Correlation between endoscopic severity and the clinical activity index in ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between a new activity index and the endoscopic severity assessed by sigmoidoscopy in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: We evaluated the sigmoidoscopic severity and Activity Index (AI) in 37 patients with distal colitis, 23 with left-sided colitis, and 36 with total colitis, in which the severity was divided into three categories: grade 1 = mildly active, grade 2 = moderately active, and grade 3 = severely active. We examined the relationship between the AI or clinical parameters and the endoscopic severity in all 96 cases. RESULTS: The AI was found to be significantly correlated with the degree of sigmoidoscopic activity in all cases, as well as in those with distal colitis, left-sided colitis, or total colitis. When patients with both grade 1 sigmoidoscopic activity and AI values of less than 150 were regarded to have mild colitis and patients with either grade 2 or grade 3 sigmoidoscopic activity and AI values of more than 150 were regarded to have moderate or severe colitis, 10 of 37 (27%) in the distal colitis, one of 23 (4.3%) in the left-sided colitis, and four of 36 (11.1%) in the total colitis groups were thus misclassified regarding the distinction between mild colitis and moderate or severe colitis. Three of four patients with severity of grade 1, indicating AI values of more than 150, had total colitis, whereas the remaining one had left-sided colitis. On the other hand, 10 of 11 patients with severity of grades 2 or 3 with AI values of less than 150 had distal colonic involvement. When the endoscopic activity was equivalent, the highest mean AI values occurred in total colitis whereas the lowest mean AI values were found in distal colitis. CONCLUSIONS: The AI well reflects the sigmoidoscopic activity. High AI values with a low sigmoidoscopic severity are thus considered to reflect extensive involvement, whereas a high sigmoidoscopic severity with low AI values is thought to indicate the involvement of the distal colon.     

An ultralow-power-consumption, high-speed, GaAs 256/258dual-modulus prescaler IC

A GaAs divide-by-256/258 dual-modulus static prescaler is described. The prescaler has a pulse-swallow counter-type architecture and quasi-differential switch flip-flops as its basic circuit architecture. For the input buffer circuit, a circuit called a source-coupled push-pull circuit has been developed that can generate high-frequency complementary signals from a single-phase signal at a low supply voltage. This IC operates at up to 14.5 GHz with a power consumption of 22 mW. The power consumption is less than 1/50 of the previously reported prescalers that can operate above 10 GHz     

Markedly reduced bile acid synthesis but maintained levels of cholesterol and vitamin D metabolites in mice with disrupted sterol 27-hydroxylase gene

Sterol 27-hydroxylase is important for the degradation of the steroid side chain in conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and has been ascribed a regulatory role in cholesterol homeostasis. Its deficiency causes the autosomal recessive disease cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), characterized by progressive dementia, xanthomatosis, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Mice with a disrupted cyp27 (cyp27(-/-)) had normal plasma levels of cholesterol, retinol, tocopherol, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Excretion of fecal bile acids was decreased (<20% of normal), and formation of bile acids from tritium-labeled 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol was less than 15% of normal. Compensatory up-regulation of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (9- and 2-3-fold increases in mRNA levels, respectively) was found. No CTX-related pathological abnormalities were observed. In CTX, there is an increased formation of 25-hydroxylated bile alcohols and cholestanol. In bile and feces of the cyp27(-/-) mice only traces of bile alcohols were found, and there was no cholestanol accumulation. It is evident that sterol 27-hydroxylase is more important for bile acid synthesis in mice than in humans. The results do not support the contention that 27-hydroxylated steroids are critical for maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis or levels of vitamin D metabolites in the circulation.     

Autoradiographic determination of local cerebral blood flow and local cerebral glucose utilization during chemical stimulation of the nucleus tractus solitarii of anesthetized rats

This study was conducted to determine whether the decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) observed during chemical stimulation of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) can be explained by a decrease in cerebral metabolism. In anesthetized (urethane and chloralose), paralyzed and artificially ventilated rats, neurons in the NTS were chemically stimulated by microinjection of L-glutamate. Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) and local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) were quantified in 43 brain structures by quantitative autoradiographic techniques using [14C]iodoantipyrine and 2-[14C]deoxyglucose, respectively. During chemical stimulation of the NTS (n = 6), LCBF decreased significantly in 32 of the 43 structures investigated when compared to either a control group with artificial cerebrospinal fluid injection (n = 6), or a controlled hemorrhage group (n = 5). In the controlled hemorrhage group, blood pressure was decreased to a degree comparable to that induced by microinjection of L-glutamate into the NTS. Mean blood flow of all structures investigated was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the stimulation group than that in the control group and in the hemorrhage group. No significant differences in LCGU were observed between the three investigated groups in all structures examined except for an increase in LCGU in the chemically stimulated NTS site. It is concluded that the decrease in LCBF measured in most brain structures during chemical stimulation of the NTS is not caused by a decrease in LCGU in these structures and may therefore be explained by neurogenic influences on brain vessels.     

Modulation of secreted beta-amyloid precursor protein and amyloid beta-peptide in brain by cholesterol

The effects of dietary cholesterol on brain amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing were examined using an APP gene-targeted mouse, genetically humanized in the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) domain and expressing the Swedish familial Alzheimer's disease mutations. These mice express endogenous levels of APP holoprotein and abundant human Abeta. Increased dietary cholesterol led to significant reductions in brain levels of secreted APP derivatives, including sAPPalpha, sAPPbeta, Abeta1-40, and Abeta1-42, while having little to no effect on cell-associated species, including full-length APP and the COOH-terminal APP processing derivatives. The changes in levels of sAPP and Abeta in brain all were negatively correlated with serum cholesterol levels and levels of serum and brain apoE. These results demonstrate that secreted APP processing derivatives and Abeta can be modulated in the brain of an animal by diet and provide evidence that cholesterol plays a role in the modulation of APP processing in vivo. APP gene-targeted mice lacking apoE, also have high serum cholesterol levels but do not show alterations in APP processing, suggesting that effects of cholesterol on APP processing require the presence of apoE.     

A monoclonal antibody, HCL-2, raised against human luteal cells reacts with apolipoprotein-B and detects the uptake of low density lipoprotein by luteinizing granulosa cells

A monoclonal antibody, HCL-2, was raised by immunizing mice against human luteal cells. HCL-2 reacted with luteal cells and villous trophoblasts. The sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profile of immunopurified antigens from corpus luteum, chorionic villi, and placenta showed the same main protein band, the molecular mass of which is >200 kDa. The sequence of a portion of the N-terminal region of the antigenic protein purified from placenta was identical to that of apolipoprotein-B. The antigen purified from human serum and low density lipoprotein (LDL) using HCL-2 showed the same protein band as that from corpus luteum. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence (20 amino acids) of the protein purified from serum was also identical to that of apolipoprotein-B. Thus, we concluded that HCL-2 antigen is apolipoprotein-B. Human luteinizing granulosa cells isolated from the patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment were cultured in the medium containing lipoprotein-deficient serum with or without supplementation of LDL. Using HCL-2, apolipoprotein-B was immunocytochemically detected on granulosa cells only in the presence of LDL. These findings showed that the uptake of LDL by granulosa cells was detected by immunocytochemical staining of apolipoprotein-B, indicating that HCL-2 is useful for analysing dynamic utilization of LDL by ovarian cells.     

Successful management for chemorefractory testicular cancer with brain and lung metastases. A case report

This is a report of successful management for a far advanced, chemorefractory testicular cancer patient. A 29-year-old male was referred to our hospital for the treatment of progressive lung metastases with elevated hCG level, which had recurred after complete remission following 3 courses of BEP chemotherapy and progressed after transient partial regression following 2 courses of intensified EP chemotherapy. In addition, a 3 cm in diameter, solitary brain metastasis was detected on CT. First, we performed wedge resection of bilateral pulmonary lower lobe for chemorefractory pulmonary metastases. Histological examination revealed viable embryonal carcinoma identical to the primary one. Thereafter, whole brain irradiation in combination with VIP chemotherapy (etoposide 100 mg/m2, cisplatin 20 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 1200 mg/m2 daily for 5 consecutive days) was carried out to treat brain metastasis. By 2 cycles of VIP therapy and irradiation (36 Gy), partial tumor regression and normalization of hCG level were achieved, leading to salvage surgery of the brain metastasis which histologically proved to be necrosis. Following an additional cycle of VIP therapy, the patient has been free of recurrence 24 months after completion of the treatment.     

A study of copper deposition in the presence of Group-15 elements by cyclic voltammetry and Auger-electron spectroscopy

The behaviour of arsenic, antimony, and bismuth during electrolytic refining of copper has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Auger electron spectroscopy. Electrodeposition was conducted using Group 15 element additions to two different cupric sulfate electrolytes: commercial tank house electrolytes containing 45 g l^–1 Cu²⁺ and 200 g l^–1 H₂SO₄ and liberator cell conditions containing 10 g l^–1 Cu²⁺ and 400 g l^–1 H₂SO₄. Analysis of electrochemical kinetic parameters indicates that the copper cathodes were more active at the higher sulfuric acid concentrations. SEM analysis revealed that Sb and Bi additions promoted truncated copper crystals while As-containing electrolytes produced random crystals. XRD patterns indicated Group 15 elements favour the production of (2 2 0) crystallographic orientation. Surface analyses of the copper deposits using AES techniques show that arsenic and antimony are deposited electrochemically forming primarily solid solution phases with copper in commercial tank house electrolytes. Under liberator cell conditions, a Cu₃As intermetallic phase forms when arsenic is present in the electrolyte. Antimony is present in solid solution under these conditions. Reduction of bismuth was not detected during these experiments.     

Study of inspection of wire breakage in aluminum transmission line using SQUID

Taking advantage of the unsurpassed high-magnetic sensitivity of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), HTS-SQUID-non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique was applied to detection of single wire breakage in hard-drawn aluminum transmission line (HAL), which was twisted from 19 aluminum wires. While applying AC current of 2.6 mA at 200 Hz to the HAL, distribution of magnetic field gradient above the HAL was two-dimensionally scanned by a HTS-SQUID gradiometer. A periodic pattern was detected along the locus of the broken wire in the distribution from the HAL with wire breakage, while such pattern was not observed in that from normal HAL without wire breakage. These results indicate the possibility of detection of single wire breakage by the magnetic inspection technique.     

Expression of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor associated with tumor angiogenesis and prognosis in gastric cancer

We performed six immediate free flap reconstructions after tumor ablation in 5 children under the age of 15 years presenting with head and neck malignancy. One patient underwent free flap transfer on two separate occasions because of tumor recurrence. There were no flap losses nor were there any complications related to microvascular surgery. Although a pediatric head and neck malignant tumor is rare, surgical resection is the primary therapeutic role for those that are amenable to complete excision. Pediatric microsurgery provides a safe and reliable procedure for reconstruction of head and neck defects after extirpation of the tumor.