Activation of protein kinase C and the involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the inhibition of osteosarcoma-derived cell alkaline phosphatase activity

We present evidence for the presence of specific, high-affinity binding sites for tritiated phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on osteosarcoma-derived (HT-3) cells. Activation of protein kinase C by a phorbol ester resulted in an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity and the accumulation of prostaglandin E2. Indomethacin blocked prostaglandin E2 production and enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity. These data suggest that prostaglandin E2 is enhanced by activation of protein kinase C, and in turn, alkaline phosphatase activity is reduced.

Detection of the urine jet phenomenon using Doppler color flow mapping

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonic Doppler color flow mapping was applied to detect urinary flow in this study. The purpose of the study was to provide fresh insight into urodynamic and functional studies of the kidney and ureter.

METHODS

Ultrasonic Doppler color flow mapping was performed from the abdominal surface to detect the urine jet phenomenon from the ureteral orifice in 25 healthy men and four healthy boys. In the cases in which the jet phenomenon was observed, the maximum velocity, mean velocity, successive time and frequency were measured. In 23 of the 25 men, the measurement was performed under normal circumstances and during diuresis.

RESULTS

In 23 (92%) of the 25 men and in three (75%) of the four boys, the urine jet phenomenon was clearly visualized under normal conditions. The measured maximum velocity, mean velocity, successive time and frequency on the left side under normal conditions for the men were 31.8 +/- 15.3 cm/sec, 20.0 +/- 10.2 cm/sec, 2.5 +/- 1.3 sec and 1.2 +/- 0.5/min, respectively. The magnitude of each of these parameters was smaller in the case of the boys.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of the jet phenomenon by Doppler color flow mapping is a promising new way of examining renal or ureteral function noninvasively.

Malacoplakia of the prostate

Malacoplakia of the prostate is relatively rare in the literature. It occasionally simulates prostatic cancer as regards clinical and histopathological findings. We report a 58-year-old male with this disorder successfully treated with antibiotics. Peculiar histopathologic changes were demonstrated in the prostate with PAS and von Kossa's stains. We recommend caution and suspicion for prostatic malacoplakia to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

Consumption of carbohydrate or medium- or long-chain triglycerides by unfed rats exerts different protein-sparing effects

Consumption of nonprotein energy is reported to promote nitrogen retention (the protein-sparing effect). The present study was conducted to determine whether consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), long-chain triglycerides (LCT) or carbohydrate by unfed rats would exert different protein-sparing effects over 48 h. The amounts of MCT, LCT and carbohydrate were adjusted to be isoenergetic. The control group received only water. The urinary excretion of urea in the groups fed carbohydrate or MCT was significantly lower than in the LCT and control groups within the first 24 h. Urinary excretion of urea in the group fed LCT was similar to that of the control group for the first 24 h but was significantly lower after 48 h. Liver serine dehydratase activities in the groups fed MCT or LCT were similar, although they were significantly lower than in the control group. Serine dehydratase activity in the carbohydrate-fed group was the lowest. Liver L-lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase activity was significantly lower in the groups fed carbohydrate, MCT or LCT than in the control group. Rats fed MCT had the lowest plasma concentrations of lysine and branched-chain amino acids. However, the plasma concentration of glutamic acid in the rats fed MCT was the highest. These results indicate that rats fed MCT, LCT or carbohydrate exhibit different protein-sparing effects and that the difference between rats fed MCT and those fed LCT is not attributable to differences in amino acid-degrading enzymes. Consumption of MCT may conserve some amino acid-derived nitrogen as glutamic acid.

PSA assay of dried blood samples from the ear lobe on a filter paper with special reference to prostatic mass screening

To eliminate complicated procedures for taking blood samples in the field work for prostatic mass screening, we developed a method for PSA testing using blood samples taken from the ear lobe and dried on a filter paper. The stability, the diagnostic efficacy, and the cost-benefit effect of the method were confirmed in hospitalized patients, as well as in subjects from our mass screening program.

Neurohumoral factor responses to mental (arithmetic) stress and dynamic exercise in normal subjects

We examined the responses of plasma catecholamine and plasma renin activity (PRA) during mental (arithmetic) stress and dynamic exercise in 15 normal subjects. Compared to rest values, there was a significant increase in the plasma epinephrine concentration (E), but not in the plasma norepinephrine concentration (NE) or PRA during mental arithmetic. During dynamic exercise, there were significant increases in both NE and E and in PRA. The ratio of E to NE was significantly higher during mental arithmetic than during dynamic exercise. NE was significantly correlated with PRA at rest, during mental arithmetic and dynamic exercise. No significant correlations were observed between E and PRA. Dynamic exercise primarily induces a sympathetic nervous response, and mental (arithmetic) stress mainly induces an adrenal response. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system response may in part be regulated by sympathetic nervous activity during both mental (arithmetic) stress and dynamic exercise.

Lipopolysaccharide-associated elevation of serum and urinary nitrite/nitrate levels and hematological changes in rats

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of nitric oxide (NO) levels and hematological changes. Twenty-four h following i.p. treatment of LPS (1 mg/kg body wt.), nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) levels in the serum and urine of rats were, respectively, increased to 11 and 50 times those of control. Time-dependent decrease of white blood cells (80% of control), lymphocytes (40% of control), and platelets (35% of control) was also observed, while a significant increase of neutrophils (330% of control) and monocytes (650% of control) occurred during the 24-h post-treatment period. These results suggest that LPS-induced increase of NO2-/NO3- levels and coincident hematological changes may compromise immune functions.

[Prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis--clinical analysis]

We report the results of a study on the long-term outcome of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The clinical subjects were 81 ALS patients, 75 of whom required assisted ventilation, and 57 of whom have died. We found that the following factors were associated with a longer clinical course: (1) younger onset: (2) female sex: (3) left-sided predominance of amyotrophy: (4) slower development of bulbar symptoms.

Intracerebral ring-enhancing lesions in a patient with multiple sclerosis: a case report

BACKGROUND Intracerebral cystic lesions can easily be identified by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cystic gliomas, brain abscesses, or metastatic carcinoma are the usual underlying causes for this neuroradiologic finding. CASE PRESENTATION We report here the case of a patient with multiple sclerosis who has two intracerebral cystic lesions. CONCLUSIONS Central nervous system (CNS) tissue destruction, necrosis, and cyst formation are very unusual in multiple sclerosis. Diagnostic difficulty therefore arises when patients suspected of having multiple sclerosis have radiologic evidence of cystic CNS lesions.

Successful bone marrow transplantation for idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

A 21-year-old man who had an increased number of eosinophils with morphological abnormalities, bone marrow fibrosis and multiple organ dysfunction failed to respond to methylprednisolone and hydroxyurea. He was diagnosed with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) probably due to myeloproliferative disorder, and underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) from an HLA-identical sibling. The engraftment was confirmed on day 21 after BMT, but the patient developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) with grade I veno-occlusive disease, and transient increase of eosinophils of the donor type followed by chronic GVHD of the extensive type. These complications were eventually controlled with cyclosporin A. The patient survived free of disease for more than a year after BMT. Allo-BMT seems to be a possible treatment of HES/MPD.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale

The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (JY-BOCS) were determined by 20 raters for 12 Japanese patients with obsessive compulsive disorder at four institutions. Interrater reliability for the total JY-BOCS score was excellent, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (ICC = 0.960). Internal consistency was also excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.889). Concurrent and discriminant validity of the JY-BOCS was examined by comparing the scores on the JY-BOCS with those on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and scales for depression and anxiety. A slight correlation was found between scores on the JY-BOCS and MOCI, but no significant correlations were found between scores on the JY-BOCS and those on scales for depression or anxiety.

Detection of residual prostate cancer after external radiotherapy. Role of prostate specific antigen and transrectal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of positive post-radiotherapy biopsies has been reported, the range is considerable (19-93%) and depends partly on patient-selection criteria. In addition, the prognostic significance of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) used alone and in combination in predicting residual cancer after radiotherapy has yet to be determined.

METHODS

Transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsies were performed on 31 unselected patients with prostate cancer 34-77 months (mean, 51 months) after definitive external beam radiotherapy was completed. Biopsy results were compared for pre- and posttreatment parameters (clinical stage, grade, PSA, and TRUS).

RESULTS

In 22 patients (71%), residual cancer was detected histologically by biopsy. All but one patient (12/13, 92%) with a pretherapy PSA value greater than 10 ng/mL had a positive biopsy compared with 50% of those (7/14) with a pretherapy PSA value less than or equal to 10 (P < 0.05). After radiotherapy, a positive biopsy was noted for 15 of 16 patients (94%) with a PSA value greater than 2 and in 20 of 23 (87%) of those with abnormal TRUS findings (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The most clinically useful model for predicting histologically identifiable residual cancer was either a serum PSA value greater than 2 or a PSA value less than or equal to 2 and abnormal TRUS findings. The positive and negative predictive values of the model were 84% and 83%, respectively. The model predicted biopsy results correctly in 26 of 31 patients (84%). Transrectal ultrasonography is recommended as a diagnostic tool for patients whose PSA level ranges from a detectable level to less than or equal to 2 ng/mL.

Extramedullary megakaryoblastic tumors following an indolent phase of myelofibrosis

A 59-year-old man developed multiple subcutaneous and bone tumors after 2 years' duration of indolent myelofibrosis. These tumors exhibited a diffuse proliferation of pleomorphic blast cells. The skeletal x-rays showed disseminated osteolysis and osteosclerosis. Blast cells obtained from the pleural effusion did not react with myeloperoxidase, sudan black B or non-specific esterase. Genotypic analysis of DNA samples at autopsy did not demonstrate rearrangements of T-cell receptor beta-chain or immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes. Frozen-section immunohistochemical studies revealed that the neoplastic cells were derived from megakaryocytic lineage. The present case represents a novel and unusual subtype of megakaryocytic neoplasm.

Polarized Raman spectra of oriented fibers of A DNA and B DNA: anisotropic and isotropic local Raman tensors of base and backbone vibrations

Polarized Raman spectra of oriented fibers of calf thymus DNA in the A and B conformations have been obtained by use of a Raman microscope operating in the 180 degrees back-scattering geometry. The following polarized Raman intensities in the spectral interval 200-1800 cm-1 were measured with both 514.5 and 488.0 nm laser excitations: (1) Icc, in which the incident and scattered light are polarized parallel to the DNA helical axis (c axis); (2) Ibb, in which the incident and scattered light are polarized perpendicular to c; and (3) Ibc and Icb, in which the incident and scattered light are polarized in mutually perpendicular directions. High degrees of structural homogeneity and unidirectional orientation were confirmed for both the A and B form fibers, as judged by comparison of the observed Raman markers and intensity anisotropies with measurements reported previously for oligonucleotide single crystals of known three-dimensional structures. The fiber Raman anisotropies have been combined with solution Raman depolarization ratios to evaluate the local tensors corresponding to key conformation-sensitive Raman bands of the DNA bases and sugar-phosphate backbone. The present study yields novel vibrational assignments for both A DNA and BDNA conformers and also confirms many previously proposed Raman vibrational assignments. Among the significant new findings are the demonstration of complex patterns of A form and B form indicator bands in the spectral intervals 750-900 and 1050-1100 cm-1, the identification of highly anisotropic tensors corresponding to vibrations of base, deoxyribose, and phosphate moieties, and the determination of relatively isotropic Raman tensors for the symmetrical stretching mode of phosphodioxy groups in A and B DNA. The present fiber results provide a basis for exploitation of polarized Raman spectroscopy to determine DNA helix orientation as well as to probe specific nucleotide residue orientations in nucleoproteins, viruses, and other complex biological assemblies.

Isozyme analysis of the high serum adenosine deaminase activity in patients with myasthenia gravis

The serum activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isozymes (ADA 1 and ADA 2) were measured in 31 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). As compared with 50 normal controls, in MG the total activity and ADA 1 were significantly high (p < 0.01, respectively), and ADA 2 tended to be high. The total activity and ADA 2 were higher in generalized MG than in ocular MG. ADA 2 was significantly higher in grade IIB patients as compared with grade I patients divided by Osserman's classification (p < 0.05). Patients with bulbar signs showed a significantly high total ADA (p < 0.05) with an increasing tendency for ADA 2. There was a significant elevation of the total activity and ADA 2 in patients with positive anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibody as compared to those of the negative antibody (p < 0.05). It was concluded that total ADA, reflecting the increase of both ADA 1 and ADA 2, is high in MG; and the measurement of ADA 2 is more important because ADA 2 was increased with advancing clinical MG grade.

Studies on agents with vasodilator and beta-blocking activities. II

A series of phenoxypropanolamines having a hydrazinopyridazinyl moiety was synthesized. Their hypotensive and beta-blocking activities were evaluated after intravenous administration of the compounds to anesthetized rats. Some of them exhibited both activities. In particular, compound 20k is a candidate for clinical use due to its hypotensive activity, equal to that of hydralazine, and its beta-blocking activity, 2.7-fold more potent than that of propranolol.

[Twenty-eight days repeated dose toxicity test of N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)phthalimide in rats]

N-(Fluorodichloromethylthio)phthalimide (Fluor-folpet) has been widely used as an anti-mold and anti-bacterial agent. In this study, 28 days repeated-dose oral toxicity study of fluor-folpet was carried out in Slc:Wistar rats. An oral toxicity study for fluor-folpet, the twenty-eight days test, repeated-dose, oral administration, was performed as follows: Five week-old rats, male and female, 10 rats, each/group, were treated with intragastric administration of fluor-folpet with a dose of 0 (1% Sodium CMC, control), 20, 80 and 320 mg/kg, body weight. Recovery test, for 14 days after the last treatment, was examined for the control and the 320 mg/kg groups. The 320 mg/kg groups, both males and females, showed significantly reduced their body-weight gain compared with the control group. In the 320 mg/kg group, five out of 20 male rats and four out of 20 female rats died from dyspnea during the treatment period. In the female rats in the 320 mg/kg group, serum ChE level was decreased to 50% of control level and gamma-GT was increased in a dose-dependent manner, but these serum levels recovered after 14 days non-treatment period. No histopathological change, relating to the treatment, in liver was observed. Increased weight of the kidney and vacuolation in renal tubules were found in both sexes of 320 mg/kg group. Hyperkeratosis and hyperplasia of the stomach epithelium were observed at the dose more than 80 mg/kg in male, and more than 20 mg/kg in female. A supplemental study, repeated-dose, oral administration in rats carried out to examine the dyspnea revealed that severe acute toxic damages in epithelium of nasal cavity and meatus nasopharyngeus were induced by intragastric administration of fluor-folpet. Fluor-folpet is shown to be cytotoxic. In conclusion, the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for fluor-folpet was not found under the experimental conditions employed in this repeated-dose toxicity study.

Magnetic resonance angiography in prostatodynia

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance venography (3D MRV) of the prostate and the pelvic cavity was demonstrated in 8 normal subjects and 12 patients with prostatodynia. In all normal subjects and patients, 3D MRV images were successfully obtained. The deep dorsal vein of the penis sends major branches into the anterior and lateral capsular veins as well as into the internal pudendal vein. In patients with prostatodynia, the anterior and lateral capsular veins were much thicker in diameter than those in normal subjects, suggesting venous congestion. This congestion was also remarkable in the venous plexuses behind the bladder or along the lateral side of the pelvis in patients with prostatodynia. Another characteristic sign of the disease was a narrowing or an interruption of the internal pudendal vein. Prostatodynia is postulated to be caused by intrapelvic venous congestion.

Species-specific amplification of tRNA-derived short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs) by retroposition: a process of parasitization of entire genomes during the evolution of salmonids

Fourteen members of the Hpa I subfamilies of tRNA-derived SINEs in particular salmonid species were isolated from genomic libraries of chum salmon, kokanee, coho salmon, masu salmon, and steelhead. Alignment of the sequences of these 14 members, together with those of 4 members already published, 3 of which were previously demonstrated to have been amplified specifically in certain lineages, revealed the presence of five subfamilies with particular diagnostic nucleotides. The amplification of members of the same subfamily in different salmonid lineages and the amplification of members of different subfamilies in the same salmonid lineage suggest that multiple dispersed loci were responsible for amplification or, alternatively, that SINEs were transmitted horizontally between species. These two possibilities are not mutually exclusive. Our results also indicate that the Hpa I SINEs in salmonids behave like parasites. The amplification of these SINEs is ongoing and continues to shape the evolution of salmonid genomes.

[Diagnostic imaging of prostate cancer]

Cancer nodules in early prostate cancer are mostly visualized as hypoechoic lesions on ultrasonogram. In a small number of prostate cancers, the cancer nodule is isoechoic and difficult to visualize. In advanced prostate cancer, the prostate is enlarged asymmetrically and deformed. The internal echo pattern of the prostate with advanced prostate cancer has usually been demonstrated as a mixed or mosaic architecture including both hypoechoic and hyperechoic lesions. According to several reporters, the sensitivity and specificity of transrectal sonography were approximately 80% and 90%, respectively. Doppler color flow imaging was applied to transrectal sonography in the present study. The detection rate of blood flow image was higher in the cases of prostate cancer than in other cases with normal or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The detection rate became higher according to the stage of the disease, but no difference was noticed among cases with different tumor grades. Blood flow rapidly became lower after castration and was undetectable 4 weeks after the treatment. CT scan was not useful for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. MRI seemed promising because it can visualize the internal architecture and cancer lesion of the prostate.

[A case of acute cervical spinal epidural hematoma caused by extradural arterio-venous malformation]

The authors report a rare case of acute cervical epidural hematoma caused by the hemorrhage from extradural arterio-venous malformation. The patient was a 74-year-old Japanese man with a past history of total gastrectomy after being diagnosed as having gastric cancer 12 years before. Six hours prior to admission, the patient had experienced a sudden episode of severe nuchal pain radiating to both scapular areas, followed by rapid development of left-side Brown-Sequard Syndrome below the C4 cord level, and urinary incontinence. Plain cervical X-ray films did not show any destructive lesion suggesting a metastatic tumor. T1 and T2 weighted images of MRI demonstrated a high intensity mass lesion, suggesting an acute epidural hematoma, extending from C3 to C6 and compressing severely the left side spinal cord posteriorly. Twelve hours after the onset of symptoms, emergency laminectomy from C3 to C6 was performed and a fresh epidural clot with small vascular tissue was totally removed. Histological examination of the small vascular tissue in the hematoma revealed arterio-venous malformation. The postoperative recovery of the patient was dramatic. He regained full muscle strength and there was complete disappearance of sensory deficits 2 weeks after the operation. Although acute spinal epidural hematoma caused by extradural arterio-venous malformation is a rare clinical entity, MRI is the most helpful diagnostic tool for this condition. It should be stressed that accurate neuroradiological diagnosis and prompt surgical decompression of the spinal cord are essential to obtain an excellent surgical outcome.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as a therapeutic modality for hematological disorders: a report based on 39 cases

The outcomes of 39 patients with hematological disorders who had undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from September 1986 to March 1992 were reported. The length of follow-up was six to 50 months. Twenty patients with acute leukemia, eight patients with aplastic anemia, seven patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, two patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and two patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were included. Major complications were acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (17 cases out of 36 evaluable cases; 47 percent), chronic GVHD (13/25; 52 percent), sepsis (20/41; 49 percent), interstitial pneumonitis (IP) (10/30; 33 percent), and veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver (5/41; 12 percent). Acute and chronic GVHD were well managed with cyclosporin, methotrexate, and steroids. VOD of the liver seemed to be associated with the pretransplant regimen including busulfan and cyclophosphamide. The overall probability of disease free survival of 39 patients who had undergone allogeneic BMT was 0.56. This includes nine high risk cases such as HLA antigen mismatch between the donor and the recipient, and as in the second or subsequent remission or in relapsed cases. The probability of disease free survival in patients with acute leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and aplastic anemia including high risk cases was 0.55 (n = 20), 0.71 (n = 7), and 0.50 (n = 8) respectively. These results indicate that allogeneic BMT is the major therapeutic strategy for patients whose survival could not be expected by conventional chemotherapy and that drug intensification for conditioning regimen is also important.

Superoxide dismutase inhibits interleukin-1-induced degradation of human cartilage

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of cartilage destruction in arthritis-related disorders. Human recombinant superoxide dismutase (SOD) blocked IL-1-mediated cartilage destruction but had no effect on IL-1-mediated changes in glycosaminoglycan and prostaglandin E2 synthesis. These data suggest that superoxide anions may be one factor of IL-1-mediated cartilage destruction.