Plasmid-cured Salmonella enteritidis AL1192 as a candidate for a live vaccine

We report the immunizing capacity of Salmonella enteritidis AL1192, a strain that has been cured of a 36-megadalton plasmid, to protect ddY mice against subsequent challenge with virulent salmonellas. This strain, which was given subcutaneously at a dose of 10(6) organisms, provided significant protection against oral, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal challenge by virulent wild-type strains of not only S. enteritidis, but also S. dublin, S. naestved, and S. typhimurium.

Diffuse hypoplasia of the aorta as a possible cause of cardiac hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy is caused by a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions, including systemic hypertension, aortic valvular disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This paper describes a case of diffuse hypoplasia of the aorta in left ventricular hypertrophy. This condition has not previously been well documented. We emphasize the need for evaluation of aortic dimension when systolic hypertension and vascular bruits are observed in association with myocardial hypertrophy.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone caused by vincristine therapy: a case report of the neuropathology

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is a rare but well-recognized neurotoxic side effect of vincristine therapy. The first neuropathological report of a case is presented. A 6-month-old boy with skin leukemia developed inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone caused by vincristine. Postmortem examination revealed axonal spheroids in the ansa lenticularis and the area surrounded by the substantia innominata, amygdala and supraoptic nucleus. The lesion was confined to that area and the neurosecretory neurons were intact with well preserved neurophysin. The pathological findings suggest that these fibers play a role in the development of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone caused by vincristine therapy.

Mitral regurgitation associated with aortitis syndrome

Three patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) associated with aortitis syndrome are presented. All had multiple lesions of the large sized arteries, calcification of the aorta, mild inflammatory findings, a chronic course, and congestive heart failure. MR was observed by ventriculography in all 3 patients. Case 1 had mitral valve prolapse and secondary systemic hypertension. Case 2 showed mildly thickened mitral valve leaflets and had moderate aortic regurgitation (AR). Case 3 had massive AR. The grade of MR was moderate in Cases 1 and 2, and massive in Case 3. The left ventricle was moderately dilated in Cases 1 and 2 but contracted sufficiently and symmetrically in all 3 patients. Other than the prolapse, no significant mitral valve deformity or left ventricular asynergy was evident by ventriculography. The incidence of MR was 3.1% of 128 patients with aortitis syndrome observed in our clinic. MR may be found in the late stage of aortitis syndrome. It may be caused by a mild valvular lesion related to aortitis syndrome and be exacerbated by increased hemodynamic loads such as those which occur in secondary hypertension and AR.

[Clinical evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of primary liver cancer]

For the comparison of effect of FT-207 alone and FT-207 + MMC combination chemotherapy on primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 41 patients were entered into the trial. Thirty-two cases whose data were evaluable were studied by Koyama's classification. There was only one effective case (6.6%) in single agent group (15 cases) and 5 cases (29.4%) were effective in combination chemotherapy (17 cases). MMC combination chemotherapy was more effective on regression in size of hepatomegaly than FT-207 alone. By osaka group classification, 5 cases (33.3%) in single agent group (15 cases) were effective, and 10 cases in combination group (17 cases) (58.8%) were effective. The slight side effect often necessitated upon cessation of the treatment in 31 cases but the disappeared on cessation or by decrease of dose.

Variable prognosis in congestive cardiomyopathy. Role of left ventricular function, alcoholism, and pulmonary thrombosis

Prognosis of 36 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy was studied in relation to various clinical factors. Half life of the survival curve after overt heart failure was about 7 years. Although left ventricular function was a major determinant of clinical course in congestive cardiomyopathy in general, its relation to prognosis was variable according to the type of cardiac involvement. In peripartal cardiomyopathy and in a type of cardiomyopathy named subacute cardiomyopathy with pulmonary thrombosis in this paper, factor(s) other than left ventricular function, possibly including pulmonary thrombosis, may be operative as more important determinant of extremely poor prognosis in these subtypes. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy was also unique in its favorable prognosis in association with reversible cardiomegaly following abstention from alcohol.

On the Permeability of Rubber Mixings

In order to obtain the longest life for motor cover inflating air-bags two features are necessary in the rubber: (a) that it is a mixing not readily oxidized, (b) that it has a low permeability. This latter point has been discussed by Daynes (Trans. Inst. Rubber Ind., 3, 438 (1928)), and it is probable that it is a very important factor as at the temperatures normally used in vulcanizing the rate of diffusion of gas through rubber is greatly increased. It is conceivable that a mix having a low permeability and poor aging would outlast one having high permeability and good aging, as in the former case the deterioration of the rubber would be kept close to the surface. As little information is available on the effect of different mixing ingredients on the rate at which a gas passes through the rubber, the experiments outlined below were made.