Bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry for evaluating age-related changes in the rat mandibular condyle decalcified by intravenous infusion

Age-related changes in cell proliferation kinetics of the mandibular condyle were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) immunohistochemistry in decalcified, paraffin-embedded tissues. Intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg BrdUrd was given 1 hr before animal sacrifice. Continuous perfusion of EDTA solution via the left ventricle shortened the decalcification time. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with monoclonal anti-BrdUrd antibody. BrdUrd labeled cells, i.e., the S-phase cells, were clearly visible with well-preserved cytological detail. Their nuclei exhibited homogeneously stained granules. The labeling index in the intermediate zone of the condyle decreased with increasing age of the animals. This method is useful for evaluating physiological and pathological changes of the rat mandibular condyle as well as other bones and joints.

Resistance to ketosis in moderately obese patients: influence of fatty liver

To elucidate whether the presence of fatty liver influences ketogenesis in obesity, the metabolic and hormonal changes in basal and low-dose epinephrine (EPI)-stimulated states were studied in 12 obese patients (OB) with normal glucose tolerance, consisting of 6 without fatty liver (OBN) and 6 with fatty liver (OBF). In the basal state, the total ketone body (TKB) concentration and the TKB to free fatty acid (FFA) ratio were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the OBF than in the OBN group, despite elevated, but comparable, FFA levels in both groups. The basal FFA level and the TKB/FFA ratio correlated with the degree of fatty liver (p < 0.05-0.01). EPI infusion resulted in accelerated lipolysis and diminished FFA-induced ketogenesis, similar to the findings of the basal data. These results suggest that fatty liver per se is related to diminished FFA-induced ketogenesis, leading to resistance to ketosis in obesity.

[A case of pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae accompanying high adenosine deaminase activity in pleural effusion]

We experienced a 5-year-old male case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia accompanying Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) activity in pleural effusion. Chest roentgenograms revealed the infiltration in the left upper lung field and the left pleural effusion. In serum, the M. pneumoniae CF titer increased to 1:512. The pleural effusion was yellowish in color, with a specific gravity of 1.030, protein 3.7 g/dl, glucose 101 g/dl, and ADA 50 IU/l. Pleural effusion accompanying M. pneumoniae pneumonia is rare, and the high ADA activity in this case has been reported only in one other case. This is a report of a high activity of ADA in the pleural fluid by M. pneumoniae pneumonia.

Identification of free and esterified hydroxyoctadecadienoates (HODEs) and linoleate-hydroxylating pathway in the epidermis of hairless mice

Epidermal homogenates of hairless mice contained a large amount of lipid material showing a single peak on reverse phase (RP)-high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a maximum absorbance of 234 nm, which was different in retention time from arachidonate metabolites such as 12-HETE, 15-HETE and 5-HETE. The production of this material was dependent on exogenous linoleate concentration, protein concentration and buffer pH. This material was identified to be a mixture of 13-HODE and 9-HODE on the basis of UV absorbance spectra, retention times on RP-HPLC, straight phase (SP)-HPLC, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and mass spectra obtained. As assessed by SP-HPLC after saponification, these two HODEs were found to exist primarily in esterified forms in the skin. Neither substance was produced following heat denaturation of the homogenate. These results indicate that 13- and 9-HODEs are produced from linoleate enzymatically at physiologically relevant levels in the epidermis of hairless mice. Thus, it is possible that these two materials may play some important role in pathophysiology of the skin.

Large amounts of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids in urine during taurine therapy

The management of infants with cholestasis remains a difficult challenge. On the hypothesis that taurine is effective in treating neonatal cholestasis, taurine (1 g/day, per os) was administered to 2 patients with neonatal hepatitis and the bile acids were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The serum levels of bilirubin and bile acids were significantly decreased by taurine. Before the treatment, cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were predominant (79.2% in both patients) in the urine. There was a significant elevation of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids (1 beta BA), especially 1 beta, 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (CA-1 beta-ol), in urine collected during the taurine therapy, and 1 beta BA became predominant (57.7-78.3%). Therefore, increased amounts of urine 1 beta BA were excreted during taurine administration. Taurine therapy is recommended, because it might be effective for treating neonatal cholestasis.

Generation of leukotrienes and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in peritoneal macrophages of tumor-bearing mice

To examine the potential role of lipoxygenase products in the pathophysiology observed after experimental tumor implantation, we examined the generation of leukotrienes (LTs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) in peritoneal macrophages. C57BL/6 mice were given subcutaneous inoculations of B16 melanoma cells, and peritoneal macrophages were isolated various days after the inoculation. Macrophages were incubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C in serum-free RPM11640 containing 10 microM calcium ionophore A23187, 10 microM exogenous arachidonic acid (AA), 5 mM cysteine hydrochloride and 1 mM reduced glutathione. LTs and HETEs were separately extracted, passed through Sep-Pak cartridges, then identified and quantitated with a HPLC system using UV absorbance. The B16 melanoma-cell-treated/untreated macrophages were found to produce substantial amounts of 15-HETE, 12-HETE and 5-HETE and LTC4 by enzymatic mechanisms. Thus, when determined under various conditions, the production of HETEs was dependent on substrate-concentration, incubation-time and cell-number. The production of LTC4 was dependent on incubation-time and cell number but not substrate-concentration, indicating utilization of endogenous AA stores. Of these products, 12-HETE and LTC4 showed a significant increase on the fourth day after the tumor cell inoculation and returned to the control level by the 11th day after the same treatment. These results suggest that in vivo tumor cell implantation may induce a transient increase of 12-HETE and LTC4 production in macrophages.

Application of bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry to the rat temporomandibular joint

To detect S-phase cells in the decalcified paraffin-embedded temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tissues of the rat, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) immunohistochemistry was performed. Percardiac perfusion of 10% EDTA-2Na Tris buffer accelerated the decalcification. The use of the monoclonal antibody to BrdUrd enabled the visualization of the distribution of S-phase cells. This method is practical in studying cell kinetics and the specific proliferation mode of the TMJ.

Prevention of 4-pentenoic acid-induced liver injury in rats by 16,16-dimethyl PGE2

16,16-Dimethyl PGE2 (dmPGE2) is known to protect against cellular damage in various tissues. Histological and biochemical approaches were used to examine the effect of this prostaglandin on hepatocellular damage in an experimental Reye's syndrome model produced in rats by 4-pentenoic acid. Chronic intraperitoneal administration of 4-pentenoic acid induced an accumulation of fatty droplets throughout the hepatic lobules along with mitochondrial abnormalities including swelling, disappearance of christae, and heterogeneity of matrix. These abnormalities were more intense in the marginal zone and successively decreased nearer to the central vein. Such hepatic abnormalities were markedly reduced by the combined administration of dmPGE2 with 4-pentenoic acid. Biochemical examination confirmed that dmPGE2 was able to inhibit the accumulation of hepatic triglyceride seen after the treatment with 4-pentenoic acid alone. These results indicated that dmPGE2 can prevent characteristic hepatocellular damage in this experimental Reye's syndrome model, suggesting that the involvement of prostaglandins should be taken into account in discussing the etiology and management of this syndrome.

Application of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography to preoperative evaluation of masseteric hypertrophy

A case of unilateral masseteric hypertrophy in a 30-year-old man is described. Preoperative evaluation was performed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (USG). MRI could delineate not only the border between medial and lateral layers of the masseter but also delineate the hypertrophic portion. MRI also provided more information in respect of the masseter muscle as well as the other masticatory muscles and the surrounding tissues than CT. USG was useful because of its real-time processing, especially in this case where facial asymmetry was emphasized during mastication. We resected the medial lower-half of the masseter intraorally based on these imagings and obtained a successful result.

Neonatal Dubin-Johnson syndrome with severe cholestasis: effective phenobarbital therapy

We described Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) with severe cholestasis in a 20-day-old Japanese boy. Although neonatal DJS has been sporadically reported. DJS with severe cholestasis has not to our knowledge been described in the English literature. The ratio of urinary coproporphyrin isomer I to urinary total coproporphyrin in our patient was high (93%). Liver histology showed cytoplasmic pigment granules in the liver cells. Administration of phenobarbital (PB) significantly decreased the levels of bilirubin and bile acids in the serum. There was a significant elevation of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids in the urine. It is predicted that severe cholestasis in neonatal DJS may cause metabolic abnormalities in both bilirubin and bile acids transport.

An electron microscopic study of acetylcholinesterase-activity and vasoactive intestinal peptide- and neuro-peptide Y-immunoreactivity of the intraepithelial nerve fibers in the nasal gland of the guinea pig

In combination with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), histochemistry for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and immunohistochemistry for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were carried out on the intraepithelial nerve fibers of the guinea-pig nasal gland. AChE-positive nerve profiles and VIP-immunoreactive nerve profiles were detected in abundance within the epithelium of the glandular acini and within the epithelium of intralobular excretory ducts including the intercalated and striated ducts. Intraepithelial NPY-immunoreactive nerve profiles were also considerably large in number in the nasal gland, but less frequent than the other two types of nerve profiles; furthermore, the NPY-immunoreactive nerve profiles appeared absent within the epithelium of the striated duct. All the intraepithelial nerve varicosities were in close spatial contact with the epithelial cells of the acinus and the duct and also with the myoepithelial cells, which were commonly seen in the acinus and the intercalated duct. Throughout the present study, however, no membranous specializations could be found between the nerve varicosities and the epithelial cells or the myoepithelial cells. The present results suggest an intense and delicate regulation through the collaboration among ACh, VIP and NPY of the secretory activity of the guinea-pig nasal gland, including the emission of acinar secretions into the duct through contraction of the myoepithelium and modification of the secretion contents by the duct epithelium.

Prognostic implication of silver-binding nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Silver-binding nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were counted in sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty-nine cases, that comprised poor prognostic group (n = 19) and good prognostic group (n = 20), were examined with respect to the relation between AgNOR counts and histologic grading, and correlation between AgNOR counts and prognosis. The pooled mean AgNOR counts were: Grade 1 carcinomas, 6.39 +/- 1.67 (mean +/- SD; n = 35); Grade 2, 9.74 +/- 1.72 (n = 3). Mean AgNOR count of Grade 3 was 6.19 +/- 2.37 (n = 1). The pooled mean AgNOR count in poor prognostic group was higher than that in good prognostic group. Five-year survival rate of the cases with high AgNOR counts (greater than or equal to 6.5) was significantly lower than that with low AgNOR counts (less than 6.5). High AgNOR counts are highly suggestive of poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Studies on heat treatment for immediate reimplantation of resected bone

Extracorporeal heat treatment for devitalizing the tumour-infiltrated bone segment without destroying its regenerative potential was investigated for the purpose of immediate reimplantation of the resected bone. Effects of heat treatment on cell viability and bone inductive properties were studied in cultured tumour cells and animal models. Heat treatment at 65 degrees C for 30 to 120 minutes resulted in complete devitalization of cells, preserving osteogenetic properties of the allogenic bone implant in the rabbit. The results of the experiments indicate that this procedure has advantages in devitalizing the resected bone for its immediate reimplantation and justify clinical application. The clinical application of this heat treatment in 3 cases is presented.

Ultrastructure of the perineurial cell of the sciatic nerve in rats--a transmission and scanning electron microscopic study

The perineurial cells of the sciatic nerve of mature albino rats were investigated by using light microscope (LM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The perineurium of the sciatic nerve was composed of several lamellae of thin perineurial cells which were held together by the zonula occludens and also by the zonula adherens. The TEM view of the perineurium revealed that the plasmalemma of the perineurial cells presented numerous caveolae similar to those described in the endothelial cells of blood capillaries. By SEM, the perineurial cells were very thin, flattened out with various shapes from rectangular to hexagonal, and arranged closely to each other in the fashion of a stone pavement around the nerve fascicles. It was possible to isolate the perineurium from the nerve and to demonstrate the cellular border of the perineurial cells by silver impregnation method. The SEM observation of the perineurial cells ascertained the figure of the cells which were seen in the silver-impregnated specimen under LM. The present authors have interest in the fact that shape and arrangement of the perineurial cells of spinal nerves resemble closely those of the myoid cells in the limiting lamina of the seminiferous tubules of the mammalian testes. The meaning and significance of the similarity between these two types of cells was discussed.

Acid proteinases of the fore-gut in metamorphosing tadpoles of Rana catesbeiana

1. Two types of acid proteinases were found in the adult stomach of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. 2. The first type of enzyme appeared in the developing stomach and esophagus and contained more than two kinds of acid proteinases. 3. These enzymes were identified as pepsin-type enzymes. 4. The second type of enzyme existed from the larva to adult stage and was also present in the adult duodenum. 5. This enzyme was different from pepsin and thought to be cathepsin E.

Arachidonate metabolism in bovine gallbladder mucosa

Incubation of [1-14C] arachidonicacid (AA) with homogenates of bovine gallbladder mucosa in the presence or absence of reduced glutathione (GSH) generated large amounts of products that cochromatographed with PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and small amounts of products comigrating with PGF2 alpha, TxB2 and PGD2. In the presence of GSH PGE2-like material was predominantly produced while in the absence of GSH 6-keto-PGF1 alpha-like material was a major product. Identification of PGE2 was performed by its chemical conversion with NaBH4 or KOH treatments and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Identification of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gallbladder muscle produced predominantly 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the presence or absence of GSH. The total amount of cyclooxygenase products was approximately 2 times higher in the mucosa than in the muscle. These results indicate that bovine gallbladder mucosa contains higher levels of fatty acid cyclooxygenase, and PGE2 isomerase and PGI2 synthetase in a proportion different from that in the muscle.

Osteoradionecrosis of sphenoid and temporal bones in a patient with maxillary sinus carcinoma: a case report

A case of radionecrosis of sphenoid and temporal bones is reported. The patient received a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for his left maxillary sinus carcinoma. After the combined therapy, necrosis accompanying inflammation developed in the maxillary and temporal regions. Excision of the necrotic tissues was done, and the left ascending ramus of the mandible was resected because of persistent tumor mass at the left infratemporal fossa. Although the excision wound of the maxilla healed by epithelialization, an area of nonvital bone remained exposed in the temporal region, where progressive osteonecrosis with infection led to breakdown of the skin. The necrotic bones of the zygomatic arch and the sphenotemporal sutural region became visible through the skin defect, and computerized tomography scan revealed bone necrosis involving the inferolateral area and the base of the skull. Excision of the necrotic bone and reconstruction with sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap were performed.

Computed tomography in the evaluation of postoperative maxillary cysts

Twenty-two cases (34 sides) of postoperative maxillary cysts evaluated with axial and coronal computed tomograms were reviewed. Precise characteristics pertaining to the extent of maxillary sinus involvement, loculation, presence of septae, bony perforation, and associated cystic projection or extension into adjacent structures were determined. Of the 34 sides, 13 cysts involved the sinus completely. Twelve were multilocular. Thirteen exhibited incomplete septae. Perforations were most frequent in the anterolateral and medial bony walls (28 and 27, respectively); however, the 14 posterolateral wall perforations showed a higher percentage of cystic projection into adjacent structures. Ethmoid extension was seen on two sides, orbital extension on one. Nine sides showed tooth roots communicating with the cyst. The routine use of computed tomography in the evaluation of this type of cyst is proposed.

Effects of diethyl maleate (DEM), a glutathione depletor, on prostaglandin synthesis in the isolated perfused spleen of rabbits

To investigate the role of glutathione (GSH) on prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, isolated rabbit spleens were perfused with Tyrode's solution with or without the addition of diethyl maleate (DEM) in concentrations up to 1 mM. In the absence of DEM, PG synthesis was stimulated by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (20 nmole) or arachidonate (0.4 mumole). Prostaglandin (PG) E2 was a major product, accounting for 60-70% of the total cyclooxygenase products. Small amounts of PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGD2 and thromboxane (Tx) B2 were also produced. When DEM was added to the perfusion medium, GSH content decreased dose-dependently with increasing DEM concentration. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was not detected in the venous effluent, indicating that DEM depleted intrasplenic GSH without causing any lysis of cellular membranes. A23187-induced production of PGs and of Tx was decreased with increasing concentrations of DEM up to 0.5 mM, whereas at 1.0 mM DEM, these products showed a tendency to increase as compared with levels at 0.5 mM DEM. However, this increase was only significant for TxB2, which returned to levels obtained in the absence of DEM. DEM 1 mM did not cause cell lysis, but it appears to perturb the cell membrane to a degree similar to that which occurs with stimulation of phospholipase A2. The small but significant increase of TxB2 with 1.0 mM DEM could be a result of decreased PGE2 isomerase activity. Perfusion with arachidonate gave virtually identical results: 1.0 mM DEM attenuated the production of all prostanoids except for TxB2 as compared with untreated controls. These results suggest that GSH contributes to the regulation and/or maintenance of PGs synthesis.

Distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactive and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerve fibers in the prostate gland of the monkey (Macacus fuscatus)

Nerve fibers containing immunoreactivities for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and exhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivity were examined by means of histochemical and immunohistochemical methods in the caudal lobe of the prostate in the monkey, Macacus fuscatus. TH-like immunoreactive nerve fibers were distributed abundantly in the interstitium where smooth muscle fiber bundles were rich and scarcely in the paraurethral region where they were rare. NPY-like immunoreactive nerve fibers, less abundant than TH-like immunoreactive nerve fibers, were observed not only in the interstitium but also around the prostatic acini. AChE-positive nerve fibers were much denser around the acini than in the interstitium. Both the NPY-like immunoreactive and the AChE-positive nerve fibers showed an intimate spatial association with the epithelium of the acini. Judging from the distribution pattern of these nerve fibers, the following assumption is possible. Secretion of the prostatic gland as well as the outflow of the prostatic fluid into the urethra induced by contraction of the smooth muscle cells in the interstitium may be controlled by sympathetic adrenergic nerves, while cellular secretion of the acinar epithelium is regulated by parasympathetic cholinergic nerves. The NPY-like immunoreactive nerve fibers around the acini may be non-noradrenergic; they may regulate the cellular secretion by acting on the cholinergic nerves as well as by having a direct effect on the acinar secretory cells.

Maternal brown fat metabolism returns to control level by four weeks postweaning in rats

We studied body composition, white and brown adipose tissue cellularity, lipoprotein lipase activity and metabolic enzyme activity in three groups of rats: nonpregnant controls, lactating dams and nonlactating dams (i.e., dams not permitted to suckle their young). Nine to 11 rats in each group were killed on d 12 postpartum (study d 34) and on d 40 postpartum (study d 62). During lactation, brown fat citrate synthase, beta-hydroxyacylCoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) and lipoprotein lipase activities were significantly lower in the lactating than in the nonlactating dams or virgin controls. Although the nonlactating dams had their pups removed within 24 h after delivery, by d 12 postpartum citrate synthase and HOAD activities were significantly lower than those of nonpregnant controls. By the end of the study there were no differences among the three groups except in the case of HOAD. HOAD activity in the lactation group was significantly lower than in the nonlactation group. White fat cell number in the parametrial depot was significantly increased in the nonlactation groups by d 12 postpartum. In the lactation group, increased white fat cell number in this depot was detectable at d 40 postpartum, when carcass fat stores and fat cells had been repleted. These results demonstrate that both lactating and nonlactating dams undergo cellular hyperplasia, at least in the parametrial depot. This may predispose them to obesity. Also, decreased brown fat metabolism in the nonlactating dams may be contributing to their significantly greater carcass fat content at d 12 postpartum.

Stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis by cholecystokinin in primary culture cells of bovine gallbladder muscle

Primary culture cells derived from bovine gallbladder muscles synthesize PGE2 as a major cyclooxygenase product with a trace amount of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha-like material. The synthesis of PGE2 and total cyclooxygenase products was enhanced in response to cholecystokinin (CCK). In the presence of indomethacin the synthesis of PG was inhibited and the release of arachidonic acid (AA) in response to CCK was enhanced. These data suggest that CCK may stimulate the release of AA, probably by activating phospholipase A2/C, from membrane phospholipids in the gallbladder muscle.

Elevated pancreatic glucagon in moderately obese patients: relationship of fatty liver and hypertriglyceridemia

To elucidate if the presence of fatty liver and hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) influences pancreatic A-cell function in obesity, basal and arginine-stimulated glucagon (IRG) secretions were studied in 7 normal subjects and in 28 moderately obese patients (OB) with normal glucose tolerance. The patients were divided into 4 groups, based on the presence of fatty liver and/or HTG. BMI was similar in all four obese groups. Basal IRG, as well as the sum of secretory response to arginine, namely sigma IRG values, were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in the OB subgroup having both fatty liver and HTG than in the other three groups; these values were similar in subgroups of OB without fatty liver, and showed no significant difference from the normals. Basal and sigma IRG values in all OB correlated well with the degree of fatty liver and HTG, demonstrating that by stepwise analysis the effects of fatty liver and HTG were independent for basal and sigma IRG values. These results suggest that the combination of fatty liver and HTG may serve as a good predictor of hyperglucagonemia in simple obesity, and, hence, metabolic heterogeneity among obese patients should be considered in evaluating A-cell function.

Ultrastructure of the hypophyseal portal vessel in mature rats--SEM and TEM observations

After chemical digestion of the isolated specimen of the hypophysis of the rat, external surface of the hypophyseal portal vessel in the mature rat was investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The portal vessel lacked smooth muscle fibers, it was accompanied by many pericytes with highly ramifying processes along its whole course. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study revealed that the endothelium of this vessel has many fenestrations and channels. These findings suggest that the hypophyseal portal vessel in the mature rat is a capillary sinus with pericytes rather than a vein as suggested previously.