Oriental orchid (Cymbidium pumilum) attracts drones of the Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica) as pollinators

The discovery that drones of the Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica) pollinate the oriental orchid (Cymbidium pumilum) is reported. Drones are attracted to the orchid flower aroma mainly during their mating flights in April through May. Some drones cluster on the flower racemes and others insert their heads deep into the flowers. Drones with pollinia on their scutellum visit other orchids, which facilitates pollination. Individual workers and swarming colonies are also strongly attracted by the flower aroma, but the allopatric western honeybee (Apis mellifera) is not attracted.

Serial transcardiac lactate metabolism in post-reperfused stunned myocardium in evolving myocardial infarction

To elucidate the relationship between lactate metabolism following reperfusion and restoration of left ventricular (LV) function, we assessed serial changes in transcardiac lactate metabolism following reperfusion therapy in 67 patients admitted to hospital within 6 h of the onset of acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Left ventriculograms taken about 30 min after reperfusion therapy revealed marked dyskinesis in the anteroapical region in all subjects. According to the regional ejection fraction (rEF), determined 4 weeks later as an index of LV function, patients were divided into 3 group: 1) Restored LV group: 28 patients with reperfusion and restored LV function (rEF greater than 30%); 2) Poor LV group: 26 patients with reperfusion but poor LV function (rEF less than 30%); 3) Failure group: 13 patients with failed reperfusion and occluded left anterior descending coronary artery. Although there was no difference in elapsed time and time to peak creatine phosphokinase (CPK) between the former 2 groups, the Restored LV group demonstrated lower peak CPK values, suggesting that these patients had less myocardial injury. Immediately after reperfusion, both groups showed transcardiac lactate production. In the Restored LV group, aerobic lactate metabolism was restored early after reperfusion (at 6 h), while in the Poor LV group prolonged anaerobic lactate metabolism was observed. These results suggest that an early restoration of aerobic metabolism might be a sign of stunned and viable myocardium, and a sustained lactate production might relate to a sustained process of myocardial injury.

Comparative studies of embryotoxic action of ethylenethiourea in rat whole embryo and embryonic cell culture

The effects of ethylenethiourea (ETU) were investigated using rat (Wistar-imamichi) embryos cultured from days 11 to 13 of gestation or cultured rat embryonic cells extracted on day 11. Malformations in cultured embryos at the concentration of 30 micrograms/ml of ETU were found in the head and tail, which were severely affected, as well as the limb and face. All embryos exposed to 150 and 300 micrograms/ml of ETU had malformed heads, tails, limbs, and facial configurations. Protein contents of the cultured embryos were decreased dose-dependently at the concentrations ranging from 30 to 300 micrograms/ml. In the histological studies of the cultured embryos with ETU, thinner neuroepithelium in head was observed. In the embryonic cells extracted on day 11 of gestation, ETU dose-dependently inhibited the differentiation of midbrain (MB) cells into neurons and that of limb bud (LB) cells into chondrocytes at the concentrations ranging from 30 to 600 micrograms/ml of ETU. The concentrations of ETU that inhibited the production of differentiated foci by 50% (IC50) were 170 micrograms/ml in LB cells of day 11, and greater than 600 micrograms/ml in LB cells on day 12 of development. Therefore, differentiation of MB cells was more sensitive to ETU than the differentiation of LB cells. These results indicated that there was a reasonable correlation of ETU induced changes in cultured whole embryos and embryonic cells.

[Two surgical cases of synchronous double carcinoma of the lung and esophagus and review of 10 documented cases in Japan]

Synchronous double carcinoma of the lung and the esophagus is extremely rare disease. In Japan, 13 cases have reported by Abo and only 10 clinical cases have been documented so far. We describe two cases of synchronous double carcinoma of the lung and the esophagus. Case 1. A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the abnormal shadow of the chest X-ray film. Left upper lobectomy was carried out for the lung carcinoma. Because of dysphagia after surgery, upper GI series and endoscopic biopsy were performed, and midesophageal carcinoma was revealed. Radical operation of the esophageal carcinoma was performed 2 months after the first operation. Pathological diagnosis of the lung tumor and the esophageal tumor were well differentiated adenocarcinoma and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma respectively and both of them were early cancer. After 22 months of the second operation, he is doing well. Case 2. a 66-year-old man was operated on because of the esophageal carcinoma in other hospital. Abnormal shadow appeared in his X-ray film 10 months after operation. Although he received chemotherapy as metastatic lung cancer, bronchoscopic examination revealed it adenocarcinoma. We performed segmental lobectomy to him 17 months after the first operation. Pathological diagnosis was large cell carcinoma of the lung. He is also doing well 18 months after the second operation.

Alteration of natural killer cell subsets (two color analysis) and their activity in peripheral blood in inflammatory bowel disease

The natural killer (NK) activity and NK cell subsets in peripheral blood were evaluated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by using 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay and two color flowcytometry analysis. The peripheral blood NK activity was significantly lower in IBD than that in normal controls. This decrease of the NK activity was independent on the disease activity of IBD but dependent on the steroid medication. The total population of NK cells (Leu 7+ or 11c+ cells) did not change in IBD as compared with those of normal controls. However, the proportions of Leu7+11c- cells and Leu7-11c+ cells in IBD were higher and lower, respectively as compared with those of normal controls. These findings suggest that the maturation step of NK cell lineages might be impaired in IBD. The decrease of NK activity in IBD was supported by the change in the proportion of NK cell subsets described above. It was thought that such a change in NK cell subsets might be a specific finding in IBD patients, because it was not observed in patients with non-IBD colitis.

[Study on the usefulness of haptoglobin used on endoscopic injection sclerotherapy]

The effect of haptoglobin (Hp) used on endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) was evaluated by examining the increase of serum free hemoglobin (FHb) and the changes of renal function. In control group, the increase of serum FHb (delta FHb) was paralleled with the volume of 5% ethanolamine Oleate (EO) injected intravariceally, and free Hp (FHp) was disappered in this group soon after EIS. On the contrary, in the group treated with Hp, neither the increase of FHb nor decrease of FHp were recognized. The significant increase of urine beta 2 microglobulin and NAG was recognized in control group. Therefore, if Hp is used at initial EIS, it would be prevented that serum FHb due to intravascular hemolysis increases, consequently the possibility of renal dysfunction.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using kissing balloon technique in the left main trunk

This report describes the feasibility of the kissing balloon technique in the left main trunk in selected patients who had stenosis in the left main trunk involving bifurcation of the anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery and who also had enough blood flow to distal coronary to prevent left ventricular dysfunction during balloon occlusion or abrupt re-closure in the left main.

Reversible pharmacokinetic profiles of canrenoic acid and its biotransformed product. Canrenone in the rat

Pharmacokinetic profiles of canrenoic acid (CRA) and canrenone (CR), the reversible metabolite of CRA, were studied in the rat after intraportal (pv) administration in comparison with those after intravenous (iv) administration using an interconversion model. In the clearances for the irreversible loss. CL20 of CR was larger than CL10 of CRA. Nevertheless, the real plasma clearance of CR was less than that of CRA. The distribution volume V1 of CRA was almost close to the real distribution volume Vss.real.D of CRA at the steady state. The hepatic available fraction of CRA, FH1 and sequential hepatic available fraction of generated metabolite, FH2, were estimated. Simultaneous computer multi-line fitting of plasma concentration-time data was carried out and the adequacy of pharmacokinetic parameters in this model was tested using the iterative nonlinear least-squares regression program, MULTI.

Electroporation as a new technique for producing transgenic fish

A recombinant plasmid, pMV-GH, containing rainbow trout growth hormone cDNA fused to mouse metallothionein I promoter, was introduced into medaka (Oryzias latipes) by electroporation. Of 3109 fertilized eggs treated with electric pulses (750 V/cm, 50 microseconds, 5 times), 783 (25%) hatched out. Four percent of the hatchlings were transgenic. To obtain transgenic lines, 180 hatchlings were maintained and 35 of them grew into adult fish. Two of these fish were transgenic. When one transgenic fish was mated with a normal female, the transgene was found in all the F1 offspring assayed. In F2 offspring obtained by mating transgenic F1 fish, 88% were transgenic.

Correlation of gastric mucous volume with levels of five prostaglandins after gastric mucosal injuries by NSAIDs

After administration of NSAIDs (aspirin and indomethacin), chronological changes in gastric mucous volume were determined. These mucous volume changes were evaluated in relation to the development of gastric mucosal injuries. Furthermore, quantitative changes in five kinds of prostaglandins (PGs) in the gastric mucosa were measured after administration of NSAIDs. Gastric mucus volume was measured using a video image processor (VIP), and five kinds of PGs were fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantitatively determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). We found that NSAIDs decrease the levels of five kinds of PGs to the same extent. Also, gastric mucous volume is decreased after administration of aspirin and increased after administration of indomethacin. Accordingly, it is possible that each NSAID has a different mechanism of producing the gastric mucosal injury and acts on gastric mucus in a different manner. There was no parallel in changes between gastric mucous volume and PG levels of the different PGs in the gastric mucosa after administration of NSAIDs.

[Serial myocardial lactate metabolic changes after intracoronary thrombolysis in evolving myocardial infarction]

To ascertain whether early intracoronary reperfusion (less than 3 hours) preserves aerobic myocardial metabolism in acute myocardial infarction, serial changes in trans-cardiac lactate extraction after intracoronary thrombolysis were examined in 35 patients with acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Eight patients without intracoronary reperfusion served as controls. In the chronic phase, we also observed abnormally contracting myocardial segments as an index of infarct size and the regional ejection fraction as an index of chronic regional cardiac function. In the early reperfusion group (less than 3 hours; 15 cases), positive lactate extraction was restored; there were small abnormally-contracting segments and a high regional ejection fraction. However, the intermediate reperfusion group (3-5 hours; 10 cases) had sustained anaerobic lactate extraction, large abnormally-contracting segments and a low regional ejection fraction. The late reperfusion (greater than 5 hours; 10 cases) group showed apparent aerobic lactate extraction, but had large abnormally-contracting segments and a low regional ejection fraction. Thus, early reperfusion preserves aerobic lactate metabolism and good ventricular function in the chronic phase.

[A case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a huge tumor thrombus in the right atrium]

A case of HCC with a huge tumor thrombus in the right atrium is reported. CT and celiac angiography revealed HCC in the liver. Inferior vena cavography and cardiac blood pool scintigraphy demonstrated a large defect in the right atrium, and 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy showed a lesion of abnormal accumulation in the right atrium. With these findings, diagnosis of HCC with a tumor thrombus in the right atrium was made, and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by autopsy.

[Application of multi-lines fitting technic for ethenzamide elimination with capacity-limited process in the rabbit plasma]

Intravenous and oral administrations of ethenzamide (EZ) were carried out in the rabbit, and elimination process pharmokinetically discussed. When the drug dose increased, plasma clearance and extent of bioavailability were reduced and plasma peak times delayed after oral dose of EZ. Michaelis-Menten type elimination parameters were estimated from the plasma concentration-time profiles after intravenous dosing of EZ. The first-order absorption rate constant (ka), hepatic available fraction (FH) and approximate elimination rate constant (K) for hepatic first-pass metabolism of EZ were estimated using computer multi-lines fitting technique by iterative nonlinear least squares regression program, MULTI (RUNGE).

Effect of amogastrin on the release of various prostaglandins into gastric lumen in man

The effect of amogastrin on the release of 5 types of prostaglandins (PGs) [PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, and thromboxan B2 (TXB2)] into the gastric lumen was evaluated in seven healthy volunteers. Gastric juice was obtained under basal and amogastrin-stimulated conditions. The 5 types of PGs in the gastric juice were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and then measured by radioimmunoassay. PGE2 was the major component in gastric juices among the PGs measured in this study. The release of 5 types of PGs increased after amogastrin administration. The rate of increase was high for PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (3.48 and 3.98 respectively), whereas it was low for PGD2 (1.54). It is suggested that endogenously synthesized PGs, especially PGE2 and PGI2 (assayed as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha), play important roles in the gastric mucosal protection and the regulation of acid secretion.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of acetohexamide and its metabolite, hydroxyhexamide in laboratory animals

The pharmacokinetic profiles of the hypoglycemic agent, acetohexamide (AH) and its major active metabolite, hydroxyhexamide (HH) were studied in three species of laboratory animals after intraperitoneal (ipl) administration in comparison with those after intravenous (iv) administration of AH and of the preformed metabolite HH. Reductive biotransformation of AH to HH was reversible in rats and guinea pigs, while it was irreversible in rabbits. The parameters of reversible drug-metabolite pharmacokinetics were calculated, including essential clearances of reversible and irreversible elimination, volumes of distribution at the steady state and sojourn times or turnover rates of the metabolite pair. An interconversion model, which incorporated a first-pass metabolism, was applied to the disposition kinetics of AH and HH, and the available fractions of AH and generated metabolite HH in each species were elucidated.

A study on gastric ulcers induced by long-term fasting in rats

The present study was performed to investigate the roles of intragastric pH and PAS positive mucus as to the incidence of gastric ulcers after long-term fasting in rats. Gastric ulcers in the forestomach and corpus were found at 4 and 6 days after fasting, respectively. The intragastric pH was significantly reduced at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 days after fasting, but tended to have returned to control levels at 8 days. PAS positive mucus was significantly increased at 2 to 7 days, but there was no significant change at 8 days. From these results, it seems that the aggressive factor is not involved, but attenuation of the defensive factor is important as to the incidence of this type of ulcer. As one of the causes of this attenuation, a decrease in the gastric mucus volume was suggested.

[Healing promoting effect of proamipide, a novel drug that increases gastric defense mechanisms, on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in the rat]

The healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers was studied for over 180 days after ulcerogen injection, and the effect of a new antiulcer agent, proamipide, was also assessed by histological measurements. In the control group, rapid reduction in the macroscopic ulcer index and increment in histological indices such as healing, regeneration of defective mucosa and proliferation of granulation tissue were observed from the 5th day to the 60th day after the ulcer induction followed by significant aggravation on the 120th and 140th day, suggesting the recurrence or relapse of gastric ulcers may occur at about 120 to 140 days after acetic acid administration. Proamipide (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) decreased all of these indices significantly from those in the control group. This indicates that proamipide remarkably promotes the healing process in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers, the regeneration of the injured mucosa and also the formation of granulation tissue. The glandular index in the surrounding areas of the regenerated mucosa was lower than that in the central part in the control animals and this difference was decreased by proamipide intake, suggesting an imbalance in the regenerated mucosa of the scar may have significant roles in the induction of the recurrence or relapse of gastric ulcers.