Effects of postoperative periods on glucose absorption and electrolyte secretion in the intestinal loop of sheep

This study was designed to determine the effect of postoperative periods on intestinal absorptive and secretory functions in the jejunal Thiry-Vella loop of sheep. The lumen was perfused with isotonic saline solution for 120 min at 1 ml/min. The secretory function was assessed by measuring the secretory response of water and electrolytes to PGE2 which was applied intraluminally at 100 microM during the second 30 min period. To measure glucose absorption, 10 mM isotonic glucose solution with its osmolality adjusted by adding NaCl was perfused. Measurements were taken at 1 week intervals for 3 months after surgery. Under basal conditions, water, sodium and chloride were absorbed, while potassium and bicarbonate were secreted. These net basal movements did not change throughout the 3 month period. PGE2 reversed the net absorptions of water, sodium and chloride to the net secretions, and significantly augmented bicarbonate secretion. Potassium secretion was not changed significantly by PGE2. These responses to PGE2 were not affected by the postoperative periods. Glucose absorption decreased gradually for 8 weeks after construction of the jejunal loop with a significant negative correlation to the postoperative period, and subsequently remained at a steady state of nearly 65% of the first week. This decrease in glucose absorption was prevented by regular perfusion of glucose. The results show that the Thiry-Vella loop of the ovine jejunum can be used to measure secretory function for 3 months or more after its construction, but it is essential to regularly perfuse the loop with glucose solution when this loop is used for absorptive experiments of glucose for a long time.

Effect of neural blockades, gastrointestinal regulatory peptides, and diversion of gastroduodenal contents on periodic pancreatic secretion in the preruminant calf

The role of nerves, gastrointestinal peptides, and gastroduodenal contents in the regulation of pancreatic periodic function were studied in preruminant calves. Nine male, Friesian calves were surgically fitted with pancreatic and duodenal catheters, abomasal and duodenal cannulae, and duodenal electrodes. Pancreatic secretion oscillated in phase with the duodenal migrating myoelectric complex. Pancreatic secretion and duodenal motility were abolished by intravenous atropine (5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). The frequency of pancreatic and duodenal cycles was similarly increased by motilin and decreased by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-27; secretin lengthened duodenal but not pancreatic cycles, resulting in loss of synchronization; cholecystokinin-8 and secretin increased pancreatic secretion (all infusions at 120 pmol.kg-1.h-1); intraduodenal lidocaine (2%) or diversion of gastroduodenal contents reduced pancreatic secretion without altering periodicity. In conclusion, generation of pancreatic as well as of duodenal periodicity in the calf depends upon cholinergic neural efferent input. Secretin, cholecystokinin-8, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide, duodenal contents, and mucosal afferent receptors seem to have relatively minor regulatory roles but can modulate the level of pancreatic secretion. The importance of enteric neural influence from the duodenum and the role of motilin in the regulation of pancreatic periodicity and its synchronization with the duodenal motility cycle remain to be determined.

Association between p34cdc2 levels and meiotic arrest in pig oocytes during early growth

The molecules involved in determining meiotic competence were determined in porcine oocytes isolated from preantral and antral follicles of different sizes. Oocytes isolated from preantral follicles had a mean diameter of 78 microns, contained diffuse filamentous chromatin in the germinal vesicle and were incapable of progressing from the G2 to the M phase of the cycle even after 72 h in culture. Oocytes from early antral follicles had a mean diameter of 105 microns, showed a filamentous chromatin configuration and about half resumed meiosis but arrested at metaphase I (MI) when cultured. Oocytes from mid-antral (3-4 mm) and large antral follicles (5-6 mm) had mean oocyte diameters of 115 and 119 microns respectively, contained condensed chromatin around the nucleolus and progressed to metaphase II (MII) in 48% and 93% of instances respectively. Analysis of p34cdc2, the catalytic subunit of maturation promoting factor (MPF), by immunoblotting indicates that the inability of small (78 microns) oocytes to resume meiosis is due, at least in part, to inadequate levels of the catalytic subunit of MPF. On the other hand, the inability of intermediate-sized (105 microns) oocytes from antral follicles to complete the first meiotic division by progressing beyond MI appears not to be limited by levels of p34cdc2, which are maximal by this stage. We postulate that an inadequacy of molecules other than p34cdc2 limits progression of MI to MII; the acquisition of these molecules during the final stages of growth may be correlated with the formation of the perinucleolar chromatin rim in the germinal vesicle.

High retinol/retinol-binding protein ratio in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The authors evaluated serum retinol, retinol-binding protein (RBP), and beta-carotene levels to elucidate the retinoid metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The mean retinol levels by gender (1.83 mumol/L for females and 2.24 mumol/L for males) in diabetics were higher than those (1.31 mumol/L for females and 1.82 mumol/L for males) in control subjects (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). The mean retinol/RBP ratios (0.95 for females and 0.97 for males) of diabetics were higher than those of the control subjects (0.60 for females and 0.64 for males) and of male patients having impaired glucose tolerance (0.55) (P < 0.0001). Lipid-lowering medication significantly decreased retinol, with decreasing apolipoprotein C-II but without a commensurate decrease in RBP. The retinol levels had a positive correlation with apolipoprotein C-II in all or normolipidemic patients with diabetes and control subjects. The high retinol/RBP ratio implies that an excessive or free retinol possibly exists in NIDDM. An alternative metabolism of retinol is inferred to underlie NIDDM without direct influences of cholesterol or triglyceride themselves.

Development of potent serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. II. Structrue-activity relationships of N-(1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4- diazepin-6-yl)carboxamides

Our studies on 4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxybenzamides led to the discovery that the N-(1,4-dimethylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6-yl)benzamide 9 and the 1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine analogue 10 are potent serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on the influence of the aromatic nucleus of 9 and 10 upon inhibition of the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex in rats are described. Heteroaromatic rings such as pyrrole, thiophene, furan, pyridine, pyridazine, 1,2-benzisoxazole, indole, quinoline, and isoquinoline rings showed weak 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. Within this series, use of the 1H-indazole ring as an aromatic moiety led to a substantial increase of the activity; the 1H-indazolylcarboxamides 54, 57, 97, and 102 showed potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. The optimal compound identified via extensive SAR studies was N-(1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6-yl)-1H-indaz ole-3- carboxamide (54), whose effect was superior to that of the corresponding benzamide 10 and essentially equipotent to those of ondanbsetron (1) and granisetron (4).

[Li-Fraumeni syndrome]

The Li-Fraumeni syndrome was initially recognized through clinical observations at the bed side, which was followed by epidemiological studies. Children suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma were shown to have two or more of six forms of cancer in their parents, grandparents and other relatives, indicating cancer family syndrome. This syndrome has been shown to involve tumor suppressor gene p53 mutations in the germ-line. The patients in the family most often have a proband with soft tissue sarcoma or osteosarcoma, and relatives with breast cancer, brain tumor, leukemia and adrenocortical cancer. Members of the family also appear to be at risk for developing second independent malignancies during their life span. Recommendations on predictive testing for germ line p53 mutations among cancer-prone individuals have been made by the subcommittees, which were sponsored by National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Human Genome Research.

Widely spaced, directly repeated PuGGTCA elements act as promiscuous enhancers for different classes of nuclear receptors

We describe here a novel class of cis-acting response elements for retinoid, vitamin D, and estrogen receptors which are widely spaced (10 to 200 bp) direct repeats (DRs) of the canonical 5'-AGGTCA half-site recognition motif (DR10 to DR200). In contrast to the specificity previously observed with shortly spaced DRs (DR1 to DR5), the different receptors bind promiscuously to these novel elements to activate transcription in the presence of retinoic acid (RA), vitamin D, or estrogen. The greatest RA-dependent transactivation, seen with DR15, was similar to that observed with the canonical DR5. Both RA receptors and retinoid X receptors contribute to transactivation through widely spaced DR elements. With the estrogen receptor, DR15 was one-third as efficient as the classical palindromic response element. A further increase of spacer lengths progressively decreased the efficiency of transactivation. No transactivation was seen with widely spaced DRs when the thyroid and retinoid X receptors were coexpressed in the presence of their ligands. The progesterone receptor was also unable to transactivate through a DR10 element composed of its cognate binding motifs. These results considerably extend the response element repertoire of nuclear receptors and suggest the existence of promiscuous transcriptional regulation through common response elements, as well as the possibility of receptor "cross-talk."

Regenerative Chatter Vibration Occurring in Turning With Different Side Cutting Edge Angles

This paper deals with the regenerative chatter vibration occurring in cutting tools with different side cutting edge angles. The occurrence of regenerative chatter vibration of the cutting tool is influenced by two factors, which are closely related to the vibratory energy supply or consumption. One factor is the interference effect between the tool flank and the workpiece. Of course, this factor exists in the primary chatter, too. The other is the regenerative effect. The influence of both factors on the regenerative chatter vibration of cutting tools with different side cutting edge angles is examined experimentally. The vibratory energy supply is simulated, considering the dynamic cutting process. As a result, the property of the regenerative chatter vibration and the influence of the side cutting edge angle on the regenerative chatter vibration are clarified.

Identification of the amino acid residues involved in selective agonist binding in the first extracellular loop of the delta- and mu-opioid receptors

Effects of amino acid substitutions in the first extracellular loop region of the delta- and mu-opioid receptors were examined. Substitution of lysine-108 of the delta-receptor (delta K108) with asparagine improved affinity to [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enk ephalin (DAGO), a mu-selective peptide agonist, to be comparable with that of the mu-receptor. On the other hand, replacement of mN127 with lysine decreased the affinity to DAGO by approximately 15-fold. These results suggest that dK108 and mN127, which correspond to each other in the aligned amino acid sequences, mainly determine the difference in DAGO binding affinity between the delta- and mu-receptors.

A signal sequence detection system using secreted protease activity as an indicator

We have developed a novel expression vector, pSSD1, to detect a cDNA fragment encoding a secretory signal sequence (Ss). This vector carries a cDNA fragment encoding the protease domain of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) as a reporter gene under the SV40 early promoter. We inserted cDNA fragments encoding various Ss between the promoter and the reporter gene of pSSD1. These plasmids were introduced into monkey COS7 cells to produce chimeric proteins. Only when the Ss was intact, was fibrinolytic activity detected in the culture medium of the transfected cells. Thus, this system may be useful for detecting the cDNAs encoding secreted proteins or type-I membrane proteins.

Decrease of medullary catecholaminergic neurons in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease and their preservation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We investigated the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the C1 and A2 regions of the medulla, the sites of the baroreflex arc, in 7 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 8 with Parkinson's disease (PD), 9 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and 12 age-matched normal subjects to analyze the relationship between cardiovascular dysfunction and medullary catecholaminergic neurons. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) was marked in all the MSA patients and moderate in three PD patients. Three of the five ALS patients who had been on respirators showed lability of blood pressure; paroxysmal hypertension and nocturnal hypotension without compensatory tachycardia. All the MSA patients showed extremely marked decrease of TH-immunoreactive neurons in both the C1 and A2 regions. In the patients with Parkinson's disease, numerous TH-immunoreactive neurons contained Lewy bodies that were immunostained by antibody to TH. TH-immunoreactive neurons were decreased very markedly in the A2 regions of two patients with OH, and three patients without OH showed fairly marked decreases in the C1 or A2 region. In contrast, the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons in ALS was the same as in normal subjects. In MSA and some PD patients, orthostatic hypotension may partly be due to the involvement of the medullary catecholaminergic neurons. The lability of blood pressure in ALS probably is not related to the medullary catecholaminergic neurons.

Effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the net movement of electrolytes and water and glucose absorption in the jejunal loop of sheep

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on glucose absorption and the net movement of electrolytes and water in the jejunum of sheep was investigated using a Thiry-Vella loop. Intraluminal perfusion of glucose solution (10 mM) containing NaCl (149 mM) and PEG (1 mg/ml) was done at 1 ml/min and the outflow solution was collected every ten minutes. After a 30 min control period. VIP was infused into the jugular vein for 30 min at rates of 10, 30, 100, 300 and 1,000 pmol/kg/hr. In the control period, water, sodium, chloride and glucose were absorbed, while bicarbonate and potassium were secreted. VIP decreased water absorption at 10 and 30 pmol/kg/hr and converted to secretion at over 100 pmol/kg/hr in a dose-dependent manner. Sodium flux changed to secretion only at 1,000 pmol/kg/hr, but chloride flux remained absorptive even at the highest dose. Bicarbonate secretion was stimulated dose-dependently by VIP. Potassium secretion was also increased at all doses, though this response was not dose-dependent. The net glucose absorption was not altered by VIP at any dose. Our findings indicate that VIP stimulates the jejunal secretion of water, sodium, potassium and bicarbonate and that VIP does not inhibit glucose absorption when the secretion of luminal fluid is accelerated by VIP in the jejunal loop of sheep.

Evidence for apoptosis of murine macrophages by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection

The gram-negative bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is considered an important etiological agent in periodontal diseases. In this study, we show that A. actinomycetemcomitans strains are cytotoxic for the murine macrophage cell line J774.1. On the other hand, Porphyromonas gingivalis strains, other gram-negative oral species implicated in adult periodontitis, showed weak cytotoxic effects. For this to occur, A. actinomycetemcomitans had to gain entry into the macrophages, since cytotoxicity was prevented by cytochalasin D. We demonstrate that cell death induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 occurs through apoptosis, as shown by changes in nuclear morphology, an increase in the proportion of fragmented DNA, and the typical ladder pattern of DNA fragmentation indicative of apoptosis. We further sought to determine whether the cytotoxicity induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 could be modulated by the protein kinase inhibitors H7 and HA1004. Apoptotic cell death induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 was suppressed by H7 but was relatively unaffected by HA1004. These findings suggest that the signals of protein kinases may regulate apoptosis induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4. The ability of A. actinomycetemcomitans to promote the apoptosis of macrophages may be important for the initiation of infection and the development of periodontal diseases.

[Techniques for determining position from more than two radiographs intersecting at arbitrary angles in brachytherapy]

The least squares method and geometrical solution for calculating position were used in the two-projection method. Five coordinate systems were defined as a normal system, image system on film intersecting the beam central axes at an arbitrary angle and the projection, virtual coordinate and virtual image coordinate systems with beam central axis as one of the three coordinate axes to determine the geometrical relationship between a point and image on the film. Normal coordinates of the point were calculated by six geometrical solution sets and two forms of the least squares method using the rotation matrixes of the coordinate systems. One least squares method solves simultaneous nonlinear equations, and the other derives a strict solution from simultaneous linear equations. The latter least squares method has little physical meaning and is not as useful as the former. Although the former has physical meaning, the iterative approximation method should be used to determine position since a strict solution cannot be obtained directly. By these least squares methods, position is determined with less error using the projections at more than two focal spots.

Successful allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a case with myelodysplastic syndrome which developed following Fanconi anemia

We report the case of a 14-year-old boy with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS/RAEB) which developed following Fanconi anemia. The patient received BMT from an HLA-identical sister. Based on the in vitro CY-sensitivity test, 100 mg/kg of CY was administered for conditioning combined with 6 Gy TBI. Mucosal symptoms such as stomatitis, diarrhea and hematuria were severe, but manageable, and engraftment was successful. The patient has maintained normal trilineage hematopoiesis with > 90% Karnofsky score for 30 months with disappearance of a clonal chromosomal abnormality (47,XY, +i(lq)) which was detected before BMT.

Inhibitory action of hypoxanthine on meiotic resumption of denuded pig follicular oocytes in vitro

The present study was conducted to investigate the direct action of hypoxanthine, which has been reported to be present in pig follicular fluid, on spontaneous meiotic resumption of pig denuded oocytes in vitro. No oocytes, which were surrounded by a cumulus and some membrana granulosa cells directly adjacent to it from healthy antral follicles, underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) when they were cultured in serum-supplemented 199 with or without 4 mM hypoxanthine. On the other hand, 81% of denuded oocytes prepared from such cumulus-oocyte-granulosa cell complexes showed GVBD after 24 h of culture. Hypoxanthine inhibited significantly this spontaneous resumption of meiosis in denuded oocytes. The inhibitory action of hypoxanthine was dose dependent at concentrations of 1-6 mM and was reversible following subsequent culture of the oocytes in hypoxanthine-free medium. However, premature chromosome condensation was observed in oocytes cultured in hypoxanthine-supplemented medium, and the oocytes released from the influence of hypoxanthine completed GVBD and reached the second metaphase slightly faster than those freshly isolated from the follicle. These results suggest that hypoxanthine inhibits spontaneous meiotic resumption of pig oocytes in vitro. However, the inhibitory action of hypoxanthine does not prevent all events involved in GVBD from occurring.

Role of endogenous CCK in regulation of interdigestive pancreatic exocrine secretion in sheep (Ovis aries)

The role of endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion during the interdigestive period was studied in conscious sheep. Intravenous infusion of proglumide (15, 30 and 60 mumol/kg/min) for 70 min significantly decreased flow rate, protein and amylase output in pancreatic juice by 80% at the maximum dose, as well as atropine (10 micrograms/kg/min), without a significant decrease in plasma concentration of immunoreactive CCK. Intravenous injection of CCK (114 pmol/kg) increased the pancreatic secretion during atropine infusion, but not during proglumide infusion. These results suggest that the regulation of interdigestive pancreatic exocrine secretion in sheep depends greatly on endogenous CCK as well as on the cholinergic mechanism.

Coupling of the cloned mu-opioid receptor with the omega-conotoxin-sensitive Ca2+ current in NG108-15 cells

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents were measured in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells transformed to express the rat mu-opioid receptor by the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique with Ba2+ as charge carrier. A mu-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin caused significant inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in mu-receptor-transformed NG108-15 cells but not in nontransfected or vector-transformed control cells. On the other hand, a delta-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [D-penicillamine2,D-penicillamine5]enkephalin, induced inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in both control and mu-receptor-transformed cells, which is mediated by the delta-opioid receptor expressed endogenously in NG108-15 cells. The inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents induced by [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin [D-penicillamine2,D-penicillamine5]enkephalin was reduced by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin or omega-contoxin GVIA. These results indicate that the mu-opioid receptor expressed from cDNA functionally couples with omega-contoxin-sensitive N-type Ca2+ channels through the action of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in NG108-15 cells.

Hyperfractionated and hypofractionated radiation therapy for human malignant glioma xenograft in nude mice

Xenografts of a human malignant glioma subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice were irradiated with graded single doses (2, 5, 10 or 20 Gy) or five types of fractionation schedules in two weeks: conventional [20 Gy in 10 fractions (fr)], hyperfractionated [24 Gy in 20 fr (two fractions per day)], and hypofractionated-1, 2, 3 [20 Gy, 18 Gy, 16 Gy in 4 fr]. All of the fractionated irradiation groups showed tumor regression. The hypofractionation-1 group (20 Gy in 4 fr) demonstrated the most prominent tumor regression, while the hyperfractionation group (24 Gy in 20 fr) showed the least effect. The hypofractionation-2 group (18 Gy in 4 fr) showed similar regression to the conventional fractionation group (20 Gy in 10 fr). Histologically, tumors in the control groups consisted of a homogenous population of small anaplastic cells, and only a small number of tumor cells were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive. Following irradiation, the population of small anaplastic cells decreased and the percentage of GFAP-positive cells increased. Cellular pleomorphism became much more prominent after irradiation in all of the fractionated irradiation groups as compared with the graded single dose irradiation groups. In this study, hyperfractionation was not effective against human glioma xenografts compared with conventional fractionation and hypofractionation. This indicates that care is needed in applying hyperfractionation regimens to human malignant gliomas.

Inhibition of collagen cross-linking: effects on fibrillar collagen and ventricular diastolic function

The fibrillar collagen network is postulated to be a primary determinant of left ventricular diastolic stiffness. This hypothesis was tested by examining the structural and physiological effects of a reduction in fibrillar collagen content and cross-linking in the intact left ventricle. Collagen cross-linking was inhibited by treating five normal adult pigs with beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN; 10 g/day po) for 6 wk; five normal untreated pigs served as controls. Left ventricular volume, mass, and function were determined by simultaneous echocardiography and catheterization. Chamber stiffness, defined by pressure vs. volume data, and myocardial stiffness, defined by stress vs. dimension data, were determined from variably loaded beats during dextran infusion. Collagen distribution (% area) and integrity (% confluence) were determined by light microscopy. Collagen content was measured by hydroxyproline assay, and collagen cross-linking was measured by salt extraction. BAPN decreased collagen distribution (% area decreased from 12 +/- 1% in control to 7 +/- 1% in BAPN, P < 0.05), collagen integrity (% confluence decreased from 8 +/- 1% in control to 4 +/- 1% in BAPN, P < 0.05), collagen content (from 36 +/- 2 mg/g dry wt in control to 27 +/- 2 mg/g dry wt in BAPN, P < 0.05), and collagen cross-linking (extractable collagen increased from 21 +/- 2% in control to 28 +/- 2% in BAPN, P < 0.05). BAPN decreased chamber stiffness (0.13 +/- 0.02 in control to 0.06 +/- 0.01 in BAPN, P < 0.05) and myocardial stiffness (10.4 +/- 0.5 in control to 6.6 +/- 0.5 in BAPN, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nitric oxide mediates mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatoma cells induced by non-activated Kupffer cells: evidence implicating ICAM-1-dependent process

The metabolic changes in a rat hepatoma cell line, AH70 cells, after co-culture with rat Kupffer cells (KC) were visualized and analysed using a fluorescence microscope equipped with a silicon intensified target camera and a laser scanning confocal microscopic system. Kupffer cells were isolated from male Wistar rats, and cultured without any stimuli. The non-activated KC reduced the mitochondrial energization in the cocultured AH70 cells within 2 h, which was indicated by decreased rhodamine 123 (Rh123) fluorescence. Either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or dexamethasone significantly attenuated the KC-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in AH70 cells, suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible-type nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Administration of monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against rat ICAM-1 also prevented the decrease in Rh123 fluorescence. Electron microscopy revealed that the membrane-to-membrane attachment between KC and AH70 cells occurred within 2 h. A laser scanning confocal microscopic observation using mAb against ICAM-1 presented that the ICAM-1 expression on AH70 cells and KC increased after the co-culture. It is therefore concluded that the KC-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction of hepatoma cells largely depends on NO production by iNOS. Furthermore, the present study supports a scenario that the NO production and release from KC is triggered by the close contact with hepatoma cells through adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1.

[Morphological analysis of the gallbladder elevated lesions--Macroscopic, stereoscopic, and histological study]

I analyzed morphological pathology of elevated lesions of gallbladder (ELGB) 136 cases, 177 lesions. According to the characteristic morphological feature, I can reach to differential diagnosis of ELGB. Most of I s and II a type carcinoma is papillary adenocarcinoma, which have irregular papillary surface. A few of II a type carcinoma is tubular adenocarcinoma, which is macroscopically granular and nodular, but, have stereoscopically small, uneven pits. Adenoma, most of which is tubular adenoma, is pedunculated, and have macroscopically multinodular, stereoscopically smooth surface. Whereas, hyperplastic polyp can be classified to "papillary type" and "nodular type", according to surface structure. "Papillary type" is pedunculated or sessile, but, "nodular type" is only sessile. This morphological feature is different from adenoma's. Pedunculated carcinoma (I p type) is frequently localized in mucosa. Whereas, if we can exclude adenomyomatosis, sessile lesion, more than 13mm is frequently advanced carcinoma, which invade to subserosa or more deeply. But, sessile carcinoma, smaller than 11mm, is frequently early carcinoma, which is localized in mucosa or muscle layer.

[Two-color flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute myocardial infarction and post-myocardial infarction syndrome]

Serial changes in lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in 37 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in 2 patients with postmyocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS), and in healthy subjects (control group) using two-color flow cytometry to investigate cellular immunity after AMI and PMIS. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were measured on admission and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 16 after the onset of AMI. The white blood cell count was significantly higher on admission and at week 2 in the AMI group compared with the control group. The percentage of CD4-positive helper T cells was significantly higher on admission and at weeks 2 and 4 in the AMI group compared with the control group, and the percentage of CD8-positive suppressor T cells was significantly lower in the AMI group at week 2 than in the control group. The ratio of helper-to-suppressor T cells peaked 2 weeks after the AMI and then decreased gradually. There were no significant changes in the CD4/CD8 ratio, the percentage of cytotoxic T cells, or the percentage of inducer T cells, throughout the observation period. There were no significant differences in the percentage of T cells, B cells, CD4-positive T cells, CD8-positive T cells, and natural killer cells between AMI patients and control subjects. The percentage of activated CD4- and CD8-positive cells was higher in the AMI group at weeks 4 and 8 than in the control group. There was no significant correlation between changes in lymphocyte subsets and infarct size. The percentage of activated CD8-positive cells was consistently higher in the PMIS group compared with the control and AMI groups. The percentage of cytotoxic T cells in one of the PMIS patients was significantly higher than in the AMI group. There were no significant differences in the proportions of other subsets between PMIS and AMI patients. The changes in lymphocyte subsets observed in patients with AMI suggested that immunological competence was enhanced in these patients. Abnormalities in humoral immunity, such as the appearance of anticardiac antibody, have been observed in patients with PMIS. Our results suggest that PMIS is also associated with changes in cellular immunity.

Reduced muscle uptake of oxygen during exercise in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To assess the factors limiting aerobic exercise capacity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The anaerobic threshold (AT) and O2 pulse, i.e., VO2/heart rate (HR), were measured in 21 patients with SLE without cardiopulmonary complications by the analysis of expired gas during incremental work load in exercise testing. The relationships between work rate (WR) and VO2, HR and VO2/weight (Wt), and lupus activity index (LAI) and AT were analyzed.

RESULTS

The AT of the patients with SLE was significantly lower than for a control group. Little increase in O2 pulse and very low delta VO2/delta WR and delta VO2/Wt@delta HR were found during work load in some patients with SLE, especially those with a low AT and high LAI. Patients with SLE with a high LAI tended to show a low AT.

CONCLUSION

The low aerobic exercise capacity of patients with SLE appeared to be mainly due to a small increase in O2 pulse. This may have resulted from impaired oxygen diffusion in the inflamed peripheral muscles in patients with active SLE. Low AT may explain in part why patients with SLE become easily fatigued.