Purification and characterization of a novel growth factor (FF-GF) synthesized by a rat hepatoma cell line, FF101.

A rat hepatoma cell line, FF101, established in serum-free, protein-free medium, synthesizes a growth factor(FF-GF). FF-GF was purified by gel filtration chromatography, cation-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Purified FF-GF was revealed as a single band on SDS-gel electrophoresis and its molecular weight was estimated to be 70 KDa.

Chiba Spinal System in the operative management of scoliosis.

The Chiba Spinal System was developed for three-dimensional correction of scoliosis. The system consists of a 7-mm diameter smooth solid rod, closed and open hooks, and specially designed conical sleeves. The rod does not have ratchets or threads, thus minimizing stress concentrations.

Micturitional disturbance in tumors of the lumbosacral area.

Neurourological studies were performed on 15 patients with tumors at or below the first lumbar vertebra. Micturitional history revealed that 14 patients (93%) had voiding symptoms. Four patients had incontinence and three had urinary retention.

Mechanical stability of the pedicle screw fixation systems for the lumbar spine.

Five different pedicle screw systems: AO Fixator Interne, VSP Steffee plate, Luque ISF, modified Zielke, and Chiba-type plate screw system (experimental device), were evaluated for biomechanical strength. A fatigue test for the screw, compressive, and torsional tests for the pedicle screw systems and a pull-out test of the pedicle screw were done. Even the Schanz screw, which showed the highest endurance limit, may be broken under the continuous loading condition in the body.

Micturitional disturbance in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine.

Neurourological studies were performed on 39 patients with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Micturitional history revealed that 30 patients (77%) had voiding symptoms: obstructive in 8, irritative in 11, and both obstructive and irritative symptoms in 11. Ten patients had urge incontinence and 4 had urinary retention.

Long-term results of anterior interbody fusion for treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Thirty-nine patients, 34 women and five men, underwent anterior decompression and interbody fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis between February 1958 and August 1988. Their average age at surgery was 51 years (range, 34-74 years), and their average follow-up period was 12 years 7 months (range, 6 months to 30 years). Clinical evaluation was done by the score rating system of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA Score).

Long-term results of spinal instrumentation surgery for scoliosis five years or more after surgery, in patients over twenty-three years of age.

From 1967 to 1981, 311 scoliotic patients treated at Chiba University, with a minimum follow-up of 5 years and aged more than 23 years, were selected for this study. Seventy-two were males and 239 were females, whose age at operation ranged from 9 to 44 years, with an average of 16.5 years.

Disturbances of micturition in patients with a spinal arteriovenous malformation.

Neuro-urological studies were performed on 9 patients with a spinal arteriovenous malformation (S-AVM). The micturitional history revealed that all 9 patients had voiding symptoms, obstructive in 9 and irritative in 3 patients. All patients still had obstructive symptoms after treatment of S-AVM.

School screening for scoliosis by the Chiba University Medical School screening program. Results of 1.24 million students over an 8-year period.

The screening program for scoliosis started by Chiba University in 1979 consists of using moiré topography, low-dose roentgenography and a final ordinary x-ray examination. The number of children screened through this Chiba University Medical School (CUMS) screening program to 1986 amounted to 1,246,798. The incidence of scoliosis of more than 15 degrees increased linearly according to age from the fifth grade primary school children (0.

Nonspecific congenital myopathy (minimal change myopathy): a case report.

A 28-month-old male with generalized hypotonia and muscle weakness, a myopathic face, skeletal dysmorphism and delayed motor milestones from birth is reported. He gradually developed the ability of sitting and rolling over, but could not stand without support until 28 months. There was no intellectual impairment or seizures.

The change in color matches with retinal angle of incidence of the colorimeter beams.

Differences between W.D.W.

Parathyroid carcinoma visualized by gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy.

An abnormal uptake of [67Ga]citrate by a palpable neck tumor was observed in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism. The pathological diagnosis of the surgically resected specimen was parathyroid carcinoma invading the thyroid. The uptake was negative in nine patients with parathyroid adenoma.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to exogenous avian leukosis virus.

A microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to avian leukosis virus (ALV) of subgroups A and B in infected chickens was developed with the use of Rous-associated virus (RAV)-1 (subgroup A) and RAV-2 (subgroup B) antigens purified by sucrose-gradient centrifugation. The antigen was used for ELISA after treatment with Triton X-100. In the ELISA, the subgroup viral antigen reacted strongly with homologous antiserum but also reacted with heterologous antiserum.

[Pituitary-thyroid function in patients with Cushing's syndrome--comparative study before and after extirpation of adrenal cortex tumor].

The pituitary-thyroid function and the metabolism of the thyroid hormones in the blood were investigated in 19 patients with Cushing's syndrome before and after an adrenalectomy, 16 patients had adrenal adenomas and 3 patients had modular adrenal hyperplasias. Serum T4, free T4 (FT4), T3, reverse T3 (rT3), TBG and TSH were measured in all patients by radioimmunoassay, and changes in serum TSH, PRL and HGH following the injection of TRH 500 micrograms in 10 out of 19 patients were observed to evaluate the pituitary functions. Serum T4, FT4 and rT3 were within normal limits and not significantly changed after the surgical treatment.

Comparative study of bioavailabilities of different phenytoin preparations.

A comparative study of the serum phenytoin (PHT) concentration levels during the treatment with different PHT preparations (powders or tablets) manufactured by two Japanese pharmaceutical companies gave the following results: 1) The serum PHT concentration levels (S in microgram/ml) of children (aged 7-11) who were taking Company A's powder and phenobarbital were less than 2.0 microgram/ml in 21 out of 24 (87.5%) cases without correlation with the dosage (D in mg/kg).

Correlation of T4 to T3 converting activity with T3 concentration in rat tissues.

The correlation between T4 5'-deiodinase activity and thyroid hormone concentration in rat tissues was sought. Studies with normal and thyroidectomized rats indicated a significant correlation of the hepatic T3 concentration with the enzyme activity in liver homogenate (r = 0.80, p less than 0.