Normal axial alignment of the lower extremity and load-bearing distribution at the knee

Based on a series of 120 normal subjects of different gender and age, the geometry of the knee joint was analyzed using a full-length weight-bearing roentgenogram of the lower extremity. A special computer program based on the theory of a rigid body spring model was applied to calculate the important anatomic and biomechanical factors of the knee joint. The tibiofemoral mechanical angle was 1.2 degrees varus. Hence, it is difficult to rationalize the 3 degree varus placement of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty suggested by some authors. The distal femoral anatomic valgus (measured from the lower one-half of the femur) was 4.2 degrees in reference to its mechanical axis. This angle became 4.9 degrees when the full-length femoral anatomic axis was used. When simulating a one-legged weight-bearing stance by shifting the upper-body gravity closer to the knee joint, 75% of the knee joint load passed through the medial tibial plateau. The knee joint-line obliquity was more varus in male subjects. The female subjects had a higher peak joint pressure and a greater patello-tibial Q angle. Age had little effect on the factors relating to axial alignment of the lower extremity and load transmission through the knee joint.     

Effects of prolyl hydroxylase inhibition on arterial collagen synthesis and blood pressure in hypertensive rats

Changes in arterial collagen synthesis and the effects of P-1894B, a potent inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase, were investigated on rat hypertension, induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and salt. In DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, prolyl hydroxylase activity increased significantly in the abdominal aorta and in the mesenteric artery. Incorporation of 14C-proline into the thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta and mesenteric artery was higher and the hydroxyproline content of the abdominal aorta and mesenteric artery was higher than in the control rats. Treatment with P-1894B significantly inhibited prolyl hydroxylase activity, reduced arterial collagen synthesis, but did not prevent or reverse hypertension.     

Treatment and Posttreatment Effects of Fluoride Mouthrinsing after 17 Years

Objectives: This study assessed the treatment and posttreatment effects of a school-based, fluoride mouthrinse regimen. Methods : Children in a nonfluoridated community in Japan participated in a daily rinse program using a 0.05 percent NaF solution in nursery and primary schools, and a weekly rinse with 0.2 percent NaF in junior high school. Students were examined at least annually for dental caries and dental treatment was provided in a public dental clinic through the ninth grade. Incipient carious lesions with no cavitation were not restored. Results : The percent of children in grades one through nine (6–14 years of age) with caries-free permanent teeth increased from 13.4 percent in 1974 to 73.0 percent in 1991, while the mean DMFT decreased by 86 percent during this period. For 12-year-olds, mean DMFT scores declined to about one tooth per child after 1982. For adults 20 years of age, there was a 64 percent difference in DMFS between the treatment group who started the rinse regimen at 4 years of age and continued for 11 years, and the controls who lived in different districts and did not participate in a fluoride rinse regimen. Conclusions : Children who began rinsing at 4 or 5 years of age benefited the most from the program. The program was inexpensive, simple to implement and well accepted by families and teachers. The conservative treatment policy in the public clinic likely contributed to the benefits derived by participants.     

Association between the gene encoding the E2 subunit of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex and Parkinson's disease

Dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase (E2, EC 2.3.1.61, chromosome 14q24.2–3) is a specific subunit of human α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC). A biallelic intragenic polymorphism was identified in E2 gene of KGDHC. It was a single nucleotide substitution between G (in allele 1) and A (in allele 2) at the position that does not change amino acid code. Using this intragenic polymorphism as a marker, we investigated the association between this gene and Parkinson's disease. Frequencies of the genotypes that carry allele 2 were significantly higher in the Parkinson's disease group than in the control group. The results indicated that a genetic variant of the E2 gene itself or in close proximity to the gene constitutes one of the genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease.     

Absorption of methylmercury compounds from rat intestine

Intestinal absorption of methylmercury complexed with non-protein sulfhydryl compounds (NPSHs) as occurs in bile was studied by means of direct injection of mercury compounds into ligated intestinal segments of rats. The extent of absorption of methylmercury-cysteinylglycine (MM-CysGly) was similar to that of methylmercury-cysteine (MM-Cys) and 1.5 times larger than that of methylmercury-glutathione (MM-GSH). This result suggested that MM-CysGly, which is recognized as a major component of methylmercury in rat bile, can be easily reabsorbed from the intestine. These results indicate that not only MM-GSH and MM-Cys but also MM-CysGly may play important roles in the intestinal reabsorption of methylmercury during its enterohepatic circulation.

When the ligated intestine was pretreated with probenecid and acivicin, the intestinal absorption of MM-GSH was depressed much more than in the case of treatment with acivicin alone. This indicates the possibility that there are at least two systems for intestinal transport of MM-GSH i.e. γ-glutamyltrans-peptidase (GGT)-dependent and -independent systems.     

Prognostic significance of histopathological classification in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix

In a retrospective study of 724 patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the uterine cervix from 1980 through 1986, the histological classification and clinical stage (FIGO) were investigated for their prognostic value. The clinical stage was very important in relation to prognosis. The histological type of the squamous cell carcinoma (keratinizing, large cell non-keratinizing, small cell non-keratinizing) did not have any value in predicting survival, but small cell non-keratinizing tumor showed a less favorable prognosis than other tumors when surgery was employed. As to survival, there was no difference between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma when compared in all patients, but adenocarcinoma had a worse prognosis than squamous cell carcinoma when surgery was employed. The pelvic lymphnode status at operation was correlated with the clinical stage. Adenocarcinoma had more positive nodes than squamous cell carcinoma. There was no significant difference in the frequency of pelvic node involvement among cell types of squamous cell carcinoma. The present histopathological classification of the uterine cervical carcinoma was of little prognostic value in predicting patient outcome.     

Prolyl hydroxylase activity in rabbit ovary during ovulatory process

The disruption of connective tissue and dissociation of collagen fibers that occurs in the ovarian follicle during mammalian ovulation is reportedly induced by collagenolytic enzymes. To further analyse the metabolism of ovarian collagen during the ovulatory process, prolyl hydroxylase activity was assayed because the quantity of this enzyme provides some indication of the relative amount of collagen fibrillogenesis in connective tissues. Following the induction of ovulation by hCG, prolyl hydroxylase activity increased in both the ovarian follicle and stroma. The amount of activity reached a maximum of about 300% above the control level at 13hr after hCG, i.e., 1-3hr after the estimated time of ovulation. The pattern of enzyme activity during the ovulatory process was identical in both the follicle and the stroma. The prolyl hydroxylase activity remained at more than 200% above the control level throughout the secretory phase. It is concluded that the rabbit ovarian follicle and stroma contain prolyl hydroxylase activity, and that this enzyme activity increases significantly during the ovulatory process and luteinization.     

Mutant Escherichia coli enterotoxin as a mucosal adjuvant induces specific Th1 responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to nasal killed-bacillus calmette-guerin in mice

On single nasal immunization of mice with killed-bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) plus a mutant Escherichia coli enterotoxin, delayed-type hypersensitivity was induced and BCG-infection decreased. Spleen cells, particularly CD4+ T cells among them produced IL-2, IFNgamma and TNFalpha in response to the killed-BCG or purified protein derivatives. CD8+ T cells including cytotoxic T lymphocytes produced IFNgamma and TNFalpha. However, both types of T cells reacted a little to Ag85B. The mutant induces cellular immunity to nasal killed-BCG vaccine and decreases BCG-infection. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produce cytokines effective for tuberculosis. Although killed-BCG loses some antigens like Ag85B, nasal killed-BCG plus the mutant is useful for tuberculosis.