Liquid crystal thermography; a reliable method for detecting soda lime exhaustion

The dynamic and functional state of soda lime can be more precisely assessed by measuring changes in wall temperatures of the absorption chambers rather than observing color change of the soda lime granules. We demonstrated in this report that the liquid crystal thermometer is an inexpensive and reliable measuring device for this purpose.     

Before-birth climatologic data may play a role in the development of allergies in infants

While an exacerbation in allergic symptoms corresponding to seasons has long been reported, few studies have investigated the association between the season of birth and allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the climatologic data before and after birth affected the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the results of allergy-related blood tests in early infancy. From February 1995 to January 2000, 2136 infants were tested for AD and followed for 12 months. AD patients were tested by using allergy-related blood tests. Data were compared according to the month of birth and the climatologic data using a computed statistical software package. Six hundred and thirty infants had AD before 12 months old, and significant differences were found according to the season of birth (p < 0.0001). Infants born in spring showed the lowest (22.3%) incidence, while those born in autumn showed the highest (34.6%). In 369 patients, total serum IgE levels, and serum specific IgE levels with egg white at 3 months old were also different according to the season of birth. All of these levels were lower in patients born in spring and summer, and higher in patients born in autumn and winter. Furthermore, the cumulative sunshine amount during the 3 months before and after birth was inversely correlated, while the average temperature over the 3 months before birth was positively correlated to the incidence of AD according to the month of birth. The climatologic data around birth may play an important role in whether an infant develops allergies.     

Accuracy of the Master's exercise test in detecting significant coronary artery disease

To assess the significance and accuracy of noninvasive tests in detecting significant coronary artery disease (CAD; greater than 50% stenosis), the Master's exercise test, treadmill exercise test and dipyridamole-loading myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were performed and their results were compared with coronary angiographic findings in 60 patients with angina but without myocardial infarction. Among these, 27 patients had significant CAD. The Master's test performed in outpatient clinics had an 85% sensitivity and a 76% specificity in detecting significant CAD, when the degree of ST depression was equal to or exceeded 1 mm. The sensitivity further improved to 96% by adding chest pain to the criteria; then all patients with multivessel disease or critical ischemia were identified by the Master's test. Treadmill tests performed after admission had a 78% sensitivity and a 67% specificity. When the severity of ischemia was judged either by exercise capacity or the degree of ST depression or the coronary T wave, the treadmill test was superior to the Master's test. Although patients without significant CAD had longer exercise capacity and the higher maximum heart rate in the treadmill test than did those in the Master's test, these trends were similar but less marked in patients with significant CAD. Dipyridamole-loading myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed an excellent sensitivity and specificity; 96% and 94%, respectively, in detecting significant CAD. It was particularly useful in distinguishing false positive exercise results due to left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary spasm and that in women, from true positive results. In conclusion, the Master's test is a simple and useful method for screening CAD in community hospitals and in outpatient clinics.     

Cleft palate and decreased brain γ-aminobutyric acid in mice lacking the 67-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase

In addition to its role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is presumed to be involved in the development and plasticity of the nervous system. GABA is synthesized by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), but the respective roles of its two isoforms (GAD65 and 67) have not been determined. The selective elimination of each GAD isoform by gene targeting is expected to clarify these issues. Recently we have produced GAD65 −/− mice and demonstrated that lack of GAD65 does not change brain GABA contents or animal behavior, except for a slight increase in susceptibility to seizures. Here we report the production of GAD67 −/− mice. These mice were born at the expected frequency but died of severe cleft palate during the first morning after birth. GAD activities and GABA contents were reduced to 20% and 7%, respectively, in the cerebral cortex of the newborn GAD67 −/− mice. Their brain, however, did not show any discernible defects. Previous pharmacological and genetic investigations have suggested the involvement of GABA in palate formation, but this is the first demonstration of a role for GAD67-derived GABA in the development of nonneural tissue.     

Insulin gene transfer with adenovirus vector via the spleen safely and effectively improves posthepatectomized conditions in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: We examined administration methods of adenovirus vector carrying human insulin gene (AxCAIns), which could safely and effectively enhance liver regeneration in diabetic rats after hepatectomy. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin and subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy. AxCAIns was administrated into the spleen, the portal vein, the peritoneal cavity, or the femoral muscle. Liver regeneration and damage, and nutritional conditions were compared among the groups which were different in the administration methods of AxCAIns. RESULTS: Intrasplenic administration of AxCAIns enhanced liver regeneration, improving nutritional conditions without liver damage. In contrast, intraportal administration enhanced liver regeneration but caused hypoglycemia with liver damage. Neither intraperitoneal nor intramuscular administration produced detectable serum levels of human c-peptide, and did not enhance liver regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, data showed that intrasplenic administration of AxCAIns, rather than other methods, effectively enhanced liver regeneration without liver damage and improved nutritional conditions after hepatectomy in diabetic rats. It is suggested that insulin gene transfer with AxCAIns via the spleen may safely and effectively improve posthepatectomized conditions in inslinopenic patients.     

Specific detection of Epstein-Barr virus in inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen in a patient with a high serum level of soluble IL-2 receptor

A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen is described in a 63-year-old woman who presented with an intrasplenic tumor and an elevated serum level of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R). Microscopic examination after removal of the spleen revealed that the tumor was composed of mixed cellular infiltrates, mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells, and spindle-cell proliferation. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was specifically detected in the tumor by in situ hybridization for EBV RNA. The serum level of sIL-2R level was normalized after splenectomy. EBV infection may play a role in the development of splenic inflammatory pseudotumor and the elevation of sIL-2R level. Received: May 27, 1999 / Accepted: November 26, 1999