Varicella outbreak at nursery school under routine immunization in Japan in 2017 and 2018 and vaccine effectiveness

BACKGROUND

In Japan, routine administration to one-year-old children of two-dose immunization for varicella was introduced in October 2014. Object The object of this study was to report outbreaks of varicella under routine immunization at a nursery school and in its surrounding area using data of surrounding areas from the (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance System. Then, we measured the effectiveness of routine two-dose immunization for varicella to onset. We tentatively assessed its severity in a nursery school.

METHOD

The study period extended from April 2017 through March 2018. The study area comprised Nursery school B and other nursery schools, and elementary and junior high schools in City A. Subjects in Nursery school B were 120 children. We analyzed vaccine effectiveness (VE) as an observational study and assessed severity using Fisher's exact test. We also assessed VE for severity using linear regression. Severity was defined as the length of nursery school absence attributable to varicella infection.

RESULTS

During the one month preceding a period of two weeks before the initial case at Nursery school B, there were 16 cases of varicella infection in nursery schools, 45 cases in elementary schools, and one case in junior high schools in City A. For children who had received one vaccine dose or more, VE was 48.1% for all ages and 49.2% among children three years old and older. No significant VE against infection was found. Vaccination using one dose or more can reduce severity significantly.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Because many nursery school children who had received two doses of vaccine were infected, VE was estimated as low in the nursery school and not significant. Although VE for severity with more than one dose was confirmed, a second dose might not reduce severity compared to one dose.

Comparative phenology of dormant Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) flower buds: a possible cause of 'flowering disorder'

Mild winters influenced by global warming have increased the incidence of erratic flowering ('flowering disorder') in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) trees in Japan. To discover how, when and what kind of disorder/damage occur in pear flower buds, we observed axillary flower buds of two cultivars, 'Kosui' (a mid-chill cultivar) and 'Niitaka' (a high-chill cultivar), grown at five locations. We focused on the phenology from autumn 2015 to spring 2016, when temperatures were higher than for average years, especially from September to January, and large fluctuations occurred due to El Niño. During the blooming season in the spring of 2016, both the percentage of blooming flower buds and the number of florets per flower bud decreased in trees located at lower latitudes (with lower chilling accumulation) with a more severe problem in 'Niitaka' than in 'Kosui'. As shown by forcing excised shoots, the onset and release of endodormancy occurred earlier in 'Kosui' than 'Niitaka' and occurred earlier in trees growing at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes (warmer regions). The freezing tolerance of flower buds, measured as the lethal temperature for 50% survival (LT50), was similar for the cultivars beginning in autumn and reached maximum levels, LT50 values of less than -12 °C, between late-December and mid-January in both cultivars, except for those in Kagoshima (the lowest latitude), where the maximum LT50 was only -5 °C throughout the season. We propose that warmer autumn-winter temperatures may prevent the acquisition of freezing tolerance, disturb endodormancy progression and disrupt floral organ development, thereby causing flowering disorder in pear trees. The risk of occurrence of flowering disorder in pear may be higher in high-chill cultivars than in low- or mid-chill cultivars and at lower latitudes compared with higher latitudes.

Non-Markovian dynamics of reaction coordinate in polymer folding

We develop a theoretical description of the critical zipping dynamics of a self-folding polymer. We use tension propagation theory and the formalism of the generalized Langevin equation applied to a polymer that contains two complementary parts which can bind to each other. At the critical temperature, the (un)zipping is unbiased and the two strands open and close as a zipper. The number of broken base pairs n(t) displays a subdiffusive motion characterized by a variance growing as 〈Δn²(t)〉 ∼ t^α with α < 1 at long times. Our theory provides an estimate of both the asymptotic anomalous exponent α and of the subleading correction term, which are both in excellent agreement with numerical simulations. The results indicate that the tension propagation theory captures the relevant features of the dynamics and shed some new insights on related polymer problems characterized by anomalous dynamical behavior.

Dynamical diagram and scaling in polymer driven translocation

By analyzing the real space non-equilibrium dynamics of polymers, we elucidate the physics of driven translocation and propose its dynamical scaling scenario analogous to that in the surface growth phenomena. We provide a detailed account of the previously proposed tension-propagation formulation and extend it to cover the broader parameter space relevant to real experiments. In addition to a near-equilibrium regime, we identify three distinct non-equilibrium regimes reflecting the steady-state property of a dragged polymer with finite extensibility. Finite-size effects are also pointed out. These elements are shown to be crucial for the appropriate comparison with experiments and simulations.

DNA electrophoresis in designed channels

We present a simple description on the electrophoretic dynamics of polyelectrolytes going through designed channels with narrow constrictions of slit geometry. By analyzing rheological behaviours of the stuck chain, which is coupled to the effect of solvent flow, three critical electric fields (permeation field E((per)) approximately N(-1), deformation field E((def)) approximately N(-3/5) and injection field E((inj)) approximately N(0), with N polymerization index) are clarified. Between E((per)) and E((inj)), the chain migration is dictated by the driven activation process. In particular, at E > E((def)), the stuck chain at the slit entrance is strongly deformed, which enhances the rate of the permeation. From these observations, electrophoretic mobility at a given electric field is deduced, which shows non-monotonic dependence on N. For long enough chains, mobility increases with N, in good agreement with experiments. An abrupt change in the electrophoretic flow at a threshold electric field is formally regarded as a nonequilibrium phase transition.

Prolonged increase of plasma non-esterified fatty acids fully abolishes the stimulatory effect of 24 hours of moderate hyperglycaemia on insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function in obese men

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

A prolonged increase of plasma NEFA impairs acute glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in vitro and in vivo. Our study therefore examined the combined effect of increased plasma NEFA and glucose on GSIS in humans.

METHODS

We examined GSIS on four occasions in eight obese men during a 10 mmol/l hyperglycaemic clamp and after a 24-h infusion of (i) normal saline, (ii) intralipid and heparin to raise plasma NEFA about two-fold above basal, (iii) 20% dextrose to raise plasma glucose to about 7.5 mmol/l and (iv) intralipid and heparin combined with 20% dextrose to raise plasma NEFA and glucose.

RESULTS

In study (iii) insulin sensitivity was about 20% greater than in study (i) and the disposition index was about 50% higher. Insulin sensitivity tended to be lower in study (ii) whereas the disposition index was lower than in study (i), confirming previous observations. The combination of increased plasma NEFA and glucose (study iv) reduced insulin sensitivity in comparison with study (i) and completely abolished the increase in insulin sensitivity and disposition index seen in study (iii), but did not reduce the latter to a lower value than that in the saline control study (study i).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We showed that a prolonged increase of plasma NEFA completely abolishes the stimulatory effect of moderate hyperglycaemia on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in obese humans. This suggests that previous observations, showing that a prolonged increase of plasma NEFA impairs pancreatic beta-cell function, also apply to the hyperglycaemic state.

X-ray analyses of DNA dodecamers containing 2'-deoxy-5-formyluridine

It is known that formylation of thymine base induces purine transition in DNA replication. In order to establish the structural basis for such mutagenesis, crystal structures of two kinds of DNA dodecamers d(CGCGRATf5UCGCG) with f5U = 2'-deoxy-5-formyluridine and R = A or G have been determined. The f5U residues form a Watson-Crick-type pair with A and two types of pairs (wobble and reversed wobble) with G, the latter being the first example. Structural modeling suggests that the DNA polymerase can accept the reversed wobble pair with G, as well as the Watson-Crick pair with A.

Intermittent exotropia surgery in children: long term outcome regarding changes in binocular alignment. A study of 666 cases

PURPOSE

To review and determine the long term outcome of surgery for intermittent exotropia in children.

CASES

A total of 666 cases were reviewed. They were 15 years old or younger and underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia during the preceding 22 years. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was performed in 349 cases. Unilateral recession of the lateral rectus and resection of the medial rectus muscles was performed in 298 cases. One and four muscle procedures were performed in 19 cases. The outcome was evaluated at 1 month and 4 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Orthotropia or mini-microtropia was achieved in 401 patients (60.2%) one month after surgery. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was more effective than unilateral recession- resection. Out of these 401 patients, half, 199 patients (49.6%) showed orthotropia or mini-microtropia 4 years after surgery while the other half, 202 (50.4%), became exotropic. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was also more effective in producing orthotropia or mini-microtropia on a long term basis than unilateral recession-resection. The rate of orthotropia or mini- microtropia was higher when the patients were operated before 3 years and after 11 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a strong tendency for intermittent exotropia to recurr and drift into permanent exotropia during 4 or more years following surgery. It is advocated to aim at orthotropia during the immediate post- surgical period and to avoid overcorrection. Early surgery is not necessary when the patient is over 4 years of age. Bilateral lateral rectus recession is the preferred surgical procedure.

[Bilateral progressive supra-fixing eyes with congenital misinsertion of inferior rectus muscles--a case report]

BACKGROUND

We report on a rare case with misinsertion of the inferior rectus muscles, that showed bilateral progressive supra-fixing eyes.

CASE

A 68-year-old woman showed bilateral progressive supra-fixing eyes with low vision that was caused by microcorneas and retionochoroidal atrophy. Passive infraduction was restricted bilaterally, but the right inferior rectus muscle was innervated normally. Magnytic resonance imaging(MRI) demonstrated nasal misposition of bilateral inferior rectus muscles. The patient's eye position was improved after combined transposition of the inferior rectus muscles that were misinserted nasally to the inferior poles of the eyes and superior rectus muscle recession, without any complications.

CONCLUSION

A dysfunction of bilateral depressor muscles and low vision may cause this condition. Accurate diagnosis with MRI and correction of the affected muscles to the normal anatomical position produces satisfying results in such cases.

Histone core slips along DNA and prefers positioning at the chain end

We studied the stability and dynamics of a model of a nucleosome, the fundamental unit for the packing of long DNA in eukaryotes, using a Brownian dynamics simulation. For the proper folding of a stiff polymer on a core particle, moderate attractive interaction is shown to be essentially important, which explains the empirical experimental protocol for the reconstitution of nucleosomes. The effect of the chain end on the positioning of the core particle is examined and compared with the experimental data by atomic force microscopy measurement. It is also suggested that the core particle exhibits sliding motion along the chain as a manifestation of Brownian motion.

Outcome of surgery for congenital fibrosis of the inferior rectus muscle

PURPOSE

To report clinical findings and surgical outcome in a large series of patients with fibrosis of the inferior rectus muscle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subject Cases: A total of 17 cases were diagnosed with unilateral fibrosis of the inferior rectus muscle during the past 27 years at our institution. They were aged from 5 months to 17 years, with 15 cases under 10 years of age. No differences were present regarding the laterality or gender.

FINDINGS

All the cases showed hypotropia with restricted eye elevation. Forced duction test showed resistance to upward eye movement. A horizontal deviation in primary eye position was also present in 10 cases (59%). The affected eye was amblyopic in the majority of cases. Binocular vision was absent in 15 of the 17 cases.

RESULTS

Surgical Outcome: All the cases received either recession or free tenotomy of the inferior rectus muscle. Resection of the ipsilateral superior rectus muscle was additionally performed to correct residual hypotropia. Fibrosis of the inferior rectus was present as intraoperative finding in all the 17 cases. Hypotropia disappeared in 10 cases and decreased in 7 cases. Restoration of satisfactory binocular alignment was obtained in all the 17 cases.

CONCLUSION

Recession of the inferior rectus muscle was effective treatment for fibrosis of the inferior rectus. Additional resection of the ipsilateral superior rectus muscle was useful to correct residual hypotropia. Free tenotomy is not recommended.

Esotropia surgery in children: long term outcome regarding changes in binocular alignment; a study of 956 cases

PURPOSE

To study the correlation between the outcome at 1 month (when the postoperative eye position is at the earliest stabilized), and 4 years after surgery.

METHOD

Retrospective review of medical records.

CASES

The authors reviewed 956 patients under 15 years of age who underwent unilateral or bilateral recession of the medial rectus muscle during a 22 year period representing the entire practice period of the senior author since the department was founded in 1977. The series comprised 521 cases of congenital/infantile esotropia (manifest before 6 months of age with no accommodative component) and 435 cases of acquired esotropia (manifest after 6 months of age with no accommodative component or with an accommodative component but excluding those with a high AC/A ratio). A consistent surgical plan was employed throughout this period for each condition.

RESULTS

Both types of esotropia showed a slight tendency to become exotropic during the 4 years after surgery. There was no difference in general success with regard to the reconstructive restoration of normal appearance or improvement of appearance between 1 month and 4 years after surgery. Patients with normal retinal correspondence or simultaneous perception achieved better binocular alignments at the 4 year followup than those who did not have such sensory binocular cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS

In infantile and acquired esotropia, it is essential that orthotropia or minimal esotropia be present at 1 month of surgery in order to obtain a binocular alignment within +/- 4 PD of orthotropia 4 years after surgery. It is strongly recommended to avoid overcorrection (consecutive exotropia) at 1 month after surgery for both congenital/infantile and acquired esotropia.

Outcome of surgery in 124 cases of Duane's Retraction Syndrome (DRS) treated by intraoperatively graduated recession of the medial rectus for esotropic DRS, and of the lateral rectus for exotropic DRS

PURPOSE

To determine the outcome and effectiveness of simple horizontal muscle recession surgery in Duane's Retraction Syndrome (DRS).

CASES & METHODS

A total of 194 cases of DRS were operated on by us during the past 25 years. Surgery was aimed at improving the binocular alignment and eye position at the primary position as well as any abnormal head posture. Sufficient data were available in 124 cases. Recession of the medial rectus muscle was performed on 76 cases with esotropia and of the lateral rectus on 48 cases with exotropia. Recession dosage was determined during surgery based on three factors: size of the preoperative strabismus in primary position; forced ductions/resistance to traction, and the appearance of the rectus muscle at surgery.

RESULTS

Both the primary eye position and the abnormal head posture were satisfactorily improved in 119 cases (89%) after surgery with a result rated "excellent" or "good" by a residual deviation of 7 degrees or less and a definitely improved abnormal head posture, for all types of DRS deviations.

CONCLUSION

Recession of the appropriate horizontal rectus muscle is a safe and effective primary procedure for both the primary deviation and abnormal head posture in all types of DRS.

[Role of small dense low-density lipoprotein in coronary artery disease patients with normal plasma cholesterol levels]

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) is known, but the other characteristics of LDL, particularly particle size and density, are unclear. The relationship between small dense LDL phenotype and non-diabetic, normocholesterolemic CAD was investigated in 70 patients with angiographically documented CAD, and 38 age-matched control subjects.

METHODS

Peak LDL particle diameter was determined by using 2-16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Small dense LDL phenotype was defined as particle diameter equal to or less than 255 A.

RESULTS

LDL particle diameters in patients with CAD were significantly smaller than those in controls (252.4 +/- 6.9 vs 259.3 +/- 8.8 A, mean +/- SD, p < 0.0001). Prevalence of small dense LDL was markedly higher in patients with CAD (72%) than in subjects without CAD (24%). CAD patients had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels (39.3 +/- 8.8 vs 49.8 +/- 12.0, 108.1 +/- 20.6 vs 122.9 +/- 20.1 mg/dl), and higher lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein B levels (28.8 +/- 30.4 vs 16.8 +/- 18.8, 96.5 +/- 21.8 vs 80.2 +/- 14.9 mg/dl) than non-CAD subjects, whereas total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, remnant-like particle cholesterol and insulin levels were not increased in CAD patients compared with non-CAD subjects. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that LDL particle size was the most powerful independent determinant of CAD (F value = 20.04, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that small dense LDL phenotype [relative risk (RR) of 7.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.4-20.1], low HDL-cholesterol (RR of 5.6, 95% CI 2.1-15.2), and increased apolipoprotein B (RR of 5.8, 95% CI 1.8-18.5) were independently associated with incidence of CAD.

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of small dense LDL is a leading cause of CAD with even normal cholesterol levels.

Skew transposition of vertical rectus muscles for excyclovertical deviation

PURPOSE

The authors established a surgical treatment for excyclovertical strabismus in which either the inferior rectus muscle or the superior rectus muscle was transposed diagonally. The effects and the safety of the procedure, called skew transposition, were studied.

METHODS

Eighteen operations using local anesthesia with eye drops were performed on 17 cases, including 10 with superior oblique palsy. Diplopia was checked during the operation with the cooperation of each patient. Both the clinical findings and eye deviation were examined during observation periods.

RESULTS

After the first operation, the diplopia in the primary position had disappeared in 10 cases and had improved in the other 7. The average effect of all operations on excyclodeviation was a correction of 6.2 degrees in the primary position. In the 7 cases of superior oblique palsy that received nasal recession of the inferior rectus muscle, the average correction of excyclodeviation was 6.4 degrees, and vertical deviation improved 1.8 degrees per 1 mm of recession. In no case did the diplopia worsen, nor were there any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This safe procedure facilitates the simultaneous improvement of both excyclo- and vertical deviations. It may become the treatment of choice for excyclovertical strabismus.

Reactions of direct LDL-cholesterol assays with pure LDL fraction and IDL: comparison of three homogeneous methods

According to the definition of the Lipid Research Clinic's protocol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) refers to the lipoprotein of density (d)=1.006-1.063 g/ml which contains another atherogenic lipoprotein, IDL (d=1.006-1.019 g/ml). Because metabolic properties are largely different between LDL and IDL, LDL is now defined as the lipoprotein of d=1.019-1.063 g/ml. Recently direct LDL-cholesterol assay kits using novel surfactants (the homogeneous methods) have become commercially available and widely used in Japan. The aim of this study is to examine how three direct LDL-cholesterol assay kits, LDL-EX, Choletest-LDL and Determinor-L LDL, react with pure LDL (d=1. 019-1.063 g/ml) and IDL (1.006-1.019 g/ml) fractions isolated by ultracentrifugation. Thirty-one healthy subjects and one type III dysbetalipoproteinemic patient were enrolled in this study. All homogeneous methods highly correlated with LDL-cholesterol (r=0.95-0. 98), although the values for LDL-EX were closer to the values for ultracentrifugation than were those of the other two methods (95 vs. 86-87%, P<0.0001). Cross-reactivity with IDL was 31, 47 and 64% for LDL-EX, Choletest-LDL, and Determinor-L LDL, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the IDL from a type III dysbetalipoproteinemic patient. These results suggest that LDL-cholesterol measured by LDL-EX better reflects pure LDL fraction with weaker cross-reaction with IDL than other homogeneous methods.

S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione in yeast: partial purification of its synthesizing enzyme

S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione (DCE-GS) was found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but not in bacterial species nor in a unicellular alga (Acetabularia acetabulum). The enzyme that catalyzes condensation of L-malate and glutathione (GSH) to form DCE-GS was partially purified from baker's yeast. It had a molecular mass of 49 kDa and was monomeric and the Km values were 2.2 and 1.4 mM for L-malate and GSH, respectively. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 7.5. DCE-GS levels in yeast cells were significantly higher in aerobic cultures than in anaerobic ones. DCE-GS was synthesized in cells cultured between 20 and 35 degrees C.

Effect of EPC-K1 on myocardial infarct size in a rat model with coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion

1. The ability of EPC-K1 to improve myocardial infarction was evaluated in a rat model with coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. 2. The myocardial infarct size was 30.5 +/- 1.7% by intravenous (i.v.) administration and 28.8 +/- 2.7% by intraduodenal (i.d.) administration of the saline EPC-K1 at doses between 1 and 10 mg/kg, i.v. and at doses between 50 and 200 mg/kg, i.d., reduced myocardial infarct size dose dependently. Significant reduction in myocardial infarct size was found at a dose of 10 mg/kg, i.v., and 200 mg/kg, i.d.

Effects of age on levels of cysteine, glutathione and related enzyme activities in livers of mice and rats and an attempt to replenish hepatic glutathione level of mouse with cysteine derivatives

There was a large statistically significant decrease in the hepatic level of cysteine and glutathione (GSH) in 24 month-old mice compared to young mice, while, cystine and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) contents in the liver did not differ between young and old mice. Activities of cystathionine gamma-lyase and beta-synthase in mouse liver of the 24 month-old group were significantly decreased. In rats, the hepatic levels of cysteine, cystine, GSH and GSSG exhibited no statistically significant change during aging to 30 month. As the rats matured, total hepatic activities of both cystathionine gamma-lyase and beta-synthase increased with maximum levels at 24 months of age and decreased to the same level found in 5 week old for the former and to 22% of that in 5 week old for the latter. Intraperitoneal administration of diethyl maleate to mice led to depletion of hepatic GSH. When N-acetylcysteine and a thiazolidine derivative were intravenously injected after diethyl maleate administration, the hepatic GSH level of mice was restored to the normal level.

Protective effect of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione, an intrinsic tripeptide in liver, heart and lens, and its esters on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The administration of acetaminophen (APAP, 500 mg/kg, i.p.) produced liver necrosis and increased aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) activity in serum. The pretreatment of S-(1,2-diethoxycarbonyl)glutathione isopropyl ester (DCE-Et-GS iPr, 0.5 mmol/kg, p.o.) prevented hepatic necrosis and the elevation of serum AST activity by 99.9%. DCE-Et-GS iPr inhibited APAP-induced hepatotoxicity much more strongly than reduced glutathione (GSH), DCE-GS and other esters of DCE-GS. To clarify this protective effect, the hepatic GSH concentration was determined 2h after APAP administration. It was found that the DCE-Et-GS iPr administration significantly inhibited the GSH depletion caused by APAP, suggesting that the protective effect of DCE-Et-GS iPr on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity was due, at least in part, to the retention of hepatic GSH level.

[Structure and magnetic resonance imaging of the fiber connection between Whitnall's ligament and the superior wall of the orbit]

To confirm the structure of the fiber connection between Whitnall's ligament and the superior wall of the orbit, we observed ten orbits of five Japanese cadavers by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dissection. Our findings were as follows: MRI showed a well-circumscribed low-intensity signal at the fiber connection. Preaponeurotic fat was prominent, and the fibers originating from Whitnall's ligament were fused at the lower face of the capsule of the preaponeurotic fat in four cadavers. The fibers originating from the upper face of the fat were attached to the superior periorbit (minimum width, 15 mm). The fifth cadaver had little preaponeurotic fat and few fibers. These anatomic differences may be within the normal range of variation. We believe that the fibers support Whitnall's ligament and help to retract preaponeurotic fat during levator muscle contraction as the eye opens.

Results of surgery for paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy

In 138 cases of paralytic exotropia due to oculomotor palsy, transposition of the superior oblique muscle and resection of the medial rectus muscle were carried out. Surgery was performed with or without recession of the lateral rectus muscle. The long-term prognosis for 4 years or more was observed in 35 cases. We found that the same results could be obtained by selecting transposition of the superior oblique muscle in cases of complete palsy and resection of the medical rectus muscle in cases of incomplete palsy. There was no benefit in combining resection of the medial rectus muscle when performing the transposition of the superior oblique muscle. Regardless of which method was used, a combination with recession of the lateral rectus muscle greatly improved the effectiveness of the procedure.

[Effects of bromfenac sodium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on acute ocular inflammation]

We studied the effects of bromfenac sodium (BF) on several types of acute ocular inflammation. BF inhibited the production of prostaglandins from rabbit iris-ciliary body by 50% at a concentration of 1.1 microM and was 3.8 and 10.9 times more potent than indomethacin (IM) and pranoprofen (PPF), respectively. BF inhibited both arachidonic acid- and carrageenan-induced conjunctival edema in rats in a dose-dependent manner. The ranking order of antiinflammatory drugs for inhibition in arachidonic acid- and carrageenan-induced conjunctival edema was BF = PPF > dexamethasone (DM) and BF > or = DM > PPF, respectively. BF inhibited an increase of aqueous protein after paracentesis in pigmented rabbits by 50% at a concentration of 0.0054% and was 8.1 and 4.1 times more potent than PPF and IM, respectively, BF inhibited an increase of aqueous protein after laser irradiation of pigmented rabbit iris by 50% at a concentration of 0.009% and was approximately 10 times more potent than PPF. These results suggest that BF may be a useful drug in therapy for conjunctivitis and post-operative inflammation.

[Observation of the eyelid structure with opening and closing of the eye in magnetic resonance imaging]

To confirm the changes in the upper eyelid structure during normal movements such as opening and closing we observed the changes with magnetic resonance imaging and obtained the following results. (1) In the anterior lobe of the upper eyelid, the lower part moves more than the upper part. (2) The tarsus slides toward posterior and upper direction when the eye opens. (3) The orbital septum and the orbital fat move posteriorly and thicken when the eye opens. (4) When the eye opens Whitnall's ligament moves posteriorly with a little change of the acting vector direction of the levator muscle. (5) Aponeurosis of the levator muscle clearly separates from Müller's muscle when the eye opens. (6) We suspected that there is some suspending tissue of Whitnall's ligament that consists of a membranous or mesh-like structure in the orbital fat above the levator muscle.

Increase of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione in regenerating rat liver

Changes in the level of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione (DCE-GS) with time were determined during regeneration of rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The DCE-GS level increased in regenerating rat liver, reaching a maximum level (4.7-fold) on day 2 and reverted to the normal level in 1 week. During the liver regeneration process, the activity of DCE-GS-synthesizing enzyme in the liver retained its control level, while the level of glutathione--a substrate of the enzyme in the liver--fluctuated in parallel with that of DCE-GS.

Physiological activities of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione as an intrinsic tripeptide present in liver, heart and lens

S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione (DCE-GS, CAS 1115-52-2) found in rat liver, heart and lens in considerable amounts, showed an anti-inflammatory effect, which was evaluated by testing the inhibition of the experimental conjunctival edema of rats. An intravenous injection (3 mg/kg) prior to the carrageenan injection prevented the conjunctive edema formation by up to 30%. This peptide also inhibited the histamine release from rat mast cells induced by the compound 48/80. The peptide was added to the mast cells before addition of the compound 48/80 and an inhibition of the histamine release up to 96% at a 1 mmol/l concentration occurred. Furthermore, it displayed an antianaphylactic effect in rats using antibody against chicken egg albumin. An injection of the peptide (30 mg/kg) prior to the antigen administration inhibited color deposition up to 43%. Analogues or derivatives of DCE-GS were synthesized and tested for those inhibitory activities. However, there was no other peptide having stronger effects than DCE-GS and little structure-activity relationship among them.

In vitro studies on the influence of L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro- 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6yl-hy drogen phosphate] potassium salt on lipid peroxidation and phospholipase A2 activity

The effects of L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2- (4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium salt (EPC-K1, CAS 127061-56-7), a new compound for ischemia-reperfusion injuries, on lipid peroxidation and phospholipase A2 activity were studied in vitro using rat brain homogenates and human plasma. EPC-K1 inhibited phospholipase A2 activity in human plasma in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 7.3 x 10(-4) mol/l), whereas a mixture of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid did not exhibit this effect. In rat brain homogenates, EPC-K1 also inhibited lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 2.3 x 10(-6) mol/l). alpha-Tocopherol was less active than EPC-K1. These properties of EPC-K1 suggest that EPC-K1 may prove useful in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injuries.

Inhibition of platelet aggregation by S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione, intrinsic tripeptide in liver, heart, and lens

S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione (DCE-GS) found in animal tissues or baker's yeast showed strong inhibitory effects on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation. The inhibitory effect of blood coagulation was almost the same as those of EDTA, oxalate, and citrate. DCE-GS did not show chelating activity. As for ADP- or thrombin-induced platelet aggregations, DCE-GS exerted a potent effect on the secondary aggregation, while it was less active in the primary aggregation. DCE-GS gave a distinct lag period in the time course of the secondary aggregation induced by collagen and inhibited most strongly the aggregation induced by arachidonic acid compared with those elicited by ADP, thrombin, and collagen. The peptide, however, did not inhibit the platelet aggregation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Although both DCE-GS and EDTA inhibited the platelet aggregation which was triggered by ADP, their inhibitory manners were entirely different.