Trends in HIV and AIDS based on HIV/AIDS surveillance data in Japan

BACKGROUND

In recent years a decline in the number of new AIDS cases has been observed in several industrialized countries. It is important to know whether these recent trends observed in North America and Europe are also occurring in Japan.

METHODS

The number of people reported with HIV and AIDS by nationality, route of infection, and sex was calculated based on the HIV/AIDS surveillance data available in Japan through December 1997. The effect of reporting delay, which was defined as those HIV and AIDS cases reported in the calendar year following diagnosis, on the trends was examined. The coverage rate in reporting HIV cases was estimated as the ratio of the reported AIDS cases with prior report as an HIV-positive to the total number of reported AIDS cases.

RESULTS

The cumulative number of reported cases of HIV among Japanese and non-Japanese residents of Japan up to the end of 1997 were 1,300 and 1,190, respectively. The cumulative number of reported cases of AIDS among Japanese and non-Japanese up to the end of 1997 were 758 and 298, respectively. The number of reported cases of HIV among Japanese was found to be still increasing, with the major contribution from male cases. The increasing trend in the number of reported AIDS cases among Japanese began to slow in 1996 and 1997. The number of reported cases of HIV among non-Japanese residents of Japan peaked in 1992, and has decreased since then, and remained constant after 1994. In contrast, the number of reported AIDS cases among these non-Japanese tended to increase gradually. There was a slight reporting delay for people with HIV and AIDS. The estimated coverage rate in reporting HIV cases tended to decrease in 1996 and 1997 (1/7.2, 1/10.2, respectively). We point out several reasons for this recent decline and suggest the possibility of an ostensible decline in the estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the number of people with HIV among Japanese has continued to increase, and that the increase in the number of AIDS cases among Japanese is now slowing.

Stimulatory effect of enkephalins on calcium efflux from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in culture

The effects of leucine- and methionine-enkephalin, opiate peptides, on Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were examined. These enkephalins stimulated the efflux of 45Ca2+ from cells in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) M-10(-6) M). Leucine-enkephalin did not increase the intracellular free Ca2+ level, 45Ca2+ uptake, catecholamine secretion, cAMP level or cGMP level. The peptide-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux was not inhibited by incubation in Ca2+-free medium, but was inhibited by incubation in Na+-free medium. These results indicate that enkephalins stimulate extracellular Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, probably by stimulating membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Effect of decaglycerol mono-oleate on chemiluminescence of human neutrophils

Decaglycerol mono-oleate (DGMO), a type of food additive (a polyglycerol ester of fatty acids), was evaluated for its in vitro effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by human neutrophils using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Neutrophils were isolated by the Histopaque-1077/1119 double density gradient technique. Opsonized zymosan (OZ) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were employed as artificial stimuli. DGMO inhibited the chemiluminescence response of OZ-stimulated neutrophils by 58% (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. DGMO inhibited the PMA-induced chemiluminescence by 40% (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL. The inhibition phenomena could not be attributed to light absorption by DGMO alone, because the percentage chemiluminescence in the presence of DGMO is lower than the percentage transmittance of DGMO at 425 nm. These results suggest that DGMO downregulates ROS generation by human neutrophils.

Applicability of chemiluminescence to assess the degree of operative stress in patients undergoing spinal surgery

This study examined the applicability of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) response of neutrophils to assess the degree of stress of spinal surgery by measuring the capacity of circulating neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species and the levels of serum cytokines: interleukin(IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Ten male patients underwent spinal surgery. Peripheral blood samples, collected before and after the operation and the next morning, were used for measuring the CL response of neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan and measuring the levels of serum cytokines. The operative stress induced leukocytosis, particularly granulocytosis, and increased serum IL-6 and G-CSF significantly. However, there was no significant change in the luminol-dependent CL response of neutrophils or the levels of serum IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha throughout the experimental period. These results suggest that, at least in the early postoperative period, operative stress does not prime the circulating neutrophils, and thus the CL response of neutrophils is not appropriate to assess the degree of stress of spinal surgery.

Proteolytic activation of protein kinase C delta and epsilon by caspase-3 in U937 cells during chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis

Protein kinase C (PKC) family members play pivotal roles in cellular signal transduction and nPKCdelta and theta are known to be subjected to restrictive proteolysis during apoptosis. Here we show that nPKCepsilon was specifically cleaved and generates 43-kDa and 36-kDa C-terminal fragments during chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis. The proteolytic cleavage of nPKCdelta and epsilon was completely inhibited by pretreatment with Ac-DEVD-cho, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3 family enzymes. Furthermore, nPKCepsilon in non-treated U937 cell lysates was cleaved by purified recombinant caspase-3 to generate the 43-kDa fragment, identical in size to the fragment observed in vivo. This cleavage was prevented by the addition of Ac-DEVD-cho. These results suggest that caspase-3 specifically cleaves nPKCepsilon. These findings suggest the possibility that nPKC subfamily members are generally involved in the execution of apoptosis but they are regulated diversely depending on the different apoptotic stimuli.

[Evaluation of dissolution behavior for the products containing tegafur and uracil]

Generic drugs are widely used with the object of cost saving in many Japanese therapeutic scenes now. The products containing the same active ingredient(s), even if they are innovative drugs or generic ones, must be designed to possess the equivalent quality. In this report, we observed the dissolution behavior patterns of three generic drugs that contain Tegafur and Uracil, drugs A, B, and C, and compared them with that of an innovative product, UFT. Drugs B and C were similar to UFT in the dissolution rate of Tegafur, but drug A was not. On the dissolution rate of Uracil, all the generic products, drugs A, B and C, did not amount to the level equivalent to that of UFT. Therefore, these generic products did not indicate the same dissolution behavior pattern as UFT. It was suggested that the pharmaceutical technology used in the manufacture was not equivalent even if the products of the same dosage form contain the same kind and content of the active ingredient(s).

IL-4 inhibits the migration of human Langerhans cells through the downregulation of TNF receptor II expression

The migration of Langerhans cells is an initial event in the sensitization phase of contact sensitivity. Langerhans cells travel from the epidermis to the regional lymph node, and can be variously modulated in the skin where many cytokines are released from epidermal cells, dermal cells, T helper (Th) cells, and other inflammatory cells during the sensitization and elicitation phase of contact dermatitis, and thus induce an altered inflammatory skin reaction. The modulatory effect of the cytokines released in the skin, such as IL-1beta, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha as epidermal cytokines, IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-gamma as Th1 type cytokines, and IL-4 and IL-10 as Th2 type cytokines, was analyzed using the chemotactic chamber method in this study. Both GM-CSF and TNF-alpha induced the migration of human Langerhans cells in vitro, whereas IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-gamma had no effect on Langerhans cell migration. In contrast, IL-4 inhibited Langerhans cell migration in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory activity of IL-4 was reversed by both anti-human IL-4 monoclonal antibody and anti-human IL-4 receptor monoclonal antibody. IL-4 inhibited the Langerhans cell migration induced by both TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. Furthermore, anti-TNF-RII monoclonal antibody inhibited both random migration and the migration induced by TNF-alpha, but not that induced by GM-CSF. A reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that TNF-alpha up-regulated and IL-4 downregulated the TNF receptor II (TNF-RII) expression of Langerhans cells at both the mRNA and the protein levels. The pretreatment of Langerhans cells with TNF-alpha enhanced the migration of Langerhans cells and the expression of TNF-RII. After pretreating Langerhans cells with TNF-alpha, IL-4 inhibited both the migration of Langerhans cells and the expression of TNF-RII in a time dependent manner. These results indicate that IL-4 inhibits the migratory activity of Langerhans cells by downregulating the expression of TNF-RII in human Langerhans cells and thereby modulates the immune response in the skin.

Exposure to diesel exhaust affects the male reproductive system of mice

Several recent reports have suggested that sperm count and quality in normal men are declining. Various environmental chemical compounds may affect the male reproductive system. We propose here that diesel exhaust is an environmental pollutant with the potential to influence male reproductive function. Ultrastructural changes were observed in Leydig cells of mice exposed to diesel exhaust (0.3 mg diesel exhaust particles (DEP)/m3 through the airway, 12 h daily, up to 6 months) and reduction in LH receptor mRNA expression in Leydig cells was observed at a concentration of 1 mg DEP/m3. Daily sperm production per gram of testis dose-dependently decreased with exposure to DE for 6 months; 29%, 36%, and 53% reductions were observed at 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg DEP/m3, respectively. A no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was observed with approximately 30 micrograms DEP/m3, which is lower than the WHO-recommended limit.

Secondary excision of choledochal cysts after previous cyst-enterostomies

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Patients with a choledochal cyst previously treated by internal drainage should undergo secondary cyst excision. The results of such secondary excisions have not yet been reported.

METHODOLOGY

Over a 27-year period, 121 patients underwent excision of a choledochal cyst at our hospitals. Of these, 14 patients underwent secondary cyst excision following internal drainage. These patients were compared retrospectively with the remaining 107 patients who underwent primary cyst excision.

RESULTS

Blood loss and operative time were greater, and early and late post-operative complications were significantly more frequent in the secondary excision group. Wound infection (early complication), pancreatic stones (late complication), and hepatolithiasis (late complication) were significantly more common in the secondary excision group. Histologically, inflammation and biliary glands were more frequently seen in the resected bile ducts in the secondary excision group.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term results of secondary excision of choledochal cysts are worse than after primary excision. The frequent late complications may be related to the development of biliary glands as a consequence of cyst-enterostomy.

Association between alcohol intake and subjective health: the Sotetsu Study

Subjective health and alcohol intake are important predictors of mortality. There have been few epidemiological studies, however, of the relationship between alcohol consumption and subjective health among the Japanese. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and subjective health. The study subjects were 2,020 Japanese male employees, who were free from serious disease conditions. The data on subjective health and alcohol consumption were obtained by means of self-reported questionnaire. The subjects who responded "poor health" in the answer to the question about the subjective health status were considered to be in ill-health. Ethanol intake per day was calculated by multiplying the frequency of drinking by the ethanol intake per drinking occasion and summing up for each alcoholic beverage. Age, smoking status, physical activity, and sleeping hours were treated as confounding factors. As a result, subjects who consumed 25-36 or 49 g ethanol or more per day had a significantly lower risk of self-rated ill-health compared with those who had never drunk, and a significantly inverse trend was found independent of age, smoking status, physical activity, and sleeping hours. In conclusion, moderate drinkers have a lower risk of self-rated ill-health among Japanese male employees investigated.

Coffee drinking and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase: an extended study of Self-Defense Officials of Japan

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of coffee drinking on serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level in relation to alcohol drinking, smoking, and degree of obesity in middle-aged Japanese men.

METHODS

From 1986 to 1994, a total of 7,637 male officials of the Self-Defense Forces of Japan aged 48-59 years received a preretirement health examination. Coffee drinking was ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire, and serum GGT level was measured. After excluding 1,360 men with a possible pathologic condition influencing liver enzyme levels and 182 former alcohol drinkers, effect of coffee drinking on serum GGT was examined by a multiple linear regression model and analysis of variance adjusting for alcohol drinking, smoking, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

The adjusted percentage of difference in serum GGT was -4.3 (95% CI = -5.0; -3.5) per cup of coffee. The inverse coffee-GGT relation was most prominent among men drinking > or = 30 ml of ethanol and smoking > or = 15 cigarettes daily; and positive associations of alcohol and smoking with GGT were attenuated by coffee drinking, more clearly among men with BMI > or = 25.00 kg/m2. Adjusted percentages of difference in serum GGT were -2.6% (p = 0.0003) per cup of brewed coffee, and -5.1% (p = 0.0001) per cup of instant coffee, independently of each other.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that coffee consumption may weaken GGT-induction by alcohol, and possibly by smoking. These effect modifications by coffee may differ according to the degree of obesity.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor in angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma, a rare aggressive malignant tumor thought to be of vascular origin with high potential for metastasis, frequently occurs on the scalp of elderly people. Recent findings have shown that overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor is associated with neoplasia, which suggests that basic fibroblast growth factor promotes tumor vascularization and subsequent growth. In this study, we examined the immunohistologic localization of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor in angiosarcoma. Our results suggest that basic fibroblast growth factor synthesized in the tumor endothelial cells plays an important role in the growth and progression in angiosarcoma and that serum basic fibroblast growth factor levels are elevated in patients with nodular type angiosarcoma.

Determination of a new oral cephalosporin, S-1090, in human plasma and urine by direct injection high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and column switching

Direct injection high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods with column switching and UV detection were developed for the rapid and accurate determination of S-1090 in human plasma and urine. An internal-surface reversed-phase pre-column and a C18 analytical column were used for the plasma assay. Two pre-columns packed with cyano and phenyl materials and a C18 analytical column were used for the urine assay. The calibration curves for plasma and urine assays were linear in the ranges 0.09-9 microg/ml and 0.5-100 microg/ml of S-1090, respectively. The relative standard deviations for plasma and urine assays were less than 6% with low relative errors. The established HPLC methods were demonstrated to be useful for clinical pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of S-1090.

Ureteropyeloscopy in the diagnosis of patients with upper tract hematuria: an initial clinical study

BACKGROUND

To study the usefulness and safety of ureteropyeloscopy in the diagnosis of upper tract hematuria of unknown etiology by standard diagnostic methods.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with upper tract hematuria of unknown etiology were the subjects of the present study. Prior to ureteropyeloscopy, they underwent standard diagnostic methods, including cystourethroscopy, excretory urography and computed tomography scan. The upper tract (ureter, renal pelvis and calyces) was inspected systematically with a flexible ureteropyeloscope under epidural anesthesia. A biopsy specimen was obtained when neoplasm of a suspicious lesion was seen. Bleeding and hemangiomatous lesions were fulgurated at the time of ureteropyeloscopy.

RESULTS

Unilateral gross hematuria was seen in 12 patients. Imaging studies revealed a filling defect in four patients, ureteral stenosis in one patient and nutcracker phenomenon in one patient. Urine cytology was positive in three patients and suspicious in four patients. Results of ureteropyeloscopy were papillary tumor in three patients, whitish encrustation in one patient, redness of the renal pelvis in one patient, bleeding from the renal calyx in two patients, hemangiomatous lesion in one patient, ureteral stenosis in two patients and no abnormalities in five patients. Biopsies were performed in five patients. The pathology results were transitional cell carcinoma in four patients and no abnormality in one patient. Although a ureteral stent catheter was placed in one patient, no serious complications were encountered during or after the procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteropyeloscopy was useful and relatively safe. This endoscopic examination can differentiate insignificant lesions from significant lesions by visual inspection of the lesions, in addition, pathological diagnosis by biopsy specimen can also be performed if deemed necessary. Ureteropyeloscopy is recommended in the diagnosis of upper tract hematuria of unknown etiology.

Histological factors associated with initial bone metastasis of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Bone is one of the most common sites of recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, it would be clinically very useful if breast cancers with a high probability of bone metastasis (BM) could be identified by histopathological examination of the primary lesions. To elucidate histological characteristics associated with predisposition to initial BM, we examined nine histopathological parameters in the primary lesions of 110 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) of the breast with 0 to 3 regional node metastases. These cases had recurrence between 4 months and 10.1 years after the initial radical surgery. The first metastatic site was bone in 24 cases, whereas other sites were involved in 86 cases. IDCs growing in a strand growth pattern or with fibrotic focus (FF) had a significantly higher frequency of initial BM than those growing in a non-strand growth pattern or without FF, respectively. Strand growth pattern was a significant predictor of the initial BM in multivariate analysis. In all 54 IDCs that developed BM during the follow-up period, osteolytic metastasis was significantly more frequent in the group with FF than in that without FF. This study demonstrated that strand growth pattern and the presence of FF are significant histopathological factors associated with initial BM. The combination of those predictive factors along with prognostic factors may provide a useful approach to identify patients at high risk for initial BM, enabling early treatment for the recurrent cancer.

XX-male syndrome bearing the sex-determining region Y

The case of a 25-year-old man who presented for evaluation of infertility is described. The physical examination revealed testicular atrophy without gynecomastia. Repeated seminal analyses showed azoospermia, and serum hormonal levels suggested a state of a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Chromosomal analysis demonstrated 46XX. Polymerase chain reaction revealed the existence of a sex-determining region Y. The etiology of this rare sex reversal syndrome is discussed and cases reported in Japan are reviewed.

Association between duration of obesity and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The Sotetsu Study

The authors investigated the association between duration of obesity (ordinary obesity as body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) > or = 25.0 and extreme obesity as BMI > or = 27.8) and the risk of diabetes mellitus. Male employees of a railway company, aged 30 years or older, observed for 10 years or more, free from serious disease conditions, with initial BMI <25.0, aged 30 years or more at the time diabetes was diagnosed, and with complete data, were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses (n = 1,598). Age-adjusted odds ratios for diabetes were significantly increased among males who were obese for 10-19.9 years and >20 years (odds ratios = 2.10 and 2.84 for ordinary obesity and 6.14 and 4.15 for extreme obesity, respectively). Additional adjustment for current obesity, physical activity, smoking, drinking, family history, and observation period did not change the findings remarkably. In conclusion, > or = 10 years duration of ordinary obesity or > or = 1 year of extreme obesity was an important predictor for diabetes independent of age, current obesity, physical activity, smoking, drinking, family history, and observation period.

Further biocompatibility testing of silica-chitosan complex membrane in the production of tissue plasminogen activator by epithelial and fibroblast cells

The effects of the physicochemical characteristics of a silica-chitosan complex membrane (SiCM) on the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) by contacting cells were investigated with the aim of improving the biocompatibility of the novel implant biomaterial. Expression of tPA is considered to be effective in wound healing by preventing thrombus formation, which causes inflammatory responses and rejection of implant materials. Inducing the epithelial cells surrounding implant materials to secrete tPA, which serves as an early signaling system to proliferate cells underlying connective tissues, would be further effective in accelerating wound healing. An epithelial 293 cell line derived from human embryonic kidney and a fibroblast IMR-90 cell line from human lung possessing the ability to secrete tPA were cultured on SiCMs, whose composition was stepwise controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio between silica and chitosan to give silica contents of 20, 33, 43, and 50wt%. Both strains showed strong adhesion on chitosan (0%-SiCM) and 50%-SiCM. The cell proliferation rates were also accelerated in a manner that was dependent on the increase in the adhesion strength of the cells cultured on the SiCMs. Furthermore, the tPA activity in the culture medium increased in accordance with the cell density, while the cellular specific activity of IMR-90 cells to secrete tPA was synergistically enhanced by strong adhesion and a high cell density on the surface of chitosan and 50%-SiCM. Analysis of the physico-chemical effects of the SiCMs revealed that the cells were dominantly affected by the surface hydrophobicity rather than by the zeta potential, as well as by the mixing ratio between chitosan and silica. The wet contact angles of 50%-SiCM and chitosan, which were 68 degrees and 65 degrees , respectively, were found to be suitable for adhesion and growth of both the epithelial 293 cells and fibroblast IMR-90 cells. A hydrophobic surface at 65 degrees -68 degrees was also effective for the production of tPA by IMR-90 cells, whereas the tPA activity of 293 cells reached its highest level on the SiCM with a wet contact angle of 63 degrees . These results suggest that a suitable adhesion strength is a significant factor in the expression of tPA by cells contacting an implant biomaterial.

Determination of 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol in dog plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A new method was developed for the determination of 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol (7-HC) in dog plasma by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. 7-HC extracted with organic solvent from plasma was purified with Bond Elut 2OH and converted to a sensitive fluorescent derivative containing double coumarin groups at the C-3 and C-7 positions of the steroid nucleus with 7-methoxycoumarin-3-carbonyl azide. After removal of the excess reagent with Bond Elut NH2, the 7-HC derivative was separated by reverse-phase HPLC method. The detection limit of the authentic 7-HC-3,7-coumarin derivative was 4 pg (S/N = 5), approximately four times less than that of the 7-HC-3-anthroyl derivative yielded by reaction of 7-HC with 1-anthroylcyanide. The newly developed method was used to investigate the effects of consecutive oral administrations of cholestyramine (CA) on 7-HC levels in dog plasma. The plasma 7-HC levels of the CA-treated group were two times greater than those of the control group.

Habitual coffee consumption and blood pressure: A study of self-defense officials in Japan

The study aims to examine the relationship between habitual coffee consumption and blood pressure. The subjects were 3336 male self-defense officials aged 48-56 years, who received a preretirement health examination at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between October 1986 and December 1992. Average coffee intake in the past year was ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire. A significant inverse relation between habitual coffee consumption and blood pressure was found with and without adjustment for alcohol use, cigarette smoking, body mass index, glucose tolerance, and green tea intake. Green tea, another major source of caffeine intake in Japanese, was unrelated to blood pressure. The adjusted mean differences per cup of coffee consumed per day were -0.6 mmHg (95% confident interval [CI]: -0.9 to -0.3, p = 0.0001) in systolic blood pressure and -0.4 mmHg (95% CI: -0.5 to -0.2, p = 0.0002) in diastolic blood pressure. Habitual coffee drinkers had lower blood pressure than non-drinkers at any levels of alcohol use, cigarette smoking, obesity, and glucose intolerance. Our findings consolidate the previous observation that habitual coffee consumption was associated with lower blood pressure.

Comparative analysis of CD80 and CD86 on human Langerhans cells: expression and function

Although both CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2/B70) have been recently identified in cultured human Langerhans cells (LC), little is known of the role and regulatory properties of CD80 and CD86 on human LC. We present here the results of a study comparing the expression and function of CD80 and CD86 in human LC using the T-helper type-1 cytokines IL-2 and interferon gamma (IFN)-gamma, and the T-helper type-2 cytokines IL-10, IL-4 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Freshly isolated human LC expressed little CD80 and CD86 in vitro, but the expression of both molecules was rapidly induced during a 72-h incubation with cytokines and the expression of CD86 occurred much earlier and more strongly than that of CD80. The expression of both CD80 and CD86 was upregulated by GM-CSF and downregulated by IL-10, and the expression of CD86, but not that of CD80, was upregulated by both IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Finally, pretreatment of LC with GM-CSF and IFN-gamma, but not with IL-4, enhanced the alloreactive T-cell proliferation induced by the LC, and IL-10 pretreatment of LC decreased their capacity for alloreaction. These results indicate that the expression of both CD80 and CD86 on human LC may be regulated by these cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma and IL-10) secreted from helper T cells infiltrating into the inflammatory microenvironment.

Relationship of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, recreational exercise and obesity with serum lipid atherogenicity: a study of self-defense officials in Japan

We investigated the relationship of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, recreational exercise and obesity with serum lipid atherogenicity because of paucity of epidemiological studies. The subjects were 2,228 male officials of the Self-Defense Forces in Japan, who were aged 49-55 years and received a preretirement health examination in the period from 1991 to 1992. A self-administered questionnaire was used to ascertain cigarette smoking, alcohol use and recreational exercise. Serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increased with increasing levels of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and decreased with increasing levels of cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was positively associated with alcohol use and recreational exercise, and negatively associated with cigarette smoking, BMI and WHR. BMI and alcohol use were most strongly associated with both LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios with BMI in an atherogenic direction and alcohol use in an antiatherogenic direction. Recreational exercise was weakly associated with less atherogenic lipid profile. BMI was the strongest determinant of serum lipid atherogenicity whereas alcohol use was most antiatherogenic. WHR was less important than BMI in the determination of serum lipid atherogenicity in Japanese men.

Changes in immunological parameters after combination adjuvant therapy with intravenous DTIC, ACNU, and VCR, and local injection of IFN-beta (DAV + IFN-beta therapy) into malignant melanoma

Combination adjuvant therapy with intravenous dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (DTIC), 1-[4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl]-methyl-3-[2-chloroethyl]-3-nitrosoure a hydrochloride (ACNU) and vincristine (VCR) and local injection of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) (DAV + IFN-beta therapy) has been widely applied to treat malignant melanoma, and its therapeutic effect is accepted in Japan. Natural killer (NK) activity, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio, and white blood cell counts were analyzed before and after DAV + IFN-beta therapy in order to validate its efficacy. After DAV + IFN-beta therapy, the CD4/CD8 ratio was elevated; however, numbers of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK activity were consecutively depressed. Peripheral lymphocytes were also decreased, possibly by myelosuppression due to the DAV therapy. The posttreatment suppression of NK activity appeared in spite of the administration of IFN-beta. It is suggested that a more effective adjuvant immunomodulator should be introduced to improve the therapeutic effect of the combination adjuvant chemotherapy in malignant melanoma.