Strong plastic responses in aerenchyma formation in F1 hybrids of Imperata cylindrica under different soil moisture conditions.

Hybrids can express traits plastically, enabling them to occupy environments that differ from parental environments. However, there is insufficient evidence demonstrating how phenotypic plasticity in specific traits mediates hybrid performance. Two parental ecotypes of Imperata cylindrica produce F1 hybrids. The E-type in wet habitats has larger internal aerenchyma than the C-type in dry habitats. This study evaluated relationships between habitat utilisation, aerenchyma plasticity, and growth of I. cylindrica accessions. We hypothesize that plasticity in expressing parental traits explains hybrid establishment in habitats with various soil moisture conditions. Aerenchyma formation was examined in the leaf midribs, rhizomes and roots of two parental ecotypes and their F1 hybrids in their natural habitats. In common garden experiments, we examined plastic aerenchyma formation in leaf midribs, rhizomes and roots of natural and artificial F1 hybrids and parental ecotypes and quantified vegetative growth performance. In the natural habitats where soil moisture content varied widely, the F1 hybrids showed larger variation in aerenchyma formation in rhizomes than their parental ecotypes. In the common garden experiments, F1 hybrids showed high plasticity of aerenchyma formation in rhizomes, and their growth was similar to that of C-type and E-type under drained and flooded conditions, respectively. The results demonstrate that F1 hybrids of I. cylindrica exhibit plasticity in aerenchyma development in response to varying local soil moisture content. This characteristic allows the hybrids to thrive in diverse soil moisture conditions.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius biofilms secrete factors that induce inflammatory reactions in vitro.

Biofilms, composed of bacterial cells embedded in a secreted polysaccharide and protein matrix, often cause problems such as chronic and refractory infections. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, which is an important pathogen in veterinary medicine, has a high rate of biofilm production. Although it is considered that S. pseudintermedius biofilms are associated with prolonged inflammatory disorders, there are no reports that S. pseudintermedius biofilm directly regulates inflammatory reactions. In this study, we focused on the metabolites derived from biofilm cultures of S. pseudintermedius and evaluated their inflammatory effects in vitro. Expression levels of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 mRNA significantly increased in RAW264.7 cells that were cultured with biofilm-conditioned medium (BCM). The secreted proteins in BCM were heat resistance and activated a Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling pathway. Moreover, based on SDS-PAGE analysis, isolates with stronger biofilm-forming capabilities induced more inflammatory reactions and had specific banding patterns compared with those of weak biofilm producers. Collectively, our results suggest that the proteins derived from S. pseudintermedius biofilm induce a host inflammatory response via a TLR pathway. Furthermore, the severity of inflammation depends on the biofilm formation capacity of the S. pseudintermedius strain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a biofilm-forming bacterium. We identified some biofilm secreted heat-resistant proteins that induce inflammatory reactions through Toll-like receptor signalling. The expression of the secreted protein varied depending on the potency of biofilm production. Our data suggest that these proteins may be the factors causing biofilm-related inflammation during S. pseudintermedius infections. Identification of these proteins may lead to the development of novel medications to prevent the exacerbation of infections caused by S. pseudintermedius.

Effect of low-intensity training on transient kinetics of pulmonary oxygen uptake during moderate-intensity cycle exercise.

AIM: It is unclear whether the slowed time constant of phase II in pulmonary oxygen uptake on-kinetics (V̇O2τ) in unfit and inactive men would be shortened by low exercise intensity (low-intensity) walking training. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the slowed V̇O2τ in sedentary population would speed up due to low-intensity walking training with high volume. METHODS: Ten unfit and inactive male subjects (aged 26 to 50 yrs) underwent a low-intensity (30-40% of V̇O2max), long-duration (>60 min) training in the form of walking exercise 3-4 times a week for 12 weeks. We prospectively collected data on anthropometric, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), time constant of heart rate (HRτ) and V̇O2τ before training (0 wk; Pre) and every six weeks (6 wk; Mid, 12 wk; Post) from the beginning of the training. RESULTS: Anthropometric variables and V̇O2max showed no significant changes throughout the training program, whereas HRτ showed a tendency to be shortened with a progress of the training with no significant change. The slowed V̇O2τ at Pre (47.6±5.6 s) remained almost unchanged at Mid (48.8±4.9 s), but had a significant decrease at Post (40.5±7.9 s, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study acceleration of the slowed V̇O2τ due to low-intensity walking training is thought to occur presumably owing to an improved matching of oxygen delivery to oxygen utilization at the site of gas exchange in active muscle tissue. We concluded that low-intensity walking training at beginning stage of training could contribute to the acceleration of the slowed V̇O2τ in unfit and inactive subjects.

Scanning microbeam small-angle X-ray diffraction study of interfacial heterogeneous crystallization of fat crystals in oil-in-water emulsion droplets.

We performed scanning microbeam small-angle X-ray diffraction (micro-SAXD) experiments, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and optical microscopic observation of palm mid fraction (PMF) crystals in oil-in-water emulsion droplets. The scanning micro-SAXD experiment was performed by irradiating a synchrotron radiation X-ray microbeam having an area of 5 x 5 microm(2) onto different positions on a 50 microm diameter emulsion droplet after the crystallization of PMF by chilling the emulsion at 5 degrees C. The micro-SAXD patterns were recorded with a two-dimensional (2D) detector, which enabled spatial analysis of polymorphic structures and the orientation of lamella planes of PMF crystals at different positions inside the emulsion droplet. Particular attention was paid to compare the crystallization of PMF in two types of emulsion droplets, hydrophilic polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate (Tween 80) alone (Tween 80 emulsion) and Tween 80 and hydrophobic sucrose palmitic acid oligoester (P-170) (Tween 80+P-170 emulsion). The DSC study revealed that the PMF crystallization temperature in the Tween 80+P-170 emulsion droplets increased by 3 degrees C compared to that of the Tween 80 emulsion because of the effects of the P-170 additive in promoting PMF crystallization. The micro-SAXD studies revealed the following results. (1) The lamella planes of PMF crystals near the outer edges of the droplet in the Tween 80+P-170 emulsion were mostly parallel to an oil-water interface, whereas the lamella planes of PMF crystals were not always aligned with the oil-water interface in the Tween 80 emulsion droplet. (2) The degree of orientation of the lamellar planes of PMF crystals, which was evaluated from the values of full width at half-maximum of 2D micro-SAXD patterns with respect to azimuthal angle extension, was remarkably higher in the Tween 80+P-170 emulsion than in the Tween 80 emulsion. (3) Polymorphic transformation of PMF from alpha to beta' in the Tween 80+P-170 emulsion was retarded compared to that in the Tween 80 emulsion. These results confirmed that the P-170 additive caused interfacial heterogeneous nucleation through hydrophobic interactions at the oil-water interfaces in the emulsion, which subsequently influenced the arrangements of fat crystals so that the lamellar planes of fat crystals were parallel to the oil-water interface.

Endogenous erythropoietin and a single bolus of 40,000 IU of epoetin alpha do not protect the heart from ischaemia-reperfusion injury during extracorporeal circulation for cardiac surgery.

Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts a tissue-protective activity in several non-haematopoietic tissues such as heart, brain, spinal cord and muscle. We evaluated the relationship between pre-operative endogenous EPO blood levels and myocardial damage in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Furthermore, we investigated whether pre-operative administration of a single bolus of 40,000 IU epoetin alpha (EPOalpha) would reduce troponin I or creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Sixty-seven patients (45 CABG, 22 valvular surgery) were enrolled. EPO was measured in the pre-surgical period and correlated to post-surgical troponin I and CK-MB peaks. Subsequently, forty patients scheduled for CABG were randomized into two groups, receiving, respectively, a) standard medical and surgical treatment (20 patients) and b) the same treatment plus 40,000 IU of EPOalpha in a single bolus injection in the immediate pre-surgical period (20 patients). In our population, we did not find any correlation between pre-surgical EPO and post-surgical troponin I or CK-MB peaks (p Pearson > 0.05). Furthermore, patients treated with EPOalpha did not show differences compared to the control group in either troponin I (1.7+/-1.8 vs 2.6+/-3.4, p>0.05) or CK-MB (19.6 +/-13.2 vs 17.1+/-12.6, p>0.05) peaks measured in the post-surgical period.

Virtual walkway system and prediction of gait mode transition for the control of the gait simulator.

A virtual walkway system is proposed in This work. This system consists of a new developed gait simulator and a HMD system to present virtual space to the user. The gait simulator is designed to permit the user to walk straight, change direction, go up and down stairs, etc. Main part of this gait simulator is two foot plates driven by three arms and actuators. Each foot plate follows the foot during swing phase and pulls it back during the stance phase while the user is walking straight However this gait simulator has one weak point, that is, this simulator cannot follow the change of gait mode sufficiently, like the start of walking or the end of walking. To solve this problem it is necessary to predict the change of gait mode to follow the transition perfectly. In this paper we chose the start and the end of straight walking and have tried to measure this transition of gait mode. To do this we paid attention on the anterior bending of the upper trunk. It is expected that the trunk bends forward before the start of walking and bends back before the stop of walking. In the experiment the distance between the upper trunk and the center of gravity (COG) was measured and it was proven that the measurement of this distance showed to be useful to know the transition of straight walking. This result was examined again on the gait simulator. Implanted control algorithm of gait simulator is as follows; two foot plates pull back the feet when the start of walking was predicted and stop when the stop of walking was predicted. Results show that the gait simulator was able to reproduce the start and the end of walking by this prediction algorithm.

New insights into actions of the renin-angiotensin system in the kidney: concentrating on the Ang II receptors and the newly described Ang-(1-7) and its receptor.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the physiologically active component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), plays an important role in the regulation of the renal function. Based on their different pharmacologic and biochemical properties, 2 distinct subtypes of Ang II receptor have been defined and designated as type 1 (AT(1)) and type 2 (AT(2)) receptors. Most of the well-characterized actions of Ang II are now generally considered to result from stimulation of AT(1) receptors, whereas AT(2) receptors may exert opposite effects against AT(1) receptors. In the kidney, activation of the AT(2) receptor has been reported to regulate pressure-natriuresis and to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, bradykinin, or epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which may cause vasodilation and modulate the vasoconstrictor action mediated by AT(1) receptors. In addition, recent studies have reported that Ang II exerts important effects on the normal renal development through both AT(1) and AT(2) receptors. Finally, other Ang fragments such as Ang-(1-7) are also involved in the actions of RAS in the kidney. In this review article, we will summarize results obtained from recent studies on the AT(1) and AT(2) receptor-mediated action of Ang II in the kidney. Renal actions of Ang-(1-7), which often oppose against those of Ang II, are also discussed.

Synthesis of cis- and trans-5,8-dihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,4-naphthoquinone.

Cis- and trans-5,8-dihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,4-naphthoquinone (1a, 1b) were for the first time synthesized from 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (naphthazazine) (6) as a starting material and racemic triol (3) was first synthesized from 7. The configuration of 1a was determined by X-ray analysis.

Involvement of cytochrome P450 metabolites in the vascular action of angiotensin II on the afferent arterioles.

Recent studies have demonstrated that cytochrome P450-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid (CYP450-AA) play important roles in the control of renal vascular resistance (RVR). In the present study, we examined the possible involvement of CYP450-AA in the vasoconstrictor action of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the afferent arterioles (Af-Arts), a vascular segment crucial to the control of RVR. Rabbit Af-Arts were microperfused at 60 mmHg in vitro, and the vasoconstrictor action of Ang II (10(-11)-10(-8) M, added to both the bath and lumen) was examined with or without blocking the activity of CYP450 epoxygenase or hydroxylase. Ang II decreased the luminal diameter of Af-Arts in a dose-dependent manner (34+/-2% of control diameter at 10(-8) M, n=9, p<0.0001). Pretreatment with miconazole, an inhibitor of CYP450 epoxygenase, at 10(-6) M decreased the basal diameter by 14+/-1% (n=6, p<0.01) and augmented the vasoconstrictor action of Ang II (7+/-3% of control diameter at 10(-8) M, p<0.001 vs. without miconazole). This augmentation was abolished by blocking the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor with PD 123319 at 10(-7) M. In contrast, pretreatment with 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA, 10(-6) M), which inhibits both epoxygenase and hydroxylase activity, had no effect on the basal diameter but attenuated the vasoconstrictor action of Ang 11(46+/-2% of control diameter at 10(-8) M, p<0.01 vs. without 17-ODYA). Our results demonstrate that in the Af-Art, endogenous CYP450-AA are involved not only in the control of basal tone but also in the action of Ang II. Further, it appears that the CYP450 epoxygenase pathway attenuates Ang II action via AT2 receptors.

Differential effects among thiazolidinediones on the transcription of thromboxane receptor and angiotensin II type 1 receptor genes.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma ligands thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have recently been reported to be anti-hypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic. We have previously shown that one of the TZDs troglitazone significantly suppressed the transcription of both thromboxane receptor (TXR) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) genes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by activating PPAR-gamma. In the present study, we compared the effects of troglitazone and other TZDs on the transcription of these genes. TXR and AT1R mRNAs in rat VSMCs were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Luciferase chimeric constructs containing either the 989-bp rat TXR gene promoter or the 1,969-bp rat AT1R gene promoter were transiently transfected into VSMCs. The cells were incubated with troglitazone, RS-1455 (a derivative of troglitazone which does not contain the hindered phenol resembling alpha-tocopherol), pioglitazone, or rosiglitazone for 12 h before harvesting. mRNA expression levels of TXR and AT1R were significantly decreased by troglitazone in contrast to rosiglitazone. TXR gene and AT1R gene transcription was significantly suppressed by troglitazone in a dose-dependent manner, while RS-1455 was less potent. Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone weakly suppressed the transcription of both genes in a manner almost similar to RS-1455. We have shown that troglitazone suppresses transcription of both the TXR and AT1R genes more potently than other TZDs. The structure of troglitazone and RS-1455 is identical except the hindered phenol, which is recently recognized to function as an antioxidant. Moreover, we have shown that the potency for activating PPAR-gamma is almost identical between troglitazone and RS-1455. We therefore speculate that the strong transcriptional suppression of the TXR and AT1R genes by troglitazone may be mediated in part by its antioxidant effect.

Transcriptional suppression of type 1 angiotensin II receptor gene expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin (A) II plays a critical role in vascular remodeling, and its action is mediated by type 1 AII receptor (AT1R). Recently, 15-deoxy-(Delta)(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) and thiazolidinediones have been shown to be ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and activate PPAR-gamma. In the present work, we have studied the effect of PPAR-gamma on AT1R expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We observed that: 1) endogenous AT1R expression was significantly decreased by PPAR-gamma ligands both at messenger RNA and protein levels, whereas AT1R messenger RNA stability was not affected; 2) AII-induced increase of (3)H-thymidine incorporation into VSMCs was inhibited by PPAR-gamma ligands; 3) rat AT1R gene promoter activity was significantly suppressed by PPAR-gamma ligands, and PPAR-gamma overexpression further suppressed the promoter activity; 4) transcriptional analyses using AT1R gene promoter mutants revealed that a GC-box-related sequence within the -58/-34 region of the AT1R gene promoter was responsible for the suppression; 5) Sp1 overexpression stimulated AT1R gene transcription via the GC-box-related sequence, which was inhibited by additional PPAR-gamma overexpression; 6) electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that Sp1 could bind to the GC-box-related sequence whereas PPAR-gamma could not; 7) antibody supershift experiments using VSMC nuclear extracts revealed that protein-DNA complexes formed on the GC-box-related sequence, which were decreased by PPAR-gamma coincubation, were mostly composed of Sp1; and 8) glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay revealed a direct interaction between PPAR-gamma and Sp1. Taken together, it is suggested that activated PPAR-gamma suppresses AT1R gene at a transcriptional level by inhibiting Sp1 via a protein-protein interaction. PPAR-gamma ligands, thus, may inhibit AII-induced cell growth and hypertrophy in VSMCs by AT1R expression suppression and possibly be beneficial for treatment of diabetic patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Feeding characteristics of two tintinnid ciliate species on phytoplankton including harmful species: effects of prey size on ingestion rates and selectivity.

The feeding abilities of two tintinnid ciliates, Favella ehrenbergii and Favella taraikaensis, on 10 species of flagellates including harmful marine algae were examined under single prey conditions, and selective feeding of F. taraikaensis on two species of algae of different sizes was investigated under mixed prey conditions. Ingestion rates calculated from the rate of increases of auto-fluorescent particles inside food vacuoles in individuals ranged from 0.5 to 22.1 cells ind(-1) h(-1) for F. ehrenbergii and from 0.8 to 44.9 cells ind(-1) h(-1) for F. taraikaensis on nine species of prey algae. Significant ingestion rates of both Favella species could not be detected on Heterosigma akashiwo, although some individuals of both species were observed ingesting H. akashiwo in the initial incubation period. The relationship between prey cell volume and ingestion rate could be expressed mathematically for both Favella species, indicating that it is possible to estimate the potential feeding activity of each Favella species on specific algae using an equation, and may be applicable to evaluate the food value of prey alga for both Favella species. When F. taraikensis was fed mixtures of H. circularisquama and Pavlova lutheri, significant ingestion rates of H. circularisquama by F. taraikaensis could not be measured when H. circularisquama accounted for less than 20% of the other prey biomass. However, clear selectivity for H. circularisquama was observed when H. circularisquama reached and exceeded 34% of the other prey biomass. Under mixed prey conditions, it is likely that the selectivity of F. taraikaensis is stronger for larger prey compared to prey algae with a size near the lower limit on which F. taraikaensis can feed.

Immunohistochemical expression of thymidylate synthase as a prognostic factor and as a chemotherapeutic efficacy index in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the importance of Thymidylate Synthase (TS) expression as a prognostic factor and as an index of therapeutic efficacy in patients with colorectal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TS expression in 66 patients with colorectal carcinoma was immunohistochemically assessed using the anti-TS antibody. TS expression, TS activity, clinicopathological characteristics and survival were evaluated and the correlation among them was studied. RESULTS: The cases studied included 53 patients with low grade positive/negative and 13 patients with high grade positive TS expression. TS levels were 8.69 +/- 10.01 pmol/g and 14.82 +/- 11.38 pmol/g, respectively. There was not correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and TS expression. Considering TS expression, the 5-year survival rate was significantly better for the 75.5% of the patients with low grade positive/negative TS than for the 38.5% of the patients with high grade positive TS (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The immunohistochemical expression of TS should be further investigated as a prognostic factor of survival and as an index of chemotherapeutic efficacy in colorectal carcinoma.

[Study on endoscopic sinus surgery management of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps].

Endoscopic sinus surgery is commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis. Subjects were 79 chronic sinusitis patients--50 men and 29 women aged 17 to 79 years (average: 50.6 years) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery in our department from January 1993 to December 1997. Mean follow-up was 17.5 months. We evaluated preoperative staging of chronic sinusitis based on Kennedy staging. Most were stage 3. This type of staging was not effective in predicting nasal polyp relapse. We found that cases with diffuse polyposis and associated disease such as bronchial asthma or aspirin-induced asthma tended to experience a polyp relapse. Our results suggest that postoperative treatment is important in maintaining patency of the ostiomeatal complex, nasal polyp or edematous mucosa relapse must be treated early in on in occurrence.

Isolated juxtaglomerular apparatus as a tool for exploring glomerular hemodynamics: application of microperfusion techniques.

The balance of the vascular tone between afferent and efferent arterioles (AAs and EAs, respectively) is a crucial determinant of glomerular hemodynamics. Thus, it is important to study the mechanisms that control their vascular tone to understand renal physiology and pathophysiology. In order to directly study the mechanisms that regulate their vascular tone, we have developed several in vitro microperfusion preparations of these arterioles, which have the advantage of allowing us to observe the arteriolar diameter directly in the absence of systemic hemodynamic and hormonal influences. In the AA but not EA, we have directly demonstrated the presence of two intrinsic mechanisms, namely the myogenic response and macula densa-mediated tubuloglomerular feedback, that play an important role in the control of vascular tone. We also found that both mechanism-induced constrictions of AAs can be modulated by endogenous nitric oxide. In addition, several humoral factors (such as angiotensin II or prostaglandins) play an important role in the control of AA tone. On the other hand, angiotensin II is one major factor that controls the vascular tone of the EA. We have found that the vasoconstrictor effect of angiotensin II on EAs is modulated by prostaglandins produced by the upstream glomerulus. Thus, this may be a mechanism whereby the glomerulus controls its own capillary pressure by releasing prostaglandins and thereby adjusting the resistance of the downstream EA. These varying mechanisms regulating AA and EA tone play an important role in the precise control of glomerular hemodynamics.

Suppression of rat thromboxane synthase gene transcription by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in macrophages via an interaction with NRF2.

We have studied the transcription regulation of the rat thromboxane synthase (TXS) gene by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in macrophages. The transcription activity of a cloned 5'-flanking region (1.6 kilobases) of the rat TXS gene (5'FL-TXS) was examined by luciferase reporter gene assay. TXS mRNA expression and the transcription activity of 5'FL-TXS were inhibited by PPARgamma ligands, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (PGJ(2)), and the thiazolidinedione troglitazone (TRO) in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of PPARgamma also significantly suppressed transcription, and further addition of PGJ(2) or TRO augmented the suppression. Deletion analysis showed that the element responsible for the PPARgamma effect is located in a region containing the nuclear factor E2 (NF-E2)/AP-1 site (-98/-88), which was indicated to be the major promoter of the TXS gene. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay using the NF-E2/AP-1 site and nuclear extracts from macrophages, we observed a specific protein-DNA complex formation, which was inhibited by a specific antibody against the transcription factor NRF2 (NF-E2-related factor 2). Moreover, the complex was decreased with PGJ(2), TRO, or in vitro translated PPARgamma. The transcription suppression by PPARgamma was confirmed using this truncated NRF2-binding element (-98/-88) by the reporter gene assay. Finally, a direct interaction between PPARgamma and NRF2 was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay. In conclusion, the NRF2-binding site (-98/-88) is the major promoter of 5'FL-TXS which can be suppressed by activated PPARgamma via a protein-protein interaction with NRF2 in macrophages.

[Thymidylate synthase activity after preoperative administration of 5-FU in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer].

Continuous intravenous injection of 5-FU was given at 300 mg/m2 to patients with gastric or colorectal cancer for consecutive 3 days preoperatively, and the relationships between the time until collection of samples (from final administration of 5-FU to excision of tissue samples) and total thymidylate synthase (TS total) activity, free thymidylate synthase (TS free) activity, thymidylate synthase inhibition rate (TSIR), thimidine kinase (TK) activity, and tissue 5-FU and FdUMP concentrations investigated. TS total was shown to gradually reduce with time, but the relationship between time and the other assay items could not be identified due to large variability in the data. TS total and TK also proved to be affected also by the sites at which the samples were collected, and exhibited significantly higher enzyme activity in tumor tissue than that in normal tissue.

Effects of clarithromycin on rheological properties of nasal mucus in patients with chronic sinusitis.

Macrolide antibiotics have a variety of actions along with antimicrobial action. To determine the effects of oral administration of clarithromycin (CAM) on rheological properties, we measured the spinability, dynamic viscoelasticity, and solid composition of human nasal mucus from 18 patients with chronic sinusitis before and after administration of CAM for 4 weeks. After administration of CAM, the spinability and percent solid composition of nasal mucus increased from 26.5 +/- 12.2 mm to 40.2 +/- 18.7 mm and 7.86% +/- 3.47% to 13.90% +/- 3.67% (p < .05), respectively, whereas the ratio of the viscosity to the elasticity (eta'/G') of nasal mucus after the administration of CAM decreased in all of the mucus samples. These results suggest that treatment with CAM may modulate the rheological properties of nasal mucus in patients with chronic sinusitis.

Do the expression of CD44, apoptosis and thymidylate synthase inhibition rate correlate with the efficacy of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Tegafur-uracil(UFT;TAIHO Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) is commonly used to treat digestive cancers. However, the inhibitors of metastasis in this agent have not been fully examined. To investigate a cell adhesion molecule, CD44, which may very well contribute to the pathogenesis of metastasis, we examined the association of CD44 and the thymidylate synthase inhibition rate(TSIR) with prognosis, and examined the expression of apoptosis in patients who were administrated tegafur-uracil before surgery for colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 66 patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer. In these patients, tegafur-uracil(600 mg) was orally administered every day for 3 to 7 days before surgery, and Tegafur-uracil (400 mg) was orally administered every day for 2 years after surgery. CD44 and apoptosis were detected immunohistochemically and by the TUNNEL method, respectively. The TSIR was calculated from the total TS level, and free TS levels by modified Spears' method using fresh tumor tissue specimens. RESULTS: The TSIR of non-recurrent patients was significantly higher than that of recurrent patients(p < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate in CD44-low grade positive/negative patients (81.6%) was significantly higher than that in CD44-high grade positive patients (46.4%) (p < 0.005). The 5-year survival rate in apoptosis-high grade positive patients (89.7%) was significantly higher than that in apoptosis-low grade positive/negative patients(46.4%) (p < 0.001). With respect to the relationship between CD44 and apoptosis, the proportion of apoptosis-high grade positive patients among CD44-low grade positive/negative patients (55.3%) was significantly higher than that among CD44-high grade positive patients(28.6%) (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the CD44 expression was suggestive of an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Based on our results for TSIR, Tegafur-uracil may induce apoptosis of tumor cells in patients by the inhibition of thymidylate synthase. It was suggested that CD44 expression could be used as a possible independent predictor of survival. In addition, it was suggested that UFT, via the inhibition of CD44 expression caused the inhibition of distant metastasis.