Augmented levels of gastric mucosal leucocyte activation by infection with cagA gene-positive Helicobacter pylori

The possession of the cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) of Helicobacter pylori is thought to be highly associated with peptic ulcer disease. However, the pathogenic role of cagA is still unknown. We have emphasized the importance of the interrelationship between H. pylori-derived ammonia and oxygen radicals from in?ltrated leucocytes. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between oxygen radical production and H. pylori strain diversity based on cagA possession. An endoscopic examination and gastric mucosal biopsy were performed in 30 H. pylori-infected patients with gastric ulcer. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) content and the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence value in the biopsied gastric specimens were measured as an index for leucocyte in?ltration and oxygen radical production. From the precipitates of cultured bacterial isolates of biopsied specimens, bacterial DNA was puri?ed and analysed by polymerase chain reaction to characterize the possession of cagA. While all patients had ureC-positive strains, 22 had cagA-positive and eight had cagA-negative strains. In patients with cagA-positive strains, MPO contents as well as chemiluminescence values in the gastric corpus were signi?cantly higher than those in patients with cagA-negative strains. Gastric mucosal leucocyte recruitment and activation are suggested to be enhanced by cagA gene-positive H. pylori infection.     

An optical system for measuring inclination and area of occlusal facets

summary Occlusal facets are regarded as an individual record of occlusal contacts that result from various mandibular movements. Analysing characteristics of the facets is important for the functional assessment of the stomatognathic system. A new system which quantifies such characteristics optically has been developed. This system is composed of optical devices, a graphic image-processor, a set of stages for mounting and positioning the model and laser indicators of the measuring point. The system enables the inclination and area of each facet and its location to be measured and its processed image displayed on the graphic monitor.     

Current Clinical Trials with Authentic Recombinant Somatropin in Japan

Hibi, I., Takano, K. and Shizume, K. (National Children's Hospital and Tokyo Women's Medical College, Institute of Clinical Endocrinology, Tokyo, Japan). Current clinical trials with authentic recombinant somatropin in Japan. Acta Paediatr Scand [Suppl] 337:141, 1987.
A total of 25 children with hGH deficiency were treated with recombinant somatropin, 0.5 IU/kg/week i.m. for approximately 12 months in a multicentre study. Sixteen patients were previousky untreated with any hGH preparation (naïve group) and 9 patients had been treated with pituitary hGH for 4–42 months (previously treated group). The height gain after 12 months with the present treatment was 7.7 ± 1.8 cm/year in the naive group and 5.8 ± 1.0 cm/year in the previously treated group. Using the criteria proposed by the Foundation for Growth Science in Japan, recombinant somatropin treatment was effective in 15 of 16 patients (93.8%) of the naive group and in all of the 9 patients (100%) in the switched group. Anti-hGH antibody was observed in none of 9 patients in the previously treated group throughout the study period. It was observed in only 2 of 16 patients after 6 months of treatment and 1 of 16 patients after 12 months of treatment in the naïve group. No side-effects or abnormalities in laboratory findings were observed.     

Clinical Usefulness of Urinary Growth Hormone Measurement in Short Children

Growth hormone GH) levels in nocturnal urine were measured in 96 short children and 73 children of normal height in order to investigate whether urinary CH levels reflect spontaneous GH secretion and whether they might be used to screen short children for GH treatment. GH levels in 24-hour urine samples were significantly correlated with urinary albumin and β₂-microglobulin levels in normal children, demonstrating an influence of renal function on urinary GH measurements. Nocturnal urinary GH levels showed significant positive correlations with mean serum GH levels during 3 hours of sleep ( r = 0.26. p < 0.05) and plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) levels, reflecting physiological GH secretion. Urinary GH levels were significantly lower in the eight children with complete GH deficiency (3.1 ± 2.3 ng/g creatinine) than in the normal children (13.8 ± 11.2 ng/g creatinine). Urinary GH levels in three other groups of short children, partial CH deficiency (11.1 ± 16.9 ng/g creatinine), impaired GH secretion during sleep (10.4 ± 12.6 ng/g creatinine) and non-endocrine short stature (18.8 ± 19.5 ng/g creatinine), were not significantly different from those in the normal children. However, when the cut-off point for defining GH insufficiency was set at 5 ng/g creatinine, 87.5% (21 out of 24) of the short children with low urinary GH levels were suitable subjects for GH treatment (i.e. had complete GH deficiency, partial GH deficiency or impaired GH secretion during sleep). It is concluded that urinary GH measurement, though influenced by renal function, is potentially a simple, non-invasive and clinically useful method for screening short children for GH insufficiency. Further refinements of the technique are required before it can be widely applied.     

Treatment for Stage III–IV Neuroblastoma Patients: Initial Response to Chemotherapy Evaluated by Biochemical Parameters

ABSTRACT. Fourteen patients with stage III–IV neuroblastoma were treated with alternating combination chemotherapy consisting of (a) VP16/cisplatin and (b) doxorubicin/vincristine/cyclophosphamide. The initial response to induction chemotherapy, especially to VP16/cisplatin was evaluated by determining t 1/2 for urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), homovanillic acid and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE). The period prior to normalization of these parameters was also determined. The patients could be classified as 7 rapid responders, with less than 3 weeks oft 1/2 VMA, or t 1/2 NSE, and 7 slow responders longer than 4 weeks of t 1/2 VMA. An analysis of the data indicates that an initial rapid response correlated with subsequent high complete response rate, but did not necessarily predict better prognosis in these patients.     

原癌蛋白Pim-1激酶-GST融合蛋白的纯化及其激酶活性的分析

在大肠杆菌中成功表达了人原癌蛋白Pim 1激酶 GST融合蛋白 ,并对其激酶活性进行了分析。结果 :Pim 1 GST融合蛋白具有激酶活性 ,体外能使人工底物组蛋白H1发生磷酸化。其激酶活性发挥的适宜条件为pH7 5 ,10mmol/LMgCl2 的反应体系。过高的离子浓度和过高或过低的pH值均抑制其激酶活性的发挥。     

Endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium:YAG laser

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the results of endoscopic ureteral incision for benign ureteral stricture, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and ureteroenteroanastomotic stricture using the holmium laser. METHODS: We carried out endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium laser through an 8-Fr semirigid or 6.9-Fr flexible ureteroscope on 17 ureters in 15 patients. Balloon dilatation was not necessary before insertion of the ureteroscope. The stricture was incised with the holmium laser using a 200-365 microm fiber through the working channel of the ureteroscope. After completion of the incision, a 12-Fr double-J catheter was left for 6 weeks. Thereafter patients were followed by renal scan and/or ultrasound and excretory urography at 3-6 month intervals. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 65 min (18-135 min). The stricture resolved completely in 86.7% of cases at an average follow up of 20.5 months (11-32 months). CONCLUSIONS: The holmium laser endoscopic ureteral incision was associated with a good outcome in our series. We recommend this procedure to be employed initially because it is less invasive and has a favorable outcome.