Harmonization of multi-site diffusion tensor imaging data for cervical and thoracic spinal cord at 1.5 T and 3 T using longitudinal ComBat

MRI scanner hardware, field strengths, and sequence parameters are major variables in diffusion studies of the spinal cord. Reliability between scanners is not well known, particularly for the thoracic cord. DTI data was collected for the entire cervical and thoracic spinal cord in thirty healthy adult subjects with different MR vendors and field strengths. DTI metrics were extracted and averaged for all slices within each vertebral level. Metrics were examined for variability and then harmonized using longitudinal ComBat (longComBat). Four scanners were used: Siemens 3 T Prisma, Siemens 1.5 T Avanto, Philips 3 T Ingenia, Philips 1.5 T Achieva. Average full cord diffusion values/standard deviation for all subjects and scanners were FA: 0.63, σ = 0.10, MD: 1.11, σ = 0.12 × 10-3 mm2/s, AD: 1.98, σ = 0.55 × 10-3 mm2/s, RD: 0.67, σ = 0.31 × 10-3 mm2/s. FA metrics averaged for all subjects by level were relatively consistent across scanners, but large variability was found in diffusivity measures. Coefficients of variation were lowest in the cervical region, and relatively lower for FA than diffusivity measures. Harmonized metrics showed greatly improved agreement between scanners. Variability in DTI of the spinal cord arises from scanner hardware differences, pulse sequence differences, physiological motion, and subject compliance. The use of longComBat resulted in large improvement in agreement of all DTI metrics between scanners. This study shows the importance of harmonization of diffusion data in the spinal cord and potential for longitudinal and multisite clinical research and clinical trials.

Global Barriers to the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis: Data From the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation Atlas of MS, Third Edition

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recent data suggest increasing global prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Early diagnosis of MS reduces the burden of disability-adjusted life years and associated health care costs. Yet diagnostic delays persist in MS care and even within national health care systems with robust resources, comprehensive registries, and MS subspecialist referral networks. The global prevalence and characteristics of barriers to expedited MS diagnosis, particularly in resource-restricted regions, have not been extensively studied. Recent revisions to MS diagnostic criteria demonstrate potential to facilitate earlier diagnosis, but global implementation remains largely unknown.

METHODS

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation third edition of the Atlas of MS was a survey that assessed the current global state of diagnosis including adoption of MS diagnostic criteria; barriers to diagnosis with respect to the patient, health care provider, and health system; and existence of national guidelines or national standards for speed of MS diagnosis.

RESULTS

Coordinators from 107 countries (representing approximately 82% of the world population), participated. Eighty-three percent reported at least 1 "major barrier" to early MS diagnosis. The most frequently reported barriers included the following: "lack of awareness of MS symptoms among general public" (68%), "lack of awareness of MS symptoms among health care professionals" (59%), and "lack of availability of health care professionals with knowledge to diagnose MS" (44%). One-third reported lack of "specialist medical equipment or diagnostic tests." Thirty-four percent reported the use of only 2017 McDonald criteria (McD-C) for diagnosis, and 79% reported 2017 McD-C as the "most commonly used criteria." Sixty-six percent reported at least 1 barrier to the adoption of 2017 McD-C, including "neurologists lack awareness or training" by 45%. There was no significant association between national guidelines pertaining to MS diagnosis or practice standards addressing the speed of diagnosis and presence of barriers to early MS diagnosis and implementation of 2017 McD-C.

DISCUSSION

This study finds pervasive consistent global barriers to early diagnosis of MS. While these barriers reflected a lack of resources in many countries, data also suggest that interventions designed to develop and implement accessible education and training can provide cost-effective opportunities to improve access to early MS diagnosis.

Total Tau Level in Cerebrospinal Fluid as a Predictor of Survival in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: A Retrospective Analysis

Background and Objectives

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive and universally fatal neurodegenerative disorder with highly variable survival times, ranging from weeks to years. However, there are currently no tools for prognosticating a patient's survival time. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the relationship between CSF total tau (t-tau) levels and time to death in patients with CJD.

Methods

We use cases with CJD recorded in the electronic health record of a tertiary academic medical center from 2010 to 2022.

Results

We identified 29 cases with diagnosis of CJD. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we find that elevated t-tau levels (>4,000 pg/mL) are associated with 9.62 (95% confidence interval: 1.93-47.92) times the hazard of death compared with CJD patients with t-tau less than 4,000 pg/mL.

Discussion

This finding supports the use of CSF t-tau as a prognostic biomarker for CJD.

Establishing the Validity of Compressed Sensing Diffusion Spectrum Imaging

Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) using dense Cartesian sampling of q-space has been shown to provide important advantages for modeling complex white matter architecture. However, its adoption has been limited by the lengthy acquisition time required. Sparser sampling of q-space combined with compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction techniques has been proposed as a way to reduce the scan time of DSI acquisitions. However prior studies have mainly evaluated CS-DSI in post-mortem or non-human data. At present, the capacity for CS-DSI to provide accurate and reliable measures of white matter anatomy and microstructure in the living human brain remains unclear. We evaluated the accuracy and inter-scan reliability of 6 different CS-DSI schemes that provided up to 80% reductions in scan time compared to a full DSI scheme. We capitalized on a dataset of twenty-six participants who were scanned over eight independent sessions using a full DSI scheme. From this full DSI scheme, we subsampled images to create a range of CS-DSI images. This allowed us to compare the accuracy and inter-scan reliability of derived measures of white matter structure (bundle segmentation, voxel-wise scalar maps) produced by the CS-DSI and the full DSI schemes. We found that CS-DSI estimates of both bundle segmentations and voxel-wise scalars were nearly as accurate and reliable as those generated by the full DSI scheme. Moreover, we found that the accuracy and reliability of CS-DSI was higher in white matter bundles that were more reliably segmented by the full DSI scheme. As a final step, we replicated the accuracy of CS-DSI in a prospectively acquired dataset (n=20, scanned once). Together, these results illustrate the utility of CS-DSI for reliably delineating in vivo white matter architecture in a fraction of the scan time, underscoring its promise for both clinical and research applications.

DWI Metrics Differentiating Benign Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms from Invasive Pancreatic Cancer: A Study in GEM Models

KPC (KrasG12D:Trp53R172H:Pdx1-Cre) and CKS (KrasG12D:Smad4L/L:Ptf1a-Cre) mice are genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models that capture features of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), respectively. We compared these autochthonous tumors using quantitative imaging metrics from diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI in reference to quantitative histological metrics including cell density, fibrosis, and microvasculature density. Our results revealed distinct DW-MRI metrics between the KPC vs. CKS model (mimicking human PDAC vs. IPMN lesion): the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of CKS tumors is significantly higher than that of KPC, with little overlap (mean ± SD 2.24±0.2 vs. 1.66±0.2, p<10−10) despite intratumor and intertumor variability. Kurtosis index (KI) is also distinctively separated in the two models. DW imaging metrics are consistent with growth pattern, cell density, and the cystic nature of the CKS tumors. Coregistration of ex vivo ADC maps with H&E-stained sections allowed for regional comparison and showed a correlation between local cell density and ADC value. In conclusion, studies in GEM models demonstrate the potential utility of diffusion-weighted MRI metrics for distinguishing pancreatic cancer from benign pancreatic cysts such as IPMN.

Differential Impact of Anxious Misery Psychopathology on Multiple Representations of the Functional Connectome

Background

One aim of characterizing dimensional psychopathology is associating different domains of affective dysfunction with brain circuitry. The functional connectome, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging, can be modeled and associated with psychopathology through multiple methods; some methods assess univariate relationships while others summarize broad patterns of activity. It remains unclear whether different dimensions of psychopathology require different representations of the connectome to generate reproducible associations.

Methods

Patients experiencing anxious misery symptomology (depression, anxiety, and trauma; n = 192) received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Three modeling approaches (seed-based correlation analysis, edgewise regression, and brain basis set modeling), each relying on increasingly broader representations of the functional connectome, were used to associate connectivity patterns with six data-driven dimensions of psychopathology: anxiety sensitivity, anxious arousal, rumination, anhedonia, insomnia, and negative affect. To protect against overfitting, 50 participants were held out in a testing dataset, leaving 142 participants as training data.

Results

Different modeling approaches varied in the extent to which they could model different symptom dimensions: seed-based correlation analysis failed to reproducibly model any symptoms, subsets of the connectome (edgewise regression) were sufficient to model insomnia and anxious arousal, and broad representations of the entire connectome (brain basis set modeling) were necessary to model negative affect and ruminative thought.

Conclusions

These results indicate that different methods of representing the functional connectome differ in the degree that they can model different symptom dimensions, highlighting the potential sufficiency of subsets of connections for some dimensions and the necessity of connectome-wide approaches in others.

Central vein sign: A diagnostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (CAVS-MS) study protocol for a prospective multicenter trial

The specificity and implementation of current MRI-based diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) are imperfect. Approximately 1 in 5 of individuals diagnosed with MS are eventually determined not to have the disease, with overreliance on MRI findings a major cause of MS misdiagnosis. The central vein sign (CVS), a proposed MRI biomarker for MS lesions, has been extensively studied in numerous cross sectional studies and may increase diagnostic specificity for MS. CVS has desirable analytical, measurement, and scalability properties. "Central Vein Sign: A Diagnostic Biomarker in Multiple Sclerosis (CAVS-MS)" is an NIH-supported, 2-year, prospective, international, multicenter study conducted by the North American Imaging in MS Cooperative (NAIMS) to evaluate CVS as a diagnostic biomarker for immediate translation into clinical care. Study objectives include determining the concordance of CVS and McDonald Criteria to diagnose MS, the sensitivity of CVS to detect MS in those with typical presentations, and the specificity of CVS among those with atypical presentations. The study will recruit a total of 400 participants (200 with typical and 200 with atypical presentations) across 11 sites. T2*-weighted, high-isotropic-resolution, segmented echo-planar MRI will be acquired at baseline and 24 months on 3-tesla scanners, and FLAIR* images (combination of FLAIR and T2*) will be generated for evaluating CVS. Data will be processed on a cloud-based platform that contains clinical and CVS rating modules. Imaging quality control will be conducted by automated methods and neuroradiologist review. CVS will be determined by Select6* and Select3* lesion methods following published criteria at each site and by central readers, including neurologists and neuroradiologists. Automated CVS detection and algorithms for incorporation of CVS into McDonald Criteria will be tested. Diagnosis will be adjudicated by three neurologists who served on the 2017 International Panel on the Diagnosis of MS. The CAVS-MS study aims to definitively establish CVS as a diagnostic biomarker that can be applied broadly to individuals presenting for evaluation of the diagnosis of MS.

Dimensional connectomics of anxious misery, a human connectome study related to human disease: Overview of protocol and data quality

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We present a new imaging study of 200 adults experiencing depression and anxiety.

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Quantitative measures of image quality indicate comparable quality to the HCP-YA.

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In addition, a comprehensive set of assessments measured patients’ symptom profiles.

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Data will be publicly available through the NIMH Data Archive starting fall 2020.

Disparate diagnostic categories from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, share common behavioral and phenomenological dysfunctions. While high levels of comorbidity and common features across these disorders suggest shared mechanisms, past research in psychopathology has largely proceeded based on the syndromal taxonomy established by the DSM rather than on a biologically-informed framework of neural, cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. In line with the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework, we present a Human Connectome Study Related to Human Disease that is intentionally designed to generate and test novel, biologically-motivated dimensions of psychopathology. The Dimensional Connectomics of Anxious Misery study is collecting neuroimaging, cognitive and behavioral data from a heterogeneous population of adults with varying degrees of depression, anxiety and trauma, as well as a set of healthy comparators (to date, n = 97 and n = 24, respectively). This sample constitutes a dataset uniquely situated to elucidate relationships between brain circuitry and dysfunctions of the Negative Valence construct of the RDoC framework. We present a comprehensive overview of the eligibility criteria, clinical procedures and neuroimaging methods of our project. After describing our protocol, we present group-level activation maps from task fMRI data and independent components maps from resting state data. Finally, using quantitative measures of neuroimaging data quality, we demonstrate excellent data quality relative to a subset of the Human Connectome Project of Young Adults (n = 97), as well as comparable profiles of cortical thickness from T1-weighted imaging and generalized fractional anisotropy from diffusion weighted imaging. This manuscript presents results from the first 121 participants of our full target 250 participant dataset, timed with the release of this data to the National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive in fall 2020, with the remaining half of the dataset to be released in 2021.

Increased power by harmonizing structural MRI site differences with the ComBat batch adjustment method in ENIGMA

A common limitation of neuroimaging studies is their small sample sizes. To overcome this hurdle, the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium combines neuroimaging data from many institutions worldwide. However, this introduces heterogeneity due to different scanning devices and sequences. ENIGMA projects commonly address this heterogeneity with random-effects meta-analysis or mixed-effects mega-analysis. Here we tested whether the batch adjustment method, ComBat, can further reduce site-related heterogeneity and thus increase statistical power. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses, mixed-effects mega-analyses and ComBat mega-analyses to compare cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes between 2897 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and 3141 healthy controls from 33 sites. Specifically, we compared the imaging data between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls, covarying for age and sex. The use of ComBat substantially increased the statistical significance of the findings as compared to random-effects meta-analyses. The findings were more similar when comparing ComBat with mixed-effects mega-analysis, although ComBat still slightly increased the statistical significance. ComBat also showed increased statistical power when we repeated the analyses with fewer sites. Results were nearly identical when we applied the ComBat harmonization separately for cortical thickness, cortical surface area and subcortical volumes. Therefore, we recommend applying the ComBat function to attenuate potential effects of site in ENIGMA projects and other multi-site structural imaging work. We provide easy-to-use functions in R that work even if imaging data are partially missing in some brain regions, and they can be trained with one data set and then applied to another (a requirement for some analyses such as machine learning).

Integrative radiomic analysis for pre-surgical prognostic stratification of glioblastoma patients: from advanced to basic MRI protocols

Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive adult brain tumor, is considered non-curative at diagnosis. Current literature shows promise on imaging-based overall survival prediction for patients with glioblastoma while integrating advanced (structural, perfusion, and diffusion) multipara metric magnetic resonance imaging (Adv-mpMRI). However, most patients prior to initiation of therapy typically undergo only basic structural mpMRI (Bas-mpMRI, i.e., T1,T1-Gd,T2,T2-FLAIR) pre-operatively, rather than Adv-mpMRI. Here we assess a retrospective cohort of 101 glioblastoma patients with available Adv-mpMRI from a previous study, which has shown that an initial feature panel (IFP) extracted from Adv-mpMRI can yield accurate overall survival stratification. We further focus on demonstrating that equally accurate prediction models can be constructed using augmented feature panels (AFP) extracted solely from Bas-mpMRI, obviating the need for using Adv-mpMRI. The classification accuracy of the model utilizing Adv-mpMRI protocols and the IFP was 72.77%, and improved to 74.26% when utilizing the AFP on Bas-mpMRI. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated superior classification of subjects into short-, intermediate-, and long-survivor classes when using AFPon Basic-mpMRI. This quantitative evaluation indicates that accurate survival prediction in glioblastoma patients is feasible by using solely Bas-mpMRI and integrative radiomic analysis can compensate for the lack of Adv-mpMRI. Our finding holds promise for predicting overall survival based on commonly-acquired Bas-mpMRI, and hence for potential generalization across multiple institutions that may not have access to Adv-mpMRI, facilitating better patient selection.

Multisite reliability and repeatability of an advanced brain MRI protocol

BACKGROUND

MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and intervention assessment in neurological disease. Its full potential has not been realized due in part to challenges in harmonizing advanced techniques across multiple sites.

PURPOSE

To develop a method for the assessment of reliability and repeatability of advanced multisite-multisession neuroimaging studies and specifically to assess the reliability of an advanced MRI protocol, including multiband fMRI and diffusion tensor MRI, in a multisite setting.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

POPULATION

Twice repeated measurement of a single subject with stable relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) at seven institutions.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A 3 T MRI protocol included higher spatial resolution anatomical scans, a variable flip-angle longitudinal relaxation rate constant (R₁ ≡ 1/T₁ ) measurement, quantitative magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and a resting-state fMRI (rsFMRI) series.

ASSESSMENT

Multiple methods of assessing intrasite repeatability and intersite reliability were evaluated for imaging metrics derived from each sequence.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Student's t-test, Pearson's r, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) were employed to assess repeatability and reliability. Two new statistical metrics are introduced that frame reliability and repeatability in the respective units of the measurements themselves.

RESULTS

Intrasite repeatability was excellent for quantitative R₁ , magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) based metrics (r > 0.95). rsFMRI metrics were less repeatable (r = 0.8). Intersite reliability was excellent for R₁ , MTR, and DWI (ICC >0.9), and moderate for rsFMRI metrics (ICC∼0.4).

DATA CONCLUSION

From most reliable to least, using a new reliability metric introduced here, MTR > R₁ > DWI > rsFMRI; for repeatability, MTR > DWI > R₁ > rsFMRI. A graphical method for at-a-glance assessment of reliability and repeatability, effect sizes, and outlier identification in multisite-multisession neuroimaging studies is introduced.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:878-888.

Diastolic Dysfunction Increases the Risk of Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplant

RATIONALE

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a significant cause of early morbidity and mortality after lung transplant and is characterized by severe hypoxemia and infiltrates in the allograft. The pathogenesis of PGD involves ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, subclinical increases in pulmonary venous pressure due to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction may contribute by exacerbating capillary leak.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether a higher ratio of early mitral inflow velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (é), indicative of worse left ventricular diastolic function, is associated with a higher risk of PGD.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group who underwent bilateral lung transplant at our institution between 2004 and 2014 for interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Transthoracic echocardiograms obtained during evaluation for transplant listing were analyzed for E/é and other measures of diastolic function. PGD was defined as PaO2/FiO2 less than or equal to 200 with allograft infiltrates at 48 or 72 hours after reperfusion. The association between E/é and PGD was assessed with multivariable logistic regression.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After adjustment for recipient age, body mass index, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and pretransplant diagnosis, higher E/é and E/é greater than 8 were associated with an increased risk of PGD (E/é odds ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.64; P = 0.04; E/é >8 odds ratio, 5.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-20.01; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in left ventricular diastolic function may contribute to the development of PGD. Future trials are needed to determine whether optimization of left ventricular diastolic function reduces the risk of PGD.

Accuracy of Transthoracic Echocardiography in Assessing Retro-aortic Rim prior to Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defects

OBJECTIVE

Deficient retro-aortic rim has been identified as a risk factor for device erosion following trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary screening method for subjects for possible device closure of ASD, but its reliability in measuring retro-aortic rim size has not been assessed previously.

DESIGN

A single-institution cross-sectional analysis of children and adults referred for trans-catheter device closure of single ostium secundum ASD from January 1, 2005 to April 1, 2012 with reviewable TTE and trans-esophageal echocardiogram images was performed. Inter-rater reliability of measurements was tested in a 24% sample. Accuracy of TTE measurement of retro-aortic rim was assessed using a Bland-Altman plot with trans-esophageal echocardiogram measurement as the gold standard. Test characteristics of TTE detection of deficient retro-aortic rim were calculated. Risk factors for misclassification of deficient retro-aortic rim were assessed using receiver operator characteristic curves. Risk factors for measurement error were assessed through multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

In total, 163 subjects of median age 5 years (range: 0.3-46 years) were included. Trans-thoracic echocardiography had 90% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 90% positive predictive value, and 83% negative predictive value to detect deficient retro-aortic rim. Bland-Altman plot demonstrated no fixed bias (P = .23), but errors in measurement increased on average as the aortic rim increased in size (P < .001). Prespecified patient level risk factors did not affect receiver operator characteristic curve area under the curve, nor were any patient-level risk factors independently associated with increased measurement error on TTE.

CONCLUSIONS

TTE is a sensitive and specific screening test for deficient retro-aortic rim across a range of patient ages and sizes.

A pilot study of social competence assessment using interaction rating scale advanced

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the validity of the Interaction Rating Scale Advanced (IRSA) as an evidence-based practical index of social skills. Methods. The participants in our study were 17 high school students. The participants completed the five-minute interaction session and were observed using the IRSA. Their teacher evaluated their social competence based on regular observation in school. Results. The results indicated the high correlation between IRSA scores and teacher's practical evaluation. IRSA can measure social competence with high validity. Conclusion. The IRSA provides further evidence of the fact that in order to study social competence development, it is important to evaluate various features of the interaction like IRSA subscales.

Behavior of pharmaceuticals in waste water treatment plant in Japan

The fate of pharmaceuticals in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Kumamoto, Japan with activated sludge treatment is reported. Selected pharmaceuticals were detected in influent. Results from the present study confirmed that Acetaminophen, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Famotidine were removed at a high rate (>90% efficiency). In contrast, removal efficiency of Ketoprofen, Losartan, Oseltamivir, Carbamazepine, and Diclofenac was relatively low (<50%). The selected pharmaceuticals were also detected in raw sludge. In digestive process, Indomethacin, Atenolol, Famotidine, Trimethoprim and Cyclofosamide were removed at a high (>70% efficiency). On the other hand, removal of Carbamazepine, Ketoprofen and Diclofenac was not efficient (<50%).

Identification of triclosan intermediates produced by oxidative degradation using TiO2 in pure water and their endocrine disrupting activities

The photodegradation pathways of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-5-chlorophenol (triclosan) in water were studied. The main purposes were to identify structures of intermediates derived by radical reaction using TiO(2) advanced oxidation processes and to evaluate the endocrine disrupting activities in treated triclosan during oxidative reactions. Intermediates such as dichlorophenols, 2,8-dibenzo-p-dioxin, tetrachlorinated diphenyl ether (tetraclosan) and hydroxylated triclosan were produced by photoreaction. The estrogen, thyroid hormone and retinoid X receptor activities of the treated triclosan were measured with the yeast two-hybrid assay. It was found that tetraclosan and 2,4-dichlorophenol have stronger thyroid hormone activities than triclosan in the presence of S9.

Behavior of endocrine disrupting chemicals in Johkasou improved septic tank in Japan

The behavior of estrogens (estrone: E1, 17beta-estradiol: E2, estriol: E3 and ethinylestradiol: EE2) and an androgen (testosterone) in the water and sludge from Johkasou in Japan was investigated. The concentrations of E1, E2, E3 and testosterone in water samples from the Johkasou were 33-500, N.D. approximately 150, N.D. approximately 6,700 and 500 ng/L, respectively. In sludge samples, the concentrations of E1, E2, E3, and testostrerone were N.D. approximately 39, N.D. approximately 6.7, N.D. approximately 60 and 0.2-9.0 ng/L, respectively. EE2 was not detected in all samples. The removal rates of E1, E2, E3 and testosterone in Johkasou were 45%-91%, 66%-100%, 90%-100%, and about 90%, respectively.

Pulmonary exposure to carbon black nanoparticles increases the number of antigen-presenting cells in murine lung

Particulate matters can enhance antigen-related airway inflammation and immunoglobulin production. The present study was designed to determine the effects of different sizes of nanoparticles on the antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the lung. ICR mice were exposed to vehicle, carbon black (CB) nanoparticles (14 nm or 56 nm), ovalbumin (OVA), or OVA + nanoparticles intratracheally. The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, CD11c), and DEC205 (dendritic cell marker), F4/80 (macrophage marker), and CD19 (B-cell marker) in the lung cells was measured by flow cytometry. 14 nm nanoparticles, but not 56 nm nanoparticles, increased the number of the total lung cells. Combination of OVA and 14 nm or 56 nm nanoparticles increased the total lung cells. The expression of MHC class II and/or costimulatory molecules and the number of APC in the lung were increased by 14 nm nanoparticles in the presence or absence of OVA. The increases were more prominent with combination of OVA and 14 nm nanoparticles. 56 nm nanoparticles did not show any significant effects. 14 nm CB nanoparticles can increase the expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules and the number of APC in the lung, especially in the presence of antigen, which can result in subsequent antigen-related airway inflammation and immunoglobulin production.

Efficacy of atorvastatin therapy in ischaemic heart disease - effects on oxidized low-density lipoprotein and adiponectin

The lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) were investigated by measuring changes in the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum lipids (total cholesterol [TC], LDL-cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglycerides [TG]), and in the protein adiponectin. This was undertaken in 22 patients with ischaemic heart disease and serum LDL-C levels > 100 mg/dl. After 3 months of therapy, atorvastatin significantly decreased serum lipids, oxidized LDL was reduced from 457.0 +/- 148.6 to 286.9 +/- 88.5 nmol/l, and adiponectin increased from 9.7 +/- 7.4 to 13.9 +/- 9.98 microg/ml. No significant correlation was observed between adiponectin and LDL-C, TG and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Atorvastatin therapy was not associated with side-effects, such as myalgia and gastrointestinal disorders, and did not give abnormal laboratory test results. It is concluded that atorvastatin decreases serum lipid and oxidized LDL levels, and increases adiponectin levels in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Effect of hydraulic retention time on the efficiency of vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester treating waste activated sludge

Treating waste activated sludge at a temperature of 35 degrees C was investigated in vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester and common anaerobic sludge digester, with the working volume of 2.5 m3 each. Compared with common anaerobic sludge digester, the vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester greatly improved volatile solids and COD removal efficiencies, the methane production and the stability of the anaerobic digestion system under the same condition of hydraulic retention time. The minimum hydraulic retention time of the vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester was 5 days, when the organic loading remained at 5.28 kg m(-3) d(-1) (as volatile solids) and the volatile solids removal rate was 41.7%. The suitable hydraulic retention time for vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester was 5 days, while to get the same COD removal rate it was 10 days for common anaerobic sludge digester. At optimum hydraulic retention time of 5 days, the methane production of the two digesters achieved the maximum difference of 0.06 l g(-1) volatile solids (0.26, 0.20 l g(-1) volatile solids for vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester and common anaerobic sludge digester, respectively). The advantage of vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester was especially obvious when the hydraulic retention time was relatively short. Furthermore, it was found that the vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester in which more anaerobic bacteria lived has significantly intensified the sub-micro mass transfer between the substrate and the microorganisms, which resulted in a remarkable effect on shortening the hydraulic retention time of anaerobic sludge digestion.

Effects of dental resin metabolites on estrogenic activity in vitro

Three monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, and TEGDMA) and five polymerization initiators (CQ, BPO, DMPT, DMAEMA, and ATU) commonly used in dental composite resins were tested for estrogenic activity using a reporter gene assay (yeast two-hybrid system) in vitro, and compared with bisphenol-A (BPA). Estrogenic activity was indicated by agonist and antagonist activity, with (+S9) and without (-S9) metabolic activation using rat liver cells. No estrogenic agonist activity was seen for each monomer and polymerization initiator in either the -S9 and +S9 tests in the concentration ranges examined in this study. On the other hand, estrogen antagonist activity was found with BPO and DMPT. BPO showed antagonist activity at a concentration of approximately 1800 nM with the -S9 test, but not with the +S9 test. With DMPT, antagonist activity was not seen with the -S9 test, but it was seen at a concentration of approximately 610 nM using the +S9 test. With BPA, the +S9 test indicated antagonist activity at a concentration of approximately 780 nM. The estrogen antagonist activities of DMPT and BPA appeared to be similar. CQ, DMAEMA, ATU, and the three monomers did not show antagonist activity as demonstrated by the -S9 or +S9 tests within the concentration range tested in this study.

Further study on the photochemistry of non-ortho substituted PCBs by UV irradiation in alkaline 2-propanol

The photochemical behaviors of six non-ortho substituted PCB congeners, i.e., 3,4-DiCB, 3,5-DiCB, 3,3',5-TriCB, 3,4,5-TriCB, 3,3',4,5-TetraCB, and 3,4,4',5-TetraCB, irradiated at 254 nm in alkaline 2-propanol were investigated. Besides the determination of the photodechlorination pathways of these compounds, the presence of photorearrangement was observed in the case of 3, 4-DiCB with its products being identified. The results indicate that dechlorination is much more important than rearrangement during the process of PCB photolysis.

Scavenging effect of nicorandil on free radicals and lipid peroxide in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Free radicals and lipid peroxide (LPO), easily formed in the diabetic state, play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Potentially, nicorandil may reduce the production of free radicals and LPO in various organs. In fact, increased LPO levels in the serum, kidney, and cardiac muscle of diabetic (DM) rats were reduced by nicorandil treatment (N treatment). Xanthine oxidase (XOD), which produces free radicals, was decreased in the liver and increased in the kidney of DM rats compared with control rats, and these changes were prevented by N treatment. The concentration of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased in the cardiac muscle and increased in the kidney of DM rats, and these changes returned to normal after N treatment. The decreased concentration of Mn-SOD in the liver, kidney, and cardiac muscle from DM rats was also reversed by N treatment. The changes in catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities in DM rats were not improved effectively by N treatment. Another K-adenosine triphosphate (K-ATP) channel opener, tilisolol hydrochloride, had an effect similar to that of nicorandil. The effects of nicorandil and tilisolol were studied only in DM rats. These data imply that N treatment, as an antioxidative therapy, may be beneficial in preventing diabetic complications due to lipoperoxidation and free radicals in DM rats.

Lipid peroxidation levels in rat cardiac muscle are affected by age and thyroid status

Free radicals, hydroxyperoxides and H(2)O(2) are all known to damage cell components. This study was designed to compare the concentrations of hydroxyperoxide and free radical scavengers in the cardiac muscles of old rats in the hyper- or hypothyroid condition, to determine whether rates of peroxidation would differ with age, thyroid status, or both. Rats were rendered hyper- or hypothyroid by administration of l-thyroxine or methimazole for 4 weeks. Among the old rats, the lipid peroxide (LPO) concentrations, measured as thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactants, were significantly greater in the hyperthyroid than in the euthyroid state and the LPO concentrations measured as TBA+Fe(3+) reactants, which may be precursors of LPO, were significantly greater in the hyperthyroid state, whereas in young rats, the LPO concentrations measured by TBA or TBA+Fe(3+) methods did not differ significantly in the hyperthyroid state. In the euthyroid state, the concentration of LPO measured as TBA+Fe(3+) reactants was significantly reduced with age. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity also was markedly increased with age, being more pronounced in the hyperthyroid than in the euthyroid state. The Mn and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activities were greater in the hyperthyroid than in the euthyroid state. Glutathione peroxidase activity decreased with age in the euthyroid and, particularly, in the hyperthyroid state. Catalase activity was not affected in the old rats. Concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in the old rats were high in the hyperthyroid state and low in the hypothyroid state, whereas the levels of beta- and gamma-tocopherols in these rats were unchanged in both conditions as compared with the euthyroid state findings. Data suggest that the site of free radical generation differs in older rats, with additional shifts in the location of intracellular lipid peroxidation being noted during hyperthyroidism. Thus, as rats age, the reduction of the free radical scavenger system and the increase in LPO and XOD activities might induce myocardial dysfunction.

[The role of discharge coordination nurses in a university hospital--changes in the role with timing of the discharge request]

We studied the role of discharge assisting nurses who coordinate discharge planning (DP). The requests for DP were ordered at different periods during the admission. The periods were mainly divided into three phases in which the DP was ordered from the wards, which were type 1: just before discharge, type 2: after the decision to discharge, and type 3: between admission and the decision to discharge. We analyzed 8 cases, DP ordered in the type 3 phase provided the most satisfactory outcome for patients' home lives, since the nurse, other medical staff and patients had sufficient time to prepare and provide the needed services.

CONCLUSION

It was clarified that type 3 provided the best outcome of discharge planning.

[Actual situations and problems of patients receiving home IVH--trial use of an assessment chart for outpatients]

In order to improve the quality of life (QOL) and continue nursing, we used an assessment chart to investigate the actual situations and problems of the patients receiving home intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH). From January, 1997 to June, 1999, we investigated 20 patients with home IVH. To 7 patients among them, we asked questions using Kurihara's assessment chart for QOL, plus our original questions concerning IVH. The mean age of the patients was 61 years old, and 19 of them had advanced cancers. Forty percent of the patients maintained the IVH all by themselves and 10% of the patients needed the support of their family. The remaining 50% of the patients left all to their family. There were 9 incidents of trouble during the maintenance of the IVH. Almost all patients from whom informed consent had been received were satisfied with the home IVH. On the contrary, all patients who had not given informed consent were not satisfied with the home IVH. According to the results of the assessment chart, even if the total points were low, the points for the IVH were high in the patients had given informed consent. The main reason for lower QOL was pain. The points for the families were lower than those for the patients. They sometimes complained of uneasiness and dissatisfaction with the support they received. We conclude that therapies to improve symptoms and mental state are necessary to satisfy the patients, and that it is important to support not only the patients but also their families.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, fatty acids, and lipid peroxides among Japanese in Japan, and Japanese and Caucasians in the US

Serum concentrations of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, fatty acids, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in 217 Japanese residents of Japan, and in 99 Japanese and 100 Caucasian residents of the US, aged from 50 y to 74 y. In females, serum values of carotenoids such as beta-carotene (BC) and zeaxanthin & lutein (ZL) were highest among Japanese in Japan, followed by Japanese in the US and Caucasians in the US. In males, these values, except for serum BC values, were also highest among Japanese in Japan. Moreover, serum values of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were significantly higher among Japanese in Japan than among Japanese and Caucasians in the US in both sexes. In contrast, serum values of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were lowest among Japanese in Japan. For women, serum levels of n-9 unsaturated fatty acids were lowest among Japanese living in Japan. Serum TBARS values were highest among Japanese in Japan, followed by Japanese in the US and Caucasians in the US. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum values of TBARS and n-3 PUFAs among Japanese both in Japan and in the US. Serum TBARS values showed a significant inverse relationship with the serum values of BC and ZL among Japanese in Japan and with those of BC among Japanese in the US. These relationships were not always observed among Caucasians in the US. The results of this study suggest that the high TBARS values among Japanese in Japan may depend in part on lipid peroxidation induced in vitro by n-3PUFAs, while high reduction of lipid peroxidation could be expected among Japanese in Japan with high antioxidants such as BC and ZL. In conclusion, serum levels of nonprovitamin A carotenoids such as ZL may be a useful intake marker of vegetables. Dietary intakes of dark green vegetables and fish rich in n-3PUFAs might be more important in the prevention of some sites of cancer and of ischemic heart disease.

Changes in superoxide dismutase activities and concentrations and myeloperoxidase activities in leukocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus

To investigate whether the two free-radical scavengers, Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), are changed in leukocytes of diabetic patients, and the alteration of these enzymes correlates with the diabetic state, we measured the activity and concentration of these enzymes in leukocytes from diabetic patients. Both Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls. The concentrations of these enzymes in leukocytes from diabetic patients, however, did not differ from those in controls. Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in neutrophils inversely correlated with HbA(1c) concentrations. Myeloperoxidase activity in leukocytes was significantly reduced in NIDDM patients. These findings suggest that changes in these enzymes may affect the susceptibility to infection and immunocompetence of patients with diabetes.

Contribution of serum albumin to the transport of orally administered L-tryptophan into liver of rats with L-tryptophan depletion

The role of serum albumin in the transport of orally administered L-tryptophan (Trp) into rat tissues was examined using analbuminemic and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with and without alpha-methyl-DL-tryptophan (AMT)-induced Trp depletion. Trp was orally administered to rats 16 h after AMT or 0.85% NaCl administration, when liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and protein synthetic activities in AMT-treated rats were similar to those of 0.85% NaCl-treated rats. After oral Trp administration, regardless of the presence or absence of Trp depletion, free serum Trp concentrations were similar in the analbuminemic and SD rats, while total serum Trp concentrations were lower in analbuminemic rats than in SD rats. Although liver, brain, and muscle Trp concentrations after oral Trp administration under Trp depletion were lower in analbuminemic rats than in SD rats, the ratio of the liver Trp concentration in analbuminemic rats to that in SD rats was smaller than that of the brain or muscle Trp concentration. These results suggest that variations in serum albumin levels could affect the transport of orally administered Trp into the liver of rats with Trp depletion.

Effects of thyroid hormone on the sorbitol pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Sorbitol accumulation plays an important role in diabetic complications involving the kidney, nerves, retina, lens and cardiac muscle. To investigate the influence of thyroid hormone on the sorbitol pathway, we studied the effects of thyroid hormone on polyol metabolism in normal and diabetic rats. Rats were divided into three groups: controls, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic euthyroid rats (DM) and STZ-induced diabetic hyperthyroid (thyroxine-injected) rats (DM+HT). The sorbitol (Sor) concentrations in the kidney, liver and sciatic nerve (2.53+/-0.74, 0.97+/-0.16 and 24.0+/-5.1 nmol/mg protein, respectively) of the DM rats were significantly higher than those (1.48+/-0.31, 0.58+/-0.13 and 3. 1+/-0.6 nmol/mg protein) of the control rats. The Sor concentrations in the kidney and sciatic nerve of the DM+HT rats (1.26+/-0.29 and 9. 40+/-1.2 nmol/mg protein) were significantly lower than those in the DM rats. These values were reduced in the liver, unchanged in the kidney, and increased in the sciatic nerve from the hyperthyroid rats without diabetes. Thyroid hormone reduced the aldose reductase (AR) activities in the kidney, liver and sciatic nerve of the DM rats, and similarly reduced AR in the kidney and liver, but not in the sciatic nerve, of the non-diabetic rats. The sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities were decreased by thyroid hormone in the kidney and liver but not the sciatic nerve of DM rats. In the non-diabetic rats, this enzyme activity was decreased in liver, but not in kidney or sciatic nerve. A positive correlation between the Sor concentration and AR activity was observed in the kidney and liver but not in the sciatic nerve from control, DM and DM+HT rats. A negative correlation was observed between the Sor concentration and SDH activities in the same organs. These data suggest that thyroid hormone affects the sorbitol pathway, but the detailed mechanism whereby this hormone reduces the sorbitol content (especially in diabetic rats) remains to be clarified.

Reduction of activity, but no decrease in concentration, of erythrocyte Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase by hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients

Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in erythrocytes is affected by various diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated changes in the Cu,Zn-SOD activity compared to changes in the Cu,Zn-SOD concentration in erythrocytes obtained from patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes was significantly lower in Type 2 DM patients than in healthy non-diabetic subjects. The activity correlated negatively with HbA1c, but not with other indicators of metabolic control, such as fasting blood glucose or plasma cholesterol or triglyceride. However, there was no statistically significant difference in erythrocyte concentration of Cu,Zn-SOD between diabetic and control samples. Concentration did not correlate with enzymatic activity or HbA1c. These findings indicate that the inactivation of Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes of Type 2 DM patients by hyperglycaemia may be slow, because there is a negative correlation between the enzyme activities and HbA1c levels, but not fasting blood glucose levels. This is consistent with glycosylation of the active site of Cu,Zn-SOD, without any effect of hyperglycaemia on the concentration of Cu,Zn-SOD.

Improved fluorometric enzymatic sorbitol assay in human blood

Samples for use in the fluorometric enzymatic assay of sorbitol in erythrocytes are normally prepared using HClO4 and K2CO3. We have replaced these reagents with NaOH and ZnSO4. Human whole blood, erythrocyte and plasma samples prepared with NaOH and ZnSO4 are colorless and clear, while erythrocyte samples prepared with HClO4 and K2CO3 are a pale yellow-brown color. The sorbitol dehydrogenase reaction in the supernatant of the mixture of NaOH and ZnSO4 is inhibited, but ethylenediaminetetraacetate completely eliminates this effect. The sorbitol assay in erythrocytes prepared with NaOH and ZnSO4 shows higher sensitivity and reproducibility than did that with HClO4 and K2CO3. Recovery of sorbitol added to erythrocytes is similar in both assay methods. Concentrations of whole blood and erythrocyte sorbitol assayed by the present method are significantly higher in diabetics than in normals. Poorly controlled diabetics had higher whole blood and erythrocyte sorbitol than well-controlled diabetics. Whole blood sorbitol concentrations differed more between diabetic and normal subjects than did erythrocyte sorbitol concentrations.

Changes in free radical scavengers and lipid peroxide in thyroid glands of various thyroid disorders

To clarify whether the changes of free radicals and its scavengers are induced by thyroid disorders, we measured levels of free radical scavengers and checked O2 radical generating systems in the human thyroid gland. Thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease, follicular adenoma, and papillary and follicular carcinomas contained significantly higher concentrations of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Catalase concentration was significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease and significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with follicular adenoma, compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) concentration was significantly lower in the specimens from follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma and Mn SOD concentration was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. The lipid peroxide concentration, expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. These findings suggest that the levels of free radicals are increased and are scavenged and catalyzed in the thyroid of Graves' disease, whereas free radicals and lipid peroxide are not completely scavenged in papillary carcinoma tissues, suggesting that these substances affect some role in cell function of thyroid tumors.

Role of the prosthetic groups of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in 3-hydroxyanthranilamide-catalyzed, NADPH-dependent superoxide anion production

The role of the prosthetic groups (FAD and FMN) of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase)in 3-hydroxyanthranilamide (3-OH An.Amide)-catalyzed, NADPH-dependent superoxide anion (O2-) production via the reductase was examined using the native and FMN-depleted preparations of P450 reductase which was partially purified from rat liver microsomes. NADPH-dependent O2-production by the FMN-depleted preparation was about 10% of that by the native preparation. 3-OH An. Amide-catalyzed, NADPH-dependent O2-production by the FMN-depleted preparation was less than 10% of that by the native preparation. FMN supplementation returned O2-production to near normal. We observed the same results for NADPH oxidation and hydrogen peroxide formation. O2-production, NADPH oxidation, and hydrogen peroxide formation were inhibited by native superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not by boiled, denatured SOD. These results indicate that the prosthetic groups, especially FMN, of P450 reductase play a critical role in 3-OH An.Amide-catalyzed, NADPH-dependent O2-production via the reductase.

Pharmacokinetics and polymorphic oxidation of dextromethorphan in a Japanese population

The plasma concentration and cumulative urinary excretion over 34 h of dextromethorphan, free and conjugated dextrorphan, and 3-hydroxymorphinan were determined in seven healthy Japanese subjects after oral administration of 30 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide. Conjugated metabolites were extensively present, whereas no detectable dextromethorphan or free metabolites were observed in the plasma of any subject. On average, 72% of the dose was excreted in urine within 34 h. This was detected mainly as conjugated metabolites with only slight traces of dextromethorphan and free metabolites. From the time-courses of the metabolic ratio (the ratio of urinary output of dextromethorphan to dextrorphan), the metabolic ratios seemed to become constant 7.5 h after oral administration. Phenotyping was performed using metabolic ratios in 75 unrelated healthy Japanese subjects (43 males and 32 females). The logarithmic metabolic ratio was bimodally distributed and one subject (1.3%) was identified as a poor metabolizer.

[Studies on the behavior of lipid peroxide in reperfusion induced arrhythmia]

Lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane is one of the most important factors of reperfusion induced arrhythmia (RIA). To determine the role of lipid peroxidation in RIA, lipid peroxide (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (Total, Mn-SOD) were examined in this experiment. Thirty-four male Donryu strain rats (250-350 g body weight) were studied. After left thoracotomy and 5-minute ligature of LAD coronary artery, reperfusion was done under artificial ventilation with room air. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded via standard limb leads. Twenty-four rats were divided into 5 groups and the heart tissue and blood samples were collected 1. preligature 2. after 1-minute ligature 3. after 4-minute ligature 4. 1-minute after declamping and 5. 10-minute after declamping. To examine the correlation between LPO and duration of RIA, samples from another 10 rats were collected as soon as RIA disappeared. LPO, SOD, CPK, and MDH (malate dehydrogenase) were measured in all samples. The total SOD level in heart tissue decreased after reperfusion (p less than 0.05). The heart tissue LPO (t-LPO) decreased after ligature (p less than 0.05), but each value in 2. to 5. was lower than 1., and no increase was found after reperfusion. A negative correlation of R = 0.87 (p less than 0.01) was found between t-LPO and RIA duration, but a positive correlation of R = 0.79 (p less than 0.01) was found between t-LPO and CPK. Moreover, the LPO level was lower in the RIA occurrence group than in the non-occurrence group (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Detection methods of free radical related substances and the system for their elimination]

Lipid peroxide and SOD were selected as free radical related substances and system for their elimination, and detection was evaluated. NADPH-Cytochrome c reductase-Neotetrazolium (NT) method (Mic-NT method) and Xanthine oxidase-Nitrotetrazolium Blue method (XOD-NTB method) are current detection methods of SOD activities. They are based on the O2-specific reaction. Minimum detectable amount of SOD by the Mic-NT method and XOD-NTB method was about 15 ng and 200 ng, respectively. On the other hand, an XOD-NH2OH method which detects SOD activities based on the O2-specific oxidation reaction showed the minimum detectable amount of 2.5 ng. Consequently, SOD-detecting sensitivity of these methods was found to be in the following order: XOD-NH2OH method greater than Mic-NT method greater than XOD-NTB method. In addition, albumin caused a positive error in all three methods. With a monoclonal antibody-aided SOD-analyzing method (EIA method), the minimum detectable amount of SOD was 0.2 ng. The isoenzymes of SOD (Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD) could be detected separately by 1. deactivating Cu, Zn-SOD with CN- or H2O2 and regarding the remaining activity as Mn-SOD and 2. by deactivating Mn-SOD selectively through pretreatment of the sample with SDS and regarding the remaining activity as Cu, Zn-SOD. TBA method (Yagi's method) has been used frequently for the measurement of serum lipid peroxide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)