Histochemical characteristics of soleus muscle in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene knockout mice.

We examined the histochemical characteristics of soleus muscle in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (Ace in mice, ACE in humans) knockout mice. Serial sections of soleus muscle of wild-type (Ace+/+, n=20) and heterozygous mutant (Ace+/-, n=24) mice were stained for myosin adenosine triphosphatase activity to identify different muscle fiber types. Capillaries were visualized by amylase-periodic acid-Schiff staining. ACE activity in the serum and gastrocnemius muscle was higher in male mice than in female mice. Female and male Ace+/- mice had markedly lower ACE activity in the serum and the gastrocnemius muscle than did female and male Ace+/+ mice, respectively. In both male and female mice, the composition of fiber types (type I and IIa) did not differ significantly between Ace+/+ and Ace+/- mice. There was no significant gender difference in capillary density. Ace+/- mice had significantly more capillaries around type IIa fibers (5.44 +/- 0.18 vs. 5.01 +/- 0.13, p<0.05) than Ace+/+ mice. The differences in the number of capillaries around type I fibers and in the number of capillaries around per fiber (capillary:fiber ratio) between Ace+/- and Ace+/+ mice were not significant (p<0.1). There was no significant difference in the mean cross-sectional area occupied by one capillary and the number of capillaries per fiber area between Ace+/+ and Ace+/- mice. In conclusion, knockout of the Ace gene in mice increased capillary density, as expressed by the mean number of capillaries around type IIa fibers. This finding suggests a possible mechanism for the cardioprotective effects of ACE inhibitors.     

Further simplification of ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) for anti-htlv-i igg using microplates and fluororeader

In a previously reported ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) for anti-HTLV-I IgG, polystyrene beads were handled with tweezers, and bound b?-D-galactosidase activity was measured with a fluorometer. The use of tweezers was causative of false-positivity by carryover, and testing many samples was difficult. Recently, these drawbacks have been minimized using microplates and a fluororeader. However, tweezers were still required in the initial and final steps. In the present study, the immune complex, comprising 2,4-dinitrophenyl-antigen, anti-HTLV-I IgG, and antigen-b?-D-galactosidase conjugate, was formed in and trapped onto microplate wells coated with (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl group) IgG. Subsequently, the microplate wells were incubated with ?N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine and polystyrene beads, modified by attaching to plates through cylindrical bars and coated with (antihuman IgG γgM-chain) IgG, to transfer the immune complex from the microplate wells to the modified polystyrene beads. Alternatively, modified polystyrene beads coated with (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl group) IgG and microplate wells coated with (antihuman IgG γgM-chain) IgG were substituted for microplate wells coated with (anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl group) IgG and modified polystyrene beads coated with (antihuman IgG γgM-chain) IgG, respectively. The fluorescence intensity for bound b?-D-galactosidase activity was quickly measured with a fluororeader. Thus the modified polystyrene beads were transferred from wells to wells more quickly and easily without tweezers, eliminating false-positivity due to carryover, and it became easy to test many samples with high sensitivity and reliability, although the assay of bound b?-D-galactosidase activity became slightly more time-consuming.©1995 wiley-Liss, inc.     

Immunohistochemical localization of c-myc oncogene product in oral papilloma

The expression of c-myc oncogene products in oral papillomas was studied by using an immunohistochemical method. The oncogene products were detected in 17(70.8%) of the 24 oral papillomas under study. The expression of the products was evaluated, and the histologic localization in proliferating epithelial cells of the oral papillomas was determined. In the basal cell layer, the products were detected in the nuclei of 16 oral papillomas, and in the cytoplasm of 12 oral papillomas. In the nuclei of cells in the spinous cell layer, the products were detected in 4 oral papillomas, and in the cytoplasm of 13 oral papillomas. In the keratinized cells, the products were not detected in the nuclei, but they were identified in the cytoplasm of three oral papillomas. The results suggested that the c-myc oncogene product might play an important role for proliferation and differentiation of the oral papilloma.     

Anthropometric Indicators of Breast Cancer Risk in Japanese Women in Fukuoka

This study was based on a case-control study of breast cancer risk in Fukuoka, which was initiated to identify risk factors for the disease. We re-analyzed the data of the study to evaluate the association of breast cancer with anthropometric variables in postmenopausal women. Data were obtained through interviewing 121 cases with historically confirmed breast cancer and an equal number of age-matched hospital controls as well as neighborhood controls. The variables used for analysis were; height, weight at various ages, shoe size, and brassiere size and body size indices (body surface area and various body build indices) computed from the height and weight data. In a multiple covariance analysis, the results showed that cases were slightly lighter in weight and smaller for some of the indices, but the differences were not statistically significant. The odds ratios, estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis, suggested that the cases were slightly shorter in height and smaller in shoe size without any consistent dose-response gradients. The effect of changes in weight and body size indices with aging were also assessed, but no significant findings were observed. The results reported here do not support the hypothesis of the positive association between obesity or large body size and breast cancer.     

A Study of the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Detergents for Hand Washing: Using the Full-hand Touch Plates Method

We studied the effects of four kinds of antimicrobial detergents, 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), chlorbenzarconium (CBC), 10% povidone-iodine (PVI), 0.3% triclosan (TRI), and one non-medicated detergent (NMD) using the full-hand touch plates method. Before and after 3 minutes of hand scrubbing with a brush, bacterial colonies on the hand surface and subungual bacteria were counted. CHG, CBC, and PVI were excellent antimicrobial detergents against hand surface bacteria, but most of the subungual bacteria remained. The subungual space was the most difficult region from which to eradicate bacteria. TRI was much less effective than hand soap against hand surface bacteria.     

Subcapsular orchiectomy using the ultrasonic surgical aspirator in patients with advanced prostatic cancer]

We report a technique for performing subcapsular orchiectomy using the ultrasonic surgical aspirator (USA). The procedure was simple and safe, and was completed within one hour in 2 patients on whom it was carried out. Operative complications such as bleeding, postoperative pain and wound swelling were minimal, and compression dressings were not necessary. Postoperatively, the serum testosterone value was lowered to the castrate level. We conclude that subcapsular orchiectomy using USA is superior to conventional bilateral scrotal orchiectomy, and will be a useful option.     

The Incidence of Isolation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains from Skin Infections during the Past Three Years (1989–1991)

We did a statistical study of 294 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from skin infections during the period from January of 1989 to December of 1991 in the Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University Hospital. We especially examined methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from the point of view of incidence, variety of skin infections with MRSA, coagulase type, phase type, and resistance against antimicrobial agents. The frequency of isolation of MRSA has been increasing. In 1991, the proportion of MRSA isolates among all S. aureus strains isolated from skin infections was 41.5%. MRSA was isolated most often from infectious decubitus. Coagulase type II and phage group NT (not typable) MRSA were most frequently isolated. The resistance of MRSA to OFLX and IMP/CS had remarkably increased. Notably, the resistance to MINO was low before 1991.     

Lewis genotyping by the PCR-RFLP method in a Japanese population and its evaluation in forensic analysis

Lewis phenotyping of red blood cells has many problems such as the influence of many biological conditions, the change during the period from newborn to early childhood and mistyping by non-specific anti-Lewis antibodies. Therefore, it would be useful to determine the Lewis genotype. Recently a method of Le-genotyping by PCR-RFLP was established. We determined the frequencies of Lewis genotypes in a Japanese population and discuss the applicability to paternity tests and other forensic applications. The gene frequencies of Le, le1 and le2 in the Japanese population studied were 0.7032, 0.2358 and 0.0610 respectively. Out of 12 paternity cases where paternity was excluded by other markers, 3 alleged fathers could also be excluded by Lewis genotyping. The genotype from organs of a fetus from a 3-month pregnancy was Le/Le. The determination of Lewis genotypes could play a useful role as a genetic marker in paternity tests and forensic analyses. Received: 9 October 1996 / Received in revised form: 1 April 1997