Plasma angiotensin II concentrations in the early neonatal period.

BACKGROUND: There have been only a few reports on the renin-angiotensin system in low birthweight infants; in particular, plasma angiotensin II concentrations have not been studied. AIM: To investigate plasma angiotensin II concentrations in early neonatal infants including low birthweight infants. METHODS: Forty six patients were studied, of whom 14 weighed not less than 2500 g (normal birth weight), 16 weighed less than 2500 g but not less than 1500 g (moderately low birth weight), and 16 weighed less than 1500 g (very low birth weight). Blood samples were collected twice, on day 0 and day 7. Angiotensin II concentration was assayed using an enzyme immunoassay kit with a microplate. RESULTS: Geometric means of angiotensin II concentrations on day 7 were 19 pg/ml in the normal birthweight group, 28 pg/ml in the moderately low birthweight group, and 76 pg/ml in the very low birthweight group. The concentrations on day 7 in the very low birthweight group were significantly higher than those in the normal birthweight and moderately low birthweight groups (p = 0.005, p = 0.031). There were significant correlations between angiotensin II concentration on day 7 and gestational age (r(s) = -0.4, p = 0.007) and birth weight (r(s) = -0.36, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Specific physiological conditions associated with a very low birth weight are thought to be responsible for the increased concentration of angiotensin II on day 7. It is necessary to measure angiotensin II concentration for a longer period after birth and study the factors that could influence it.

Rat prostatic growth factors: purification and characterization of high and low molecular weight epidermal growth factors from rat dorsolateral prostate.

Growth factors which possibly participate in androgen-induced proliferation of rat prostate epithelial cells have been purified and characterized. Four distinct forms of growth factor were found in the extract of rat dorsolateral prostate. One of the factors was a member of heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) family judging from its high affinity for heparin-Sepharose. The other three factors were capable of competing with [125I]epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the cell surface receptor, and recognized by anti-rat EGF antiserum. These EGF-like factors (EGF1-EGF3) were purified by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and reverse phase HPLC. EGF1 showed microheterogeneity on chromatographic and electrophoretic separation and N-terminal sequence analysis. EGF1 showed an average molecular weight of about 35,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing conditions. These results indicated that EGF1 was a mixture of high molecular weight forms of EGF. The molecular weights of EGF2 and EGF3 were similar to that of rat submaxillary gland EGF (Mr = 5400). The amino acid sequence of EGF2 was identical with that of rat EGF except for the N- and C-terminal amino acids: aspartic acid instead of asparagine was found at the N-terminal position and C-terminal arginine was missing in EGF2. Although the N-terminal sequence of EGF3 (1-19) was identical with that of EGF2, the two factors were completely separated by gel filtration indicating a difference in the C-terminal structure. EGF1, EGF2 and EGF3 but not HBGF stimulated proliferation of primary cultured rat dorsolateral prostate epithelial cells.

Tryptophan modulates exocrine secretory function in rat pancreatic acini.

We investigated the effect of tryptophan (Trp) on exocrine secretory function, using isolated rat pancreatic acini. Trp inhibited cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8)-stimulated amylase secretion, causing a downward shift in the dose-response curve. The inhibitory effect of Trp was dose-dependent and was observed only on the sustained secretion, there being no effect on the initial phase of amylase secretion. Trp (10mM) also inhibited amylase secretion in response to carbachol and bombesin, as well as fluoride, a potent activator of guanine-nucleotide binding proteins. Since Ca2+ influx is necessary for sustained secretion, we examined the effect of Trp on Ca2+ influx and efflux. Trp increased the CCK-8-stimulated Ca2+ influx rate without affecting Ca2+ efflux, suggesting that Trp elevates intracellular Ca2+ levels. Increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels with A23187 resulted in the inhibition of CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion. These results indicate that Trp inhibits CCK-stimulated sustained amylase secretion, in part by increasing Ca2+ influx into acinar cells.

A case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the gallbladder with anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system.

Anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AJPBD) is a congenital anomaly associated with gallbladder carcinoma. Especially patients with noncystic dilatation and without dilatation of the biliary tract are at risk of gallbladder carcinoma. A 56-year-old woman with advanced gallbladder cancer associated with AJPBD but without dilatation of the biliary tract was treated at our hospital. Although histologically cancer cells remained in the layer of the proprial mucosa, extensive metastases to lymph nodes including the paraaorta and peripancreas were detected. According to the TNM classification this case was of Stage IVB. The cancer consisted of medullary round cells, and was diagnosed as undifferentiated carcinoma. After surgery poor prognosis was expected, but three years have elapsed with no recurrence. The case is of interest because of two points of discrepancy: the primary cancer did not show deep invasion but demonstrated extensive lymph node metastases; the cancer was histologically malignant but prognosis was relatively good.

Trace analysis of carbonyl compounds by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after collection as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives.

This study describes the utilization of carbonyl- 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatives for the determination of a micro amount of carbonyl compounds in air by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). After the carbonyl compounds are collected using a Waters Sep-Pak C18 cartridge column with-impregnated DNPH on octadecylsilica, they are eluted by acetonitrile as carbonyl-DNPH derivatives. A 20-mm3 aliquot of eluent is injected into the LC-MS system. The four derivatives (formaldehyde-, acetaldehyde-, acrolein- and acetone-DNPH) were eluted within 7 min with acetonitrile-water (60:40, v/v) as the mobile phase. The proposed method offers sub-ppb sensitivity and good reproducibility and was applied to the determination of these carbonyl compounds in actual air samples from store rooms, laboratories and offices. The relative standard deviations for these samples (n = 6) were 1 to 3%.

Determination of fluoride in natural waters by ion-selective electrode potentiometry after co-precipitation with aluminium phosphate.

The most effective conditions for masking aluminium in the determination of mug/1. levels of fluoride in water by ion-selective electrode potentiometry after co-precipitation with aluminium phosphate have been re-examined. The effectiveness of citrate for masking aluminium increases with pH, and up to 1.5 x 10(-2)M aluminium can be masked quantitatively at pH 8.5. Fluoride (5-100 mug in 500 ml of sample solution) is quantitatively co-precipitated at pH 4.7 with approximately 90 mg of aluminium phosphate. After dissolution of the precipitate and adjustment of the solution to pH 8.5 with TISAB, the fluoride content can be measured with a fluoride ISE. The method is simple and rapid, and is suitable for the determination of trace amounts of fluoride in various water samples.

Determination of arsenic content in natural water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after collection as molybdoarsenate on activated carbon.

A sample solution containing less than 0.5 mug of As was adjusted to pH 2. As in the solution was collected on activated carbon (AC) as molybdoarsenate. The AC was directly introduced as an AC suspension into a graphite furnace atomizer, and the concentration of As was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). This method is relatively free from interference caused by coexisting ions. The calibration curve was linear up to 0.1 mg l(-1), and limit of detection of As was 0.004 mg l(-1). When 1000 ml of sample solution is preconcentrated to 5 ml (enrichment factor is 200-fold) 0.02 mug l(-1) of As could be determined, and relative standard deviation was below 4.0% (by the deuterium background correction system). The method was applied to sea water and well water, and the sum of As(III) and As(V) was determined with satisfactory results.

Determination of total selenium content in sediments and natural water by graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectroscopy after collection as a selenium(IV) complex on activated carbon.

A trace level of Se was collected on activated carbon (AC) as the Se(IV)-3-phenyl-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thione (Bismuthiol II) complex. The AC was directly introduced as an AC-suspension into the graphite tube atomizer and the Se concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (T. Okutani, T. Kubota, N. Sugiyama and Y. Turuta, Nippon Kagaku Kaishi, (1991) 375). The amount of Se in heavily contaminated samples including sediment, lake water and seawater was determined using this method. The sediments were digested with HNO(3)HClO(4)HF and the interference from AlF(3) was removed using H(3)BO(3)HClO(4). Lake water and seawater were acidified with H(2)SO(4) and digested with KMnO(4). The Se concentrations of these samples were determined by this method with satisfactory results. The above method is simple, rapid and applicable to heavily contaminated samples.

Regional variations in the number and subsets of intraepithelial lymphocytes in the mouse small intestine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Regional variations in the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the mouse small intestine were examined. METHODS: The small intestine was taken from six 12-week-old BALB/c mice and divided equally into three parts (proximal, middle, and distal). The IELs were isolated from each part of the intestine and analyzed by use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: The number of IELs in the distal part of the small intestine was significantly lower than that in the proximal and middle parts (P < 0.01). The distribution of IEL subsets was markedly different between the proximal and the distal parts, and that in the middle part had an intermediate pattern. The percentage of alphabetaT cells and expression of Thy-1.2 on the alphabetaT and gammadeltaT cells were higher in the distal part (P < 0.01). The percentage of CD8alphaalpha and of double-negative T cells were higher in the proximal part, whereas that of CD4CD8alphaalpha double-positive T cells was higher in the distal part (P < 0.01). Regional variations were found mainly in the extrathymically developed T cell subsets. CONCLUSION: Local development of IELs may differ between regions of the small intestine.

Tumor-like splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with myelofibrosis.

A 61-year-old woman, who was diagnosed in 1982 as having polycythemia vera, was admitted to our hospital in July 1998 because of a splenic tumor in an enlarged spleen due to myelofibrosis. As it was difficult to identify the etiology of the splenic tumor, partial splenectomy was carried out. The resected tumor proved to be an extremely proliferative lesion as the result of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Since it is difficult to diagnose the etiology of splenic tumor, the collection and analysis of reports of relevant cases may well facilitate diagnosis.

Diurnal changes in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the small intestine of mice.

Diurnal changes in small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were examined in 8- to 10-week-old BALB/cA male mice. The ratio of T cell subsets expressing CD8 alpha alpha homodimer/CD8 alpha beta heterodimer was found to be higher in the dark period than that in the light period. Increased expression of Thy-1.2 on gamma delta T cells was also observed in the light period. No significant changes were found in other subsets. This is the first report to document diurnal changes in the small intestinal IELs in mice.

Fluorometric determination of ethanol in liquor samples by flow-injection analysis using an immobilized enzyme-reactor column with packing prepared by coupling alcohol oxidase and peroxidase onto chitosan beads.

A flow-injection system was developed for the determination of ethanol with an immobilized enzyme-reactor column. This system, which consisted of hand-made reactor columns packed with alcohol oxidase and horseradish peroxidase immobilized onto chitosan beads, and a fluorometric detector, was applied to the determination of ethanol in liquor samples. Under the recommended conditions, the ethanol, which was present in the pretreated samples, was converted to hydrogen peroxide when it was passed through the immobilized alcohol oxidase (AOD) column with 0.1 mol/dm3 phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). A sample can be analyzed with this system in <10 min. The calibration curve for ethanol was linear from 2.0 to 0.1 mg/dm3. The determination limit, which was defined by the difference between the sample peak and blank peak, was estimated to be 50 microg/dm3 for ethanol. Interferences from some substances present in actual liquor samples decreased the analytical response and activity of the immobilized AOD-reactor column, but they were removed by dilution and pretreatment with an octyldecylsilane cartridge.

Regional variations in the distribution of small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in three inbred strains of mice.

The regional variation in the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the small intestine was examined in BALB/c male and female mice and C3H/He and C57BL/6 male mice. The small intestines were taken from 11 to 12-week-old mice and divided equally into 3 parts (the proximal, middle and distal parts). IELs were isolated from each part of the intestine and analyzed with flow cytometer. The number of IELs was highest in the proximal part and lowest in the distal part. The distribution of IEL subsets was markedly different between the proximal and the distal parts, and that in the middle part showed the intermediate pattern. The percentage of alphabeta T cells were higher in the distal part. In alphabeta T cell subset, the percentage of CD8alphaalpha T cells was higher in the proximal part, whereas those of CD4 and CD4CD8alphaalpha double positive T cells were higher in the distal part. In gammadelta T cell subset, no regional variations were found. The regional variations in the number and subsets of IELs showed almost the same patterns between male and female BALB/c mice and similar patterns among three strains of mice. This strongly suggests that the regional variations in the small intestinal IELs are common to mouse species.

Simultaneous determination of gold and copper by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using online column enrichment as their syn-phenyl-2-pyridylketoximate chelates.

Gold and copper ions react with syn-phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime (PPKO) at 40 degrees C to form neutral chelates. Metal-PPKO chelates subsequently become preconcentrated on a minicolumn packed with a divinylbenzene-methacrylate copolymer. By switching the valve, these chelates are separated on the silica-based phenyl column and detected with a photometric detector. These processes occur automatically except for chelation. The results of the chelation, preconcentration, and separation conditions studies are presented. Calibration curves for Au and Cu ions are linear from nanograms per milliliter (parts per billion) to micrograms per milliliter (parts per million) in the original solution. The precision for 0.5-ppm standards of Au and Cu is 2.1 and 0.9 relative standard deviation (%), respectively. The accuracy of the present method is verified for Au and Cu based on the analysis of a standard alloy of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The limits of detection for Au and Cu are 16.7 and 0.6 ppb, respectively. The effects of foreign ions on the determination of Au and Cu are discussed.

[Efficacy of a latex Foley catheter with sustained release of chlorhexidine: 1st report: Clinical trials for the prevention of urinary tract infection].

Seventy five patients requiring urethral catheterization for over 24 hours were treated with a latex Foley catheter with sustained release of chlorhexidine in a closed drainage system. While the catheter was indwelling, urinary concentrations of chlorhexidine were maintained at the level of 1 to 2 micrograms/ml in average in almost all patients. The catheter was highly effective in preventing the acquisition of catheter-associated bacteriuria in patients with initially sterile urine without systemic antimicrobial therapy. The acquisition rate of bacteriuria was 8, 16, 23, 35 and 74% on day 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 with the catheter indwelling, respectively. The catheter was not effective in eradicating preexisting bacteriuria. Complications of the catheter were minimal.

[Clinical evaluation of intra-arterial methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cis-platinum for bladder cancer].

Chemotherapy regimens including Methotrexate, Vinblastine. Doxorubicin and Cis-platinum (M-VAC) have shown objective responses in more than 50% of uroepithelial tumors. And intra-arterial chemotherapy can theoretically increase the drug concentration delivered to the tumor with maximum efficacy and less toxicity. In this report we review our experience at Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital between September 1987 and February 1991 using intra-arterial M-VAC in 21 evaluable patients with bladder cancer. Response was observed in 62% of the treated patients, two with complete remission and eleven with partial remission. WBC nadir and platelet nadir were mild to moderate. Other adverse effects such as mucositis, hair loss and creatinine elevation were seen in a small number of patients. Intra-arterial M-VAC can be one of the most useful forms of chemotherapy for patients with bladder cancer.

[Vincristine, adriamycin, mitomycin-C and UFT (VAM-UFT) therapy in progressive or recurrent breast cancer].

Since June 1984, 23 cases of progressive or recurrent breast cancers were treated with combination chemotherapy of VAM-UFT consisting of vincristine, adriamycin, mitomycin C and UFT. Clinical effects of VAM-UFT therapy were 3 CR, 12 PR, and the response rate was 65.2%. Its effective interval was 3 months. But the patients treated with over 4 cycles of VAM-UFT therapy showed an 85% response rate, with a 5-month effective interval. In each patient's background, a shorter disease free interval tended to be more highly effective, but other factors were not significant. Scirrhous carcinoma of pathology evidenced slightly high response rate. Compared with the survival time of patients treated with under 3 cycles and over 4 cycles of this therapy, the latter was significantly longer. Toxicity involved leukocytopenia (74%), thrombocytopenia (22%), anemia (30%), alopecia (91%), nausea and vomiting (87%) and stomatitis (35%), but cases in which the treatment was stopped were not observed. Therefore VAM-UFT therapy had a highly therapeutic effect, reflected in an 85% response rate, for progressive or recurrent breast cancers.

[All-trans retinoic acid combined with low-dose cytosine arabinoside treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia with trilineage myelodysplasia--a case report].

AML with trilineage myelodysplasia (AML/TMDS) is recognized as having of poor prognosis due to its resistance to chemotherapy in comparison with de novo AML. An AML/TMDS patient who failed to respond to ordinary induction therapy achieved complete remission with combination therapy consisting of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and low-dose Ara-C. No serious toxicity was observed. ATRA combined with low-dose Ara-C could be an alternative treatment for this kind of patient.

[Effect of cholecystokinin and secretin on insulin binding to rat pancreatic acini and pancreatic cancer cell line AR42J cells].

In order to clarify the interaction of hormones which exert various effects on the exocrine pancreas, we investigated the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin on subsequent insulin binding to pancreatic acini and cultured AR42J cells derived from azaserine-induced acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. CCK at concentrations of 100pM-10nM inhibited subsequent 125I-insulin binding to pancreatic acini. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) inhibited 125I-insulin binding whereas A23187 had little effect, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of CCK is mediated by protein kinase C. On the other hand, 100pM-10nM secretin had no effect on subsequent 125I-insulin binding to pancreatic acini, although higher concentrations of forskolin and 8 bromoadenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate inhibited 125I-insulin binding. In addition, secretin exerted no potentiating effect on the inhibitory effect of CCK on 125I-insulin binding to pancreatic acini. Based on these results, we further investigated the effect of CCK and TPA on subsequent 125I-insulin binding to AR42J cells. In this carcinoma cell line, inhibitory effect of CCK and TPA on insulin binding was completely abolished. The present results suggest, therefore, that hormonal interaction may play an important role in the regulation of exocrine pancreatic function including acinar cell growth.

[Inhibitory effect of somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995, on exocrine secretion from isolated rat pancreatic acini].

In vitro effect of somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995 (SMS), on pancreatic exocrine secretion was investigated using isolated rat pancreatic acini. SMS had no effect on basal, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)- or secretin-stimulated amylase release. SMS inhibited pancreatic amylase release in response to simultaneous stimulation with secretin and CCK-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Significant inhibition was observed with 10 nM SMS and maximal inhibition with 0.1-1 microM SMS. Amylase release in response to the combination of 100 pM CCK-8, 1 nM secretin and 0.1-1 microM SMS was similar to that to 100 pM CCK-8 alone. Secretin significantly increased acinar cell cAMP content. SMS partially inhibited an increase in cAMP content induced by secretin. The present study has demonstrated, therefore, that SMS directly inhibits the potentiating effect of secretin on exocrine secretion in part by inhibiting an increase in secretin-induced cAMP accumulation in rat pancreatic acinar cells.