Diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung by sputum cytology: with special reference to correlation of diagnostic accuracy with size and proximal extent of resected tumor

Sputum cytology was performed in 179 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung; 134 cases were diagnosed as positive. There were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology between tumors sizes. In cases with tumors extending proximally into the main, lobar, or segmental bronchi, the diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology was significantly higher than in cases where the proximal invasion of tumor was limited to the peripheral bronchi. In cases with tumors 3 cm or less in diameter, when tumors extended proximally into main, lobar, or segmental bronchi, the diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology was significantly higher than in cases with tumors extending proximally into subsegmental or subsubsegmental bronchi. In peripherally located squamous-cell carcinoma, in cases in which the tumor arose in subsegmental or subsubsegmental bronchi, carcinoma could be detected by sputum cytology even when it was roentgenographically occult.     

Laboratory-scale mass production of a multi-micropatterned grafted surface with different polymer regions

In this article, we demonstrate laboratory-scale mass production of a regionally precise multi-micropatterned surface photo-graft-copolymerized with three water-soluble monomers based on the photochemistry of an iniferter, which means that it acts as an initiator, a transfer agent and a terminator, benzyl N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate. The surface was semi-automatically prepared using a combination of a custom-designed irradiation apparatus installed with a motor-controlled stage for a substrate and three photomasks with different line-patterned slits (number of slits 20, width 500 microm, length 10 mm), and carbon dioxide laser cutting apparatus. A particular region of poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate) coated on a PET film was irradiated in a particular aqueous monomer solution while moving the irradiated portion stepwise after irradiation through each line of the photomask. Photo-graft-copolymerization was carried out sequentially with acrylic acid sodium salt (AANa), N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide methiodide (DMAPAAm), and acrylamide (AAm) using differently patterned photomasks. Characterization of surface elemental distribution by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and light microscopic visualization by dye staining revealed a microprocessed surface with 20 sets of micropatterns, each of which had three line regions grafted with three different polymers. The irradiation of a carbon dioxide laser manipulated via computer-aided design (CAD) software onto the microprocessed surface resulted in automatic circular cutting for each set of micropatterns to mass-produce multi-micropatterned substrates for the study of substrate-dependent endothelial cell responses.     

Autogenous oscillatory potentials in neurons of the guinea pig substantia nigra pars compacta in vitro

In spontaneously firing neurons of the guinea pig substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) maintained in slices, blockade of the fast spikes by tetrodotoxin (TTX) revealed a slow oscillatory potential change, which was depressed by Cd2+, a Ca2+-channel blocker. The spontaneous firing was suppressed by the application of Ca2+-free saline, Cd2+ or Co2+, but not by nifedipine. These findings lend support to the view that the spontaneous firing of SNC neurons is produced by an intrinsic, Ca2+-dependent pacemaking process affected by Cd2+ but not by nifedipine.     

Retrospective survey of urea cycle disorders: Part 1. Clinical and laboratory observations of thirty-two Japanese male patients with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

In a retrospective survey done from 1978-1988 in Japan, 32 male patients with ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency were identified. We classified a neonatal and 2 late-onset groups, depending on clinical manifestations and the age at onset; group 1 (0-28 days; N = 10), group 2 (29 days-5 years; N = 13), and group 3 (greater than 5 years; N = 9). Compared to findings in the group 2 patients, there was a higher rate of mortality and a higher incidence of mental retardation in association with a great decrease in enzyme activity in group 1. In group 3, the mortality rate and enzyme activities were similar to those in group 1. However, patients in this group were asymptomatic prior to the first episode. Enzyme activities were measured mostly in autopsy samples. The serum citrulline levels (enzyme product) were highest in this group. Thus, the mutant enzymes were apparently labile with greater activities in vivo than in vitro. Treatments, including a protein-restricted diet, arginine supplementation, and sodium benzoate administration, resulted in a favorable prognosis for survivors with partial enzyme deficiency. We wish to emphasize that the incidence of late onset of this disease is higher than heretofore considered.     

The role of prostaglandins in the endothelium-mediated vasodilatory response to hypoxia

The effect of intraluminal hypoxia on vascular tone and the release of prostaglandins (PG) I₂ and E₂ were investigated in intact isolated segments of canine femoral and coronary arteries as well as in the rat tail artery. Perfusion with hypoxic Tyrode's solution (pO₂ 20–40 mm Hg) evoked a marked vasodilation of the segments, precontracted with norepinephrine or serotonin. Simultaneously, a 2–3-fold increase in the release of 6-keto-PGF₁ (the stable hydrolysis product of PGI₂) could be observed. In parallel to 6-keto-PGF₁, smaller quantities of PGE₂ were released. Removal of the endothelium as well as pretreatment with indomethacin abolished both, the dilatory response and the PG-release. After administration of verapamil as well as 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-diethyl-aminooctylester (TMB-8) (which binds intracellular calcium) the PG-increase was abolished and hypoxic dilatation could no longer be elicited, although the vessel had still a capacity to dilate. Exogenous administration of PGI₂ and PGE₂ showed that in canine femoral and coronary arteries PGI₂ was the most effective vasodilating prostaglandin, while in the rat tail artery PGE₂ had a 10-fold higher dilating potency compared to PGI₂. At very high concentrations both PGI₂ and PGE₂ caused vasoconstriction. Our experiments suggest that the hypoxic endothelium-dependent dilatation may be mediated by an increased PG-release. Hypoxia-induced transmembrane calcium influx into the endothelial cells seems to be the trigger reaction.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Bu 436/2-1)     

Studies on sensory neurons of the mouse with intracellular-recording and horseradish peroxidase-injection techniques.

1. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells were dissected from the adult mouse with their peripheral nerves, and electrophysiological and morphological studies were performed. 2. The peripheral nerves were stimulateradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the cell body, and the size of stained cell body and axon, together with the state of myelination, were examined. 4. F-neurons, whose somatic spike is a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na spike, had a large or medium-sized cell body with a myelinated axon, and shoed a fast conduction velocity (A fibers). 5. A-neurons, whose somatic spike is a TTX-resistant Na spike, had a small cell body with an unmyelinated axon, and showed a slow conduction velocity (C fibers). 6. Most H-neurons, whose somatic spike is a TTX-resistant combined Na-Ca spike, proved to have conduction velocity and morphological features similar to A-neurons, whereas the rest of them had features similar to F-neurons. 7. A roughly linear correlation was exhibited between each pair of cell body size, axon diameter, and conduction velcoity. 8. Spike conduction along axons to cell bodies were blocked in all neurons either by an elimination of Na ions from the medium or by an application of TTX. 9. The possibility of transmission of different information by different DRG cells and the developmental differentiation of sensory neurons are discussed.     

Cloning of a human immunoglobulin gene fragment containing both VH-D and D-JH rearrangements: Implication for VH-D as an intermediate to VH-D-JH formation

In an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B cell line we found an unusual immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. Restriction mapping and sequencing analysis led us to conclude that V_H-D and D-J_H recombination took place in a single allele. Both V_H-D and D-J_H complexes still had their recombination signal sequences adjacent and the DNA sandwiched by these two complexes retained a germ line configuration, suggesting the potential for a secondary rearrangement resulting in a V_H-D(-D)-J_H formation. With this finding, we propose a novel pathway, in which the V_H-D complex is an intermediate in the formation of a functional V_H exon.     

Elevated levels of soluble CD163 in sera and fluids from rheumatoid arthritis patients and inhibition of the shedding of CD163 by TIMP-3

The aim of the present study was to evaluate levels of soluble CD 163 in sera and fluids from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and elucidate the mechanism that regulates the shedding of CD163. Levels of soluble CD163 in sera and fluids from RA patients were examined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and Western blotting. To determine the effects of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) on the shedding of CD163 from monocytes/macrophages, levels of soluble CD163 in cultures of monocytes/macrophages and the expression of CD163 on monocytes/macrophages in the presence or absence of TIMPs were examined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometry, respectively. The clinical marker that was most associated with serum levels of soluble CD163 was levels of CRP. TIMP-3, but not TIMP-1 or TIMP-2, inhibited the shedding of CD163 from monocytes/macrophages. It was shown that serum levels of soluble CD163 are a sensitive and reliable marker to monitor activated macrophages in synovitis from RA patients and the results imply that the responsible proteinase for the shedding of CD163 is not a member of the matrix metalloproteinases, but is likely to be a member of ADAMs.