High-dose 15-deoxyspergualin monotherapy surpasses methylprednisolone in its therapeutic effect on advanced lupus nephritis in New Zealand black/white F1 hybrid mice, and low-dose combination may be synergistic.

To compare the therapeutic effect of 15-deoxyspergualin with that of methylprednisolone on advanced lupus nephropathy of New Zealand black/white F1 hybrid (B/W) mice, and also to study the possible synergistic effect of both drugs, B/W mice were heminephrectomized at 32 weeks of age, and were divided into six groups. Each group of mice was treated with 50 microliters phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 3 mg/kg methylprednisolone, 20 mg methylprednisolone, 0.6 mg DSP, 6 mg DSP, or with 3 mg methylprednisolone plus 0.

[A case of Cushing's disease associated with a non-functioning adrenal tumor].

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination of central obesity, hypertension and hirsutism suggesting Cushing's syndrome. Hirsutism had been remarkable for two years, and muscle weakness of the lower extremities gradually developed during the past year. CT scan revealed a tumor in the left adrenal gland which was 1 cm in diameter, round, well-circumscribed, homogeneous and not enhanced.

[Functional evaluation of possible cytokine receptors on airway smooth muscle: modification of airway smooth muscle responses by cytokines].

Recently, the role of activated T-cell derived cytokines in the pathophysiology of asthma has been recognized. In this study, we evaluated the effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) on contractile and relaxing responses of guinea-pig tracheal strips in isometric tension measurement system. IL-2 enhanced carbachol (Carb)- and KCl-induced contraction, and attenuated isoproterenol (Iso)-induced relaxation.

Radiotherapy resolves leukemic involvement of the optic nerves.

A 40-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had a visual disturbance OD. The optic disc was slightly swollen in the right fundus, and blast cells in the cerebrospinal fluid were found. Radiotherapy to the brain and orbit resolved these findings.

[Clinical use of serum erythropoietin determination by the recombigen EPO RIA kit].

Serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels were determined by the recombigen EPO RIA kit (DPC) in normal subjects and patients with renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and a variety of hematological disorders. Mean (+/- SD) serum EPO levels were 18.6 +/- 5.

[A case of unknown origin cancer of the mediastinal lymph node].

We encountered an unusual case with a sole cancer focus at the mediastinal lymph node. The patient was a 44-year-old man who visited our department with a chief complaint of chest pain. Subsequent chest X-ray and CT revealed an enlargement of a mediastinal lymph node.

[A case of type 1 diabetes mellitus with hypothalamic amenorrhea: successful pregnancy following subcutaneous pulsatile administration of LHRH].

A 27-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus was admitted to the Shimane Medical University Hospital because of secondary amenorrhea. She had been treated with insulin since July, 1986. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were controlled within normal limits.

Effect of 15-deoxyspergualin on lupus nephropathy in New Zealand black/white F1 mice.

Fourteen-week-old female New Zealand B/W F1 mice were treated subcutaneously with 15-deoxyspergualin (DSP) at 0.3 mg-6.0 mg/kg body weight, 4 times/week.

Degradation and distribution of brain natriuretic peptide in porcine tissues.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a novel peptide that has actions similar to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The present study investigated BNP localization in the heart, ANP and BNP contents in several organs, and ANP and BNP clearance through these organs. In the morphological study, it was shown that porcine BNP-like immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the granules of the atrium.

[Effect of almitrine in acute canine lung injury induced by paraquat].

The effects of intravenously administered almitrine (0.3 or 1.0 micrograms/kg/min, for 30 min) on hemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchange were assessed in eight dogs with acute lung injury induced by paraquat under controlled ventilation.

[A case of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) complicated with multiple nocardial abscesses].

A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever and lumbago. She was treated for adult T-cell leukemia and thrombocytopenia with 20 mg/day of prednisolone. CT scan showed multiple abscesses in right peri-kidney, right iliopsoas muscle, left subcutaneous region in the abdominal wall and the brain.

[Effects of local anesthetics upon human natural killer cytotoxicity in vitro].

Effects of 3 local anesthetics, bupivacaine, mepivacaine and lidocaine, upon natural killer cytotoxicity were studied in vitro. Mononuclear cell layer was recovered by Ficoll-Paque sedimentation from heparinized venous blood obtained prior to the induction of anesthesia. The mononuclear cells were divided into three groups: control group was incubated in medium only: low concentration group incubated in medium with 2.

[Effects of ulinastatin on granulocyte elastase and fibronectin in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass].

We investigated the effects of ulinastatin on the increase of granulocyte elastase (GEL) and the decrease of fibronectin (FN) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 30 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Ulinastatin 300,000 units were given immediately after the induction of anesthesia (U1) or during CPB (U2). GEL increased by 20 times after CPB.

[General anesthesia and surgery inhibited natural killer cell cytotoxicity in patients with cancer or benign disease undergoing upper abdominal surgery].

In this study, effect of enflurane anesthesia combined with epidural analgesia on natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) was investigated in 20 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group with adenocarcinoma of stomach (Group 1); the second with cholecystolithiasis (Group 2). Four samples were taken; 1) on arrival at operating room; 2) during anesthesia and 1 hour after skin incision; 3) on 1st postoperative day; and 4) on 4th or 5th postoperative day.

[Studies on right ventricular performance in surgical treatment for primary lung cancer--especially in changes of right ventricular ejection fraction in acute phase].

In surgical treatment for lung cancer, increase of right ventricular afterload associated with decrease of pulmonary vascular bed after lung resection is serious problem in acute phase. Intensive care is necessary for the patients having major surgery, especially in aged. Until now, we have studied on pre and post operative extravascular lung water (EVLW) in addition to measurement of conventional hemodynamic changes on right ventricular afterload.

[Simplified prediction of postoperative lung function by plain chest roentgenogram in patients with primary lung cancer--in correlation to postoperative respiratory complications].

For the purpose of simplification of prediction of postoperative lung function, we studied to predict lung function by analizing the frontal and lateral view of chest plain roentgenogram and investigate the correlation to respiratory complication on 111 patients with lung cancer. According to TNM classification of lung cancer, prediction was performed as follows. Predicted postoperative lung function = [(42-number of resected subsegments)/(42-number of occupied subsegments)] x preoperative VC or FEV1.

Spectral and waveform characteristics of fine and coarse crackles.

Two acoustically different types of lung crackles, fine and coarse, occur in different pathophysiological conditions. To differentiate these crackles from objective characteristics of frequency information, crackles were recorded from 16 patients with pulmonary fibrosis judged clinically to have "fine" crackles and from 10 with chronic bronchitis who had mainly "coarse" crackles. Time expanded waveforms (1/4 cycle duration, initial deflection width, two cycle duration, and 9/4 cycle duration; duration of the first 1/4, 2/4, 8/4, and 9/4 cycles of crackle waveforms) were examined and fast Fourier transform analysis (peak and maximum frequencies) was performed.

[Prediction of postoperative exercise capacity in lung resection candidates].

The relation between submaximal oxygen consumption (MVO2) before and after lung resection was studied, and the possibility to predict postoperative MVO2 was investigated. Thirty four patients (19 lobectomies, 9 bi-lobectomies, 6 pneumonectomies) performed exercise tests one week before operation and at the time when they were able to resume work daily after operation (in two to eleven months). Predicted postoperative MVO2 was calculated from preoperative MVO2 as follows: 0.

Plasma free triiodothyronine response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone to predict the remission of Graves' disease treated with antithyroid drugs.

The responses of both plasma TSH and free T3 (FT3) to TRH were examined in 31 patients with Graves' disease who were euthyroid after treatment with antithyroid drugs, 6 patients with primary hypothyroidism, and 14 control subjects. TSH was measured 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min and FT3 was measured 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min after TRH injection (500 microgram, iv). The increment in FT3 above the basal level (delta FT3) in normal controls ranged from 1.

Prolongation of the kidney preservation period by simple cold storage up to 72 hours by human atrial natriuretic peptide.

To prolong the preservation period of donor kidneys, we tried to evaluate the effect of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), which has vasodilator, natriuretic, and GFR-increasing effects. Autotransplantations were successful in 6 of 8 hANP-treated cases, but only one of 7 untreated cases (P less than 0.05) was successful.

[A prospective study of lung cancer in cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP)].

The incidence of lung cancer in 45 patients (37 males and 8 females), who were originally diagnosed as having idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), was studied prospectively by following them 4 to 10 years. As controls, sex-, age-, and smoking history matched patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) were also surveyed for the same follow up period. In addition, the differences in clinical findings between those with and without lung cancer were examined.

[Studies on increased sputum after bronchoplastic surgery for lung cancer in correlation with hemodynamics and extravascular lung water].

In surgical treatment for lung cancer, large amount of intrabronchial sputum and secretion was occasionally encountered in patients, especially underwent bronchoplastic surgery. It has been discussed as causes which was affected from transection of pulmonary branches of vagal nerve and bronchial arteries. So we have measured pre- and postoperative hemodynamics and extravascular lung water (EVLW) at the bedside, as to investigate the correlation with formyl sputum and increase of right ventricular afterload which was presumed by lung resection and bronchoplasty.

Toxicological and immunological evaluation of the immunosuppressant 15-deoxyspergualin in BALB/c mice: an in vivo and in vitro study.

The toxicological aspects as well as the immunosuppressive mechanism of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSP) were studied using BALB/c mice. Five-week-old animals were subcutaneously given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; Group 1) or DSP at 0.5 (Group 2) to 5.

[Management of pain after thoracotomy: experience of intercostal nerve block with alcohol during operation].

Post-thoracotomy wound pain in 11 patients who underwent thoracic operation was controlled by intercostal nerve block with alcohol and thoracic epidural anesthesia. The intercostal nerve block was performed just before the closure of the thoracotomy wound. Epidural anesthesia was employed from the 1st to 5th post operative day.