Central actions of adenosine,a nucleotide of Ganoderma lucidum

In order to isolate an active constituent from the central inhibitory Ganoderma extract, an activity-guided fractionation was performed to yield adenosine. Adenosine reduced spontaneous motor activity, elevated pain threshold, prolonged the death time induced by caffeine and relaxed skeletal muscle in mice.     

Ultracytochemical localization of the erythrocyte/HepG2-type glucose transporter (GLUT1) in cells of the blood-retinal barrier in the rat.

The blood-retinal barrier is part of the blood-ocular barrier. Retinal pigment epithelial cells connected by tight junctions serve as an outer blood-retinal barrier, and the nonfenestrated endothelial cells of blood vessels sealed by tight junctions serve as an inner blood-retinal barrier. Using antibodies specific for the erythrocyte/HepG2-type glucose transporter (GLUT1), one isoform of facilitated-diffusion glucose transporters, it was found, by ultrastructural cytochemical examination, that GLUT1 in the rat was localized at both the apical and basolateral plasma membranes of retinal pigment epithelial cells. The fenestrated endothelial cells of the underlying choriocapillaries were negative for GLUT1. In the inner retina, GLUT1 was found at both the luminal and contraluminal plasma membranes of endothelial cells. These observations show that GLUT1 is concentrated at the critical plasma membranes of the blood-retinal barrier and may serve as the machinery for glucose transport across the barrier.     

Continuity of leanness/obesity from childhood to adolescence

Continuity and changes in leanness/obesity were studied following growth of the same individuals born in 1966 to 1968. Data on height and weight at ages 11, 14 and 18 were available for 770 boys and 1070 girls, and Rohrer's and Quetelet's indices were calculated from the data. In both indices, there were significant correlations between the values of the same individuals at age 11 and at age 14, and also at age 11 and at age 18. The subjects were divided at each age into 10 ranks of equal size so that those in Rank 1 (lean) and Rank 10 (obese) had the lowest and the highest index, respectively. The rate of those who were in Rank 1 or Rank 10 at age 11 but in medium ranks (Ranks 4-7) at age 18 was about 10 (lean) or 22% (obese) among boys, and 17 (lean) or 15% (obese) among girls when based on Rohrer's index. The analysis with Quetelet's index gave similar results. Children in the medium ranks also shifted into other ranks as they grew. Weight was more powerful than height as the determinant of the shifts from lean/obese to medium and also from medium to lean/obese ranks.     

Clinicopathologic evaluation of recurrence in early gastric cancer

Five hundred ninety-two patients with early gastric cancer underwent surgical resection from 1970 to 1986 in our hospital, and 13 died from a recurrence of their disease. A careful analysis of these 13 patients suggests that carcinomas which invaded to the submucosa tend to recur more often than those confined to the mucosa. Well differentiated and papillary adenocarcinomas characterized by protruded or elevated lesions tend to recur earlier than poorly differentiated or signet-ring cell carcinomas characterized by depressed or excavated lesions. However, both types recurred from hematogenous metastases, with the liver being the most common site. Therefore, the macroscopic and histological features presently used to characterize early gastric cancer do not provide sufficient information to accurately predict which patients are at most risk for recurrence.     

Prevalence of dementia in a Japanese elderly population

The geriatric community study was conducted by the Aichi Prefecture (Japan) Project. The psychiatric epidemiological survey was conducted using a stratified random sampling method. 3106 community residents over the age of 65 years, randomly selected from the whole Aichi Prefecture of Japan, were interviewed; 476 had suspected dementia. The second interviews and the neurologic examinations were carried out by psychiatrists. The prevalence of dementia was estimated to be 5.8% (moderate and severe, 2.2%; mild 3.6%) of the aged population in the community. Cerebrovascular dementia (CVD) or multi-infarct dementia (MID) was found in 2.8%, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) in 2.4%, and dementia due to other causes in 0.6%. CVD (MID) was diagnosed more frequently in men, and SDAT in women.     

Colorimetrical rate assay for urinary dipeptidyl peptidase iv (dppiv) activity using a new substrate

We synthesized a new substrate glycyl-L-proline 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyanilide (Gly-Pro-DBAP), for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). Its hydrolysis by DPPIV resulted in the formation of a chromophore, 2,6-dibromo-phenol-indo-p-xylenol, and its maximal absorption wavelength (600 nm) was longer than that of p-nitroaniline (415 nm) released from conventional substrate, glycyl-L-proline pnitroanilide (Gly-Pro-pNA). We also established the rate assay for urinary DPPIV activity using Gly-Pro-DBAP. The optimum pH was between 8.5 and 9.0. The apparent Km was 1.1 mmol/1. The detectable range was 2.5–350 U/I. No changes in blank values occured throughout the enzyme reaction in the optimum pH. Its value was also much lower than Gly-Pro-pNA. CVs for within-run and between-run were 1.1% (n=10) and 3.0% (n=10), respectively. Among tested peptidases, only DPPIV could hydrolyze Gly-Pro-DBAP. Among the protease inhibitors, only two, diprotin-A and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSA), could inhibit DPPIV activity. The present method did not interfere with urinary ingredients such as hemoglobin. The correlation between the present (y) and conventional (x) methods is presented by the equation y=1.121×+0.096 (r=0.993). Thus the present method provides practical advantages over the conventional method for routine laboratory use.©1995 wiley-Liss, inc.     

A nager acrofacial dysostosis syndrome patient with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Summary Nager acrofacial dysostosis is characterized by radial defect and the facial manifestations like Treacher-Collins syndrome. There are few reports about this syndrome in Japan. We report a typical Japanese Nager syndrome patient. He was complicated with respiratory distress syndrome.     

Methylcellulose--a better viscosurgical alternative for intraocular lens implantation

The authors have used 2% methylcellulose in 8,000 cases of intraocular lens implant surgery during the last five and a half years. Their surgical experience and investigations have convinced them that methylcellulose is safe and effective besides being convenient and economical. It is easily autoclavable, has very low particulate matter when prepared by the author's technique, and causes minimal secondary rise of intraocular pressure. The endothelial protective function and breakdown of the blood aqueous barrier are comparable to that of Healon. The authors consider methylcellulose to be the better alternative for IOL implant surgery.