Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability, average BP level and carotid arterial stiffness in the elderly: a prospective study.

In a cross-sectional study, visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability was shown to be associated with artery remodelling. Here, we investigated the impact of visit-to-visit BP variability and average BP on the carotid artery remodelling progression in high-risk elderly according to different classes of antihypertension medication use/non-use. BP measurements and carotid ultrasound were performed in the common carotid artery in 164 subjects (mean age 79.7 years at baseline, 74.7% females) with one or more cardiovascular risk factors. Based on 12 visits (1 × /month for 1 year), we calculated visit-to-visit BP variability expressed as the standard deviation (s.d.), coefficient of variation (CV), maximum BP, minimum BP and delta (maximum-minimum) BP. We measured mean intima-media thickness (IMT) as well as stiffness parameter ß were measured at baseline and at the mean 4.2-year follow-up. In a multiple regression analysis, the maximum, minimum, s.d. and average of systolic BP (SBP) were significantly associated with a change in ß-values between the baseline and follow-up after adjustment for age, smoking, lower high-density lipoprotein level, baseline ß-value and follow-up period. There were no significant associations between the visit-to-visit BP variability measures and the change in mean IMT. Significant associations of maximum, minimum, s.d. and average SBP were found with increased ß-values in the subjects without calcium channel blocker (CCB) use and in the subjects using renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs). Thus, exaggerated visit-to-visit SBP variability and a high average SBP level were significant predictors of progression in carotid arterial stiffness in high-risk elderly without CCBs use and in those using a RASI.

Detection of a new antigen associated with chicken thrombocytes on Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell line.

A monoclonal antibody, 2C12, produced against MDCC-MSB1 cells, reacted with several cell lines derived from Marek's disease (MD), including MDCC-MSB1 cells, normal chicken thrombocytes, and MD tumor cells. It did not react with cell lines derived from avian leukosis or reticuloendotheliosis, cells from normal chicken thymus and bursa, chicken kidney cells and quail fibroblast cultures inoculated with MD virus, or with erythrocytes from 1-day-old and adult chickens, cow, sheep, and horse. Anti-thrombocyte serum prepared in a rabbit reacted with thrombocytes and MDCC-MSB1 cells. The specificities of antibody 2C12 and anti-thrombocyte serum against MDCC-MSB1 cells and thrombocytes were confirmed by cross-absorption, blocking, and double-membrane fluorescent antibody tests. The existence of a polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 103,000, common to both MDCC-MSB1 cells and thrombocytes, was demonstrated by Western blotting analyses.

Monoclonal antibody to chicken fetal antigen on Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell line MDCC-MSB1.

A monoclonal antibody (2H3) to chicken fetal antigen (CFA) expressed on the cell surface of the Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell line MDCC-MSB1 was generated. 2H3 reacted specifically with various cells from chicken embryos, especially with fetal red blood cells, fetal bursa-derived lymphocytes, fetal liver cells, and embryo fibroblasts but not with fetal peripheral blood lymphocytes. 2H3 reacted also with all lymphoblastoid cell line cells tested: Marek's disease, avian leukosis, and reticuloendotheliosis line cells. On the basis of 2H3 specificity, CFA detected by 2H3 seemed to be similar to chicken fetal red blood cell antigen previously reported, but not to chicken alpha-fetoprotein. A transient increase of reactivities with 2H3 was observed in lymphocytes prepared from thymus, spleen, and bursa of chickens inoculated with Marek's disease virus or herpesvirus of turkeys from 7 to 21 days postinoculation. The average percentage of CFA-positive cells in lymphoid cells from Marek's disease virus-infected chickens at the peaks was higher than that of the cells in Marek's disease tumor cells from 146- and 156-day-old chickens in the field. The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis revealed that the monoclonal 2H3 is recognized a Mr 50,000 oncodevelopmental cell surface antigen present on MDCC-MSB1 cells. The possible differences between CFA detected by 2H3 and chicken fetal red blood cell antigen expressed on normal chicken fetal erythrocytes are discussed.

Acute radiation thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: Radiation-induced thyroid dysfunction is considered a late effect. We prospectively assessed acute reactions of the thyroid to external neck irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study included 22 patients in whom the thyroid was incidentally exposed to therapeutic doses of radiation. Thyroid function tests included measurements of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), thyroglobulin, and antithyroid antibodies. These tests were performed before radiotherapy (baseline values), after approximately 40 Gy had been administrated, 2 weeks after the end of radiotherapy, and 3 and 6 months after the beginning of radiotherapy. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of TSH were 1.53, 0.55, 0.78, 2.14, and 7.57 microU/ml before radiotherapy, after 40 Gy irradiation, 2 weeks after the end of radiotherapy, and 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy, respectively. Thus, levels of TSH exhibited two phases: a significant decrease during radiotherapy (thyrotoxic phase) and an increase after radiotherapy (hypothyroid phase) (baseline vs. 40 Gy: p < 0.0001, baseline vs. 6 months: p = 0.003). Increases of thyroid hormones were subtle during radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that radiation promotes release of excessive amounts of thyroid hormones during radiotherapy owing to suppression of TSH secretion. In addition to the late damage (hypothyroidism), thyrotoxicosis occurs when the thyroid gland receives a therapeutic doses of external radiation.

CT of parotid tumors.

Computed tomographic (CT) appearances of 18 surgically proven parotid tumors were studied. Digital radiography (GE, ScoutView) was performed to select the desired gantry angulations and then plain CT and CT combined with sialography were performed. Plain CT clearly showed parotid tumors in nine of the patients. CT combined with sialography was more helpful than plain CT for delineating the tumors in the other patients who had either tumors in high-density parotid glands for tumors low density. CT allows more accurate evaluation of tumor location and extent in the parotid gland than any other method and helps distinguish malignant from benign lesions. The normal CT appearances of the parotid region are necessary for precise interpretation of CT images in this region.

A new isolation method for labyrinthulids using a bacterium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus.

A new isolation method for labyrinthulids, marine microbes with spindle-shaped vegetative cells and gliding movement, is presented. The method for isolating labyrinthulids has been found to be more difficult and less reproducible than that for thraustochytrids, classified in the same order. So far serum seawater agar fortified with antibiotics has been proposed to be the best for isolation of labyrinthulids. The method presented here involves placing plant samples on an agar medium on which a marine bacterium, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, has been grown. The new method, which utilizes fallen mangrove leaves as source material, was more than twice as effective as isolation agar medium without the bacterium. The increased effectiveness appears to derive partly from the bacterial colonies' delaying extension of fungal mycelium. The bacterium was more effective for the isolation of labyrinthulids than either the bacterium Shewanella sp. or the yeast Rhodotorula rubra.

Genetic transformation system for a psychrotrophic deep-sea bacterium: isolation and characterization of a psychrotrophic plasmid.

A versatile system that permits genetic manipulation of a psychrotrophic deep-sea bacterium, Pseudoalteromonas sp. PS1M3, has been developed. A cryptic indigenous plasmid, pPS1M3, of 3.1 kb from the above strain was isolated and characterized. The nucleotide sequence analysis of plasmid pPS1M3 revealed the presence of one open reading frame, and its deduced amino acid sequence was identified as the essential protein for plasmid maintenance. Transformation with the pPS1M3 harboring antibiotic resistance genes by electroporation was fully successful using the pPS1M3-cured strain as a host. This plasmid was quite stable under nonselective culture conditions for about 100 generations at 4 degrees C. The copy number of this plasmid in the cell was about 5 copies per chromosome.

Schwannoma of the trachea.

We recently encountered a tracheal schwannoma presenting as a polypoid mass. Computed tomography (CT) was very effective in evaluation of the size, shape and site of this rare tumour. Furthermore, CT images in the prone position made it easy to exclude tumour extension into the mediastinum.

CT of intrathoracic neurogenic tumours.

Fifteen patients with primary intrathoracic neurogenic tumours were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) scans. Schwannomas were demonstrated as homogeneous or slightly inhomogeneous densities on plain CT images; 4 of 5 schwannomas showed rim enhancement with some enhancement in the central portion of the tumour on post-enhancement CT images. Neurofibromas and ganglioneuromas were visualized as homogeneous densities on plain CT images. Three of 5 ganglioneuromas revealed homogeneous contrast enhancement of post-contrast CT images. A ganglioneuroblastoma and 2 neuroblastomas manifested slightly inhomogeneous tumour density on plain CT images. The inhomogeneity of the tumours was accentuated on contrast enhancement CT images.

Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar disc herniation. Comparison with myelography.

Fifty-three patients with surgically confirmed lumbar disc herniation at 55 levels were studied retrospectively to compare the diagnostic accuracy of high-field strength surface coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with that of myelography. Disc herniation was classified into three groups according to MRI findings, namely, unilateral single-disc herniation, central single-disc herniation, and multilevel disc herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of unilateral single-disc herniation was extremely reliable, so myelography was considered to be unnecessary. Conversely, MRI findings of central single-disc herniation and multilevel disc herniation were less definite, in that myelography was necessary in locating the disc causing symptoms.

Inhibition of turkey herpesvirus replication by anti-cellular serum.

Quail embryo fibroblasts were used to investigate how rabbit and chicken antisera against chicken erythrocytes carrying different B alleles of the major histocompatibility antigens affect the neutralization of herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). Although the neutralizing activities of these antisera were rather low, the HVT propagated in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) from certain genotypic embryos was neutralized more by the antisera to the corresponding erythrocytes. After absorption of these antisera with homologous erythrocytes, the neutralizing activity of the absorbed sera was reduced slightly. These results reveal that the virion antigens of HVT might be partially associated with the host cell antigens of the fibroblast infected with the virus. The virus grown in these cells might incorporate the host cell antigens, including histocompatibility antigens, into the virion envelope.

MRI of anterior mediastinal tumors.

To compare the abilities of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT to provide information about anterior mediastinal tumors, we retrospectively evaluated the MR (n = 28) and CT images (n = 25) of patients with anterior mediastinal tumors. T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were obtained with spin echo sequences using cardiac gating. Six of 12 thymomas and seven of nine teratomas showed characteristic findings by MRI, while four of the 10 thymomas and five of the eight teratomas were correctly diagnosed by CT. The other tumors did not show a characteristic MR appearance. All nine malignant tumors were correctly diagnosed as malignant lesions on MR images, while one false positive case and one false negative case were recorded on CT images. We conclude that MRI and CT provide nearly the same information for the evaluation of anterior mediastinal tumors. However, in some cases, only MRI can provide information about malignancy or a specific diagnosis.

Antigenic and plaque variations of serotype II feline infectious peritonitis coronaviruses.

Three feline coronavirus (FCoV) isolates KUK-H, M91-266, and M91-267 were examined to elucidate their biological and antigenic properties as well as disease potential in cats. Immune stainings of virus-infected cells by using FCoV type-specific monoclonal antibodies indicated that their antigenic specificity was serotype II. However, antigenic variations among these serotype II FCoVs were detected by neutralization assay with hyperimmune antisera against FCoVs and canine coronaviruses, and with experimentally infected cat sera; there were two subtypes in serotype II FCoVs. The isolates efficiently grew in fcwf-4 cell culture showing lytic CPE enough to form distinct plaques: when measured 48 hr after infection, plaque sizes of both M91-266 and M91-267 were approximately 1 mm in diameter, and a mixture of small (less than 1 mm in diameter) and large (approximately 3 mm in diameter) plaques were produced in the case of KUK-H. Strains KUK-H, M91-266 and M91-267 produced feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in 50%, 67% and 89% of experimentally inoculated kittens, respectively. Furthermore, 80% of the kittens inoculated with the small plaque former of KUK-H developed FIP accompanied by more prominent clinical signs as well as pathological changes when compared with 28.6% of kittens inoculated with the large plaque former. These results suggest that serotype II FIPVs producing smaller size of plaques are more virulent than those producing larger size of plaques.

Comparison of the major histocompatibility antigen on Marek's disease-derived cell lines detected by membrane fluorescent antibody, cytotoxicity, and lymphoagglutination tests.

The reactivity of 13 antisera specific for the major histocompatibility antigen (MHA) of the B complex against cells in 6 cell lines (MDCC-JP1, JP2, HP1, HP2, RP1, and MSB1), derived from Marek's disease (MD) lymphoma, was compared by using membrane fluorescent antibody, cytotoxicity, and lymphoagglutination tests. The membrane fluorescent antibody test was found to be the most sensitive method for detecting the MHA of the B complex on the MD cell lines. After absorption of these antisera with the homologous erythrocytes, the reactivities of the absorbed sera to the homologous erythrocytes and the MD line cells were reduced or lost altogether. However, after absorbing the antisera reactive for MD cell lines with the respective cell line, the reactivities of the absorbed sera to the line cells were not detected at all when examined by the above tests. However, the reactivities of these absorbed sera to the homologous erythrocytes could still be observed when examined by a hemagglutination test. These results indicate that the antisera contain at least two kinds of antibody (against Class I and Class IV antigens), and the three different tests used here are detecting the Class I antigens of MHA on the MD line cells.

[A case of adenocarcinoma of lung cancer with multiple brain metastasis and lymphangitis carcinomatosa responding well to chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide].

A 75-year-old male who suffered from adenocarcinoma of lung cancer with multiple brain metastases, developed left hemiplegia. After diagnosis, he was treated with 4,000 cGy whole brain radiation, but soon after advanced lymphangitis carcinomatosa set in and his general condition deteriorated. He was administered carboplatin combination with etoposide and ifosfamide. Lymphangitis carcinomatosa disappeared, and the main tumor of lung and brain metastases were not growing. We recommended carboplatin for an old patient or one in poor condition, because it had less cytotoxicity and retained the same antitumor activity compared with cisplatin.

[Angiomyolipoma of the kidney; report of two cases with a low fat component].

We report two cases of unilateral renal angiomyolipoma. In both cases, our preoperative diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma because no low density area compatible with a fatty tissue was noted in the tumors. Histological examination revealed both tumors to be angiomyolipoma mainly composed of myomatous cells and immature fat cells.