Clinical evaluation of a new finger oximeter

Noninvasive measurements of oxygen saturation are used in ICUs, during exercise and sleep studies, and in the operating room. Traditionally, ear oximetry has been used to assess oxygen saturation during a variety of clinical situations. This study evaluates a new oximeter which takes its signal from the finger bed. It was tested in normal volunteers during rapid depletion of inspired oxygen, and in critically ill ICU patients requiring oxygen by nasal cannulas or masks or by mechanical ventilation. The new oximeter possessed accuracy equivalent to a standard ear oximeter and to oxygen saturation determined from direct blood measurements.

Changes in the secretory acinar cells of the rat parotid gland during aging

The secretory acinar cells of parotid glands from rats of varying ages have been examined by electron microscopy to determine what age-related changes occur in these cells. The most prominent change noted in these cells is the progressive increase in the amount of lipofuscin granules with age. Lipofuscin granules are membrane-bound structures consisting of lipids, other subcomponents, and a matrix. In addition, these cells contain lipid droplets that are not associated with any other components and tend to accumulate at the base of the cells in older rats. Also, many acinar cells in the glands of old rats contain altered secretory granules which appear to be in the process of degeneration. The accumulation of lipid and degenerating secretory granules appears to be related to the reduced level of cellular secretory activity in the glands of older rats. It is possible that these two types of inclusions contribute to the formation of lipofuscin granules. Lipofuscin and degenerating secretory granules are associated with acid phosphatase, which is demonstrated cytochemically, indicating that these granules are lysosomal structures.

Use of cyclosporin A in allotransplantation of rat limbs

An experimental model for limb transplantation as a composite tissue transfer has been developed using two genetically well defined strains of rats, BUF and LEW. The study shows that cyclosporin A (CyA) is very effective as an immunosuppressive agent in preventing rejection of transplanted limbs in rats. It is found to suppress rejection of the homotransplants as long as treatment is continuous. No untoward side effects have been noted at the current experimental dosage of the medication. CyA is superior to the conventional agents, such as azathioprine and prednisolone, which allow rejection of the limbs while treatment is in progress. There is a period of immune tolerance following CyA treatment; however, this period becomes shorter as the length of the treatment is increased. This may indicate that CyA treatment should be continuous and not pulsed at the dosage used in this experimental model. Additional experiments are underway to further elucidate this phenomenon.

Intravesical instillation therapy with adriamycin for bladder cancer in the Korean study group

Eighteen cases of bladder cancer were treated with intravesical instillation therapy with 60 mg Adriamycin daily. Overall, the treatment was markedly effective in two cases, effective in nine cases, and ineffective in seven cases. Bladder irritation was noted in four cases. Postinstillation therapy was required in most cases.

Secretory protein synthesis in parotid glands of young and old rats

To determine whether the synthesis of secretory proteins changes with age, the incorporation of [14C]-leucine into exportable proteins of the parotid gland was compared in 2- and 24-month-old rats. The proteins were separated by SDS-gel electrophoresis of the post-microsomal supernatant and identified by comparing the banding patterns in gels prepared from unstimulated glands with those from the glands stimulated to secrete. The amount of radioactivity incorporated into the bands corresponding to exportable proteins was significantly less in the older group, indicating that the synthesis of secretory proteins declines with age.

Changes in the synthesis of exportable and nonexportable proteins in parotid glands during aging

The age-related differences in the synthesis of exportable and nonexportable proteins of the parotid salivary gland were compared in 2- and 24-months-old rats. Parotid slices from these rats were incubated in the presence of [14C]leucine and the amount of radioactivity incorporated into the water-soluble proteins of the postmicrosomal supernatant was compared. The exportable and nonexportable proteins were identified by electrophoretic separation of these proteins by comparing the banding patterns of the gel preparations from unstimulated glands to those from the glands stimulated to secrete. The radioactivity determination in various protein bands from these rats indicated that the synthesis of exportable secretory proteins declined with age, while that of nonexportable proteins did not appear to change.

Secretion of alpha-amylase from parotid lobules of young and old rats

The rate of release of a secretory enzyme, alpha-amylase, from the parotid lobules of 2 and 24 month old rats has been compared to determine whether the secretory activity of the cells change during aging. Upon incubation in the presence of a secretogogue, isoproterenol (10(-5) M), about the same proportions of the glandular alpha-amylase are released at about the same rate from these lobules. The isoproterenol-stimulated release of the enzyme is inhibited nearly completely by preincubating the lobules with propranolol (10(-5) M) in both age groups, indicating that the enzyme secretion occurs through the stimulation of beta-receptors. When viewed in the electron microscope, the cell membranes bordering the secretory lumen in isoproterenol-incubated lobules reveal festooned appearances which suggest that the enzyme release occurs by means of exocytosis. These observations indicate that the ability of the parotid cells to release secretory products through the beta-receptor mediation does not significantly change with increasing age.

Further evolution of the grasping technique for tendon repair

Refinement of the modified Kessler tendon-suturing technique is described. The lateral longitudinal limbs of the modified Kessler suture are shifted to a location adjacent to one another in the core of the tendon slightly palmar to the tendon's central axis. This does not compromise the immediate tensile strength of the repair, and eliminates compression of the central portion of the tendon between the two lateral longitudinal limbs of the suture. It also gives rotational freedom to the repair even after the suture is tied, allowing adjustment of the rotational alignment of the tendon ends. These effects are demonstrated using fresh human cadaver digital flexor tendons.

Seasonal variation of saponins, sucurose and monosaccharides in cultivated ginseng roots

Yield of methanolic extract of fresh roots of Ginseng harvested in winter was found to be more than two-fold grater than from roots collected in summer; this remarkable increase is mainly due to the large increase of sucrose in roots in winter. On the other hand, biologically active dammarane-saponins in the roots increase in summer. These results indicate that roots should be harvested in summer for the production of high quality Ginseng extracts.

Age-related changes in the cellular level of amylase and protein synthesis in the rat parotid gland

Age-related changes in the cellular content of secretory proteins and protein synthesis were studied in parotid glands of rats of various ages. The secretory protein content (determined by measuring the level of alpha-amylase activity) and the synthesis of proteins (assayed by the rate of incorporation of 3H-leucine into acid-insoluble proteins) decline with increasing age. Morphological and radioautographic studies of the gland indicate that the decline in protein synthesis is due to the reduction in the ability of secretory cells to synthesize proteins.

DNA sequences mediating class switching in alpha-immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulin class switching involves specific DNA rearrangements of the gene segments coding for heavy chain constant regions (CH) during B lymphocyte differentiation. In two different cases of C mu to C alpha switching examined here (T15 and M603) and one taken from the literature (MC101), three different sites on the 5' side of C mu and three different sites on the 5' side of C alpha are joined together in the process of CH switching. The sequences surrounding the three germ-line C alpha sites of recombination are highly conserved blocks of 30 nucleotides that may serve as recognition sequences for CH switching to the C alpha gene. This putative recognition sequence is repeated 17 times in approximately 1400 nucleotides of the germ-line Calpha 5' flanking sequence. The lack of homology between this C alpha sequence and sequences reported for the C gamma 1 and C gamma 2b switch sites suggests that heavy chain switching is mediated by class-specific recognition sequences and, presumably, class-specific regulatory mechanisms. In addition, it appears that in one example (MC101) CH switching progressed from C mu to C alpha to C gamma 1. This switching pathway may present difficulties for the simple deletional model of CH switching.

Fine structure of cell types in an ameloblastoma

An unusually large and old ameloblastoma, which revealed a diverse histological appearance, was studied by light and electron microscopy. In the tumor, the epithelial component formed several patterns in the collagenous stroma. The epithelial islands, consisting of tall columnar cells surrounding the inner core of stellate cells, mimicked the cells of the inner enamel epithelium and stellate reticulum, respectively, of the normal enamel organ. The ultrastructural appearances of the columnar cells, however, were only similar to those which are seen in undifferentiated preameloblasts. Areas of squamous metaplasia were present, and these squamous cells were structurally similar to the cells at the base of the oral epithelium. Some epithelial cells containing numerous lipid granules and mitochondria formed a network of cords. The connective tissue stroma was made up of fibroblast-like cells which appear to be metabolically active. In addition, multinucleated giant cells were present in the connective tissue stroma near the epithelial component.

Cyclophosphamide-induced abnormalities in the incisors of the rat

A single injection of 75 mg/kg cyclophosphamide caused gross dental abnormalities in rats. Broken, malformed, overgrown, and "extra" incisors developed several weeks after drug treatment. Radioautographic investigations show no unusual features in the morphology or labeling with H3-thymidine in the odontogenic cells. The results suggest that the cytotoxic effect of the drug is a temporary one which induces a residual alteration of tooth growth.

Cytochemical characterization of the myoepithelial cells in palatine glands

Myoepithelial cells of rat and mouse palatine glands are similar in fine structural appearance to those of other exocrine glands and smooth muscle cells. Myoepithelial cells reveal fibrils, and vesicular structures comparable to pinocytic or surface vesicles of smooth muscle cells. Lanthanum-impregnated preparations of the gland reveal that many of these vesicle-like structures are, in fact, invaginations of the plasma membrane and are continuous with the extracellular space. Observations on glandular tissue incubated for the demonstration of ATPase and adenylate cyclase have indicated that a high level of activity of these two enzymes is localized in the plasma membrane of the myoepithelial cells facing the acinar cells, and in vesicular structures along this membrane. The possibility that these enzyme activities are related to contractility of myoepithelial cells is discussed.

The localization of thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in the acinar cells of stimulated and non-stimulated sublingual glands of the rat

The distribution of thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activity in the acinar cells of the rat sublingual gland has been studied at various stages of the secretory cycle following stimulated secretion. The rats were stimulated to secrete by an intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol and pilocarpine. In non-stimulated glands, TPPase activity is detected mainly in 3--4 cisternae at the inner concave side of the Golgi complex and in some adjacent condensing vacuoles as in other cells. In the acinar cells 1 to 2 h after stimulation, however, reaction product for the same enzyme activity is detected in the cisternae at the outer aspect, as well as the inner aspect, of the Golgi complex and even in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). About 4 h after stimulation, TPPase activity becomes concentrated in 3--4 cisternae at the inner concave side of the Golgi complex as in the acinar cells under non-stimulated conditions. Morphological observations of the acinar cells 1 to 2 h after the stimulation have indicated that the reorganization of the Golgi complex and ER is a major event which occurs at this stage. It is possible that this cellular event is related to the occurrence of TPPase activity in those sites which normally show negative reaction in non-stimulated state.

Massive edema of the ovary

Ovarian edema is a newly recognized clinicopathologic entity. A case of massive ovarian edema is presented in which a huge abdominal mass was considered to be an ovarian cyst roentgenographically and clinically. However, ultrasound revealed the mass to be solid. Five previously reported cases in which ovarian edema simulated a fibroma are reviewed.

The cytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase activity in mucous and serous cells of the salivary gland

The present study was undertaken to localize adenylate cyclase activity in salivary glands by cytochemical means. For the study, serous parotid glands and mixed sublingual glands of the rat were used. Pieces of the fixed glands were incubated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) as substrate: inorganic pyrophosphate or PNP liberated upon the action of adenylate cyclase on the substrates is precipitated by lead ions at their sites of production. In both glands, the reaction product was detected along the myoepithelial cell membranes in contact with secretory cells, indicating that a high level of adenylate cyclase activity occurs in association with these cell membranes. The association with a high level of the enzyme activity might be related to the contractile nature of myoepithelial cells which are supposed to aid secretory cells in discharging secretion products. A high level of adenylate cyclase activity was also detected associated with serous secretory cells (acinar cells of the parotid gland and demilune cells of the sublingual gland), but not with mucous secretory cells. In serous cells, deposits of reaction product were localized along the extracellular space of the apical cell membrane bordering the lumen. This is the portion of the cell membrane which fuses with the granule membranes during secretion. Since the granule membranes are not associated with a detectable level of adenylate cyclase activity, it appears that the enzyme activity becomes activated or associated with the granule membranes as they become part of the cell membrane by fusion. The association with a high level of adenylate cyclase activity appears to be related to the ability of the membrane to fuse with other membranes. It is likely, since the luminal membrane of mucous cells which does not fuse with mucous granule membranes during secretion is not associated with a detectable enzyme activity.

The cytochemical localization of adenyl cyclase activity in rat sublingual gland

Adenyl cyclase activity in mucous acinar cells and serous demilune cells of the rat sublingual gland was localized cytochemically. After incubation with adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) as substrate, deposits of reaction product are found along the cell membranes bordering the secretory surfaces of serous demilune cells. These are the membranes which participate directly in secretion by fusing with the granule membranes. The granule membranes of the demilune cells do not reveal reaction product, but the membranes of the granules which are fused with and become part of the cell membrane do show deposits. Thus, it appears that the cell membranes which fuse with granule membranes during secretion are associated with a high level of adenyl cyclase activity. In support of this, the luminal membranes of the mucous acinar cells which do not fuse with granule membranes during secretion are not associated with detectable amounts of adenyl cyclase activity.

Duodenotomy defect

Radiographic changes in the duodenum after duodenotomy are discussed. Two types are noted. One is a polypoid mass, the other is a convex deformity at the lateral wall of the descending duodenum. The radiographic findings are explained by the surgical technique used for duodenotomy.