1,5-anhydroglucitol as a marker for the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic renal failure

Serum creatinine and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) were measured in 21 non-dialysis acute renal failure (ARF) and 32 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Fasting blood glucose was under 100 mg/dl and no patient had a history of diabetes mellitus. Serum 1,5-AG decreased with increase in serum creatinine in CRF, but not in ARF patients. A significant negative correlation was found between serum 1,5-AG and creatinine in CRF patients (r = -0.592, p < 0.001). Serum 1,5-AG in patients with serum creatinine of 4 mg/dl or more was less than the lowest limit of the normal range in 14 of 15 CRF patients, but only 2 of 12 ARF patients. In these 27 patients, serum 1,5-AG was significantly higher in ARF than CRF (19.0 +/- 5.9 vs. 7.2 +/- 4.1 micrograms/ml, p < 0.01). From these results, it would follow that serum 1,5-AG should serve effectively as a marker for the differential diagnosis of nondiabetic ARF and CRF.

Oral hygiene reduces respiratory infections in elderly bed-bound nursing home patients

In the elderly, aspiration is a common and serious problem. A procedure to minimize respiratory infections caused by silent aspiration was conducted on elderly bed-bound nursing home patients who suffered mainly from cerebral infarction and dementia. Oral care was provided by a dentist and a dental hygienist once a day and the mouth cleansed with povidone iodine by nurses after each meal to restrict respiratory bacterial infection caused by silent aspiration. In period I, neither group of patients received particular care. In period II, the A group was orally cared for and the B group was not cared for. In period III, the A group was not cared for and B group was cared for. During oral treatment for 6 months, febrile days did not improve but degradation of febrile days were prevented by oral care in a limited number of patients. We suggest that oral care may be useful to some extent in elderly patients to prevent respiratory infections.

Endothelin ETA and ETB receptors facilitating parasympathetic neurotransmission in the rabbit trachea

In the isolated rabbit trachea, electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced contraction that was inhibited by atropine or tetrodotoxin. Nonselective endothelin (ETA/ETB) receptor agonist, ET-1, relatively selective ETB receptor agonist, ET-3, and selective ETB receptor agonists, IRL 1620 and sarafotoxin S6c (STXc), augmented the EFS-induced contraction by 2- to 3-fold with similar EC50 (0.4-1 nM). These agonists also showed direct contractile effect in the trachea. However, the threshold concentration of ET-1 (3 fM) to augment the electrical field stimulation-induced contraction was 100,000 times lower than that needed to directly stimulate smooth muscle. In contrast, these agonists did not augment the contraction induced by stimulation of muscarinic receptor by carbachol. An ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123, was almost ineffective in antagonizing the effects of ET-1, ET-3 and STXc although if weakly antagonized the effects of IRL 1620. An ETB receptor antagonist, RES-701-1, antagonized the effects of ET-3 and IRL 1620 without changing the effect of STXc and antagonized the effects of only lower concentrations of ET-1. In the trachea in which the ETB receptor was desensitized by strong activation, IRL 1620 and STXc were ineffective and ET-3 showed only small effect at higher concentrations. In contrast, the ETB desensitization inhibited the effects of only lower concentrations of ET-1. The effect of ET-1 in the ETB-desensitized trachea was partially, but not fully, antagonized by BQ-123. A potent ETB antagonist, BQ-788, showed similar effects to the ETB desensitization. These results suggest that ET-1 enhances nervous acetylcholine release by simultaneously activating the ET-1-selective ETA receptor and the isopeptide-nonselective ETB receptor (ETB1 subtype that is sensitive to both RES-701-1 and BQ-788 and the ETB2 subtype that is sensitive only to BQ-788).

[Primary malignant lymphoma of the adrenal gland: a case report]

A 65-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of general fatigue and nausea. CT scan revealed a homogeneous mass in the left adrenal gland, which was seven centimeters in diameter. Mild swelling of the right adrenal gland was also suspected. We failed to find the primary tumor, although a metastatic non-functioning adrenal tumor was suspected. Adrenalectomy was performed under the diagnosis of a non-functioning adrenal tumor. Pathological examination showed a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Since a bleeding tendency gradually developed following the operation, a bone marrow biopsy was done, revealing an invasion by tumor cells. Patients with a malignant lymphoma involving the bone marrow should not be operated on because fatal complications may develop postoperatively. A malignant lymphoma should be considered as a possible diagnosis of adrenal tumors, although it is very rare.

Genetic analysis of wild-type 1 poliovirus isolates in China, 1985-1993

We examined the genomic variability of 26 wild-type 1 polioviruses isolated from 12 provinces in China from 1985-1993. The poliovirus genome region that encodes the N-terminal portion of the VP1 protein was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR product of each isolate was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and by direct sequencing. Several groups of viruses with different PCR-RFLP patterns were found to cause outbreaks in China during this period. Viruses with identical PCR-RFLP profiles were dominantly isolated in 11 provinces from 1991 to 1993 and were considered to be the major epidemic strain in China. On the other hand, in the GuangDong province, a different group was responsible for each year's outbreak, while in the XinJiang autonomous prefecture, a single strain was consistently isolated from 1990 to 1993. Understanding of the nationwide distribution of wild poliovirus is very important for interrupting its transmission during the final stage of the eradication program in China.

Mechanical properties of the binary titanium-zirconium alloys and their potential for biomedical materials

Mechanical properties of titanium-zirconium binary alloys were investigated in order to reveal their possible use for new biomedical materials and to collect useful data for alloy design through a hardness test, a tensile test, and optical microscopy. The hardness of the alloy containing 50% zirconium was approximately 2.5 times as large as the hardness of pure titanium and pure zirconium. Tensile tests showed a similar tendency. No changes between hardness of as cast specimens and as homogenized specimens were observed, nor were changes in microstructures noted. Comparisons between the Ti-6Al-4V alloy and the Ti-Zr-6Al-4V alloy indicated that a titanium-zirconium alloy could provide a base material for a new biomedical alloy. From these results, it was concluded that new alloys for biomedical materials should be designed as titanium-zirconium base alloys.

DNase I-hypersensitive sites in the chromatin of rat growth hormone gene locus and enhancer activity of regions with these sites

In this study, a determination was made of the chromatin structure of the rat growth hormone (GH) gene locus by DNase I sensitivity analysis using GC [GH+, prolactin (PRL)-], 235 (GH-, PRL+), GH3 (GH+, PRL+) and liver (GH-, PRL-) cells. From 7 kb upstream from the transcription start site to 19 kb downstream from the polyadenylation site, two major DNase I-hypersensitive sites (M-DHS; UIA, UIIA) and three M-DHS (DIA, DII, DIII) were found within 2 kb upstream and 7 kb downstream regions, respectively. Two minor DHS (m-DHS; UIB, UIIB) in the upstream region and one m-DHS (DIB) downstream were shown to be associated with M-DHS. Thus, a total of five M-DHS and three m-DHS were mapped on the rat GH gene locus. Among these, five (UIIB, UIA, UIB, DIB, DIA) including two (UIA, DIA) M-DHS were specific for GH-producing cells. UIIA and DIII were M-DHS only in PRL-producing 235 cells while the major hypersensitivity of DII was detected in GH-producing cells and liver cells. Assessment of the enhancing activity of the DHS regions indicated novel enhancers in one upstream and two downstream regions that function well with the GH promoter in GC cells. These enhancers, each appearing different, coincided with m-DHS but not M-DHS in GC cells, and were not activated by Pit-1. Based on these observations, the following functions of five M-DHS and three m-DHS regions were defined: enhancer; locus control region (LCR); switch region serving for conversion from GH/PRL-producing cells to PRL-producing cells; and a region having a structural function in chromatin.

A new polyamine 4-aminobutylcadaverine. Occurrence and its biosynthesis in root nodules of adzuki bean plant Vigna angularis

Root nodules of adzuki bean plant (Vigna angularis) contained a novel polyamine. The chemical structure of the new polyamine was determined to be NH2(CH2)5-NH(CH2)4NH2 (4-aminobutylcadaverine) based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The occurrence of 4-aminobutylcadaverine was specific to the root nodules, since the unusual triamine was not detected in other organs of the adzuki bean plant. Bacteroids, isolated from root nodules, contained both sym-homospermidine and 4-aminobutylcadaverine, whereas the plant cytosol fraction contained large quantities of putrescine and cadaverine. A cell-free extract of bacteroids showed the ability to form this triamine from putrescine and cadaverine under the presence of NAD+ and K+. 1,3-Diaminopropane and NADH were inhibitory for the synthesis of both sym-homospermidine and 4-aminobutylcadaverine. [1,4-15N]Putrescine was incorporated not only into sym-homospermidine but also into 4-aminobutylcadaverine by the cell-free extract of bacteroids when incubated with excess cadaverine. Analysis of the fragment ion peaks in the 15N-enriched 4-aminobutylcadaverine indicated the transfer of a aminobutyl moiety to the amino terminus of cadaverine. These results suggest that, in adzuki bean, 4-aminobutylcadaverine is formed through the action of homospermidine synthase in nodule bacteroids under a cadaverine-rich environment.

Subtypes of endothelin ETA and ETB receptors mediating tracheal smooth muscle contraction

In the isolated rabbit trachea, endothelin (ET)-1, ET-3 and the selective ETB receptor agonists, IRL 1620 and sarafotoxin S6c (STXc), induced contraction with EC50 of 2-9 nM. An ETA1 receptor antagonist, BQ-123, was ineffective whereas desensitization of the ETB receptor strongly antagonized the effect of ET-3, IRL 1620 and STXc. An ETB1 receptor antagonist, RES-701-1, antagonized the effects of ET-3 and IRL 1620 whereas the effect of STXc was antagonized by an ETB2 receptor antagonist, BQ-788. In the ETB-desensitized trachea, only ET-1 induced large contraction that was partially antagonized by BQ-123. These results suggest that ET induces tracheal contraction by activating multiple ET receptors: the ET-1-selective ETA (BQ-123-sensitive ETA1 and insensitive ETA2 subtypes) and the isopeptide-nonselective ETB receptors (RES-701-1-sensitive ETB1 and insensitive ETB2 subtypes).

Characterization of a wild poliovirus type 3 isolated Japan in 1993

A wild poliovirus type 3 was isolated from a throat swab of a patient with upper respiratory symptoms without paralysis in Shiga Prefecture, in 1993. Wild poliovirus has never been isolated in these nine years in Japan. The most recent isolation of wild poliovirus was of type 1 in 1984 from a case of encephalomyelitis in Aichi Prefecture. Antigenic and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses revealed that the Shiga strain was non-Sabin origin. Sequence analysis of the VP1 region confirmed that the isolate was a wild poliovirus type 3. Furthermore, this isolate had higher homology to the isolates from North Vietnam than those from Pakistan or Finland, suggesting that the Shiga strain was imported from Asian area. This strain was also shown to be neurovilurent in transgenic mice carrying human poliovirus receptor gene.

[Results of one-stage hypospadias repair]

We reviewed 17 patients who had first undergone one-stage hypospadias repair. According to the criteria proposed by Keating and Duckett, the operative procedure performed was the MAGPI procedure in 2 patients, the pyramid procedure in 2, the Mathieu procedure in 1, the onlay island flap procedure in 6, the transverse preputial island flap and glans channel procedure (Duckett) in 4 and a combined method using the buccal and bladder mucosa graft in 2. The age of the patients ranged from 11 months to 22 years (median age 3.2 years). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 30 months (mean 7 months). Postoperative complications requiring revision occurred in 4 patients; urethrocutaneous fistula developed in 1 patient with the onlay island flap, urethral sticuture at the anastomosis and meatus in 1 patient with the transverse preputial island flap, meatal retraction in 1 patient with the mucosal graft, and urethral stricture at the distal anastomosis and bladder stone in the other patient with the mucosal graft. These complications were successfully revised by simple operations. Ventral skin tethering caused by scar contracture developed in 2 patients with the preputial island flap, and spontaneously improved with time in 1 patient. These results indicate that the criteria proposed by Keating and Duckett is proper to select an operative procedure for hypospadias.

Poliomyelitis surveillance in Shandong Province, China, 1990-92

In Shandong Province, China, programmes were initiated in 1991 for mass immunization against poliomyelitis and for the immediate reporting of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). The incidence of non-poliomyelitis AFP was found to be 0.46-0.61 cases per 100,000 children per annum. It appeared that illness resembling the Guillain-Barré syndrome was underreported. The incidence of such illness peaked among children aged 2-3 years. Although laboratory investigations have improved, in 1992 they were still inadequate in nearly a third of confirmed poliomyelitis cases. As the prevalence of wild poliovirus declines in China, reliable laboratory support needs to be established and adequately sensitive and specific AFP surveillance be developed if poliomyelitis is to be eradicated.

Basic properties of super-elastic Ni-Ti alloy ligature wires for a new intermaxillary fixation method

A new continuous wiring method of intermaxillary fixation with super-elastic Ni-Ti alloy ligature wires was developed to avoid the risk in postoperative emergency. Differential scanning calorimetry, three-point bending tests and fastening tests were carried out to investigate basic properties of the wires. Transformation temperatures of the Ni-Ti alloy wires were in the range suitable for exhibiting super-elasticity at body temperature. The Ni-Ti alloy wires possessed enough bending flexibility to be used in the continuous wiring method and showed great recoverable displacement in the fastening test. With use of these properties, easy removal in an emergency and uniform fixation can be attained.

Corrosion of coupled metals in a dental magnetic attachment system

Implants and magnetic attachments are becoming widespread in dental treatment. Their associated use, implants and magnetic attachments, can be seen often too. In those cases, it is difficult to avoid coupling of different metals. The corrosion behavior of the metals is expected to be different depending on whether it is found in an isolated or a coupled condition. Potential corrosion couples in a dental magnetic attachment system among titanium, ferromagnetic stainless steel, gold alloy type IV, and gold-silver-palladium alloy were studied by an immersion test in 1% lactic acid for 7 days and potential/current density curves were measured. Corrosion of titanium and ferromagnetic stainless steel seemed to be accelerated by coupling with gold alloys or gold-silver-palladium alloys. On the other hand, the corrosion amount of gold alloy and gold-silver-palladium alloys were attenuated by coupling.

Influence of mold materials and heat treatment on tensile properties of Ni-Ti alloy castings

The influence of mold materials and heat treatment on the tensile properties and the transformation temperatures of Ni-Ti alloy castings was investigated by tensile test and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in order to apply the special properties of the alloy to dental field. The compositions of the two alloys examined were 49.0 and 49.2 at % Ti. A silica investment and a magnesia investment were used as the mold materials. Heat treatment at 440 degrees C for 1.8 ks was performed. Apparent proof strength decreased in both compositions, and residual strain increased in Ni-49.2Ti by the heat treatment. Elongation increased in Ni-49.0Ti with use of the magnesia mold or by the heat treatment. The transformation temperatures of Ni-49.2Ti increased with use of the magnesia mold. The change by the heat treatment suggested a structural change. The development of a suitable method for the casting of the alloy is expected to bring about the development of new devices and therapy in dentistry.

A robust controller for insulin pumps based on H-infinity theory

The feedback control of insulin pumps for diabetic patients is discussed. Because the parameters in the mathematical model of the blood glucose dynamics present a considerable amount of uncertainty, the H-infinity framework is well suited for the design of controllers that take into account a nice compromise between robust closed-loop regulation of a constant set point and performance expressed in terms of peak values of the plasma glucose concentration.

Epidemiological study on poliovirus isolates from patients with acute flaccid paralysis in Shandong province in China

In five years from 1988 to 1992, 51 polioviruses were isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis in Shandong province in China. Of the 51 poliovirus isolates, 17 were type 1, 18 type 2 and 16 type 3. Twelve type 1 viruses isolated during the period from 1988 to 1990 were shown to be wild strains by serology and the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. These wild strains were classified into three groups by PCR-RFLP. The other type 1 isolates were Sabin-like strains. No wild strain was isolated in 1991 or 1992. All isolates of types 2 and 3 during the five years were Sabin-like strains. These data suggest that wild strains of polioviruses will soon be eradicated in Shandong province.

The effect of subgingival debridement on periodontal disease parameters and the subgingival microbiota

The aim of the present investigation was to analyse the effect of subgingival scaling and root planing in subjects who prior to treatment exercised meticulous supragingival plaque control. 300 subjects were examined at baseline and after 1 and 2 years without treatment. After the year 2 examination, 62 subjects were randomly selected for therapy. They were given detailed instruction in proper self-performed toothcleaning measures and were carefully monitored during the subsequent 2 years. Following the year-4 examination, 2 quadrants, 1 maxillary and 1 mandibular in each subject, were randomly selected for additional therapy. The teeth in the selected quadrants were exposed to subgingival scaling and root planing. The subgingival therapy was repeated until a site no longer bled on gentle probing. This basic therapy was completed within a 2-month period. All subjects were re-examined after another 12-month interval. The examinations at year 4 and 5 included assessment of plaque, gingivitis, probing pocket depth and analysis of samples obtained from the subgingival microbiota at 134 selected sites. The findings from the present study demonstrated: (i) that subgingival scaling and root planing were effective in eliminating subgingival plaque and gingivitis; (ii) that professional therapy resulted in a pronounced reduction of probing depth at sites which at year 4 had a probing depth > 3 mm; (iii) that in non-scaled quadrants, the extension of self-performed plaque control resulted in a continued improvement of the periodontal conditions at sites which at year 4 were < 5 mm deep.

Effects of pH and Osmotic Stress on Cellular Polyamine Contents in the Soybean Rhizobia Rhizobium fredii P220 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017

Homospermidine is a polyamine present in its highest concentrations in root nodule bacteria. By using the soybean rhizobia Rhizobium fredii P220 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017, the effects of the pH and osmolarity of the medium on rhizobial growth and cellular polyamine contents were investigated. Elevation of medium pH repressed the growth of slowly growing B. japonicum A1017 and resulted in a slight increase in cellular putrescine, while homospermidine content was not significantly affected. In contrast, in fast-growing R. fredii P220, which showed good growth over a wide range of the medium pHs from 4.0 to 9.5, homospermidine content increased with the lowering of the medium pH. Under the acid-stressed conditions, cellular Mg 2+ content in strain P220 also increased. Strain P220 was able to grow in NaCl concentrations up to 0.4 M, while strain A1017 did not grow in media containing 0.15 M NaCl. Glutamic acid and K + contents of salt-tolerant P220 cells increased in response to NaCl concentrations, but homospermidine and Mg 2+ contents were inversely related to the NaCl concentrations. External salinity had no effect on the contents of other polyamines in P220 cells. On the basis of osmotic strength, NaCl, KCl, sucrose, or glycerol induced similar decreases in cellular homospermidine content. These results suggested that the cellular levels of homospermidine in strain P220 may be regulated by mechanisms related to their pH and osmotic tolerance.

Bending properties and transformation temperatures of heat treated Ni-Ti alloy wire for orthodontic appliances

The effect of heat treatment temperature on bending properties and transformation temperatures of a Ni-Ti alloy wire, 1.0 mm in diameter, was investigated so that superelasticity could be used in orthodontic appliances needing shape memory processes. The heat treatment process was at 713 K for 1.8 ks and between 673 K and 813 K for 1.8 ks. A three-point bending test and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. The transformation temperatures of the wires were lowered with increasing heat treatment temperature. The reverse transformation finishing temperature was below the body temperature with the treatment above 753 K. Residual deflection of the Ni-Ti wire after bending was small with the secondary heat treatment above 733 K. The load in the unloading process was less changeable and increased with the treatment temperature between 733-813 K. Secondary heat treatment in this range was suitable for using superelasticity in expansion arch appliances.

Ultrastructure of the developing stomach in human embryos

Ultrastructural development of the stomach was studied by light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, using 19 human embryos at Carnegie stages from 14 to 23 (6.8-28.0 mm in crown-rump length, 5 to 8 weeks of gestation). The precise time of appearance of differentiated characteristic structures was examined electron microscopically. The first gastric pit, with radially arranged epithelial cells beneath which the basement membrane bulged into the mesenchyme, was observed on the lesser curvature at stage 22. Although the mesenchymal condensation which would develop into the inner circular muscle layer appeared at stage 18 onward, cytoplasmic myofibrils were not observed until stage 22. Nerve fibers were first observed at stage 16, and at later stages they gathered into bundles to form a nerve plexus external to the developing inner circular muscle layer. On the basis of accurate timing of the appearance and the mode of development of these structures, possible relations between developing gastric layers were discussed. Histocytochemically, glycogen or other carbohydrates were demonstrated in the cytoplasm of the gastric epithelium throughout the stages examined. These carbohydrates were localized mainly in vacuole-like spaces in the basal part of the epithelial cells. This subcellular localization, and the amount of carbohydrate, did not change significantly during the observed embryonic period. In the serosa, carbohydrates were not detected at stages 14 and 15, but observed consistently within the vacuoles in the cytoplasm from stage 17 onward. No other layer of the embryonic stomach had detectable carbohydrates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of feeding regimen and dietary sucrose supplementation on natural abundance of 15N in some components of ruminal fluid and plasma of sheep

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of changes in ruminal conditions arising from feeding and sucrose supplementation to the diet on the natural abundance of 15N (delta 15N value) of some biological components and of feces and urine in sheep. Four wethers fitted with ruminal fistulas were fed on alfalfa hay cubes with or without sucrose either 2 or 12 times daily. With twice-daily feeding, the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia and plasma urea decreased after feeding, whereas only small changes were observed throughout the sampling period with 12 times daily feeding. With 12 times daily feeding with and without sucrose, the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia were higher (P < .05) than those of the diet and plasma urea. The delta 15N values of ruminal bacteria were lower (P < .05) than those of ruminal ammonia but higher (P < .05) than those of the diet. The delta 15N values for feces were higher (P < .05) than those of the diet, and no differences (P > .25) were observed between the delta 15N values of urine and those of the diet. Dietary sucrose supplementation lowered (P < .05) the delta 15N values of ruminal ammonia but had no effect (P > .10) on values for ruminal bacteria and plasma urea. Nitrogen excretion in urine was decreased (P < .05) by sucrose supplementation to the diet, but the delta 15N value of urine showed no effect (P > .25) of sucrose addition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)