Morphologic studies of the liver cell dysplasia

Light and electron microscopic changes in human liver cells which were considered to be precancerous lesions, were studied. In our micrometrical examination, dysplastic liver cells were classified into two types: large and small dysplastic cell. Each type had nuclear pleomorphism and multinucleation; however, the nucleocytoplasmic ratio of the large dysplastic cell remained normal. Electron microscopically, the large dysplastic cell had some features of regenerative cells. The nucleocytoplasmic ratio of the small dysplastic cell was between that of normal hepatocytes and liver cancer cells. The difference in the incidence of the small and large dysplastic cells in normal livers and cirrhotic livers having hepatocellular carcinoma was statistically significant. In addition, the small dysplastic cell had more of a tendency to produce a small round focus. It was morphologically suggested that the more important candidate for the precancerous cell in the liver was the small dysplastic cell.

The study of spermidine-stimulated polypeptide synthesis in cell-free translation of mRNA from lactating mouse mammary gland

The stimulatory effect of spermidine on the translation of poly(A)+ mRNA from lactating mouse mammary glands in a wheat germ system was studied. Spermidine stimulated total polypeptide synthesis about 2.5-fold relative to that occurring in the presence of an optimal concentration of Mg2+ alone. The size and the number of polysomes were about 1.6-times larger in the presence of spermidine than in its absence. A similar magnitude of increase in peptide chain initiation, 1.4-fold, was found when the extent of peptide chain initiation was measured by determining the residual polypeptide synthesis subsequent to the addition of inhibitor(s) of peptide chain initiation to the in vitro translation system with or without spermidine at various times of the incubation. Time-course study of the release of polypeptide from polysomes showed that spermidine stimulated this process to a much greater extent than peptide chain initiation, indicating that the polyamine also increases the rate of peptide chain elongation. The extent of stimulation of peptide chain elongation by spermidine was estimated to be about 1.5-fold when the disappearance of isotope-labeled nascent peptides from polysomes was measured by pulse-chase experiments. These results indicate that spermidine stimulates the cell-free translation of mammary mRNA by increasing the rates of both initiation and elongation of polypeptide synthesis to almost the same extent. The polyamine also reduced the relative amount of incomplete polypeptides, thereby increasing the yield of full-length translational products.

Defect structure analysis of polycrystalline materials by computer-controlled double-crystal diffractometer with position-sensitive detector

The method represents an extension of a previously developed X-ray double-crystal diffractometer method when a film was used to record the crystallite reflections, each reflecting crystallite being regarded as the second crystal of a double-crystal diffractometer. By utilizing a position-sensitive detector (PSD) with interactive computer controls, the tedious and limiting task of data acquisition and analysis is greatly simplified. The specimen is irradiated with crystal-monochromated radiation and the numerous microscopic spots emanating from the reflecting crystallites are recorded separately by the position-sensitive detector and its associated multichannel analyzer at each increment of specimen rotation. An on-line minicomputer simultaneously collects these data and applies the necessary corrections. This process is then automatically repeated through the full rocking-curve range. The computer carries out the rocking-curve analysis of the individual crystallite reflections as well as that of the entire reflecting crystallite population. The instrument is provided with a specimen translation device which permits analysis of large sections of solid specimens. Thus, sites of local lattice defects induced either mechanically, chemically or by radiation can rapidly be established and quantitatively determined in terms of rocking-curve parameters as well as imaged by X-ray topography, by inserting a film in front of the PSD. The versatility and usefulness of the method is demonstrated by examples given from studies of fracture, fatigue and stress-corrosion cracking of commercial alloys.

Induction of suppressor macrophages in mice by Fusarenon-X

Intraperitoneal injection of Fusarenon-X into BALB/c mice, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium nivale Fn 2B, depressed polyclonal antibody formation of splenic lymphocytes in response to pokeweed mitogen (PWM). This inhibitory activity was found to reside in the surface immunoglobulin-negative spleen cell fraction of Fusarenon-X-treated mice, sIg-(FX), which comprised mainly T lymphocytes and smaller number of non-lymphocytic cellular elements. However, reconstitution experiments for in vitro antibody formation provided evidence that T lymphocytes from Fusarenon-X-treated mice, T(FX), which were separated from non-lymphocytic cells by use of carbonyl iron/magnet, were as effective as T lymphocytes from normal mice, T(N), in supporting antibody formation. Furthermore, addition of non-lymphocytic cells, NL(FX), or adherent cells, AD(FX), prepared from spleen cells of Fusarenon-X-treated mice to normal spleen cells strongly inhibited in vitro antibody formation against PWM or a bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These results strongly indicated that Fusarenon-X induced non-lymphocytic suppressor cells in the spleen of the treated mice which had features in common with activated macrophages.

Clinicopathological studies of the Dubin-Johnson syndrome complicated with chronic hepatitis

Eleven patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) were studied clinicopathologically. In three patients with DJS, concomitant chronic hepatitis was observed. They showed long-standing jaundice with the symptoms of general fatigue and anorexia. Laboratory tests revealed mild hypertransaminasemia, elevated serum bilirubin (over 5.0 mg/dl) and a high level of serum Bromsulphalein (BSP) retention at 45 min (above 18%). Two patients complicated with chronic hepatitis showed a rather slow secondary rise in the BSP excretion curve in comparison with the patients who had no complication. One patient accompanied with the most severe fibrosis showed no secondary rise in the BSP excretion curve. After the treatment of the patient with phenobarbital, however, a secondary rise in the BSP excretion curve appeared and the serum BSP level was also significantly decreased at all points on the BSP excretion curve. Histological examination of the liver revealed the decreased number of the Dubin-Johnson pigments in the patients complicated with chronic hepatitis. Laparoscopically, a patient with a chronic aggressive hepatitis showed a dark gray decololization of the liver surface and another patient with a chronic aggressive hepatitis showed a black color of the liver surface with partial nodule formation.

Relation of serum alkaline phosphatase to liver scintigram in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was studied in relation to liver scintigrams of 54 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The ALP activity was higher with larger tumors and in multiple tumors. Within the single tumor group, the activity was higher when the tumor was located in the hilum than in the periphery. The incidence of ALP-1 isoenzyme (bile ALP) roughly paralleled the total ALP activity. These results suggest that the variation of serum ALP seen in each individual patients with hepatocellular carcinoma reflects the volume of cholestatic liver tissue, which is changed by the number, size and localization of the tumor nodules in the liver.

[Treatment and prevention of infections with cefoxitin sodium in patients with biliary tract infections and obstructive jaundice]

A total of 24 patients who was hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Wards of Yamaguchi University attached Hospital and the university's 3 related hospitals were administered with cefoxitin. The breakdown of the patients treated with cefoxitin was 7 with cholecystitis, 7 with choledochitis and the remaining 10 for the prevention of infections with obstructive jaundice. Daily doses of 2-6 g of cefoxitin were administered for 6-40 days by intermittent intravenous drip infusion in divided doses.

RESULTS

1. Of 14 patients with biliary tract infections, 10 (71.4%) responded favorably with cefoxitin. 2. Of 10 patients with obstructive jaundice used for the prevention of infections, 8 (80%) responded favorably with cefoxitin. 3. No untoward side effects were observed. 4. Cefoxitin proved to be a safe and effective antibiotic in the treatment of biliary tract infections and for the prevention of infections in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Some biochemical properties of the preneoplastic antigen in rat liver hyperplastic nodules

The biochemical properties of preneoplastic antigen (PN antigen) were investigated in order to resolve inconsistencies in previous reports. First of all, epoxide hydrase was purified biochemically from the liver of phenobarbital-treated rats and anti epoxide hydrase serum was prepared in rabbits. Immunochemically, in Ouchterlony double diffusion, PN antigen had the same antigenicity as epoxide hydrase. From an immunoprecipitation study using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis, it was found that PN antigen may be composed of epoxide hydrase and at least one more protein (mol. wt. 27,000). However, the biochemical and biological properties of the protein binding to epoxide hydrase were not determined. The existence of PN antigen (epoxide hydrase and its binding protein) may be associated with microsomal membrane alterations during chemical carcinogenesis.

Immunosuppressive effect of a trichothecene mycotoxin, Fusarenon-X in mice

The in vitro treatment with Fusarenon-X, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium nivale Fn 2B, depressed the mitogenic responses of mouse lymphocytes to the T-cell mitogens, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), but to a lesser extent to B-cell mitogen, a bacterial lypopolysaccharide (LPS). The in vitro treatment of mice with Fusarenon-X also decreased the responsiveness of splenic lymphocytes to the T-cell mitogen, Con A. Administration of Fusarenon-X to BALB/c mice before immunization significantly reduced anti-DNP IgE and IgG1 responses, while the treatment of mice after immunization was less effective. The number of spleen cells of the treated mice was increased with a reduction of T lymphocytes and an increase of granulocytic elements. In vitro antibody responses of spleen cells from Fusarenon-X treated mice by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or LPS were also suppressed. Reconstruction experiments using sIg positive and negative spleen cells from normal and Fusarenon-X treated mice showed that this inhibitory effect resided in the sIg negative cell population.

Regulation of allergic reaction by aerobic Corynebacterium equi extract, CEF. III. Inhibition of histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

Effects of a water soluble fraction of Corynebacterium equi (CEF) on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) were investigated. The treatment of RPMC with CEF resulted in a significant inhibition of the histamine release from RPMC which was induced by IgE antibody-antigen interaction as well as nonimmunological histamine liberators. CEF was much more effective in inhibition of IgE-mediated histamine release and compound 48/80 or polymyxin B-induced histamine release when the mast cells were treated with CEF prior to the incubation with the antigen or the liberators. In contrast, CEF was equally effective in inhibition of the histamine release by concanavalin A with phosphatidyl serine when the mast cells were treated with CEF prior to or simultaneously with the liberator. Evidence was also presented that CEF inhibits degranulation of mesenteric mast cells induced by immunological as well as nonimmunological mechanisms.

Increase of T cells in the liver during hepatocarcinogenesis with N-2-fluorenylacetamide in rats

The localization of thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) was investigated in rat liver by the immunofluorescence method during hepatocarcinogenesis with N-2-fluorenylacetamide. In the early stage of carcinogenesis, the number of T cells never increased significantly in livers in which hyperplastic liver nodules (population I) were seen. On the other hand, in the late stage of carcinogenesis, T cells extensively invaded hyperplastic nodules (population II) as well as hepatomas. According to the concept of cell-mediated immunity, hyperplastic nodules in the late stage might have a neoantigen(s) which evokes the response of T cells. Therefore, it may be concluded that populations I and II are biologically distinct lesions in spite of their histological identity.

Killer cell (K-cell) population in chronic liver disease

Peripheral blood killer cell (K-cell) population of patients with chronic hepatitis was investigated by means of a plaque-assay method using sheep red blood cells. The mean K-cell population of 14 control subjects was 5.1 +/- 2.0% (mean +/- SD), and that of 28 patients with chronic hepatitis was 4.4 +/- 3.1%. These 28 patients were divided into three groups: CPH, CAH 2A and CAH 2B. The mean K-cell population of each group was decreased in order of the severity of the disease. Especially, that of patients with CAH 2B was a statistically significant decrease (p less than 0.01) from control subjects. In the course most patients with CAH, K-cell population did not change for three months after admission. K-cell population was observed to decrease in the patients with active stage of liver cirrhosis, but not in patients with the terminal stage of liver cirrhosis, even in hepatoma patients. It is suggested that the K-cell population may play an important role of pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis.

Prevention of gastric ulcers in swine by feeding of sodium polyacrylate

Five experiments involving 169 swine were conducted to determine the effects of 0.1% to 0.5% sodium polyacrylate (PANa) in rations of growing swine on weight gain, feed conversion, and occurrence of esophagogastric lesions. Seemingly, PANa prevented swine from developing esophagogastric ulcers. Esophagogastric ulcers or erosions occurred in 42.9% of the swine fed a PANa-free diet, but occurred in only 9.8% of those fed a diet containing PANa. Addition of PANa (0.1% to 0.5%) to the growing ration increased weight gain and feed conversion. The anti-ulcer effect of PANa was discussed.

Ranitidine: a pilot study in Japan

Twenty-four patients with gastric ulcer and 18 with duodenal ulcer diagnosed by endoscopy were treated with ranitidine, 300 mg day-1, for 8 consecutive weeks, or until the ulcer was found endoscopically healed. Of the 24 with gastric ulcer, 50% were healed within 4 weeks, and 83% within 8 weeks. Of 18 cases with duodenal ulcer, 50% were healed within 2 weeks and 94% within 4 weeks. Therapeutic effect of ranitidine was statistically significant compared with placebo. Side effects due to ranitidine administration were few and consisted of a rash in one case and slight increase of transaminase in a few patients.

Terpenoids biotransformation in mammals III: Biotransformation of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, pinane, 3-carene, carane, myrcene, and p-cymene in rabbits

The biotransformation of (+)-, (-)-, and (+-)-alpha-pinenes, (-)-beta-pinene (nopinene), (-)-cis-pinane, (+)-3-carene, (-)-cis-carane, myrcene, and p-cymene in rabbits was investigated. The major metabolites were as follows: (-)-trans-verbenol from (+)-, (-)-, and (+/-)-alpha-pinenes; (-)-10-pinanol and (-)-1-p-menthene-7,8-diol from (-)-beta-pinene; (-)-alpha-terpineol and (-)-trans-sobrerol from (-)-cis-pinane; (-)-m-mentha-4,6-dien-8-ol, 3-caren-9-ol, (-)-3-carene-9-carboxylic acid, and 3-carene-9,10-dicarboxylic acid from (+)-3-carene; carane-9,10-dicarboxylic acid from (-)-cis-carane; and myrcene-3(10)-glycol, myrcene-1,2-glycol, uroterpenol, and p-cymene-9-carboxylic acid from p-cymene. These metabolisms include allylic oxidation, epoxidation, stereoselective gem-dimethyl hydroxylation and its oxidation, cleavage of a conjugated double bond by epoxidation, and regioselective oxidation, some of which are not found usually in chemical reactions, and due to which various new compounds were determined. This biotransformation of the monoterpene hydrocarbons gave some insect pheromones in high yield.U

Representation of T cell functions in liver bearing hepatocellular carcinoma

Thymus-derived cells (T cells) were stained by the immunofluorescent technique, and found to be predominate around the cancer cell nests, in the interstitium, and in the lumen of the sinusoid of the liver bearing hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma). The marked T cell predominance in the liver obtained at autopsy in 19 of 13 patients with hepatoma indicates that specific T cell-mediated immunity may be maintained even in the terminal stage of cancer in these patients.

Studies of alpha-napthylisothiocyanate-induced hepatic disturbance

In order to clarify the mechanism of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) induced cholestasis in rats, a few hepatic changes seen after administration of ANIT 80 mg/kg body weight were examined in relation to time. To clarify changes in the bile production system and bile flow, the concentrations of bile acid and bicarbonate, as well as of sodium in the bile, were measured after infusion of secretin and taurocholic acid. The canalicular bile flow was estimated by measuring the biliary clearance of erythritol-C14. To assess hepatocellular injury, the levels of cytochrome P-450 in the microsome of hepatocytes and protein synthesis in the liver were estimated. It seems that ANIT is activated in the drug metabolising system through cytochrome P-450 in the liver, and significant changes are produced in both the bile acid metabolism and its transport system. Bile acid-independent bile flow in the canaliculus was inhibited, too. Hence, both the bile ductules and the bile ducts are functionally and histologically disturbed.

Application of the methylene blue staining method to the study of experimentally PNNG-induced intestinal metaplasia of the canine stomach

To elucidate the developmental process of the intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, PNNG was orally administered to dogs and the sequential endoscopic examination was performed by using the methylene blue staining method. In the early period of the drug administration dogs showed the findings of erosive gastritis at the antral portion. In the 42nd experimental week, a clearly stained lesion was observed at the gastric angle. The histological findings of the biopsy specimens from the stained lesion showed the elongation of the foveolar epithelium and goblet cell-like mucous cells. Apparently stained lesion was observed at the antral portion in the 128th week. The close-up endoscopic appearance was very similar to that of stained intestinal metaplasia seen in the human stomach. The endoscopic methylene blue staining method as performed in the experimental dogs could provide useful results in the observation of minute lesions especially intestinal metaplasia in human stomach. This experiment, and further studies, may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of the gastric carcinoma in humans.

Death and its effects on the family household: implications thereof within a Japanese pioneer agricultural community in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia

Following the descriptive analysis of the deaths occurring within a Japanese pioneer agricultural community in the lowlands of eastern Bolivia, the impact of death on the permanency of the household and the family farming system was analyzed. During the 20 years since the establishment of the colony, adult male deaths were in a greater than twofold excess over those of adult females, and one-third of the number of deaths was attributable to unnatural causes. The death of adult members of the household was not directly related to remigration, but a significant association with remigration was found in the specific cases of death of the household head: the cases of sudden death from unnatural causes, or the cases in which the household contained no adult male who would take over the role of practicing pioneer farming after the demise of the head. The data also showed a retarded agricultural development where the head had died at an early stage of the establishment of the household. The results suggest that the family structure and the family life cycle of a household has an important safety-valve role in maintaining adjustment potential in the community.

Clinical implications of alpha-fetoprotein in liver cirrhosis: five-year follow-up study

The level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was estimated by radioimmunoassay or passive hemagglutination method in a series of 159 patients with liver cirrhosis, and the incidence of serum hepatitis B antigen, histopathologic features of the liver, incidence of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality in AFP-positive cases were studied. Approximately 40 per cent of the patients had an AFP level higher than 20 ng/per ml, and all the elevations of AFP over 100 ng per ml were transient. In contrast, patients who developed HCC during the course of the disease always exhibited an increasing value of AFP. The seropositivity for AFP was significantly related to the presence of serum hepatitis B surface antigen and also to liver cell dysplasia as well as to thickening of the liver cell plates. As compared with a group of AFP-negative cases, the AFP-positive group showed a higher incidence of development of HCC and poorer prognosis over a five-year follow-up period. The data obtained suggested that increased AFP-production in patients with liver cirrhosis might reflect, largely an abnormal or altered liver cell regeneration, probably associated with hepatitis B virus, and that patients with transiently elevated AFP values might be at greater risk for the development of HCC.

Complication of laparoscopy in Japan

Trends of examinees and complications of laparoscopy were examined by a questionaire sent to all representative institutions in Japan. As a conclusion, the rate of complication by this examination was 10 times higher, while its mortality was 25 times higher, as compared with gastroenterological endoscopic examination. This article may indicate the present status of laparoscopy in Japan.

Peritoneoscopic findings and liver function in chronic liver disease

In 100 cases with chronic liver disease, peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy were performed, and the association between peritoneoscopic findings and liver function was studied. With respect to liver function, a series of tests which seem to indicate residual liver function were selected as follows; dye excretion, serum levels of albumin and cholinesterase, and subfractions of serum proteins. In evaluating the periotoneoscopic view, new criteria for the classification of liver surface findings are proposed. All cases were divided into 5 types in accordance with these criteria. Analysis of the correlation between peritoneoscopic findings and liver function showed that the degree of liver dysfunction was clearly indicated by liver surface alterations. As a result, the residual liver function may be determined quite well by using this classification.