Analyses of some mite antigens found in house dust and in food material

Antigen analyses by micro-Ouchterlony, immunoelectrophoresis and passive hemagglutination tests were carried out on extracts from each of the following cultured mites: Dermatophogoides farinae, Dermatophogoides pteronyssinus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Aleuroglyphus ovatus and Carpoglyphus lactis; and on an extract from the culture medium for each mite. Antisera were raised against each extract or each medium in rabbits or in guinea pigs. Up to 5 precipitin lines by micro-Ouchterlony test and up to 8 precipitin arcs by immunoelectrophoresis were detected between an extract and its homologous (corresponding) antiserum. Some of the lines or arcs were seen consistently to be common to all species tested. The absorption of common antigens in an extract by heterologous (noncorresponding) antiserum was employed to find the antigens specific to D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. By these tests, at least 3 species-specific antigens for D. farinae and 2 for D. pteronyssinus were found. In passive hemagglutination tests, higher titers were obtained mainly in homologous systems, although weak cross reaction was observed in every system. Culture media did not participate in any reaction combinations used here and did not interfere with the analyses.

Demonstration of IgG EA (early antigen) and IgM MA (membrane antigen) antibodies in CMV infection of healthy infants and in those with liver disease

The sequence of antibody production to various virus-specific antigens in CMV infection in infancy was studied. In healthy infants, IgG EA antibody was demonstrated in 18% of cord sera, and disappeared within two months after birth in all cases not shedding virus. The nonmaternal EA antibody was produced following virus excretion and decreased rapidly following cessation of virus excretion. Thus, demonstration of EA antibody in infants after 2 months of age was found to indicate acquired CMV infection, even when CMV could not be isolated. IgM MA antibody did not persist as long as EA antibody, disappearing before cessation of virus excretion. Both IgG EA and IgM MA antibodies were more frequently demonstrated in infants with hepatitis than in healthy infants. These findings suggest the possible association of CMV with hepatitis in infants.

Mite fauna and fungal flora in house dust from homes of asthmatic children

Mite fauna and fungal flora in the house dust from homes of asthmatic children with positive and negative skin test to house dust allergen and non-asthmatic controls were examined. There was no conspicuous difference in mite species distribution among the three groups. Pyroglyphid mites dominate the mite fauna in house dust more than half of which being Dermatophagoides: D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae. There was no statistically significant difference in numbers between the two species and either species could dominate depending on the conditions of the individual houses. The average number of acarina in 0.5 g of fine dust did not differ statistically among the three groups; however, mite number per square meter floor differed between patients with positive skin test and negative skin test. The results suggest that house-cleaning might influence the possible sensitization of children. The genetic distribution of mould fungi in house dust was largely similar to that of airborne fungi. The average number of fungal colonies detected in 0.5 g of dust did not differ statistically among the three groups. Wallemia with its minute spores may cause sensitization but has so far been insufficiently investigated.

Experimental studies of schistosomal pigment from Schistosoma japonicum

The schistosomal and malarial pigments were distinguishable before and after extraction from the host liver. Presence of iron in both pigments was ascertained by the elemental X-ray analysis. Histochemically, however, schistosomal pigment was similar to that of malarial pigment.

Acoustooptic traveling-wave transcription signal recording based on two-beam interference

A novel technique of wideband signal recording has been developed for the optical video disk. An FM videoband signal is carried by a traveling acoustic wave in the form of AM modulation through an acoustic medium under continuous laser illumination and transcribed optically onto a synchronously moving photosensitive medium. As the recording frequency bandwidth is not restricted by the laser beam diameter basically, a wideband recording system with large depth of focus can be established by using the large beam diameter. Wideband recording up to 18 MHz (1-microm record pitch) is experimentally verified using As-Se-S-Ge chalcogenide glass as a high resolution recording medium.

Studies on the physicochemical properties of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergens involved in reaginic reaction

The physicochemical nature of the allergenic component of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was studied by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, isoelectrofocusing, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fractions were assayed for allergenic activity by the direct radioallergosorbent test (RAST) (dilution method), RAST inhibition (50% inhibition method) and human skin testing. Fractions were further studied by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the band showing a flow rate value of 0.35 was the most potent in allergenic activity. Fractionation by isoelectrofocusing yielded three factions with allergenic activity of pI = 4.8, PI = 7.4 and pI = 10.0 Sephadex G-100 gel filtration revealed that allergenic activity was present in fractions with molecular weight ranging from 17,000-45,000 and discrete ion exchange chromatography evidenced three fractions with very high allergenic activity. In the present study we propose that the allergenic material of D.P is composed of 3 physicochemically different substances whose molecular weight lie in the 17,000 to 45,000 range.

Computed tomography of brains of epileptic children

1) Most of the intractable epileptic children showed abnormal EEG and abnormal CT findings. 2) The abnormal side of CT findings of focal epilepsy corresponded with the abnormal side of clinical manifestations and EEG findings. 3) CT findings of the brains of patients with infantile spasms exhibited cerebral cortical atrophy. 4) CT findings of the brains of the other epileptic types were not related to clinical manifestations or EEG findings.

Synthesis of carbon-14 and tritium labeled sagamicin

Sagamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, was labeled with tritium by means of a platinum catalyzed hydrogen exchange reaction and by carbon-14 in two biosynthetic procedures. 14C-Methyl-L-methionine was used as the radioactive precursor in these biological processes involving Micromonospora sagamiensis. The distribution of radioactivity in 14C-sagamicin and gentamicin C1 was studied by mild acid hydrolysis and Hofmann degradation. The results showed that both C- and N-methyl groups were derived from methionine. One of the biosynthetic processes involved the conversion of gentamicin into sagamicin with resting cells and labeled methionine.

Pregnancy and delivery in penicillamine treated patients with Wilson's disease

Pregnancy and delivery of two patients with Wilson's disease are reported. Case 1 was a 20-year-old housewife who had been taking D-penicillamine fore more than 10 years and had remained asymptomatic except an episode of dissociative reaction. She apparently survived longer than any of her three sisters who died of the same disease. She discontinued the use of D-penicillamine by herself when she was at the 22nd week of pregnancy. Case 2 was a 32-year-old housewife who developed an episode of mental disorder of short circuit reaction type with mild neurological symptoms and Kayser-Fleischer rings after the prolonged interval of medication since the first pregnancy and delivery. Three months after the complete recovery of neuropsychiatric symptoms she was at the 12th week of pregnancy and withheld penicillamine from herself. During the pregnancy they had not revealed any exacerbation in terms of clinical and laboratory findings. Each of them was delivered of a healthy baby. Although the pregnancy and delivery of both patients were successful, the authors recommended that they should not prolong the interval of medication to protect themselves against the onset or relapse of the illness.

Production of guinea pig reaginic antibody against the house dust mite extract, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, without adjuvant

Guinea pigs of Hartley strain were sensitized with an extract of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Positive immediate skin reactions were obtained in more than half of the animals 6 weeks after repeated intradermal injection. Adjuvants of A1(OH)3 gel or Bordetella pertussis vaccine did not significantly enhance the production of reaginic antibody. Prausnitz-Küstner type skin test titers were even higher in guinea pigs sensitized with the mite extract without adjuvant. Circadian rhythm and difference in injection sites were not noted when assessed by skin tests on sensitized guinea pigs. Passive hemagglutination test detected serum antibodies and some animals showed respiratory distress on the challenge with the aerosolized extract. This system would be an another useful laboratory model of acute respiratory allergy of the most important inhalant allergen, the house dust mite.

Clinical significance of the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) in asthmatic children in Japan

Clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the role of the house dust mite. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, as an allergen in children's asthma in Japan. Skin testing and Prausnitz-Küstner type skin testing showed good correlations between the allergenicity of house dust and the mite. A positive Prausnitz-Küstner type skin reaction to house dust was neutralized by a mite extract. Radioallergosorbent test showed good correlation between house dust and the mite (r=0.687). The mite exhibited in vitro inhibition of radioallergosorbent test to house dust. The inhalation provocation test resulted in an acute respiratory attack in one of the patients. These results suggest that the house dust mite is an important allergen in asthmatic children in Japan.

Studies on the experimental phenylketonuria in rats

Wister albino pregnant rats were fed on pellets containing 3.5% L-phenylalanine (Phe) from 10 days before the expected date of birth. The diet was then switched to 7% Phe pellets at the third week after birth. Baby rats were reared with breast milk, and weaned at the end of the 4th week after birth; thereafter, they were reared with a normal diet for one week at the 5th week, and then were given 7% Phe diet from the 6th week. These rats, which were reared with a diet of high Phe, showed a similar metabolic pattern to that of human phenylketonuria (PKU) in the following aspects: definite suppression of the liver Phe hydroxylase activity, excretion of a large amount of phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) and phenyllactic acid (PLA) into urine, and an elvated level of blood Phe content. But, they had an excessive amount of blood tyrosine (Tyr), and concurrently excreted massive homogentisic acid (HGA) in urine just as in human tyrosinemia alkaptonuria. The absence of urinary o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (o-HPAA) was also a distinct difference from human PKU. In some rats, mild inhibition of the liver Phe hydroxylase activity was observed. In other rats, there was no excretion of PPA into urine as in human hyperphenylalaninemia. Further, the regulatory mechanism of Phe catabolism of experimental PKU was discussed by analysing the enzyme activity of the liver Phe hydroxylase, phenylalanine-pyruvate (Phe-Pyr) transaminase and tyrosine alpha-ketoglutarate (Tyr-alpha-Kg) transaminase at different developmental stages of the rats.

A successful method for mass culture of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Troussart, 1897)

Comparative studies have been carried out to find out an optimum condition for efficient mass culture of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Troussart, 1897), the most dominant species of the house dust mites. Among various food materials tested for culture media, the mixture composed of 2 parts of powdered laboratory animal food, 2 parts of dried yeast and 1 part of dried fish powder was found to be most fitted. The humidity content of the medium was best when adjusted to 16% beforehand and thin layer of the food medium was prepared in Roux's-bottle with a paper plug. The plug of the bottle was opened once a week and the medium was mixed thoroughly by shaking to prevent clotting. When about 15,000 mites were inoculated into 100 g of culture media, the highest yield was obtained with relative humidity regulated at 75% and the temperature at 25 degrees C after 12 weeks of incubation. Purified mites were separated from culture media by floatation with saturated NaCl solution and the average yield of the mice was 2 to 3 g in wet weight per 100 g of the food mixture.

Holographic information retrieval system

We describe in this paper the organization and operation of an exploratory holographic library information processing system successfully demonstrated in our laboratory. This system consists of a recording stage and an information-retrieval and readout stage, all of which are controlled by a minicomputer. Abstracts of literature are stored in hologram arrays on 35-mm roll film. A new technique of holographic correlation detection that is appropriate for parallel processing is used for interrogations with arbitrary words, and it results in the remarkable reduction in the loads of the minicomputer and its interface to the optical system.