Interleukin-1 inhibits keratan sulfate production by rabbit chondrocytes: Possible role of prostaglandin E2

We investigated the importance of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced inhibition of aggrecan synthesis by chondrocytes. Keratan sulfate (KS) production was measured in parallel with PGE2 release in chondrocytes. IL-1 inhibited KS production and stimulated PGE2 release. In the presence of PGE2, there was a dosedependent decrease in baseline KS production. Indomethacin and dexamethasone partially blocked the IL-1-induced PGE2 release while KS production recovered. Our results suggest that IL-1 inhibits KS production, in part, by stimulating the release of PGE2.     

Effect of ceruletide on microvibration in schizophrenics

Ceruletide, a potent analogue of cholecystokinin, was administered by injection to eight schizophrenics treated with neuroleptics. We examined the dose–response effect on microvibration (MV) recorded from the chin of these patients. After 15 min of bed rest, MV was recorded for 5 min as a control recording. Subsequently, saline or ceruletide, at a dose of either 0.4 m?g/kg or at 0.8 m?g/kg, was injected according to a Latin square design with an interval of 4 weeks for washing out the drug effect and MV was recorded for 30 min. MV data obtained were subjected to the fast Fourier transform and an average power spectrum was computed. A three-way analysis of variance for these data was performed upon dose-effect, time-effect after treatment, and band-effect of the average power spectrum. The present results were similar to previous findings which had revealed effects of ceruletide on tardive dyskinesia symptoms, namely, the effects of ceruletide on MV were different according to the subjects (three cases: facilitation followed by inhibition, three cases: inhibition, two cases: no effects). The dose-response curve of ceruletide appears to be linear in some cases and an inverted U-shape in other cases. Present findings showed small doses of systemically administered ceruletide would modify muscle tonus of schizophrenics under chronic treatment of neuroleptics, and provided further reason for the therapeutic drug of tardive dyskinesia.     

Studies on inhibitors of rat mast cell degranulation produced by microorganisms. II. Structure elucidation of eurocidins D and E

The planar structures of new eurocidin related compounds, eurocidins D and E, were elucidated from 1H-1H shift correlated 2D NMR spectra and other NMR data. All protons in the molecules were assigned. Eurocidins D and E have novel pentaenic structures of eurocidin family.     

Endocrinology: High incidence of embryo transfer cancellations in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

This study was aimed at assessing the outcome of in-vitro fertilization(IVF) and embryo transfer in patients with polycystic ovariansyndrome (PCOS). The results of IVF and embryo transfer in PCOSpatients (PCOS group, 78 cycles of 26 patients) were comparedwith those of a control group (423 cycles in 202 patients withoutmale factor; age and ovarian stimulation protocol were matched).Although the pregnancy rate per transfer was not different inthe two groups of patients (25 versus 34%, PCOS versus controlgroup), the PCOS group had a significantly lower pregnancy rateper follicle aspiration (19 versus 31%, P < 0.05). A notableresult was a significantly higher incidence of embryo transfercancellations in the PCOS group (22 versus 8%, P < 0.01),which resulted from unpredictable failure of either oocyte recoveryor fertilization. The incidence of unexplained complete failureof fertilization was significantly higher in the PCOS group(18 versus 5%, P < 0.01). These results may reflect a reducedquality of the oocytes in the PCOS group, and there was a subgroupof PCOS patients who repeatedly produced poor results of treatment.Although the ovarian stimulation regimen best suited to PCOSpatients remains to be determined, special care should be takenduring ovarian stimulation, especially when the PCOS patientshad experienced unexplained failure of oocyte recovery or fertilizationin the previous treatment cycle(s).     

Sustained negative inotropism mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors in adult mouse myocardia: developmental conversion from positive response in the neonate.

1. Inotropic responses to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation and the effects of antagonists were examined in isolated ventricular preparations from neonatal and adult mice. 2. Phenylephrine, in the presence of propranolol, produced positive inotropic responses in neonates up to 1 week after birth, while it produced negative inotropic responses in mice older than 3 weeks. 3. Both positive and negative responses to phenylephrine in neonates and adults, respectively, were antagonized by prazosin, WB4101 (2-([2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl]aminomethyl)-1,4-benzodioxane) and 5-methylurapidil, but not by atropine, yohimbine or chlorethylclonidine. 4. Noradrenaline (NA) produced positive inotropic responses both in the neonate and adult; the responses were observed in a lower concentration-range in the neonate than in the adult. WB4101 produced a significant leftward shift of the concentration-response curve for noradrenaline in adult preparations while only a slight rightward shift was observed in the neonate. 5. Our results demonstrate the presence of alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropic responses in the mouse ventricular myocardia. The response to phenylephrine changes from a positive to a negative effect during postnatal development. The responses are mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors, and modulate the overall inotropic response to NA in the adult.     

Alteration of second-messenger ligand binding following 2-hr hemispheric ischemia in the gerbil brain.

The alterations of second-messenger ligand binding and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were evaluated in the gerbil brain after 2-h unilateral common carotid artery occlusion. [3H]Forskolin (FK) and [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) were used as specific ligands for adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity estimation, respectively. CBF was determined at the end of the experiment by the [14C]iodoantipyrine method. A quantitative autoradiographic method permitted simultaneous measurement of the three parameters in the same brain. The levels in the caudate-putamen, globus pallidus, and hippocampus were analyzed. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 1 with severe ischemia (CBF in the lateral nuclei of the thalamus (CBFt) less than 50 ml/100 g/min), Group 2 with mild ischemia (CBFt greater than or equal to 50 ml/100 g/min), and the Sham Group. The PDBu binding revealed a statistically significant increase in the caudate-putamen, lateral nuclei of the thalamus and hippocampus (CA1 and CA3 regions and dentate gyrus) on the ischemic side in Group 1 as compared to that in Group 2 and the Sham Group. In contrast, the FK binding did not show any significant changes in any of the regions. These data and our previous findings for 6-h ischemia suggest that (1) PKC translocation to the cell membrane may occur at the early ischemic phase in particular regions including the caudate-putamen, lateral nuclei of the thalamus and hippocampus, with the translocated PKC gradually diminishing during the subsequent ischemic period; and (2) the suppression of the AC system observed in 6-h ischemia may not appear in the early ischemic phase.     

Aggressive resection for advanced pancreatic carcinoma

An aggressive pancreatectomy was performed on a 53 year old Japanese man with advanced cancer of the pancreas. The tumor originated from the body of the pancreas and invaded the stomach, duodenum, left kidney, transverse colon and common hepatic artery. An unexpected cancer was also found in the head of the pancreas during the operation. Therefore, total pancreatectomy, total gastrectomy, left adrenonephrectomy, resection of the left transverse colon and dissection of the regional lymph nodes were performed. Resection of the common hepatic artery was also performed, followed by an end-to-end anastomosis between the common hepatic artery and celiac trunk. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was doing well until nine months after the operation when multiple metastatic lesions were noted in the liver. He died 391 days after the operation from hepatic failure.     

Late results after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot: over 10 year follow-up

Late results after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot over ten year follow up of 84 patients were discussed. No late death was experienced and 95.1% of these patients are now in NYHA class I. Reoperations were performed in 7 cases (8.3%) in which six had had residual shunt and one had had sick sinus syndrome and had VVI pacemaker implantation. Ten cases had over 90% of ratio of right ventricular pressure to systemic pressure in systole in their cardiac catheterization about 40 days after correction. In spite of this high pressure ratio, all cases are now in NYHA class I. We conclude that there is a possibility of enabling to preserve pulmonary valve function by adopting smaller criteria than the Pacifico's criteria.     

A new operational approach for the piriform sinus fistula

It has been well documented that piriform sinus fistulae often cause suppurative thyroditis; however, when a piriform sinus fistula does not present this symptom, making a correct diagnosis is very difficult. We have experienced 11 cases of a piriform sinus fistula. The conventional operational approach was performed in the initial eight patients, among which there were four recurrences in two patients. Therefore, a new operational approach was introduced for the three most recent cases and one recurrent case. First, the existence of the internal orifice of the fistula is confirmed with a laryngoscope, after which a transverse incision on the neck is made and the abscess dissected. The side wall of the piriform sinus is then opened with the help of a laryngoscope and the bottom part of the mucosa of the sinus transected with the internal orifice of the fistula, after which the fistula is removed en bloc with the bottom part of the sinus and abscess cavity. Using this operation, we experienced no complications and there has been no recurrence so far.This paper was presented at the 23rd Annual Meeting of Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons, June 1990 in Kona, Hawaii.