Supraspinal depressant action of diazepam on the crossed extensor reflex

The effects of diazepam on the crossed extensor reflex (CER) were compared between intact and spinally transected rats and also between IVth and lateral ventricular administration. The CER of the chronic spinal rat was not influenced by 0.05-2 mg/kg doses of diazepam, which was 5-200 times larger than the ED50 of the intact preparation. The IVth ventricular injection required only half as much diazepam compared to the lateral ventricular injection and the elapsed time between drug administration to the peak effect was significantly shorter. According to these findings, benzodiazepines seem to act primarily on the supraspinal structure near the IVth ventricle and thus depress the CER.     

Atypical acinar cell nodules of the human pancreas

The earliest morphological evidence of altered growth potential of pancreatic acinar cells of the rats treated with carcinogen, such as azaserine, is the development of nodules of atypical acinar cells, some of which are considered to appear, eventually, as acinar cell carcinomas. On the other hand, there exist nodular lesions in the human pancreas, which are similar to atypical acinar cell nodules of the rats, in the sense of nodularity, multiplicity, size, and cytological features, such as pale cytoplasm. To clarify the plausibility of the human nodular lesions as a precursor of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas, light and electron microscopical studies were performed, using pancreases of 115 semi-consecutive series of autopsy cases and 20 surgical cases. Multiple nodular lesions were found in 3 autopsy cases and one surgical cases. Ultrastructurally, markedly dilated cysterna of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and intracisternal granules were the most prominent characteristics of the atypical cells of the nodules. These features are neither reported in chemically induced atypical acinar cell nodules and carcinomas nor in human acinar cell carcinomas. The human lesions were considered to be of degenerative nature rather than neoplastic.     

Diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung by sputum cytology: with special reference to correlation of diagnostic accuracy with size and proximal extent of resected tumor

Sputum cytology was performed in 179 cases of squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung; 134 cases were diagnosed as positive. There were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology between tumors sizes. In cases with tumors extending proximally into the main, lobar, or segmental bronchi, the diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology was significantly higher than in cases where the proximal invasion of tumor was limited to the peripheral bronchi. In cases with tumors 3 cm or less in diameter, when tumors extended proximally into main, lobar, or segmental bronchi, the diagnostic accuracy of sputum cytology was significantly higher than in cases with tumors extending proximally into subsegmental or subsubsegmental bronchi. In peripherally located squamous-cell carcinoma, in cases in which the tumor arose in subsegmental or subsubsegmental bronchi, carcinoma could be detected by sputum cytology even when it was roentgenographically occult.     

Experimental activation of latent cytomegalovirus infection of the captive bred (F1) cynomolgus monkeys by live or killed varicella-zoster virus inoculated under immunosuppression

F1 cynomolgus monkeys bred in captivity and thought to be "SPF" had latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection although less frequently than in wild-born monkeys. Latent CMV could be activated under severe immunosuppression by inoculation with a certain strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) as shown in a previous study. We carried out further experiments using live and formalin-inactivated VZV in F1 monkeys which were sero-positive for CMV, but not for any other viruses. The results showed that both live and inactivated VZV were equivalent in permitting activation of latent CMV, suggesting that the VZV inoculum merely played an immunogenic, but not any virological, role in this case. Captive F1 monkeys, however, carried fewer CMV, and/or resisted CMV reactivation more than the wild monkeys in the previous studies, judging from the time required for generalized CMV infection to become expressed.     

Effects of post‐inhalation treatment with interleukin‐12 on airway hyper‐reactivity, eosinophilia and interleukin‐18 receptor expression in a mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND: Correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance with administration of IL-12 before and during antigen challenge holds therapeutic promise in asthma. However, the effects of IL-12 on the established asthmatic responses have not fully been examined. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether IL-12 administered after antigen challenge could diminish airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and eosinophilia in mice actively sensitized to ovalbumin. We also have investigated the ability of administered IL-12 to induce IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) expression that may lead possible synergic action of IL-12 with endogenous IL-18. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice immunized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, were challenged three times with an aerosol of OVA every second day for 8 days. Recombinant IL-12 (500 ng) was intravenously administered on a single occasion 1 h after the final challenge of mice. Mice were analysed for effects of IL-12 on AHR, inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine levels in lung tissue as well as serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels. Immunohistochemistry for IL-18R was performed using rat monoclonal antibody specific for murine IL-18Ralpha (IL-1 receptor related protein; IL-1Rrp). RESULTS: An intravenous IL-12 administration diminished AHR, pulmonary eosinophilia and T lymphocyte infiltration, serum IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in lung tissue. Expression of IL-18R was induced in the mononuclear cells in the lung of mice exposed to OVA. IL-12 administration enhanced the IL-18R expression compared with the control. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that IL-12 can attenuate established antigen-induced AHR and inflammation. In this mechanism it would be interpreted as follows: IL-12 administration in OVA-challenged mice decreased IL-4 production and IgE production thereafter through direct effect on inhibiting the activation of established Th2 cells response and also combined effect with up-regulation of IL-18R expression by inflammatory cells in the lung.     

New serological assay for detection of putative Helicobacter pylori virulence factors

We evaluated a new immunoblot assay (Helicoblot 2.1) for Helicobacter pylori infection and CagA and VacA status by using serum samples from 222 patients. The test accurately detected H. pylori infection and VacA status, but improvements in the interpretation criteria are required before it can be recommended for determination of CagA status.     

Thromboplastic and fibrinolytic activities of V2 and V7 carcinomas of rabbit, with special reference to fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in the tumors

Thromboplastic and fibrinolytic activities of V2 and V7 carcinomas, the two transplantable rabbit tumors of the same viral origin, were studied in relation to fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in the tumors. Thromboplastic activity of V7 carcinoma was comparatively high, while that of V2 carcinoma was as low as that of muscle tissue. More fibrin deposits in the stroma and more thrombi in the small vessels were found at the advancing border of V7 carcinoma than that of V2 carcinoma. These differences might be associated with higher thromboplastic activity of V7 carcinoma than that of V2 carcinoma. Fibrinolytic activity of both tumors was high and it was confirmed to be localized in the tumor cells by Todd's method. Fibrin deposits in the stroma were found more abundantly somewhat apart from the advancing border of the tumor nests of both tumors. It was suggested that plasmin activated by plasminogen activator released locally from the tumor cells might digest fibrin deposited in the stroma just close to the tumor nests.     

Light-dark patterns in running-wheel activity in rats during chronic administration of theophylline

Running-wheel activity for 24 hr and activity patterns were studied during chronic theophylline administration. Theophylline altered the normal relations between activity level and illumination. Dark-time activity was decreased to approximately 50% and 24 hr activity was unaffected. These observations were consistent with previous results showing that theophylline suppressed dark-time feeding but had no effect on 24 hr food intake. A possible mechanism to account for these results may be dependent on levels and turnover of brain norepinephrine.