Type I primary hyperoxaluria associated with type I renal tubular acidosis

An 8-year-old boy who had suffered from recurrent stone formation since the age of 4 years, was admitted as an emergency due to anuria for a half day on November 20, 1986. Kidney-ureter-bladder film showed that the urethra was obstructed by a stone, and emergent cystoscopy was performed to remove it. He is the product of consanguinous marriage, his parents being first cousins. There was no family history of renal stone. Laboratory investigations showed hypokalemic, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. The ammonium chloride loading test revealed inability to acidify the urine and a markedly decreased excretion of titrable hydrogen ion and ammonium ion in the urine. These results indicate that this is a case of Type I renal tubular acidosis. His 24-hour urinary excretion of oxalate and glyoxylate were also markedly increased. There were no underlying causes leading to the development of secondary hyperoxaluria. These results also establish the diagnosis of Type I primary hyperoxaluria. The patient then received regimens of Polycitra 1ml/kg/day and Vitamin B6 50mg/day for 4 months. However, urinary stone developed again in this patient 4 months later. To our knowledge, Type I primary hyperoxaluria in association with Type I renal tubular acidosis has not been previously reported.

An improved method for the detection of malignancy by proton NMR spectroscopy of plasma

The ratio of intensity (RI) of the plasma lipid methyl proton NMR resonance from two Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill spectra acquired with a short (2.4 msec) and long (120 msec) pulse delay time is proposed to provide a potentially more sensitive and less variable marker of human malignancy than the linewidth parameter previously suggested (E.T. Fossel, J.M. Carr, and J. McDonagh (1986) N. Engl. J. Med. 315, 1369-1376). Linewidth and transverse (T2) relaxation data are presented which demonstrate that the observed correlation between methyl and methylene lipid linewidth and the methyl RI parameter arises from a combination of T2 differences and the relative amounts that fast- and slow-relaxing components contribute to the composite methyl resonance.

Activated c-Ha-ras oncogene with a guanine to thymine transversion at the twelfth codon in a human stomach cancer cell line

The rat fibroblast cell line Rat 1 was transfected with total DNA of a gastrocarcinoma cell line, BGC-823. The transforming gene was cloned from the genomic library of the secondary transformants using in situ hybridization with a probe of the human Alu repeat sequence. This cloned gene is homologous to the protooncogene c-Ha-ras. The activation lesion of the transforming gene was identified by sequence analysis as a single nucleotide substitution of thymine for guanine in the 12th codon. This results in the substitution of valine for glycine at the 12th amino acid of the Mr 21,000 protein.

An experimental study of the antitumour effect of bleomycin hydrochloride microcapsules

The controlled release behaviour of bleomycin hydrochloride microcapsules was investigated by an in vitro dissolution method and an in vivo antitumour test. Bleomycin hydrochloride microcapsules prepared using the highest cooling rate exhibited sustained release characteristics and its release rate obeyed a nearly zero order release kinetics. Microcapsules containing bleomycin hydrochloride were locally injected into the solid tumour of uterine cervix carcinoma bearing nude mice. Tumour growth was markedly inhibited by treatment using bleomycin hydrochloride microcapsules compared to the control group and the group receiving direct local administration of bleomycin hydrochloride. No significant differences in the changes of body weight after treatment were found between the control group and the treated group. These results suggest that controlled release microcapsules may be applicable as a drug carrier for delivery of antitumour agents in cancer chemotherapy.

Identification and assignment of base pairs in three helical stems of Torulopsis utilis ribosomal 5S RNA and its RNase T1 and RNase T2 cleaved fragments via 500-MHz proton homonuclear overhauser enhancements

Imino proton resonances in the downfield region (10-14 ppm) of the 500-MHz 1H NMR spectrum of Torulopsis utilis 5S RNA are identified (A X U, G X C, or G X U) and assigned to base pairs in helices I, IV, and V via analysis of homonuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) from intact T. utilis 5S RNA, its RNase T1 and RNase T2 digested fragments, and a second yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 5S RNA whose nucleotide sequence differs at only six residues from that of T. utilis 5S RNA. The near-identical chemical shifts and NOE behavior of most of the common peaks from these four RNAs strongly suggest that helices I, IV, and V retain the same conformation after RNase digestion and that both T. utilis and S. cerevisiae 5S RNAs share a common secondary and tertiary structure. Of the four G X U base pairs identified in the intact 5S RNA, two are assigned to the terminal stem (helix I) and the other two to helices IV and V. Seven of the nine base pairs of the terminal stem have been assigned. Our experimental demonstration of a G X U base pair in helix V supports the 5S RNA secondary structural model of Luehrsen and Fox [Luehrsen, K. R., & Fox, G.E. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78, 2150-2154]. Finally, the base-pair proton peak assigned to the terminal G X U in helix V of the RNase T2 cleaved fragment is shifted downfield from that in the intact 5S RNA, suggesting that helices I and V may be coaxial in intact T. utilis 5S RNA.

Statistical data base for the biomechanical properties of the human shoulder complex--II: Passive resistive properties beyond the shoulder complex sinus

In mathematical modeling of multi-segmented articulating total-human-body, there is no doubt that the shoulder complex plays one of the most important roles. However, proper biomechanical passive resistive force data have been lacking in the literature. This paper presents determination of the three-dimensional passive resistive joint properties beyond the maximal voluntary shoulder complex sinus. A functional expansion with two spherical angular variables in the local joint axis system is proposed to fit the overall restoring force (moment) data. A constant restoring force (moment) contour map as well as a three-dimensional perspective view of the results are presented in a new coordinate system defined in this study. Finally, a statistical data base is established by utilizing the statistical analysis procedures discussed in Part I of this paper.

Statistical data base for the biomechanical properties of the human shoulder complex--I: Kinematics of the shoulder complex

In the last two decades, several multi-segmented mathematical models of the total-human-body have appeared in the literature. While these models can handle very sophisticated load-motion situations, their effectiveness depends heavily on the proper biomechanical description and simulation of the major articulating joints of the human body. Among these joints, the most complicated and the least successfully modeled one has been the shoulder complex mainly due to the lack of an appropriate biomechanical data base as well as the anatomical complexity of the shoulder region. In 1984, the senior author and his associates proposed a new kinematic data collection methodology by means of sonic emitters and associated data analysis technique. Based on this data collection methodology, Part I of this paper establishes a statistical data base for the shoulder complex sinus of the male population of ages 18-32. Estimates for the population mean and standard deviation as well as their confidence intervals are presented. The results are expressed in functional expansion form relative to a locally defined joint axis system as well as relative to the torso-fixed coordinate system in the form of globographic representation.

[DNA transformation activity of a human gastrocarcinoma cell line]

DNAs of three cell lines of human gastrocarcinoma (MGC-803, BGC-823 and PACM-82) and two fresh solid tumors of human stomach cancer were used to transfect NIH3T3 and Rat-1 cells. The transformed cells were selected with high concentration of glucose and low concentration of serum, or with medium containing Geneticin (G418) after co-transfection of pSVneo and DNAs of stomach cancer cell line or primary transformants. From the second round transfection, we had obtained transformants which could grow with high colony forming efficiency in soft agarose and were tumorigenic in nude mice. The southern blot analysis showed that the cellular DNA of the transformants contained human Alu repeat sequence and the transformed gene from stomach cancer cell line (BGC-823) and was homologous to proto-oncogene c-Ha-ras. The transforming gene is able to induce neoplastic transformation of NIH3T3 and Rat-1 cells.

Metabolism and disposition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in rainbow trout

Accumulation, tissue distribution, and depuration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-derived 3H were studied in fingerling rainbow trout fed a diet containing 494 ppt [3H]TCDD for 13 weeks followed by the same diet without TCDD for 13 weeks. This exposure did not cause fin rot, cutaneous hemorrhage, reduced growth rate, or an increase in relative lethality in TCDD-exposed fish. Visceral fat, carcass, skin, and pyloric caeca and all fatty tissues, accounted for greater than 90% of the TCDD-derived 3H in the fish after the 13-week exposure period. The remaining TCDD-derived radioactivity was distributed to skeletal muscle, gill, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, heart, and spleen. High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of 3H in skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, carcass, and visceral fat showed that it was primarily due to TCDD (greater than or equal to 98%) and not metabolites (less than or equal to 2%). The t1/2 for whole-body depuration of TCDD-derived 3H was 15 weeks, and individual organ t1/2 values ranged from 8 to 19 weeks. To determine if rainbow trout metabolize TCDD, adult fish were injected with [14C]TCDD (60 micrograms/kg, ip), and gallbladder bile, liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney were analyzed 1 week later. While only the parent compound was found in the tissues, bile contained at least three TCDD metabolites and the parent compound. beta-Glucuronidase treatment of the bile suggested that at least one TCDD metabolite was a glucuronide conjugate.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin metabolism and disposition in yellow perch

Accumulation, tissue distribution, and depuration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-derived 3H were examined in fingerling yellow perch fed a diet containing 494 ppt of [3H]TCDD for 13 weeks followed by the same diet without TCDD for 13 weeks. None of the TCDD-exposed perch showed any signs of overt toxicity such as reduced growth rate, fin necrosis, cutaneous hemorrhage, or lethality. At the end of the 13-week exposure period, 78% of the total body burden of TCDD-derived 3H was contained in the carcass and visceral fat while the remaining 22% was distributed among the liver (9%), gill (5%), skin (3%), skeletal muscle (2%), gastrointestinal tract (1%), pyloric caeca (1%), kidney (less than 1%), spleen (less than 1%), and heart (less than 1%). High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of organic extracts of visceral fat, carcass, liver, skeletal muscle, and skin showed that 96-99% of the tritium extracted from these tissues was due to the parent compound. The estimated t1/2 for whole-body depuration of TCDD-derived 3H was 18 weeks, and individual organ t1/2 values ranged from 6 to 19 weeks for the gastrointestinal tract, pyloric caeca, liver, gill, and carcass, and from 24 to 49 weeks for the visceral fat, kidney, skin, skeletal muscle, and spleen. To determine if yellow perch metabolize TCDD, a single dose of [14C]TCDD was administered to adult yellow perch (60 micrograms/kg, ip), and, 1 week later, gallbladder bile, liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney were removed, extracted, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In contrast to the liver, muscle, and kidney where the parent compound accounted for 96-99% of the extractable 14C, the gallbladder bile contained almost entirely TCDD metabolites. At least four TCDD metabolites were detected in yellow perch bile and beta-glucuronidase treatment of the bile suggested that at least one was a glucuronide conjugate.

Metabolism of viprostol--a synthetic vasodilator PGE2 analog

Metabolic studies were done with 14C-Viprostol (I) administered by various routes (I.V., oral and topical) to six animal species and to man. Total radioactivity and metabolic profiles were analyzed in plasma, tissues and excreta. The main metabolites were isolated and identified by capillary GC/MS. Plasma and urinary metabolic profiles were qualitatively similar across species, with two major metabolic reactions being predominant: rapid hydrolysis to the pharmacologically active free acid (II) and oxidation of the alpha-chain to dinor and tetranor acids (III, IV). In the monkey and man, reduction of the 9-keto group lead to PGF2 type metabolites (VI-VIII). In the rat, omega oxidation of the beta-chain occurred as well, resulting in the formation of dicarboxylic acids (V).

The effects of zinc sulphate on hypercholesterolaemia induced by cholesterol-choleate in rats

The effects of zinc sulphate on cholesterol-choleate-induced hypercholesterolaemia were studied in rats. Zinc sulphate (20 or 40 mg/kg, p.o. once daily for 5 days) administration, which raised serum zinc levels, significantly increased bile acid secretion and lowered high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the serum. Cholesterol-choleate, given by the same route and schedule, markedly elevated serum total cholesterol level, but decreased serum HDL-C concentration. Bile acid in serum and in bile was also increased, but these changes were inhibited by zinc sulphate pretreatment. Zinc sulphate also worsened the decrease in HDL-C and slightly prolonged the elevation in total cholesterol produced by cholesterol-choleate administration. It is concluded that the moderate increase in serum total cholesterol level by zinc sulphate could be due to inhibition of hepatic metabolism of cholesterol to bile acid. The specific action of zinc ions on HDL-C metabolism is discussed.

Lidocaine removal during resin hemoperfusion for phenobarbital intoxication

A deeply comatose patient with severe phenobarbital intoxication was hemoperfused with an Amerlite XAD-4 column. She was receiving lidocaine for ventricular ectopy. The rate of lidocaine infusion had to be increased to control ventricular arrhythmias during hemoperfusion. Plasma clearance for lidocaine by the column was 122 ml/min at initiation and 75 ml/min at 2 h. These findings suggest that an increment in lidocaine infusion may be needed during resin hemoperfusion in patients receiving this drug because of its removal by the column.

Pathogenesis of gastric ulceration produced by acetazolamide in rats

The present experiment demonstrated that relatively high doses of acetazolamide (100 and 200 mg/kg s.c.) induced severe gastric hemorrhagic ulceration in rats. This ulceration was aggravated by oral administration of HC1, but was inhibited by NaHCO3. Further, the severity of ulceration was also decreased by pretreatment with methysergide, chlorpheniramine, or cimetidine. These protective effects were affirmed by an increase in serotonin and histamine released from the stomach after acetazolamide treatment. Acetazolamide injection also increased the protein level, but reduced the sialic acid content in the gastric secretion, indicating that the gastric mucosal barrier may have been damaged. Prostaglandin E2 content of the gastric mucosa was not affected by the drug; however, carbonic anhydrase activity was markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, it is suggested that the ulceration induced by acetazolamide is mainly due to the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase activity and mucus secretion. The increases in serotonin and histamine released may also have been contributing factors for gastric ulcer formation.

The lack of effects of somatostatin on gastric responses induced by electrical vagal stimulation

The effects of somatostatin on ulcer formation, gastric acid secretion and histamine release were assessed during vagus nerve stimulation in rats. Direct electrical vagal stimulation significantly increased histamine release and acid output in gastric secretion but decreased mast cell counts in gastric glandular mucosa. Hemorrhagic ulceration on the gastric glandular mucosa was also observed. Somatostatin pretreatment (10 micrograms/kg) did not inhibit gastric ulcer formation, gastric acid secretion or histamine release induced by vagal stimulation. Cimetidine (an H2 blocker) pretreatment, however, significantly decreased gastric acid secretion as well as ulcer formation. The present study indicates the direct vagal stimulation increases gastric acid secretion and ulcer formation. These effects are partially histamine dependent. Somatostatin did not inhibit histamine release induced by vagal stimulation and reflects the inability of the drug to prevent ulcer formation and gastric output under these conditions in rats. However, the inhibition of basal gastric acid secretion produced by somatostatin might be useful clinically in humans.