Relationship between metabolic syndrome components and vascular properties in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease or nephropathy

To investigate the effect of metabolic syndrome (MS) components on early atherosclerosis markers, i.e., urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), we studied 536 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular disease or nephropathy. The MS definition by ATP III was employed. UAE, PWV, and IMT increased significantly with increasing the number of components even before fulfilling the diagnosis of MS. UAE was significantly influenced by high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. PWV was significantly increased by high blood pressure. IMT was significantly increased by high blood pressure and abdominal obesity. Multiple regression analysis, including MS components and putative risk factors, indicated that the number of MS components, age and glycosylated HbA1C were independent determinants of UAE, PWV, and IMT. LDL cholesterol and male gender were independent determinants of IMT. In conclusion, UAE, PWV, and IMT increased according to increasing the number of MS in type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease or diabetic nephropathy. The current observation considering the modifiable factors may help to identify patients who are at high risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease.

Non-polio enterovirus isolation among families in Ulaanbaatar and Tov province, Mongolia: prevalence, intrafamilial spread, and risk factors for infection

Studies of non-polio enterovirus prevalence and transmissibility in developing countries are limited and few studies have investigated specific risk factors for infection. An epidemiological survey of non-polio enterovirus among families in Mongolia was conducted in the late summer of 2003. Stools of 122 healthy persons were collected weekly for 5 weeks. Eight serotypes of non-polio enteroviruses (echovirus 30, 33, 12, 25, coxsackievirus A10, A2, A4, A24) were isolated from 62 persons, with an overall isolation rate of 51%, and 64% and 35% among children under 10 years and adults over age 21 years. Fifty-four per cent of isolations were due to intrafamilial infection. Analysis of risk factors for infection suggested contamination of indoor kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and waste disposal area. Hand washing after defecation was protective against infection. Our study findings stress the importance of hand washing and cleaning hygienic facilities to prevent infection by enteric viruses in the home environment.

[One possible classification of the delusional misidentification syndromes and its developmental, regressive understandings]

In recent years, misidentification syndromes have attracted much attention, and various types of these syndromes have been recognized. However, misidentification syndromes tend to be discussed as case reports or as a whole, and yet there is no established classification. This is primarily due to a small number of cases encountered by each researcher. We propose a new classification of misidentification syndrome based on more than 70 patients with these syndromes, who have been treated at one psychiatric hospital during 20 years. First, delusional misidentification syndromes were classified into two types: misidentification of human relationships represented by descent delusion (relational misidentification), and misidentification of identity itself represented by Capgras symptom and Fregoli symptom (identical misidentification). Next, identical misidentification was subclassified into 3 types: division of identity (divided type), union of identity (unionized type), and transformation of identity (transformed type). Various misidentification syndromes and associated signs and symptoms were evaluated in detail from the aspect of descriptive psychiatry and were compared with our new classification. In addition, this typological study on misidentification was analyzed based on the regressive theory and Jacksonism, and we proposed a hypothesis that there is correspondence between misidentification syndromes and the development of person identification in infants.

Contrary effect of lactic acid on expression of neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein in human glioma cells

We examined the effect of lactic acid on cultured human glioma cell lines expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The growth of the cells was inhibited by the lactic acid in a dose-dependent manner. At 56 mM of lactic acid, the surviving cells of the KNS-42-c2 cell line developed slender processes and increasingly formed bizzar giant cells. In an immunofluorescence study of the lactic acid-resistant cells, the GFAP-positive cells prominently decreased in number, while the NSE-positive cells clearly increased. The vimentin was not affected throughout the experiment. After removing lactic acid from the medium, the GFAP-positive cells gradually increased in number. The method of dot immunoassay was useful for quantifying GFAP in cellular extracts. It indicated that the amount of GFAP decreased in the cells cultured with lactate-containing media and increased to the primary values after removing the lactic acid. These results may suggest that the morphological and immunochemical diversities of glioma cells are secondarily affected by cellular microenvironments such as lactic acid.

Two human papillomavirus DNAs molecularly cloned from a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis: restriction maps

Two distinct human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs (MY-1 and MY-2) were molecularly cloned from the benign skin lesions of a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The restriction map of MY-1 was the same as that of HPV 3a. The map of MY-2 appeared to be different from those of any HPVs reported in the literature. MY-2 did not cross-hybridize with MY-1 or the DNAs of HPV types 1, 2 and 4 under stringent conditions.

Immunohistochemistry of retinoblastomas

Immunohistochemical stains using neuronal and glial marker proteins were applied to retinoblastomas tissues from 14 children. Among the neurofilament triplet proteins, NF68Kd positive cells were observed in 12. Few NF160Kd positive cells were noted in 2, and NF210Kd positive cells were not detected. The positive ratio of NF68Kd and gamma-enolase seems to relate to the Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes. Gamma-enolase positive cells were observed in 13. The distribution in tumor tissues was broader than that of NF68Kd positive cells. The immunoreactivities of NF68Kd were in parallel with those of gamma-enolase. Few GFAP positive cells were present around blood vessels, while S-100 protein and MBP positive cells were never observed. Our results indicate that retinoblastoma possesses predominantly neuronal properties, albeit in an immature form.

A rapid method for the detection of papillomavirus in warts: the frequency of virus detection in various types of warts

A rapid method was devised for the detection of virus particles in wart specimens. The upper layer of warts was cut perpendicularly to the surface, and the freshly cut surface was lightly touched to an electron microscope grid. The grid was then stained with a small drop of phosphotungstate and observed electron microscopically. On the specimen grid thus prepared, papillomavirus particles were easily discriminated from tissue debris. Papillomavirus particles were detected in 71% of verrucae plantares, 78% of verrucae palmares, 50% of verrucae vulgares and 75% of condylomata acuminata by the present method.

Neuronal and glial proteins in medulloblastomas. II. Heterotransplantation of human medulloblastoma

Seven resected medulloblastomas were inoculated into hereditary athymic (nude) and asplenic athymic (Lasat) mice. From these, only one transplantable tumor line was obtained, in nude mice. We studied the transplanted medulloblastoma immunohistochemically and by electron microscope. In addition, using enzyme immunoassay, the gamma-enolase contents of the transplanted medulloblastomas were measured and the results were compared with those of transplanted glioblastomas. Neurofilament proteins (NF68Kd, NF160Kd) and gamma-enolase positive cells were maintained in the successful transplants of medulloblastomas, but the GFAP positive cells were lost. Under the electron microscope, a few cells with ten nanometer intermediate filaments and microtubules were observed in the transplanted tumor. The medulloblastoma possesses some of the neuronal characteristics which are maintained in the transplants in nude mice.

Neuronal and glial proteins in medulloblastomas. I. Immunohistochemical study

Neuronal and glial specific proteins were studied in 35 cases of medulloblastomas, using immunohistochemical methods and antibodies to neurofilament triplet proteins (NF68Kd, NF160Kd, NF210Kd), gamma-enolase, GFAP, S-100 protein, and myelin basic protein. NF160Kd positive cells were observed in 12 of the 35 cases. NF160Kd positive cells were noted in 2, but NF210Kd positive cells were not detected. Gamma-enolase positive cells were observed in 23 cases. GFAP and S-100 protein positive cells were seen in 25 and 28 cases respectively; many of these cells were reactive astrocytes. The myelin basic protein positive cells could not be identified. The expression of neuronal and glial proteins had no relation to the postoperative survival of patients with medulloblastoma, but gamma-enolase may be one factor for evaluating prognosis.

Intracytoplasmic inclusion of Hirano type in Purkinje cells

Intracytoplasmic, rod-shaped and eosinophilic inclusions were recognized only in Purkinje cells in a case of Crow-Fukase syndrome. The ultrastructure of the inclusions was similar to that of the Hirano body and was suspected to have some relation to neurofilaments.

Neuron-specific gamma-enolase derived from human glioma

Neuron-specific gamma-enolase in human neurogenic tumors, including gliomas, transplanted gliomas, and permanent human glioma cell lines, was studied quantitatively, using newly established enzyme immunoassay methods, together with immunostaining of the tissue and cell preparations. A significantly high level of gamma-enolase was found in some glioblastomas, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as medulloblastomas. Glioblastomas transplanted into mice and cultured cell lines derived from the same origins, as well as the permanent human glioma cell lines, also contained gamma-enolase, although the contents were low compared with findings in the original tumor tissues. Immunohistochemically, gamma-enolase stained intensely in the glioblastomatous cells. Serum gamma-enolase concentrations in some patients with gliomas and those of all the transplanted mice were enhanced. The serum gamma-enolase levels in the mice correlated well with size of the transplanted tumor tissues. These results indicate that neuron-specific gamma-enolase is produced in some neurogenic tumors of nonneuronal origin, therefore, serum gamma-enolase may be a useful biomarker for monitoring the extent of disease in patients with gliomas.

[Clinical efficacy of aztreonam in refractory infections in children]

Aztreonam (AZT) is the first monobactam antibiotic that has significant activity in vitro against aerobic Gram-negative bacteria but not against Gram-positive or anaerobic bacteria. The agent was used 120-200 mg/kg in daily dose to treat 10 hospitalized cases of refractory infections in pediatric field. There were 3 cases of 1 pneumonia, 4 cases of urinary tract infections, 2 cases of pyogenic meningitis and 1 case of septicemia. Seven aerobic Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from patients and 4 bacteria were eradicated by treatment. Clinical cure was achieved in 8 out of 10 cases without adverse reaction or drug toxicity.

[Clinical effect of ceftizoxime suppositories]

The therapeutic effect of ceftizoxime suppositories (CZX-S) was studied in 8 physically handicapped patients, comprising 6 with pharyngitis, 1 with pneumonia, and 1 with urinary tract infection. The clinical effect was "excellent" in 7 and "good" in 1. Neither adverse reactions nor abnormal laboratory test findings attributable to CZX-S were detected. CZX-S proved to be useful in physically handicapped children, especially in those not suited to treatment with oral or intravenous preparations.

[Therapeutic effects of cefminox in the treatment of various infections of infants and children]

The therapeutic effects of cefminox (CMNX, MT-141), a new synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic, were examined in the treatment of various pediatric infections. Patients treated were infants and children ranging from 12 days after birth to 12 years old suffering from bronchopneumonia in 10 cases, urinary tract infection in 6 cases, pharyngitis in 2 cases, cervical lymphadenitis in 2 cases, suppurative meningitis, cervical abscess, mastoiditis, peritonitis, bronchitis in 1 case each, total of 25 cases. As regards method of administration, CMNX from a vial was dissolved in physiological saline or distilled water for injection, and the solution was administered by 3 to 5 minutes one shot intravenous injection (15 cases), or CMNX was diluted with large volume parenteral product and administered by 30 to 60 minutes drip infusion (10 cases). The dosage of the drug was 21.3 to 165.5 mg/kg/day. The administration was continued for 3 to 13 days except 1 case. As regards clinical efficacy, good or excellent results were obtained in all cases except 3 cases, 1 case was urinary tract infection with cerebral palsy and vesicoureteral reflux, and 1 case was bronchopneumonia with Down syndrome and endocardial cushion defect, the other was suppurative meningitis. Total effective rate was 88%. No clinical side effects nor abnormal laboratory findings obviously attributable to CMNX were observed.

Decreased concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in schizophrenic patients treated with phenothiazines

In chronic schizophrenic patients treated with phenothiazines (Chlorpromazine, Levomepromazine, Perphenazine) for long periods (average = 8 years), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) compared with normal controls. The HDL subfractions showed that HDL3-C was significantly low (P less than 0.005) whereas HDL2-C was not. Both serum apo A-I and apo A-II levels were also low (P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001, respectively) in schizophrenics treated with phenothiazines. The serum triglycerides (TG) level was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in patients treated with phenothiazines than in controls. No significant differences in total cholesterol (TC), TG and HDL-C were found between users and nonusers of benzodiazepine in schizophrenic patients receiving phenothiazines. In addition to chronic schizophrenic patients, 8 new patients with schizophrenia and related diseases were studied. The serum HDL-C level decreased by 24% within 1 week following administration of phenothiazines. No significant differences were found in TC and TG levels for 10 weeks after initiation of phenothiazine administration.

[Therapeutic effects of an ampicillin suppository KS-R1) on infections in children]

Clinical and bacteriological effects of ampicillin suppository (KS-R1) were determined in 9 cases with urinary tract infection and 13 cases with upper respiratory tract infection in children. Clinical effects were excellent in 1 case, good in 18 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 1 case. Bacteriological effects were eradication in 6 cases, decrease in 1 case, persistance in 3 cases and replacement in 1 case among 11 cases which were measured the pathogens before and after treatment. As to the side effects, one patient showed watery diarrhea, and another one showed the elevation of GOT. KS-R1 is considered to be a useful drug for the treatment of infection in children both clinically and bacteriologically.

[Clinical efficacy of T-1982 (cefbuperazone) for infections of children]

T-1982 (cefbuperazone) was given at a daily dose of 42-80 mg/kg to 7 children with bacterial infections; 3 with bacterial intestinitis, 1 with bronchitis, 1 with tonsillitis and 2 with urinary tract infections. Clinical effectiveness was obtained in 6 cases, and the rate was 85.7%. Bacteriological responses were "disappeared" in 4 cases, "decreased" in 1 case and "unknown" in 2 cases. No noticeable side effects were observed except elevation of eosinophil in 1 case.

Factors inhibiting cell proliferation in rat liver cytoplasm

Two factors from normal rat liver cytoplasm inhibited the proliferation of cultured L-929 fibroblasts. One was arginase, the other was a small molecular weight inhibitor stable to trypsin and heat treatment. The small molecular weight inhibitor inhibited the protein and DNA synthesis of L-cells. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was thought to be secondary to the inhibition of protein synthesis.

Partial purification and biological activities and properties of chick growth factors

Cellular stimulating factors on cell proliferation in the supernatants of chick embryo carcases and adult muscles were studied. There were plural stimulating factors in embryonic and adult muscular supernatants that promoted cell proliferation without any supplement of sera and other materials. Salting-out methods with ammonium sulfate, ethanol fractionation, and isoelectric precipitation were used to isolate the stimulating factors, and these three methods proved the presence of plural stimulants on cell proliferation in the supernatants of chick embryo and adult muscles. The stimulants had altered physico-chemical properties and biological activities due to embryological development. The embryonic stimulants enhanced the synthesis of DNA and protein remarkably, and RNA synthesis in whole cell systems slightly. The muscular stimulants enhanced protein synthesis without any stimulation of DNA and RNA synthesis. Partial purification of the stimulants from the ethanol fractions was performed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and Sephadex gel chromatography.

Co-existence of inhibitory and stimulatory factors modulating cell proliferation in rat liver cytoplasm

Factors that inhibit and stimulate cell proliferation were found to coexist in rat liver supernatant. The inhibitory and stimulatory factors were separated by ethanol fractionation. Both factors were sensitive to heat- and trypsin-treatment. The activity of the inhibitor was diminished by partial hepatectomy. The inhibitor from normal livers inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis in the L-cell system, but the same fraction from regenerating livers caused little or no inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. The stimulatory factor from regenerating livers had a stronger effect on cell proliferation than that of normal livers. Furthermore, the inhibitor from normal livers depressed DNA synthesis in vivo in regenerating livers.

Plural growth factors in the supernatant of embryos and adult muscles of chickens

An attempt was made to isolate the cell proliferation stimulation factors in the supernatant of embryo carcases and adult muscles of chickens. Evidence was obtained for the presence of at least two or more stimulating factors in both the embryonic and adult muscular supernatants. These factors did not require a supplement of sera or other supporting agents. Furthermore, the use of the salting-out method with ammonium sulfate revealed two or more growth stimulants in the supernatant of chick cells.