α-Tocopherol suppresses 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol-induced cell death via inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum membrane disruption

The brain-specific cholesterol metabolite 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC) has been shown to cause neuronal cell death when subjected to esterification by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1). Accumulating 24S-OHC esters in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) provoked ER membrane disruption and an integrated stress response (ISR), a signaling pathway that regulates adaptation to various stresses. We have previously reported that α-tocopherol (α-Toc) but not α-tocotrienol (α-Toc3), among vitamin E homologs, suppressed 24S-OHC-induced cell death without affecting ACAT1 activity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the inhibitory activity of α-Toc have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of α-Toc on the 24S-OHC-induced cell death machinery. We showed that α-Toc, but not α Toc3, suppressed 24S-OHC-induced ISR and downstream eukaryotic translation initiator factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation. We also found that α-Toc inhibited stress granule formation and robust downregulation of nascent protein synthesis, which were induced by 24S-OHC treatment. Furthermore, disruption of ER membrane integrity was suppressed by α-Toc, but not by α-Toc3. Our findings suggest that the inhibitory effects of α-Toc on 24S-OHC-induced cell death may be attributed to its protective function against ER membrane disruption.

Integrated stress response is involved in the 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol-induced unconventional cell death mechanism

Perturbation of proteostasis triggers the adaptive responses that contribute to the homeostatic pro-survival response, whereas disruption of proteostasis can ultimately lead to cell death. Brain-specific oxysterol-i.e., 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC)-has been shown to cause cytotoxicity when esterified by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we show that the accumulation of 24S-OHC esters caused phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiator factor 2α (eIF2α), dissociation of polysomes, and formation of stress granules (SG), resulting in robust downregulation of global protein de novo synthesis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We also found that integrated stress response (ISR) activation through PERK and GCN2 activation induced by 24S-OHC treatment caused eIF2α phosphorylation. 24S-OHC-inducible SG formation and cell death were suppressed by inhibition of ISR. These results show that ACAT1-mediated 24S-OHC esterification induced ISR and formation of SG, which play crucial roles in 24S-OHC-inducible protein synthesis inhibition and unconventional cell death.

Field Survey of Glycyrrhiza Plants in Central Asia (5). Chemical Characterization of G. bucharica Collected in Tajikistan

One triterpene and five triterpene glycosides, including four new compounds, have been identified in the underground parts of Glycyrrhiza bucharica, which was shown to be closely related to Glycyrrhizin-producing Glycyrrhiza species, G. uralensis, G. glabra and G. inflata, based on their chloroplast rbcL sequences. Two known compounds were identified squasapogenol and macedonoside C. The structures of four new compounds, bucharosides A, B, C, and D, were determined to be 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl squasapogenol, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-macedonic acid, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-squasapogenol, and 22-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl squasapogenol, respectively. Contents of these triterpene glycosides were less than 0.5% of dry weight, and no main saponin, like glycyrrhizin or macedonoside C found in other Glycyrrhiza species, was found in the underground parts of G. bucharica.

Musculoskeletal Simulation for Determining Influences of the Magnitude of Sensory Noise and Stiffness on the Selection of Hip or Ankle Movement Strategies

While standing, the elderly exhibit different move- ment behaviors compared to young people. However, the causes of these differences remain clear. The purpose of this study was to verify a hypothesis that only the magnitude of sensory noise and stiffness can reproducibly determine trends in the hip or ankle movement strategies. Simulations of postural control of a musculoskeletal model for three noise conditions and three stiffness conditions were performed. Variations in the angles of the hip and ankle suggested that the sensory noise amplitude had no influence on the selection. However, the ankle strategy tended to be selected with the increase of stiffness. Strategy shifts of elderly may be derived from other components; muscle weakness, increase of neurological time delay, or learning based on other evaluation index.

Functional role of ALK-related signal cascades on modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis in uterine carcinosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which is a receptor tyrosine kinase, is essentially and transiently expressed in the developing nervous system. Recently, the deregulated expression of full-length ALK has been observed in some primary solid tumors, but little is known about its involvement in the tumorigenesis of uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs). Here we examined the functional role of the ALK gene in UCSs.

METHODS

Regulation and function of the ALK gene were assessed using two endometrial carcinoma cell lines. Expression of ALK and its related molecules were also investigated using clinical samples of UCSs.

RESULTS

In cell lines, ALK promoter activity was significantly increased by transfection of Sox11 and N-myc, which are known to contribute to neuronal properties. Cells stably overexpressing full-length ALK showed an enhancement of EMT properties mediated by TGF-β1 and HGF, along with an increase in phosphorylated (p) Akt and nuclear p65. Overexpression of p65 also led to transactivation of Twist1 gene, known as an EMT inducer. Finally, treatment of the stable ALK-overexpressing cells with doxorubicin resulted in inhibition of apoptosis with progressive increase in the expression ratio of both pAkt and bcl2 relative to total Akt and bax, respectively. In clinical samples, strong cytoplasmic ALK immunoreactivity and mRNA signals without rearrangement or amplification of the ALK locus were frequently observed in UCSs, particularly in the sarcomatous components. Further, ALK IHC score was found to be positively correlated with Sox11, N-myc, Twist1, and bcl2 scores.

CONCLUSION

ALK-related signal cascades containing Akt, NF-κB, Twist1, and bcl2 may participate in initial signaling for divergent sarcomatous differentiation driven from carcinomatous components in UCSs through induction of the EMT process and inhibition of apoptotic features.

Action of physiologically active materials in human semen during aging

We examined the activities of some physiologically active substances (enzymes) in human seminal plasma from subjects in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The average volume of semen per ejaculation in this investigation did not differ significantly depending on the age of the subject. Two age dependent patterns of decrease of substances in semen were observed, and the substances including tissue kallikrein and prostate specific antigen (PSA) basic arginine amidase in human seminal plasma showing the first pattern (a significant decrease in the 40s as compared to the 30s) might be initially secreted from the prostate gland, and whereas the glands secreting the other group of substances including active form coagulation factor X (FXa) and plasminogen are not now known. The levels of these substances in semen decrease in the subjects in their 30s. The coagulation and liquefaction times of human semen from older subjects were both prolonged with those of semen from younger subjects, and that such alteractions ultimately cause the age dependent declines of the motility of sperm and the ability of fertility.

Charge ordering in non-dimerized BEDT-TTF based organic conductors: 13C-NMR experiments

Experimental evidences of the charge ordering with the use of 13C-NMR techniques in various organic conductors are reviewed. In the insulating states of two-dimensional BEDT-TTF salts, a-I, and 8-RbZn(SCN)4, the formation of charge stripes perpendicular to molecular stacks are confiied. Charge disproportionation is estimated as 0.8:0.2 in the latter and more in the former. It is also observed that charge disproportionation already develops well above the MI transition temperature while no long-range charge order is stabilized. This seems to require a serious reconsideration of the transport properties in the `metallic' state.

Blood coagulation factor X (FX) in human seminal plasma

The active form of human blood coagulation factor X (FXa, EC 3.4.21.6) showing N-alpha-Benzoyl-L-isoleucyl-L-glutamyl-L-glycyl-L-arginine- p-nitroanilide (S-2222) hydrolyzing activity was first detected in human semen (seminal plasma) by affinity chromatography using anti-human coagulation factor X, and this enzyme activity was inhibited by anti-human FX. This enzyme has been associated with the human coagulation factor X (FX) in human semen (seminal plasma) by Western blot analysis, and the molecular mass of mature FX was also estimated to be 59 KDa by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.

Effects of dermatan and dextran sulfates on arginine amidase activity released from isolated rabbit arteries

We examined the levels of arginine amidase secreted from isolated rabbit arteries treated with dermatan and dextran sulfates, and the relation between the secretion of arginine amidase activity and the concentration of dermatan sulfate added to these arteries. The results showed that while dextran sulfate tended to accelerate the release of arginine amidase activity from the isolated rabbit ear artery, the induction was not significant. There was a significant increase in the level of arginine amidase released from the lower portion of isolated rabbit aorta (p<0.05), but no significant change in the upper portion of the aorta. In contrast, the addition of dermatan sulfate significantly increased the level of arginine amidase activity released from the isolated rabbit ear artery and the upper and lower portions of the aorta (p<0.05). Linear dose-response relationships were observed between the level of arginine amidase activity released from the isolated rabbit ear artery and aorta and the concentration of dermatan sulfate added.

[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus with hemophagocytic syndrome and cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis]

A 23-year-old man, admitted because of high fever, polyarthralgia, butterfly rash and chest pain, was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from the findings of positive antinuclear antibody and anti-DNA antibody. He was treated with 60 mg prednisolone daily, but as reducing the dose, white blood cell counts and platelet counts were decreased and fever, polyarthralgia, decrease of complements, increase of ferritin, hepato-splenomegaly and liver dysfunction were observed. Bone marrow specimen revealed phagocytosis of blood cells by histiocytes and he was diagnosed as hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS) due to active SLE. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was effective temporarily, HPS recurred while reducing steroid, and cyclosporin was added. After a temporary remission, marked extensive swelling in the face appeared suddenly. Facial skin biopsy showed necrosis of fat cells and hemophagocytosis by histiocytes. Accordingly, he was diagnosed as panniculitis due to HPS and was treated successfully with intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and high dose of gammaglobulin. Several cases of HPS due to SLE have been reported recently, but this is a rare case of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis (CHP) due to SLE.

Genes encoding nitrilase-like proteins from tobacco

Nitrilase (nitrile aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.5.1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Arabidopsis thaliana genome has four nitrilase genes (NIT1, NIT2, NIT3 and NIT4). Three (NIT1, NIT2 and NIT3) of the four genes have high similarity. We have cloned two NIT4 homologs (TNIT4A and TNIT4B) from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Genomic Southern hybridization, among other experiments, strongly suggests that tobacco has NIT4 homologs but not NIT1 to NIT3 homologs. Introduction of Arabidopsis NIT2 into tobacco conferred IAN-mediated growth inhibition, probably due to hydrolysis of IAN to IAA, while ectopic expression of TNIT4A had little effect on the sensitivity of transgenic plants to IAN. Nitrilase activity of TNIT4 proteins is discussed.

A case-control study evaluating occult blood screening for colorectal cancer with hemoccult test and an immunochemical hemagglutination test

A case control study to evaluate the occult blood screening for colorectal cancer was conducted in a town where colorectal cancer screening had been performed by Hemoccult test during the early years and subsequently by an immunochemical hemagglutination test. All residents aged >/=40 years had been offered the annual screening. Case series consisted of 51 subjects with fatal colorectal cancer. Three controls per case were selected from the list of residents who were alive at the time of diagnosis of the corresponding case and had been living in the town, matched by gender and by age. The odds ratio (OR) of dying of colorectal cancer for those having their most recent screening histories with Hemoccult test or the immunochemical test during the preceding 1 year and 1-2 year segment before case diagnosis were 0.20 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08-0.49] and 0. 17 (95% CI: 0.04-0.75), respectively. The OR increased towards 1.0 as the number of years since the most recent screening increased. The OR of dying of colorectal cancer was calculated to be 0.19 (95% CI: 0.05-0.70) for those screened with the immunochemical test alone during the preceding 1 year after adjustment for previous screening histories with the Hemoccult test. Corresponding OR was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.11-1.17) for those screened with Hemoccult test during the preceding 1 year. These results suggest that screening for colorectal cancer by fecal occult blood testings or immunochemical test alone would reduce mortality and that efficacy of the screening would be higher for the immunochemical test than for Hemoccult test.

Effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on morphometry and lung function in elastase-induced emphysema in rats

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Although thoracoscopic laser ablation therapy has been hailed as an effective surgical treatment for diffuse emphysema, no one has as yet made an in-depth study of the efficacy of this treatment. This investigation was undertaken to research the effects of laser pneumoplasty on an animal model of emphysema.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight weeks after elastase treatment, the rats' left lungs were irradiated using contact Nd:YAG laser. Pulmonary function tests were performed 4 weeks after irradiation and the lungs were prepared for histologic examination.

RESULTS

Dense fibrous scars beneath the pleura were observed at 4 weeks after irradiation. Although mean linear intercept values of irradiated lungs were not much lower than those in the non-irradiated elastase-treated group, laser irradiation caused a significant decrease in lung volume. While there was no significant difference in quasistatic compliance, elastic recoil pressure of the lung increased to control levels at total lung capacity volume.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that laser therapy does not cause normalization of compliance, or improvement in the deeper part of the emphysematous lung, but rather a peripheral volume reduction and "encasement effect" on the lungs as a result of fibrotic scars.

Ligation of CD31 (PECAM-1) on endothelial cells increases adhesive function of alphavbeta3 integrin and enhances beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial cells

We determined the role of the heterophilic interaction of alphavbeta3 integrin on endothelial cells with CD31 on leukocytes in mediating leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Preincubation of interleukin-4 (IL-4)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with anti-CD31 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) enhanced eosinophil adhesion to the IL-4-stimulated HUVECs, and the endothelial CD31-induced enhancement of eosinophil adhesion to IL-4-stimulated HUVECs was prevented by anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) MoAb and anti-very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) MoAb, but not by anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) MoAb, anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) MoAb, anti-P-selectin MoAb, or anti-E-selectin MoAb. CD31 stimulation of HUVECs increased the adhesive function of alphavbeta3 integrin to its ligand RGD peptide, the binding of which reached a maximum at 10 minutes after the stimulation, and the CD31-induced alphavbeta3 integrin activation on HUVECs was inhibited by inhibitors of protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3-kinase). Furthermore, anti-alphavbeta3 integrin MoAb and RGD peptide as well as soluble CD31 inhibited endothelial CD31-induced enhancement of eosinophil adhesion to IL-4-stimulated HUVECs. However, anti-alphavbeta3 integrin MoAb had no significant inhibitory effect on the eosinophil adhesion to IL-4-stimulated or unstimulated HUVECs without CD31 stimulation of HUVECs. Finally, CD31 stimulation of eosinophils increased the adhesive function of alpha4beta1 integrin (VLA-4) to its ligand fibronectin and their adhesion to IL-4-stimulated HUVECs in a VLA-4-dependent manner. These results indicate that CD31-mediated inside-out signaling activates alphavbeta3 integrin on endothelial cells, that the heterophilic alphavbeta3 integrin/CD31 interaction induces beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial cells, and that the heterophilic interaction itself is not significantly involved in firm adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial cells.

Total number and size distribution of hepatic metastases of carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the susceptibility of carcinoma to hepatic metastases by studying autopsy livers with carcinoma metastases, the primary sites of which were mostly the digestive organs.

STUDY DESIGN

We developed a stereologic method of estimating the total number, N, and the size distribution of metastatic tumors in the liver based on a geometric model of spherical nodules with varying radii, r. This method proved to be sufficiently reliable by disector analysis simultaneously performed in some cases; it gave an approximate result. This method was applied to the 31 autopsy cases. Correlation and regression analyses were performed among N, the mean radius of nodules, rmean, and conventional pathologic features of the primary tumor.

RESULTS

The estimates of N ranged from 10 to 3.2 x 10(5). A close negative correlation was confirmed between N and rmean. Neither significant correlation nor regression was observed among N and the other pathologic factors of the primary tumors.

CONCLUSION

N turned out to serve as a useful index for evaluating the metastatic potential of a carcinoma. However, investigation has yet to be made to determine biologic factors in the primary tumor closely associated with N.

Cross-linking of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 induces interleukin-8 and RANTES production through the activation of MAP kinases in human vascular endothelial cells

We investigated whether intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) transduces outside-in signals for the production of chemokines IL-8 and RANTES in endothelial cells. Cross-linking of ICAM-1 induced IL-8 and RANTES mRNA expressions and increased their protein synthesis and secretions in endothelial cells. Furthermore, ICAM-1 cross-linking activated 44- and 42-kDa mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) in endothelial cells, as indicated by the electrophoretic mobility shift of MAP kinases on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Finally, the specific MEK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited ICAM-1-induced IL-8 and RANTES production in endothelial cells. Taken together, these results indicate that stimulation of ICAM-1 induces IL-8 and RANTES production through the activation of 44- and 42-kDa MAP kinases in endothelial cells, suggesting that ICAM-1-induced chemokine production in endothelial cells would further attract and activate leukocytes to induce intense inflammation.

Two-D distance distribution analysis: an application to HBcAg-positive hepatocytes and its relation to septum formation in cirrhosis

The morphogenesis of cirrhotic septa in chronic hepatitis B was studied assuming that they arise at the sites of hepatocellular necrosis invoked by host immune reaction against HBcAg-expressing hepatocytes. Sections from three livers with chronic hepatitis B, all in cirrhotic stage, were immunostained with HBcAg and subjected to morphometry to analyze the distribution of HBcAg(+) hepatocytes and its relation with septa. HBcAg(+) cells were not distributed randomly over the nodules but forming focal areas. The septum formation along these foci was shown by 2-D distance distribution analysis, a technique we devised. Upon a sheet of color microphotograph of immunostained section, hundreds of test points each 400 microns apart were arranged by overlaying a tessellated grid. From each of the points hitting the nodules, the distance to the nearest nodulo-septal border D(min) was measured. Measurement was performed on a total of 2,585 test points. It was shown that the mean D(min) in the HBcAg(+) areas was significantly smaller than in HBcAg(-) areas. Thus, the cirrhotic septa are considered to arise at the places of HBcAg(+) foci, connecting them by postnecrotic collapsing.

[Histological effects of short term endocrine therapy on prostatic cancer]

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to investigate the pathological changes which occurred in prostatic cancer shortly after the commencement of endocrine therapy.

METHODS

Fourty-three patients underwent radical prostatectomy immediately after the short term endocrine therapy (treatment period was within one month) and the histological pictures of operative specimens were compared to those obtained from the pretreatment biopsy specimens.

RESULTS

Degenerative changes of cancer cells, such as nuclear and cytoplasmic vacuole, collapse of the cytoplasm and the appearance of naked hyperchromatic nucleus were noticed after the short term endocrine therapy. Especially in the cases which were histologically evaluated to be poorly differentiated in the biopsy specimens, not only degenerative changes but also destruction of cancer nests caused by cell death were observed. The histological effects affected by short term endocrine treatment had no relation to the prognosis, but in the cases of stage D2, the pathological grade judged by post-therapeutic specimens were found to be useful for the prediction of prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Endocrine therapy induces remarkable pathological changes in prostatic cancer within a very short time after beginning treatment.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the human lung: their heterology in form and analogy in immunohistochemical characteristics

BACKGROUND

In a previous study, morphometry and multivariate cluster analysis was performed on 97 lesions. These consisted of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), considered to be an important lesion corresponding to a step of carcinogenesis for adenocarcinoma of the human lung, Clara cell type, and type 2 pneumocyte type adenocarcinomas. Although AAH and the two types of adenocarcinoma were re-classified into three clusters and AAH was defined in clear morphologic terms, the biologic nature of AAH has yet to be clarified. In the present study, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between AAH and the two types of adenocarcinoma, and to compare the results with those obtained by morphometry.

METHODS

The 97 lesions analyzed by morphometry were submitted to immunohistochemical analyses using antibodies against surfactant apoprotein A, urine protein 1, carcinoembryonic antigen and cytochrome P-450s (1A1-2, 2B1-2, 2E1). Also examined, as controls, were 17 lesions with adenomatous hyperplasia (AH), a non-neoplastic reactive change of bronchiolo-alveolar cells, 30 areas of normal Clara cells, and 36 areas of normal type 2 pneumocytes. The immunoreactivity was graded by introducing a semi-quantitative scoring system.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemically, AAHs behaved quite similarly to the lesions classified as Clara cell type or type 2 pneumocyte type adenocarcinomas. For any of the antibodies employed, no significant difference in immunoreactivity was demonstrated among these lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest, in accordance with our previous morphometry, that AAH is a lesion closely related with Clara cell type and type 2 pneumocyte type adenocarcinomas, probably as their common precursor. However, the two types of adenocarcinomas, despite their characteristic morphologic features, are indistinguishable using the biological indicators applied in this study.

Papillary adenoma of type II pneumocytes might have malignant potential

Papillary adenoma of type II pneumocytes is a rare tumour. It is considered to be a benign neoplasm and is derived from immature cells in the bronchioloalveolar epithelium, however, its biological nature has not been elucidated. We report a case of an adenomatous tumour; a papillary adenoma of type II pneumocytes, which we regard as possessing malignant potential. Light microscopically, as well circumscribed, papillary tumour of predominantly cuboidal cells resembling type II pneumocytes was found, but Clara type and ciliated cells were also present. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells reacted positively with antibodies to surfactant apoproteins (A, B), carcinoembryonic antigen, cytochrome P-450 1A1-2 and 2B1-2. Ultrastructurally, many osmiophilic lamellar bodies and electron-dense granules were demonstrated. Semi-serial sections revealed signs of transbronchial dissemination and vascular invasion. Morphometry using 12-dimensional cluster analysis disclosed features of the tumour cells which resembled those of pneumocyte type II adenocarcinoma. These findings suggest that the present case has some malignant characteristics and originates from immature bronchiolar or alveolar cells, with a potential to develop into both type II pneumocyte and Clara cell type adenocarcinomas.

Phase-change optical disks compatible with a two-wavelength laser beam

Three types of multiple-layer structure are proposed for a two-wavelength-compatible phase-change optical disk that uses an 830-nm beam for writing and erasing and a 670-nm beam for reading. Each disk with an optimized structure exhibits high-enough carrier-to-noise and erasing ratios at 830 nm and 670 nm for practical use. One of the disks has a lower erasing ratio at 670 nm than at 830 nm for the same erased marks. This difference is explained by optical characteristics that stem from the multiple-layer structure of the disks.

Quantitative cytopathology of endometrial lesions

Morphometric and multivariate statistical methods were used to discriminate endometrial carcinoma from benign cells in cytologic studies. Clumps of epithelial cells that appeared most diagnostically relevant were selected from aspirated samples of 70 endometrial cancer patients. The cells' cytologic character was reduced to a combination of five quantitative parameters--nuclear size, degree of anisokaryosis, nuclear from index, homogeneity of nuclear chromatin texture, and regularity of nuclear arrangement. The 5-variate cluster analysis demonstrated that the 70 cases could be classified into three definite groups: Group A (17 cases) was characterized by cells of small nuclear size, slight anisokaryosis, homogeneous chromatin texture, and regular nuclear arrangement; Group C (12 cases) by cells of large nuclear size, marked anisokaryosis, heterogeneous chromatin texture, and irregular nuclear arrangement; and Group B (41 cases) by cells of intermediate parameter values. Group C was derived from 10 cases of adenocarcinoma and 2 of atypical hyperplasia, while Groups A and B were not derived from any cases of malignancy. The computer-assisted morphometric statistical method can objectively classify the endometrial cells into malignant and benign, with improved validity and reproducibility. The cytopathologic finding, if detected by this method, may serve as a surrogate endpoint biomarker.

Computer-assisted pathology of intraepithelial adenocarcinoma and related lesions: 3-D distribution, structural aberration and discrimination

To discriminate among intraepithelial neoplasms, we have been relying on tissue microscopy, but pathologists' subjectivity sometimes impairs diagnosis. Even an individual pathologist is sometimes unable to reproduce exactly his or her own previous diagnosis. Are various atypical lesions classifiable in a reproducible way, and if they are, how? The reliability of a diagnosis will be strengthened if we can define the "natural" categories inherent in cells and tissues. Morphometry and statistical analysis using a computer can provide answers. Atypia, a morphological feature of carcinoma, is essentially multivariate. Quantification of a tissue feature requires reducing it to a set of ten or more quantities, including size, shape and position of the nucleus, nucleolus, and the cell itself. The grade of aberration from the norm can be assessed only by a synthetic approach, using a computer for multivariate cluster analysis. This classification has been attempted in adenocarcinoma and related lesions of the lung and pancreas. The categories thus established are reproducible, because the lesions fall into divisions according to their forms. We can also examine the organ distribution of intraepithelial neoplasms by three dimensional (3-D) computer-assisted mapping. To reach a higher level of reliability, as many meaningful features as possible should be taken into account. Particularly, we emphasize the significance of architectural pattern as a biomarker for intraepithelial glandular neoplasms. Computer-aided 3-D structural analysis visualizes the basic skeleton of these neoplasms around which the cells adhere. Instead of the dichotomous tree pattern of normal glands, the tumors basically harbor a 3-D network, tubular or porous, which increasingly deviates from the norm along with the transition from adenoma to well to moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. This structural aberration, if recognizable on 2-D sectional images, will serve as a surrogate endpoint biomarker for glandular tumors.

Morphometric and multivariate statistical detection of cancer cells in endometrial cytology

Endometrial carcinoma was discriminated in cytologic studies using morphometric and multivariate statistical methods. On aspirated samples from 70 cases (10 well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, 4 hyperplasias and 56 normal controls), clumps of epithelial cells that could be regarded as the most diagnostically relevant were selected in each case. Their cytologic character was reduced to a combination of five quantitative parameters (nuclear size, degree of anisokaryosis, nuclear form index, homogeneity of nuclear chromatin texture and regularity of nuclear arrangement). The five-variate cluster analysis demonstrated that the 70 cases could be classified into three groups: group A (17 cases) was characterized by cells with small nuclear size, slight anisokaryosis, homogeneous chromatin texture and regular nuclear arrangement; group C (12) by cells with large nuclear size, marked anisokaryosis, heterogeneous chromatin texture and irregular nuclear arrangement; and group B (41) by cells with intermediate parameter values. Group C was derived from 10 cases of adenocarcinoma and 2 of atypical hyperplasia, while groups A and B were not derived from any cases of malignancy. This preliminary study indicated that morphometric-statistical classification can be of great help in improving the cytodiagnostic validity and reproducibility of endometrial carcinoma, and it awaits further, practical testing within a significantly larger series of malignancy cases.

Quantitative morphology of human cirrhotic livers. Part II: The statistically adequate morphological classification of liver cirrhosis. Multivariate analysis from quantified data of form

In a previous report, we developed methods by which to quantify various patterns of cirrhosis. A set of parameters were used: (i) the mean nodular radius; (ii) the coarseness; (iii) the mean septal thickness; and (iv) the degree of nodular separation. This was applied to 70 cirrhotic livers in an attempt to establish a reproducible classification, and the data were subjected to four-dimensional cluster analysis (Ward method) using a mainframe computer. Five clusters appeared: cluster A, fine nodules, thin septa; cluster B, coarse nodules, relatively thin septa; cluster C, fine nodules, thick septa; cluster D, extremely coarse nodules; and cluster E, coarse nodules, thin septa and incomplete nodulation. Of these, cluster A was considered to correspond to the nutritional type of Gall, cluster B to posthepatitic type (Nagayo's Type B), cluster C to postnecrotic type (Nagayo's Type A) and cluster E to the subtype of posthepatitic cirrhosis with incomplete nodulation (Miyake's Type BI). Cluster D comprised cases with extremely coarsened nodules. The reproducibility of this clustering was fully ensured by linear discriminant analysis. Another discriminant analysis, the canonical, allowed us to visualize the separation of clusters in a two-dimensional (2-D) scatter diagram. We thus managed to establish a most adequate classification from a geometric and statistical point of view.

Quantitative morphology of human cirrhotic livers. Part I: Parameter expression of pattern as a basis for computerized classification

Although classification is a long-used method of histopathology, a reproducible one has yet to be created. We established a most adequate classification of cirrhosis from a geometric and statistical point of view, by reducing its form to a set of quantities and submitting the data to multivariate analysis. In this article, methods for quantification are described as a preliminary step for the statistical treatment that appears in another paper. The pattern was reduced to a set of four quantities: (i) the mean nodular radius; (ii) the coarseness; (iii) the mean septal thickness; and (iv) the degree of nodular separation. A model of dispersed spheres with various radii r was employed to assimilate cirrhosis; r was assumed to follow a logarithmic normal distribution. The parameters of this distribution were estimated stereologically from measurements on microscopic sections of chord lengths lambda generated from nodules by a test line. The coarseness was defined as the volume % of nodules larger than 1.5 mm in r. The mean septal thickness was determined stereologically on a plate model, into which the actual septa were transformed without changing their volume or surface density. The degree of nodular separation p theta was defined as a two-dimensional parameter, based on the curvature of nodulo-septal borders. It was demonstrated in several examples how accurately a set of these quantities describes various patterns of cirrhosis.

Optical-disk media fabrication for high data-transfer rate

Two media fabrication methods are developed in order to improve the data-transfer rate of optical disks. One is a beam-scanning method for multispiral pregroove recording. A sixfold spiral pregroove with a 1.6-µm spacing can be recorded with this method. The other is a method for fabrication of phase-change optical-disk media that provides signal reading at 670 nm, writing at 830 nm, and high erasability at high linear velocity. The linear recording density of disks fabricated in this way is 1.2 times higher than that of optical disks read at 830 nm, and the erasability is more than 25 dB at 40 m/s. These methods offer the possibility of a data transfer rate 10 times higher than with conventional methods.

Varying grades of epithelial atypia in the pancreatic ducts of humans. Classification based on morphometry and multivariate analysis and correlated with positive reactions of carcinoembryonic antigen

To establish an adequate statistical classification of epithelial atypia in the pancreatic duct, a total of 78 areas of duct epithelia with varying grades of atypia were subjected to nine-parameter morphometry and nine-dimensional multivariate cluster analysis. The material was derived from 53 pancreases resected for various epithelial tumors or acute or chronic pancreatitis. The result was correlated with immunohistochemical findings in which the pattern of intraepithelial distribution of carcinoembryonic antigen changed with the degree of ductal atypia. Finally, atypical cells classified by cluster analysis and immunohistochemistry were subjected to computer-aided three-dimensional mapping to visualize their distribution in the ductal tree. Cluster analysis demonstrated that the various epithelial forms were classifiable into Clusters 1, 2, and 3, representing ordinary epithelia and mild and severe dysplasias, respectively. The last category was created so as to include not only in situ and invasive carcinoma but the so-called borderline atypical lesions. The reproducibility of this classification was proved by two sorts of discriminant analyses. Also, the grades of atypia shown by the clustering proved to correlate with the reaction patterns for carcinoembryonic antigen. In the computer-aided three-dimensional mapping, severely dysplastic areas were shown surrounded by zones of mild dysplasia, justifying the assumption of a stepwise carcinogenesis in the pancreatic ducts.

[Flow cytometric analysis of prostatic adenocarcinomas after hormone therapy]

A DNA ploidy pattern of prostatic adenocarcinoma was studied by flow cytometry using the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues obtained from 65 patients. These patients received hormone therapy preoperatively. Forty cases (61.5%) showed a diploid pattern, and 25 (38.5%) an aneuploid pattern. Comparing this ploidy pattern with histological classification, the aneuploid pattern was found in 13 cases (52%) of poorly differentiated group, 12 cases (48.0%) of moderately differentiated group and 0 case (0%) of well differentiated group. Thus, rate of aneuploid pattern increased with an increase in the grade of malignancy. Five years survival rate was 62.6% in the diploid group while it decreased to 30.9% in the aneuploid group. There was a significant difference between the two groups. In 23 cases with stage D, the ploidy pattern of primary region could be compared with that of metastatic region (lymph nodes). The prognosis of patients who exhibited the aneuploid pattern in metastatic region was significantly worse than that of other patients. These data suggested that flow cytometric DNA analysis of prostatic cancer materials after hormone therapy also produces meaningful information in predicting the prognosis of prostatic cancer.

[Two cases of primary sclerosing lipogranuloma in scrotum--review of 63 cases reported in Japan]

We reported two cases of primary sclerosing lipogranuloma in the scrotum. We performed tumor resection in both cases, but in one of the two cases tumor recurrence was observed 7 days after the removal. Sixty-three cases have been reported in our country, and we discuss the diagnosis and treatment with reference to previous reports.

[Morphometrical and statistical detection of cancer cells]

Morphometrical and multivariate statistical methods were applied to detection of carcinoma cells in cytologic studies. A total of 70 clumps of epithelial cells were selected from endometrial samples (10 adenocarcinomas, 4 hyperplasias and 56 normal controls), and their cytologic characters were reduced to a combination of five quantitative parameters (nuclear size, degree of anisokaryosis, nuclear from index, homogeneity of nuclear chromatin texture and regularity of cellular arrangement). The 5-variate cluster analysis demonstrated that the 70 clumps could be classified into three definite groups; A(17), B(41), and C(12). Group C, characterized by cells of large nuclear size, marked anisokaryosis, heterogeneous chromatin texture and irregular cellular arrangement, was derived from 10 samples of adenocarcinoma and 2 hyperplasia, while Groups A and B were not derived from any malignant samples. In conclusion, morphometrical-statistical classification can be of great aid in improving the cytodiagnostic validity and reproducibility.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the lung and its differentiation from adenocarcinoma. Characterization of atypical cells by morphometry and multivariate cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) of the human lung is considered to be an important lesion preceding adenocarcinoma, but its difference from well-differentiated adenocarcinomas is so subtle as to cause diagnostic uncertainty. In view of this, the authors undertook to establish reproducible microscopic criteria for AAH, Type II pneumocyte type, and Clara cell type adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

Twelve-parameter morphometry of atypical cells was performed on 97 lesions selected from 303 surgical specimens of lung by routine microscopic examination: all were considered by premorphometry examination to correspond to one of the above three diseases. Measurements were performed on photomicrographs using a digital image analyzer. The data of morphometry were subjected to 12-variate cluster analysis using a mainframe computer.

RESULTS

It was demonstrated that the lesions were classifiable into three groups: Cluster 1 (Type II cell adenocarcinoma and AAH), Cluster 2 (AAH), and Cluster 3 (Clara cell adenocarcinoma). Whereas the latter two were created as homogeneous clusters, Cluster 1 was a mixture of Type II tumors and AAH.

CONCLUSIONS

AAH in the strict sense of the word is definable by the features of those classified into Cluster 2, with atypia milder than overt adenocarcinomas. These AAH are likely to correspond to one of the steps of carcinogenesis forgoing the final one. The lesions, diagnosed as AAH before morphometry and being assigned to Cluster 1 and therefore not separable from Type II carcinoma, are considered to have been Type II carcinoma from the very beginning, which were however underdiagnosed in routine microscopic examination.

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the lung and its differentiation from adenocarcinoma. Characterization of atypical cells by morphometry and multivariate cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) of the human lung is considered to be an important lesion preceding adenocarcinoma, but its difference from well-differentiated adenocarcinomas is so subtle as to cause diagnostic uncertainty. In view of this, the authors undertook to establish reproducible microscopic criteria for AAH, Type II pneumocyte type, and Clara cell type adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

Twelve-parameter morphometry of atypical cells was performed on 97 lesions selected from 303 surgical specimens of lung by routine microscopic examination: all were considered by premorphometry examination to correspond to one of the above three diseases. Measurements were performed on photomicrographs using a digital image analyzer. The data of morphometry were subjected to 12-variate cluster analysis using a mainframe computer.

RESULTS

It was demonstrated that the lesions were classifiable into three groups: Cluster 1 (Type II cell adenocarcinoma and AAH), Cluster 2 (AAH), and Cluster 3 (Clara cell adenocarcinoma). Whereas the latter two were created as homogeneous clusters, Cluster 1 was a mixture of Type II tumors and AAH.

CONCLUSIONS

AAH in the strict sense of the word is definable by the features of those classified into Cluster 2, with atypia milder than overt adenocarcinomas. These AAH are likely to correspond to one of the steps of carcinogenesis forgoing the final one. The lesions, diagnosed as AAH before morphometry and being assigned to Cluster 1 and therefore not separable from Type II carcinoma, are considered to have been Type II carcinoma from the very beginning, which were however underdiagnosed in routine microscopic examination.

Development of the human colonic adenocarcinoma from adenoma as a histopathologically continuous process

The adenocarcinoma sequence of the human colon is usually divided into three separate steps according to the grade of epithelial dysplasia, i.e., adenomas with mild, moderate and severe dysplasia. In an attempt to re-examine whether or not this sequence can be morphologically separable as usually assumed, a total of 192 epithelial lesions including adenomas with various grades of dysplasia were analyzed, relying on morphometrical and multivariate-statistical techniques. Histologic features of epithelial lesions were characterized by 10 quantitative parameters and subjected to 10-variate cluster analysis. In the result of computations, separation of neoplastic lesions into different groups proved to be rather ambiguous, not justifying the classification into three groups as generally expected. It was concluded that adenocarcinoma can develop from adenoma as a seemingly continuous process which may involve more steps than usually assumed.

Evaluation of a new type of high sharpness film for skull radiography

A new type of high sharpness, high speed film was evaluated in combination with rare-earth screens for modulation transfer function, root-mean-square granularity and characteristic curve, and compared with currently available film-screen combinations. The clinical applicability of the new system was also compared on the basis of resolution and the discrimination of anatomical features on radiographs of a skull phantom. The results indicated that the new type film provided a radiograph of higher image quality while at the same time reducing patient dose by about 20% compared with the present rare-earth screen systems, or with no loss of image quality while reducing patient dose by about 50% compared with the present calcium tungstate system.

Buried penis: a surgical repair

From 1979 to 1983, surgical reconstruction of the buried penis was performed on 16 boys. They have been followed up for at least 5 years. In 15 boys, satisfactory appearance of the penis was gotten after the operation. In this paper, we introduced our surgical technique and reviewed the records.

Subclinical liver dysfunction in one-month-old infants with a low activity of vitamin K dependent coagulant factors assessed by normotest

To clarify features of late vitamin K deficiency hemorrhagic disease in Japanese infants, seventeen of 1,687 infants screened by normotests were examined for signs and symptoms suggesting hepatobiliary diseases. Clinical observations disclosed findings suggesting hepatobiliary diseases in 7 of the 17 selected infants with normotest values of less than 40%, and 11 infants had abnormal results in one or more liver function tests. Taken together, 14 of the 17 infants had findings suggesting hepatobiliary diseases. Upon vitamin K supplementation normotest values improved in various degrees in all infants, whether or not they had signs or symptoms of hepatobiliary diseases. Late vitamin K deficiency hemorrhagic disease of infancy may be related to subclinical hepatobiliary diseases.

Hyperreactive site in the airway tree of asthmatic patients revealed by thickening of bronchial muscles. A morphometric study

Under the assumption that the more hyperreactive the bronchial muscles are, the greater their work hypertrophy, we analyzed the distribution of hypertrophic smooth muscles along airways to see where in the bronchial tree asthmatic constrictions mainly occur. Autopsy lungs from 16 patients with bronchial asthma, 13 with other COPDs, and 20 controls were submitted to morphometry of the bronchial muscles. In microscopic slides, cross sections of airways were taken from the segmental bronchi to the terminal bronchioles. The perimeter length L of the basement membrane and the area S of muscles were measured, and the anatomic radius R and the muscular thickness D were calculated in a standardized circular state, in which the basement membrane was stretched into a circle without changing L or S. On bilogarithmic coordinates of D and R on which data from the asthmatics were pooled, it was shown that hypertrophy of muscles was the most pronounced in larger bronchi where constriction was most likely to occur. Closer analysis of patients, however, revealed that besides this typical pattern, which we designated Type I asthma, there was a group of patients (Type II) in whom hypertrophy involved the entire range of airways, including the bronchioles, suggesting that the site of asthmatic response varies among patients. In nonasthmatic patients with COPD, only mild hypertrophy of muscles was found in the large airways, despite the presence of obstructive lesions mainly in the small airways.

[Determination of yohimbine in serum by high performance liquid chromatography]

An automated method for determination of yohimbine (Yoh) in the serum was developed by means of column switching high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). TSK-precolumn BSA-ODS and TSK-gel ODS-120T were used as a precolumn and analytical column, respectively. The wavelengths of detection were used at 280 nm (excitation) and 360 nm (emission). A 100 microliter serum sample is directly injected onto the precolumn. Yoh is then eluted within 30 min with an methanol-potassium phosphate buffer mixture. The analytical recoveries (99.3-110.4%), reproducibilities (within-run, C.V. less than 2.27%), and detection limit (0.80 ng/ml, S/N = 3) indicate that this system is suited for determination of Yoh. The five healthy volunteers received a single oral dose 10 mg of HYoh powder. The average of the maximal serum concentration and the area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 4 h were 10.3 +/- 0.88 ng/ml and 19.70 +/- 0.87 ng.h.ml-1, respectively. The elimination rate constant (Kc1) was 0.52 +/- 0.03 h, and biological half-life (t1/2el) was 1.32 +/- 0.12 h.

Cytomegalovirus infection in low-birth-weight infants with acute respiratory tract disease

To determine a participation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in acute respiratory tract disease (ARTD) of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants, specific antibodies against CMV antigens, IgG antibodies against early antigens of CMV (IgG EA) and IgM antibodies against membrane antigens of CMV (IgG MA) were analyzed. The frequency of IgG EA in patients with ARTD was higher than that in controls (46% vs. 32%), and the geometrical mean titer (GMT) of IgG EA in the patients was also higher than that in controls (50.2 vs. 20.1). Five of 15 ARTD patients had IgM MA, and the frequency was significantly higher than that of controls (33% vs. 1.3%, p less than 0.01). Eleven of 15 LBW patients with ARTD had a history of blood transfusions during the neonatal period, and 5 of them had significant IgM MA indicating active CMV infection. All 4 LBW patients without blood transfusion were negative for IgM MA. These results suggest a close relationship of CMV infection to ARTD of LBW infants, but it remains for further studies whether blood transfusion is a primary source of CMV infection in LBW infants.