Vasopressor effect of lysophosphatidic acid on spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar Kyoto rats

Intravenous injection of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate) into conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) promptly elicited hypertension in a dose-dependent manner, its effect being significantly higher than in conscious, age-matched Wistar Kyoto strain rats (WKY). There was, however, no difference between the potencies of LPA in raising the mean blood pressure of SHR and WKY anesthetized with pentobarbital. The releases of norepinephrine, angiotensin II, prostaglandin and leukotriene were found not to be involved in the vasopressor effect of LPA in SHR, although thromboxane seemed to be slightly related to the action of LPA.

Zonal differences in nitric oxide synthesis by bovine chondrocytes exposed to interleukin-1

To determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the inhibition of aggrecan synthesis, we measured levels of NO produced by bovine chondrocytes from different layers of articular cartilage in the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1). Chondrocytes from the superficial layer showed a large increase in NO synthesis in response to IL-1. Although chondrocytes from the deep layer also produced NO in response to IL-1, the amount was less than that from the superficial layer. Enhanced NO production evoked by IL-1 was accompanied by a significant inhibition of aggrecan synthesis. These data suggest that chondrocytes in both superficial and deep layer of articular cartilage inhibit aggrecan synthesis with IL-1 via NO production. In addition, superficial layer cells respond to lower amounts of IL-1 with respect to NO-production and inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis.

Effects of efonidipine hydrochloride on cholesterol esterification mediated by beta-very low density lipoprotein in J774 macrophages

The effects of efonidipine hydrochloride (efonidipine), a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on the cholesterol ester metabolism induced by beta-migrating very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL) in J774 macrophages were studied. The cholesteryl ester content in the macrophages was increased by incubation with beta-VLDL, and the increase was inhibited by efonidipine. Oleic acid incorporation into cellular cholesteryl ester was increased by beta-VLDL in J774 macrophages. The incorporation at an early phase of beta-VLDL induction (0-3 hr) was inhibited by efonidipine. This inhibitory effect of efonidipine was greater at an early phase of beta-VLDL induction (0-3 hr) than at a late phase of the induction (8-11 hr). Pretreatment of the cells with efonidipine enhanced the inhibitory effect. Efonidipine also inhibited beta-VLDL degradation but not the binding and association in macrophages without pretreatment. beta-VLDL binding and association to macrophages were decreased by pretreatment of the cells with efonidipine. beta-VLDL metabolism was also decreased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP pretreatment. The decrease of beta-VLDL metabolism by efonidipine was prevented by co-treatment with efonidipine and HA1004, a protein kinase A inhibitor. Furthermore, efonidipine increased the intracellular cyclic AMP content in J774 macrophages. These findings suggest that efonidipine suppresses cholesterol ester deposition in atherosclerotic foam cells by inhibiting the modified lipoprotein metabolism and cholesterol esterification mainly through elevation of the cellular cyclic AMP level.

Establishment of a bovine macrophage cell line from a fetal thymus

A cell line, FBM-17, was established from a fetal bovine thymus and passaged for more than a year. Electron microscopic examination revealed that the cytoplasm contained many phagosomes and a significant amount of rough endoplasmic reticula. In addition, FBM-17 cells showed non-specific esterase, phagocytosis and surface expression of Fc receptors for IgG and classes I and II MHC antigens. These observations confirmed that this cell line had the morphologic and functional features as a macrophage. MHC expression markedly increased by treatment with recombinant bovine gamma-interferon, showing the cell line to be sensitive to bovine gamma-interferon and functional. These present results suggest that the FBM-17 is a functional bovine macrophage cell line. This line gamma-interferon, showing the cell line to be useful for clarification of roles of macrophages in immunoregulation in cattle.

No effects of large doses of catecholamines on vascular permeability in isolated blood-perfused dog lungs

Neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) is believed to be induced by intense activation of the sympathetic nervous system, characterized by massive secretion of catecholamines into the blood stream. There is a possibility that NPO is partly the result of increased vascular permeability. However, the mechanism for an increase in pulmonary vascular permeability is not known. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that large doses of catecholamines increase pulmonary microvascular permeability directly. Adrenaline or noradrenaline (100 and 300 micrograms) was injected as a bolus into isolated dog lungs perfused with heparinized autologous blood at constant pressure. Adrenaline or noradrenaline produced sustained lung weight loss although both catecholamines increased pulmonary capillary pressure, assessed by double occlusion pressure, by 2-5 mmHG above baseline. Vascular permeability, as measured by the capillary filtration coefficient and the isogravimetric capillary pressure, did not change significantly from baseline at 30 and 60 min after catecholamine. Finally, the final-to-initial wet lung weight ratio of the catecholamine-treated lungs did not differ from that of saline-injected control lungs. Thus, we conclude that circulating catecholamines, even at supraphysiological doses, do not increase permeability in isolated blood-perfused dog lungs.

[Frequency of clinical isolation of glucose non-fermentative gram-negative rods and their susceptibilities to antibacterial agents]

A comparison was made for frequencies of isolation o glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative rods ((G)NF-GNR) from clinical specimens during a period from July, 1986 to June, 1987 (the first period) and that from January, 1994 to December, 1994 (the second period). Also, minimum inhibitory concentrations of principal drugs were determined against these isolates. The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. Thirty four (34) species of (G)NF-GNR were found from 35,200 clinical specimens in the two periods. Numbers of strains of (G)NF-GNR obtained were 4,575 during the first period and 4,704 during the second period, thus no significant difference existed in numbers of strains isolated in the two periods. 2. Among the 34 species to which the 4,704 strains were classified into, Pseudomonas aeruginosa comprised 68.4%, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 6.9%, Acinetobacter baumannii 5.6%, Burkholderia cepacia 3.1%, Acinetobacter Iwoffii 2.6%, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans 2.4%, Flavobacterium indologenes 1.7%, Pseudomonas putida 1.1%, Acinetobacter junii 1.1% and Moraxella subgenus Moraxella lacunata 0.9%. When these frequencies of isolation were compared with those in the first period, it was found that B. cepacia decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and that S. maltophilia increased significantly (P < 0.001). 3. MIC determinations revealed multiple drug resistance strains in many different species of bacteria. Minocycline, however, were active against many such strains, and ofloxacin was found to have strong antibacterial activity against some strains.

Clinical and experimental studies of the limulus test after digestive surgery

A chromogenic limulus test (Toxicolor test) revealed a transiently increased blood endotoxin level in some patients after digestive surgery. However, most showed no clinical signs of endotoxemia. The Endospecy test of these specimens, which reacts specifically with endotoxin, did not show a high value, while the Gluspecy test, which reacts specifically with (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (glucan), did. These findings thus suggested that the gauze used for surgery contains a large amount of glucan. The intraperitoneal injection of this gauze-saline into rats results in a phenomenon similar to that observed in clinical studies. These findings suggested the involvement of substances other than endotoxin such as glucan in the postoperative positive-Toxicolor phenomenon. In addition, the Toxicolor test also showed a higher value in patients with liver cirrhosis than in those without. In an experimental study in rats, the liver cirrhosis group also showed a significantly high value. These results therefore suggest that the glucan clearance mechanism is impaired in the reticuloendothelial system in liver damage such as cirrhosis.

The relationship between gastric secretion and type of early gastric carcinoma

To determine the relationship between gastric secretion and gastric carcinoma, we investigated gastric acid secretion and the fasting serum levels of pepsinogen I and gastrin in 50 Japanese patients with early gastric carcinoma. After the histological and macroscopic type of carcinoma had been determined, results were compared with findings in 50 Japanese control subjects whose gastric mucosa was endoscopically normal. The maximum gastric acid secretion and fasting levels of serum pepsinogen I were significantly lower in intestinal type gastric carcinoma than in diffuse type carcinoma and in the controls. They were also significantly lower in the non-ulcerative (elevated or flat) type than in the ulcerative (depressed) type of carcinoma. The serum gastrin levels in patients with early gastric carcinoma of either the intestinal or diffuse type were higher than those in the control subjects, though the difference was not significant. Gastric acid secretion and serum pepsinogen I levels were related with both the histological and macroscopic types of gastric carcinoma. These findings suggest that the serum pepsinogen I level might be useful as a maker for early gastric carcinoma of the intestinal type.

Activation of protein kinase C and the involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the inhibition of osteosarcoma-derived cell alkaline phosphatase activity

We present evidence for the presence of specific, high-affinity binding sites for tritiated phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on osteosarcoma-derived (HT-3) cells. Activation of protein kinase C by a phorbol ester resulted in an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity and the accumulation of prostaglandin E2. Indomethacin blocked prostaglandin E2 production and enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity. These data suggest that prostaglandin E2 is enhanced by activation of protein kinase C, and in turn, alkaline phosphatase activity is reduced.

Surgical treatment of an enormous aneurysmal portahepatic venous fistula: report of a case

We report herein the case of a 20-year-old woman in whom an enormous aneurysmal portahepatic venous fistula was found. The portal aneurysm developed in the anterior inferior segment of the right hepatic lobe, and communicated with the right portal vein and the right hepatic vein. Due to the enormous size of the shunt, and because the patient's venous blood ammonia level increased by about twofold after eating, a right lobectomy of the liver was performed. A review of the available literature and a discussion of the most appropriate treatment follows the presentation of this case.

Clinicopathologic features of early rectal carcinoma and indications for endoscopic treatment

PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to clarify the indications for endoscopic treatment.

METHODS

Clinical and pathologic features of 191 lesions in 180 patients with early rectal carcinoma were examined, including 110 intramucosal carcinomas and 81 carcinomas with submucosal invasion (submucosal carcinomas). All lesions had been endoscopically or surgically resected at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 1976 and 1990.

RESULTS

Metastasis to regional lymph nodes (LN metastasis) was seen in 0 percent (0/39) of intramucosal carcinomas and 9.2 percent (6/65) of submucosal carcinomas in the surgically treated patients. The incidence of LN metastasis was higher for lesions larger than 10 mm in diameter, for those showing massive submucosal invasion, and for moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas. LN metastases were associated significantly with lymphatic invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that early rectal carcinomas should be resected surgically if they 1) show massive submucosal invasion, 2) are classified as moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, and 3) are larger than 10 mm in diameter. In patients with both scanty submucosal invasion and features of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma or intramucosal carcinoma and if no other risk factors for LN metastasis are present, such as lymphatic invasion by the primary lesion, surveillance may suffice after endoscopic resection.

Suspected nutritional myopathy in two captive Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus)

Between January and April, 1992, two captive Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) from a wildlife park in Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido, Japan, were diagnosed as having nutritional myopathy. One wallaby, four-year-old adult male, had mild fresh lesions, confined to the skeletal muscles, with poor cell reaction. The other wallaby, 8-month-old female joey, had marked and extensive lesions with cellular reactions and regenerative muscle fibers in the locomotor muscles. Involvement of other striated muscles such as those of the tongue, diaphragm and heart was mild with minimal cellular reaction. Age susceptibility may account for the difference in the extent of severity of the lesions between these two animals.

Pseudoaneurysm of the carotid artery with haemorrhage into the hypopharynx

Pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries are rarely seen following irradiation for cancers of the head and neck. We present a patient with a pseudoaneurysm of the common carotid artery following a radical neck dissection and irradiation for thyroid carcinoma 20 years earlier. Following oesophagoscopical examination, a pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery ruptured into the piriform sinus. The common carotid artery was embolized with multiple coils and the bleeding was halted. The relationship between the carotid artery aneurysm and irradiation, and the treatment of carotid artery aneurysm, is discussed.

Training in evaluation of expressed emotion using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview

To evaluate the effect of training in rating expressed emotion (EE) using the Japanese version of the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI), interrater reliability between a certified rater and a trainee was examined. The material was 65 CFI interviews with the families of 46 schizophrenic patients. The two raters independently rated EE status, critical comments (CC), hostility (H), emotional overinvolvement (EOI), warmth (W) and positive remarks (PR). The interrater reliability was satisfactory with regard to EE status, CC, H, EOI and PR. In the category of W, however, the results were unsatisfactory, as there was no positive development of agreement over time. In fathers, the interrater reliability of W was lower than in other relationships. Use of interview transcripts could contribute to a more satisfactory interrater agreement in EOI, and this is recommended as a useful training tool in EE evaluation.

K+ channel openers produce epithelium-dependent relaxation of the guinea-pig trachea

The relaxant effects of the K+ channel openers, NIP-121, (+)-7,8-dihydro-6,6-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-8-(2-oxo-piperidin-1-yl)-6H - pyrano[2,3-f]benz-2,1,3-oxadiazole, and cromakalim, were investigated in epithelium-intact and -denuded tracheal spirals isolated from guinea-pigs. In the presence of 5 microM indomethacin, NIP-121 (0.01-1 microM) and cromakalim (0.1-10 microM) relaxed, in a concentration-dependent manner, epithelium-intact and -denuded trachea precontracted with a thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619, 9,11-dideoxy-9 alpha, 11 alpha-methanoepoxy-prostaglandin F2 alpha (30 nM). The relaxations of epithelium-denuded trachea were significantly decreased as compared with those of epithelium-intact trachea. The relaxations induced by salbutamol or aminophylline were not affected by epithelium removal. In epithelium-intact trachea, the NIP-121- and cromakalim-induced relaxations were not modulated by the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, phosphoramidon (10 microM), or the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM). However, the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (100 microM), significantly reduced NIP-121- and cromakalim-induced relaxation of epithelium-intact trachea. Methylene blue also reduced sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation but did not affect isoprenaline-induced relaxation. These findings suggest that the K+ channel openers, NIP-121 and cromakalim, may induce, at least in part, epithelium-dependent and methylene blue-sensitive relaxation of the guinea-pig isolated trachea.

Acute hepatitis in an adult with acquired rubella infection

We report a case of acute hepatitis in a 28-year-old male with acquired rubella infection. Serological tests revealed acute rubella virus infection and ruled out infection by other common viruses, including type A and type B hepatitis viruses. The patient showed not only marked increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, with only slight liver dysfunction, but also platelet and kidney injury, suggesting systemic rubella virus infection. Because the liver dysfunction was slight, liver biopsy was not performed. When a patient has mild, transient hepatitis accompanied by high LDH activity in comparison with both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, we should take a common viral infection such as rubella into consideration when making a diagnosis.

[Examination of cardiac myxomas complicated with embolism]

Cardiac myxomas complicated with embolism were examined. Of 51 patients who underwent surgical excision of myxomas during the last 19 years, 10 patients (6 patients originated from left atrium, 4 patients originated from right atrium) had complications by embolisms. The embolism occurred in cerebral arteries (5 cases), a coronary artery (1 case), a retinal artery (1 case), and pulmonary arteries (4 cases). Patients were divided into an embolism group and a non-embolism group to investigate risk factors of embolism. Arrhythmia, diameter, narrow peducle, and tumor friability were thought to be major risk factors. Gelatinous and rough surface type tumor tended to cause embolism. Hypervascular tumors did not cause embolism. Among 10 patients, 2 patients had already had new embolism and another 2 patients had aggravated their symptoms before making diagnosis of myxoma. Myxomas should always be considered as a source of embolization, which need meticulous investigation and prompt indication of surgical resection.

Induction of potent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses following direct injection of DNA encoding the HIV type 1 env and rev gene products

DNA vaccines have the potential of giving rise to a potent cell-mediated immune response by inducing intracellular synthesis and subsequent antigenic presentation of encoded antigens. We have tested a DNA vaccine specific for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by the injection of animals with expression plasmids encoding the HIV-1 envelope protein and the Rev regulatory protein. Injection of both plasmids into mice, rabbits, or macaques was found to induce high levels of specific antibodies capable of efficiently inhibiting both HIV-1 infection and envelope-mediated cell fusion. A readily detectable delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was demonstrable in injected mice and lymphocytes derived from these proliferated in response to an HIV-1 envelope V3 loop-specific peptide. Interestingly, the injected mice or macaques also developed a strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against target cells pulsed with the V3 peptide. Taken together, these data demonstrate that injection of HIV-1 gene expression plasmids can induce potent humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and suggest that DNA vaccines may prove to be significantly beneficial as a means of immunizing against HIV-1.

[Study of clinically isolated new quinolones-resistant Haemophilus influenzae. Part 1]

A study was done to determine susceptibilities of Haemophilus influenzae that were obtained in our laboratory in 1994 to new quinolones (NQ) and other drugs. The results were as follows; 1. Among the 300 isolates, the detection frequency of NQ-resistant strains was 8.7% (26 strains), including isolates from chronic lower respiratory tract infections (22 strains) and those from middle meatus of nose (2 strains), etc. NQ-resistant strains were not isolated from children. 2. The cross resistance was studied for different NQs against NQ-resistant strains. Clavulanic acid/amoxicillin, cefteram, cefpodoxime, cefditoren, cefodizime (CDZM) and cefpirome showed strong antimicrobial activities against NQ-resistant strains. MIC90 of CEPs against all isolated strains including NQ-resistant strains and beta-lactamase producers was low. And the MIC90 of CDZM was < or = 0.025 microgram/ml, which was the lowest among all the antibiotics tested. 3. We found 47 strains (15.7%) of beta-lactamase producers among the 300 isolates, the frequency of beta-lactamase producing strains was high among strains obtained from children.

[Prediction of left ventricular functional recovery in patients with acute myocardial infarction using single photon emission computed tomography with thallium-201 and iodine-123-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid]

The relationships between myocardial perfusion, fatty acid metabolism, and cardiac function were investigated using dual single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with thallium and iodine-123-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) during the acute (10 +/- 1 days) and recovery (60 +/- 14 days) phases in 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction. There were 18 patients who underwent successful primary coronary angioplasty (PTCA group) and 11 patients who received conservative therapy (non PTCA group). Thallium and BMIPP uptakes were scored visually by a 4-point system and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated by radionuclide ventriculography. Although significant positive correlations between thallium and 123I-BMIPP scores were observed during both phases, BMIPP scores were significantly lower than thallium scores in both acute and recovery phases in the PTCA group. No significant difference in thallium and 123I-BMIPP scores was observed at the recovery phase in the non PTCA group. LVEF significantly correlated with thallium and 123I-BMIPP scores in both phases in the PTCA group. Furthermore, the difference between thallium and 123I-BMIPP scores during the acute phase significantly correlated with the improvement of LVEF during the follow-up period in the PTCA group (y = 0.92x-0.77, r = 0.65, p < 0.005). These findings suggest that mismatch of perfusion and metabolism in infarcted myocardium assessed by thallium and 123I-BMIPP SPECT is increased by reperfusion therapy and persists at least until the recovery phase of myocardial infarction. The recovery of left ventricular function depends on the extent of the mismatched uptake, indicating a predictor for functional recovery following acute myocardial infarction.