A Novel Traceless Resin-Bound Guanidinylating Reagent for Secondary Amines To Prepare N,N-Disubstituted Guanidines

[reaction: see text]. We report the development of a solid support-linked guanidinylating reagent. This reagent consists of a urethane-protected triflyl guanidine attached to the resin via a carbamate linker. It allows for rapid synthesis of guanidines from a variety of amines. It provides access to N-alkyl/aryl- or N,N-dialkylguanidines under mild conditions. Cleavage with 50% TFA produces target molecules in high yields and purity. The ability to guanidinylate secondary amines is a significant feature of this guanidinylating reagent.

Molecular cloning and expression of aminopeptidase A isoforms from rat hippocampus

The full-length cDNA encoding aminopeptidase A (APAL) was cloned from a rat hippocampus cDNA library. A short variant aminopeptidase A (APAS), produced by deletion, was also cloned. In the case of APAL, the longest open reading frame encodes 945 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 108 kDa, and the deduced amino acid sequence shows 76, 86 and 78% identity with its human, murine and porcine counterparts, respectively. Rat aminopeptidase A mRNAs were detected in the kidney, liver, heart and brain by Northern blot analysis. When overexpressed in COS-1 cells, APAL shows apparent aminopeptidase A activity, whereas APAS does not.

Impaired Kupffer cell function and effect of immunotherapy in obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND

Obstructive jaundice is frequently associated with septic complications. This study examined the influence of biliary obstruction on bacterial clearance and translocation. The study focused on the phagocytic and killing activities of Kupffer cells and the preventive effect on bacterial translocation of OK-432, which is a hemolytic streptococcal preparation developed as a biological response modifier.

METHODS

To study the mechanism of sepsis in obstructive jaundice, two groups of Wistar rats were examined: rats subjected to common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and rats subjected to a sham operation. Bacterial clearance, organ distribution, hepatic blood flow, and phagocytic function of Kupffer cells were examined. To evaluate the effect of OK-432 on bacterial translocation, rats were divided into three groups: sham operation + phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), CBDL + PBS, and CBDL + OK-432.

RESULTS

In this study, clearance of Escherichia coli. from the peripheral blood in CBDL rats was decreased significantly compared with that in sham-operated rats. Significant decreases in E.coli trapped in the liver and in hepatic blood flow were observed in CBDL rats compared with sham-operated rats. Phagocytic activity and superoxide production of Kupffer cells isolated from CBDL rats were significantly lower than in sham-operated rats. The incidence of bacterial translocation in CBDL rats was increased significantly, and oral administration of OK-432 prevented it.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that susceptibility to infection in obstructive jaundice is due to impaired phagocytic function of Kupffer cells. Furthermore, obstructive jaundice promotes bacterial translocation, and OK-432 may be useful in preventing this translocation.

Interaction between antioxidants and hydroquinone/bisphenol

We have investigated the stability of semiquinone radical (SQ .) produced from the mixture of hydroquinone (HQ) and bisphenol A (BPA) in the presence of various antioxidants, some of which induce apoptosis in tumor cell lines. BPA produced no detectable amount of ESR signal. The acceleration of HQ oxidation by BPA results in the production of SQ .. The BPA-enhanced SQ . production may occur through either SQ. regeneration by electron transfer from BPA working as an antioxidant or the O2- scavenging activity of BPA. SQ . intensity of HQ/BPA was reduced by lower concentrations of sodium ascorbate, epigallocatechin, gallate and quercetin, but significantly enhanced by gallic acid. The initial SQ . was replaced by the radicals of antioxidants except lignin and salicylic acid, at higher concentrations, due to their radical-radical coupling or dismutation process. Among these compounds, gallic acid enhanced the radical intensity of SQ . to the greatest extent. The results suggest that antioxidants from foods suppress the activity of xenobiotics such as HQ, however, they produce their own radical at higher concentrations, suggesting their bimodal actions. The present study demonstrates the usefulness of ESR spectroscopy for the interaction between HQ/BPA and antioxidants.

Surviving and proliferating faculty of fibroblasts cultured under no-serum and poor nutritional conditions. The basic study on hybridation of cultured cells with an artificial matrix

BACKGROUND

In this study, we measured survival periods of fibroblasts cultured under conditions providing minimal nutrition. This investigation aims to develop the high affinity hybrid artificial organs on tissues or organs finally.

METHODS

Dermal fibroblasts were inoculated on 96-well multiplate according to routine technique. The medium of these cells maintained for 24 hours replaced the new DME medium containing 10% FBS (group 1) or without FBS (group 2) and then cultured for 10 days without medium change. The surviving cell numbers were measured using MTS assay.

RESULTS

Surviving cell numbers of both groups decreased progressively during the 10-day assay period. Overall 25-40% of the fibroblasts survived for at least 10 days. It decreased significantly, however, in group 2 from day 2 through day 4 as compared to group 1. In contrast, the cell number decreased in group 1 to a greater extent than in group 2 after day 6. When the cells that survived until day 10 were then cultured with fresh DME medium containing 10% FBS for 3 more days, the cell numbers returned to 50-100% of the initial level

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that fibroblasts cell function is maintained under poor nutritional conditions, i.e., without serum, possibly via an autocrine or paracrine mechanism. These data could contribute much to the research of hybrid artificial organs, including an artificial trachea, in which hybridization of cultured cells with artificial matrices remains to be a basic process, and has to serve in bloodless postimplantation period.

Changes in endothelin-1, 6-keto-PG-F1 alpha, and TX-B2 in random pattern flaps

In this study we investigated kinetic changes in the ratio of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and eicosanoids (6-keto-PG-F1 alpha TX-B2) in 20 x 60 mm random pattern flaps from rats. The ET-1 content of regions A (20 mm from the peripheral end) and B (20-40 mm) 6 h after surgery tended to decrease slightly compared to the ET-1 content immediately after surgery. The ET-1 content of region C (20 mm from the flap base) 6 h postoperatively increased significantly compared to that immediately after surgery. The ET-1 content of region C 6 h after surgery was significantly higher compared to that of regions A and B, which were obtained simultaneously. The ratios of eicosanoids in the three regions 6 h after surgery were significantly lower than those immediately after operation. However, the ratio in region A was higher than that in region C, showing that there was a difference in distribution in the flap between ET-1 and eicosanoids. The administration of an ETA receptor antagonist, FR-139317, extended the survival length of the flap. These results suggest that ET-1 can regulate the microcirculation in a flap directly and/or indirectly.

Physiological roles of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the epigastric island flaps of rabbits

Nitric oxide (NO), identified as the mediator of endothelium-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, is known to cause a number of inflammatory conditions, especially in ischemia/reperfusion injury. This experimental study, using a rabbit epigastric island flap, was designed to investigate whether skin flap ischemia followed by reperfusion-influenced serum NO and c-GMP concentrations in the flap. In addition, we also investigated the premedicated effects of the NO synthase inhibitor and heparin on serum NO and c-GMP concentrations in skin flap ischemia/reperfusion. Serum NO concentration after 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes of ischemia followed by reperfusion significantly increased compared with that in nonischemic control and elevated flaps. On the contrary, serum NO concentration was suppressed in L-NAME or aminoguanidine pretreated animals with ischemic group. Administration of heparin increased the serum NO concentration in elevated flaps, but suppressed it in ischemic flaps followed by reperfusion. The changes in serum c-GMP and NO concentrations were related in all of the experimental groups. These results suggest that NO may be derived from vascular endothelial cells and dilate peripheral vessels in compensation for ischemia.

Differential effects of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in enhancing macrophage resistance to Legionella pneumophila vs Candida albicans

It has been reported that granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), one of the hemopoietic growth factors which regulates the function of phagocytic cells, is a potent activator of cultured macrophages and induces antimicrobial activities as well as differentiation of precursor cells. In this study, we examined the ability of recombinant murine GM-CSF to activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to restrict the growth of two different microorganisms, Candida albicans and Legionella pneumophila, both of which are important opportunistic pathogens in an immunocompromised host. Treatment of thioglycollate-elicited BDF1 mouse macrophages with GM-CSF for 24 hr enhanced the anti-C. albicans activity of the macrophages in terms of inhibiting growth of the fungi. Reactive oxygen (H2O2) and IL-1 production by the macrophages were also enhanced by treatment with GM-CSF. However, no enhancement of anti-L. pneumophila activity of macrophages obtained from either susceptible A/J or resistant BDF1 mice to L. pneumophila infection after treatment with up to 1000 units/ml GM-CSF was observed under the same conditions. When the treatment time was extended to 72 hr. GM-CSF was still unable to induce anti-L. pneumophila activity. As a control study, treatment with recombinant IFN-gamma enhanced both anti-Candida and anti-Legionella activity in cultured macrophages under the same conditions used in the GM-CSF study. Measurement of cellular iron content revealed the low iron content in IFN-gamma-treated macrophages, but no decrease of iron in GM-CSF-treated macrophages compared with the control group, indicating a possible involvement of iron as a key factor in anti-L. pneumophila activity. Thus, the results of the study show that GM-CSF activation of elicited peritoneal macrophages is selective with regard to the type of antimicrobial activity induced.

Apoptosis induction resulting from proteasome inhibition

Proteases are known to be involved in the apoptotic pathway. We report here that benzyloxycarbonyl (Z)-Leu-Leu-leucinal(ZLLLal), a leupeptin analogue, can induce apoptosis in MOLT-4 and L5178Y cells. ZLLLal is a cell-permeant inhibitor of proteasome. Among the protease inhibitors tested, only calpain inhibitor I (acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal) and ZLLLal caused a marked induction of apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells. In contrast Z-Leu-leucinal, a specific inhibitor of calpain, did not induce apoptosis. When MOLT-4 cells were incubated in the presence of ZLLLal, p53 accumulated in the cells. These results strongly suggest that inhibition of proteasome induces p53-dependent apoptosis and that proteasome can protect cell from apoptosis.

Differential inhibition of calpain and proteasome activities by peptidyl aldehydes of di-leucine and tri-leucine

To explore membrane-permeable synthetic inhibitors that discriminate between endogenous calpain and proteasome in cells, we examined the inhibition of profiles against calpain and proteasome in vitro and in vivo of peptidyl aldehydes possessing di-leucine and tri-leucine. The tripeptide aldehyde benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucinal (ZLLLal) strongly inhibited calpain and proteasome activities in vitro. The concentration required for 50% inhibition (IC50) of the casein-degrading activity of calpain was 1.25 microM, and the IC50s for the succinyl-leucyl-leucyl-valyl-tyrosine-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Suc-LLVY-MCA)- and benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucyl-leucine-4-methylcoumaryl -7-amide (ZLLL-MCA)-degrading activities of proteasome were 850 and 100 nM, respectively. On the other hand, the synthetic dipeptide aldehyde benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucinal (ZLLal) strongly inhibited the casein degrading activity of calpain (IC50 1.20 microM), but the inhibition of proteasome was weak (IC50S for SucLLVY-MCA- and ZLLL-MCA-degrading activities were 120 and 110 microM, respectively). Thus, while calpain was inhibited by similar concentrations of ZLLal and ZLLLal, the inhibitory potencies of ZLLLal against the ZLLL-MCA- and Suc-LLVY-MCA-degrading activities in proteasome were 1,100 and 140 times stronger than those of ZLLal, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of these inhibitors on intracellular proteasome, the induction of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells caused by proteasome inhibition was examined. ZLLLal and ZLLal initiated neurite outgrowth with optimal concentrations of 20 nM and 10 microM, respectively, again showing a big difference in the effective concentrations for the proteasome inhibition as in vitro. As for the effect on intracellular calpain, the concentration of ZLLLal and ZLLal required for the inhibition of the autolytic activation of calpain in rabbit erythrocytes were 100 and 100 microM or more, respectively. The almost equal inhibitory potencies of ZLLLal and ZLLal were in agreement with the inhibition of calpain in vitro. These differential effects of inhibitors against calpain and proteasome are potentially useful for identifying the functions of calpain and proteasome in cell physiology and pathology.

[Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with ingestion of Senecio tephrosioides]

A case of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) in a 38 year-old woman is reported. She had occasionally consumed "Huamanrripa" (Senecio tephrosioides) as a cough remedy for many years. She was hospitalized because she had presented abdominal pain, jaundice and anasarca during 10 weeks. The histological studies of hepatic biopsy showed pronounced congestion to centrilobulillar predominance, focus of necrosis and a reversed lobulation pattern in some areas. In the next 13 months she was hospitalized four times due to complications of portal hypertension. This is the first reported case of HVOD associated with S tephrosioides ingestion. It is very probable that this plant used in peruvian traditional medicine contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, hepatic and nephrotoxic substances that are present in other species of Senecio genus. Due to present popularity of alternative medicine, an increment in HVOD incidence is expected.

LPS inhibits the intracellular growth of Legionella pneumophila in thioglycolate elicited murine peritoneal macrophages by iron-dependent, tryptophan-independent, oxygen-independent, and arginine-independent mechanisms

Thioglycolate-elicited murine macrophages from genetically susceptible A/J mice activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and infected with Legionella pneumophila in vitro evince marked inhibition of intracellular growth of this bacterium. The mechanism of inhibition by LPS-activated macrophages in terms of replication of this intracellular pathogen is unclear. LPS activation of murine macrophages induced a downshift in transferrin receptor (TfR) expression and reduction in cellular iron content, and this was correlated with augmented intracellular growth of Legionella in the cells. When LPS-stimulated macrophages were first saturated with iron, partial reversion of L. pneumophila growth restriction was observed. However, an excess of exogenous L-tryptophan (Trp) did not reverse this growth inhibition, nor did supplementation of the macrophage culture medium with both iron and Trp. The antilegionella activity of the macrophages induced by LPS activation was independent of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), since the scavengers catalase, superoxide dismutase, mannitol, and thiourea had no effect on growth restriction. Likewise, notwithstanding the ability of LPS-activated macrophages to synthesize reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI), which was inhibited by L-arginine analogs NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and L-aminoguanidine), as well as by incubation in arginine-free medium, their ability to inhibit the intracellular replication of L. pneumophila was not affected. Thus, we conclude that LPS-activated macrophages inhibit the intracellular growth of L. pneumophila partially by iron-dependent, Trp-independent, and ROI- and RNI-independent mechanisms. We also suggest that additional unknown mechanisms are involved, since complete reversion was not obtained.

[A new method of high-dose intraarterial chemotherapy of the pancreas using direct hemoperfusion (DHP) under portal venous isolation (PVI)]

Surgical resection for pancreatic cancer is severely limited by the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy has been the treatment of choice for unresectable cases. We developed a new method of intraarterial chemotherapy for pancreatic body and tail cancers using direct hemoperfusion (DHP) under portal venous isolation (PVI). Adriamycin (ADR, 3 mg/kg) was infused into the splenic arteries of mongrel dogs for 5 min after clamping off blood flow to the stomach and the duodenum. In group A (n = 5), this was simply done, and in group B (n = 5) the portal venous blood was isolated by clamping at the porta hepatis and pumped through the DHP circuit to the jugular vein for 20 min from the start of drug infusion. The peak systemic level (microgram/ml) of group B (0.78 +/- 0.03) was significantly reduced by PVI.DHP as compared to that of group A (3.49 +/- 1.15, P < 0.01). The pancreatic tissue levels (microgram/g. tissue) 30 min after drug infusion of group A (61.2 +/- 13.4) were slightly lower than those in group B (88.9 +/- 27.8), although not statistically significant. However, tissue levels of group B in the liver (27.3 +/- 9.2) and heart (1.8 +/- 0.8) were significantly lower than those of group A (liver; 52.3 +/- 18.5, heart; 4.9 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05). In conclusion, PVI.DHP achieved a significant reduction in systemic drug exposure during intraarterial chemotherapy. Therefore, we consider that this system will allow dose escalation of ADR during intraarterial chemotherapy for pancreatic body and tail cancers.

Changes of albumin concentrations in the first morning urine according to age and sex in 2990 healthy children and adults

This study was performed to clarify the changes in urinary albumin excretion according to age and sex in healthy subjects, for the appropriate judgment of microalbuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Concentrations of albumin in the first morning urine from 2990 healthy individuals (1713 males, 1277 females) aged from 6 to 39 years were measured by turbidimetry immunoassay. Reference values of the concentrations for each age group were obtained from the 95% confidence limits from the distribution simulated by the chi 2-test (k = 1). Reference values were 1.3-2.2 mg/dl in children aged 6-11 years. Values for females increased significantly from 22 mg/dl at age 11 years to 3.9 mg/dl at age 12 years (P < 0.0001) and those of males increased gradually from 1.7 mg/dl at age 11 years to 3.9 mg/dl at age 16 years. There were significant differences between males and females at the ages of 12 (P < 0.0001), 13 (P < 0.0001), and 14 (P < 0.0007). After 17 years, the values decreased from 3.9 mg/dl to 3.3 mg/dl in females, and to 2.9 mg/dl in males. We conclude that reference values of urinary albumin excretion change according to age and sex, which should be taken into consideration in the assessment of diabetic nephropathy in IDDM.

[Effect of combined use of CR1505 with UFT for the tumor growth of the subcutaneously transplanted pancreatic cancer in the Syrian golden hamsters]

We studied on the effect of combined use of CR1505 with UFT for the subcutaneously transplanted pancreatic cancer induced by BOP (N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine) in the Syrian golden hamsters. The tumor growth in the group treated with both CR1505 and UFT was significantly inhibited compared with that in the group treated with only CR1505 or UFT. Labelling index judged by BrdU immunohistochemistry in the group with the combined use was significantly lower than that in the group with the single use. The differences of the body weights and blood analysis were not obscured in the both groups. Moreover, the concentrations of 5-FU and FT207 in tumors were not different between them. These results suggest that a new therapy of the combined use with CR1505 and UFT for the pancreatic cancer should be effective.

[Proposal for the nosocomial infection control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)]

To determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital environments, quantitative isolation of MRSA from environmental and human specimens was performed. It was found that as many as 6 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/100cm2 of MRSA and also methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) were isolated from 1) 25-100% of the bed-mattresses tested in 10 out of 11 (90%) hospitals, and also 2) bed sheets for patients, floors of patient wards, laundry, bath-room, toilet and laundry storage-room. And seven and eight palms of 20 patients were contaminated with MRCNS and MRSA, respectively, and MRCNS contamination was revealed in six of medical staffs. These results indicate that hospital environments, especially the mattresses and hospital floors are highly contaminated with MRCNS and MRSA, and sanitation and cleanliness of mattresses and floors are necessary to prevent the dissemination of both MRCNS and MRSA in hospital.

Optimal site and amount of splenic tissue for autotransplantation

Clinical and basic studies have documented a high susceptibility to pneumococcal infection in asplenic humans and animals. It has been suggested that autotransplantation of splenic tissue might be a method of providing host resistance when total splenectomy is necessary. However, the effect of splenic autograft has remained controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the most effective site and amount of splenic autograft using rats. Rats were divided into five groups for the purpose of determining the site of splenic autotransplantation: splenectomy, sham operation, implantation into the omental pouch, intraperitoneal implantation, and intramuscular implantation. For determining the amount for autotransplantation, the rats were divided into seven groups: splenectomy, sham operation, and implantations of 25, 50, 100, 200, or 300 mg of splenic tissue. All animals were challenged with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 6, 16 weeks after surgery. Howell-Jolly bodies appeared postsplenectomy, but disappeared in the implanted rats 16 weeks after the operation. Histologically, the implanted tissue was indistinguishable from that of a normal spleen. Pneumococcal clearance from the bloodstream and survival rate were significantly higher in rats implanted in the omental pouch as compared with splenectomized rats. Intraperitoneal and intramuscular implanted rats did not show a significant difference from the splenectomized rats. More than 50% of splenic tissue for autograft showed a significant increase in pneumococcal clearance and survival rate as compared with that of splenectomized rats. It was suggested that the most effective site of autotransplantation is the omental pouch and approximately 50% of the whole spleen would be necessary for prevention from sepsis.

[Chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosed after corticosteroid therapy for Evans syndrome]

A 59-year-old woman was admitted in February 1991, because of abdominal distension. On admission, she had splenomegaly, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Evans syndrome had been diagnosed and daily prednisolone therapy had been performed. After this therapy, a rapid increase of lymphocytes was observed accompanied with contraction of spleen. The monoclonal proliferation of B-lymphocytes and rearrangement of JH and J kappa gene were detected and chronic lymphocytic leukemia was diagnosed. With reduction of prednisolone, the lymphocyte counts decreased and the size of the spleen returned to the previous state. It is suspected that the cause of rapid lymphocytosis in this case was due to the redistribution of lymphocytes from the spleen to the peripheral blood.

Formation of contacts between mast cells and sympathetic neurons in vitro

Functional interactions between mast cells and peripheral nerves may occur at sites of association seen in vivo. To study the interactions, we developed a tissue culture model of murine sympathetic neurons co-cultured with rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL-2H3) cells (homologues of mucosal mast cells) or rat peritoneal mast cells. In co-cultures of up to 3 days, light microscopy identified neurite contacts with peritoneal mast cells or RBL-2H3 cells, but not with glial cells or fibroblasts. Electron microscopy confirmed membrane-membrane contact between neurites and RBL-2H3 cells. Time-lapse analysis of interactions between neurons and RBL-2H3 cells showed that 60-100% of the cells in a given field acquired neurite contact within 17 h. In matching control studies, there was no increase in the frequency of neurite contact with cells of the rat plasmacytoma line (YB2/0): these were not selected as targets, and contacts were broken if formed. Time-lapse records of the derivation of neurites from their path suggested a neurotropic effect of mast cells, with neurite contact ensuing when the intervening distance was less than 36 +/- 4 microns. Once formed, contacts were invariably maintained throughout the period of examination (up to 72 h), in contrast to YB2/O or fibroblast contacts. We conclude that neurons selectively form and maintain connections with cells representative of rat connective tissue-type and mucosal mast cells in vitro. Similar interactions in vivo could promote nerve/mast cell contacts, which may allow bidirectional communication between the nervous and immune systems.

Survey of Hanganutziu and Deicher antibodies in operated patients

The appearance of Hanganutziu and Deicher (HD) antibody in the sera of patients suffering from various diseases, including malignancies of some organs and liver disorders, was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using N-glycolylneuraminyl-lactosylceramide (HD3) and 4-O-acetyl-HD3 as the antigenic molecules. More than 25% of sera from patients suffering from malignancies, cholelithiasis and liver cirrhosis had HD antibody, whereas none of 41 sera from healthy persons had HD antibody. The percentage of HD antibody-positive patients was similar in stages I, II and III of gastric cancer and recurrence cases. Antibody titers of the positive patients in each stage were also not different from those in each other stage. These results indicated that HD antigenic expression on cancerous tissue is not dependent on the cancerous malignancy. The HD antibody level was elevated after surgical removal of cancerous tissues in 5 of 6 patients examined, indicating that tumor growth absorbed the serum antibody. Serum antibody against 4-O-acetyl-HD3 was detected independently of HD3 antibody in some cases; however, in most cases, correlation between the two antibody titers was observed.

[Knee synovitis in a rheumatoid patient with separated joint cavity]

A 40-year-old female patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis of 10 years duration. She had performed a total knee replacement of her left knee. At surgery the suprapatellar pouch was found to be separate from the rest of the knee joint, where direct access to the articular collagenous tissue remained. The suprapatellar pouch, presumable separate from the knee cavity since birth, was free of disease. The rest of the knee joint had gross and histopathological evidence of severe rheumatoid synovitis. The sparing of this suprapatellar pouch by rheumatoid disease is not easily explained, but the finding of this case suggests that synovium and articular collagenous tissues are requisites of chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

The range of albumin concentrations in the single-void first morning urine of 1090 healthy young children

To predict microalbuminuria easily in the diabetic outpatient clinic, we determined the range of albumin concentrations in the single-void first morning urine in 1090 healthy subjects of age 6-11 by the modified turbidimetry immunoassay (TIA) method, which uses 96-well microplates and a microplate reader to perform the assay quickly and conveniently. As the correlation coefficient of albumin concentration by the TIA uncorrected for creatinine versus corrected for creatinine was r = 0.79 (P less than 0.005), the values uncorrected for creatinine were used. When the distribution of values from 1090 healthy young children was simulated by using the chi-square test (k = 1), the 95% confidence interval was 0-18 micrograms/ml.

Isolation and characterization of lung mast cells from rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

To study the nature and extent of mast cell heterogeneity within a single species, we have developed methodologies to isolate rat lung mast cells (LMC) and have compared these to peritoneal mast cells (PMC) and intestinal mucosal mast cells (IMMC). In normal and athymic nude (rnu/rnu) rats, a single intratracheal administration of bleomycin (5 U/kg) leads to pulmonary fibrosis accompanied by parenchymal hyperplasia of mast cells that are histochemically like PMC rather than IMMC. Using collagenase digestion of fibrotic rat lungs (30-80 days after bleomycin treatment), we recovered an average of 58.1 x 10(6) viable cells per rat, containing 2.5% mast cells. Control experiments in which PMC were subjected to the isolation procedure used for LMC showed that there was no qualitative effect on PMC, but that a reduction of 26-60% in responsiveness to secretagogues occurred. Isolated LMC secreted histamine in response to 48/80, A23187, substance P, VIP and somatostatin and bradykinin, but at lower levels than PMC. The anti-allergic compound theophylline, which does not inhibit antigen-induced histamine secretion by IMMC, was effective against both LMC and PMC. Taken together, the thymus independence of pulmonary mast cell hyperplasia, the histochemical characteristics and the responsiveness to secretagogues and anti-allergic compounds indicate that the majority of dispersed LMC are similar to PMC rather than to IMMC. Whether LMC should be considered analogous to PMC or, because of their size, histamine content and responsiveness to many secretagogues, intermediate between PMC and IMMC, remains to be determined through additional studies.

Influence of dietary cis and trans fats on DMH-induced colon tumors, steroid excretion, and eicosanoid production in rats prone to colon cancer

The effect of geometrical isomerism of dietary fats on colon tumorigenesis was studied in male and female rats of a strain prone to colon cancer (Wistar-Furth-Osaka). The rats were fed purified diets containing either partially hydrogenated corn oil (trans fat) or high-oleic safflower (cis fat) at the 5% level for one week and received a single oral dose of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. The difference in the fatty acid composition of dietary fats was confined solely to the geometry of octadecenoate. An appropriate level of linoleic acid (2% of total energy) was supplied. After about 60 weeks, neither fat-type nor sex-dependent differences in the incidence of colon and small intestinal tumors was observed. The fecal excretion of neutral but not acidic steroids was higher in male rats fed the trans fat than in those fed the cis fat, but the composition remained almost unchanged. Aortic production of prostacyclin and the plasma concentration of thromboxane B2 were not influenced by dietary fats, although these were significantly higher in females, irregardless of the fat source. Thus, trans fat behaved much like the cis fat in various parameters, except for steroid excretion.