[Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: a case report]

We experienced a case of ganglioneuroma. A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for right flank pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a low density mass near the upper pole of the right kidney. Selective renal arteriography did not demonstrate any tumor vessels in the right kidney. An endocrinological study revealed high values of noradrenaline and dopamine in urine. Under the preoperative diagnosis of a retroperitoneal tumor or right adrenal tumor, tumor resection was performed. The tumor was found in the retroperitoneal space on surgical exploration. The histopathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma.

Antitumor activity of natural-type human tumor necrosis factor on experimental brain tumors in rats

The effects of intralesional injection of newly synthesized natural-type human tumor necrosis factor (nh-TNF) on experimental brain tumors in rats were investigated. The repeated injection of 5,000 U of nh-TNF into the tumor resulted in the prolongation of the survival time of the rats. More than half of the nh-TNF treated tumors were red, and were characterized by histopathological features of marked congestion of tumor vessels. Fibrin formations were also found in the tumor vessels. These histological findings were not observed in the control tumors. Furthermore, coagulative necrosis was observed in the center of some reddish tumors. Leukocytes adhering to vascular endothelium and infiltration of the leukocytes were also observed in the tumors of nh-TNF treated rats. In the immunohistochemical examination, these infiltrated cells were primarily polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) increased on the tumor endothelial cells after the administration of nh-TNF. These results suggest that repeated injection of nh-TNF has a therapeutic effect on brain tumors through its extensive influences on tumor vasculature.

Feasibility of a nickel-metal hydride battery for totally implantable artificial hearts

An implantable rechargeable battery is one of the key technologies for totally implantable artificial hearts. The nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery is promising for its high energy density of 1.5-2.0 times that of a nickel-cadmium battery. In this study, the effects of pulsatile discharge loads on the operating time and cycle life of Ni-MH batteries at 39 degrees C were studied. Two battery cells (TH-3M, 1,200 mAh, phi 14.5 x 49 mm; Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan) in series were charge/discharge cycled at 39 degrees C using a charge current of 1CA (1,200 mA) and then were fully discharged to 1.0 V/cell under either pulsatile discharge loads, which mimicked a systole (1 A for 0.3 sec) and a diastole (0.4 A for 0.3 sec), or a non pulsatile discharge load equivalent to the average of the pulsatile loads (0.7 A). Each cycle life test was interrupted on the 482nd cycle under pulsatile load, and on the 423rd cycle under non pulsatile load, because of malfunction of each battery charger. The tests showed that the pulsatile discharge cells had significantly (p < 0.001) less operating time (74.0 +/- 7.15 min) throughout the test period (up to 482 days) compared to the cells under equivalent non pulsatile discharge loads (93.7 +/- 7.74 min). The pulsatile-discharged Ni-MH cells provide significantly less operating time than the constantly discharged cells; the Ni-MH battery has an operating time of over 78 min and a cycle life of almost 500 cycles at 39 degrees C. In conclusion, the Ni-MH battery is feasible as an implantable back-up battery for a totally implantable artificial heart system.

Characterization of a new isoform of the NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) gene family member NFATc

The cyclosporin A (CsA)/FK506-sensitive nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) plays a key role in the inducible expression of cytokine genes in T cells. Although NFAT has been recently shown to be inducible in several non-T immune cells, the NFAT gene family members characterized to date have been isolated only from T cells. To further characterize NFAT function in human B cells and to demonstrate cytokine gene specificity of NFAT proteins, we report here the isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone from the Raji B cell line. The cDNA clone encodes a new isoform, NFATc.beta, of the NFAT gene family member NFATc (designated here NFATc.alpha). The amino acid sequence of NFATc.beta differs from that of NFATc. alpha in the first NH2-terminal 29 residues and contains an additional region of 142 residues at the COOH terminus. Northern analysis using a probe encompassing a common region of both isoforms showed two mRNA species of 2.7 and 4.5 kilobase pairs, while an NFATc.beta-specific probe detected only the 4.5-kilobase pair mRNA which was preferentially expressed in the spleen. Transient expression of NFATc.beta was capable of activating an interleukin-2 NFAT-driven reporter gene in stimulated Jurkat cells in a CsA-sensitive manner. However, NFATc.beta neither bound to the kappa3 element (an NFAT-binding site) in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter nor activated the tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter in cotransfection assays. These data suggest that different members or isoforms of NFAT gene family may regulate inducible expression of different cytokine genes.

Primary brain tumors in two dogs treated by surgical resection in combination with postoperative radiation therapy

Primary brain tumors in two dogs were surgically removed followed by postoperative radiation therapy. The two tumors were confirmed histologically to be astrocytoma and meningioma, respectively. After the surgery, the neurological status of each dog improved dramatically and a total dose of 40 Gy was delivered to the surgical site to treat residual tumor tissue. Although the dog with astrocytoma died 6 months after surgery due to unknown causes, the dog with meningioma has lived for over 24 months with a degree of neurological disorder less severe than that before treatment. These results suggested the effectiveness of this type of therapy on brain tumor in dogs and therapeutic modality should be positively planned to treat canine brain tumors.

The source of fluid and protein in serous retinal detachments

PURPOSE

To investigate the source and protein content of sub-retinal fluid in self-forming experimental serous retinal detachments.

METHODS

Detachments were induced in Dutch rabbit eyes using rose bengal photosensitization to cause choriocapillaris injury and thrombosis. Serous detachments formed spontaneously within the next 24 h. Subretinal fluid was withdrawn 2, 8 and 24 hrs after photosensitization, and was analyzed for osmolality and albumin content by gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

The albumin concentration in the subretinal fluid of light-induced detachments was 68% of serum level at 3 h after light damage, and rose close to serum level by 24 h. The osmolality of subretinal fluid 24 h after light damage was essentially the same as serum and vitreous fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

The subretinal protein and fluid in light-induced detachments in the central retina of the rabbit must come from the choroid, since there are no intrinsic retinal blood vessels in that region of the fundus. These data demonstrate that serous retinal detachments can form from choroidal fluid.

Postparturient change in endotoxin levels of ruminal fluid and serum in dairy cows

The changes in the endotoxin levels of ruminal fluid and serum in postparturient cows were evaluated. Five cows were fed hay and concentrates on an individual basis (farm A) and the other 5 cows were given complete feed ad libitum (farm B) after parturition. Ruminal pH levels decreased in both groups after parturition. Subsequently, the ruminal endotoxin levels increased with the declining pH on both of the farms. The ruminal endotoxin levels were slightly higher in cows of farm B than those of farm A. Serum endotoxin levels also showed episodic fluctuations, however, there were no parallel changes between the endotoxin levels of the ruminal fluid and sera.

[Evaluation of the clinical usefulness of super dynamic 99mTc-HM-PAO SPECT in ischemic cerebrovascular disease--detection of hypo- and hyperperfusion area]

The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical usefulness of super dynamic SPECT of 99mTc-HM-PAO. Six patients with unilateral occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA) in the chronic phase, and 5 patients with subacute cerebral infarction were studied. We used a ring-type SPECT "HEADTOME." Two types of collimator were used: a high sensitivity (HS) collimator for super dynamic scan and a high resolution (HR) collimator for static scan. First, the intravenous constant infusion of 99mTc-HM-PAO (925-1480 MBq) for 1 minute was started. After 30 seconds from the beginning of the injection, we performed the 12 seconds/frame super dynamic SPECT for 2 minutes. Then, the static SPECT for 10 minutes was done. For semiquantitative analyses, differential percentage of regional activity between affected and non-affected hemispheres was calculated in the 6th frame image of super dynamic SPECT and static SPECT image. In all 6 patients with unilateral occlusion of MCA and ICA, super dynamic SPECT images showed the better contrast of low perfusion areas in comparison with the static SPECT images. In 5 patients with subacute cerebral infarction who showed focal hyperactivities on static SPECT, focal hyperactivities (hyperperfusion or hyperemia) were displayed in 3 cases, whereas, focal hypo- or isoactivities (hypo- or isoperfusion) were shown in 2 cases on super dynamic SPECT. However, all patients with subacute cerebral infarction showed hyperfixation on static SPECT as compared with super dynamic SPECT. Although the image quality on super dynamic SPECT is not as high as that on static SPECT, cerebral hemodynamics would be detected with less backdiffusion of 99mTc-HM-PAO from the brain to blood, and with less accumulation of hydrophilic components in subacute infarct region. In conclusion, super dynamic SPECT in early distribution of 99mTc-HM-PAO using dedicated SPECT device might be helpful to detect cerebral perfusion close to true cerebral blood flow distribution.

Anesthesia induced in pigs by use of a combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine and its reversal by administration of atipamezole

OBJECTIVE

To develop an IM administrable anesthetic combination for pigs.

DESIGN

Use of a combination of atropine, medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine (MB-K) was evaluated as an anesthetic regimen and compared with that of a combination of atropine, xylazine, butorphanol, and ketamine (XB-K). Cardiorespiratory effects of MB-K combination and use of atipamezole as a means of reversing anesthesia induced by MB-K were examined.

ANIMALS

18 castrated, mixed-breed, specific-pathogenfree pigs, aged 8 to 15 (mean, 12.1) weeks and weighing 14.5 to 26.0 (mean, 19.6) kg. were studied.

PROCEDURE

Dosages of drugs used in this study were atropine, 25 micrograms/kg of body weight; medetomidine, 80 micrograms/kg; xylazine, 2 mg/kg; butorphanol, 200 micrograms/kg; ketamine, 10 mg/kg; and atipamezole, 240 micrograms/kg.

RESULTS

MB-K combination proved to be more effective than XB-K combination as an anesthetic combination. After quick and smooth induction by IM administration, MB-K-induced anesthesia was sustained for 98.8 +/- 22.5 minutes (mean +/- SD, 47.4 +/- 16.5 minutes by XB-K) with accompanying muscular relaxation (91 +/- 18 minutes) and loss of pedal (82 +/- 24 minutes) and laryngeal (75 +/- 19 minutes) reflexes. Loss of these reflexes was of significantly longer duration than the loss induced by XB-K, enabled tracheal intubation, and, thus, supported major surgery for at least 30 minutes after induction. Recovery from MB-K-induced anesthesia was smooth. MB-K combination had a slight stimulative effect on cardiovascular status, and a significant depressant effect on blood gas and acid-base status, but these effects were within biologically acceptable limits. Oxygen consumption of pigs under MB-K-induced anesthesia decreased significantly. MB-K-induced anesthesia could be effectively and quickly reversed by IM or IV administration of atipamezole.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine induces excellent surgical anesthesia in pigs, and results in moderate cardiorespiratory effects. A great advantage of the anesthetic regimen is that it can be effectively and quickly reversed by atipamezole.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Medetomidine, butorphanol, and ketamine-induced anesthesia is available for short-term major surgery in pigs.

Histopathological findings on ulcerative lesions of carpal and tarsal joints in Japanese black cattle

In order to determine the pathogenesis of ulcerative lesions of the articular cartilages in Japanese Black cattle, tissue samples of the ulcerative lesion, marginal portion of the ulcer, macroscopically normal portions and synovial membranes were histopathologically examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact microradiography. The results are summarized as follows: (1) In the ulcerative lesions, degeneration and complete destruction of articular cartilage and its replacement with a proliferation of myelogenic connective tissue were observed. (2) In macroscopically normal portions, fissures of the articular surface and changes of the trabecular pattern in subchondral bone were present. (3) In the marginal portions of the ulcerative lesions, evidences of the repair process such as connective tissue growth from subchondral bones and articular cartilages were seen. (4) In synovial membranes, no pathological findings were observed. And (5) among the above mentioned changes, no inflammatory findings were seen. In conclusion, the ulcerative lesions of bovine articular cartilage may be regarded as the early stage of osteochondrosis to osteoarthrosis since the findings such as noninflammatory destruction or degeneration and remodeling of the joints are characteristics of the latter.

When vitreous enters the subretinal space. Implications for subretinal fluid protein

PURPOSE

Vitreous enters the subretinal space in rhegmatogenous detachments, but the protein concentration in subretinal fluid from clinical detachments is much higher than in vitreous. These experiments were designed to study short-term changes in subretinal albumin concentration after vitreous enters the subretinal space.

METHODS

Retinal detachments were made in Dutch rabbits by injecting autologous liquefied vitreous (albumin concentration 244.11 micrograms/ml) into the subretinal space through a micropipette. Subretinal and vitreous fluid samples were withdrawn 0 to 4 hours later and analyzed for albumin concentration (by gel electrophoresis) and osmolality. The authors also made detachments with Hanks' balanced salt solution containing an approximate vitreal level (294.8 micrograms/ml) of fluorescein isothiocyanate albumin.

RESULTS

When the authors made detachments using autologous liquefied vitreous, the subretinal albumin concentration increased to 333.3 micrograms/ml 4 hours after detachment, by which time the detachment volume had fallen to 65% of its initial level. The total amount of albumin in the subretinal space did not change significantly. Subretinal fluid osmolality remained within the range of 292 to 294 mOsm/kg despite the steady absorption of fluid from the detachment. The results were essentially the same when detachments were made with saline and fluorescein isothiocyanate albumin rather than vitreous itself.

CONCLUSIONS

The subretinal concentration of albumin increases as water in subretinal fluid is absorbed across the retinal pigment epithelium. If liquefied vitreous continues to enter the subretinal space, as occurs in clinical cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, this mechanism may cause albumin to accumulate.

An experimental model of retinal pigment epithelial and neurosensory serous detachment

PURPOSE

The authors document an animal model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachments.

METHODS

N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and sodium iodate (sulfhydryl-alkylating agents) were injected into the vitreous of Dutch pigmented rabbits. Subretinal fluid samples were withdrawn 0.5 and 3 hours after NEM injections and analyzed for albumin content by gel electrophoresis. Selected eyes were examined histologically.

RESULTS

Injections of 9.2 micrograms NEM caused wrinkling of the retina within 15 minutes, at which time fluorescein angiography revealed multifocal RPE detachments. At this stage, histologic sections showed moderate choroidal edema and RPE detachment. Elevated retinal detachments developed over the next 15 to 25 minutes. Histologic sections showed massive choroidal edema and RPE fragmentation. The albumin concentration of subretinal fluid rose from 60% of serum level at 30 minutes after NEM to 80% after 3 hours. Sodium iodate did not cause choroidal edema or RPE detachment.

CONCLUSION

In rabbits, intravitreal NEM causes the rapid appearance of choroidal edema and RPE detachment, followed by serous retinal detachment. The initial effect probably is caused by an alteration of choroidal vascular permeability. The relationship of these effects to sulfhydryl alkylation is unclear because sodium iodate failed to produce RPE detachments. N-ethylmaleimide effects may model aspects of clinical RPE and serous retinal detachments.

Cytochalasin D reversibly weakens retinal adhesiveness

This study asks whether retinal adhesiveness is affected by cytochalasin D, a drug that is known to alter the apical morphology of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Cytochalasin D was injected intravitreally in Dutch rabbits and retinal adhesiveness measured 0.5 to 72 h later by two methods: in vitro peeling of the retina from retinal pigment epithelium to observe the amount of adherent pigment, and in vivo measurement of the pressure needed to achieve retinal separation. Electroretinograms were recorded, and RPE apical morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The injection of 60 microM cytochalasin D caused in vitro retinal adhesiveness to fall within 3 h to 10% of normal although the electroretinogram (a, b, and c-waves) remained normal. Smaller doses of cytochalasin D had a lesser effect. The RPE apical surface at 3 h showed large bullet-like microvilli, swollen cone sheaths, and an absence of filamentous microvilli. The severity of these changes was dose-related. At 72 h after cytochalasin D, retinal adhesiveness had largely recovered, and RPE apical morphology appeared normal again. Thus, cytochalasin D weakens retinal adhesiveness acutely but reversibly, and both the initial effect and recovery correlate with changes in RPE microvillar morphology. This suggests that actin microfilaments may be involved in mechanisms of retinal adhesion.

[Identification and analysis of immune cells infiltrating into the glomerulus and interstitium in lupus nephritis]

This study was performed to investigate the role of cell-mediated immunity in lupus nephritis (LN). Frozen sections from 38 patients with LN were examined by indirect immunoalkaline-phosphatase labeling using monoclonal antibodies to identify the immune cells infiltrating into the interstitium and glomerulus. 14 patients showed minor glomerular abnormality (MGA), 9 had mesangial LN (MesLN), 12 had diffuse proliferative LN (DPLN) and 3 had membranous LN (MLN). Monocyte/macrophage and helper/inducer T cells infiltrated in the interstitium predominantly, but intraglomerular infiltration of these cells was rare. Monocyte/macrophage and suppressor/cytotoxic T cell levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the interstitium in DPLN patients and monocyte/macrophage level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in MesLN patients than in MGA patients. In the interstitium, serum creatinine level was highly correlated with infiltrations of suppressor/cytotoxic T cell, monocyte/macrophage (p < 0.01), pan T cell and total leucocyte (p < 0.05). Clinical activity score was correlated with suppressor/cytotoxic T cell (p < 0.001), monocyte/macrophage and pan T cell (p < 0.01). These results suggest that suppressor/cytotoxic T cell and and monocyte/macrophage may play an important role in the progression of lupus nephritis.

The distribution of TM-316-associated surface antigen on polymorphonuclear leucocytes: an immunoelectron microscopic study

It has been established that MoAb TM-316 recognizes an epitope on leucocytes and specifically inhibits the chemotactic behavior of leucocytes. In the present paper, the distribution of this epitope on the cell surface and in intracellular organelles was studied by immunoelectron microscopy. Leucocytes separated from the blood of healthy men and from synovial fluid from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were used. They were fixed with a mixture containing paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and picric acid. As the second antibody, goat anti-mouse IgM conjugated to 10 nm gold colloids was employed. In normal specimens, the epitope was found to some extent on the cytoplasmic membrane of neutrophilic leucocytes, but it was only sparsely distributed on eosinophilic and basophilic leucocytes. On activated neutrophilic leucocytes, obtained from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients, the immunolabeling was markedly increased. The number of sites where the epitope occurs on the surface of leucocytes is thus associated with the cell type, and also with the level of activation of the leucocytes. In order to investigate the processing of the antigen, the intracellular localization of the epitope in the neutrophilic leucocytes was also studied. The epitope recognized by TM-316 was also detected in/on the characteristic granules and Golgi stacks.

Effects of yohimbine and desipramine on adrenal catecholamine release in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation in anesthetized dogs

The effects of yohimbine and desipramine on adrenal catecholamine (CA) release in response to splanchnic nerve stimulation (SNS) were examined in anesthetized dogs. SNS and 3 Hz produced frequency-dependent increases in epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) output determined from adrenal venous blood. Yohimbine (30 and 100 micrograms/kg, i.v.), a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, enhanced the SNS-induced increases in both EPI and NE output. Desipramine (100 and 300 micrograms/kg, i.v.), an amine pump inhibitor, enhanced the SNS-induced increases in NE output, whereas no enhancement of EPI output was produced. After desipramine treatment, yohimbine further enhanced the SNS-induced increases in EPI and NE output. After yohimbine treatment, desipramine further enhanced the SNS-induced increase in NE output. These results suggest that the release of adrenal CA in response to SNS is inhibited by alpha 2-adrenoceptors, and that released NE, rather than EPI, is predominantly taken up into the dog adrenal medullary cells.

Determination of medetomidine, atipamezole and midazolam in pig plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Medetomidine, atipamezole and midazolam in pig plasma were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface system by the use of detomidine as an internal standard. The method was applied to studies of pharmacokinetic behaviour of these drugs.

Pharmacological activity of the C-terminal and N-terminal domains of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor in vitro

1. In order to characterize the physiological functions of the domain structure of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), the biological capacities of half-length SLPIs, (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI and (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI, were investigated and compared with those of full-length SLPI. 2. The activities of these inhibitors against several serine proteases were determined using synthetic chromogenic substrates. The inhibitory capacity of the C-terminal domain, (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI, was as strong as that of full-length SLPI against human neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G and chymotrypsin. It possessed less trypsin inhibitory activity than intact SLPI. For the N-terminal domain of SLPI, (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI, no inhibitory activity could be detected against the serine proteases tested in this study. 3. The inhibitory activity of (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI against the proteolysis of the natural substrates elastin and collagen by NE was comparable with that of full-SLPI (elastin, IC50 = 907 +/- 31 nM for SLPI, 767 +/- 33 nM for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI; collagen, IC50 = 862 +/- 36 nM for SLPI, 727 +/- 47 nM for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI). 4. The binding affinities of full- and half-length SLPIs for heparin were measured by affinity column chromatography. Full-length SLPI showed high affinity for heparin while the binding capacities of both half-length SLPIs were lower. (Concentration of NaCl for elution, 0.45 M for SLPI, 0.24 M for (Ser1-Pro54)SLPI, 0.27 M for (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI). 5. The effects of full-SLPI and (Asn55-Ala107)SLPI on blood coagulation were measured using the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Full-length SLPI prolonged clotting time dose dependently(1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 microM), whereas (Asn55-AlalO7)SLPI had no effect even at the highest concentration.6. In conclusion, the C-terminal domain of SLPI is a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in which participation of neutrophil proteases has been suggested.

Chemical restraint by medetomidine-ketamine and its cardiopulmonary effects in pigs

Chemical restraint induced by medetomidine-ketamine (M-K) combination was evaluated compared with that by xylazine-ketamine (X-K) in pigs. The duration of restraint by M-K was 49.4 +/- 13.5 min (mean +/- SD) and longer than that by X-K (34.6 +/- 17.2 min), but the difference was not significant. The effect of X-K was not stable, since one of five pigs was restrained only for 6 min. Both combinations produced muscle relaxation. The duration of muscle relaxation in M-K was 43.6 +/- 12.7 min and was significantly longer than that in X-K (21.0 +/- 14.0 min). M-K combination had a slightly stimulative effect on the cardiovascular system, but scarcely changed the respiratory parameters. This limited effect on cardiopulmonary system was an advantage of M-K combination for chemical restraint in pigs. These results indicated that M-K combination is suitable for chemical restraint with prolonged muscle relaxation and has limited cardiopulmonary effects in pigs.

Albumin movement out of the subretinal space after experimental retinal detachment

PURPOSE

The subretinal fluid of serous retinal detachments contains protein, but little is known about its origin and fate. The authors designed experiments to study the rate and route of albumin movement out of the subretinal space.

METHODS

Experimental retinal detachments were made in Dutch rabbits by injecting Hanks' balanced salt solution containing serum levels (approximately 30 mg/ml) of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) albumin into the subretinal space through a micropipette. Subretinal, vitreous, and serum fluid samples were withdrawn 0 to 4 hours later through a similar micropipette and were analyzed for osmolality, FITC albumin content (by fluorophotometry) and FITC+native albumin content (by gel electrophoresis). Sodium iodate was injected intravenously in some rabbits to damage the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

RESULTS

Albumin injected into the subretinal fluid diffused steadily into the vitreous, and its concentration decreased by approximately 5% per hour. This rate was unaffected by RPE damage. Albumin did not move into the bloodstream unless the RPE was damaged with sodium iodate, and then it crossed the RPE at approximately 25% of the rate at which it moved into the vitreous. Subretinal fluid osmolality remained within the range of 293 to 294 mOsm/kg despite protein movement and the continual absorption of fluid from the detachments.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that albumin in the subretinal space diffuses readily into the vitreous, and subretinal osmolality changes are rapidly equilibrated with the vitreous. Albumin does not cross normal RPE, and it crosses iodate-damaged RPE more slowly than it crosses retina. Thus, there must be a constant supply of albumin if high subretinal concentrations are to be sustained in clinical serous detachments.

The antitumor activity of the DNA fraction from Mycobacterium bovis BCG (MY-1) for glioblastoma

The antitumor activity of the DNA fraction extracted from Mycobacterium bovis BCG (MY-1) for glioblastoma was investigated in the experimentally produced brain tumor in rats. The tumor-bearing rats were given intralesional injection of 1 mg of MY-1 twice a week for three weeks, and were sacrificed for comparison with those of control rats. The main macroscopic features of the tumors treated with serial injections of MY-1 were cystic and destructive structures, which were histologically characterized by multiple microcysts containing macrophages. Furthermore, infiltration of leukocytes as well as the perivascular cuffing in the marginal area was observed. These findings suggested that the serial injections of MY-1 into the brain tumor have the therapeutic potential for glioblastoma.

[Quantitative analysis of individual renal function using 99mTc-DMSA scintigram--comparison with 131I-OIH renogram]

99mTc-2,3-di-mercapto-succinic acid (DMSA) is able to be used for the quantitative analysis of individual renal function by calculating the uptake ratio. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical feasibility of DMSA uptake ratio as compared with 131I-ortho-iodo-hippuran (OIH) renogram pattern. Two hundred eleven cases (191 patients, 1 to 87 years old) with renal disorders and 4 normal volunteers (27.8 +/- 2.4 years old) were studied. Just prior to the DMSA study in the same day, OIH renogram was carried out. They were divided into 6 types by OIH renogram patterns. In 24 cases of normal renogram pattern and normal blood data who were defined as the normal group and 4 normal volunteers, DMSA uptake ratio showed negative correlation with increasing age (r = 0.61, p < 0.05). Patients of the severe impaired functioning and the non functioning patterns showed significantly decreased DMSA uptake ratios as compared with the normal pattern. There was also a significant difference in DMSA uptake between impaired functioning patterns. Compensative hemi-hypertrophy kidneys showed significantly higher DMSA uptake ratios than those of atrophic kidneys. The possibility of the quantitative analysis of the functional compensation was presumed. In conclusion, quantitative analysis of individual renal function using DMSA uptake ratio is considered to be useful to evaluate the renal functional reserve.

A human erythrocyte-derived growth-promoting factor with a wide target cell spectrum: identification as catalase

We have reported previously that a factor with a molecular weight of 53,000 under SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis purified from human erythrocyte extracts promoted the growth of a wide variety of cell types from different species, including T cells, B cells, myeloid leukemia cells, melanoma cells, and mastocytoma cells, as well as normal and transformed fibroblast cells. In the present study, amino acid sequence analysis revealed that this factor has homology with human catalase. The purified factor exhibited catalase activity. Catalases derived from human erythrocytes, bovine liver, Aspergillus niger, and recombinant rat liver catalase are all able to promote the growth of cells. Antibody against human catalase absorbed both the growth-promoting activity and the enzyme activity of the purified factor. In addition, treatment of the factor with an irreversible enzyme inhibitor, aminotriazole, resulted in abrogation of both the growth-promoting activity and enzyme activity. These results indicate that the growth-promoting factor is catalase, and its activity is associated with the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Ubiquitous interleukin-1 alpha in fetal bovine serum may mislead the experimental results in vitro

Fetal bovine sera (FBS) from several commercial suppliers were fractionated by gel filtration. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity was bioassayed using the IL-1-specific murine T cell line D10(N4)M. All the sera examined contained IL-1-like activity, with molecular weights (M(r)) of 30 kDa and 15-10 kDa. Under isoelectric focusing (IEF), the majority of IL-1 activity in either 30 kDa or 15-10 kDa fractions was focused into a position of pl 5. The activity recovered from either IEF or gel filtration was inhibited by either recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist (rhlL-1ra) or by the antibody against human IL-1 alpha. These biological and physicochemical properties strongly suggest that the active molecules were bovine IL-1 alpha and its precursor. There was no correlation between the amount of endotoxin and IL-1 activity. Quantification of the fractionated IL-1 indicated its presence in concentrations of 200-5000 pg/ml equivalent to human IL-1. However, high levels of IL-1 were not apparent in unfractionated FBS. Proliferation of T cells in the presence of FBS absorbed with protein A-Sepharose was greater than that of cells in original FBS. Therefore, the activity in FBS as a whole appeared to result from the balance between IL-1 and the inhibitory molecule(s). These results suggest that data obtained from experiments conducted in the presence of FBS may be influenced by the effect of bovine IL-1.