Prolidase Activity in Chronic Wound and Blister Fluids

We investigated prolidase activity in samples derived from wound fluid as well as blister fluid. Prolidase activity was elevated in fluid samples collected from wounds over the levels in sera collected from patients with chronic wounds (P<0.05). Prolidase activity was also present in samples taken from blister diseases. However, prolidase activity in blister fluid was not higher than that in sera collected from patients with blister diseases. Our results indicate that prolidase may play a role in wound healing.     

Primary Adenocarcinoma in the Urethrorectal Fistula

A 60-year-old Japanese man was hospitalized because of urinary leakage from the anus on October 3, 1994. Retrograde urethrography detected a fistula between the bulbous urethra and the rectum. Urethrocystoscopy revealed a tumor on the urethrorectal fistula. Tumor biopsy showed a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Cystourethrectomy with fistulectomy, and ileal conduit urinary diversion were performed. Pathological examination revealed primary adenocarcinoma in the fistula with invasion to the prostatic urethra and bladder wall. The patient showed no evidence of a recurrence as of August, 1996.     

The efficacy of fluconazole in treating prosthetic valve endocarditis caused byCandida glabrata: Report of a case

A case of active prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) due toCandida glabrata was successfully treated by the systemic administration of fluconazole. A 66-year-old Japanese man with infective endocarditis of unknown etiology underwent aortic and mitral valve replacement to treat severe aortic and mitral regurgitation associated with multiple organ failure. Postsurgical cultures of arterial blood were repeatedly positive forC. glabrata, and therefore fluconazole was administered either intravenously or orally at a dose of 400 mg/day for 46 days. During that time the signs of inflammation including fever such as an elevated white blood cell count and the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) all improved while the blood cultures became negative. Fluconazole is thus considered to be effective in treating PVE caused byC. glabrata. When administering this treatment, it is also important to monitor the patient's renal and liver function.     

Mass contents of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and 1,2-diacylglycerol in human platelets stimulated with a thromboxane analogue and thrombin.

Mass contents of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) were measured in U46619-stimulated human platelets. 1 microM of U46619 induced maximum responses in aggregation, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) secretion and increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Aggregation was almost comparable to that induced by maximal dose (1 U/ml) of thrombin, while 5HT release was almost half. The initial [Ca2+]i peak in response to U46619 was about half of thrombin stimulation. Production of IP3 and DG was, however, less than one tenth of that seen in thrombin stimulation. The profile (time course and concentration-dependency) of IP3 formation did not correlate with that of [Ca2+]i, suggesting that U46619 stimulates IP3-dependent and -independent Ca2+ mobilization. DG production was small but sustained for more than 5 min. These findings support the recent hypothesis that aggregation is regulated by a delayed accumulation of DG. The low level of 5HT secretion could be explained by the low production of second messengers, IP3 and DG.     

Uveitis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I.

Seroepidemiologic, clinical, and virologic studies were performed to determine whether human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I was closely associated with uveitis in two hospitals. One hospital was in an endemic area of the virus (Miyakonojo, Miyazaki) and the other hospital was in a less endemic area (Kurume). In the endemic area, the seroprevalence of the virus in patients with uveitis without defined causes (35.4%, 62 of 175 patients) was significantly higher than that in patients with nonuveitic ocular diseases (16.1%, 42 of 261 patients), or in patients with uveitis with defined causes (10.3%, eight of 78 patients). The seroprevalence in younger patients (20 to 49 years of age) with uveitis without defined causes in the area was 44.8% (30 of 67 patients), whereas it was only 9.3% (ten of 107 patients) in the other two groups. A similar observation was recorded even in the less endemic area (Kurume). Because the seroprevalence of the virus in the general population is known to be low in younger patients and to increase with age, these findings were interpreted to indicate that the association of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I with uveitis was significant. Most patients, particularly those aged 20 through 49 years, had an intermediate uveitis characterized by a moderate inflammation in the vitreous body accompanied by an iritis and retinal vasculitis. The ocular symptoms in the patients differed from those of other types of uveitis common in Japan (Beh?et's disease, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease, and toxoplasmosis, for example).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Techniques of nasotracheal intubation with the fiberoptic bronchoscope

When nasotracheal intubation with a fiberoptic bronchoscope is performed, the tube may be blocked in the nasal cavity or larynx, resulting in several complications including epistaxis and hoarseness. We review the causes and complications of tube blockage and discuss optimal techniques for minimizing it.     

HTLV-I uveitis: a distinct clinical entity caused by HTLV-I.

Seroepidemiological, clinical and virological studies were carried out in an HTLV-I endemic area to find out if HTLV-I caused an intraocular inflammatory disorder, uveitis. The seroprevalence in patients with uveitis without defined etiologies (62/175, 35.4%) was significantly higher than that in patients with non-uveitic ocular diseases (42/261, 16.1%) or in patients with uveitis with defined etiologies (8/78, 10.3%). Moreover, the seroprevalence in young adults (20-49 years) with uveitis without defined etiologies was 30/67 (44.8%), whereas it was only 10/107 (9.3%) in the other two groups. The uveitis in HTLV-I carriers was characterized clinically by a moderate inflammation of the vitreous body accompanied by a mild iritis and retinal vasculitis. The proviral DNA of HTLV-I was detected by polymerase chain reaction from the inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber in 9 out of 9 seropositive patients with the uveitis, but not in any of the tested patients with other types of uveitis. These data, thus, indicate that HTLV-I causes a specific type of intraocular inflammation, uveitis.     

Gorham massive osteolysis

Gorham syndrome (massive osteolysis) is a very rare tumour-like lesion characterized by progressive osteolysis. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the microscopic finding of intramedullary angioma-like vascular structures. We report a case of a 15-year-old boy with a pathological fracture in his left humerus. Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, angiography and bone scintigraphy failed to disclose to tumorous lesion that filled a cavity in the left humerus. After observing the boy's progress for 6 months, a temporary diagnosis of Gorham syndrome was made, and surgical treatment was chosen. After resection of the left humeral head and the proximal one-quarter of the humerus, thorough curettage was performed in the distal humerus and an intramedullary artificial humeral head fixed with adequate success. Pathological examination of the specimen revealed intramedullary haemangioma of the humerus.