Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale

Abstract The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (JY-BOCS) were determined by 20 raters for 12 Japanese patients with obsessive compulsive disorder at four institutions. Interrater reliability for the total JY-BOCS score was excellent, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (ICC = 0.960). Internal consistency was also excellent (Cronbach's α= 0.889). Concurrent and discriminant validity of the JY-BOCS was examined by comparing the scores on the JY-BOCS with those on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and scales for depression and anxiety. A slight correlation was found between scores on the JY-BOCS and MOCI, but no significant correlations were found between scores on the JY-BOCS and those on scales for depression or anxiety.     

Proliferative Effect of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Pulsed Macrophages on T Cells from Mice with DSS-Induced Colitis and Inhibition of Effect by IgG

The authors have previously reported that homologous immunoglobulin (Ig)G reduces the occurrence of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, mainly by suppressing recruitment of immunocompetent cells into colitis lesions. However, the mechanisms of cell recruitment and of its suppression by IgG remain unclear. In addressing these questions, this study focused on the activation of T cells in the presence of macrophages. The authors found that [³H]-thymidine uptake of T cells from DSS-induced colitis mice, but not from normal mice, was significantly enhanced when cultured with DSS-pulsed macrophages. From the profile of cytokine production, it was suggested that T helper 1 (Th1)-type cells become predominant during stimulation. Addition of homologous IgG significantly suppressed T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, while no suppressive effect was observed with heterologous IgG. Mouse IgG F(ab')₂, but not Fc, fragments partially mimicked the suppressive effect of whole IgG. These findings provide evidence that Th1-type cells may play an important role in the development of DSS-induced colitis and that homologous IgG exerts its protective action at least in part through the F(ab')₂ portion.     

Different effects of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane on sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle in dog mesenteric artery

Background: The direct effect of halothane on vascular smooth muscle is mediated in part via its effects on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Little information is available concerning the effects of other volatile anesthetics including isoflurane and sevoflurane, whose vascular effects differ from those of halothane. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane on the SR by testing the contraction induced by caffeine in vascular smooth muscle. Methods: Rings without endothelium from isolated canine mesenteric artery were mounted in physiological saline solution (PSS) for isometric tension recording. After complete depletion of Ca²⁺ from the SR by adding 35 mM caffeine, the rings were exposed to normal Ca²⁺ containing PSS (Ca²⁺ loading), to Ca²⁺-free PSS for 10 min, and then to 15 mM caffeine to induce contraction. Anesthetics were administered during Ca²⁺ loading, the Ca²⁺-free phase and simultaneously with caffeine administration. Results: Halothane (0.5-2%) attenuated the caffeine-induced contraction of canine mesenteric artery when administered during Ca²⁺ loading in the SR (P<0.001), whereas isoflurane and sevoflurane (1–4%) failed to affect the contraction. When given simultaneously with caffeine, halothane (1–2%) potentiated the caffeine-induced contraction (P<0.05), but isoflurane and sevoflurane had no effect. When given before caffeine administration, halothane (0.5-2%), isoflurane (24%) and sevoflurane (4%) all potentiated the caffeine-induced contraction (P<0.05). Conclusion: It has been shown that halothane not only potentiates caffeine- induced Ca²⁺ release from the SR, but also induces contraction by releasing Ca²⁺ from the SR. We conclude that halothane decreases Ca²⁺ accumulation in the SR while exerting facilitative and additive effects on caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ release from the SR when applied before caffeine administration and simultaneously with caffeine, respectively, whereas isoflurane and sevoflurane lack both the ability to decrease Ca²⁺ accumulation and an additive effect on caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ release from the SR, but are able to facilitate Ca²⁺ release by caffeine.     

DIRECT VASOCONSTRICTOR AND VASODILATOR EFFECTS OF PROPOFOL IN ISOLATED DOG ARTERIES

We have measured the direct effects of propofol 10^–7-10^–4mol litre^–1 on isolated canine cerebral, coronary, mesenteric,femoral and renal arteries. In arterial strips precontractedsubmaximally with potassium chloride or prostaglandin F₂     

Pharmacological Properties of β-Amyrin Palmitate,a Novel Centrally Acting Compound,Isolated from Lobelia inflata Leaves

Abstract— Effects of β-amyrin palmitate isolated from the leaves of Lobelia inflata were studied on the central nervous system of mice and were compared with those of antidepressant drugs, mianserin and imipramine. In the forced swimming test, β-amyrin palmitate, like mianserin and imipramine, reduced the duration of immobility of mice significantly in a dose-dependent manner (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1). β-Amyrin palmitate (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1) or mianserin (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1) elicited a dose-related reduction in locomotor activity of mice and antagonized locomotor stimulation induced by methamphetamine. In contrast, imipramine (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1) increased locomotor activity and potentiated methamphet-amine-induced hyperactivity. β-Amyrin palmitate showed no effect on reserpine-induced hypothermia, whilst mianserin (10 mg kg^?1) and imipramine (10 and 20 mg kg^?1) antagonized the reserpine-induced effect. Unlike imipramine, β-amyrin palmitate and mianserin did not affect haloperidol-induced catalepsy, tetrabenazine-induced ptosis and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. β-Amyrin palmitate and imipramine had no effects on the head-twitch response induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan, whereas mianserin (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1) decreased it in a dose-dependent manner. A potentiating effect of β-amyrin palmitate (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1) on narcosis induced by sodium pentobarbitone was stronger than that of imipramine (10, 20 and 40 mg kg^?1) but weaker than that of mianserin (2·5, 5 and 10 mg kg^?1). These results suggest that β-amyrin palmitate has similar properties in some respects to mianserin and might possess a sedative action. We suggest that β-amyrin palmitate has antidepressant activity with a mianserin-like profile of action.     

Relationship between cellular ATP content and cellular functions of primary cultured rat hepatocytes in hypoxia

The importance of oxygen in maintaining the functional integrity of hepatocytes has been well established in a variety of experimental models, such as in vivo , perfused liver and isolated hepatocytes. However, one of the shortcomings of these systems is their short life span. Therefore, we have examined the effects of long-term hypoxia on cellular adenine nucleotide content and cellular functions, such as albumin production, urea production and DNA synthesis, in adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Hepatocytes were cultured at a density of 11 × 10⁴ and 5 × 10⁴ cells/0.18 mL per cm² for the study of albumin and urea production and DNA synthesis, respectively, at various oxygen tensions (20, 12, 8 and 5%) for 24 h. Cellular ATP content in cultured hepatocytes in hypoxia gradually declined, corresponding to the decrease in oxygen tension, and the cellular ATP level at 5% oxygen was approximately 20% of that at 20% oxygen. Albumin production also decreased in parallel with the decrease in cellular ATP content in cultured hepatocytes in hypoxia. However, even when cellular ATP content gradually declined corresponding with the decrease in oxygen tension in cultured hepatocytes in hypoxia, such as at 8 or 5% oxygen, urea production remained at a high level; in contrast, DNA synthesis was completely suppressed. These results suggest that the cellular ATP content decreases in cultured hepatocytes during long-term hypoxia in relation to oxygen tension and that the relationship between decreased ATP levels and liver function in cultured hepatocytes during hypoxia differs for albumin production, urea production and DNA synthesis.     

Cytotoxin and urease activities of Helicobacter pylori isolates from Japanese patients with atrophic gastritis or duodenal ulcer

The vacuolating cytotoxin and urease secreted by Helicobacter pylori are thought to be virulent factors. Because vacuolation is potentiated by the presence of ammonium ion, which is produced by urease in vitro, it is of interest to examine whether cytotoxin and urease work reciprocally in the development of atrophic gastritis or duodenal ulcer. In the present study, patients (all H. pyloripositive) were divided into four groups: mild atrophic gastritis (group 1; nine patients), severe atrophic gastritis (group 2; 36 patients), duodenal ulcer with mild atrophic gastritis (group 3; 19 patients) and duodenal ulcer with severe atrophic gastritis (group 4; 12 patients). Cytotoxin production and urease activity of H. pylori isolated from these patients were analysed. Cytotoxin production was observed in four of nine (44.4%), 28 of 36 (77.8%), 11 of 19 (57.9%) and eight of 12 (66.7%) isolates from groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Cytotoxin-producing H. pylori isolates were found significantly more in patients with severe atrophy than in patients with mild atrophy (P= 0.048). The mean of relative activity of cytotoxin in H. pylori isolate was 1. 6. ± 2. 3, 7. 9. ± 7. 4, 5. 8. ± 6. 0 and 9. 0 ± 9. 1 in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Helicobacter pylori isolates from severe atrophy or duodenal ulcer patients in groups 2 or 4 possessed significantly higher activity than those from non-ulcer patients in group 1 (P= 0.017 and 0.030, respectively). The mean of urease activity was 8. 6 ± 4. 6, 10. 0 ± 5. 9, 10. 0 ± 8. 5 and 11. 2 ± 7. 7 IU/mg in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. These differences indicated no statistical significance. In each H. pylori isolate, the production of cytotoxin and urease were independent, which indicated that there was no reciprocal effect between them in vivo. Thus, cytotoxin-producing H. pylori isolates were more prevalent in patients with severe atrophic gastritis and the cytotoxin activities of H. pylori isolates from the patients with severe atrophic gastritis or duodenal ulcer were much higher than those from the patients with mild atrophic gastritis, which suggested that vacuolating cytotoxin may be a disease-inducing factor.