Hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis with disposable chemical pocket warmers

A case of chromomycosis in which hyperthermia proved effective is reported. The patient was a 56-year-old male bean curd maker who, without any previous history of minor trauma, developed on the extensor side of the left upper arm an eczematous lesion that underwent gradual radial expansion. The lesion showed a well-defined, 7×10 cm infiltrated erythematous plaque with the central area healed and, at the upper and lower borders, adherent scales and crusts on the surface. Histological examination revealed granulomatous changes in the dermis, as well as sclerotic cells within giant cells and microabscesses. On culturing,Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated. The patient was treated with disposable chemical pocket warmers, which were secured over the lesion with a rather tight elastic bandage, so that they kept the affected area warm for 24 hours a day. After a month of such hyperthermic treatment, the erythema and infiltration had decreased considerably, and microscopic examination and culture of the crusts both yielded negative results. Examination of biopsy specimens of the lesion after the third month showed that it had cicatrized. The treatment was stopped after 4 months, and no relapse occurred. We also summarize the published results of local hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis in Japan.     

Identification of HLA-B44 subtypes associated with extended MHC haplotypes

The HLA class I antigen B44 is found in each of two different extended major histocompatibility haplotypes (allele combinations of HLA-B, HLA-DR, and complement genes BF, C2, C4A, and C4B in linkage disequilibrium). Using isoelectric focusing, two variants of HLA-B44 were identified. The basic variant was found in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR7, FC31, and the acidic variant in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR4, SC30. The occurrence of each antigen variant with a unique extended haplotype explains previous observations concerning the nonrandom association of B44 variants with DR antigens.     

Yield and nitrogen uptake of rapessed (Brassica campestris L.) with ammonium and nitrate

Water culture, growth chamber, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to compare the effect of NH₄−N and NO₃−N on yield and N uptake of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.). In water culture, the yields of 28-day old rapeseed plants grown at 14 μg N ml⁻¹ were double with NO₃ compared to NH₄, but N uptake was little affected. There was no such effect when concentration was reduced to 3.5 or 7 μg N ml⁻¹. The yield and N uptake of 26-day old rapeseed grown on six soils (pH 4.6 to 6.5) in pots in a growth chamber were much greater with NO₃ than with NH₄, although N concentration was more in the NH₄- than the NO₃-grown plants. In a greenhouse experiment with rapeseed grown on 12 potted soils, the N uptake of applied N was greater with NO₃ than with NH₄ on all soils. Averages were 63% with NH₄ and 78% with NO₃. However, NH₄-fixation capacities of the soils were only weakly correlated with yield from the two sources of N (r=0.48) and the relation was similar with N uptake. In contrast to the behavior of water culture, growth chamber and greenhouse experiments, the 33 field experiments did not show consistent difference in seed yield with NH₄ and NO₃ applied at time of seeding. In nine field experiments where band application was used for Ca(NO₃)₂, (NH₄)₂ SO₄, NH₄ NO₃, yield tended to be greatest for (NH₄)₂SO₄. However, in 19 experiments on acid soils with and without lime, yields in most cases were similar with (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NH₄ NO₃. Nitrification inhibitors were added to spring banded NH₄-based fertilizers in five experiments, but the yields were not influenced. Scientific Paper No. 558, Lacombe Research Station, Agriculture Canada.     

Non-coordinate expression of collagen mRNAs during carbon monoxide-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Collagen gene expression during volume overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy was investigated in adult male rats. Hypertrophy of the left ventricle (22%) and right ventricle (37%) occurred following 27 days continuous exposure to 700 ppm carbon monoxide; hematocrit increased nearly 47%. To examine potential cellular and molecular control of restructuring in the heart, we investigated the expression of two specific procollagen mRNAs for collagen types which have different structural-functional roles [Type I (alpha-1) & Type IV]. Type I (interstitial) mRNA levels increased at least 100% relative to controls within 3 days of initial exposure to 700ppm CO, then declined afterwards; type IV(basement membrane) mRNA levels increased more modestly at first, and increased further afterwards. The ratio of type I/type IV RNA's also increased initially, then later declined, with the greatest differences in the relative responses of type I and IV mRNAs seen in the right ventricle. These data suggest that types I and IV collagen mRNA expression is not coordinately expressed during this type of volume overload-induced hypertrophy in rat heart.     

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in immunized mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis was induced in immunized (IM) and non-immunized (NI) mice. The histopathology, the number of fungi in the lungs, the cellular (footpad test — FPT and macrophage inhibition factor assay — MIF) and humoral (immunodiffusion test) immune response were investigated serially postinfection. In the IM mice, at days 1 and 3, there was intense and predominant macrophagic-lymphocytic alveolitis with loose granulomatous reaction; at day 30, inflammation was mild. In the NI group, up to day 3, the lesions were focal; later there was formation of extensive epithelioid granuloma. The number of fungi in IM mice were always smaller than those of NI group. Immunization alone induced positive FPT and MIF indices with low titer of antibody. After infection, there was a significant decrease of the FPT indices in the IM group, which we interpreted as desensitization due to trapping of sensitized lymphocytes in the lungs. In conclusion, (1) The lesional pattern of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in IM mice was similar to that of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This reaction was probably effective in reducing the extension of the infection and decrease the number of fungi. (2) In this model, pulmonary resistance against P. brasiliensis seems to be related to local and systemic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.     

Comparative effects of a recombinant and a mutein type of granulocyte colony stimulating factor on the growth of Meth-A fibrosarcoma with 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of a recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF) and a mutein G-CSF(KW-2228) on leucopenia and tumor growth in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In normal mice, the number of leucocytes (white blood cell, WBC) reached the peak 12 hours after a single injection of either type of G-CSF and decreased to the normal level after 24 hours. Daily administration induced a continuous increase in the WBC count, however, administrations at intervals did not. Meth-A fibrosarcoma was subcutaneously inoculated into the backs of syngeneic BALB/c mice. The mice were treated with 5-FU alone or with G-CSFs. Chemotherapy with 5-FU alone resulted in leucopenia and an insignificant inhibition of tumor growth. The conjunctive administration of G-CSFs with 5-FU resulted in a significantly augmented inhibition of tumor growth, and leukopenia was not seen. This augmenting effect was more prominent with KW-2228.These results suggest that in 5-FU chemotherapy G-CSFs may be beneficial in restoring the number of leucocytes from leucopenic state and in augmenting the tumor inhibitory effect. Furthermore, KW-2228 may be more beneficial than the natural type rhG-CSF.     

Morphological studies of polycystic mouse ovaries induced by dehydroepiandrosterone

Summary Morphological alterations induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) were studied in polycystic mouse ovaries (PCO). Treated mice showed ovulatory failure and cystic changes; cysts and follicles in various stages of growth and atresia were present although corpora lutea were absent. The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 3- and 3-androstanediol, estrone and androstenedione increased, whereas estradiol was not detectable.The ultrastructure of granulosa cells in healthy and atretic follicles was similar to that of control animals, although the membrana granulosa in cysts was reduced to a monolayer of flattened cells. The theca interna of healthy and atretic follicles and ovarian cysts showed ultrastructural signs of abnormal steroidogenic stimulation.No significant differences (0.7<P<0.8) were found between the extensive surface area of gap junctions of healthy follicles of control and DHA-treated animals. On the P-face of granulosa cells of large healthy follicles, meandering strands of tight junctional particles were observed; their average length was significantly longer than those in healthy follicles of control animals (P<0.001). This increase was probably related to the large amounts of androgens present in the treated animals.Theca interna cells possessed small gap junctions; no significant differences (P>0.9) in gap-junction surface area were observed between DHA-treated and control animals. These results suggest that the size of gap junctions is probably unrelated to the steroidogenic activities of theca cells.The following trivial names have been used: Dihydrotestosterone: 5-androstan 17 ol-13 one; 3-androstanediol: 5-androstan 3,17 diol; 3-androstanediol: 5-androstan 3,17 diol     

Bidirectional effect of met-enkephalin on macrophage effector functions

Summary Met-enkephalin (ME) exerts a bimodal effect on functional activities of rat peritoneal macrophages (PM); in a range of low concentration (10^-9-10^-7 M) antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)was markedly stimulated with a simultaneous decrease of Fc receptor (FcR) mediated phagocytosis while the opposite was observed at 10^-6-10^-5 M concentrations.Studying the possible underlying mechanism(s) the followings were recorded: (1) ME in all applied concentrations induced an early Na⁺ influx which was followed by a Ca²⁺ efflux in the range of low concentrations. In the range of high concentrations Na⁺ influx was accompanied by a Ca²⁺ influx. (2) ME at 10^-8 M concentration induced a rise in cGMP level with a plateau in the 60–120th min of incubation. This effect was prevented by 10^-5 M of naloxone. At 10^-6 M concentration a transient rise of cAMP level was recorded which was not affected by naloxone. (3) Verapamil in 10^-6 M abolished both the Ca²⁺ influx and the rise in cAMP level induced by 10^-6-10^-5 M ME but not the rise in cGMP level induced by lower ME concentrations. (4) cAMP elevation by high ME concentrations was abolished by enkephalinase inhibitory puromycin. (5) PM-enkephalinase as assessed by the cleavage of fluorogenic substrate L-alanine beta naphthylamide (ABNA), was inhibited by 10^-6-10^-5 M of ME. This inhibition was abolished by verapamil, but not affected by naloxone. In the range of low concentrations ME appears to act on specific delta opioid receptors and its action is positively coupled to guanylate cyclase. In relatively higher concentrations ME-action is not mediated by specific delta opioid receptors and it appears to involve Ca²⁺ influx, adenylate cyclase activation as well as the processing of hormone by PM-enkephalinase.     

Phospholipase A2 Modulates Different Subtypes of Excitatory Amino Acid Receptors: Autoradiographic Evidence

Abstract: Exogenous phospholipases have been used extensively as tools to study the role of membrane lipids in receptor mechanisms. We used in vitro quantitative autoradiography to evaluate the effect of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA glutamate receptors in rat brain. PLA₂ pretreatment induced a significant increase in α-[³H]amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate ([³H]AMPA) binding in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and in the stratum moleculare of the cerebellum. No modification of [³H]AMPA binding was found in the stratum pyramidale of the hippocampus at different ligand concentrations. [³H]-Glutamate binding to the metabotropic glutamate receptor and the non-NMDA-, non-kainate-, non-quisqualate-sensitive [³H]glutamate binding site were also increased by PLA₂ pretreatment. [³H]Kainate binding and NMDA-sensitive [³H]glutamate binding were minimally affected by the enzyme pretreatment. The PLA₂ effect was reversed by EGTA, the PLA₂ inhibitor p-bromophenacyl bromide, and prolonged pretreatment with heat. Bovine serum albumin (1%) prevented the increase in metabotropic binding by PLA₂. Arachidonic acid failed to mimic the PLA₂ effect on metabotropic binding. These results indicate that PLA₂ can selectively modulate certain subtypes of excitatory amino acid receptors. This effect is due to the enzymatic activity but is probably not correlated with the formation of arachidonic acid metabolites. Independent of their possible physiological implications, our results provide the first autoradiographic evidence that an enzymatic treatment can selectively affect the binding properties of excitatory amino acid receptors in different regions of the CNS.