Dispersion of filtered P wave duration by P wave signal-averaged ECG mapping system: its usefulness for determining efficacy of disopyramide on paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION

Although it is desirable to know drug efficacy before initiating antiarrhythmic therapy, there have been no methods for this evaluation. P wave signal-averaged ECG (P-SAECG) is useful to detect subtle changes in disturbance of atrial conduction. The purpose of this present study was to test whether P-SAECG mapping system would give any information on the efficacy of disopyramide on the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

P-SAECG was performed before disopyramide treatment, at 3 hours after a single dose of oral disopyramide (200 mg), and after 4 weeks of disopyramide treatment (300 mg/day). After measuring the filtered P wave duration by the vector magnitude and mapping methods, we calculated filtered P wave duration dispersion, difference between the maximal and minimal filtered P wave duration within 16 chest leads at these three time points. Filtered P wave duration and filtered P wave duration dispersion before treatment were longer in 32 patients with symptomatic PAF than in 31 healthy volunteers. Disopyramide was effective for suppression of PAF in 17 patients and ineffective in 15 patients after 4 weeks of treatment. Filtered P wave duration was similarly prolonged at 3 hours in the two groups, whereas filtered P wave duration dispersion at 3 hours after the disopyramide administration behaved differently; it decreased in all of the effective group and increased in all of the ineffective group. The effective patients were prospectively followed with the same treatment for 6 months. In 16 (94%) of these 17 effective patients, no PAF was documented and they remained to be asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, measuring filtered P wave duration dispersion with the P-SAECG mapping method after a single administration may predict the long-term efficacy of disopyramide in patients with PAF.

Relationship between the biodistributions of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and the physicochemical properties of these metal ions

This study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between the biodistribution of radioactive metal nuclides in tumor tissue and its physicochemical properties. Potassium analogs (86Rb, 134Cs, 201Tl) were taken up into viable tumor tissue, although 22Na concentrated in necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga and 111In were more predominant in inflammatory tissue than in the viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 169Yb and 167Tm accumulated in viable tumor tissue and tissue containing viable and necrotic tumor tissue. 67Ga, 111In, 169Yb and 167Tm were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharide with a mol. wt. of about 10,000 daltons in the tumor tissue. 46Sc, 51Cr, 95Zr, 181Hf, 95Nb, 182Ta, and 103Ru were highly concentrated in inflammatory tissue and were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharides with a mol. wt. exceeding 40,000 daltons. 65Zn and 103Pd concentrated in viable tumor tissue and were bound to the protein in the tissue. The results suggest that the difference in intra-tumor distribution of these elements is caused by a difference in the binding substances (or status) of these elements in the tissues, and the binding substance is determined by physicochemical properties of the elements. We therefore conclude that the biodistribution of radioactive metal ions in tumor tissue is determined by its own physicochemical properties.

Spatial differences of chemical features of atmospheric deposition between rainy season and winter in the areas facing to the Japan Sea, Japan

Atmospheric deposition was collected using filtrating bulk samplers at 32 sites in the areas facing to the Japan Sea (AFJS) from April 1991 to March 1994. The data were analyzed for winter (January and February) and the rainy season (June and July) when the climate is just the opposite. The AFJS was geographically divided into five areas, that is western Tohoku (WT), Hokuriku (HR), eastern San-in (ES), western San-in (WS) and northern Kyushu (NK). WT, HR and ES receive more precipitation than other regions in winter. H+ depositions increase in winter except NK. This is mainly due to high winter H+ concentrations. In spite of large amounts of precipitation in WT, HR and ES in winter, nss-SO4(2-) concentration was nearly equal to the average throughout Japan. Namely, nss-SO4(2-) depositions in these areas were nearly twice the national mean. In WT, HR and ES, nss-Ca2+ concentrations in winter are lower than the average of the whole country (less than the half). This may be the cause of the lower potentials of neutralization and the higher remaining acid concentrations in WT, HR and ES than NK and WS.

Detection of concealed left sided accessory atrioventricular pathway by P wave signal averaged electrocardiogram

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine whether P wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (P-SAECG), which detects subtle changes in P wave, detects the concealed accessory atrioventricular pathway (AP).

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to differentiate atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) due to the AP from atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) when the ventricular preexcitation is absent on 12-lead electrocardiograms. By electrophysiological studies, the anterograde conduction in the concealed AP is shown to be blocked near the AP-ventricular interface during sinus rhythm.

METHODS

P-SAECG during sinus rhythm was performed in 20 normal volunteers (control), 21 patients with AVRT due to the concealed AP, 19 with AVNRT, 22 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and 7 with automatic atrial tachycardia (AT). The filtered P wave duration (FPD) and AR20 (power spectrum area ratio of 0-20 to 20-100 Hz) were measured and repeated in AVRT, AVNRT and AT groups at one week after catheter ablation.

RESULTS

The anterograde conduction in the concealed left-sided AP was confirmed in all cases by an electrophysiological study. The FPD in AVRT group was more prolonged than that in controls or AVNRT group. Although the FPD was similar between AVRT and PAF groups, AR20 differentiated between the two groups. Ablation of the concealed AP shortened FPD in AVRT group but that of the slow pathway or the atrial focus did not shorten in the AVNRT or AT groups, respectively. The changes in FPD after ablation were correlated with those in the duration of atrial activity by an electrophysiological study (r=0.67).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that P-SAECG detects the concealed left-sided AP, providing a clinical tool in noninvasively assessing atrial activation patterns.

Frequency- and time-domain analysis of P wave in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

We investigated the usefulness of the time- and frequency-domain analysis of the P wave triggered signal-averaged ECG (P-SAECG) for detecting patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Paf). In previous studies, the usefulness of the time domain of the P-SAECG to detect patients with Paf was described but that of the frequency domain is unknown. We analyzed the P-SAECG in the time and frequency domain in 23 patients with Paf and 19 controls. The 32-unipolar chest lead ECGs and the standard bipolar limb lead ECGs were obtained. The time-domain analysis showed that the filtered P duration (fPd) was significantly longer (P < 0.01) in patients with Paf than controls: the predictive accuracy of Paf with fPd > 120 ms was 69%. The frequency domain analysis showed that the area ratio of power spectrum area of 0-20 Hz to 20-100 Hz (AR20) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) and the magnitude ratio at 30 Hz (%Mag.30) calculated by dividing the magnitude at 30 Hz by the maximal magnitude was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in patients with Paf than controls in the left lateral chest leads. The predictive accuracy of Paf with AR20 > or = 1.5 and that with %Mag.30 < 40% was 83% and 73%, respectively. Our results indicate that the frequency-domain analysis of P waves in lateral leads is useful as is the time-domain analysis to detect patients with Paf. The AR20 > or = 1.5 and %Mag.30 < 40% provides accurate predictability of Paf.

[A new neuromuscular transmission monitor (TOF Guard): the rationale behind the method and its clinical usefulness]

TOF Guard is one of the latest developments in the field of neuromuscular monitoring equipment. This system uses a miniature acceleration transducer (a piezo-electric ceramic wafer is used), simply fastened to the thumb with tape. The rationale behind the method is Newton's second law, stating that the acceleration is directly proportional to the force. In this study, authors assessed the accuracy of this system in clinical use, comparing with the force transducer method (Myograph 2000). The result showed that there was a very close positive correlation between the values of T1, TOF ratio and posttetanic count simultaneously measured by both methods. The coefficient of correlation was 0.96, and its significance level was P < 0.001. From the clinical view point, it is concluded that TOF Guard is very useful because of its accuracy and because the equipment is easy to handle, compact and of low price as a neuromuscular monitoring system for routine anesthesia.

Tumour affinity of 203Pb-chloride: comparison with 67Ga-citrate and 201Tl-chloride

The radionuclide 203Pb decays completely by electron capture to stable 203Tl with a half-life of 52 h. The primary radiation from the decay is gamma-ray radiation 280 keV (80%). 203Pb is produced easily from the natural metal thallium by the method described below. 203Pb-chloride is a promising imaging agent for tumour scanning because of the large retention value for tumour tissue and the small value for normal organs, but the large value for the kidney and bone is a shortcoming when considering it as an imaging agent. The retention value of 203Pb in tumour tissue is larger than that of 201Tl and smaller than that of 67Ga. The tumour/inflammatory lesion retention ratio for 203Pb is very large in comparison with those for 67Ga and 201Tl. 203Pb accumulates to a large extent in viable tumour tissue, and less in necrotic tumour tissue and in inflammatory lesion. Therefore, 203Pb-chloride is far better for visualization of viable tumour tissue than 67Ga and 201Tl if the large retention values for the kidney and bone were reduced.

[A cephalometric, electromyographic and kinesiographic appraisal of a patient with mandibular prognathism and anterior openbite malocclusion before and after surgical orthodontic therapy: a case report]

A 19-year-old female patient with skeletal 3 and anterior openbite malocclusions was treated by a surgical orthodontic approach. A glossectomy was also performed. Cephalometric, electromyographic and kinesiographic records were taken before and after the treatment. The treatment results were as follows: 1. Esthetic improvement in facial profile and static alignment and intercuspation of teeth was obtained. 2. The dimension of the tongue with respect to that of the oral cavity proper measured on the lateral cephalograms revealed a value similar to that determined for the control data after the active treatment. 3. The proportion of reversed strokes with respect to the total chewing strokes increased at the completion of the active treatment both for the right- and the left-sided chewings, but it decreased during the retentive period. 4. At the initial stage, an earlier onset of the masseter muscle activity relative to the temporal muscle group was determined, while the temporalis muscles showed an earlier onset of activity in the postoperative phase. 5. The durations of chewing strokes became shortened in a postoperative phase both on the working and the balancing sides. This observation was particularly significant for the opening and the closing phases. In addition, the proportion of the duration of significant temporalis muscle activity with respect to that of the concomitant chewing stroke increased. 6. Anterior temporalis muscle and masseter muscle activity during clenching performance revealed a value similar to the control data. In summary, the current case suggests that the patients who receive surgical orthodontic treatment require sufficient time to obtain functional readaptation during the retentive period.

Mechanism of gallium 67 accumulation in inflammatory tissue

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the accumulation mechanism of gallium 67 in inflammatory tissue. 67Ga accumulation in inflammatory tissue was observed by macro- and microautoradiogram. Permeability indices were calculated for serum albumin from blood vessels into inflammatory and normal tissue. Neutrophils and macrophages did not play a major role in 67Ga accumulation in the inflammatory tissue because 67Ga could hardly be detected in the sites in which neutrophils were crowded; the accumulation was concentrated in the intercellular space around these cells in the tissue. Permeability indices for inflammatory tissue were much greater than those for normal tissues. It is thought from the present study and previously reported results that 67Ga, together with plasma from permeable blood vessels, readily penetrates the inflammatory tissue and stays there by binding to the acid mucopolysaccharide present in the tissue.

[Levels for discharge to home and return to general ward of patients who received therapeutic dose of 131I based on external exposure dose]

This paper describes levels for discharge from hospital and return to general ward of patients treated with 131I. The level was determined by comparing the possible exposure dose to those individuals whom the patients are in daily contact with the annual dose limit for the public. The external exposure dose was calculated by using the data on the distance between the patient and individuals, length of the time spent at each distance, and each individual's age. The following levels were obtained: (1) For the patient to be discharged from the hospital, the maximum residual radioactivity should be less than 0.51 GBq if the distance from the patient in bedroom is 50 cm or more and the ages of her children are all over one year. No restriction is needed for the patient with residual radioactivity of 0.20 GBq. (2) For the patient to be returned to the general ward, the maximum residual radioactivities should be 28 MBq and 41 MBq, corresponding to the distance from the patient of 2.0 m and 2.5 m respectively. We established a method to analyze the factors affecting the level.

Relation between the location of elements in the periodic table and various organ-uptake rates

Fifty four elements and 65 radioactive compounds were examined to determine the organ uptake rates for rats 3, 24 and 48 h after i.v. injection of these compounds. They were prepared as carrier free nuclides, or containing a small amount of stable nuclide. Generally speaking, behaviors of K, Rb, Cs and Tl in all the organs were very similar to one another, but they differed from that of Na. Bivalent hard acids were avidly taken up into bone; therefore, uptake rates in soft tissues were very small. Hard acids of tri-, quadri- and pentavalence which were taken up into the soft tissue organs decreased more slowly from these organs than other ions. Soft acids such as Hg2+ were bound very firmly to the component in the kidney. Anions (with few exceptions), GeCl4 and SbCl3 were rapidly excreted in urine, so that the uptake rates in organs were low.

Determination of the lysosomal role in tumor accumulation of 67Ga by dual-tracer studies

The lysosomal role in tumor accumulation of 67Ga was determined by dual-tracer (67Ga and 46Sc) studies. It became clear that 67Ga essentially did not accumulate in the tumor lysosome, and that the lysosome did not play a major role in tumor accumulation of 67Ga. In addition, it was revealed that tumor lysosome was hardly disrupted at all in some phases of fractionation procedures.

Biodistributions of radioactive alkaline metals in tumor bearing animals: comparison with 201Tl

The retention values for 42K, 86Rb and 134Cs in the tissues and blood were quite similar to those for 201Tl, but were very different from those for 22Na. In an experiment for subcellular fractionation of tumors, most of these nuclides were localized in the supernatant fraction, with small amounts in other fractions. The concentration ratios for these nuclides in each fraction were approximately constant regardless of the time after administration. Radioactive alkaline metals in the supernatant fraction of the tumor homogenate existed mostly as free ions and were bound to protein in other fractions of tumor tissue. These results were essentially the same as those for 201Tl. Ouabain suppression studies indicated that 201Tl is taken up into the tumor cells partly through Na+, K+-ATPase of their membranes. Ionic radii of alkaline metals and thallium were related to their blood and tumor retention values. This relationship suggested that monovalent cations whose ionic radii exceed 0.133 nm, and which exist as free ions in the tissue fluids, behave like the potassium ion. Potassium and K analogs (Tl, Rb, Cs) are avidly taken up into viable tumor cells whose Na+, K+-ATPase activity is elevated. Therefore, suitable radionuclides of K and K analogs can be excellent agents for visualization of viable tumor tissues.

Unoperated adult cleft lip and palate: changes in form and function after operation

This report describes the occlusion and craniofacial morphology--together with changes in tongue activity during swallowing before and after surgical correction--in a 26-year-old female patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Cross-bites were not observed before or after repair. Lateral cephalometric findings revealed a convex profile with a normal anterior cranial base length, a flat mandibular plane, and a short lower-anterior face height. Preoperative cineradiographic appraisal showed atypical tongue activity during swallowing. The dorsum of the tongue remained high to seal the cleft. The bolus was kept on the floor of the mouth and passed along the lateral margins of the tongue. The swallow duration, as determined by EMG of the tongue, was extremely long when compared with infant-operated cleft lip and palate patients and to noncleft subjects. Postoperatively, tongue function was similar to that in both cleft patients in whom closure was performed in infancy and to noncleft controls.

Distribution of 67Ga-citrate in abscess-induced rat by quantitative whole body autoradiography

Distribution of 67Ga-citrate in inflammatory tissues was determined, and correlation between the 67Ga-uptake and capillary permeability of plasma from blood vessels in the inflammatory tissue was elucidated, by quantitative whole body autoradiography and double tracer autoradiography. The distribution of 67Ga in inflammatory tissue was similar to that of 131I-HSA and 99mTc-HSA, which were applied as an index to the plasma element. These results showed that the capillary permeability of plasma from blood vessels in the inflammatory tissue increases, and this causes the 67Ga-uptake.

Distribution of 103Ru-chloride in tumor-bearing animals and the mechanism for accumulation in tumor and liver

Tumor uptake rates of 103Ru-chloride were smaller than those for 67Ga-citrate. In three tumors and liver, 103Ru in the mitochondrial fraction containing lysosome increased with time after the administration of 103Ru-chloride. The concentration of 103Ru was more dominant in connective tissue (especially inflammatory tissue) than in viable tumor tissue or in necrotic tissue. Quite large amounts of 103Ru in the tumor and liver were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharide whose molecular masses exceeded 40,000. Behavior of this nuclide was essentially similar to that of 67Ga.

Biodistributions of 201Tl in tumor bearing animals and inflammatory lesion induced animals

The accumulation of 201Tl in tumor and inflammatory tissues were small. However, this nuclide showed a high concentration in viable tumor tissue, less in connective tissue (containing inflammatory tissue), and was not seen in necrotic tumor tissue regardless of the time after administration of 201Tl(I)-chloride. In inflammatory lesions, 201Tl accumulated in subcutaneous tissue infiltrated with neutrophils and macrophages, and quite large amounts of this nuclide were accumulated in subcutaneous tissue and sites where neutrophils were crowded. Most 201Tl existed in a free form in the fluid of tumor and inflammatory tissues regardless of the time after administration. A small amount of this nuclide was localized in the nuclear, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions in these tissues, and the nuclide was bound to protein in these fractions. The distribution of 201Tl(III)-chloride in tumor bearing animals was essentially the same as that of 201Tl(I)-chloride.

67Ga accumulation in inflammatory lesion and its mechanism: comparison with malignant tumor

The accumulation of 67Ga in inflammatory lesions increased with time after injection of turpentine oil and reached a plateau 5 days later. At that time the uptake in the lesions was larger than any other tissue, after ten days the lesion uptake decreased. In experiments using rats which had been kept for 5 days after subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil, the accumulation of 67Ga in inflammatory lesions increased with time until six days after administration of 67Ga-citrate. It is clear from this study that 67Ga is avidly accumulated in areas where the subcutaneous tissue is infiltrated with neutrophils and macrophages, that it is not accumulated at the sites in which neutrophils are crowded, that nuclear material, mitochondria, lysosomes and microsomes do not play a major role in 67Ga accumulation in the lesion and that the main binding acid mucopolysaccharide in the lesion is a acid mucopolysaccharide which is none of the following: keratan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, or chondroitin sulfate A, B or C. It is presumed that the main 67Ga binding acid mucopolysaccharide is keratan polysulfate (or other oversulfated acid mucopolysaccharides).

Distribution of 46Sc and 51Cr in tumor-bearing animals and the mechanism for accumulation in tumor and liver

Tumor uptake rates, concentrations in mitochondrial fraction (containing lysosome) of liver and tumors, avid accumulations in connective tissue (especially inflammatory tissue) and binding substances in these tissues for 46Sc3+ and 51Cr3+ were essentially similar to those for 67Ga3+, 111In3+, 169Yb3+, 167Tm3+, 95Zr4+ and 181Hf4+. However, the main binding substance of 46Sc3+ and 51Cr3+ in tumor and liver was the acid mucopolysaccharide (as described concerning 95Zr and 181Hf) whose molecular weight exceeded 40,000, although the main binding substance of 67Ga3+, 111In3+, 169Yb3+ and 167Tm3+ was the acid mucopolysaccharide with a molecular weight of about 10,000.

A single-strip mini-paper chromatographic method for rapid purity-control of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals

A single-strip miniaturized paper chromatographic method (Mini-PC) was developed using 80%-90% acetone solvent for rapid purity-control of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals. Routine 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals (eight kinds of "kit" made agents) and diluted agents (in which radiochemical impurities might be formed) were analyzed by Mini-PC and other methods. This showed that, compared with the other methods, the Mini-PC technique is useful for the simple and rapid routine analysis of radiochemical impurities of "kit" made 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals.

Thallium-201 radioactive implant induced X-ray emission scanning of stable iodine distribution in thyroid--phantom experiment

A new method has been developed for imaging the thyroid gland by the use of 201Tl radioactive implant induced X-ray emission (RIXE). The thyroid phantom was made from two cylindrical tubes embedded in plastic neck phantom. Each tube consisted of stable iodine and 201Tl radioactive source in 10 ml water solution. Some photopeaks in the energy range from 20 to 200 ke V were scanned along a horizontal axis by the collimated Ge detector with high energy resolution. The distribution on the horizontal axis was obtained for the generated I K alpha-ray and some primary 201Tl radiations. The 201Tl RIXE scanning can provide information about the distribution of iodine with 201Tl as well as 201Tl distribution in the thyroid gland. The effectiveness of the 201Tl RIXE technique as a thyroid scanning method is discussed.

Retention and subcellular distribution of 67Ga in normal organs

Using normal rats, retention values and subcellular distribution of 67Ga in each organ were investigated. At 10 min after administration of 67Ga-citrate the retention value of 67Ga in blood was 6.77% dose/g, and this value decreased with time. The values for skeletal muscle, lung, pancreas, adrenal, heart muscle, brain, small intestine, large intestine and spinal cord were the highest at 10 min after administration, and they decreased with time. Conversely, this value in bone increased until 10 days after injection. But in the liver, kidney, and stomach, these values increased with time after administration and were highest 24 h or 48 h after injection. After that, they decreased with time. The value in spleen reached a plateau 48 h after administration, and hardly varied for 10 days. From the results of subcellular fractionation, it was deduced that lysosome plays quite an important role in the concentration of 67Ga in small intestine, stomach, lung, kidney and pancreas; a lesser role in its concentration in heart muscle, and hardly any role in the 67Ga accumulation in skeletal muscle. In spleen, the contents in nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal, and supernatant fractions all contributed to the accumulation of 67Ga.

67Ga-binding substances in stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and muscle

Normal male rats were injected with either gallium citrate Ga 67 or sodium sulfate S 35. After 24 h, the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and muscle were excised and homogenized. After the removal of the nuclear fraction, each of these homogenates was digested with protease. After digestion, the supernatants of the reaction mixtures were applied to a Sephadex-G-100 column. The radioactivity was eluted with buffer solution. The resultant eluates were analyzed for radioactivity and the levels of proteins, uronic acids, and sialic acids. In all four organs, sizable amounts of 67Ga were bound to sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides with molecular masses of about 10,000 daltons and to sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides, a species whose molecular masses exceed 40,000 daltons. In the stomach, large amounts of 67Ga were bound to sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides with molecular masses of about 10,000 daltons. From these results, it is obvious that the main 67Ga-binding substances in these four organs are sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides, and that these acid mucopolysaccharides play the most important role in the concentration of 67Ga in these organs.

[Mechanism of 67Ga uptake by an experimental abscess--permeability of plasma from blood vessels in abscessed tissue]

In the previous paper, we reported that 67Ga was accumulated in abscess and uptake rate of 67Ga in abscess increased with time after the injection of 67Ga-citrate. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the influence of blood flow on the accumulation of 67Ga in abscess. Five days after subcutaneous injection of 0.2 ml of turpentine to the rats, 131I-human serum albumin (HSA) was injected intravenously to the rats. At an appropriate time after the injection (10 min to 6 days), uptake rates of 131I-HSA in abscess and normal tissues were measured. Similarly, 51Cr-red blood cells (RBC) were injected intravenously to the above rats and the uptake rates of 51Cr-RBC were also measured. One, three, and 24 hours after injection of 131I-HSA, the uptake rates of 131I-HSA in abscess were 1.32 %dose/g, 1.84 %dose/g, and 0.82 %dose/g, respectively. However, the uptake rates of 51Cr-RBC in abscess was very small, and the value was 0.14 %dose/g at 24 hours after the injection. In the case of abscess, blood in the tissue fluid was very little, but the permeability of 131I-HSA from the blood vessel in the tissue was much larger than that of normal tissues. From these facts, it was deduced that the accelerated permeability caused the abscess accumulation of 67Ga.

Tumor and liver uptake models of 67Ga-citrate

After administration 67Ga concentrates with time in lysosomes from the cytoplasm of liver cells. The lysosomal role in the accumulation of 67Ga in the liver cell is weakened upon transformation of the liver cell into a malignant tumor cell. In malignant tumors (except for hepatoma) the lysosome does not play a major role in the tumor concentration of 67Ga. 67Ga is bound to acid mucopolysaccharides (keratan polysulfate, etc.) in both tumor and liver. In liver cells, large amounts of 67Ga are transported into lysosomes with these acid mucopolysaccharides, and in hepatoma cells, quite large amounts of 67Ga are transported into lysosomes with these acid mucopolysaccharides. In malignant tumor cells (except for hepatoma) the effect is much smaller, the acid mucopolysaccharides transporting very little 67Ga into lysosome. The 67Ga is concentrated in viable tumor tissue within malignant tissue but hardly at all in necrotic tumor tissue, and concentrates avidly in inflammatory infiltration around tumor cells. Plenty of 67Ga is found in liver but very little in connective tissue associated with the liver.

Intraspinal communication of sacrococcygeal dermal sinuses

Three cases of sacrococcygeal dermal sinus are reported, all of which terminated in the filum terminale and two of which caused meningitis. Because of the frequent incidence of sacrococcygeal dermal sinus and the rarity of an intraspinal communication, the embryogenesis of sacrococcygeal dermal sinus is discussed in regard to caudal development of the dural sac and the filum terminale. Contrary to contemporary opinion, sacrococcygeal sinuses cannot be disregarded as a route for intraspinal infection.

Relation between the location of elements in the periodic table and tumor-uptake rate

The bipositive ions and anions, with few exceptions, indicated a low tumor uptake rate. On the other hand, compounds of Hg, Au and Bi, which have a strong binding power to protein, showed a high tumor uptake rate. As Hg2+, Au+ and Bi3+ are soft acids according to the classification of Lewis acids, it was thought that these ions would bind strongly to soft bases (R-SH, R-S-) present in tumor tissue. For many hard acids such as 85Sr2+, 67Ga3+, 181Hf4+, and 95Nb5+, tumor uptake rates are shown as a function of ionic potentials (valency/ionic radii) of the metal ions. Considering the present data and previously reported results, it was presumed that hard acids of trivalence, quadrivalence and pentavalence would replace calcium in the calcium salts of hard bases (calcium salts of acid mucopolysaccharides, etc.). Ionic potentials of alkaline metals and Tl were small, but the tumor-uptake rate of these elements indicated various values. As Ge and Sb are bound by covalent bonds to chloride, GeCl4 and SbCl3 behaved differently from many metallic compounds in tumor tissue.

67Ga-binding substances in abscess and normal tissues

Abscess-induced animals and normal animals were treated with 67Ga-citrate. Abscess, kidney, heart, lung, and spleen were excised and homogenized. After removal of the nuclear fraction, each of these homogenates was digested with protease. After digestion, the supernatants of the reaction mixtures were applied to a Sephadex G-100 column. Resultant eluates were analyzed for radioactivity, protein, uronic acids, and sialic acids. Sodium sulfate-35S was administered to animals that were then treated by the same procedure as that followed for animals treated with 67Ga-citrate. In abscess, kidney, lung, heart, and spleen, sizeable amounts of 67Ga had been bound to the sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides with molecular weights of about 10,000, and to the sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides, a species whose molecular weights exceeded 40,000. Based on the results presented here, it is clear that 67Ga-binding substances in abscess and also in the above four organs are sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides.

Radioactive implant induced x-ray emission technique for noninvasive determination of iodine content in thyroid: experimental study

A new technique, radioactive implant x-ray emission spectrometry to determine the in vivo iodine content of the human thyroid is proposed. The variations of counting rate and effective excitation efficiencies of I K alpha (28.6 keV) with iodine content, thyroid volume and skin-thyroid distance were studied for the 201Tl source to examine the properties of excitation and photon attenuation. As a result, the gland depth and volume could be estimated from the peak ratios of 30.7 keV/167.6 keV and 28.6 keV/167.6 keV. Using a 1 MBq 201Tl implant source, the detectable minimum iodine concentration found was approximately 70 micrograms/g for 2000 s measuring time in the phantom experiment. The effectiveness of the RIXE technique is discussed. It was concluded that the 201Tl RIXE spectrometry might serve to determine the in vivo iodine content of the human thyroid.

[In vivo uptake of Ga-67 citrate by an experimental abscess and the mechanism of Ga-67 uptake]

This study was undertaken to investigate the accumulation of 67Ga in an experimental abscess and to elucidate the mechanism of 67Ga uptake in the abscess. Two, three, five, seven and ten days after subcutaneous injection of 0.2 ml turpentine to the rats, 67Ga-citrate was injected to the rats. Twenty-four hours after injection of 67Ga, abscess and organs were excised and uptake rates of 67Ga were assayed. Furthermore, five days after subcutaneous injection of 0.2 ml turpentine to the rats, 67Ga-citrate was injected to the rats, at various time intervals from 10 minutes to 6 days, abscess and organs were excised and uptake rates of 67Ga were assayed. And subcellular distribution of 67Ga in abscess was determined at various time intervals after administration of 67Ga-citrate. On the other hand, to elucidate 67Ga binding substances in abscess, 67Ga-citrate and sodium sulfate-35S were injected to the above rats, respectively. Twenty-four hours after injection, abscess was excised and homogenized. The homogenate was digested with proteinase. After digestion, the reaction mixture was gel-filtered on Sephadex G-100. Eluate samples were assayed for radioactivity, uronic acid and protein. Uptake rates of 67Ga in abscess increased with time after injection of turpentine and reached a plateau 5-7 days later. Ten minutes, 24 hours and 72 hours after injection of 67Ga, uptake rates of 67Ga in abscess were 0.92%/g, 3.3%/g and 5.6%/g, respectively. Uptake rates of 67Ga (24 hours after injection) in abscess was 2.0-3.4 time of tumor uptake rates (previously reported).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Affinity of 167Tm-citrate for tumor and liver tissue

Strong affinity of 167Tm-citrate for tumor tissue was reconfirmed by using Ehrlich tumor. Excellent tumor imaging was obtained with 167Tm-citrate because of its strong tumor affinity and because of the suitable physical characteristics of 167Tm. A large number of 167Tm had accumulated in the connective tissue which contained inflammatory tissue, quite large amounts were found in areas containing viable and necrotic tumor tissue, and small amounts were present in viable tumor tissue. 167Tm was not seen in necrotic tumor tissue. It was concluded that lysosomes did not play a major role in the tumor concentration of 167Tm, but played an important role in the liver concentration of this nuclide. In the case of hepatoma AH109A, it was presumed that lysosomes played a considerably important role in the tumor concentration of 167Tm, hepatoma AH109A possessing some residual features of the liver. 167Tm was bound to acid mucopolysaccharides and transposed by the acid mucopolysaccharides in the tumor tissues and liver. The acid mucopolysaccharides to which 167Tm were bound in tumor and liver, were heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate (or keratosulfate) and heparin (or keratosulfate).

Mechanism of tumor and liver concentration of 67Ga: 67Ga binding substances in tumor tissues and liver

Tumor-bearing animals were administered with 67Ga citrate and tumor homogenates, from which nuclear fraction was removed, and mitochondrial fraction of the host livers were digested with protease (pronase P). After digestion, the supernatants of the reaction mixtures were applied to a Sephadex G-100 column. Resultant eluates were analyzed for radioactivity, protein, uronic acid and sialic acids. Three peaks of radioactivity were obtained by gel filtration. The first peak eluted in the void volume contained a species whose molecular weight exceeded 40,000. The second peak consisted of substances with molecular weights of 9400-40,000. Radioactivity in the third peak was from liberated gallium-67. 67Ga in the second peak was bound to acid mucopolysaccharide and/or the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein. It was thought that 67Ga in the first peak might be bound to some acid mucopolysaccharides. Considering the results of cellulose acetate electrophoresis, 67Ga in the second peak seemed to be bound to acid mucopolysaccharide which contained no uronic acids, and/or to the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein. It was concluded that 67Ga was bound to the acid mucopolysaccharides and/or the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein in tumor tissues and liver lysosomes.

Mechanism of tumor and liver concentration of 111In and 169Yb: 111In and 169Yb binding substances in tumor tissues and liver

Tumor-bearing animals were injected with 111In- and 169Yb-citrate. Tumor homogenates, from which the nuclear fraction was removed, and the mitochondrial fractions of the host livers were digested with pronase P. After digestion, the supernatants of the reaction mixtures were applied to Sephadex G-100 columns. The resultant eluates were analyzed for radioactivity, protein, uronic acid, and sialic acids. Three peaks of radioactivity were obtained by gel filtration. The first peak, eluted in the void volume, contained a species whose molecular weight exceeded 40 000. The second peak consisted of substances with molecular weights of 9400-40 000. Radioactivity in the third peak was liberated 111In and 169Yb. These two nuclides in the second peak were bound to acid mucopolysaccharides and/or the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein. It was thought that the nuclides in the first peak might be bound to some acid mucopolysaccharides. The second peak nuclides seemed to be bound to acid mucopolysaccharide that contained no uronic acids, and/or to the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein. It was concluded that they were bound to the acid mucopolysaccharides and/or the sulfated carbohydrate chain of sulfated glycoprotein in tumor tissues and liver lysosomes.

[Clinical evaluation of cardiac function test using scintiview (author's transl)]

Cardiac function was studied with Scintiview in 107 cases, 24 normal and 83 affected cases, and the following results were obtained. 1. Better data were obtained with converging collimeter than with parallel collimeter in cardiac study. (2) Red blood cells were sufficiently labeled with 99mTc using stannous chloride as reductant, and it was proven to be applicable to measurement of circulation blood volume. (3) Pulmonary circulation time and the systemic circulation time calculated from time activity curve, greater than 9.0 seconds and greater than 25 seconds, respectively, were considered abnormal prolongation. (4) Cardiac output index (cardiac output/circulation blood volume), less than 1.10 was considered decreased cardiac output. (5) Stroke volume index ((stroke volume/circulation blood volume)x 100, less than 1.70 was considered decreased stroke volume. (6) Ejection fraction, less than 60% was considered decreased left ventricular wall motion. (7) Cardiac function index (cardiac output index X ejection fraction), less than 80 was considered decreased cardiac performance.

Subcellular distribution of 111In and 169Yb in tumor and liver

Subcellular distribution of 111In and 169Yb was quantitatively determined to evaluate the role of the lysosome in the accumulation of these nuclides in malignant tumor tissue and in the liver using three different tumor models and the host liver. In Yoshida sarcoma and Ehrlich tumor, most of the radioactivity of these nuclides was localized in the supernatant fraction, and only a small amount of radioactivity was localized in the mitochondrial fraction, which contains lysosomes. In the liver, most of the radioactivity was concentrated in the mitochondrial fraction. The radioactivity of this fraction increased with time after the administration of these nuclides and reached approximately 50% of the total radioactivity within 24 h. In the case of hepatoma AH109A, radioactivity of the mitochondrial fraction increased with time after administration, and about 30% of the total radioactivity was concentrated in this fraction after 24 h. It is concluded that the lysosome does not play a major role in the tumor concentration of these nuclides, although it may play an important role in their liver concentration. In the case of hepatoma AH109A, it is presumed that lysosome plays a considerably important role in the tumor concentration of these nuclides, hepatoma AH109A possessing some residual features of the liver.