An ovarian tumor of probable Wolffian origin with hormonal function

In 1973, the histopathologic features of nine neoplasms with a distinctive appearance were reported under the term "female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin." Although to date more than 40 cases of this disease have been reported in the literature, there have been only a few reports that the tumors might be endocrinologically active. We report on a hormonally active tumor of this type.

A non-radioactive DNA sequencing method using biotinylated dideoxynucleoside triphosphates and delta Tth DNA polymerase

We synthesized a set of four biotinylated dideoxynucleoside triphosphates (biotin-9-ddNTPs) and optimized the reaction conditions for non-radioactive cycle sequencing using modified Tth DNA polymerase (delta Tth) and a chemiluminescent detection system. The resulting sequencing ladders showed lower background compared to those with the conventional non-radioactive sequencing method which uses 5'-biotinylated primers, especially when PCR products were analysed. With our method, DNA sequences can be determined at any primer positions without preparing 5'-biotinylated primers for dideoxy chain-termination.

Transcriptional regulation of human prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 gene by lipopolysaccharide and phorbol ester in vascular endothelial cells. Involvement of both nuclear factor for interleukin-6 expression site and cAMP response element

There exist two distinct isozymes of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PES). PES-2 mRNA is synergistically induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in bovine arterial endothelial cells. On the other hand, PES-1 mRNA is constitutively expressed under these conditions. Therefore, the promoter activities of the human genes for PES-1 and -2 in bovine arterial endothelial cells were examined. The 5'-flanking region of the human PES-2 gene (nucleotides -327 to +59) showed promoter activity inducible by LPS and TPA using transient transfection analysis, whereas that of the PES-1 gene (nucleotides -1010 to +69) showed constitutive promoter activity. Destruction of both consensus sequences for the nuclear factor responsible for the interleukin-6 expression (NF-IL6) site (nucleotides -132 to -124) and the cyclic AMP response element (CRE) (nucleotides -59 to -53) of the human PES-2 gene markedly reduced the promoter activity (25%) of the PES-2 gene after combined treatment with LPS and TPA, although single destruction of the NF-IL6 site or the CRE slightly reduced the promoter activity (60 or 90%, respectively). Moreover, cotransfection experiments showed that a trans-acting factor, CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBP delta), which binds to both the NF-IL6 site and the CRE, increased the promoter activity of the PES-2 gene mainly through the CRE. C/EBP delta mRNA was rapidly induced by LPS. Collectively, these results suggest that transcription of the PES-2 gene in vascular endothelial cells is regulated through combination of the NF-IL6 site and the CRE and that C/EBP delta functions as one of the trans-acting factors.

Surgical treatments for oesophageal cancer concomitant with gastric adenoma with severe epithelial atypia

The various surgical treatments for oesophageal cancer concomitant with gastric adenoma with severe epithelial atypia (SEA) are discussed by presenting three such cases. As gastric adenoma with SEA had been considered to be a precancerous condition but not normally an indication for gastrectomy, we devised an operative strategy of laparotomy and thoracotomy. For Case 1, with early oesophageal cancer and gastric adenoma with SEA in the body of stomach, a laparotomy and local resection of the gastric lesion were carried out prior to thoracotomy in order to determine the safest reconstructive method after measuring the length of the well-nourished gastric tube. In Case 2, with advanced oesophageal cancer, a thoracotomy was first performed to assess the curability of surgery for the oesophageal cancer and a gastric adenoma was removed. In contrast, for Case 3 with advanced oesophageal cancer, and in whom post-operative survival was deemed to be short, a gastric adenoma was not resected. The most appropriate operative methods should thus be decided after careful consideration of the stage of the oesophageal cancer and characteristics of the gastric adenoma.

A simple and quantitative liquid culture system to measure megakaryocyte growth using highly purified CFU-MK

A new and quantitative liquid culture system has been developed to measure the production of megakaryocytes from megakaryocyte progenitor cells (colony-forming units-megakaryocyte [CFU-MK]). The system uses as a target population a glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa+ subpopulation of rat bone marrow cells previously demonstrated to be highly enriched for CFU-MK. GpIIb/IIIa+ cells were cultured at 5 x 10(4) cells/mL (10(4) cells/well) with test samples in 96-well tissue culture plates for 4 days at 37 degrees C. During the final 3 hours of incubation, the cells were pulsed with [14C]5-hydroxytryptamine creatinine sulfate (14C-serotonin). After incubation, the plates were washed and the cell pellets were lysed with Triton-X 100. The cell lysate was infiltrated into a commercially available solid scintillator and dried, and radioactivity was measured. In this assay system, rat interleukin-3 (IL-3) was found to be the most potent among known cytokines tested. Murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), human erythropoietin (Epo), human IL-6, and murine stem cell factor (SCF) each alone stimulated megakaryocyte growth but were much less active than rat IL-3. Plasma of rats rendered thrombocytopenic by injection of monoclonal antirat platelet GpIIb/IIIa antibody exhibited significant activity, and the active protein fractions partially purified from the plasma showed much higher activity, but normal rat plasma had no effect. This liquid culture system allows the measurement of a large number of test samples--including a wide variety of cytokines and unknown growth factors, alone or in combinations--and provides a simple method for evaluating the early proliferative events involving CFU-MK in the megakaryocyte differentiation pathway.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for acoustic schwannoma: early effects and preservation of hearing

The effects of relatively low dose gamma knife irradiation on acoustic schwannoma were evaluated. The signal intensity change and tumor shrinkage on magnetic resonance (MR) images, change in hearing, and complications in 28 patients (mean age 47.0 +/- 13.6 yrs) were studied. Three patients had bilateral tumors. Six were already deaf when treated. The maximum tumor diameter was 35 mm. The mean dose delivered to the tumor was 12.1 +/- 1.6 Gy at the periphery, and 25.2 +/- 4.3 Gy at the center. The mean follow-up time was 16 months and the longest 24 months. Lowering of the MR signal intensity in the tumor center appeared after 3 months at earliest but generally after 6 months. Signs of tumor shrinkage appeared within 12 months on average. Cyst in the tumor enlarged rapidly after treatment in two patients. The percentage of hearing preservation was 85% (17/20) at 3 months, 80% (16/20) at 6 months, 72% (13/18) at 9 months, 75% (12/16) at 12 months, 67% (8/12) at 15 months, 60% (6/10) at 18 months, and 50% (2/4) at 24 months. Subtle changes in hearing were detected by speech tone audiometry. Temporary facial numbness and weakness was seen in one patient each. No patient had lower cranial nerve paresis. Relatively low dose gamma knife radiosurgery is effective in suppressing growth of acoustic schwannoma with preservation of hearing.

Strongly anionic sites in peripheral axons of the rat sciatic nerve: light and electron microscopic detection using cationic colloidal iron

Anionic sites in the rat sciatic nerve were studied by light and electron microscopy using a fine-granular cationic colloidal iron staining method (Murakami et al., 1986). The axon, as well as the endoneurium, the epineurium and the basement membrane of Schwann cells, were all confirmed to react strongly to the cationic colloidal iron even at a pH value of 1.0-2.0. Prior hyaluronidase digestion decreased the colloidal strain of the epineurium; chondroitinase ABC weakened that of the endoneurium and the basement membrane of Schwann cells. However, as axons retained stainability with cationic colloidal iron even after combined digestion with hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, heparitinase and keratanase, the authors consider sulfated glycoconjugates and not those substances which are digestible with such common enzymes. The acid groups ionized at pH 1.0 are most likely sulfate groups. Methylation deprived the axon of the reactivity to cationic colloidal iron staining, and even subsequent saponification could not recover this reactivity to its full extent. In the axon, electron microscopy revealed a deposition of colloidal iron on the external surfaces of microtubules and neurofilaments in the axoplasm and of very fine filaments connecting them. This highly negatively charged intra-axonal network could also serve toward a supportive function in maintaining the spatial distribution of microtubules either mechanically or through electrostatic repulsion or, possibly, serve as an intra-axona cation exchange reservoir.

The effects of endothelin-1 on flap necrosis

In reconstructive surgery, flap necrosis is a major obstacle. The vasospasm in microvascular circulation can be one of the causes of flap necrosis. The vascular endothelium has an important role in the regulation of vascular tone by producing vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors. Endothelin-1, a 21-amino acid polypeptide isolated from the vascular endothelium, is reported to be one of the most potent vasoconstrictors. The purpose of this study was to determine the significance of endothelin-1 on flap necrosis using a rat skin flap. First, we introduced into the experiment endothelin-1 and ETA receptor antagonists, FR139317, then we tried to determine the time course changes of endothelin-1 levels in the flap. Endothelin-1 antagonist had no effect on survival length, although endothelin-1 injection clearly reduced survival length. The combined treatment of antagonist and injection suppressed the effect of endothelin-1 in reducing survival length. Endothelin-1 levels in the flap base significantly increased from 6 hours, and its levels in the flap periphery presented no remarkable changes. These results may suggest that endothelin-1, especially that produced in the flap base, exerts a major effect on flap microcirculation.

[Persistent cerebellar ataxia following typhoid fever]

We report a patient who developed acute cerebellar ataxia, delirium, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and acute renal failure following typhoid fever. After treatment his general conditions improved except for cerebellar ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), before and after intravenous gadolinium administration, showed slight atrophy of the cerebellar vermis. 1-123 iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography (IMP-SPECT) images showed markedly reduced radioisotope (RI) uptake in the cerebellum, and strongly implicated dysfunction of the cerebellum. Our report suggests that severe typhoid fever can produce persistent cerebellar dysfunction.

Delayed posterior interosseous nerve palsy

A rare case of delayed posterior interosseous nerve palsy that developed 39 years after an unreduced anterior dislocation of the radial head is reported. The posterior interosseous nerve was compressed and narrowed at the arcade of Frohse. Radial head resection and release of the arcade was done. The paralysis continued to recover 6 weeks after operation. The nerve, at the arcade of Frohse, was susceptible to compression by the dislocated radial head, especially in the supinated position. Repeated supination and pronation movement over time may have led to developmental changes that caused the delayed nerve palsy.

Intraneural ganglion of the posterior interosseous nerve with lateral elbow pain

We report an intraneural ganglion of the posterior interosseous nerve causing lateral elbow pain. The cystic lesion was identified by magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical exploration using the microscope permitted complete extirpation of the cyst without damage to nerve tissue. The patient experienced complete relief from pain, with full preservation of function.

Relationships between translation of pro alpha1(I) and pro alpha2(I) mRNAs during synthesis of the type I procollagen heterotrimer

Final assembly of the procollagen I heterotrimeric molecule is initiated by interactions between the carboxyl propeptide domains of completed, or nearly completed nascent pro alpha chains. These interactions register the chains for triple helix folding. Prior to these events, however, the appropriate nascent chains must be brought within the same compartments of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We hypothesize that the co-localization of the synthesis of the nascent pro alpha1(I) and pro alpha2(I) chains results from an interaction between their translational complexes during chain synthesis. This has been investigated by studying the polyribosomal loading of the pro alpha-chain messages during in vitro translation in the presence and absence of microsomal membranes, and in cells which have the ability to synthesize the pro alpha1 homotrimer or the normal heterotrimer. Recombinant human pro alpha1(I) and pro alpha2(I) cDNAs were inserted into plasmids and then transcribed in vitro. The resulting RNAs were translated separately and in mixture in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte lysate +/- canine pancreatic microsomes. Cycloheximide (100 mu g/ml) was added and the polysomes were collected and fractionated on a 15-50% sucrose gradient. The RNA was extracted from each fraction and the level of each chain message was determined by RT-PCR. Polysomes from K16 (heterotrimer-producing), W8 (pro alpha1(I) homotrimer), and A2' (heterotrimer + homotrimer) cells were similarly analyzed. Translations of the pro alpha1(I) and pro alpha2(I) messages proceeded independently in the cell-free, membrane-free systems, but were coordinately altered in the presence of membrane. The cell-free + membrane translation systems mimicked the behavior of the comparable cell polysome mRNA loading distributions. These data all suggest that there is an interaction between the pro alpha chain translational complexes at the ER membrane surface which temporally and spatially localize the nascent chains for efficient heteromeric selection and folding.

Characterization of the binding sites for [3H]glibenclamide in rat liver membranes

The specific binding sites for sulfonylureas in the rat liver membrane fraction were demonstrated and characterized. [3H]Glibenclamide binding to the liver membrane was specific, time- and temperature-dependent, and reversible. Scatchard analysis showed a single class binding site. The dissociation constant (Kd) for glibenclamide was 1.1 microM and the binding capacity (Bmax) was 50 pmol/mg protein. [3H]Glibenclamide binding could be displaced by other sulfonylureas. Half-maximal inhibition of binding (IC50) for glimepiride, gliclazide, acetohexamide, tolbutamide and chlorpropamide was 4.2 microM, 74 microM, 0.33 mM, 0.60 mM, 1.2 mM, respectively. Each value is close to the reported blood concentration when a therapeutic dose of each drug is administered orally. The order of IC50 values is coincident with the order of potency of the clinical hypoglycemic effect of these drugs. We had shown that these concentrations of sulfonylureas stimulate 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase in the liver or hepatocytes and inhibit phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the hepatoma cells. The specific binding sites demonstrated here may play some roles when sulfonylureas affect carbohydrate metabolism in the liver.

Tumorigenicity of EBNA2-transfected cells

The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) gene is thought to be important for transformation by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but the mechanism of this transformation is little understood. Here, to examine the transforming ability of EBNA2, we transfected a rat fibroblast cell line F2408 with a recombinant EBNA2 expression plasmid and examined cell morphology, colony formation in soft agar, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. The morphology of transfected clones was similar to those of untransfected cells, but two of seven clones grew in soft agar, and four clones of seven clones reproducibly formed tumors in nude mice. These four clones showed EBNA2 expression, but non-tumorigenic clones did not. These results indicate that the expression of EBNA2 is correlated with tumorigenicity.

Effect of BAY u3405, a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, on neuro-effector transmission in canine tracheal tissue

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is reported to potentiate vagal nerve neuro-effector transmission in airway smooth muscle tissue. We investigated the effects of BAY u3405 (3(R)-[[4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]amino]-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-9H-carbazole - 9-propanoic acid), a potent and selective TXA2 receptor antagonist, on the increase in vagal nerve neuro-effector transmission induced by a TXA2 mimetic, U-46619, in the canine trachea. We measured the contractions of canine tracheal smooth muscle evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and by acetylcholine (ACh) in the presence and absence of a subthreshold dose of U-46619 (the highest dose that did not induce any smooth muscle contraction). We then examined whether BAY u3405 inhibited the effect of U-46619 on tracheal smooth muscle. The following results were obtained: (i) subthreshold doses of U-46619 (10(-10) M and 10(-9) M) significantly increased the amplitude of the contractions evoked by EFS; (ii) by contrast, U-46619 had no effect on the contractile response of smooth muscle to exogenously applied ACh; (iii) the contraction evoked by EFS was completely abolished by the application of atropine (10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M), indicating that EFS caused the smooth muscle contraction through the release of ACh from vagal nerve terminals; and (iv) pretreatment with BAY u3405 (10(-6) M) abolished the excitatory action of U-46619 on the amplitude of twitch contraction evoked by EFS in the trachea. These results indicate that U-46619, at low concentrations, has a prejunctional action stimulating neuro-effector transmission, presumably increasing ACh release from vagal nerve terminals through TXA2 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vertebral slip in lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Long-term follow-up of 22 adult patients

We studied the aetiology of vertebral slip in a long-term follow-up of 22 adult patients with isthmic spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis of L5. Of the 18 with spondylolysis without slip, 13 showed no slip after ten years, but five developed displacement of over 5%. All four patients with spondylolisthesis showed progression of the slip. We found that the vertical thickness of the transverse process of L5 was significantly greater (p < 0.01) in the 13 patients with no slip than in the other two groups. The relationship of vertebral slip to the shape of the transverse processes of L5 may be explained by differences in the bulk or physiological strength of the posterior bands of the iliolumbar ligament.

Expression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene in non-small-cell lung cancer

We examined the levels of expression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene quantified by Northern blot analysis in comparison with those of the MDR1 gene determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 104 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens [59 adenocarcinoma (Ad), 40 squamous cell carcinoma (Sq), four large cell carcinoma (La) and one adeno-squamous carcinoma (AdSq)]. Thirty-three (31.7%) of the 104 NSCLC expressed the MRP gene at various levels. The NSCLC showing high (++) levels of MRP gene expression (19 out of 33, 57.6%) were predominantly squamous cell carcinomas (Ad, 5; Sq, 13; La, 1) (P < 0.05). Six of the eight NSCLCs expressing high levels of MRP mRNA and no MDR1 (MRP ++, MDR1-) were squamous cell carcinomas. Sixty-one of the 104 NSCLC patients received chemotherapy with MRP-related anti-cancer drugs [vindesine (VDS) and etoposide (VP-16)]. Twenty-three patients (37.7%) with tumour expressing high or moderate levels of MRP showed significantly worse prognoses than those with non- or low-MRP-expressing tumours (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the level of MRP gene expression is related to the histopathology and prognosis of NSCLC.

A case of retroperitoneal pseudomyxoma

We experienced a rare case of pseudomyxoma that progressed into the retroperitoneum. This patient presented with complaints of polyuria and back pain. CT and MRI showed a retroperitoneal cystic tumor. Surgical and pathological findings confirmed mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix that reached the posterior space behind the right kidney through the retroperitoneum.

Hematopoietic stem cells found in lineage-positive subsets in the bone marrow of 5-fluorouracil-treated mice

It is known that treatment of mice with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, 150 mg/kg) confers radioprotection. To investigate this effect, we performed bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using C57BL/6-Ly5 congenic mice treated with 5-FU five days prior to experiments. The mononuclear cells (MNC) in 5-FU-treated bone marrow (BM) were 10 times more radioprotective than those in untreated BM. Moreover, the number of BM MNC expressing c-kit on their surface from 5-FU-treated mice was markedly decreased relative to those from untreated controls. These results showed that the surface characteristics of cells that contributed to this radio-protective effect differ from those of stem cells as reported recently. BM MNC of mice treated with 5-FU were separated on the basis of expression of the lineage-specific antigens (Lin), c-kit, and Ly6A/E. When injected into lethally irradiated mice, 1,000 Lin+ and Lin-c-kit+Ly6A/E+ cells showed radioprotective effects such that 100% and 60% survived, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis 165 days after BMT showed that 88.8% and 65.1% of peripheral blood (PB) in mice transplanted with Lin+ and Lin-c-kit+Ly6A/E+ was derived from donor mice, respectively. After six months, donor-derived Lin-c-kit+Ly6A/E+ cells which showed radioprotective effects on a secondary irradiated host were detected from mice transplanted with Lin+ cells from 5-FU-treated mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that stem cells expressing Lin+ present in the BM of mice treated with 5-FU other than Lin-c-kit+Ly6A/E+ cells and these Lin+ cells play an important role in the recovery of myeloablative mice.

Time course of regression of vascular structural changes and its relation to cytosolic free calcium in hypertensives after nilvadipine treatment

The objective of this study was to assess the regression of vascular structural changes seen in essential hypertension after long-term monotherapy with a calcium antagonist and to clarify the relations to cytosolic free calcium and neurohumoral factors. Blood pressure, minimal vascular resistance (MVR) by strain-gauge plethysmography, cytosolic free calcium in platelets ([Ca2+]i) by Quin 2 method, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma noradrenaline (PNA) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 14 essential hypertensives during a placebo period and 2 and 6 months after anti-hypertensive treatment with nilvadipine. Blood pressure decreased from 174 +/- 10/104 +/- 8 mm Hg during the placebo period to 154 +/- 13/93 +/- 14 mm Hg 2 weeks after nilvadipine, and the hypotensive effects were found throughout the 6-month period. Although increased MVR seen in hypertensives did not change after 2 months (from 2.1 +/- 0.7 to 1.9 +/- 0.6 mm Hg/ml/min per 100 ml tissue (PRU), NS), MVR decreased significantly at 6 months (1.6 +/- 0.4, PRU, P < 0.05). Elevated [Ca2+]i seen in hypertensives during the placebo period decreased significantly 2 months after nilvadipine treatment (156 +/- 26 and 140 +/- 27 nM, P < 0.01). The changes in MVR were associated with those in [Ca2+]i 6 months after nilvadipine (r = 0.56, P < 0.05). However, the changes in MVR did not correlate with those in PRA, PAC, PNA or PTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of decay-accelerating factor in stool specimens of patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancers have an increased expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF). The aim of this study was to determine whether stool specimens of patients with colorectal cancer contain increased amounts of DAF.

METHODS

DAF was measured using an immunoassay in the stool specimens of 40 persons with colorectal cancer, 18 with colorectal adenomatous polyps, 13 with upper gastrointestinal cancer, and 41 without gastrointestinal disease.

RESULTS

Stool DAF concentrations in patients with colorectal cancer (0-9.8 ng/g stool; median, 1.6 ng/g) were significantly higher than those in patients with adenoma (0-6.4 ng/g; median, 0 ng/g) (P < 0.05), patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer (0-3.1 ng/g; median, 0 ng/g) (P < 0.05), and subjects without gastrointestinal disease (0-3.4 ng/g; median, 0 ng/g) (P < 0.01). Resection of colorectal cancers caused a marked decrease in stool DAF concentrations. The stool DAF test was positive in a substantial portion of patients with colorectal cancer whose tumors were small ( < 2 cm), at an early TNM stage, or unassociated with fecal occult blood positivity. The sensitivity of the test for colorectal cancer was 55%, and the specificity was 85%.

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement of stood DAF deserves evaluation as a test for detection of colorectal cancer.

Participation of serotonin in capsaicin-induced mouse ear edema

We investigated the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) in mouse ear edema induced by topical application of capsaicin (250 micrograms/ear). Application of capsaicin to the ear caused degranulation of mast cells in skin connective tissue. Capsaicin-induced ear edema was significantly inhibited by preadministration of 5-HT2 receptor antagonists such as ketanserin (2 mg/kg, i.v.) and LY 53857 (1 mg/kg, i.v.), but not 5-HT1-, 5-HT3- and 5-HT4-receptor antagonists. Intradermal injection of alpha-methyl 5-HT (5-HT2-receptor agonist) and 5-HT into ear skin produced edema formation more potently than 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A agonist) and 2-methyl 5-HT (5-HT3 agonist). 5-HT2 antagonists markedly suppressed the edema response to 5-HT and its receptor agonists, whereas any antagonist for 5-HT1, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4-receptors had no effect. Furthermore, 5-HT2-receptor antagonists partly prevented ear edema in response to substance P (SP), a putative mediator or capsaicin-induced edema, and compound 48/80, a releaser of vasoactive amines form mast cells. These results suggest that 5-HT released from mast cells is partly involved in the development of capsaicin-induced mouse ear edema via 5-HT2 receptors in the ear skin.