Exogenous serotonin regulates colorectal motility via the 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord of rats.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that intrathecal injection of noradrenaline or dopamine causes enhancement of colorectal motility. As these monoamines are neurotransmitters of descending pain inhibitory pathways in the spinal cord, we hypothesized that serotonin, which is one of the neurotransmitters involved in descending pain inhibition, also influences the lumbosacral defecation center. Therefore, we examined whether serotonin acting on the spinal defecation center enhances colorectal motility. METHODS: Colorectal intraluminal pressure and propelled liquid volume were recorded in vivo in anesthetized rats. KEY RESULTS: Intrathecal injection of serotonin into the L6-S1 spinal cord elicited periodic increases in colorectal intraluminal pressure, being associated with increases in liquid output. Pharmacological experiments revealed that the effect of serotonin is mediated by both 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors. The serotonin-induced enhancement of colorectal motility was unaffected even after disconnection of the defecation center from supraspinal regions by cutting the T8 spinal cord, while transection of the parasympathetic pelvic nerves prevented the colokinetic effect of serotonin. Finally, we investigated interactions among serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. Simultaneous administration of sub-effective doses of these monoamine neurotransmitters into the spinal cord caused propulsive colorectal motility slightly but substantially. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: These results demonstrate that exogenous serotonin acts on 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the lumbosacral defecation center and activates the parasympathetic nervous system to enhance colorectal motility in cooperation with noradrenaline and dopamine.

Serotonin-induced contractile responses of esophageal smooth muscle in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus).

BACKGROUND: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a regulatory factor in motility of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus. Although we proposed that vagal cholinergic and mast cell-derived non-cholinergic components including serotonin coordinately shorten the esophagus, the precise mechanism of serotonin-induced contractions in the suncus esophagus is still unclear. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine characteristics of contractile responses induced by serotonin and to identify 5-HT receptor subtypes responsible for regulating motility in the suncus esophagus. METHODS: An isolated segment of the suncus esophagus was placed in an organ bath, and longitudinal or circular mechanical responses were recorded using a force transducer. KEY RESULTS: Serotonin evoked contractile responses of the suncus esophagus in the longitudinal direction but not in the circular direction. Tetrodotoxin did not affect the serotonin-induced contractions. Pretreatment with a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist or double application of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonists blocked the serotonin-induced contractions. 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor agonists, but not a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, evoked contractile responses in the suncus esophagus. CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: The findings suggest that serotonin induces contractile responses of the longitudinal smooth muscle in the muscularis mucosae of the suncus esophagus that are mediated via 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors on muscle cells. The serotonin-induced contractions might contribute to esophageal peristalsis and emetic response.

Site and mechanism of the colokinetic action of the ghrelin receptor agonist, HM01.

BACKGROUND: It has been recently demonstrated that the ghrelin receptor agonist, HM01, caused defecation in rats that were treated to provide a model for the constipation of Parkinson's disease. HM01 significantly increased fecal output and increased Fos activity in neurons of the hypothalamus and hindbrain, but not in the spinal defecation center. Other ghrelin agonists act on the defecation center. METHODS: Receptor pharmacology was examined in ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) transfected cells. Anesthetized rats were used to investigate sites and mechanisms of action. KEY RESULTS: HM01 activated rat GHSR1a at nanomolar concentrations and was antagonized by the GHSR1a antagonist, YIL781. HM01, intravenous, was potent to activate propulsive colorectal contractions. This was prevented by pelvic nerve section and by intravenous YIL781, but not by spinal cord section rostral to the defecation centers. Direct intrathecal application of HM01 to the defecation center at spinal level L6-S1 initiated propulsive contractions of the colorectum. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: HM01 stimulates GHSR1a receptors on neurons in the lumbosacral defecation centers to cause propulsive contractions and emptying of the colorectum. It has greater potency when given systemically, compared with other GHSR1a agonists.

Characterization of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the lumbosacral defecation center in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is involved in the regulation of somatic growth, feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Ghrelin stimulates neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons and activates intracellular AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus. These NPY neurons also express the leptin receptor and leptin inhibits ghrelin-induced activation of NPY neurons. In the spinal cord, we have demonstrated colokinetic action of ghrelin. However, the precise characteristics of the ghrelin-sensitive neurons remain to be clarified. The aim of this study was firstly to confirm that the action of ghrelin is mediated via a neurogenic pathway in the spinal cord, and secondly to characterize the ghrelin-sensitive neurons by comparing with hypothalamic ghrelin-sensitive neurons. METHODS: Rats were anesthetised with alpha-chloralose and ketamine, and colorectal intraluminal pressure and expelled volume were recorded in vivo. Drugs were applied intrathecally. KEY RESULTS: Ghrelin caused enhancement of propulsive contractions. Tetrodotoxin completely blocked the colokinetic effect of ghrelin. An AMPK activator, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide, failed to mimic the ghrelin effect. Leptin had no effect on the spontaneous contractions and did not exert a suppressive effect on the ghrelin-enhanced colorectal motility. An NPY Y1 receptor antagonist did not affect the action of ghrelin. NPY had no effect on the colorectal motility. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: This study showed that intrathecal injection of ghrelin stimulates colorectal motility by acting on ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the lumbosacral defecation center. The characteristics of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the spinal cord are quite different from those of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus.

[Primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma with incomplete endocardial cushion defect; report of a case].

Primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma is rare tumor and its prognosis is quite poor due to its late presentation and difficulty of complete resection. We describe a rare case of primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma in a 46-year-old female with incomplete endocardial cushion defect (ECD). Incidentally, we found 2 masses in the pericardial spaces after pericardiectomy. We have successfully removed these 2 masses en bloc and performed a total repair of incomplete ECD. Pathologically, these masses were a primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma. This patient is doing well 4 months after surgery without any evidence of recurrence despite reported poor prognosis of "primary pericardial malignant mesothelioma".

Effect of vitamin K and/or D on undercarboxylated and intact osteocalcin in osteoporotic patients with vertebral or hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To examine serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (OC) with application of an ELISA in normal women and in osteoporotic patients with vertebral fractures or hip fractures, and to investigate the effects of vitamin K and/or D treatment on undercarboxylated OC and intact OC in vertebral fractures. PATIENTS: They were 43 premenopausal (PRE) and 48 postmenopausal healthy females (POST), 89 osteoporotic patients with vertebral fractures (VX) and, 24 patients with hip fracture (HX). MEASUREMENTS: Intact OC was measured by an IRMA and undercarboxylated OC was measured by an ELISA. RESULTS: Intact osteocalcin was significantly higher in POST and VX than in PRE, and was significantly lower in HX than in POST and VX. Undercarboxylated OC tended to be higher in POST, VX and HX than in PRE, but not significantly. The ratio of undercarboxylated OC to intact OC was significantly higher in HX than in POST and in VX. After 4 weeks treatment with K, D, and K + D to 56 VX, undercarboxylated OC decreased significantly in the groups with K and K + D. Intact OC tended to increase slightly in the groups given K, D, K + D, but not significantly so. Vitamin K and vitamin K + D markedly decreased the ratio of undercarboxylated/intact OC to approximately 80%. On the other hand, vitamin D did not decrease that ratio. CONCLUSIONS: There was a disproportion of undercarboxylated osteocalcin to intact osteocalcin between postmenopausal women and osteoporotic patients with vertebral fractures or hip fractures. Vitamin K did decrease undercarboxylated osteocalcin, vitamin D did not change undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and vitamin D did not enhance the effect of vitamin K on undercarboxylated osteocalcin.

Bone mineral density and bone turnover in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with generalized osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to compare them with generalized OA (GOA) and nonGOA patients. A total of 88 postmenopausal primary KOA patients were studied. OA was graded by using knee radiographs. BMD of the lumber spine, femur, and radius, and biochemical markers of bone turnover, pyridinoline (Pyr), deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr), CTx, and osteocalcin were compared among each grade. BMD was also compared with 88 normal controls who were age and weight-matched. In 88 KOA patients, 56 were divided into 28 GOA and 28 non-GOA groups by grading hand radiographs. BMD and biochemical markers were compared between GOA and non-GOA. KOA patients had higher BMD at several skeletal sites compared with age- and weight-matched normals. A significant difference of BMD between each grade was observed between grades 0-1 and 3 (0.774+/-0.143 versus 0.940+/-0.185 g/cm(2), P<0.001), grades 2 and 3 (0.781+/-0.125 versus 0.940+/-0.185 g/cm(2), P<0.01) in the spine, and between grades 0-1 and 3 (0.505+/-0.100 versus 0.564+/-0.127 g/cm(2), P<0.05) in the trochanter. A significant difference of biochemical bone markers was observed between grades 0-1 and 3 (P<0.05) and between grades 2 and 3 (P<0.05) in Pyr and grades 0-1 and 3 (P<0.05) and between grades 1 and 4 (P<0.05) in Dpyr, but not in osteocalcin and CTx. GOA patients had higher BMD of the spine (0.902+/-0.175 versus 0.747+/-0.138 g/cm(2), P<0.01), trochanter (0.535+/-0.107 versus 0.480+/-0.107 g/cm(2), P<0.05), and one-third of the radius (0.526+/-0.068 versus 0.472+/-0. 089 g/cm(2), P<0.05) and had significantly higher biochemical markers in Pyr and Dpyr than non-GOA patients. It is concluded that KOA patients had higher BMD at several skeletal sites. Biochemical bone markers were influenced by some degree of cartilage damage in OA patients. This tendency was stronger in GOA patients than in non-GOA patients.

Comparison of free and peptide-bound pyridinoline cross-links excretion in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate urinary fractions of free and peptide forms of pyridinoline cross-links in arthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The free and total forms of pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 30 pre-menopausal and 22 post-menopausal normal women, 38 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 62 women with osteoarthritis (OA). Peptide forms were calculated as total minus free. Free Dpyr and peptide form were also measured by deoxypyridinoline and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) immunoassays. RESULTS: In normal women, all fractions of Pyr and Dpyr and immunoassays were elevated in post-menopause compared to pre-menopause. In post-menopausal normal women, the free form increased more than the peptide form. In RA, an increase in the fractions of Pyr was greater than Dpyr. Peptide and total cross-links correlated with the disease activity of RA and they were elevated in RA patients with high disease activity. Free Dpyr and CTx were significantly lower in OA than in normal women. Peptide and total Pyr and Dpyr, and immunoassayed Dpyr were significantly higher in the radiographic later stage of OA than in the early stage of OA. CONCLUSIONS: The menopause, RA and OA may have different effects on the urinary excretion of free and peptide-bound pyridinoline cross-links.

The degree of osteoporosis in patients with vertebral fracture and patients with hip fracture: relationship to incidence of vertebral fracture.

The most typical fracture that occurs in osteoporotic patients is a vertebral fracture, whereas hip fractures are thought to occur in the most severe osteoporotic patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of osteoporosis between patients with vertebral fractures and patients with hip fracture by examining bone mineral density, biochemical markers of bone metabolism, and the incidence of vertebral fractures. Subjects were 50 female patients with vertebral fractures (VX) and 60 female patients with hip fracture (HX). Bone mineral densities (BMD) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck (Neck), and one-third of the radius were determined by DXA. Total and bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, N-MID osteocalcin, PICP, free deoxypyridinoline, and CTx were measured. All z-scores of BMD in the three areas of VX and HX patients were negative, meaning those BMDs were lower in VX and HX than a decade-matched normal reference. The z-score of Neck BMD was significantly lower in HX than in VX. Deoxypyridinoline and CTx were significantly higher in HX than in VX. N-MID osteocalcin was significantly lower in HX than in VX. VX and HX patients were divided into four subgroups according to the number of their vertebral fractures: VX, with a single fracture; VX, with multiple fractures; HX, without vertebral fractures: and HX, with vertebral fractures. VX with multiple fractures and HX with vertebral fractures had lower z-scores at all skeletal sites. HX with vertebral fractures had the lowest median z-score at spine and Neck, whereas HX without vertebral fractures had a low z-score only at Neck compared to VX with a single fracture. There was no significant difference in markers among the subgroups. The number of vertebral fractures was negatively correlated with z-scores of BMD at all three sites. We concluded that uncoupling between bone formation and resorption is greater in hip fractures than in vertebral fractures. Vertebral fractures are associated with general osteopenia of the total skeleton. We suggest that there are two types of osteoporosis in patients with hip fractures: one is that the bone mass of the femoral neck is specifically reduced, and the other is a terminal stage of osteoporosis which follows osteoporosis with vertebral fractures.

[Two cases of acetaminophen-induced pneumonitis].

This paper deals with two patients with acetaminophen-induced pneumonitis. A 64-year-old woman suffered from mastitis while being treated by corticosteroid therapy for phemphigoid. She was administered antibiotics and acetaminophen. However, her fever continued and she subsequently developed dyspnea and interstitial pneumonia. The other patient, a 70-year-old woman, was treated with corticosteroid for lower motor neuron disease. Anti-GM1-IgM antibodies were positive in her serum. She developed wet cough and mild fever. During treatment with antibiotics and acetaminophen, her illness was complicated by dyspnea and interstital pneumonia. As a result of histological findings of transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showing interstitial infiltration of mononuclear cells, as well as clinical courses in which cessation of acetaminophen directly lead to the improvement of interstitial pneumonia, both patients were diagnosed to have acetaminophen-induced pneumonitis. The peumonitis responded well to steroid therapy. In vitro culture of peripheral lymphocytes showed stimulated proliferation by acetaminophen in both patients. These findings suggest that allergic mechanism was involved in the pathogenesis of the pneumonitis. Underlying immunological disorders may have enhanced the occurrence. Although acetaminophen is one of the most popular drugs because of a very low incidence of side effects, this drug should be applied carefully, especially with patients who have such immunological disorders.

Elevated plasma bile acids in hypergalactosaemic neonates: a diagnostic clue to portosystemic shunts.

UNLABELLED: To determine whether plasma levels of total bile acids may provide a useful index for hypergalactosaemia due to porto-systemic shunts, these levels were determined in hypergalactosaemic neonates. Increased levels were found in all cases with portohepatic venous or portocaval shunts. The levels of both total bile acids and galactose were normalized when the shunts disappeared on the echograms. Both bile acids and galactose are almost completely absorbed by the liver via the first portal blood passage. Portosystemic shunts contribute to elevated levels of bile acids and galactose. CONCLUSION: Increased plasma levels of total bile acids serve as a diagnostic clue to the presence of portosystemic shunts in neonates with hypergalactosaemia.

[Status asthmaticus treated with inhaled isoflurane and intravenous isoproterenol].

We report the case of an 18-year-old man with status asthmaticus who was treated with inhaled isoflurane and intravenous isoproterenol. The patient was intubated and mechanical ventilation was began immediately after admission to the hospital. He received intravenous methylprednisolone and aminophyline, and frequent inhalation of isoproterenol aerosol. However, his respiratory status deteriorated: peak inspiratory pressure increased markedly, and right pneumothorax, right lower lobe atelectasis, and hypotension developed. He was then given isoflurane by inhalation and a continuous intravenous infusion of isoproterenol, which was followed by marked improvement in his respiratory and hemodynamic status. Isoflurane can be effective in patients with status asthmaticus, and it does not increase the arrhythmogenicity of catecholamines. Intravenous administration of isoproterenol can also be useful in the treatment of patients with status asthamticus. The combination of isoflurane with intravenous isoproterenol may be useful when status asthmaticus is hard to control with conventional therapy.

Evaluation of left ventricular wall motion and function in patients with previous myocardial infarction by three-dimensional 99mTc-HSAD multigated cardiac pool imaging.

To evaluate left ventricular (LV) wall motion stereoscopically from all directions and to calculate the LV volume by three-dimensional (3D) imaging. 99mTc-DTPA human serum albumin-multigated cardiac pool-single photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-MUGA-SPECT) was performed. A new data processing program was developed with the Application Visualization System-Medical Viewer (AVS-MV) based on images obtained from 99mTc-MUGA-SPECT. In patients with previous myocardial infarction, LV function and LV wall motion were evaluated by 3D-99mTc-MUGA imaging. The LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and end-systolic volume (LVESV) were obtained from 3D-99mTc-MUGA images by the surface rendering method, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated at thresholds of 35% (T1), 40% (T2), 45% (T3), and 50% (T4). There was a strong correlation between the LV volume calculated by 3D-99mTc-MUGA imaging at a threshold of 40% and that determined by contrast left ventriculography (LVEDV: 194.7 +/- 36.0 ml vs. 198.7 +/- 39.1 ml, r = 0.791, p < 0.001; LVESV: 91.6 +/- 44.5 ml vs. 93.3 +/- 41.3 ml, r = 0.953, p < 0.001), respectively. When compared with the LVEF data obtained by left ventriculography, significant correlations were found for 3D images reconstructed at each threshold (T1: r = 0.966; T2: r = 0.962; T3: r = 0.958; and T4: r = 0.955). In addition, when LV wall motion obtained by 3D-99mTc-MUGA imaging (LAT and LAO views) was compared with the results obtained by left ventriculography (RAO and LAO views), there was good agreement. 3D-99mTc-MUGA imaging was superior in allowing evaluation of LV wall motion in all directions and in assessment of LV function, since data acquisition and image reconstruction could be done within a short time with the three-detector imaging system and AVS-MV. This method appears to be very useful for the observation of both LV wall motion and LV function in patients with ischemic heart disease, because it is a noninvasive examination.

Evolutionary motif and its biological and structural significance.

We developed a method for multiple alignment of protein sequences. The main feature of this method is that it takes the evolutionary relationships of the proteins in question into account repeatedly for execution, until the relationships and alignment results are in agreement. We then applied this method to the data of the international DNA sequence databases, which are the most comprehensive and updated DNA databases in the world, in order to estimate the "evolutionary motif" by extensive use of a supercomputer. Though a few problems needed to be solved, we could estimate the length of the motifs in the range of 20 to 200 amino acids, with about 60 the most frequent length. We then discussed their biological and structural significance. We believe that we are now in a position to analyze DNA and protein not only in vivo and in vitro but also in silico.

Bone formation under the influence of bone morphogenetic protein/self-setting apatite cement composite as a delivery system.

Self-setting apatite cement (apatite cement) with a phase of hydroxyapatite (HAP) was employed as a delivery system for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). A composite of BMP and apatite cement (BMP/HAP composite) was implanted both in thigh muscle and surgically created defect of a critical size of 5 mm, which is a size that does not heal spontaneously in the femur of mice, to evaluate its osteogenetic potential as an augmentation and reconstructive material for clinical usage. The histological and immunohistochemical assessment of proteoglycans reiterated osteogenesis in the muscle tissue. On day 14 postimplantation of BMP/HAP composite, chondroid tissue was formed in the muscle, and HAP particles were seen in newly formed chondroid tissue. On the 21st day, endo-chondral ossification had occurred, however, small HAP particles remained in the newly formed bone, i.e., HAP particles and newly formed osseous tissues coexisted in a central area. BMP/HAP composite was incorporated by newly formed osseous tissue in the experimented animals. HAP particle found in BMP/HAP composite implanted into the bone defect was resorbed and replaced by osseous tissue. The apatite cement was proved to have advantages for its shaping as well as collapsing properties, and thus, apatite cement containing BMP is suggested as a favorable augmentation material in clinical usage for delivery system of BMP.

A mutation (Trp1193-->Leu1193) in the tyrosine kinase domain of the insulin receptor associated with type A syndrome of insulin resistance.

We evaluated a 35-year-old diabetic male patient with type A insulin resistance, showing acanthosis nigricans. Insulin binding to the patient's Epstein-Barr-virus transformed lymphocytes was mildly reduced. The maximal insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor from the patient's transformed lymphocytes was decreased to 45% of that from the control subjects. On examination, the biological activities of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I in the patient's cultured fibroblasts, insulin sensitivity of amino isobutyric acid uptake and thymidine incorporation was decreased, but insulin-like growth factor I action was normal. The sequence analysis of amplified genomic DNA revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a mutation substituting Leu for Trp at codon 1193 in exon 20 of the insulin receptor gene. The patient's mother and sister were also heterozygous for a mutation in the insulin receptor gene that substituted Leu for Trp1193 in the beta subunit of the receptor. Therefore, the mutation causes insulin resistance in a dominant fashion. They were less hyperglycaemic and more hyperinsulinaemic than the proband after glucose loading. The mother had diabetes mellitus but did not show acanthosis nigricans, while the sister did not have diabetes and showed acanthosis nigricans. These results suggest that this mutation causes defective tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor, which results in insulin resistance. Insulin action and phenotypic appearance may be mediated by different factors.

[A case of an aged patient suspected of craniopharyngioma with a chief symptom of eunuchoidism accompanied with panhypopituitarism].

A 78-year-old man with developmental disturbance of the genital organs and eunuchoidism was reported. He also had a high pitched voice, thickness of the lower lip and kyphosis of the thorax. He seemed to be fretful, but his intelligence was normal. Neurological tests revealed bilateral hemianopsia and decreased tendon reflexes. A plain skull radiograph clearly showed an egg shaped calcified mass extending upward from the sella turcica which resembled a ballooning shape. Brain CTs showed a high density round mass which expanded the sella turcica and raised the floor of the third ventricle. The inner part of the tumor showed irregular high density. T1-weighted MR imaging revealed an iso signal intensity, and T2 showed low signal intensity in the mass. These findings strongly supported the diagnosis of calcificated craniopharyngioma. Endocrinological study showed panhypopituitarism caused by the tumor compressing the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. The main reasons why there were no apparent symptoms of hypopituitarism were because the receptors were up-regulated and secondarily because the thyroid and the adrenal cortical functions decreased while struggling to maintain balance with each other. There was also a possibility that these symptoms might have been masked by normal aging. Benign monoclonal hypergammopathy was also indicated, although we could not find a clear correlation between this finding and others.

Inflammatory alterations in muscle contraction headache.

To investigate the pathophysiology of muscle contraction headache (MCH), several parameters of inflammation were evaluated in 48 patients suffering from MCH, and compared with 50 healthy control subjects: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; C-reactive protein; white blood cell count; immunoglobulin (Ig) G, A, M; and complement component 3(C3) and C4. Serum C3 and C4 levels were significantly elevated in MCH as compared to control subjects, but the other parameters did not differ significantly. This suggests that the inflammatory process may be involved in the production of MCH.

[A case of surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome].

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation and surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome. He underwent a radical operation (endovenectomy and patch dilatation) with femoro-femoral assist bypass. The inferior vena cava (IVC) showed narrowing just below the diaphragm, and its lumen was completely obliterated with fibrous tissue. The fibrous strand was partially resected, and the IVC was closed by Xeno-medica pericardial patch. The patient has been doing well after the operation.

[Biological features of the skin of the pika, Ochotona rufescens rufescens--concentration of histamine in the skin].

The quantity of histamine and the number of mast cells in the skin of the pika were measured and compared with rabbits, guinea pigs and rats. The ranking of regional histamine levels in the skin of the pika was: perianal region greater than abdomen greater than interscapular region = back greater than lumbus greater than head greater than auricle, and the average value of the 7 regions was 22.6 micrograms/g. The level of histamine in the 6 regions, except the auricle, was 2-5 times that of rabbits and guinea pigs. In the auricle of each of the 4 kinds of animal (pika, rabbit, guinea pig and rat), the levels were almost identical. With respect to histamine levels, those in the pika resembled those in rats. The number of mast cells in the skin of the pika was less than in rats, and was greater than that in rabbits and guinea pigs. The average value was 9.9/mm2.