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Phase angle (PhA), proposed as an indicator of the number, integrity, and function of cells and evaluated in some clinical situations, decreases after bariatric surgery (BS). In contrast, higher values are found in physically active or exercising individuals. We therefore evaluated the influence of physical activity on PhA after BS.The PhA and body composition (obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis), physical activity level (obtained by International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and metabolic equivalents (METs) were evaluated in adult women submitted to BS. The PhA and body composition were evaluated at three time points: before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. Physical activity level and METs were measured at the two postoperative time points.A reduction in PhA was observed 6 (p 0.01) and 12 months (p 0.01) after BS, with no significant difference between time points. A moderate or high physical activity level was found in 81% of the volunteers after 6 months and in 65% after 12 months. METs were reduced after 12 months compared to 6 months. A positive correlation (p 0.05) was observed between PhA and body cell mass after surgery. There was a significant positive correlation (p 0.01) between PhA and METs after 12 months.Physical activity may attenuate the PhA reduction that occurs after BS, with this parameter reflecting the engagement of these patients in this type of activity.

Bariatric surgery improves oxidative damage, but little is known about the differences between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This study compared changes in lipid and protein oxidative damage markers and their correlations with body parameters of patients before and after RYGB or SG.Body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance parameters, and biochemical parameters including lipid and protein oxidative damage markers were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Spearman's correlation coefficient between oxidative damage and other parameters.Twenty-five patients were submitted to RYGB and 14 to SG. There was a significant decrease of BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, phase angle, serum total protein, transthyretin, and C-reactive protein in both groups (p 0.05). Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and serum lipids (p 0.05) were significantly decreased in the RYGB group. TBARS levels were significantly correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.468), LDL (r = 0.439), BMI (r = 0.424), and fat mass (r = 0.40) (p 0.05). In the SG group, AOPP levels were significantly correlated with serum C-reactive protein (baseline: r = 0.53, 6 months: r = 0.64) (p 0.05). Alterations in these levels were negatively correlated with changes in BIA parameters [resistance (r = -0.574), reactance (r = -0.736), and phase angle (r = 0.549)] (p 0.05).RYGB seems to be better in attenuating oxidative damage after 6 months. The BMI reduction in the RYGB group suggests a concomitant decrease of lipid oxidative damage. In the SG group, changes in BIA parameters were inversely correlated with protein oxidative damage.

Background: \ud Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributor to embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Subgroup analyses from previous studies suggest that anticoagulation could reduce recurrent stroke compared with antiplatelet therapy. We hypothesised that anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, would reduce the risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke compared with aspirin among patients with PFO enrolled in the NAVIGATE ESUS trial.\ud \ud Methods: \ud NAVIGATE ESUS was a double-blinded, randomised, phase 3 trial done at 459 centres in 31 countries that assessed the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus aspirin for secondary stroke prevention in patients with ESUS. For this prespecified subgroup analysis, cohorts with and without PFO were defined on the basis of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). The primary efficacy outcome was time to recurrent ischaemic stroke between treatment groups. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding, according to the criteria of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. The primary analyses were based on the intention-to-treat population. Additionally, we did a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies in which patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO were randomly assigned to receive anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.\ud \ud Findings: \ud Between Dec 23, 2014, and Sept 20, 2017, 7213 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive rivaroxaban (n=3609) or aspirin (n=3604). Patients were followed up for a mean of 11 months because of early trial termination. PFO was reported as present in 534 (7·4%) patients on the basis of either TTE or TOE. Patients with PFO assigned to receive aspirin had a recurrent ischaemic stroke rate of 4·8 events per 100 person-years compared with 2·6 events per 100 person-years in those treated with rivaroxaban. Among patients with known PFO, there was insufficient evidence to support a difference in risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke between rivaroxaban and aspirin (hazard ratio [HR] 0·54; 95% CI 0·22–1·36), and the risk was similar for those without known PFO (1·06; 0·84–1·33; pinteraction=0·18). The risks of major bleeding with rivaroxaban versus aspirin were similar in patients with PFO detected (HR 2·05; 95% CI 0·51–8·18) and in those without PFO detected (HR 2·82; 95% CI 1·69–4·70; pinteraction=0·68). The random-effects meta-analysis combined data from NAVIGATE ESUS with data from two previous trials (PICSS and CLOSE) and yielded a summary odds ratio of 0·48 (95% CI 0·24–0·96; p=0·04) for ischaemic stroke in favour of anticoagulation, without evidence of heterogeneity.\ud \ud Interpretation: \ud Among patients with ESUS who have PFO, anticoagulation might reduce the risk of recurrent stroke by about half, although substantial imprecision remains. Dedicated trials of anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy or PFO closure, or both, are warranted.\ud \ud Funding: \ud Bayer and Janssen.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging for detecting bone marrow infiltration by malignant lymphoma. Patients and design: Fifty-three patients with malignant lymphoma underwent MR imaging and bone marrow biopsy. In 80 iliac crests of the 53 patients (13 positive specimens in 9 patients and 67 negative specimens in 44 patients), biopsy results and the signal intensity characteristics were compared. MR sequences included T1-weighted SE, T2-weighted FSE with fat suppression, FSE STIR, and diffusion-weighted EPI with fat suppression at 1.5 T. Results and conclusions: To detect lymphoma infiltration, T1-weighted SE had the highest sensitivity (92%) and diffusion-weighted EPI with fat suppression and FSE STIR had the highest specificity (92.5% and 92%, respectively). A combination of T1-weighted SE and FSE STIR yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity (85% and 97%, respectively). A combination of T1-weighted SE and FSE STIR sequences seems to be the current choice of imaging protocol for detecting bone marrow infiltration by malignant lymphoma.

Purpose To describe the results of a conservative and reversible technique for the treatment of progressive myopathic blepharoptosis in cases when surgery is not indicated, using octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage. Methods Ten consecutive patients with progressive myopathic blepharoptosis were studied. Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage was applied to the upper eyelid to create a deeper eyelid crease. Margin reflex distance, photographs, and visual fields were obtained prior to and after treatment. Results All patients described a better appearance after application of the product, and none had an allergic response. All cases had an increase in the margin reflex distance and improvement in visual fields. Conclusion Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage is an alternative method that is simple, safe, and effective in the management of severe blepharoptosis. Moreover, it can be used in patients without systemic conditions or those who are unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure.

Two mass-food poisonings called Yusho and Yucheng occurred in Western Japan and Taiwan in 1968 and 1979, respectively. Blood samples from 5 Yusho patients and 3 Yucheng patients were collected several times from 1982 to 1998 and from 1980 to 1995, respectively, and analyzed for PCB and PCDF congeners. Fat base concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF in the Yusho patients, which were responsible for about 70% of the dioxin toxicity, are estimated to be decreased from 60 ppb in 1969 to 0.8 ppb in 1997 with the median half-life of 2.9 years in the first 15 years after the onset and 7.7 years in the next stage of 15 years. Fat base concentrations of total PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients are estimated to be decreased from 75 ppm just after the onset to 2.3 ppm after passage of 30 years. Typical Yusho symptoms of acneiform eruption, dermal pigmentation and increased eye discharge were very gradually recovered with lapse of ten years. However, enzyme and/or hormone mediated sign of high serum triglyceride, high serum thyroxin, immunoglobulin disorder and others are persistently maintained for 30 years.

Gene therapy with thyroglobulin (TG) promoter and a prodrug/suicide gene combination may prove useful as a treatment for thyroid carcinoma. However, most poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas have lost the ability to express the TG gene expression accompanied by loss of transcription factors [thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), TTF-2, or Pax-8] interacting with the TG promoter. In anticipation of developing transcriptionally targeted gene therapy of TG-nonproducing thyroid carcinomas, we investigated the effect of TTF-1 gene transfer on TG promoter activity and the cytotoxic effect obtained by the TG promoter-driven HSV-TK gene along with ganciclovir in thyroid carcinoma and nonthyroidal cells. Using a chimeric construct containing the 5'-flanking region of the rat TG gene between -826 and +39 bp and the luciferase gene, TG promoter activity was detected in a normal rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5), but not in a dedifferentiated line of thyroid cells (FRT) expressing Pax-8 but not TTF-1, TTF-2, or TG [TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)], or in a human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line [BHP15-3; TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(-)/TG(-)], a human pulmonary cell line [H441; TTF-1(+)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(-)/TG(-)], or a dog kidney epithelial cell line [MDCK; TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)]. Cotransfection of the TTF-1 expression vector stimulated TG promoter activity in FRT and BHP15-3 dedifferentiated thyroid cells, but not in H441 pulmonary cells. Only weak activation was observed in MDCK kidney cells. We then constructed recombinant adenovirus vectors, AdTTF-1 and ADTGTK: AdTTF-1 contained cytomegalovirus promoter and rat TTF-1 cDNA; AdTGTK carried the TG promoter-driven HSV-TK gene. Infection with AdTGTK and combined with GCV treatment induced a cytotoxic effect in FRTL-5 cells but not in dedifferentiated thyroid or nonthyroid cells. Cotransduction of AdTTF-1 and AdTGTK permitted 90% cytotoxicity for BHP15-3 and95% cytotoxicity for FRT, as well as for BHP7-13 and BHP18-21v thyroid cancer cell lines [both/TTF1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)]. In contrast, little cytotoxicity was seen for H441 and MDCK cell lines even with 300 microg/ml of ganciclovir. These results suggest that cotransduction of a TG promoter-controlled suicide gene and the TTF-1 gene by adenoviral vectors confers transcriptionally targeted gene-mediated cytotoxicity in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cells unable to express the TG gene.

We report a case of a 70-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with sudden headache, drowsiness and hyponatremia. MRI on admission showed an intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension. Serum examination revealed decreased sodium and hypopituitarism, but they were normalized gradually by compensation using hydrocortisone, thyroid hormone and salt. Afterwards, masked diabetes insipidus appeared and required aqueous pitressin for the control of urine volume. A removal operation was performed uneventfully using the transsphenoidal approach and histological examination confirmed squamous-papillary type craniopharyngioma. Intratumoral hemorrhage of the craniopharyngioma is extremely rare. These cases tend to occur after over 15 years of maturation and the squamous-papillary type tend to bleed more than the adamantinomatous type. However, it is very difficult to make a differential diagnosis between craniopharyngioma with intratumoral hemorrhage and pituitary apoplexy, judging only by symptoms or interventional radiology. The definite mechanism of hyponatremia associated with a parasellar lesion is still obscure, but compression to the anterior hypothalamus or pituitary gland by an enlargement of the parasellar tumor is generally hypothesized.

Postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 interacts with and mediates clustering of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptors (NMDA-R). PSD-95 also interacts with the hDLG-associated protein DAP, which is also called Synapse-associated protein 90-associated protein (SAPAP), and Guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP).DAP interacted directly with the dynein light chain (DLC) family of proteins. DLC was contained in the NMDA-R-PSD-95-DAP-neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) complex. Furthermore, DAP interacted with nNOS and recruited it into the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of transfected cells.DAP interacts directly with DLC and nNOS, and links these proteins to the NMDA-R-PSD-95 complex.

We report a case of a 62-year-old woman admitted to our hospital in a semicomatose state. CT scan and MRI on admission revealed a dense subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hematoma in the right frontal lobe. Digital subtraction angiography showed a saccular aneurysm located in the anterior communicating artery, so radical neck clipping of the aneurysm was performed via the right pterional approach. The operation was unevential. The patient complained of bilateral visual disturbance on the next day and FLAIR image of MRI demonstrated clearly crescent shaped and mobile high intense lesions corresponding to subhyaloid vitreous hemorrhage in both eye balls. The fundoscopic examination revealed an intravitreous hemorrhage which gradually disappeared over the next 12 days. Terson's syndrome after subarachnoid hemorrhage has been linked to an entity of poor prognosis, so it is beneficial that characteristic findings in FLAIR image of MRI can lead to correct diagnosis of Terson's syndrome earlier.

Though diffusion-weighted images (DWI) have been increasingly used to detect super-acute-phase cerebral infarction in recent years, they have primarily been obtained through the use of high magnetic machines of more than 1.5T. In this study, we discussed the usefulness of DWI obtained using 0.5T MRI in comparison with CT, MRI (FLAIR and T2 weighted image) and SPECT (99mTc-HMPAO). DWI were able to detect ischemic lesions earlier than FLAIR or T2-weighted images. Scanning time was short at four seconds for eight slices, and the quality of image was sufficient for clinical usage. The most available b-value seems to be 800. There were less susceptibility artifacts in the 0.5T DWI than in the 1.5T DWI. From these data, we presume that it is possible to detect super-acute-phase cerebral ischemia on the 0.5T DWI, proving the clinical usefulness of DWI. Furthermore, DWI is considered useful in observing chronological changes in cerebral infarction, differentiation of abscess or brain tumor, diagnosis of moyamoya disease, degenerative disease and so on.

Methylsulphonyl polychlorinated biphenyls (MSF-PCBs) have already contaminated at relatively high concentration in the lungs and blood of Yusho patients and healthy Japanese people. Therefore, we should give due attention to their biological and toxicological effects to man. In this study, in order to evaluate S-dependent genotoxicity of five MSF-PCB congeners, namely, 3-MSF-4,5,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), 3-MSF-4,5,2',3'-TCB, 3-MSF-2,5,2',4',5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PenCB), 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',4'-PenCB and 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',5',6'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB), we have examined their effects on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), which has been frequently used to estimate the dose of S-dependent clastogens, in cultured human lymphocytes in the absence or presence of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (Co-PenCB) and the following results were obtained. 1) 4 x 10(-5)M, 7,8-benzoflavone (ANF) and two of the five MSF-PCB congeners, namely, 3-MSF-2,5,2',4',5'- and 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',4'-PenCB at respective doses of 5.2 and 5.8 ppm, which were about 35,000 times higher than the concentrations in the lungs and adipose tissue of healthy Japanese people, significantly enhanced the frequency of SCEs. 2) In the simultaneous treatment of one of the five MSF-PCB congeners and PenCDF (3.9 ppb), TCDD (1.5 ppb) or Co-PenCB (8.8 ppb), the combination of 3-MSF-4,5,3',4'-TCB (6.8 ppb) or 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',5',6'-HCB and one of the three highly toxic chemicals significantly promoted the formation of SCEs. We have already studied whether these MSF-PCBs are non-S-dependent genotoxic compounds or not and have obtained the results that they seemed not to be or very weak ones. Therefore, based on the results of this and our former studies, the five MSF-PCB congeners examined are considered rather potent S-dependent genotoxic chemicals than non-S-dependent ones.

Breast milk and blood of Yusho patients were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners by High separation gas chromatography/Low resolution mass spectrometer. Seventy-one and forty-nine PCB congeners were identified and quantified in the breast milk and blood, respectively. Total PCB concentrations (Whole base) in breast milk of 2 Yusho patients were 69.9 and 15.1 ppb, respectively, being 11.6 and 2.5 times higher than those of 4 control breast milk. Average total PCB concentration of 5.0 ppb in whole blood of 13 Yusho patients was 3.6 times higher than those of control persons. Fourteen PCB congeners, such as 99, 117, 130, 137, 138, 156, 157, 164, 170, 171, 172, 189, 191 and 195, were particularly higher concentration in breast milk and blood of Yusho patients than in those of control persons. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs were also analyzed in the breast milk of Yusho patients and control persons. Large portions, 83 and 74%, of Dioxin toxic equivalency (TEQ) in the 2 Yusho breast milk were consisted of TEQ of 2,3,4,7,8-pentaCDF only, while total TEQ in the breast milk of control persons was consisted of PCDFs 48%. PCDDs 29% and coplanar PCBs 23%.

Acetabular dysplasia represents the most common aetiology for secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint in Japan. On radiographs progress of the disease can be classified in four stages (I to IV). Labral lesions are common accompanying findings in acetabular dysplasia, representing an important prognostic factor. Therefore we routinely use conventional arthrography to classify labral lesions in three types (normal, torn and detached). From 1978 to 1983 a modified Chiari osteotomy of the pelvis (dome osteotomy) was performed in 64 hip joints without arthrotomy. The preoperative radiography showed labral lesions in 66%. After an average follow-up of 4 years, 43 of the 44 patients with a normal or torn labrum showed excellent or good results. On contrast, 50% of the 20 patients with a detached labrum showed fair and poor results only. From 1984 to 1989 an arthrotomy was combined with dome osteotomy in 29 hip joints and labral lesions had to be resected in 16 cases. The results were generally good in patients with arthrosis grade I and II, but in stage III they were only fair. Thus, the success of labral surgery can only be achieved in early stages of dysplasia. Based on our findings dome osteotomy combined with arthrotomy and labral surgery can be recommended in patients with labral lesions and hip dysplasia grade I and II.

A 31-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of petechial hemorrhages. Physical examination revealed no splenomegaly. The patient's platelet count was 1.0 x 10(9)/l and bone marrow aspiration showed an elevated number of megakaryocytes. A diagnosis of HIV-associated thrombocytopenia was made on the basis of HIV seropositive results. The CD4 cell count was 400 x 10(6)/l. No opportunistic infections indicating AIDS were detected. Initially the patient was treated with predonisolone, but showed only a transient response. He also failed to respond to zidovudine, lamivudine, or indinavir. Following splenectomy, however, his platelet count rose above 80 x 10(9)/l (normal level: 150-350 x 10(9)/l).

Blood samples of Yusho and control persons were analyzed for individual congeners of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs by high resolution GC/MS. Concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexa-CDF and 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexa-CB in Yusho blood were up to 56 times higher than the corresponding concentrations in the control blood. These high concentrations have persisted for 23 years after the incident. Concentrations of 3,3',4,4',5-penta-CB and 2,3',4,4',5-penta-CB in some Yusho blood were lower than the control blood. In Yusho blood, 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF contributed the highest toxicity (TEQ 77-248 ppt in lipid) among the congeners determined and toxic contribution of PCDFs was very large (41-77%) in the chlorinated pollutants. Thirty PCB congeners were identified in the blood of Yusho patients in 1996 by GC/MS. The average total PCB concentration in Yusho blood were 4.9 times higher than that of the controls. Characteristic PCB congeners in Yusho patients were 2,2',3,4,4',5-hexa-CB, 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexa-CB and 2,3,3',4,4',5'-hexa-CB and their concentration ratios to the controls were 8-19.

We report a case of cervical myelopathy caused by the calcification of the cervical ligamentum flavum. A 42-year-old woman with gait disturbance and an episode of dysuria was transferred to our hospital on June 30, 1994. Neurological examination revealed only a mild right hemiparesis. A plain neck X-ray and a tomogram revealed a nodular calcification in the posterior part of the spinal canal at the level of C5/6. Three dimensional computed tomography clearly demonstrated that the mass consisted of three nodular structures on the vertebral lamina. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated severe compression of the spinal cord by the mass whose intensity was low. The mass was removed en bloc together with the ligamentum flavum and C5 and C6 lamina. The mass showed no continuity to the dura mater. The calcification was confined within the ligament. The patient's neurological deficits were resolved two weeks after the surgery. X-ray diffraction study demonstrated the component of the mass was found to be pure hydroxyapatite. Clinical features of calcification of the ligamentum flavum are reviewed from 85 reported cases including ours, and the difference between this calcification and the ossification of the ligament is emphasized. Calcification of the ligamentum flaum is a distinct clinical entity.

The lungs and blood of Yusho patients and healthy Japanese people have already been contaminated with methylsulphonyl polychlorinated biphenyls (MSF-PCBs) at relatively high concentration. Therefore, we should give due attention to their biological and toxicological effects to man. In this study, in order to mainly evaluate non-S-dependent genotoxicity of five MSF-PCB congeners, namely, 3-MSF-4, 5, 3', 4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), 3-MSF-4, 5, 2', 3'-TCB, 3-MSF-2, 5, 2', 4', 5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PenCB), 4-MSF-2, 5, 2', 3', 4'-PenCB and 4-MSF-2, 5, 2', 3', 5', 6'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB). We have examined their effects on the induction of micronucleated cells, which has been frequently used to estimate the dose of ionizing radiation and truly radiomimetic, non-S-dependent, clastogens, in cultured human lymphocytes in the absence or presence of 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF), 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or 3, 4, 5, 3', 4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (Co-PenCB). The following results were obtained. 1) 4 x 10(-5) M7, 8-benzoflavone (ANF) significantly enhanced the frequency of micronucleated cells and all of the five MSF-PCB congeners failed to induce the formation of micronucleated cells at doses of 5.2 to 9.6 ppm, which were about 35,000 times higher than the concentrations in the lungs and adipose tissue of healthy Japanese people.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We have been already contaminated with various chemicals including highly toxic organochlorine compounds such as 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF) and 3, 4, 5, 3', 4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (Co-PenCB). In this study, in order to evaluate the genotoxicity of the three chemicals, we have examined their effects on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), which has been frequently utilized as an indicator of biological and genetic damage due to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens, in cultured human lymphocytes in the absence or presence of 7, 8-benzoflavone (ANF) and the following results were obtained. 1) TCDD, PenCDF and Co-PenCB significantly increased the frequency of SCEs with almost the same dose-dependent manner in terms of the concentration of TCDD toxic equivalent. 2) 8 x 10(-5) MANF significantly enhanced the frequency of SCEs and the simultaneous treatment of ANF and either of TCDD, PenCDF or Co-PenCB seemed to exert an additive effect as SCEs inducer. 3) TCDD, PenCDF and Co-PenCB were considered to be very potent inducers of SCEs, because their 50% effective concentration in SCEs enhancement were only 5 to 10 times higher than the level of the adipose tissue in healthy Japanese, namely, 70ppt as TCDD. Consequently, the respective TCDD toxic equivalency factors of 0.5 and 0.2 for PenCDF and Co-PenCB seemed to be reasonable so far as the induction of SCEs was employed as an indicator of the genotoxic potency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The blood samples of 3 Yucheng patients collected 6-7 times from 1980 to 1993 and 5 Yusho patients collected 6-8 times from 1982 to 1993 were analyzed for congeners of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-electron capture detection. In the blood of Yucheng patients, the high concentrations of 3 PCDF congeners, 2,3',4, 4',5-penta-CB and 5 PCB congeners were eliminated at half-lives of 2.4-2.9, 1.7 and 4.1-6.1 years, respectively, while in Yusho patients, 14 years after the incident, their half-lives were converted to longer times as observed 3.2-13.4, 24.0 and 13.7-34.2 years, respectively. In the same Yucheng and Yusho patients, the half-lives of the 5 PCB congeners were about twice longer than those of the 3 PCDF congeners. PCBs are more retainable than PCDFs in human blood.

Since the molecular cloning of human TSH receptor (TSHR), much efforts have been focused on determining the TSH or TSAb binding sites. Despite many conflicting data, there seems to be a consensus that TSH binds to the various parts of the extracellular domain of TSHR discontinuously. However, following questions are not yet answered 1) Is the binding to extracellular domain of TSHR sufficient to the signal transduction? 2) Is there any contribution of the extracellular loops to TSH binding? Using TSHR mutated at the first or the second extracellular loops, we propose that the extracellular loops are important for TSH binding and signal transduction.

In order to understand the function of the first extracellular loop of the human thyrotropin receptor (hTSHR), each of two peptides of nine amino acids was inserted into the first extracellular loop of hTSHR. hTSHR cDNA was subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector, pRc/CMV (hTSHR/pRc/CMV). B-hTSHR/pRc/CMV, a mutant hTSHR cDNA which encodes a hydrophilic peptide insert (AGTTRRVAI) and C-hTSHR/pRc/CMV which encodes a hydrophobic peptide insert (ATVLVVPMI) between +486 Ileu and +487 Asp of hTSHR were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells to generate the B-1 and C-6 cell lines, respectively. Neither thyrotropin (TSH) nor thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) stimulated cAMP production by B-1 or C-6 cells. An 125I-TSH binding assay showed that neither cell line bound TSH. Our data demonstrated that these mutations impaired both TSH binding and cAMP production. This evidence suggests that the first extracellular loop of hTSHR may have a crucial role in the TSH- and TSAb-dependent signal transduction.

The blood of 16 Yusho patients sampled from 1982 (14 years after the incident) to 1992 were analyzed for congeners of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with electron capture detection, respectively. Biological half-lives of PCDFs and PCBs were estimated by following the change of blood concentrations of the Yusho patients in the equation of 1-compartment model. The biological half-lives of 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-penta-CDF and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-hexa-CDF in 8 individuals varied from 6.0 to 76 years with median 11.7 years and from 4.8 to 26.5 years with median 7.0 years, respectively. The half-lives of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8-hepta-CDF in 4 individuals varied from 2.1 to 15 years. Concentrations of PCBs in 13 individuals were estimated to be slowly decreased and increased with several years half-life in about half-and-half numbers.

Diseases affecting the retropharyngeal space are relatively uncommon, much less a case of retropharyngeal hematoma. However, a space-occupying lesion in this area can be life threatening and require emergency surgical intervention. There have been 46 cases of retropharyngeal hematoma reported in the English literatures from 1934 to 1989, but there has been no reported case in Japan. Recently we treated a 72-year-old male sustained retropharyngeal hematoma following a bruise of head and neck. The patients was received tracheostomy, antibiotic therapy and intravenous hyperalimentation, and this hematoma was resolved in about 2 weeks. The etiologies, diagnosis, therapies in our case and prognoses of the literature reviewed 47 cases of retropharyngeal hematoma were discussed comprehensively.

Methyl sulphone metabolites of PCB and DDE were isolated from different tissues of a Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Main components in the seal blubber were identified as 3-MeSO2-2,2',4',5,5'-pentaCB, 4-MeSO2-2,2',4',5,5'-pentaCB, 3-MeSO2-p,p'-DDE, 4-MeSO2-2,2',3',4',5-pentaCB and 4-MeSO2-2,2',3,4',5',6-hexaCB. Liver and lung in the seal contained different MeSO2-PCB pattern compared to all other tissues. These levels in the both tissues were estimated to be 28 and 15 ppm (lipid basis) which corresponded to the same level as the PCB. Concentrations of MeSO2-PCB in any tissues of a Yusho patient were low compared to those in the seal.

The blood of 3 Yu-cheng patients sampled from 1980 to 1989 were analyzed for congeners of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-electron capture detection. The high concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-, 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexa- and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-hepta-CDFs (15.4, 37.7 and 4.8 ppb in lipid basis, respectively) were eliminated from the blood at half-lives of 2.14, 2.56 and 2.32 years, respectively. The high concentrations of 8 PCB congeners in the blood were also decreased with time at half-lives of 1.16-4.56 years. The half-lives of retainable PCB congeners were about 2 times longer than those of the PCDF congeners.

Recombinant human prorenin (rh-prorenin) was purified from supernatants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line transfected with the cDNA for rh-prorenin by employing a simple two-step procedure which consisted of ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody specific for the profragment of human prorenin. About 100-fold purification with 35% recovery was achieved after the two steps. Purified rh-prorenin migrated as a single protein band with apparent molecular weights of 46,000-47,000 and about 50,000 on SDS-PAGE and gel filtration (HPLC), respectively, although it consisted of multiple components (pI values, 5.6-6.4) that could be resolved by isoelectric focusing (IEF). The treatment of rh-prorenin with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase converted the rather broad protein band to a sharp band on SDS-PAGE and reduced the number of multiple pI peaks on IEF. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of both the purified rh-prorenin and rh-renin revealed Leu-Pro-Thr-Asp- and Leu-Thr-Leu-Gly-, respectively, which agreed with those predicted from the base sequences of their cDNA. These data suggested that microheterogeneity of rh-prorenin is due to the carbohydrate moiety, but not to the protein moiety. Purified rh-prorenin was almost inactive, but was cleaved at the carboxyl end of a dibasic pair Lys-2-Arg-1 by trypsin and converted to active renin. However, at the early stage during trypsin activation, new intermediate forms between rh-prorenin and rh-renin were formed, suggesting multiple activation steps of rh-prorenin in addition to the one step activation.

Formation of triazene derivatives from sodium nitrite and sulphanilamide, sulphamethizole or sulphamethoxazole in acidic solution containing saliva or canned vegetable juice was studied using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection at 365 nm. At the optimal pH of 3.2-3.7, the mean yield of the triazene formed by reaction of sulphanilamide and nitrite in saliva was 28.8%, calculated on the nitrite content, and there was a high positive correlation (r = 0.993) between the nitrite concentration in the saliva and the triazene yield. In contrast, at the optimal pH values for triazene formation from sulphamethizole and sulphamethoxazole (3.0-3.5 and 2.5-2.9 respectively), triazene yields were much lower, accounting for only 0.9 and 1.0%, respectively, of the nitrite present. Triazene formation was partly inhibited in the presence of vegetable juice.

This study evaluated usefulness of the Pre-Clinical Training System. Undergraduate students and instructors at Higashi-Nippon-Gakuen University practiced class I composite resin restoration of the lower right first molar using the system. After the practice, they filled out questionnaires to evaluate the system. According to the results, this system proved useful for pre-clinical education though there is room for improvement.

Recently, sedative and antiphlogistic treatment is conducted with low energy laser irradiation. The purpose of the this study was to evaluate the effectiveness to decrease of pain just after irradiation by a GaA1As semiconductor laser. The irradiation apparatus was SEMI LASER NANOX (LX-800: G-C. Co.) with the following features: a wave length of (around) 780nm: the laser energy, 30mW; exposure time, 30sec to 180sec/per treatment. Diagnosis of pre- and post-operative sensitivity were classified into the following four grades: Grade 0 no pain. Grade I mild pain. Grade II strong but tolerable pain. Grade III intolerable pain (simultaneous with stimulation). The results were as follows: 1. In the hypersensitivity of dentin, the treatment was not effective with 2 cases of grade III, but with all of grade I, II (35 cases) the pain decreased just after irradiation. 2. It was effective in all cases with pain like periodontitis after root canal filling and pain after extraction of teeth. 3. It was effective in all cases with gingivitis, stomatitis, and gingival ulcers after infiltration anesthesia etc..

The blood of 3 yu-cheng patients sampled from 1980 to 1985 and of 14 yusho patients sampled from 1982 to 1988 were analyzed for 7 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) isomers by gas chromatography with a capillary column. The concentrations of PCBs in yu-cheng patients were up to 400 ppb and much higher than those of yusho patients. The high concentration of PCBs were decreased at biological half lives of about 50 months and 2,4,3',4'-tetra-CB and 2,4,5,3',4'-penta-CB were first decreased with time at half lives of about 12 months. Therefore, peculiar gas chromatographic pattern for yusho patients would be formed 3 years after the onset. The concentration and patterns of blood PCBs of yusho patient kept in similar levels during 1982 to 1988.

Clinical practice with patients is the most important part of education for dental students. However there are considerable difference between lecture, basic practice, and clinical practice. Therefore it is difficult to go from basic practice to clinical practice. To overcome this, we developed and introduced a Pre-Clinical Training system using a newly designed manequin, articulater, jaw model, and artificial teeth. This manequin is very similar to patients in appearance. The mandibular part used a semi-adjustable arcon type articulator. The artificial teeth were made of two types of synthetic resins with different hardness for use in operative dentistry. The teeth also have caries areas made of soft black resin. Using this system, the students practiced oral examination, cavity preparation and restoration in operative dentistry.

Pharmacokinetics of cefoxitin, a new injectable semisynthetic-cephamycin, was studied in 12 healthy children and also was studied cerebrospinal fluid levels in 1 patient with bacterial meningitis received 44.5 mg/kg of cefoxitin and thoracic fluid levels in 2 patients were measured. Cefoxitin was administered intravenously to 50 patients with various types of infections an average dose of 130 mg/kg/day for an average of 9 days. The results were as follows: 1. Favorable plasma levels were obtained comparing with those off conventional injectable cephalosporins after 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg of cefoxitin for one shot intravenous injection. The half lives of cefoxitin in the plasma were about 15.9 minutes up to 1 hour and 25.5 minutes up to 2 hours after an intravenous administration of cefoxitin at a dose of 15 mg/kg, and while, those were 15.9 minutes and 27.5 minutes after an intravenous administration of cefoxitin at a dose of 25 mg/kg, respectively. 2. Cefoxitin was excreted with high concentration up to 2 hours after the administration and thereafter, urinary concentration of cefoxitin declined rapidly with the lapse of time. The time course urinary concentration reflected those of plasma levels. Approximately 94.7% and 90.6% of dosed cefoxitin were recovered in the urine for 6 hours after the administration at the dose of 15 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. 3. The cerebrospinal fluid levels of cefoxitin were only determined in a patient of bacterial meningitis. Therefore, further study should be performed. 4. The thoracic fluid levels with 2 patients were higher than cerebrospinal fluid levels. 5. Among the 50 patients with various infections, cefoxitin was clinically effective in 84% and bacterial response in 87%. 6. As adverse reactions, in total 79 patients included exclusive 29 patients, diarrhea occurred in 1 patient, sweating and cough in 1 patient, rash with fever in 4 patients, vascular pain in 2 patients, and leukopenia was observed in 1 patient, eosinophilia in 1 patient, and increase of GOT and LDH were observed in each 2 patients. The other adverse reactions were not experienced.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- and terphenyl (PCT)-methylsulfones were isolated from the blood of yusho patients sampled in 1987 and characterized by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), electron capture detection (GC/ECD) and flame photometric detection (GC/FPD). GC/MS analysis for PCB-methylsulfones showed that all the blood tested (nine samples) contained the tri- and tetrachloro congeners. The concentrations of PCB-methylsulfones were estimated to be 15-120 ppb. PCT-methylsulfones detected in the same fraction, which were confirmed by GC/MS comparison with authentic samples as well as by GC/ECD and GC/FPD, consisted of tetra-, penta- and hexachloroterphenyl methylsulfone congeners. The levels of PCT-methylsulfones in six samples detected were preliminarily estimated to be 10-270 ppb, on the basis of a PCB-methylsulfone standard. Their origins and biological effects are unclear at present.

We report a method for determination of vanillylmandelic acid, vanillactic acid, and homovanillic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with coulometric electrochemical detection, for mass screening of neuroblastoma. Urine samples were collected on filter paper, dried, and then pretreated. The chromatographic procedure is reliable and fast, allowing for a large sample throughput for routine screening. Intricate extraction procedures and centrifugal separation are unnecessary. Screening for neuroblastoma by HPLC is rapidly gaining acceptance in Japan, and our method is being used at many screening centers. Of 26,571 infants screened in one year in Yokohama City, our method detected five with neuroblastoma.