[Epidemiology of hepatitis G virus infection in Japan]

Hepatitis G virus(HGV) is a new RNA virus that is most closely related to members of the Flaviviridae family. HGV RNA was found in only a low percentage of patients with either acute or chronic non-A-E hepatitis. HGV appears to co-infect or superinfect in 10-15% of HCV infections, and in 5-15% of HBV infections. The prevalence of HGV infection(0.8%) among voluntary blood donor in Japan is similar to that for HCV infection. A history of blood transfusion was obtained in 50-60% of HGV RNA positive subjects. HGV was also detected in about 10% of hemodialysis patients. Finally, isolated HGV infection appears to have a low disease burden.

Heparin induces rapid and remarkable elevation of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor during trans arterial embolization of renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to determined the change of serum hepatocyte growth factorl scatter factor (HGF) before and after transarterial embolization (TAE) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined serum HGF levels in two patients.

RESULTS

Serum HGF levels rapidly increased to six-fold higher levels immediately after heparin-injection even before embolization. Serum HGF then decreased to below 1.0 ng/ml at 6 hours after the procedure. The second peak (a two-fold increase) appeared 1-3 days after TACE. The first increase may have been due to the injection of heparin which releases HGF from the cell-surface and extracellular matrix. HGF is a pleiotropic cytokine which has a potential to enhance cell motility and angiogenesis related to tumor progression and the first larger elevation of serum HGF is enough to make a physiological effects.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we should remind the physiological influence of heparin injection not only to prevent of clotting.

[GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in patients with chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis]

We tested HGV RNA in serum in addition to HBV DNA and HCV RNA to study the causative agents involved in chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis. Twenty five patients diagnosed as having chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis(negative for HBsAg and HCV-Ab), were investigated in this study. HGV RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR using primers in 5'-untranslated, NS3 and NS5 regions. Of the 25 patients, 4(16%) were positive for HGV RNA, only 1(4%) was positive for HBV DNA and none were positive for HCV RNA. Of the 4 patients with HGV RNA, 2 histologically has mild fibrosis and the remaining 2 had cirrhosis. One patient with cirrhosis also had hepatocellular carcinoma; HBV DNA was positive in this patient. All 3 patients with only the HGV infection had a mild histological grade. In conclusion, HGV infection was involved in 16% of Japanese patients with chronic non-B, non-C hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis G seemed to exhibit mild hepatitis activity.

[Non-A-E acute and chronic hepatitis in Japan]

It has been clarified that hepatitis C virus(HCV) is the major cause of acute and chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. However, it is also clear that there still exist a group of patients with viral hepatitis who are seronegative for hepatitis A, B, C, D or E virus infections. In this article, epidemiological studies on such non-A-E hepatitis in Japan are reported. Since the introduction of blood screening with hepatitis B virus(HBV) core antibody and HCV antibody in addition to HBV surface antigen, incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis decreased remarkably to a level less than 1%. Therefore, occurrence of non-A-E posttransfusion is rare in Japan. As for acute sporadic hepatitis, about 20% of the patients were diagnosed as type non-A-E. Those patients with non-A-E acute sporadic hepatitis showed relatively mild hepatitis. About 5% of patients with chronic hepatitis was negative for both markers of HBV and HCV infections. Hepatitis G virus, a newly discovered hepatitis virus, accounted for only a minor part of acute and chronic non-A-E hepatitis.

Use of synchrotron radiation microangiography to assess development of small collateral arteries in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia

BACKGROUND

Current methods of angiography cannot provide images of arteries measuring < 200 microns in diameter. We have recently developed a new angiography system that uses monochromatic synchrotron radiation and a high-definition video system with a spatial resolution of 30 microns. In the present study, we applied this microangiography system to visualize small arteries in normal and ischemic rat limbs and investigated the development of collateral arteries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Microangiography was performed in the normal and the ischemic limb 4 weeks after the excision of the femoral artery. In the normal limb, up to the fourth branches of the iliac and/or femoral arteries (diameter < 100 microns) were readily identified. Some of these branches were found to perfuse the distal thigh area. In the ischemic limb, an extensive structural remodeling of the vascular network was observed. Numerous small arteries had developed from the branches of the iliac artery to constitute a fine arterial network, the so-called "midzone," which was composed of linear, normal appearing arteries and those with an undulating, unbranched appearance.

CONCLUSIONS

The small collateral artery network was angiographically visualized with a resolution limit < 100 microns. The linear collaterals appeared to result from an opening of preexisting vessels. The undulating, unbranched vessels were not observed in the normal limbs and seemed to be vessels that were newly formed after limb ischemia. Synchrotron radiation microangiography appears to be a powerful means of assessing the development of small collateral arteries, which may help to provide a basis for understanding of the collateral circulation.

Forensic analysis of 10 barbiturates in human biological samples using a new reversed-phase chromatographic column packed with 2-micrometre porous microspherical silica-gel

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the forensic analysis of 10 frequently used barbiturates (BARs) (allobarbital, amobarbital, barbital, cyclobarbital, hexobarbital, metharbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital and thiopental) using a recently developed reversed-phase column packed with 2-micron particles. The results show that the new ODS column packing gives higher sensitivity and a shorter analysis time than the conventional ODS column packing when applied to the analysis of biological samples.

Correlations between the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Self-rating Depression Scale among Japanese Students

The Temperament and Character Inventory measures four dimensions of temperament and three of character. The 125-item short version and the Self-rating Depression Scale were administered to 306 Japanese students. Their scores on the latter were significantly highly correlated with the scores on both temperament and character scales, positively correlated with Harm-Avoidance score, and negatively correlated with Self-directedness and Cooperativeness scores. It is suggested that scores on depression were related to Harm-Avoidance, particularly to fatigability, and immaturity of the autonomous self and cooperative interpersonal relationship.

Simultaneous determination of carbamazepine and its metabolites in plasma from carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats using a new reversed-phase chromatographic column of 2-microns porous microspherical silica gel

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its two metabolites, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ-E) and carbamazepine-10,11-dihydroxide (CBZ-diOH), using a recently developed reversed-phase column with 2-microns particles and a 2-microliters microflow cell equipped with a UV detector. The separation was achieved using two different C18 reversed-phase columns (column 1: 100 x 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 2 microns, TSK gel Super-ODS; column 2: 100 x 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 5 microns, Hypersil ODS-C18) for comparison. The mobile phase was composed of methanol-water (30:70, v/v), and the flow-rate was 0.4 ml/min for both columns. The absorbance of the eluent was monitored at 210 nm. Retention times with column 1 were shorter than with column 2. When the three compounds were determined, the sensitivity and limit of quantification were about ten times better with column 1 than with column 2. The relative recovery and linearity with column 1 were approximately the same as those with column 2. These results show that the new ODS column packing with a particle size of 2 microns gives a higher sensitivity and shorter analysis time than the conventional ODS column packing.

Reevaluation of postoperative radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To reevaluate postoperative radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Reviewed were the outcome of 89 patients who underwent esophagectomy with systematic dissection of regional lymph nodes between 1988 and 1993. Of the 89 patients, 19 underwent no adjuvant treatment, 22 underwent adjuvant chemotherapy alone, and 48 underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Twelve of the 48 also underwent adjuvant chemotherapy.

RESULTS

All patients who experienced local-regional recurrence had lymph node metastases at the time of surgery. The actuarial local-regional control rate at 2-year of follow-up was 94% for patients with lymph node metastases at the time of surgery who underwent postoperative radiotherapy alone or plus chemotherapy, and 74% for those who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy alone. The local-regional control rate was significantly better for those who had undergone postoperative radiotherapy (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative radiotherapy still plays an important role as adjuvant treatment.

Lack of effect of hepatocyte growth factor on bone marrow suppression induced by total body irradiation in the rat

We examined the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the bone marrow suppression by irradiation, by analyzing peripheral blood counts 2 weeks after 7 Gy of total body irradiation in rats. The rats underwent two weeks of continuous intraperitoneal human recombinant HGF injection (50 mg/day) from one day before irradiation using an Alzet osmotic pump. Red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts did not increase with response to administration of HGF. Thus HGF does not show protection against myelosuppression caused by total body irradiation.

Phorbol ester enhancement of IL-3-dependent proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors of mice in culture

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a Ca++- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activated by diacylglycerol that is either released from cell membranes in response to certain growth factors or mimicked by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We studied the effects of TPA on interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent colony formation of mouse bone marrow cells from mice injected with 5-fluorouracil 2 days before examination in order to clarify the significance of PKC in the proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Although TPA alone did not support colony formation, TPA in combination with IL-3 increased colony numbers from 1.5 to 2 times that formed with IL-3 and vehicle. TPA increased not only the granulocyte/macrophage colonies, but also the multilineage colonies. A sequential colony count showed that TPA, unlike IL-6, did not hasten the appearance of colonies. Because TPA enhanced IL-3-dependent colony formation derived from lineage-negative marrow cells obtained from mice that received 5-FU 2 days before, it is possible that it might act directly on primitive progenitors. Prolonged pretreatment of marrow cells with TPA prevented TPA-augmented colony growth. Calphostin C, a specific PKC inhibitor, and certain specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as genistein and herbimycin A, abrogated the enhancing effects of TPA on IL-3-dependent colony formation. These data suggest that TPA had a direct effect on the primitive progenitors and enhanced IL-3-dependent colony formation via activation of PKC and certain tyrosine kinases.

Antibody response to E2/NS1 hepatitis C virus protein in patients with acute hepatitis C

Antibody response to the E2/NS1 protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 26 patients with post-transfusion acute hepatitis C. Second-generation HCV (HCV-2) antibody, E2/NS1 antibody and HCV-RNA were measured in serial serum samples taken within 1 month and 3, 6 and 12 months after the onset of acute hepatitis C. The HCV genotype was also tested to study its clinical significance. Of 26 patients, eight showed normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and clearance of HCV-RNA (resolved group). In the remaining 18 patients, HCV viraemia and ALT abnormality (except one patient) continued for more than 3 years (unresolved group). Both HCV-2 and E2/NS1 antibodies were positive at least once in all patients. The prevalence of E2/NS1 antibody was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the resolved group (88%) than in the unresolved group (39%) in the period within 1 month of onset; the prevalence was similar between the two groups thereafter. The prevalence of HCV-2 antibody did not differ between the two groups at any point. The HCV genotype was not related to the chronicity of acute hepatitis C. In conclusion, the E2/NS1 antibody appeared in all patients with acute hepatitis C and was associated with the clearance of HCV.

Contribution of ATP-sensitive potassium channels to hypoxic hyperpolarization in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

To investigate the mechanism of generation of the hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization (hypoxic hyperpolarization) in hippocampal CA1 neurons in rat tissue slices, recordings were made in current-clamp mode and single-electrode voltage-clamp mode. Superfusion with hypoxic medium produced a hyperpolarization and corresponding outward current, which were associated with an increase in membrane conductance. Reoxygenation produced a further hyperpolarization, with corresponding outward current, followed by a recovery to the preexposure level. The amplitude of the posthypoxic hyperpolarization was always greater than that of the hypoxic hyperpolarization. In single-electrode voltage-clamp mode, it was difficult to record reproducible outward currents in response to repeated hypoxic exposure with the use of electrodes with a high tip resistance. The current-clamp technique was therefore chosen to study the pharmacological characteristics of the hypoxic hyperpolarization. In 60-80% of hippocampal CA1 neurons, glibenclamide or tolbutamide (3-100 microM) reduced the amplitude of the hypoxic hyperpolarization in a concentration-dependent manner by up to approximately 70%. The glibenclamide or tolbutamide concentrations producing half-maximal inhibition of the hypoxic hyperpolarization were 6 and 12 microM, respectively. The chord conductance of the membrane potential between -80 and -90 mV in the absence of glibenclamide (30 microM) or tolbutamide (100 microM) was 2-3 times greater than that in the presence of glibenclamide or tolbutamide. In contrast, the reversal potential of the hypoxic hyperpolarization was approximately -83 mV in both the absence and presence of tolbutamide or glibenclamide. In approximately 40% of CA1 neurons, diazoxide (100 microM) or nicorandil (1 mM) mimicked the hypoxic hyperpolarization and pretreatment of these drugs occluded the hypoxic hyperpolarization. When ATP was injected into the impaled neuron, hypoxic exposure could not produce a hyperpolarization. The intracellular injection of the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate lithium salt reduced the amplitude of the hypoxic hyperpolarization. Furthermore, application of dinitrophenol (10 microM) mimicked the hypoxic hyperpolarization, and the dinitrophenol-induced hyperpolarization was inhibited by either pretreatment of tolbutamide or intracellular injection of ATP, indicating that the hypoxic hyperpolarization is highly dependent on intracellular ATP. It is therefore concluded that in the majority of hippocampal CA1 neurons, exposure to hypoxic conditions resulting in a reduction in the intracellular level of ATP leads to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels with concomitant hyperpolarization.

Mediation by intracellular calcium-dependent signals of hypoxic hyperpolarization in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

In response to oxygen deprivation, CA1 pyramidal neurons show a hyperpolarization (hypoxic hyperpolarization), which is associated with a reduction in neuronal input resistance. The role of extra- and intracellular Ca2+ ions in hypoxic hyperpolarization was investigated. The hypoxic hyperpolarization was significantly depressed by tolbutamide (100 microM); moreover, the response was reversed in its polarity in medium containing tolbutamide (100 microM), low Ca2+ (0.25 mM), and Co2+ (2 mM), suggesting that the hypoxic hyperpolarization is mediated by activation of both ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels. The hypoxic depolarization in medium containing tolbutamide, low Ca2+, and Co2+ is probably due to inhibition of the electrogenic Na(+)-K+ pump and concomitant accumulation of interstitial K+. Hypoxic hyperpolarizations were depressed in either low Ca2+ (0.25 or 1.25 mM) or high Ca2+ (5 or 7.5 mM) medium (control: 2.5 mM), indicating that there is an optimal extracellular Ca2+ concentration required to produce the hypoxic hyperpolarization. Bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA)-AM (50-100 microM), procaine (300 microM), or ryanodine (10 microM) significantly depressed the hypoxic hyperpolarization, suggesting that Ca2+ released from intracellular Ca+ stores may have an important role in the generation of hypoxic hyperpolarization. The high-affinity calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-amino-hexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonomide hydrochloride (W-7) (5 microM) completely blocked, whereas the low-affinity calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonomide hydrochloride (W-5) (50 microM) did not affect, the hypoxic hyperpolarization. The calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine (50 microM) also suppressed the hypoxic hyperpolarization. In addition, calcium/ calmodulin kinase II inhibitor 1-[N,O-bis (1,5-isoquinol-inesulfonyl)-N-methyl-L-tyrosyl]-4-phenyl-pip erazine (KN-62) (10 microM) markedly depressed the amplitude and net outward current of the hypoxic hyperpolarization without affecting the reversal potential. In contrast, neither the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexa-hydro-1,4-diazepin hydrochloride (ML-7) (10 microM) nor the protein kinase A inhibitor N-[2-(p-bromocinnamyl-amino) ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89) (1 microM) significantly altered the hypoxic hyperpolarization. These results suggest that calmodulin kinase II, which is activated by calmodulin, may contribute to the generation of the hypoxic hyperpolarization. In conclusion, the present study indicates that, in the majority of hippocampal CA1 neurons, the hypoxic hyperpolarization is due to activation of both KATP channels and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels.

[2 cases of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex occurred in middle-aged women without underlying disorders, which we observed for more than 30 years]

We reported 2 cases of Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease occurred in middle-aged women without underlying disorders, which we could observe for more than 30 years. One case was a 42-year-old woman started with bloody sputum, and the other was a 43-year-old woman with cough and sputum. In both cases, chest X ray films were normal on their first visit. More than 15 years after their first visit, Mycobacterium avium complex was isolated from their sputum or bronchial washing. During the observation, a cluster of small nodules in the periphery of the lung and bronchiectasis appeared and deteriorated, and excretion of the bacilli increased gradually. Their past history and family history were normal. Since lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex progresses very slowly, long-time observation would be necessary to consider its pathogenesis.

Analysis of serum hepatitis A virus antibody response in different courses of hepatitis A virus infection

Changes in the serum hepatitis A virus antibody (anti-HAV) response in patients with different clinical courses of HAV infection were examined using immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA). Anti-HAV was detected 2-6 weeks after the onset of clinical symptoms in patients with the typical course of acute hepatitis A and 1-4 weeks after the onset in those with fulminant hepatitis A. Maximal anti-HAV titers were observed 8-20 weeks after the onset of clinical symptoms, and changes in anti-HAV were similar in the typical and the prolonged course of acute hepatitis A, but maximal antibody titers were higher in the prolonged course. Maximal anti-HAV titers in patients with subclinical HAV infection were significantly lower than titers in patients with the typical and prolonged courses of acute hepatitis A, and in those with fulminant hepatitis A. High titers of anti-HAV remained positive for at least 6 years after infection in patients with clinical infection and for at least 4 years in patients with subclinical infection on follow-up. These findings suggest that the maximum anti-HAV titer correlates with the clinical severity of HAV infection; knowledge of the antibody response should be useful for analyzing the pathogenesis of HAV infection.

Gallbladder opacification 12-24 h after angiography by CT examination: a multivariate analysis

BACKGROUND

To examine the incidence and predisposing factors of gallbladder opacification in delayed computed tomography (CT) after angiography.

METHODS

CT examination 12-24 h after angiography was performed in 389 patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-three of 389 patients (60%) revealed gallbladder opacification. Type of contrast medium (P < 0. 01), total bilirubin (P < 0.01), and serum creatinine (P < 0.01) were significant and independent factors relating to gallbladder opacification. Ioxaglate (70%, relative odds = 2.86) and iohexol (63%, relative odds = 2.03) showed higher gallbladder opacification rates than that of iopamidol (45%, relative odds = 1.43) and diatrizoate (30%). Patients with a lower serum bilirubin level (relative odds = 1.67) and a raised serum creatinine level (relative odds = 2.01) showed higher incidence of gallbladder opacification.

CONCLUSION

Gallbladder opacification after angiography is not an abnormal finding on delayed CT in patients with not only abnormal renal function but also normal hepatobiliary and normal renal function, especially for modern contrast media.

Effect of hepatitis G virus infection on chronic hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the effect of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on chronic hepatitis C.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital in Matsumoto, Japan.

PATIENTS

189 randomly selected patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C, including 101 patients receiving interferon-alpha.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum levels of HGV RNA were measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinical features, including liver histologic findings, hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers, and response of HCV to interferon-alpha were compared between HGV RNA-positive and HGV RNA-negative patients.

RESULTS

21 of 189 (11%) patients with chronic hepatitis C were positive for HGV RNA. On average, patients with HGV RNA were younger than those without HGV RNA (mean age +/- SD, 46.6 +/- 13.0 years and 51.7 +/- 10.7 years, respectively); other demographic and clinical features were similar. The HCV genotype and HCV RNA level were distributed similarly between patients with and those without HGV infection. Ten of 101 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received interferon-alpha were positive for HGV RNA. The rate of sustained HCV response to interferon-alpha in patients with HGV infection (30%) was similar to that in patients without HGV infection (36%). The HGV RNA level decreased during therapy in all 9 patients in whom this value was measured. However, only 2 of these patients had a sustained HGV response after discontinuation of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who only had HCV infection did not differ from patients with HCV and HGV co-infection in clinical presentation, HCV RNA level, or response of HCV to interferon-alpha therapy. Thus, HGV infection had no apparent influence on the clinical or virologic course of HCV infection. Hepatitis G virus was uniformly sensitive to interferon-alpha therapy, but only a few patients had a sustained virologic response.

Stress distribution in the temporomandibular joint produced by orthopedic chincup forces applied in varying directions: a three-dimensional analytic approach with the finite element method

Stress distribution in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during chincup therapy was investigated by means of a three-dimensional finite element model of the mandible, including the TMJ. An orthopedic chincup force of 400 gf (3.92 N) was applied at the pogonion of the mandible in the directions ranging from -50 degrees to 40 degrees, relative to the line connecting the pogonion and condyle. Compressive stresses, widely distributed on the condyle and glenoid fossa and in the articular disk, were larger in the posterior area than in the anterior and middle regions, when the force direction was from -50 degrees to 0 degree, whereas the forces applied in the remaining directions produced relatively uniform stress distributions. An interesting finding was that tensile stresses were induced in the anterior region of the articular disk, irrespective of force direction, although the remaining areas experienced compressive stresses. It is shown that changes in stresses in the TMJ are highly pertinent to the direction of chincup forces. When the directional angle was around -50 degrees, the variation in stresses in the TMJ was greatest. As the angle was changed to 30 degrees or 40 degrees, the stresses approached a certain level of compressive stress, which indicated the force direction as an optimal application of orothopedic chincup force in terms of biomechanically balanced stress distribution for the TMJ components.

Budd-Chiari syndrome caused by hepatic vein thrombosis in a patient with myeloproliferative disorder

We report a 24-year-old Japanese female hospitalized with jaundice and ascites. She exhibited hepatosplenomegaly, severe liver dysfunction, and slight polycythemia with an increase in serum levels of beta-thromboglobin and platelet factor 4. Bone marrow was hypercellular with an increase in progenitor cells. The aggregation response of platelets to ADP and to collagen was markedly increased. Venography revealed narrowed hepatic veins with "spider web' sign. Liver biopsy revealed hepatic congestion. Budd-Chiari syndrome was diagnosed, and was thought to be due to thrombosis related to myeloproliferative disorder. Liver transplant was successful in relieving symptoms.

Trimethadione as a probe drug to estimate hepatic oxidizing capacity in humans

Trimethadione (TMO) has the properties required of probe drugs for the evaluation of hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in humans in vivo. TMO is demethylated to dimethadione (DMO), its only metabolite, in the liver after oral administration. Involvement of two cytochrome P450's--CYP2C9 and 3A4--in TMO metabolism has been seen in humans, but involvement of 1A2 is not clearly established. In humans with various types of liver disease and hepatectomy, the serum DMO/TMO ratios, which were measured on blood samples obtained by a single collection 4 hr after oral administration of TMO, correlated well with the degree of hepatic damage. This finding suggests that TMO may be used as a probe drug in the rapid determination of the functional reserve mass of the liver as well as hepatic drug-oxidizing capacity in humans in vivo.

Hopelessness in a community population in Japan

The Japanese version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale was administered to a total of 154 community residents. The internal consistency (KR-20) was .86. The mean BHS score was 8.6 (SD = 3.9), approximately one standard deviation higher than the reported mean for an Irish general population. The BHS scores were found to be significantly correlated with the age and the number of people living together. Significant negative correlations were found with subjective physical fitness, self-confidence, satisfaction with accommodation and marital state, and adjustment in the work place. The mean BHS score was significantly higher among those individuals who had experienced early maternal or paternal death than those who had not.

Prevalence and disease association of hepatitis G virus infection in Japan

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction procedure (RT-PCR) for the detection of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA was used to examine the prevalence of HGV infection and HGV-related disease in Japan. Among 48 patients with acute non-A, B, C, D, E (non-A-E) hepatitis (five transfusion-associated cases and 43 sporadic cases), only one patient (2%), a transfusion recipient, was HGV RNA positive. Similarly, among 50 patients with established chronic non-A-E hepatitis, only two (4%) were positive for HGV RNA. These frequencies were not significantly different from those in 129 voluntary blood donors (0.8%). By contrast, HGV infection was relatively common among patients who were also infected with other hepatitis viruses. HGV co-infection or superinfection was found in seven of 53 (13%) patients with acute hepatitis C, in 15 of 126 (12%) patients with chronic hepatitis C, in three of 21 (14%) patients with acute hepatitis B and in four of 81 (5%) patients with chronic hepatitis B. Among the 29 dually infected patients, 15 (52%) had a history of blood transfusion. HGV was also detected in seven (10%) of 69 haemodialysis patients, of whom only one had a dual infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and an elevated aminotransferase level.

IN CONCLUSION

HGV RNA was found in only a low percentage of patients with either acute or chronic non-A-E hepatitis: HGV appears to co-infect or superinfect in 10-15% of HCV infections and in 5-15% of HBV infections; the prevalence of HGV infection (0.8%) among voluntary blood donors in Japan is similar to that for HCV infection; a history of blood transfusion was obtained in 22 (55%) of the total 40 HGV-positive subjects; and isolated HGV infection appears to have a low disease burden.

Small-vessel radiography in situ with monochromatic synchrotron radiation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of a radiographic system with monochromatic synchrotron radiation to depict small vessels and peripheral secretory ducts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radiography of various organs was tested in 14 anesthetized dogs and pancreatography was performed in an excised human pancreas by using the following system: monochromatic synchrotron radiation with an energy level just above the k absorption edge of iodine as an x-ray source and a high-definition TV system with a high-light-sensitivity image pick-up tube camera coupled with a fluorescent screen as a detector.

RESULTS

This system allowed depiction of small vessels (diameter < 50-100 microns) of the heart (penetrating transmural artery), brain (perforating arteries that arise directly in the circle of Willis), and intestinal organs (vasa recta and their submucosal communications) and of small branches (down to the fifth order) of the pancreatic duct.

CONCLUSION

The synchrotron radiation system may be useful for evaluating microcirculatory disorders and early-stage malignant tumors in various human organs.