[Seasonal variation of circulatory and sensory functions during immersion test in cold water]

For early diagnosis of vibration syndrome, peripheral circulation and sensory tests after cold water immersion of the upper extremities are being performed widely in Japan. The authors studied the seasonal effect on the immersion test and its influence on diagnosis of vibration syndrome. Eight healthy male subjects, aged from 28 to 39, were examined. The immersion tests were conducted in winter (February), spring (May), summer (August) and autumn (November) in Ube city, Japan (Table 1). The room temperatures were maintained at 10 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C during the tests at each season. As to the exposure-to-cold test, the left hand of subject was immersed in stirred water at 10 degrees C for ten minutes, and the changes of peripheral circulatory function and sensory function were measured. Peripheral circulatory function was assessed by the skin temperature of middle finger and the value of the nail press test on the index finger. Sensory function was assessed by 125 Hz vibratory sense threshold and pain threshold of the middle finger. The finger skin temperature was lower in autumn and winter, followed by spring, and highest in summer. In particular, the finger skin temperature in autumn was lower than that in winter at the condition of room temperature at 30 degrees C, which is considered to be less effected by heat content in the body (Fig. 1, Table 3). The frequency of the appearance of cold induced vasodilation was also lower in autumn than that in winter (Table 2). These findings suggest that the tonus of the vasoconstrictor in the skin vessels of finger is strongest in autumn, followed by winter. It is also suggested that the tonus remains slightly strong in spring and is weakest in summer. Furthermore, the seasonal variations in the value of the nail press test, vibratory sense threshold and pain threshold were observed at some points of measuring time during immersion test (Figs. 2-4). Of these, the variations in the value of the nail press test and vibratory sense threshold were considered to be secondary to the seasonal variation of peripheral circulatory function (Fig.6). The variation in pain threshold was considered to result from paresthesia developing in the lower room temperature at 10 degrees C. The pain of finger during immersion test was also effected by season but the range of variation was not significant (Fig.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Evaluation of the lipid and glucose metabolism on the apancreatic status with insulin supplement and with pancreatic autotransplantation]

To evaluate the effect of pancreatic fragments transplantation on glucose and lipid metabolism in the apancreatic status, 22 healthy mongrel dogs were totally pancreatectomized and then divided into three groups, (1) 5 dogs without any supplement , (2) 5 dogs with insulin replacement, and (3) 12 dogs with additional pancreatic fragments transplantation. In these three groups, changes in fasting plasma sugar, triglyceride, total cholesterol, phospholipid and lipoprotein fractions were studied. Stability of serum glucose levels were compared between the dogs with insulin replacement and those with transplantation by using glucose infusion and insulin test. Without insulin replacement or transplantation, apancreatic dogs showed high serum glucose levels immediately after total pancreatectomy. With pancreatic transplantation, serum glucose levels and lipids were well controlled within normal limits for a long time period after the operation. However, in the dogs with insulin replacement, serum glucose levels and lipids were remarkably unstable in fasting period and also showed easily tendencies to become hypoglycemic status by insulin test and diabetic ketoacidosis by glucose infusion test as compared with those in the transplanted dogs.

Kinetics of rouleaux formation using TV image analyzer. I. Human erythrocytes

An apparatus for determining the velocity of erythrocyte rouleaux formation was constructed, combining an inverted microscope, a transparent cone-plate viscometer, a TV image analyzer, and a computer. At lower shear rates, the overall process is the sedimentation and the rouleaux formation followed by the development of three-dimensional aggregates. The individual erythrocyte could be observed and the process was expressed by the time courses of the changes in the count and area of particles; taking the computed increment in the area/count, the rate of rouleaux formation could be estimated. The effects of shear rates, hematocrits, plasma proteins, and pH were quantified. The rate of rouleaux formation in autologous plasma increased by (1) lowering the shear rates (1.9 less than or equal to gamma less than or equal to 15 s-1),2) increasing the hematocrit (up to 0.6%), 3) adding human fibrinogen (up to 600 mg/dl) or gamma-globulin, and 4) increasing pH. The transformation to echinocytes or to stomatocytes decreased the rate of rouleaux formation. The pH effect was explained by the increase in mean corpuscular volume at lower pH rather than by the changes in the electrostatic repulsion or in the protein binding.

Phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced synthesis of two different molecular species of microsomal cytochrome P-450 in rat liver

The syntheses of two different molecular species of cytochrome P-450, P-450(PB), and P-450(MC), were examined using normal and drug-treated rats, and the rate of synthesis was correlated with the drug-induced increase of the amounts in the liver microsomes of treated animals. Phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) were used as inducers. The syntheses of cytochrome b5 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase (fpT) were also examined. In vivo incorporation of L-[3H]leucine indicated a large increase of P-450(PB) synthesis in the livers of PB-treated animals, which reached a plateau value about 18-fold higher than the control level at 12 h. The synthesis of fpT was also stimulated by PB showing a peak value of 3 times the control at 12 h after PB administration, but it returned to the control level afterwards. On the other hand, the syntheses of P-450(MC) and cytochrome b5 did not change at all. Similarly, MC administration selectively induced the synthesis of P-450(MC), which was about 24 times the control at 6 h, whereas those of P-450(PB), cytochrome b5, and fpT were not affected by MC. Analysis of nascent peptides and in vitro translation of polysomes and total liver RNA prepared from control and drug-treated animals were also carried out, and the results of these in vitro experiments confirmed the observations in in vivo incorporation studies. It was found that both free and membrane-bound ribosomes participate in the syntheses of P-450(PB) and P-450(MC) in the case of control animals. PB and MC induced the syntheses of P-450(PB) and P-450(MC) by bound ribosomes but not by free ribosomes, and the contribution of bound ribosomes to the syntheses of these two species of cytochrome P-450 was predominant in the case of drug-treated animals. The molecular sizes of in vitro synthesized P-450(PB) and P-450(MC) were the same as those of authentic samples prepared from liver microsomes.

Effect of an exogenous energy source and amino acids on DNA synthesis in regenerating rat liver

Rats on a protein-free diet synthesized less DNA after partial hepatectomy than rats on a normal diet. In regenerating livers of animals on the protein-free diet, induction of several enzymes involved in the DNA precursor synthetic pathway, and especially ribonucleotide reductase, were depressed. When young rats were maintained solely by parenteral nutrition after partial hepatectomy, exogenous amino acids were more important than the exogenous energy source for induction of enzymes involved in synthesis of DNA and its pyrimidine nucleotide precursors. In particular, induction of ribonucleotide reductase appeared to be controlled by exogenous amino acids. Tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine and threonine seemed to stimulate the induction of this enzyme most after partial hepatectomy.

[Pharmacological studies on the mechanisms of asebotoxin III-induced centrogenic pulmonary hemorrhagic edema in guinea pigs]

Asebotoxin III (ATX-III), a diterpenoid isolated from the leaves of Asebi, Pieris japonica, was found to produce hemorrhage into the lungs when the toxin in a dose of 2-8 micrograms was injected into the lateral ventricle of guinea pigs under urethane anesthesia (0.8 g/kg, i.p.). The occurrence of the lung hemorrhage was associated with a hypertensive response which was two times higher than the control level. The hemorrhage first occurred at a time when systemic blood pressure reached its highest level. This was verified by X-ray examination on the chest of the guinea pig. In contrast to the hemorrhage into the lungs, the other organs in the abdominal cavity were found to be rather ischemic in the autopsy cases. Death due to hemorrhage into the lungs was effectively prevented by pretreating the guinea pigs with phentolamine mesylate (1 mg/kg, i.v.) and 6-hydroxydopamine hydrobromide (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Time before death was significantly prolonged by treating the animals with reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.m.), chlorpromazine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, i.v.), guanethidine sulfate (20 mg/kg, i.v.), and hexamethonium bromide (5 mg/kg, i.v.), though death from the lung hemorrhage was not completely blocked. The hemorrhage was aggravated by pretreatment with atropine sulfate (5 mg/kg, i.v.). EEG recordings from the hypothalamus of guinea pigs with ATX-III injection showed an exciting pattern of waves of high frequency and spike discharge. On the mechanisms for the lung hemorrhage induced by ATX-III, we concluded that the toxin produced depolarization of some neurones in the hypothalamus, thereby provoking massive sympathetic discharge for producing severe pulmonary hypertension and hemorrhage.

Antibradykinin active material in Aloe saponaria

A material having antibradykinin activity on isolated guinea pig ileum was partially purified from the nondialysate of the pulp of Aloe saponaria by repetition of gel chromatography using a hydrophilic polyvinyl gel and dextran gels. From the results of amino acid and carbohydrate analyses, the antibradykinin-active material was estimated to be a glycoprotein. It was found that this material catalyzes the hydrolysis of bradykinin at pH 7.4. The results of peptide analysis using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with amino acid analysis indicate that this glycoprotein cleaves the Gly4-Phe5 and Pro7-Phe8 bonds of the bradykinin molecule.

Effect of acetylcholine and new cholinergic derivative on amylase output, insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin secretions from perfused isolated rat pancreas

The effect of infused acetylcholine and (2-acetyllactoyloxyethyl)-trimethylammonium hemi-1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate (aclatonium napadisilate), a new cholinergic drug . On endocrine and exocrine secretory responses was simultaneously investigated during the perfusion of isolated rat pancreases. Acetylcholine (1.1 microM) stimulated the output of pancreatic juice and amylase, and significantly elicited the production of both insulin and glucagon. Its effect on somatostatin secretion, however, was minimal. Both pancreatic juice flow and amylase output were also significantly stimulated by aclatonium napadisilate (12 microM). These stimulatory effects of aclatonium napadisilate on the exocrine pancreas were blocked by atropine (25 microM). Aclatonium napadisilate could stimulate glucagon, but could not influence insulin and somatostatin secretion. The addition of atropine had no effect on the release of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. These results indicate that the effects of aclatonium napadisilate is cholinergic, and that the action is muscarinic. In addition, it can be concluded that pancreatic somatostatin secretion, as well as other hormones from islet cells, is controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Growth factor from tumor cells

Suitable conditions for assay of the growth factor from Yoshida sarcoma and AH-130 tumor cells were investigated using three different cell lines: baby hamster kidney cells, human embryonic lung cells and Swiss Albino mouse 3T3 embryo fibroblast cells. The results indicated that the 3T3 cell line was more sensitive to the growth stimulating activity than the other two lines. A fraction of Yoshida sarcoma tumor cells containing the growth factor showed less growth stimulating activity than a fraction of AH-130 tumor cells prepared by the same method. Using the 3T3 cell line for assay of activity, the growth factor was partially purified from AH-130 tumor cells by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-300 column. It appeared to be thermolabile, and its molecular weight was estimated as about 80,000 by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. These findings suggest that it is a high-molecular-weight substance.

Assay of alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor in serum or plasma

A new proteinase inhibitor has recently been found in human serum or plasma which specifically inhibits cysteine proteinases such as ficin, papain, bromelain and cathepsin B. However, serum contains alpha 2-macroglobulin which also inhibits these cysteine proteinases and, consequently, interferes with the assay of the new alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Therefore, assay of the inhibitor in serum has not been established previously. In the present method, the alpha 2-macroglobulin is inactivated by preincubating the serum in methylamine solution at 55 degrees C, while the alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor retains its activity. The inhibitory power against cysteine proteinases is found to be due mainly to this protein in human serum. This inhibitor is also found in mammals such as cows, pigs and rats. Vitamin E deficient rats show a very high inhibitor level. Therefore, the present method will enable us to investigate the relation between diseases and the activity of the alpha-cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Also, this method is simple and inexpensive. The necessary amount of serum is only 10 microliter.

[On vibration hazards of chipping-hammer operators in an iron foundry. Part 2. Results of the hygienic control]

We previously reported that the working and health conditions of vibrating tool operators in an iron foundry were investigated in 1975 and vibration hazards were observed to occur frequently in workers operating chipping-hammers powered by compressed air. After that, we instituted medical treatment for the afflicted workers and improvement of working conditions in the foundry, and have performed annual medical examinations for four years. In this paper, the course of hygienic control and the change in the medical findings of twenty-four chipping-hammer operators are reported. 1. The following measures were taken to improve the working conditions of chipping-hammer operators and therapy for patients (Table 1): (1) The operating time of vibrating tools, including chipping-hammer, was limited to two hours per day. The casting process was improved to diminish the flashes that are the objects of chipping-hammer operation. For the purpose of reducing the vibration transmitted to the operator, a servo-arm that has a servomechanism for the chipping-hammer was developed and introduced. (2) Infrared lamps in the foundry and air curtains at the doorway were installed for keeping the chipping-hammer operating area warm. A warm room was set up in the foundry for providing warmth during rest periods and protective clothing against the cold was provided. (3) Workers who displayed health disturbances by medical examinations were treated during the cold season from November to April by periodic visits to the clinic or extended hospitalization, or transferred to job without vibration exposure, according to their stage of disease. Preventive treatment with vasodilator and bubble bath was performed in winter for the chipping-hammer operators. 2. In order to estimate the effect of these countermeasures, annual medical examinations were conducted in March 1975, March 1976, April 1977 and March 1978. Such subjective symptoms as Raynaud's phenomenon, finger numbness, finger listlessness, heavy-headedness, forgetfulness, irritability and hearing disorder showed a tendency for improvement, but other complaints did not (Tables 2-4). The improvement of Raynaud's phenomenon is considered to be due not merely to the countermeasures but also to reducing the chance of provocation and therefore the countermeasures should not be overestimated as a factor of recovery of vibration hazards. Of the functional tests, a tendency for improvement was recognized in sensory functions and peripheral circulatory functions, but not in motor functions (Tables 5, 6). However, the course of recovery was not fast and some advanced cases, especially those using chipping-hammers for more than ten years, showed less improvement after hospital treatment (Table 7, Fig. 1). This indicates the importance of hygienic control which enables vibration hazards patients to have early diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, in order to eradicate the vibration hazards in the cast metal industry, a drastic reform of the finishing process is considered to be necessary.

Reoperative surgery in cholelithiasis

From 1965 to 1980, reoperations for residual or recurrent stones were performed on 78 out of 962 Japanese patients with cholelithiasis. The majority of patients who required reoperation had intrahepatic stones. Most of the causes of reoperation were residual stones due to incomplete removal or the non-detection of intrahepatic stones at the previous surgery. Very careful examination of the intrahepatic biliary trees should be done in patients with biliary tract diseases, because in many, the first operation was done during their youth. To remove the intrahepatic calculi completely, hepatic lobectomy should be considered as a final procedure. The causes of reoperation of common duct stones were residual in 60 per cent and recurrent in 40 per cent. Definitive surgery should be done at the first or at least the second operation to avoid irreversible hepatic disorders which have untoward effects on the prognosis. It is important not only to remove the stones but also to relieve the bile stasis in the biliary tract.

A study of various function tests on the upper extremities for vibration syndrome

For early diagnosis of vibration syndrome, it is necessary to detect the insidious functional disorders which appear without organic changes in it's early stage. In Japan, peripheral circulation and sensory tests, including tests after cold water immersion, and functional capacity motor tests are performed widely on the upper extremities. We have examined workers exposed to three kinds of vibration, and control workers, using these function tests, and analyzed the data with the use of principal component analysis. As a result, these function tests were considered to be of diagnostic significance as a screening test for vibration syndrome. It is also suspected that peripheral circulation disturbance, sensory disturbance and motor disturbance found in vibration syndrome advance independently of each other. Disparities in the findings of vibration syndrome were recognized and were attributed to differences of work conditions.

Intestinal absorption of bile alcohols

The absorption of bile alcohols by rat small intestine was studied using in vivo and in vitro preparations. In bile duct cannulated rats, intraduodenal administered bile alcohols were certainly absorbed and excreted in the bile, although the absorption was not so efficient as for bile acids. The absorption during a 24 h period for free bile alcohol, bile alcohol 3-sulfate, and bile alcohol 3-glucuronide was 60%, 31%, and 30% of the dose, respectively, compared with 98% for taurocholate. In situ recirculation experiments demonstrated the linear relationship between perfusate concentration and intestinal absorption for unconjugated and 3-sulfated bile alcohols. Everted gut sacs of rat ileum actively transported a bile alcohol possessing a sulfuric acid ester group on the side chain. However, free bile alcohol, bile alcohol 3-sulfate, and bile alcohol 3-glucuronide were not transported. These results indicate that bile alcohols having no negative charge on the side chain are absorbed by passive diffusion and not by active transport.

Selective induction of two different molecular species of cytochrome P-450 by phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene

Two forms of cytochrome P-450, P-450PB and P-450MC, were purified to homogeneity from the liver microsomes of phenobarbital (PB)-treated and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-treated rats, respectively. Rabbit antibodies against P-450PB and P-450MC were prepared and the monospecificity of each antibody preparation was confirmed by various lines of evidence. By the use of these antibodies, the contents of P-450PB and P-450MC in microsomes could be determined separately by quantitative immunoprecipitation. P-450PB and P-450MC each amounted to about 10% of total cytochrome P-450 in the microsomes of normal rats. However, each of them was selectively and substantially increased by the appropriate inducer, and became a predominant component of cytochrome P-450 in the microsomes of drug-treated animals. The increase of each specific molecular species of cytochrome P-450 was about 10- and 20-fold within 48 h, whereas the increase of total cytochrome P-450 was only about 2- to 3-fold even after maximal induction by the drugs. The drug oxidation activities of P-450PB and P-450MC were also significantly altered by the drug treatments. The administration of MC to PB-treated rats induced a drastic decrease in the P-450PB-dependent oxidations of benzo(a)pyrene and 7-ethoxycoumarin, while the corresponding activities of P-450MC increased sharply, and these changes were much more rapid than the change of the amount of each form of cytochrome P-450. However, the oxidation of benzphetamine was almost exclusively P-450PB-dependent even after extensive induction by MC. These observations suggest that the specific activities of p-450PB and P-450MC in the oxidations of various drugs are quite differently affected by the induced states of animals.

Participation of cytochrome P-450 in the reduction of nitro compounds by rat liver microsomes

1. The subcellular distribution of nitrobenzene reduction activity in rat liver cells indicated the existence of two different enzyme systems, one localized in microsomes and the other localized in cytosol. The activity in the cytosol was mainly attributable to xanthine oxidase, judging from its substrate specificity and the inhibition by allopurinol. 2. The participation of the microsomal electron transport system in nitrobenzene reduction was examined by using antibodies against four components of the system, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (fpT), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (fpD), cytochrome b5, and cytochrome P-450. Both NADH- and NADPH-dependent nitrobenzene reduction activities were strongly inhibited by anti-fpT IG and also by anti-P450 IG, but not inhibited by anti-fpD IG or anti-b5 IG. The reduction of nitrosobenzene and phenylhydroxylamine, which are supposed to be the intermediates of nitrobenzene reduction, was also examined, and it was found that NADH- and NADPH-dependent reduction of both compounds were strongly inhibited by anti-fpT IG and anti-P450 IG, but not by anti-fpD IG or anti-b5 IG. 3. Reconstruction experiments using purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytochrome P-450 were also carried out and it was confirmed that the reduction of nitrobenzene, nitrosobenzene, and phenylhydroxylamine to aniline could be effected by these two components. 4. Nitrobenzene reduction by microsomes exhibited a short initial time lag and was activated by the addition of purified NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, whereas nitrosobenzene and phenylhydroxylamine reductions did not show any initial time lag and were not activated by the reductase. These observations suggest that the reduction of nitrobenzene to an intermediate, possibly nitrosobenzene or phenylhydroxylamine, limits the rate of aniline formation, and such an initial step of nitrobenzene reduction can be catalyzed by NADPH-cytochrome c reductase alone. Cytochrome P-450 is essential at least in the final step of nitrobenzene reduction to aniline. This conclusion was further confirmed by determination of these intermediates in nitrobenzene reduction.

Relationship between structure, positive inotropic potency and lethal dose of grayanotoxins in guinea pig

Relationship between chemical structure, positive inotropic potency and lethal dose of grayanotoxins and the related compounds was studied using guinea pigs. The positive inotropic effect (PIE) was examined in their papillary muscle isolated from the heart. The potency of these compounds was expressed by pD2 values, and was determined by depicting the concentration-PIE curve for each compound. The study has clarified the contribution of functional groups in the molecule; the presence of 3 beta-hydroxyl, 6 beta-hydroxyl and 10 beta-methyl groups attached to the grayanane skeleton is established to be essential for the development of PIE. The inotropic potency of compounds carrying these essential groups is increased by a 10 alpha-hydroxyl group and the acylation of the 14 beta-hydroxyl group. LD50 value of 10 compounds with a high cardiotonic potency (pD2 greater than 4) was determined by up and down method using male guinea pigs. The relation of LD50 to pD2 bore a significant correlation (r = 0.68, p less than 0.05). The most cardiotropic and toxic compound found in this study was asebotoxin III.

DNA synthesis in tumor-bearing rats: purification of liver thymidine kinase stimulating factor from Yoshida sarcoma

Yoshida sarcoma cells contain a factor that stimulates thymidine kinase activity in the liver of mice in vivo; intraperitoneal injection of an extract from Yoshida sarcoma into normal mice stimulated their liver thymidine kinase activity 2- to 3-fold, whereas injection of a crude extract of normal rat liver did not stimulate the activity at all. A factor that stimulates the de novo synthesis of thymidine kinase in the liver was partially purified from Yoshida sarcoma by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and gel filtration. It appeared to be thermolabile and sensitive to trypsin treatment. These results suggested that it was a high-molecular weight protein. Intraperitoneal injection of this factor into 67% hepatectomized rats stimulated thymidine kinase activity 2- to 3-fold. Increase of liver thymidine kinase activity after injection of the factor into mice was blocked by simultaneous injection of actinomycin-D. These results suggest that this factor stimulates de novo synthesis of thymidine kinase in the liver.

Endoscopic aspiration biopsy of the pancreas

Preoperative endoscopic aspiration biopsies were performed on 51 patients with pancreatic lesions using either a duodenal or gastric fiberscope and a newly designed biopsy needle. The accuracy of this method in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas was 84.0%. Although there were three false-negative diagnoses, there were no false-positives. No complications that could be attributed to this procedure were encountered.

Malignant tumors in choledochal cysts

Between 1960 and 1975, 17 patients with congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct (choledochal cyst) were treated and three were associated with malignant tumors in the cysts and one was with carcinoma of the gallbladder. Preoperative diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in the choledochal cyst was established in one patient by cytologic examination of the bile which was obtained during the procedure of endoscopic pancreaticocholangraphy (EPCG) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). Definitive treatment of the choledochal cysts associated with malignant tumors in the biliary tract was accomplished by excision of the cysts with tumor and choledochojejunostomy in two patients, by cystoduodenostomy following external drainage in one and by cholecystectomy with resection of invaded transverse colon in one with cancer of the gallbladder. Successful excision of choledochal cysts in 11 patients including three cases associated with malignant tumors in the biliary tract during the last 15 year period is the basis of this report.

Increase in cytochrome contents of liver mitochondria on feeding rats a low casein diet

Williams et al. (1) investigated the changes in amounts of total mitochondrial protein and cytochromes in the liver of rats fed a protein-free diet for a long period, and found that there was a marked similarity between changes in amount of total mitochondrial protein and that of cytochromes. Present experiments were performed to clarify whether under a more mild protein-deficient state the relationships found by Williams are applicable or not by investigating the changes in contents of cytochromes per unit amount of mitochondrial protein when rats were fed a low case diet. A 4% casein diet was used as a low casein diet, and a 25% casein diet was used as a control diet. Rats were fed the test diets for 70 to 90 days. The results show that the contents of all cytochromes a, b, and c1 + c assayed and expressed as nmoles per mg of mitochondrial protein were significantly higher in rats fed a low casein diet than those in rats fed a control diet. These suggest that relationships found by Williams in a severe protein-deficient state would not be applicable in a more mild protein-deficient state.

Characteristic inhibition of in vitro swelling of purified rat liver mitochondria induced by Ca2+ or thyroxine by feeding rats a low casein diet

It has been shown previously by the author that the structure of rat liver mitochondria is changed by a low casein diet. In the present experiments, using the free fatty acid producing substances Ca2+ and thyroxine, and the free fatty acid sodium oleate, the influence of a 4% casein diet on the in vitro swelling process of purified rat liver mitochondria was investigated by following the decrease in optical density at 520 nm after addition of one of the swelling agents. Swelling due to hypotonicity was also investigated. Rats were fed the test diets for 80 to 100 days. Mitochondria were purified by washing three times; after each wash the isotonic suspension was centrifuged at 3,000 X g for 6 minutes. The results show that the in vitro swelling of mitochondria induced by Ca2+ or thyroxine was inhibited greatly in the early period of swelling in rats fed a low casein diet. By comparison to this, there was not a notable effect of a low casein diet on the rate of swelling induced by sodium oleate. But in the case of sodium oleate, the values of optical density were always higher in rats fed a low casein diet, and the differences between two groups were always significant. Swelling due to hypotonicity was not affected at all by a low casein diet.

Changes of the vibratory sensation threshold in workers using vibrating tools

Vibratory sensation thresholds of ten fingertips of each person were measured by each of the three frequencies in groups using three kinds of vibrating tools and the control groups. The subject groups were using leg-drill (n=37), chipping-hammer (n=25) and chain-saw (n=19). The control groups were engaged in desk work or outdoor work in a bureau of forest management (n=24), a local forest office (n=30) and a gas company (n=22) (Table 1). The tested frequencies were 63 Hz, 125 Hz and 250 Hz. The room temperature was kept at 20 degrees C. 1) The threshold values were found in such order as V greater than IV greater than III greater than I and II-finger in the subject groups, whereas I and V greater than II, III and IV-finger in the control groups. No significant difference between left and right hands was found in any group, both the subject and the control. 2) The threshold values were significantly higher in the chipping-hammer group and the chain-saw group than in the control (p less than 0.05 at 63 Hz, p less than 0.01 at 125 Hz and 250 Hz). They were higher in the leg-drill group than in the control but it was statistically not significant. 3) Regression analysis was performed about age and experience-years of the subject groups which were thought to have an effect upon the threshold change. But the effect of both factors to the threshold values were small in all subject groups. 4) The patterns of threshold values made up by each of the three frequencies were different among the three subject groups. The chipping-hammer group had the higher vibratory sensation threshold shift in the order of 250 Hz, 125 Hz and 63 Hz, the leg-drill group had almost equal threshold shift among the three frequencies, and the chain-saw group had the intermediate tendency between the other two groups. 5) Frequencies of 125 Hz and 250 Hz were more advantageous than that of 63 Hz in order to discriminate between the subject group and the control. Both 125 Hz and 250 Hz vibratory sensation threshold should be measured to find early disorders of vibration disease if possible, because the relation between thresholds of 125 Hz and 250 Hz was not so linear. 6) The observed significant differences of threshold values among the control groups were thought to be caused by different climatic circumstances.

Portal hypertension due to hepatic artery-portal vein arteriovenous fistula--a case report

A case of portal hypertension secondary to traumatic hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula with portal fibrosis was successfully treated by ligation of the afferent hepatic arteries which decreased significantly portal pressure and corrected the abnormal blood inflow to the portal vein via A-V fistula resulting in a recovery of the disturbed liver function. Collateral blood supply from the left hepatic artery into the right hepatic lobe was found to be quite satisfactory after the ligation of the hepatic artery. Hemodynamic data and clinical findings of the present case suggest that the mechanism responsible for the portal hypertension is the inflow block resulting from the interruption of portal venous flow by the inflow of arterial blood via A-V fistula and the subsequent increased blood pressure in portal vein radicals.