Management of intraaortic balloon entrapment

Two cases of intraaortic balloon entrapment were presented. In patient 1, urokinase was injected into the gas driver lumen of the intraaortic balloon catheter, then it could be removed. In patient 2, the intraaortic balloon was removed retrogradely through the left axillary artery. If the entrapped intraaortic balloon is encountered, it is effective to try a clot-lysis method initially, followed by a surgical approach through a left axillary artery.

[A technique for removal of entrapped intra-aortic balloon catheter through the left axillary artery]

A case of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) entrapment in which the ruptured catheter could be removed through the left axillary artery was reported. A 68-year-old man was admitted with persistent chest pain, and because of his poor cardiac condition, an IAB catheter was inserted by the Seldinger technique. During attempted extraction of the IAB catheter resistance was encountered and it turned out to be entrapped. Then a guide-wire was passed through the IAB lumen to the left axillary artery, the artery was exposed, and the tip of the guide-wire and IAB catheter were led to the arteriotomy site. After the balloon was dissected, the IAB catheter could be removed through the axillary artery. Finally, left femoro-left branchial artery bypass was performed with e-PTFE graft because of the arterial injury and ischemia of the involved arm. The patient recovered from this episode.

(E)-4-(2-[[3-(indol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2-butenyl]amino]phenoxy)butyric acid derivatives: a new class of steroid 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors in the rat prostate. 1

A series of (E)-4-(2-[[3-(indol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2-butenyl]amino]phenoxy)butyric acid derivatives was prepared, and the derivatives were demonstrated to be potent inhibitors of steroid 5 alpha-reductase in the rat prostate. The structure-activity relationships were as follows. An alpha-branched alkyl or benzyl substituent of proper size at position 1 of the indole is crucial for optimal enzyme inhibitory activity. N-Methylation of the amide NH resulted in complete loss of activity. Thus, coplanarity of the benzene ring and amide moiety is essential for such activity. Among the compounds prepared, (E)-4-(2-[[3-[1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]indol-5-yl]-1-oxo-2- butenyl]-amino]phenoxy)butyric acid (57, KF18678) was one of the most potent compounds (rat prostate 5 alpha-reductase IC50 = 3.3 nM).

Differential contribution of the FcR gamma chain to the surface expression of the T cell receptor among T cells localized in epithelia: analysis of FcR gamma-deficient mice

The function of the Fc receptors gamma chain (FcR gamma) for the expression of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex and for T cell development, especially for T cells localized in epithelia, was investigated by analyzing FcR gamma-deficient mice. In wild-type mice, CD8 alpha alpha + beta -TCR alpha beta + T cells of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IEL) utilized CD3 zeta homodimers and zeta-FcR gamma heterodimers, whereas CD8 alpha alpha + beta -TCR gamma delta + i-IEL used zeta-FcR gamma and FcR gamma homodimers in the TCR complex. On the other hand, these T cells in FcR gamma-deficient mice contained only zeta homodimers. The surface expression of the TCR complex was reduced in CD8 alpha alpha + beta -i-IEL and dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) in these mice, whereas the development of these T cells was normal. The degree of reduction appeared to depend on the expression level of FcR gamma. In contrast to these populations, TCR gamma delta + intraepithelial T cells in reproductive organs (r-IEL) were dramatically decreased, suggesting that the development of r-IEL is FcR gamma-dependent, probably due to the predominant usage of FcR gamma homodimers in the TCR complex. These results indicate that the FcR gamma chain contributes differently to the TCR expression and to the development of T cells localized in epithelia.

Detection by PCR of wild-type canine parvovirus which contaminates dog vaccines

A method for detecting wild-type canine parvovirus (CPV) strains which contaminate vaccines for dogs has been developed by PCR. PCR primers which distinguish vaccine strains from the most common, recent strains of wild-type CPV in many countries, including Japan and the United States, were developed. This PCR is based on the differences in nucleotide sequences which determine the two antigenic types of this virus. CPV vaccine strains derived from antigenically old-type virus prevalent in former times were not detected by PCR with differential primers. Detection sensitivity of PCR was 100- to 10,000-fold higher than that of the culture method in Crandell feline kidney cells.

The biological characterization of field isolates of canine distemper virus from Japan

Eight isolates of canine distemper virus (CDV) were obtained from seven dogs suffering from distemper by co-cultivation of their mononuclear cells with a marmoset B lymphoblastoid cell line, B95a. Six of the seven dogs had received one or more vaccinations. All of the isolates readily proliferated in B95a cells, but were not completely neutralized by anti-CDV canine plasma, which had high neutralizing activity against the Onderstepoort laboratory strain of CDV. Furthermore, different reactivities of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against CDV were observed between the field isolates and laboratory or vaccine strains of CDV in immunofluorescence studies. Immunoprecipitation analysis using MAbs detected the haemagglutinin protein of each new field isolate as 69K, 75K and 155K forms, and the fusion protein as 64K and 65K forms; the corresponding proteins of the Onderstepoort strain were detected as 75K and 61K proteins respectively. It is apparent from these results that the new field isolates of CDV have very different antigenic properties from the Onderstepoort vaccine strain.

[The status of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in community hospital]

Fifty patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed at 4 community hospitals in Tokyo during 1981 to 1992. The percentage of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among the all types of tuberculosis was 10.5% as a whole, and 16% in females and 7.9% in males. The number of patients older than fifth generation was about two times more than that of younger generations. And the patients were more in males than in females under the forties, but were more in females than in males over the sixties. On chest radiogram, there was no pathological findings in 52% of the patients and active pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in 32% of the patients. The majority of the extrapulmonary tuberculosis (30 cases, 60%) was of lymph nodes, especially of cervical lymph nodes, and the remaining were 10 cases of tuberculosis in bone and joint, 4 each in intestine and pericardium, 2 each in liver, peritoneum, kidney, urinary bladder, epididymis and skin. Among 30 cases with tuberculous lymphadenopathy, the disease were observed in cervical lymph nodes by 19 cases, in pulmonary hilar and axillary node by each 4 cases and in abdominal cavity by 3 cases.

Human high-affinity Fc gamma RI (CD64) gene mapped to chromosome 1q21.2-q21.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The human Fc gamma RI gene encodes for a high-affinity Fc gamma receptor that plays pivotal roles in the immune response. We have used fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to localize the Fc gamma RI gene to human chromosome 1. The human Fc gamma RI (CD64) gene has been assigned to human chromosome 1q21.2-q21.3 using R-banded human (pro)metaphase chromosomes.

Preferential usage of the Fc receptor gamma chain in the T cell antigen receptor complex by gamma/delta T cells localized in epithelia

zeta and eta chains of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex and the gamma chain of Fc receptors (FcR gamma) constitute a family of proteins important for the expression of, and signal transduction through, these receptors in hematopoietic cells. In zeta-deficient mice, TCR expression was reduced in most T cells. By contrast, CD8 alpha alpha + TCR-gamma/delta + intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in these mice expressed a normal level of TCR. Biochemical analysis of the TCR complex in these cells from zeta-deficient as well as normal mice revealed the predominant usage of FcR gamma. Furthermore, gamma/delta + T cells in epithelia of the skin and female reproductive organs from zeta-deficient mice also showed relatively high TCR expression, indicating the usage of FcR gamma. These observations demonstrate the preferential usage of FcR gamma by gamma/delta + T cells localized in epithelia of normal mice.

Genetic profiles of 12 inbred rat strains for 46 microsatellite loci selected as genetic monitoring markers

Genetic profiles for 46 microsatellite loci of 12 inbred strains of rats, including 2 congenic strains and a coisogenic strain, have been demonstrated. Rates of loci with different alleles between 2 inbred strains, which are not closely related to each other in origin, were from 71.7% between ACI/N and IS/Kyo strains to 41.3% between F344/N and TM/Kyo. On the other hand, the rates were 0% in both of 2 sets of congenic strains; between F344/N and F344/N-rnu, or between BN/fMaiKyo and BN.IS. When WTC/Kyo and the coisogenic strain TRM/Kyo (WTC/Kyo-tm) were compared for 115 microsatellite loci, no loci with different alleles between the strains were found. The 46 loci should be useful as genetic monitoring markers, since all of the primer pairs generate distinct PCR-products at a fixed annealing temperature of 55 degrees C.

Antigen-specific proliferative response of peritoneal exudate lymphocytes primed with antigen and bacterial lipopolysaccharide: the roles of Ia+ accessory cells and IL-2

In vitro antigen-specific proliferation was investigated in a lymphocyte population that had been taken from the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) of C3H/HeN mice (Iak) primed in vivo with both bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and horse red blood cells (HRBC) and had been purified by passage through a nylon fiber column (Nfc). The proliferative response of the Nfc-passed lymphocytes primed with HRBC and LPS [T(HRBC+LPS) cells] depended on the dose of antigen in the cultures, and the response was higher than that of cells prepared from mice primed with HRBC alone [T(HRBC) cells]. No response was seen in the cells prepared from the LPS-primed mice [T(LPS) cells] or normal mice [T(N) cells]. The response of the T(HRBC) cells was abolished by previous treatment of the cells with anti-Iak antibody and complement (C), whereas the response of the T(HRBC+LPS) cells was retained after the same treatment, indicating that the Ia- T(HRBC+LPS) cells can proliferate in response to antigen in spite of Ia+ accessory cell-depletion. Supernatants from the cultures of Ia- T(HRBC+LPS) cells in the presence of HRBC showed abundant IL-2 activity, while those of Ia- T(HRBC) cells did not. The IL-2 should be produced by the L3T4 cell population in T(HRBC+LPS) cells in response to antigen, since the previous treatment of the cells with anti-L3T4 antibody and C abrogated the production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta 0-thalassemia trait (IVS-I-1 G-->T) in a Japanese family

Three subjects in a family with microcytic and hypochromic anemia were studied; red blood cell morphology indicated aniso-poikilocytosis and hypochromasia. Target and tear-drop cells were also noted. In all three cases evaluated, there was an increase in HbA2 levels and a decline in the beta/alpha synthesis ratio. Direct cloning and DNA sequencing identified a point mutation (G-->T) at position 1 of intervening sequence I. The resulting reduction of beta-globin chain synthesis is considered to give rise to beta 0-thalassemia phenotype. This point mutation is to our knowledge, the first case in Japan.

[Two cases of M. avium complex infection presenting as solitary pulmonary nodule]

Case 1 was a 75-year-old woman. Her chest X-ray showed a 3 cm solitary nodule in the right S4, and biopsy obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed epithelioid cell granuloma. Four weeks later, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was detected on culture of the bronchial lavage fluid. She was treated with INH, RFP and EB for 12 months and recovered with no relapse. Case 2 was a 75-year-old man with mild diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Chest X-ray showed a 4 cm solitary nodule in the right S9. Percutaneous pulmonary aspiration revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli on smear, and he was treated with INH, RFP and EB. Culture proved M. avium complex. The patient was unable to continue his medications because of gastrointestinal side effects, so right lower lobectomy was performed. Cases of M. avium complex infection presenting as solitary pulmonary nodule are very rare. We found only 12 reported cases in Japan and in other countries. The most usual site of cavitary lesions in M. avium complex infections is both upper lobes, in contrast to the relatively even distribution of solitary pulmonary nodules of the 14 cases (12 reported cases and our 2 cases).

Re-evaluation of solid-phase adsorption and desorption techniques for isolation of trace organic pollutants from chlorinated water

Amberlite XAD resin and activated carbon columns were tested for their abilities to concentrate trace organic pollutants in chlorinated water. Both XAD-2 and XAD-7 resin columns (20 ml) were capable of adsorbing about 30% of total organic halogen (TOX) present in 20 l of drinking water (pH 7) containing about 100 micrograms/l of TOX, whereas the carbon column (10 ml) adsorbed over 90% of TOX. The adsorption capacity of XAD-7 resin was found to be strongly dependent on the solution pH, as compared with those of XAD-2 and carbon adsorbents. Soxhlet and sonication extractions were also evaluated for their abilities to recover the adsorbed organics from the adsorbents, by measurements of TOX, chromatographable compounds and mutagenicity in the eluates. Soxhlet extraction gave higher recoveries than sonication, as measured with the above indices, but these differences were generally small (ca. 20%), with exception of the carbon extracts. The XAD-2 and XAD-7 extracts of drinking water also showed about 3-4 times higher mutagenic activity than the carbon extracts.

Structure-activity relationships for mitomycins. Application of the distance and charge analysis method

Molecular orbital calculations based on coordinates from X-ray analysis have been performed for a set of 24 mitomycins, of which eight compounds have not been isolated so far. To prioritize the order of synthesis of these missing compounds, a new method named DISCA (distance and charge analysis) has been developed. DISCA screens correlations between spatial distribution of charge in molecules and their biological activity. The spatial distribution of charge is represented by several indexes in DISCA. LD50 and ED50 were used as measures of biological activity. DISCA has successfully extracted indexes which have significantly high correlation coefficients. The indexes with the highest correlation coefficient were common to both LD50 and ED50. By use of the correlation functions with high correlation coefficients DISCA has predicted that 9-epi-1a-N-demethylmitomycin D should have the best ED50 and a modest LD50 among the missing mitomycins.

Purification of hemagglutinin from Haemophilus paragallinarum using monoclonal antibody

The purification of hemagglutinin from Haemophilus paragallinarum was attempted using affinity chromatography with monoclonal antibody. The antigen eluted from the affinity column using potassium thiocyanate buffer agglutinated chicken erythrocytes. In immunoblotting of the eluted antigen, a single band with monoclonal antibody was found as well as the crude antigen. When the chickens were immunized with the eluted antigen, they produced the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody, and they showed protection against challenged exposure with H. paragallinarum strain 221. These results indicated that the HA antigen of H. paragallinarum was a protective antigen.