Ethnic differences in serum pepsinogen levels among Japanese and non-Japanese Brazilian gastric cancer patients and controls

A low level of serum pepsinogen I (Pg I) is a risk factor for gastric cancer (GC); low levels of Pg I and the pepsinogen ratio (Pg I:Pg II) are correlated with chronic atrophic gastritis. We report serum Pg levels and compare the degree of association with GC among Japanese and non-Japanese Brazilians. Sera were cross-sectionally ascertained from 93 Japanese Brazilian patients category matched by age and sex with 110 controls, and 228 non-Japanese Brazilian patients individually matched by age and sex with one control. Among non-Japanese Brazilians, GC was associated with a Pg I level <30 ng/ml (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-3.8) and a Pg I:Pg II ratio < 3.0 (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.2-5.3). However, among Japanese Brazilians, the association was present with a level of Pg I < 30 ng/ml (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9-6.3), and was weak with a Pg I:Pg II ratio < 3.0 (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.73-2.4). Serum Pg I may be preferred to the Pg I:Pg II ratio to study the association between Pg and GC among Japanese Brazilians.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of S-100 protein in cultured rat glioma cells

Summary Immunoelectron microscopic localization of the nervous system specific protein S-100 in the cultured rat glioma cells was successfully conducted by an unique immunocytochemical technique using peroxidase-labeled antigen binding Fab' fragments.The intensely electron dense reaction product for S-100 protein was localized mainly at ribosome granules associated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes and at free ribosome granules. S-100 protein was also associated to some extent with the cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes. A positive reaction was localized at the nuclear pores as if it were being prevented from entering into the nucleus. No activity was found in the nucleoplasm except for a slightly positive reaction product associated with nucleolus. The possible role for S-100 protein in neural cells was discussed in relation to the nuclear acidic proteins involved in genomic regulation.     

Effects of naloxone on stress-induced analgesia after hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether endogenous opioids might be involved in the mechanisms that underlie hemorrhagic shock-induced analgesia, formalin tests were performed after hemorrhage and reinfusion in naloxone pretreated and untreated rats. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n = 6), saline (n = 6), naloxone 10 mg/kg (n = 6), and naloxone 100 mg/kg (n = 6) groups. The mean blood pressure (mBP) was kept at 50 to 60 mm Hg for 30 minutes by draining arterial blood in the saline group and the naloxone groups. After 15 minutes of returning mBP to normal levels by reinfusion of the drained shed blood, 10% formalin (3.7% formaldehyde solution, 0.1 mL) was injected into the left rear paw. Nociceptive behaviors were observed for 1 hour after the formalin injection. RESULTS: Nociceptive behaviors of the posthemorrhagic shock groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. No significant difference was seen in nociceptive behaviors among the saline and naloxone groups. CONCLUSION: Naloxone did not reverse the hemorrhagic shock-induced analgesia, which suggests that endogenous opioids might not be a major factor that governs stress-induced analgesia (SIA) after hemorrhagic shock.     

Acute subdural hematoma after intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke--case report

A 79-year-old man with a cardiac pacemaker for bradycardia fell down and presented with sudden onset of right hemiplegia and aphasia. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed no cerebral infarction but angiography revealed occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Local intra-arterial thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; tisokinase, 1,600,000 units) was performed 3 hours after the onset, and the MCA was partially recanalized. Further administration of tPA was suspended because of nosebleed. However, the patient's neurological findings did not improve. His consciousness gradually deteriorated to coma and quadriplegia with dilation of the left pupil 2.5 hours after thrombolysis. CT disclosed marked mass effect with a left acute subdural hematoma and a small intracerebral hematoma in the left frontal lobe. He underwent urgent craniotomy and removal of the subdural hematoma. The subdural hematoma originated in a frontal cerebral contusion. He died of severe brain edema 2 days after surgery. Acute subdural hematoma is a very rare complication of intra-arterial thrombolysis. Presumably he had suffered head trauma at the first onset. Evidence of head trauma should be considered a contraindication for the use of thrombolytic agents in a patient with acute stroke.     

Quantitative analysis of magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility artifacts caused by neurosurgical biomaterials: comparison of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla magnetic fields

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an important diagnostic tool for neurosurgical diseases but susceptibility artifacts caused by biomaterial instrumentation frequently causes difficulty in visualizing postoperative changes. The susceptibility artifacts caused by neurosurgical biomaterials were compared quantitatively by 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla MR imaging. MR imaging of uniform size and shape of pieces ceramic (zirconia), pure titanium, titanium alloy, and cobalt-based alloy was performed at 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla. A linear region of interest was defined across the center of the biomaterial in the transverse direction, and the susceptibility artifact diameter was calculated. Susceptibility artifacts developed around all biomaterials at all magnetic field strengths. The artifact diameters caused by pure titanium, titanium alloy, and cobalt-based alloy increased in the order of 0.5, 1.5, to 3.0 Tesla magnetic fields. The artifact diameter of ceramic was not influenced by magnetic field strength, and was the smallest of all biomaterials at all magnetic field strengths. The artifacts caused by biomaterials except ceramic increase with the magnetic field strength. Ceramic instrumentation will minimize artifacts in all magnetic fields.     

Colonic stricture secondary to hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Escherichia coli O-157

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) is known to be one of the main causes of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Of the secondary complications of HUS, colonic stricture is relatively rare. We herein report on a Japanese girl that demonstrated sigmoid colon stricture secondary to HUS caused by an infection of E. coli O-157. Severe HUS occurred after the E. coli O-157 infection, so hemodialysis was performed due to renal failure. However, 1 month after recovery from HUS, abdominal symptoms occurred. A contrast study in the colon revealed a sigmoid colon stricture. The stricture was operatively resected. Thereafter, her postoperative course was uneventful. We also review the occurrence of this complication secondary to HUS in the literature.