Vaginal and uterine microflora of adult dogs

Aerobic and anaerobic microflora were identified and quantitated in 82 vaginal and 78 uterine samples obtained from mature bitches during different stages of the estrous cycle. The mean +/- SD of total bacterial counts/100 mg of vaginal contents of the 82 bitches was log 5.0 +/- 1.5, ranging from log 2.4 to log 8.8. The count at the estrous stage (log 7.8 +/- 0.7) was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than that at the anestrus (log 4.4 +/- 1.0), pregnancy (log 5.9 +/- 1.3), and postpartum (log 5.1 +/- 1.5) stages. The common organisms isolated from the vaginas were Bacteroidaceae, streptococci, Pasteurella spp, and mycoplasmas. Organisms were isolated from 48 (68%) of 78 uterine samples. The range of total counts/100 mg of uterine contents was from log 1.6 to log 8.3. Staphylococci and mycoplasmas were frequently isolated from the uterine contents. Although many uterine microfloras were similar to vaginal microfloras, some uterine culture had a single isolate identified. There were no pathologic findings in most of the uteri. Seemingly, vaginal bacteria frequently flow into the uterus, yet they rarely cause uterine infection.

[Efficacy of paromomycin sulfate against human cestodiasis and its pharmacological action on tapeworm in vitro]

Recently, it has been reported that paromomycin sulfate has marked anthelmintic efficacy against tapeworm infections in man. In the present study this drug was used in the treatment of 14 cases of diphyllobothriasis latum and 1 case of taeniasis saginata. Also, the actions of paromomycin sulfate on Diphyllobothrium ditremum and D. erinacei were examined pharmacologically using Magnus apparatus and biochemical methods. The results obtained were as follows. For the treatment, a total of 50 mg/kg of paromomycin sulfate divided into 2 doses was given orally at intervals of 30 minutes. Two hours after medication, 20 g of magnesium sulfate dissolved in 200--300 ml of water was given as purgative. One or 2 worms were found in the stools of 11 cases with D. latum and 1 case with T. saginata within 24 hours after medication, but scolex was found in only 2 of them. All cases were negative for the eggs or segments in stool examinations at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Except 1 case complained mild and transient vomiting no side effects were noticed. All cases showed no abnormality in blood examination, liver function test and urinalysis. Both of the proglottids of D. ditremum and D. erinacei showed muscle relaxation in Tyrode solution containing 10(-4) g/ml of paromomycin sulfate. In D. ditremum the recovery of muscle tonus was observed within 10--15 minutes after affection of this drug, while the persistence of muscle relaxation was seen in D. erinacei. The activity of phosphoglucose isomerase was slightly inhibited by 10(-3) M paromomycin sulfate while those of hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were not inhibited. In phosphoenolpyruvate-succinate pathway, the activity of fumarate reductase was slightly inhibited 10(-3) M paromomycin sulfate while those of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and malate dehydrogenase were not inhibited.

[A case of nodular calcification of the ligamentum flavum with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine]

A 72-year-old male noted weakness in the right lower extremity in August 1979, and clumsiness of the finger movement in the right hand in April 1980. In June 1980, he became tetraplegic and was unable to stand or walk. He also developed hypesthesia in the four extremities and difficulty in voiding. On admission to this hospital (July 12, 1980), neurological examination showed spastic tetraparesis, more pronounced on the right side. Deep tendon reflexes were markedly increased in the four extremities. Chaddock reflex in the right lower extremity and Trömner reflex in the both upper extremities were elicited. Hypesthesia below the level of C4 was present with anesthesia in the Th9-11 region. Plain film and tomogram of the cervical spine showed ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament from C3 to C6 and a lobulated nodular calcification in the posterior part of the spinal canal at the level of C4,5 intervertebral space. CT scan revealed nodular calcifications in the ligamentum flavum not only at the level of C4 but also at the level of C6. Laminectomy from C3 to C6 was performed on August 21. The ligamentum flavum with nodular calcifications was removed. His postoperative course was uneventful. Seven weeks postoperatively the patient was able to walk without assistance and had no difficulty in voiding. He was discharged on October 14 with excellent activities of daily life. The content of the nodular calcification was identified as a kind of calcium phosphate by the physico-chemical analysis. Ossification and/or calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine is rare, while ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is frequently encountered in the cervical spine. Only two cases with nodular calcification of ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine have been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the nodular calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Two dimensional analysis by CT scan was very useful in locating the lesion and deciding the operative procedure.

[Clinical evaluation of tissue concentrations of cefotiam applied in the field of thoracic surgery]

Seven patients who were performed thoracotomy for the disease of the chest, were administered cefotiam dihydrochloride 2.0 g for about an hour by intravenous drip infusion during their operation. Antibiotic levels of serum and intrathoracic tissues (a piece of lung parenchyma, parietal pleura, pulmonary hilar lymph node, chest wall muscle, pulmonary cyst and nerve) were determined, and an evaluation of bactericidal effect was discussed. In this study, we found that antibiotic level of poor blood supplied lung, so called the destroyed lung was remarkably high. This means that a high concentration of cefotiam dihydrochloride to intrathoracic tissue is effective against postoperative infection.

[Studies on the prostaglandin E2 receptor in human corpora lutea (author's transl)]

It is known that Prostaglandins (PGs) have a specific effect on the corpus luteum function. In this paper we have studied the physical and chemical characteristics of PGE2 receptor in human corpora lutea to explain the mechanism on corpus luteum function. The presence of PGs binding sites in corpora lutea has been reported, but hardly any papers are available on the presence of PGE2 binding sites in human corpora lutea. The present study was undertaken to determine, using the proportion graph method, whether PGE2 receptors are present in human corpora lutea or not. The number of binding sites and association constant of PGE2 receptor to human corpora lutea of the luteal phase of the cycle and gestation were examined. There is evidence (1) that PGE2 receptors were present in human corpora lutea, and the binding sites have one specific and one non-specific binding system. (2) That the number of binding sites in early, mid and late luteal phase corpora lutea were respectively 105-157, 190-196, 162-190 f moles/mg protein. Association constants were 2.0-12.0 x 10(11) M-1. (3) That the number of binding sites of 6th week gestation corpora lutea were 98-100 f moles/mg protein, and those of 12th week gestation were 40-85 f moles/mg protein. Association constants of the gestation corpora lutea were 17.0-20.0 x 10(11) M-1.

In vitro cultivation of Metastrongylus apri

The 3rd stage larvae of Metastrongylus apri were successfully cultured in vitro to the nearly maturity adult worms which possessed the sperm and immature eggs, though the worms were smaller in size than those grown in vivo. The most excellent medium for the development was relatively simple and consisted of chemically defined NCTC 109 supplemented with 20% calf serum, penicillin (200 unit/ml) and streptomycin (100 micrograms/ml). Standing culture with a larval concentration of 100 to 200 worms per tube containing 2 ml medium and wih a gas phase of 5% CO2 in air at 37 to 28 degrees c was found to be sufficient twice a week using aseptic techniques. Under these conditions a relatively uniform development was obtained, attaining 85 +/- 6.7% of larvae to the 5th stage.

The use of prostaglandin E1 analogue pessaries in patients having first trimester induced abortions

A new prostaglandin analogue, 16,16-dimethyl=trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester (16 me E1) was used for preoperative cervical dilatation in 23 pregnant women who had abortion induced for socio-economical reasons in the first trimester of pregnancy. A single vaginal pessary containing 1 mg 16 me E1 was inserted into the posterior fornix at 3-hour intervals. Thirteen (56.5 per cent) of the 23 patients had complete abortions and two patients (8.7 percent) had incomplete abortions. In six patients (26.1 per cent) the cervix was dilated to at least 10 mm and the remaining two patients (8.7 per cent) required mechanical dilatation at the time of vacuum evacuation. Apart from mild gastrointestinal symptoms, no serious side effects were noted. It is concluded that the new prostaglandin analogue, 16 me E1, could be used safely and effectively for preoperative dilatation of the cervix before surgical abortion in early pregnancy.

ATP-driven tubule extrusion from axonemes without outer dynein arms of sea-urchin sperm flagella

We have prepared axonemes without outer dynein arms from sea-urchin (Pseudocentrotus depressus, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) sperm flagella by selective solubilization with NaCl. Electron microscopy revealed that the axonemes gradually lost their outer arms in 0.5 M NaCl during 10 min. Such axonemes retained 42.8 +/− 7.3% of their total axonemal ATPase activity and showed C, A, D and B bands in the dynein region of 4% SDS-gel, while a solubilized fraction of the outer arms consisted almost entirely of A band polypeptide. We have succeeded in causing extrusion of the outer doublets from such axonemes by addition of ATP and trypsin. A bundle of outer doublets was sometimes observed to be extruded first from an axoneme and to show bending motion for a while, subsequently followed by a sliding of separate doublets past each other. The speed of the tubule extrusion process was slower and around 60% of that of intact axonemes having both types of arm. These observations indicate that the inner arms have a function equivalent to that of the outer arms, of sliding on adjacent doublets, although the inner arms seem to be constituted from polypeptide(s) different from that of the outer arms.

Trophoblastic disease: analysis of 342 patients

The registry for trophoblastic disease in Wakayama, Japan was formed and 342 cases were analyzed. The total number of trophoblastic disease was 342 during 6 years (1972-1977). The number of hydatidiform moles, invasive moles, choriocarcinoma and transitional moles was 278 (81.3%), 28 (8.2%), 18 (5.3%) and 12 (3.5%), respectively. The greatest number of hydatidiform moles occurred in the range 25-29 years inclusive. The percentage of patients with hydatidiform moles over 45 years of age was significantly high. The incidence of malignant complications (invasive moles and choriocarcinoma) of hydatidiform moles was 16.5% in 284 molar pregnancies. The frequency of malignant complications was remarkably high in women over 40 years of age. Thus the epidemiologic study of trophoblastic disease might turn up some important data and the importance should be emphasized.

Electrocardiographic Manifestations in Patients with Uterine Myoma

Electrocardiographic manifestations in 114 patients with uterine myoma were investigated. Classification of electrocardiograhic patterns was based on the Minnesota Code. No reportable electrocardiogram items were recorded in 24 patients (21.2% of the 114 myoma patients. High-amplitude R waves were found in 23 patients (20.4%), depressed ST segments were recorded in 28 patients (24.8%), and abnormal T waves, such as flat or negative T, were noted in 14 patients (12.4%) of the 114 patients with myoma. Some of these items are explainable by anemia due to excessive uterine hemorrhage in myoma patients. However, it could be concluded that all of these electrocardiographic changes are characteristic of anemic patients. Further studies on cardiovascular disturbances in myoma patients will be needed.

Eosinophilic meningitis: a suspected case of angiostrongylosis found in Shizuoka Prefecture, Honshu, Japan

A patient with eosinophilic meningitis in Shizuoka Prefecture, Honshu, Japan had nausea, vomiting and headache on admission; laboratory examinations revealed leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Eight days later neck stiffness appeared. Lumbar puncture showed an increase of the initial pressure in association with eosinophilic pleocytosis in the spinal fluid. The possibility of angiostrongylosis was considered because the patient had eaten raw slugs for 4 years as a remedy for lumbago. Although the serum contained cross-reactive antibodies against Toxocara canis, positive reactions to Angiostrongylus cantonensis antigens were observed in all of the immunological tests made. These observations, together with results of epidemiological studies in Honshu carried out by other investigators, suggest that the present case of eosinophilic meningitis may have been caused by A. cantonensis. One previous case has been reported from Honshu Island, Japan.

Conversion of schistosome cercariae to schistosomula in serum-supplemented media, and subsequent culture in vitro

Both Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni cercariae, axenized by washing in NCTC 109, transformed to schistosomula when incubated directed in NCTC 109 containing 2--50% human or 50% rabbit serum at 37 degrees C. The resultant schistosomula were grown in vitro to adults which mated, although the females did not produce eggs. The cercaria-schistosomulum transformation took place at a slower rate in heat inactivated serum than in unheated serum.

Growth in vitro of Parvatrema timondavidi Bartoli 1963 (Trematoda: Gymnophallidae) from the metacercarial stage to egg production

Metacercariae of Parvatrema timondavidi were successfully cultivated in vitro to adults which produced eggs capable of embryonation and miracidial formation. The worms were grown in NCTC 109 supplemented with 20% inactivated bovine or chicken serum with a gas phase of 8% CO2 in air at 37 or 41°C. The use of the roller tube technique produced considerable promotion of growth in the worms. Heat inactivated bovine serum had a more salutary effect than unheated serum.