Expression and functional analysis of a novel isoform of gicerin, an immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecule

We have cloned a novel cDNA of gicerin, a cell adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Both gicerin isoforms share the same extracellular domain, which has five immunoglobulin-like loop structures and a transmembrane domain as s-gicerin, but differ in the cytoplasmic tail domain. As the newly identified form has a larger cytoplasmic domain than the previously reported form, we refer to them as l-gicerin and s-gicerin, respectively. l-gicerin is transcribed from a distinct mRNA containing an inserted sequence not found in s-gicerin mRNA which caused a frameshift for the coding region for a cytoplasmic domain. Previous studies demonstrated that gicerin showed a doublet band of 82 and 90 kDa in chicken gizzard smooth muscle. We report that the 82-kDa protein corresponds to s-gicerin and the 90-kDa protein to l-gicerin. We also found that the two gicerin isoforms are expressed differentially in the developing nervous system. Functional analysis of these gicerin isoforms in stable transfectants revealed that they had differ in their homophilic adhesion properties, as well as in heterophilic cell adhesion assayed with neurite outgrowth factor. In addition, these isoforms have neurite-promoting activity by their homophilic adhesion, but differ in their ability to promote neurite outgrowth.

Portal vein velocity by duplex Doppler ultrasound as an indication of the clinical severity of portal hypertension

The portal vein (PV) velocity was measured by duplex Doppler ultrasound to predict the severity of portal hypertension. A total of 143 patients with liver cirrhosis were studied from January 1991 to June 1992. There were 104 males and 39 females with a mean age of 52 years old (range 23-76). The maximal PV velocity was significantly lower in patients with moderate and severe varices, cardiac varices, red-color signs on varix, esophagitis and congestive gastropathy. The patients with bleeding esophageal varices or upper gastrointestinal tract were found to have a significantly maximal PV velocity. Comparing patients without ascites or victims with controllable ascites. The maximal PV velocity in Child's C or mortality cases was also significantly lower than that in Child's A, Child's B and surviving cases. If we set the cut off value of PV velocity at 15 cm/sec, we could get the accuracy of 67.8%, 62.2%, 67.8% and 73.5% in the prediction of massive ascites, varices severity, Child C class and mortality respectively. In conclusion, PV velocity may reflect the severity of clinical portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients; it could be a prognostic factor in cirrhotic patients.

Determination of a necdin cis-acting element required for neuron specific expression by using zebra fish

To determine cis-acting elements required for neuron specific expression of a necdin gene, we tried to use zebra fish assay system in vivo instead of cell lines in vitro. Various expression vectors carrying upstream sequences of necdin gene fused to MEKA (lacZ) gene as a reporter were injected into fertilized zebra fish embryos and then the expression of the reporter gene was analyzed by the whole mount immunochemical method. No promoter activity was obtained with a construct carrying sequence from -63 to +63 of the necdin gene, while promoter activity with preferential skin expression was obtained with a construct having sequence from -86 to +28. Further upstream sequence from -173 to +28 exhibited neuron specific expression as well as that from -845 to +63. These results indicate that a cis-acting element responsible for neuron specific expression is located in an 87bp sequence from -173 to -87 of necdin gene.

Causes of increasing width of right anterior extrarenal space seen in ultrasonographic examinations

The right anterior extrarenal space is composed of the perirenal fascia, the right anterior perirenal space, the right anterior pararenal space, and the liver capsule. To clarify the probable causes of an increasing width of the right anterior extrarenal space, the width was measured using ultrasonography for a period of 8 months. The right anterior extrarenal space was measured 3 cm from the superior renal pole and the smallest width obtained in several different scan planes was used. In 1,114 ultrasound examinations, 35 patients were found to have an increased width of the right anterior extrarenal space. Among the 35 cases, the common probable causes for such a condition were found in 27 cases. Eight patients had hyperchogenicity in the right pararenal space, a condition considered to be due to an acute inflammation, including acute pancreatitis, acute cecal diverticulitis, acute appendicitis, ischemic bowel, acute cholangitis, liver abscess, and penetrated duodenal ulcer. Chronic inflammations of an adjacent organ, a previous history of laparotomy, a malignancy with peritoneal metastases, and treatment with corticosteroid were considered the causes behind the condition in the 19 patients with normal echogenicity. For the remaining 8 patients, causes were not found during the follow-up period. This study indicates that life-threatening diseases, such as acute or chronic inflammatory diseases and malignancy of the abdomen, could be the cause of an increase in the width of this space.

[Small cell lung cancer with liver and bone metastasis associated with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis--a case report]

A 67-year-old man was hospitalized with the chief complaint of diffuse abdominal pain for 3 days. Hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis was found by laboratory examination. Abdominal CT scans showed swelling of the pancreas, multiple liver tumors and osteolytic lesions of bone. Upper mediastinal lobulated mass was suspected from chest x-ray examination, then small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was proved by bronchoscopic and pathological examination. The final diagnosis is SCLC with liver and bone metastasis associated with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis. After pancreatitis subsided, the patient was put on chemotherapy. Unfortunately, due to immunocompromise, he died of pneumonia and sepsis. There was no reasonable explanation regarding to the cause of acute pancreatitis except hypercalcemia, which might be due to SCLC with bone metastasis. This is the first report of such a complication in a patient with SCLC.

Success of endoscopic injection therapy in correlation with maximal one-day transfusion requirement

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The rate of blood transfusion is related to blood flow and the diameter of the bleeding vessel. Therapeutic endoscopy is less effective in larger vessels. To determine the effect of therapeutic endoscopy with pure ethanol injection in massive peptic ulcer bleeding, we conducted a retrospective study using the maximal one-day blood requirement as an indicator of the required blood transfusion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The maximal one-day blood requirement was defined as the total amount of blood transfusion needed within a day to keep hemodynamics stable and hemoglobin above 8.0 g% before therapeutic endoscopy. From January 1986 to May 1993, 283 patients with high-risk signs of the stigmata of hemorrhage on endoscopy, who received pure ethanol injection therapy, were included in this study. There were 214 men and 69 women with a mean age of 58.4 years (ranging from 16 to 93 years). One hundred forty-three had gastric ulcers; 125 had duodenal ulcers; and 15 had stomal ulcers. Patients whose maximal one-day blood requirement was less than 1000 ml were assigned to Group I. Patients without, and patients with, major organ diseases whose maximal one-day blood requirement was more than 1000 ml were assigned to Group IIa and Group IIb, respectively.

RESULTS

In Group I, 87.1% attained permanent hemostasis; 51.3% in Group IIa; and 49.4% in Group IIb. Temporary hemostasis and failure rates were 8.9% and 4.8% in Group I; 14.5% and 33.8% in Group IIa; and 21.2% and 29.4% in Group IIb. The rate of permanent hemostasis was significantly lower in patients with massive bleeding (p < 0.001) but did not differ between patients with and without major organ diseases (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The success rate for pure ethanol injection therapy was lower in patients with a large maximal one-day blood transfusion requirement.

Septic acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Bacteremia occurs frequently in cholangitis, but the incidence of bacteremia in acute cholecystitis has not previously been examined.

METHODS

Seventy-eight cases (46 men and 32 women; mean age, 63 +/- 10 years) of acute cholecystitis with positive blood cultures were analyzed for clinical manifestation, bacteriology, and what consequences ensued. Seventy-eight non-bacteremic cholecystitis patients, matched for age and sex, served as the control group.

RESULTS

The prevalence of bacteremia in acute cholecystitis was 7.65% (78 of 1020). A single microorganism was isolated from the blood and bile in 87.2% and 27.3%, respectively. The commonest organisms were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The source of bacteremia could be identified from the infected bile in 80% of cases. Compared with the non-bacteremia group, significant increases in liver biochemical test results (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and bilirubin, and so forth), more complications (acute renal failure and septic shock), and higher mortality (9.0%) were found in the bacteremic group.

CONCLUSION

Acute cholecystitis is not often complicated by bacteremia, but when bacteremia is present, morbidity and death more consistently ensue.

Role of Helicobacter pylori in cirrhotic patients with peptic ulcer. A serological study

Helicobacter pylori was found to be a promoter factor of peptic ulcer that has an incidence higher in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. To clarify the role between H. pylori and peptic ulcer in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, a serological test (ELISA test, HEL-p, AMRAD, Australia), was used to measure the presence of H. pylori of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Within two years, 108 cirrhotic patients who had received a panendoscopic examination were enrolled in this study. There were 79 males and 27 females with a mean age of 53.2 years. Sixty-four cases had positive serum HBsAg and 44 had negative serum. The results showed that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in cirrhosis was 43.5% (47/108). There was no difference of HEL-p-positive rate between peptic ulcer and normal gastroduodenal mucosa (45.2% vs 46.1%, P > 0.05). According to this study, there appears to be no relation between peptic ulcer and H. pylori in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. The etiology of peptic ulcer in cirrhotic patients need further study.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 58 kDa protein induced by morphine in SK-N-SH cells

A 58 kDa protein which was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues with morphine was found in human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH cells) by immunoblot with monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. The tyrosine phosphorylation was induced by morphine in 5 min in a dose-dependent manner and the increment was completely inhibited by naloxone. A Delta (d) agonist, [D-Pen2,Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE), but not a m agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAGO), stimulated the phosphorylation and treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin inhibited the phosphorylation by morphine. These data suggest that d receptor-stimulation increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the 58 kDa protein through Gi protein in SK-N-SH cells.

Hydronephrosis accidentally detected by gastrointestinal sonography

A retrospective study was carried out on patients with gastrointestinal complaints, who were accidentally found to have varying degrees of hydronephrosis between October 1989 and April 1991. The criteria for hydronephrosis given by Ellenbogen et al were used for ultrasonographic diagnosis. Grade 0 and 1 were classified as mild degree and grade 2 and 3 as moderate and severe, respectively. The causes of hydronephrosis were determined by intravenous pyelography, retrograde pyelography, and/or computed tomography. Of 44 patients with hydronephrosis who had complete studies, 20 had a mild degree of hydronephrosis, 18 had a moderate degree, and 6 had a severe degree. All 24 patients with moderate and severe degrees of hydronephrosis had obstruction as the etiology, but only 50% of the cases with mild hydronephrosis were found to have pathological lesions. Urolithiasis (79.4%) was the most common cause of hydronephrosis in this study. Benign prostate hypertrophy, carcinomas, external compression, and tuberculosis followed. Hydronephrosis found accidentally by sonography in the patients with gastrointestinal complaints is significant.

Gallbladder volume in patients with common hepatic duct dilatation. An evaluation of Courvoisier's sign using ultrasonography

To evaluate the usefulness of Courvoisier's sign in ultrasonography, gallbladder size in patients with common hepatic duct dilatation was measured using the ellipsoid method during ultrasonographic examination. During a 6-month period 24 patients with malignant obstructions (6 with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, 9 with pancreatic head tumors, 5 with carcinoma of the bile duct, and 4 with malignant lymphadenopathy), 50 patients with calculous obstructions, and a group of 50 normal control patients were examined in this study. Gallbladder volumes were larger in patients with biliary tract dilatation (88.8 +/- 6.8 ml) than in the control group (34.3 +/- 2.8 ml) (p < 0.01). Although the duration and total serum bilirubin level were higher in patients with malignant obstructions, the gallbladder volumes were the same in these two groups (93.0 +/- 11.3 ml versus 86.7 +/- 8.5 ml). A linear relationship was found between gallbladder volume and total serum bilirubin in patients with malignant biliary obstructions (r = 0.6, p < 0.001) and in patients with calculous biliary obstructions without gallbladder stones (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). We hypothesized that the gallbladder volume is irrelevant in differentiating the nature of the biliary tract dilatation and that the gallbladder size is dependent on the degree of biliary obstruction when the gallbladder is not afflicted by fibrosis.

Data compression on multifont Chinese character patterns

The problems arising in the modeling and coding of digital Chinese character patterns for noiseless compression purposes are discussed. The modeling is intended to capture the maximum redundancies of the source under the consideration of relevant parameters. In this study, a redundancy-gathering algorithm is proposed in which a 2-D parsing tree is used, and the nodes to extend the tree are ranked according to the maximum redundancy gathered. Hence, the modeling represented by the tree can achieve great performance in the small number of nodes. The algorithm is then applied to evaluate the performance of arithmetic coding for digital Chinese character patterns. The results are compared to those of the traditional compression methods. In the same complexity, the authors find that their algorithm can improve the coding efficiency as high as 25.54%, 30.23%, 32.17%, 15.90%, and 27.58%, for five Chinese fonts, respectively.

Recoverin has S-modulin activity in frog rods

In vertebrate photoreceptors, light induces hydrolysis of cGMP by activating cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE), which results in closure of the cGMP-activated cation channel. During light adaptation, the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration decreases, and this decrease is one of the underlying mechanisms of light adaptation. Sensitivity-modulating protein (S-modulin) is a Ca(2+)-binding protein involved in light adaptation in frog rods; it regulates both the light sensitivity of PDE and the lifetime of activated PDE by controlling rhodopsin phosphorylation in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Recoverin has been reported as a Ca(2+)-dependent regulator of guanylate cyclase in bovine rods (Dizhoor, A. M., Ray, S., Kumar, S., Niemi, G., Spencer, M., Brolley, D., Walsh, K. A. Philipov, P. P., Hurley, J. B., and Stryer, L. (1991) Science 251, 915-918). Here, we show that recoverin has similar activity as S-modulin, and the amino acid sequences of both proteins are similar. The results strongly suggest that recoverin is bovine S-modulin and regulates PDE activation.

Sonographic features of retroperitoneal neurilemoma

Seven cases of retroperitoneal neurilemoma confirmed by histology had an ultrasound examination. There were 5 women and 2 men with a mean age of 55. Most of the cases (5/7) had a palpable mass clinically. Of the 7 cases, 4 had a mass with cystic degeneration and internal echoes on sonogram, consistent with the macroscopic findings of tumors. The internal echoes represented blood clots and residual tissue (or septa) in cyst. Of the remaining 3 cases, one showed a confluent lobulated mass, the second had a solitary homogeneous mass with small cysts, and the third one, which was the smallest (4 cm x 4 cm x 6 cm), had a hypoechoic and homogeneous pattern. The sonograms of all 7 cases were consistent with the macroscopic features of the tumors. The sonographic pattern of tumor parenchyma is either homogenously hyperechoic or hypoechoic. Because of the cystic degeneration, hemorrhage, and residual tissue of retroperitoneal neurilemoma, the sonographic pattern was variable.

Purification and characterization of three MEKA-like proteins in liver: association of a 94 kDa protein with beta gamma subunits of G-proteins

Retinal 32 kDa MEKA protein (rMEKA) exists in the photoreceptor cells and forms a complex with beta gamma subunit of transducin. Bovine liver contained three MEKA-like proteins (94 kDa, 35 kDa-a, 35 kDa-b) which reacted with a rMEKA antibody. Each protein was purified as a single band on a SDS-PAGE and used for a reconstitution experiment with alpha and beta gamma subunits of cerebral G-proteins (Go/i). The 94 kDa protein inhibited GTP-binding ability of G alpha by forming a complex with beta gamma subunit.

Sequential invasions of pancreatic pseudocysts in pancreatic tail, hepatic left lobe, caudate lobe, and spleen

A 66-year-old male patient without a history of risk factors for pancreatitis suffered from pancreatitis and developed pseudocyst. During the course of treatment and follow-up, the pseudocyst was found to have migrated through the pancreatic tail, left hepatic lobe, caudate lobe, and spleen on abdominal sonography and computed tomography scan. Finally, emergent laparotomy was done for splenic abscess and removal of infected pseudocyst in the spleen and lesser sac of the abdomen. The patient made a full recovery after operation.

Topography of opsin within disk and plasma membranes revealed by a rapid-freeze deep-etch technique

Rod outer segments in fresh rat retinas were examined by a rapid-freeze, deep-etch technique to explore how membrane proteins are organized at the macromolecular level. Cross-fractures revealed that intradiscal membranes are adherent to each other except at the rim. When an isolated fresh retina was incubated in a hypotonic solution for a few minutes, the interdiscal space was expanded and the cytoplasmic surface of the disk membrane was found to be covered with protrusions except at the rim. A few particles were scattered among the protrusions and were attached to the cytoplasmic surface. Since the distribution density of the cytoplasmic surface protrusions was similar to that of the P-face particles, which are known to reflect opsins, the protrusions were considered to be portions of opsins extending into the cytoplasm. The intradiscal surfaces in chemically-fixed retinas were rather smooth and were labelled with anti-opsin antibodies and wheat germ agglutinin. The true surfaces of the plasma membrane were found to be similar in fine structure to those of the disk. A model of the macromolecular organization of rod outer segments is proposed on the basis of these observations. The model shows apposed opsins within a disk membrane adhering to one another except at the rim. These opsins, as well as those in the plasma membrane, are minimally exposed to the extracellular surface, but protrude deeply into the cytoplasm.

Various sonographic patterns of smooth muscle tumors of the gastrointestinal tract: a comparison with computed tomography

To evaluate the sonographic patterns of smooth muscle tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, we analyzed 25 patients with histologically confirmed smooth muscle tumors. Sonography revealed no abdominal mass in seven patients (sonogram-negative), and abdominal masses in 18 patients (sonogram-positive). The mean size of tumors in the sonogram-negative group (4.5 +/- 1.5 cm) was smaller than that in the sonogram-positive group (11.4 +/- 3.5 cm). We classified the various sonograms into three patterns. Comparing the sonograms with the computed tomographic pictures of each pattern, we theorized that the different patterns on sonograms may be caused by tumor necroses of different sizes with or without gas in the necrotic cavity. For the necrotic tumors, the size of the necrotic area did not correspond to the size of the tumor. However, the tumors with necroses were significantly larger than those without necroses. A central necrosis was found in cases exhibiting both leiomyosarcoma and leiomyoma. On comparing the sonogram-positive and sonogram-negative groups, we found that the size and location of a tumor may affect the detection rate of that tumor by sonography.

Liver biochemical tests and dengue fever

The impact of dengue on liver function was studied by biochemical tests on 125 male and 145 female patients diagnosed with this disease during an outbreak that extended from November 1987 to December 1988. Abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (G-GT) were observed in 93.3%, 82.2%, 7.2%, 16.3% and 83.0% of the patients, respectively. The elevation of transaminases was mild to moderate in most cases, but was 10-fold greater than the normal upper limit for AST and ALT in 11.1% and 7.4% of the patients, respectively. Initially, the level of AST was greater than that of ALT, increasing to maximum levels nine days after the onset of symptoms, then decreasing to normal levels within two weeks. Results of the biochemical tests did not differ significantly between the cases with and without hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, but significantly higher elevations of AST, ALT, and G-GT were observed in patients with episodes of bleeding. Liver biopsies of two patients showed features of lobular hepatitis. Of the five fatal cases, three died of hepatic failure. It is concluded that dengue fever may cause hepatic injury and transaminase elevation similar to that in patients with conventional viral hepatitis. In epidemic or endemic areas, dengue fever infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatitis.

A mechanism for glutamate toxicity in the C6 glioma cells involving inhibition of cystine uptake leading to glutathione depletion

We have demonstrated that addition of L-glutamate in millimolar amounts to a culture of C6 glioma cells induced cell death within 24 h. The glutamate-induced toxicity in the C6 glioma cells was completely suppressed by adding L-cystine (0.4-1.0 mM), while the C6 cells degenerated in L-cystine-deprived culture medium. Kinetic studies of [35S]cystine and [3H]glutamate uptake showed that cystine competitively inhibited glutamate uptake, and conversely glutamate inhibited cystine uptake competitively, suggesting that C6 cells have a cystine/glutamate antiporter (system CG or Xc) similar to that already described in the periphery. Exogenous cystine (1 mM) stimulated a release of endogenous glutamate from C6 cells in a Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-dependent fashion. Thus, the antiporter normally transports glutamate out of and cystine into the cells. With the glutamate analogues tested, there was a good correlation between cytotoxicity and inhibition of cystine uptake. The de novo synthesis of glutathione was largely dependent upon the uptake of extracellular cystine. Intracellular levels of glutathione were dramatically decreased within 8-10 h by culture in glutamate-added or cystine-free medium. Vitamin E (100 microM), an antioxidant, rescued the death of C6 cells induced by glutamate exposure or by culture in cystine-deprived medium, but did not restore the apparent decrease of intracellular glutathione. Taken together, the present data strongly indicate that glutamate-induced cell death is initially due to inhibition of cystine uptake through the antiporter Xc system; such inhibition leads to glutathione depletion exposing the cells to oxidative stress. Excess of extracellular glutamate introduced from endogenous or exogenous roots might disorder this mechanism, resulting in cell death.

Toxic effect of bile acid ingestion in rats

Ingestion of raw bile from some grass carp fish has been reported to be associated with impairment of renal function in some Chinese people. 5 alpha-cyprinol, the main bile alcohol in these fish, has been suggested as the toxic compound causing electrolyte imbalance. In this study, we attempted to determine whether oral administration of pure bile acids also affects the electrolyte balance in rats. Twenty-four female Long-Evans rats weighing 200-250 g were used. Conscious cannulated animals were prepared and studied with gastric intubation of 15%, 4.8 mL/kg of sodium cholate (SC), sodium deoxycholate (SD), and water; there were three groups of eight rats in each. A drastic drop in blood pressure, elevation of the ST segment of the EKG, increases in plasma potassium, hydrogen, blood urea nitrogen, and oxygen partial pressure were found. All rats treated with bile acids died within 24 hours. Six SD rats and three SC rats died within eight hours after oral administration of bile acid. It is concluded that the effects of feeding rats bile acids are very similar to the toxic action seen after ingestion of grass carp bile.

The prognostic factors of severe amebic liver abscess: a retrospective study of 125 cases

One hundred twenty-five cases of amebic liver abscess were diagnosed at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan from January 1981 to December 1989. An analysis of possible prognostic factors for severe amebic liver abscess was done retrospectively. The majority of the patients came from the southern part of Taiwan. Severe amebic liver abscess was defined as the rupture of an abscess that was resistant to 72 hr of medical treatment, or complicated by secondary bacterial infection. The results showed significant differences between patients with severe liver abscess and those with more moderate forms of amebic liver abscess in indices such as jaundice, hemoglobin and serum bilirubin levels, and dyspnea, as well as in pulmonary changes (right diaphragm elevation, right pleural effusion) seen on chest radiographs. Those patients with diabetes mellitus also had greater evidence of severe liver abscess. Moderate cases that were treated with amebicides showed excellent responses (no mortality). Severe cases required, in addition to amebicide therapy, either percutaneous or surgical drainage of pus, especially in those patients with ruptured abscesses. Those patients with abscesses that ruptured into the thoracic cavity were treated by either thoracostomy or needle aspiration, and all were cured. Three patients died of abscess rupture into the abdominal cavity, associated with secondary bacterial infection. The overall mortality rate was 2.4%. These symptoms and signs of severe liver abscess are indicators of the need for intensive treatment such as aspiration or surgical drainage.

Sonographic detection of stones in poorly opacified left intrahepatic ducts

Intrahepatic duct (IHD) stone is a common disease in Taiwan. In some cases, left IHD stones cannot be demonstrated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or even by percutaneous cholangiography (PTC). This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of sonography in demonstrating left IHD stones in poorly opacified left IHD by either ERC or PTC. Of 109 patients with hyperechoic nodular lesions in either the dilated left IHD or atrophic left lobe of the liver, with or without acoustic shadows, 49 patients were excluded because they refused further study. Among the remainder (60 patients), 33 patients had good opacification of left IHD in ERC or PTC. Stones were seen in 31 patients, and tumor obstruction in 2 patients. Twenty-seven patients had complete or partial absence of the left IHD in cholangiograms. Stones were found at surgery in 23 patients and by CT scan in 3 patients. Mucin-producing cholangiocarcinoma was found in 1 patient. The positive predictive value of the demonstration of stones in left IHD by ultrasound was 95% (57/60). Only 15% of patients with atrophy of the left hepatic lobe and stones were demonstrated by sonogram in this series. We conclude that the detection of left IHD stones by ultrasound in patients with poor opacification of the left IHD in cholangiograms is reliable procedure.

Bacteremia in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

Infections are frequent in patients with liver cirrhosis, as their defenses against infectious agents are altered. But bacteremia occurring in cirrhotic patients has seldom been reported in the literature. From 1981 to 1986, we collected 197 cases with 228 episodes of bacteremia for this retrospective study. The incidence of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients was 8.8%; no significant difference was noted between cirrhotic patients with variant etiologies of HBV(+), HBV(-) and alcohol. But the incidence increased with the severity of the disease (1%, 4.8%, 17.1% in Child's A, B, C groups, respectively). Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant microorganisms of bacteremia (75.6%). Among them, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aeromonas hydrophilia were the three most commonly detected microorganisms. Gram-positive bacterias were detected in 21.2% of patients with bacteremia, with predominance of the Streptococcus group and Staphylococcus aureus. In about 26.3% of cases the infectious sources were the same by bacteria cultures as from blood. The most common sources were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infection, pneumonia and biliary tree infection. In cirrhotic patients with and without bacteremia, the mortality rate increased significantly in the bacteremia group (54.8% vs 23.2%, P less than 0.05). By Child's classification, the mortality of patients with classes B and C increased significantly after onset of bacteremia. There was no significant difference in mortality between bacteremic patients in the HBV(+), HBV(-) and alcohol groups. In conclusion, bacteremia is a severe complication of liver cirrhosis and a sign of a poor prognosis.

Induction of immunoreactive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in goldfish retina following intravitreal injection with tunicamycin

Effects of a photoreceptor-specific biotoxin, tunicamycin (TM), injected intravitreally into the goldfish eye at one side, were explored on electroretinograms (ERGs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-immunoreactive (PCNA-ir) nuclei, representing the mitotic activity of rod precursors, in the retina at both sides. The eye-cup preparations were made for ERG recording, and the retinas were isolated and processed as cryosections or wholemounts by a routine immunohistochemical method for visinin (cones), opsin (rods), tyrosine hydroxylase (dopaminergic cells) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), at various intervals after intravitreal injection with TM (1.0 micrograms/eye). On some thin sections, autoradiographic study was combined following intravitreal injection with [3H]thymidine (TdR, 0.1 microCi/eye). The dose of TM used heavily destroyed cones and rods only in the treated retinas 2-15 days after injection, the photoreceptors being renewed for further 15-20 days. Approximately in parallel, ERGs were largely impaired 2-10 days after TM injection and recovered for 10-20 days. However, intravitreal TM altered the distribution and density of PCNA-ir nuclei in both treated and untreated retinas. The density of PCNA-ir nuclei reduced at first (on days 1 and 2), and then clustered and rapidly increased on days 3-5 and maintained at high levels with diffuse distribution over the whole area, particularly in the treated retinas, up to 60 days after TM injection; the maximum peak of 3.7 and 20 times the initial level was seen on day 20 in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and inner nuclear layer (INL), respectively. PCNA-ir nuclei were found to be abundant in the ONL even after the photoreceptors and ERGs had been restored in the treated retinas on day 20, suggesting a kind of overproduction of retinal cells. The autoradiographic study provided comparable results to those obtained with PCNA immunohistochemistry. The mechanism by which damage to the treated retina causes rod precursor cells to proliferate in the untreated retina remains unresolved.