Operative approach to the frontal skull base: extensive transbasal approach

An operative technique called the extensive transbasal approach is reported with the operative results of 11 cases. This is an operative mode in which en bloc osteotomy of the orbital roofs and frontal sinus is performed after ordinary bifrontal craniotomy. Through this approach, a far wider operative space than that afforded by conventional operative techniques is possible, and reconstruction of the frontal base can be made securely. We consider this approach of major clinical value.

Effects of muscarinic antagonists on experimental nasal secretion in guinea pigs

The effects of muscarinic antagonists on acetylcholine (ACh)- and histamine-induced nasal secretion were investigated in guinea pigs. Inhalations of flutropium (0.01 to 0.3%) and atropine (0.03 to 0.3%) into the nasal cavities dose-dependently inhibited the nasal secretion induced by ACh. The inhibitory action of flutropium was slightly stronger than that of atropine. Inhalations of pirenzepine (0.3%) and gallamine (0.3%) had no effect on the ACh-induced nasal secretion. However, 4-DAMP dose-dependently inhibited the nasal secretion induced by ACh. Inhalations of flutropium (0.3%) and diphenhydramine (0.3%) showed a similar inhibitory action on the histamine-induced nasal secretion. These results suggest that 1) inhalation into the nasal cavities of flutropium was effective in experimental model of ACh- and histamine-induced nasal secretion, 2) M3-cholinergic receptors may be dominant in the nasal secretion induced by ACh and 3) the experimental model of drug-induced nasal secretion in guinea pigs used in the present study can be employed to develop therapeutic drugs for nasal secretion.

[Clinical analysis of myasthenia gravis accompanied by invasive thymoma]

Over the last 20 years, 6 patients with myasthenia gravis and invasive thymoma have been seen in our Department. These patients underwent non-total excision cases. This represents 2.5 percent of 242 myasthenia gravis patients in our series. We can see 17 such patients in the literature in Japan including our cases. The age ranged 20 to 77 years and the ratio of male to female was 10:7. Post-operative therapeutic methods for invasive thymoma included irradiation, steroid therapy and combination chemotherapy. Every method showed good therapeutic results, but steroid therapy and chemotherapy showed especially good therapeutic effects in the early stage of the disease. Though these therapeutic effects were better than those obtained in other malignant tumors, thymomas tended to reappear within several years, when tumors showed no response to any therapeutic method. It is well known that steroid therapy reduces the level of antiacetylcholine receptor antibody, whereas chemotherapy also reduces antiacetylcholine receptor antibody. Over all 5-year survival rate was 53%, and the 10-year survival rate was 29%. Three out of 6 cases of death were due to myasthenic crisis (50%) and 2 out of 6 cases were due to invasive tumor itself (38%). These results suggested that total excision of the thymoma, if possible, and for the remaining tumor, high doses of adrenocorticosteroids and combination chemotherapy seem to be treatments of choice.

Experimental studies on the mechanism of reversible pressor response in pulmonary microembolism in the dog

In the present study, we examined the difference in hemodynamic responses between groups of canine lung lobes which received latex particles of different sizes (50 microns and 300 microns in diameter). We also assayed prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 in the effluent blood of the lobes. Reversible pressor response was clear in embolization by 50 micron particles whereas it was not in that by 300 microns. No difference in PGI2 between two embolizations was seen. We conclude that a local contractile mechanism exists in the pulmonary arterial wall of about 50 microns in diameter whereas participation of the same mechanism is minimal in 300 microns, and that this difference cannot be explained from the change in PGI2.

Effects of flutropium on experimental models of drug- and allergy-induced rhinitis in guinea pigs

The effects of flutropium on histamine (Hist)-induced increase in intranasal pressure in non-sensitized guinea pigs and nasal mucosa capillary permeability in passively sensitized guinea pigs were investigated. Flutropium (0.3%), atropine (0.3%), diphenhydramine (0.01%) and cimetidine (0.1%) were directly inhaled into the nasal cavities by an ultrasonic nebulizer for 20 min, followed by inhalation of Hist (0.1%) for 10 min. Flutropium, atropine and diphenhydramine had an inhibitory action on the Hist-induced increase in intranasal pressure in guinea pigs. Cimetidine had no effect on this system. In passively sensitized guinea pigs (the challenge was performed 48 hr after sensitization), a 0.1-1.0 mg/kg injection of flutropium (i.v.) dose-dependently inhibited the allergic nasal mucosa capillary permeability. Atropine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) had no inhibitory action on this system. These results suggest that inhalation into the nasal cavities and i.v. injection of flutropium are effective in experimental models of drug- and allergy-induced rhinitis of the guinea pig.

Effect of cigarette smoking on the levels of platelet-activating factor-like lipid(s) in plasma lipoproteins

The effect of cigarette smoking on the levels of platelet-activating factor-like lipid(s) (PAF-LL) in plasma lipoproteins was studied. The subjects were 10 healthy male non-smokers (24 +/- 1.4 years old) and 13 healthy male habitual smokers (23 +/- 1.3 years old). Fasting venous blood was obtained and basal levels of PAF-LL in plasma lipoproteins were estimated. The acute effect of cigarette smoking was also studied in smokers. Plasma lipoproteins were separated by ultracentrifugation. Lipids were extracted and separated by thin-layer chromatography. The fraction with the same migration as authentic PAF was recovered and was shown to cause aggregation of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This activity was identified as PAF-LL because it was inactivated by phospholipase A2 and was blocked by CV-3988, an antagonist of the PAF receptor. PAF-LL was detected in LDL and HDL, but not in VLDL or in lipoprotein-deficient plasma. The levels of PAF-LL in LDL in non-smokers, and in smokers before and after smoking were 13 +/- 7.5, 16 +/- 14.9 and 190 +/- 179.0 pg/ml, and those in HDL were 12 +/- 5.2, 40 +/- 40.0 and 235 +/- 205.1 pg/ml, respectively. The values in both LDL and HDL in smokers increased significantly after smoking (P less than 0.05). After 30 min, the levels had returned almost to the pre-smoking levels. We conclude that cigarette smoking induces an increase in the levels of PAF or closely related lipid(s) in LDL and HDL, which may be related to smoking-induced atherosclerosis.

Cloning and sequencing of the gene cluster encoding two subunits of membrane-bound alcohol dehydrogenase from Acetobacter polyoxogenes

The membrane-bound alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Acetobacter polyoxogenes NBI1028 is composed of a 72 kDa subunit and a 44 kDa cytochrome c subunit. The amino acid sequences of the two regions of the 72 kDa subunit were determined to prepare oligonucleotides for the purpose of amplification of a DNA fragment corresponding to the intermediate region by the polymerase chain reaction. A 0.5 kb DNA fragment thus amplified was used as the probe to clone a 7.0 kb PstI fragment coding for the whole 72 kDa subunit. Nucleotide sequencing and immunoblot analysis revealed that the cloned fragment contained the full structural genes for the 72 kDa and the 44 kDa subunits and they were clustered with the same transcription polarity. The predicted amino acid sequence of the gene for the 72 kDa subunit showed homology with that of the 72 kDa subunit from ADH of A. aceti and those of methanol dehydrogenase from methylotrophic bacteria. The 72 and 44 kDa subunits contained one and three typical haem binding sequences, respectively.

Intermittent long-term adrenocorticosteroid treatment of myasthenia gravis

It is widely accepted that a long-term, alternate-day administration of adrenal corticosteroids after thymectomy is one of the most effective treatments of myasthenia gravis. However, some patients with myasthenia gravis show a tendency to develop steroid dependency, and require extremely prolonged administration of fairly high doses of steroids. Various types of adverse reactions to steroids are likely to occur in such cases. To avoid this, intermittent, single-dose administration of steroids was performed on a trial basis in the present study. Prednisolone, in doses of 50-100 mg, was given once every 3-7 days in three steroid-dependent myasthenic patients, in one case for up to 6 years. The effects of the intermittent treatment were as good as, and adverse effects less frequently found than in single-dose, alternate-day administration.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) stimulates the production of PAF acetylhydrolase by the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2

The human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, secreted an activity that degrades platelet-activating factor (PAF) by the hydrolysis of the sn-2 acetyl group. This activity was Ca++ independent, inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate but not by p-bromophenacyl bromide, and resistant to treatment with trypsin or pronase. Separation of HepG2-conditioned medium by gel filtration disclosed that the activity was associated with lipoproteins. An antiserum against PAF acetylhydrolase immunoprecipitated this activity. It was not recognized by an antibody against lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which also is secreted by HepG2 cells. Therefore the phospholipase A2 activity of LCAT was excluded as a source of the observed activity. PAF added to the culture medium stimulated the secretion of the PAF-degrading activity by HepG2 cells, while lyso-PAF was inactive. Maximal stimulation was observed with 5 ng/ml PAF, which induced a fivefold increase. The presence of 5 ng/ml PAF, enhanced the secretion of [35S]methionine-labeled PAF acetylhydrolase and cycloheximide inhibited both the basal and PAF-stimulated secretion of the labeled enzyme. We conclude that HepG2 cells produce PAF acetylhydrolase. The liver may be a major source of plasma PAF acetylhydrolase, and PAF may induce the production of its inactivating enzyme by the liver.

Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia due to naproxen

An increasing number of drugs have been implicated in the etiology of eosinophilic pneumonia characterized by the development of pulmonary infiltrates, and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Naproxen is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which may be added to the growing list of pharmacologic agents associated with infiltrative pulmonary lesions. A case of eosinophilic pneumonia induced by Naproxen is described. The results of TBLB, a lymphocyte stimulation test, and a challenge test supported this diagnosis.

[Evaluation of myocardial blood flow and cardiac functional change in acromegaly]

We studied 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy and 99mTc-HSA gated blood pool scan to evaluate the influence of growth hormone on myocardial blood flow and hemodynamics in 16 patients with acromegalies. Contraction properties were almost within normal limit, but cardiac output was in high output state, because left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and cardiac output were 47.8 +/- 17.1%, 37.3 +/- 14.9%, and 6.4 +/- 1.7 L/min, respectively. Otherwise, 201Tl myocardial images revealed 62.5% no redistributed hypoperfusion, 18.8% redistributed hypoperfusion, 56.3% myocardial hypertrophy and 25.0% left ventricular enlargement. These data suggested the high incidence of acromegalic cardiomyopathy due to primary or secondary growth hormone effect.

[Survey of radiocesium in domestic mushrooms on the market]

Domestic mushrooms on the market were tested for concentration of radiocesium; cesium-134 and 137 by gamma-ray spectrometer. Cesium-137 was detected in most samples of dried and raw shiitake (Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.). The concentrations were from 6.7 to 73.9 Bq/kg in dried ones and from 1.3 to 6.4 Bq/kg in raw ones. It was not detected in enokitake (Flammulina veltipes (Fr.) Sing.) and shimeji (Lyophyllum aggregatum (Secr.) Kühner and Pleurotus ostreatus (Fr.) Quél.). Cesium-134 was not found in all samples.

Cell types differing in thick myofilament diameter in obliquely striated muscle of a polychaete annelid, Neanthes

The fine structure of the obliquely striated muscle cells of the longitudinal muscle of an annelid was investigated. The characteristics of myofilaments and cell components, such as sarcoplasmic reticular system (S.R.), T-systems and J-rods corresponded to those previously reported, but it was noted for the first time that the cells could be classified into two types with respect to the diameters of their thick myofilaments. In one type, the thick myofilaments were about 29 nm in diameter (A-type) and in the other they were about 41 nm in diameter (B-type). Most of the obliquely striated muscles described to date have been composed of a single type of cell, but we found two types of cell mixed together in the longitudinal muscle. The A-type cells with slender thick myofilaments were distributed mainly in the inner part of the muscle and the B-type cells with broader thick myofilaments were distributed in the outer part.

Isolation and characterization of recombinant human prorenin in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Recombinant human prorenin (rh-prorenin) was purified from supernatants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line transfected with the cDNA for rh-prorenin by employing a simple two-step procedure which consisted of ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody specific for the profragment of human prorenin. About 100-fold purification with 35% recovery was achieved after the two steps. Purified rh-prorenin migrated as a single protein band with apparent molecular weights of 46,000-47,000 and about 50,000 on SDS-PAGE and gel filtration (HPLC), respectively, although it consisted of multiple components (pI values, 5.6-6.4) that could be resolved by isoelectric focusing (IEF). The treatment of rh-prorenin with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase converted the rather broad protein band to a sharp band on SDS-PAGE and reduced the number of multiple pI peaks on IEF. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of both the purified rh-prorenin and rh-renin revealed Leu-Pro-Thr-Asp- and Leu-Thr-Leu-Gly-, respectively, which agreed with those predicted from the base sequences of their cDNA. These data suggested that microheterogeneity of rh-prorenin is due to the carbohydrate moiety, but not to the protein moiety. Purified rh-prorenin was almost inactive, but was cleaved at the carboxyl end of a dibasic pair Lys-2-Arg-1 by trypsin and converted to active renin. However, at the early stage during trypsin activation, new intermediate forms between rh-prorenin and rh-renin were formed, suggesting multiple activation steps of rh-prorenin in addition to the one step activation.

Purification and properties of thermostable xylanase and beta-xylosidase produced by a newly isolated Bacillus stearothermophilus strain

We isolated a thermophilic bacterium that produces both xylanase and beta-xylosidase. Based on taxonomical research, this bacterium was identified as Bacillus stearothermophilus. Each extracellular enzyme was separated by hydrophobic chromatography by using a Toyopearl HW-65 column, followed by gel filtration with a Sephacryl S-200 column. Each enzyme in the culture was further purified to homogeneity (62-fold for xylanase and 72-fold for beta-xylosidase) by using a fast protein liquid chromatography system with a Mono Q HR 5/5 column. The optimum temperatures were 60 degrees C for xylanase and 70 degrees C for beta-xylosidase. The isoelectric points and molecular masses were 5.1 and 39.5 kDa for xylanase and 4.2 and 150 kDa for beta-xylosidase, respectively. Heat treatment at 60 degrees C for 1 h did not cause inhibition of the activities of these enzymes. The action of the two enzymes on xylan gave only xylose.

Isolation and structural elucidation of new cyclotetrapeptides, trapoxins A and B, having detransformation activities as antitumor agents

New cyclotetrapeptides, trapoxins A and B were isolated from the culture broth of Helicoma ambiens RF-1023. These compounds exhibit detransformation activities against v-sis oncogene-transformed NIH3T3 cells (sis/NIH3T3) as antitumor agents. The structures were found to be new cyclotetrapeptides, cyclo[(S)-phenylalanyl-(S)-phenylalanyl-(R)-pipecolinyl- (2S,9S)-2-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoyl-] for trapoxin A and cyclo[(S)-phenylalanyl-(S)-phenylalanyl-(R)-prolyl-2- amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoyl-] for trapoxin B, by X-ray analysis, mass spectrometric, NMR and chemical studies.

The structure of PA48009: the revised structure of duramycin

PA48009, a lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotic was isolated from the culture broth of Streptoverticillium griseoverticillatum PA-48009, and identified as duramycin. Determination of the structure using both Edman degradations and 2D NMR spectroscopy showed the need to revise the structure of duramycin given in literature. Duramycin (PA48009) was different from lanthiopeptin (Ro 09-0198, cinnamycin) only by a Lys/Arg exchange at position 2.

[A case of cardiac amyloidosis showing the ischemic change by exercise Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy]

A case of cardiac amyloidosis, which was recognized as an ischemic change by exercise Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy, was studied. The case was 41 year-old woman, whose initial symptom was pretibial edema and died of ventricular fibrillation. Ischemic change was ascertained by the treadmill exercise test and exercise Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy, however, the significant coronary stenotic lesion was not detected by coronary angiography. Our data suggested that ischemic change may be related with the disturbance of microcirculation caused by deposit of amyloid in the vessels and/or around the vessels from the pathological findings.

cDNA cloning and sequencing for the import precursor of coupling factor 6 in H(+)-ATP synthase from rat liver mitochondria

The nucleotide sequence of the import precursor of coupling factor 6 (factor 6) of rat liver H(+)-ATP synthase has been determined from a recombinant cDNA clone isolated by screening a rat liver cDNA library with a probe DNA. The sequence was composed of 458 nucleotides including a coding region for the import precursor of factor 6 and noncoding regions of both the 5'- and 3'-sides. The import precursor of factor 6 and its mature polypeptide deduced from the open reading frame consisted of 108 and 76 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 12,494 and 8,927, respectively. The presequence of 32 amino acids could be the import signal peptide which serves to direct the protein into the mitochondrial matrix.

[Evaluation of prognosis in patients with old myocardial infarction--using 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy and 99mTc cardiac scintigraphy]

To evaluate the prognosis in 57 patients with old myocardial infarctions, 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy and 99mTc-HSA gated blood pool scan had been done as a 5-year follow up study. We subdivided into two groups; group I (over 60 years) and group II (under 60 years). Cardiac index (CI) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) did not change significantly, however left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changed significantly (p less than 0.05). Correlationship between CAG score and delta LVEF by handgrip exercise test was y = -1.34 x +3.61 (n = 44, r = -0.400, p less than 0.01). Otherwise, Tl defect ratio between first and final examination did not show the significant change in two groups. In conclusion, nuclear examination (cardiac function and myocardial blood flow) is significant to evaluate the prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction.

Bacterial Accumulation of Metallic Compounds

Xanthomonas maltophilia accumulated metals or metallic compounds within the cell in the form of one or a few particles, in a peculiar condition similar to that of an electrolyte solution in an electric cell. The particles consisted of many little granules, most of which were assumed to be composed mainly of a compound of zinc and phosphorus in an amorphous state.

[A case of pineal epidermoid cyst showing an interesting magnetic resonance imaging]

A case of pineal epidermoid cyst with interesting findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reported referring to the literature. In our case, homogeneous high density area is seen on CT and high signal intensity is recognized on T1-weighted MRI and low signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI.

Isolation, characterization and structures of PA-46101 A and B

New antibiotics, PA-46101 A and B, were isolated from the culture broth of a Streptomycete. The molecular formulae of A and B were determined to be C52H70O18 and C61H86O22, respectively, by elemental analyses, NMR and mass spectrometry. Their structures were elucidated by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. These antibiotics are active in vitro against anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and also against a limited number of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria.