Blunted pressure natriuresis in ovariectomized Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive rats

Our objective was to determine whether increased salt sensitivity after menopause precedes the development of overt hypertension. We investigated the effect of ovariectomy on pressure natriuresis in Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats by in vivo perfusion studies. Differences in the neural and hormonal backgrounds of the kidney were minimized by renal denervation and by holding plasma vasopressin, aldosterone, corticosterone, and norepinephrine levels constant by intravenous infusion. The pressure-natriuresis relationship was blunted in DS rats compared with DR rats (slope, 0.30 versus 0.63 mumol.min-1.g kidney wt-1.mm Hg-1, P < .01). The impaired pressure-natriuresis response of DS rats was further blunted by ovariectomy (from 0.30 to 0.14 mumol.min-1.g kidney wt-1.mm Hg-1, P < .05), and that of DR rats was not. The ovariectomized DS rats developed hypertension earlier than sham-operated DS rats by salt loading. These results show that ovariectomy enhances genetic salt sensitivity by blunting the pressure-natriuresis relationship, which precedes the development of overt hypertension in female DS rats.

Epidural dumbbell-shaped chordoma mimicking a neurinoma

The authors present a case of cervical chordoma which manifested in a 5-year-old boy as a dumbbell-shaped epidural tumor without bone destruction. Both CT and MRI demonstrated tumor features suggesting this diagnosis, which was confirmed by histology.

[Motion discrimination as as test for visual motion perception]

Recent neurophysiological studies have indicated that there are two parallel pathways in vision processing independently shape and motion. There are many methods for examining perception of color and shape, but none for examining visual motion perception. In this study, we devised a "motion discrimination task (MDT)" for evaluating motion perception, which was displayed on a computer monitor, and recorded normal responses to the MDT in 90 normal subjects. Responses to MDT were not affected by visual acuity, but were affected by dot speed of the MDT. There was little trial-to-trial or subject variability in the MDT. These findings indicate that our MDT is a good clinical test for evaluating motion perception in human subjects.

[Detection of the exoskeleton of Sarcoptes scabiei in histological sections using Fungiflora Y]

Fungiflora Y was applied to a deparaffinized section of a biopsied skin with scabies, a section of a brain infected with Cysticercus cellulosae, a section of a lung infected with Pneumocystis carinii and a section of a cockroach. The exoskeleton of the mite and the cockroach were stained with Fungiflora Y and were visualized as a greenish-blue fluorescence under incident illumination with ultraviolet light, whereas the Cysticercus cellulosae and the Pneumocystis carinii were not visualized at all. Fungiflora Y, which has been reported to stain fungi, is likely to detect arthropods exoskeleton in histological sections.

[A case of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia accompanied with rupture of pericardium]

We experienced a case of left traumatic diaphragamatic hernia accompanied with rupture of pericardium after blunt trauma by traffic accident. A 55-year-old man who had suffered blunt chest and upper abdominal trauma because of smash of two cars when he had been turning to right in the corner was admitted to our hospital. On arrival at the hospital, the patient complained severe dyspnea that reduced by lying on his right. Another position couldn't be taken because of deterioration of dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed disappeared left diaphragmatic line and abnormal transparent mass that suggest alimentary canal in the left intrapleural space. Cardiac ultrasonography showed abnormal tubular mass close to the left side of mediastinum that deviated to right. The patient was diagnosed as traumatic diaphragmatic hernia and emergency operation was performed. Left diaphragma was lacerated sagitally toward its top for about 12 cm in length. Left pleuropericardium was seen to be lacerated longitudinally for about 8 cm in length in front of the phrenic nerve intraoperatively. Both lacerations were closed by direct suture. The patient discharged on the 37th postoperative day without phrenic nerve palsy. At making diagnosis of patient with chest and abdominal trauma, injure of diaphragma and/or pericardium also must be considered. If it is possible, operation must be performed without hesitation in order to get good prognosis.

Effect of compression temperature on the consolidation mechanism of chlorpropamide polymorphs

The effect of environmental temperature on the compression mechanism of chlorpropamide (CPM) polymorph, forms A and C, was investigated with an eccentric type tabletting machine with two load cells and a noncontact displacement transducer. The temperature of the die was controlled at 0 and 45 degrees C by a thermocontroller. Sample powders (200 mg), which were also controlled at 0 and 45 degrees C by a thermocontroller, were compressed at almost 230 MPa. The tabletting dynamic processes of CPM forms A and C at 0 and 45 degrees C were evaluated by Cooper and modified Heckel analyses. The results suggest that particle brittleness or plasticity was affected by compression at different temperatures. The higher tablet hardness of form A at 45 degrees C was thought to be caused by the increased plasticity of primary particles, whereas that of form C at 45 degrees C was ascribed to the decreased size of the secondary particles.

Stimulation of human periodontal ligament fibroblast collagenase production by a gingival epithelial cell-derived factor

To examine whether cell-to-cell interactions between human gingival epithelial cells (HGE) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) or gingival fibroblasts (GF) take place in the periodontium, the effects on collagenase production by PLF and GF were analyzed after adding several concentrations of HGE-conditioned medium (HGE-CM) to PLF or GF culture. Collagenase production by both cell populations was stimulated by adding HGE-CM, which stimulated collagenase production by PLF to a greater extent than that by GF. The HGE-derived stimulatory factor had a molecular mass of approximately 20 kDa, and its stimulant effect was inhibited markedly in the presence of an anti-human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) neutralizing antibody, indicating that the factor was identical to, or antigenically cross-reactive with, IL-1 alpha. These results suggest that epithelial apical migration in the periodontium may occur after interstitial resident cells have released tissue-degrading enzymes, such as collagenase, and damaged the extracellular matrix, once a sufficient amount of IL-1 alpha-like factor for stimulating the production of proteolytic enzyme has been released by HGE in periodontal lesions.

[Bacteriological and clinical evaluation tazobactam/piperacillin in infectious diseases in surgical field]

We carried out bacteriological and clinical studies on tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), a combination drug of piperacillin with the new beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam, in various infectious diseases in surgical field such as intra-abdominal infections (peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess), hepatobiliary infections (cholecystitis, cholangitis and hepatic abscess) and secondary infections in wound, etc. The total number of cases treated with the combination drug was 164. Of these cases, 141 cases were assessable for clinical responses including 60 cases with intra-abdominal infections, 38 cases with hepatobiliary infections, and 43 cases with secondary infections. Clinical efficacy rates of the drug were 83.3% in cases with intra-abdominal infections, 86.8% in cases with hepatobiliary infections, and 95.3% in those with secondary infections, hence the overall efficacy rate was 87.9%. In the cases from which beta-lactamase producing strains were isolated, clinical efficacy rates were 84.8% in cases with intra-abdominal infections, 84.6% in those with hepatobiliary infections, and 96.2% in those with secondary infections, hence the overall efficacy rate was 88.9%. Bacteriological efficacy rates were 92.9% in cases with Gram-positive bacterial infections, 64.3% in those with Gram-negative bacterial infections, and 100% in those with anaerobic bacterial infections. Bacteriological efficacy rates were 84.2% in cases with single bacterial infections and 56.5% in those with multi-bacterial infections, and the overall bacteriological efficacy rate was 69.0%. In the cases of infections with beta-lactamase producing strains, bacteriological efficacy rates were 80.0% in cases with Gram-positive bacterial infections, 75.0% in those with Gram-negative bacterial infections, and 100% in those with anaerobic bacterial infections. They were 82.6% in cases with single bacterial infections and 57.9% in those with multi-bacterial infections; the overall bacteriological efficacy rate was 67.2%. The bacterial eradication rate was 79.9% against all the isolates, and it was 79.2% against beta-lactamase producing isolates. In addition, we compared the sensitivity distribution of the isolates to TAZ/PIPC with those to control drugs piperacillin (PIPC), cefotiam (CTM), ceftazidime (CAZ), sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ). The MIC50 and MIC90 values of TAZ/PIPC against all strains were 3.13 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. MIC50 values show that TAZ/PIPC was two times less effective than CAZ and SBT/CPZ but four times more effective than CTM; furthermore, from the MIC90 values, TAZ/PIPC was four times more effective than PIPC, CTM and CAZ. The MIC50 and MIC90 values of TAZ/PIPC against beta-lactamase producing strains were 3.13 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hepatic metastasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for polypoid gallbladder cancer followed by radical surgery

While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is being increasingly performed on patients with gallbladder disease, this approach in cases of polypoid lesions in the gallbladder may not always be justified. We report here a case of early development of intrahepatic metastasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for polypoid gallbladder cancer; wedge resection of the gallbladder bed and dissection of regional lymph nodes had to be done. When a malignancy of the gallbladder is suspected during preoperative examinations, open cholecystectomy should be done.

Interleukin-1 beta stimulates collagenase production by cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

To examine the effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on collagenase production by human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) and gingival fibroblasts (GF) in culture, collagenase activity in conditioned media was determined using a novel procedure that circumvented interference by enzyme inhibitors. Fibroblasts obtained from five paired periodontal ligament and gingival tissues were cultured for two weeks, and then incubated for a further 72 h in alpha-MEM supplemented with various concentrations of IL-1 beta (0 to 1250 pg/ml). The conditioned media from individual cultures were harvested and treated with dithiothreitol to inactivate TIMPs, and then with APMA, to activate the latent collagenase. Collagenase activity was measured fluorometrically using FITC-collagen as a substrate. IL-1 beta induced a approximately 2.4 to 5.2-fold increase in collagenase activity in PLF compared to a approximately 1.4 to 2.2-fold increase in GF. These results are in contrast to previous studies in which collagenase activity was measured in the presence of TIMPs, and indicate that PLF are more sensitive to IL-1 beta than GF. Since both PLF and GF are present in periodontal lesions, it is possible that collagenase secretion stimulated by exposure to inflammatory cell products such as IL-1 beta may participate in the destruction of collagen fibers involved in periodontal attachment.

Computer analysis of Holter electrocardiogram

Computer analysis is indispensable for the interpretation of Holter ECG, because it includes a large quantity of data. Computer analysis of Holter ECG is similar to that of conventional ECG, however, in computer analysis of Holter ECG, there are some difficulties such as many noise, limited analyzing time and voluminous data. The main topics in computer analysis of Holter ECG will be arrhythmias, ST-T changes, heart rate variability, QT interval, late potential and construction of database. Although many papers have been published on the computer analysis of Holter ECG, some of the papers was reviewed briefly in the present paper. We have studied on computer analysis of VPCs, ST-T changes, heart rate variability, QT interval and Cheyne-Stokes respiration during 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring. Further, we have studied on ambulatory palmar sweating for the evaluation of mental stress during a day. In future, the development of "the integrated Holter system", which enables the evaluation of ventricular vulnerability and modulating factor such as psychoneural hypersensitivity may be important.

Separation of lipophilic compounds by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with organic modifiers

Separation of lipophilic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) with organic modifiers was investigated. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and acetone were used as organic modifiers, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a surfactant or a micelle forming reagent. By using 25 mM SDS (pH 7.0), containing 50% v/v DMSO, 8 PAHs were separated. Similarly, with 25 mM SDS, containing 30% acetone, 13 PAHs were successfully separated. For the calculation of thermodynamic quantities, critical micelle concentrations of SDS in buffers containing DMSO or acetone were measured.

Optical resolution of amino acid derivatives by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with N-dodecanoyl-L-serine

Optical resolution by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with N-dodecanoyl-L-serine (DSer) was investigated. Similarly to the use of sodium N-dodecanoyl-L-valinate or sodium N-dodecanoyl-L-glutamate, addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), urea and organic modifiers such as methanol and 2-propanol (IPA) to DSer micellar solutions could give improved peak shapes and enhance the enantioselectivity. With a DSer-SDS-urea-methanol solution, six phenylthiohydantoin (PTH)DL-amino acids were separated and each enantiomeric pair was optically resolved. By using a DSer-SDS-urea-IPA solution, the same PTH-DL-amino acids were partially resolved, while PTH-DL-Thr was resolved only in this system. N-Dodecanoyl-L-aspartic acid and sodium N-tetradecanoyl-L-glutamate were also investigated, but satisfactory results were not obtained.

Broad scope of a newly developed actometer in chronobiology, particularly chronocardiology

The scope and the details of a newly developed actometer were introduced. We are able to select a desired threshold of gravity(g)-forces between 0.01g and 0.50g and to simultaneously monitor 3 kinds of activity along with an averaged g-force every minute. As a routine study, we monitored at settings of 0.01g, 0.05g and 0.20g and averaged on one channel. Part of the time, physical activity was monitored together with ambulatorily monitored blood pressure (BP) and the ECG, or at least heart rate (HR). Physical activity showed a circasemiseptan and circaseptan periodicity as well as the circadian component, especially in subjects with an irregular sleep-wakefulness life style. On the average, physical activity was greater on a working day than on a holiday. Everyday physical activity reflects in part the ability to exercise, and it is expected that this actometer can contribute or provide an objective individualized quality-of-life index. The effect of physical activity on circadian profiles of BP, HR and HR variability is also examined. We observed that BP started to increase several hours before getting up. This fact likely shows that there is an endogenous circadian rhythm in BP, independently of the sleep-wakefulness cycle. Lastly, we investigated the relationship between physical activity and HR in patients permanently paced; we confirmed that the DDDR pacing mode was more physiological than the VVI or VVIR mode. This newly developed actometer will bring about further progress in chronobiology.

Cross-spectral coherence between geomagnetic disturbance and human cardiovascular variables at non-societal frequencies

A 35-year-old cardiologist monitored himself with an automatic ABPM-630 (Colin Electronics) monitor, mostly at 15-minute intervals around-the-clock for three years with a few interruptions. In this subject with a family history of high blood pressure and stroke, a cross-spectral analysis revealed a statistically significant coherence at 27.7 days between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate vs. the geomagnetic disturbance index, Kp. A lesser peak in coherence was found for systolic blood pressure with Kp at a trial period of 4.16 days (P = 0.046). These results suggest that changes in geomagnetism may influence the human circulation, at least in the presence of familial cardiovascular disease risk, and they may do so at frequencies that have no precise human-made cyclic worldwide match.

Telehygiene system for preventive chronopharmacology in space

A remote computerized health care (telehygiene) system for space travel includes monitoring devices and pharmaceuticals aimed at the optimization of health and the environment. Early risk indicators are provided by dynamic characteristics of rhythms of several frequencies describing variation inside the physiologic range. These rhythm characteristics, assessed as one goes, can be updated and compacted as data accumulate by the use of chronobiologic software that resolves anticipated components of lower and lower frequency, thus providing summaries of data at intervals of differing length. At any time, harbingers of risk, including characteristics of circannual rhythms, can be retrieved in an instant. On their basis, early preventive action can be instituted for risk lowering and for delivery of timed treatment when needed. Preventive or curative health care in space and terrestrial spin-offs are the more effective the more of the chronome (time-structure) is resolved.

T cell activation-associated hepatic injury: mediation by tumor necrosis factors and protection by interleukin 6

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of and protection from T cell activation-associated hepatic injury. When BALB/c mice were given a single intravenous injection of concanavalin A (Con A) (> or = 0.3 mg/mouse), they developed acute hepatic injury as assessed by a striking increase in plasma transaminase levels within 24 h. Histopathologically, only the liver was injured while moderate infiltration of T cells and polymorphonuclear cells occurred in the portal areas and around the central veins. The induction of hepatic injury was dependent on the existence as well as the activation of T cells, as untreated BALB/c nu/nu mice or BALB/c mice pretreated with a T cell-specific immunosuppressive drug, FK506, failed to develop disease. Significant increases in the levels of various cytokines in the plasma were detected before an increase in plasma transaminase levels. Within 1 h after Con A injection, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels peaked, this being followed by production of two other inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1. Passive immunization with anti-TNF but not with anti-IL-1 or anti-IL-6 antibody, conferred significant levels of protection. Moreover, administration of rIL-6 before Con A injection resulted in an IL-6 dose-dependent protection. A single administration of a given dose of rIL-6 completely inhibited the release of transaminases, whereas the same regimen induced only 40-50% inhibition of TNF production. More than 80% inhibition of TNF production required four consecutive rIL-6 injections. These results indicate that: (a) TNFs are critical cytokines for inducing T cell activation-associated (Con A-induced) hepatitis; (b) the induction of hepatitis is almost completely controlled by rIL-6; and (c) rIL-6 exerts its protective effect through multiple mechanisms including the reduction of TNF production.

[Circadian profiles of blood pressure with respect to age]

The effects of ageing on nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and the circadian rhythm of BP were studied. Ambulatory BP and heart rate (HR) were monitored at 30-minute intervals for 24 hours, in 326 normotensive volunteers aged 15-83. The following groups were monitored: young: < 40 yrs, n = 177; middle: 40 yrs < or = - < 60 years, n = 100; old: 60 yrs < or =, n = 49 Firstly, the ratio of nocturnal fall (RONF) of BP (or HR) was calculated as follows: [(average day time BP (or HR)-average night time BR (or HR)]/averaged whole day BP (or HR) x 100. Then we calculated 2 measurements: 1. The dipper (RONF of BP (or HR) > or = 10% 2. The non-dipper. (RONF of BP (or HR) < 10%. A cosine fitting technique using the least-squares method was employed to find the circadian rhythm of BP and HR. The results of the study showed that the incidence of the non-dipper on systolic BP (SBP) was higher for old subjects than for young subjects. In addition, the nocturnal BP and HR were higher for old subjects than for young subjects. The circadian amplitude of HR was lower in old subjects. The circadian midline estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) or SBP increased with age. The circadian acrophase of BP and HR increased with age.

CONCLUSION

non-dippers of BP and HR were observed in any age groups. The frequency of BP and HR non-dipper was greater for old subjects than young subjects. This result may suggest the clinical significance of nocturnal BP and HR for the evaluation of hypertensive subjects.