Different susceptibility to the IL-3 induced-protective effects between Strongyloides ratti and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in C57BL/6 mice

Repetitive administration of recombinant IL-3 induced protection against Strongyloides ratti but not against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in C57BL/6 mice. Numbers of S. ratti were negligible from day 4 to day 6 post-infection in mice injected with IL-3, whereas N. brasiliensis burdens were almost equal from day 4 to day 6 between mice injected with IL-3 or with medium. Mice treated with IL-3 and then concurrently infected with S. ratti and N. brasiliensis were protected from intestinal S. ratti but not from N. brasiliensis. The numbers of intestinal mucosal mast cells were increased by the repetitive IL-3 treatment on one day after the final injection and was augmented by subsequent infection with both nematodes.     

Induction of the Conversion of Xanthine Dehydrogenase to Oxidase in Rabbit Liver by Cu2+, Zn2+ and Selenium Ions

Abstract— Effects of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺ and selenium ions on the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in rabbit liver were examined. Under basal conditions, xanthine oxidase activity represented only 16% of the total xanthine oxidase plus dehydrogenase activity. Cu²⁺ (2–10 μm ), Zn²⁺ (5–30 μm ) and selenium ions (5–100 μm ) brought about the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in a dose-dependent manner. The concentrations of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and selenium ions required for increasing xanthine oxidase activity by 50% was approximately 4, 10 and 20 μm , respectively. On the other hand, Fe²⁺ had no effect on the conversion of the enzyme up to 100 μm . These results suggest that Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and selenium ions have the potential to modulate the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in rabbit liver.     

INSULIN AND GLUCAGON SECRETION IN HEPATIC GLYCOGENOSES

ABSTRACT. Okada, S., Seino, V., Kodama, H., Yutaka, T., Inui, K., Ishida, M., Yabuuchi, H. and Seino, Y. (Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Hospital, Fukushima-ku, Osaka and The Third Division, Department of Medicine, University of Kobe, Kobe, Japan). Insulin and glucagon secretion in hepatic glycogenoses. Acta Paediatr Scand 68: 735, 1979.—Insulin and glucagon secretion was investigated in ten patients with hepatic glycogenosis, types I and III, in order to understand the relationship between hypoglycemia and pancreatic function. In all patients, both oral glucose tolerance and intravenous arginine infusion tests revealed hypoinsulinemia. Decreased urinary C-peptide levels with standard food intake also supported hypofunction of pancreatic beta cells. On the contrary, the normal secretion pattern of glucagon in both types indicated in the arginine loading test, intact alpha cells in the pancreas. Persistent hypoinsulinism, which is apparently an adaptation to hypoglycemia, could be an important cause of nutritional dwarfism in both types of glycogenosis. The usefulness of the measurement of urinary C-peptide, which evaluates the pancreatic function and provides management for normal body growth, is discussed.     

Potential for Load-Induced Cervical Stress Concentration as a Function of Periodontal Support

Abstract: Purpose : The purpose was to determine, photoelastically, the locations of occlusal load-induced stress concentrations within a maxillary premolar as a function of degree of periodontal support.
Materials and Methods : Composite three-dimensional models of a maxillary first premolar were fabricated for quasi-three-dimensional photoelastic stress analysis. Individual materials were used to model enamel, dentin, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Three levels of periodontal support reduction (0%, 20%, 25%) were simulated by varying the socket depth. Vertical loads of 10 lb were applied to: (1) tip of buccal cusp, (2) tip of lingual cusp, and (3) center of occlusal surface. The resulting stresses were monitored and recorded photographically in the field of a circular polariscope arrangement.
Results : Cuspal loading concentrated stress around the cervical region below the loaded cusp, being highest under buccal cusp loading. The location of the stress concentration shifted apically as periodontal support diminished.     

Susceptibility genes for schizophrenia

Abstract  It is well known that genetic factors contribute to the susceptibility for schizophrenia. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of schizophrenia strongly suggest several susceptibility genes (e.g. dysbindin, neuregulin-1, DISC1, COMT, G72, RGS4 and Akt1). We discuss the evidence and biology of these genes. As glutamate transmission is especially implicated in these genes, neurobiological basis of schizophrenia might be elucidated by investigation of functional interactions between susceptibility genes for schizophrenia and the glutamatergic system.     

Depression among caregivers of the elderly in need of care and their service utilization: A pilot study

Twenty-four community residing elderly people in need of care, who were registered with the municipal welfare center in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and their principal caregivers participated in the study. The principal caregivers completed a self-administered questionnaire involving their demographic status, provided data on their utilization of formal services and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The health visitors examined the activities of daily living (ADL) and mental status of these 24 elderly individuals. More than half the caregivers appeared to be depressed. The non-depressed caregivers used significantly more services than the depressed caregivers even after the caregivers' age was statistically controlled.     

Protective Effects of Dilazep and its Derivative K-7259 on the Haemolysis Induced by Amphiphiles in Rat Erythrocytes

The effects of dilazep and K-7259, a dilazep derivative, on the haemolysis (as evidenced by release of haemoglobin) induced by palmitoyl-l -carnitine (PAL-CAR) or palmitoyl 1-α-lysophosphatidylcholine (PAL-LPC) have been determined in rat erythrocytes. At concentrations above the critical micelle concentration both PAL-CAR and PAL-LPC induced haemolysis; the concentrations of PAL-CAR and PAL-LPC producing 50% haemolysis were approximately 13 and 14 μm , respectively. The 50% haemolysis induced by PAL-CAR or PAL-LPC was attenuated by dilazep (1, 10 or 100 μm ) but not at the highest concentration used (1 mm ). K-7259 attenuated the 50% haemolysis induced by PAL-CAR or PAL-LPC at concentrations ranging from 1 μm to 1 mm . Similarly, dilazep (1 to 100 μm ) and K-7259 (1 μm to 1 mm ) significantly or insignificantly attenuated the 25% and 75% haemolysis induced by PAL-CAR or PAL-LPC. Neither dilazep nor K-7259 affected micelle formation by PAL-CAR or PAL-LPC, nor, at concentrations of 1 and 10 μm , did they attenuate the haemolysis induced by osmotic imbalance (hypotonic haemolysis). These results suggest that both dilazep and K-7259 protect the erythrocyte membrane from the damage induced by PAL-CAR or PAL-LPC. The protective effects of dilazep and K-7259 are mediated by some mechanism other than prevention of micelle formation or protection of the erythrocyte membrane against osmotic imbalance.     

Neonatal Dubin-Johnson Syndrome with Severe Cholestasis: Effective Phenobarbital Therapy

ABSTRACT. We described Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) with severe cholestasis in a 20-day-old Japanese boy. Although neonatal DJS has been sporadically reported, DJS with severe cholestasis has not to our knowledge been described in the English literature. The ratio of urinary coproporphyrin isomer I to urinary total coproporphyrin in our patient was high (93%). Liver histology showed cytoplasmic pigment granules in the liver cells. Administration of phenobarbital (PB) significantly decreased the levels of bilirubin and bile acids in the serum. There was a significant elevation of 1β-hydroxylated bile acids in the urine. It is predicted that severe cholestasis in neonatal DJS may cause metabolic abnormalities in both bilirubin and bile acids transport.