Cerebral vasomotor responsiveness during 100% oxygen inhalation in cerebral ischemia

Cerebral vasoconstrictor responsiveness to 100% oxygen inhalation was measured in 149 subjects, including normal healthy volunteers and those with risk factors for cerebral arteriosclerosis (N = 87). Test results were compared among patients with hemispheric stroke and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (N = 62) with the 133Xe inhalation method. Normal volunteers without risk factors (N = 49), aged 25 to 86 years, showed symmetrical vasoconstriction. Asymptomatic subjects with risk factors (N = 38) and those with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (N = 25) had decreased hemispheric gray matter flow (Fg) values during rest, but vasoconstrictor responsiveness to 100% oxygen inhalation was not significantly reduced. In patients with acute hemispheric infarction, regional vasoconstrictor responsiveness to 100% oxygen inhalation was lost and/or paradoxically reversed; in patients with chronic hemispheric infarction, it was decreased. Testing vasomotor responses during hyperoxia is safe, clinically helpful, and demonstrates impaired vasomotor reactivity in infarcted regions.

Association of hypercalcemia with tumors producing colony-stimulating factor(s)

Two human malignant tumors, which we previously reported to produce colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), were found to be accompanied by remarkable hypercalcemia. A patient with a CSF-producing lower jaw cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) developed a marked granulocytosis (150,000/microliters) and hypercalcemia (more than 215 mg/dl). The tumor was successfully transplanted into nude mice, which developed marked granulocytosis (300,000/microliters) and hypercalcemia (20 mg/dl). White blood cell and serum calcium concentrations of these mice decreased promptly to normal levels when the tumor was excised. Treatment with prednisolone (1.5 mg/kg) or indomethacin (5 mg/kg) had no effect on the serum calcium level of these mice. Parathyroid hormone or prostaglandin E was not increased in the serum of the mice or in the tumor tissue. However, the mice bearing the tumor excreted extremely large amounts of calcium in their urine, and their bony tissues contained less calcium and phosphorus than controls. Moreover, histology of bony tissues of these nude mice clearly demonstrated the decrease in trabecular tissues and cortical thickness as well as remarkable activation of osteoclasts. Another patient with a CSF-producing bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma showed mild granulocytosis and hypercalcemia. The biopsied tumor tissue was transplanted into nude mice, which developed marked granulocytosis (300,000/microliters) and also severe hypercalcemia (18 mg/dl). These results suggest the presence of a new syndrome of granulocytosis and hypercalcemia associated with CSF-producing tumors. The causal mechanism of the hypercalcemia was shown to be some humoral factor which activates osteoclasts other than parathyroid hormone. Neither prostaglandins nor osteoclast-activating factor seemed to be the cause of the hypercalcemia.

Cerebral vasomotor responses during oxygen inhalation. Results in normal aging and dementia

Resting-state regional gray matter flow (Fg) values and cerebral vasoconstrictor responses induced by 100% oxygen inhalation were measured with the 133 Xe inhalation method in normal healthy volunteers aged between 15 and 86 years and in patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT) or multi-infarct dementia (MID). Cross-sectional analysis revealed that there were linear decreases of oxygen responses with advancing age in 84 normal volunteers between the second to ninth decades. Eleven patients with SDAT showed bilateral and symmetrical reductions of resting-state Fg values compared with 22 age-matched normal healthy volunteers. Eight patients with MID showed no significant reduction of mean Fg values compared with normal controls and patients with SDAT. Oxygen vasoconstrictive responses in SDAT were symmetrical and similar to those seen in age-matched controls. Compared with patients with SDAT, patients with MID showed reduced oxygen vasoconstrictive responses that were asymmetrical between hemispheres as well as heterogeneous within hemispheres. Testing cerebral vasoconstrictor responses by 100% oxygen inhalation is helpful for differentiating SDAT from MID.

[Laboratory and clinical studies on T-1982 (cefbuperazone) in the field of pediatrics]

T-1982 (cefbuperazone), a new 7 alpha-methoxycephem antibiotic, was fundamentally and clinically studied, and the following results were obtained. The antibacterial activities of T-1982 against clinical isolates of S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. marcescens, P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa were determined in comparison with those of CER, CEZ, CMZ and CTT. Against S. aureus, CER and CEZ exhibited excellent activity, whereas T-1982 was less active with the peak MIC of 12.5 micrograms/ml even with the inoculum size of 10(6) cells/ml. The activity of T-1982 was equal to that of CTT and by far superior to that of CER, CEZ and CMZ against E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis, the peak MICs with the inoculum size of 10(6) cells/ml being less than or equal to 0.1-0.2 microgram/ml, less than or equal to 0.1-0.2 microgram/ml and 0.2-0.39 microgram/ml, respectively. Against S. marcescens, T-1982 was superior to CMZ and CTT and 48% of the strains were inhibited by 3.13 micrograms/ml or less, whereas all the strains were resistant to CER and CEZ. The MIC of T-1982 against most strains of P. aeruginosa was more than 100 micrograms/ml. 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of T-1982 was administered by one shot intravenous injection or 1 hour drip infusion to 23 pediatric patients to measure serum levels and urinary recovery. At 30 minutes after one shot injection of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, the highest serum levels of 22.0-38.8 micrograms/ml and 52.4-80 micrograms/ml were observed, the half-lives being 1.32 hours and 1.76 hours. When given by 1 hour drip infusion, the serum levels attained the peaks of 29.2-42.6 micrograms/ml and 49.0-75.6 micrograms/ml at the end of infusion, the half-lives being 1.24 hours and 1.19 hours. The urinary recovery rates within 6 hours were 74.2-92.5% and 50.2-66.5% by one shot injection and 63.4-84.2% and 53.9-79.0% by drip infusion. T-1982 was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg by 30 minutes drip infusion to a child with purulent meningitis. The levels of T-1982 in the cerebrospinal fluid at 1 hour after administration were 4.8-6.7 micrograms/ml with the CSF/serum ratios of 4.4-8.4%. A total of 36 pediatric patients (21 cases of respiratory tract infection, 9 cases of urinary tract infection and each 1 case of purulent cervical lymphadenitis, scarlet fever, purulent meningitis, acute colitis, peritonitis and sinusitis) was treated with 40-80 mg/kg/day of T-1982 (252.6 mg/kg/day in purulent meningitis). The response was excellent in 27 patients and good in 7 patients, the efficacy rate being 94.4%. Diarrhea or eruption were observed in each 1 case. No abnormal laboratory findings were noted in any cases.

Protective effects of antibody against intestinal invasion by Escherichia coli

Seven Escherichia coli isolates from newborn calves with diarrhea were examined for enteropathogenic properties. One isolate penetrated into HeLa cells, four produced enterotoxin(s) and the remaining two possessed neither of these properties. Penetration of E. coli into HeLa cells was inhibited by antibody in bovine colostrum and in bovine and rabbit immune sera. The effective antibodies appeared to be mostly of the IgM class. The invasion by E. coli isolates was also examined by inoculation of the bacteria into the small intestine of E. coli-immunized and non-immunized guinea pigs. The isolate which penetrated into HeLa cells could penetrate the intestinal mucosa to be disseminated into various organs of non-immunized guinea pigs, but not of immunized guinea pigs, whereas no other isolates showed such pathogenicity in vivo. The inhibition of the invasion was observed when non-immunized guinea pigs were inoculated with the bacteria together with colostral or serum antibody. The results show the importance of antibody in the local defense mechanism against E. coli invasion.

Stimulation of human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone secretion by tumor promoters, phorbol ester and teleocidin B, in cultured choriocarcinoma cells

Both 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-1- acetate and teleocidin B stimulated the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin by cultured choriocarcinoma cells. These tumor promoters also stimulated production of progesterone in the cells. However, the 2 tumor promoters did not exert a marked effect on the cellular binding of epidermal growth factor that also had a stimulatory effect on production of these hormones.

Prostaglandin inhibition and cerebrovascular hemodynamics in normal and ischemic human brain

Indomethacin is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Indomethacin effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in normal subjects and patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease were measured by133Xe inhalation method and compared. Thirteen normal subjects with muscle contraction headaches were tested and compared to three groups of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease: (1) a transient ischemic attack (TIA) group, consisting of 8 patients, (2) a recent cerebral infarction group consisting of 10 patients with recent stroke (within 2 months), and (3) a chronic cerebral infarction group, consisting of 10 patients with remote stroke (exceeding 2 months). From the three groups, 7 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion also underwent superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass; this group was tested before and after the operative procedure. Indomethacin induced significant CBF reductions in the TIA and chronic cerebral infarction groups but there were no significant effects in the recent cerebral infarction group and many showed paradoxical increases. Plotting indomethacin-induced CBF changes according to the time course of cerebral infarction indicated that abnormal responses gradually returned toward normal within 16 weeks. Indomethacin-induced CBF changes were measured prospectively in patients undergoing STA-MCA bypass. Indomethacin had no significant effect on CBF before the procedure, but significantly reduced CBF (i.e., mean CBF became reduced) after surgery. Comparison of the time course for recovery of indomethacin-induced CBF responses in non-operated cases indicated that the post-operative difference in response could be due to the natural history of the disease rather than to surgery. Present studies confirm that prostaglandins play an important part in cerebral vascular control in man, and that these agents are temporarily deranged following acute cerebral infarction, which may account for temporary alterations in regional cerebrovascular responsiveness to 5% CO2and 100% O2inhalation after stroke.

Establishment and characterization of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing cell line from a human carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas

A human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing cell line, T3M-4, has been established from explant cultures of a primary human pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma transplanted into nude mice. The tumor had metastasized in the patient. The tumor obtained from metastatic lymph nodes was the initial source for implantation in athymic nude mice. In the primary culture, host fibroblasts were eliminated by the use of the antiserum raised against nude mouse cells. T3M-4 cells have been continuously propagated in vitro during the past 26 months. The cells grew in a monolayered sheet with about 31 hours of population doubling time. The cells exhibited epithelial morphologic features resembling the structure of the original tumor, and they showed tumor takes when inoculated into athymic nude mice. Xenografts established from the cell line have retained a similar histology to the original tumor on serial transplantation. Chromosomal analysis revealed the cell line to be a human aneuploid one with a hyperdiploid mode. T3M-4 cells possess the characteristic function of CEA secretion in vitro in culture and in vivo in nude mice bearing the tumors produced by inoculation with the cultured cells. In view of these characteristics, T3M-4 cell line represents a new human pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma cell line that produces CEA.

Chronic effect of TSH on human thyroid tissue in organ culture

The chronic effect of TSH on thyroidal cAMP concentrations and release of thyroid hormones was investigated using human thyroid tissue in organ culture. Normal human thyroid slices were placed in HAM's F-10 synthetic culture medium in Falcon organ tissue culture dishes, and incubated at 37 degrees in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. Medium was changed everyday and daily T3 or T4 release was determined using concentration of T3 or T4 in the medium. After incubation, slices were transferred to the medium containing 10 mM theophylline and incubated without TSH for an additional 30 min to determine thyroidal cAMP concentrations. Thyroidal cAMP concentrations in slices incubated with 10 mU/ml of TSH increased significantly at 2, 6, and 24 hr and even on the 6th day of incubation. Daily T3 release was significantly increased above control from the 3rd day and daily T4 release from the 4th day to the 11th day of incubation with 10 mU/ml of TSH. Histologically, almost all follicles were structurally maintained even on the 11th day of incubation. These results suggest that both thyroidal cAMP concentrations and release of thyroid hormones are stimulated chronically by TSH. This organ culture system is useful for investigating chronic effects of various materials on human thyroid tissue.

Changes in the microstructures of silver-tin and admixed high-copper amalgams during creep

The microstructures of an Ag-Sn amalgam and an admixed high-copper amalgam have been observed during compressive creep tests. Sliding of γ1 grains has been observed. The sliding rate is much lower in the γ2-free high-copper amalgam than in the γ2-containing Ag-Sn amalgam.

Establishment and characterization of a human colony-stimulating factor-producing cell line from a squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland

A human colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-producing cell line, T3M-5, has been established in vitro from a squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland transplanted into athymic nude mice [congenitally athymic BALB/c (nu/nu) mice; Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Japan]. Contaminating fibroblasts derived from a host nude mouse were eliminated by treatment with antiserum raised against nude mouse cells. T3M-5 cells have been continuously propagated during 3 years. The cells grew in a monolayered sheet with about 22 hours of population-doubling time and showed about 40% plating efficiency. The cells exhibited an epithelium-like morphology resembling the structure of the original tumor and showed tumor takes when inoculated into nude mice. Chromosome analysis revealed the cell line to be a human aneuploid line with a hypertriploid mode. The cells possessed the characteristic function of human CSF production in vitro and produced marked neutrophilia in tumor-bearing nude mice that were inoculated with the cultured cells. The molecular weight of the CSF was estimated at about 27,000 and was stable over the pH range 1.0-9.0 at 4 degrees C for 21 hours. The CSF activity was destroyed by either trypsin or chymotrypsin, but it resisted neuraminidase, DNase, and RNase. The cells could be well propagated in roller bottles. About 100 liters of the conditioned medium was obtained with the roller bottle culture method, which formed approximately 500,000,000 colonies of human bone marrow cells. The rate of recovery of CSF activity from the gel-filtration column was high (68.9%). This cell line is therefore expected to aid in the large-scale preparation of human CSF.

Redistribution of cerebral blood flow following STA-MCA by-pass in patients with hemispheric ischemia

Regional cerebral blood flow and vasomotor reactivity were measured in 33 patients with surgically remediable hemispheric ischemia by the 133Xe inhalation method prior to superficial temporal to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) by-pass. Thirteen patients also underwent LCBF and L lambda measurements by the stable xenon CT method for comparison. Twenty-four had proximal occlusion of one or both internal carotid arteries, 9 had intracranial occlusive disease (4 internal carotid, 5 middle cerebral). Measurements were repeated at intervals up to 30 months following surgery and compared to measurements in a similar group (N = 13) treated medically. In the surgically treated group 22 patients had recurrent TIAs, of whom 12 also had minor residual neurological deficits from recent small cerebral infarctions with potential for recovery (RINDs) while the remaining 11 had RINDs without TIAs. After surgery 28 improved with cessation of TIAs and/or neurological recovery, 3 remained unchanged, 2 cases worsened. Compared to age-matched normal hemispheric F1 (gray matter) values, pre-operative F1 values in the STA-MCA group were reduced in both ischemic and opposite hemispheres. Ischemic regions showed imparied vasomotor reactivity to 5% CO2 or 100% O2 inhalation. After surgery, mean hemispheric F1 values increased + 12.8% on the by-pass side and + 10.5% on the contralateral side. Mean F1 increases reached a maximum 3 months after by-pass, most evident in ipsilateral frontal regions (+ 24.2%). Vasomotor reactivity did not significantly improve. Medically treated cases did not show similar F1 increases. Thirteen with carotid occlusive disease (8 with TIAs, 5 with small recent infarcts) underwent CT LCBF and L lambda measurements before and after STA-MCA by-pass. Cases with recent infarcts showed reduced LCBF and L lambda values which increased significantly after STA-MCA by-pass, however the total group operated upon showed only trends for CBF increases, probably due to large standard deviations encountered in serial measurements.

Stable xenon CT cerebral blood flow measurements computed by a single compartment--double integration model in normal aging and dementia

Programs have been developed, using a single compartmental analysis model, that provide rapid computer derivation for values of both local cerebral blood flows (LCBF) and local tissue: blood partition coefficients (L lambda) using inhaled stable xenon gas (Xes) as the indicator. These programs are planned for utilization of raw data points derived from serial computed tomography scans made between the 3rd and 9th min after 35% Xes inhalation, while concentrations of end-tidal Xes (PEXes) are concurrently monitored. Double integration and least squares fitting permitted estimation of corresponding arterial (assumed from PEXes) and tissue Xes concentrations at each scanning interval during Xes saturation. Derived estimates for L lambda and LCBF values for each region of interest mathematically approximate values saturated to infinity. The method described can be utilized for any freely diffusible indicator. Cross-sectional analysis of results obtained in 13 normal healthy volunteers between 20 and 80 years of age showed no age-related changes in L lambda values but progressive decreases in blood flow of cortex, basal ganglia, and white matter with advancing age. In senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT, n = 8) L lambda values were likewise found to be unchanged, but cortical and thalamic gray matter LCBF values were significantly reduced compared to age-matched normal volunteers.

Superoxide dismutase in various tissues from rabbits bearing the Vx-2 carcinoma in the maxillary sinus

Distribution profiles of superoxide dismutase isoenzymes in various tissues of rabbits with the Vx-2 carcinoma in the maxillary sinus were compared with those of control rabbits. Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) activity in the liver of rabbits decreased significantly 3 weeks after transplantation. Manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity did not decrease significantly within 5 weeks after transplantation. In other tissues from the tumor-bearing rabbits, Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities were not changed within 5 weeks. No Mn-SOD activity and low Cu,Zn-SOD activity were detected in the Vx-2 carcinoma. These results suggest that the Vx-2 carcinoma has lost most of its ability to defend against oxygen toxicity and this ability decreased only in the liver of rabbits bearing the Vx-2 carcinoma in the maxillary sinus.

Erythrocyte aging changes evaluated by the deoxyuridine suppression test

Many hematologic studies have shown that the erythrocyte count decreases while the size of the individual cell increases in the aged. This study was performed in order to (1) evaluate changes in the blood erythrocyte level and mean erythrocyte size in the elderly and (2) evaluate use of the deoxyuridine (dU) supression test to determine whether deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate plays any role in age-related changes of hematopoiesis. Selected for study were 102 healthy men whose ages ranged from 20 to 79 years. The erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level decreased significantly, whereas the mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased after 70 years of age. Fresh bone-marrow cells were obtained from 10 young (20-38 yr) and 10 aged (70-82 yr) men. Wickramasinghe's dU suppression test was modified by application of an automatic cell harvester. The results were normal in both groups. Thus, the route of dU to dTMP in a DNA synthetic pathway appeared intact, and there was no evidence of B12 or folate deficiency in the aged to explain the observed macrocytosis. However, 3H-thymidine uptake by nucleated bone-marrow cells was significantly decreased, and the ratio of 3H-uridine to 3H-thymidine uptake was greater in the old group than in the young group. These results could be explained by altered nucleic acid metabolism (unbalanced cell growth) or by a change in the proportion of the different fractions of nucleated cells.

Cerebral blood flow during paroxysmal EEG activation induced by sleep in patients with complex partial seizures

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements were combined with sleep polysomnography in nine patients with complex partial seizures. Two methods were used: the 133Xe method for measuring regional (rCBF) and the stable xenon CT method for local (LCBF). Compared to nonepileptic subjects, who show diffuse CBF decreases during stages I-II, non-REM sleep onset, patients with complex partial seizures show statistically significant increases in CBF which are maximal in regions where the EEG focus is localized and are predominantly seen in one temporal region but are also propagated to other cerebral areas. Both CBF methods gave comparable results, but greater statistical significance was achieved by stable xenon CT methodology. CBF increases are more diffuse than predicted by EEG paroxysmal activity recorded from scalp electrodes. An advantage of the 133Xe inhalation method was achievement of reliable data despite movement of the head. This was attributed to the use of a helmet which maintained the probes approximated to the scalp. Disadvantages were poor resolution (7 cm3) and two-dimensional information. The advantage of stable xenon CT method is excellent resolution (80 mm3) in three dimensions, but a disadvantage is that movement of the head in patients with seizure disorders may limit satisfactory measurements.