Evaluation of high sensitive C-reactive protein and 5-10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype in Japanese young adults

Primary objective: To carry out a preliminary evaluation of subclinical inflammation and its genetic background in young adults.

Research design: Fifty-five healthy Japanese young adults aged 19–27 years (37 males and 18 females, mean age: 22.3 years), and 58 healthy Japanese adults aged 40 to 60 years (21 males and 37 females, mean age: 51.5 years) were included in this study.

Methods and procedures: We measured plasma high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and screened for the C677T polymorphism of the 5-10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), which is considered a genetic risk factor for atherosclerosis, by HinfI digestion.

Main outcomes and results: Hs-CRP levels of the young adult group were significantly lower than the levels of the middle aged group (0.014±0.030 mg/dl vs. 0.031±0.040 mg/dl, p=0.005). The levels were significantly higher in males than in females (0.028±0.019 mg/dl vs. 0.013±0.010 mg/dl, p=0.008) among young adults. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship of the C677T genotype and hs-CRP values, but found no association between them.

Conclusions: Although the sample size is limited, our preliminary study demonstrated the profiles of hs-CRP in Japanese young adults. Further investigation will be needed to establish the guidelines for customized school health education using sensitive laboratory and genetic markers.     

Daily temporal organization of laying in Japanese quail: variability and heritability

In birds, many behavioral and physiological processes that occur during reproduction show daily rhythms in response to environmental temporal constraints. In this study, the individual daily organization of laying and its genetic determinant in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were analyzed. For this purpose, the oviposition time of 102 randomly chosen females, maintained in long-day photoperiodic conditions (LD 14h:10h) for 1 mon was observed and extreme phenotypes selected. Laying is characterized by two parameters: oviposition interval and laying hour.

The birds showed a specific time of laying during 24 h. All eggs were laid in the afternoon between 6.5 and 14 h after lights on (HALO). Two laying profiles were determined: 20% of females with an oviposition interval greater than 24 h (24.7±0.2 h) (the “delayed” profile) laid progressively later each day until a pause day. The remaining 80% of the females laid at the same time each day, with few pause days and an oviposition interval close to 24 h (24.0±0.2 h) (the “stable” profile). Among the females, showing this last profile, an intra-individual stability and an inter-individual variability of laying hour was established. Two extreme laying phenotypes were then determined: the “early” phenotype (E) for females laying on average between 7.5 and 9.5 HALO and the “late” phenotype (L) for females laying between 12.5 and 14 HALO.

In order to study the genetic basis of the laying hour, three females of each extreme phenotype were selected and crossed with two different males. The E and L females produced 57 F1E and 42 F1L daughters, respectively. F1 females displayed both laying profiles. However, the proportion of females displaying a “delayed” profile was higher in the L line (50%) than in the E line (29.8%). For the “stable” daughters, artificial selection induced an advance in laying hour of 4.7% for the E line and a delay of 4.7% for the L line. Realized heritability was estimated at 0.5. Moreover, the laying hour of the daughters was correlated positively to that of the mothers (N=61;r=0.45). These results support the notion of heritability of oviposition time in Japanese quail.     

A sexually dimorphic response in supercooling temperature, enhanced by starvation, in the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The effect of starvation on supercooling temperature (SCP) distribution was investigated in adults and larvae of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The mean values for SCPs of adults fed at 20°C were −14.5±2.4°C (31 males) and −10.3±1.3°C (29 females). The distribution of the SCPs of these control adults was unimodal. No significant differences were observed in either mean wet weight or mean dry weight between males and females.

The mean values for SCPs of adults starved for 1 month at 20°C were found to be bimodal due to sexual dimorphism. The mean SCPs for males was lower (−17±2.6°C; 28) than that for females (−11.2±1.8°C; 26). No significant differences were observed in either mean dry weight or wet weight between males and females.

The SCPs of both fed and starved larvae, kept for 1 month at 20°C were −12.3±2.4°C (fed) and −18.0±2.6°C (starved).     

Infradian dynamics and variability of salivary testosterone in men and women

Background. The dynamics of testosterone levels exhibits several cyclic patterns with various period lengths. Circadian and circannual rhythms of testosterone are known in both genders. Among infradian rhythms only the circalunar cycle in women is widely accepted. In our previous studies we have found a circatrigintan (30 days) and a circavigintan (20 days) cycle in men. Whether cyclic patterns with higher frequencies are present in the dynamics of testosterone levels in men or in women is unknown.

Aim. To analyze the infradian dynamics of salivary testosterone in both genders for the presence of cyclic patterns.

Subjects and methods. Seventeen young and healthy women and 15 men were asked to collect saliva samples during 30 consecutive days. Testosterone levels were determined using radioimmunoassay, Analysis of Rhythmic Variance II (ANORVA II) was used for statistical analysis. Potential period lengths of 3 - 15 days were evaluated.

Results. The dynamics of salivary testosterone showed high intra-individual variability in both genders (coefficient of variation - 28% in women and 26% in men). ANORVA II analysis showed no significant rhythms, although a weak circaseptan cyclic pattern has been found in women.

Discussion. Our results showed no significant infradian cyclic variation with a period between 3 and 15 days. Further studies should concentrate on potential longer periods. Described intra-individual variability of testosterone levels in both genders should be considered in endocrine research.     

Effect of diet and 677 C-->T 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes on plasma homocyst(e)ine concentrations in slovak adolescent population

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet and 677 C-->T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene on plasma homocyst(e)ine concentrations in an adolescent population (113 males, age: 14.2+/-2.4 years; 202 females, age: 14.9+/-2.1 years) from a region characterized by high cardiovascular mortality. Homocyst(e)ine levels did not differ between males and females (9.4+/-3.5 and 8.9+/-3.1 micromol/l, respectively). The homozygosity for the 677 C-->T MTHFR mutation was found in 4.6 % of subjects. No differences in homocyst(e)ine levels were found between MTHFR genotypes. Analysis of the diet composition which was performed on a 24-hour daily recall basis and a food frequency questionnaire showed a low daily intake of vitamin B6 (males: 1.13 mg/66% RDA; females: 0.92 mg/61% RDA). Daily folic acid intake was 0.21 g/105% RDA in males and 0.23 g/115% RDA in females. The results of our study show that the high homocyst(e)ine levels in the adolescent population were not affected by the 677 C-->T MTHFR mutation. We conclude that an insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid is responsible for this finding. This is in accord with the recommendation that the dietary allowances for folate should be reset to the originally prescribed levels of 0.4 g/day which should be sufficient to control the homocysteine levels.     

Plasma Lipid Peroxides in Murine Sepsis —Sex Differences and Effect of Antioxidative/Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

In order to investigate the influence of antioxidative anti-inflammatory combination therapy (AACT) with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). chlorpromaittic (CPZ) and vitamin E upon the activity of the inflammation. plasma lipid peroxide was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) 12hrs postoperatively in the moclitied cecal ligation sepsis model in the mouse.

Significantly higher TBARS levels were found in the male control group (13.7 ± 0.7nmol MDA/ml) than in the female control group (11.6 ± 0.6nmol MDA/ml).

The operated male group had significantly higher TBARS levels (16.2 ± 0.6 nmol MDA/ml) than the unoperdted male control group (13.7 ± 0.7nmol MDA/ml). No increase of TBARS levels was observed in the operated female group.

Both male and female operated group. when postoperatively treated with AACT had the same TBARS level as the not operated male or female control group.

Survival curves of operated male and female group did not demonstrate any significant difference. The survival was better in an operated male and an operated female group. when postoperatively treated with AACT.

It was concluded that the applied TBARS test IS too insensitive to follow the activity of the inflammation and has no predictive value for the outcome of sepsis in this model.     

Benzo(a)pyrene diolepoxide adducts to albumin in workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: association with specific CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTP1 and EHPX genotypes

We investigated whether the presence of (+)-anti-benzo(a)pyrene diolepoxide adducts to serum albumin (BPDE-SA) among workers exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and unexposed reference controls was influenced by genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EHPX), glutathione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1) and P1 (GSTP1), all involved in BaP metabolism. Exposed workers had significantly higher levels of adducts (0.124 ± 0.02 fmol BPTmg^-1 SA, mean ± SE) and a higher proportion of detectable adducts (40.3%) than controls (0.051 ± 0.01 fmol BPT mg^-1 SA; 16.1%) (p = 0:014 and p = 0:012). Smoking increased adduct levels only in occupationally exposed workers with the GSTM1 deletion (GSTM1 null) (p = 0:034).

Smokers from the exposed group had higher adduct levels when they were CYP1A1 *1/*1 wild-type rather than heterozygous and homozygous for the variant alleles (CYP1A1 *1/*2 plus *2/*2) (p = 0:01). The dependence of BPDE-SA adduct levels and frequency on the CYP1A1 *1/*1 genotype was most pronounced in GSTM1-deficient smokers. Exposed workers with GSTM1 null/GSTP1 variant alleles had fewer detectable adducts than those with the GSTM1 null/GSTP1*A wild-type allele, supporting for the first time the recent in vitro finding that GSTP1 variants may be more effective in the detoxification of BPDE than the wild-type allele. Logistic regression analysis indicated that occupational exposure, wild-type CYP1A1*1/*1 allele and the combination of GSTM1 null genotype+EHPX genotypes associated with predicted low enzyme activity were significant predictors of BPDE-SA adducts. Though our findings should be viewed with caution because of the relatively limited size of the population analysed, the interaction between these polymorphic enzymes and BPDE-SA adducts seems to be specific for high exposure and might have an impact on the quantitative risk estimates for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Maternal antioxidant concentrations after uncomplicated pregnancies

Background: To analyse the post-partum concentrations of intra- and extra-cellular blood antioxidants in women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods: Whole blood and plasma thiols, plasma vitamin E and C, serum cholesterol and triglyceride, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) concentrations were compared between women delivered by caesarean section (n=17) or spontaneous delivery (n=10). A repeated mixed model was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The majority of whole blood thiols increased significantly in both groups the first days post-partum. However, within the caesarean group free cysteine, oxidised cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione and plasma cysteine and homocysteine levels dropped significantly after 24 h, while FRAP levels peaked significantly in this group. Plasma vitamin E levels decreased significantly in both groups within 24 to 48 h after delivery. Independent of the way of delivery whole blood and plasma thiols were significantly increased and vitamin E levels were significantly decreased 3 months post-partum while plasma vitamin C levels and FRAP were unchanged compared to ante-partum levels.

Discussion: Decreased plasma vitamin E levels shortly post-partum are associated with decreased lipid peroxidation. The 24 h post-partum drop of some plasma and whole blood thiols in the caesarean group may be due to prolonged fasting.     

Daily Changes in the Gonadotropin Levels and Response of Carp Oocytes to Hypophysial Homogenate

Daily changes in carp gonadotropin levels in adult female carp and daily changes in carp oocyte sensitivity to carp hypophysial homogenate, in vitro and in vivo, were investigated.

A total of three series of experiments were carried out. Gonadotropin levels were radioimmtmologically determined.

The results of series 1 and 2 experiments were subjected to statistical analysis with the use of cosinors circle and elipse of errors. It has been found that in the mature female carp in the pre-spawning period with the light periods being long (L:D = 16:8) the apogee for gonadotropin occurs 10 hr after the onset of the light period.

The sensitivity of the oocytes, in terms of the percentage of mature oocytes (after GVBD) following a 24-hr incubation of ovarian fragments with the hypophysial homogenate, reached the highest value at 1300, i.e. 9 hr after the onset of the light period.

It was also found that the injections of carp hypophysial homogenate made at 0900 were much more efficient in inducing ovulation than those at 2100.     

Temperature regulation by evaporative cooling in a desert grasshopper, Calliptamus barbarus (Ramme, 1951)

1. 1. We examined the desert-dwelling grasshopper, Calliptamus barbarus, to determine whether it used evaporative cooling, and if differences existed in the use of evaporative cooling between the small males and larger females. Male C. barbarus are the smallest grasshoppers tested for their use of evaporative cooling.

2. 2. Calliptamus barbarus use evaporative cooling at high ambient temperatures to keep their body temperature below lethal levels. This has been shown in insects such as cicadas, bees and other grasshoppers. Maximal water loss rates for C. barbarus are similar (8–10% of body mass per hour) to those of other grasshoppers.

3. 3. Male C. barbarus weigh 370 mg on average, and are 20% of the females' mass. At low ambient temperatures males evaporated 13.31 ± 1.14 mg water/h (n = 12), a similar rate to that in females, who evaporated 17.53 ± 2.03 mg water/h (n = 29), but a considerably greater fraction of body mass per unit time. At high ambient temperatures, the males lost less in absolute terms, but a similar amount relative to body mass. The differences are partially accounted for by scaling effects, but for the most part, the reasons for these differences are unclear. They may be linked to differences in ventilatory patterns between males and females or differences in cuticular permeability, the two major pathways of water loss in insects.

     

Influence of pregnancy on locomotor and feeding performances of the skink, Mabuya multifasciata: why do females shift thermal preferences when pregnant?

It has been documented in the many-lined sun skink (Mabuya multifasciata) that pregnant females select lower body temperatures (27.6–30.8 °C) than do nonpregnant females and adult males (29.7–35.7 °C). We therefore used the skink to test the hypothesis that the maximization of reproductive benefits should be achieved in pregnant females by shifting thermal preferences towards the levels optimal for embryonic development but entailing relatively small costs of reproduction. Data on adult males showed that temperatures maximizing swimming stamina (indicative of locomotor endurance) fell within the range of body temperatures selected by nonpregnant females and adult males. Data on swimming stamina and feeding performance of pregnant females, nonpregnant females and adult males measured at 26 and 30 °C showed that: (1) pregnancy impaired locomotor and feeding performances, but such impairments did not persist after parturition; (2) the degree of locomotor impairment during pregnancy was greater at 26 °C than at 30 °C, but the degree of feeding impairment during pregnancy was greater at 30 °C than at 26 °C. Pregnant females of M. multifasciata selecting body temperatures at about 29 °C could not only produce good-quality offspring in a relatively short gestation length but also reduce reproductive costs associated with locomotor and feeding impairments to some extent. Thus, data from M. multifasciata validate the above hypothesis.     

Book Reviews

Mutation Research DNAging Genetic Instability and Aging

Cardiovascular Toxicology Second edition, edited by Daniel Acosta, Jr. Raven Press, New York, USA. $124, 1992

Dietary Fats: Determinants of Preference, Selection and Consumption Edited by D.J. Mela Elsevier Applied Science, 1992, ix + 192 pages Price $75.00 ISBN 1-85166-865-9

Determination of Vitamin E: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols by Claude Bourgeois Elsevier Applied Science, 1992, vi + 162 pages Price $75.00 ISBN 1-85166-7547

Biochemistry of Food Proteins Edited by B.J.F. Hudson Elsevier Applied Science, 1992, x + 419 pages Price $110.00 ISBN 1-85166-768-7

Lipid-soluble Antioxidants: Biochemistry and Clinical Applications Edited by A.S.H. Ong and L. Packer Birkhauser Verlag, 1992, xii + 640 pages Price SFR 168.00 (approx $76) ISBN 3-7643-2667-0 (Basel) ISBN 0-8176-2667-0 (Boston)     

Acute phase proteins and oxidised low-density lipoprotein in association with ischemic stroke subtype, severity and outcome

Objectives: The goal of our study was to investigate the associations of oxidized LDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form) and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, CRP) with acute ischemic stroke severity and outcome.

Materials and Methods: The study included 61 ischemic stroke patients and 64 controls. Strokes were subtyped according to TOAST criteria, the severity and outcome of stroke (at 1 year) were measured.

Results: The mean triglyceride, fibrinogen, CRP and glucose values were significantly higher among cases. The median oxLDL value for patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) type of stroke was significantly higher than for other subtypes. The oxLDL values did not correlate with age, stroke severity and outcome.

Conclusions: Inflammatory markers (fibrinogen and CRP) predicted the stroke severity and outcome whereas elevation of oxLDL levels did not. Our data refer to possibility that there may exist some links between the LAA subtype of stroke and elevated oxLDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form).     

The internal synchronization of five circadian functions of the rabbit

Five different physiological functions of the rabbit (hard faeces and urine excretion, food and water intake and locomotor activity) were registered during LD 12:12 and during continuous light conditions (LL).

(1) In LD 12:12 a strong synchronization of the five parameters existed. The minima of all functions consistently occurred during the hours of light. The nocturnal percentage of overall 24-hr events was increased significantly in 'hard faeces excretion' (66±8 (S.D.) %), 'water intake' (64±15 (S.D.) %) and 'urine excretion' (58±10 (S.D.) %). The nocturnal percentage of locomotor activity was significantly increased during the dark-hours in 9 out of 14 animals. In the other five individuals prominent peaks were present even during the photoperiod. On the average of all 14 animals 5S±13 (S.D.) % of the 24 hr events of locomotor activity occurred during the night. Despite a trough during the cessation of hard faeces excretion the events of food intake were not elevated significantly during the dark hours.

(2) During LL the synchronization of the five functions within each animal persisted during the complete 90-day LL period. A free-running circadian rhythm with-: = 24.8±0.5 (S.D.) hr was present in the four rabbits kept in LL conditions within 5-16 days after the withdrawal of the zeitgeber.

(3) In addition to the circadian period the power spectrum analysis of data obtained during LD 12:12 revealed significant ultradian periods of an average period length of 11,6 hr (hard faeces and urine excretion), 8 hr (food and water intake, locomotor activity) and 4 hr (food intake, locomotor activity). During the free-run ultradian periods of 8 and 3.2-4.2 hr were significant in almost all parameters.

(4) During LL the level of locomotor activity was reduced for 13±16 (S.D.) %, the events of food intake were increased for 17±12 (S.D.) %.

(5) The reinserted LD 12:12 zeitgeber re-entrained the circadian rhythms within 25-45 days.

(6) These results provided evidence of a predominant nocturnality of the rabbits under investigation.     

Studies on the Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Idb 1016 A New Flavanolignan Complex

Silybin has been complexed in 1:1 ratio with phosphatidyl choline to give IdB 1016 in order to increase its bioavailability. The antioxidant and free radical scavenger action of this new form of silybin has beenn evaluated.

One hour after the intragastric administration to rats of IdB 1016 (1.5g/kg b.wt.) the concentration of silybin in the liver microsomes was estimated to be around 2.5°g/mg protein corresponding to a final concentration in the microsomal suspension used of about 10°M. At these levels IdB decreased by about 40% the lipid peroxidation induced in microsomes by NADPH, CC1₄ and cumene hydroperoxide, probably by acting on lipid derived radicals. Spin trapping experiments showed, in fact, that the complexed form of silybin was able to scavenge lipid dienyl radicals generated in the microsomal membranes. In addition, IdB 1016 was also found to interact with free radical intermediates produced during the metabolic activation of carbon tetrachloride and methylhydrazine.

These effects indicate IdB 1016 as a potentially protective agent against free radical-mediated toxic damage.     

Book Reviews

Oxygen, Gene expression and Cellular Function, Vol 105 Lung Biology in Health and Disease L. B. Clerch and D. J. Massaro Marcel Dekker, 1997

Food and Free Radicals Edited by Midori Hiramatsu, Toshikazu Yoshikawa and Masayosu Inoue Plenum Press, 1997, ISBN 0-306-45493-9 vii + 169 pages

Preventing Coronary Heart Disease: The Role of Antioxidants, Vegetables and Fruit Ed Lesley Rogers and Imogen Sharp National Heart Forum 1997 The Stationery Office London

Inducible Gene Expression Volume 1 Environmental Stresses and Nutrients Volume 2 Hormonal Signals Ed by PA Baeuerle, Birkhauser Verlag AG, Basel, 1997

Antioxidants in Science, Technology, Medicine and Nutrition Gerald Scott Albion Chemical Science Series, Ellis Horwoood Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK, 1997

Flavonoids in Health and Diseases Eds C A Rce-Evans and L Packer Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 1997     

Laboratory Hints from the Literature

DYES AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL USES Burckhalter, J. H., Jones, E. M., Holcomb, W. F., and Sweet, L. A. N-substituted 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-aminoacridines. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2012. 1943.

Galat, Alexander. New processes for sulfanilamide. Ind. and Eng. Chem., Ind. Ed., 36, 192. 1944.

Kumler, W. D., and Daniels, T. C. The relation between chemical structure and bacteriostatic activity of sulfanilamide type compounds. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2190. 1943.

Kwartler, C. E., and Lucas, Philip. The preparation of sutfanil-amidoindazoles. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 1804. 1943.

Mueller, A. C., and Hamilton, C. S. The synthesis of 1-substituted aminobenzo(f)quinolines. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 1017. 1943.

Popkin, A. H. Derivatives of biphenylsulfonamides. I. Preparation of p-(o-aminopnenyl)-benzenesulfonamide. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2043. 1943.

Popkin, A. H., and Perretta, Gertrude M. Derivatives of biphenyl-sulfonamide. II. Derivatives of p-(o-aminophenyl)-benzenesulfonamide. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2046. 1943.

Shreve, R. N., and Bennett, R. B. Studies in azo dyes. I. Preparation and bacteriostatic properties of azo derivatives of 2,6-diaminopvridine. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2241. 1943.

Shreve, R. N., and Bennett, R. B. Studies in azo dyes. II. Preparation and bacteriostatic properties of azo derivatives of 8-quinolino. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2243. 1943.

Siebenmann, C., and Schnitzer, R. J. Chemotherapeutic study of p-nitrobenzoyl- and related compounds. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 65, 2127 1943.

ANIMAL MICROTECHNIC Barrett, A. M. A method for staining sections of bone marrow. J. Path & Bact., 56, 133-5. 1944.

Barrett, A. M. On the removal of formaldehyde-produced precipitate from sections. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 135-6. 1944.

Chang, Min-Chueh. Disintegration of epidymal spermatozoa by application of ice to the scrotal testis. J. Exp. Biol., 20, 16-22. 1943.

Ercoli, N., and Lewis, M. N. The age factor in response of bone tissue to alizarin dyes and the mechanism of dye fixation. Anat. Rec., 87, 67-76. 1943.

Hess, Manfred, and Hollander, Franklin. Permanent metachromatic staining of gastric mucus smears. J. Lab. and Clin. Med., 29, 321-3. 1944.

Miller, John A. A new method of staining nervous tissue. Ohio J. of Sci., 44, 31-5. 1944.     

Edaravone inhibits acute renal injury and cyst formation in cisplatin-treated rat kidney

Background: Although cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) is an effective anticancer agent, its clinical use is highly limited predominantly due to its adverse effects on renal functions. The present work examined the therapeutic potential of edaravone, a free radical scavenger, for inhibiting cisplatin-induced renal injury.

Methods: Edaravone, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-pyrazolin-5-one, was administrated intravenously at a dose of 30 mg/kg of body weight to male Wistar rats (200-220 g). After 30 min, cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight. At the indicated times after the treatment, functions and histological changes of the kidney were analyzed. To test the therapeutic potential of edaravone in chemotherapy, its effect on the anticancer action of cisplatin was examined in ascites cancer-bearing rats.

Results: We found that cisplatin rapidly impaired the respiratory function and DNA of mitochondria in renal proximal tubules, thereby inducing apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells within a few days and chronic renal dysfunction associated with multiple cysts one-year after the administration. Administration of edaravone inhibited the cisplatin-induced acute injury of mitochondria and their DNA and renal epithelial cell apoptosis as well as the occurrence of chronic renal dysfunction and multiple cyst formation. The anticancer effect of cisplatin remained unaffected by intravenous administrating of edaravone.

Conclusions: These results indicate that edaravone may have therapeutic potential for inhibiting the acute and chronic injury of the kidney induced by cisplatin.     

Book Review

LEGGETT, W. F. Ancient and Medieval Dyes. 5 × 8 in. 96 pp. Cloth. Chemical Publishing Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. 1944. $2.25.

Microtechnic In General. McCARTNEY, J. E. A new immersion oil “polyric”. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 265-6. 1944.

NICKERSON, MARK. A dry ice freezing unit for rotary microtomes. Science, 100, 177-8. 1944.

Dyes And Thedx Biological Uses. BERGEIM, FRANK H., and BRAKER, WILLIAM. Homosulfanilamides. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1459. 1944.

CALDWELL, W. T., TYSON, F. T., and LAUER, LOTHAR. Substituted 2-sulfonamido-5-aminopyridines. II. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1479. 1944.

JOHNS, C. K. Dye concentration in resazurin tablets. Amer. J. Pub. Health, 34, 955-8. 1944.

SMITH, WINSLOW WHITNEY. Relative sensitivity of different phases of growth curve of Bact. salmonicida to alkaline acriflavine. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. & Med., 56, 240-2. 1844.

VAN ARENDONK, A. M., and SHOULE, H. A. Dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of substituted quinolines and quinaldines. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1284. 1944.

WHEELER, KEITH, and DEGERING, E. F. Preparation and properties of certain derivatives of sulfamide. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1242. 1944.

Animal Microtechnic. BOARDMAN, EDWARD T. Methods for collecting ticks for study and delineation. J. Parasitology, 30, 57-9. 1944.

DICKIE, MARGARET M. A new differential stain for mouse pituitary. Science, 100, 297-8. 1944.

GOVAN, A. D. TELFORD. Fat staining by Sudan dyes suspended in watery media. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 262-4. 1944.

LILLIE, R. D., and ASHBURN, L. L. Supersaturated solutions of fat stains in dilute isopropanol for demonstration of acute fatty degenerations not shown by Herxheimer technic. Arch. Path., 36, 432. 1943.

MULLEN, J. P. A convenient and rapid method for staining glycogen in paraffin sections with Best's carmine stain. Amer. J. Clin. Path., Tech. Sect., 8, 9-10. 1944.

NYKA, W. A method for staining the rickettsiae of typhns in histological sections. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 264. 1944.

POPPER, HANS, GYORGY, PAUL, and GOLDBLATT, H. Fluorescent material (ceroid) in experimental nutritional cirrhosis. Arch. Path., 37, 161. 1944.

SMALL, C. S., and SCHULTZ, M. A. Sustaining faded tissue sections. Amer. J. Clin. Path., Tech. Sect., 7, 66-7. 1943.

YOFFEY, J. M., and PARNELL, J. The lymphocyte content of rabbit bone marrow. J. Anat., 78, 109-12. 1944.

ZIEGLER, E. E. Hematoxylin-eosin tissue stain. An improved, rapid, and uniform technic. Arch. Path., 37, 68. 1044.

Plant Microtechnic. HAASIS, FERDINAND W. Staining rubber in ground or milled plant tissues. Ind. and Eng. Chem., Anal. Ed., 16, 480. 1944.

PARRIS, G. K. A simple nuclear stain and staining technique for Helminthosporia. Phytopathology, 34, 700. 1944.

Microorganisms. DARZINS, E. Rickettsienstudien. Zentbl. Bakl., Abt. I, Orig., 151, 18-20. 1943.

GOHAR, M. A. A staining method for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J. Bact., 47, 575. 1944.

GRAY, P. H. H. Two-stain method for direct bacteria count. J. Milk Techn., 6, 76. 1943.