Synthesis and biological activity of spergualin analogues. I

Stable spergualin analogues were synthesized by substitutions of the alpha-hydroxyglycine residue of spergualin with various alpha- or omega-amino acids. The antitumor activity of these analogues against L1210 and their immunosuppressive effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody formation was then examined. Analogues substituted with glycine and L-serine showed significant biological activity but were less potent than 15-deoxyspergualin. Among the analogues synthesized so far, 10-[N-4-(4-guanidinophenyl)butyryl-L-seryl]-1,5,10-triazadecane has possessed the strongest antitumor and immunosuppressive activities.

Intracranial extracerebral glioneural heterotopia

A newborn baby girl with intracranial extracerebral glioneural (brain) heterotopia in the right frontoparietal area is described. The heterotopic brain was predominantly composed of neuronal and glial elements, with partial cerebellar differentiation. It also contained well-differentiated adipose tissue. The possible mechanism for its origin and the causes of central nervous system heterotopia are discussed.

Identification of P-450ALC in microsomes from alcohol dehydrogenase-deficient deermice: contribution to ethanol elimination in vivo

Isozyme 3a of rabbit hepatic cytochrome P-450, also termed P-450ALC, was previously isolated and characterized and was shown to be induced 3- to 5-fold by exposure to ethanol. In the present study, antibody against rabbit P-450ALC was used to identify a homologous protein in alcohol dehydrogenase-negative (ADH-) and -positive (ADH+) deermice, Peromyscus maniculatus. The antibody reacts with a single protein having an apparent molecular weight of 52,000 on immunoblots of hepatic microsomes from untreated and ethanol-treated deermice from both strains. The level of the homologous protein was about 2-fold greater in microsomes from naive ADH- than from naive ADH+ animals. Ethanol treatment induced the protein about 3-fold in the ADH+ strain and about 4-fold in the ADH- strain. The antibody to rabbit P-450ALC inhibited the microsomal metabolism of ethanol and aniline. The homologous protein, termed deermouse P-450ALC, catalyzed from 70 to 80% of the oxidation of ethanol and about 90% of the hydroxylation of aniline by microsomes from both strains after ethanol treatment. The antibody-inhibited portion of the microsomal activities, which are attributable to the P-450ALC homolog, increased about 3-fold upon ethanol treatment in the ADH+ strain and about 4-fold in the ADH- strain, in excellent agreement with the results from immunoblots. The total microsomal P-450 content and the rate of ethanol oxidation were induced 1.4-fold and 2.2-fold, respectively, by ethanol in the ADH+ strain and 1.9-fold and 3.3-fold, respectively, in the ADH- strain. Thus, the total microsomal P-450 content and ethanol oxidation underestimate the induction of the P-450ALC homolog in both strains. A comparison of the rates of microsomal ethanol oxidation in vitro with rates of ethanol elimination in vivo indicates that deermouse P-450ALC could account optimally for 3 and 8% of total ethanol elimination in naive ADH+ and ADH- strains, respectively. After chronic ethanol treatment, P-450ALC could account maximally for 8% of the total ethanol elimination in the ADH+ strain and 22% in the ADH- strain. Further, cytochrome P-450ALC appears to be responsible for about one-half of the increase in the rate of ethanol elimination in vivo after chronic treatment with ethanol. These results indicate that the contribution of P-450ALC to ethanol oxidation in the deermouse is relatively small. Desferrioxamine had no effect on rates of ethanol uptake by perfused livers from ADH-negative deermice, indicating that ethanol oxidation by a hydroxyl radical-mediated mechanism was not involved in ethanol metabolism in this mutant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

CT-assisted stereotactic brain biopsy: value of intraoperative frozen section diagnosis

In 100 recent CT-guided brain biopsies, the value of intraoperative histologic examination using frozen section technique was evaluated. In 87 of these cases, the biopsy was performed stereotactically. In the remaining 13 cases, a CT-guided free hand technique was used. Of the 100 biopsies performed, adequate tissue for histopathologic diagnosis was obtained in 97, and in three the biopsy was nondiagnostic. In 61 procedures the initial biopsy specimen was adequate for diagnosis. Two specimens were required in 25 and in the remaining cases it was necessary to obtain three to four biopsy specimens before a definitive diagnosis could be made. Ultimately, the histologic diagnosis was made on frozen section examination in 93 of the cases. The lesions identified were neoplastic disease in 83 cases, vascular disease in seven, infectious disease in five, demyelinating disease in one, and radiation necrosis in one. Comparison between the frozen section diagnosis and the final diagnosis based on the permanent sections revealed that they matched in 89 cases (92%). Of the 83 cases of neoplasms the exact grade of malignancy was determined by frozen section to make a final diagnosis revealed that even if the specimen volume was less than 2 mm3, the biopsy was generally successful. The disadvantages of the small sample size obtained through needle biopsy are best overcome by careful targeting and assessment of sample quality by intraoperative frozen section examinations, which will give the definitive diagnosis in most of the cases without paraffin-embedded sections.

Delayed appearance of blood lactate with reduced frequency breathing during exercise

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the blood lactate (LA-) responses to hypoventilation induced by reduced frequency breathing (RFB) during recovery from exercise. Five male subject performed 16 4 min cycling bouts alternating with 16 min rest periods. Exercise intensities were chosen at power outputs corresponding to 30% VO2max at 2 mMLA-, VO2 at 4 mMLA-, and 90% VO2max in each subject. Breathing frequency was voluntarily controlled starting 10 s before each 3rd min of exercise and maintained throughout the rest of the exercise period. Four different breathing patterns at each exercise intensity were used: normal breathing (NB), breathing every 4 s, breathing every 8 s, and maximal RFB. Except for the NB trials, subjects held their breath at functional residual capacity during each breathing interval. The concentration difference of LA- between the 3rd min sample and the 4th min sample was defined as the lactate change during exercise (delta LA-ex), and that between the 4th min sample and the sample at the 3rd min after the end of the exercise as the lactate change during recovery (delta LA-rec). An ANOVA showed significant (p less than 0.05) differences in breathing procedures only in delta LA-rec. delta LA-rec seemed to increase as compared to NB only at VO2 at 4 mMLA- and 90% VO2max, while delta LA-ex remained unchanged as compared to NB in spite of reduced VA. These results might indicate that RFB inhibited lactate removal from working muscles during exercise.

Angiotensin II receptors in the fowl aorta

In the domestic fowl, angiotensin II (ANG II) causes an in vivo depressor response and in vitro relaxation of aortic rings which appear to be a direct action of ANG II on the blood vessels. Thus, we determined whether binding sites specific to ANG II exist in the membrane fraction of the fowl aorta. The particulate fraction of aortas from adult female fowl, Gallus gallus, exhibits high specific binding to ANG II ligand. 125I-[Ile5]ANG II (0.5 nM) binding to the above fraction (30 micrograms protein) in 50 mM Tris (pH 7.2), 10 mM MgCl2, and 0.2% bovine serum albumin at 12 degrees (1) is rapid, saturable, and reversible; (2) increases as a function of ligand or membrane concentration, time, and temperature; and (3) optimally fits to a two-site (high and low affinity) model. The equilibrium dissociation constant (0.15 +/- 0.03 nM) and binding site concentration (28.7 +/- 8.1 fmol/mg protein) of the high affinity site as well as association (0.055 nM-1.min-1) and dissociation (0.0122 min-1) rate constants are similar to those of mammalian vascular ANG II receptors. Both 125I-[Ile5]ANG II and 125I-[Val5]ANG II are competitively displaced by unlabeled ANG II. These results suggest that specific ANG II receptors exist in the fowl aorta.

Drinking induced by cellular dehydration in the quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

1. Drinking was induced in water-replete quail 5-10 min after intravenous injection of hypertonic NaCl (0.69 osmol/l) or sucrose (1.06 osmol/l), but hypertonic urea (2.78 osmol/l) failed to induce drinking. 2. The birds drank approximately the amount required to dilute the injected solutes to isotonicity for each given dose of NaCl or sucrose. 3. The plasma angiotensin II level decreased after injection of 7% NaCl (2.5 osmol/l), but it increased after injection of an equi-osmolar solution of sucrose (65%). 4. Plasma osmolality and Na+ concentration returned quickly to control levels, and then decreased further, after injection of 7% NaCl or 65% sucrose. 5. Blood volume and blood pressure increased immediately after injection of 7% NaCl or 65% sucrose. 6. These results show that drinking is induced after injection of hypertonic solutions exclusively by cellular dehydration, and other regulatory mechanisms for thirst, such as extracellular dehydration and the renin-angiotensin system, are rather inhibitory after injection of hypertonic NaCl.

Water intake induced by water deprivation in the quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Mechanisms inducing drinking after water deprivation, and mechanisms terminating drinking after rehydration, were investigated in the quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. 1. Water intake was induced after 4 h of water deprivation, and the amount of water drunk increased in proportion to the period of water deprivation. Drinking occurred immediately after deprivation. Drinking occurred immediately after deprived birds were given access to water, and continued for periods proportional to the period of water deprivation. 2. Plasma angiotensin II concentration increased, as did plasma osmolality and Na+ concentration, and blood volume decreased after water deprivation. The increase in plasma angiotensin II concentration and decrease in blood volume occurred soon after the start of water deprivation, whereas plasma osmolality and Na+ concentration did not increase until at least 4 h after the start of water deprivation. 3. These results indicate that extracellular dehydration and angiotensin II are responsible for the significant drinking that follows 4 h of water deprivation, and that cellular dehydration is also involved in the stimulation of drinking that occurs after longer periods of water deprivation. 4. Plasma osmolality and Na+ concentration in birds deprived of water for 48 h quickly returned to normal levels after the birds were allowed access to water. Plasma angiotensin II levels and blood volume also approached the values measured prior to water deprivation. However, the rate and degree of restoration of normal values were reduced, and normal values were not restored even after 1.5 h or rehydration when drinking terminated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transitory cardiovascular responses to rapid infusion of blood into aorta of rabbit

Blood (5 to 15 ml) was infused into aorta of the anesthetized rabbit through the carotid artery or femoral artery at a constant rate (0.55 to 8.3 ml/s). The carotid sinuses were occluded. The systemic arterial pressure (SAP) began to rise immediately at the onset of the infusion and dropped gradually in most cases during the infusion. SAP continued to decline after the infusion and in many cases became lower than the preinfusion pressure. Within seconds, SAP tapered off to its lowest point and resumed a gradual rise, leveling off higher than its initial pressure. A depressor effect caused by the rapid infusion of blood into the aorta (DRIA) was observed in every rabbit. DRIA was not suppressed much by the section of aortic or vagal nerves. DRIA was markedly suppressed by the administration of alpha-adrenergic blockade, but beta-adrenergic blockade had little effect on DRIA. By using a hydraulic model of the closed circulatory system, a theoretical analysis was made on the basis of the "theory of active fluid element," a theory developed by Hatakeyama, one of the authors, and it was demonstrated that DRIA must not be considered to be a passive hemodynamic phenomenon. The results obtained suggest that a nervous regulatory mechanism--rather than the reflex via the carotid sinus or aortic baroreceptors, or other mechanoreceptors--plays an important part in the venous and the cardiac regions.

Isolated histiocytosis X of the pituitary gland: case report

The authors describe a case of a granuloma of histiocytosis X localized in the pituitary gland. The patient presented with diabetes insipidus and hyperprolactinemia. The diagnosis was established by surgical removal of the pituitary lesion through a transsphenoidal approach. The clinical and pathological aspects of the case are discussed.

Astrocytic tumorette: microscopic to minute foci of glioma unexpectedly found in autopsy or surgical specimens

Four examples of astrocytic tumorettes (microscopic to minute foci of glioma) are described herein. They include one malignant astrocytoma and three low grade astrocytomas. The first patient, who died of heart failure, was found incidentally to havour a small malignant astrocytoma at the time of autopsy. The other three patients with astrocytomas of low grade in malignancy, ranged from 18 to 25 years in age, and presented with intractable seizures. Electroencephalography defined a temporal lobe focus in all three patients. Subsequently, all three underwent a unilateral temporal lobectomy with resection of the epileptic focus. Careful histological examinations on the removed tissues from each patient revealed that each of them had a minute astrocytoma. The histogenesis of benign and malignant astrocytomas and the importance of surgical exploration in the management of the patients with intractable seizure disorders are discussed.

Pituitary tumors composed of adenohypophysial adenoma and Rathke's cleft cyst elements: a clinicopathological study

Nine cases of pituitary tumors composed of mixed tissue elements of adenohypophysial adenoma and Rathke's cleft cyst are reported. All cases were associated with hyperprolactinemia and were managed by transsphenoidal adenomectomy with good results. The clinical and pathological features are presented, and embryological pathogenesis for the occurrence of this unique association is discussed in connection with the high incidence of immunoreactive S-100 protein cells identified in tumor tissues. Patients with this kind of pituitary tumor can be managed in the same fashion as patients with other types of pituitary adenoma.

A histologic study on the fate of intradermally implanted epidermal cells in guinea pigs: a new method for evaluation of skin allograft survival

The fate of allogeneic (strains 13, 2, and JY-1) and autologous epidermal cell (EC) suspensions injected intradermally was investigated histologically in JY-1 strain guinea pigs. Epidermal cells were found to proliferate actively in the dermis and form EC nests with central keratinization. The significant reject reaction associated with necrosis of the epidermal structures was seen in due time in the animals implanted with allogeneic ECs. We attempted to assess the effect of cyclosporin A (CYA) on skin allograft survival by observing the fate of strain 13 ECs implanted intradermally into the CYA-treated JY-1. Successful prolongation of allograft survival with CYA was clearly demonstrated by this method. This is considered to be a useful experimental way for evaluation of skin allograft survival and to be suitable for routine use.

Delayed-type skin reaction to 2,4-dinitrophenylated epidermal cells in guinea pigs with contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene

Contact sensitivity (CS) induced by hapten has been thought to be analogous to delayed-type hypersensitivity, such as the Mantoux reaction, because of outstanding similarities between the two phenomena. It can be suggested that animals with CS respond also to intradermal injection of the conjugate of hapten and protein as well as to epicutaneous application of hapten. However, evidence against this has been reported. In the present experiments, delayed-type skin reaction (DSR) was successfully obtained in JY1 strain guinea pigs sensitized by painting the skin with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene using in vitro dinitrophenylated epidermal cell suspension (DNP-EC) as antigen for a delayed intradermal test. The experiment using anti-Ia alloantiserum and complement showed that the elicitation of DSR is due to the presence of Ia-positive cells (presumably Langerhans cells) among DNP-ECs. The delayed intradermal test with the conjugates such as haptenated ECs in the animals with CS is considered to be an experimentally useful way of analysing the antigen in the sensitivity.

The effects of prazosin and propranolol in combination with thiazide diuretics on blood pressure and serum lipids: a multicentre study

We have carried out randomized 12-week multicentre study to compare the effects of prazosin and propranolol on blood pressure and serum lipids in 70 patients with essential hypertension after a 4 week minimum period of treatment with thiazide diuretics. After 12 weeks treatment with prazosin (n = 40, 1.5-12.0 mg per day) or propranolol (n = 30, 30-120 mg per day) with diuretics there was a significant blood pressure reduction from 165.1/97.9 mmHg to 151.2/90.6 mmHg and from 167/96.5 mmHg to 153/91.9 mmHg, respectively. In the 12th week a significant decrease was noted in triglyceride and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL + VLDL-C), but no significant effects were seen in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients receiving prazosin. On the other hand, a significant decrease in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was seen in patients receiving propranolol. Twenty-six of 40 patients receiving prazosin were given an additional 12 weeks of treatment. Twenty-two of 30 patients initially treated with propranolol were switched from propranolol to prazosin after 13 weeks and given prazosin up to the 24th week. At 24 weeks, the blood pressure was 149/93.0 mmHg in the prazosin group and 155/89.2 mmHg in the group which switched from propranolol to prazosin. Triglyceride remained reduced in the prazosin group at the 24th week. In the group which switched from propranolol to prazosin, triglyceride decreased significantly over the next 12 weeks.

Histological study on the fate of haptenated epidermal cells injected intradermally in guinea pigs

The percutaneous administration of in vitro haptenated epidermal cells (EC) has become established as a procedure to produce contact sensitivity (CS) in experimental animals for routine use. The cells have also been found to elicit a significant delayed-type skin reaction by intradermal test in the animals sensitized by painting the skin with the hapten. The fate of 2,4-dinitrophenylated (DNP) isogeneic epidermal cell suspensions (EC) injected intradermally was investigated histologically in intact or 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-sensitized strain 13 guinea pigs to study the role of the cells in CS. DNP-EC were found to proliferate actively in the dermis and formed EC nests with central keratinization and then elicited inflammatory reaction associated with necrosis of the epidermal structures 7 days after injection in the intact animals. DNP-EC injected intradermally into the animals which had received and reacted against DNCB underwent a suppression of EC proliferation. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of the haptenated EC in CS.

Gadolinium-DTPA and MR imaging of pituitary adenoma: a preliminary report

Gadolinium-DTPA MR imaging (Gd-MR), unenhanced MR imaging, and contrast-enhanced CT studies were compared prospectively in six patients with surgically confirmed pituitary adenomas and three patients without sellar pathology to determine the utility of Gd-MR in the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. In normal patients, the pituitary gland, cavernous sinus, and infundibulum enhanced by T1 shortening after gadolinium. In adenoma patients, two of four focal lesions identified with contrast-enhanced CT were identified with Gd-MR, and one was identified with unenhanced MR. The earliest short repetition-time sequence performed after gadolinium injection was best for focal lesion detection. Normal cavernous sinus enhancement by gadolinium made identification of cavernous sinus extension of adenoma difficult. Infundibulum displacement was better seen with contrast-enhanced CT (two vs one); however, unenhanced and Gd-MR were better than contrast-enhanced CT for demonstrating chiasmal compression (four vs three). Contrast-enhanced CT, Gd-MR, and plain MR were equally able to identify gland enlargement, sellar floor erosion, and abnormalities of the diaphragma sellae. In this preliminary series, we found Gd-MR to be promising for imaging adenomas; however, modifications in Gd-MR technique including thinner slices and immediate scanning after gadolinium injection are necessary for the best detection of focal lesions.

[Pituitary adenoma calcification]

Three hundred and eighteen cases of functioning and non-functioning pituitary adenoma were examined by histological, immunocytochemical and electronmicroscopic technique. Fourty-four of them (13.8%) showed evidence of calcospherites in the tumor tissues. A high incidence of calcospherite is found in functioning adenoma, but not in non-functioning adenoma. Calcification was seen most frequently in cases of prolactinoma (23), GH secreting (7), or GH + PRL tumor (2) and less in adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting adenoma (2) and follicle stimulating hormone secreting adenoma (1). Prolactin and growth hormone might be involved in the control of calcium metabolism. This is because, following adenomectomy in patients with prolactinoma or GH-secreting adenoma with hypercalcemia, there is normalization of serum PRL and GH with reduction in serum calcium. Calcospherite is produced in all of metastatic calcification, arterial calcification, dystrophic calcification and calcinosis. In cases of non-functioning adenoma however, the mechanism is believed to by dystrophic calcification.

[Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome (kaposiform arteriovenous fistula with bone changes)]

In a 14-year-old female patient with arteriovenous shunts (Stewart-Bluefarb syndrome), fist-sized cutaneous swelling, venous dilatation, blue-brown pigmentation and painful subcutaneous fingertip-sized nodules were noted on the right lower thigh. In addition to an arteriovenous malformation, bone hypertrophy, bone atrophy and after bone defects were observed in the involved area on X-ray examination. Histological examination revealed increased vascularity and vascular cavernous structures with endothelial swelling and extravasation of erythrocytes, but no malignant changes.