A study of recording accuracy in linear measurements displayed by sirognathograph

The recording accuracy of Sirognathograph (Siemens, West Germany) was conducted by means of an experimental apparatus. Diagrams of mandibular border movements in three dimensional directions were performed. The results showed the distortion was not recognized within 5 mm of primary condition in a subject, but slightly between 5 mm and 10 mm. In a distance of more than 15 mm, a considerable distortion was increased until at the maximum opening position.

Heat production due to intracellular killing activity

Using Saccharomyces ceravisiae, Candida albicans and Stapylococcus aureus, heat production during phagocytosis was measured in U937 cells which are capable of differentiating to monocytic phagocytes. No increase in heat production of non-differentiated U937 was observed since they were not phagocytic cells. However after differentiation to monocytic phagocytes by lymphokine, U937 cells produced a remarkable amount of heat during phagocytosis. Although Ehrlich ascites tumor cells sensitized with antibody were capable of engulfing S. aureus, no increase in heat nor in superoxide anion production during phagocytosis was detected. It was also found that no heat increase occurred in neutrophils from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). It can thus be concluded that the heat production during phagocytosis is due to the intercellular killing process of phagocytic cells.

[A study on display and accuracy of occlusal contacts by means of T-Scan System]

The various methods were introduced in the daily prosthodontic field evaluating occlusal contacts for diagnosis and analysis. Maness in 1987 developed the T-Scan system, which is considered as a new computerized device capable to interpret occlusal contacts information quantitatively. The system is composed of a sensor, sensor frame, handle, cable and system unit. Record and analysis mode made possible the occlusal contacts in three ways, such as the balance plot, the time display and comparison screen. However, accuracy and reproducibility of occlusal marking through this system is still uncertain. Therefore, this preliminary study was conducted on four specific points loaded on a sensor by application of the weight of 0.1 kg through 10 kg. The following results were obtained 1. There exists certain non-sensible areas caused by its constructional feature. 2. The most sensible area can be measured from 0.1 Kg to 2.1 Kg, and therefore, this device is more suitable for recording within lower loadings. 3. Although the system has a certain disadvantage of reproducibility, this contributes to attain diagnosis and treatment of occlusal contacts for a quantitative evaluation.

Heat production as a quantitative parameter for cell differentiation and cell function

Heat production was measured in relation to cell differentiation and phagocytie function using cells of human monocyte-histiocyte cell line U937. U937 cells differentiated monocytic phagocytes when cultured with lymphokine. Heat production increased as result of differentiation and phagocytosis. An important finding was that the heat increase in differentiated cells and during phagocytosis was directly proportional to the concentration of lymphokine. This strongly suggested that heat production is a quantitative parameter not only for cell differentiation but also for phagocytic function. The measurement of heat produced by mammalian cells can therefore be used to quantitate the differentiation and function of cells.

[A clinical evaluation of distant metastases from a hepatocellular carcinoma with reference to location, frequency, symptoms, treatment & prognosis]

A clinical analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with a distant metastases has been undertaken by the authors. Studied were eight patients (Group A) whose distant metastases were detected at the time of their initial examination, and 24 patients (Group B) whose distant metastases had been diagnosed during the course of treatment of their primary lesions. Complications arising from liver cirrhosis in Group A was less than in Group B. The location of the metastases were the bone in 16, the lung and the adrenal gland in four, the brain and the skin in two and the kidney in one. The mean survival times were 4.6 months (Group A), and 6.3 months (Group B). The cause of death was chiefly a progression of the primary lesion, except for one brain metastases. This analysis had shown that treatment of a bone metastasis is necessary for the relief of pain, and that care should be taken for the prevention of a fracture or paralysis, and that control of the primary lesion is necessary for improving the chances of survival.

Pharmacological study of TA-0910, a new thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog, (I): Effects on the central nervous system by oral administration

Effects of orally administered TA-0910, a new thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog, on the central nervous system (CNS) were investigated and compared with those of TRH. TA-0910 shortened the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep and antagonized reserpine-induced hypothermia at 0.3 mg/kg or more in mice. TA-0910 enhanced the spontaneous motor activity at the higher dose of 30 mg/kg in mice. The drug also activated acute spontaneous EEGs in rabbits at 1 mg/kg. TRH produced these effects at about 100 times higher doses than TA-0910. In antagonizing pentobarbital-induced sleep, the dose ratios of i.v. versus p.o. of TA-0910 and TRH were about 1/10 and 1/100, respectively. The duration of the antagonistic action of TA-0910 on pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice was about 8 times longer than that of TRH when administered orally as well as intravenously. These potent and long-acting TA-0910 effects on the CNS are discussed in connection with its biotransformation.

Synthesis and central nervous system actions of thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogues containing a dihydroorotic acid moiety

A series of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogues in which the pyroglutamic acid residue was replaced by (S)-4,5-dihydroorotic acid (Dio-OH) and the related derivatives were prepared. Their central nervous system actions based on spontaneous locomotor activity, antagonistic effect on reserpine-induced hypothermia, and antagonistic effect on pentobarbital anesthesia were evaluated and the structure-activity relationships are discussed. Of these, (1-methyl-(S)-4,5-dihydroorotyl)-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide (14b) showed the most potent activities, which were 30-90 times greater than those of TRH. Moreover, the thyrotropin-releasing activity of 14b was about 50 times weaker than that of TRH, and compound 14b (TA-0910) was selected as a potent candidate.

[Three-dimensional morphological analysis for craniofacial deformity]

Morphological analysis of the craniofacial deformity has been performed by cephalometric radiography, but even with this method, it is difficult to analyze the cases with complicated deformity. The purpose of the present study is to develop the new 3-D CT morphological analyzing system in order to investigate complicated craniofacial deformity. Using the 67 landmarks, we established the 3 D line drawing method. Then the reproducibility of the landmarks were examined and the clinical cases were investigated. The measurement of landmarks were carried out 10 times by the same operator, and standard deviation of 67 landmarks were calculated. Some landmarks which were difficult to identify showed high value of standard deviation. However, it was almost same value between standard deviation of most of the landmarks and the CT system error. Therefore, location of landmarks in the system were found to be reproducible. This new analyzing system was performed in clinical cases with craniofacial deformity. In such cases, cranium deformity and complicated deformity such as twist-form arrangement of cranium, maxilla and mandible were detected. The 3-D CT morphological analysis is effective for analyzing severe craniofacial deformity which was impossible to recognize with conventional cephalometric analysis.

Inhibitory effect of selenium on hamster pancreatic cancer induction by N'-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine

The effect of selenium intake on the development of pancreatic cancer was investigated in female Syrian golden hamsters. Four-week-old hamsters were divided into 2 groups according to the selenium level in their drinking water and were fed a purified diet containing less than 0.05 ppm selenium. Starting 4 weeks later, groups received 10 s.c. injections at weekly intervals of N'-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) dissolved in saline, while controls received saline alone. When the animals were killed 18 weeks after the last injection, palpable tumors were less frequent in the high-selenium group than in animals receiving low-selenium supplement, the numbers of histologically diagnosed cancerous lesions also being significantly reduced by high selenium intake. The selenium level and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum and pancreas were significantly greater in the high-selenium group. Moreover, selenium levels and glutathione peroxidase activity were both significantly higher in tumor-bearing tissue. The results suggest that glutathione peroxidase is involved as an intermediate factor in prevention of carcinogenesis by selenium.

The isoelectric focusing pattern of desialylated alpha 1-antichymotrypsin of heterozygous alpha 1-antichymotrypsin deficiency and of acute phase plasma

In an attempt to find a molecular marker for the putative abnormal allele in heterozygous alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) deficiency (a rare trait associated with early emphysema, childhood asthma and chronic "cryptogenic" liver disease) the isoelectric focusing pattern of neuraminidase treated plasma samples from subjects of ACT deficiency families as well as acute phase plasma were compared. There was no difference in the isoform pattern of plasma from ACT deficiency heterozygotes, normal subjects or patients with acute phase response. However, in acute phase plasma there was a disproportional increase in two isoforms, one of which conceivably may be used to mark the early phase of the acute phase response.

[Visual communication in the prevention of cross infection: study performed at the intensive care unit of the Evangélic Hospital on Londrina]

The influence of posters with illustrations, instructions, and appeals for hand-washing was evaluated in terms of their effect on the frequency of occurrence this procedure, before the contact with the patients, in the Intensive Therapy Unit of the Hospital Evangélico, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. The influence of posters was statistically significant on the frequency of hand-washing by physicians, trained-nurses and laboratory technicians, but not in respect to physical-therapists, or blood-bank and X-ray technicians.

Quantitative analysis of nodal involvement with respect to survival rate after curative gastrectomy for carcinoma

We investigated whether or not the survival rate after curative gastrectomy was related to the total number of lymph nodal metastases and the frequency of the metastases (number of nodes with metastases among number of dissected nodes) in 433 patients with carcinoma of the stomach. Of these patients, 45.3 per cent had lymph nodal metastases, and of a total of 10,130 dissected lymph nodes, 13.0 per cent had metastases. The present findings suggest that both the number and frequency of lymph nodal metastases are closely related to other prognostic factors, such as depth of invasion, histologic type, gross findings, histologic staging and vascular invasion. The five year survival rate significantly decreased as the number and frequency of metastases increased. Thus, it appears the number and frequency of involved lymph nodes are parameters of prognostic significance.

[A double cancer of the gallbladder and common bile duct associated with an anomalous arrangement of the choledocho-pancreatic ductal junction--a case report and a review of the literature]

Reported is the case of a 65-year-old woman who complained of general fatigue and itching. The cancer of the gallbladder and the common bile duct associated with anomalous arrangement of choledocho-pancreatic ductal junction was diagnosed after examination by ERCP, PTCS, US, and CT. The cancer of the common bile duct had metastasized to the pancreas, the portal vein, and the regional lymph nodes and was unresectable. It is well known that an anomalous arrangement of the choledocho-pancreatic ductal junction is highly associated with a cancer of the common bile duct or the gallbladder. But a case that is associated with double cancers is rare and only 6 cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. In addition to a discussion of this case, the literature is reviewed.

Peripheral blood neutrophil function in germfree and conventional rats

The superoxide anion production and the myeloperoxidase activity between polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) from conventional and germfree rats were compared. Furthermore, the response to recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) between both groups of rats was also examined. Our present investigation showed that: (1) the basal superoxide anion production by PMNs in germfree rats (2.1 +/- 0.5 nmol/min/1 x 10(6) PMNs) is less than one fourth of that of conventional rats (9.5 +/- 2.9 nmol/min/1 x 10(6) PMNs). (2) the myeloperoxidase activity of PMNs from germfree rats (38.1 +/- 5.2 nmol/min/1 x 10(6) PMNs) is 1.7 times that of conventional rats (22.4 +/- 4.9 nmol/min/1 x 10(6) PMNs). (3) G-CSF administration increased the number of PMN, 12.4 times in the germfree rats compared with 3.9 times in the conventional rats. (4) the PMNs induced by G-CSF do not differ in the superoxide anion producing activity. However the myeloperoxidase activity decreased in the G-CSF induced PMNs of both groups of rats. From our data, the conventional rats could have a more effective killing activity than the germfree rats. Furthermore, germfree rats may be used as a powerful tool for assay of other biological substances relating to immune system and its regulation.

Effect of dietary molybdenum on esophageal carcinogenesis in rats induced by N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine

The influence of dietary molybdenum on esophageal carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine (2.5 mg per kg of body weight once a week for 20 wk s.c.) was studied in male F344 rats. The tumor incidence and tumor development in the esophagus were significantly lower in the rats in the high-molybdenum (2 ppm) diet group than in the rats in the low-molybdenum (0.032 ppm) diet group; i.e., 44.4% (0.6 +/- 0.8) and 73.2% (2.2 +/- 2.0), respectively. The molybdenum levels in the esophagus-forestomach, liver, and serum were significantly higher in the high-molybdenum diet group than in the low-molybdenum diet group. Xanthine oxidase activity in the esophagus and forestomach in the high-molybdenum diet group was significantly higher than that in the low-molybdenum diet group, whereas liver and serum xanthine oxidase activities were not significantly different between these two groups. These results suggest that xanthine oxidase in the esophagus plays a significant role in the inhibitory effect of molybdenum on esophageal carcinogenesis.

Response of fibronectin to liver regeneration after hepatectomy

The relationship between plasma fibronectin concentration and the regenerative process in liver remnants after hepatectomy was studied in 12 patients and in male Sprague-Dawley rats with and without cirrhosis. Plasma fibronectin levels were reduced immediately after hepatectomy in humans and rats. Patients and rats without cirrhosis displayed preoperative fibronectin levels within 1 mo and 1 wk, respectively, but low fibronectin levels persisted longer in those with cirrhosis. Plasma fibronectin levels correlated well with the degree of hepatic regeneration in the patients with cirrhosis (r = 0.4227; p less than 0.05) and without cirrhosis (r = 0.8148; p less than 0.001), and also with the percentage of change in liver weight during regeneration in the rat with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis (r = 0.4905; p less than 0.01) or in the rat without cirrhosis (r = 0.6422; p less than 0.001). These results suggest that plasma fibronectin is a useful marker for the detection of regenerating liver.

Prognostic significance of serosal invasion and free intraperitoneal cancer cells in gastric cancer

Survival rates after curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer among 238 patients in whom the cancer was invading the serosa were compared with 283 patients without serosal invasion. Generalized Wilcoxon estimates for 5-year survival rate were 47.1 per cent for patients exhibiting serosal invasion and 75.9 per cent for patients without serosal invasion. The frequency of lymph node metastasis increased proportionately with the extent of serosal invasion: 18.4 per cent in cases of S0; 53.8 per cent in cases of S1; 80.0 per cent in cases of S2; and 91.4 per cent in cases of S3. The higher the aggregate total of S (serosal invasion) and n (lymph node metastasis) factors, the lower the 5-year survival rate. In addition, patients with serosal invasion had a propensity for peritoneal dissemination of cancer cells; the percentage of cases with intraperitoneal free cancer cells increased with the extent of serosal invasion. It is worth noting that when cancer infiltration proceeded to the deeper layers and was accompanied by nodal metastasis, cancerous invasion of the perinodal fatty tissue was frequently evident. Therefore, unfavourable prognosis after curative resection in gastric cancer patients with serosal invasion may be largely dependent on whether or not the cancer has invaded the peritoneal cavity and the perinodal fatty tissue.

[Application of a new compact and cell dense continuous culture system for LAK cells generated from cryo-preserved lymphocytes]

Recently, the adoptive immunotherapy using lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells has been applied for various cancer patients. It is quite useful to generate LAK cells from cryo-preserved lymphocytes in order to make a rational treatment schedule. We made basic studies on the induction of LAK cells from frozen lymphocytes using our high yield continuous cell culture system. It was demonstrated that our culture bag can be used to proliferate frozen lymphocytes cultured in interleukin-2 (IL-2) to thirty four-fold the initial cell number in 14 days with comparable cytotoxicity to that of fresh lymphocytes cultured in the same system.

Effect of administration of fibronectin or aprotinin on liver regeneration after experimental hepatectomy

Following 70% hepatectomy, male Sprague-Dawley strain rats were given purified human plasma fibronectin and/or aprotinin intraperitoneally after hepatectomy and were divided into 4 groups: Group FA (40 mg/kg of FN and 25,000 KIU/kg of aprotinin), Group F (40 mg/kg of fibronectin), Group A (25,000 KIU/kg of aprotinin), and Group C which served as a control. The liver regeneration rate 72 hours after hepatectomy in Groups FA and F, and the plasma FN levels at 24 and 72 hours following hepatectomy in groups with FN, were significantly higher than that of the control group. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA and the phagocytic index of the reticuloendothelial system at 24 hours in Groups FA and F, and the mitotic index at 72 hours after hepatectomy in Group FA were significantly increased as compared to the control. But the supplementation of 20 mg/kg of indomethacin to the 4 groups resulted in significant suppression of 3H-thymidine uptake 24 hours after hepatectomy. Moreover, plasma fibronectin levels in rats correlated well with the phagocytic index and DNA synthesis 24 hours following partial hepatectomy. These results suggest that fibronectin may act as an activator of the reticuloendothelial system, related to prostaglandins, in the process of liver regeneration.

[Primary liver cancer coincident with schistosomiasis japonica]

The etiologic relationship of a parasitic liver disease to primary liver cancer has long been debated, and reported is a case that has been encountered of a primary liver cancer coincident with Schistosomiasis japonica. A fifty-nine year-old-man was diagnosed as having a primary liver cancer complicated with liver cirrhosis. A posterior segmentectomy was performed and a microscopic examination revealed a primary liver cancer with multiple ovae of Schistosoma japonicum in the fibrous stroma of the portal spaces. Discussed is the etiologic relationship of Schistosomiasis japonica to the primary liver cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the relationship between CEA localization and mononuclear cell infiltration in human colorectal carcinoma

Thirty cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma were immunohistochemically examined to clarify the relationship between the degree of differentiation of cancer cells reflected by the mode of CEA localization and the infiltration pattern of mononuclear cells in the carcinoma tissues. Leu 1+, Leu 2a+, Leu 3a + 3b+ T lymphocytes, Leu 7+ cells, and IgA-containing plasma cells tended to be distributed more in areas where CEA was localized over the entire surface of the cancer cells or in their surrounding stroma than where CEA was located along the apical surface or within the cytoplasm. Carcinoma cells with the pattern of CEA staining at the former site were previously shown to be less differentiated than those at the latter. There were also CEA-containing phagocytes which were often observed where T cells and IgA plasma cells had aggregated. We speculated that the dedifferentiation of cancer cells might cause the host immune response, especially the cellular immunity, in malignant lesions.

Role of endogenous prostaglandin E2 in interleukin 1 production by peripheral blood monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We studied the effect of endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on interleukin 1 (IL-1) production by peripheral blood monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-1 production by RA monocytes was not different from that of monocytes from normal controls, when the cells were either unstimulated or stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 micrograms/ml), as measured by two different bioassays (thymocyte or fibroblast proliferation assay) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. However, IL-1 production by LPS-stimulated monocytes from RA patients cultured in medium containing indomethacin, an inhibitor of PGE2 synthesis, was significantly greater than that of monocytes from normal controls. In addition, the levels of PGE2 in culture supernatants of unstimulated or LPS-stimulated monocytes from RA patients were higher than in culture supernatants of monocytes from normal controls. Moreover, the increase of in vitro IL-2 production by RA T cells stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was observed when monocytes were removed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results indicated that peripheral blood monocytes from RA patients could produce IL-1 in excess in vitro, but that in vivo IL-1 production by RA monocytes and IL-2 induction by RA T cells might be negatively regulated by endogenous PGE2.

[Mechanical evaluation of crown restoration by means of laser holographic interferometry, with a primary regard to establish a system for an experimental method]

This study was conducted to perform mechanical evaluations of crown restorations by Laser Holographic Interferometry (LHI). However, in an application of LHI, the Fujinon Holox FHLX-II system (He-Ne Gas Laser GLG-5700, NEC Co.) to this experiment, it was mandatory to do some modifications for loading and measuring evaluations, thereby a whole sequence of this system could be successfully carried out. The experiments were conducted in the following manner: Ten pieces of full cast crowns were constructed by a conventional procedure with 12% Au-Ag-Pd alloy and each test-piece was cemented alternately by zinc phosphate cement on a master die (stainless steel) with a chamfer margin. Successive vertical loadings (0kg-30kg) were applied for each test-piece and holograms were taken for crown restorations under loadings of both 15Kg & 30Kg with an accuracy of 0.3 micron. Three-dimensional measurements of nine points on surface of a testpiece were obtained through interference fringes, which were converted into mathematical values and statistical comparisons were performed for mean values under loadings of both 15 Kg & 30 Kg. The following results were obtained from this experiment. 1. It was successfully performed that an application of Laser Holographic Interferometry (a real time) became an efficient method with some modifications for mechanical evaluations of crown restorations. 2. Besides modification for rigid fixation of a test-piece, it made possible to conduct the loading experiment under Kg unit, which was impossible in previous studies. 3. Three-dimensional measurements were also made possible by an application of mathematical calculations, thereby a total system of experimental procedures was established. 4. Reference points were marked on surface of a test-piece, and this made possible to compare with the displacement values of other test-pieces. 5. Displacements of experimental crowns with both 15 Kg & 30 Kg under areas of loadings showed remarkably and they were gradually spread out toward the outer directions of restorations with slight displacements. From this experiment, it was proved that a cemented crown showed a certain deformational behavior under loadings. Therefore, this system contributes to become an efficient method evaluating mechanical features of crown restorations for further studies.