[Intrinsic endotoxemia after massive hepatectomy--effect of intra-intestinal antibiotics]

It is known that intrinsic endotoxemia is caused by two main mechanisms, reticuloendothelial system dysfunction and intestinal circulatory failure. We investigated the escape of endotoxin from the intestine under occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery 3 days after 70% liver resection in rabbits. Twelve rabbits were given intra-intestinal antibiotics (Antibiotics group) and other twelve rabbits were given saline only (Control group). The results were as follows. Indocyanine green clearance and lipid clearance were deteriorated in both groups after hepatectomy but the antibiotics group showed a better clearance rate than the control group. Serum endotoxin level was elevated slightly after hepatectomy and then grossly elevated after superior mesenteric artery occlusion, but the antibiotics group showed a lower endotoxin level than that of the control group. Seventy-two hours survival rate was apparently better in the antibiotics group. From those data we conclude that the administration of intraintestinal antibiotics contributed to the maintenance of reticuloendothelial function of remnant hepatic lobe and suppressed the serum endotoxin level after superior mesenteric artery occlusion.

Cryopreservation of human lymphocytes for assessment of lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cytotoxicity

Cryopreservation of lymphocytes has become increasingly important, especially when the cells are to be used in retrospective studies of selected and dwindling populations, such as A-bomb survivors. This report describes an efficient method for cryopreservation of human lymphocytes which does not significantly alter various immunological characteristics of these cells. The proportions of Leu-1+ cells (T cells), Leu-2a+ cells (suppressor-cytotoxic T cells), Leu-3a+ cells (helper-inducer T cells), HLA-DR+ cells, Mo2+ cells (monocytes), B1+ cells (B cells), and Leu-7+ cells (natural killer (NK) cells), as determined by monoclonal antibodies, were found to be stable following cryopreservation. NK cell activity against K-562 target cells showed a 40-60% decrease immediately after thawing, but recovered to approximate pre-freezing levels after preincubation for 18 h. Neither lymphocyte subsets nor cell viability significantly changed following preincubation after cryopreservation. However, the ratio of cells binding to K-562 cells increased after this preincubation and may account for the observed recovery of NK cell activity. NK cell activity remained relatively stable up to 14 months of storage which confirms that freezing damage depends on the freezing process rather than on the duration of cryopreservation.

Effects of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on interleukin 2 production and lymphocyte proliferation in former poison gas factory workers

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and lymphocyte proliferation were measured in former workers of the Okunojima Poison Gas Factory (poison gas workers), who have a high incidence of lung cancer, and the efficacy of administration of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) was studied. In comparison with normal controls and poison gas workers receiving N-CWS, lymphocyte proliferation in poison gas workers not receiving N-CWS showed a significant decrease, while IL-2 production showed a slight though not statistically significant decrease. When N-CWS was administered to poison gas workers, IL-2 production and lymphocyte proliferation were significantly elevated, with a peak two weeks after administration. N-CWS, by elevating IL-2 production of lymphocytes, is considered to have improved the depression of lymphocyte proliferation.

Rapid change in mutation rate in a local population of Drosophila melanogaster

The lethal and detrimental loads per second chromosome rapidly increased from 1968 to 1970 in a local population of Drosophila melanogaster in Japan (lethal load, from about 0.16 to 0.38; detrimental load, from 0.125 to 0.231 [Watanabe, T. K., Watanabe, T. & Oshima, C. (1976) Evolution 30, 109-118]). When the homozygous loads were measured in 1983, the lethal load had decreased to approximately the original amount (0.19) but the detrimental load had stayed high (0.241). The rise and fall of the lethal load can be accounted for by a P-type element that invaded a population with M cytotype, producing a high mutation rate. The mutation rate fell back to the earlier value after the cytotype became P. That the detrimental load did not decrease can be explained by assuming a longer persistence for detrimental mutations in the population. Evidence for a P-type mutator factor is that the mutation rate of the wild-type chromosomes differs between the different cytoplasmic and chromosomal backgrounds, being lower in the background from which the chromosomes were taken.

Effects of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on lymphocyte subsets in former poison gas factory workers

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were determined in former workers of the Okunojima Poison Gas Factory (poison gas workers) having a high incidence of lung cancer, and the effect of administration of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) was studied. In poison gas workers not receiving N-CWS, both the percentage and absolute number of Leu-2a+ cells were significantly increased as compared with normal controls, while both the percentage and absolute number of Leu-7+ cells as well as the Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratio were significantly decreased. In poison gas workers receiving N-CWS, the percentage of Leu-2a+ cells was significantly decreased when compared with poison gas workers not receiving N-CWS, while the percentage of Leu-1+ cells and both the percentage and absolute number of Leu-7+ cells as well as the Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratio were significantly increased. When N-CWS was administered to poison gas workers, the percentage of Leu-2a+ cells significantly decreased, with a minimum two weeks after administration, while the percentage of Leu-3a+ and the Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratio significantly increased and the percentages of Leu-1+ and Leu-7+ cells also increased. Furthermore, the absolute number of Leu-3a+ cells increased markedly with a peak two weeks after administration. The absolute numbers of both Leu-1+ cells and Leu-7+ cells as well as total lymphocytes also significantly increased, but that of Leu-2a+ cells showed hardly any change. It is considered that a single administration of N-CWS transiently corrects the abnormality of lymphocyte subsets, and that repeated administration of N-CWS once every three months may maintain the lymphocyte subsets of poison gas workers at normal levels.

Monoclonal antibodies to human squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and their application to tumor diagnosis

Three immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibodies, LuCa2, LuCa3, and LuCa4, were produced by fusing murine myeloma NS1 cells with splenocytes obtained from a BALB/c mouse immunized with SK-MES1 cells derived from human squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. These three monoclonal antibodies were shown to recognize different protein antigens on SK-MES1 cells by indirect immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. While the pattern of cell line distribution of antigens recognized by these antibodies was not tumor type specific, their reactivity with tissue and pleural effusion was much more informative than with cell lines. The presence of target antigens in vivo was analyzed by immunoperoxidase staining of frozen tissue sections and immunofluorescence staining of tumor cells in pleural effusions. LuCa2 antibody was reactive with lung squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma tumor tissues and pleural effusions, but only infrequently with those of small cell carcinoma. This antibody was also reactive with many tumor tissues from other organs as well as with various normal tissues, including alveoli and bronchus. LuCa3 and LuCa4 antibodies reacted with lung squamous carcinoma in tissues and pleural effusions, but not with lung adenocarcinoma nor with small cell carcinoma. These two antibodies reacted only weakly with normal squamous tissues of the esophagus, skin, and cervix uteri, but not with various other normal tissues. Moreover, LuCa3 had weak reactivity with squamous cell carcinoma tissue of tongue and esophagus, whereas LuCa4 had no reactivity with nonpulmonary tumor tissues. LuCa3 and LuCa4 antibodies should be of clinical interest, because our data suggest that these antibodies may be potentially useful for the diagnosis of the histological type of lung tumor cells in both cancer tissue and pleural effusions.

Experimental study of fetal liver transplantation

Fetal liver cells function as liver and bone marrow cells. The direct and indirect effects of fetal liver cell transplants on liver and/or bone marrow failure was investigated in rat experiments. Outbred Wistar, inbred Lewis and F344 fetus rats (18-20 days) were used as donors; Wistar and Lewis rats (210-280g) were used as recipients. D-galactosamine (1.0-1.85g/kg) was administered intraperitoneally inducing acute liver failure. TBI, Co60 1000 Rads, was given inducing bone marrow failure. Donor liver cells were prepared using the following four methods: 1) simple liver homogenation; 2) centrifugation by percol gradient into different fractions; 3) arginine deficient culture; and 4) pronase culture. Preliminary observations of the transplant effect of fetal liver cells on liver and/or bone marrow failure is described.

The OP-Rheometer system, a new device for analysis of viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood: description and clinical application

OP-Rheometer is a rotational viscometer of concentric type, which was developed to measure blood viscosity at low shear rate (0.2-40 sec-1) and viscoelasticity at 0.1-3.0 Hz in the context of clinical medicine. This system consists of a mechanical unit, a control unit (console), a data processing unit and a printer. The dynamic or steady state flow data are automatically printed out. An outer cylinder (sample container) is connected to a torsion wire assembly supported by a pair of magnetic bearings. The angular displacement is detected by a pair of variable differential transformers. In clinical application of this rheometer, authours have confirmed that the viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood from diabetic patients are higher than for normal subjects.

The morphology of bone mineral as revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering

Diffuse small-angle X-ray scattering of oriented bone from bovine femur and canine femur was described in terms of an ideal isotropic two-dimensional two-phase system which consists of mineral phase and organic phase. The microstructure of powdered, randomly-oriented bone from bovine femur was found to be affected by grinding. An analysis of small-angle scattering from oriented bone showed that bone mineral was to a large extent in the form of needle-like particles with a 50-60 A the diameter, and the dimension of organic phase transverse to the longitudinal axis of long bone was in the range 45-55 A. The intersect distribution function was directly calculated from the scattering intensities, and the results strongly suggested the presence of needle-like mineral with sharp edges.

[Usefulness of ECG gated cardiac computed tomography in measurement of left ventricular volume and wall thickness]

Electrocardiogram gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate the usefulness in the measurement of left ventricular volume and left ventricular wall thickness in 25 patients; five with angina pectoris, five with old myocardial infarction, eight with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, four with dilated cardiomyopathy, and three healthy men. The left ventricular volume was calculated as the sum of the volume of each slice, which was area times thickness of the slice. The left ventricular wall thickness was measured in reconstructed short-axis view at the level of the mitral valve and papillary muscle. The left ventricular volume and left ventricular wall thickness determined by CT were compared with that by left ventriculography (LVG), and that by two-dimensional echocardiography (2 DE), respectively. The following results were obtained. There were good relationships between left ventricular volume, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction by CT and those by LVG, but left ventricular volume by CT was smaller by about 20% than that by LVG. In the measurement of stroke volume, no relationship was recognized between CT and LVG. Concerning the measurement of left ventricular wall thickness, more available figures were obtained by CT than by 2 DE, particularly at the apical region, lateral wall, and posterior wall. In the other segments of the left ventricle, CT was also more suitable for the measurement of the wall thickness. Interventricular septal thickness was correlated between reconstructed short-axis view of CT (Y) and transverse view of CT (X), and the equations Y = 0.66X + 2.13 (r = 0.79) at the mitral valve level, and Y = 0.56X + 3.00 (r = 0.81) at the papillary muscle level were obtained. Therefore, reconstructed short-axis view should be used for the measurement of the left ventricular wall thickness not to overestimate the thickness.

Effects of anti-shock agents on the re-opened superior mesenteric artery flow

We investigated intestinal blood circulation after re-opening of a fixed-time occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in rabbits. The SMA root was occluded for 60 minutes, after which blood pressure and SMA flow were monitored for one hundred minutes under the administration with fluid infusion of three anti-shock agents; dopamine, phenoxybenzamine and dexamethasone. The intestinal wall tissue circulation in parallel with SMA flow was also studied. Blood pressure and SMA flow decreased after release of the SMA occlusion (SMAO), as compared those during pre-occlusive time in the control group. Fluid infusion alone did not improve blood pressure and SMA flow. Pre-administration of dexamethasone with fluid infusion improved blood pressure, SMA flow and the survival rate. Phenoxybenzamine with fluid infusion improved SMA flow, despite the low blood pressure. Circulatory damage to the intestinal wall was more extensive than that to SMA flow. These findings suggest that the severity and mortality of SMAO shock was not caused by plasma loss but rather by toxic metabolites and endotoxin from the ischemic intestine.

Suppression of the responsiveness of lymphocytes from cancer patients triggered by co-culture with autologous tumor-derived cells

The question as to whether or not cancer patients have "tumor antigen"-induced suppressor T cells is of considerable interest and importance. As an approach to that question, the effect of addition of autologous irradiated tumor-derived cells (TDC) on the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) of patients' lymphocytes (Ly) and of healthy donor Ly was tested. The rationale for these experiments was based on the fact that circulating antigen-responsive blood lymphocytes can be reactivated in vitro by exposure to the appropriate antigen. Thus, if there are circulating tumor "antigen"-reactive suppressor Ly, exposure to TDC as a source of the antigen should reactivate those cells. Reactivation of suppressor cells might result in diminished responsiveness to other stimuli such as alloantigens in the mixed leukocyte culture. We found that the addition of TDC to Ly cultures produced four distinct patterns of reaction. In 26 of the 74 different patient-tumor assays, the addition of autologous TDC to the patient cultures inhibited MLR, but the addition of the same TDC to cultures of Ly from healthy donors had no effect or increased their responsiveness (Specific Suppression). In 21 cases, the addition of autologous TDC to the patient cultures suppressed the MLR and the addition of the same TDC to control cultures suppressed the response of some but not all the healthy donors (Selective Suppression). In four cases, the addition of TDC to the cultures suppressed the MLR of the patients and all of the control donors (Nonspecific Suppression). In 23 cases, the addition of autologous TDC resulted in no suppression of the patient MLR or of any of the simultaneously tested normal donors (No Suppression). When TDC of patients with noninvasive bladder cancer were added to their own Ly cultures, only four of 11 produced specific or selective suppression compared to 11 of 12 when TDC came from patients with superficially invasive cancer. These data provide indirect evidence to support the hypothesis that human tumors induce circulating suppressor cells that may be reactivated in vitro by co-culture with TDC.

Suppression of the responsiveness of lymphocytes from cancer patients triggered by co-culture with autologous tumor-derived cells

The question as to whether or not cancer patients have "tumor antigen"-induced suppressor T cells is of considerable interest and importance. As an approach to that question, the effect of addition of autologous irradiated tumor-derived cells (TDC) on the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) of patients' lymphocytes (Ly) and of healthy donor Ly was tested. The rationale for these experiments was based on the fact that circulating antigen-responsive blood lymphocytes can be reactivated in vitro by exposure to the appropriate antigen. Thus, if there are circulating tumor "antigen"-reactive suppressor Ly, exposure to TDC as a source of the antigen should reactivate those cells. Reactivation of suppressor cells might result in diminished responsiveness to other stimuli such as alloantigens in the mixed leukocyte culture. We found that the addition of TDC to Ly cultures produced four distinct patterns of reaction. In 26 of the 74 different patient-tumor assays, the addition of autologous TDC to the patient cultures inhibited MLR, but the addition of the same TDC to cultures of Ly from healthy donors had no effect or increased their responsiveness (Specific Suppression). In 21 cases, the addition of autologous TDC to the patient cultures suppressed the MLR and the addition of the same TDC to control cultures suppressed the response of some but not all the healthy donors (Selective Suppression). In four cases, the addition of TDC to the cultures suppressed the MLR of the patients and all of the control donors (Nonspecific Suppression). In 23 cases, the addition of autologous TDC resulted in no suppression of the patient MLR or of any of the simultaneously tested normal donors (No Suppression). When TDC of patients with noninvasive bladder cancer were added to their own Ly cultures, only four of 11 produced specific or selective suppression compared to 11 of 12 when TDC came from patients with superficially invasive cancer. These data provide indirect evidence to support the hypothesis that human tumors induce circulating suppressor cells that may be reactivated in vitro by co-culture with TDC.

Endogenous endotoxin absorption and the role of intestinal lymphatics

We investigated the absorption routes of endotoxin derived from the intestine of rabbits with or without thoracic duct lymph drainage (TDLD). The intestinal circulatory disorders induced were superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) and superior mesenteric vein occlusion (SMVO). Detection and quantitation of endotoxin in plasma and lymph were carried out using a synthetic chromogenic substrate (peptide-4-methyl-coumarin amide, MCA). In the SMAO group, endotoxin levels in portal plasma exceeded levels in lymph from the thoracic duct throughout the experiment, and in the SMVO group, the relationship was reversed. In peripheral arterial blood, endotoxin levels were significantly lower in rabbits with TDLD than in those with intact lymphatic system. Intestinal lymphatics probably play an important role in appearance of systemic endotoxemia in non-septic shock.

The cell surface phenotype of a naturally occurring human suppressor T-cell of restricted specificity: definition by monoclonal antibodies

A series of murine monoclonal antibodies was used to characterize the surface phenotype of a naturally occurring E+ B14-specific suppressor cell present in the blood of a patient with recurrent superficial bladder carcinomas. This suppressor T cell is different from the few naturally occurring suppressors of MLC reported by others in that its function does not require HLA-D compatibility with the cells being suppressed. This patient's T cells had decreased proportions of T3+, 10.2+, 9.3+, and T4+ cells, a normal proportion of T8+ cells, and a markedly increased proportion of Ia-positive cells. The MLC-suppressor assay was used to test the functional activity of cell populations selectively depleted by treatment with monoclonal antibodies and C or enriched by panning. The B14-specific suppressor T cells in this patient expressed T cell markers recognized by monoclonal antibodies 9.6, T3, and the T cell subset marker identified by OKT8 (T8+) but not the subset marker identified by OKT4 (T4-). Ia antigens were present on a substantial portion of these suppressor T cells. Thus, this unique, naturally occurring suppressor T cell has a phenotype similar to that of other T suppressor cells in humans, adding validity to the concept of functionally distinct T cell compartments in human blood.

The cell surface phenotype of a naturally occurring human suppressor T-cell of restricted specificity: definition by monoclonal antibodies

A series of murine monoclonal antibodies was used to characterize the surface phenotype of a naturally occurring E+ B14-specific suppressor cell present in the blood of a patient with recurrent superficial bladder carcinomas. This suppressor T cell is different from the few naturally occurring suppressors of MLC reported by others in that its function does not require HLA-D compatibility with the cells being suppressed. This patient's T cells had decreased proportions of T3+, 10.2+, 9.3+, and T4+ cells, a normal proportion of T8+ cells, and a markedly increased proportion of Ia-positive cells. The MLC-suppressor assay was used to test the functional activity of cell populations selectively depleted by treatment with monoclonal antibodies and C or enriched by panning. The B14-specific suppressor T cells in this patient expressed T cell markers recognized by monoclonal antibodies 9.6, T3, and the T cell subset marker identified by OKT8 (T8+) but not the subset marker identified by OKT4 (T4-). Ia antigens were present on a substantial portion of these suppressor T cells. Thus, this unique, naturally occurring suppressor T cell has a phenotype similar to that of other T suppressor cells in humans, adding validity to the concept of functionally distinct T cell compartments in human blood.

Peripheral lymphocyte response to PHA and T cell population among atomic bomb survivors

The percentage of T lymphocytes of atomic bomb survivors showed no change as a function of age or exposure dose. The percentage of T cells was slightly lower in malignant-tumor patients than in the control group, but was significantly higher in the group with chromosomal aberrations than in the control group. The percentages of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced transformation of peripheral lymphocytes decreased significantly with age in the 0 rad control group and the 200+ rad exposure group, particularly so in the latter. The malignant-tumor group also showed lower percentages of PHA-induced transformation than the control group. The percentages of PHA-induced transformation of lymphocytes of the chromosomal-aberration group were significantly depressed as compared with that of the control group.

[Study on the serum concentrations of gentamicin after intravenous drip infusion]

Serum concentrations of gentamicin (GM) were monitored after intravenous drip infusion of 60 mg over 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours. These concentrations were compared with those after intramuscular injection. The mean peak serum concentration obtained at 30 minutes after intramuscular injection (5.09 micrograms/ml) and those obtained at the end of intravenous drip infusion (5.17--6.66 micrograms/ml) were comparable. Serum concentrations decreased to less than 2.0 micrograms/ml at 6 to 8 hours after injection or infusion in all cases except 1 with less body weight than others. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the T1/2 of GM ranged from 2.49 to 4.33 hours and that the AUC ranged from 19.66 to 27.09 hr X micrograms/ml. Results obtained in this study suggested that the usefulness of intravenous drip infusion over the time from 30 minutes to 2 hours is equal to that of intramuscular injection in the GM therapy.

Effect of nitrogen dioxide exposure on cyclic GMP in rat lung

In vivo exposure of rats to 10 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 6 h caused approx. 5-fold increase in the content of cyclic GMP in lung tissue. This increased cyclic GMP level lasted up to 24 h but returned to the normal level within 2 days, even when the NO2 exposure continued. This increase in the content of cyclic GMP of lung tissue by NO2 exposure was observed in both young and aged rats. There were no statistically significant changes in the content of cyclic AMP in lung tissue.

Glycosaminoglycans in 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced rat hepatic cancer

The changes in glycosaminoglycans in livers of rats with 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced hepatic cancer were examined and compared with those in fetal liver. The incorporation of 35S into sulfated glycosaminoglycans in hepatic cancer tissue was also studied after i.p. injection of Na(2)35SO4. The major component of glycosaminoglycans in healthy adult rat liver was heparan sulfate (61.7%), with hyaluronic acid (21.1%), dermatan sulfate (13.1%), and chondroitin sulfate (4.0%) as minor components. The quantities of all of the examined glycosaminoglycans were higher in tumors than in normal liver, but chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid were more prevalent in the tumors (about 51 and 7 times higher, respectively). As a result, the share of heparan sulfate was decreased (37.1%) in the tumors. The high content of chondroitin sulfate (about 30 times) and the decreased share of heparan sulfate (29.0%) were also observed in fetal liver. The incorporation of 35S into individual glycosaminoglycans varied markedly. Approximately 90% of the label in glycosaminoglycans of healthy liver was found in a heparan sulfate fraction 4 hr after injection. In hepatic cancer tissue, however, 35S incorporation into both chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate fractions was increased about 6.5- and 5.6-fold, respectively, of those in healthy liver.

Amino acids from the late Precambrian Thule group, Greenland

Amino acids were recovered at concentration level of 10-9 M/g from the interior of chert and dolomite of the Late Precambrian Thule Group. Examination of the stability of amino acids in chert under dry-heating conditions suggests that these amino acids have been preserved with a predominance of L-enantiomers in the precambrian chert. Enantiomer analysis of amino acids in dolomite showed a thermal effect resulting from a late precambrian igneous intrusion. This evidence indicates that the amino acids isolated from the Thule samples were chemical fossils and not recent contaminants.

Kinetics of pretransition in multilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicle. X-ray diffraction study

The time course of transformation between P' beta phase ad L' beta phase in multilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicle containing 50% water was followed by small-angle X-ray diffraction. The transformation of P' beta leads to L' beta was 90% complete at 7 min after the temperature jump, although imperfections remained for a long time. Transformation in the opposite direction was fast as compared with P' beta leads to L' beta.

[Two cases with the heart murmur originated from aortocoronary bypass: the diagnostic use of dipyridamole (author's transl)]

Two cases with the heart murmurs considered to be caused by aortocoronary (A-C) bypass surgery were reported. Case 1: A systolic and an early and late diastolic murmurs were noted following A-C bypass surgery. The murmurs were located at the second left intercostal space. After methoxamine, the systolic and early diastolic murmurs increases slightly in intensity, while the late diastolic murmur did not change. Amyl nitrite inhalation slightly increased the intensity of the systolic murmur, but did not that of the diastolic murmur. Dipyridamole injection at a rate of 0.142 mg/kg/min resulted in the increase of both systolic and diastolic murmurs. Case 2: A diastolic murmur was noted following the bypass surgery, which was situated over the fourth left intercostal space, 4 cm outside from the left sternal border. Methoxamine injection intensified the murmur. The murmur was not affected by amyl nitrite. After dipyridamole injection, the murmur was slightly intensified. Dipyridamole is known to dilate coronary vessels without affecting appreciably the systemic circulation. In these two cases, the murmur noted following A-C bypass surgery was increased with dipyridamole, suggesting clinical applicability of this drug in ascertaining the bypass flow murmur.

Ouabain binding to chick embryo neuroretina during development in ovo and in monolayer cultures

Eight-day-old embryo neuroretinas (NR) were dissociated and cultured as monolayer. [3H]Ouabain binding was investigated during the culture period. [3H]Ouabain binding to NR increases continuously until around the tenth day of culture, but after that it gradually decreased. On the other hand, [3H]ouabain binding to NR during in ovo development continued to increase until the embryo was 20 days old. Na-K-ATPase activity was also compared with [3H]ouabain binding during development in ovo and in monolayer culture. It was found that changes in Na-K-ATPase activity of NR in vitro and in ovo were different from those of [3H]ouabain binding activity. Exposure of NR at the second day of culture to 0.1 mM ouabain for 8 h resulted in the degeneration of some differentiated neurons (rosette-formed cells), but new rosettes were soon re-formed after the withdrawal of ouabain, and [3H]ouabain binding to the ouabain-treated NR was decreased by 30%. Ouabain-treatment of NR in 10-day-old cultures completely destroyed the aggregated neurons, but did not apparently injure the glial cell layer. [3H]Ouabain binding decreased more than 90% in the ouabain-treated NR. These results suggest that [3H]ouabain binding activity of NR and the sensitivity to ouabain toxicity are useful indicators for differentiation and development of neurons in the cultured retinal cells.

Slow change in the repeat period of multilamellar dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine accompanied by thermal phase transition

The slow change of the repeat period of multilamellar structures accompanied by a thermal phase transition in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine containing 50% water was measured by a small-angle X-ray diffraction method employing the temperature-jump technique. The repeat period immediately after the application of a temperature jump from 25 degrees C (fluid state, L alpha) to 22.5 degrees C (crystalline state, P' beta) was observed to be about 1 A larger than that at the steady state (65.1 A), and was then followed by a decrease to a steady value with a relaxation time of 70 min. The slow decrease in the repeat period seems to be due to the transformation from loosely stacked to closely stacked multilamellar structures, the looseness being caused by the formation of contracted domains in each lamella at an early stage of the phase transition from the fluid to the crystalline state.

[Relationship between vascular diameter and intracardiac pressure in tricuspid or pulmonary insufficiency detected by contrast echocardiography (author's transl)]

In order to evaluate the usefulness of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of tricuspid (TI) and pulmonary insufficiency (PI), 30 patients with various heart diseases and 7 controls were examined. The dimensions of the inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery were also measured on the two-dimensional echocardiogram. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 18 patients to study the relationship between the diameters of the vessels and the intracardiac pressures. The following results were obtained. 1) TI was detected without difficulty by contrast method using two-dimensional echocardiography on the four-chamber view. The diagnostic sensitivity was higher than that of conventional methods. 2) PI was also detected by the parasternal approach. The regurgitation of the contrast material across the pulmonary valve was easily confirmed because of pulmonary arterial dilatation. 3) In the cases with TI, the dimension of the inferior vena cava was larger than 20 mm. The right ventricular systolic pressure and the mean right atrial pressure were higher than 40 mmHg and 6 mmHg, respectively.

Taxonomy of the antibiotic Bu-2313-producing organism. Microtetraspora caesia sp. nov

An aerobic actinomycete strain isolated from an Indian soil sample and designated No. E864-61 was found to produce in submerged fermentation a new antibiotic complex, Bu-2313 (components A and B). Strain E864-61 forms single, pairs or chains of three to eight spores on the aerial mycelium and its aerial mass color is grayish blue-green. The cell wall of strain E864-61 contains meso-diaminopimelic acid and galactose. Strain E864-61 has been classified as a new species of the genus Microtetraspora and designated as Microtetraspora caesia sp. nov.

Serum and liver glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activity in rats with experimental hepatic cancer

Changes of glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (GPDA) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activities were compared in the serum and liver tissue of rats with hepatic cancer induced by 3'-methyl DAB. Serum glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activity in rats with the azo dye-induced hepatic cancer was significantly higher than that in healthy rats, but the increase was not so extensive compared with that of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The specific activity of glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase was decrease in the microsomal fraction and increased in the supernatant fraction of hepatic cancer tissue, whereas that of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was increased in both microsomal and supernatant fractions. These results suggest that the mechanisms, whereby serum activities of these two enzymes were increased in rats with hepatic cancer, were different from each other.

Electrophoretic fractionation of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human hepatic cancer

Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from patients with various hepatobiliary diseases was fractionated by polyacrylamide gradient gel slab electrophoresis to study the specific patterns of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase fractions in hepatic cancer. On zymograms of normal serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, a total of 10 fractions was observed. Additionally, fractions I', I" and II' were recognized in sera from hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Among these, fraction I', which migrated slightly, but significantly, slower than fraction I was the most specific; it was found in 55% of the hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Fractions I" and II' were also relatively specific, each was observed in about 29% of these patients. Fractions V to IX were observed in few hepatocellular carcinoma cases. Fraction I' is thought to be a hepatoma-related fraction, highly specific for the serum of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Fractions I" and II' were also thought to be hepatoma-related fractions of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. We suggest that fractions I', I" and II' may be useful in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Inhibition of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-activated guanylate cyclase by anticarcinogenic agents

Recent studies have demonstrated that nitroso chemical carcinogens markedly activate guanylate cyclase, which catalyzes the production of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP). We therefore examined the effect of inhibitors of carcinogenic compounds on guanylate cyclase activation by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). An antioxidant group of anticarcinogenic compounds was effective. Disulfiram and phenethyl isothiocyanate exhibited the most potent inhibition. Inhibitor constants (Ki) for disulfiram and phenethyl isothiocyanate were 1.2 x 10(-5) M and 4.9 x 10(-5) M, respectively. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, phenyl isothiocyanate, butylated hydroxyanisole and ethoxyquin showed moderate inhibitory effects. Sodium selenide decreased the MNNG-activated guanylate cyclase activity to about 30%, and it was inhibitory at the low concentration of 10(-5) M. The present data suggest that one of the mechanisms by which anticarcinogenic compounds exert their effect may in part be related to the inhibition of guanylate cyclase.