Inhibitory effect of tea catechins on collagenase activity

A major purpose of this study was to examine inhibitory effect of the catechin derivatives from Japanese green tea Camellia sinensis on collagenase activity. The crude tea catechins, which contain (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (+)-gallocatechin (GC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECg), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), were tested for their ability to inhibit the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell derived collagenase activities. Among the tea catechins tested, ECg and EGCg showed the most potent inhibitory effect on collagenase activity when an optimal concentration of tea catechins (100 micrograms/ml) was added to reaction mixture containing collagenase and collagen. Preincubation of collagenase with tea catechins reduced the collagenase activity as well. In contrast to ECg and EGCg, the other four tea catechins (C, EC, EGC, and GC) did not show any collagenase inhibitory effect. Our results suggest that the steric structure of 3-galloyl radical is important for the inhibition of collagenase activity. The collagenase activity in the gingival crevicular fluid from highly progressive adult periodontitis was completely inhibited by the addition of tea catechins. These results demonstrated that tea catechins containing galloyl radical possess the ability to inhibit both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell derived collagenase.

Localization of E-cadherin adhesion molecules in human gingiva and gingival carcinoma

Immunohistochemical investigations were carried out on the localization and expression of the Ca(2+)-dependent intercellular adhesion molecule E-cadherin in human gingiva and gingival carcinoma. Although E-cadherin did not appear in the parakeratinized layer of either clinically healthy or inflamed gingiva, it did appear strongly in the prickle layer and somewhat more weakly in the basal layer. Immunogold particles reactive to anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibody in the electron microscopic findings were localized only in the vicinity of the desmosomes of the prickle and basal layers. In the case of gingival carcinoma, although E-cadherin was strongly expressed in the cells surrounding the keratinized region in the cancer nests, the expression decreased towards the marginal portion of the cancer nests. The distribution of E-cadherin in these cells may be dependent on the condition of the cancer cells that are potentially invasive. These findings suggest that cells of the parakeratinized layer of gingiva and cells of the marginal portion of the gingival carcinoma nests may easily detach or invade. In addition, the findings suggest that the gingival carcinoma used in this study tended to be invasive.

Production of the vacuolation factor of Bacillus cereus isolated from vomiting-type food poisoning

Vacuole response in HEp-2 cells was induced with culture supernatants of Bacillus cereus strains isolated from outbreaks of vomiting- and diarrheal-type food poisoning grown in rice flour and laboratory media. High vacuole response was obtained with culture supernatants of B. cereus strains isolated from vomiting-type food poisoning grown in cooked rice suspension or on a cooked rice plate, whereas no response was obtained with those of the same strains grown in brain heart infusion and trypto-soya broth media. The vacuole activity appeared only after spore formation of B. cereus. The activity was stable to proteolytic enzymes, heating, and exposing to pH 2.0 and 11.0. Of 124 strains isolated from B. cereus food poisoning that were tested, the vacuole activity was observed by 68 of 110 (61.8%) of the strains isolated from the vomiting-type food poisoning but not by all strains (14 strains) from diarrheal-type ones. Moreover, the vacuole response in the HEp-2 cells was found to be induced by 56 of 76 (73.7%) of the serotype H-1 strains isolated from vomiting-type food poisoning.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: MR evaluation

PURPOSE

To investigate the MR appearance of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of MR images and conventional tomograms in 147 patients.

RESULTS

In the sagittal plane, proton-density images identified the ossified lesions more clearly than did T1- and T2-weighted images. All axial sequences identified the lesions much frequently. T1-weighted images often showed areas of increased intensity within the lesions of the continuous and mixed type, especially within the thick lesions. Fat images by Dixon technique demonstrated same areas of increased intensity, which strongly suggested fatty marrow formation. On conventional tomograms, configurations of radiolucent areas within the lesions corresponded to areas of increased intensity on T1-weighted images.

CONCLUSION

Proton-density sagittal and axial images are important in establishing the diagnosis of OPLL. The areas of increased intensity on T1-weighted images and radiolucent areas suggest marrow formation.

[Recent progress and future prospect of the prolonged extracorporeal lung assist for respiratory failure]

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is becoming an accepted therapeutic option for acute respiratory failure in both infants and adults. ECMO has been applied for relatively short-term support and numerous centers have reported satisfactory results with emphasis on patient selection, techniques of cannulation and perfusion, and prevention of complications. To use ECMO for a prolonged support, however, new type of artificial lung and system need to be developed. Most of the membrane oxygenators have the possibility of serum leakage through micropores. To prevent this problem, several dense membrane oxygenators have been developed and clinically used with good gas exchange. A low heparin dosage during ECMO results in reduced bleeding complication. Full systemic heparinization can be avoided during ECMO by using heparin-coated perfusion equipment. Respiratory support by means of pumpless PA-LA extracorporeal membrane oxygenation driven by pulmonary arterial pressure is attractive because of its simplicity and might be suitable for prolonged use. Further studies are necessary to develop an oxygenator for long-term ECMO.

Protection of rats against dental caries by passive immunization with hen-egg-yolk antibody (IgY)

Hen-egg-yolk antibody (IgY) was prepared against Streptococcus mutans MT8148 serotype c that was cultivated in medium containing sucrose, and it was used in passive caries-immunity studies. Specific pathogen-free rats infected with S. mutans MT8148 (c) and fed with a cariogenic diet containing more than 2% immune yolk powder developed significantly lower caries scores than did the ones infected with the same strain and fed with a diet containing only control yolk powder obtained from non-immunized hens. Similar results were obtained in an experiment with rats infected with S. mutans JC-2 (c) strain. Rats provided a diet supplemented with 0.5% immune water-soluble protein fraction containing S. mutans-specific IgY and challenged with S. mutans MT8148 exhibited significantly fewer caries lesions, compared with control rats on the normal diet.

[Fast MR imaging of liver metastasis using FLASH and FISP--optimal sequences for T1- and T2*-weighted images]

This paper deals with a study to obtain the optimal sequence of gradient echo (GE) for T1- and T2*-weighted images similar to T1- and T2-weighted images of spin echo (SE). Two GE sequences, fast low angle shot (FLASH) and fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP), were performed in 15 cases of liver metastasis in various combination of flip angle (FA), repetition time (TR), and echo time (TE). The optimal combinations were summarized as follows: 1) T1-weighted FLASH image with FA of 40 degrees, TR of 22 msec and TE of 10 msec, 2) T1-weighted FISP image with FA of 70 degrees, TR of 100 msec, TE of 10 msec, 3) both T2*-weighted FLASH and FISP images with FA of 10 degrees, TR of 100 msec and TE of 30 msec. Not only to provide the adequate T1- and T2*-weighted images but also to enable breath-holding MR imaging, GE sequences can optionally take place SE in cases of deteriorated images caused by moving artifacts. Other applications support the re-examination and further detailing when required, conveniently rather in short time.

Anticaries effects of polyphenolic compounds from Japanese green tea

The dental caries inhibiting effect of the extract from Japanese green tea, one of the most popular drinks in Japan, was studied both in vitro and in vivo. The crude tea polyphenolic compounds (designated Sunphenon) from the leaf of Camellia sinensis were found to effectively inhibit the attachment of Streptococcus mutans strain JC-2 (serotype c) to saliva-coated hydroxyapatide discs. Sunphenon was also inhibitory to water-insoluble glucan formation from sucrose by crude glucosyltransferase of S. mutans JC-2 (c). Among the tea catechins tested, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate showed the most potent inhibition of the glucosyltransferase activity. Finally, significantly lower caries scores were observed in specific pathogen free rats infected with S. mutans JC-2 (c) and fed a cariogenic diet and/or drinking water containing 0.05% Sunphenon as compared with control rats not receiving polyphenolic compounds.

[A survey inquiry of clinical examination for 12 years at dental hospital attached to School of Dentistry at Matsudo]

Of the total of 1,371,122 out patients who received the clinical examination in the department of Clinical Pathology. Dental Hospital, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Mastudo for 12 years during April 1, 1977 to March 31, 1989, their clinical examination data were gathered and evaluated. The following results were obtained. 1) The average number of patients who received examination was 1,582.2 per year. 2) The ratio of male to female of the examined patients was 1 to 1.04 respectively. 3) The largest number of patients examined was in their age of 40's in both sexes. 4) Among the various clinical departments, oral surgery department most frequently requested clinical examination followed by head and neck surgery, pedodontics conservative dentistry and anesthesiology departments. 5) Among 7 major clinical examination including general, hematological, biochemical, serological, bacteriological, physiological, and pathological examinations, biochemical evaluation was most frequently requested. In average, 30.5 different examinations were performed per patient. 6) Recently, among pathological and serological examinations, the request of HBs antigen and syphilis examinations were increased.

A clinicopathological study of so-called denture fibroma

We investigated 60 cases of so-called denture fibroma, most of which occurred in women in their 50s to 70s. The most commonly affected areas were the upper alveolar ridge and the bottom of the alveolabial sulcus, and most of the prostheses responsible were complete dentures. Elevated and tumor-like lesions were most frequent. Histopathologically, about 60% of the lesions were of the fibromatous type. Degeneration and inflammation of the salivary glands were identified in one third of cases.

[Mitogenic activity of lipopolysaccharide from Bacteroides intermedius against C3H/HeJ mice spleen cells]

Bacteroides intermedius is one of the periodontal disease generative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharide preparation obtained from B. intermedius ATCC 25611 and ATCC 33563 strains was investigated as to Limulus activity observed with Pyrodic (endotoxin specific) reagent, and mitogenic activity in both normal and tolerant mice induced by Escherichia coli. Limulus activities of all LPS's were nearly similar to that of E. coli. LPS's preparation from B. intermedius were found to be strongly mitogenic for C3H/HeN mice spleen cells, whereas no LPS preparations were mitogenic for thymocytes of BALB/c mice. LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice spleen cells were found to good mitogenic responses to LPS's from B. intermedius, as well as LPS from B. gingivalis 381 strain. Polymyxin B had remarkable inhibitory effect on the mitogenicity of LPS's from B. intermedius for C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice spleen cells, also that activity of B. gingivalis LPS was inhibited by polymyxin B. The mitogenicity of the LPS from B. intermedius, as measured in C3H/HeJ mice spleen cells, was considerably resistant to the proteolytic effects of proteinase K.

Primary lymphoma of the thyroid: a clinical, histological and immunohistochemical study of 20 cases

Twenty cases of malignant lymphoma arising in the thyroid gland were studied clinically, histologically and immunohistochemically. Nineteen cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (15 diffuse and four follicular lymphoma) and one was a plasmacytoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lymphomas using paraffin-embedded sections disclosed that 17 lymphomas were B-cell type and two were T-cell type. The plasmacytoma was of IgG kappa type. The large majority of the lymphomas were associated with an underlying chronic thyroiditis. The 5-year survival rate of the patients was 70%. An unfavourable diagnosis was more likely when the tumour was diffuse rather than follicular, when it was of diffuse large cell type or of immunoblastic type and when there was cervical lymph node involvement.

Muscular sarcoidosis: findings at MR imaging

Twelve patients with muscular sarcoidosis were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging: Nine patients had the nodular type and three had the myopathic type of muscular sarcoidosis. The nodular type showed a characteristic appearance on MR images. In each patient with the nodular type, both T1- and T2-weighted axial spin-echo images showed an oval nodule consisting of a star-shaped area of low signal intensity surrounded by an area of high signal intensity. Histopathologic correlation in patients with the nodular type revealed that the central portion of the nodule was fibrotic tissue surrounded by inflammatory granulomatous tissue. In each patient with the myopathic type of muscular sarcoidosis, MR images failed to show any abnormality; the authors hypothesize that this failure correlated with the sparse distribution of epithelioid cell granulomas. Identification of the star-shaped area of low signal intensity may help in the diagnosis of muscular sarcoidosis and the differentiation of lesions associated with sarcoidosis from other soft-tissue masses.

[MR imaging of compressive cervical myelopathy after surgery--high signal intensity of the spinal cord on T2 weighted images]

We reviewed the MR images of 32 patients with cervical myelopathy, showing lesions of high signal intensity in the spinal cord on the sagittal T2 weighted images (T2WI) after surgery: 16 with OPLL; 9 with spondylosis; 4 with disc herniation and 3 with trauma. All images were obtained on a superconducting 1.5 Tesla system. The lesions were classified into five groups, according to the shape and grade of signal intensity on the sagittal T2WI: (I) oval-shaped lesion of signal intensity less brighter than CSF with blurred margin, (II) longitudinal linear-shaped lesion of signal intensity similar to CSF, (III) spindle-shaped lesion of signal intensity similar to CSF, (IV) round-shaped lesion of signal intensity similar to CSF and (V) mixed-types lesions which consisted of group I and II. The present study was summarized as follows: 1) Oval-shaped lesions were seen in the cases of disc herniation and spondylosis with relatively short duration of the symptom, presumptively with relatively short duration of the symptom, presumptively indicative of edema. 2) Most cases of OPLL and spondylosis showed linear-shaped lesions, suggesting necrosis and/or cavitations of the central gray matter. 3) One case of spondylosis developed a spindle-shaped lesion, implicating syringomyelia. 4) Round-shaped lesions were seen in the cases of spinal trauma, suggesting posttraumatic cyst. 5) In a case of mixed-typed lesion examined pre- and postoperatively, only an oval-shaped lesion decreased in size after surgery.

[CT-guided biopsy of thoracic mass lesions followed by fast stain technique]

We performed CT-guided needle biopsy of 92 thoracic mass lesions using a Rotex-II screw needle. Fast stain technique was performed for an immediate evaluation of the specimen in the last 39 procedures. The overall accuracy of malignancy was 93.2%, and the correct histological typing was obtained in 82.8% of malignancy proven at surgery or autopsy. The method enabled histopathological diagnosis of thoracic lesions, which could not obtained by other diagnostic modalities including fiberoptic bronchoscopy or fluoroscopy-guided biopsy. The true positive rate increased up 10.2% to 91.3% by introducing fast stain technique. A close cooperation between radiologists and cytopathologists was essential for performing this CT-guided biopsy procedure followed by fast stain technique.

Distinction of hepatic vein from portal vein by MR imaging

Fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques are assuming importance in imaging of the abdomen in part due to their ability to produce images during breath-holding, which ensures high spatial resolution and no respiratory motion artifacts. One problem with rapid scanning of the liver, shared with other MR techniques, is confusion between portal and hepatic veins due to similarity in signal intensity. The fast low angle shot (FLASH) technique (flip angle 40 degrees, repetition time 28 ms, and echo time 16 ms) produces high signal in both venous systems. To remedy the problem we incorporated presaturation pulses applied across the portal and mesenteric veins to the FLASH technique; this induced a decrease in signal in the portal venous system and facilitated their differentiation from hepatic veins. Moreover, in one patient an intraportal tumor thrombus not detected on the standard FLASH technique was rendered visible by presaturation. Although the presaturation pulses in the present series were confined to the sagittal plane, the technique should be applicable in any plane as dictated by the anatomy and direction of blood flow. We anticipate wide use of combined presaturation and rapid scanning techniques.

[IgG, IgA and IgM serum antibodies against lipopolysaccharide from Bacteroides intermedius in periodontal health and disease]

Serum antibody titers to lipopolysaccharide from Bacteroides intermedius (B. intermedius) and Bacteroides gingivalis (B. gingivalis) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from subjects with healthy gingiva and patients with periodontitis. The IgG antibody titers to LPS from B. gingivalis were significantly higher in the patients group, compared with healthy controls. No such difference was found between IgG activity to LPS from B. intermedius in the healthy and the periodonitis. Likewise, no significant difference in specific IgA level was found between the group with healthy gingiva and the patients group, both in LPS from B. intermedius and B. gingivalis. The IgM antibody levels to LPS from B. intermedius and B. gingivalis were low in subjects of patients and controls.

[Toxicity of Bacteroides intermedius surface extracts against mouse splenic lymphocyte]

The purpose of the present study is to clarify in vitro toxicity of surface sonic extracts from Bacteroides intermedius (B. intermedius) ATCC25611, B. intermedius ATCC 33563 and Bacteroides gingivalis (B. gingivalis) 381 against mouse splenic lymphocyte. Especially the surface extracts from B. intermedius ATCC 25611 were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a column of DEAE. The following results were obtained: 1) The surface extracts from B. gingivalis 381 and B. intermedius ATCC 25611 presented remarkable lymphotoxicity, but B. intermedius ATCC33563 did not have it. 2) The surface extracts from B. intermedius ATCC 25611 was separated to 6 fractions by HPLC. 3) Two fractions isolated from B. intermedius ATCC 25611 surface extracts observed remarkable lymphotoxicity, and the one of their fractions, possibly including fimbriae showed a remarkably higher toxicity against mouse splenic lymphocyte.

[Roentgenologic evaluation of indrawn parietal pleura]

Among linear densities extending out from the lateral margin of a peripheral mass to the pleural surface, a thin line with a small triangular density at the pleural surface is considered to be contiguous layers of indrawn visceral pleura with a small amount of fluid between layers. We agree that the thin line represents contiguous layers of indrawn visceral pleura, but we believe that the triangular density at the pleural surface is not formed by a small amount of pleural effusion, but by indrawn parietal pleura accompanying extrapleural soft tissue of the chest wall. A trapezoid or a belt shaped soft tissue density between a peripheral mass contiguous to the visceral pleura and the chest wall are also signs of indrawn both visceral and parietal pleurae in the presence of adhesion of the pleura over the mass.

[High resolution computed tomography of diffuse interstitial pneumonia during treatment]

HRCT was carried out in twenty patients with diffuse interstitial pneumonia: 13 cases of IIP, 3 of BOOP, 2 of drug-induced pneumonia, 1 of rheumatoid lung and acute interstitial pneumonia of unknown origin. With special attention to inflammatory activity, the patients underwent HRCT periodically during the treatment. Correlative investigation between HRCT image and grade of accumulation in 67Ga scintigraphy was also performed. Response to steroid therapy was clearly reflected on HRCT image, that was shown as decreasing pulmonary density or thinning of honeycomb wall. HRCT is considered to be useful in assessing the activity of diffuse interstitial pneumonia.