Transient Brain Ischaemia Provokes Ca2+, PIP2 and Calpain Responses Prior to Delayed Neuronal Death in Monkeys

To clarify the mechanism of postischaemic delayed cornu Ammonis (CA)-1 neuronal death, we studied correlations among calpain activation and its subcellular localization, the immunoreactivity of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and Ca²⁺ mobilization in the monkey hippocampus by two independent experimental approaches: in vivo transient brain ischaemia and in vitro hypoxia-hypoglycaemia of hippocampal acute slices. The CA-1 sector undergoing 20 min of ischaemia in vivo showed microscopically a small number of neuronal deaths on day 1 and almost global neuronal loss on day 5 after ischaemia. Immediately after ischaemia, CA-1 neurons ultrastructurally showed vacuolation and/or disruption of the lysosomes. Western blotting using antibodies against inactivated or activated μ-calpain demonstrated μ-calpain activation specifically in the CA-1 sector immediately after ischaemia. This finding was confirmed in the perikarya of CA-1 neurons by immunohistochemistry. CA-1 neurons on day 1 showed sustained activation of μ-calpain, and increased immunostaining for inactivated and activated forms of μ- and m-calpains and for PIP₂. Activated μ-calpain and PIP₂ were found to be localized at the vacuolated lysosomal membrane or endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane respectively, by immunoelectron microscopy. Calcium imaging data using hippocampal acute slices showed that hypoxia-hypoglycaemia in vitro provoked intense Ca²⁺ mobilization with increased PIP₂ immunostaining specifically in CA-1 neurons. These data suggest that transient brain ischaemia increases intracellular Ca²⁺ and PIP₂ breakdown, which will activate calpain proteolytic activity. Therefore, we suggest that activated calpain at the lysosomal membrane, with the possible release of biodegrading enzyme, will cause postischaemic CA-1 neuronal death.     

Cell surface phenotype of in vitro proliferating lymphocytes in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP)

The in vitro proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) without any mitogenic stimulation is one of the hallmarks of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection. Recent evidence suggests a difference in the degree of the phenomenon between HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers (AC). In this article, we demonstrated several alterations in the features of the in vitro transformed lymphocytes between patients with HAM/TSP (n = 16) and AC (n = 8). The percentages of total CD8+ and CD8+CD28+ cells were significantly increased in the in vitro proliferating T lymphocytes derived from the patients with HAM/TSP when compared to those from AC. HAM/TSP was segregated from AC by the high degree of the proliferation of CD8+CD28+ cells. The expression of HTLV-I-specific antigens on the cultured PBLs was detected only in the subjects which showed low CD8+CD28+/CD4+ ratio of the in vitro proliferating lymphocytes. These findings suggest that this phenomenon distinguishes HAM/TSP from AC, not only in quantity but also in quality.     

Inferior vena cava thrombus after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testicular tumor

A rare case of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for a testicular tumor is reported. A computed tomograph performed after the operation incidentally showed a filling defect in the IVC. However, it was impossible to decide whether the defect was due to an ordinary or a neoplastic thrombus. For this reason, a thrombectomy was performed, and postoperatively it was diagnosed as an ordinary thrombus. The cause of thrombi found only in the IVC is reviewed and the indication for thrombectomy is discussed.     

Usefulness of two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography combined with surface anatomy scanning for convexity lesions

Thirty-eight patients with convexity lesions were studied prospectively with the two-dimensional time-of-flight (2D-TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) method. Of these 21 cases had additional surface anatomy scanning (SAS) and 7 cases had three-dimensional phase contrast (3D-PC) MRA. The findings were compared during surgery, and the predictability of 2D-TOF evaluated. 2D-TOF was obtained with 2 mm slice thickness after the administration of contrast media for routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cortical veins were visualized with a good resolution with a scan time of only 5 minutes. The tumor was also visible in the background, due to enhancement, and thus the tumor-vessels relation was shown. Slow-flow vessels were also adequately seen. SAS was done at the same sitting with fast spin echo (FSE) with a scan time of 3 minutes. Once both images were incorporated, information on gyri and their relation to the lesions and vasculature could be obtained from a single image. We found 2D-TOF alone, or at times in combination with SAS, useful for planning of operation for convexity lesions.     

Jarcho-Levin Syndrome Associated with Atrial Septal Defect and Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: A Case Report

A bstract A 61-year-old woman suffering from Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) was associated with atrial septal defect and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and underwent corrective surgery. Pressure controlled postoperative ventilator therapy is preferred in patients with JLS.     

Sodium Valproate-lnduced Cardiovascular Abnormalities in the JchlCR Mouse Fetus

Sodium valproate was administered to Jcl:ICR mice in order to evaluate teratogenicity in the cardiovascular system. A single dose of 600mg/kg of sodium valproate was injected intraperitoneally on gestational day 6, 7, 8 or 9. On day 18 of gestation, dams were laparotomized to observe incidence and type of cardiovascular abnormality in live fetuses. Cardiovascular abnormalities were found most frequently in the group treated on day 7, being recognized in 86% of litters (19/22) and in 29% of live fetuses (70/238). Among these, there were 28 cases of transposition of the great arteries, 13 of double outlet right ventricle, 11 of endocardial cushion defect, 9 of ventricular septal defect, 5 of tricuspid atresia, and 4 of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.