carotid artery IMT in Japanese

In this study, the association of the Pro12Ala peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 (PPARgamma2) polymorphism with atherosclerosis was examined in a Japanese Type 2 diabetic population. PPARgamma has been identified as a key regulator of adipogenesis. Recently, some studies reported that the Pro12Ala polymorphism was associated with resistance to Type 2 diabetes. It is well-known that Type 2 diabetes is closely related with disorder of lipid metabolism as well as impaired glucose homeostasis, resulting in atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the association between carriers of the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 mutation and clinical profiles concerning atherosclerosis besides plasma glucose and lipid concentrations. Screening for the mutation was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method among 154 Type 2 diabetic patients. The homozygotes of the Pro12 allele were 143 (93%), the heterozygotes of the Pro12 and Ala12 allele were 11 (7%) and the homozygote of the Ala12 allele was not detected. The group with the Ala12 allele had a significantly lower value of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) than that without it, although there was no difference between two groups in sex, age or other clinical variables we examined. The Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 polymorphism may be associated with carotid artery IMT values in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Profiles of mRNA expression of genes related to sex differentiation of the gonads in the chicken embryo

Sex is determined genetically in birds. The homogametic sex is male (ZZ), whereas the heterogametic sex is female (ZW). According to the genetic sex, gonads develop into testes or ovary. In this study, we performed experiments to reveal mRNA expression patterns in the gonad between d 5.5 and 8.5 of incubation and examined a possible role of Dss-Ahc critical region on the X chromosome 1 (Dax1), Steroidogenic factor 1 (Sf1), P450aromatase (P450arom), Estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), doublesex and mab3 related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1), Sry-related HMG box gene 9 (Sox9), Gata binding protein 4 (Gata4), and anti-müllerian hormone (Amh) in sex differentiation in chicken embryonic gonads using RNase protection assay. In embryonic chicken gonads, Dax1 mRNA was expressed in both sexes but was higher in females than in males at d 6.5 and 7.5 of incubation. The Sf1 mRNA was expressed in both sexes, but it was expressed more in males at d 5.5 than in females but more in females than in males at d 7.5 and 8.5 of incubation. The P450arom mRNA was expressed only in female gonads from d 5.5 of incubation. The ER alpha mRNA was expressed in both sexes, but it did not show a sex difference. On the other hand, the Dmrt1 mRNA was expressed in both sexes, but it showed a male-specific expression pattern. The male-specific expression pattern was observed in Sox9 mRNA, but it was not expressed in female gonads. The Gata4 mRNA was expressed in both sexes, and sex differences were not revealed throughout the observational period. Amh mRNA was expressed in both sexes, but it had male-specific mRNA expression pattern at d 6.5 to 8.5 of incubation. These results indicate that Dax1, Sf1, and P450arom have possible roles in ovary formation, whereas Dmrt1, Sox9, and Amh are related to testis formation in differentiating chicken gonads at d 5.5 to 8.5 of incubation.

Comparison of high-resolution contrast-enhanced 3D MRA with digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of hepatic arterial anatomy

AIM

To evaluate the validity of high-resolution contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in defining hepatic arterial anatomy and to compare this with digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MRA and DSA were performed in 30 patients. MRA was performed with breath-hold, gadolinium-enhanced, three-dimensional, fast low-angle shot sequence with a 512 pixel matrix. MRA was compared with DSA in terms of image quality and depiction of hepatic arterial anatomy. The agreement in image quality between MRA and DSA was determined with the kappa statistic.

RESULTS

With respect to image quality, there was excellent or good correlation between MRA and DSA for the common hepatic artery (kappa=0.85), proper hepatic artery (kappa=0.72), gastroduodenal artery (kappa=0.70), left hepatic artery (kappa=0.49), left gastric artery (kappa=0.50), splenic artery (kappa=0.84), and superior mesenteric artery (kappa=0.88). Poor correlation was found for the right hepatic artery (kappa=0.18) and right gastric artery (kappa=0.38). With regard to hepatic arterial anatomy, MRA correlated correctly with DSA in 28 of the 29 cases, i.e. 97% of patients.

CONCLUSION

MRA is a useful technique for the evaluation of the hepatic artery, and for the vast majority of patients, MRA can replace intra-arterial DSA.

Meningioma showing VHL gene inactivation in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease

The genetic mechanism of the tumorigenesis of meningioma in conjunction with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is unclear. The authors present a case of VHL disease associated with a posterior fossa meningioma and with multiple cerebellar hemangioblastomas. A germline mutation of the VHL gene and loss of heterozygosity on the VHL gene locus in 3p were detected in the meningioma. Tumorigenesis of a meningioma associated with VHL disease could be caused by inactivation of both alleles of the VHL gene.

Clinical pilot studies on pre-operative hyperthermic tumour ablation for advanced breast carcinoma using an 8 MHz radiofrequency heating device

The multimodality treatment approach for advanced breast cancer provides survival advantages with decreased locoregional and distant recurrences, but these intensive anti-tumour treatments cause severe myelosuppression. Thus, in this study, the usefulness of pre-operative anti-tumour treatment without myelosuppression was investigated. Nine patients with advanced breast carcinoma underwent pre-operative hyperthermic tumour ablation (HTA) using an 8 MHz radiofrequency (RF) heating device (Thermotron RF-8) combined with a grounded needle electrode. The patients had a mean age of 58.3+/-13.9 years and included four patients with stage IIIA, two with stage IIIB and three with stage IV cancer. The target temperature was over 50 degrees C. They tolerated pre-operative HTA therapy well with no early or late complications. The initial mean tumour size was 122.1+/-71.5 cm3 and the post-HTA tumour size was 82.2+/-63.4 cm3; the reduction rate was significant (p = 0.000 293). After the pre-operative HTA, all patients underwent surgery with Level III nodal extirpation. Post-operatively, no locoregional recurrence was observed. Microscopic examination of the primary focus showed complete coagulation necrosis expanding for a diameter of 3.5-5.0 cm. Taken together, the pre-operative HTA was a safe, well-tolerated and effective treatment, achieving tumour reduction as well as complete coagulation necrosis that resulted in a large volume of destruction in breast cancer tissue.