An experimental study demonstrating the physiological polarity of the frog's utricle

The frog Rana nigromaculata was used as an experimental model. The utricle and its nerve were isolated with the anterior and the lateral semicircular canal ampullae in frog Ringer's solution. The utricular otoconia and the otoconial membrane were then carefully removed. The halved anterior canal cupula was next placed in the tip of a glass microelectrode, which was mounted on a micromanipulator. The cupula was placed in the center of either the medial or the lateral part of the macula and was moved toward or away from the striola along the axis vertical to the striola. When the medial part of the macula was stimulated, 5 micron of striolapetal cupular movement elicited an excitatory nerve discharge. When the lateral part of the macula was stimulated, the striolapetal stimulus likewise induced an excitatory response. These results indicate the existence of physiological polarity on the utricular macula.

A comparative study of the isolated anterior and posterior semicircular canals of the bull frog

The anterior semicircular canals of bull frogs were isolated and the cupula was removed from the crista and the sensory cilia on the crista were depressed toward the canal side by a glass micropipette. Seven points on the crista were selected for stimulation. Decremental time constants of the anterior ampullary nerve action potentials were measured. The longer time constants were measured at the lateral points of stimulation which progressively shortened toward the central point. The overall values of the time constant were significantly shorter than those of the posterior semicircular canal. This indicates that the anterior semicircular canal has a larger number of phasic receptors than the posterior canal.

[Metastatic behavior of footpad-inoculated tumors in mice and the impact of OK-432 per os administration]

In the surgical treatment of cancer patients, it is very important to investigate the immunological potential of regional lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the defence mechanisms of regional lymph nodes against cancer cell dissemination. The materials used for the study were C3H/He mice and a syngeneic breast cancer cell line (MM-48). When MM-48 tumor, 5 X 10(6) cells per mouse, was inoculated into the footpad, the footpad gradually increased in size, and half of the mice died within 20 days. The frequencies of metastasis for ipsilateral inguinal lymph nodes, axillary lymph nodes and mesenteric lymph nodes were as follows. On day 3 after tumor inoculation, no metastasis was found in any node. On day 6, all mice had inguinal lymph node metastasis, and half of the mice had metastases to axillary lymph nodes and mesenteric lymph nodes. On day 10, all mice had metastasis to all nodes. When 100KE/kg of OK-432 was administered orally every day, the titer of natural killer activity of mesenteric lymph nodes was remarkably increased after 7 days (from 12.3% to 62.9%). When mice were administered OK-432 simultaneously with tumor inoculation and on each day thereafter, the frequency of metastasis mesenteric lymph nodes was markedly decreased after day 7. It is thus suggested that regional lymph nodes may operate effectively against tumor cell attachment to the nodes.

A case of laparoscopically detected cholangiocarcinoma of a few millimeters in size, with portal fibrosis

A 54-year-old male with no subjective complaints was admitted to our hospital with fatty liver and low echoic lesion of 3 X 4 cm, thereafter revealed to be a hemangioma. A white lesion of few millimeters in size was detected in the left lobe of the liver at laparoscopic examination, and histologically diagnosed in an aimed biopsy as cholangiocarcinoma. Another 5 lesions (three white spots, a white longitudinal protrusion and a white lesion with a lacy pattern) suggestive of malignancy were also selectively biopsied, but all proved histologically negative. Microwave coagulation was applied to all biopsied sites as anti-cancer therapy.

[Quantitative variations of lymphocyte subsets in various kinds of cancer patients in the terminal stage]

Immunological studies of the peripheral blood were made in terminal breast cancer and terminal abdominal cancer patients. Two immunological parameters were studied: (1) lymphocyte subsets and (2) proliferative response to PHA. A decrease in the number of OKT-3(+) cells and an increase in that of OKT-8(+) cells were observed in abdominal cancer. It was suggested that the immunological status in abdominal cancer is more suppressive than in breast cancer. Increases in the number of OK-M1(+) cells and Leu-7(+) cells were observed in breast cancer. It is suggested that cytotoxic lymphocytes increase in number in breast cancer more than in abdominal cancer.

[Interferon production in lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma and its augmentation by OK-432]

In breast cancer patients on whom modified radical mastectomy is performed, relatively more of the regional lymph nodes draining the breast carcinoma remain in comparison with standard radical mastectomy. Therefore, investigation of the functions of lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma has become important. Lymphocyte subsets of 33 axillary lymph nodes from 19 breast cancer patients were analysed using flow cytometry. In axillary lymph nodes, both OKT-3(+) cells and OKT-8(+) cells were decreased in comparison with those in peripheral blood. However, the OKT 4/8 ratio was increased in axillary lymph nodes. These findings suggest that axillary lymph nodes are immunologically more functional against cancer spread than peripheral blood. OK-M1(+) cells, Leu-7(+) cells and Leu-11a(+) cells were decreased in axillary lymph nodes in comparison with peripheral blood. The ability of IFN production in axillary lymph nodes and peripheral blood was analysed using the cytopathic effect of VSV-sindbis virus. After 72 hours incubation, IFN production of axillary lymph nodes showed maximum titer. When lymph nodes were co-cultured with OK-432, IFN production of axillary lymph nodes was strongly augmented. IFN production of axillary lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma were increased in comparison with peripheral blood. Axillary lymph nodes draining breast carcinoma would thus seem to be important as cytokine-producing organs. IFN has been found to be an activator of NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and IL-2 production. Axillary lymph nodes may therefore play an important role against the spread of breast cancer.

Peritoneoscopy as an aid in intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG)

Peritoneoscopy as an aid in intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG) was clinically evaluated. Hepatic parenchyma was stained after intravenous injection of ICG, while interstitial connective tissue, fatty deposition and hepatoma tissue were not. Regenerative hepatic cell mass including dark reddish patchy marking (Shimada's code No. 7) and semispherical areas of regeneration or nodules (Shimada's code No. 8) was well stained and clearly contrasted. There were some cases of chronic active hepatitis, in which liver surface showed spotty staining at sites expected to become regenerative nodules in the future, in contrast to being judged as "no abnormal findings" peritoneoscopically. On the other hand, periportal reddish marking (Shimada's code No. 4) representing piecemeal or bridging hepatic cell necrosis was not stained.

Giant hyperplasiogenous polyp of the stomach simulating malignant polyp

A surgical case of giant hyperplasiogenous polyp of the stomach with unusual radiological and pathological findings is presented. Radiological and endoscopical examinations revealed characteristic papillary (villous) features simulating either true adenoma or malignant polyp of the antrum. Complete serial sections from the resected stomach disclosed no malignant area anywhere in and out of the polyp. The pathomorphological nature and radiological characteristics of this rare lesion are discussed.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis-B antigenemia

An autopsy case of pulmonary hypertension in a 29-year-old Japanese female with macronodular, posthepatic liver cirrhosis and hepatitis-B antigenemia was presented. No recognizable known cardio-pulmonary disease or portal thrombosis was obtained. Hepatitis-B antigen was demonstrated in the cirrhotic hepatocytes by a specific peroxidase antiperoxidase method. Characteristic pulmonary arterial changes including plexiform lesions with varying developmental stages were widely observed throughout the lungs. Complication of these two distinct disease processes seems to be rarely encountered in the literature. Discussion was focused on the possible interrelationship between the liver cirrhosis with hepatitis-B antigenemia and pulmonary hypertension. Proposed were presumptive underlying humoral, particularly immunological, abnormalities common to these diseases rather than mere incidental complications.

The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on biliary bile acid composition in patients with cholesterol gallstone

To elucidate the role of conjugated biliary bile acids in gallstone dissolution, the acids in bile were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography before and after the treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid for 3-26 months in patients with gallstone. The stone-dissolving effect of ursodeoxycholic acid was confirmed in 7 of 10 patients and the lithogenic index lowered significantly after the treatment. The compositions of cholate, chenodeoxycholate and ursodeoxycholate were about 33, 45 and 4%, respectively, in the control and pre-treatment groups. In the post-treatment group, a markedly low value was observed in primary bile acids both glycine-conjugates and taurine-conjugates, especially in cholate, with a significantly high value of ursodeoxycholate (p less than 0.001) of both conjugates. On the other hand, no difference was observed in the composition of deoxycholate with significantly low percentage of taurine-conjugates compared with that in the pre-treatment group. The ratio of glycine- to taurine-conjugated bile acids showed a significantly higher value in the post-treatment group than in the pre-treatment group (p less than 0.001) and the control group (p less than 0.005). The bile specimens were measured concomitantly by gas-liquid chromatography and the results were compared with those of high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean value of total bile acids, the ratio of cholate to chenodeoxycholate and the ratio of glycine- to taurine-conjugated bile acids obtained by the former analysis procedure represented about 57, 80 and 115% of those of the latter. It is concluded that the high G/T value seems to have a role in the dissolution mechanism.

Kupffer cell hyperplasia in liver diseases. Demonstration by scanning electron microscopy of biopsy samples

Kupffer cells were observed in liver biopsy tissues of 9 cases of liver diseases by scanning electron microscopy to prove Kupffer cell proliferation numerically. Kupffer cell count per 0.01 mm2 of cracked surface of liver lobule was 1.2 +/- 0.3 in the convalescent stage of a mild acute hepatitis case and 1.2 +/- 0.1 in a chronic persistent hepatitis case with slight inflammation. Whereas it was increased to 2.4-5.5 (P less than 0.01) in the convalescent stage of moderate to severe acute hepatitis cases, 1.8 +/- 0.1 (p less than 0.05) in a chronic active hepatitis case, 2.5 +/- 0.3 (p less than 0.001) in an alcoholic portal fibrosis case and 2.2 +/- 0.4 (p less than 0.001) in a liver cirrhosis case. Kupffer cell count per mm3 of liver lobule was estimated roughly 3,500 in the convalescent stage of a mild acute hepatitis case and in a mild chronic persistent hepatitis case and 7,000 to 16,000 in the convalescent stage of moderate to severe acute hepatitis cases.

Effects of a glucoside-hydrolase inhibitor (Bay g 5421) on serum lipids, lipoproteins and bile acids, fecal fat and bacterial flora, and intestinal gas production in hyperlipidemic patients

Significant decrease in serum very low density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins was observed after Bay g 5421 trial (300 mg/day for 6 weeks) in 14 hyperlipidemic patients. Although no significant changes were demonstrated in serum fractions of bile acids, the alteration in the patterns of fecal bacterial flora including the increase in obligate anaerobes was observed after the trial and this was accompanied by the increase in fecal fat excretion. Thus, the possible change in the intestinal bile acid metabolism with the altered flora may lead to an increased catabolism of cholesterol and to the reduction of serum low density lipoproteins. The meteorism developed in several patients but its etiology was shown to be independent of the patterns of the pre-trial bacterial flora and diet composition.

Analysis of Fatigue Process of Rubber Vulcanizates

The relationship between energy-input and hysteresis energy-loss during repeated deformation was analyzed, with gum and filled-rubber vuloanizates. It was recognized that the hysteresis energy-loss decreases more quickly with repeated deformation than the energy-input does. After a number of cycles both the energy-input and the energy-loss approach constant values. When these values are plotted against strain, curves similar in shape are obtained, regardless of the type of rubber. This is because the network chain is well relaxed. A group of the linear relationships between log W and log H was found with respect to N and λ. Examining the parameters, g1, g2, f1 and f2 as functions of N and λ, simple expressions, (4) and (5), were obtained for both the first deformation and after many cycles. At the latter state the hysteresis ratio tends to be constant in the wide range of λ. Finally, the relation between W and H at fatigue break is expressed with the same form of equation proposed by Grosch for the tensile break at the first extension.

Scanning electron microscopy of the bile ductule

Scanning electron microscopy of a liver biopsy specimen from a patient 6 months after the onset of acute hepatitis revealed a normal appearing bile ductule. The bile ductule was 13 micron in outer diameter and 1.5-2.7 micron in inner diameter. The ductular lumen was surrounded by two ductular cells and ampullary dilated at the canalicular side. In the lumen, intracytoplasmic diverticles were observed with an orifice diameter of 0.9 micron. About 15 microvilli 0.4-0.6 micron in length and 0.1 micron in thickness were observed on 1 micron2 of luminal surface. The number of microvilli was calculated to be approximately 1,500 per ductular cell. A single cilium 0.15 micron in diameter at the base and 0.10 micron at the trunk, and 7-15 micron in length was found on each ductular cell. The cilium arose from a recess at the canalicular side of the ductular cell, and the free-end was on the bile-duct side. The cilia seemed to play an important role in bile flow to the duct. Sometimes between the ductular cells at the edge of the basal portion a cell was intercalated with thin processes. Such thin processes were not observed on ductular cells.

Radioimmunoassay specific for amino (N) and carboxyl (C) terminal portion of parathyroid hormone

A radioimmunoassay specific for the amino (N) terminal portion of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) molecule (N-PTH radioimmunoassay) has been developed by iodinating synthetic 1-34bovine PTH (1-34bPTH) and using commercially available bPTH antiserum. A radioimmunoassay specific for the carboxyl (C) terminal (C-PTH radioimmunoassay) has been carried out by adding enough amount of 1-34bPTH to the PTH radioimmunoassay system. The data obtained from N- and C-PTH radioimmunoassay were compared with those obtained from the PTH radioimmunoassay. It was observed that plasma levels of N-PTH, indicating biologically active PTH, were only one 8th to 32th to those of PTH and those of C-PTH were almost equal to those of PTH. These data corresponded well with those reported previously by using the antiserum specific for each terminal of the PTH molecule from the other laboratory. The half life of plasma N-PTH and C-PTH determined following the removal of parathyroid adenoma was less than 10 min and about 45 min respectively. These data indicate that the N-PTH radioimmunoassay can be done by iodinating 1-34bPTH and using commercially available antiserum.

Effect of Temperature on Ozone Cracking of Butyl Rubbers

Rates of growth of single ozone cracks have been measured for vulcanizates of two butyl rubbers over the temperature range of 20-160° C. Over most of this range the rates are quantitatively related to the segmental mobility of the polymer and depend upon temperature in accord with the appropriate form of the WLF relation. The rates are also proportional to the concentration of ozone. It is therefore concluded that diffusion of ozone into the polymer before reaction is the rate-controlling step. This is contrasted with the behavior of butadiene styrene copolymers, for which rates of crack growth are also quantitatively related to the segmental mobility, but the rates are somewhat larger at equivalent mobilities and the dependence upon ozone concentration is smaller. The difference is attributed to different penetration distances before reaction in polymers containing low and high densities of reactive sites.