Platelet-activating factor and somatostatin activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and arachidonate release

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor and somatostatin receptor (SSTR4) were cloned, and their primary structures were identified. They are both highly expressed in the rat hippocampus. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, these receptors activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade and phospholipase A2. Arachidonic acid or its derivatives, thus produced by the activation of these receptors may play some roles in synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity.

Endothelin-1 kinetics in plasma, urine, and blister fluid in burn patients

Endothelin-1, a peptide isolated from vascular endothelial cells, facilitates the constriction of vascular smooth muscle and various pharmacological actions including vasodilation, the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, and the stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. In this study, plasma, urine, and blister fluid endothelin-1 concentrations were determined in burn patients and changes in vasoactive substances derived from endothelial cells secondary to burns were investigated. Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in burn patients were significantly lower than those in healthy individuals at rest. However, extremely high blister fluid endothelin-1 concentrations were observed within 30 hours of a burn. The amounts of endothelin-1 excreted in urine by burn patients over 24 hours also were higher than those in healthy individuals. The finding of high concentrations of endothelin-1 in blister fluids suggests that endothelin-1 is produced at wound regions in burn victims. Clinically, it appears that endothelin-1 is involved in circulation at the wound surface or in the healing of burns.

[Assay of specific anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies by ELISA method. 2. studies on clinical usefulness and serological diagnostic standards]

We measured anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) specific antibody titers by means of a newly-developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method using an anti-C. pneumoniae specific antibody detection reagent. The clinical usefulness of this method was hereby evaluated. The IgG, IgA and IgM titers in 418 serum specimens obtained from patients with respiratory tract infections were measured by this new ELISA method, and the results were compared with the titers determined for the same specimens with the micro immunofluorescence (Micro-IF) method. The results showed good correlation coefficients for IgG, IgA and IgM. The two assay methods showed high agreement rates for positivity and for negativity. Specimens which did not yield the same results with the ELISA method and the Micro-IF method were subjected to analysis by the Western blot method, and the rates of agreement with the ELISA results were high. In addition, the child (0 approximately 15 yrs old; n = 122) and adult (16 approximately 90 yrs old; n = 133) cases were classified on the basis of being antigen-positive or antigen-negative at the initial examination, and their antibody-positive rates were determined. The adults showed no statistically significant differences in the antibody-positive rates for either IgG or IgA antibodies as a function of the pretreatment antigen status. However, the children showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences in the antibody-positive rates for both IgG and IgA antibodies as a function of the antigen status in the antigen-positive group compared with the rates in the antigen-negative group. Furthermore, the IgM-positive rates for the children were high in the antigen-positive group compared with the rates in the antigen-negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The IgM-positive rates in the adults were also significantly (p < 0.05) different between the antigen-positive group and the antigen-negative group. The Micro-IF method was applied to 34 specimens from antigen-positive patients, and 22 specimens were found to show an IgG titer of > or = 512 or an IgM titer of > or = 16. The diagnoses of these patients were acute respiratory disease in sixteen, pneumonia in four. Application of the ELISA-method to those 22 specimens showed all of them to exhibit IgG absorbance of > or = 0.6 and IgA absorbance of 0.2. The results described above indicate the clinical usefulness of our new ELISA method for the detection of antibodies specific for C. pneumoniae. The significance of this ELISA method for serological diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infections and the criteria for diagnosis of acute infections were also discussed.

[A successful treatment with a continuous intravenous lidocaine for a cluster of minor seizures in a patient with Doose syndrome]

We reported a 7-year-old girl with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy of early childhood (Doose syndrome). She had minor seizures (i. e. absence, atonic and myoclonic seizures) refractory to treatment with many kinds of anti-epileptic drugs as well as thyrotropin releasing hormone. Though she had suffered from long-lasting clusters of minor seizures, the treatment with continuous intravenous lidocaine successfully brought a case of prolonged remission of both clinical seizures and EEG abnormalities. It has been reported that lidocaine is effective mainly for partial seizures. The efficacy of lidocaine for generalize seizures, however, has been reported only in a few papers. We considered that the treatment with continuous intravenous lidocaine is indicated in patients with Doose syndrome presenting with a cluster of refractory minor seizures.

On-line column preconcentration for the determination of cobalt in sea water by flow-injection chemiluminescence detection

A flow-injection method for the determination of dissolved cobalt(II) in sea water has been studied based on a combination of column preconcentration using 8-quinolinol immobilized on silica gel, fluoride containing metal alkoxide glass (8HQ-MAF) and chemiluminescence detection with a gallic acid-hydrogen peroxide system. Co(II) is selectively recovered from an acidified sample with 8-quinolinol immobilized on silica gel. After elution with dilute hydrochloric acid the resultant eluent is mixed with the reagent solutions, heated to 60 ( degrees )C and then introduced into the CL cell. The analysis time including the 2-min sample load was 8 min per sea water sample with a corresponding detection limit of 0.62 ng l(-1) (3sigma). The average standard deviation calculated for 10 replicate measurements of artificial sea water samples with a concentration of 10 ng l(-1) cobalt was +/-2.1%. The method has been tested with the standard reference sea waters NASS and CASS.

Predominant expression of platelet-activating factor receptor in the rat brain microglia

Cellular localization of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor in the rat brain was determined by (1) in situ hybridization, (2) Northern blot analysis in primary cell cultures of neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and fibroblasts, and (3) Ca2+ imaging in hippocampal culture. In situ hybridization revealed that the PAF receptor mRNA is expressed intensely in microglia and moderately in neurons. Northern blot analysis revealed that PAF receptor mRNA is the most abundant in microglia. In primary hippocampal cultures, PAF elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration in microglia and also in neurons, but to a lesser extent. These results suggest predominant presence of PAF receptor in microglia. Cultured microglia also expressed cPLA2 mRNA the most intensely. PAF-activated microglia released arachidonic acid in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and without conversion to its derivatives. We propose that microglia as well as neurons contribute to PAF-related events in the CNS by releasing arachidonic acid.

The use of artificial dermis on the donor defect of the free forearm flap

Microsurgical grafting of a free flap is an established technique of surgical reconstruction. The forearm free flap is frequently used following removal of oral and/or pharyngeal tumors. However, simple split-thickness skin grafting on full-thickness defects of the skin on the flexor side of the forearm results in deformations, pigmentation, and the adhesion of the graft to the tendons. The authors attempted to minimize such problems by repairing the flap donor site with a collagen sponge used as an artificial dermis. This artificial dermis was used to reconstruct postoperative defects in the skin of 5 patients. Split-thickness skin measuring 0.25 to 0.30 mm was grafted onto the defect. The donor site skin was successfully repaired in 2 to 3 weeks without adverse effects, without the development of depressed deformations, and with only slight pigmentation. The artificial dermis formed a matrix on the donor wound bed, with good cosmetic results.

[A new quantitative assay of heat shock protein 70 by based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method]

Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) was very important stress protein. HSP70 had been detected by immunoblotting or mRNA of HSP70. Our purpose is to develop an easy quantitative assay of HSP70 and utilize clinical samples, cells, tissues etc. We examined a new quantitative assay of HSP70 that was based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This quantitative assay showed reproducible standard curve, high reproducibility (CV : 7.1, 6.8%) and recovery (93 approximately 116%). The determination of HSP70 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by heat stress was assayed using this method. HSP70 in HUVEC increased according to the heat temperature. It is concluded that the quantity of HSP70 might be possible even in cells and tissues by this method.

Deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy status as no basis for pathologic stage prediction in clinically resectable prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy status of a tumor as a means for predicting pathologic stages in prostate cancer.

METHODS

DNA ploidy of each focus of a cancer in 70 radical prostatectomy specimens was determined by nuclear image analysis. DNA ploidy was compared with the pathologic features of tumors.

RESULTS

One hundred three individual cancers in 70 patients were used for DNA ploidy analysis. Of these, 39 (38%) were diploid and 64 (62%), nondiploid. DNA ploidy was weakly correlated with increase in tumor volume (P = 0.049) but not tumor grade. The relationship between DNA content and extraprostatic spread was not statistically significant. Increase in tumor volume and grade promoted extraprostatic spread more than nondiploidy, as shown by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of a nondiploid cell population in a tumor focus in prostate cancer is essentially the same, at least for Americans and Japanese. DNA ploidy of a tumor cannot serve as a means of pathologic stage prediction in clinically resectable prostate cancers, contrary to many previous studies. Thus, DNA content analysis would be of no use for deciding on the treatment strategy of prostate cancer.

Impalpable prostate cancer: clinicopathological features

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinicopathological features of impalpable prostate cancer.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS

The numbers of T1a and T1b cancers detected in transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP) performed before and after the advent of the test for serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were compared and the incidence of T1 disease in specimens from 400 consecutive radical prostatectomies examined.

RESULTS

The incidence of T1b disease detected at TURP decreased significantly between the periods examined, but that of T1a was unaffected. Similarly, in radical prostatectomy specimens, T1b cancers were largely replaced by T1c and impalpable T2 cancers detected by ultrasonography.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancers detected incidentally at TURP tend to be small T1a tumours, possibly suitable for conservative management. T1b cancers are likely to be detected by PSA level and treated radically. T1c and impalpable T2 cancers are morphologically unlike T1b disease and justifiably belong in separate stages in the current UICC staging system.

[Detection and identification method of three mycobacterium species and genus specific detection by polymerase chain reaction and DNA hybridization with alkaline phosphatase labeled oligonucleotide probe]

Rapid detection and identification method of mycobacteria from specimen with infected mycobacteriosis was established by the combination of polymerase chain reaction and alkaline phosphatase labeled oligonucleotide probe (PCR-ALPDH). We prepaired four kinds of probes: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. avium, M. intracellulare, and mycobacterial-probe other than tuberculosis. PCR-ALPDH was compared with conventional methods using 234 specimens which suspected mycobacteriosis. In culture, 68 specimens (29.1%) were positive and 166 specimens (70.9%) were negative. In PCR-ALPDH, 88 specimens (37.6%) were positive and 146 specimens (62.4%) were negative. In 68 specimens which were positive in culture, the agreement of results of conventional identification and PCR-ALPDH for each probes were: 39/40 (PCR-ALPDH/Culture, 97.5%) in M. tuberculosis 5/9 (55.6%) in M. avium, 6/6 (100%) in M. intracellulare and 22/28 (88.6%) in MOTT isolation. Among 166 negative culture specimens, 27 specimens were positive in PCR-ALPDH. The results indicated that PCR-ALPDH method was applicable for the establishment of rapid and sensitive mycobacterial diagnostic system.

MRI of white matter changes in the Sjögren-Larsson syndrome

We report a case of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome with spastic diplegia and conduction aphasia. MRI demonstrated the white matter changes deep in the cerebral hemispheres. We analyse the MRI findings and compare the results with neuropsychological signs.

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.

DNA ploidy and clonal selection in ras + myc-induced mouse prostate cancer

An important goal in prostate cancer research is to define specific molecular and cellular alterations that are associated with malignant progression. The mouse prostate reconstitution model is a relevant and useful system as it allows the study of early events in cancer progression under conditions where oncogene-initiated cells are surrounded by normal tissue. Using this model, activated ras and myc oncogenes are introduced into urogenital sinus cells via the recombinant retrovirus Zipras/myc 9. After 4 weeks' growth as subcapsular renal grafts, poorly differentiated carcinomas are produced in C57BL/6 mice. In this study we examined the temporal relationships between morphological alterations, growth, DNA ploidy status and clonal selection as determined by Southern blotting in ras + myc-initiated carcinomas. Nuclear image analysis demonstrated that the emergence of a cycling DNA tetraploid cell population strongly correlated with growth and histologic progression. These tightly linked events culminated in the outgrowth of mono- or oligoclonal cancer.

The frequency of apoptosis correlates with the prognosis of Gleason Grade 3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate

BACKGROUND

Although localized carcinomas are predominantly moderately differentiated (Gleason Grade 3), they demonstrate markedly different rates of progression. Previously, the authors reported a correlation between apoptosis and the malignant characteristics of carcinoma in the mouse prostate reconstitution model system and between apoptosis and Gleason grade in the human tumor. This study was undertaken to determine whether the frequency of apoptosis correlates with prognosis and to compare the prognostic significance of the apoptotic index with other prognostic features in Gleason Grade 3 carcinomas.

METHODS

The apoptotic and mitotic indices of malignant and nonmalignant epithelium in 28 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens were determined for a carcinomas composed entirely of Gleason sum 6 (primary Grade 3, secondary Grade 3) with a clinical stage T2 classification. Each patient was followed for 5-9 years (median 6, years). The indices, defined as the number of apoptotic and mitotic bodies in an H & E-stained section per 100 grids delineated by an ocular measuring field, were determined. The actuarial time to progression, defined as a sustained rise in the serum prostate specific antigen level greater than or equal to 0.4 ng/ml, was correlated with the apoptotic index, the mitotic index, tumor volume, and pathologic stage.

RESULTS

Neither pathologic stage nor tumor volume differed significantly between the group of 19 patients (68%) with no progression and the other 9 whose tumor progressed. The median apoptotic index of the carcinomas was 0.87 (range, 0.12-3.91). For patients with a low apoptotic index (< 0.87), the actuarial progression rate at 5 years was 7% +/- 14% (+/- 2 SE) compared with 50% +/- 26% for those with a high apoptotic index (P < 0.007). Mitotic index had no prognostic significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In carcinoma of the prostate, apoptosis can be recognized in standard H & E sections and quantitated by light microscopy. The apoptotic index may provide additional prognostic information in the predominant grade of early stage carcinoma. Cancer 1995; 75:522-9.

The effects of stimulus rates upon median, ulnar and radial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials

We examined the effect of stimulus rates on the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) amplitude following stimulation of the median nerve (MN) and the ulnar nerve (UN) at the elbow or wrist, and the radial nerve (RN) at the wrist in 12 normal subjects. We measured the amplitude of frontal (P14-N18-P22-N30) and parietal peaks (P14-N20-P26-N34) at a stimulus rate of 1.1, 3.5 and 5.7 Hz. The amplitude attenuation was found at frontal P22 and N30 and to a lesser degree at parietal N20 and P26 peaks with an increasing stimulus rate from 1.1 to 5.7 Hz. The amplitude attenuation was greatest at the elbow when compared to the wrist stimulation for both MN and UN. The attenuation was least for wrist stimulation for the RN. The UN block by local anesthesia just distal to the stimulus electrode at the elbow abolished the amplitude attenuation caused by the fast stimulus rate. The observed amplitude attenuation with the faster stimulus rate is probably due, in part, to interference from the "secondary" afferent inputs. The secondary afferent inputs arise from peripheral receptor stimulation (muscle, joint and/or cutaneous) as a subsequent effect of efferent volleys initiated from the point of stimulation. The greater number of peripheral receptors being activated as more proximal sites of stimulation in a mixed nerve would result in greater attenuation of the SEP recorded from scalp electrodes. We postulate that the attenuation of frontal peaks by the fast stimulus rate is due to the frontal projection of interfering "secondary" afferent inputs.

[Thermotolerance and heat shock protein (HSP 70) in vascular endothelial cells]

Recently, it was determined that the endothelial cells of blood vessel play a very important physiological role in the regulation of blood coagulation and selective permeability. To study the thermotolerance of vascular endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were heated at 40, 43, 45 or 50 degrees C for various lengths of time with or without preheating at 40 or 43 degrees C for 30 min. The cell viability (CV) of HUVEC decreased gradually according to heating time. However, the CV of preheated HUVEC decreased slightly or not at all. Heat shock protein (HSP) in HUVEC heated at 37, 40, 43, or 45 degrees C was examined by immunoblotting. A new HSP 70 band was detected in HUVEC by heating at 40, 43 or 45 degrees C. HUVEC revealed thermotolerance with induction of HSP by heat stress.

[Visual field defects in normal tension glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma. Comparison in the late stage of disease]

To compare the visual field defects in the late stage of disease between normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), measurements taken with the 30-2 and 10-2 threshold program of the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer were analysed by statistical methods including logistic discriminant analysis. Thirty-four eyes of 34 NTG cases and 63 eyes of 63 POAG cases whose mean deviation (MD) given by STATPAC was equal to or less than -15 dB were included and there was no significant difference in MD, refraction, or age between the two groups. The analyses demonstrated that the upper arcuate area was significantly more depressed in POAG and the inferior Bjerrum area was significantly more depressed in NTG eyes. It was also shown that the lower papillo-macular area was less affected in NTG than in POAG eyes.

Frequency of apoptotic bodies positively correlates with Gleason grade in prostate cancer

Tissue samples from patients with carcinoma of the prostate of various Gleason grades were examined for the frequency of apoptotic bodies. Apoptotic bodies were scored by morphometric methods using hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained sections from surgical specimens of prostate cancer. Non-neoplastic prostate tissue adjacent to foci of cancer showed a very low frequency of apoptotic bodies. Significantly larger numbers of apoptotic bodies were observed in the areas of carcinoma than in the non-neoplastic control tissues, regardless of Gleason grade. Interestingly, a positive correlation was noted between apoptotic bodies and increasing Gleason grade. The positive correlation suggests that increased programmed cell death is a feature of the increasing malignant potential that is associated with higher Gleason grade in prostate cancer.

Allergenicity and tolerogenicity of amlexanox in the guinea pig

Amlexanox (AMLX), an anti-allergic agent, is available in Japan as Elics opthalmic solution, Solfa nasal douche and Solfa tablets. Cases of allergic contact dermatitis induced by Elics ophthalmic solution, which contains 0.25% AMLX, were reported within a year of its introduction. We therefore examined the contact sensitizing potency of AMLX. Guinea pigs sensitized to 0.25% AMLX exhibited a strong positive patch test reaction. Further, AMLX-sensitized animals developed rashes following oral and systemic challenge with AMLX. This animal model reflected the clinical experience of systemic contact dermatitis due to AMLX. The non-responsiveness induced by oral administration of AMLX to AMLX-induced animals was transient, and clinical prophylaxis by desensitization with oral AMLX may only increase the risk of systemic contact dermatitis. On the other hand, there have been few reports of drug eruption from oral Solfa tablets in spite of their wide use. Therefore, we also examined the induction of tolerance by oral administration of AMLX. Oral administration of AMLX before sensitization resulted in complete non-responsiveness. It seems likely that a substantial reduction in the risk of AMLX sensitization by Elics may be achieved by prior oral administration of Solfa tablets containing AMLX.