[Effect of cefaclor in urinary tract infections (the first report)]

A part of our continuous investigation on the clinical effect of cefaclor against urinary tract infections was reported herein. Cefaclor, a daily dose of 0.75 g t.i.d., has been applied for the treatment of (I) 26 cases with the simple UTI and (II) 41 cases with the complicated. Rates of effectiveness were obtained 100% in (I) and 80% in (II). Side effects were noted in 8 cases (8.4%) out of total 95 cases.

Primary retroperitoneal seminoma

We describe a case of primary retroperitoneal seminoma with metastasis to the left kidney, left adrenal gland, and other organs without evidence of testicular involvement. We determined this disease at autopsy.

Dentatorubropallidoluysian degeneration: clinical, neuro-ophthalmologic, biochemical, and pathologic studies on autosomal dominant form

Four cases in two generations of a Japanese family are described as affected by an autosomal dominant-inherited cerebellar ataxia, pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs, and abnormal ocular movements, resembling Machado-Joseph disease. The neuro-ophthalmologic examination suggests the involvement of multiple motor control systems. The neuropathologic examination of one case showed neuronal loss in the subthalamic nuclei, pallidum, dentate nuclei of cerebellum, and red nuclei, which is distinct from Machado-Joseph disease.

Increased local cerebral glucose utilization in the basal ganglia of the rolling mouse Nagoya

Rolling mouse Nagoya (rolling), an experimental mutant mouse, is characterized by a marked incoordination of the hind limbs and disturbance of gait. These motor disturbances have been attributed to cerebellar dysfunction, and rolling, therefore, has been regarded as an animal model of hereditary cerebellar ataxia. However, definite evidence for this possibility has not yet been provided. In the present study, local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was observed by means of the [14C]deoxyglucose method in rolling (rol/rol), as well as in behaviorally normal heterozygotes (+/rol) and normal controls (+/+), in order to study functional activity of the brain in these mice. A definite increase in LCGU was found in the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra of rolling, bilaterally. A minimal decrease in LCGU was also found in the vermis of the cerebellum. These findings reflect the markedly hyperactive state of the basal ganglia and the minimally hypoactive state in the vermis of the cerebellum in rolling. It is concluded that the dysfunction in the basal ganglia is the major cause of the motor disturbances of rolling, and that rolling may be regarded as an animal model of extrapyramidal motor disturbance.

Investigation of the heterogeneity of heterogalactan from the fruit bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola, by employing concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography

A heterogalactan was isolated from the hot water extract of fruit bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola by a combination of fractionation procedures including precipitation with ethanol and with Cetavlon, and chromatography on columns of DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. Despite its apparent homogeneity on gel filtration, zone electrophoresis, sedimentation equilibration, and immunodiffusion analyses, the neutral component of heterogalactan was further fractionated into unbound, weakly bound, and strongly bound forms by affinity chromatography on a column of concanavalin A-Sepharose CL 4B. The former two polysaccharides fractions eluted with 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) were found to be a fucogalactan and a mannofucogalactan, respectively. A more tightly bound fraction (mannofucogalactan) was subsequently eluted with 0.1 M glucose in 1 M NaCl. The results of methylation, complete Smith degradation, and proton and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses indicated that the three kinds of heterogalactans are all highly branched polysaccharides containing a framework of (1 leads to 6)-linked alpha-D-galactopyranosyl residues, the C-2 positions of which are substituted in different proportions with either single L-fucopyranosyl residues or disaccharide units of 3-O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-L-fucopyranose residues.

Propagation of focal motor seizures in the pubescent monkey

The rate of local cerebral glucose utilization was determined for quantification of energy metabolism in macrostructures of the sensorimotor system during propagation of focal motor seizures in 24-month-old monkeys. The rate was measured in 4 control animals and in 4 monkeys each with seizures limited to the contralateral face, seizures of the contralateral face and upper extremity, and bilateral expression of seizures. Glucose utilization increased significantly, primarily unilaterally, with propagation. The increase was greatest in the sensory and motor cerebral cortices, putamen, and globus pallidus, was somewhat less in sensory and motor thalamic relay nuclei, and was least in the cerebellar cortex.

Local cerebral glucose utilization in newborn and pubescent monkeys during focal motor seizures

The [14C]deoxyglucose method was used to determine the rate of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in newborn and pubescent monkeys during focal motor seizures induced by injecting penicillin into the face-hand area of the right motor cortex. Seizures were studied in 3 newborn and 6 pubescent monkeys, and 3 newborn and 4 pubescent monkeys were used as controls. In controls, the pattern of glucose utilization within structures of the sensorimotor system was quite differenet at the two age levels; newborns showed far less activity, especially in the neocortex and striatum. In the monkeys with seizures, the unilateral increase in LCGU relative to the controls was greater in newborn than in pubescent monkeys except in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. The increased glucose utilization in cortical and subcortical structures of the newborns was ipsilateral to the discharging lesin and lacked the well-defined pattern seen in the pubescent monkeys. In general, newborn brain was capable of supporting a focal motor seizure but lacked the precise clinical and electrographic expressions or efficient energy metabolism that accompany maturation of the brain at puberty.

Effects of manipulation of the sensorimotor system on focal motor seizures in the monkey

During focal motor seizures induced by injecting penicillin into the face-hand area of the right motor cortex of 24-month-old monkeys, the sensorimotor system was manipulated by three methods. Elimination, by a paralytic agent, of proprioceptive input from contracting muscles and joints did not alter the electrographic expression of the seizure or the pattern of local glucose utilization in cortical or subcortical components of the sensorimotor system. An overall increase in the rate of energy metabolism occurred in the paralyzed monkeys with electrographic seizures. Cryogenic destruction of up to 90% of the ipsilateral ventral caudal globus pallidus had no effect on electrographic or clinical expression of the seizure. Electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral ventral caudal globus pallidus caused reproducible maximum expression of electrographic and clinical seizure phenomena for the 90-second duration of the stimulus.

Successful visualization of cortical malignant lesions on renal scintigram using 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid

The early (dynamic) and late (static) renal images obtained with 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were utilized to evaluate renal cortical malignant tumors in 30 cases of renal cell carcinoma each of which had been confirmed by operation or autopsy. Early images, performed 20--50 seconds after radionuclide administration, demonstrated abnormal vascular pools in the cortex. A cold area without DMSA uptake was demonstrated on the 2-hour or late images, reflecting a non-functioning renal mass. Lesions demonstrated with combined early and late images showed a good correlation with those demonstrated by renal angiography in 25 out of 27 cases. However, when almost all the renal tumor was replaced by necrotic lesions, the early image did not reveal hypervascularity. When a highly vascular renal tumor extended to the perinephric tissues, the tumor area was sometimes overestimated on the early image. It is almost impossible to diagnose renal cell carcinoma using radionuclide imaging alone. However, 99mTc-DMSA renal studies, using both early and late imaging, have proven to be a useful, noninvasive adjunct in the detection of malignant cortical lesions.

Renal function studies using 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid

99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), provides both a well defined renal image via preferential cortical accumulation, and a quantitative assessment of separate kidney function, correlating well with renal plasma flow obtained from the 131I-Hippuran renogram of each kidney. 99mTc-DMSA is capable of labeling the functioning nephrons in the cortex without interference by the activity of urine flow, suggesting that DMSA should be termed a cortical tubular marker. 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy has advantages over conventional methods in that it can be performed repeatedly with little discomfort to the patients, as a routine clinical examination.

Primary systemic amyloidosis. A case permitting pathological and biochemical investigations

In this 72-year-old male patient, large amounts of amyloid substances were deposited in the mesenchymal organs, but not in the parenchymal organs. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies revealed large amounts of amyloid substances and amyloid fibrils in the skeletal and smooth muscle tissues. In the skeletal muscle tissues, where large amounts of amyloid substances were deposited, glycosaminoglycan was also markedly deposited, especially chondroitin-4-sulfuric acid. The concentrations of silicon were also markedly increased in the amyloid fibrils. The concentrations of nickel and cobalt were increased but those of zinc were decreased in all organs measured, although both nickel and cobalt in another case of amyloidosis experienced were within normal values.

Validity of 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid renal uptake for an assessment for individual kidney function

99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid is a new renal scanning agent that provides a good quality of renal image as a result of preferential cortical accumulation and also makes feasible a quantitative assessment of separate kidney function, correlating well with renal plasma flow obtained from a 131I hippuran renogram of each kidney. By measuring the dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake, the cortical functioning nephrons can be determined independent of the activity from the urinary outflow tract. Such evaluations may replace the conventional split renal function study in which traumatic procedures, such as cystoscopy and ureteral catheterizations, are required. 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy causes less discomfort to the patient and can be performed repeatedly and routinely even in children and debilitated geriatric patients.

Acute effects of salmon calcitonin on renal electrolyte excretion in intact, thyroparathyroidectomized and sulfacetylthiazole-induced uremic rats

Acute effects of salmon calcitonin (CT) on renal electrolyte excretion were investigated in intact, thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) and uremic rats. Glomerular filtration rate did not change during CT infusion and there was no volume expansion in any experimental group. Plasma calcium levels gradually fell below the control period in each experimental group. Urinary calcium excretion increased at the early period in both intact and TPTX rats but fell below the control period with the continuous infusion of CT. In uremic rats, a decrease in plasma calcium was followed by a decrease in calcium excretion. Plasma phosphate gradually decreased and simultaneously measured phosphate excretion increased in both intact and TPTX rats. In uremic rats, however, there was no change in phosphate excretion and only a slight decrease of plasma phosphate. Phosphaturia is the result of the predominant renal action of CT and occurs even when the filtered load of phosphate decreases. In uremic animals, there appears to be a resistance to exogenous CT which manifests itself by the absence of natriuretic, calciuric and phosphaturic responses.

Investigation of intrarenal blood flow and urine flow aspects by scintillation camera

In order to clarify intrarenal dynamic processes related to regional distribution in patients with unilateral renal disease, two radioactive tracers, 133Xe and 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) were introduced into a renal artery and intrarenal blood flow and urine flow aspects were observed by scintillation camera. Cortical blood flow decreased and medullary blood flow relatively increased with the advance of renal damage. Urine flow curve from normal cortex showed two phasic patterns. One early phase might correspond to the appearance of the tracer through the proximal tubule and a second phase might correspond to the appearance of the tracer through the loop of Henle to the distal tubule. Under mannitol diuresis, two phasic urine flow curves from the cortex became obscured and the peak time of pelvic curve shifted to the earlier period. These studies were considered to be useful in evaluating unilateral renal function and might offer a good insight for intrarenal physiology concerning blood flow as well as urine flow.