Epstein-Barr virus-associated T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is frequently detected in haematological malignancies, including Burkitt's lymphomas/leukaemias, Hodgkin's diseases and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. However, immature T-cell malignancies associated with EBV have not been reported previously. We report a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), whose leukaemic cells had EBV, confirmed by Southern blotting and in situ hybridization. The EBV existed in episomal form and was detected in most leukaemic cells, but not in bystander normal B-cells. The leukaemic cells, massively infiltrated into the liver and spleen, were resistant to chemotherapy. EBV might be associated with tumorigenesis of T-ALL, and characteristic clinical features of the patient.     

No association between HER-2 gene polymorphism at codon 655 and a risk of bladder cancer

The amplification and overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene HER-2 (also known as c-erb-B2 or neu) have been shown to be associated with bladder cancer and its progression. Recent studies indicated an association between the Ile to Val polymorphism at codon 655 of HER-2 and susceptibility to breast cancer. To investigate the correlation between the Ile/Val polymorphism and the susceptibility and progression of bladder cancer, we analyzed the polymorphism in 232 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and 408 normal controls. The frequencies of the Ile/Ile, Ile/Val and Val/Val genotype were 75.9%, 21.6% and 2.6%, respectively, in patients with bladder cancer and 75.7%, 23.0% and 1.2%, respectively, in controls. Statistical analyses of the genotype prevalence showed no significant difference between bladder cancer patients and normal controls (p = 0.419). Moreover, no significant differences in the genotype prevalence were observed when the patients were stratified according to the tumor grade, stage and smoking habits. When the Ile/Ile genotype was compared to the Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes, a significant difference was found only between the patients with tumor stage Ta and those with T1-4 (age, gender and smoking habits-adjusted odds ratio = 2.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.09-4.15, p = 0.027). When the Ile/Ile + Ile/Val genotypes compared to the Val/Val genotype, no significant findings were observed. These results suggested that the HER-2 polymorphism at codon 655 is unlikely to be associated with the onset of bladder cancer. Furthermore, the findings suggest no association between this polymorphism and the disease progression in bladder cancer, although the possibility remains that the Ile/Ile genotype may be related to an increased risk of disease progression.     

Inhibition by Protein Kinase C Inhibitor of Expression of Leukocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 Molecules in Rat Hepatoma AH66F Cells

To examine the mechanism of inhibition by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors of the adhesion of highly malignant hepatoma AH66F cells to the mesentery-derived mesothelial cell (M-cell) layer through leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)/intercellular adhesion molecule-1, the effects of a PKC inhibitor, NA-382, on the expression of LFA-1 molecules in AH66F cells were examined and compared with those in thymocytes from normal rats. NA-382 inhibited the adhesion of AH66F cells to the M-cell layer and the expression of LFA-1 on the membrane of the hepatoma cells after treatment for more than 24 h. It was confirmed that AH66F cells express similar mRNAs for LFA-1 subunits to those of thymocytes, and their levels were also decreased after treatment with NA-382. On the other hand, the LFA-1-mediated adhesion and the expression of both protein and mRNA for LFA-1 subunits in thymocytes were not changed by the PKC inhibitor. These results suggest that the expression of LFA-1 molecules in AH66F cells may be regulated by PKC via quite different mechanisms from those in normal lymphocytes     

Induction of differentiation by wild-type p53 gene in a human glioma cell line

Wild-type human p53 gene was transfected into the human glioma cell line T-98G. Transfectants were then isolated and characterizedfor growth potential and differentiation phenotype. Growth suppression,overexpression of GFAP, and accumulation in G₁phase were more commonly observed in transfectants than inT-98G cells. p21_WAF1/CIP1 wasoverexpressed in transfectants, and the binding of PCNA and CDK 2 top21_WAF1/CIP1 were increased in transfectants. These results suggested the roles of p21_WAF1/CIP1, PCNA,and CDK 2 in regulation of differentiation in glioma cells and the gene transfer of wild-type p53 may be effective forthe control of glial differentiation in glioma cells.     

Family history and the risk of stomach cancer death in Japan: differences by age and gender.

Familial aggregation of stomach cancer has long been observed. The effect on disease risk of family history and its magnitude according to the type of affected relatives, however, is not well known. We conducted a prospective analysis using the JACC study (Japan Collaborative Cohort Study For Evaluation of Cancer Risk, sponsored by Monbusho) data. During the follow-up period, 662 stomach cancer deaths were documented. A positive history of stomach cancer in one or more first-degree relatives was associated with a significantly increased risk of death from the disease in both men (RR 1.60; 95% CI 1.11-2.31) and women (RR 2.47; 95% CI 1.50-4.06). In the subanalysis stratified by age, the association between positive family history and stomach cancer was stronger in the age group from 40-59 (RR 2.62; 95% CI 1.34-5.11 for men and RR 5.88; 95% CI 2.70-12.82 for women) than in the age group from 60-79 (RR 1.31; 95% CI 0.84-2.05 for men and RR 1.44; 95% CI 0.72-2.88 for women). In the age group from 40-59, men with father's history and women with mother's and sister's history of the disease had a significantly increased risk (RR 3.14; 95% CI 1.51-6.55, RR 10.46; 95% CI 4.54-24.12, RR 13.39; 95% CI 3.89-46.12, respectively). When 2 or more family members were affected, the increment in the risk was prominent especially in women (RR 9.45; 95% CI 4.46-20.05). These results suggest the existence of a certain subtype of stomach cancer that is inherited more often by women from one generation to the next in gender-influenced fashion. Any preventive strategy should take into account the degree of individual susceptibility.     

Clinical study of surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: Open versus endoscopic technique

Twenty-six patients (30 hands) who underwent endoscopic carpal tunnel release were physically examined and asked to complete questionnaires on their symptoms, functional limitations and satisfaction. Their mean grip strength improved considerably from 17.5 kg before the operation to 31.3 kg at the final follow-up. Symptoms at the final follow-up were hypesthesia in 9 hands, muscle atrophy in 10, positive Tinel sign in 3, and positive Phalen sign in 1. The mean symptom severity score improved from 3.01 before the operation to 1.44 at the final follow-up and the mean functional status score improved from 3.20 to 1.54. The average times to return to activities of daily living and work were 7.3 days and 18.4 days respectively. Twenty-two of the 26 patients (85%) were satisfied. There was no injury to neurovascular structures. Arterial injuries were prevented by marking the superficial palmar arch and ulnar artery with a Doppler ultrasonic hemodrometer before surgery.     

Full Participation and Equality in Japanease Education Today and in Future1

The National Law for Special Education in 1979 unfortunately enforces the segregation of the handicapped children. Many new private trials, however, have shown that integration is very important for the handicapped children. They also have proved that integration is much easier than has been thought. Some of these trials are reviewed with our case reports and the new approach requested is discussed.     

Quantitative approach to the histopathology of the biopsied right ventricular myocardium in patients with diabetes mellitus

For the purpose of studying the clinicopathology of the biopsied myocardium in patients with diabetes mellitus, the diameter of right ventricular myocardial cells and diffuse perimysial fibrosis of biopsied myocardium were measured quantitatively. Seven healthy controls and nine diabetic patients without hypertension or coronary arterial disease were subjected to this study. The degree of diabetic complications was mild to moderate. The diameter of myocardial cells was measured and the degree of diffuse perimysial fibrosis was assessed by the point-counting method using a square grid, in which the distance between the points was 10 micron. Over 2000 points which lay on the longitudinally cut myocardial cells and on the interstitial fibrosis stained by the Mallory-Azan method were measured. Percentage fibrosis was calculated according to the formula: percentage fibrosis = (points lying on the interstitial fibrosis)/[(points lying on the myocardial cell) + (points lying on the interstitial fibrosis)] X 100. The results were as follows. The mean diameter of right ventricular myocardial cells in patients with diabetes mellitus was significantly larger than that of controls (P less than 0.01). The percentage fibrosis of diabetic patients was significantly higher than that of controls (P less than 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the histopathological measurements and clinical features. It is concluded that hypertrophy of myocardial cells and interstitial fibrosis of the myocardium exist even in mild diabetes mellitus.     

A randomized controlled study of immunochemotherapy with OK-432 after curative surgery for gastric cancer

The effect of adjuvant immunochemotherapy including OK-432 (Picibanil) on survival was assessed in patients who underwent curative resection of gastric cancer. Patients enrolled in this randomized controlled study were randomly assigned to group A or group B. Group A patients received 800 mg/d 5'-DFUR (Furtulon) for 2 years from 2 weeks after the operation. Group B patients received OK-432 plus 5'-DFUR by the same regimen as in group A. This study enrolled 288 patients, and 1 patient with malignant lymphoma was excluded. Among the remaining 287 patients, 143 and 144 were allocated to group A and group B, respectively, and their data were included in statistical analysis. The 5-year survival rates for groups A and B were 62.9% and 63.8%, respectively, showing no significant difference (P = 0.7996).     

Vestibular compensation in glutamate receptor delta-2 subunit knockout mice: dynamic property of vestibulo-ocular reflex

The delta-2 subunit of the glutamate receptor delta subfamily is selectively localised in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Delta-2 knock-out mice have defects in Purkinje cell synapse formation, as well as cerebellar long- term depression. In order to elucidate the roles of neural transmission around Purkinje cells in vestibular compensation, the gain and phase of the vestibulo-ocular reflex were measured before and after unilateral vestibular deafferentiation in delta-2 knock-out mice. After unilateral injury of the inner ear, gain decreased and then recovered in both knock-out mice and wild-type mice. However, recovery of VOR gain after unilateral vestibular deafferentiation was slower in knock-out mice than in wild-type mice. The knock-out mice displayed lower VOR gain than wild-type mice during the period between the 1st and the 2nd postoperative weeks. The results suggest that the cerebellum is necessary for augmentation of vestibulo-ocular reflex gain during the partially compensated stage of vestibular compensation after unilateral vestibular deafferentiation.Abbreviations VOR Vestibulo-ocular reflex - UVD Unilateral vestibular deafferentiation - GluR delta-2 Delta-2 subunit of the glutamate receptor delta subfamily - POD Postoperative dayThis study was supported by grants-in-aid from the Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture to N.M. (no. 12671662).