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For the purpose to clarify the relationship between production of humoral antibodies and cellular reactions of the lymphoid system to allogeneic-transplanted cells in mice, a study on cross sensitization was carried out between inbred A(H-2a) and C3H(H-2k) strain mice. The median survival time of skin of C3H transplanted to A (C3H-to-A) was 14.1 ± 1. 4 days, and of A transplanted to C3H(A-to-C3H) was 11.8± 1. 6 days. Repeated A cell injections to C3H induced the formation of humoral antibodies, whereas the C3H cell injections into A did not. In A-to-C3H and C3H-to-A combinations, the immunization induced an increase in white blood cell number in circulating blood successively with the repetition of the antigen injection, and organ weights increased in thymus, spleen, and liver but not in kidney. Weight increases in the organs of A treated with C3H cell injection were less in extent, comparing to those of C3H treated with A cells. Histologic observations revealed that the cellular proliferation in the lymphoid system including plasmocytic responses were obviously predominant in the C3H treated with A cells comparing to those in the A treated with C3H cells. Hemocytoblasts also increased during the immunization in both cases showing no significant differences between the two series of experiments. These cellular reactions were observed not only in the draining lymph nodes but also in the generalized lymphoid tissues. The results of the present study suggest that the definitive factor for producing humoral antibodies is in the differences of the homologous antigenicity between the donor and the recipient but not in the degree of sensitization, and the Dk in H-2 loci is not so strong in antigenicity as to elicit sufficient plasmocytic responses for the formation of humoral antibodies in C3H strain mouse.

In the experiments with cultured liver cells it is very important to know whether or not the cells in vitro have the same properties and functions as in vivo. The purposes of this work were to investigate the functions of the cultured liver cells and to identify functionally the liver cells cultured by our present method with the parenchymal liver cells. At first, the albumin production of the cultured liver cells, one of the well known functions of the liver cells, was examined by the immunological methods, especially, the fluorescent antibody technique and the complement fixation test. Culture methods which could display the functions of the liver cells as much as possible were explored simultaneously. The results were as follows: 1. Albumin production was detected in the strain RLN·10 liver cells established from the liver tissues of a Donryu rat with immunofluorescent method and complement fixation test. This confirms that the cultured liver cells maintain the function to produce albumin and these cells have originated from the parenchymal liver cells. 2. Hepatoma strains (AH 66-TC-l, AH 7974-TC-l) also showed the albumin production but the extent of its production was less than that of the strain RLN-10. 3. In the short-term cultured liver cells, the albumin production was testified only slight in one month and was exhibited in a small amount in three months. 4. Every culture method examined exhibited no appreciable difference in the albumin production in the cultured liver cells.

Since detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that there existed anti-C100-3 (anti-HCV) antibody negative patients infected with HCV, we attempted to find out whether there were any clinical or viral genomic differences between the anti-HCV antibody positive and negative groups. One hundred and fifty-nine patients with chronic liver diseases with hepatitis C virus RNA in their sera were selected. Anti-HCV antibody was tested for anti-C100-3 antibody by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The incidence of anti-HCV antibody was 129/159. The concentration of serum gamma-globulin, the titier of ZTT, and the positive rate of the PCR with the primers of the NS3/4 region (NS3/4PCR) were significantly higher in the anti-HCV antibody positive group than in the negative group. However, the other data such as alanine aminotransferase activity or past history were not significantly different. Nucleotide sequence of the cDNA fragments of NS3/4 region amplified by the PCR did not differ significantly between isolates from anti-HCV antibody positive and negative sera. The sequences observed in the present study did not differ significantly from those reported previously. Although there remains the possibility that the variation of viral genomic sequences may cause the absence of anti-HCV antibody, these results suggested that the individual clinical backgrounds or immunoreactivity of the patients might influence the antibody development.

For the investigation of iron metabolism in the intestinal mucosa in various　blood diseases, intestinal biopsy (duodenum) was performed on 10 healthy controls　and 35 cases with various blood diseases. The following are　the results　of the studies on distribution of stainable　iron, amounts of non-hemin iron in the　biopsied materials, and iron uptake of the intestinal epithelial cells.　1) An evaluation of distribution of stainable iron by Berlin　blue reaction　showed none or very mild degree, if any,　inhealthy controls, an increase in　aplastic anemia,　pernicious anemia, some of leukemias and in iron deficiency anemia following iron therapy, and a decrease in　idiopathic hypochromic anemia, anchylostomiasis anemia,　anemia with cancer, myxedema, hemolytic anemia,　and in　some of leukemias. Some of anemia with cancer, however,　showed an　increase of a certain degree. In iron absorption tests, no changes were found other than a very mild increase in aplastic anemia. 2) Non-hemin iron was 70-112γ/g in healthy controls, increased in aplastic anemia approximately to 100-200γ/g, ranging 40-130γ/g in leukemia, and decreased in idiopathic hypochromic anemia and in anemia with cancer ranging 30-60γ/g and 30-50γ/g respectively. Amounts of non-hemin iron and serum iron or sideroblasts show a fair correlation. The fractionation of nonhemin iron in aplastic anemia didn't show any difference in relationship of each fraction from healthy controls despite the increased amount in the former. 3) A radioautographic evaluation of iron uptake by intestinal epithelium was performed by our device for evaluation of intestinal absorption capacity. The iron uptake was mild in healthy controls, almost none in aplastic anemia, and marked in iron deficiency anemia where it was decreased approximately to the level of healthy controls following iron therapy. 4) The intestinal tissue iron showed a series of changes similar to those of iron present in the serum or erythroblasts, and the non-hemin iron in the intestinal mucosa is inversely correlated with iron uptake of epithelium and is considered to regulate the absorption according to its amount.

We developed an indirect capillary tube method to improve reproducibility of macrophage migration inhibition (MI) tests using a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture. MI response could be induced to cell-surface antigens coded by either H-2 or non-H-2 (background) genes. The sensitivity was more readily induced across H-2 + background differences. The presence of only background difference did not induce the MI response to much extent. High MI activities were obtained to antigens coded by either K end or D end of the H-2 complex + background difference. Moderate activities were induced across the H-2D difference + background. These results suggest that the D region of the H-2 complex may direct a MI response when an H-2I difference is present during sensitization.

In the present investigation, we studied the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, related to iron-catalyzed free radical reaction and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in very-low-birth weight (VLBW) infants. Forty premature infants, at gestational ages were less than 33 weeks and birthweights were less than 1,500 g, were enrolled in the study. The study population was randomly divided into 2 groups. Twenty infants in Group 1 (treatment group) were given r-HuEPO, and 20 infants in Group 2 served as the control. r-HuEPO treatment (750 U/kg a week) was initiated on the 10th day of life and continued for 6 weeks. Preterm infants given erythrocyte transfusions during the study were excluded from the results. Serum ferritin and MDA levels, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were analyzed at the end of the first week of life (at the beginning of the study). Subsequently, serum ferritin, and MDA levels were measured at the end of the 3rd and the 6th week. SOD, CAT, and GPX activities in the hemolysate were analyzed at the end of the 4th week. Six infants in the control group and 1 infant in the r-HuEPO group received transfusions through the end of the study, and these infants were excluded from the results. Significantly decreased serum ferritin concentrations were found in the r-HuEPO group compared to those in the control group both at the end of the 3rd and the 6th week (P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, serum MDA levels were also significantly reduced in Group 1 compared to control both at the end of the 3rd and the 6th week (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). A good correlation was found between serum MDA and ferritin levels in Group 1. When the 2 groups were compared with respect to activities of SOD, CAT, and GPX at the end of the 4th week, no differences were observed. Our findings in this study show that administration of r-HuEPO significantly decreases lipid peroxidation, but does not affect erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme(s) activities in preterm infants. The mechanism responsible for the r-HuEPO-induced decrease in lipid peroxidation may concern inhibition to iron-catalyzed free radical reactions.</P>

Macrophages and microglia are implicated in spinal cord injury, but their precise role is not clear. In the present study, activation of these cells was examined in a spinal cord injury model using 2 different antibodies against ED1 clone and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1). Activation was observed at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after contusion injury and was compared with sham operated controls. Our results indicate that activation could be observed in both the dorsal funiculus and the ventral white matter area in the spinal cord at 5 mm rostral to the epicenter of injury. For both cells, there was a gradual increase in activation from 1-4 weeks, followed by down-regulation for up to 12 weeks. As a result, we could stain macrophages by ED1 and microglia by Iba1. We concluded that macrophages may play a role in the phagocytosis of denatured dendrites after spinal cord injury, while microglia may have some cooperative functions, as they were found scattered near the macrophages.

This study was designed to determine the in vitro release of tegafur from a suppository and the in vivo bioavailability of tegafur in rats. Two different suppository preparations (product A-1 and product A-2) containing 750 mg of tegafur were tested for in vitro release of tegafur by the Muranishi Method (membrane diffusion method) and the partially modified paddle method (permeability through dialysis tubing). When determined by either method, the amount of tegafur released from product A-2 during the whole experimental period was significantly greater than that released from product A-1. When tested by the Muranishi method, however, the difference in the amount released during the first 10-min period was not significant. A greater bioavailability of tegafur after rectal administration was obtained by product A-2 more than product A-1. A significant correlation was observed between the in vitro release and the in vivo bioavailability. The present results indicate that there are considerable differences in physiochemical characteristics between product A-1 and product A-2.

1. The results of 245 pleural biopsies perfomed in 108 patients including 219 pleural needle biopsies and 26 pleural open biopsies were reported. The method of pleural biopsy seems to be superior to any other currently available diagnostic procedures for the etiological diagnosis of pleurisy. 2. When the pleural needle biopsy is compared with the pleural open biopsy, the former method has definite advantages over the open biopsy. The pleural needle biopsy is simple, repeatable and has almost no complication. The method of pleural needle biopsy is the initial method of choice as Donohoe correctly stated and should be employed in every cases of the pleurisy to confirm the etiological diagnosis. The open biopsy should be reserved only for those cases in whom the needle biopsy had not proved satisfactory. 3. Utilizing the method of needle biopsy, the pathological diagnosis was made in 86 per cent of our cases at the initial biopsy. By repeated needle biopsies, the results have improved to 91-92 per cent. 4. Most of the failures of the pleural needle biopsy were noted at the early stage of the study due to the unfamiliarity of the biopsy technique and later due to the incooperation of the patients. 5. The presence of the free pleural fluid serves as a convenient guide for the performance of the needle biopsy but successful needle biopsy was easily done without presence of pleural fluid when there is adequate pleural thickening. 6. 63-75 per cent of our diagnosed cases were proved to have granulomatous pleuritis, 13-31 per cent non-specific pleuritis and 5.4-5.8 per cent eosinophilic pleuritis due to paragonomiasis. The distribution of this pathological diagnosis seems to reflect quite well the actual picture of incidences of pleurisy of various different etiology in young adults in Korea. 7. The relationship of the success in obtaining adequate tissue by needle biopsy and interval between onset of symptom and biopsy was discussed. It was found that the interval has no significant effect on the production of adequate tissue by needle biopsy if the time elapsed is 4 weeks or more from the onset of symptom. 8. The significance of the pathological findings of ranulomatous pleuritis at one biopsy and non-specific pleuritis at another biopsy in the same patient was discussed. It is concluded that the single finding of nonspecific pleuritis at one needle biopsy cannot rule out the presence of granulomatous pleuritis and it is recommended that pleural biopsy be repeated whenever necessary. 9. The diagnostic significance of the chemical analysis of the pleural fluid was discussed in correlation with the results of the pleural needle biopsies. It is concluded that the number of examinations are not quite sufficient to draw any definite conclusion at the present stage of our study. 10. The finding of sanguinous pleural fluid in the patient of granulomatous pleuritis is quite high (72.7 %) and it was found that the sanguinous pleural fluid was most frequently found in the patients with granulomatous pleuritis in non-cancerous age. 11. Two groups of pleurisy patients with or without parenchymal lung lesion on chest X-ray were discussed in correlation with the results of the needle biopsy. It was found that the incidence of the pathological evidence of granulomatous inflammation on the biopsy specimens in these two groups is almost the same regardless of the presence of the demonstrable parenchymal lung lesion. 12. Histopathological finding of granulomatous pleuritis was discussed in conjunction with the significance of two types of tubercles, the soft tubercles and hard tubercles. In all specimens diagnosed as granulomatous pleuritis granulomas were demonstrated ranging from large, conglomerate tubercles with central caseation or giant cells to small granulomas without central caseation or Langhans' giant cells. 13. Histopathological significance of the finding of non-specific pleuritis on the biopsy specimens was discussed and the existence of a specific entity of "non-specific pleuritis" which is equivalent to the non-specific inflammation of the pericardium. 14. Cases of pleurisy due to paragonomiasis were discussed and the need of specific attention for search of new cases was emphasized.

The ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced carcinogenesis model is unique in that reactive oxygen species-free radicals are involved in the carcinogenic process. But the effects of iron-withdrawal in the progression of renal cell carcinoma are not well understood. We performed repeated phlebotomies on animals that had been administered ferric nitrilotriacetate in the initiation stage of renal cell carcinoma (phlebotomy group), and compared the development of renal tumors with those not receiving repeated phlebotomies (non-phlebotomy group). Ferric nitrilotriacetate-treated male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a phlebotomy group (21 rats) and a non-phlebotomy group (17 rats). Ten age-adjusted normal rats were also observed as a normal group. Hematocrit was maintained under 25% in the phlebotomy group. Hematocrit levels in the normal group and in the non-phlebotomy group were not significantly different. As a result, the incidence of renal cell carcinoma was not significantly different between phlebotomy and non-phlebotomy animals. However, the total weight of the renal cell carcinoma was significantly heavier in the animals from non-phlebotomy group than in those from the phlebotomy group (23.64 g +/- 18.54 vs. 54.40 g +/- 42.40, P < 0.05). The present study demonstrated that phlebotomy after the administration of ferric nitrilotriacetate did not reduce the incidence of renal cell carcinoma. In addition, we showed that iron withdrawal at the promotion stage of carcinogenesis will retard tumor growth.

By prepariug over 100 thin slices from 77 cases of urinary calculi mainly consisted of vesical calculi and immersing them in various solvents, the solubility of these calculi has been examined by polarization microscopy from the standpoints of the composition and structure of urinary calculi. (1) MgNH4P04·6H20 (struvite) has been found to be most soluble and it is the best example in the dissolution of urinary calculi; and as for the solvents, Versene proved to be the best solvent. (2) The alkaline pH seems to have an intimate relationship with the dissolution of uric acid calculi. (3) Calcium oxalate proved to be insoluble in any solvent. In addition, no difference in its stability against solvents could be recognized in its monohydrate or dihydrate: (4) Cystine dissolved in the 10% Versene solution. (5) Amorphous-like substance apparently was dissolved slightly in 0.5% urease solution at 37°C, however, it is not possible to dissolve this substance completely, From these results calcium oxalate and amorphous-like substance seem to be the most difficult substances to dissolve, and therefore, the bearing they have on the dissolution of urinary calculi seems to most significant. In the present stage where little is known of real etiologic factors concerning the formation of urinary calculi, in the clinical application of the dissolution of stones further studies need to be carried on, but from the very nature of construction of urinary calculi, the local dissolution methods seem to be rather difficult at present, and rather somatic dissolution in connection with prophylaxis against recurrent stones seems to be the direction in which future studies need to be carried out.

The aim of this study is to obtain data for improving a training program for patients with diabetes mellitus. One hundred eighty-seven patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were tested with 20 questions about their knowledge for self-management of diabetes mellitus. Then to draw out factors in their personal backgrounds relating to their correct answers, multiple regression analyses were conducted. As a result, four factors showed significant differences in the following order: Educational careers > ages > duration of disease > socioeconomic strata. The results of the present study have shown for the first time, that these four factors closely concern patients to acquire the necessary knowledge for their self-management of the disease. In addition, this study has raised some fundamental problems regarding the training program for patients: how education should be given to patients.

Both prolidase and prolinase from the human prostate were separated into two peaks by TSK DEAE-5PW chromatography. These peaks of prolidase isozymes I and II differed from each other in their responses to preincubation with Mn2+, their substrate specificity, optimal pH, and heat stability. The molecular weights of prolidases I and II were estimated to be 110,000 and 165,000, respectively, by gel filtration. Substrate specificity of prolinase peaks I and II was almost the same, but they differed in optimal pH and heat stability. The molecular weights of prolinases I and II were about 85,000 and 63,000, respectively. These results indicate that two isozymes of prolidase and of prolinase, which differ in various characteristics, are present in the human prostate.

The induction of both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in the hippocampal CA1 region is triggered by the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and the subsequent postsynaptic intracellular Ca2+ increase. However, how NMDA receptor activation differs between LTP and LTD induction is unclear. In the present study, we examined the eff ects of the magnitude and duration of NMDA receptor activation on the induction of LTP and LTD. Partial blockage of NMDA receptors by a low concentration of aminophosphonovaleric acid (APV)(2 μM) prevented the induction of LTP, but not LTD. In contrast, a high concentration of APV(25 μM) blocked both LTP and LTD. Tetanus stimulation-induced LTP was impaired when hippocampal slices were given the tetanus stimulation for more than 5 min. Under partial blockage of NMDA receptors, the prolonged-tetanus stimulation induced LTD but not LTP. This phenomenon was mimicked by the application of glutamate to the slices. Finally, LTD induced by prolonged activation of NMDA receptors was not aff ected by inhibition of the desensitization of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5 methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. These results suggest that critical diff erences exist between the induction of LTP and that of LTD in terms of both the magnitude and the duration of NMDA receptor activation. The duration of the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration may be critical for determining whether LTP or LTD induction occurs.

In the present study, we examined the dynamic of school-health-based parasite control and the related socio-economic influences. This is an ecological study based on data from 46 prefectures in Japan. The exponential decay of Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was calculated by iterative least-squares method. Pearsonʼs correlation and multiple linear regression model analysis were performed to assess the associations between the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in Japanese school children and socio-economic variables such as the prefecture income per capita, the percentage of primary industry, the population density per 1 km2, the diffusion rate of population under water supply, and the percentage of upper secondary school enrollment. The results indicated that the parasite carrier rate was higher in younger students. The half-life of Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was approximately 3 years with significant variation among prefectures. Multiple regression analyses showed that the decrease of infection in elementary and lower secondary school children had a significant positive association with primary industry and a significant negative association with prefecture income per capita. The school-health-based parasite intervention differs by prefecture and has changed over time according to the respective prefectural stage of economic development.

The effect of murine sarcoma virus of Moloney strain on central nervous system was examined morphologically in Swiss mice of different age. A single intracranial inoculation of cell-free virus solution resulted in the induction of characteristic intracerebral granulomas in 82.8% of the newborn to 5 day-old group, in 71.4% of the 6 to 10 day-old group, and in 68.0% of the 11 to 20 day-old group. The mean latency periods to tumor recognition were 16.5, 21.1, and 33.5 days, respectively. The granuloma consisted of inflammatory cell infilrations, reactive gliosis, and richly developed blood vessels. The lesions consistently contained numerous characteristic large round cells. In cases of long-survival, the findings included reparative changes, such as extensive gliosis, withdrawal of inflammation, and a decrease in the numbers of large round cells and blood vessels. These lesions were tentatively designated as "large round cell granuloma." The early foci of the granoloma were composed of proliferating glial cells and large round cells at the subependymal regions. Electron microscopically these large round cells had abundant intracytoplasmic fibrils quite similar to gliofibrils. Numerous C-type virus particles were present in the intercellular nad perivascular spaces, and occasionally budded from cell membranes of the large round cells and vascular endothelia. The large round cells were considered to be reactive astrocytes activated by biral infection. It was conclided that MSV-M was not a sarcomogenic but a granulomogenic virus in mice. Control animals showed no pathological changes.

In the human lymphoreticular system, the alpha and beta subunits of S-100 protein are found in ordinary monocyte-macrophages and non-phagocytic histiocytes such as Langerhans cells and interdigitating reticulum cells, respectively. The beta subunit is also present in some CD8+ T cells. In the present study, we investigated the ontogeny of these histiocytes and lymphocytes in humans. Yolk sacs and 4 to 21-week fetuses were examined immunohistochemically for the presence of S-100 protein subunits using antisera monospecific to each subunit. S-100 alpha + macrophages were present in the yolk sacs and the hepatic sinusoids of the 4th week embryos prior to bone marrow hematopoiesis. These macrophages later appeared in other lymphoid organs when anlagen of these organs were formed. No S-100 beta + cells were found in the yolk sacs. S-100 beta+ histiocytes were first detected in the hepatic sinusoids of the 5th week embryo, and after the 8th week of gestation, they were distributed in other lymphoid organs. S-100 beta+ lymphocytes were not found in the liver. They were first detected in the thymus at the 12th week of gestation, and were subsequently distributed in other lymphoid organs. These results suggest that S-100 beta+ lymphocytes and histiocytes may belong to different cell lineages, and the former may not be the precursor of the latter.