Conversion of 4-aminobutyraldehyde to gamma-aminobutyric acid in striatum treated with semicarbazide and kainic acid

4-Aminobutyraldehyde (ABAL) has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and to be converted rapidly to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in various regions of the brain. In this paper, the formation of GABA from ABAL was studied with striatum that had suffered a lesion to GABA synthesis via glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). The GABA formation from ABAL was invariably observed in striatum in which GAD was severely inhibited by semicarbazide or kainic acid. Thus, this is another pathway for GABA formation.

Hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage: analysis of 182 patients

The results of treatment for 182 patients with hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage are described. The patients are graded according to the level of consciousness on admission; grade 1, fully conscious; grade 2, somnolent; grade 3, stuporous; grade 4, semicomatose; and grade 5, deeply comatose. Removal of hemorrhage was performed in 44 patients (24%), and conservative treatment was given in 138 patients (76%). One-month mortality in the surgical group was 27%; it was 22% in the conservative group. At 6 months after surgical treatment, the percentages of patients who returned to full-time work or independent life without disability or with minimal disability (good recovery) were 40% in grade 1, 30% in grade 2, 22% in grade 3, 11% in grade 4, and 0% in grade 5; after conservative treatment, percentages with good recovery were 77% in grade 1, 56% in grade 2, 29% in grade 3, 7% in grade 4, and 0% in grade 5. This study shows that surgical treatment does not give better results in the management of hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage.

Effect of continuous darkness on circadian morphological rhythms in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus

Effects of a short-term exposure to continuous darkness on 24-h morphological variations in pinealocytes in the superficial pineal of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were examined. Pinealocytes contained type-1, -2 and -3 synaptic ribbons (SR), which had a central dense structure showing rod-like, various and ring-like profiles, respectively, and the quantity of each type of SR was expressed by SR index. 24-h changes in the type-1 and type-3 SR indices persisted in darkness and thus may be endogenous in nature. As under alternating light and dark (LD) conditions, the type-2 SR indices were almost constant over a 24-h period under continuous darkness, but the indices were larger in animals under darkness than in those under LD conditions. The 24-h variations in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes were abolished after exposing animals to darkness for 7 days, suggesting that these rhythms may be regulated exogenously. The amount of condensed chromatin exhibited a circadian change; this rhythm persisted under darkness. The results suggest that 24-h variations in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster are regulated by mechanisms different from those controlling the rhythms in SR and chromatin, and that the changes in the nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes and chromatin are related to the change in synthetic activity of pinealocytes.

A quantitative study of synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of adult Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) under different photoperiodic conditions

Synaptic ribbons (SR) in pinealocytes of adult (120-130 day-old) male Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) were classified into types 1, 2 and 3; these have a central dense structure showing rod-like, various and ring-like profiles, respectively. The central structure of the type-2 SR usually appeared as round, oval or comma-like bodies, and occasionally as plates showing various profiles or club-shaped bodies. The quantity of each type of SR, expressed as the SR index, was determined over a 24-h period under a light/dark regime (LD) 12:12 or LD 14:10. On comparing the results obtained from adults with previously published data from young (60-70-days-old) animals under LD 12:12, it was found that, in both young and adult animals, the type-1 and type-3 SR indices exhibited different 24-h variations, whereas the type-2 SR index remained constant over a 24-h period. In addition, the indices of the type-2 SR, but not those of the other SR types, were found to be significantly larger in adult than in young animals. In adult animals, the effects of the photoperiod were different between the three types of SR. A nocturnal increase in the type-1 SR index was observed under both LD 12:12 and LD 14:10, its time course being different for each of these photoperiods. Under LD 14:10, the type-2 SR index showed a significant 24-h rhythm with larger values during the dark period; this was not observed under LD 12:12. The type-3 SR index was almost the same under LD 12:12 and LD 14:10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of pelvic arteriovenous malformation]

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an uncommon lesion. This disorder occurs in female frequently than in male. A 44 year-old male complained of right lower abdominal discomfort and hemorrhoids. He had neither history of abdominal trauma nor abdominal surgery. A pulsatile mass was palpable on rectal digital examination and bruit was heard at right lower abdominal quadrant. Pelvic computerized tomogram showed an abnormal mass with homogeneous density near the right side of the bladder. The mass was equally enhanced by the contrast medium. Digital subtraction angiogram revealed the pelvic AVM which originate from right hypogastric artery. Selective angiogram showed many feeding arteries and a dilated vein. Surgical procedure was performed with transabdominal approach because this AVM was localized. All feeding arteries and aneurysmally dilated vein were completely removed. Post operative course was uneventful. Follow up arteriogram after the surgery showed no further abnormal arteriovenous connections.

c-myc Gene amplification in primary stomach cancer

Fourteen human primary stomach cancer tissues were screened by Southern blot hybridization using six oncogene probes (myc, myb, H-ras, K-ras, abl, mos), and an amplification of c-myc oncogene was found in one tissue. This is the first report of c-onc amplification in primary stomach cancer tissue.

Raman spectroscopic evidence for the microenvironmental change of some tyrosine residues of lens proteins in cold cataract

Reversible "cold cataract" phenomenon of a SD-strain rat lens (29 days old) was studied by Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range of 35-17.5 degrees C. Cold cataract appeared in the lens nucleus below 26 degrees C. The Raman spectra did not show any detectable change in the 300-800 cm-1 and 900-4000 cm-1 regions as the temperature decreased. However lens opacification caused a significant change in the intensity ratio of tyrosine doublet near 840 cm-1, suggesting that some tyrosine residues in lens proteins undergo a change in their hydrogen bonding environment during the cold cataract formation. It was also found that the intensity ratio of the tyrosine doublet band provides a practical indicator of phase transition temperature of cold cataract.

Nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in pinealocytes of the cotton rat, Sigmodon bispidus: an electron microscopic study

Electron microscopic observations on pinealocytes of cotton rats (Sigmodon bispidus) killed in October revealed the presence of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (CIBs) and two kinds of nuclear inclusions--coiled bodies and granular inclusion bodies. These inclusions were usually not bounded by a membrane. CIBs showed round or irregular profiles and consisted of granular and filamentous materials of moderate electron opacity intermingled with electron-lucent areas. Nuclear granular inclusions appeared as homogeneous or heterogeneous granules of variable electron opacity, which usually exhibited round profiles of variable diameters and consisted of granular and filamentous elements. Electron-opaque granules were observed in perinuclear spaces, dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, as well as in the central portion of CIBs. In CIBs containing granules, the peripheral region was composed of the moderately electron-opaque substance seen in usual CIBs, while the central core was occupied by a granular and filamentous substance and an intervening electron-lucent matrix. Since an electron-opaque granular substance in nuclei, perinuclear spaces, cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and the central portion of CIBs may occur concomitantly, the granules seen in these sites may be related. Coiled bodies were round in profile and were composed of electron-opaque strands consisting of granular and filamentous elements and intervening material of low electron opacity. This structure, frequently located in close proximity to the nuclear granular inclusions, may play a role in the formation of the intranuclear granules in cotton rat pinealocytes.

Direct amygdaloid projections to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve: a light and electron microscopic study in the rat

The projections from the central nucleus of the amygdala to the dorsal vagal complex were examined in the rat by means of anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase and anterograde degeneration. Light microscopic findings confirmed that the amygdala projects to the dorsal motor nucleus (DMV) and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Electron microscopic experiments demonstrated degenerating axosomatic and axodendritic terminals in the DMV following electrolytic lesions in the central nucleus of the amygdala.

Effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study

The effects of melatonin on synaptic ribbons (SR) in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were examined. SR were classified into types 1, 2 and 3, which appear as rods, round or irregular bodies and ring-shaped structures, respectively; a synaptic ribbon index (SR index) was determined for the three types. Administration of two doses of 1.5 mg/kg melatonin at noon and 3 p.m. causes an increase in the type-1 and type-2 SR indices 3 h after the second injection in hamsters kept under alternating light and dark conditions (lights on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Likewise, in animals that are exposed to extended light for 5 h and receive two doses of melatonin at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., an increase in the type-1 and type-2 SR indices occurs 3 h after the second injection. The increase in the type-2 SR index induced by melatonin administration to hamsters exposed to extended light is greater than the increase in the type-1 SR index under the same experimental conditions. Type-2 SR index, but not type-1 SR index, increases following bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy. An increase in type-1 and type-2 SR indices occurs at 6 p.m. in ganglionectomized animals administered two doses of melatonin 6 h (noon) and 3 h (3 p.m.) before the time of sacrifice. No significant change is observed in type-3 SR index in animals subjected to any of the above treatments. The results indicate that exogenous melatonin may act directly on pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster to cause an increase in size and/or number of the type-1 and type-2 SR. Type 3-SR may have a role different from that of type-1 and type-2 SR; type-1 and type-2 SR may be functionally related.

Circadian variations in pinealocytes of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. A quantitative electron-microscopic study

Circadian morphological variations of pinealocytes in the superficial pineal of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) were studied using quantitative electron-microscopic techniques. The volume of the nucleus and cytoplasm of pinealocytes exhibited similar circadian variations, with the maximum around the middle of the light period and the minimum during the first half of the dark period. Synaptic ribbons in pinealocytes were classified into three groups, type-1, -2 and -3 synaptic ribbons, which appeared as rods, round or irregular bodies and ring-shaped structures, respectively; a synaptic ribbon index was determined for the respective types. The synaptic ribbon index was expressed as the number of synaptic ribbons in the pinealocyte profile representing the cell size. The type-1 synaptic ribbon index, which was smallest during the second half of the light period, was increased during the dark period. The length of straight or slightly curved rods showed a 24-h change similar to that of the type-1 synaptic ribbon index; the length of the rods was maximal during the first half of the dark period and minimal at the end of the light period. There was no apparent circadian variation in the type-2 synaptic ribbon index. The type-3 synaptic ribbon index was higher during the light period than during the dark period; the index attained zero 3 h after the onset of darkness and, thereafter, increased gradually.

Ultrastructural observations on the pineal gland of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. I. The superficial pineal

The ultrastructure of the pineal parenchymal cells, pinealocytes and glia-like cells, of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is described. Pinealocyte nuclei contain spindle-shaped inclusions consisting of bundles of closely packed parallel filaments of about 8 nm in thickness. Mitochondria contain lamellar and tubular cristae. Smaller and larger mitochondria are usually localized separately in individual pinealocytes. Flattened mitochondria contain two to four closely arranged, unusual lamellar cristae, which lie parallel to the surface of the mitochondria. These cristae exhibit particular structures. Rough endoplasmic reticulum is frequently found in close association with such flattened mitochondria. The pinealocyte cytoplasm contains stacks of flattened cisternae, which are continuous with both smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Pinealocyte cell bodies and processes contain granulated vesicles. Although larger granulated vesicles measuring up to 300 nm in diameter occasionally occur, smaller granulated vesicles (about 100 nm in diameter) and larger ones are usually localized separately in individual cells. Vacuoles containing flocculent material are found in groups in close association with rough endoplasmic reticulum. Glia-like cells with darker cytoplasm and nuclei lie surrounding pericapillary or intercellular spaces. The glia-like cells are characterized by the presence of abundant lipid droplets and occasional pigment granules. Bundles of filaments run parallel to the long axis of the processes of the glia-like cells.

Effect of continuous darkness on diurnal rhythms in small vesicles in sympathetic nerve endings of the mouse pineal-quantitative electron microscopic observations

Quantitative electron microscopic studies on the effect of continuous darkness on the diurnal rhythm of small vesicles in sympathetic nerve endings of the mouse pineal demonstrate that the numerical change of type 1 granulated vesicles, predominant small granulated vesicles, and non-granulated elliptical vesicles seen during the first half of the dark period under diurnal lighting conditions may persist for at least 14 days under continuous darkness. Furthermore, it is found that the alteration in the number of type 1 granulated vesicles and the total vesicle density observed during the light period under diurnal lighting conditions may be lost in mice kept in continuous darkness for 7 days. This result indicates that the type 1 granulated vesicles may be composed of two different populations of vesicles, i.e., granulated vesicles of population 1 and 2, and that the diurnal rhythm in the number of the granulated vesicles of population 1 may be abolished, while that of the granulated vesicles of population 2 may be maintained, under continuous darkness. The diurnal variation in the number of the type 2 granulated vesicles, which constitute a small population of small granulated vesicles, may persist in darkness. Thus, the diurnal rhythm in the number of small granulated vesicles in sympathetic nerve endings of the mouse pineal may be controlled by two different mechanisms, exogenous and endogenous.

Mechanism involved in the response of granulated vesicles in the mouse pinealocyte to acute cold exposure

Quantitative electron microscopic studies on the mouse pineal gland were done to elucidate the mechanism of the response of the granulated vesicles in pinealocytes to acute cold exposure. An increase in the number of the granulated vesicles in the mouse pinealocytes occurs following administration of isoproterenol and this increase is prevented by pretreatment with the beta-adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol. In addition, a numerical increase of the granulated vesicles in response to acute cold exposure is abolished in mice pretreated with propranolol or in adrenalectomized animals. The results suggest that catecholamines released from the adrenal medulla, but not from sympathetic nerve endings, may cause the response of the granulated vesicles to cold by way of beta-receptors.

Effects of continuous lighting or continuous darkness on large granulated vesicles in sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal--quantitative electron microscopic observations

The influence of continuous light or darkness on the large granulated vesicles in sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal was investigated by means of quantitative electron microscopic techniques. Continuous illumination at about 20 lux caused the disappearance of the diurnal rhythm in the number of the large granulated vesicles, followed by an accumulation of these vesicles. The diurnal rhythm of the large granulated vesicles was abolished in mice kept in continuous darkness for 7 days. These results suggest that the diurnal variation of the large granulated vesicles may be controlled directly by environmental light. Based on these findings, the relationships between small and large granulated vesicles were discussed.

Ultrastructure of pinealocytes of the cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus

Fine structural features of pinealocytes of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were examined. Golgi complexes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and polysomes are usual organelles seen in the perikaryonal cytoplasm of pinealocytes. Many non-granulated vesicles (40 to 80 nm in diameter) and a few granulated vesicles (about 100 nm in diameter) are associated with the Golgi cisternae. Occasionally, the cisternae contain granular materials. The perikaryonal cytoplasm of pinealocytes is characterized by the presence of inclusion bodies. These bodies are usually round in shape, not bounded by a limiting membrane and composed of fine granular or filamentous materials of high electron-opacity, which are similar in appearance to the substance seen in the nucleolonema. Pinealocyte processes, filled with abundant non-granulated vesicles and some granulated vesicles, are mainly found within the parenchyma and occasionally in perivascular spaces.

Effect of disinfectants with and without usage of detergent for the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope

The purpose of this study was to find a safer, more rapid and easier disinfection process for the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (F.F.B.) by using ordinary disinfectants and a detergent. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aures, E. coli, Serratia marcescens and Candida albicans were used as sources of contamination. The mixed bacterial growth preparations for contamination of the F.F.B. were the same as those previously mentioned in our study. Comparative bacteriological studies, between glutaraldehyde (GA) ethylalcohol (AL) and chlorhexidine (CHX) with and without usage of benzalkonium chloride (B.C.) solution and sterile water (W) as the detergent were performed and the following conclusions were obtained: 1. Contaminating microorganisms were reduced from 10(-3)/ml to 10(-4)/ml colony count after flushing with W and B.C. This procedure is very helpful for consecutive rapid disinfections or sterilizations of the F.F.B. 2. The effect of disinfectants with usage of a detergent was much better than without a detergent. Required immersion time in the disinfectants with detergent was reduced to periods as short as 60 seconds. 3. Of the three disinfectants, the most effective was CHX, GA next, and AL third. 4. Unsatisfactory disinfection occurred in some instances when there were functional disorders with the F.F.B. despite adequate amounts of disinfectant and detergent.

Further studies on diurnal changes in small vesicles in sympathetic nerve endings in the mouse pineal and the effects of continuous light on the vesicles--quantitative electron microscopic observations

Diurnal variations in the number of various types of small granulated and non-granulated vesicles as well as effects of continuous light on the vesicles in sympathetic nerve endings of the mouse pineal were investigated using quantitative electron microscopic techniques. Small granulated vesicles, 40 to 80 nm in diameter, were classified into two categories, type 1 or type 2, according to the size of the granule. Small non-granulated vesicles were also divided into two categories, i.e., spherical and elliptical. Non-granulated vesicles with the long diameter more than twice the shorter one (ranging from 50 to 90 nm in long diameter) were referred to as elliptical vesicles and the other (ranging from 40 to 80 nm in diameter) as spherical vesicles. The number of small vesicles, except for the non-granulated spherical vesicles, varied diurnally in relation to the daily photoperiod. The total vesicle density also exhibited diurnal changes. On the basis of these observations, possible relationships between small vesicles and noradrenaline or serotonin were discussed. Both the diurnal variation in small vesicles and that in the total vesicle density were completely abolished by continuous lighting. Continuous light exposure for various periods until 35 days provoked no apparent changes in small vesicles, except the type 2 granulated vesicles, which were increased in number in response to continuous lighting for about 1 to 3 days.

Diurnal variation in large granulated vesicles in sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal--quantitative electron micrsocopic observations

Quantitative electron microscopic studies of the sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal demonstrated a marked diurnal rhythm in the number of the large granulated vesicles of 80 to 150 nm diameter. The number of these vesicles showed its minimum at the middle and the end of the dark period and its maximum at the end of the light period, respectively. The large non-granulated spherical and elliptical vesicles were almost constant in number throughout the day.

Effects of acute cold exposure on the ultrastructure of the mouse pinealocyte

Ultrastructural changes in pinealocytes were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in mice exposed to low temperatures at 0 degree C or 5 degree C for 30 or 60 min. A quantitative estimation of the granulated vesicles of about 100 nm diameter in pinealocytes demonstrated that the number of these vesicles per pinealocyte in mice exposed to cold at 0 degree C or 5 degree C increased remarkably as compared with that of the controls. This finding indicates that cold stimuli may activate the formation of the granulated vesicles in pinealocytes. In mice exposed to cold at 0 degree C for 60 min, granulated vesicles were often found in gourps close to the plasma membrane of the pinealocyte cell bodies or processes, indicating the release of the vesicle content into the extracellular spaces. Additionally, the pinealocytes of the mice exposed to cold at 0 degree C for 60 min were characterized by the frequent occurrence of lysosome-like bodies and filaments. The development of these structures in response to severe cold may represent a depressed functional state of pienalocytes.

Electron microscopic observations on neuron-like cells in the ground squirrel pineal gland

Ultrastructural details of neuron-like cells as well as synaptic nerve endings in the pineal gland of the ground squirrel are described. The neuron-like cells are situated mainly in the distal portion of the gland. Since the neuron-like cells differ considerably from the pinealocytes and exhibit cytological features characteristic of nerve cells, they are presumably true neurons. The cell bodies or processes of the neuron-like cells receive many synapses. The nerve endings synapsing on these cells contain numerous small non-granulated and some large granulated vesicles but no small granulated vesicles. These synaptic nerve endings are rather abundant within the parenchyma but they are also found in perivascular spaces ensheathed completely or partially by the Schwann cell cytoplasm. Similar nerve endings occasionally make typical synaptic contacts with the cell bodies or processes of the pinealocytes. Since the adrenergic nerve endings do not form synapses on the pinealocytes in the ground squirrel, it is clear that nerve endings other than adrenergic ones also distribute within the pineal gland of this animal. These synaptic nerve endings may contribute, at least to some extent, to the innervation of the ground squirrel pineal gland, whether they are derived from the nerve fibers penetrating the pineal gland or from the neuron-like cells.

Malignant hyperthermia and althesin

General anaesthesia with Althesin was administered on two occasions to a patient who was identified as susceptible to malignant hyperthermia, in whom there was identified familial subclinical myopathy and once in another patient suffering from arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with a history of fever associated with two previous anaesthetics. In the first patient halothane was administered by accident in association with the Althesin, but no hyperpyrexia occurred. In the second instance nitrous oxide-oxygen and halothane were associated purposely with Althesin. In none of these cases was there any rise in temperature, muscle rigor or elevation of the serum CPK level. This experience corroborates the experimental evidence of Hall, et al.10 and Harrison, who reported that Althesin prevented the onset of hyperthermia, and the clinical reports of Page and Judelman. Althesin can be assumed to be an effective anaesthetic for malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients.

Fine structural features of adrenergic nerve fibers and endings in the pineal gland of the rat, ground squirrel and chinchilla

The ultrastructural features of the adrenergic nerve fibers in the pineal glands of the rat, ground squirrel and chinchilla are described. Frequency distribution histograms of diameters of granulated and non-granulated vesicles in the adrenergic nerve endings demonstrate that the pineal nerve endings in the chinchilla contain a considerable number of large granulated and non-granulated vesicles, in contrast to those in the rat and ground squirrel. Synaptic ribbons seen in the pinealocytes of the ground squirrel were often localized near that plasma membrane which lay in close proximity to the axolemma of adrenergic nerve fibers. This observation may indicate that the synaptic ribbons are involved in the functional interconnection between pinealocytes and adrenergic nerve fibers. Localized dilations of the adrenergic nerve fibers were commonly observed in the pineal glands of all species examined. In addition to a variety of axonal constituents, various forms of inclusion bodies were tightly packed within these axonal dilations. The accumulation of the inclusion bodies may represent degenerative changes which occur in the pineal adrenergic nerve fibers in relation to the functional activity of the pineal gland.

Functional relationships between sympathetic nerves and pinealocytes in the mouse pineal: quantitative electron microscopic observations

Quantitative electron microscopic observations on the pineal gland of the mouse were made in order to demonstrate ultrastructural changes in response to various conditions of illumination in sympathetic nerve fibers as well as in pinealocytes and, thus, to establish some morphological correlates of a functional relationship between sympathetic nerves and pinealocytes. The diurnal change in the number of the small granulated vesicles (60 nm in diameter) in sympathetic nerve fibers of the mouse pineal is similar to that of the noradrenaline content in the rat pineal; increasing at night to reach the maximum level at the beginning of the light period of the day. A marked decrease of the small granulated vesicles seen after the onset of darkness may be correlated with a release of noradrenaline from the nerve fibers. Since the diurnal change in the number of the granulated vesicles (100 nm in diameter) and the glycogen content in the mouse pinealocytes closely resemble each other, the diurnal variation in the number of the granulated vesicles and the amount of glycogen may be influenced by a diurnal rhythm in the release of noradrenaline. The number of the granulated vesicles and the glycogen content in the pinealocytes show another striking similarity in that their remarkable increase is induced by continuous light for relatively short periods. It is speculated that light suppresses the release of noradrenaline from the nerve fibers and, thus, causes an increase of the glycogen content as well as the number of the granulated vesicles in the pinealocytes.

[Purification of subunits from human chorionic gonadotropin and radioimmunoassay]

A crude hCG with an activity of about 3,000 IU per mg was purifed to 10,000--15,000 IU per mg of dry weight using Amberlite CG-50 chromatography combined with DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and Sephadex G-75. The alpha and beta subunits of hCG were prepared by urea-treatment of the hormone and isolated by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. Further purification of the subunits was achieved by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-76 column. For radioimmunoassay hCG was iodinated by the DMSO-chloramine T method. Iodination of hCG with non-radioactive iodine revealed that the addition of DMSO to the iodination mixture seemed to reduce the iodination damage to the antigenic activity of the hormone. Non-radioactive iodine substituted hCG accomplished by the DMSO-chloramine T method showed 1.5 times more immunoreactive in the hCG radioimmunoassay than hCG iodinated by the usual chloramine T method. The radioimmunoassay of the hCG-beta subunit developed in our laboratory was satisfactory with respect to specificity; hLH, hFSH, hTSH and hCG-alpha subunit tested were cross-reacted very poorly in our assay system. Desialylated-hCG and subunits, whose biologic potency was almost zero, exhibited also decreased immunoreactivity, about 30% of the native hormones with grossly unimpaired parallelism in their respective homologous radioimmunoassays. The concentrations of hCG and the subunits were determined on human sera from pregnant patients during the course of pregnancy. The hCG levels reached to the peak at the first trimester of the pregnancy, however, the hCG-beta subunits varied in their concentrations poorly throughout the pregnancy periods. The hCG-alpha levels, on the other hand, depicted two distinct peaks, at the early period and the term of pregnancy.

Postnatal observations on the diurnal rhythm and the light-responsiveness in the pineal glycogen content in mice

In mice of both sexes ranging in age from five days to two years, the development and time course of diurnal rhythm and light-related variations in pineal glycogen were systematically studied by a semiquantitative histochemical method. When the animals were maintained under the usual diurnal lighting conditions (12L:12D), the diurnal rhythm and light-related changes in pineal glycogen appeared first at 22 days of age and persisted until two years. The glycogenic response was most prominent between 60 and 150 days, and declined slightly in mice older than one year. The glycogenic response and cell size tended to differ in the distal, middle and proximal portions of the body of the pineal. These regional differences change with the ages of the animals. When mice were kept in continuous darkness for seven days starting from 15, 23 or 60 days of age, the pineal showed a diurnal rhythm in pineal glycogen. When mice were kept in altered light regimens such as continuous darkness, continuous lighting or 6L:6D from birth up to 30 days, no diurnal variation in pineal glycogen developed.

Effects of sex hormones on development of urinary bladder tumours in rats induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine

Male and female Wistar strain rats were given 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) in their drinking water for 6 weeks and then water without BBN for 18 weeks. Diethylstilbestrol and testosterone were implanted subcutaneously into both intact and gonadectomised animals before or after treatment with BBN to evaluate their effects on the development of bladder tumours. Diethylstilboestrol reduced the incidence of bladder tumours significantly in male rats. The incidence was higher in female rats after spaying and administration of testosterone after BBN treatment, than in the intact female. These results suggest that diethylstilboestrol inhibits carcinogenesis of the urinary bladder induced by BBN and growth of bladder tumours induced by BBN, in male rats. On the other hand, testosterone seems to stimulate the growth of bladder tumours induced by BBN in female rats.

Ultrastructural observations at pineal gland capillaries in four rodent species

The fine structure of the capillaries of the pineal glands of the rat, mouse, chinchilla, and ground squirrel were investigated. The pineal endothelial cells in the rat, mouse and ground squirrel were often composed of attenuated cytoplasmic portions which contained numerous fenestrations, in contrast to pineal capillaries in the chinchilla which were lined by thick non-fenestrated endothelial cells. Marked morphological differences were also apparent in terms of the types of vesicles within the cytoplasm and abutting on the cell surface of pineal endothelial cells from the various species investigated. The interendothelial junctions exhibited remarkable species differences with the chinchilla pineal possessing typical tight endothelial junctions while those in the rat, mouse and ground squirrel lacked such endothelial cell associations. Generally, capillary lining cells in the chinchilla pineal resembled similar cells within the brain, while endothelial cells in pineal glands of rat, mouse and ground squirrel were more typical of those found in other endocrine organs. Species differences in the structure of the pineal capillaries may represent physiological differences as well.

Studies on urinary isozymes of lactic dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase in patients with bladder tumors

Isozymes of urinary lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were studied in 55 subjects, including 17 patients with bladder tumors. Normal clear urine from healthy persons showed little activity of LDH5, but in 11 out of 17 patients with bladder tumors LDH5 was increased sufficiently to invert the ratio of LDH5/LDH1, although the urine was not contaminated appreciably with leucocytes. Studies on tissue LDH isozymes in 16 tumors specimens strongly suggested that increased LDH5 in the urine of patients with bladder tumors originated from the tumors themselves. beta-Glucuronidase (B-G) isozymes were studied in urine specimens from 10 normal subjects, and 10 patients with bladder tumors and in 5 specimens of normal epithelium and 5 of tumor tissue. Two or three distinct bands of beta-G were separated from specimens of urine and tumor tissue from patients with bladder tumors, but only a single band was found in specimens from normal subjects.