This report describes two infants who had neutropenia develop after treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics. The first patient, a 9-month-old girl, was administered flomoxef (FMOX); the second patient, a 14-month-old boy, was administered cefotiam (CTM). Both infants were found to have neutropenia 4 to 5 days after they were placed on respective antibiotics, and neutropenia had persisted despite antibiotics withdrawal for 1 to 3 months. Drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST), granulocyte-bound antibodies, serum granulocyte antibodies, and immunoblotting analysis indicated that beta-lactam antibiotics possibly triggered production of granulocyte autoantibody with resultant autoimmune neutropenia.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of Palomo's operative method for infertile varicocele.

Palomo's operative method was employed in the surgical treatment of 58 cases with infertile varicocele, and the operative method and therapeutic results were assessed. With the lapse of time after operation, statistically significant improvement was achieved in the sperm density and sperm motility. The post-operative impregnation rate was 55.2%. When the pre-operative sperm motility index had been 20% or less, the post-operative impregnation rate was 23%, which was significantly lower than the overall rate of 55.2%. Thus, the pre-operative sperm motility index is a good indicator of the post-operative capacity for impregnation. Even in patients with severe oligozoospermia (< 5 x 10(6) ml-1), a post-operative impregnation rate of 45.5% was obtained. Thus, their prognosis is by no means hopeless. Study of the cross-sectional profile of the internal spermatic vessels revealed the possibility of overlooking small internal spermatic venous branches. Therefore, Palomo's method was concluded to be excellent as an approach performed under direct visual observation. Palomo's method did not cause any complication of testicular atrophy and improved the fertility potential.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrastructure of the vestibular dark cell area in patients with acoustic neurinoma.

The human vestibular dark cell (DC) areas of the utricle and ampulla of the lateral semicircular canal were investigated ultrastructurally in 7 patients with acoustic neurinoma. Two types of DCs mainly constituted the epithelial cells of the DC area. One type of DC had basolateral infoldings that were closely interwoven with the melanocyte processes, and the pinocytotic vesicles were frequently found within the basolateral infoldings and the melanocyte processes. The other type of DC had basolateral infolsings stacked upon each other. The former type of DC was more frequently found than the latter type in the DC area adjacent to the sensory epithelium and in the mid portion of the DC area. However, the latter type of DC was more predominant in the DC area distant from the sensory epithelium. These findings suggest that the activity of DCs is modulated by the melanocytes and that the former type of DC has a more active role in ion and/or fluid transport than the latter type of DC. Thus, the DC area near the sensory epithelium might be more actively engaged in the production and regulation of vestibular endolymph than that distant from the sensory epithelium.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

AgNOR staining of cell imprint preparations of human bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical usefulness of argyrophilic nuclear organizer region (AgNOR) staining as applied to cell imprint preparations in bladder cancer. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 59 bladder cancers (13 grade 1, 24 grade 2 and 22 grade 3). The staining time, quality of staining, relationship of AgNOR counts to tumor grade and interobserver variations in AgNOR counts were compared in cell imprint preparations and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Interobserver variation was compared by calculating the coefficients of variation (CVs) and correlation coefficients between two independent observers. RESULTS: Following an optimal staining time of 30 minutes, the AgNOR dots of cell imprint preparations were highly distinct. In contrast, the optimal staining time was variable, and the AgNOR dots often were observed to aggregate in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The mean AgNOR count was significantly higher in imprint preparations. AgNOR counts from the imprint preparations showed a stronger relationship to tumor grade. The CVs of AgNOR scores in the cell imprints was significantly smaller, and the correlation coefficient was significantly greater. CONCLUSION: AgNOR staining of cell imprint preparations is a more objective method than paraffin-embedded tissue sections in human bladder cancer.

Coloring Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psychiatric and biochemical correlates of respiratory decompensation in a terminal and non-terminal chronic pulmonary disease patient.

A psychiatric and biochemical study was undertaken at the request of two patients who were thought to be terminally ill by the medical staff. One patient accepted dying and expired from her disease. The other patient wished to continue living and did not die. The dying patient exhibited abnormally high levels of catecholamine excretion which were not associated with verbal reports of anxiety or discomfort and did not seem upset or uncomfortable to the physician and nurses caring for her. The patient who lived had relatively low levels of catecholamine excretion and was anxious, irritable and uncomfortable. The behavior of these two patients differed during the period of acute respiratory failure. The dying patient had given up and felt that she was engaging in goal-directed activity which she would or could not shut off. The patient who lived was frightened of dying and felt that she would overcome her current difficulties and that she was not ready or willing to die. The major cardiovascular differences were those of a significantly lower blood pressure and higher heart rate in the patient who died.

17-Ketosteroids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Purification and characterization of ouabain-binding protein in human plasma.

Ouabainlike factors are thought to be a kind of important modulators of salt and water metabolism in essential hypertension. We purified the binding-protein of ouabain (OBP) from human plasma. The amino-terminal sequence of OBP from human plasma, (NH2-TLGQPREPQVYTLPPXREEM-), indicated that OBP is the carboxy-terminal fragment (14.4 kDa by SDS-PAGE) from T218 of IgG2 heavy chain and from A221 of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. Moreover, plasmin-cleaved Fc fragment (pFc) of IgG possessed the ouabain-binding activity by the gel-filtration method of pFc and authentic ouabain mixture, whereas neither intact, aggregate, nor papain-cleaved Fc fragment did. The amino-terminal sequence of pFc was NH2-THTXPPXPAPELLGGPXVFL-, and this sequence corresponded to the T105 to L125 fragment of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. The growth of cultured THP-1 cells were arrested in the dose-dependent manner by ouabain, which was inhibited by the addition of 20 microg/mL of pFc. These results suggested that plasmin-cleaved Fc of human IgG is one of the binding protein of ouabain/ouabainlike factor(s) in human plasma.

Cell Division↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A phase I study of cisplatin i.p. and carboplatin i.v. with G-CSF in patients with ovarian cancer.

We conducted a dose-escalation study with a fixed dose of intraperitoneal cisplatin and G-CSF support of carboplatin using the Calvert formula in epithelial ovarian cancer. Twenty-five patients were entered in this study. On day 1, carboplatin was administered intravenously at target AUCs of 4, 5, 6, and 7. On day 2, cisplatin was given i.p. in 70 mg/m2. G-CSF, 50 microgram/m2, was administered subcutaneously from day 7 to 16. Cycles were scheduled to be delivered every four weeks. A total of 85 cycles were administered. The maximum tolerated dose was AUC 7 mg/ml x min of carboplatin. The overall response rate was 80% (12/15). The combination in this regimen is feasible, and a phase II study of this regimen is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Suppression of lung and liver carcinogenesis in mice by oral administration of myo-inositol.

It has been reported that myo-inositol can inhibit carcinogenesis in various organs, such as the mammary gland, colon and lung. In the present study, at first, inhibitory effects of myo-inositol on lung carcinogenesis were confirmed. Then, the influence of myo-inositol on liver carcinogenesis in mice was investigated. In C3H/He male mice, the rate of spontaneous liver carcinogenesis is known to be high. Using this experimental model, the effects of oral administration of myo-inositol (added into the drinking water at the concentration of 1%) were assessed. Significant suppression of liver carcinogenesis was observed in mice treated with myo-inositol for 40 weeks. In the control group without myo-inositol administration, 88% of the animals developed liver tumors, whereas in the myo-inositol-supplemented group, the incidence of liver tumors was 38% (p < 0.05). The average number of liver tumors per mouse was also decreased significantly by myo-inositol treatment; from 7.8 in the control group to 0.8 in the myo-inositol-supplemented group (p < 0.01). Thus, myo-inositol may be useful for cancer chemoprevention in the liver, as well as the lung.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Visualization and recording of intravascular details by fiberoptic angioscopy: the Sumida cardioangioscope.

Direct selective observation of the intravascular lumen through a catheter cardioangioscope provides accurate diagnostic information that facilitates the detection and treatment of vascular diseases. The Sumida-cardioangioscope is approximately 0.75 to 2.4 mm in diameter and consists of at least 3,000-6,000 delicate glass fibers, each measuring 4.8-5.5 micron and fused into a long flexible 75 to 130 cm tube. The cardioangioscope has the following components: (1) a scope connected to a camera; (2) a lightguide, consisting of 80-500 fibers, measuring 30-50 micron in diameter, and a 75-watt xenon lamp; (3) a transport channel for saline or drug solution; (4) an inflatable cuff; and (5) a handle to manipulate the catheter tip. The abdominal aorta in living dogs and the coronary arteries, aortic valves, abdominal-iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries, abdomino-iliac bifurcation, and venous system were clearly observed and recorded on videotape, 16-mm movie film and 35-mm photographic film. Angioplasty by balloon and laser ablation are possible applications.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Beneficial effects of hypothermic reperfusion on metabolic and functional recovery after cold storage of the rat heart.

With an isolated rat heart preparation, we evaluated the effects of hypothermic reperfusion on myocardial metabolic and functional recovery after cold storage. Hearts in group 1 were reperfused at normothermia (35 degrees C) after 3 hours of cold (5 degrees C) storage, and hearts in group 2 were reperfused at 20 degrees C and gradually rewarmed to 35 degrees C during 20 minutes of Langendorff (nonworking) perfusion. Coronary vascular resistance in group 1 increased progressively, whereas that in group 2 tended to decrease during the early period of reperfusion. Total creatine kinase leakage during the initial 20 minutes of reperfusion was less in group 2 (0.87 +/- 0.13 IU/heart) than in group 1 (2.48 +/- 0.32 IU/heart, p less than 0.01). Hearts in group 2 showed a better recovery of energy charge (0.850 +/- 0.020) than did those in group 1 (0.787 +/- 0.013, p less than 0.05) at 5 minutes of reperfusion. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and total adenine nucleotide contents in group 2 exceeded those in group 1 (ATP, 18.0 +/- 1.8 and 13.4 +/- 0.8 mumol/gm dry weight; total adenine nucleotide, 22.7 +/- 1.5 and 17.8 +/- 1.0 mumol/gm dry weight, respectively, both p less than 0.05) at 20 minutes of reperfusion. Functional recovery at 60 minutes of reperfusion was better in group 2 than in group 1 (50.3 +/- 5.8% and 30.6 +/- 4.2%, respectively, p less than 0.01). These findings indicate that hypothermic reperfusion reduces the extent of myocardial damage and improves the oxygen supply and demand balance during the early period of reperfusion; hence there is a better recovery of heart function.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Proceedings: 168. Changes in tympanic temperature during muscular exercise.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Body Temperature↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of nucleoside transport inhibition on adenosine and hypoxanthine accumulation in the ischemic human myocardium.

The effect of nucleoside transport inhibition on the adenylate catabolism was studied in the human myocardium under normothermic ischemic conditions. Ten hearts from cardiac transplant recipients and two hearts from cardiac homograft donors were used in this study. The hearts were excised under hypothermic conditions (25 degrees C body temperature), the coronary arteries flushed with 500 ml ice-cold Ringer solution (n = 6; group I) or with ice-cold Ringer solution containing 1 mg/l of the nucleoside transport inhibitor R75231 (n = 6; group II). After transportation at 0 degree C from the operation room, the hearts were quickly rewarmed to 37 degrees C. Serial transmural biopsy specimens were taken during normothermic ischemia for determination of purine catabolites. The level of ATP before normothermic ischemia was 17.5 +/- 1.0 mumol/g dry weight in the control group (group I) and 19.3 +/- 0.4 mumol/g dry weight in the drug group. ATP, expressed as percentage of total purine content, was similar in both groups before rewarming (79.5 +/- 4.3% in group I and 79.5 +/- 2.9% in group II). There was no significant difference in the rate of ATP breakdown in both groups throughout the experiment (ATP was 3.0 +/- 1.4% of total purines in group I and 1.4 +/- 0.2% in group II at 120 min of normothermic ischemia). Adenine nucleotide content changed also similarly in both groups. Adenosine accumulation was, however, significantly higher in group II than in group I (peak values: 4.6 +/- 1.0% of total purines in group I vs 14.0 +/- 1.7% in group II; p < 0.01). The ratio between adenosine and inosine was significantly higher in group II throughout normothermic ischemia (p < 0.01). In spite of a larger accumulation of adenosine in group II, the increase in inosine was similar in both groups. We conclude that nucleoside transport inhibition significantly delays the breakdown of adenosine and the formation of hypoxanthine in the ischemic human myocardium.

Adenine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New trial for endoscopical observation of esophagus by dye spraying method.

The Lugol dye spraying method in endoscopy is compared with the usual endoscopy. Its diagnostic values are discussed from the endoscopical and histological point of views. Normal esophageal epithelium is stained brown or dark brown with 5% of Lugol's solution, and shows a "silk-crape" like surface appearance when observed close up. The cancerous or inflammatory epithelium of the stomach and esophagus do not stain. With the sue of directed biopsy this reveals the usefulness of this method, specially for finding small esophagel cancer and for accurately delineating the extent of a cancer. Furthermore, esophagitis is easier to diagnose. As healing occurs, the staining characteristic return. Esophageal epithelium capacity for staining with Lugol's solution seems to be related to the glycogen content of the squamous epithelium.

Esophageal Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Balloon catheter-assisted inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy without thoracotomy.

We report a technique for tumor thrombectomy of the inferior vena cava for renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium that abrogates the need for thoracotomy or sternotomy.

Aged↗