Distribution of ATPase-positive Langerhans cells in normal adult human skin

The distribution of ATPase-positive Langerhans cells (LC) was investigated in 117 specimens of normal adult human skin and mucosa taken from different areas of the body. Although there were significant variations in the numbers of LC in each area examined, skin from the face and neck contained the highest density of cells (976 +/- 30.93/mm2). The densities of LC in trunk skin (740 +/- 28.97/mm2), scalp (693 +/- 69.56/mm2) and arm or leg skin (640 +/- 40.95/mm2) were similar. Buccal mucosa had significantly fewer LC (567 +/- 42.94/mm2) than trunk skin, and sacrococcyx skin and palm and sole skin displayed the smallest number of these cells (267 +/- 56.14/mm2 and, 189 +/- 19.15/mm2 respectively). No ATPase-positive LC were detected in the centre of two corneal specimens.

Antifertility effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone-gossypol and gossypol in male rats

Thirty-nine adult male Wistar rats were administered 20 mg/kg or 24.3 mg/kg polyvinylpyrrolidone-gossypol (PVP-G) and 20 mg/kg gossypol acetic acid (G-A) 6 times a week for 6 weeks. Mating test was taken to evaluate the antifertility effect. Caudal sperm count, body weight, sex and accessory sex organ weights were recorded. At the end of 6 weeks treatment, the recovery period of 6 weeks was investigated. The results showed that the onset of antifertility action and recovery with PVP-G are faster than with G-A.

Purification and Characterization of the Soluble F(1)-ATPase of Oat Root Mitochondria

The properties of the soluble moiety (F(1)) of the mitochondrial H(+)-ATPase from oat roots were examined and compared to those of the native mitochondrial membrane-bound enzyme. The chloroform soluble preparation was purified by Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified F(1) preparation contained major polypeptides corresponding to alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon of apparent molecular mass 58, 55, 35, 22, and 14 kilodaltons, respectively. The purified F(1)-ATPase, like the native enzyme, was inhibited by azide (I(50) = 10 micromolar), nitrate (I(50) = 7-10 millimolar), 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (I(50) = 1-3 micromolar), and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (I(50) = 3 micromolar). F(1)-ATPase activity was stimulated by bicarbonate but not by chloride. In both the native and the F(1)-form of the ATPase, ATP was hydrolyzed in preference to GTP. The results indicate that these properties of the native membrane-bound mitochondrial ATPase have been conserved in the purified F(1). In contrast to the membrane-bound enzyme, the F(1)-ATPase was not inhibited by oligomycin or by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The mitochondrial F(1)-ATPase from oat roots is analogous to other known F(1)F(0)-ATPases.

Similarities and differences between the tonoplast-type and the mitochondrial H+-ATPases of oat roots

The native tonoplast and the mitochondrial H+-ATPase from oat roots were compared to determine whether the two enzymes have similar mechanisms. H+ pumping in low-density microsomal vesicles reflected activity from the tonoplast-type ATPase, as ATPase activity and ATP-dependent H+ pumping (quinacrine fluorescence quenching) showed similar sensitivities to inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate, nitrate, quercetin, or 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. The tonoplast-type ATPase was stimulated by C1-,Br- greater than HCO3- whereas the mitochondrial ATPase was stimulated by HCO3- much greater than C1-,Br-. Both enzymes hydrolyzed ATP preferentially and were inhibited competitively by AMP or ADP. Apart from resistance to azide, the tonoplast-type ATPase was strikingly similar in its inhibitor sensitivities to the mitochondrial ATPase. The insensitivity to vanadate of both enzymes suggests the reaction mechanisms do not involve a covalent phosphoenzyme. Inhibition by 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole and N-ethylmaleimide and protection by ATP suggests tyrosine and cysteine residues are in the catalytic site of the tonoplast ATPase. The mitochondrial ATPase was 100 times more sensitive to N,N'-dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide inhibition than the tonoplast H+-ATPase. These results suggest the tonoplast and the mitochondrial H+-ATPases share common steps in their catalytic and vectorial reaction mechanisms, yet sufficient differences exist to indicate they are two distinct ATPases.

[Analysis of chemosensitivity against a human breast cancer xenograft (MX-1) with the subrenal capsule assay in BDF1 mice]

The antitumor activity of 27 anticancer drugs against a human breast cancer tumor (MX-1) has been studied using the subrenal capsule assay developed by A.E. Bogden et al. in 1978. Without immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide, BDF1 mice transplanted with MX-1 were treated with various drugs. The antitumor activity was evaluated by the tumor growth inhibition rate on day 6 after treatment. Among the 27 anticancer drugs tested, 10 compounds (37%) which showed more than 75% tumor growth inhibition rate were considered to be active. On the other hand, 8 compounds out of 27 drugs (30%) which showed less than 50% tumor growth inhibition rate were considered to be inactive. When the antitumor activity between the subrenal capsule assay in BDF1 mice and the subcutaneous transplantation assay in nude mice were compared, both assays were well correlated (r = 0.787, p less than 0.001). These results suggest that the antitumor activity of drugs can be evaluated faster, cheaper and easier by the subrenal capsule assay compared with the subcutaneous transplantation assay in nude mice.

Rest and exercise hemodynamics in pulmonary stenosis: comparison of children and adults

To better understand the hemodynamics of pulmonary stenosis (PS), 24 adults and 53 children with similar degrees of PS who had undergone cardiac catheterization at rest and during supine exercise were retrospectively studied. Three groups were defined. Group I consisted of 9 adults and 18 children with a pulmonary valve area of less than 0.5 cm2/m2; group II, 6 adults and 25 children with a pulmonary valve area of 0.5 to 1.0 cm2/m2; and group III, 9 adults and 10 children with pulmonary valve area of more than 1.0 cm2/m2. The mean ages of the adults were 29, 26 and 22 years for groups I, II, and III, respectively. The mean ages of the children were 11, 10 and 9 years for groups I, II and III, respectively. The pertinent data collected from catheterization included oxygen consumption, cardiac rate and index, arterial venous oxygen difference, stroke index, right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure and RV end-diastolic pressure. Adults and children in groups II and III had an appropriate response to exercise. Group I children responded abnormally by increasing their RV end-diastolic pressure and decreasing their stroke index. In group I adults both of these variables increased. Group I adults exhibited a significantly lower cardiac index at rest and exercise secondary to a significantly lower absolute cardiac rate. Long-standing severe PS results in hemodynamic compromise. Hence, early relief of PS is recommended.

Morphological and functional investigations on macrophages with heterogeneous fluorescent staining

Four heterogeneous colors of fluorescence were demonstrated in macrophages from rabbit lymph nodes and mouse peritoneal exudate using fluorescent staining. They were bright blue, light blue, bluish green and yellow colors of fluorescence respectively. All of these 4 types of macrophages with heterogeneous colors of fluorescence could form EA or EAC rosettes and were able to phagocytose chicken erythrocytes and ink carbon granules. Among them the macrophages with bright blue color of fluorescence could form large EA or EAC rosettes and showed more rapid and stronger activity to phagocytose chicken erythrocytes, while those with bluish green and yellow colors of fluorescence showed stronger activity to phagocytose ink carbon granules.

Antitumor activity of a new fluoropyrimidine derivative, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, against murine and human experimental tumors

5'-Deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) was evaluated for antitumor activity against four murine tumors (L1210 leukemia, P388 leukemia, Lewis lung carcinoma, and B16 melanoma) and a human mammary carcinoma (MX-1) xenografted in athymic mice. Intraperitoneal administration of 5'-DFUR was ineffective against B16 melanoma implanted intraperitoneally and showed less marked antitumor activity against P388 and L1210 leukemias implanted intraperitoneally or intravenously as compared with that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or 1-(2-tetrahydrofuryl)-5-fluorouracil (FT-207), while oral administration of 5'-DFUR showed a similar or superior antitumor activity to that of 5-FU or FT-207 against L1210 leukemia implanted subcutaneously. 5'-DFUR showed a marked antitumor activity against MX-1 implanted subcutaneously and also showed slight antitumor activity against Lewis lung carcinoma implanted subcutaneously, while 5-FU and FT-207 did not show any significant antitumor activity against these tumors. These results suggest that 5'-DFUR may be worthy of clinical trial against solid tumors, especially cancers of the breast.

Inhibition of human T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro by commercial factor VIII concentrates

Several investigators recently described a T lymphocyte subset abnormality (reversed helper/suppressor cell ratio) in haemophiliacs, especially following previous substitution therapy. We studied in vitro the potential effects of two commercial factor VIII concentrates on incorporation of 3H-thymidine by isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes after stimulation with either phytohaemagglutinin or monoclonal antibody OKT3. Dose-related inhibition of thymidine incorporation was found for both concentrates but none using the purified main protein constituents, i.e. factor VIII, fibrinogen or fibronectin. Furthermore, the 'inhibitor' was completely removed by dialysis.

The technique of the Fontan procedure with posterior right atrium-pulmonary artery connection

A detailed technique is described for use of a modified Fontan procedure applicable to transposed as well as nontransposed anatomy. In the modified procedure, the use of circumferential grafting is eliminated, as are the complications arising from an anterior conduit in front of the aorta. Clinical results are reported for 9 young adults undergoing this operation.

Leprosy control in Shandong Province, China, 1955-1983; some epidemiological features

A comprehensive leprosy control program was launched in Shandong Province, People's Republic of China, in 1955, with the establishment of the Provincial Skin Disease Control Institute and a network of Skin Disease Control Stations and leprosy hospitals at the county level. Through repeated different methods of case finding, dapsone monotherapy, and intensive follow up, incidence has decreased from 5.1 to 0.46/100,000 in 25 years. Findings such as the increase in the mean age at onset and in the lepromatous-to-tuberculoid ratio, and a general decline in the age-specific incidence in successive cohorts, are in concurrence with the findings in other countries where leprosy is disappearing.

Isolation, chemical structure, acute toxicity, and some physicochemical properties of territrem B' from Aspergillus terreus

We have isolated a metabolite of territrem, designated territrem B', from the chloroform extract of a rice culture of Aspergillus terreus 23-1 by using the same isolation procedure as that for territrems A, B, and C. The present isolation procedure gave about 10 mg of territrem B' from 4 kg of rice culture per batch. Analysis of the high-resolution mass spectrum showed that the molecular composition of territrem B' is C29H34O10 (found, 542.2167; required, 542.200). Some results of physicochemical and acute tests are presented in this paper. Single-crystal X-ray diffractometry of territrem B' indicated that the three-dimensional structure of territrem B' has not changed significantly from that of territrem B except for the insertion of one oxygen atom into territrem B to make an additional pyron ring in the E ring. The tremorgenic activity of territrem B' is greatly reduced as tested by intraperitoneal injection in mice.