Comparative study of G- and D-cell population in the dog stomach

Since somatostatin is a local hormone controlling gastric acid secretion and gastrin release, quantitative histopological distribution of the G-cells and D-cells in the canine whole stomach was investigated by the specific immunoperoxidase staining technique. The G-cells were identified only in the pyloric antrum and the estimated total number of G-cells was 15.5 X 10(6) cells. Most of the D-cells were also found in the pyloric antrum but a few were found scattered diffusely throughout body and fundus of the stomach. The estimated total number of D-cells was 11 X 10(6) cells in the pyloric antrum and 4 X 10(6) cells in the corpus and fundus. The G-/D-cell ratio in the antrum was 1.4:1. The number of G-cells as well as D-cells per unit mucosal surface area was significantly higher on the greater curvature and the proximal part of the antrum than on other areas of the antrum. Thus, the pattern of distribution in G-cells was similar to that of D-cells and there was a highly significant correlation between G- and D-cells per unit mucosal surface area. It would appear that under normal conditions, the number of G- and D-cells in the antrum are in good balance and may play an important role in the control mechanisms related to gastric secretion.     

Surgical treatments of adult chronic sinusitis--a study by questionnaire from 434 hospitals in Japan]

Information concerning surgical treatment of adult patients with chronic sinusitis was obtained through questionnaires from 434 hospitals in Japan. The hospitals were authorized for an in-service otorhinolaryngological training institute by the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan. The questionnaires were sent to the hospitals in December, 1989, and answers were obtained from 370 hospitals within 2 months, an 85.3% response rate. The following results were obtained. In 96.2% of the hospitals, permaxillary sinus surgery was performed on patients whose maxillary and ethmoid lesions were severe. With moderate lesions of both the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses, permaxillary sinus surgery and endonasal sinus surgery were performed in 76.0% and 24.9%, respectively. Application of an endoscope for sinus surgery was reported by 89 hospitals. In January, 1990, a further survey was sent to the 89 hospitals where endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 75 hospitals. Rigid endoscope was used most frequently and operative microscope was also used. Endoscopy was applied to all of the sinus surgery procedures in 21.6%, and to a portion of the procedures in 74.3% of the hospitals. About 50% of the hospitals performed endoscopic surgery in fewer than 30% of sinus surgery cases. When questioned as whether endoscopic surgery had been successful, 42.6% said yes, 10.7% said no, and 42.6% were unsure.     

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine in a patient with a choking feeling in the esophagus]

A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of a choking feeling around the esophagus. Laboratory examinations revealed eosinophilia, and high levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E. A computed tomography scan (CT) showed wall thickening of the esophagus and terminal ileum, and ascites around the liver. An endoscopic examination revealed mild mucosal edema in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Biopsy specimens showed diffuse eosinophilic infiltration in the mucosa. We therefore diagnosed eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Oral prednisolone relieved clinical conditions and the CT image improved. This case was considered valuable, because there have been few reports of eosinophilic esophagitis in Japan.     

Amino acid residues conferring the nucleotide binding properties of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase (renin binding protein)

Our recent studies have demonstrated that the middle domain of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) 2-epimerase participates in the specificity for and binding of nucleotides. To identify the residue conferring nucleotide binding, amino acid substitutions were introduced in the human and rat GlcNAc 2-epimerases. The mutational analyses indicate that residue 171 of GlcNAc 2-epimerase is critical for the nucleotide binding of GlcNAc 2-epimerase.