Influences of various hormones on the megakaryocyte in bone-marrow tissue culture

In our study on the influences of various hormones and various endocrines on the megakaryocyte function by means of bone-marrow tissue culture, we obtained the following. 1. In the repeated administration of ACTH, cortisone, testosterone, progesterone, or thyroxin to guinea pigs, these hormones accelerated the megakaryocyte function, whereas estradiol on the contrary diminished the function. 2. The removal of such endocrines as the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid or testicles will diminish the megakaryocyte function, while removal of the ovaries accelerates it. 3. For the megakaryocytes in the hypophysectomized rats, ACTH acts most effectively to restore their function, followed by cortisone and pulverized thyroid, while testosterone has hardly any effect on the function. 4. ACTH, cortisone, prednisolone, testosterone, progesterone, and pulverized thyroid act directly on megakaryocytes so as to accelerate their function, while estradiol diminishes the megakaryocyte function. 5. For the megakaryocytes in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura ACTH is most effective in restoring the function; for the megakaryocytes in hypoplastic anemia cortisone is most effective; and for the megakaryocytes in Banti's disease prednisolone is most effective in restoring the megakaryocyte function.</p

Fundamental studies on the peripheral leucocyte culture and its clinical application

With an improved method of tissue culture of peripheral leucocytes of our own design, the authors carried out systematic observations on the peripheral leucocyte culture from the normal, various kinds of leukemias, leukemoid reactions, and hypoplastic anemia. As for the culture method we have devised a method of silicon oil coating on the blood containers, a method which will least affect the cell function as compared with the conventional culture method. As the results we have found that the tissue growth in the case of peripheral leucocyte culture of normal persons ceases after six-hour culture and also we have recognized a peculiar finding, a growth like a corona-shape, in which an empty space appears in the inner part of growth area along with the lapse of time. In every leukemic case, without presenting growth area like a corona, the cell density is high and the outer zone of growth area becomes sharply demarcated as in the case with bone-marrow culture and also the growth continues even after 12 hours. At this instance we have noticed many mitoses of immature cells. Moreover, the maturation of immature cells has been observed and it has also been possible to distinguish to what type these immature cells belonged. In the leukemoid reaction no growth pattern Characteristic to the leukemia can be recognized, and at a glance it can easily be differentiated from the leukemia. In the case of hypoplastic anemia although the growth area is like that of the normal presenting a corona-like shape, the cell density is lower and the function of leucccytes is lesser than the normal. From these results we believe that the peripheral leucocyte culture is clinically useful.</p

Studies on the megakaryocytes, platelets separation and degeneration

From these findings, we confirmed that the tongue-like process formations of the cells which are still believed as the platelets formation by many investigators, would be nothing but the presentation of the cell degeneration and platelets are separated only from the tips of tentacles.</p

The method of tissue culture (mainly of the bone marrow) and a simple method of observ­ing living tissue

Our methods of tissue culture of the bone marrow, lymphnodes, and peripheral blood were described. Furthermore, for the purpose of promoting wide clinical application of bone marrow tissue culture, our simple vital inspection method was also stated.</p

Tissue culture of spleen : Studies on the growing pattern and its evaluation for clinical diagnosis of leukemias and other hematologic disorders

It has been found that the clinical tissue culture method devised in our laboratory for bone marrow is satisfactorily applicable to the in vitro study of human and animal splenic tissues. The present experiments have shown that the growth pattern, migration mode or cellular population of the cultured splenic cells is fairly characteristic of each disease condition, and the technic appears to be a valuable diagnostic aid in the practice of hematology. Direct vision biopsy with the laparoscope is safe and unattended by untoward side effects, enabling us to obtain excellent biopsy material from the enlarged spleen in various blood dyscrasias.</p

Inter-laboratory difference among eleven clinical laboratories in the Okayama City area.

The aim of the present study was to find the cause of inter-laboratory differences in laboratory test data and to examine whether control assessment helps to reduce inter-laboratory differences. Blood and serum samples of one healthy subject and one subject with liver cirrhosis were analyzed by 11 laboratories in the Okayama City area. No differences were found in the assay units of 26 tests surveyed. However, considerable differences were observed in test data, reference interval, and clinical level (CL), though most laboratories pointed out that the test data for the normal subject was within the reference intervals and those for the patient with liver cirrhosis showed abnormalities in tests for liver function. The difference in reference intervals was serious in the tests of direct bilirubin (D-Bil), thymol turbidity test (TTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and choline sterase. Marked differences in CLs were found in the tests of D-Bil, TTT, ALP, GGTP, creatine phosphokinase, amylase, heavy density lipoprotein cholesterol and white blood cell count. However, three hepatologists independently suggested that such inter-laboratory differences would not seriously affect a clinical decision on the disease status of the cirrhotic patient. Most tests that showed a trend error in a recent quality control survey appeared to have the same trend in the present study. These results indicate that inter-laboratory differences occur at various levels and control assessment are helpful in establishing, and therefore reducing, the level of inter-laboratory differences

Influences of ventricular pacing on hemodynamics, myocardial metabolism, and cardiac work efficiency: potential risks of rate-responsive ventricular pacing.

The influences of ventricular pacing at a rate of 70 beats/min (bpm) on the systemic and coronary hemodynamics, myocardial metabolism, and cardiac work efficiency were evaluated in five patients with bradycardia. The results were compared to those obtained in six normal subjects at rest. In order to elucidate the effects of a relatively high rate of ventricular pacing, cardiovascular and metabolic variables were also obtained at 120 bpm in the normal subjects. It was observed that the patients eventually benefited from ventricular pacing at a rate of 70 bpm and improved in systemic hemodynamics. Although coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism were accelerated, the cardiac work efficiency was not improved. A pacing rate of 120 bpm in the normal subjects did not appear to accelerate systemic hemodynamics, but adverse accelerations of coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism were observed, and the cardiac work efficiency was remarkably reduced as a result. Our observations indicated that the coronary reserve capacity was very important for ventricular pacing, and suggested that an undue increment of the pacing rate not only might be meaningless but also might induce ischemic angina. Therefore, we should be cautious in using a rate-responsive pacing mode, particularly in determination of the upper limit of pacing rates, although many benefits with this pacing mode have recently been advocated.</p

Acute Common Femoral Artery Occlusion following Total Hip Arthroplasty for an Arthrodesed Hip

Perioperative acute arterial complications occur rarely after total hip arthroplasty (THA) but can be limb or life threatening. Here, we report a case of an arterial thrombosis after primary THA for an arthrodesed hip. The arterial occlusion occurred because of the surgical mobilization against the immovable flexion and adduction position. A review of the literature on vascular complications arising after THA suggests multiple possible mechanisms and clinical presentations that relate to these complications. Specific risk factors can be identified in THAs replacement cases and THA for the arthrodesed hip can be a major risk factor. Most of these vascular complications can be prevented or more efficiently treated by thorough preoperative assessment and careful postoperative monitoring

Visceral fat obesity is the key risk factor for the development of reflux erosive esophagitis in 40–69-years subjects

[Background] Visceral fat obesity can be defined quantitatively by abdominal computed tomography, however, the usefulness of measuring visceral fat area to assess the etiology of gastrointestinal reflux disease has not been fully elucidated. [Methods] A total of 433 healthy subjects aged 40–69 years (234 men, 199 women) were included in the study. The relationship between obesity-related factors (total fat area, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, and body mass index) and the incidence of reflux erosive esophagitis was investigated. Lifestyle factors and stomach conditions relevant to the onset of erosive esophagitis were also analyzed. [Results] The prevalence of reflux erosive esophagitis was 27.2% (118/433; 106 men, 12 women). Visceral fat area was higher in subjects with erosive esophagitis than in those without (116.6 cm2 vs. 64.9 cm2, respectively). The incidence of erosive esophagitis was higher in subjects with visceral fat obesity (visceral fat area ≥ 100 cm2) than in those without (61.2% vs. 12.8%, respectively). Visceral fat obesity had the highest odds ratio (OR) among obesity-related factors. Multivariate analysis showed that visceral fat area was associated with the incidence of erosive esophagitis (OR = 2.18), indicating that it is an independent risk factor for erosive esophagitis. In addition, daily alcohol intake (OR = 1.54), gastric atrophy open type (OR = 0.29), and never-smoking history (OR = 0.49) were also independently associated with the development of erosive esophagitis. [Conclusions] Visceral fat obesity is the key risk factor for the development of reflux erosive esophagitis in subjects aged 40–69 years