Protective effect of heat shock protein 72 on contractile function of perfused failing heart.

The contribution of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) to the protection of cardiac function was examined in rats with chronic heat failure (CHF) following coronary artery ligation (CAL). The CAL animals revealed functional deterioration without low cardiac output 2 wk after CAL and with low cardiac output 8 wk after CAL, suggesting that CHF had developed by 8 wk after CAL. The hearts isolated from animals 2 and 8 wk after CAL (2-wk CAL heart and 8-wk CAL heart, respectively) were subjected to hyperthermia (at 42 degrees C) for 15 min, followed by 6-h perfusion (hyperthermia/6-h perfusion). The 2-wk CAL heart showed a 19.0 +/- 3.9% decline in the rate- pressure product (RPP) after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion, similar to the nonoperated control (19.8 +/- 2.9% decline). The production of myocardial HSP72 increased in the 2-wk CAL heart in response to hyperthermia (412.7 +/- 29.5% of each prehyperthermia value). The 8-wk CAL heart showed a reduction in the RPP (45.2 +/- 4.3% decline) after hyperthermia/6-h perfusion, associated with blunting of the production of HSP72 (68.9 +/- 22.6% increase, respectively). The results suggest that functional deterioration of the isolated failing heart may be attributed to a reduction in the production of myocardial HSP72.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative material. Part 3. Flexural properties and condensability of metal-resin composite using Ag-Sn irregular particles.

Powder-liquid type metal-resin composites, using Ag-Sn irregular particles as the filler, 4-META as coupling agent and UDMA + TEGDMA as resin matrix, were experimentally prepared under 9 different conditions (three different particle sizes and three different filler contents). The flexural strength and flexural modulus were measured. Three different irregular particle size MRCs without redox-initiator at 94% filler content, as well as amalgam, conventional hybrid composite and Ag-Sn spherical particle MRC were evaluated for condensability. The flexural strength of the Ag-Sn irregular particle MRC was significantly influenced by both the filler particle size and filler contents (p < 0.01). It increased when either the filler content increased or the particles size decreased. The highest flexural strength (97.6 MPa) was obtained from the condition of particles size < 20 microns and 94% filler content. The flexural modulus was significantly influenced by filler content and it increased with increasing filler content. The condensability of the Ag-Sn irregular particle MRC was lower than that of amalgam but much higher than presently available conventional composites and spherical particle MRC.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative material. Part 2. Effects of acid and heat treatments of silver-tin filler particles on flexural properties of metal-resin composite.

The effects of acid and heat treatments of silver-tin filler particles on the flexural properties of metal-resin composite restorative materials were investigated. Five metal-resin composite restorative materials containing different silver-tin filler particles treated under different conditions were experimentally prepared. The conditions of the alloy particles were; 1) as atomized (NT), 2) 1.8% HCl acid-treated (AT), 3) heat-treated at 150 degrees C for 5 min after AT (A15), 4) heat-treated at 200 degrees C for 5 min after AT (A20) and 5) heat-treated at 250 degrees C for 5 min after AT (A25). The flexural strength and the flexural modulus of elasticity were measured for the five metal-resin composites to evaluate the effects of the acid and heat treatments. The flexural strength of the prepared composites was significantly influenced by the surface condition of the filler particles (p < 0.01), and increased significantly when the as atomized particles (NT) were acid-treated (AT) or acid- and heat-treated at 150 degrees C (A15), but then significantly decreased as the heat treatment temperature increased (A20 and A25). The strength of the A15 composite was significantly higher than those of the other composites, and exceeded that (about 60 MPa) of the previous composite with no treatment. No significant difference was found in the flexural modulus of the composites.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative materia. Part 1. Experimental composite using silver-tin alloy as filler and 4-META as coupling agent.

Metal-resin composites, using metal particles instead of inorganic particles as the filler and 4-META as the coupling agent, were experimentally prepared under 20 different conditions (five different concentrations of 4-META, and four different contents of metal particles). The flexural strength of the prepared metal-resin composites was in the range of about 14.5-61.3 MPa. The flexural strength was significantly influenced by the 4-META concentration, the metal particle content and their interaction. The highest strength was estimated at 2-3 mass% of 4-META concentration and 92.0-93.5 mass% metal filler content. The flexural modulus of the metal resin composite ranged approximately from 7.8 GPa to 15.5 GPa. The flexural modulus of the metal resin composite significantly increased with the metal particle content. The effect of the 4-META concentration on the flexural modulus was not significant.

Primary hepatic lymphoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis B.

Primary hepatic lymphoma is a rare disorder and the clinical behavior remains unknown. We report a patient with primary hepatic lymphoma who had chronic hepatitis B. She was asymptomatic; however, a solitary tumor in the left lobe was incidentally detected. After left hepatic lobectomy was performed, a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was made. No tumor was found except in the liver. Immunohistochemical stains for hepatitis B surface and core antigens were positive in hepatocytes; however, both were negative in the tumor tissue. The patient received no chemotherapy and the tumor relapsed. After chemotherapy, the tumor disappeared. However, exacerbation of hepatitis occurred after the fourth chemotherapy. The patient was followed up without chemotherapy, and she remains in apparent remission. Chemotherapy is effective against primary hepatic lymphoma and, if possible, patients with this disorder should be treated with chemotherapy postoperatively.

High levels of ferritin and its iron in fetal bovine serum.

In 13 lots of the commercial fetal bovine sera, the ferritin levels ranged between 0.8 and 6.0 micrograms/ml. The serum ferritin iron concentration as measured by a quantitative immunoprecipitation technique ranged from 0.16 to 0.96 microgram/ml, and the iron content of ferritin was about 20% regardless of its protein concentration in sera. The percentage of ferritin iron to total serum iron ranged from 8.8 to 28.5%, and correlated significantly with ferritin concentration (r = 0.9368, P < 0.001). No significant proportion of the ferritin in fetal serum bound to concanavalin A. Immunoblotting showed that the molecular weights of L(iver)- and H(eart)-type subunits of fetal serum ferritin were identical to those of L and H subunits of adult bovine spleen ferritin (L:21kDa, H:18kDa), respectively, and that the L subunit predominated in the serum protein. Serum transferrin level was relatively constant (1.8-2.2 mg/ml), whereas transferrin saturation varied from 54.8 to 91.7%. There was a significant correlation between serum ferritin concentration and transferrin saturation (r = 0.8864, P < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that the bovine fetuses have the elevated iron stores.

Partially covered Gianturco stent for tracheobronchial stricture caused by intraluminal tumor.

Partially covered Gianturco stents were used successfully in two patients to treat tracheobronchial strictures caused by intraluminal tumor growth. The stents were accurately placed without complications. The covered portion of the stent compressed the tumor, and prevented tumor ingrowth until the patients' deaths. This stent seems to act as effective palliation for tracheobronchial stricture caused by intraluminal tumor.

[Unilateral persistent hyperhidrosis after ischemic stroke].

A 64-year-old right hemiplegic woman, who had been treated for hypertension for 15 years, was admitted to our hospital. Neurologic examination on admission disclosed right hemiplegia and motor aphasia; however, ophthalmoparesis, pupillary abnormality, and blepharoptosis were not evident. Excessive sweating on the right side of the body, which was most marked on the face, was observed. Amount of sweating on the left side of the body was normal. Unilateral hyperhidrosis persisted for more than 2 months. MRI revealed hemorrhagic infarctions in the left basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus, hypothalamus, and medial part of the cerebral peduncle. 123I-IMP SPECT disclosed hypoperfusion in the left striatum, thalamus, occipital cortex, and right cerebellar hemisphere. Cerebral angiography revealed arteriosclerotic changes in the basilar artery, but that the left posterior cerebral artery and its branches were not occluded. Unilateral persistent hyperhidrosis is rare after ischemic stroke. Hypothalamic lesion was thought to be responsible for the hyperhidrosis in this patient. As the hypothalamus receives its blood supply from the posterior cerebral artery, unilateral persistent hyperhidrosis may be an important sign of cerebral infarction in the posterior cerebral artery region.

[Relationship between the total IgE levels and specific IgE antibodies].

In this study, nine allergens were selected; i.e. 1289 cases of d1, 1277 cases of e1, 1547 cases of f1, 1063 cases of t17 and others, for investigating the relationship between the total IgE level and RAST score. The results showed that the total IgE level was high in high d1 score, and 29 cases of low IgE level were observed in high f1 score groups. On the other hand, the comparison of the CAP system and the total IgE level showed. The result shows that one case of low total IgE value was found in highest d1 score group.

[Various kinds of glossiness of Au-Ag-Cu alloys with different surface finishes].

Nine experimental Au-Ag-Cu alloys with different surface finishes were measured for various kinds of glossiness using a digital variable gloss meter. Eight different methods of measurement for glossiness were chosen from the ones described in Japanese Industrial Standard Z 8741-1962. In addition to glossiness, color coordinates in the CIELAB color scale and surface roughness were measured. The compositions of the alloys were 40, 50, or 60 at% gold, 0, 20, or 40 at% copper, and 0-60 at% silver (balance). This study was initiated to collect fundamental data necessary to determine the most appropriate characteristic which could express the degree of tarnishing of various dental alloys independently of their own colors and compositions. Only one type of contrast glossiness based on two different receptor apertures with an incident angle of 60 degrees could demonstrate statistically significant differences between all the combinations of the different surface conditions analyzed. Effects of compositions on the values of various kinds of glossiness and color coordinates of the alloys with highly polished surfaces were statistically significant except contrast glossiness of different receptor apertures. Specular gloss and contrast gloss were considered to be as inappropriate as color of total reflected light in measuring the degree of tarnishing of dental alloys.

[Setting expansion of dental stone in hydrophilic addition type silicone impression].

The setting expansion of a dental stone poured in addition silicone impression materials was evaluated. Impressions were made of two different addition silicones (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) that had three different consistencies (injection, regular and putty). A dental stone which did not contain any additives was poured in the impressions and the setting expansion of the stone was automatically measured using an electric micrometer and a computer. The setting expansion of the stone that was poured in the impression did not significantly vary with the consistency of the silicones. On the other hand, the setting expansion of the stone in the hydrophilic silicone was significantly larger than that in hydrophobic silicone.

Chronic myelocytic leukemia probably promoted by growth hormone.

The study shows clinical evidence that growth hormone (GH) presumably promoted Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia in a 14-year-old boy who was receiving GH treatment for growth failure after surgery and irradiation for craniopharyngioma. Leukocytosis associated with immature myelocytic cells and low leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score appeared one year after GH treatment. Cytogenic study showed the presence of Ph1 chromosome.

Effects of prostaglandin E1 infusion in the pre-operative management of critical congenital heart disease.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was administered to 27 infants in whom pulmonary or systemic blood flow was entirely or significantly dependent upon the patency of the ductus arteriosus. In 12 patients with pulmonary atresia or severe pulmonary stenosis, PGE1 infusion was followed by an improvement in hypoxemia and acidemia (group I). In 2 patients with left ventricular outflow-tract obstruction, PGE1 infusion was followed by an improvement in arterial blood pressure, peripheral perfusion and urine output (group II). In 5 patients with d-transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum who had persistent severe hypoxemia after creation of an interatrial communication, PGE1 infusion improved the arterial oxygenation with dilatation of the ductus arteriosus (group III). Seven patients (3 of group I, 2 of group II and 2 of group III) failed to respond to PGE1. There were no fatal side effects. It is concluded that PGE1 therapy is highly effective in stabilizing pre-operative conditions of infants with ductus-dependent congenital heart disease.

[Measurement of casting shrinkage with U-type tungsten die (author's transl)].

A simple method was developed for the accurate measurement of casting shrinkage using a U-type tungsten die. A wax pattern was prepared on the die and both were invested together in phosphate bonded investment. Cobalt-chromium alloy, Regalloy shot 2, was cast and its shrinkage was calculated from the distance of the gap created between the die and the cast piece. In order to evaluate the effects of some manipulative variables on the cast shrinkage value of the alloy, mold temperature, kind of liquid for the investment and powder/liquid ratio were varied and shrinkage values were obtained. The results showed that the shrinkage value was not affected by the kind of liquid and the power/liquid ratio, but significantly decreased as the mold temperature raised up to 600 degree C. However, this effect was eliminated by means of substractive correction of the thermal expansion of the tungsten die. Thus, the casting shrinkage of the cobalt-chromium alloy, Regalloy shot 2, was calculated to be 2.08 +/- 0.02%. The casting shrinkage of pure gold was also measured with the same procedure. The casting shrinkage was calculated to be 1.73 +/- 0.04% and highly consistent with the value (1.74%) reported by R. Earnshaw. This suggested that the developed method was sufficiently effective for the accurate measurement of casting shrinkage.