Roles of platelet-activating factor, thromboxane A2, ADP and thrombin in thrombogenesis in the guinea pig

The mediators of photochemically induced thrombosis in the femoral artery of guinea pig were investigated. The femoral artery was occluded by a thrombus about 7 min after the initiation of photochemical reaction between rose bengal and green light. Pretreatment with a specific thromboxane (TX) A2 receptor antagonist, vapiprost, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, WEB-2086, and ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibitor, ticlopidine, prolonged the time to occlusion. Within the range of doses used, platelet aggregation in whole blood, which was induced by U-46619, PAF and ADP ex vivo, was inhibited by vapiprost, WEB-2086 and ticlopidine, respectively. In contrast, argatroban, a thrombin inhibitor, had no effect on the time to occlusion, although the dose of argatroban was sufficient to delay the prothrombin time and the activated partial thromboplastin time and to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation ex vivo. These results suggest that TXA2, PAF and ADP are involved in photochemically induced thrombosis of the guinea pig femoral artery, although the coagulation cascade does not play an important role.

Suppressive effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on IL-6 production by adherent rheumatoid synovial cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has recently been characterized as a mediator of multiple inflammatory responses. Excessive production of this cytokine has been demonstrated in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On the other hand, anti-inflammatory effects of IL-4 have recently been demonstrated. We therefore investigated the suppressive effect of IL-4 on IL-6 production by synovial cells in patients with RA. Freshly prepared adherent rheumatoid synovial cells expressed IL-6 mRNA and spontaneously produced a large amount of IL-6 in culture. This spontaneous production of IL-6 was significantly suppressed by IL-4. The suppressive effect of IL-4 on IL-6 production was demonstrated in all patients with RA tested in this study. On the other hand, IL-6 mRNA levels already expressed in adherent synovial cells were not reduced by IL-4 in 24 hr of culture. The suppressive effect of IL-4 on IL-6 production suggests that IL-4 is an important physiological regulator of IL-6 production in synovial cells.

Branches of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery--an autopsy case

An adult autopsy case of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PTA) is reported. At the origin of the PTA in the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery, the PTA branched into the meningohypophyseal trunk and the artery of the inferior cavernous sinus. This might indicate that these arteries were formed at the same embryonic stage. At the cisternal portion of the PTA in the posterior fossa, it also branched into the trigeminal nerve root and pons on the way to the basilar artery. The PTA might have functions for the normal structures even in the case of adults. The PTA passed through the dural foramen, which was located medial to Meckel's cave, and connected with the basilar artery. The diameter of the PTA decreased markedly at the foramen. The dural foramen might be the site of regression of the PTA during the embryonic stage.

Microsurgical and angiographic analysis of anterior communicating artery aneurysms with associated anomalies

A direct operation was performed on 110 patients with an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA). During the surgery, in 52% of the cases, the neck of the aneurysm was found at the junction of the A-1 segment and ACoA and they presented with a hypoplastic contralateral A-1 segment. Associated ACoA anomalies were seen in 13 (12%) of the 110 cases. The most common anomaly was duplication of the ACoA, found in 11 cases (10%). In 2 other cases triplicate ACoA was found. Preoperative bilateral carotid angiograms were reviewed and duplication of the ACoA associated with the aneurysms able to be pointed out on angiograms in 4 cases, retrospectively. The anatomical and radiological aspects of aneurysms with associated anomalies are also discussed.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in schizophrenic patients: analysis of factors determining their concentrations in hair

Profiles of the steady-state concentrations of haloperidol (HL) and its major metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RHL), in plasma versus time were determined in 10 Japanese patients whose schizophrenic symptoms were clinically controlled by fixed, oral maintenance doses (4-30 mg/day, three times a day) for greater than 4 months. These data were used to determine the pharmacokinetic factor(s) that correlate best with HL and RHL concentrations in hair. The concentrations of HL and RHL in plasma or hair were simultaneously measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. The observed values of minimal and maximal concentrations in plasma (Cmin and Cmax, respectively) varied widely among patients: 3.0-22.9 and 6.2-32.7 ng/mL for HL and 2.8-21.4 and 5.7-33.3 ng/ml for RHL, respectively. The ratio of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of RHL for 1 day to that of HL also ranged widely from 0.39 to 1.99 (1.04 +/- 0.48, mean +/- standard deviation). When the concentration of HL or RHL in hair was compared with the daily dose of HL and respective AUC, Cmax, or trough concentration in the plasma in the morning, the parameter that best correlated with the concentration of HL in hair was AUC. The concentration of RHL in hair correlated with all three parameters, but the correlation with AUC was better than that with Cmax. Therefore, the concentrations of these substances in hair were considered to be representative of their mean amounts in the body.

Effects of vapiprost, a novel thromboxane receptor antagonist, on thrombus formation and vascular patency after thrombolysis by tissue-type plasminogen activator

1. A thrombus was induced in the rat femoral artery by endothelial damage due to the photochemical reaction between systemically-injected Rose Bengal and transillumination with green light (wavelength: 540 nm). The artery of the control rat was completely occluded in 302.8 +/- 27.0 s after the initiation of the reaction. 2. Pretreatment with vapiprost (0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg kg-1, i.v., 5 min before the reaction) prolonged the time required to occlude the femoral artery in a dose-dependent manner. The efficacy of vapiprost on the time required for occlusion was over 10 times higher than that of aspirin which was administered 30 min before the reaction. 3. The thrombolytic effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) on the established arterial thrombus in the presence and absence of vapiprost were also studied in the same model. When vapiprost (0.3 mg kg-1, i.v.) was administered just before tPA infusion (100 micrograms kg-1 min-1 for 30 min), the time required to reperfuse the occluded artery was reduced, the incidence of the reperfusion was increased and the arterial blood flow after reperfusion was improved. 4. When vapiprost (1.0 mg kg-1 daily p.o.) was administered for 1 week after the establishment of reperfusion by tPA combined with vapiprost, the patency of the reperfused artery was improved and the femoral arterial blood flow was better preserved than after treatment with only tPA. 5. These findings suggest that this thromboxane receptor antagonist may be a useful adjunct to anti-thrombotic therapy. The combination therapy with tPA may be more effective than treatment with tPA alone and provides greater protection against reocclusion after reperfusion.

Role of lymphocytes in collagen induced arthritis

We investigated the time related changes of lymphocyte subsets in the blood, regional lymph node and thymus during the development of collagen induced arthritis in mice. Flow cytometric analysis showed that Lyt2+ T, but not L3T4+ T cells in the blood or regional lymph node, was significantly reduced throughout the observation. The number of Lyt2+ T cells was decreased in lymph nodes of collagen immunized vs adjuvant controls while B cells were increased and L3T4+ T cells were not different. These might act as a potential factor for the onset of collagen induced arthritis. The reduction of Lyt2+ cells was not influenced by thymic T cell maturation; it is conceivable that the main immune organ is the regional lymph node.

Effect of diabetes on photochemically induced thrombosis in femoral artery and platelet aggregation in rats

Effect of diabetes on thrombogenesis was examined by using a thrombus model with photochemical reaction in the rat femoral artery. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 8 weeks, the formation of thrombus following endothelial injury was significantly slower than that in non-diabetic rats. Insulin treatment normalized the abnormality of thrombogenesis. Aggregation in washed platelets from rats with diabetes was enhanced. However, platelet aggregation in whole blood was reduced in diabetic rats, and plasma from diabetic rats attenuated platelet aggregation. These results suggest that plasma factor(s) and/or other blood cells modify the hyperaggregability of platelets per se in vivo in diabetic rats. Treatment with insulin improved the aggregation in whole blood and washed platelets. In conclusion, diabetes induces the prolongation of thrombogenesis in the rat femoral artery. Hypoaggregability of whole blood is likely to be partly involved in the abnormal thrombogenesis.

Photochemically induced thrombosis model in rat femoral artery and evaluation of effects of heparin and tissue-type plasminogen activator with use of this model

We report a new and reproducible model of thrombosis in the rat femoral artery. The thrombosis is initiated by endothelial injury subsequent to photochemical reaction between systemically injected rose bengal (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and transillumination of filtered xenon lamp (wave length: 540 nm) from the outside of the vessel. The blood flow of the femoral artery, which was monitored by a pulsed doppler flow meter, was fully stopped in 348.68 +/- 36.18 sec (n = 12) after i.v. injection of rose bengal under irradiation with green light. The formation of massive thrombosis was readily evident by visual inspection. The processes of primary endothelial injury and the subsequent formation of thrombosis during this manipulation were observed by light microscopy and analysed by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pretreatment with heparin (30, 100 or 300 units/kg, i.v.) 10 min before rose bengal injection dose-dependently prolonged the time required to interrupt the blood flow. The thrombolytic activity of a tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) was also investigated. After the establishment of stable thrombotic occlusion of the femoral artery, infusion of tPA was started from the contralateral femoral vein for 30 min at the rate of 30 or 100 micrograms/kg/min. The occluded artery was reperfused in 2 out of 10 rats and in 9 out of 12 at the lower and higher rates of tPA infusion, respectively. That heparin could prevent the arterial occlusion and that tPA could reperfuse the occluded artery are observations consistent with the histopathological ones that the primary lesion of endothelium injured photochemically activates the platelet aggregation to form platelet-rich thrombus with extensions of erythrocyte-rich lesions. This model is expected to be a useful tool for evaluating the antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents.

Expression of various sialylated carbohydrate antigens in malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic tissues

The expression of six sialylated carbohydrate antigens (CA19-9, CA-50, SLEX, SLX, DU-PAN-2, ST-439) was examined in malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic tissues using an immunohistochemical method to elucidate the characteristics of these carbohydrate antigens as tumor markers. All carbohydrate antigens except for sialyl SSEA-1 (SLX, 52.4%) were expressed in more than 80% of the pancreatic cancer. CA19-9 and CA-50, belonging to type I blood group antigens, and DU-PAN-2 and ST-439 were localized predominantly in the cytoplasm of cancer cells, while sialyl Lex (SLEX) and SLX, belonging to type II blood group antigens, were stained mainly on the apical membranes of malignant glands. Although type I antigens were expressed in most nonmalignant pancreatic tissues, the type II antigens and ST-439 were absent in almost all of the normal tissues and faintly expressed in few chronic pancreatitis tissues, suggesting the high tumor specificity of these antigens. Each antigen was expressed on the apical surface of ducts in normal pancreas. However, in about 30% of chronic pancreatitis cases, type I antigens and DU-PAN-2 were observed in the cytoplasm of ductal cells. All patients showing stromal stain, possibly caused by loss of antigen polar expression and shedding into the surrounding stroma adjacent to malignant glands, revealed high levels of serum antigen. This finding suggests that the stromal appearance of antigens is a significant factor in the elevation of serum antigen levels.

Antigenic analysis of feline and bovine Chlamydia psittaci with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were established for antigenic analysis of feline and bovine Chlamydia psittaci. The monoclonal antibodies recognized lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 56-64, 84 or 86 kDa antigens. At least 5 antibody-binding sites were detected on LPS with the monoclonal antibodies. The 56-64 kDa antigen was suggested to have both polypeptide and carbohydrate antibody binding sites. Immunoblotting analysis of cat and cattle sera indicated that the 56-64 kDa antigen is an important antigen in host immune response. The monoclonal antibodies are extremely useful tools to analyse the structure and function of chlamydial antigens.

The measurement of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in neonatal hair as an index of placental transfer of maternal haloperidol

Hair samples were collected at time of delivery from three neonates and their schizophrenic mothers, who had been taking haloperidol (HP) during the perinatal period to control worsening psychotic symptoms. Maternal hair was cut into 1-cm lengths, and concentrations of HP and its major metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RHP), were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Neonatal hair was cut into halves, and the concentrations of HP and RHP in each half were measured. The distribution of both HP and RHP along the maternal hair paralleled the dosage of HP when hair growth was assumed to be 1 cm per month. In the upper half of hair from each of two neonates neither HP nor RHP was detected. Only HP was detected in the lower half from one, and a small peak of HP in the chromatogram was observed in the other, though under the detection limit. In the third neonate both HP and RHP were detected from both halves of hair, but the concentration of HP was larger in the lower half than in the upper. These findings suggest the possibility of monitoring the transfer of maternal HP through placenta by measuring HP and RHP concentrations in neonatal hair.

A new model for photochemically induced thrombosis in the inner ear microcirculation and the use of hearing loss as a measure for microcirculatory disorders

A new photochemical method was employed to cause disorders in the inner ear's microcirculation, using the rat as an animal model. Hearing loss was used as a measure for establishing the altered microcirculation. Under pentobarbital anesthesia, the middle ear was opened by a ventral approach. The lateral wall of the cochlea was then illuminated with a filtered xenon lamp (wavelength 540 nm) while rose bengal was infused intravenously. Photoactivated rose bengal produces oxygen radicals and oxygen singlets, which subsequently damage the vascular epithelium to cause the adhesion and aggregation of platelets in the small vessels. Disintegration of the inner ear hair cells at the irradiated site became evident 24 h after the illumination. These findings further suggest that the photochemical occlusion in the inner ear's microcirculation led to ischemic damage of the stria vascularis and the hair cells in the inner ear. When the action potential (AP) of the cochlea was measured with an electrocochleogram a gradual decrease occurred after the illumination. When acetylsalicylic acid was injected intravenously before treatment, the time required to completely suppress the AP was prolonged in a dose-dependent manner. Findings indicate that our method causes a photochemically induced occlusion in the inner ear's microcirculation and is therefore potentially useful for evaluating the various effects of drugs on the ear.

[A case of Borrmann type 4 colon cancer with a metastasis into hepatoma]

A rare case of a colon cancer with a hepatomatous metastasis is reported. A 79 year old female was admitted hospital in April, 1988 with liver cirrhosis. On death in November, 1988, an autopsy revealed a primary, linitis plastica type diffuse adenocarcinoma of the total colon with an extensive metastases into lungs, kidneys, liver, small intestine, bladder, spleen, the bone marrow, and the lymph nodes. In the cirrhotic liver two hepatomatous nodules were found. As a focus of one of these nodules, there was a metastatic linitis plastica lesion of the colon.

The measurement of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in hair as an index of dosage history

1. We report a method for measuring the concentrations of haloperidol (HL) and its major active metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RHL), in human scalp hair. 2. Hair samples were obtained from 59 patients who had been taking HL at fixed daily doses for more than 4 months and whose compliance was good. A morning pre-dose plasma sample was also obtained from 48 of these patients. 3. The concentrations of HL and RHL in hair (ng mg-1 hair) correlated significantly both with the daily dose (micrograms kg-1 body weight) of HL (r = 0.682, P less than 0.001 for HL and r = 0.813, P less than 0.001 for RHL, n = 59) and with the trough concentration (ng ml-1) of the corresponding compound in plasma at steady state (r = 0.558, P less than 0.001 for HL and r = 0.563, P less than 0.001 for RHL, n = 48). The correlation coefficients were slightly higher using the sum of the concentrations of both substances in hair (r = 0.829 for the correlation with daily dose and r = 0.609 for that with trough concentration). 4. Hair from other patients, in whom the dosage of HL had been changed within a few months prior to sampling, was sectioned into 1 cm-long portions successively from the roots and the concentrations of both compounds in each portion were measured. Assuming a growth rate of 1-1.5 cm/month, a history of individual dosage could be deduced in all patients from the distribution of the drug and metabolite along the single hair length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A simple method for producing graded aortic insufficiencies in rats and subsequent development of cardiac hypertrophy

Selective perforation of the right cusp of the aortic valve alone (1V) or in combination with that of the left valve cusp (2V) by a plastic rod inserted from the right common carotid artery was performed to cause aortic insufficiency (AI) in rats. The development of cardiac hypertrophies subsequent to these interventions to cause graded cardiac volume overloads was followed up every week till the end of week 4 after the operations by radiographic measurement of the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR). Rats were killed 2 and 4 weeks after the operations, and the density of beta-adrenoceptors in hypertrophied cardiac muscle membranes was determined by radioligand binding assay and compared with sham-operated (sham) rats. Production of AI resulted in an enlargement of the cardiac shadow in 1VAI and 2VAI rats, with significant graded increases in the CTR at the end of week 3. The occurrence of graded cardiac hypertrophies was well revealed in graded increases of the heart weight/body weight ratio among the sham, 1VAI, and 2VAI rats at the end of both week 2 and week 4. There was a tendency to stepwise increases due to graded AI in the density of binding sites for 3H-dihydroalprenolol, with a significant increase in 2VAI rats at the end of week 2. At the end of week 4, plasma norepinephrine levels of 2VAI rats was raised significantly as compared with the sham rats. Selective perforation of either one or two cusps of the aortic valve can be performed with ease using touch alone and provides us with a simple method for producing graded cardiac hypertrophies in rats due to pure volume overload.

[A papillary-cystic neoplasm of the pancreas, a calcifying-inverted variant]

A calcifying-inverted variant of a papillary-cystic neoplasm (PCN) is reported, presenting presented the same histological and cellular features, and similar immunohistochemical characteristics and the ultrastructure of a papillary-cystic neoplasm of the pancreas (PCN) that usually afflicts younger women. It took the form of a partiality of a capsule, a common trait for a PCN, and proliferated on infiltrating the pancreatic parenchyma. The case involves a 51-year-old woman, whose PCN was detected by an abdominal X-ray that showed a calcified shadow in a health examination, though there was no palpable abdominal tumor. Usually, a PCN is detected by palpation tumor. Thus, the author demonstrates the existence of PCN variants, characterized by intrapancreatic infiltrating proliferation and an incomplete cyst formation or intratumoral calcified foci, and reports on variants of the usual PCN.

Opacification test by using the pig isolated cornea and its application to a test of corneal opacity induced by befunolol hydrochloride

Corneas isolated from the pig eyeball have been treated in vitro with varying concentrations of befunolol hydrochloride, in order to test the topical effect of befunolol on the cornea in terms of opacity. Experiments were carried out with the corneas treated as follows: intact, epithelium-removed, endothelium-removed, and both epithelium- and endothelium-removed. Solutions of the drug were applied to both epithelial and endothelial surfaces, to the epithelial surface only, or to the endothelial surface only. When the drug was applied either to both surfaces or to the endothelial surface only, there was a significant increase in opacity. However, when applied to the epithelial surface only, befunolol caused an insignificant increase in opacity as compared with that of control. It is suggested, therefore, that corneal opacity due to befunolol hydrochloride topically administered to the eye, is concerned mainly with the epithelium in cornea, since the drug is uncapable of passing barrier probably existing in surface layer of epithelium but it easily penetrates in corneal layers from endothelial side to attain reversely to epithelial cells. Thus, it is probable that the risk to induce opacity is minor in case that befunolol is topically given in drops to the eye.

[Cosmetic cranioplasty using the bone chips and Biobond (EDH-adhesive): technical note]

A new and simple cosmetic procedure for the prevention of skin depression produced by burr-holes was presented. A mixture of the bone chips obtained at craniotomy and Biobond in a volume ratio of 7:3 was used to fill the bone defect of the burr-holes in 65 cases. The postoperative appearance was excellent cosmetically. This mixture had good plasticity, and could be formed into any irregular shape desired, and there was no increase in the incidence of infectious complications.

Microsurgical anatomy of the posterior fossa cisterns

The microsurgical anatomy of the posterior fossa cisterns was examined in 15 cadavers using 3X to 40X magnification. Liliequist's membrane was found to split into two arachnoidal sheets as it spreads upward from the dorsum sellae: an upper sheet, called the diencephalic membrane, which attaches to the diencephalon at the posterior edge of the mamillary bodies, and a lower sheet, called the mesencephalic membrane, which attaches along the junction of the midbrain and pons. Several other arachnoidal membranes that separate the cisterns were identified. These include the anterior pontine membrane, which separates the prepontine and cerebellopontine cisterns; the lateral pontomesencephalic membrane, which separates the ambient and cerebellopontine cisterns; the medial pontomedullary membrane, which separates the premedullary and prepontine cisterns; and the lateral pontomedullary membrane, which separates the cerebellopontine and cerebellomedullary cisterns. The three cisterns in which the arachnoid trabeculae and membranes are the most dense and present the greatest obstacle at operation are the interpeduncular and quadrigeminal cisterns and the cisterna magna. Numerous arachnoid membranes were found to intersect the oculomotor nerves. The neural and vascular structures in each cistern are reviewed.