[Gamma dose estimation to the gastric wall after administration of a capsule containing a large dose of 131I (author's transl)]

Gamma dose to the gastric wall from a capsule containing 1.85 GBq (50 mCi) of 131I was estimated in 6 patients who had received total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma some years before. The tests were done with a 37 MBq (1 mCi) capsule each in 5 patiens and with a 185 MBq (5 mCi) capsule in one patient. All the patients were requested to fast in the morning. The capsule was given with a glass of water (200 ml). Then, the patient kept supine position under the scintillation camera for a period of one hour except one patient on whom the test was suspended at 30 minutes because of early clearance of the radioactivity from the stomach. In one of 5 patients who were tested for a period of one hour, serial scinticamera images showed almost no movement and minimum dissolution of the capsule. The remaining 4 patients showed slight to moderate movements of the capsules with a variety of dissolution speeds. Data processings were done by Scintipac-1200. The estimated doses at the distance of 0.5 cm from the source were 3.820, 2.074, 1.445, 1.154 and 1.462 grays (382.0, 207.4, 144.5, 115.4 and 146.2 rads) per initial one hour and 375 mGy (37.5 rad) per initial 30 minutes, respectively. From these data, it is thought to be wise to advise the patient to rotate or shake the body on bed occasionally after swallowing the capsules containing a large dose of 131I for the treatment of thyroid cancer. It is also desirable to recommend the patient to walk around even though the controlled patient's room is small. Additional water may be also meaningful to avoid unnecessary irradiation to the gastric wall.

Adjuvant immunotherapy with a S. pyogenes preparation (OK432) in urogenital cancer patients

We evaluated the immunostimulative activity of a Streptococcus pyogenes preparation (OK432) in 50 patients with urogenital carcinoma. Differential lymphocyte blastogenic response to mitogens and quantitation of the lymphocyte subpopulation bearing Fc receptor sites were the two immunoparameters used in this study to assess the status of the cancer-bearing host. Using these immunoparameters, we observed a pattern whereby a substantial deviation from unity in the mitogen reactive ratio and an increase in the number of IgGFcR+T cells were correlated with malignant progression; administration of the immunopotentiator OK432 had a marked effect on immunoparameters reflected by our assays, with a trend toward return to normal values with progression of immunotherapy.

Purification and some properties of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase from Neurospora crassa

Uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (EC. 2.7.7.23) of Neurospora crassa has been purified approximately 210-fold with dithiothreitol as the stabilizing agent by use of chromatographic techniques. The enzyme preparation appeared to be homogeneous when subjected to electrophoresis. The molecular weight was estimated as approximately 37 000 by gel filtration. The enzyme had an isoelectric point around pH 4.4. Maximum activity of the enzyme was observed at pH 7.5. The enzyme required Mg2+, which may be replaced by other divalent cations such as Mn2+ and Co2+ for lesser degrees of effectiveness. The enzyme was strictly specific for UDP-N-acetylglucosamine as the substrate. The estimated values of Km were 2.2 mM for UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and 5.4 mM for inorganic pyrophosphate. The enzyme activity was highly stimulated by the addition of dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol but was lost by sulfhydryl inhibitory reagents.

Radioimmunoassay for human myoglobin: methods and results in patients with skeletal muscle or myocardial disorders

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of serum Mb. immunization of rabbit with human Mb yielded anti-Mb antibody which was purified by affinity chromatography. Human hemoglobin, CK, and the component of serum per se did not appear to cross-react with the antibody. Mb was radiolabeled by the chloramine T method. The radioimmunoassay method could detect as little as 0.3 ng of Mb and was not affected by hemolysis. Information is also given on precision, recovery, and specimen preservation. Mb levels could be detected in all of 120 normal adults, and the values ranged between 1 and 28 ng/ml (mean, 13.1 +/- 6.1). No sex difference was observed. Levels were markedly elevated in all the patients with progressive muscular dystrophy, especially in the Duchenne type at the level of 40 to 1700 ng/ml. It was also noticed that about 70% of female gene carriers of Duchenne type had a slightly increased Mb level. An elevated serum Mb was also noted in polymyositis. In every case of acute myocardial infarction, serum Mb levels were increased, peak values ranging from 175 to 4400 ng/ml and averaging 1162 +/- 287.9. Mb levels were elevated faster and peaked earlier (within 6 to 12 hr after the attack) than serum CK activity and returned to nearly normal range within 3 to 4 days. The increase in serum Mb was also noticed in shock and surgery. These data indicate that radioimmunoassay of Mb is a useful test for judging the myolytic state of myogenic myopathies and for early detection of myocardial infarction.

Rapid, sensitive detection of myoglobulinemia by improved counterimmunoelectrophoresis in cases of acute myocardial infarction

A counterimmunoelectrophoresis technique for detection of serum myoglobin (Mb) was improved using non-ionic polymer dextran. Precipitin lines were graded according to their strength, which was ascertained by radioimmunoassay data. By this method, serum Mb in concentrations of 500 ng./ml. before stain and of 200 ng./ml. after stain were detected. Electrophoretic time was 60 minutes. Among 32 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) whose blood samples were collected within 24 hours after disease onset, precipitin lines were detected in 25 cases (78%) before stain and 31 cases (97%) after stain. Considering the early peak concentration time (approximately 10 hours) of serum Mb after AMI onset, diagnosis becomes more rapid and exact with this method, especially in severe cases.

Structural Change Accompanied by Plastic-to-Rubber Transition of SBS Block Copolymers

It was shown that some block copolymers and their blends with corresponding homopolymers exhibit stress softening. When the specimens are stretched beyond the yield point, they become rubbery and exhibit high elasticity and large recoverable deformation, as a result of a breakup of their original rigid structure. Moreover, the deformed specimens heal, in that the properties of the original undeformed specimens are recovered upon removal of applied stress. This effect was attributed to the reformation of the original microdomain structure. In this work, we investigated an SBS block copolymer and a blend of the copolymer with homopolystyrene in regard to the structural change accompaning the plastic-to-rubber transition and the healing process. Electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used.

Abnormal expression of a serine protease in human dystrophic muscle

The activities of serine protease in muscles from normal persons and from patients with progressive muscular and neuromuscular diseases have been determined. A significant increase in the level of serine protease was found in muscle of patients with Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy and with Becker-type muscular dystrophy, but the activity was not increased in muscle of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Linear straited vascular pattern: its implication on a renal angiogram clinical importance and pathologic verification

A case of hypernephroma with neoplastic extension to the renal vein showing a characteristic linear striated vascular pattern on a renal angiogram is presented. A nephrectomy specimen was examined pathologically and angiographic correlation subsequently was inferred. Implication of this unusual pattern on the renal angiogram is emphasized through our experience and review of relevant literature in order to predict the prognosis and to prepare for radical treatment.

Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula: case report, review of Japanese literature and description of non-radical treatment

A case of congenital arteriovenous fistula diagnosed by measuring the oxygen saturation difference of renal veins at the time of selective renal angiographic examination and a review of 38 relevant Japanese cases are reported. The English as well as the Japanese literature was reviewed. Treatment has consisted of partial nephrectomy, ligation of the branch artery supplying the fistula and intentional embolization of the arterial branches, feeding the shunt by catheter.

Excretion kinetics of urinary metabolites in a patient addicted to richloroethylene

Ikeda, M., Ohtsuji, H., Kawai, H., and Kuniyoshi, M. (1971).Brit. J. industr. Med.,28, 203-206. Excretion kinetics of urinary metabolites in a patient addicted to trichlorethylene. A male Japanese subject, single, aged 38, who worked at a workshop washing metal parts with trichloroethylene, was admitted to our clinic due to addiction to the solvent. Analyses of urine revealed the presence of up to 160 μg/ml of trichloro-compounds (mostly trichloroacetic acid) which gradually disappeared in three weeks as the psychotic symptoms cleared up. The excretion half-lives of trichloroethylene metabolites for the initial rapid phase (succeeding slow phase in parentheses) were 5·8 (49·7) hours for trichloroethanol, 22·5 (72·6) hours for trichloroacetic acid, and 7·5 (72·6) hours for total trichloro-compounds.