Morphology and function of human neuroblastoma xenotransplanted in nude mice

Nine human neuroblastomas were serially transplanted in nude mice. All transplanted tumors were taken from patients older than the age of 1 year 10 months. In contrast, the authors were unable to transplant tumors from patients younger than 1 year 7 months of age, in spite of many attempts. All transplanted tumors produced varying amounts of cathecolamines as revealed by the liquid chromatography and formalin-induced fluorescence techniques. The content of the cathecolamines was closely correlated with the number and size of secretory granules. In high cathecolamine-producing tumors, cell clusters showing strong yellow-orange fluorescence plus a positive argyrophil reaction suggesting pheochromoblastic differentiation were demonstrated by our combined cathecolamine fluorescence and argyrophil reaction method. One of the transplantable tumor lines was demonstrated by unique host responses and biochemical data, to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone and increased cathecolamines. Our observations indicate that neuroblastoma derived from neural crest cells seem to have a nearly complete hormone production function as compared with their normal counterparts.

Immunoperoxidase demonstration of a new muscle protein (Z-protein) in myogenic tumors as a diagnostic aid

Z-protein, a new muscle protein with a molecular weight of 55,000 daltons recently discovered in Japan, is an excellent marker for muscle differentiation in paraffin sections. Positive staining by a peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique for detection of intracellular Z-protein was observed in 2 of 2 cardiac rhabdomyomas, 5 of 5 leiomyomas, 9 of 10 leiomyosarcomas, and in 15 of 18 rhabdomyosarcomas including 5 of 5 of the pleomorphic type, 7 of 9 of the embryonal type, and 3 of 4 of the alveolar type. Other types of tumors (77 cases) that sometimes mimic myogenic tumors on histologic examination gave negative results. The immunoperoxidase method for detection of intracellular Z-protein is of use in distinguishing myogenic tumors from other types of tumors.

Extended dissection of the portahepatis and creation of an intussuscepted ileocolic conduit for biliary atresia

This paper introduces a new operation for biliary atresia that establishes successful biliary drainage by extending the portahepatic dissection, and decreases ascending cholangitis by incorporating a nonrefluxing intussuscepted draining conduit. An analysis of the postoperative results is presented. The usual dissection of the portahepatis is extended to include the area between and beneath the branches of the right portal vein to incorporate all potentially usable remnants of the intrahepatic ducts. Ascending cholangitis is decreased by interposing an intussuscepted ileocolic segment between the portahepatis and the abdominal wall. This extended dissection of the portahepatis was performed since 1978 in 15 infants with noncorrectable biliary atresia, and bile drainage was achieved in all. In ten infants an intussuscepted ileocolic conduit was constructed. Ascending cholangitis in these ten infants has been either completely absent or easily controlled by antibiotics. The draining bile was highly concentrated due to the water-absorbing capacity of the interposed colonic segment; therefore, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, which develop frequently in patients having jejunal conduits, have never been encountered.

Characterization of canine distemper viruses adapted to neural cells and their neurovirulence in mice

Interaction of the Onderstepoort strain of canine distemper virus (CDV) with three established human neural cells, i.e. IMR-32 neuroblastoma, 118-MGC glioma and KG-1 oligodendroglioma, was examined, and adaptation of CDV to these cells was also attempted. The unadapted virus was found to grow at relatively low titers in the three neural cells inducing moderate to minimal cytopathic effects (CPE). The virus was successfully grown at high titers in these cells after 8 to 10 passages. Biological characteristics such as growth rate, morphology of CPE and plaque size changed after adaptation. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, however, failed to show any difference in the molecular weight of component proteins among the unadapted and three adapted viruses. Inbred DDD strain of mice developed clinical signs after intracerebral inoculation with the unadapted virus but most of them survived with histological lesions of encephalitis. Neuroblastoma-adapted virus induced only transient clinical signs in some animals with mild encephalitic lesions in the gray matter. Increases in neurovirulence were found for viruses adapted to glioma and oligodendroglioma cells. Almost all mice inoculated with these two viruses at 3 weeks of age died within 8 days with histological lesions consisting of hyperemia, edema, severe degeneration of nerve cells and a few giant cells. Demyelinating lesions in the absence of inflammatory changes were observed in the cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata of animals inoculated with oligodendroglioma-adapted virus.

Development of responses by facial expressions and eye movements in neonates and young infants

Eye movements and facial expressions were assessed in 177 normal neonates and infants under 150 days of age after the examiner gazed into their eyes for 20 seconds. Blinking to a threatening stimulus and turning of the eyes towards a red object near the examiner's face were tested. The eye movements abruptly changed from fine nystagmoid movements to distinct rolling movements suggesting observation of the examiner's face after 70-80 days of age. Rapid turning of the eyes towards the red object also appeared from the same age, while blinking developed gradually after 40 days of age. Most infants under 80-90 days of age knitted their brows and showed esophoria in response to the examiner's face or facial movements, but such responses gradually disappeared after 90 days of age when social smiles developed. Eye movements and facial expressions during early infancy are very informative in developmental evaluations.

Reappraisal of endorectal pull-through procedure. II. Animal experiment

Anorectal manometry and pelvic histology following endorectal pull-through and simple abdominoperineal pull-through procedures were studied experimentally in dogs. dogs that had undergone endorectal pull-through preserved normal resting pressure of the anal canal, rectoanal reflex response, and intact perirectal anatomy. Dogs that had simple abdominoperineal pull-through, on the other hand, showed low anal canal pressure, loss of rectoanal reflex, and damage of the pelvic muscles. good continence following endorectal pull-through operation was supported by these physiologic and anatomic studies.

Stroop phenomena in the Japanese language: the case of ideographic characters (kanji) and syllabic characters (kana)

Utilizing a unique feature of the Japanese languages--that besides two syllabic orthographies, which have identical pronunciations, words with the same pronunciation may also be written in an orthography composed of ideographic characters--we have conducted an investigation of Stroop phenomena. The fact that pronunciations of the three Japanese orthographies are identical means that, if there are any differences between them in the Stroop phenomena observed, we can place the locus of this interference effect in the perceptual process. Five color names were written in the ideographic characters (kanji) and the two syllabic orthographies (hiragana and katakana). Color-congruent cards and incongruent cards were utilized in a color-naming task and a word-reading task. Mean required times for the color-naming condition and the word-reading conditions were compared with those for control conditions. Stroop phenomena were observed in both ideographic and syllabic orthographies. Significant differences in mean required times were observed between the ideographic and syllabic orthographies but not between the two syllabic orthographies. Interferences in comparisons of Japanese orthographies and color patch control conditions were much smaller than in the case of Stroop's (1935) experiment. A "Reverse Stroop Phenomenon" was observed only in the case of kanji on incongruent cards in the word-reading condition. The results support the hypothesis that both ideographic characters (in this case, kanji) and colors are processed in a parallel fashion in the non-dominant right cerebral hemisphere, while syllabic or phonetic characters are processed in the dominant left cerebral hemisphere.

A pharmacokinetic analysis of ampicillin in the cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits with staphylococcal meningitis

Pharmacokinetic differences between a bolus and a 60 minutes continuous intravenous administration of 100 mg/kg dose of ampicillin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated in the rabbits with experimental staphylococcal meningitis. The maximum concentrations in CSF were 19.3 micrograms/ml for bolus injection and 7.24 micrograms/ml for 60 minutes continuous infusion. Half-lives (T1/2) in CSF and CSF/serum ratios of T1/2 were 29.9 minutes and 1.3 minutes for bolus injection and 48.1 minutes and 1.9 minutes for 60 minutes continuous infusion, respectively. These findings indicate that extremely high concentrations of short duration in serum are required to elevate the concentrations in CSF and the maintenance of certain concentrations in serum are required to keep concentrations above the therapeutic concentrations in CSF. The mean penetration rate derived from the CSF/serum ratios of AUC were 11.1% for bolus injection and 5.5% for 60 minutes continuous infusion. Thus bolus injection is considered to be superior to 60 minutes continuous infusion pharmacokinetically. Bacterial meningitis is one of the diseases in which therapeutic concentrations of antibiotics are difficult to attain at the the site of infections. Therefore, when an intravenous ampicillin is going to be used in the treatment of bacterial meningitis, bolus injection is preferred to 60 minutes continuous infusion.

[Clinical evaluation of cefotiam in children (author's transl)]

Clinical trial of cefotiam was made in children and the following results were obtained. 1. Pharmacodynamic studies of the drug in CSF of experimental staphylococcal meningitis in rabbits showed a CSF/serum ratio of T 1/2 of 3.52, which was relatively high, but a percentage of CSF/serum ratio of AUC of only 3.42% up to 3 hours, suggesting a low efficiency of passage of the drug into CSF. 2. Blood concentrations of the drug were determined in children after an intravenous bolus injection of 20 mg/kg and were 46 mcg/ml (15 min.) and 26 mcg/ml (30 min.), T 1/2 being 40.8 min., Urinary recovery rate was 91.3% up to 4 hours in one patient and 61.9% up to 6 hours in another, respectively. 3. Thirteen patients with the following 14 episodes of infections were treated with cefotiam; urinary tract infection (5 cases), pneumonia (5), empyema (1), tonsillitis (1) and suspected sepsis (2). An overall efficacy rate was 100%, i. e., excellent in 12, good in 2 and no failure. No adverse reactions were clinically discernible and only laboratory abnormalities were transient or slight elevations of transaminase levels in 2 patients. 4. Based on the above results, it was concluded that cefotiam is a potent new antibiotic in the treatment of bacterial infections. Spectrum and antibacterial activity of the drug suggest that the drug particularly indicated for pneumonia.

[Detection of the cardiac anomalies before birth by cross-sectional echocardiography (author's transl)]

Cross-sectional echocardiography has enabled us to demonstrate foetal cardiac structures, however, only a few studies have been reported. This report deals with a recently experienced foetus with double outlet right ventricle )DORV) diagnosed by this technique, confirmed by angiography and autopsy after birth. A 24-year-old pregnant woman with 24 weeks foetus underwent echocardiographic studies to evaluate the foetal heart because of its bradycardia. The cross-sectional echocardiogram showed a quite abnormal finding; i.e., two great arteries arose from the single ventricle which had coarse trabeculations. This finding suggested either DORV or single ventricle. The foetus was born at 40 weeks as a girl weighted 3040 g, and cyanosis was not observed. At one month of age, she began to experience increasing cyanosis by crying, and admitted to Keio Hospital for further examinations. She was performed catheterization and angiography, and was diagnosed as DORV. Cyanosis and dyspnea developed gradually and she died at the age of 2 months. Autopsy revealed DORV, polysplenia and dextrocardia.

Role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in denervation supersensitivity of rat vas deferens

Contractile responses of rat vas deferens were studied with particular attention directed to the role of receptors and neuronal control. Marked contraction of the vas deferens was observed with alpha-adrenergic agonists, depending on their concentrations. This tissue had a low sensitivity to ACh. Four days after denervation, this tissue showed a supersensitivity to alpha-adrenergic agonists and a high K+ concentration, but not to ACh. The increase in sensitivity to alpha-agonists resulted in an enhancement of the maximal response and a shift of the concentration response curve to lower concentrations of these reagents. Alterations were seen in the alpha-adrenergic receptors in the rat vas deferens, assayed by measuring the binding of [3H]WB4101. The maximal binding sites decreased significantly to 86 from 142 fmoles per mg protein. The affinity of the receptors for alpha-agonist, determined by measuring the ability of agonists to displace bound [3H] WB4101, increased significantly, while the affinity to alpha-antagonists remained unchanged. Studies on [3H]QNB binding indicated no significant change in muscarinic ACh receptors after denervation. Thus, supersensitivity of the alpha-adrenergic mechanism mediated by a specific change in affinity of alpha-receptors occurs after denervation of rat vas deferens. These changes in sensitivity and in receptors are discussed in relation to the characteristics and roles of alpha-receptors in the rat vas deferens.

[Basic and clinical examinations of 6059-S in pediatrics (author's transl)]

1. MIC of 6059-S against 92 strains of clinically isolated bacteria were measured. The compound was active against most of Gram-negative rods, but was not active against Staphylococcus aureus. 2. 20 mg/kg of 6059-S (newly synthesized oxacephem antibiotics) was administered to the pediatric patients and its blood concentration was measured by agar well method using E. coli 7437 as a test organism. 3. The mean blood concentrations were maximum at 15 minutes after intravenous one-bolus injection. Maximum levels were 94.5 mcg/ml in the patients of below 5 years old and 98.7 mcg/ml above 6 years old. Their half-life of the blood levels were 95.4 and 110.6 minutes respectively. 4. The mean blood concentrations were highest at the end of the infusion in the cases of 60 minutes drip injection. Maximum levels were 85.0 mcg/ml in the patients of below 5 years old and 64.8 mcg/ml above 6 years old. 5. Clinical efficacy of 6059-S in 6 cases pyelonephritis, 2 cases of sepsis, 1 case of meningitis, 1 case of intraperitoneal abscess, 9 cases pneumonia and 2 case of tonsillitis was 100%. In the case of urinary tract infection, 4 patients were treated successfully by the administration of 20 mg/kg/day of 6059-S. Other bacterial infections were treated with 55 to 200 mg/kg/day. 6. 100% of the causative organisms were eliminated by 6059-S. They were E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, H. influenzae and beta-Streptococcus. 7. No remarkable side effect was noticed during administration.

[Transfer of cefotaxime to the pelvic organs (author's transl)]

The new antibiotic cefotaxime (HR 756, CTX) has been proved to be clinically effective against infections observed in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The present study was intended to investigate the transfer of CTX to the internal genital organs and the dead pelvic space. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The concentrations of CTX transferred to the uteri and its appendages after CTX 1 g intravenous injection were sufficiently effective against the major pathogens (Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria) demonstrated in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. 2. The concentrations of CTX transferred to the dead space of the pelvis were effective against almost all of the Gram-negative bacteria for 6 to 12 hours after CTX 1 g or 2 g intravenous injection. CTX was thus proved to be very effective for the prevention and treatment of infections of the dead pelvic space.

[Fundamental and clinica evaluation of cefoxitin in children (author's transl)]

Fundamental and clinical evaluations were made on cefoxitin, a new cephamycin antibiotic, and the following results were obtained. 1) MIC of the drug to clinical isolates was determined and was higher than that of cefazolin to Gram-positive bacilli. Among Gram-negative rods, the drug showed a sufficient antibacterial activity even to cefazolin-resistant strains. However, the MIC of cefoxitin to cefazolin-sensitive strains tended to be higher than that of cefazolin. 2) As to the passage of cefoxitin in experimental staphylococcal meningitis in rabbits, a percentage of CSF/serum ratio of AUC was 10.7% up to 3 hours and CSF/serum ratio of T1/2 was 1.78 of which value was an intermediate between those of ampicillin and cefazolin. There were, however, larger individual differences. 3) Blood concentrations and urinary recovery rates were determined in 2 children. In 1 patient, in whom the drug was given intravenously at a dose of 25 mg/kg, a blood concentration after 30 minutes was 50 microgram/ml, T1/2 was 57.2 minutes. This patient, however, showed a slight renal dysfunction. In another patient, who received an intravenous injection of 12.5 mg/kg, a 30 minutes blood concentration was 14.6 microgram/ml and T1/2 was 31.8 minutes. Urinary recovery rates up to 6 hours were 85.8% and 73.5%, respectively. 4) Thirty patients with the following bacterial infections were treated with cefoxitin, i.e., urinary tract infection (24 cases), respiratory tract infection (4 cases), each one case of peritonitis and suspected sepsis. An overall efficacy rate was 93.3%, i.e., excellent in 13 cases, good in 15, and failure in 2. Disappearance rate of the causative organism of the 23 clinical isolates was 87.0%, i.e., that the causative organism disappeared in 20 strains, reduced in 1 and persisted in 2. 5) Based on the above results, it was concluded that cefoxitin is a potent new antibiotic in bacterial infections in children, particularly respiratory and urinary tract infections. The optimal recommended dose will be about 25 mg/kg which should be given 3-4 times daily intravenously or by drip infusion.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of ampicillin and carbenicillin in the cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits with staphylococcal meningitis with reference to half-lives and areas under the curve

Pharmacokinetic differences between ampicillin and carbenicillin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated in experimental staphylococcal meningitis in rabbits after a single intravenous administration of 100 mg/kg dose of each drug. Half-lives (T 1/2) in CSF and CSF/serum ratios of T 1/2 were 52 minutes and 2.1 for ampicillin and 23 minutes and 1.3 for carbenicillin, respectively. These findings indicate that ampicillin is eliminated from CSF more slowly than carbenicillin. Penetration rates were calculated from CSF/serum ratios of area under the curve (AUC) and were 16.8% for ampicillin and 11.6% for carbenicillin, although the maximum concentration (Cmax) of carbenicillin in CSF was twice as high as that of ampicillin. Thus the penetration rate appeared to be influenced more by T 1/2 in CSF than by Cmax. Cmax in CSF was obtained at 15 minutes for carbenicillin and 30 minutes for ampicillin. As to carbenicillin there were considerable individual variations in CSF levels. The above observations suggest that T 1/2 and AUC in CSF are important parameters when evaluating the usefulness of an antibiotic in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

[Sensitivity of group B Streptococcus to various antibiotics (author's transl)]

Group B Streptococcus was isolated from the clinical materials of the patients examined in the Kobe Central Municipal Hospital, in 1974 to 1979. 1. Clinical isolates were all resistant to bacitracin. 2. Serotypes of 19 isolates were type III in 12 strains, Ia in 3, Ic in 2 and untypable in 2. 3. The MICs were determined to 15 antibiotics, and the results showed that penicillin G was the best and in the order of decreasing potency, cefotaxime, ampicillin, ceftizoxime and cefoperazone. 4. Compared with group A Streptococcus, the sensitivity of group B Streptococcus to penicillin G and ampicillin was inferior by 2 to 3 tubes. 5. Based on the above results, the significance of the cephalosporin antibiotic of the third generation, particularly cefotaxime, was evaluated in the treatment of infectious diseases of the newborn infants.