Endogenous tumor necrosis factor exerts its protective function intracellularly against the cytotoxicity of exogenous tumor necrosis factor.

Based on the findings that expression of endogenous tumor necrosis factor (enTNF), which is not present in TNF-susceptible cells, was generally observed in TNF-resistant cells and that TNF gene transfection gives rise to TNF resistance, the assumption was made that enTNF may be a protective protein against the cytotoxicity of exogenous TNF. However, it remains unknown whether the protection by enTNF is exerted in an intracellular or extracellular (autocrine) manner. We therefore transfected a nonsecretory human TNF gene (pTNF delta pro) into highly TNF-sensitive mouse tumorigenic fibroblasts (L-M cells) and investigated their TNF susceptibility. The transfectants expressed enTNF which was not secreted into the medium and acquired an appreciable degree of resistance to exogenous TNF. A significant increase in the manganous superoxide dismutase level was also noted in the transfectants. These findings suggest that enTNF exerts its protective function intracellularly by inducing manganous superoxide dismutase production.     

Diffuse heterotopic submucosal cystic malformation of the stomach: ultrasonographic diagnosis.

The preoperative diagnosis of diffuse heterotopic submucosal cystic malformation of the stomach is very difficult to make with upper gastrointestinal (GI) series or endoscopy. We report a case of submucosal cysts associated with an early gastric carcinoma in which ultrasonography (US) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) were very useful in the preoperative diagnosis.     

Two cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia on MRI]

Lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia have rarely been reported in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). We experienced 2 cases of ADEM, in which MRI showed lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia. Case 1, a 4-year-old boy, had gait disturbance, hyperesthesia and hyperreflexia. MRI (T2 weighted image) showed multiple high intensity areas in the right frontal lobe, bilateral parietal lobes and bilateral thalami. Case 2, a 4-year-old girl, complained of gait disturbance following a febrile episode, and displayed hyperreflexia. Several days later, she had visual disturbance of the left eye. MRI (T2 weighted image) revealed multiple high intensity areas in the dentate nucleus of left cerebellum, left occipital lobe, bilateral caudate nuclei, and the anterior part of bilateral lenticular nuclei. In both cases, CT could not demonstrate these lesions. Both of them were treated with corticosteroid and recovered rapidly. They had no recurrence. MRI is useful in diagnosis and follow-up of ADEM and may reveal lesions other than cerebral or cerebellar white matters.     

Report of a patient of primary Sj?gren syndrome, IgA nephropathy and chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

We describe the case of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with primary Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) after an 8-year history of IgA nephropathy and a 3-year history of recurrent purpuric rashes. Her two daughters had previously been diagnosed with other autoimmune diseases. One daughter had Graves' disease and the other had Hashimoto's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis of SS was made based on dryness of mucous membranes, Shirmer test, and parotid sialography. Thrombocytopenia, high platelet-aggregated IgG (PA-IgG) level, and normal megakaryocytes count in bone marrow suggested that her recurrent purpuric rashes were due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Patients with SS may develop other autoimmune diseases. This case aids understanding of the immune pathogenesis and genetic background of SS.     

Production and characterization of two monoclonal antibodies to human glutathione peroxidase.

Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) is an important selenium-containing enzyme which protects cells from oxidative damage. Two hybridoma clones (GPX-121 and GPX-347), producing mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibodies specific for GSH-Px, were established. Immunoblot analysis revealed that GPX-347 was specific for human GSH-Px, while GPX-121 cross-reacted with human, rat, mouse and rabbit GSH-Px. Correlation between GSH-Px content and its enzymatic activity was investigated in erythrocytes of 76 humans and in human lung adenocarcinoma PC-9 cells by using a sandwich type ELISA. The results indicated that GSH-Px activity was expressed higher than expected from GSH-Px content especially in the range of low GSH-Px concentration. PC-9 cells selenium depleted medium did not stain but the cytoplasm of PC-9 cells grown in medium supplemented with selenium stained strongly.     

EFFECTIVENESS OF CYTODIAGNOSIS WITH PANCREATIC DUCT LAVAGE FLUID FOR PANCREATIC DUCTAL CARCINOMA: NEW SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

Background: Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers. Because pancreatic carcinoma is still very difficult to diagnose in its early stage, many of these patients will be considered unsuitable for surgery. If a cytological diagnosis is obtained at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), suitable treatment will be initiated without delay. Methods: To increase the number of exfoliated cells from the pancreatic duct, we devised a new technique, pancreatic duct lavage fluid (PDLF), following bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The present paper reports the effectiveness of cytological examination using PDLF in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. We examined 18 pancreatic carcinoma cases. After the endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP), PDLF was collected from a double‐lumen catheter inserted into the main pancreatic duct. Saline injected from the lumen for the injection, and PDLF was aspirated from the other lumen for the guidewire at the same time. The cytological examination was performed using PDLF. Results: Exfoliated cells were more frequently found in PDLF from all patients. In 15 cases (83%), cytological examination of PDLF revealed positive cytological results as the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Conclusion: Cytological examination using PDLF has a high sensitivity for detection of pancreatic carcinoma. The new examination, PDLF, is simple, safe and effective, so we expect PDLF to become widely popular.     

Mapping of odor-related neuronal activity using a fluorescent derivative of glucose

Activity labeling was applied to the olfactory systems of the terrestrial slug Limax valentianus using 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG), a fluorescent derivative of glucose. 2-NBDG was incorporated into cultured Limax olfactory interneurons, and this was partially blocked by the presence of a high concentration of glucose in the medium, indicating that a part of the uptake of 2-NBDG is mediated by glucose transporters. Next, in order to map odor-related neuronal activity in the primary olfactory center, tentacular ganglion, we injected 2-NBDG into the body cavities of slugs and exposed them to odors or clean air (control). In the odor-stimulated animals, the cell mass region was strongly stained. The digit-like extensions and the neuropil region were also stained in some animals. The control animals showed no staining. The neurons in the cell mass are thought to be involved in generating oscillating activities in the tentacular ganglion, and their activation may imply modulation of oscillatory activity during odor processing. Our results show that 2-NBDG is useful for mapping neuronal activity in vivo.