On preventing sugar-coated tablets from browning

The phenomenon of browning occurs gradually in the white sugar-coating layer (comprised of sucrose, talc, and powdered acacia) when the coating is applied on a large scale. We found that this phenomenon is negligible on sugar-coated tablets when they are prepared on a small scale. The smoothing layer prepared on a small scale is nearly as opaque as the subcoating layer. Conversely, the smoothing layer produced on a larger scale is semitransparent. In large-scale operations, the conditions required to make the smoothing layer opaque were established, and it was demonstrated that this method can restrict the browning phenomenon. It is considered that the nitrogen-containing contaminants in powdered acacia may react with heat-inverted sucrose (the Maillard reaction) to make brown substances in the smoothing layer and that the opaque appearance of the layer conceals the color accumulation of the brown substances in the smoothing layer and therefore restricts the browning phenomenon.

Local thrombolytic therapy for superior mesenteric artery embolism: complications and long-term clinical follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and complications of local intraarterial fibrinolysis in selected patients with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Intraarterial thrombolytic therapy was performed for acute SMA embolism in eight patients. Patients were selected for thrombolytic therapy on the basis of absence of peritoneal signs of intestinal necrosis at physical examination and absent findings of bowel infarction by CT.

RESULTS

Clinical success was achieved in five patients and technical success in six. Complications included death due to massive shower emboli from the left ventricle in one patient and extravasation in one patient, who required surgery on the following day. Within one month after thrombolytic therapy, one patient each died of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction due to emboli, and one patient underwent aorto-SMA bypass surgery due to residual stenosis. In the long-term follow-up period (2-7 years), four patients were still alive, with another embolic episode of a lower limb in one patient. One patient died of an unrelated cause without experiencing another embolic episode.

CONCLUSION

Intraarterial fibrinolysis may be a therapeutic alternative in the management of SMA embolism in selected patients in whom an early diagnosis can be made. The long-term results depend on the occurrence of another embolic event.

The combined method: a novel access technique for fetal endoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To develop practical and less invasive techniques for fetal endoscopic surgery, new methods of lifting the uterine wall to allow fetal surgery without maternal laparotomy were developed and assessed.

METHODS

Fetal endoscopic surgical procedures, including tracheostomy and umbilical vascular cannulation, were performed using one of the three methods to enter the uterus without maternal laparotomy in pregnant goats (n = 6; 105 to 115 days' gestation): (1) direct uterine lifting with an air-cushion device; (2) indirect uterine lifting, in which the uterine wall was fixed to the maternal abdominal wall using balloon tip ports inserted percutaneously by Seldinger's method, then the maternal abdomen was lifted mechanically; and (3) combined method, in which low pressure CO2 (5 mm Hg for initial inflation and 2 mm Hg for maintenance) was insufflated into the uterus in addition to the indirect uterine lifting cited above.

RESULTS

The direct uterine lifting caused massive injury of myometrium and uterine membranes. The creation of intrauterine space and the protection of the membranes were not accomplished effectively by the indirect uterine lifting only. The combined method provided the adequate intrauterine space and excellent endoscopic visibility for completion of the endoscopic procedures with minimal uterine injury.

CONCLUSION

The fetal endoscopic surgery may be accomplished simply and safely by the combined method, a novel technique of uterine lifting to allow fetal surgery without maternal laparotomy.

Anti-emetic effects of a novel NK-1 receptor antagonist HSP-117 in ferrets

We have developed a non-peptide compound, HSP-117, antagonist of the tachykinin NK-1 receptor. Binding of 3H-substance P (SP) to the membranes of IM-9 cells was inhibited by the antagonists HSP-117 and CP-99,994, the inhibitory activity of HSP-117 being about 50-fold that of CP-99,994. The SP-induced firing responses of single neuron activity in slices of the nucleus tractus solitarius of ferrets were inhibited by 10 microM HSP-117. Intracerebroventricular injection of HSP-117 significantly inhibited retching and vomiting induced by copper sulphate and morphine and the inhibitory effect of HSP-117 on emesis was greater than that of CP-99,994. These results indicate that (1) HSP-117 is a potent anti-emetic agent, blocking NK-1 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius and (2) NK-1 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius play an important role in emesis induced by broad-spectrum emetic stimuli.

Hair cells in mammalian utricles

Two morphological classes of mechanosensory cells have been described in the vestibular organs of mammals, birds, and reptiles: type I and type II hair cells. Type II hair cells resemble hair cells in other organs in that they receive bouton terminals from primary afferent neurons. In contrast, type I hair cells are enveloped by large cuplike afferent terminals called calyces. Type I and II cells differ in other morphological respects: cell shape, hair bundle properties, and more subtle ultrastructural features. Understanding the functional significance of these strikingly different morphological features has proved to be a challenge. Experiments that correlated the response properties of primary vestibular afferents with the morphologies of their afferent terminals suggested that the synapse between the type I hair cell and calyx ending is lower gain than that between a type II hair cell and a bouton ending. Recently, patch-clamp experiments on isolated hair cells have revealed that type I hair cells from diverse species have a large potassium conductance that is activated at the resting potential. As a consequence, the voltage responses generated by the type I hair cells in response to injected currents are smaller than those generated by type II hair cells. This may contribute to the lower gain of type I inputs to primary afferent neurons. Studies of neonatal mouse utricles show that the type I-specific potassium conductance is not present at birth but emerges during the first postnatal week, a period of morphological differentiation of type I and type II hair cells.

cDNA cloning and functional analysis of p28 (Nas6p) and p40.5 (Nas7p), two novel regulatory subunits of the 26S proteasome

We employed cDNA cloning to deduce the complete primary structures of p28 and p40.5, two novel subunits of PA700 (also called 19S complex), a 700 kDa multisubunit regulatory complex of the human 26S proteasome. These polypeptides consisted of 226 and 376 amino acids with calculated molecular masses of 24428 Da and 42945 Da, and isoelectric points of 5. 68 and 5.46, respectively. Intriguingly, p28 contained five conserved motifs known as 'ankyrin repeats', implying that this subunit may contribute to interaction of the 26S proteasome with other protein(s). Computer-assisted homology analysis revealed high sequence similarities of p28 and p40.5 with yeast proteins, termed Nas6p and Nas7p (non-ATPase subunits 6 and 7), respectively, whose functions are as yet unknown. Disruption of these yeast genes, NAS6 and NAS7, had no effect on cell viability, indicating that neither of the two subunits is essential for proliferation of yeast cells. However, the NAS7, but not NAS6, disruptant cells caused high sensitivity to heat stress, being unable to proliferate at 37 degreesC.

Comparison of clinical features and prognosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

In the present study, clinical findings of 15 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as dilated cardiomyopathy were compared with those of 30 consecutive patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The sarcoidosis patients had different clinical features, including female predominance, a high incidence of grave conduction disturbance and abnormal wall thickness, uneven wall motion abnormalities, and perfusion defects preferentially affecting the anteroseptal and apical regions, and poor prognosis compared with those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

A new NEDD8-ligating system for cullin-4A

NEDD8 is a ubiquitin (Ub)-like protein. Here we report a novel ubiquitinylation-related pathway for modification by NEDD8. NEDD8 was activated by an E1 (Ub-activating enzyme)-like complex, consisting of APP-BP1 and hUba3 with high respective homologies to the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of E1 and then linked to hUbc12 (a human homolog of yeast Ub-conjugating enzyme Ubc12p). The major target protein modified by NEDD8 was found to be Hs-cullin-4A (Cul-4A), a member of the family of human cullin/Cdc53 proteins functioning as an essential component of a multifunctional Ub-protein ligase E3 complex that has a critical role in Ub-mediated proteolysis.

Cloning of human polyubiquitin cDNAs and a ubiquitin-binding assay involving its in vitro translation product

During large-scale in vitro translation analysis of a human full-length cDNA bank, we found a clone producing a remarkably smaller translation product than that expected from the open reading frame. The cDNA encodes a polyubiquitin, UbC, composed of nine tandem repeats of the ubiquitin unit. The bank contained twelve UbC cDNAs including four full-length ones. Sequencing analysis of these clones showed that UbC cDNAs can be classified into two types, UbC1 and UbC2, in each of which there are six polymorphic nucleotide variations. The present UbC cDNA was in vitro translated in a rabbit reticulocyte or wheat germ extract to produce a free ubiquitin labeled with [35S]methionine. The labeled ubiquitin could be used as a substrate for thiol ester formation with ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 or ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2.

Longitudinal follow-up of pulmonary function after lobectomy in childhood - factors affecting lung growth

We examined the changes in pulmonary function values in 27 patients who underwent a lobectomy due to cystic lung disease and compared the results regarding such factors as disease type, age at operation, and preoperative infections. Percent vital capacity (%VC) decreased immediately after lobectomy, but recovered to normal values within 2 postoperative years and remained within or above the normal range. The ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC) rose temporally with the increase in %VC, but then remained normal after 2 postoperative years. There was no difference in %VC and RV/TLC between diseases, while bronchial atresia showed a significantly lower correlation with percent of forced expiratory volume at 1 s. The older group operated upon at over 4 years of age and the group that had infections before operation showed relatively low %VC and high RV/TLC. Some patients demonstrated extremely low %VC along with funnel chest deformities. Our study suggests that overinflation of the remaining lung compensates VC in the early period after lobectomy while subsequently alveolar multiplication occurs. Factors affecting compensatory lung growth were considered to be operation later than 4 years of age, preoperative infection, and a thoracic deformity.

[TNM classification--pediatric tumors]

The clinical and postsurgical TNM classifications (cTNM and pTNM) for neuroblastoma (NB), nephroblastoma (WT) and soft tissue sarcomas were presented in 1982 by the TNM Committee in UICC in collaboration with SIOP. The Japanese TNM Committee proposed new pTNM systems (J-pTNM) for NB and WT, and new cTNM and pTNM system for primary liver carcinoma in infants and children (HT). These pTNMs were based on the staging systems developed by the Malignant Tumor Committee of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons. The proposal of subdivision of M category in NB was presented for testing the new telescopic ramifications of TNM. The TNM for HT was added as a new classification recommended for testing. The effectiveness of these TNM systems was assessed using NB, WT and hepatoblastoma (HB) cases which were registered in collaborating institutes. The analyses suggested that pTNM, especially the J-pTNM system in NB, WT and HT were effective for the assessment of prognoses, although cTNM systems were not enough to assess the extent of the disease.

Effects of loxiglumide on pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by cholecystokinin-8 in conscious dogs

The effects of loxiglumide (CAS 107097-80-3, CR 1505), a novel cholecystokinin-A(CCK-A) receptor antagonist, on pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by exogenously administered CCK-8 were examined in conscious dogs with chronic pancreatic fistula. Pancreatic exocrine secretion in dogs was significantly increased by intravenous infusion of CCK-8 at a dose of 0.06 microgram/kg/h. Loxiglumide inhibited CCK-8-augmented outputs of pancreatic protein, trypsin and amylase at intravenous doses of 1, 3, 10 mg/kg/h (p < 0.05 or 0.01), and inhibited pancreatic juice volume at a dose of 10 mg/kg/h (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that the selective CCK-A antagonist loxiglumide inhibited the increase of pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by CCK-8 based on selective blockade of receptor binding of CCK in dogs.

Effects of loxiglumide on pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by meal in conscious dogs

The effects of loxiglumide (CAS 107097-80-3, CR 1505), a novel cholecystokinin-A(CCK-A) receptor antagonist, on pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by meal were examined in conscious dogs with chronic pancreatic fistula. Pancreatic exocrine secretion was stimulated by intraduodenal infusion of a liquid test meal and postprandial plasma CCK levels were apparently elevated. Loxiglumide inhibited the meal-stimulated outputs of pancreatic protein, amylase and bicarbonate at an intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg/h (p < 0.05). However, loxiglumide did not show apparent inhibition of pancreatic juice volume and trypsin output. These results show that the selective CCK-A antagonist loxiglumide may inhibit the increase of pancreatic exocrine secretion based on selective blockade of receptor binding of CCK endogenously induced by meal in dogs.

Acute mesenteric ischemia. CT and plain radiographic analysis of 26 cases

The purpose of this study was to assess the computed tomography (CT) and plain radiographic findings of acute mesenteric ischemia, in an effort to elucidate its poor prognostic signs. The study group consisted of 26 cases with pathologically or angiographically proven mesenteric ischemia. The pathologically proven longitudinal extent of the bowel ischemia was graded using six degrees, and correlated with the radiographic findings. The mortality of the patients depended primarily on the extent of infarctions and the age of the patient. Patients with bowel dilation or abnormal gas in the bowel wall or portal system were prone to have wider extents of ischemia.

General pharmacological profile of the novel cholecystokinin-A antagonist loxiglumide

The general pharmacological properties of a novel cholecystokinin-A antagonist, loxiglumide ((+/-)-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzamido)-N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-pentylgl utaramic acid, CR 1505, CAS 107097-80-3) on central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardio-respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, hematological and miscellaneous systems were investigated in experimental animals. 1. Central nervous system: At a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.v. loxiglumide showed ptosis in one of 6 mice, but at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v. no change on gross behavior in mice. Loxiglumide had no effect on locomotor activity and thiopental-induced hypnosis, anti-convulsive activity, analgesic activity in mice and rectal temperature changes in rats. 2. Autonomic nervous system: In vitro, loxiglumide at concentrations of 10(-4) and 3 x 10(-4) mol/l slightly inhibited agonist-induced contractions in the isolated guinea pig ileum and spontaneous rhythmic contractions in the isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. But loxiglumide had no effect on oxytocin-induced contraction in isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. 3. Cardio-respiratory system: Loxiglumide had no effect on heart rate and electrocardiogram in anesthetized dogs. But it slightly increased blood pressure and decreased the frequency of respirations at a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.v. Furthermore, loxiglumide slightly decreased femoral arterial blood flow at doses of more than 3 mg/kg, i.v. On the other hand, it had no effect on contractile force or contraction rate in the isolated guinea pig atrium and resting tension in the isolated rabbit aorta. 4. Gastrointestinal system: Loxiglumide increased bile secretion at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.v. in anesthetized rats and at doses of 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.v. in anesthetized dogs. However, total bile acid output was not affected by loxiglumide. On the other hand, loxiglumide had no effect on pancreatic secretion, gastric secretion and gastric emptying in rats and intestinal transport activity in mice. 5. Hematology: In vitro, in the case of samples without bovine serum albumin, at concentrations of more than 1.9 x 10(-3) mol/l loxiglumide showed hemolysis, while in the case of samples with bovine serum albumin, at concentrations of more than 6.9 x 10(-3) mol/l loxiglumide showed hemolysis, and its maximal potency was weak compared to albumin-free conditions. On the other hand, in vivo, loxiglumide had no effect on hemolysis. In addition, it had no effect on platelet aggregation, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. 6. Miscellaneous pharmacological actions: Loxiglumide had no effect on local anesthetic activity in guinea pigs and renal function in mice. These results suggest that loxiglumide seems to produce no serious side effects on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardio-respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, hematological and miscellaneous systems at pharmacologically effective doses.

Mice deficient in the alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor lack alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites and hippocampal fast nicotinic currents

The alpha7 subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is abundantly expressed in hippocampus and is implicated in modulating neurotransmitter release and in binding alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT). A null mutation for the alpha7 subunit was prepared by deleting the last three exons of the gene. Mice homozygous for the null mutation lack detectable mRNA, but the mice are viable and anatomically normal. Neuropathological examination of the brain revealed normal structure and cell layering, including normal cortical barrel fields; histochemical assessment of the hippocampus was also normal. Autoradiography with [3H]nicotine revealed no detectable abnormalities of high-affinity nicotine binding sites, but there was an absence of high-affinity [125I]alpha-BGT sites. Null mice also lack rapidly desensitizing, methyllycaconitine-sensitive, nicotinic currents that are present in hippocampal neurons. The results of this study indicate that the alpha-BGT binding sites are equivalent to the alpha7-containing nAChRs that mediate fast, desensitizing nicotinic currents in the hippocampus. These mice demonstrate that the alpha7 subunit is not essential for normal development or for apparently normal neurological function, but the mice may prove to have subtle phenotypic abnormalities and will be valuable in defining the functional role of this gene product in vivo.

The activity of 17alpha-hydroxylase/C17-C20 lyase in the ovaries of immature hypophysectomized rats treated with recombinant FSH combined with various doses of human chorionic gonadotropin

The activity of 17alpha-hydroxylase/C17-C20 lyase (17alpha-hydroxylase) in the ovaries and steroid hormone levels in the plasma were studied in immature hypophysectomized rats (IH-rats) treated with human recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rec-FSH) alone or combined with various doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Eleven days after hypophysectomy, rats were given rec-FSH alone (total dose, 40 IU), or combined with various doses (0.1 to 10 IU in total) of hCG, twice daily for 4 days. Plasma levels of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol, and ovarian 17alpha-hydroxylase activity were measured 18 h after the last injection. Histology showed that the ovaries treated with rec-FSH alone had large antral follicles, the theca interna cells of which were small in size compared with those treated with rec-FSH combined with hCG. The activity of 17alpha-hydroxylase in the ovaries of IH-rats treated with rec-FSH alone was lower than that in the control IH-rats. It was markedly increased by treatment with rec-FSH combined with 1 or 10 IU hCG. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 17alpha-hydroxylase was localized only in the oocyte in the ovaries of control IH-rats and those treated with rec-FSH alone. When the IH-rats were treated with rec-FSH plus hCG, the number of immunopositive theca interna cells and interstitial cells, and their immunointensity were increased in an hCG dose-dependent manner. The plasma estradiol levels in the IH-rats treated with rec-FSH alone were low, but significantly higher than those in the control IH-rats, and estradiol levels were noticeably elevated in IH-rats treated with rec-FSH plus hCG. These results suggest that a synergism between hCG (LH) and FSH is essential for follicular development and steroidogenesis in the ovaries, implying paracrine effects among granulosa cells, theca cells and probably oocytes. The functional significance of 17alpha-hydroxylase in the oocytes is discussed in relation to estradiol production.

Cholecystokinin antagonistic activities of loxiglumide

Cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonistic activities of loxiglumide ((+/-)-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzamido)-N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-pentylgl utaramic acid, CR1505, CAS 107097-80-3) were investigated in the gastrointestine and gallbladder in vivo. Intravenous administration of loxiglumide antagonized the CCK-induced reduction of gastric emptying in rats, acceleration of intestinal transport in mice, increase in ileal motility in rabbits, gallbladder contraction in guinea pigs and acceleration of gallbladder emptying in mice. Orally administered loxiglumide also antagonized the CCK-induced gallbladder emptying in mice. Furthermore, egg yolk-stimulated gallbladder emptying in mice was also inhibited by loxiglumide, indicating that this agent antagonizes not only exogenous but also endogenous CCK. These results demonstrate that loxiglumide is an intravenously and orally effective, potent CCK antagonist.

Human cDNA encoding a novel TGF-beta superfamily protein highly expressed in placenta

Recently, we developed a simple method for detecting a secretory signal sequence encoded by a cDNA fragment. In this study, we used this method to select cDNA clones encoding secretory proteins from a human full-length cDNA library. Full-sequencing analysis of the candidate clones revealed that one clone encoded a novel TGF-beta superfamily protein. The clone encodes a protein of 308 amino acids of which the C-terminal region shows a characteristic feature of TGF-beta superfamily proteins: seven conserved cysteine residues at the C-terminal preceded by a putative processing site composed of a basic amino acid repeat. The corresponding transcripts are highly expressed in the placenta, so the novel protein may play an important role in reproduction.