Murine endothelial cell line cells, F-2: interaction with leukocytes and cytokines production

Flowcytometry demonstrated that murine endothelial cell line F-2 expresses MHC class I antigen, FcR II, Mac-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), but not intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and class II antigen. However, co-culturing with TNF-alpha for 24 hr resulted in the increased expression of ICAM-1, and the decreased expression of VCAM-1. IL-1 alpha and IFN-gamma exerted this regulatory effect on VCAM-1 but not on ICAM-1. T (Con A blast) and B (LPS blast) cells adhered to F-2 cells at almost equal levels, and the adhesion was enhanced 20 to 50% when the cells were precultured with TNF-alpha for 24 hr. The inhibition assay using either (anti-ICAM-1 + anti-LFA-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) or (anti-VCAM-1 + anti-VLA-4, very late antigen-4) mAbs demonstrated that the ICAM-1 system was utilized more preferentially by T than B blasts when F-2 cells were stimulated with TNF-alpha, and the VCAM-1 system was vice versa under the unstimulated and stimulated conditions. Granulocytes also adhered to F-2 cells, but no mAbs could inhibit the adhesion. Although F-2 cells produced a considerable amount of IL-6, GM-CSF and neutrophil chemotactic activity, a 24 hr incubation with TNF-alpha resulted in an increase of 12 fold in IL-6 and 3 fold in neutrophil chemotactic activity production.

Effect of conagenin in tumor bearing mice. Antitumor activity, generation of effector cells and cytokine production

Antitumor effects and function of T cells in tumor bearing mice given conagenin (CNG), a low molecular immunomodulator, were investigated. The administration of CNG, once a week for 4 weeks, was the most effective schedule in inhibiting growth of IMC carcinoma, a syngeneic tumor. In this regimen, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer activities in spleens of CNG treated mice were maintained at higher levels than those of non-treated mice. Lymphokine production by splenic T cells was also enhanced in cultures, whereas monokine production by macrophages, which was increased in accordance with tumor growth, was reduced by CNG administration. The antitumor effect of CNG was not observed in mice given anti-asialo GM1 serum and in athymic mice. Results shown in this report suggest that CNG exerts its antitumor effects through activation of T cells and enhancement of generation of antitumor effector cells.

IC101, extracellular matrix antagonist produced by Streptomyces sp. MJ202-72F3. Production, isolation, structure determination and biological activity

In our search for inhibitors of cell adhesion to components of extracellular matrix (ECM), fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV, we succeeded in finding a novel cyclic hexadepsipeptide antibiotic, named IC101, which was isolated from cultured mycelium of Streptomyces albulus MJ202-72F3. It was purified by centrifugal partition chromatography, preparative reverse phase HPLC and Sephadex LH-20 and was obtained as a white powder. IC101 strongly inhibited cell adhesion to ECM components, suppressed immune responses in vitro and in vivo, and exhibited antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacteria.

Difference in plasminogen activator inhibitor activity between non-Q-wave infarction and Q-wave infarction

We examined the plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity in 14 patients with non-Q-wave infarction and in 27 patients with Q-wave infarction before the start of thrombolytic therapy and in 34 control subjects. The mean level of plasma tissue plasminogen activator antigen (ng/ml) was higher (P < 0.01) both in the patients with non-Q-wave infarction and in those with Q-wave infarction than in the control subjects (10.3 +/- 1.9, 9.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.8 +/- 0.3), and there was no difference in the level between the patients with non-Q-wave infarction and those with Q-wave infarction. The mean level of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (IU/ml) was lower (P < 0.01) in the patients with non-Q-wave infarction than in those with Q-wave infarction (7.3 +/- 2.0 vs. 17.1 +/- 2.2), and there was no difference in the level between the patients with non-Q-wave infarction and the control subjects (7.3 +/- 2.0 vs. 4.1 +/- 2.6). The patency rate of infarct-related coronary artery before thrombolytic therapy was higher (P < 0.01) in the patients with non-Q-wave infarction than in those with Q-wave infarction (54% vs. 15%). We conclude that plasminogen activator inhibitor activity was lower in non-Q-wave infarction than in Q-wave infarction and this may be related to the higher patency rate of infarct-related coronary artery in non-Q-wave infarction.

Plasma lipoprotein(a) levels and fibrinolytic activity in patients with unstable angina

The relationship between plasma Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen levels were studied in 15 patients with unstable angina. Plasma levels of Lp(a) (mg/dl) were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina after treatment 2 weeks than on admission (19.7 +/- 2.8 vs 14.6 +/- 2.3, p < 0.01). On the other hand, the plasma levels of PAI activity (IU/ml) and t-PA antigen (ng/ml) in patients with unstable angina were significantly higher on admission than after treatment (PAI activity: 11.4 +/- 1.4 vs 7.7 +/- 1.5, t-PA antigen: 8.7 +/- 0.9 vs 7.0 +/- 0.9, p < 0.01). We conclude that patients with unstable antigen have reduced fibrinolytic capacity, as indicated by increased PAI activity, and that the plasma Lp(a) level may be decreased due to binding with fibrin during the acute stage of unstable angina.

[The etiology of sudden cardiopulmonary arrest in subarachnoid hemorrhage]

Sudden death due to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is not uncommon. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this paper, sixty-eight consecutive patients with sudden death in SAH (DOA group) were studied to clarify the etiology of sudden cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in SAH. SAH was confirmed by CT scan and/or by autopsy. These patients accounted for 10% of the total intrinsic DOA patients in that period. Clinical symptoms, CT scan and autopsy findings concerning the DOA group were carefully evaluated and compared to those of patients with SAH of WFNS Grade V (V group). The DOA group accounted for 10% of all SAH patients. Average time interval from the onset of SAH to the recognition of CPA was 21.2 minutes. In 30% of cases, the time interval was within 15 minutes. Pulmonary edema was recognized as being significantly higher in the DOA group than in the V group (P < 0.01). In CT finding, the number of patients who were classified into S type (mainly subarachnoid clot only) was significantly higher in the DOA group than in the V group (P < 0.01). The CT Score and MAX. CT NO. in the DOA group were significantly lower than in the V group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively), suggesting that the intensity of subarachnoid hemorrhage was not severe in the DOA group. Postmortem histological examination of the myocardium was carried out on 6 cases of the DOA group. A contraction band necrosis in the myocardium which did not correspond to the coronary perfusion area was found in all 6 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of 3' terminals of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transcripts in persistently infected cells

To examine the 3' terminal processing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcripts and the effects of phorbol ester (TPA) on this processing, cellular RNAs from persistently infected T cells (MOLT-4) or promonocytes (U937), with or without TPA treatment, were analyzed. To map the 3' terminals of viral transcripts, the RNA samples were examined by RNase-protection assay with an HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) antisense riboprobe. Without TPA treatment, the viral transcripts initiated at the cap site in 5' LTR and polyadenylated at poly(A) site in 3' LTR were dominantly detected in both types of cells. This analysis demonstrated that some occlusion mechanism inactivating the poly(A) site in 5' LTR might exist in these infected cells. After TPA treatment, we found a dramatic shift in the protected patterns of viral transcripts in MOLT-4 cells, while the shift in U937 cells was less dramatic. These results suggested that the primary factor(s) involved in the observed effect of TPA might be cellular. We also demonstrated that the shift in the protected patterns of viral transcripts was associated with increased steady-state levels of viral transcripts. These results indicated that the factors involved in the TPA-induced shift might have some relation to the trans-activation of HIV-1 by similar substances.

Rheological properties and fractal structure of concentrated polyion complexes of chitosan and alginate

Rheological properties and fractal structure of the polyion complex between chitosan and alginate have been studied using IR spectra, dynamic viscoelasticity and SAXS measurements. The complexation seems to occur between a carboxyl anion of the alginate and an amino group of the chitosan. The complex develops most markedly at a mixing ratio in weight of the chitosan/alginate from ca. 1/1 to 1/2 (in molar ratio), at which the dynamic viscoelastic functions of the systems manifest a plateau region due to a heterogeneous structure at a low frequency range. The heterogeneous structure shows a surface fractal structure having a fractal dimension of ca. 2.4.

A putative transcription factor binding to the upstream region of the puf operon in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Gel shift assays of the upstream region of the puf operon in Rhodobacter sphaeroides were performed using cell-free extracts from cells grown under various culture conditions. The results suggested that a protein binding to the upstream region functioned as a repressor-like substance of the expression of the operon by oxygen tension or light. The density of the shifted band of cell-free extracts from cells irradiated with blue light under semi-aerobic conditions was higher than that with red light. Phosphatase treatment of the cell-free extracts strongly increased the DNA-binding affinity of the protein.

Multiplicity of virus-encoded helper T-cell epitopes expressed on FBL-3 tumor cells

To identify retroviral antigenic determinants recognized by CD4+ T helper cells during tumor rejection, we established four noncytolytic, helper-type, CD4+ T-cell clones by limiting dilution cultures of mixed lymphocyte-tumor cultures from mice immune to a Friend virus-induced tumor, FBL-3. Among these, three T helper cell clones were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and the fourth was isolated from a (BALB/c x C57BL/6)F1 mouse. All these clones proliferated in response to the immunizing FBL-3 tumor cells in a major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted manner. Each clone expressed a distinct T-cell receptor with a characteristic combination of alpha and beta chains. The localization of helper T-cell determinants on viral proteins was analyzed with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) gag or env genes or shorter fragments of the env gene. Epitopes recognized by these T-cell clones were mapped to at least two distinct portions in the env region of the F-MuLV genome. These epitopes were identified more precisely with synthetic peptides derived from the F-MuLV envelope protein sequence. One of these epitopes was common to Friend and Moloney MuLVs and was located in the N-terminal region of the gp70 glycoprotein at amino acids 122 to 141. The second epitope, which was recognized in the context of hybrid I-Eb/d major histocompatibility complex class II molecule, was located close to the C-terminal end of gp70 at amino acids 462 to 479. In addition, a possible third epitope was located in the N-terminal half of the gp70 sequence and differed from the first epitope in that it was not cross-reactive with the Moloney MuLV envelope protein.

Increased plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor activity after coronary spasm

To examine whether ischemic attack induced by coronary spasm changes fibrinolytic activity, we examined plasma levels of tissue-plasminogen activator antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity before and after hyperventilation test in patients with variant angina and in control subjects. In 12 patients with variant angina, ischemic attack associated with ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram was induced by hyperventilation and plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor activity levels increased significantly 15 min after the attacks (pre, 5.1 +/- 0.8; immediately after, 5.8 +/- 1.1; and 15 min after, 7.2 +/- 0.9 IU/ml, P < 0.01). In 12 control subjects, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity levels did not change. Plasma tissue-plasminogen activator antigen levels did not change in both two groups. We conclude that coronary artery spasm increases plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor activity and that it may thereby lead to the coronary thrombus formation.

Quantitative assessment of a change of hemosiderin deposition with age in splenic compartments of rats

Hemosiderin deposition was quantitatively estimated in paraffin sections stained using Perls' iron reaction in the spleens of untreated male rats aged from 0 to 28 months. Hemosiderin was deposited in the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath (PALS), lymph follicles, and marginal zone, as well as in the red pulp which was the main compartment of hemosiderin deposition. Special attention was paid to the PALS and marginal zone. Marked hemosiderin deposition was evident from 4 months, although only few hemosiderin-laden macrophages appeared in the first 3 months. Hemosiderin deposition peaked at 12 months in the red pulp and at 20 months in the white pulp and marginal zone. The deposition in the white pulp and marginal zone was about 1/9 to 1/4 of that in the red pulp. A few hemosiderin-laden macrophages were found in the lymph follicles after 2 months. In the periarterial region of the splenic hilus, deposition of hemosiderin granules was observed even at 1 month when there was little hemosiderin deposition elsewhere. Since no arteries open there, the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the PALS and lymph follicles suggested movement of some macrophages from the red pulp and/or the marginal zone. In addition, hemosiderin deposition in the PALS increased with age after it decreased in the other compartments.

Analysis of vocal abuse: fluctuations in phonation time and intensity in 4 groups of speakers

We have seen many patients with a voice disorder due to vocal abuse. However, there is little information about the speaking behaviour of such patients. The object of this study was to analyze speaking behaviour and to evaluate the relationship between the cause of voice disorders and its effects on speech. We had previously measured phonation time with a speech time accumulator. Recently, we have developed a speech intensity/speech time accumulator. We obtained data by accumulating the phonation time at 4 degrees of vocal intensity, ranging from weak to strong. By using this instrument, we measured the speaking habits of 29 subjects for 131 days and collected data about the criteria for vocal abuse. Our results showed that the office workers exhibited a phonation time (33.6 +/- 13.6 min for 8 h) three times shorter than that of teachers and patients with vocal fold nodules (102.1 +/- 22.9 min for 8 h). For the teachers and patients with a long phonation time, half of the total phonation time was at high intensity.

[Muscle fiber conduction velocity in right and left biceps brachii for badminton players]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the laterality of muscle fiber conduction velocity in biceps brachii for badminton players, who have stronger arm in the handedness side for long term training. The muscle fiber conduction velocity was calculated from the propagation time of the action potentials along the muscle fibers and the electrode separation using cross-correlation method. For badminton players, significant lateral differences (e.g. right side skillful) were observed in the upper arm girth (P < 0.01) and isokinetic peak torque at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 rpm (P < 0.01). For control subjects, significant lateral differences were in upper arm girth (P < 0.05) and isokinetic peak torque at exactly 30 rpm (P < 0.05). As for muscle fiber conduction velocity, there were no statistically significant differences between right (4.16 +/- 0.34 m/sec) and left (4.08 +/- 0.34 m/sec) sides in badminton players, and the control group exhibited same tendency (right: 4.36 +/- 0.25 m/sec, left: 4.28 +/- 0.33 m/sec) as well. These results suggest no training-induced change in the muscle fiber conduction velocity.

Interferon-gamma-producing tumor induces host tumor-specific T cell responses

We investigated the mechanism of host immune responses against two interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) gene-transduced tumors, plasmacytoma MOPC104E(Mu gamma) and mammary cancer SC115(K gamma), which originally had weak immunogenicity. Both IFN-gamma-producing tumor cells had reduced tumorigenicity and were rejected by syngeneic mice. The rejection was completely blocked by in vivo treatment with anti-CD8 or anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibodies. While anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody also blocked the rejection of SC115(K gamma), it enhanced the initial tumor growth of MOPC104E(Mu gamma). Specific protection against subsequent challenge with the respective parental tumor cells was demonstrated in mice which rejected the IFN-gamma-producing tumor cells. Cultured lymphocytes derived from immunized mouse spleens had cytotoxic T cell activity against parental tumor cells, as well as against cells that produced IFN-gamma. These findings indicate that the antitumor effects are mediated by cytotoxic T cells and, partly, by helper T cells, and that locally secreted IFN-gamma plays an important role in generating these effector cells.

Surfactant apoprotein A secretion by human tracheobronchial epithelial cells

To determine whether surfactant apoproteins are produced locally by the airway walls, we used a two-site simultaneous immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies and measured the surfactant apoprotein-A (SP-A) content in media cultured with human airway explants or cultured epithelial cells. Tracheobronchial explants were cultured for 2 successive periods (periods I and II). Significant SP-A concentrations were detected in both periods. Methacholine (MCh) or isoproterenol (ISP), added to the medium at the beginning of period II, reduced the ratio of SP-A concentration in period II to that in period I, compared to samples without treatment. The SP-A concentration in the medium at the confluent period of cultured epithelial cells was significantly higher than at the mid-period, indicating that SP-A secretion is dependent on the cell number. The supernatant from explants stimulated by MCh was capable of reducing SP-A secretion from cultured epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical study of SP-A using monoclonal antibody demonstrated positive immunoperoxidase staining in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Further, Western blots of electrophoresed proteins from epithelial cells showed the characteristic properties of SP-A. These findings indicate that tracheobronchial epithelium can secrete SP-A.

Differential damage by hypoxia to dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals

Serotonin and dopamine resemble each other in terms of their synthetic and degradative pathways, as well as in terms of structural features. However, responses to a low-oxygen environment differ between these two compounds. In this experiment, we studied the fluctuations of levels of serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites in the striatum of the rat brain under low-oxygen conditions using a microdialysis technique. Comparison of the extents of increases in extracellular levels of dopamine and serotonin, accompanied by decreases in levels of metabolites, indicates that the effects of hypoxia on the two types of neuronal terminal are different. This study suggests that dopamine plays a more important role than serotonin in the mechanism of irreversible destruction of neurons during moderate hypoxia.

Delaminomycins, novel nonpeptide extracellular matrix receptor antagonist and a new class of potent immunomodulator. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activity

In order to develop a new class of immunomodulator we have searched for a low molecular weight inhibitors of cell adhesion to components of extracellular matrix (ECM), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LM) and collagen type IV (CL), and succeeded to find a group of novel antibiotics, named delaminomycins. Delaminomycins were isolated from the mycelium and cultured broth of Streptomyces albulus MJ202-72F3. It was purified by use of centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), preparative reverse phase HPLC and Sephadex LH-20 and was obtained as a white powder. Delaminomycins with inhibitory activity for cell adhesion to ECM components suppressed immune responses in vitro and in vivo and exhibited antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacteria.

In vitro modification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectivity by the U937 cells

The effect of host cell factors on infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was studied by infecting a monoblastoid cell line (U937) or a T-cell line (MOLT-4) with a highly infective single clone of HIV-1 and comparing the infectivity of the produced viruses to different cell lines. Chronically infected U937 cells consistently produced viruses with minimal infectivity. This phenotypic change was host-dependent as the back-passage of the U937-produced low infective viruses into MOLT-4 cells resulted in regaining their original high infectivity. Southern and Northern blot analyses of the HIV-1 grown in U937 cells did not reveal any genomic difference between it and the virus grown it MOLT-4 cells. The radioimmunoprecipitation analysis of viral proteins showed that the HIV-1-infected U937 cells had a different pattern of envelope glycoproteins and core proteins, which well correlated with the low infectivity of the produced viruses. This experimental system using MOLT-4 and U937 cell lines would be useful to further explore host cell factor(s) which play an important role in the regulation of HIV-1 infectivity.

Interspecies-specific ovarian autoantigens involved in neonatal thymectomy-induced murine autoimmune oophoritis

PROBLEM

Thymectomy of mice on day 3 after birth (3d-Tx) gives rise to the appearance of a particular type of ovarian lesion known as experimental autoimmune oophoritis (AIO).

METHOD

In the present study, the spleen cells from BALB/c mice having undergone 3 day-Tx AIO were fused with X63-Ag8-6.5.3 myeloma cells, and a number of hybridoma clones producing autoantibodies against ovarian tissue were established.

RESULTS

On the basis of immunohistochemical and protein-chemical analysis, two independent clones, designated at T2.2 and S1.6, were found to react with interstitial tissues surrounding the follicles. These monoclonal antibodies showed broad cross-species reactivity, in that they recognized similar antigenic macromolecules in the rat, pig, human, and mouse. The antigenic determinants were strongly resistant to heat and acid, especially to the treatment of periodic acid, indicating that the antigenic determinants had no relation with carbohydrate components.

CONCLUSIONS

By antibody affinity chromatography, two kinds of autoantigens were identified. SDS-PAGE, under reduced or nonreduced conditions, revealed an 80/85 kDa protein for T2.2, and an 82 kDa for S1.6, respectively.

The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on single dense calcified gallstones according to computed tomography

The efficacy and complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for single gallstones were compared between 15 patients with a CT-lucent stone and 18 patients with a dense calcified stone. In all of five patients with a stone smaller than 10 mm in diameter, complete or sufficient clearance was observed, regardless of calcification. However, in 28 patients with a stone larger than 11 mm in diameter, the rates of complete or sufficient clearance were lower in those with a dense calcified stone (64%) than in those with a computed tomography (CT) lucent stone (93%). There was no difference in the rate of complications between patients with a CT-lucent stone and those with a dense calcified stone. These results thus suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy may be safely employed for patients with a single calcified gallstone.

Platelet-derived growth factor is released into the coronary circulation after coronary spasm

BACKGROUND

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells and is implicated in the vascular response to injury and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It is also a potent vasoconstrictor.

METHODS

To examine whether acute myocardial ischemia increases the level of PDGF in the coronary circulation, we measured plasma levels of PDGF in the coronary sinus and the aortic root simultaneously in 14 patients with coronary spastic angina. These measurements were performed before and after the left coronary artery spasm induced by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine, and measurements were also taken in 15 patients with stable exertional angina before and after acute myocardial ischemia induced by rapid atrial pacing. Eleven patients with chest pain but normal coronary arteries and no coronary spasm served as controls.

RESULTS

Plasma PDGF levels increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 274 +/- 28 pg/mL to 364 +/- 27 pg/mL only in coronary sinus after anginal attacks in the patients with coronary spastic angina. However, plasma PDGF levels in coronary sinus remained unchanged after these attacks in the patients with stable exertional angina (from 230 +/- 27 pg/ml to 247 +/- 28 pg/mL) and after intracoronary injection of acetylcholine in the control subjects. Plasma PDGF levels in aortic root remained unchanged in all three patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

PDGF is released into the coronary circulation after coronary artery spasm, and this may exacerbate coronary artery spasm.

Relationship of anthropometric indices of body fat to cardiovascular risk in Japanese women

The relationship between body fat indices and cardiovascular risk was analyzed in 97 Japanese women aged 36-72 years. The variables used were anthropometric measures of body fatness, blood lipids and blood pressure. Total adipose tissue weight (TATW) was estimated from bioelectrical impedance measurements. Subcutaneous adipose tissue weight (SATW) was calculated by measuring subcutaneous fat thickness at 14 sites using a skinfold caliper. The indices of body fat distribution were the ratios of waist to hip circumference (WHR) and abdominal to hip circumference (AHR). Blood pressure and serum lipid levels were determined in all subjects after an overnight fast. The correlations among the various body fat indices were high, and all were strongly correlated with WHR and AHR; only % SATW and percentage internal adipose tissue weight (%IATW) were not correlated with WHR and AHR. Significant positive associations were found between WHR, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Negative associations were found between WHR and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-ch.) and the ratio of HDL-ch. to total cholesterol (HDL-ch./T-ch.). On the other hand, significant positive associations were found between AHR, T-ch., LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and SBP. A negative association was found between AHR and HDL-ch./T-ch.. Partial correlations were used to determine further associations between cardiovascular risk factors and fat distribution indices. SBP was associated with WHR or AHR after removing the effects of age. Similarly, HDL-ch./T-ch. was associated with WHR or AHR after removing the effects of age and degree of obesity (BMI). These results suggest that the WHR and AHR are equally valid estimates of body fat distribution with respect to their relationship with cardiovascular risk. These relationships occurred independently of age or BMI in Japanese women. These findings emphasize the importance of intra-abdominal obesity as a metabolic risk factor for cardiovascular disease associated with a high WHR and AHR.

Effects of extensive oral surgery and hemorrhage on coagulation and fibrinolysis

The changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic activity in 22 patients with oral cancer undergoing extensive surgical procedures were studied. The patients were divided into two groups: group I patients suffered blood loss of less than 2,000 mL and group II patients had blood loss of more than 2,000 mL. The platelet count decreased significantly during surgery, at the end of surgery and on the 1st postoperative day in both groups. Fibrinogen was decreased during and at the end of surgery in both groups, but increased significantly on the 3rd postoperative day and reached about two times the preoperative levels on the 7th postoperative day. Fibrin degradation products increased significantly after surgery and reached the maximum value on the 1st postoperative day in both groups. Plasmin inhibitor complex and plasminogen increased significantly on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days. There was no clear evidence regarding the influence of blood loss on coagulation and fibrinolytic factors except for platelets. It was concluded that coagulation and fibrinolysis are enhanced between the 3rd and 7th postoperative days.