Relationship between the administration of nicardipine hydrochloride and the development of delirium in patients on mechanical ventilation

A history of hypertension is a known risk factor for delirium in patients in intensive care units, but the effect of antihypertensive agents on delirium development is unclear. Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, is widely used in ICU as a treatment agent for hypertensive emergency. This study investigated the relationship between the administration of nicardipine hydrochloride and delirium development in patients under mechanical ventilation. We conducted a medical chart review of 103 patients, who were divided into two groups according to the use of nicardipine hydrochloride. The prevalence of delirium was compared with respect to factors such as age, sex, laboratory data, and medical history, by multivariate analysis. 21 patients (20.4 %) were treated with nicardipine hydrochloride in 103 patients. The treatment and non-treatment groups differed significantly in age (72 vs. 65 years) and history of high blood pressure (57% vs. 11%). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients in the treatment group developed delirium significantly less often than those in the non-treatment group (19% vs. 48%). These results suggested that treatment of high blood pressure with nicardipine hydrochloride is a possible method for preventing the development of delirium.

Eugenol and carvacrol excite first- and second-order trigeminal neurons and enhance their heat-evoked responses

Eugenol and carvacrol from clove and oregano, respectively, are agonists of the warmth-sensitive transient receptor potential channel TRPV3 and the irritant-sensitive transient receptor potential ankyrin (TRPA)-1. Eugenol and carvacrol induce oral irritation that rapidly desensitizes, accompanied by brief enhancement of innocuous warmth and heat pain in humans. We presently investigated if eugenol and carvacrol activate nociceptive primary afferent and higher order trigeminal neurons and enhance their heat-evoked responses, using calcium imaging of cultured trigeminal ganglion (TG) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and in vivo single-unit recordings in trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) of rats. Eugenol and carvacrol activated 20-30% of TG and 7-20% of DRG cells, the majority of which additionally responded to menthol, mustard oil and/or capsaicin. TG cell responses to innocuous (39°) and noxious (42 °C) heating were enhanced by eugenol and carvacrol. We identified dorsomedial Vc neurons responsive to noxious heating of the tongue in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Eugenol and carvacrol dose-dependently elicited desensitizing responses in 55% and 73% of heat-sensitive units, respectively. Responses to noxious heat were briefly enhanced by eugenol and carvacrol. Many eugenol- and carvacrol-responsive units also responded to menthol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin. These data support a peripheral site for eugenol and carvacrol to enhance warmth- and noxious heat-evoked responses of trigeminal neurons, and are consistent with the observation that these agonists briefly enhance warmth and heat pain on the human tongue.

Scratching inhibits serotonin-evoked responses of rat dorsal horn neurons in a site- and state-dependent manner

Scratching inhibits pruritogen-evoked responses of neurons in the superficial dorsal horn, implicating a spinal site for scratch inhibition of itch. We investigated if scratching differentially affects neurons depending on whether they are activated by itchy vs. painful stimuli, and if the degree of inhibition depends on the relative location of scratching. We recorded from rat lumbar dorsal horn neurons responsive to intradermal (id) microinjection of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). During the response to 5-HT, scratch stimuli (3mm, 300 mN, 2 Hz, 20s) were delivered at the injection site within the mechanosensitive receptive field (on-site), or 4-30 mm away, outside of the receptive field (off-site). During off-site scratching, 5-HT-evoked firing was significantly attenuated followed by recovery. On-site scratching excited neurons, followed by a significant post-scratch decrease in 5-HT-evoked firing. Most neurons additionally responded to mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate). Off-site scratching had no effect, while on-site scratching excited the neurons. These results indicate that scratching exerts a state-dependent inhibitory effect on responses of spinal neurons to pruritic but not algesic stimuli. Moreover, on-site scratching first excited neurons followed by inhibition, while off-site scratching immediately evoked the inhibition of pruritogen-evoked activity. This accounts for the suppression of itch by scratching at a distance from the site of the itchy stimulus.

Isolation of mutant lines with decreased numbers of chloroplasts per cell from a tagged mutant library of the moss Physcomitrella patens

Eleven mutant lines exhibiting decreased numbers of chloroplasts per cell were isolated from 8 800 tagged mutant lines of Physcomitrella patens by microscopic observations. Chloronema subapical cells in wild-type plants had a mean of 48 chloroplasts, whereas chloroplast numbers in subapical cells in mutant lines 215 and 222 decreased to 75 % of that in the wild type. Seven mutant lines - 473, 122, 221, 129, 492, 207, and 138 - had about half as many chloroplasts as the wild type. Mutant line 11 had a few remarkably enlarged chloroplasts, and mutant line 347 had chloroplasts of various sizes. Whereas the cell volume was the same as in the wild type in mutant lines 222, 473, 221, 129, 492, and 207, the cell volume of the other mutants increased. The chloroplast number of leaf cells was the same as that of chloronema cells in each mutant line when gametophores could be formed. Treatment with ampicillin decreased the number of chloroplasts in all mutant lines. Southern hybridization using DNA in tags as probes showed that only one insertion occurred in mutant lines 473 and 221. To determine whether the tagged DNA inserted into the known genes for plastid division, we isolated the PpMinD1, PpMinD2, and PpMinE1 genes. Genomic polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the PpFtsZ and PpMinD/E genes were not disrupted by the insertion of the tags in mutant lines 11 and 347, respectively.

Heat sensitivity of human parvovirus B19

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To date there has been no published report on a systematic evaluation of the heat sensitivity of human parvovirus B19 (B19) and the related safety of the plasma-derived fractionated products. In this study, we examined the heat sensitivity of B19 by using the infectivity assay with cultured cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The heat sensitivity of B19 was examined by measuring the reduction in viral infectivity titres after heating liquid containing B19 at 60 degrees C. Viral infectivity was assayed by detection of viral antigens or viral mRNA in infected cells. As a control, canine parvovirus (CPV) was also heat-treated.

RESULTS

B19 displayed quite different inactivation kinetics to CPV when both were heated in liquid at 60 degrees C. In sharp contrast to the latter, B19 was rapidly inactivated within 1 h when the virus was suspended in 5% or 25% human serum albumin solution, phosphate-buffered saline, or complete medium. However, B19 appeared to be resistant to heat inactivation in liquid containing 60% sucrose.

CONCLUSIONS

The heat sensitivity of B19 in liquid was clearly different from that of CPV. Significantly, the efficiency to inactivate B19 and reduce its infectivity following heating in liquid was mainly affected by the composition of the solutions used for virus suspension.

Intravenous immunoglobulin prevents experimental autoimmune myositis in SJL mice by reducing anti-myosin antibody and by blocking complement deposition

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been effective in many autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases including polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of IVIG using experimental models of PM and DM. An experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) model was produced in SJL/J mice by an immunization with rabbit myosin B (MB) fraction. In this model, the plasma level of anti-MB antibody was elevated, and mouse IgG and complement C3 were deposited in the muscle fibres. Administration of IVIG dose-dependently reduced the incidences of necrotic and inflammatory changes in the skeletal muscle. IVIG treatment also decreased the elevation of anti-MB antibody level, as well as the deposition of IgG and C3. We next evaluated the effect of IVIG in adoptive EAM mice made by an intravenous injection of lymph node cells previously stimulated with MB. Adoptive EAM mice showed similar lesions in skeletal muscle as EAM mice and IVIG inhibited the lesion development. In vitro experiments demonstrated that IVIG inhibited complement-mediated lysis of human erythrocytes sensitized with anti-human erythrocyte antibodies. The binding of C1q, C4 and C3 to the same cells was also inhibited by IVIG. Taken together these findings suggest that IVIG prevents the development of myositis in EAM and adoptive EAM models by several mechanisms, such as reducing anti-myosin antibody and by blocking complement activation. Our present findings might account for the clinical efficacy of IVIG in PM and DM patients.

The YELLOW VARIEGATED (VAR2) locus encodes a homologue of FtsH, an ATP-dependent protease in Arabidopsis

Variegated leaves are often caused by a nuclear recessive mutation in higher plants. Characterization of the gene responsible for variegation has shown to provide several pathways involved in plastid differentiation. Here we describe an Arabidopsis variegated mutant isolated by T-DNA tagging. The mutant displayed green and yellow sectors in all green tissues except for cotyledons. Cells in the yellow sector of the mutant contained both normal-appearing and mutant chloroplasts. The isolated mutant was shown to be an allele of the previously reported mutant, yellow variegated (var2). Cloning and molecular characterization of the VAR2 locus revealed that it potentially encodes a chloroplastic homologue of FtsH, an ATP-dependent metalloprotease that belongs to a large protein family involved in various cellular functions. ftsH-like genes appear to comprise a small gene family in Arabidopsis genome, since at least six homologues were found in addition to VAR2. Dispensability of VAR2 was therefore explained by the redundancy of genes coding for FstHs. In the yellow regions of the mutant leaves, accumulation of photosynthetic protein components in the thylakoid membrane appeared to be impaired. Based on the role of FtsH in a protein degradation pathway in plastids, we propose a possibility that VAR2 is required for plastid differentiation by avoiding partial photooxidation of developing chloroplasts.

Comparison of macroscopic appearance and estrogen receptor-alpha regulators after gene alteration in human endometrial cancer

The existence of two types of endometrial cancer (hyperplasia-associated type [type I] and atrophy-associated type [type II]) is well established. To test if different molecular genetic pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of type I and II disease, we examined pathologic features and the genetic alterations of K-Ras, MDM2 and p53 (which are considered to be involved in regulation of the estrogen receptor-alpha) in human endometrial tissue samples using several modified PCR methods. We found a significant difference in histologic grade (P < 0.001), degree of invasion (P < 0.001), stage grouping (P < 0.001) and estrogen receptor status (P < 0.01) between type I and II cases. There was a tendency for cases with K-Ras point mutations to be of type I, and for cases with the p53 point mutation to be of type II; however, we found that these mutations or alternative splicing of MDM2 was rarely involved and there was no significant difference in frequency of these alterations between types I and II. There must therefore be another structural or functional difference of Ras, MDM2 or p53 between type I and type II cancer. These unknown factors may be responsible for the difference between estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent growth in human endometrial cancer.

Heparin cofactor II inhibits thrombus formation in a rat thrombosis model

Heparin cofactor II is postulated to be an extravascular thrombin inhibitor that is physiologically stimulated by dermatan sulfate. However, the role of heparin cofactor II has not yet been clearly demonstrated in vivo. In this study, we estimated the antithrombotic effect of heparin cofactor II administered exogenously in a rat model of thrombosis. Thrombus was induced in the rat femoral artery by endothelial damage due to the photochemical reaction between systemically injected rose bengal and transillumination with green light. Pretreatment with heparin cofactor II significantly prolonged the time required to occlude the femoral artery (occlusion time) in a dose-dependent manner. At an effective dose in this thrombosis model, heparin cofactor II did not prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time and the prothrombin time in normal rats. Argatroban, a selective synthetic thrombin inhibitor, significantly prolonged the occlusion time. However, argatroban also prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time at an effective dose. These results suggest that the administration of heparin cofactor II in vivo effectively inhibited thrombus formation on the vessel walls whose endothelium is damaged without a prolongation of the coagulation time while heparin cofactor II may also inhibit the thrombin activity in the subendothelial tissue in vivo.

Metallokinetic analysis of disposition of vanadyl complexes as insulin-mimetics in rats using BCM-ESR method

Among vanadium's wide variety of biological functions, its insulin-mimetic effect is the most interesting and important. Recently, the vanadyl ion (+4 oxidation state of vanadium) and its complexes have been shown to normalize the blood glucose levels of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ-rats). During our investigations to find more effective and less toxic vanadyl complexes, the vanadyl-methylpicolinate complex (VO-MPA) was found to exhibit higher insulin-mimetic activity and less toxicity than other complexes, as evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Electron spin resonance (ESR) is capable of measuring the paramagnetic species in biological samples. We have developed the in vivo blood circulation monitoring-electron spin resonance (BCM-ESR) method to analyze the ESR signals due to stable organic radicals in real time. In the present investigation, we have applied this method to elucidate the relationship between the blood glucose normalizing effect of VO-MPA and the global disposition of paramagnetic vanadyl species. This paper describes the results of vanadyl species in the circulating blood of rats following intravenous administration of vanadyl compounds. ESR spectra due to the presence of vanadyl species were obtained in the circulating blood, and their pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using compartment models. The results indicate that vanadyl species are distributed considerably to the peripheral tissues, as estimated by BCM-ESR, and eliminated from the body through the urine, as estimated by ESR at 77 K. The exposure of vanadyl species in the blood was found to be enhanced by VO-MPA treatment. Given these results, we concluded that the pharmacokinetic character of vanadyl species is closely related with the structure and antidiabetic activity of the vanadyl compounds.

Characterization of a flower-specific gene encoding a putative myrosinase binding protein in Arabidopsis thaliana

A cDNA clone, 4B-1, previously isolated by differential screening is preferentially expressed in floral organs of Arabidopsis thaliana. Characterization of the full length cDNA and the genetic locus corresponding to 4B-1 cDNA revealed that it potentially encodes a myrosinase binding protein (MBP) which is presumably present in a large myrosinase complex. The deduced amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded by cDNA clone (designated f-AtMBP) appeared to consist of two parts: one region at the C-terminal half representing overall homology with AtMBP, an MBP homologue in A. thaliana, and the other at an extended N-terminal region of about 150 amino acids showing significant identity with the N-terminal region of the MBP-related protein reported in Brassica. Expression analysis by RNA blot and in situ hybridization showed that f-AtMBP was specifically expressed in floral meristems, pistils, stamens, petals, and ovules of immature flowers, but no expression was observed in the specialized cells called the myrosin cells in the hypocotyl and cotyledons of developing seeds where myrosinase enzymes are normally found. Although MBPs and MBP-related proteins are considered to be inducible by exogenous application of signal molecules and physical wounding, we found that f-AtMBP expression was not activated by such treatment, suggesting that f-AtMBP is a novel type of MBP specific to floral organs.

ESR characterization and metallokinetic analysis of Cr(V) in the blood of rats given carcinogen chromate(VI) compounds

It has been shown that bio-trace metal elements are related to many diseases and the aging process. For many years, carcinogen hexavalent chromium (VI) has been known to be toxic to animals, but its dynamic toxicological mechanism is not sufficiently elucidated. Bioinorganic chemistry in terms of metallokinetic analysis of beneficial or toxic metal ions and their complexes is an important investigation for understanding their biochemical and physiological roles. We have tried to examine the real-time behavior of paramagnetic metal ions and complexes in animals, in which electron spin resonance (ESR) was capable of measuring paramagnetic species in chemical and biological systems. On the basis of our previous results on stable nitroxide spin probes, we have developed the in vivo blood circulation monitoring-electron spin resonance (BCM-ESR) method to analyze time-dependent ESR signal changes due to paramagnetic metal ions and their complexes in real time. When K2Cr2O7 or Na2Cr2O7 in saline was intravenously administered to rats, two ESR signals due to pentavalent chromium(V) were detectable in the circulating blood of rats. Cr(V) detected in the blood was indicated to be in the CrO(O4) and CrO(S2O2) coordination modes after the study on model complexes. From the changes of ESR signal intensities due to Cr(V) in the blood, the metallokinetic parameters were obtained using the pharmacokinetic analysis and the curve-fitting methods. The obtained results are important for understanding carcinogen chromate in terms of the formation of Cr(V) in animals. In addition, we propose the BCM-ESR method, which is useful to analyze the disposition of paramagnetic metal species in the blood of living animals.

[A case of keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness syndrome with Hutchinson's triad-like symptoms]

BACKGROUND

Association of keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness is known as KID syndrome. Only four cases have been reported in Japan by dermatologists.

CASE

A male infant manifested absence of hair and generalized keratosis of the skin since birth. He had been diagnosed as having chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMCC).

FINDINGS

The patient manifested punctuate superficial keratopathy in the right eye and corneal opacity with peripheral neovascularization in the eye when initially seen at the age of 1 year and 4 months. The corneal lesion later developed into stromal keratitis with neovascularization in the stroma. Abnormalities simulating Hutchinson teeth were detected at the age of 4 years. Neurosensory deafness in the high-frequency region was detected at the age of 6 years. Serous tests for syphilis were consistently negative.

CONCLUSION

This child is the first reported case in Japan manifesting KID syndrome with Hutchinson teeth. The associated CMCC was interpreted as due to liability to infection in patients with KID syndrome.

Metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure in chronically incubated extrauterine goat fetuses

To investigate developmental aspects of metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure in fetuses, we conducted experiments on six goat fetuses, three aged 95-116 d of gestation (dGA; group I), and three aged 122-134 dGA (group II), using an extrauterine fetal incubation system that provided arterio-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (A-V ECMO). The fetuses were cannulated via the umbilical vessels, and their blood gas exchange was totally supported by A-V ECMO, while they were maintained in an isothermal incubator containing artificial amniotic fluid. After confirming that fetuses were in metabolically stable condition in the extrauterine incubation system, fetal core temperature was lowered by 2 degrees C over 2 h by decreasing the temperature of incubating fluid from 39.5 degrees C. During and after cold exposure, fetal heart rate and arterial blood pressure remained unchanged. We observed significant increases in oxygen consumption and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in group II but not in group I fetuses. In addition, based on regression analysis, maximal changes of these parameters during cold exposure were linearly correlated with gestational age significantly, and the regression lines were found to intersect the x (gestational age) axis at around 98-106 dGA. These results suggest that metabolic and endocrine responses to cold exposure develop with gestational age in the goat fetus, the responses being manifested around 100 dGA.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of free radicals by in vivo BCM (Blood Circulation Monitoring)-ESR method

In pharmacokinetic studies, a variety of analytical method including radioisotopic detection and HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) has been used. In the present investigation, we developed in vivo BCM (Blood Circulation Monitoring)-ESR method, which is a new technique with a conventional X-band ESR spectrometer for observing stable free radicals in the circulating blood of living rats under anaesthesia. Both 5-(PROXYL derivatives) and 6-(TEMPO d derivatives) membered nitroxide spin probes with various types of substituent functional group were used. After physico-chemical properties of the spin probes such as hyperfine coupling constant (A-value), g-value and partition coefficient as well as chemical stability of the compounds in the fresh blood were obtained, the in vivo BCM-ESR method was performed in normal rats. Several pharmacokinetic parameters such as half-life of the probes, distribution volume, total body clearance and mean residence time were obtained and discussed in terms of their chemical structures. In addition, clearance of a spin probe was related to the urine concentration. The BCM-ESR method was found to be very useful to observe free radicals at the real time. By time-dependent ESR signal decay of spin probes, pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained.

Inactivation and elimination of viruses during preparation of human intravenous immunoglobulin

We report here the results of our evaluation of virus inactivation during the manufacturing steps of two intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) preparations. Virus inactivation and/or removal by processing steps, such as ethanol fractionation and polyethylene glycol precipitation, and deliberate virucidal steps, such as solvent/detergent treatment and pasteurization, were tested on a variety of human pathogenic and experimental model viruses, including human immunodeficiency, Hepatitis C, Mumps, Vaccinia, Chikungunya, Vesicular Stomatitis, Sindbis, and ECHO viruses. All viruses were successfully inactivated and/or eliminated by the processing steps studied. In some cases, however, multiple steps were required. We conclude that the incorporation of steps deliberately designed to inactivate or remove viruses during the production of IGIV provides an extra measure of viral safety.

Reduction of aluminium concentration in albumin products

The aluminium concentration in albumin products has been reduced to < or = 100 ppb by an anion exchanger treatment. Furthermore, we have found that this low aluminium concentration in a albumin products has been maintained for extensive periods of time, when they are stored in de-alkalized soft glass containers.

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies of Wharton's jelly umbilical cord cells

In order to determine the significance of Wharton's jelly, the characteristics of these cells were examined by means of electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. These cells possessed ultrastructural characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, indicating that they are modified, rather than typical fibroblasts. Immunohistochemically those 'myofibroblasts' stained positive for actin, non-muscle myosin, vimentin and desmin. Staining for muscle myosin was negative, supporting the ultrastructural findings. As our results indicate that these cells can function in both fibrogenesis and cell contraction, we speculate that they may contribute to the elasticity of Wharton's jelly, by synthesizing collagen fibers, and participate in the regulation of umbilical blood flow by virtue of their contractile properties.

A modified technique for endoscopic mucosal resection of small early gastric carcinomas

Endoscopic gastric mucosal resection (EGMR) is increasingly employed in early gastric cancer to remove the tumour with the surrounding mucosa and part of the submucosa after submucosal saline injection and staining to define the extent of the lesion. This study presents preliminary experience with a modified EGMR technique in five patients which allows more precise targeting and resection of the lesions. The time required for this procedure was less than 30 minutes in each case. All lesions were completely removed. In two patients, however, tumour growth invaded the submucosa and these patients therefore underwent subsequent surgery. Three patients with carcinoma confined to the mucosa were tumour-free at follow-up with repeat endoscopy and biopsy after 7 to 23 months.

Purification and characterization of human fibroblast derived differentiation inducing factor for human monoblastic leukemia cells identical to interleukin-6

A differentiation inducing factor for human monocytic leukemia cells was purified to homogeneity from conditioned medium of WI-26VA4, a human fibroblast cell line. The purification scheme consisted of micro bead silica gel chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, chromatofocusing and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The purified protein was almost homogeneous when determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and N-terminal sequence analysis. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 27,000 and an isoelectric point of 5.4. The sequence of the first 13 N-terminal amino acid residues was consistent with that of B-cell stimulatory factor 2 (interleukin-6) except for the absence of the N-terminal proline. The purified factor induced differentiation of human monocytic leukemia U-937 cells into a monocyte/macrophage pathway.

Two cases of endoscopically identified esophageal cancer of the superficial-slightly depressed type

We experienced two cases of superficial type esophageal cancer. Case 1 was a 72-year-old man in whom endoscopic examination revealed a slightly protruded, partially reddened and faded area of irregular shape corresponding to 0-IIa + IIc (slightly depressed type) of the endoscopic classification of esophageal cancers. Macroscopically, it was a superficial, ill-defined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 2.5 x 2.4 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of a swelling type of stage 0. Case 2 was 55-year-old man. Endoscopic examination disclosed an almost roundish, smooth-surfaced, flat and dull red area corresponding to IIc (slightly depressed type). Macroscopically it was a superficial, semidefined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 1.0 x 1.0 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal, semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of stage 0. To detect esophageal cancer at an early stage, the endoscopist needs to inspect the mucosa carefully. In case of males aged over 50, the endoscopist would be well advised to employ the dye-spraying method (Lugol staining method) at the endoscopic examination.

Development of a ceiling-suspended angiographic unit for interventional neuroradiology

A new neuroangiographic unit was developed with a ceiling-suspended gantry, capable of rotation (110 degrees) and craniocaudal angulation (+/- 45 degrees) along the body axis. The gantry could also be rotated 225 degrees at the ceiling suspension axis and sidetracked away from the angiographic table in case of emergency. Two sets of a twin-focus X-ray tube and a 12-inch image intensifier (II) were mounted on the gantry in the isocentric and cross-firing positions. High resolution 1024 x 1024 matrix digital radiography was obtained with a speed of 30 frames/s, while conventional film-screen radiography was obtained at 4 films/s. Rapid film changers were installed and interchangeable with the IIs. The lateral II and X-ray tube could be positioned from either side of the patient. There was no angulated position of the lateral imaging system during angulated anteroposterior or Towne projection of the frontal imaging system. Automatic repositioning of the gantry was possible to the preset position. Stereoscopic, magnification and stereoscopic magnification radiography could be obtained easily in monoplane or biplane mode. Switching from fluoroscopy to radiography and vice versa was possible rapidly and easily. Neuroangiographic as well as interventional procedures were performed expeditiously with lower complication rates. Suspending the gantry from the ceiling made more space available on the floor for the anesthesiologists.

[Studies on usefulness of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with lentinan in patients with gastrointestinal cancer]

The usefulness of Lentinan, as an agent for postoperative adjuvant therapy, was investigated in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Sixty-one patients were classified into three stages by a degree of advance for cancer (Stage II, III, IV). Furthermore, each group was put into the control group (C group) and the Lentinan group (L group), received 600 mg/day of Tegafur p. o. only or 600 mg/day of Tegafur p. o. and 2 mg/week of Lentinan i. v., respectively. Then total lymphocyte counts and NK cell activities were measured and analysis of lymphocyte subsets by two color flow cytometry was carried out every two months. The results were as follows: 1) Some parameters were preserved in higher levels in the L group especially in the stage IV. 2) In the stage IV, total lymphocyte counts of the L group were preserved higher levels compared to those of the C group. The same tendency was observed in OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 positive cell counts. 3) In the stage IV, both OKT8+ x Leu15+ cell (suppressor T cell) and OKT8+ x Leu15- cell (killer T cell) counts tended to decrease in the C group. 4) In the stage IV, the NK cell activities of the L group were preserved in higher level compared to those of the C group. Leu7+ x Leu11-, Leu7+ x Leu11+ and Leu11- x Leu11+ cells counts tended to preserve in the L group. From these results, it was suggested that Lentinan had a marked immunopotentiating efficacy in the stage IV among gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Inactivation and elimination of viruses during the fractionation of an intravenous immunoglobulin preparation: liquid heat treatment and polyethylene glycol fractionation

A method for the heat treatment of human IgG solution at 60 degrees C for 10 h was established. Human immunodeficiency, mumps, vaccinia and 4 other viruses were added to the IgG solution in 33% sorbitol and heated at 60 degrees C. Those viruses were inactivated within 1 h. Heat-treated intravenous IgG (IVIG-H) was prepared by heat treatment and polyethylene glycol (PEG) fractionation. Conventional nonheated intravenous IgG (IVIG-C) was prepared from the same source paste by the fractionation method. No physicochemical or biological difference was observed between the heated and control IVIG preparations.

[Calcifying mucinous adenocarcinoma of the stomach--case report]

In a patient with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the stomach and metastatic lesions in the lung and lymph nodes , X-ray films demonstrated multiple punctuate calcifications. We collected reported cases of gastric cancers with radiographically visualized calcium deposits and discussed their characteristics.