Rapid expulsion of the intestinal trematodes Echinostoma trivolvis and E. caproni from C3H mice by trapping with increased goblet cell mucins

Echinostoma trivolvis (Cort, 1914) adults were rejected from C3H mice by 15 days post-exposure, corresponding to the increase in the number of goblet cells. Homologous and heterologous infections with the allopatric species E. caproni (Richard, 1964) were used to confirm the effect of increased secretion of goblet cell mucins in rejecting metacercariae of challenge infections of E. trivolvis or E. caproni on days 10, 16 and 20 p.i. after primary infections of E. trivolvis metacercariae. Five-day-old juveniles of E. trivolvis and E. caproni, which were recovered from C3H mice or hamsters, were also used for challenge infections on day 10 p.i. The metacercariae and juveniles, which were challenged homologously and heterologously on day 10 p.i., were almost all expelled. The metacercariae of E. trivolvis, which were challenged homologously on day 16, were completely rejected, but only a few challenged metacercariae of E. caproni in heterologous infection were recovered. Considerable numbers of E. caproni were recovered when challenge infections with the metacercariae were done on day 20 p.i., while only a small number of E. trivolvis was recovered. All controls without primary infections showed a recovery rate of over 50% of the worms. These results indicate that increased secretion of mucins by hyperplastic goblet cells associated with primary infections of E. trivolvis may be responsible for the expulsion of worms challenged homologously with E. trivolvis and heterologously with E. caproni from the mouse host.

Identification of a novel human gene containing the tetratricopeptide repeat domain from the Down syndrome region of chromosome 21

The Down syndrome (DS) region on chromosome 21, which is responsible for the DS main features, has been defined by analysis of DS patients with partial trisomy 21. Within the DS region, we constructed a 1.6-Mb P1 contig map previously. To isolate gene fragments from the 1.6-Mb region, we performed direct cDNA library screening and exon trapping using the P1 clones and a human fetal brain cDNA library, and obtained 67 cDNA fragments and 52 possible exons. Among them, 23 cDNA fragments and 4 exons were interpreted to be derived from a single gene by localization on P1 clones and by Northern analysis. To obtain the full-length cDNA sequence, longer cDNA clones were further screened from another human cDNA library which was enriched with longer cDNA species. These clones were sequenced and assembled to a sequence of 9045 bp. This transcribed sequence encodes a novel 2025 amino-acid protein containing tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs and therefore the gene was designated as TPRD (a gene containing the TPR motifs on the Down syndrome region). The TPR domain has been found in a certain protein phosphatase and in other proteins involved in the regulation of RNA synthesis or mitosis. The TPRD gene, the novel gene which was proved to be in the 1.6-Mb region and to have the interesting features described above, is a candidate for genes responsible for the DS phenotypes.

[Removal ability of IgG anti-GQ1b antibody in immunoadsorption therapy for Fisher syndrome--comparison of the removal ability between tryptophane column and phenylalanine column]

Anti-GQ1b antibody seems to be a pathogenetic factor in the development of Fisher syndrome (FS). Although several patients received immunoadsorption therapy (IAT), whether it can remove the autoantibody has not yet been clarified. We treated two patients with FS by IAT using tryptophane column (TR-C) and phenylalanine column (PH-C) (TR-C; 9 times altogether in 2 patients, PH-C: twice altogether in 2 patients), and compared the removal ability of IgG anti-GQ1b antibody and immunoglobulin between TR-C and PH-C. TR-C removed the IgG anti-GQ1b antibodies, IgG, IgA and IgM more than PH-C did. TR-C removed the IgG anti-GQ1b antibody more selectively than non-specific immunoglobulin. In practicing IAT on FS, the use of TR-C rather than PH-C is recommended in view of the removal ability of the autoantibody.

Assignment of the E4TF1-60 gene to human chromosome 21q21.2-q21.3

The gene encoding human transcription factor E4TF1-60 was previously mapped to chromosome 21q21. We analyzed the localization of the E4TF1-60 gene in more detail by genomic Southern hybridization and determined the sequence of the exons and the regions surrounding the intron boundaries. We report here that E4TF1-60 locates in the long arm of chromosome 21 at q21.2-q21.3 and contains a total of ten exons.

Characteristics of Roman character input in Japanese word processing on keystroke interval time

This study clarifies the characteristics of the time keys that are taken to enter Roman letters for Japanese sentences. First, test the appearance frequency of two consecutive characters of the alphabet in the input of English sentences and in the input of the Roman characters of Japanese sentences. Based on these results, we analyzed the features of stroke frequency of the keys in the Roman character input. Based on the result of the analysis, we clarified the features of the keystroke interval time for two consecutive characters in the Roman character input. Then, keys were struck to enter Japanese sentences for a fixed period of time and a test was made for the characteristics. As a result, the following points were clarified: 1) The time keys struck were divided into two large groups. One for two consecutive alphabet letters that corresponded to Kana, or the Japanese syllabary, and the other with no correspondence. The former had smaller values for the mean time and deviations, and the latter had larger values for them. 2) The subjects who struck a larger number of keys per unit time took less time in typing two consecutive letters which did not correspond to Kana.

Localization of cDNAs to a region poorly represented in the CEPH chromosome 21 YAC contig: candidate genes for genetic diseases mapped to 21q22.3

Fifty-three cDNA fragments previously obtained by hybridization selection from random clones in the chromosome 21 cosmid library LL21CNO2 failed to identify clones in the chromosome 21 YAC contig described by Chumakov et al. (1992, Nature 359: 380-387). Using an expanded panel of somatic cell hybrids, we have verified that the majority of these cDNAs map to chromosome 21 and that in particular a very high proportion, approximately 85%, localize to a 5-Mb region of distal 21q22.3. Pulsed-field analysis coupled with information from the NotI restriction map of the region further indicate that 17 cDNA fragments map within 650 kb of the PFKL gene and thus may be candidates for genetic diseases linked to this gene. This work helps to characterize a region poorly represented in the CEPH YAC contig and adds to the number of cDNAs useful in analysis of chromosome 21-associated diseases.

Intention tremor and olivary enlargement: clinico-radiological study

This study describes two patients who presented with intention tremor (IT) concomitant with olivary enlargement (OE), and discusses the relationship between these phenomena. Both patients had a vascular lesion in the brain stem, which subsequently caused IT and OE ipsilateral or contralateral to the site of the lesion, depending on the structures effected by the lesion. The results of our study suggest that damage involving the superior cerebellar tract, and central tegmental tract, or both, may result in IT and OE. However, IT and OE appear to have little physiological association, unlike the relation between OE and palatal myoclonus.

[A case of hemichorea presenting with inattention and denial of involuntary movement]

We report a case of hemichorea presenting inattention and denial of involuntary movement. A 64-year-old right-handed man was hospitalized with acute hemichorea on the right side of the body. The patient had hemichorea which was frequently followed by purposeful movement such as fumbling with his glasses or combing his hair. He claimed that the involuntary movements were habits showing both inattention and denial of the involuntary movements. These symptoms were very unique. On MRI of the brain, T2 elongated spots were detected at the bilateral pallidum, suggesting occulusive cerebrovascular disease. On 123I-IMP-SPECT hypoperfusion was observed at the right cerebral basal ganglia extending to the right medial frontal lobe. We supposed that this inattention and denial of involuntary movements were caused by dysfunction of the system connecting the medial frontal lobe with basal ganglia which was presented as hypoperfusion on SPECT.

YAC analysis and minimal tiling path construction for chromosome 21q

We have undertaken a detailed analysis of several hundred YACs from widely available YAC libraries which map to human chromosome 21 with the goal of improving the physical map of chromosome 21 and determining the feasibility of producing a minimal tiling path of well characterized, stable, non-chimeric YACs spanning the long arm of the chromosome (21q). We report information on over 500 YACs known to contain STS from 21q including information on size, stability, chimerism, marker content, and NotI restriction sites. YACs derive from the CEPH and St. Louis YAC libraries, and STSs include the set of 198 markers originally used do assemble a YAC contig of 21q, as well as additional anonymous probes and gene markers. This information has assisted in refinements of STS order, has defined a region of general instability in 2lq22.3, has identified an increased number of NotI restriction sites, and has defined cryptic gaps, particularly in 2lq2l, for which few or no markers are available. These results have allowed us to develop and assess a minimal tiling path of overlapping YACs consisting of 59 YACs (and two PI clones), largely non chimeric, stable, and of verified STS content. They total 30 mb of non-overlapping DNA, and contain all chromosome 21 specific STSs originally used to define the 810 YAC 21q YAC contig. When integrated with the analysis of a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel of chromosome 21 reported in the accompanying manuscript, a greatly enhanced understanding of the physical map of chromosome 21 is obtained.

Improvement in the quality of seed storage protein by transformation of Brassica napus with an antisense gene for cruciferin

The levels of certain essential amino acids, in particular cysteine, lysine and methionine, in the seed storage protein of a commercial spring variety of rape, Brassica napus, have been increased by the introduction of an antisense gene for cruciferin, which is the most abundant storage protein in rapeseed. The antisense construct contained part of the cruA gene in an inverted orientation, and the gene was driven by the 5' flanking region of the gene for napin such that antisense RNA was expressed in a seed-specific manner. The construct was introduced by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. In self-pollinated seeds (T1 seeds) of transgenic plants there was a reduction in the levels of the α1β1 and α2/3β2/3 subunits of cruciferin, whereas the level of the α4β4 subunit was unchanged. The total protein and lipid contents of transgenic seeds did not differ significantly from that of normal seeds. Seeds with reduced amounts of cruciferin accumulated higher amounts of napin than non-transformed seeds, but the level of oleosin was unaffected. Amino-acid analysis of the seed storage protein revealed that T1 seeds with reduced amounts of cruciferin contained higher relative levels of three essential amino acids, namely, lysine, methionine and cysteine, with increases of 10%, 8% and 32% over the respective levels in non-transgenic seeds (B. napus cv Westar).

Microscopic anatomy of the equine skin with special reference to the dermis

We have observed and re-evaluated the histology of the skin of the horse, using samples from four Thoroughbreds. The skin was composed of the usual three components: epidermis, dermis and subcutis. In particular, the dermis was found to have three fibrous components: a papillary layer, a reticular layer and a cordovan-leather tissue layer. The cordovan-leather tissue layer was subdivided into a superficial main layer and a deeper accessory layer. The superficial main layer was thick, and present in all of the skin samples. The deeper accessory layer was found in the dorsal and dorso-lateral parts of the neck and trunk and in the extremities. Hair bulbs and sudoriferous glands did not extend into the cordovan-leather tissue layer and subcutis.

Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchanger attenuates neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

The effect of Na+/H+ exchange inhibition in neutrophil-induced reperfusion injury was investigated using a new amiloride analogue, 5-methyl-N-isobutyl amiloride (MIA).

METHODS

Rat neutrophils were separated using Percoll gradient. Luminol chemiluminescence intensity of isolated neutrophils was depressed by MIA in a dose-dependent manner.

RESULTS

The effect of MIA on neutrophil-induced reperfusion injury was evaluated in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts subjected to 30 minutes of normothermic ischemia. Postischemic left ventricular developed pressure recovery was depressed by the reperfusion with neutrophils (60% +/- 7% to 33% +/- 26%) and was reverted by MIA pretreatment (86% +/- 17%, p < 0.05). MIA also improved percent recovery of coronary flow (51% +/- 2% to 70% +/- 13%), reduced creatine kinase (0.28 +/- 0.1 to 0.085 +/- 0.03 IU.L-1.g-1 dry wt), and lactate dehydrogenase leakage (10.6 +/- 3.8 to 5.16 +/- 1.3 IU.L-1.g-1 dry wt) significantly. The incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation also was reduced by MIA.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange shows a protective effect against neutrophil-induced reperfusion injury possibly by inhibiting the activation of neutrophils.

Normothermia has beneficial effects in cardiopulmonary bypass attenuating inflammatory reactions

"Post perfusion syndrome" after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been known to be evoked by inflammatory reactions. To elucidate the effect of perfusate temperature during CPB on subsequent inflammatory reactions, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1 beta, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase were measured before and after (0, 12 hours, and 24 hours after) CPB in adult patients undergoing cardiac operations. Patients were divided into two groups: the normothermic CPB group (NOR, 34 degrees C perfusate temperature, n = 8) and hypothermic CPB group (HYP, 28 degrees C perfusate temperature, n = 8). In both groups, IL-6, IL-8, and PMN elastase levels were elevated during CPB, while the increase of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 beta was not detected. The increase in IL-8 and PMN elastase levels at 12 hours after CPB was significantly less in NOR than in HYP (IL-8; NOR versus HYP, 15.1 +/- 12.9 versus 62.5 +/- 30.6 pg/ml, p < 0.05, PMN elastase; 394 +/- 200 versus 1085 +/- 523 micrograms/L, p < 0.05) while neither group showed any difference in IL-8 and PMN elastase at 24 hours after CPB. There was no difference in IL-6 between the two groups, and no significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 beta levels were detected in either group after CPB. These results demonstrate that although CPB activated inflammatory reactions detected by IL-8 and PMN elastase activity, post operative persistence of these reactions were attenuated by warm CPB.

A conditional negative selection for Arabidopsis expressing a bacterial cytosine deaminase gene

The enzyme activity for cytosine deaminase, which converts cytosine to uracil in bacterial, is usually undetected in higher plants and animals. The enzyme also catalyzes conversion of non-toxic 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to 5- fluorouracil (5-FU), a toxic compound for plant growth. The gene encoding cytosine deaminase (codA) from Escherichia coli was fused to cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter (P35S), and cloned into a binary vector pLABR101. The resulting plasmid pLABR102 contained two marker genes for plants: a positive marker gene, bialaphos resistance (bar) gene driven by the promoter from nopaline synthase gene (Pnos) and a negative one, P35S-codA. The binary vector pLABR102 was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In transgenic progenies (T3) of the second (T2) generation heterozygous for a single T-DNA insertion, a 3:1 segregation ratio was observed on both bialaphos (resistance to sensitive) and 5-FC (sensitive to unaffected). From T2 plants homozygous for the T-DNA insert, on the other hand, no segregation was detected: all the T3 seedlings were resistant to bialaphos and sensitive to 5-FC. PCR and Northern analyses showed that the 5-FC sensitivity in transgenic descendants was caused by the integration and expression of the chimeric codA gene in the Arabidopsis genome. The results indicated that cytosine deaminase from E. coli is functional and useful for negative selection in Arabidopsis, and that sensitivity to 5-FC as well as the positive bialaphos resistance are dominant traits in Arabidopsis.

Excretory/secretory antigens of adult Paragonimus ohirai recognized by a monoclonal antibody

An IgM monoclonal antibody (mAb) that reacted with the gut epithelium and luminal contents of adult Paragonimus ohirai was prepared from a mouse immunized with the excretory/secretory (ES) products of the parasite. The mAb reacted with the same sites not only of immature worms and newly excysted juveniles of P. ohirai, but also of adult worms of other Paragonimus species, such as P. westermani and P. miyazakii. The mAb did not react with adult antigens prepared from any other helminth parasites. Thus, the mAb is a genus-specific antibody against the gut-associated antigen. Immunoblotting revealed that two antigens with molecular masses (M(r)s) of 27 and 29 kDa were present in the ES products of adult P. ohirai, whereas four antigens with M(r) 27, 29, 36, and 38 kDa were detected i adult worm extract. Partially purified fractions containing acidic and neutral cysteine proteinases have 27 and 29 kDa protein molecules reactive with the mAb. The possibilities that the 36 and 38 kDa antigens may be precursors of these proteinases are discussed.

Parvalbumin- and calretinin-immunoreactive trigeminal neurons innervating the rat molar tooth pulp

Calcium-binding proteins and neuropeptides were examined in trigeminal neuronal cell bodies retrogradely labeled with Fast blue (FB) from the maxillary molar tooth pulp of the rat. FB-labeled cells were located in the maxillary division of the trigeminal ganglion. Approximately 30 and 50% of the labeled cells were immunoreactive for parvalbumin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), respectively. The coexpression of these substances was observed in 9.5% of FB-labeled cells. On the other hand, 2.4% of FB-labeled cells exhibited calretinin-immunoreactivity (CR-ir) and 20% tachykinin (TK)-ir. The coexpression of CR and TK was observed in 1.9% of FB-labeled cells, i.e., most of CR-ir FB-labeled neurons coexpressed TK-ir. An immuno-EM method revealed that all parvalbumin-ir nerve fibers in the root pulp were myelinated and that CGRP-ir nerve fibers were both myelinated (15%) and unmyelinated (85%). The present study indicated that primary nociceptors innervating the rat molar tooth pulp contained parvalbumin and CR and coexpressed these calcium-binding proteins and neuropeptides. It was suggested that peripheral axons of parvalbumin-ir tooth pulp primary neurons are all myelinated. Most peripheral CR-ir axons are probably unmyelinated because TK-ir myelinated axons have never been demonstrated in any peripheral organ.

CGRP in peripherally axotomized mesencephalic trigeminal neurones of the rat

Immunoreactivities for substance P (SP-ir) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-ir) were examined in neurones in the mesencephalic trigeminal tract nucleus of nerve-injured rats. One week following unilateral transection of the trigeminal root, the masseteric nerve (MN) or the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), CGRP-ir but not SP-ir was detected in these neurones bilaterally with ipsilateral dominance. Most of the CGRP-ir (immunoreactive) neurones were retrogradely labelled when fluorogold (FG) had been applied to the proximal stump of the MN or the IAN. Sham surgery including insult to the masseter muscle induced CGRP-ir while skin incision did not.

[Studies on antiulcer agents. III. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of phenylpropanol derivatives]

It was found that (+/-)ethyl 2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-oxocyclohexylidene]-propionate (1), (+/-)ethyl 2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]propionate (2) and (+/-)3-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-2-butanone (3) had excellent antiulcer activities. In order to study structure-activity relationships, (+/-)2-[(3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]cyclopentanone derivatives (4, 5) and (+/-)2-[(3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]cyclopentanol derivatives (6, 7) were synthesized and tested for antiulcer activities. As a result, (+/-)2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-methoxy-5-(2- piperidinoethoxy)phenyl]cyclopentanone (5k) exhibited potent antiulcer activities.

Na+/Ca2+ exchange current density in cardiac myocytes from rabbits and guinea pigs during postnatal development

It has been proposed that the activity of the cardiac sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger may be greatest in developing animals before the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) reaches functional maturity. Experiments were performed in rabbits, which have a sparse SR at birth, and in newborn guinea pigs, which exhibit a more extensive SR. Whole cell voltage clamp techniques were used to characterize the Ni(2+)-sensitive Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in single freshly isolated cardiac myocytes. Na+/Ca2+ exchange current was measured from a holding potential of -40 mV by using a slow-ramp voltage protocol (-120 to +60 mV, 0.09 V/s) in the presence of Ba2+, Cs+, tetraethylammonia, D-600, and ouabain to block Ca2+, Na+, and K+ currents. Experiments in developing rabbits (1-22 days old) demonstrated that Na+/Ca2+ exchange current density was greatest at 1-4 days and declined rapidly over the first 3 wk of age. In contrast, Na+/Ca2+ exchange current density in newborn guinea pig myocytes did not differ from that recorded in adults. These results confirm that Na+/Ca2+ exchange is functional at birth in both rabbits and guinea pigs. The species-related difference in the ontogeny of Na+/Ca2+ exchange is consistent with the concept that Na+/Ca2+ exchange assumes a relatively greater role in newborn animals with a sparse SR.

[Mirror movements observed in patients skilled in playing the piano--symptomatological study]

We investigated mirror movements observed in two patients skilled in playing the piano and compared these symptoms with those reported in patients associated with frontal lobe, corpus callosum or cervical cord lesion. We found the following common features in our two patients: 1) mirror movements were observed during skilled finger movements such as playing the piano, 2) these were observed in distal parts of the bilateral upper extremities, 3) contralateral imitative associated movements were seen concomitantly, 4) frontal lobe symptoms and callosal disconnection syndrome were not seen, 5) both patients recalled having mirror movements in their infancy, and one had family history. These characteristics of mirror movements in our patients were similar to those in patients associated with cervical cord lesion, but were different from those in patients associated with frontal lobe or corpus callosum lesion. It is suggested that abnormal pathways in the pyramidal tract or cervical cord lesion elicited mirror movements in our patients.

[Studies on antiulcer agents. IV. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of phenylpropanol derivatives]

It was found that (+/-)ethyl 2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-oxocyclohexylidene-propionate (1), (+/-)ethyl 2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]propionate (2), (+/-)3-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-2-butanone (3) and (+/-)2-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-methoxy-5-(2- piperidinoethoxy)phenyl]cyclopentanone (4) had potent antiulcer activities. In order to study structure-activity relationships, (+/-)3-[(3-hydroxypropyl)phenoxy]-2-butanone derivatives (5, 6) were synthesized and tested for antiulcer activities. Among them, (+/-)3-[2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-methoxy-5-[3-(4- methylpiperidino)propoxy]phenoxy]-2-butanone.3/2 oxalate (6k) was selected as a preferred antiulcer agent.

[Fisher's syndrome following Campylobacter jejuni enteritis--a case report and review of the literature]

A 13-year-old boy presented with ophthalmoplegia, cerebella ataxia and areflexia subsequent to watery diarrhea and pyrexia. Campylobacter jejuni (PEN 2: LIO 4) was isolated from the stools. The patient had a high titer of IgG anti-GQ1b IgG antibody titers which decreased during the clinical course. Although C. jejuni has recently been recognized as the most common microorganism causing infection preceding Guillain-Barré syndrome, only six patients with Fisher's syndrome after this bacterial infection have been reported. This is the first report of a patient with Fisher's syndrome in whom C. jejuni was identified as a causative organism in Japan.

Parvalbumin and calbindin D-28k in vagal and glossopharyngeal sensory neurons of the rat

Parvalbumin- and calbindin D-28k-immunoreactivities (ir) were examined in the glossopharyngeal and vagal sensory ganglia (petrosal, nodose and jugular ganglia), the carotid sinus nerve and the carotid body. Parvalbumin-ir nerve cells were mostly localized in the petrosal and nodose ganglia and were rare in the jugular ganglion. Calbindin D-28k-ir nerve cells were found in moderate and large numbers in the petrosal and nodose ganglia, respectively. Only a few calbindin D-28k-ir nerve cells were observed in the jugular ganglion. The carotid sinus nerve and carotid body contained numerous calbindin D-28k-ir nerve fibers but few parvalbumin-ir nerve fibers. Studies of the coexistence of these calcium-binding proteins with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-ir showed that CGRP-ir was rarely colocalized in parvalbumin- or calbindin D-28k-ir nerve cells in the petrosal or nodose ganglion. Moreover, TH-ir was not generally contained in parvalbumin-ir nerve cells in the petrosal, nodose and jugular ganglia while a portion (15-19%) of calbindin D-28k-ir neurons in the petrosal and nodose ganglia colocalized TH-ir. These findings are consistent with the involvement of calcium-binding proteins, particularly calbindin D-28k, in the function of visceral sensory neural systems of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves and, perhaps, in baro- and chemoreceptor neurotransmission.

Effect of tea polyphenols on fecal flora and fecal metabolic products of pigs

The effects of tea polyphenols on fecal flora and fecal metabolic activities were studied in eight 30-day-old pigs fed a basal diet (control) or the diet supplemented with 0.2% of tea polyphenols for 2 weeks. During tea polyphenol administration compared to before administration, the levels of lactobacilli were increased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively), whereas the levels of total bacteria (P < 0.01) and bacteroidaceae (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively) were decreased significantly. The detection rate of lecithinase positive clostridia including Clostridium perfrigens showed a tendency to decrease during administration. No detectable change occurred in the levels of other organisms throughout the experimental period. Fecal concentrations of ammonia were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 on days 7 and 14 of administration, respectively). Fecal phenol (P < 0.001), p-cresol (P < 0.05), and skatol (P < 0.01) were reduced significantly on day 14 of administration compared to before administration. The amounts of fecal short chain fatty acids, acetic acid (P < 0.05) and lactic acid (P < 0.05) were increased significantly on day 14 of administration. The pH values were decreased slightly during administration. The odour of the feces was reduced remarkably during tea polyphenol administration.

Extent of aortopulmonary collateral blood flow as a risk factor for Fontan operations

Between November 1987 and January 1990, 33 patients (tricuspid atresia, 9 patients; mitral atresia, 3; single ventricle, 15; others, 6) underwent Fontan operations. The rate of blood flow returning to the heart during aortic cross-clamping was measured as an indication of the extent of development of aortopulmonary collateral arteries. Percent cardiac return (calculated by dividing the blood flow rate returning to the heart by the cardiopulmonary bypass blood flow rate and expressing the value as a percentage), were 1% to 9%, 7 patients; 10% to 19%, 11; 20% to 29%, 9; 30% to 39%, 4; 40% to 49%, 1; and 50% to 59%, 1 patient. Percent cardiac return showed a significant correlation with postoperative mean systemic venous pressure (r = 0.6, p < 0.01). In those patients in whom percent cardiac return was more than 33%, the mean systemic venous pressure after operation was high (more than 17 mm Hg), and none of these patients survived. To predict percent cardiac return preoperatively, the conventional indices of systemic ventricular volume, pulmonary artery area index, arterial blood oxygen saturation, pulmonary blood flow index, and pulmonary vascular resistance were analyzed. None of these showed significant correlation with percent cardiac return. However, all the patients who had a high percent cardiac return (more than 30%) also had both high arterial blood oxygen saturation (more than 75% in room air) and small pulmonary artery area index (less than 55%). In addition, the age at operation showed good correlation (r = 0.6, p < 0.01) to percent cardiac return.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)