A comparison of the binding and functional properties of alpha-1 adrenoceptors and area density of smooth muscle in the human, canine and rat prostates

The present study was designed to compare the binding and functional properties of alpha-1 adrenoceptors and the area density of smooth muscle in the human, canine and rat prostates. Chloroethylclonidine (CEC)-sensitive and -insensitive alpha-1 adrenoceptors were characterized on slide-mounted prostatic tissue sections using the ligand [3H]prazosin. The mean equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for [3H]prazosin binding sites were not significantly different among the three different species. The densities (Bmax) of CEC insensitive [3H]prazosin binding sites in the human, canine and rat prostates were 1.71 +/- 0.32, 0.35 +/- 0.04 and 0.84 +/- 0.11 fmol/mg of wet weight, respectively. The Bmax of CEC-sensitive [3H]prazosin binding sites in the human, canine and rat prostates were 1.32 +/- 0.83, 0.44 +/- 0.11 and 0.25 +/- 0.10 fmol/mg of wet weight, respectively. The contractile response elicited by the rat prostate in the presence of phenylephrine was consistently negligible. The mean maximal force after phenylephrine challenge (phenylephrine Emax) in the human and canine prostates were 0.125 +/- 0.025 g of force/mm2 cross-sectional area and 0.096 +/- 0.014 g of force/mm2 cross-sectional area, respectively. CEC inactivated 80 and 53% of the phenylephrine contractile response in man and dog, respectively. The mean percentage of area densities of smooth muscle in the human, canine and rat prostates were 38.8, 12.9 and < 1%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intraoperative CT scan findings during resection of glial tumours

Intraoperative computerized tomographic (CT) scan findings in two cases during resection of glial tumor are described. These intraoperative CT images were obtained by an exclusively developed operating CT scanner system for use in the operating room. Repeated intraoperative CT scans taken during tumor removal showed shift of the brain including central structures and displacement of the cortical subarachnoid space in both cases. With contrast medium, the edge of the surrounding brain after resection was enhanced and a round enhanced area was observed in distant white matter. The distant enhancement, which we call 'remote enhancement', probably suggests damage to the blood-brain barrier due to surgical manoeuvre.

Hemifacial spasm and cerebellopontine angle epidermoid: case report and review

A case with hemifacial spasm with tinnitus due to right cerebellopontine angle epidermoid is reported. The tumour was supposed to have caused the displacement of the part of anterior inferior cerebellar artery in the vicinity of the root exit zone of the ipsilateral facial nerve. Near total removal of the tumour along with microvascular decompression was done and the patient was completely relieved of his symptoms. The incidence of hemifacial spasm due to cerebellopontine angle epidermoid is extremely low. The cause of such an association is discussed and relevant literature is reviewed.

[Changes in fatty acid composition, platelet aggregability and RBC function in elderly subjects with administration of low-dose fish oil concentrate and comparison with younger subjects]

Anti-thrombotic and anti-atherogenic effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) through the modulation of various cell functions related to thrombogenesis have been reported recently. We previously reported that the administration of EPA at low doses could more effectively elevate the plasma EPA concentration in elderly subjects than in younger ones. Magnetic resonance imaging examination of the brain often reveals lacunar lesions in elderly subjects without any signs or symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases. In this study we clarified the effect of administration of low doses of fish oil concentrate on platelet and RBC function in elderly subjects, compared with younger subjects. Thirty six elderly subjects (mean age 78) without any signs or symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases, all receiving the same diet in the same lodging house for the aged, were divided into 3 groups. Different amounts of fish oil concentrate (0.25-0.5 g/day of EPA) were administered to the 3 groups, daily for more than 1 month. Changes of plasma fatty acid composition, platelet aggregability, whole blood viscosity and RBC deformability was examined before and after EPA administration. One month after EPA treatment, the plasma EPA content had increased dose dependently, with suppression of platelet aggregation and improvement of RBC function. In younger subjects receiving the same amount of EPA, the elevation of plasma EPA was less than that observed in the elderly. In summary, low dose EPA administration can improve the function of platelet and RBC to an anti-thrombotic state and would be useful to prevent the occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases in elderly subjects without any side effects.

[Allograft (homograft) valve surgery: current status in Japan]

The advance of cryopreservation techniques has dramatically increased the durability of human allograft valves, resulting in the wide-spread use of allograft valves in many western countries except Japan. The superiority of the allograft valve to other prosthetic valves has become apparent in some specific situations such as active endocarditis, small aortic root and hemorrhagic conditions. In this manuscript, we described the setting-up of the cryopreservation laboratory, quality control and the clinical use of allograft valves in our institute. The authors believe that surgeons should have an option of utilizing allograft valves in selected patients in Japan.

Recurrent Breast Cancer at 21 years after Resection Detected by Serum Tumor Markers and Manifested as Dermatomyositis

A 52-year-old Japanese woman developed dermatomyositis. She had undergone a standard radical mastectomy for left breast cancer 21 years earlier. Though no physical sign of recurrent breast cancer appeared clinically, levels of tumor markers were abnormally elevated. Therefore, tamoxifen and CAF therapy were given. Further, the clinical course of dermatomyositis almost paralleled the level of serum tumor markers and the clinical course of her recurrent breast cancer. These markers were useful for detecting the recurrence, following the metastatic disease, and monitoring her response to therapy.

In vivo effects of the immunosuppressant 15-deoxyspergualin on hematopoiesis in murine allogeneic bone marrow chimeras. Its thrombopoietic activity and reversal of adverse effects with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and/or erythropoietin

When 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), a potent immunosuppressant, was administered into [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras from day 14 to day 25, increased thrombopoiesis was induced on day 20 to day 33, accompanied by marked leukocytopenia and anemia. The mean platelet counts in DSG-treated and control [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras on day 25 were (114.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(4)/microliter versus (58.6 +/- 2.6) x 10(4)/microliter (1.9-fold increase). Colony-forming units-megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg) were not significantly increased in DSG-treated bone marrow chimeras. Colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were decreased during DSG-treatment whereas CFU-Mix colony formations were rather increased, and more primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (highly proliferative potential colony-forming units [CFU-HPP]) were not decreased in the same time period. Since CFU-GM and BFU-E colony formations were increased immediately after the cessation of DSG treatment, followed by the rebound of leukocyte counts and the recovery of hemoglobin (Hb) levels, the leukocytopenia and anemia appeared to be induced by a cytostatic effect of DSG. The adverse effect of DSG was partly reversed by the simultaneous administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or erythropoietin (EPO), suggesting the need for the administration of these cytokines in the case of bone marrow transplants treated with DSG. Furthermore, it was of note that DSG modulated hematopoiesis and stimulated the production of thrombopoietin (TPO)-like cytokine(s) as well as interleukin-3 (IL-3).

Development-related and cell-type specific nuclear localization of annexin XI: immunolocalization analysis in rat tissues

Subcellular distribution of a novel annexin, annexin XI, was examined in rat tissues. As we have previously reported, annexin XI mainly localizes in nuclei of 3Y1, the rat embryonic fibroblast cell line; however, immunoperoxidase staining was not particularly nuclear in most of the tissues examined in adult rats. Nuclear localization of annexin XI was uncommon in adult rat tissues. By contrast, in the day-14 rat embryo, the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells were labeled mainly in the nuclei. The connective tissues of 18-day fetus, however, did not show predominantly nuclear staining any longer. In addition, the developing gray matter of the embryonic rat spinal cord exhibited primarily nuclear localization of annexin XI while the annexin XI immunoreactivity diminished and became absent from the nuclei in the adult spinal cord. On the other hand, the endodermal cells never displayed nuclear annexin XI at any developmental stages examined. All these findings suggested that subcellular localization of annexin XI is regulated depending on developmental stages and the cell types.

Application of pharmacokinetically guided dose escalation with respect to cell cycle phase specificity

BACKGROUND

In 1986, the concept of pharmacokinetically guided dose escalation (PGDE) was proposed to predict the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of an antitumor drug in humans from animal data. We have previously shown that antitumor drugs can be classified into two types, depending on their cytotoxic mechanisms: type 1 drugs, which are cell cycle phase-nonspecific agents, i.e., area under the curve for drug concentration in the plasma versus time (AUC)-dependent drugs; and type 2 drugs, which are cell cycle phase-specific agents, i.e., those that are time dependent.

PURPOSE

The validity of the assumption that the AUC at the dose lethal for 10% of mice administered drug (LD10) is equal to the AUC at MTD for humans, the premise on which PGDE is based, was examined for type 1 and 2 drugs.

METHODS

Findings in the literature, including those of Collins and co-workers, were retrospectively analyzed. The human/mouse ratios for the AUC were compared with each other and with the human/mouse dose ratios, based on milligram per meter square of body surface area, the measurement currently used in clinical trials of antitumor drugs. For six of the type 1 drugs, the human/mouse ratio for the AUC of total drug (AUC) and that of unbound drug (AUCu), which has been considered a determinant of pharmacologic and toxicologic effects, were also compared.

RESULTS

There was an excellent correlation between log AUC at LD10 for mice and log AUC at MTD for humans for type 1 drugs (r = .898), but not for type 2 drugs (r = .677). For type 1 drugs, the correlation between mouse AUC at LD10 and human AUC at MTD was better for unbound drug (r = .961) than for total drug (r = .892).

CONCLUSIONS

PGDE is useful for type 1 drugs; differences in protein binding between species should, however, be considered when using this method.

[Reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with patent internal thoracic artery grafts]

The incidence of reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (reCABG) is recently increasing. However, there has been no report of reCABG in patients with patent internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts in Japan. We performed reCABG in three such patients with patent ITA grafts. The first patient was a 49-year-old male who had undergone a 2 CABG (left ITA-LAD, SVG-DX 1), 8 years and 7 months prior to the 2nd operation, he received a re 2 CABG (GEA-RCA, RITA-SVG-DX 1) with a patent prior LITA-LAD graft. The second patient was a 65-year-old female who had undergone CABG in which the LITA had been erroneously anastomosed to the DX 2 in place of the LAD. Three year later, the reCABG (RITA-LAD) was performed with a patent prior LITA-DX 2 graft. The third patient was a 51-year-old male who had undergone 3-CABG (RITA-LAD, LITA-DX, SVG-RCA). The RITA was closed most probably due to technical errors and his angina recurred. Tree year after the first operation, he received a re 3-CABG (GEA-LAD, SVG-RCA, SVG-OM) with a patent prior LITA-DX graft. In each patient, PTCA had been tried twice, twice and once prior to redo operations. Their post-redo courses were uneventful, and they were discharged free from angina. In such cases it is important to manage with care the patent ITA grafts at reoperation. Biplane ITA angiograms are quite helpful to evaluate the course of grafts in relation to the sternum. To cover the ITA graft with a GORE-TEX membrane may also be useful for easy identification of the graft at redo operations.

Carotid body tumour: microvascular Doppler flowmeter for shunt placement

During the span of five years from October, 1987 to December, 1992, we have operated on six cases of carotid body tumours. Total excision was performed in five patients; one patient had 90% of the tumour excised. All patients had pre-operative balloon occlusion test; only one patient showed electroencephalographic changes. Three patients required intra-operative intraluminal shunts for various reasons. Microvascular Doppler flowmetery confirmed patency and correct placement of the shunt. Elective use of the intraluminal shunt is very useful for safe excision of carotid body tumours. Microneurosurgical techniques were used for all patients. There were no cerebrovascular sequelae and 25% of patients experienced cranial nerve injury. Average follow up was three years and none of the total excision patients have had recurrence of the tumours.

A simple and efficient gene transfer system of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.)

A simple and efficient gene transfer system of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.) was developed using epicotyl segments. The segments were infected with Agrobacterium harboring the binary vector pBI121 or pBI101-O12-p1. Both vectors contained the neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) and the β-glucuronidase (GUS) genes. In the plasmid pBI101-O12-p1, the GUS gene was directed to the promoter region of ORF12 (rolC) of the Ri plasmid. On a selection medium containing 100 or 200 μg/ml kanamycin, adventitious shoots were formed from 21.7-44.6% of the segments. Histochemical GUS assay showed that 55.4-87.7% of the shoots expressed the GUS gene. The stable integration of this gene was also confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and by Southern blot analysis. When the pBI101-O12-p1 plasmid was used, the GUS activity was found to be located in phloem cells of leaf, stem and root. More than 100 transformed plants were obtained using this method within 2-3 months.

The creep behavior of denture-supporting tissues and soft lining materials

This study examined the desirable properties of a soft denture liner. The physical behavior of palatal mucosa of young adults was quantified by analyzing creep behavior using Voigt's four-element model. Instantaneous elastic recovery was significantly smaller than instantaneous elastic displacement, and delayed elastic recovery was significantly larger than delayed elastic displacement (P < .05). Viscous recovery was small but detectable. To ascertain whether the characteristics of the mucosa can be replaced with a soft material, a new soft lining material was developed and both behaviors, especially after load release, were compared with each other. It was indicated that by properly controlling the amounts of the crosslinking agent and inorganic filler of the soft material, its properties may be made to approximate those of the mucosa.

[Myocardial protection during multiple coronary artery bypass grafting--a comparison of antegrade and combined antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia]

We compared the effectiveness of antegrade cardioplegia (A group, 100 cases) and combined antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia (A + R group, 66 cases) on myocardial protection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting for more than 3 vessels. The two groups were similar in patients' age, the extent of coronary artery diseases and preoperative risk factors, cardiac output and ejection fractions. The mean number of grafts was 3.3 in A group and 3.6 in A + R group (p < 0.05). The mean number of ITA grafts used was 1.2 in A group and 1.4 in A + R group (p < 0.05). Aortic cross-clamp time was 114 minutes in A group and 138 minutes in A + group (p < 0.01). The serum CK-MB concentration on postoperative day 1 was 38 IU/L in A group and 25 IU/L in A + R group (p < 0.05). The left ventricular stroke work index 3 hours after reperfusion was 33 gm min/m2 in A group and 43 gm min/m2 in A + R group (p < 0.05). The maximum dose of catecholamine required was similar in two groups. Intra-aortic balloon pump was used in 11 patients (11%) in A group and in 2 patients (3.6%) in A + R group (p < 0.05). We conclude that the combined method of intermittent antegrade and continuous retrograde perfusion of cardioplegic solution provides better myocardial protection than intermittent antegrade cardioplegia alone for multivessel coronary artery bypass surgery.

Hyperacute graft-versus-host disease accompanied by increased serum interleukin-6 levels

Hyperacute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which progresses severely and rapidly, was observed in three patients with acute leukemia transplanted with bone marrow cells from human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-identical and mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR)-negative siblings. Hyperacute GVHD developed in these patients within 7 days after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and was rapidly aggravated inspite of cyclosporin A (CyA) and short-term methotrexate (MTX) prophylaxis and treatment with bolus methylprednisolone (mPSL). These patients showed markedly increased serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels after BMT, whereas other cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and IL-2 were not increased compared with pretreatment levels. These findings suggest that markedly increased IL-6 levels may be related to hyperacute GVHD.

[Auer-rod-like bodies in plasma cells in patient with plasma cell dyscrasia]

Auer-rod-like bodies were found in plasma cells from a 74-year-old man with plasma cell dyscrasia. These bodies exhibited red purple staining by May-Giemsa staining and were indistinguishable from Auer bodies often found in acute myeloid leukemia. These bodies, however, failed to stain with peroxidase and showed acid phosphatase positivity. Bone marrow examinations were performed three times at the sternum or iliac crest. The proportions of plasma cells were 4.4%, 3.4% and 3.8%. The Auer-rod-like bodies were found in 0.05% (2/3824), 0.07% (4/6883) and 0.08% (2/2656) of the plasma cells.

Effects of benidipine hydrochloride (Coniel), a new calcium antagonist, on the cardiac output, regional blood flow and vascular resistance in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats

Benidipine hydrochloride is a calcium antagonist with a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative structure, and exhibits long-lasting antihypertensive effects by inhibiting the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of benidipine on central haemodynamics and regional blood flow (RBF) after intravenous administration of benidipine in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats. The microsphere method was used to measure cardiac output and RBF before and after the drug administration, using microspheres labelled with 57Co and 51Cr. Thirty minutes after the intravenous administration of benidipine (3 micrograms kg-1), the mean arterial pressure fell by 15% without significantly increasing the heart rate. The cardiac output increased by 41% and the systemic resistance decreased by 39%. Benidipine significantly increased RBF by 37, 35, and 22% in kidney, heart, and small intestine, respectively, and decreased vascular resistance by 38, 38, and 32%, respectively. We concluded that benidipine reduced blood pressure by increasing RBF in the kidney and heart, while keeping RBF in other organs at a normal level. These results will provide a fundamental basis in support of the clinical benefits of benidipine for hypertensive patients, particularly those with renal failure.

Comparison of lung tumorigenesis induced by urethan in athymic nude mice and euthymic littermates

Athymic (nu/nu) and euthymic (nu/+) mice were intraperitoneally given doses of 0.25 to 1.5 mg/g body weight of urethan at the age of 14 to 16 days. Dose-response relationship and sequential changes in lung tumorigenesis induced by urethan in athymic mice were compared with those in euthymic littermates. The urethan dose-response relationship in lung tumorigenesis of the nu/nu mice was almost the same as that in the nu/+ mice. Incidence and multiplicity of the lung tumors were investigated sequentially 28 days to 12 months after urethan injection. They showed similar indexes in the two phenotypically different mice at varying periods after 0.5 mg/g body weight urethan treatment (incidences of 4.8 and 4.4 tumors/mouse and 96 and 97% for nu/nu and nu/+ mice, respectively, at 12 months after treatment). This means that the length of the latent period is similar in these phenotypically different mice. It may be concluded that the immunosurveillance mechanism mediated by T-cells does not function in the present model.

[Efficacy of GRF (gelatin-resorcin-formalin) glue on surgery for type A aortic dissection]

The tissue biological adhesive GRF glue has been used in our department to have dissected aortic layers adhered and to reinforce the dissected aortic stumps during surgery for aortic dissection. From May 1992 to August 1993, 12 patients were operated for type A aortic dissection; 4 patients with acute dissection and 8 patients with chronic dissection. There were 5 men and 7 women whose ages ranged from 51 to 69 years with an average of 60.6 years. Replacement of the ascending aorta alone was performed for 6 patients. Replacement of both the ascending aorta and transverse arch was carried out for 4 patients, and replacement of the ascending aorta, transverse arch and the descending aorta was accomplished in 1 patient. Primary repair was performed for 1 patient with intraoperative acute dissection that occurred during surgery for mitral valve. There were no operative or hospital deaths. Preoperative aortic regurgitation was present in 5 patients. Following gluing the aortic root dissection, aortic regurgitation disappeared in all patients confirmed by postoperative aortograms. The use of GRF glue significantly reduced the average amount of intraoperative bleeding from 2893 ml to 1169 ml and also significantly reduced the use of Teflon felt strips for the proximal anastomosis. We believe that use of GRF glue can improve the surgical outcome for acute and chronic aortic dissection.

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: three autopsy cases of the panencephalopathic type

Three autopsy cases of panencephalopathic type of familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) were investigated. Cases 1 (51-year-old male) and 3 (54-year-old female) were siblings and Case 2 (68-year-old female) was their aunt. In cases 1 and 3, the age of onset (Case 1:51, Case 3:53), duration of illness (Case 1:9 months, Case 3:8 months) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts involvements, blindness and dementia in chronological order) were similar, but in Case 2, the onset was later (66 years old), duration was longer (32 months) and the initial symptom was dementia. Myoclonus and apallic state in the terminal stage were common to all 3 cases. Neuropathologically, all 3 cases had characteristics that indicated panencephalopathic type of CJD. Cases 1 and 3 had similar neuropathological findings with characteristic circumscribed necrotic foci in the subcortical white matter. In Case 2 in contrast, diffuse demyelination and fibrillary gliosis in the cerebral white matter were observed without circumscribed necrotic foci. In the cerebellum of Case 3, granular cell loss was very slight. The other lesions in the cerebral cortex and striatum of the 3 cases were common. In conclusion, the clinical symptoms and neuropathological findings of our familial CJD cases were different from one another.

[Experimental investigation of 201TlCl-scintigraphy in evaluating therapeutic effect of hyperthermia]

We investigated the usefulness of 201Tl-scintigraphy in the evaluation of therapeutic effect of hyperthermia. Satoh's experimental lung cancer tumors implanted in the right thighs of donryu rats were treated with hyperthermia using water bath. Tumors were heated at 44 degrees C or 46 degrees C for 15 min. 201Tl-scintigraphy was obtained before, immediately after and 24 hrs after treatment. Counts ratio of the tumor to the normal muscle (T/N ratio) was measured by gamma camera. We examined blood flow of the tumor, and relative tumor growth rate, and performed autoradiogram and histopathological examination of the tumor after 201Tl-scintigraphy. Immediately after hyperthermia, T/N ratio and blood flow of the tumor significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Autoradiogram showed that the accumulation of 201TlCl in the tumor decreased diffusely. Histopathological finding showed congestion, thrombosis, and swelling of endothelial cells. These results suggest that the decrease in T/N ratio may be caused by the vascular damage due to hyperthermia. The T/N ratio recovered 24 hrs after hyperthermia but was still lower than that for the control. Autoradiogram showed that 201TlCl greatly accumulated in the viable tumor tissue but was hardly seen in the necrotic tumor tissue. These results suggest that the decrease in T/N ratio may be caused by increase of necrotic areas. The T/N ratio 24 hrs after hyperthermia correlated (r = 0.83) with relative tumor growth rate on 7th day after hyperthermia and, therefore, can be used as an indicator of relative tumor growth rate. 201Tl-scintigraphy can be useful for prediction of therapeutic effect of hyperthermia.

Phasic venous return abnormality in chronic pulmonary diseases: pulsed Doppler echocardiography study

Features of venous return in chronic pulmonary diseases and factors determining such features were studied by analysis of respiration-related variation in the superior vena cava flow on pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Subjects of this study were 85 patients with chronic pulmonary diseases; 54 healthy subjects served as normal controls. In the healthy subjects, the velocity of the S and D waves increased during inspiration (type I pattern), and the velocity of the A wave increased during expiration. In the patients with pulmonary diseases, the pattern of the superior vena cava flow was either type I or type II (disappearance of the D wave or disappearance of both the D and S waves). The incidence of the type II pattern was significantly higher in the patients showing a reduction of both FEV1.0% and % VC. The respiration-related variation in the superior vena cava flow pattern was found to be determined by the pressure fall between right atrium and subclavian vein. A type II pattern was attributed to the elevation of right atrial pressure caused by positive pleural pressure. The velocity of the A wave increased during expiration, showing a good correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance. Venous return in the presence of chronic pulmonary disease was found to be affected by the type of ventilatory disturbance and intensity of pulmonary vascular resistance.

Geographic distribution of Gongylonema pulchrum and Gongylonema macrogubernaculum from Macaca fuscata in Japan

After a first report on the gullet nematode, Gongylonema pulchrum Molin, 1857, being found in the Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata, in Kyushu, Japan, the geographic distribution of the parasite, a causative agent of gongylonemiasis in cattle and man, was examined in 181 monkeys transferred to the Japan. Monkey Centre from 23 sites in Japan, including Yaku-shima (Island). Yaku-shima is included in the World Natural Heritage List of the United Nations for its subtropical forests, which have an unusual variety of plant and animal species. G. pulchrum was found in M. fuscata yakui monkeys inhabiting Yaku-shima and M. fuscata fuscata monkeys inhabiting Honshu and an is and near Honshu. G. macrogubernaculum was found in M. fuscata yakui monkeys. Comparison of the two kinds of parasite specimens obtained from the variety M. fuscata yakui confirmed that G. macrogubernaculum Lubimov, 1931 is a valid species. Thus, the finding of G. macrogubernaculum constitutes a record of a newly identified host. M. fuscata yakui, and shows that Yaku-shima, Japan, is a natural locality of G. macrogubernaculum.

Localization of mitochondrial large rRNA in germinal granules and the consequent segregation of germ line

This article reviews recent studies on cytoplasmic factors for germ-line establishment in Drosophila and Xenopus. In a variety of animal groups, the cytoplasmic factors for germ-line differentiation have been postulated to be localized in the germ plasm. We have found that mitochondrial large rRNA (mtlrRNA) is present in germinal granules, the distinctive morphological markers of germ plasm in the fruit-fly and the frog. MtlrRNA has been identified as a cytoplasmic factor that induce pole cells, the progenitor of the germ line, in uv-sterilized Drosophila embryos. The developmental stages of Xenopus at which mtlrRNA is present in germinal granules correspond to the stages of germ line segregation. Based on our findings and available data on posterior class gene products as well as on classical developmental biology of germ cells, we discuss the probable role of mtlrRNA in germ-line segregation from the somatic line in these animals.

Syalil-SSEA1(SLX) levels in supernatant of cultured human lung carcinoma cell lines

SLX levels in the culture supernatant of the following 50 cell lines were measured by RIA: pulmonary carcinoma cell lines derived from 46 patients, cell lines of other human cancers derived from 4 patients, and 2 passaged human fibroblast cells as control. Of the 46 pulmonary carcinoma cell lines, 17 (37%) were SLX positive. When the SLX-positive rate was analyzed in relation to the histological type of pulmonary carcinoma, the positive rate was 71% (10/14) for adenocarcinoma, 27% (3/11) for squamous cell carcinoma, 33% (2/6) for large cell carcinoma, 0% (0/11) for small cell carcinoma and 50% (2/4) for adenosquamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of the relationship between tumor cell proliferation and SLX level in 20 patients revealed that the SLX level in the supernatant of SLX-producing cell lines becomes higher in proportion to the increase in the number of these cells. The SLX-positive rate did not differ significantly among different stages of pulmonary carcinoma at the time of tissue collection. There was no significant correlation between SLX production and prognosis. SLX production by each cell line was not correlated with the doubling time of the same cell line in vitro or in vivo (in nude mice). SLX production also showed no correlation with the duration of tumor cell passage.