Group II phospholipase A2 activates mitogen-activated protein kinase in cultured rat mesangial cells

Group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a mediator of inflammation in various disease including glomerulonephritis. We recently found that urinary excretion of PLA2 was increased in patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and that interleukin-1 (IL-1) enhanced platelet derived growth factor-stimulated mesangial cell proliferation through the action of group II PLA2 secreted in response to IL-1 stimuli. Here we report signal transducing mechanism through group II PLA2 in mesangial cells. Group II PLA2 (1-15 U/ml) rapidly activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. IL-1 beta activated MAP kinase in two phases and the slow activation in the late phase, proceeding in parallel with increased group II PLA2 secretion elicited by IL-1 treatment, was inhibited by the specific antibody raised against group II PLA2. This suggests that the late phase activation of IL-1-induced MAP kinase was mediated, at least in part, by secreted group II PLA2.

[Quality control of fine needle aspiration cytology of breast lesions]

From 1988 to 1993 we treated 1,310 cases of fine needle aspiration cytology of breast lesions. The results were positive for malignancy in 218, suspicious in 134, negative in 857, and inadequate specimen in 101. Histological examinations were performed in 461 cases; 243 malignancies and 218 benign lesions. The cytological diagnosis of these cases was positive in 211, suspicious in 91, negative in 142 and inadequate specimen in 17. The cytologic diagnosis of the cases of histological malignancy was positive in 198, suspicious in 24, negative in 17 and inadequate specimen in 4. Therefore we have 17 false negative cases. The histological diagnoses in these cases were scirrhous carcinoma (7), papillotubular carcinoma (6), invasive lobular carcinoma (2), mucinous carcinoma (1) and angiosarcoma (1). There were 13 cases of cytologically false positive cases; the histological diagnoses were fibroadenoma (4), mastopathy (4), papilloma (3), adenosis (1) and xanthogranuloma (1). For over six years, we have used a computer system incorporating both cytologic and histologic records. This system is very useful in quickly review the correlations of cytologic-histologic diagnoses. In addition to this system, a close relationship between clinical to pathological department is necessary in the quality control of diagnostic cytology.

[Proliferative cystitis forming tumorous lesion: a case report]

A 66-year-old woman was admitted with asymptomatic macrohematuria. Cystoscopy revealed bladder tumor with a diameter of about 1.5 cm and smooth surface. Transurethral resection was performed and histological examination showed proliferative cystitis, mainly consisting of cystitis glandularis. Proliferative cystitis is not so rare, but tumorous formation of it seems to be unusual.

In situ proliferating status of mononuclear cells in rat small bowel grafts

Rat small bowel transplantation was performed in three groups: syngeneic graft, Lewis to Lewis; allogeneic graft, Brown Norway to Lewis; and allogeneic graft with the immunosuppressant FK506 (1 mg/kg). Standard histology and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling immunohistochemistry were applied to evaluate the in situ spontaneous proliferating status of the mononuclear cells in the graft lymphoid tissue. In untreated allograft, BrdU-labelling index (BLI) in lamina propria lymphocytes increased significantly on the 5th post-operative day (POD), when no sign of rejection was detected in the villous architecture, compared with isograft (11.8 +/- 2.0% vs 1.9 +/- 0.5%, P < 0.05). Changes in the BLI of lamina propria lymphocyte were also detected on the 3rd and 7th POD, although there were statistically less significant than on the 5th POD. In intraepithelial lymphocytes the changes in BLI were more probably caused by ischaemic damage than immunological reaction. In Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, elevation of BLI was specific to rejection like that seen in lamina propria lymphocytes. By administration of FK506, both the elevation of BLI and the histopathological changes were suppressed successfully except for a transient elevation of BLI in Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes on the 3rd POD.

Relation between collateral flow assessed by Doppler guide wire and angiographic collateral grades

We investigated the relation between the angiographic collateral grade (Rentrop's classification) and the collateral flow velocity pattern in 43 patients with angina pectoris. Collateral flow velocity was measured with a Doppler guide wire during balloon occlusion in coronary angioplasty. Collateral flow was detected in 21 of the 43 patients. In 6 of the 21 patients, collateral vessels were not seen angiographically before angioplasty. The direction of collateral flow was classified as forward, backward, or bidirectional. Forward and backward collateral flows were seen in all angiographic grades. Bidirectional collateral flows were observed only in grades 0 to 2. The peak collateral flow velocity was not correlated with the angiographic grades, but the ratio of the collateral flow duration to a cardiac cycle length was correlated with them (grade 0, 44% +/- 15%; grade 1, 70% +/- 16%; grade 2, 84% +/- 11%; and grade 3, 93% +/- 3%; p < 0.0005, analysis of variance). The peak velocity integral was also correlated with the angiographic collateral grades (p < 0.05; analysis of variance). The peak velocity integral was also correlated with the angiographic collateral grades (p < 0.05; analysis of variance). Electrocardiographic signs of ischemia were less observed in patients with unidirection and longer duration of collateral flow pattern (p < 0.05, respectively). A Doppler guide wire may be useful in assessing collateral flow grade.

In vivo reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular blockade

The antagonism of depolarizing blockers, principally succinylcholine and decamethonium, by tetraethyl- and tetrabutylammonium ions in an in vivo neuromuscular preparation in anesthetized cats is described; possible mechanisms for these effects are discussed. Tetraethyl- (50-100 mg/kg, i.v.) and tetrabutylammonium (1-5 mg/kg, i.v.) produced sharp reversals of 95-99% succinylcholine and decamethonium blocks. These reversals were effective and sustained at any point during the course of the blockades. Tetraethyl- or tetrabutylammonium, administered 2-3 min before succinylcholine or decamethonium, prevented blockade, an effect compatible with an earlier reported in vitro investigation. The studies of others disclose the interaction of depolarizing blockers with acetylcholine receptors, leading to channel opening, channel entry and binding therein of these blockers. The present studies support this in showing the prevention of succinylcholine and decamethonium block by the prior administration of tetraethylammonium, which also interacts with acetylcholine receptors. It is proposed that a possible mechanism for tetraethylammonium reversals of succinylcholine and decamethonium blocks may be attributable to the tetraethylammonium reversal of a K+ current block by quaternary ammonium ions such as succinylcholine and decamethonium. Tetraethyl- and tetrabutylammonium ions proved to be effective antagonists of succinylcholine block following inactivation of plasma cholinesterases by hexafluorenium.

N-alkylated nitrogen-in-the-ring sugars: conformational basis of inhibition of glycosidases and HIV-1 replication

The conformations of nitrogen-in-the-ring sugars and their N-alkyl derivatives were studied from 1H NMR analyses, mainly using 3J(H,H) coupling constants and quantitative NOE experiments. No significant difference was seen in the ring conformation of 1-deoxynojirimycin (1), N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (2), and N-butyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (3). However, it was shown that the C6 OH group in 1 is predominantly equatorial to the piperidine ring, while that in 2 or 3 is predominantly axial, and its N-alkyl group is oriented equatorially. In the furanose analogues 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (4) and its N-methyl (5) and N-butyl (6) derivatives, the five-membered ring conformation differed significantly by the presence or absence of the N-substituted group and the length of the N-alkyl chain. Compound 3 reduced its inhibitory effect on almost all glycosidases, resulting in an extremely specific inhibitor for processing alpha-glucosidase I since N-alkylation of 1 is known to enhance both the potency and specificity of this enzyme in vitro and in vivo. This preferred (C6 OH axial) conformation in 2 and 3 appears to be responsible for their strong alpha-glucosidase I activity. Compound 4 is a good inhibitor of intestinal alpha-glucohydrolases, alpha-glucosidase II, and Golgi alpha-mannosidases I and II, but its N-alkyl derivatives 5 and 6 markedly decreased inhibitory potential for all enzymes tested. In the case of 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol (DMDP, 7), which is a potent beta-galactosidase inhibitor, its N-methyl (8) and N-butyl (9) derivatives completely lost potency toward beta-galactosidase as well. N-Alkylation of compounds 4 and 7, known well as potent yeast alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, resulted in a serious loss of inhibitory activity toward yeast alpha-glucohydrolases. Activity of these nine analogues against HIV-1 replication was determined, based on the inhibition of virus-induced cytopathogenicity in MT-4 and MOLT-4 cells. Compounds 2 and 3, which are better inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase I than 1, proved active with EC50 values of 69 and 49 micrograms/mL in MT-4 cells and 100 and 37 micrograms/mL in MOLT-4 cells, respectively, while none of the furanose analogues exhibited any inhibitory effects on HIV-1. The change in potency and specificity of bioactivity by N-alkylation of nitrogen-in-the-ring sugars appears to be correlated with their conformational change.

Cytochrome P450(11 beta): structure-function relationship of the enzyme and its involvement in blood pressure regulation

Cytochrome P450(11 beta) is deeply involved in the final steps of biosynthesis of mineralocorticoids. This paper deals with following issues about this enzyme. (1) The structure and function of the enzymes of various animal species are discussed. By making alignment of amino acid sequences of the enzymes, we identified peptide domains essential for the enzyme actions such as a putative steroid binding domain and a heme binding region. Estimates of molecular similarity among the P450(11 beta) family enzymes suggested that the enzymes having both 11 beta-hydroxylation activity and aldosterone (ALDO) synthetic activity of certain animals such as frog, cattle and pig are more similar to the ALDO synthases of the other animals, such as rat, mouse and human, than the 11 beta-hydroxylases of these animals. (2) The molecular nature of the P450(11 beta) family enzymes of genetically hypertensive rats as well as adrenal regeneration hypertension (ARH) rats is examined. (i) Mutation was found in the P450(11 beta) gene of Dahl's salt-resistant normotensive rat. Steroidogenic activity expressed by the mutated gene accounted well for abnormal plasma levels of steroid hormones in this rat. (ii) 11 beta-, 18- and 19-Hydroxylation activities of adrenal mitochondrial prepared from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY), and stroke-prone (SP)-SHR were not significantly different from each other. Levels of mRNA of ALDO synthase in adrenal glands of 50-week-old SHR was significantly lower than those of 10-week-old SHR, WKY and SHR-SP. (iii) No significant difference in 19-hydroxylation activity was found between adrenal mitochondria prepared from ARH rat and those from control rat. The level of message of ALDO synthase was lower in adrenal glands of ARH rat.

Usefulness of digital rectal examination, serum prostate-specific antigen, transrectal ultrasonography and systematic prostate biopsy for the detection of organ-confined prostate cancer

The detection rate of organ-confined prostate cancer by digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate, as well as the value of a directed, guided transrectal core biopsy for the prostate (TRUS-guided biopsy) combined with systematic biopsy, were evaluated. The subjects were 171 patients with urinary symptoms suggestive of prostatic disease excluding those with clinical stage C and D prostate cancer. Twenty-five patients (14.6%) had prostate cancer, 127 (74.2%) had benign prostate hypertrophy, four (2.3%) had prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, eleven (6.4%) had inflammation, and four (2.3%) had normal prostate tissue. The incidence of detection of hypoechoic findings by TRUS in the patients in whom nodules were detected by DRE or who had elevated serum PSA was higher than that in patients with negative diagnostic findings. In 22 of the 25 patients with prostate cancer, the cancer was detected by recognition of a hypoechoic area on TRUS. In 10 of these 22 patients, prostate cancer was also detected by systematic biopsy in isoechoic areas. Prostate cancer was detected by systematic biopsy in three patients without hypoechoic findings. The positive predictive value for patients with abnormal findings on all three tests was 64.3%, which is significantly higher than that for patients with any other combination of findings (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that the combination of DRE, serum PSA and TRUS is useful for the detection of organ-confined prostate cancer, and that TRUS and TRUS-guided prostate biopsy combined with systematic biopsy should be performed in patients with abnormal findings for both DRE and PSA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of heart rate on left atrial contractile performance and left ventricular filling during atrial systole in dogs

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling and left atrial (LA) contribution have been investigated in patients with heart disease. However, many of these studies were not conducted at a constant heart rate, and the effects of heart rate remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of the heart rate on left atrial contractile performance and left ventricular filling during atrial systole. The changes in LA and LV dimensions and pulmonary venous (PV) flow were determined in 9 open-chest dogs by a sonomicrometer and an electromagnetic flowmeter. With a stepwise decrease in the pacing rate from 110 beats/minute to 70 beats/minute, the LA dimension just before atrial contraction increased from 21.4 +/- 0.6 mm to 23.1 +/- 0.7 mm (p < 0.01), and the LA systolic shortening increased from 1.6 +/- 0.1 mm to 2.1 +/- 0.1 mm (p < 0.01). However, the calculated LV filling volume during atrial systole decreased from 1.9 +/- 0.3 ml to 1.4 +/- 0.2 ml (p < 0.01). The PV flow during atrial systole was directed toward the LA, and the LA influx volume from PV decreased from 0.6 +/- 0.1 ml to 0.2 +/- 0.04 ml (p < 0.01). With a decrease in the pacing rate, the LA Frank-Starling mechanism operated. However, LV filling during atrial systole decreased because of the decrease in PV flow to the LV via the LA. Thus, LA contractile performance cannot always be evaluated from LV filling.

Frog cytochrome P-450 (11 beta,aldo), a single enzyme involved in the final steps of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthesis

A cDNA for cytochrome P-450(11 beta,aldo) was cloned from a library of bullfrog interrenal tissue (tissue corresponding to the mammalian adrenal gland). The 1919-bp cDNA encoded a protein of 517 amino acids. Its amino acid sequence was highly similar to the sequences of bovine P-450(11 beta) and rat P-450(11 beta,aldo) when P-450(11 beta) family enzymes reported to date were examined. The enzyme expressed in COS7 cells had the 11 beta-hydroxylation, 18-hydroxylation activities and aldosterone synthetic activity. Northern-blot and immunoblot analyses suggested that a single P-450(11 beta) enzyme was expressed in bullfrog interrenal tissue. These results suggest that a single enzyme catalyzes the final steps of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthesis in bullfrog interrenal tissue as in bovine adrenal gland. A phylogenetic tree of CYP11B genes suggests that the frog enzyme diverged at an earlier evolutionary time from other vertebrate enzymes. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies indicated that steroidogenic cells existed in the outer region of interrenal tissue more densely than in the inner region, whereas some medullary cells made clusters like islets. Most of the cells were diffusely distributed in the tissue.

Endogenous gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6 in Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice

The production and roles of endogenous gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both lethal and nonlethal infections of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated in mice. In the case of nonlethal infection, although no bacteria were detected in the bloodstreams, bacteria that colonized and proliferated persistently for 3 weeks were found in the kidneys. All mice given lethal injections died within 7 days, and large numbers of bacteria were detected in the bloodstreams, spleens, and kidneys. The first peaks of IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-6 were observed in the bloodstreams and spleens of the mice with nonlethal and lethal infections within 24 h. Thereafter, in the nonlethal cases, IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-6 peaked again in the spleens and kidneys during the period of maximum growth of bacteria in the kidneys, although only IL-6 was detected in the sera. In contrast, in the case of lethal infection, the titers of IFN-gamma and IL-6 in the sera and TNF in the kidneys peaked before death. Effects of in vivo administration of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against IFN-gamma and TNF on the fates of S. aureus-infected mice were studied. In the nonlethal infections, anti-TNF alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) MAb-treated mice, but not anti-IFN-gamma MAb-treated mice, died as a result of worsening infection, suggesting that endogenous TNF plays a protective role in host resistance to S. aureus infection. In the mice that received lethal doses, injection of anti-TNF-alpha MAb accelerated death. However, although injection of anti-IFN-gamma MAb inhibited host resistance of the infected mice early in infection, most of the animals survived the lethal infection by injection of anti-IFN-gamma MAb, suggesting that endogenous IFN-gamma plays a detrimental role in S. aureus infection. Thus, this study demonstrated that IFN-gamma and TNF play different roles in S. aureus infection.

[Management of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer (HCEC): a comparative study of primary-surgical and primary-radiotherapeutic regimens]

The results of two treatment regimens for HCEC were compared. Surgery played a main role in the first regimen (Group A), in which patients underwent total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (with bilateral neck dissection and primary reconstruction by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap or gastric tube) after receiving 20 Gy of irradiation therapy. Chemotherapy was combined in some patients. In the second regimen (Group B), radiation was employed as the main treatment in order to conserve the larynx. Chemotherapy (UFT 300 to 600 mg/day; in some patients one or two courses of intra-venous cisplatinum therapy) was combined with radiation therapy (60 Gy) to improve the effectiveness of this regimen. In case of radiation failure, a salvage operation was performed. We investigated 60 HCEC patients who visited the Kitasato University Hospital during the period from 1983 to 1992. The tumor was located in the PC, PS, PW, and Ce areas in 3, 48, 5, and 4 patients, respectively. There were 25 cases in group A and 35 in group B. Five-year cumulative survival rates were 52% and 55%, respectively. In group B, tumor remained or recurred after the initial treatment in 13 patients. Three patients refused to receive salvage operation. Four of the 10 patients who received salvage operation became tumor free. The larynx preservation rate was 71% in group B. From the standpoint of improving QOL, the group B regimen is recommended.

Application of DNA fingerprinting with digoxigenated oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5 to analysis of the genetic variation within Taenia taeniaeformis

DNA from T. taeniaeformis digested with the restriction endonuclease was hybridized with digoxigenated oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5. Metacestode and adult showed same clear multibanding patterns, which were characteristic of multilocus DNA fingerprinting. The fingerprinting patterns were quite different from those of the rodent hosts. Genetic variations in 4 laboratory-reared isolates of T. taeniaeformis, including 3 isolates which have been reported to be indistinguishable by infectivity, morphology and protein composition of metacestode, were investigated using this technique. Each of the 4 isolates exhibited isolate-specific fingerprinting patterns and were easily distinguished from one another, thus it was considered that (CAC)5 was a highly resolvable and informative probe for cestodes. However, it was also indicated that (CAC)5 was so sensitive that applying fingerprinting with (CAC)5 to taxonomical or phylogenetic analysis was limited where habitat of the host was restricted to the small area. In comparison to fingerprinting with 32P-labeled (CAC)5, fingerprinting with digoxigenated (CAC)5 represented more and sharper bands. It was considered that a digoxigenated probe was more useful for genetic analysis of cestodes.

Morphological studies on the kidney of the spontaneous nephrotic (ICGN) mice in the late stage

Spontaneous nephrotic (ICGN) mice develop proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hypercholesterolemia. These symptoms steadily progress to chronic renal failure. Details of the changes of the kidney, in the late stage (more than 5 months old) were investigated by both light and electron microscopy. The kidney exhibited a slightly whitish, granular surface and the cortex became thinner and contained fibrous lesions, in which clusters of unaffected and occluded renal tubules were randomly scattered. In the juxtamedullary and outer medullary zone, there were highly dilated renal tubules, which sometimes contained urinary casts. The glomerulus exhibited basement membrane thickening in the capillary loops and the capillary lumen was narrowed in size and sometimes occluded. No detachment of the podocyte from the basement membrane was observed and the podocyte foot-processes were extensively fused, causing their characteristic slits to be lost. The thickened basement membranes were found both in the glomerulus and around the occluded renal tubules, while the basement membrane in the dilated renal tubule appeared normal. Therefore, the basement membranes of the glomerulus and renal tubules appear to react differently in the pathogenesis of the condition. In conclusion, ICGN mice are a good model for not only the nephrotic syndrome but also for chronic renal failure.

[Treatment of middle and lower ureteral stones with ESWL: evaluation of the results of 190 solitary stones in comparison with those of upper ureteral stones]

We analyzed the results of treatment with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier HM-3) for middle and lower ureteral solitary stones from April 1986 to March 1993 in our hospital. A total of 238 sessions of ESWL were done for 71 cases of middle ureteral stones and 119 cases of lower ureteral stones. The findings were compared with those obtained on the upper ureteral solitary stones. The final stone-free rate of the upper ureteral stones by ESWL alone were 91.9%, whereas those of middle and lower ureteral stones were 86.2% and 85.2%. We conclude that ESWL is equally useful for middle and lower ureteral stones to upper ureteral stones.

The role of the left atrial appendage. A volume loading study in open-chest dogs

Although the left atrial appendage has a quite unique structure, its function remains unclear. To clarify the function of the left atrial appendage, changes in its anteroposterior, transverse and longitudinal dimensions, and in the anteroposterior dimension of the left atrial body were measured by a sonomicrometer during volume loading in open chest dogs. In the control state, fractional shortening of the transverse dimension of the appendage was greater than that of the atrial body. After dextran infusion, each dimension of the appendage and body, measured just before atrial contraction, increased curvilinearly. The percent increase in appendage dimensions was greater than that of the atrial body dimension (p < 0.05). Systolic shortenings of the appendage increased until mean left atrial pressure reached approximately 15 mmHg but after further pressure elevation, it decreased. In postmortem isolated hearts, the appendage volume was 17.2 +/- 4.4% of the whole left atrial volume. These findings indicate that the appendage has a considerable volume with a greater compliance and assists left ventricular filling during atrial contraction by a Frank-Starling mechanism.

Cloning and expression of cytochrome P450(11 beta) of porcine adrenal cortex

Four cDNA clones were isolated from a porcine adrenal gland library by using a bovine cytochrome P450(11 beta) cDNA fragment as a probe. Nucleotide sequences of the four clones overlapped with each other. The deduced amino acid sequences indicated that these clones were derived from a porcine P450(11 beta) cDNA. Consecutive alignment of these clones covered almost 70% of a coding region of the cDNA, but its 5'-terminus was missing. The adrenal mRNA was reverse-transcribed, and polymerase chain reaction was used to obtain a cDNA fragment including the 5'-terminus. A cDNA constructed from this fragment and the isolated four fragments covered the entire apparent open reading frame of the enzyme, which was thus concluded to comprise 503 amino acids including a putative extension peptide of 24 amino acids at the NH2-terminus. The amino acid sequence was 82% identical to that of bovine P450(11 beta)-3. The cDNA was transfected into COS-7 cells, and steroidogenic activity of the cells was measured. The cells not only converted 11-deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone, but also produced aldosterone. Thus we conclude that the primary sequence of porcine P450(11 beta) which plays a role in the biosynthesis of glucocorticoids as well as mineralocorticoids was determined.

Intraspecific variation of isoenzymes in Taenia taeniaeformis

The technique of isoenzyme electrophoresis was applied to Japanese wild populations of Taenia taeniaeformis (isolated from Norway rats) and three laboratory reared isolates (KRN isolated from a Malaysian Norway rat, BMM from a Belgian house mouse and ACR from a Japanese gray red-backed vole). The average heterozygosities of Japanese wild populations were fairly small and total genetic variability was 0.0499. The genetic make-up of T. taeniaeformis in Norway rats was rather uniform in the whole of Japan. In KRN isolate, each of all 10 loci examined possessed the allele which was predominant in Japanese wild populations. Similarly, each of 9 loci in BMM isolate possessed the same alleles, but one of 2 alleles at HK locus was different from that in the others. T. taeniaeformis parasitizing house mice and rats were considered to be genetically closely related to each other. In ACR isolate, 7 out of 10 loci possessed different alleles from those in the other populations. It was considered that ACR isolate was genetically distant and its phylogenetic origin in Japan should be different from worms parasitizing Norway rats.

[The development of serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in early stages of primary biliary cirrhosis]

We carried out a retrospective study for the development of biochemical abnormalities in nine patients with early stages of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). All patients had elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) levels when the diagnosis of PBC was obtained. In all cases, serum gamma-GTP levels initially increased, followed by the elevation of ALP. In the routine laboratory tests gamma-GTP is more sensitive than ALP for the screening for early PBC.

Metabolism of 11-deoxycortisol by cytochrome P450(11 beta): identification of reaction products by 1H-NMR and LC/MS-APCI method

A hitherto-unidentified steroid produced in the reaction mixture of 11-deoxycortisol with bovine cytochrome P450(11 beta) reconstitution system was purified by repeated HPLCs, and subjected to 1H-NMR analysis. The result suggested that the new metabolite was 19-oxo-11-deoxycortisol. This was further confirmed by a new analytical technique using LC/MS equipped with atmospheric pressure chemical ion (APCI)-analyzer.

[Atrial late potential by P wave-triggered signal-averaged electrocardiogram and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]

Atrial fibrillation (AF), which is rather a common disease has a high risk of developing systemic embolism and stroke. Accordingly it can be significant for us to predict a patient at risk for AF during sinus rhythm Recently signal averaged ECG triggered by P wave has been expected to detect atrial late potential (ALP), which is thought to coincide with fractionated ECG significantly recorded directly from atrial muscle of a patient with paroxysmal AF. Although many time-domain ALP indices have been proposed, those excepting filtered P duration remain controversial with their diagnostic criteria having not yet been established, many studies agree as to the prolongation of filtered P duration, as observed for patients with AF. Although, also recently, frequency domain method has been applied to ALP for FFT analysis with the view of detecting ALP possibly undetectable by time domain method, no results better than the above method have been obtained, and further examination is hoped for.

[Atrial late potential (ALP) by P wave-triggered signal-averaged electrocardiogram]

Late potentials, possibly representing fractionated electrograms recorded directly from slowly conducting cardiac tissue, can be detected by signal averaged ECG (SAECG) from the body surface noninvasively. Ventricular late potential, recorded with SAECG, is a good predictor of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Analogously, SAECG triggered by P wave has recently been proposed determining atrial late potential (ALP), possibly related paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. ALP is analyzed by the time domain or frequency domain method. In the former, the prolongation of filtered P duration is an index of ALP. The results obtained by FFT analysis in the latter are controversial, and thus additional study will be required to confirm their meaning and significance.