Effect of Japanese kampo medicine on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function in women with ovarian insufficiency

Twenty-five women who suffering with either amenorrhea, anovulatory cycle or luteal phase dysfunction were treated with TJ-23 and TJ-106 (Japanese Kampo medicine) orally for 10 to 30 weeks. Blood was taken every two weeks prior to and during treatment and serum levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, E2, progesterone (P) and testosterone were assayed. Premarin test and LH-RH test were examined prior to and during treatment. Of 7 women who were suffering with amenorrhea TJ-23 treatment brought about menstruation in 4 women; 3 were ovulated and TJ-106 brought about menstruation in 3 women; 2 were ovulated. Of 4 women with anovulatory cycle TJ-23 or TJ-106 treatment brought about ovulation in 2 women. Of 10 women with luteal phase dysfunction TJ-23 treatment brought about normal midluteal P levels in 7 women; 4 among them were pregnant, and TJ-106 brought about normal P levels in 6 women; one of them was pregnant. Improvement of hypothalamic-pituitary function was suggested during treatment by Premarin test and LH-RH test. These evidences infer that TJ-23 and TJ-106 may exert their effect on hypothalamic-pituitary area and may activate ovarian function; however, direct effect on ovary and factors except endocrine mechanism may not be excluded.     

Electron Microscopic Study of Intrastromal Hydrogel Implants in Primates

Three corneas with intrastromal hydrogel implants (surfilcon A) were removed from Green monkey eyes by penetrating keratoplasry and examined by light microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, in order to assess the tolerance of the primate cornea for this type of synthetic plastic. Placement of these implants in the posterior cornea appears to increase the amount of protrusion into the anterior chamber, which can also be seen clinically on slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Some physiological stress to the cornea was indicated by abnormalities above and below the implant, including thinned epithelium, irregular cell shapes, and vacuolations. It appears that a basement-membrane-like material is produced by keratocytes adjacent to the implant-stroma interface, and that this material fills the spaces and provides some physical continuity between the plastic and the corneal tissue. No inflammatory reaction was seen around the implants, but further long-term studies are necessary to ensure compatibility between the cornea and the implant.     

Secondary degeneration of substantia nigra following massive basal ganglia infarction

Two autopsied cases of massive unilateral cerebral infarction due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were reported with special reference to presence of the secondary degeneration of the substantia nigra. Case 1 was a 70-year-old male who suddenly suffered from left hemiplegia 3 years and 2 months prior to death. CT scan showed massive infarction involving basal ganglia and fronto-parietal white matter on the right side. Some parkinsonian features such as oily face and rigidity of limbs were noted during the course. At autopsy, the proximal portion of rt MCA was found occluded and the right substantia nigra was found depigmented. Case 2 was a 71 year-old male who suddenly became hemiplegic 4 years prior to death. CT scan revealed a low density area in the corona radiata of the right cerebral hemisphere. On carotid antiography, complete obstruction of the horizontal portion of right MCA at its distal end was observed, which was confirmed at autopsy. Histologically, the right substant a nigra in case 1 showed marked neuronal loss with gliosis as well as presence of many extracellular melanin pigments. These changes were more prominent in its medial portion where chromatolytic neurons were occasionally seen. The adjacent fronto-pontine tract and pyramidal tract showed secondary degeneration. The left substantia nigra appeared normal. In case 2, the substantia nigra on both sides appeared normal. The whole right cerebral peduncle, on the other hand, showed diffuse myelin pallor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery in advanced gastric cancer

Two hundred and fifty-four patients with advanced gastric cancer underwent radical surgery and ftorafur (FT) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was orally administered as the adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). Recurrence after ACT were analyzed by the quantification method II. As a result, it was found that: 1) ACT over 2 years could lower the recurrence rate, and careful follow-up is still necessary up to 4 years, and 2) after the remission induction therapy with mitomycin C and/or 5-FU and cytarabine, 12 mg/kg/day of FT for the first year and 8 mg for the second year are advisable.     

Clinical studies on sultamicillin in pediatrics

Sultamicillin (SBTPC) fine granule was given orally to 15 children with acute bacterial infections including 4 with acute pharyngitis, 5 with acute tonsillitis, 2 each with acute bronchitis and urinary tract infections, and 1 each with acute pneumonia and cervical purulent lymphadenitis. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in all of the 15 patients and bacterial eradication of all 4 strains found in these cases. Loose stool was observed in 1 case. From the above clinical results, it appears that SBTPC is a useful antibiotics for the treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.     

The clonidine-induced self-injurious behavior of mice involves purinergic mechanisms

Mode of action of clonidine involved in self-injurious behavior was assessed in mice. Single injection of clonidine (50 mg/kg, IP) evoked a self-biting which occurred more frequently under the condition of isolation and food-deprivation for 24 hr. The clonidine-induced self-biting was not reduced, but rather potentiated by pretreatment with phentolamine (10 mg/kg). This behavior was enhanced by theophylline (20 mg/kg) but was inhibited to some extent by adenosine (10 mg/kg) or dipyridamole (10 mg/kg). In addition, the self-injurious behavior was completely antagonized by combined pretreatment with adenosine (10 mg/kg) and dipyridamole (10 mg/kg), and by potent adenosine agonists, such as N⁶-(L-phenylisopropyl) adenosine (0.2 mg/kg) and N⁶-cyclohexyladenosine (0.2 mg/kg). These results, therefore, suggest that the clonidine-induced self-biting could be substantially attributed to adenosine A₁-receptor blockade as documented for pharmacological property of theophylline in the brain.     

Cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein and its morphological features in salivary gland lesions

An immunohistochemical study of p53 protein was carried out on 45 salivary gland lesions using a monoclonal antibody, Bp53–12, raised to the intracellular domain of the p53 protein. p53 protein expression was found in 34.4% of 32 salivary gland carcinomas. Nuclear p53 expression was detected in tumor cells but not in non-neoplastic cells, except in one salivary duct carcinoma. The perinuclear cytoplasm of luminal duct cells was specifically positive for the antibody used here. Cytoplasmic p53 expression was observed mostly in non-neoplastic cells. There was a tendency for the Cytoplasmic staining of p53 protein to be observed in the normal cells adjacent to p53-positive carcinomas, but none of the normal cells were positive in the tissues surrounding p53-negative carcinomas. Cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein in salivary gland tissues seems to be correlated with tumorigenesis.     

Treatment and Posttreatment Effects of Fluoride Mouthrinsing after 17 Years

Objectives: This study assessed the treatment and posttreatment effects of a school-based, fluoride mouthrinse regimen. Methods : Children in a nonfluoridated community in Japan participated in a daily rinse program using a 0.05 percent NaF solution in nursery and primary schools, and a weekly rinse with 0.2 percent NaF in junior high school. Students were examined at least annually for dental caries and dental treatment was provided in a public dental clinic through the ninth grade. Incipient carious lesions with no cavitation were not restored. Results : The percent of children in grades one through nine (6–14 years of age) with caries-free permanent teeth increased from 13.4 percent in 1974 to 73.0 percent in 1991, while the mean DMFT decreased by 86 percent during this period. For 12-year-olds, mean DMFT scores declined to about one tooth per child after 1982. For adults 20 years of age, there was a 64 percent difference in DMFS between the treatment group who started the rinse regimen at 4 years of age and continued for 11 years, and the controls who lived in different districts and did not participate in a fluoride rinse regimen. Conclusions : Children who began rinsing at 4 or 5 years of age benefited the most from the program. The program was inexpensive, simple to implement and well accepted by families and teachers. The conservative treatment policy in the public clinic likely contributed to the benefits derived by participants.     

Effect of Blood Access on the Platelets of Azotemic Patients Initiating Dialysis Therapy

Abstract: The effect of blood access on platelets and clotting factors was investigated in 46 azotemic patients. Arteriovenous fistula was used in 10 patients (AVF group), and polyurethane double-lumen catheters were inserted through the subclavian vein in 6 patients (PUS group) or through the femoral vein in 15 patients (PUF group). Indwelling urokinase-immobilized single-lumen catheters and double-lumen catheters were placed in the femoral vein of 5 patients (UKS group) and 10 patients (UKD group), respectively. Blood cell counts, β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were measured before insertion while catheters were indwelling and after catheters were pulled out. Although the platelet count decreased to 83% of the initial value during indwelling in the PUF group and 89% in the PUS group, it did not decrease in the AVF, UKS, and UKD groups. There were no differences between the PUF and PUS groups nor between the UKS and UKD groups. Plasma β-TG increased in the PUF and UKD groups with indwelling catheters but did not change with the AVF. From these results, we conclude that the AVF did not activate platelets, the urokinase-immobilized catheter activated platelets, and the polyurethane catheter activated and decreased platelets. This might be due to the different surface properties of each blood access. Thus, the urokinase-immobilized catheter seems to be more favorable than the polyurethane catheter for emergency blood access.