[Effect of press stimulation applied to back skin on gastric emptying and serum gastrin response to solid food]

We studied the effect of press stimulation applied to the back skin on gastric emptying and serum gastrin response to solid food in healthy subjects. Although gastric emptying and serum gastrin response were significantly suppressed by press stimulation of T6-9 dermatomes corresponding to the spinal levels which sympathetic outflow to the stomach arise, they were not affected by press stimulation of T10-L1 dermatomes. Plasma levels of ACTH, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which usually increase by stresses acting on the brain, did not change by press stimulation of T6-10 dermatomes. These results suggest that press stimulation applied to the back skin of T6-9 dermatomes suppress gastric emptying and gastrin response to solid food mainly through the spinal cord.

Protective effect of taurine against ammonia-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats

We examined the role of gastric ammonia in the development of gastric lesions in rats. Exposure of the gastric mucosa to ammonia (30 mM) produced microscopic injury, but no macroscopic lesion was observed. However, exposure of the stomach to ammonia in rats subjected to ischemia resulted in macroscopic gastric lesions. The macroscopic lesions were markedly inhibited by pretreatment with taurine, a scavenger of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) and monochloramine (NH2Cl). These results indicate that ammonia is deleterious to gastric mucosa, and monochloramine may be involved in the pathogenesis of ammonia-induced mucosal lesions.

Inhibitory effect of progesterone on cell death of mouse uterine epithelium

The protective effect of progesterone against cell death of mouse uterine epithelium was evaluated by examining the retention of 5'-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine [( 125I]IdUrd) incorporated into the whole uterus and the apoptotic index (percentage of apoptotic cells in total cells), which is a good index of physiological cell death. Castrated adult female mice were given a daily injection of oestradiol-17 beta for 3 days, and then an injection of [125I]IdUrd. They were then divided into 4 groups, which received a daily injection of vehicle only, oestradiol-17 beta (E), progesterone (P), or both oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone (EP), and were killed at intervals during these treatments for determination of 125I radioactivity retained in the whole uterus. On treatment with vehicle only, the 125I radioactivity retained in the uterus decreased rapidly, but treatment with E, P or EP reduced the loss of 125I radioactivity significantly. Progesterone did not antagonize the effect of oestradiol-17 beta on the 125I radioactivity retained in the uterus. The apoptotic index of uterine cells was examined by a similar experimental protocol, but without injection of [125I]IdUrd. In the group treated with vehicle only, the apoptotic indices of both luminal and glandular epithelia increased markedly, but the injection of E, P or EP suppressed these increases significantly. Progesterone did not antagonize the effect of oestradiol-17 beta on the apoptotic index. The apoptotic index of stroma was not affected by the injection of E, P or EP. On the other hand, progesterone completely inhibited the increase in the mitotic index of uterine epithelia induced by oestradiol-17 beta. These results show that progesterone alone or in combination with oestrogen reduced cell death in mouse uterine epithelium and that the effects of oestrogen and progesterone on uterine cell death were independent of their actions on cell division.

[The clinical effectiveness of OFLX in the treatment of chlamydial pneumonia]

We treated three patients of chlamydial pneumonia with OFLX, two patients were diagnosed as psittacosis and one as pneumonia associated with TWAR strain by serologic test. Three hundred mg of OFLX was orally administered three times per day and the duration of treatment was from seven to fourteen days, and we compared the clinical effectiveness of OFLX in three cases (mild: 1, moderate: 2) with that of MINO in eleven cases (mild: 3, moderate: 8), who were administered two hundred mg of MINO two times per day orally or intravenously. We isolated C. psittaci from three pet birds including case 2 and the in vitro activity of OFLX and MINO against three strains of C. psittaci was determined. Clinical effectiveness were observed and obtained results were as follows. 1) In OFLX group, three patients judged as "Good", and in MINO, one patient as "Excellent", ten as "Good". 2) The duration of pneumonic shadow was 9.33 +/- 3.21 in OFLX group, 10.3 +/- 3.50 in MINO group, and there was no significant difference between both groups. 3) The in vitro activity of OFLX and MINO against 3 strains was 0.78-1.56 micrograms/ml and 0.025 microgram/ml, respectively. From these results, it was concluded that OFLX was considered to be a useful antichlamydial agent in the treatment of mild or moderate cases of chlamydial pneumonia.

B-cell function in Kawasaki disease and the effect of high-dose gamma-globulin therapy

We studied in vitro B-cell function in Kawasaki disease (KD). By plaque-forming assay, IgG-, IgA- and IgM-secreting cells in the first week of KD were markedly increased, and recovered to a normal level in the second week in many cases. Lymphocyte blast formation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), a B-cell-specific mitogen, was suppressed in the acute phase, and recovered to a normal level in the convalescent phase. By flow cytometry, HLA-DR- and HLA-DQ-positive cells were increased in the acute phase of KD. CD3- and CD4-positive cells were also decreased. CD8-positive cells showed no significant change. In five patients, CD4-positive cells with HLA-DR positivity neither increased in the acute phase nor changed during the course of illness. From our results, it can be considered that pathogenic microorganisms or toxins activate B cells directly in KD without the association of T cells. We also studied the effect of high-dose gamma-globulin therapy on B-cell function in KD. However, the results indicated that this form of therapy had no significant effect on B-cell functions.

[A successful arterial switch operation for the transportation of the great arteries with posterior aorta--with special reference to its anatomical features and possibility of the indication of the Jatene procedure]

A five months old infant with the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta undergoing arterial switch operation is reported. A pre-operative diagnosis of the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta, subarterial ventricular septal defect, anterior pulmonary artery, bilateral conus and fibrous continuity between aortic and mitral valve was made. This diagnosis was confirmed by the open heart surgery. The ventricular septal defect was subaortic from the transected aortic aspect, and the infundibular and trabecular septum was aligned. For these reasons, this subarterial ventricular septal defect was easily closed transaortically. The right coronary artery arose from the left sinus and the left coronary artery from the posterior sinus, so the coronary arterial pattern of this patient was a Shaher type 9. And in addition, another small ostium located in the left sinus gave rise to an additional small branch. Translocation of the coronary arteries was performed. The new pulmonary trunk was reconstructed to the right pulmonary artery so as not to compress the coronary artery and distort the great arteries. This patient was restudied three months after the repair. The right to left ventricular systolic pressure ratio was 0.42 and no pressure gradient was present between the right ventricle and the right pulmonary artery. But a moderate aortic regurgitation was detected. This was caused by deformity of the aortic sinus of valsalva. Only 28 patients with the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta were reported in the literature, but there were no reports on the successful surgical treatment for its rare anomaly, to our knowledge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Quantitative assessment of pulmonary regurgitation by two-dimensional Doppler color flow imaging: postoperative evaluation of patients with tetralogy of Fallot]

Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is a serious event following surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot. For quantitative assessments of PR using noninvasive methods, we performed Doppler color flow imaging in 38 children, whose ages ranged from three to 15 years. All images were obtained from one to 10 years after surgery. The right ventricle and pulmonary valve were demonstrated in the parasternal short-axis view. The images of PR flow were in red and were frozen when the area of a signal was maximum (early to mid diastole). The PR distance index (PRDI), which is the maximum PR flow distance divided by square root of the body surface area, was measured. The PR area index (the maximum PR flow area/body surface area) (PRAI) was also calculated using a track ball. Cardiac catheterization was performed for 12 patients without residual L-R shunts or any apparent tricuspid regurgitation. PR was graded (0 = absent, 1 = trivial, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe) according to the projection of contrast medium in the right ventricle as seen on the main pulmonary arteriogram. The size of the right ventricle was expressed as the right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV; % of normal), as determined from the cineangiogram, and the tricuspid valve annulus diameter (TVD; % of normal) from a four-chamber view of the two-dimensional echocardiogram. There were significant differences between the PRDI and the PRAI of five patients with PR of grades 1-2 and those of seven patients with PR of grade 3-4 (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.01, respectively). There was significant correlation between the % RVEDV and the % TVD observed (r = 0.82, p less than 0.01). Significant negative correlations were observed between the PRDI and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), and the PRAI and RVEF (r = -0.68, p less than 0.02; r = -0.82, p less than 0.01, respectively). RVEF was below normal in all seven patients (100%) with PR of grade 3 or more and in one of five patients (20%) with PR of grade 2 or less. The PRDI of 2.5 or more, or the PRAI of 4.0 or more was equivalent to a PR of grade 3 or more and was a reliable index of significant PR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of ammonia on the gastric mucosal barrier in rats and dogs

We examined the effect of ammonia on the gastric mucosal barrier by measuring the changes in transmucosal fluxes of H+, Na+ and K+. In rats, ammonia at concentrations of 0.1 to 0.5% increased the H+ loss from the lumen and 0.2 to 0.5% concentrations of ammonia increased both Na+ and K+ influxes into the lumen. In dogs, in an exactly similar manner to rats, ammonia at concentrations of 0.1 to 0.5% increased H+ loss, and ammonia at concentration of 0.5% increased both Na+ and K+ influxes into the lumen. These results suggest that ammonia breaks the gastric mucosal barrier.

[Clinical studies of long-term administration of OK-432 in patients with gynecologic cancer]

The clinical value of OK-432 treatments, was evaluated in 215 patients with various types of gynecologic cancer. Five KE OK-432 was administrated by intramuscular injection every other day for up to 5 years, unless severe side-effects were observed. The 5-year survival rate was determined in 51 patients in the OK-432 group and 93 patients in the control group. The survival rate in the OK-432 group was significantly higher in the cervical cancer patients in stages III and IV than in the control group, at from 20 to 29 months and from 37 to 42 months. These results indicated that long period administration of OK-432 might improve the survival rate in patients with gynecologic cancer, especially in those with advanced cervical cancer.

[Effect of body position on gastric emptying of solid food--a study using a sulfamethizole capsule food method]

We studied the effect of body position on gastric emptying of solid food using a sulfamethizole capsule food method developed by us. Gastric emptying was significantly delayed in a supine position than in a sitting position kept for 120 minutes after ingestion of test food. These findings were observed in all of the young, middle and old aged groups. A longer sitting position after ingestion was associated with faster gastric emptying. Gastric emptying was significantly delayed in the old aged group than in the young aged group in both sitting and supine positions. Our results indicate that a postprandial sitting position is desirable for gastric digestion and emptying of solid food, especially in the old aged subjects.

Delay of astrocyte reaction in the injured cerebral cortex of hypothyroid mouse

Reactive change in the number of astrocytes in the stabbed cerebral cortex (layers II-VI) of the hypothyroid mouse was studied quantitatively over a 4-day period after stabbing, by immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein. The reactive increase in the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes was delayed in the hypothyroid mouse, compared to that in the euthyroid mouse. The number of S-100-positive astrocytes neither increased nor decreased significantly in the hypothyroid and the euthyroid mice. [3H]Thymidine autoradiography showed that the time course and intensity of the reactive proliferation of astrocytes were the same in the hypothyroid mouse as in the euthyroid mouse. These results indicate that hypothyroidism delays the reactive expression of GFAP-antigen and delays the transformation of GFAP-negative astrocytes into GFAP-positive reactive astrocytes.

Reactions of S-100-positive glia after injury of mouse cerebral cortex

Reactions of glial cells after stab wounding of mouse cerebral cortex were studied by [3H]thymidine autoradiography combined with immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein. S-100-positive cells in the stabbed cortex had the light and electron microscopic characteristics of astrocytes, and they showed remarkable hypertrophic changes 4 to 5 days after stabbing. There were many cells labeled with [3H]thymidine in the stabbed cortex from 24 h to 8 days after stabbing, and the number of labeled cells was maximum at 48 h. A few of the labeled cells were S-100-positive, and the labeled S-100-positive cells were seen 24 h to 6 days after stabbing, mostly after 72-96 h. By successive injections of [3H]thymidine for 6 days after stabbing, about 90% of labeled cells were S-100-negative, and about 90% of S-100-positive cells were unlabeled with [3H]thymidine. The increase in number of S-100-positive cells by day 6 after stabbing was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). These results suggest that reactive proliferation of astrocytes is a minor phenomenon in gliosis of injured cerebral cortex, in contrast with their remarkable reactive hypertrophy.

Immunological characterization and clinical implication of cobalamin binding protein in human gastric cancer

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) binding protein was purified from gastric cancer extracts and from serum-free culture medium of cancer cell line KATOH-III. The molecular weight, determined by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 70,000 and the pI was 2.8 to 3.2. From biochemical and immunological properties, this cobalamin binding protein was considered to be an isoprotein of cobalamin R binder. Monoclonal antibodies were produced against saliva R and cobalamin binding protein in culture medium to study their antigenic determinants. Monoclonal antibody 55-D reacted to an epitope of peptide in both binders, whereas WK-1 and H-12 reacted to determinants of a carbohydrate moiety, including sialic acid, in cancer cell-derived binder. In addition, we carried out an enzyme-linked immunoassay and examined plasma levels of immunoreactive R binder in patients with gastric cancer (n = 72), benign gastrointestinal disease (n = 30), and healthy individuals (n = 40). Even in patients without liver metastasis, the level of immunoreactive R binder detected by monoclonal antibody H-12 was elevated in some patients and decreased after excision of the tumor. R binder was also elevated in cancer tissue extract. Immunoreactive binder was histochemically detected in the cytosol of cancer cells and metaplastic cells of the gastric mucosa. The present findings suggest that cobalamin R binder is de novo synthesized in gastric cancer cells and that its plasma level increases in some patients. This binding protein may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic parameter.

[Hairy cell leukemia of European-American type with dual T and B-cell phenotype]

A 46-year-old woman was admitted because of palpitation and conjunctival jaundice. Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly and purpura without lymphadenopathy. Blood count showed 4.7 g/dl hemoglobin with increased reticulocytosis. The platelet count was 1.5 X 10(4)/microliters and the leukocyte count was 6,000/microliters with 17% abnormal mononuclear cells (hairy cells). Hairy cells had nuclei of frequently folded shape and abundant cytoplasma with irregular edges on blood films. The hair-like cytoplasmic projections of the cells were clearly seen under the phase-contrast microscopy. Hairy cells were strongly positive for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase. Bone marrow aspiration was unsuccessful. The biopsy specimens showed small patchy and scattering infiltrations by hairy cells. Surface marker studies of hairy cells revealed that they were strongly positive for SmIg (IgG kappa). They also reacted with alpha B 1, alpha Tac, alpha Leu-M 5 monoclonal antibodies and a rabbit anti-hairy cell serum (alpha HC-M). 53% of hairy cells were shown to react with alpha B 1 and alpha OKT 11 simultaneously by double labelling. The southern blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed IgH chain genes rearrangement and germ line patterns of T-cell receptor genes. Hemolysis was promptly disappeared after blood transfusion. Moreover, the red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes have spontaneously returned to normal levels with disappearance of circulating hairy cells and palpable spleen one year after admission.

Interactions of monodispersed and micellar substrates with a phospholipase A2 from Trimeresurus flavoviridis

Bindings of the phospholipase A2 from Trimeresurus flavoviridis to the monodispersed and micellar n-alkylphosphorylcholines (n-CnPC) were studied at 25 degrees C and ionic strength 0.2 by the aromatic CD and tryptophyl fluorescence methods, respectively. The bindings to micelles of the substrate analog were analyzed by assuming that the micellar surface has multiple binding sites for the enzyme and that these sites are identical and mutually independent. The enzyme binding site was found to accommodate a constant number of the substrate (monomer) molecules, N = 9-13. The binding constant to the micelle was about 40 times greater than it was to the monodispersed substrate. The binding constant to the micellar substrate analog increased on the binding of Ca2+ to the enzyme and decreased on modification of the N-terminal alpha-NH2 group, whereas the binding to the monodispersed substrate analog was independent of pH, of the Ca2+ binding, and of the chemical modification of the alpha-NH2 group. The kinetics of the hydrolyses of monodispersed and micellar dihexanoylphosphatidylcholines (diC6PC) were studied at 25 degrees C and ionic strength 0.2 by the pH-stat method in the presence of saturating amounts of Ca2+. The catalytic center activity, kappa cat, as well as the binding constant, 1/Km, for the micellar substrate, were found to be much greater than those for the monodispersed substrate. The binding constant, 1/Km, of the monodispersed substrate was independent of pH; this was in good agreement with that of the substrate analog described above. The pH-dependence curve of kappa cat for the monodispersed substrate exhibited two transitions, one below pH 6.5 and the other above pH 9.5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Evaluation of the laser-Doppler velocimetry method in the measurement of gastric blood flow in rats--spatial resolution]

In this paper, gastric blood flow in rats was measured with the laser-Doppler velocimetry method (the LDV method) to study about the tissue locus where its flow signal arises (spatial resolution). In the measurement throughout some 1 mm thickness of another nonperfused gastric wall interposed between the laser probe and gastric mucosal surface, its laser flow signal was 17% of the flow signal in the usual measurement. In the blood flow measurement with the LDV prove on the mucosal and the serosal surface of gastric wall, the laser flow signal on the mucosal surface was higher (p less than 0.05) than that on the serosal surface. These results suggested that the laser flow signal mainly arose from the tissue right under the laser probe, reflecting the total gastric blood flow of the gastric wall. In the regional blood flow measurement at corpus and antrum, the ratio between antral and corpus flow signals by the LDV method was similar to that between gastric mucosal blood flows at both sites by the hydrogen gas clearance technique. In the blood flow measurement after the intravenous infusion of each pentagastrin, isoproterenol, and vasopressin, flow signal of the LDV method could detect the each effect of these drugs on gastric mucosal blood flow as well as well as the hydrogen gas clearance technique. These results showed that the laser flow signal and gastric mucosal blood flow were mutually correlated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of glycoproteins as tumor-associated Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen in human gastric cancer cell line, NUGC4

NUGC4 cells derived from a human gastric cancer gave 6% Hanganutziu-Deicher (HD) antigen-positive cells by flow cytometric analysis using an affinity-purified chicken antibody to N-glycolyneuraminyl-lactosyl-ceramide (HD3 ganglioside). The cells showed no HD antigenic ganglioside by thin-layer chromatography enzyme-immunostaining; however, they were revealed to contain HD antigenic proteins with molecular masses of 150, 100, 90, 70, 65, 60, 47, and 40 kDa, by both immunoblotting after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoprecipitation of [35S]-methionine-labeled proteins, followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Neuraminidase treatment destroyed the antigenicity of all proteins, indicating that these molecules are glycoproteins and have N-glycolyneuraminic acid at the non-reducing terminal of carbohydrate chains as an HD antigenic epitope.

[Influence of theophylline and corticosteroid preparations on serum PAF acetylhydrolase activity in asthmatic children]

In our previous papers, we reported that serum PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF AH) activity in severely asthmatic children was lower than that in healthy or mildly asthmatic children, and that this enzymatic activity might be one of the factors that induce more severe respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children. In this study, we investigated the influence on PAF AH activity of theophylline and corticosteroid preparations, which are frequently used for the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma. Serum PAF AH activity and theophylline concentration were measured before and 3,4,6, 12 h after administration of a sustained-release theophylline preparation to 8 asthmatic children. Although the theophylline concentration was increased significantly at 3, 4 and 6 h after administration, PAF AH activity was unchanged, and there was no correlation between the two parameters. We then measured PAF AH activity in 6 asthmatic children before and 5 and 48 h after intravenous injection of 100 mg hydrocortisone succinate, and found no change in enzymatic activity. Furthermore, PAF AH activity in two severely asthmatic patients, who were being given low-dose corticosteroid on alternate days, was measured at regular intervals for 10 months in one case and 5 months in the other. The PAF AH activity showed no significant change in this period. These results show that PAF AH in asthmatic children is very stable, and is not affected by either theophylline or corticosteroid preparations.

Cytoprotective effect of plasmin inhibitor on necrotizing agent-induced gastric lesions in rats

We studied the effect of plasmin inhibitor on ethanol and ammonia-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats using an ex vivo chamber. Tranexamic acid and aminocaproic acid significantly inhibited macroscopic gastric hemorrhagic necrosis and attenuated the decrease of gastric transmucosal potential difference induced by 50% ethanol and 1% ammonia. The protection of gastric mucosa afforded by tranexamic acid and aminocaproic acid was not affected by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg). These results suggest that plasmin inhibitor plays an important role in the prevention of gastric deep necrosis following exposure of the stomach to a damaging agent.

pH dependence of the reaction rate of His 48 with p-bromophenacyl bromide and of the binding constant to Ca2+ of the monomeric forms of intact and alpha-NH2 modified phospholipases A2 from Trimeresurus flavoviridis

The phospholipase A2 of Trimeresurus flavoviridis was found to show monomer-dimer equilibria. Under conditions where the enzyme exists predominantly in the monomeric form, the chemical reaction rate of p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) with the catalytic group, His 48, was studied at 25 degrees C and ionic strength 0.2 by measuring the residual enzymic activity using a fluorescent substrate, 1,2-bis[4-(1-pyreno)butanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (diPBPC). The pH-dependence curve of the reaction rate for the intact enzyme was practically the same as that for the modified enzyme, in which the N-terminal alpha-NH2 group had been selectively converted into an alpha-keto group. The pH-dependence curves were monophasic (sigmoidal) with a midpoint at pH 7.53, which corresponds to the pKa value of His 48. The pH dependences of the binding constants of Ca2+ to the intact and the alpha-NH2 modified enzymes were also studied at 25 degrees C and ionic strength 0.2 by measuring the changes in the tryptophyl fluorescence and/or aromatic CD spectra. The pH-dependence data for the modified enzyme were interpreted in terms of participation of Asp 49 (pKa 5.40) and His 48 (pKa 7.53), assuming that the protonation of Asp 49 competes with the Ca2+ binding. The pH-dependence data for the intact enzyme were similarly interpreted in terms of participation of the alpha-NH2 group (pKa 9.40) in addition to that of Asp 49 (pKa 5.40) and His 48 (pKa 7.53).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased remineralization of subsurface enamel lesions with molybdenum treatment

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of high molybdenum (Mo) concentration on fluoride (F) uptake and remineralization of subsurface lesions utilizing acid cyclic methods in vitro. Bovine enamel with artificial subsurface lesions were treated with test solutions containing 1,000 ppm F (NaF) with and without 1,000 ppm Mo at pH 7.0. F uptake was analyzed using a microdrilling technique and remineralization was evaluated by polarized light microscopy. The results indicate that addition of 1,000 ppm Mo in a 1,000 ppm F solution modestly increases F uptake and promotes remineralization of subsurface lesions compared with 1,000 ppm F alone. These findings suggest that a high level of Mo may enhance the remineralizing activity of F in subsurface bovine enamel lesions in vitro.

Zeta potential of oral bacteria (Streptococci)

This study was carried out to examine whether oral bacteria can be treated electrochemically in the same manner as colloid particles. The zeta potentials for 13 Streptococcus strains incubated in trypticase soy broth (TSBY) and heart infusion broth (HIB) were determined in 1/30 M phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0 by standard microelectrophoresis. The zeta potentials for the Streptococci showed a wide range of values from -28.7 mV to -2.1 mV in TSBY and from -28.5 mV +2.0 mV in HIB. The zeta potential was useful in determining the potential structure of the bacterial cell as living colloid, especially Streptococcus.

MR imaging of acute cerebral infarction: experimental study with Gd-DTPA

To evaluate the sensitivity of MR imaging for acute cerebral infarction and the effectiveness of MR enhancement with Gd-DTPA, we created a canine model of cerebral infarction by transarterial embolization (TAE). The external and internal carotid arteries were embolized respectively through a transfemoral catheter. MR imaging was performed with the Yokogawa Medical System prototype superconducting MR machine "Resona" operating at 0.35 Tesla. MR enhancement was done with 0.4 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA. Early detectability without Gd-DTPA was 60% (3/5) two hours after TAE and 67% (4/6) at three hours. MR imaging showed high-intensity lesions on the T2-weighted sequence (SE 2000/100). The T1-weighted sequence (SR 250-600/25-35) did not reveal any lesions four hours after TAE. Five animals which received Gd-DTPA showed abnormal enhancement in the brain parenchyma within 30 min after Gd injection on the T1 weighted sequence. Gd-DTPA enhancement not only improved early sensitivity for acute cerebral infarction when MR imaging without Gd-DTPA was negative, but also enhanced the size and number of lesions compared with SE 2000/100 images without enhancement. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier was suggested to be an important factor in Gd-DTPA enhancement.

The blood vascular architecture of the rat thyroid gland: a scanning electron microscope study of corrosion casts

The blood vascular bed of the rat thyroid gland was reproduced by injection of a methacrylate casting medium and observed with a scanning electron microscope. The rat thyroid gland received the superior and inferior thyroid arteries and emitted the superior and inferior thyroid veins. Anastomosis between the interlobular arteries or between the interlobular veins was frequently observed in the thyroid gland. The arteriovenous anastomosis was rarely observed between the terminal branches of the lobular arteries and veins. The thyroid blood vascular bed was divided into lobular units which consisted of basket-like capillary networks surrounding the thyroid follicles; a small lobular unit consisted of a few networks, whereas a large one of fifty or more networks. Sizes and forms of the networks varied widely in each case. However, the networks in the superficial layers of the lateral parts of the thyroid gland were typically most developed. Regardless of its size and form, each network always received a proper efferent vessel continuous with the lobular vein, though it was sometimes provided with an accessory afferent or efferent vessel. Only occasionally were the adjacent networks fused with each other or connected by transfollicular capillaries. Thus, the present data suggest that each follicular capillary network is a fairly independent functional-unit in the thyroid microcirculation. The capillaries of the network were sinusoidal in nature and sometimes protruded fine projections which indicated the neogenesis of capillaries. The blood vascular bed of the newborn rat thyroid gland was not always differentiated into basket-like capillary networks.

[Measurement of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) in cerebro-spinal fluid in patients infected HTLV-1 by blood transfusion]

Although determination of the presence of antibodies to HTLV-1 in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) is very important for the diagnosis of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), these antibodies in CSF have not yet been completely investigated so far in patients without overt HAM. We examined antibodies to HTLV-1 in CSF of leukemia patients who were infected with this virus via blood transfusion. All of 5 patients showed positive antibody titer, one of 5 patients was a patient with overt HAM. According to Western-blotting analysis in CSF, IgG p-19, 24 and 28 antibodies were positive in 4 patients without overt HAM, but IgM antibody was negative. In contrast, IgG antibodies as well as IgM p-24 antibody were positive in patients with overt HAM. These results suggest that further studies on antibodies to HTLV-1, especially on IgM antibody, in CSF of HTLV-1 infected patients with or without overt HAM may be helpful to better understanding of the mechanism on onset of HAM following blood transfusion.