The influence of aging on the effectiveness of heat stress in preventing disuse muscle atrophy

This study examined the aging effect on disuse muscle atrophy prevention using heat stress. Wistar rats aged 7 and 60 weeks were divided into three groups as follows: control, immobilized (Im), and immobilized and heat stressed (ImH). Heat stress was given by immersing the hindlimbs in hot water (42 °C) for 60 min, once in every 3 days and the gastrocnemius (GAS) and soleus (SOL) muscles were extracted after 14 days. Muscle-fiber types were classified using ATPase staining. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was assessed through Western blotting. In GAS muscle of both groups and SOL muscle of 7-week-old rats, the fiber diameter of each muscle type in the ImH group significantly increased compared with that in the Im group. However, this could not be observed in the SOL muscle of the 60-week-old rats. The increased percentage of type-I fibers and variability of types I and II muscle-fiber diameter were evident in the SOL muscle of the 60-week rats. HSP70 was significantly elevated in the ImH group compared with in the Im group in both muscle types of both age groups. Thus, effectiveness of heat stress in the prevention of disuse muscle atrophy appears unsatisfactory in aging muscle fibers.

Heat treatment inhibits skeletal muscle atrophy of glucocorticoid-induced myopathy in rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heat treatment on glucocorticoid (GC)-induced myopathy. Eight-week-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the control, Dex, and Dex + Heat groups. Dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 6 days per week for 2 weeks in the Dex and Dex + Heat group. In the Dex + Heat group, heat treatment was performed by immersing hindlimbs in water at 42 °C for 60 min, once every 3 days for 2 weeks. The extensor digitorum longus muscle was extracted following 2 weeks of experimentation. In the Dex + Heat group, muscle fiber diameter, capillary/muscle fiber ratio, and level of heat shock protein 72 were significantly higher and atrogene expression levels were significantly lower than in the Dex group. Our results suggest that heat treatment inhibits the development of GC-induced myopathy by decreasing atrogene expression and increasing angiogenesis.

Effects of treadmill exercise on muscle fibers in mice with steroid myopathy

We studied the effect of treadmill exercise on muscle fibers in mice with experimental steroid myopathy. Frozen sections of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the muscle fiber diameters measured. In the EDL, muscle fiber diameters in the steroid groups decreased significantly compared with those in the control groups; moreover, muscle fiber diameters in the exercise groups increased significantly compared with those in the non-exercise groups, whereas the diameters in the SOL did not differ. We speculate that treadmill exercise may prevent corticosteroid-induced muscle fiber atrophy.

Effects of short duration stretching on disuse muscle atrophy in immobilized rat soleus muscles

The purpose of this study was to determine whether short duration stretching is ameliorating for disuse muscle atrophy in immobilized rat soleus muscles. Eighteen male Wistar rats (age, 8 weeks; weight, 311.0 ± 35.6 g) were divided randomly into control (n=3) and experimental (n=15) groups. Bilateral ankles of each rat in the experimental group were fixed in full planter flexion with a plaster cast. After the experimental groups rats were immobilized for 4 weeks, animals were divided into three groups: immobilization alone (group I, n=3), stretch training for 30 min/day for 1 or 3 weeks after remobilization (group S, n=6), and spontaneous recovery (non stretch training) for 1 or 3 weeks after remobilization (group NS, n=6). At the end of the experimental periods, the soleus muscle was extracted from hindlimb, and the frozen sections were stained with myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase. After 1 week of remobilization, the means of the muscle fiber diameters for type I fibers in group S had increased significantly compared with group NS, but those for type II fibers in group S did not significantly differ from that for group NS. After 3 weeks of remobilization, the means of the muscle fiber diameters for types I and II fibers in group S had increased significantly compared with group NS. No difference in the fiber type distribution were observed between the experimental group. Our findings suggest that short duration stretching induces recovery from disuse muscle atrophy after joint fixation.

Hindlimb suspension does not influence mechanical sensitivity, epidermal thickness, and peripheral nerve density in the glabrous skin of the rat hind paw

Our aim was to investigate the influence of microgravity on the sensitivity of the skin to mechanical stimulation, epidermal thickness, peripheral nerve density in the upper dermis, and serum levels of a stress marker in a rat hindlimb suspension (HS) model. Thirty 8-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: HS, n=10; sham HS, n=10; control, n=10. The suspension system was attached to rat tails in both the HS and sham-HS groups, but the hindlimbs were suspended only in the HS group. The HS and sham-HS groups were treated for 4 weeks. In behavioral tests using von-Frey filaments (n=5 in each group), mechanical hypersensitivity developed in the HS and sham HS groups. Serum corticosterone levels increased significantly in the HS and sham HS groups compared to the control group, and no changes in epidermal thickness or peripheral nerve density were observed immediately after the removal of HS (n=5 in each group). These data indicated that the mechanical hypersensitivity observed in the HS group was not caused by microgravity or inactivity, but rather by restraint stress. We suggest that microgravity does not affect skin sensitivity and histology in these animals. Unit of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biochemical Sciences, Nagasaki-shi, Japan.

Changes in hind paw epidermal thickness, peripheral nerve distribution and mechanical sensitivity after immobilization in rats

This study was designed to investigate histological changes in skin tissue accompanying immobilization-induced hypersensitivity. Changes in mechanical sensitivity, epidermal thickness, and peripheral nerve profiles in the upper dermis were examined in glabrous skin of rat hind paw after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of ankle joint immobilization by plaster casts. Induction of mechanical hypersensitivity was confirmed after 2 and 4 weeks of joint immobilization. Epidermal thinning and increase in peripheral nerve profiles were observed in skin tissues in immobilized rats. The time course of epidermal thinning and increase in peripheral nerve profiles were similar closely to that of hypersensitivity, with significant differences between the immobilized and control rats after 2 weeks of immobilization, which became even more remarkable at 4 weeks of immobilization. These findings suggest that joint immobilization by cast induces epidermal thinning and increases peripheral nerve profiles in the upper dermis and that these changes might be partly responsible for immobilization-induced hypersensitivity.

E2F1 overexpression associated with TS and survivin gene expressions in non-small cell lung cancer

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Background: The thymidylate synthase (TS) expression is related to 5-FU sensitivity. The survivin expression is associated with tumor apoptosis, an indicator to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy. Recently, TS and Survivin have been reported to be E2F1 target genes. We investigate the clinical significance of the E2F1 gene expression in relation to gene expressions of TS and Survivin among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven NSCLC patients were investigated. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to evaluate gene expressions of E2F1, TS, and survivin. The Ki-67 proliferation index and the apoptotic index using TUNEL method were also evaluated. Results: The E2F1 gene expression was significantly higher in stage II to III tumors than in stage I tumors (p=0.006). The E2F1 gene expression significantly correlated with the Ki-67 proliferation index (p<0.001), while no correlation was observed between the E2F1 gene expression and the apoptotic index. Regarding E2F1-target genes, the E2F1 gene expression significantly correlated with the TS gene expression (p<0.001). The E2F1 gene expression also significantly correlated with the survivin gene expression (p<0.001). The TS expression and the survivin expression significantly correlated with the Ki-67 proliferation index (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was a significant inverse relationship between the survivin expression and the apoptotic index (p<0.001). The overall survival was significantly lower in patients with high-E2F1 tumors than in those with low-E2F1 tumors (p=0.002), especially among patients with stage II to III NSCLCs (p=0.018). The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the E2F1 status was a significant prognostic factor for NSCLC patients (p=0.026). Conclusions: The present study revealed the E2F1 gene expression to correlate with TS and survivin gene expressions, and tumor proliferation. E2F1 overexpression could occur to produce more aggressive tumors with high proliferation rate and chemo-resistance during progression of NSCLCs. The suppression of E2F1 by RNA interference would be a useful strategy for cancer gene therapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Evaluations of biomarkers associated with 5-FU sensitivity for non-small-cell lung cancer patients postoperatively treated with UFT

The sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been reported to be associated with target molecule thymidylate synthase (TS), fluoropyrimidine-metabolising enzymes such as orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). We performed an immunohistochemical study on the clinical significance of TS, OPRT, and DPD expression using 151 resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients postoperatively treated with a combination of tegafur and uracil (UFT). Eighty-two carcinomas were TS-positive, 105 carcinomas were OPRT-positive, 68 carcinomas were DPD-positive. No correlation was observed in the HSCORE between the TS and OPRT expression (r=0.203), between the TS and DPD expression (r=0.098), or between the OPRT and DPD expression (r=0.074). Regarding the survival of NSCLC patients treated with UFT, the 5-year survival rate of patients with TS-negative tumours was significantly higher than that with TS-positive tumours (P=0.0133). The 5-year survival rate of patients with OPRT-positive stage II to III tumours was significantly higher than that with OPRT-negative stage II to III tumours (P=0.0145). In addition, the 5-year survival rate of patients with DPD-negative tumours was also significantly higher than that with DPD-positive tumours (P=0.0004). A Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed the TS status (hazard ratio 2.663; P=0.0003), OPRT status (hazard ratio 2.543; P=0.0005), and DPD status (hazard ratio 2.840; P<0.0001) to all be significant prognostic factors for the survival of resected NSCLC patients postoperatively treated with UFT.

MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction regulates the actin cytoskeleton through the downregulation of WAVE2

Motility-related protein-1 (MRP-1/CD9) is involved in cell motility. We studied the change in the actin cytoskeleton, and the expression of actin-related protein (Arp) 2 and Arp3 and the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family according to MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction into HT1080 cells. The frequency of cells with lamellipodia was significantly lower in MRP-1/CD9-transfected HT1080 cells than in control HT1080 cells (P<0.0001). MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction affected the subcellular localization of Arp2 and Arp3 proteins. Furthermore, MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction induced a downregulation of WAVE2 expression (P<0.0001). However, no difference was observed in the expression of Arp2, Arp3 or other WASPs. A neutralizing anti-MRP-1/CD9 monoclonal antibody inhibited downregulation of WAVE2 in MRP-1/CD9-transfected HT1080 cells (P<0.0001), and reversed the morphological effects of MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction. Furthermore, downregulation of WAVE2 by transfection of WAVE2-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) mimicked the morphological effects of MRP-1/CD9 gene transduction and suppressed cell motility. However, transfection of each siRNA for Wnt1, Wnt2b1 or Wnt5a did not affect WAVE2 expression. Transfection of WAVE2-specific siRNA also did not affect expressions of these Wnts. These results indicate that MRP-1/CD9 regulates the actin cytoskeleton by downregulating of the WAVE2, through the Wnt-independent signal pathway.

[Early and late results and problems of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients over 80-year-old]

This study evaluated the validity of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients over 80-year-old investigating the early and late result, patient's opinion to the surgery, and change of activities of daily living scale. From July 1993 to September 2002, consecutive 94 patients over 80-year-old were performed CABG in our institution. The group consisted of 43 female patients, and mean age of 82.6 years. Of these patients, 36 were operated conventional CABG (CABG group) and 58 patients were operated with off-pump CABG (OPCAB) group. There were no significant differences between 2 groups in preoperative characteristics except for anemia and hypertension. Operative results, including mortality, number of distal anastomoses, operative time had no significant differences between 2 groups. But maximum CK-MB fraction was higher in CABG group. There were 4 operative deaths, indicating operative mortality was 4.3%. Late results showed overall survival rate at 3 years was 81.1% and cardiac event free survival rate at 3 years was 88.8%. Questionnaire revealed over 80% patients were satisfied with the surgery but less than 40% patients felt activities of daily living (ADL) scale was improved. Operative results of CABG in octogenarians were satisfied, but more efforts to remain patient's high ADL were mandatory.

Rational design, discovery, and synthesis of a novel series of potent growth hormone secretagogues

In the joint experimental and computational efforts reported here to obtain novel chemical entities as growth hormone secretagogues (GHSs), a small database of peptides and non-peptides known to have GHS activity was used to generate and assess a 3D pharmacophore for this activity. This pharmacophore was obtained using a systematic and efficient procedure, "DistComp", developed in our laboratory. The 3D pharmacophore identified was then used to search 3D databases to explore chemical structures that could be novel GHSs. A number of these were chosen for synthesis and assessment of their ability to release growth hormone (GH) from rat pituitary cells. Among the compounds tested, those with a benzothiazepin scaffold were discovered with micromolar activity. To facilitate lead optimization, a second program, a site-dependent fragment QSAR procedure was developed. This program calculates a library of chemical and physical properties of "fragments" or chemical components in a known pharmacophore and determines which, if any, of these properties are important for the observed activity. The combined use of the 3D pharmacophore and the results of the site-dependent fragment QSAR analysis led to the discovery and synthesis of a novel series of potent GHSs, a number of which had nanomolar in vitro activity.

Production of (4)(double Lambda)H hypernuclei

An experiment demonstrating the production of double-Lambda hypernuclei in (K(-),K(+)) reactions on (9)Be was carried out at the D6 line in the BNL alternating-gradient synchrotron. The technique was the observation of pions produced in sequential mesonic weak decay, each pion associated with one unit of strangeness change. The results indicate the production of a significant number of the double hypernucleus (4)(double Lambda)H and the twin hypernuclei (4)(Lambda)H and (3)(Lambda)H. The relevant decay chains are discussed and a simple model of the production mechanism is presented. An implication of this experiment is that the existence of an S = -2 dibaryon more than a few MeV below the double Lambda mass is unlikely.

Activated astrocytes with glycogen accumulation in ischemic penumbra during the early stage of brain infarction: immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies

Brain infarction was induced in rats by injection of microspheres through the right internal carotid artery, and structural changes in the astrocytes were observed during the early period following the infarction. Necrotic foci, varying in size and shape, were found in the right hemisphere. After immunohistochemical staining for GFAP, GFAP-positive astrocytes in the perinecrotic area known as the ischemic penumbra had distinctly increased in number and size with elongation of cytoplasmic processes 3 days after infarction. Electron microscopic observation revealed that glycogen granules had markedly accumulated in the cytoplasm of astrocytes located in the ischemic penumbra 3 and 5 days after infarction. Seven days after infarction, however, the glycogen granules disappeared from the astrocytes. Intermediate filaments increasingly appeared in the protoplasmic astrocytes after 3 days and were abundant in the activated and hypertrophied astrocytes after 7 days. As a result of our present study, we conclude that: (1) the function of glucose uptake from blood vessels was not impaired in the astrocytes under hypoxic conditions; (2) the astrocytes actively ingested blood glucose through the endothelial cells and accumulated it as glycogen for activation of their functions, and the cell volume increased under hypoxic conditions; (3) the depression of energy metabolism and the decrease in the uptake of energy sources in the nerve cells promoted glycogen accumulation in the astrocytes under hypoxic conditions; (4) intermediate filaments (GFAP filaments) increased in number, coincident with the activation and enlargement of the astrocytes; and (5) protoplasmic astrocytes were transformed into fibrous astrocytes in the ischemic penumbra of the brain infarction.

Observation of spin-orbit splitting in lambda single-particle states

The spin-orbit splitting of Lambda single-particle states in (13)(Lambda)C was measured. The 13C(K-,pi(-))(13)(Lambda)C reaction was used to excite both the 1/2(-) and 3/2(-) states simultaneously, which have predominantly 12C(0(+)) x p(Lambda) configuration. gamma rays from the states to the ground state were measured in coincidence with the pi(-)'s, by which ls splitting was found to be 152+/-54(stat)+/-36(syst) keV. The value is 20-30 times smaller than exhibited by the ls splitting in the nuclear shell model. This value gives us new insight into the YN interaction.

In vivo effects of apoptosis in asthma examined by a murine model

BACKGROUND

One of the characteristic features of bronchial asthma is the accumulation of various inflammatory cells, predominantly eosinophils, at the subepithelial region beneath the basement membrane of the airway. Apoptosis is a form of physiological cell death, through which the cellular contents including biologically active substances are kept in the cell membrane and are removed without their harmful effects. So, attempts were made to clarify whether the induction of apoptosis is beneficial in asthma by using a murine model with ovalbumin (OA) as responsible allergen.

METHODS

A/J mice, which are genetically predisposed to be hyperresponsive to acetylcholine, were immunized with OA and alum, accompanied by OA inhalation for 2 weeks, during which some of the mice were also treated with either anti-Fas monoclonal antibody or sham control hamster IgG intranasally. Airway responsiveness to acetylcholine was then analyzed by measuring airway resistance with a body plethysmograph box. Apoptosis was assessed by propidium iodide and TUNEL staining.

RESULTS

Inhalation of OA increased both airway responsiveness to acetylcholine and the number of cells, mostly eosinophils, infiltrated into the airway. Administration of anti-Fas antibody induced apoptosis in the infiltrated eosinophils and abolished augmentation of airway hyperresponsiveness caused by OA inhalation.

CONCLUSION

Induction of apoptosis in proinflammatory cells including eosinophils at the airway may have a beneficial effect on suppressing airway hyperresponsiveness.

Platelet-derived growth factor is involved in the augmentation of airway responsiveness through remodeling of airways in diesel exhaust particulate-treated mice

BACKGROUND

Thickening of the region adjacent to the basement membrane is a key component of the remodeling of the asthmatic airway and is caused by collagen deposition in the region.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to clarify the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a competence factor of fibroblast, in the enhanced airway responsiveness and remodeling in a murine model.

METHODS

Diesel exhaust particulates (DEPs) were administered intranasally every other day for 2 weeks with or without anti-PDGF-beta neutralizing antibody or goat IgG. Pulmonary function was then analyzed by using whole-body plethysmography before and after acetylcholine inhalation.

RESULTS

Anti-PDGF-beta neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited both the elevation of airway resistance elicited by 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL acetylcholine and the increase in the airway wall thickening induced by DEPs. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell analysis revealed that anti-PDGF-beta neutralizing antibody did not affect cellular infiltration at the airways.

CONCLUSION

PDGF plays an important role in the process of remodeling brought about by DEP exposure in mice.

[Problems in measurement of forced vital capacity--quality assessment with extrapolated volume]

In 1994, the American Thoracic Society proposed criteria for the start of expiration, middle of expiration and end of expiration in order to improve the accuracy of forced vital capacity measurement. Extrapolated volume (EV) and percent extrapolated volume (%EV), which serve as the criteria for the start of expiration, were studied in this paper. It was demonstrated that the values of %V50 and %FEV1.0% increased incorrectly when EV or %EV were outside the criteria because of an erroneous start point for expiration or poor technique. Similar results were obtained in the same subjects, who underwent FVC measurement more than twice with different effort levels. The present study demonstrated that obstructive ventilatory impairment may be underestimated if EV or %EV is outside the criteria. We concluded that the values of EV and %EV are parameters which indicate a rapid rise of the internal pressure of the thoracic cavity at the start of expiration and should be considered in seeking correct measurement of respiratory function including FVC.

A study of conformational stability of polyglycine and poly(L-alanine), and polyglycine/poly(L-alanine) blends in the solid state by (13)C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning NMR

13C Cross-Polarization/Magic Angle Spinning nmr and T(1rhoH) experiments of polyglycine (PG), poly(L-alanine) (PLA), and PG/PLA blends prepared from dichloroacetic acid solution have been carried out, in order to elucidate the conformational stability of these polypeptides in the solid state. From these experimental results, it was clarified that the conformations of PG and PLA in their blends are strongly influenced by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions that cause their miscibility at the molecular level.

Induction of apoptosis in bronchial eosinophils: beneficial or harmful?

BACKGROUND

Prominent eosinophil infiltration takes place in asthmatic bronchi, and damages bronchial epithelial cells.

AIM

This study was designed to investigate whether induction of apoptosis in infiltrated cells in the airways is beneficial or harmful.

METHODS

A/J mice, which are genetically predisposed to be hyperresponsive to acetylcholine, were immunized with ovalbumin (OA) and alum. Thereafter, they were subjected to a 2-week regimen of OA inhalation, during which they were also administered either hamster anti-mouse Fas monoclonal antibody or hamster IgG (sham control) intranasally. Pulmonary function was then analyzed using whole-body plethysmography.

RESULTS

Inhalation of OA increased both airway responsiveness to acetylcholine and infiltration of eosinophils. Administration of anti-Fas antibody induced apoptosis in the infiltrating eosinophils and abolished the increase in airway responsiveness to acetylcholine.

CONCLUSION

Induction of apoptosis in eosinophils infiltrating asthmatic bronchi has a beneficial effect on airway hyperresponsiveness.

A diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a human T-lymphotropic virus type I carrier with acute cerebellar ataxia and interstitial pneumonitis: an autopsy case report

A 76-year-old HTLV-I-positive male with acute cerebellar ataxia was suffering from dyspnea on exertion. Chest CT suggested interstitial pneumonitis. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy improved his symptoms and chest CT findings. Twelve months after discharge, when the prednisolone dose was tapered to 5 mg every other day, his lung lesion recurred. The lesion responded initially to steroid therapy. However, hypoxemia intractable to steroid pulse therapy developed and the patient died of respiratory failure. The autopsy revealed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with no finding of vasculitis. This is the first case report of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in an HTLV-I carrier.

Regulation of gastric mucosal pepsinogen and intrinsic factor contents, and their mRNA levels during starvation and refeeding in rats

Gastric mucosal pepsinogen and intrinsic factor (IF) contents, and their mRNA levels during starvation and refeeding were studied. During starvation for 4 d, gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents significantly decreased, whereas pepsinogen and IF mRNA levels increased by 30-50%. These results suggested that the mRNAs of pepsinogen and IF could be preserved for a long time so as to prepare for refeeding. After ceasing the starvation for 72 h, gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents were significantly decreased at 1 h after refeeding, and their mRNA levels were increased by 20-30% at 30 min after refeeding. We examined whether the refeeding-induced changes in gastric mucosal pepsinogen and IF contents and their mRNA levels could be reproduced by the exogenous administration of secretagogues. They were not found to be affected by the administration of each secretagogue during starvation for 72 h at 30 min. However, by the simultaneous administration of 2 or 3 secretagogues (carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) or secretin), the contents of pepsinogen and IF decreased to 70-80% and 50-80% of the control, respectively. However, their mRNA levels increased to 140-160% and 120-135% of the control, respectively. Therefore, refeeding-induced changes in pepsinogen and IF contents and their mRNA levels were partially reproduced by exogenously administered secretagogues. This showed that food intake influences huge changes in neural, hormonal and physical conditions on the stomach. It was indicated that the secretagogues stimulated not only pepsinogen and IF secretion, but also had a tendency to increase their mRNA.

Diesel exhaust particulate induces airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model: essential role of GM-CSF

BACKGROUND

Inhaled pollutants were recently shown to be responsible for an increased incidence of airway allergic diseases, including asthma. A common feature of all forms of asthma is airway hyperresponsiveness.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to elucidate the effects of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP), one of the most prevalent inhaled pollutants, on airway responsiveness.

METHODS

A/J and C57Bl/6 mice were used; the former are genetically predisposed to be hyperresponsive to acetylcholine, whereas the latter are not. DEP was administered intranasally for 2 weeks, after which pulmonary function was analyzed by whole-body plethysmography.

RESULTS

Intranasal administration of DEP increased airway responsiveness to acetylcholine in both A/J and C57Bl/6 mice and induced displacement of ciliated epithelial cells by mucus-secreting Clara cells. The effect was mediated by M(3) muscarinic receptors. Acetylcholine-evoked bronchial constriction was reversed by administration of terbutaline, a beta(2)-adrenergic antagonist, which is also characteristic of human asthma. Intranasal administration of antibody raised against GM-CSF abolished DEP-evoked increases in airway responsiveness and Clara cell hyperplasia. The antibody raised against IL-4 also inhibited DEP-evoked increases in airway responsiveness. However, it was to a lesser extent compared with antibody against GM-CSF. In addition, DEP stimulated GM-CSF messenger RNA expression in the lung.

CONCLUSION

DEP induces airway hyperresponsiveness by stimulating GM-CSF synthesis.

Biologic roles of gangliosides G(M3) and G(D3) in the attachment of human melanoma cells to extracellular matrix proteins

The biologic functions of gangliosides G(M3) and G(D3) in the attachment of human melanoma cells to extracellular matrix proteins (type I and IV collagens, fibronectin, and laminin) were investigated by using the G(D3)-deficient mutant clone (SK-MEL-28-N1) and the parent cell line SK-MEL28. SK-MEL-28-N1 (N1) (high G(M3) expression: G(M3), 97.3%; G(D3), 0%) was selected by treating SK-MEL-28 (high G(D3) but low G(M3): G(M3), 6.5%, G(D3), 93.5%) with an anti-G(D3) monoclonal antibody (R24) and rabbit complement and subsequent subcloning of the surviving cells. The N1 clone showed significantly higher ability to adhere to type I and IV collagens and laminin than the parent clone SK-MEL-28. In the N1 clone, the expression of alpha2beta1 and alpha3beta1 integrin receptors was increased, whereas in SK-MEL-28, their expression was very low or undetectable. The treatment with monoclonal antibodies directed specifically to G(D3) expressed on SK-MEL-28 inhibited the cell attachment to type IV collagen (33% inhibition of control), fibronectin (59%), and laminin (71%). These findings suggest that gangliosides G(M3) (by influencing integrin receptor levels) and G(D3) (by interacting directly with matrix proteins) might play some functional roles in attachment to extracellular matrix proteins and thereby enhance the metastatic potency of melanoma cells.

[Benign clear cell tumor of the lung diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy]

A 26-year-old woman had an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray films during a general medical examination. A chest roentgenogram showed a nodular shadow 8 mm in diameter in the middle field of the right lung. Transbronchial biopsy specimens revealed that the coin lesion was a benign clear cell tumor. Benign clear cell tumors of the lung are rare; only 21 cases, including the present case, have been reported in Japan. Although the diagnosis in most of the cases reported required an open thoracotomy, for our patient the diagnosis was based solely on the findings of a transbronchial biopsy.

[Influential factors in elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase for the patients with Kanemi Yusho]

We studied the etiology of the elevation of serum creatin phosphokinase (CK) using the data from routine medical checkup of Kanemi Yusho patients during 1995 and 1997. We also studied the serum CK and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in rats given the polychlolinated biphenyls as well as controls, and conducted optical microscopic observation of muscle tissue in rats given the polychlolinated biphenyls and control. The patients with elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase also showed the elevation of BUN and polychlolinated biphenyls in their serum. These are thought to be triggers of the elevation of CK in the serum. However, animal experiments failed to yield the same results as human. The rats given polycholorinated biphenyls showed atrophy of muscle fibers. Accordingly, we were unable to clarify the etiology of CK elevation in humans and muscle atrophy in rats.

[Changes in intrapulmonary compression gas volume during measurement of the flow-volume curve]

Changes in intrapulmonary compression gas volume during flow-volume curve measurement were studied in 77 patients with bronchial asthma, 20 patients with emphysema, and 14 patients with pulmonary fibrosis. The peak point of intrapulmonary compression gas volume was observed at FEF 75 in the bronchial asthma and emphysema patients, and of FEF 25 in the pulmonary fibrosis patients. In the bronchial asthma patients, intrapulmonary compression gas volume increased significantly compared to the healthy control groups; that increase was especially obvious in cases where airway obstruction was severe, e.g. when FEV 1.0% was below 69% (p < 0.05). By contrast, the emphysema patients did not exhibit any significant increase in intrapulmonary compression gas volume compared to healthy control groups despite the existence of obstructive impairments. This study demonstrated that the intrapulmonary compression gas volume-curve is a useful index for the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases when combined with measurements of FVC and FEV 1.0%.

[Vasculo-Behcet's disease with fatal massive hemoptysis]

A 39-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of hemoptysis. A chest X-ray film on admission showed a patchy shadow in the left lower lung field. Computed tomography revealed nodular opacities in the left pulmonary artery. The patient had history of oral ulcers, erythema nodosum, pustular lesions, and genital ulcers. Furthermore, the needle reaction was positive. Our diagnosis was an incomplete type of Behcet's disease. A radionuclide-venography and lung-perfusion study disclosed deep-vein thrombosis. Combined therapy with prednisolone, colchicine, and indomethacin farnesil was initiated, but the patient died of massive hemoptysis. Pathological examination revealed a ruptured aneurysm in the bronchus segmentalis apacalis and thrombotic angitis in the inferior vena cava. Behcet's disease is rarely a cause of hemoptysis. However, the prevalence of hemoptysis due to pulmonary vasculitis in patients with Behcet's disease has been reported to be 5 to 10% which is not so rare. Because of the poor prognosis, we want to emphasize Behcet's disease as a cause of hemoptysis.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 7-(3-substituted-3 or 4-trifluoromethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-8-methoxyfluoroquinolones

The titled compounds were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity. The (3R, 4S)-3-aminomethyl-4-trifluoromethyl derivative (S-34109) was confirmed to be optimal because of its superior activity against quinolone and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and low side effect potential.

Synthesis and structure--antibacterial activity relationships of 7-(3-amino-1-propynyl and 3-amino-1-propenyl)quinolones

7-(3-Amino-1-propynyl)-1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4- oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (7a) and some related compounds (7b-f, 8a, b, 9) were prepared via palladium(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 7-iodoquinolone 12 with acetylenic compounds and their antibacterial activity was tested. The methylene homologue (7d) and the N-methyl derivative (7e) of 7a showed essentially the same activity as that of 7a. Addition of methyl group(s) to C'-3 of 7a (giving 7b, c) reduced the activity. The hydrogenation of 7a to (Z)-3-amino-1-propenyl (8a), (E)-3-amino-1-propenyl (8b) and 3-amino-1-propyl (9) compounds retained or enhanced the activity of 7a. Among the compounds prepared, 8a was the most active, but was less active than ciprofloxacin (1). In order to get insight into structure-activity relationships, the spatial distribution of the amino groups of 7a, 8a, b, and 9 was examined by means of computer-aided molecular modeling.

Pemphigus vegetans involving the esophagus

A 44-year-old man with pemphigus vegetans had severe odynophagia. He received an endoscopic examination for esophageal involvement. Many white plaque-like lesions with an erythematous base were seen on the esophageal mucosa. Biopsy from the mucosal epithelial layer showed rounded epidermal cells with large nuclei and numerous inflammatory cells including eosinophils.

An unusual female melanoma patient with late metastases to both skin and ovaries

We presented an unusual case of cutaneous and bilateral ovarian metastases of malignant melanoma. There was no previously identifiable cutaneous or mucous lesion or teratoid element. Past history revealed that the patient had undergone removal of a blackish, elevated, irregular shaped tumor from the right arm eleven years previously. This lesion was considered to be the primary melanoma; therefore, it was thought to be very unusual as metastasis occurred in both the skin and ovaries after an eleven year disease-free interval.