p53 accumulation in colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis

The prevalence of immunoreactive p53 and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) numbers were compared between colorectal cancers with (n=44) and without (n=51) hepatic metastasis for at least 5 years. At the same time, the distribution of p53-positive cells in primary, metastatic, and xenografted tumors from the same individuals were studied. Overall, p53 positivity was found more frequently in the cases with hepatic metastasis than in non-metastatic controls, regardless of the distribution pattern (P<0.05), whereas AgNOR counts were not different between the two groups. Significant heterogeneity in the distribution of p53 immunoreactivity was noted in both the primary and metastatic lesions. The intratumor distribution patterns of p53 immunoreactive cells in the primary (n=33), metastatic (n=33), and xenografted (n=7) tumors of the same individuals were consistent in the majority of cases. There were a few cases in which the p53 immunoreactive cells were more dominant in the metastatic tumor cells. Our observations suggest that p53 accumulation in colorectal cancer is associated with increased risk for hepatic metastasis, while cell proliferation as represented by AgNOR numbers is not. In addition, heterogeneity of abnormal p53 accumulation in the tumor is maintained during the course of metastasis and even after implantation in nude mouse. p53-Immunoreactive cells in the population of colorectal cancer cells do not necessarily have higher metastasizing potential.

[Seven years study on the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis among university students and its transition while in college]

The author has investigated the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis among university students, for the purpose of making a study of the relation between sensitizing to pollen antigen and manifestation of symptoms. In this report are summarized the results of seven years investigation since 1988. The percentage of specific antibody carriers in freshmen was 27.4% in 1988, and has kept the level of 32.0-38.1% from 1989 to 1993. And the incidence of pollinosis sufferers in freshmen was 12.0% in 1988, and has kept the level of 15.5-17.4% from 1989 to 1993. However in 1994 they reduced to lower levels of 29.3% and 14.7%, and this was considered to be connected with the decrease of pollen counts owing to the abnormal weather conditions of preceding year. In addition to this the author has also investigated the transition of the percentage of specific antibody carriers and the incidence of pollinosis sufferers while in college. Among the students who were matriculated before the year of 1990, the incidence of these kinds when fourth grade increased clearly (antibody carriers 38.6-43.0%, pollinosis sufferers 23.1-24.9%). However in whom matriculated in 1991, they reduced to lower levels in 1994 related to the decrease of pollen counts (antibody carriers 25.2%, pollinosis sufferers 13.6%). From above-mentioned results of investigation, it is concluded that the revelation of pollinosis symptoms has connection directly with the degree of exposure to the pollen antigen.

Subacute thyroiditis with thyroid-stimulation blocking antibodies: a case report

A 43-year-old female showing signs and symptoms of subacute thyroiditis was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of her thyroid function because TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulins (TBII) were detected in her serum. A diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis was made based on high levels of thyroid hormones with suppressed TSH level, suppressed radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU), and positive inflammatory findings and ultrasonogram results. She was at first thyrotoxic, then transiently hypothyroid, and finally became euthyroid. The assay results for TBII and thyroid-stimulation blocking antibodies (TSBAb) were positive in the thyrotoxic phase, and the TBII and TSBAb activities were decreased and finally became undetectable during the course of her illness. In contrast, the assay results for thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb) were negative throughout the investigation period. The presence of TSBAb may have induced the development of hypothyroidism because she became euthyroid after the disappearance of TSBAb from the serum, but the duration of the hypothyroid phase was the same as that in typical cases of subacute thyroiditis. Inflammatory or destructive changes in the thyroid gland are thought to be involved in the production of the TSH-receptor antibodies in the patient.

Analysis of the phospholipase C gene of Clostridium perfringens KZ1340 isolated from Antarctic soil

Clostridium perfringens KZ1340 isolated from Antarctic soil was first classified as Clostridium plagarum and later as a lecithinase-negative variant of C. perfringens. Although the strain produced no detectable lecithinase (phospholipase C, PLC) activity in the culture supernatant, it was shown by Southern blot hybridization to possess a PLC-encoding gene (plc). To determine the cause of the PLC deficiency, we cloned and sequenced the plc gene from KZ1340. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 398 amino acid residues, coinciding with those of the plc genes previously determined. Tyrosine was substituted for histidine at amino acid position 148, which is thought to bind a zinc ion essential for PLC activity. Northern blot analysis revealed that KZ1340 expressed the plc gene at an extremely low level. Furthermore, the plc gene cloned from C. perfringens strain 13 into a plasmid was expressed weakly in KZ1340, compared to that in strain 13. This indicates that the former strain represses plc gene expression in trans. When a phylogenetic tree of plc genes was constructed, the KZ1340 plc gene formed a monophyletic branch along with those of various other C. perfringens strains, supporting the classification of the strain as a variant of C. perfringens.

The soluble form of the IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R alpha) is a potent growth factor for AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells; the soluble form of gp130 is antagonistic for sIL-6R alpha-induced AIDS-KS cell growth

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is most frequently associated with HIV-infected individuals (AIDS-KS). While AIDS-KS-derived spindle cells (AIDS-KS cells) contribute to the development of KS lesions, growth regulation of these cells in vivo is poorly understood. AIDS-KS cells express considerable amounts of the signal transducing subunit (gp130) of the IL-6 receptor, but only a scanty amount of its binding subunit (IL-6R alpha). This phenotype can account for the lack of IL-6 responsiveness of AIDS-KS cells. We now report that the soluble form of IL-6R alpha (sIL-6R alpha), lacking transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions, functions as a potent growth factor for AIDS-KS cells by making these cells responsive to IL-6. After exposure to sIL-6R alpha together with IL-6 in culture, AIDS-KS cells assumed a spindle-shaped morphology and showed a remarkable augmentation of growth, while IL-6 alone did not induce AIDS-KS cell growth. Even without the addition of IL-6, sIL-6R alpha induced significant growth levels of AIDS-KS cells. Since AIDS-KS cells express high levels of IL-6, it is likely that, in the presence of sIL-6R alpha, these cells acquire an IL-6 autocrine growth loop. Anti-gp130 antibodies blocked the action of sIL-6R alpha on AIDS-KS cells; hence, we refer to sIL-6R alpha as a gp130-related AIDS-KS cell growth factor. In contrast, the soluble form of gp130 (sgp130) had inhibitory effects on AIDS-KS cell growth, thereby suggesting that a complex regulatory system is involved in the modulation of the gp130-mediated AIDS-KS cell growth. In recent years, soluble forms of IL-6R alpha and gp130 have been detected in the sera of healthy individuals and increased levels of sIL-6R alpha as well as IL-6 have been noted in the sera of HIV-infected patients. It seems reasonable to assume that perturbed production of sIL-6R alpha and sgp130 may play a crucial role in the development and regression of AIDS-KS lesions by directly acting on growth of KS cells through the gp130-mediated pathway.

Effects of background stimulation upon eye-movement information

To investigate the effects of background stimulation upon eye-movement information (EMI), the perceived deceleration of the target motion during pursuit eye movement (Aubert-Fleishl paradox) was analyzed. In the experiment, a striped pattern was used as a background stimulus with various brightness contrasts and spatial frequencies for serially manipulating the attributions of the background stimulus. Analysis showed that the retinal-image motion of the background stimulus (optic flow) affected eye-movement information and that the effects of optic flow became stronger when high contrast and low spatial frequency stripes were presented as the background stimulus. In conclusion, optic flow is one source of eye-movement information in determining real object motion, and the effectiveness of optic flow depends on the attributes of the background stimulus.

Protective effect of lysozyme-galactomannan or lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugates against Edwardsiella tarda infection in carp, Cyprinus carpio L

The protective effect of lysozyme-galactomannan or lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugates orally administered to carp, Cyprinus carpio L. was investigated using a virulent strain of Gram-negative Edwardsiella tarda isolated from an infected fish. Lysozyme-galactomannan conjugate was prepared through controlled Maillard reaction. Lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate was prepared through base-catalyzed ester exchange using N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of palmitic acid. The conjugates provided substantial protection to carp infected with a Gram-negative bacteria fish pathogen E. tarda NG 8104. Lytic activities of lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan and palmitic acid were about 80 and 71% of native lysozyme using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as a substrate. Feeding with lysozyme conjugates, for 8 days, significantly enhanced fish protection against E. tarda infection. The survival rate was 30% for lysozyme-galactomannan conjugate treated fish and 20% for lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate treated fish after 6 days cultivation while all control fish died within 3 days. On the other hand, a recovery rate of 40% after 6 days was observed in the fish group that were fed lysozyme-palmitic acid conjugate 3 and 2 h before and after E. tarda challenge, respectively, and for 6 consecutive days. The results of this work show the possibility of utilizing lysozyme conjugates with galactomannan or palmitic acid as a therapeutic for infection in fish.

Second cancer during long-term survival after resection of biliary tract carcinoma

Curative surgery for biliary tract malignancy has improved the prognosis of patients; however, during long-term follow up after extensive surgery, four of our patients (two with gallbladder carcinoma and two with bile duct carcinoma) developed a second primary cancer (one each in the duodenum, skin, descending colon, and lung). Regular examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, colorectum, and lungs, and testing for tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9) were performed as follow-up studies. As a result, the second cancers were all found at a relatively early stage and all four patients are still alive 6-14 years after the initial operation. A review of the annual autopsy reports over the last 5 years in Japan showed that the incidence of second cancer was 14.8% in patients with gallbladder carcinoma and 13.5% in those with bile duct carcinoma. Furthermore, the rate of second gastric and colorectal carcinoma was significantly higher in patients with primary bile duct cancer than in those with primary gallbladder cancer. In conclusion, the incidence of a second cancer after resection of biliary tract malignancy is more than 10%, but this second cancer can be detected relatively easily and treated at an early stage during the course of regular long-term follow up for the first cancer.

Immunohistochemical study on the deposition of apolipoprotein E in cerebral and islet amyloidoses in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

To investigate the role of apolipoprotein E (apo E) in amyloidoses of cynomolgus monkeys, the localization of apo E in cerebral amyloid, including senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid, and in islet amyloid was examined immunohistochemically. Mature types of senile plaques with amyloid deposits and cerebrovascular amyloid showed intense immunoreactivity to both antisera to apo E and amyloid beta protein (A beta). In contrast, diffuse plaques without obvious Congophilic amyloid showed weak immunoreactivity to antiserum to apo E, but intense reactivity to antiserum to A beta. In addition, the number of these apo E-positive diffuse plaques was small compared with that of A beta-positive plaques. On the other hand, diabetic islet amyloid that was negative with A beta, reacted intensely with antiserum to apo E. These findings suggest that apo E plays an important role in amyloid fibril formation in several types of amyloidoses.

Dysplasia in ulcerative colitis: is radiography adequate for diagnosis?

PURPOSE

To determine to usefulness of barium enema examination in detecting dysplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiographic findings of 22 areas of dysplasia in 10 patients (seven men, three women; aged 34-81 years at diagnosis) were reviewed. Serial changes in radiographic features of four areas of dysplasia in three patients were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS

Fourteen of 22 areas of dysplasia were shown on radiographs. Dysplasia in the rectum or sigmoid colon was depicted less frequently than that in other segments of the colon. Radiographic features were classified as obvious nodular protrusions (seven lesions), irregular mucosa (five lesions), or nodular protrusions with irregular mucosa (two lesions). Six of the seven areas of dysplasia shown as irregular mucosa were accompanied by minute spiculations in the margin of the colonic lumen. There was no correlation between radiologic features and histologic grade of dysplasia.

CONCLUSION

Barium enema examination may be used as a complementary method of cancer surveillance with endoscopy. These methods show about two-thirds of lesions associated with dysplasia.

Enhancement of SPARC (osteonectin) synthesis in arthritic cartilage. Increased levels in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and regulation by growth factors and cytokines in chondrocyte cultures

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles of SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) (osteonectin) in arthritis, using cartilage and synovium specimens and synovial fluids (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), and to examine the effects of cytokines, growth factors, and hormones on SPARC synthesis by chondrocytes in culture.

METHODS

SPARC in cartilage and synovium was immunostained with monoclonal antibodies. SPARC synthesis by cultured chondrocytes was measured by Northern blot analysis, immunoblotting, and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

SPARC was identified in numerous chondrocytes in the superficial and middle zones and in regenerating chondrocytes of RA and OA joints, whereas such staining was absent in these zones of normal cartilage, except for weak signals from a few chondrocytes in the deep zone. In addition, SPARC synthesis was enhanced in synovial cells of RA and OA joints. The average SPARC level in SF was 10-fold higher in the RA than in the OA population. In rabbit articular chondrocyte cultures, administration of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 increased SPARC levels at 24-48 hours, whereas interleukin-lbeta (IL-1 beta), IL-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor alpha, lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate, basic fibroblast growth factor, and dexamethasone decreased SPARC levels at 24-72 hours. TGF beta increased SPARC messenger RNA (mRNA) levels at 24 hours, whereas IL-1 beta caused a marked decrease in SPARC mRNA levels at 24 hours. Furthermore, IL-1 decreased the glycosylation of SPARC.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that various growth factors and cytokines, including TGF beta 1 and IL-1 beta, regulate the production of SPARC by chondrocytes at pre- and posttranslational levels, and that SPARC synthesis is markedly enhanced in arthritic joints.

Distribution and anti-inflammatory effect of mesalazine on carrageenan-induced colitis in the rabbit

1. A controlled-release preparation of mesalazine microgranules (PentasaR; Ferring AS, Vanlose, Denmark) releases the active ingredient over a wide area from the small intestine to the rectum and is consequently expected to bring about therapeutic benefits to patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. 2. Mesalazine microgranules (50 or 150 mg/kg per day) were administered orally to each rabbit with carrageenan-induced colitis for six weeks. Its inhibitory effect on colonic mucosal damage was assessed in terms of the microscopic damage scores, leukotriene B4 concentrations and concentrations of mesalazine derivatives. 3. At the end of the experiment, the mesalazine 150 mg group had gained a significantly greater bodyweight than the control group. Microscopic damage was significantly lower in the 150 mg group than in the untreated control group. Tissue concentrations of 5-aminosalicylic acid and acetyl-5-amino-salicylic acid in the small and large intestine were higher in the 150 mg group than in the 50 mg group. Mucosal leukotriene B4 levels tended to be lower in rabbits receiving the larger dose of mesalazine. 4. The present study indicates that slow release 5-amino-salicylic acid at the larger dose reaches the large bowel in sufficiently high concentrations following oral administration and significantly reduces carrageenan-induced colitis in the rabbit.

Synthesis and hypolipidemic activities of novel 2-[4-[diethoxyphosphoryl)methyl]phenyl]quinazolines and 4(3H)-quinazolinones

The novel compound NO-1886, 4-[(diethoxyphosphoryl)methyl]-N-(4-bromo-2-cyanophenyl)-ben zamide, is a hypolipidemic agent, which appears to increase lipoprotein lipase activity in rats. Various analogs of NO-1886 were synthesized to study the structure-activity relationship of this hypolipidemic drug. A novel series of quinazolines and 4(3H)-quinazolinones were prepared by cyclization of NO-1886 derivatives. Derivatives bearing a 4-[(diethoxyphosphoryl)-methyl]phenyl] group at the 2-position were found to lower triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. In accord with the decrease in log P*, quinazolines and 4(3H)-quinazolinones showed good absorption and hypolipidemic activity. When the quinazolinone ring system is substituted at positions 6 and 7 with methoxy groups, increased hypolipidemic activity was observed. The highest hypolipidemic activity was observed when the 3-position was substituted by a methyl or benzyl group.

GABAergic inhibitory response of locus coeruleus neurons to caloric vestibular stimulation in rats

We examined the effects of caloric vestibular stimulation on the neuronal activity of the locus coeruleus (LC) in urethane-anesthetized rats. The middle ear cavity was irrigated with hot (44 degrees C) or cold (30 degrees C) water through a polyethylene tube. Most neurons (hot water: 76%, 55/72; cold water: 90%, 19/21) exhibited suppression of neuronal discharge in response to caloric stimulation. The suppression of LC neuronal discharge following caloric stimulation occurred with a long latency (approximately 80 s), and lasted a long period of time (approximately 3 min). Neither caloric stimulation of the auricle, nor irrigation of the middle ear with water at 37 degrees C, nor caloric stimulation of the middle ear after labyrinthectomy inhibited LC neuronal discharge. The caloric stimulation-induced LC neuronal inhibition was significantly attenuated by the intravenous injection of picrotoxin and by the iontophoretic application of bicuculline methiodide. These findings indicate that the predominant effect of caloric vestibular stimulation on LC neuronal discharge is inhibitory, and that the caloric stimulation-induced LC neuronal inhibition is mediated by GABAA receptors located on the membrane of LC neurons. It is suggested that the suppressed activity of noradrenergic LC neurons is involved in the vestibulo-autonomic reflex.

Senile plaques in very aged cats

Senile plaques were found in the cerebral cortices of three very aged cats (more than 18 years old). The plaques consisted of a coarse assembly of silver staining-positive materials, and was morphologically different from the well-known classical, primitive, and diffuse plaques. Congophilic amyloid angiopathy was observed in a few cortical arterioles of the oldest cat (20 years old). The senile plaques and a few cortical blood vessels were immunopositive for amyloid beta-protein (A beta). A beta-positive materials were also sparsely distributed in the cortical neuropil but did not form senile plaques there. These findings should help to clarify the development of senile plaques and the early stage of A beta deposition.

Pure autonomic failure with motor neuron disease: report of a clinical study and postmortem examination of a patient

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Inverse correlation between the expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in primary gastric lymphoma

The immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins was evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded surgical specimens from 212 patients with primary gastric lymphoma. bcl-2 protein was found to be expressed in 145 specimens (68%). Among the 179 specimens with B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), bcl-2 positivity decreased significantly as the histological grade advanced; bcl-2 was expressed in 93% of low-grade tumors, 88% of mixed-grade (low-grade with a focal high-grade component) tumors, and 44% of high-grade tumors (Cochran's linear trend test; P<.001). p53 protein expression was detected in 43 of 212 cases (20%). Among the B-cell MALT lymphomas, p53 positivity increased significantly as the histological grade advanced; p53 was expressed in 6% of low-grade tumors, 12% of mixed-grade tumors, and 31% of high-grade tumors (Cochran's linear trend test; P<.001). An inverse correlation was observed between the expression of bcl-2 and p53 in all 212 lymphomas (gamma = -0.531; P<.05) as well as in all 179 B-cell MALT lymphomas (gamma = -0.671; P<.01). Although the bcl-2 expression did not correlate with the patient survival, the p53 positive cases showed a significantly poorer prognosis compared with the p53 negative cases (log-rank test; P<.05). These results suggest that the expression of bcl-2 and p53 may, therefore, be associated with the transition from low-grade to high-grade tumors in primary gastric lymphoma.

Mode of tumor invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma: improved grading based on immunohistochemical examination of extracellular matrices

BACKGROUND

To predict the nodal involvement of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) many investigators have studied the histologic features of primary tumors. However, conventional histologic grading still is not sufficient to provide an objective and practical evaluation. In this study we tried to modify one standard type of histologic grading, namely, mode of invasion (MI), on the basis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) staining pattern.

METHODS

One hundred seventeen initial biopsies of primary OSCC were histologically examined, and the MI was graded. The expression of a series of ECMs-laminin, type IV collagen, heparin-sulphate proteoglycan, fibronectin, tenascin, decorin, and vitronectin-was immunohistochemically examined.

RESULTS

The ECM staining pattern showed a close association with the MI, and was classified into types I and II. The type I staining pattern was observed in the noninvasive cases (MI grades 1 and 2), while type II was in the highly invasive cases (MI grades 4c and 4d). Because the ECM staining pattern in the moderately invasive cases (MI grade 3) included both types I and II, these cases were subdivided and compared. As a result, the type II cases showed a significantly higher incidence of nodal involvement than did the type I cases.

CONCLUSION

An examination of a series of the ECMs, in addition to the conventional histologic examination, is thus considered to provide more objective and practical data to evaluate the invasive and metastatic potential of OSCC.

Localization of the gene encoding the human L-glutamate transporter (GLT-1) to 11p11.2-p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

High affinity glutamate transporters regulate levels of extracellular glutamate in the central nervous system. Impaired glutamate transport has been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The glutamate transporter subtypes GluT-1 and EAAC1 have previously been mapped to human chromosomes 5p13 and 9p24, respectively. In the present study, the GLT-1 subtype was mapped to human chromosome 11p11.2-p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The possible clinical implications of this finding are discussed.

Increased NADPH-diaphorase reactivity and cytokine expression in dorsal root ganglia in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

We studied lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) from 10 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and five controls using immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 RNA was detected in five AIDS cases, and HIV-1 p24 antigen was found in four of these patients. The densities of nodules of Nageotte (nN), macrophages and major histocompatibility complex-class II-positive cells were significantly increased in the DRGs of AIDS patients compared to controls. Cytomegalovirus antigen was observed in the DRGs of four AIDS cases and one control, but without its presence being related to neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, we detected tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, and IL-6 in the DRGs from AIDS patients. Using NADPHd histochemistry, we showed that the number of NADPHd-positive neurons was significantly increased in the DRGs of AIDS patients compared to controls, implying upregulation of nitric-oxide (NO) production in AIDS DRGs. Generally, there were increased numbers of nN in DRGs which contained more NADPHd-positive neurons. Additionally, immunoreactivity for an inducible form of NO synthase was detected in interstitial cells in AIDS DRGs. These results suggest that reactive inflammation, including the production of cytokines, occurs in the DRGs of AIDS patients and that excessive production of NO may be related to neuronal degeneration in AIDS DRGs.

[Molecular genetics of Machado-Joseph disease]

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar degeneration. The CAG expansions of the MJD1 gene at chromosome 14q32.1 was identified as the cause of the disease. MJD has three factors that influence the age of the onset. The MJD1 repeat length inversely correlated with the age of onset (r = -0.87). Homozygosity of the gene exhibited an additive effect on age of onset. MJD has a gender-specific effect on the age of onset. A parent-child analysis showed the unidirectional expansion of CAG repeats. Among the three clinical subtypes, type I of MJD, with dystonia, showed a larger degree of expansion in CAG repeats of the gene and younger ages of onset than the other types.

Homozygosity for Machado-Joseph disease gene enhances phenotypic severity

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