Hair shaft miRNA‐221 levels as a new tumor marker of malignant melanoma

miRNA‐221 (miR‐221) is known to be abnormally expressed in many human cancers. The serum levels of miR‐221 have been reported as a tumor marker for malignant melanoma (MM). We hypothesized that the hair shaft miR‐221 levels may be increased in patients with MM. We therefore assessed the possibility that hair shaft miR‐221 levels could be a marker for MM. The hair shaft miR‐221 levels were significantly higher in patients with MM than controls. The rates of increased hair shaft miR‐221 levels above the cut‐off value were comparable to those of serum 5‐S‐CD, which is a tumor marker commonly used for MM. Measurements of the hair shaft miR‐221 levels could have potential clinical value in the detection of MM. This is the first report investigating the hair shaft levels of an miRNA in patients with MM. Our investigations offer new insight into the relationship between miR‐221 and MM, and may provide a new, non‐invasive way to screen for melanoma.     

Fungal infections in cancer patients: An international autopsy survey

In an attempt to estimate the frequency of fungal infections among cancer patients, a survey of autopsy examinations was conducted in multiple institutions in Europe, Japan and Canada. Fungal infections were identified most often in leukemic patients and transplant recipients (25 % each). Fifty-eight percent of fungal infections were caused byCandida spp. and 30 % byAspergillus spp. There was considerable variability in the frequency of fungal infections in different countries. Nevertheless, this study clearly demonstrates that fungal infections represent a common complication in cancer patients, especially in patients with leukemia.     

Seasonal variation in sweating responses of older and younger men

Eight older (60–65 years) and six younger (20–25 years) men were exposed to a standard heat stress for 60 min in summer, autumn, winter, and spring. The test consisted of placing the lower legs and feet in a 42°C water bath while sitting in constant environmental conditions (30°C and 45% relative humidity). The increase of rectal temperature (T _re) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in autumn, winter, and spring than in summer for the older group, but significantly greater only in winter than in summer for the younger group (P < 0.05). The T _re was greater for the older group in all seasons, but of significance only in autumn and spring (P < 0.01). There were no significant season-related differences for metabolic heat production (m) and mean skin temperature ( _sk) during the heat test in the respective groups, although the m and _sk were lower for the older group in all seasons (P < 0.01). In the older group total body sweating rate (m_sw) divided by T _re (total m_sw/T _re) decreased from summer to winter (P < 0.02) and did not differ between winter and spring, whereas total m_sw/T _re in the younger group increased in spring after decreasing from autumn to winter (P < 0.03). The variations of the value, local sweating rate on the back and thigh divided by T _re (back m_sw/T _re and thigh m_sw/T _re), were similar to those of the total m_sw/T _re in each group, except for back m_sw/T _re in the younger group, which did not increase from winter to spring. The total m_sw/T _re, back m_sw/T _re and thigh m_sw/T _re were significantly less for the older group in summer, autumn and spring (P < 0.05). The range of seasonal variations was significantly less for the older group (P < 0.001). The results indicated that, compared with younger men in older men, the enhancement of sweating function toward summer occurred later and its reduction toward winter occurred earlier despite a smaller range of seasonal variation and that older men had a somewhat lesser capability to maintainT _re when challenged by heat stress in all seasons.     

Cloned Th cells confer eosinophilic inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness

BACKGROUND: The essential role of Th cells and T cell cytokines in eosinophilic inflammation has been established. METHODS: To determine whether Th cells are sufficient for the development of airway eosinophilic inflammation, ovalbumin-reactive murine Th clones were established and infused into unprimed mice. RESULTS: Eosinophilic infiltration into the lung was induced upon antigen inhalation in parallel with the rise in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) eosinophil peroxidase activity. Neither IgG, IgA, nor IgE antibodies were present in this model. Pathological examination showed swelling and desquamation of epithelial cells, mucous plugs, and goblet cell hyperplasia, all of which well resemble human asthma. Fluorescent probe labeled Th clones migrated into the lung prior to the eosinophil accumulation. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was clearly induced upon antigen inhalation. Anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody abrogated the responses. Dexamethasone and cyclosporin A suppressed cytokine production by Th cells both in vitro and in vivo, BALF eosinophilia, and BHR. The number of eosinophils recovered in the BALF correlated with the intensity of BHR. CONCLUSION: The results clearly indicated that monoclonal Th cells are sufficient for the development of both airway eosinophilia and BHR. Agents capable of downregulating IL-5 production seem promising for the treatment of bronchial asthma.     

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF PANCREATOBLASTOMA

Three cases of pancreatoblastoma in children were examined immunohis-tochemically and the results were compared with those of pancreatic duct carcinoma in adults. The pancreatoblastoma demonstrated positive reactions to α-fetoprotein (AFP) (67%: 2/3), α-1-antitrypsin (AAT) (100%: 3/3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (67% : 2/3) and keratin (33% : 1/3), although CEA was only weakly positive in both cases. On the other hand, adult pancreatic duct carcinoma showed positive reactions as follows; AFP: 3% (1/29), AAT: 21% (6/29), CEA: 97% (28/29) and keratin: 93% (27/29). Also, endocrine substances including insulin, glucagon and somatostatin were all negative in the pancreatoblastomas. Two cases of pancreatoblastoma which were immunohistochemically positive for AFP also showed elevation of the serum AFP level clinically. The different expressive pattern of oncofetal antigens in pancreatoblastoma as compared with pancreatic duct carcinoma in adults may provide further supporting evidence for the embryonic nature of pancreatoblastoma, and suggests that such a pattern might be used as a tumor marker for pancreatoblastoma. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 37 : 1581-1590, 1987.     

Selective regulation of T cell IL-5 synthesis by OM-01, JTE-711 and p38 MAP kinase inhibitor: independent control of Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5

BACKGROUND: Helper T cells are involved in chronic eosinophilic inflammation. Control of cytokine production seems to be an effective management. METHODS: The effect of nonactin, SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, and JTE-711 on the cytokine production of allergen-specific T cell clones was determined. The effect of nonactin on the airway eosinophilia was investigated using murine asthma model. RESULTS: Nonactin suppressed IL-5 synthesis by human Th cells in a dose-dependent manner without affecting IL-2 or IL-4 synthesis, and still significantly suppressed murine airway eosinophilia induced by the antigen inhalation. SB203580 and JTE-711 also selectively inhibited IL-5 synthesis in vitro. CONCLUSION: Synthesis of IL-5 by human Th cells can be differentially regulated from that of other major T cell cytokines. The in vivo effects of selective IL-5 synthesis inhibitors suggest that IL-5 is the reasonable target for the regulation of allergic disorders accompanied by eosinophilic inflammation.     

Cloning and sequencing of cDNAs corresponding to mite major allergen Der f II

A cDNA library corresponding to mite protein was screened employing anti-Der f II antibody. Two possible clones were obtained, which contained plasmids, pFL1 and pFL11, respectively. Both plasmids had insertions of about 500 base pairs. The DNA sequences of the two insertions were determined, from which the amino acid sequences were deduced. The amino acid sequence of the purified native Der f II protein could be determined to 45 residues from the N-terminus. As a result of comparison, we concluded that the cDNAs prepared from live mite Dermatophagoides farinae corresponded to the mite allergen, Der f II.     

A case of food-dependent-exercise induced anaphylaxis possibly induced by shellfish (Sulculus Supertexta and Turbo Cornutus)

A 17 years old girl experienced an anaphylactic reaction of urticaria, dyspnea, syncope and hypotension while riding a bicycle 55 minutes after eating shellfish Lapas shellfish which was a-like Sulculus Supertexta (SS). She recovered within several hours after the emergency treatment. Another attack occurred 3 months later while she was running with a dog 30 minutes after eating shellfish (Turbo Cornutus; TC). RAST scores were 4 for Lapas and 2 for TC. RAST inhibition test by ELISA showed a high crose-reaction between keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and Lapas, and between KLH and TC, while the cross reaction between Lapas and TC was low. Gel chromatography with sephacryl G-200 revealed that both Lapas and TC had several allergens with different molecules which were detected by ELISA. Exercise challenge produced an immediate fall of FEV1 and a significant increase in plasma histamine levels for 45 minutes.     

Mouse Colon Carcinoma Cells Established for High Incidence of Experimental Hepatic Metastasis Exhibit Accelerated and Anchorage-Independent Growth

Highly metastatic variants of mouse colon 38 colon carcinoma cells were established by repeated selection in vivo for liver metastasis and designated as SL4 cells. The SL4 cells formed colonies in the liver of 100% of syngenic mice when injected intrasplenically, while the incidence of liver metastasis was 27% of mice injected with parental cells. The weight of livers, which is an indicator of experimental hepatic metastasis formation, was significantly higher after intrasplenic injection and subsequent splenoctomy with SL4 cells than colon 38 cells. The incidence of hepatic metastasis after intracecal injection of SL4 cells was significantly higher than that of colon 38 cells. The SL4 cells were tested in vitro for their properties. Differences were not detected in the motility and invasive behavior between colon 38 cells and SL4 cells. SL4 cells showed a higher proliferation rate than colon 38 cells under adherent conditions. SL4 cells maintained a capacity to proliferate under non-adherent conditions whereas parental cells did not. SL4 cells should be a useful tool to study the mechanism of hepatic metastasis of colon carcinoma cells and to develop methods to prevent hepatic metastasis.