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Bacteriorhodopsin (BR), which is rich in alpha-helical structure, was spread onto water with single-wall carbon nanotubes (SCNTs). After a Langmuir trough was used to apply compressive surface pressure to maintain the alpha-helices monolayer of denatured BR, the composite films comprising alpha-helices and SCNTs were transferred horizontally onto substrates. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy observation suggested that alpha-helices in contact with SCNTs changed into beta-sheets. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) showed 0.54 nm periodicity characteristic of the turn of alpha-helical structure in the SCNTs-free alpha-helix monolayer region and showed the 0.70 nm periodicity of beta-sheet pleated structure in the region where SCNTs were covered with unfolded BR. Unique features of carbon nanotubes that trigger conformational changes of a protein were revealed.

Objective: The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations has been reported to predict the response to gefitinib in pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify the correlation between computed tomographic findings of the nodules and EGFR status., Patients and Methods: Computed tomographic findings of 38 patients with peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations were reviewed and compared with those of 42 peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with wild-type EGFR., Results: Mutations were found significantly more frequently among women (28 of 45 women versus 10 of 35 men) and among non-smokers (31 of 47 non-smokers and 7 of 33 smokers). The L858R mutation was found in 18 cases. Several types of deletion mutants in exon 19 were found in 18 cases. The nodules with EGFR mutations (2.5 +/- 1.0 cm) were significantly smaller in diameter than those in the wild-type group (3.1 +/- 1.9 cm). Ground glass opacity (GGO) was more often observed in the mutation group (28 of 38) than in the wild-type group (24 of 42), but the difference was not statistically significant. When mutations were analyzed with reference to both the tumor size and GGO ratio, patients with a tumor < or =3 cm and a GGO ratio > or =50% often had EGFR mutations, and most (10 of 12) were expressed in female patients. No male adenocarcinoma patients with a tumor larger than 4.0 cm had EGFR mutations., Conclusions: EGFR mutations were found most frequently in small peripheral adenocarcinomas with a GGO ratio > or =50%, especially among women. These factors may be useful in deciding therapeutic strategies for adenocarcinomas when resection or biopsy is not feasible.

Background: The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene is located at 3p14.2, a region frequently lost in various tumor types. Lack of FHIT expression has been found to occur frequently in multiple tumor types including lung cancer. We have investigated FHIT messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and other clinicopathologic data, including FHIT and p21 expression in lung cancer., Patients and Methods: The study included 97 lung cancer cases. The FHIT mRNA levels were quantified by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler., Results: The FHIT/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA levels were decreased in tumor tissues from lung cancer (13.844 +/- 33.047) compared with adjacent nonmalignant lung tissues (195.763 +/- 678.469; P < 0.0001). No significant difference in FHIT/GAPDH mRNA levels was found among age, T status, or lymph node metastasis. The FHIT/GAPDH mRNA level was less in squamous cell carcinoma (0.144 +/- 0.246), a smoking-related cancer, than in adenocarcinoma (0.72 +/- 1.321; P = 0.0355). FHIT/GAPDH mRNA levels were correlated with FHIT protein (P = 0.0139) and p21 protein (P = 0.0484) expression by immunohistochemistry. The prognosis for patients with lung cancer with low FHIT/GAPDH levels (< 0.26; n = 57) was significantly worse than in the patients with high FHIT/GAPDH levels (> 0.26; n = 40; log-rank test, P = 0.0404)., Conclusion: Using the LightCycler RT-PCR assay, decreased FHIT gene expression might occur early and play an important role in lung tumorigenesis and also correlate with the prognosis of lung cancer. However, further studies are needed to confirm the impact of FHIT in the biologic behavior of the tumor.

Background: Glucocorticoid was used in thymomas. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous high-dose glucocorticoid (steroid pulse) therapy in patients with previously untreated advanced thymoma. Causes were also sought for a possible underlying mechanism of the effect of steroid on thymoma., Methods: Seventeen patients with invasive thymoma who had not received previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy were enrolled in the study. All cases were treated with 2 courses of glucocorticoid therapy before surgery. Tumor response was assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan 1 week after the steroid pulse therapy. Lymphocytes associated with thymoma were analyzed for their CD4/CD8 phenotype and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to analyze the apoptotic lymphocytes and epithelial cells., Results: The overall response rate to the steroid pulse therapy was 47.1% (8 of 17). The reduction in tumor size was most prominent in type B1 thymomas; there were significant differences between type AB and type B1 thymomas (P = .0234) and type B1 and type B3 thymomas (P = .0068). The reduction in tumor size was accompanied with a marked reduction in the CD4+8+ double-positive immature thymocytes that expressed higher levels of glucocorticoid receptor. Apoptotic changes were observed in both neoplastic epithelial cell and lymphocyte components after glucocorticoid therapy., Conclusions: The efficiency of preoperative steroid pulse therapy in type B1 thymoma was most prominent, which is probably related to the specific effect on GR-rich CD4+8+ double-positive immature lymphocytes, which are abundant in this type of thymoma.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are frequently detected in lung cancer, especially in adenocarcinoma, in females, and non-smoking patients. EGFR mutations are closely associated with clinical response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) appearance is a good predictor of response to this agent. Noguchi et al. subdivided small peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung into two groups. One group was characterized with tumor cell growth replacing the normal alveolar cells with varying degree of fibrosis (types A-C), and the other shows non-replacing and destructive growth (types D-F). Using probes for the 13 mutations which have been previously described, we have genotyped the EGFR gene status in surgically resected atypical adenomatous hyperplasias (AAH) and small peripheral adenocarcinomas up to 2 cm in diameter using TaqMan PCR assay. In 95 small-sized adenocarcinomas, the EGFR mutations were detected in 37 patients (38.9%), and no mutations were found in five AAHs. In small peripheral adenocarcinomas, EGFR mutations were found 47.1% of types A, B, or C adenocarcinomas; it was less frequent (16%) in Noguchi's types D, E or F adenocarcinomas. These results suggest that type D, F adenocarcinomas are not derived from the less malignant types A-C adenocarcinomas; rather, they have arisen de novo by distinct mechanisms. Although types A and B adenocarcinomas are almost 100% cured by surgery, some type C adenocarcinoma show lymph node metastasis and relapse. EGFR mutation analysis may help identify patients who will respond to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, e.g., gefitinib.

Background: The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in gefitinib-naive lung cancer patients has been reported to be higher in females, in non-smokers, in Japanese, and in adenocarcinoma patients, especially in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC). To further investigate the prevalence of EGFR mutations in relation to pathological factors, we evaluated EGFR mutations in series of Japanese adenocarcinoma patients who had never been treated with gefitinib., Methods: In the previous studies, we examined mutation status in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR, exon18 through exon21, in 112 primary lung adenocarcinoma samples. Using these data, adenocarcinomas were histologically classified according to the presence or absence of bronchioloalveolar components., Results: Among 112 patients, 48 had adenocarcinoma with BAC components. Those with adenocarcinomas with BAC components had higher frequency of EGFR mutation (28/48, 58%) than those with non-BAC adenocarcinoma (24/64, 37%, P = 0.036). Male patients had the same trend; 12/23 (52%) male patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components and 10/47 (21%) of those with non-BAC adenocarcinoma had EGFR mutation (P = 0.0135) but there was no correlation between the EGFR mutation status and with/without BAC components in 42 female patients (P = 0.30). Among 11 male non-smokers, patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components had a tendency to have EGFR mutation more frequently than those with non-BAC adenocarcinoma (P = 0.061). In clear contrast, the frequency of EGFR mutation did not differ significantly between male smoker patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components and those with non-BAC. Among patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components, those with adenocarcinoma with EGFR gene mutation had a significantly better 5 year survival than those with adenocarcinoma with wild-type (85.7 versus 46.0%, P = 0.0017)., Conclusions: Adenocarcinomas with BAC components in male non-smokers seem to predict the presence of EGFR mutation. Half of female adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutation exhibit adenocarcinomas with non-BAC suggesting a different behavior from those in males. The prognosis of patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components with EGFR gene mutation is predicted to be better than that of patients with adenocarcinoma with BAC components with wild-type EGFR gene.

Thymic carcinoids are classified into three categories: (1) nonsecretory tumors, (2) hormonal secretory tumors, and (3) tumors associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. We report a rare case with adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting thymic carcinoid with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Radiologic examination showed an anterior mediastinal mass and a parathyroid tumor. Blood analysis revealed high levels of parathyroid hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Urine cortisol and 17-hydroxycorticoids levels were also elevated. Extended thymectomy was performed. Subsequently adjuvant radiation therapy and parathyroid tumor resection were performed. A germline mutation of exon 7 in the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 gene was detected and a somatic mutation of exon 9 was demonstrated in the thymic tumor.

Much evidence has accumulated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its family members are strongly implicated in the development and progression of lung cancers. Somatic mutations of the EGFR gene were found in about 25-40% of Japanese lung cancer patients. More recently, erbB2 mutations are found in about 4% of European-derived lung cancer patients. We have investigated EGFR and erbB2 mutation status in 95 surgically treated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases from Nagoya City University Hospital. Seventy-five adenocarcinoma cases were included. The presence or absence of EGFR and ernB2 mutations of kinase domains were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplifications and direct sequences. We have also investigated erbB2 mutation status in 27 surgically treated NSCLC cases followed by treatment with gefitinib from Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center. EGFR mutations (CTG-->CGG; L858R) were found from 14 of 95 lung cancer patients. We also detected the deletion 1a-type mutations from 9 patients and deletion 4-type mutations from 6 patients in exon 19. In exon 20, 4 mutations including 2 novel mutations were found. Total EGFR mutations were present in 35 patients (36.8%). These mutation statuses were significantly correlated with gender (women 73.3% vs. men 20%, p < 0.0001), smoking status (never smoker 69.4% vs. smoker 16.9%, p < 0.0001), pathologic subtypes (adenocarcinoma 45.1% vs. nonadenocarcinoma 12.5%, p = 0.0089) and differentiation status of the lung cancers (well 51% vs. moderately or poorly 18.4%, p = 0.0021). On the other hand, erbB2 mutation was only found from 1 of 95 patients, at exon 20. This patient was female and a never smoker with adenocarcinoma. This 12 nucleotide insertion mutation (2324-2325 ins ATACGTGATGGC) was located in the exon 20 at kinase domain (775-776 ins YVMA). There was no erbB2 mutation in 27 gefitinib-treated NSCLC patients. In total, we have found only 1 erbB2 mutation from 122 (0.8%) Japanese NSCLC patients. There was a significantly higher erbB2 positive (2+/3+) ratio in EGFR mutant patients (13/25, 52.0%) compared to EGFR wild-type patients (10/62, 16.1%; p = 0.0247). The NSCLC specimen with erbB2 mutation showed 1+ immunoreactivity. The EGFR mutation status might correlate with the clinicopathologic features related to good response to gefitinib, such as gender, smoking history and pathologic subtypes of lung cancers. However, erbB2 mutation is rare from Japanese lung cancer and is of limited value for molecular target therapy., (Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations have been found in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with good clinical response to gefitinib therapy. A quick and sensitive method with large throughput is required to utilize the information to determine whether the molecular targeted therapy should be applied for the particular NSCLC patients. Using probes for the 13 different mutations including 11 that have already been reported, we have genotyped the EGFR mutation status in 94 NSCLC patients using the TaqMan PCR assay. We have also genotyped the EGFR mutations status in additional 182 NSCLC patients, as well as 63 gastric, 95 esophagus and 70 colon carcinoma patients. In 94 NSCLC samples, the result of the TaqMan PCR assay perfectly matched with that of the sequencing excluding one patient. In one sample in which no EGFR mutation was detected by direct sequencing, the TaqMan PCR assay detected a mutation. This patient was a gefitinib responder. In a serial dilution study, the assay could detect a mutant sample diluted in 1/10 with a wild-type sample. Of 182 NSCLC samples, 46 mutations were detected. EGFR mutation was significantly correlated with gender, smoking status, pathological subtypes, and differentiation of lung cancers. There was no mutation detected by the TaqMan PCR assay in gastric, esophagus and colon carcinomas. TaqMan PCR assay is a rapid and sensitive method of detection of EGFR mutations with high throughput, and may be useful to determine whether gefitinib should be offered for the treatment of NSCLC patients. The TaqMan PCR assay can offer us a complementary and confirmative test.

Background: Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy has been considered an effective treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. However, the extent of resection has not been determined in terms of efficacy and complications. We compared the efficacy and complications of 2-ganglion and single-ganglion resection in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis., Methods: From 1995 to 2000, 75 patients underwent resection of thoracic ganglion T2 and T3. From 2000 to 2003, 67 patients underwent resection of only the T2 ganglion. Eighty of the 142 patients (56%) answered a detailed questionnaire, the results of which were analyzed., Results: Gender, age, family history, and distribution of sweating were similar in both groups. Recurrence rates 1 and 2 years after endoscopic thoracic ganglionectomy were between 0% and 3% in T2 and T3 resection, and between 15% and 19% in T2 resection only. In the combined T2 and T3 resection group, 100% of patients noticed compensatory sweating; in T2 resection, 90% of patients noticed compensatory sweating. As for rates of satisfaction, T2 and T3 resection was superior to T2 resection., Conclusions: High recurrence rates of palmar hyperhidrosis after single-ganglion resection are reported in the present study. Two-ganglion resection is a superior surgical method to prevent recurrence of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Colored N-containing MOx-ZnO (M = W, V) composite powders with high surface area were synthesized by spray pyrolysis. The nitrogen content was controlled from 600 to 3000 ppm by changing the powder ingredients and the spray pyrolysis temperature. Ultraviolet-visible spectra indicated that the N-containing MOx-ZnO powders absorbed not only ultraviolet light like pure ZnO powder, but also some visible-light. Acetaldehyde decomposition was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalysis of these MOx-ZnO powders. The photocatalytic activity of the N-containing ZnO powder was pronouncedly enhanced by the WO3 or V2O5 addition under both UV and visible-light irradiation. This enhancement was ascribed to the MOx acting as a sink for photogenerated electrons in the UV case, and to a synergistic effect of N-doping and MOx-ZnO coupling in the case of visible-light.

Three-dimensional highly porous TiO2-4%SiO2-1%TeO2/Al2O3/TiO2 composite nanostructures (φ30-120 nm) directly fixed on glass substrates were fabricated by anodization of a superimposed Al/Ti layer sputter-deposited on glass and a sol-gel process. The porous composite nanostructures exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performances in decomposing acetaldehyde gas under UV illumination, which can be mainly ascribed to the combination of their large surface areas (7750-14770 m(2)/m(2)), high porosities (34.2-45.6%), and transparency. Specially, the composite nanostructure with ∼φ120 nm pores calcined at 500 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity that is 6-10 times higher than commercial P-25 TiO2 under the experimental conditions.

ZnO powders with different morphologies were synthesized by alkali precipitation, organo-zinc hydrolysis, and spray pyrolysis. Acetaldehyde decomposition was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalysis of these ZnO powders. We investigated the relationship between photocatalytic activity and crystallinity, surface area, or morphology. Results indicate that the photocatalytic activity of ZnO powder depends on crystallinity rather than surface area for the same original ZnO powders prepared by equal conditions other than the difference in calcination temperature. However, no direct relationship between photocatalytic activity and crystallinity or surface area was found for the differently original ZnO powders prepared by different methods, or the same method with different conditions. Instead, we find that the particle morphology significantly affects its photocatalysis.

We studied the effects of fluticasone propionate (FP) inhalation and the airway inflammation in beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP)-resistant bronchial asthma. Twenty-five patients who had used BDP and whose mean PEF was less then 80% were enrolled in this study. After 2 weeks of BDP inhalation. FP inhalation was administered. The total eosinophil count in the peripheral blood (/microliter), their percentage of the total WBC count (% Eos), the count in induced sputum, the serum ECP content and the induced sputum ECP content were measured before and after 6 weeks of FP treatment. There was a significant increase of morning and evening PEF, from 63.1% to 76.1% and from 63.6% to 76.2%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the peripheral blood % Eos and the % increase of PEF (p < 0.01). There was also a significant positive correlation between the induced sputum % Eos and the % increase of PEF (p < 0.05). The induced sputum ECP content was still as high as 180 micrograms/l after FP treatment. The mean % PEF did not reach 80% after FP treatment. This study suggests that airway inflammation persists in some severe asthma patients despite inhalation of FP 800 micrograms.

We conducted an early phase II trial of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to evaluate the response efficacy of a combination of cisplatin (CDDP), carboplatin (CBDCA) and vindesine (VDS). The twenty-four patients in the study had had no previous treatment. CDDP (15 mg/m2), CBDCA (200 mg/m2) and VDS (3 mg/m2) were administered on Day 1, CDDP (15 mg/m2) was administered on Days 2-5, and VDS (3 mg/m2) was administered on Day 8. We observed 9 partial responses (PR), with a total response rate of 39%. The overall median survival was 72 weeks, and the 1-year survival rate was 57%. Major toxicities were hematologic; leukopenia of grades 3 and 4 occurred in 25% patients, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 21%. Therefore, the combination of CBDCA with CDDP and VDS chemotherapy was effective against inoperable NSCLC with tolerable toxicities and a favorable median survival time.

A 53-year-old male was admitted to our department with a chest tumor due to infiltration of lung cancer. Right upper lobectomy and a wide en bloc excision of the right upper chest wall were performed, including the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th ribs with upper lobectomy of right lung. The defect was replaced with three A-O metal plates, which joined both stumps of the ribs, from the third to the fifth rib. These metal plates were very useful because it was easy to bent and twist them to fit the defect in operation. And curved metal plates preserved a cone from of chest cage. Postoperative course was favourable without mechanical ventilation and wound infection.

Secondary amyloidosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus has rarely been reported. A 57-year-old female had been diagnosed as having possible systemic lupus erythematosus, although her clinical course was not typical. About one year after the diagnosis, treatment was begun with prednisolone because of progressive renal dysfunction, thrombocytopenia and low serum levels of complements. Recurrent diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding soon developed, then amyloidosis was revealed in the stomach and duodenum. Postmortem examination confirmed systemic amyloidosis. We discuss the significance of this rare association of systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary amyloidosis.

A human lung squamous-carcinoma cell line resistant to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), designated PC10-B3, has been established from the original cell line PC10 by a stepwise increment of the CDDP concentration. This is the first report, to our knowledge, to establish a CDDP-resistant lung squamous-carcinoma cell line. PC10-B3 has continued to proliferate in the presence of 0.5 micrograms/mL CDDP, whereas PC10 could not survive. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that PC10-B3 was 11.4-fold more resistant to CDDP than PC10 and cross-resistant to diammine(1,1-cyclobutanecarboxylate)platinum(II) (CBDCA) and 254-S, but not to doxorubicin or etoposide. PC10-B3 was characterized by a smaller DNA index and a larger cell size compared to PC10. The level of intracellular platinum accumulation was reduced by about 5- to 8-fold in PC10-B3 when compared with PC10, suggesting that reduced drug accumulation may be one of the important factors in contributing to CDDP resistance in PC10-B3.

To assess the accuracy of the bronchoscopic DNA content analysis, samples of non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) were investigated by means of flow cytometry. Samples were dissociated using the detergent Triton X-100. In 58 NSCLC cases, 39 (67%) had DNA aneuploid tumors. We compared the DNA indices of bronchoscopic brushing samples with 21 corresponding surgical samples. In 16 (76%) cases, DNA ploidy of both bronchoscopic and surgical samples were in concordance. In 3 (14%) cases, both bronchoscopic and surgical sample showed DNA aneuploidy, but the number of the DNA aneuploid stem cell lines was different. The cause of these differences was ascribed to the intratumor DNA heterogeneity. In 2 (10%) cases, the bronchoscopic sample showed DNA diploidy, but the surgical sample showed DNA aneuploidy. In these cases, tumor cells obtained by bronchoscopic brushing were so few that the small DNA aneuploid peak was undetectable in the DNA histogram. But the tumor DNA ploidy was evaluated correctly in 90% of 21 cases using bronchoscopic samples. Consequently, despite some drawbacks, the DNA ploidy diagnosis using bronchoscopic samples in this relatively small study, was almost as reliable as surgical samples.

We evaluated the prognostic significance of nuclear DNA content by flow cytometry and ras oncogene expression in paraffin-embedded sections of tumors obtained surgically from 112 non-small cell lung cancer patients. Sixty-five (77%) of the 84 tumors had DNA aneuploid patterns that were statistically higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma. Of the 91 patients analyzed immunohistochemically using anti-ras Mr 21,000 protein (p21) monoclonal antibody rp-35, positive reactions (weak and strong) were observed in 56% of squamous cell carcinomas and 68% of adenocarcinomas. A better 5-yr survival rate was observed in the DNA diploid group (61%) than in the DNA aneuploid group (35%) (P less than 0.01). Patients with p21-negative tumors survived significantly longer (5-yr survival rate of 64%) than did those with p21-weak tumors (38%, P less than 0.05) or those with p21-strong tumors (12%, P less than 0.01). Cox's multivariate analysis showed that DNA ploidy, ras p21 expression, and the stage of the disease were significant prognostic factors for survival. However, the DNA content was not a major independent prognostic factor in adenocarcinoma. The intensity of ras p21 expression was not correlated with nuclear DNA content. These results suggest that DNA content or enhanced ras p21 expression may be different biological markers indicating the malignant potential of lung tumors.

A 73-year-old woman with ureteral cancer and multiple systemic metastasis was admitted complaining of dyspnea on exertion after administration of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF). On chest examination, coarse crackles were heard during inspiration throughout the lungs. Chest roentgenogram revealed a ground glass infiltration, an air bronchogram in the right lung field and an ill-defined right pulmonary artery. Her symptom and chest roentgenological finding improved and coarse crackles were not heard after discontinuation of rH-TNF. Neutrophils and lymphocytes of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased and transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed slight thickening of alveolar septa with infiltration of inflammatory cells. The pulmonary edema was thought to be caused by rH-TNF which induces adherence of neutrophils to endothelium and stimulates them to increase lysosomal enzyme release and oxygen radical production. As a results, it is thought pulmonary permeability might be increased.

We investigated whether the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein takes part in cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) resistance, using a murine leukemia cell line P388 and its CDDP resistant cell line. P388/CDDP was 4 times more resistant to CDDP than P388. The cell lines were maintained in the DBA/2 female mouse peritoneal space. In total cells, the amount of the PCNA protein decreased to 90% in P388 after 1 h CDDP treatment, but that of P388/CDDP increased to 127%. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012, n = 5). As for G2/M phase cells, the difference was also significant at 1 h (p = 0.016, n = 5) and at 2 h (p = 0.036, n = 5) after treatment. In P388 the amount of the PCNA protein decreased in accordance with the inhibited cell proliferation, whereas in P388/CDDP, the amount of the PCNA protein increased in spite of the inhibited cell proliferation. This increase of the PCNA protein suggests that the PCNA protein is involved in CDDP resistance of P388/CDDP through enhanced DNA repair synthesis.

The mechanism of protective effect of sodium selenite (Se) on the nephrotoxicity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) was studied with mice. CDDP and Se concentrations in the plasma, blood cell, kidney and liver were measured in mice given CDDP alone and those given both CDDP and Se. The nephrotoxicity of CDDP was observed in mice fed Se deficient diet (SDD). The activities of glutathione peroxidase (G-Px) in the plasma, blood cells, kidney and liver were measured in mice mentioned above. Co-administration of Se did not influence on the concentration of CDDP in the blood, kidney and liver. In mice fed SDD, the nephrotoxicity of CDDP increased and G-Px activities of the blood and kidney decreased. In mice given Se, G-Px activities was not increased. These results suggest that interaction between CDDP and Se differs from that between mercury and Se, or between cadmium and Se (formation of compound). Intake of Se is related to the appearance of the nephrotoxicity of CDDP. G-Px may be related partially to the protective effect of Se on the nephrotoxicity of CDDP.

Forty-two lung cancer patients with COPD (7.9% of 534 lung cancers), and 84 age- and sex-ratio-matched controls who were randomly selected from lung cancer patients without COPD were examined. Lung cancers with COPD consisted of 25 cases of squamous call carcinoma (59.5%), 11 of adenocarcinoma (26.2%), 2 of small-cell carcinoma (4.8%), and 4 of large-cell carcinoma (9.5%). Squamous cell carcinoma occurred more in patients with COPD than in controls (35.7%) (p less than 0.01). In squamous cell tumors with COPD, 12 cases (48.0%) were centrally located and 13 cases (52.0%) were peripherally located. Squamous cell carcinoma of peripheral origin occurred more in patients with predominant emphysema (76.9%) than controls (36.7%) (p less than 0.05). Our results suggest that the COPD patients with predominant emphysema may be at greater risk for squamous cell tumors of peripheral origin.

We determined by flow cytometry the proportion of cells in cycle with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 and also in S-phase after incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) with monoclonal antibody to BrdUrd. The monoclonal antibody Ki-67 was useful to detect a nuclear antigen present only in proliferating cells but not expressed in resting (Go) cells. Cell preparation to measure BrdUrd amount incorporated into cellular DNA was difficult but this anti-BrdUrd antibody was useful for measuring the rate of DNA synthesis and for the analysis of precious cell kinetics. These antibodies may provide useful information of cell kinetics.

A 55-year-old woman had bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and retinouveitis. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from a mediastinal lymph node revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas. Since granulomatous diseases of infectious origin and sarcoid reaction were reasonably excluded, she was diagnosed as having pulmonary sarcoidosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage findings were atypical in that the ratio of helper T cells to suppressor T cells (CD4/8 ratio) was 0.5 in two separate examinations, despite a moderately increased proportion of lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical examination of the lymph node also showed a predominancy of suppressor T cells. The inversion of the CD4/8 ratio suggests the presence of heterogeneity in the immunoregulatory mechanism in pulmonary sarcoidosis and may have a prognostic significance.

A 55-year-old woman was admitted for examination of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme was not elevated, but gallium-scan revealed an increased uptake in both lung hilus. The percentage of lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was elevated (28.9%), and the proportion of OKIa1 positive cells was also elevated (50.5%). However, the ratio of cluster differentiation (CD) 4/8 was inverted at 0.5. Microscopic examination of the mediastinal lymph nodes revealed epithelioid cell granulomas without ceasation, and a diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. Immunohistochemical examination of the lymph nodes showed predominancy of CD8 positive cells. Patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis having a low CD4/8 ratio in BALF are extremely rare in the early stage of sarcoidosis. The inverted CD4/8 ratio was of interest in regard to the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.