The proliferation index of MIB-1 as a prognostic factor for patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

BACKGROUND

Recently, several reports have shown that immunohistochemical analysis using MIB-1 antibody, which recognizes Ki-67 (a human nuclear antigen expressed of proliferating cells), is a useful method for determining the proliferative activity of various cancers. In this study, the authors evaluated the prognostic usefulness of the proliferation index using MIB-1 antibody in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

METHODS

Proliferation activity was investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibody MIB-1 in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues obtained from 67 specimens of renal pelvic and ureteral cancer. The MIB-1 proliferation index values were calculated from each sample as the percentage of positive nuclei expressed in tumor cells and the clinicopathologic correlation evaluated.

RESULTS

The MIB-1 proliferation index values were correlated with prognostic parameters such as pathologic stage ( < or = pT1 vs. > or = pT2, P < 0.0005), histologic grade (G1 vs. G2, P < 0.01; G1 vs. G3, P < 0.0001; G2 vs. G3, P < 0.001), and prognosis (P < 0.0001). When patients were subgrouped using index values, patients with higher indices ( > or = 24%) had significantly poorer survival (P < 0.0001). This was especially observed in the G2 group, in which 9 of 10 patients in the higher indices subgroup had a high incidence of recurrence and died. In contrast, only 2 of 29 patients in the lower indices subgroup died. The higher indices subgroup had significantly worse cause specific survival (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, with regard to the muscle invasive tumors ( > or = pT2), the higher indices subgroup also had significantly worse cause specific survival (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the evaluation of prognostic parameters indicate that the MIB-1 proliferation index is a useful prognostic factor and may enhance the accuracy of conventional morphologic grading and pathologic staging systems.

[Efficacy of granisetron rescue therapy for nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapies in urogenital malignant tumor]

In this study, the usefulness of granisetron rescue therapy for nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapies, including CDDP, was examined. Granisetron was given to twenty patients with urogenital malignant tumor by iv infusion for thirty minutes after the onset of nausea or vomiting. Nausea disappeared in 15 out of 20 patients (75%), 8 of whom (40%) experienced its disappearance while the granisetron was being administered. Vomiting was perfectly controlled in 5 out of 20 patients (25%) for 24 hours after the granisetron administration. No adverse event seemingly due to granisetron was observed. The result of this study confirmed the speedy effect granisetron on nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy including CDDP, but it stopped short of demonstrating sufficient efficacy for vomiting. Prophylactic use, therefore, seems more desirable in view of the patient's QOL, when a highly emetogenic anti-tumor drug, such as CDDP, is used.

CDNA cloning of p112, the largest regulatory subunit of the human 26s proteasome, and functional analysis of its yeast homologue, sen3p

The 26S proteasome is a large multisubunit protease complex, the largest regulatory subunit of which is a component named p112. Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding human p112 revealed a polypeptide predicted to have 953 amino acid residues and a molecular mass of 105,865. The human p112 gene was mapped to the q37.1-q37.2 region of chromosome 2. Computer analysis showed that p112 has strong similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sen3p, which has been listed in a gene bank as a factor affecting tRNA splicing endonuclease. The SEN3 also was identified in a synthetic lethal screen with the nin1-1 mutant, a temperature-sensitive mutant of NIN1. NIN1 encodes p31, another regulatory subunit of the 26S proteasome, which is necessary for activation of Cdc28p kinase. Disruption of the SEN3 did not affect cell viability, but led to temperature-sensitive growth. The human p112 cDNA suppressed the growth defect at high temperature in a SEN3 disruptant, indicating that p112 is a functional homologue of the yeast Sen3p. Maintenance of SEN3 disruptant cells at the restrictive temperature resulted in a variety of cellular dysfunctions, including defects in proteolysis mediated by the ubiquitin pathway, in the N-end rule system, in the stress response upon cadmium exposure, and in nuclear protein transportation. The functional abnormality induced by SEN3 disruption differs considerably from various phenotypes shown by the nin1-1 mutation, suggesting that these two regulatory subunits of the 26S proteasome play distinct roles in the various processes mediated by the 26S proteasome.

[Evaluation of Ki67 antigen using MIB1 antibody as a prognostic factor in renal pelvic and ureteral cancer]

(PURPOSE). Recently, several reports showed that immunohistochemistry using MIB-1 antibody, which recognizes Ki-67 antigen, is one of the useful methods to determine the proliferative activity in various cancer. To evaluate the prognostic usefulness of the MIB-1, antibody we assessed the cell proliferation immunohistochemically in urothelial cancer. (METHODS). The proliferative activity of thirty cases of renal pelvic and ureteral cancer has been investigated immunohistochemically using MIB-1 antibody, which recognizes Ki-67 antigen, a human nuclear antigen expressed in proliferating cells. (RESULTS). The Ki-67 index correlated with prognostic factors such as pathological stage and histological grade. The patients with early stage or low grade tumors had lower Ki-67 indices. And the Ki-67 index significantly correlated with recurrence and prognosis. The tumors of patients with recurrence or cancer death had higher Ki-67 indices. When the patients were suggrouped according to Ki-67 indices (more than 22%) had significantly worse prognosis even in the same grade. Especially in the grade 2 group, all the four patients in the higher Ki-67 index subgroup had recurred and died of cancer, whereas, in the subgrouped patients with tumors of lower Ki-67 indices, only three patients had bladder cancer recurrence, and no patients had died of cancer, except one case with advanced tumor (T4, N3, M0) resected incompletely. (CONCLUSIONS). These results indicate that the Ki-67 index is a useful prognostic factor and may enhance the prognostic accuracy determined by conventional morphological grading systems.

[A case of pituitary adenoma progressing to pituitary apoplexy on the occasion of cerebral angiography]

A case of pituitary adenoma which had progressed from subclinical pituitary apoplexy to subacute pituitary apoplexy on the occasion of cerebral angiography is reported. A 29-year-old man, complaining of bitemporal hemianopsia, was admitted to our department. Plain skull X-p revealed enlargement and double floor of the sella turcica. No abnormal calcification was revealed. CT demonstrated an isodensity mass with a diameter of 4 x 4 cm, and with ring enhancement in the suprasellar region. The mass extended from the intrasellar region to the suprasellar region and had a signal of high intensity on T1-weighted images. Endocrinological examination revealed hyperprolactinemia with a serum level of 422 ng/ml and normal reaction of anterior pituitary hormones. On 3rd March, digital subtraction angiography with 5F catheter was performed with the patient under sedation. The contrast medium was ioxaglic acid (Hexabrix 320). A volume of 6 ml with a speed of 4 ml per second was injected for the internal carotid angiogram. A total volume of 60 ml was used. Serum saline with 10 unit per ml of heparin sodium was also used for flushing. During angiography, the patient's blood pressure was 125/60-115/60mm Hg. DSA revealed upward displacement of the proximal portion of the anterior cerebral artery, pocket formation, and staining of the tumor capsule. Six hours later, he complained of retroorbital headache. Next morning, he noticed complete lack of left visual acuity. On 7th March, right visual acuity degenerated to blindness. CT revealed that the mass had increased its density. With bifrontal osteoplastic craniotomy, the tumor with marked intratumoral hemorrhage was resected. Its histology was chromophobe adenoma. The patient's right visual acuity improved rapidly. On the occasion of cerebral angiography, we could observe that subclinical pituitary apoplexy deteriorated to subacute pituitary apoplexy. Rosenbaum postulated that injection of contrast media increased intravascular pressure leading to pituitary apoplexy. At present, we cannot postulate increased intravascular pressure with 5F catheter and DSA. We cannot rule out that, with underlying subclinical pituitary apoplexy, hemorrhagic infarction due to contrast media and the anti-coagulate effect of heparin sodium accelerated the intratumoral bleeding. Subclinical pituitary apoplexy is a vulnerable state because of its aggravation to symptomatic apoplexy under mild stress. We emphasize that an operation should be performed as early as possible in the case of subclinical pituitary apoplexy.

[Measurement of serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in patients with malignant tumor using prolifigen TPA-M "Daiichi" kit]

Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) was measured using a newly developed Prolifigen TPA-M "Daiichi" kit in 1,236 healthy subjects, 2,867 patients with malignant tumors, and 901 with benign diseases. Because 94.0% of healthy subjects had serum TPA under 70 U/l, the cut-off value was set at 70 U/l. Serum TPA was elevated in more than 50% of patients with head and neck cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, gallbladder or bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. The overall positive rate in malignant tumors was 55.5%. Serum TPA was higher in advanced cancer than in earlier stage cancer, and decreased after the resection of the tumor. The false positive rate in benign diseases was 31.3%. ROC analysis revealed the usefulness of TPA as a tumor marker in many cancers. The correlation coefficient between TPA and CYFRA 21-1, and between TPA and TPSA, was 0.747 and 0.694, respectively. In conclusion, measurement of serum TPA using the new kit is useful in the management of patients with various malignant tumors.

[A morphological study of renal adenoma and latent renal cell carcinoma in autopsy cases]

PURPOSE

We investigated histopathological features of renal adenoma and latent renal cell carcinoma in order to find relationship between these two entities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Renal adenomas or latent renal cell carcinomas found macro- and microscopically in 2,201 autopsy materials were used. Histological examination was focused on the size, and the presence or absence of hemorrhage, necrosis and capsulation of tumors. Additionally, we analyzed morphologically the mean nuclear area (MNA), N/C ratio, mean nuclear volume (MNV) and nuclear roundness factor (NRF) using image analyzer system (CIA-10; Olympus).

RESULTS

A total of 71 foci of renal cortical tumor was found and classified into renal adenoma (59 foci), latent renal cell carcinoma (8 foci), and intermediate type (4 foci). Intermediate type contained of small element of clear cell and were difficult to distinguish from renal cell carcinoma or ordinary adenoma. The mean diameter of renal adenomas was 1.9 mm. The capsulation was found in only 3 foci (5.1%) of them, and bleeding and necrosis were found in none of them. On the other hand, the mean diameter of latent renal cell carcinoma and intermediate type were 15.7 mm and 6.6 mm, respectively, and larger than that of renal adenomas (p < 0.005). In latent renal cell carcinoma, capsulation were found in all foci, bleeding in 6 (75.0%) and necrosis in 3 (37.5%), and their incidence were significantly higher than those of adenoma (p < 0.005). In intermediate type, capsule and bleeding were found in each two foci. Morphologically, there were significant difference in MNV and NRF but no difference in MNA and N/C ratio between renal adenomas and latent renal cell carcinomas. Intermediate type was larger in NRF compared to adenoma.

CONCLUSION

Morphological characteristics of intermediate type resemble that of latent renal cell carcinoma in terms of tumor size, the presence of bleeding and capsule and NRF when compared to adenomas. These results suggest that, in some renal cell carcinoma, adenoma might be able to change to carcinoma.

[Recombinant virus-mediated transfer of the wild-type p53 gene is a potent therapeutic strategy for human cancer]

Tumor suppressor p53 gene, which is most commonly mutated in human cancers, plays an important role in the control of cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Transfection of the wild-type p53 gene into tumor cells induced either growth suppression or apoptosis. We have examined the effect of the recombinant retroviral or adenoviral vector expressing the wild-type p53 gene on the tumor cell proliferation as well as on the sensitivity of infected-tumor cells to various anticancer agents. The possible application of recombinant virus-mediated direct in vivo transfer of the wild-type p53 gene to human cancer therapy will be discussed.

Immunocytochemical localization of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 in the prostate of normal and castrated rats

We immunohistochemically studied the localization of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 in combination with androgen receptor (AR) expression in individual lobes of the prostates of intact and castrated rats. In the normal rat prostate, 5 alpha-reductase was localized in the cytoplasm of most epithelial cells in the ventral, dorsal, and lateral type 1 (L1) lobes. Epithelial cells of lateral type 2 (L2) lobes were negative for 5 alpha-reductase. AR was present in the nuclei of all epithelial and stromal cells throughout the prostate. The number of 5 alpha-reductase-immunoreactive cells rapidly decreased in the ventral and L1 lobes after castration, whereas many positive cells remained in the dorsal lobe even at 4 weeks after castration. AR immunostaining was lost in the ventral, dorsal, and L1 lobes at 1 week after castration, but remained in the L2 lobe of 4-week-castrated rats. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry showed that 5 alpha-reductase was exclusively localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes and that there were no distinct structural differences between the positively and negatively stained epithelial cells. These findings suggested that the expression of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 in the epithelial cell is heterogeneous within and among the individual lobes of the rat prostate, and does not correspond to AR expression.

Role of rBAT gene products in cystinuria

To investigate whether rBAT gene products function as a crystine transporter component or as a transport activator, we microinjected several C-terminal deletion mutants of rBAT cRNA into Xenopus oocytes, and measured transport activity for arginine, leucine and cystine in the presence and absence of sodium. Wild type rBAT significantly stimulated the uptake of all 3 amino acids 10-20 fold compared to control mutants. On the other hand, no mutant, except a Δ511-685 mutant, stimulated the uptake of these amino acids. However, the Δ511-685 mutant significantly increased the uptake of arginine. In the presence of sodium, the Δ511-685 mutant also increased the uptake of leucine. The Δ511-685 mutant did not stimulate crystine uptake in the presence and absence of sodium. Furthermore, inhibition of L-arginine uptake by L-homoserine was seen only in the presence of sodium. These results suggest that mutant rBAT stimulates the endogenous amino acid transport system y+ in oocytes. Finally, rBAT gene products, as the primary cause of cystinuria, may function as activators of the amino acid transport system in renal brush border membrane.

[Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by using polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive DNA probes]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the causative agent of primary atypical pneumoniae, and two distinct groups (I and II) have been established. Serological tests are relatively insensitive and the diagnosis by culture is time-consuming. This study was therefore undertaken to detect and to identify M. pneumoniae on culture media and in throat swab specimens by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization probes conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (Alp). Primer pairs were selected for amplification of DNA fragments in the C to D, F, G and I to J regions of the M. pneumoniae cytadhesin P1 genes. Amplified DNA fragments were visualized by staining with ethidium bromide after 2% agarose gel electrophoresis and by Southern hybridization with Alp-labeled probes. No amplification of the P1 genes was seen with any of five related Mycoplasma species, the others from M. pneumoniae. In all of 30 clinical isolates on PPLO medium, M. pneumoniae was detected with the F and G primer pairs, giving 100% of sensitivity. Of 69 throat swab specimens, 25 were positive with the F primer pairs, and 23 positive with the Gen Probe test. From these results, we conclude that the PCR with F or G primer pairs can be adapted as a practical method for the rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections.

[A surgically treated case of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma]

A surgically treated case of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is reported. A 49-year-old woman, complaining of dysarthria, dysphagia and gait disturbance, was admitted to our department. Her past history included bronchial asthma. Plain skull x-p and tomography revealed destruction of the dorsum sellae and upper clivus. CT demonstrated an enhanced oval mass at the ventral side of the upper brainstem. The mass was severely compressing the brainstem dorsally. MRI revealed a low-intensity band between the tumor and the brainstem. Dynamic MRI demonstrated a pattern of rapid increasing and slow reduction. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated a paradoxical sign that pontine branches were located anterior to the basilar artery. The finding demonstrated that the tumor was an intraaxial mass. The first operation was performed by the orbitofrontomalar approach. On the trans-sylvian route, the tumor was removed partially with CUSA and neuronavigation system. Its histology was astrocytoma grade III. Radiation therapy was added. The patient's symptoms aggravated again. On the second operation, the transtemporal route with tentorial resection was chosen. Under a wide visual field, intracapsular subtotal resection of the tumor was performed. Interferon therapy was added. She was discharged to her home with no neurological deficits. Ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is very rare. Low-intensity band of MRI, a sign of extraaxial mass, was visualised in our case. On the other hand, cerebral angiogram demonstrated a paradoxical sign. This sign suggested that the tumor originated from the brainstem. With update skull base surgery and neuronavigation system, surgical therapy of ventrally exophytic pontine glioma is safe and effective.

[Improved method for detection and subtyping of HCV.RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction]

Amplification of hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV.RNA) by the reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) has been successfully applied to the detection for HCV.RNA in blood and its subtyping. Primers in the 5'-noncoding region (5'-NC) for detecting HCV.RNA and type-specific primers in the core region for subtyping HCV were used in this study. When 20 cycles of amplification with outer primers and another 20 cycles with inner primers were employed, good results were obtained in both specificity and sensitivity of nested PCR, especially by a single tube method. Of 755 subjects suspected of being infected with HCV, HCV.RNA was detectable in 488 (80.3%) of 608 subjects who were positive for HCV antibody and in 70 (47.6%) of 147 subjects who were negative; the total detection ratio was 73.9%. The distributions of HCV subtypes, designated as I, II, III, IV and mixed type (II+III, II+IV and III+IV), were 0, 85.0, 6.1, 4.8 and 4.0% respectively. Additionally, sensitivity in subtyping HCV.RNA was more improved by a single tube method. Using two primer sets (A:#32/#48 and B: #33/#48) prepared within the 5'-NC region, it was shown that the positivity of HCV.RNA was increased. Of 315 subjects, 232 (73.2%) were positive for HCV.RNA with both of A and B primer sets, and 20 or 22 were positive with either A or B primer set, thus indicating that a combination of these two primer sets increased the detection ratio of HCV.RNA approximately to 80%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of CD44 splice variants in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Recently, it was noted that CD44 participates in a wide variety of cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions including tumor metastasis and the altered expression of CD44 splice variants is helpful in the diagnosis of colon and breast cancer. The purpose of the study was to investigate altered expression of CD44 in bladder cancer.

METHODS

Thirty-three surgical specimens of 22 patients and seven bladder cancer cell-lines were analyzed by various methods including RT-PCR-Southern blotting. Northern blotting, and flow-cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

In RT-PCR analysis, the hematopoietic variant and numerous additional variants were detected in all cell-lines and almost all surgical specimens. In three out of seven cell-lines of bladder cancer (42.9%), especially numerous larger bands (ladder pattern) were detected using RT-PCR. These three cell-lines expressed a smaller quantity of CD44 mRNAs and CD44 molecules than the other four cell-lines. In eighteen out of 22 (81.8%) bladder cancer specimens, we detected larger variants that exceed 1500 base pairs, compared with the detection in four out of eleven (36.4%) visually normal mucosa specimens (P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between the expression of the larger variants and clinicopathological features.

CONCLUSION

The quantitative and qualitative change of CD44 variants were demonstrated in bladder cancer.

Nitric oxide mediated metallothionein induction by lipopolysaccharide

The roles of calcium and/or of the other cellular transduction pathways, and of nitric oxide (NO) on the induction of metallothionein (MT) mRNA by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been studied in rat primary cell culture, using inhibitors of protein kinase pathways (H-7, W-7 and TMB-8) and NO production inhibitors (L-NAME, PTIO). LPS exposure led to a rapid increase of MT-mRNA and a peak level revealed 2.5-fold induction as compared to control for 6h incubation at a dose of 3.0 mg/L. A dose of 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L of LPS also provided the same level of MT-mRNA induction. The inhibition of MT induction by LPS was observed with L-NAME, PTIO, but not H-7, W-7. These findings indicate that the alteration of cellular calcium concentration and distribution does not relate to the induction of MT-mRNA by LPS in hepatocytes and that protein kinase C and calmodulin dependent protein kinase pathways have not contributed to MT-mRNA induction by LPS. Finally, the present results show that NO plays an important role in MT induction by LPS.

[New nocturnal penile tumescence recorder]

BACKGROUND

Records of nocturnal penile tumescence are still important test and necessary to distinguish organic impotence from psycogenic impotence.

METHODS

We developed the nocturnal penile tumescence recorder with a disposab indiumgallium straingauge, and we examined its clinical usefulness for volunteers with normal erectile function.

RESULTS

The results were that the indium-gallium straingauge had almost the same resistance change with extension, and that it showed almost the same resistance value at respective circumferences with consecutively ten times measurements. Only two of thirty-nine volunteers experienced the snapping of the indium-gallium strain-gauge. None of the volunteers complained of discomfort during measurements. The nocturnal penile tumescence of five volunteers were recorded with a conventional mercuric straingauge and a newly developed indium-gallium straingauge simultaneously, and there were no significant differences between the results of the two materials. This recorder is very simple to manage, and the softwares for preservation of data and making graph are also simple. This new straingauge is clean and dose not require maintenance because of the disposable use.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that this recorder system was clinically useful for t examination of nocturnal penile tumescence.

Effect of moderately increased intrapelvic pressure on renal tissue pressure and vasopressin release in rabbits

Electrical stimulation of afferent renal nerves and activation of intrarenal receptors increases plasma vasopressin concentration, but the role of afferent renal nerves in the control of vasopressin secretion is not clear. Recently, we reported that activation of renal mechanoreceptors stimulates the release of vasopressin. However, intrapelvic pressure was increased to 50 mmHg, and this increase is above the normal physiological range. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of moderately increased intrapelvic pressure on plasma vasopressin concentration in anesthetized rabbits. First, we measured renal tissue pressure while intrapelvic pressure was increased stepwise in 10-mmHg increments. Basal renal tissue pressure was 17 +/- 2 mmHg. Renal tissue pressure increased only when intrapelvic pressure was higher than the basal tissue pressure of each animal. Usually, increases in intrapelvic pressure less than 20 mmHg did not increase renal tissue pressure. This finding suggests that only increases in intrapelvic pressure more than 20 mmHg can activate renal mechanoreceptors. Based on this finding, the effects of moderate increases in intrapelvic pressure (15 and 30 mmHg) were studied. With a 15-mmHg increase in intrapelvic pressure, plasma vasopressin concentration did not change significantly. However, when intrapelvic pressure was increased to 30 mmHg, plasma vasopressin concentration increased from 5.6 +/- 1.4 to 9.5 +/- 2.8 pg/ml at 5 min (p < 0.05) and to 8.8 +/- 2.0 pg/ml at 10 min (p < 0.05). Plasma renin activity and mean arterial pressure also increased when intrapelvic pressure was increased to 30 mmHg. We conclude that moderate increases in intrapelvic pressure stimulate vasopressin secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-level expression of the CD44 variant sharing exon v10 in renal cancer

To examine whether renal cell carcinoma displays altered CD44 expression we performed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of CD44 in 38 specimens from renal cancer, normal kidney and metastases of 19 patients and 6 renal cancer cell lines. To detect the CD44 variants, we utilized the RT-PCR Southern blot method. One out of 19 (5.3%) renal cancer specimens expressed a larger molecular weight band than 1 kb by RT-PCR analysis, in contrast to previous findings in colon and breast cancer. The band patterns in RT-PCR were different in 14/17 (82.4%) cases between normal kidney and tumors, and a band of about 700 bp was especially marked in 12/17 (70.6%) tumor specimens and 4/6 (66.7%) cell lines. By cloning and sequencing of the 700 bp band, we found that this variant is identical to the CD44 variant sharing only exon v10. Examination by Northern blot analysis has revealed that all tumors express a higher level of CD44 mRNA than paired normal kidneys. These findings suggested that the CD44 variants sharing exon v10 play some role in renal cancer.

Establishment of a xenogeneic chimera without GVHD in NK cell-depleted SCID mice by grafting rat fetal liver cells

Rat lymphopoiesis did not develop when naive SCID mice were transplanted with rat fetal liver cells. However, when SCID mice were depleted of NK cells by administration of anti-murine IL-2R beta mAb before transplantation, remarkable reconstitution of both rat T and B cells was observed in these mice without any evidence of graft-versus-host disease macroscopically or histologically. T cells in these reconstituted mice proliferated well in response to Con A and third-party rat and mouse antigens, whereas no response was seen to the stimulation with either donor rat- or host mouse-type cells. When these xenogeneic chimera mice had been immunized with SRBC, these mice exhibited DTH reaction and antibody production against the homologous antigen. These results indicate that rat fetal liver cells can differentiate to functional T and B cells in the xenogeneic microenvironment of SCID mice, if host NK cells are depleted beforehand. These rat-type T cells develop within SCID thymuses and acquire tolerance to either donor F344 rat or host SCID mouse antigens.

[Detection of hepatitis B virus by using polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive DNA probes. I. Identification of mutations in the precore region by PCR-direct sequencing and ASO probe method]

Seroconversion from hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to anti-HBe antibody (anti-HBe) frequently occurs in hosts chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Further, this phenomenon is related to a point mutation from guanine to adenine at nucleotide 83 in the precore region of HBV, which, converts codon 28 for tryptophan (TGG:W) to a translational, stop codon (TAG:X). Therefore, we decided to examine HBV in sera from patients for mutations in the precore region by a simple allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probe method. Direct sequencing was first performed on DNA fragments amplified by the polymerase chain reaction in order to establish whether there were mutations in the precore region. Subsequently, specific DNA probes were applied to detection of mutations in the precore region. Subsequently, specific DNA probes were applied to detection of mutations in the precore gene. Five unknown mutations (I10N, C12W, C14S, V17F and A19D), three known mutations (I9V, W28X and G29D) and for novel nucleotide insertions were identified in anti-HBe positive sera. By using seven nonradioactive probes, we could determine the mutations at codons 9, 28 and 29 in anti-HBe positive sera. The W28X mutation was found in anti-HBe positive but not in any of HBeAg positive sera. Meanwhile, wild-type strains of HBV were detectable in sera from patients who were positive to HBeAg or anti-HBe. This ASO probe assay could determine in a few days the mutations in the precore region of HBV, especially including the defect to prohibit the synthesis and secretion of HBeAg.

Familial hyperparathyroidism associated with jaw fibroma: case report and literature review

A 53-year-old female suffering from renal stones and hypercalcaemia was diagnosed as having primary hyperparathyroidism caused by hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. She underwent total parathyroidectomy and implantation of parathyroid tissue. After one year, she underwent surgery for a jaw tumour. The pathological findings indicated it to be a cementifying fibroma. Jackson et al. (1990) reported the familial association of hyperparathyroidism with jaw tumours, and they suggested that this condition represents a new clinical syndrome. We believe that our case belongs to this syndrome.

[Expression of CD44 variant form in human renal cell carcinoma]

To examine whether renal cell carcinoma display altered CD44 expression we performed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of CD44 in the tissues resected from 19 patients with renal cell carcinoma and 6 renal cancer cell lines. To detect the CD44 variants, we utilized the RT-PCR Southern blot method reported by Matsumura et al. In 12 of 17 (70.6%) cases, about a 700 base pairs band was emphasized in cancerous tissues compared with normal kidney. Moreover, we found that this isoform is the CD44 variant sharing only exon v10. Examination by Northern blot analysis has revealed that all tumors express a higher level of CD44 variants sharing exon v10. Our findings suggest that this variant form plays some roles in renal cell carcinoma.