Why is liver preservation performed at 4 degrees C?

To establish the most suitable temperature for liver preservation, we preserved rat livers at various temperatures (0, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C) in UW solution and investigated, biochemically, the proton ATPase activity, ATP metabolites in mitochondria, and phosphatidyl-choline hydroperoxide (PC-OOH) in liver tissue. Liver specimens were taken every 6 h up to 24 h. The proton ATPase activity and the concentration of ATP, ADP, AMP, and adenosine in livers preserved at 0 degree C showed the best results. The total adenine nucleotide (TAN) in livers preserved for 18 and 24 h had significantly higher concentrations compared with those at other temperatures (5, 10, and 15 degrees C). In the livers preserved at 5 degrees C, TAN was degraded to hypoxanthine. On the other hand, those preserved at both 10 and 15 degrees C showed changes from hypoxanthine to xanthine. The concentration of xanthine in both groups preserved at 10 and 15 degrees C showed high values at 6 and 12 h, respectively, and similar changes in PC-OOH concentrations at both 10 and 15 degrees C were observed. However, the changes in PC-OOH concentration at various temperatures were not significant for any length of preservation time. In light microscopical examinations, there were no morphological changes in the hepatocytes. From these results, we conclude that the capability of ATP synthesis of mitochondria in livers preserved at 0 degree C keep them in the best condition compared with livers preserved at 15, 10, and 5 degrees C.

Bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia accompanied with a coronary aneurysm. A case report

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is found in various arteries but the common iliac arteries and the coronary arteries are seldom involved. A 49-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pulsatile mass in her right lower quadrant. She had subdural hemorrhage in a postpartum state at the age of 27. After admission angiography diagnosed the bilateral iliac artery aneurysms and coronary angiography revealed a coronary artery aneurysm, the size of which was 12 mm x 19 mm in the region of the left main trunk. The bilateral iliac artery aneurysms were resected and Y-shaped vascular prosthesis was replaced. Microscopic sections of the aneurysm showed remarkable decrease of elastic fibers and thinning of the media, but no increase occurred in the smooth muscle. Histopathological diagnosis was FMD (periarterial fibroplasia). To our knowledge, no patient with a iliac arterial aneurysm caused by FMD has been reported and only a few cases with coronary arterial FMD have been described. This is the first report of iliac arterial aneurysm due to FMD. Since this case has multiple aneurysms, a long-term follow-up is definitely required, especially focusing on the coronary aneurysm.

Synthesis and structure-activity studies of a series of 1-oxa-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones and related compounds as M1 muscarinic agonists

A series of novel 2,8-dialkyl-1-oxa-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-3-ones and 2,8-dimethyl-1,2,8-triazaspiro[4.5]-decan-3-one (13), related to M1 muscarinic agonists YM796 and RS86, were synthesized by using Michael addition reaction of hydroxyurea or methylhydrazine to alpha, beta-unsaturated esters followed by cyclization reaction. These compounds were assessed for binding affinities for M1 and M2 receptors and in vivo muscarinic activity: namely, amelioration of scopolamine-induced impairment in rat passive avoidance tasks and induction of hypothermia, tremor, and salivation. 2,8-Dimethyl-1-oxa-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-3-one (6a) exhibited high affinities for both M1 and M2 receptors, showed antiamnesic activity (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.) and induced hypothermia (3 mg/kg, s.c.). In addition, 6a stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat hippocampal slices, indicating partial agonistic activity for M1 muscarinic receptors. The alteration of the methyl group at N2 of 6a increased the selectivity in binding affinities for M1 over M2 receptors, but resulted in loss of M1 agonistic activity or antiamnesic activity. Compound 13 exhibited only low affinity for M1 receptors, suggesting that a basic nitrogen atom is not tolerated in M1 receptor binding as a substitute for an oxygen atom or a carbonyl group at the 1-position of 6a or RS86. None of these derivatives exhibited high selectivity for antiamnesic effect over induction of hypothermia compared to YM796.

[An experiment on drinking using breath alcohol monitor (Alcomed 3010) by an electrochemical method]

A drinking experiment was performed to evaluate the efficiency of a breath alcohol monitor, Alcomed 3010. The ethanol concentrations in blood and breath were determined by gas chromatography, and in particular the breath ethanol concentration was determined with the breath alcohol monitor and by gas chromatography. The results obtained by two methods were compared. Based on the blood and breath ethanol concentrations, the following conclusions were drawn reading the breath alcohol monitor. The monitor has practical merit for determination of the breath ethanol level. It is small, usable anywhere, with little error in determination. In measuring principle, tobacco and acetone did not affected levels with the meter, but methanol, n-propanol and n-butanol affected determinations with the alcohol monitor. The breath (AM)/blood (GC) ethanol ratio was 1:2555. Comparison of the values determined with the alcohol monitor and gas chromatography yielded the equation: y = 0.998 x +/- 0.012 (r = 0.994). When determinations were made on the pure ethanol gas by the meter and gas chromatograph, the equation was: y = 0.974 x +/- 0.021 (r = 0.994). It may be said therefore that the alcohol monitor is both practically and functionally excellent.

Synthesis and structure-activity studies of a series of 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decanes as M1 muscarinic agonists

2,8-Dimethyl-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decan-3-one (17), designed by incorporating the tetrahydrofuran ring moiety of muscarone into an 8-azaspiro[4,5]decane skeleton, and related 1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decanes were synthesized and assessed as M1 muscarinic agonists for the symptomatic treatment of dementia of Alzheimer's type. The compounds were tested for central muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor affinity and in vivo muscarinic activities: namely, amelioration of scopolamine-induced impairment in rat passive avoidance tasks, and induction of hypothermia, tremor, and salivary secretion. Compound 17 exhibited potent muscarinic activities in vitro and in vivo with no selectivity. Systematic modifications of 17 were conducted, and a number of compounds, including the 2-ethyl analogue (18), 3-methylene analogue (29), 3-dithioketal analogues (26, 28), and 3-oxime analogue (37) were found to display preferential affinity for M1 receptors over M2 receptors and, in addition, to exhibit potent antiamnesic activity sufficiently separated from hypothermia-inducing activity, taken as an index of cholinergic side effects, compared with the reference compound RS86 (1). Structure-activity relationships are discussed in comparison with those for muscarone analogues. Of these compounds only two, 2-ethyl-8-methyl-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decan-3-one (18) and 2,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane (29), stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat hippocampal slices, indicating partial agonistic activity for M1 muscarinic receptors. The optical resolution of 18 and 29 was performed. Eudismic ratios of both compounds in binding affinity were low, but M1 agonist activity resided preferentially in the (-)-isomers. The absolute configuration of (-)-29 was determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis to be S, being the same as that of muscarone. Based on the in vivo selectivity, (-)-29 was selected for clinical studies.

Frequency of D1S80 and HLA DQ alpha alleles in a Chinese population

Allele frequency distributions for the D1S80 (MCT118) and HLA DQ alpha loci were determined in a Chinese population sample using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 25 alleles and 100 phenotypes were observed for D1S80. The frequency of allele 18 was higher than allele 24 only in this Chinese population when compared to other reported populations. A total of 6 alleles and 21 possible phenotypes were observed for HLA DQ alpha. The power of discrimination was 0.97 and 0.93 for D1S80 and HLA DQ alpha, respectively.

[Arterial oxygen saturation monitoring of sleeping infants by pulse-oximeter--effect of sleeping position on arterial oxygen saturation in infants]

Monitoring of the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in two sleeping infants was reported. They were a couple of female twins and had grown up normally after admission to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for a month. We investigated their SaO2 with the puls-oximeter at the terms between the 2nd and the 10th month. There was no significant difference between SaO2 in prone positions (n = 29) and that in supine positions (n = 30). In the infant with the sniffing conditions, however, SaO2 in prone positions seemed to be slightly lower than that in the healthy conditions. The slightly low SaO2 would give no effects on the healthy infants, but it may cause ALTE (Apparent Life Threatening Event) or death from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) to some infants who are not in good health and/or who are prone to get into ALTEA or SIDS. Especially, in the sniffing condition with hyperthermia, as the oxygen dissociation curve sifts to right and SaO2 degradation appears easily, sudden infant death may be possible to happen in prone position.

Characterization of a novel muscarinic receptor agonist, YM796: comparison with cholinesterase inhibitors in in vivo pharmacological studies

Previous reports have shown that (+/-)-YM796 (2,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane) exhibits M1 agonistic activity and ameliorates cognitive impairment, and that the (-)-S isomer is active in in vitro studies. We report here the characterization of the (-)-S isomer, YM796 ((-)-(S)-2,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-1-oxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane L-tartrate monohydrate), and its (+)-R isomer in in vivo pharmacological studies in comparison with the cholinesterase inhibitors tacrine, amiridine and E-2020. YM796 (0.031-0.5 mg/kg p.o.), like the racemate, reversed the cognitive impairment in passive avoidance tasks of rats with nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions, whereas (+)-R-YM796 was ineffective in this experimental amnesia. YM796 exhibited only weak effects on mouse salivation and hypothermia, a peripheral cholinergic response and a central cholinergic response, respectively. The (+)-R isomer, however, failed to induce these cholinergic responses. YM796 also ameliorated the memory deficits induced by scopolamine in rats and electroconvulsive shock in mice. The potency of YM796 in these experimental amnesia models was over a 100 times greater than that of tacrine, over 10 times greater than that of E-2020, and 6 times greater than that of amiridine. In salivary secretion and hypothermia, YM796 was 2-4 times weaker than tacrine and E-2020, and 1-2 times stronger than amiridine. Thus, YM796's ratio of anti-amnesic effects to salivary secretion and hypothermia was much greater than that of the cholinesterase inhibitors tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibacterial and antifungal sulfated alkane and alkenes from the hepatopancreas of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi

Four new antibacterial and antifungal sulfates, 2,6-dimethylheptyl sulfate [1], (4Z,7Z)-4,7-decadienyl sulfate [2], (4Z,7E)-4,7-decadienyl sulfate [3], and (3Z,6Z)-3,6,9-decatrienyl sulfate [4], have been isolated from the hepatopancreas of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. The structures were determined by spectral analysis.

Simultaneous measurement of alcohols and hydrogen cyanide in biological specimens using headspace gas chromatography

We attempted to analyze biological specimens simultaneously for alcohols and hydrogen cyanide. A headspace gas chromatographic method with thick film wide bore column (PEG 20M) for the simultaneous determinations of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and hydrogen cyanide in blood has been developed. This method was applied for the determinations of methanol, ethanol and hydrogen cyanide in a forensic autopsy case and animal experiments.

Inhibitory effects of bestrabucil, a conjugate of chlorambucil and estradiol, on the production of androgen-induced growth factor(s) by Shionogi carcinoma 115 cells

It is known that diffusible trophic factors play an important role in both the normal and cancerous growth regulatory processes of hormone-responsive cells such as are found in the prostate and mammary glands. Consequently, it is important to identify whether the production of such growth factors is affected by administration of therapeutic agents. We examined the effect of bestrabucil, a benzoate of an estradiol-chlorambucil conjugate, on the production of growth factor(s) by Shionogi carcinoma 115 (SC-115) cells, an androgen-responsive cultured cancer cell line. We then investigated whether the inhibitory effect found was specific to bestrabucil, or if it was also produced by a mixture of the 2 compounds, estradiol and chlorambucil. Bioassay employing BALB/3T3 cells demonstrated the presence of two kinds of growth factor in the conditioned medium obtained by culturing SC-115 cells in medium containing 10(-8) M testosterone; these factors could be separated by heparin-sepharose column chromatography using 0.5 M NaCl and 1.1 M NaCl. When the SC-115 cells were cultured in medium containing bestrabucil, at a concentration of 10(-5) M, no growth factor activity was detected in the fraction eluted from the heparin-sepharose column by 1.1 M NaCl. At bestrabucil concentrations of 10(-5)-10(-7) M, concentration-dependent inhibition of growth factor production by SC-115 cells could be demonstrated by 3H-thymidine uptake assay. However, this inhibitory effect could not be demonstrated using only a mixture of estradiol and chlorambucil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Concentrations of ethanol and ethanol metabolites and symptoms of acute alcohol-intoxicated patients]

Five patients who presented to an emergency room and did not have other injury and disease with acute alcohol intoxication were analyzed about blood and urine ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone levels. The average concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and acetone in blood were 37.0 mM (1.7 mg/ml), 18 microM, 1.00 mM and 18 microM, respectively and the concentrations in urine were 50.8 mM (2.3 mg/ml), 37 microM, 0.79 mM and 47 microM, respectively. Clinical symptoms were concerned with both ethanol concentration and concentrations of ethanol metabolites. Their symptoms of acute alcohol-intoxicated patients were caused by the ethanol concentrations which was less than the levels reported in early studies.

[Diagnosis of the pancreatic diseases by intraductal ultrasound of the pancreas--with special reference to clinical cases difficult to diagnose differentially pancreatic diseases by the endoscopic retrograde pancreatography]

We examined the usefulness of the intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) examinations by comparing the IDUS images with the endoscopic retrograde (ER) pancreatograms. We inserted an IDUS probe with 30 MHz at frequency transpapillary into the main pancreatic duct (MPD) in 105 cases with pancreatic diseases (30 cancers, 30 mucin-producing tumor, 3 islet cell tumor, 1 pancreatic serous cyst adenoma, 1 pancreatic teratoma, 1 pancreatic solid and cystic tumor and 39 chronic pancreatitis). All 105 cases were performed ER pancreatography. Sixty-four of 105 cases (22 cancers, 20 mucin-producing tumor, 3 islet cell tumor, 1 pancreatic serous cyst adenoma, 1 pancreatic teratoma, 1 pancreatic solid and cystic tumor and 16 chronic pancreatitis) were operated and the IDUS images were compared with the corresponding histopathological sections. The usefulness of the IDUS examinations of the pancreatic diseases were the following cases; differential diagnosis between benign and malignant cases with localized stenosis of the MPD, differential diagnosis of the cases with displacement of the MPD, and the diagnosis of the intraductal extent and of invasion of the tumor in the mucin-producing tumor of the pancreas with the dilation of the MPD. IDUS examinations are performed by the IDUS probe with high frequency, so the indications of the IDUS examinations are to detect the small lesions in the pancreas.

Changes in free and bound alcohol metabolites in the urine during ethanol oxidation

Free and bound ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate, acetone and methanol in urine during alcohol oxidation were analyzed by means of a head space gas chromatography. Four healthy male volunteers drank beer for 20 min with 16 ml/kg for non-flushers (A, B) and 8 ml/kg for flushers (C, D). In the urine, the highest bound ethanol levels were between 0.5-1.1 mM for the non-flushers (NF) and 0.2-0.3 mM for the flushers (F). The urine free ethanol levels were 23-70 times as high as bound ethanol levels. The maximum free acetaldehyde in urine was 11-13 microM for the NF and 26-55 microM for the F. The urine bound acetaldehyde levels were 4-5 microM for the NF and 7-15 microM for the F. Urine acetaldehyde existed in free forms at 2.4-3.6 times as high concentrations as in bound forms during ethanol oxidation. The urine free acetate ranged between 0.3-2.0 mM. The bound acetate varied between 0.7-1.1 mM. The urine free methanol at 70-110 microM before the intake increased to 104-180 microM. The bound methanol reached to 78-126 microM from 48-97 microM before the intake. Ethanol levels in the urine were ethanol dose-dependent, whereas it was thought that free and bound acetaldehyde or acetate reflected individual metabolic abilities and not the amount of ethanol consumed.

Effects of seed saponins of Thea sinensis L. (Ryokucha saponin) on alcohol absorption and metabolism

We evaluated the effects of the seed saponins of Thea sinensis L. on alcohol absorption and metabolism in rats and mice. An ethanolic extract from the seeds of T. sinensis was orally administered to the rats 1 hr before or 0.5 hr after administration of ethanol (2 g/kg), and the blood ethanol assayed 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hr after ethanol administration. The ethanol level decreased after both pre- and post-administration of the extract. The extract was further purified to obtain a saponin fraction which was orally administered to mice 1 hr before ethanol administration. Blood, liver, and stomach were obtained 0, 1, 3, and 6 hr after ethanol administration, and the ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate, and acetone concentrations in each specimen were measured by head space gas chromatography. The saponin fraction decreased the ethanol levels in the blood and liver but increased that in the stomach five-fold over the control level, suggesting inhibition of alcohol absorption. The ethanol disappearance time from the blood was shortened, suggesting the promotion of alcohol disappearance. The acetate and acetone levels were unaffected. However, the acetaldehyde level decreased in the blood, liver, and stomach. The decreases in the ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in the liver suggested the protective effects of the seed saponins on the liver. The saponins did not directly inhibit hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity. The seed saponins of T. sinensis seem to suppress alcohol absorption by slowing gastric emptying and by inhibiting absorption across the cell membranes of the digestive tract.

Synthesis and structure-activity studies of a series of spirooxazolidine-2,4-diones: 4-oxa analogues of the muscarinic agonist 2-ethyl-8-methyl-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-1,3-dione

A series of spirooxazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives related to the putative M1 agonist 2-ethyl-8-methyl-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-1,3-dione (RS86; 1) were synthesized. The compounds were evaluated as cholinergic agents in in vitro binding assays and in in vivo pharmacological tests including antiamnesic effects using scopolamine-treated mice, hypothermia, and salivation in mice. Four compounds (5a,c,f and 17a) exhibited affinity for cortical M1 receptors and reversed scopolamine-induced impairment of mouse passive avoidance tasks, as did 1. Among these compounds, only 5a exhibited M1-receptor stimulating activity in pithed rats. Structural requirements for muscarinic activity in this series of spirooxazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives were as strict as those reported for spirosuccinimide derivatives including 1. The antiamnesic dose of 3-ethyl-8-methyl-1-oxa-3,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione (5a) was 2 orders of magnitude lower than the doses inducing hypothermia and salivation, in contrast to 1 for which the former dose was only 5-10-fold lower than the latter. These results suggest that the 8-azaspiro[4.5]decane skeleton represents a useful template for designing new muscarinic agonists as antidementia drugs.

An analysis of low side molecular weight proteins in human seminal plasma by capillary electrophoresis

Semen was obtained from 45 healthy males, and its plasma proteins of low side molecular weight obtained by filtration with a Molcut II (Millipore) were analyzed by means of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for an application to forensic medicine, with a phosphoric acid of pH 4.5 and a column of 100 cm x 75 microns ID. There were noted 27 to 36 peaks on the chromatograms, two sections of which showed individual differences in the chromatographic patterns. The chromatographic patterns between 20.0 and 22.0 minutes were classified into 2 groups: I (66.7%) and II (33.3%). The main peak appearing at about 36 minutes was divided between two patterns: A (53.3%) and B (46.7%). The serum, saliva, and vaginal fluid were also analyzed for low-side-molecular-weight proteins by means of capillary electrophoresis, but their levels contained low and their chromatographic patterns different from those of seminal plasma. The patterns of the whole seminal plasma, saliva and serum with pH 7.0 phosphate buffer were different and appeared to be applicable for identifying such samples.

[A case report of mediastinal teratoma complicated with cardiac tamponade]

A 10-year-old Japanese boy was admitted to our hospital with complaints of the sudden and severe chest pain having occurred when he caught a ball on his chest. A chest X-ray film and MRI made a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade caused by perforation into the pericardial sac of a mediastinal teratoma and pericardial drainage was carried out. Pericardial effusion showed cloudy yellow and CA 19-9 level in the effusion was 6, 538.2 U/ml. The tumor was extirpated after recovery of his general condition. The tumor was consisted of solid material (5 x 6 x 3 cm) and of cystic part (4 x 6 x 0.8 cm) involving of viscous yellowish fluid. Microscopic sections showed ulcer with bleeding, granulation and pancreatic tissue. Histopathological diagnosis was benign mature teratoma. Including this case, fourteen cases of mediastinal teratomas with cardiac tamponade have been reported and this is the youngest case. Pancreatic tissue were observed histopathologically in most cases and it was thought that autodigestion by digestive enzyme from pancreas was major cause of perforation of the tumor into the pericardial sac.

[The partial resection of lung with MULTIFIRE ENDO GIA 30 under the thoracoscopy]

MULTIFIRE ENDO GIA 30 was a newly auto suture developed by US surgical c.o., A 27-year-old man was admitted for right spontaneous pneumothorax in our hospital. We performed the partial resection of lung with this new auto suture under the thoracoscopy. Condition of patient after operation was very good, and he could discharge in short hospitalization. We concluded that this new auto suture was entirely reversible and safety.

[Surgical techniques of ventricular assist device]

Since October 1982 to April 1990, we had 16 ventricular assist device (VAD) cases in our institute. Using this VAD system that was produced by Nippon Zeon company, surgical techniques for cannulation and de-cannulation could be made very easily, and connection between cannulae and pump also could be performed quickly. In this article, the actual surgical techniques and the know-how were illustrated in detail. If this techniques can be more accustomed, the clinical results of VAD cases will be improved.