[The effect of induced hypertension chemotherapy using angiotensin II human in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma--a histopathological evaluation on the excised stomachs].

In an attempt to evaluate the effect of induced hypertension chemotherapy (IHC) using angiotensin II human, histopathological analysis was performed on stomachs excised from thirteen patients who had advanced gastric carcinoma and were submitted to presurgical cancer chemotherapy. IHC was introduced in randomly chosen eight patients and, in the remaining five patients, chemotherapy was designed under conventional conditions. A common regimen comprising 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, mitomycin C was applied in both the IHC and non-IHC groups.

[Randomized controlled trial of induced hypertension chemotherapy (IHC) using angiotensin II human (TY-10721) in advanced gastric carcinoma (TY-10721 IHC Study Group Report)].

A randomized controlled trial was carried out to elucidate the enhancement of chemotherapeutic effect of induced hypertension chemotherapy (IHC) using newly synthesized angiotensin II human (TY-10721) in advanced gastric carcinoma under multi-institutional cooperation. In IHC, the drugs were administered under the hypertensive state induced and maintained by the continuous infusion of TY-10721. The regimen for the trial was as follows: adriamycin (33 mg/m2, day 3), 5-fluorouracil (330 mg/m2/day through day 1 to 3, 8 to 10) and mitomycin C (5 mg/m2, day 8).

Activation of microtubule-associated protein kinase by microtubule disruption in quiescent rat 3Y1 cells.

Treatment of quiescent rat fibroblastic cells (3Y1) with colchicine, a microtubule-disrupting agent, which could induce the initiation of DNA synthesis [Y. Shinohara, E. Nishida, and H.

Activation of MAP kinase and enhanced phosphorylation of the 350-kDa protein by mitogenic stimuli in quiescent Balb/c 3T3 cells.

In quiescent Balb/c 3T3 cells, competence factors such as platelet-derived growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) activated MAP kinase, whereas progression factors such as insulin did not. Insulin was, however, capable of activating MAP kinase in cells pretreated with TPA. Moreover, TPA plus insulin activated MAP kinase more strongly and for a longer time period than did TPA alone.

Thermoluminescence dosimetry of gamma rays using ceramic samples from Hiroshima and Nagasaki: a comparison with DS86 estimates.

This study reports gamma-ray doses measured using thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry of atomic-bomb-exposed ceramic samples from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Advances in the dosimetry of TL-sensitive minerals in the field of TL dating of archaeological and geological materials made it possible to measure a radiation dose of 10(-2) Gy. Ceramic samples such as tiles and bricks were collected from locations between 523 and 2,453 m from the hypocenter in Hiroshima and from between 731 and 1,565 m in Nagasaki.

Studies of radioactivity produced by the Hiroshima atomic bomb: 2. Measurements of fallout radioactivity.

Three studies of fallout measurements were reviewed for the discussion of possible radioactivity intake from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. The first study discussed correlations between enriched 234U and 137Cs specific activities from the measurement of soil samples collected in the "black rain" area. The second study measured 137Cs activity on the rock and roof tile samples collected in the hypocenter area immediately after the explosion.

Studies of radioactivity produced by the Hiroshima atomic bomb: 1. Neutron-induced radioactivity measurements for dose evaluation.

This review summarizes measurements made of 152Eu and 60Co radioactivity induced by neutron radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb (A-bomb) with the goal of estimating the neutron dose released by the bomb. Prior to these measurements, A-bomb-irradiated specimens such as rocks and pieces of concrete, which had not been shielded were collected. The specific radioactivity obtained (in bequerels per gram of Eu or Co) were compared with those calculated from DS86 neutrons.

In vitro fertilization and development of bovine oocytes matured in serum-free medium.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of supplementation of serum (fetal calf serum), gonadotropins (LH, FSH, prolactin) and estradiol-17 beta (E2) to culture medium during in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes on subsequent fertilization and development to the blastocyst stage in vitro. Serum supplementation during bovine oocyte maturation was not required but hormonal supplementation, gonadotropins (LH + FSH) and E2, enhanced the fertilizability and developmental ability of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. The addition of prolactin to maturation medium containing LH, FSH, and E2 did not further enhance frequencies of fertilization and development.

Microbial sensor system for nondestructive evaluation of fish meat quality.

A microbial sensor system consisting of the bacterium (Alteromonas putrefaciens) immobilized within membranes, a flow cell, an oxygen electrode, peristaltic pumps, a buffer tank, a thermostatically controlled bath and a recorder, was constructed for the nondestructive quality evaluation of bluefin tuna. The chemical compounds on fish meat surfaces which are the indicators of fish meat quality were rapidly determined by using the proposed sensor system. Fish meat quality was determined from the rate of current decrease of the sensor.

[Effect of bite force on parotid secretion in human].

To determine the physiological roles of periodontal mechanoreceptors in parotid salivary secretion, we studied the effects of strength and frequency of unilateral bites on the salivary secretion from both sides of human parotid glands. Parotid saliva was collected bilaterally via modified Lashley cups, and the flow rate of parotid saliva was measured with a device using a strain gauge. The bite force was monitored with a pressure transducer.

[Changes in Po2, Pco2, pH, and HCO3 concentration and flow rates in human parotid saliva by tongue sour stimulation at various intervals].

The PO2, PCO2, pH, and HCO3- concentration and flow rates of parotid saliva were observed by tongue stimulation with 3% tartaric acid at various intervals in a human subject after about a one hour rest. The PO2, PCO2, pH, and HCO3- concentrations in parotid saliva were measured with a Blood Gas Analyzer System. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The mean PO2 and PCO2 of parotid saliva immediately before tongue stimulation were about 40 mmHg (range 33-44 mmHg) and 45 mmHg (41-48).

Microtubule-associated-protein (MAP) kinase activated by nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor in PC12 cells. Identity with the mitogen-activated MAP kinase of fibroblastic cells.

Treatment of PC12 cells with either nerve growth factor (NGF), a differentiating factor, or epidermal growth factor (EGF), a mitogen, resulted in 7-15-fold activation of a protein kinase activity in cell extracts that phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 2 on serine and threonine residues in vitro. Both the NGF-activated kinase and the EGF-activated kinase could be partially purified by sequential chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phenyl-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite, and were identical with each other in their chromatographic behavior, apparent molecular mass (approximately 40 kDa) on gel filtration, substrate specificity, and phosphopeptide-mapping pattern of MAP2 phosphorylated by each kinase. Moreover, both kinases were found to be indistinguishable from a mitogen-activated MAP kinase previously described in growth-factor-stimulated or phorbol-ester-stimulated fibroblastic cells, based on the same criteria.

Activation of a serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein 1B in vitro by growth factors and phorbol esters in quiescent rat fibroblastic cells.

We have previously found and characterized a mitogen-activated, serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that specifically phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in vitro, which we call here MAP2 kinase [Hoshi, M., Nishida, E. & Sakai, H.

Ceramide dihexosides from the spermatozoa of the starfish, Asterias amurensis, consist of gentiobiosyl- cellobiosyl-, and lactosylceramide.

Ceramide dihexoside was obtained from the spermatozoa of the starfish, Asterias amurensis. Gas-liquid chromatography of the methanolysate to determine the sugar composition of the lipid demonstrated an unequal ratio of glucose and galactose, implying that two or more glycolipids are present. They were separated by thin-layer chromatography on a borate-impregnated plate into two bands.

Gangliosides from the eggs of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina.

NeuGc alpha 2-6Glc beta 1-1Cer (M5 ganglioside) and HSO3-8NeuGc alpha 2-6Glc beta 1-1Cer (T1 ganglioside) were purified by column chromatographies with DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and silicic acid from the eggs of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina. Their chemical structures were determined by gas-liquid chromatography, methylation analysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, negative-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Long-chain base compositions of both gangliosides were almost identical: all the long-chain bases were phytosphingosines, and C18-phytosphingosine accounted for more than 95% of them.

Chymotrypsin-like enzymes are involved in sperm penetration through the vitelline coat of Ciona intestinalis egg.

In Ciona intestinalis, sperm penetration through the egg vitelline coat is an essential event of fertilization. We investigated whether trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like enzymes are involved in this event. Inhibitors and peptide substrates for chymotrypsin-like enzymes blocked the overall process of fertilization in a concentration-dependent manner.

Immunocytochemical study of the distribution of a ganglioside in sea urchin eggs.

An antibody against M5 ganglioside (NeuGc alpha 2-6Glc beta 1-1Cer), the dominant ganglioside in the eggs of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina, was purified by affinity chromatography from rabbit antiserum against crude ganglioside of the eggs. The specificity of the antibody was verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and TLC immunostaining. M5 ganglioside was also the major one in the eggs of another sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, as judged from TLC analyses including immunostaining.

[Changes in the ions and protein concentrations and flow rate of parotid saliva by tongue sour stimulation].

Changes in the concentrations of ions (K+, Cl-, Na+), total protein, amylase activity and flow rate of parotid saliva were observed by tongue stimulation with 3% tartaric acid various intervals in a subject after about one hour rest. The results may be summarized as follows: 1) After about one hour rest state, the values of each item were K+: 42-56 mEq/l, Cl-: 8-28 mEq/l, Na+: 1-10 mEq/l, total protein: 5.7-11 mg/ml, amylase activity: 2-6.

Glucosylceramide having a novel tri-unsaturated long-chain base from the spermatozoa of the starfish, Asterias amurensis.

Glucosylceramide (Glc beta 1-1Cer) was isolated from the spermatozoa of the starfish, Asterias amurensis. The long-chain bases of the glycolipid consisted of dihydroxy (d18:2, d18:3, d19:3, and d22:2), and trihydroxy (t22:1) types. Long-chain aldehydes derived from them were analyzed mainly by proton nuclear-magnetic resonance to determine the detailed structures.

Trypsin-like hatching protease from mouse embryos: evidence for the presence in culture medium and its enzymatic properties.

Enzymatic properties of a protease involved in hatching of mouse embryos were examined. A trypsin-like protease, which most efficiently hydrolyzed t-butoxycarbonyl-Leu-Ser-Thr-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide, was demonstrated in culture medium of mouse hatching embryos. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, leupeptin, antipain, N alpha-tosyl-L-lysyl-chloromethane, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and Trasylol, but not or weakly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, EDTA, E-64, pepstatin, chymostatin, and bestatin, suggesting a trypsin-like serine proteinase.

[Dose intensity and clinical response in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma treated by induced hypertension chemotherapy].

Dose Intensity (DI) was analyzed among 52 eligible and complete patients with advanced gastric carcinoma receiving ADM, 5-FU & MMC (AFM) combination regimen under angiotensin II Induced Hypertension Chemotherapy (IHC). In the induction period DI of CR either in the initial response time or in the effective tumor reduction time was smaller than that of PR, although DI of total period of AFM administration was not different. Based on the evidences, heterogeneous distribution in tumor blood flow under normotension got improved under hypertension by angiotensin II, and chemotherapeutic effects were enhanced.

Egg signals for triggering the acrosome reaction in starfish spermatozoa.

Upon encountering the jelly coat of an egg, starfish spermatozoa undergo the acrosome reaction. To induce the acrosome reaction, 3 jelly components act in concert on the spermatozoa: a sulphated glycoprotein named acrosome reaction-inducing substance (ARIS), a group of steroidal saponins named Co-ARIS, and an oligopeptide presumably having an ability to increase the intracellular pH of the spermatozoon. All three are required to mimic the full ability of jelly coat to induce the acrosome reaction instantaneously.