Extrahepatic organs metabolism of inhaled trichloroethylene

An extrahepatic circulation system for dogs was developed using a portal vein to right femoral vein bypass procedure. This system maintained nearly normal biochemical and physiological parameters, i.e. arterial blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, leukocyte and erythrocyte count, hematocrit, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia and creatinine, for 2 h. Thus, the system appears to be a valid technique for investigating extrahepatic metabolism. Dogs were exposed for 1 h to 500, 700 and 1500 ppm of trichloroethylene. Free-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid and conjugated-trichloroethanol appeared in the blood and urine after 30 min of exposure. The amounts of metabolite formed by dogs with hepatic bypass were less than by similarly exposed dogs without hepatic bypasses, specifically 50-80%, 10% and 10-20% for free-trichloroethanol, trichloroacetic acid and conjugated-trichloroethanol, respectively. In addition, trichloroethylene exposure produced a smaller decrease in leukocyte counts in the hepatic bypass dogs than in the non-bypass dogs. This observation may indicate that the liver itself played some role in the elimination or increment of leukocyte counts in the blood.

Identity of differentiation inducing factor and tumour necrosis factor

Human myelogenous leukaemic cells can be induced to differentiate into the monocyte/macrophage pathway by protein inducers called differentiation inducing factors (DIF) in conditioned media of mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood leukocytes. However, human DIF has not yet been well characterized. DIF is known to be a T-cell lymphokine, as it can be obtained from the T-cell line HUT-102 and can be partially purified from medium conditioned by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes. We found that monocytes also produce factor(s) that induce differentiation of human myelogenous leukaemia cell lines to cells with macrophage-like characteristics. This factor(s) has activity different from that of colony-stimulating factor(s) or interferons. We have now purified a DIF to homogeneity from medium conditioned by PHA-stimulated leukocytes using a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, ML-1, as target cells. The purified DIF has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of approximately 17,000, with an NH2-terminal sequence the same as that of human tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Recombinant human TNF (rHuTNF) induces differentiation of ML-1 cells and an anti-pDIF monoclonal antibody can neutralize both differentiation inducing activity and cytotoxic activity of DIF and rHuTNF. The findings indicate that one of the DIF(s) produced by leukocytes is probably TNF.

Biliary excretion of trichloroethylene and its metabolites in dogs

To examine the biliary excretion of trichloroethylene (TRI) and its metabolites, we carried out various experiments with TRI and its metabolites, i.e., chloral hydrate (CH), free-trichloroethanol (F-TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), using anesthetized dogs. The amount of biliary excretion was significantly increased with the administration of CH and F-TCE, whereas it remained at control levels with the administration of TRI and TCA. The substances excreted into bile were conducted in the form of conjugated-TCE (Conj-TCE) in over 90% of the CH, F-TCE and TRI administration groups. About 95% of these Conj-TCE were conjugated with glucuronic acid. The cumulative excretion ratios of substances and metabolites to dose were 20% for CH and F-TCE, and about 1% for TCA and TRI 2 h after administration.

[Trichloroethylene metabolism in chronic liver disorders induced by carbon tetrachloride]

Numerous reports have been published in the field of industrial health on biological monitoring of trichloroethylene exposure, but these studies have been confined to healthy humans. Trichloroethylene metabolism in individuals with chronic liver diseases has not been clarified. This experiment was therefore performed on rats that were administrated carbon tetrachloride subcutaneously for three months to induce chronic liver damage. The metabolism of trichloroethylene and its metabolites, chloral hydrate and trichloroethanol, were investigated using the isolated liver perfusion method. Comparing the changes of these substances in the chronically damaged liver with those in the intact liver, the following results were observed in the chronically damaged liver: The conversion of trichloroethylene to trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid decreased. The reduction of chloral hydrate to trichloroethanol increased. The oxidation of chloral hydrate to trichloroacetic acid decreased. The biliary excretion of trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid decreased.

Transcription unit mapping in adenovirus: regions of termination

Using a series of single-stranded clones of adenovirus DNA, we determined the extent of RNA polymerase II transit early in infection for two rightward-reading transcription units. RNA synthesis beginning at the major late promoter (16.5 on the genomic map) continued until approximately 65 to 70 map units so that differential choices of mRNAs within that region were not based primarily on transcriptional decisions but rather on posttranscriptional decisions. Transcription from the major late promoter beginning at 16.5 map units, however, did greatly decrease before approximately 75 map units, ensuring that no mRNAs were formed with sequences beyond approximately 75 map units. Early transcription from E3 then began just past 75 map units (at a higher rate than transcription from the major late promoter); E3 transcripts terminated at least 2 kilobases downstream from a second and final poly(A) site in this transcription unit. The effectiveness of termination in E3 was greater than 95 to 99%.

[Clinical correlation and modification of the subrenal capsule assay]

A prospective study using 10 cases with miscellaneous tumors was performed. Discoid (columnar) tumors were measured three-dimensionally (volume method). Modified criteria for evaluability and for both absolute and relative quantitative sensitivities were employed. The evaluability was 9/10 (90%) and by the volume method true positives (more than PR) were 2/2, true negatives (less than PR) were 9/10 and overall predictive accuracy was 11/12 (92%), and accordance in relative sensitivity ranking (e.g. A drug is better than B drug) was seen in 4/4. However using the original method (mean diameter method) the corresponding figures were 0/0, 9/12, 9/12, (75%) and 2/4, respectively. The utility of this assay in the field of clinical chemotherapy therefore seems very promising.

[Clinical application of local hyperthermia combined with antineoplastic agents]

At present hyperthermia shows great promise when combined with other modalities. Local thermo-chemotherapy may also be a very attractive research field, but the combination of hyperthermia and anti-cancer drugs is still poorly understood. In this review, the background and the clinical reports on heat and chemotherapy which have been reported during the last year were analyzed. Finally, our clinical experiences with local hyperthermia combined with anti-cancer drugs for gastrointestinal cancer were also reported.

Partial splenic embolization as an emergency treatment for uncontrollable variceal bleeding: a case report

Partial splenic artery embolization was carried out in one patient with cirrhosis during acute variceal bleeding when other direct hemostatic procedures could not be applied. It clearly assisted in controlling the acute bleeding, and led to subsequent endoscopic sclerosis. Although its effect is indirect, partial splenic embolization may prove useful in certain clinical situations with acute bleeding where other hemostatic means have failed or are not applicable.

Hepatocellular carcinoma detected by iodized oil

This study assesses the diagnostic value of Lipiodol (iodized oil) and computed tomography (CT) in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twenty-four patients who were suspected of having HCC received injections of a small amount of Lipiodol, along with an antitumor agent, in the hepatic artery following routine celiac angiography. CT scans obtained 7-10 days after Lipiodol administration demonstrated HCC in distinct contrast to the surrounding noncancerous parenchyma. In particular, the CT-Lipiodol procedure disclosed many small HCC lesions that were not shown by celiac angiography, scintigraphy, CT with and without contrast medium enhancement, and ultrasonography. Although this procedure may miss very small or highly fibrotic lesions, it is recommended for patients suspected of having HCC and for patients for whom hepatic resection is being considered.

Immunological study of heart diseases with special reference to the cytotoxicity of the heterophile antibody against cultured myocardial cells

In our previous study, a high rate of "heterophile antibody" was found in idiopathic cardiomyopathy. In the present investigation the cytotoxic activity of this antibody was examined in cultured myocardial cells. Trypsin treated cells cultured for 3 days were used in the two-step method of the complement dependent cytotoxicity test. The trypan blue dye-exclusion method was utilized to determine the percentage of surviving cells, and the cytotoxic effect was expressed by the cytotoxic index (CI). With fresh rabbit serum as complement, the mean CI value of the heterophile antibody positive sera was 20.7, which was in contrast to the value of anti-heart antibodies negative sera (p less than 0.01). As the cytotoxic effect to the heterophile antibody was absent without the complement, it may be complement dependent. Thus, our results suggest that the heterophile antibody may play a role in the pathogenesis or be an incremental factor of idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

The OP-Rheometer system, a new device for analysis of viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood: description and clinical application

OP-Rheometer is a rotational viscometer of concentric type, which was developed to measure blood viscosity at low shear rate (0.2-40 sec-1) and viscoelasticity at 0.1-3.0 Hz in the context of clinical medicine. This system consists of a mechanical unit, a control unit (console), a data processing unit and a printer. The dynamic or steady state flow data are automatically printed out. An outer cylinder (sample container) is connected to a torsion wire assembly supported by a pair of magnetic bearings. The angular displacement is detected by a pair of variable differential transformers. In clinical application of this rheometer, authours have confirmed that the viscosity and viscoelasticity of blood from diabetic patients are higher than for normal subjects.

[An experimental examination of extra-hepatic metabolism of trichloroethylene in dogs]

To investigate the extra-hepatic organs metabolism of trichloroethylene, the extra-hepatic circulation in dogs was established by operating on the portal vein-right femoral vein bypass and other locations. These dogs were exposed for one hour to trichloroethylene at concentrations of 700 ppm. Metabolite (trichloroethanol (F-TCE), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and total trichloroethanol (T-TCE) changes in serum and urine were measured from the beginning of exposure until one hour after termination, and compared with previous data as control. The following results were obtained. This operation method gave a very slight invasion on dogs. About two hours after the operation, no abnormal findings were observed clinically or physiologically. This method was considered to be one of the best for study of the metabolism of chemical substances in the extra-hepatic organs of dogs. The produced ratios of F-TCE, TCA and T-TCE in extrahepatic organs were about 60, 10 and 30% exposure to trichloroethylene at 700 ppm, respectively.

Determination of twist and handedness of a 39-base pair segment of DNA in solution

For DNA in solution, there have been two methods for measuring the helical periodicity. One method examines the ladder of discrete bands formed in the electrophoretic pattern of supercoiled DNA. Such a ladder is assumed to reflect the set of differently linked covalently closed molecules. The other method measures the lengths of partial nuclease digestions of DNA segments affixed to flat surfaces. Neither method, however, is able to measure the absolute handedness. X-ray diffraction of DNA oligonucleotides can determine the handedness, but the DNA must necessarily be crystallized. We have developed a new method for determining the helical parameters of a segment of DNA in solution. It is the first non-crystallographic method that can directly determine both the helical periodicity and the absolute handedness of DNA. The results obtained using this method are consistent with the classical Watson-Crick right-handed double helical model.

[Clinical studies of long acting amoxicillin in oral surgery]

Clinical studies with long acting amoxicillin (L-AMPC) have been carried out and the following results were obtained. 1. Forty-two patients with acute bacterial infections in the oral region were administrated orally L-AMPC at a daily dose of 1 gram. The clinical results obtained were classified as excellent in 3 cases, good in 28 cases, and the overall efficacy was 75.6%. 2. The antibacterial activity of AMPC was determined for 66 strains isolated from patients with oral infections. Of the strains tested, Gram positive cocci showed high sensitivity with MIC's less than 1.56 mcg/ml, while the sensitivity of PC resistance strains of S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and P. vulgaris was lower. 3. There was 1 case of transaminase elevation in the laboratory finding. 4. Five patients reported the following side effects, eruption 3, diarrhea 2, nausea 1, anorexia 1 and malaise 1. From the results of the present study, it is considered that L-AMPC is a useful antibiotic in the treatment of acute bacterial infections in oral region.

[Experimental examinations and toxicokinetic analysis of the absorption and excretion of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by the lung]

Of fifteen dogs each five of them inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCE) at the levels of 700, 1500 and 2,000 ppm respectively for one hour. Changes in 1,1,1-TCE concentrations in the expired air, arterial blood and venous blood of dogs were measured from the beginning of exposure until one hour after the end of exposure. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Cumulative uptakes of 1,1,1-TCE in one hour exposure were 27.3 mg/kg at 700 ppm, 44.7 mg/kg at 1,500 ppm and 71.2 mg/kg at 2,000 ppm. 2. Excretion ratios of 1,1,1-TCE in one hour after the exposure were 66-71% at all the three levels of exposure. 3. During the exposure, highly significant negative correlation was seen between arterial/venous blood concentration ratio and expired/inspired air concentration ratio. In the post-exposure period, highly significant positive correlations were seen between expired air concentration and venous or arterial blood concentration. 4. The mean ratio of the total absorption value to the total inspired value was 14% at all the three levels of exposure. 5. From these results, the authors examined the multiple regression equations with two independent variables x and z which are shown as follows. a) During the exposure period, Y1: Cumulative absorption solvent value by the dog (mg/kg) X1: Time of exposure (min) Z1: Level of the solvent value in the ambient air (microgram/ml) log Y1 = -0.526 + 0.622 log X1 + 0.905 log Z1 b) Post exposure period, Y2: Cumulative excreted solvent value by the dog (mg/kg) X2: Time after the end of exposure (min) Z2: Cumulative absorbed solvent value by the dog at the end of exposure (mg/kg) log Y2 = -2.300 + 0.609 log X2 + 0.858 log Z2 We assumed that both equations are very fit and significant.

Experimental myocarditis. II. Cardiac lesions in rats induced by immunization with heterologous heart extracts

The production of myocardial lesions and circulating anti-heart antibodies has been studied in the present experiment. Twenty-one of Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: 9 rats immunized with heterologous heart extracts, Freund's complete adjuvant and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine, 8 rats injected phosphate buffered saline adjuvant mixture with DTP vaccine and 4 rats untreated as control. Injection of heterologous heart extracts emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant and DTP vaccine developed focal myocardial lesions in all of the subjected rats. The lesions were characterized by focal and diffuse interstitial cellular infiltration with myocardial necrosis. The circulating antibodies reacted to rat heart extracts were detected in 77.8% of the subjects. The antigen, reacted with the antibodies, located intracellular spaces in myocardium. The severity of cardiac lesions were not functional to the titer of circulating anti-heart antibodies may play little role in the pathogenesis of myocardial damage at least in this experimental myocarditis.

[Diminution of 1, 1, 1- and 1, 1, 2- trichloroethane in the blood and their excretion by the lungs (author's transl)]

In order to investigate the diminution of 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane (1, 1, 1-TCE) and 1, 1, 2-trichloroethane (1, 1, 2-TCE) in the blood and the excretion of them by the lungs, 100 mg and 50 mg per kg body weight of 1, 1, 1-TCE were intravenously administered to 12 and 13 dogs, respectively, and the same amounts of 1, 1, 2-TCE to 5 and 8 dogs, respectively. The arterial blood gathered and the expired air collected by the time up to 60 minutes after the injection were analysed with a FID-gas-chromatography for the concentrations of the solvents. The results obtained are as follows. 1. Concentrations of 1, 1, 1-TCE in the blood were maintained significantly lower always from 2 to 60 minutes after the injection than those of 1, 1, 2-TCE. 2. While highest concentrations of the solvents in the expired air were found about 1 minute after the injection for both 1, 1, 1-and 1, 1, 2-TCE, values 1 minute after for the former were seven to ten times higher than those for the latter. However, no significant differences in the concentration were seen between both solvents after 15-40 minutes of administration in the expired air. 3. Ratios of the amounts expired by the lungs during 60 minutes after the injection to the total were 61-68% for 1, 1, 1-TCE, whereas only 21-32% for 1, 1, 2-TCE, respectively. 4. Highly significant linear regression was found between the concentrations of the solvent in the blood and those in the expired air for each of 1, 1, 1- and 1, 1, 2-TCE.

Experimental myocarditis. I. Cardiac lesions in rats induced by immunization with homologous heart extracts

The production of myocardial lesions and circulating anti-heart antibodies has been studied in rats injected with homologous heart extracts emulsified with the Freund's complete adjuvant and the DTP vaccine. Six of 7 rats showed lesions of focal myocarditis, while only in one of them circulating anti-heart antibodies were detected. There was no correlation between the presence of circulating anti-heart antibodies and that of myocardial lesions. These findings suggested that the circulating anti-heart antibodies may play little or no role in the pathogenesis of this experimental myocarditis.

Analysis of the heart antigens. Homologous and heterologous anti-heart antibodies and analysis of the heart specific antigens

The present study has indicated the presence of 3 heart specific antigens, using homologous and heterologous antibodies produced in immunized rabbits. Two of these antigenic proteins exhibit restricted organ specificity for heart and the other one shares by heart and kidney. One of these 2 heart specific antigens reacts to both homologous and heterologous anti-heart sera absorbed with kidney, while the other reacts to only heterologous anti-heart sera. The former has an electrophoretic mobility corresponding to that of serum beta-globulin, and is found to have a molecular weight of about 175,000. The latter has the same electrophoretic mobility as that of alpha2-globulin and is found to have a molecular weight of about 50,000.

Quantitative determination of serum immunoglobulins in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases with special reference to cor pulmonale

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, quantitative analysis of serum IgG, IgA and IgM were carried out by use of the radial immunodiffusion method. The concentration of IgE in sera was also determined by the radioactive radial immunodiffusion method. The mean value of serum IgG level in the group of cor pulmonale was higher than that in groups of emphysema, asthma and normal subjects. The mean value of serum IgA level was higher in two groups of cor pulmonale and emphysema than in the group of asthma and of normal subjects. There was no difference of serum IgM levels between these four groups. The mean value of serum IgE in the group of allergic asthma was higher than that in the group of non-allergic asthma or normal subjects and an elevated serum IgE level was also found in patients with cor pulmonale. Findings of this study suggested that the raised level of serum IgG in patients with chronic cor pulmonale might reflect production of antiheart antibodies against cardiac tissue.