Determination of beta-adrenoceptor subtype on rat isolated ventricular myocytes by use of highly selective beta-antagonists.

1. The relative proportions of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors were determined by radioligand binding studies in three different rat myocardial preparations: membranes prepared from rat ventricle (ventricular membranes), membranes prepared from rat isolated ventricular myocytes (myocyte membranes), and myocytes isolated from rat ventricle (myocytes). 2. Competition experiments using CGP 20712A or ICI 118,551 with [125I]-iodocyanopindolol ([125I]-ICYP) revealed high- and low-affinity binding sites in ventricular membranes. The concentration at which each beta-antagonist occupied 100% of its high-affinity binding sites was 300 nM for CGP 20712A (beta 1-adrenoceptor) and 50 nM for ICI 118,551 (beta 2-adrenoceptor). 3. The density of high-affinity (beta 1-adrenoceptor) and low-affinity (beta 2-adrenoceptor) binding sites for CGP 20712A was measured by a saturation experiment using [125I]-ICYP in the presence and absence of 300 nM CGP 20712A. In ventricular membranes, the proportions of high-affinity and low-affinity binding sites for CGP 20712A were 73% and 27%, respectively, whereas in myocyte membranes, the corresponding figures were 90% and 10%, respectively. The density of low-affinity binding sites for CGP 20712A in ventricular membranes, defined as [125I]-ICYP-specific binding in the presence of 300 nM CGP 20712A, was decreased by addition of 50 nM ICI 118,551, whereas that in myocyte membranes was not affected. 4. In myocytes, specific binding of [125I]-ICYP and [3H]-CGP 12177 was not detected by saturation experiments performed in the presence of 300 nM CGP 20712A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

EFFECTS OF ACUTE SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLIONECTOMY ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS SUBJECTED TO CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA

1. The effects of acute bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy on cerebral blood flow and metabolism were investigated in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp), before and during cerebral ischaemia. 2. The resting cerebral blood flow was comparable between the control and denervated animals. 3. There was no significant difference in cerebral blood flow or concentration of tissue energy metabolites (adenosine triphosphate [ATP], lactate and pyruvate) between the sham-operated control and denervated animals during ischaemia. 4. The results suggest that sympathetic innervation of cerebral vessels originating from superior cervical ganglia may not play a major role in the progression of cerebral ischaemia in SHRsp.     

Virtual endoscopic images by 3D FASE cisternography for neurovascular compression.

Three-dimensional fast asymmetric spin echo (3D FASE) cisternography provides high spatial resolution and excellent contrast as a water image acquisition technique. It is also useful for the evaluation of various anatomical regions. This study investigated the usefulness and limitations of virtual endoscopic images obtained by 3D FASE MR cisternography in the preoperative evaluation of patients with neurovascular compression. The study included 12 patients with neurovascular compression: 10 with hemifacial spasm and two with trigeminal neuralgia. The diagnosis was surgically confirmed in all patients. The virtual endoscopic images obtained were judged to be of acceptable quality for interpretation in all cases. The areas of compression identified in preoperative diagnosis with virtual endoscopic images showed good agreement with those observed from surgery, except in one case in which the common trunk of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA-PICA) bifurcated near the root exit zone of the facial nerve. The veins are displayed in some cases but not in others. The main advantage of generating virtual endoscopic images is that such images can be used for surgical simulation, allowing the neurosurgeon to perform surgical procedures with greater confidence.     

Cytotoxicities of sodium benzoate in primary culture of hepatocytes from adult rat liver

The cytotoxicities of sodium benzoate was studied using primary culture of hepatocytes established from adult rat liver by a collagenase perfusion technique and maintained as a monolayer in serum-free culture medium. The activities of ornithine transcarbamylase (as a marker of mitochondria) and tyrosine aminotransferase (as a marker of cytosol) were clearly suppressed by sodium benzoate at concentration in excess of 500 micrograms/ml. Intracellular protein synthesis and DNA synthesis were also suppressed, and the suppression of DNA synthesis was observed even with a lower concentration of benzoate (100 micrograms/ml).     

Antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity on human cervical carcinoma cell line, ME-180, with human monoclonal antibody.

A human monoclonal antibody (MCA), CLN-IgG, showed cytotoxic effect in vitro against the cervical carcinoma cell line, ME-180, by antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). To determine which fractions of cells in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) mediate ADCC, PBL were separated with nylon wool column and sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Both adherent cells (monocyte) and non-T, non-B cells showed cytotoxicity by ADCC. Human non-T, non-B cells showed higher cytotoxic activity against ME-180 cells than monocytes. Furthermore murine effector cells were less effective in ADCC than human effector cells with human MCA.     

Benign osteoblastoma of the temporal bone.

We report a case of benign osteoblastoma arising in the temporal bone of a 28-year-old woman. Plain radiography showed a mass with an amorphous calcified matrix and a thin radiolucent marginal zone. CT and MR imaging were useful in delineating the extent of the tumor, and angiography showed its hypervascularity. Preoperative transarterial embolization was effective in reducing bleeding during surgery.     

Prognostic value of blood glucose in patients with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Although an elevated blood glucose has prognostic value in cardiovascular disease, few data are available regarding its prognostic value for patients across the spectrum of cardiogenic shock. METHOD AND RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with cardiogenic shock whose blood glucose and adrenaline were measured on arrival at the emergency room (ER) were enrolled in this prospective study. The primary endpoint was death from any cause in hospital. The rate of death was 12.3% (10/81), and the glucose level was lower among patients who were discharged alive than among those who died (8.7+/-3.7 mmol/L vs 13.8+/-6.7 mmol/L, p<0.001). The unadjusted rate of death increased in a stepwise fashion among patients in increasing quartiles of glucose level (p<0.05). The blood glucose level of 9.2 mmol/L had the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for the identification of death. In the multiple logistic-regression analysis for the primary outcome, the adjusted odd ratio for a glucose level of 9.2 mmol/L or more was 5.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-32.8, p=0.047). There was a significant positive correlation between the glucose and adrenaline levels (R=0.726, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The measurement of blood glucose level on ER arrival provides predictive information for use in risk stratification across the spectrum of cardiac emergencies complicated by cardiogenic shock.     

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography in metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the cardiac structure and function in patients who have metabolic syndrome but no history of cardiovascular disease by analyzing echocardiographic findings. Echocardiographic examination was performed to screen for cardiovascular disease in 135 patients who were in their sixties. Patients were divided into metabolic syndrome (n=65, age: 65+/-2.7 years) and non-metabolic syndrome (n=70, age: 66+/-2.5 years) groups based on the criteria for metabolic syndrome proposed by the Japanese Society of Hypertension and seven other societies in 2005. The left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and dimension were measured by M-mode echocardiography. The relative wall thickness, LV mass index, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. LV diastolic function was assessed by the peak velocity of early rapid filling (E velocity) and the peak velocity of atrial filling (A velocity), and the ratio of E to A (E/A) was assessed by the transmitral flow. The Tei index, which reflects both LV diastolic and systolic function, was also calculated. There were no differences in relative wall thickness, LV mass index, or LVEF between the two groups. However, both the EIA and Tei index were significantly different between the metabolic syndrome (0.66+/-0.14 and 0.36+/-0.07, respectively) and non-metabolic syndrome (0.88+/-0.25 and 0.29+/-0.09) groups (p<0.001). These results indicate that patients with metabolic syndrome can have cardiac diastolic dysfunction even if they have neither LV hypertrophy nor systolic dysfunction.     

An 81-year-old man with personality change, dementia, and gait disturbance with diffuse leukoaraiosis of the cerebral white matter]

We report an 81-year-old patient with progressive dementia, disinhibition, and gait disturbance. He showed visuospacial disorientation, apathy, and gait disturbance at 76 years of age. When he was 77 years old, he was diagnosed Parkinson's disease and treated with the 1-dopa, the dopamine agonist, the amantadin, and the anti-cholinergic drug. These treatments didn't improve his motor disturbances. His motor disturbances, apathy, and abnormal behavior progressed gradually. He was admitted to the hospital at the age of 77. He was severely demented and akinetic. Sometime, violent behavior and hallucination were seen. The brain MRI showed frontotemporal lobe atrophy and severe leukoaraiosis of the frontal white matter. At 79 years of age, he became mute and bedridden. When he was 80 years old, large infarction occurred in his occipital lobe. He died due to renal failure and respiratory suppression at 81 years of age. His brain was examined pathologically. At the neurological CPC, the chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that his diagnosis was Binswanger's disease. Other possibilities discussed were FTD, CBD, and progressive subcortical gliosis. The post-mortem examination revealed diffuse white matter degeneration due to atherosclerotic change of the small artery, many lacunar infarctions, and severe infarction of the occipital lobe. These findings led the diagnosis of Binswanger's disease and cerebral infarction.