Evidence that [3H]glutamate binding sites are masked by biologically relevant endogenous factor on cell membranes of frog spinal cord.

We identified the possible endogenous factor effective to modulate the binding of [3H]-labeled excitatory amino acid agonists and antagonists in the 100,000 x g supernatant of Triton X-100 (0.01%)-treated cell membranes from frog spinal cords. The factor inhibited the binding of [3H]glutamate to Triton X-100-treated cell membranes, to which the binding capacity of [3H]glutamate increased much more than that to intact cell membranes. The binding capacities of [3H]AMPA (an AMPA type agonist) and [3H]CPP (an NMDA type antagonist) to cell membranes remained low by Triton treatment, but they were enhanced significantly by the addition of the factor. The effect of the factor on the [3H]kainate binding was hardly observable. The factor may provide key information on receptor structures and the classification of receptor types concerning excitatory amino acids in the mammalian central nervous system.     

Characterization of inhibition by haloperidol and chlorpromazine of a voltage-activated K+ current in rat phaeochromocytoma cells.

1. Inhibition by haloperidol and chlorpromazine of a voltage-activated K+ current was characterized in rat phaeochromocytoma PC12 cells by use of whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. 2. Haloperidol or chlorpromazine (1 and 10 microM) inhibited a K+ current activated by a test potential of +20 mV applied from a holding potential of -60 mV. The K+ current inhibition did not exhibit voltage-dependence when test potentials were changed between -10 and +40 mV or when holding potentials were changed between -120 and -60 mV. 3. Effects of compounds that are related to haloperidol and chlorpromazine in their pharmacological actions were examined. Fluspirilene (1 and 10 microM), an antipsychotic drug, inhibited the K+ current, but pimozide (1 and 10 microM), another antipsychotic drug did not significantly inhibit the K+ current. Sulpiride (1 or 10 microM), an antagonist of dopamine D2 receptors, did not affect the K+ current whereas (+)-SCH-23390 (10 microM), an antagonist of dopamine D1 receptors, reduced the K+ current. As for calmodulin antagonists, W-7 (100 microM), but not calmidazolium (1 microM), reduced the K+ current. 4. The inhibition by haloperidol or chlorpromazine of the K+ current was abolished when GTP in intracellular solution was replaced with GDP beta S. Similarly, the inhibition by pimozide, fluspirilene, (+)-SCH-23390 or W-7 was abolished or attenuated in the presence of intracellular GDP beta S. The inhibition by haloperidol or chlorpromazine was not prevented when cells were pretreated with pertussis toxin or when K-252a, an inhibitor of a variety of protein kinases, was included in the intracellular solution. 5. Haloperidol and chlorpromazine reduced a Ba2+ current permeating through Ca2+ channels. Inhibition by haloperidol or chlorpromazine of the Ba2+ current was not affected by GDP beta S included in the intracellular solution. 6. It is concluded that haloperidol and chlorpromazine inhibit voltage-gated K+ channels in PC12 cells by a mechanism involving GTP-binding proteins. The inhibition may not be related to their activity as antagonists of dopamine D2 receptors or calmodulin antagonists.     

Fluid-fluid levels in cavernous hemangioma of soft tissue

Five cases of cavernous hemangioma with fluid-fluid levels on magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography are reported. The signal characteristics were those of blood and histological analysis of the fluid-fluid levels showed that they were blood-filled cavities in the tumor. Although this finding itself is not specific, it may help in confirming the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.     

Evaluation of release fluoroimmunoassay (RFIA) for the determination of specific IgE antibody to Japanese cedar pollinosis

Release fluoroimmunoassay (RFIA), a new method of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), was employed for the detection of specific IgE antibody in patients allergic to Japanese cedar pollen. RFIA clearly discriminated between allergic patients and healthy subjects. Further, RFIA was able to detect the minute IgE antibody at the dilution range of 1/32 of patient's serum. Correlation between the relative fluorescent unit values and the RAST values of sera from 17 patients and seven healthy subjects was very high. The correlation coefficient was 0.87. These findings show that the RFIA has an advantage over the other procedures for the diagnosis of immediate-type hypersensitivity as well as the diagnosis of Japanese cedar pollen.     

The practice of breast self-examination results in the earlier detection and better clinical course of Japanese women with breast cancer

Using a questionnaire survey, we analyzed the relationship between the frequency of breast self-examination (BSE) and the clinical stage and course of breast cancer in Japanese patients. BSE had been performed monthly by only 5.4% of the patients (M group), occasionally by 35.4% (O group), and not at all by 59.2% (N group). There was a positive relationship between more frequent BSE and an earlier clinical stage, the percentages of Tis/stage 0 and I for the M, O, and N groups being 83%, 44%, and 36%, respectively (P<0.05). The mean maximum tumor diameters for the three groups were 1.7cm, 2.5cm, and 3.0cm, respectively. The tumor size in the M and O groups was significantly smaller than that in the N group atP<0.01 andP<0.05, respectively. The percentages of patients in the M, O, and N groups who underwent breast-conserving therapy were 42%, 11%, and 19%, respectively, with patients who had performed monthly, BSE more frequently undergoing breast-conserving therapy (P<0.05). At a median follow-up time of 34 months, 0%, 3.8%, and 7.6% of the patients from the M, O, and N groups, respectively, had died of breast cancer, the overall survival curve of the M group being significantly better than that of the N group (P<0.01). This retrospective study suggests the positive correlation of BSE frequency with earlier detection, and a more favorable clinical course in Japanese breast cancer patients.     

Gadolinium-based balloon angioplasty for pulmonary artery stenosis in an infant with a right isomerism.

We report here the first described case of utilizing gadolinium-based contrast material as the contrast agent during a catheter intervention treatment for pulmonary artery stenosis. The patient, a male infant with complex heart disease associated with a right isomerism, had a history of severe allergic reaction to iodine-containing contrast agents. A combination of digital subtraction angiography and a gadolinium contrast agent, however, provided us with good-quality images both before and after balloon angioplasty without any associated complications. This method should therefore be considered as an alternative angiographic procedure in children with a high risk of iodine-related allergic complications.