A Far-Red Fluorescent Probe to Visualize Gram-Positive Bacteria in Patient Samples

Gram-positive bacteria, in particular Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), are the leading bacterial cause of death in high-income countries and can cause invasive infections at various body sites. These infections are associated with prolonged hospital stays, a large economic burden, considerable treatment failure, and high mortality rates. So far, there is only limited knowledge about the specific locations where S. aureus resides in the human body during various infections. Hence, the visualization of S. aureus holds significant importance in microbiological research. Herein, we report the development and validation of a far-red fluorescent probe to detect Gram-positive bacteria, with a focus on staphylococci, in human biopsies from deep-seated infections. This probe displays strong fluorescence and low background in human tissues, outperforming current tools for S. aureus detection. Several applications are demonstrated, including fixed- and live-cell imaging, flow cytometry, and super-resolution bacterial imaging.

The regulatory role of interferon-γ producing gamma delta T cells via the suppression of T helper 17 cell activity in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. However, the pathogenesis of IP remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of pulmonary γδT cells in IP. In wild-type (WT) mice exposed to bleomycin, pulmonary γδT cells were expanded and produced large amounts of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17A. Histological and biochemical analyses showed that bleomycin-induced IP was more severe in T cell receptor (TCR-δ-deficient (TCRδ(-/-) ) mice than WT mice. In TCRδ(-/-) mice, pulmonary IL-17A(+) CD4(+) Τ cells expanded at days 7 and 14 after bleomycin exposure. In TCRδ(-/-) mice infused with γδT cells from WT mice, the number of pulmonary IL-17A(+) CD4(+) T cells was lower than in TCRδ(-/-) mice. The examination of IL-17A(-/-) TCRδ(-/-) mice indicated that γδT cells suppressed pulmonary fibrosis through the suppression of IL-17A(+) CD4(+) T cells. The differentiation of T helper (Th)17 cells was determined in vitro, and CD4(+) cells isolated from TCRδ(-/-) mice showed normal differentiation of Th17 cells compared with WT mice. Th17 cell differentiation was suppressed in the presence of IFN-γ producing γδT cells in vitro. Pulmonary fibrosis was attenuated by IFN-γ-producing γδT cells through the suppression of pulmonary IL-17A(+) CD4(+) T cells. These results suggested that pulmonary γδT cells seem to play a regulatory role in the development of bleomycin-induced IP mouse model via the suppression of IL-17A production.

Insufficient ex vivo expansion of Valpha24(+) natural killer T cells in malignant lymphoma patients related to the suppressed expression of CD1d molecules on CD14(+) cells

BACKGROUND

Valpha24(+) natural killer T (NKT) cell is a human counterpart of mice Valpha14(+) NKT cell that has a regulatory role for innate and acquired potential antitumor activity. The efficient expansion of NKT cells is an obstacle to the clinical application of Valpha24(+) NKT cells for immunotherapy.

METHODS

We used mononuclear cells (MNC) obtained from the peripheral blood (PB) of normal healthy donor (HD) and malignant lymphoma (ML) patients before and after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. MNC were cultured for 12 days with alpha-galactosylceramide (100 ng/mL) and interleukin-2 (IL-2; 100 U/mL).

RESULTS

The fold expansion of Valpha24(+) NKT cells was higher in HD than in ML patients (208 versus 0.00), despite comparable numbers of Valpha24(+) NKT cells before culture. G-CSF administration enhanced the predominance of Valpha24(+) NKT cell fold expansion in HD compared with ML patients (1935 versus 1.95). After treatment with G-CSF, the expression of CD1d molecules was up-regulated in CD14(+) cells from HD but not ML patients. The fold expansion of Valpha24(+) NKT cells and CD1d expression on CD14(+) cells was strongly correlated in both HD and ML patients (r(2)=0.84). However, replacement of a patient's CD14(+) cells with HD cells did not increase the efficacy of Valpha24(+) NKT cell expansion.

DISCUSSION

G-CSF-mobilized PB from ML patients has inhibitory characteristics for Valpha24(+) NKT cell expansion as a result of both monocytes and Valpha24(+) NKT cells. Multiple procedures would be needed for the expansion of patients' Valpha24(+) NKT cells.

Elucidation of the heme binding site of heme-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha kinase and the role of the regulatory motif in heme sensing by spectroscopic and catalytic studies of mutant proteins

Heme-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinase (HRI) functions in response to the heme iron concentration. At the appropriate heme iron concentrations under normal conditions, HRI function is suppressed by binding of the heme iron. Conversely, upon heme iron shortage, HRI autophosphorylates and subsequently phosphorylates the substrate, eIF2alpha, leading to the termination of protein synthesis. The molecular mechanism of heme sensing by HRI, including identification of the specific binding site, remains to be established. In the present study we demonstrate that His-119/His-120 and Cys-409 are the axial ligands for the Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX complex (hemin) in HRI, based on spectral data on site-directed mutant proteins. Cys-409 is part of the heme-regulatory Cys-Pro motif in the kinase domain. A P410A full-length mutant protein displayed loss of heme iron affinity. Surprisingly, inhibitory effects of the heme iron on catalysis and changes in the heme dissociation rate constants in full-length His-119/His-120 and Cys-409 mutant proteins were marginally different to wild type. In contrast, heme-induced inhibition of Cys-409 mutants of the isolated kinase domain and N-terminal-truncated proteins was substantially weaker than that of the full-length enzyme. A pulldown assay disclosed heme-dependent interactions between the N-terminal and kinase domains. Accordingly, we propose that heme regulation is induced by interactions between heme and the catalytic domain in conjunction with global tertiary structural changes at the N-terminal domain that accompany heme coordination and not merely by coordination of the heme iron with amino acids on the protein surface.

[Critical role for cell cycle regulators in androgen receptor function]

Androgen plays an important role in the growth of prostate cancer, but the molecular mechanism that underlies development of resistance to antiandrogen therapy remains unknown. Cyclin E has now been shown to increase the transactivation activity of the human androgen receptor (AR) in the presence of its ligand dihydrotestosterone. The enhancement of AR activity by cyclin E was resistant to inhibition by the antiandrogen 5-hydroxyflutamide. Cyclin E was shown to bind directly to the AB domain of the AR, and to enhance its AF-1 transactivation function. These results suggest that cyclin E functions as a coactivator of the AR, and that aberrant expression of cyclin E in tumors may contribute persistent activation of AR function, even during androgen ablation therapy.

Early full donor myeloid chimerism after reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation using a combination of fludarabine and busulfan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate lineage-specific chimerism reconstitution after reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (RIST) using a combination of fludarabine (30 mg/m2 for 6 days) and busulfan (4 mg/kg for 2 days).

DESIGN AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 8 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies who were not candidates for conventional transplantation because of either high age or organ dysfunction. Host-donor chimerism was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-based amplification of a polymorphic short tandem repeat region.

RESULTS

All of our patients achieved engraftment within a median of 11 days after transplantation. On day 30, full donor myeloid cell chimerism (>90%) was achieved in 7 patients whereas full donor T-cell chimerism was achieved in only one patient. Thus, in contrast to other reported results, full donor chimerism was achieved earlier in the myeloid lineage than the T-cell lineage. On day 60, however, T-cell chimerism caught up with myeloid chimerism. Two patients developed grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) before the detection of full donor T-cell chimerism.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the kinetics of lineage-specific chimerism depend on the agents used in the conditioning regimen, and may provide insight into the chimerism kinetics and pathogenesis of GVHD. Thus, the strategy for controlling immunosuppression after RIST should be modified according to the type of conditioning regimen applied.

General pharmacological properties of Sho-seiryu-to (TJ-19) extracts

The general pharmacological properties of TJ-19 extracts were orally investigated in various experimental animals. TJ-19 extracts showed no effect on general behavior and on central nervous system such as spontaneous locomotor activity, proconvulsant and anti-convulsant responses, analgesic activity, body temperature and hexobarbital sleeping time at all doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg in mice. Further, TJ-19 extracts showed no effect on contractile responses of isolated guinea pig ileum induced by acetylcholine, histamine and BaCl2 at concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) g/ml. TJ-19 extracts, however, increased the respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and decreased the blood flow in dogs at all doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg via duodenal administration. Further, TJ-19 extracts decreased the interval of PR and QT of EKG parameters in dogs at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg. TJ-19 extracts increased the intestinal transport of charcoal meal in rats at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg. TJ-19 increased the urinary Na+ excretion at all doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg, and increased the urinary K+ and Cl- excretion at 1 and 2 g/kg, although it showed no effect on urine volume output in rats. These data suggest that TJ-19 stimulates the sympathetic nervous system function at a pharmacological dose of under 0.5 g/kg, and has possibility to increase the intestinal peristalsis and urinary electrolyte excretion at higher doses.

Rapid progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after drainage of large cystic lesions: report of a case

We report herein a case of cholangiocarcinoma with large cystic lesions. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated large cysts in segment IV and the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe, and a solid tumor in the anterior segment of the right lobe of the liver which was contiguous to the cyst in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe. The large cysts were diagnostically misleading and a liver abscess was suspected. Thus, percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the cyst was performed. The fluid in the cyst was negative bacteriologically, but malignant cells were detected. A CT scan done 2 weeks after drainage of the cyst showed progression of the solid tumor with intrahepatic metastasis and replacement of the cystic lesions by the solid tumor. Following percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization, a right hepatic trisegmentectomy with caudate lobectomy was performed. Pathological examination confirmed cholangiocellular carcinoma. These results indicate that drainage of the cystic lesion induced the tumor progression in the liver. Therefore, the possibility of cholangiocarcinoma with a large cystic lesion should be borne in mind when considering the differential diagnosis of a cystic lesion in the liver, and appropriate surgical therapy should be carefully selected.

Protective effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang) against atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits

We investigated the protective effects of the traditional Japanese herbal medicine Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang in Chinese) (SRBT) against hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions. We focused on atherosclerosis using female heterozygous Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. The total plasma cholesterol levels increased for up to 12 weeks after beginning a diet containing 0.1% cholesterol and then reached a plateau of about 600 mg dl(-1). When SRBT was administered at a dose of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day for 24 weeks, total plasma cholesterol levels were significantly decreased after 20-24 weeks. On the other hand, pravastatin at a dose of 10 mg kg(-1)per day produced a significant decrease in total plasma cholesterol levels from 4 to 24 weeks (about 105-130 mg dl(-1)). Moreover, 1.0 g kg(-1)per day of SRBT significantly decreased plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels but did not change either very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Animals that received pravastatin had significantly decreased LDL cholesterol levels and VLDL cholesterol levels after 8 weeks and at 24 weeks. We also examined the expression of apoB, E and LDL receptor mRNA levels in the liver at 24 weeks after beginning the administration of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day of SRBT. Both apoE and LDL receptor mRNA levels were significantly increased compared with those in rabbits receiving the 0.1% cholesterol diet. SRBT at a dose of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day significantly depressed the intimal surface area of the thoracic aortae involved with atheromatous plaques. The present results suggest that SRBT may protect against hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions by affecting apoE and LDL receptor mRNA gene expression in the liver.

Antioxidative effects of Choi-oki-to and its ability to inhibit the progression of atheroma in KHC rabbits

Agents which inhibit the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) have been thought to be helpful in preventing the formation of atherosclerotic lesions; the so called "oxidation hypothesis". To test this hypothesis, we examined the antioxidative activities of 127 Kampo medicines in vitro and their inhibitory effects on the development of atheromatous plaque formation in KHC rabbits, a model of spontaneous familial hypercholesterolemia. Some of the 127 Kampo medicines showed scavenging or antioxidative effects equal to or stronger than those of probucol in vitro. Choi joki to, which had the strongest antioxidative effects on LDL in vitro, was chosen for a study in vivo. After 24 weeks, 1 g/kg of Choi joki to successfully inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in KHC rabbits (P < 0.01). Further investigations regarding the antioxidative effects of Kampo medicines are expected.

[Clinical role of cell cycle regulators in androgen-dependent cancer cell growth]

The functional and quantitative alterations in cell cycle regulators after androgen depletion in an androgen-dependent cancer cell and the interaction between androgen receptor and cell cycle regulators were examined in order to clarify the initial response of cancer cells to anti-androgen therapy. Fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis (FACS) of androgen-dependent cancer cell line (SC-3) cells cultured with or without 1 nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT) revealed that suppression of cell growth after androgen withdrawal was due to G1 arrest. The protein level of cyclin D1 decreased without any apparent change in the amounts of Cdk2, Cdk4, cyclin E or cyclin A. Among various Cdk inhibitors (CKIs) examined, p27 was upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels 24 h after androgen depletion. On the other hand, cyclin E has been shown to increase the transactivation activity of the human androgen receptor (AR) in the presence of DHT. These results suggest that cell cycle regulators are critical targets in the initial response of androgen-dependent cancer cells to androgen depletion and play a key role in the transcriptional activity of AR.

Induction of KAI-1 expression in metastatic cancer cells by phorbol esters

KAI-1 is a tumor suppressor gene whose down-regulation has been shown to be associated with the development of metastases of cancer cells. Here, we demonstrated that KAI-1 expression was induced by activating protein kinase C even in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines in which its expression was significantly down-regulated. KAI-1 expression was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by PMA, and its induction is at least in part due to transcriptional activation. Pretreatment with calphostin C abrogated its induction by PMA. Our findings may provide useful information for developing a novel drug capable of inducing KAI-1 expression and thereby inhibiting metastasis.

Anti-type I allergic mechanisms of mao-bushi-saishin-to in mice

We investigated the anti-allergic effect of mao-bushi-saishin-to (MBS) on the type I allergy model in mice. When MBS was administered orally at a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg, edema of the footpad, the amount of plasma IgE and the ratio of eosinophilic leukocytes in peritoneal exudate cells were all dose-relatedly suppressed. Moreover to investigate the anti-type I allergic mechanisms of MBS, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production from splenocytes that were stimulated by pokeweed mitogen for 48 h. In addition, we assayed IgE production from splenic B cells stimulated with the lipopolysaccharide and IL-4 for 7 days. MBS inhibited the IL-4 and IFN-gamma production, but IL-5 and IgE production were not affected. Thus possibly, the inhibition of IL-4 production may partially be involved in the expression of the anti-type I allergic effects of MBS.

Effects of Sho-seiryu-to on experimental allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs

The effects of Sho-seiryu-to, an antiallergic Kampo medicine, on experimental allergic rhinitis were investigated in actively sensitized guinea pigs. The number of sneezes and scratches by the animals after a topical antigen challenge was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with Sho-seiryu-to (1000 mg/kg per os p.o.). The antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa was significantly inhibited by Sho-seiryu-to (1000 mg/kg p.o.). Sho-seiryu-to (100 mg/kg p.o.) also reduced the increase in dye leakage to the nasal cavity induced by the antigen challenge and the antigen-induced decrease in volume of the nasal cavity was inhibited. Moreover, Sho-seiryu-to (1000 mg/kg p.o.) suppressed the volume change in the nasal cavity induced by leukotriene D4. These results demonstrate that Sho-seiryu-to inhibits experimental allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs, confirming that the agent may be beneficial for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Inhibitory effects of Dai-saiko-to (Da-Chai-Hu-Tang) on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The inhibitory effects of the traditional herbal medicine Dai-saiko-to (Da-Chai-Hu-Tang) on the progression of the atherosclerotic lesions were studied using the spontaneous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) model, Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. Changes in blood chemistry, pathology and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were measured in a control group and a Dai-saiko-to-treated group. In the control group, the area of atheromatous plaques of the aorta progressed between week 12 (29.1%) and 26 (51.5%). This progression of atherosclerotic lesions did not happen in the Dai-saiko-to-treated group between week 12 (26%) and 26 (27.4%). Antioxidative effects on LDL were seen in the Dai-saiko-to-treated group in weeks 16 and 18. Dai-saiko-to did not improve the hypercholesterolemia in the KHC rabbits. These results suggest that Dai-saiko-to has inhibitory effects on the development of atheromatous plaque formation in spontaneous FH model rabbits. It is possible that the antioxidative effects of Dai-saiko-to on LDL led to the beneficial effects observed in this study.

Anti-inflammatory effects of mao-bushi-saishin-to in mice and rats

Effects of Mao-Bushi-Saishin-to (MBS) on anti-inflammatory activities were examined in mice and rats. MBS significantly inhibited the increase in vascular permeability induced by acetic acid, the ear edema induced by arachidonic acid and phorbol ester, and the cutaneous extravasation induced by bradykinin and histamine. MBS, however, was not effective against the serotonin-induced cutaneous permeability increase in mice. MBS significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced hind foot edema and cotton pellet-induced granulation tissue growth in rats. These results show that MBS may exert anti-inflammatory effects through the underlying mechanism(s) of preventing mediator release from mast cells and macrophages.

Inhibitory effect of Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix on azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci formation in rat colon

This study was conducted to obtain effective cancer chemopreventive agents with low toxicity from medicinal herbs. The effect of aqueous extracts from 9 medicinal herbs with antiinflammatory effect were examined on the formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF), putative preneoplastic lesions of the colon. Male F344 rats were treated with 15 mg/kg body weight of AOM once a week for two weeks. Herbal extract consisting of 2% of the diet was administered from 1 d prior to the first carcinogen treatment. The number of AOM-induced ACF per colon was counted at 4 week. Extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix significantly inhibited AOM-induced ACF formation. The number of ACF was decreased to 54% and 78% of that of the control by 2% Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix extract in the diet, respectively. Berberine and Baicalin, major ingredients of Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix, inhibited ACF formation at a dose equivalent to the amount in each herbal extract. Therefore, to investigate the mechanisms of action of berberine and baicalein which is the active substances of orally administered baicalin, their effects on cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 activities were studied. Berberine was found to inhibit cyclooxygenase 2 activity without inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 activity, and baicalein inhibited cyclooxygenase 1 activity. Thus, Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix suppressed experimental colon carcinogenesis, and their chemopreventive effects were explained from the inhibition of berberine on cyclooxygenase 2 activity and baicalein on cyclooxygenase 1 activity.

Further pharmacological study on Sho-seiryu-to as an antiallergic

Examination was made of the pharmacological characteristics of Sho-seiryu-to, an antiallergic kampo medicine. Sho-seiryu-to suppressed histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, but failed to inhibit the binding of [3H]-mepyramine to histamine H1 receptors in guinea pig cerebral cortex and lung. Sho-seiryu-to had no effect on cutaneous reactions induced by serotonin, platelet-activating factor (PAF), leukotriene (LT) C4 or LTD4. Ketotifen prolonged electrically induced convulsions, while Sho-seiryu-to did not. Sho-seiryu-to did not affect salivation induced by pilocarpine. Sho-seiryu-to thus does not appear to inhibit histamine H1 receptors or inflammation induced by serotonin, PAF, LTC4 and LTD4, but suppresses mast cell activity. Sho-seiryu-to would thus have only a few side effects such as dry mouth and convulsions due mainly to the blockage of the action of muscarinic in salivary glands and histamine in the brain.

Effects of Hoelen on the efferent activity of the gastric vagus nerve in the rat

Hoelen is used to treat gastric disease in Eastern traditional medicine. The efferent activity on the gastric vagus nerve was studied in the rat, and the activity was found to increase after administration of Hoelen into the duodenum. In addition, we examined the effect of Hoelen fractions. Both the fraction containing polysaccharide and the triterpenoid-rich fraction increased activity significantly. Hoelen would thus appear useful for treating gastric disease by activating efferent activity of the gastric vagus nerve through the action of triterpenoid and polysaccharide.

Effects of unilateral cryptorchidism on the expression of gonadotropin receptor mRNA

Expression patterns of mRNAs of FSH and LH receptors were examined by Northern blot in adult rat testes after induction of unilateral cryptorchidism. At 4 weeks after the operation, signals of Northern blot were markedly increased in both receptor mRNAs in the abdominal testes as compared to those in the scrotal testes. In addition, there was a remarkable change in size pattern of LH receptor transcripts; the scrotal testes of cryptorchid rats and the intact testes of control rats expressed the transcripts of 7.0, 4.3, 2.5, and 1.8 kb, while the abdominal testes hardly expressed the transcript of 1.8 kb. This finding suggests that the expression of LH receptor mRNA is regulated locally within testis.

Pharmacological characteristics of Sho-seiryu-to, an antiallergic Kampo medicine without effects on histamine H1 receptors and muscarinic cholinergic system in the brain

The pharmacological characteristics of Sho-seiryu-to, an antiallergic Kampo medicine, were investigated. Forty-eight-hour passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction was significantly inhibited in rats orally administered Sho-seiryu-to (1000 mg/kg). Sho-seiryu-to significantly inhibited increase in vascular permeability induced by histamine. These data confirm previous findings that Sho-seiryu-to has antiallergic activity in animals and suggest that the antagonism of histamine may be an antiallergic mechanism of Sho-seiryu-to. Sho-seiryu-to did not affect locomotor activity or motor coordination in mice. Although ketotifen prolonged sleeping time induced by pentobarbital, Sho-seiryu-to had no such effect. Nor was there any effect on oxotremorine-induced tremor and [3H]-mepyramine binding to histamine H1 receptors in rat brain. Thus, Sho-seiryu-to appears to be useful for treating type I allergy, with relatively few side effects such as sedation and drowsiness due mainly to blockade of histamine H1 and muscarinic receptors in the brain.

Changes in citrate concentration in the mouse uterus with experimentally-induced adenomyosis

Components of the uterine fluid in mice with experimentally-induced adenomyosis and in controls were examined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. One of the components was markedly different in mice with adenomyosis. As this component was estimated to be citrate by comparison with authentic samples (standard spectrum), its levels in uterine fluid, uterine tissue and blood were determined by enzymatic analysis. The fluid obtained from the uterus with adenomyosis showed significantly lower concentration of citrate than that from normal uterus. However, the uterine tissue concentration was significantly higher in the experimental mice with adenomyosis. There was no difference in the blood citrate level between the experimental and the control groups. Since adenomyosis was induced by chronic hyperprolactinemia, the change of citrate level in the uterus with this lesion might imply some effects of prolactin (PRL) on metabolism and/or secretion of citrate. However, in normal mice, no significant change was demonstrated in uterine citrate concentration after short-term experimental modulation of the circulating PRL level. Thus, it is unlikely that PRL can regulate directly citrate metabolism in the uterus, indicating some other cause for changes in citrate level accompanying the development of adenomyosis.

M13 bacteriophage DNA inhibits duck hepatitis B virus during acute infection

We investigated effects of various DNAs on duck hepatitis B virus replication in vivo. One-day-old ducks were infected intravenously with DHBV. Various DNAs were then injected intravenously, and duck hepatitis B virus levels were followed for up to 20 days after the inoculation. When M13 bacteriophage DNA (M13 DNA), heat-denatured Escherichia coli DNA or phi X 174 phage DNA was injected intravenously at a dose of 2.45 mg/kg body wt daily for 10 days, a significant decrease of serum duck hepatitis B virus DNA was detected within 10 days. The efficacy was twice that reported with antisense DNA on a weight basis and far more than that reported on a molar basis. M13 DNA was superior, on the basis of effective dose, to acyclovir as an anti-duck hepatitis B virus agent. On treatment with M13 DNA, serum 2-5 A synthetase level was increased five to six times, suggesting that the antiviral effect of M13 DNA is at least partly due to induction of endogenous interferon, which in turn induces 2-5 A synthetase. No significant inhibitory effect on replication of duck hepatitis B virus was demonstrated by DNAs obtained from herring testes, herring sperm, salmon testes, human placenta or calf thymus. On discontinuation of M13 DNA injection on day 10, duck hepatitis B virus reappeared in the serum at later time points. Digestion of M13 DNA with S1 nuclease resulted in marked reduction of antiviral activity. These results show that M13 DNA, not its digested product, has potent antiviral activity.

Defective mononuclear cell antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency emphasizing on different CD11/CD18 requirement of Fc gamma RI versus Fc gamma RII in ADCC

The defective antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of mononuclear cells (MNC) from patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD), beta 2 integrins (CD11a-c/CD18) deficiency was shown. LAD patients completely failed to generate MNC-ADCC against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) sensitized with murine (m) IgG2b, but had diminished but significant cytolysis against mIgG2a-SRBC, suggesting that the CD11/CD18 requirement of Fc gamma RI is different from that of Fc gamma RII in MNC-ADCC. Blocking experiments with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against individual subunits of CD11/CD18 revealed that anti-CD18 mAb almost completely inhibited mIgG2b-mediated ADCC by normal monocytes, but only partially inhibited mIgG2a-mediated ADCC. These data may confirm the evidence that Fc gamma RII-mediated ADCC absolutely requires CD11/CD18 but Fc gamma RI-mediated ADCC does not. Among subunits of CD11/CD18, appeared to be most involved in lysis of sensitized SRBC.

P300 as indicator of effects of prophylactic cranial radiation

In order to assess the late adverse effects of cranial radiation on the central nervous system, 33 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia were examined through event-related potential P300, brain response analysis. P300 latency was significantly prolonged in children who received both prophylactic cranial radiation and intrathecal methotrexate. Although a longitudinal study is necessary, we believe that P300 is useful in the assessment of the adverse effects of cranial radiation in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

DNA analysis of seven patients with hemophilia B who have anti-factor IX antibodies: relationship to clinical manifestations and evidence that the abnormal gene was inherited

We have investigated genomic DNA samples of 24 patients with hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency), including seven patients with anti-factor IX antibodies (inhibitors), by molecular probes. Seventeen patients without inhibitors against factor IX and three patients with inhibitor showed no abnormalities in their restriction fragments generated by digestions of the genomic DNA by BamHl, EcoRl, Mspl, or Taql and hybridized with a factor IX cDNA probe (pHFIX). The remaining four patients with inhibitors were found to have gross deletions of the factor IX gene. Among those four patients, two were from the same family. Quantitative Southern blotting clearly showed that the abnormal gene was inherited in this family. DNA from the mother of another patient with deletion of the factor IX gene showed normal gene dosage, indicating that the mutation must have occurred at the mother's germ cells. The genomic DNA samples of four patients with gross factor IX gene deletions were found to lack the entire factor IX gene as analyzed with a factor IX cDNA as well as with a 3'-genomic factor IX fragment as probes. The hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene probe, however, was found to hybridize with all of these DNA samples, indicating that the deletions in these genomic DNA samples had not extended to the region containing the HPRT gene locus in q27 proximal to the factor IX gene locus on the X chromosome. Several clinical characteristics were compared between inhibitor cases with gene deletion and inhibitor cases without obvious gene deletion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Demonstration of intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin in non-T-acute lymphocytic leukemia cases of children with immunoelectron microscopic examination

Leukemic cells from 25 cases of non-T-acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children were investigated for intracellular immunoglobulin by the use of immunoelectron microscopic study (immuno-EM). As a result, 12 cases were negative for both heavy and light chains of the immunoglobulin in the neoplastic cells. Of these, one case that was also negative for common ALL antigen (CALLA) was defined as null cell type. The remaining 11 cases were defined as common ALL type. Six cases were defined as pre-B-cell type because they were positive for cytoplasmic mu chain but negative for cytoplasmic light chains. Seven cases were defined as B-cell type, all of which possessed lambda light chains in the neoplastic cells. Immunohistologic studies using monoclonal antibodies showed that most non-T-ALL cases were positive for CALLA and B4, whereas about 50% of them were positive for B1. Our immuno-EM study suggests that it is one of the effective ways of subclassifying non-T-ALL in children.

[Pharmacological studies on schizandra fruits. III. Effects of wuweizisu C, a lignan component of schizandra fruits, on experimental liver injuries in rats]

The effects of wuweizisu C, a lignan component of schizandra fruits, on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), d-galactosamine and dl-ethionine were investigated by means of serum-biochemical and histopathological examinations in rats. Pretreatment or combined administration of wuweizisu C dose-dependently reduced the elevation of serum transaminase activity and histological changes such as fatty degeneration, cell necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc., which were caused by the single administration of 1 ml/kg, p.o., or the repeated administration of 0.2 ml/kg, s.c., daily for 4 days of CCl4, respectively. The effects of wuweizisu C on the liver injuries induced by a low dose (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and a high dose (400 mg/kg, i.p.) of d-galactosamine were compared with those of uridine. Wuweizisu C significantly lowered the rise of serum transaminase activity after the administration of a low dose of d-galactosamine in the serum-biochemical analysis. A tendency was also shown to inhibit cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by both doses of d-galactosamine in the histopathological examination. On the other hand, uridine markedly repaired the serum-biochemical and histopathological changes after the administrations of both doses of d-galactosamine. Also wuweizisu C cured the liver injury by the repeated administration of 150 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 4 days of d-galactosamine. After the repeated administration of 250 mg/kg, s.c., daily for 4 days of ethionine, liver cell atrophy, diffuse fatty degeneration and decrease of serum triglyceride were observed, but not cell necrosis. Wuweizisu C dose-dependently inhibited fatty degeneration and decrease of serum triglyceride. These findings suggest that wuweizisu C can be protective and/or therapeutic on hepatocellular phenomena such as cell necrosis, fatty degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, etc., in human hepatitis.

[Combination chemotherapy with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (11) (CDDP) and bleomycin BLM in advanced esophageal carcinoma]

Five patients with advanced carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with a combination chemotherapy employing CDDP and BLM. One cycle of chemotherapy consisted of CDDP, 50 mg/m2, on day 1 and BLM, 15 mg/patient on days, 1, 7 and 14. Two partial remission and 2 minor responses were obtained. Overall response rates, ths, were 80%. The most adverse effect was nausea. No significant elevation in the serum creatinine or BUN was recognized. Furthermore, the method of CDDP administration was studied on the serum level by 15 minutes' infusion and by 24 hours continuous infusion. The CDDP levels in the serum and tissue were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The CDDP level in the serum by 15 minutes' infusion was higher than that by 24 hours continuous infusion. These results suggest that combination chemotherapy with CDDP and BLM may be a useful method for the treatment of advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Changes in bile composition during gallstone formation in hamsters

Changes in bile composition during cholesterol gallstone formation were investigated in hamsters. Gallstones were found in the gall-bladder and/or bile duct after feeding on a lithogenic diet for two weeks or more. Treatment with the lithogenic diet caused a marked increase in cholesterol secretion and a significant decrease in bile acid secretion, without affecting phospholipid secretion. The increase in cholesterol secretion was greater in gallstone-present than in gallstone-absent animals. Analysis of bile acids in the bile revealed that cholic acid, a major primary bile acid, was markedly decreased by the lithogenic diet. A decrease in glycine-conjugated bile acids and a relative increase in taurine-conjugated bile acids were also observed. The critical period for gallstone formation produced by the lithogenic diet was one to two weeks after the start of the lithogenic diet. From the above findings, the following mechanisms for cholesterol gallstone formation are suggested. The decrease in bile acid and a marked increase in cholesterol in the bile may result in the reduction of cholesterol solubility in micells consisting of bile acids, phospholipids and cholesterol. Subsequently, insoluble cholesterol forms gallstones. In addition, an alteration of glycine-conjugation capability may also play a part in gallstone formation.