Prophylactic effect of rikkunshito, an herbal medicine, for chemotherapy-induced nausea in thoracic cancer patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy.

Rikkunshito has been shown to improve upper gastrointestinal symptoms and anorexia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rikkunshito improves chemotherapy-induced nausea in thoracic cancer patients receiving carboplatin (CBDCA)-based chemotherapy. A retrospective before-and-after comparison study was conducted in patients with thoracic cancer receiving the first cycle of CBDCA-based chemotherapy. Among 61 eligible patients, 34 received standard antiemetic therapy with a combination of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone from September 2012 and June 2013 (standard group), while the other 27 received the standard antiemetic therapy plus oral rikkunshito from July 2013 and December 2014 (rikkunshito group). The rates of no nausea showed no significant difference between the standard and rikkunshito group (Overall phase: 64.7 % for standard group vs 74.1 % for rikkunshito group, p = 0.579). Subgroup analysis indicated that, in female patients, the rates of no nausea in rikkunshito groups was significantly higher than in standard group (overall phase: 44.4 % vs 100 %, p = 0.034). Rikkunshito did not demonstrate an additional prophylactic effect on standard antiemetic therapy for nausea in patients with thoracic cancer receiving CBDCA-based chemotherapy, but showed a prophylactic effect of nausea in female patients.

Muscle stiffness of posterior lower leg in runners with a history of medial tibial stress syndrome.

Previous history of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a risk factor for MTSS relapse, which suggests that there might be some physical factors that are related to MTSS development in runners with a history of MTSS. The relationship between MTSS and muscle stiffness can be assessed in a cross-sectional study that measures muscle stiffness in subjects with a history of MTSS, who do not have pain at the time of measurement, and in those without a history of MTSS. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear elastic modulus, which is an index of muscle stiffness, of all posterior lower leg muscles of subjects with a history of MTSS and those with no history and investigate which muscles could be related to MTSS. Twenty-four male collegiate runners (age, 20.0±1.7 years; height, 172.7±4.8 cm; weight, 57.3±3.7 kg) participated in this study; 14 had a history of MTSS, and 10 did not. The shear elastic moduli of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior were measured using shear wave elastography. The shear elastic moduli of the flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior were significantly higher in subjects with a history of MTSS than in those with no history. However, there was no significant difference in the shear elastic moduli of other muscles. The results of this study suggest that flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior stiffness could be related to MTSS.

Disruption of human stratum corneum lipid structure by sodium dodecyl sulphate.

OBJECTIVE: Surfactants are major ingredients of body soaps and cleansers, and such harsh ones have been demonstrated to damage the skin. Stratum corneum (SC), the outermost barrier of the skin layer, is rich in intercellular lipids. This lipid structure can be disrupted by surfactants, impairing the barrier function of the skin. Thus, we investigated the surfactant-induced disruption of the intercellular lipid structure of human SC at the molecular level using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. METHODS: SC samples from the breast of female Caucasians were treated with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and analysed by small-angle and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. RESULTS: We found that an aqueous SDS solution affected the long lamellar structure, which became disorganized. The final disordered lipid state was reached through two or more types of structural change. We propose that the disordered lipid state results from incorporation of SDS into the long lamellar structure. In contrast, the lattice constants in the short lamellar and the hydrocarbon-chain packing structures remained almost unchanged after SDS treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the disruption of the long lamellar structure plays a key role in the damage to the SC caused by detergents. To our knowledge, this is the first report to clarify the details of the disorganization of the intercellular lipid structure upon surfactant application. The knowledge obtained herein may allow the development of skin restoration methods and cleanser products that do not affect skin barrier functions.

Unilateral ablation of trunk superficial neuromasts increases directional instability during steady swimming in the yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi.

Detailed swimming kinematics of the yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi were investigated after unilateral ablation of superficial neuromasts (SNs). Most kinematic variables, such as tail-beat frequency, stride length, caudal fin-beat amplitude and propulsive wavelength, were unaffected but lateral amplitude at the tip of the snout (A0 ) was significantly increased in SN-disrupted fish compared with sham-operated controls. In addition, the orientation of caudal fin-tip relative to the overall swimming direction of SN-disrupted fish was significantly deflected (two-fold) in comparison with sham-operated control fish. In some fish, SN disruption also led to a phase distortion of the propulsive body-wave. These changes would be expected to increase both hydrodynamic drag and thrust production which is consistent with the finding that SN-disrupted fish had to generate significantly greater thrust power when swimming at ≥1·3 fork lengths (LF ) s(-1) . In particular, hydrodynamic drag would increase as a result of any increase in rotational (yaw) perturbation and sideways slip resulting from the sensory disturbance. In conclusion, unilateral SN ablation produced directional instability of steady swimming and altered propulsive movements, suggesting a role for sensory feedback in correcting yaw and slip disturbances to maintain efficient locomotion.

Receptor-mediated cellular entry of nuclear localizing anti-DNA antibodies via myosin 1.

A unique subset of anti-DNA antibodies enters living cells, interacts with DNase 1, and inhibits endonuclease activity, before their nuclear localization and subsequent attenuation of apoptosis. We now report that endocytosis of these immunoglobulins is mediated by cell surface binding to brush border myosin (myosin 1). Cellular entry and internalization via this unique receptor provides initial contact for entry and sorting these immunoglobulins to translocate to the nuclear pore and enter the nucleus, interact with DNase 1 within the cytoplasm, or recycle back to the cell surface. This internalization pathway provides clues to the translocation of large proteins across cell membranes and the functional effects of intracellular antibodies on cytopathology. This is the first demonstration that brush border myosin functions as a specific cell surface receptor for internalization of large proteins.

Vibrational modes of flavin bound to riboflavin binding protein from egg white. Resonance Raman spectra of lumiflavin and 8-substituted riboflavin.

The resonance Raman (RR) spectra of 8-halogenated-riboflavin, 8-demethyl-riboflavin(8-H-RF), 8-amino-riboflavin(8-NH2-RF), 8-methoxy-riboflavin(8-OCH3-RF), lumiflavin, and 3-methyl-lumiflavin were observed. The Raman lines with the highest frequency are at 1624, 1620, and 1615 cm-1 for 8-chloro-riboflavin, 8-bromo-riboflavin, and 8-iodo-riboflavin, respectively. This systematic shift confirms that the 1631 cm-1 line of riboflavin is derived from the benzene part of isoalloxazine. Substitution at the 8-position by an amino or methoxy group, which has a large influence on the electronic structure of isoalloxazine, changes the RR spectrum markedly in comparison with that of 8-halogenated riboflavin. The 1583 cm-1 line of riboflavin, which involves the vibrational displacement of N(5) and C(4a) atoms of isoalloxazine, is shifted to the low frequency side by substitution at the 8-position with an amino or methoxy group. The corresponding line of 8-H-RF, on the contrary, shifts to the high frequency side. The RR spectrum of lumiflavin is very different from that of riboflavin in the range from 1200 to 1300 cm-1. Although the pi-electronic structure is little affected by the substitution at the 10-position, the Raman spectrum of lumiflavin in this region is very sensitive.

Increased hydroxyl radical generation by normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes incubated in sera from patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

The effect of sera from patients with untreated leukocytoclastic vasculitis was investigated on the generation of oxygen intermediates by normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Sera from untreated patients induced increased hydroxyl radical generation, which is one of the most potent oxidants capable of causing tissue damage. It is suggested that vascular injury may be mediated in part by enhanced production of hydroxyl radical by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Circulating immune complexes in the sera of the patients are considered to be one of the factors responsible for enhanced generation of hydroxyl radical.

Erythema multiforme: pathomechanism of papular erythema and target lesion.

Skin lesions of erythema multiforme show time-dependent changes from early papular erythema to the late target lesion which consists of a peripheral elevated erythematous area and a central depressed area. We investigated the pathomechanism of erythema multiforme, by examining the papular erythema and target lesion separately. In the early papular erythema, a small number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and nuclear debris were seen intermingled with mononuclear cells around the slightly swollen blood vessels, on which immunoglobulin and complement components were deposited. Circulating immune complex levels were occasionally elevated. Sera from the patients generated high levels of reactive oxygen species and nitroblue tetrazolium test revealed positive reaction on the infiltrating cells around the blood vessels. These findings suggest that the papular erythema develops via incomplete type III allergic reaction, followed by damage through reactive oxygen species. In the target lesion, the activity of histamine-N-methyltransferase, which is the major histamine-degrading enzyme, was markedly decreased in the peripheral elevated erythematous area and it was recovering in the central clearing area. ICAM-1 and HLA-DR antigens were expressed on the surfaces of the keratinocytes. An increased number of epidermal Langerhans cells and CD4 cell infiltration were observed in the peripheral elevated erythematous area, while a decreased number of epidermal Langerhans cells and CD8 cell infiltration in the central depressed area were observed. These findings suggest that impaired histamine metabolism and cellular allergic reactions play important roles in the development of the target lesion.

Antibody titer and clinical course of pemphigus.

The relationship between the titer of pemphigus antibody and the clinical course of the disease was investigated in 15 patients with various types of pemphigus. Although antibody titers generally ran parallel to fluctuations of the clinical course, the elevation of antibody titer appeared to follow the re-appearance or exacerbation of the lesions on 10 occasions in 6 patients, while it appeared to precede the latter only on 2 occasions in 2 patients. In addition, the disappearance of the antibody was considerably delayed after disappearance of skin lesions in 2 cases. These findings suggest that the pemphigus antibody is the result of skin damage, rather than the cause of pemphigus itself.

Studies on protein nutrition of Papua New Guinea highlanders: nitrogen balance and hematological studies.

Studies were made in August 1978 on the N-balance and hematological characteristics of 18 men living in the village of Kalugaluvi (altitude: 1,500m) near Lufa, which is 60km from Goroka, in the Eastern Highland Province of Papua New Guinea. The average daily protein intake on 3 consecutive days was 95.2 +/- 29.3 mgN/kg (35.2 +/- 10.7 g protein/day), and 32.6 +/- 18.7% of the total protein intake was in the form of animal proteins. The calculated nutritional value of the dietary protein, scored according to the 1973 FAO/WHO pattern, was 83.7 +/- 10.6. Urinary and fecal N excretions during the same period were 81.9 +/- 18.7 and 26.3 +/- 11.8 mgN/kg, respectively, giving a nitrogen balance of -13.5 +/- 24.9 mgN/kg. From N-balance data on individuals, the N-intake for maintenance of a zero N-balance was estimated as 116.3 +/- 48.6 mgN/kg (mean 95% confidence interval). Hematological data showed normal or rather high values for hemoglobin (16.90 +/- 1.05 g/100 ml) and serum proteins (8.05 +/- 0.40 g/100 ml). The increased level of serum proteins was associated with an increased globulin level.

Selection of specific phage from display libraries: monoclonal antibody against VCS M13 helper phage coat protein III (gIIIp).

Screening of specific phage is often hampered by nonspecific binding either of the VCS M13 helper phage to the solid phase absorbent or to the polyclonal antibodies used for selection. The former is improved by increasing the stringency for selection. However, the available polyclonal anti-VCS M13 antibodies often react with immobilized antigen nonspecifically, making it difficult to distinguish between positive and negative clones. To improve this selection process, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) was produced which recognizes ligand-coat protein three (gIIIp) on the helper phage VCS M13. This MAb is highly sensitive and specific, and it is useful for selecting relevant clones. This reagent should find widespread application in identifying interactive clones from a variety of phage display libraries.

[Clinical efficacy of ceftriaxone when administered once daily for respiratory tract infections in patients with advanced ages].

Ceftriaxone (CTRX), a new third generation cephalosporin, was investigated upon once daily administration for its clinical efficacy and safety on respiratory tract infections in patients with advanced ages. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Clinical responses to CTRX of 48 cases of advanced age patients with respiratory tract infections were good with an efficacy rate of 89.6%. 2. Adverse reactions to CTRX were mainly exanthema in 7 cases (14.6%). 3. Serum levels of CTRX were determined in 4 cases after intravenous drip infusion of 2 g CTRX. Serum levels were analyzed by one-compartment model. There was no evidence of accumulation of CTRX in the patients with advanced ages.

[Two cases of tubercle bacilli infected pulmonary bulla].

Two cases of tubercle bacilli infected bulla are reported. Case 1; A 78-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of fever and chest pain. The chest radiograph revealed the bulla with air fluid level in the left upper lung field. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in the fluid obtained by percutaneous lung aspiration. He was treated with anti-mycobacterial drugs and showed improvement. Case 2; A 66-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of fever, chest pain and dry cough. The chest radiograph revealed the bulla with air fluid level in the left upper lung field. A diagnosis of tubercle bacilli infected bulla was considered because of high level of ADA in the fluid obtained by percutaneous lung aspiration, and anti-mycobacterial drugs were administered. His symptoms were improved and the frequent chest radiograph showed gradual absorption of the fluid. It is suggested that ADA and bacteriological examinations of the fluid obtained by percutaneous lung aspiration are useful for early diagnosis of tubercle bacilli infected bulla.

[Correlations among the renal parenchymal components and renal function with IgA-GN; age related changes].

To clarify and evaluate the changes by aging to renal parenchyma of IgA nephropathy with normal renal function (serum creatinine levels less than or equal to 1.5 mg/dl), we compared morphological findings and renal function in 100 adult patients with IgA nephropathy similarly distributed in each decade of age including over 60 y.o.. The following histological parameters were investigated; glomerular sclerotic index calculated a mean for total glomeruli, tubulointerstitial damage or interstitial volume measured by the point-counting method, luminal narrowing index by intimal thickening of arterioles determined morphometry. Tubulointerstitial damages were significantly correlated to aging with a direct linear worsening. Luminal narrowing of arterioles rapidly worsened with age after 40 y.o. who were frequently associated with chronic hypertension. The patients over 60 y.o. had a significant correlation between luminal narrowing of arterioles and glomerular sclerotic index, though those were statistically no related in patients less than 60 y.o.. Glomerular sclerotic index was significantly related with tubulointerstitial damage at all decades except for thirtieth decade. Serum creatinine level was well correlated with glomerular sclerotic index and tubulointerstitial damage, respectively; increase of those indices may indicate poor prognosis. We concluded that ischemic glomerular sclerosis by mean narrowing of afferent arterioles may appear after 60 y.o., probably due to insufficiency of autoregulation for glomerular circulation. Luminal narrowing of arterioles in patients less than 60 y.o. may not reflect to be a main cause for ischemic damage of glomerulus. Therefore it may not be a indicator for renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy less than 60 y.o.

[Glomerular ultrastructures and prognosis of the patients with urinary abnormalities found by school screening program].

Detailed histopathological study were performed and compared with clinical features in 120 children with serial renal biopsies who were found by school screening program. 41 cases (34.2%) of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), 26 cases (21.7%) of thin membrane disease (TMD) and 22 cases (18.3%) of normal glomeruli [( Normal]) accounted for 74.2% of all biopsies. 81 cases (67.5%) were revealed to be minor glomerular abnormalities by light microscopy and which contained 26 cases (32.1%) of TMD, 22 cases (27.2%) of [Normal] and 19 cases (23.4%) of IgAN. The frequency and the severity of proteinuria was significantly higher in IgAN than in TMD and [Normal] (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05). Hematuria was significantly greater in [Normal] than in IgAN. In the 71 follow-up cases, no patient went to renal insufficiency, moreover, urinary abnormalities had disappeared in 25.4% of the patients including IgAN, TMD, [Normal], nonIgA proliferative glomerulonephritis, incomplete foot process disease and MPGN. [Normal] consisted of stationary or exercised urinary abnormality.

[Percutaneous drainage of a bulla with tuberculous infection in a patient].

A 63-year-old man complaining of low grade fever and dry cough was admitted to our hospital. Chest X-ray showed infiltrative shadows and a bulla with a fluid level in the left upper lung field. Bacteriological examination of sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not yield any diagnostic results. Percutaneous aspiration of the bulla under fluoroscopy was performed. Bulla with tuberculous infection was considered because a high ADA level was detected in the fluid of the bulla. A culture of the bulla fluid was positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), which was sensitive to all anti-mycobacterial drugs. The fluid in the bulla gradually increased, and occupied the entire space of the bulla three months later. Percutaneous aspiration of the bulla was performed again and a fluid smear was positive for TB. It was thought that systemic administration of anti-mycobacterial drugs had been ineffective, so percutaneous drainage and subsequent injection of anti-mycobacterial drugs into the bulla was performed. The fluid in the bulla subsequently disappeared and the bulla shrank gradually. Percutaneous drainage of a bulla with tuberculous infection should be considered in those who do not respond to medical management.

[A comparative study of the prognosis for Japanese patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia or BOOP based on histopathologic subsets].

We explored the prognosis for 123 patients with either idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) or bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). All patients underwent either open lung biopsy or thoracoscopic lung biopsy procedures. The histopathologic diagnosis of IIP included patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and desquamative interstitial pneumonia with respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease. The prognosis was poorest for patients with a histologic diagnosis of UIP, and excellent for those who received a diagnosis of BOOP. Although the prognosis is generally considered to be good for patients with NSIP, some NSIP patients in our study died. Histopathologic diagnosis based on surgical lung biopsy is useful in evaluating the prognosis for patients with IIP.

Nuclear proteins involved in cell division in the ciliate, Tetrahymena.

For the purpose of clarifying the presence of nuclear proteins which may induce cell division, we conducted experiments using ciliate Tetrahymena which can be synchronized at the G2 phase in the cell cycle easily by periodic heat shock treatment (HST): We obtained proteins from the nuclei isolated from the cells grown at the early mid log-phase, at the G2 phase (60 min) and at the G1 phase (150 min), after HST. The proteins were studied by comparing the spots separated by isoelectric point, 10-20% gradient SDS two-dimensional electrophoresis. As a result, in comparison with the intranuclear protein at the log-phase, the proteins at the G2 phase showed a marked increase, but with no great change in the electrophoretic pattern. Meanwhile, the proteins at the G1 phase differed greatly from those at the G2 phase not only in the quantitative changes, but in the electrophoretic patterns. It is considered that the level of the accumulation of the nuclear proteins which should be closely involved in cell division must increase markedly at the G2 phase and decrease at the G1 phase. We confirmed the presence of four proteins: pI 5.8 MW 68 kDa, pI 6.1 MW 75 kDa, pI 8.6 MW 48 kDa and pI 6.6 MW 57 kDa, and then prepared monoclonal antibodies using these nuclear proteins as antigens. Among them, the antibody (IgM) against the pI 8.6 MW 48 kDa polypeptide (p48) was recognized the nuclei by indirect immunofluorescence in ancellular system at the S, G2 and the mid-M phases. However, nuclei at the late M and G1 phases were not stained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)