Examination of angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor expression in human kidneys by immunohistochemistry

Recent studies have suggested that both the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors may be involved in the control of renal function in rodents. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of these receptors in normal and diseased human kidneys. Kidney samples were obtained from 21 patients with and without glomerular lesions (3 control kidney samples from patients undergoing nephrectomy, 4 patients with minimal change disease, 6 patients with IgA nephropathy, and 8 patients with membranous glomerulonephritis). AT1 receptor immunohistochemical staining was examined and found to be most prominent in blood vessels, but staining of the tubules and glomeruli was also seen. In the case of the AT2 receptor, mild-moderate immunohistochemical staining was seen in the blood vessels, with weaker staining in the glomeruli. A similar distribution was seen in the patients with glomerulopathy. These results suggest that both AT1 and AT2 receptors are expressed in the normal human kidney, as well as in patients with glomerular disease. The histological distribution of these receptors supports the notion that both receptors may have a physiological role in normal and diseased kidneys in humans.

Ratio of jet cross sections at square root of s = 630 GeV and 1800 GeV

The D0 Collaboration has measured the inclusive jet cross section in barpp collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV. The results for pseudorapidities (eta)<0.5 are combined with our previous results at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of cross sections with smaller uncertainties than either individual measurement. Next-to-leading-order QCD predictions show excellent agreement with the measurement at 630 GeV; agreement is also satisfactory for the ratio. Specifically, despite a 10% to 15% difference in the absolute magnitude, the dependence of the ratio on jet transverse momentum is very similar for data and theory.

Ratios of multijet Cross Sections in p p collisions at radical(s) = 1.8 TeV

We report on a study of the ratio of inclusive three-jet to inclusive two-jet production cross sections as a function of total transverse energy in p&pmacr; collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV, using data collected with the D0 detector during the 1992-1993 run of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The measurements are used to deduce preferred renormalization scales in perturbative O(alpha(3)(s)) QCD calculations in modeling soft-jet emission.

Inclusive jet production in pp(macro) collisions

We report a new measurement of the pseudorapidity (eta) and transverse-energy ( E(T)) dependence of the inclusive jet production cross section in pp(macro) collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV using 95 pb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The differential cross section d(2)sigma/(dE(T)d eta) is presented up to eta = 3, significantly extending previous measurements. The results are in good overall agreement with next-to-leading order predictions from QCD and indicate a preference for certain parton distribution functions.

Search for large extra dimensions in dielectron and diphoton production

We report a search for effects of large extra spatial dimensions in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV with the D0 detector, using events containing a pair of electrons or photons. The data are in good agreement with the expected background and do not exhibit evidence for large extra dimensions. We set the most restrictive lower limits to date, at the 95% C.L. on the effective Planck scale between 1.0 and 1.4 TeV for several formalisms and numbers of extra dimensions.

Effect of apolipoprotein E allele epsilon4 on the initial phase of amyloid beta-protein accumulation in the human brain

Deposition of amyloid ss-protein (Ass), a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, occurs to some extent in the brains of most elderly individuals. We sought to learn when Ass deposition begins and how deposition is affected by apolipoprotein E allele epsilon4, a strong risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Using an improved extraction protocol and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we quantified the levels of Ass40 and Ass42 in the insoluble fractions of brains from 105 autopsy cases, aged 22 to 81 years at death, who showed no signs of dementia. Ass40 and Ass42 were detected in the insoluble fractions from all of the brains examined; low levels were even found in the brains of patients as young as 20 to 30 years of age. The incidence of significant Ass accumulation increased age-dependently, with Ass42 levels beginning to rise steeply in some patients in their late 40's, accompanied by much smaller increases in Ass40 levels. The presence of the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele was found to significantly enhance the accumulation of Ass42 and, to a lesser extent, that of Ass40. These findings strongly suggest that the presence of epsilon4 allele results in an earlier onset of Ass42 accumulation in the brain.

Three types of putative presympathetic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla studied with rat brainstem-spinal cord preparation

To study the electrophysiological properties of presympathetic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), intracellular recordings were performed by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. We utilized the neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparation, in which the sympathetic neuronal network is thought to be preserved, unlike in slice preparation. In response to stimulation in the ipsilateral Th2 spinal segment including intermediolateral cell column (IML), 33 of 151 non-respiratory RVLM neurons showed antidromic action potentials with a constant latency of 45 ms, and can be considered as presympathetic neurons. We classified and characterized the RVLM presympathetic neurons into three types: 'regularly firing neurons (n=7)', which showed ramp depolarization and frequent action potentials (4.2+/-0.9 spikes/s) with rare excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs); 'irregularly firing neurons (n=21)', which exhibited many EPSPs that modulated the firing rate; and 'silent-type neurons (n=5)', which discharged action potentials only during current-induced depolarization. Lucifer-Yellow staining showed that the irregularly firing neurons were significantly larger and had more dendrites than the regularly firing neurons. All regularly firing neurons retained their discharges during low-Ca2+ -high-Mg2+ superfusion that blocks synaptic input, whereas the discharges in 11 of 16 irregularly firing neurons were abolished, suggesting that the regularly firing neurons discharged independently of synaptic input. Seven of 31 RVLM neurons were hyperpolarized by stimulation of vagal afferent nerves. In summary, three types of RVLM presympathetic neurons were characterized by the patch-clamp technique in the brainstem-spinal cord preparation, in which the connection was preserved from vagal afferent to the Th2 spinal segment through the RVLM. Since antidromic action potentials were demonstrated by stimulation in the Th2 spinal segment in 33 neurons of all three types, all types of RVLM neurons constitute a part of the sympathetic neuronal network.

Probing Balitsky-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov dynamics in the dijet cross section at large rapidity intervals in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1800 and 630 GeV

Inclusive dijet production at large pseudorapidity intervals (Deltaeta) between the two jets has been suggested as a regime for observing Balitsky-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov (BFKL) dynamics. We have measured the dijet cross section for large Deltaeta in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1800 and 630 GeV using the D0 detector. The partonic cross section increases strongly with the size of Deltaeta. The observed growth is even stronger than expected on the basis of BFKL resummation in the leading logarithmic approximation. The growth of the partonic cross section can be accommodated with an effective BFKL intercept of alphaBFKL(20 GeV)=1.65+/-0.07.

Measurement of the W-->taunu production cross section in pp collisions at square root s=1.8 TeV

We report on a measurement of sigma(pp-->W+X)B(W-->taunu) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.8 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. The measurement is based on an integrated luminosity (lum) of 18 pb-1 of data collected with the D0 detector during 1994-1995. We find that sigma(pp-->W+X)B(W-->taunu)=2.22+/-0.09 (stat)+/-0. 10 (syst)+/-0.10 (lum) nb. Lepton universality predicts that the ratio of the tau and electron electroweak charged current couplings to the W boson, gWtau/gWe, be unity. We find gWtau/gWe=0.980+/-0.031, in agreement with lepton universality.

Genetic studies with the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe suggest involvement of wee1, ppa2, and rad24 in induction of cell cycle arrest by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpr

Accessory protein Vpr of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) arrests cell cycling at G(2)/M phase in human and simian cells. Recently, it has been shown that Vpr also causes cell cycle arrest in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which shares the cell cycle regulatory mechanisms with higher eukaryotes including humans. In this study, in order to identify host cellular factors involved in Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest, the ability of Vpr to cause elongated cellular morphology (cdc phenotype) typical of G(2)/M cell cycle arrest in wild-type and various mutant strains of S. pombe was examined. Our results indicated that Vpr caused the cdc phenotype in wild-type S. pombe as well as in strains carrying mutations, such as the cdc2-3w, Deltacdc25, rad1-1, Deltachk1, Deltamik1, and Deltappa1 strains. However, other mutants, such as the cdc2-1w, Deltawee1, Deltappa2, and Deltarad24 strains, failed to show a distinct cdc phenotype in response to Vpr expression. Results of these genetic studies suggested that Wee1, Ppa2, and Rad24 might be required for induction of cell cycle arrest by HIV-1 Vpr. Cell proliferation was inhibited by Vpr expression in all of the strains examined including the ones that did not show the cdc phenotype. The results supported the previously suggested possibility that Vpr affects the cell cycle and cell proliferation through different pathways.

[Influence of dexamethasone on the clinical course of bacterial meningitis in children. Especially on secondary fever. Experiences in 27 institutions]

Of pediatric patients with purulent meningitis seen at the institutions listed in the title page of this paper between 1986 and 1994, 93 patients treated with antibiotics and dexamethasone (DXM) were compared with 91 patients treated with antibiotics alone. The patients receiving antibiotics with dexamethasone achieved overall improvement in inflammatory symptoms and signs and cerebrospinal fluid findings and became afebrile significantly earlier than those receiving antibiotics alone. However, some of the patients became febrile again. The secondary fever rate for the DXM group was much higher than that for the antibiotic alone group (p < 0.0001). In most of the rebounded cases, the body temperature rose above 38 degrees C and remained elevated for 2-4 days. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was cultured daily in 54 and 32 patients receiving antibiotics with and without DXM, respectively. Although this study was not a controlled study in a strict sense, these patients compared. In both groups, the CSF became mostly culture-negative within 48 hours. In a few patients receiving DXM, however, it became culture-negative after 72 hours or longer. DXM caused an adverse effect in a patient with meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The adverse effect was mild gastrointestinal bleeding, which recovered spontaneously. From the findings described above, the use of DXM combined with antibiotic therapy was considered to accelerate the relief from fever and improvement of inflammatory symptoms and signs and CSF findings. The body temperature rose again in more than half of the patients receiving DXM, but fell to normal spontaneously without treatment. The elevation doubtlessly could not be distinguished from recurrence of the meningitis itself or complications. It seems to be likely that no treatment but careful observation is required even if the fever recurs as far as the CSF findings showed favorable progress with excelluent general conditions. When DXM is given, it is essential that CSF tests and culture are repeated during the early stages and the progress is monitored carefully.

Light-induced pigment aggregation in xanthophores of the medaka, Oryzias latipes

The response mechanism of medaka xanthophores to light was examined at the cellular level. Innervated and denervated xanthophores of adult medakas responded to light (9,000 lux) within 30 sec by pigment aggregation, and this aggregation was not mediated through alpha-adrenoceptors on the cell membrane. Maximum sensitivity to light was at wavelengths of 410-420 nm, and the direct effect of light was reversible. Xanthophore responsiveness to light in summer was higher than that in winter. Ca2+ and calmodulin were not involved in the response, but rather, an important role for cAMP and phosphodiesterase (PDE) was suggested. It seems likely that photoreception by visual pigment which is sensitive to light at wavelengths of 410-420 nm increases PDE activity, probably via a G-protein, such as occurs with visual cells in the retina, which causes a decrease in levels of cytosolic cAMP, in turn leading to pigment aggregation within medaka xanthophores.

[Trend of bacterial meningitis in children over a 14 year period (1981 through 1994) in Japan--an analysis based on studies in 27 institutions]

We observed 266 children with purulent meningitis in 27 institutions in Japan during the 14 years from 1981 on dividing these years into 3 periods, 1981-1985, 1986-1990 and 1991-1994, and studied the trend of causative organisms identified in 254 among the 266 patients. Their ages were less than 3 months after birth in 50 children and 3 months or older in 216: there were 141 boys and 125 girls. The causative organisms were H. influenzae in 134 patients and S. pneumoniae in 50, most of them being aged 3 months or older. Next to the above bacteria ranked S. agalactiae in 29 and E. coli in 12, many of the patients were aged less than 3 months. Staphylococcus spp. was found in 7 patients and about 70% of them were aged 3 months or older. L. monocytogenes was found in 4 patients and N. meningitidis in 3 and they were aged 3 months or older in both patient groups. S. pyogenes, Enterococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., P. Mirabilis and Enterobacter spp. were detected each in 1 patient. The causative organism was unknown in 21 patients and there was no double infection. H. influenzae were detected in 18 patients in 1981-1985 period (36.7%), in 56 in 1986-1990 (54.9%) and in 60 in 1991-1994 (63.8%) showing an increasing tendency, but S. pneumoniae exhibited neither an increasing nor decreasing tendency. There was a decreasing tendency with S. agalactiae and E. coli, but the details were not clear because there were few patients aged less than 3 months. Although the period of coexistence of 4 main bacterial species was not made clear in this study. Listeria is considered to develop mainly in the early childhood, and we believe that the conventional way of using a cephem preparation and ampicillin combined for patients under 6 years need not be altered. However, panipenem (phonetic) is likely to be effective for insensible S. pneumoniae for the time being.

Regulation of melanophore responsiveness in the background-adapted medaka, Oryzias latipes: change in the intracellular signaling system

The responsiveness of melanophores of the medaka fish (wild type, Oryzias latipes) to a neurotransmitter and hormones is changed differentially after long-term adaptation to a black or white background. In the present study, we further examined whether this phenomenon involved some change in the intracellular signaling system. Using a permeabilized melanophore model, in which pigment granules could be dispersed by exogenously applied cAMP, the requirement of cAMP for pigment-dispersing reaction was revealed to be higher in melanophores of fish adapted to a black background (B cells) than in those of white background-adapted fish (W cells). Specific inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase did not reduce the difference in the pigment dispersion level between B and W cells. A similar result was obtained with the free catalytic subunit of PKA. In contrast, the inhibition of protein phosphatase activity by okadaic acid diminished the difference in the responsiveness between B and W cells. These results suggest that the activity of protein phosphatase in B cell is higher than that in W cells, and that the change in the melanophore responsiveness by long-term chromatic adaptation to a background involves the change in the enzyme activity in the intracellular signaling system.

[Combined erythropoietin and aprotinin use for blood conservation in elderly coronary bypass patients]

Age is one of the predictors of homologous blood transfusion (HBT) in cardiac surgery. To avoid HBT, we have employed pharmacological blood conservation techniques such as the administration of erythropoietin (EPO) in conjunction with autologous blood donation (ABD) and the administration of aprotinin in prime volume. The effectiveness of these methods was evaluted in elderly patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Seventy-nine elective coronary bypass patients were classified into two groups by age: group A (> or = 70 y.o., n = 29) and group B (< 70 y.o., n = 46). EPO (24,000 U) was administered once a week subcutaneously starting 3 weeks before the operation. ABDs were carried out as long as the blood hemoglobin levels were above 10.5 g/dl. A significant increase of preoperative blood hemoglobin was observed in both groups. Although the blood hemoglobin levels at the beginning of ABD were lower in group A than in group B, the mean amount of predonated blood per patients was similar in both groups. In 79.3% of group A and in 84.8% of group B, HBT was not required: furthermore, in the prodonated patients, this no-HBT rate could be increased to 84.0% of group A and to 88.1% of group B. These results suggest that CABG in elderly patients can be performed safely without HBT when pharmacological blood conservation techniques are employed.

Interaction between endothelin and nitric oxide in sympathetic nerve modulation in hypertensive rats

To test the hypothesis that endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) interact in modulating the sympathetic nervous system in conscious rats, as they do in the endothelium, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were recorded in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) given losartan and compared before and during intravenous infusion of an NO synthase inhibitor, L-NMMA (0.25 mg/kg/min). The slope of the relation between RSNA and MAP to blood pressure reduction was increased in the presence of L-NMMA (from 0.6 +/- 0.1 to 2.8 +/- 0.2), suggesting that endogenous NO suppresses the reflex increase in RSNA. Since NO inhibits ET production in the endothelium, we speculated that the increase in MAP-RSNA slope was due partly to an unmasking of ET, and thus recorded MAP, heart rate, and RSNA during intravenous infusions of both L-NMMA and the ET-type-A-receptor antagonist BQ-485 (0.10 mg/kg/min). The slope decreased significantly in SHR when BQ-485 was added (1.5 +/- 0.2), but not in WKY, implying that unmasked ET enhanced the sympathetic increase via ETA receptors in hypertensive rats. An ETB-receptor antagonist potentiated the sympathetic response only in WKY rats. These results suggest that NO suppressed the reflex increase in RSNA to blood pressure reduction, while ET uncovered by L-NMMA enhanced the sympatho-activation, indicating an interaction between ET and NO in modulating the sympathetic nervous system in conscious hypertensive animals in vivo. In contrast, the interaction was not observed in normotensive rats.

Improvement in baroreflex function by an oral angiotensin receptor antagonist in rats with myocardial infarction

Impaired baroreflex function is a factor responsible for poor prognosis in myocardial infarction patients. Using logistic function curves, we calculated the maximal gain of the baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate in conscious Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats whose left anterior descending artery had been ligated 4 weeks earlier. We further investigated whether 3-week oral treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist TCV-116 would improve the baroreflex in rats with myocardial infarction. The maximal gain of the mean arterial pressure-RSNA relation in spontaneously hypertensive rats with myocardial infarction and treated with vehicle (1.7 +/- 0.1% control per mm Hg) was smaller than the gain in sham-operated hypertensive rats (2.3 +/- 0.1% control per mm Hg). After 3-week oral treatment with TCV-116, the maximal gain of the arterial pressure-RSNA relation in hypertensive rats with myocardial infarction was 2.3 +/- 0.1% control per mm Hg and significantly greater than the gain in infarcted and vehicle-treated hypertensive rats. In hypertensive rats, the maximal gain of the arterial pressure-heart rate relation of infarcted and TCV-116-treated rats was larger than in infarcted and vehicle-treated rats but significantly smaller than in sham-operated rats. These results demonstrate that oral treatment with an angiotensin receptor antagonist is effective in restoring the impaired baroreflex caused by myocardial infarction and that endogenous angiotensin II is one of the critical factors involved in the impaired baroreflex in myocardial infarction.

[Mitral obstruction due to infective endocarditis: a case report]

Acute valvular obstruction caused by vegetation is a rare complication infective endocarditis. To our knowledge, only 9 cases and an autopsy case by Roberts have been reported since 1967. A 46-year-old man admitted with a chief complaint of pyrexia for 2 months duration. Within 24 hours of admission, the patient noticed of increased shortness of breath. Physical examination and the chest X-ray confirmed the pulmonary edema. An echocardiogram revealed a huge echogenic mass that was adherent to the mitral leaflet and obstructed the orifice completely. Soon after the patient fell into cardiogenic shock, an emergency mitral valve replacement was undertaken. At operation, multiple verrucae arising from the entire mitral leaflet was seen to occlude the orifice. The vegetation was excised and replaced with a # 25 Omnicarbon prosthesis. Postoperatively, the patient developed multiple organ failure caused by cardiogenic and septic shock which responded well to intensive medical treatment consisting of hemodialysis and continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Angiographically, a mycotic aneurysm in the left radial artery was found on the 18th postoperative day. After extirpation of the infective focuses, the postoperative course had stabilized. Mitral obstruction due to infective endocarditis is a fatal disease. Prompt diagnosis with echocardiogram and an emergency surgery should be undertaken to save the patient.

Changes in adrenergic innervation to chromatophores during prolonged background adaptation in the medaka, Oryzias latipes

The pattern of adrenergic innervation to scale chromatophores of the wild-type medaka, Oryzias latipes, was examined by autoradiography with 3H-norepinephrine and found for the first time to be changed reversibly during prolonged background adaptation. In scales of the medaka, which was adapted to a black background for 10-15 days, a great number of melanophores and dense networks of varicose fibers were observed: many fibers built up a radial plexus around each melanophore. However, the dense distribution of varicose fibers disappeared with a decrease in the number of melanophores during long-term adaptation to a white background. As to the changes in the innervation pattern to amelanotic melanophores of the medaka, orange-red variety, a similar result was obtained. Although the increase in the number of leucophores was observed in the medaka adapted to a white background, no exact plexuses of labeled fibers were confirmed around leucophores. From these results, it is concluded that the density of chromatic nerve fibers changes in parallel with the variation of the number of melanophores during prolonged background adaptation.

[A case of unroofed coronary sinus with persistent left superior vena cava]

A 44-year-old female with left to right shunt and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) suspected of unroofed coronary sinus defect with patent right SVC and innominate vein was treated surgically. PLSVC was ligated and coronary sinus ostium was closed with a EPTFE patch. Roof defect of coronary sinus was left open and allowed the coronary venous blood to drain into the left atrium. Patient recovered well and post-operative cardiac catheterization revealed no significant right to left shunt nor desaturation of arterial blood. In the correction of unroofed coronary sinus defect and PLSVC and no other intra-cardiac defect, ligation of PLSVC and closure of coronary sinus ostium was simple and effective, although it was not anatomically corrected.

Effects of prolactins on the chromatophores of the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Using isolated scales and split-fin preparations of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, the effects of a pair of prolactins of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (tPRL177 and tPRL188) and of ovine prolactin (oPRL) on chromatophores were studied in vitro. These peptides caused melanosome aggregation and dispersion of xanthosomes, especially in the split preparations. Their relative effectiveness was as follows: tPRL177 > oPRL > tPRL188. Moreover, tPRL177 at 100 nM induced a high level of pigment dispersion in cultured xanthophores and erythrophores, but tPRL188 at the same concentration did not have this effect. We also examined the responses of chromatophores to oPRL in primary cell culture and found that xanthophores and erythrophores respond to the peptide by pigment dispersion in a dose-dependent manner, whereas cultured melanophores showed little aggregation of pigment. In denervated melanophores in the split-fin preparations, tPRL177 failed to induce aggregation of pigment. From these results, it was concluded that prolactin affects brightly pigmented cells of the tilapia directly, but affects melanophores indirectly. Norepinephrine which might leak from varicosities of chromatic nerve fibers by virtue of the action of prolactin molecules may be responsible for melanosome aggregation.

[Primary chylopericardium: a case report]

A case of primary chylopericardium in a 54 year-old-man was reported. Despite 3 times of pericardiocentesis, the pericardial fluid accumulated rapidly. After the fenestration of pericardium, a small cannula was inserted for the thoracic ductgram which showed a clearly visible duct upward to the angulus venosus and an abnormal branch near the bifurcation of the trachea spilling some contrast material into the pericardial cavity. Ligation and division of the thoracic duct including an abnormal branch was performed from its entry to the thorax for a length of 13 cm upward. The postoperative course was uneventful and chest X-ray film taken 6 months after surgery showed no accumulation of chyle in the pericardium and pleural cavity.

Circadian motile activity of erythrophores in the red abdominal skin of tetra fishes and its possible significance in chromatic adaptation

The red abdominal skin of the neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi and the cardinal tetra P. axelrodi was found to blanch at night or in the dark. Melatonin added to the bathing medium caused blanching of the red skin. Microscopic observations of the erythrophores indicated that the erythrosomes aggregated in response to norepinephrine, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and melatonin. Of these compounds, melatonin was the most effective. By contrast, many erythrophores were refractory to MCH. Alpha-melanophore-stimulating hormone, isoproterenol, adenosine, and ATP each caused dispersal of the pigment to some extent. Isoproterenol dispersed the pigment only when an alpha-adrenergic blocker, tolazoline, was present. It appears that the change in color of the abdominal skin is primarily due to increased secretion during the night of the pineal hormone melatonin, while other hormonal and nervous factors may modify the distribution of the pigment in the erythrophores.

[Two cases of perioperative coronary vasospasm following ASD closure and OMC]

Two cases of perioperative coronary spasm following ASD closure and OMC are reported. A 36-year-old female had been diagnosed of vasospastic angina and another 47-year-old female patient was diagnosed of effort angina for 99% stenosis of the right ventricular branch preoperatively. Both patients suffered from coronary vasospastic attack and ventricular fibrillation several times within 17 hours postoperatively. Although the coronary dissolution was obtained finally following aggressive cardiac massage, administration of spasmolytic agents, such as NTG, lidocaine, DBcAMP and the start of IABP, the resolution was stormy due to the hemodynamic derangement. To prevent the coronary spastic episode, it is suggested, for patients of possible coronary spasm, to avoid arousal stimulation and to administer spasmolytic agents prophylactically within the first postoperative day.

[Left ventricular-right atrial communication following mitral valve replacement]

A case of an acquired left ventricular-right atrial communication complicating Omnicarbon replacement of a severe calcified mitral valve in the area of the posteromedial commissure is reported. The intricate relationships of the membranous atrioventricular septum to the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve predispose to the creation of an iatrogenic left ventricular-right atrial fistula when aggressive debridement of extensive valvular calcification is performed. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis, and immediate surgical repair is advocated as soon as this complication is discovered.

[Effect of ulinastatin (UL) on renal function and lactic acidosis during open-heart surgery: comparison with aprotinin (Ap)]

Comparison was made on the renal function and lactic acidosis during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) between the group Ul (n = 15) and group Ap (n = 27). A 300,000 u, of ulinastatin was administered intravenously before CPB and 300,000 u, in the prime solution. A 300,000 u, of aprotinin was administered in the prime solution. Urine output during CPB was not significantly different, but the total dose of furosemide administered was less in group Ul and a significant difference (p less than 0.05) was observed in the free water clearance at CPB 1 hr. and 3 hr. postoperatively, -0.83 +/- 0.16 and -1.74 +/- 0.14 in group Ul and -0.43 +/- 0.10, -0.99 +/- 0.14 in group Ap, respectively. Arterial lactate increased as the perfusion time increased but the level at the end of CPB was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in group Ul and the added 7% NaHCO3 to correct metabolic acidosis during CPB of 29.3 +/- 9.5 ml in group Ul was less than in group Ap of 82.2 +/- 15.2 ml (p less than 0.01). The result suggests the favourable effects of ulinastatin on the renal function and lactic acidosis during CPB.

[The surgical treatment of endomyocardial fibrosis of the left ventricle--the first surgical case report in Japan]

A 66-year-old man with an ECG finding of an elevation of R in leads V5-6 and a calcified space occupying lesion in the apex of the left ventricle on echocardiography admitted for the evaluation of recent onset of shortness of breath and palpitation on exertion. Cineangiography showed an obliteration and accumulation of RI activity in the apex of the left ventricle on TI-201 scintigraphy and a neoplasm of the heart was suspected. Resection of a tumor from apical incision followed by the left atrial approach necessitated the replacement of mitral valve and confirmed the diagnosis of endomyocardial fibrosis. Heart failure persisted and the expired 2 years after surgery due to the gastrointestinal infection. An experience suggested the resection of a mass from the left atrial approach is possible and recommended to prevent the occurrence and persistence of heart failure in case the diagnosis is established preoperatively.

Structure and Dynamic Properties of Solution SBR Coupled with Tin Compounds

The relation between the structure of the Solution SBR and the dynamic properties of carbon-black-filled SBR vulcanizates have been studied. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The hysteresis of the Solution-SBR vulcanizates was reduced markedly by the introduction of tin—carbon bonds at the polymer chain end. 2. Among the structures of tin—carbon bonds, tin-butadienyl bonds were much more effective for the reduction of hysteresis than were tin—styryl bonds. 3. Solution SBR coupled with tin compounds with molecular weight of less than 105 was not so effective for the reduction of hysteresis. Furthermore, the mechanism of the improvement of dynamic properties was investigated. It was found that polymer—carbon-black bonds were formed through the reaction of tin—carbon bonds with the functional groups of carbon black. From model reactions, it is suggested that quinone groups on carbon black are involved.

Neural control of motile activity of light-sensitive iridophores in the neon tetra

Experiments with skin pieces revealed that the sympathetic nervous system controls the activity of the light-sensitive iridophores in the stripes of the neon tetra. The spectral peak reflected from the cells was shifted toward longer wavelengths as a result of a direct interaction between norepinephrine and alpha-adrenoceptors present on the cell membrane. Adenosine accelerated the recovery from the effects of the amine. Such regulation seems to operate when fish are in an excited state or under stress. Since alpha-melanophore-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and melatonin caused the responses only at high concentrations, it is possible that these peptides and amine do not affect the properties of the light-reflecting cells in vivo.

Divisionistic generation of skin hue and the change of shade in the scalycheek damselfish, Pomacentrus lepidogenys

In addition to melanophores and xanthophores, there existed two types of iridophore in the dermis of the scalycheek damselfish, Pomacentrus lepidogenys. There are dendritic iridophores which reflect white light-rays by Tyndall scattering, and the round or somewhat ellipsoidal iridophores which reflect rays with a relatively narrow spectral peak from blue to green through the non-ideal thin-film interference. Most of the dendritic iridophores were covered with xanthophores and were situated over melanophores, thus constituting a kind of chromatophore unit which produces a yellow or yellowish-green color. The characteristic yellowish-green hue of the integument results from a compound effect of small contributions by more elementary colors. During color changes of the skin, the position of the spectral peak does not shift. Unlike the iridophores of the blue damselfish, both types of iridophore of the scalycheek damselfish were found to be inactive. It appears, therefore, that the aggregation and dispersion of pigment within the melanophores is the primary mechanism responsible for the changes in color of this species.

Use of a series of ompF-ompC chimeric proteins for locating antigenic determinants recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the ompC and ompF proteins of the Escherichia coli outer membrane

A method is presented for the efficient location of antigenic determinants using a series of chimeric proteins. By means of in vivo homologous recombination between the ompC and ompF genes coding for OmpC and OmpF, homologous proteins of the Escherichia coli outer membrane, a series of ompF-ompC chimeric genes was constructed (Nogami, T., Mizuno, T., & Mizushima, S. (1985) J. Bacteriol. 164, 797-801, and this work). The OmpF-OmpC chimeric proteins expressed by these genes were successfully used to locate antigenic determinants recognized by monoclonal antibodies, which specifically react with either the OmpC or OmpF protein. Interaction between monoclonal antibodies and the chimeric proteins was examined by means of either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunoblot analysis. The antigenic determinants recognized by three anti-OmpC antibodies and one anti-OmpF antibody were thus located. Finally, the polypeptides covering these regions were chemically synthesized for two of them and then tested as to their reactivity with the antibodies. The peptides reacted with the corresponding antibodies when the former were chemically coupled with bovine serum albumin. Most of the monoclonal antibodies isolated in this work were highly specific to the unfolded monomer of the protein against which the antibody was raised. But they did not react with the trimer, the native form. These results are discussed in relation to the structures and functions of the OmpC and OmpF proteins. The use of a series of monoclonal antibodies for studying the mechanism of protein translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane is also discussed.

[Partial response of lung metastases from a renal cancer treated with endogenous tumor necrosis factor]

The strong tumor-selective cytocidal action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been observed in vitro and in vivo. Sato et al. have reported that it was possible to induce a primed state of TNF triggering by injection of purified protein derivative (PPD) even a long time after BCG sensitization, suggesting that this treatment could be applied to human patients. In the present study, we achieved a partial response of a metastatic lesion in a patient with renal cancer by the induction of endogenous TNF by PPD and OK-432 (a streptococcal preparation). This study suggested the possible application of this therapy to also patients with malignant tumor which are highly resistant to any conventional antitumor therapy.

[Effect of dobutamine and diltiazem on the reperfused ischemic myocardium]

Twenty-two anesthetized open-chest mongrel dogs were studied to evaluate the effect of dobutamine, dobutamine and diltiazem on the ischemic-reperfused myocardium assessed by cardiac function, myocardial metabolism such as tissue ATP, Ca and water content and ultrastructure. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 40 minutes and then reperfused for 15 minutes. Experiments were divided into 3 groups by infusion of physical saline solution (C), dobutamine 5 micrograms/kg/m in (DOB) and dobutamine 5 micrograms/kg/min+diltiazem 0.1mg/kg bolus IV at the beginning of reperfusion and followed by continuous infusion with 30 micrograms/kg/min (DOB+D) during reperfusion period. DOB increased SAP and CI, however it also increased heart rate. CI, LVSWI and coronary blood flow in non ischemic area increased significantly in DOB+D than either C or DOB. Myocardial ATP in the ischemic endocardium was much more preserved in DOB and DOB+D than C. Myocardial Ca and water content were lower level in DOB+D, but not significantly different among 3 groups. Mitochondrial score by Sunamori's method in DOB+D was higher than that in C (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that low dose of dobutamine during reperfusion is effective to enhance hemodynamic parameters without deterioration of myocardial metabolism, and furthermore combined use of dobutamine and diltiazem is more effective to protect myocardial metabolism and ultrastructure from reperfusion damage in addition to improvement of hemodynamic parameters.

Action of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) on teleost chromatophores

The in vitro effects of synthetic salmon melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) on chromatophores of four teleost species were studied. In the erythrophores of the platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) and the swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), and in the xanthophores and amelanotic melanophores of the medaka (Oryzias latipes), pigment aggregation took place in response to MCH even in the absence of Ca2+. In contrast to this, the leucophores of the medaka responded to MCH by the pigment dispersion but only when Ca2+ was present. The motile iridophores of the blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea), which play a predominant role in coloration and its changes, were not affected by the hormone. Pharmacological studies employing various blocking agents suggest that the pigment-aggregating action of MCH is probably mediated through specific receptors possessed by the erythrophores, xanthophores, or amelanotic melanophores, while the pigment-dispersing action on the leucophores might be revealed through the receptors for melanophore-stimulating hormone (MSH).

Control of chromatophore movements in dermal chromatic units of blue damselfish--II. The motile iridophore

The mechanism regulating the movements of the unique motile iridophores of the blue damselfish, Chyrsiptera cyanea, was studied. The reaction in which the cells become reflective to light rays of longer wavelength, i.e. from the near u.v. region to the green region, was designated as the "coloring response", while the reverse process was labeled the "clearing response". Both nervous stimuli and adrenergic agonists gave rise to the coloring response, which could be antagonized by alpha adrenolytic agents. The clearing response was accelerated by adenosine and inhibited by theophylline. None of the hormonal substances tested had any effect on the motile response of the cells. It was concluded that the motile iridophores are solely under the control of the sympathetic adrenergic system, and that the co-transmitter, adenosine, may function to antagonize quickly the true transmitter-induced colored state of the cells.

Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) effects on teleost (Chrysiptera cyanea) melanophores

The in vitro biological actions of synthetic chum salmon melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) on melanophores of the blue damselfish (a teleost), Chrysiptera cyanea, were studied. This cyclic heptadecapeptide stimulated melanosome (melanin granule) aggregation (centripetal migration) within melanophores at a threshold concentration of about 10(-10) M. The action of this putative hormone was not blocked by alpha- or beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. It was concluded that the effects of MCH were direct and were not mediated indirectly through the actions of adrenergic neurotransmitters released from nerve terminals. Further evidence for this view comes from the observation that, unlike the case of neurotransmitter release, melanosome aggregation in response to MCH proceeded in the absence of calcium. The possible role of MCH in the control of color change of teleost fishes is discussed.

[Study of the local use of amikacin]

Amikacin sulfate (AMK) was used against urinary tract infections (UTI) as local administration such as bladder lavage, renal pelvic lavage and vesical instillation. Forty four patients with UTI were treated by this method, 32 patients having Foley catheter indwelling in the bladder and 12 patients having drainage catheter indwelling in the renal pelvis. The overall clinical effect under UTI judgment was 3 excellent cases, 24 good, 11 fair and 6 poor, with an efficiency of 61.4%. A total of 100 bacteria, 47 gram positive, 33 gram negative, 6 anaerobes and 14 fungi, were found in the urine and bacteriological effect was 68.8% and 57.1% in single and combined bacterial infection, respectively. The serum concentration of AMK was measured in 9 patients by radioimmunoassay, and the maximum concentration was 0.38 micrograms/ml which is a low absorption rate. There were no adverse reactions during or after treatment with AMK.

Electrophoretic movement of fertilized sea-urchin eggs

The eccentric shift of the sea-urchin egg within the fertilization membrane under an electric field was analysed by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of the isolated fertilization membrane and that of the egg deprived of the fertilization membrane. In addition, the migration speed of the egg proper was measured within the fertilization membrane under the conditions that: either (1) the movement of the whole egg was arrested, or (2) protamine sulphate was adsorbed on the fertilization membrane to reduce its mobility. The results led to conclusions that: (1) both the fertilization membrane and the egg cell with the hyaline layer are negatively charged; (2) movement of the normal fertilized eggs is due mainly to the surface charge of the fertilization membrane; and (3) the eccentric position of the egg within the fertilization membrane is due to migration of the egg proper, which is independent of the movement of the whole egg.

Plasma cyclic AMP level in psychiatric diseases of childhood

Determinations were made of the plasma cyclic AM level to examine its relationship with hyperkinesis (Werry-Weiss-Peters Activity Scale, WWPAS) and other features of mental disorders in 80 children, of whom 21 had early infantile autism, 15 hyperkinetic mental retardation, 12 minimal brain dysfunction and 32 Down's syndrome. In autistic and hyperkinetic mentally retarded children, the plasma cyclic AMP levels were higher than in normal children and were positively correlated with the WWPAS score. In children with minimal brain dysfunction, the plasma cyclic AMP level was significantly lower than in normal children and was not correlated with the WWPAS score. In children with Down's syndrome, the plasma cyclic AMP level was somewhat higher than in normal children.