Culture of rat brain preoptic area neurons: effects of sex steroids

The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effects of testosterone (T), estradiol-17 alpha (E2) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) on the survival of neurons and the morphology of neuronal processes (the total process length, the number of processes and the number of process branchings) of the cells derived from neonatal rat preoptic area (POA) to analyze the bases of morphological sexual dimorphism of the POA. The POA cells were exposed to sex steroids during 2-14 days of culture in serum-free medium. Neuronal survival was significantly greater in cultures treated with 1.0 nM T than controls. Although T at any concentration tested (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 nM) failed to affect the mean value of the process length, a significant difference was observed in the frequency distribution of total process length between 1.0 nM T-treated cultures and control cultures. By 1.0 nM T, the number of process branchings was also significantly increased. In contrast, the number of neurons and the total process length of neurons were not affected by 5 alpha-DHT. However, the number of process branchings was significantly increased by 0.1 nM 5 alpha-DHT. E2 had no significant effect on any of these parameters. These results suggest that T directly enhances the survival of neurons and increases the dendritic and/or axonic field of the POA, which serves, at least partly, for the development of morphological sexual dimorphism in the rat.

Photochemical reactions in organized and semiorganized media

The article describes organic photochemical reactions in heterogeneous fields. The first part of the article includes an introduction of miscellaneous electrostatic fields adsorbing photoactive species and the second part summarizes the types of photochemical reactions in their fields. Photochemical reactions carried out in various heterogeneous fields, inorganic as well as organic, were classified by their reaction type, that is, unimolecular reactions, bimolecular reactions, energy transfer reactions, and electron transfer reactions.

An unusual stress fracture of the lateral tibial plateau

Stress fracture of the lateral tibial plateau is a rare occurrence. In this article we report a case of stress fracture of the lateral tibial plateau with a radiolucent fracture line in a 52-year-old man. To our knowledge, such a case has not yet been reported.

Stress fracture of the proximal phalanx of the great toe

Three cases of stress fracture of the proximal phalanx of the great toe occurring in a 12-year-old female volleyball player, a 17-year-old female long distance runner, and a 12-year-old male soccer player are reported. This condition probably develops after repeated forced dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with changing steps. When athletes who repeatedly run and jump complain of pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and there is no history of trauma, this condition should also be considered.

Effect of staurosporine derivatives on protein kinase activity and vinblastine accumulation in mouse leukaemia P388/ADR cells

Inhibition by staurosporine derivatives of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) and protein kinase C (C-kinase), and drug resistance has been investigated. The substitution of an acetyl or an ethoxycarbonyl group for the amine N-ethoxycarbonyl-7-oxostaurosporine moiety on the tetrahydropyran ring of staurosporine decreased inhibition of both protein kinases, but increased selectivity for C-kinase by further modification of the lactam moiety to the imide (NA-382). The activities of SF-2370 on protein kinases were decreased by decarboxylation and hydroxyalkylation. These staurosporine derivatives enhanced accumulation of vinblastine in adriamycin-resistant P388 (P388/ADR) cells in a dose-dependent manner. The potency for the drug accumulation of these compounds was correlated with their inhibitory activity on the drug efflux, but was not correlated with their activity on protein kinases. Staurosporine and NA-382, with high potency for vinblastine accumulation, inhibited the photolabelling of [3H]azidopine on 140 kDa P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane. The tetrahydrofuran compounds and NA-357, which had low potency for the drug accumulation, hardly interacted with azidopine on P-glycoprotein. Most of these compounds were highly cytotoxic by themselves, and only NA-382 was less cytotoxic among them and completely reversed the vinblastine-resistance of P388/ADR cells at a non-cytotoxic concentration. These results suggest that staurosporine derivatives can enhance drug accumulation and inhibit drug resistance through their direct action on the P-glycoprotein.

[A case of chest wall abscess due to Salmonella newport]

A 18-year-old female with a history of precordial pain was admitted. There was a mass (3.5 x 2.5 cm) in the right inframammary region which was suspected to be chest wall tumor on the basis of CT scan and Ga scintigraphy findings. Exploratory surgery, consisting of total resection of the tumor without removing the ribs, was performed and revealed an abscess. Culture of pus from the abscess grew Salmonella newport (0 antigen 8, H antigen eh; 1.2). Focal infection with Salmonellosis is discussed. Surgical treatment is necessary in addition to chemotherapy.

Coexisting undifferentiated thymic carcinoma and thymic carcinoid tumor

Thymic carcinoma is an unusual neoplasm, and the undifferentiated type is rare. Thymic carcinoid is also rare. This report describes a patient with coexisting undifferentiated thymic carcinoma and a carcinoid tumor. Both lesions were completely excised. The carcinoid cells showed argyrophilic granules by Grimelius' method and immunoreactivity against neuron-specific enolase, whereas the undifferentiated carcinoma cells were negative for argyrophilic stain and immunostaining against neuron-specific enolase.

Effects of enforced exercise on biomechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament of bipedal rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of enforced exercise on the biomechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in bipedal rats. These rats were divided into two groups: (1) bipedal rats without exercise, E(-)G, and (2) bipedal rats with exercise for 4 weeks, E(+)G. Strength (the maximum load that can be sustained by specimen prior to rupture) results for E(+)G were significantly lower than those for E(-)G at the loading rates of 8.3 mm/sec and 1 x 10(3) mm/sec. Stiffness (the slope of the load-deformation curve for a specimen with a linear-deformation relationship) results for E(+)G were significantly lower than those for E(-)G at the rate of 8.3 mm/sec. A load relaxation test (a test of viscoelastic behavior characterized by a decrease of load in a specimen with time under a constant load or deformation) showed a larger load-relaxation phenomenon (a decline in load over time under a constant deformation) in E(-)G. Analyzing these results by a three-element model, we found that the viscosity was higher in E(+)G than in E(-)G. This study offers insight into the effects of exercise on the ACL of humans.

Relaxant effect of C-type natriuretic peptide on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle

The relaxant effects of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. CNP (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/l) induced dose-dependent relaxant effects on the resting tone of tracheal smooth muscle with EC50 of 3.6 +/- 0.8 x 10(-6) mol/l (mean +/- SE). CNP caused a dose dependent increase in the tissue cyclic GMP level in tracheal smooth muscle (191 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein in control, 583 +/- 33 fmol/mg protein at 10(-7) mol/l, 688 +/- 56 fmol/mg protein at 10(-6) mol/l, 1091 +/- 167 fmol/mg protein at 10(-5) mol/l). Tissue cyclic GMP levels showed a peak at 1 min. Relaxation of the tracheal smooth muscle began at 1 min, reaching peak value at 5 min after the perfusion of CNP (10(-5) mol/l). Elevations in cyclic GMP preceded the relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle. These results suggest that CNP may be a novel potent relaxant in tracheal smooth muscle and that its relaxant effect may be mediated by cyclic GMP levels.

[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly]

Due to increasing number of the elderly, cases of hematemesis and melena in the aged have been increasing. The authors evaluated 69 such cases over 60 years old in whom emergency endoscopy of the upper digestive tract was carried out because of hematemesis and melena. Twenty cases are diagnosed as gastric ulcer (29%), 12 cases as esophageal ulcer and esophageal erosion (17.4%), 9 as duodenal ulcer (13.0%), 7 as gastric cancer (10.1%), 6 as Mallory-Weiss syndrome (8.7%), 6 as esophageal and gastric varices (8.7%), 4 as acute hemorrhagic gastritis (5.8%), 3 as Dieulafoy's ulcer (4.3%), and one case each of chronic pancreatitis (hemosuccus pancreaticus) and hemorrhage due to gastric angiodysplasia (1.4%). Of these cases, blood transfusion was performed in 46 cases (66.7%), and shock occurred in 27 cases (39.1%). The endoscopical hemostatic procedure was effective for detection of underlying diseases in the aged. Surgery was often impossible because of the rapid deterioration of the systemic condition due to the hemorrhage of the digestive tract.

[In vitro susceptibilities of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare to new macrolides, new quinolones, and antituberculous drugs on Dubos agar medium]

Mycobacterium avium and M. intracellulare were isolated from the sputum of patients infected with atypical mycobacteria using 1% Ogawa medium and identified by the DNA probe test. Then the MICs of various kinds of drugs against these mycobacterial species were determined on Dubos agar medium, and the drug susceptibilities were also determined on 1% Ogawa medium in parallel. The drugs tested were new macrolides, such as clarithromycin (CAM) and roxithromycin (RXM), new quinolones, such as ofloxacin (OFLX) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX), and antituberculous drugs, such as isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (PFP), streptomycin (SM), and ethambutol (EB). The MICs of the drugs tested, especially those of CAM, OFLX, and RFP, when determined on Dubos agar medium, were generally lower against M. intracellulare than against M. avium. The susceptibilities of the mycobacterial isolates tested to RFP and SM determined on Dubos agar medium were markedly different from those determined on 1% Ogawa medium. Such discrepancies may be accounted for by absorption of these drugs to the egg medium and instability of RFP in the egg medium. Overall, our results indicate that the new macrolides and new quinolones are effective against atypical mycobacteria.

Effects of alkyl substitutions of xanthine skeleton on bronchodilation

Structure-activity relationships in a series of 1,3,7-trialkyl-xanthine were studied with guinea pigs. Relaxant actions in the tracheal muscle were increased with alkyl chain length at the 1- and 3-positions of the xanthine skeleton, but decreased by alkylation at the 7-position. Positive chronotropic actions in the right atrium were potentiated with 3-alkyl chain length but tended to decrease with 1-alkylation and diminish by 7-substitution. Consequently, while the 1- and 3-substitutions were equally important for the tracheal smooth muscle relaxation, the substitution at the 1-position was more important than the 3-substitution for bronchoselectivity. The 7-alkylation may be significant to cancel heart stimulation. There were good correlations between the smooth muscle relaxant action and the cyclic AMP-PDE inhibitory activity in 3-substituents and the affinity for adenosine (A1) receptors in 1-, 3-, and 7-substituents. This suggests that not only the cyclic AMP-PDE inhibitory activity but also the adenosine antagonistic activity is important in the bronchodilatory effects of alkylxanthines. Among these xanthine derivatives, 1-butyl-3-propylxanthine and its 7-methylated derivative showed high bronchoselectivity in the in vitro and in vivo experiments compared to theophylline and enprofylline and may be new candidates for bronchodilator.

Genetic analysis using fingernail DNA

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[A clinical study of combined therapy of aspoxicillin and ceftazidime on intractable respiratory infections]

Both aspoxicillin (ASPC) and ceftazidime (CAZ) were administered together to 55 patients with intractable respiratory tract infections. ASPC and CAZ were administered at daily doses of 4 g and 2 to 4 g, respectively. Clinical effects were excellent in 11 cases, good in 33, fair in 7 and poor in 4, thus the efficacy rate was 80.0%. Bacteriologically, identified organisms were eradicated in 14 cases out of 21, decreased in 3, exchanged in 2 and unchanged in 2. The eradication rate was 76.2%. As a side effect, diarrhea was found in only one case, and abnormal laboratory test values were observed in 4 cases. However, these adverse reactions were not severe, therefore it was possible to continue the chemotherapy. These results indicate that the combination antimicrobial chemotherapy of ASPC and CAZ is effective against intractable respiratory tract infections.

[Assessment of fetal lung maturity using newly developed immunological measurement of fetal pulmonary surfactant apoprotein-A in amniotic fluid]

The level of immunoreactive lung surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A) was determined with a newly developed one-step ELISA kit (TDR-20) in 217 samples obtained by transabdominal or transvaginal amniocentesis from 217 pregnant women with high risk pregnancy. The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S ratio) by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography, disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) values, shake test and the stable microbubble method were done simultaneously to compare diagnostic reliability in estimating fetal lung maturity. Amniotic fluid SP-A levels increased with advancing gestational age and correlated well with the values obtained by the other methods. When the cut-off SP-A value for the assessment of lung maturity was set at 1,700ng/ml in the amniotic fluid obtained within 24h before delivery, the true-negative rate for RDS was 71% and the true-positive rate for non-RDS was 83%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100%, 83% and 88%, respectively. These results are comparable with those for the L/S ratio, DSPC determination and the stable microbubble method, and were slightly better than those for the shake test. In conclusion, this newly developed ELISA kit for the measurement of amniotic fluid SP-A is more effective than other methods currently available for the evaluation of fetal lung maturity, when it is considered that it requires only 0.2ml of amniotic fluid and provides results in only 2h without technical difficulties.

Agrimoniin, an antitumor tannin of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., induces interleukin-1

The induction of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by agrimoniin, a tannin of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro and in mouse adherent peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) in vivo was studied. A significant amount of IL-1 beta in the culture supernatant of the human PBMC stimulated with agrimoniin was detected with an enzyme-linked immunoadherent assay. Agrimoniin induced IL-1 beta secretion dose- and time-dependently. The adherent PEC from mice intraperitoneally injected with agrimoniin (10 mg/kg) also secreted IL-1 4 days later. These results suggest that agrimoniin, a plant tannin, is a novel cytokine inducer.

[N-isopropyl-p-[I123] iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography (I123-IMP SPECT) and child neurology]

We studied the clinical usefulness of I123-IMP SPECT in 50 pediatric patients with CNS disorders, which were categorized into the convulsive disorder group (n = 20), the cerebrovascular disorder group (n = 10), the acute encephalopathy or CNS infection group (n = 10), the metabolic or degenerative disorder group (n = 6), the congenital abnormality group (n = 2) and the migraine group (n = 2). The findings obtained were compared with those of cranial CT. I123-IMP SPECT revealed abnormal findings in 45 out of the 50 patients (90%), although cranial CT showed abnormal findings in only 24 patients (48%). This difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). In all groups except the migraine, we could find abnormal findings in more than 90% of the patients. Out of 28 patients without focal findings on the initial CT scanning, I123-IMP SPECT showed focal abnormalities in 26 patients (93%). Moreover in many patients with focal neurological abnormalities, we found focal abnormalities of I123-IMP SPECT related with neurological abnormalities of the patients. From these findings, we think I123-IMP SPECT might be better to CT scanning in examining a localized lesion. It was found that in many patients with focal abnormalities in CT scanning, I123-IMP SPECT showed larger abnormalities in CT scanning. By using I123-IMP SPECT we might be able to study the blood perfusional state surrounding the abnormal area shown by CT. In 3 patients with acute cerebrovascular disorders, I123-IMP SPECT revealed abnormal findings 3 to 11 days earlier than cranial CT.I123-IMP SPECT might be useful for early recognition of the pathological state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of minimal-sized adenocarcinoma in a fistula-in-ano]

The patient was 47 year-old man with a simple intermuscular fistula-in-ano. Fistulectomy revealed that there was a small mucinous adenocarcinoma. The tumor was small and localized in the wall of the fistula and the muscular invasion was not recognized. The mucin contained a little O-acylated sainomucin, and the origin of the tumor was considered as anal gland cell. This case appears as one evidence that the cancer in fistula-in-ano originates from the anal gland cell in the fistula.

Effect of thrombin treatment of tumor cells on adhesion of tumor cells to platelets in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo

Seven different tumor cell lines (human melanoma SK MEL 28; hamster melanoma HM29; murine melanomas B16F10 and amelanotic melanoma B16a; human colon carcinoma HCT8; murine colon carcinoma CT26; and murine Lewis lung carcinoma) were treated with thrombin at 0.5-1 unit/ml and examined for their ability to bind to adherent platelets; HM29 was studied for its ability to bind to fibronectin and von Willebrand factor; CT26, B16F1, B16F10, and B16a were studied for their ability to form pulmonary metastasis after i.v. injection of thrombin-treated tumor cells; CT26 was studied for its ability to grow s.c. Five of 7 thrombin-treated tumor cell lines increased their adhesion to adherent platelets 2-to 3-fold. HM29 increased its adherence to fibronectin and von Willebrand factor 2- to 3-fold. CT26, B16F1, B16F10, and B16a increased experimental pulmonary metastasis 10- to 156-fold. Thrombin-treated CT26 cells demonstrated 2-fold greater growth in vivo after s.c. injection. The mechanism of enhanced adhesion of thrombin-treated tumor cells to platelets required the platelet integrin GPIIb-GPIIIa since it could be inhibited by agents known to block adhesion of ligands to GPIIb-GPIIIa (monoclonal antibody 10E5, tetrapeptide RGDS, disintegrin Albolabrin); as well as a "GPIIb-GPIIIa-like" structure on tumor cells since it could be inhibited by treatment of thrombin-treated tumor cells with 10E5 and RGDS. The thrombin effect on tumor cells was optimum at 1 h of incubation with thrombin, did not require active thrombin on the tumor cell surface, and did not require protein synthesis (not inhibited by cycloheximide). Thus, thrombin-treated tumor cells markedly enhance pulmonary metastasis. It is suggested that this may be secondary to thrombin-induced enhanced adhesion as well as growth of tumor cells.

Platelet-activating factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome

1. To clarify the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 19 patients with ARDS and examined cell populations, albumin concentrations and PAF levels. PAF levels were measured by a newly developed radioimmunoassay. 2. In the BAL fluid of ARDS patients, neutrophil percentages and albumin concentrations markedly increased compared with control subjects. 3. PAF was detected in 14 of 19 patients with ARDS, whereas it did not exist in the control subjects. 4. Furthermore, we investigated the priming effect of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), which is known to be one of the most important mediators in the development of ARDS, on PAF production induced by the calcium ionophore in neutrophils. 5. Pre-incubation with TNF alpha dose-dependently increased both extracellular and intracellular PAF production in neutrophils. 6. These results suggest that PAF might play an important role in the development of ARDS.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with cirrhosis

Portal hypertensive gastropathy is a recently recognized important complication of cirrhosis. In the present study, the clinical features, portohepatic hemodynamics, and hepatic function were investigated in a series of 47 patients with cirrhosis. Mild gastropathy was found in 15 patients (32%) and severe gastropathy in 17 patients (36%). The presence of gastropathy seemed to be independent of age, sex, cause of cirrhosis, or grade of gastroesophageal varices. However, severe gastropathy was associated with an increase in portal venous pressure gradient (vs. control, P less than 0.01; vs. mild gastropathy, P less than 0.01), an increase in hepatic sinusoidal resistance (vs. control, P less than 0.01; vs. mild gastropathy, NS), and a decrease in hepatic blood flow (vs. control, P less than 0.01; vs. mild gastropathy, NS). In addition, patients with severe gastropathy had impaired metabolic activity of the liver, which was assessed by intrinsic clearance of indocyanine green (vs. control, P less than 0.01; vs. mild gastropathy, NS). These observations may have important therapeutic implications in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy.

Immunohistochemical localization of basal lamina components in the developing rat epiphyseal cartilage canals

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the appearance of basal lamina components (Type IV collagen and laminin) and the development of cartilage canals. In the distal femoral epiphyses from developing rats, the distribution of basal lamina components in the cartilage canal was examined immunohistochemically. The formation of cartilage canals from the perichondrium was first observed on the fifth day after birth. By Day 8, a few cartilage canals penetrated the epiphyseal cartilage and considerably increased in size and length. By light microscopic immunohistochemistry, reticular structures stained with anti-Type IV collagen and antilaminin antibodies were observed in the cartilage canals. In the early development of cartilage canals, however, immunostaining by anti-Type IV collagen antibodies was weaker than that by antilaminin antibodies. In eight-day-old rats, the laminin-positive reticular structures were more densely colored and more widely distributed in the canal than the Type IV collagen-positive ones. Type IV collagen was found around the endothelial cells of the developing capillaries by electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. Laminin was observed in the cytoplasm of the mesenchymal fibroblastic cells and their pericellular matrix as well as in the capillary basal lamina. These immunohistochemical electron microscopic observations can explain the differences that are observed in Type IV collagen and laminin immunostaining patterns as cartilage canals develop. Laminin synthesized by the mesenchymal fibroblastic cells may promote the migration and the outgrowth of endothelial cells in the formation of cartilage canals.

Bronchodilatory activity and pharmacokinetics of new xanthines in guinea-pigs

1. The in vitro biological activities and the effect of protein binding on the relaxant effects in vivo of N-3-alkylxanthine and N-3-alkyl-N-1-methylxanthine derivative were investigated in guinea-pigs. 2. A significantly positive correlation was observed among the in vitro muscle relaxant activity, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitory activity and the protein-binding potency of xanthine derivatives. However, there was a weak relationship between these activities and affinity for adenosine receptors. 3. When theophylline, enprofylline and 1-methyl-3-propylxanthine (MPX) were injected intravenously in guinea-pigs, their ED50 values were 6.1, 3.3 and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. Plasma concentrations of these drugs obtained following the intravenous injection of the ED50 approximated the theoretically effective concentration (EC50) predicted from both the relaxant effects in vitro and the protein binding parameters. A good linear correlation was observed between bodyweight in four species (rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits and humans) and certain pharmacokinetic parameters of enprofylline and theophylline. 4. The present study indicates that differences in the relaxant effects of these drugs in vitro and in vivo can be explained in part by protein binding, and that the protein binding of these xanthine bronchodilators is an important determinant for their pharmacological activity. Guinea-pigs provide a useful model for studying pharmacodynamic-pharmacokinetic relationships of new bronchodilators.

Relaxant effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle

We investigated the relaxant effect of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide with 27 residues (PACAP27) and with 38 residues (PACAP38) on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle. Both forms of PACAP showed dose-dependent relaxant effects. The EC50 of PACAP27 was 8.7 +/- 1.9 x 10(-8) M and that of PACAP38 was 6.8 +/- 1.0 x 10(-8) M. Both increased cyclic AMP levels dose dependently and the elevation of cyclic AMP preceded the relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle. There was a marked difference in the duration of action of the two peptides. PACAP38 showed a longer-lasting relaxation compared to PACAP27. Furthermore PACAP38 maintained significantly higher levels of cyclic AMP, with cyclic AMP levels at 60 min after a 5-min exposure to PACAPs (10(-6) M) being 14.0 +/- 1.4 pM/mg protein for PACAP27 and 35.9 +/- 2.4 pM/mg protein for PACAP38. These results suggest that PACAP27 and PACAP38 may be novel potent relaxants in tracheal smooth muscle and their relaxant effect might be mediated by cyclic AMP. However PACAP38 had a longer-lasting action on relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle and production of tissue cyclic AMP than PACAP27.