Diurnal variation and increase of disaccharidase activity in diabetic rats.

The small intestinal disaccharidase activity and its daily variation in the diabetic rat have not been well described. Therefore, the small intestinal disaccharidase (maltase, lactase and sucrase) activity and its daily profile were studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats under physiological conditions. In diabetic rats, a similar pattern of diurnal variation of disaccharidase activity to control rats was observed, while the relationships between daily change of disaccharidase activity and that of food consumption suggested that there was a different mechanism of diurnal variation in diabetic rats. On the other hand, a significant increase of mean 24-h lactase and sucrase activities was noted in diabetic rats, while that of maltase was not significant. Using the in vitro incubation method, a significant correlation between glucose concentration and lactase or sucrase activity but not maltase activity was observed. However, insulin showed no effect on disaccharidase activity. Thus we clarified the presence of a diurnal variation of disaccharidase activity and an increase in its activity in diabetic rats. This change was suggested to be derived from high plasma glucose level.     

A rare case of cerebral aspergillus aneurysm at the site of temporary clip application

Anterior communicating artery aneurysm was shown in a 48-year-old man who had suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by cerebral angiography. Right pterional approach was performed on the 40th day after SAH. Premature ruptured occurred during aneurysmal manipulation and temporary clip (Scoville clip) was placed at the middle of the right A1 segment for fifteen minutes. the anterior communicating artery aneurysm was successfully clipped and postoperative course was uneventful. But, four days after the operation, the patient fell into coma following generalized tonic convulsion. Lumbar puncture showed fresh SAH. Consciousness recovered gradually to a lethargic state. A newly formed berry aneurysm was revealed on the righ A1 segment at the site of the temporary clip application by cerebral angiography performed on the seventh day after aneurysmal surgery. Second attack occurred on the 12th postoperative day and the patient died on the 16th day after the operation. Postmortem findings disclosed massive subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage from the ruptured aneurysm at the right A1 segment. Microscopic examination of the aneurysm and the right A1 segment. microscopic examination of the aneurysm and the right A1 segment showed the extensive destruction of the artery and massive proliferation of aspergillus in the arterial wall which was prominent of its outer layer. The mechanism of the formation of the new aneurysm in this case was considered as follows: the arterial wall was primarily damaged by the temporary clip and was weakened rapidly by the invasion of aspergillus, probably producing thrombosis of the vast vasorum, hemorrhage, and necrosis in it.     

The role of the superior cervical ganglia in the nocturnal rise of pineal type-II thyroxine 5'-deiodinase activity

Superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx) abolished the nocturnal rise in pineal type-II thyroxine 5'-deiodinase (5'-D) activity in both euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Isoproterenol induced at least as great a rise in diurnal pineal 5'-D in SCGx as in intact rats. These data suggest that beta-adrenergic stimulation through the superior cervical ganglia is essential for the nocturnal rise in pineal 5'-D activity.     

Effects of glucose infusion on cerebral cortical glucose and lactate concentrations during endotoxemia in rats.

Hypoglycemia has been observed in several species before death from endotoxemia. Although several studies have emphasized the importance of maintaining brain glucose at normal concentration during endotoxemia, the effect of glucose infusion on cerebral glucose metabolism has not been studied. Accordingly, the effects of glucose infusion on interstitial glucose and lactate concentrations in the cerebral cortex during endotoxemia were studied in 22 Wistar rats. Cerebral glucose and lactate were measured at 30-min intervals for 4 h using microdialysis. Animals were divided into four groups: 1) saline-infused control (n = 5); 2) saline-infused endotoxemia (n = 7); 3) glucose-infused control (n = 5); and 4) glucose-infused endotoxemia (n = 5). In groups 2 and 4, endotoxemia was induced by intravenous injection with E. coli lipopolysaccharide B (5 mg.100 g-1). One hour after endotoxin administration, saline or 50% glucose was infused at a flow rate of 0.5 ml.100 g-1.h-1 for 3 h. Endotoxin induced a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in blood glucose in the saline-infused rats, which survived for 4 h (n = 5), from 91.6 +/- 15.4 mg.100 ml-1 at baseline to 136.3 +/- 23.3 mg.100 ml-1 (149%) at 1 h, followed by a gradual decrease (to 63% of the basal concentration at 4 h). Similar changes were observed in brain glucose (14.9 +/- 1.9 mg.100 ml-1 baseline, 175% of baseline at 2 h, and 57% of baseline at 4 h).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Clinical experience with PTFE graft replacement in the descending thoracic aorta

In 6 cases, we have performed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft replacement in the descending thoracic aorta, with all patients alive and showing good results. Fifty months have passed since the first graft replacement, but no complications due to the PTFE graft have occurred.     

Comparison of ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside on the cytotoxicity and bioavailability to low density cultures of fibroblasts.

Ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside (AA-2G) is a stable ascorbate derivative which has vitamin C activity in vivo and in vitro. We studied whether AA-2G exerts a prooxidant action in cultured fibroblasts from chick embryo and human skin, as does ascorbic acid. At concentrations of 0.1-1.0 mM, ascorbic acid markedly reduced the viable cell number of low density cultures within 24 hr, whereas AA-2G had no such effect. The ascorbate cytotoxicity was dependent on the cell density at the time of its addition and it was characteristic of low density cultures. This cytotoxicity was completely prevented by catalase and partially by an Fe3+ ion chelator, desferrioxamine. In the early culture stage at which a morphological change in the fibroblasts began to occur, intracellular ascorbate concentrations in low density cultures after addition of ascorbic acid were much higher than in high density cultures. However, at the same concentrations, AA-2G did not cause an elevation even in low density cultures and it was also effective on collagen synthesis at high and medium densities. These results suggest that the abnormally accumulated ascorbic acid in the cells cultured at low density possibly amplifies the generation of oxygen radicals through the reduction of Fe3+ ions and subsequent oxidative reactions, leading to cell death. Therefore, it is concluded that AA-2G which supplies an adequate amount of ascorbic acid during culture period is a bioavailable ascorbate source without cytotoxicity.     

LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR PERFORATED APPENDICITIS WITH PELVIC ABSCESS

We performed laparoscopic appendectomy and drainage to treat panperitonitis due to perforated appendicitis that occurred in a 28‐year‐old woman. We believe this is an appropriate procedure to treat perforated appendicitis because it is safe and minimally invasive, and faster recovery can be expected than after conventional open appendectomy.     

Results of low- and high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for T3 mobile tongue cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results of low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for T3 mobile tongue cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1974 and 1992, 61 patients with T3 mobile tongue cancer were treated with LDR ISBT using (192)Ir hairpins with or without single pins. In addition, between 1991 and 1999, 14 patients were treated with HDR ISBT. For nine patients treated with ISBT alone, the total dose was 59-94 Gy (median 72 Gy) within one week in LDR ISBT and 60 Gy/10 fractions/5 days in HDR ISBT. For 66 patients treated with a combination therapy of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and ISBT, the total dose was 12.5-60 Gy (median 30 Gy) of EBRT and 50-112 Gy (median 68 Gy) within 1 week in LDR ISBT or 32-60 Gy (median 48 Gy)/8-10 fractions/5-7 days in HDR ISBT. RESULTS: The 2- and 3-year local control rates of all patients were both 68%. The 2- and 3-year local control rates of patients treated with LDR ISBT were both 67%, and those with HDR ISBT were both 71%. The local control rate of patients treated with HDR ISBT was similar to those with LDR ISBT. CONCLUSIONS: ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer is effective and acceptable. The treatment result of HDR ISBT is almost similar to that of LDR ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer.