Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Sporothrix schenckii in Costa Rica

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) types using restriction patterns with HaeIII were investigated in 21 clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii in Costa Rica. Nineteen isolates were found to be a new mtDNA type (Type 14), while the remaining two were Type 3 and Type 6. Based on the phylogeny of 14 mtDNA types constructed by estimating sequence divergences of mtDNA, S. schenckii were clustered into two main groups: Group A and Group B, with Type 14 and Type 3 included in Group A, and Type 6 in Group B. The results suggest that isolates of Group A may exist mainly in Central America including Costa Rica.

A case of Trichuris trichiura infection diagnosed by colonoscopy

A 65-year-old Japanese female was admitted to our hospital because of right lower abdominal pain. Laboratory and roentgenological tests revealed no abnormalities. Repeated stool examinations revealed no ovum or parasite. However, colonoscopic examination demonstrated the presence of a parasite on the edematous mucosa of cecum. The adult male whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) was then removed endoscopically. Her symptoms disappeared quickly, and no additional parasite was found in the feces during or after the mebendazole treatment. Repeated stool examinations failed to show any ova, because this patient was infected by a single male parasite. Colonoscopic study should be considered a useful tool for the diagnosis of T. trichiura infection, even if no ovum is found in stool examination.

Effects of endothelin-1 on optic nerve head blood flow in cats

We determined the effects of endothelin-1 on optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow in anesthetized cats. Endothelin-1 (50-2500 pmol) injected into the vitreous produced a dose-related and sustained decrease (22 +/- 6% by 500 pmol and 36 +/- 11% by 2500 pmol) in the ONH blood flow. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) remained, however, unchanged. In contrast, intravenous (i.v.) injected endothelin-1 (0.004-0.4 nmol kg-1) produced a dose-related and short-lasting increase in the ONH blood flow; its maximum increase by 0.4 nmol kg-1 was 135 +/- 34%. Endothelin-1, at 0.4 nmol kg-1, i.v., produced a transient decrease followed by a more sustained increase in BP, but had no remarkable effect on HR. The increase in ONH blood flow by i.v. injection of endothelin-1 was abolished by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 5 mg kg-1 min-1, i.v.). The suppression of blood flow by L-NAME was reversed by the addition of L-arginine (50 mg kg-1 min-1). Pressor responses to endothelin-1 (0.4 nmol kg-1, i.v.) were augmented in the presence of L-NAME, but reversed in combination with L-arginine. These findings suggest that i.v. injection of endothelin-1 causes NO release from endothelial cells which increases ONH blood flow, whereas intravitreal injection of endothelin-1 decreases ONH blood flow by its vasoconstrictive effect. Different populations of ET receptors on vascular smooth muscles or endothelial cells would reflect the opposing effects of endothelin-1.

Pure-tone audiometry and auditory brainstem responses in noise-induced deafness

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to find the relationship between pure-tone audiometry results and the auditory brainstem response wave abnormalities.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) from 22 patients (44 ears) with diagnosed noise-induced permanent hearing loss were studied. Three indices of PTA were average thresholds of 0.5 kHz/, /1 kHz, and 2 kHz (PTA1); 2 kHz and 4 kHz (PTA2); and 4 kHz (PTA3) were subdivided into 3 thresholds of hearing. Their relationships with ABR results were analysed. The patterns of PTA from various groups of ABR wave patterns were studied.

RESULTS

In this study, the abnormal ABR wave patterns were detected in 72.7% of the ears. The ears with prolonged ABR wave latency, absent early waves, prolong interpeak wave I-V latency was 20.5%, 18.2%, and 21.1%, respectively. Normal ABRs were recorded in 27.3% of the ears despite marked thresholds elevation of the PTA at high frequencies. Other relationships between PTA results and ABR wave results were discussed.

CONCLUSION

There were relationships between severity of noise-induced hearing loss indicated by PTA and the patterns of ABR wave abnormalities among workers with noise-induced permanent hearing loss.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the male urethra

We report a case of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in the bulbomembranous urethra. The patient underwent radical cystectomy and total penectomy, followed by systemic chemotherapy. Metastases in lungs, skin, and lymph nodes (inguinal, iliac, para-aortic, and tracheobronchial) were found within 2 months after operation. We reviewed 37 cases of primary adenocarcinomas of the male urethra.

Dose response study of ipratropium bromide aerosol on maximum exercise performance in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Although the bronchodilating effect of inhaled anticholinergics has been established in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their effects on exercise capacity are still controversial. Previous studies have suggested that the standard dosage hardly affects exercise tolerance, whereas higher doses might elicit an improvement. The aim of the present study was to determine the dose of ipratropium bromide aerosol that improves exercise performance using progressive cycle ergometry in patients with stable COPD.

METHODS

Twenty men with stable COPD of mean (SD) age 69.2 (4.6) years and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.00 (0.37) 1 were studied in a randomised double blind manner. Each patient received ipratropium bromide in doses of 240 micrograms, 160 micrograms, 80 micrograms, 40 micrograms, and placebo from a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with an InspirEase spacer on five separate days. Spirometric parameters were assessed before and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after each inhalation, and pulse rate and blood pressure were also measured immediately before each spirometric measurement. Symptom limited progressive (20 watts/min) cycle ergometer exercise tests were performed 90 minutes after each inhalation.

RESULTS

Ipratropium bromide in doses of 160 micrograms and 240 micrograms produced a greater increase in FEV1 than 40 micrograms or 80 micrograms ipratropium bromide at all time points. Doses of 160 micrograms and 240 micrograms ipratropium bromide also produced greater increases in maximal work load and maximal oxygen consumption than placebo, whereas 40 micrograms and 80 micrograms ipratropium bromide did not. There was a weak correlation between the change in FEV1 and the change in maximal work load (r = 0.45). No differences were found in pulse rate or blood pressure between the treatment and placebo groups, and no side effects were noted throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

A dose of at least four times the standard dose of ipratropium bromide from an MDI with a spacer device was necessary to improve maximal cycle exercise capacity in patients with stable COPD. Although the data from cycle ergometry cannot be directly applied to exercise performed during day to day activities, it is conceivable that the recommended doses of ipratropium bromide do not elicit the optimal clinical benefits.

Intracarotid blood pressure changes during contrast medium injection

PURPOSE

To investigate changes in blood pressure during intracarotid injection of contrast material.

METHODS

Two catheters were inserted into the ipsilateral common carotid artery of dogs. The proximal catheter was used for injection of contrast material and the other was positioned distally to monitor blood pressure.

RESULTS

Distal intracarotid pressure rose significantly during injection of contrast material at all rates (5, 7, and 10 mL/s) and at all doses (0.2, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mL/kg). In addition, these blood pressure elevations were shown to be correlated with injection rates and doses. Even when the pressure-monitoring coaxial catheter was advanced into smaller arteries, no decline in the impact of injection was observed.

CONCLUSION

Intracarotid injection of contrast material causes a temporal elevation of cerebral blood pressure in dogs.

Development of a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump as a cardiac assist device for long-term application

To overcome problems with the shaft seal in conventional centrifugal pumps, the authors have been developing a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump (MSCP) that operates as a valveless, sealless, and bearingless pump. The prototype of the MSCP was modified with respect to size of the volute diffuser and impeller blade profiles. A hemolysis test in vitro using a new version of the MSCP was performed in comparison with a commercially available centrifugal pump. The test circuit for the hemolysis test comprised a blood reservoir, a pump, and polyvinyl tubes, and was filled with fresh heparinized bovine blood. The pumping conditions were a flow rate of 5 L/min and a pump head afterload of 100 mmHg. The index of hemolysis in the MSCP was significantly lower than that in the Biomedicus pump (0.0035 +/- 0.0025 versus 0.0097 +/- 0.0056 g/100 L, p < 0.05). Reduction in the platelet count during pumping also was lower in the MSCP compared with the Biomedicus pump at both 6 hrs and 12 hrs of pumping (p < 0.01). This MSCP may be advantageous for extended use of assist devices, not only from the theoretical point of view, but in a practical sense after the results of the current hemolysis test.

Bronchial mucoid impaction due to the monokaryotic mycelium of Schizophyllum commune

We report, to our knowledge, the first case of mucoid impaction of the bronchi due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the monokaryotic mycelium of Schizophyllum commune. The patient was hospitalized because of mild asthma attacks, persistent cough, peripheral eosinophilia, and "gloved finger" shadows on a chest roentgenogram. Bronchoscopic examination disclosed mucoid impactions that consisted of accumulations of eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystals, and nondichotomously branched hyphae in B3, B9, and B10 of the left lung. Cultures of the mucous plugs and sputum samples yielded white, felt-like mycelial colonies that were later identified as the monokaryotic mycelium of S. commune by use of mating tests with established monokaryotic and dikaryotic strains of S. commune. The results of tests for serum antibody to S. commune cytosol antigen were positive. Repeated bronchoscopies for performing bronchial toilet were effective in removing the mucous plugs and relieving the patient's symptoms. We suggest that the monokaryotic mycelium of S. commune should be considered as one of the fungi that can cause hypersensitivity-related lung diseases.

Erythropoietin-producing adrenocortical carcinoma

A 62-year-old Japanese male with an erythropoietin-producing adrenocortical carcinoma is presented. The elevated erythropoietin level and erythrocytosis returned to normal after surgical removal of a huge left adrenal tumor weighing 1,580 g. A histopathological diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma was made. Despite adjuvant combined chemotherapy, the patient died of lung and liver metastases 3.5 months after operation. Although the possibility that the elevated plasma erythropoietin level and erythrocytosis resulted from local kidney hypoxia, caused by pressure from the huge adrenal tumor, cannot be completely neglected, the positive cytoplasmatic evidence of immunoreactive erythropoietin in the carcinoma cells and the detection of a high erythropoietin level in the tumor extract on radioimmunoassay confirmed that this is a very rare case of erythropoietin-producing adrenocortical carcinoma.

[High-dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and maximal improvements in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

High doses of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) are effective in some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, dose-response data for this agent are limited. To determine whether patients receive maximum benefit from 1600 micrograms of BDP, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Twenty-one patients with stable COPD [mean +/- SD: age, 69.1 +/- 6.8 yrs; FEV1, 0.86 +/- 0.28 L] were treated with both inhaled bronchodilators and 1600 micrograms of BDP daily for at least 3 months. Each patient received 30 mg of oral prednisolone or a placebo for 3 weeks. In addition to end-point spirometric assessments daily peak expiratory flow rate, symptom scores, and scores on a chronic respiratory disease questionnaire were recorded for the last week of each 3-week period. Oral prednisolone did not improve FEV1, FVC, symptoms or scores on the questionnaire. We conclude that 1600 micrograms of BDP in addition to inhaled bronchodilators produces maximal improvements in stable patients with COPD.

[Pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma--clinical analysis of 17 patients]

We studied the clinical features of 17 Japanese patients with pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma. Fourteen of the patients were men and three were women; they ranged in age from 19 to 64 years, with a mean of 34 years at the time of the first examination. Pathologic diagnosis in all patients was based on histologic findings of specimens obtained by open lung biopsy. Major symptoms were dry or productive cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and fever; 23.3% of the patients were asymptomatic. Five patients had pneumothorax. Most patients did not have abnormal physical signs. All 17 patients had histories of smoking, and 14 had started to smoke cigaretts before the age of 20 years. Ten patients (58.8%) first presented with cough or dyspnea, and in the other patients (41.2%) the first abnormalities detected were pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiographs during health examinations. Chest roentgenograms usually showed bilateral abnormalities. These abnormalities were distributed over all lung fields in 9 cases (52.9%), in the upper and middle lung fields in 4 cases (23.5%) in the upper lung fields in 3 cases (17.7%), and in the middle lung fields in 1 case (5.9%). Micronodular, reticular, cystic or linear shadows were evident in most cases, and were mixed in various proportions. Eleven patients (65%) had abnormalities of pulmonary function. Low %VC and %FEV1 and high RV/TLC ratios were observed in 20-40% of the patients. Low DLCOs (%DLCO < 70%) were observed in 53% of the patients. Arterial blood gases were normal in 11 of 15 patients. The extent of shadows in the chest roentgenogram was related to the frequency of dyspnea, to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and to the abnormally low %FVC and %FEV1, but not to the %DLCO. Data from bronchoalveolor lavage fluid were non-specific in this disease, but further studies will be needed. Follow-up data were collected on 16 patients. The mean time from the histologic diagnosis after open lung biopsy to the last observation was 81.8 +/- 45.1 months (range, 2 months to 15 years). One patient died of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma. The usefulness of steroid therapy remains uncertain.

Partial inhibition of protein synthesis accelerates the synthesis of porphyrin in heme-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli defective in the HemA protein grow extremely poorly as the result of heme deficiency. A novel hemA mutant was identified whose rate of growth was dramatically enhanced by addition to the medium of low concentrations of translational inhibitors, such as chloramphenicol and tetracycline. This mutant (H110) carries mutation at position 314 in the hemA gene, which resulted in diminished activity of the encoded protein. Restoration of growth of H110 upon addition of the drugs mentioned above was due to activation of the synthesis of porphyrin. However, this activation was not characteristic exclusively of cells with this mutant hemA gene since it was also observed in a heme-deficient strain bearing the wild-type hemA gene. The activation did not depend on the promoter activity of the hemA gene, as indicated by studies with fusion genes. It appears that partial inhibition of protein synthesis via inhibition of peptidyltransferase can promote the synthesis of porphyrin by providing an increased supply of glutamyl-tRNA for porphyrin synthesis. Glutamyl-tRNA is the common substrate for peptidyltransferase and HemA.

[Epidemic of influenza in Kyushu-Okinawa District (April 1994-March 1995)]

The prevalence of influenza in Kyushu-Okinawa District in April 1994- March 1995 was studied as the prevalence of influenza virus, to determine the sero-type of influenza viruses isolated in Kyushu- Okinawa District prefectures and cities. As a result, three sero-types of influenza viruses, i.e. type A/H1N1, type H3N2 and type B, were isolated in Kyushu-Okinawa District in this season, but most of the isolates were type A/H3N2 and type B. Weekly changes of reported influenza patients and period of virus isolation at local public health institutes revealed that influenza epidemics of the earlier part in this season was caused by type A/H3N2 and the latter part due to type B. Type A/H3N2 spread all over Kyushu-Okinawa District in a shorter period (about 2 weeks) through the westside of Kyushu and down south, and type B stayed about one month in northern Kyushu and took about 7 weeks to spread all over Kyushu-Okinawa District. Based on these results, the spread of influenza virus in Kyushu-Okinawa District was visualized on the isopleth maps.

Effect of breed type and sex on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and intramuscular lipids of finishing steers and heifers

Effects of breed type and sex on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous neutral lipid and intramuscular neutral and phospholipids of longissimus lumborum muscle were investigated using 145 steers and 82 heifers that consisted of pure Japanese Black and Holstein and crossbreds among Japanese Black, Holstein, Japanese Brown, and Charolais. Steers and heifers were reared on a high plane of nutrition and were fed the same concentrate diet and rice straw. All animals were slaughtered serially and carcass composition was determined by dissection of the left side of the carcass. Breed type and sex differences of fatty acid percentages of carcass lipids were compared by adjusting the percentages to mean carcass fat percentages. Heifers had higher contents of 18:1 and total monounsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous and intramuscular neutral lipids than steers (P < .05). The fatty acid composition of intramuscular phospholipids differed between sexes for 16:0, 20:1, and 20:5, but the differences were small. Breed differences were significant (P < .05) in steers for 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, and total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in both subcutaneous and intramuscular neutral lipids, and iso-16:0, 16:0, and total saturated fatty acids in phospholipids, respectively. However, in heifers, fewer fatty acids differed (P < .05) among breed types in the neutral lipids. It is suggested that the Japanese Black has a genetic predisposition for producing carcass lipids containing higher concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids than Holstein, Japanese Brown, or Charolais.

Cell-surface hydrophobicity and lipolysis as essential factors in human tinea nigra

Hydrophobic adhesion of cells of the black yeast Hortaea werneckii (Horta) Nishimura & Miyaji, causative agent of human tinea nigra, was established by microbial adhesion to hexadecane (MATH) and adhesion to polystyrene, and compared with adhesion of other species of black yeasts. Additional ecophysiological tests were performed. Hortaea werneckii cells proved to have a high degree of hydrophobicity (98.5% MATH). The species is unable to degrade keratin, but shows significant lipolytic activity. It is concluded that H. werneckii is a commensal, that shows lipophilic adhesion to human skin and survives by the assimilation of excretion products.

The human protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene (PPOX): organization and location to chromosome 1

We determined the structure of the human protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) gene after isolation and characterization of lambda phage clones mapping discrete regions of the cDNA. Southern blotting of human genomic DNA showed that there is a single copy of the PPOX gene, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes mapped the gene to region 1q22. The gene has 13 exons and about 8 kb. The exon/intron boundary sequences conform to consensus acceptor (GTn) and donor (nAG) sequences, and exons in the gene appear to encode functional protein domains. Primer extension analysis revealed two major transcriptional initiation sites in a region with sequence motifs characteristic of a promoter. The promoter region contains multiple Sp1 elements, CCAAT boxes, and potential GATA-1 binding sites. Mapping of the 5' end PPOX mRNA by polymerase chain reaction indicated that there are the same transcripts in erythroid and nonerythroid cells.

Purification and characterization of a paralytic polypeptide from larvae of Myrmeleon bore

A toxic substance was purified from larvae of the antilion, Myrmeleon bore, by DEAE Sephacel and Phenyl Superose column chromatography. The substance was a large polypeptide with a molecular weight of about 165-167 kDa. Its paralytic activity measured by injection against German cockroaches was about 130 times higher than that of tetrodotoxin on a molar basis.

[Prostatic adenocarcinoma showing features of endometrioid and mucinous carcinomas: a case report]

A 77-year-old male was admitted for the examination of post renal acute renal failure. Blood examination revealed renal dysfunction and elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Computed tomography and retrograde pyelography showed bilateral hydronephrosis due to ureteral stenosis. He died of renal failure and autopsy was done. Histologic findings showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate associated with endometrioid and mucinous carcinoma, and metastases of retroperitoneal lymph nodes and multiple bones. Immunohistochemically, endometrioid carcinoma was positive for prostatic acid phosphate (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA), and negative for CEA. Mucinous carcinoma was negative for PAP and PSA, and positive for CEA. Including our case, 29 cases of endometrioid and 32 of mucinous carcinoma of the prostate reported in the Japanese literature are reviewed.

Surface-coil magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory canal and the inner ear. Preliminary report

Parasagittal surface-coil magnetic resonance imaging of the internal auditory canal and the inner ear was performed. We used T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences to visualize the inner ear and the individual nerves in the internal auditory canal with high contrast in a short acquisition time. Computer-assisted quantitative measurement of the nerves was performed to estimate the cross-sectional areas and the diameters of the nerves. The average diameters of the facial nerve, the cochlear nerve, and the vestibular nerve of normal-hearing individuals were, respectively, 1.1 +/- 0.2 mm (mean +/- SD), 1.2 +/- 0.2 mm, and 1.5 +/- 0.2 mm. In the cerebellopontine angle, the average diameter of the eighth nerve was 1.8 +/- 0.2 mm. Two patients with unilateral and bilateral hearing loss were also presented. In the patient with unilateral deafness, the cochlear nerve of the diseased side was not identified and the eighth cranial nerve diameter was smaller than that of the normal side. In the patient with bilateral deafness, fibrosis of the inner ear and atrophy of the eight nerve were demonstrated in the ear with posttraumatic deafness. The present method may represent a new approach to the assessment of pathologic processes involving the inner ear and the nerves in the internal auditory canal.