H-2 haplotype-dependent serum IL-12 production in tumor-bearing mice treated with various mycelial extracts

IL-12 is considered to be one of the most important cytokines in anti-cancer therapy. We have demonstrated that substances derived from Basidiomycetes, such as active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC) and PSK induce the production of IL-12. In this study, the MHC dependency of IL-12 production induced by various mycelial extracts, PSK, AHCC and IL-X, was examined. During tumor-bearing, higher serum IL-12 levels were observed in H-2a and H-2b mice as compared to H-2d mice. Concerning the effect of genetic background of mice on response to mycelial extracts, AHCC administration enhanced the serum IL-12 level in H-2b mice but not in H-2d mice, while PSK administration increased the serum IL-12 level in H-2d mice but not in H-2b mice. IL-X, components derived from the same Basidiomycetes, also enhanced the serum IL-12 level in H-2b mice in the early stage of tumor like AHCC, and maintained serum IL-12 at a level higher than the normal value accompanying tumor growth, whereas AHCC did not restore the lowered serum IL-12 level accompanying tumor growth. These results showed that AHCC or IL-X is effective in a genetically Th1-dominant individual whereas PSK is effective in a genetically Th2-dominant individual or Th2-dominant status in advanced cancer patients. So we propose that the suitable combinations of various mycelial extracts may be effective methods of endogenous IL-12 induction for cancer patients of all stages, which is important as a cancer therapy that is relatively free from adverse reactions and which emphasizes the QOL in individual patients.     

A case of mesothelial cyst at the inguinal region

A 54-year-old man presented with the left inguinal swelling. The operation was performed with diagnosis of the hydrocele of spermatic cord. A tumor was 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm in size, cystic with yellowish serous fluid. After the operation, this tumor is diagnosed as mesothelial cyst through the histopathologic examination. This is a rare case, however it is worth to consider that there is a possibility to be a mesothelial cyst when the tumor has been found at the inguinal region.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane-type macroazo initiators for block copolymerization

The use of dipropylene glycol in the polyaddition of 2,2′-azobis(2-cyanopropanol) (ACP) with hexamethylene diisocyanate results in soluble polyurethane-type macroazo initiators (PUMAI) in high yields. By adjusting the amount of ACP used, the number-average molecular weight of the polyurethane segments was adjusted in the range from 2000 to 6000 at an azo content in the PUMAI's of 0,18 to 0,5 mmol/g-polymer (determined by UV). ¹³C NMR spectroscopy of the PUMAI's showed that no significant decomposition of azo groups occurred during polyaddition. At 80°C the PUMAI's initiated effectively the radical solution polymerization of vinyl monomers. As supposed from extraction results and the polymerization mechanism, block copolymers are formed. The whole process seems to be adequate for industrial applications.     

Eye-concentrated distribution of dexamethasone carried by sugar-chain modified liposome in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis mice

Corticosteroid is generally accepted as a standard therapeutic agent for active inflammatory (and) autoimmune eye diseases. In an attempt to develop a system to deliver corticosteroid most efficiently to the target eye, a sialyl-Lewis X (sLe(x))-conjugated liposome was adopted as a candidate for a carrier of dexamethasone (Dexa) and tissue distribution of intravenous Dexa with the modified liposome as well as Dexa alone as control was studied in normal and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) mice. Intravenous Dexa (1 mg) was widely distributed in all the tissues (eye, brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and intestine) examined in similar manner in both mice and Dexa concentration was lowest in the eye except the brain. The tissue concentrations of Dexa in EAU group were all significantly lower than those in the corresponding tissues in normal group. Intravenous Dexa (2 microg) in the modified liposome was almost concentrated to the eye in EAU mice, reaching 13.84 ng/mg tissue in contrast to 2.34 ng/mg tissue in Dexa (1 mg) alone administered EAU mice. In normal mice, Dexa was undetectable in any tissues examined and thus the effect of the modified liposome was not observed. The result supported the potentiality of sLe(x)-conjugated liposome for target-delivering of corticosteroid to inflamed eye.     

Elevated cholecystokinin-like activity in the duodenal mucosa in patients with cholecystolithiasis

Cholecystokinin (CCK)-like activities in the duodenal mucosa of the patients with cholecystolithiasis were determined with the bioassay method we established. The results obtained are as follows: The gall bladder of the patients with cholecystolithiasis following oral administration of egg yolk has contraction rates comparable to those of the normal subjects in the control group, whereas the contraction rate of the gall bladder of the patients with cholecystolithiasis following administration of caerulein was markedly lower than that of the normal subjects in the control group. The variations in the contraction of the gall bladder in time lapse following administration of caerulein to the patients with cholecystolithiasis strongly denied the possibility of either insufficient release of CCK or accelerated dissimilation of CCK in those patients. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that the sensitivity of the gall bladder to CCK decreases in the patients with cholecystolithiasis and that, in order to replenish it, the feed-back mechanism reacts to sufficiently promote the production of CCK in the duodenal mucosa. The similar mechanism was noted in the variations of the findings of normal subjects as age advanced.     

Clathrin heavy chain is a useful immunohistochemical marker for esophageal squamous intraepithelial neoplasia

Background

Recent advances in the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer have facilitated the detection and treatment of minute tumors, necessitating the accurate histopathological diagnosis of early esophageal cancer or precancerous lesions. This study evaluated the usefulness of immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of clathrin heavy chain (CHC) as a marker for early esophageal cancer.

Methods

The immunoreactivity of CHC was analyzed in 409 esophageal specimens using a tissue array. Immunoreactivities of CHC, p53, and Ki67 were then compared in 44 endoscopically resected specimens.

Results

CHC expression was significantly stronger in the cytoplasm of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas compared with non-tumor specimens in the tissue array. CHC expression in endoscopic specimens was significantly stronger in the cytoplasm of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias and superficial carcinomas than in benign squamous epithelium and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasias. The sensitivity and specificity of CHC for the diagnosis of esophageal lesions were 75 and 96 %, respectively. These accuracies were comparable with those of p53 (43 and 98 %) and Ki67 (68 and 100 %). In addition, the sensitivity was increased by using a combination of markers as follows: 80 %, CHC + p53; 78 %, CHC + Ki67; 90 %, CHC + p53 + Ki67.

Conclusions

CHC detected by IHC may be a useful marker for the pathological diagnosis of esophageal squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.     

Sonographic diagnosis of biliary atresia in pediatric patients using the "triangular cord" sign versus gallbladder length and contraction

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective review was performed to evaluate the importance of the "triangular cord" sign in comparison with gallbladder length and contraction for the diagnosis of biliary atresia in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five fasting infants with cholestatic jaundice were examined on sonography. The examinations focused on the visualization of the triangular cord sign and assessment of gallbladder length and contraction. The diagnosis of neonatal hepatitis or of other causes of infantile cholestasis was made if symptom resolution occurred during follow-up. RESULTS: A triangular cord sign was found in 27 of 29 infants with biliary atresia and in one of 26 infants with neonatal hepatitis or other causes of infantile cholestasis. The diagnostic accuracy was 95%, sensitivity was 93%, and specificity was 96%. The gallbladder was thought to be abnormal if it was less than 1.5 cm long, was not detectable, or was detectable but had no lumen. The gallbladder was abnormal in 21 of 29 infants with biliary atresia, whereas it was abnormal in eight of 26 infants with neonatal hepatitis or other causes of infantile cholestasis. The diagnostic accuracy was 71%, sensitivity was 72%, and specificity was 69%. The gallbladder was detectable on sonography in 13 infants with biliary atresia and 26 infants with neonatal hepatitis or other causes of infantile cholestasis. Gallbladder contraction was not confirmed in 11 of 13 infants with biliary atresia and seven of 26 infants with neonatal hepatitis or other causes of infantile cholestasis. The diagnostic accuracy was 77%, sensitivity was 85%, and specificity was 73%. CONCLUSION: The triangular cord sign was a more useful sonographic finding for diagnosing biliary atresia than gallbladder length and contraction.     

Effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on bone consolidation on distraction osteogenesis: a preliminary study in rabbit mandibles.

AIM: To examine the effectiveness of administering recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in distraction osteogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one mature male Japanese white rabbits underwent unilateral mandibular osteotomy. After 5 days, the osteotomized mandibles were distracted 1mm/day for 10 days. On the first day (groups A-1 [n=4] and A-2 [n=4]) or on the last day (group B [n=5]) of distraction, rhBMP-2 mixed with collagen gel was injected into the distraction zone. In control groups (groups C-1 [n=4] and C-2 [n=4]), the mandibles were distracted without rhBMP-2 injection. At the end of the distraction period (groups A-1 and C-1) and after 2 weeks of consolidation (groups A-2, B, and C-2), the distracted mandibles were harvested and examined with soft radiographs, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), and microscopy. RESULTS: Radioopacity was more marked in the distraction zone of the groups with rhBMP-2 than in control groups. The mineral density of the cortical bone (BMD) was higher in groups B and A-2 than in group C-2. Histologically, bone formation was more advanced in groups A-2 and B than in group C-2. The cortical BMD was higher in group A-1 than in group C-1. Histologically, bone formation was more advanced in groups A-2 and B than in group C-2. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that rhBMP-2 promotes bone formation in distraction osteogenesis.