Normal levels of IgG subclass in childhood determined by a sensitive ELISA

Normal values of all IgG subclasses were determined using a sensitive ELISA in children aged from newborn to 14 years. The upper and lower limits of normal values of all IgG subclasses were obtained in all the age groups using 29 umbilical cord blood samples from full-term newborns and 308 venous blood samples from normal infants and children. The trends in the levels of IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 with age were almost similar to previous reports. IgG4 levels decreased gradually until reaching the lowest level at 7 to 12 months and increased gradually with age, reaching a plateau at 12 to 14 years of age. Thus, the lower limit of serum IgG4 levels was determined using our method.

Norepinephrine prolongs tetracaine spinal anesthesia in surgical patients: a preliminary study

We conducted a double-blinded examination of the effects of norepinephrine as a vasoconstrictor on the onset and duration of tetracaine spinal anesthesia in 80 surgical patients. The patients were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 20 in each group). Each patient received 10 mg of tetracaine in a volume of 2.0 mL which contained either 0 micrograms/mL, 5 micrograms/mL, 10 micrograms/mL, or 15 micrograms/mL of norepinephrine. The onset of spinal anesthesia was determined by the time to reach Th-10 level as well as by the time required to obtain the highest level of sensory analgesia. The time for two-segment regression and full-motor recovery were defined as the duration of spinal anesthesia. The time to reach Th-10, the highest analgesia level, and the time to obtain the highest analgesia level did not differ among the groups. Two-segment regression was prolonged significantly by 175%, 103%, and 106% as compared with the plain tetracaine group, in 5 micrograms/mL, 10 micrograms/mL, and 15 micrograms/mL of norepinephrine groups, respectively. Motor recovery also was extended significantly by 111%, 152%, and 121% as compared with the plain tetracaine group, in 5 micrograms/mL, 10 micrograms/mL, and 15 micrograms/mL of norepinephrine groups, respectively. There were no differences in the changes of arterial blood pressure and heart rate associated with the addition of norepinephrine among the groups. We conclude that norepinephrine provides a clinically meaningful prolongation of the duration of tetracaine spinal anesthesia.

Influence of elastase and hyaluronidase on the ciliary interconnecting systems in frog vestibular sensory cells

Bullfrog vestibular end organs were incubated in frog Ringer's solution, hyaluronidase and elastase. When assessed by scanning electron microscopy, long-time incubation in frog Ringer's solution caused damage to side links. Elastase caused severe damage to tip links with a slight alteration to side links. The glycocalyx of the hair cells decreased after incubation in elastase or hyaluronidase. Electrophysiological measurements showed a remarkable decrease in compound action potentials after the elastase treatment, while no change was observed after the long-time incubation in frog Ringer's solution or hyaluronidase. The results are in agreement with the hypothesis that tip links are involved in mechanotransduction, and side links keep the cilia arranged in a bundle.

[Simultaneous operation of Cabrol's operation and sternal turnover with rectus abdominal flap]

We performed simultaneous operation of sternal turnover and Cabrol operation for a 28-year-old man, who had 3rd grade funnel chest and annuloaortic ectasia with 3rd grade aortic regurgitation. We think when both annuloaortic ectasia and funnel chest are indicated for operation, simultaneous operation is to be considered and the combination of Cabrol operation and sternal turnover with rectus abdominal flap is the best procedure.

Experimental study of a frog semicircular canal nerve: influence of the initial cupular position

The posterior semicircular canal of the frog was stimulated by mechanical endolymphatic flow toward either an ampullofugal (excitatory) or ampullopetal (inhibitory) direction. The magnitudes of the responses as the cupula was moved to various positions were compared. When the same amount of stimulus was given in the same direction, the responses were equal, regardless of the initial position of the cupula.

Detection of the degradation products of bradykinin by enzyme immunoassays as markers for the release of kinin in vivo

We developed an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) specific for Arg1-Pro2-Pro3-Gly4-Phe5 ([1-5]-BK) for determination of the levels of this peptide in biological fluids. Previously developed EIAs for bradykinin (BK) and for des-Phe8-Arg9-BK ([1-7]BK) were also used. Incubation of rat plasma with glass powder resulted in the transient appearance of BK. A degradation product, [1-7]BK, could be detected in the incubation mixture for a longer period of time. When compared with BK and [1-7]BK, a larger amount of [1-5]BK was detectable even longer. In carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats, which was associated with a peak rate of plasma exudation 5 hr after administration of carrageenan, BK was undetectable (< 160 pg/rat) in the pleural exudates. By contrast, [1-7]BK was detectable over the entire course of the inflammatory response. A larger amount of [1-5]BK was detectable. The peak level of [1-5]BK was 6050 +/- 1050 pg/rat, 5 hr after administration of carrageenan. Inhibition of the generation of BK by intrapleural administration of soy bean trypsin inhibitor (0.3 mg/rat) 30 min before collection of pleural fluid resulted in significant reductions in the levels of both [1-7]BK (by 51-65%) and [1-5]BK (by 63-79%) in the exudates 3, 7 and 19 hr after administration of carrageenan. Intraperitoneal administration of captopril (10 mg/kg) caused a marked reduction (by 98%) in levels of [1-5]BK in exudates 3 hr after administration of carrageenan. The reduction was accompanied by an increase in the level of BK up to 1250% of that in untreated rats. These results indicate that the newly developed EIA for [1-5]BK might be a useful tool for verifying the release of kinin in vivo.

Heterogeneity in early and advanced gastric carcinomas by flow cytometric DNA analysis

We investigated 230 systematically sampled fresh specimens from 12 early and 26 advanced gastric cancer patients by DNA flow cytometry for heterogeneity in DNA content. Fifty-eight percent of the 12 early gastric cancers were uniformly diploid and 42% were uniformly aneuploid. Fifty-four percent of advanced cancers were uniformly diploid in superficial layers and 42% were uniformly diploid in deep layers, whereas 46% were uniformly aneuploid in superficial layers, and 50% were uniformly aneuploid and 8% were heterogeneously aneuploid and diploid in deep layers. Both diploid and aneuploid samples were obtained from 15% for advanced cancers, but ploidy heterogeneity did not occur in early cancers. Heterogeneity for DNA index (more than one aneuploid DNA index) occurred in 46% of whole thickness of advanced cancers, in 19% of superficial layers of advanced cancers, and in 8% of early cancers. We concluded that DNA ploidy determination using superficial layer specimens may be reliable in early gastric cancer but must be interpreted with care in advanced cancer.

The effect of protease inhibitor on reperfusion injury after unilateral pulmonary ischemia

Reperfusion injury is a large problem in the early stage after lung transplantation. Its prevention by protease inhibitor was evaluated experimentally. Warm ischemic models were made with the left lungs of adult mongrel dogs. The time for the warm ischemic procedure was set at 2 hr, and the lungs were reperfused for 2 hr. The experimental group was divided into a control group, a UTI (urinary trypsin inhibitor) group and a GM (gabexate mecilate) group. To the UTI group, 10,000 units/kg of UTI was administrated during reperfusion, and to the GM group, 20 mg/kg of gabexate mecilate was administrated similarly. In the control group, the pulmonary vascular resistance and the lung tissue wet and dry weight ratios (W/D ratios) increased significantly, and thickened interstitium and infiltration of neutrophils were observed histologically after reperfusion. In the GM group, W/D ratios increased significantly, and histological appearances were similar to the control group. In the UTI group, the pulmonary vascular resistance increased slightly, but the W/D ratio did not increase significantly, and no changes were seen histologically after reperfusion. In the survival experiment, only two of the five dogs survived for more than seven days in the control and GM groups, while all five dogs survived for more than seven days in the UTI group. These results indicate that UTI significantly attenuates reperfusion injury, perhaps by inhibiting neutrophil proteases.

Glycocalyx and ciliary interconnections in bullfrog vestibular end organs: normal structure and changes after incubation in frog Ringer's solution

The ultrastructure of ciliary interconnecting systems as well as changes after incubation in frog Ringer's solution of the bullfrog vestibular end organs were investigated by using a scanning electron microscopy. The plasma membrane of the sensory hairs showed rather rough appearance. Side links emerged from the plasma membrane and tightly connected neighboring cilia. The tip links stretched from the tips of the stereocilia to their taller neighbors. These tip links were arranged in a same direction towards the kinocilium. These findings indicate that the side links may keep the cilia arranged in a bundle and the tip links may be involved in sensory cell transduction system. Changes in the surface texture and ciliary interconnecting systems were detected 2 hrs after incubation in frog Ringer's solution. Such changes included an increase in granularity of the surface membrane, fracturing and disappearance of all types of ciliary interconnections, especially side links. The tip links were more durable than side links. This indicates that the physiological studies of bullfrog hair bundle are justified across a 1-hr interval from the time the temporal bones are removed from the animal.

Contribution of the vestibular primary neuron and the sensory cell to posture recovery

The right vestibular nerve of the frog was cut peripherally to the vestibular ganglion. The frog sustained a tilting posture toward the right side. This tilting disappeared and the frog returned to normal posture. Based on this finding, the following experiments were done: In experiment I, the right vestibular nerve was again cut after posture recovery. The tilting angle was smaller and the recovery period shorter than after the 1st neurectomy. In experiment II, the left nerve was cut after posture recovery. The tilting angle toward the left was greater than that of the 1st neurectomy. In experiment III, the frog underwent bilateral neurectomy. A piece of the bone was inserted into the cut ends of the right nerve to inhibit nerve regeneration. The frog slowly developed tilting toward the right side. The above results indicate that both reactivation of the endorgan and the central compensatory mechanism play essential roles, for postural recovery after vestibular neurectomy.

Three-dimensional observation of the Golgi apparatus in the vestibular (Scarpa's) ganglion cell

Ultrastructure of the Golgi apparatus and GERL was observed three-dimensionally from the functional view point of lysosome formation. GERL directly continues with rough endoplasmic reficulum. There are at least two systems for lysosome formation, i.e. dependent and not dependent systems on the Golgi stack respectively. GERL also continues with a trans Golgi saccule, indicating that GERL is a part of the Golgi apparatus.

Coupling between ATPase and force-generating attachment-detachment cycles of actomyosin in vitro

We have developed a high resolution force measurement system in vitro by manipulating a single actin filament attached to a microneedle. The system could resolve forces less than a piconewton, and has time resolution in the submillisecond range. We have used this system to detect force fluctuations produced by individual molecular interactions. We observed large force fluctuations during isometric force generations. Noise analysis of the force fluctuations showed that the force was produced by stochastic and independent attachment-detachment cycles between actin and myosin heads, and one force-generating attachment-detachment cycle corresponded to each ATPase cycle. But, the force fluctuations almost completely disappeared during sliding at the velocities of 20 to 70% of the maximum one at zero load. The analysis indicated that myosin heads produced an almost constant force for most (probably > 70%) of the ATPase cycle time, i.e., the duty ratio > 0.7. Since the myosin step size was given as (velocity) x (the duty ratio) x (the ATPase cycle time, 30 ms), it was calculated to be 40 to 110 nm, corresponding to velocities of 20 to 70% of the maximum one (9 microns/s), respectively. These values are much greater than the displacement by a single attachment-detachment cycle of actomyosin (10-20 nm), indicating that multiple force-generating attachment-detachment cycles correspond to each ATPase cycle during sliding at velocities of > 20% of the maximum one. In conclusion, the coupling between the ATPase and the force-generating attachment-detachment cycles of actomyosin is not rigidly determined in a one-to-one fashion but is variable depending on the load.

[The effect of calcium ion on ampullary nerve potential]

The effect of calcium ion (Ca2+) in the endolymphatic and/or perilymphatic space of the posterior semicircular canal (p.s.c.) nerve response was studied. When both endolymph and perilymph contained no Ca2+, no p.s.c. nerve response was observed. When only the endolymph contained Ca2+ and the perilymph was Ca2+ free, again no nerve response was observed. On the other hand, when only the perilymph contained Ca2+, p.s.c. nerve response was evoked. Therefore, Ca2+ in the perilymph was considered to be essential for maintaining the function of the p.s.c. as a mechanoreceptor.

[Tissue culture of guinea pig middle ear epithelium--morphological characterization and proliferative activities of cultured cells on fibroblast-reorganized collagen gels]

Long-term culture of the middle ear epithelium of guinea pigs was carried out on reconstituted floating collagen matrix. Fibroblasts established from the abdominal skin dermis of allogenic animals were used to reorganize hydrated collagen gels into a dermal-like matrix. The explants placed on the surface of these matrices were composed of pseudostratified columnar cells with polygonal flat outgrowth sheets, which could be maintained for up to one month. In contrast, with simple hydrated collagen gel, no lysis of the substrate was observed regarding this reorganized collagen gel. In order to examine the growth pattern of these culture cells, 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was added to the medium during the entire culture period. The specimens were immunohistologically stained using monoclonal antibodies. Noticeable changes were observed in the marginal portion of the explant where the cell shape changed from cuboidal to squamous. In this transitional area, most cells showed positive staining and consequently high proliferative activity. In the central area of the explants, however, the number of positive cells decreased and the main observation was a few labeled basal cell nuclei. It was suggested that the same regenerative process which usually occurs in normal respiratory epithelia after mechanical injury or other insults, was replayed in this culture system.

Species dependency of in vitro macrophage activation by bacterial peptidoglycans

The effect of various bacterial cell wall components on in vitro biological function of murine peritoneal exudate macrophages was evaluated. We examined four different parameters of metabolic activity and monokine secretion. Peritoneal exudate macrophages from rats and guinea pigs, all of the strains tested, were stimulated by whole bacterial cell wall preparations, purified bacterial cell wall peptidoglucans, its water-soluble peptidolglycan fragments, muramyl dipeptides and amphipathic substances. Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages were activated by amphipathic substances of gram-positive bacteria. However, macrophages from mice, irrespective of strains, were not stimulated in the in vitro assay systems by purified bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan, water-soluble bacterial peptidoglycan fragments or muramyl dipeptides. These results suggest that macrophage activation by bacterial peptidoglycan in vitro is animal species specific.

Analysis of spinal cord evoked potential and locomotor function during acute spinal cord compression in cats

The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not conductive spinal cord evoked potentials and spinal cord function change correspondingly with each other. The relationship between conductive spinal cord evoked potentials and locomotor function during acute spinal cord compression in animals was investigated. In decerebrate cats, controlled locomotion can be induced by electrical stimuli in the mesencephalic locomotor region. Conductive spinal cord evoked potentials were recorded at the L3 level of the spinal cord and stimuli were given at the T4 segment. The locomotor function was evaluated through electromyograms of the hind limbs. By compressing the spinal cord at L1, both the conductive spinal cord evoked potentials and the locomotor function gradually decreased. When the first negative potential amplitude of conductive spinal cord evoked potentials was decreased to half the level found in normal cats, locomotor function was injured irreversibly. These results showed that changes in the conductive spinal cord evoked potentials were related to changes in locomotor function. The 50% level of the first negative potential amplitude was considered to be the critical level at which irreversible spinal cord paralysis occurred in the cats.

[A surgical case of coronary sinus ASD]

A case of coronary sinus ASD in a 56-years-old woman is reported. This defect was detected during operation for the first time. In this case, a LSVC was absent and coronary sinus opened into the left atrium. The defect was closed using a pericardial patch.

A case of mixed-type dysgerminoma with a high serum concentration of both human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein in a child

Dysgerminoma is divided into two types: pure and mixed. The mixed type is related to other various elements of germ cell tumors. We experienced a case of mixed type dysgerminoma with a high serum concentration of both human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein. The patient was a 6 year old girl who was admitted to the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine with an abdominal mass. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and high concentration of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. The tumor originated from the left ovary. The histopathological diagnosis was dysgerminoma. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein levels were useful markers in monitoring the response to treatment in this patient.

Altered glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins associated with human mammary carcinoma

N-Linked sugar chains of normal mammary gland, mammary carcinomas (primary lesion), and axillary lymph node metastases of mammary carcinomas were released from their membrane preparations by hydrazinolysis and their structures were analyzed. Fractionation using a Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA)-Sepharose column revealed that the metastasized carcinomas contain more than twice as much DSA-binding oligosaccharides as the normal gland, and the primary carcinomas contain an intermediate amount. These oligosaccharides were elucidated to have tri- and tetraantennary structures containing the GlcNAc beta 1-->6(GlcNAc beta 1-->2)Man group with and without N-acetyllactosamine repeating units. Lectin blot analysis of membrane glycoproteins and histochemical staining of tissues using biotinylated DSA indicated that these glycosylation changes predominantly occur in a limited number of glycoproteins with apparent molecular weights of 90, 160, and 210 kilodaltons, and mammary carcinomas are distinguishable from normal gland by their intense intracytoplasmic staining.

[Clinical evaluation of SD-8828 (antibody coated bacteria assay kit) in urinary tract infection]

Clinical usefulness of a newly developed assay kit for ACB (SD-8828) which detects urinary bacteria coating IgG was evaluated and compared to the enzyme antibody plate method. A total of 48 patients including 20 patients with acute simple cystitis and 28 patients with acute or chronic pyelonephritis, who were shown to have pyuria of at least 5 cells/HPF, bacteriuria of at least 10(4) CFU/ml were enrolled in this study. By enzyme antibody method. ABC was positive in 92.9% of patients with upper urinary tract infection and negative in 100% of patients with lower UTI, this difference being statistically significant (p < 0.02). By SD-8828, 85% of positive coincidence rate and 100% of negative coincidence rate, compared to the enzyme antibody technique, was obtained. The overall coincidence rate was high (91.7%). This SD-8828, a new simple assay for ACB, which detects IgG alternating the plate method, may be used as a convenient method in clinical practice.

[Total aortic arch replacement through a median approach]

Seven patients underwent total aortic arch replacement only through a median approach since March 1990, in our institute. The woven Dacron graft with three side arm branches were used. After the proximal anastomosis at the ascending aorta, open distal anastomosis at the descending aorta was performed in five cases, under circulatory arrest of the lower body using separate perfusion to the brain. In two cases with true aneurysms involving the aortic arch, occlusion balloon catheters were employed for distal anastomosis. The anastomosis of the arch vessels was performed after coronary reperfusion. There was no early operative death, and our results demonstrate that total arch replacement can be safely accomplished through a median approach with an acceptably low operative risk.