Induction of the Conversion of Xanthine Dehydrogenase to Oxidase in Rabbit Liver by Cu2+, Zn2+ and Selenium Ions

Abstract— Effects of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺ and selenium ions on the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in rabbit liver were examined. Under basal conditions, xanthine oxidase activity represented only 16% of the total xanthine oxidase plus dehydrogenase activity. Cu²⁺ (2–10 μm ), Zn²⁺ (5–30 μm ) and selenium ions (5–100 μm ) brought about the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in a dose-dependent manner. The concentrations of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and selenium ions required for increasing xanthine oxidase activity by 50% was approximately 4, 10 and 20 μm , respectively. On the other hand, Fe²⁺ had no effect on the conversion of the enzyme up to 100 μm . These results suggest that Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and selenium ions have the potential to modulate the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in rabbit liver.     

Discrimination between His-bundle and the Right Bundle Branch during Electrophysiologic Studies

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the His-bundle (HB) versus right bundle branch (RBB) during electrophysiologic studies, using the V3 phenomenon, and to compare the timing of HB versus RBB potentials of sinus cycles (His-ventricular [H-V] interval).
Methods: The study enrolled 16 patients without structural heart disease, who underwent electrophysiologic studies during which the H-V interval was within normal limits and the V3 phenomenon was induced during recordings of the HB and the RBB potentials by a multi-electrode catheter. The recording site of the earliest HB potential just before the V3 phenomenon was defined as the branching portion of His bundle (HBBP), the site immediately proximal to the HBBP as the HB, and the site immediately distal to the HBBP as the RBB.
Results: The HBBP was identified in all patients. In all cases but one patient, the H-V interval measured at the HB adjacent to the HBBP was ≥35 ms. However, in 12 patients, the H-V interval measured at the RBB adjacent to the HBBP was also ≥35 ms.
Conclusions: The electrophysiologic identification of HB versus RBB by simultaneous recordings of HB and RBB potentials during induction of the V3 phenomenon was feasible. When the discrimination between HB and RBB was based on the measurement of the H-V interval, the proximal portion of the RBB was frequently misidentified as the HB.     

Recovery from neuroendocrinological abnormalities and frontal hypoperfusion after remission in a case with rapid cycling bipolar disorder

Abstract  A 51-year-old Japanese woman who had been suffering from a rapid cycling affective disorder (RCAD) for 24 years responded to combined clonazepam and carbamazepine therapy. Before remission, she showed neuroendocrinological and neuroimaging abnormalities such as subclinical hypothyroidism with exaggerated response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) injection, non-suppression on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and hypofrontality in cerebral blood flow. Her symptoms improved remarkably soon after adjunctive clonazepam treatment. After remission, her biological markers gradually returned to normal. First, subclinical hypothyroidism improved 2 months after remission. Next, hypofrontality disappeared 18 months later. Furthermore, non-suppression on the DST normalized 24 months later. The normalization of biologcal markers with apparent recovery from RCAD suggests a decreased risk of relapse into mood disorder. These findings reiterate the importance of following-up on the biological markers in RCAD for years after remission.     

Case Report: Interferon induced coma in Sheehan's syndrome

A 54-year-old woman who was being treated with 10 million units (mu) of natural interferon (IFN)-α per day for chronic active hepatitis C at a local clinic, developed coma on the fourth day of treatment. On admission to Yamagata University Hospital, she was still in a state of semicoma with severe hyponatraemia (122 mEq/L) and hypochloraemia (89 mEq/L). After the administration of electrolytes, her condition improved remarkably. Endocrinological loading tests showed a hypofunction of the anterior pituitary gland. In consideration of these results, and her past experiences of haemorrhage during childbirth and subsequent amenorrhoea, we diagnosed her illness as a coma as a result of Sheehan's syndrome which had become overt during IFN therapy. She recovered completely after treatment with hydrocortisone and 1-thyroxine.     

Adverse drug reactions of intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation and risk factors of the development of adverse drug reactions in superficial cancer and carcinoma in situ of the bladder

BACKGROUND: We examined the incidence and severity of adverse drug reactions following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation for superficial bladder cancer including carcinoma in situ. We investigated the relationship between adverse drug reactions and patient background to clarify risk factors for the development of adverse drug reactions. METHODS: A total of 123 patients who underwent intravesical BCG instillation for treatment and prophylaxis between April 1997 and June 2000 were included in this study. Adverse drug reactions were divided into local and systemic categories and the severity of reactions was classified according to the presence or absence of postponement or discontinuation of instillation, with or without treatment for the reaction itself. RESULTS: Of 123 patients, 95.9% showed adverse drug effects and 50.4% needed some sort of treatment. Discontinuation of instillation due to adverse drug reactions was observed in nine patients. Regarding the necessity of treatment for adverse drug effects, the purpose of instillation and BCG dose were independent significant factors on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although there was a high rate of adverse drug reactions after intravesical BCG instillation, the rate of discontinuation of instillation was not high and serious adverse reactions were rare. The scale of the present study was small, but these results suggest that BCG instillation was well tolerated. When instillation is being performed for the purpose of treatment, and the BCG dose is 80 mg, greater attention might be needed to monitor for the development of adverse drug effects.     

Establishment of Two Ph1 Chromosome-Positive Cell Lines, KPB-M8 and KPB-M15

Two new Philadelphia (Ph¹) chromosome-positive cell lines, designatedKPB-M8 and KPB-M 15, were established from the peripheral bloodof two patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blasticcrisis. Both cell lines were characterized by blastic appearance,the presence of acid phosphatase activity, Fc-receptor, andC₃. and reactivity to monoclonal antibodies such as OKM1, MCS2,MY906, MY4 and MY7. These results indicate that KPB-M8 and KPB-M15cells are of an undifferentiated blast nature. Both cells retainedPh¹ chromosome, and showed numerical and structural changesupon chromosomal analysis. These cell lines should provide auseful source for studying differentiation of hemopoietic cells.     

Positional relationships between the masticatory muscles and their innervating nerves with special reference to the lateral pterygoid and the midmedial and discotemporal muscle bundles of temporalis

For an accurate assessment of jaw movement, it is crucial to understand the comprehensive formation of the masticatory muscles with special reference to the relationship to the disc of the temporomandibular joint. Detailed dissection was performed on 26 head halves of 14 Japanese cadavers in order to obtain precise anatomical information of the positional relationships between the masticatory muscles and the branches of the mandibular nerve. After complete removal of the bony elements, the midmedial muscle bundle in all specimens and the discotemporal muscle bundle in 6 specimens, derivatives of the temporalis, which insert into the disc were observed. On the anterior area of the articular capsule and the disc of the temporomandibular joint, the upper head of the lateral pterygoid, the midmedial muscle bundle of temporalis and the discotemporal bundle of temporalis were attached mediolaterally, and in 3 specimens the posterosuperior margin of the zygomaticomandibularis was attached to the anterolateral area of the disc. It is suggested that these muscles and muscle bundles contribute to various mandibular movements. Although various patterns of the positional relationships between the muscles and muscle bundles and the their innervating nerves are observed in the present study, relative positional relationships of the muscles and muscle bundles and of nerves of the mandibular nerve are consistent. A possible scheme of the developmental formation of the masticatory muscles based on the findings of the positional relationships between the muscles and the nerves is presented.