Live computerized videomicroscopy of cerebral microvessels in brain slices

A model system for studying cerebral microvasculature is presented in which submerged in vitro brain slices are examined by computerized videomicroscopy. Brain slices are superfused continuously with artificial cerebrospinal fluid, while blood vessels are monitored using a transmission light microscope with water immersion objectives. The responses to well-characterized vasoactive compounds indicate that basic physiological characteristics are maintained in this preparation. This model system represents a simple and rapid technique for studying cerebrovascular responses under conditions in which vessels are surrounded by their normal cellular microenvironment. An additional advantage of this technique is the ability to perform simultaneous electrophysiological recordings in identified neurons. This will facilitate the study of interactions between neuronal and vascular elements and may help elucidate mechanisms underlying the local regulation of cerebral microvasculature.

[Changes in serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in liver cirrhosis and its clinical significance]

The levels of serum folic acid and vitamin B12 were determined in 40 cases of liver cirrhosis with radioimmunoassay. It was shown that in 87.5% of the patients folic acid level was lower than that of a control group and in 67.5% serum vitamin B12 level was higher than that of the control group (P less than 0.05). The correlation between liver cirrhosis and dysbolism of folic acid and vitamin B12 and the megaloblastic changes and clinical significance were discussed.

Human T lymphotropic virus types I- and II-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity: strain specificity and epitope mapping

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types I and II was investigated using sera obtained from infected individuals or from rabbits immunized with HTLV-I or -II envelope peptides. Target cells included an HTLV-I-transformed cell line (C91/PL), an HTLV-II-transformed cell line (729pH6neo), and Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes expressing HTLV-I or -II env or gag gene products after infection with vaccinia/HTLV recombinants. ADCC activity was directed at HTLV-I and -II envelope glycoproteins but not against core (gag) components. In contrast to the human immunodeficiency virus system, significant cross-reactivity between HTLV-I- and -II-directed ADCC activity was observed. Epitope mapping studies using sera from rabbits that had been immunized with HTLV-I or -II envelope peptides suggested that the critical epitopes for ADCC activity are located primarily in hydrophilic regions of the exterior (gp46) part of the envelope glycoprotein.

Delineation of type-specific regions on the envelope glycoproteins of human T cell leukemia viruses

Two different approaches were used to map the type-specific regions on human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) envelope glycoproteins. 1) Antibody reactivities of polymerase chain reaction-confirmed HTLV-I or HTLV-II carriers' sera were analyzed by Western blot assay with seven recombinant proteins containing different regions of HTLV-I or HTLV-II envelope proteins. 2) Rabbit antibodies elicited by nine HTLV-I Env synthetic peptides were used to react with the native HTLV envelope glycoproteins in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. The results of the Western blot analysis showed that RP-B2, which contains amino acid residues 166 to 213 from HTLV-II exterior glycoprotein, was specifically reactive with 90.6% (48 of 53) of the HTLV-II carriers' sera but not with any of the HTLV-I carriers' serum (0 of 71). In contrast, RP-B, which contains amino acid residues 166 to 229 from HTLV-I exterior glycoprotein, was reactive with 85.1% (114 of 134) of the HTLV-I carriers' sera but not with any HTLV-II carrier serum (0 of 62). Furthermore, anti-HTLV-I Env synthetic peptide antibody-mediated ADCC identified several distinguishing HTLV-I ADCC epitopes in the middle region (amino acid residues 177 to 257) of the HTLV-I exterior glycoprotein. Therefore, HTLV type-specific epitopes reside mainly in a 69-amino acid sequence bounded by two cysteine residues (amino acids 157 and 225 for HTLV-I and 153 and 221 for HTLV-II), in the middle region of the exterior envelope glycoproteins.

Delineation of type-specific regions on the envelope glycoproteins of human T cell leukemia viruses

Two different approaches were used to map the type-specific regions on human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) envelope glycoproteins. 1) Antibody reactivities of polymerase chain reaction-confirmed HTLV-I or HTLV-II carriers' sera were analyzed by Western blot assay with seven recombinant proteins containing different regions of HTLV-I or HTLV-II envelope proteins. 2) Rabbit antibodies elicited by nine HTLV-I Env synthetic peptides were used to react with the native HTLV envelope glycoproteins in an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. The results of the Western blot analysis showed that RP-B2, which contains amino acid residues 166 to 213 from HTLV-II exterior glycoprotein, was specifically reactive with 90.6% (48 of 53) of the HTLV-II carriers' sera but not with any of the HTLV-I carriers' serum (0 of 71). In contrast, RP-B, which contains amino acid residues 166 to 229 from HTLV-I exterior glycoprotein, was reactive with 85.1% (114 of 134) of the HTLV-I carriers' sera but not with any HTLV-II carrier serum (0 of 62). Furthermore, anti-HTLV-I Env synthetic peptide antibody-mediated ADCC identified several distinguishing HTLV-I ADCC epitopes in the middle region (amino acid residues 177 to 257) of the HTLV-I exterior glycoprotein. Therefore, HTLV type-specific epitopes reside mainly in a 69-amino acid sequence bounded by two cysteine residues (amino acids 157 and 225 for HTLV-I and 153 and 221 for HTLV-II), in the middle region of the exterior envelope glycoproteins.

[Observations of neurobehavior in lead exposed workers]

A neurobehavioral test of lead-exposed workers and the correlations between test scores and certain biochemical indices was made. The results showed that the scores of digit span, mental arithmetic, block design, digit symbol, Santa-Ana dexterity, Benton visual retention and pursuit aiming of lead-exposed workers tests were significantly lower than those of control groups. The scores of Santa-Ana dexterity, block design and digit span tests of lead-exposed workers were highly negatively correlated with levels of ZPP in blood.

Damaging role of neutrophil elastase in the elastic fiber and basement membrane in human emphysematous lung

The immunolocalization of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) in the alveolar interstitium of 6 patients with emphysema was investigated by immunochemical electron microscopy. The results showed that HNE is localized in the azurophil granules of neutrophils, and extracellularly on the elastic fibers of alveolar interstitium and basement membranes of epithelium and endothelium. The damage of elastic fibers and basement membranes could be observed. The HNE level of the alveolar interstitium was obviously elevated and closely related to the severity of emphysematous lesions as shown by measuring the mean linear intercept (MLI) in 4 emphysematous lungs with chronic bronchitis (r = 0.84). This suggests that HNE might play an important role in the pathogenesis of emphysema. Although enlarged airspace and increased MLI data were observed in 2 patients, one with asthma and the other, an elderly patient, without lung diseases, the HNE level of alveolar interstitium is much less than that of the other 4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. This implies that the mechanism of the the airspace enlargement occurring in the 2 patients may be different from that of others. These findings support the hypothesis of elastase-antielastase imbalance on the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema.

[A pathological study of finished-cement pneumoconiosis: report of 3 autopsy cases]

Three autopsy cases exposed only to finished-cement dusts were studied. Pathologic changes relevant to cement dusts in the lungs were similar, including distribution of numerous dust macules and focal emphysema formed in the parenchyma of lungs. Additionally, "cement bodies" were obtained in the dust macules. By means of electron diapensive X-ray analysis (EDXA), EDXA-SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and X-ray diffraction, the elements of dust foci and digested concentrates of the lungs were measured, and the morphology of dust granules was studied. Results indicated that the elements of intrapulmonary dusts were just the same as those of finished-cement dusts. Therefore, the pulmonary lesions obtained were considered to be induced by finished-cement dusts.

Effects of oral ciclosporin on acute and chronic murine cytomegalovirus infection

Mice fed a basal diet which contained 0.018% ciclosporin (CsA) achieved immunosuppressive blood levels of 1,400-2,200 ng/ml. Observations for 84 days of mice placed on this diet and infected at the same time with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) showed elevated virus titers and more widespread infection of various organs. An enhancing effect on acute MCMV infection measured by virus titers in the spleen 5 days after infection was evident only after 14 days of prior CsA ingestion. In groups of mice which were already infected with virus for 14 or 21 days, 14 days of CsA ingestion was needed before enhanced MCMV titers were noted in organs tested. Pretreatment with CsA of donor mice, which provided MCMV-specific immune spleen cells in passive protective experiments, eliminated the protective effect of transferred cells for recipient mice challenged with MCMV. These results suggest that CsA enhanced virus titers and helped maintain chronic persistent infection in certain organs by affecting the development or function of immune cells. Regardless of whether CsA was given before or after virus infection, about 2 weeks of CsA administration was required before elevation of virus titer was observed.

[Clinical observation and preliminary study of termination of early pregnancy by administration of yellow daphne]

74 cases of early pregnancy with periods of amenorrhea of 36-69 days from the last menses were terminated by using a single dose intrauterine instillation of Wikstro-Emia Chamaedaphne Meisn Alcohol Solution (WCMAS). According to the dosages used, they were divided into 3 groups: 0.2gm, 0.4gm, and 0.6gm of WCMAS. The efficacy of the different dosages was evaluated. The most successful in the termination of early pregnancy (less than 56 days) was the 0.4gm group, the effective rate being 96.6%, and the complete abortion rate being 93.3%. The average duration of complete abortion in all was 21.3 hours, and the averge duration of vaginal bleeding was 10.9 days. Although amount of bleeding was regarded as a little greater than that of normal menstruation by some patients, yet there were no serious side effects occurring, except that some patients experienced some subjective lower abdominal pain and vomiting. Serum hCG and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay technique in 31 cases, and it was found that the hCG and progesterone levels both declined rapidly at 12 hours and fell to 35.5% and 46.4% respectively 24 hours after injection. Under microscopic examinations necrotic degeneration was observed in most of the chorionic villi, and marked necrosis and hemorrhage in the decidua. The granulocytes in the decidua also decreased in amount. 48 cases were followed up recently; no side effects were found and there was no interference with re-pregnancy.