Comparison of the effects of infectious bronchitis and infectious laryngotracheitis on the chicken respiratory tract

In infectious bronchitis (IB) virus infection of the chicken the upper and lower respiratory tracts were damaged, but infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus caused lesions only in the upper respiratory tract. Secondary infection with Escherichia coli was apparent in the trachea of birds inoculated with either virus but was more striking in those given IB virus. Serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, an acute-phase protein, occurred in higher concentrations in chickens inoculated with IB virus than in those given ILT virus.

[Genetic diagnosis of colorectal cancer]

Accumulating evidences that carcinogenesis requires multiple gene alterations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have recently emerged. In addition, genes related to invasion and metastasis are also important in understanding development of colorectal cancer. In this study, clinical significance and application of tumor suppressor genes and invasion related genes such as APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma) tumor suppressor genes and invasion related gene, matrilysin were studied. In the mouse tumor induced by mutagen contained in cooked food, PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6- phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine), nonsense mutations of APC gene that is similar to human colorectal cancer have been observed. These results suggested the quite interesting issue of mutagen contained in daily food having etiological role of colorectal cancer. DCC gene alteration, decreased expression of DCC mRNA was detected in 60% of advanced colorectal cancer. In all cases with liver metastasis, DCC expression was absent or markedly decreased, a finding that detection of DCC expression have an clinical importance that predicts metastatic potential of colorectal cancer. Matrilysin, the member of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) which degrade matrix components such as type IV collagen, laminin or fibronectin. In most of colorectal cancer, matrilysin was overexpressed in tumor cells. Matrilysin-transfected colorectal cancer cells showed more invasive ability in vitro and gained metastatic potential in SCID mice. Suppression of matrilysin expression by treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or introduction of anti-sense matrilysin decreased the invasive ability in vitro. This result suggests that matrilysin plays an important role in invasion and metastasis and have a possibility of new anti-invasion therapy.

Testicular development and fertility of mice treated prenatally with N-nitroso-N-ethylurea at various gestational stages

N-nitroso-N-ethylurea (ENU) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into ICR female mice at 50 mg/kg on day 8, 10, 12, or 16 of gestation (plug day = day 0). Male newborns treated prenatally with ENU were obtained. Body and testes weights of males were measured on postnatal days 4, 12, and 21 and at 12 weeks of age, as well as histopathological observation of their testes. The treated males were mated at 10 weeks to untreated females of the same strain. Subsequently, the plasma testosterone concentration in each group was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Body weight on postnatal day 4 in the group treated on day 16 of gestation was significantly lower compared to that of the control group. On postnatal day 21 and at 12 weeks of age, body weight was significantly lower in all groups treated with ENU compared to that of the control group. Among the embryonic stages tested, embryonic day 10 is the most susceptible to ENU insult with respect to the postnatal development of testes and epididymides, when judged by the relative weight at 12 weeks of age. The fertility of the male offspring was drastically impaired by the prenatal ENU treatment on embryonic day 10, followed by day 12, while the fertility of male offspring treated on embryonic days 8 and 16 was not affected. Histopathological sections of testes of male offspring treated with ENU on embryonic day 10 resulted in the most severe changes in the seminiferous tubules. The plasma testosterone concentration was drastically lower in male offspring treated on embryonic day 10 compared to the control level. These results demonstrate that the impaired fertility of the ENU-affected mice was the result of paucity of germ cells and that the critical period in the male mouse fetus with respect to the disturbance of postnatal testicular development and fertility was around embryonic day 10, which is the period of primordial germ cell migration.

[Usefulness of myocardial T2-weighted MR imaging using the turbo spin echo technique]

Myocardial T2-weighted imaging using the turbo spin echo technique was superior to the conventional spin echo technique because of the shorter scan time and reduced artifacts. Furthermore, single cardiac phase images of all planes could be taken within a short scan time. T2-weighted imaging using the turbo spin echo technique was an effective method to evaluate myocardial abnormalities.

Development of an efficient amino acid sequencing method using fluorescent Edman reagent 7-[(N,N-dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl isothiocyanate

In this paper, a new method is described for N-terminal amino acid sequencing of peptides using the fluorescent reagent 7-[(N,N-dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl isothiocyanate (DBD-NCS). Sequence determination is carried out by identifying thiazolinone (TZ) amino acids, which are generally unstable and difficult to detect. The employed system can easily and quickly derive TZ amino acids using the Edman reaction with DBD-NCS; these amino acids are also stable enough to be efficiently detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Resultant detection limits for DBD-TZ amino acids range from 50 fmol to a sub-picomole level (S/N = 3). This system successfully analyzed sequences of Leu5-enkephalin (25 pmol) and angiotensin I (100 pmol) using fluorometric detection at 524 nm with excitation at 387 nm.

Desensitization and selective down-regulation of rat cardiac beta 1-adrenoceptors by prolonged in vivo infusion of T-0509, a beta 1-adrenoceptor full agonist

We studied the effects of prolonged infusion of a selective beta 1-adrenoceptor (beta 1AR) full agonist, T-0509 [(-)-(R)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[(3,4- dimethoxyphenethyl)amino]ethanol hydrochloride], with regard to its inotropic effect in vivo and cardiac beta AR density. The results were compared with those for isoproterenol. Continuous infusion of isoproterenol at doses of 2.5-40 micrograms/kg/hr, s.c. for 6 days shifted the dose-response curves of isoproterenol (i.v.) for LVdP/dtmax to the right and increased the ED50 values up to fourfold. Isoproterenol infusion at 40 micrograms/kg/hr reduced the density of both beta 1- and beta 2ARs by 36% and 43% respectively, in left ventricular membranes. Following 6-day infusion of T-0509 at doses sufficient to induce a positive inotropic effect (5-40 micrograms/kg/hr), the ED50 value of T-0509 (i.v.) for LVdP/dtmax was also increased up to fourfold. In contrast to isoproterenol, infusion of T-0509 caused selective down-regulation of beta 1ARs by 30% without changing the number of beta 2ARs. These results indicate that long-term application of a selective beta 1AR full agonist causes desensitization to its inotropy in vivo, with subtype-selective down-regulation of beta 1ARs in cardiac ventricles.

[Epidemiological study of risk factors for bladder cancer]

A case-control study was conducted on 303 male bladder cancer patients and controls. General population controls were chosen from 15 areas in Gunma Prefecture and were matched by age (+/- l y.o.) to the subjects. Age-adjusted and smoking-adjusted odds ratio (O.R.) and a 95% confidence interval (C.I.) were calculated for each item. Risk factors for bladder cancer in men were investigated. The O.R. tended to be significantly higher for those who had history of smoking, who smoked more per day, who had smoked longer, whose Brinkman index was higher, who began smoking younger and who inhaled deeper than it was for non-smokers. O.R.s of having a past history or complication of cystitis (age-adjusted) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (age- and smoking-adjusted) were significantly higher, but the difference was supposed to be caused by bias. There was a significantly lower age- and smoking-adjusted O.R. for bladder cancer in men who engaged in sales, whose blood type was O, who drank milk frequently, who ate grains frequently, who age vegetables frequently and who had a past history or complication of hypertension. The number of cases and controls with first degree family members who developed cancer respectively supposed to be highly related to smoking, were as follows; 16 and 8 for lung cancer, 3 and 0 for larynx cancer and 6 and 3 for bladder cancer. The following characteristics failed to show any significant difference between subjects with bladder cancer and the control group; height and weight now and 20 years ago, jobs which deal with dye, academic career, marriage, number of children, alcohol drinking and the use of hair dye or analgesics.

A case of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta occurring in a postoperative patient who underwent arch replacement and Bentall's operation

A case of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta occurring in a postoperative patient who underwent an arch replacement and Bentall's operation was reported. A bleeding point was clear at the graft of the ascending aorta, and a pseudoaneurysmal formation was suspected following an echocardiogram. An aortogram demonstrated the presence of an aneurysm approximately 8 cm by 4 cm in size originating 5 cm above the right coronary ostia. An emergency operation was carried out. A Trans-femoral bypass was established before sternotomy. The Operative findings showed that adhesive connective tissue covered a pseudoaneurysm 8 cm by 4 cm in size, and that there was a tear in the anastomosis of the grafts between the ascending aorta and the arch 5 cm above the coronary ostia. Direct suture was performed, using hypothermic circulatory arrest. In this paper, We discuss the mechanism, classification, and operative strategy of traumatic pseudoaneurysm.

Production of matrix metalloproteinases at the bone-implant interface in loose total hip replacements

BACKGROUND

Incidence of aseptic loosening of hip prostheses is increasing in recent years. Previous studies suggested involvement of proteinases and cytokines in the accelerated bone lysis associated with loosening.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the loosening we immunolocalized MMP-1 (tissue collagenase), MMP-2 (gelatinase A), MMP-3 (stromelysin-1), MMP-9 (gelatinase B) and their common inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), in the bone-prosthesis interface membranes. In situ hybridization was performed for the detection of MMP-9 mRNA in the membranes. The amounts of these MMPs and TIMPs in the tissue were measured by the sandwich enzyme immunoassays and enzyme activities assayed using radiolabeled collagen, gelatin, and carboxymethylated transferrin substrates. We also examined the ability of the cells from interface membranes to resorb mouse calvaria bone.

RESULTS

The membranes obtained from the loose bone-implant interface were composed of fibrous granulation tissue containing numerous multinucleated giant cells with high density polyethylene debris. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the giant cells were strongly positive for MMP-9 and weakly for MMP-1. Expression of MMP-9 mRNA in the cells was demonstrated by in situ hybridization. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were immunolocalized mainly in the fibroblasts. TIMP-1 was localized in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels and weakly in fibroblasts. However, MMP-3 was almost negative in the membrane tissue. Sandwich enzyme immunoassays showed that MMP-9 levels are significantly higher in both homogenates and culture media of the cup and stem interface membranes than the control pseudocapsule. Gelatinolytic activity was also remarkably higher in the membrane samples than the control. The cells isolated from the membranes had no ability to resorb calvaria bone.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that MMP-9 is produced by the multinucleated giant cells appeared by the reaction to polyethylene debris in the interface membranes. This proteinase may play a role in degradation of the extracellular matrix macromolecules present around and on the surface of the bone trabeculae, facilitating the osteoclastic bone resorption.

Establishment and characterization of a novel cell line, TK-6, derived from T cell blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia, with the secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein

We established a novel T cell line, designated TK-6, from a patient with T cell lineage blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) complicated by hypercalcemia. A surface marker study showed T cell phenotype, cluster designation (CD)4, CD5 and CD7. Light and electron microscopic examination revealed myeloperoxidase (MPO)-negative, however, ultrastructural examination under certain specific conditions demonstrated that some cells were MPO-positive. The TK-6 cell karyotype carried a t(9;22)(q34;q11) and additional chromosome aberrations, including a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 6 and the abnormality of chromosome 7. Southern blot analysis showed rearrangement of the T cell receptor beta-chain (TCR beta) gene and the major breakpoint cluster region (bcr) gene. Northern blot analysis detected the expression of the parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) gene, however, the proviral genome of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was negative. This cell line will provide a valuable resource for the analysis of the relationship between T cell lineage crisis and myeloid differentiation and for the analysis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) or leukemia.

Carboplatin-based combination chemotherapy for testicular cancer: relationship among administration dose of carboplatin, renal function and myelosuppression

Carboplatin (CBDCA), a derivative of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, has low renal and neural toxicity. The dose-limiting factor of this agent is myelosuppression. We experienced various degrees of myelosuppression, when the dose of CBDCA was determined by the body surface area (BSA) in CBDCA-based combination chemotherapy for testicular cancer. Calvert demonstrated that the dose of CBDCA administered should be adjusted by renal function, because CBDCA was excreted through the glomerulus. We report the relationship among 3 factors; the administration dose of CBDCA, renal function and the degree of myelosuppression. We treated 6 patients with testicular cancer. A total of 22 courses of CBDCA-based combination chemotherapy was performed. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by the following formula, which was demonstrated in Calvert's study. CBDCA dose = AUC x (GFR + 25), GFR; glomerular filtration rate. The degree of myelosuppression was examined. All chemotherapy courses were divided into 2 and 3 groups according to BSA and AUC, respectively. WBC and Plt reduction rates and nadir counts were significantly correlated with AUC, and showed no significant relationship to the dose determined by BSA. This study revealed that the degree of myelosuppression was closely related with AUC, which reflects the renal function.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of extrinsic allergic alveolitis

ICAM-1 plays an important role in inflammatory diseases. We analysed ICAM-1 expression on BAL fluid cells and measured soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) concentrations in sera and BAL fluids from patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). We found significantly increased cellular ICAM-1 expression on BAL fluid lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages, and significantly increased values of circulating and BAL fluid sICAM-1 in EAA patients compared with controls. Successive measurement showed prompt decrease of both sICAM-1 values in EAA patients during periods when antigen exposure was prevented. In BAL fluids from EAA patients, sICAM-1 values significantly correlated to neutrophil and ICAM-1+ lymphocyte counts. In EAA patients, circulating and BAL fluid sICAM-1 values has significant negative correlations to values of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity and to time intervals between last episode and sample collection. However, these values had significant positive correlation to values of alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference. In EAA, antigen exposure appears to induce cellular ICAM-1 expression on BAL fluid cells, and also appears to up-regulate shedding of ICAM-1 in the alveolar lining fluid and in the circulation. The sICAM values appear to reflect disease activity of EAA.

[Atrophic gastritis in Sjögren's syndrome]

In patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SJS), it has been found that chronic atrophic gastritis is often associated with low HCl secretion or achlorhydria. However, the role of autoimmune injuring mechanism in the pathogenesis of the atrophic gastritis in SJS is unclear. In recent studies, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is accepted as the major cause of chronic gastritis. In our studies, HP infection was present in the half of SJS patients with atrophic gastritis. We also determined HP specific IgG antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In SJS patients with gastric inflammatory cell infiltration, the IgG levels were high. We determined gastric parietal cell antibody (PCA) levels by ELISA, using a recombinant fusion protein of the alpha subunit of gastric H+, K(+)-ATPase. Our observation suggests that atrophic gastritis in SJS is caused by HP infection associated with gastric mucosal injury due to PCA.

Comparison of virus replication efficiency in lymphoid tissues among three infectious bursal disease virus strains

In order to study replication efficiency of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in lymphoid tissues, both the virus titers and the virus antigen titers in four lymphoid tissues were compared among chickens inoculated with Ehime/91 (about 50% mortality), J1 (no mortality), or K (attenuated) IBDV strains during 1-7 days postinoculation (PI). IBDV antigens in tissue homogenates were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the bursa of Fabricius, higher virus titers were maintained for 1-3 days PI in chickens inoculated with Ehime/91 or J1 strains, whereas the virus titers increased gradually and reached to the peak on 3 days PI in chickens inoculated with the K strain. There were no clear differences in both the virus and the virus antigen titers in bursae and thymus between chickens inoculated with Ehime/91 and J1 stains. However, the virus and/or the virus antigen titers in spleen and bone marrow of chickens inoculated with Ehime/91 strain were higher than those of the J1-inoculated chickens. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that larger numbers of IBDV antigen-positive cells were detected in spleen and bone marrow of the Ehime/91 group than in those of the J1 group. There was almost no detectable virus and virus antigens in thymus, spleen, and bone marrow of the K-inoculated chickens throughout the experiment. These results suggest that efficient replication of IBDV not only in the bursa but also in the spleen and the bone marrow may be required for clinical infectious bursal disease.

Quantitative assessment of daily physical activity levels in patients with chronic heart failure by measuring energy expenditure--effects of converting enzyme inhibitor therapy

Although a major goal in the treatment of chronic heart failure is to improve daily physical activity levels, this has not been assessed quantitatively. An increased daily activity level may be reflected by an increase in daily energy expenditure. In the present study, measurements of energy expenditure with a commercially available ambulatory calorimeter were first validated using cardio-pulmonary exercise tests in 5 normal volunteers. The energy expenditure measured by the calorimeter correlated well with that estimated from oxygen uptake (r = 0.89). Subsequently, the daily energy expenditure was serially measured with the calorimeter during long-term administration of the converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril for 24 weeks in 8 patients with chronic heart failure. Changes in echocardiographic parameters and exercise capacity were also studied. Peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold assessed with symptom-limited maximal bicycle exercise were significantly increased 12 weeks or more after the initiation of treatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Left ventricular fractional shortening substantially, but not significantly, increased during this period (P < 0.1). These results strongly suggest that an overall improvement in heart failure was achieved after long-term ramipril therapy. The energy expenditure during daily activities was also significantly increased after ramipril therapy for 24 weeks (P < 0.01). Thus, the daily energy expenditure increased with improvement of heart failure, probably reflecting an increase in daily activity levels. We conclude that calorimetric measurement of daily energy expenditure is a novel and simple technique for quantitative evaluation of the effect of therapy on daily physical activity levels in patients with chronic heart failure.

Pharmacological effects of concomitant administration of beta-adrenoceptor blocker and agonist in normal subjects: characterization by heart rate response to exercise. Effects of beta-blocker combined with beta-agonist

The effects of a combination regimen of metoprolol and beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist denopamine on resting and exercise heart rate have been studied in 10 normal volunteers. Maximal ramp upright bicycle exercise was performed three times at 1-week intervals. Two hours before each exercise test, 5 mg metoprolol plus 20 mg denopamine, 5 mg metoprolol plus a denopamine placebo, or two placebos were orally administered in a double-blind fashion. During exercise after placebo administration, heart rate increased in parallel with the exercise intensity. Compared to the placebo values, resting heart rate was significantly decreased by an average of 10 beats.min-1 by 5 mg metoprolol, whereas it was not altered by the combination regimen. During exercise, however, both the combination regimen and metoprolol alone showed a significant negative chronotropic effect, decreasing peak exercise heart rate by an average of 14 and 21 beats.min-1, respectively. Peak oxygen uptake was also significantly decreased by both regimens. We conclude that concomitant administration of 5 mg metoprolol and 20 mg denopamine exerts an effective beta-adrenoceptor blocking action during exercise but a minimal effect at rest in normal subjects. The combination regimen appears to have a favourable pharmacological profile for beta-adrenoceptor blocker therapy in patients with chronic heart failure.

Bilateral painful epileptic seizures of the hands

Secondary sensory seizures (SSS) are very rare epileptic seizures. A 14-year-old male patient with habitual painful seizures of the backs of both hands since the age of four is reported. The painful seizures were rarely followed by impairment of consciousness. Ictal EEG showed 4 to 6Hz rhythmic waves over the right anterior and mid-temporal area following complaints of pain. The absence of tumorous lesions on brain CT or MRI, childhood onset and the absence of combined seizures were characteristic features of this case compared with other patients reported to have SSS.

Effects of age at first-pairing on the reproductive performance of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Effects of age at first-pairing on the reproductive performance of the gerbil were studied throughout the reproductive life. Six groups of 7-30 female gerbils were paired monogamously with males at different ages. Out of 101 pairs in 6 groups, 79 (78.2%) produced 1 or more litters. The mean litter size at birth and mean weaning rate of 846 litters were 4.4 (totally 3,733 pups) and 67.4% (2,517 pups), respectively. Reproduction was compared in the 6 age groups. The littering rate (No. of females with litters/No. of female paired) was significantly lower in two groups in which mature females were paired with age-matched males (Group 4) or the oldest females with younger, sexually mature males (Group 6). The interval from pairing to the first litter was shortest in two groups in which mature females were paired with one month older, sexually mature males (Groups 3 and 5). Although the oldest pairs (Group 6) produced about 7 litters, the pairs from the other 5 groups produced about 10 or more litters throughout their reproductive life. The weaning rate was significantly higher in Group 6 (the oldest pairs) than in the younger groups. The effects of parity on reproduction were estimated from the data for the 61 pairs which produced more than 8 litters in the 6 groups. The number of pups at birth and the weaning rate were decreased in last 20-30% of the total parity in all 6 groups, although the age at the last litter in all groups was significantly different. The data suggest that any decline in reproduction may be due to not age but parity in the Mongolian gerbil.

IL-2-induced gene expression of protein-tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP requires acidic and serine-rich regions within IL-2 receptor beta chain

A protein-tyrosine phosphatase LC-PTP is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells and is an early response gene in lymphokine stimulated cells. Here, we found the LC-PTP mRNA induction by IL-2 was markedly inhibited by several tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The induction required both the acidic and serine-rich regions of the IL-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2R beta) in mouse IL-3-dependent pro-B BAF-B03 transfectants. This is strikingly different from the induction of c-myc gene expression, which requires the serine-rich region alone. In addition, overexpression of activated-Lck or -Raf kinases resulted in augmented LC-PTP mRNA expression in myeloid cell line 32D transfectants. Considering the previous findings that the acidic region of the IL-2R beta is responsible for association with Lck and activation of Raf kinase, IL-2-induced expression of LC-PTP mRNA may be primarily transduced through a Lck-Raf mediated signaling pathway.

[Efficacy of simultaneous function and perfusion imaging on 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial scintigraphy]

The aim of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis for coronary artery disease (CAD) with 99mTc-tetrofosmin (Tf) myocardial scintigraphy was improved by the combination of function image and perfusion image as compared with perfusion alone. Tf myocardial scintigraphy was performed with one-day protocol (stress/rest) in 51 patients (CAD: 32, Non-CAD: 19) without previous myocardial infarction. Function image was obtained by first pass method, and perfusion image by SPECT. Number of diseased vessels was 14 in right coronary artery (RCA), 18 in left anterior descending (LAD), and 12 in left circumflex (LCX). Ischemia was diagnosed by 2 different parameters 1) perfusion image alone, 2) combination of perfusion image and regional ejection fraction (rEF). On perfusion image, accuracy was 53%, 94% and 86% in RCA, LAD, and LCX respectively. On perfusion + rEF, accuracy was 76%, 90% and 84% in RCA, LAD, and LCX respectively. Specificity in RCA was 45% on perfusion, 84% on perfusion + rEF. Sensitivity in RCA was 77% on perfusion, 54% on perfusion + rEF. LAD and LCX did not change by the addition of function image. By addition of function image, accuracy and specificity of diagnosis in area of RCA improved significantly (p < 0.01). Thus the addition of function image in Tf myocardial scintigraphy would be useful to improve the diagnosis, especially in region of RCA.