Direct detection of Campylobacter jejuni in chicken cecal contents by PCR

Campylobacter jejuni in chicken feces was detected by PCR and Southern blot hybridization (SBH). The detection limits of C. jejuni in chicken feces were 34,000 cells by PCR and 340 cells by SBH. Some cecal contents of chickens up to 3 weeks old were C. jejuni positive by SBH whereas all of them were negative by PCR. Two of 51 cecal contents of 18-day-old chicken embryos were C. jejuni positive by PCR and SBH; but, C. jejuni were not isolated from the samples by conventional culture with selective enrichment.

Trial of electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution lavage in the treatment of peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscess

Electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution is acidic water that contains active oxygen and active chlorine and possesses a redox potential. We performed peritoneal and abscess lavages with an electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution to treat 7 patients with peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses, who were seen in our department between December 1994 and April 1995. The underlying disease was duodenal ulcer perforation in 4 of these 7 patients and gastric ulcer perforation, acute enteritis, and intraperitoneal perforation of pyometrium in 1 patient each. Irrigation was performed twice a day. Microbiological studies of the paracentesis fluid were negative in 3 cases, and the irrigation period was 2-4 days. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in 3 of the 4 positive cases (Bacteroides in 2, Prevotella in 1), and a fungus (Candida) was isolated in the remaining patient. The period of irrigation in these patients ranged from 9 to 12 days, but conversion to a microorganism negative state was observed in 3-7 days.

[Application for therapeutic use of deuterium oxide (D2O) against human pancreatic cancer]

This study was designed to assess the possibility of D2O as a therapeutic agent against human pancreatic cancer. We examined the effect of D2O on growth and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1, MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3) by using MTT assay and nude mice, on which human pancreas cancer cells were transplanted. In vitro growth of the three lines was significantly inhibited by D2O in a dose dependent manner, especially at more than a 10% concentration. Growth of Panc-1, which was transplanted in nude mice, was also inhibited by continuous oral intake of 30% D2O. Furthermore, the effect of D2O on cancer invasiveness was assessed by Matrigel invasion chamber assay. BxPC-3, which is the most adherent of the three lines, significantly reduced its invasiveness in more than 30% D2O media. In addition, the present study also demonstrated the inhibition of cancer cell locomotion by D2O in phagocytokinetic analysis. In conclusion, D2O may be applied for the therapeutic use against pancreatic cancer.

Intravascular hypercoagulability in patients with recent Bell's palsy

Eighty-four patients were examined for blood coagulability during the acute phase of Bell's palsy. Abnormally high levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor-plasmin complex (PIC) were found, with these increases statistically significant. Values tended to be higher in patients within 3 days after occurrence of the palsy when compared to values in patients 4 days or more later. Abnormal TAT and PIC levels in the acute phase then tended to become normalized during the convalescent phase of the disease. These findings indicated that activation of intravascular coagulability had occurred, with patients entering a temporary clot-forming state. Among the several hypotheses for the etiology of Bell's palsy, our findings support a circulation disorder as an influential factor.

[Antagonism to neuromuscular effect of subcutaneous administration of pancuronium by neostigmine]

It has been reported that subcutaneous administration of pancuronium produces prolonged neuromuscular blockade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antagonistic effect of neostigmine on neuromuscular blockade following subcutaneous injection of pancuronium in anesthetized patients. Fourteen male patients aged 32-67 yr, weighing 50-58 kg, and scheduled for surgical operation lasting more than 6 hr were included in the study. None of the patients had paresis. Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal and SCC. Patients under N2O-oxygen-enflurane (1.0-1.5%) anesthesia, were divided into two groups (n = 7 in each group). Group A was given an intravenous bolus of pancuronium 6 mg. Group B received pancuronium 6 mg subcutaneously in the ankle. Train-of-four responses were evaluated every 12s by measuring the force of thumb adduction produced in response to supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. When the train-of-four ratios recovered to approximately 0.2 in groups A and B, a mixture of neostigmine 1.0 mg and atropine 0.5 mg was administered. The onset of fade in train-of-four responses was significantly more rapid in group A (intravenous administration) than in group B (subcutaneous administration). Time intervals to maximum train-of-four depression from pancuronium administration in groups A and B averaged 2.6 and 125.4 min, respectively. No significant differences in the recovery times of the train-of-four ratios from 0.2 to 0.7 following neostigmine administration in groups A and B were demonstrated. None of the patients who received pancuronium subcutaneously showed recurarization following neostigmine administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistopathological investigation on unspecific chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland (Küttner tumor)

An immunohistochemical investigation was conducted on infiltrating lymphocytes in submandibular glands removed from three cases with unspecific chronic sclerosing sialadenitis of the submandibular gland (unspecific CSSS) which has been described for the first time by Küttner. A high degree of lymphocyte infiltration was recognized and formation of lymphatic follicles was observed. In particular, activated B cells were predominantly observed in that part of the lymphatic follicles which was equivalent to germinal centers. In the T cell subset, the helper/inducer T cells displayed significant dominance over suppressor/cytotoxic T cells, and were distributed in the dark peripheral zone of the follicles. The distribution pattern of these lymphocytes seemed to be similar to antigenically stimulated lymph nodes and it was recognized that the unspecific CSSS could be a site of exceedingly active local immune responses. The authors believe that these findings support the view that unspecific CSSS (Küttner tumor) is an immune disorder.

[The ornithine decarboxylase activity of the gastric remnant mucosa: the effect of the duodenal juice with bile on the gastric mucosa]

Using male Wister rats, the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in the fundic mucosa has been determined from the duodenal juice with bile of a reflux model. The activity at 24 hours postoperatively presented a value approximately 18 times higher than the preoperative level. Though this level declined subsequently, it still was approximately two times higher four weeks later. The ODC activity in the corporal mucosa of humans was compared in 25 normal persons, in 21 patients with a gastric adenoma in 29 patients with a gastric cancer, in 20 patients who had undergone a Billroth I operation and in 20 patients who had undergone a Billroth II operation. No differences in ODC activity were observed among those with a gastric adenoma, a gastric cancer, and normal cases but significantly higher values were seen in cases with a remnant stomach, particularly those who had undergone Billroth II reconstructive surgery. Further, this activity tended to be especially high from 5 to 15 years postoperatively in cases with a gastric remnant.

[A clinical study of serum erythropoietin concentrations in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas]

We have measured the serum erythropoietin concentrations in 14 patients with liver cirrhosis and in 14 patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma. Among these patients, 2 with liver cirrhosis (14.3%) and 7 with a hepatocellular carcinoma (50.0%) were found to have raised serum erythropoietin concentrations, ranging up to 40 mU/ml. Negative correlations were found between erythropoietin and the RBC, and the Hb and Ht in the cases with liver cirrhosis. In contrast, a positive correlation which was not significant was found only between the erythropoietin and the RBC in cases involving a hepatocellular carcinoma. This has suggested that the relationship between the erythropoietin and the RBC in cases of a hepatocellular carcinoma differs from the relationship seen under the usual physiological circumstances of those with liver cirrhosis.

Cushing's syndrome due to huge nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia with fluctuation of urinary 17-OHCS excretion

A 51-yr-old male patient with Cushing's syndrome due to huge nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia is described. Urinary 17-OHCS was not suppressed by a high dose of (8 mg) dexamethasone and showed rather a tendency to paradoxical response. There was no response to metyrapone. Plasma cortisol showed a hyperresponse to insulin-induced hypoglycemia and a rapid response to corticotropin releasing hormone-lysine vasopressin (CRH-LVP) administration without an obvious ACTH response. Plasma cortisol responded to synthetic ACTH. Urinary 17-OHCS did not show parallel changes with plasma cortisol. These results and computerized tomography data suggested huge multiple nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia, which was confirmed later by surgery. The left and right adrenal glands weighed 105 and 45 g, respectively. Hyper-reaction of the adrenal gland to a small change in plasma ACTH or "unknown factors" may cause not only the discrepancy between cortisol and ACTH response but also the development of autonomous nodules in the adrenal gland.

[Clinical analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with non-A, non-B hepatitis virus]

An analysis of 242 patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has shown that 65 patients without a hepatitis B virus (HBV), alcohol abuse, or a transfusion history and 17 posttransfusion patients had a mean death age of 65.5 +/- 10.2 and 62.1 +/- 8.4 years respectively. The average age of 65 patients was 8.5 years older than those with a HBV and without a alcohol abuse history. Of 17 patients, 3 with a HBV had a mean death age of 55.3 +/- 10.8 years and the interval time from transfusion to a HCC was significantly shorter than in other post-transfusion patients.

[Adult neuroblastoma of the adrenal with intraatrial tumor thrombus: report of a case]

A case of adult neuroblastoma of the right adrenal with tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium is reported. Because of right heart failure, the tumor thrombus in the right atrium was removed under the cardiopulmonary bypass. The histopathological examination of the tumor thrombus revealed neuroblastoma. Fourteen days after the first operation, the adrenal tumor, right kidney and tumor thrombus remaining in the vena cava were removed to prevent the recurrence of right heart failure. Two courses of chemotherapy and radiation were given postoperatively and the patient was doing well. Eight months after the second operation, however, the patient died of multiple metastases of the bone and liver.

Cortisol responsiveness to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in Cushing's syndrome with huge nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia

A 51-yr-old male patient with a 3 yr history of Cushing's syndrome is described. The baseline plasma cortisol level was elevated, while the plasma ACTH levels remained at an undetectable level. Dynamic testing of pituitary-adrenal function revealed no suppression after 8 mg of dexamethasone, and there was no response to metyrapone or CRF, while plasma cortisol showed a hyperresponse to synthetic ACTH. Plasma cortisol responded to insulin-induced hypoglycemia without an obvious ACTH response. These and the computerized tomography data suggested a "huge" bilateral nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia which was later confirmed by surgery. The left and right adrenal glands weighed 55 and 76 g, respectively. In vitro experiments, using the adrenal tissue, showed that there was an adrenal cortisol response to 1-39 ACTH but not to regular insulin, arginine vasopressin, angiotensin II, norepinephrine or epinephrine. These results indicate that plasma cortisol responded to a slight hypoglycemia-induced plasma ACTH change which was not detected in the ACTH radioimmunoassay or to factors other than ACTH which might be induced by hypoglycemia.

Chemical and crystallographic studies on 33 cases of calcium carbonate gallstone (so-called limy bile)

Chemical analyses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and crystallographic studies by the X-ray powder diffraction method and infrared spectrometry (KBr-disk method) were made on 33 cases of calcium carbonate gallstone or so-called limy bile. Chemically, calcium carbonate was the major constituent, ranged from 33.7 to 91.6% and averaged 77.8%. Crystallographically, calcium carbonate has three different polymorphic crystalline forms; calcite, aragonite and vaterite. In nature the most stable calcite (hexagonal) is most commonly found and aragonite (rhombic) is next. On the other hand vaterite, which is unstable hexagonal modification, rarely occurs in biological systems. But in our gallstone series in man, aragonite was most commonly found, with an occurrence rate of 90.6%, while that of calcite was 62.5%. Even vaterite was found in 28.1%. Moreover three cases contained all three forms of calcium carbonate polymorphs; calcite, aragonite and vaterite. This was a very unusual condition. Some environmental factors controlling the growth of these crystals, such as specificity of the bile, are suggested.