Freeze-mount microautoradiographic study in the mouse hippocampus after intravenous injection of tritiated 2-deoxyglucose and glucose.

Differences in the uptake of tracers from radioactive 2-deoxyglucose ([1,2-3H] and [2,6-3H]), and glucose ([1-3H], [3-3H]) into hippocampal regions were investigated by freeze-mount microautoradiography after 45 min for 2-deoxyglucose, and after 15 and 45 min for glucose. Silver grains were assessed quantitatively by an image analyser. (1) The radioactivity (silver grains/mm2) in the stratum lacunosum-moleculare of Ammon's horn from 2-deoxyglucose autoradiograms was significantly higher than that in other hippocampal regions (P less than 0.01), while lowest in the hilus fascia dentata (P less than 0.01). (2) Autoradiograms of [1-3H]glucose and 15 min of [3-3H]glucose showed the radioactivity in the dentate molecular layer to be significantly higher than that in other regions, excepting the stratum lacunosummoleculare (P less than 0.05). (3) The 2-deoxyglucose and 45-min glucose autoradiograms showed intensely labeled perikarya of pyramidal cells in the CA3a sector. (4) Radioactivity in the dentate granular layer from the 45-min autoradiogram of [3-3H]glucose was significantly higher than that in the molecular layer (P less than 0.05). The results imply that the metabolic fate of glucose, i.e. whether it is mainly used for energy production or amino acid synthesis, depends on each structure of the hippocampus.

Distribution of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in mice studied by in vitro whole-body autoradiography.

The distribution of the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities was demonstrated by in vitro whole-body autoradiography. Relatively high activities were observed in the liver, kidney, and small intestine of mice. However, these organs did not exhibit uniform activity throughout. The activity of the liver was found heterogeneous, but that of the duodenum and jejunum were higher than for those of other parts of the intestine. G6Pase activity was higher in the cortex of the kidney than in the medulla. In addition to these observations, it was also found that the skeletal system had high radioactivity. These results were similar to those from biochemical experiments. This method of in vitro whole-body autoradiography would seem to be of value in studying macroscopic distributions of other enzyme activities in organs as well as in whole-body.

Autoradiographic study of [35S]-cysteine and [1-14C]-cystine in pregnant and neonatal mice.

The distribution and fate of 35S from [35S]-cysteine and 14C from [1-14C]-cystine, both precursors to taurine in 17-day pregnant mice and (1-day-old) neonates were investigated by whole-body autoradiography following IV injection for the pregnant mice and IP injection for the neonates. Survival intervals were 30 min, 3 hr. In the dam, 35S and 14C were both highly incorporated into the pancreas. As very low uptake of [35S]-taurine in the pancreas was found in a previous study, it is reasonable to suggest that most radioactivity found in the pancreas represents cysteine. In maternal brain, brown fat, and myocardium, optical density and relative ratio (ODs of 35S and 14C in each tissue and organ/ODs of 35S and 14C in the blood) of 35S were significantly higher than those of 14C, assuming that most of 35S might be present as taurine in these regions. In the developing brain, 35S was found mainly in the differentiating neurons of the cortical plate, including the primordial hippocampal cell layer, and of the cerebellar cortical plate. Relative ratios of 35S in these cerebral regions were significantly higher than those of 14C, suggesting that most of 35S represents taurine.

Diazo-reaction positive substance observed in the cortex of Chattonella antiqua.

In order to investigate the causative factors responsible for removal of mucous coat from the gill lamellae of young yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata by red tide, diazo-reactions were employed for planktons and their media. The concentration of NO2- in the medium containing the raphidophyceae, Chatonella antiqua (ca 2000 cells/ml), was 0.70 +/- 0.05 (mu g/ml +/- SEM). In addition, diazo-reaction positive substances (NOx) which may degenerate the mucous, was highly concentrated in the cortex (perikaryon) of Chattonella antiqua. Morphologically, mucocysts, and chloroplats were likewise present in the cortex. Mucocysts were packed with fine fibrous content. Histochemically, the mucocysts were stained with PAS and had an abundance of nitrogen oxides (NOx). We observed discharge of the fibrous material from the mucocysts. These results suggest that when Chattonella antiqua is passing between the gill lamellae, NOx discharged from the mucocysts may act on the mucous, leading to the degeneration and concomitant removal of the mucous coat from gill lamellae.

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma. Special reference to repeated pulmonary resections.

Pulmonary resection of metastatic lesions from colorectal adenocarcinoma was performed in 35 patients. The cumulative 5-year survival was 38%. The primary site of cancer was the colon in about half of the patients. Patients with a solitary metastasis or tumors smaller than 3 cm in diameter survived longer than did patients with multiple metastases or tumors larger than 3 cm but the differences were not significant. Other factors, including age, sex, histologic grade of tumor, location and stage of primary carcinoma, location of pulmonary metastases, disease-free interval, and type of pulmonary resection, had no apparent influence on survival time. The lung was the major site of recurrence following pulmonary resection. Seven patients underwent two or more pulmonary resections for metastasis from a colorectal carcinoma. At the time of last follow-up, four patients were alive and free of recurrent disease at 5, 34, 39, and 58 months after the second pulmonary resection. These data suggest that some patients will survive for a long time following pulmonary resection of colorectal metastases, and for highly selected patients, repeated pulmonary resection may further extend survival.

Malignant lymphoma of the rectum treated preoperatively with hyperthermia and radiation.

A 58-year-old Japanese woman with primary malignant lymphoma of the rectum was treated preoperatively with radiation and intraluminal hyperthermia, after which abdominoperineal rectal amputation (Miles' operation) was done. The rectal tumor disappeared and there were no lymphoma cells in the resected specimens. The postoperative course was smooth and she is being followed in the outpatient department. At this writing, five years after the surgery, she remains well.

The expression of cadherins in human neuroblastoma cell lines and clinical tumors.

Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules which play crucial roles in the cell-cell interactions during development, tumorigenesis and metastasis. The absence of N (neural)-cadherin is correlated with the onset of neural crest migration and its reappearance is correlated with the cessation of migration and precedes gangliogenesis. We investigated the expression of cadherins including N-cadherin in five cell lines and eleven clinical specimens of human neuroblastomas, which originated from neural crest cells. We found that three of the neuroblastoma cell lines and all the clinical specimens were positive for the expression of the N-cadherin protein. The other two neuroblastoma cell lines were negative for the expression suggesting they originated from migrating neural crest cells. All these cell lines and clinical samples expressed either cadherin-6, cadherin-11 or both, i.e. cadherins expressed on neural crest cells, supporting their neural crest origin.

Plasma fatty acids concentrations in postoperative patients with biliary atresia.

The concentrations of plasma fatty acids in postoperative patients with biliary atresia (BA) were measured to clarify whether they had essential fatty acid deficiency. Thirty-eight fasting blood samples from 14 postoperative patients with BA were studied. All of them had the hepatic portoenterostomy without any stoma. Samples were divided into three groups on the basis of liver function. The concentrations of fatty acids in the plasma fat were measured quantitatively. Non-essential fatty acids levels were increased and omega-3 fatty acids levels were decreased with the progress of deterioration of hepatic function. Regarding omega-6 fatty acids, C18:2 and 20:4 did not show any significant difference between the three groups and the control, and only C20:3 increased with the deterioration of liver dysfunction. The ratio of C20:3 (omega-6) to C20:4 (omega-6) was increased significantly with the progress of liver dysfunction. The activity of delta-5 desaturase was suspected to be suppressed in BA patients with poor liver function. The BA patients with poor bile flow did not show any decrease of omega-6 fatty acids in the plasma, but were at risk of developing omega-3 fatty acid deficiency.

Assessment of hepatic excretory function in chronic liver disease by hepatobiliary scintigraphy.

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed in 23 normal subjects and 47 patients with chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis; n = 27, liver cirrhosis; n = 20) to evaluate its availability as a test of liver function. After intravenous administration of Tc-99m N-pyridoxyl-5-methyl-tryptophan, the data were acquired for 60 min and the time-activity curves of ROIs (the heart and liver) were generated. In two compartment model simulation, the early blood clearance rate (kl), late blood clearance rate (km), hepatic uptake rate (ku) hepatic excretion rate (ke), and hepatic excretion T 1/2 were calculated. There was no significant difference in those four k values in normal and chronic hepatitis. However, in liver cirrhosis each of them, except km, was lower than in normal subjects. The kl value correlated closely with the indocyanine green plasma clearance test, whereas the ke and T 1/2 values were closely correlated with the level of serum bilirubins. Only hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed the excretory function of the liver quantitatively and the ke value was helpful in detecting hepatic excretory dysfunction early in chronic liver disease before serum bilirubins increased.

Gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy in Wegener's granulomatosis involving the stomach.

67Ga-citrate scintigraphy was performed on a 68-year-old woman with Wegener's granulomatosis of the right orbita and nasal cavity to search for other involved sites. Seventy-two-hour images demonstrated an abnormal accumulation on the left upper abdomen, in addition to her head and chest. Upper gastrointestinal series revealed marked deformation of the upper part of the stomach and a large shallow ulcer on its posterior wall. The histological diagnosis from biopsied specimens on gastroendoscopy was an involvement of Wegener's granulomatosis. 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy was helpful in detecting the sites of involvements of this disease.

Effects of supplemental oxygen on urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels in extremely low birth weight infants.

As the effects of supplementary oxygen on urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) are poorly understood, urinary 8-OHdG levels (ng/mg creatinine) were determined longitudinally on the postnatal day (PND) 1, 3, and 30 in 16 neonates with birth weight < 1000 g. No supplementary oxygen was required in 9 neonates during the first 24 h of life. Urinary 8-OHdG level on PND 1 was inversely correlated with birth weight in these 9 neonates (P = 0.0323) and was higher in four with birth weight < 750 g than five with birth weight > 750 g (41.0 ± 6.9 vs. 5.6 ± 2.7, respectively, P = 0.0200). Median urinary 8-OHdG on PND 1 of these 9 neonates was significantly lower than that of 7 neonates with oxygen (9.3 vs. 60.2, respectively), although there were no significant differences in clinical background, such as birth weight, between the two groups. Five of the 9 did not require supplemental oxygen at all during the first 30 days of life. Median urinary 8-OHdG levels were consistently significantly lower in the 5 neonates than in 11 neonates with oxygen transiently or persistently (9.3 vs. 54.6, 19.1 vs. 61.4, and 28.3 vs. 145 on PND 1, 3, and 30, respectively), although there were no differences in clinical background, such as birth weight, between the two groups. Urinary 8-OHdG on PND 30 was significantly positively correlated with supplemental oxygen dose on PND 30 (P < 0.0001), but not with birth weight in the 16 neonates. These results suggest that higher supplemental oxygen tension caused higher urinary 8-OHdG in this population.

Radiographic findings of diaphragmatic hernia and hypoplastic lung.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has a poor prognosis, despite intensive management. The prognosis of CDH is correlated with hypoplastic lung, but it is difficult to measure the degree of hypoplasia. The aims of this study were, therefore, to examine the relationship between chest X-ray and prognosis, and to assess whether the radiographic findings were a good indicator of hypoplastic lungs in patients with CDH. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty neonates with CDH were classified radiographically into apex and hilar types. To assess the differences in clinical course between these two groups, gestational age, birth weight, prenatal diagnosis, survival rate, requirement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy and lung area on X-rays were analyzed. RESULTS: In all, 32 cases were of the apex type and 18 were hilar. The survival rate of the hilar group (33%) was significantly worse than that of the apex group (81%) (P<0.001). The hilar group required ECMO therapy more frequently than did the apex group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show a significant correlation between survival rate and the findings of chest X-rays in CDH. Radiographic findings are thus a good clinical indicator of the prognosis of CDH in neonates.

Immature teratoma of gallbladder associated with gliomatosis peritonei, a case report.

The patient was a 9-month-old girl who presented with an abdominal mass. Computed tomography scan revealed that the huge heterogeneous mass with cystic, calcified, and solid components occupied the upper abdomen, and diagnosis of teratoma was made preoperatively. At the operation, a tumor arising from gallbladder and gliomatosis peritonei with intact ovaries were found. This is a rare case report of teratoma that originated in the gallbladder associated with gliomatosis peritonei.

[Effect of smoking on pulmonary function among patients with pneumoconiosis].

To clarify the effect of cigarette smoking on pulmonary function among patients with pneumoconiosis, we studied the relationship between the smoking index (number of cigarettes smoked per day X number of years of continued smoking) and lung function tests. The value of V25/Ht was significantly decreased with an increase of the smoking index, but there were no difference between %VC, FEV1.0%, AaDO2 and smoking index. Moreover, there was no relationship between pulmonary function and duration of dust exposure. These results show that antismoking campaigns are important among workers in a dusty work environment.

Evaluation of common bile duct stenosis in chronic pancreatitis using cholescintigraphy.

To evaluate a stenotic change of the common bile duct (CBD) in chronic pancreatitis (CP), cholescintigraphy with 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan (PMT) was performed in 28 patients with CP and 15 normal subjects. The patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of their endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings: minimal CP (MIP; n = 14), moderate CP (MOP; n = 10), and advanced CP (ADP; n = 4). After intravenous injection of 5 mCi 99mTc-PMT, digital images were obtained and time activity curves of the ROIs (liver, hepatic duct, gallbladder, and duodenum) were generated. No radioactivity was seen in the duodenum within 1 hour in 12 of 28 (43%) with CP and 2 of 15 (13%) normals. Reflux to the hepatic duct after cerulein injection was found in 6 of 20 (30%) examined patients with CP and more frequently in ADP, whereas there was no reflux in MIP and normals. When the finding of reflux in cholescintigraphy was interpreted as positive for CBD stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 88%, and 90%, respectively. We conclude that reflux is a reliable scintigraphic finding in detecting CBD stenosis.