[Histological and biological evaluation of preoperative radiotherapy on T1N0 breast carcinoma]

In order to clarify the role of radiotherapy in breast preserving surgery for early breast cancer, histological and biological effects of preoperative radiation were evaluated. Thirty-five T1N0 patients were treated by preoperative radiotherapy with beta-tron, cumulative doses of which were ranging from 25 Gy (5 Gy x 5) to 40 Gy (8 Gy x 5) and underwent subsequent modified radical mastectomy 2 or 3 weeks after the termination of radiotherapy. Clinical tumor shrinkage more than 50% was observed in 25 out of 35 cases (71%) but did not directly correlate with histological effects. Radiotherapy was basically ineffective within 25-30 Gy, whereas histological effects more than Grade 2 were gained in 8 out of 25 patients (32%), who had received 40 Gy or more. In the preoperative radiation group, there were more ER(+), PgR(+) and histologically well-differentiated cases than in the non-radiated stage I patients. Mitotic figures were also significantly reduced after radiotherapy, whereas the expression of c-erB-2 protein was unchanged between these two groups. Our data indicate the various radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells and the indication of hormone therapy for the conservative treatment of breast carcinoma.

Hypercoagulopathy induced by chemotherapy in a patient with lung cancer. A possible role for a factor with thrombosis-inducing activity (TIA)

We treated a patient with lung cancer in whom a hypercoagulopathy was induced acutely by chemotherapy. He received systemic chemotherapy twice and in both instances developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), accompanied by acute decrements of the peripheral platelet count and plasma fibrinogen, an increment of the fibrin degradation products (FDP), and bleeding tendency with the appearance of skin purpura. In each instance, the plasma thrombosis-inducing activity (TIA) appeared one to three days after chemotherapy and subsided subsequently.

Rates of reactions catalysed by a dimeric enzyme. Effects of the reaction scheme and the kinetic parameters on co-operativity

For the reaction S in equilibrium P catalysed by a dimeric enzyme, the reaction schemes are considered on the basis of the KNF model. For each of the ten possible schemes, the rate equation is derived on the basis of the combined steady-state and rapid-equilibrium assumptions. The curves of the plots of initial velocity v versus the substrate concentration [S] and the Hill coefficients h calculated from the rate equations depend strongly on the reaction scheme and the parameter X1. This parameter is defined by log (KS2/KS1) and is a measure of the relative affinities of the first and second protomers for the substrate. When X1 less than 0, v-[S] curves for some schemes exhibit negative co-operativity (h less than 1.0) and v-[S] curves for other schemes are similar to that of the Michaelis-Menten scheme, indicating that, even if there is interaction between the distinct protomers, sigmoidal rate behaviour is not necessarily observed. When X1 greater than 0, all the reaction schemes except one, which shows substrate-inhibition kinetic behaviour, exhibit sigmoidal kinetic behaviour (h greater than 1.0), and at the limit of X1 much greater than 0 the Hill coefficients attain the maximum possible value of 2.0. Furthermore, we have found that, even if X1 = 0, the v-[S] curve for almost all the schemes considered in the present work does not necessarily agree with that for the Michaelis-Menten scheme. This means that the deviation of the v-[S] curve from a hyperbola can be observed even if there is no interaction between the distinct protomers.

Abortion in Japanese cows caused by Chlamydia psittaci

An outbreak of abortion in cows occurring in Niigata Prefecture was shown to be caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Elementary bodies characteristic of Chlamydia were found in the liver of aborted fetuses and C. psittaci antigen was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. Chlamydia was isolated from the liver of aborted fetuses by the yolk sac inoculation of developing chick embryos and by the intraperitoneal inoculation of guinea pigs. Abortion occurred mostly in middle or late pregnancy. Aborted fetuses showed subcutaneous edema and gelatinous infiltration, enlarged liver and spleen, and dark red pleural and ascitic fluid. Focal necrosis was shown in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Serological findings and isolation of Chlamydia from fecal specimens indicated a wide dissemination of C. psittaci among cows in the area.

Stable expression of human tissue-type plasminogen activator regulated by beta-actin promoter in three human cell lines: HeLa, WI-38 VA13 and KMS-5

A high-level and stable expression system of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was accomplished in human cells by selecting a promoter and a host cell line. First, we have constructed two types of t-PA expression plasmids containing 3 kb of the human beta-actin promoter region or 0.3 kb of SV40 early promoter region and these plasmids were transfected into HeLa cells, respectively, and the resulting transfectants were found to secrete various amounts of t-PA derived from the plasmids to the culture media. Southern blot analysis revealed that the beta-actin promoter was more efficient than the SV40 early promoter with regard to the expression level per single copy of the t-PA gene in the transfected HeLa cells. Next, the t-PA expression plasmid containing the beta-actin promoter was also transfected into WI-38 VA13 cells, a human fibroblastic cell line, and KMS-5 cells, a human lymphoid cell line, in order to compare the expression ability of the promoter among these three cell lines. Some of the transfectants from both cell lines were also found to produce t-PA. It was also found that the expression levels in HeLa and WI-38 VA13 seemed to be more efficient than that in KMS-5.

Hepatocellular and biliary expression of HLA antigens in primary biliary cirrhosis before and after ursodeoxycholic acid therapy

Recently, there have been reports that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy has a beneficial effect on liver function in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. However, information regarding the effects of UDCA therapy on hepatic histology remains insufficient. Aberrant expression of HLA antigens on hepatocytes is regarded important in the progression of hepatocellular damages mediated by cytotoxic T-cells in primary biliary cirrhosis. In this study, we examined immunohistochemically hepatocellular expression of HLA antigens on hepatocytes before and after UDCA therapy in four patients with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. Piecemeal necrosis, intralobular focal necrosis, and portal inflammation, as well as infiltration of activated T-lymphocytes and expression of HLA class I antigens on hepatocytes, disappeared, or diminished in parallel after the therapy. In two of four patients, expression of HLA-DR on some periportal hepatocytes before the therapy also disappeared after the therapy. These observations imply that UDCA therapy decreases the hepatocellular expression of HLA antigens and thereby reduces or abolishes T-cell-mediated hepatocellular necrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Carcinogenicity examination of Agaricus bisporus, edible mushroom, in rats

Carcinogenicity of Agaricus bisporus, the edible mushroom, was studied in rats. Female Charles River Sprague - Dawley rats (CD rats) were given a diet containing a 30% dry powder of A. bisporus for 500 days until the termination of the experiment. A control group was given a basal diet without A. bisporus. The rats in the experimental group had mammary tumor, thymoma, adrenal adenoma and pituitary adenoma. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of these tumors between the experimental group and control group. No carcinogenic activity of A. bisporus was observed in this experiment.

Plasma thrombosis-inducing activity in 120 patients with primary lung cancer

One hundred and twenty patients with primary lung cancer were examined for the presence of thrombosis-inducing activity (TIA) in their plasma. TIA was identified in plasma from 16 of 38 patients with stage 3 (42%) and 31 of 65 patients with stage 4 (48%) disease. On the other hand, only 1 of 17 patients with stages 1 and 2 (6%) showed TIA in their plasma. Cell type did not seem to correlate with the presence of plasma TIA, since TIA was identified in plasma from patients with all cell types. Survival of 32 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, all stage 4, was studied. The mean survival time was 7.2 months in the TIA-positive group and 10.3 months in the TIA-negative group. This difference was statistically significant.

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of ME1220 and ME1221, novel cephalosporins

The antibacterial activities and serum pharmacokinetic properties of ME1220 and ME1221, new aminothiazolylalkoxyiminoacetylcephalosporins having an N-alkylpyridiniumthiomethyl side chain at C-3, were compared with those of cefpirome and ceftazidime. ME1220 and ME1221 exhibited broad antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The in vitro and in vivo activities of ME1220 were similar to cefpirome, while ME1221 was superior to ceftazidime against almost all test organisms except pseudomonas. On intravenous injection in rats, ME1220 and ME1221 were excreted mainly in the urine. ME1221 was excreted moderately in the bile and showed higher serum concentration and AUC than those of ME1220.

Thrombosis-inducing activity in plasma of patients with acute respiratory tract infection disappears after treatment

Thrombosis-inducing activity (TIA) was identified in plasma from 16 of 27 patients (59%) with acute respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, it was present in only 9 of 79 subjects (11%) with chronic lung diseases and 4 of 49 healthy volunteers (8%). In the patients with acute respiratory tract infections, there were significant elevations in plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the TIA-positive group compared with the negative group. Plasma TIA disappeared in all of the 8 patients who were retested for TIA 2-5 weeks after they became disease free. Pneumonia was induced in rabbits by transbronchial injection of viable Escherichia coli. TIA was not present in plasma from normal rabbits, but it appeared in plasma collected 3 days after injection. It then disappeared after 1-2 weeks of treatment with antibiotics. TIA may serve as a marker for inflammatory responses and be a factor responsible for elevated blood coagulation activity in patients with acute infectious diseases.

A new antipseudomonal cephalosporin CP6162 and its congeners

The synthesis and biological activity of a series of 3-[2-(5-hydroxy-4-pyridon-2-yl)ethenyl]cephalosporin derivatives are described. They showed very potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (6R, 7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-Aminothiazol-4-yl)-2 -(1-carboxy-1-methyl)-ethoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(Z)-2-(1,5-dihydrox y-4- pyridon-2-yl)ethenyl]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid, CP6162 (8e), was selected for further evaluation as antipseudomonal chemotherapeutic agent.

Synthetic sialyl glycolipids (sialo-cholesterol and sialo-diglyceride) induce granulocytic differentiation of human myelogenous leukemia cell line HL-60

When HL-60 cells were cultivated with synthetic sialyl glycolipids, sialo-cholesterol and sialo-diglyceride, the cells were found to be differentiated into mature granulocytes on morphological and functional criteria. The differentiation of cells was accompanied by inhibition of cell proliferation. The differentiation-inducing activity of sialo-cholesterol was greater than that of sialo-diglyceride on a molar basis, and the alpha-anomer of each compound was more potent than the beta-anomer, suggesting that the stereospecific structure of the compounds is important for the differentiation-inducing activity.

Synthesis and biological activity of (cyclopentenopyridinium) thiomethylcephalosporins

Substituted (cyclopentenopyridinium)thiomethyl groups were introduced as C-3 substituents of (6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-oxyimino]acetami docephalosporins. Structure-activity relationships of this class of cephalosporins are discussed on the basis of their MIC. The selected compounds, 3a and 4a (ME1221), having an acidic substituent, showed excellent in vivo efficacy and low toxicity.

[The influence of playing the clarinet on the dentomaxillofacial morphology and function]

The purpose of this experiment is to understand the influence of playing the clarinet on the dentomaxillofacial morphology and function. The 12 subjects, selected at random (all adults, 4 men and 8 women) had played the clarinet for more than 10 years. The subjects had anamnesis, oral photo pictures, facial photo pictures, cast model, lateral cephalograms (lateral cephalo) and frontal cephalograms (frontal cephalo) taken when they were in centric occlusion and playing the clarinet. The results were as follows: 1. The facial profile and occlusal relation depend on the subjects. (2 mandibular retrognathism. 4 prognathism and 6 crowding.) 2. No characteristic skeletal pattern was found compared with controls in angle measurement but subjects had a tendency to have large facial height in linear measurement of lateral cephalo. And in denture pattern the lower incisors were linguoclination. 3. Concerning the lateral cephalo, we noticed that the angle of the clarinet in relation to the body axis increased in accordance with the prognathism and decreased with the retrognathism. 4. The subjects don't have identical midline, comparing lower midline to dentofacial midline, when playing, the angle of clarinet to the body was eccentric according to maxillary incisors in frontal cephalo. 5. Anterial and posterial length was short in mandibular arch, analyzing the cast model. 6. The pressure on mouthpiece increased in accordance with the prognathism and decreased with retrognathism. 7. The results of the EMG analysis indicated that the muscle activity of oral sphincter was described as 1). upper lip, 2). lower lip, 3). commisure of lips and differences were found depending on the parts being studied and the sound played on the clarinet. In conclusion, the skeletal and denture problem influence the holding position of the clarinet, embouchure and the way of playing it. In case of mandibular prognathism, when playing, the subjects pressed on their teeth with the clarinet. So B instrument won't do for prognathism because lower incisors are pushed inward as a result.

New aminothiazolylglycylcephalosporins with a 1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridone-2-carbonyl group. I. Synthesis and biological activity of cephalosporin derivatives leading to MT0703

A series of new aminothiazolylglycylcephalosporins with a mono- or dihydroxypyridonecarbonyl group at the alpha-amino group of the C-7 substituent have been prepared and antibacterial activity of these compounds was investigated. Among them, the compounds having a 1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridone-2-carbonyl group showed excellent anti-pseudomonal activity. In particular, (6R,7R)-7-[(RS)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(1,5-dihydroxy-4- pyridone-2-carboxamido)- acetamido]-3-[[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridinium-4-yl]thiomethyl]ceph-3 -em- 4-carboxylate (MT0703, 7g) was found to be a well balanced compound with respect to antibacterial activity.

New aminothiazolylglycylcephalosporins with a 1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridone-2-carbonyl group. II. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of MT0703 and its diastereomers

A practical synthetic method for large scale production of MT0703, (6R,7R)-7-[(RS)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(1,5-dihydroxy-4-pyridon e-2- carboxamido)acetamido]-3-[[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridinium-4- yl]thiomethyl]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylate, was established. Its two diastereomers on configuration of the aminothiazolylglycyl moiety were synthesized using chemico-enzymatic method. The S-isomer of MT0703 was found to be more active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including beta-lactamase-producing strains than the R-isomer.

Gastric lesions in rats fed salted food materials commonly eaten by Japanese

A high intake of salted food is thought to be related to the high incidence of stomach cancer in Japan. In the present study, female F344 rats were divided into four groups. They were fed a nutritionally deficient purified diet (Group 1) and standard purified diet (Group 3) for 113 weeks and the same diets supplemented with salted cuttlefish guts, broiled, salted, dried sardines, pickled radish, and soy sauce (Groups 2 and 4). The incidence of papillomas and ulcers of the forestomach was highest in Group 4, which was given the standard diet supplemented with the salty food materials (p less than 0.05). These results suggest the importance of salted food as a suspicious causal factor in human stomach cancer in Japan.

[Changes in the immune response in postoperative patients while running the ventricular assist device (VAD)]

We examined the immunological parameters in two patients who were assisted with LVAD in postoperative LOS. Both patients demonstrated transient consumption of complements immediately after running the LVAD. The serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) showed no significant decrease. Both patients had significant postoperative lymphopenia, but recovered in a week. A decrease in the number of T cells was observed in both patients. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio initially increased in one patient, but gradually declined postoperatively. In the other patient, the OKT4/OKT8 ratio decreased. The lymphocyte response to mitogen (PHA) remained significantly depressed when the number of lymphocytes returned to the normal level, suggesting that the lymphocytes were functionally impaired. Such findings are generally observed after cardiac surgery. Thus, LVAD does not affect the immune response.

[Aortic aneurysm associated with coarctation of the aorta]

An 8-year-old female of coarctation of the aorta associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm is reported. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, a 7 cm section of the aorta containing the aneurysm and coarctation was resected and replaced by a 16 mm woven Dacron tube. The postoperative recovery was complicated by chylothorax treated by thoracic aspiration. She is doing well 3 months after the operation. Histologic sections of the resected portions of the thoracic aorta revealed intimal hyperplasia, medial fibrosis and decrease of elastic fibers, especially in the aneurysm.

Experimental induction of uterine cancer in rats by N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine dissolved in polyethylene glycol

In the present experiment we attempted to experimentally induce uterine cancer in rats by injecting into the uterine cavity N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) dissolved in polyethylene glycol (PEG). Fifty-nine female F-344 rats, 7-8 weeks old, were divided into three groups and each received in the left uterine cavity with laparotomy a single dose of ENNG dissolved in PEG according to the following schedule: Group 1 received 75 mg ENNG/kg body wt.; Group 2 had 20 mg ENNG/kg body wt.: and Group 3 was given only PEG. In Group 1 it was observed that adenocarcinoma and sarcoma were present in the uterine corpus while squamous cell carcinoma occurred in the uterine cervix. In Group 2, although tumors such as adenocarcinoma, adenoma and sarcoma were observed in the uterine corpus, no tumor was present in the uterine cervix. No tumor growth whatsoever was observed in Group 3. From the above results it is apparent that the present method is an efficient means for experimentally inducing uterine cancer and that the site of tumor generation varies according to the concentration of ENNG administered.

The effects of drugs on the arachidonate cascade in experimentally burned rabbits

Platelet reduction and renal dysfunction may occur after major thermal injury and be causally related to changes in the arachidonate cascade. In this article two new drugs, prostaglandin I2 analog OP-41483 (Venopirin) and thromboxane synthetase inhibitor OKY-046 (Cataclot), were tested in addition to aspirin in animal experiments with rabbits. The rabbits were divided into five groups and measurements made before and 8 and 24 hours after burn injury. The results indicate that platelet reduction and renal dysfunction occur within 8 hours after thermal injury in the no-therapy group and renal dysfunction could not be prevented completely even by adequate infusion therapy, but treatment with OP-41483 proved to suppress platelet reduction and improve renal function. Improvement in renal function was also noted in animals treated with aspirin or OKY-046, but platelet reduction could not be prevented by these drugs. Analysis of the time course of changes in thromboxane B2 level and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha level disclosed that animals treated by infusion showed an elevation in thromboxane B2 and a significant elevation in the thromboxane B2/6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha ratio, whereas animals treated with these three drugs showed a reduction in the thromboxane B2/6-keto prostglandin F1 alpha ratio. These results indicate that an effective measure for prevention of dysfunction of the organs after thermal injury is treatment with drugs that can modify the arachidonate cascade and cause an absolute or relative reduction in TXA2.

Characteristic incorporation of ganglioside GM3, which induces monocytic differentiation in human myelogenous leukemia HL-60 cells

Using tritiated gangliosides [( 3H]-GM3 and [3H]-GM1), characteristic incorporation of exogenous GM3 to HL-60 cells was demonstrated in association with differentiation induction. [3H]-GM3 was bound 4-5 times more than [3H]-GM1 was. Scatchard analysis revealed high and low affinity patterns of binding to the cells. The concentration of GM3 that caused growth inhibition and cell differentiation corresponded well to that which showed the bi-phasic binding pattern. It was strongly suggested that GM3, which induces monocytic differentiation, was characteristically bound and incorporated to the cells around the concentration which caused growth inhibition and cell differentiation.

[Long-term observation of two post-treatment cases with an impacted maxillary central incisor corrected by orthodontic treatment]

This article describes long-term observation of two post treatment cases with an impacted maxillary central incisor corrected by orthodontic treatment. [Case 1] Age at first examination: 11 years and 1 month. Chief complaint: Retarded eruption of a maxillary right incisor and crowding of teeth.

DIAGNOSIS

No skeletal problems were identified. Crown axis inclination of the impacted tooth showed 104.0 degrees. Root axis inclination showed 87.0 degrees. Treatment plan: [formula; see text] extraction, traction of the maxillary right incisor, edgewise method. Treatment time: 4 years and 3 months. [Case 2] Age at first examination: 8 years and 8 months. Chief complaint: Retarded eruption of a maxillary left incisor.

DIAGNOSIS

No skeletal problems were identified. Crown axis inclination of the impacted tooth showed 112.0 degrees. Root axis inclination showed 88.0 degrees. Treatment plan: Traction of maxillary left incisor, edgewise method. Treatment time: 5 years and 6 months. The findings were as follows; 1) When the active treatment was finished, no pulp necrosis nor any resorption of root or alveolar bone was found in the two cases. 2) At present, the crown axis inclination is restored to normal in both cases. 3) The impacted maxillary central incisors were treated to the normal position in the dental archs, and the condition and the tissues around are good. The foregoing results, we are sure, can be an important traction of the impacted maxillary central incisor.

[Late results after heart valve surgery in the elderly]

Heart valve surgery was performed in 133 patients over the age of 60 between 1976 and 1981. There were 54 men and 79 women. Their ages ranged from 60 to 74 years (mean age 64.3 years). In this study, 54 valve prostheses (15 porcine and 39 mechanical) in the aortic position, 79 prostheses (69 porcine and 10 mechanical) in the mitral position and 3 prostheses (3 porcine) in the tricuspid position were implanted in 121 patients. Fifteen patients (11.3%) died in the hospital. The hospital mortality was high in the cases of MVR (14.6%), MVR + TAP (12.5%) and emergency (50%). The mean follow-up was 37.2 months (range 4 to 129 months, total 367.3 patient-years). There were 10 late deaths (8.5%). Actuarial survival for hospital survivors at 5 years was 89.2 per cent. At follow-up, 95.8% of the surviving patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. Valve-related complications were thromboembolism (2.0% pt/year), periprosthetic leak (1.7% pt/year), primary tissue failure (0.5% pt/year) and thrombosed valve (0.3% pt/year). Anticoagulant-related hemorrhage necessitating hospitalization occurred in 2 patients (1.0% pt/year). The freedom from all events at 5 years was 72.8 per cent. This study suggests that heart valve surgery in the elderly can be performed with an acceptable mortality. Advanced age alone should not be a contraindication to surgical management.

Application to forensic odontology of aspartic acid racemization in unerupted and supernumerary teeth

Racemization of aspartic acid in dentin protein during the human lifetime progresses with age. The extent of racemization of aspartic acid in coronal dentin of normal permanent teeth can be used in forensic odontology to estimate the age of an individual at the time of death (Ogino et al., 1985). A series of experiments was conducted with dentin separated from unerupted and supernumerary teeth of various ages in an attempt to evaluate the advantages and limitations of this age-estimation method. The current study on nine tooth specimens showed that some unerupted permanent teeth with normal-sized and -shaped crowns (impacted third molar, canine, and incisor) could be used to estimate the age of individuals at the time of death within +/- 4 years. However, supernumerary teeth (mesiodens, paramolar) with extremely tiny (length of crown: 4 approximately 5 mn) and abnormally shaped crowns could not be used for analysis. In such cases, the estimated age of individuals analyzed by the racemization method deviated considerably from their actual age.

Expression and excretion of human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor in lipoprotein-deletion mutant of Escherichia coli

We constructed a gene coding for the 56-amino acid human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI), and ligated it on a plasmid downstream from the trp promoter and the signal peptide sequence of alkaline phosphatase. The resulting plasmid was transfected into a lipoprotein deletion mutant (Escherichia coli JE5505) and the plasmid-carrying cells were induced with 3-indoleacrylic acid. A considerable amount (50 micrograms/ml culture) of the mature PSTI protein was detected in the culture supernatant. The excreted PSTI was identical to the natural PSTI protein with respect to the trypsin-inhibiting activity, the N-terminal and the C-terminal amino acid sequences and the amino acid composition.

Synergistic effect of lymphokines and lipopolysaccharides on macrophage chemiluminescence. Appearance of spontaneous chemiluminescence and its correlation with cytotoxicity

A new type of chemiluminescence (CL) was observed in thioglycolate-elicited ICR mouse peritoneal macrophages which had been incubated for 24 h in medium containing lymphokines (LK) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and then exposed to a CL reagent solution containing luminol and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The new CL, which was clearly distinguishable from PMA-induced CL, appeared immediately after the addition of the CL reagent solution, reaching a maximal level at about 30 s, and disappeared rapidly. We have called the new CL 'spontaneous CL', since it appeared spontaneously without PMA triggering. When the macrophages were incubated with LK in the presence of 10 ng/ml of LPS, the spontaneous CL began to appear after about 4 h incubation, the maximal level being reached at about 12 h, after which it decreased gradually on further incubation. After 48 h, it could not be observed at all. The spontaneous CL could be observed only in macrophages simultaneously treated with LK and LPS, as in the case of cytotoxicity. The correlation between spontaneous CL and cytotoxicity was suggested by the following; they showed a similar dose dependency to LK, and neither of them could be induced in aged macrophages which had been incubated in vitro for 1 day before exposure to LK and LPS. These results suggest that spontaneous CL measurement could possibly replace the cytotoxicity test as a simple method for the determination of macrophage activating factor.

Induction of tumors in ACI rats given a diet containing ptaquiloside, a bracken carcinogen

Fifteen female ACI rats initially 5 weeks old were each given a diet containing 0.027-0.08% ptaquiloside [(PT) CAS: 87625-62-5], a carcinogen in bracken, throughout the 210-day experimental period. A control group of 20 female ACI rats was given basal diet without PT. Both ileal and urinary bladder tumors developed in all rats in the experimental group. The ileal tumors were multiple and mostly developed in the distal 10 cm of the ileum. These ileal tumors were identified histologically as epithelial tumors, such as adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and also as nonepithelial malignant tumors, malignant fibrous histiocytomas. The urinary bladder tumors were transitional cell carcinomas, keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, and sarcomas. Papillomas of the urinary bladder were found in 4 rats in the control group. These results show that, like bracken diet, PT induces tumors in both the ileum and urinary bladder.

Influence of ptaquiloside on the development of newborn mice

We attempted to induce neurological disorders in mice by a single administration of various doses of ptaquiloside (PT) within 24 h after birth. Animals which survived for a long period after treatment showed a reduction in body weight, but did not develop any gait disturbance. On the other hand, in treated animals which died before beginning to walk, karyorrhexis in the external granular layer of the cerebellum and karyorrhexis and rosette formation in the neuroblastic layer of the retina were present. In addition, treated animals showed karyorrhexis and great reduction in the number of the cells in the thymus, suggesting cytotoxic and cytolytic effects of alkylating agents on lymphocytes in this organ.

Thoracic myelopathy secondary to ossification of the spinal ligament

The authors describe their experience with 26 cases of thoracic myelopathy secondary to hypertrophic ossification of the spinal ligament (posterior longitudinal ligament and/or ligamentum flavum). The clinical manifestations of this condition and results of its surgical treatment are described. The commonest symptoms were numbness or tingling in the legs and feet and gait disturbance. Most of the patients with involvement of the upper thoracic spine showed typical features of thoracic myelopathy: that is, sensory and motor deficits in both the trunk and lower extremities, sphincter disturbance, and exaggerated tendon reflexes. Several patients with involvement of the thoracolumbar junction presented with atypical symptoms of thoracic myelopathy and were sometimes misdiagnosed and treated inappropriately. Surgical treatment, particularly laminectomy, was not always successful. Inconsistencies in the surgical outcome were caused by either operative complications or reversal of the initial improvement during the follow-up period. The results of anterior surgery for the condition were more favorable; however, use of this procedure was rarely indicated.

The inhibition of neoplastic cell proliferation with human natural tumor necrosis factor

Purified human natural tumor necrosis factor (n-TNF) was prepared by stimulating human leukemic B cell line (BALL-1) with Sendai virus. The colony formations of all of 18 human cancer-derived abnormal cell lines were suppressed by 10(1)-10(6) U/ml of n-TNF, while n-TNF was nontoxic to all human normal fibroblast cells. This in vitro inhibition of cell growth was reversible. In breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells treated with n-TNF a specific decrease of DNA synthesis was observed, and DNA histograms showed a block at G1 in the cell cycle. In vivo studies revealed that n-TNF suppressed the tumor growth of murine Meth A sarcoma, human renal adenocarcinoma (ACHN), malignant melanoma (SK-MEL-28) and glioblastoma (U-373 MG). Isobologram analysis showed that n-TNF synergistically inhibited cell growth in combination with human natural interferon (IFN)-a. In vivo synergism of n-TNF and IFN-a was also found in the U-373 MG tumor model implanted into nude mice.

[A parallel comparative double blind study of cefixime with cefroxadine in the treatment of acute lacunar tonsillitis]

The clinical efficacy and safety of cefixime (CFIX), a new oral cephalosporin, were compared with those of cefroxadine (CXD) in patients suffering from acute lacunar tonsillitis in a double blind study. Two hundred and fifty two patients were given each orally 100 mg of CFIX b.i.d. or 250 mg of CXD t.i.d. for, in principle, 7 days. Number of patients evaluated for clinical efficacy was 202 (103 treated with CFIX and 99 treated with CXD). As for the backgrounds of patients, more severe cases were found in the CFIX group than in the CXD group (P less than 0.01). Efficacy rates evaluated by individual doctors were 88.3% in the CFIX group and 91.9% in the CXD group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Efficacy rates on the third day after the initiation of treatment evaluated by the committee were 40.8% in the CFIX group and 47.9% in the CXD group with no significant difference. Efficacy rate on the 7th day, however, was 79.8% in the CFIX group and 93.4% in the CXD group, showing a significant difference (P less than 0.05). Bacteriological effectiveness were satisfactory for both groups with eradication rates of 93.4% for the CFIX and 96.9% for the CXD group. Number of patients evaluated for safety was 226 (110 treated with CFIX and 116 treated with CXD). No significant difference was observed between the 2 drug groups in incidences of side effects; gastrointestinal disturbances or rashes were noted in 6 patients (5.5%) of the CFIX group and in 5 patients (4.3%) of the CXD group. As for the abnormal laboratory findings, elevation of GOT & GPT was observed in 1 patients of the CFIX group. From these results, it was concluded that 100 mg b.i.d. of CFIX was as useful as 250 mg t.i.d. of CXD in the treatment of acute lacunar tonsillitis.

Amino acids derived from Titan tholins

An organic heteropolymer (Titan tholin) was produced by continuous dc discharge through a 0.9 N2/0.1 CH4 gas mixture at 0.2 mbar pressure, roughly simulating the cloudtop atmosphere of Titan. Treatment of this tholin with 6N HCl yielded 16 amino acids by gas chromatography after derivatization of N-trifluroacetyl isopropyl esters on two different capillary columns. Identifications were confirmed by GC/MS. Glycine, aspartic acid, and alpha- and beta-alanine were produced in greatest abundance; the total yield of amino acids was approximately 10(-2), approximately equal to the yield of urea. The presence of "nonbiological" amino acids, the absence of serine, and the fact that the amino acids are racemic within experimental error together indicate that these molecules are not due to microbial or other contamination, but are derived from the tholin. In addition to the HCN, HC2CN, and (CN)2 found by Voyager, nitriles and aminonitriles should be sought in the Titanian atmosphere and, eventually, amino acids on the surface. These results suggest that episodes of liquid water in the past or future of Titan might lead to major further steps in prebiological organic chemistry on that body.

Reexamination of histological findings of ileal sarcomas induced in rats given diet containing bracken fern

The ileal sarcomas induced in rats given diet containing bracken fern were examined microscopically and electron microscopically. These ileal sarcomas, which were induced at high incidence (80%-44%), have previously been identified as spindle cell fibrosarcomas. However, studies showed that they should be diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) being classified into the following four histological types; fibrous, pleomorphic, giant cell and myxoid type. No types of sarcomas other than MFH were found in the ileum.

A simple and rapid method for the determination of macrophage activating factor involving a new type of apparatus suitable for the measurement of macrophage chemiluminescence

A simple and rapid method for the determination of macrophage activating factor is described. A new type of apparatus suitable for the measurement of macrophage chemiluminescence was devised, and the effect of lymphokines on macrophage activities was studied by measuring phorbol myristate acetate-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. An outstanding feature of the new apparatus is that the plastic dish used for the cell culture can be used as the vessel for the chemiluminescence reaction. When thioglycollate-elicited ICR mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated with lymphokines, their ability to generate chemiluminescence increased rapidly, reaching a maximal level at about 4 h, and then it progressively decreased to the control level at 8 h. Although this increasing effect of lymphokines on macrophage chemiluminescence was short-lived, it could be seen at a relatively low concentration, at which lymphokine-mediated cytotoxic activity of macrophages was not observed.

Application of aspartic acid racemization to forensic odontology: post mortem designation of age at death

The extent of racemization of aspartic acid in the dentin of healthy, carious and impacted teeth was used to define the ages of individuals at the time of their death. These determinations were performed with an error of +/- 4 years. This method holds the promise of simplifying procedures in, and extending the application of forensic odontology. The current error range of this method may be reduced by analyzing teeth of the same positional types from deceased individuals of known age. Using this method, it appears that post mortem preservation of up to 10 years has a negligible effect on the values determined for the age of individuals at death.

[Cor triatriatum dexter: a case report with particular reference to the echocardiographic features]

A patient with a double-chambered right ventricle and cor triatriatum dexter was presented. The non-invasive diagnosis of cor triatriatum dexter was stressed. A plate-like echo was imaged in the right atrium using two-dimensional echocardiography. It divided the atrium into two chambers. Contrast echocardiography revealed delayed filling of the lower portion of the atrium. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography demonstrated systolic turbulence in the lower portion of the atrium, indicating that the plate-like structure produced a stenosis in the right atrium. We conclude that non-invasive methods including contrast echocardiography and pulsed Doppler echocardiography, are effective in identifying stenoses in the right atrium.