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The contents of nucleic acids in rat liver and hepatoma mitochondria and the physico-chemical properties on DNA's isolated from these mitochondria were comparatively investigated. The results are briefly summarized as follows. 1. The contents of DNA and RNA per mg protein of the hepatoma cell mitochondria were about 10 and 2 to 4 times higher than those of rat liver mitochondria, respectively. 2. The λ max. and λmin. values of DNA isolated from the hepatoma mitochondria were 257 mμ and 231 mμ, respectively and those of DNA isolated from the nuclei were 259 mμ and 233 mμ, respectively, in saline-citrate, pH 7.0. 3. Three fractions of mitochondrial DNA were obtained by the sucrose density gradient and these DNA fractions corresponded, probably, to about 30 S, and 20 S and 14 S DNA's. 4. There was little difference in base compositions between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA's of the hepatoma cells. 5. The degree of hybridization between the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA's of the hepatoma cells was almost the same as that between the nuclear and nuclear DNA's of the hepatoma cells, and somewhat higher than that between the nuclear DNA of rat liver and the nuclear DNA of hepatoma cells. 6. "Highly twisted" circular, "open" circular and linear forms were observed in the DNA preparations of the hepatoma mitochondria. The average values of contour lengths of rat liver and the hepatoma DNA's observed at high frequency were 5.3 μ and 4.5 μ. 7. A discussion was made on the relation between the genetic informations of mitochondrial DNA and the formation of a mitochondrion in rat liver and the hepatoma cells.

Bei 365 Leberpatienten wurde die BTS im Blut bestimmt und bei einem Teil der Fälle wurde die Leberkatheterisation durchgefiihrt. Das fiihrte zu folgenden Ergebnissen : 1) Der BTS-Blutspiegel war ungefähr in 50 Prozent der Fälle erh&#öht, und zwar fallend in der Reihenfolge bei Leberzirrhose, akuter Hepatitis und chronischer Hepatitis. Bei der akuten Hepatitis war er in der Rekonvaleszenz erhöhter als im akuten Stadium und auch bei chronischer Hepatitis war er bei längerem Krankheitsverlauf höher als bei krzem. 2) Eine Parallelitat zwischen dem BTS-Blutspiegel und der Müdigkeit bestand, besonders war er bei den Fällen, die durch routine Leberfunktionsproben normal beurteilt wurden und in denen über Müdigkeit geklagt wurde, erhöht. 3) Eine Korrelation zwischen dem BTS-Blutspiegel und den routine Leberfunktionsproben bestand nicht, doch bei den Fällen mit normalen routine Leberfunktionsproben fiel der BTS-Blutspiegel in 46.5 Prozent der Fälle positiv aus. Es wäre denkbar, dass der BTS-Blutspiegel eine von den routine Leberfunktionsproben nicht ergriffene Seite ausdrticken könnte. 4) Es gab keine Korrelation zwischen dem BTS,Blutspiegel und dem histologischen Befund der Leber. Doch durch Laparoskopie war der erhöhte BTS-Blutspiegel insbesondere bei dem Ⅱ. und IV. Typus der grossen weissen Leber festgestellt worden. 5) Weil L·BTS in Fällen erhöhter V-BTS (d. h. BTS im Blut) höher war als V-BTS bzw. A-BTS, ausserdem die engste Beziehung von L-BTS/ABTS- Quotienten zum V-BTS-Spiegel (d. h. der BTS-Blutspigel) bestand, wurde bestätigt, dass die erhöhte BTS im Blut bei Leberkrankheiten aus Leber stammt. Der BTS-Blutspiegel spiegelt nämlich den BTS-Stoffwechsel in der Leber wider. 6) Der BTS-Stoffwechsel in der Leber stand in engster Beziehung zu der Leberhamodynamik, d. h. zum visceralem Sauerstoffverbrauch, zum geschatzten Leberdurchblutung und zum Lebervenenverschlussdruck.

For the purpose to reveal the mechanism of the stimulated erythropoiesis in anemic condition, the author observed the numerical changes of the erythroblasts from normal rabbit bone marrow cultured under the environment of varied oxygen tensions, and revealed the following: 1. The erythroblasts incubated with air are increased after 24 to 48 hours and decreased gradually disappearing by 120 hours with a corresponding increase of erythrocytes. But no active proliferation of the stem cells or proerythroblasts is observed, all the cells have differentiated to erythrocytes. Hyperoxygen tension suppresses the increase of erythroblasts slightly, while hypoxygen tension stimulates the increase. Data suggest that the cell number destined to be ineffective erythropoiesis is regulated by oxygen tensions of the environment. 2. Basophilic erythroblasts are reduced in number from the beginning showing not any increasing tendency. The reducing rate is almost the same among those cultured under the hypo- and hyperoxygen tension, comparable to that incubated with air. 3. The hypoxygen tension brings about a marked increase in the number of orthochromatic erythroblasts with a decrease in polychromatic erythroblasts suggesting an accelerated cell differentiation, while the hyperoxygen tension elicits the suppression in the formation of orthochromatic erythroblasts with suppressed differentiation. Data also show the lack of denucleation mechanism in polychromatic stages in vitro differing from the case of the bone marrow of anemic animal.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), infects the vast majority of adults worldwide, and establishes both nonproductive (latent) and productive (lytic) infections. Host immune responses directed against both the lytic and latent cycle-associated EBV antigens induce a diversity of clinical symptoms in patients with chronic active EBV infections who usually contain an oligoclonal pool of EBV-infected lymphocyte subsets in their blood. Episomal EBV genes in the latent infection utilize an array of evasion strategies from host immune responses: the minimized expression of EBV antigens targeted by host cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), the down-regulation of cell adhesion molecule expression, and the release of virokines to inhibit the host CTLs. The oncogenic role of latent EBV infection is not yet fully understood, but latent membrane proteins (LMPs) expressed during the latency cycle have essential biological properties leading to cellular gene expression and immortalization, and EBV-encoded gene products such as viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10) and bcl-2 homologue function to survive the EBV-infected cells. The subsequent oncogenic DNA damage may lead to the development of neoplasms. EBV-associated NK/T cell lymphoproliferative disorders are prevalent in Asia, but quite rare in Western countries. The genetic immunological background, therefore, is closely linked to the development of EBV-associated neoplasms.

The incorporation of C14-2-glycine into the subcellular fractions of liver, kidney and serum proteins was observed in mice receiving CCl4 injections. The results showed a marked inhibitory effect of CCl4 on incorporation of C14-glycine into each subcellular fraction of the liver, but not of the kidney. The inhibition of the C14-glycine incorporation was most marked in mitochondria, moderate in soluble protein and minimal in microsomes, in the groups of mice given two injections of CCl4. In the animals given CCl. injection, serum albumin is decreased with the decreased incorporation of C14-glycine into the albumin but β-globulin fraction is increased. The former will be the result of the decreased albumin synthesis in the poisoned liver and the latter will be correlated with the fatty degeneration of liver.

Okabayashi's radical extensive hysterectomy is one of the excellent operations for carcinoma of the cervix. In this study on the postoperative complications during the recent 5 years, we obtained the following results. 1. In the total of 861 cases studied, the primary mortality amounts to 1.2 per cent, the incidence of the uretero-vaginal fistula 2.7 per cent, the pelvic abscess 16.8 per cent, and the lymphocyst 23.3 per cent. 2. On comparing the results with our previous ones as well as those of other investigators, it is found that satisfactory results have been obtained due to the advent of various antibiotics in recent years and also due to a marked advance made in the technics of blood and fluid administration as well as anesthesia. 3. Since the various complications have not completely been overcome and they still pose an important problem, an effort should be made toward a better postoperative care in order to prevent the complications.

By physically destroying typhoid bacilli and centrifuging at a high speed, an insoluble granular fraction (P1) and soluble fraction (S1) were obtained. Chemical and enzymologic properties of these substances as well as their influences on the protective ability against infection were studied; and the following results were attained: 1. P1 contains an extremely small amount of proteins when compared with S1. 2. The enzymologic activity of P1 is entirely different from that of S1. In P1 the respiratory enzyme system of only lactate and succinate is localized. 3. Although both P1 and S1 possess the antibody-producing ability in serum of rabbit to the same high degree, P1 imparts to mice a markedly high protective ability against infection. 4. By the heat-treatment of P1 its antigenicity is lost at the same time.

1. Retrograde coronary perfusion in combination with selective brain cooling by irrigation was investigated in dogs, in comparison with direct coronary artery perfusion. 2. High incidence of ventricular fibrillation was seen in both methods in hypothermic state. Operation at the normal temperature using extracorporeal circulation is desirable, 3. In view of the above results optimal perfusion pressure appears 30 mm Hg. in retroperfusion, while 100 mm Hg. in direct coronary artery perfusion. 4. The right ventricle anoxia is an undesirable feature in retroperfusion, while the left ventricle showed a tendency to slight anoxia in both methods.

In our department we have been placing a special emphasis on the treatment and study of rheumatoid arthritis, and during the last four years we have handled about 1,600 cases visiting our outpatient clinic and approximately 100 hospitalized cases. Our experiences with these patients are only what might be called an introductory phase in the study and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis when compared with those in Europe and America. In estimating the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan from various available data, although it would not reach the level of England and U.S.A., it will be about 100 cases per 100,000 population, matching more or less the incidence in the northern Europe. As regards sex and the predisposing age we find no great difference from those in Europe and America. One striking difference that we find is the fact that patients in our country have very little resistance against salicylic acid drug used in treatment. Therefore, it is unreasonable to expect a good anti-inflammatory action by administering a large dosage of 5-10g of such a drug as aspirin per day. It must be limited within a comparatively small dosage of 1.0 to 2.0 g or with concomitant administration of prednisolone and aspirin in the hope of utilizing its analgesic effect. Furthermore, it is not feasible to introduce the results of studies made in Europe and America on the salicylic drug and its prescription all of them showing the concentration in blood 35 mg%, which is on the borderline of intoxicating dosage. This is only one example, and with some more experiences we shall undoubtedly encounter many dissimilar points. Therefore, it is essential that rheumatology specific to Japan needs to be established.

Pathologic, anatomical, and histological findings of 5 autopsy cases and one biopsy case of cryptococcosis have been described. Macroscopically the foci of the lung are grayish white or yellowish white in color and range in size from the small acinous-nodular ones to the larger lobular-nodular ones. In the brain the meninx appears gelatinous and edematous showing many small spots with indistinct boundary and with grayish white color. Lymph nodes infected with fungi are swollen in various degrees. Histologically the foci are mainly consisted of granulomatous inflammation containing giant cells. Besides, there are small degenerative foci having no inflammatory response and the lesions of marked fibrosis; the former will be newly formed foci and the latter the old ones. The size of C. neoformans found in tissue ranges from 3 to 30 μ, and the majority of fungi possess thick gelatinous capsule, but some of them in granulative lesions often possess no capsule. From the staining properties the capsule of C. neoformans is believed to be a kind of acid mucopolysaccharide. As for the staining method including general fungi, GOMORI's methenamine silver method is best, especially for the detailed examination of fungus structures, and for the differential diagnosis mucicarmine stain is the most suitable one. In tracing the distribution of the foci in the various organs, it seems that the first attack of this fungus occurs in the lung. The authors have called general attention, through their own experiences, to the fact that the small granulomatous foci caused by Cryptococcus infection, especially in the lung, may often escape the detection at autopsy.

1. In the stage later than the middle stage of pregnancy, morphological differences appear between the amniotic epithelial cells of placenta and those of the free part and the majority of cases the amniotic epithelial cells of placenta present more marked columnar shape than those in the surrounding area of ruptured orifice or those in the vicinity of placenta. However, there still remains a question whether or not such a phenomena is directly related to the secretory function of the placenta amniotic epithelium. 2. It seems that amniotic epithelial cells divide and multiply themselves by mitosis at least in the early and middle stages when their functions are at height. 3. Even in the stage later than the middle stage generally the amniotic epithelium of placenta is consisted of a single layer of columnar epithelial cells, and therefore, the author cannot agree to Forssell's theory. 4. In glycogen and lipid stainings, the amniotic epithelial cell layer shows more striking changes with the progress of gestational month when compared with those cells in other layers. 5. Glycogen in the amniotic epithelial cell layer is abundant in the early and middle stages of pregnancy, and it rapidly decreases near the late stage. Lipid granules on the contrary are less in the early stage, and start to appear in the middle stage, increasing rapidly towards the late stage. In general, the regressive degeneration picture of the late stage is not distinct histologically, but assuming glycogen to represent the cell activity and the lipid deposit to mean just the reverse, the amniotic epithelium functionally seems to fall into regressive degeneration from the middle stage. Other layers of fetal membranes likewise undergo fatty degeneration as the pregnancy progresses from the middle stage to the late stage. 6. There still remain problems to be solved on the question what role this regressive degeneration of the amniotic epithelial cell layer plays in de Watteville's theory, "Labor originates from the fetal membranes". However, granular PAS-positive substances in the amniotic epithelium are glycogen, and it seems difficult to connect simply the existence or non-existence of PAS-positive granules or Sudan-positive granules directly with the continuation or interruption of pregnancy.

For the purpose to reveal the role of R.E.S. for hemopoiesis and antibody formation, the R.E.S. of rabbits were severely blocked by the repeated intravenous injection of a vast amount of India ink, reaching 200 to 250 cc in total and the development of anemia and antibody formation by challenging egg albumin were observed while referring to the histologic changes in bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. The results were as follows: 1. The repeated intravenous injection of a vast amount of carbon particles induced a severe anemia. The anemia was always normo- or hyperchromic, showing not any disturbance in iron metabolism or hemoglobin formation. The data suggested that anemia is due to the arrest of reproduction of erythroblast or differentiation of the stem cells to erythroblasts, but not due to inhibition of the iron metabolism. 2. R.E.S. had no relation to the proliferation or the differentiation of granulocytes. 3. The functions of R.E.S. related to erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis are affected by blocking independently of its phagocytic potency. In spite of a severe anemia, the phagocytic potency of R.E.S. could never be lowered and liver and spleen grew much larger in size and weight, showing that the phagocytic ability of R.E.S. is extremely resistant against such a blocking. 4. The serum antibody titer proved to be at the normal level, and no change of the antibody production in spite of heavy blocking of R.E.S. with India ink.

Two cases (Case I, 24-year old male, and Case II, 41-year old male) of liver cirrhosis after viral hepatitis have been described with a special emphasis on the distortion of the hepatic lobular architecture induced by hepatic hemodYnamic changes. Careful and precise clinical and laboratory examinations as well as peritoneoscopic examination with liver biopsy, particularly with vascular stereograms of liver biopsy tissue, have been successively carried outfrom stage of normal lobular architecture to early stage of cirrhosis. As the result, it has been found that in the course of these examinations clinical and laboratory features of the patients have remained almost unchanged in spite of gradual aggravation of morphological pictures. It is especially noteworthy that on vascular stereograms of liver biopsy tissue the parenchymal cells under the scarred portal tracts have suffered atrophic changes. Thus, three individual portal tracts of Case I have been gathered in a single connective tissue located on the distributing area of a scarred portal tract, whereas a central vein of Case II has moved from center to side of the scarred portal tract. In the late stage, these two cases ultimately turned to liver cirrhosis.

Chemical and biological characteristics of the unsaturated fatty acids from the liver of irradiated and non-irradiated animals and some unsaturated fatty acids in sale have been described. The unsaturated fatty acid fractions from the rabbit liver taken after irradiating animal with x-ray show hardly any difference from those of non-irradiated animal in each component. But the former were distinguished from the latter in the increased rate of velocity of autoxidation. Similar characteristics were observed on the unsaturated fatty acids irradiated in vitro. They developed less labile free radicals with the shift of the double bonds to the carboxylic group and the conjugated double bonds, dienoic and trienoic acids. Biologically, the fatty acids from the irradiated animal suppressed the growth of bacteria requiring unsatturated fatty acid. And they are slightly stronger in the activity of uncoupling effect for the oxidative phosphorylation and the swelling of mitochondria comparing to those of general fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids. They showed a strong lytic activity on the cell membrane as in the case of general fatty acids, linoleic, oleic, and some long chain unsaturated fatty acids. Tumor cells surviving through the treatment with unsaturated fatty acids changed the cell characteristics temporarily, with a slow-down of the ascites development and the cell growth.

Phosphorylase activities (total and a form) were determined in the livers of experimental hepatic injuries with carbon tetrachloride or galactosamine and the livers of patients with liver diseases. Experimental liver injuries caused a slight decrease in total activity in later stages and a marked increase in a form activity in earlier stages. In human livers, low values of total activity were found in acute hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver with no consistent alteration in a activity. Phosphorylase activities in hepatocellular carcinomas were also low. The importance of the altered phosphorylase activities in hepatic injuries is discussed in relation to the disorder in glycogen metabolism in the injured liver.

An eleventh case of heavy (Hgamma1) chain disease (Yok), surviving for more than 10 years and still living showed clinical and pathological findings similar to cases described in the past. The patient was given only glucocorticosteroids, ACTH, antibiotics and gamma globulin, as specific drugs. Precipitation arcs besides the major ones formed by albumin and Fc fragment were disclosed by immunoelectrophoresis. The existence of these minor components were confirmed with antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. They did not form precipitation arcs with the other antigens available and they appeared in the same fractions of IgG on gel filtration suggesting their having higher molecular weight than the major ones. In addition to these findings, the clinical course of the patient is described.