Production of the phytotoxic metabolite, ferricrocin, by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

A siderophore was isolated as a non-specific phytotoxic compound from a culture of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from infected blackberry. This siderophore was identified as ferricrocin by NMR, IR, MS, and CD spectra. The phytotoxic activities of ferricrocin and deferriferricrocin were compared.

Results of surgical treatment of pulmonary metastases

From 1970 to 1993, 155 thoracotomies for metastatic lung tumors were performed on 113 patients in the Department of Surgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine. Overall 30-day mortality amounted to 0.9% (1/113). The cumulative 3- and 5-year survival rates were 39.4% and 29.1%, respectively. The overall median survival was 24 months. The 5-year survival rate for carcinoma was 37.2% and for sarcoma it was 14.5% (P < 0.01). The other significant predictors of better long-term survival with metastatic lung tumors were solitary lesions, disease-free interval (DFI) > 24 months, and tumor size < or = 20 mm in diameter. There was no significant difference in survival based on the method of pulmonary resection. Repeat thoracotomy for recurrent metastases was performed in 27 patients, whose 5-year survival rate after the first lung resection was 35.5%. For bilateral pulmonary metastases, we recently performed simultaneous bilateral thoracotomy via median sternotomy on 25 patients and transsternal simultaneous bilateral thoracotomy on 8 patients. The latter procedure provides a wide operative field and better survival. We conclude that resection of metastatic lung tumors is safe and effective, and that repeat thoracotomy is warranted in selected patients with recurrent pulmonary metastases.

[Differences in susceptibility to peripheral infection with Japanese encephalitis virus among inbred strains of mouse]

We compared susceptibility of inbred mouse strains against intracerebral as well as peripheral challenge of a flavivirus, Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, and the results were summarized as follows: (1) Seven inbred mouse strains (C3H/He, C57BL/6, BALB/c, AKR/N, NC, NZB, DBA/2) could be classified into following 3 groups by their mortality and infection rate when they were subcutaneously challenged with a wild JE virus strain isolated from field-caught mosquitoes at a single passage in mouse (B18AM, B-1): (1) high mortality and high infection rate (C3H/He, C57BL/6, AKR/N), (2) low mortality but high infection rate (BALB/c, NC, NZB), and (3) low mortality and low infection rate (DBA/2). The DBA/2 strain showed lowest mortality and infection rate with statistically significant difference with other strains. (2) Three inbred mouse strains (C3H/He, C57BL/6, BALB/c) were peripherally challenged with following 6 different wild strains of JE virus: mosquito origin after a single passage in mouse (B-1); mosquito origin after 30 passages in mice by subcutaneous inoculations (BP-30), mosquito origin after 30 passages in mice by intracerebral inoculations (BB-30); human origin after a single passage in mouse (JaNH180,J-1); human origin after 30 passages in mice by subcutaneous inoculations (JP-30); human origin after 30 passages in mice by intracerebral inoculations (JB-30). Survival of these inbred mice showed curves, with statistical difference among mouse strains. Anti-JE ELISA antibody titers in survived mice were lowest in BALB/c among 3 inbred mouse strains for all JE virus strains used to the challenge experiment. The result indicated that BALB/c would be a suitable host to study inapparent JE virus infection which is frequent among humans exposed to JE virus. (3) Male mice showed higher mortality than females when 4 weeks old mice were peripherally challenged by JE virus, and the difference was statistically significant. The results as a whole indicated that the susceptibility of mice to JE virus is under the control of genetic factors.

T cell subsets in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid from children with aseptic meningitis

T cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients with aseptic meningitis were studied using quantitative two-color fluorescence analysis with a flow cytometer. The percentage of HLA-DR+/CD3+ lymphocytes (activated T cells) in CSF was significantly increased in the recovery phase when compared to the acute phase, while no significant change in the activated T cells in PB was observed. More interestingly, CD4+ T lymphocytes in CSF were increased in the acute phase and subsequently decreased in the recovery phase. Instead, CD8+ T lymphocytes gradually accumulated into the CSF in the recovery phase, resulting in a successive decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio. On the other hand, the CD4/CD8 ratio in PB remained normal during the course of aseptic meningitis. The present results suggest that T lymphocytes (CD4+ subset in the acute phase and CD8+ in the recovery phase) could be infiltrated and further activated at the site of inflammation, possibly in the subarachnoid space in the patients with aseptic meningitis.

Effect of hypothermia on the in vitro potencies of neuromuscular blocking agents and on their antagonism by neostigmine

The effect of temperature on the potencies of neuromuscular blocking agents remains unclear. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of different neuromuscular blocking agents at 37 and 27 degrees C at a constant carbon dioxide content (alpha stat principle). The effect of neostigmine 1 mumol litre-1 induced antagonism of these agents was also investigated. Phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations of rats were mounted in modified Krebs solution, maintained at 37 degrees C and aerated with a 5% carbon dioxide-95% oxygen gas mixture, and at 27 degrees C with 4% carbon dioxide to maintain the carbon dioxide content of the solution constant. Phrenic nerves were stimulated with 0.1-Hz supra-maximal impulses of 0.2-ms duration and the elicited tension of the diaphragm recorded. The potencies of the steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents (rocuronium, vecuronium, pancuronium and pipecuronium) increased significantly at 27 degrees C (P < 0.05), while the potencies of the benzylisoquinolinium agents (tubocurarine and dimethyltubocurarine) did not change. Neostigmine-induced antagonism of the steroidal agents did not differ significantly between each other but differed significantly from the benzylisoquinolinium agents (P < 0.05) at both temperatures. The ratios of IC50 (inhibitory concentration, 50%) with and without neostigmine at hypothermia were slightly higher for the steroidal agents, indicating slight enhancement of antagonism by neostigmine at 27 degrees C. In contrast, the ratios were significantly greater at 27 degrees C (P < 0.05) for isoquinolinium agents, implying significant enhancement of antagonism. Our results indicate that at 27 degrees C the potency of all steroidal agents increased and neostigmine-induced antagonism was slightly enhanced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ionic factors affecting the association of tyrosine hydroxylase with chromaffin granules in the adrenal medullary cell

Chromaffin cells were treated with digitonin in medium containing various ions and the efflux of tyrosine hydroxylase from these permeabilized cells was then determined to elucidate a possible influence of cytoplasmic ionic environment on the association of this enzyme with the chromaffin granule. The enzyme efflux was observed with a distinct lag during exposure to low concentrations of digitonin in the medium containing isotonic sucrose. In contrast, a larger extent of the enzyme efflux was observed without any notable delay in the presence of isotonic NaCl. The results were thought to indicate the possibility that the dissociation of soluble enzyme from the granule surface within the permeabilized cells might occur in the presence of NaCl. Furthermore, the interaction between tyrosine hydroxylase and isolated chromaffin granule membranes was directly examined, and this interaction was shown to be inhibited by NaCl. However, the enzyme-granule membrane interaction was also inhibited by KCl and choline chloride. It therefore seems possible to consider that the inhibitory action of NaCl on the association of soluble enzyme with the granule may not be due to the specific action of Na+, but presumably due to the non-specific chaotropic effect of Cl-. On the other hand, the enzyme efflux was markedly reduced by the presence of Ca2+ in the permeabilizing medium, but the enzyme-granule membrane interaction was not affected by Ca2+ at the same concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Magnetic resonance imaging of subacute thyroiditis

Clinical, laboratory, and scintigraphic findings, and magnetic resonance (MR) images of three patients with subacute thyroiditis are presented in all three at the time of diagnosis. On T1-weighted images, regions of abnormality with irregular margins and slightly high intensity were demonstrated. On T2-weighted images, markedly increased intensity was shown in the same sites. On follow-up MRI in two patients after treatment, these findings had disappeared or become more normal.

Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding Vibrio cholerae O1 fimbrial subunit (fimbrillin)

The gene encoding an 18 kDa fimbrial subunit of Vibrio cholerae O1 was identified in a fimbriate strain Bgd17. Mixed oligoprimers were prepared based on the amino acid sequence of the N-terminus and that from a cyanogen bromide-cleaved fragment of the fimbrillin. A PCR-amplified 185 bp DNA fragment was sequenced. This 185 bp fragment was further extended to 540 bp to 3' and 5' termini by RNA-PCR using a primer containing a random hexamer at its 3' end. This fragment did not contain the stop codons. It was further extended by a gene walking method using Eco RI cassette and its primers. Finally a 660 bp fragment was obtained and sequenced. This fragment contained the complete open reading frame of the structural subunit of the fimbriae, composed of 169 amino acids with a molecular mass of 17435.65 and a leader sequence of 6 or 9 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by the gene, designated fimA, displayed a highly conserved sequence of MKXXXGFTLI EL of type 4 fimbriae.

[A case of surgical treatment of Swyer-James syndrome]

Swyer-James syndrome was usually diagnosed on the past history and the radiologic features, and almost all the cases were followed by the conservative therapy. Therefore, the examination of the pathologic features was rare. We recently experienced a patient with Swyer-James syndrome, who had a history of respiratory infection from his childhood onward and whose chest radiograph revealed hyperlucency of the right lower lung field. A standard right middle and lower lobectomy was performed. Histological examination of the resected specimens revealed hypoplasia of alveoli and pulmonary artery.

Detection of west Nile and Japanese encephalitis viral genome sequences in cerebrospinal fluid from acute encephalitis cases in Karachi, Pakistan

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on 24 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens collected between February and August 1992 detected genome sequence of West Nile (WN) virus in 8 specimens and Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in a single specimen. The results, combined with the data by IgM-ELISA on CSF indicated that a significant proportion of acute encephalitis cases in Karachi, Pakistan, were caused by WN virus infection, while JE virus caused a small fraction.

Effects of midazolam and diazepam as premedication on heart rate variability in surgical patients

We have examined the effects of midazolam 0.06 mg kg-1 i.m. and diazepam 0.2 mg kg-1 orally as premedication on the spectral components of heart rate (HR) variability in 24 elderly patients aged 65-87 yr and 24 young patients aged 18-35 yr undergoing elective surgery. The low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of HR variability increased after arrival in the operating room in elderly patients who received no premedication, but not in young patients. In elderly patients who received midazolam or diazepam, the LF/HF ratio did not increase. However, diazepam increased the low-frequency component and the total power of HR variability in both young and elderly patients. We conclude that cardiac sympathetic nerve activity increased after arrival in the operating room in the elderly, that midazolam or diazepam reduced this increase and that diazepam caused an increase in the total power of HR variability that has not been observed for other agents.

Regulation by protein kinase C of platelet-activating factor- and thapsigargin-induced calcium entry in rabbit neutrophils

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) time-dependently inhibited the platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rabbit neutrophils, whereas staurosporine significantly enhanced it. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) induced Ca2+ release in digitonin-permeabilized cells but not in PAF-pretreated permeabilized cells. IP3-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by protein kinase C activators or inhibitors. In the cells pretreated with PAF and thapsigargin in Ca(2+)-deficient medium, stimulated Ca2+ entry was evoked by the subsequent addition of CaCl2. TPA inhibited the Ca2+ entry induced by PAF and thapsigargin in a staurosporine-reversible manner but not thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. These results suggest that protein kinase C negatively regulates PAF- and thapsigargin-induced rise in [Ca2+]i possibly by inhibiting Ca2+ store depletion-induced Ca2+ entry.

[Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy--experimental operation using young pigs and clinical experience in 21 cases with prostate and bladder cancer]

In order to gain the technical skills for performing laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, we selected the young pigs (12-15 kg) as the experimental model. Five pigs (male 2, female 3) underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy under intravenous anesthesia. Postoperatively, the pigs were euthanized, and laparatomy was performed to demonstrate the area of dissection. Operation time was from 50 to 80 minutes, and no complication occurred in all cases, mastery came rapidly. Following experimental operation, 21 cases with prostate and/or bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for staging operation from Nov. 1991 to Oct. 1993. Operation time was from 60 to 310 minutes (mean 137). In one of 21 cases, lymph node metastasis was proved. Eighteen of 21 cases underwent radical prostatectomy or cystectomy between 6 to 24 days after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy. On radical operation, the adhesion of the post-lymphadenectomy was severe in the patients 8 days after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, compared with those within 7 days. Radical operation was seemed to be recommended within 7 days after laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Rapid detection of virus genome from imported dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever patients by direct polymerase chain reaction

Serum specimens from patients with imported dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever were directly subjected to reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) without any RNA purification. The amplified virus genome was detected within 3 hours. The results of PCR corresponded closely to the results of virus isolation using cultured mosquito cells, suggesting that direct RT-PCR procedure greatly facilitates rapid diagnosis of dengue infection.

Cavernous lymphangioma of the spleen in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome

A 31-year-old woman presented with hypertrophy of the left upper extremity and thrombocytopenia. Physical examination revealed splenomegaly, and laboratory investigation revealed thrombocytopenia, elevation of cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDP), and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT). A diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (K-T-W) syndrome was established by the dermatologic findings and angiography of the extremities. A splenic cavernous lymphangioma was diagnosed by ultrasonography and angiography, and was confirmed by pathology following splenectomy. Post-operatively, the platelet count increased, and hemostatic parameters normalized. Cavernous lymphangioma is a rare complication of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. Splenectomy proved to be an effective therapy for both cavernous lymphangioma and consumptive coagulopathy in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

[2-axial conformational irradiation for whole-pelvis irradiation of cervical cancer: improvement and evaluation with DVH]

Whole-pelvis irradiation with the two-axial conformation technique has been performed in cervical cancer since 1976. In 1990 this technique was improved by obtaining target areas from serial CT images instead of axial transverse tomograms. The aim of this study was to show the advantage of the new two-axial conformation technique compared with the old type of conformation technique, and also with conventional techniques using DVH of normal tissues. The uniformity of dose within the high dose-region and fit to the target areas observed in the new type were better than those in the old type. This improved result was most remarkable in rectal DVH. The new two-axial conformation technique was also compared with the two-opposed technique and box technique. With the new type, cumulative irradiated volume in rectum of more than 40 Gy was reduced to 37% of that with the two-opposed technique. In bladder and intestine, the smallest volume irradiated to more than 40 Gy was observed using the new two-axial conformation technique. With these results, we conclude that the new two-axial conformation technique for whole-pelvis irradiation is suitable to conform the high dose region with the target region in the pelvis, and at the same time to protect the surrounding normal tissues.

Effects of flavonoid compounds on the activity of NADPH diaphorase prepared from the mouse brain

The effects of flavonoids on NADPH diaphorase activity were studied in vitro, and we found that the enzyme activity was markedly inhibited by quercetin. This inhibitory action was shown to be accompanied by an increase in the apparent Km value of the enzyme for the cofactor NADPH, with a decrease in the Vmax, and an increase in the apparent Km for the substrate nitro blue tetrazolium, without any significant change in the Vmax. These results indicate that quercetin may directly inhibit NADPH diaphorase, thus suggesting the possibility that this compound may be able to inhibit the production of nitric oxide in the brain.

Oral and maxillofacial reconstruction using the free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Various modifications for reconstruction sites

The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap consists of the skin paddle, anterior rectus sheath, rectus muscle and deep inferior epigastric artery and veins. Of these four components, the skin paddle, rectus sheath and rectus muscle could all be adjusted appropriately for reconstruction sites. Only one or two large perforators in the paraumbilical region could easily supply the large abdominal wall. The bulkiness of the rectus abdominis flap is reduced by removal of subcutaneous fat and rectus muscle. These possibilities can provide many modification of the flap for various reconstruction sites. 16 cases were reconstructed primarily and secondarily using this flap after oral and maxillofacial tumour ablation. The results of these cases indicated a very favourable and reliable vascularity. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was considered to be one of the most suitable flaps for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. Various modifications for different reconstruction sites are mainly discussed.

Treatment of postoperative chylothorax by pleurodesis with the streptococcal preparation OK-432

Of the 2877 patients who underwent chest surgery at our department during the 20-year period between 1973 and 1992, 9 (0.3%) developed postoperative chylothorax. The underlying disease included primary lung cancer in 5 patients, pulmonary metastasis in 1, invasive thymoma in 2, and neuroblastoma of the posterior mediastinum in 1. For the treatment of chylothorax, the thoracic duct was ligated in 2 patients with a high volume of chylous leakage. In 6 patients treated conservatively, early pleurodesis was attained by injecting 1 to 5 doses (mean: 2.2 doses) of the streptoccal preparation OK-432 intrathoracically; favorable results were achieved. In 1 patient, the diagnosis of chylothorax was delayed because of postoperative pyothorax. This patient developed nutritional deficiency, compromised immunity, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which led to death before the chylothorax could be treated. In principle, postoperative chylothorax should be treated conservatively. Favorable results can be expected with the intrathoracic injection of OK-432 beginning at the early postoperative period to achieve pleurodesis, combined with the prevention of nutritional deficiency, electrolyte imbalance, and infection.

Ca2+ inactivation of voltage-dependent Na+ channels in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: further studies on inhibition of veratridine-induced catecholamine secretion by external Ca2+

The stimulatory actions of veratridine (VTD) on catecholamine secretion and Na+ influx in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were studied in the presence of high concentrations of Ca2+ in the incubation mixture. Catecholamine secretion evoked by VTD was reduced by elevating the external Ca2+ concentration to higher than 2 mM. Under the same conditions, VTD-stimulated 22Na+ uptake into the cells was also reduced by elevating the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. In contrast, the secretory action of VTD was not significantly suppressed by preloading Ca2+ to the cells. Furthermore, the effects of extracellular Ca2+ on the sensitivities of the cells to VTD and tetrodotoxin (TTX) were examined, and neither their sensitivities to VTD nor those to TTX were shown to be significantly altered by elevating the Ca2+ concentration in the incubation mixture. These results seem to indicate that the elevation of extracellular Ca2+ concentration may cause the inhibition of VTD-induced catecholamine secretion as a consequence of the inactivation of voltage-dependent Na+ channels, and suggest that Ca2+ may directly act on the cell surface, and the site of Ca2+ action is presumably distinct from the sites of both VTD and TTX actions in the plasma membranes of adrenal chromaffin cells.

Biochemical and histochemical studies of the effects of cerebral metabolism-improving drugs on NADPH diaphorase activity in mouse brain

The effects of cerebral metabolism-improving drugs on NADPH diaphorase activity in the mouse brain were studied, and we found that diaphorase activity in the post-mitochondrial fraction of brain homogenate was enhanced by idebenone in a concentration-dependent manner. Histochemical studies also indicated that diaphorase staining was intensified by idebenone at the same concentration. These results suggest that idebenone may stimulate the production of nitric oxide, probably through its direct action on nitric oxide synthase, thus producing its protective action on neurological disorders due to cerebral hypoxia or ischemia as a consequence of dilating the cerebral blood vessels.

Primary thymic carcinoma: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study

During the treatment of five cases of thymic carcinoma, we conducted a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study. The patients included four males and one female, whose ages ranged from 50 to 69 years. The histologic breakdown was squamous cell carcinoma in four and small cell carcinoma in one. Immunohistochemically, the squamous cell carcinomas were positive for cytokeratin (intermediate molecular weight) and keratin. However, staining was negative for Leu-7 and chromogranin. A complete resection was achieved in only one case. In all four of the remaining cases, the resection was incomplete due to invasion into adjacent organs and disseminated lesions. Thymic carcinoma is a tumor for which a higher response rate can be expected from multidisciplinary therapy than that for lung cancer. Therefore, it is desirable, from the clinical view, to determine clinical staging and to establish standard operative procedures comprising mediastinal lymph node dissection as well as effective chemotherapy. With respect to pathology, it is hoped that an improved histologic classification will be developed.

Giant metastatic malignant melanoma with an unknown primary site

We report a case of malignant melanoma of unknown primary origin which presented with a giant metastatic tumor in his right inguinal region. A 94-year-old man noticed a small subcutaneous tumor in the right inguinal region 3 years earlier, which eventually became as larger as 9 cm in diameter without treatment. Although a histological examination of the lesion showed malignant melanoma, extensive examination did not reveal its primary lesion or any metastasis other than that to the right inguinal area. Our case took an interesting course in that this well-growing metastatic tumor was localized in only one region and supported a previous report indicating that malignant melanoma with unknown primary origin has a low tendency to metastasize and a relatively good prognosis.