The contractile effects of serotonin and 5-hydroxykynurenamine (5-HK) on isolated guinea-pig trachea were investigated.
Male Hartley strain guinea-pigs, weighing 250-300g, were killed. Guinea-pig tracheal strips were removed, spirally cut and suspended in a bioassay glass chamber and superfused with Krebs-Hensleit solution at 37°C saturated with oxygen and carbon dioxide (95:5, v/v). Contractile response of guinea-pig tracheal strips was detected by an isotonic transducer and recorded on a polyrecorder.
1) Serotonin and 5-HK caused dose-releated contractions in the guinea-pig tracheal strips. However the effect of 5-HK was approximately 1% that of serotonin.
2) The contractile response to serotonin was attenuated by continuous infusion of 5-HK (5×10^-8M).
3) The contractile response to acetylcholine was not reduced by continuous infusion of 5-HK.
4) The contractile response to 5-HK was attenuated by methysergide.
5) Treatment with 5-HK caused a dose-related inhibition in the contractile response to serotonin (5×10^-4M).
6) The above findings may suggest that 5-HK, a new serotonin metabolite, and serotonin share receptors in the guinea-pig trachea and that the effect of serotonin is specifically antagonized by 5-HK.

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214 cases of lung cancer were statistically examined concerning various factors or properties: histological type; localization; infiltration, tumor size (Tumor Index) and complications. Three normalized parameters of VC, PaO₂, FEV_1.0%, i. e. %VC, %PaO_2%, %FEV_1.0%, were also examined. %VC reduced even in cases of relatively small lung cancer tumors (Tumor index=5-15), but %PaO₂ did not reduce until the tumor index was greater than 30. It seemed that %FEV_1.0% had no correlation to tumor size. Simplex carcinoma seemed to affect FEV_1.0% and PaO₂ more than other types of lung cancer. In cases of mediastinal infiltration, the correlation coefficient between tumor index and PaO₂ was high. Lung cancer with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis resulted in large impairment in every parameter of pulmonary function especially FEV_1.0%. Scores in each categories for three parameters were calculated by a HITAC 8250 computer according to a factor analysis program (SPL-SQUI).

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To investigate the correlation of the structure and function of the bronchial gland, and to study the origin of some substances which defend against broncho-pulmonary infection, we tried to demonstrate such substances in the bronchial gland morphologically.
By enzyme-histochemical and immuno-histochemical studies of the bronchial gland, we concluded that the serous cells of the bronchial gland produce local defensive substances such as lysozyme and s-IgA and play a direct role in the bronchial defense mechanisms.
On the other hand, mucus cells of the bronchial gland produce only mucus and function only as a muco-ciliary transportation system.

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A 59-year-old male entered hospital because of an abnormal shadow on the chest radiogram. In the past he had experienced no discomfort. The clinical examination revealed no diagnostic findings, but X-ray of the chest showed a V-shaped dense opacity in the lingular segment of the left upper lobe. The clinical diagnosis was either bronchial carcinoma or intrabronchial foreign body.
On operation the superior lingular bronchus was found distended by a yellow-gray oval mass, 3cm long and 2cm in diameter. Microscopically, the plug consisted mostly of mucus and eosinophils. A few aspergillus-like fungal hyphae was also found.
This case suggests the significance of fungal hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of mucoid impaction of bronchi.

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A case of a 63-year-old male affected with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung complicated by active pulmonary tuberculosis was presented. Moreover, clinical features and histological examinations revealed the acute type of diffuse interstitial fibrosing appearance due to an unknown origin.
The intercorrelation among pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchogenic carcinoma and interstitial lung fibrosis was discussed.

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We experienced a case of Paragonimus miyazakii infection in man. This patient had a history of having several times eaten boiled water crab, potamon dehani, about seven months before the onset of clinical symptoms and signs. This case showed bilateral pleural, interlobar and pericardial effusion together with spontaneous pneumothorax in chest X-ray films.
Reaction was positive in intradermal tests with antigen prepared from Paragonimus westermani. From the results of both the CF-test and the Ouchterlony test, this case was concluded to be due to Paragonimus miyazakii.
Before a definitive diagnosis was made corticosteroid therapy improved the pleural fluids. But CF-titer and eosinophilia of peripheral blood decreased with administration of bithionol.

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