White matter amyloid in Alzheimer's disease brain

Amyloid beta-protein (A beta) deposits in the white matter were investigated by the double immunohistochemical staining for A beta and neuritic, glial or vascular components. Reactive astroglia and neurite abnormality were absent around A beta deposits in the white matter (w-A beta) even those with a core. The association of w-A beta with blood vessels was not consistent. Aggregates of activated microglia were found to be the sole but a consistent accompaniment of A beta deposits even in the absence of other components such as neuron, synapse, neurite abnormality and reactive astroglia, as observed in the white matter. This suggests that the aggregates of activated microglia most likely represent one of the factors promoting the process of A beta deposition.

Evaluation of the sensitivity of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal neoplasia

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity of OC-Hemodia, a immunochemical fecal occult blood test (IFOBT) based on the technique of latex agglutination for early stage colorectal cancer and clinically significant adenomas.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 885 patients who underwent OC-Hemodia and a colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Colorectal cancers were detected in 23 patients (10 Dukes' A, eight Dukes' B, and five Dukes' C or D). Adenomas were detected in 459 patients (16 villous adenomas 433 tubular adenomas with mild or moderate dysplasia, and 10 with severe dysplasia). The sensitivity of OC-Hemodia was 90% for those with Dukes' A colon cancer and 100% for those with Dukes' B, C, or D colon cancer. It was 18.8% for those with villous changes, and 40% for those with severe dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the IFOBT is not a reliable test for the screening of premalignant adenomas, although it is useful for detecting early stage colorectal cancers.

Serial hemodynamic measurements in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas

We performed serial hemodynamics in 15 patients with 21 well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. The total length of the observation period ranged from 129 to 678 days (median, 368). We investigated both arterial and portal blood flow at intervals of at least 4 months. Arterial blood flow was measured with carbon dioxide-enhanced ultrasonography (US), and portal blood flow was measured with computed tomographic arterial portography (CTAP). None of the tumors were hypervascular on the initial study; however, by the final study nine nodules (42.9%) had become homogeneously hypervascular, two (9.5%) had become partially hypervascular, and the others did not change. Of 10 nodules without portal blood supply on any study, 8 became hypervascular by the final study. Of 11 nodules with portal blood supply on the initial study, a follow-up study showed no change in portal flow in 6 and the loss of portal flow in 5. Four of these five became hypervascular, with a documented loss of portal flow before the increase in arterial flow. The doubling time of tumors with a homogeneous increase in arterial blood flow ranged from 89 to 333 days (median, 172), whereas the doubling time of other tumors ranged from 227 to 607 days (median, 392). Thus, growth rate and vascularity in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma are closely correlated. When the well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma has portal blood flow and is not hypervascular, it grows slowly. On the other hand, when it loses portal blood flow and becomes hypervascular, it grows rapidly.

Investigation of tau-2 positive microglia-like cells in the subcortical nuclei of human neurodegenerative disorders

An anti-tau monoclonal antibody tau-2 was demonstrated to react with the cells which characteristically appeared in the subcortical nuclei of certain neurodegenerative disorders. These cells had rod-like cell bodies and elongated processes, whose morphology was consistent with that of reactive microglia (tau-2 positive microglia-like cells; TPMC). TPMC were diffusely scattered in the subcortical nuclei, especially the putamen, irrelevant to focal tissue injury such as infarcts and amyloid deposits. TPMC were positively immunostained with anti-ferritin antibody, but negatively with LN3, anti-GFAP, other kinds of anti-tau and anti-neurofilament antibodies. TPMC were found in some cases of Alzheimer type dementia and diffuse Lewy body disease, but not in the cases of Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease and control without neurological disorder. Similar microglia-like cells were found around infarctic foci and amyloid cores of senile plaques, regardless of the disorder. They were, however, different from TPMC in that they were positively immunostained with LN3.

Serial hemodynamic measurements in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas

We performed serial hemodynamics in 15 patients with 21 well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. The total length of the observation period ranged from 129 to 678 days (median, 368). We investigated both arterial and portal blood flow at intervals of at least 4 months. Arterial blood flow was measured with carbon dioxide-enhanced ultrasonography (US), and portal blood flow was measured with computed tomographic arterial portography (CTAP). None of the tumors were hypervascular on the initial study; however, by the final study nine nodules (42.9%) had become homogeneously hypervascular, two (9.5%) had become partially hypervascular, and the others did not change. Of 10 nodules without portal blood supply on any study, 8 became hypervascular by the final study. Of 11 nodules with portal blood supply on the initial study, a follow-up study showed no change in portal flow in 6 and the loss of portal flow in 5. Four of these five became hypervascular, with a documented loss of portal flow before the increase in arterial flow. The doubling time of tumors with a homogeneous increase in arterial blood flow ranged from 89 to 333 days (median, 172), whereas the doubling time of other tumors ranged from 227 to 607 days (median, 392). Thus, growth rate and vascularity in well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma are closely correlated. When the well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma has portal blood flow and is not hypervascular, it grows slowly. On the other hand, when it loses portal blood flow and becomes hypervascular, it grows rapidly.

Coexpression of cdk2/cdc2 and retinoblastoma gene products in colorectal cancer

The retinoblastoma gene (Rb gene) is a tumour-suppressor gene and its product (pRB) is known to act as a negative regulator of the cell cycle. Although lack of pRB expression resulting from gene alterations is considered to be responsible for the genesis of several human malignancies, increased expression of pRB has been demonstrated in a majority of colorectal cancer cases. In the present study, we investigated the expression of pRB as well as that of its related kinases, cdk2 and cdc2, in colorectal cancer, since these kinases have been reported to phosphorylate and inactivate pRB. Western blot analysis revealed that colorectal cancer expressed higher levels of cdk2 and cdc2 than did normal mucosa and that the ratio of the hyperphosphorylated form of pRB was higher in colorectal cancer. Furthermore, immunohistochemical studies showed that cdk2/cdc2 was expressed exclusively in the cancer cells positive for pRB. These results suggest that an increase in the expression of cdk2/cdc2 in colorectal cancer may have prevented pRB from braking the cell cycle through phosphorylation.

ATP-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the cultured marginal cell of the stria vascularis of guinea-pigs

The primary culture of marginal cells from the explant of the stria vascularis of guinea-pigs was established and confirmed by morphological, immunohistochemical and physiological characters of the cultivated cells. The positive stain of cytokeratin 18 without vimentin and desmin expressions indicated the epithelial origin of the cultured polygonal cells. Electron microscopical findings of cultured cells resembled the morphological characteristics of marginal cells. The addition of 100 microM ouabain to the cultured cells significantly increased the intracellular Na+ concentration, providing the evidence for the presence of Na+ pump. Using the cultured marginal cells identified by the above-mentioned findings, the effects of neurotransmitters and hormones in regulating intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated. The addition of 10(-4) M ATP caused an increase in [Ca2+]i, which was independent of the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The rank order of agonist potency was ATP > alpha, beta-methylene ATP > ADP. Adenosine, however, evoked no response. Cultured marginal cells may possess P2-purinergic receptors which mobilize Ca2+ from the intracellular Ca2+ pool.

A prospective randomized evaluation of a compound of tegafur and uracil as an adjuvant chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of long-term oral administration of low-dose tegafur combined with uracil as an adjuvant chemotherapy, following transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Forty eligible patients were randomized into two groups: 20 with TAE plus UFT (a compound of tegafur 200 mg and uracil 448 mg per day) and 20 with TAE alone. A good necrosis rate or decrease in size of more than 70% of the original tumor mass was attained in 10 by TAE plus UFT arm and in 12 by TAE arm alone. As for the "responded" patients, there was no significant difference in the time from tumor response to tumor regrowth between the two groups. The appearance rate of ascites and/or encephalopathy in patients with chemotherapy was slightly higher than that in control patients. The median survival time was 22.7 months for TAE plus UFT arm and 28.2 months for TAE arm alone. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival curves. In conclusion, these results indicated no substantial benefit for this chemotherapy regimen, as an adjuvant therapy for patients with HCC during repeated TAE.

[MR imaging features of chronically torn anterior cruciate ligament]

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 40 knee joints with arthroscopically proved chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears were retrospectively evaluated. MRI demonstrated various features of chronic ACL tears: 19 knees revealed with no identifiable ligamentous structure, and 21 had residual ligamentous structures. These pseudoligaments, 14 discontinuous bands and seven continuous bands with elongation, were residual torn ligamentous fibers and/or synovial tissues. All the discontinuous bands were disrupted from the femoral attachment and were likely to traverse the lower intercondylar space. Six disrupted ligaments were attached to the lateral aspect of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Coronal T2-weighted gradient echo images showed better delineation of the disrupted femoral attachment and adhesion to the PCL. A chronic ACL tear with minimal elongation or with PCL attachment at a higher position may occasionally be difficult to distinguish from an intact ligament.

Effect of total flow rate on the concentration of degradation products generated by reaction between sevoflurane and soda lime

We have compared concentrations of degradation products in the circle system during sevoflurane anaesthesia at different fresh gas flows. Twenty-four patients underwent sevoflurane anaesthesia with fresh gas flows of 1 litre min-1 (1L group), 3 litre min-1 (3L group), or 6 litre min-1 (6L group) (n = 8 in each group). During anaesthesia, the concentrations of degradation products were measured every hour, and the temperature of soda lime, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations, inspired and end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, and carbon dioxide elimination were measured. CF2 = C (CF3)-O-CH2F (compound A) was the only degradation product detected. The mean maximum concentration of compound A was 19.7 (SD 4.3) ppm in the 1L group, 8.1 (2.7) ppm in the 3L group and 2.1 (1.0) ppm in the 6L group (P < 0.05). The maximum temperature of soda lime was 44.6 (1.5) degrees C in the 1L group, 37.0 (4.4) degrees C in the 3L group and 29.1 (5.1) degrees C in the 6L group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in end-tidal sevoflurane concentration or mean carbon dioxide elimination between the groups. Only compound A was detected following anaesthesia, with higher concentrations observed at lower flow rates.

The ultrastructure, kinetics and intralobular distribution of apoptotic hepatocytes after portal branch ligation with special reference to their relationship to necrotic hepatocytes

Apoptosis was originally defined as shrinkage necrosis, as a distinct mode of cellular death from coagulative necrosis in the rat liver lobes after portal branch ligation. To reveal the functional role of the apoptosis of hepatocytes in the volume reduction and recovery of normal hepatic architecture in portal-deprived liver lobes, we ligated the portal vein branch supplying the left and median liver lobes in Wistar rats. The liver lobes were perfusion-fixed with glutaraldehyde solution via the proximal site of the ligated portion of the portal vein on Days 1, 2, 4, 7 and 14 after operation and examined light and electron microscopically. On Day 2 after ligation, massive necrosis of hepatocytes occurred in the central to intermediate zones of the liver lobule, and apoptotic hepatocytes were observed in the boundary region between necrotic and normal areas. Such necrotic area-associated apoptosis of hepatocytes was most frequent on Day 2, declining thereafter. The sequential changes of the cell organelles in apoptotic hepatocytes were distinct from those in necrotic hepatocytes. On Day 7, when necrotic areas had almost disappeared the apoptosis of hepatocytes occurred mostly between intact hepatocytes in the "combined hepatic cell cords" which included no obvious sinusoidal lumen between hepatic cell cords. Such necrotic area-nonassociated apoptosis began to increase in frequency on Day 4, reached a peak on Day 7 and was gone by Day 14, when normal hepatic architecture was recovered. The present study suggests that both necrotic area-associated and non-associated apoptosis of hepatocytes may be induced by mild ischemia and contribute in part to the volume reduction of ligated liver lobes. It further reveals that the necrotic area-non-associated apoptosis of hepatocytes plays a role in reconstructing the architecture of hepatic cell cords after necrotic hepatocytes have undergone dissolution in the liver lobule.

Chemical modification and inactivation of phospholipases A2 by a manoalide analogue

Chemical modification and inactivation of bovine pancreatic, porcine pancreatic, Naja naja atra and Pseudechis australis phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), belonging to Group I, and of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Vipera russelli russelli and Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii PLA2s, belonging to Group II, were investigated by the use of a manoalide (MLD)-analogue, 1-(2,5-dihydro-hydroxy-5-oxo-3-furanyl)-8,12-dimethyl-4-formyl-3,7, 11-tridecatrienol. At appropriate time intervals, residual PLA2 activities towards monodispersed, anionic mixed micellar and non-ionic mixed micellar substrates were measured. We tested the protective effect of micellar n-dodecylphosphocholine (n-C12PC) on enzyme inactivation. Inactivation of pancreatic PLA2s (Group I) was only observed towards anionic mixed micellar substrates. This inactivation was completely prevented by the presence of micellar n-C12PC. From a fragmentation study of modified bovine pancreatic PLA2 using lysyl endopeptidase, we speculated that Lys-56 of this enzyme was modified by MLD-analogue and that this modification was responsible for enzyme inactivation. Inactivation of non-pancreatic PLA2s was observed towards all types of substrate, except that no significant inactivation of N. naja atra PLA2 (Group I) towards monodispersed substrate was noted. Micellar n-C12PC protected N. naja atra PLA2 (Group I) completely from inactivation by MLD-analogue, but had lesser protective effects on P. australis PLA2 (Group I), T. flavoviridis and V. russelli russelli PLA2s (Group II). However, no significant protection of A. halys blomhoffii PLA2s (Group II) activity was observed. These results indicate that the inactivation of pancreatic and N. naja atra PLA2s originates from the modification of Lys residues at the interfacial recognition site, and that inactivation of P. australis, T. flavoviridis and V. russelli PLA2s arises from the modification of Lys residues at the catalytic site, interfacial recognition site and regions outside both sites. The inactivation of A. halys blomhoffii PLA2 was assumed to be due to the modification of Lys residues outside the two sites described above.

Demonstration of human Borna disease virus RNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

BDV naturally infects horses and sheep, and causes sporadic neurological disease. Serological evidence suggests an association of BDV, or a related virus, with specific psychiatric diseases in humans. Here, by using a nested RT-PCR technique, we demonstrate that human BDV RNA is present in the PBMC of psychiatric patients. In an examination of a total of 60 patients from 5 wards of a hospital in Japan, the detection rate differed within each ward, ranging from 8% to > 50% (37% on the average). Of particular note was the finding that the human derived BDV sequences, which included deleted forms in about 23% of the positive samples, were slightly different from those derived from horse BDV. These results suggest urgent consideration of the measures to be taken to cope with the effects of blood transfusion. In addition, the detection of a high level of BDV in the PBMC of patients will help our understanding of the pathogenesis in the disease.

[Intracellular Ca2+ response induced by acetylcholine in the submucosal nasal gland acinar cells of guinea pigs]

We examined intracellular Ca2+ responses of nasal gland acinar cells in order to clarify cellular responses and molecular events with regard to the regulatory mechanism of nasal secretion. The acinar cells of the serous gland, in the guinea-pig nasal septum, were obtained by meticulous and selective dissection with minimal contamination of epithelial lining cells followed by collagenase treatment. The dispersed acini were incubated in an oxygenated solution supplemented with fura -2 acetoxymethyl ester and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured using fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy. The application of acetylcholine (ACh) to the nasal gland acinar cells induced an initially rapid increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a sustained plateau. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ACh was concentration-dependent and ranged from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M. The intracellular Ca2+ response was completely inhibited by atropine, indicating the presence of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Removal of external Ca2+ with addition of EGTA resulted in a transient increase without a sustained phase. The sustained phase of the [Ca2+]i increase induced by ACh was inhibited by Ni2+, but not by nifedipine. The initial phase seems to be due to mobilization from cytosolic Ca2+ stores while the subsequent sustained phase is dependent on the influx of external Ca2+ ions sensitive to Ni2+. We have demonstrated that increasing the Ca2+ gradient by elevating external Ca2+ accelerates Ca2+ entry, and that depolarization of cells due to elevated external K+ attenuates Ca2+ entry. These findings suggest that the Ca2+ entry process in nasal gland acinar cells is dependent on the electrochemical gradient across the membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of FMLP and LPS on [Ca2+]i of peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes following onset of inflammation

Because a general study of activated neutrophils may have relevance to periodontal diseases and accompanying inflammation, we studied a function of mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) that exude into the peritoneal cavity in response to inflammation caused by i.p. injection of 2% casein. The effects of E. coli-lipopolysaccharide (E-LPS) and a chemotactic factor, N-formyl-N-methionyl-N-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP), on the level of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in these PMNs were examined. From analysis made with a laser cytometer (ACAS 570), the PMNs in exudates harvested 3-9 h after the onset of inflammation were shown to undergo [Ca2+]i elevation in response to 10(-6) M FMLP. The peak concentration of [Ca2+]i elicited by FMLP was highest in exudate cells 6 h after casein injection. In addition, about 65% of the PMNs in the 3-h exudate were FMLP sensitive displaying an elevated [Ca2+]i, whereas more than 85% of them in 6- and 9-h exudates became FMLP sensitive. Also, the maximum level of [Ca2+]i after FMLP stimulation was potentiated by pretreatment of the cells with E-LPS (0.2 microgram/ml). The present study suggests that PMNs induced by casein injection and appearing in mouse peritoneal exudate at different times possess significantly different ability to undergo [Ca2+]i elevation, and different susceptibility toward a chemotactic factor, FMLP.

Immunocytochemical characterization of glial fibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease brain

Neurofibrillary tangle is a major cytoskeletal pathology in Alzheimer's disease brains, and has been considered to develop exclusively in neuronal cells. We examined brains with Alzheimer's disease and observed argyrophilic fibrillary tangles not only in cortical neurons but also in subcortical glial cells in the frontal and temporal white matter. The tangles in glial cells were immunolabeled by antibodies against tau and ubiquitin, and double immunocytochemistry analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that the cytoplasms of tangle-bearing glia were labeled by antibodies against transferrin and 2'3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase. Ultrastructurally, they were made up of bundles of straight filaments 16 nm in diameter and constricted filaments. These results indicate that fibrillary tangles resembling neurofibrillary tangles may develop in oligodendrocytes in brains with Alzheimer's disease and are distinguishable from glial cytoplasmic inclusions observed in multiple system atrophy brains. We referred to them as glial fibrillary tangles. Glial fibrillary tangles commonly occurred in this disease condition, and glial cells might be involved under the pathological processes similar to neuronal cells.

A study of dementia with argyrophilic grains. Possible cytoskeletal abnormality in dendrospinal portion of neurons and oligodendroglia

Two mildly demented patients with emotional disorder presented massive cortical argyrophilic grains (ArG) in the limbic area and coiled bodies mainly in the white matter. Immunohistochemically, the ArG consisted of partially ubiquitinated full-length phosphorylated tau. A modified Gallyas-Braak method, used after potassium permanganate and oxalic acid pretreatment, revealed many filiform, knobby or pleomorphic spine-like appendages on the ArG. Double immunohistochemical staining using anti-tau with either anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 or anti-neurofilament 200K revealed that ArG were intimately associated with dendrites rather than with axons. Electron microscopic studies with tau immunohistochemistry and the Gallyas-Braak method revealed that the ArG were composed of bundles of smooth tubules of 25-nm diameter. The coiled body-bearing cells had the morphological characteristic of oligodendroglia. These results indicate that the presence of ArG is a cytoskeletal abnormality affecting predominantly the dendrospinal portions of neurons. A survey of diseases with cytoskeletal disorders revealed that a small number of similar argyrophilic granular structures are sometimes observed in progressive supranuclear palsy, Pick's disease with Pick bodies and corticobasal degeneration. Dementia with ArG is thought to be a unique cytoskeletal abnormality associated predominantly with the dendrospinal portions of neurons and oligodendroglia.

Ascorbic acid stimulates barrier function of cultured endothelial cell monolayer

The macromolecular permeability of cultured bovine aortic, bovine venous, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers was decreased significantly in culture medium containing L-ascorbic acid (Asc Acid; 0.01-0.1 mM) and L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc 2-P). Dithiothreitol, which shows reducing activity equivalent to that of Asc Acid, did not affect endothelial permeability. Asc Acid induced a sixfold increase in collagen synthesis by the endothelial cells. The coexistence of L-azetidine 2-carboxylic acid, an inhibitor of collagen synthesis, attenuated the effect of Asc 2-P in a dose-dependent manner. Another collagen synthesis inhibitor, ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, also inhibited collagen synthesis and increased endothelial permeability. The decrease in permeability of the endothelial monolayer was dependent on a reduction of the permeability coefficient of the endothelial monolayer. These findings indicate that endothelial barrier function is stimulated by Asc Acid via an increase in collagen synthesis.

Brain stem cheiro-oral syndrome: neurological signs for brain stem lesions

Cheiro-oral syndrome (COS) is characterized by a sensory disturbance in one hand and the ipsilateral oral corner. It is usually due to a lesion in the parietal cortex, thalamocortical projections or thalamus. Brain stem lesions may rarely produce COS. We present two COS patients with midbrain infarction and pontine hemorrhage, respectively. In our patients, unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy or medial longitudinal fasciculus syndrome concurred with sensory disturbances of cheiro-oral distribution. COS produced by cortical/thalamic lesion is not accompanied with such oculomotor signs. Thus, oculomotor deficits are decisive in differentiating brain stem from cortical or thalamic COS.

Biological activities and antitumor effects of synthetic lipid A analog linked N-acylated serine

The mitogenicity, lethal toxicity, production of nitric oxide (NO), induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and antitumor activity against Meth A fibrosarcoma by chemically synthesized N-acylated serine-linked non-phosphorylated (A-606 and A607) and phosphorylated (A-608) acylglucosamine-derived lipid A analog were determined. Compounds A-606, A-608 and A-103 [with (R)-3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl at the C-2 and C-3 positions] induced significant incorporation of [3H]thymidine into splenocytes of C3H/He mice at concentrations ranging from 3.13 to 50 microM. However, A-607 [with (R)-3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl and with tetradecanoyl at the C-2 and C-3 positions] showed most significant incorporation of [3H]thymidine. The compounds A-606, A-608 and A-103 did not exhibit the lethality at doses of 30 and 300 nmol/kg in C57BL/6 mice loaded with D-galactosamine, whereas A-607 caused the death of two out of six mice at a dose of 300 nmol/kg. These compounds, except A-607, exhibited little NO production by macrophages, but did cause NO production in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Peritoneal macrophages, stimulated with A-606-A-608, caused production of TNF which induce L929 cell lysis in vitro, and A-608 showed high production of TNF. NO-inducible activity and induction of TNF by compound A-103 seemed to be lower than that of serine-linked derivatives. A-607, A-608 and A-103 showed antitumor activity against Meth A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice, and furthermore, the enhancement of antitumor activity by a combination of A-608 with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Study on the anti-dementia therapies for rats with a unilateral basal forebrain lesion--serial changes of the cholinergic markers' activities and event-related potentials after the administration of bifemelane hydrochloride or autotransplantation of the vagal nodosal ganglion]

Using rats with a unilateral lesion in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM), we examined electrophysiologically the therapeutic effects of bifemelane (BIF) and autotransplantation of the vagal nodosal ganglion (X) on the event-related potential (P300) serially for 4 weeks, and also neurochemically their effects on cholinergic markers--the specific binding of 3H-QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) on muscarinic acetyl-choline receptor (mAChR) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (CAT). The latency of P300 was continuously delayed and its amplitude remained low voltage until 4 weeks in the NBM-lesioned rats (No-Tx group). Whereas the latency and amplitude returned to normal after 2-3 weeks in the rats given daily intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg BIF (BIF group) and autotransplanted ones (X group). The cortical CAT and AChE levels on the lesion side did not recover until 4 weeks in No-Tx group, but the CAT levels recovered after 3 weeks in both BIF and X group; the AChE levels, after 1 week in BIF group and after 3 weeks in X group. The cortical mAChR on the lesion side was within or more than normal range in all rats. These results might indicate as follows: 1) Compensatory postsynaptic process such as cortical mAChR increase and AChE decrease occurred after acute cholinergic depletion. 2) Administration of BIF and X autotransplantation recovered cortical CAT and AChE levels and normalized cholinergic neuronal activity of P300.

Effects of chronic treatments with SM-9018, a potential atypical neuroleptic, on behavioral dopaminergic and serotonergic sensitivities in rats

1. Changes in behavioral dopaminergic and serotonergic sensitivities were studied in rats after withdrawal of the chronic treatments with SM-9018 (0.1 mg/kg/day), a potential atypical neuroleptic, and with haloperidol (0.3 mg/kg/day) using continuous infusion pumps. 2. Administration of SM-9018 inhibited the rat locomotor activities to an extent similar to that of haloperidol during the course of the 2 weeks treatment. 3. The incidence of the apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors (e.g., sniffing, chewing, licking and biting) was negligibly affected by SM-9018 treatment, but was markedly enhanced by haloperidol treatment. 4. The incidence of the 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced wet dog shakes and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino)tetralin-induced flat body posture was unaffected by either treatment with SM-9018 or haloperidol. 5. These findings suggest that SM-9018 is weaker than haloperidol in inducing the behavioral dopaminergic hypersensitivity after its chronic treatment and has a lower propensity to cause tardive dyskinesia.

[Laboratory findings in patients with Yusho: 26 year follow-up study]

To evaluate chronic effect of PCBs on laboratory findings, peripheral blood cells and biochemical parameters were studied in 74 patients with Yusho in 1994. Serum level of triglyceride was elevated in 21 cases (28.4%) of these patients. Serum triglyceride levels showed statistically significant correlation with body mass index (Quetelet Index) and blood PCB concentration. We conclude that hypertriglyceridemia in patients with Yusho is not frequent and it may be associated with both obesity and blood PCB concentration.

[Comparison of blood pressures measured directly at the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries during epidural anesthesia]

Differences of blood pressures measured directly at the radial and dorsalis pedis arteries were compared in relation to the sites of the epidural puncture. Epidural catheters were inserted at C7-Th9 in the upper (U) group (n = 7), and at L1-4 in lower (L) group (n = 7). In the awake, unanesthetized state, the systolic, mean and diastolic radial-to-dorsal pressure differences (DR-D) were -21.9 +/- 11.0 mmHg (mean +/- SD), 0.9 +/- 1.1 mmHg and 2.1 +/- 2.1 mmHg respectively. Following epidural infusion of mepivacaine, the DR-D values shifted to the negative direction in the U group, and to the positive direction in the L group. Epidural anesthesia had little effect on the DR-D changes during general anesthesia; however, it affected significantly the mean pressure DR-D as well as the systolic pressure DR-D during the periods of preinduction and postemergence. The maximum change in systolic pressure DR-D values was from -19.4 to -36.3 mmHg in a patient of the U group and from -15.6 to 45.4 mmHg in a patient of the L group. The maximum change in mean pressure DR-D values was from 0.0 to -7.4 mmHg in the U group and from 2.1 to 18.3 mmHg in the L group. The DR-D values had significant negative correlations with the deep temperature (palm to sole) differences; the correlation coefficients were: systolic, r = -0.50; mean, r = -0.50; and diastolic, r = -0.41. These results demonstrated that epidural anesthesia changed the physiological central-to-peripheral pressure gradients, probably by influencing the regional peripheral vascular resistance.

[Statistical analysis of press-through-pack foreign body in the esophagus and its experimental investigation]

A statistical analysis was performed in patients with press-through-pack (PTP) foreign body in the esophagus encountered in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, from 1986 to 1993. Furthermore, the radiolucency of PTP and the possibility of mucosal injury of the esophagus by PTP were examined by experimental methods. We obtained the following results: 1) The incidence of PTP foreign body in the esophagus increased in the period from 1986 to 1994 as compared with that from 1978 to 1985. 2) PTP foreign body was lodged in the following area: cricopharyngeal narrowing > bronchio-aortic narrowing > hiatal narrowing. 3) Fluoroscopy with or without contrast material and flexible endoscopy were useful tools for diagnosis. 4) Direct esophagoscopy revealed mucosal erosion, hematoma, edema and intact mucosa in 14, 3, 3, and 6 patients, respectively. 5) The period of hospitalization was longer in patients with mucosal erosion than in those with intact mucosa. 6) The base of PTP made of aluminium could be detected as a radiopaque material by lateral projections, suggesting that PTP foreign bodies require roentgenograms made parallel to the base of PTP. 7) Histological study indicated that traumatic lesions in the extracted esophagus manually produced by the sharp corner of PTP were present in the mucosal layer and partially in the submucosal layer, suggesting that esophageal perforation by PTP was generated by additional factors such as secondary infection and iatrogenic trauma induced by esophagoscopy.