Impaired insulin secretion in the spontaneous diabetes rats

Dynamics of insulin and glucagon secretion were investigated by using a new model of spontaneous diabetes rats produced by the repetition of selective breeding in our laboratories. The perfusion experiments of the pancreas showed that the early phase of insulin secretion to continuous stimulation with glucose was specifically impaired, although the response of the early phase to arginine was preserved. The glucose-induced insulin secretion in the nineth generation (F8) which had a more remarkably impaired glucose tolerance was more reduced than in the sixth generation (F5). No significant difference of glucagon secretion in response to arginine or norepinephrine was noted between the diabetes rats and control ones. The present data indicate that the defective insulin secretion is a primary derangement in a diabetic state of the spontaneous diabetes rat. This defect in the early phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion suggests the specific impairment of the recognition of glucose by the pancreatic beta-cells. The spontaneous diabetes rats are very useful as a model of disease for investigating pathophysiology of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

[Annual changes of sensitivities of Staphylococcus aureus to several antibiotics]

The antibacterial activities of Staph. aureus isolated in 1980 and 1981 at all districts in Japan to ABPC, CEZ, CMZ and GM were tested. Numbers of test strains were 587 strains in 1980 and 700 strains in 1981, respectively. The frequencies of ABPC and CEZ resistant strains of Staph. aureus (MIC: greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml) were clearly increased in annual variation. The percentage of CEZ resistant strains in 1981 tested by 10(8) CFU/ml inoculum size was 12.3%, but the same of CMZ was only 0.6%.

Diagnostic usefulness of intramuscular nerve bundles

The diagnostic usefulness of pathological changes in intramuscular nerve bundles was assessed in 555 consecutive muscle biopsy specimens. Nearly half (45%) of the biopsy specimens contained at least six nerve fibers. Slight endoneurial fibrosis was present in all biopsy specimens from patients over age 10 years. Moderate or marked fibrosis was infrequent in patients lacking electrodiagnostic, clinical, or muscle biopsy evidence of denervation but was present in 90% or more of patients with either spinal muscular atrophy or peripheral neuropathy; fibrosis correlated well with the presence of muscle fiber type grouping and grouped atrophy. Specific pathological diagnoses suggested by nerve bundles included amyloid, dysglobulinemic, and hypertrophic neuropathies.

An animal model of cerebral infarction. Homologous blood clot emboli in rats

An experimental model of cerebral infarction is created in rats by intracarotid injection of their homologous blood clots. This is the first small animal model in which embolization was achieved by homologous blood clots. The infarcts were produced predominantly in the territory of the middle cerebral artery. The low mortality rate and excellent reproduction rate make possible the correlative study of morphological, biochemical, and metabolic parameters at selected points in time to reconstruct the pathogenesis and natural history of focal cerebral ischemia and its relation to blood elements.

Plasma catecholamine levels during extracorporeal circulation in children

Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations have been measured in nine children undergoing cardiac operations involving extracorporeal circulation under neuroleptanaesthesia. Compared to control values, plasma adrenal increased 34-fold and noradrenaline, 2.2-fold during extracorporeal circulation. The increase in plasma catecholamines reported in adults has been confirmed in these children and changes in plasma adrenaline concentrations during extracorporeal circulation were found to be much greater in paediatric patients.

Abnormal neuronal migration and gliomatosis cerebri in epidermal nevus syndrome

A detailed neuropathologic examination of the brain of a child with the typical epidermal nevus syndrome revealed a primary disturbance of development of the brain. The developmental disturbance consisted of an abnormal or incomplete migration of neurons to form the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. The normal architectonic pattern of the cortical layer formation of the cerebrum and cerebellum was also disturbed. In addition, there was an abnormality in the proliferative activity of astroglial cells resulting in gliomatosis cerebri. It is suggested that the basic abnormality underlying various neurologic derangements in epidermal nevus syndrome is the result of a defect in specific developmental events, such as neuronal migration and cortical differentiation.

[Retention of organic solvent vapors in plastic bags. Part 5. A basic study about correction methods of concentration of organic solvent vapors in plastic bags (author's transl)]

The concentration of organic solvents in plastic bags is decreased with time elapsed. It was supposed to permeate in plastic films. Therefore, we assumed that this phenomenon will be approximately regulated by the first order order reaction (C = C0e-kt). We got the permeation coefficient (k) by experiments and used it to correct organic solvent concentrations in the plastic bags. In the present experiment, we used Tedlar bags, toluene and ethyl methyl ketone (MEK) as organic solvents and determined the values by gas chromatography. Initial organic solvents concentration and that after t hr standing being taken as C0 and C. k Values are obtained by the formula C = C0e-kt. Mean values of k about toluene and MEK were found: k = 6.00 X 10(-3) and k = 4.86 X 10(-3). The results by this correction were as follows: Retention of toluene concentration in 24 hr standing bags showed to increase from 81% to 93%, or, in the case of 96 hr standing bags, it was shown to increase from 56% to 100%. Retention of MEK concentration in 24 hr standing bags showed to increase from 86% to 97%, or, in the case of 96 hr standing bags, it was shown to increase from 68% to 109%.

Degradation of insulin in perfused liver and skeletal muscle and insulin secretion in perfused pancreas of liver injury rat

To study the mechanism of hyperinsulinism and glucose intolerance in liver disease, insulin removal rate by liver and muscle, glucose uptake by muscle and insulin secretion from pancreas were measured using the perfusion in rats with injured liver induced by carbon tetrachloride (liver injury rat). In the perfused liver, insulin removal rate of liver injury rat decreased to 62% of that of normal rat, but it did not alter in the perfused muscle. Insulin response to arginine by the perfused pancreas of liver injury rat was similar to that of normal rat. Before insulin infusion, glucose uptake by the perfused muscle was similar in liver injury rat and normal rat. In contrast, during insulin infusion, glucose uptake by the perfused muscle was 1.5 times higher in liver injury rat than in normal rat. These results suggested that the peripheral hyperinsulinism was solely due to decreased hepatic insulin degradation, but not hypersecretion of insulin from pancreas and furthermore, might suggest that the insulin resistance was related to appearance of biologically inactive endogenous insulin, because of exogenous insulin completely acting on peripheral target tissue.

Projections of the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus in the cat: an autoradiographic study

Following injections of [3H]leucine into the dorsal (DLL) and the ventral (VLL) nucleus of the lateral lemniscus in the cat, the efferent projections were studied with the autoradiographic method. Injections into DLL result in heavy labeling in the bilateral inferior colliculus (IC) and the contralateral DLL. Within IC, labeling is dense in the ventrolateral part of the central nucleus (CNv) and moderate in the external nucleus (EN). Labeling in the dorsomedial part of the central nucleus of IC (CNd) is very sparse. All labeled fibers bound for the contralateral side cross in the dorsal part of the midbrain tegmentum at the intercollicular levels via the so-called commissure of Probst. The distribution pattern of labeling in the contralateral IC is almost the same as that in the ipsilateral. In contrast to the cases of injections into DLL, injections into VLL produce labeling in the ipsilateral CNv and EN without labeling in the contralateral IC. A precise comparison of the distribution pattern of labeling within CNv between DLL and VLL injection cases reveals that DLL contributes fibers densely to the dorsal portion of CNv in the proximity of CNd and sparsely to the ventral portion; by contrast, VLL sends many fibers to the ventral portion close to the lateral lemniscus and a few to the dorsal portion. Thus it is suggested that CNv is further divided into dorsal and ventral subdivisions in terms of the terminal zones of afferents from DLL and VLL to CNv. In addition, labeling is found in the medial geniculate body, the nucleus of the trapezoid body and the marginal regions of the superior olivary nuclear complex in both DLL and VLL injection cases, while labeling in the superior colliculus and the pretectum are observed in DLL injection cases only.

[Tricuspid valve motion and tricuspid valve ring size in normals and patients with atrial septal defect (author's transl)]

To investigate the normal configuration of the tricuspid valve and the normal size of the tricuspid valve ring, 17 normals, 20 patients with atrial septal defect, 4 patients with tricuspid valve prolapse, and 41 patients with various diseased conditions were studied by cross-sectional echocardiography. The tricuspid valve ring diameter in atrial septal defect was judged to be increased in comparison with that of normals. All the patients with tricuspid valve prolapse exhibited an excessive systolic ballooning of the leaflets toward the right atrium. However, a systolic ballooning of the leaflets alone was frequently observed in normals and many other conditions. Therefore, we conclude that cross-sectional echocardiography has some clinical limitations in the differential diagnosis between tricuspid valve prolapse and normals.

Effect of theophylline on insulin, glucagon and somatostatin secretion from the isolated rat pancreatico-duodenal preparation

In order to determine whether endogenous somatostatin has an inhibitory action on insulin and glucagon secretion, the isolated rat pancreas was perfused with 10mM theophylline, which strongly stimulated somatostatin release, under pretreatment or simultaneous administration of 8.3, 16.7 mM glucose and 20mM arginine with 4.4 mM glucose. 1) In the infusion of 10mM theophylline with 8.3 mM glucose, the first phase at the time corresponding with that of insulin release elicited by 8.3 mM glucose alone was suppressed by endogenous somatostatin stimulated by theophylline. 2) During the infusion of 16.7 mM glucose for 35 min, 10mM theophylline was interposed at from 15 to 25 min intervals. Its addition caused a rapid increase in somatostatin. Only at 15 min 30 sec and 16 min, insulin concentration went down and reached the levels of 70 and 74 per cent of the 15-min value, respectively. 3) During the infusion of 20 mM arginine with 4.4 mM glucose for 35 min, 10mM theophylline was added to the perfusate from 15 to 25 min. The addition of theophylline caused an increase in somatostatin and decrease in glucagon. At 15 min 30sec and 16 min, the levels of glucagon were 63 and 75 per cent of 15-min value, respectively. These results seem to support the idea that endogenous somatostatin suppressed glucose-induced insulin and arginine-induced glucagon secretion. However, the possibility of a direct effect of theophylline on the changes in insulin and glucagon secretion could not be excluded.

A Golgi and electron-microscopic study of cerebellum in methylmercury-poisoned neonatal mice

Neonatal C57BL/6J mice were injected with 5 mg/kg body weight of 203Hg-labeled methylmercuric chloride on postnatal days 3, 4, and 5, totaling 15 mg/kg body weight per animal. The experimental and control animals were sacrificed on postnatal by 15. Whole body radioactivity of 203Hg progressively increased during the 3-day injection period and reached the peak level and remained at peak levels until the time of sacrifice. This indicates a lack of clearance of 203Hg by neonatal mice during the period examined in this study. Golgi preparations of cerebella of MeHg-treated animals revealed significant reduction in dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells. Ultrastructurally, the vascular endothelium showed attenuation with increased electron density and frequent vacuolization of cytoplasm. Marked swelling of perivascular glia was noted in most of the capillaries throughout the cerebella of MeHg-treated animals.

Effect of anaesthesia and surgery on endocrine function in elderly patients

The effect of halothane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia and abdominal surgery on endocrine function was investigated in 18 elderly patients whose ages ranged from 65 to 77 (mean 69 years). Cortisol levels in plasma increased significantly during anaesthesia and surgery, and the increases were slightly higher than those in young adults. Plasma aldosterone increased and insulin levels did not change during the procedures, and these levels were lower than in younger adults. The endocrine responses in elderly patients were similar in magnitude to those in young adults. Therefore it appears that no special hormonal treatment is necessary for elderly patients undergoing routine surgical procedures.

Ascending projections of the inferior colliculus in the cat: an autoradiographic study

The ascending projections of the inferior colliculus (IC) in the cat were traced by the autoradiographic method, with special reference in the differenial projections of each subnucleus of IC. The laminated ventrolateral part of the central nucleus of IC (CNv) projects to the ventral and medial divisions of the ipsilateral medial geniculate body (MGB). The projections to the ventral division are topographically organized in the mediolateral direction, the terminals being arranged in the form of lamina, while those to the medial division are diffuse. The unlaminated dorsomedial part of the central nucleus of IC (CNd) sends fibers to every division of the ipsilateral MGB, particularly to the dorsal division and the ventromedial portion of the ventral division. It is noteworthy that the external nucleus of IC (EN) projects to the superior colliculus, part of the pretectum, and the anterior extremity of MGB ipsilaterally, in addition to the ventral and medial divisions of MGB. The posterior cap of IC, regarded as the pericentral nucleus of IC (PC), projects ipsilaterally to the ventral part of the caudal tip of MGB and the posterior part of the suprapeduncular nucleus. In addition of these projections, the parabrachial region and interstitial nucleus of the brachium of IC (BIC) are identified as common targets of projections of each nucleus of IC on the ipsilateral side. Contralaterally, every subnucleus of IC except for PC projects via the commissure of IC to areas corresponding to the targets of the ipsilateral projections, such as the ventral and medial divisions of MGB and the parabrachial region and the interstitial nucleus of BIC, although these contraleral projections are in general much sparser than those ipsilateral. Intrinsic and commissural connections within IC are also revealed in this study, providing characteristic configurations of each subnucleus of IC. It is concluded that the ascending projections of IC in the cat are highly differentially organized according to its subnucleus.

[Iatrogenic intraspinal epidermoid cyst (author's transl)]

A case of an intraspinal cyst following a lumbar puncture is described. A 57 year-old man had a myelography at the level of L-2 revealing a disc herniation of L-4. About two years later he had another myelography for recurrent back pain, which disclosed an intradural extramedullary tumor at the level of L-2. Pathological diagnosis of the tumor was epidermoid cyst. From the topographical standpoint of the tumor, the previous lumbar puncture was thought to be the most likely cause of the epidermoid cyst. This is the third case report, to the best of our knowledge, which had a normal myelogram prior to the development of epidermoid cyst in the spinal canal.

Dose-dependency and reproducibility of the prolactin response to metoclopramide

Six normal volunteers were tested to ascertain the dose-dependency and reproducibility of the prolactin response to metoclopramide. Furthermore, pretreatments with 1-dopa or cyproheptadine were performed. The same subjects also received intravenously 500 microgram TRH. The oral administration of 5 mg metoclopramide produced a significant rise in prolactin at 60 min and a maximal elevation at 90 min. The intravenous administration of 5 mg metoclopramide produced a significant increment at 15 min and a maximal prolactin level at 30 min. Peak prolactin levels following i.v. administration of the drug were greater than those after oral administration. Intravenous administration of 1 mg of metoclopramide produced a potential increment in plasma prolactin. Maximal prolactin response to 1 mg i.v. metoclopramide was similar to that found with 500 microgram i.v. TRH. Reproducibilities of prolactin response were good in all doses and modes of administration of metoclopramide. Pretreatment with 1-dopa inhibited the metoclopramide-induced prolactin response, but pretreatment with cyproheptadine did not influence the prolactin response to metoclopramide. Metoclopramide is a good and reproducible stimulator of prolactin secretion.

Effect of adenosine deaminase replacement therapy on a child of adenosine deaminase deficiency with severe combined immunodeficiency disease

Enzyme replacement therapy was performed for a 1-year and 5-month old boy with adenosine deaminase deficiency disease, the first case in Japan. Irradiated fresh red blood cells were administered without any clinical improvement, but there was an increase in the peripheral lymphocytes from 300/mm3 to 1849/mm3, of which 88% had T cell marker. B lymphocytes did not bear any classes of surface immunoglobulins. The proliferative responses of these lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen and allogeneic cells were examined. More than two-fold increase in response to these mitogens was observed in lymphocytes after treatment as compared with responsiveness before treatment, but these responses still remained to a much lesser degree than that of lymphocytes from controls.

[A clinical study of PC-904 in pediatric field (author's transl)]

A clinical study of PC-904 was performed and the following results were obtained. 1) PC-904 was intravenously administered at the daily dosage of 20 approximately 120 mg/kg to 13 children; urinary tract infection (10 cases), acute pneumonia (1 case), sepsis (1 case) and purulent meningitis (1 case). The overall efficacy rate was 46.2%. 2) As to adverse reaction, eosinophilia was noted only in 2 patients. One neonate was treated with this drug, but no side effects were observed. 3) It was considered that PC-904 was a useful antibiotic drug for the second choice rather than the first.

Computer controlled ESCA for nondestructive surface characterization utilizing a TV-type position sensitive detector

A position sensitive detector system composed of a channel plate, a vidicon TV camera, and a computer is utilized for multichannel detection of ESCA spectra. It is demonstrated that the system achieves a marked improvement of measurement speed, S/N ratio, and sensitivity. The system also realized an improvement of spatial resolution while retaining energy resolution.