Intestinal Absorption of Stable Cyclic Glycylphenylalanine: Comparison with the Linear Form*

The absorption, especially the stability and transportability, of the cyclic peptide cyclic glycylphenylalanine (cyclo(Gly-Phe)) and the linear peptides glycylphenylalanine, glycyl-d -phenylalanine and phenylalanylglycine have been studied in rat small intestine. Linear peptides were degraded on the mucosal side and only glycyl-d -phenylalanine appeared on the serosal side. However, cyclo(Gly-Phe) was stable on the mucosal side and appeared on the serosal side. Furthermore, the absorption clearance of cyclo(Gly-Phe) was higher than that of glycyl-d -phenylalanine. In the presence of the peptidase inhibitor bestatin, the degradation of linear peptides was reduced and linear peptides appeared on the serosal side, but only phenylalanylglycine, which is transported by the oligopeptide transporter, was absorbed faster than cyclo(Gly-Phe). The absorption clearance of cyclo(Gly-Phe) was reduced as its concentration was increased from 125 μm to 500 μm . Furthermore, the absorption clearance of cyclo(Gly-Phe) at 125 μm was reduced at 4°C or in the presence of glycylsarcosine and cephalexin, which are transported by the oligopeptide transporter. These results indicated that cyclo(Gly-Phe) was stable enough to be absorbed and was transported in part by the oligopeptide transporter rather than completely by passive diffusion.     

Malignant lymphoma of the urethra: report of a case with detection of Epstein–Barr virus genome in the tumour cells

We report a primary non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of the urethra in a 78-year-old female. Serum antibodies for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) were negative, but there was a 40-fold increase in antibodies to EBV-associated nuclear antigen. Using PCR and in situ hybridization techniques, EBV genome was found in the tumour cell nuclei.     

Properties of perception of laterally moving objects in persons with profound retardation

ABSTRACT. Twenty-two persons with profound retardation were assessed for their perception of moving objects at a velocity of 5 s^-1. Abnormalities were not found in the ocular structures and optic discs of subjects upon ophthalmological examination. Stimuli consisted of six habituation trials and two test trials. Duration of eye movement in pursuit of stimulus was estimated by calculating the linearity and gradients of electro-oculograms. Subjects were divided into three groups based on the change of estimated time of pursuit eye movement. Those showing habituation as well as dishabituation (group 1) had higher developmental communicative ages than subjects with only habituation (group 2) and subjects who did not exhibit habituation (group 3). The results indicated a relationship between the perception of moving objects and the development of communication level in persons with profound retardation. The present study investigated abnormalities in the computer tomographic scanning of the subjects' heads and found cerebral disturbance of the visual cognition of moving objects in persons with profound retardation.     

Herpes simplex on nipples inoculated from herpetic gingivostomatitis of a baby

Herpes simplex on the nipples of a 31-year-old woman inoculated from herpetic gingivostomatitis of her baby is described. It is proposed that this condition is another special form of cutaneous inoculation herpes simplex.     

Early onset of cecal perforation in neonatal,recto-sigmoid type Hirschsprung's disease

Hirschsprung's disease has been considered to cause intestinal perforation in rare cases. Even if a perforation occurs, the majority of cases are associated with the long-segment or total colonic type. Our case developed the perforation in the neonatal period in spite of being of the recto-sigmoidal type, and it affected the cecum. We do not have a good explanation for this condition. However, the pathological examination of the specimens of the perforated cecum revealed some necrosis (ulceration, subcutaneous hemorrhage, congestion and severe edema) which was considered to be caused by ischemia, secondary to a localized vascular accident in the wall of the distended intestine.     

Electrophysiological and Anatomical Substrates for Late Potential Recorded by Signal Averaging in Seven-Day-Old Myocardial Infarction in Dogs

A filtered QRS (fQRS) was recorded by signal averaging in 7-day-old myocardial infarction (MI) in dogs to detect late potential (LP). The criteria for the LP included a duration of fQRS (D) greater than or equal to 60 msec and a voltage in the last 15 msec (V15) less than or equal to 10 microV. These parameters were determined from the control data from 15 dogs without infarction (D: 45 to 60 msec and V15: 12.0 to 83.6 microV). On the seventh day of infarction, the D had increased from 53.5 +/- 4.7 to 62.2 +/- 9.6 msec (P less than 0.05) and the V15 decreased from 38.6 +/- 19.5 to 18.4 +/- 16.0 microV (P less than 0.01). Of 23 dogs, 14 met the LP criteria (group A) and 9 did not (group B). Sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) was induced in 12 group A dogs and in none of the group B dogs. The delayed epicardial activation (DEA) was recorded after the end of QRS at 5.1 +/- 4.7 sites in group A dogs and 1.3 +/- 1.8 sites in group B dogs (P less than 0.05). The maximum value of epicardial activation time was more prolonged in group A than in group B (70.0 +/- 28.3 vs 44.4 +/- 9.8 msec, P less than 0.01). The area of MI was more extensive in dogs with DEA than those without (24.9 +/- 5.8% vs 10.3 +/- 9.0% of the total left ventricular weight, P less than 0.01). In 72 of 90 sites with DEA, the thickness of the surviving epicardial muscle was less than or equal to 1 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of the criteria for LP in detecting DEA were 71.4% and 55.6%, and 100% and 81.8% for predicting inducibility of SVT. It was thus concluded that LP, reflected the DEA, was identified from infarct areas of slow conduction within a reentry circuit of SVT.     

Marked Reduction of Cerebral Vasospasm with Intrathecal Urokinase Infusion Therapy after Endovascular Coil Embolization of the Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Series

Delayed cerebral vasospasms after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are a risk factor for poor prognosis after successful treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Different strategies to remove clots from the subarachnoid space and prevent vasospasms have different outcomes. Intrathecal urokinase infusion therapy combined with endovascular treatment (EVT) can reduce the incidence of symptomatic vasospasms. To analyze the relationship between symptomatic vasospasms and residual SAHs after urokinase infusion therapy, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 348 consecutive patients managed with EVT and intrathecal urokinase infusion therapy for aneurysmal SAH at our institution between 2010 and 2021. Among them, 163 patients met the study criteria and were classified into two groups according to the presence of residual SAH in the cisterns, Sylvian fissures, and frontal interhemispheric fissure. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasms and the clinical outcomes were assessed. In total, eight (5.0%) patients developed symptomatic vasospasms. Patients with symptomatic vasospasms had a significantly higher incidence of residual SAH in the Sylvian or frontal interhemispheric fissures than those without (P <.0001). No patient with SAHs resolved by urokinase infusion therapy developed symptomatic vasospasms. However, the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of modified Rankin scale scores at discharge. Treatment with intrathecal urokinase infusion after EVT for aneurysmal SAH can substantially reduce the risk of clinically evident vasospasms.     

Sympathetic skin response in diabetic children: Do diabetic children have diabetic neuropathy?

BACKGROUND: Abnormal sympathetic skin response (SSR) has been reported in adult patients with diabetic neuropathy. In addition, other studies have revealed abnormal SSR in diabetic patients not having autonomic symptoms and autonomic dysfunctions. These findings have been only obtained from adult patients. There have been few reports on the autonomic functions in diabetic children. Accordingly, it is not clear whether the autonomic neuropathy occurs in diabetic children. The aim of the present study is to clear autonomic function in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by SSR. METHODS: The SSR was measured in 28 normal healthy children and in eight patients with IDDM not having symptoms of dysautonomia. The SSR was elicited using 10 stimuli on programmed Nihonkoden Neuropack Sigma model machine. Following a single electrical stimulation, four SSR were recorded in both the palms and the soles simultaneously. RESULTS: The SSR were simultaneously obtained in 100% of the two groups. The amplitudes in the palms and soles were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean and shortest latency in the soles were significantly longer in the IDDM group than in the control group (P < 0.01). None of the measurements of SSR revealed correlation with duration of diabetes and onset of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic neuropathy may not have occurred in young patients having shorter duration of illness. Conversely, assuming that prolonged latency is abnormal, it may even have occurred in them. Follow up on these patients with prolonged latencies would be required.     

Primary serous adenocarcinoma of the retroperitoneum with a response to platinum-based chemotherapy: a case report

A CAT-scan-guided biopsy of the retroperitoneal tumor of a 54-year-old female revealed a serous adenocarcinoma resembling a serous adenocarcinoma of ovarian origin. Partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy was observed. Exploratory laparotomies and an autopsy found no possible primary lesion for the tumor. Therefore, we concluded that this tumor is a primary serous adenocarcinoma of the retroperitoneum. Although further accumulation of cases is required, it appears that primary treatment for serous adenocarcinoma of the retroperitoneum is platinum-based chemotherapy if surgical removal is incomplete.