Arm span–height difference is correlated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in aged Japanese subjects

Previous studies have indicated an association between the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aging plus height. In this study we investigated whether the arm span–height difference was related to GERD symptoms with a focus on aged subjects in the general population, since the arm span reflects the height in young adulthood before decreasing due to vertebral deformities from aging. A total of 285 elderly individuals (105 females) who visited nursing homes for the elderly in Japan were enrolled in this study. The GERD symptoms were evaluated by the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG). The body weight, height and arm span were measured, and information regarding medications and complications were reviewed in each nursing record. 50.5% of women had more than 3 cm of arm span–height difference. In contrast, only 37.3% of men had more than 3 cm of arm span–height difference. The FSSG scores indicated more than 70% of subjects complained of any GERD symptoms. There was a significant correlation between the FSSG score and the arm span–height difference in the subjects with more than 3 cm of arm span-height difference (r = 0.236; p = 0.012). The correlation between the arm span–height difference and the FSSG score was significant only in women in females in the present study. In conclusion, our findings indicate that vertebral deformity evaluated by the arm span–height difference might have some positive relationship to the pathogenesis of GERD symptoms in elderly Japanese individuals.     

Neutralization of complement component C5 ameliorates the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-colitis in mice

The complement system is a potent effector of innate immunity. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the complement system in inflammatory bowel disease, we evaluated the effects of anti-C5 antibodies on the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. Dextran sulfate sodium-colitis was induced in BALB/c mice with intraperitoneal administrations of anti-C5 antibodies (1 µg/body) every 48 h. Tissue samples were evaluated by standard histological procedures. The mucosal mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by real-time PCR. Body weight loss in the mice was completely blocked by the administration of anti-C5 antibody. The disease activity index was significantly lower in the anti-C5 antibody-treated mice than the dextran sulfate sodium mice. The colonic weight/length ratio, histological colitis score and mucosal myeloperoxidase activity were significantly lower in the anti-C5 antibody-treated mice than the dextran sodium sulfate mice. The administration of the anti-C5 antibody significantly reduced the mucosal expression of mRNAs for tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6. In conclusion, the complement system plays a role in the development of dextran sodium sulfate-induced experimental colitis.     

Chemosensitivity test by subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) in transitional cell carcinomas]

From November, 1986 to October, 1989, the antitumor activities of several chemotherapeutic agents were tested by subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) in cases of 23 transitional cell carcinomas. Overall sensitivities of tested drugs to transitional cell carcinomas were compatible to clinical data and correlated with individual clinical courses. This method has some problems, but can be carried out at any institute and serve as an aid to the selection of chemotherapeutic agents.     

Anti-idiotypic antibodies in a patient with a well-functioning renal graft without azathioprine. II. Anti-idiotypic antibodies directed to a clonotype of a certain cytotoxic T lymphocyte

A recipient who received a renal graft from a living related donor showed good renal function for as long as 15 years after the withdrawal of azathioprine. The patient's creatinine clearance was maintained at 60 ml/min in spite of the administration of only 10 mg of predonisolon per day. Anti-idiotypic antibodies in the patient's serum were found by testing for specific inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response. The treatment of responder or effector cells with the IgG fraction from the patient's serum resulted in the specific inhibition of the MLR and CTL killing reaction against target cells of the graft donor. These findings indicate that the patient's serum contains anti-idiotypic antibodies against antigen recognition structures of a certain CTL as well as a certain MLR to donor alloantigens.     

Cephalosporin antibiotics. II. Synthesis and biological properties of CS-461 and related compounds

The synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and biological properties of 3-thiazoliomethyl cephalosporins are described. 7-[2-(2-Aminothiazol-4-yl)-(Z)-2- methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazoliomethyl+ ++]-3- cephem-4-carboxylate sulfate (CS-461) showed potent antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CS-461 exhibited significantly low acute toxicity in mice.     

Biological characteristics and prognosis of childhood malignant lymphoma

The biological characteristics and prognosis of childhood malignant lymphoma were reviewed. A national survey of 568 cases of childhood malignant lymphoma in Japan revealed that 505 cases (88.9%) were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and 63 cases (11.1%) were Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). The biological characteristics of NHL in Japan were a male predominance, an average age of 7.8 years, and frequent occurrence in the head and neck (38.2%). Histopathologically, only 3.2% of NHL was nodular type and 96.8% was diffuse type (lymphoblastic 28.4%, histiocytic 19.5%, medium-size cell 18.6%, Burkitt's 14.6%, and miscellaneous 15.8%.) The characteristics of the 63 cases of HL were a male predominance, an average age of 9.3 years, 73% of primary lesions in the cervical nodes, and 46.6% of mixed cellularity type. The survival rate at 7 years estimated by the Kaplan -Meier method was 41.1% for patients with NHL, and 84.9% for patients with HL. Leukemic conversion and CNS involvement occurred in 27.9% and 22.9% of patients with NHL, respectively. The current multi-institutional treatment study for NHL conducted by the Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG) has improved the prognosis of childhood NHL to an 84.6% induction rate with initial therapy and a relapse-free survival rate of 55.6% at four years. The most important principle for the management of childhood malignant lymphoma is the recognition of the systemic nature of the disease.     

Induction of tumors in ACI rats given a diet containing ptaquiloside, a bracken carcinogen

Fifteen female ACI rats initially 5 weeks old were each given a diet containing 0.027-0.08% ptaquiloside [(PT) CAS: 87625-62-5], a carcinogen in bracken, throughout the 210-day experimental period. A control group of 20 female ACI rats was given basal diet without PT. Both ileal and urinary bladder tumors developed in all rats in the experimental group. The ileal tumors were multiple and mostly developed in the distal 10 cm of the ileum. These ileal tumors were identified histologically as epithelial tumors, such as adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and also as nonepithelial malignant tumors, malignant fibrous histiocytomas. The urinary bladder tumors were transitional cell carcinomas, keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, and sarcomas. Papillomas of the urinary bladder were found in 4 rats in the control group. These results show that, like bracken diet, PT induces tumors in both the ileum and urinary bladder.     

Progression from latent cardiomyopathy to dilated cardiomyopathy: a review of five cases]

We report 5 patients, who had no cardiac abnormalities at their initial evaluation but progressed to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) during a mean follow-up period of 8.2 years. Their echocardiograms revealed increases in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimensions, deterioration of LV contractions, and reduction in the LV wall thickness. Electrocardiographic changes were developed of rhythm disturbances, intensified ST-segment and T-wave changes, and the prolonged QRS durations. These findings, especially those of electrocardiography, seemed to be important for an early detection and characterization of DCM.     

Combination effect of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha with antimicrobial agents.

Combination effects of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha with ceftazidime, moxalactam, gentamicin, enoxacin, amphotericin B, miconazole, or an immunoglobulin preparation were evaluated in systemic infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans in normal mice and systemic infection with P. aeruginosa in mice with leukopenia induced by preadministration of cyclophosphamide. Synergistic effects were generally observed at interleukin-1 alpha doses as low as 1 to 30 ng per mouse with most combinations. The results show the possibility that recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha could be of help for treating obstinate infections not successfully treated with antimicrobial agents alone.