Local antibody production and immune complex formation in rats experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

The systemic humoral immune responses and tissue localization of worm-antigen, antibodies (IgG), and complement (C3) were examined in rats experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. While the worms remained in the subarachnoid space, it was infiltrated with plasma cells and lymphoid cells containing IgM and IgG. When the infiltration of these cells became more pronounced, the serum antibody titer began to increase. At the same time, deposits of IgM, IgG, and C3 were found in the glomeruli of the kidney. A number of eggs were observed in the lungs, enclosed in granulomatous tissues. Infiltrates of plasma cells including IgM and IgG, and deposits of IgM, IgG, and C3 were detected around the eggs and in the granulomatous tissues. A marked increase in serum antibody was observed. A. cantonensis larvae induce local antibody (IgM and IgG) production in the central nervous system prior to an increase of serum antibody titer. Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid antibody titer at an early stage of infection may confirm infection. The larvae showed no evidence of damage in spite of marked local antibody production in the central nervous system. The eggs in the lungs stimulated both local and systemic antibody production, and immune complexes were formed in the lung and the circulatory system. Immune complexes may participate in the formation of granuloma.

Production of neuropeptide substance P by synovial fibroblasts from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

We examined the production of substance P (SP) in synovial fibroblasts derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Immunoreactive SP was observed in non-stimulated RA fibroblasts. The expression of beta-preprotachykinin-A (beta-PPT-A) mRNA was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. SP contents in culture medium were increased by treatment of RA fibroblasts with transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) (10 ng/ml). Levels of SP release were elevated at 12 h after TGFbeta stimulation whereas the expression of beta-PPT-A mRNA was enhanced at 3 h. Furthermore, SP production in response to TGFbeta was dose-dependently enhanced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). OA fibroblasts also significantly released SP in the presence of TGFbeta (10 ng/ml) plus bFGF (50 ng/ml). These results suggest that SP produced by synovial fibroblasts may participate in joint diseases.

The influence of celomic membranes and a tunnel between celomic cavities on cancer metastasis in poultry.

The roles of celomic membranes and celomic structures in preventing cancer metastasis were examined. The relationship between a tunnel in the peritoneal cavity of hens and the cancer metastasis was also investigated. A tunnel between the right and left dorsal hepatic cavities was found in almost half of healthy hens. The tunnel was also found in 17% of hens with cancer. Neoplastic cells were detected in the ascitic fluid of 79% of hens with effusions. Metastasis was most severe in the intestinal peritoneal and left dorsal hepatic cavities, whereas the right dorsal hepatic cavity showed the least involvement. Severe inflammatory responses were found within the metastatic membranes, resulting in an increase in their thickness. In tumor-bearing hens, crevasse-like splits were present within the membranes at the layers of loose connective tissues. It appears that the splits prevent further invasion by the cancer cells. There were no successful lesions on the inner surfaces of air sacs. It is suggested that the tunnel in the peritoneal cavity enhances cancer metastasis. We also conclude that the celomic membranes and their structure in hens retard the spread of cancer by functioning as a barrier against direct spread of the cancer cells.

Estradiol receptors and ovalbumin in adenocarcinoma of hens.

The origin of adenocarcinomas in 10 hens was studied using an assay for estradiol receptors (ERs) and ovalbumin. ERs were found in nine tumors, and ovalbumin was present in eight tumors. Hormonal regulation of this cancer is indicated, and it is suggested that the origin of the tumor is probably the glands of the oviduct.

A study on the origin of adenocarcinoma in fowls using immunohistological technique.

When tumor tissues collected from 12 hens suffering from so-called adenocarcinoma were stained with antisera by the indirect immunofluorescent method, all of the tissues appeared to contain ovalbumin. We suggest that most adenocarcinomas in the thoracoabdomen of mature hens are oviductal in origin.

Detection of iron in a blackish lesion in a case of feline corneal sequestration.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses showed that there was iron (Fe) in a blackish lesion removed from a cat with severe corneal sequestration. Chromatic compound did not extract. The Fe content of the lesion was about 100 times higher than that of a normal cornea, as measured by X-ray fluorescence. Results of other chemical analyses indicated that the Fe in the blackish cornea was not derived from blood in the neovascularized limbus.

Histologic changes in thyroid glands from great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Tokyo Bay, Japan: possible association with environmental contaminants.

We compared morphologic changes in thyroid glands of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from the Tokyo Bay and Lake Biwa areas in Japan with presence of residues of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs). Prominent morphologic changes in thyroid glands included increased density of small follicles and increased number of epithelial cells surrounding follicular lumens. The extent of morphologic changes in the thyroid gland was higher in cormorants captured from Tokyo Bay than in those captured from Lake Biwa. Increased thyroid change in cormorants from the Tokyo Bay area was associated with significantly higher levels of PCDFs and Co-PCBs. Thus, we suggest that morphologic changes in thyroid glands from the cormorants are associated with increased levels of dioxin contamination in Japan.

Esophageal electrochemical burns due to button type lithium batteries in dogs.

Incidences of swallowing lithium batteries have been increasing. More severe tissue damage may be produced by the flow of electric current through tissue due to a lithium battery than a button alkali battery, because the former has the higher voltage of 3V. In this study, model CR2032 lithium batteries were fixed in the esophagus of 5 adult mongrel dogs for 15 or 30 min or 1, 2 or 5 h. On microscopical examination of the esophagus 15 min after fixation of the battery, necrosis was demonstrated from the lamina propria mucosa to the inner muscular layer. Thirty min after fixation of the battery, the esophageal epithelium had completely disappeared to form a blackish-brown area and the outer muscular layer was partially necrosed. Histological findings after 1, 2 or 5 h were similar to those after 30 min, and the blackish-brown area became larger with time. The necrosis extended to the trachea after 1 h. The necrosis developed sooner in tissue in contact with the lithium battery. An ingested lithium battery appears to be more dangerous than a button alkali battery unless it is removed quickly.

Effects of tap water on esophageal burns in dogs from button lithium batteries.

Incidences of swallowing lithium batteries have been increasing. A lithium battery is more dangerous than button alkali batteries because the tissue erosion and perforation of the esophagus is more rapid than with button alkali batteries. We hypothesized that a bolus fresh water wash out or dilution of the alkali produced by the direct current flow, and/or inhibition of the alkali production by interrupting the direct current flow, might lessen the severity of the necrotic injury at a contact esophageal site with a battery. Model CR2032 lithium batteries were fixed in the esophagus of 21 adult mongrel dogs for 15, 30, 60 or 90 min. In 9 of the dogs serial 20 mL boluses of tap water (adjusted pH at 7.0 by bicarbonate) were administered at 15-min intervals after placement of the battery. The esophageal injuries were graded microscopically according to the depth of the necrosis. The consumed electricity of the batteries was also evaluated. Serial bolus administration of water reduced the consumed electricity of the batteries significantly 30 and 60 min after fixation and delayed the corrosive change in a contact esophageal area during the first 30 min. Dosing with tap water as soon as possible within 30 min after ingestion seemed a useful first aid measure to prevent esophageal injury after accidental swallowing of a lithium battery.

Toxicity of waterproofing spray is influenced by the mist particle size.

In a previous study, we showed that waterproofing sprays that are toxic generate mists with smaller particles than do nontoxic products. In this study, we made 4 waterproofing sprays (A, B, C and D) with identical ingredients but with different mist particle sizes and compared the pathological changes produced in the lungs of mice. The mist particle diameters were 32.8 +/- 3.2, 62.0 +/- 3.8, 89.1 +/- 4.1 and 143.2 +/- 5.0 microns for sprays A, B, C and D, respectively. Pathological lung changes were evaluated by a 6-criteria grading system (thickening of the alveolar septum, cellular infiltrations in the alveolar septum, alteration of the bronchial mucous membrane, hyperemia of the alveolar wall, transudative hemorrhage, and alveolar collapse). Sprays A and B caused significantly greater scores as compared to the control group for all the criteria except mucosal changes, whereas the changes from sprays C and D were slight and the differences in scores were not significant. These results suggest that toxicity of waterproofing spray is influenced by the mist particle size generated and may help manufacture safer waterproofing spray products.

Mist particle diameters are related to the toxicity of waterproofing sprays: comparison between toxic and non-toxic products.

Although respiratory failures following exposure to waterproofing sprays have been reported worldwide, their mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we sorted each of 12 commercial waterproofing sprays into either the Toxic Group (No 1-4) or the Non-Toxic Group (No 5-12) and compared the pathological changes produced in the lungs of mice after their inhalation. Then we determined the diameters of each product's mist particles and their adhesion rates to cloth. The 4 products in the Toxic Group, reported as toxic to human beings, caused severe damage to mice lungs, whereas the 8 products in the Non-Toxic Group, not reported as toxic, caused little if any damage. The percentage of particle < or = 10 microns were significantly higher in the Toxic Group than in the Non-Toxic Group. The adhesion rate to cloth correlated to the mean particle diameter and was significantly lower in the Toxic Group than in the Non-Toxic Group. The toxic sprays generated mists of smaller particle diameter than the non-toxic sprays, suggesting that the mist particle diameters of waterproofing sprays are related to their toxicity.

Iontophoretic delivery of calcium for experimental hydrofluoric acid burns.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of iontophoretic delivery of calcium to experimental hydrofluoric acid burns. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Institutional laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male nude rats. INTERVENTIONS: For the in vitro experiment, a full-thickness skin from the back was set in a vertical flow-through diffusion cell. Calcium chloride was applied to the donor chamber, and transdermal transport of calcium was examined with or without a voltage gradient of 1.5 V. Either intact skin or skin whose stratum corneum was stripped with adhesive tapes was used. For the in vivo experiment, hydrofluoric acid burns were induced by dispensing 50% hydrofluoric acid (50 microL) on the backs of the nude rats, who were under pentobarbital anesthesia. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 5 for each group): control group (burned but not treated); topical group (treated with calcium gluconate jelly); infiltration group (intradermal and subcutaneous injection of calcium gluconate); and iontophoresis group (treated with iontophoresis of calcium chloride at 1.5 V). Burn areas were measured and pathologic findings were classified microscopically into five stages at 1 wk: stage 1, epidermal burn; stage 2, superficial dermal burn; stage 3, deep dermal burn; stage 4, full-thickness burn; and stage 5, burn affecting the skeletal muscle. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the in vitro experiment, calcium concentrations increased significantly only in stripped skins with a 1.5-V gradient. In the in vitro experiment, burn areas were reduced significantly in the iontophoresis group compared with the other three groups. Pathologic findings were significantly improved in the iontophoresis group compared with the control group. This efficacy of iontophoresis was observed when it was initiated within 30 mins after hydrofluoric acid burn. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that transdermal transport of calcium was enhanced in stripped skins by iontophoresis and that iontophoresis was more efficacious than topical or infiltration therapy for experimental hydrofluoric acid burns. Iontophoretic delivery of calcium seems to be easier than intra-arterial infusion and may be effective for the lesions where intra-arterial infusion is difficult.