Involvement of protein kinase C in the inhibition of nitric oxide production from murine microglial cells by glucocorticoid

The effects of glucocorticoid on the production of nitric oxide (NO) by murine microglial cells were investigated. Stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) after the treatment of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in the increased accumulation of nitrite in the medium. Concomitant incubation of the cells with dexamethasone (DEX) markedly inhibited the production of NO in a dose dependent manner. DEX also suppressed both rIFN-gamma and rIFN-gamma plus LPS-induced activity of the enzyme protein kinase C (PKC), a putative regulator of NO synthesis, but had only a modest inhibitory effect on basal activity. In addition, the inhibitory effect of DEX on NO generation was mimicked by the treatment of PKC inhibitors such as staurosporine (STSN) and polymyxin B. Our findings show that glucocorticoids have the potential to modulate central nervous system (CNS) NO production via the inhibition of PKC activity particularly under the conditions of stimulated production of NO, such as inflammatory and demyelinating CNS disorders.

A novel regulatory element associated with age-dependent expression of the rat androgen receptor gene

A large body of evidence indicates that the genetic program of aging has co-evolved with the sexual mode of reproduction (Partridge, L., and Barton, N. H. (1993) Nature 362, 305-311). Age-dependent changes in target cell sensitivity to reproductive hormones can be considered part of this evolutionary linkage. Here we describe a novel regulatory element in the rat androgen receptor (AR) gene promoter associated with its age-dependent expression in the liver. This element consists of two (19 and 25 base pairs) contiguous sites, one specifically binding an Age-dependent Factor (ADF) and the other an Associated Factor (AF). Both deletion and point mutations of the ADF site result in about a 5-fold decline in the AR promoter function. Unlike AF, which is relatively tissue specific, ADF appears to be ubiquitous. The ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved nature of ADF suggests a fundamental role of this novel transcription factor in programmed gene expression.

Brain vessels near muscle autografts are sites for entry of isogeneic macrophages into brain

An autograft of skeletal muscle on rat dorsal medulla is a permanent opening in the blood-brain barrier to solutes. Is the graft also a site for the entry of exogenous, isogeneic leukocytes? Five weeks after inserting the graft, peritoneal macrophages (M phi) from inbred Fischer rats were activated by phorbol myristate acetate, labeled with a fluorescent dye, and infused as a bolus of about 2 x 10(6) cells into the axillary artery of Fischer hosts. The cells circulated for 2 h. The brains were then fixed, frozen, and sectioned. Only when M phi had been activated and a muscle autograft inserted did appreciable numbers of M phi enter the medulla. Nonactivated M phi invaded the grafts but very few entered the brain at 2 h. In rats with gel foam grafts, only a few activated M phi invaded gel and brain. Before entering tissues, M phi must adhere to the lumenal face of vessels. Cell adhesion molecules, e.g., I-CAM-1 and its ligand adhesion molecule, leukocyte function antigen (LFA-1), are known to mediate adhesion. I-CAM-1, detected immunohistochemically, increased in graft vessels and in nearby brain vessels. The rise may have been mediated by cytokines, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-beta, found in the grafts. LFA-1, however, assayed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, was on both activated and nonactivated, exogenous M phi. Thus, M phi-endothelial attachment may have involved other adhesion molecules, e.g., selectins. The autograft also induced major histocompatibility complex class I on microglia and classes I and II on brain vessels near the graft. These vessels, by expressing adhesion molecules, are entry routes into brain for activated, isogeneic leukocytes that can then migrate for a limited distance of 1-2 mm in an otherwise intact brain.

[Comparative antigen analysis of Trichomonas vaginalis by enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot technique]

Analysis of six isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis was carried out with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB). Trichloroacetic acid-treated antigens of the 6 isolates revealed 25 protein profiles ranging 12-170 kDa of molecular weight in SDS-PAGE. In EITB, the specific immunogenic bands were visualized at 51 kDa and 96 kDa when HY-1 antigen was probed with different mice sera immunized with 6 isolates of T. vaginalis. The banding patterns with different sera showed isolate-to-isolate variability. In EITB, homologous antigen (HY-1) did not show any enhanced response in reacting to homologous antiserum (HY-1) when 6 isolates of T. vaginalis were probed with a single serum (HY-1). It is assumed that the different banding patterns of six isolates show isolate-to-isolate variability and immunogenic common bands in 41, 47, 74 and 94 kDa on EITB may connote the important significance on immune response in T. vaginalis infection.

Marjolin's ulcer: immunohistochemical study of 17 cases and comparison with common squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens of 17 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of Marjolin's ulcer (SCC-MU), 6 cases of common SCC (SCC), and 5 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were stained with three monoclonal antikeratin antibodies (CAM 5.2, MAK-6, and MA-903), a monoclonal antivimentin antibody (V9), and a polyclonal anticarcinoembryonic antigen antiserum (A115). Neoplastic cells of SCC-MU, SCC, and BCC showed consistently negative staining for CAM 5.2. A wide range of reactivity, from negative to diffuse strong positivity, among neoplastic cells of SCC-MU and SCC was noted with MAK-6. Alternatively, neoplastic cells of SCC-MU, SCC, and BCC consistently showed diffuse moderate to strong reactivity with MA-903. These findings imply that SCC-MU has largely high-molecular-weight keratins. They also showed a wide range of reactivity with V9. However, neoplastic cells of five of the six SCC and five cases of BCC were negative for V9. These findings suggest that neoplastic cells of SCC-MU contain vimentin in higher frequency than in the more usual SCC.

Structure of the mouse IL-10 gene and chromosomal localization of the mouse and human genes

The nucleotide sequence of a 7.2-kb segment containing the mouse IL-10 (mIL-10) gene was determined. Comparison to the mIL-10 cDNA sequence (Moore, K. W., et al. 1990. Science 248:1230; 250:494) revealed the presence of five exons that span approximately 5.1 kb of genomic DNA. The noncoding regions of the mIL-10 gene contain sequences that have been associated with transcriptional regulation of several cytokine genes. The mIL-10 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 1 and the human IL-10 gene was also mapped to human chromosome 1.

Structure of the mouse IL-10 gene and chromosomal localization of the mouse and human genes

The nucleotide sequence of a 7.2-kb segment containing the mouse IL-10 (mIL-10) gene was determined. Comparison to the mIL-10 cDNA sequence (Moore, K. W., et al. 1990. Science 248:1230; 250:494) revealed the presence of five exons that span approximately 5.1 kb of genomic DNA. The noncoding regions of the mIL-10 gene contain sequences that have been associated with transcriptional regulation of several cytokine genes. The mIL-10 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 1 and the human IL-10 gene was also mapped to human chromosome 1.

Nerve sheath myxoma (neurothekeoma)--a case report

A case of nerve sheath myxoma also called as neurothekeoma in a 33-year-old woman is described. The lesion appeared as a painful, elevated nodule on the scalp for several months, without an appreciable increase in size. Microscopically, it showed typical histologic characteristics of nerve sheath myxoma, and tumor cells revealed strong, positive reaction for S-100 protein and negativity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) on immunohistochemical staining. These immunohistochemical findings of this case support the view that the origin cells of this tumor may be schwann cells rather than perineurial cells. The histogenesis and differential diagnosis of this tumor are discussed.

Mid dermal elastolysis with wrinkling. Report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

We observed two patients who had mid dermal elastolysis with wrinkling.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

We reviewed the pertinent features of the four cases reported in the literature and of our two cases. We also compared mid dermal elastolysis with other disorders of acquired elastolysis, such as postinflammatory elastolysis and cutis laxa, anetoderma, and (regular) cutis laxa.

RESULTS

Our two patients with mid dermal elastolysis with wrinkling were middle-aged, white women. Physical examination showed widespread wrinkling, erythematous patches (macules), and papules. Histologic examination showed patchy loss of elastic tissue limited to the mid dermis. In one of our patients, elastolytic skin lesions appeared on areas not covered by a two-piece swimsuit. She used to sunbathe frequently. In our other patient, skin lesions were also more prominent on exposed areas.

CONCLUSION

We speculate that sun exposure is one of the main causative factors of mid dermal elastolysis with wrinkling.

Use of a persistent photoconductive array in the learning of an optoelectronic neural processor

Persistent photoconductors of npnp doping-modulated amorphous silicon multilayers are investigated for the implementation of variable analog and nonvolatile synaptic weights of an optoelectronic neural processor. The time dependence of the persistent photoconductance of the amorphous silicon multilayers is characterized in experiments. The learning performance of an optical pattern classifier with the persistent photoconductive array is analyzed by computer simulations.

Quadriceps dislocation medial approach for intraarticular and medial structures of the knee

To minimize possible complications such as patellar subluxation, quadriceps atrophy and skin tightness and slough which interfere with successful rehabilitation following knee surgery, the author employed a quadriceps dislocation medial approach for total knee arthroplasty and ligament (medial and both cruciates) surgery. The results of this approach (99 knees) were compared with a medial capsular incision approach (111 knees), a lateral capsular incision approach (114 knees), and Hughston's medial hockey stick incision approach (122 knees). The skin slough, patellar subluxation, and sense of tightness during rehabilitation occurred least with the quadriceps dislocation medial approach (P less than .05). The quadriceps dislocation medial approach was also the most convenient approach of the four.

A case of primary T-cell lymphoma of the duodenum

Primary malignant lymphoma located in the duodenum is a rarity. A case of primary lymphoma of the duodenum in a 27-year-old man, in which the 2 discrete masses of duodenal bulb and the second portion with pancreatic head invasion was found, is reported here. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the present case showed that lymphoma cells expressed the T-cell markers MT1 and UCHL1. Treatment consisted of pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by antineoplastic chemotherapy.

Rapid neutrophil adhesion to activated endothelium mediated by GMP-140

Granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), a membrane glycoprotein of platelet and endothelial cell secretory granules, is rapidly redistributed to the plasma membrane during cellular activation and degranulation. Also known as PADGEM protein, GMP-140 is structurally related to two molecules involved in leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium: ELAM-1, a cytokine-inducible endothelial cell receptor for neutrophils, and the MEL-14 lymphocyte homing receptor. These three proteins define a new gene family, termed selectins, each of which contains an N-terminal lectin domain, followed by an epidermal growth factor-like module, a variable number of repeating units related to those in complement-binding proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. Here we demonstrate that GMP-140 can mediate leukocyte adhesion, thus establishing a functional similarity with the other selectins. Human neutrophils and promyelocytic HL-60 cells bind specifically to COS cells transfected with GMP-140 complementary DNA and to microtitre wells coated with purified GMP-140. Cell binding does not require active neutrophil metabolism but is dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Within minutes after stimulation with phorbol esters or histamine, human endothelial cells become adhesive for neutrophils; this interaction is inhibited by antibodies to GMP-140. Thus, GMP-140 expressed by activated endothelium might promote rapid neutrophil targeting to sites of acute inflammation.

Structure and regulation of the senescence marker protein 2 gene promoter

The liver-specific expression of the senescence marker protein 2 (SMP-2) in the male rat is markedly reduced during the androgen-sensitive state of young adulthood, whereas it is up-regulated during the androgen-insensitive phases of prepuberty and senescence. Nuclear runoff studies show that the age-dependent changes in SMP-2 expression are due to transcriptional regulation of the gene. In order to explore the mechanism of the regulatory process, we have cloned the upstream flanking regions of two distinct SMP-2 genes (SMP-2A and SMP-2B) and established their nucleotide sequence. These clones contain approximately 2.2 kb of the 5'-flanking sequence, exons 1 and 2, the first intron, and a portion of the second intron. The SMP-2 genes, as well as the upstream sequences, contain the sequence motifs for a number of cis-acting regulatory elements, such as the hepatocyte-specific element (HP1) and the androgen response element (ARE). S1 nuclease and primer extension analyses have established the transcription initiation sites for these genes. For functional analysis of the upstream sequences, we have constructed a hybrid plasmid containing the SMP-2A gene sequence (-1970 to +38 bases) fused to the structural gene for chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT). Upon transfection into rat hepatoma cells (FT02B), this construct was able to drive expression of the CAT gene. The same construct, however, failed to function in fibroblast-derived L cells, indicating tissue-specific regulation of the construct promoter.

Microbial enzymes for creatinine assay: a review

A novel metabolic pathway for the degradation of creatinine with N-methylhydantoin, N-carbamoylsarcosine and sarcosine as successive intermediates was found to operate in Pseudomonas putida 77 and many other microorganisms. Enzymes involved in this pathway were purified from cells of P. putida 77 and characterized. The first step, deimination of creatinine, is catalyzed by cytosine deaminase/creatinine deiminase. The following two steps, ring-opening of N-methylhydantoin and decarbamoylation of N-carbamoylsarcosine, are catalyzed by new enzymes, N-methylhydantoin amidohydrolase and N-carbamoylsarcosine amidohydrolase, respectively. The former requires ATP, Mg2+, and K+ for the hydrolysis and the reaction proceeds as follows: N-methylhydantoin + ATP + 2 H2O----N-carbamoylsarcosine + ADP + Pi. The latter catalyzes the following reaction; N-carbamoylsarcosine + H2O----sarcosine + NH3 + CO2. Sarcosine dehydrogenase was found to be the responsible enzyme for the oxidation of sarcosine to glycine in P. putida 77, but sarcosine oxidase was also found to be involved in this oxidation in several microorganisms. These enzymes were found to be useful tools for determination of creatinine.

Sensitivity to both vecuronium and neostigmine in a sero-negative myasthenic patient

We describe a sero-negative ocular myasthenic patient who showed exaggerated responses to both vecuronium and neostigmine. These hypersensitive responses were not anticipated because preoperative clinical and laboratory evaluations suggested a negligible impairment of somatic muscles by myasthenic processes. This case report re-emphasizes that, if neuromuscular blocking agents and their antagonists are administered to myasthenic patients, regardless of the degree of impairment, the dose should be titrated carefully with the aid of a neuromuscular transmission monitor.

Etiology of childhood diarrhea in Korea

To assess the role of recently recognized enteropathogens in childhood diarrhea in Korea, 231 children with diarrhea admitted to and 104 children without diarrhea seen at the well-baby clinic or the outpatient department of Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul, Korea, were evaluated during a 14-month period. Stools were cultured for bacterial pathogens, including enterotoxigenic (heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxin-producing) and enteroadherent organisms. Only those stools obtained from patients with diarrhea were examined for rotavirus. All Escherichia coli isolates were screened for Shiga-like toxin (SLT) I, SLT-II, enterohemorrhagic E. coli fimbriae, and enteroinvasiveness by colony hybridization. One or more pathogens were identified in 75.8% of the children with diarrhea. Rotavirus was the most frequently identified pathogen, accounting for 47% of the cases. Other major enteropathogens were enterotoxigenic E. coli (22%), Clostridium difficile (16%), enteroadherent E. coli (15%), and enteropathogenic E. coli (6%). Shigella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp., SLT-I-and enterohemorrhagic-E. coli-fimbria-probe-positive E. coli serotype O26:H11 and enteroinvasive E. coli were isolated from only a few patients. Aeromonas hydrophila and E. coli O157 were not isolated. Compared with those of the controls, the isolation rates of heat-stable-enterotoxin-producing E. coli (P less than 0.05), C. difficile (P less than 0.025), and enteroadherent E. coli (P less than 0.05) were significantly higher in the patients with diarrhea. The greatest number of rotavirus, enterotoxigenic E. coli, and C. difficile cases were identified during the cool, dry months of October and November.

Calorie restriction delays age-dependent loss in androgen responsiveness of the rat liver

We have shown that restricted calorie intake retards age-associated loss in androgen responsiveness of the rat liver. Sustained androgen receptivity delays age-dependent decline in the synthesis of the androgen-inducible alpha 2u globulin and derepression of the androgen-repressible senescence marker protein (SMP-2). Quantitation of mRNAs for alpha 2u globulin and SMP-2 in the liver of animals of various ages maintained on either ad libitum or restricted diets revealed that, although the 27-month-old ad libitum-fed rat had only 5% as much alpha 2u mRNA as the 6-month-old rat, the mRNA level was as high as 45% in the 27-month-old food-restricted rat. Conversely, the 27-month-old food-restricted rat had a much reduced amount (45%) of SMP-2 mRNA compared to the age-matched control that was allowed unlimited access to food. Furthermore, we have correlated the effect of dietary restriction on age-dependent changes in specific gene expression with the hepatic level of the immunoreactive cytoplasmic androgen-binding (CAB) protein. We observed that senescence in the male causes a substantial decrease in the circulating level of testosterone. However, dietary restriction does not retard the rate of decline in the plasma level of the male hormone during aging. These results indicate that age-dependent changes in the expression of androgen-responsive genes (alpha 2u globulin and SMP-2) reflect changing androgen sensitivity and that food restriction may directly influence the androgen receptivity of the liver.

Diagnostic usefulness of Vi-indirect fluorescent antibody test(Vi-IFAT) for typhoid fever--a prospective study

Although the confirmative diagnosis of typhoid fever is by culture of the causative organism, usually from blood, a serological test is still necessary to provide a more rapid method of diagnosis. The indirect fluorescent antibody test, using a Salmonella typhi Vi antigen and a FITC-conjugated rabbit anti-human polyvalent immunoglobulin, was evaluated for the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Serum specimens were collected from patients with febrile diseases on admission. Of the 32 patients with titers of 1:64 or more, 22 were confirmed to have typhoid fever by blood culture and 7 had fever of undetermined origin that was considered to be typhoid fever clinically. Three patients were diagnosed to have salmonellosis other than typhoid fever. Of the 121 patients with titers of 1:32 or less, 105 patients had non-typhoidal febrile disease, 15 patients had fever of undetermined origin, and one patient was confirmed to have typhoid fever by blood culture. When a Vi antibody titer of 1:64 or more was taken as serological evidence for the diagnosis of typhoid fever, the sensitivity and specificity were 95.7% and 97.2%, respectively. The incidence of positive test results following fever onset was 70.0% within 1 week of fever onset, 88.9% from 1 to 2 weeks, and 100% after 2 weeks. In conclusion, the Vi-indirect fluorescent antibody test(Vi-IFAT) can be employed as a useful serologic test in the diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Cloning, sequencing, and regulation of rat liver carnitine octanoyltransferase: transcriptional stimulation of the enzyme during peroxisome proliferation

Several complementary DNAs for the peroxisomal enzyme carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT), cloned in the expression vector lambda gt11, have been isolated. Together, these clones cover 2143 bp of the COT cDNA sequence with an open reading frame for 523 amino acids. Northern analysis showed the mRNA size for this enzyme to be 3.5 kilobases. The 523 residue long amino acid sequence amounts to a molecular mass of 60,269 daltons, indicating that the cloned cDNAs contain most or all of the coding sequence for COT (Mr approximately 62,000). Hybridization studies showed that the increased COT activity in the liver of rats, fed the potent peroxisome-proliferating drug Wy-14,643, is associated with a more than 40-fold rise in the steady-state level of the COT mRNA.

Molecular cloning of an endoglucanase gene from an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. and its expression in Escherichia coli

One of the cellulase genes from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain N-4 was cloned in pBR322. A recombinant plasmid, pYBC107, expressing carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) was isolated, and the size of the cloned HindIII fragment was found to be 5.5 kilobases. The restriction map of pYBC107 showed a different pattern from those of pNKI and pNKII (N. Sashihara, T. Kudo, and K. Horikoshi, J. Bacteriol. 158:503-506, 1984). When the HindIII fragment from pYBC107 was subcloned into pYEJ001, there was a 3.8-fold increase in CMCase activity over that observed with pYBC107. Plasmid pYBC108 constructed by treatment of pYBC107 with HindIII and EcoRI expressed the CMCase activity, although to a limited extent. To verify the originality of cloned pYBC107 from Bacillus sp., we analyzed the restriction digest by Southern blotting.

PvO2 changes in cutaneous veins during regression of spinal anaesthesia

Following transurethral resection of the prostate under spinal anaesthesia, 26 patients were divided into two groups according to the sensory levels measured in the recovery room: Group A: 20 patients with sensory level T10 or above, and Group B: six patients with sensory level T11 or T12. Through an intravenous catheter placed preoperatively in a superficial vein of the foot, serial blood samples were drawn to measure the PvO2. In Group A, the PvO2 increased significantly after spinal anaesthesia compared with preoperative control values, then decreased when the sensory level receded to T11 or T12. In Group B, the changes in PvO2 from control to postspinal and to motor recovery were not significant. The authors postulate that sympathetic denervation induced by spinal anaesthesia increases the PvO2 by the opening of arteriovenous anastomoses in the cutaneous circulation, and the PvO2 decreases with sympathetic recovery. These findings confirm that significant sympathetic denervation of the lower limbs can be expected at a sensory level of T10 or above, and sympathetic recovery begins when the sensory level recedes below T10.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated in 1985--with special reference to prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and activities of cefazolin, cefotaxime and piperacillin

Antimicrobial susceptibility of nine species and one group of bacteria isolated from patients at the hospitals of Seoul National University, Severance, Hanyang University, and Kyungpuk University were tested by agar dilution method. S. aureus was most susceptible to cefazolin, methicillin and cotrimoxazole, and enterococci to ampicillin. Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were most frequently susceptible to aminoglycosides and cefotaxime. Cefazolin susceptibility was markedly different from species to species. Aminoglycosides and piperacillin were more active than others against P. aeruginosa, and amikachin against A. anitratus. A large proportion of strains of several different species were conditionally susceptible to either tetracycline, ampicillin, cefazolin or cotrimoxazole suggesting the usefulness of these drugs for treatment of urinary tract infection. Activity of cefotaxime was highest against E. coli, and K. pneumoniae, while lowest against A. anitratus and P. aeruginosa. Decrease in the proportion of susceptible isolate was noted in E. coli and K. pneumoniae to cefazolin, K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae and S. marcescens to cotrimoxazole, and P. aeruginosa to tobramycin and gentamicin.

Amidohydrolysis of N-methylhydantoin coupled with ATP hydrolysis

A new enzyme, N-methylhydantoin amidohydrolase, was highly purified from Pseudomonas putida 77: it catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-methylhydantoin to N-carbamoylsarcosine with the concomitant stoichiometric cleavage of ATP to ADP and orthophosphate. The enzyme absolutely requires ATP, MG2+ and K+ for the N-methylhydantoin hydrolysis. The rapid and complete degradation of N-methylhydantoin during the cultivation of P. putida 77, which rapidly degrades creatinine via only N-methylhydantoin and which shows high activities of the enzymes involved in creatinine degradation (Yamada et al. (1985) FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 30, 337-340), seems to be due to the continuous ATP-generation during cultivation.

Pulse oximetry and circulatory kinetics associated with pulse volume amplitude measured by photoelectric plethysmography

Through a catheter placed in a superficial vein on the finger, we observed a pulsatile venous pressure. To delineate the relationship between the pulsatile venous pressure and the pulse volume amplitude (PVA) recorded by photoelectric plethysmography (PEPG), both tracings were simultaneously recorded. When the PVA changed acutely or gradually, the venous pulse pressure and mean venous pressure simultaneously followed the same trend. We also found that mean PVO2 (135 mm Hg) was greater when the PVA and venous pulse pressure increased above the level (50 mm Hg) observed when they decreased. These findings suggested that the finger pulse detected by PEPG, as well as by pulse oximetry, is caused by pulsations in veins rather than by pulsations in arterial beds. In experiments to evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we found that the average value of hemoglobin saturation (%SaO2) measured by the pulse oximeter of the dependent fingertip and finger base when dependent was 1.5% and 7.8% lower than when the fingertip and finger base were elevated. Also, the PVA detected by the pulse oximeter followed the same trend as %SaO2. This finding was explained by venous congestion in the dependent finger. On the basis of the high venous pressure, the behavioral trends between the PVA and venous pressure, the high PVO2, and the low %SaO2 and PVA in the dependent finger, we conclude that the PVA of the PEPG is determined mainly by venous pulse volume generated by shunting of arterial pulse via open arteriovenous (AV) anastomoses in the cutaneous circulation.

Purification and characterization of a novel enzyme, N-carbamoylsarcosine amidohydrolase, from Pseudomonas putida 77

N-Carbamoylsarcosine amidohydrolase, a novel enzyme involved in the microbial degradation of creatinine in Pseudomonas putida 77, was purified 27-fold to homogeneity with a 63% overall recovery through simple purification procedures including successive ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and crystallization. The relative molecular mass of the native enzyme estimated by the ultracentrifugal equilibrium method is 102,000 +/- 5000, and the subunit Mr is 27,000. The Km and Vm values for N-carbamoylsarcosine are 3.2 mM and 1.75 units/mg protein, respectively. Ammonia, carbon dioxide, and sarcosine were formed stoichiometrically from N-carbamoylsarcosine through the action of the purified enzyme preparation. N-Carbamoyl amino acids with a methyl group or hydrogen atom on the amino-N atom and possessing glycine, D-alanine, or one of their derivatives as an amino acid moiety served well as substrates for N-carbamoylsarcosine amidohydrolase. N-Carbamoylsarcosine, N-methyl-N-carbamoyl-D-alanine, N-carbamoylglycine, and N-carbamoyl-D-alanine were hydrolyzed at relative rates of 100, 12.8, 9.8, and 7.3, respectively, by the enzyme. N-Carbamoyl derivatives of D-tryptophan, D-phenylalanine, and those of some other amino acids including D-phenylglycine and p-hydroxy-D-phenylglycine were also hydrolyzed by the enzyme. For the L-isomers of all N-carbamoyl amino acids tested there was no production of ammonia, carbon dioxide, or the corresponding amino acids due to the action of the enzyme. Cupric, mercuric, and silver ions inhibited the enzyme strongly, and some thiol reagents were also found to be inhibitory.

Anti-HBc IgM and anti-delta screening by EIA method

The clinical value of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-HBc IgM was evaluated by testing 202 sera from acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB), hepatitis B (HB), chronic hepatitis (CAH), chronic liver disease (CLD), cirrhosis, primary hepatoma, HBsAg carrier, acute viral hepatitis A (AVHA), hepatitis A (HA), non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis and miscellaneous conditions other than hepatic disease, and 19 additional various hepatic disease cases were examined for anti-delta. In clinical situations the accurate diagnosis of HB is not always possible and the differential diagnosis seems to be very important especially in making decisions of treatment and estimation of prognosis. In overall cases the highest positive rate of anti-HBc IgM was found in AVHB as shown as 74.3% (26/35) comparing to other conditions in which the positive rate was extremely low (2.1%). The anti-HBc IgM appeared to be highly specific to AVHB (83.9%) as compared to the other. The positive rate of HBsAg was high in AVHB, CAH and HBsAg carrier (100.0%) followed by CLD, cirrhosis and HB (up to 70.8%). The ALT activities and ALPalb fractions were significantly high in AVHB (p less than 0.005). The correlation between the positivity of anti-HBc IgM and highly abnormal ALT appeared be high. AVHB was confined mostly to 10-20 age group and the male to female ratio was about 6 to 1. Subgroup of AVHB II with positive anti-HBc IgM appeared to have a greater chance being positive for HBsAg and ALPalb. The S/N ratio of anti-HBc IgM was as high as 20 which was unique to AVHB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Laboratory evaluation of low-pressure tracheal tube cuffs: large-volume v. low-volume

Large- and low-volume low-pressure tracheal tube cuffs were compared during exposure to nitrous oxide. The compliance of both types of cuff when measured inside and outside an artificial rigid trachea, the volume of intubated cuff, the residual volume, the nitrous oxide diffusion time, and the specific diffusion rate of the cuff membrane to nitrous oxide were measured in the laboratory. From these variables, the diffusion rate of nitrous oxide, the surface area available for nitrous oxide diffusion, the tracheal wall pressure exerted by cuff, and the degree of folding of the intubated cuff were derived. The results showed that the rapid increase in pressure of the large-volume cuff when intubated was caused by low compliance, the large surface area available for nitrous oxide diffusion, and the considerable permeability of the cuff membrane to nitrous oxide.

The normal and regenerated meniscus in rabbits. Morphologic and histologic studies

The chronologic development of normal and regenerated menisci in immature and adult rabbits, studied by gross, histologic, and histochemical means, revealed that grossly regenerated menisci were less glossy and smaller than normal, with blunt margins and firm attachments to the synovial membrane. The normal meniscus of five-week-old rabbits consisted of fibroblasts and fibrocytes without cartilage cells. In 12-week-old rabbits fibrocytes in the normal meniscus had been transformed into round or oval cells lying within lacunae, the halos of which stained with safranin O. In the typical regenerated meniscus fibrocartilage cells appeared 12 weeks after meniscectomy in young rabbits and 24 weeks after meniscectomy in adult rabbits. Cartilaginous transformation occurred infrequently and only in isolated areas of the meniscus. Cartilaginous transformation in regenerated menisci appeared in 10.6% of the knees in young rabbits and in 8.1% in adult rabbits.

Synovial biopsy by Franklin--Silverman needle

Franklin-Silverman needles, commonly used for liver biopsies, were used for biopsy of synovia of 75 joints. The results indicate a higher percentage of success in obtaining pathologic specimens than with previously reported instruments. Complications were rare, with only milk transient hemarthrosis being found in 5 cases. For an accurate diagnosis, multiple specimens should be obtained since single specimens are too small to interpret histopathologically. Being simpler and safer, the Franklin-Silverman needle biopsy is recommended as a routine procedure for early diagnosis of synovial diseases of the joint in conjunction with joint aspiration. The success rate depends not only on the type of needle used but also on the proper selection of the biopsy site.