Relationship of the bovine growth hormone gene to carcass traits in Japanese black cattle.

The bovine growth hormone gene (bGH) possesses three haplotypes, A, B and C, that differ by amino acid mutations at positions 127 and 172 in the fifth exon: (leucine 127, threonine 172), (valine 127, threonine 172) and (valine 127, methionine 172) respectively. The correlation between meat quality or carcass weight and these haplotypes was investigated in Japanese black cattle. Altogether, 940 bGH haplotypes were compared with respect to six carcass traits: carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, beef marbling score and beef colour. The frequency of the B haplotype was higher (0.421) than that of A (0.269) and C (0.311). High carcass weight and low beef marbling were associated with haplotype A (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively), whereas beef marbling was increased by haplotype C (p < 0.05). Estimated regression coefficient of the A haplotype substitution effect for carcass weight and beef marbling score were 5.55 (13.1% of the phenotypic SD) and -0.31 (17.0%) respectively. That of the C haplotype for beef marbling score was 0.20 (11.0%). The other traits showed no relationship to the haplotypes examined. The results of this investigation suggest that information pertaining to bGH polymorphisms in Japanese black cattle could be used to improve the selection of meat traits.

Interaction of GH polymorphism with body weight and endocrine functions in Japanese black calves.

We assessed the interaction of GH gene polymorphisms (AA, AB and BB genotypes) with body weight and measures of endocrine function in Japanese black calves at 10 months of age. The average body weight for the BB genotype (281+/-5 kg) was significantly lower (P=0.0017, ANOVA) than those for the AA (324+/-9 kg) and AB (317+/-7 kg) genotypes. Plasma concentrations of insulin and IGF-I were greater for the AA genotype than for the AB genotype, and AB and BB genotypes, respectively. There were significant differences in the triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations among the GH genotypes. The area under the basal GH concentration was significantly greater (P=0.0314) for the AA genotype than for the two other genotypes. The incremental area over the basal GH concentrations in response to intravenous GHRH injection (0.4 microg/kg BW) was significantly smaller (P=0.0005) for the BB genotype than for the two other genotypes. In addition, linear regression analysis between GH incremental area induced by GHRH and body weight demonstrated that there was a positive linear correlation (r=0.6496, P<0.002) for incremental areas less than 600 ng min/ml, but a negative correlation (r=0.6473, P<0.05) for incremental areas over 600 ng min/ml. These findings indicate that the GH genotypes of the animals could be associated with difference in the GH response in Japanese black cattle at 10 months of age. We also observed a relationship between genotype and animal performances, but other studies on more animals in different conditions must be realized to make a definite conclusion.

The significance of interleukin-6 concentrations in cervicovaginal fluid: its relation to umbilical cord plasma and the influence of antibiotic treatment.

This study was performed to correlate cervicovaginal fluid and umbilical cord plasma level of IL-6 and IL-8 in patients with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and to see the effect of antibiotics on those concentrations. As a part of a randomized controlled trial of treatment in PROM with antibiotics, cervicovaginal fluid was sampled before delivery for measurement of IL-6 and IL-8 and for bacteria from 36 patients less than 36 weeks of gestation. Umbilical cord plasma was also collected. Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by an ELISA. Neonatal infections were noted in a total of 9 cases, including bacteria detection (Escherichia coli 2 cases, GBS and Streptococcus constellata) in 4 cases. Correlation between IL-6 in cervicovaginal fluid and in cord plasma (r = 0.881, p < 0.0001) was stronger than that of IL-8 (r = 0.469, p < 0.01). The difference of concentrations in IL-6 and IL-8 was not significant between cases with (n = 20) and without (n = 16) ampicillin. Our observation indicates that the measurement of IL-6 concentrations in cervicovaginal fluid is a useful marker for PROM patients who are more likely to develop neonatal infection and the antibiotic treatment does not necessarily produce their beneficial effects on fetuses at the risk of infection.

Intrauterine infection, magnesium sulfate exposure and cerebral palsy in infants born between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To identify prenatal events associated with cerebral palsy (CP) in infants born between 26 and 30 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Case (n=22)-control (n=170) study was performed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Significant association of intrauterine infection with increased risk of CP was found in a logistic regression model that controlled for abnormal FHR patterns, placental infection, fetal acidosis at birth (umbilical artery pH<7. 1), and low Apgar score (<7) (odds ratio (OR) 5.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-20.4). Magnesium sulfate exposure was associated with decreased risk (OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.66) after exclusion of premature rupture of the membranes and abruptio placentae. In the magnesium exposure group, cases were infants born less than 28 weeks of gestation (3/21 vs. 0/61, P=0.015). CONCLUSION: In this case-control study, both intrauterine infection and magnesium sulfate exposure were significant factors related to the occurrence of cerebral palsy.

[Evaluation of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with endometrial cancer].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with endometrial cancer who have high-risk histopathologic criteria with vessel permeation and low grade, advanced or recurrent disease. The combination of paclitaxel (180 mg/m2 over 3 hours) and carboplatin (dosed at an area under the curve of 5-6) was given intravenously every 3 weeks. Response and toxicity were evaluated according to the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology's response and adverse effect criteria. Eighteen patients were entered in this study and a total of 94 courses were administered. Eleven patients had evaluable lesions. Complete and partial responses were achieved in 5 (45.5%) and 3 (27.3%) patients, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 49.2% and 90.5% of the patients. G-CSF support was needed in 52.4% of the patients. Only one patient received a platelet transfusion. As a high response rate was obtained, this regimen is considered to be promising treatment for endometrial carcinoma. Prospective comparative study between this combination therapy and the conventional therapy for endometrial carcinoma is warranted.

Papillary urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder demonstrating prominent signet-ring cells in a smear. A case report.

BACKGROUND: The appearance of numerous signetring cells (SRCs) without any other type of adenocarcinoma cells originating in papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in a urine smear is rare. CASE: The cytology from mucus-urine that was initially obtained by washing from a 69-year-old female revealed three different types of cells: (1) numerous single SRC carcinoma-type cells, (2) low grade TCC-type cells arranged in sheets, and (3) intermediate (transitional)-type cells with both aspects of TCC and adenocarcinoma (SRC carcinoma) and mucus in the background. The latter two cell populations were retrospectively confirmed after histologic diagnosis of a primary papillary TCC with glandular differentiation. CONCLUSION: One should keep in mind that even a low grade papillary TCC with glandular differentiation of the bladder can exhibit excessive SRC-type cells in urine.

[Radiation-induced leiomyosarcoma of the dura mater: a case report].

A 31-year-old man underwent total resection for a fibrillary astrocytoma in the right frontal lobe followed by 6MV x-ray radiotherapy. The portal field size was a square of 8 cm x 7 cm, and the total dose of irradiation was 50Gy, with single fractions of 2Gy. For the next 6.5 years there was no recurrence of the astrocytoma. At 38 years of age, the patient noticed a subcutaneous mass in the scar of the previous operation and developed generalized convulsive seizures. MRI revealed a dural tumor within the previous radiation field, and the tumor was partially removed. Histologically, it was diagnosed as a leiomyosarcoma. This dural sarcoma satisfies the widely used criteria for definition of radiation-induced malignancies first described by Cahan et al. Both the clinical features and the possible histogenesis of this secondary tumor are briefly discussed.

[Effect of hemodilutional autotransfusion on coagulative-fibrinolytic dynamics and metabolic response].

We studied the effect of hemodilutional autotransfusion on coagulative-fibrinolytic dynamics and metabolic response. Hemodilutional solutions used were Dextran-40 (group A) and Salin-HES (group B). The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) immediately after hemodilution was prolonged in both groups. Prothrombin time (PT) and hepaplastin decreased significantly, and a remarkable variation was observed particularly in group A. The results suggest that effect on fibrinolytic dynamics is not exerted in either group because antithrombin-III (AT-III) and fibrinogen decreased significantly, while fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) are within normal ranges, and plasminogen as well as alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-PI) decreased significantly. On the other hand, all other parameters such as lactic acid level, pyruvic acid level in blood, lactic acid pyruvic acid ratio, and blood glucose level were elevated during surgery, but no difference was observed regarding these parameters between the two groups.

[Inhibitory effect of IPD-1151T (suplatast tosilate) on mast cell induction from normal mouse spleen cells].

The effects of IPD-1151T (suplatast tosilate), a novel anti-allergic drug, on murine mast cell induction were examined by the in vitro cell culture technique. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice suspended in RPMI-1640 medium containing interleukin 3 were cultured in the presence or absence of IPD-1151T. Half the volume of the medium was changed every 4 days. Mast cell numbers increased as the culture time went on and reached a peak on the 16th day, when spleen cells were cultured without IPD-1151T. However, induction of mast cells from spleen cell cultures was inhibited by IPD-1151T in a dose dependent fashion. These results strongly suggest that IPD-1151T is a very useful agent for therapy in allergic diseases.

[A case of tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenitis detected by abdominal symptom after 4 months' antituberculous chemotherapy against pulmonary tuberculosis].

We reported a case of tuberculous mesenteric lymphadenitis. A twenty three year old man was admitted to our hospital with pulmonary tuberculosis on May, 1988. Chest X ray findings improved after 4 months' antituberculous chemotherapy, but he complained of right lower abdominal pain and a mass with tenderness. Barium series of gastro-intestinal tract showed evidence of extrinsic compression on the intestine. Abdominal CT showed rim enhancement and a multiloculated appearance, and the ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic mass. But we did not make a definite preoperative diagnosis, therefore exploratory operation was done. An abscess with caseous granuloma was found in the mesenteric lymphnodes removed at laparotomy.

[A study of bronchoalveolar lavage analysis in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis--the results of low dose and long term erythromycin treatment].

Cellular analysis including lymphocyte surface markers in BALF in 17 patients with DPB (14 male; 36 female) was performed. The total number of cells increased remarkably, especially the percentage of neutrophils (72.9 +/- 14.1%). On the contrary the percentage of alveolar macrophage decreased (15.4 +/- 8.9%). The CD4/CD8 ratio in DPB was also significantly decreased to 0.73 +/- 0.38% when compared with normal healthy nonsmokers. Five patients with low dose and long term EM treatment were analyzed. Total cell counts as well as the neutrophil percentage (7.3 +/- 4.0%) decreased significantly. On the other hand the percentage of alveolar macrophage increased to 76.6 +/- 0.6%, which was almost similar to those obtained from normal healthy volunteers. Therefore it is concluded that both clinical and BALF findings improved concordantly after EM treatment.

[Isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the Hokusho Central Hospital--observation during the recent 4 years].

Clinical and bacteriological studies were carried out to investigate the isolation of MRSA from clinical materials, during the 4 years from 1985 to 1988 at the Hokusho Central Hospital. The isolation frequency of MRSA from Staphylococcus aureus increased from 5.6% (3 strains) in 1985 to 50.0% (90 strains) in 1988. MRSA from sputum and pressure sore increased significantly. However MRSA from outpatient and inpatient in the ward for common people were constant, about 20%. Inpatients in the ward for aged person were increased significantly from 13.6% (3 strains) to 67.0% (67 strains). Most of the patients with positive MRSA isolation had background diseases (88.3%) and were bedridden (78.4%). Patients with cerebrovascular disease were 55.9% of all of the cases. But most of the MRSA strains were resistant to CZX, FOM, DMPPC, CMX, CEZ, CZON, CZX, most of the MRSA strains were sensitive to RFP, VCM, MINO, IPM/CS.

[A case of pericostal abscess exacerbated during antituberculous chemotherapy].

A 27 Year-old female with pulmonary tuberculosis in right upper lobe developed right pericostal abscess during the course of antituberculous chemotherapy. The chest x-ray films on first admission showed infiltration with cavity formation and nodular shadows in the right upper lung field. Seven months after starting the antituberculous therapy with INH, RFP and EB, a new tumorous shadow appeared in the right chest wall. Microscopic examination of the specimen obtained by needle aspiration biopsy disclosed positive acid-fast bacilli. Because of the ineffectiveness of drug therapy on lesions in the right chest wall, surgical treatment was performed and the disease was diagnosed as pericostal abscess.

[Tuberculosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis].

The incidence of tuberculosis is very high in patients treated by hemodialysis particularly in the early stage of hemodialysis. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in dialysis patients was obscured as symptoms were nonspecific and extrapulmonary involvement was seen frequently. We investigated cell mediated immunity in dialysis patients in relation to the period of dialysis. The data indicate that dialysis patients show the following immunological impairments; 1) lymphopenia, 2) decreased B cell, 3) alteration of T cell subset, 4) decreased reaction of PPD skin test, 5) decreased T cell activity, 6) decreased IL-2 production, 7) decreased PHA induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, 8) decreased NK cell. Decreased immunologic host defence mentioned above may contribute to the high incidence of tuberculosis in the early stage as well as in the maintenance phase of dialysis.

[Clinical experience with CS-1170 in children (author's transl)].

CS-1170 was tried in children with various infections, and the following results were obtained. Some studies on the drug's pharmacokinetics were also made, and the results were as shown below: 1. The time course of serum concentration following one-shot intravenous injections of 30 mg/kg in 8 patients aged between 3 and 13 was studied. The results were: 53.4 microgram/ml, 23.4 microgram/ml, 6.6 microgram/ml, 1.8 microgram/ml and 0.5 microgram/ml at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours after the drug administration, respectively. Urinary recovery rate was 36% to 69.8% by 2 hours after, 10.9% to 70% by 2 to 4 hours after, 0.6% to 5.4% by 4 to 6 hours after the administration, and by 8 hours after the injection 91.3% of the drug was excreted in the urine. 2. Of 13 cases including 8 cases of bronchopneumonia, 2 cases of urinary tract infections, a case each of suppuration in the neck, lymphadenitis and pyothorax, CS-1170 was found to be effective in 10 cases (83.3%), while effectiveness of the drug was undeterminable in one case. 3. No remarkable side effect including allergic symptom such as eruption was observed, though transient elevation of GOT and GPT was noted in one case.