Measurement of arterial tracer concentrations from cardiac PET images

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac PET imaging offers the potential capability for the noninvasive measurement of arterial input function. This capability is somewhat limited, however, because of partial volume and spillover effects. The purpose of this study was to validate arterial tracer concentration measurements using PET images by assigning a region of interest (ROI) to the left ventricle, left atrium (LA), and ascending aorta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected [11C]CO and [13N]ammonia as tracers, because the activity of [11C]CO is primarily in the blood pool and that of [13N]ammonia primarily in myocardial tissue. Six [11C]CO and 11 [13N]ammonia PET scans were obtained in 17 subjects. Arterial tracer concentrations determined by PET were compared with those measured by well counting of arterial blood sampling obtained at the midpoint of each image acquisition.

RESULTS

Arterial tracer concentrations as determined by LA-PET imaging correlated closely with those measured by blood sampling (r = 0.996, slope = 1.00 for [11C]CO; r = 0.841, slope = 0.974 for [13N]ammonia). Partial volume and spillover effects were minimized by assigning an ROI to the LA.

CONCLUSION

Arterial tracer concentrations can be measured noninvasively with cardiac PET.

Characterization of the COOH terminus of non-muscle caldesmon mutants lacking mitosis-specific phosphorylation sites

Phosphorylation of rat non-muscle caldesmon by cdc2 kinase causes reduction in most of caldesmon's properties, including caldesmon's binding to actin, myosin, and calmodulin, as well as its inhibition of actomyosin ATPase. We have generated and characterized the COOH terminus of caldesmon mutants lacking mitosis-specific phosphorylation sites, because the COOH-terminal half of caldesmon contains all 7 putative Ser or Thr sites for cdc2 kinase. Codons for the 7 putative Ser or Thr residues have been mutated to Ala, and resultant mutants were bacterially expressed. Analyses of the phosphopeptide maps of these mutants have identified 6 sites, including Ser-249, Ser-462, Thr-468, Ser-491, Ser-497, and Ser-527 as the mitosis-specific phosphorylation sites, whereas the phosphorylation of the remaining site, Thr-377, is not detected by this assay method. Actin binding experiments have suggested that 5 sites including Ser-249, Ser-462, Thr-468, Ser-491, and Ser-497 are important for the phosphorylation-dependent reduction in actin binding. Characterization of a mutant lacking all 7 Ser or Thr sites (7-fold mutant) has revealed that 7-fold mutation eliminates all phosphorylation sites by cdc2 kinase. While the in vitro properties of the 7-fold mutant, including actin, myosin, and calmodulin binding and inhibition of actomyosin ATPase, are very similar to those of nonmutated protein, such properties are not affected by the treatment with cdc2 kinase in contrast to nonmutated protein. This mutant should thus be useful to explore the functions of the mitosis-specific phosphorylation of caldesmon.

The pathogenic role of the NMDA receptor in hyperthermia-induced seizures in developing rats

Hyperthermia-induced seizures (HS) in rats have been used as a model of febrile seizures. Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor by increased extracellular glutamate (Glu) in the cortex during hyperthermia may be involved in the induction of HS and HS kindling. To confirm this hypothesis, the effects of a potent blocker of the NMDA receptor, MK-801, on the threshold and pattern of HS were evaluated. The threshold temperatures for rats given 0.1 (low dose) and 0.5 (high dose) mg/kg MK-801 (i.p.) for the first time were 41.6 degrees C (39.7-42) (median, range) and 42.0 (41.2-42.0), respectively, which were significantly higher than the 40.5 (39.4-41.2) for rats without MK-801 administration (P < 0.01). The recurrent occurrence of HS suppressed the increase in the threshold temperature with age, and changed the seizure from partial to generalized seizures (HS kindling), whereas these effects of recurrent HS on the threshold and pattern of HS were inhibited by the high dose (0.5 mg/kg) of MK-801. MK-801 blocks HS and HS kindling. The activation of the NMDA receptor during hyperthermia plays an important role in the induction of HS and HS kindling.

Non-competitive NMDA antagonists, FR115427 and MK801, enhance neuronal survival in primary culture

Primary culture of cerebral cortical neurons from mouse embryo was treated with non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, FR115427 and MK801. Both FR115427 and MK801 at 1-10 microM promoted neuronal survival after 7 days cultivation, determined by calorimetric assay for acid phosphatase (AP) activity. FR115426, the (-) isomer of FR115427 also promoted neuronal survival. However, competitive NMDA antagonists, APH and CGS19755 did not show promotive effect on neuronal survival at up to 100 microM. Anti-NMDA activity of these compounds was evaluated using an NMDA-induced convulsion assay. The relative potency of anti-NMDA activity was CGS19755 > MK801 > APH > FR115427 > FR115426. These data suggest that the effects on neuronal survival by FR115427 and MK801 are independent of anti-NMDA activity.

[Evaluation of the chemotherapy of a transplantable bladder tumour strain (NM-B-1) by two anti-cancer drugs in combination with a pressor agent in nude mice]

The anti-cancer effects of either Cis-diammine (Glycolato) platinum II (CDGP-II), a novel platinum derivative, or ifosfamide (IFX) on bladder carcinoma strain NM-B-1 inoculated in nude mice were examined. These chemotherapeutic agents were compared with each other in terms of their inhibitory effect on tumor growth, their histology, and the concentration of each agent in the blood, tumor tissue, liver and kidneys. (1) The tumor growth was inhibited by CDGP-II in all three different dosage groups (p < 0.05), but not by IFX (p > 0.05). These results were also confirmed by histological examination. (2) The amount of CDGP-II (30 mg/kg) in the tumor tissue increased in a time-dependent manner, while in the blood plasma and kidney tissue, it decreased. Total value (TV) and active metabolite (AML) of IFX (500 mg/kg) were examined. TV in the tumor tissue decreased in a time-dependent manner. AML could not be detected. There was no change of AML in the blood plasma, liver, and kidneys. (3) Transmigration of single loading of CDGP-II or IFX with Angiotensin II (AT-II) from blood into the tissue was examined. CDGP-II in the blood plasma, tumor, liver and kidneys increased in a time-dependent manner. After single administration of IFX, TV decreased in the blood plasma, tumor, liver and kidneys, while AML increased in the blood and kidneys (p < 0.01). (4) The results suggest that CDGP-II may have an anti-tumor effect of NM-B-1. However, the effect can not be enhanced under the influence of a pressor chemotherapeutic agent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disposition of DN-2327, a new anxiolytic, in rats, dogs, and monkeys

The disposition of DN-2327 after oral dosing of 14C-labeled DN-2327 ([14C]DN-2327) to rats, dogs and monkeys was studied. DN-2327 was absorbed from the small intestine after oral administration. In the plasma of these animals, a small amount of unchanged compound and M-I were detected, with M-II (a pharmacologically active metabolite) as a major component. The concentration of the unchanged compound in rat plasma attained a peak (Cmax 0.002 microgram/ml), then declined, with a half-life (t1/2) of 3 h. Tmax, Cmax and t1/2 of DN-2327 in dogs and monkeys were 0.6 h, 0.332 microgram/ml and 1.5 h, and 2.3 h, 0.036 microgram/ml and 6.2 h, respectively. About 60, 75 and 48% of the radioactivity dosed was absorbed in rats, dogs and monkeys, respectively, whereas the bioavailability in rats, dogs and monkeys was less than 1, 34 and 10%, respectively, indicating that DN-2327 had been subjected to the first pass effect. In rats given [14C]DN-2327 orally, the radioactivity was distributed widely in various tissues, including the brain. In the brain regions, DN-2327 and M-II were distributed and M-II was major component, indicating that the pharmacological effects of DN-2327 may depend largely on M-II. In these animals, [14C]DN-2327 was excreted in feces via bile mostly as metabolites. During repeated oral administration, DN-2327 and its metabolites did not accumulate in rat tissues, except in the kidney.

Weakened cellular scavenging activity against oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus: regulation of glutathione synthesis and efflux

Glutathione functions to scavenge oxidants or xenobiotics by covalently binding them and transporting the resulting metabolites through an adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent transport system. It has been reported that the intracellular concentration of glutathione decreases in diabetes mellitus. In order to elucidate the physiological significance and the regulation of anti-oxidants in diabetic patients, changes in the activity of the glutathione-synthesizing enzyme, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and transport of thiol [S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione] were studied in erythrocytes from patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and K562 cells cultured with 27 mmol/l glucose for 7 days. The activity of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the concentration of glutathione, and the thiol transport were 77%, 77% and 69%, respectively in erythrocytes from diabetic patients compared to normal control subjects. Treatment of patients with an antidiabetic agent for 6 months resulted in the restoration of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity, the concentration of glutathione, and the thiol transport. A similar impairment of glutathione metabolism was observed in K562 cells with high glucose levels. The cytotoxicity by a xenobiotic (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) was higher in K562 cells with high glucose than in control subjects (50% of inhibitory concentration 300 +/- 24 mumol/l vs 840 +/- 29 mumol/l, p < 0.01). Expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase protein was augmented in K562 cells with high glucose, while enzymatic activity and expression of mRNA were lower than those in the control subjects. These results suggest that inactivation of glutathione synthesis and thiol transport in diabetic patients increases the sensitivity of the cells to oxidative stresses, and these changes may lead to the development of some complications in diabetes mellitus.

Cloning and sequencing of a 29 kb region of the Bacillus subtilis genome containing the hut and wapA loci

Within the framework of an international project for the sequencing of the entire Bacillus subtilis genome, a 29 kb chromosome segment, which contains the hut operon (335 degrees) and the wapA gene, has been cloned and sequenced. This region (28,954 bp) contains 21 complete ORFs and one partial one. The 5th, 6th and 17th genes correspond to hutH encoding histidase, hutP encoding the positive regulator for the hut operon and wapA encoding a precursor of three major wall-associated proteins, respectively. A homology search for their products deduced from the 21 complete ORFs revealed that nine of them exhibit significant homology to known proteins such as urocanase (Pseudomonas putida), a protein involved in clavulanic acid biosynthesis (Streptomyces griseus), amino acid permeases (lysine, Escherichia coli; histidine, Saccharomyces cerevisiae; and others), beta-glucoside-specific phosphotransferases (E. coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi) and 6-phospho-beta-glucosidases (E. coli and Erw. chrysanthemi). Based on the features of the determined sequence and the results of the homology search, as well as on genetic data and sequence of the hut genes reported by other groups, it is predicted that the B. subtilis hut operon may consist of the following six genes (6th-1st), the last of which is followed by a typical rho-independent transcription terminator: hutP, hutH, EE57A (hutU) encoding urocanase, EE57B (hutI) encoding imidazolone-5-propionate hydrolase, EE57C (hutG) encoding formiminoglutamate hydrolase and EE57D (tentatively designated as hutM) possibly encoding histidine permease. Interestingly, the direction of transcription of these hut genes is opposite to that of the movement of the replication fork.

[Relationship between regional flow reserve supplied by the great saphenous vein graft and regional left ventricular wall motion: a Doppler guide wire study]

The relationship between regional flow reserve supplied by a great saphenous vein graft and myocardial infarction and anterior wall motion assessed by left ventriculography was studied in 28 patients with no stenosis in the great saphenous vein graft and the peripheral site of the recipient left anterior descending coronary arteries. The proximal segment to the anastomosis was totally or subtotally occluded. The resting graft blood flow velocity was measured using a Doppler guide wire, then 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole was injected for 4 minutes intravenously and the resultant increase in graft blood flow velocity was recorded. The regional flow reserve of the anterior wall supplied by great saphenous vein grafts in 11 patients with anterior myocardial infarction (MI group) was significantly lower than that in 17 patients without myocardial infarction (non-MI group) (1.5 +/- 0.3 vs 2.6 +/- 0.7, p < 0.01). The flow reserve supplied by great saphenous vein grafts in 11 patients with normal anterior wall motion was 2.8 +/- 0.7, 10 with hypokinesis 1.9 +/- 0.3, and with akinesis 1.3 +/- 0.3. Reduced anterior wall motion induced a significant decrease in the flow reserve of the anterior wall supplied by the great saphenous vein graft (p < 0.01). The anterior wall motion score of four segments assessed by left ventriculography showed a significant correlation with the flow reserve of the anterior wall supplied by the great saphenous vein graft (y = -0.24 x + 3.7, r = 0.75, p < 0.001). The results show infarcted myocardium was an important influence on coronary flow reserve.

[Clinico-pathological study of preoperative chemotherapy of esophageal cancer by combined use of three drugs--cisplatin, 5-FU and leucovorin]

We compared the clinical and pathological effects of preoperative combination chemotherapy using CDDP, 5-FU, and response rate for the primary lesion, an 81.8% response rate for intramural metastasis, 100.0% for intraepitherial spread, and a low response rate of 40.7% for lymph node metastasis. Pathological examination showed a 55.2% response rate for the primary lesion. There were seven cases in which the clinical assessment indicated that treatment was effective and pathological examination showed that it was ineffective, and three cases in which pathological examination showed a better response than clinical assessment. Cases showing a better clinical response included in which necrotic cancer lesion had disappeared due to absorption by the time of pathological examination, those with tumor regrowth after preoperative evaluation, those evaluated as showing a poor response due to residual cancer at the margin. Cases showing a better pathological response included those having remaining necrotic tissues and those having myoma beneath tumor. For intramural metastatic lesions, the pathological response rate was 42.9%, being lower than the clinical response rate. Metastasis to 209 lymph nodes showed a 23.0% response rate, with the abdominal nodes showing a poor response in comparison with those of the cervix and mediastinum. In 26 patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy, there was a significantly higher frequency of such changes as fibrous scar tissue, foreign body giant cells, vacuolation of tumor cells, and hyaloid degeneration of the lesion in comparison with the group receiving chemotherapy. Another difference was that the radiotherapy group showed a higher response of tumors with venous and lymphatic involvement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enhanced plasma GH responses to simultaneous administration of TRH and GHRH in patients with primary hypothyroidism

The mechanism of aberrant GH responses to TRH was indirectly evaluated in 7 patients with primary hypothyroidism. All patients showed GH response to TRH. When TRH was administered together with GHRH, the plasma GH response was much greater than after a single administration of TRH or GHRH (TRH+GHRH vs. TRH or GHRH: max. delta GH, 16.4 +/- 3.2 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.3 or 6.0 +/- 0.8 microgram/L; AUC, 1282.7 +/- 234.7 vs. 384.0 +/- 95.0 or 441.8 +/- 66.2, both P < 0.01). The combined administration of TRH and GHRH caused an additive, but not a synergistic, GH response. In contrast, 8 normal subjects showed neither any plasma GH response to TRH nor enhancement by TRH of GHRH-induced GH response following combined administration. It is concluded that the sites of action of TRH seemed to be different from GHRH in patients with primary hypothyroidism.

[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on patients with spinal cord injury with special reference to autonomic hyperreflexia]

We performed treatment of urolithiasis on 7 patients with spinal cord injury (6 males and one female, with a mean age of 41 years old) by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a Lithostar (Siemens). The level of injury was cervical in 3 patients and lower thoracic in 4. The treated stones were renal in 6 patients, including one staghorn caliculus, ureteral in 2, and bladder stones in 2 patients. ESWL was performed under general anesthesia in 2 patients, and in another patient, epidural anaesthesia was employed in the first several sessions, but thereafter treatment was safely continued with no anesthesia. The other 4 patients were treated without anesthesia. In most patients, the stones (9 stones in 6 cases) were easily disintegrated after treatment of from one to 14 sessions, except one case of staghorn caliculus, and the clearance of fragments was also satisfactory. In one patient, hypertension and bradycardia due to autonomic hyperreflexia were observed during ESWL, and the treatment was discontinued, but the stone was successfully disintegrated and the fragments were voided. In another patient, autonomic hyperreflexia was observed while the fragments passed through the ureter, although no signs of this reflexia were seen during the ESWL procedure.

Death in head-down position: an autopsy report with reference to physiological mechanism

A 74-year-old man was found dead in the head-down position in a hole in a pile of trash at his home. There was severe congestion and hemorrhage in the head and neck regions, and bronchial petechiae. Head-down tilt is a well-known model in studying the effects of weightlessness during space flight. By comparing our case with the physiological studies on head-down tilt, we determined that the head-down posture would increase cardiac output, and systemic and intracranial pressure, while it would suppress respiration by a central or peripheral mechanism.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the intestine: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical studies of 39 cases

Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features in 39 cases of primary intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Japanese patients were studied. Only resection materials in state IE and IIE-1 were included in this study because of the certainty that the intestine was the primary site of the lymphoma. The updated Kiel classification was used to classify NHL. Histologically, only two cases (5.1%) were follicular lymphomas, and the others were diffuse lymphomas. Twenty-eight patients (71.8%) had high-grade NHL and 11 (28.2%) had low-grade NHL. Twenty (71.4%) of the 28 high-grade NHL were centroblastic lymphomas, and 14 (70.0%) of these 20 cases of centroblastic lymphoma were the polymorphic variant. Ten (90.9%) of the 11 low-grade NHL were low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Macroscopically, 18 patients had polypoid masses, 17 ulcerative tumors and four had diffusely infiltrating NHL. Seven of the 10 low-grade MALT lymphomas were polypoid masses. Immunohistochemically, 35 lesions (89.7%) were of the B cell phenotype and three (7.7%) were of the T cell phenotype. In the remaining case, the cell lineage could not be determined. No lesions were considered to be of histiocytic origin. The 5 year survival rate for high-grade B cell lymphomas was poorer than for low-grade B cell lymphomas, and the present study indicated that the histological grade of the intestinal B cell lymphomas was a prognostically significant factor.

Targeted disruption of the NF-IL6 gene discloses its essential role in bacteria killing and tumor cytotoxicity by macrophages

To investigate the role of NF-IL6 in vivo, we have generated NF-IL6 (-/-) mice by gene targeting. NF-IL6 (-/-) mice were highly susceptible to infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Electron microscopic observation revealed the escape of a larger number of pathogens from the phagosome to the cytoplasm in activated macrophages from NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. Furthermore, the tumor cytotoxicity of macrophages from NF-IL6 (-/-) mice was severely impaired. However, cytokines involved in macrophage activation, such as TNF and IFN gamma, were induced normally in NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. Nitric oxide (NO) formation was induced to a similar extent in macrophages from both wild-type and NF-IL6 (-/-) mice. These results demonstrate the crucial role of NF-IL6 in macrophage bactericidal and tumoricidal activities as well as the existence of a NO-independent mechanism of these activities. We also demonstrate that NF-IL6 is essential for the induction of G-CSF in macrophages and fibroblasts.

DNA ploidy and clonal selection in ras + myc-induced mouse prostate cancer

An important goal in prostate cancer research is to define specific molecular and cellular alterations that are associated with malignant progression. The mouse prostate reconstitution model is a relevant and useful system as it allows the study of early events in cancer progression under conditions where oncogene-initiated cells are surrounded by normal tissue. Using this model, activated ras and myc oncogenes are introduced into urogenital sinus cells via the recombinant retrovirus Zipras/myc 9. After 4 weeks' growth as subcapsular renal grafts, poorly differentiated carcinomas are produced in C57BL/6 mice. In this study we examined the temporal relationships between morphological alterations, growth, DNA ploidy status and clonal selection as determined by Southern blotting in ras + myc-initiated carcinomas. Nuclear image analysis demonstrated that the emergence of a cycling DNA tetraploid cell population strongly correlated with growth and histologic progression. These tightly linked events culminated in the outgrowth of mono- or oligoclonal cancer.

Clinical survey of a psychiatric mother and baby unit: characteristics of 100 consecutive admissions

Demographic, obstetric, clinical features and clinical outcome of 100 consecutive admissions to a psychiatric mother and baby unit are presented. Referral patterns by health services involved are also examined. 56% of admissions occurred within 2 weeks of delivery and the mean duration of admission was 2 months. Patients were categorized as having schizophrenia (n = 20), affective psychosis (n = 56) or non-psychotic disorders (n = 24) and these three groups were compared. There were few demographic and obstetric differences between diagnostic categories. The affective psychosis group were more likely to have acute illnesses with an onset and admission occurring within 2 weeks of delivery. Women with non-psychotic disorders were also most likely to become ill within 2 weeks of delivery but tended to be admitted later. Only 7% of the affective psychotic and non-psychotic women were discharged separated from their infants. Women with schizophrenia were less likely to have acute admissions and required greater input of nursing and service resources than mothers with other illnesses but 50% were discharged without their infants. More research is needed into matching models of care to the needs of mothers with different kinds of chronic, recurrent and new episodes of mental illness that present after childbirth. There are few guidelines to aid clinical staff in assessing the risk, current or future, of significant harm to an infant as a consequence of maternal mental illness, particularly of schizophrenia.

Comparison of antiplatelet effects of FK409, a spontaneous nitric oxide releaser, with those of TRK-100, a prostacyclin analogue

The anti-platelet effects of FK409 ((+/-)-(E)-ethyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexeneamide) , a new spontaneous nitric oxide releaser, and TRK-100 (sodium dl-4-[(1R,2R,3aS,8bS)-1,2,3a,8b-tetra-hydro-2-hydroxy-1-[(3S ,4RS)-3-hydroxy- 4-methyl-oct-6-yen-(E)-1-enyl]-5-cyclopenta[b]benzofuranyl]butyrate), a stable prostacyclin analogue, were studied both in vivo and in vitro. FK409 and TRK-100 inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rat platelet-rich plasma at 1.0 and 0.032 microM, respectively. In a rat extracorporeal shunt model, FK409 suppressed thrombus formation dose dependently and significantly at 1.0 mg/kg and showed the maximum inhibition (52% inhibition) at 10 mg/kg. TRK-100 showed 79% inhibition of thrombus formation at 1.0 mg/kg, but not at less than 1.0 mg/kg. At the doses required for antiplatelet effects, TRK-100 decreased mean blood pressure significantly but FK409 did not alter the blood pressure. These data suggest that FK409 shows more selective activities on platelets than TRK-100 in these experiments.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels in the peritoneal cavity: useful guide to peritoneal recurrence and prognosis for gastric cancer

At the time of laparotomy, peritoneal washings were collected from 155 gastric cancer patients and the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determined. The CEA levels in peritoneal washings were statistically independent of those in sera and could more reliably predict the presence of peritoneal metastasis than a cytologic study. Peritoneal recurrence was seen in 14 of 118 patients after curative operation. Of the 14 patients, 10 (71%) had elevated levels of CEA (100 ng/g protein) at surgery. Of these 10 cases, 2 of the tumors were classified as stage IB and 4 had no serosal invasion. Only one patient with peritoneal metastasis and a low CEA level was free from relapse more than 1 year after operation. Kaplan-Meier's analysis showed that a high CEA level in peritoneal washings was a predictor of poor prognosis in patients who underwent either curative or noncurative resection. A proportional hazards regression analysis showed that a high CEA level in peritoneal washings was statistically significant in terms of predicting a shorter interval until peritoneal recurrence (p = 0.0002) and for survival (p = 0.0001). The CEA level in peritoneal washings is therefore of value as an indicator of peritoneal recurrence and prognosis.

Combination therapy with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin in aplastic anemia

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and erythropoietin (rhEPO) were used to treat patients with aplastic anemia (AA). In terms of effects on erythrocyte recovery, the combined use of rhG-CSF and rhEPO showed a favorable response in 6 of 14 (42.9%) patients with moderate AA following 10 weeks treatment and in 3 of 14 (21.4%) patients thereafter. However, the response was poor in patients with severe AA (3/13). A favorable response in severe AA was observed in 1 of 13 (7.7%) patients following 10 weeks treatment and in 2 of 13 (15.4%) patients thereafter. The overall effect on erythrocytes was observed in 44.4% patients. A dose of 400 micrograms/m2 G-CSF was sufficient to cause an increase in neutrophil count and 100 IU/kg rhEPO appeared to be sufficient to cause an increase in erythrocyte count. In 6 of 27 (22.2%) patients, a trilineage response was observed. Interestingly, a delayed and long-lasting effect was obtained in 5 of 27 (18.5%) patients. These results suggest that rhG-CSF can synergize with rhEPO in erythrocyte response, especially in patients with moderate AA.

Effect of ZCR-2060, an antiallergic agent, on antigen-induced immediate- and late-phase increases in airway resistance in sensitized guinea pigs

The effect of 2-[2-[4-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperadinyl]ethoxy] benzoic acid maleate (ZCR-2060) on passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA) and antigen-induced immediate- and late-phase increase in airway resistance (Rrs) in either passively or actively sensitized guinea pigs were investigated. ZCR-2060 inhibited PSA in guinea pigs. ID50 values of ZCR-2060, ketotifen, terfenadine and cetirizine on PSA were 0.03, 0.02, 0.8 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively, when administered orally 1 h before the antigen challenge. The protective effect of ZCR-2060 was observed until 12 h before the antigen challenge. Aeroantigen-induce immediate increase in Rrs in passively sensitized guinea pigs with and without metyrapone treatment was inhibited by ZCR-2060, ketotifen, terfenadine and cetirizine. In contrast, prednisolone did not affect the aeroantigen-induced immediate increase in Rrs in animals not treated with metyrapone, but significantly inhibited the metyrapone-induced enhanced immediate response. In actively sensitized animals, the immediate- and late-phase increases in Rrs were observed within 30 min and between 3 and 8 h after the aeroantigen challenge. Pretreatment with metyrapone accelerated both antigen-induced responses. ZCR-2060 (1 mg/kg) significantly inhibited both responses. Ketotifen (1 mg/kg), terfenadine (10 mg/kg) and prednisolone (10 mg/kg) significantly the inhibited the late-phase response, but did not affect the immediate-phase response. In contrast, Cetirizine (10 mg/kg) did not affect either response. The effect of ZCR-2060 on late-phase response was stronger than that of ketotifen, terfenadine and cetirizine, and was almost the same as that of prednisolone. These results suggest that ZCR-2060 has a potent protective effect on immediate- and late-phase increases in Rrs.

Evidence for the involvement of glycanase activities in the dissociation of cortical cell walls during the emergence of callus from rice root tissues in the presence of 2,4-D

Nojirimycin bisulfite andp-nitrophenyl-1-thio-ß-D-glucoside, potent inhibitors of ß-glucanase, suppressed cortical dissociation and callus growth in rice roots (Oryza sativa L. cv. Sasanishiki) in the presence of 2,4-D, with resultant suppression of the emergence of callus clumps from the interior of root tissues. These sugar analogs inhibited the 2,4-D-induced increase in the elastic and plastic compliance of cell walls but did not affect oxygen uptake by root explants in the presence of 2,4-D. They also inhibited the activities of CM-cellulase, ß-glucosidase and α-arabinosidase in 2 M NaCl-soluble and/or buffer-soluble fractions of crude root extracts. Involvement of glycan hydrolase activities in cell wall dissociation during callus emergence is discussed.

Dementia with ALS features and diffuse Pick body-like inclusions (atypical Pick's disease?)

An autopsy case of dementia beginning with right hand muscle atrophy was reported. A 42-year-old woman with no family history of neurologic disease developed weakness of the right hand at age 30, and was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The weakness and atrophy spread to the four extremities subsequently. At age 36, she could not walk without assistance. At age 38, she was first noted as having dementia with forced crying, and she also showed generalized muscle weakness and atrophy. She rapidly developed akinetic mutism, and died of respiratory failure at age 42, 12 years after the onset of the symptoms. Macroscopically, the brain showed fronto-temporal atrophy. Microscopic examination revealed numerous intracytoplasmic inclusions throughout the central nervous system (CNS) including anterior horn of the spinal cord. The inclusions were stained moderate to dark brown with silver stain. Electron microscopically, they consisted of fibrils covered along most of the length with granular and fuzzy materials. This case was thought to be difficult to categorize in any known neuro-degenerative diseases. We proposed the case to be "atypical Pick's disease" with ALS features. This case might be a new entity of neuro-degenerative disease.

Antihypertensive and renal-protective effects of losartan in streptozotocin diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

To assess the renal benefits of a specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan, in diabetic rats with renal impairment.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Uninephrectomized streptozotocin diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly assigned to receive vehicle, or to receive losartan or captopril, or both, intraperitoneally via osmotic minipumps for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Blood pressure and urinary protein excretion in the diabetic SHR increased progressively during the experimental period. Both captopril treatment and losartan treatment completely blocked the development of hypertension in diabetic SHR. Simultaneous administration of captopril and losartan did not enhance the antihypertensive effects of losartan treatment or captopril treatment. Furthermore, losartan treatment, captopril treatment and losartan + captopril treatment all significantly decreased urinary protein excretion, urinary albumin excretion and serum creatinine to the same extent. These effects were sustained for the entire experimental period and were not associated with any significant changes in body weight, urine volume, urine sugar and urinary electrolytes excretion. These results were confirmed by morphological analysis of kidneys in each group of rats. Losartan treatment, captopril treatment and losartan+captopril treatment all significantly and effectively protected against an increase in the percentage of focal glomerular sclerosis. Losartan treatment and captopril treatment both significantly attenuated the increase in heart weight: body weight ratio. The heart weight: body weight ratio in the losartan-treated group was significantly lower than in the captopril-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that hypertension could accelerate diabetic renal impairment and that losartan has antihypertensive and renoprotective effects in this rat model. They also suggest that the antihypertensive and renoprotective effects of captopril treatment in this rat model are caused mainly by inhibition of angiotensin II production rather than stimulation of the kallikrein-kinin system or of vasodilator prostaglandins. The difference in potency between losartan treatment and captopril treatment to attenuate the increase in heart weight: body weight ratio might partly explain the existence in the heart of angiotensin-forming pathways, which are not dependent on angiotensin converting enzyme.

Topographical projections from the medial septum-diagonal band complex to the hippocampus: a retrograde tracing study with multiple fluorescent dyes in rats

Direct projections from the medial septum-diagonal band complex (MS-DB) to the hippocampus were studied in rats using the retrograde labeling method with fluorescent dyes. In the first series of experiments, the distribution patterns of retrogradely labeled cells in the MS-DB were examined in sagittal sections, following simultaneous injection of two different fluorescent dyes separately into the ventral hippocampus (VHPC) and the dorsal hippocampus (DHPC). It was found that the DHPC received fiber terminals mainly from the rostral half of the MS-vertical limb of the diagonal band (VDB) and the core part of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB), whereas the VHPC received fiber terminals largely from the caudal half part of the MS-VDB and the marginal part of the HDB. The marginal part appears to form a 'C' and not a complete circle around the core part. In the second series of experiments, the distribution patterns of retrogradely labeled cells in the MS-DB were investigated in sagittal sections, following simultaneous injection of three or two different fluorescent dyes separately into the subfields of the DHPC. The CA1 received fiber terminals mainly from the HDB and VDB, while the hilus received fiber terminals mainly from the MS. The CA2-CA3 received fiber terminals almost equally from the MS, VDB and HDB. The present results reveal distinctive topographical organizations of the septohippocampal connections.