Ultrasonographic evaluation of gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease (GI‐GVHD) is a major and life‐threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) for assessing and monitoring GI‐GVHD. GI tract was evaluated by US in 81 patients. US findings were positive in 43 patients, including 11 false positive, and negative in 38 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of US for the diagnosis of GI‐GVHD were 100%, 78%, 74%, 100%, and 86%, respectively. Diffuse wall thickening of the ileum was the most frequent finding in patients with GI‐GVHD. Severity of GI‐GVHD was correlated with the thickness of internal low echoic layer of the wall, the echogenicity of mesenteric fat tissue, and the intensity of Doppler signaling. We classified US findings of GI‐GVHD into four US grades. There was a significant correlation between clinical stage of GI‐GVHD and the US grade. These ultrasonographic abnormalities were improved with clinical improvement of GI‐GVHD upon treatment. Thus, US is an effective and efficient non‐invasive means of identifying the extent and severity of GI‐GVHD and monitoring response to treatment.     

Behavioral pharmacological and electroencephalographic effects of the 5-HT1A partial agonist ipsapirone]

The behavioral and EEG effects of the 5-HT1A partial agonist ipsapirone were investigated to determine its pharmacological characteristics as an anxiolytic drug in rats, mice and rabbits, as compared with those of buspirone and diazepam. 1) The anticonflict effect of ipsapirone was almost equipotent as that of buspirone and less potent than that of diazepam in rats. Ro15-1788 antagonized the anticonflict effect of diazepam, but did not that of ipsapirone. 2) Muricide in midbrain raphe-lesioned and olfactory bulbectomized rats was inhibited by ipsapirone. However, the inhibition of muricide by ipsapirone was attenuated by its repeated administration. 3) The muscle relaxant effects of ipsapirone and buspirone on rotarod performance were less potent than that of diazepam. Ethanol-induced muscle relaxation was markedly potentiated by diazepam, but less potently by ipsapirone and buspirone. 4) The pentetrazol-induced convulsion was dose-dependently antagonized by diazepam, while it was weakly potentiated by ipsapirone and buspirone. 5) The limbic afterdischarges induced by either hippocampal or amygdaloid stimulation in rabbits were markedly inhibited by diazepam. Conversely, ipsapirone and buspirone slightly potentiated afterdischarges. In conclusion, it is suggested that ipsapirone has anxiolytic activities similar to that of buspirone and moderate antimuricidal action. In addition, ipsapirone, like buspirone, is also characterized by its less potent muscle relaxant, alcohol-potentiating and anticonvulsant actions.     

The CADO-E I type endometrial applicator for RALS therapy

A dual stainless steel applicator (CADO-E I type) was developed for intracavitary radiotherapy of endometrial carcinoma using remotely controlled afterloader (RALS). An inverted pear-shaped isodose curve was obtained by means of this metallic applicator and Co-60 source with a stepwise movement. Reference point X was defined as 2 cm below the fundus and 2 cm lateral to the center line of the uterus to specify the dose absorbed to the uterine corpus with our endometrial applicator. Since cancer residua resulting from cold spots in dose distribution were recognized at the uterine fundus by histopathological investigation of serial sections in the hysterectomy specimens, we intend to develop an applicator with three metallic tubes (CADO-E II type).     

Magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal degeneration in torn menisci: a comparison between anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees and stable knees

Signal anomalies observed in magnetic resonance imaging of the intrameniscal tissue adjacent to the tear were compared between stable knees (group 1, 54 menisci) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees (group 2, 98 menisci). The histological significance of these signal anomalies was also studied (n = 25). The frequency of intrameniscal signal anomalies adjacent to the tear was significantly lower in ACL-deficient knees than in ACL-stable knees (P = 0.0022). There was a close correlation between the imaging anomalies and the presence of histological lesions (fissures, degeneration) within meniscal tissues adjacent to the tear (sensitivity: 0.95, specificity: 0.60). Our results suggest that the severity of intrameniscal degenerative changes adjacent to the tear are lower in ACL-deficient knees than in ACL-stable knees.     

Morphological changes of the hair roots in alopecia areata: A scanning electron microscopic study

Alopecia areata is a chronic inflammatory condition causing non‐scarring patchy hair loss. Diagnosis of alopecia areata is made by clinical observations, hair pluck test and dermoscopic signs. However, because differentiation from other alopecia diseases is occasionally difficult, an invasive diagnostic method using a punch biopsy is performed. In this study, to develop a reliable, less invasive diagnostic method for alopecia areata, we performed scanning electron microscopy of the hair roots of alopecia areata patients. This study identified four patterns of hair morphology specific to alopecia areata: (I) long tapering structure with no accumulation of scales; (II) club‐shaped hair root with fine scales; (III) proximal accumulation of scales; and (IV) sharp tapering of the proximal end of hair. On the basis of these results, we can distinguish alopecia areata by scanning electron microscopic observation of the proximal end of the hair shafts.     

Interstitial pneumonitis in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: a report from the Japanese BMT Study Group

One hundred and four patients with acute leukemia treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in Japan were analysed for the incidence of interstitial pneumonitis (IP). Thirty-six (35%) of 104 marrow graft recipients developed IP. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was the most frequent organism (61%). Using multivariate analysis, remission at transplant (P = 0.0001) and use of cyclosporin A to prevent graft-versus-host disease (P = 0.0363) were found to be significant factors associated with a decreased incidence of IP. For preventing IP, anti-CMV hyperimmune globulin was effective, while interferon and acyclovir were not.     

A study on the improvement of denture base resin. Epoxy dimethacrylate-polybutadiene dimethacrylate-MMA monomers as the liquid of denture base resin

The dimethacrylates, EpDMA and BdDMA, which have a bisphenol type epoxy chain and butadiene chain in their main chains, respectively, were synthesized. The properties of the terpolymer composed of EpDMA, BdDMA and MMA monomers were examined. The monomer mixture of EpDMA, BdDMA and MMA was used as the liquid of denture base resin, and the properties of the cured resin were examined. The polymerization shrinkage of the terpolymer of EpDMA-BdDMA-MMA decreased with the increase in the EpDMA concentration in the cured resin, and the transverse strength and the elastic modulus were greatest at the BdDMA concentration of 0.3-1 vol%. The denture base resin produced using a monomer mixture as the liquid, the transverse strength and the impact strength showed the highest values of about 110 MPa and 14 KJ/m2, respectively, at the liquid composition of 10 vol% EpDMA, 1 vol% BdDMA and 89 vol% MMA.     

Immunohistochemical collagen analysis of the most superficial layer in adult articular cartilage

We investigated immunohistochemically the collagen type of the most superficial layer in 10 normal adult human articular cartilage specimens obtained from eight femoral heads and one each of the femoral condyle and the talus using routine light microscopy and polarizing microscopy. A membrane-like structure with strong bire-fringence covering the articular surface was observed under polarizing microscopy in each specimen. This structure was stained with anti-type I and anti-type III collagen antibodies but not with anti-type II collagen antibody. This immunohistochemical finding was identical to that in synovial tissue. The results of this study confirm that the most superficial layer of adult normal articular cartilage consists not of type II collagen but of types I and III, and that this layer is absolutely independent from its deeper layer.