Accuracy of assessment of cardiac vagal tone by heart rate variability in normal subjects

The correlations of 11 indexes of heart rate variability were examined with pharmacologically determined cardiac vagal tone in 15 normal subjects at supine rest. After sympathetic influences by intravenous propranolol were eliminated, RR interval variability was measured for 10 minutes under controlled respiration (0.25 Hz), and cardiac vagal tone was determined as the decrease in mean RR interval following complete vagal blockade with atropine. Time domain indexes (standard deviation, coefficient of variance and mean successive difference) correlated strongly with vagal tone (r = 0.87, 0.81 and 0.92, respectively; p less than 0.001 for all). The same was true for frequency domain indexes for the high-frequency (0.25 Hz) component calculated both by autoregressive spectrum analysis (square root of power and coefficient of component variance) and by fast Fourier transform (mean amplitude) (r = 0.91, 0.85 and 0.86, respectively; p less than 0.0001 for all). However, frequency domain indexes for the low-frequency spectral component (0.03 to 0.15 Hz) correlated less strongly (r = 0.69, 0.55 and 0.70, respectively), and the fraction of power [power/(total power greater than 0.03 Hz)] of both components showed no correlation. Principal component analysis showed that the first 6 indexes with strong correlations contained solely the first principal component closely related to vagal tone, whereas the remaining 5 indexes also contained the second component unrelated to vagal tone. These results indicate that most of the time and frequency domain analyses in use provides an accurate and common measure of cardiac vagal tone at rest.

[Experiments of contamination with bacteria while transfusion between the newly developed porous polymer plug and by air needle plug]

We newly developed a transfusion plug that has an air passage of polymer porous material (I Cap). This porous polymer material theoretical does not pass the infectious microorganisms. We experimented contaminations during the transfusions by I Cap and that using air needles. Trypticated soy broth was used for the experiments. Experiments of transfusion in a dusty environment revealed that the transfusions by air needles got 100% contamination and that by I Cap was 0%. The experiments in a clinic room transfusions also revealed that air needle resulted in 30.3% contamination but on the contrary 0% with the I Cap. Dusty air was flown under high pressure (1.5 atmospheric pressure) through the same filter of I Cap for 30 minutes into the trypticated soy broth. These experiments revealed that the filter did not permeate bacteria and that transfusions with air needle was contaminated with dust.

[Contamination and flow speed determination during fluid replacement using newly developed I-cap]

The authors have developed a new cork (I-cap) for transfusion bottle. The I-cap does not require a needle for allowing the air into the bottle. Instead, we put a water-repellent porous filter (W-R filter) made of sintered high molecular weight porous material in it, to allow passage of the air to and from the bottle. The results obtained in experiments designed to determine the contamination and flow-speed with the I-cap, standard cork and soft-bag, were as follow: 1) There was no bacterial contamination when the I-cap was employed, even under high pressure (1.5 atmospheric pressure). 2) Fluid replacement requiring "air-needles" was easily contaminated. 3) Flow-speed, when an I-cap is used, was more stable than when using conventional methods. 4) Flow-speed was most unstable when soft-bags were employed. Thus, the I-cap we have developed, allows the safe use of hard-type infusion bottles, without requiring an "air-needle" and ensuring a steady flow-speed. Our data demonstrate that I-cap can be safely and universally adapted for hard-type infusion bottles.

A heterotopic cardiac transplantation model for evaluation of rejection using transvenous endomyocardial biopsy

A model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation for diagnosis of rejection is described. Heterotopic cardiac transplantations were performed in the thorax using the left innominate artery as an arterial supply with venous return into the superior vena cava. Six pairs of mongrel dogs underwent cardiac transplantation using this technique. Two dogs died postoperatively on the 2nd and 3rd day due to respiratory failure. Another four donor hearts arrested their beats in 6 to 8 postoperative days (mean 6.3 days) resulting from acute cardiac rejection. Serial echocardiographic recordings were found to be a reliable measure of acute cardiac rejection, since the left ventricular wall thickness of the donor heart increased until the donor heart stopped by rejection. Endomyocardial biopsy was easy to perform by passage of flexible cardiac biotome into the right ventricle of the donor and the recipient heart through the right internal jugular vein. Pathological findings revealed that early changes of the donor heart were interstitial edema caused by myocardial ischemia. This was followed by lymphocyte infiltration around peripheral coronary arteries and acute rejection resulting in myocyte necrosis.

A new analysis method for cataractous images taken by retroillumination photography

Photographic data have been used to diagnose cataracts. In particular, retroillumination photographs are popular and useful owing to their clearness of whole images of crystalline lenses at a glance. A new procedure called grid method for the quantitative analysis of retroillumination photographs is proposed here. With this method a ratio of cataractous area to total area can be calculated by separating an image of a lens in grids, with a greater precision compared with the usual threshold method. Furthermore, based on a correlation check of the grid number and the resulting accuracy we determined that 25 grids is the optimal cutting for our grid method.

Studies on anti-liver cell membrane antibodies in sera of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis

In using the rat hepatocytes isolated and treated with formalin as antigen, IgG class antibodies to the liver cell membrane (LM-Abs) in sera of patients with chronic active hepatitis were examined by both indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Specificity of the reaction in IF and EIA was confirmed by an absorption test using different tissues and by inhibition test using the liver specific protein. Indirect IF test using isolated hepatocytes showed the linear staining in eight of 14 sera of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Mean binding values and positive frequency of LM-Abs to the isolated hepatocytes which were detected by EIA were 4.18 +/- 2.99 and 71.4% (10/14) in autoimmune CAH, 3.16 +/- 2.50 and 50% (6/12) in primary biliary cirrhosis, 1.40 +/- 2.12 and 28.6% (4/14) in non-A, non-B, chronic hepatitis (NANB-CH) with serum gamma-globulin showing more than 2.0 gr/dl, 1.02 +/- 1.30 and 0% (0/13) in NANB-CH with gamma-globulin showing less than 2.0 gr/dl, 1.04 +/- 1.20 and 0% (0/15) in HB-CH, and 1.80 +/- 3.60 and 25.0% (3/12) in SLE. Titers of LM-Abs in serum of a autoimmune CAH patient decreased significantly after treatment with prednisolone, but their titers did not correlate with the activities of anti-nuclear antibodies or anti-smooth muscle antibodies. From these results, it was considered that some of NANB-CH patients with both LM-Abs and higher serum gamma-globulin more than 2.0 gr/dl might have some autoimmune characters similar to CAH.

Vocal cord adduction while sniffing

The movement of vocal cords while sniffing was observed by fiberscope and electromyogram. Nasal airflow rate was compared while sniffing and during normal respiration. Fiberscopic and electromyographic observations revealed that the vocal cords adduct while the subject is sniffing. The olfactory sense was not needed. It also was different from the defensive laryngeal reflex closure. The nasal airflow rate during sniffing was less during inspiration than during normal respiration. Inhalation while sniffing was different from that of respiration. It is concluded that the vocal cords adduct while sniffing, and that the nasal airflow rate might be less during sniffing than during normal respiration.

[Dynamic changes in serum osteocalcin levels in the perinatal periods]

Osteocalcin is a bone-specific protein released into the blood proportional to the rate of new born formation. It is widely accepted that the level of serum osteocalcin is a clinical marker of bone turnover. Nephrogenic cAMP is a specific indirect parameter of the biologically active parathyroid hormone. For analysis of bone metabolism during pregnancy, we measured the concentrations of osteocalcin and nephrogenic cAMP in the maternal serum during pregnancy and in the cord serum at delivery. Nephrogenic cAMP values (n mol/dl GF: mean +/- SEM) increased from the first trimester (1.5 +/- 0.21) to the term (2.11 +/- 0.11). Osteocalcin values (ng/ml: mean +/- S.D.) conversely declined from the first trimester (3.17 +/- 1.66) until the term (1.48 +/- 0.71) and acutely increased in the puerperium (5.91 +/- 2.58). These results might indicate that pregnancy induces a state of secondary hyperparathyroidism, but bone turnover is suppressed. In the cases of uncomplicated deliveries, the concentration of osteocalcin in the umbilical vein was significantly higher than that in the cord artery. This result suggests that a protein immunologically reactive to the osteocalcin antibody might be produced in the human placenta.

[Restoration of four missing upper-incisors with fixed bridges. I. A survey of fifty fixed bridges]

Four missing upper-incisors are usually restored in practice by both ways, fixed bridges and removable partial dentures. A survey of fifty fixed bridges for this type of missing teeth was conducted, in order to find out some points of caution when bridges are selected. The following results were obtained: 1. The average age of patients was 47 years old and the average life span of bridges was about 10 years. 2. Six-tooth fixed bridges extending from cuspid to cuspid, that is, bridges with two abutment teeth made up 70% of all bridges. 3. Band-crowns were used in the highest frequency (50%) retainers. 4. Various kinds of disorders were detected in the gathered bridges. Particularly recurrent caries and alveolar bone loss around the abutment teeth were remarkable. 5. Three-quarter crowns became uncemented in high frequency and therefore seemed to provide inadequate retention. 6. Regarding the contact of pontic with the ridge tissue, the effect of the material used was predominant to the form. 7. The upper incisors of pontic could play the role of guidance during protrusive movements with very little occurrences of disorder. 8. The occlusal support index of under 8 indicated a high possibility of various disorders afterwards.

[Restoration of four missing upper-incisors with fixed bridges. II. Fabrication of fourteen fixed bridges]

In the previous study, fifty fixed bridges with four missing upper-incisors were gathered and analysed. As a result, several points of caution for restoring this type of missing teeth were obtained. In this study, the relationship of b/a ratio and marginal leakage was first investigated as a preliminary study and then fourteen fixed bridges were newly made upon these results. In addition, a follow-up study within 3.5 years was conducted. 1. Marginal leakage was closely correlative to marginal fit of crowns, that is, marginal leakage occurred at the portion of the crown margin having the thick layer of cement, and expanded to the lingual and/or distal side. 2. As b/a ratio became smaller, marginal leakage increased and especially expanded in the incisal direction. 3. Ceramometal crowns were estimated to be strong enough as retainers for restoring four missing incisors. 4. Ni-Cr alloy cast as one-piece manifested frictional fit just as with a precious alloy. 5. In the follow-up study, fracture of porcelain facing and excessive wear of occluding natural teeth were detected in one case each and gingival retraction or swelling of gingiva were perceived in three cases.

[Four cases of dysosmia with no vocal cords adduction during sniff (laryngeal dysosmia)]

The author first reported that the vocal cords adduct during sniff. This movement was observed both in normal and in anosmic subjects. In this paper four cases of dysosmia with no adduction of vocal cords during sniff was reported. The pattern of their olfactometry showed same tendencies, normal detective thresholds and inability of recognition and/or very low recognition threshold. With the observations and referenced articles, the author concluded that the vocal cord's adduction during sniff is a specific movement when the larynx concern with olfaction, and that the adductory movements is related to olfactory recognition. It was thought that the orbital cortex integrates the afferent stimulations from the larynx during sniff and olfaction from the nose. The author concluded also there exists these reported kind of dysosmia with no vocal cord adductory movement.

Parental origin of mutations of the retinoblastoma gene

Retinoblastoma and osteosarcoma arise from cells that have lost both functional copies of the retinoblastoma gene. Using the cloned retinoblastoma gene and other linked polymorphic loci, it is possible to reconstruct the sequential loss of the two homologous gene copies that precedes the development of these tumours. In non-hereditary tumours, the loss of each of the two homologues occurs somatically; in hereditary cases, the initial mutation is in the germline. Recently, Toguchida et al. reported that the paternally derived copy is preferentially the first one to become mutant during the genesis of non-hereditary osteosarcomas. We report here a similar analysis of patients with retinoblastoma in which we find no such predilection for initial somatic mutations. In contrast, when an initial mutation was a new germline mutation, it was derived from the father, a result which is consistent with new germline mutations arising primarily during spermatogenesis.

Biregular classification of Fano 3-folds and Fano manifolds of coindex 3

The Fano 3-folds and their higher dimensional analogues are classified over an arbitrary field k [unk] C by applying the theory of vector bundles (in the case B(2) = 1) and the theory of extremal rays (in the case B(2) >/= 2). An n-dimensional smooth projective variety X over k is a Fano manifold if its first Chern class c(1)(X) epsilon H(2)(X, Z) is positive in the sense of Kodaira [Kodaira, K. (1954) Ann. Math. 60, 28-48] (or ample). If n = 3 and c(1)(X) generates H(2)(X, Z), then either (i) X is a complete intersection in a Grassmann variety G with respect to a homogeneous vector bundle E on G: the rank of E is equal to codim(G)X and X is isomorphic to the zero locus of a global section of E, (ii) X is a linear section of a 10-dimensional spinor variety X(12) (10) [unk] P(k) (15), or (iii) X is isomorphic to a double cover of P(k) (3), a 3-dimensional quadric Q(k) (3), or a quintic del Pezzo 3-fold V(5) [unk] P(k) (6). If n = 4 and c(1)(X) is divisible by 2, then X [unk] C is isomorphic to (a) a complete intersection in a homogeneous space or its double cover, (b) a product of P(1) and a Fano 3-fold, (c) the blow-up of Q(4) [unk] P(5) along a line or along a conic, or (d) a P(1)-bundle compactifying a line bundle on P(3) or on Q(3) [unk] P(4).

A functional new experimental biventricular model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation

A heterotopic cardiac transplantation model in which the donor heart was able to maintain the systemic and pulmonary circulation of the recipient was devised, which did not require extracorporeal circulation or heparinization. All donor hearts in five pairs of adult mongrel dogs were resuscitated, and the systemic and pulmonary circulations maintained by the donor hearts alone were studied hemodynamically up to 3 hr after resuscitation, although long-term survival was not achieved.

[Laryngeal movements during wind instruments play]

Historically, the concern of wind instrumentalists has been diaphragm control and embouchure. Laryngeal movement during "blow" has been overlooked or neglected by wind musicians. It has been said that musical tone has to be produced by the resonances of the player's air column by opening his larynx during blow. In the present study, fiberscopic observations of the larynx during blow revealed that musical tones were played with adducted vocal cords. Narrowed glottis appeared to control the airflow of the blow. Persons who could not make musical tone blew with open glottis. Vibrato was also made by rhythmic open and narrowing movements of the glottis. The authors concluded that the larynx regulates the airflow of the "blow". The authors postulated that the embouchure might be important as the receptor of the airflow rather than controlling the movement for "blow".

[Use of Rokitamycin dry syrup in cases of upper deep cervical lymphadenitis and otitis media with exudatives]

Dry syrup of Rokitamycin (RKM.DS), a new macrolide antibiotic with 16-membered ring developed by Toyo Jozo Co., Ltd., was used on cases of upper deep cervical lymphadenitis (UDCL) and of otitis media with exudatives (OME) likely caused by chlamydia infections, and its clinical effects were investigated. 1) In four cases of UDCL (C. psittaci infections), daily doses of 20.0-28.6 mg/kg were administered for 10-42 consecutive days and good efficacies were observed with two cases of excellent results and two cases of good results. 2) In one case of OME (C. trachomatis infection) a daily dose of 30.0 mg/kg was administered for 15 consecutive days and good effectiveness was observed. 3) No side effect was observed in any of the cases. From the above results, it became clear that RKM.DS could effectively used as a therapeutic agent for UDCL and OME in children.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication by synthetic oligo-RNA derivatives

Several synthetic 2'-O-methyl-RNA oligomers and their derivatives have been evaluated for inhibitory effect against HIV-induced cytopathic effect and expression of the virus specific antigen in cultured MT-4 cells. In this study, oligo(2'-O-methyl)ribonucleoside phosphorothioates showed a potent inhibitory activity with size dependency (25-mer showed it at 1 microM), but by contrast both 2'-O-methylribo- and deoxy-oligomers with normal phosphate linkages failed to inhibit. However, it should be noted that the patched oligo(2'-O-methyl)ribonucleotide (20-mer), in which five linkages at 5'- and three linkages at 3'-ends of normal phosphates were replaced with thiophosphates, has recovered the substantial inhibitory effect. These results show that the size of oligomer and phosphorothioate linkages, probably resistant to exolytic nucleases, are essential for exhibiting antiviral activity.

Site-directed cleavage of RNA

Using complementary chimeric oligonucleotides containing deoxyribonucleotides and 2'-O-methylribonucleotides (1), enzymatically synthesized RNA (90 mer) were cleaved at a single site with Escherichia coli RNaseH, either at a hairpin loop or at a stem region. Especially, site-specific cleavage occurred in even the target region being enclosed within a stable, base-paired stem. The method is proved to be generally applicable to RNA containing secondary structures.