Hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase in tyrosinaemia type II

Tyrosinaemia type II (Richner-Hanhart's syndrome), first reported by Wadmanet al. (1968), is characterized by a highly elevated level of tyrosine in blood and corneal ulcer, dermal hyperkeratosis and mental retardation. Fellmanet al. (1969) showed that this disease was caused by the defect of the cytosolic tyrosine aminotransferase of the liver. We now report a case of this disease with enzymological studies of the biopsied liver.     

Host species-related antigenic groups of avian influenza viruses possessing H4 hemagglutinin revealed by monoclonal antibodies

Summary Twenty five H4 avian influenza viruses of different origin were divided into 4 groups based on the reactivity patterns in hemagglutination-inhibition tests with 25 monoclonal antibodies prepared to two H4 influenza viruses of budgerigar and duck origin.     

Postnatal lung growth after repair of diaphragmatic hernia.

The lungs of two patients who died eight months and 64 months after repair of a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia on the first day of life were examined. Lung volumes were appropriate for the size of the children, and the ratio of right lung volume to left lung volume was also normal in both patients. The lungs, however, were grossly abnormal with evidence of enlargement and destruction of respiratory tissue. The left lung was affected more than the right in both subjects. In one patient the total number of alveoli in the lungs was similar to that of normal children of the same age, but this was because the right lung had more than twice as many alveoli as the left lung. It appears that alveolar multiplication is impaired after repair of diaphragmatic hernia. The number of bronchioles was reduced in the infant with very few alveoli, and there may have been too few bronchioles in the other patient.     

Experience with CDDP therapy in advanced and recurrent gastric cancer cases

For 3 years beginning in 1984, 14 advanced and recurrent gastric cancer cases with measurable lesions (8 unresected cases, 3 cases of recurrence, 2 cases with non-curative resection, 1 case of no operation) were treated by CDDP therapy alone or in combination with other chemotherapies. CR was obtained in 2 of the 8 non-resected cases, radical gastrectomy being feasible in these 2 cases by second-look operation. Five of the 8 cases showed PD, and in 1 case the effect was rather obscure. One of the 2 non-curative resection cases achieved PR, and the other case was MR. One of the 3 recurrent cases was NC, the remaining cases being PD. The one case given no operation showed PD. Overall effectiveness of CDDP therapy for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer cases was seen in 3 (21.4%) of the 14 cases. All of these 3 cases showing effective CDDP therapy was elevated serum CEA values before the therapy, which was markedly reduced after starting the therapy, the reduction rate being very remarkable.     

Relationship between fetal lead exposure and birth weight--evaluation using deciduous incisor enamel

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fetal lead exposure and birth weight, using deciduous incisor enamel as a biomarker and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for analysis of lead. METHODS: We asked dental clinics (n=11) and kindergartens (n=11), mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area and Miyagi Prefecture, and parents to enroll donors of exfoliate deciduous incisors. Donors who consented to this study voluntarily sent deciduous incisors and questionnaires to the authors between March and October, 2003. The Pb/Ca ratios of inner enamel samples were determined by LA-ICP-MS. The relationship between the lead-to-calcium ratio in the enamel and the birth weight was evaluated by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one subjects (male, 72; female, 69) were enrolled in this study. The mean Pb/Ca ratio in the enamel was as low as 0.24 mg-Pb/kg-Ca (SD=0.17). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis extracted the following maternal variables with a positive coefficient with birth weight: gestational age (p < 0.01), weight gain during pregnancy (p < 0.01), prepregnancy BMI (body mass index, p < 0.01), and parity (p < 0.05). Lead concentration in the enamel was significantly negatively associated with birth weight (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that lead concentration in the enamel was inversely related to birth weight. This association was found in a population of which the mean blood lead level was estimated to be as low as about 1 microg/dl. We concluded that in utero low lead exposure decreased birth weight, within the normal range of birth weight.     

Weekly administration of paclitaxel might be beneficial against TS-1-resistant recurrent gastric cancer--a case report

At one year after postoperative adjuvant therapy consisting of TS-1, UFT, and PSK, lymph-node metastasis and recurrent suprarenal metastasis were confirmed in a patient with Stage IV gastric cancer. Despite TS-1 therapy (120 mg/body, 4 consecutive weeks, 2-week break), the therapeutic effect remained PR, and the severity of adverse reactions, such as skin symptoms, leukopenia, and diarrhea, ranged from grade 1 to 3. Although this therapy was continued intermittently, the therapeutic effect worsened to PD and, as a result, the therapy was discontinued. Next, in accordance with the treatment of recurrent and advanced breast cancer, weekly paclitaxel (PTX 80 mg/m2, 3 consecutive weeks, 1-week break) administration was performed on an outpatient basis. CR was achieved after 4 cycles. In addition, no adverse reactions were seen. Therefore, the weekly administration of PTX for the treatment of recurrent gastric cancer resistant to 5-FU anticancer agents is extremely useful, as the antitumor effect of this therapy was great, no adverse reactions were seen, and it can be performed on an outpatient basis.     

Distribution and circulation of influenza viruses in nature

All of the known subtypes of influenza A viruses are circulating in ducks, providing the reservoir for the emergence of influenza viruses in all other species including humans. Each of the pandemic influenza virus strains that emerged in 20th century is a reassortant generated in pig co-infected with avian viruses and the preceding human strains. None of the 15 HA and 9 NA subtypes can be ruled out as potential candidates for future pandemics since avian viruses of any subtype can contribute genes in the generation of reassortants in pigs. To expand surveillance for influenza viruses in migratory and domestic ducks and geese, chickens, quail, and pigs of the world and to be informed about what influenza viruses are dominant in the animal reservoirs, we have started 'Program of Excellence for the Control of Influenza'. One of the aims of the program is to establish a library of influenza virus strains and their genes, where influenza virus strains isolated from animal species in the surveillance are thoroughly characterized, stored, and provided for the use of diagnosis and vaccine preparation for the control of future pandemics.