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Determination was made of step length, stride width, time factors and deviation in the center of pressure during up- and downslope walking in 17 healthy men between the ages of 19 and 34 using a force plate. Slope inclinations were set at 3, 6, 9 and 12 degrees. At 12 degrees, walking speed, the product of step length and cadence, decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) in both up- and downslope walking. The most conspicuous phenomenon in upslope walking was in cadence. The steeper the slope, the smaller was the cadence. The most conspicuous phenomenon in downslope walking was in step length. The steeper the slope, the shorter was the step length.

Dynamic CT scans were conducted on 94 persons who had been randomly selected among the patients and the volunteers. The test results were used to obtain the time-density curve. A part of the subjects (20 cases) underwent the renogram examination for the comparative studies. The cortico-aortic (CA) ratio derived from the time-density curve demonstrated good correlation between the dynamic CT and the renal function (r = 0.68). When the dynamic CT studies and the renogram were compared, the vascular phase of the renogram showed strong correlation with CA ratio. Consequently the dynamic CT study the CA ratio was believed to demonstrate the renal function.

The cardioprotective effect of calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine (TFP) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7) was examined on the isolated rat heart exposed to hypothermic and ischemic conditions by measuring distribution of lysosomal enzymes in myocardial cells, and leakage of creatine kinase (CK) during reperfusion and postischemic recovery in myocardial systolic function. Experimental hearts were infused with 20 degrees C Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (KHB) or KHB containing TFP or W-7 for 2min every 30min during hypothermic ischemia. After ischemia for 120min at 20 degrees C, rat hearts were reperfused at 37 degrees C for 30min. TFP and W-7 improved functional recovery and prevented CK release. In TFP treated hearts, leakage of lysosomal enzymes was reduced significantly, whereas stabilization of lysosomes by W-7 did not occur. These results suggest that calcium-calmodulin dependent enzymes may play an important role in the development of cellular damage of the myocardium during hypothermic ischemia, although levels of leakage of lysosomal enzymes may be unreliable predictors of functional recovery after hypothermic ischemia.</P>

A monoclonal antibody (MAb), OPT1, reactive with T cells in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, has been identified through immunization with activated T cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The antibody is an IgG1 antibody as demonstrated by the Ouchterlony technique. By cytofluorometric analysis, almost all CD3+ lymphocytes and only a few CD20+ lymphocytes of peripheral blood expressed the OPT1 antigen. Nonhematolymphoid cell lines were negative for OPT1 by the immunoperoxidase staining using acetone-fixed cell lines. On the contrary, peripheral T cells, cells of two T cell lines out of four and a part of the cells of one B cell line out of two were positive for OPT1. The immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin-embedded tissue sections revealed that most of lymphocytes in T cell areas of lymph nodes expressed OPT1 antigen. Some lymphocytes in both cortex and medulla of the thymus and erythroid precursors of the bone marrow were OPT1+. In the malignant lymphoma series, approximately 90% of T cell lymphomas and 6% of B cell lymphomas reacted with OPT1. None of the Reed-Sternberg cells nor Hodgkin cells in Hodgkin's disease were positive. Consequently, OPT1 may be useful for the diagnosis and study of malignant lymphomas and other related lesions.</P>

The role of alpha-1 adrenergic mechanism in the shaking stress-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and plasma noradrenaline secretion and pressor response were investigated using conscious rats. We also studied whether or not central corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) is involved in the shaking stress-induced ACTH secretion. The shaking stress caused significant elevations of plasma ACTH, noradrenaline, and systolic blood pressure. Intra-third ventricular administration of alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, bunazosin, inhibited the shaking stress-induced ACTH secretion, but did not alter stress-induced noradrenaline secretion and pressor response. Furthermore, intra-third ventricular administration of CRH antagonist, alpha-helical CRH, significantly attenuated stress-induced ACTH secretion. These results indicate that alpha-1 adrenergic pathway and CRH at least partly mediate the shaking stress-induced ACTH secretion.</P>

We studied the pathways of complement activation associated with the islet cell surface antibody (ICSA) obtained from sera of 7 patients (age less than 15 years) with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The target cells were 51CR labelled rat islet cells and the complement source was human AB serum. Complement-dependent antibody mediated cytotoxicity (CAMC activity) was obtained using the percentage of cytotoxicity. CAMC activity of untreated sera was significantly inhibited by treating with EGTA or EDTA (p less than 0.001). The CAMC activity of EDTA-treated sera was significantly lower than that of EGTA-treated sera (p less than 0.001). In the inactivated human AB serum, it was lower than that of EGTA-treated sera (p less than 0.05), but not different from that of EDTA-treated sera. These results show that the complement activation associated with ICSA in patients occurred not only via the classical pathway but also via the alternative pathway.

Previously, we pointed out the importance of the kynurenine metabolism in fetuses and neonates. We examined localization and developmental change of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in human placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was found localized in syncytiotrophoblast in the placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not detected in placenta in the early stage of gestation. It was first detected at around 14 weeks of gestation, increased rapidly thereafter and was maintained at high levels till near term. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was significantly lower in placenta with retarded intrauterine development. These results suggest the importance of placental indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase during fetal development.</P>

<P>The tissue concentration of doxorubicin (adriamycin; ADM) and its major metabolite (aglycone I) was examined in mice pretreated with alpha-tocopherol (VE) or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ). In VE-pretreated group, the concentrations of aglycone I of the liver (1, 3 and 5 h after the administration), kidney (1 and 3h) and heart (3h) were significantly higher than those in the saline group. The clinical application of VE or CoQ concomitant with anti-tumor drugs especially ADM, requires caution.

<P>Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL) is a distinctive clinical entity, albeit it comprises several diseases with histologically heterogeneous diagnoses. We studied prognostic factors on 30 patients diagnosed and treated at Shikoku Cancer Center Hospital. Clinical findings and laboratory data were evaluated by statistical analysis to investigate the important factors influencing survival duration. Variables influencing survival were stage, leukemic change, bone marrow infiltration (BMI), anti-human T-lymphocyte virus-type I antibody, white blood cell count, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Multivariate analysis revealed high level of LDH and positive BMI as the important factors for short survival. Histological classifications of the Working Formulation and the T-lymphoma classification by Suchi et al. were also evaluated whether these were related with prognosis. Our data revealed that there was no significant relationship between histological subtype and survival duration. The study of prognostic factors provides valuable aids for us to understand the clinical characteristics of PTL patients with various backgrounds.

In order to clarify difference of the mucosal immunity in various sites of normal large and small intestines, we studied the population of lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells in situ in biopsy specimens taken from various sites (ascending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum) of the large intestine and from the duodenum using an immunohistochemical method. Monoclonal antibodies against pan-T (Leu 1), cytotoxic/suppressor T (Leu2a), helper/inducer T (Leu3a), suppressor T (Leu15) and natural killer/K (Leu7) cells, and polyclonal antibodies to human IgG, IgA and IgM were used. In the duodenum, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were more prominent than in the large intestine. Immunoelectron microscopic observation revealed that some Leu2a+ IELs possessed pseudopods extending into intestinal epithelial cells, indicating that some IELs belong to the cytotoxic T cell subset. Leu7+ IELs were scarcely observed and Leu7+/Leu1+ ratio was higher in the large intestine than in the duodenum. Furthermore, the number of Leu7+ cells were more in the distal than the proximal colon. In the lamina propria Ig-containing cells tended to be fewer in the rectum than in the duodenum and the proximal colon. Our findings may suggest the variation of local immune responses and the difference of assigned immunological functions among the various sites of the intestines.

Some mechanisms to reduce methemoglobin (metHb) formation for the maintenance of normal oxygen transport have been proposed. To study the role of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), metHb formation in the hemolysate of normal and Japanese acatalasemic human subjects were examined spectrophotometrically. Significantly increased level of metHb was induced by potassium ferrocyanide in the hemolysate of acatalasemic subject. The addition of catalase reduced the metHb formation, while 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT), a specific inhibitor of catalase-H2O2 compound I, increased it. These results obtained from human subjects were well consistent with those from mice and suggested that catalase plays a role in protecting erythrocytes against metHb formation.

We investigated the antitumor activities of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR), 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) and 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (FT-207) in combination with hyperthermia in vitro. The antitumor effect of 5-FU (10(-4) M) was slightly enhanced by combination with hyperthermia (42 degrees C) for 2h, and the effect was determined to be additive. Synergistic enhancement of antitumor activity was obtained by the concurrent use of hyperthermia (42 degrees C, 2h) and 5'-DFUR (10(-4) M) or HCFU (10(-5) M). However, the antitumor effect of FT-207 (10(-4) M) in combination with hyperthermia was comparable that of hyperthermia alone. The synergistic enhancement of antitumor activity was not obtained for all drugs when the cells were preheated at 42 degrees C for 2h. On the other hand, when cells were pretreated with drugs before heat exposure, weak interactions were obtained after 5-FU and 5'-DFUR treatment, and a synergistic interaction was obtained after HCFU treatment. It is speculated that the metabolites of 5'-DFUR and HCFU enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-FU, or might change the threshold concentration for a cytotoxic effect of 5-FU in cancer cells.

Twenty-seven previously untreated patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer were treated with a 3-drug combination of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and vindesine as a phase II study. Patients received ifosfamide, 1.3g/m2, on days 1 to 5; cisplatin, 20mg/m2, on days 1 to 5; and vindesine, 3mg/m2, on days 1 and 8; with a sufficient parenteral hydration. Courses were repeated every 4 weeks. Twenty males and seven females with a median age of 61 years were treated and fully evaluated. Five patients had stage IIIA, seven had stage IIIB, and 15 had stage IV disease. One patient with adenocarcinoma achieved a complete response and 16 achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate of 63% (95% confidence limit: 45% to 81%). The median duration of response was 34 weeks (range: 9 to 52 weeks). The median survival time was 58 weeks for patients with IIIA/B disease, and 33 weeks for those with IV disease. The major toxicity was myelosuppression, however, it was generally well-tolerated. These results indicate that the 3-drug combination is active against non-small cell lung cancer and warrants further clinical trials.

To gain further insight into the central nervous system (CNS)-action of beta-adrenergic blocking agents (beta-blockers), we examined the effects of various kinds of beta-blockers on opioid receptors (Op-Rs) using radiolabeled receptor assay (RRA). We demonstrated that beta-blockers are competitively bound to Op-Rs in the CNS. Sodium index of beta-blockers in [3H]naloxone binding study indicated that beta-blockers had the mixed agonist-antagonist activity of opiates. The relative potency of beta-blockers in opioid RRA was negatively correlated with their membrane stabilizing activity. Neither beta-blocking activity nor intrinsic sympathomimetic activity was correlated with IC50 values of beta-blockers in opioid RRA. While it is widely accepted that beta-blockers have a tranquilizing activity, a part of the tranquilizing action of beta-blockers may be mediated through Op-Rs in the CNS. Although beta-blockers may have effects on their own receptors (beta-receptors) in the CNS, the more precise mechanisms of central action of these drugs must be further investigated.

A centrifugal pump was successfully used as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in a 54-year-old female who developed cardiogenic shock following open heart surgery. Cardiac index prior to the LVAD support was 1.4 l/min/m2 and increased to 3.0 l/min/m2 at removal of the device, which assisted for 88h. She resumed her daily activity 10 months after the operation and is in New York Heart Association functional class I.

A monoclonal antibody (MAb-1E7), generated against bovine retinal homogenate, labeled the outer and inner segment layers of the vertebrate retina. Immuno-electron microscopic observation clearly demonstrated that antigen(s) bound by MAb-1E7 was localized in the cell membrane of the outer segment and the distal portion of the inner segment. Western blot analysis revealed that MAb-1E7 recognized 40 kD- and 27 kD-polypeptides. Mouse retina with hereditary photoreceptor degeneration (C3H/He and CBA strains) did not involve the MAb-1E7 immunoreactive structures. The present immunocytochemical observation demonstrated that MAb-1E7 was highly specific to the outer segment of the photoreceptor cells and, therefore, can be a useful marker for the cells.

Effects of Gabexate mesilate (GM) (([ethyl-4-(6-guanidino hexanoyloxy) benzoate] methane sulfonate)), a protease inhibitor, on the activities of catalase in liver, erythrocytes and reticulocytes from acatalasemic mice were examined. Preincubation without GM at 37 degrees C for 160 min lowered the catalase activities of liver, erythrocytes and reticulocytes from acatalasemic mice, to 24%, 40% and 10% of the initial levels, respectively. But, preincubation with GM at 37 degrees C for 160 min delayed the rapid decrease in activities of residual catalases in the liver, erythrocytes and reticulocytes of acatalasemic mice to 65%, 93% and 85% of the initial values, respectively. At 20 degrees C or below, no reduction in catalase activity of reticulocytes from acatalasemic mice occurred with or even without GM. At pH 5.0, the decrease in catalase activity of acatalasemic mice was small both in the presence and the absence of GM. In the alkaline range, the reduction in the enzyme activity of the mutant mice without GM was enhanced with increase in pH values up to 8.5. But the presence of GM during preincubation at pH 7.5, retained the catalase activity of acatalasemic mice, to 64% of the activity at pH 6.5. These data suggest that some factors affected by GM, might be responsible for the low stability and activity of catalase in the acatalasemic mice.

L-Dopa and three catecholamines in the amniotic fluid before and after labor were measured to confirm the amniotic fluid catecholamine levels at the end of gestation. L-Dopa values were higher than those of three catecholamines, and dopamine which was the predominant catecholamine, rose significantly after the onset of labor. Then, to evaluate the effects of L-dopa or dopamine on prostaglandin synthesis, strips of human decidua vera obtained from fetal membranes at the time of elective cesarean sections before the onset of labor were incubated in Krebs-Ringer buffer in the presence of L-dopa or dopamine. When L-dopa was added, the net production of prostaglandin(PG)F was significantly greater than that of the control at each incubation time. On the other hand, the significant rise was observed only after 10 min of incubation for PGE2 production. Dopamine had a stimulatory effect on PGF synthesis only after 15 and 30 min of incubation, and it also stimulated the release of PGE2 at each incubation time. These results suggest that dopamine and L-dopa in amniotic fluid stimulate the production of prostaglandin by the decidua in humans.