Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies monospecific to MMTV LTR orf protein produced in E. coli.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to an open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were generated using an open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein produced in E. coli. Both antibodies reacted with the open reading frame-beta-galactosidase fusion protein but not with beta-galactosidase alone using an immunoblotting technique. It is concluded that these antibodies were specific for the protein encoded by the open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat.     

Breast cancer detected by mass screening using physical examination alone

In Tokushima prefecture, mass screening for breast cancer has been conducted using physical examination alone since 1970. Breast cancer was detected in 116 of 111,571 screened women up until 1984. The detection rate was 0.08 per cent in total examinees, 0.13 per cent in initial examinees, and 0.04 per cent in subsequent examinees. The patients with breast cancer were divided into three groups, i.e., 62 cases detected at initial screening, 28 cases detected at subsequent screenings, and 26 interval cancer cases. 510 patients with breast cancer in the outpatient clinic were serving as controls. The stage classification and nodal involvement were significantly different between the mass screening group and the control group, but not significantly different among the three groups. The interval cases were detected at an early stage. The survival rates were not significantly different between the three groups and the control group. Efforts should be doubled to educate women about the proper method of breast self-examination in order to promote the early detection of breast cancer.     

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor improves reactive hyperemia in elderly hypertensives with arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Endothelial function in elderly hypertensive patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans has not been evaluated. We examined whether antihypertensive drugs improve vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia of the limbs in elderly hypertensive patients (83 +/- 8 [SD] years) without (n=46, 0.9 < or = ankle-brachial pressure index < or = 1.4) and with (n=24) arteriosclerosis obliterans (ankle-brachial pressure index < 0.2). Patients were randomized for treatment with monotherapy of either temocapril (14 with and 26 without arteriosclerosis obliterans) or amlodipine (10 with and 20 without arteriosclerosis obliterans) for 6 months. Blood flows of the forearms and legs were measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. The vasodilatory response to the release of compression of the forearms and thighs at 200 mmHg or 20 mmHg more than systolic blood pressure for 5 min and to sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) was assessed. The maximum reactive hyperemic flow in 35 legs with arteriosclerosis obliterans was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased compared to the value in legs in the control hypertensive subjects. Moreover, maximum reactive hyperemic flow in the forearms of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans was significantly (p = 0.002) decreased compared to that in the control subjects. Blood pressure was similarly decreased by treatment with temocapril or amlodipine. Response to nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) was not changed by either drug. Treatment with temocapril significantly improved maximum reactive hyperemic flow of not only the legs and forearms in control hypertensives but also the legs and forearms in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, and attenuated the worsening of activity of daily living in these patients, although treatment with amlodipine did not. These results suggest that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor temocapril has a beneficial effect on endothelial function in elderly patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans.     

Design of a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogen containing phospholipid as controlled-release vehicle for rectal administration of (+/-)-propranolol HCl

Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels which contained phospholipid, egg yolk lecithin or hydrogenated soya lecithin were designed as a transrectal delivery system for propranolol hydrochloride. The hydrogel preparations containing phospholipid were prepared by a low-temperature crystallization method. The release profile of propranolol from hydrogel preparations containing phospholipid complied with Fickian diffusion (Higuchi model). The release of propranolol from the hydrogel preparation decreased with higher contents of phospholipid (approximately 2% w/w). In rats plasma concentrations of propranolol after rectal administration of hydrogel preparations containing phospholipid (1 and 2% w/w) were prolonged compared with those of rats receiving preparations without phospholipid.     

Effects of mosapramine (Y-516), a new dopamine D2 antagonist, on reverse tolerance after repeated administration of methamphetamine by means of the ambulation-increasing effect in mice]

Effects of mosapramine (Y-516), a new dopamine D2 antagonist, on reverse tolerance (sensitization) after repeated administration of methamphetamine (MAP; 2 mg/kg, s.c.) were investigated by means of ambulatory activity in mice; and they were compared with those of clocapramine (CCP), bromperidol (BPD) and chlorpromazine (CPZ). Y-516 (0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.), CCP (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.), BPD (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, p.o.), CPZ (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) or 0.5% methylcellulose (MC; solvent, p.o.) were given to mice 30 min before MAP administration. The ambulatory activity was measured by tilting-type activity changes for 3 hr after MAP. These treatments were repeated 5 times at 3-4 day intervals. Then MAP alone was challenge-administered to all of these mice 3-4 days after the final administration. Marked reverse tolerance was produced after repeated administration of MC plus MAP. On the other hand, the ambulation-increasing effect of MAP was suppressed dose-dependently in groups pretreated with Y-516 or comparison-drugs, although the development of reverse tolerance was not completely inhibited after the repeated administration. In the challenge-administration of MAP, the ambulation-increasing effect was dose-dependently suppressed in the Y-516 group or the comparison-drug plus MAP group as compared with that in the MC plus MAP group.     

Mechanism of skin penetration-enhancing effect by laurocapram.

In order to clarify the mechanism of action of laurocapram (Azone) on the skin permeation of drugs, the following experiments were done. First, the effect of Azone on the skin components was compared with that of other penetration enhancers. Azone markedly fluidized liposomal lipids (as a model lipid system) compared with other enhancers. Ethanol extracted large amounts of the stratum corneum lipids, whereas Azone did not. These results suggest that the effect of Azone on the lipids in the stratum corneum is not the same as that of ethanol. In addition, ethanol increased the amount of free sulfhydryl (SH) group of keratin in the stratum corneum, whereas Azone did not directly affect the stratum corneum protein. Azone increased water content in the stratum corneum, as measured by skin conductance. This effect might be a reason for the action of Azone. For further understanding, the enhancing effects of Azone on the skin permeation of several model compounds (alcohols, sugars, and inorganic ions) were compared with the effects of pretreatment with distilled water, which was thought to increase water-holding capacity, and pretreatment with ethanol, which was thought to affect the lipids and protein in the skin barrier (i.e., stratum corneum). Pretreatment with water or ethanol enhanced skin permeation of hydrophilic compounds, whereas they decreased that of octanol, a hydrophobic compound. The tendency of Azone to increase or decrease the skin permeation rate of most compounds was similar to that of pretreatment with water or ethanol. However, the effect of Azone on the skin permeation of inorganic ions was relatively low, whereas that of pretreatment with water or ethanol was high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thinning of ventricular septum in tetralogy of Fallot]

Cross sectional echocardiography was used to evaluate the thickness of the ventricular septum in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Forty-six patients with TOF and 20 patients with pseudo-truncus arteriosus underwent echocardiography during a five-year period beginning in 1984. Thicknesses of the right ventricular anterior wall (RVAWT), trabecular septum (IVST) and left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWT) were measured in end diastole on parasternal short axis view at the level of the tips of papillary muscles. The ratios of IVST to RVAWT and IVST to LVPWT were assessed. The ratio of IVST to RVAWT was 1.09 +/- 0.15 in the group aged less than 7 years (less than 7 y.o.) and 0.94 +/- 0.15 in the group aged of 7 years or more (greater than = 7 y.o.). The ratios of IVST to LVPWT were 1.10 +/- 0.14 (less than 7 y.o.) and 0.90 +/- 0.15 (greater than = 7 y.o.), respectively. Both ratios were significantly different (p less than 0.01) in the two age groups, and relative thinning of the septum was demonstrated in the older patients. It is speculated that thinning of the interventricular septum is caused by the lower systolic wall stress of the ventricular septum compared with that of the free walls, which is produced under equal systolic pressure of the two ventricles. It is suggested that this thinning is one of the factors that reduces left ventricular function after repair of TOF.     

Bicuspid aortic valve stenosis with single coronary artery.

A 56-year-old female with congestive heart failure was transferred to our institution. Aortography demonstrated aortic valve stenosis (AS) with a congenitally bicuspid valve and dilatation of the ascending aorta. Preoperative coronary angiography showed a left single coronary artery. Replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta was performed. She had an uneventful postoperative course. We report the case of aortic bicuspid valve stenosis with single coronary artery as an extremely rare congenital cardiac anomaly combination.     

Approach through the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle for clipping of large dorsal type basilar bifurcation aneurysms

Summary The authors describe an approach through the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle which proved to be useful for clipping of a large dorsal type basilar bifurcation aneurysms. It facilitates the preservation of the perforating arteries behind the aneurysm, because it gives sufficient working space to move the aneurysm dome. Furthermore this approach avoids many of the disadvantages of other approaches, especially the risk of iatrogenic injuries of the Sylvian or Labe's vein.