Transforming growth factor-beta in rat kidney during compensatory renal growth

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibits the DNA synthesis and stimulates the alkaline phosphatase activity of cultured renal cortical tubular cells. When unilateral nephrectomy was performed, TGF-beta activity content gradually decreased in the remaining kidney. An immunohistochemical study of the remaining kidney after uninephrectomy, however, showed that the expression of TGF-beta increased by the third day after uninephrectomy in the proximal tubular cells and an autoradiographic study revealed that TGF-beta expressing tubular cells were different from proliferating cells during compensatory renal growth. These results indicate that the total renal TGF-beta content decreases after uninephrectomy, while the expression of TGF-beta in the proximal tubular cells may increase and act as a brake for compensatory renal hyperplasia.

Development of a chemiluminescence detection system using bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate for the sensitive determination of the fluorescent compounds separated with an acidic mobile phase

A rotating flow mixing device having three directional inlets was developed for a high performance liquid chromatographic peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection system for the sensitive detection of fluorescent compounds separated with acidic mobile phases, such as those containing trifluoroacetic acid. The diameters of the three inlets were 0.3, 0.3 and 0.5 mm i.d., for an acidic column eluate, chemiluminogenic reagents (bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl) phenyl] oxalate and hydrogen peroxide) and imidazole solution (for neutralization and as a catalyst), respectively. The three mixed solutions flowed out through an outlet (0.5 mm i.d.) at the centre of the top of the vessel. The reaction conditions to give the appropriate signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) were investigated using dipyridamole (an antiplatelet aggregation drug) as a typical fluorescent compound. The system was applied to the detection of dipyridamole and dansylated amino acids with a mobile phase containing trifluoroacetic acid. The detection limits for dipyridamole and each dansylated amino acid were 10 amol and sub-fmol (S/N = 2), respectively.

Effects of low concentration of vinblastine on the anchorage-independent growth and in vitro invasion of human renal carcinoma cell lines

A study was conducted on the effect of vinblastine (VBL), an anti-mitotic drug that is commonly employed in the treatment of human renal cell carcinoma. When VBL was added to serum-free cultures of the ACHN and NT cell lines (both lines are of human renal carcinoma origin), a concentration of 1 microgram/ml resulted in death of most of the cells of both cell types. However, at a concentration of 10 ng/ml or less, although the cells detached from the culture dish, many viable cells were observed. In addition, in an in vitro invasion assay, the invasiveness of these detached cells was demonstrated to be accelerated in comparison with the parent monolayed cells. This increase of invasion was observed in the treatment of TN-16 which is known to have a metaphase-arresting effect, not to have an anti-cancer effect. When detached cells by VBL were inoculated into soft agar, their colony-forming ability was clearly increased in comparison with the parent cells or TN-16 treated cells. These results indicate that low concentration of VBL appears to increase the malignant potential of human renal carcinoma cells in culture.

Acute hemorrhagic cystitis caused by adenovirus following renal transplantation: review of the literature

We report on 4 male patients with acute hemorrhagic cystitis caused by adenovirus following renal transplantation. These patients showed symptoms of gross hematuria, urinary frequency, burning urination and fever. Adenovirus was isolated in all patients and 3 were positive for serotype 11. Complement-fixing antibody was positive for adenovirus in all cases. Acute hemorrhagic cystitis caused by adenovirus was self-limiting and reduction of immunosuppression was not required for its resolution. Clinical presentation of these patients is described and the literature is reviewed.

Variations in the ganglioside profile of uveal melanoma correlate with cytologic heterogeneity

Gangliosides may play an important role in the proliferation and spread of human malignant melanoma. Because the frequency of metastases in uveal and cutaneous melanoma differs, it is possible that they may express different gangliosides. We analyzed the ganglioside profiles of primary uveal melanoma in 14 cases and of cutaneous melanoma metastasis in 19 cases. In cutaneous melanoma, GM3 ranged from 4.2% to 74.6% and GD3 from 22.1% to 91.8% of total lipid-bound sialic acid. GM2 (found in 13 of 19 cases, ranging from 0.5% to 11.7%), GD2 (11/19, 0.5%-22.0%) and 9-O-acetyl-GD3 (13/19, 0.5%-12.6%) were also frequently observed. By contrast, in 11 cases of uveal melanoma, GM3 was > 90%, GD3 was < 10%, GM2 was < 1.1%; neither GD2 nor 9-O-acetyl-GD3 were detected. The ganglioside profiles of these uveal melanomas were virtually identical to those of normal melanocytes obtained from foreskins. Histological examination of these 11 biopsies showed a monomorphous cell composition, but neither infiltration of lymphocytes or melanophages nor cell necrosis was observed. In 3 other cases, GD3 was increased to 19.5%-46.0%. Histological examination of these 3 biopsy specimens showed at least 2 populations of tumor cells that were separable based on morphological grounds, and mononuclear inflammatory cells interspersed among the tumor cells. An increase in GD3 appears to be related to tumor polyclonality and infiltration of the tumor by lymphocytes and macrophages. These results suggest that ganglioside expression of uveal melanoma is associated with host immune responses to the tumor. Furthermore, the low metastatic capacity of uveal melanoma, in contrast to the high metastatic rate of cutaneous melanoma, may be a result of its differentiated ganglioside expression, which is strikingly similar to that of normal melanocytes.

Anti-epidermal growth factor antibody inhibits compensatory renal hyperplasia but not hypertrophy after unilateral nephrectomy in mice

The effect of anti-epidermal growth factor (EGF) antibody on the compensatory renal growth including hyperplasia and hypertrophy was investigated. The antibody used in this study blocked the stimulatory effect of EGF on the DNA synthesis of cultured rat hepatocytes. When this antibody was injected into mice intravenously after unilateral nephrectomy, the labeling index of the renal cortical tubular cells decreased significantly at the second day after uninephrectomy, but the antibody caused no decrease in remaining kidney weight. Immunohistochemical study revealed that injected anti-mouse EGF rabbit IgG was positively stained at the renal cortical tubular cells. EGF would thus appear importantly essential to compensatory renal hyperplasia.

Influence of season on characteristics of epididymal and ejaculated semen in Meishan boars

Most of the epididymal spermatozoa collected in all the seasons examined maintained an ability to move progressively, had a cytoplasmic droplet in the distal site of the middle piece, and were morphologically normal. Reduced desire to mount a dummy was not observed during the experimental period. Characteristics of ejaculated semen were not significantly altered throughout the year. However, progressive motility and acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa ejaculated between July and September were more susceptible to storage at 4 degrees C than spermatozoa ejaculated during the other months and acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa ejaculated during the 3 months was to freezing-thawing. These results indicate that the reproductive activity of Meishan boars in Japan is only slightly influenced by season, but semen ejaculated during the summer is less suitable for storage than that ejaculated during the other seasons of the year.

Higher sensitivity of the developing larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis than the adult worms to flubendazole and mebendazole

Two kinds of benzimidazoles, flubendazole and mebendazole were each administered at 10 mg/kg to rats harbouring the developing larvae of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis 3 or 10 days post-infection and to those harbouring the adult worms 70 days post-infection. Almost all of the larvae were eliminated from the rats mediated 3 days post-infection. The larvicidal effects of the drugs administered 10 days post-infection were not so high as those 3 days post-infection. However, the growth of larvae in rats medicated 10 days post-infection were significantly inhibited as judged from their length, width and weight except the length of the larvae in rats given mebendazole. An inhibition of their growth was also demonstrated by the observation that no first-stage larvae were released from the rats medicated 10 days post-infection and examined 66 days post-infection at which the first-stage larvae were released from non-medicated rats. On the other hand, when the drugs were administered 70 days post-infection, no effects were seen on the number, body size and weight of recovered worms, and the release of the first-stage larvae. A sound conclusion was drawn that the developing larvae are more sensitive to the drugs than the adult worms.

Secretion of autocrine growth-promoting activity by renal-carcinoma cells treated with 5-fluorouracil

A study was made of the auto-proliferative activity of human renal-carcinoma cells in the supernatant from a carcinoma-cell culture in serum-free medium to which an anticancer agent had been added (5-FU). The human renal-cancer cells used in this study were of 3 strains: ACHN, VMRC-RCW and NT. When each line was cultured in medium containing no 5-FU, the supernatant showed almost no activity for stimulating DNA synthesis. However, when the line was cultured in the presence of 5-FU, the supernatant showed autocrine growth-promoting activity which strongly stimulated DNA synthesis of 3 renal-cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Activity could be detected in a 4- to 6-kDa fraction by gel filtration. This fraction increased the DNA-synthesis-promoting activity of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, basic fibroblast growth factor and insulin, and was acid- and heat-stable. It was also stable against pepsin and dithiothreitol. DNA synthesis in BALB/c 3T3, adult rat hepatocytes and rabbit renal tubular cells was not affected by this fraction which was thus considered not to affect non-cancerous cells. Renal-cell carcinoma responds poorly to anticancer agents, and the autocrine activity of the fraction may possibly be a factor accounting for this resistance.

Transforming growth factor-beta-like activity is secreted by rabbit renal cortical tubular cells in primary culture

The activity of an autocrine growth factor in a medium conditioned by cultured rabbit renal cortical tubular cells was investigated. Little stimulatory growth activity for tubular cells was observed in the conditioned medium, and inhibitory activity was seen only in acidified conditioned medium. This factor stimulated the colony formation of NRK 49F cells in soft agar only with epidermal growth factor and inhibited the DNA synthesis of primary cultured rat hepatocytes, and its molecular weight was about 25 kDa. The factor was neutralized by the specific antibody to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1. These results indicate that renal tubular epithelial cells can produce latent TGF-beta in primary culture.

A sensitive determination method for mexiletine derivatized with dansyl chloride in rat plasma utilizing a HPLC peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection system

A sensitive determination method for a non-fluorescent anti-arrhythmic drug, mexiletine, in rat plasma is presented utilizing a HPLC peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) detection system. After an internal standard (4-methylmexiletine, 4.35 pmol) and 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution were added to 5 microL rat plasma, the solution was poured onto an Extrelut 1 column. Both mexiletine and the internal standard were eluted with diethy ether and then the eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in 0.2 M borate buffer (pH 8.5) and mixed with dansyl chloride (75 nmol) in acetronitrile. After standing of 90 min at room temperature, 0.5 N HCl was added to the reaction mixture to stop the reaction and a 2/45 aliquot of the mixture was subjected to a HPLC PO-CL detection system using bis(4-nitro-2(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl) oxalate (TDPO) and hydrogen peroxide. The calibration curve for mexiletine in rat plasma was linear over the range 20-100 ng/mL plasma (20.6-103 fmol/injection). The detection limit (S/N = 2) was 1.0 fmol over the whole procedure. The method was applied to the measurement of the time courses of plasma mexiletine concentration after oral administration of the drug [25 mg (115.9 mumol)/kg] to rats.

Production and characterization of a murine/human chimeric anti-idiotype antibody that mimics ganglioside

The VL and VH from a murine anti-idiotypic antibody that mimics ganglioside have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed as a chimeric mouse/human IgG1 antibody. The chimeric antibody retained a binding specificity indistinguishable from the original murine antibody. The VH was a member of Vgam 3.8 family. The sequences are discussed in terms of ways in which proteins may mimic ganglioside epitopes.

Gene expression and immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma is known as a neoplastic condition of renal tubular cells and usually shows a hypervascular tumor in angiographic examination. We examined the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human renal cell carcinoma. To determine if alterations in bFGF gene expression are present in human renal cell carcinoma, paired samples of normal and neoplastic renal tissue from 6 patients were analyzed for bFGF mRNA content by Northern blot hybridization. In 4 out of 6 patients, tumor tissue expressed bFGF mRNA 2 to 4 times greater than corresponding normal tissue. Two patients showed minimal elevation of tumor bFGF mRNA. The localization of bFGF in the renal cell carcinoma tissue was also examined using immunohistochemical staining, and it was found that bFGF was positively stained at the nuclei of tumor cells and the cell surface. These results suggest that increased expression of bFGF may be associated with neoplastic growth in renal tubular epithelial cells and neovascularization.

Rosette formation of impacted molar teeth in mucopolysaccharidoses and related disorders

The radiographic features of the jaws in the mucopolysaccharidoses and related disorders (MPS) have been reviewed and three further cases are reported here, with particular reference to a novel dental anomaly, not previously described in detail, in two of them. The dental changes appear to be fully developed by the third decade and are characterized by bilateral multiple impacted molar teeth, which conglomerate in a single follicle to form a characteristic rosette of teeth. Rosetting was present only in relatively mature cases of MPS. However, it was also seen in the fourth patient, where we could not detect any other abnormal clinical or radiographic features. We therefore propose that since multiple rosetting of molar teeth can also occur in an isolated form, it is only suggestive of MPS.

Radiological characteristics of lead foils in dental film packets: analysis of components and shielding effect

The radiological characteristics of the lead in five different dental film packets currently on the market in Japan were studied with monochromatic X-rays. Four packets were of a foil type while in the fifth, the lead was incorporated in the vinyl of the film packet. The samples were analysed by polychromatic photon absorptiometry, and the main component found to be lead with tin and/or antimony in smaller amounts. The shielding effect was calculated and, with the exception of the lead vinyl type, all found to exceed the ISO standard 3665. The lead foils attenuated the primary beam by, on average, 77% and 56% at 60 and 90 kVp respectively: in contrast, the reduction with the lead vinyl packet was only 38% and 23%. Using a 7 cm round beam, the lead foils reduced the dose by an average of 15% compared with 30% with a rectangular beam; the average dose reduction with the lead vinyl type was 8% and 15% respectively. These data show that the lead vinyl packet is unsuitable for clinical use and confirm the importance of optimum beam collimation for the reduction of patient risk.

Urethral narrowing due to ectopic prostatic tissue in the bulbar urethra

Ectopic prostatic tissue in the bulbar urethra is a rare disorder. A case of urethral narrowing due to such tissue is presented. The tissue specimen from the urethral narrowing was positively stained immunohistochemically by the prostatic specific antigen. Urethrocystographic findings are also discussed.

Testicular development in Chinese Meishan boars

The developmental process of the testis and age-related changes in the morphology of rete testicular spermatozoa were investigated in Meishan boars at 1 to 364 days of age. Testicular weight and the diameter of seminiferous tubules increased rapidly until 150 to 180 days of age. Leptotene stage spermatocytes, round spermatids and spermatozoa were first found in the section of seminiferous tubules at 30 to 45, 60 and 75 days of age, respectively. However, after 105 to 120 days of age, most rete testicular spermatozoa were morphologically normal. These results indicate that Meishan boars reach puberty as early as 75 days of age, though the testes acquire the ability to produce morphologically normal spermatozoa at about 120 days.

Salivary SPECT and factor analysis in Sjögren's syndrome

Salivary SPECT and factor analysis in Sjögren's syndrome were performed in 17 patients and 6 volunteers as controls. The ability of SPECT to detect small differences in the level of uptake can be used to separate glands from background even when uptake is reduced as in the patients with Sjögren's syndrome. In control and probable Sjögren's syndrome groups the uptake ratio of the submandibular gland to parotid gland on salivary SPECT (S/P ratio) was less than 1.0. However, in the definite Sjögren's syndrome group, the ratio was more than 1.0. Moreover, the ratio in all patients with sialectasia, which is characteristic of Sjögren's syndrome, was more than 1.0. Salivary factor analysis of normal parotid glands showed slowly increasing patterns of uptake and normal submandibular glands had rapidly increasing patterns of uptake. However, in the definite Sjögren's syndrome group, the factor analysis patterns were altered, with slowly increasing patterns dominating both in the parotid and submandibular glands. These results suggest that the S/P ratio in salivary SPECT and salivary factor analysis provide additional radiologic criteria in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome.

Computed tomography of maxillofacial infection

Eighteen patients with maxillofacial infections, who had trismus and swelling of the masseteric region, were investigated by CT. Spread of infection was evaluated with particular reference to the fascial spaces. The masticator space was divided into four parts and the changes in each were assessed together with the surrounding fascial spaces. There were changes in the masseter muscle and infection had spread into the upper parts of the masticator space in more than half of the patients. There was a fall in the CT value in the affected muscles, whereas it was raised in the parotid gland and adipose tissue. The clinical importance of CT is shown to have a significant role in the diagnosis and follow-up of maxillofacial infections.

Transient increase in renal epidermal growth factor content after unilateral nephrectomy in the mouse

A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for mouse epidermal growth factor was established for measurement of the content of epidermal growth factor in the remaining kidney after uninephrectomy. In 5-week-old male mice, the renal epidermal growth factor content before uninephrectomy was 355 +/- 97 ng/g wet tissue with a 2.1-fold increase on the first day after uninephrectomy, whereafter it gradually decreased. In 15-week-old mature male mice, the renal epidermal growth factor content increased 1.7-fold on the first day after uninephrectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that epidermal growth factor was present in the distal tubular cells and that the staining intensity was increased on the first day after uninephrectomy. During the course of compensatory renal growth, no significant alteration of epidermal growth factor content was observed in plasma or in the submaxillary gland. Our data suggest that the increase in renal epidermal growth factor content after uninephrectomy is due to an increased production of epidermal growth factor in the kidney itself. The significance of this phenomenon is discussed.

Hepatocyte growth factor is a potent mitogen for cultured rabbit renal tubular epithelial cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is a potent growth factor of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture, also strongly stimulated DNA synthesis of rabbit renal tubular epithelial cells in secondary culture. Its mitogenic activity was dose-dependent, being detectable at 3 ng/ml and maximal at 30 ng/ml. Over 20% of the cells were shifted to the S-phase by HGF alone, judging by the labeling index. HGF had additive effects with EGF, acidic fibroblast growth factor (a-FGF), and insulin. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) strongly inhibited DNA synthesis of renal tubular cells stimulated by HGF. The growth of renal tubular epithelial cells was also regulated by cell density: DNA synthesis stimulated by HGF was high at lower cell density and was strongly suppressed at high cell density. These results suggest that HGF may act as a renotropic factor in compensatory renal growth or renal regeneration in vivo.

Analysis of the diagnostic process in sialography

The diagnostic process in sialography was evaluated using the mouse parotid gland as a model. The relative significance of each of the three diagnostic phases, psychophysical, psychological and nosological, was determined by analysing observer accuracy in detecting sialoadenitis and sialodochitis on digital and analogue microsialograms. Automated diagnosis based on parametric values of the digitized image was compared with the human system using ROC analysis. The overall accuracy of automated diagnosis was superior to that of an observer with analogue images. It is concluded that if observers were to be given the same quantitative information and informed of its diagnostic value in the psychological phase, then variation in the detection of the abnormalities could be reduced and the overall diagnostic accuracy in sialography improved.

The effect of transforming growth factor-beta on the alkaline phosphatase activity in rabbit renal cortical tubular cell cultures

The effect of various growth regulators including epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta on the alkaline phosphatase activity of rabbit renal cortical tubular cells has been investigated in a serum-free culture. As a result, it was found that transforming growth factor-beta, known to be a growth inhibitor of renal tubular cells, increased the alkaline phosphatase activity of the tubular cells dose-dependently and that cycloheximide blocked any increase in the activity of this factor. In contrast, epidermal growth factor decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity in the tubular cells.

A new method for the high performance liquid chromatographic determination of TA-870, a dopamine prodrug (catechol ester compound)

A new method for the high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) determination of N-(N-acetyl-L-methionyl)-O,O-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)dopamine (TA-870), a dopamine prodrug, in biological fluid has been developed. In order to measure with an electrochemical detector (ECD), TA-870 was passed first through an immobilized carboxylesterase column to be converted to the electrochemically active deethoxycarbonylated TA-870 (DEC-TA-870). The properties of this carboxylesterase immobilized on Sepharose 4B were examined by this flow injection system. Hydrolysis of TA-870 with this immobilized carboxylesterase was a maximum at pH 7-8 and 50 degrees C, and the activity decreased in the presence of organic solvent such as acetonitrile. For the determination of TA-870 in biological fluids, an HPLC-immobilized enzyme-ECD system using a column-switching technique was developed. The blood was deproteinized with ethanol, and TA-870 in the ethanol extracts was adsorbed in Bond Elut C18. The dichloromethane eluate from Bond Elut C18 was injected into the HPLC system. The HPLC apparatus was composed of three pumps, two separation columns (LiChrosorb Si 60 and mu Bondasphere), a trap column (Bond Elut), an enzyme column, ECD and the column-switching system. The calibration curve for TA-870 in blood was linear in the range from 2 to 200 ng/mL. This new assay method might be useful also for the determination of other catechol ester compounds.

Sensitive assay system for bile acids and steroids having hydroxyl groups utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection

3 alpha- or 3 beta-hydroxysteroids, such as bile acids (free and glycine and taurine conjugates), 3 beta-hydoxy-5-cholenic acid, pregnanediol, 5-pregnene-3 beta, 20 beta-diol and 5-pregnene-3-beta,20 alpha-diol, were converted to 3-oxosteroids by enzymatic reaction using immobilized hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, derivatized with dansylhydrazine to the corresponding dansyl hydrazones and purified by gel permeation chromatography. The dansyl hydrazones were chromatographed on a C18 column with a tetrahydrofuran-containing eluent and detected at the level of a few femtomoles by a peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence post-column reaction using bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate as a chemilumigenic reagent. The dansyl hydrazones of chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid (free and glycine and taurine conjugates) in particular, which coeluted under the chromatographic conditions above, were separated using an eluent including acetonitrile and 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and detected in the same way.

Transforming growth factor beta-like activity in human hydrocele fluid

In this study transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-like activity in human hydrocele fluid was investigated. Inhibition of DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture and stimulation of colony formation of normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts, clone 49F in soft agar were observed in all acidified hydrocele fluids and these activities were neutralized by the specific antibody raised against human native TGF-beta. In samples obtained from recurrent cases of hydrocele, TGF beta-like activity was observed in its active form (without acidification). These results suggest that human hydrocele fluid contains TGF beta-like activity and that the active form of TGF-beta in recurrent hydrocele fluid may be responsible for the recurrence of the disease even after repeated aspiration.

Studies on the effects of imidazole on the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection system for high performance liquid chromatography

The catalytic effect of bases (imidazole, pyridine, Tris and triethylamine) on the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) reaction for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was investigated. Imidazole increased PO-CL intensity extraordinarily, whereas the other bases (pyridine, Tris and triethylamine) did not. The peak heights of dipyridamole (coronary vasodilator) obtained using the eluents containing buffers were largest at pH 7.0, a few times less at pH 6.0 and pH 5.0, 100 times less at pH 4.0 and a few hundred times less at pH 3.0. The eluents containing buffers at pH 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 each with imidazole increased the peak heights by a few to ten times as compared with those without imidazole, and those peak heights were within one order of magnitude. On the other hand, the eluent containing buffer at pH 2 did not affect the peak heights with or without imidazole. Bis(4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl) oxalate (TDPO) alone and bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)oxalate (DNPO) plus TDPO were recommended to be used against eluents containing buffers of pH 5-7 and pH 3-4, respectively. Dipyridamole and benzydamine hydrochloride (anti-inflammatory drug) were separated on the ODS column and detected by the present system. The detection limits of dipyridamole and benzydamine hydrochloride were 40 amol and 270 fmol, respectively.

[Prophylactic effect of UFT on the recurrence of bladder cancer]

To evaluate the effect of UFT, a mixture of ftorafur and uracil in a ratio of 1:4, in preventing postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer, we performed a randomized controlled study with a non-medication group as control. UFT was given orally 400 mg a day for 6 months. Of 111 patients, 56 were given UFT and 55 were followed up without any medication. The non-recurrence rate in the group treated with UFT was 62.8% after 1 year and 36.3% after 2 years of follow up, and that of the control group was 45.7% and 39.5%, respectively. The rate of non-recurrence in the UFT group was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that of the control group during the period of follow up for 2 years. The incidence of side effects was 6.8% in UFT patients. These results indicate the clinical usefulness of prophylactic administration of UFT for bladder cancer patients.

Some electrical properties of human pregnant myometrium

Membrane properties of the human pregnant myometrium were investigated with the conventional microelectrode and patch clamp methods. The majority of preparations produced spontaneous action potentials at a very low frequency, and action potentials were inhibited in sodium-deficient or calcium-free solutions. With the patch clamp technique with 120 mmol/L cesium-20 mmol/L tetraethylammonium in the pipette, the inward current was evoked by a depolarizing pulse above -40 mV from a holding potential of -60 mV and maximum amplitude was obtained at 0 mV. At a holding potential of -100 mV, the inward current could be evoked with less positive depolarizing pulses, and the membrane potential that evoked the maximum amplitude of inward current was shifted to a more negative potential. Single-channel current recording revealed that two types of calcium channels existed in human pregnant myometrium, with single-channel conductances of 12 and 29 pS. One of the calcium channels (12 pS) was inactivated at a holding potential of -60 mV.

A study of growth regulators of renal cortical tubular cells in the rabbit liver

Two growth regulators, a growth stimulator for cultured renal tubular cells and a growth inhibitor, were observed in this study in rabbit liver homogenate after a unilateral nephrectomy. These regulators appeared in the liver on the third day after this nephrectomy, decreased on the seventh day, and disappeared by the fourteenth day. The growth stimulatory activity, termed a tubular cell growth factor (TuCGF), was a heat- and acid stable 15 to 20 KDa protein. The additive effects of TuCGF on the epidermal growth factor (EGF), the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) were observed; the results suggest that TuCGF differs from EGF, IGF-I, or FGF. In contrast, the growth inhibitory activity, termed a tubular cell growth inhibitor (TuCGI), was a heat- and acid-labile protein with a molecular weight of about 150 to 200 KDa. This factor potently inhibited the DNA synthesis of tubular cells in the presence of insulin and EGF. These results suggest that TuCGI is not identical with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The regulation of these activities by target cell density is also discussed.

Image analysis of microsialograms of the mouse parotid gland: a study of the effect of contrast medium in experimentally induced sialoadenitis

Quantitative image analysis of mouse parotid gland sialograms was achieved by conversion of the digital image to a histogram. The relationships between histogram pattern, microsialographic appearance and the amount of contrast medium infused were compared in normal glands and in experimentally induced sialoadenitis. Differences in the pattern enabled a distinction to be drawn between poor sialographic technique and genuine pathology.

Identification of a protein increasing in serum of Nagase analbuminemic rats bearing intestinal tumors as an isotype of T-kininogen

Increase in an unidentified protein was observed in serum of Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) bearing intestinal tumors induced by azoxymethane. This protein seemed to be a polymer of a protein of 73 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and so was tentatively named 73K-protein. The serum concentration of 73K-protein in NAR bearing intestinal tumors was 11.9 +/- 2.2 mg/ml (mean +/- SD, n = 5), whereas that in control NAR was 2.0 +/- 0.2 mg/ml. Increase of the serum 73K-protein level was also observed in Sprague-Dawley rats bearing intestinal tumors, skin tumors, subcutaneous sarcomas, or mammary tumors and in ACI rats bearing urinary bladder tumors. On double immunodiffusion analysis, the 73K-protein was not detected in mouse, guinea pig, pig, horse, or human serum. A cDNA clone bearing the sequence encoding 73K-protein was isolated from a cDNA library constructed from rat liver mRNA. The nucleotide sequence of the 73K-protein showed 98.8% and 96.9% homologies with the sequences of the 3'-proximal domains of the cDNAs for TI- and TII-kininogen, respectively. Therefore, the 73K-protein was concluded to be an isotype of T-kininogen.

Fluorometric assay for polyamines in urine and tissues using electrophoresis on Titan III cellulose acetate

A simple, rapid assay method for polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) in urine and tissues using electrophoresis on Titan III cellulose acetate was developed. In this procedure, polyamines are preliminarily extracted from a hydrolysate of urine or from supernatants of tissue homogenates by use of a Bio-Rex 70 minicolumn. After electrophoretic separation, polyamines are fluorometrically detected by the reaction with o-phthalaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethanol. Six extracts and two external standards of polyamines can be separated and detected in 11 min on a cellulose acetate strip. This method permits the determination of polyamines in a range of 0.1 mM (25 pmol) to 1.0 mM (250 pmol).

Induction of the acrosome reaction in goat spermatozoa in simple physiological salt solution

The present study was carried out to determine whether K+, Mg2+, PO4(3-), and HCO3- in a medium are necessary for inducing the acrosome reaction in ejaculated goat spermatozoa. Washed goat spermatozoa were resuspended in K-1 medium, containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, NaH2PO4, and NaHCO3; in K-2 medium, containing NaCl, CaCl2, NaH2PO4, and NaHCO3; in K-3 medium, containing NaCl, CaCl2, and NaHCO3; and in K-4 medium, containing only NaCl and CaCl2, followed by preincubation in a sealed glass tube at 39.5 degrees C for 1, 2, or 3 h. The sperm acrosome reaction was evaluated by the trypan blue-Giemsa method and hamster test. The results were essentially the same in all cases. Following preincubation for 1 h, however, the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, the proportion of zona-free hamster eggs penetrated by spermatozoa, and the average number of spermatozoa in the vitellus of these penetrated eggs were low; all values indicated a significant increase with preincubation for 2 and 3 h. The presence of K+, Mg2+, PO4(3-), and HCO3- in the medium thus does not appear necessary for inducing the acrosome reaction in goat spermatozoa, since they can undergo the reaction during preincubation in a simple physiological salt solution containing only NaCl and CaCl2 when preincubated in sealed glass tubes at 39.5 degrees C.

[Healing process of bone fractures examined with X-ray radiography and xeroradiography]

The healing process of bone fractures produced in rat mandibulae was examined with conventional X-ray radiography and xeroradiography. Sixty rats of about 200g were offered to this examination and fractures were experimentally produced in the right mandibulae. Radiological observations were carried out immediately, 1 day, 4 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 35 days, 42 days, 49 days and 56 days after fracturing. The conventional X-ray radiograms showed no noteworthy changes until the 4th day after fracturing. The radiopacity gradually increased from the 7th Day until the 56th day. The xeroradiograms obtained on the 4th day showed some early changes which appeared on the periosteal regions of the right mandibulae. The calcification of fractured regions on the xeroradiograms gradually increased until the 56th day, similar to that observed on the conventional X ray radiograms.

Ultrastructural study of atrial specific granules in rat atrium after incubation with calcium ionophore (A23187)

The release mechanism of the rat atrial granules containing atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) was examined. In addition, the ultrastructure of right atrial myocardiocytes incubated in a medium containing an excess calcium and calcium ionophores (A 23187) was investigated by electron microscopy. After 3-15 minute incubation in the medium, many ANP-containing atrial specific granules were detected in the vicinity of the subsarcolemmal region, and invagination of the plasma membranes occurred as well as a large number of vacuoles were observed. After incubation with an excess calcium and calcium ionophores for 40 minutes, the atrial specific granules had completely disappeared and numerous vacuoles appeared in the sarcoplasm of the atrial myocardiocytes. Thus, release of ANP and their reabsorption by membranes were accelerated by the presence of calcium and calcium ionophores.

Induction of the acrosome reaction in ejaculated goat spermatozoa by preincubation in chemically defined medium

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the elimination of energy substrate from the medium and the effects of the preincubation vessel, temperature, and time on the induction of the acrosome reaction in ejaculated goat spermatozoa in chemically defined medium. Washed spermatozoa were resuspended in Brackett-Oliphant (BO) medium or substrate-free BO medium to give a high concentration and preincubated in open test tubes or sealed glass tubes at 37.0 or 39.5 degrees C for 1, 2, or 3 h. Sperm acrosome reaction was evaluated using a simplified triple-stain technique and a hamster test. It was found that the goat sperm acrosome reaction occurred more readily in the sealed glass tubes than in open test tubes, in substrate-free BO medium than in BO medium, and at 39.5 than at 37.0 degrees C. During preincubation with substrate-free BO medium in sealed glass tubes at 39.5 degrees C, the optimum time necessary to induce the acrosome reaction in goat spermatozoa was 2-3 h.

Radiological studies of experimentally induced sialoadenitis of the mouse parotid gland: quantitative microsialography and histology

Sialoadenitis was induced experimentally in mouse parotid glands and the changes in gland morphology analysed over a period of 60 days by means of quantitative microsialography and histology. The microsialogram was digitized as an intensity histogram and the glands evaluated for seven histomorphometric parameters involving both the acini and duct systems. Differences in the intensity-histogram between experimental and control glands were shown to represent changes in duct architecture in the presence of inflammation, while differences in the relative frequency of pixels between low- and high-intensity areas were found to be due to a decrease in intralobular duct size, and acinar size and number in the former compared with an increase in the major duct components in the latter.

[Dihydroergotoxine mesylate in the treatment of functioning pituitary adenoma]

Although it is well known that bromocriptine (BC) is effective in the treatment of functioning pituitary adenoma, this agent sometimes causes severe gastrointestinal side effects. In this study, dihydroergotoxine mesylate (EX), which is composed of ergot alkaloids and is similar to BC, was administered to 11 patients with functioning pituitary adenomas who could not tolerate the adverse effects of BC. Three patients (27%) showed clinical improvement with EX treatment alone (1 to 6 mg/day). In another patient, computed tomography demonstrated tumor shrinkage. The remaining seven patients experienced adverse effects while taking EX. These results indicate that EX is a useful alternative to BC in the treatment of functioning pituitary adenoma, particularly in patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of BC. Moreover, pretreatment with EX appears to reduce the incidence of side effects of BC.

[Epidemiological aspects of enteritis due to Campylobacter jejuni]

From September 1986 through July 1987, all fecal specimens obtained from infants and children who visited the pediatric clinic of the Shizuoka General Hospital with complaints of abdominal pain or diarrhea were examined for thermophilic Campylobacters. Bacteriological and epidemiological studies were performed on household contacts. The mothers of the patients were compared with the mothers of age-matched control subjects. Bacteriological examination of animals in 49 primary schools in Shizuoka city was performed. C. jejuni was isolated from 47 (9.4%) of the 499 feces samples, occupying first place in the bacterial etiology of acute bacterial enteritis. Infants and young children below 10 years of age comprised 81% of the total cases. Fourteen (13%) strains of C. jejuni were isolated in 9 families among 105 household contacts of the index patients. Six symptomatic contacts in two households had eaten the same suspected chicken as the respective index patients. In three families, C. jejuni was isolated from the remainder of the chicken. The serotype of these isolates was identical to that of the isolates from the index cases and the other family members. It was also noted that the same chopping boards were used for the preparation of salads after cleansing with water. In two index cases, the antibody of convalescent serum against C. jejuni isolated from the chicken, as estimated by passive hemagglutination method, ranged from 1:320 to 1:1280. These facts strongly supported the assumption that they had been infected by the chicken. The remaining persons were asymptomatic and the possibility was left that the index cases had been secondarily infected by these carrier persons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)