Responses to the postural change and orthostatic dysregulation symptoms: a population study on Japanese junior and senior high school students

Unselected 580 male and 779 female junior and senior high school students were subjected to the tilting test and informations on 11 autonomic dysregulation symptoms and complaints were taken by interviews. Results of the analyses of the data are summarized as follows: 1) Number of symptoms and complaints possessed by each individual distributes continuously but nonrandomly among testees; that is, individuals having no symptom and those having 5 or more symptoms are significantly more numerous than those expected from random distribution, indicating accumulation of the symptoms into some individuals. 2) Some specific symptoms tend to coincide with each other. 3) Principal component analyses disclosed that the first principal component can explain only 16-20% of the observed variation in the presence or absence of symptoms and complaints, suggesting that numerous factors are responsible for the occurrence of the symptoms. 4) Measurements of the blood pressures and the pulse rate, and their responses to the postural change show continuous, normal distributions, and significantly correlate to each other. 5) The responses to the tilting test are increased with the increase of number of symptoms and complaints possessed by the testees.

Potentiation by collagen or epinephrine of platelet responsiveness to aggregation. The possible role of substance(s) released from platelet membranes

When human platelets in plasma were exposed to a small amount (nonaggregating concentration) of collagen, epinephrine, or arachidonic acid, their responsiveness to aggregating agents was potentiated and they were aggregated by a subsequent addition of nonaggregating concentrations of the stimulants. Otherwise the nonaggregating concentrations of the stimulants were incapable of inducing platelet aggregation. The potentiation of platelet responsiveness to aggregating agents was also caused by collagen- or epinephrine-treated platelet membranes. Furthermore, the soluble fraction of collagen- or epinephrine-treated membranes contained some material responsible for platelet potentiation, indicating that the responsible material was released from platelet membranes by collagen or epinephrine. It is suggested that the material may be arachidonic acid or its derivatives related to prostaglandins, since the soluble fraction of collagen- or epinephrine-treated membranes contained a larger amount of the precursor(s) of prostaglandin Falpha than the untreated membranes.

Studies on gonococcal infection. I. Electron microscopic studies on phagocytosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by macrophages

Macrophages from mice were infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae type 1 cells, and their ultrastructure was studied by electron microscopy. The macrophages showed various stages of engulfment and digestion of gonococci 2 hr after infection. Infected macrophages seemed to develop pseudopodia for phagocytosis, and could engulf more than 30 gonococcal cells. Some engulfed bacteria appeared morphologically intact, while others appeared lysed and some structures resembling the L form of N. gonorrhoeae were also seen. These observations suggest that gonococcal cells may be able to survive intracellularly with normal or altered forms of morphology, and that macrophages containing these bacteria may disseminate gonococcal infection in man.

A macromolecule-free partially defined medium for Trypanosoma cruzi

A macromolecule-free medium, containing in its defined part 3 salts, glucose, hemin, 21 amino acids, 3 lipids, and some undefined components obtained by dialysis of liver infusion, was developed for serial cultivation of Trypanosoma cruzi at 28 C. The medium allows prolonged cultivation of T. cruzi by serial transfers and growth comparable to that obtained in more complex media, including those containing blood serum.

Experimental concussion. Ultrastructural and biochemical correlates

Ultrastructural and biochemical alterations were studied in the brainstem reticular formation of animals in which transient coma had been induced by controlled blows to the head. After a period of 7-10 days, animals that did not show obvious injury were artificially respired and sacrificed by perfusion with buffered formalin and glutaraldehyde. Histochemistry and light microscopy revealed chromatolysis of 10-15% of the neurons of pertinent segments of the nucleus giganto cellularis. There was much PAS-positive, diastase-sensitive material in the associated neuropil. Electron miscroscopy of the region confirmed the polysaccharide accumulation in dendrites, presynaptic boutons and preterminal axons. Similar material was found in some astrocytes. A longitudinal microchemical investigation with suitable controls of glycogen concentration in the brainstem demonstrated peak values at 5-7 days after concussion. No significant change in phosphorylase activity was demonstrated. The significance of glycogen accumulation in postconcussive injury and possible mechanisms for its accumulation in relation to changes in electrolyte balance and alterations in Kreb's cycle intermediates are discussed.