Relationship between multidrug resistant gene expression and multidrug resistant-reversing effect of MS-209 in various tumor cells.

MS-209 is a novel quinoline compound which can overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) both in vitro and in vivo, while having a low level of side effects, and is now being evaluated in a clinical phase II study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantitate the expression levels of MDR genes in various mouse and human tumor cell lines. The MDR gene and the beta actin gene, as the internal reference standard, were coamplified separately, and the relative expression of the MDR gene was represented by the MDR/beta actin ratio.

Cardiomyopathy and angiopathy in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes.

In four patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes (MELAS) in which mutated mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid was seen, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and angiopathy was demonstrated by echocardiography, dipyridamole stress scintigraphy, and cardiac catheterization. On stress scintigraphy with dipyridamole, three patients showed hypoperfusion in the early image and a "filling-in" pattern in the late image. However, coronary angiography did not demonstrate narrowing of the large vessels in these patients.

A mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR) mutation at 3,256 associated with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).

Enzymatic and molecular analyses were conducted on the muscular tissue of a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Significant decreases in activity of complexes I and IV were found and three nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial tRNA genes were detected. Two of the substitutions were detected in unaffected members of the family and in some healthy controls.

[Prostaglandin E1 suppresses hypersecretion of antidiuretic hormone induced by surgical stress].

We studied the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on decrease in urine output during surgery in patients for radical total hysterectomy under general anesthesia. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Five patients (control group) were given no PGE1 and served as control.

[Prostaglandin E1 does not inhibit production of TNF and IL-1 by mononuclear cells after head-neck surgery].

We studied whether human blood mononuclear cells could produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) by surgical stimuli, and if so, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) could inhibit their increases before and following operation in patients undergoing head-neck surgery. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups; no PGE1 infusion group (control group, n = 6) and PGE1 infusion group (PGE1 group, n = 6). PGE1 group was infused intravenously with PGE1 at a rate of 30 ng.

[Effects of DbcAMP on tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 production in human monocytes].

Recent reports have shown that dibutyryl cAMP (DbcAMP) blocks endotoxin-induced lung injury. To determine whether DbcAMP suppresses the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human monocytes, we measured the levels of TNF and IL-1 in response to E. Coli lipopolysaccharide (40 micrograms.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1B is associated with mutations of the myelin P0 gene.

P0, a major structural protein of peripheral myelin, is a homophilic adhesion molecule and maps to chromosome 1q22-q23, in the region of the locus for Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1B (CMT1B). We have investigated P0 as a candidate gene in two pedigrees with CMT1B and found point mutations which are completely linked with the disease (Z = 5.5, theta = 0).

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) decrease in diastolic left ventricular function assessed by echocardiography.

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) are known to be associated with cardiomyopathy. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions were assessed by M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in four patients with MELAS and in 14 normal controls. The interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were greater (11.

Tissue distribution of mutant mitochondrial DNA in mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).

We analysed the distribution of mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with A-to-G substitution mutation of tRNA(Leu)(UUR) in various autopsied tissues from a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). There was no significant difference in the proportion (76-86%) of mutant mtDNA in many tissues, except in the lung and spleen. Unequal partitioning of mtDNA in somatic cells appears less prominent than that in germ cells.

Isolation and sequence determination of cDNA encoding PMP-22 (PAS-II/SR13/Gas-3) of human peripheral myelin.

A full length cDNA of PMP-22 (PAS-II/SR13/Gas-3) of peripheral myelin has been isolated from a cDNA library of human fetus spinal cord. The clone is 1823 base pairs (bp) in length and contains a 480 bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 160 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to PMP-22 from bovine (PAS-II), rat (SR13) and mouse (Gas-3).

Isolation and sequence determination of cDNA encoding P2 protein of human peripheral myelin.

A full length cDNA of P2 protein of peripheral myelin has been isolated from a cDNA library of human fetus spinal cord. The clone is 2150 base pairs (bp) in length and contains a 393 bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 131 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to P2 protein from other species.

Isolation and sequence determination of cDNA encoding the major structural protein of human peripheral myelin.

A full length cDNA of the major structural protein of peripheral myelin (P0 protein) has been isolated from a cDNA library of human fetus spinal cord. The clone is 1948 base pairs (bp) in length and contains a 744 bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 248 residues including 29 signal peptide. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to P0 protein from other species.

[Statistical analysis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies].

Incidence of foreign body aspiration in tracheobronchial tree is rare, however the foreign body aspiration can lead to severe illness and even death if not diagnosed and treated promptly. We retrospectively analyzed forty five patients who underwent ventilation bronchoscope under general anesthesia for suspected aspirated foreign bodies in our hospital. In thirty eight patients, foreign body was confirmed in tracheobronchial tree, while in seven patients foreign body was not confirmed with bronchoscope.

Detection of platelet mitochondrial DNA deletions in Kearns-Sayre syndrome.

To establish a noninvasive genetic diagnosing method for Kearns-Sayre syndrome, the authors used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for detecting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in the platelets and directly sequenced the crossover regions of the deleted mtDNA using the fluorescence-based automated sequencing system. The mtDNA deletions were identified in the platelets of three of four patients. The sizes and locations of deletions were determined by the nesting primer PCR method, in which the primary PCR products derived from deleted mtDNAs undergo reamplification using a series of nesting primers.

[Detection of deletions in platelet mitochondrial DNA in Kearns-Sayre syndrome using polymerase chain reaction].

Kearns-Sayre syndrome has been genetically diagnosed by detecting deleted mitochondrial DNA in muscle biopsy specimen using the Southern blot method. However, deleted mitochondrial DNA cannot be detected in the blood by this method. With the limited availability of muscle biopsy specimens in mind, we attempted to establish a noninvasive genetic diagnostic method for this syndrome.

Cross-resistance of human multidrug-resistant cells to mitomycin C.

Human multidrug-resistant cells, K562/ADM, KB-C-4, AdrRMCF-7 and CEM/VLB100 showed 21-, 7.5-, 105- and 3.4-fold cross-resistance to mitomycin C (MMC).

Circumvention of multidrug resistance by a newly synthesized quinoline derivative, MS-073.

Newly synthesized quinoline derivatives were investigated for their efficacy to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, one of the most effective quinoline derivatives, MS-073, was compared with verapamil with regard to its ability to overcome MDR in vitro and in vivo. MS-073 at 0.

Mitochondrial DNA deletions in inherited recurrent myoglobinuria.

We describe two brothers with inherited recurrent exertional myoglobinuria and alcohol intolerance associated with distinct morphological abnormalities of muscle mitochondria and multiple deletions of muscle mitochondrial DNA. Patient 1 (26 years old) and Patient 2 (21 years old) had recurrent episodes of myoglobinuria provoked by strenuous exercise or alcohol intake, from the age of 18 years. Although their serum lactate and pyruvate levels were normal at rest, they were significantly elevated by aerobic exercise.

Staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of C-kinase, enhances drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells.

Staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of C-kinase, enhances accumulation of vincristine (VCR) in multidrug-resistant cells. We investigated this enhancement by two methods: (I) ATP-dependent VCR binding system; (II) azidopine photolabeling system. The ATP-dependent VCR binding to the resistant cell membrane was inhibited more efficiently by staurosporine than by verapamil.

[The diameter of main pancreatic duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and the appearance of main pancreatic duct on computed tomography: a comparative study].

We have carried out a comparative study of the diameter of main pancreatic duct (MPD) on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) with the frequency of detection of MPD by computed tomography (CT) in order to clarify the importance of MPD appearance on CT in the pancreatic and biliary diseases. The normal MPD on ERP was demonstrated by CT in a low frequency. MPD was most frequently observed in the pancreatic body on CT.

Practical utility of an antibody specific to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of human urine DNAse I for genetic analysis of human DNase I isozymes.

An antibody specific to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal 27 amino acid residues of human urine DNase I (anti-DNase I peptide) was obtained. The antibody did not inhibit the activity of the enzyme, but reacted well with the enzyme upon immunoblotting following electrophoresis. The urine DNase I isozyme patterns detected using this antibody were almost identical to those produced with an antibody specific to purified DNase I.