[Mixed lymphocyte reaction among goat strains fixed by DRB/DQB haplotype in the MHC class II region]

One-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) tests were carried out on three strains of Korean native goat, A, D and E, which had been fixed by DRB/DQB haplotype in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II region. In the case of MLR combined within the same strain, the values for the stimulation index (S.I.) were from 1.08 +/- 1.26 (within the D strain) to 3.19 +/- 2.28 (within the A strain). On the other hand, in the case of MLR combined for the different strains, the S.I. values were from 10.47 +/- 4.31 (E strain as the stimulator and A strain as the responder) to 36.08 +/- 7.42 (D strain as the stimulator and E strain as the responder). The difference between the S.I. values for the same and different strains was clearly significant (p < 0.001). To elucidate the effect of a combination of the DRB/DQB haplotype on the S.I. values, A and E strain and AE heterozygote animals were used in the MLR tests. With MLR combined heterozygote as the stimulater and homozygote as the responder (A or E strain), the mean S.I. value was 9.62 +/- 3.9. This value showed high levels in the different strains, but showed a significant difference from that of the same strain (p < 0.001). On the other hand, with MLR combined homozygote as the responder (A or E strain) and a heterozygote as the stimulater, the mean S.I. value was 1.46 +/- 1.17. This value showed low levels as well as within the same strain, but showed a significant difference from that of different strains (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Empyema caused by perforation of metastatic colon cancer: a case report]

The patient was a 51-year-old female, underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer 6 years ago. She was admitted to a local hospital with the complaint of fever, the chest X-ray showed niveau in the left pleural cavity. Fecal material flowed out by drainage. Barium enema showed fistula of diaphragma from transverse colon. She was transferred to our hospital. Partial transverse colon resection and removal of the diaphragma fistula were performed. The colon tumor was histologically determined to be metastasis from gastric cancer with thoracic empyema.

Age-related changes in cellular localization and enzymatic activities of cathepsins B, L and D in the rat trigeminal ganglion neuron

Altered localization and cellular level of three distinct lysosomal proteinases, cathepsins B (CB), L (CL), and D (CD), with aging were investigated in the rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) by immunohistochemical and quantitative analyses. At the light microscopic level, the intracytoplasmic distribution of these three enzymes was found to change with aging: These lysosomal proteinases in the TG of young rats (2-3 months of age) were widely and evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm as coarse intracytoplasmic granules, whereas they were localized at focal cytoplasmic sites of the TG neurons of aged rats (28-31 months of age) as coarse aggregates. A similar distribution was observed with a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein having an apparent molecular mass of 107 kDa (LGP107). The cellular distribution of the three cathepsins as well as LGP107 in the TG neurons of aged rats corresponded well with that of autofluorescent lipofuscin. At the electron microscopic level, the age-related redistribution of these cathepsins in the TG neurons was found to be due to their great accumulation in autolysosomes localized at the focal perinuclear sites. The cellular levels of CB and CL determined by activity measurement in the TG of the young rats were 1.8 and 1.7 times as much as those of the aged rats respectively. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between the CD activities in the two age groups. These results strongly suggest that age related changes in localization and cellular level of CB, CL, and CD in TG neurons are closely linked with the increased formation of autolysosomes and lipofuscins, which is the most ubiquitous age-related cytological alteration.

Topical anaesthesia for bladder biopsies and cautery: intravesical lidocaine versus caudal anaesthesia

A total of 62 patients were randomized to receive bladder biopsy and cautery with either topical lidocaine anaesthesia or caudal anaesthesia. The patients were asked to describe the level of pain experienced during the procedure on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 5 (unbearable pain). In 29 patients receiving topical lidocaine anaesthesia, the mean value was 1.6 at cold-cup biopsies and 2.7 at cautery, which were considered to be tolerable for the patients. On the other hand, in 33 patients who had biopsies and cautery with caudal anaesthesia, the mean values were 0.8 and 1.0, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in patients receiving topical anaesthesia (p < 0.01). Serum lidocaine levels were measured in 5 patients at 15 minutes from the beginning of biopsies, and were negligible. These results revealed that caudal anaesthesia provided more effective pain relief, although most patients could tolerate biopsy and cautery with topical lidocaine anaesthesia. The technique of topical anaesthesia is very simple and no side effects were observed. We thus conclude that topical lidocaine anaesthesia is useful and safe for bladder biopsies and cautery in most cases.

Comparative clinical features of stage A1 and stage A2 prostate cancers. Is the concept of stage A changing from the current status?

We surveyed the comparative clinical features of patients with stage A1 and stage A2 prostate cancer. Preoperatively, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was elevated in 50.0% of stage A2 patients as compared to 18.2% of stage A1 patients. Compared to low positivity of prostatic acid phosphatase in 12.5% of stage A2 and in 0% of stage A1, PSA was more sensitive to the presence of incidental carcinoma. During the observation period (mean 35.7 months) no stage A patient died of cancer. No evidence of the disease showed significantly higher rate, and death without cancer was significantly lower in stage A1.

Effect of antiepileptic drugs on absence-like seizures in the tremor rat

We examined the effects of conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on absence-like seizures in homozygous tremor rats (tm/tm) to determine if they corresponded pharmacologically to human absence seizures and absence-like seizures in spontaneously epileptic rats (SER: zi/zi, tm/tm) with both tonic convulsive and absence-like seizures. Cortical and hippocampal EEG activity was recorded with chronically implanted electrodes. The effects of AEDS on seizures of the tremor rat showed profiles similar to those observed in human absence seizures and also in absence-like seizures of SER. The absence-like seizures, associated with paroxysmal bursts of 5-7-Hz spike-wave complexes, were inhibited by trimethadione (TMO 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.), ethosuximide (ESM 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), valproate (VPA 100 mg/kg, i.p.), and phenobarbital (PB 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.). Phenytoin (PHT 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was ineffective. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the tremor rat is a useful model for evaluating new AEDS for human absence seizures.

Action of intravenously administered talipexole on the rat striatal neurons receiving excitatory input from nigral dopamine neurons

Electrophysiological studies using rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate were performed to elucidate whether or not intravenously injected talipexole acted as a D2 receptor agonist on the striatal neurons in comparison with the action of bromocriptine. The activities of the striatal neurons were extracellularly recorded using a glass microelectrode attached along a seven-barreled micropipette, each barrel of which was filled with talipexole, bromocriptine, SCH23390 (D1 antagonist), domperidone (D2 antagonist), glutamate or 2 M NaCl. These drugs were iontophoretically applied to the immediate vicinity of the target neuron being recorded. The effects of talipexole and bromocriptine were examined on the neurons, whose spikes (induced by the stimulation of the substantia nigra pars compacta) were inhibited by the iontophoretic application of domperidone. Iontophoretic application of talipexole or bromocriptine increased spontaneous firing of these neurons and this increase in firing was also inhibited by iontophoretically applied domperidone. In the same neurons, intravenously administered talipexole (0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased firing, and this increase was inhibited by microiontophoretically applied domperidone, but not by SCH23390. On the other hand, the intravenous injection of bromocriptine (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) also increased the firing rate. However, the increase was not dose-dependent and fluctuated; the firing transiently decreased during the increase in firing with intravenously administered bromocriptine. However, the bromocriptine-induced increase in firing was also suppressed by domperidone, and decrease in firing was inhibited by SCH23390. These findings suggest that talipexole acts as a D2 agonist on the striatal neurons receiving input from substantia nigra pars compacta and increases firing when intravenously applied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Specific antibody patterns of Wistar rats inoculated with third stage larvae of Anisakis simplex

Levels of excretory-secretory (ES)-specific antibody were measured in Wistar rats inoculated with 1, 5, or 20 third stage larvae (L3) of Anisakis simplex. Primary inoculation induced ES-specific IgM and IgG titers, paralleling inoculum size. Secondary inoculations resulted in an IgM and IgG titer augmentation in 1 or 5 larvae-inoculated animals to levels comparable to those of animals inoculated with 20 larvae, but titers in high inoculum animals did not increase upon secondary inoculation. Primary inoculation induced low ES-specific IgE antibody titers. However, secondary inoculation produced a different pattern than with IgM or IgG titers. Instead of titers equivalent to animals receiving more larvae, rats receiving 1 larva developed higher IgE titers than rats receiving larger inoculums. IgE titers of single larvae-inoculated rats peaked at 3-5 days after secondary inoculation but disappeared by day 14. The time course of IgE production is therefore consistent with duration of the infection. As the natural infection typically involves few larvae, monitoring ES-specific IgE may be a useful diagnostic tool for human intestinal anisakiasis.

Effects of 6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (idebenone) and related benzoquinones on porcine pancreas phospholipase A2 activity

6-(10-Hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (idebenone) has been found to have a membrane-stabilizing activity in studies using lysosomes. Using dimyristoyl L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) as a substrate, the effects of idebenone and related benzoquinones on phospholipid digestion by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was investigated. Free myristic acid, released from DMPC upon PLA2 treatment, was anthrylmethylated with 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM) and determined by reversed-phase HPLC. Idebenone and a related benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-(10-morpholinodecyl)-1, 4-benzquinone hydrochloride (QS-10.Mor), inhibited the hydrolysis of the substrate with PLA2 in a dose-dependent manner. It is suggested that the effect of idebenone on PLA2, in addition to its antioxidant activity lipid peroxidation, can be attributed to membrane-stabilizing activity.

Refractory haemospermia: any predictive factors?

A total of 56 patients with haemospermia were reviewed. Twenty-four patients suffered from prolonged haemospermia for more than 1 month or recurrent haemospermia (refractory group). In 32 patients haemospermia disappeared within a month (non-refractory group). Patient age in the refractory group was significantly higher than that in the non-refractory group (p < 0.05). Clinical symptoms other than haemospermia, white blood cell counts in the semen, expressed prostatic secretion and urine after prostatic massage, and transrectal ultrasonography findings were studied in both groups, with no significant differences found in any of these parameters. We concluded that, among these clinical findings, only patient age is a predictive factor for refractory haemospermia.

[Low-dose cytarabine ocfosfate therapy in an elderly acute myelogenous leukemia]

A 71-year-old man was admitted for severe anemia. Bone marrow puncture revealed 48% of blast cells. A diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML-M 4) was made. As the patient was old, we administered 300mg of cytarabine ocfosfate (SPAC) for 21 days. Blast cells in bone marrow decreased 5.6%, and SPAC was considered effective. We treated him with the same dose of SPAC for 14 days after a 21-day interval from the end of the first treatment. Although leukemic cells were still seen in bone marrow after two treatments, we considered him in partial remission, and he was discharged. After discharge, the hematological findings remain almost normal with intermittent treatment of 150 mg of SPAC for over one year. Thus, cytarabine ocfosfate might be useful in elderly AML patients.

[Activation of complement during hemodialysis]

In hemodialysis using 3 types of dialysis membrane materials [regenerated cellulose (RC), cellulose triacetate (CTA), and polysulfone (PS)], activation of the complement, reduction of white blood cells, and variation of vitronectin (VN) were observed. RC membrane caused a significant reduction of white blood cells and elevations of Bb and soluble membrane attack complex (S-MAC), indicating a strong activation of the alternative complement pathway. Especially, the increase of S-MAC persisted for a long time during hemodialysis. Because reduction of VN was transient, it was assumed that the S-MAC escaping removal by VN receptors might have persisted in the circulation. These findings suggested that S-MAC would become useful as an index for evaluating biocompatibility of various artificial organs including dialysis membranes.

Prednisolone excitation of medial vestibular nucleus neurons in cats

An electrophysiological study was performed to determine whether prednisolone hydrochloride directly influenced neuronal activities of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats. Single neuronal activities of MVN were recorded extracellularly with a glass-insulated silver wire microelectrode attached along a seven-barreled micropipette. Each barrel was filled with prednisolone, glutamate, glutamic acid diethylester (GDEE) or CoCl2. Except for prednisolone, which was administered both intravenously and microiontophoretically, other chemicals were applied microiontophoretically to the immediate vicinity of the target neurons. These MVN neurons were classified as type I and II neurons according to their responses to horizontal and sinusoidal rotations. Intravenous prednisolone (up to 5 mg/kg) enhanced spontaneous and rotation-induced neuronal firings of both type I and II neurons in a dose-dependent manner. In a similar tendency, microiontophoretically applied prednisolone (50-200 nA) dose-dependently increased spontaneous and rotation-induced firings of both type I and II neurons. Microiontophoretic GDEE, a non-selective glutamate receptor antagonist, inhibited glutamate- and rotation-induced neuronal discharges without affecting prednisolone-induced increases in neuronal responses of MVN. In addition, iontophoretically applied CoCl2, a Ca2+ channel blocker, did not affect prednisolone-, glutamate- and rotation-induced neuronal findings of MVN. These results suggest that prednisolone induces excitation of type I and II neurons, probably by acting directly on the membrane of MVN neurons. Thus, glucocorticoids such as prednisolone may be effective for the treatment of vertigo resulting from hypofunction of vestibular nucleus neurons.

A common topology of proteins catalyzing ATP-triggered reactions

A protein fold, six parallel beta strands surrounding the central alpha helix, is likely to be a common structure in protein families known to have a typical set of nucleotide binding consensus sequence motifs A and B and to catalyze ATP-triggered reactions. According to this ATP-triggered protein fold, the conserved Glu (or Asp), which acts as a general base to activate a water molecule for an in-line attack of the gamma-phosphate, is at the exit of the second beta strand. The fifth beta strand may be involved in propagation of conformational change triggered by ATP hydrolysis.

Analysis of genetic diversity of domestic cattle in east and Southeast Asia in terms of variations in restriction sites and sequences of mitochondrial DNA

There are three major groups of domestic cattle in East and Southeast Asia: European cattle, Zebu cattle, and Bali cattle. Ten restriction enzymes were used to analyze restriction site variants in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 178 individuals belonging to these three groups of cattle. The results indicate that each of the three groups has mtDNA with a specific haplotype. The sequence of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome b in representative haplotypes of Zebu and Bali cattle was determined and was compared with that of European cattle in the literature. We calculated 51 pairwise nucleotide sequence differences between European and Zebu cattle and 91 between European and Bali cattle. Our results suggest that ancestral populations of Asiatic domestic cattle may have diverged into two lineages--Bali and European plus Zebu--more than 3 million years ago, and then the European and Zebu groups diverged more than 1 million years or so before domestication occurred.

Analysis of an initial step of T cell adhesion to endothelial monolayers under flow conditions

We analyzed an initial step of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells under flow conditions. An initial step in T cell-endothelial cell interactions was characterized either by a rolling phase, or by an immediate arrest without rolling. Anti-E- and P-selectin Abs inhibited T cell rolling on endothelial cells under flow conditions. The rolling velocity of T cells on endothelial cells increased after treatment of endothelial cells with anti-E- or P-selectin Abs. Also, rolling of T cells was observed on E-selectin-transfected CHO cells but not on ICAM-1-transfected CHO cells. Thus, rolling of T cells under flow condition was dependent on E-selectin as well as P-selectin expressed on endothelial cells. In contrast, neither anti-E- nor P-selectin Abs inhibited the immediate arrest of T cells on endothelial cells significantly and anti-ICAM-1 Abs also failed to inhibit the immediate arrest of T cells. Therefore, other adhesion molecules may play an important role in the immediate arrest of T cells under flow conditions. The number of CD45RA- T cells rolling on E-selectin-transfected CHO cells was much higher than that of CD45RA+ T cells.

Analysis of an initial step of T cell adhesion to endothelial monolayers under flow conditions

We analyzed an initial step of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells under flow conditions. An initial step in T cell-endothelial cell interactions was characterized either by a rolling phase, or by an immediate arrest without rolling. Anti-E- and P-selectin Abs inhibited T cell rolling on endothelial cells under flow conditions. The rolling velocity of T cells on endothelial cells increased after treatment of endothelial cells with anti-E- or P-selectin Abs. Also, rolling of T cells was observed on E-selectin-transfected CHO cells but not on ICAM-1-transfected CHO cells. Thus, rolling of T cells under flow condition was dependent on E-selectin as well as P-selectin expressed on endothelial cells. In contrast, neither anti-E- nor P-selectin Abs inhibited the immediate arrest of T cells on endothelial cells significantly and anti-ICAM-1 Abs also failed to inhibit the immediate arrest of T cells. Therefore, other adhesion molecules may play an important role in the immediate arrest of T cells under flow conditions. The number of CD45RA- T cells rolling on E-selectin-transfected CHO cells was much higher than that of CD45RA+ T cells.

Kinetic studies of the inhibition of a human liver 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase isozyme by bile acids and anti-inflammatory drugs

We have investigated the steady-state kinetics for a cytosolic 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase isozyme of human liver and its inhibition by several bile acids and anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin, flufemanic acid and naproxen. Initial velocity and product inhibition studies performed in the NADP(+)-linked (S)-1-indanol oxidation at pH 7.4 were consistent with a sequential ordered mechanism in which NADP+ binds first and leaves last. The bile acids and drugs, competitive inhibitors with respect to the alcohol substrate, exhibited uncompetitive inhibition with respect to the coenzyme, with Ki values less than 1 microM, whereas indomethacin exhibited noncompetitive inhibition (Ki < 24 microM). The kinetics of the inhibition by a mixture of the two inhibitors suggests that bile acids and drugs, except indomethacin, bind to overlapping sites at the active center of the enzyme-coenzyme binary complex.

Antagonizing effects of a novel antipsychotic quinolinone derivative (OPC-14597) on dopaminergic inhibition of neuronal activities in the nucleus accumbens

1. The effects of a newly synthesized quinolinone derivative, 7-(4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenlyl)-1-piperazinyl]butyloxy)-3,4-di hydro-2-(1H)- quinolinone (OPC-14597), an antipsychotic drug, on neuronal activities of the nucleus accumbens (Acc) were investigated in rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate using a microiontophoretic method. 2. Spikes elicited by stimulation of the parafascicular nucleus (Pf) of the thalamus were extracellularly recorded in the Acc neuron of chloral hydrate-anesthetized adult Wistar rats using a glass microelectrode attached along a seven-barreled micropipette, each of which was filled with dopamine, OPC-14597, SKF 38393 (D1 receptor agonist), quinpirole (D2 receptor agonist) and 2M NaCl. The drugs were microiontophoretically applied to the target neurons recorded. 3. Effects of the drugs on the Acc neurons activated monosynaptically by stimulation of the Pf were examined. Spikes elicited by Pf stimulation were inhibited by iontophoretic application of dopamine, SKF 38393 and quinpirole in a dose-dependent manner. 4. Microiontophoretic application of OPC-14597 alone affected the spikes elicited by the Pf stimulation in none of 26 neurons tested. However, the dopamine-, SKF 38393- and quinpirole-induced inhibition of the spike generation in the Acc neurons was antagonized during simultaneous application of OPC-14597. 5. The firing induced by iontophoretically applied glutamate was inhibited by dopamine, SKF 38393 and quinpirole, but not by OPC-14597. However, the dopamine-, SKF 38393- and quinpirole-induced inhibition of the glutamate-induced firing was also antagonized during simultaneous application of OPC-14597 in a dose-dependent manner in all neurons tested. 6. These findings suggest that OPC-14597 blocks dopaminergic inhibition of the Acc neurons receiving input from the Pf by acting on both D1 and D2 receptors located on the neurons.

Case report: inhalation therapy of paromomycin is effective for respiratory infection and hypoxia by cryptosporidium with AIDS

A 24-year-old man with AIDS and hemophilia A had intractable diarrhea and fever. Upon examination of stool and of a sigmoidal biopsy specimen, cryptosporidium was revealed. Approximately 2 months after admission, respiratory infection with hypoxia due to cryptosporidium developed. Paromomycin inhalation was effective therapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of respiratory cryptosporidiosis treated successfully by paromomycin inhalation.

[A case of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with severe fibrinoid necrosis located mainly in the glomerular afferent arteriole]

We report here, a patient of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with severe fibrinoid necrosis in the afferent arteriole of the glomerulus, in whom antiphospholipid antibody might have contributed to the pathogenesis. A 24-year-old female who was suffering from severe anemia with fragmented red blood cells, acute renal failure and thrombocytopenia, was admitted to our hospital. Further examinations revealed findings compatible with active lupus nephritis. Moreover, she was found to be positive for antiphospholipid antibody, and anticardiolipin antibody, as well as for lupus anticoagulant and syphilis test. Intensive treatment by methylprednisolone pulse therapy, hemodialysis, and double filtration plasmapheresis were performed. However, 13 days after admission she died suddenly because of intracranial hemorrhage. Pathological investigation of renal tissue revealed severe fibrinoid necrosis of the arterioles mainly in the glomerular afferent arteriole associated with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. In this case, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was associated with SLE. Antiphospholipid antibody was considered to be not only an accelerator in the arterial lesions of HUS, but also an initiator of HUS itself.

Role of glucocorticoid in vestibular compensation in relation to activation of vestibular nucleus neurons

It is still not established whether or not glucocorticoids are effective in the treatment of vestibular disorders such as dizziness and imbalance, although these drugs in combination with several others are used to treat dizziness and imbalance in some diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on vestibular disorder following unilateral labyrinthectomy in pigmented rabbits. Neuronal activities of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats were also investigated. Systemic injection of dexamethasone decreased the frequency of nystagmus and head deviation dose-dependently following hemilabyrinthectomy, and the rate of decrease was faster than that obtained by saline. In contrast, RU38486 (a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) delayed the reduction of nystagmus and head deviation. Micro-iontophoretic application of dexamethasone rapidly enhanced the spontaneous firing of MVN neurons in a dose-dependent manner. These increases were blocked by RU38486, but not by GDEE (a glutamate receptor antagonist) or Co2+ (a Ca2+ channel blocker). These results suggest that dexamethasone directly activates the MVN neurons, thereby accelerating vestibular compensation.