The possible role of TNF-α and IL-2 in inducing tumor-associated metabolic alterations

This study was conducted to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in inducing cancer cachexia, and the results were compared with those obtained from our previous study on Fisher 344 rats with methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma. Three groups of male Fisher 344 rats received one of the following regimens: 4×10⁴ IU of human recombinant TNF- per rat per day subcutaneously (sc) for 5 consecutive days (n=5), 3.5×10⁵ U human recombinant IL-2 per rat per day sc for 14 consecutive days (n=5), or normal saline (n=5). The activities of both phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and malic enzyme (ME) were increased slightly in the IL-2 group. Furthermore, LPL activity was significantly increased in the adipose tissue of the TNF group and in the cardiac muscle of the IL-2 group, but not in that of the TNF group. These results show that there is a significant difference between the metabolic alterations seen in the tumor-bearing state and those induced by either TNF- or IL-2 alone. Thus, it is unlikely that IL-2 or TNF- is the sole mediator of cancer cachexia in this tumor and rat model.     

The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of protease inhibitors on platelet aggregation and cellular synthesis of prostaglandins. I. The effect on the release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids

The inhibitory effect of proteinase inhibitors on platelet aggregation was investigated. The proteinase inhibitors tested were SBTI, leupeptin and FOY (a synthetic proteinase inhibitor). Also, synthetic substrates for serine proteinases (TLME, ATEE) were tested. They completely inhibited the secondary aggregation of platelets induced by ADP or epinephrine. They also completely inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen or thrombin. The aggregation induced by arachidonic acid was completely inhibited by all the proteinase inhibitors and synthetic substrates. The aggregation induced by Ca ionophore A 23187 was completely inhibited by leupeptin, FOY, TLME or ATEE but not by SBTI. It is generally accepted that platelet prostaglandin metabolism plays an important role in platelet aggregation. As the first step to elucidate the possible mechanism of the inhibitory effect of the proteinase inhibitors, their effect on the release of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids was investigated. The release of arachidonic acid from ¹⁴C-arachidonate incorporated gel filtered platelets (¹⁴C-AA-GFP) by thrombin or A 23187 was directly measured in the presence or absence of a proteinase inhibitor or synthetic substrate, utilizing thin layer chromatography (TLC) and a scintillation counting. The release was almost completely blocked when the aggregation of ¹⁴C-AA-GFP by thrombin or A 23187 was completely inhibited by a proteinase inhibitor or a synthetic substrate.     

Constituents of the chinese crude drug "Sāng-Bái-Pí" (morus root bark)

From the benzene extract of the Chinese crude drug "Sāng-Bái-Pí" (Japanese name Sōhakuhi), the root barks of MORUS sp. (Moraceae), a novel isoprene substituted flavanone derivative, named sanggenon B, was isolated; its structure was shown to be I on the basis of spectral and chemical data. Sanggenon B (I) is regarded biogenetically as a variation of a Diels-Alder adduct of a chalcone derivative and a dehydroprenylflavanone derivative.     

Constituents of the Chinese crude drug "sāng-bái-pí" (Morus root bark)

From the benzene extract of the Chinese crude drug "Sāng-Bái-Pí" (Japanese name Sōhakuhi), the root bark of MORUS sp. (Moraceae), a novel isoprene substituted flavanone, named sanggenon A, was isolated whose structure was shown to be I on the basis of spectral data. A known isoprene substituted flavone derivative, morusin (II), was also obtained from the extract.     

Quality of life (QOL) and nutrition

We thought that nutritional parameters in laboratory data might be able to express quality of life (QOL). Therefore, in 70 patients with malignant chest diseases (NSCLC, 42 patients; SCLC, 15; lung metastasis, 7; others, 6), the correlation between nutritional parameters of total protein (Tp), serum albumin (Alb), and serum (cholinesterase (ChE] and Karnofsky Performance Status scale (KPS) was investigated. Then, in 24 patients with them (NSCLC, 12; SCLC, 6; lung metastasis, 4; others 2), Alb and ChE were compared to the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Lung Cancer-Specific Questionnaire Module (QS). Results were as follows: 1) KPS and nutritional parameters correlated (Tp. r = 0.55, p less than 0.001; Alb, r = 0.60, p less than 0.001, ChE, r = 0.60; p less than 0.001). 2) The cores for Functional Status (FS) and Disease and Treatment-related symptoms (Sym) in QS and parameters of Alb and ChE correlate (FS v.s. Alb, p less than 0.01; Sym v.s. Alb, p less than 0.01; FS v.s. ChE, p less than 0.05; and Sym v.s. ChE, p less than 0.05). Moreover, the scores of Psychological Distress in QS and Alb showed a correlation (p less than 0.05). It is considered that nutrition and part of QOL (KPS and FS + Sym in QS, that is to say, "objective" functional activity and "subjective" functional activity and symptoms) correlate, and that nutritional parameters are useful to evaluate QOL.     

Refilling the lens with an inflatable endocapsular balloon: surgical procedure in animal eyes

In this report we describe the surgical details involved in refilling the lenses of 13 rabbit and 3 primate eyes using an inflatable endocapsular balloon to restore accommodation. The procedure involves endocapsular phacoemulsification through a small buttonhole or dumbbell anterior capsulotomy or minicircular capsulotomy and the simultaneous preservation of capsular integrity, including the zonules and ciliary muscles. An inflatable balloon made of thin silicone membrane is then inserted into the empty capsular bag. A liquid silicone polymer is injected into the balloon through a delivery tube, and the empty capsular bag is refilled by the inflated balloon. The procedure was found to be reproducible, and an accommodation of 6 D was confirmed in one primate eye. Capsular opacification occurred, but the proliferation and migration of residual lens epithelial cells could be hindered by abundant refilling. This lens-refilling technique may provide restoration of accommodation in future cataract surgery. Offprint requests to: O. Nishi     

The increase of cardiac beta 1-subtype of beta-adrenergic receptors in adult rats following neonatal 6-hydroxydopa treatment

An analysis of Hofstee plots of specific [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding in the presence of various concentrations of practolol showed that KD and Bmax in beta 1-subtype adrenoceptors were 19.2-fold lower and 2.76-fold higher than those in beta 2-subtype in adult rat hearts, respectively. Neonatal treatment with 6-hydroxydopa produced a significant increase only in Bmax in beta 1-adrenoceptors without changing Bmax and KD in beta 2-receptors. "Up' regulation in the density of beta 2-type of adrenoceptors seems to be caused by the 6-hydroxydopa-induced sympathetic lesion.     

Psychological changes of Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel during selection and training for the peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights

We sought to determine whether a selection process for deployment had a measurable effect on psychological symptoms by comparing scores on the Yatabe-Guilford Personality Index, the Manifest Anxiety Scale, and the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire between deployed and nondeployed mission candidates from the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The studies were undertaken in Japan during education and training for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights. The participants included 80 candidates for deployment. Personnel who were not deployed had significantly higher measures of manifest anxiety and general psychological distress than deployed personnel, whereas deployed personnel showed more symptoms suggesting somatization. The selection process and training for deployment appear to have been stressful for all personnel, whether deployed or not.     

Binaural advantage on usage of hearing aid together with cochlear implant--examination on speech perception (Japanese monosyllable word list 67-S and Japanese HINT)]

Six cochlear implant recipients with hearing aids in the opposite ear were studied to survey binaural advantage. They were examined in separate tests by using a hearing aid alone, cochlear implant alone, and by using both devices (bimodal condition). Test items used were the Japanese monosyllable word list 67--S and Japanese HINT. Statistically significantly results were obtained in the bimodal condition, three out of six subjects were successful in the monosyllable word test and all successful in the Japanese HINT. We conclude that all subjects enjoyed binaural advantage in speech perception in bimodal condition with no conflict at the recognition level; even when different sounds from cochlear implant and contralateral hearing aid were received. The plasticity of the brain is thought to be of importance in the bimodal condition.