Brain vasopressin is involved in stress-induced suppression of immune function in the rat

The possibility that vasopressin (VP) is involved in stress-induced suppression of immune function was examined in rats. Intermittent electrical footshock for 60 min suppressed the proliferative response of splenic T cells to the mitogen concanavalin A as well as natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity, and the former change was partially, and the latter was completely, blocked by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) preadministration of a V1 receptor antagonist. The footshock-induced suppression of the T cell proliferative response was completely abolished by coadministration of a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor antagonist and the V1 receptor antagonist. The i.c.v. administration of VP suppressed the proliferative response of splenic T cells and NK cytotoxicity in an adrenal-independent manner. These effects were completely reversed by i.c.v. preadministration of the V1 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that brain VP, in conjunction with CRH, suppresses immune function through the V1 receptor in rats under stress.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha gene and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Japanese population

Recently, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha(HNF-1alpha, which is encoded by the TCF1 gene) mutations were reported in a subset of patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY3). We studied the contribution of TCF1 to genetic susceptibility to common non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2) in Japanese subjects by investigating allelic association with type 2 diabetes use of three markers. We also studied the frequency of the G191D mutation, the only mutation of TCF1 reported so far in late-onset type 2 diabetes. A total of 356 subjects were studied. There were no significant differences in allele frequency of the three markers between patients with type 2 diabetes and control subjects. A G191D mutation was not found in the subjects studied, giving a frequency of less than 0.4% in common type 2 diabetes. The lack of association of type 2 diabetes with three markers in and near TCF1 suggests that mutations in TCF1 derived from a limited number of founders are not a major cause of common type 2 diabetes even in the genetically homogeneous Japanese population. The data also indicate that the G191D mutation in TCF1 plays little, if any, role in susceptibility to common type 2 diabetes in the Japanese.

Study of the pharmacokinetics of cefpirome sulphate in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

To determine the appropriate method of administration of the cephem antibiotic cefpirome sulphate in elderly patients.

METHOD

We studied cefpirome's pharmacokinetics in patients with urinary tract infections. Patients received cefpirome sulphate 0.5 g by intravenous drip infusion over 30 mins.

RESULTS

Patients with a creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) of 80 ml/min had an AUC of 96.7 microg.h/ml and a T1/2 of 2.36 h, whereas those with Ccr of 40-80 ml/min had an AUC of 172.0 microg.h/ml and a T1/2 of 3.45 h and those with Ccr of < 40 ml/min had an AUC of 152 microg.h/ ml and a T1/2 of 4.86 h.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that decreased kidney function can cause increases in the AUC and T1/2 of cefpirome. Thus in elderly patients and perhaps also in other patients with decreased kidney function, cefpirome should be administered at an initial dose of 0.5 g.

Effect of primers on bonding agent polymerization

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of primers on the polymerization of bonding agent. We measured the degree of conversion (radical production) and mechanical properties (surface hardness and direct tensile strength) of various adhesives/primers mixed at different ratios and the effect of varying the visible-light curing time. With and without primer treatment, the tensile bond strength of adhesive resin to micacious glass ceramic and human enamel was measured. After the tensile bond test, using the Image Capture System, the failure patterns of adhesive resin bonded to micacious glass-ceramic were analysed. The results show that the mixtures containing the higher amounts of primer yielded a lower degree of conversion and inferior mechanical properties when compared with the mixtures containing a lower proportion of primer, except in the experimental bonding system. The adhesive/primer mixtures inhibited free radical polymerization. The value for the Knoop hardness number and the direct tensile strength of the adhesive/primer mixtures were significantly decreased compared with those of the adhesive bonding agent alone with no primer added. The tensile bond strength of adhesive resin bonded to micacious glass-ceramic or human enamel without primer treatment was significantly greater than that of adhesive resin with primer treatment in certain cases. Most of the fractures of ceramic surfaces were cohesive (within resins) and/or interface (at the ceramic surface) failure.

The importance of body weight history in the occurrence and recovery of osteoporosis in patients with anorexia nervosa: evaluation by dual X-ray absorptiometry and bone metabolic markers

In order to investigate the risk factors, pathogenesis and natural course of the osteoporosis frequently seen in anorexia nervosa, we measured the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine using dual X-ray absorptiometry in 51 Japanese female patients with anorexia nervosa, and followed the change in BMD of 29 patients for 11 to 46 months. We also evaluated the serum osteocalcin and the urinary CrossLaps, degradation products of collagen I, in 103 samples obtained from 51 patients. There was a significant correlation between the spinal BMD and the duration of emaciation below a body mass index (BMI) of 15kg/m2 (r= -0.652, P<0.0001) and 16kg/m2 (r= -0.647, P<0.0001). The increase in BMD per year in the 29 patients significantly correlated with the BMI at the time of entry of each follow-up period (r= 0. 712, P<0.0001). The critical BMI for a positive increase in BMD was 16.4+/-0.3 kg/m2 (mean+/-S.E.M.). The serum osteocalcin declined, while the urinary CrossLaps increased in proportion to a decrease in BMI. Both markers were normalized in patients whose BMI was between 16.4 and 18.5 kg/m2. The ratio of urinary CrossLaps to serum osteocalcin correlated with BMI (r= -0.664, P<0.0001). We conclude that the body weight history is the most important predictor of the presence of osteoporosis as well as of recovery The BMD of patients does not increase to the normal range even several years after the recovery from this disorder, and they remain a high-risk group for osteoporosis in the future.

Antibacterial temporary filling materials: the effect of adding various ratios of Ag-Zn-Zeolite

The effect of a new type of antibacterial temporary filling material was evaluated. Ag-Zn-Zeolite (Bactekiller, Kanebo, Japan) and SiO2 filler were incorporated into urethane acrylate monomer paste in amounts of 5/55, 10/50, 20/40 and 30/30 wt%, respectively. The present study was designed to use a dye penetration test to measure direct inhibition of bacterial growth of four oral bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis). The amounts of silver and zinc ions released from these materials were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated that the occurrence of marginal leakage was low in all of these materials. These materials exhibited prominent in-vitro antibacterial activity against S. mutans and S. mitis. The Ag-Zn-Zeolite in these materials was able to release very small but detectable amounts of Ag and Zn even 4 weeks after the immersion started. The larger the amounts of Ag-Zn-Zeolite that were incorporated, the greater the release of silver and zinc. However, it appears that increasing antibacterial activity is not promoted by the higher ratio of Ag-Zn-Zeolite.

Evaluation of tapered-end toothbrushes regarding subgingival access efficacy

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine how two toothbrushes with highly tapered-end bristle designs compared to a conventional, slightly tapered toothbrush. Toothbrushing was carried out in the laboratory in order to evaluate the simulated subgingival efficacy of the three toothbrush designs. The performance of the three brushes was assessed by measuring the "subgingival regions" of gold-coated typodont left maxillary central teeth where the gold coating had been removed during brushing. The two toothbrushes with highly tapered bristles were statistically significantly (p < 0.01) more effective in removing the gold coating than the conventional toothbrush with slightly tapered bristles on the subgingival area on the anterior typodont teeth.

[Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: an electrophysiological study]

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by symptoms such as neurosensory hearing loss, ataxic gait, and spastic paraparesis. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables us to make a clinical diagnosis. However, the exact pathophysiological mechanism underlying this disorder remains uncertain. Although iron chelation therapy has been attempted experimentally, it has not been successful and there is no effective medical treatment available. Towards the better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism underlying SS, we performed electrophysiological studies, in which multiple evoked potential studies were included, in 3 patients with SS. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) evoked by median nerve stimulation were all normal, but those evoked by the posterior tibial nerve stimulation showed a significant delay of the latency of P40. In the auditory brainstem response (ABR) studies, there were no reproducible responses of the brainstem origin. In the blink reflex studies, R2 latency was delayed in one patient. In visual evoked potential (VEP) studies, the latency of P100 was delayed in two of three patients, unless all the patients clinically showed no visual symptom. The nerve conduction velocity studies performed in peripheral nerves of upper and lower extremities were all normal. The abnormal findings of ABR and SEP may suggest that the acoustic nerve and the posterior funiculus of the spinal cord are involved, respectively. These findings are also in a good agreement with pathological findings of SS reported in the literature. In SS, the hemosiderine accumulation is usually less severe in the visual tract; however, the delay of VEPs may suggest the latent dysfunctioning of the visual system in SS. It is suggested that multiple evoked potential study is useful for clinical evaluation of SS.

Structure and hair follicle-specific expression of genes encoding the rat high sulfur protein B2 family

High sulfur proteins are cysteine-rich proteins synthesized during the differentiation of hair matrix cells, and form hair fibers in association with hair keratin intermediate filaments. Rat high sulfur protein B2 genes were isolated after screening of a rat genomic library using the cDNA as a probe. Sequence analysis of a 4 kb fragment revealed two high sulfur protein genes, B2E and B2F. Both genes lacked introns, with B2F being located at 2 kb downstream of B2E. The 5' flanking regions of both genes had TATA and CAAT boxes, and consensus sequences of B2 genes. The upstream region of B2F had possible AP-1 and Sp-1 binding elements. The high sulfur protein B2E and B2F, which have putative 188 and 122 amino acids, respectively, comprised four distinct domains with a characteristic repetitive sequence. In situ hybridization indicated that the mRNA of high sulfur protein B2 was specifically localized in the cortex of the hair shaft, and northern blot analysis indicated that the expression of B2 increased in anagen and decreased in telogen, suggesting that high sulfur protein B2 synthesized in cortical cells during anagen contributes to the production of hair fibers.

[A case of hepatic metastasis of rectal cancer with familial adenomatous polyposis treated by transarterial administration of low-dose leucovorin and 5-FU]

A 37-year-old man was diagnosed as having a rectal cancer with familial adenomatous polyposis, with the mutation of APC gene, and gastric polyposis, hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and a lipoma of the left arm. The patient underwent a total colectomy for the rectal cancer and a partial resection of the liver for metastasis (S3) which was detected on laparotomy, followed by cannulation in the hepatic artery. After the operation, 5-FU alone and low doses of CDDP and 5-FU were administered, but the level of serum CEA elevated and CT scanning showed multiple liver metastases. Then, low doses of leucovorin (30 mg/body bolus) and 5-FU (500 mg/body/h) were injected through an injection port every week. After 6 months, the level of serum CEA reduced and CT scanning showed minor response (about 30% on the decrease rate), without side effects, including diarrhea, stomatitis and bone marrow suppression.

[Inflammatory reactions and microorganisms cultured from sputum and blood in association with terminal stage infection of patients with lung cancer]

We reviewed our experience with terminal stage infections in patients with lung cancer over an 11 year period at Kurume University Hospital. In patients with end-stage lung cancer, the infection is common and a mortal disease. We examined the clinical features and significance of pathogenic microbes isolated from sputum and blood in patients with lung cancer during their last month. Bacteriological examinations from blood done frequently in patients with episodes of fever revealed that bacteremia was one of the most important disease in terminal stage infection. In the blood cultures from the 22 patients various species of pathogenic microbes were recovered, and nine of which were fungi; five Candida albicans, three Candida tropicalis and one Candida parapsilosis. The major species of bacteria isolated from sputum were Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strain, and Gram-negative bacilli; P. aeruginasa, A. calcoaceticus, K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae, which are known to be frequently involved in hospital-acquired infections. However, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae which were well known to be microbes of respiratory infections were rare. We concluded that we had to reveal the feature of terminal stage infection in order to reduce the fee for medical treatment and improve the QOL of patients with terminal stage lung cancer.

Somatosensory-evoked blink response: investigation of the physiological mechanisms

The somatosensory-evoked blink response (SBR) is a newly identified blink reflex elicited by electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves. The present study was performed to investigate the physiological mechanism underlying the SBR elicited by median nerve stimulation in normal subjects. The peripheral afferents responsible for the SBR included low-threshold cutaneous fibres. In the SBR-positive subjects, the late (R2) component of the blink reflex elicited by supraorbital nerve stimulation and the SBR facilitated each other when both responses were induced at the same time, but they each caused long-lasting inhibition in the other when one stimulus was given as a conditioning stimulus. The extent of inhibition was correlated with the size of the preceding SBR. In the SBR-negative subjects, simultaneous inhibition of R2 was observed when median nerve stimulation was applied as a conditioning stimulus. Brainstem excitability, as evaluated by blink-reflex recovery studies, did not differ between SBR-positive and SBR-negative subjects. Therefore, based on anatomical and physiological findings, it appears that the reflex pathways of the SBR and R2 converge within the brainstem and compete with each other, presumably by presynaptic inhibition at the premotor level, before entering the common blink-reflex pathway. The influence of median nerve stimulation upon tonic contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle was studied to detect the latent SBR. There was not only a facilitatory period corresponding to the SBR but also an active inhibitory period (exteroceptive suppression), suggesting that the mechanism generating the SBR is not only influenced by blink-reflex volleys but also by active exteroceptive suppression. Thus, the SBR may appear as a result of integration of facilitatory and inhibitory mechanisms within the brainstem.

Interleukin-1beta administered intracerebroventricularly stimulates the release of noradrenaline in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus via prostaglandin in the rat

We evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of interleukin (IL)-1beta on the rectal temperature and the release of noradrenaline (NA) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the rat. IL-1beta increased rectal temperature at doses ranging from 300 pg to 300 ng, whereas it, at doses ranging from 3 ng to 300 ng, significantly stimulated the release of NA in the PVN measured by intracerebral microdialysis. The stimulatory effect of IL-1beta on the release of NA was blocked by the subcutaneous injection of indomethacin. These findings suggest that IL-1beta stimulates the release of NA in the PVN via prostaglandin, and that the release of NA in the PVN is not necessarily related to the increase in body temperature.

Genes for a range of growth factors and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors are expressed by isolated human hair follicles

The mRNA expressions of various growth regulatory molecules in single human anagen hair follicles were analysed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Approximately 370 hair follicles were isolated from 20 normal individuals, and 0.90 +/- 0.34 microgram (mean +/- SD) total RNA was extracted per whole hair follicle. The mRNAs of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, FGF-2, FGF-5, FGF-7, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, TGF-beta 1, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, tumour suppressor gene p53 and high sulphur protein were detected in most or all of the examined hair follicles per target gene. In contrast, none of the mRNAs of FGF-3, FGF-4, FGF-6, FGF-9 and IGF-II was detected, and those of TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 were detected in only a limited number of the examined hair follicles. Among cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, the mRNAs of p21waf1/cip1 and p27kip1 were expressed in almost all the hair follicles, while those of p15INK4B and p16INK4A were not detected. These results suggest that both positive and negative factors for the proliferation and differentiation of follicular epithelial cells coexist in a human anagen hair follicle.

Molecular phylogenetic position of podostemaceae, a marvelous aquatic flowering plant family

Podostemaceae are aquatic herbs and are famous for their anomalous vegetative morphology, occurring only in rapids. Because of its peculiar morphology, there were no established theory nor accepted opinion on the phylogenetic position. Especially, Cusset and Cusset (1988) proposed the new class, Podostemopsida beside the Magnollopsida and Liliopsida. We, therefore, consequences extensive and detailled analyses using nucleotide sequences ofrbcL genes for two genera and three species of the family together with many representatives of the families of flowering plants to determine the closest ally. The conclusion was that the Crassulaceae is a sister group to the Podostemaceae.

Neuropeptide Y reverses corticotropin-releasing hormone- and psychological stress-caused shortening of sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep in rats

Intracerebroventricular injection of neuropeptide Y (NPY) prolonged sodium pentobarbital (PhNa)-induced sleep in rats. The prolongation of PbNa-induced sleep by NPY was blocked by naloxone. Both corticotropin-releasing hormone and psychological stress caused shortening of PbNa-induced sleep, and the shortening was reversed by NPY. These results suggest that NPY has a sedative action and that an opioid system in the brain mediates at least in part the action of NPY.

Neutrophil chemotactic activity in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia and the response to erythromycin

The present study was aimed at elucidating the role of inflammatory cells in the pathogenesis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, and the mode of action of erythromycin in inhibiting the progression of the disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained from 16 patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia and 4 control subjects. Neutrophil chemotactic activity was determined in relation to the concentration of two cytokines, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Eight patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, 4 with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophilia and 4 without, received low dose oral erythromycin daily (600 mg) for 2 to 3 months. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained before and after treatment. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia patients with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophilia, the levels of neutrophil chemotactic activity, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly increased compared with levels measured in control subjects and in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia patients without bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophilia. The level of interleukin-8 correlated with the percent of neutrophils and neutrophil chemotactic activity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha did not. Furthermore, the levels of interleukin-8 and neutrophil chemotactic activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia patients with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophilia were significantly decreased following treatment with erythromycin. In contrast, the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not affected by treatment with erythromycin. It is possible that cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is caused by neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and that the favorable clinical effect of erythromycin is due to inhibition of neutrophil accumulation in the peripheral airways through a biological activity other than bacteriostasis, e.g., local suppression of interleukin-8 production.

The effect of glaze on restorative glass-ionomer cements: evaluation of environmental durability in lactic acid solution

The surface texture changes of three kinds of glass-ionomer cements were compared with glazed and polished cement surfaces after thermal cycling in a storage media [lactic acid solution (pH 4.0)]. The changes were measured with regard to the surface roughness, colour-change, gloss, hardness, toothbrush wear, and SEM (scanning electron microscope) observation in the laboratory. The glazed cement surface was not affected after thermal cycling in the lactic acid solution.

Intracerebroventricular administration of neuropeptide Y inhibits release of noradrenaline in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus caused by manual restraint in the rat through an opioid system

Intracerebroventricular injection of 1.5 micrograms neuropeptide Y (NPY) had no effect on basal release of noradrenaline (NA) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), measured by intracerebral microdialysis in the rat. However, it blocked the increase in NA release caused by manual restraint but not that by tail-pinch, and the effect was blocked by naloxone (1.0 mg/kg body weight). Thus, NPY attenuates NA release in the PVN by a painless stressor, such as manual restraint, through an opioid system.

The effect of glaze on restorative glass-ionomer cements

The surface texture changes of three kinds of glass-ionomer cements were compared with various glazed and polished cement surfaces after the initial finishing. Method 1--the glazing agent--was used, and method 2 consisted of four different Shofu Super Snap discs. In method 3 specimens were compressed with a glass plate. The glazed and polished surfaces were used for investigating various properties such as the surface roughness, colour change, gloss, hardness, toothbrush wear, and were also subject to SEM (scanning electron microscope) observation in the laboratory. The period of 48 h after mixing was chosen for the various testing data. The smoothest surface was formed after compression with a glass plate, however, the glazing agent gave the highest gloss surface for glass-ionomer cement. The lower roughness generally observed was for glazing compared to polishing. The glazed surface is effective as a glass-ionomer cement restoration.

The response pattern of noradrenaline release to repeated stress in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus differs according to the form of stress in rats

The effect of two repeated forms of stress, manual restraint and tail-pinch, on noradrenaline (NA) release in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the rat was examined by intracerebral microdialysis. Manual restraint significantly increased NA release, but the stimulatory effect gradually declined when the stress was repeated at intervals of 120 min. High K+ induced a great increase in NA release even when manual restraint produced no significant effect on NA release. In contrast, tail-pinch significantly increased NA release to a greater extent than manual restraint, and the increase in NA release did not change when the stress was repeated three times at intervals of 120 min. These results suggest that desensitization of NA neurons ending in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus occurs in response to painless stress, such as manual restraint, whereas no attenuation of NA release is caused by repeated stress accompanied by pain, such as tail-pinch.

Reversible airway lesions in diffuse panbronchiolitis. Detection by high-resolution computed tomography

The clinical effectiveness of erythromycin for patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) was previously recognized. However, it remains unknown what kind of airway lesions change with the clinical effectiveness induced by erythromycin. We performed the present study to clarify this unknown. We devised a method for scoring findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to aid in the objective evaluation of the airway lesions in patients with DPB. The 18 patients with DPB were treated with oral erythromycin, 600 mg/d. All patients were evaluated by pulmonary function tests and HRCT before and after 3 months of therapy. Characteristic HRCT findings in patients with DPB pretherapy were small nodules, airway ectasia, periairway thickening, and mucus plugging. After erythromycin therapy, there was significant reduction in scores for the extent of small nodular opacities, the severity of periairway thickening, and the extent of mucus plugging with a corresponding significant improvement in results of the pulmonary function test parameters. The present study demonstrated reversible airway lesions in patients with DPB in response to erythromycin therapy.

Adaptation to the cavity floor of the light-cured glass ionomer cement base under a composite restoration

The study attempted to assess methods of prevention of the formation of a contraction gap in a cylindrical enamel and dentine cavity. The influence has been investigated of the tensile bond strength of cement/dentine and cement/composite resin and the direct tensile strength during setting of light-cured glass-ionomer cements. The interface between composite resin/cement and cement/dentine were viewed and photographed by replica techniques under an SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). The most noticeable finding was that an enamel and dentine cavity applicated with light- and auto-cured glass-ionomer cement generally presented with a small construction gap at the tooth restoration interface. However, the light-cured glass-ionomer base (Vitrabond) exhibited significantly better tensile bond strength to dentine and resin performance than the conventional glass-ionomer tested. This study revealed that there was no clear relationship between the adhesion to dentine and the adaptation to the dentine cavity floor.