Cerebriform colonies of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolated from nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) at room temperature

Twelve isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis generated cerebriform colonies at room temperature on potato glucose agar slants (PDA). These isolates contained abundant chlamydospores and yeast-like cells and are a subset of the 65 isolates obtained from nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). They grew as a yeast form with typical multiple buddings at 37 degrees C on brain heart infusion agar supplemented with 1% glucose. After replating on PDA and culturing at room temperature for 2 months, the mutants appeared as cottonous colonies, which indicated that the morphological characteristics were unstable.

Reduced lipoprotein lipase activity in postural skeletal muscle during aging

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme for fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism in muscle. However, the effect of aging on LPL regulation in skeletal muscle is unknown. We report the effect of aging on LPL regulation in the soleus (red oxidative postural) muscle and the tibialis anterior (white glycolytic non-weight-bearing) muscle in 4- and 24-mo-old Fischer 344 rats and 18- and 31-mo-old Fischer 344 x Brown-Norway F1 (F-344 x BN F1) rats. Total and heparin-releasable LPL (HR-LPL) activities were decreased 38% (P < 0.01) and 52% (P < 0.05), respectively, in the soleus muscle of the older Fischer 344 rats. There was a 32% reduction (P < 0.05) of total LPL protein mass in the soleus muscle with aging. The results were confirmed in another strain. A decrease of total LPL activity (-50%, P < 0.05) was also found in the soleus muscle between 18- and 31-mo-old F-344 x BN F1 rats. LPL mRNA concentration in the soleus muscle was not different between ages. Total LPL protein mass was reduced by 46% (P < 0.05) in the soleus muscle of the 31-mo-old F-344 x BN F1 rats. In the tibialis anterior muscle, neither LPL activity nor mRNA concentration was affected by age in either strain. In conclusion, LPL regulation in a non-weight-bearing muscle was not affected by aging. However, there was a pronounced reduction in LPL activity and LPL protein mass in postural muscle with aging.

Validity of local treatment including intraarterial infusion chemotherapy and radiotherapy for fungating adenocarcinoma of the breast: case report of more than 8-year survival

A 39-year-old woman came to us complaining of severe anemia (hemoglobin: 2.3 g/dl) and a painful right breast that was entirely occupied by an ulcerative, foul-smelling tumor approximately 20 cm in maximum dimension. The tumor, which was determined to be mucinous adenocarcinoma at biopsy, had invaded the chest wall with multiple lung metastases (T4cN2M1 stage IV). After a blood transfusion, the patient received the following multimodal treatment: concurrent chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy), intraarterial infusion chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin 50 mg, mitomycin-C 10 mg, and cisplatin 50 mg, and skin graft surgery. After intraarterial infusion chemotherapy, the fungating tumor disappeared. The patient experienced a relapse of right pleural effusion 2 years later and received multimodal treatment. Now, March 30, 2000, the patient is doing well without local recurrence, 8 years after her first admission. The combination of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy and radiotherapy plays a role in successful treatment of extensive local disease of the breast.

Detection of gp43 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal RNA genes of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in paraffin-embedded tissue

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a deep mycosis caused by the thermo-dependent dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and is prevalent in Latin American countries. An increase in PCM has been reported in recent years and the disease is now recognized as one of the imported fungal infections in Japan. To date, more than 15 cases of PCM have been reported in our country, and five of them were diagnosed by clinical and histopathological findings without mycological study. We applied 2 nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification methods for detecting P. brasiliensis genes from paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Successfully amplified were: a 473 base pairs fragment of gp43 gene of P. brasiliensis (located from 741st to 1,213rd base), and a 418 base pairs fragment of 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene of P. brasilienisis which included internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 (located from 131st at ITS1 to 195th at ITS2) in paraffin-embedded murine tissues infected with P. brasiliensis yeast cells. The authenticity of the PCR products was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis. These results indicate that the two nested PCR methods may be useful for diagnosis of PCM.

The application of biodegradable collagen minipellets as vaccine delivery vehicles in mice and sheep

Collagen minipellets are injectable delivery vehicles that release antigen and adjuvant over several days in a first-order release profile. In vaccination experiments in mice, secondary antibody responses induced by minipellets formulated with avidin and IL-1beta as adjuvant were equivalent to those induced by a conventional immunization with avidin in alum. When no adjuvant was used, anti-avidin responses induced by minipellets were 10-20-fold higher than those induced by injection of avidin in saline. In sheep, conventional vaccination with avidin in alum induced antibody responses initially exceeding that induced by minipellets formulated with avidin and IL-1beta, while following a secondary vaccination, the minipellet antibody response was equal to or greater than the alum-adjuvanted control groups. Increasing levels of IL-1beta adjuvant resulted in enhanced persistence of the antibody response. When clostridial vaccine antigens were incorporated into the minipellets, total antibody responses induced in sheep were equivalent to those induced by vaccination with the clostridial antigens in alum. Neutralizing antibody titres exceeded those induced by conventional vaccination. No adverse site reactions were observed at the implant site, with immunohistological study showing that the cellular infiltrate was dominated by a transient influx of neutrophils. This is a typical response to delivery of bioactive IL-1beta. The minipellets were completely degraded within 35 days of implantation.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation in arachidonic acid metabolism in human eosinophils

The objective of this investigation was to determine the role of secretory and cytosolic isoforms of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) in the induction of arachidonic acid (AA) and leukotriene synthesis in human eosinophils and the mechanism of PLA(2) activation by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) isoforms in this process. Pharmacological activation of eosinophils with fMLP caused increased AA release in a concentration (EC(50) = 8.5 nM)- and time-dependent (t(1/2) = 3.5 min) manner. Both fMLP-induced AA release and leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) secretion were inhibited concentration dependently by arachidonic trifluoromethyl ketone, a cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)) inhibitor; however, inhibition of neither the 14-kDa secretory phospholipase A(2) by 3-(3-acetamide-1-benzyl-2-ethylindolyl-5-oxy)propanephosphonic acid nor cytosolic Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) inhibition by bromoenol lactone blocked hydrolysis of AA or subsequent leukotriene synthesis. Pretreatment of eosinophils with a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor, U0126, or a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed both AA production and LTC(4) release. fMLP induced phosphorylation of MAPK isoforms, ERK1/2 and p38, which were evident after 30 s, maximal at 1-5 min, and declined thereafter. fMLP stimulation also increased cPLA(2) activity in eosinophils, which was inhibited completely by 30 microM arachidonic trifluoromethyl ketone. Preincubation of eosinophils with U0126 or SB203580 blocked fMLP-enhanced cPLA(2) activity. Furthermore, inhibition of Ras, an upstream GTP-binding protein of ERK, also suppressed fMLP-stimulated AA release. These findings demonstrate that cPLA(2) activation causes AA hydrolysis and LTC(4) secretion. We also find that cPLA(2) activation caused by fMLP occurs subsequent to and is dependent upon ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation. Other PLA(2) isoforms native to human eosinophils possess no significant activity in the stimulated production of AA or LTC(4).

Clues to the presence of pathogenic fungi in certain environments

The presence of various pathogenic fungi in rather unsuspected hosts and environments has always attracted the attention of the scientific community. Reports on the putative role of animals in fungal infections of humans bear important consequences on public health as well as on the understanding of fungal ecology. Fungi are ubiquitous in nature and their great capacity for adaptation allows them to survive and indeed, to thrive, in plants, trees and other natural substrata. Nonetheless, we are just beginning to learn the significance that these diverse fungal habitats have on the increasing number of immunosuppressed individuals. The accidental or permanent presence of fungi in animals, plants, soils and watercourses should not be taken too lightly because they constitute the source where potential pathogens will be contracted. If those fungal habitats that carry the largest risks of exposure could be defined, if seasonal variations in the production of infectious propagules could be determined, and if their mode of transmission were to be assessed, it would be possible to develop protective measures in order to avoid human infection. Additionally, unsuspected avenues for the exploration of fungal survival strategies would be opened, thus enhancing our capacity to react properly to their advancing limits. This paper explores several ecological connections between human pathogenic fungi and certain animals, trees, waterways and degraded organic materials. The occurrence of such connections in highly endemic areas will hopefully furnish more precise clues to fungal habitats and allow the design of control programs aimed at avoiding human infection.

Development of a new drug delivery system for protein drugs using silicone (II)

In order to achieve a zero-order release of protein drugs, we have developed a new drug delivery system using silicone, which is named the covered-rod-type formulation. Preparation of the covered-rod-type formulation was conducted under mild conditions without heat treatment or the use of organic solvents. The covered-rod-type formulation released human serum albumin (HSA) or interferon (IFN) at a constant rate for 30-100 days in vitro without significant initial burst. When the IFN covered-rod-type formulation was implanted in nude mice, the serum IFN concentration was maintained at a constant level during the period of observation, i.e., 28 days. The covered-rod-type formulation enabled precise control of the release of the protein drugs and would be expected to increase the duration of the drug effect and to reduce the frequency of administration and side effects.

The gene encoding a newly discovered protein, chorein, is mutated in chorea-acanthocytosis

Chorea-acanthocytosis is a neurodegenerative disorder with peripheral red cell acanthocytosis. Linkage of chorea-acanthocytosis to chromosome 9q21 has been found. We refined the locus region and identified a previously unknown, full-length cDNA encoding a presumably structural protein, which we called chorein. We found a deletion in the coding region of the cDNA leading to a frame shift resulting in the production of a truncated protein in both alleles of patients and in single alleles of obligate carriers.

Biomaterials for gene delivery: atelocollagen-mediated controlled release of molecular medicines

Over the last decade, increasing attention has been paid to the development of systems to deliver drugs for long periods at controlled rates. Some of these systems can deliver drugs continuously for over one year. However, little effort has been given to developing systems for the controlled release of nucleic acids. Recently, a novel gene transfer method which allows prolonged release and expression of plasmid DNA in vivo in normal adult animals was established. In this system, a biocompatible natural polymer such as collagen or its derivatives acts as the carrier for the delivery of DNA vectors. The biomaterial carrying the plasmid DNA was administered into animals and, once introduced, gradually released plasmid DNA in vivo. A single injection of plasmid DNA/biomaterial produced physiologically significant levels of gene-encoding proteins in the local/systemic circulation of animals and resulted in prolonged biological effects. These results suggest that the biomaterials carrying plasmid DNA may enhance the clinical potency of plasmid-based gene transfer, facilitating a more effective and long-term use of naked plasmid vectors for gene therapy. Furthermore, the biomaterials can be removed surgically, minimizing the effect of gene products if some unexpected side effects should be observed after application. The application of these systems to expand the bioavailability of molecular medicine, including antisense oligonucleotides and adenovirus vectors, and to aid in stem cell transplantation in the context of DNA-based tissue engineering will be discussed.

Breast conservation for huge-sized locally advanced breast cancer: a case report

A 35-year-old woman with locally advanced stage IIIB breast cancer (medullary carcinoma) 12 cm in diameter underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of three courses of intraarterial infusion [adriamycin (ADR), mitomycin (MMC), cisplatin (CDDP), 5-fluorouracil (5FU)] and four cycles of systemic chemotherapy (ADR, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, MMC, CDDP) for three months. The tumor markedly diminished after the first course of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy, with a 3-cm tumor remaining after the completion of preoperative administration. Pathologically complete response was noted in specimens resected following breast conservation surgery. Postoperative radiotherapy was added and adjuvant chemohormonal therapy was continued for two years. The patient is alive without recurrence and has been able to conserve the breast for the past eight years, neoadjuvant chemotherapy including intraarterial infusion enabled breast conservation treatment even for huge-sized locally advanced breast cancer.

Collagen minipellet as a controlled release delivery system for tetanus and diphtheria toxoid

The use of biodegradable polymer matrices as a single-dose vaccine delivery system was investigated using tetanus toxoid (TT) and diphtheria toxoid (DT). BALB/c mice were immunized with TT or DT in different formulations including individual, in minipellet and aluminum hydroxide (alum), and the antibody responses were monitored for 48 weeks. Antigens entrapped in minipellet elicited higher antibody responses compared to those obtained with individual antigens and antigens adsorbed to alum and the antibody levels remained elevated over 48 weeks. In addition, minipellet formulations induced the same subclasses of antibodies induced by alum formulations. These results raise the possibility to obtain optimal and long-lasting immune responses by a single administration of minipellet formulations.

Localization of primordial germ cells or their precursors in stage X blastoderm of chickens and their ability to differentiate into functional gametes in opposite-sex recipient gonads

This study was performed to determine the distribution of primordial germ cells and their precursors in stage X blastoderm of chickens. The blastoderm (Barred Plymouth Rock chickens) isolated from the yolk was separated into three portions: the central disc, the marginal zone and the area opaca. The dissociated blastodermal cells derived from the central disc, marginal zone and area opaca were transferred into a recipient blastoderm (White Leghorn chicken) from which a cell cluster was removed from the centre of the central disc. The manipulated embryos were cultured in host eggshells until hatching. The chicks were raised until sexual maturity and test mated with Barred Plymouth Rock chickens to assess the donor cell contribution to the recipient germline. Germline chimaeric chickens were produced efficiently (46.7%, 7/15) when the blastodermal cells derived from the central disc were transferred into recipient embryos of the same sex, whereas no germline chimaeric chickens were produced when the blastodermal cells derived from the marginal zone or area opaca were transferred into recipient embryos of the same sex (0/12). Germline chimaeric chickens were also produced by transfer of blastodermal cells derived from the central disc (6.7%, 1/15), marginal zone (10.0%, 1/10) or area opaca (11.1%, 1/9) into recipient embryos of the opposite sex. It is concluded that primordial germ cells are induced during or shortly after stage X and that the cells derived from the central disc have the highest potential to give rise to germ cells. Cells derived from the marginal zone and area opaca can also give rise to germ cells, although the frequency is low.

Localization of primordial germ cells or their precursors in stage X blastoderm of chickens and their ability to differentiate into functional gametes in opposite-sex recipient gonads

This study was performed to determine the distribution of primordial germ cells and their precursors in stage X blastoderm of chickens. The blastoderm (Barred Plymouth Rock chickens) isolated from the yolk was separated into three portions: the central disc, the marginal zone and the area opaca. The dissociated blastodermal cells derived from the central disc, marginal zone and area opaca were transferred into a recipient blastoderm (White Leghorn chicken) from which a cell cluster was removed from the centre of the central disc. The manipulated embryos were cultured in host eggshells until hatching. The chicks were raised until sexual maturity and test mated with Barred Plymouth Rock chickens to assess the donor cell contribution to the recipient germline. Germline chimaeric chickens were produced efficiently (46.7%, 7/15) when the blastodermal cells derived from the central disc were transferred into recipient embryos of the same sex, whereas no germline chimaeric chickens were produced when the blastodermal cells derived from the marginal zone or area opaca were transferred into recipient embryos of the same sex (0/12). Germline chimaeric chickens were also produced by transfer of blastodermal cells derived from the central disc (6.7%, 1/15), marginal zone (10.0%, 1/10) or area opaca (11.1%, 1/9) into recipient embryos of the opposite sex. It is concluded that primordial germ cells are induced during or shortly after stage X and that the cells derived from the central disc have the highest potential to give rise to germ cells. Cells derived from the marginal zone and area opaca can also give rise to germ cells, although the frequency is low.

Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy and radiotherapy with or without surgery for patients with locally advanced or recurrent breast cancer

We analyzed response, side effects, and local control rates of a multimodal treatment consisting of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy (IAIC) and radiotherapy with or without surgery for patients with locally advanced or recurred breast cancer. Thirty-three patients, clinically diagnosed as stage IIB in 1, IIIA in 2, IIIB in 12, IV in 18, were treated from 1991 to 1998. Twenty-five were primary and eight were recurrent cases after surgery. IAIC started as initial treatment up to three times maximum. In most cases, doxorubicin 50 mg, cisplatin 50 mg, and mitomycin 10 mg were infused in the subclavian and/or internal mammary artery. After IAIC, patients in primary cases underwent radical mastectomy or breast conservation surgery, after radiotherapy at a total dose of 50 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks with a boost of 10 Gy. In recurrent cases, a full dose of radiotherapy was delivered. Clinical objective and complete response rates were 78% and 9% after IAIC. Despite a high rate of residual positive margin (67%) or clinically residual carcinoma, local recurrence developed only in 2 patients (6%) and local control rates at 5 years were calculated as 89%. Bone marrow suppression was frequent, and skin vesiculation (15%) and ulceration (9%) were experienced after IAIC. Skin ulcer (6%), brachial plexus neuropathy (3%), and radiation pneumonitis (3%) occurred as late toxicity. IAIC was effective as an induction treatment and radiotherapy played a role of local control for patients with locally advanced or recurrent breast cancer.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-mediated phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 is essential for human eosinophil adhesion to fibronectin

We examined the role of p38, p42, and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) isoforms and cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) activation in human eosinophil adhesion to plate-coated fibronectin (FN). In the control state, eosinophil adhesion was maximal, with 10 microg/ml FN at 30 min, and decreased after 60-90 min. Western blot analysis demonstrated that p44/42 MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2) and cPLA(2) were phosphorylated during adhesion to FN, whereas p38 MAPK phosphorylation was unchanged. Preincubation of eosinophils with U0126 or PD98059, two structurally unrelated MAPK kinase inhibitors, or arachidonic trifluoromethyl ketone, a cPLA(2) inhibitor, blocked eosinophil adhesion to FN. By contrast, eosinophil adhesion was unaffected by SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Pretreatment of eosinophils with okadaic acid, a serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, at the concentrations that induced ERK1/2 and cPLA(2) phosphorylation caused an increase in maximal eosinophil adhesion to FN for >60 min. MAPK kinase inhibition but not p38 inhibition also blocked FN-mediated F-actin redistribution in eosinophils and prevented cPLA(2) phosphorylation caused by adhesion to FN. These results demonstrate that ERK1/2 mediating cPLA(2) activation is essential for eosinophil adhesion to FN.

Fluorometric determination of N-nitroso-N-methylurea with nicotinamide and acetophenone

A fluorometric method for the determination of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) has been developed. It is based on the N-methylation reaction of nicotinamide with NMU and a subsequent condensation reaction with acetophenone, followed by an acid treatment to form a fluorescent 2,7-naphthyridine derivative. This method enabled the determination of NMU in the range 0.05 - 2 nmol/200 microl with a relative standard deviation of ca. 3%. It was applied to the determination of NMU formed from a precursor N-methylurea (MU) under simulated gastric conditions containing nitrite and thiocyanate ions at pH 3.0 in the presence of fresh orange juice and milk. NMU was extracted by an Extrelut 20 column and then determined. The mean recoveries of NMU added to the simulated gastric juice containing water, orange juice and milk were 86.5, 85.1 and 69.8%, respectively. The amounts of NMU formed from MU were found to decrease to below 25% in the presence of orange juice and milk.

Isolation of Candida dubliniensis from the oral cavity of an HIV-positive child in Brazil

Candida dubliniensis is a newly-recognized Candida species and an important infectious pathogen, particularly for HIV-positive patients. >From oral smear samples from the radix linguae of 173 HIV-positive children, we obtained four yeast isolates which took a blue-green color on CHROMagar Candida plate at 37 degrees C for 48 hours from one HIV-positive 3-year-old boy in Brazil. The isolates were difficult to grow on potato dextrose agar plate at 42 degrees C, produced abundant chlamydospores on a cornmeal agar plate with Tween 80, and sprouted germ tubes in saline with horse serum, and the antigenic profile by CANDIDA CHECK test was useless. Carbohydrate assimilation tests by ID32C showed no reference code number in the reference book. The isolates were subjected to molecular biological assay of the DNA sequence of the large-subunit ribosomal DNA region (D1/D2) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The DNA sequence agreed with those of standard C. dubliniensis strains, and therefore, the isolates were identified as C. dubliniensis. RAPD band pattern analysis indicated that the clinical isolates might summarize one genotype. Although the child did not present oral lesions, the fungus might be latent for opportunistic infection.

Fluorescence quenching properties and chemiluminescence responses of alpha-ketothiols derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde and primary amino compounds

Fluorescence and chemiluminescence responses of thiols derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and primary amines have been studied. Among thiols tested, those having an alpha-ketothiol structure [R-CH(SH)-CO-] were found to give extremely low fluorescence intensities when derivatized with OPA and L-valine. The relative fluorescence intensities of alpha-ketothiols, such as mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), 2-mercaptopropionic acid (2-MPA), mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (MPG), were only below 3% of that of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), having no alpha-ketothiol structure. The addition of detergents such as sodium dodecylsulphate had no effect on the fluorescence and an aprotic solvent (dimethylsulphoxide) showed little effect, whereas these thiols chemiluminesced intensely when derivatized with OPA and N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol as a primary amine and successively detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with postcolumn chemiluminescence reactions using hydrogen peroxide and haematin. The relative chemiluminescence intensities of MSA, 2-MPA and MPG to NAC were 41.0%, 27.8% and 117%, respectively. MPG was estimated to be detectable at a concentration level of at least 10 fmol per injection. In conclusion, the weak fluorescence of the alpha-ketothiols derivatized with OPA and primary amines is probably due to the low fluorescence quantum yields of the derivatives, and HPLC with a chemiluminescence detection system is useful for the sensitive detection of thiols.

Electrical activity of the pulse generator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in 26-month-old female rats

To know whether age-related changes occur in the activity of the pulse generator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), old (26 months) and young (3 months) female rats were examined by recording multiunit activity (MUA) in the median eminence region of the hypothalamus, concurrently with blood samplings through an intra-atrial cannula at 6-min intervals to determine serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. We have regarded the MUA showing intermittent increases (volleys) at 20-30 min intervals, followed by LH pulses, as the electrical activity of the GnRH pulse generator. We were successful in recording MUA in 18 (26%) of 69 old ovariectomized rats and in 8 (32%) of 25 young ovariectomized rats. The overall mean (+/-SE) of the interval between MUA volleys in old ovariectomized rats was 35.1 +/- 2.0 min (n = 18), which was significantly longer than that of 22.5 +/- 1.5 min (n = 8) in young ovariectomized rats. The mean interval between LH pulses in old ovariectomized rats was 32.2 +/- 3.6 (n = 10), also being significantly longer than that of 23.3 +/- 1.0 (n = 8) in young ovariectomized rats. Further, the LH pulse amplitude in old rats (0. 95 +/- 0.07 ng/ml) was significantly smaller than in young rats (3. 40 +/- 0.36 ng/ml). The present study also confirmed that the increase in serum LH after intravenous injection of 50 ng GnRH was much smaller in old ovariectomized rats. These results show that the electrical activity of the GnRH pulse generator is certainly reduced with age. Taken together with findings suggesting an age-dependent decrease in stimulated transmitter release, attenuation in both frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses as well as in pituitary responsiveness to GnRH pulses may account for the decreased pulsatile LH secretion observed in aging rats.

Diffuse intrahepatic recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

An early diffuse type in the pattern of the postoperative intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma has been recognized. The purpose of this study was to elucidate risk factors for diffuse recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODOLOGY

The subjects involved in the present study were 114 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas resected in Tenri Hospital during the past 12 years. Univariate analysis was used for retrospective determination of the factors related to diffuse recurrences after surgery in 10 cases among 114 patients.

RESULTS

The risk factors linked to diffuse recurrence were microscopical portal infiltration (P < 0.01), elevated alpha-fetoprotein (more than 1000 ng/mL) (P < 0.05), the absence of preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization (P < 0.01), and two or more segmentectomies of the liver (P < 0.01). Six of 10 patients with microscopical portal infiltration and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (more than 1000 ng/mL) had diffuse recurrence (P < 0.01). Six of 8 patients with two or more segmentectomies without preoperative TAE had diffuse recurrence (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

When patients with the diagnosis of operable hepatocellular carcinoma have portal infiltration and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (more than 1000 ng/mL), two or more segmentectomies of the liver without preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization should be avoided.

Controlled local application of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) accelerates the healing of GBR. An experimental study in beagle dogs

This animal study was performed to ascertain whether the regeneration of membrane-protected bone defects can be accelerated by the controlled application of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) using a new drug delivery system. Standardized alveolar bone defects were made surgically in 9 beagle dogs, and FGF-2 was administered using specially made collagen minipellets. A minipellet containing either 0.15 microgram FGF-2 (FGF) or 0 microgram FGF-2 (placebo) was placed in the defect or no minipellet was used (control), and bone regeneration was evaluated radiologically, histologically, and histometrically 8 weeks after the operation. Radiographs showed a surprisingly large radiopaque region in FGF sites compared with placebo or control sites. Histologically, mature bone filled the majority of the inner space of the membrane-protected defect in FGF sites. New bone formation was also seen in the control and the placebo sites, however, it filled less than half the area of the defect. Histometrically, the area of regenerated bone in FGF sites was significantly higher than in the other sites (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that the controlled application of FGF-2 accelerates bone regeneration in membrane-protected bone defects in the canine model.

A new PCR primer for the identification of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis based on rRNA sequences coding the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and 5 x 8S regions

Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes including the 5.8S ribosomal (r)RNA of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were amplified and the DNA sequences were determined. Based on a comparison of the sequence information, a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer pair was designed for specific amplification of DNA for P. brasiliensis. This primer pair amplified a 418-bp DNA sequence and was 100% successful in identifying 29 strains of P. brasiliensis (including the reference strains) isolated from the regions of Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan, Argentina or from different sources. The results of specificity tests of these primers to compare the fungus with those of Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum and Penicillium marneffei are also reported.