Ubiquitous Presence in Mammalian Cells of Enzymatic Activity Specifically Cleaving 8-Hydroxyguanine-containing DNA

Here we report the finding of enzymatic activity that specifically cleaves DNA containing 8-hydroxyguanine (oh⁸Gua) residues in various mammalian cells. To detect this activity, we used a synthetic double-stranded DNA containing a single oh⁸Gua at a defined position as the substrate, and analyzed the products of enzymatic digestion by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two cleavage sites near the oh⁸Gua residue were detected with partially purified fractions from cow brain and rat liver, and also with preparations from all mammalian tissues examined. These results suggest that enzymatic activity for the removal of oh⁸Gua from DNA is widely distributed in mammalian cells.     

Prostatic carcinoma in a young adult: a case report]

We report a case of carcinoma of the prostate in a 30-year-old man. Serum acid phosphatase was normal. A transrectal biopsy of the prostate demonstrated an undifferentiated carcinoma. Total prostatocystectomy was performed and subsequent pathologic report stated that the mass was an undifferentiated carcinoma of the prostate gland. Metastases to the intrapelvic lymph node were present. Although immunohistochemical prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) activity was not demonstrated, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) staining revealed a positive reaction within the tumor cells, confirming prostatic carcinoma. The patient's course has been uneventful without any recurrence by the intermittent adjuvant chemotherapy 8 months postoperatively. Review of the literature in Japan disclosed 16 cases (including our case) of carcinoma of the prostate in patients under 40 years of age.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of pipecuronium bromide, pancuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in anesthetized man

The pharmacokinetics of pipecuronium bromide was studied in 9 male patients (ASA class 1-2, 20-65 years of age). Following a single intravenous dose of pipecuronium 0.08 mg.kg-1, plasma levels were measured by capillary gas chromatography. Plasma concentration-time curves were evaluated by fitting the data to a bi-exponential equation. The pharmacokinetic parameters of pipecuronium were compared with those of pancuronium (0.08 mg.kg-1) and vecuronium (0.08 mg.kg-1) previously obtained under the same anesthesia (66% N2O, 33% O2 and 1% halothane). With pipecuronium, following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained; distribution half-life; T1/2 alpha = 3.9 +/- 0.7 min (mean +/- SEM), elimination half-life; T1/2 beta = 102 +/- 12 min, volume of the central compartment; V1 = 95 +/- 13 ml.kg-1, volume of distribution at steady state; Vdss = 264 +/- 41 ml.kg-1, clearance; Cl = 1.8 +/- 0.2 ml.min-1.kg-1. Microconstants of two-compartment open models (k12, k21, k10) were also calculated. Using Mann-Whitney's U-test, these parameters of pipecuronium were compared with those of pancuronium (n = 3) and vecuronium (n = 4). V1 and Vdss of pipecuronium were significantly larger than those of pancuronium (V1; 38 +/- 12 ml.kg-1 and Vdss; 120 +/- 4 ml.kg-1) (both P less than 0.10). Reflecting the larger central volume of pipecuronium, pipecuronium tended to have a larger clearance than that of pancuroniumu (Cl; 1.1 +/- 0.2 ml.min-1.kg-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

CT导引下肝肾囊肿抽吸硬化治疗

目的：总结CT导引下肝肾囊肿穿刺抽吸硬化治疗的疗效和操作经验。材料和方法：肝囊肿11，肾囊肿15例，多囊肾1例，囊肿大小为3．5－12cm，均用15cm长20GGreene针穿刺治疗，抽出囊液量为21－550ml，囊液抽净后注入99．7％的无水酒精。结果：治疗后症状均有明显好转或消失，本组随访肝囊肿7例、肾囊肿11例，疗效指数I级1例（多囊肾），Ⅱ级肝肾囊肿各2例，Ⅲ级肝囊肿5例肾囊肿8例。穿刺操作顺利，无严重并发症发生。结论：CT导引下肝肾囊肿抽吸硬化治疗操作简便、创伤小、疗效高可作为替代外科手术的有效的治疗方法，多囊肾的单纯抽吸治疗可明显减轻症状，改善肾功能，是一种较好的治疗手段。     

Transepithelial movement of non-polar and polar compounds in male rat reproductive tubule examined by in vivo microperifusion and in vivo micropuncture

Proluminal movement of 3H-testosterone and 3H-sucrose from peritubular to intratubular fluids of the adult rat testis and epididymis was investigated by using in vivo microperifusion and subsequent micropuncture of seminiferous tubules and caput, corpus, and cauda epididymal tubules. Tubules were perifused with Minimum Essential Medium containing 3H-testosterone or 3H-sucrose. 14C-polyethyleneglycol was included in the perifusion fluid as a marker for contamination of intraluminal fluid by interstitial fluid. Radioactivity of isotopes in perifusion and intraluminal fluids was determined at one and two hours after perifusion and the percentage of peritubular isotopes appearing in intraluminal fluid was determined. Net entry of 3H-sucrose into the seminiferous and epididymal tubules was significantly reduced. Proluminal movement of 3H-androgen across the seminiferous epithelium was also restricted. In contrast, intraluminal 3H-androgen concentrations in caput epididymal fluid were 200 to 300% of those in peritubular fluid at both one and two hours after perifusion. Similar results were found in the corpus epididymidis. 3H-androgen concentrations in cauda epididymal fluid were approximately 125% of peritubular isotope concentrations. The exact mechanism underlying this uphill proluminal movement of 3H-androgen into the rat epididymal lumen remains to be elucidated.     

Determination of the exposure concentration of propylene oxide to produce neuropathy in rats

Although propylene oxide, which is similar in chemical structure to ethylene oxide, is expected to produce neuropathy, there is no convincing evidence of the degeneration of the peripheral nervous system. To determine the exposure concentration of propylene oxide necessary to produce neuropathy in male Wistar rats, we subjected them to repeated exposures of propylene oxide at concentrations of 500, 750, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm. The test rats were subjected to a single 6 hour exposure of propylene oxide at a concentration of 1500 parts per million 5 times a week for 3 weeks. They developed a significant decrease in body weight, abnormal posture of the hindlegs and axonal degeneration of myelinated fibers in the peroneal and sural nerves, the nerves to the soleus muscle, and in the fasciculus gracilis of the spinal cord. Therefore, it was concluded that propylene oxide induces neuropathy in rats characterized by axonal degeneration, similar to that produced by ethylene oxide, and that the exposure to the higher concentration of propylene oxide is more necessary to produce neuropathy than in the case of ethylene oxide neuropathy in rats.     

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by hyphema and hemorrhagic glaucoma

We treated two patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus in whom hyphema and hemorrhagic glaucoma occurred. Case 1 complained of facial skin eruption, and was given intravenous acyclovir for 7 days. Hyphema and high intraocular pressure occurred in the left eye 10 days after the onset of the skin eruption. Case 2 had severe pain and blisters on her face, and was given intravenous acyclovir for 7 days. An intracameral hemorrhage and glaucoma developed in the right eye 15 days after the onset of the skin lesion. Intravenous acyclovir may be necessary for longer than 7-day periods if the iridocyclitis remains.     

Pseudopodia of capillary endothelium in ocular tissues

The frequencies of pseudopodia projecting from capillaries of various parts of the eye were observed in 16 human eyes with a transmission electron microscope. The pseudopodia were found mainly projecting from the choriocapillaris and rarely seen in the retina, iris or ciliary body. The frequencies of pseudopodia from the choriocapillaris were not correlated with the localization in the fundus (macular area or peripheral fundus), age, sex, time elapsed between death or enucleation and fixation. The significance of pseudopodia from the choriocapillaris is unknown. However, there is the possibility that pseudopodia are related to choroidal neovascularization or have other physiological functions.