[Comparison of inferior myocardial defect between planar and SPECT image of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac scintigraphy]

Discordant findings of inferior MIBG defect between SPECT and planar images were sometimes observed in the clinical studies. In this study, we compared inferior myocardial findings between planar and SPECT image of 123I-metaiodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy in 29 patients. All patients were estimated as normal in anterior accumulation of MIBG. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the visual finding of inferior defect in the planar and SPECT image; normal group (normal inferior accumulation of MIBG both in the planar and SPECT image, N = 10), discordance group (inferior MIBG defect was only observed in the SPECT image, but was not observed in the planar image, N = 7), inferior defect group (inferior MIBG defect was observed both in the planar and SPECT image, N = 12). Inferior/anterior count ratio of SPECT and planar image were 0.96 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.05 in normal group, 0.59 +/- 0.21 vs. 0.99 +/- 0.13 in discordance group, 0.46 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.04 in inferior defect group. Liver/heart count ratio was significantly higher in the discordance group (2.07 +/- 0.49) than that in the normal (1.14 +/- 0.15) and inferior defect group (1.45 +/- 0.39). In phantom study, it has been reported that increased liver accumulation of MIBG causes artifactual inferior defect adjacent to the liver. These data indicate that increased liver/heart count ratio may cause artifactual inferior defect on MIBG SPECT image in the clinical studies. Planar image evaluation may be helpful to distinct the artifactual inferior defect on SPECT image.

Novel furostanol glycosides from Allium macrostemon

Further studies by means of preparative HPLC led to the isolation of two new furostanol saponins, macrostemonosides G (1) and I (3), along with an artifact, macrostemonoside H (2) from the bulbs of Allium macrostemon Bunge. On the basis of chemical evidence and spectral analyses (1H-,13C-NMR,1H-1H COSY,1H-13C COSY, HMBC and FAB-MS), the structure of 1 was established as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5 beta-furost-25(27)-ene-3 beta,12 beta,26 triol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside and 2 as the 22-methoxy derivative of 1; 3 was deduced to be 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5 beta-furost-25(27)-ene-12-one-3 beta,26- diol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside. Preliminary pharmacological tests showed that macrostemonoside G (1) could inhibit ADP-induced human platelet aggregation in vitro (IC50 = 0.871 mM).

A close correlation between improvement of organic solvent tolerance levels and alteration of resistance toward low levels of multiple antibiotics in Escherichia coli

We have isolated cyclohexane-tolerant mutants from Escherichi coli strain JA300, which is cyclohexane-sensitive and n-hexane-tolerant. These mutants were resistant to low levels of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline, and were sensitive to a low level of kanamycin. Spontaneous clones resistant to low levels of the antibiotics, isolated from JA300, showed altered levels of organic solvent tolerance. The clones resistant to ampicillin and chloramphenicol had cyclohexane tolerance. Some of the resistant clones had cyclohexane and n-pentane tolerances. On the other hand, some kanamycin resistant clones became sensitive to n-hexane. Therefore, mechanisms to improve tolerance levels toward organic solvents are closely correlated with some antibiotic resistant system to low levels of antiobiotics.

Intraoperative evaluation of extent of aganglionosis by a rapid acetylcholinesterase histochemical technique

Using a supplemental oxidation step, the authors modified the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry technique of Karnovsky and Roots to produce staining of cholinergic nerve fibers in 10 minutes rather than in 2 hours, as required with the conventional AChE technique. They examined seromuscular intestinal biopsy specimens taken at three levels (aganglionic, transitional zone, ganglionic) from 10 patients during pull-through operations for Hirschsprung's disease, using the rapid AChE technique in addition to H&E staining. Using the acetylcholinesterase technique, the hypertrophic nerve trunks in the aganglionic segment and ganglion cells in the ganglionic segment stained strongly and were easily noticeable. The authors believe that the rapid AChE technique is a simple and reliable method for intraoperative evaluation of the extent of the aganglionic segment, because it provides quicker and more accurate identification of ganglion cells and hypertrophic nerve trunks in the space between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the bowel wall.

Intestinal neuronal dysplasia is a possible cause of persistent bowel symptoms after pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease

The proximal margin of the resected bowel specimens from 33 consecutively treated patients undergoing a definitive pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and control specimens consisting of suction rectal biopsy specimens obtained from 24 age-matched patients evaluated for constipation (and proven not to have HD) were examined using conventional H&E staining and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry. Complete resection of the aganglionic segment was confirmed in 31 patients. In one patient, the proximal margin was found to be aganglionic; in another, the proximal margin was in a transitional zone. In both patients, frozen sections at the time of surgery were interpreted as having ganglion cells. In 10 of 31 patients, intestinal neuronal dysplasia was demonstrated in the proximal margin of the resected bowel. The abnormalities included hyperplasia of the submucous plexus, giant ganglia (with > 7 ganglion cells), and ectopic ganglion cells (all 10 patients) and increased AChE activity in the lamina propria (5 patients). All ten patients with IND had persistent bowel problems after the definitive operation for HD, such as enterocolitis, soiling, or constipation. Only four of the other 21 patients had persistent bowel symptoms. This study suggests that IND is commonly associated with HD. It also emphasizes the importance of histochemical examination of the resected segment to predict postoperative bowel function in patients with HD.

[Successful treatment with administration of systemic high dose methotrexate and intraarterial carboplatin for osteosarcoma of the skull: a case report]

An 11-year-old boy was admitted with a painless lump in the right frontal area as his chief complaint. On admission, physical and neurological examinations were normal except for the localized lump constituting the frontal lesion. Skull roentgenogram showed an osteoblastic and osteolytic mass with radiating bony spicules "sunray appearance" around the coronal suture. CT scans demonstrated it more clearly. The initial surgery was performed in July 1993. Pathological specimen showed osteosarcoma of the skull. The patient was transferred to our hospital for chemotherapy. The regimen consisted of intravenous high dose methotrexate 9,000 mg given for 6 hours with leucovorin rescue in a single course. Following 4 courses of high dose methotrexate, he underwent residual tumor resection. Two courses of intraarterial carboplatin 150 mg and methotrexate 200 mg were also given. Histologically, the lesion showed complete remission of the tumor, and no viable tumor cells were seen. Two additional courses of high dose methotrexate were given. The patient is doing well without evidence of recurrence. This case indicates that the chemotherapy with systemic high dose methotrexate and intraarterial carboplatin and methotrexate is effective for skull osteosarcoma.

[Spatial and temporal alteration of the dual supply of the hepatic circulation with transient occlusion of the hepatic veins: spiral volumetric CT during arterial portography and arteriography]

To elucidate the contribution of hepatic veins to the blood flow of liver, CT arterial portography and/or arteriography was performed in eight patients having hepatocellular carcinoma with transient occlusion of the hepatic vein and eight without occlusion. In each patient with occlusion of the hepatic vein, CT showed a well-demarcated fan-shaped area of low density during arterial portography and increased density during arteriography in the corresponding area. Hepatic vein occlusion could result in the pooling of arterial blood in the liver parenchyma. Transient segmental hepatic venous occlusion might improve the results of transcatheter arterial infusion and transcatheter arterial embolization for liver tumors.

Purification, and properties of a base non-specific acid ribonuclease from bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

An acid ribonuclease (RNase RCL2) was purified to homogeneity on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) from a homogenate of bullfrog liver (Rana catesbeiana). The apparent molecular weight estimated from SDS-PAGE was ca. 25kDa. The pH optimum of the RNase was 5.0. The RNase released mononucleotides from RNA in the order of 3'-UMP, 3'-GMP and 3'-AMP. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of RNase RCL2 was determined up to the 20th residue, and it was found to have a 5 residue sequence homology with that of oyster acid RNase [H. Watanabe et al. J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 114, 800 (1993)]. Thus, RNase RCL2 seems to be a member of the RNase T2 family RNases. This is the first evidence of the RNase T2 family RNase in amphibians.

Mean power frequency shift during fatigue and recovery in patients with craniomandibular disorders

EMG spectral shifts of anterior temporal and medial masseter muscles were evaluated. Mean power frequency (MPF) shift during fatigue and recovery of 46 healthy subjects and 46 patients with craniomandibular disorder were recorded at the beginning and the end of fatiguing clenching, then 3, 8, 13 and 18 min following the fatiguing clenching. The reference clenching force was 80% of each subject's maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Recording was stopped when subjects felt pain or discomfort. Significance was found between the healthy group (N) and the diseases group (CMD) in the three following points: (i) the mean of MPF values of the masseter muscles at the end of fatiguing clenching; (ii) the recovery pattern of the temporal muscles; and (iii) MPF shift induced by fatiguing clenching. Our results therefore suggest that MPF reflects several aspects of craniomandibular disorders. Thus, measuring fatigue and recovery MPF could be useful in the screening of CMD.

The role of the spleen in endotoxin-induced liver injury

In these experiments, the role of the spleen in endotoxin-induced liver injury was evaluated, using rats which underwent splenectomy or splenic vein ligation with antecedent spleno-systemic shunt. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group, a splenectomy group, and a splenic vein ligation group. In each animal, 48 h after surgery, 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were injected intravenously. Six rats from each group were sacrificed 6 or 12 h after LPS administration. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and arterial blood were also collected. Splenectomy reduced the liver injury as indicated by the serum lactate dehydrogenase level. A decrease in liver tissue adenosine triphosphate and increase in lipid peroxide were induced by LPS administration and inhibited by splenectomy. Splenectomy also reduced alveolar protein release as indicated by the protein level in BALF. Splenic vein ligation provided similar protective effects on the liver, but did not affect lung injury. From these results, it appears that the spleen plays a significant role in endotoxin-induced liver injury, and a mediator derived from the spleen is likely associated with development of liver injury. This mediator may be cleared or inactivated by not only splenectomy but also splenic vein ligation.

Existence of branched side chains in the cell wall mannan of pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. Structure-antigenicity relationship between the cell wall mannans of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis

Isolation of side chain oligosaccharides from mannans of Candida albicans NIH B-792 (serotype B) and Candida parapsilosis IFO 1396 strains has been conducted by acetolysis under mild conditions. Structural study of these oligosaccharides by 1H and 13C NMR and methylation analyses indicated the presence of novel branched side chains with the following structures in C. albicans mannan. [sequence: see text] It was observed that the H-1 proton chemical shifts of the second and the third mannose units from the reducing terminus in each oligosaccharide are shifted upfield by substitution with an alpha-linked mannose unit at position 6 of the 3-O-substituted mannose unit. An agglutination inhibition assay between factor 4 serum and cells of Candida stellatoidea IFO 1397 lacking the beta-1,2-linked mannose unit, with oligosaccharides obtained from these mannans, indicated that only the branched oligosaccharides were active. This finding suggests that the branched oligosaccharides correspond to the epitope of antigenic factor 4. The presence of the branched structure in other mannans was detected by the characteristic H-1-H-2-correlated cross-peak of the alpha-1,2-linked mannose unit connected with the 3,6-di-O-substituted one by two-dimensional homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy.

Expression of variant dihydrofolate reductase with decreased binding affinity to antifolates in MOLT-3 human leukemia cell lines resistant to trimetrexate

Various alterations of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene are involved in resistance. In order to understand the mechanism that induce such gene alterations in human leukemia cells, we studied the expression products of DHFR gene in trimetrexate (TMQ)- and/or methotrexate (MTX)-resistant sublines derived from a MOLT-3 human leukemia cell line. A 200-fold TMQ-resistant subline (MOLT-3/TMQ200) expressed the mutated DHFR mRNA, with a base change (T-->C) at the second position of codon 31, as well as the wild type gene. A MTX-resistant subline derived from MOLT-3/TMQ200 (MOLT-3/TMQ200-MTX500) showed a further increase in the expression of the mutated DHFR mRNA, compared to MOLT-3/TMQ200, with a marked decrease of expression of the wild type DHFR mRNA, which is confirmation of amplification of the mutated DHFR gene. By contrast, a 10,000-fold MTX-resistant subline (MOLT-3/MTX10,000) over-expressed the wild type DHFR mRNA, which is confirmation of amplification of the wild type gene. Increased levels of the DHFR enzyme in these sublines were proportional to expression levels of the DHFR mRNA. The DHFR enzyme expressed in MOLT-3/TMQ200-MTX500 cells showed a 40-fold increase in the Ki values for both MTX and TMQ, compared with values for the wild type DHFR expressed in both MOLT-3/MTX10,000 and its parent cell line. These findings suggest that the altered DHFR gene, which was introduced in MOLT-3 cells by exposure to TMQ, gave rise to a variant enzyme with reduced affinity to antifolates, and that complex DHFR alterations confer drug-resistant phenotypes in antifolate-resistance. Structural difference between the antifolates could be important in the introduction of the differential DHFR gene alterations in the antifolate resistance.

Effects of zinc on production of active oxygen species by rat neutrophils

The effects of zinc on the production of active oxygen species were investigated in rat neutrophils by chemiluminescence and spectrophotometric assays. The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in unstimulated neutrophils showed a single peak. Zinc at concentrations lower than 0.1 mM augmented the intensity of chemiluminescence and showed a bimodal pattern, the first peak of which was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and catalase, while the second peak disappeared in the presence of catalase, but was unaffected by superoxide dismutase. At the same concentrations of zinc, O2- and H2O2 production increased, but secretion and activity of myeloperoxidase were not affected. Zinc at 0.1 mM enhanced the second peak of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, and concomitantly O2- and H2O2 production of neutrophils stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Homogenized neutrophils showed a bimodal pattern on induction by zinc, the second peak of which was inhibited slightly by catalase and completely by sodium azide, but was not inhibited by superoxide dismutase. Zinc-induced O2- production was inhibited by pertussis toxin, but was not significantly inhibited by a protein kinase C inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), or a calmodulin antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). These results suggest that zinc can augment luminol-dependent chemiluminescence by increasing O2- production through the classical signal transduction pathway, and by increasing H2O2 not via O2-.

Absence of NADPH-diaphorase activity in internal anal sphincter (IAS) achalasia

We studied the internal anal sphincter (IAS) muscle from 10 patients with achalasia and five normal controls using histochemical staining for NADPH-diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Normal control IAS muscle contained occasional AChE-positive nerve fibers, whereas IAS achalasia specimens demonstrated prominent AChE-positive nerve fibers in muscle layers. NADPH-diaphorase activity was strongly expressed in nerves in the normal IAS muscle but was absent or scanty in the muscle of patients with IAS achalasia. Our findings of increased AChE-positive nerves and the absence of NADPH-diaphorase activity taken in conjunction with reports of abnormal peptidergic innervation indicate that complex neural abnormalities occur in IAS achalasia. The primary event remains obscure, but it is possible that a single defect, such as nitrergic nerve depletion, may lead to compensatory changes in the other nerve fibers.

Keratinocytes constitutively express the Fas antigen that mediates apoptosis in IFN gamma-treated cultured keratinocytes

The Fas antigen is a cell surface protein that can mediate apoptosis in many cell types. Although its physiological function is still unclear, recent evidence indicates that this surface molecule is involved in apoptosis in the immune system and the liver. The epidermis is an organ that undergoes terminal differentiation with the eventual death of keratinocytes, and it has been suggested that this is a specialized form of apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether or not the Fas antigen is involved in keratinocyte apoptosis. Immunoreactivity for the Fas antigen was found throughout the epidermis in normal human skin sections and cultured normal human keratinocytes, and mRNA for the Fas antigen was found to be constitutively expressed in normal epidermis and cultured normal keratinocytes by RT-PCR analysis. To determine whether the Fas antigen in keratinocytes is functional, we used a cytotoxic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the Fas antigen to induce apoptosis. This antibody did not induce apoptosis of cultured keratinocytes even though they expressed the Fas antigen. We then tested the ability of several cytokines (TGF beta, TNF alpha and IFN gamma) to induce Fas-mediated keratinocyte apoptosis. Only pretreatment with IFN gamma followed by the addition of the anti-Fas mAb induced apoptosis, as assessed by cell viability, morphological changes and ultrastructural characteristics, suggesting that constitutive expression of the Fas antigen is not sufficient to induce apoptosis in keratinocytes and that keratinocyte apoptosis via the Fas antigen-mediated mechanism may require the activation of keratinocytes by IFN gamma, which is thought to be produced by activated T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of modified calm conditions on nuclear dispersion estimates

When the definition of calm in atmospheric diffusion analyses is changed from 0.5 m s-1 to 0.1 m s-1, actual and more accurate low wind speeds and wind directions can be used to calculate the average air concentrations due to continuous releases of radionuclides at 10-m stack height more realistically and accurately. However, this modified calm condition has little affect on the calculated adult thyroid exposure for a postulated accident.

Proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP), an endogenous anticholinergic peptide: its exocytotic secretion and inhibition of catecholamine secretion in adrenal medulla

In cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells, stimulation of nicotinic receptors by carbachol evoked the Ca(2+)-dependent exocytotic cosecretion of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) (EC50 = 50.1 microM) and catecholamines (EC50 = 63.0 microM), with the molar ratio of PAMP/catecholamines secreted being equal to the ratio in the cells. Addition of PAMP [1-20]NH2 inhibited carbachol-induced 22Na+ influx via nicotinic receptors (IC50 = 2.5 microM in a noncompetitive manner and thereby reduced carbachol-induced 45Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (IC50 = 1.0 microM) and catecholamine secretion (IC50 = 1.6 microM). It did not alter high K(+)-induced 45Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels or veratridine-induced 22Na+ influx via voltage-dependent Na+ channels. PAMP seems to be a novel antinicotinic peptide cosecreted with catecholamines by a Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis in response to nicotinic receptor stimulation.

Repression of involucrin gene expression by transcriptional enhancer factor 1 (TEF-1)

Involucrin is one of the precursor proteins of keratinocyte cornified envelope that is formed beneath the inner surface of the cell membrane during terminal differentiation. Although involucrin is specifically expressed in the upper squamous cells of the epidermis, the precise regulatory mechanism of involucrin gene expression remains unknown. Transcriptional enhancer factor 1 (TEF-1), which binds to SV40 enhancer, is a nuclear protein expressed in various types of cells including keratinocytes. Immunohistochemical study has revealed that TEF-1 protein is highly expressed on the basal cell layer of the epidermis. To examine the possible regulatory mechanism of involucrin gene expression by TEF-1 protein, we analysed involucrin promoter activity of the INV-CAT vector, which was constructed by connecting the 5' upstream region of the involucrin gene (-801 bp upstream from the transcription start site and downstream including the untranslated first exon) to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. The INV-CAT vector was transfected to SV40-transformed human keratinocytes (SVHK). Cotransfection of the TEF-1 expression vector significantly repressed INV-CAT promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. The repression was also observed by transfection of the GAL4-TEF-1 vector, which was constructed by replacement of the TEF-1 DNA binding domain by the GAL4 activator domain. This suggests that TEF-1-induced repression is due to interference/squelching of a limiting transcriptional intermediary factor that is essential for involucrin expression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of pulmonary metastases and tumor cell invasion in experimental tumors by sodium D-glucaro-delta-lactam (ND2001)

Sodium D-glucaro-delta-lactam (ND2001) inhibited spontaneous pulmonary metastases of the highly metastatic B16 melanoma variant with a maximal inhibition rate of 99.5%, and 6 of 7 animals remained metastasis-free. Likewise, ND2001 inhibited the spontaneous pulmonary metastases of both Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) with a rate of 98.0% (3 of 5 animals remaining metastasis-free) and rat KDH-8 liver carcinoma with a rate of 82.5% (3 of 7 animals remaining metastasis-free), although it was unable to inhibit the metastases of mouse BMT-11 fibrosarcoma and rat SST-2 breast carcinoma. Pretreatment with ND2001 in vitro inhibited the pulmonary metastases of the B16 variant and 3LL cells, which indicates direct action upon the cancer cells. When the invasive activity of cancer cells was measured by the Boyden chamber method, the number of invading B16 variant or 3LL cells was reduced with maximal inhibition rates of 93.0% or 89.9%, respectively, but pretreatment with ND2001 failed to reduce the invasive activity of BMT-11 or SST-2 cells. ND2001 showed neither cytocidal nor antitumor activity. These results suggest that ND2001 inhibited pulmonary metastases at the invasive step into the basement membrane by directly changing some property of the tumor cells.

bcr-abl hybrid messenger RNA in a patient with Philadelphia-negative essential thrombocythemia

We describe a case of Philadelphia-negative essential thrombocythemia in whom bcr-abl hybrid messenger RNA was detected. The patient suffered from frequent splenic infarctions and myelofibrosis. Interestingly, a transformation to acute leukemia which was commonly seen in patients with bcr-abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia did not occur until he died from heart failure due to severe anemia 8 years after the diagnosis. The heterogeneity of bcr-abl-positive thrombocythemia is emphasized.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori with lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and plaunotol in duodenal ulcer patients

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy combining amoxicillin (AMPC), plaunotol (PL), and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was examined as an alternative to triple therapy, which has a high rate of side effects and low patient compliance. Thirty-two H. pylori-positive patients (24 men, 8 women) with duodenal ulcers were examined. The diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made by the urease test on specimens biopsied from two sites in the stomach. Simultaneously, the IgG antibody against H. pylori was measured by the EIA method. The therapeutic regimen was lansoprazole (LPZ) 30 mg q.d. (6 weeks) and AMPC 1,500 mg t.i.d. (2 weeks) plus PL320 mg b.i.d. (6 weeks). The rate of ulcer healing was judged endoscopically after 6 weeks. Cases that become urease-negative after the cessation of the therapy were defined as having achieved clearance, and those negative after 1 month as eradication. Within 6 weeks, 31 of 32 patients had healed ulcers. All patients were H. pylori antibody-positive before therapy. The clearance rate was 71.9% (23/32) and the eradication rate was 45.8% (11/24). Adverse effects were observed only in one case. We conclude that combination therapy with LPZ, AMPC, and PL has a high therapeutic effect on ulcer healing and moderate effectiveness for eradication of H. pylori.