STUDIES ON PEPTIDES LXXXI. Application of a New Arginine Derivative,NG-Mesitylene-2-Sulfonylarginine,to the Synthesis of Substance P and Neurotensin

A new devised arginine derivative, N^G-mesitylene-2-sulfonylarginine, Arg(Mts), was employed for the synthesis of hypothalamic substance P and neurotensin. The former was obtained in 74% yield by treatment of the protected undecapeptide amide, Z - Arg(Mts) - Pro - Lys(Z) - Pro - Gln - Gln - Phe - Phe - Gly - Leu - Met(O)-NH₂, with methanesulfonic acid in the presence of anisole followed by reduction of the sulfoxide with 2-mercaptoethanol. The latter was obtained in 54% yield by the similar treatment of the protected tridecapeptide ester, Z-Pyr-Leu - Tyr - Glu(OBzl) - Asn - Lys(Z)-Pro-Arg(Mts) - Arg(Mts) - Pro - Tyr-Ile-Leu-OBzl, with methanesulfonic acid. As scavenger, a mixture of anisole-thioanisole-o-cresol (1:1:1, by vol.) was employed to suppress the side reaction, O-mesitylene-2-sulfonation of the Tyr residue.     

Studies on Ectopic ACTH-Producing Tumors: III. An Ectopic Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone: Gel Chromatographic Finding and Time-Lapse Color Change of Frog Skin

On isolation of the main melanocyte-stimulating factor fromthe metastatic liver tumor of islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas,it was found to be a peptide resembling human ß-MSHin the time-lapse skin darkening response of Xenopus frogs,but different in the volume of elution on Sephadex gel chromatography.     

“Para-lesional” Saline Injection Method for Assessment of Small Gastric Cancers by Endoscopic Ultrasonography

Abstract: Accurately diagnosing the depth of invasion in small early gastric cancers is essential for determining whether endoscopic resection of a lesion is indicated. It is often difficult, however, to demonstrate such small lesions by conventional endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) which is considered to be a useful tool for assessing depth of invasion. To facilitate demonstration by EUS, we injected 2-5 ml of saline into the submucosal layer at an appropriate point 1 -2 cm from the lesion. With the collection of saline serving as a guide, the lesion was demonstrable on the same EUS image (“para-lesional” injection method). Using this method, we were able to evaluate all 12 of the small early gastric cancers we examined. Five of these lesions were endoscopically resected uneventfully after EUS examination. The accuracy of the diagnosis of vertical invasion with this method was 83% (10/12). Histologically, fibrotic changes were observed beside the lesion, but no EUS-related effects were recognized beneath the lesion. The present results suggest that the “para-lesional” injection method is useful for assessing small early gastric cancers by conventional EUS.     

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with Behcet's disease

Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) has been described in several clinical settings that can be grouped into three main categories: infections of the lung; haematological malignancies and other conditions that alter the patient's immune status; and exposure to inhaled chemicals and minerals. Recent studies reported that anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibody was present in the serum of patients with idiopathic PAP but not in patients with secondary PAP or in normal subjects. The present report describes the interesting case of a patient with Behcet's disease and PAP. The absence of anti-GM-CSF antibodies in this patient suggested a diagnosis of secondary PAP.     

Low levels of apoptosis and proliferative activity in colorectal villous tumors: Comparison with tubular tumors

In order to clarlfy the cell kinetics of colorectal villous tumors (VT), 21 villous adenomatous areas and 12 carcinomatous areas within villous adenomas were investigated for proliferative activity and apoptosis and compared with a series of 41 tubular tumors (TT), demonstrating elements of intramucosal carcinomas as well as tubular adenomas (so-called carcinoma in tubular adenoma). Proliferation was estimated in terms of KI-67 labeling indices and mitotic indices, and apoptosis was assessed by DNA nick-end labeling to give apoptotic Indices. Apoptotic indices of villous adenomatous and carcinomatous regions were significantly lower than the values for their tubular counterparts. Kl-67 labeling indices were also significantly lower for adenoma components. Apoptotic indices, Ki-67 labeling indices and mitotic Indices increased with atypia raised in tubular adenoma components. Correlations of mitotic indices with apoptotic indices, Ki-67 labeling Indices with apoptotic indices and mitotic Indices with Ki-67 labeling indices were found for each villous tumor group and tubular tumor group, and the apoptosis and proliferation ratios for villous tumors were relatively low, suggesting a tendency for greater growth due to less cell deletion. Although this is only one of the biological features of villous tumor groups, it might play a major role in generation of malignancy.     

Mosaic expression of uncein and 180-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen in generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa

Immunofluorescence microscopy of epidermodermal junction components in serial cryosections from the perilesional skin of a patient with generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa (GABEB) showed broken line-like staining of both BPAG2 (180-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen) and uncein (antigen of 19-DEJ-l monoclonal antibody), whereas integrin α6 and laminin 5 were continuously expressed along the basement membrane zone. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed a mosaic distribution of the BPAG2/uncein positive and negative cells. BPAG2, a candidate protein of GABEB, probably has a close connection with uncein, an anchoring filament component.