Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in the anterior mediastinum with a rapidly progressive course: A case report

A 77-year-old woman with heart failure was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor. CT-guided biopsy revealed a malignant nonepithelial tumor of unknown origin. She was not treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of her poor clinical condition. She died 33 days after admission. Following autopsy, we confirmed that the mediastinal tumor had infiltrated the large blood vessels. After final histological examination, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed. Primary mediastinal sarcomas are very rare; clinicians should be aware of their possibility because some cases may progress rapidly as evidenced in this case.

Activin A inhibits vascular endothelial cell growth and suppresses tumour angiogenesis in gastric cancer

Background:

Activin A is a multi-functional cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily; however, the effect of activin A on angiogenesis remains largely unclear. We found that inhibin β A subunit (INHBA) mRNA is overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) specimens and investigated the effect of activin A, a homodimer of INHBA, on angiogenesis in GC.

Methods:

Anti-angiogenic effects of activin A via p21 induction were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and a stable INHBA-introduced GC cell line in vivo.

Results:

Compared with TGF-β, activin A potently inhibited the cellular proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs with induction of p21. A promoter assay and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that activin A directly regulates p21 transcriptional activity through Smads. Stable p21-knockdown significantly enhanced the cellular proliferation of HUVECs. Notably, stable p21-knockdown exhibited a resistance to activin-mediated growth inhibition in HUVECs, indicating that p21 induction has a key role on activin A-mediated growth inhibition in vascular endothelial cells. Finally, a stable INHBA-introduced GC cell line exhibited a decrease in tumour growth and angiogenesis in vivo.

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the suppressive role of activin A, unlike TGF-β, on tumour growth and angiogenesis in GC.

Differential roles of STAT3 depending on the mechanism of STAT3 activation in gastric cancer cells

Background:

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that is activated in response to growth factors and cytokines, and which contributes to the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and motility in many human tumour types.

Methods:

We investigated the mechanisms of STAT3 activation and the function of STAT3 depending on its mechanism of activation in gastric cancer cells.

Results:

The MET-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and cell transfection with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for MET mRNA inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in MET-activated cells, indicating that STAT3 activation is linked to MET signalling. Forced expression of a constitutively active form of STAT3 also attenuated MET-TKI-induced apoptosis, suggesting that inhibition of STAT3 activity contributes to MET-TKI-induced apoptosis. MKN1 and MKN7 cells, both of which are negative for MET activation, produced interleukin-6 (IL-6) that activated STAT3 through the Janus kinase pathway. Depletion of STAT3 by siRNA inhibited migration and invasion of these cells, suggesting that STAT3 activated by IL-6 contributes to regulation of cell motility.

Conclusion:

Our data thus show that activated STAT3 contributes to either cell survival or motility in gastric cancer cells, and that these actions are related to different mechanisms of STAT3 activation.

Phase I clinical and biomarker study of BIBF 1120, an oral multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors (ST): Impact of CD133- and CD117-positive cells on a biomarker of an antiangiogenic inhibitor

3572

Background: BIBF 1120 (Vargatef) is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. Methods: BIBF 1120 (150–250 mg) was administered orally twice-daily (bid) to heavily pre-treated solid tumor (ST) patients to determine safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK). CD133- and/or CD117 (c-kit)-positive cells from CD34+CD45dim peripheral blood cells were evaluated using flow-cytometry on pre-treatment, Day 2, Day 8 and Day 29. Results: Twenty-one patients were treated at doses of 150 mg bid (n=3), 200 mg bid (n=12) and 250 mg bid (n=6). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of reversible Grade 3/4 elevated liver enzymes occurred in three of 12 patients at 200 mg bid and three of six patients at 250 mg bid; 200 mg bid was declared as the MTD. Best observed responses were stable disease in 16 (76.2%) patients and median progression-free survival was 113 days (95% CI: 77–119 days). PK analysis indicated that Cmax and AUC increased with increased dose within the dose range tested. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that BIBF 1120 treatment significantly increased the percentage of CD133+CD117- cells (p<0.001) on Day 29 compared with pre-treatment, and conversely decreased that of CD133-CD117+ cells (p<0.01). In addition, CD133+CD117+ cells tended to decrease in responders (stable disease) to a greater extent than in non- responders after treatment. Conclusions: BIBF 1120 dosed continuously at 200 mg bid was well tolerated and appeared to provide some clinical benefit. Our biomarker study provides a novel insight into CD133- and CD117-positive cells as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for an antiangiogenic inhibitor.

[Table: see text]

Use of amplification of the 8q24 and 20q11–13 loci to predict progression-free survival of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients receiving standard therapy

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Background: The purpose of this study was to identify genes that predict the progression free survival (PFS) of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (aEOC) receiving standard therapy. Methods: We performed expression analysis using GeneChip (Human Genome U133 plus 2.0 Array) in aEOC cells produced by laser-based microdissection. Thirty three aEOC patients (stage IIc: 4, III: 19, IV: 10; serous adenocarcinoma: 21, endometrioid adenocarcinoma: 5, undifferentiated: 7) were included in this array study. All cases received staging laparotomy, cytoreductive surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy (carboplatin + paclitaxel) as primary therapy. Results: Class comparison analysis between groups of NED (no evidence of disease) and non-NED identified 46 genes that exhibited significant differences (p < 0.001). Among them, 6 (13%) genes are located in 8q24 and 9 (19.6%) genes are located in 20q11–13. Finally, we focused on 8q24 and 20q11–13 loci, and confirmed array data using real-time quantitative PCR in 94 validation sets. The validation showed that ZNF7, MAF1, ADRM1, and GNAS amplification was related with PFS (p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: The amplification of 8q24 and 20q11–13 can predict the PFS of aEOC and these genes may be new biomarkers for aEOC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Micropapillary component in lung adenocarcinoma generated in emphysema]

We report a case of 72-year-old male of adenocarcinoma with micropapillary component of the lung. Though the hilar lymph node metastasis was eminent, primary site was difficult to identify by using computed tomography (CT). SUV max with positron emission (PET)-CT in the case suggested the lung cancer in the emphysematous lung and it became an operation. The pathology diagnosis of the excision lungs was T4 (pml) N1 (#10, 12u) M0 stage IIIB. It was generated in emphysema, and it seemed that an adenocarcinoma with micropapillary component that did typical progress.

Identification of prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer by gene expression analysis

4623

Background: Endoscopic biopsy before chemotherapy provides an excellent opportunity for studying biomarkers related to therapy-induced tumor responses or overall survival. This study was designed to identify prognostic biomarkers in patients with unresected gastric cancer. Methods: Samples were taken from histologically proved primary gastric cancers in 40 patients before chemotherapy. Microarray analysis was performed using Affymetrix HG-U133Plus2.0 GeneChips after RNA quality checks of the samples. Correlations between gene expression data and survival time were statistically evaluated with a univariate Cox proportional-hazards model. Identified genes were validated by real time RT-PCR analysis in same 40 test-set samples. Then, PCR-validated genes were evaluated for independent samples (validation set) to predict survival. Results: We obtained 185 candidate genes that were significantly associated with survival (p<0.005) on univariate testing in the 40 test-set sample. Real time RT-PCR analysis identified 5 genes that were reproducibly related to survival on the log-rank test (p<0.01). PCR analysis with each of these 5 genes discriminated short-term survivors with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 46–77% in the test set. For the independent 19-sample validation set, single-gene PCR analysis had a sensitivity of 50–81% and a specificity of 38–62%. A multi-gene prediction panel will be evaluated. Conclusions: Gene expression profiling by microarray and real time RT-PCR is useful for predicting overall survival in gastric cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

ZNF143 interacts with p73 and is involved in cisplatin resistance through the transcriptional regulation of DNA repair genes

Zinc-finger protein 143 (ZNF143) is a human homolog of Xenopus transcriptional activator staf that is involved in selenocystyl tRNA transcription. We previously showed that ZNF143 expression is induced by treatment with DNA-damaging agents and that it preferentially binds to cisplatin-modified DNA. In this study, the potential function of ZNF143 was investigated. ZNF143 was overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant cells. ZNF143 knockdown in prostate cancer caused increased sensitivity for cisplatin, but not for oxaliplatin, etoposide and vincristine. We also showed that ZNF143 is associated with tumor suppressor gene product p73 but not with p53. p73 could stimulate the binding of ZNF143 to both ZNF143 binding site and cisplatin-modified DNA, and modulate the function of ZNF143. We provide a direct evidence that both Rad51 and flap endonuclease-1 are target genes of ZNF143 and overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant cells. Taken together, these experiments demonstrate that an interplay of ZNF143, p73 and ZNF143 target genes is involved in DNA repair gene expression and cisplatin resistance.

Clock and ATF4 transcription system regulates drug resistance in human cancer cell lines

The mechanisms underlying cellular drug resistance have been extensively studied, but little is known about its regulation. We have previously reported that activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is upregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells and plays a role in cisplatin resistance. Here, we find out a novel relationship between the circadian transcription factor Clock and drug resistance. Clock drives the periodical expression of many genes that regulate hormone release, cell division, sleep-awake cycle and tumor growth. We demonstrate that ATF4 is a direct target of Clock, and that Clock is overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant cells. Furthermore, Clock expression significantly correlates with cisplatin sensitivity, and that the downregulation of either Clock or ATF4 confers sensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin and etoposide. Notably, ATF4-overexpressing cells show multidrug resistance and marked elevation of intracellular glutathione. The microarray study reveals that genes for glutathione metabolism are generally downregulated by the knockdown of ATF4 expression. These results suggest that the Clock and ATF4 transcription system might play an important role in multidrug resistance through glutathione-dependent redox system, and also indicate that physiological potentials of Clock-controlled redox system might be important to better understand the oxidative stress-associated disorders including cancer and systemic chronotherapy.

Clarithromycin suppresses invasiveness of human lung adenocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

It has been speculated that clarithromycin (CAM), a 14-membered ring macrolide, possesses antitumor effects besides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

METHOD

We evaluated the effects of CAM on the growth and invasiveness of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

RESULTS

Although CAM did not affect the growth of A549 cells, the Matrigel invasion assay showed that the potential of invasion was diminished by CAM treatment. When analyzed by flow cytometry, CAM suppressed alpha(2)- and beta(1)-integrin expression. Furthermore, thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression was diminished by CAM treatment in a dose-dependent manner. A specific TP inhibitor also suppressed beta(1)-integrin expression in flow cytometric analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that CAM may suppress invasive activity of A549 cells in part by diminishing the expression of TP, alpha(2)- and beta(1)-integrin, which may be a downstream signal of the TP pathway, and that CAM could be useful in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Identification of expressed genes characterizing long-term survival in malignant glioma patients

Better understanding of the underlying biology of malignant gliomas is critical for the development of early detection strategies and new therapeutics. This study aimed to define genes associated with survival. We investigated whether genes coupled with a class prediction model could be used to define subgroups of high-grade gliomas in a more objective manner than standard pathology. RNAs from 29 malignant gliomas were analysed using Agilent microarrays. We identified 21 genes whose expression was most strongly and consistently related to patient survival based on univariate proportional hazards models. In six out of 10 genes, changes in gene expression were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. After adjusting for clinical covariates based on a multivariate analysis, we finally obtained a statistical significance level for DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor family, member 1), DYRK3 (dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 3) and KSP37 (Ksp37 protein). In independent samples, it was confirmed that DDR1 protein expression was also correlated to the prognosis of glioma patients detected by immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, we analysed the efficacy of the short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of DDR1 mRNA synthesis in glioma cell lines. Cell proliferation and invasion were significantly suppressed by siRNA against DDR1. Thus, DDR1 can be a novel molecular target of therapy as well as an important predictive marker for survival in patients with glioma. Our method was effective at classifying high-grade gliomas objectively, and provided a more accurate predictor of prognosis than histological grading.

Circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand in cachexic patients with COPD are higher than those in non-cachexic patients with COPD

OBJECTIVE

Apoptosis may be involved in the pathophysiology of cachexia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study is to assess the potential role of the Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system in cachexic patients with COPD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We measured the circulating levels of soluble FasL (sFasL), with a newly developed, highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system in seventy patients with COPD and forty-seven control subjects.

RESULTS

The levels of sFasL in the COPD patients were significantly lower than those in the control subjects (46+/-29 vs. 55+/-28 pg/ml; p<0.05), whereas the levels of soluble Fas (sFas) remained unchanged between the two groups. The significant correlation between the levels of sFasL and sFas, observed in the control subjects (r=0.304; p<0.05), was absent in the COPD patients. Cachexic COPD patients with a relatively lower BMI (BMI <20 kg/m(2), n=45) and %fat (%fat <20%, n=34), showed significantly increased levels of sFasL compared to non-cachexic COPD patients with a relatively higher BMI (BMI > or =20 kg/m(2), n=25) and %fat (%fat > or =20%, n=36) (BMI; 51+/-33 vs. 36+/-15 pg/ml; p<0.05. %fat; 55+/-33 vs. 37+/-21 pg/ml; p<0.01), due to the inverse relationships between the body composition measurements and the levels of sFasL observed exclusively in the patients (BMI; r=-0.307; p<0.05. %fat; r=-0.283; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results may suggest that the Fas-FasL system does not play a significant role in the potential triggers of enhanced apoptosis leading to skeletal muscle wasting and adipose tissue depletion in cachexic patients with COPD.

The biological effects of high-pressure gas on the yeast transcriptome

The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of DNA microarray technology in an attempt to construct an evaluation system for determining gas toxicity using high-pressure conditions, as it is well known that pressure increases the concentration of a gas. As a first step, we used yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as the indicator organism and analyzed the mRNA expression profiles after exposure of yeast cells to nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas was selected as a negative control since this gas has low toxicity. Yeast DNA microarray analysis revealed induction of genes whose products were localized to the membranes, and of genes that are involved in or contribute to energy production. Furthermore, we found that nitrogen gas significantly affected the transport system in the cells. Interestingly, nitrogen gas also resulted in induction of cold-shock responsive genes. These results suggest the possibility of applying yeast DNA microarray to gas bioassays up to 40 MPa. We therefore think that "bioassays" are ideal for use in environmental control and protection studies.

Involvement of pulmonary endothelial cell injury in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis: clinical assessment by 123I-MIBG lung scintigraphy

PURPOSE

Pulmonary microvascular endothelial injury may be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the pulmonary vascular status in patients with PF by lung scintigraphic assessment of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG), which reflects latent endothelial cell lesions.

METHODS

We assessed lung 123I-MIBG kinetics and clinical indices in 23 PF patients and 16 controls. Mean uptake ratios of lung to mediastinum (L/M) were calculated in anterior planar images at 30 (early image) and 270 (delayed image) min after intravenous injection of 123I-MIBG. The pulmonary mean washout rate (WR) of 123I-MIBG was also calculated.

RESULTS

The L/M ratio in early images, but not in delayed images, was significantly lower in the PF patients than in the controls (L/M(early) 1.41+/-0.14 vs 1.53+/-0.10, p<0.01; L/M(delayed) 1.28+/-0.10 vs 1.33+/-0.07, p=NS). WR was significantly reduced in the PF patients compared with the controls (28.6%+/-3.1% vs 34.2%+/-5.1%, p<0.001). In the study subjects (PF patients plus controls) there were significant relationships between lung WR of (123)I-MIBG and other diagnostic parameters for the severity of PF, such as vital capacity (r=0.625, p<0.0001), total lung capacity (r=0.691, p<0.0001), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (r=0.622, p<0.0001), serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (r=0.422, p<0.01), carbohydrate antigen KL-6 levels (r=-0.495, p<0.01) and surfactant protein-D levels (r=-0.461, p<0.01). When control subjects were excluded, similar significant correlations were observed between WR and %TLC (r=0.508, p<0.05), DL(CO) (r=0.593, p<0.01) and serum ACE activity (r=0.515, p<0.05) in the PF patients.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that endothelial cell injury plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of PF, and that lung WR of 123I-MIBG, which is a specific marker of endothelial damage, can serve as a novel diagnostic tool to evaluate the functional severity of PF.

In vivo evidence of endothelial injury in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by lung scintigraphic assessment of (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine

Scintigraphic evaluation of (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) in the lungs is considered to recognize endothelial cell lesions. The aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of the pulmonary microvascular injury in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

We investigated lung (123)I-MIBG kinetics and clinical indices in 25 COPD patients and 12 control subjects. Mean uptake ratios of lung to mediastinum (L/M) were calculated in anterior planer images at 30 min (early image) and 270 min (delayed image) after intravenous injection of (123)I-MIBG. Pulmonary mean washout rate (WR) of the (123)I-MIBG was also calculated.

RESULTS

The L/M ratios in both early and delayed images of COPD patients, as well as its WR, were significantly lower than those of the control subjects (L/M early: 1.26 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.54 +/- 0.11, P < 0.0001; L/M delayed: 1.20 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.33 +/- 0.09, P < 0.001; WR: 27.4% +/- 5.3% vs. 34.2% +/- 5.7%, P < 0.01). There were significant relationships between lung WR of the (123)I-MIBG and other diagnostic tests for the severity of COPD, such as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (% FEV(1.0): r = 0.386, P < 0.05), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity/alveolar volume (DL(CO)/V(A): r = 0.449, P < 0.01), arterial blood oxygen pressure (PaO(2): r = 0.474, P < 0.01), alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient [A-a]DO(2) (r = -0.446, P < 0.01), and percentage of low-attenuation area (r = -0.458, P < 0.01) in the study population.

CONCLUSION

Because lung WR of the (123)I-MIBG is considered to be independent of an alteration of the pulmonary vascular surface area, these results suggest that the microvascular endothelial cell injury plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Thyrocyte proliferation by cellular adhesion to infiltrating lymphocytes through the intercellular adhesion molecule-1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 pathway in Graves' disease

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes into the thyroid, and intrathyroid lymphocytes are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of GD. However, it remains to be understood how lymphocytes adhere to thyrocytes and regulate the thyrocyte function through cellular adhesion. We studied the mechanisms of T cell adhesion to thyrocytes using intrathyroid mononuclear cells (ITMC) and thyrocytes purified from the thyroids of patients with GD. The following novel features of cellular adhesion of ITMC to thyrocytes in the regulation of the thyrocyte function in GD were observed: 1) GD-ITMC expressed lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, which became an active adhesive configuration much higher than peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal volunteers and GD patients; 2) GD-thyrocytes expressed a high quantity of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1; 3) GD-ITMC adhered to GD-thyrocytes, whereas normal PBMC required activation stimuli by phorbol myriacetate, a pharmacological integrin-trigger, to adhere to GD- thyrocytes; 4) monoclonal antibody-blocking studies showed that the adhesion of the activated PBMC and ITMC to thyrocytes was mainly mediated by the LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathway; 5) the adhesion of GD-thyrocytes to the activated-PBMC or ITMC induced the proliferation of the thyrocytes, which was blocked by the addition of ICAM-1 and/or LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies; and 6) in GD thyrocytes of early cultures, ICAM-1 expression on GD-thyrocytes and its adhesion to LFA-1 on phorbol myriacetate-activated PBMC or ITMC were not modulated by the addition of interleukin-1beta or interferon-gamma, and proliferation of thyrocytes by the cellular adhesion via the ICAM-1/LFA-1 pathway was independent of the proliferative response of these cytokines. Taken together, these results suggest that lymphocytes infiltrating GD thyroid induce proliferation of GD-thyrocyte by the cellular adhesion to thyrocytes via ICAM-1/LFA-1, which may lead to the development of a goiter.

[A case of very late onset overlap syndrome of systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus]

A 88-year-old woman was admitted with appetite loss and dehydration in April 1999. She first noticed finger swelling in May 1996 and systemic sclerosis (SSc) was diagnosed in February 1997 on the basis of a clinical picture of low-grade fever, diffuse skin thickening, Raynaud's phenomenon, and pulmonary fibrosis. Retrospectively pulmonary fibrosis could have been identified on chest X ray film in September 1995. Although her appetite loss and dehydration were improved by hydration, pleural effusion continued. After detailed examinations, anti-topoisomerase 1 (Scl-70) antibody, anti-Sm antibody, and an anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA) were found in her serum. However, the other antibodies to anti-SS-A, SS-B, Jo-1, and RNP were not detected. These results suggest that this elderly case was a very late onset overlap syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SSc. Thus, the pleural effusion in this case may have been caused by SLE-associated pleuritis. Although the late onset elderly cases with overlap syndrome are very rare, SLE, SSc, and their combination can be found in aged patients over 80 years old. SLE and SSc should be carefully considered for the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion and skin thickening even in elderly patients.

Centrally administered murine leptin stimulates plasma arginine-vasopressin secretion and increases the level of mRNA expression in the supraoptic nucleus of conscious rats

The product of the ob gene protein, leptin, has been suggested to function as an endogenous mediator of the cardiovascular system via sympathetic nerve activity. Moreover, extensive distribution of leptin receptor-like immunoreactivity has been demonstrated in the choroid plexus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus, especially in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON). In this study, we have investigated the in vivo effects of leptin on plasma arginine-vasopressin (AVP) secretion and the level of AVP messenger ribonucleotic acid (AVP mRNA) in the SON of conscious rats. Intracerebroventricularly administered leptin increased plasma AVP concentration in a dose-dependent manner (0-400 pmol/rat). The maximal effect was obtained at 15 min after the administration of leptin. Furthermore, in Northern blot analyses, the levels of AVP mRNa in the SON increased approximately 2-fold from the basal level after the administration of leptin. AVP mRNA expression in the PVN was also increased by leptin. However, leptin had no effects on plasma oxytocin (OXT) secretion and OXT gene expression in the SON. In conclusion, leptin is involved in AVP secretion via the central nervous system, however, its physiological role is unknown.

Interleukin-1alpha regulates G1 cell cycle progression and arrest in thyroid carcinoma cell lines NIM1 and NPA

This study provides the first report that the same cytokine (interleukin-1 (IL-1)) can induce opposite effects on cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and Cdk inhibitors (Cdkis) in the G1 phase even in the same type of cancer cells (papillary thyroid carcinoma cells). Cell cycle analysis revealed an increase in NIM1 cells and a decrease in NPA cells in the S and G2+M phases after treatment with IL-1alpha. The addition of IL-1alpha to NIM1 cells reduced the expression of p16 and p21 protein and induced the expression of Cdk2 and Cdk4 protein, which leads to the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein. The addition of IL-1alpha to NPA cells induced the expression of p27 protein and reduced the expression of Cdk2 protein, which leads to induction of p107 protein expression. It is of interest that p21 protein expression was not observed in NPA cells. These results suggest that several Cdks and Cdkis play a regulatory role in the G1 cell cycle progression and arrest induced by IL-1alpha in thyroid carcinoma cell lines.

Preventive effects of saponins from the Pueraria lobata root on in vitro immunological liver injury of rat primary hepatocyte cultures

Preventive effects of nine saponins obtained from Puerariae Radix (the roots of Pueraria lobata) on in vitro immunological liver injury in primary cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. Although all tested saponins showed hepatoprotective action, the levels of activity of individual saponins differed. Structure-activity relationships for the sapogenol moiety suggested that the hydroxy group at C-29 would reduce the hepatoprotective activity while the hydroxy group at C-21 could enhance the hepatoprotective activity. Furthermore, structure-activity relationships for the sugar moiety suggested that the oxygen-bearing group at C-5" would enhance the hepatoprotective activity, though the configuration of the hydroxy group at C-3" could be less important for hepatoprotective activity.

[Functional fitness and related factors in community-dwelling elderly]

To examine the association of level of functional fitness to demographic, health, and life behavioral or social factors, cross sectional data were obtained for 737 persons aged 60 years or older, and who were independently living in the community. Functional fitness was measured with a functional fitness test containing 4 task items: standing, walking, hand performance, and self-care performance. Among the demographic factors, statistically significant associations with functional fitness were found for age in both male and female and for the presence of spouse in male. Health status, previous or present history of circulatory diseases and musculo-skeletal diseases were significantly associated with lower levels of functional fitness in male, and previous or present history of musculo-skeletal diseases and presence of higher obesity associated with lower fitness level in female. With life behaviors, men who had habitual exercise activities and women who had no habitual nap but habitual exercise activities and frequent out-of-home activities showed significantly higher fitness level than their counterparts. These results suggest that level of functional fitness in independently living aged people in the community was significantly associated with the presence of spouse, history of circulatory and musculo-skeletal diseases, and habitual exercise activities in males; and with the history of musculo-skeletal diseases, obesity, and habitual exercise activities, napping, and frequent out-of-home activities in females.

A tensile test to facilitate identification of defects in dentine bonded specimens

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of a miniaturized dumbbell test procedure designed to more easily identify defect(s) in bonded dentine test specimens.

METHODS

Extracted human dentine substrates were pre-conditioned with 10-3 solution for 10, 30 or 60 s prior to dentine bonding with 4-META/MMA-TBB resin. Miniaturized dumbbell-shaped test specimens were prepared from the resin bonded samples. After 24 h storage in 37 degrees C water, the specimens were tensile-loaded to failure. Fractured surfaces and cross-sections were examined and compared under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

Cohesive failure within the bonding resin was observed in specimens pre-conditioned for 10 s. The tensile bond strength of these was excellent. Bond strengths of specimens that were pre-conditioned for 30 and 60 s were significantly lower, and defects in these specimens, formerly difficult or impossible to identify, were readily identified under SEM and TEM microscopy.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method of tensile stressing to failure and microscopically examining fractured miniaturized dumbbell-shaped test specimens is a simple and reproducible test procedure. The protocol is capable of clearly elucidating defective resin infiltration of demineralized dentine in bonded interfaces. These defects are difficult to visualize by conventional and/or ISO recommended methods.

Structure-hepatoprotective relationships study of soyasaponins I-IV having soyasapogenol B as aglycone

As a part of our study on the leguminous plants, we investigated the constituents of the aerial parts of Glycine soya. We isolated and identified four known saponins, soyasaponins I, II, III, and IV which have the same aglycone, soyasapogenol B. As a part of our studies concerning hepatoprotective drugs, we also examined the hepatoprotective actions of these saponins towards immunologically induced liver injury on primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The action of soyasaponin II was almost comparable with that of soyasaponin I, whereas those of soyasaponin III and IV were more effective than soyasaponins I and II. This means that the disaccharide group shows greater action than the trisaccharide group. Furthermore, the saponin having a hexosyl unit shows a slightly greater action than that of the pentosyl unit in each disaccharide group or trisaccharide group. Structure-activity relationships suggest that the sugar moiety linked at C-3 may play an important role in hepatoprotective actions of soybean saponins.

Partial hydrolysis of soyasaponin I and the hepatoprotective effects of the hydrolytic products. Study of the structure-hepatoprotective relationship of soyasapogenol B analogs

As a part of our studies of hepatoprotective drugs, we prepared some soyasapogenol B analogs from soyasaponin I. We examined the hepatoprotective effects of these analogs, using immunologically-induced liver injury, in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Soyasaponin III and soyasapogenol B monoglucuronide were more effective than soyasaponin I. Both compounds were significantly effective even at 30 microM. The action of soyasapogenol B was almost equal to that of soyasaponin I, although glucuronic acid did not show any activity even at the highest dose (500 microM). When the two compounds were mixed, the hepatoprotective action did not change, compared with soyasapogenol B. Therefore, we concluded that the linkage between glucuronic acid and soyasapogenol B could enhance the hepato-protective activity.

Kaikasaponin III and soyasaponin I, major triterpene saponins of Abrus cantoniensis, act on GOT and GPT: influence on transaminase elevation of rat liver cells concomitantly exposed to CCl4 for one hour

The antihepatotoxic activities of soyasaponin I and kaikasaponin III, triterpenoidal saponins isolated from Abri Herba, the whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, were studied on liver injury induced by CCl4 in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The antihepatotoxic activities of these saponins and glycyrrhizin (positive control) were demonstrated by measuring the levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT). Soyasaponin I inhibited the elevation of GOT and GPT activities. The activities were comparable to those of glycyrrhizin. On the other hand, kaikasaponin III was more effective than soyasaponin I and glycyrrhizin. Kaikasaponin III showed the antihepatotoxic activity at less than 100 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, the highest activity was observed even in the lower doses (50, 100 micrograms/ml). However, soyasaponin I and kaikasaponin III showed some toxicity at the highest dose (500 micrograms/ml), though glycyrrhizin did not show toxicity at any dose.

Preventive effects of saponins from puerariae radix (the root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi) on in vitro immunological injury of rat primary hepatocyte cultures

The preventive effects of saponins from Puerariae Radix toward in vitro immunological liver injury using an antiserum against the rat liver plasma membranes on primary cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. Crude saponin from Puerariae Radix inhibited the elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity at the dose of 90 micrograms/ml. The inhibition was stronger than that of glycyrrhizin, which was a positive control drug. The representative saponins in this drug, soyasaponin I and kudzusaponin SA3, were also more effective than glycyrrhizin, although their effects were weaker than that of crude saponin at the lower doses (90, 200 micrograms/ml). At 500 micrograms/ml, kudzusaponin SA3 showed antihepatotoxic activity equal to that of crude saponin.

Oleanene-type triterpene glycosides from puerariae radix. IV. Six new saponins from Pueraria lobata

From Puerariae Radix, the root of Pueraria lobata (Leguminosae), six new oleanene-type triterpene glycosides, called kudzusaponins A1 (1), A2 (2), Ar (3), SA4 (5), and SB1 (6) were isolated together with kudzusaponin A3 (7), soyasaponins SA3 (8), and I (9). The structures of 1-6 were determined to be 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1-->2)-beta-D-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)beta-D-glucuronopyranosy l kudzusapogenol A 22-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 3-O-beta- D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl kudzusapogenol A, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl kudzusapogenol A, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- D-glucoronopyranosyl kudzusapogenol A, 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl[(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl soyasapogenol A22-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside,and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->2)-beta- D-glucuronopyranosyl (beta-fabatriosyl) soyasapogenol B 22-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, respectively.

Oleanene-type triterpene glycosides from puerariae radix. III. Three new saponins from Pueraria thomsonii

From the root of Pueraria thomsonii (Leguminosae), three new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, named kudzusaponin B1, acetyl-kaikasaponin III and acetyl-soyasaponin I were isolated, together with soyasaponin I (4) and subproside V (5). Their structures were determined to be 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2) -beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl kudzusapogenol B (1), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2) -beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl sophoradiol 22-O-acetate (2) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2) -beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl soyasapogenol B 22-O-acetate (3), respectively.

[Development of a functional fitness test for the elderly]

A test of functional fitness defined as physical capacity to independently perform daily functional activities was developed for aged persons. The functional fitness test was composed of four physical capacity evaluation tasks representing physical abilities necessary to perform main activities of daily living; viz. sitting and standing up test, zig-zag walking test, hand working test with pegboard for dexterity evaluation, and rope working test for self-care evaluation. The reliability and feasibility of the test were examined with 765 aged persons living in the community. The distribution of measurement values in each item showed neither extreme skewness nor kurtosis. Retest reliabilities for each task were 0.857 to 0.942, but the second trial showed significantly reduced (p < 0.001) values than the first trial in test-retest. Significant relationships (r = 0.503 to 0.627) between measurement values in each items and chronological age were found in both male and female. Functional fitness test and physical fitness test scores were correlated 0.740. These results showed that the functional fitness test developed in the present study has a high reliability and feasibility to evaluate functional capacity of daily living in aged persons.

A case of lymphocutaneous nocardiosis with a review of lymphocutaneous nocardiosis reported in Japan

An 82-year-old Japanese male developed nodules and ulcers along the lymphatics after a fall in the garden of his house resulting in injuries to the dorsum of his left hand which lasted for 3 months. Nocardia brasiliensis was isolated from a nodule, supporting a diagnosis of the lymphocutaneous type of nocardiosis. He had previously developed generalized bone metastasis from prostatic cancer, and his resulting depressed immunity might have played a part in the nocardiosis genesis. Sixteen cases of the lymphocutaneous type of nocardiosis reported in Japan were reviewed.

Oleanene-type triterpene glycosides from Puerariae Radix. II. Isolation of saponins and the application of tandem mass spectrometry to their structure determination

A continuing study of the ingredients of Puerariae Radix, the roots of Pueraria lobata (WILLD.) OHWI, which is one of the most important crude drugs, has resulted in the first isolation of four new oleanene-type triterpene glycosides, named kudzusaponins SA1, SA2, SA3 and C1 (1-4). Their structures were determined to be 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl soyasapogenol A (1), 3-O-beta-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl soyasapogenol A 22-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (2), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-D- glucuronopyranosyl kudzusapogenol C 21-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively. The usefulness of tandem mass spectrometry in the structural determination of oleanene-type triterpene bisdesmosides is also discussed.

[Studies on the in vitro binding assay of androgen receptor in rat skeletal muscle]

It is known that some athletes use androgenic anabolic steroids to promote skeletal muscular strength and muscle hypertrophy in response to muscle strength training. However, it is not defined whether anabolic steroids are effective for muscle hypertrophy. In order to make this question clear, we examined the conditions of a binding assay of cytosolic androgen receptor on rat skeletal muscle as the first step. We used 3H-mibolerone as the ligand for specific binding to the androgen receptor. The following conditions of the assay were examined in this study: the incubation temperature and time, concentration of 3H-mibolerone, the effects of monothioglycerol and triamcinolone acetonide, and the effect of repeated freezing and thawing of the samples on binding. It was a suitable condition for an androgen receptor assay that samples prepared from unfrozen fresh muscle were incubated with 16nM 3H-mibolerone at 4 degrees C for 20 hrs, with monothioglycerol (20mM) and triamcinolone acetonide (25 microM) added. Using these assay conditions, we measured the binding capacity of androgen receptor in rat skeletal muscles. The values of Kd and Bmax in M. gastrocnemius were 3.61 +/- 0.60 x 10(-9)M and 3.18 +/- 2.23fmol/mg protein respectively.

Malignant schwannoma associated with xeroderma pigmentosum in a patient belonging to complementation group D

A 43-year-old man with xeroderma pigmentosum, XP97TO, was allocated to complementation group D. He had had moderate photosensitivity at age 1 year and freckles by age 6 but no neurologic abnormalities. Nevertheless, his fibroblasts in culture had the XP-D phenotype. They showed a sevenfold hypersensitivity to killing by 254 nm ultraviolet radiation and a diminished level (29%) of unscheduled DNA synthesis. Phototesting revealed delayed maximum erythema at 72 hours after UVB exposure and a lowered minimal erythema dose. Lentigo maligna developed on the patient's face, and a rapidly growing malignant schwannoma was found on the left trigeminal nerve. This may be the first case of a peripheral nervous tissue neoplasm in xeroderma pigmentosum.

Differentiation and maturation of macrophages into interdigitating cells and their multicellular complex formation in the fetal and postnatal rat thymus

Three mouse anti-rat macrophage monoclonal antibodies, TRPM-1, TRPM-2, and TRPM-3, as well as anti-rat Ia monoclonal antibody, were used to study the emergence, differentiation, and maturation of macrophages in the fetal and postnatal rat thymus immunohistochemically and immunoelectron microscopically. At 14 days of gestation, primitive/fetal macrophages entered the thymic primordium and showed Ia expression, where afterwards the epithelial cells also expressed Ia antigens prominently at 15 days of gestation. After 16 days of gestation, differentiation of a subpopulation of primitive/fetal macrophages into interdigitating cells (IDCs) is suggested. From 19 days of gestation, TRPM-1-positive dendritic cells including IDCs started forming multicellular complexes with thymocytes and the epithelial cells also formed similar complexes with thymocytes. One day after birth, TRPM-1 positive IDC-thymocyte complexes distributed throughout the thymic medulla. The number of TRPM-1- and Ia-positive IDCs increased by day, and Langerhans cells (LCs) appeared in the thymic medulla within a few days after birth. By two weeks after birth, the distribution pattern of Ia- and TRPM-1-positive cells became similar to that of adult rats. In ontogeny, intimate cell membrane appositions were frequently observed between thymocytes and Ia-positive epithelial cells or IDCs in the thymic multicellular complexes. These complexes were discriminated into two types; epithelial cell-thymocyte complexes and IDC- or LC-thymocyte ones. In vitro, two types of the thymic nurse cells (TNCs) were identified: epithelial cells and IDCs or LCs. Besides epithelial cells, IDCs or macrophages formed rosettes with thymocytes. These TNCs and rosettes in vitro seem to correspond to the thymic multicellular complexes in vivo.

Triggering of the vascular permeability reaction by activation of the Hageman factor-prekallikrein system by house dust mite proteinase

A 30-kilodalton (kDa) proteinase from the house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Df-proteinase) was recently purified (Takahashi et al. (1990) Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol. 91, 80-85). In this paper we detailed the biological activities of the Df-proteinase. The activation of the kinin cascade by Df-proteinase was examined in vitro by using purified guinea pig Hageman factor (HF), prekallikrein (PK) and high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK) and the effect of this proteinase on endogenous human plasma proteinase inhibitors (serpins) and alpha 2-macroglobulin was tested. In addition, enhancement of the vascular permeability reaction in guinea pig skin by Df-proteinase was examined in vivo. These experiments showed that Df-proteinase could activate all the steps of the kinin-generating cascade, i.e., HF, PK and HMWK, and that Df-proteinase retained proteolytic activity even in the presence of an excess amount of endogenous proteinase inhibitors in plasma. We also found that the marked enhancement of the vascular permeability reaction was induced by Df-proteinase via the activation of the kinin-generating cascade without the release of histamine. From these results, we conclude that the proteinase of the house dust mite, Df-proteinase, has the potential to generate bradykinin and that the presence of this proteinase in biological systems would exacerbate inflammatory reactions in some pathological conditions.

Differential expression of melanoma associated antigens in acral lentiginous melanoma and in nodular melanoma lesions

The reactivity in an avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase reaction with a large panel of anti-human melanoma associated antigen (MAA) and anti-HLA monoclonal antibodies of 24 primary and 11 metastatic acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) lesions was compared to that of 12 primary and 12 metastatic nodular melanoma (NM) lesions. The expression of the membrane bound vitronectin receptor, Mr 110,000 MAA, Mr 97,000 MAA, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was significantly lower in both primary and metastatic ALM lesions than in their NM counterparts. Furthermore, primary ALM lesions displayed a significantly lower expression than primary NM lesions of the membrane bound high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), Mr 110,000 MAA, Mr 100,000 MAA, 9-O-acetyl-GD3, GD2-GD3, and GD2, of the cytoplasmic monoclonal antibody 465.12 defined MAA and of transferrin receptor and of HLA-DQ and DP antigens; ALM metastases expressed a significantly lower level of carcinoembryonic antigen-MAA than NM metastases. These antigenic differences do not reflect an antigenic paucity of ALM cells, since ALM lesions express a higher level of T4-tyrosinase than NM lesions and a level of HLA Class I antigens similar to that of NM lesions. In view of the use of HMW-MAA, Mr 97,000 MAA, and GD3 in immunoscintigraphy and/or in immunotherapy, it is noteworthy that the three antigens are expressed in a similar high percentage of ALM metastases and of primary and metastatic NM lesions, while the HMW-MAA is expressed in a markedly lower percentage of primary ALM lesions than Mr 97,000 MAA and GD3. However, the degree of heterogeneity of HMW-MAA within a positive primary ALM lesion, as measured by the percentage of stained melanoma cells, is lower than that of Mr 97,000 MAA and GD3. The expression of the antigens investigated in ALM and NM lesions was not correlated with the presence of lymphocyte infiltrates, melanin content of melanoma cells, and epithelioid and spindle type of melanoma cells in the lesions. On the other hand, the survival of patients with ALM was inversely correlated with the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 or HMW-MAA in their primary lesions. A potential role of HMW-MAA in the course of the disease is suggested by its significantly higher expression in metastatic than in primary ALM lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Expression of blood group-related antigens Lewis A, Lewis B, CA 19-9, and sialyl SSEA-1 in normal human skin in comparison with the patient's blood type]

Blood Group related antigens Lewis A, Lewis B, CA 19-9, and sialyl SSEA-1 were examined in normal human skin and oral mucosa, using monoclonal antibodies to the respective antigen immunohistochemically. These antigens were not expressed on normal keratinocytes but Lewis A and Lewis B were expressed on oral mucous epithelium. Lewis A, Lewis B, and CA 19-9 were expressed clearly on intraepidermal and dermal eccrine duct, but sialyl SSEA-1 was poorly expressed in some cases. In secreting portion of eccrine gland, Lewis A was expressed in 20%, Lewis B was expressed in 70%, and CA 19-9 was expressed in 10%, and sialyl SSEA-1 was expressed weakly in 20% of cases. It's noteworthy that sialyl SSEA-1 was expressed on dendritic cell in epidermis and some infiltrated small round cell in dermis. There is no correlation between patient's peripheral blood type (Lewis) and expression of Lewis antigen in normal skin.

Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity on the tunica adventitia of intramuscular blood vessels in childhood muscular dystrophies

Muscle tissues from cases of childhood neuromuscular disorders were examined immunohistochemically and immunoelectrophoretically using a monoclonal antibody against the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). Strong NGFR immunoreactivity on the tunica adventitia of blood vessels and proliferating peripheral nerve endings in biopsied muscle specimens from muscular dystrophy patients was observed, but it was almost completely absent in specimens from non-diagnostic controls and cases of other neuromuscular disorders. This suggests a process in the sympathetic nervous system involving blood vessels in muscular dystrophies. Immunoblot analysis failed to show a band corresponding to 70-75 kd, the reported molecular size of the NGFR, but showed a clear band corresponding to 25 kd in muscular dystrophy patients, which is assumed to be a detached amino-terminal domain of the NGFR.

'Cystic papilloma' in humans? Demonstration of human papillomavirus in plantar epidermoid cysts

Fourteen cases of plantar epidermoid cyst were studied immunohistochemically and five of them were also studied electron microscopically for the presence of human papillomavirus. In eleven cases, the test results were positive for papillomavirus antigens, and in five of them, papillomaviruslike particles were observed by electron microscopy. Histological examination showed most of the cysts to contain intracytoplasmic eosinophilic bodies in cells of the cyst wall as well as the vacuolar structures in the keratinous mass within the cavity. These findings suggest an etiologic association between the papillomavirus and plantar epidermoid cysts. The "cystic papilloma" produced in rabbits by the Shope papillomavirus has been clearly demonstrated. We propose that human papillomaviruses play an important role in the genesis of plantar epidermoid cysts. This is the first report on the possible existence of a cystic papilloma in humans.