Active lupus and preeclampsia: a life threatening combination

A patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus presented with generalized convulsions and acute myocardial infarction during the first trimester. Serial determinations of biochemical variables and liver histology indicated that preeclampsia might be responsible for the life threatening episodes.

Cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome in the lesion of thalamocortical projections

Unilateral sensory disturbance in the hand and mouth (cheiro-oral syndrome) is well known, but one in the hand, mouth and foot region (cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome) has been reported only in 2 patients with brainstem lesion and in 2 patients with thalamic infarction. We report the first case of cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome due to involvement of thalamocortical projections, which favors somatotopy in thalamocortical projections.

A new three-dimensional culture system for hepatocytes using reticulated polyurethane

Poly-N-para-vinylbenzyl-lactonamide (PVLA)-coated reticulated polyurethane (PVLA-RPU) has been employed for the long-term maintenance of primary rat hepatocyte cultures. After 3 days of incubation of 2 x 10(7) hepatocytes/cm3 embedded in PVLA-RPU discs and kept in culture medium, most cells showed typical hepatocyte morphology, with some bile canaliculus-like intercellular spaces among the hepatocytes on examination with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cells were attached to the surface of the PVLA-RPU and formed multicellular spheroids in the reticulated pores. The hepatocytes maintained various liver-specific functions such as albumin secretion, ammonium metabolism, urea synthesis and gluconeogenesis, and they were viable. The liver-specific functions could be maintained for more than 1 month when the cells were kept in the rats' peritoneal cavities. This new system may be useful as a bioreactor for an artificial liver.

Development of Babesia ovata in the salivary glands of the nymphal tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis

The development of Babesia ovata in the salivary glands of nymphal Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks was morphologically studied for 4 days of feeding of tick on rabbits. Babesia ovata showed two forms (sporont and sporozoite) in the budding process. Sporozoites were formed in the acinar cells of salivary glands and released from the hollow cytoplasmic area of these cells by day 4 of feeding.

Effect of exercise intensity on the spectral properties of skin blood flow

The effect of exercise intensity on the power spectral properties of the periodic oscillation of the skin blood flow was investigated with respect to the variability of heart rate in 7 healthy male subjects. The skin blood flow (SBF) and heart rate (HR) were measured by a laser-Doppler flowmeter on the forehead skin, and by an ECG, at rest and during bicycle exercise in three different intensities; unloaded, 50 and 100 W. An alcohol ingestion test was additionally performed on two subjects in the resting condition. Power spectral density (PSD) was calculated by means of fast Fourier transform (FFT). The peak frequency (PF) and integration of PSD (iPSD) of each component was estimated to compare conditions and parameters. In the SBF fluctuation, two major components were usually observed: one synchronous with cardiac contraction rhythm (HFF) which shifted to a higher frequency band with exercise; the other was located in a lower frequency band (LFF) ranging from about 0.1 to 0.2 Hz and did not shift with exercise. The PF of the LFF in the SBF was significantly different from that of the HR, called Mayer waves. The iPSD of the LFF in the SBF increased with increasing intensity of exercise but finally decreased at the highest intensity for which the HFF exhibited a marked increase. The LFF in the SBF disappeared after oral ingestion of alcohol that induced an increase of the SBF. From these spectral analyses, it is proposed that the LFF in the SBF is mainly related to the vasoconstrictor activity through the skin sympathetic pathway, and that the intensity of exercise does not modulate the periodicity of this fluctuation.

Neuromuscular fatigue during prolonged pedalling exercise at different pedalling rates

The purpose of this study was to estimate the differences in neuromuscular fatigue among prolonged pedalling exercises performed at different pedalling rates at a given exercise intensity. The integrated electromyogram (iEMG) slope defined by the changes in iEMG as a function of time during exercise was adopted as the measurement for estimating neuromuscular fatigue. The results of this experiment showed that the relationship between pedalling rate and the means of the iEMG slopes for eight subjects was a quadratic curve and the mean value at 70 rpm [1.56 (SD 0.65) microV.min-1] was significantly smaller (P < 0.01) than that at 50 and 60 rpm [2.25 (SD 0.54), and 2.22 (SD 0.68), respectively]. On the other hand, the mean value of oxygen consumption obtained simultaneously showed a tendency to increase linearly with the increase in pedalling rate, and the values at 70 and 80 rpm were significantly higher than those at 40 and 50 rpm. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the degree of neuromuscular fatigue estimated by the iEMG changes for five periods of prolonged pedalling exercise at a given exercise intensity was different among the different pedalling rates, and that the pedalling rate at which minimal neuromuscular fatigue was obtained was not coincident with the rate at which the minimal oxygen consumption was obtained, but was coincident with the rate which most subjects preferred. These findings would suggest that the reason why most people prefer a relative higher pedalling rate, even though higher oxygen consumption is required, is closely related to the development of neuromuscular fatigue in the working muscles.

Electron microscopy of influenza virus growth in a human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, MOLT4 cells

We studied the interaction of influenza virus and a human lymphoblastic line, MOLT4 cells, as a model for that of influenza virus and human T lymphocytes. Influenza virus was found to grow relatively poorly in MOLT4 cells in terms of yield of plaque forming units (PFU) in the presence of trypsin. However, electron microscopy of infected cells revealed that a lot of viral antigens were accumulated in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus, and a number of budding virions were on the cell surfaces. Consistently, gel electrophoresis of infected cells demonstrated that the synthesis of virus proteins was abundant. These findings indicated that MOLT4 cells were permissive to influenza virus growth, with production of a relatively smaller number of infectious particles in terms of PFU. Production of interferon (IFN)-alpha and -gamma were not detected in this system by ELISA.

Cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome in thalamic infarction

Sensory disturbance around the corner of the mouth, in the palm of the hand and in the foot on the same side (cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome) has been reported only in 2 patients with brainstem lesion. We report 2 cases of cheiro-oral-pedal syndrome; the causative lesion was revealed by magnetic resonance imaging to be in the ventral postero-lateral and ventral posteromedial nuclei of the thalamus.

Purification of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase secreted from cultured chick embryo chondrocytes

Chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase, which transfers sulfate from 3'-phosphoadenylyl sulfate to position 6 of N-acetylgalactosamine in chondroitin, was purified 1,430-fold to apparent homogeneity with a 22% yield from the serum-free culture medium of chick embryo chondrocytes by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose CL-6B, wheat germ agglutinin-agarose, and 3',5'-ADP-agarose. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme showed a single broad protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 75,000. Since the purified enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 160,000 as judged by gel chromatography on Superose 12, the active form of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase may be a dimer. The purified enzyme transferred sulfate to chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, and corneal keratan sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate E from squid cartilage, dermatan, sulfate, and heparan sulfate hardly served as acceptors of the sulfotransferase. The sulfated product derived from keratan sulfate was degraded by keratanase but not by chondroitinase ABC.

Isolated angiitis of the central nervous system first presenting as intracranial hemorrhage during cesarean section

A case of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS) which first presented as intracranial hemorrhage during cesarean section is reported. Only one case of isolated angiitis of the CNS in post partum has been reported to date. Although a headache in labor and puerperium usually suggests subarachnoid hemorrhage, isolated angiitis of the CNS should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

[An analysis of the status of surgical transfusion and a trial of maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) in Fukui Medical School Hospital]

To evaluate the present status of surgical transfusion during operations, we computed the amount of preoperative preparation and intraoperative use of blood. And we examined cross-match to transfusion ratio (C/T ratio) and maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) based on the statistical data in our hospital. The result revealed that too much blood was prepared in our hospital. The amount of prepared blood was 12,825 units of which 2,419 units were transfused (1 unit = 200 ml of whole blood). The mean C/T ratio was 5.30. And a trial of MSBOS revealed that we could save 70% of the blood presently prepared. We are sure that the introduction of T & S and MSBOS will lead to more efficient transfusion in our hospital.

Functional peptide-polyurethane conjugates with extended circulatory half-lives

Peptides containing the RGD sequence were covalently attached to an isocyanate-containing polyurethane prepolymer and the biological properties of the complexes were evaluated. For the pentapeptide H2N-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-OH (single-letter code, YRGDS), polymer conjugation lead to an increased half-life in the blood circulation of mice to > 10 h. The effect of covalent attachment of polymer on biological activity was examined in a related peptide, H2N-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Cys- OH (GRGDSPAC). Inhibition of B16-F10 melanoma cell attachment and spreading on plates coated with fibronectin by an RGD-containing peptide and polymer-conjugated GRGDSPAC was observed to occur at similar concentrations. We conclude that the conjugation of peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp motif to this polymer resolves previous problems of their rapid loss from the circulation, while still allowing retention of full biological inhibitory activity.

Evidence that dipicolinic acid is covalently bound to specific macromolecules in spores of Bacillus subtilis

Two dipicolinic acid (DPA)-binding macromolecules with molecular masses of about 440 kDa and 230 kDa were detected in the soluble fractions of dormant and germinated spores of Bacillus subtilis using native PAGE and an immunological technique. In SDS-PAGE, only one band with the molecular mass of about 50 kDa was found. Proteinase K partially digested the 440-kDa macromolecule of dormant spores to convert it into a 230-kDa one, and completely digested both the 440-kDa and 230-kDa bands of germinated spores. DNase I did not affect either DPA-binding macromolecules. This suggests that the two DPA-binding macromolecules are of similar origin, their main component is protein and a conformational change may occur during germination. DPA was not dissociated from the DPA-binding macromolecules by extensive dialysis and SDS treatment, suggesting the presence of a covalent bonding.

[The effect of intravenous cimetidine and histamine on splanchnic circulation in the dogs]

We investigated the effect of cimetidine and histamine on splanchnic circulation in the dogs. Hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery and portal vein were cannulated to measure each blood pressure. Each blood flow was evaluated utilizing electromagnetic blood flowmetry. And vascular resistances were calculated by measured blood pressure and blood flow. Cimetidine, histamine, 2-PEA (H1-agonist), dimaprit (H2-agonist) and mepyramine maleate (H1-antagonist) were given by intravenous bolus to the dogs. Histamine caused vasodilation of hepatic artery but vasoconstriction of superior mesenteric artery and these effects were similar to the effect of 2-PEA. These hemodynamic responses to histamine were inhibited by H1-antagonist but not inhibited by H2-antagonist. Cimetidine produced dilatation of hepatic artery but constriction of portal vein, superior mesenteric artery and reduced total hepatic blood flow. These effects were not inhibited by H1-antagonist. We concluded that cimetidine did not stimulated H1, H2-receptors rather than had the own effects and that H1-receptor was superior to H2-receptor on splanchnic circulation in the dogs.

Developmental toxicity of caffeine in the larvae of Xenopus laevis

To examine the developmental toxicity of caffeine, Xenopus larvae just after hatching, were continuously exposed to 100-2,000 mg/L caffeine for 48 hours. Caffeine interfered with development of Xenopus larvae at a concentration of 100 mg/L and above in a concentration-dependent manner. Characteristic external abnormalities, such as shortened body with wavy fins, were observed, the severity of which was clearly concentration dependent. These larvae were frequently accompanied by abnormal body flexure and edema in the fin. Light microscopy revealed that exposure to caffeine induced severe damage in the myotome and neural tube, and at higher concentrations, the epidermal tissue was also affected. Myoblasts showed wide intercellular spaces, and their cytoplasm lost uniform staining. Ultrastructural studies of myoblasts revealed distinct myofibril disorganization and degeneration, and mitochondrial alterations. In the neural tube, cells at the dorsal part of tube showed wide intercellular spaces and some of them were segregated to the peripheral region. Furthermore, vacuole-like structures of various sizes appeared in the white matter. The outer layer of epithelial cells in the epidermis were vacuolated and swollen. With regard to the pathogenesis of myofibril damage, caffeine appeared to cause a disturbance of intracellular calcium regulation, by releasing calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the mitochondrial changes observed in myotomal cells were considered to be reflective of this increased intracellular calcium ion levels. It is speculated that caffeine interferes with cell adhesion in the myotome and neural tube by affecting calcium ion regulation.

Ophthalmoplegia, hemiparesis and cheiro-oral syndrome in basilar artery migraine

A patient with migraine developed ophthalmoplegia, hemiparesis and cheiro-oral syndrome on the left side. T2-weighted MRI showed infarcts in the tegmentum of bilateral midbrains and right pons but no lesion in the cerebral or cerebellar hemisphere. Infarction in the tegmentum of brainstem secondary to the involvement of perforating arteries has not been reported in basilar artery migraine until now.