Genetic analysis of a Japanese patient with butyrylcholinesterase deficiency

A patient (64-year-old, male) with familial cholinesterasemia caused by BChE deficiency was studied. DNA sequence analysis of all exons identified a point mutation, an A-->G transition at codon 128, resulting in a Tyr-->Cys substitution. The propositus showed extremely low BChE activity, but his other family members (three individuals) showed from intermediate to normal BChE activity. An immunological method revealed the absence of BChE protein in serum of the propositus. Both PCR primer introduced restriction analysis (PCR-PIRA) and sequence analysis revealed all three family members to be heterozygotes for this mutation.

Isolation and characterization of the plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) gene (HABP2)

PHBP is a novel human plasma hyaluronan-binding protein that shows significant homology in amino acid sequence to hepatocyte growth factor activator. Two overlapping clones that encode the human plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) gene (HABP2) were isolated and characterized. The PHBP gene spans 35 kb and is composed of 13 exons from 37 to 1,394 bp in size with consensus splice sites. The gene's regulatory sequences contain putative promoter elements, but no typical TATA box. Some exons of this gene showed significant similarities to those of coagulation factor XII, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and urokinase genes in nucleotide length and in intron phasing. We also report the chromosome mapping of this gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a genomic DNA fragment as a probe. The PHBP gene (HABP2) was located on chromosome 10q25-q26.

Effect of aging on psychological stress-induced increases in noradrenaline release in the rat anterior hypothalamus: an in vivo microdialysis study

Basal and psychological stress-induced noradrenaline (NA) release were studied by intracerebral microdialysis in the hypothalamus of rats aged 9 weeks or 12 months. Basal NA output was not significantly different between young (9-week-old; 2.11 +/- 0.22 pg/20 min) and aged (12-month-old; 2.29 +/- 0.34 pg/20 min) rats. Psychological stress for 20 min significantly increased NA release in both groups (186% and 142% of baseline at 9 weeks old and 12 months old, respectively); however, the increase in aged rats was significantly lower than that in young rats (P < 0.01). This finding suggest that the noradrenergic neuronal response to psychological stress is attenuated in aged rats.

The use of microwave ovens by elderly persons with disabilities

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effectiveness of microwave ovens in assisting elderly persons with disabilities with cooking food.

METHOD

The participants were five elderly persons who had gross motor, fine motor, or vision impairments but no cognitive impairments. Before the study, none of the participants owned or operated a microwave oven. In this single-subject design of four phases (ABAB), training in microwave oven use was provided between the first A (baseline) and first B (intervention) phases. Participants had access so the microwave oven in their homes only during the B phases. Each phase lasted for 3 weeks, for a total of 12 weeks. The frequency of using cooking appliances, the number of food items prepared, and the time spent preparing meals were recorded through daily self-reports.

RESULTS

All participants showed an increase in the frequency of using cooking appliances for at least one of the two B phases, although they showed different patterns. The number of food items prepared increased in the B phases, except for two participants who were ill. With the introduction of the microwave oven, time spent preparing meals decreased for all five participants, and their participation in meal preparation increased. Although not measured as a study variable, results suggest that the quality of diet also improved with microwave oven use.

CONCLUSION

Occupational therapy practitioners who serve elderly clients might consider recommending microwave ovens for those who do not have cognitive impairments but who are having difficulty with cooking because of vision impairments or physical disabilities.

Local muscimol disinhibits mesolimbic dopaminergic activity as examined by brain microdialysis and Fos immunohistochemistry

Infusion of muscimol (5 X 10[-5] M, 60 min) into the nucleus accumbens (NAC) through a dialysis membrane caused a significant increase in extracellular dopamine (DA) and its metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Fos-like immunoreactivity induced by intra-NAC infusion of muscimol was seen ipsilaterally in many accumbofugal target areas, but no Fos-positive neurons were seen in the vicinity of the dialysis membrane in the NAC. Sequential staining of Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivities revealed that a portion of A10 dopaminergic neurons were double-labelled. These results suggest that muscimol in the NAC disinhibits mesolimbic DA neuronal activity possibly through activity of the accumbofugal GABA neuron system.

Aging accelerates but life-long dietary restriction suppresses apoptosis-related Fas expression on hepatocytes

Aging enhances apoptosis of hepatocytes under normal physiological conditions and increases the susceptibility of hepatocytes to apoptosis whereas life-long dietary restriction suppresses the age-enhanced susceptibility to apoptosis. We examined the subcellular mechanisms of the age-associated changes and effect of dietary restriction using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry for Fas in the livers of 6- and 24-month-old male Fischer 344 rats fed ad libitum or 70% diet restricted. We also analyzed the level of ordinary and variant forms of Fas mRNA. The ordinary form of Fas mRNA, but not the variant form of Fas mRNA, significantly increased with age. Dietary restriction significantly suppressed the ordinary form of Fas mRNA in advanced age. Aging enhanced Fas immunoreactivity in the hyperplastic bile epithelium and hepatocytes whereas dietary restriction suppressed it. Our findings indicate that Fas protein, particularly the ordinary form of Fas, is involved in age-associated apoptosis of hepatocytes. Fas overexpression in advanced age may explain the age-enhanced susceptibility to apoptosis. Our results also suggest that dietary restriction suppresses Fas overexpression, resulting in a reduction of the age-enhanced susceptibility to apoptosis.

Lipid and fatty acid compositions of a novel docosahexaenoic acid-producing marine bacterium

An unidentified bacterial strain, SCRC-21406, isolated from the intestine of a marine fish, Glossanodon semifasciatus, produced docosahexaenoic acid at 23% (mol/mol) [= 28% (w/w)] of total fatty acids in a medium containing 0.5% (wt/vol) peptone and 0.1% (wt/vol) yeast extract at 12 degrees C under atmospheric pressure. The cell yield was 0.43 g/L. The major lipids of the strain were phosphatidylethanolamine and phophatidylglycerol. Docosahexaenoic acid was localized at the sn-2 positions of both phospholipids. The amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids other than docosahexaenoic acid were extremely small [< 3% (mol/mol)]. Monounsaturated fatty acids of the cis-7, cis-9 and cis-11 types were detected.

Assessment of left atrial operative mean stiffness using simultaneous recordings of left ventricular pressure and M-mode echocardiography of the left atrium and mitral valve

Left atrial (LA) operative mean stiffness was measured using simultaneous recordings of the left ventricular (LV) pressure and M-mode echocardiography of the LA and mitral valve. The LA operative passive mean stiffness value was obtained during LV systole using LV pressure at the mitral valve opening and the pre-atrial contraction where the LV and LA pressure curves cross each other. Before the LA stiffness measurement, the LA volume calculated by biplane left atriography was compared with the dimension of the LA M-mode echocardiogram at three points (maximum volume, pre-atrial contraction and minimum volume) in another 23 patients (5 normal subjects, 4 patients with angina pectoris, 14 patients with myocardial infarction), and the regression equation was obtained by power fitting (y = ax3+ b). Using this equation, the LA volumes were calculated and used for the measurement of LA operative mean stiffness. Eleven normal subjects (C group), 14 patients with myocardial infarction (ejection fraction: EF > or = 55%; NF group), and 12 patients with myocardial infarction (EF < 55%; F group) were studied. The measured operative mean stiffness values based on the LA dimension and LV pressure [K(D)] were 0.69 +/- 0.40, 1.0 +/- 0.37, and 2.0 +/- 0.61 mmHg/mm, respectively (p < 0.01 in C vs F). The mean stiffness values calculated with LA volume [K(V)] were 0.48 +/- 0.23, 0.42 +/- 0.19, and 0.66 +/- 0.25 mmHg/ml, respectively (p < 0.05 in NF vs F). In F group, both the K(D) and K(V) values were high. The K(D) value can thus be used clinically as an easily obtained index of the LA operative mean stiffness. The high LA operative mean stiffness in F group appeared to be related to the increased LA pressure at the mitral valve opening. This method of measurement of the LA operative mean stiffness can be easily applied and used as a routine measurement providing additional information regarding left ventricular function.

Serotyping of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from common and severe invasive infections in Japan, 1990-5: implication of the T3 serotype strain-expansion in TSLS. The Working Group for Group A Streptococci in Japan

To clarify the relationship between the epidemics of severe invasive group A streptococcal infections (streptococcal Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome: TSLS) and common group A streptococcal infections in Japan, we examined the T serotypes of S. pyogenes strains (group A streptococci) isolated from clinical specimens of the streptococcal infections (17999 cases) in the period 1990-5, including the severe infections (TSLS) (29 cases) in the period 1992-5. Characteristic points of the analyses were: (1) dominant serotypes of the infections in these periods were T12, T4, T1, T28 and TB3264, which were consistently isolated; (2) isolates of T3 rapidly increased through 1990 to 1994 while T6 decreased in the period 1990-3; (3) when Japanese area was divided into three parts, T3 serotype tended to spread out from the north-eastern to the south-western area; (4) strains of T3 and T1 serotypes were dominant in the TSLS. Dominant-serotype strains of streptococcal infections did not always induce severe infections and dominance of T3 serotype in the TSLS seemed to be correlated with the increase of T3 in streptococcal infections. These results may indicate that certain clones of S. pyogenes are involved in the pathogenesis of the TSLS.

Preparation and characteristics of standard reference samples of fibrous minerals for biological experiments

Standard reference samples of fibrous minerals to be used for in vitro and in vivo (injection) biological experiments were prepared. Ten samples were selected from among the fibrous minerals currently used in industry: man-made mineral fibers (MMMF); glass wool (GW1), rock wool (RW1), micro glass fiber (MG1), refractory ceramic fibers (RF1, RF2), and mullite fibers (RF3), whiskers; potassium titanate (PT1), silicon carbide (SC1) and rutile (TlO2)(TO1), and a natural fibrous mineral; wollastonite (WO1). The MMMF samples were prepared by using the size-selective press method. The whisker samples and WO1 were all commercial products. The prepared samples were examined by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analyses, and no impurities were identified in any of the samples at a level of 1%, although WO1 was found to have about 5% calcite and a trace amount of quartz (< 1%). The fiber sizes were measured by TEM. The geometric-mean length (micron), width (micron) and SD (in parenthesis) are: GW1 20.0 (2.58), 0.88 (3.10); RW1 16.5 (2.51), 1.80 (2.32); MG1 3.0 (2.22), 0.24 (2.35); RF1 12.0 (2.36), 0.77 (2.53); RF2 11.0 (1.96), 1.10 (2.00); RF3 11.0 (1.75), 2.40 (1.37); PT1 6.0 (2.04), 0.35 (1.51); SC1 6.40 (2.45), 0.30 (1.58); TO1 2.1 (2.00), 0.14 (1.53); WO1 10.5 (2.03), 1.00 (1.72). We concluded that these prepared fiber samples can be safely used for biological experiments. Sample sets containing about one gram of each sample known as JFM standard reference samples are provided by the Japan Fibrous Material Research Association (JFMRA).

The effects of dopamine, dobutamine and amrinone on mitochondrial function in cardiogenic shock

The impairment of mitochondrial in non-infarcted myocardium under cardiogenic shock complicated by acute myocardial infarction was studied. We induced acute myocardial infarction in dogs by ligating the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (LCX). On basis of left ventricular systolic pressure (LVPs) after 60 minutes, we divided the dogs into two groups: a group in which LVPs fell to below 70% of the pre-LCX ligation level, and a Control group in which LVPs remained more than 90%. The former group was further divided into four subgroups, depending on infusion of dopamine, dobutamine, amrinone or saline after 90 minutes. Mitochondria were prepared and mitochondrial respiratory activity determined. In the Saline group, hemodynamics became reduced to less than 70% of the preligation level after 120 minutes, however, in the Dopamine and Dobutamine groups, hemodynamics became restored to the preligation level. In the Amrinone group, LVPs decreased slightly, while cardiac output, LV Max. dp/dt and myocardial blood flow increased. In the Saline group, mitochondria in the non-infarcted myocardium functioned at a lower level of activity than that of the Control group. However, in the Dopamine, Dobutamine, and Amrinone groups, the mitochondria functioned at a higher level. Electron microscopy revealed mitochondrial damage in the Saline group only. The results indicate that an energy production disorder in the non-infarcted myocardium may have pathogenetic implications in cardiogenic shock associated with acute myocardial infarction, while dopamine, dobutamine, and amrinone improve mitochondrial function, and ultimately improve cardiac function.

Formation of recombinant human procollagen I heterotrimers in a baculovirus expression system

The present study describes the production of human procollagen I in a baculovirus expression system. Recombinant baculovirus carrying pro alpha1(I) or pro alpha2(I) cDNA was constructed and infected to Sf9 cells. Full-length pro alpha1(I) or pro alpha2(I) chains were synthesized by the cells infected with either of the recombinant viruses. The pro alpha1(I) chains formed pepsin-resistant homotrimers stabilized by interchain disulfide bonds, a small proportion of which was secreted into the culture medium. The pro alpha2(I) chains were not linked into trimers by disulfide bonds and failed to form stable triple helices, although some chains were suggested to exist as dimers or unstable trimers in which only two chains were linked by disulfide bonds. In spite of their non-helicity, the pro alpha2(I) chains were secreted at a higher rate than the pro alpha1(I) chains. Sf9 cells simultaneously synthesized both pro alpha1(I) and pro alpha2(I) chains when the cells were co-infected with the two recombinant viruses. Pepsin-treatment of the product clearly demonstrated the production of procollagen I heterotrimers composed of two pro alpha1(I) chains and one pro alpha2(I) chain, homotrimers of the pro alpha1(I) chains being negligible. This expression system appears to offer a unique means of studying the mechanism of chain association and secretion during procollagen biosynthesis.

Effect of somatostatin-28 on growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone--impact of aging and lifelong dietary restriction

The present study was designed to investigate the modulating effect of aging and lifelong dietary restriction (DR), a powerful anti-aging intervention in laboratory rodents, on growth hormone (GH) secretion from pituitary cells in response to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in the presence of somatostatin (SS)-28. Dispersed pituitary cells from 6- and 24-month-old rats fed ad libitum (AL-Y, AL-O, respectively) and 24-month-old rats dietary restricted from 6 weeks of age (DR-O) were subjected to a reverse hemolytic plaque assay under variable conditions including GHRH (0, 1, 10 nM) and SS-28 (0, 10 nM). The proportion of GH plaque-forming cells in dispersed pituitary cells increased by GHRH and decreased by SS-28. The proportion of these cells was lowest in AL-O rats; it was lower in DR-O than in AL-Y rats, particularly in the presence of SS-28. The reduction in these cells by SS-28 was greatest in Group AL-O. The mean area of these plaques, reflecting the amount of GH released from individual cells, was not different among the three rat groups in the absence of SS-28. In contrast, SS-28 produced a significantly higher reduction in the plaque area in Group AL-O compared with AL-Y and DR-O rats. Our results indicated that: (1) aging did not alter the responsiveness of GH-secreting cells to GHRH for GH secretion, while increased sensitivity of GH-secreting cells to SS-28 was noted in aged rats; (2) lifelong dietary restriction did not modulate the responsiveness to GHRH but partially inhibited the age-related increase in the sensitivity to SS-28 of GH-secreting cells, and (3) the major impact of the dietary regimen may include modulation of the number of pituitary cells, which leads to a high proportion of GH-secreting cells compared with that in AL rats at the same chronological age.

In vitro susceptibility of Escherichia coli O157 to several antimicrobial agents

We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility of six strains of Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157) isolated from patients in Yamaguchi Prefecture between June and July, 1996. Seven antimicrobial agents that were expected to retain a high concentration in the intestine were selected. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ciprofloxacin, polymyxin B, cefoperazone, and kanamycin for each strain were < or = 6.25 microg/ml. However, the MIC of fosfomycin was 3.13-100 microg/ml, and its MBC was > or = 100 microg/ml. The MIC of ampicillin and tetracycline was > 100 mcirog/ml in some strains. In a time-kill study of E. coli O157 at a drug concentration of 12.5 microg/ml, about 10(4) colony forming units/ml of E. coli O157 were eradicated within 10 min by ciprofloxacin, within 30 min by polymyxin B, within 4 h by cefoperazone, and within 16 h by kanamycin. These results suggest that the new quinolones with a poor absorption rate in the intestine (such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) are effective against E. coli O157. When oral administration is impossible, bile excreting cephem antibiotics (such as cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, and cefotetan) may be useful.

Methods to persuade higher management to invest in health promotion programmes in the workplace

This study was conducted to find effective methods to persuade higher management to invest in workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes. The study included 639 occupational health professionals selected from the directory of the Japan Society for Occupational Health. A questionnaire survey was mailed to health professionals throughout Japan in 1992, and all respondents were asked to identify themselves. We received 242 replies, which constituted a response rate of 38%. Eighty-one per cent of the respondents had attempted to persuade higher management to implement a WHP programme. Health professionals frequently presented their case to higher management through a safety and health committee (SHC), and advice provided at the SHC was perceived to be the most effective method by occupational nurses (ONs) and safety and health supervisors (SHSs). This method was rated second by occupational physicians (OPs), who thought recommendations from OPs stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Law to be most effective. Statistics on medical examinations constituted the data most frequently used to persuade higher management, followed by reports on worksite inspections and health care plans. Nearly 90% of OPs and 80% of ONs and SHSs felt that the above methods were fairly successful.

Effects of Albunex infusion on left ventricular inflow velocity in dogs

This study examined the effects of Albunex (sonicated 5% human serum albumin) infusion on left ventricular inflow velocity by Doppler echocardiography. Left ventricular pressure and left ventricular inflow velocity were recorded simultaneously under eight different conditions in dogs: 1) baseline 1 (control), 2) Albunex 0.2 ml/kg, 3) baseline 2, 4) Albunex 0.5 ml/kg, infusion of dextran 100 ml, 5) baseline 3, 6) Albunex 0.2 ml/kg, 7) baseline 4, and 8) Albunex 0.5 ml/kg. In the normal state (no dextran), Albunex (0.2 ml/kg) caused no hemodynamic changes or inflow velocity changes. In contrast, infusion of Albunex (0.5 ml/kg) caused time velocity integrals of early filling to increase from the baseline (5.51 +/- 1.13 vs 7.19 +/- 1.14 cm, p < 0.05). After dextran infusion (100 ml), Albunex (0.2 ml/kg) caused peak early filling velocity to increase (62.4 +/- 6.9 vs 67.3 +/- 9.4 cm/sec, p < 0.05), and infusion of Albunex (0.5 ml/kg) also caused peak early filling velocity to increase from baseline (64.6 +/- 8.5 vs 73.7 +/- 14.5 cm/sec, p < 0.05). Infusion of Albunex (0.5 ml/kg) after dextran infusion caused increases in left ventricular pressure at the mitral valve opening (12.7 +/- 3.1 vs 15.2 +/- 3.3 mmHg, p < 0.05) and in left atrial driving force (13.5 +/- 3.6 vs 16.7 +/- 5.9 mmHg, p < 0.05). Clinicians should be cautious about using Albunex at doses of greater than 0.2 ml/kg when evaluating the pressure gradient of the left ventricle in patients with elevated left ventricular diastolic pressure. In patients with normal hemodynamics, Albunex infusion at doses of less than 0.2 ml/kg apparently did not affect the velocity measurement.

[Study of the effects of treatment with interferon for the advanced renal cell carcinoma based upon the survival rate]

BACKGROUND

There is no consistent acknowledgment with the effects of the prolongation of survival for the advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with interferon (IFN). Therefore, we tried to study on the effects of such prolongation of survival for the advanced RCC through the comparative analysis between the patients treated with IFN and the patients treated with other treatment modalities in the past years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We differentiated the patients treated with IFN (recurrent patients after nephrectomy as Group I, and patients with stage 4B as Group II) from the patients treated with other modalities (recurrent patients after nephrectomy as Group III, and patients with stage 4B and Group IV). We compared the survival rate between the two groups (Groups I vs III, and Groups II vs IV).

RESULTS

Regarding the various factors affecting prognosis of RCC, no significant difference was observed among these groups. 1) There observed a significantly favorable survival rate in the Group I compared with the Group III, and the same result was observed in the Group II compared with the Group IV. 2) In the patients with performance status (P.S.) 0 and low grade, there observed a significantly favourable survival rate in the Group I compared with the Group III, and the same result was observed in the Group II compared with the Group IV. Furthermore, in the patients with low stage, the Group I showed a significantly favourable survival rate compared with the Group III. 3) In the study on the number of metastatic organs (1, 2 and 3 organs or more), there observed a significantly favourable survival rate in the Group I compared with the Group III for all numbers of the metastatic organs. The same result was observed in the group II compared with the Group IV, except for the patient with 3 organs or more. Regarding the operative procedures for the metastatic side, the patients who did not receive the operative procedures showed a significantly favourable survival rate in the Group I compared with the Group III. The same result was observed in the Group II compared with the Group IV. 4) As to the survival rate based upon the response rate, only the patients with no change (N.C.) showed a significantly favourable survival rate in the Group I compared with the Group III. The same result was observed in the Group II compared with the Group IV.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the treatment with IFN for the advanced RCC would much contribute to the prolongation of the survival in comparison with the previous patients who received other treatments.

[Epidemiological research on incidence of atopic disease in infants and children in relation to their nutrition in infancy]

Incidence and relative risk of atopic disease (atopic dermatitis; AD, bronchial asthma; BA, allergic rhinitis; AR) in Japanese infants and children in relation to their nutrition in infancy was analyzed from the data of the epidemiological survey which was conducted for 10,000 mothers of infants and children in 1993. A total of 4,610 replies were received: 2,714 from mothers of infants (12 months old) and 1,896 from mothers of children (2 years old). The subjects were allocated to following 3 groups based on their nutrition during first 3 months after birth; the breast-fed group (BF), the formula-fed group (EF), the mixed-fed group (MF). Incidence of atopic disease in BF, FF and MF was 23.5%, 22.2% and 21.8%, respectively and no statistical difference could be found among these 3 groups. AD was developed 17.0%, 14.4% and 13.9%; BA was 4.4%, 8.5% and 5.2%; AR was 4.9%, 6.5% and 5.8% in BF, FF and MF, respectively. Incidence of AD was significantly different between BF and MF (p < 0.01). Incidence of BA was also significantly different between BF and FF (p < 0.01). Risk of onset of BA and AR in FF was higher (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.2 and adjusted odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.2, respectively) than that of BF controlled by age and family history with Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test. With multiple logistic regression analysis, relative risk of the onset of BA in FF at the age of one year was 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2-3.5 and at the age of two years old was 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.4. These results suggest that the breast-fed have certain suppression effects on incidence of bronchial asthma in infants and children.

Bifidobacterium longum, a lactic acid-producing intestinal bacterium inhibits colon cancer and modulates the intermediate biomarkers of colon carcinogenesis

The human colon can be described as a complex microbial ecosystem, comprising several hundred bacterial species. Some of these enteric bacteria are beneficial to the host and have been shown to exert antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. We have investigated the colon tumor inhibitory activity of Bifidobacterium longum, a lactic acid-producing enterobacterium. The modifying effects of this lactic culture on colonic mucosal and/or tumor cell proliferation, ODC activity and ras-p21 oncoprotein expression in colon carcinogenesis were also analyzed. Male F344 rats were fed a modified AIN-76A diet containing 0 or 2% lyophilized cultures of B. longum and s.c. administered azoxymethane (AOM) dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg body wt, once weekly for 2 weeks. Vehicle controls received an equal volume of normal saline s.c. Animals were maintained on control or experimental diets until termination of the study. Animals intended for analysis of cell proliferation were killed 20 weeks after the second AOM injection, whereas animals intended for colon tumor analysis and measurement of ODC activity and ras-p21 expression were killed 40 weeks after the last AOM injection. The data demonstrate that dietary administration of lyophilized cultures of B. longum resulted in significant suppression of colon tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity and also reduced tumor volume. Results also revealed that ingestion of B. longum significantly inhibited AOM-induced cell proliferation, ODC activity and expression of ras-p21 oncoprotein. Data suggest that oral administration of probiotic B. longum exerts strong antitumor activity, as indicated by modulation of the intermediate biomarkers of colon cancer, and consequently reduced tumor outcome.

Effect of aging and dietary restriction on hepatocyte proliferation and death in male F344 rats

The proliferation and death of hepatocytes in rats fed ad libitum and rats on dietary restriction were evaluated in 3 to 24-month-old rats by employing immunocytochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). These techniques were also used to examine hepatic tissue infiltrated with leukemic cells in 24-month-old rats fed ad libitum. PCNA-strongly positive hepatocytes, PCNA-positive hepatocytes, and TUNEL-positive hepatocytes were reported previously to be equivalent to hepatocytes in the S phase, hepatocytes in the cell cycle, and dying hepatocytes, respectively. The proportion of PCNA-strongly positive hepatocytes and PCNA-positive hepatocytes declined with age. Dietary restriction diminished PCNA-strongly positive hepatocytes significantly but not PCNA-positive hepatocytes in young rats, but the proportion of PCNA-strongly positive hepatocytes was significantly higher following dietary restriction than that in rats fed ad libitum in advanced age. Growth stimulation by leukemic cell infiltration resulted in a recovery of the age-related decline of PCNA-strongly positive hepatocytes. Aging was associated with a progressive increase in the proportion of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, with a smaller effect following dietary restriction than in rats fed ad libitum after 6 months of age. Our results indicate that age and dietary restriction induce proliferative inhibition. The inhibition depends on PCNA expression; this suggests that suppression of cell proliferation and cell death are enhanced in hepatocytes of senile rats.

Suprarenal inferior vena cava filter placement prior to transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of a renal cell carcinoma with large renal vein tumor thrombus: prevention of pulmonary tumor emboli after TAE

To prevent embolization of necrotic renal vein tumor after transcatheter embolization of a left renal cell carcinoma, we placed a suprarenal Bird's nest inferior vena cava filter. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had extensive tumor infarction including the tumor thrombus on 6-month follow-up computed tomography.

Protective effect of captopril on ischemic myocardium

The protective effect and mechanism of action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) captopril was investigated in organelles from ischemic myocardial cells in a canine coronary ligation model. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial fractions were extracted from ischemic and nonischemic myocardial cells from captopril- and saline-treated (control) hearts. Heart rate, cardiac output, and right ventricular systolic blood pressure were similar in the captopril-treated and control groups. Left ventricular systolic blood pressure (LVPs) decreased gradually to 89% of the baseline value after captopril administration, and to 78% of the baseline value after ligation. Ca-ATPase activity in the SR, the respiratory control ratio (RCR) in the mitochondria, and dinitrophenol (DNP)-stimulated ATPase activity were significantly higher in ischemic myocardium from the captopril-treated group than from the saline-treated (control) group. The SH group content of both organelles was higher in the captopril-treated group. Our results suggest that, in addition to their hemodynamic effects, ACE-I agents containing SH groups protect the myocardium from ischemic damage by preventing enzyme oxidation.

Assessment of right ventricular contractile function in patients with left ventricular dysfunction by a simplified echocardiographic subtraction method

A simplified version of the modified echocardiographic subtraction method for measuring right ventricular (RV) volume was used to assess the indices of RV contractile function, the end-systolic pressure-volume (RV Emax) ratio and the +dP/dt(max)-end-diastolic volume (EDV) relationship. RV volumes determined by the simplified subtraction method and the modified subtraction method were compared in 18 patients. Subsequently, RV contractile function was assessed in 13 patients with normal left ventricular (LV) function (control group: ejection fraction > 56%, as determined by left ventriculography), and 10 patients (group F; five with myocardial infarction, three with dilated cardiomyopathy, two with ischemic cardiomyopathy) with depressed LV function (ejection fraction < or = 55% by left ventriculography). During the application of lower body negative pressure of -20 mmHg, B-mode echocardiograms (apical four-chamber view) and RV or pulmonary artery pressure were recorded simultaneously. The regression equation between RV volumes obtained by the simplified subtraction method and the modified subtraction method was y = 0.99x + 4.5, and the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.985 (p < 0.001). The RV Emax of group F was not significantly less than that of the control group (0.40 +/- 0.16 vs 0.44 +/- 0.17 mmHg/ml, not significant). The correlation coefficients of RV Emax in each group were large (control group 0.92 +/- 0.09, group F 0.90 +/- 0.07). The +dP/dtmax-EDV ratio of group F was significantly less than that of the control group (2.05 +/- 0.74 vs 3.40 +/- 1.85 mmHg/ml.sec, p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient of the +dP/dtmax-EDV ratio was 0.91 +/- 0.06 in the control group and 0.85 +/- 0.15 in group F. The indices of RV contractile function could be assessed using the simplified subtraction method. RV function in patients with LV dysfunction appeared to be depressed.

Health care costs for volunteers and non-volunteers in an intervention for people with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether older people who volunteered for a health intervention study used the health care system differently from a randomly selected group of eligible non-volunteers.

METHODS

Three hundred sixty-three volunteers and 92 non-volunteers were compared; both groups were members of a large health maintenance organization (HMO).

RESULTS

Volunteers were more educated and had been members of the HMO longer. Volunteers used the health care system significantly more at all time periods, but their cost per contact was significantly lower than that for non-volunteers. Non-volunteers were more likely to have a comorbid condition and had fewer arthritis-related health care contacts.

CONCLUSIONS

There will always be problems in generalizing results of studies with volunteers, but volunteers are, nevertheless, the most appropriate controls if the experimental participants are also volunteers. Designs should ideally include both volunteer and non-volunteer controls.

[Relapsing polychondritis: a case with respiratory failure]

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with respiratory failure (Hugh-Jones IV-V). She was diagnosed as relapsing polychondritis 6 years ago. Her respiratory failure was due to pharyngial stenosis, deformity and inflammation of a trachea and lobar bronchus, and bronchial collapse. Her tracheobronchochondritis was managed by 500-700 mg/day of hydrocortisone and 50 mg/day of cyclophosphamide. Laboratory examination revealed only slight elevation of CRP and no elevation of anti-type II collagen antibody, although these parameters were very high on her first admission when she had severe polyarthritis, polychondritis of nose and auricles. Bronchoscopic findings were compatible with tracheobronchomalacia since pharyngial stenosis due to inflammatory pharyngitis and bronchial collapse due to tracheobronchochondritis were shown without lung parenchymal damage. We referred to the literature on tracheobronchomalacia which was associated by the varieties of respiratory and rheumatic diseases.