Establishment and characterization of macrophage-like cell lines expressing osteoclast-specific markers

Osteoclasts differentiate from hematopoietic precursors of the monocyte/macrophage lineage to mononuclear preosteoclasts and multinuclear mature osteoclasts. In the present study, we report on the establishment of macrophage-like cell lines from mouse bone marrow by coculturing bone marrow cells with mouse chondrocytes. Isolated clones (MLC-6 and MLC-7 cells) expressed fully differentiated osteoclast markers, such as calcitonin receptors, vitronectin receptors, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and vacuolar H⁺-ATPase, in the absence of osteoclast differentiation factor/osteoprotegerin ligand/RANKL/TRANCE, which was essential for osteoclast differentiation. Most clones also maintained expression of a macrophage-associated protein, namely non-specific esterase. Both MLC-6 and MLC-7 cells released cathepsin K into the culture medium. Both clones resolved dentine slices when cocultured with the osteoblast cell line ST2. The cloned cell lines are considered to be useful tools in the study of osteoclast differentiation. Received: October 13, 2000 / Accepted: January 12, 2001     

下肢动脉硬化闭塞症的多层螺旋CTA的诊断与介入治疗

目的探讨下肢动脉硬化性闭塞症CTA的诊断与介入治疗的临床经验。方法术前采用CTA初步诊断后采用介入技术治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症患者18例（20条肢体）。结果20条肢体均成功进行球囊扩张或球囊扩张加支架置入,1例治疗效果欠佳而行截肢治疗,另1例股动脉支架5月后再次出现支架远端狭窄而再次置入支架。所有病例随访6～12月,患者临床症状明显改善。结论介入治疗是治疗下肢动脉硬化性闭塞症的安全、有效方法。     

Lidocaine suppresses the sodium current inEuhadra neurons which is mediated by cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation

The action of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, in association with the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated intracellular biochemical process, was examined in identifiedEuhadra neurons. Lidocaine dose-dependently inhibited the inward current which was elicited by dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). This inhibitory effect was transiently reversed by the intracellular injection of a catalytic subunit of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The inward current elicited by db-cAMP and IBMX was abolished by Na⁺-free saline but not by Ca²⁺-free saline. The data suggest that lidocaine is not acting directly on the Na⁺ channel, but acts at a level proximal to the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Species-Specific Glycoproteins of the Human Red Cell Membrane

Specific antiserum of human red cells was prepared from rabbit anti-human red cell serum by absorption with red cells of horse, hog, dog and Japanese monkey. This antiserum proved specific for human red cells regardless of blood types ABO and MN as demonstrated by the hemagglutination test. Sialoglycoproteins were extracted with lithium diiodosalicylate and isolated through chromatographic procedures from human red cell membranes, and showed inhibitory activity for the specific antiserum as well as for anti-M and anti-N sera. The isolated glycoproteins corresponded to the sialoglycoproteins on the basis of SDS-PAG electrophoresis. The inhibitory activity of the sialoglycoproteins for the specific antiserum was lost after the substance was treated with sialidase for 24h. A moderate reduction of the inhibitory activity for anti-M and anti-N sera but not for the specific antiserum was seen after treatment for 1h. These results showed that the receptors for the species-specific antiserum were more resistant towards sialidase treatment.     

ORTHOSTATIC AND POSTPRANDIAL BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

1. The role of the sympathetic nervous system in orthostatic and postprandial blood pressure reduction in patients with essential hypertension was studied in 13 hypertensive patients and 10 age-matched normotensive subjects. 2. The blood pressure (BP), pulse rate, and plasma norepinephrine (NE) were measured: (i) every minute for 20 min in the upright position after overnight recumbency (ii) every 30 min after food intake for 3 h in the supine position. 3. Orthostatic BP reduction (greater than 13 mmHg in mean BP) was observed in eight hypertensive patients with a maximum after 4 min. Seven of these patients showed postprandial hypotension (greater than 13 mmHg) with a maximum 90 min after eating, while none of the normotensives exhibited such BP reductions. Before and during the tests the plasma NE levels were higher in hypertensive patients than in the normotensives. The plasma NE level was increased from 370 +/- 80 to 790 +/- 110 pg/mL 4 min after standing (P less than 0.01) in hypertensive patients and from 220 +/- 40 to 530 +/- 90 pg/mL (P less than 0.01) in normotensive subjects. The plasma NE level was decreased 90 min after food intake from 390 +/- 90 to 260 +/- 80 pg/mL in hypertensives. Changes in plasma NE correlated with those in mean BP after standing for 4 min (r = 0.379, P less than 0.05) and also with those 90 min after food intake (r = 0.457, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Allergenicity and tolerogenicity of amlexanox in the guinea pig

Amlexanox (AMLX), an anti-allergic agent, is available in Japan as Elics® opthalmic solution, Solfa® nasal douche and Solfa® tablets. Cases of allergic contact dermatitis induced by Elics® ophthalmic solution, which contains 0.25% AMLX, were reported within a year of its introduction. We therefore examined the contact sensitizing potency of AMLX. Guinea pigs sensitized to 0.25% AMLX exhibited a strong positive patch test reaction. Further, AMLX-sensitized animals developed rashes following oral and systemic challenge with AMLX. This animal model reflected the clinical experience of systemic contact dermatitis due to AMLX. The non-responsiveness induced by oral administration of AMLX to AMLX-induced animals was transient, and clinical prophylaxis by desensitization with oral AMLX may only increase the risk of systemic contact dermatitis. On the other hand, there have been few reports of drug eruption from oral Solfa® tablets in spite of their wide use. Therefore, we also examined the induction of tolerance by oral administration of AMLX. Oral administration of AMLX before sensitization resulted in complete non-responsiveness. It seems likely that a substantial reduction in the risk of AMLX sensitization by Elics® may be achieved by prior oral administration of Solfa® tablets containing AMLX.     

A histological grading of malignancy of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Summary A new system for the histological grading of malignancy was ultilized in 91 cases of squamous cell carcinomas of the anterior 2/3 of the tongue which were treated initially by radiotherapy at Osaka University Hospital from 1967 to 1980. Three different morphological parameters were evaluated with respect to the tumor, cell population estimated in terms of a four-point scale. A correlation was found between the degree of histological malignancy and the incidence of neck node metastasis. Furthermore, a statistical significance was valid on the survival rates between the group according to the histological grading. At present, prophylactic neck dissection is encouraged, especially for the highly malignant cases.     

Closure of a gastric tube-tracheal fistula by transposition of a pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap

We treated a 65-year-old man presenting with a gastric tube-tracheal fistula, who had undergone subtotal esophagectomy. The radiological and endoscopical findings demonstrated a 4-mm gastric tube-tracheal fistula located just above the sternum. Conservative treatment using a flexible fiberscope and/or gastrofiberscope, including factor XIII with fibrinogen (Beriplast P, Tisseel, and Borheal), α-cyanoacrylate (Aron-α-A),n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (histoacryl), and human antihemolytic factor XIII (Fibrogammin P) in addition to total parenteral nutrition with no oral intake did not result in closure of the fistula. The fistula was therefore transected and closed through an upper median sternotomy and right partial intercostal incision followed by transposition of the sternocleidomastoid muscle flap between the gastric tube and trachea. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

Oral hypoglycemic effect of Salacia reticulata in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rat

The oral hypoglycemic activity of Salacia reticulata extract was evaluated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were orally administered an aqueous extract of Salacia reticulata and the plasma glucose concentration was determined at regular intervals following administration. The drug was effective as a hypoglycemic agent at all the doses tested (0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg and 5.0 g/kg). The maximum percentage decrease in plasma glucose was observed between 1–5h following administration of the drug.