Oxidative metabolism of omeprazole in human liver microsomes: cosegregation with S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation

Oxidative metabolism of omeprazole (OPZ) was studied in 14 human liver microsomes in relation to the 4'-hydroxylation capacity of S-mephenytoin. The formation of 5-hydroxyomeprazole and omeprazole sulfone (OPZ-SFN) from OPZ exhibited a biphasic kinetic behavior, indicating that at least two distinct enzymes are involved in either of the metabolic pathways of OPZ. By using a two-enzyme kinetic approach, the activities were described by high (Km1 and Vmax1)- and low-affinity components (Km2 and Vmax2). The respective mean (+/- S.D.) kinetic parameters for 5-hydroxylation and sulfoxidation were: Km1 = 6.0 +/- 2.4 and 10.2 +/- 7.2 microM and Vmax1 = 88.0 +/- 70.2 and 66.9 +/- 53.9 pmol/mg/min; Km2 = 106 +/- 127 and 482 +/- 472 microM and Vmax2 = 116 +/- 88 and 299 +/- 131 pmol/mg/min. Among these kinetic parameters, only the Vmax1 of 5-hydroxylation gave a close correlation with the corresponding parameter of S-mephenytoin (rs = 0.911, P < .01). In addition, OPZ and S-mephenytoin inhibited competitively each other's metabolism with the respective Ki values of 2.0 and 162 microM. Interestingly, OPZ-SFN also inhibited competitively 4'-hydroxylation of S-mephenytoin with a Ki value of 8.2 microM. Moreover, polyclonal antibodies raised against S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase (P450 form) partially inhibited the 5-hydroxylation of OPZ, whereas no inhibition was observed for the sulfoxidation. These findings suggest that S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase is an enzyme primarily responsible for the 5-hydroxylation of OPZ and further metabolism of OPZ-SFN, but not for the sulfoxidation of OPZ in human liver microsomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Surgical treatment of congenital biliary dilatation associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

The excisional surgical treatment of 50 patients with congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBMJ) was analyzed. There were two patients who had early complications of lesser bile juice leakage with a maximum duration of 21 days, but no pancreatic juice leakage was noticed. As a late complication, two strictures at the anastomotic portion of the hepaticojejunostomy and one intrahepatic gallstone formation were encountered, but no malignant lesion was evident. Both patients with strictures could be predicted using postoperative cholangiography performed two weeks postoperatively and underwent hepaticojejunostomy. Intrahepatic gallstones were treated with lateral segmentectomy of the liver and electrohydraulic lithotripsy through percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy. Accordingly, these results suggest that excisional surgical treatment is the most appropriate method for CBD with PBMJ; however, special care must be taken, such as creating a sufficiently wide anastomotic stoma to enable free drainage of bile into the intestine; also, there should be precautions against ischemia at the anastomotic portion. The importance of the postoperative cholangiography to predict the postoperative outcome should be emphasized. Furthermore, causes of intrahepatic gallstone formation should be studied in such instances.

The usefulness of Avitene for the control of oozing in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

An efficient method for the laparoscopic application of Avitene is presented herein. During laparoscopic operation, we cannot staunch bleeding points directly. Given such circumstances, the spray application of Avitene is a very effective method of hemostasis that should make laparoscopic operations even safer.

Genesis of the Austin Flint murmur: relation to mitral inflow and aortic regurgitant flow dynamics

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to elucidate the genesis of the Austin Flint murmur.

BACKGROUND

The Austin Flint murmur is an apical diastolic rumble associated with significant aortic regurgitation. The precise mechanism of the murmur remains unclear.

METHODS

The relation between the Austin Flint murmur and mitral inflow and aortic regurgitant flow dynamics was evaluated nonivasively in 13 patients with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation and 15 control subjects using phonocardiographic and pulsed and color-coded Doppler echocardiographic techniques. The severity of aortic regurgitation was determined by color-coded Doppler echocardiography on the basis of the maximal distance of the regurgitant signal.

RESULTS

The direction of aortic regurgitant flow was unrelated to the presence of the Austin Flint murmur. The severity of aortic regurgitation was greater in patients with than in those without this murmur. The peak mitral inflow velocity during early diastole (E) was significantly increased, and both peak mitral inflow velocity at atrial contraction (A) and the A/E ratio were significantly decreased in patients with the Austin Flint murmur compared with values in those without this murmur or in control subjects. However, the maximal amplitude of the Austin Flint murmur did not coincide temporally with the peak mitral inflow velocity. The murmur continued both after rapid mitral inflow had ended and during diastolic mitral regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased velocity of early diastolic mitral inflow in patients with the Austin Flint murmur is due to aortic regurgitation, but rapid mitral inflow is not an essential requirement for production of the murmur. In some cases, the Austin Flint murmur may be generated by aortic regurgitant flow alone.

[One family having 5 members with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with similar pattern of left ventricular inflow and distribution of hypertrophy]

We examined, in one family, 5 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with a similar pattern of left ventricular inflow (LVIF) and distribution of hypertrophy. Its clinical background and significance were discussed. Because a variety of morphologic expressions of HCM may be observed in the same family, distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) varies in even first-degree relatives of the family. In all five cases in this study, however, LVH was localized between the anterior wall and the interventricular septum. On the other hand, typical pattern of LVIF in HCM is "decreased peak velocity and prolonged deceleration time of the early diastolic wave (E), and compensatory augmentation of the atrial contraction wave (A)". All of the five cases in this study had a pattern of three characteristic peaks of LVIF, which showed the mid-diastolic wave between the E and A waves. The above findings suggested that the myocardial characteristics of the five cases in this family were very similar, and could be important clues clarifying the mode of inheritance of HCM.

Identification of surface-exposed parts of red-light- and far-red-light-absorbing forms of native pea phytochrome by limited proteolysis

Peptide fragments were obtained by limited proteolysis with trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V 8 protease from either the PR or the PFR form of 121-kDa phytochrome purified from etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L.) shoots. Patterns of bands after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS of the digests were different, with some bands appearing preferentially when the digestions were carried out with the PR or the PFR form. Amino-terminal sequences of the fragments were analyzed to determine the exact locations of the amino-termini of the fragments within the amino acid sequence of the apoprotein of pea phytochrome. The amino acid compositions of some of the sequenced fragments were determined in order to confirm the carboxy-terminal amino acids. Three cleavage regions were identified as kinetically favored sites of cleavage of PFR (Arg-746 to Lys-752, around Glu-877 and around Arg-1010), whereas only one was identified for PR (Glu-38 to Arg-62). Regions of Glu-255, Arg-383, Arg-583 to Glu-620 and Lys-1093 to Glu-1115 were also identified as potential sites of proteolytic cleavage in both forms of the phytochrome. Other cleavage sites, the specificities of which have not yet been determined, are Glu-404, Glu-695 and Lys-1045. Surface-exposed parts of phytochrome in the PR and PFR forms are discussed.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver in children: report of cases and review of the literature

Two pediatric cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of liver were reported and compared with seven previously reported cases. Clinical presentation was variable but often consisted of fever and vague abdominal symptoms. These two cases were considered to be clinically malignant because angiographically one showed hypervascularity and the other showed the portal vein draining into the lesion to be occluded. There are four previous reports of similar cases complicated with occlusive phlebitis within and around the lesion. All but two of the reported cases underwent major hepatectomy or liver transplantation. However, because of the benign nature of the lesion, the treatment might be more conservative after adequate diagnostic procedures, including needle biopsy, are applied.

[A case of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina]

A case of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina is reported here. The patient, a 76 year-old woman, who had fallen down by accident 1 month before, was admitted to our hospital presenting lumbar pain radiating into her right thigh, monoplegia of the right leg and urinary incontinence. Myelography and metrizamide CT demonstrated a filling defect mimicking intradural extramedullary tumor at the level of L1 and L2. Magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) revealed a subacute or chronic hematoma compressing the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. Operation was performed and an old hematoma, which occupied most of the spinal subarachnoid space and compressed the conus and cauda equina from right to left, was removed. No definite bleeding point was detected and no traumatic change was seen on the cord. Neither tumor nor abnormal vessel was detected. After surgery, the symptoms improved partially. On a review of the literature, we found only 4 cases of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma, all of which occupied the cervical or thoracic portion of the spine. Our case is the first report, except for the cases following lumbar spinal tap, of traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing compression of the cauda equina. Though usually blood in CSF diffuses immediately, a clot may be formed when a large amount of bleeding obstructs the spinal canal. In our case, furthermore, deformity and narrowing of the spinal canal had preceded for many years, following lumbar vertebral compressed fracture related with osteoporosis. This might have promoted the process of canal obstruction and clot formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The direct hydrolysis of proteins containing tryptophan on polyvinylidene difluoride membranes by mercaptoethanesulfonic acid in the vapor phase

A procedure for the amino acid analysis of polypeptides that contain tryptophan on polyvinylidene difluoride membranes is described. Lysozyme, carbonic anhydrase, phytochrome, and ovalbumin were tested. The protein, which was separated from others by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, was blotted from the gel onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane and directly hydrolyzed by 3 N mercaptoethanesulfonic acid vapor in a vacuum at 176 degrees C for 25 min. The hydrolysate was extracted with 0.1 N HCl and 30% methanol and used for amino acid analysis. The tested proteins were adequately hydrolyzed, and the recovery of tryptophan was very efficient.

Real-time detection of orientation during negative behavioral contrast with key pecking and a turning response

We developed a video system for real-time detection of a pigeon's orientation and for reinforcement of a "turning response." Using this system, negative behavioral contrast was found across key-peck and turning responses. In addition, turning away from the pecking key was detected by the system just after presentation of the negative discriminative stimulus on the key. The results suggest that avoidance of the discriminative stimulus in the constant component, which has been regarded as a causal factor for negative contrast (additivity theory), is not the primary factor for negative behavioral contrast of pigeons' key pecking, but may account for negative local contrast.

Progesterone metabolism in recombinant yeast simultaneously expressing bovine cytochromes P450c17 (CYP17A1) and P450c21 (CYP21B1) and yeast NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase

Simultaneous expression plasmids were constructed for bovine adrenal cytochromes P450c17 and P450c21 (pA gamma alpha) and for both P450s together with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (pAR gamma alpha). On introduction of each of the plasmids into Saccharomyces cerevisiae AH22 cells, the transformed yeast strains AH22/pA gamma alpha and AH22/pAR gamma alpha produced about 10(5) molecules per cell of P450c17 and 2 x 10(3) molecules per cell of P450c21. The expression levels of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was about 3 x 10(4) and 6 x 10(5) molecules per cell in the strains AH22/pA gamma alpha and AH22/pAR gamma alpha, respectively. When progesterone was added to growing cell cultures of the transformed yeast strains, the substrate was metabolized more rapidly in the AH22/pAR gamma alpha cells than AH22/pA gamma alpha cells, probably due to overproduction of the reductase. In the AH22/pAR gamma alpha cells, progesterone was first converted into 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to the extent of 82% by the catalysis of P450c17. 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was further converted into 11-deoxycortisol by P450c21 to the extent of 60% of the added substrate. The conversion of progesterone into androstenedione through 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was estimated to be less than 3%, suggesting very low C17,20-lyase activity of P450c17, although other hydroxylation products were detected. Androstenedione was further converted into testosterone by an unknown pathway present in S. cerevisiae cells.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the membrane-bound protein complexes, including photosystem I, of thylakoid membranes in the presence of sodium oligooxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate/dimethyl dodecylamine oxide and sodium dodecyl sulfate

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), using a mixture of sodium oligooxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate and dimethyl dodecylamine oxide as detergents (AES-DDAO mixture) in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the second dimension, was developed and applied to an analysis of the photosystem I (PS I) complex in thylakoid membranes prepared from spinach chloroplasts. When thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts were solubilized directly in the AES-DDAO mixture and subjected to PAGE in the presence of these detergents as the first dimension, some protein complexes containing chlorophyll were observed. The protein components in these complexes separated into an array of polypeptide spots when the strip of gel after PAGE in the first dimension was subjected to PAGE in the presence of SDS as the second dimension. The main band of protein which separated in the first dimension was demonstrated to be the PS I complex. This complex retained the intrinsic photochemical activity of P700 even after it was subjected to one-dimensional PAGE. These results suggest that certain protein complexes can be separated, with the maintenance of their original structures, by electrophoresis in the presence of the AES-DDAO mixture, and this method appears to have valuable potential for analysis of the components of membrane-bound protein complexes.

Determination of hippuric acid and o-, m- and p-methylhippuric acids in urine by capillary gas chromatography

A capillary gas chromatographic (GC) method for the simultaneous determination of urinary hippuric acid (HA) and o-, m- and p-methylhippuric acids (MHAs), metabolites of toluene and o-, m- and p-xylenes, respectively, is described. These metabolites are converted into their isopropyl derivatives by extractive alkylation with tetrahexylammonium ion as extracting agent and isopropyl bromide as alkylating reagent in benzene. The derivatives are analysed using a chromatograph equipped with hydrogen flame ionization detector, split injection system and DB-17 capillary column. Benzoylleucine is used as an internal standard. The derivatives are well separated within 5 min and no interfering peaks are observed. The calibration curves of HA and MHAs in the range 1-50 micrograms are linear and sufficiently reproducible for quantitative analysis. Urine can be analysed accurately and precisely by this method without prior clean-up of the sample.

Determinants of pigeons' waiting time: Effects of interreinforcement interval and food delay

Four pigeons performed on three types of schedules at short (i.e., 10, 30, or 60 s) interreinforcement intervals: (a) a delay-dependent schedule where interreinforcement interval was held constant (i.e., increases in waiting time decreased food delay), (b) an interreinforcement-interval-dependent schedule where food delay was held constant (i.e., increases in waiting time increased interreinforcement interval), and (c) a both-dependent schedule where increases in waiting time produced increases in interreinforcement interval but decreases in food delay. Waiting times were typically longer under the delay-dependent schedules than under the interreinforcement-interval-dependent schedules. Those under both-dependent schedules for 1 subject were intermediate between those under the other two schedule types, whereas for the other subjects waiting times under the both-dependent procedure were similar either to those under the delay-dependent schedule or to those under the interreinforcement-interval-dependent schedule, depending both on the subject and the interreinforcement interval. These results indicate that neither the interreinforcement interval nor food delay is the primary variable controlling waiting time, but rather that the two interact in a complex manner to determine waiting times.

Endothelium-dependent contractions induced by angiotensin I and angiotensin II in canine cerebral artery

Whether angiotensin I and angiotensin II caused endothelium-dependent contraction was examined in canine cerebral arteries. In endothelium-intact preparations, angiotensin I and angiotensin II at 10(-8) to 10(-6) M caused dose-dependent contractions, whereas both angiotensins caused much less contractions in endothelium-removed preparations. The contractions induced by angiotensin I and angiotensin II were strongly attenuated by aspirin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) (5 x 10(-5) M), OKY-046 [thromboxane (TX) A2 synthetase inhibitor] (10(-5) M) and ONO-3708 (TX)A2 antagonist) (5 X 10(-9) M). Captopril (10(-6) M) significantly attenuated the contractions induced by angiotensin I but not those induced by angiotensin II. Angiotensin I- and angiotensin II- induced contractions were inhibited markedly by Sar1, Ala8-angiotensin II (10(-9) and 10(-8) M). The present experiments demonstrate that angiotensin I and angiotensin II produce endothelium-dependent contraction in canine cerebral artery via a factor which appears to be TXA2. Angiotensin I may be converted by endothelial cells to angiotensin II, which may activate the cells to produce TXA2 in canine cerebral artery.

[Clinical evaluation of CA-50 in cases with colorectal cancer]

Serum CA-50 has been evaluated in 67 healthy donors and in 46 patients with a colorectal cancer by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA Kit, Mitsui pharmaceuticals, Inc.). The mean value of the healthy donors (n = 67) was 10.6 +/- 6.1 U/ml and for patients with a colorectal cancer 31.7 +/- 55.2 U/ml. Both in healthy donors and in patients, the mean value was found to be higher in females than males. The overall sensitivity in the colorectal cancer patients was 26.1 percent, the percentages for those in stage I, 20, II, 9.1, III, 40, IV, 20, and V, 50% respectively. In a correlation between serum CA-50 and CA 19-9, the correlation coefficient was 0.82 (p less than 0.01), and in between CA-50 and CEA, 0.51 (p less than 0.01). Thus a combination assay among CA-50, CA 19-9, and CEA has proved to be of significant value in cases of a colorectal cancer.

Vasorelaxing effects of prostaglandin I2 on the canine basilar and coronary arteries

The effects of prostaglandin (PG) I2 on canine basilar and coronary arteries were studied. PGI2 caused a relaxation from the basal level more effectively in the endothelium-intact preparations of the coronary artery than in those of the basilar artery. The PGI2-induced relaxation in the basilar artery was enhanced by removal of the endothelium, and by treatment with indomethacin (10(-6) M), aspirin (5 X 10(-5) M), both cyclooxygenase inhibitors, OKY-046 (3 X 10(-5) M) and RS-5186 (10(-6) M), both thromboxane (TX) A2 synthetase inhibitors and ONO-3708 (10(-8) M), a TXA2 antagonist. The enhancing effects of removal of the endothelium and treatment with indomethacin and aspirin on the PGI2-induced relaxation were greater than those of treatment with OKY-046, RS-5186 and ONO-3708. The PGI2-induced relaxation in the coronary artery was not affected by removal of the endothelium, treatment with indomethacin (10(-6) M) or methylene blue (10(-6) M). In the endothelium-removed preparations precontracted with a TXA2 agonist, PGI2-induced relaxation was less in the basilar artery than in the coronary artery. The present experiments suggest that endothelium-derived factors (TXA2 and other cyclooxygenase products) counteract the vasorelaxing effect of PGI2 in the canine basilar artery, but not in the coronary artery.

Endothelium-dependent contraction and -independent relaxation induced by adenine nucleotides and nucleoside in the canine basilar artery

ATP, ADP, AMP and adenosine at 10(-8) induced a slight relaxation, and at concentrations greater than 10(-7) M caused a biphasic response consisting of an initial relaxation followed, after a brief period, by a transient contraction in canine basilar artery. ATP (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) caused a triphasic response consisting of a rapid, small contraction, a relaxation and then a second, transient contraction. The order of agonist potency for contraction was ATP greater than ADP much greater than AMP = adenosine, but for producing relaxation the agonists were equipotent. Removal of the endothelium abolished the contraction after the relaxation, but had virtually no effect on the relaxation and the rapid contraction induced by ATP (10(-6) and 10(-5) M). Only the relaxation in response to ATP (10(-6) M) was attenuated by removal of the endothelium. Aspirin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) (5 X 10(-5) M), OKY-046 (a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor) (10(-5) M) and ONO-3708 (a thromboxane A2 antagonist) (5 X 10(-9) M) attenuated markedly the endothelium-dependent contraction induced by ATP (10(-5) M) and ADP (10(-5) M), but did not affect the relaxation. Phentolamine (10(-6) M) and atropine (10(-6) M) did not affect either the contraction or the relaxation. The relaxations induced by both ATP and adenosine in both endothelium-intact preparations and endothelium-removed preparations were attenuated by 8-phenyltheophylline (P1 antagonist) (10(-6) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An endothelium-dependent contraction induced by A-23187, a Ca++ ionophore in canine basilar artery

In most isolated canine basilar arteries tested, Ca++ ionophore A-23187 induced a small relaxation followed by a transient contraction. Both contraction and relaxation were abolished by removal of endothelium. The endothelium-dependent contraction induced by A-23187 was attenuated by a phospholipase A2 inhibitor (quinacrine), cyclooxygenase inhibitors (aspirin and indomethacin), a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) and a TXA2 antagonist (ONO-3708). The A-23187-induced contraction was abolished by lowering the Ca++ concentration of medium to 10%, whereas the contraction induced by 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-TXA2 (STA2) was attenuated slightly by lowering [Ca++]. The A-23187-induced contraction was reduced markedly by nifedipine (10(-9) to 10(-7) M), but the STA2-induced contraction was only attenuated slightly by nifedipine. Bay K 8644 did not affect the A-23187- and STA2-induced contractions. The present experiments demonstrate that A-23187 induced an endothelium-dependent contraction in canine basilar artery, and suggest that Ca++ might play a key role in production of an endothelium-derived contracting factor (probably TXA2).

[Clinical evaluation of a combination assay of CEA, CA-19-9 and TPA in patients with colorectal cancer]

The effectiveness of serum CEA (56 cases), CA-19-9 (53 cases) and TPA (48 cases) in patients with colorectal cancer has been evaluated. The preoperative sensitivity and specificity of CEA and CA 19-9 were found to be almost the same in level but the level of TPA was low. In 20 cases recurrent, the sensitivity of the marker was 66.7% in the liver, 60% in the lung, and 66.7% in the local recurrence of primary foci. In these recurrent cases, serum CEA in initially elevated to 65%, CA 19-9 to 25%, and TPA to only 10%. In diagnostic rate imaging or in our clinical findings, however, the frequency was almost the same as tumor markers.

Tubular structures in the hepatic nuclei of a patient with delta agent

Liver biopsy specimens obtained from a 31-year-old female with delta-positive hepatitis were studied by routine electron microscopy. In several nuclei of hepatocytes, there were filamentous or microtubular structures 15 to 20 nm in diameter, in the vicinity of which, round particles, probably cross sections of tubular ones, were seen. In these nuclei, irregular granules approximately 20 to 30 nm in diameter were also found in clusters. However, cores of Dane particles were not found in such hepatocytes. These intranuclear microtubular structures may be associated with delta agent.

Immunohistochemical study of HLA class 1 antigens on the hepatocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis B

In order to evaluate the role of histocompatibility antigen (HLA) class 1 antigens in the pathogenesis of liver cell necrosis, HLA class 1 antigens on hepatocytes were studied in the liver biopsy materials from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B by the peroxidase-labeled antibody method using a monoclonal antibody to human HLA-A, B, C (Cappel Laboratories). Both increased expression of HLA class 1 antigens on the hepatocytes and decreased distribution of intrahepatic hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) were observed in patients with an exacerbation of the inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that expression of HLA class 1 antigens on the hepatocytes may be increased when an exacerbation of inflammatory activity develops, and may be compatible with the concept that expression of these antigens plays and important role for the lysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected liver cells by cytotoxic T cells. Furthermore, in seven patients, expression of HLA class 1 antigens was studied in the liver before and after treatment with human lymphoblast interferon (IFN)-alpha, recombinant IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. Increased expression of HLA class 1 antigens was observed in patients with decreased intrahepatic HBcAg and DNA-P in sera after IFN treatment. These results also suggest that the increase of HLA class 1 antigens by IFN may be related to the immune mechanism for the effective elimination of HBV.

Effects of adenine arabinoside on cellular immune responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B

The lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood and in liver biopsies from 4 patients with chronic hepatitis B obtained about 2-7 weeks before and after treatment with adenine arabinoside (Ara-A) were studied by a peroxidase-labeled antibody method using monoclonal antibodies against Leu-1, Leu-2a, Leu-3a, Leu-7 and Leu-10 antigens. In the peripheral blood, the percentage of Leu-2a+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) cells was significantly reduced and the ratio of Leu-3a+ (helper/inducer) to Leu-2a+ cells was increased after the treatment with Ara-A. In the liver biopsies, the numbers of Leu-1+ (pan T) and Leu-2a+ cells were significantly decreased after the treatment with Ara-A. As a result, the Leu-3a+/Leu-2a+ ratio was significantly elevated in the liver after the therapy. The majority of lymphocytes distributed at sites of hepatocytic necrosis were positive for Leu-2a. The reduced numbers of Leu-1+ and Leu-2a+ cells after the treatment were mainly due to the decrease of these cells infiltrating to the sites of hepatocytic necrosis. The numbers of other subsets (Leu-3a+, Leu-7+ and Leu-10+) changed without any specific tendency both in the peripheral blood and in the liver biopsies after the treatment. With respect to viral replication, most of the patients showed a decrease of serum DNA polymerase activity or demonstrable intrahepatic HBsAg and HBcAg after the treatment. These data suggest that T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against HBV-infected hepatocytes is diminished after treatment with Ara-A.

Cellular immune response in liver of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Electron microscopic observation of lymphocyte subsets by the immunoperoxidase method using monoclonal antibodies

The morphological association between lymphocytes and hepatocytes was studied at the light and electron microscopic levels by the peroxidase-labeled antibody method using mouse monoclonal antibodies against Leu-1, Leu-2a, Leu-3a, Leu-7 and Leu-10 antigens in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis B. Leu-1 + cells (T cells), especially Leu-2a + cells (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), infiltrated mostly in periportal areas with piecemeal necrosis and in parenchymal areas with focal necrosis. By double staining techniques, Leu-2a + cells were often seen in contact with hepatocytes containing membranous hepatitis B surface and/or core antigens in patients with chronic active hepatitis. At the ultrastructural level, Leu-2a + cells frequently occupied the sinusoid and also migrated into both the space of Disse and between hepatocytes. Furthermore, they often showed intimate surface-contact with hepatocytes having hepatitis B surface and/or core antigens, and, occasionally, injured hepatocytes were surrounded by several Leu-2a + cells. In contrast, Leu-3a + cells, Leu-7 + cells and Leu-10 + cells sometimes appeared in the sinusoid, but seldom in the space of Disse and between hepatocytes. These findings suggest that cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be associated with the necrosis of hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B.

[Studies on the mechanisms of the third and fourth heart sounds: with special reference to the phase analysis of mitral flow velocity pattern]

To investigate the genesis of the third ( IIIs ) and fourth heart sounds (IVs), apical phonocardiograms were recorded simultaneously with pulsed Doppler signals of the mitral flow and interventricular septal (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall (PW) echoes by M-mode echocardiography in 26 cases with the IIIs and 11 cases with the IVs. The following results were obtained: Cases with the IIIs were classified into the following three groups according to the time relationship between the IIIs and a rapid filling wave (D wave) of the mitral flow velocity pattern. IIIs -peak group: The IIIs occurred coincidently with the peak of the D wave in five healthy adolescents and in 12 cases with absolute left ventricular volume overload including mitral regurgitation (MR: eight cases), postoperative atrial septal defect (ASD: three cases) and ventricular septal defect (one case). IIIs -delay group: The IIIs occurred about 38 msec after the peak of the D wave in eight cases with relative left ventricular volume overload including congestive cardiomyopathy (CCM: three cases) and ischemic heart disease (IHD: five cases). IIIs -early phase group: The IIIs occurred about 35 msec before the peak of the D wave in a case with acute MR due to chordal rupture. In the IIIs -peak group, the IIIs coincided in time with the points of inflection (check points) of both the IVS and PW during rapid filling phase in three cases with MR of mild to moderate degree and one case of postoperative ASD. In the IIIs -delay group, the IIIs occurred simultaneously with either the check point of the IVS or PW in two cases with CCM and one case with IHD, and it occurred before the check points of both the IVS and PW in two cases with severe MR of IIIs -peak group and in a case with acute MR due to chordal rupture of IIIs -early phase group. Cases with the IVs were classified into following 2 groups according to the time relationship between the IVs and the atrial contraction wave (A wave) of the mitral flow velocity pattern. IVs-peak group: The IVs occurred coincidentally with the peak of the A wave in six cases with left ventricular hypertrophy including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (five cases) and hypertension (one case). IVs-delay group: The IVs occurred about 33 msec after the peak of the A wave in five cases with left ventricular dilatation or dysfunction including old myocardial infarction (two cases), CCM (one case), postoperative ASD (one case) and aortic regurgitation (one case). There were two types of IVs in time relationship between the IVs and the check points of the left ventricular wall during atrial contraction phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Long-term results of curative operation of breast cancer]

Follow-up studies on 172 patients who had undergone curative surgery for breast cancer, were done. 1) There was no significant difference in the 5-year-survival rate between stage I and stage II, however, this survival rate was lower in stage III. 2) The survival rate of patients with metastasis to fewer than 3 lymph node tended to be higher than in patients with metastatic involvement of 4 or more lymph nodes. 3) Patients with papillo-tubular type cancer had the best prognosis followed by medullo-tubular type and scirrhous type. 4) The operative procedures used made no significant difference on the long-term results, although extended operation for stage II cancer showed better result than typical operation in terms of 10-year-survival. 5) The chemotherapy group showed better results than the radiation-treated group in terms of 5-year-survival.

[Effects of change-over-delay in the signal-key procedure]

The effects of change-over-delay (COD) in discrimination training using the signal-key procedure were investigated in the pigeon. In Experiment I, generalization gradients along the line-tilt dimension following the signal-key procedure with and without COD 2 s were studied. Regardless of the application of COD, following results were obtained: (1) Relative generalization gradients were similar. (2) No behavioral contrast was observed on the operant-key. (3) Some responding to the signal-key occurred during the VI component of the multiple VI EXT schedule. The responses on the signal-key decreased slightly with COD 2 s. These data suggest that the responses on the signal-key were maintained partly by response-reinforcer contingency. In Experiment II, local contrast in the signal-key procedure was investigated. Response distribution within 30 s period of stimulus presentation revealed that COD produced decreased number of responses to the signal-key after 1.5 s of stimulus onset. These suggest that the stimulus-reinforcer contingency is responsible primarily for the local contrast.

Establishment of an experimental model of human hepatoblastoma

Establishment of xenografts or cell culture lines in which the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) characteristic of clinical hepatoblastoma persists have been difficult. The serially transplantable strain (HB-3) of highly AFP-producing hepatoblastoma was successfully established in nude mice. And a highly AFP producing cell line (c-HB-3) is easily obtained by HB-3. This strain and line give us an ideal experimental model of hepatoblastoma in vivo and in vitro.

Disulfide-linked peptides in the chloroplast thylakoid membrane

Two peptides move out from the diagonal when dodecyl sulfate gels of pea leaf chloroplast thylakoid membrane proteins are treated with a reducing agent and electrophoresed in the second dimension. Apparently two of the proteins in the thylakoid membrane are disulfide linked dimers. Additional changes in the electrophoretic mobility of certian peptides occur when thylakoid membranes are denatured in the presence of reducing agents: these peptides probably contain intrapeptide disulfide bonds or prosthetic groups covalently attached to the peptide through disulfide bonds.

Purification and Characterization of the Photoreducible b-type Cytochrome from Dictyostelium discoideum

The photoreducible cytochrome (Cyt) b from Dictyostelium discoideum was purified by differential precipitation with ammonium sulfate and chromatography over Sephadex G-100, diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, and calcium phosphate. The purified Cyt is composed of a single subunit of 15,000 daltons including a noncovalently bound protohaem, and exhibits in the reduced form alpha absorption bands at 555.5 and 560 nm at room temperature and 551 and 558.5 nm at 77 K. This Cyt is similar in some respects to Cyt b(557.5) from complex II of beef heart mitochondria, and to Cyt b(555) from the microsomal fraction of mung bean seedlings. Photoreduction by blue light of the purified Cyt b requires the addition of flavin; flavoprotein isolated from D. discoideum was the most active of four flavoproteins tested in catalyzing the photoreduction while diaphorase and l-amino-acid oxidase were inactive.