Altered cardiac adrenergic neurotransmission in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

1. Functional alterations of the sympathetic neuroeffector junction of the left atria were studied in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. 2.

Induction by endogenous noradrenaline of an alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated positive inotropic effect in rabbit papillary muscles.

1. The possible involvement of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the inotropic and electrophysiological responses to endogenous noradrenaline released by tyramine was examined in rabbit papillary muscles. 2.

Cloning and chromosome mapping of the human Mel-18 gene which encodes a DNA-binding protein with a new 'RING-finger' motif.

It has recently been reported that there exists a new 'RING-finger' protein family among the zinc-finger (Zf) proteins. Previously, we had isolated the mouse Mel-18 cDNA (mMel-18) encoding the nuclear RING-finger protein that exhibits an ability to bind to a nonspecific DNA column. Here, we have isolated and characterized the human Mel-18 cDNA (hMel-18) using the mMel-18 cDNA as a probe.

Membrane currents of porcine granulosa cells in primary culture: characterization and effects of luteinizing hormone.

In ovarian granulosa cells, LH depolarizes the membrane potential and induces steroid production. The membrane currents of porcine granulosa cells in primary culture were studied by means of the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique to investigate whether the ionic channels are involved in the effects of LH. We identified and characterized two types of K+ currents--a transient outward current (Ito) and a delayed rectifier K+ current (IK)--and one Ca2+ current (ICa).

[A case of Fontan operation for complex heart disease with good post-operative course by the management of hypothermia in coming off from cardiopulmonary bypass].

A 8-year-old boy with a complex heart disease was underwent Fontan operation with Glenn operation, and had a good post-operative course by the management of hypothermia in coming off from cardiopulmonary bypass around 31 degrees C. The hypothermic therapy was thought to be effective in acute stage after Fontan operation, because it improved tachycardia, decreased the systemic metabolism, redistributed the systemic arterial blood flow and increased the urinary output.

Histopathologic and flow cytometric analysis of colorectal polyps resected at endoscopy.

Forty-seven colorectal polyps of various histologic types were studied using retrospective flow cytometric (FCM) DNA analysis to determine the prevalence of aneuploid cell populations and whether they were associated with any particular histologic features. Overall, 6 of 47 polyps (12.8%) contained DNA aneuploid cells, comprising 4 adenomatous polyps, 1 of 12 with mild atypia (8.

Extrathymic development of V alpha 14-positive T cells.

It is known that rearrangement of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) gene occurs in the thymus during T cell development and consequently results both in the deletion of DNA between the variable (V) and diversity/joining segments and in the formation of a circular DNA with recombination signal sequences. Here, we provide evidence that V alpha 14+ TCR gene rearrangements take place in extrathymic sites, such as bone marrow, liver, and intestine, but not in spleen, because we were able to detect frequent productive and nonproductive V alpha 14+ coding and signal sequences as a result of TCR rearrangements in extrathymic sites. Similar findings were also detected in athymic mice.

Effects of MS-551, a new class III antiarrhythmic drug, on action potential and membrane currents in rabbit ventricular myocytes.

1. Electrophysiological effects of MS-551, a new class III antiarrhythmic drug, were examined and compared with those of (+)-sotalol in rabbit ventricular cells. 2.

Histological evaluation of the intrahepatic biliary tree in intrahepatic cholesterol stones, including immunohistochemical staining against apolipoprotein A-1.

Apolipoprotein A-1 is known to be one of inhibiting factors of cholesterol nucleation in bile, and decreased activity of apolipoprotein A-1 is considered to predispose cholesterol-supersaturated bile to formation of cholesterol crystals. To study the pathogenesis of the intrahepatic formation of cholesterol stones, we examined surgically resected liver specimens from six patients with intrahepatic cholesterol stones and compared the characteristic histopathological features with those of intrahepatic calcium bilirubinate stones, using morphological examination and immunohistochemical staining against apolipoprotein A-1. Morphologically, in all six patients with cholesterol stones the severity of chronic proliferative cholangitis with proliferation of the mucus-producing glandular elements in the walls of the large bile duct or periductal tissues was less extensive than that seen with calcium bilirubinate stones, and cholesterol crystals had formed in the septal and interlobular bile ducts.

Prognostic value of nucleolar organizer regions in endoscopically biopsied tissues of colorectal cancers.

We studied the proliferative activity in endoscopically biopsied tumors by means of argyrophil-protein nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) scores. AgNOR scores of 109 colorectal cancers ranged from 2.48 to 6.

Association between gallbladder cancer and anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system.

Between 1978 and 1989, gallbladder cancer was diagnosed in 17 out of 48 patients with anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary system. The clinical, surgical, and pathological features of these 17 patients are described. We classified them into two groups, those with and those without dilation of the common bile duct, and compared the clinicopathological features.

A case report of resected primary duodenal carcinoma associated with early gastric cancer and cumulative results at 21 institutions in Japan.

A case of primary duodenal carcinoma simultaneously associated with an early gastric cancer is reported. A 72-year-old woman complaining of appetite loss and nausea was admitted in June 1988. Endoscopic examination showed an ulcerative lesion in the angle of the stomach and a Borrmann type 2 tumor in the bulb of the duodenum.

Analysis of hepatic recurrence of colorectal cancer after resection of hepatic metastases.

Forty patients with history of resected hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer were examined for pattern of recurrence. The 5-year survival rate was 41.3% for 40 patients.

The mouse Mel-18 "RING-finger" gene: genomic organization, promoter analysis and chromosomal assignment.

The chromosome gene for mouse Mel-18 (mMel-18) protein has been isolated and characterized. The entire mMel-18 gene is composed of thirteen exons spanning about 15 kilobases, in which the protein is encoded by exons 5-13. The "RING-finger" motif of Mel-18 protein that displays a significant evolutionary resemblance to other RING-finger nuclear proteins is encoded by exons 5 and 6.

Pancreatitis and anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system in childhood.

From January 1978 to December 1989, 48 patients were diagnosed as having anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system (AUPBD) at the Second Department of Surgery, Kanazawa University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. Among these 48 patients, 13 (28.1%) were children under 13 years of age.

Expression of p53 protein in colorectal cancer and its relationship to short-term prognosis.

Background And Methods: The expression of p53 protein in 100 large bowel cancers was studied immunohistochemically by use of a monoclonal antibody (PAb1801).

Results: Immunoreactivity was found in 61.0% of specimens from 100 patients with colorectal cancer.

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region counts in exocrine pancreatic tumors.

We enumerated the number of Ag-NORs in normal pancreatic ducts and exocrine pancreatic tumors to assess their cellular activity. Our results indicate that the mean number of Ag-NOR counts increased stepwise in the following order: normal pancreatic duct (1.26), serous cystadenoma (1.

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation enhances the delayed rectifier K+ current of guinea pig ventricular cells through the activation of protein kinase C.

The effect of alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation on the delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) was examined in isolated guinea pig ventricular cells by use of the patch-clamp method. IK was evoked by a 3-second depolarizing pulse from a holding potential of -30 mV in a Na(+)- and K(+)-free solution containing 3 microM nifedipine. Phenylephrine (30 microM) in the presence of propranolol (1 microM) produced an increase in IK.

Electrophysiologic and anticholinergic effects of pirmenol enantiomers in guinea-pig myocardium.

Since it has been reported that several class I drugs stereoselectively block sodium channels, potassium channels and muscarinic receptors in cardiac tissues, electrophysiologic and anticholinergic effects of enantiomers of pirmenol, a class I antiarrhythmic drug, were examined. Both (+) and (-) pirmenol depressed the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) of the action potential in a concentration-dependent manner in guinea-pig papillary muscles driven at 1.0 Hz, and there was no significant difference in the potency of the class I effect between the enantiomers.

[A case of traumatic aortic valve rupture].

A case of aortic valve rupture as a result of blunt trauma by motorcycle accident is presented. A previously healthy 18-year-old male developed severe congestive heart failure 46 days after the initial trauma. There were crescentic tears in the right and non-coronary cusps parallel to and along the whole length of the cusps.

[Flow cytometric analysis of proliferative characteristics of human leukemic cells in bone marrows in vivo using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and its monoclonal antibody].

We developed a new method for analyzing the proliferative characteristics of human acute leukemic cells in bone marrows in vivo using BrdU and its monoclonal antibody. The thirty minutes after a bolus BrdU infusion, a 1st bone marrow aspiration (BMP) was performed to calculate BrdU-LI. Then, a 150-minute continuous infusion of BrdU was started.

[Immunohistochemical detection of p53 in colorectal cancer and its relationship to prognosis].

The expression of p53 in colorectal tumors was studied immunohistochemically by monoclonal antibody (PAb1801). No nuclear staining was evident in the tumor cells of colorectal adenomas. p53 immunoreactivity was found in 59 (61.

Intraperitoneal hyperthermic treatment for peritoneal dissemination of colorectal cancers.

Continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) combined with administration of anticancer drugs was performed in eight colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination. An overall response rate of 50 percent was achieved in the eight patients. Two of three complete responders are long, recurrence-free survivors for 15 and 30 months.