[Changes in the concentrations of nutrient components of human milk during lactation]

The total protein, lipid, lactose and calcium concentrations in breast milk were measured monthly from 1 month to 8-12 months postpartum in 26 lactating women. In order to determine whether changes in the milk composition were due to changes in the duration of lactation or the decline in the milk yield, or both, a linear regression analysis of the change rate of the milk composition against that of the milk volume was performed for the period from 5 to 12 months in 12 women for whom milk yield per day was measured in addition to the milk composition. Protein concentration decreased by about 30% during the first 6 months. Thereafter it increased significantly when the decrease in the milk yield was rapid but declined significantly when the decrease in the milk yield was gradual. The lactose concentration did not change during the first 10 months but somewhat increased thereafter. The calcium concentration remained steady during the 5 months but decreased significantly thereafter. The rate of change for calcium was not affected by the extent of decline in milk yield. No significant changes were observed in lipid concentration and calculated energy content during the 12 months of lactation.

Spatial heterogeneity of mucosal blood flow during ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat stomach investigated by laser Doppler perfusion imaging

Spatial alterations in blood flow during the development of mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats were determined with a two-dimensional laser Doppler tissue perfusion imager. The rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital, and the stomach was exteriorized on a stage; the mucosa was then sequentially scanned. The mucosa was constantly superfused with 0.1 N HCl in physiological saline. Systemic arterial pressure was continuously monitored and blood was stepwisely withdrawn from the femoral artery by 20-mmHg stage and then maintained at 20 mmHg for 20 min. The shed blood was reinfused and the stomach was removed 30 min later. Under control conditions, the average perfusion of the forestomach was usually greater than that in the glandular stomach. When systemic blood pressure was stepwisely decreased, the extent of decrease in the mucosal blood perfusion unit was always greater than that in systemic blood pressure, but mucosal perfusion appeared to be uniformly decreased throughout the stomach. Ten min after reperfusion, a hypoperfused area began to appear in the corpus near the greater curvature, and this area subsequently increased. The area of ulcer formation corresponded with the hypoperfused area in the gastric mucosa 30 min after reperfusion. Pretreatment with CV-6209, a platelet-activating factor antagonist, significantly attenuated the hypoperfusion induced by reperfusion and also prevented gastric mucosal damage. Our results suggest that hypoperfusion in the mucosal microcirculation is indeed an important factor contributing to the localized occurrence of gastric mucosal lesions and that the laser Doppler perfusion imager is useful for the detection of local hypoperfused areas in the gastric mucosa.

Is there a critical gestational age in neutrophil superoxide production activity?

We studied superoxide (O2-) production in neutrophils from 78 normal pregnant women at 7 to 39 weeks' gestation to determine whether there is a critical gestational age in O2- production activity of maternal neutrophils. The O2- production was measured by determining the rate of superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c at 550 to 540 nm. A scattergram of neutrophil O2- production value versus gestational age was analyzed using the least median of squares regression, leading to a statistical stratification in which the median values of O2- production for outlying and nonoutlying points were 6.60 nmol/10(6) cells and 2.72 nmol/10(6) cells, respectively. All of the outlying points were concentrated at 19 to 22 gestational weeks. There was the significant difference in FMLP-induced O2- production in neutrophils of nonpregnant subjects when incubated with the sera from 10 cases (selected among 60 cases with nonoutlying points) (3.86 +/- 0.77 nmol/10(6) cells) compared with 5 cases with outlying points (5.62 +/- 1.19 nmol/10(6) cells) (P < .05) These results suggest that during the normal course of pregnancy, the production of O2- from the function of circulating neutrophils can be dissociated from such neutrophil functions as adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis.

Effects of KCA-012 on bone metabolism in organ culture

3,9-Dihydroxy-5H-benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline-6-one (KCA-012), the chemical structure of which is closely similar to that of the phytoestrogen coumestrol, inhibited parathyroid hormone-, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3- and prostaglandin E2-induced bone resorption of cultured fetal rat bones. KCA-012 also increased the calcium content of 9-day chick embryonic femur cultured in vitro. KCA-012 did not show any estrogenic activity as determined by an increase in the uterine weight of ovariectomized rats, whereas coumestrol did. These results indicate that KCA-012 has no estrogenic activity and has unique effects of inhibiting bone resorption and stimulating bone mineralization.

Characterization of coaggregation and fibrinogen-binding by Porphyromonas gingivalis

We have examined whether the adhesin of Porphyromonas gingivalis which aggregates Streptococcus oralis contributes to its fibrinogen-binding. Various properties of coaggregation between P. gingivalis and S. oralis were compared with those of fibrinogen-binding to P. gingivalis cells. The coaggregation activity was measured by a turbidimetric method and the fibrinogen-binding activity was determined by using 125I-fibrinogen. Both the activities showed maximum values in the pH range from 5.0 to 6.0 and they were inhibited by arginine and lysine. Heating treatment of P. gingivalis 381 cells at 75 degrees C abrogated the activities. However, treatment of P. gingivalis 381 cells with proteinase K considerably reduced the fibrinogen-binding activity but not the coaggregation activity. Metal ions such as Zn2+ and Cu2+ inhibited the coaggregation activity but enhanced the fibrinogen-binding activity. The results also indicated that P. gingivalis strains 381, ATCC 33277 and SU-3 showed relatively higher activities both in coaggregation and fibrinogen-binding, whereas P. gingivalis strains W83, 51 and 165 showing lower fibrinogen-binding activity than P. gingivalis 381 did not coaggregate with S. oralis ATCC 9811. These findings suggest that coadhesin of P. gingivalis with S. oralis is not be associated with its fibrinogen-binding.

Effect of binding of fibrinogen to each bacterium on coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus oralis

Fibrinogen inhibits the coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus oralis. In this study, we determined which bacterium interacts with fibrinogen in this inhibitory process. Although preincubation of each bacterium with fibrinogen did not inhibit coaggregation, its activity was completely eliminated by the addition of protease inhibitors such as N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate and N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone to the preincubation mixture with fibrinogen and P. gingivalis. However, the inhibition of coaggregation was not found after preincubation of S. oralis with fibrinogen in the presence or absence of the protease inhibitors. Labelled materials were recovered from the extract of P. gingivalis cells incubated with radioiodinated fibrinogen in the presence of NEM but not in the absence of NEM. In the binding experiment, P. gingivalis showed a much higher binding activity to fibrinogen than S. oralis. These findings suggest that fibrinogen and its fragment(s) may mask directly or indirectly the aggregation site with S. oralis on the P. gingivalis cells in its inhibitory process of coaggregation.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 20(S)-camptothecin derivatives. A-ring-substituted 7-ethylcamptothecins and their E-ring-modified water-soluble derivatives

Twenty-six novel A-ring-modified 7-ethylcamptothecins (6) were synthesized by Friedländer's condensation of the chiral tricyclic ketone (5) with aminopropiophenones (4). The compounds substituted with fluorine at the 11 position showed strong cytotoxicity to KB and L1210 cells. The 11-fluoro derivatives also exhibited strong inhibitory activity on DNA topoisomerase I. Nine compounds 6 with four to ten times stronger cytotoxicity than that of camptothecin were selected and converted into water-soluble 17-O-acyl amide derivatives (8). Compounds 8e (10-Me, O-COCH2CH2SCH3) and 8f (11-F, O-COC2H5) showed activity towards Meth A in mice that was comparable to that of CPT-11, at lower doses than CPT-11.

Growth of Japanese breast-fed and bottle-fed infants from birth to 20 months

Longitudinal data for weight and length from birth to the 20th month of age obtained from 318 healthy infants were analysed in relation to type of feeding during infancy (breast- or bottle-fed). Differences in the growth patterns of infants according to the type of feeding were confirmed, breast-fed infants tending to be lighter in weight between 6 and 20 months of age than bottle- or mixed-fed infants. However, our analyses of the infants' growth patterns suggest that the differences in mean weight between breast- and bottle-fed infants may be due at least in part to overfeeding of bottle-fed infants. Thus, it is advisable that the standard growth curve for breast-fed infants be based on observations of the growth of a large number of infants who are fed on breast milk only.

[Antitumor effect of UFT against differentiated thyroid cancer]

We have determined the levels of 5-FU, tegafur and uracil in the thyroid cancer and normal thyroid tissue in the patients with differentiated carcinoma who were administered UFT 600 mg/day p.o. preoperatively for six days. 5-FU and uracil levels in the thyroid cancer tissue were significantly higher than in normal thyroid tissue. However, tegafur level did not show significant differences in any tissues. Two cases with differentiated carcinoma, which resulted in PR after prolonged administration of UFT were presented. These findings suggest that oral administration of UFT for a long term is a useful treatment for advanced differentiated thyroid cancer.

Venous distensibility during pregnancy. Comparisons between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is associated with increased peripheral resistance. This study was performed to determine whether an increase of venous distensibility occurs as well in preeclampsia. We obtained venous distensibility by measuring the venous pressure-volume relation in the forearm with a water-filled plethysmograph. Twenty-one women with normal pregnancy, 12 women with severe preeclampsia, and 8 women with mild preeclampsia were studied during the third trimester and/or 6 weeks after the delivery. Ten nonpregnant normotensive women were also studied. Venous distensibility was greater (P < .01) in normal pregnant women and smaller (P < .01) in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy than postpartum. The magnitude of the decrease of venous distensibility correlated with the severity of preeclampsia. Venous distensibility was similar between normotensive nonpregnant women, women with normal pregnancy during the postpartum period, and women with preeclampsia during the postpartum period. Thus, venous distensibility increased during normal pregnancy. In preeclampsia, the decrease of venous distensibility occurred during pregnancy but was reversed postpartum. These results may suggest that a decrease of venous distensibility occurs during preeclampsia. These venous abnormalities may contribute to impaired control of hemodynamics in preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II by ICRF-193 induces polyploidization by uncoupling chromosome dynamics from other cell cycle events

ICRF-193, a novel noncleavable, complex-stabilizing type topoisomerase (topo) II inhibitor, has been shown to target topo II in mammalian cells (Ishida, R., T. Miki, T. Narita, R. Yui, S. Sato, K. R. Utsumi, K. Tanabe, and T. Andoh. 1991. Cancer Res. 51:4909-4916). With the aim of elucidating the roles of topo II in mammalian cells, we examined the effects of ICRF-193 on the transition through the S phase, when the genome is replicated, and through the M phase, when the replicated genome is condensed and segregated. Replication of the genome did not appear to be affected by the drug because the scheduled synthesis of DNA and activation of cdc2 kinase followed by increase in mitotic index occurred normally, while VP-16, a cleavable, complex-stabilizing type topo II inhibitor, inhibited all these processes. In the M phase, however, late stages of chromosome condensation and segregation were clearly blocked by ICRF-193. Inhibition at the stage of compaction of 300-nm diameter chromatin fibers to 600-nm diameter chromatids was demonstrated using the drug during premature chromosome condensation (PCC) induced in tsBN2 baby hamster kidney cells in early S and G2 phases. In spite of interference with M phase chromosome dynamics, other mitotic events such as activation of cdc2 kinase, spindle apparatus reorganization and disassembly and reassembly of nuclear envelopes occurred, and the cells traversed an unusual M phase termed "absence of chromosome segregation" (ACS)-M phase. Cells then continued through further cell cycle rounds, becoming polyploid and losing viability. This effect of ICRF-193 on the cell cycle was shown to parallel that of inactivation of topo II on the cell cycle of the ts top2 mutant yeast. The results strongly suggest that the essential roles of topo II are confined to the M phase, when the enzyme decatenates intertwined replicated chromosomes. In other phases of the cycle, including the S phase, topo II may thus play a complementary role with topo I in controlling the torsional strain accumulated in various genetic processes.

[A case of IgG-kappa type multiple myeloma complicated by Fanconi syndrome]

Fanconi syndrome is characterized by some absorptive defects of proximal renal tubules. It is observed either primarily, or secondarily to various diseases. A case of multiple myeloma complicated by Fanconi syndrome is reported. The patient was a 62-year-old female. The serum total protein was elevated, and monoclonal IgG-kappa protein was found on serum immunoelectrophoresis. Urinary Bence Jones protein was positive. Bone marrow aspiration disclosed increased dysplastic plasma cells, which led to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A diagnosis of Fanconi syndrome was based on renal glycosuria, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and panaminoaciduria due to abnormal excretion from the kidney, and metabolic acidosis. After chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, serum IgG level and urine sugar decreased, and serum potassium level was corrected.

[Suppression of ontogenic development of the rat popliteal lymph node due to blockage of the afferent lymphatic vessels at early postnatal age]

We reported previously that surgical interruption of the afferent lymphatics to the popliteal node at the lowest edge of the popliteal fossa in young rats caused suppression of ontogenic development of the popliteal node. However, in that experiment we did not take into consideration the fact that, in the rat, the popliteal node sometimes receives minute afferent lymphatic channel(s) from the tail. In the present study, therefore, we interrupted the afferent lymphatic vessels at the lowest edge of the left popliteal fossa in Wistar rats at 7 days after birth in order to examine the effects of lymphatic drainage from the tail on the treated nodes, and sacrificed the animals at 2, 5, 10 and 18 weeks after the operation. A solution of 0.4% Evans blue was injected into the root of the tail on the left side 30 min before the animals were killed. Treated nodes receiving lymphatic channel(s) from the tail were stained with the dye and referred to as Eb(+)-treated nodes, whereas those without the channel(s) were unstained and referred to as Eb(-). At 7 days after birth, the normally developing popliteal node weighed 0.2 mg, and its parenchyma was composed of reticular cells with dispersed lymphoid cells. At 4 weeks after birth, each normal node weighed 2-3 mg; its parenchyma was comprised of two layers, an outer layer of peripheral cortex containing 30-40 lymph follicles and an inner discontinuous layer of deep cortex made up to 2-3 deep cortical units.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of KCA-098 on bone metabolism: comparison with those of ipriflavone

We previously found that 3,9-bis(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy)-5H- benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline-6-one (KCA-098) inhibited bone resorption in organ culture. In this study, to determine if KCA-098 is therapeutically applicable for the treatment of osteoporosis, we compared the effect of KCA-098 on bone tissues with that of ipriflavone, a drug that is clinically used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Both KCA-098 and ipriflavone inhibited parathyroid hormone-, prostaglandin E2-, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3- and interleukin 1 beta-induced bone resorption of fetal rat bones, but the inhibitory activity of KCA-098 was more potent than that of ipriflavone. In fact, the effective concentrations of KCA-098 were 10 to 100 times lower than those of ipriflavone. Oral administration of KCA-098 (1 and 3 mg/kg) or ipriflavone (100 mg/kg) to ovariectomized rats on a low-calcium diet increased the breaking force and bone density of the femora, indicating that KCA-098 is an effective on the whole animal as ipriflavone. Furthermore, KCA-098 increased the length and calcium content of 9-day chick embryonic femora cultured in vitro, whereas ipriflavone did not, suggesting that KCA-098 had a direct stimulatory effect on bone mineralization. Therefore, KCA-098 seems to be more potent than ipriflavone in stimulating bone tissue formation and may thus be expected to become a useful agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Induction of osteopenia in confined rats

We have developed a simple model of osteopenia in rats which is induced by confinement without requiring surgical operation. Each rat was maintained for 8 weeks in a compartment of a commercially-available wire netting cage subdivided into 10 areas (compartment size, 9 x 16 x 14 cm) to restrict exercise. The femora isolated from the confined rats showed significant decreases in mineral (calcium and phosphorus) content, compared with the level in normal rats, 2 weeks after the start of their confinement. Confined rats showed significantly lower values for the physical properties of bones such as breaking energy and breaking force and also density composed with normal rats 4 weeks after the start of confinement. KCA-098 (1 mg/kg), a new benzofuroquinoline derivative that inhibits bone resorption and at the same time stimulates bone mineralization in organ culture, protected against these decreases when given orally for 8 weeks. All these results show that confinement of rats offers a simple and useful animal model of osteopenia.

[Effects of maternal food intake on the total protein, fat, lactose and calcium concentrations in human milk]

The concentrations of total protein, fat, lactose and calcium (Ca) in human milk were measured in 68 lactating women who were 14-425 days postpartum. Relationships of those concentrations in human breast milk with maternal food intake frequency, and the amount of dairy milk intake were investigated. Quantification theory III statistical analysis was applied to analyze food intake patterns. The concentrations of total protein at 2-5 months postpartum, fat and Ca at 1-5 months postpartum were low in milk obtained from mothers with low frequency of consumption of meat, egg, dairy products and food prepared with oil, while having a high frequency of consumption of rice, vegetables, beans and seaweed. The concentration of Ca in milk from mothers who habitually had no dairy milk intake was significantly lower compared to that from mothers who had more than 300 ml intake of dairy milk per day. Lower frequency or no intake of animal food and dairy milk appeared to affect the quality of mother's milk.

In vivo visualization of lymphatic microvessels and lymphocyte migration through rat Peyer's patches

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In the small intestine, lymphocytes migrate through Peyer's patches. The distribution of lymphatic microvessels in rat Peyer's patches and lymphocyte traffic through them were studied.

METHODS

Vital dyes were injected via a micropipette into the Peyer's patches tissue to fill lymphatic microvessels and to stain lymphocytes in lymphatic microvessels.

RESULTS

Direct microscopic observation revealed a dense plexus of lymphatic microvessels in the perifollicular and interfollicular areas. Injection of the dyes into the germinal center failed to delineate lymphatic microvessels. The lymphatic microvessels in the perifollicular area were filled with lymphocytes. Most lymphocytes in the perifollicular lymphatics stayed in the lymphatic microvessels. Some lymphocytes became detached and drained into lymphatic microvessels in the interfollicular areas. Lymphocytes then moved toward the submucosal lymphatics beneath the villi around the Peyer's patches. The interfollicular lymphatics did not display contractile activity but had valves. Opening and closing of valves was synchronized with the respiration and the back and forth flow of lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

There are numerous lymphocytes in a dense lymphatic network in the perifollicular and interfollicular areas of Peyer's patches. This well-developed lymphatic network has the potential capacity for storage of lymphocytes and modulation of lymphocyte migration.

[A case of microscopic polyarteritis nodosa accompanied by peripheral neuropathy]

We reported a 64-year-old woman with subacute sensorimotor polyneuropathy accompanied by marked inflammatory reactions and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Polyneuropathy was followed in 3 months by a rapidly progressive renal dysfunction. Sural nerve biopsy revealed marked loss of myelinated fibers and myelin ovoid formation with vasculitis of the small-sized arteries and arterioles. Renal biopsy showed segmental necrotizing glomerulitis. These pathological findings were distinct from those of polyarteritis nodosa and led to a diagnosis of microscopic polyarteritis nodosa (MPN). Oral administration of prednisolone with an additional immunosuppressant was effective not only in alleviating the polyneuropathy, but also in preventing the deterioration of renal function. This is the first report that clearly describes the peripheral neuropathy in MPN.

[A case of nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)]

A 26-year-old woman with mononeuropathy multiplex complained of severe pain of right foot and ipsilateral steppage gait. Careful examination failed detect evidence of systemic lesions. Sural nerve biopsy revealed myelin ovoids and loss of myelinated fibers, which were different in severity among the fascicles. There were mild mononuclear cell infiltrations around arterioles in the epineurium. A diagnosis of nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSN) was made. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA), a specific marker for microscopic polyarteritis nodosa and Wegener's granulomatosis, was positive in the patient. Oral administration of prednisolone ameliorated the sensorimotor disturbances, and ANCA turned to be negative. This is the first report of a patient with NSN showing positive ANCA.