[Concentrations of ethanol and ethanol metabolites and symptoms of acute alcohol-intoxicated patients]

Five patients who presented to an emergency room and did not have other injury and disease with acute alcohol intoxication were analyzed about blood and urine ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone levels. The average concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone in blood were 37.0 mM (1.7 mg/ml), 18 microM, 1.00 mM and 18 microM, respectively and the concentrations in urine were 50.8 mM (2.3 mg/ml), 37 microM, 0.79 mM and 47 microM, respectively. Clinical symptoms were concerned with both ethanol concentration and concentrations of ethanol metabolites. Their symptoms of acute alcohol-intoxicated patients were caused by the ethanol concentrations which was less than the levels reported in early studies.

Changes in free and bound alcohol metabolites in the urine during ethanol oxidation

Free and bound ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate, acetone and methanol in urine during alcohol oxidation were analyzed by means of a head space gas chromatography. Four healthy male volunteers drank beer for 20 min with 16 ml/kg for non-flushers (A, B) and 8 ml/kg for flushers (C, D). In the urine, the highest bound ethanol levels were between 0.5-1.1 mM for the non-flushers (NF) and 0.2-0.3 mM for the flushers (F). The urine free ethanol levels were 23-70 times as high as bound ethanol levels. The maximum free acetaldehyde in urine was 11-13 microM for the NF and 26-55 microM for the F. The urine bound acetaldehyde levels were 4-5 microM for the NF and 7-15 microM for the F. Urine acetaldehyde existed in free forms at 2.4-3.6 times as high concentrations as in bound forms during ethanol oxidation. The urine free acetate ranged between 0.3-2.0 mM. The bound acetate varied between 0.7-1.1 mM. The urine free methanol at 70-110 microM before the intake increased to 104-180 microM. The bound methanol reached to 78-126 microM from 48-97 microM before the intake. Ethanol levels in the urine were ethanol dose-dependent, whereas it was thought that free and bound acetaldehyde or acetate reflected individual metabolic abilities and not the amount of ethanol consumed.

Pharmacological profile of KSG-504, a new cholecystokinin-A-receptor antagonist

Pharmacological effects of KSG-504, a newly synthetized compound, on the response induced by exogenous CCK-8 were investigated. KSG-504 inhibited 125I-CCK-8 binding to both rat pancreas and cerebral cortex with IC50 values of 2.0 x 10(-7) M and 8.0 x 10(-5) M, respectively. The selectivity ratio of KSG-504 for pancreatic CCK receptor (CCK-A) was estimated as 400. In the isolated pancreatic acini of rats, KSG-504 caused a parallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curve for CCK-8-stimulated amylase release with no change in its maximal response, indicating a competitive antagonism of the drug for the CCK-A receptor (Schild plot analysis; slope = 0.927, pA2 = 6.9). In addition, KSG-504 produced a significant inhibition of CCK-8-induced pancreatic amylase secretion when administered intravenously or intraduodenally to rats (ED50: 52 micrograms/kg/min by the i.v. route and 12.1 mg/kg by the i.d. route). KSG-504 had equipotent inhibitory effects on both CCK-8-stimulated pancreatic secretion and gallbladder contraction in dogs with ED50 values of 0.98 and 0.84 mg/kg, respectively. KSG-504 also inhibited the CCK-8-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 3.0 x 10(-6) M). These results demonstrate that KSG-504 is a competitive and selective CCK-A-receptor antagonist that is effective in vivo after oral administration.

[A case of amylase producing lung cancer]

The patient was a 72-year-old man, who was admitted to our hospital because of cough. Chest X-rays showed a mass shadow in the right lower lung field. Amylase activities in serum and urine were extremely high. Amylase isozyme pattern identified salivary type amylase. Cytological examination of the sputum suggested adenocarcinoma. Amylase activities in serum and urine gradually decreased with the administration of chemotherapy. Afterwards, pleural effusion increased, and the amylase activity in pleural fluid was also extremely high. Pleural fluid also showed adenocarcinoma. Enzyme-labeled antibody method (PAP) on this specimen from pleural fluid proved that tumor cells were producing amylase ectopically.

[A case of partial absence of the left pericardium]

A rare case of partial absence of the left pericardium was reported. The patient was a seventy-nine year old male and the cause of death was a gastric cancer. The pericardial absence was oval in shape, in egg-size with smooth margin and was located between the superior portion of the left pericardium and the pleural cavity. The pulmonary artery, left auricle and superior part of the left ventricle were visible through the absence. The left phrenic nerve descended along the anterior free margin of the absence.

Papillary adenoma of the lung. Histological and ultrastructural findings in two cases

Two cases of papillary adenoma of the lung are presented along with results of histological and ultrastructural examinations. The tumors were encountered in two asymptomatic patients in a mass-survey chest X-ray examination. The chest X-ray films showed the tumors as well demarcated small lesions. Histologically, both tumors arose in the bronchioles and consisted of cuboidal cells resembling type II pneumocytes showing papillary growth with accompanying edematous connective tissue. Several tumor cells each possessed a large eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion. In case 1, ciliated cells and Clara-like cells were also present in the tumor. Ultrastructurally, most of the tumor cells had various numbers of lamellar bodies in their cytoplasm, indicative of type II pneumocytes, and some of case 1 showed features of Clara cells and ciliated cells. The intranuclear inclusions appeared as aggregates of tubular structures or had lamellar body-like features. These findings are identical to those of papillary adenoma arising from the bronchiole.

[The cephalic arterial system in dogs, especially on the anastomoses between the intracranial and extracranial circulations]

The cephalic arterial system with a special reference to the anastomoses between the extracranial and intracranial circulations was investigated by means of the corrosion casts of 30 dogs. We researched into the cephalic arterial system in dogs according to Bugge's theory. His theory is as follows: ontogenetically it is composed of 4 arterial systems (the internal and external carotids, vertebral and stapedial arteries), although these arteries trans-figure from the primitive basic pattern to the adult one with particular anastomoses between the branches in each of the species. The modification of this basic pattern occurs as a result of the obliteration or persistence of certain parts of the 4 original arterial systems when they are accompanied with various anastomoses. And he emphasizes that the mode of the appearance of each anastomosis is constant in each of the species. In this paper the obtained result is as follows. The stapedial artery that occurred in an early stage of embryonic period obliterates the proximal part except for the supraorbital, infraorbital and mandibular branches. Anastomosis X between the vertebral and external carotid arteries is formed in all the cases. Anastomosis Y between the internal carotid and ascending pharyngeal arteries is found at 20% on the right side and 30% on the left. Anastomosis a1 between the internal ophthalmic artery and each of the orbital arteries derived from the supraorbital branch is recognized at 93% on the right side and 97% on the left, and the other a1 between the internal ophthalmic artery and anastomosis a6 is formed in 7% on the right side and 3% on the left. Anastomosis a2 between the supraorbital and infraorbital branches is recognized in all the cases. Anastomosis a3 between the distal part of the external carotid artery and the proximal portion of the mandibular branch is found out in all. Anastomosis a4 between the distal portion of the internal carotid artery and the supraorbital branch or each of its distal branches in the orbita is recognized at 90% on both sides. Anastomosis a5 between the distal part of the internal carotid artery and the proximal part of the infraorbital branch or the middle meningeal artery is found at 97% on the right side and 87% on the left.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Studies on the synthesis of antiulcer agents. VII. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives]

A number of 2-substituted 2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-5-benzofuranylacryloyl derivatives were synthesized and tested for antiulcer activities in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant antiulcer activities were found in only the compounds (2e-g, p, s) in which hydroxymethyl and methyl groups or acetoxymethyl and methyl groups were introduced on the 2-position of the benzofuranone skeleton. Among the compounds tested, 1-[3-(2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl)acryloyl ] piperidine (2e) was the most promising compound.

[Studies on the synthesis of antiulcer agents. VI. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives]

The derivatives (2) of 3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl) acrylic acid (2b) were synthesized. The compounds (3a-g) in which bromo, methoxy, nitro, amino or acetamido group was introduced on the benzene ring of the derivatives (2) and the compounds (3h-k) in which acryloyl moiety was introduced on the 6- or 7-position of the benzofuranone skeleton also synthesized. Furthermore, propionic acid derivatives (4a-c), acetic acid derivatives (4d-g), formic acid derivatives (4h-k) and oxyacetic acid derivatives (5) were prepared by converting the acryloyl moiety of the derivatives (2) into propionyl, acetyl, formyl and oxyacetyl groups. These compounds were tested for antiulcer activities. Among these compounds, 1-[3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl)acryloyl]piperidine (2d) and 4-[3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl)acryloyl] morpholine (2g) were found to have stronger antiulcer activities.

Effect of route of administration in the micronucleus test with potassium bromate

The effect of intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) versus oral gavage administration (p.o.) of potassium bromate was examined using the micronucleus test in 2 strains of male mice (MS/Ae and CD-1). First, a small acute toxicity test and a pilot micronucleus experiment were performed to determine the appropriate dose range and sampling time for the full-scale micronucleus test. The full-scale test was carried out using doses of 18.8, 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg in the i.p. test and of 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg in the p.o. test. The sampling time was 24 h for both mouse strains. Potassium bromate induced micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) dose-dependently by both routes of administration in both mouse strains. No distinct difference in route of administration was observed in the test with MS/Ae mice. In CD-1 mice more MNPCEs were induced by the i.p. route than by the p.o. route.

[Continuous subcutaneous infusion of GnRH agonist: effective dosage in the treatment of endometriosis and its influence on the ovarian response to human menopausal gonadotropin]

This study was designed to compare the clinical and hormonal efficacy of the treatment for endometriosis using continuous infusion of three different doses of GnRH agonist (A). In addition, we examined the ovarian responsiveness to human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) administration during GnRH-A treatment. Thirteen endometriosis patients were divided into 3 groups and given different doses. GnRH-A (Buserelin) was infused continuously through the subcutaneous route at rates of 200 micrograms (Group I; n = 5), 100 micrograms (Group II, n = 4) and 10 micrograms (Group III; n = 4) per day for 24 weeks. After the start of treatment, serum estradiol (E2) was suppressed to the menopausal range within 2 weeks and thereafter maintained this range until 24 weeks in each group. The LH and FSH response to a GnRH Challenge test was completely abolished within 2 weeks in 3 groups. Although serum FSH decreased to below the pretreatment value within a week, the FSH level was significantly lower in groups I and II than in group III until 8 weeks. No difference in the LH level during the treatment was seen among the 3 groups. After completion of the 24 weeks' treatment, FSH increased rapidly, and ovulation returned within 4 to 6 weeks in each group. Pregnancy was achieved in two patients in group I, one patient in group II and one patient in group III during cycles 2 and 5. Serum E2 increased to 200-300 pg/ml in 3 out of 7 patients treated with hMG during GnRH-A infusion, whereas no increase in E2 was seen in the remaining 4 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Studies on the synthesis of antiulcer agents. V. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives]

In the preceding paper, we reported that 1-[3-[3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-5- yl]acryloyl]piperidine(1a) and 4-[3-[3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-5- yl]acryloyl]morpholine(1b) have potent antiulcer activities. In this paper, propionic acid derivatives (2,3) and oxyacetic acid derivatives (4, 5, 10) were prepared by converting the acryloyl moiety into propionyl and oxyacetyl groups, and tested for antiulcer activities. As a result, [3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]5-yloxy]-a cetamide(4j) exhibited significant antiulcer activities.

[Studies on the synthesis of antiulcer agents. IV. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives]

The derivatives of 3-[3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-5-yl]acrylic acid were synthesized and tested for antiulcer activities. As a result, 1-[3-[3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-5- yl]acryloyl]piperidine(3t) and 4-[3-[3-oxospiro[benzofuran-2(3H),1'-cyclopropan]-5- yl]acryloyl]morpholine(3u) exhibited potent antiulcer activities.

[Successful treatment of endometriosis in women with continuous subcutaneous infusion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A)]

The clinical and hormonal effectiveness of continuous infusion of GnRH-agonist (A) for the treatment of endometriosis was investigated. Five women with endometriosis (stage II-IV) were treated with continuous subcutaneous infusion of 200 micrograms of GnRH-A (Buserelin) per day for 24 weeks. Serum LH and FSH levels increased initially and then FSH levels declined markedly below pretreatment values within a week, followed by a gradual decrease to the normal range of LH levels within 4 weeks. Serum estradiol decreased below early follicular phase levels within 1 to 3 weeks and thereafter continued to decrease to near castrate levels. The LH and FSH responses to 100 micrograms GnRH challenge test were almost completely abolished within 2 weeks. The pulsatile secretion of LH and FSH were also abolished, when assessed at 16 weeks. The tendency toward the slight but significant elevation in FSH levels without an increase in estradiol was noted from about 12 weeks. No vaginal bleeding or spotting was observed in four of the five patients during the course of the treatment. After completion of the 24 weeks of treatment, FSH increased rapidly to the early follicular phase range, and ovulation returned within 4 weeks. Two of the five patients became pregnant during cycles 2 and 5. From these results, we conclude that continuous sc infusion of GnRH-A is highly effective for complete suppression of the pituitary-ovarian function in patients with endometriosis. Further, this treatment appears to be safe and acceptable, because of its rapid reversibility and its lack of side effects.

Interactive NMR and computer simulation studies of lanthionine-ring structures

We report progress in elucidating the structure of nisin, a naturally occurring peptide antibiotic. Nisin contains five rings constrained by lanthionine or methyllanthionine bridges, as well as alpha, beta-unsaturated amino acids. We have determined conformations for two model compounds of ring A and a derivative of ring B through interactive nmr and computer simulation studies. High-resolution nmr techniques provides structural information, which was further refined through molecular dynamics simulations. These methods are being applied to the remaining constrained fragments of the molecule. This conformational information will be employed in an aufbau approach to determining the structure of the entire molecule.

[Pulsatile secretion of prolactin during the human menstrual cycle]

Recent investigations have demonstrated the pulsatile nature of prolactin (PRL) secretion and the synchronous relationship between PRL and LH pulses in normal and hypogonadal women. The present study was designed to confirm this synchrony and to investigate the characteristics of PRL pulses at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were obtained at 10-min intervals beginning at 1000 h for a duration of 4-7 h in women during the follicular (n = 11), preovulatory LH surge (n = 2) and luteal phases (n = 10). Detectable pulses in plasma PRL concentrations were present in almost all subjects during the each phase of the cycle. During the total 121 h-blood sampling throughout the three phases, 62 PRL pulses and 74 LH pulses were detected and about 80% of these PRL pulses were observed to coincide with LH pulses. The mean (+/- SD) pulse frequency of PRL was significantly lower during the luteal phase (0.28 +/- 0.17 pulses/h) than during the follicular (0.64 +/- 0.25 pulses/h) and preovulatory phases (0.72 +/- 0.16 pulses/h). The mean pulse amplitude of PRL was significantly greater during the luteal phase (6.8 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) than during the follicular (3.6 +/- 1.2 ng/ml) and preovulatory phases (4.8 +/- 1.4 ng/ml). These changes in pulse frequency and amplitude were also observed in LH pulses between the follicular and luteal phases, except during the LH surge when LH pulse amplitude increased markedly, whereas that of PRL did not alter. Further, a positive linear correlation between the pulse frequency of PRL and LH (r = 0.74; p less than 0.001) was found throughout the three phases of the cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pulsatile secretion of prolactin and luteinizing hormone and their synchronous relationship during the human menstrual cycle

Recent investigations have demonstrated the pulsatile nature of prolactin (PRL) secretion and the synchronous relationship between PRL and LH pulses in normal and hypogonadal women. The present study was designed to confirm this synchrony and to investigate the characteristics of PRL pulses at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were obtained at 10-minute intervals, beginning at 10.00 hours, for a duration of 4-7 hours, from women during the follicular (n = 11), preovulatory (n = 2) and luteal (n = 10) phases. Detectable pulses in plasma PRL concentrations were present in almost all subjects during each phase of the cycle. During the total 121-hour blood sampling throughout the 3 phases, 62 PRL pulses and 74 LH pulses were detected and about 80% of the PRL pulses were observed to coincide with LH pulses. The mean (+/- SD) pulse frequency of PRL was significantly lower during the luteal phase (0.28 +/- 0.17 pulses/hour) than during the follicular (0.64 +/- 0.25 pulses/hour) and preovulatory (0.72 +/- 0.16 pulses/hour) phases, while the mean pulse amplitude of PRL was significantly greater during the luteal phase (6.8 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) than during the follicular (3.6 +/- 1.2 ng/ml) and preovulatory (4.1 +/- 1.0 ng/ml) phases. These changes in pulse frequency and amplitude were also observed in LH pulses between the follicular and luteal phases, except at the LH surge, when LH pulse amplitude increased markedly, but that of PRL did not alter. Furthermore, a positive linear correlation between the pulse frequency of PRL and LH (r = 0.74, p less than 0.001) was found throughout the 3 phases of the cycle. These results demonstrate that a marked degree of synchrony between PRL and LH pulses is observed during the menstrual cycle and suggest that the frequency and amplitude of PRL pulses vary from the follicular to luteal phases, except at the LH surge, almost in parallel with those of LH pulses.

Merkel cell tumor

A Merkel cell tumor appeared on the left cheek of an 83-year-old female was reported. The tumor was located mainly in the dermis and infiltrated to the subcutaneous adipose tissue with an involvement of the blood vessels and lymphatics at the periphery. Electron-microscopically, few of the dense-cored granules and the single globular aggregates of intermediate filaments at the nuclear indentations were observed. Electron-microscopic uranaffin reaction proved positive reaction on the dense-cored granules. Half of the cytoplasmic border was smooth, while the rest had short projections. Desmosomes or junctional complexes were not detected among the tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, the cytoplasm of tumor cell showed positive reaction to both neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and keratin. The single globular positive spots of the latter were localized in accordance with the aggregates of intermediate filaments. These findings suggested a neurogenic origin with double differentiation, epithelial and neuroendocrine, of the Merkel cell tumor.

Malignant lymphoepithelial lesion

A case of undifferentiated carcinoma arising from benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLEL) of the parotid gland was studied by light and electron microscopy. Histopathologically, the carcinoma was composed of pleomorphic anaplastic cells showing an undifferentiated type among abundant lymphoid tissue forming germinal center. Among the prominent lymphoid tissue, epithelial hyperplasia, dysplasia, and squamous metaplasia of the duct epithelium were found. Dysplastic epithelium revealed a transition with carcinomatous component in some areas. On the electron microscopic observation, the tumor cells were poorly differentiated, possessing desmosomes and intracytoplasmic filaments. The patient is alive and well 2 months after resection of the tumor, but has a high titer of serum Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen in IgG. Eighty five cases of the malignant lymphoepithelial lesion (MLEL) including the present case are summarized.

Plasma-free eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio: a possible new coronary risk factor

Seventy-six effort angina patients who had typical angina on exertion documented by treadmill stress test with evidence of ischemic ST-segment depression and 78 healthy volunteers in urban Japan were investigated in this study. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA) in both groups were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The relationships between the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides in plasma, and the genesis of coronary heart disease were also examined. The ratio (0.08 +/- 0.08) of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) in plasma FFA was significantly lower in effort angina patients than that (0.15 +/- 0.12) in healthy volunteers. The lower ratio was due to significantly lower levels of EPA in the patients than in normals. In 42% of angina patients, the ratio is below 0.03. In all age subgroups except the age 30-39 subgroup, the ratio of EPA/AA was significantly lower in patients than in normals, when divided into four subgroups by using a 10-year age interval. Though the total cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different between the two groups, HDL was significantly lower and total cholesterol/HDL ratio was significantly higher in effort angina patients than in healthy volunteers. However, there was no correlation between EPA/AA ratio and HDL in individuals in either group. From these results, it could be concluded that lower EPA/AA ratio is a new coronary risk indicator other than HDL.