The effects of calcium antagonists and prostaglandin El on isolated canine coronary arterial tension

The effects of calcium antagonists (nifedipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, and verapamil) and prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) on the tension of isolated canine coronary arterial strips were studies. In a solution containing 20 mEq/L of K⁺, 127 mEq/L of Na⁺, the tension was increased by 500–1,000 mg with 4 mEq/L of Ca²⁺. This increase in tension was suppressed by Ca-antagonists and PGE₁ dose-dependently. Nifedipine 10^–5 M, nicardipine 3 X 10^–7 M, diltiazem 3 X 10^–6 M, and verapamil 3 X 10^–6 M completely suppressed the increased tension. The maximal suppression of the tension produced by PGE₁ was about 40% at 10^–10 M. In 20 mEq/L K⁺ solution (0 mEq/L Ca²⁺, 37°C), the reduction of the Na⁺ concentrations from 127 mEq/L to 12 mEq/L increased the tension by 50 to 100 mg. This increase in tension was not suppressed by Ca-antagonists or PGEI. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Ca-antagonists and PGE₁ suppressed an increase in the tension caused by Ca²⁺ but did not suppress an increase in the tension caused by Na⁺ reduction.     

A decrease in the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid from patients with temporomandibular disorders

BACKGROUND: The molecular weight (MW) of hyaluronic acid (HA) in joints generally declines in inflammatory arthritis. As inflammation exists in certain temporomandibular disorders (TMD), we measured the MW of HA in synovial fluid (SF) recovered from patients with TMD and compared it with that from normal controls. METHODS: Synovial fluid was obtained from patients with TMD (21 TMJs) and normal controls (5 TMJs). The MW of HA was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: In the controls, the MW of HA in SF exceeded the detection limit, 3000 kDa. In contrast, 19 (90.5%) of 21 SF samples from patients showed a decreased MW of HA. The median MW of HA (1570 kDa) in TMD was significantly lower than that in the controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The MW of HA in SF from patients with TMD is decreased.     

A rare case of a pancreatic tumor in association with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a well-known complication in malignancy, especially small cell carcinoma of the lung. However its association with pancreatic carcinoma is rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 9 cases have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 90 year-old woman with pancreatic carcinoma who developed SIADH.     

Increased incidence of dog-bite injuries after the Fukushima nuclear accident

Objective

The objective of this study is to assess the localized incidence of dog bites following the nuclear accident related to the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.

Methods

We identified the patients with dog bites in our hospital in Minamisoma City, Fukushima, during the period from 1 year prior to the earthquake to 3.5 months following it, and calculated the monthly and weekly incidence proportions by dividing the patient number by the total emergency room visits. We also analyzed the data by the characteristics of the patients.

Results

We identified 27 dog-bite cases during the post-disaster period. The median monthly incidence proportion during the pre-disaster period and the highest monthly incidence proportion during the post-disaster period were 0.21 and 6.50 per 100 visits, respectively. The weekly incidence proportion peaked at 3 weeks after the earthquake and thereafter decreased to the baseline level.

Conclusion

The Fukushima nuclear accident may be associated with an increased incidence of dog bites, and the prolonged evacuation in response to the radiation contamination may have prolonged the increased incidence after the disaster. Physicians and local residents should recognize this potential hazard. Countermeasures to contend with this risk should be a mandatory aspect of disaster preparedness, including for nuclear accidents.     

Perspectives on a new educational system for dental hygiene students in Japan

The purpose of this article is to report changes to dental hygiene education in Japan and to evaluate the successful implementation of these changes in 2010. The legislative change that began in 2005 revised the length of education for dental hygiene students from two years to three or four years (the mandate was three years), which has led to a dramatic change in program curriculum. After a five-year moratorium, a new curriculum has been established for dental hygiene education in Japan. The new curriculum provides students the requisite knowledge to effectively perform the latest dental hygiene procedures. Although the change of the educational system from the present mandatory three-year to the new four-year programs poses many administrative problems, we believe this shift will ultimately provide a more thorough and in-depth education for students.     

Induction of HLA-DQ antigen expression on a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60

A variant strain of HL-60, which is positive for HLA-DR antigen, was induced to express HLA-DQ antigen following treatment with phorbol esther. It was preceded by cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and was accompanied by augmented phagocytosis. This differential expression of HLA class II antigens on this subline may contribute to understanding the functional role of HLA class II antigens in the hematopoietic differentiation of macrophage cells.     

Concurrent Poststreptococcal Acute Glomerulonephritis and Schonlein-Henoch Purpura

A 5-year-old Japanese boy developed concurrent poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritk (PSAGN) and Schonlein-Henoch purpura (SHP). An elevated titer of ASK on admission confiied the preceding streptococcal infection. Arthritis of the left knee and petechiae on admission were regarded as features of SHP. The presence of SHP was further confiied by the pathological fmding of leukocytoclastic vasculitk in the skin. PSACN was strongly suspected due to the sndings of microscopic hematuria and hypocomplementemia in the acute phase. The concwrence of SHP and PSAGN suggests similar underlying pathophys iological processes as poststreptococcal sequelae. At the height of the illness, peripheral blood lymphocyte subset analysis showed a marked increase in the suppressor inducer T subset and a reciprocal decrease in the helper T subset. lhis alteration in T lymphocyte subsets was regarded as indicative of the immunological derangement in this patient.