Anti-MDA-5 Antibody-positive Dermatomyositis after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation for Acute Transformation of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis is a disease with a poor prognosis associated with rapid progressive interstitial pneumonia. Autoimmune diseases have occasionally been reported to occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We experienced a case of anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis after HSCT. In this case, a sufficient dose of cyclophosphamide could not be administered due to an impaired bone marrow function. We discuss the complications of autoimmune diseases after HSCT.

Usefulness of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms for the Therapeutic Choice in Japanese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by systemic synovitis with bone erosion and joint cartilage degradation. Although the analysis of polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes is important or understanding the pathophysiology of RA and selecting appropriate treatment for it, few studies have examined such single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically in Japanese patients. This study was established to investigate the associations between polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes, autoantibodies and therapeutic responses in Japanese RA patients.

Methods

The subjects in this study consisted of 100 RA patients and 50 healthy controls. We extracted data on sex, age, disease duration, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody, and therapeutic responses, including to methotrexate (MTX) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, which was genotyped for IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-β₁, and IFN-γ polymorphisms.

Results

Regarding IL-10 (−592 C/A and −819 C/T), significant decreases in the frequencies of the IL-10 (−592) CC genotype and (−819) CC genotype were found in RA patients compared with the levels in controls. For IFN-γ (+874 T/A), a significant decrease in the frequency of the TT genotype was found in RA patients compared with that in controls. Regarding TGF-β₁ (+869 T/C), patients with positivity for anti-CCP antibody had a significantly lower frequency of the CC genotype than those with negativity for it. Furthermore, the IL-10 (−592) CC genotype and (−819) CC genotype might be related to the biological DMARD-response.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the analysis of polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes may be useful when selecting treatment for Japanese RA patients.

The accuracy and interobserver variability in the assessment of coronary atherosclerotic plaques by optical frequency domain imaging: involving five observers with different levels of coronary imaging

Background

Whether optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) images can realize pathological diagnosis of coronary atherosclerotic plaques, and whether its diagnostic accuracy of lesion types varies depending on the personal experience of the clinician caring for coronary intervention have not been elucidated.

Purpose

This study investigated the interobserver variability in characterizing atherosclerotic plaque types by OFDI for multiple OFDI observers with levels of different experience.

Methods

Three-hundred-thirty-three histological cross-sections from 21 autopsy hearts were co-registered with the corresponding OFDI images. Histological cross-sections were classified into the following 7 lesion types according to the modified AHA atherosclerosis classification by a single experienced pathologist blinded for OCT findings: adaptive intimal thickening (AIT), intimal xanthoma (IX), pathological intimal thickening (PIT), fibrous cap atheroma (FA), fibrocalcific plaque (FC), calcified nodule (CN), and healed erosion/rupture (HER). The five OFDI observers, unaware of the histological diagnosis, provided a single diagnosis for each corresponding OFDI image. The OFDI observer 1 was an expert interventional cardiologist with sufficient experience in OFDI imaging, followed by the OFDI observer 2, 3, and 4 as middle career interventional cardiologists who had completed training ten, seven, and four years. The OFDI observer 5 was a young career interventional cardiologist. The diagnostic accuracy of lesion types for each OFDI observer was determined taking histology as a gold standard.

Results

On histological analysis, 13% of histological cross-sections were diagnosed as AIT, 5% as IX, 23% as PIT, 25% as FA, 27% as FC, 2% as CN, and 5% as HER. The overall agreement between OFDI diagnosis and histopathologic diagnosis for OFDI observer 1 to 5 was 77%, 62%, 61%, 56%, and 46% (k values of 0.71, 0.54, 0.54, 0.45, and 0.33), respectively. Although the performance for characterizing AIT and FC was excellent and comparable among all OFDI observers, the sensitivity and positive predictive value for characterizing IX, PIT and FA varied depending on the OFDI observers' years of experience (Table). The main causes of false-positive or -negative diagnosis of FA were IX and PIT for all OFDI observers.

Conclusion

The diagnostic accuracy of atherosclerotic tissue properties from OFDI images correlated with the observers' years of experience, subspecialty training in coronary imaging, which suggests that the interpretation of OFDI images requires expertise and can be challenging to a less experienced reader.

Table 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

AB0141 MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL, INHIBITOR OF INOSINE-5’-MONOPHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE, REGULATES DIFFERENTIATION, MATURATION AND FUNCTION OF HUMAN DENDRITIC CELL SUBSETS

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease in which excessive inflammation, autoantibodies, and complement activation lead to multisystem tissue damage. Plasmacytoid dendritc cells (pDCs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of SLE through dysregulated type I IFN production, together with activated myeloid DCs (mDCs), amplifying vicious spiral of autoimmune disorders(1). Therefore, control of the aberrant DC activation may provide an alternative treatment strategy against SLE.

Objectives:

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which has been used to treat lupus nephritis, specifically blocks proliferation of B and T lymphocytes by inhibition of inosine-5-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). In addition, although there is evidence indicating the immunosuppressive effects of MMF on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells(2.3), there are no reports showing its effects on human blood DC subsets. Here we focused on the effects of MMF on the functions of the blood pDCs and mDCs.

Methods:

We isolated human blood DCs from healthy donors using cell sorting(4) and examined the function of mycophenolic acid (MPA), which is metabolic products of MMF, on DC subsets in response to TLR-ligands and serum from patients with active SLE. Written informed consent was obtained from all healthy adult donors and SLE patients.

Results:

We found that therapeutic plasma concentration range of MPA down-regulated expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 dose-dependently on mDCs and pDCs without inducing apoptosis, in response to R848(TLR7/8 agonist) and CpG2216(TLR9 agonist), respectively. Of note, MPA profoundly suppressed IL-12 production and STAT4 expression in the mDCs and IFN-α production and IRF7 expression in the pDCs(Fig 1). We also obserbed inhibition of nuclear translocation of IRF-7 in pDCs treated with MPA by confocal microscopy(Fig 2). Furthermore,we identified that MPA had an inhibitory effect on SLE serum-induced IFN-α production by human PBMCs.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that MMF can drive a wedge into the vicious spiral of autoimmune disorders through regulating the function of not only lymphocyte but also DC subsets. Thus, we unveiled a part mechanism of the therapeutic ability of MMF against SLE.

References:

[1]A Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells-Type I Interferon Axis is Critically Implicated in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015: 16, 14158-14170.

[2]Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits differentiation, maturation and allostimulatory function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Clin Exp Immunol. 2003;134:63-69.

[3]Mycophenolic acid inhibits maturation and function of human dendritic cells and B cells. Human Immunol. 2009;70: 692–700.

[4]Miyamoto et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010, 12:R87.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0550 CAN CYTOKINE GENE POLYMORPHISMS BE USEFUL FOR THE THERAPEUTIC CHOICE IN JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease. It is characterized by systemic synovitis with bone erosion and joint cartilage degradation(1). Production of autoantibody is important for autoimmune disease. Cytokines play crucial roles in its pathogenesis(2). SNP distribution varies between races. Few studies have examined SNP targeted at Japanese patients. The analysis of cytokine gene polymorphisms is important factor of pathophysiology and treatment.

Objectives:

This analysis was aimed to investigate the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and autoantibody and therapeutic response in Japanese RA patients.

Methods:

This study subjects consisted of 100 RA patients and 50 healthy controls. We extracted data on patient sex, age, disease duration, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody and therapeutic response including methotrexate (MTX) and biological DMARDs. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, these were genotyped for TNFα, TGFβ1, IL-6, IL-10 and IFNγ polymorphisms. We analyzed these data using a chi-square test.

Results:

IL-10 (-819 C/T and -592 C/A) revealed that there were significant decrease in the frequency of IL-10 (-819) CC genotype and (-592) CC genotype as compared to controls in RA patients. Genotyping of IL-10 showed that there was significant decrease ACC/ACC genotype (Table 1).

IFNγ (+874 A/T) revealed that there was significant decrease in the frequency of TT genotype as compared to controls (Table 1).

No significant differences in TNFα, TGFβ1and IL-6 genotypes and alleles frequency were observed between RA patients and control.

TGFβ1(+869 A/T) in patients with anti-CCP antibody positive revealed that there was significant decrease in the frequency of TT genotype as compared to patients with anti-CCP antibody negative (Table 2).

No significant association between RF and any cytokine gene polymorphism.

Analyzing cytokine gene polymorphisms could be useful for treatment with MTX and biological DMARDs.

Table 1.

Table 2.

Conclusion:

IL-10 (-819 C/T, -592 C/A) and IFNγ (+874 A/T) polymorphism might be related to RA in Japanese population. In addition, TGFβ1(+869 A/T) polymorphism might be associated with the production of anti-CCP antibody. These results suggest that the analyzing cytokine gene polymorphisms may offer promise as useful factors in the choice of treatment for Japanese RA patients.

References:

[1] Scott DL, Wolfe F, Huizinga TW. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2010; 376: 1094–108.

[2] McInnes IB, Schett G. Cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Immunol. 2007 Jun;7(6):429-42.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

The prevalence of endoscopic gastric mucosal damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids as supportive drugs. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of endoscopic gastric damage and their prescribed medications under an actual clinical condition.

METHODS

We collected the data of 1704 RA patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal fiberscopy. Gastric mucosal erosion and ulcer were classified using modified LANZA score. We analyzed these data with a multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of endoscopic gastric mucosal damage in these RA patients was 16.7% (285 cases). A multiple regression analysis indicated that prednisolone (PSL), NSAIDs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were independent risk factors associated with the modified LANZA score. PSL and NSAIDs were positively correlated with the score, while the administration of PPIs was inversely correlated with the score. The modified LANZA score in RA patients treated with both PSL and NSAIDs was significantly higher than that in those treated with PSL alone (no NSAIDs use).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that PSL and NSAIDs were exacerbating factors for gastric mucosal damage, while PPIs usage was a protective factor. And, the combined usage of corticosteroids and NSAIDs may induce the development of gastric ulcers.

Pleth variability index can predict spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Spinal anaesthesia carries a risk of hypotension. We hypothesized that pleth variability index and perfusion index would assess maternal volume status, and thus, allow identification of patients at higher risk of developing hypotension after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

METHODS

Fifty patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery were enrolled. All patients received spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (10 mg) and fentanyl (10 mcg). Blood pressure was measured every minute. Pleth variability index and perfusion index were automatically measured throughout the procedure using pulse oximetry on the index finger. In case of hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg or 80% of the baseline value), ephedrine 5 mg was administered. Receiver-operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analyses for spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension were performed.

RESULTS

Hypotension occurred in 32 patients (64%). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve were 0.751 (95% confidence interval: 0.597-0.904) for pleth variability index before anaesthesia, 0.793 (95% confidence interval: 0.655-0.930) for pleth variability index after anaesthesia and 0.731 (95% confidence interval: 0.570-0.892) for perfusion index change (percent change in perfusion index induced by spinal anaesthesia). The optimal threshold value of pleth variability index (after anaesthesia) for predicting hypotension was 18% (sensitivity: 78.1%, specificity: 83.3%). Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was an independent factor for hypotension (odds ratio: 1.21, P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

Pleth variability index after spinal anaesthesia was a good predictor of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean delivery. In addition, perfusion index change after spinal anaesthesia has the potential to predict hypotension.

Endocrine response to a single injection of goserelin 3.6 mg or leuprolide 3.75 mg in men with prostate cancer

Hormonal responses were assessed in men with prostate cancer (T2-4, Nx, Mx) who were randomized to receive either a single injection of goserelin 3.6 mg or leuprolide 3.75 mg. Testosterone increased over the first week, with a significantly higher mean rate of change of total testosterone (day 3) and free testosterone (days 3 and 7) with leuprolide. Following the initial rise in luteinizing hormone (LH), the rate of decrease in LH levels was significantly greater with goserelin by day 28. There are significant differences in endocrine response to goserelin and leuprolide in the 4 weeks following administration.

The radical-chain addition of aldehydes to alkenes by the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a polarity-reversal catalyst

Hydroacylation of simple alkenes with aldehydes via a radical process was successfully achieved by the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a polarity-reversal catalyst. Thus, 5-tridecanone was obtained by the reaction of oct-1-ene with pentanal in the presence of small amounts of NHPI and dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO).

Intrarenal mature cystic teratoma associated with renal dysplasia: case report and literature review

We report a case of intrarenal teratoma in a 6-year-old boy. Two years before his operation, multicystic masses had been found in the left side of his abdomen. In the operation, three main cystic masses were located in the upper and lower poles of the left kidney, which were removed in pieces. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined mainly with keratinizing squamous epithelium with hair follicles, shafts and sebaceous glands. The adjacent renal parenchyma showed atrophy, with partially dysplastic and angiomyolipoma-like lesions. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma of dermoid cyst type. Extragonadal teratoma occurs predominantly along the median line of the body. Intrarenal teratoma is extremely rare; however, it should be distinguished from teratoid Wilms' tumor and other renal cystic lesions.

[Introduction and clinical evaluation of a new non-invasive cardiac output monitor (NICO) based on Fick partial CO2 rebreathing method]

A newly developed non-invasive monitor, NICO (Novametrix Medical Systems Inc.), measures cardiac output based on changes in respiratory CO2 concentration caused by a brief period of rebreathing. By applying modified form of the CO2 Fick principle, cardiac output is calculated. We determined the accuracy and precision of this technique (RBCO) by comparing it with continuous thermodilution technique (TDCCO) and pulse dye densitometry technique (PDD). The overall difference between RBCO and TDCCO(n = 46) was -0.21 +/- 1.43 (bias +/- 2 SD)l.min-1. On the other hand, the overall difference between RBCO and PDD (n = 53) was -0.1 +/- 2.04 (bias +/- 2 SD)l.min-1. The degree of accuracy of RBCO was thought to be the same as those of TDCCO and PDD. We expect that NICO will be a useful cardiac output monitor in any method of general anesthesia in which PA catheterization is difficult or not indicated.

The effects of uterine and umbilical blood flows on the transfer of propofol across the human placenta during in vitro perfusion

The safety of using propofol in parturients is controversial, and little information is available on the factors that influence the placental transfer of propofol. In this study, we investigated the effects of uterine and umbilical blood flows on the placental transfer of propofol by using the dually perfused human placental cotyledon. Placental transfer was evaluated on the basis of the placental clearances at various uterine and umbilical flow rates. The placental transfer of propofol was significantly facilitated by the increased uterine flow rates over the range from 7.5 to 25 mL/min. The placental clearances of propofol were also dependent on the umbilical flow rates over the range from 0.5 to 4.0 mL/min. In contrast, the placental transfer of antipyrine was flow dependent when the umbilical flow rate was <2.0 mL/min and became permeability limited when it was >2.0 mL/min. No differences in either maternal or fetal venous concentrations of propofol were observed as umbilical flow rates varied from 0.5 to 4.0 mL/min, suggesting that an equilibration across the placenta occurs at low flow rates. These results indicate that fetal uptake of propofol can be profoundly altered by the changes in both uterine and umbilical blood flows observed in various pathophysiologic conditions and that lipid solubility greatly influences placental transfer of drugs.

IMPLICATIONS

Uterine and umbilical blood flows are determinant features in controlling the placental transfer of propofol, and, therefore, changes in these variables would significantly affect the extent of fetal exposure to propofol.

Apnea during spinal anesthesia in an unsedated patient with central sleep apnea syndrome

We describe a case of apnea during spinal anesthesia in an unsedated patient with central sleep apnea syndrome. When spinal anesthesia is planned for a patient who is suspected of having this syndrome, apnea may be induced, even if no sedative was administered and the level of anesthesia is only moderate.

Intravenous injection of oligodeoxynucleotides to the NF-kappaB binding site inhibits hepatic metastasis of M5076 reticulosarcoma in mice

We have developed synthetic double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as 'decoy' cis elements that block the binding of nuclear factors to promoter regions of targeted genes, resulting in the inhibition of gene transactivation in vivo. In the present study, we employed decoy ODN targeting the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding cis-elements to hepatic metastasis of murine reticulosarcoma M5076 in mice. Intravenous inoculation of M5076 into mice caused a marked increase in gene expression of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the liver, whereas intravenous treatment with NF-kappaB decoy ODN reduced M5076-induced transactivation of these genes. Treatment with NF-kappaB decoy ODN, but not scrambled decoy ODN, significantly inhibited hepatic metastasis of M5076 in mice, and furthermore the combined treatment of NF-kappaB decoy ODN with an anti-cancer drug resulted in complete inhibition of hepatic metastasis in half of the mice, without affecting myelosuppression induced by the anti-cancer drug. Here, NF-kappaB decoy ODN inhibited hepatic metastasis of M5076 in mice possibly through a decrease in transactivation of important NF-kappaB-driven genes and also potentiated the anti-metastatic effect of an anti-cancer drug, demonstrating the first successful in vivo therapy for cancer metastasis using NF-kappaB decoy ODN as a novel molecular decoy approach.

Histomorphometric characteristics and cellular kinetics of colorectal polyps with epithelial serrated proliferation adjacent to carcinoma

Four cases of colorectal polyps with epithelial serrated proliferation (CP-ESP) with malignant transformation were studied. In CP-ESP adjacent to carcinoma, if the nuclear size in the surface layer was significantly smaller than those in the bottom and the middle layers of the crypts, the specimen was defined as zone formation positive. If there was no significant difference among the layers, the specimen was defined as zone formation negative. Cell kinetics were evaluated using Ki-67 immunostaining. The CP-ESP regions of cases 1 and 2 showed zone formation with inferior and lateral glandular branching, and were qualitatively hyperplastic on cell kinetics. Cases 3 and 4 showed inferior and lateral glandular branching with no zone formation, and were kinetically neoplastic (adenoma). The histogenesis of hyperplastic polyps with atypia (cases 1 and 2) involves the hyperplastic polyp-carcinoma sequence. In contrast, the development of tubulovillous adenoma or serrated adenoma (cases 3 and 4) may involve the tubulovillous adenoma-carcinoma or serrated adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

A case of pulmonary arteritis with stenosis of the main pulmonary arteries with positive myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies

A 53-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with the main symptoms of productive cough, fever and exertional dyspnoea. Chest X-ray revealed enlargement of the left hilar shadow and cavitary infiltration in the right upper lobe. 99mTechnetium-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion scintigram showed complete hypoperfusion through the entire right lung. A pulmonary angiogram revealed stenotic lesions in the right and left main pulmonary arteries. Right cardiac catheterization showed an elevated right ventricular systolic pressure. There was no evidence of systemic arterial lesions nor vasculitis. The patient was positive for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) (168 EU). The Mycobacterium avium complex sputum culture was positive. The pulmonary stenotic lesions were surgically resected. The resected pulmonary arterial lesions were pathologically diagnosed as non-specific vasculitis. The cavitary lesion disappeared 6 months after the surgery. Two years after the surgery, although the MPO-ANCA level had decreased to 12 EU, stenosis of the pulmonary arteries reappeared. It is suggested that the patient became positive for MPO-ANCA in association with the Mycobacterium avium complex infection, and that the presence of MPO-ANCA may not be related to the development of pulmonary stenosis of the main pulmonary arteries.

[Recurrent abnormal motion of the lower legs during the recovery from spinal anesthesia]

A 33-yr-old pregnant woman developed recurrent motor-ataxia-like abnormal motion of the lower legs during the recovery from spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric tetracaine for repeated cesarean section. This symptom was thought to be due to the disturbance of coordination associated with the loss of positional sensation because deep sensory blockade seemed to be stronger and longer than motor blockade. The etiology of this abnormal motion could not be explained clearly, but her anatomical structure of the spine and her sensitivity to local anesthetic may have been related to this phenomenon.

Cachexia induction by EL-4 lymphoma in mice and possible involvement of impaired lipoprotein lipase activity

Several lines of evidence have postulated that reduction in the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is involved in cachexia induction in cancer patients. Recently we have demonstrated that murine melanoma B16 has the ability to reduce the LPL activity and thereby induce cachexia symptoms in mice following intraperitoneal inoculation. In order to further investigate the relationship between LPL activity and cachectic syndrome, cachexia models other than melanoma B16 are required. However, there are few animal cachexia models in which LPL activity is involved in the induction of cachectic symptoms. In this study, cachectic symptoms and plasma LPL activity were investigated in mice bearing EL-4 mouse lymphoma. In EL-4 bearing mice the body weight including tumor weight in the abdominal cavity was rather higher than that of normal mice without tumor, whereas weights of carcass wet and gastrocnemius muscle were significantly decreased in EL-4 bearing mice. Elevated blood levels of triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid were observed in mice bearing EL-4, associated with the impaired plasma LPL activity. Overall, this study indicated that EL-4 lymphoma in mice results in a severe cachexia which is possibly related to impaired LPL activity and also provided a useful cachexia model for understanding the role of LPL in the development of cancer cachexia.

Effects of protein binding on the placental transfer of propofol in the human dually perfused cotyledon in vitro

The placental transfer of propofol was investigated using the in vitro dually perfused cotyledon model of the human placenta, and the effects of protein binding in the foetal perfusate were examined. Both maternal and foetal circulations were perfused in a single-pass mode and > 30 min of stabilization was allowed before adding propofol and antipyrine to the maternal perfusate. The placental clearances of propofol were significantly increased by the augmented albumin concentrations in the foetal perfusate (1.68 (SD 0.68), 3.08 (1.55), 4.79 (1.76), 5.75 (1.89) and 7.03 (1.46) ml h-1 g-1 at the albumin concentrations of 4.4, 11, 22, 33 and 44 g litre-1, respectively). Although the total propofol concentration in the foetal vein increased significantly with increasing albumin concentration, the concentration of free propofol remained unchanged. These results indicate that binding to foetal albumin is a determining feature in the control of the placental transfer of propofol, and that the pharmacological effects of propofol on the foetus can be expected to be fairly constant and predictable from the maternal propofol concentration.

Hrs-2 regulates receptor-mediated endocytosis via interactions with Eps15

Hrs-2, via interactions with SNAP-25, plays a regulatory role on the exocytic machinery. We now show that Hrs-2 physically interacts with Eps15, a protein required for receptor-mediated endocytosis. The Hrs-2/Eps15 interaction is calcium dependent, inhibited by SNAP-25 and alpha-adaptin, and results in the inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Immunoelectron microscopy reveals Hrs-2 localization on the limiting membrane of multivesicular bodies, organelles in the endosomal pathway. These data show that Hrs-2 regulates endocytosis, delineate a biochemical pathway (Hrs-2-Eps15-AP2) in which Hrs-2 functions, and suggest that Hrs-2 acts to provide communication between endo- and exocytic processes.

Distinct protein domains are responsible for the interaction of Hrs-2 with SNAP-25. The role of Hrs-2 in 7 S complex formation

Regulated secretion of neurotransmitter at the synapse is likely to be mediated by dynamic protein interactions involving components of the vesicle (vesicle-associated membrane protein; VAMP) and plasma membrane (syntaxin and synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25)) along with additional molecules that allow for the regulation of this process. Recombinant Hrs-2 interacts with SNAP-25 in a calcium-dependent manner (they dissociate at elevated calcium levels) and inhibits neurotransmitter release. Thus, Hrs-2 has been hypothesized to serve a negative regulatory role in secretion through its interaction with SNAP-25. In this report, we show that Hrs-2 and SNAP-25 interact directly through specific coiled-coil domains in each protein. The presence of syntaxin enhances the binding of Hrs-2 to SNAP-25. Moreover, while both Hrs-2 and VAMP can separately bind to SNAP-25, they cannot bind simultaneously. Additionally, the presence of Hrs-2 reduces the incorporation of VAMP into the syntaxin.SNAP-25.VAMP (7 S) complex. These findings suggest that Hrs-2 may modulate exocytosis by regulating the assembly of a protein complex implicated in membrane fusion.

Ponalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, inhibits cachexia syndrome in nude mice bearing human melanomas G361 and SEKI

Our recent study has demonstrated that ponalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, activates lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in the adipose tissue and alleviates the cachectic symptoms induced by B16 melanoma in mice. In this study, the effect of ponalrestat on cachexia symptoms in nude mice bearing human melanomas G361 and SEKI was investigated because it has been suggested that the suppression of LPL has an important role in cachexia induction by these two melanomas in nude mice. Mice bearing G361 subcutaneously did not gain weight and became cachectic, associated with the tumor growth. Tumor growth was not affected by ponalrestat, nevertheless treatment with ponalrestat resulted in an amelioration of the reduction in the weight of body mass, epididymal fat, gastrocnemius muscle, carcass and whole body lipid induced by the presence of G361. A severe weight loss observed in nude mice bearing SEKI was also partially attenuated by ponalrestat treatment. Overall, this study showed that ponalrestat is effective in the attenuation of the cachectic symptoms induced by human melanomas G361 and SEKI in nude mice, suggesting that ponalrestat has a potential usefulness for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

Ponalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, inhibits cachexia syndrome induced by colon26 adenocarcinoma in mice

Our recent study has demonstrated that ponalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, activates lipoprotein lipase activity and alleviates B16 melanoma-induced cachexia in mice. In this study, the effect of ponalrestat on murine adenocarcinoma colon26-induced cachexia was investigated in mice. Mice bearing colon26 subcutaneously lost weight and became cachectic, associated with the tumor growth. Although tumor growth was slightly stimulated when tumor bearing mice were treated with ponalrestat: nevertheless, the drug attenuated the reduction in the weight of body mass, epididymal fat, gastrocnemius muscle and carcass induced by colon26, as well as significantly prolonged the survival of the colon26 bearing mice. Ponalrestat inhibited the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) from human monocytes stimulated by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro, and also suppressed LPS-induced increase of IL-1 in the blood in mice. Overall, this study showed that ponalrestat suppresses IL-1 production both in vitro and in vivo, and inhibits the cachectic symptoms induced by colon26 adenocarcinoma in mice, suggesting that ponalrestat has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

The cellular and developmental expression of hrs-2 in rat

The molecular events underlying vesicular trafficking probably involve the formation and dissolution of protein complexes between integral components of the vesicle and its target membrane. SNAP-25 is associated with the plasma membrane and is a component of a core protein complex thought to be essential for neurotransmitter release. We have previously characterized a protein, hrs-2, that interacts with SNAP-25 and inhibits secretion from permeabilized PC12 cells. The cellular localization and developmental expression patterns of a number of proteins involved in the secretion machinery have been documented. To understand more about the possible cellular role of hrs-2, we have examined hrs-2 distribution, developmental expression and subcellular localization in rat tissues and cell lines. We show herein that the distribution of hrs-2 in brain and periphery parallels that of SNAP-23/25, and that recombinant hrs-2 binds to both SNAP-23 and SNAP-25. Hrs-2 mRNA and protein are found almost ubiquitously in neurons in the brain. Hrs-2 mRNA is expressed in the neural tube at E10 and thereafter mRNA and protein levels remain relatively constant in the whole brain through adulthood. In cultured PC12 cells, endogenous hrs-2 is expressed in the cytoplasm and on the limiting membranes of multivesicular bodies. Overexpression of hrs-2 in mammalian cells results in the appearance of large intracellular compartments that are labelled with hrs-2 antibodies. The wide distribution, the interaction with SNAP-23 and the localization on multivesicular body membranes suggest a general role for hrs-2 in cellular machinery.

Effects of a novel pyridylsulphonyl thiazole derivative, FR115092, on autoimmune and mitomycin C-induced thrombocytopenia in mice

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulphone), an antileprotic and antimalarial drug, has been reported to be of therapeutic benefit in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in the clinic. However, adverse reactions such as haemolytic anaemia have often been observed. In this study, we found that dapsone increased the number of platelets and decreased the number of red blood cells in male (NZWxBXSB)F1 (W/BF1) mice, an animal model of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. In studies to prepare derivatives of dapsone with weaker side effects than the parent compound, FR115092 (2-[5-(2-pyridylsulphonyl)thiazolyl]amine) was discovered. The effect of FR115092 on the number of blood cells was studied and compared with dapsone in mice. FR 115092 increased the number of platelets without reducing the number of red blood cells in W/BF1 mice. This drug significantly suppressed the increase in circulating autoantibodies against platelets and increased the number of megakaryocytes. Furthermore, FR115092 inhibited the reduction of the number of platelets in mitomycin C-induced thrombocytopenic mice, as a consequence of its enhancement of growth and maturation of megakaryocytes. These findings suggest that FR115092 may be effective against various thrombocytopenias, without inducing haemolytic anaemia.

Intratumoral injection of oligonucleotides to the NF kappa B binding site inhibits cachexia in a mouse tumor model

Cancer cachexia, characterized by anorexia, weight loss and progressive tissue wasting, has been postulated to be mediated by various cytokines. However, the precise mechanism of cachexia induction is not fully explained. We have developed synthetic double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as 'decoy' cis-elements that block the binding of nuclear factors to promoter regions of targeted genes, resulting in the inhibition of gene transactivation in vivo as well as in vitro. This novel molecular strategy could be useful for treating a broad range of human diseases including cancer. In this study, we injected decoy ODN targeting the transcriptional factor, NF-kappa B (NF kappa B) binding cis-elements, which are essential for transactivation of gene expression of cytokines, directly into tumors of adenocarcinoma colon26 in mice, in order to examine whether or not cachexia is alleviated by inhibiting the action of cytokines. Tumor growth was not affected by transfection of NF kappa B decoy ODN as compared with scrambled decoy ODN. Nevertheless, transfection of NF kappa B decoy, but not scrambled decoy, ODN resulted in attenuation of the reductions in body weight, epididymal fat, gastrocnemius muscle mass and food intake, which were induced by the tumor presence. Interleukin 6 mRNA in the tumor was also markedly decreased by the transfection of NF kappa B decoy ODN. It is known that the transcriptional factor E2F plays a pivotal role in the coordinated transactivation of cell cycle regulatory genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that the introduction of synthetic double-stranded DNA with high affinity for E2F in vivo as 'decoy' cis-elements might inhibit the tumor growth of colon26, resulting in turn in inhibition of cachexia induction. However, injection of E2F decoy ODN failed to inhibit tumor growth and cachexia induction, as compared with mismatched decoy ODN. Overall, the present study demonstrated that cachexia induced by adenocarcinoma colon26 was inhibited by blocking of NF kappa B, using a novel molecular decoy strategy, without an effect on tumor growth, and also that tumor growth and cachexia induction in the colon26 model were not affected by E2F decoy ODN. These results suggest that cytokines regulated by NF kappa B may play a pivotal role in the induction of cachexia by colon26, providing a new therapeutic strategy for cancer cachexia.

Anti-cachectic effect of FK317, a novel anti-cancer agent, in colon26 and LX-1 models in mice

The effects of FK317 (11-acetyl-8-carbamoyloxymethyl-4-formyl-6- methoxy-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo[7.4.1.0(2, 7). 0(10, 2] tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-9-yl acetate), a novel anti-cancer agent, on murine adenocarcinoma colon26- and human lung carcinoma LX-1-induced cachexia were investigated in mice. Mice bearing colon26 or LX-1 s.c. lost weight and became cachectic, associated with tumor growth. FK317 and mitomycin C (MMC) inhibited the growth of both tumors. FK317 ameliorated the weight loss induced by the presence of colon26 or LX-1, while MMC enhanced it. An attenuation of the reduction in the weights of epididymal fat, gastrocnemius muscle and carcass was observed in FK317-treated tumor-bearing mice in both cachexia models, but not in MMC-treated mice. The decreases in the circulating levels of triglyceride, glucose and non-esterified fatty acid, which were induced by the presence of colon26, was partially inhibited by treatment with FK317. Overall, this study revealed that FK317 is a potent anti-cancer drug with anti-cachectic activity, suggesting that FK317 has potential utility for the treatment of cancer.

FK317, a novel substituted dihydrobenzoxazine, exhibits potent antitumor activity against human tumor xenografts in nude mice

The antitumor effects of FK317, a novel substituted dihydrobenzoxazine, were evaluated using human tumor xenografts (small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer). Tumor growth-inhibitory effects and the effective dose-range of FK317 were much stronger and broader, respectively, than those of reference drugs such as mitomycin C, adriamycin, cisplatin, taxol and irinotecan. Furthermore, the body weight decrease and myelosuppression in FK317-treated mice were less than in the animals given any of the reference drugs. To explain this tumor selectivity, the distribution of FK317 was investigated after dosing tumor-bearing mice with the 14C-labelled compound. The concentration of FK317 in tumor tissues was relatively low, and long tumor retention was not observed. However, thin-layer chromatographic separation revealed that the radioactivity in the tumor resided mainly in strongly cytotoxic metabolites, while that in other tissues resided mainly in non-cytotoxic metabolites. These results suggest that FK317 shows strong antitumor activity without side effects, and one reason for this is its specific metabolite pattern. FK317 is now undergoing phase I clinical trials.

Charged amino acids at the carboxyl-terminal portions determine the intracellular locations of two isoforms of cytochrome b5

Outer mitochondrial membrane cytochrome b5 (OMb), which is an isoform of cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) in the endoplasmic reticulum, is a typical tail-anchored protein of the outer mitochondrial membrane. We cloned cDNA containing the complete amino acid sequence of OMb and found that the protein has no typical structural feature common to the mitochondrial targeting signal at the amino terminus. To identify the region responsible for the mitochondrial targeting of OMb, various mutated proteins were expressed in cultured mammalian cells, and the subcellular localization of the expressed proteins was analyzed. The deletion of more than 11 amino acid residues from the carboxyl-terminal end of OMb abolished the targeting of the protein to the mitochondria. When the carboxyl-terminal 10 amino acids of OMb were fused to the cyt b5 that was previously deleted in the corresponding 10 residues, the fused protein localized in the mitochondria, thereby indicating that the carboxyl-terminal 10 amino acid residues of OMb have sufficient information to transport OMb to the mitochondria. The replacement of either of the two positively charged residues within the carboxyl-terminal 10 amino acids by alanine resulted in the transport of the mutant proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum. The mutant cyt b5, in which the acidic amino acid in its carboxyl-terminal end was replaced by basic amino acid, could be transported to the mitochondria. It would thus seem that charged amino acids in the carboxyl-terminal portion of these proteins determine their locations in the cell.

Different effects of FK317 on multidrug-resistant tumor in vivo and in vitro

FK317, a novel substituted dihydrobenzoxazine, was examined for antitumor effects on multidrug-resistant (MDR) tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. In nude mice, FK317 markedly inhibited the growth of s.c. implanted KB-V1 vinblastine (VLB)-resistant human epidermal carcinoma KB cells, as well as the parent cells (KB-3-1). However, KB-V1 showed much greater resistance to FK317 than to VLB and adriamycin (ADM) in the in vitro study. This resistance was reversed by the addition of verapamil, whereby intracellular accumulation of FK317 in the KB-V1 cells was also decreased. After incubation of FK317 in human and mouse blood, it was shown to be rapidly metabolized to a monodeacetylated form, and slowly metabolized further to a dideacetylated form. With the removal of the acetyl groups from FK317, resistance indexes in KB-V1 and SBC-3/ADM, ADM-resistant human lung carcinoma, decreased. In addition, photolabeling of P-glycoprotein with [3H]azidopine in KB-V1 plasma membrane was completely inhibited by FK317, but not by the deacetylated metabolites. These results indicate that FK317 is metabolized to deacetylated forms, which do not bind to P-glycoprotein and are incorporated into MDR cells, causing cytotoxic effects.

The influence of the great Hanshin earthquake on human response to environmental vibration due to the Shinkansen

A severe earthquake of magnitude 7.2 hit the west part of Japan on January 17, 1995. A part of the Shinkansen railway, which is one of the most popular high-speed mass transportation systems in Japan, was seriously damaged by the earthquake. About 80 days later, the Shinkansen service was resumed but complaints about vibration due to the passing Shinkansen increased rapidly among residents near the tracks. This paper reports the results of two investigations that were carried out in both stricken and non-stricken areas to determine the cause of complaint. In the first investigation, the ground vibration propagation induced by passing trains was measured. In the second investigation, questionnaires were distributed to the people living near the Shinkansen tracks. As a result, it was found out that the vibration levels before and after the earthquake were almost the same at most measured points in the stricken area. It was also found that the vibration levels in the stricken area and a non-stricken area were almost the same within 50 m from the Shinkansen tracks. However the results of the questionnaire survey showed that people's nuisance due to the vibration in the stricken area was clearly greater than that in the non-stricken area. This inconsistency was explained using the "category judgment method", which is generally used to determine the relationship between a physical stimulus and psychological reaction. According to the results of this analysis, the vibration level, at which 50% of the inhabitants complained about Shinkansen vibration, was approximately 54 dB in the non-stricken area and 50 dB in the stricken area. This result suggests that the people who experienced the severe earthquake became 4 dB more sensitive to the Shinkansen vibration than the people living in a non-stricken area despite the fact that this investigation was carried out 10 months after the earthquake struck.

FK317: a novel substituted dihydrobenzoxazine with potent antitumor activity which does not induce vascular leak syndrome

PURPOSE

FK973, a substituted dihydrobenzoxazine, is an antitumor antibiotic which has shown high therapeutic efficacy in a phase I study, but its development has been abandoned because of the side effect of vascular leak syndrome (VLS) in the clinical study. This study was performed to investigate whether or not FK317, a new benzmethoxy derivative of FK973, retains the antitumor activity of FK973 without the side effect of VLS.

METHODS

VLS was evaluated by the volume of pleural effusion in rats. Cytotoxic activities were determined by a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT assay) against murine (B16, P388) and human (HeLa S3, KB) tumor cell lines. Antitumor activities against murine ascitic leukemia (P388, L1210), murine solid tumors (reticulum cell sarcoma M5076, Colon 38 carcinoma) and human xenografts (mammary carcinoma MX-1, lung carcinoma LX-1) were examined.

RESULTS

FK973 (1.8 mg/kg) given i.v. to rats induced pleural effusion, one of the elements of VLS, 36 days after the first dosing, but did not 28 days after dosing. This model reflects clinical VLS delayed-type effusion with high protein concentrations. In contrast, FK317 (1.0-3.2 mg/kg) did not induce pleural effusion at all. FK317 had stronger cytotoxic effects against in vitro cultured B16, P388, HeLa S3 and KB tumor cell lines, and in in vivo experiments, FK317 showed equivalent antitumor activity against P388, M5076 and MX-1, and more potent antitumor activity against L1210, Colon 38 and LX-1 compared with FK973.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that FK317 retains the antitumor activity of FK973 and does not induce VLS, and FK317 is a drug with high clinical potential for treating tumors in humans.

Cytotoxic mechanisms of FK317, a new class of bioreductive agent with potent antitumor activity

FK317 is a member of a new class of bioreductive agents that exhibit strong cytotoxicity against various human cancer cells. The effect of FK317 was found to be stronger than that of mitomycin C (MMC), adriamycin (ADR) or cisplatin (CDDP). Alkaline elution analysis indicated that FK317 formed interstrand DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links in cells. On the other hand, no DNA single-strand breaks were observed in the cells treated with FK317. In a cell-free system the deacetylated metabolites produced cross-linked DNA under reductive conditions, though FK317 itself did not form DNA-DNA cross-links. In order to elucidate the metabolic activation mechanisms, we established an FK317-resistant subline from human non-small cell lung cancer cells (Lu99) by stepwise and brief exposure (1 h) to FK317. The resistant subline (Lu99/317) showed cross-resistance to MMC and carboquone (CQ), but not to ADR or CDDP. DT-diaphorase, which is one of the activation enzymes of MMC and CQ, was deficient in Lu99/317 cells as determined by enzyme activity assay. However, the levels of NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, which is another activation enzyme for MMC and CQ, were comparable in resistant and parent cell lines. Treatment of the cells with dicumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, reduced the cytotoxicity of FK317 to Lu99 cells, but not to Lu99/317 cells. These results indicate that deacetylation of FK317 is necessary for its reductive activation, and deacetylated FK317 is reduced by DT-diaphorase to form an active metabolite, which produces DNA-DNA interstrand and DNA-protein cross-links that lead to cell death.

Regions of sex-specific hypo- and hyper-recombination identified through integration of 180 genetic markers into the metric physical map of human chromosome 19

The order of and physical distance between 180 polymorphic markers, many from the Généthon and CHLC genetic maps, have been determined through inclusion of probe-positive cosmids in the metric physical map of human chromosome 19. The markers incorporated into the physical map include 38 genetic markers with heterozygosities of > 0.8 and approximately 120 markers with heterozygosities of > 0.60. The average distance between markers in this integrated map is approximately 320 kb. Clustering of markers is noted in several regions of the chromosome; only 11 intervals exist where the distance between markers is greater than 1 Mb, with the largest gap being 1.6 Mb. The ratio of sex-average genetic distance from the Généthon and CHLC genetic linkage maps to physical distance in the metric map is approximately 1.7 cM/Mb for the entire chromosome but ranges from 4 cM/Mb across the telomeric bands to 1 cM/Mb for the centromeric cytogenetic bands. The recombination distance in males is approximately twice that of females in the most telomeric bands but is only 10-25% of the activity observed in females in the more centromeric bands. Seven regions along the chromosome are noted where the recombination distance between markers in one sex is greater than 10 times the recombination distance in the other sex. The integration of genetic markers into the high-resolution physical map of human chromosome 19 provides a framework for isolation of disease genes and resources for studies of genome organization, such as regions of interesting recombinational activity.

Effect of FR143430, a novel cytokine suppressive agent, on adenocarcinoma colon26-induced cachexia in mice

Cancer cachexia, characterized by weight loss and progressive tissue wasting, has been postulated to be mediated by cytokines. In this study the effect of FR143430, (2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrimidine monohydrochloride), an inhibitor of Interleukin-1 and Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF- a), on adenocarcinoma colon26-induced cachexia was investigated in mice. Tumor growth was not affected. Nevertheless, treatment with FR143430 (0.1 to lmg) into the tumor resulted in the attenuation of the reduction in body weight, food intake, epididymal fat and carcass weight, the decrease in the circulating levels of triglyceride and glucose, and the increase in the circulating levels of total cholesterol, non esterified free fatty acid (NEFA) and total protein, which were induced by the presence of the tumor. However, oral treatment with FR143430 failed to show an inhibitory effect on cachexia induction. Overall, this study demonstrated that the cachexia induced by colon26 was alleviated by the injection of FR143430 into the tumor in sufficient quantity, without any effect on tumor growth, suggesting the potential utility of cytokine suppressive agents e for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

Effects of a new non-steroidal 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, FK143, on the prostate gland in beagle dogs

FK143 (4-[3-[3-[bis(4-isobutylphenyl)methylamino]benzoyl]-1H-indol-1-yl] - butyric acid) is a new non-steroidal inhibitor of steroid 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-reductase). The effects of FK143 on prostate size and histopathology of mature male beagle dogs were investigated and compared with those of finasteride (a steroidal 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor), and allylestrenol and chlormadinone acetate (CMA) (androgen receptor antagonists). FK143 was orally administered to the dogs daily for 12 weeks. At doses of 10 and 32 mg/kg, FK143 significantly reduced prostate volume to about 60% of the initial value, and dogs treated with FK143 showed a dose-dependent glandular epithelial atrophy in the prostate. FK143 showed no abnormal changes in organ weights and histopathology of the adrenal, testis, pituitary and liver. The degree of prostate reduction in the dogs treated with FK143 (10 and 32 mg/kg) was almost the same as that by finasteride (1.0 mg/kg) and smaller than that by allylestrenol (10 mg/kg) or CMA (10 mg/kg). However, allylestrenol increased liver weights, and CMA increased liver and reduced adrenal weights. These results demonstrate that FK143 can decrease the volume of the dog prostate without any influence on other organs, and they suggest that FK143 is a good candidate for the treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Localization of 16 exons to a 450-kb region involved in the autoimmune polyglandular disease type I (APECED) on human chromosome 21q22.3

As a step toward identifying the pathogenic genes for autoimmune polyglandular disease type I (APECED) and other disorders mapped to the PFKL locus on chromosome 21q22.3, we have constructed a cosmid/BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) contig of 450 kb covering markers D21S1460-D21S25-PFKL-D21S154 and performed exon trapping. We isolated 22 distinct exons including 6 exons derived from two known genes (PFKL and EHOC-1). Among 16 novel exons, 2 exons matched with human expressed sequence tags (EST) and 7 exons showed homology at predicted amino acid sequence level with proteins from other species. These 16 exons were mapped back to the cosmid contigs, 12 of which were confirmed for their expression by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of human cDNA libraries of various tissues. These exon sequences and a transcript map will aid for isolation of corresponding genes which will be identified as candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of disorders mapped to the 21q22.3 region.

Effect of the new antiallergic agent olopatadine on EEG spectral powers in conscious rats

The central effect of olopatadine (((Z)-11-[3-dimethylamino)propylidene)-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride, CAS 140462-76-6, KW-4679) was studied in comparison with those of ketotifen and doxepin using spontaneous EEG and EEG spectral powers in conscious rats. Both ketotifen (20 mg/kg p.o.) and doxepin (20 mg/kg p.o.) caused drowsy patterns in spontaneous EEG characterized by slow waves of high amplitude at the frontal cortex, occipital cortex and amygdala, and by disappearance of the regularity in theta waves recorded from the hippocampus. In EEG spectral powers, both drugs caused a significant increase in the power densities of the delta band recorded from the frontal cortex, occipital cortex and amygdala. On the contrary, no visible changes were elicited by the treatment with olopatadine (20 mg/kg p.o.) in both spontaneous EEG and EEG spectral powers recorded from the frontal cortex, occipital cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. These results indicate that olopatadine provides no remarkable effect on the central nervous system.

Possible involvement of calpain in the growth of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells

Calpain (Ca2(+)-activated neutral protease, EC 3.4.22.17) has been reported to hydrolyze the estrogen receptor (ER). However, there has been no report available regarding the role of calpain in the growth of breast cancer cells. To investigate the role of calpain in the growth of various breast cancer cell lines, we employed a synthetic peptide, calpeptin, which is a cell permeable specific inhibitor of calpain. Calpeptin inhibited the cell growth of ER positive breast cancer cells, such as MCF-7, T-47D, and ZR-75-1 in a dose dependent manner in the presence of E2. However, the growth of ER negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, was not inhibited by calpeptin. It is suggested that calpain plays an important role in the growth of ER positive breast cancer cells.

A new aromatase inhibitor, FR901537. II. Pharmacological and antitumor effects

The pharmacological and antitumor effects of FR901537, a new aromatase inhibitor, isolated from Bacillus sp. No. 3072, were studied. Treatment for four consecutive days with FR901537 inhibited the androstenedione-induced increase in the uterus weight in immature rats. FR901537 had no effect on the uterus, adrenal glands, ovary or pituitary weights in mature rats following 14 days of treatment. The antitumor activity of FR901537 on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors was studied in ovariectomized, testosterone propionate (TP)-treated rats as a postmenopausal tumor model. Ovariectomy caused the regression of the mammary tumors and the growth of tumors was remarkably stimulated following TP treatment. Further, in the rats treated with FR901537 and TP, the TP-induced tumor growth was significantly inhibited by FR901537. These results suggest that FR901537 is a promising drug in the treatment of estrogen-dependent mammary tumors in postmenopausal women.

Importance of prevention of intravenous thrombosis and preservation of the venous collateral flow in bridging vein injury during surgery: an experimental study

BACKGROUND

Venous infarction (cerebral edema and/or hemorrhage) may occur several hours after sacrifice of the bridging vein during surgery. However, in our experience, severe venous infarction is often produced by prolonged brain retraction in addition to sacrifice of the vein.

METHODS

The experiment was carried out using 20 adult cats. In five cats, all bridging veins were coagulated near the superior sagittal sinus and 12 hours later the surgical wound was closed (group A). In five other cats, a round plate weighing 45 g was placed on the center of the Sylvian fissure for 12 hours and then the wound was closed (group B). In the remaining 10 cats, both of these interventions were performed (group C). All 20 animals were sacrificed 12 hours after the wound closure.

RESULTS

The degree of Evans-blue dye leakage and brain edema was much more marked in the group C than in groups A and B. The endothelial intactness of the bridging veins studied by staining with a factor VIII-related antigen was much more disturbed in group C than in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The endothelium of the cortical veins is damaged much more by the combination of sacrifice of the vein and brain retraction, and this endothelial damage of the cortical vein leads to extensive venous infarction.

Unique sequence STSs for 21 cytogenetically mapped loci on human chromosome 19

Sequence-tagged sites (STSs) are key elements in efforts to construct and integrate the various physical maps of a genome. We report the development of 21 STSs assigned to cosmids mapped to specific locations on human chromosome 19 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). At least one STS has been assigned to each band. The PCR primers generate a single product from genomic DNA. Each product is a single copy probe for Southern blots of human genomic DNA. YACs have been identified with 18 of these STSs.

Role of tissue factor in the antitumor effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha in mice

Recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-alpha) inhibited tumor growth of Meth A fibrosarcoma (Meth A) solid tumor in mice, and the antitumor effect of rTNF-alpha was significantly decreased by pretreatment with small doses or rTNF-alpha in mice. In in vitro experiments, incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with rTNF-alpha enhanced procoagulant activity (PCA), which was drastically augmented after an addition of the conditioned medium of Meth A tumor cells. Furthermore, rTNF-alpha-induced PCA was decreased by pretreatment with rTNF-alpha in endothelial cells. This PCA was completely blocked after the addition of anti-human tissue factor (TF) murine monoclonal antibody. These results imply that in vivo antitumor effects of rTNF-alpha are mediated by expression of TF in endothelial cells, which is augmented by tumor released factor(s).