Protective effect of melatonin on liver ischemia-reperfusion induced pulmonary microvascular injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species generated during liver reperfusion have been implicated in remote lung injury. In this study, we evaluate the protective effects of melatonin pretreatment against the increased pulmonary microvascular permeability. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: shame-operated, liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), and melatonin pretreated (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 15 minutes prior to the liver I/R). The duration of ischemia was 30 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Lungs were isolated in situ and parameters of the capillary filtration coefficient (K(fc)), lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D), lung weight-to-body weight (LW/BW), and protein concentration in bronchial lavage fluid (PCBAL), the percentage of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchial lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue malonedealdehyde were used to assess the lung injury. RESULTS: Liver I/R-induced lung injury was noted by the markedly increased K(fc), W/D, LW/BW, PCBAL, and the presence of neutrophils and macrophages in BALF. Lipid peroxidation was also increased (P < .05). All indicators were markedly decreased in melatonin-pretreated rats (P < .05), suggesting that lung injury was attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin pretreatment prior to liver I/R can effectively reduce the pulmonary microvascular permeability and attenuate lipid peroxidation in the lungs.

Distribution of CAG repeat size in the dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) gene in a normal population in Taiwan.

Dentatorubral and pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder with expansion of trinucleotide CAG repeats in the coding region of the gene. Expansion of the repeat tract beyond the normal range produces gene products with extended polyglutamine tracts. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of the CAG repeats in the DRPLA alleles in a normal Taiwanese population. We observed 15 different alleles and found that the range of the CAG repeat number was from 7-21. The most frequent allele contained 15 CAG repeats that represented 20% of the total analyzed alleles, followed by the 17 repeats (15.8%). The heterozygosity rate of this locus was 88%. Twelve parents-to-children transmissions of the DRPLA alleles in a Machado-Joseph disease family appeared to be normal without any alteration of the CAG repeat numbers. Phenotypes of DRPLA overlapped those of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA). In order to identify DRPLA patients in Taiwan, we screened six autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia patients without expansion in known spinocerebellar ataxia genes. All six patients had the repeat numbers within the normal range; thus, the possibility of DRPLA could be excluded.

Complex refractive-index measurement based on Fresnel's equations and the uses of heterodyne interferometry.

The phase difference between s and p polarization of the light reflected from a material is used for measuring the material's complex refractive index. First, two phase differences that correspond to two different incidence angles are measured by heterodyne interferometry. Then these two phase differences are substituted into Fresnel's equations, and a set of simultaneous equations is obtained. Finally, the equations are solved by use of a personal computer by a numerical analysis technique, and the complex refractive index of the material can be estimated.

Refractive-index measurement based on the effects of total internal reflection and the uses of heterodyne interferometry.

A new method for measuring the refractive index is presented. First, the phase difference between s and p polarizations that is due to the total internal reflection is measured by heterodyne interferometry. Then, substituting this phase difference into the Fresnel equations, we can obtain the refractive index of the test medium.

Improved technique for measuring small angles.

Based on the total-internal-reflection effect and heterodyne interferometry, an improved technique for measuring small angles is proposed. This technique not only expands the measurement range but it also improves measurement performances. Its validity is demonstrated.

Malignant lymphoma presenting as tracheal tumor: a case report.

A 66-year-old male presented with dyspnea and cough for 1 month. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy disclosed a huge tumor over the posterior wall of the trachea 1 cm below the vocal cord and biopsy pathology was diffuse, small cleaved lymphoma. Primary malignant lymphoma of the trachea is extremely rare. Its clinical course varies widely, and has no accepted standard of management. We describe herein the whole clinical course of this patient, which is not similar to previous reports. The relation of primary tracheal lymphoma to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is also discussed.

[Diagnostic value of ultrasonically guided lung aspiration in pneumonia].

To determine the diagnostic value of ultrasonic lung aspiration for patients with pneumonia, 60 patients with a tentative diagnosis of pneumonia were included in this study. After recording ultrasonographic findings, lung aspiration was done with a spinal needle and aspirated specimens were sent for Papanicolaou, May-Giemsa, acid fast, and Gram stains. The remaining specimens were sent for bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal culture. Twelve patients were excluded from the study because of the final diagnosis of non-infectious pulmonary diseases. In 28 cases of bacterial pneumonia, the diagnostic sensitivity of smear was 50% and culture 61%. The overall sensitivity of needle aspiration and culture was 71%. In 11 cases of bacterial pneumonia with a negative bacterial culture result, 7 cases were afebrile at the time of examination. To increase the diagnostic yield, needle aspiration should be performed at the acute stage of bacterial pneumonia. In 15 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, the diagnostic rate of acid-fast smear was 47% and mycobacterial culture was 46%. The overall sensitivity of smear and culture was 60%. The diagnostic rate of needle biopsy was 75% and cytologic examination was 77%. Needle biopsy and cytologic examination enhanced the diagnostic rate of sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. Cryptococcosis was documented by smear and needle biopsy in all of the five cases of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis is not easily detected by routine cytologic examination, and clinical information is still necessary to enhance the diagnostic rate. Our results show that ultrasonically guided lung aspiration is a technique with a high diagnostic yield and a low complication rate for various types of pneumonia. It is especially useful for patients without satisfactory clinical responses or without accurate microbiologic diagnosis.

Tissue targeting of multivalent Le(x)-terminated N-linked oligosaccharides in mice.

The target site for N-linked biantennary and triantennary oligosaccharides containing multiple terminal Le(x) determinants was analyzed in mice. N-linked oligosaccharides containing a single tert-butoxycarbonyl-tyrosine attached to the reducing end were used as synthons for human milk alpha-3/4-fucosyltransferase to prepare multivalent Le(x) (Gal beta 1-4[Fuc alpha 1-3]GlcNAc) terminated tyrosinamide oligosaccharides. The oligosaccharides were radioiodinated and examined for their pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in mice. The liver was the major target site in mice at 30 min, which accumulated 18% of the dose for Le(x) biantennary compared with 6% for a nonfucosylated Gal biantennary. By comparison, Le(x)- and Gal-terminated triantennary accumulated in the liver with a targeting efficiency of 66 and 59%, respectively. The liver targeting of Le(x)-biantennary was partially blocked by co-administration with either galactose or L-fucose whereas Le(x) triantennary targeting was only reduced by co-administration with galactose. In contrast to these results in mice, in vivo experiments performed in rats established that both Le(x) and Gal terminated biantennary target the liver with nearly identical efficiency (6-7%). It is concluded that the asialoglycoprotein receptor in mice preferentially recognize Le(x) biantennary over Gal biantennary, whereas little or no differentiation exists in rats. Thereby, the mouse asialoglycoprotein receptor apparently possesses additional binding pockets that accommodate a fucose residue when presented as Le(x).

Energy charge and mitotic activity in regenerating rat liver during parenteral nutrition.

The relationship among parenteral nutrition, hepatic energy charge, and mitotic activity was investigated in partially hepatectomized rats fed diets based on glucose, ketone bodies, and saline (starvation). Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 70% hepatectomy and jugular vein catheterization for parenteral feeding. All rats were infused with saline for 6 hours, then randomly assigned to one of three parenteral infusions. Rats received either 0.9% saline only (group A rats), 25% glucose + 4% amino acid (group B rats), or 18% monoacetoacetin + 7% glucose + 4% amino acid (group C rats). Three rats receiving saline infusion were killed at 2, 4, and 6 hours after surgery, and three rats from each diet group were killed at 2- to 4-hour intervals from 10 through 32 hours. Hepatic energy charge and mitotic index were measured at each time point. Energy charge was similar for each treatment until 18 hours but was depressed from 6 through 16 hours and began to increase between 16 and 18 hours. Energy charge at 22 hours for group B rats was significantly higher than energy charge for group A and C rats. This difference was maintained through 32 hours. Mitosis started between 24 and 26 hours for all treatments, and group A and C rats exhibited a much higher mitotic index than did group B rats. Adenosine triphosphate was the main driving force for changes in energy charge. The data showed that energy charge and mitotic index were inversely related. It is speculated that high energy charge may negatively influence activity of enzymes inasmuch as activity of these enzymes is altered by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation.

In vivo targeting function of N-linked oligosaccharides with terminating galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine residues.

N-Linked biantennary, triantennary, and core fucosylated biantennary oligosaccharides were isolated from animal glycoproteins and derivatized at their reducing end with Boc-tyrosine. The terminal Gal residues were enzymatically removed and replaced with GalNAc. Tyrosinamide-oligosaccharides were radioiodinated and administered intravenously to mice. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies revealed structure-dependent differences in the steady-state volume of distribution, total body clearance rate, and targeting efficiency. Tyrosinamide-oligosaccharides were found to resist metabolism relative to a natural triantennary glycopeptide which was rapidly degraded in vivo. Triantennary oligosaccharides containing terminal Gal or Gal-NAc targeted the liver efficiently whereas biantennary oligosaccharides containing terminal Gal residues and differing only in their core fucosylation avoided recognition by the asialoglycoprotein receptor and were cleared unmetabolized by renal filtration. In contrast, biantennary oligosaccharides containing terminal Gal-NAc residues targeted the liver with much greater efficiency than Gal-terminated triantennary oligosaccharide. Core fucosylation reduced the metabolism rate of tyrosinamide-biantennary in the liver. The results establish the utility of tyrosinamide-oligosaccharides as probes to analyze the ligand specificity of mammalian lectins in vivo and demonstrate that a GalNAc-terminated biantennary is a potent ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor.

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma: diagnostic approach by fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Carcinosarcoma of the lung is an exceedingly uncommon malignancy, possessing both malignant epithelial and mesenchymal elements. There are less than 100 cases reported in the English literature to date. Most of them were diagnosed by autopsy and surgery. Now we present a detailed report of a case with peripheral variant carcinosarcoma diagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy under sonographic guidance. The clinical, pathologic and immunohistochemical hallmarks of this unique tumor are also reviewed.

The effect of platelet-activating factor on histamine release from guinea pig peritoneal mast cells.

The effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells of male guinea pigs at 4 weeks of age and one week of age (weaning) was investigated. PAF as well as compound 48/80 and concanavalin A were not found to release histamine from the mast cells of either age of guinea pigs. On the other hand, Ca2+ ionophore A23187 showed a significant, concentration-dependent histamine release from the mast cells obtained from guinea pig of either age group. PAF (3 x 10(-7) - 3 x 10(-6) g/ml) significantly inhibited the histamine release induced by Ca2+ ionophore A23187 from the mast cells of guinea pigs at one week of age, but not from those of the older ones. Such an inhibition was not seen with lyso-PAF in either age group. CV-3988, a PAF antagonist, neutralized the inhibitory effect of PAF on the A23187-induced histamine release from the mast cells of guinea pigs at one week of age. These results indicate that PAF does not have a histamine-liberating action on guinea pig peritoneal mast cells, and that PAF inhibits the effect of A23187 on histamine release from mast cells through activation of PAF receptor in guinea pigs at one week of age.