Search for an Invisibly Decaying Z^{'} Boson at Belle II in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}(e^{±}μ^{∓}) Plus Missing Energy Final States

Theories beyond the standard model often predict the existence of an additional neutral boson, the Z^{'}. Using data collected by the Belle II experiment during 2018 at the SuperKEKB collider, we perform the first searches for the invisible decay of a Z^{'} in the process e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}Z^{'} and of a lepton-flavor-violating Z^{'} in e^{+}e^{-}→e^{±}μ^{∓}Z^{'}. We do not find any excess of events and set 90% credibility level upper limits on the cross sections of these processes. We translate the former, in the framework of an L_{μ}-L_{τ} theory, into upper limits on the Z^{'} coupling constant at the level of 5×10^{-2}-1 for M_{Z^{'}}≤6  GeV/c^{2}.

Comparisons of the effects of 12-week administration of miglitol and voglibose on the responses of plasma incretins after a mixed meal in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients

To compare the effects of miglitol [an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (AGI) absorbed in the intestine] and voglibose (an AGI not absorbed) on plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) levels, 26 and 24 Japanese type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to receive miglitol or voglibose, respectively. After 12-week administration of both drugs, during 2-h meal tolerance test, plasma glucose, serum insulin and total GIP were significantly decreased and active GLP-1 was significantly increased. Miglitol group showed a significantly lower total GIP level than voglibose group. Miglitol, but not voglibose, significantly reduced body weight (BW). In all participants, the relative change in BW was positively correlated with that of insulin significantly and of GIP with a weak tendency, but not of GLP-1. In conclusion, both drugs can enhance postprandial GLP-1 responses and reduce GIP responses. The significant BW reduction by miglitol might be attributable to its strong GIP-reducing efficacy.

Diurnal changes in urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin depend on diurnal changes in systemic blood pressure in normotensive, normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients

Previous studies of diabetic patients indicate that increased urinary excretion of certain plasma proteins (molecular radii <55 A), such as IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin, precede the development of microalbuminuria. Moreover, increases in these urinary proteins predict future development of microalbuminuria. To clarify whether blood pressure changes influence urinary excretion of these proteins, we examined relationships between diurnal blood pressure changes measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, alpha2-macroglobulin (88 A) and albumin (36 A) measured separately during the day and night in 20 healthy controls and 26 normotensive, normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. Diurnal change in systolic blood pressure was not correlated to urinary excretion of either albumin or alpha2-macroglobulin in either diabetic patients or controls. However, statistically significant correlations between diurnal changes in systolic blood pressure and those of urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin and ceruloplasmin were found in diabetic patients but not in controls. The present findings suggest that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin are more easily affected than albuminuria by systemic blood pressure changes in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. This is supported by our previous finding that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin and ceruloplasmin increased while albuminuria did not following enhanced glomerular filtration rate after acute protein loading, which causes increased glomerular capillary pressure due to afferent arterioles dilation, mimicking diabetic intra-renal hemodynamics. Taken together, these findings suggest that urinary excretion of IgG, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin may be more sensitive indicators of glomerular capillary pressure change than albuminuria in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients.

Continuous decompression using a cannulated ceramic pin for simple bone cysts

PURPOSE

To report the outcomes of continuous decompression using a cannulated ceramic pin for simple bone cysts (SBCs).

METHODS

Seven boys and 3 girls aged 7 to 16 (mean, 11) years with SBCs underwent curettage and continuous decompression using a cannulated ceramic pin. The pin was made of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate. The clinical course, radiological findings, and complications were retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 41 (range, 12-84) months. Five patients were evaluated as 'healed', 2 as 'healing with defect', one as 'persistent cyst', and 2 as 'recurrent cysts'. No peri-operative complications were encountered. One patient had a postoperative fracture at the pin insertion site. Seven patients had pain relief and good outcomes; 2 had a thin cortical rim and complained of occasional pain and their sports activities were restricted.

CONCLUSION

Decompression using a cannulated ceramic pin for SBCs is minimally invasive, highly osteoconductive, and does not require bone grafting or a second operation to remove the device.

Clinical significance of additional wide resection for unplanned resection of high grade soft tissue sarcoma

Purpose:

Unplanned resection of musculoskeletal sarcoma involves tumor excision without any suspicion of malignancy or regard for the necessity of defining adequate margins. For orthopaedic oncologists, many opportunities arise for management of unplanned resections initially performed by non-specialist surgeons. The puropose of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes and the problems of the patients with unplanned resection of high-grade soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods:

77 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. Oncological outcomes together with validity and problems of additional treatments were analyzed.

Results:

Five-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, event-free survival and total survival were 71.55%, 73.2%, 57.5% and 85.9%, respectively. Among adjuvant therapy including additional wide resection, radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, only additional wide resection significantly improved oncological outcomes.

Conclusion:

Additional wide resection appears to be effective in the treatment of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas following primary resection with compromised margins of resection.

Curettage and allograft reconstruction for giant cell tumours

PURPOSE

To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with giant cell tumours after curettage and allograft reconstruction and to identify the risk factors for poor oncological and functional outcome.

METHODS

29 patients with giant cell tumours of bone who underwent curettage and allograft reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed. The adjuvants used were heat treatment by electrocautery and hot water. Types of allograft used, time to bone union, complications, functional outcomes, and risk factors for poor function were analysed.

RESULTS

The mean time to bone union was 2.8 (range, 1-5) months. In 7 patients the tumours recurred (6 within 2 years); the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 77%. Three recurrences were classified as grade III and 4 as grade II; recurrence and the Campanacci grade showed a trend towards association (p=0.06). Tumour in the distal femur was a risk factor for postoperative fracture (p=0.02). Functional outcomes were excellent in 20 patients, good in 6, fair in 2, and a failure in one. The risk factors for poor function were recurrence (p=0.002) and joint instability (p=0.008) but not the Campanacci grade (p=0.10) or postoperative fracture (p=0.76). Lung metastasis, infection, and non-union were not encountered.

CONCLUSION

Despite a relatively high recurrence rate (24%), 26 (90%) of the 29 patients had excellent/good functional outcomes. We recommend the use of adjuvants and allografts for the management of giant cell tumours.

Attenuated radial augmentation index is associated with successful long-term antihypertensive treatment

Pulse wave analysis was performed in apparently normal volunteers (n=164) and in essentially hypertensive patients without cardiovascular complications (n=171) using a newly developed non-invasive pulse wave measurement device (HEM-9010AI). Our results suggest that early wave reflections measured by radial augmentation index (AIr) are enhanced in volunteers with systolic blood pressure (SBP) >or= 160 mm Hg compared with the volunteers with their SBP<160 mmHg (98+/-18 vs 88+/-12, P<0.05). Furthermore, AIr is lower in hypertensive patients with long-term antihypertensive treatment than in those with short-term treatment (84+/-10 vs 89+/-13, P<0.01).

Remarkable response of adult-onset ganglioneuroblastoma in the advanced stage to unrelated cord blood transplantation: Case report

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Background: Adult-onset ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) is a rare disease that carries the gravest prognosis. In this case report, we discuss a case of adult-onset GNB in the advanced stage which has responded favorably to unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT). Methods: The patient was a 22-year-old male. Posterior mediastinal tumor was excised and a diagnosis of GNB was made. The severity of GNB was classified as stage IV because bone metastasis affected the entire body. Three courses of combination chemotherapy using cisplatin (CDDP), cyclophosphamide (CY), vincristine sulfate (VCR) and pirarubicin hydrochloride-adriamycin (THP-ADR) turned out to be ineffective. Local radiation therapy to control the tumor metastasis to the right great wing of the sphenoid bone resulted in augmentation of the tumorous lesion. Then, bone marrow destructive pretreatment consisting of anticancer therapy [etoposide (VP-16) and thiotepa] and total body irradiation (TBI, 12Gy) was followed by UCBT. Cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil were administered to prevent graft versus host disease (GVHD). Results: The blood type compatible two-loci HLA mismatch transplant had 3.2x107 nucleated cells/kg. After the cord blood transplantation, the patient suffered complications such as acute GVHD (grade III), veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and viral hemorrhagic cystitis. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a GNB tumor marker, gradually decreased from 220 ng/ml to the normal level. The bone metastatic tumors were reduced in a stepwise manner. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan demonstrated complete disappearance of abnormal accumulation. Three hundred days have passed since the unrelated cord blood transplantation. The patient is surviving and in the disease-free state. Conclusion: The remarkable response of adult-onset GNB in the advanced stage to UCBT has demonstrated the definite graft versus tumor (GVT) effect of UCBT on GNB. UCBT is regarded as a promising therapeutic intervention in solid tumors that are not associated with blood disorder.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

DNA binding of a basic leucine-zipper protein with novel folding domain

DNA-binding proteins frequently utilize short alpha-helices as their critical DNA recognition elements. In this research, we have employed the structure-based design to construct a small domain that could target the specific DNA sequences recognized by the yeast transcriptional activator GCN4. The new DNA binding motif recognizes specific DNA sequences as a dimer with high affinity and specificity under the physiological conditions.

In vitro selection by using mutated GCN4-bZIP peptides for analysis of peptide-DNA interactions

In vitro selection has been used as a method to determine the optimal binding site for DNA-binding proteins. We report here in vitro selection of dsDNA sequences that bind to mutated-GCN4-bZIP peptides. The GCN4-bZIP peptide mutated from alanine to histidine on a position-14 that contacts with DNA bound to different sequence from a binding site of wild type peptide.

NO induced novel DNA lesions: formation mechanism

2'-Deoxyguanosine was treated with NO/O2 mixture at pH 7.0-7.8, and as well as the known major products such as 2'-deoxyxanthosine and 2'-deoxyoxanosine, some unidentified products were detected by RP-HPLC. In the present study, one of them has been characterized as a novel lesion, N2-nitro-2'-deoxyguanosine by spectrometric and chromatographic analysis. The mechanism for the production is also discussed.

Recognition of small molecules by a ribonucleopeptide

In this research, we have design an ATP binding domain that consists of an RNA subunit and a peptide subunit by means of structure-based design approach and in vitro selection method. The RNA subunit is designed to consist of two functional domains; an ATP binding domain with 20 randomized nucleotides and an adjacent stem region that serves as a binding site for the RNA-binding peptide. RNA-peptide receptors to ATP were isolated from a pool of different RNAs by selection with affinity column and enzymatic amplification. Effects of the RNA-binding peptide for the specific ATP binding to the selected RNA-peptide receptors are discussed.

A novel detection method for 2'-deoxyoxanosine

2'-Deoxyoxanosine (dOxo) is a novel DNA lesion produced from 2'-deoxyguanosine by the treatment with nitrous acid and nitric oxide. However, there has been no direct evidence on the formation of dOxo in vivo so far. In order to detect dOxo in vivo, we have explored a sensitive detection method specific for dOxo by using a fluorescent labeling reagent and HPLC analysis. An efficient method to detect the dOxo formation in DNA is described.

Induction therapy by frequent administration of doxorubicin with four other drugs, followed by intensive consolidation and maintenance therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the JALSG-ALL93 study

In order to improve the disappointing prognosis of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we applied similar induction therapy as that used for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), ie frequent administration of doxorubicin (DOX). DOX 30 mg/m(2) was administered from days 1 to 3 and from days 8 to 10 together with vincristine, prednisolone, cyclophosphamide and L-asparaginase, followed by three courses of consolidation and four courses of intensification. From December 1993 to February 1997, 285 untreated adult patients with de novo ALL were entered. Of 263 evaluable patients (age 15 to 59; median 31), 205 (78%) obtained complete remission (CR). At a median follow-up period of 63 months, the predicted 6-year overall survival (OS) rate of all patients was 33%, and disease-free survival (DFS) rate of CR patients was 30%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, favorable prognostic factors for the achievement of CR were age <40 and WBC <50 000/microl; for longer OS were age <30 and WBC <30 000/microl; and for longer DFS of CR patients were FAB L1 and ALT <50 IU/l. Among 229 patients who had adequate cytogenetic data, 51 (22%) had Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. Ph-negative chromosome was a common favorable prognostic factor for CR, longer OS and DFS. DFS was not different between early sequential intensification (n = 48) and intermittent intensification (n = 43) during the maintenance phase. Among CR patients under 40 years old, the 6-year survival was not different between the allocated related allo-BMT group (34 patients) and the allocated chemotherapy group (108 patients). However, among patients with Ph-positive ALL, the survival of patients who actually received allo-BMT was superior to that of patients who received chemotherapy (P = 0.046).

Formation of 2-chloroinosine from guanosine by treatment of HNO(2) in the presence of NaCl

We investigated the reaction of Guo with nitrous acid in the presence of NaCl. When 1 mM Guo was incubated with 100 mM NaNO(2) and 2M NaCl in sodium acetate buffer at pH 3.2 and 37 degrees C, 2-chloroinosine (2-Cl-Ino) was produced in addition to oxanosine (Oxo) and xanthosine (Xao). The yield of 2-Cl-Ino was 0.033 mM at an incubation time of 2 h. Under the same reaction conditions, GMP and dGuo gave rise to the corresponding 2-chloro derivatives with comparable yields. All the 2-chloro derivatives were fairly stable (t(12)>360 h) at physiological pH and temperature. To elucidate the reaction mechanism of the chlorination, the diazoate derivative of Guo, a reaction intermediate of the Guo-HNO(2) system, was employed as a starting compound. When the diazoate was incubated with 2M NaCl in a neutral solution, 2-Cl-Ino was produced in addition to Oxo and Xao. These results suggest that the 2-chloro derivatives can be produced from foodstuffs in the human stomach and may have potential importance as a carcinogen causing gastric cancer.

In vitro chemosensitivity of human soft tissue sarcoma

Chemotherapy is essential in the treatment of small round cell sarcomas. However, as yet there is no progress concerning the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of other types of soft tissue tumors (STS). The Histoculture Drug Response Assay (HDRA) is an in vitro chemosensitivity test that has a high correlation with clinical response, the usefulness of which has been reported in various kinds of solid tumors. However, there has never been a report on its use in STS until now. In this study, in order to investigate the variation in chemosensitivity in STS, fresh biopsy or surgical samples of STS were tested using the HDRA method. Drug sensitivity testing by HDRA showed that two drugs, ADM and THP, had a significantly higher inhibitory rate than CDDP, IFOS, or VP-16 in the thirty-three soft tissue sarcomas tested. Depending on the morphological type, spindle cell sarcomas were sensitive to THP, which showed significantly higher inhibition rates than CDDP, IFOS, or VP-16. Small round cell sarcomas were relatively sensitive to all of the drugs tested. However the drug sensitivity of pleomorphic cell sarcoma was low except for ADM and THP, while its sensitivity to THP was higher than about 70%. However, there are numerous other soft tissue sarcomas that do not belong to these categories; drug sensitivity testing in each of them and the devising of individualized treatment strategies seems necessary to improve the therapeutic outcome.

[Effective use of camostat mesilate for chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated by thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm]

A 73-year-old man who had been receiving treatment for hypertension and angina pectoris was admitted to hospital following a transient ischemic attack. He was diagnosed as having chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) complicated by a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, and was treated with heparin sodium and a protease inhibitor. Although the DIC was controlled, the patient had to remain hospitalized in order to receive the medication by continuous infusion. Therefore, the heparin sodium and protease inhibitor were replaced by camostat mesilate, a drug suitable for oral administration and widely used for treatment of chronic pancreatitis. The drug proved effective for the chronic DIC, thus allowing the patient to receive regular treatment on an outpatient basis, and improving his quality of life.

Products of the reaction between a diazoate derivative of 2'-deoxycytidine and L-lysine and its implication for DNA-nucleoprotein cross-linking by NO or HNO(2)

Recently, we have reported that a stable diazoate intermediate (dCyd-diazoate) is produced upon the reaction of dCyd with nitrous acid and nitric oxide [Suzuki, T., Nakamura, T., Yamada, M., Ide, H., Kanaori, K., Tajima, K., Morii, T., and Makino, K. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 7151-7158]. In this work, the reaction of dCyd-diazoate with L-Lys was investigated. When 0.4 mM dCyd-diazoate was incubated with 10 mM L-Lys in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C, two unknown products were formed in addition to dUrd. By spectrometric measurements, the products were identified as dCyd-Lys adducts with C4(dCyd)-N(alpha)(Lys) and C4(dCyd)-N(epsilon)(Lys) linkages (abbreviated as dCyd-alphaLys and dCyd-epsilonLys, respectively). The yields at the reaction time of 72 h were 28.0% dCyd-alphaLys, 13.4% dCyd-epsilonLys, and 11.1% dUrd with 33.9% unreacted dCyd-diazoate. When 0.4 mM dCyd-diazoate was incubated with 22 mg/mL poly(L-Lys) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 24 h, 82% of the free dCyd-diazoate disappeared, indicating adduct formation with the polymer. At pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, dCyd-alphaLys and dCyd-epsilonLys were fairly stable and gave rise to no product after incubation for 7 days. At pH 4.0 and 70 degrees C, both adducts disappeared with the same first-order rate constant of 1.7 x 10(-)(6) s(-)(1) (t(1/2) = 110 h), which was approximately (1)/(3) of that of dCyd. These results suggest that if dCyd-diazoate is formed in DNA in vivo, it may react with free L-Lys and the side chain of L-Lys in nucleoproteins, resulting in stable adducts and DNA-protein cross-links, respectively.

Natural history of early gastric cancer: a non-concurrent, long term, follow up study

BACKGROUND

Controversy has arisen on the natural history of early gastric cancer (EGC). While some emphasise the effectiveness of early detection in reducing mortality from gastric cancer, others insist that EGC is a pseudo-cancer. AIMS/PATIENTS/METHODS: To elucidate the natural history of EGC, a non-concurrent, long term, follow up study was conducted in 71 patients who were diagnosed endoscopically as having EGC, which was confirmed as cancer on biopsy, but in whom surgical resection was not conducted or delayed by more than six months.

RESULTS

The natural course of EGC was observed in 56 cases. Over a period of 6-137 months, 20 remained in the early stage while 36 progressed to the advanced stage. The proportion remaining in the early stage consistently decreased with time. Median duration of those who remained in the early stage was estimated as 44 months. The cumulative five year risk for progressing to the advanced stage was 63.0%. In 38 cases there was no evidence for undergoing surgical resection for gastric cancer. The cumulative five year corrected survival was estimated as 62.8% among those unresected. Hazard rate ratio for gastric cancer mortality was 0.65 (p=0.34) for screening detected versus non-screening detected. Hazard rate ratio for gastric cancer mortality was 0.51, significantly lower for patients whose operations were delayed compared with those unresected.

CONCLUSIONS

Although EGC showed a relatively long natural history in general, it progressed to the advanced stage with time and led to death from gastric cancer for the most part if left untreated.

Prognostic relevance of urokinase type plasminogen activator, its receptor and inhibitors in chondrosarcoma

The plasminogen activation system plays an important role in enhancing pericellular proteolysis of tumor invasion/metastasis and in autocrine/paracrine tumor growth stimulation. To investigate the prognostic significance of the plasminogen activation system in human chondrosarcoma, the immunohistochemical expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), plasminogen activator inhibitor, 1 (PAI-1) and 2 (PAI-2) were analyzed in 28 patients with chondrosarcoma. In multivariate survival analysis, histological grade (p = 0.0008) and location (p = 0.02) were independent risk factors for local relapse. For metastasis-free survival, uPA index (p = 0.006) and PAI-2 index (p = 0.04) were independent prognostic factors. PAI-2 index (p = 0.02), uPAR index (p = 0.02) and histological grade (p = 0.03) predicted total survival. These results demonstrated the usefulness of uPA, uPAR and PAI-2 expression as biological prognostic indicator and the importance of the plasminogen activation system in tumor progression and metastasis in chondrosarcoma.

Reactivity of 2'-deoxyoxanosine, a novel DNA lesion

2'-Deoxyoxanosine (dOxo) is a novel DNA lesion produced from 2'-deoxyguanosine by the reaction with nitrous acid or nitric oxide. We found that dOxo reacted with glycine under physiological conditions. The product was identified by spectrometric data as an adduct between the six membered ring of dOxo and an amino group of glycine. The adduct was more stable than dOxo under physiological conditions. The incubation of an oligodeoxynucleotide containing dOxo with glycine gave also rise to the adduct. These results suggest that dOxo formed in DNA reacts with amino groups of various compounds around DNA in vivo resulting in the adduct.

Formation of 8-nitroguanine from 2'-deoxyguanosine by NO/O2 system

We investigated the reaction of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) with NO/O2 gas mixture under physiological condition and detected 8-nitroguanine, which is known as a novel DNA lesion caused by peroxynitrite (ONOO-). The yield increased with increase in the ratio of O2 and pH. The reaction mechanism is discussed.

Selective genotyping with epistasis can be utilized for a major quantitative trait locus mapping in hypertension in rats

Epistasis used to be considered an obstacle in mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) despite its significance. Numerous epistases have proved to be involved in quantitative genetics. We established a backcross model that demonstrates a major QTL for hypertension (Ht). Seventy-eight backcrossed rats (BC), derived from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Fischer 344 rats, showed bimodal distribution of systolic blood pressure (BP) values and a phenotypic segregation ratio consistent with 1:1. In this backcross analysis, sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase (Serca) II heterozygotes showed widespread bimodality in frequency distribution of BP values and obviously demonstrated Ht. First, in genome-wide screening, Mapmaker/QTL analysis mapped Ht at a locus between D1Mgh8 and D1Mit4 near Sa in all 78 BC. The peak logarithm of the odds (LOD) score reached 5.3. Second, Serca II heterozygous and homozygous BC were analyzed separately using Mapmaker/QTL. In the 35 Serca II heterozygous BC, the peak LOD score was 3.8 at the same locus whereas it did not reach statistical significance in the 43 Serca II homozygotes. Third, to map Ht efficiently, we selected 18 Serca II heterozygous BC with 9 highest and 9 lowest BP values. In these 18 BC, the peak LOD score reached 8.1. In 17 of the 18, D1Mgh8 genotypes (homo or hetero) qualitatively cosegregated with BP phenotypes (high or low) (P < 0.0001, by chi-square analysis). In conclusion, selective genotyping with epistasis can be utilized for a major QTL mapping near Sa on chromosome 1 in SHR.

Human anti-murine antibodies interfere with CPR assays performed with commercial kits

Quantitation of C-peptide is important for the assessment of insulin secretion, in particular in patients receiving insulin therapy. Since the CPR levels become much higher than the concentration of C-peptide for several reasons, such as the high concentration of proinsulin, CPR values sometimes need to be assessed carefully. We have had two diabetic patients whose CPR values were abnormally high when determined with a Daiichi C-peptide kit III (method 1). CPR values determined by other methods were from two to ten times lower, indicating considerable interference when method 1 was used. Since method 1 uses mouse monoclonal antibodies (mmab) for detection antibodies, we suspected that human anti-murine antibodies (HAMA) were responsible for the interference. HAMA were detected in serum from both patients (45 and 460 ng/ml in case 1 and case 2 (at peak), respectively). Removal of HAMA from serum eliminated the interference. Modification of method 1 to exclude mmab from the assay system removed all interference. HAMA were, therefore, considered to be the cause of the interference. In case 2, the peak concentration of HAMA was recorded 16 months earlier than the maximum of interference. Further analysis revealed that HAMA with high affinities were responsible for the interference.

Influence of ring opening-closure equilibrium of oxanine, a novel damaged nucleobase, on migration behavior in capillary electrophoresis

Oxanine (Oxa) is a novel damaged nucleobase which is generated from guanine by HNO2 or NO. As a fundamental study for detection of Oxa formed in vivo, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) have been tested by changing the pH of the running buffer. At pH 7, CZE did not separate Oxa from seven other nucleobases, and MEKC separated Oxa but their peaks migrated close together. In both the techniques, an extreme peak broadening occurred for Oxa around pH 9 and a good peak separation was achieved at pH 12. The behavior of the Oxa peak is discussed in relation to the unique multistep acid-base equilibria of Oxa.

Identification and characterization of a reaction product of 2'-deoxyoxanosine with glycine

2'-Deoxyoxanosine (dOxo) is a novel DNA lesion produced from dGuo by reaction with nitrous acid or nitric oxide [Suzuki, T., Yamaoka, R., Nishi, M., Ide, H., and Makino, K. (1996) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118, 2515-2516]. We investigated the reaction of dOxo with glycine (Gly) under physiological conditions. When 5 mM dOxo was incubated with 500 mM Gly in 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C, an unknown product was formed exclusively. The yield of the product was 86% at an incubation time of 3 h. Using spectrometric data, it was identified as a ring-opened adduct containing an amide bond between the carbonyl group of dOxo and the amino group of Gly. The adduct was very stable (t(1/2) = 1280 h) under physiological conditions. Furthermore, dOxo in oligodeoxynucleotide reacted with Gly, yielding the same adduct. These results suggest that dOxo formed in DNA may react with Gly present in cells, resulting in adduct formation in vivo.

Formation of 2'-deoxyoxanosine from 2'-deoxyguanosine and nitrous acid: mechanism and intermediates

The reaction mechanism for the formation of 2'-deoxy-oxanosine from 2'-deoxyguanosine by nitrous acid was explored using methyl derivatives of guanosine and an isolated intermediate of the reaction. When 1-methylguanosine was incubated with NaNO(2)under acidic conditions, N (5) -methyloxanosine and 1-methylxanthosine were generated, whereas the same treatment of N (2), N (2)-dimethylguanosine generated no product. In a similar experiment without NO(2)(-), participation of a Dimroth rearrangement was ruled out. In the guanosine-HNO(2)reaction system, an intermediate with a half-life of 5.6 min (pH 7.0, 20 degrees C) was isolated and tentatively identified as a diazoate derivative of guanosine. The diazoate intermediate was converted into oxanosine and xanthosine at a molar ratio (oxanosine:xanthosine) of 0.26 at pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C. The ratio was not affected by the incubation pH between 2 and 10, but increased linearly with temperature from 0.22 (0 degrees C) to 0.32 (50 degrees C). The addition of acetone also increased the ratio up to 0.85 (98% acetone). Based on these results, a con-ceivable pathway for the formation of 2'-deoxyoxanosine from 2'-deoxyguanosine by HNO(2)is proposed.

Structure and stability of the consecutive stereoregulated chiral phosphorothioate DNA duplex

The duplex structures of the stereoregulated phosphorothioate DNAs, [R(p),R(p)]- and [S(p),S(p)]-[d(GC(ps)T(ps)ACG)] (ps, phosphorothioate; PS-DNA), with their complementary RNA have been investigated by combined use of (1)H NMR and restrained molecular dynamics calculation. Compared to those obtained for the unmodified duplex structures (PO-DNA.RNA), the NOE cross-peak intensities are virtually identical for the PS-DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes. The structural analysis on the basis of the NOE restraints reveals that all of the three DNA.RNA duplexes take a A-form conformation and that there is no significant difference in the base stacking for the DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes. On the other hand, the NOE cross-peak intensities of the protons around the central T(ps)A step of the PS-DNA.DNA duplexes are apparently different from those of PO-DNA. DNA. The chemical shifts of H8/6 and H1' at the T(ps)A step are also largely different among PS-DNA.DNAs and PO-DNA.DNA, suggesting that the DNA.DNA structure is readily changed by the introduction of the phosphorothioate groups to the central T(p)A step. The structure calculations indicate that all of these DNA.DNA duplexes are B-form although there exist some small differences in helical parameters between the [R(p),R(p)]- and [S(p),S(p)]PS-DNA.DNA duplexes. The melting temperatures (T(m)) were determined for all of the duplexes by plotting the chemical shift change of isolated peaks as a function of temperature. For the PS-DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes, the [S(p),S(p)] isomer is less stable than the [R(p),R(p)] isomer while this trend is reversed for the PS-DNA.DNA duplexes. Consequently, although the PS-DNA.RNA duplexes take the similar A-form structure, the duplex stability is different between PS-DNA.RNA duplexes. The stability of the DNA.RNA duplexes may not be governed by the A-form structure itself but by some other factors such as the hydration around the phosphorothioate backbone, although the T(m) difference of the DNA.DNA duplexes could be explained by the structural factor.

Isolation and characterization of diazoate intermediate upon nitrous acid and nitric oxide treatment of 2'-deoxycytidine

The intermediate produced from dCyd by HNO2 and NO treatments was isolated and characterized. When 10 mM dCyd was treated with 100 mM NaNO2 in 1.0 M acetate buffer (pH 3.7) at 37 degrees C, a previously unidentified product was formed. By spectrometric measurements, the product was identified as a diazoate derivative of dCyd, 1-(beta-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2-oxopyrimidine-4-diazoate. The time course of the concentration change of the diazoate showed a profile characteristic of a reaction intermediate, and the maximum yield was 37 microM at the reaction time of 25 min. Up to the reaction time of 10 min, the diazoate concentration was greater than that of dUrd, a deamination product of dCyd. Addition of thiocyanate increased the yield of the diazoate in HNO2 treatment, whereas addition of ascorbate decreased the yield. When 10 mM dCyd in 100 mM phosphate buffer was treated with NO at 37 degrees C under aerobic conditions holding the pH (7.2-7.6), the diazoate was also generated. The yield of the diazoate was higher than that of dUrd up to 15 mmol of NO absorption. At pH 3.7 and 37 degrees C, the diazoate was converted to dUrd with the first-order rate constant k = 4.8 x 10(-)4 s-1 (t1/2 = 24 min). Under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C), however, it was fairly stable (k = 5.8 x 10(-)7 s-1, t1/2 = 330 h). In both cases, the diazoate was converted to dUrd exclusively and no other intermediates were detected by HPLC analysis. Uracil-DNA glycosylase did not remove the diazoate residue from an oligodeoxynucleotide containing this damage, [d(T6DT5), D = the diazoate]. The Tm value of a duplex containing the diazoate, d(T6DT5).d(A5GA6), was much lower than that of a duplex containing a correct C:G base pair, d(T6CT5).d(A5GA6). These results show that the diazoate is generated as a stable intermediate in the reactions of dCyd with HNO2 and NO and that the major product is the diazoate but not dUrd in the initial stage of the reactions. Thus, once formed in vivo, the diazoate persists for long time in DNA and may act as a major cytotoxic and/or genotoxic lesion with biologically relevant doses of HNO2 and NO.

[A case of leukemic lymphoma complicated by M-proteinemia: effectiveness of long-term daily administration of oral low-dose etoposide in continuing remission]

A 51-year-old man was admitted with systemic lymph node adenopathy. Hematological examination on admission revealed leukocytosis, and 35% of leukocytes were classified as pathologically abnormal. Moreover, increases in serum IgM (kappa type) and plasma viscosity were recognized. Following biopsy of the lymph node, a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (diffuse, mixed type) was made. After the implementation of combination chemotherapy, the results of hematological and physical examinations improved. As the nadir receded, serum IgM increased once more, and nine courses of chemotherapy were necessary. In order to promote steady progress toward discharge, etoposide therapy was instituted. Subsequent low-dose etoposide therapy at 50 mg/day rarely resulted in an increase in serum IgM, subjective or objective adverse effects, except for mild lekopenia. After discharge the patient was placed on intermittent etoposide therapy and remained in a state of remission for approximately 11 months. Fortunately, his rehabilitation was successful, and he returned temporarily to his former position. The 2nd remission has continued for approximately seven months. Consequently, long-term low-dose etoposide therapy is speculated to be a significantly useful therapeutic technique for intractable malignant lymphoma.

Stability of the dimerization domain effects the cooperative DNA binding of short peptides

The basic region peptide derived from the basic leucine zipper protein GCN4 bound specifically to the native GCN4 binding sequences in a dimeric form when the beta-cyclodextrin/adamantane dimerization domain was introduced at the C-terminus of the GCN4 basic region peptide. We describe here how the structure and stability of the dimerization domain affect the cooperative formation of the peptide dimer-DNA complex. The basic region peptides with five different guest molecules were synthesized, and their equilibrium dissociation constants with a peptide possessing beta-cyclodextrin were determined. These values, ranging from 1.3 to 15 microM, were used to estimate the stability of the complexes between the dimers with various guest/cyclodextrin dimerization domains and GCN4 target sequences. An efficient cooperative formation of the dimer complexes at the GCN4 binding sequence was observed when the adamantyl group was replaced with the norbornyl or noradamantyl group, but not with the cyclohexyl group that formed a beta-cyclodextrin complex with a stability that was 1 order of magnitude lower than that of the adamantyl group. Thus, cooperative formation of the stable dimer-DNA complex appeared to be effected by the stability of the dimerization domain. For the peptides that cooperatively formed dimer-DNA complexes, there was no linear correlation between the stability of the inclusion complex and that of the dimer-DNA complex. With the beta-cyclodextrin/adamantane dimerization domain, the basic region peptide dimer preferred to bind to a palindromic 5'-ATGACGTCAT-3' sequence over the sequence lacking the central G.C base pair and that with an additional G.C base pair in the middle. Changing the adamantyl group into a norbornyl group did not alter the preferential binding of the peptide dimers to the palindromic sequence, but slightly affected the selectivity of the dimer for other nonpalindromic sequences. The helical contents of the peptides in the DNA-bound dimer with the adamantyl group were decreased by reducing the stability of the dimer-DNA complex, which was possibly caused by deformation of the helical structure proximal to the dimerization domain.

Comparison of the sequence-selective DNA binding by peptide dimers with covalent and noncovalent dimerization domains

Sequence-specific DNA binding proteins generally consist of more than two DNA-contacting regions to ensure the selectivity of recognition. The multiple DNA binding modules are connected either through the covalent linker or through the noncovalent dimerization domain. We have compared the DNA binding of peptide dimers with covalent and noncovalent dimerization domains to explore the potential advantage of each linkage on the sequence-specific DNA binding. Three sets of head-to-tail peptide dimers were synthesized by using the same basic region peptide to target the same DNA sequence; one dimer was assembled with a bridged biphenyl derivative as a covalent dimerization domain, and two other dimers were assembled with the cyclodextrin guest noncovalent dimerization domains. One of the noncovalent dimers was a heterodimer that consisted of cyclodextrin and guest peptides, while the other was a homodimer that consisted of peptides bearing both cyclodextrin and the guest molecule within the same chain. Both noncovalent dimers formed the specific DNA complexes within narrower ranges of peptide concentrations and showed higher sequence selectivity than the covalent dimer did. Among the three dimers, the noncovalent homodimer that can form an intramolecular inclusion complex showed the highest sequence selectivity. Because the noncovalent homodimer with the higher stability of the circular intramolecular inclusion complex exhibited the higher sequence selectivity, it was concluded that an equilibrium involving a conformational transition of a monomeric peptide effectively reduced the stability of its nonspecific binding complex, hence increasing the efficacy of cooperative dimer formation at the specific DNA sequence.

[Successful lithium carbonate therapy for a patient with intractable and severe aplastic anemia]

A 16-year-old female patient who had been given a diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia underwent 2 courses of a combined regimen of corticosteroid pulse therapy and androgen therapy. This proved ineffective. Antilymphocyte globulin therapy was also ineffective. The patient was then given lithium carbonate at a dose of 600 mg/day in combination with an androgen derivative. This had a dramatic effect on her peripheral blood smear. Within 3 weeks after the first course of this treatment, she no longer required red blood cell transfusions. Also, once the lithium carbonate dose was increased to 1,200 mg/day, the patient no longer needed exogenous platelet transfusions. Approximately 6 months after the start of combination therapy, a peripheral blood smear showed entirely normal results. However, 2 months after lithium carbonate was discontinued probably as a result of drug-induced liver dysfunction, both leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia reappeared. Therefore, lithium carbonate was readministered at a dose of 400 mg/day, and later at a dose of 800 mg/day. Again, the patient showed improvements in 3 blood components without any adverse effects. We concluded that lithium therapy was remarkably useful for this patient with intractable and severe aplastic anemia.

[Mycobacterial infection in patients with hematologic disorders]

In patients with hematologic disorders, cellular immunity may be suppressed by the disease itself or by treatment with adrenal corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or anticancer agents. Miliary tuberculosis developing in such compromised hosts is cryptic, and thus its diagnosis is difficult to make. Miliary tuberculosis will be fatal if it cannot be detected. Therefore, the possibility of mycobacterial infection should always be kept in mind when treating patients with hematologic disorders. However, such patients often have a poor prognosis, even if they have already been diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis. Prophylactic medication has been proved to be effective against mycobacterial infection with hematologic disorders. Thus, the importance of prophylactic medication should be emphasized.

Selective recognition of tandemly repeated DNA sequences by homo- and heterodimers of short peptides

The non-covalent and specific protein-protein interaction is critical to the specificity and the cooperativity of the DNA-binding by protein dimers. We have designed and synthesized three sets of peptide dimers with covalent- or noncovalent artificial dimerization modules to elucidate the structural and thermodynamic aspects for the sequence-specific DNA-binding by protein dimers. We have investigated the DNA binding of covalent dimer, noncovalent homodimer and noncovalent heterodimer with specific or nonspecific DNA sequences by gel mobility shift assay. Although the amino acid sequence of DNA-binding region of these peptide dimers are the same, the selectivity and the cooperativity of DNA binding by these peptide dimers were found to be different.

Kinetic studies of sequence-specific binding of GCN4-bZIP peptides to DNA strands immobilized on a 27-MHz quartz-crystal microbalance

Specific protein-DNA interaction was studied quantitatively by using a highly sensitive 27-MHz quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM). Biotinylated DNA double strands (21 bp, having a CRE site of 5'ATGACGTCAT3') were immobilized on an avidin-bound QCM surface, and sequence-specific binding of bZIP 56-mer peptides (having both the basic region for binding and the leucine zipper region for dimerization) to the DNA strand on the QCM was observed. The binding amount (Deltam) at the nanogram level and kinetic parameters such as association constants (Ka) and binding and dissociation rate constants (k1 and k-1) could be obtained from time courses of QCM frequency decreases. A bZIP peptide as a dimer was observed to bind sequence-specifically to one DNA strand having a CRE site. Ka values of ss-bZIP, in which the leucine-zipper region of bZIP was substituted by a Cys-Cys linkage, were largely decreased, and the sequence selectivity also disappeared. Ka values obtained by the QCM method showed good agreement with those obtained from the conventional gel mobility shift assay or from circular dichroism spectrum changes. When the specific sequence of the CRE site of DNA strands was partly changed, Ka values decreased by about a half due to the increase of the dissociation rate constant (k-1) independent of the binding rate constant (k1).

Functional expression on human trophoblasts of interleukin 4 and interleukin 7 receptor complexes with a common gamma chain

The gamma chain in the high-affinity receptor complex for interleukin 2(IL-2) is used in receptor complexes for IL-4 and IL-7. We examined expression and function of the gamma chain in trophoblast cells. Flow cytometric studies demonstrated that the human placental cell line and choriocarcinoma cell lines expressed the IL-2R gamma chain. None of these cell lines expressed the IL-2R alpha and beta chains, whereas the alpha chains of IL-4R and IL-7R were present. The gamma chain and IL-4R and IL-7R mRNA were detected in human placental trophoblasts by the in situ hybridization method. The release of human chorionic gonadotropin by trophoblasts was accelerated by IL-4 and IL-7 in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that IL-4 and IL-7 are involved in trophoblast function.

Specific interaction with guanine residues of Z-form DNA by bleomycin-nickel(III) complex

The Ni(III) complex of bleomycin (BLM) reacts with guanine residues of the oligomer duplex only under high salt condition (4.5 M NaCl) where the (dC-dG)6 sequence exists as the isolated Z-form segment. In addition, the (dC-dG)n inserts were subcloned into a plasmid so that reactivity of the BLM-Ni(III) complex with restriction fragments could be examined. Results are reported for two fragments: an EcoRI-DdeI fragment in which the (dC-dG)n insert is flanked at the 5' end by a segment of B-DNA and a HindIII-DdeI fragment in which the (dC-dG)n fragment is embedded at both ends by stable B-DNA forming segments. The BLM-Ni(III) complex does not bind to (dC-dG)5 sequence of pBRZ10 DNA fragment under any conditions, but to several guanine residues of (dC-dG)8 and (dC-dG)12 sequences of pBRZ16 and pBRZ24 DNA fragments in 4.5 M NaCl solution. In the fragments of pBRZ16 and pBRZ24 DNAs, the BLM-Ni(III) complex reacts with most of guanine bases of (dC-dG)8 and (dC-dG)12.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) blocks the IL-2-induced increased in natural killer activity and DNA synthesis of decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells by inhibiting expression of the IL-2 receptor alpha, beta, and gamma

The natural killer (NK) activity and DNA synthesis of decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells were markedly elevated by treatment with interleukin 2 (IL-2). IL-4 did not affect NK activity or DNA synthesis of decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells, but inhibited the IL-2-induced NK activity and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry of decidual mononuclear cells cultured in IL-2 or IL-4 or both IL-2 and IL-4 demonstrated IL-4 inhibition of the expression of the IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha), IL-2R beta, and IL-2R gamma on decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells. This suggests that IL-4 blocks the IL-2-induced NK activity and DNA synthesis of decidual CD16-CD56bright NK cells by inhibiting the expression of IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta, and IL-2R gamma.

Production of interleukin 10 during malaria caused by lethal and nonlethal variants of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii

We investigated the induction of T-helper cell subsets during the course of lethal or nonlethal bloodstage Plasmodium yoelii 17X infection in C57BL/6 mice, which are relatively susceptible to these intraerythrocytic parasites. C57BL/6 mice infected with the nonlethal variant (PyNL) showed a moderate level of parasitemia and resolution of primary acute infection by week 4. Mice infected with the lethal variant (PyL) developed fulminating parasitemia and ultimately died. T-helper subset function was assessed during infection by determining the kinetics of in vitro production of the Th1-derived cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the Th2-derived cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) by means of bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Spleen cells obtained from mice infected with PyL within the 1st week of infection produced high levels of IL-10 and IFN-gamma in response to malaria antigen. IL-10 also appeared in sera from PyL-infected mice at the same time at which the in vitro IL-10 response peaked. In contrast, spleen cells from mice infected with PyNL failed to produce IL-10 during the course of infection. CD4+ T-lymphocytes from mice infected with the lethal variant were a major source of IL-10, although non T-cells were also involved in the production of IL-10 during this malaria infection. In addition, the initial burst of IL-10 in response to malaria antigens was seen concomitantly with the production of IFN-gamma within the 1st week of infection. These results indicate that both Th1 and Th2 subsets of T-helper lymphocytes are activated during infection with the lethal variant of P. yoelii and support the contention of other investigators that a strong Th2 response early in infection is associated with the lethal outcome of malaria.

Gametocytogenesis of Leucocytozoon caulleryi in in vitro culture: effect of human red blood cells on the development of second-generation merozoites

For investigating development of second-generation merozoites of Leucocytozoon caulleryi into mature gametocytes, infected erythrocytes from chickens at 15 d after sporozoites inoculation were cultured in RPMI-1640 modified medium supplemented with 10% horse serum and 0.5 ml of human erythrocytes (type O). When culture was carried out at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere or 5% CO2 for 7 d, the very small number of second-generation merozoites developed into morphologically mature gametocytes. However, in the high carbon dioxide and low oxygen condition, mature gametocytes weren't observed in culture. The role of human erythrocytes added has not been clarified yet.