Expression of mucinous ovarian-cancer antigen in hybrid-cells derived by fusing a malignantly transformed bloom-syndrome cell-line (bs-shi-4m ovc-mu) and mouse L-cell-line

The expression of mucinous ovarian cancer (OVC) antigen by hybrid cell lines derived by fusing a malignantly transformed Bloom syndrome (BS) cell line (BS-SHI-4M OVC-MU) and mouse L cells has been studied. Cell surfaces of 16 hybrids which grew 12-40 days post-fusion have been analysed by using a number of sera from mucinous OVC patients and indirect membrane immunofluorescence (IF). Three hybrids which appeared at a late stage (30-40 days in 24-well culture plates) were clearly positive in almost 100% of the hybrid cell population, while all of those which appeared earlier (in 12 days) were completely negative. Cytogenetic analysis showed that these three hybrids with positive mucinous OVC antigen contained human chromosome 22 or 22q-, though no metaphases from antigen negative population had 22 or 22q-. Therefore, we assign the gene for mucinous OVC antigen to the chromosome 22. Identification of chromosome 22 in hybrid cells was confirmed by the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using chromosome 22 painting probe.

[Chromosome breakage syndrome and fragile X syndrome]

Chromosome instability is a characteristic cytogenetic feature of a number of genetically determined human disorders collectively known as chromosome breakage syndromes. Included among the disorders are Bloom's syndrome (BS), Fanconi's anemia (FA), ataxia telangiectasia (AT). In each of the syndromes chromosome instability exists in the form of increased frequencies of breaks and interchanges occurring either spontaneously or following treatment with various DNA-damaging agents. These diseases have in common an autosomal recessive transmission and an increased tendency to develop malignancies. The blood cells of subjects with AT, BS, or FA are significantly more radiosensitive than those of controls, particularly in the occurrence of chromosome aberrations.

Diagnostic relevance of abortion-associated human embryonic antigen expressed on the cell surface of tumour promoter-treated Bloom syndrome cells

We detected stable expression of human embryonic antigen associated with spontaneous abortion (HEAA) on the cell surface of a tumour promoter-treated B lymphoblastoid cell line (BS-SHY) originating from Bloom syndrome. We used indirect immunofluorescence and diluted serum from 44 patients who had recurrent spontaneous abortions. With the use of the panning procedure, we separated characteristic cells expressing strong HEAA. The BS-SHY-HEAA cells separated here would be useful for measuring serum antibody (against HEAA) produced by patients with recurrent abortions. It was also noted that aborters who received husbands' leukocyte immunization have lost this antibody, and have delivered successful pregnancies at term. Using HEAA proteins, we conducted Western blotting analysis for the amino acid sequencing (mol. wt 77 kDa). Amino acid sequencing data indicated that HEAA had 87.5% homology to the immunoglobulin (Ig) VHIII region in the framework. Recently, the protective value of high dose i.v. administration of immunoglobulin in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortions has been reported to be similar to that of leukocyte immunization. Therefore, the BS-SHY-HEAA cells appear to provide a valuable tool for rapid serological diagnosis and for evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy with husbands' leukocytes in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Differential locations in the midbrain of distinct groups of vertical eye movement-related neurones in cat: their projections and direct connections with oculomotor neurones

The present study was undertaken to investigate the firing patterns, location and projections of vertical eye movement-related neurones in the Forel's field H (FFH), the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC), and reticular formation of the mesodiencephalic junction (MDJ) in chronically prepared alert cats. A total of 456 neurones in the medial MDJ with firing closely related to vertical eye movements was examined using antidromic microstimulation and spike-triggered averaging technique. On the basis of their firing patterns, these neurones were classified into five groups, i.e. burst neurones (BNs), burst-tonic neurones (BTNs), tonic neurones (TNs), augmenting neurones (ANs) and pause neurones (PNs). BNs were located mainly in the dorsomedial part of the FFH. Most of TNs were found more caudally than BNs. BTNs and PNs were located further caudally, within the INC and nearby reticular formation. ANs were located mainly in the dorsolateral part of the FFH. Both medium-lead BNs (MLBNs) and BTNs projected to the inferior rectus (IR) subdivision of the oculomotor nucleus on both sides. MLBNs projected to the trochlear nucleus as well through collateral branches of the axon projecting to the oculomotor nucleus. Downward and upward MLBNs made direct excitatory and inhibitory connections, respectively, with IR motorneurones. These results suggest that many kinds of neurones in the paramedian regions of MDJ play a significant role in the genesis of vertical eye movements.

Cancer antigen expression and chromosomal changes in a carcinogen-transformed bloom-syndrome B-lymphoblastoid cell-line

The phenomenon of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is an interesting genetic event in metaphase chromosomes, even though its exact mechanism remains unknown. The fact that SCE can take place, whether 'spontaneously' or induced by various agents, is in itself important, for such an event, involving damage and possible repair of bilateral loci in chromosomes, presents opportunities for modification of the cell characters (e.g. oncogene activation). BS B- lymphoblastoid cell lines with high SCE levels were highly susceptible to malignant transformation by chemical carcinogenesis, in which cancer antigens are expressed on the cell surface with the disappearance of immunoglobulin (Ig), when the number of SCE exceeded 140 SCE per cell (over the baseline of 70 SCE per cell). The existence of an increased level of SCE which might cause unequal recombination between either sister chromatids or chromatids of homologous chromosomes may reflect phenomena secondary to malignant transformation or may have played a key role in initiation and maintenance of expression of the oncogenes and the antigens associated with cancers.

A human embryonic antigen associated with spontaneous-abortion is expressed on the cell-surface of a tumor promoter-treated bloom-syndrome B-lymphoblastoid cell-line

We detected stable expression of a human embryonic antigen associated with spontaneous abortion (HEAAb) on the cell surface of a tumor promoter (TPA)-treated B-lymphoblastoid cell line (BS-SHY) originating from Bloom syndrome (BS). We used indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and diluted serum from numerous patients who had recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSAs). With the use of the panning procedure, we separated characteristic cells expressing strong HEAAb. The BS-SHY-HEAAb cells separated would be useful for measuring serum antibody (against HEAAb) produced in the immune system of recurrent aborters. Using HEAAb proteins, we conducted Western blot (WB) analysis for the amino acid sequencing (MW, 77 KD). Amino acid sequencing data indicated that HEAAb had 87.5% homology to the immunoglobulin (Ig) VHIII region in the framework, and that differences were due to 2 amino acid alterations; from Gly (G) to Val (V) at the ninth residue and from Gly (G) to asp (D) at the sixteenth residue. No identical mutations were reported in the framework region of IgV(H)III. Even though the exact mechanism of TPA-induced HEAAb expression remains unknown, TPA increases BS SCE from 70 SCE per cell level to approximately 100, thus, it seems plausible that SCE plays some role in the expression of HEAAb, and plays a role in Ig disappearance from BS-SHY-HEAAb cells. Correlation of SCE, mutations causing Ig disappearance and HEAAb expression is discussed.

The recovery function of paired somatosensory evoked potentials in cerebral ischemic rabbits

In cerebral ischemia of different degrees, the amplitudes of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are facilitated or depressed. Different mechanisms might be responsible for the explanation of the contradictory phenomena. SEPs obtained using the paired stimulation method were employed in trying to find out the role of the functional changes of the inhibitory system in the brain during ischemia. Eight rabbits were used for recording the amplitude recovery curve of paired SEPs in the normal state, and the other ten were used for recording the recovery curve in different cerebral ischemic degrees. Cerebral ischemia was induced by the iron particle injection method. The attenuation of the depressed recovery function of the paired SEP amplitudes was detected during cerebral ischemia when SEP amplitudes were either facilitated or depressed. The results indicate that the function of the inhibitory system in the brain is selectively vulnerable during cerebral ischemia.

A new retinacular ligament and vein of the human temporomandibular joint

In the human temporomandibular joints of 14 Japanese cadavers, we observed a new retinacular ligament that connected to the retrodiskal pad posterolaterally and was accompanied by a vein draining the retrodiskal pad. This retinacular ligament originated from lateral to posterolateral part of the joint. The origin included the articular tubercle of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. The ligament descended along the mandibular ramus to insert into the fascia of the masseter muscle at the mandibular angle. The vein originated from the venous plexus in the retrodiskal pad and ran parallel to the retinacular ligament, giving off branches to the retromandibular, transverse facial, and superfacial temporal veins. There were no remarkable differences in the size of the retinacular ligaments among individuals as well as between the left and right sides. The retinacular ligament had firm fibrous connections with the posterolateral part of the retrodiskal pad, where the external fibrous membrane of the articular capsule was lacking. These findings suggest that the retinacular ligament and its accompanying vein function together to maintain blood circulation during jaw movement and may also be related to the development of occlusal disorders.

Somatosensory evoked potentials in cerebral ischemia of rabbits

Twenty-one rabbits were used in the ischemic group and six in the control group. Cerebral ischemia of variable degree was induced by Fe particle injection method. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were compared when the CBF levels decreased to their minimum. The latency of the SEPs increased along with the decrease of the CBF when it was lower than 20 ml/100 g/min (68% of the pre-ischemic control level). This may be related to the ischemic change of the white matter. The amplitude showed diphasic changes. When the CBF decreased below 20 ml/100 g/min, the amplitude increased; when the CBF was lower than 11 ml/100 g/min (38% of the pre-ischemic level), it decreased. These results indicate that the functions of the cerebral cortex might be excited in mild ischemia, and be suppressed in severe ischemia.

[The pulmonary air meniscus sign in a case of sclerosing hemangioma]

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a slowly growing pulmonary tumor with a 34 year history. Chest roentgenogram on admission showed a 42 mm sharply demarcated solitary tumor in the left upper lobe. Chest CT revealed a slit-like pulmonary air meniscus. Left upper lobectomy was performed. A specimen from the resected lung histologically showed solid, papillary and hemorrhagic patterns, and the diagnosis of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma was therefore made. Pulmonary air meniscus sign in pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma is rare. We think one possible mechanism in the production of an air meniscus sign in sclerosing hemangioma is bleeding in communication with a bronchus.

Chordal reconstruction with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sutures for mitral regurgitation

Chordal reconstruction of the mitral valve using CV4 or CV5 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Gore-Tex. Flagstaff, AZ, USA) sutures was performed in seven patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) to ascertain its efficacy. The MR had been caused by prolapse of the anterior leaflet in three patients, the posterior leaflet in two, and both leaflets in two; five of the patients had an MR of grade III or IV. There was one hospital death, which occurred in a patient whose MR had resulted from papillary muscle dysfunction caused by a myocardial infarction (MI). Chordal reconstruction failed and was converted to a mitral valve replacement in two patients, one of whom had suffered a MI and another who had a congenital papillary muscle anomaly. The remaining five patients all underwent successful chordal reconstruction with PTFE sutures, resulting in the disappearance of the MR in two patients and an improvement to grade I in three patients. Although the longest follow-up period has been only 1 year, the MR has not worsened. This technique is relatively easy to perform, and allows almost all the mitral apparatus to remain in situ, while enabling repair of the mitral valve, regardless of the state of the diseased chordae.

[Identification of the most appropriate time for lung transplantation in the patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis]

In order to identify the most appropriate time for lung transplantation, we examined the natural courses of eight patients who died of idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (IIP). Five of eight patients died within two years after they were diagnosed as IIP and six died within one year after the last admission. As the disease progressed, arterial oxygen pressure tended to decrease and serum LDH level to increase. But no parameter was able to predict the natural courses of patients. We conclude that it is very difficult to identify the most appropriate time for lung transplantation and the prognosis of IIP patient is very poor. Therefore as soon as patients are diagnosed as IIP, it is mandatory to assess their eligibility for lung transplantation.

Detection and characterization of antibodies to bacterial heat-shock protein 60 in sera of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with bacterial heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60) purified from Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) revealed that the antibodies directed against YeHSP60 existed in sera of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To characterize the epitope specificity of the antibodies in patients, the epitope mapping of HSP60 by means of the antibodies was performed. The results have suggested that the epitope recognized with anti-HSP60 antibodies in PBC relates to the amino acid sequence of YeHSP60 molecule as follows: DLGQAKRVVINKDTTIIIDGVGDEAAIQGRLAQIRQQIEEATSDYDKEK.

Panning and immune electron-microscopic study of mucinous ovarian-cancer antigen-specific cells derived from malignantly transformed bloom-syndrome B-lymphoblastoid cells

We separated characteristic mucinous ovarian cancer (OVC) antigen cells from malignantly transformed Bloom syndrome (BS) cell line (BS-SHI-4M) with the panning procedure using OVC patients sera. We undertook an immune electron-microscopic and scanning electron-microscopic study to acquire information regarding the antigenic determinant of the membrane using pre-embedding method, as well as immunofluorescence (IF) study. The distribution of Protein A colloidal gold (PAG) grains on the cell membrane of mucinous OVC antigen cells paralleled that of fluorescein-conjugated anti-human IgG observed in the IF study. The three patterns of PAG labeling of uniform labeling, uniform partial labeling, and partial labeling of one side of the cell paralleled the three patterns of IF labeling observed under IF. These findings strongly suggest the immunological reaction of BS-SHI-4M OVC-MU antigen cells with the antibody of mucinous OVC patient serum. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the antigen which characterizes mucinous OVC has a band at 84000 MW.

Resistance to 1-Beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine and hypersensitivity to bleomycin in ataxia-telangiectasia B-lymphoblastoid cell-lines

Three ataxia telangiectasia (AT) B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCLs) were examined for the chromosome aberrations induced by a DNA replication and repair inhibitor, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), and the effects of ara-C on the frequencies of chromosome aberrations caused by bleomycin (BLM). All these AT cell lines exhibited resistance to ara-C compared with normal and Bloom syndrome (BS) cells. In contrast with normal and BS cells, ara-C did not enhance chromosome aberrations produced by BLM in AT cells, although these cells showed hypersensitivity to BLM. After treatment with 1 X 10(-5) M ara-C for 24 h, total frequencies of chromosome aberrations in AT cells were 0.095-0.115/cell, which is about 6 times lower than those in normal (0.625/cell) and BS cells (0.775/cell). Following combination treatment with tetrahydrouridine (THU) and ara-C, we found that the frequencies of chromosome aberrations in AT B-LCLs were greatly increased compared with treatment with ara-C alone. Furthermore, when AT cells were pretreated with THU in combination with ara-C, then treated with BLM, a great synergistic enhancement of chromosome aberrations was observed. Because THU is an exclusive inhibitor of cytidine deaminase, these results strongly indicate that in AT B-LCLs there could be overproduction of cytidine Jeaminase, which is responsible for ara-C resistance. On the other hand, combination of THU and deoxycytidine (dCyd) significantly reduced chromosome aberrations induced by BLM in AT cells, although dCyd alone had no effect on bleomycin-induced chromosome aberrations. Break point distributions on chromosome bands following treatment with BLM or ara-C plus THU, alone or in combination, were examined and are discussed.

Medium-lead burst neurons related to vertical saccades in cat Forel's field H: input from vestibular nucleus

The present study was undertaken to investigate synaptic connections between medium-lead burst neurons (MLBNs) related to vertical saccades in Forel's field H and vestibular nucleus (VN) neurons. Extracellular spikes were recorded from single MLBNs and their responses to VN stimulation were examined using chronically prepared alert cats. Twenty of 30 upward MLBNs and 10 of 22 downward MLBNs could be synaptically activated mainly by the ipsilateral VN stimulation with spike latencies of 2.2-12.0 and 1.9-11.7 ms, respectively. These results suggest that there exist di- or polysynaptic connections which transfer velocity signals for vertical saccades from the ipsilateral vestibular nucleus neurons to the vertical MLBNs.

Projections of vertical eye movement-related and head rotation-related neurons in the medial mesodiencephalic junction to pontine reticular formation in cat

Spikes of single neurons related to vertical eye movements and vertical head rotation were recorded extracellularly in the medial mesodiencephalic junction (MDJ) of chronically prepared alert cats, and their antidromic responses to stimulation of the pontine reticular formation (PRF) were studied. Among the vertical eye movement-related-neurons, augmenting neurons (ANs) and tonic neurons (TNs) were activated antidromically from the lateral PRF. Stimulation of the midline PRF activated antidromically mainly ANs, long-lead burst neurons (LLBNs) and upward medium-lead burst neurons (MLBNs). The head rotation-related neurons were antidromically activated from the lateral PRF but not-from the midline PRF. These results suggest that some MDJ neurons related to vertical eye movements or head rotation directly project to the paramedian PRF.

Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide elimination during controlled hypotension induced by prostaglandin E1 or nitroglycerin

To compare the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) with those of nitroglycerin (NTG) on whole body metabolism (oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide elimination (VCO2) during induced hypotension, we have studied 16 patients undergoing elective surgery (radical mastectomy or tympanoplasty). The patients were allocated randomly in a non-blinded manner to two groups. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Arterial pressure was controlled at about 70% of the baseline value using PGE1 or NTG. VO2, VCO2, gas exchange ratio (RQ) and deadspace ventilation ratio (VD/VT) were measured continuously with mass spectrometry. The values for all variables were measured for 10 min at five times (1 = start of surgery (baseline value); 2 = start of drug infusion; 3 = 60 min after start of drug infusion; 4 = drug infusion stopped; 5 = surgery finished). VO2, VCO2, RQ and VD/VT values were relatively constant in both groups during surgery. The balance between oxygen supply and oxygen demand was maintained during induced hypotension with PGE1 or NTG.

Interaction of bloom-syndrome cellular cancer antigens with sera of malignant-lymphoma patients - an immunological and cytogenetical study

We have analyzed chromosome abnormalities in 32 B-cell lymphoma (B-ML), 29 T-cell lymphoma (T-ML) and 29 adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) patients and tested the reactivity of Bloom syndrome (BS) derived malignant lymphoma (ML) antigen with the sera in these patients with immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blotting (WB) protocols. Among the cases analyzed, 14q32 abnormalities were observed in 11 (B-ML), 8 (T-ML) and 10 (ATL) cases; these changes were accompanied by complex numerical and structural abnormalities. In the IF and WB analyses, the reactivity of BS ML antigen and ML sera showed high positivity in over 85% of ML cases and appeared to clearly raise the number of successful diagnoses as compared to the chromosome finding, giving 50-60% success in identifying ML. WB analyses demonstrated common ML antigen band at 97 KD (B-ML, T-ML and ATL). DNA analysis from BS ML antigen cells (BS-SHI-4M ML) showed rearranged fragments in both T-cell receptor (TCR alpha3 and immunoglobulin joining region (I(g)J(H) genes. The present findings of rearrangements of TCR alpha3 and I(g)J(H) in BS-SHI-4M ML antigen cells possibly support the common reactivity of BS ML antigen to B- and T-ML and ATL sera. The possible role of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (I(g)V(H) gene mutation and ML antigen expression is discussed.

[Is it safe and available to transfuse directly the shed mediastinal blood after cardiac surgery?]

Autotransfusion of the shed mediastinal blood after cardiac operations was performed in 20 cases (ATS group). Safety and efficacy of the autotransfusion were studied comparing with the 10 cases without autotransfusion (control group). A 65.1 +/- 17.1% of bleeding volume within 24 hours after surgery was autotransfused in the ATS group. The ATS group received 1,396 +/- 1,674 ml of the banked blood compared with 780 +/- 1,194 ml for the control group. There was no significant difference between two groups in regard to saving the banked blood. Hematological and biochemical studies after surgery in the ATS and control groups revealed that CPK, BUN and creatinine of the ATS group were significantly higher than those of the control group, although these changes were transitory and trivial. However, prothrombin time of the ATS group was lower than that of control group, so there may be the possibility that this technique itself increases the hemorrhage. Since the cardiotomy filter was obstructed with clots in cases of massive bleeding, shed mediastinal blood may not be fully defibrinogenated in the cases with massive bleeding. These results lead to the following conclusions: autotransfusion of the shed mediastinal blood after cardiac operations is a safe method, but the efficacy of it is doubtful.

Characteristics of a 28-kDa collagenous protein extracted with guanidine from EDTA-demineralized rabbit alveolar bone

Bone proteins in alveolar bone of mandibles from young adult rabbits (3-month-old) were extracted with 4.0 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), followed by 0.5 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate, and again with 4.0 M GuHCl (G2-ext). The proteins in the G2-ext were fractionated on a gel-filtration column, followed by an anion-exchange column in the presence of 7.0 M urea. A 28-kDa protein was isolated from the G2-ext. The purified 28-kDa protein showed intense staining with silver on SDS-PAGE slab-gel under reducing conditions. This protein was digested with bacterial collagenase, and a 19-kDa fragment appeared on the gel. However, the protein was not susceptible to reduction with cyanogen bromide. The protein did not bind to hydroxyapatite crystals in the presence of 7.0 M urea, and also did not bind to some lectins. On SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions, the protein migrated as two bands; a new band appeared at approximately the 85-kDa region in addition to the original 28-kDa band. The amino acid compositions of the protein were similar to those of the alpha 1-pN-propeptide of type I procollagen obtained from other tissues.

Decrease in aortic distensibility after an extended aortic reconstruction for Marfan's syndrome as a cause of postoperative acute aortic dissection DeBakey type I: a report of two cases

Two cases of Marfan's syndrome underwent a reconstruction of the abdominal aorta and descending thoracic aorta. A replacement of the abdominal aorta with visceral arteries as well as a wrapping of the descending thoracic aorta was performed in case 1 while a reconstruction of the descending thoracic aorta and infra-renal abdominal aorta was done in case 2. After the reconstruction, both cases developed acute aortic dissection DeBakey type I. Another reconstruction of the ascending aorta was then urgently performed. Cardiac catheterization after the second operation in case 1 revealed that the distensibility of the aorta had disappeared at the location of the vascular prosthesis while it had also decreased at the wrapped portion, and the maximum dp/dt of the ascending aorta also increased. Increases in the pulse pressure and pulse rate after the first operation were observed in both cases. These hemodynamic changes, which were produced by a decreased distensibility of the reconstructed aorta, increased the mechanical stress to the native aortic wall, and may have been one of the causes of acute aortic dissection DeBakey type I occurring after reconstruction with a prosthesis.

[Chordal reconstruction with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suture for mitral regurgitation caused by prolapsed anterior leaflet]

Cardiac surgeons have hesitated to perform valvuloplasty for MR caused by elongated or ruptured chordae of the anterior leaflet (AL) of the mitral valve. We experienced three cases of successful chordal reconstruction (CR) to the AL last year. Two of them were due to elongation of all chordae tendineae to the AL. Four CRs, one chordal shortening, cleft closure and ring annuloplasty (AP) were performed in one case, and 8 CRs to the AL, two to the posterior leaflet, commissural closure and ring AP in another. In the third case 2 CRs combined with Reed's AP, closure of ASD and tricuspid AP were performed. The MR disappeared in one case and improved to grade I in others postoperatively. NYHA classes improved from class III or IV to I or II postoperatively. The MRs have not increased 6 to 12 months after the surgery. The CR with PTFE suture enabled to do the valvuloplasty for the chordal abnormalities of the AL without valve resection. This technique seems to be adequate for repairing a major prolapse of the AL caused by multiple chordal abnormalities.