Polyamide microcapsules containing alginic acid: extractability of metal ions and surface characterization by XPS

Polyamide microcapsules containing alginic acid as a water-soluble macromolecular ligand (Alg-MC) were prepared by the interfacial polycondensation of sebacoyldichloride with hexamethylenediamine in a w/o emulsion system. The mean diameter of the microcapsules was 1.2 microns. The extractabilities of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Ag(I) into the Alg-MC were examined and the highest uptake was found for Cu(II). It was ascertained that not only the inner ligand solution but also the membrane can accumulate the metal ions. The surface composition of the microcapsules was characterized by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and it was found that some functional groups of alginic acid were present at the surface penetrating the membrane.

Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust enhances antigen-induced eosinophilic inflammation and epithelial damage in the murine airway

The histopathologic changes in the murine airway induced by long-term exposure to diesel exhaust (DE), ovalbumin (OA), or both were investigated. The relationship between the histopathologic appearances in the airway and immunoglobulin production or local cytokine levels in the lungs was also studied. ICR mice were exposed to clean air or DE at a soot concentrations of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/m3 for 34 weeks. Fifteen weeks after exposure to DE, mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with 10 micrograms of OA and challenged by an aerosol of 1% OA six times at 3-week intervals during the last 18 weeks of the exposure. DE exposure caused a dose-dependent increase of nonciliated cell proliferation and epithelial cell hypertrophy in the airway, but showed no effect on goblet cell proliferation in the bronchial epithelium and eosinophil recruitment in the submucosa of the airway. OA treatment induced very slight changes in goblet cell proliferation and eosinophil recruitment. The combination of OA and DE exposure produced dose-dependent increases of goblet cells and eosinophils, in addition to further increases of the typical changes induced by DE. OA treatment induced OA-specific IgG1 and IgE production in plasma, whereas the adjuvant effects of DE exposure on immunoglobulin production were not observed. Inhalation of DE led to increased levels of IL-5 protein in the lung at a soot concentration of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/m3 with OA, although these increases did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that the combination of antigen and chronic exposure to DE produces increased eosinophilic inflammation, and cell damage to the epithelium may depend on the degree of eosinophilic inflammation in the airway.

Isotope dilution analysis of Se in human blood serum by using high-power nitrogen microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometry coupled with a hydride generation technique

To establish a method for sensitive, accurate, and precise determination of Se in real samples, isotope dilution analysis using high-power nitrogen microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometry (N2 MIP-IDMS) was conducted. In this study, freeze-dried human blood serum (Standard Reference Material, NIES No. 4) provided by NIES (National Institute for Environmental Studies) was used as a real sample. The measured isotopes of Se were 78Se and 80Se which are the major isotopes of Se. The appropriate amount of a Se spike solution was theoretically calculated by using an error multiplication factor (F) and was confirmed experimentally for the isotope dilution analysis. The mass discrimination effect was corrected for by using a standard Se solution for the measurement of Se isotope ratios in the spiked sample. However, the sensitivity for the detection of Se was not so good and the precision of the determination was not improved (2-3%) by N2 MIP-IDMS with use of the conventional nebulizer. Therefore, a hydride generation system was connected to N2 MIP-IDMS as a sample introduction system (HG-N2 MIP-IDMS) in order to establish a more sensitive detection and a more precise determination of Se. A detection limit (3 sigma) of 10 pg mL-1 could be achieved, and the RSD was less than 1% at the concentration level of 5.0-10.0 ng mL-1 by HG-N2 MIP-IDMS. The analytical results were found to be in a good agreement with those obtained by the standard addition method using conventional Ar ICPMS.

Recurrent excitation of motoneurons in the isolated spinal cord of newborn rats detected by whole-cell recording

Motoneurons in the isolated spinal cord of newborn rats (1- to 6-day-old) were visualized using infrared videomicroscopy. Whole-cell recordings were performed from the neurons under observation. Stimulation of a sciatic nerve which adjoined ventral roots elicited postsynaptic currents (PSCs) in 28 out of 88 motoneurons. When membrane potentials were changed, some PSCs reversed at around -70 mV, which was compatible with the chloride equilibrium potential calculated. Thus, they were considered to be recurrent inhibitory, namely Renshaw inhibition. On the other hand, we detected PSCs which reversed at +3.3 mV on average. They were interpreted as excitatory based on the level of the reversal potential which was similar to that of orthodromic excitatory PSCs. To determine the origin of the antidromic excitatory inputs, the effect of d-tubocurarine (10 microM) on the PSCs was examined. In three out of five motoneurons, the excitatory currents were eliminated. Therefore, it was concluded that the excitatory inputs, if not all, are mediated via the axon collaterals. Furthermore, it was found that the locations of motoneurons receiving the recurrent inhibitory and the excitatory PSCs were different in the spinal cord.

Diesel exhaust inhalation enhances airway hyperresponsiveness in mice

BACKGROUND

Repeated intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles and ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in mice. However, the effects of daily inhalation of diesel exhaust may differ from the effects of direct instillation.

METHODS

Therefore, mice were exposed to diesel exhaust by inhalation 12 h per day for 3 months. Before the diesel exhaust exposure, ovalbumin was injected intraperitoneally as a sensitization. After 3 weeks of diesel exhaust exposure, these mice were challenged with ovalbumin every 3 week thereafter.

RESULTS

Diesel exhaust exposure with antigen challenge induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation which was characterized by increased numbers of eosinophils and mast cells in lung tissue. The recruitment of inflammatory cells was accompanied by an increment in goblet cells on bronchial epithelium. Diesel exhaust exposure alone also enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness, but did not induce eosinophilic infiltration and/or an increment in goblet cells.

CONCLUSION

Diesel exhaust inhalation enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation caused by ovalbumin sensitization in mice.

Inhalation of diesel exhaust enhances allergen-related eosinophil recruitment and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice

We have previously shown that intratracheal instillation of suspension of diesel exhaust particles enhances allergen-related eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and local expression of interleukin (IL)-5 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in mice. The present study was designed to elucidate the effects of daily inhalation of diesel exhaust (DE) on the allergen-related respiratory disease. ICR mice were exposed for 40 weeks to clean air or DE at a soot concentration of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/m3 with aerosol allergen challenges (1% ovalbumin in isotonic saline for 6 min) at 3-week intervals during the last 24 weeks of exposures. Exposure to DE enhanced allergen-related eosinophil recruitment to the submucosal layers of the airways and to the bronchoalveolar space, and increased protein levels of GM-CSF and IL-5 in the lung in a dose-dependent manner compared to exposure to clean air. There were strong correlations between the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and IL-5 concentrations in BAL supernatants and lung tissue supernatants. In addition, the increases in eosinophil recruitment and local cytokine expression were accompanied by goblet cell proliferation in the bronchial epithelium and airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled acetylcholine. In contrast, the control mice exposed for 40 weeks to clean air or DE at a soot concentration of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/m3 without allergen provocation showed no eosinophil recruitment to the submucosal layers of the airways nor to the bronchoalveolar space and few goblet cells in the bronchial epithelium. The present study provides experimental evidence that daily inhalation of DE can enhance allergen-related respiratory diseases such as allergic asthma. This effect may be mediated by the enhanced local expression of IL-5 and GM-CSF. Increased ambient levels of DE may be implicated in the increasing prevalence of bronchial asthma in recent years.

[Tumor volume and percent of gland involvement with tumor as predictors of pathological stage in prostate cancer]

BACKGROUND

It is well recognized that tumor volume correlates with pathological stage, histological grade and progression in prostate cancer. We analyzed the tumor volume and the percent of gland involvement with tumor (%TV/PV) to determine if either or both of these morphometric factors would be good predictors of pathological stage.

METHODS

The pathological reviews were retrospectively performed on the basis of the 22 step sectioned prostate specimens removed by radical retropublic prostatectomy for clinical T1c-T2-T3 prostate cancer. The percent of gland involvement with tumor was calculated using the following formula [100 x (tumor volume cc/prostate volume cc)]. When the patients had organ confined disease (OCD) or specimen confined disease (SCD) they were defined as surgically cured patients, whereas the patients with positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle involvement or positive lymph node were defined as not surgically cured patients.

RESULTS

The likelihood of OCD was 25% in patients with clinical T1c-T2 disease. No patients with clinical T3 had OCD. Patients with SCD was not observed. The mean tumor volume was 1.3 cc in the surgically cured patients and 6.2 cc in the not surgically cured patients. The tumor volume correlated with pathological stage (r = 0.607, p = 0.0054). The mean %TV/PV was 3.23% in the surgically cured patients and 18.2% in the not surgically cured patients. The %TV/PV also correlated with pathological stage (r = 0.543, p = 0.0129). Both the tumor volume and the %TV/PV in surgically cured patients were less than those in the not surgically cured patients. A correlation between tumor grade and both the tumor volume and the %TV/PV were not observed.

CONCLUSION

The tumor volume and the %TV/PV correlated well with the final pathological stage. Multiple regression analysis showed that the tumor volume was the best predictor of pthological stage.

Diesel exhaust particles enhance airway responsiveness following allergen exposure in mice

We have previously reported that intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) enhances allergen-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation, local expression of interleukin-5 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and allergen-specific production of IgE and IgG in mice. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effects of DEP on airway hyperresponsiveness as another characteristic feature of allergic asthma. The animals were randomized into four experimental groups that received intratracheal instillation with vehicle, ovalbumin (OVA), DEP, or the combination of OVA and DEP on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. Respiratory resistance (Rrs) was measured 24 h after the last instillation. An increase in Rrs in animals that inhaled acetylcholine was significantly greater in the combined treatment with OVA and DEP than in the other treatments. The present study indicates that DEP can enhance airway responsiveness associated with allergen exposure, and provides experimental evidence that DEP may deteriorate the pathophysiology of allergen-related respiratory disease such as allergic asthma.

Diesel exhaust enhances allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice

We previously reported that the intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles enhances allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice. However, it is not known whether the effects of such instillation differ from those obtained with the daily inhalation of diesel exhaust. We therefore examined whether the inhalation of diesel exhaust would also enhance allergic reactions. Mice were exposed to diesel exhaust or clean air for 5 wk. After the first week, the animals were sensitized to ovalbumin by intraperitoneal injection. At the end of the exposure period, they underwent an ovalbumin challenge. Control animals received saline instead of ovalbumin. Independently of ovalbumin sensitization, diesel exhaust caused an increase in the numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, whereas a significant increase in eosinophil numbers occurred only after antigen challenge combined with diesel exhaust exposure. Furthermore, ovalbumin alone caused an increase in eosinophil numbers in lung tissue, and this was enhanced by diesel exhaust. Exposure to diesel exhaust combined with ovalbumin sensitization, but not diesel exhaust inhalation alone, enhanced the number of goblet cells in lung tissue, respiratory resistance, production of ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E and G1 in the serum, and expression of interleukin-5 in lung tissue.

Murine strain differences in airway inflammation caused by diesel exhaust particles

To elucidate whether immunoglobulin (Ig) E or IgG are involved in the murine asthma model, we compared the pathogenic features of mice that were high IgG responders (C3H/He) with mice that were high IgE responders (BALB/c) after intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and ovalbumin sensitization. Both mouse strains received DEP intratracheally once a week for 5 weeks. After the second injection of DEP, ovalbumin and aluminium hydroxide were injected intraperitoneally. After the last DEP administration, the mice were challenged by exposure to an aerosol of ovalbumin. DEP caused increased IgG1 production and airway hyperresponsiveness after ovalbumin sensitization in C3H/He mice, although IgE production did not change in either strain. Furthermore, in C3H/He mice, the number of eosinophils and goblet cells in the bronchial epithelium, and the expression of interleukin-5 and interleukin-2 were increased by DEP and ovalbumin treatments. In contrast, the pathogenic changes in BALB/c mice were weak, even though the same protocol was used. In conclusion, murine strain differences in response to air pollutants and allergens seem to be related to antigen-specific immunoglobulin G1 production and cytokine expression in the lungs.

[Impact of androgen deprivation prior to radical prostatectomy for T1, T2 prostate cancer on the likelihood of curative surgery]

BACKGROUND

Extracapsular extension is commonly seen in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer due to understaging of disease. One possible approach to reduce the likelihood of extracapsular disease is androgen deprivation prior to radical prostatectomy, neoadjuvant therapy. However, adequate application is not clear. We analyzed the outcome of neoadjuvant therapy and radical prostatectomy in an attempt to expand our understanding on indications of neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS

Forty-six selected patients with clinical T1 or T2 prostate cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-two patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy (group N) that mainly consists of LH-RH agonist. The duration of neoadjuvant therapy, varied from 1 to 12 months with the mean being 4 months. Twenty-four underwent radical prostatectomy alone (group S).

RESULTS

In the group N and group S, 59% and 33% had either organ confined disease (OCD) or specimen confined disease (SCD) respectively. When the patients had OCD or SCD, they were defined as surgically cured patients. In the patients with clinical stage T1b, T1c, and T2 disease, likelihood of surgical cure were 100%, 50%, 46.7% in group N, 100%, 20%, 11%, in group S respectively. In the patients with initial serum PSA less than 10 ng/ml and more than 10.1 ng/ml, likelihood of surgical cure were 83.3% and 50% in group N, 63.6% and 15.4% in group S, respectively. Likelihood of surgical cure was higher in the patients with well differentiated carcinoma both in group N and group S. All the patients with serum PSA less than 0.1 ng/ml after neoadjuvant therapy had OCD.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvent therapy could be beneficial either in the patients with moderately or in the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of prostate especially in the group with initial serum PSA more than 10.1 ng/ml. However, in patients both with well differentiated adenocarcinoma and the initial serum PSA less than 10 ng/ml, no evidence of beneficial effect on the likelihood of OCD or SCD was observed. PSA after neoadjuvant therapy could be useful predictor for the pathological outcome.

Murine strain differences in allergic airway inflammation and immunoglobulin production by a combination of antigen and diesel exhaust particles

To clarify the relationship between the manifestations of allergic airway inflammation modulated by diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and immunoglobulin production in response to an antigen, airway inflammation characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils, goblet cell proliferation, and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) production was investigated in five strains of mice after immunization with ovalbumin (OA). Mice were injected intratracheally with OA (1 microg) or OA (1 microg) + DEP (50 microg) four times at 3-week intervals. The order of antigen-specific IgG1 production in plasma of mouse strains treated with OA alone was CBA/2N <BDF/1 <C57BL/6 < ICR <C3H/He. The adjuvant effect of DEP on IgG1 production was observed in CBA/2N, BDF/1, ICR, and C57BL/6 mice. The immune activity in BDF/1 mice was significantly elevated (P < 0.01). The OA-specific IgE in plasma was unaffected by antigen challenge with or without DEP in any strain. The degree of eosinophilic inflammation and goblet cell proliferation in the airway induced by OA alone or OA + DEP corresponded well with the antigen-specific IgG1 production. These results suggest that the manifestations of allergic airway inflammation modulated by DEP were closely related to the immunoglobulin production response to OA, especially with regard to enhanced IgG1 production.

Diesel exhaust particles enhance antigen-induced airway inflammation and local cytokine expression in mice

Previous experimental studies have suggested that nasal instillation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) can enhance nasal IgE response and cytokine production. However, there is no experimental evidence for the relation of DEP to allergic asthma. We investigated the effects of DEP inoculated intratracheally on antigen-induced airway inflammation, local expression of cytokine proteins, and antigen-specific immunoglobulin production in mice. DEP aggravated ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation characterized by infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes and an increase in goblet cells in bronchial epithelium. DEP with antigen markedly increased interleukin-5 (IL-5) protein levels in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage supernatants compared with either antigen or DEP alone. The combination of DEP and antigen induced significant increases in local expression of IL-4, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-2, whereas expression of interferon-gamma was not affected. In addition, DEP exhibited adjuvant activity for the antigen-specific production of IgG and IgE. These results provide the first experimental evidence that DEP can enhance the manifestations of allergic asthma. The enhancement may be mediated mainly by the increased local expression of IL-5, and also by the modulated expression of IL-4, GM-CSF, and IL-2.

Lung carcinogenesis and formation of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in mice by diesel exhaust particles

In order to clarify the involvement of oxygen radicals in lung carcinogenesis induced by diesel exhaust particles (DEP), the relationship between lung tumour response and formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in lung DNA was examined. The role of high dietary fat and beta-carotene on these responses was also studied. Mice were intratracheally injected with 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg of DEP per animal once weekly for 10 weeks. After 12 months, the lung tumour incidence in mice treated with 0.05 mg and 0.1 mg showed similar increases (30% and 31%), but was decreased to 24% at 0.2 mg. High dietary fat enhanced the incidence of both benign and malignant tumours. beta-carotene partially prevented the tumour development. After the 10 weekly treatments of DEP, inflammatory reaction was observed in the respiratory tract and alveoli. The formation of 8-OHdG in lung DNA from mice treated with DEP showed a dose dependent increase. 8-OHdG formation was enhanced by high dietary fat and partially reduced by beta-carotene. Formation of 8-OHdG was significantly correlated with the lung tumour incidence except at 0.2 mg. These results suggest that the induction of oxidative DNA damage may be an important factor in the initiation of DEP-induced lung carcinogenesis, and that beta-carotene and high dietary fat may play a role in the regulation of tumour development via modulation of the formation of 8-OHdG.

Electrophysiological elucidation of pathways of intrinsic horizontal connections in rat visual cortex

Cortical neurons receive synaptic inputs through both vertical and horizontal pathways. We made a systematic survey of the synaptic strength and intracortical pathways of intrinsic horizontal connections in rat visual cortex using intracellular recordings from alice preparations. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials were recorded from pyramidal neurons of layers 2/3 and layers 5/6 in response to electrical shocks applied to these layers at a lateral distance of 1.0 mm from the impaled neuron or to the underlying white matter. When the threshold intensity of stimulation to activate monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials was compared, the vertical input had a lower threshold than the horizontal inputs. The threshold intensity of the horizontal inputs was lower, and the amplitude of the responses was larger in sagittally sectioned slices than in coronal slices, suggesting that the horizontal synaptic connection in the rat visual cortex was stronger in the rostrocaudal than in the mediolateral direction. Tetrodotoxin puffs focally applied to gray matter between the stimulation and the recording sites caused a transient depression of excitatory postsynaptic potentials, which was selective to the input conveyed through the puffed area. This pharmacological dissection revealed that routes parallel to the cortical Iaminae in the same layer as the stimulation site mediated the largest part of excitation conduction of intrinsic connections. Obliquely ascending routes mediated almost half of all the detected inputs originating from a deep layer to the neurons in either layers 5/6 or layers 2/3, whereas the contribution of obliquely descending routes from layers 2/3 to layers 5/6 was small (25%). Our results present semi-quantitative data on the connection diagram of the intrinsic neuronal circuits in the rat visual cortex, which will provide the basis for further investigations of the roles of the intrinsic connections in information processing in rodent cerebral cortex.

Immunohistochemical localization of surfactant protein A in N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl) nitrosamine-induced lung tumors in rats

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is most abundant protein associated with pulmonary surfactant which is synthesized by alveolar type II cells in the alveoli. In this study, we localized SP-A in experimentally induced pulmonary hyperplasias and tumors in rats, by immunohistochemistry. When rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of N-bis (2-hydroxypropyl) nitrosamine (BHPN) followed by exposed to mixture gases of O3 and NO2, hyperplastic alveolar type II cells stained with the antibody against SP-A were located in the alveolar walls near the alveolar ducts. Adenomas and adenocarcinomas were stained with the anti-SP-A antibody in the lung parenchyma. These immunohistochemical findings suggested that the lung tumors induced in rats treated with BHPN and additionally exposed to mixture gases of O3 and NO2 are derived from mainly alveolar type II cells.

Biological effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). III. Pathogenesis of asthma like symptoms in mice

Chronic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, reversible airway constriction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness are important pathogenic features of asthma. We found that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) instilled intratracheally and repeatedly to mice (once/week for 16 weeks) caused marked infiltration of inflammatory cells, proliferation of goblet cells, increased mucus secretion, respiratory resistance, and airway constriction. Eosinophils in the submucosa of the proximal bronchi and medium bronchioles increased eightfold following instillation. Eosinophil infiltration was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with polyethyleneglycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD). Bound sialic acid concentrations in bronchial alveolar lavage fluids, an index of mucus secretion, increased with DEP, but were suppressed by pretreatment with PEG-SOD. Goblet cell hyperplasia, airway narrowing, and airway constriction also were observed with DEP. Respiratory resistance in the DEP-group to acetylcholine was 11 times higher than in controls, and the increased resistance was significantly suppressed by PEG-SOD pretreatment. These findings suggest that DEP and/or oxygen radicals derived from DEP cause bronchial asthma in mice.

[Role of nitric oxide in asthma-like symptoms induced by diesel exhaust particles in mice]

Asthma-like symptoms were induced in mice by repeated intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in airways were studied with immunocytochemical methods, and the role of nitric oxide was examined with the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA. Diesel exhaust particles increased the staining of cNOS in airway epithelial cells by an anti-cNOS antibody. Macrophages in the mucous membrane were stained clearly, but an anti-iNOS antibody did not stain airway epithelial cells. Diesel exhaust particles caused a 4-fold increase in the total number of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Diesel exhaust particles decreased the staining of Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD in epithelial cells by their respective anti-SOD antibodies. Diesel exhaust particles doubled the concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled air. These particles increased respiratory resistance, and this increase was suppressed by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA. These results suggest that diesel exhaust particles can decrease the scavenging of O2- in airways, which may increase hyperresponsiveness. In mice exposed to diesel exhaust particles, the increase in NOS staining in airway epithelium, the increase in the nitric oxide concentration in exhaled air, and the decrease in respiratory resistance caused by L-NMMA indicate that nitric oxide may increase airway hyperresponsiveness.

Inhibition of Df-protease--induced kinin release by synthetic inhibitors

A protease (Df-protease) from house dust mite (D. farinae) is closely associated with mite-induced allergy: Df-protease has a similar substrate specificity to blood coagulation factor XIIa and catalyzes the activation of kallikrein-kinin system in human plasma. With the purpose of prevention of kinin-formation in plasma by Df-protease, inhibition of Df-protease with synthetic inhibitors was tested in vivo and in vitro. Among the inhibitors, including amidine and guanidine derivatives, N-allyl-N-[4-(4-amidinophenoxycarbonyl)-alpha-methylcinnamoyl++ +]glycine ethyl ester mesylate was the most effective to inhibit Df-protease with Ki = 9 x 10(-9) M and also to prevent kinin-release from Df-protease in human plasma. Enhancement of vascular permeability in guinea pigs caused by kinin-release was stoichiometrically suppressed by the inhibitor.

Formation of an oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, in mouse lung DNA after intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles and effects of high dietary fat and beta-carotene on this process

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) cause tumors in the respiratory tracts of experimental animals. It was previously shown that DEP produced superoxide and hydroxyl radical. To examine whether oxygen radicals are involved in mouse lung tumorigenesis induced by DEP, formation of an oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (oh8dG), by DEP was investigated. Furthermore, the role of high dietary fat and beta-carotene on this process was studied. After intratracheal instillation of DEP, a significant increase of oh8dG in mouse lung DNA was observed. High dietary fat enhanced the formation of oh8dG in lung DNA. Intake of beta-carotene suppressed the formation of oh8dG in lung DNA, but the protective effect of beta-carotene against this process was not statistically significant. These results suggest that formation of oh8dG in lung DNA was induced by oxygen free radicals produced by DEP. Thus, it is possible that oh8dG is a promutagenic lesion in DEP-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice and high dietary fat enhances this process through the generation of oh8dG in mouse lung DNA.

Biological effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). II. Acute toxicity of DEP introduced into lung by intratracheal instillation

Histopathological examination and cytological analyses in bronchial alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were performed to clarify the acute toxicity of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) introduced into the lung of ICR mice by intratracheal instillation. Activated charcoal (Norit) was intratracheally administered as a control for non-oedemagenic carbon particles. After administration of two doses (0.4 mg or 0.8 mg per mouse) of DEP, lung water contents increased with instillation dose and with time and increased 1.9 and 2.7-fold, respectively, compared to control animals 24 h after the administration of DEP. In contrast, the instillation of Norit had no effect on the increase in water contents. An inflammatory response in lungs was observed by an increase of inflammatory cells in BALF from mice instilled with DEP. The degree of increase in neutrophils of BALF from mice treated with DEP was much greater than in mice treated with Norit. An intense color of MB-pigment, which showed the extent and degree of endothelial cell injury, was found up to 4 h after administration of DEP. Histopathologically, the disruption of capillary endothelial cells, the detachment from their basement membrane and necrosis, disruption and desquamation of type I pneumocytes were observed, 6 h after the injection of DEP, by electron microscopy. An influx of neutrophils into alveoli, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, perivascular oedema and bronchiolar cell hypertrophy were detected between 18 and 24 h after DEP administration. However, the magnitude of these appearances was greater in mice treated with 0.8 mg of DEP than in mice treated with 0.4 mg. The administration of Norit caused an increase of alveolar macrophages and slight infiltration of neutrophils into the alveolar air spaces and alveolar septa in the animals and had no effects on the bronchioles. These results may suggest that damage of capillary endothelial cells and type I pneumocytes are the earliest changes of lung toxicities by DEP and these cell injuries lead to alveolar oedema and the subsequent inflammatory response.

[A case of necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis diagnosed by open lung biopsy]

A 59-year-old man had an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. He was admitted to Tohoku-chuou Hospital, and a lung lesion in the right lower lobe was diagnosed as a benign nodule. A new nodular lesion appeared on a chest X-ray film taken two months after his discharge from the hospital. Both lesions were in the same lobe; the older one was in segment 9 and the newer one was in segment 10. For the lesion in segment 10, malignancy was not ruled out, so open lung biopsy (right lower lobectomy) was done. With the findings of angitis and focal necrosis surrounded by granulomas consisting of epthelioid cells and multinuclear giant cells, the new lesion in segment 10 was diagnosed as necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis. The older lesion in segment 9 was a tuberculoma. We conclude that in this case the open lung biopsy was necessary to diagnose necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis in lung.

Octacosanol affects lipid metabolism in rats fed on a high-fat diet

The effect of dietary octacosanol, a long-chain alcohol, on lipid metabolism was investigated in rats fed on a high-fat diet for 20 d. The addition of octacosanol (10 g/kg diet) to the high-fat diet led to a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the perirenal adipose tissue weight without decrease of the cell number, suggesting that octacosanol may suppress lipid accumulation in this tissue, whereas no effect was seen in the epididymal adipose tissue weight and in the lipid content in liver. Octacosanol supplementation decreased the serum triacylglycerol concentration, and enhanced the concentration of serum fatty acids, probably through inhibition of hepatic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.4). Though the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) was not influenced by octacosanol, higher activities of lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) in the perirenal adipose tissue and the total oxidation rate of fatty acid in muscle were observed. Lipid absorption was not affected by the inclusion of octacosanol. Thus, the present results suggest that the dietary incorporation of octacosanol into a high-fat diet affects some aspects of lipid metabolism.

Determination of free malonaldehyde formed in liver microsomes upon CCl4 oxidation

Free malonaldehyde formed in the microsomes prepared from livers of monkey, rat, rabbit, mouse, cow, pig, dog, sheep and horse upon CCl4 oxidation was derivatized by reaction with N-methylhydrazine to form 1-methylpyrazole which was subsequently analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. Among the livers from animals tested, the monkey and rat livers produced the most malonaldehyde upon CCl4 treatment. Horse liver showed the greatest resistance to CCl4 oxidation. The gas chromatography method used in the present study exhibited an accurate and specific measurement of free malonaldehyde that might provide an understanding of the biochemical process of in vitro lipid peroxidation.

IL-4 production in mediastinal lymph node cells in mice intratracheally instilled with diesel exhaust particulates and antigen

To clarify the relationship between air pollutants and IgE antibody production, interleukin 4 (IL-4) production was investigated in BALB/c mice intratracheally injected with diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) mixed with antigen (Ovalbumin (OA) or Japanese Cedar Pollen (JCP)). BALB/c mice were injected with DEP plus OA or OA alone three times with a 3-week interval. After the last instillation, proliferative response and lymphokine-producing activity of mediastinal lymph node cells (LNC) were examined in vitro. Proliferative response to OA in mediastinal LNC from mice injected with DEP plus OA was enhanced 4-17 times of that from control mice. IL-4-producing activity by OA stimulation also enhanced in mediastinal LNC from mice injected with DEP plus OA. A significantly larger amount of anti-OA IgE antibody was detected in sera from DEP- and OA-injected mice compared with those from control mice. The levels of IL-4, estimated by JCP antigen in mediastinal LNC, from mice injected with DEP plus JCP were two-fold higher than those from mice injected with JCP alone. These results suggest that intratracheal instillation of DEP affects antigen-specific IgE antibody responses via local T-cell activation, especially enhanced IL-4 production.

Electrophysiological identification of horizontal synaptic connections in rat visual cortex in vitro

The presence of intrinsic horizontal synaptic connections in rat visual cortex was explored electrophysiologically using in vitro slice preparations. Intracellular recordings were made from pyramidal neurons located in the superficial and deep layers. Electrical stimulation at the gray matter in the same or different layers but 0.8-2.7 mm apart from the recording site evoked compound synaptic potentials composed of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials of fast and slow time courses. Glutamate blockers, DNQX (5 microM) and kynurenate (2 mM) reduced the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), and GABAB receptor antagonist, phaclofen (0.5 mM), abolished the inhibitory postsynaptic potential of the slow time course. EPSP of the fast time course followed 20 Hz repetitive stimulation in the medium of high Ca2+ (6.0 mM) and Mg2+ (4.0 mM) concentration, suggesting that this fast EPSP was monosynaptic. Conduction velocity of the fibers mediating the monosynaptic EPSP was estimated to be 0.15-0.55 m/s. These results provide physiological evidence for the horizontal synaptic connections in the rat visual cortex, which had been previously suggested by morphology.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with a history of right upper lobectomy for esophageal resection via left thoracotomy]

We anesthetized a patient for esophageal resection in a right lateral decubitus position, because of his right pleural adhesion after lobectomy for tuberculosis. Although hypoxemia was expected on left lung compression during the surgery, oxygenation was not compromised. A good ventilation/perfusion relationship might have been maintained in both the right and left lungs during the procedure.

Gas chromatographic determination of vapor-phase biomarkers formed from rats dosed with CCl4

Sprague-Dawley rats dosed with CCl4 (3 ml kg-1) were placed in a glass chamber through which air was passed continuously at a rate of 60 ml min-1. Volatile aldehydes and ketones in expired air from rats were derivatized to thiazolidines by passing the effluent gas stream through an aqueous cysteamine solution. The thiazolidine derivatives were then extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The compounds identified were formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and formyl chloride. There were no appreciable differences in levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde between CCl4-dosed rats and control rats, whereas the levels of acetone in CCl4-dosed rats showed an increase compared to those in control rats. Results suggest that acetone is the major volatile carbonyl compound produced following acute doses of CCl4. Results of thiobarbituric acid assay on the livers from a control rat and a CCl4-dosed rat did not show any appreciable differences.

[Immunological effect of recombinant interferon-gamma in renal cell carcinoma]

The immunological effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was investigated in 18 cases of renal cell carcinoma before and after the operation. In 6 patients, IFN-gamma was administered preoperatively for 21 days (administration group), while 12 patients underwent nephrectomy alone without preoperative treatment (control group). The peripheral immunological effects were measured at before and 12 days after the operation in the administration group and at 11 days in the control group. In the administration group, a marked increase was noted in the test of antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity and natural killer (NK) activity, and slight increase in CD4/8 and CD11b. In low stage cases, no appreciable effect was obtained by the administration of IFN-gamma. However, in high stage cases, IFN-gamma tended to increase the value of ADCC activity and NK activity. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in renal cell carcinoma showed a high incidence of CD8 and CD11b in the administration group. Moreover, the presence of CD8 was higher than that of CD4 in the administration group in contrast to the results of the peripheral blood analysis.

Biological effects of diesel exhaust particles. I. In vitro production of superoxide and in vivo toxicity in mouse

The problem of whether or not active oxygen species are involved in pulmonary injury by diesel exhaust particles (DEP) was investigated. We found that DEP could produce superoxide O2.- and hydroxyl radical (.OH) in vitro without any biological activating systems. In this reaction system, O2.- and .OH productions were inhibited by addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and dimethylsulfoxide, respectively. DEP which were washed with methanol could no longer produce O2.- and .OH, indicating that active components were extractable with organic solvents. These oxygen radicals were also identified by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement. Furthermore, DEP instilled intratracheally to mouse caused high mortality at low dose, although methanol-washed DEP did not kill any mouse. The cause of death seemed to be pulmonary edema mediated by endothelial cell damage. The instilled DEP markedly decreased the activities of SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase in mouse lungs. On the other hand, the death rate and lung injury were markedly prevented by polyethylene glycol conjugated SOD (PEG-SOD) pretreatment prior to DEP administration. The mortality and lung injury by DEP were also suppressed by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) pretreatment. From these results, it was suggested that most parts of DEP toxicity in lungs are due to active oxygen radicals such as O2.- and .OH, and that the cause of death is due to pulmonary edema mediated by endothelial cell damage.

Combined exposure to NO2, O3 and H2SO4-aerosol and lung tumor formation in rats

The promoting effects of a combined exposure to two pollutants (NO2, O3 or H2SO4-aerosol) at near ambient levels on lung tumorigenesis induced by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl) nitrosamine (BHPN) were investigated in male Wistar rats. The rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of BHPN (0.5 g per kg body wt.) at 6 weeks of age. They then were exposed to clean air, 0.05 ppm O3 (mean concentration for 10 h/day; 0.1 ppm peak concentration), 0.05 ppm O3 (mean concentration for 10 h/day; 0.1 ppm peak concentration) + 0.4 ppm NO2 or 0.4 ppm NO2 + 1 mg/m3 of H2SO4-aerosol for 13 months and were then maintained in a clean room for another 11 months. Room control animals were kept after injection of BHPN in a clean room for 24 months. The incidence of primary lung tumors in rats exposed to 0.05 ppm O3, 0.05 ppm O3 + 0.4 ppm NO2 and 0.4 ppm NO2 + 1 mg/m3 of H2SO4-aerosol with BHPN treatment was 8.3% (3 out of 36 rats), 13.9% (5 out of 36 rats) and 8.3% (3 out of 36 rats), respectively. The tumors were adenomas and adenocarcinomas. The incidence of adenomas was 2.8% (1 out of 36 rats) in the O3 alone group, 11% (4 out of 36 rats) in O3 + NO2 group and 5.6% (2 out of 36 rats) in NO2 + H2SO4 group. The incidence of adenocarcinomas was 5.6% (2 out of 36 rats) in the O3 group, 2.8% (1 out of 36 rats) in O3 + NO2 group and 2.8% (1 out of 36 rats) in NO2 + H2SO4 group. No lung tumors were found in the rats exposed to clean air with BHPN treatment and in animals not given BHPN but exposed to each air pollutant. The difference in tumor incidence between the clean air group with BHPN and the O3 + NO2 group with BHPN was statistically significant. The results show that exposure to O3 alone enhances tumor development and that the combined exposure to O3 or H2SO4 with NO2 produces an additional increase in incidence of lung tumor, respectively. The incidence of slight-moderate to marked alveolar cell hyperplasia in the groups exposed to each air pollutant with BHPN treatment was higher than that in the groups exposed to clean air with BHPN. Exposure to each air pollutant had no effect on the development of bronchiolar mucosal hyperplasia in lungs of rats treated with BHPN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Active conformation of a tumor promoter, teleocidin. A molecular dynamics study

Telecidins are potent tumor promoters, having a nine-membered lactam structure. Teleocidins and their small-molecular-sized active congeners (indolactams) are known to exist in an equilibrium between at least two conformational states, the twist and the sofa form. Molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were performed on four indolactams, in order to examine the relationships between preferred ring conformations and the biological activities. It was shown that the tumor-promoting activities are closely related with the existence ratio of the sofa form among 10 possible conformations. This implies that the sofa form is the active ring conformation, which is compatible with the previous result obtained independently from the superposition of teleocidin and phorbol ester. The predicted ratios of conformers for each indolactam were in good agreement with those observed by NMR spectral analysis. The high-temperature MD method proved to be very useful for predicting the preferred structures of these cyclic compounds, in which the overall stabilities are strongly influenced by the conformations of substituent groups on the ring.

Experimental studies on tumor promotion by nitrogen dioxide

The effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on promotion of lung tumorigenesis induced by N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl) nitrosamine (BHPN) were investigated in male Wistar rats. In a preliminary study, the highest non-effective dose of BHPN was found to be 0.5 g per kg body weight. Rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of BHPN at a dose of 0.5 g per kg body weight or saline at 6 weeks of age, and then exposed to clean air, 0.04 ppm, 0.4 ppm or 4 ppm of NO2 for 17 months, respectively. The incidence of pulmonary tumors in rats exposed to BHPN plus 4 ppm of NO2 was 12.5%; the tumors were adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Adenomas were found in 4 out of 40 rats (10%) and adenocarcinomas were found in 1 out of 40 rats (2.5%). The tumor incidence in the lungs of rats kept in BHPN plus clean air and BHPN plus 0.04 ppm of NO2 was 2.5% (1/40). In both groups adenomas were found. There was no significant difference in tumor incidence between animals exposed to BHPN plus clean air and to BHPN plus 4 ppm of NO2. No lung tumors were found in the group of BHPN plus 0.4 ppm NO2 and in animals exposed to NO2 without BHPN treatment. A high incidence of alveolar cell hyperplasia was observed in the lungs of rats injected with BHPN, and the effect of NO2 on development of alveolar cell hyperplasia was slight. On the other hand, marked bronchiolar mucosal hyperplasia was found in 17 out of 40 rats (42.5%) in the group of BHPN plus 4 ppm of NO2, and in 1 out of 40 rats (2.5%) in each of the group exposed to clean air, 0.04 ppm or 0.4 ppm of NO2 with BHPN treatment, respectively. The hyperplasia in lungs of rats exposed to 4 ppm of NO2 without BHPN treatment was slighter than that in lung of rat exposed to 4 ppm of NO2 with BHPN treatment. On the other hand, tumor incidence in the nasal cavity of rats in each of group exposed to clean air and NO2 with BHPN treatment was 97-100%. Incidence of tumors in other organs in the groups exposed to clean air and NO2 with and without BHPN treatment was very low, and NO2 had no effect on tumor development in the nasal cavity and other organs whether animals were treated with BHPN or not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Time-course of the concentration of cefotiam in human extra-vascular pulmonary tissue]

The concentration of cefotiam in the blood and in blood-free, extra-vascular pulmonary tissue (lung tissue) was determined and its transition into the lung tissue was observed. One gram of cefotiam was injected intravenously into 27 lobectomized cases of bronchogenic carcinoma at 30 (n = 8), 60 (n = 6), 120 (n = 7) and 180 minutes (n = 6) before thoracotomy. Informed consent was obtained from these patients before the study. Lung samples were collected from the resected lobe immediately after thoracotomy, and the blood samples were also collected. Drug concentrations of the lung and blood specimens were determined. The blood volume of the lung sample was determined according to the gravimetric method with hemoglobin as an index. The drug concentration in the lung tissue was determined by the difference of the concentration between blood and lung. The time-courses of lung tissue drug concentration and blood drug concentration were compared. The lung tissue drug concentration reached a peak at 30 minutes after intravenous injection and thereafter decreased gradually, reaching equilibrium at about 50% of the blood concentration. Thirty minutes after intravenous injection, the lung tissue drug concentration was higher than the blood concentration, suggesting a higher rate of transition of the drug from the blood to the lung tissue than vice versa.

Biochemical effects of combined gases of nitrogen dioxide and ozone. IV. Changes of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative protective systems in rat lungs upon life span exposure

Lipid peroxide production, antioxidant contents and activities of antioxidative protective enzymes were examined in lungs of rats exposed to clean air (control group), 0.05 ppm O3, 0.05 ppm O3 + 0.04 ppm NO2 and 0.05 ppm O3 + 0.4 ppm NO2 for 22 months. The results were compared with our previous data in rats exposed to 0.04 ppm NO2, 0.4 ppm NO2 and 4 ppm NO2 for their life span (Sagai et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 73, (1984) 444-456). TBA values used as an index of lipid peroxidation in the lungs were increased maximally at 9 months, but were decreased below control values in animals exposed for 18 and 22 months. Nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) contents were increased maximally at 9 months, and after 18 and 22 months were decreased significantly below control values. Vitamin E (VE) contents showed a similar trend. On the other hand, enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase measured by using cumene hydroperoxide (cum.OOH) substrate (GPx-cum.OOH), glutathione peroxidase measured by using H2O2 as a substrate (GPx-H2O2), glutathione S-transferase (GSH-Tase) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) did not show any significant changes during this experiment. The results show that lipid peroxidation in lungs was increased synergistically by a combination of NO2 and O3 at ambient levels, and that the time of maximum lipid peroxide production was shorter than with NO2 alone. The protective ability against lipid peroxides was higher with increased lipid peroxide levels, but the inducibility was not maintained through a life span exposure to the combined gases. Additionally, two small adenomas were observed in 2 out of 18 rats in the 0.05 ppm O3 + 0.04 ppm NO2 group and a large adenoma was observed in 1 out of 18 animals in the 0.05 ppm + 0.4 ppm NO2 group exposed for 22 months.

[Clinicopathologic assessment of esophageal cysts--a report of 8 cases]

We experienced 8 cases of esophageal cysts on between January, 1965 and March, 1989. During the same period, 320 cases of mediastinal tumors were operated in our department, and esophageal cysts were 2.5% of these cases. They were 7 males and 1 female, and ranged in age from 5 to 51 (mean 29.9) years. The cysts were located in the right in 6 and in the left in 2, and in the upper third of the esophagus in 1, middle third in 3 and lower third in 2 cases. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in only 1 case. The definite diagnoses were not obtained from thoracic CT scans and esophagography. We tried transesophageal ultrasonic endoscopy in the recent 2 cases, and could diagnosed in 1 case as a cyst in the esophageal wall. The another case, we could not diagnose, was a cyst attached to the esophageal wall by a muscular stalk. We experienced 2 cases of post operative bleedings, so we must be careful of hemostasis of the muscular layers after enucleation of the cysts. Histological examinations of the cysts showed ciliated columnar epithelium in all cases. Cartilage were observed (bronchogenic cysts) in 4 patients (50%) and two muscle layers were observed (duplication cysts) in 4 other patients (50%). But 2 cases of bronchogenic cysts had two muscular layers, 1 case of them was well-defined. And 1 case of duplication cyst had poor two muscular layers. We cannot divide clearly the esophageal cysts into bronchogenic cyst or duplication cyst, in the point of having cartilage and double muscle layers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Detection of peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid lymphocytes in rat lung transplantation for early diagnosis of rejection

Left lung transplantation was performed in two combinations of rat strains. In group 1, lung grafts were rejected within 7 day postoperatively, and in group 2, grafts were rejected within 18 day postoperatively. The histological appearance of rejection was classified into 4 stages, and lymphocytes from peripheral blood (PB) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected at each stage. In group 1, a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes in PB was observed as the rejection progressed, whereas the number of lymphocytes in PB increased slightly in group 2. The number of total cells in BALF increased significantly as the rejection progressed in both groups. A marked increase in the value of spontaneous blastogenesis (SB) was observed in stage 2 in BALF lymphocytes, whereas that in PB lymphocytes was found to increase after stage 3 in both groups. The ratio of T-helper/T-nonhelper did not change significantly in PB lymphocytes in both groups. On the other hand, a significant decrease in the value of T-helper/T-nonhelper (less than 1.0) was observed in BALF at stage 3 and 4 in both groups. These results show that the studies of BALF lymphocytes were very useful for early diagnosis of rejection in lung transplantation.

Biochemical effects of combined gases of nitrogen dioxide and ozone. III. Synergistic effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidative protective systems in the lungs of rats and guinea pigs

Rats and guinea pigs were exposed continuously to 0.4 ppm NO2, 0.4 ppm O3 or a combination of the two gases for 2 weeks. The concentration of lipid peroxides in lungs of rats and guinea pigs exposed to NO2 alone or O3 alone did not change. The lipid peroxide level of rats inhaling the combined gases also did not change. However, the level of lipid peroxides in guinea pigs exposed to a combination of the two gases was increased to 2.2 times of the control level, showing a synergistic interaction. No increases of antioxidative protective enzyme activities and of antioxidants (such as NPSH, VE, VC) in guinea pigs exposed to NO2, O3 or the combined gases were found. In rats, no changes in enzyme activities and of the antioxidant contents were observed after NO2 alone, but O3 exposure produced slight increases of NPSH, VC, and GPx-H2O2. On the other hand, in rats exposed to the combined gases, marked synergistic increased of many antioxidative factors such as NPSH, VC, G6PD, GPx-cum.OOH and GPx-H2O2 were found. The results show that those animals which are able to increase antioxidative protective factors in the lung following exposure to the combined gases do not respond with a significant increase in lipid peroxides. On the other hand, in animals with poor induction-ability of these factors lipid peroxides are formed. This might explain why guinea pigs were the most sensitive to the effects of the combined gases. Furthermore, it was shown that in guinea pigs the increased level of lipid peroxides and that in rats the increased activities of antioxidative enzymes and the increased contents of the antioxidants were synergistic following exposure to the combined gases.

A study of preservation solution for 48- and 96-hour simple hypothermic storage of canine lung transplants

Forty-eight-hr and 96-hr simple hypothermic preservations of the lung were studied on dogs using 4 kinds of solutions resembling extracellular electrolyte compositions (Ep1-Ep4). The pH of each solution was changed from 6.377 to 7.463 by HPO4(2-)/H2PO4- ratio. Twenty dogs were prepared as donors (12 for 48-hr preservation with Ep1, Ep2 and Ep3, and 8 for 96-hr preservation with Ep3 and Ep4, respectively). The heart-lung block was removed from the donor, and flushed with 500 ml of preservation solution via the pulmonary artery, then immersed in the same cold (4 degrees C) solution, after which it was stored in a cold (4 degrees C) room. After preservation, the left lung was separated from the heart-lung block and was transplanted into the recipient orthotopically. The function of the transplanted lung was evaluated with serial x-ray findings, contralateral pulmonary artery ligation test, and histologic findings. In the case of 48-hr preservation, all of the four recipients with Ep3 (pH: 7.225) showed good aeration of the grafted lungs on the chest x-ray in the early postoperative period. As for the 96-hr preservation cases, one with Ep3 and three with Ep4 (pH: 7.463) presented good x-ray findings. Of these successful cases, seven dogs (5 of 48-hr preservation cases, six dogs tolerated this procedure. On histopathological examination of the successful cases, the 48-hr preservation cases showed almost normal pulmonary structure, while the 96-hr preservation cases showed slight degenerative changes in the alveolar walls. From the present study, it becomes apparent that clinical application of 48-hr preservation may be possible by using a phosphate buffered extracellular solution.

Gas chromatographic analysis of free and bound malonaldehyde in rat liver homogenates

A gas chromatographic method for the measurement of free and bound malonaldehyde (MA) in rat liver homogenate was developed to investigate biological damage caused by lipid peroxidation. Free MA was derivatized 1-methylpyrazole (1-MP), which was subsequently analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC). Bound forms of MA were determined by first hydrolyzing samples in acetic acid, then measuring the free MA as 1-MP. Bound MA in rat liver was released within 15 min by acid hydrolysis. A slight increase in bound MA levels in rat liver was observed 1 hr after CCl4 treatment, with bound MA then returning to control levels. Free MA levels and thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) values did not show appreciable changes over a 24-hr period after CCl4 administration. However, the TBA values were approximately ten times the MA values in most samples.

[Fundamental study on morphological imaging and functional analysis of change in bone]

In this study a comparison was made in determining morphometrical changes in bone utilizing standard dental radiographic technique and dental xeroradiography. In terms of energy intensity, results demonstrated that spectrum analysis is consistent with visual evaluation and useful as a technique for objective evaluation of changes in bone. Changes in trabecular patterns were experimentally reproduced using quantitative determinations of calcium and phosphate. The relation between radiographic changes in bone associated with decalcification and variations in bone mineral content actually eluted from a particular site were examined. Changes in radiographic contrast and morphometry are important as indicators in radiographic interpretation, and their effects on visual evaluation of the radiograms were also studied. Also evaluated was the usefulness of the technique of using a spectrum analyzer to physically analyze the energy intensity distribution changes in bone. The findings in this study indicate that changes in both contrast and morphometry provide indicators for radiographic interpretation in DF, and that changes in contrast play a more dominant role with increasing bone density. It was also demonstrated that radiographic interpretation in DXR depends on morphometrical changes rather than changes in contrast as a major indicator. Since there was no difference in the efficiency of visual detection between DF and DXR, the use of DXR appears more beneficial in view of lower radiation exposure. When the detectability was 80%, actual variations in bone mineral content ranged from 24% to 38%. Thus, it may be possible to visually identify much smaller variations in bone mineral content on radiograms by using additional indicators such as pattern recognition and marginal changes of the lesion.

[A new procedure for the determination of N-methylisoquinolinium ion, and its application]

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways in humans and monkeys resulting in a syndrome similar to idiopathic parkinsonism. MPTP is first metabolized to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+), a primary neurotoxin, by monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and then taken up into dopaminergic neurons through the dopamine reuptake system. Although the molecular basis of this toxicity in destroying the nigro-striatal system has not been well established, the discovery of MPTP has led to extensive studies trying to find substances that produce parkinsonism. Tetrahydroisoquinoline has been presumed to be as an endogenous toxic substance that may produce parkinsonism. Furthermore, the presence of tetrahydroisoquinoline as a novel endogenous amine in the rat and human brains has recently been documented. In this paper, the author describes a new procedure for quantitation of N-methylisoquinolinium ion (NMIQ+), the oxidative analog of N-methylated tetrahydroisoquinoline, by use of its natural fluorescence and high-performance liquid chromatography. The separation of NMIQ+ was carried out by ion exchange chromatography on a column of weakly acidic ion exchanger with an hydrophilic matrix (Asahipak ES-502C) and by gel filtration chromatography on a column of hydrophilic polymer gels (Asahipak-320H). The method was simple and sensitive enough to measure less than 50 fmol of NMIQ+. The uptake of NMIQ+ by rat striatal slices was found by applying this method to the sliced tissue. The uptake was shown to be inhibited by nomifensine, a selective inhibitor of dopamine uptake. The result suggests that NMIQ+ as well as MPP+ is taken up into dopaminergic neurons by the dopamine uptake system.

[Lung transplantation as a treatment method in terminal respiratory failure]

Lung transplantation is the last treatment for terminal respiratory failure due to irreversible pulmonary disease such as fibrosis and emphysema. In this paper we reported the results of our studies on three major problems for conducting clinical lung transplantation sefely, including lung preservation, early diagnosis of lung allograft rejection and bronchial anastomotic healing. We have developed a method for 48- and 96-hour lung preservation. Under simple hypothermic preservation using phosphate buffered solution resembling extracellular fluid, 48-hour storage of the lung becomes possible. Immunologic monitoring is feasible for early detection of postoperative rejection of the lung transplant. In this study subset and spontaneous blastogenesis of lymphocyte obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured in orthotopic rat lung allotransplantation. Lung allograft rejection is closely connected with wound healing of the bronchial anastomosis in lung transplantation. It seems that clinical applications of single and double lung transplantation is now possible for patients with terminal respiratory disease in our country.

[Clinicopathologic assessment of primary thymic carcinoma based on seven cases]

In order to study clinicopathologic characteristics of thymic carcinomas, seven patients experienced in our department were reviewed in this paper; 6 patients underwent thoracotomy and one did not receive surgical treatment. Among 6 who received operation, the tumor was resected totally in 3, subtotally in one, partially in one. One patient underwent exploratory thoracotomy. There have been no distinctive clinical features including clinical symptoms and radiographical findings from invasive thymomas in 7 primary thymic carcinomas, however, in these malignant tumors there have been no tumor-associated disorders not infrequently observed in thymomas. Postoperatively, distant metastasis was common in patients with thymic carcinomas, even though the primary tumor was resected totally in the operation. However, one patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus who underwent subtotal tumor resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy are surviving over 6 years postoperatively. Intensive treatment including pre- and postoperative radiation, tumor resection and postoperative chemotherapy is absolutely necessary for thymic carcinoma. Histologically, there were 4 squamous cell carcinomas and 3 large cell carcinomas. One of 3 large cell carcinomas showed squamous cell differentiation histologically. Two of 4 squamous cell carcinomas demonstrated concomitant entity of residual thymus tissue as well as thymoma in one specimen. However, further studies are necessary to determine precise etiology and tumor characteristics of thymic carcinoma.

Biochemical effects of combined gases of nitrogen dioxide and ozone. II. Species differences in lipid peroxides and antioxidative protective enzymes in the lungs

Changes in lipid peroxide (thiobarbituric acid reactant) levels, in the content of non-protein sulfhydryls (NPSH) and total proteins, and in the activities of antioxidative protective enzymes were examined in the lungs of four animal species exposed to a mixture of NO2 and O3 for 2 weeks. Male mice, hamsters, rats and guinea pigs were used. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactant levels were increased significantly in the lungs of mice and guinea pigs, but not in hamsters and rats. NPSH contents were increased markedly in hamsters, mice and rats, but not in guinea pigs. The activities of antioxidative protective enzymes also changed with the exposure. The most characteristic change was the significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx-H2O2) activity in hamsters and rats - species which did not exhibit increases in their TBA reactant levels. The increase in this enzyme activity in mice was significant, but not very large. Furthermore, guinea pigs were genetically deficient in this enzyme, and the increase in glycolytic enzymes for regenerating NADPH was also lowest in guinea pigs. The glutathione S-transferase (GSH-Tase) activity in mice and guinea pigs was decreased by exposure to the combined gases. These results suggest that the increases in lipid peroxide levels in mice and guinea pigs may be due to a lesser ability to regenerate protective reducing substances, such as NPSH and NADPH, than that of hamsters and rats. Induction of protective enzyme activities on exposure to the combined gases was also poor in mice and guinea pigs.