The Levels of Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Using Direct Measurement in Healthy Japanese School Children

This study aimed to investigate the levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) using direct measurement in healthy Japanese school children. The subjects were 621 children (325 boys and 296 girls) aged 9 to 10 in the 4th grade, and 688 children (334 boys and 354 girls) aged 12 to 13 in the 7th grade. The levels of serum LDLC and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured by direct determination (Cholestest LDL and Cholestest NHDL; Daiichi Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). In boys in the 4th grade, the mean, the 75th, the 90th and the 95th percentiles of LDLC levels (mg/dl) were 91.6, 104, 124 and 134, respectively. In girls in the 4th grade, they were 92.8, 108, 122 and 130. In boys in the 7th grade, they were 83.4, 96, 113 and 123. In girls in the 7th grade, they were 93.0, 106, 126 and 137. Serum LDLC levels in boys in the 7th grade were lower than those of other groups. The direct measurement of serum LDLC level is useful for evaluation of dyslipidemia in healthy school children, because the method is applicable to non-fasting serum.     

Lipid analysis of normal dermis and hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars (HS) are a consequence of abnormal wound healing. We examined fatty acids that are contained within, and participate in, every reaction through the membrane; then, we analyzed the percentage composition of the fatty acids in deepithelialized normal dermis (ND) and HS. In vivo HS samples were obtained from six patients undergoing surgical excision, and ND samples from five patients undergoing skin grafting surgery for excess. In vitro, cultured fibroblasts from HS and ND were also analyzed. The percentage composition of fatty acids extracted from all the samples was analyzed. In vivo, arachidonic acid (20:4) was significantly more abundant in HS than in ND, in the phospholipids from both whole tissue and cell membranes. In vitro, there were no significant differences among ND, HS, and 10% fetal calf serum. The results suggest that HS formation does not necessarily involve simple excess of 20:4; however, there are considerable differences in the percentage composition of 20:4 between ND and HS. Arachidonic acid probably participates in the formation and maintenance of HS, whereas in vitro cultured fibroblasts are affected largely by fetal calf serum.     

Use of laboratory data to identify risk factors of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND: Although some laboratory findings are known to be indicators of the risk of giant coronary aneurysm formation among Kawasaki disease patients, an appropriate cut-off point to predict aneurysm formation is not clear. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with giant coronary aneurysms were selected from the 15th and 16th nationwide surveys of Kawasaki disease in Japan. A total of 2936 patients without Kawasaki disease were recruited from a single hospital as a control group. Odds ratios were calculated for six laboratory data with specific values as cut-off points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were observed to determine the most appropriate laboratory tests and cut-off points. RESULTS: Hematocrit, leukocyte count, neutrophil proportion, and hemoglobin had one or more peaks of odds ratio for specific cut-off points, but they did not have a clear cut-off point for the predictor according to the receiver operating characteristic curves. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased the risk of giant coronary aneurysms continuously so no clearly appropriate cut-off point was identified. Serum sodium concentration of 135 mEq/L had a peak of odds ratio, and those with <135 mEq/L had the highest odds ratio (4.78). This value seemed appropriate with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 57%, although the predictive positive value was as small as 5%. CONCLUSION: The author's propose that a serum sodium concentration of <135 mEq/L at the patient's first visit to hospital may be a predictor of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease.     

Sexuality in persons with limb amputation: A meaningful discussion of re-integration

Purpose: Rehabilitation professionals do not appear to be sufficiently prepared to deal with the sexual issues of people with a physical disability, although they have recognized the value of discussing them during the rehabilitation process. This commentary argues that the sexuality of people with a disability should be evaluated from the two viewpoints of sexual function and sexual concern. With regard to people with a limb amputation, their sexual life has not attracted researchers' or clinicians' interest because their sexual function is usually preserved, is the same as that of able-bodied persons, and there is a perception that assistance is not required. Indeed, the number of published studies on the sexuality of this population is apparently fewer than the number of studies on the sexuality of persons with central nervous system impairment.

Conclusion: Investigation of the body image of people with a limb amputation and recognition of their needs are considered to be necessary for further discussion of this theme. Discussion of sexuality with some realistic statistical figures should also have great value in assisting with the re-integration of people with a limb amputation.     

HTLV-I, HIV-I, and Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Western Province, Papua New Guinea: A Serological Survey

Seven hundred and twenty-three serum samples from individuals in 13 Gidra-speaking villages in Western Province, Papua New Guinea were tested for evidence of infection with human T- lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). No samples were positive for antibodies to HIV-I. Antibodies to HTLV-I were found in 13 samples (1.8%), HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) were found in 86 samples (11.9%), and antibodies to HCV were found in 30 samples (4.1%). Six (46.2%) of 13 HTLV-I positive samples were positive for HCV or HBsAg. The seropositive rate varied in different villages and the incidence of HTLV-I and HCV was higher in coastal and riverine areas than inland.     

Characterization of certain hepatocyte-proliferating and/or protective factors induced by the sensitization of freezing-thawing hepatic tissue

Although tumor cryosurgery would be expected to produce beneficial immunological effects from the enhancement of anti-tumor activity, under certain conditions the tumor may become enlarged and metastases promoted due to increased immunosuppressive activity and a high zone tolerance. In the present study, we examined whether hepatocyteproliferating factors were produced by the inoculation of freezing-thawing hepatic tissue (FTHT). Serum obtained from rats inoculated with FTHT increased DNA synthesis, according to measurement by [³H]thymidine incorporation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. This increase was dependent on the serum concentration, with serum obtained on day 14 after the inoculation being the most potent for hepatocyte proliferation. The sensitized serum promoted DNA synthesis nearly as much as serum obtained from a 70% hepatectomized rat, but slightly less than 10ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor. The sensitized serum also protected hepatocytes from carbon tetrachloride (CCI₄)-induced hepatotoxicity. Optical density measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrozolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay was increased, and the release of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in medium was decreased by treating hepatocytes damaged by CCI₄ with the sensitized serum. These results suggest that certain hepatocyte-proliferating and protective factors are induced in serum by the inoculation of freezing-thawing hepatic tissue, and that the sensitized serum may be useful in the treatment of liver failure.     

The localization of CD44 and moesin in osteoclasts after calcitonin administration in mouse tibiae

We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of CD44, hyaluronate receptor, and moesin, of the ezrinradixin-moesin (ERM) family, in osteoclasts after calcitonin adminstration using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to clarify the role of CD44 and moesin in their cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity. We also elucidated the localization of osteopontin (OPN) to confirm its possible role in cell-matrix recognition via CD44. In untreated mice, intense immunoreactivities for CD44 and moesin were detected on the basolateral plasma membrane of osteoclasts. Rhodamine-phalloidin reactivity was seen in a bandlike pattern on the region of contact between osteoclasts and bone and was also detected moderately along their basolateral plasma membrane. At 30 min after calcitonin administration, osteoclasts did not show either clear zones or ruffled borders. The bandlike reactivity of rhodamine-phalloidin in the contact region was diminished, although labeling was seen along osteoclasts. CD44 and moesin were colocalized along their plasma membranes, including the region facing the bone surface. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the microvillus processes in the contacting region with bone surface, as well as the basolateral plasma membrane, showed immunoreactivities to CD44 and moesin. At 60 min, some osteoclasts attached to bone and showed a bandlike pattern of rhodamine-phalloidin. On the other hand, OPN was localized under CD44-positive cytoplasmic processes and the clear zone of osteoclasts. These findings suggest that calcitonin effects on the cell polarity of osteoclasts and the CD44-moesin-actin filament system in osteoclasts plays an imporant role in cell polarity and cell-matrix recognition.     

Screening of H-ras Gene Point Mutations in 50 Cases of Bladder Carcinoma

Background Mutation converts the H-ras gene into an activated oncogene in about 10% of human bladder cancers. Codons 12 and 61 are the major "hot spots" for activation. A simple and accurate method to detect point mutations in these codons may be clinically useful for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Methods Bladder cancer samples from 50 patients, plus 10 samples of normal bladder mucosa, were analyzed for possible point mutation of the H-ras gene at either codon 12 or codon 61. The H-ras gene DNA segments that include these 2 codons were amplified by PCR methods, then the possible presence of a point mutation was evaluated at each codon by susceptibility of the respective DNA segments to digestion with the restriction enzyme and by dot blot hybridization assay. A bladder cancer patient who had an H-ras gene mutation was examined to see whether the mutation was also detectable in the cells released in the urine.
Results Definite or possible point mutations were found in 6 (1 2%) out of 50 bladder cancer patients, while no mutation was detected in normal mucosa. A point mutation could also be detected in cells isolated from the patient's urine sample.
Conclusion The prevalence of point mutations at codon 1 2 or codon 61 of the H-ras gene found in this study was similar to that previously estimated for human bladder cancer by DNA transfection assay. The method we have used for detecting point mutations of the H-ras gene provides a simple and highly accurate way to detect mutated cancer cells even in the urine. It may be clinically usable for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.