Indirect estimation of filtration variables in rat lungs calculated by protein concentration or osmotic pressure method

We reported a new way for estimating filtration variables: K(filtration coefficient), Ppmv (perimicrovascular pressure) and sigma (protein reflection coefficient), from 3 different measurements of weight gain at two protein concentrations of perfusate (Cmv) and at two vascular pressures (Pvasc). We used the Starling equation for calculating those variables using two different formulas which expressed that all protein moves by convection. In this report, we compared those two formulas: 1) 1--sigma = pi pmv/pi mv, which is already reported (Tanita et al. 1990), and 2) 1--sigma = Cpmv/Cmv. We measured filtration rate (Q) by a gravimetric method in isolated rat lung lobes in zone 1 conditions (alveolar pressure = 20 cmH2O) at two vascular pressures, Pvasc = 15 or 8 cmH2O and perfused the lobes with plasma containing a low or a high concentration of protein. By extrapolating the log of the rate of weight gain to t = 0, we obtain the initial filtration rate. Cmv was measured and pi mv was estimated by Yamada's equation (Yamada et al. 1985). The reflection coefficient calculated in 1--sigma = pi pmv/pi mv method is computed 10% higher than that in 1--sigma = Cpmv/Cmv method. However, the filtration coefficient or the perimicrovascular pressure calculated in either method was identical. We conclude that filtration variables can be estimated easily by pi method and those variables are comparable to those estimated by C method which are theoretically more acculate but more complicated in calculation.     

The efficacy of recombinant interleukin 2 in local treatment of superficial bladder tumors

The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of recombinant Interleukin 2 (rIL-2: S-6820) in treatment of superficial bladder tumors. Three intratumor injections at a dose of 5 x 10(5) units/day via urethra, were performed every other day under endoscopic control in 12 patients with superficial bladder cancer. On the 15th day after completion of the series of injections, the tumor had disappeared in one patient and 50% regression over was observed in two other patients. Therefore, the response rate to the rIL-2 treatment in our study was 25.0%. Each tumor which responded to the therapy, was single, small and low grade. In the peripheral blood of the 12 patients, an increase in IL-2 receptor-positive lymphocytes and augmentation of natural killer activity were detected after the rIL-2 intratumor injection. There were no serious side effects except for moderate fever in our study.     

Relationship between biopsy and prognosis of breast cancer

Clinical data from 131 patients who underwent primary radical operation for breast cancer at the Second Department of Surgery, Shinshu University Hospital during five-years from January 1976 to the end of December 1980 were analyzed to investigate for the relationship between biopsy and prognosis. The incisional biopsy group had a significant higher recurrence rate as compared with the no biopsy group, cytology group and the cancer negative group after excisional biopsy. Although the puncture aspiration cytology group did not show significant difference in recurrence rate, an any more than 3 weeks of interval between puncture aspiration cytology and radical surgery associated with a significant high recurrence rate. This suggests that the interval also exerts an unfavorable influence upon prognosis. Puncture aspiration cytology was recognized to be apt to result in distant metastasis than any other biopsy methods and also it is tended to have a higher recurrence rate in scirrhous and mucinous carcinoma of the breast.     

Urinary excretion of cadmium, copper and zinc in workers exposed to cadmium

Changes in urinary cadmium, copper and zinc excretion in workers who had considerable exposure to cadmium oxide fumes were investigated over a 5-year period following the cessation of exposure. The 22 male subjects aged 22 to 55 had been welders on automobile parts for periods ranging from 7 months to 23 years, using silver solder which contained cadmium. They were divided into three groups according to levels of urinary cadmium in the first medical examination in 1975: 5 in the high excretion group, 11 in the moderate group, and 6 in the low group. Renal tubular dysfunctions were indicated in most workers in the high excretion group but not in the other two groups. The high and moderate groups showed a rapid decrease in the levels of urinary-excreted cadmium, with biological half-times of 1.42 and 1.21 years, respectively. Excreted cadmium levelled off in the two groups about 1.7 and 1.5 years after the last exposure. Urinary copper excretion in the high cadmium excretion group was about twice that in the moderate and low groups, the difference being statistically significant in comparison with the controls. Urinary zinc excretion was high in all subjects immediately after cessation of exposure but decreased rapidly. After three years it was found that the reduction of urinary zinc was greatest in the high cadmium group. Urinary cadmium showed significant correlations with both copper and zinc. Urinary copper showed a negative correlation with zinc excretion in the high cadmium excretion group and a significant positive correlation in the other two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of bilateral vagal blockade on respiration

Although respiratory regulation has been extensively studied so far, the relation between the vagal nerves and respiratory reflex in man is still open to controversy. This paper describes the effect of bilateral vagal blockade on respiration. 1) Dyspnea due to unilateral bronchial occlusion. This type of dyspnea is caused by extreme depression of the intrabronchial pressure on the occluded side and is accompanied by a rapid increase in respiratory rate and a rapid decrease in tidal volume. This type of dyspnea is relieved by blockade of the ipsilateral cervical vagal nerve. 2) Animal experiments on bilateral lung transplantation, heart-lung transplantation and bilateral cervical vagal blockade. The respiratory changes induced by CO2 inhalation, low O2 inhalation, respiratory stimulant. Loss of blood or fever stimulation in the manipulated dogs were compared with those in normal controls. CO2 inhalation alone produced differences in the respiratory rates and tidal volumes between the two groups. The tidal volume increase under CO2 inhalation was suppressed by the inflation reflex but other afferent vagal nerves seemed to be closely associated with the increased respiratory rate. 3) Vagal nerve reflex in humans. Blockade of the bilateral cervical vagal nerves in an awake state resulted in irregular PETCO2 in cases that had been stable and sometimes produced a pattern of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Inhalation of 5% CO2 restored the regular rhythm of respiration and enhanced the response to CO2. When subjected to bilateral vagal blockade in an awake state, the patient expressed an unbearbly uneasy dyspneic sensation as if he were pulled into a bottomless abyss. This was demonstrated by the unstable FRC level.     

Targeting cancer chemotherapy for metastatic liver cancer--effects of DSM on hepatic hemodynamics and on clinical outcome

The effects of intra-arterial infusion of degradable starch microsphere (DSM) on hepatic hemodynamics were studied in 22 patients with metastatic liver cancer and the clinical outcome with mitomycin C (MMC) combined with DSM was reported herein. Hepatic arterial blood flow, measured with a transit-time ultrasonic blood flow meter, changed 283 +/- 27 ml/min to 40 +/- 36 ml/min by an hepatic arterial infusion of DSM and, a mean occlusion time aS 24 +/- 11 min. Combined infusion with DSM and MMC reduced MMC levels in the peripheral blood at 0.0248 less than p less than 0.0421, compared with those by an infusion with MMC alone and consequently, these findings proved to result from intrahepatic accumulation of MMC. RI-angiography using 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) was performed to examine hemodynamic changes in the metastatic liver and, a tumor (T) to non-tumor (N) ratio of 99mTc-MAA accumulation increased 0.37 to 0.62 by combined use of DSM. Thus, an intra-arterial infusion combined DSM and MCC was performed for 22 patients with unresectable hepatic metastases. Tumor regression was observed in 16 patients (73%). Side effects possibly attributable to DSM was transient nausea and vomiting. These results show that combined use of DSM is effective for intra-arterial chemotherapy against metastatic hepatic cancer.     

Unusual spontaneous entrapment of a dissecting aneurysm of the vertebral artery--case report.

The authors report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spontaneous dissection of the intracranial segment of the left vertebral artery. Serial angiography demonstrated spontaneous entrapment of the lesion 4 months after ictus.