Differential Cross Section and Photon-Beam Asymmetry for the γ[over →]p → π

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7

Spin-density matrix elements for γp→K*0Σ+ at Eγ=1.85-3.0 GeV with evidence for the κ(800) meson exchange.

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

Near-threshold Lambda(1520) production by the gamma(p)-->K{+}Lambda(1520) reaction at forward K+ angles.

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the gamma(p)-->K{+}Lambda(1520) reaction have been measured with linearly polarized photon beams at energies from the threshold to 2.4 GeV at 0.6or=5/2 or by a new reaction process, for example, an interference effect with the phi photoproduction having a similar bump structure in the cross sections.

DNA replication errors produced by the replicative apparatus of Escherichia coli.

It has been hard to detect forward mutations generated during DNA synthesis in vitro by replicative DNA polymerases, because of their extremely high fidelity and a high background level of pre-existing mutations in the single-stranded template DNA used. Using the oriC plasmid DNA replication in vitro system and the rpsL forward mutation assay, we examined the fidelity of DNA replication catalyzed by the replicative apparatus of Escherichia coli. Upon DNA synthesis by the fully reconstituted system, the frequency of rpsL-mutations in the product DNA was increased to 1.9x10(-4), 50-fold higher than the background level of the template DNA. Among the mutations generated in vitro, single-base frameshifts predominated and occurred with a pattern similar to those induced in mismatch-repair deficient E. coli cells, indicating that the major replication error was slippage at runs of the same nucleotide. Large deletions and other structural alterations of DNA appeared to be induced also during the action of the replicative apparatus.

Autoradiographic studies using L-[(14)C]DOPA and L-DOPA reveal regional Na(+)-dependent uptake of the neurotransmitter candidate L-DOPA in the CNS.

We previously proposed that L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is a neurotransmitter in the CNS. Receptor and transporter molecules for L-DOPA, however, have not been determined. In the present study, in order to localize the uptake sites of L-DOPA in the CNS, we performed autoradiographic uptake studies using L-[14C]DOPA and L-[3H]DOPA in the uptake study on rat brain slice preparations, and further analyzed the properties of L-DOPA uptake. Image analysis of the L-[14C]DOPA autoradiogram showed a unique heterogeneous distribution of uptake sites in the brain. The intensity was relatively high in the cerebral cortex, the hypothalamus, the cerebellum and the hippocampus, while the density was moderate or even low in the striatum and the substantia nigra. L-DOPA and phenylalanine, but not dopamine (10mM) were able to almost completely inhibit the uptake of L-[14C]DOPA to basal levels. Microautoradiographic studies using L-[3H]DOPA revealed accumulation of dense grains in the median eminence, the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the cerebral cortex (layer I) and the hippocampus. In the cerebellum, grains formed in clusters surrounding the Purkinje cells. This grain accumulation was concluded to be in Bergmann glial cells, since the morphological pattern of grain accumulation was similar to that of the immunoreactivity of the glutamate aspartate transporter, a marker protein for Bergmann glial cells. In the hippocampus, the grain density significantly decreased under Na(+)-free conditions. In addition, grain density also decreased in the absence of Cl(-). In contrast, grains in the choroid plexus and the ependymal cell layer, were not affected by the absence of Na(+). These findings indicated that the uptake of L-DOPA occurs via various types of large neutral amino acid transport mechanisms. It appears that neuronal and/or glial cells, which take up L-DOPA in a Na(+)-dependent manner, exist in the CNS. Our finding further supports the concept that L-DOPA itself may act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator.

Characteristics of cefdinir uptake by rabbit small intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles.

Aminocephalosporins with peptide-like structures have been shown to be absorbed by the intestinal peptide carrier. We investigated the transport mechanism of cefdinir, an oral monocarboxylic acid cephalosporin, using rabbit small intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles. Transport of cefdinir showed a slow and almost linear uptake rate for concentrations up to 30 mM with and without and inward H+ gradient. No overshoot phenomenon was observed in the presence of an inward H+ gradient. The uptake rate increased only slightly with decreasing extravesicular pH, and a protonophore had little effect on the uptake. Aminocephalosporins such as cephalexin only slightly inhibited cefdinir uptake even in the presence of an inward H+ gradient, and vice-versa. Monocarboxylic acids such as acetic acid and salicylic acid had little effect on cefdinir uptake. These findings suggest that in contrast with other oral cephalosporins cefdinir uptake through the brush-border membrane is slow and involves a mechanism similar to passive diffusion.

A freshwater shrimp (Paratya compressa improvisa) as a sensitive test organism to pesticides.

The susceptibility of 2-week-old individuals of the freshwater shrimp, Paratya compressa improvisa, to five kinds of insecticide and five kinds of herbicide was examined in comparison with that of two species of Cladocera, Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa. The shrimp was especially sensitive to two organophosphorus insecticides. The 48-h LC50 values for fenitrothion and fenthion to the shrimp were 1.15 and 1.04 microg litre(-1) (mean value, n=2), in contrast with 37.8 and 35.3 microg litre(-1) in the case of M. macrocopa, and more than 50 microg litre(-1) with D. magna. The shrimp also showed the higher susceptibility to other insecticides, diazinon, carbaryl (NAC) and BPMC, apart from D. magna to diazinon and NAC. The shrimp also showed higher susceptibility to herbicides. The 48-h LC50 values of CNP, benthiocarb, oxadiazon, butachlor, and symetryne to the shrimp were two to eight times lower than those of two species of Cladocera, except for the LC50 value of oxadiazon to M. macrocopa, which was very slightly higher. However, the shrimp showed a somewhat lower susceptibility to heavy metals than the two species of Cladocera, especially to copper, and to cadmium and zinc in comparison with D. magna. A bioassay using the shrimp with river water, collected from the river adjacent to the paddy field, showed clearly the high mortality of the shrimp following the aerial spraying with pesticides.

[Diffuse stenotic changes in the large intracranial arteries following irradiation therapy for medulloblastoma; case report].

We reported a case of a patient who developed a diffuse stenotic change in the large intracranial arteries and repeated episodes of cerebral infarction after irradiation therapy for medulloblastoma. A three-year-old girl underwent the subtotal removal of cerebellar medulloblastoma and the subsequent irradiation therapy in the whole brain and spine (30 Gy in the whole brain, 20 Gy in the local brain, and 25 Gy in the whole spine). Two years later, she again underwent surgery and irradiation therapy because a recurrence of medulloblastoma had manifested itself in the frontal lobe; (40 Gy in the whole brain, 20 Gy in the local brain, and 25 Gy in the whole spine). One and half years after the second irradiation, she started suffering from frequent and refractory cerebral ischemic attacks. Cerebral angiography revealed a diffuse narrowing, and multifocal stenoses in the bilateral anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Computerized tomography demonstrated multiple cerebral infarctions. Her neurological condition deteriorated because of recurring strokes and she died at ten years of age. Most of the reported cases of patients who developed stenotic arteriopathy were children in the first decade of their life, and who were irradiated for parasellar brain tumor of low malignancy. Stenotic arteriopathy after irradiation has rarely been recognized in patients with malignant brain tumor. However, life expectancy is increasing even for those with malignant brain tumor, and it may make stenotic arteriopathy after irradiation recognized more commonly in patients with malignant brain tumor. Careful irradiation and subsequent angiographical examination should be required even in patients with malignant brain tumor.

[Clinical effects of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) on benign prostatic hyperplasia: preliminary study].

Phytosterol derived from plants has long been used for the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Europe but not in Japan. The efficacy of phytosterol was evaluated in patients with manifestations of urinary outlet obstruction caused by BPH. Phytosterol containing 180 mg of sitosterol per day was given to 12 patients with BPH in two or three divided doses for three months. The symptoms were assessed monthly using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality-of-life (QOL) score while the objective findings including the urinary flow, prostatic volume, and residual urine volume were assessed after three months of treatment of BPH. The IPSS and QOL scores showed significant improvement (p < 0.05), and the peak flow rate and residual urine volume showed slight but not significant improvement.

[A case of transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis with extremely high serum levels of CA19-9 and CEA].

We report a case of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with extremely high serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). A 69-year-old woman was admitted with gross hematuria. Imaging diagnosis revealed a tumor in the left renal pelvis and multiple liver and bone metastases. Serum levels of CA19-9 and CEA were 2,557 U/ml (normal < 36) and 523 ng/ml (normal < 3.8), respectively. She died of cancer progression 3 weeks after admission. An autopsy diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma of the left renal pelvis. No abnormal findings were recognized in the gastrointestinal organs. Cancer cells showed a positive immunohistochemical staining for both CA19-9 and CEA.

[Intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment of recurrent superficial bladder cancer].

A retrospective study was performed to determine the efficacy of intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment for recurrent superficial bladder cancer when compared with no treatment controls. Seventeen patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer received epirubicin (30 mg/40 ml in normal saline) seventeen times after transurethral resection (TUR). Historical controls consist of sixteen patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer who received no adjuvant treatment after TUR. In the epirubicin group, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence free rates were 64.7%, 41.2% and 5.9%, respectively. In controls all of them recurred and 1- and 2-year recurrence free rates were 17.6% and 0%, respectively. The recurrence-free rate was significantly higher in the epirubicin group than in the controls (p < 0.05). We investigated whether intravesical instillation of epirubicin prolonged recurrence-free intervals when compared with recurrence-free intervals without adjuvant treatment after TUR in each patient. The 1- and 2-year recurrence free rates after initial TUR were 25% and 12.5%, respectively, and those with epirubicin treatment after TUR were 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Recurrence-free intervals were significantly prolonged by intravesical instillation of epirubicin as compared with those without adjuvant treatment in each patient. This study demonstrated the efficacy of intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment for superficial recurrent bladder cancer.

[A case of giant transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate].

A 69-year-old man presented with a complaint of pollakisuria, dysuria and anal pain. Digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography and tumor marker of the prostate indicated a giant benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), but urethrocystogram and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate was not typical of BPH. A diagnosis of giant BPH was made by transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate. However, symptoms of dysuria and anal pain became severe and then a catheter was indwelt into his bladder. A biopsy performed, 3 months later revealed transitional cell carcinoma in the specimens, but he suddenly died of pulmonary infarction.

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer].

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (AI) is widely used in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer, but few studies have been reported on its efficacy for superficial bladder cancer. We retrospectively examined the anti-tumor effect and prophylactic effect of AI in 18 cases which were either a case with multiple or extensive tumors which could not be controlled completely by transurethral resection (TUR), a case with grade 3 tumors or a recurrent case after TUR and/or intravesical chemotherapy. Fifty mg of adriamycin and 100 mg of cisplatin were administered into bilateral internal iliac arterys. This treatment was repeated 1-3 times every three weeks. Concerning the anti-tumor effect, 8 showed a complete response, 5 showed partial response and 5 showed no change; the overall response rate (CR + PR) was 72%. Concerning the prophylactic effect, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence-free rates were 58.8%, 41.1% and 32.9%, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of AI in the anti-tumor treatment, but not in the prophylactic treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

[A case of pulmonary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma with complete response to interferon-alpha and tegafur/uracil (UFT) but possibly UFT-induced liver dysfunction and leukoencephalopathy-like symptoms].

A 61-year-old man presented with gross hematuria. He underwent left radical nephrectomy under a diagnosis of left renal cell carcinoma without distant metastasis, but bilateral multiple pulmonary metastases appeared 2.5 months after the operation. Though the metastases responded well to combination therapy of interferon-alpha and a 1:4 mixture of tegafur and uracil (UFT), the side effects of liver dysfunction and leukoencephalopathy-like symptoms due to UFT appeared 7 months after the beginning of the chemotherapy. These side effects were improved after the cessation of UFT administration.

[Establishment of two renal cancer cell lines].

Two renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines, JMSU2 and JMSU3, derived from the primary sites of mixed cell type and spindle cell type RCC, respectively, have been established and maintained for 31 and 22 months. Karyotypic analysis revealed human karyotypes with modal numbers of 84 and 55, respectively. Consistent chromosomal abnormalities were 1p+, 3p-, 6q- or 8p- in the JMSU2 cells and 1p-, inv (5p + q-) or loss of sex chromosome in the JMSU3 cells. Electron microscopy revealed abundant glycogen granules, lipid droplets and microvilli. The JMSU3 cells transplanted to nude mice produced tumors with a spindle cell pattern similar to that of the original tumor. High concentrations of cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (145,000 pg/ml), interleukin-8 (35,300 pg/ml) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (6,340 pg/ml), were detected in the culture supernatant of the JMSU3 cells. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of the JMSU2 and JMSU3 cells in culture. Tumor cytotoxic factor/hepatocyte growth factor (TCF/HGF) dose-dependently enhanced JMSU3 cell proliferation, but suppressed JMSU2 cell proliferation. These findings suggest that IL-1 beta and TCF/HGF have regulatory roles in the proliferation of RCC.

[A case of leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein].

A 54-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of left back pain. She had undergone left mastectomy for breast cancer in 1993 and hysterectomy for cervical cancer in 1997. Excretory urography showed no abnormality in the left collecting system, but right hydronephrosis caused by a midureteral stone. She was treated by transurethral ureterolithotripsy first. Computerized tomography showed a 4 x 3 cm. mass enhanced slightly by contrast medium at the left renal hilus. The tumor was bordered laterally by the left kidney and posteriorly by the left renal vein which appeared normal on magnetic resonance imaging. Selective left renal angiography revealed no abnormality. Radical en bloc excision of the tumor with the left kidney and adrenal gland was performed. Pathological examination showed a well differentiated leiomyosarcoma arising from the renal vein; the tumor cells stained positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin and desmin and negative for S 100-protein. She was free of symptoms and there was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases 22 months postoperatively.

[A case of porocarcinoma arising on the penile shaft].

BACKGROUND: Porocarcinoma is a rare eccrine sweat gland tumor, and a varied treatment is not yet determined for metastatic disease because of the chemo-resistant and radio-resistant nature of this tumor. CASE: This report describes a case of porocarcinoma arising on the penile shaft of 83-year-old man with extensive lymph node metastases. He was treated with emasculation and bilateral ilio-inguinal lymph node dissection. Histological examination of the resected tumor showed a homogeneous round cells with duct-like formation in some part and Pagetoid infiltration was also noted in the dermis. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a positive CEA and negative S-100 staining and this result was consistent with the pathological diagnosis of porocarcinoma. One course of chemotherapy which consisted of methotrexate, cisplatin, adriamycin, and bleomycin was given to the patient following surgery for the treatment of residual lymph nodes in the paraaortic area. Abdominal CT scan revealed partial response, about -94% shrinkage, after one course of chemotherapy. The duration of the response lasted four 4 months. He died of pneumonia caused by MRSA after 4 months and the autopsy revealed multiple liver metastases and a massive infiltration of tumor cells in the bone marrow of lumbar vertebra. CONCLUSIONS: There is no definite treatment modality available for metastatic porocarcinoma. Because of the patient's age, only one course of chemotherapy was given, however, a fairly good response against this rare tumor suggested that this new regimen might be effective against porocarcinoma.

[Changes of lymphocyte subpopulation in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients with marked response to alpha-interferon therapy].

At present, no sufficient therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma is available. Interferon (IFN) therapy has been used to treat renal cell carcinoma, but the efficacy of it is low, with response rate being only about 20%. We experienced two patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma had marked response to IFN-alpha therapy in proximity effect. Using monoclonal anti-bodies of each subset of lymphocytes, the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in these patients were evaluated by two color flow-cytometry. And these results and clinical course were assessed. The lymphocyte subpopulation that change of clinical course is been similar to in these patients were Tc (CD11b-CD8+), TSI (leu8+ CD4+), ATS/C (CD8+ HLA-DR+) and ATH/SI (CD4+ HLA-DR+). And the pretherapeutic immunological status of these patients was characterized by significantly increased CD4+/CD8+ and TH/TS ratio. In conclusion, the clinical response of advanced renal cell carcinoma to IFN therapy might be found if CD4+/CD8+ and TH/TS ratio are increased at pretherapeutic immunological status. In addition, assessment of TSI, TC, ATH/SI, and ATS/C, as immune parameters for monitoring the actual immune status of patient is found to be necessary part of immunotherapy.

[Role of serum E-selectin (ELAM-1) and inflammatory parameters in patients with renal cell carcinoma].

(BACKGROUND). E-selectin is an adhesion molecule expressed on IL-1 activated endothelial cells and it binds to carbohydrate ligands such as sialy Lewis A antigen (SLeA) or Lewis X antigen (SLeX) on cancer cells. This mechanism is supposed to play an important role during hematogenous metastasis. Some of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) are known to produce inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta and IL-6 and clinical evidence shows that the prognosis of this type of tumor is generally poor. We investigated whether this adhesion molecule was involved in hematogenous metastasis. (METHOD). In the present study, soluble E-selectin level was measured in the sera of 89 patients with RCC prior to nephrectomy or IFN treatment using sanwich ELISA method. (RESULTS). The results indicated that high E-selectin concentration in the patients' sera was correlated with low incidence of metastasis and consequently correlated with good prognosis of RCC patients. Inflammatory serum parameters, such as serum C reactive protein (CRP), immunosuppressive acid protein (IAP) and erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) were also assessed and these parameters were revealed to be negatively correlated with the serum level of E-selectin. In order to investigate this mechanism, we performed in vitro study on RCC cell/endothelial cell adhesion. IL-1 beta enhanced adhesion of 2 RCC cell lines and this adhesion was partially inhibited by adding exogenous E-selectin into the culture medium. Expression of SLeA and SLeX were demonstrated on the cell surface of 2 RCC cell lines by flowcytometric analysis. (CONCLUSION). The results suggested that E-selectin and SLeX/SLeA interaction was involved in the adhesion between RCC and endothelial cells and also inflammatory cytokine production by RCC cells was a risk factor for metastasis through E-selectin induction. Although expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells facilitates metastasis, excessive production of E-selectin into the serum was suggested to have inhibitory effect against metastasis.

[Appropriate intravesical retention time of pirarubicin concentration based on its level in tumor tissue, anti-tumor effect and side effect in intravesical instillation therapy for bladder tumor].

The present study was designed to investigate the appropriate intravesical retention time of pirarubicin (THP) for the treatment of bladder tumor in terms of its anti-tumor effect and side effect. We administered THP to 22 patients with superficial bladder tumor intravesically and measured the THP concentration in the tumor tissues. Patients were divided into 3 groups by retention time; 8 for 30 minutes, 8 for 1 hour and 7 for 2 hours. Tumor tissues were obtained by transurethral resection 30 min., 1 or 2 hours after the intravesical instillation of THP at the fixed concentrations of 30 mg/30 ml. There was no significant difference in THP concentration between 3 groups. This indicates that the anti-tumor effect of intravesical instillation of the THP would be expected by only 30 min. of intravesical retention time at the THP concentration of 30 mg/30 ml. Then, we administered 30 mg/30 ml of THP solution for 30 min. to 10 patients intravesically 6 times every 48 hours to investigate its clinical anti-tumor effect and side effect. There were 2 complete responses, 3 partial responses and 5 cases with no changes for a total response rate of 50%. No side effect was observed. It is considered that 30 min. of intravesical retention time at the THP concentration of 30 mg/30 ml would be appropriate in terms of its anti-tumor effect and side effect.